[Naruto : Yellow Flash] Chapter 716 - 720

Chapter 716: Chiharu's Request

"Naruto, Chiharu, it's time to eat!"

Kushina stood at the bottom of the stairs, cooking spoon in hand, her apron lightly speckled with evidence of her culinary efforts. Her voice carried through the house with the same strength that had once earned her the nickname "Red Hot-Blooded Habanero."

As her call faded, a door on the second floor opened, and Chiharu stepped out into the hallway. Now four years old, she had begun growing long golden hair that shimmered like her mother's vibrant red locks, though hers carried the Namikaze blonde hue. Her slanted bangs fell just above her eyebrows, framing eyes that sparkled with intelligence beyond her years.

Even in her simple home clothes, there was something undeniably graceful about her movements—a natural elegance that made her seem almost ethereal, like a woodland elf who had somehow found her way into the Namikaze household.

Kushina glanced up, noticing that while Chiharu had emerged, Naruto's door remained firmly shut.

"Hurry up and ask your brother to come out for dinner," she instructed, eyeing the still-closed door with mild exasperation.

"Mm," Chiharu nodded obediently. Satisfied, Kushina turned and headed back to the kitchen, the wooden spoon gesturing slightly as she muttered something about stubborn children and cooling food.

Chiharu approached her brother's door with purposeful steps. "Bang! Bang!" She knocked with surprising force for such small hands, then pressed her face close to the wooden surface.

"Brother," she called softly, her voice gentle but clear, "it's time for dinner."

No response came from the other side of the door.

Undeterred, Chiharu carefully turned the handle and peered inside. There sat Naruto, cross-legged on the floor, his hands forming complex seals as he concentrated on molding his chakra. His eyes were closed in meditation, completely absorbed in his training.

She padded quietly across the room and knelt beside him, leaning in close enough that her presence couldn't be ignored.

"Brother," she whispered, "it's time to eat."

Naruto's eyebrows twitched slightly at the interruption, and slowly, he opened his eyes. The deep blue irises that mirrored her own focused on his little sister's face.

"Knew that," he said with a slight chuckle, suddenly springing to his feet with the boundless energy that characterized him.

At the dinner table, Chiharu watched carefully as her brother settled into his seat. She immediately reached for a particularly delicate piece of fish and placed it in Naruto's bowl.

"Here, brother," she said, her eyes seeking his approval.

"Thank you," Naruto replied, the simple words carrying genuine appreciation.

Across from them, Minato raised his eyes from his meal and regarded his children thoughtfully. "How are you preparing for tomorrow's entrance exam for the Ninja Academy?" he asked, his gaze settling on Chiharu.

Typically, the Academy admitted new students around five or six years of age, but exceptions were made for exceptional children. Kakashi, for instance, had taken the entrance exam at four and achieved a perfect score, allowing him to skip an entire grade. Now, Chiharu had registered at the same age, and tomorrow would be her examination day.

"Well, Mom and Dad, don't worry," Chiharu replied with a confident smile that illuminated her entire face. The expression was so genuine that Minato couldn't help but feel a flutter of pride. He knew the entrance examination would pose little challenge to this remarkably gifted child.

"Once I pass the entrance exam, I will be able to attend classes with my brother every day," she added, casting a sidelong glance at Naruto. During the two years he had been studying at the Academy, she had felt his absence keenly, the days at home stretching endlessly without her favorite companion.

Kushina smiled at her daughter's enthusiasm. "Even if you pass the exam, you'll still be a freshman. Your brother is already a third-year student."

"Oh," Chiharu responded simply, but the brilliant sapphire eyes that mirrored her father's were already calculating, spinning with thoughts and plans that belied her young age.

"Naruto, you should accompany your sister to take the exam tomorrow," Kushina said, turning her attention to her son.

"Okay," Naruto agreed immediately, raising his eyes from his bowl.

To everyone's surprise, Chiharu waved her hand dismissively. "No need, brother. Just concentrate on your training. Mom and I will be fine on our own."

Naruto blinked, caught off guard by his sister's unexpected response.

Kushina was equally startled. She exchanged a meaningful glance with her daughter, hoping she would understand. Since the end of Naruto's second year and the beginning of the holiday break, the boy hadn't taken a single day off from training. Despite verbally agreeing to his parents' suggestions to rest occasionally, he continued to practice relentlessly. Kushina had seen this as the perfect opportunity to give Naruto a much-needed break.

