Chapter 22 - New School Year Entrance Exam

A week later, it was time for the school year to start again, and today Mikumo found herself outside of Kakashi's house. As Mikumo stood outside waiting for the young silver-haired youth to finish preparing inside, she pondered the current state of affairs.

'Hmm, Sakumo isn't here for Kakashi's entrance exam. Must be a butterfly effect of my presence, Sakumo completed missions at a faster rate in order to watch over my training. I can only hope his current mission goes well and there was enough of a butterfly effect. In the meantime, I'll take care of Kakashi in his stead.'

Soon, Kakashi exited his home and saw Mikumo standing outside waiting for him.

"What are you doing here?"

"Waiting for you, silly. Now that Sakumo-sensei is away on a mission, I'll take his place and watch over you during the entrance exam."

Kakashi scoffed a little at the statement but didn't refuse. Mikumo watched as Kakashi took his place next to her and the two walked towards the academy together.

"Are you prepared? How confident are you feeling?"

"Well, if I failed, I don't think anyone would be joining this year."

"Oh? So confident? Maybe I should save a seat next to me in the second-year class then~."

"Sure, whatever, do what you want."

Mikumo leaned over and smiled smugly toward Kakashi, but didn't tease him more. Kakashi sighed internally but was already used to Mikumo's behavior after spending a year with her.

It didn't take long for the pair to reach the academy grounds. Today, many people gathered here to either take the entrance exam or watch their children take it. There are two ways to enter the academy: an examination or a recommendation. Mikumo joined through the second method.

"Okay, we're here. Good luck Kakashi!"

Kakashi simply nodded and walked in line to sign up as Mikumo made her way to the observer area.

'Kakashi's tsundere levels are progressing nicely, he could have just taken a recommendation but he wanted to take the exam in order to skip years.'

Mikumo smiled as she watched the surrounding parents cheer for their children. The crowd was full of many civilians and a few various different clan members here and there. Mikumo noticed someone from the Inuzuka clan and Aburame clan in the crowd.

'It truly has been a whole year since I've come to this world. I've already long grown used to the sights, this is my home now. I can already tell many things have changed because of my presence. Although I stayed out of the Senju clan politics, grandma still updates me from time to time via Ayane. The clan has stabilized and all of the remaining clan ninjas have been recalled to the Senju estate and unregistered. So far I haven't had any fallback and there nothing bad has come my way, hopefully, it stays that way.'

Mikumo looked back to the academy ground where the new applicants were being tested. A Chunin instructor held a clipboard as he directed each student in showcasing their ability in using Ninjutsu to gauge their current knowledge, followed by a measure of their talent. The talent gauge was simply just a learning comprehension test on the three shinobi basics, most kids weren't able to successfully copy the E-Rank clone jutsu, creating all kinds of wobbly mess, but what the instructors were testing for was if they could even perform the jutsu in the first place.

Mikumo's eyes traced Kakashi as he breezed through every challenge.

'As expected, Kakashi is a genius. He might still have a small leg up on me since he started earlier, but thankfully my chakra pool is larger and my chakra control is also better too. My progress on my physique is also very fast due to how fast my body is maturing, I can thank the fact that I was born a female for this one.'

While Mikumo was lost in her thoughts, she noticed Kakashi successful pass the final examination exercise with flying colors. Noticing him looking around, Mikumo smiled and cheered.

"Woo, congratulations, Kakashi!"

Kakashi followed the sound of the voice and nodded happily, although no one could tell what expression he was making under his face mask. Soon after, he followed the Chunin instructor's direction to line up in the area of successful applicants.

Mikumo couldn't help but smile warmly seeing the hopeful smiles of the academy applicants.

'That's right, this is my home now. The third shinobi world war is starting to warm up and is going to last for nearly a decade. Most of these kids will graduate to only know life on the battlefield.'

Mikumo frowned at the normality of child soldiers in this world but knew that change took time.

'Only a generation ago all that ninja clan children knew were life on the battlefield, so comparatively you could say it's better, but still...'

Letting out a short sigh, Mikumo focused her attention on the academy grounds as the examinations concluded. Now it was time for the third Hokage to give a rousing speech to the new academy attendees.

Mikumo glanced upward to see the Third Hokage Hiruzen make his appearance on the platform above. Although she stood among the crowd of parents and guests, she could feel Hiruzen's gaze on her linger for a second as he scanned the field.

'Hm? Did he notice me? I guess that's not too surprising, even though I haven't spoken to him once ever since I joined the academy, but now that I'm top of my class, I should be on his radar by now.'

Hiruzen gazed down and saw Mikumo among the crowd of visitors. His eyes flashed for a moment but quickly moved on to examining the new attendees. The crowd cheered and revered his name as he gave them a wave.

