Chapter 8: A Shocking Display
In that moment, every pair of eyes in the classroom was locked on Ren Arakawa and the flustered Hinata Hyuga.
This included their teacher, Iruka.
No one could have predicted that Ren, who had always been so quiet and unremarkable, would suddenly become so audacious today!
He had actually laid hands on the Hyuga clan's young mistress in front of everyone.
No—"laid lips" was more accurate.
The latter was infinitely more brazen.
"Mmm..."
Under Ren's relentless "rescue efforts," Hinata Hyuga's eyes fluttered open with a soft, muffled sound.
But when she saw Ren's face so close to hers and realized what he was doing, the shock sent a fresh wave of crimson across her face, and she nearly succumbed to the darkness again.
Fortunately, Iruka, who had been momentarily paralyzed with shock, finally snapped out of it. "Hinata! Are you alright?" he asked, rushing to her side.
"I... I'm fine," Hinata Hyuga whispered, her head bowed so low her chin nearly touched her chest. Her eyes were darting nervously, and beneath the desk, her fingers were twisting together in a frantic, silent dance.
She looked utterly terrified.
Only Ren knew the truth: Hinata only started fidgeting with her fingers like that when she was near someone she had feelings for.
It seems my plan is working.
"I'm glad you're okay. You should rest for a moment," Iruka said, letting out a quiet sigh of relief. He deliberately avoided any mention of what Ren had just done to Hinata. Some things were better left unspoken. If the elders of the Hyuga clan were to hear of this, it would cause an unimaginable storm, regardless of whether Ren's intentions had been pure.
"Alright, students! Let's continue with the assessments!" Iruka quickly returned to the teacher's podium, scanned his list, and his eyes settled on Uchiha Sasuke, sitting aloof in the corner. "Next for the graduation exam: Uchiha Sasuke, please come forward."
[Uchiha Mikoto: It's Sasuke! Honey, do you see? That's our son! I can't believe how much he's grown!]
Just like Minato and Kushina, Uchiha Mikoto was overcome with emotion at the sight of the son she hadn't seen in so long. Sadly, her heartfelt cry was met with silence from her husband. Fugaku Uchiha wasn't there to hear it.
[Kushina Uzumaki: Mikoto, Fugaku was kicked out of the stream, remember?]
[Uchiha Mikoto: Ah... what a shame. If he were here, he would be so happy.]
Unable to share this family moment with her husband, Uchiha Mikoto could only sigh in disappointment.
Seeing an opportunity, Ren chimed in, "Would you like me to invite your husband back in?"
[Uchiha Mikoto: Of course! But... I don't have anything valuable left to give you.]
"That's alright. I'm in a good mood today. Just give me whatever you think is appropriate; I'm not picky," Ren said, feeling uncharacteristically generous.
And why not? Compared to successfully winning the heart of a beautiful girl like Hinata, anything Mikoto Uchiha could offer now was trivial. Besides, he'd already swindled her most valuable possession—her three-tomoe Sharingan. Throwing her a bone this once wouldn't hurt.
[Uchiha Mikoto: Really? Thank you so much, Streamer! Mwah!]
Ren Arakawa: "I have no interest in older women. Please maintain some decorum, Madam."
[Uchiha Mikoto: My apologies! I was just too excited and forgot myself.]
Realizing her lapse in composure, Uchiha Mikoto quickly apologized and sent over her donation.
[Ding! Congratulations! You have received a donation from Uchiha Mikoto—Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu (Mastered)!]
"A C-rank Fire Release ninjutsu? Well, it's better than nothing," Ren mused. He then sent another invitation to Uchiha Fugaku.
This time, Fugaku Uchiha didn't waste his wife's efforts and accepted the invitation immediately.
[Notification: Uchiha Fugaku has accepted your invitation and entered the live stream!]
Ren's gaze was fixed on Uchiha Sasuke. The moment Fugaku Uchiha joined the stream, his eyes landed on his youngest son, and his emotions surged violently.
[Uchiha Fugaku: The fact that Sasuke can continue his studies at the academy means Itachi's plan was a success. Our sacrifice was not in vain!]
[Uchiha Mikoto: Yes, dear. As long as Sasuke can live a good life, it was all worth it.]
[Uchiha Fugaku: Hmph. Still, I'm curious to see how strong the boy has become.]
Ren smiled. "You're about to find out."
As he spoke, Uchiha Sasuke walked onto the platform, hands stuffed casually in his pockets. The graduation exam tested the Three Basic Ninja Techniques. As the resident genius of his generation, he passed with effortless, flawless perfection.
He not only earned Iruka's praise but also ignited a wave of adoring squeals from nearly every girl in the classroom.
[Uchiha Mikoto: Wonderful! I never knew Sasuke had become so strong!]
[Uchiha Fugaku: Hmph! It's just basic ninjutsu. He's still a far cry from Itachi at that age.]
Even so, a deep sense of pride was evident in Fugaku Uchiha's words. He had just heard Iruka list Sasuke's achievements: currently ranked first in the entire academy. It was just a school honor, but it was a promising start.
After Uchiha Sasuke returned to his seat, Iruka quickly called the next name. "Next up... Ren Arakawa!"
The moment the name left his lips, the classroom erupted in snickers and muttered remarks.
"Iruka-sensei, Ren is one of the dead-last students, just like Naruto. Isn't this a waste of time? You should just move on."
"Yeah, as our homeroom teacher, you know he can't even perform the Clone Technique properly."
"Never mind the Shadow Clone Technique; he failed the basic Substitution Technique last time!"
"Ugh, having two bottom-feeders in one class is such a drag."
"Don't you dare speak about Ren-kun like that!"
"That's right! You can talk about Naruto all you want, but leave Ren-kun alone!"
"Ren, maybe you should just give up and try again next year..."
Most of the class held no hope for Ren. Some even openly advised him to withdraw to save himself the humiliation. Only a small group of girls, swayed by his handsome features, voiced their support. It was one of the few perks of his good looks. Naruto Uzumaki, the other resident dead-last, received no such charity.
Ren paid no mind to the childish taunts and scorn. In his eyes, these people were beneath his notice, not even worthy of carrying his shoes.
He made no move to stand or approach the platform. He simply remained seated comfortably beside a blushing Hinata Hyuga.
But then, the chakra within his body erupted outwards.
In the very next second, the classroom was flooded with hundreds of perfect copies of "Ren Arakawa."
They stood on desks, crowded the podium, and spilled out into the hallway. In an instant, his figure occupied every available space.
The sudden, impossible display stunned the entire room into a dead silence. The students who had been waiting for a spectacle now rubbed their eyes, unable to believe what they were seeing.