Chiharu had always been remarkably perceptive and considerate for her age. Surely she understood what Kushina was thinking? But for some reason, she deliberately avoided her mother's gaze, pretending not to notice the silent communication.

"Actually, it doesn't matter if I don't go," Naruto chimed in, supporting his sister's suggestion. "If Chiharu says so, there will be no problem." In his mind, the entrance examination would be trivial for someone with his sister's talent.

Seeing that both children had made up their minds, Kushina looked to Minato for support, her expression pleading for intervention.

Minato studied Chiharu carefully, noting the slight determination in her posture, then smiled faintly. "Well, I respect your opinion," he said finally, yielding to his children's wishes.

"Hmph," Kushina snorted softly, feeling outnumbered by her husband and children, who seemed united in their decision. She shook her head in resignation, wondering when exactly she had lost control of family matters.

The next day at the Ninja Academy, more than a hundred children gathered in a classroom to take the entrance examination. At this moment, both the young examinees and the proctors seated at the examination table were staring in shock at the blonde girl standing before them, their mouths slightly agape.

"Namikaze Chiharu, perfect score. Passed," one of the examiners announced, finally recovering from his astonishment. In every single test, the four-year-old girl before them had achieved flawless results.

"Thank you, teachers," Chiharu said, bowing politely to the examiners, her golden hair falling forward with the motion.

"As expected of the Hokage's daughter," the examiners murmured to each other. "This achievement matches the highest record in the Academy's history."

Indeed, at Chiharu's age, only one person had ever achieved such a score on the entrance examination: Hatake Kakashi. With these results, Chiharu could easily skip the first grade and advance directly to the second.

"Is something wrong? Do you have anything else to discuss?" asked Shirota, who sat among the examiners, noticing that Chiharu remained standing before them rather than returning to her seat.

Chiharu nodded, her posture straight and confident despite her diminutive stature. "Teachers, actually, I have another request."

"Go ahead," Shirota encouraged.

"Can I go directly to the third grade?"

Her question, asked with cautious hope, immediately caused an uproar among the other students in the classroom. Even the teachers on the podium exchanged startled glances, taken aback by Chiharu's bold request.

It was evident that her request would not be easily granted. Although Chiharu's admission score was the second perfect score in Academy history, there was no precedent for skipping two years of coursework before even beginning school. While the first-year curriculum was heavily theoretical and could potentially be made up by skipping one grade, the second-year practical training presented a significant gap that would not be so easily bridged.

Nevertheless, Chiharu's talent was undeniably remarkable. After all, Kakashi, who had achieved similar results, had grown to become an elite among the village's jonin at a remarkably young age, his reputation extending beyond Konoha to other ninja nations.

"According to the regulations, I cannot agree to your request," Shirota said slowly, his expression thoughtful.

Chiharu's shoulders drooped slightly, but before disappointment could fully settle, Shirota smiled and continued, "However, if you are willing to take an additional test and pass it, I will agree that you can enter directly into the third grade when school begins."

A hush fell over the classroom, the silence heavy with surprise and anticipation.

Chiharu hesitated momentarily, then raised her bright, inquisitive eyes. "What is the content of the additional test?"

Many observers interpreted her question as a sign of wavering confidence, but Shirota saw it differently.

"Such a cautious little girl," he thought, his eyes reflecting approval. Chiharu wasn't lacking confidence; she was strategically assessing the challenge before committing herself. At such a young age, she displayed the same careful consideration that had characterized her father in his youth.

"Since you wish to be promoted directly to the third year," Shirota explained, "the content of the additional test will cover all material from the second-year final assessment."

As he finished speaking, Chiharu's slightly furrowed brow immediately relaxed. She nodded slightly, her decision made without hesitation.

"Okay, I understand. I agree to take the extra test."

Chapter 717: New Record

Shirota couldn't help but notice the sudden relaxation in Chiharu's expression, which caught him by surprise. Looking at her confident demeanor, he wondered if the test might actually be too easy for her.

"If you fail even one part of the assessment, you will fail the entire additional test. Do you understand?" he clarified, wanting to ensure she grasped the stakes.

"Mm," Chiharu nodded, her expression remaining calm and untroubled.

Satisfied with her response, Shirota Ben turned to a young teacher beside him. "Iruka, please take her to another room and conduct the test privately."

"Yes, sir," Iruka replied, though his eyes still held a hint of disbelief as he regarded the young girl. He wasn't alone—the other teachers and waiting examinees wore similar expressions of astonishment.

