Hinata: I'm in charge of Konoha.

Looking at the seemingly light answer sheet in his hand, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt as if it weighed an ounce of weight.

He never imagined that the key to victory or defeat in war would depend on things outside the battlefield.

From beginning to end, not only Hiruzen Sarutobi, but all the renowned ninjas in the ninja world never thought of this.

Even Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, was the same.

"Hinata Hyuga..."

This was the first time Hiruzen Sarutobi had truly taken this name seriously.

Previously, he simply regarded Hinata as an excellent successor of the Hyuga clan, but now it seemed as if he could see those pure and innocent eyes through the paper in his hand.

The elderly man, well past sixty, sat in a chair, gazing intently at every word on the answer sheet.

This exam paper, titled "On the Naruto," showed Hiruzen Sarutobi another path to victory.

He wasn't thinking about the feasibility of the plan, but rather pondering the consequences if Hiruzen Sarutobi did it, or implemented a similar combat plan.

From beginning to end, the word "war" has always revolved around ninjas.

The common people only need to wait for the war to end and for the final outcome.

Their own ninjas won, and nothing happened to them.

If one's own ninjas lose, the land they cultivate, along with the ninjas themselves, will be incorporated into the enemy country.

However, this book, "On Naruto," dragged ordinary people and civilians into the war as well.

In addition, even those of high status and nobles were not spared.

The prices of goods such as grain and silk fabrics are closely related to them.

If this "On Naruto" is truly implemented, then the battlefield will no longer belong to the ninjas, but to the entire nation.

The daimyo, nobles, commoners, and ordinary people who once only needed to wait for the outcome will all be dragged into this quagmire.

"call……"

Hiruzen Sarutobi gently put down the answer sheet and sighed heavily.

Hinata Hyuga, this little tiger of the Hyuga clan has truly given me a big surprise.

Hiruzen Sarutobi never expected that what was originally just an early graduate of the ninja academy would bring him such a big surprise.

In his view, this was not just a topic about the Hokage, nor a strategy for dealing with the enemy, but a fork in the road that would change the entire landscape of the ninja world.

Thinking of this, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly got up and walked towards the door.

Although Hinata's plan only pointed out a general direction, it is undeniable that it is indeed feasible and makes reasonable use of the Land of Fire's resource advantages.

Even if this plan came from the hand of a ten-year-old child.

"Pass down the order: Nara Shikaku, come to the Hokage's office to see me."

Hiruzen Sarutobi no longer intended to watch Hinata and the others' practical combat assessment.

His immediate priority was to discuss with someone whether to completely ignore the paper, or...

-

"What? You're not coming?"

"Alright, I understand. The Hokage must have something urgent to attend to."

Outside the examination hall, Iruka looked at the teacher who had come to inform him with some surprise.

Meanwhile, in the examination hall, Hinata stared intently at the examiner in charge of her test.

With white hair, a mask covering his face, and a headband covering his eyes, the only eye that was visible was his cheeky crescent-shaped eye. He wore a Konoha Jonin uniform that should have been worn smartly, but instead, he exuded a lazy and casual vibe.

Kakashi Hatake.

That bastard, the guy who sold her out four years ago.

I even treated him to dinner!

"Hey, long time no see."

Four years have passed, and this once stern and unsmiling guy is now becoming more and more like the lewd man Hinata remembers.

"Long time no see, my foot!"

"Heh, don't think I've forgotten the time you tattled on me."

Hinata's smile was dangerous, with veins bulging at the corners of her eyes. The Byakugan had already been activated before the assessment even began.

"Well, young lady, have we met before?"

"Are you sure you're not mistaken?"

Kakashi casually pulled a book from his pocket that was prominently labeled "Make-Out Paradise," opened a page, and began to speak casually.

???

You bastard, didn't you just tell me it's been a long time?

"Mr. Shuimu, may we begin the assessment?"

Hinata took out a specially made black dagger from her ninja tool bag and smiled through gritted teeth.

Even though he is not Kakashi's match yet, he is already invincible with the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Add in the Soft Fist, Heaven-Turning, and Empty Palm techniques, and that'll be enough to give this guy a run for his money.

Moreover, the outcome is still uncertain.

"Yes, that's fine."

"Kakashi-kun, are you ready?"

Mizuki, who was acting as the referee, looked at Kakashi.

"Well, no problem."

Kakashi had one hand in his pocket and the other casually flipping through the pages of a book, looking completely indifferent.

Kakashi appeared lazy, but his gaze had inadvertently fallen on the black dagger in Hinata's hand.

Ignoring its unique design, his gaze fell on the guard of the small knife.

Although the mark and the blade were similar in color, Kakashi could still tell at a glance that the mark was unusual.

Six triangles surround a jet-black ring, resembling a pattern representing the sun's radiance.

This is... the Flying Thunder God Mark.

Although Kakashi couldn't use the Flying Thunder God Technique, he had indeed learned it under Minato Namikaze's tutelage, so he immediately recognized that this was no ordinary ninja tool.

Instead, it resembles the trident kunai of his own teacher, Minato Namikaze.

"Alright, I hereby announce the start of the assessment..."

"start!"

Mizuki's raised hands immediately fell down. At that moment, Hinata, who wanted to teach Kakashi a lesson, immediately prepared to throw the throwing knife in her hand, wanting to hit Kakashi on the head with a close-range strike!

"etc!"

Kakashi suddenly raised the arm holding Icha Icha Paradise, almost causing Hinata, who was ready to give Kakashi a good scolding, to lose her balance.

"What are you doing!"

Hinata said unhappily.

Mizuki also looked at Kakashi with a puzzled expression.

Kakashi raised his arm high and swung it down sharply, pointing the book "Make-Out Paradise," which Hinata found utterly repulsive, at her and saying:

"You pass!"

???

Hinata stared blankly at Kakashi in front of her.

No way, we haven't even started fighting yet, and you're already saying you've won?!

Do you even have a shred of professional ethics as an examiner?

"In that case, Hinata Hyuga."

"The assessment has been passed!"

Although Mizuki was puzzled, since Kakashi, the examiner, had said so, he naturally had no need to make things difficult for the young lady of the Hyuga clan.

From the moment he saw Hinata pull out her specially made knife, Kakashi knew that Hinata had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Kakashi knew better than anyone how outrageous the Flying Thunder God Technique was.

He couldn't be bothered to waste time outsmarting the incredibly troublesome Flying Thunder God Technique user.