A Sparring Match with Sarutobi Hiruzen?
This was pure self-torture. Forget about Haruto Saito—even the White Fang wouldn't stand a chance. As one of the strongest in the ninja world, Sarutobi Hiruzen had only a handful of opponents who could match him! Basically, only the Kage of the major ninja villages and Hanzo could compete with him.
As for Haruto Saito… he wasn't looking down on himself, but even with one hand, Sarutobi Hiruzen could beat ten of him!
"Sensei, if you don't want me to join the assassination squad, just say so. Why make things difficult for me?" Haruto Saito said bluntly.
"I never said you had to defeat me. How is that making things difficult for you?" Sarutobi Hiruzen replied.
"Oh?" Haruto raised an eyebrow. "Then… what are the rules?"
"The rules are… I make the rules!" Sarutobi Hiruzen stated in a straightforward and domineering manner. "You just need to attack me with full force, holding nothing back. Based on your performance, I will decide whether you qualify to join the assassination squad."
"I see." Haruto Saito understood now. Sarutobi Hiruzen said it was a sparring match, but in reality, he was just testing Haruto's combat skills. However, this method of evaluation wasn't entirely fair. To be an assassin, one needed more than just strong combat skills—they also required excellent reconnaissance abilities, analytical thinking, strategic planning, and survival skills.
Combat ability was the most critical skill for a ninja, but it was still just one part of the whole package.
However, since Sarutobi Hiruzen had already set the evaluation criteria, his word was final.
"Alright, Sensei." Haruto Saito agreed and asked, "When do we start?"
"I have a meeting soon," Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at Haruto, "so… you can go back for now. At dusk, I'll have White Fang come find you. When you return, make sure you have all the secret scrolls of the Meiji Clan ready and bring them along."
Haruto nodded, but suddenly felt uneasy.
Not because of the test with Sarutobi Hiruzen, but because… how was he supposed to go home?
That tigress, Tsunade, might be sharpening her knife at home!
Haruto could choose not to return to Tsunade's mansion, but if he wandered around, White Fang might have trouble finding him later. Plus, he didn't have anywhere else to go. He considered chatting with Minato Namikaze, but the ninja academy hadn't dismissed classes yet.
"Go!" Sarutobi Hiruzen motioned for Haruto to leave, then turned and walked back to his desk.
—
Leaving the Hokage's building, Haruto Saito grew even more anxious.
Even though he hadn't done anything improper to Tsunade, what happened was purely accidental. Besides, he didn't even consider it taking advantage of her. After all, when he hypnotized and dirtied her before, he had already bathed her—he had touched everything there was to touch.
However, Tsunade was naturally violent. If she could solve a problem with her fists, she wouldn't bother with words!
—
Konohagakure Ninja Academy
Wearing a black robe and sunglasses, Haruto Saito sat on a bench beside the training field, lazily crossing his legs. In the end, he decided to find Minato Namikaze to chat. Going to Tsunade's place was simply too dangerous!
As a personal student of the Hokage, Haruto could freely enter and exit the ninja academy as long as he didn't disrupt classes.
Before long, the school bell rang.
From the classrooms around the field, students flooded out—some chasing each other, some sparring, but most gathered in small groups, chattering away. Even though the break was short, it was a precious moment of relaxation for the students, so almost everyone came outside.
Haruto spotted Minato Namikaze walking out of a classroom, his expression as calm as ever. He looked more arrogant than anyone else!
That was just his personality. His exceptional maturity made it difficult for him to blend in with his peers. For his age group, he was considered a loner. And because of his immense talent, others often mistook him for being aloof.
"Hey, brat! Over here!" Haruto stood up and waved at Minato.
Minato hesitated for a moment before walking over to him.
Many other students had already noticed Haruto, but for various reasons, they didn't dare approach him. Instead, they kept their distance.
When Minato got close, Haruto sat back down and patted the bench beside him. "Sit down, let's talk."
"Haruto-sama, you shouldn't be looking for me," Minato said after sitting down.
"What are you afraid of?" Haruto crossed his legs again, tilting his head to look at Minato. "Did that bratty girl give you trouble again?"
"Yeah." Minato nodded, then added, "I'm not afraid of her. She's just… annoying!"
"You have to understand, women are naturally troublesome creatures—whether they're eight years old or twenty-two!" Haruto chuckled.
"Huh?" Minato was momentarily puzzled and turned to Haruto curiously. "Why did you say twenty-two so specifically?"
It was an odd choice. If Haruto had said, "whether they're eight or eighty," it would have sounded normal and conveyed his meaning well. But twenty-two was oddly precise…
"Uh… just an example," Haruto quickly changed the topic. "Forget that. Let's talk about you. Have you thought about my suggestion?"
Minato remained silent, clearly still hesitating.
"HEY! YOU DAMN BASTARD!!"
A sharp voice suddenly rang out. "YOU DARE COME TO THE SCHOOL?! GET HIM! CATCH HIM!"
Haruto and Minato both wore identical expressions of exasperation.
Kushina Uzumaki was truly a walking disaster!
Haruto thought that after becoming the Hokage's personal student, Kushina would show some restraint, but it seemed she didn't care at all. Either that, or she had been ruling the school for so long that the word "restraint" didn't exist in her vocabulary.
As soon as Kushina spotted him, she charged toward Haruto like a madwoman, rallying a group of students to join her.
This time, however, Haruto didn't drag Minato away. The two of them remained seated on the bench, Haruto still lazily crossing his legs.
"You bastard! Bastard! BASTARD!" Kushina cursed as she ran, quickly closing the distance. She didn't even hesitate—despite knowing the power gap between them, she pounced at him with full force!
SWOOSH!
A flash of steel!
Kushina suddenly froze mid-motion, stopping just half a step away from Haruto. She didn't dare move.
Because Haruto had drawn his Heavy Mountain Blade and placed it lightly on her shoulder.
The other students were terrified. Those who had rushed forward with Kushina immediately halted, and some of the younger girls even screamed.
Haruto remained seated, casually twirling his sunglasses in one hand while his other hand held the sword. He tilted his head slightly and, with a menacing glare, coldly whispered, "Brat, do you have a death wish?"
His killing intent sent shivers down Kushina's spine, draining the color from her face.
Of course, Haruto was just trying to scare her, which was why he put on such an intimidating act.
"Haruto Saito!"
"What are you doing?!"
"Put the sword away!"
A few ninja academy teachers noticed the commotion and ran over, shouting urgently.
Haruto glanced at them before flashing a casual smile. "Just a little joke."
He withdrew his sword.
"WAAAAAH!!"
Kushina suddenly collapsed onto the ground, bawling her eyes out.
Haruto's face stiffened.
Damn it.
She actually cried!
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