"Come with me," Iruka said, standing up and gesturing for Chiharu to follow, which she did without hesitation.

All eyes in the classroom tracked their departure, silence descending in their wake.

"Ahem," Shirota cleared his throat pointedly, bringing everyone's attention back to the matter at hand. He lowered his gaze to the list before him and announced, "Next, Maeda Kazama."

In another classroom, Iruka explained the process to Chiharu. "You'll need to complete four tests in total: theoretical knowledge, chakra control, taijutsu, and shurikenjutsu."

Chiharu nodded attentively as Iruka continued, "We'll start with the assessment of theoretical knowledge."

Since there had been no time to prepare a written exam, Iruka decided to ask the questions verbally. He began with something straightforward, "Who founded the Ninja Academy we're in now?"

"The Second Hokage, Lord Senju Tobirama," Chiharu answered without hesitation, the words flowing naturally.

"Correct," Iruka confirmed with a nod before moving to his next question. "When the Academy was first established, how many students were in the inaugural class?"

"Thirty-six," Chiharu replied immediately, showing no signs of uncertainty.

Iruka's eyes flickered slightly as he continued with increasingly difficult questions, all of which Chiharu answered correctly and confidently. Finally, he reached the last question.

"'Ninja Rules,' Article 25," he stated, watching her carefully.

Chiharu paused momentarily, her bright eyes thoughtful. After a brief moment of consideration, she answered, "A shinobi must never show tears, under any circumstances."

"Congratulations, you've passed," Iruka confirmed with an approving nod, impressed by her knowledge.

"Thank you, teacher," Chiharu responded softly, her voice gentle but clear.

Just then, another Konoha shinobi entered the classroom. Iruka acknowledged the man with a glance before turning back to Chiharu. "Let's proceed to the second assessment."

"Mm," Chiharu agreed, immediately bringing her hands together to form seals. With practiced movements that belied her young age, she formed several hand signs to concentrate her chakra, then slowly closed her eyes in concentration.

Simultaneously, the newly arrived shinobi formed his own set of seals, extending his perceptive abilities to envelop Chiharu and evaluate her chakra.

After a brief interval, the man nodded. "That's sufficient."

Chiharu opened her eyes at his words.

"This child has passed the test," the perceptive ninja informed Iruka, giving Chiharu one last amazed glance before departing from the classroom.

Having breezed through the first two examinations with remarkable ease, Chiharu now faced the remaining challenges. Iruka regarded her with growing respect and offered a small smile. "The final two tests will be conducted outdoors. Let's go."

They made their way to the training ground behind the Academy. Once there, Iruka positioned himself opposite Chiharu.

"Since all students are currently on holiday, we'll have to improvise for the taijutsu portion," he explained. "I want you to attack me with everything you've got."

Chiharu hesitated momentarily before bowing respectfully to her examiner. Iruka made no defensive preparations—regardless of her talent, she was still just a four-year-old child, after all.

But when Chiharu straightened, she didn't attack Iruka directly. Instead, she suddenly increased her speed, darting to his side in a blur of movement.

"What is she planning?" Iruka thought, startled. He had only intended to test her basic taijutsu skills, not engage in actual combat.

Following her movements, he noticed her wrist turning deftly as several wooden shuriken materialized in her small hands.

"Swoosh!"

After producing the shuriken, Chiharu accelerated again. In mere moments, she had circled around Iruka, appearing at his left, right, and behind him in rapid succession, launching shuriken from each position.

Of course, Iruka wasn't actively trying to evade—had he been, she wouldn't have been able to execute these maneuvers so smoothly. Nevertheless, his eyes narrowed in concentration as he realized her shuriken weren't thrown randomly but targeted several of his vital points with surprising precision.

This revelation impressed him considerably; even among his regular students, only a select few could perform such advanced shuriken techniques.

After releasing the projectiles, Chiharu circled back to face Iruka head-on and charged directly toward him. Recognizing her height disadvantage, she wisely abandoned any attempt to strike his upper body, instead focusing her attack on his legs.

Confronted with shuriken approaching from multiple directions as well as Chiharu's frontal assault, Iruka crouched at the last possible moment, evading the projectiles. Then he extended his hand to engage with her directly.

"Bang! Bang!"

After exchanging a few rapid blows, Iruka stepped back, raising his palms in a gesture of surrender. "Alright, that's enough. You've passed both the taijutsu and shurikenjutsu assessments," he announced with a smile.

