As the audience began to disperse from the stadium, the clans followed, and I lagged behind Nara as he waited for the students to get up to the podium, as the barrier had been knocked down, rather than leave the stadium through the aisle like the other genin who'd been left on their own by the end of the exam.
- You've earned your chunin vests and made a reputation among our shinobi as being able to use their brains, and that's worth a lot.
- Thank you, sensei," Hoshi pulled off her mask and goggles, 'we tried,' she smiled broadly, looking at me with eyes shining with pride.
Asani followed suit, not much different in her facial expression. I could feel that the girls would be jumping and squealing with happiness, especially since they had every reason to do so - not every genin could make a good reputation for himself just at the beginning of his career.
And, for the clanless, it is especially important - after receiving the coveted vest, the students will have no problems not only to recruit their own team to fulfill the missions available in the Hokage's office, but also to get an invitation from the clan fighters, usually not too keen on "weaklings", and this is a different level of complexity and payment.
In our environment, reputation is no less important than personal strength, and today the students acquired the former and showed the latter, helping me a lot.
- You are welcome, - I smiled back and turned the topic to a more down-to-earth one, - and since the exam is over, I suggest you go and collect your winnings, especially since you have worked hard to get them.
- Yes!" Hoshi couldn't help but shout, raising her fist to the sky. - I'm rich at last! - She hurried past me behind the rest of the audience to the exit of the bleachers.
- Very soon you'll realize that even that money won't be enough," I shook my head, moving to follow along with Asani, who showed great restraint.
Being genin, the apprentices couldn't go to shops with quality equipment, using what I bought them, and certainly couldn't see the price of even simple seals, not to mention the fuin I made. Yes and normal gear flies in the face of cost even without weapons.
There was pandemonium on the first floor - many spectators also wanted to get their winnings, so we had to wait in line and only after half an hour we managed to get the money.
For my ninety million ryo I received a bank promissory note, which could cash the amount, and the winnings on the receipts of the students' bets were given in cash - one million eighty thousand. Each of the kunoichi had scraped together a hundred and twenty thousand ryo, thanks to the missions to build the stadium and what they'd put aside earlier, living off me for the most part.
- I recommend that you put it in the bank and withdraw the money as needed," I advised the Genin who were happily picking through the gold records.
- For the first time I see so much money and all this is mine! - Hoshi whispered happily.
- Actually, it's not such a big sum, - he hummed, lowering her from the sky to the ground, - an experienced chunin is quite capable of earning so much in half a year or even less, if you're lucky with missions.
- Really?
- I shrugged, jumping onto the nearest rooftop so I wouldn't have to wade through the crowds that clogged the streets.
- Sensei, -Will we celebrate? - Hoshi asked, following me.
- Only after we get the vest," I shook my head, turning to the students, "it's bad luck to celebrate beforehand.
- And when will that be?
- In a couple of days we'll be summoned to the Hokage's tower," I enlightened them, "and then we'll celebrate, and I'll buy you a table.
- Okay, Ryo-sensei! - The students replied in unison.
After saying goodbye to them, I went home with a firm intention to spend a couple of days fooling around and devoting them to my family. I was completely satisfied with the result of the exam, and it was worth celebrating among my peers.
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