- Hatake-san," Marioto greeted the clan head and grinned suddenly, gesturing for him to follow, "your student almost turned the written test into a beating.
It was obvious that the inquirer didn't mind chatting with acquaintances as we moved towards the tower in the center of the Forest of Death.
- Marioto-san," the White Tusk of Konoha nodded, following to the right of the accelerated examiner, 'that was to be expected from Kushina, it's also a good thing she didn't use her favorite explosive seals,' he rolled his eyes.
- Yes, that would have been unpleasant," Gin, who was clearly experienced in this area, faintly grumbled, 'but young Nara's student is not far behind,' he turned to me with a chuckle, "she's growing up well.
- Thank you, Marioto-san," I nodded politely, barely able to keep from grumbling irritably as I asked the girls to wait until the second stage was over, rather than showing off from the start.
- Hey - hey, what about my student? - The Hokage's apprentice caught up with us.
He was followed by the rest of the jonin mentors, accompanied by the jonins, but that was more of a diversion, since the ANBU observers were on the flanks, controlling the outsiders. Naturally, they didn't show their faces, but experienced enough fighters could detect them, and there were most of them among the guests, not to mention someone of Ai's level.
He glared at my back more than once, but he didn't want to talk to me, given the company. He was in a bad mood without me, though - only three teams from Kumogakure no Sato had made it to the next stage, compared to five from the same Sunovans and seven from Konoha.
Only the small villages had a worse result, taking the remaining four spots out of nineteen. Ishigakure was eliminated, while Taki made it through with two teams, a perfect score against Kusa and Ame.
- And your student, Jiraiya-san, has shown nothing but a lack of skill with girls," the examiner said ironically, causing the self-proclaimed super pervert to grimace.
- I told him to read Icha-Icha," grumbled the toadophile resentfully.
- I'm afraid Minato-kun's knowledge of this literary work may never be of any use if he keeps bothering Kushine-chan," warned Sakumo, who was clearly familiar with Jiraiya's work.
Hmm, what did I miss? Minato trying his luck again?
- A-ha-ha, I recognize Uzumaki's temperament," Gin laughed infectiously, 'and I was beginning to forget the antics of those red-haired furies,' judging by the nostalgic smile, watching only from the sidelines and not getting caught in the hot hand, or else the reaction would have been quite different, 'no offense,' he gave me a quick glance.
- As if the women of Nara were any different," I waved him off, knowing full well the reputation of the beautiful halves of the clan in the village.
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