"Thank you, teacher," Chiharu replied, thin beads of sweat now visible on her smooth forehead. The continuous attacks she had just executed had pushed her to her limits.

Iruka was genuinely impressed. Chiharu's shuriken skills, along with her speed and strength in physical techniques, were among the best he'd seen in his teaching career. Though only four years old, she had clearly inherited Kushina's exceptional physical constitution—her physical abilities even surpassed those of typical third-year students.

"Congratulations," Iruka said, a slight tremor of awe in his voice. "You've passed all tests successfully." What Chiharu had accomplished today had set a new record for Academy admission.

"Mm," Chiharu responded, a smile blooming across her small face. Now she would be able to attend classes alongside her brother, just as she'd hoped.

With the assessment complete, Chiharu departed from the Academy. Several days remained before the start of classes.

In the Academy corridor, Iruka reported the assessment results to Shirota Ben.

"So she passed after all," Shirota chuckled, unsurprised by the outcome.

"This child's performance wasn't merely passable—it was exceptional," Iruka admitted. "In my class, only a handful of students could match her abilities."

He sighed softly. "As expected of the Hokage's daughter."

When he spoke these words, something flickered in his eyes, and Shirota seemed to understand what was on his mind.

"Are you thinking that Naruto and Chiharu, siblings though they are, seem quite different from each other?" Shirota inquired with a knowing smile.

Iruka nodded in confirmation.

"So what do you make of them?" Shirota pressed gently.

"Chiharu is undoubtedly a genius—that much is clear. I'm not sure I have much to teach a child like her," Iruka confessed.

This wasn't self-deprecation on Iruka's part. After all, Kakashi had spent only a single year at the Academy before taking the graduation exam and becoming a Genin. There was relatively little that Academy instructors could impart to students of such extraordinary talent.

"As for Naruto," Iruka continued, his eyes reflecting a mixture of helplessness and something akin to hope, "he seems quite different from Chiharu in terms of natural ability."

"But," he added thoughtfully, "he possesses something that sets him apart from other students—something I believe is the most valuable quality for a shinobi."

"So whether it's Chiharu or Naruto, I have no doubt that both will eventually surpass me, their teacher, as ninjas."

Shirota looked momentarily startled by Iruka's insight, then reached out to clasp the younger man's shoulder with approval.

"You're right," he agreed warmly. "But no matter how skilled they become in the future, as teachers, our duty extends beyond merely instructing our students in the skills needed to become excellent shinobi."

"The most important thing," he emphasized, "is to pass on the Will of Fire—the true spirit of what it means to be a Konoha ninja."

Chapter 718: Hidden in the Mist

"How did the negotiations go?"

In the Hokage's office, Minato stood facing the window, his gaze sweeping over the village of Konoha spread out below. The deep blue of his eyes reflected the afternoon light, sharp with focus and contemplation.

Behind him, an ANBU operative with a distinctive cat-faced mask and tall, imposing figure responded, "We've finally managed to make contact and deliver the message, but she remains hesitant."

The ANBU paused briefly before continuing, "However, it appears she hasn't reported our communication to the leadership of the Hidden Mist Village."

There was a note of surprise in the ANBU's voice. The woman in question was clearly an elite among Kirigakure's ANBU forces and held in high regard by the Fourth Mizukage. Her decision to neither trust nor reject Konoha's overture was puzzling.

When first briefed on this mission, the ANBU had been shocked by its implications, but the Hokage had moved forward with absolute confidence. Minato had somehow known that even if the contact refused to cooperate, she wouldn't expose their approach.

There must be secrets here that I'm not privy to, the ANBU thought.

"She's likely still weighing her options," Minato replied, his voice carrying a deeper resonance than usual. "After all, she remains a shinobi of the Hidden Mist. It's difficult to expect her to readily believe what we've told her."

In reality, the information Minato had provided was largely based on informed speculation. He could still vividly recall the determination that had burned in the eyes of that five-year-old girl all those years ago.

Despite the connection they shared, he was still the Hokage of Konoha, and the intelligence he'd sent her way concerned the stability of the Hidden Mist Village itself. If their positions were reversed, he wouldn't make such a momentous decision lightly either.

Finishing his thought, Minato turned slightly, catching the unmistakable glint of curiosity in the dark eyes visible behind the ANBU's mask.

He gave a small, knowing smile. "You must be wondering about my relationship with the 'Shadow of Kirigakure ANBU' and why I'm so certain she won't betray us."

