A certain alley outside the Ninja Academy.
Nao was shooting sidelong glances at Shin, who had only recently returned.
"The third test paper... wasn't that what you were using to make someone take the blame?"
"Cough, cough... How did you know?"
Shin nearly choked on his own saliva. He had thought his plan was flawless.
How could she have spotted the clues?
"Based on what I know about you, you wouldn't do anything meaningless..."
Nao's pale eyes tilted slightly upward. "Since the goal is to take the Chunin Ninja Exams, how are two students who haven't graduated supposed to explain themselves?"
"While there's a chance no one would pursue it, with your personality..." She suddenly declared with certainty, "finding someone to take the blame is the best solution you could come up with."
"..." Having his thoughts seen through, Shin immediately felt his limbs turn cold.
He had never imagined that she could guess most of his plan merely from his personality and way of thinking.
Nao looked at him, frozen in place, with great interest. "I'm guessing the candidates for the next round of official matches will be selected from those who passed the written test?"
Shin inwardly cried out in terror at her chain of deductions.
He was starting to regret becoming so close to her.
"The most terrifying opponent is the friend who knows you best..." he suddenly said. "Nao, you wouldn't betray me, would you?"
Nao stared straight into his eyes. "No. I will never betray Uchiha Shin."
Shin, having set aside his worries, made the same promise. "Yeah. I'll always trust Hyuga Nao too."
The two children stood in an alley untouched by sunlight and made a promise to each other.
Perhaps this would become the most precious memory of their lives?
Inside the