As time passed, the exam began.
When the test papers were handed out, Yagyu answered the questions while silently mocking the peculiarities of this world.
This world was truly strange!
On the technological side, they already had electric lights and refrigerators, and even scientists had invented computers. Yet nobles still traveled using horse-drawn carriages.
Television sets existed, but they were chakra-powered and primarily used by the Five Kage for long-distance communication.
Even more absurd, children in this world not only understood concepts of love at a very young age but also studied advanced subjects like chemistry in ninja school.
Yes, the cultural curriculum at ninja school wasn't limited to history; it even included chemistry.
When Yagyu first saw these textbooks, he was shocked.
No wonder during wartime, prodigies were sent to the battlefield at the tender age of five or six, with Kakashi becoming a fully capable jonin at just twelve.
This world was utterly warped. If you weren't a prodigy or blessed with hacks, you'd feel utterly powerless.
Luckily, Yagyu was one of the "cheat users."
With the help of shadow clones and a mature mindset, Yagyu consistently scored perfect marks in cultural subjects.
The questions on the test presented no challenge to him.
The entire morning passed in rare silence within the ninja school, with chatter only breaking out during recess.
By the time school was about to end, parents had started to gather at the gate.
When the bell rang, signaling the end of the exam, students poured out of the school.
Some eagerly searched the crowd for familiar faces, running into their parents' arms or holding their hands as they left together.
Others excitedly ran straight home.
Then there were the students who could only watch these scenes with envy.
These were the orphans who had lost their families during the Nine-Tails incident or those who never knew their parents at all.
Naruto was one of those envious kids, so much so that he hid inside the school, not daring to come out.
Whenever he appeared in crowded places, the hateful and disgusted gazes directed at him made him feel suffocated, as though he couldn't breathe.
He couldn't understand why people treated him this way.
Or rather...
What had he done wrong to deserve this?
In the entire school, only Yagyu and Iruka knew the reason.
But neither of them dared to tell Naruto the truth.
Yagyu treated everyone warmly, though before his cheat abilities awakened, his kindness had often been motivated by ulterior motives.
However, there were two exceptions: Naruto and Sasuke.
Their identities were far too sensitive. Getting too close to them wasn't a good idea.
Being overly friendly might even attract the attention of some major players.
Even now, with his cheat abilities awakened, Yagyu maintained his distance from them.
After bidding farewell to Ino and Sakura, Yagyu returned home, had lunch, then dispelled the shadow clone he'd been maintaining all morning. Setting an alarm, he settled down for a nap.
Afternoon:
The exams continued.
Like the smaller tests, the first section was shuriken throwing.
This was the one test that had posed some difficulty for Yagyu—emphasis on had.
The current Yagyu could now consistently hit the bullseye.
After all, he had shadow clones to assist in his practice.
Naturally, Yagyu scored full marks.
But he wasn't alone; many students from ninja clans also achieved perfect scores.
These students had ninja parents who regularly gave them private training.
Unlike dull cultural subjects, this kind of practical skill fascinated them.
In modern terms, they were "subject specialists."
Naruto, too, was a highly unbalanced student.
His cultural grades were abysmal—barely enough to scrape by. If not for the fact that cultural subjects weren't part of the graduation exam, he might never graduate.
After the shuriken section, the next test was taijutsu sparring, just like in the smaller tests.
The students formed a circle, some standing and others sitting, as they watched Iruka standing in the center of the practice field.
"Those whose names I call, step forward. First match: Kiba Inuzuka vs. Yuta Koizumi."
As soon as Iruka called out, Kiba, already accompanied by Akamaru, eagerly handed his ninja dog aside and stepped forward with excitement.
In contrast, Yuta Koizumi wore an apprehensive expression.
The result was predictable: Yuta Koizumi was easily defeated by Kiba, who had grown up wrestling with his ninja dog and was highly skilled in combat.
Iruka continued to call names, one after another.
There were matches for both boys and girls, though Iruka clearly ensured boys only fought boys and girls fought girls.
It was evident he had arranged the matchups deliberately.
To Yagyu, these year-one tests seemed more like child's play.
However, unlike Itachi Uchiha, Yagyu didn't send a shadow clone to school in his stead.
After all, shadow clones lacked the "special traits" of his real body.
Who knew if Iruka might spring a surprise quiz, causing him to miss out on chances to trigger his cheat system?
Over the past six months, Yagyu had sparred with his classmates multiple times, winning every match.
Yet, despite his victories, the familiar glow of loot drops never appeared.
It was clear his cheat system didn't guarantee drops with every win—and the drop rate was abysmally low.
That time with Naruto must've been a fluke, a moment of sheer luck that seemed to have drained Yagyu's fortunes.
"Seventh match: Yagyu vs. Sasuke Uchiha."
Finally, after another bout ended, Yagyu heard his name—and his opponent's.
His eyes lit up with excitement.
After six months, he was finally matched with the second lead! It seemed Iruka had arranged opponents based on their past performance.
Filled with anticipation, Yagyu stood up.
Meanwhile, Sasuke, surrounded by his cheering fan club, stepped forward confidently.
"Yagyu, go for it! You've got this!"
"Yagyu, teach Sasuke a lesson!"
"…"
"Sasuke, you can do it! Sasuke will win!"
"Who should I root for? Both Yagyu and Sasuke are so cute!"
"…"
The impending clash between the class's two most popular figures immediately electrified the atmosphere.
Boys who were friends with Yagyu or annoyed by Sasuke's aloofness rooted for Yagyu.
Meanwhile, the girls were divided—some cheered for Yagyu, others for Sasuke, while some struggled to choose sides.
The loudest supporter, naturally, was Ino, who cupped her hands like a makeshift megaphone.
Sakura maintained her ladylike demeanor, while a shy Hinata silently cheered for Yagyu in her heart.
Watching Yagyu and Sasuke's immense popularity, Naruto felt a pang of envy.
Still, he didn't resent Yagyu, having sensed that Yagyu was one of the few classmates who didn't seem to dislike him.
As for Sasuke—Naruto's instinctive dislike might've been the result of some destined rivalry. After all, unlike in the original story, Sakura hadn't fallen for Sasuke.
Even more curious, Naruto hadn't fallen for Sakura either and never pestered her.
Indeed, Sasuke and Naruto were true love, and Sakura was merely an exception.