The ANBU hesitated momentarily before offering a confirming nod.

"It relates to a classified mission from many years past," Minato explained, his brow furrowing slightly as he studied the ANBU before him. After a moment of contemplation, his expression softened. "Since I've entrusted you with this sensitive matter, it's only fair that I share the complete context."

"If it's information I shouldn't possess, there's no need to divulge it, Lord Hokage," the ANBU said respectfully.

"No," Minato countered, with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Knowing the full story might prove vital to your safety if complications arise."

A hint of nostalgia crept into Minato's eyes as he began, "This happened roughly twenty years ago."

"At that time, Kirigakure and the Land of Water maintained an isolationist stance. The Third Hokage dispatched numerous shinobi to infiltrate Kirigakure, but almost all attempts failed. The sole operative who successfully penetrated their borders eventually lost all contact with the village."

"The Land of Water's offshore location makes infiltration extraordinarily challenging. Even if one manages to enter the Hidden Mist Village, escaping undetected is nearly impossible. That's why the Third Hokage assigned the mission to me, as I had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique."

Minato proceeded to share the details of his infiltration mission in Kirigakure, holding nothing back as he recounted the experience to the attentive ANBU.

"Now I understand your confidence," the ANBU remarked with a slight sigh after Minato concluded his account. "Such a connection explains everything." The operative recalled the contact's unusual reaction at the mere mention of Minato's name.

During infiltration missions, even with the advantage of the Flying Thunder God Technique, maintaining cover was paramount. Yet, to save Mei Terumi, Minato had exposed his identity and subsequently narrowly escaped an ambush.

The ANBU contemplated this for a moment, eyes troubled by the implications. "So the message you asked me to deliver was based on inferences from that past incident?"

"There are indeed many peculiar elements at play."

"Yes," Minato confirmed with a nod. "But there's more. Do you recall the events you, Kakashi, Rin, and Obito experienced during the last war?"

"Those occurrences might seem ordinary at a glance, but the coincidences are too perfect."

The ANBU's eyes widened as understanding dawned. Indeed, certain aspects of those events had been strangely convenient.

It wasn't just the mysterious method Kirigakure had employed to deal with the Byakugan. Why had Kakashi and Rin specifically been the ones captured? And how had their guard happened to be Mei Terumi—the very person Minato had saved years before?

"Could it be..." The ANBU's eyes narrowed sharply as the pieces began to align.

"That Obito and Rin's deaths weren't accidental, but orchestrated by someone working from the shadows."

Minato's gaze darkened instantly, radiating killing intent. If his suspicions proved correct, all these machinations had been the work of the masked man alone.

The full extent of his objective, however, remained unclear.

Obito... Rin...

The thought of his former students unleashed a surge of murderous rage within Minato that he couldn't suppress.

"Indeed."

The ANBU's eyes flashed crimson, hands slowly clenching into tight fists. Obito and Rin had been more than comrades—they were his dear friends.

"To orchestrate such elaborate schemes requires more than mere strength," Minato continued, his voice measured and grave. "To manipulate Kirigakure's shinobi forces at will suggests someone secretly controlling the Mizukage from behind the scenes."

"Though these events occurred during the Third Mizukage's tenure, his subsequent abdication under suspicious circumstances, the Fourth Mizukage's appointment, and Kirigakure's recent activities all point to a troubling conclusion."

"The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, is likely nothing more than a pawn being controlled by another."

Such an assertion would horrify anyone hearing it for the first time. The Mizukage—one of the most powerful shinobi among the Five Great Nations—reduced to a puppet? The very notion seemed impossible.

"If anyone possesses such capability," the ANBU said gravely, "it must be the masked man who attacked Konoha seven years ago."

As these words left the ANBU's lips, his formerly black pupils transformed into a brilliant scarlet, with three tomoe slowly rotating within them.

"Only he would command such ocular power," Minato agreed with a solemn nod.

"I see."

Having learned the complete story, the ANBU now grasped the complexity of the situation.

"The responsibility is immense," Minato acknowledged, stepping closer to place a hand on the ANBU's shoulder. "I've entrusted it to you because you're the only one in the village capable of handling it. Thank you for your dedication, Shisui."

Shisui shook his head. "This is my duty as a Konoha shinobi."

His voice hardened with resolve. "And for the sake of my fallen comrades, I will crush that man's plans with my own hands!"

He, Rin, and Obito had once been Minato's students, participating in the Chunin Exams together as a team.

