Talent System In The Naruto Universe

The early morning in March was neither too cold nor too warm, making it extremely pleasant.

Hanekawa woke up early, dressed, and headed straight to the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore.

It had been three months since his last meeting with Samui and the others. Now, one of his friends had finished another new novel concept and outline.

"Hanekawa!"

As soon as Tsuchibashi saw him, he guessed why Hanekawa was there. With an expectant expression, he asked, "Is it a new book?"

"That's right."

Hanekawa handed him a scroll.

"Redo of Healer," Tsuchibashi read aloud, unrolling the scroll. After glancing through it for a moment, he wore a strange expression. "The protagonist has such a tragic start?"

"It begins with hardship but rises to triumph," Hanekawa said concisely.

Tsuchibashi continued reading, and his eyes soon lit up, especially during the scene where the princess was forced to make a choice. He looked excited.

"No problem!"

Tsuchibashi closed the scroll and said, "This will definitely be a hit!"

"I hope the novel and manga can be released simultaneously this time. It'll save time," Hanekawa suggested.

"For most authors, we wouldn't take such a big risk. But for you, Thunderfire Sword, we can give it a try," Tsuchihashi replied after some thought. "We'll arrange it as soon as possible."

"Thank you, Uncle Tsuchibashi."

Hanekawa expressed his gratitude and bid him farewell before returning home.

---

When he opened the door, he saw Kurenai standing at the entryway.

She was leaning against the wall, bending slightly as she changed her shoes. Her long black hair cascaded like a waterfall, her fair, slender calves tilted delicately, and her petite toes gradually disappeared into her shoes.

Hanekawa was momentarily stunned.

Unknowingly, Kurenai had blossomed into a bright and charming young woman.

"Hanekawa, what were you doing out so early?"

Kurenai noticed him as she finished changing her shoes and asked curiously.

"Taking out the trash," Hanekawa replied with a random excuse.

"Do you think I can rank third in the practical exam like last year?"

Kurenai didn't suspect anything and shifted the topic to the upcoming combat assessment.

"Shouldn't be a problem," Hanekawa said after a moment of thought. "Your main competitor is Asuma. He has a slight edge in overall strength, but you have your advantages."

"What advantages?"

Kurenai instinctively leaned closer, and a faint fragrance wafted over.

"Genjutsu," Hanekawa said with a smile.

"When you spar with him, start by distracting him with Water Release, then catch him off guard with genjutsu."

"Great idea!" Kurenai's eyes sparkled with excitement.

Of course, Asuma would be on guard against genjutsu, but it was impossible to maintain vigilance indefinitely. Moreover, since their skill levels weren't too far apart, he was bound to let his guard down while defending against her Water Release.

If he could maintain his defense the entire time, well, then he deserved the win.

"Good luck."

Hanekawa reached out and patted her head.

"I'm not a kid anymore!"

Kurenai huffed lightly and said, "Stop patting my head all the time."

Oh no! Was his head-patting career about to end?

As a proud head-patting ninja, Hanekawa felt regretful. Fortunately, despite her words, Kurenai didn't dodge or resist.

"Let's go eat at Ichiraku Ramen," Hanekawa suggested, extending his hand.

Kurenai glanced at him before taking his hand.

"I wonder when Uncle Shinku will return," Hanekawa said casually as he closed the door behind them.

Kurenai Yuhi's father, Shinku, had been on a mission for two days.

"Probably soon," Kurenai replied uncertainly.

"I forgot to ask what kind of mission it was," Hanekawa said before reassuring her. "Don't worry, he'll be fine. At most, it'll take a week or two longer."

In the original timeline, Shinku died during the Nine-Tails attack, which was still far off.

"Mm."

Kurenai nodded before asking, "Who taught you to cook? Your food keeps getting better!"

"My Sensei," Hanekawa said without hesitation, throwing someone under the bus. "She's pretty lazy, so I do all the cooking."

Kurenai felt a bit conflicted.

Before meeting Hanekawa, she had always thought Tsunade was the greatest kunoichi in the ninja world.

Now, her image had completely crumbled.

Aside from being an excellent medical ninja, the rest of her personality boiled down to being lazy, gluttonous, fond of gambling, and drinking—nothing like a proper ninja.

"Teach me how to cook when you have time," Kurenai suddenly suggested.

"No problem," Hanekawa replied with a smile.

He had noticed that in the original story, most of the girls were skilled in domestic matters, like Rin Nohara, Hinata Hyuga, and Ino Yamanaka.

As for Tsunade... better left unmentioned.

---

"We're here!"

Kurenai let go of Hanekawa's hand, glanced at the menu, and said, "Uncle Teuchi, one bowl of char siu ramen, please."

"Same for me," Hanekawa said as he sat down next to her.

"Coming right up. Please wait a moment," Teuchi's voice called out from the kitchen.

Moments later, two steaming bowls of ramen were placed before them.

"Time to dig in!"

Kurenai clasped her hands together, picked up her bowl, and sipped the soup, her face lighting up with satisfaction.

"You're so cute," Hanekawa said with a chuckle.

"Of course!" Kurenai raised an eyebrow, happily accepting his compliment.

---

After finishing their meal and paying the bill, the two headed to the ninja academy.

By 8:00 AM, the classroom was abuzz as Eichiro walked in right on time.

