NOVEL NEXT Chapter 85: Chapter 85
"Tetsuya!"
As Fujiwara Tetsuya lost himself in thought while walking, a familiar voice snapped him back to reality.
It was Uchiha Mikoto. She stepped closer, her delicate figure radiating warmth. Over the past few years, the height gap between them had almost vanished due to Tetsuya's growth spurt. Still, Mikoto's face carried a subtle flush, no doubt from their earlier rush to get ready.
"Right, let's go," Tetsuya replied, shaking off his wandering thoughts. He quickened his pace as they approached the gates of the ninja academy.
Once inside, the training grounds spread before him, teeming with young faces. For a brief moment, nostalgia hit him—how long had it been since he last stepped foot here? Everything felt so different now.
---
"Tetsuya!"
Standing near the edge of the training grounds, a sharp voice called out, piercing through the background chatter.
Tetsuya turned just in time to see Sanjodou Suzuko, his former instructor, closing in. Her movements were swift, and her expression lit up with unbridled joy.
Before he could react, Suzuko was suddenly upon him, pulling him into a crushing embrace.
"Sanjodou-sensei! Wait, I can't—!"
Tetsuya tried to wriggle free, but it was futile. He felt suffocated, not by her affection, but by something far more... overwhelming. The soft, overwhelming pressure on his chest robbed him of air.
'This… this is the power of an adult woman?' Tetsuya thought, his mind spinning.
What he didn't know was that countless academy students and even some teachers had always envied him. To them, this was the ultimate dream—a hug from Sanjodou Suzuko.
But Tetsuya wasn't basking in glory. Instead, a cold chill crept up his spine as he realized something.
Uchiha Mikoto was standing right behind him.
Her Sharingan glimmered faintly, her crimson gaze briefly drifting over Suzuko's chest before settling on her face.
Mikoto's thoughts were clear: When I grow up, I'll have that too.
Suzuko, of course, noticed the subtle hostility from Mikoto. Instead of backing off, she smirked mischievously and tightened her embrace around Tetsuya, making the poor boy squirm even more.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Tetsuya broke free. Gasping for air, he muttered under his breath: "Why does everyone treat me like a kid?!"
---
"Yo, Tetsuya! Is this lovely young lady your girlfriend?"
Suzuko's tone carried a teasing edge, her grin widening as she gestured toward Mikoto.
Tetsuya straightened up and quickly retorted, "Sanjodou-sensei, I'm still just a kid! Talking about girlfriends is way too soon!"
While fixing his disheveled hair, he couldn't help but feel a bit exasperated. His once dignified and professional teacher now acted far more… unrestrained.
Surprisingly, his words seemed to have a calming effect on Mikoto, who visibly relaxed. Her earlier tension melted away, and even her gaze toward Suzuko softened slightly.
Suzuko chuckled knowingly as she turned her attention back to Tetsuya. "Alright then, Tetsuya. So, what brings you here today? You know there's a big graduation exam happening, right? I might not have time to chat with you later."
"That's actually why I'm here, Suzuko-sensei."
Tetsuya took a moment to compose himself, straightening his posture. He even puffed out his chest a little as he looked up at her.
"I'm the proctor for today's graduation exam."
For a moment, Suzuko blinked in disbelief. Then her eyes widened.
"Wait, what? You? You're the proctor that the Hokage appointed?!"
Tetsuya nodded, smirking slightly. "Unless that Anbu captain who gave me the briefing was lying, I am."
Suzuko stared at him for a beat before raising a hand and smacking the back of his head.
"Ow! Suzuko-sensei, what was that for?!" Tetsuya exclaimed, clutching his head.
"That's for showing up late, you little brat!" she scolded. "I taught you better than this! A proper ninja is always punctual."
"Fine, fine, I get it! But next time, can you warn me before hitting me?!"
Still rubbing the sore spot on his head, Tetsuya sidled closer to Mikoto, who offered a rare smile of amusement.
Suzuko shook her head, finally letting out a sigh. "Alright, enough of that. Follow me. I'll introduce you to the candidates for today's exam."
---
The training grounds were alive with energy. Students and instructors alike gathered in clusters, their voices carrying a mix of excitement and tension.
When Tetsuya stepped into view, whispers rippled through the crowd.
"Hey, isn't that Fujiwara Tetsuya?"
"No way! He's the proctor?!"
Among the group of applicants, familiar faces stood out—Yamanaka Inoichi, Akimichi Choza, Nara Shikaku, and even Nara Suzaku. These were some of the academy's most promising talents.
Shikaku, usually so nonchalant, straightened up at the sight of Tetsuya. His usual laziness faded as a serious expression took over.
"Shikaku, you're looking awfully alert all of a sudden," Haiichi teased.
Shikaku frowned. "If Tetsuya is the proctor, then this exam won't be as simple as we thought."
His words sent a ripple of unease through the group. Everyone knew the stories—how Tetsuya had sparred with the Hokage himself. These weren't just rumors; they'd been retold by clan leaders and elders countless times.
---
As Tetsuya approached the center of the grounds, Suzuko gestured toward the assembled students. "These are the ones applying for early graduation. Think you can handle them, proctor?"
Tetsuya grinned, his confidence unshaken. "Of course. Let's see if they're as good as they think they are."
And with that, the atmosphere grew tense. All eyes were on Fujiwara Tetsuya as the graduation exam was about to begin.
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