“You showed up after the fight was over. Any later, and you’d have missed the exam,” Yukigetsu said, arms crossed, casting a sidelong glance.
Shikamaru lifted his gaze, glanced at Choji, and replied indifferently, “As long as I didn’t miss the graduation exam. Besides, a few minor injuries won’t bother Choji.”
Yukigetsu’s mouth twitched, especially when he saw Choji nodding in agreement.
“Why are you nodding?” Yukigetsu said irritably.
Choji just rubbed his head and chuckled, “Heh, heh.”
Yukigetsu shook his head helplessly, turning to Iruka and saying, “Iruka-sensei, we’re heading to the exam.”
After Iruka nodded in agreement, Yukigetsu led Choji and Shikamaru away.
In the distance, they could still hear Choji asking, “Shikamaru, what’s wrong with that saying? I think it’s pretty accurate…”
Shikamaru rolled his eyes, “Think about it. When we plan to bite back, we’re comparing ourselves to dogs. If a dog bites a person, the person doesn’t bite back; they can just beat the dog to death with a stick. For someone who offends us, beating them to death is simpler than trying to comfort ourselves with the saying that we’re being magnanimous.”
Yukigetsu: “…”
Choji: “…”
Iruka watched the three of them leave, shaking his head.
He had almost arrived at the same time as Yukigetsu, but while he hesitated, wondering how to intervene, Yukigetsu had already made a decision. Facing Kiba’s interference, he chose a mutually damaging approach, which was the most effective strategy at the time.
Battle awareness, physical strength, and even temperament were all qualities that Iruka admired in Yukigetsu.
“However, not being able to extract chakra is a limitation for his future. Hopefully, he’ll pass today’s exam…”
As Iruka muttered to himself, he felt a tug on his sleeve.
He turned in confusion to see Naruto Uzumaki, dressed in bright yellow, hands clasped together, and tears streaming down his face. “Iruka-sensei, I heard this graduation exam requires the Three Basic Techniques. Weren’t we only supposed to be tested on one? Can’t we skip the Clone Technique?”
Iruka sighed, rubbing his forehead. “Naruto, the Three Basic Techniques are fundamental. Besides, the Third Hokage personally specified the content of this exam. It can’t be changed…”
Naruto’s face fell, his expression one of deep frustration.
Ignoring Naruto’s complaints and worries, Yukigetsu, Choji, and Shikamaru made their way to the exam location. This graduation exam required the Three Basic Techniques and would be conducted in a large classroom with everyone together.
Failing in front of everyone would be truly embarrassing.
“Yukigetsu…”
At that moment, Ino Yamanaka, showing off her slender waist, ran up, panting, her ponytail bouncing. “Are you okay?”
Yukigetsu shrugged, reminding her, “I’m not the one who’s hurt. It’s Choji.”
In Danzo’s Root, he had endured countless life-and-death struggles. The children there didn’t have chakra, and only those with intelligence and the right temperament had a slim chance of survival.
Compared to that, these schoolyard skirmishes were hardly worth his attention.
Ino ignored him, her lips pursed. She grabbed Yukigetsu’s right hand, her fingers tracing over his not-yet-healed wound, her face darkening. “That damn broad forehead girl caused you to get hurt again. And she even managed to get me out of the way this time. How infuriating…”
Choji looked at Yukigetsu’s small, almost healed wound, then at his own bruises, and felt his face twitch involuntarily. The difference in treatment was too much.
He turned to Shikamaru, who was looking up at the sky as if he hadn’t seen anything, silently conveying: “Isn’t this normal for Ino? I’m used to it…”
“This wound will be gone soon.”
Feeling Ino’s soft touch, Yukigetsu sighed, noticing the many eyes fixed on their clasped hands. He coughed lightly, reminding her, “You’re drawing much attention.”
Ino snapped back to reality, but she tightened her grip on his hand instead of letting go.
“You… have no shame!”
Just as Yukigetsu’s mouth twitched, a girl’s voice came from behind. Ignoring the reactions of the other three, his expression suddenly turned cold.
Still holding Ino’s hand, he slowly turned around, his face indifferent:
“Sakura Haruno, haven’t you had enough?”
The rustling leaves and the gentle breeze seemed out of place. Despite the warm sunlight, Sakura Haruno felt a chill, like falling into an icy abyss.
Usually warm and friendly, the boy before her now wore a cold expression. His gentle eyes seemed to be shrouded in blood, exuding a killing intent far beyond his years.
She didn’t know that her constant provocations had pushed Yukigetsu to his limit. He would have already dealt with her harshly without hesitation in the Root.
“I-I…”
Sakura’s lips trembled. She wanted to say something harsh but couldn’t get the words out. Her instincts warned her that further provocation could lead to something terrifying…
“Yukigetsu…”
Ino gently tugged on Yukigetsu’s sleeve, her eyes not filled with fear but concern.
Through their interactions, she sensed something different about Yukigetsu. He had an unusual aura, whether it was his occasional references to a cruel childhood or the way he looked into the distance at sunset.
It was this unique quality that had unknowingly captured Ino’s heart.
Yukigetsu’s behavior now starkly contrasted his usual self, making Ino worried.
Feeling Ino’s tug, Yukigetsu’s body shuddered slightly. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, the killing intent had receded as if it had never been there.
He met Ino’s worried gaze, smiled gently, and patted her head. “It’s fine. Let’s go.”
Yukigetsu turned and walked away, Ino clinging to his arm. Shikamaru shrugged and pulled Choji along to follow them.
“Hoo…”
Sakura sank to the ground, wiping the sweat from her forehead. Her eyes still showed traces of fear. Yukigetsu had exerted immense pressure.
After a moment, Sakura regained her composure. She jumped up, pouting, fists clenched, and stomped her foot in frustration. “Damn Yukigetsu, scaring me like that. I curse you, curse you…”
Clearly, this girl had a strong nerve. Despite being terrified moments ago, she quickly forgot and went back to being angry. It seemed Yukigetsu had a long way to go if he wanted to tame such a spirited girl…
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