"Please, don't let me be last!" Obito Uchiha muttered to himself, eyes shut tightly.

"You don't usually study, so what's the point of praying now?" Kakashi Hatake said, shaking his head.

"Who said I don't work hard?" Obito retorted. "I train with Rin every day!"

"I'm talking about theory lessons," Kakashi replied coolly.

"Well… I pay attention in class…" Obito's voice trailed off, sounding less and less confident.

"First place will probably go to Hanekawa again," Kakashi said, turning his gaze toward Eichiro at the podium.

"Not necessarily!" Obito huffed. "I think Rin might get it."

"I'm not as good as Hanekawa," Rin Nohara said with a shake of her head.

"Rin, you need to have confidence!" Obito exclaimed. "You almost beat him in last month's test!"

---

"I'll now announce the results of yesterday's theory exam," Eichiro said, interrupting their chatter. "First place: Hanekawa."

Obito froze, his face stiff as he struggled to find words.

Rin, on the other hand, remained calm. The only reason she had nearly overtaken Hanekawa last month was that he'd been away on a mission for two weeks.

"And last place: Obito Uchiha."

Eichiro closed the list and continued, "In ten minutes, assemble on the training field for the practical exam."

"Argh!" Obito groaned, slamming his desk. "Last place again!"

Rin hesitated, unsure of how to console him.

She could understand how Hanekawa had maintained first place for four consecutive years, but she couldn't wrap her head around how Obito had consistently landed in last place.

Was the theory exam really that difficult?

"Let's go to the training ground."

Kakashi Hatake glanced at Hanekawa, a glimmer of determination flashing in his eyes.

Although he had never won against Hanekawa, that didn't mean he had given up.

This was his last chance to prove himself since Hanekawa would graduate from the academy after fifth grade. Once a student graduates, the practical exam is replaced by the Three Basic Techniques assessment.

Hanekawa and Kurenai Yūhi left the classroom, one following the other.

The training ground was already buzzing with students. Hanekawa spotted Shisui Uchiha, Yugao Uzuki, and Anko Mitarashi among them. Since the exam was about to begin, he decided not to greet them.

---

"Kurenai, this time I definitely won't lose!"

Asuma Sarutobi approached the two, declaring confidently.

"What if you lose again?" Kurenai asked with a teasing smile.

"I... I'll treat you to barbecue!" Asuma, noticing Hanekawa's calm demeanor, instinctively toned down his bravado.

"Alright," Kurenai nodded. Then she pointed to Rin Nohara and the others, adding, "But you'll have to treat all of us."

"No problem!" Asuma replied confidently. "That's just small change!"

"Hey, we didn't agree to this!" Obito Uchiha protested.

"Obito," Rin Nohara shook her head gently. "We're all friends."

"Fine…" Obito reluctantly agreed. He had been planning to invite Rin out for a meal alone after the exam.

---

"Time's up. I'll call out the names for the sparring matches," Eichiro announced, clapping his hands to draw everyone's attention. "First match: Shizune vs. Kurenai Yūhi."

Since Shizune hadn't been training under Tsunade, her skills were no match for Kurenai's, and she quickly lost.

One match followed another, with Might Guy showing the most improvement. He had begun to grasp the Eight Gates technique, significantly enhancing his taijutsu abilities.

In the original series, Might Guy didn't graduate with Kurenai and the others; he graduated two years earlier. Unfortunately, his theoretical grades were a weak point.

---

"Kurenai Yūhi vs. Asuma Sarutobi," Enichiro called out loudly.

"Ready to pay up?" Kurenai asked with a playful grin.

"Hmph!" Asuma snorted, realizing that Kurenai, like Hanekawa, could be incredibly irritating.

The two stepped into the center of the field and performed the Seal of Confrontation.

Following Hanekawa's advice, Kurenai started with Water Release techniques.

Asuma countered with Wind Release, avoiding Fire Release as it was naturally disadvantaged against water.

The two engaged in a fierce exchange of jutsu, drawing gasps from the spectators. For academy students, such a back-and-forth display of ninjutsu was rare.

At first, Asuma remained wary of Kurenai's genjutsu. However, the prolonged ninjutsu exchange lulled him into a false sense of security.

---

Mind-Body Switch Technique!

Seizing the right moment, Kurenai formed a hand seal and subtly transformed her Water Release into a genjutsu.

Believing it to be another water-based attack, Asuma concentrated intently on countering it and fell right into her trap.

"Not good!"

Though he realized what had happened, it was too late. After dispelling the genjutsu, he was immediately struck by a charging Water Dragon.

Asuma was sent flying, landing on the ground, unable to get back up.

"The winner is Kurenai Yūhi," Eichiro declared, his tone tinged with amazement.

Kurenai's progress was remarkable, especially considering her opponent was the Hokage's son.

When Eichiro had taken charge of this class in their first year, he had assumed Asuma would claim the top spot. But the reality exceeded all expectations.

Asuma had first lost to Kakashi Hatake, then to Hanekawa, and now to Kurenai.

If this trend continued, the Hokage's reputation might take a hit.

---

By noon, the results were finalized, closely mirroring last year's rankings.

First place: Hanekawa.

Second place: Kakashi Hatake.

Third place: Kurenai Yūhi.

Asuma Sarutobi, keeping his word, treated everyone to a barbecue feast.

__

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