Hokage, no one knows better than me how to cultivate talent.

Is Chapter 116 ever going to end?

If he were to grade the class, the average score would be at most 80 points, definitely not 85.

However, Qiu Shui did not say anything on the spot, nor did she show any unusual behavior.

Anyway, this isn't his class, and Shuimu hasn't done anything truly disgusting to him yet, so there's no need to ruin things over such a small matter.

"Shusui, what do you think of the ninja tool throwing skills of Class 1, Grade 5, compared to Class 1, Grade 4?" Mizuki suddenly turned his head and asked casually.

He actually knew that the average score for ninja tool throwing in Class 1 of Grade 4 last month was only around 80.

Shui Mu asked this question because he wanted Qiu Shui to admit that the class he taught was not as good as the class he taught.

To be honest, he didn't want to ask at first because of the variable of Xiao Li.

But unexpectedly, Xiao Li was like a completely different person today, pulling off a surprise and scoring a score of 70.

Although it's not high, at least there's nothing to criticize.

"It's alright, better than many fifth-grade classes." Qiu Shui didn't answer the question directly.

"I was referring to the comparison with your fourth-grade class 1." Mizuki was not satisfied with this vague answer.

"I feel it's similar to Class 1 of the fourth grade," Qiu Shui said earnestly.

Shui Mu's smile froze slightly.

He suddenly realized that Qiu Shui wasn't as simple and honest as he usually seemed.

They actually lied through their teeth, and did so without batting an eye.

But Shuimu didn't press the matter further.

After all, he still had to maintain his previous image in front of Qiu Shui.

After the ninja tool throwing test, the next test was on the clone technique.

The more Qiu Shui looked, the more he felt that Shui Mu was addicted to giving high scores, and that he was only giving inflated scores.

The most outrageous thing is that Xiao Li, who clearly can't even create a clone, was still given a score of 30 by Shuimu, who even called it a "consolation score".

What's even more amazing is that Xiao Li actually fell for it, his eyes immediately welled up with tears, and he was deeply moved.

In this way, Shuimu not only earned Xiao Li's gratitude, but also gained a lot of goodwill from other students.

Qiu Shui felt that there were always people more capable than him, and there were always mountains beyond mountains; he still had a lot to learn.

Time flew by and it was afternoon; time for the last item on today's agenda.

A 200-kilometer physical fitness test.

The whistle blew.

Hyuga Neji dashed off like an arrow, his steps light and swift, instantly leaving all his classmates behind.

As he ran, Neji gradually sensed that something was wrong.

Xiao Li stayed close to him the whole time, walking steadily without showing any signs of falling behind.

Neji glanced sideways, a strange feeling passing through his mind.

He had never paid attention to Xiao Li before, or rather, he had never paid attention to anyone.

Because in every physical fitness test, he always left all his classmates at least two laps behind, maintaining a considerable distance between them.

Although he only used half of his strength each time, Lee's ability to keep up was enough to surprise Neji.

However, it was only a small amount.

Hyuga Neji thought coldly to himself: No matter how hard you practice your taijutsu and train your body every day, you will never be my match.

So he sped up without hesitation.

The wind whistled past his ears, and Neji thought that Lee had been left far behind.

But then, he glanced at it out of the corner of his eye.

Xiao Li remained firmly by his side, not increasing the distance at all.

Neji frowned slightly.

He felt that Xiao Li was too concerned about saving face.

Just now you only managed to get 70 points by luck in the kunai throw, and you've already lost sight of yourself?

Neji calmly assessed his physical exertion.

He could increase his speed by one gear and continue running the rest of the distance.

So he sped up again.

"Neji, why do you always suddenly speed up?" Lee asked breathlessly, then immediately shut his mouth and quickly adjusted his breathing rhythm.

Neji Hyuga remained silent.

He has always been a calm person, and instead of accelerating further, he maintained the current speed.

He believed that with Xiao Li's physical strength, he definitely wouldn't be able to hold on for long and would soon collapse from exhaustion.

After the 200-kilometer journey ended.

"Neji Hyuga, first place. Lee, second place..." Mizuki stood by the finish line, recording the results as he announced.

Mizuki felt it was normal for Neji to get first place, after all, he was a genius among geniuses.

But he was somewhat surprised that Xiao Li was able to get second place.

Shui Mu didn't know why Xiao Li had changed so much.

But I didn't think much of it.

Because it's a good thing.

Xiao Li used to drag down the class average, but now that he's gone, the average might even rise a bit more, maybe by the end of the semester.

That old man, the Third Hokage, would make him the head of the grade, or give him a ninjutsu reward like he did with Shusui.

"Huff...huff...Neji, you're really amazing, I still couldn't surpass you." Lee was panting heavily, sweat streaming down his face.

He turned his head to look at Neji beside him, his eyes filled with sincere admiration.