At this memory, the three tomoe in Shisui's Sharingan began spinning more rapidly. Eventually, the distinctive comma-shaped marks began to blur, as if on the verge of coalescing into an entirely new pattern.

"Yes."

Minato nodded with approval but added with genuine concern, "However, your safety remains the paramount consideration in all of this."

"I understand, Lord Hokage," Shisui responded heavily, but then paused briefly before continuing with a more personal tone.

"Don't worry, Minato-sensei."

Chapter 719: Classmates

Evening had settled over Konoha. Minato returned home in an instant, appearing directly in the bedroom through his Flying Thunder God technique. He removed his Hokage robes and made his way into the living room.

There, Chiharu sat absorbed in a rather thick book. Minato recognized it immediately—a volume chronicling the history of Konoha. The gentle "ding-dong" sounds emanating from the kitchen indicated Kushina was preparing dinner. Naruto was nowhere to be seen, undoubtedly engaged in training somewhere in the house as usual.

Minato moved through the living room with exceptional stealth, but just as he approached Chiharu, she sensed his presence. Turning around, her face lit up with a bright smile.

"Dad, welcome home," she greeted, her voice still carrying the sweet timbre of childhood, clear and melodious like pearls cascading onto a plate.

"I heard your performance today was quite impressive," Minato said, reaching out to ruffle Chiharu's golden hair affectionately. As Hokage, news of Chiharu's achievement—skipping two grade levels after her assessment—had naturally reached him swiftly.

As a father, Minato certainly felt pride in her accomplishment. Yet, unlike others, his surprise was more measured. Though Chiharu practiced in secret, little escaped Minato's perceptive eyes.

"Dad, please don't tell my brother about what happened at the Academy today," Chiharu requested with a mischievous smile, giving Minato a conspiratorial wink. "I want to surprise him on the first day of school."

"Mm," Minato responded after a moment's consideration, nodding in agreement.

During dinner, Naruto inquired about Chiharu's enrollment, but both parents had been forewarned. Thus, Naruto remained completely unaware that his sister would be skipping two levels to join his class.

On the first day of the new school term, a bustling crowd gathered outside the Academy gates. Minato and Kushina arrived in elegant attire to attend Chiharu's entrance ceremony.

"Mom, Dad, Chiharu—I'm heading in first," Naruto announced upon reaching the Academy, promptly making his way inside.

He failed to notice the numerous gazes fixed on Chiharu as their family arrived. Many of the first-year students had been present during the entrance examination days earlier. Though uncertain whether Chiharu's bold request to the examiners had been granted, the memory of that day's events still left them in awe.

As Naruto entered his classroom, he noticed several classmates glancing in his direction with unusual interest.

"What?" he asked, frowning at Yamanaka Ino, who typically reserved her attention exclusively for Sasuke.

"Nothing," she replied dismissively, averting her gaze.

Naruto shrugged it off and proceeded to his seat. Around him, excited whispers circulated among his classmates.

"Have you heard? There's supposed to be a transfer student joining our class today."

"Yeah, I heard she was promoted directly from the lower grades. How incredible is that?"

The classroom buzzed with speculation, though no one seemed to have concrete information. Naruto, generally disinterested in such matters, paid little attention to the gossip swirling around him.

As class time approached, Iruka entered the room. The chattering students quickly quieted down and returned to their seats.

"Come in," Iruka called, gesturing toward the door.

The classroom fell into expectant silence as Chiharu walked in with measured, graceful steps.

"What a beautiful girl!" "She's so cute!"

Exclamations of admiration burst forth from both boys and girls alike.

In the middle of the classroom, Sasuke displayed no surprise at Chiharu's appearance. He had already learned from his father, Fugaku, about Chiharu skipping two grades. Nevertheless, his expression revealed not the typical amazement at her appearance, but rather a distinct wariness—her accomplishment had broken Academy records, after all.

On either side of Sasuke, Sakura and Ino were struck by Chiharu's delicate features, though both felt a nagging sense of familiarity they couldn't quite place.

"This girl looks so young. Did the teacher make some kind of mistake?" Naruto muttered, lazily sprawled across his desk. Though generally uninterested in new students, the excited reactions around him had piqued his curiosity enough to raise his head slightly and glance toward the front of the room.

"Chiharu?!" He bolted upright in his seat, eyes widening in shock.

