"....."
As Suzuki looked at his forehead protector, which featured a metal plate engraved with the Konoha symbol, he sighed helplessly, knowing he had become a ninja and that his days of making money by killing people would start today.
"What's wrong, Suzuki-kun? Are you happy?" Iruka looked at Suzuki with a gentle smile, happy for him, knowing that, despite being a commoner, Suzuki was the best in his class and even the most talented!
Frankly, Iruka had to admit that the fact Suzuki could defeat Sasuke before was something that he had never imagined, as it was clear for one, who was born from a commoner, it was impossible for them to fight those who came from the huge family, yet Suzuki changed that status quo, and somehow, Suzuki reminded him of a certain famous ninja, who had the same origin as Suzuki and became one of the greatest hokage in the Konoha.
If someone knew what Iruka was thinking, they would snort at him, as it was still a long way for Suzuki to reach that person's achievement, yet somehow, it was just his feeling; he felt like... he was about to see the beginning of someone great, or maybe that was his wish?
After all, Suzuki was just a commoner, and, as a commoner, Iruka had a certain kinship and also longed, thinking that when Suzuki had won and become the best, it felt like... Suzuki would give everyone hope that everyone could become great as long as they worked hard.
"Yes, thank you, Sensei."
Suzuki didn't bother to fix Iruka's misunderstanding, as he knew well that if anyone knew that he wasn't that happy to become a ninja, or even didn't really want to, considering he would become someone who got paid by killing others, or did all the dirty work that those who were at the top, didn't want to touch, making him helpless, yet he also knew that as someone who was born as a ninja, there was no other path than being a ninja.
'Let's aim for the logistics area.'
Suzuki wasn't sure who he would be with on his team after he became a ninja, but he hoped they would be reasonable and logical, just wanting money, and that they would go home instead of someone stupid.
"Congratulations, Suzuki-kun." Hinata came to him and congratulated him with a gentle smile.
"Thank you, Hinata."
Even if Hinata's father had come to his home last night, it didn't change his expression at all, as he knew well that he didn't do the wrong thing.
The world of Naruto was realistic, especially for a commoner like him, and he had no plot armor like Naruto, whose father was the Fourth Hokage.
"You are so slow! Let's go have the celebration!"
Ino didn't really care, even though he was close to Hinata, and he pulled him in to throw a party when she heard that Suzuki had passed the exam and officially became a ninja.
"Okay, let's go! Let's have a BBQ!"
Choji quickly celebrated, and Shikamaru also scratched his head with a sigh. "What a drag..."
"Eh? Did I invite you two?" Ino looked at the two with confusion.
"..." Choji and Shikamaru.
Regardless, those who came from big families, especially those heirs and heiresses, all of them were naturally graduated and became official ninjas, or rather, it was impossible for them not to pass.
Only when Sasuke also passed did he glare at Suzuki with hostility.
Suzuki sighed speechlessly, then looked at Sasuke and said calmly, "If you have something to say, then say it. Don't be like a coward who can only stare from a distance. I am here. I won't run away. You can also attack me sneakily, but the result will be the same since I will be the victor."
"....." Everyone.
While Hinata and Ino quickly looked at Suzuki with blinding eyes, the guys looked at him in surprise due to his manly declaration. After all, instead of apologizing or running away, he directly told Sasuke that he would still be the best no matter what, making him appear bigger and more mature.
Sasuke gritted his teeth, suppressed his killing intent, and said coldly, "I will defeat you fairly without even attacking you from the back! I will be the best and defeat you!"
Leaving those words, he didn't stay any longer and left with an angry huff.
Suzuki folded his arms calmly and didn't feel threatened at all till Shikamaru said, "You said a smart thing. By saying that, you stop him from attacking you from the dark."
Yes, by saying those words instead of having to worry about Sasuke attacking from the dark, Suzuki had forced Sasuke to fight him directly, as Sasuke's pride wouldn't allow him to win by a sneak attack.
Suzuki glanced at Shikamaru speechlessly, then said calmly, "I am just an orphan commoner, and he is from the noble Uchiha clan."
"..." Shikamaru.
Yup, Suzuki had always understood his situation, and because of that, he could live well till now.
"Damn him! Don't worry, Suzuki! I will tell my father!"
"Don't. This is a problem for a man. Don't get involved in this."
"Hmn~!"
"...." Shikamaru.
"What a drag..."
Yup, Suzuki might be an orphan, but without a doubt, he had the highest EQ among them, like he was an adult, Shikamaru thought, or rather, Suzuki's EQ was even better than most adults, which made him able to live well.
"You will aim for the logistics area, right?"
"Yup, boring work suits me."
'You should say that you want a safe and stable job,' Shikamaru rolled his eyes, but he respected Suzuki, who understood how the game was played, as he knew well that no matter how hard he tried, Suzuki's status was always that of a commoner, which would put him under those who came from the great clans.
Still, Shikamaru knew that he would be at the top due to his family's influence, and he wanted someone whom he could trust, so he pushed Ino slightly toward Suzuki.
"Ah!"
Ino was about to fall, but Suzuki caught her.
"Are you okay, Ino?" Suzuki asked while he glanced at Shikamaru helplessly.
"Ah, um, yes!" Ino blushed as she rested in his embrace. "Ah, no, I am not okay! I am going to rest for a bit, Suzuki-kun!"
"..." Everyone.
As Shikamaru nodded satisfiedly, he felt a shudder when he noticed Hinata staring at him with a gentle, yet blank face.
"...."
SCARY!
Shikamaru quickly lowered his head, hiding behind Choji's huge body!
Still, they didn't immediately go to the party as they were waiting for Naruto, but as expected, for Suzuki, who knew the plot—
"Uzumaki Naruto, you have failed!"
"..."
Yup, the result was the same as ever.