"Exam begins. Duration: two hours."
Kitazawa spoke as the bell rang.
The students of Class 1-A immediately picked up their pens and focused on the exam.
Kitazawa thought for a moment and then created a shadow clone.
He had the clone act as the proctor while he went to the ninja school's training ground.
Since this month's exam had no system tasks, he was too lazy to sit and do the test himself.
Kitazawa practiced the Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique.
Two hours later, he returned to the classroom of Class 1-A.
"Tomorrow at 9 a.m., the practical exam will be held on the school grounds. Don't be late."
Kitazawa collected the test papers and returned to his office.
Once seated, he began grading.
He already had a rough idea of the results for the practical exam. Once the theory exam scores were in, he could estimate Naruto's ranking.
This was crucial for his mission; he had to pay attention.
After all, the task was for Naruto to enter the top ten in this month's exam. Missing it would void the mission.
By noon, the time had flown by.
"Hinata isn't here yet?"
Kitazawa put down his pen and stretched.
The next second, there was a knock at the door.
"Where there's a mention of Hinata, Hinata will appear."
Kitazawa smiled. "Come in."
"Kitazawa-sensei."
The door opened, and Hyuga Hinata stepped inside.
"What are you holding?"
Kitazawa noticed the scroll in her hands and asked curiously.
"It's a summoning storage scroll."
Hinata unrolled it, and instantly, the aroma of meat filled the room as numerous skewers of grilled meat appeared on the desk.
"Did you buy this?"
Kitazawa was momentarily stunned. Indeed, she was a rich young girl.
"I asked Tokuma to buy it for me," Hinata said softly, lowering her head. "I thought Kitazawa-sensei would be busy grading papers and wouldn't have time to buy lunch."
"Hinata, you really are thoughtful."
Kitazawa reached out and ruffled her hair.
During the last monthly exam, she had also brought lunch after theory testing ended.
But Kitazawa hadn't arranged it because the afternoon was off, so he had taken her to Ichiraku Ramen.
Apparently, that previous experience prompted Hinata to bring lunch herself this time.
"I… I didn't do much."
Hinata said shyly, "It's me who has always troubled you, Kitazawa-sensei."
"Alright, no need for formalities. Let's eat."
Kitazawa handed her a pair of chopsticks.
"Okay."
A small smile appeared on Hinata's lips.
Since she no longer had to hide her love for food, mealtime had become the happiest part of her day.
"Kitazawa-sensei, can I continue training this afternoon?"
After finishing lunch, Hinata hesitated a few seconds before asking.
"Tomorrow is the practical exam. Aren't you going to rest?"
Kitazawa asked.
"It's fine."
Hinata shook her head. "Resting at night is enough."
"Hinata," Kitazawa looked into her eyes. "Try activating the Byakugan."
"Huh?"
Hinata's face showed confusion.
"Why are you so surprised?"
Kitazawa asked with a smile. "What do you think was the ultimate goal of your special training with the leaves?"
Hinata paused, realization dawning.
Kitazawa had said the training was to strengthen her vision and reflexes.
For a Hyuga, training her vision ultimately meant activating the Byakugan.
Her heart warmed with anticipation.
She wondered what expression Hinata Hisashi would have when she opened her Byakugan.
"Byakugan, open!"
Hinata gathered chakra into her eyes as Hisashi had taught.
But, as expected, the eyes didn't activate.
She froze, disappointed.
"Don't move."
Kitazawa held her eyes gently. "Try again."
Though puzzled, Hinata obeyed.
Kitazawa activated the Byakugan.
Chakra flow around Hinata's eyes became visible to him.
"Train for another week, and you'll open your Byakugan."
Kitazawa deactivated it.
"Really?"
Hinata's worry turned to joy immediately.
"Why would I lie?"
Kitazawa patted her head. "Come on, let's go to the training ground."
The grading was handled by his shadow clone.
Evening.
Hinata finished training. Kitazawa sent her home, then returned to his office.
The shadow clone had finished grading; Kitazawa picked up the results.
During the last monthly theory exam, Hinata had ranked first.
This time, since she hadn't practiced extra problems, she was third.
First place was Uchiha Sasuke, second was Haruno Sakura, and Naruto was sixth.
Kitazawa breathed a sigh of relief.
With Naruto's current abilities, achieving a top-ten spot in the practical exam was no problem. Combined with the theory exam, he would easily secure a top-ten finish.
The next day.
"Kitazawa-senpai."
This time, Iruka Umino arrived early, unlike last time.
"It's about time. Organize them for the practical exam."
Kitazawa nodded.
"Understood."
Iruka immediately lined up the students of Class 1-A.
"Same as the last practical exam: four events, physical test, clone technique, kunai throwing, and shuriken throwing."
Kitazawa took out the roster. "Practical exam begins now. The first event: clone technique."
Due to the system task, his focus was on Naruto.
After a month of practice and learning the Clone Technique, Naruto's clones were now excellent.
He had even surpassed his graduated self from the original timeline in this skill.
Kunai and shuriken throwing hadn't improved much but were satisfactory.
As for the physical test, Naruto ranked first.
Not surprising, considering his daily training with Might Guy, which pushed him to the limit.
"Kitazawa-sensei, what place am I?"
As soon as the practical exam ended, Naruto eagerly asked.
Sasuke, Sakura, and Akimichi Choji looked to Kitazawa as well.
Inuzuka Kiba was the most nervous, fearing he might lose to Naruto.
Sasuke was next, he had been upset about not getting first last time.
He was an Uchiha; first place was his only option.
"Naruto, sixth place."
Kitazawa smiled.
"Awesome!"
Naruto jumped for joy.
"What about me?"
Inuzuka Kiba's face fell.
"Seventh place."
Kitazawa answered.
"Huh?"
Kiba felt utterly defeated.
He had really lost to Naruto?
"Hahaha, I won!"
Naruto gave Kiba a thumbs-up. "This is the power of youth!"
"Who got first?"
Sasuke couldn't contain his curiosity.
"You did."
Kitazawa smiled. "Congratulations, Sasuke."
Sasuke paused, his lips twitching slightly.
He had finally reclaimed his rightful first place.