Examinations weren't something Noah needed to waste much energy on.
The only truly unbearable part was the waiting.
To put it simply, it was a waste of time.
He had endured it for twelve years.
Although Noah didn't consciously feel the passage of time, the fact remained that he had spent twelve full years in this universe.
That he had behaved so well for twelve years was, honestly, impressive.
Then again, thinking back, he had been well-behaved even before Hogwarts-never stirring trouble, never making a mess.
It was only after he went to Hogwarts that his style began to shift.
"...So is being quiet actually my true nature?"
Noah had asked himself that question more than once.
Eventually, he reached a conclusion.
He really did prefer peace and quiet.
The problem was that things kept slamming into his face, and he usually knew too much about what was going on.
That combination naturally made him restless.
And once restless, he felt compelled to do something-preferably something interesting-to relieve his...academic pressure.
Yes.
That had to be it.
Whether it was actually true didn't matter. Noah accepted it.
When he left the school grounds, Noah spotted Naruto sitting alone on the swing.
The kid's silhouette looked lonely.
Noah didn't go over to greet him.
Naruto was unlucky right now, sure-but after tonight, he should be taking off.
Shaking his head, Noah left directly.
Just like in class, he didn't interact much with others.
He preferred being alone.
The only difference today was that Noah hadn't come as a Shadow Clone.
For exams and formal matters, he felt it was better to be serious.
Even if it was pointless, respect was still respect.
Back home, Noah rested briefly and ate something simple.
Around nine in the evening, he headed into the forest to find Shisui.
He had known Shisui for about five years now.
Ever since Noah had given Shisui and Itachi a few suggestions, Shisui had kept his word and instructed Noah consistently.
For five years, there had barely been any breaks.
According to Shisui, Noah had long since learned everything he could be taught.
These days, they mostly sparred or worked on developing new ninjutsu.
Over time, their relationship had changed.
From stranger, to student, to someone Shisui felt responsible for-
And finally, to a genuine friend.
With Noah's learning speed, his grasp of ninjutsu, and his uniquely warped combat style, Shisui could no longer see him as just a kid.
Especially when he remembered that five years ago, Noah had calmly laid out solutions to the Uchiha problem while accurately judging the village's political balance.
Shisui simply couldn't treat him like a child anymore.
Training continued until nearly midnight before Shisui suddenly stopped.
"That's enough for today."
"Huh? So early?" Noah frowned.
"Is something happening tonight?"
"It's not me," Shisui sighed and shook his head.
"It's you, idiot. Team assignments are tomorrow, right? Don't tell me you plan to send a Shadow Clone."
"I usually ignore it, but not this time."
"It's basically the same thing," Noah shrugged.
"Isn't it just grouping people into teams?"
In Noah's memory, team assignments were simple-three people, one instructor.
He had played this game before, back when Kamar-Taj University was established.
As for introductions, bell tests, and similar traditions?
He didn't take them seriously.
Even without advanced ninjutsu, Body Flicker alone would solve it.
"You're thinking too simply." Shisui sat down.
"Your exam today only tested academics. Tomorrow's different."
"What kind of test?" Noah smiled.
"Individual ability? Team cooperation?"
"The point of a three-man squad is synergy, right?"
His smug expression stiffened when Shisui shook his head.
"Nope."
"...What?"
Shisui explained.
Tomorrow's evaluation depended entirely on the lead instructor.
But it wasn't about teamwork.
It was about determining whether students from ordinary backgrounds had enough potential to be worth further investment.
If they did, their names would be reported upward.
If not, they'd receive only minimal guidance.
Most instructors weren't even elite ninjas themselves.
Their job was simply to help new Genin adapt to missions and workflow.
After that, they wouldn't interfere much.
True team cooperation assessments were reserved for those already favored by the village's higher-ups-children from major clans.
Those kids already met Genin standards.
What needed evaluation wasn't strength, but character.
Only after passing would they be marked as "seeds" for future cultivation.
Barring accidents, those children would become the village's future backbone-like the Ino-Shika-Cho trio.
"...So the test after tomorrow is basically when I'm supposed to show off?" Noah went quiet.
"Have I really been that low-profile?"
"Yes," Shisui replied bluntly.
"You don't act like a brat at all."
"If I didn't know you well, I'd suspect you were a spy."
Noah laughed dryly.
It seemed he really would need to be a bit more serious tomorrow.
Though honestly, even without trying, he had always done well in combat classes.
Noah hated losing.
So in sparring sessions, he was basically undefeated.
Sasuke, Naruto-everyone had eventually been forced to surrender under simple fundamentals and a kunai.
"...We'll see," Noah muttered.
He stopped mid-sentence.
A familiar chakra was approaching.
Shisui noticed his expression and immediately tensed.
"What is it?"
"Naruto," Noah said quietly.
"He's running this way."
Shisui frowned.
"You didn't leak anything about him, did you? Damn it, why is your sensory ability so absurd-and why did I tell you things I shouldn't have?"
Noah had once casually asked about Naruto, after sensing the terrifying presence sealed inside him.
Shisui had been forced to reveal some things-while warning Noah never to speak of it again.
Noah had already known.
He had just been teasing Shisui.
The two exchanged a look and leapt into the trees.
Noah knew exactly what was about to happen tonight.
He just hadn't expected Naruto to be led straight into this forest by that idiot Mizuki.
Soon enough, Naruto entered their sight.
At the same time, Noah sensed several other presences following him.
"You should leave," Noah whispered.
"Some capable people are tailing him. They're protecting what he's carrying."
"The Forbidden Scroll," Shisui said quietly.
After a moment, he nodded.
"I'll go. But that scroll's probably fake."
"I'll just take a look," Noah replied casually.
"No harm. He's my classmate anyway."
"Don't expose me," Shisui said, already turning away.
"I'm supposed to be dead. And if you want to show off, you'll need an enemy."
Noah smiled.
No enemy?
The guy about to get knocked unconscious by Naruto seemed perfect.
Once Shisui vanished, Noah jumped down from the tree, deliberately making noise.
He pretended to wipe sweat, walking toward Naruto as if he'd just finished training.
As expected, the hidden ninjas immediately locked onto him.
Noah glanced casually in their direction, then looked at Naruto.
"Hey, Naruto," he said calmly.
"What are you doing out here in the middle of the night?"
"Huh?" Naruto froze.
"Noah? Why are you here?"