Starting with the troublemakers of Konoha, the pressure extends throughout the entire ninja world.

new week.

Ms. Ito walked into the classroom carrying the report cards.

"The monthly exam results are out."

The air in the classroom instantly became tense.

For a kid who has just become a ninja apprentice.

Rankings have an inherent, heart-pounding magic.

"Those with good grades shouldn't be arrogant, and those with poor grades should learn from those with good grades." Junji Ito's gaze swept over the entire class.

"In the future, you must all become useful people, and always remember that!"

"You became ninjas for the rise of Konoha, to serve Konoha, to serve the village!"

Qingyu sat in the back row, her face expressionless.

To serve Konoha.

The translation is: To become a glorious cog in the machine of Konoha.

Catching cats and dogs, cleaning river channels, and escorting caravans.

He spent his life quietly and unnoticed in some corner of the village.

In their spare time, they can also enjoy a couple of ounces of wine at an old tavern in Konoha.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with that.

After all, Konoha doesn't need another one like you to serve.

Hundreds or even thousands of civilian ninjas graduate every year.

Those who can truly stand out can be counted on one hand.

The rest are the core base.

Most of the core supporters don't need to contribute financially; their mere existence is enough.

Even the most sophisticated and cutting-edge technology still requires the most basic screws.

"The rankings are as follows: First place: Qingyu."

Minato Namikaze tensed up slightly.

Expected.

His essay, "The Strongest Hokage is Today," has been personally rated as an excellent model essay by the Third Hokage.

He tied for first place in actual combat, dominated the entire field in theory, and was undoubtedly number one in the overall rankings.

"Second place, Minato Namikaze."

Minato still had a smile on his face, but the fingers holding the pen tightened slightly.

"Third place, Nara Shikaku."

Fourth place: Yamanaka Inoichi.

Fifth place: Choza Akimichi.

The Ino-Shika-Cho trio occupied third to fifth place.

The fact that they managed to get this ranking despite their casual attitude of "just throwing things away" that day speaks volumes about their family's wealth and influence.

Yuta Akiyama ranked thirteenth.

A subtle smile appeared on her face as she received the report card.

That "I actually won" expression.

This reminded Qingyu of his mental victory method of interpreting "moving target three hits" as "drawing with Akimichi Choza".

Winning is indeed a prominent field of study in Konoha.

After the results were announced, Junji Ito began the class.

But Qingyu noticed that one person hadn't been listening to the lecture at all.

Minato Namikaze.

His gaze would occasionally drift towards Qingyu's direction.

His eyes held a complex emotion.

If I had to describe it...

It gives off a distinct feeling of being a victim of the Minotaur.

From the day he entered the school, Shuimen worked from dawn till dusk, just to avoid being left behind by others.

As a result, in the first monthly exam after entering school, he was overtaken by an unknown orphan.

Moreover, the loss wasn't in real combat, but in writing.

It's that article, "Why the Third Hokage is the Strongest Hokage".

Minato's essay revolved around one thing: I want to become Hokage.

The central idea is clear, and the emotions are genuine.

The problem is that the person currently sitting in the Hokage position is Hiruzen Sarutobi.

They're in their prime; it's not time for them to consider being laid off yet.

The entire piece is about "I want to be Hokage," but isn't the subtext "Third Hokage, it's time for you to step down"?

However, there is Qingyu's masterpiece "The Strongest Naruto is Today" as a precedent.

One is "Third Generation, you are the strongest," and the other is "I will replace you."

If you were the examiner, who would you give a high score to?

So Minato lost in a very frustrating way.

It wasn't a matter of strength that we lost, but a matter of politics.

However, this unwillingness is a good thing for Qingyu.

Perpetual motion machines need fuel, and water gates are the most efficient type.

Pulling her thoughts back, Qingyu began to observe another target.

Nara Shikaku.

The secret techniques of the Pig, Deer, and Butterfly races are the abilities he most needs to acquire right now.

The Mountain Clan's Mind Turning Technique

The Akimichi clan's Multi-Size Technique

The Nara clan's shadow imitation technique.

The combination of the three races' secret techniques forms a complete combat system.

The Nara clan is the breakthrough point.

Because they are afraid of trouble, they won't immediately turn against someone when under pressure.

As long as you don't turn on them, you can maintain the pressure.

Furthermore, people with high IQs are more sensitive to verbal attacks.

Higher pressure values ​​result in higher output.

This kind of person is simply the best candidate for him to use his skills against the troublemakers of Konoha.

The bell rang, signaling the end of get out of class.

After Aoba and the other classmates around Shikaku left.

I strolled slowly to the back of the classroom.

I sat down in the empty seat next to him.

Shika lay prone, her face buried in her arms.

"He clearly got third place, but he doesn't listen in class and just sleeps after class," Qingyu said in a tone of self-talk.

"Is this the genius of the Nara clan? Even his slacking off is done with such skill."

[Detection indicates that the host is causing mental stress to "Nara Shikaku"]

[Gain 5 Shadow Mimicry (Shadow Control) Fragments by +35 Stress Value]

[Yin Attribute Chakra Nature Transformation Fragment ×3]

Shikaku looked up, revealing a sleepy face. "...It's you again."

"It's me~ I wanted to ask you last time, you sleep so much every day, do you really manage to sleep at night?"

[Pressure value +15]

[Obtained: Shadow Imitation Technique (Shadow Control) Fragment x2]

Shikaku didn't answer, but just looked at him with a scrutinizing gaze.

"I'm different. I'm an orphan from a humble background, and I have little talent, so I can only rely on hard work."

"Unlike you, who easily came in third place, you must have felt immense pressure."

[Pressure value +20]

[Obtained: Yin Attribute Chakra Nature Transformation Fragment ×2]

Shikaku's eye twitched.

"I wasn't slacking off, I just felt that what I was learning was too simple."

"Oh, then why couldn't you beat me and Minato in the exam?"

"You came in third, Aoba came in first, and Minato Namikaze came in second."

Qingyu pointed to herself, then to the row in front.

"You say the course is too easy, then why couldn't you beat the two of us?"

[Pressure value +40]

[Obtained: Shadow Imitation Technique (Shadow Control) Fragment x6]

[Tactical Analysis Ability Fragments x4]

[Nara Clan Secret Technique: Shadow Stitch Fragment x1]

Shikaku fell completely silent.

He originally wanted to say, "Getting first place is too much trouble."

But he swallowed the words back down his throat.

Because what Qingyu said was true.

These two people took the top two spots, while he only got third place.

Even though they seem to have no trouble at all.

"This is such a pain," he muttered, burying his face in his arms.

[Pressure value +10]

[Obtained: Shadow Stitch Fragment x1]

Qingyu stood up with satisfaction.

Too much pressure at once can make the other party defensive; a gradual and long-term approach is the right way.

"Go back to sleep. Geniuses have the privilege of being lazy, unlike us commoners."

"Keep it up, try to surpass Minato Namikaze next time."

[Pressure value +8]

[Obtained: Yin Attribute Chakra Nature Transformation Fragment ×2]

Shikaku lay on the table without responding, but he definitely wouldn't be able to sleep at noon today.

Back in his seat, Nonou looked at him curiously: "What were you doing?"

"I went to make friends and exchanged study tips with my classmates from Nara."

Nono's eyes were filled with disbelief.