By then, Chiharu had stepped up to the podium. Beside her, Iruka smiled as he addressed the class. "This is our new student." He turned to Chiharu and added, "Please introduce yourself."

Chiharu nodded obediently. Turning to face the class with a warm smile, she began, "Hello everyone. My name is Namikaze Chiharu. I'm four years old. I don't have any specific dreams or interests yet—I just want to spend each day happily with my family and friends."

She delivered her introduction with remarkable composure, without the slightest hint of shyness.

"Chiharu..." Hinata whispered, slightly stunned by the revelation. Just as she was staring at Chiharu on the podium, their eyes met.

Chiharu playfully winked at Hinata.

"Teacher, I'm finished," she said, turning back to Iruka.

Iruka nodded appreciatively. "Chiharu is Naruto's sister. She's younger than everyone else in our class, so I expect you all to look after her properly."

"Naruto's sister?" A collective murmur swept through the classroom as realization dawned on the students. They suddenly understood why Chiharu had seemed familiar—she shared Naruto's distinctive golden hair and vibrant blue eyes.

"Now, please find a seat," Iruka instructed. The Academy classroom was spacious enough that he hadn't needed to assign Chiharu a specific place.

With a nod, Chiharu made her way through the sea of astonished gazes toward Naruto's desk.

"Excuse me, please," she said with a polite smile to the girl sitting at the edge of the aisle. The student nodded kindly and stood to make room for her.

"Why didn't you tell me about this in advance?" Naruto whispered as soon as Chiharu sat down beside him.

"I told you I would be going to class with my brother from now on," Chiharu replied simply.

"Well, yes, but..." Naruto recalled that Chiharu had indeed made that statement before. Still, confusion clouded his expression. Hadn't she just taken the entrance examination two days ago? How could they suddenly be in the same class?

"Let's begin the lesson," Iruka announced from the podium, interrupting Naruto's thoughts.

"Just pay attention," Chiharu whispered, rolling her eyes playfully before turning her focus toward the front of the classroom.

Naruto sat back, stunned by the realization that his parents must have known about this arrangement for days while keeping him completely in the dark.

Chapter 720: Itachi's Records

Throughout the class, numerous eyes kept drifting toward Naruto's desk. Most of these belonged to boys, though their attention wasn't focused on Naruto himself, but rather on Chiharu, who sat quietly beside him, attentively following Iruka's lecture from the podium.

Despite being only four years old, Chiharu possessed a delicate, flawless appearance that left an impression on everyone who saw her. Much like how Sasuke had captivated all the girls in class since his first day, Chiharu now drew similar attention from the boys. She responded to their curious glances with nothing more than gentle smiles.

Of course, her appearance wasn't the only reason she attracted such attention. Everyone knew that Naruto was the Fourth Hokage's son, which naturally made Chiharu the Hokage's daughter as well. Moreover, her entrance to the Academy had been nothing short of extraordinary—at just four years old, she had broken Academy records by being promoted directly to the third grade.

Compared to Naruto, many thought Chiharu seemed to embody what one would expect from the Fourth Hokage's legacy: exceptional looks paired with remarkable talent.

"Have you seen enough?" Naruto finally grumbled, growing impatient with the constant stares directed at his sister. He shot a fierce glare at the onlookers, causing them to quickly avert their eyes.

Nevertheless, a question lingered in everyone's minds: Were Naruto and Chiharu truly siblings? No matter how one looked at it, they seemed completely different in temperament and ability.

During the break, when Iruka left the classroom, Chiharu shifted her attention from the podium. She glanced sideways to find Naruto wearing a slightly irritated expression. She understood that her brother was upset about being kept in the dark regarding her enrollment.

Her eyes sparkled with mischief before softening into an apologetic smile. "Brother, I was wrong," she said gently. "Can you forgive me?"

Of course, Naruto could never truly stay angry with his sister. His expression immediately relaxed as he extended his hand to ruffle her golden hair. "You little troublemaker," he sighed. "Not only did you hide this from me, but you got Mom and Dad to go along with it too."

Though sometimes careless, Naruto was far from unintelligent. He quickly pieced together what must have happened.

"Hehe, I just wanted to surprise you," Chiharu giggled, resembling a well-behaved kitten with her endearing demeanor.

"Surprising, certainly," Naruto conceded, curling his lips into a half-smile. "As for joyful..." Though still shocked by Chiharu's advancement, she was his sister after all, and he had always been aware of her exceptional talent.

