After the physical test, Class 1-A collapsed to the ground, exhausted and disheveled.
Yet all eyes were fixed on Kitazawa and Iruka, busy tallying the live rankings.
"I wonder how I did,"
Sakura Haruno said, glancing at the calm Uchiha Sasuke, her face lighting up with a dreamy smile. "I hope I'm close to Sasuke-kun."
"Just do your best,"
Ino Yamanaka casually brushed back her golden hair. "It's just a regular monthly exam."
"True enough,"
Choji Akimichi munched on chips, crunching loudly.
"Passing is winning,"
Shikamaru Nara remarked lazily.
"Since you all don't care, I'll graciously claim first place!"
Kiba Inuzuka said confidently.
"First place will surely be Sasuke-kun,"
Sakura objected.
"The outcome is uncertain; anyone can be first,"
Naruto said, recalling Kitazawa's encouragement. "Maybe it'll be me!"
His friends stared at him, wide-eyed.
"What are you looking at?"
Naruto asked.
"To hear such words from you… unexpected,"
Shikamaru chuckled.
"That's what Kitazawa-sensei said,"
Naruto winked.
Ino nodded in understanding, while Sasuke stayed silent—first place was already his.
Hinata Hyuga, immersed in her own thoughts, barely registered their conversation, clutching her hands in silent prayer. She didn't want to disappoint Kitazawa.
"I will now announce the results."
Kitazawa held the roster and stepped forward.
The class rose, eyes full of anticipation.
"First place,"
Kitazawa smiled. "Hinata Hyuga."
A brief silence fell, then chaos erupted.
Hinata had always been quiet in class, barely noticeable, yet now she'd achieved something extraordinary.
"Impossible!"
Sasuke froze, shock replacing his usual calm.
The almost guaranteed first place had slipped away.
Losing the physical test to Naruto was bearable; that was trivial.
But losing the monthly exam to Hinata left him in disbelief, as if dreaming.
"Ah, so it wasn't me!"
Naruto buried his face in his hands, realizing the miracle he had hoped for had not occurred.
Yet, the first place wasn't the arrogant Sasuke Uchiha?
"What's going on?"
Sakura was stunned, unable to comprehend.
"Unbelievable,"
Ino whispered.
The invincible Uchiha had fallen.
Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba, and Shino silently processed the results, expressions speaking volumes.
Hinata's heart raced, exhilarated like the first time she had snuck out of class.
"Hinata's theory exam: first place. Practical exam: second place. Overall: first place,"
Kitazawa explained. "Second place: Uchiha Sasuke."
Hinata's victory over Sasuke owed much to Sakura and Naruto: Sakura had taken his theory exam second place, and Naruto had taken first in the physical test.
Sasuke stood expressionless, the displeasure written plainly on his face.
No one remembers second place; the Uchiha didn't need second place.
"Third place: Shino Aburame,"
Kitazawa continued.
Several students blinked. Who? Do we have a Shino Aburame in our class?
If Hinata was nearly invisible, Shino was practically nonexistent.
"Fourth: Ino Yamanaka. Fifth: Sakura Haruno. Sixth: Kiba Inuzuka… Tenth: Choji Akimichi,"
Kitazawa calmly read the remaining top scores.
"Sixth place is respectable,"
Kiba sighed. The competition was fierce.
"Why not me?"
Naruto felt thunderstruck.
Not only did he fail to claim first, he hadn't even made the top ten.
He glanced at Choji. You said the same as me, how did you climb so high?
"Naruto,"
Kiba noticed his frustration, offering a supportive smile.
"Hmph!"
Naruto pouted. "Next time, I'll surpass you!"
"Do your best,"
Kiba patted his shoulder, unconvinced.
"Seventeenth: Naruto Uzumaki… Twentieth: Shikamaru Nara…"
Kitazawa finished reading the remaining rankings.
"Only seventeenth? Darn it!"
Naruto groaned. If only I'd gotten those few questions right, I'd be top ten.
"Those who didn't do well need not be discouraged. There will be many opportunities ahead,"
Kitazawa addressed the class. "That's it for today. See you next Monday."
"Goodbye, sensei,"
The students left, exchanging farewells.
Kitazawa and Iruka moved to the conference room, handing over the full-grade rankings and preparing for the school-wide award ceremony.
By the time they arrived, many teachers were already there.
"Kitazawa, Iruka,"
Mizuki called out.
Iruka was about to respond when he recalled Kitazawa's morning warning: Something about Mizuki…
"Your class did well?"
Mizuki asked bluntly, smiling. "Any perfect scores?"
"Your class had a perfect score?"
Iruka was surprised.
"Luck favored one student,"
Mizuki said modestly. "A Hyuga genius, Neji Hyuga."
"Impressive,"
Iruka admired. "No wonder he was last year's outstanding student representative."
Outstanding student representatives gave speeches at the ceremony.
Kitazawa frowned slightly.
Hinata hadn't achieved a perfect score—she lost to Sasuke and Naruto in the practical exam.
Still, with the Hokage as support, and Neji having already spoken last year, it wasn't a major issue.
"Looks like your class has no perfect scores, but that's fine; it's the first monthly exam,"
Mizuki beamed.
"That's true,"
Kitazawa said calmly.
Mizuki's smile froze. This isn't the expression I wanted… jealousy, not calm!
"All homeroom teachers, hand me the grade sheets,"
Hisao Sarutobi entered. "Also, first place from each grade automatically becomes a candidate for student representative."
Kitazawa remained seated while Iruka submitted the sheets.
After collecting all, Sarutobi departed efficiently.
"Kitazawa-senpai, and Mizuki,"
Iruka volunteered, "I'll treat you to a meal."
"Sure,"
Mizuki grinned. "I want the most expensive barbecue."
"No problem,"
Iruka agreed, though reluctantly.
Just as the three stepped out of the conference room, a shadow appeared before them.
"An ANBU ninja?"
Nearby teachers startled.
"Kitazawa,"
the ANBU said. "The Hokage requests your presence."
"Understood,"
Kitazawa nodded, turning to Iruka. "Looks like no meal today; next time it's on me."
He followed the ANBU, leaving the Ninja Academy.
"A summons from the Hokage?"
Iruka stood stunned.
For a regular Chunin like him, the Hokage was far out of reach.
That Kitazawa was summoned made it almost unreal.
Nearby teachers murmured in awe and envy.
In Konoha, being valued by the Hokage meant promotion, rewards, and life success.
Mizuki, however, seethed.
He had produced the school's only perfect score—why wasn't he summoned, but Kitazawa was?
Unfair! I hate it!
A trace of resentment flared in Mizuki's eyes.
Iruka noticed, tensing immediately.