Xiao Li thought that with the breathing techniques taught by Teacher Kai and the strict training from Teacher Qiu Shui, he might be able to get first place in this physical fitness test.

Now I realize that he had oversimplified things.

Xiao Li felt that he was still a long way from being as good as Neji.

Neji appeared only slightly pale and his breathing was relatively steady, while Neji was exhausted, sweating profusely, panting heavily, and even speaking in broken sentences.

"You... are not bad," Neji replied calmly, "but it's still not very useful, because some things are already destined and cannot be changed by effort."

"I'll definitely surpass you next time!" Xiao Li was stunned for a moment, then grinned, revealing a set of white teeth.

This was the first time he had ever heard Neji praise someone.

Neji did not respond.

His earlier comment, "Not bad," was merely an acknowledgment of Xiao Li's abilities; it didn't mean Xiao Li could actually catch up to him.

Neji believed that Lee would never surpass him in any aspect of his life.

Unless the Hyuga clan directly abolishes the Caged Bird Seal that the main family imprints on the foreheads of the branch families.

"Xiao Li, did you take your medicine today?"

"Xiao Li, you usually stay in the teens, how come you've jumped to second place?"

"Lee, you almost overtook Neji just now!"

As soon as the exam ended, the students of Class 1, Grade 5, curiously surrounded Xiao Li, asking questions all at once, their faces filled with disbelief.

Neji Hyuga has always been a formidable figure in Class 1 of the fifth grade.

Whether in theoretical scores, ninjutsu, or actual combat, he consistently ranked first.

Moreover, the first place is often far ahead of the second place.

This was the first time these students had ever seen someone keep up with Neji, let alone that it was Lee.

Therefore, even a simple physical fitness test surprised them greatly.

"I haven't taken any medication, I've just been running every day," Xiao Li said earnestly, wiping the sweat from his face.

"You can improve your running this fast? How is that possible?" One student clearly didn't believe it and curled his lip.

"Yeah, yeah, I run every day, but I don't feel like I'm improving much," another student chimed in, his tone full of doubt.

"I do it at four in the morning every day."

"It's over, it's over."

Before Xiao Li could finish speaking, the other students immediately showed expressions of disinterest and dispersed.

They can't even get up at 6 a.m., let alone 4 a.m.

And they work themselves to the bone just to run a little faster.

What's the use?

Instead of wasting time, you'd be better off practicing your clone technique.

"Why has everyone left?" Xiao Li was a little confused.

I clearly enjoy exercising.

Monday morning was the practical exam.

The location is Training Ground 7.

Oh shit.

When will this ever end?

Why is Qiu Shui proctoring the exam with me again?

Shui Mu stood by the examination hall, looking at Qiu Shui, who was already chatting and laughing with his students not far away.

He felt like an outsider.

Qiu Shui is more like the homeroom teacher of Class 1, Grade 5.

There was an indescribable feeling in my heart.

It felt like being NTR'd right in front of someone.

After all the students had drawn lots, Mizuki took a deep breath, suppressed his displeasure, and announced with a warm smile, "The practical exam is now officially beginning."

"Candidate number one, Rock Lee, and candidate number two, Shu Yano, please enter the examination room."

As soon as Shui Mu finished speaking, the students who had been surrounding Qiu Shui dispersed in twos and threes.

Xiao Li took a deep breath, clenched his fist, and strode towards the center of the examination room.

Yano Hayato was a sturdy guy, half a head taller than Li, and he looked like a small wall when he stood there.

He looked at Xiao Li across from him and felt that he was really lucky.

Yano Hayato was overjoyed to be facing Lee in the first round.

This is practically an easy victory.

Although Xiao Li's kunai throw yesterday was not bad, he got 90 points, which is 20 points higher than Xiao Li's.

As for Xiao Li getting second place in the physical fitness test, Yano Shu didn't care at all.

What's the use of running fast?

The real-world test is about who has the harder fist and who can fight better.

Even Tian Tian didn't shout "Go Li!" as usual this time.

Because she knew it in her heart.

Xiao Li doesn't even know how to use the Three-Body Technique, so he has absolutely no chance of winning against anyone else.

Xiao Li and Yano Shu formed a seal of opposition with each other.

Qiushui announced that the battle had officially begun.

In their first encounter, both of them chose to test each other with kunai.

Although Yano Hayato's kunai throwing accuracy was slightly better than Lee's, it was only slightly better. After several rounds of throwing, neither of them gained an advantage.

Lee knew very well that his ninjutsu and throwing skills were no match for his opponent's.

He remembered that both Teacher Kai and Teacher Qiushui had told him during their training that he should use his own strengths to fight the enemy.

Xiao Li suddenly darted forward, pouncing straight at Yano Jun, choosing to engage in close combat.