"Hinata-nee!" Before Naruto could finish his thought, Chiharu sprung up from her seat. She waved her small, delicate hand toward Hinata, who sat across the aisle.

Hearing her name, Hinata looked over curiously.

With one hand supporting herself on the desk, Chiharu made a graceful leap, landing lightly in front of Hinata. "We can study together from now on," she said with a bright smile. During the two years Naruto had attended the Academy, Chiharu had been left alone at home, terribly bored. That was why she had practiced so diligently—simply to be able to see her brother and their acquaintances more often.

"Mm," Hinata responded softly, her voice barely audible.

Chiharu's gaze then shifted again, this time toward Sasuke's seat. "Sasuke-nii!" she called, waving enthusiastically.

Sasuke, typically indifferent to most social interactions, turned slightly and acknowledged Chiharu with a nod. There was a distinct hint of seriousness in his eyes as he regarded the young girl.

Noticing Sasuke's unusually warm response, Sakura and Ino, seated on either side of him, turned their heads as well. Before they could manifest any potential jealousy, they were disarmed by Chiharu's disarmingly kind smile. Whatever negative emotions might have been brewing instantly dissolved.

Both girls smiled back reflexively.

"Everyone, please take care of me," Chiharu announced cheerfully, noticing that most eyes in the classroom had turned toward their interaction.

Naruto watched his sister with mild surprise. He couldn't help but notice that the way his classmates looked at Chiharu mirrored how they had regarded him when they first learned he was the Hokage's son. Back then, under everyone's scrutiny, Naruto had felt intensely uncomfortable.

Chiharu, however, seemed to harbor no such insecurities.

"Mm," many classmates responded with nods, already warming to her presence.

"Brother, let's go. It's almost time to gather," Chiharu said, tugging at Naruto's arm. Besides the morning knowledge class, the rest of the day would be dedicated to shuriken practice outdoors.

As the break neared its end, Chiharu simply took Naruto's arm and led him toward the training ground, trailed by numerous curious glances.

"Tat-tat-tat!"

The training ground echoed with the continuous sound of wooden shuriken striking wooden targets.

"Brother is awesome!" Chiharu exclaimed with genuine admiration as Naruto successfully hit the center of all three wooden targets. As he stepped off the field, he was greeted by his sister's proud smile.

Beyond theoretical knowledge and chakra control, Naruto excelled in most practical skills, ranking among the best in his class.

"Wow, Sasuke, so cool!" "You can do it, Sasuke-kun!"

The next student to enter the practice area was Sasuke. As he walked deliberately toward the training ground, excited screams erupted from the assembled girls.

Chiharu watched this display with slight surprise, her eyes moving between the clamoring girls with mild confusion. "Sasuke-kun is really popular," she observed with a small sigh.

"Tch, it's not that impressive," Naruto muttered under his breath.

Hearing this, Chiharu raised her eyebrows slightly and glanced around. Suddenly, she caught sight of a pair of eyes in the crowd, quietly fixed in their direction.

Realizing she'd been noticed, Hinata quickly averted her gaze, her face flushing with embarrassment.

Seeing this, Chiharu suppressed a knowing smile. "It seems my brother has his own admirers as well," she remarked softly.

On the training ground, Sasuke stood motionless, several shuriken gripped in each hand. Five targets were positioned before him—the three directly ahead that Naruto had just hit, plus two more situated to the left and right.

These additional targets, according to rumor, had been specially set up for Itachi by his instructor during his Academy days. After Itachi graduated, no student had successfully used all five targets—the angles were simply too challenging for most students to master.

"Hmmm," Sasuke exhaled deeply, his dark eyes sharpening with focus. He tightened his grip on the shuriken, crossing his arms in preparation.

The challenge before him represented a record left by his brother Itachi, and Sasuke had dedicated his entire holiday to practicing at home. If his brother had accomplished this feat, then he was determined to do the same!

"What is he attempting?" Iruka wondered from the sidelines, slightly puzzled. Given Sasuke's skill level, standard shuriken training should present no difficulty. Yet his expression now appeared unusually solemn.

"Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!"

With a powerful motion, Sasuke swung his arms and released five shuriken simultaneously. They spread out along different trajectories—three flying directly into the centers of the forward targets, while the other two moved at a slightly slower pace.

But Sasuke hadn't completed his demonstration. He still held one shuriken in each hand, his movements continuing without pause.

"Swoosh!"

With a sudden burst of strength, channeling the maximum power of his arms into the shuriken, he launched them with tremendous force!