Hokage, no one knows better than me how to cultivate talent.

Just like yesterday, when these words were spoken, not only did the student who asked the question look incredulous, but the students around who were hearing it for the first time also showed expressions of disbelief.

But the student didn't explain anything further, figuring everyone would understand once the competition started.

The top students from the other grades had their eyes light up when they saw that the representative of Class 1, Grade 4 was Naruto Uzumaki. Having been suppressed by Sasuke Uchiha for many years, they felt that this was their only chance in their lives, and they all hoped that he would be drawn in the first round. Although they heard the discussions around them, they all thought that Naruto was just lucky.

"It seems that Naruto will definitely be the top student in the grade this time." Shusui secretly conducted a quality test on the representatives of the other classes and found that the highest quality was only A-. Not to mention Naruto, even Shino Aburame could easily crush them.

The draw began, and the first lucky winner was a student from Class 3 of the fourth grade. After drawing Naruto, he couldn't suppress the smile on his face. The top students from the other grades were so envious that their eyes turned red.

Why didn't this kind of good luck fall on my head?

Before the competition began, students from each class cheered for their class representative.

Although Naruto wasn't very popular in class before and often caused trouble for everyone, he was the only one fighting now. The students of Class 1, Grade 4, were unusually united and cheered him on.

"Naruto, you beat me, so don't embarrass me!" Kiba Inuzuka shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Naruto-kun...do your best," Hinata Hyuga whispered, her voice almost drowned out by the crowd.

Sasuke Uchiha stood with his arms crossed, staring blankly at the arena.

He also hoped that Naruto could win. After all, the representatives from the other classes were all his former defeated opponents. It was one thing to lose to Naruto alone, but if Naruto lost to them, wouldn't that make him look even more inferior?

Naruto felt lightheaded, as if he were floating on clouds. The cheers that rose and fell around him were like heavenly music, making him feel somewhat dazed.

But he did not disappoint. In every match, he gave his all and did not give his opponents a chance to breathe.

The first student to face him was all smiles when he stepped onto the stage, earnestly forming the opposition hand seals. However, the next second, his smile froze completely. Suddenly, nearly twenty Narutos appeared before him, rushing towards him in a dark mass, shouting Wind Release: Gale Palm as they ran. Before he could react, he was already firmly held in the arms of a very handsome teacher.

"Thank...thank you, teacher." The rescued student glanced at the honeycomb-like pit on the ground not far away, swallowed subconsciously, and his voice trembled slightly.

Is this guy even human?

What grudge do we hold against each other?

If that hit me, I'd be covered in bruises.

The top students from other grades witnessed this scene, exchanged glances, and their eyes revealed a tacit understanding: they really hoped they wouldn't draw Naruto next.

They were willing to give up their only chance to others, hoping to be satisfied with just second place in the end.

In the following battles, Naruto's situation was almost identical to the first match. His opponents had just stepped onto the stage and hadn't even had a chance to use any moves before Shusui carried them off the stage.

"I hereby declare that Naruto Uzumaki has won first place in the fourth-year practical combat category of this monthly exam," said Shusui after catching the last student who had been knocked down by Naruto.

After the practical exam, Qiu Shui discovered that the system's task was not marked as completed, realizing that the settlement would only be made after the theoretical scores were released.

Since today is an exam day and it happens to be Friday, the school did not require students to return to class in the afternoon, but instead gave them a half-day off in a very humane way.

So, Shusui took Naruto and Hinata to a barbecue restaurant to celebrate their good results. He told them that they didn't need to train for the next two days and could rest for two more days to enjoy the fruits of their hard work. After all, the two of them had only trained for four days in total this month, and there was no rush to improve their strength.

These past two days, Qiu Shui has been working with the school's teachers to grade exam papers for each grade, hoping to release the results on Monday.

......

"Sakura, the monthly exam results are coming out today. What do you think your overall ranking will be?" On the way to school, Sakura's best friend leaned close to her and asked in a low voice.

"Just securing third place is fine," Sakura Haruno replied listlessly.

Although her ranking had generally fluctuated between second and third in previous exams, that was on the premise that she could enter the second round of the practical exam. But this time, she lost to Ino in the first round. In addition, Naruto and Hinata won first and second place in the class practical exam respectively, and she suddenly lost confidence.

"You've always been first in your grade in theory, so you definitely won't fall behind this time," Sakura's best friend quickly reassured her.

"I hope so." Sakura Haruno forced a smile.

She still hasn't recovered. Naruto, that loser, actually defeated Sasuke and even got first place in the grade's practical combat ranking.

"Hey, when did Sakura, the academic genius, become so insecure and sentimental?" Ino Yamanaka and her friends happened to overhear Sakura Haruno's words and reflexively retorted.

"So what if I lack confidence? Besides, you only beat me once in a real match. In terms of overall ranking, you might even be behind me," Sakura Haruno retorted immediately.

"That's not necessarily true. What if I'm ahead of you in line?" Yamanaka Ino shook her head, her eyes darting around. "How about we make a bet?"

Since taking Qiushui's class, she has found the classes particularly relaxing and the content easy to understand. Previously, her total theoretical score was only 70 or 80 points lower than Xiaoying's. However, after returning home recently, she stayed up late every day to review and encountered many questions she had seen before during the exam. She felt that she might actually be able to surpass Xiaoying in the overall ranking this time.

"What are we betting on?" Sakura Haruno naturally wasn't going to back down in front of her girlfriends.

"If you lose, you have to promise me one thing," Yamanaka Ino said after thinking for a moment.

"Okay, what if you lose?" Sakura Haruno asked.

"Same here. If I lose, I'll also grant you one request." Yamanaka Ino gave her a look that said, "Are you stupid?"

After saying that, Sakura Haruno, Ino Yamanaka, and the others quickened their pace and hurried to school, eager to see where they were ranked. As soon as they entered the school gate, they met Shikamaru Nara and Choji Akimichi.