"Students, today you embark on the journey of the Shinobi. I know many of you are excited about the prospect of being able to perform great feats of ninjutsu and win honor and glory in battle, but always remember why we Shinobi exist. We exist to protect, we endure the burden of the hope of the next generation who will follow after you. Some of you may not understand what this means right now, but in time I hope you will all understand the meaning of my next words."

Hiruzen closed his eyes and recited a poem.

"When the tree leaves dance, one shall find flames. The fire's shadow will illuminate the village, and once again, tree leaves shall bud anew."

The crowd of kids was stunned by the emotion and wisdom in the Third Hokage's words, although they did not know what it meant.

"Carve these words in your hearts, for they will surely give you the strength to move forward during the darkest of times. Study, play, and work hard for the future of the village is in your hands!"

"Wooo! I love you, Hokage-sama!"

Cheers erupted as Hiruzen finished his speech. Even Mikumo was slightly touched by the weight behind his words. Seeing the positive reception, Hiruzen smiled gently and waved his hand before exiting away from the platform.

Mikumo calmly clapped along with the crowd, not wanting to stand out.

'Although I'm not particularly averse to the meaning behind his words, as someone who lived in a propaganda-filled country in my previous life, I'm numb to it at this point.'

As the crowds started dispersing and both happy and dejected children alike went home with their families, Mikumo waited for Kakashi to finish speaking with a Chunin instructor before coming over to her. A few minutes later, Kakashi joined Mikumo near the exit to the academy.

"Everything finished?"

"Yeah."

"So, can I look forward to having a new classmate tomorrow?"

"Unfortunately, it is so."

"Hahaha! Alright, come on. I'll treat you to some ramen to celebrate!"

Mikumo wrapped her hand around Kakashi's neck, taking advantage of her current height advantage to trap him.

"Alright, alright, let me go. Do you even have any money?"

Mikumo freed Kakashi from her grasp and puffed her chest proudly.

"Hehe, of course! Don't underestimate the heir to the Kashima business empire!"

Kakashi sighed as he put his hands in his pocket.

"Please don't waste uncle and auntie's money like that."

"It's fine, it's fine! I got plenty to spare!"

"Haa... stuff like this is why they asked me to look after you."

Mikumo raised an eyebrow and pouted.

"What? No way, I'm the older one, why would you be the one to look after me?"

"Sometimes I wonder that very thing."

"Hmph. Whatever, let's go eat!"

As the pair headed out of the academy, Mikumo saw a pair of green-uniformed individuals standing outside.

'Is that, Might Guy?'

Kakashi noticed Mikumo's gaze and traced it towards Guy as well.

"Ah, that guy. He was next to me in the examination. Looks like he failed, he couldn't even make a basic clone appear."

Kakashi didn't speak too loudly, but it still caught the ear of Might Guy and his father, Might Duy. After all, they were right in front of them. Duy had a difficult expression on his face, but Guy simply smiled and gave Kakashi a thumbs up.

"Oh, it's you. You're Kakashi, right? You were very impressive back there. Yes, I might have failed this time, but even if I can't use ninjutsu I'm going to get through on the strength of my taijutsu! Just you wait and see!"

Kakashi was a little stunned and didn't know how to respond to Guy's unfounded confidence. Beside them, Duy's frown changed to a proud smile hearing Guy's declaration.

Mikumo giggled a little and nodded.

"Yeah, I believe you. Your name is?"

Guy's smile widened as he took a pose a shouted his name.

"The name's Might Guy!"

"Guy, huh? Nice to meet you! My name's Mikumo. I'm sorry about what our Kakashi said to you, I hope you can get along with him!"

"No offense taken! Alright, let's go, dad! I'm feeling energized!"

Duy nodded and walked away with Guy, but before doing so, he shot Mikumo a thankful nod.

Kakashi didn't say much and simply watched the duo walk away. Afterward, he looked over to see Mikumo's expectant gaze.

"What's so good about him?"

"Hehe, confidence is good, Kakashi, but don't underestimate that boy. Didn't you notice the bruises on his hands and leg? That should tell you all you need to know. If you're too lax, one day he will be even stronger than you. He will be accepted into the alternative class 1B for sure. Why don't you work harder to maintain your record against me first before you start judging other people."

Kakashi wasn't provoked by what Mikumo said and simply pondered her words. As the green duo from before walked further away, he gave Guy's departing figure a second look.

"Alright, let's go now, Kakashi. I'm getting hungry."

Mikumo walked forward but Kakashi didn't follow.

"Actually, you go on ahead. I got something else I want to do."

"Hm? But-"

Before Mikumo could comment, she saw Kakashi jump up on a roof and leaped away.

"Haa. Youth, so easily influenced. Clearly, he wants to go train after hearing what I said. Whatever, I'm over it."

Mikumo shook her head helplessly and then made her way to Ichiraku Ramen.