Happy times always pass too quickly.
In a blink, it was August 5, Year 60 of Konoha.
Only two days remained until the third exam's finals.
After half a month traveling with Hanabi, Izayoi bid a reluctant farewell to Karin, carrying several large scrolls.
But before leaving, he gave her instructions. "Karin, on my study desk, there's an unsealed scroll with a technique's training method. Practice it diligently after I'm gone. I hope you'll have mastered it by my next visit."
Hearing he'd return, Karin perked up, snapping to attention. "Yes! I won't let you down, Izayoi-kun!"
"Then we're off. See you."
"Karin-nee, bye-bye," Hanabi waved.
Karin waved back, watching Izayoi hoist Hanabi onto his back and vanish with a Body Flicker.
At six p.m., Izayoi and Hanabi returned to Konoha on time.
"So many carriages… and people," Hanabi marveled, scanning Central Street.
"The finals are the day after tomorrow. Regular folks can't use Body Flicker, so they arrive early," Izayoi said with a smile.
"Onii-chan, I'll be there cheering for you. Don't lose!" Hanabi clenched her fist.
"Don't worry, Onii-chan's got this." Izayoi gazed into the distance, as if seeing through all obstacles, a confident smile on his lips. "In every way."
After dropping Hanabi off at the Hyuga compound with a scroll of souvenirs, Izayoi waved goodbye, returning home to prepare for the big day.
…
August 7, Year 60 of Konoha.
At dawn, Central Street buzzed, growing into a clamor.
By high noon, fireworks lit the sky.
Commoners in plain clothes and nobles in lavish attire—arriving by carriage or palanquin—flocked to Konoha's plaza.
An hour before the exam, the stands were packed.
Latecomers from afar, ticketless, argued with ninja at the gates.
Realizing entry was impossible, they lingered outside, ready to imagine the battles through sound alone.
If only the ninja had been shrewder—holding back tickets to scalp or setting up betting stalls—they'd have made a fortune.
"Izayoi-kun, it's been a while."
After a month, Hinata finally left home, visiting Izayoi.
The aftershock of the photo incident had been melted away by longing.
Seeing him, Hinata threw herself into his arms, clutching his waist, her voice and eyes full of yearning.
"Been a while, Hinata."
Izayoi hugged her tightly, the pressure against his chest stirring no stray thoughts—a rarity.
Since age six, they'd been inseparable, their first time apart this long.
For two people used to each other's presence, vital to each other's lives, the month had been torture.
Izayoi had Hanabi to ease the sting.
Hinata, though, had suffered.
Especially these last days, hearing Hanabi's travel tales and seeing their photos, Hinata felt a rare twinge of jealousy toward her sister.
So, the moment her break ended, she rushed to Izayoi.
Far from fading, their bond had deepened.
They held each other in silence for a long while before parting to eat breakfast.
While Hinata washed dishes, Izayoi slipped to his room, retrieving a birthday gift from Hanabi and Hinata—a white robe with flame patterns—and the large scrolls from Cherry Blossom Street, heading to the bathroom.
By the time Hinata finished, apron off, Izayoi emerged.
Together, they left for the plaza.
Konoha's plaza, a domed open-air arena like the Forest of Death, opened only for major events.
Each opening marked a grand occasion.
Entering through the competitors' tunnel, they reached the vast exam field, where the proctor and some Genin already waited.
Seeing the proctor with a senbon in his mouth, Izayoi knew the Shippuden protagonist's fate was sealed.
"Here I thought you two were too busy dating to remember the exam."
As Izayoi and Hinata joined the group, Sasuke Uchiha fired a sharp jab.
Hinata flushed shyly, but Izayoi chuckled. "You look like you've had a rough month."
"Quite the opposite—I've never been better," Sasuke said, a smug smirk curling his lips. "If we meet in the finals, I'll give you a shock."
"I'm looking forward to it."
Izayoi glanced at Sasuke's neck, noting the absence of the Curse Mark, deducing he'd trained with Kakashi, as in canon.
If so, Sasuke likely mastered Lightning Release: Chidori.
That meant his Lightning Release nature transformation was advanced enough for shape transformation—ready for Chidori Current or Lightning Cutter.
The stronger Sasuke grew, the happier Izayoi was.
Time ticked by, and the remaining Genin arrived.
Like Sasuke, Naruto Uzumaki wasn't chased by bulls to the arena.
In the VIP stands, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru, disguised as the Fourth Kazekage, had taken their seats.
Checking his pocket watch, Genma Shiranui addressed the ten Genin. "Time's up. Absent Genin forfeit, and their opponents advance."
Eyes turned to Naruto.
Of the eleven, only Dosu Kinuta was missing.
Naruto, winning without a fight, planted his hands on his hips, laughing smugly. "Hahaha! That guy must've chickened out and bolted!"
"Now, the rules," Genma said, striking Dosu's name from his clipboard. "You've all been through ninja academy and know no-holds-barred combat. The finals allow any method—killing carries no penalty. The death waivers from the second exam still apply."
"So, if you're outmatched, surrender fast, or you'll die for nothing. Don't expect me to save you at the last second."
"With Competitor 2 forfeiting, Naruto Uzumaki, Number 1, advances. Hinata Hyuga, Number 3, and Temari, Number 4, stay. Everyone else, to the competitors' area."
At Genma's words, Gaara, Kankuro, and Neji Hyuga left first.
Izayoi and the rookies cheered Hinata on before heading to the competitors' stands.
"Awesome! Nee-san's up first! Go for it, Nee-san!"
Seeing Hinata and Temari on the field, Hanabi shouted from the audience.
"Hanabi, mind your manners," Hiashi Hyuga scolded.
"Yes, sir."
Knowing not to shame the clan, Hanabi sat primly, her face serious.
"Hinata Hyuga, right? You're really a new Genin this year?"
On the field, Temari eyed Hinata—three years younger yet outshining her in figure, a physique even mature women might envy. Her mouth and eyes twitched.
Recalling intel about Hinata's handsome, top-ranked childhood friend, who'd mastered multiple nature transformations and crafted an S-rank Storm Release ultimate technique, Temari, daughter of the Kazekage and Suna's princess, couldn't help but feel jealous.
Perfect looks, talent, lineage—and a partner to match?
Did this woman save the world in her last life?
Hinata didn't know Temari's thoughts.
But her words sparked a shy flush.
For some reason, girls her age or older always stared at her chest, their faces a mix of envy and resentment.
It had always felt like a heavy burden.
At first, anyway.
After learning Izayoi liked it—enough to get a nosebleed—Hinata saw it as a point of pride, not a hindrance.
With that thought, her shyness faded, her lips curving upward.
To Temari, it looked like Hinata was sneering at her own lacking figure.
The princess of Suna bristled.
Bang! Temari yanked her three-star fan from her back, slamming it into the ground, smirking coldly. "Fancy clan heiress, I hope your skills can entertain my fan."
The word "clan" flipped a switch in Hinata, stirring a memory.
Glancing toward Hanabi and Hiashi, veins bulged at her temples. Facing Temari, she said gravely, "I'll give it my all."
Their gazes locked, sparks flying.
The charged aura piqued Genma's interest. He plucked the senbon from his mouth, raised an arm, and shouted, "Chunin Selection Third Exam Finals: Hinata Hyuga vs. Temari… Begin!"
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