Konoha Hospital, main entrance.
"Is Hinata all right now, Teacher Kurenai?"
Watching their beautiful teacher emerge from inside, Kiba Inuzuka approached alongside Shino Aburame, worry and guilt mixed across his face as he anxiously spoke.
"Mm, don't worry. She's fine now."
Seeing her two students come forward and guessing that they were both equally worried and guilty, Kurenai Yuhi smiled and replied.
"That's great."
Hearing their teacher's words, the two stopped in their tracks. Even Shino Aburame, who was always so mysterious, let out a long sigh just like Kiba Inuzuka.
Clearly, after confirming that their teammate was truly all right, they finally relaxed.
"The reopened injury has already healed. The doctor said she just needs rest from here on out. To be safe, I've arranged for Hinata to stay in the hospital tonight for observation. I contacted Hinata's family, but because of the Chunin Exams security alert, they may not be able to come tonight..."
Kurenai's smile grew gentler as she looked at her two students, who had finally breathed a sigh of relief.
From the expression on her carefree student's face, she could tell that both of them felt quite guilty and worried over Hinata's injury flaring up again.
After all, Hinata had risked activating her Byakugan for their sake.
Their concern had not been misplaced.
"We'll stay!"
Before she could finish speaking, Kiba Inuzuka and Shino Aburame spoke almost in unison.
"There's still a month left anyway, and the Chunin Exams aren't that urgent right now. We can't just leave Hinata alone in the hospital. If anything happens, we can look after her."
After hearing each other, the two exchanged a glance. Then, as if recalling something, Shino spoke again.
"Yeah! That's right!"
Kiba reacted quickly, immediately nodding vigorously in emphatic agreement.
"Of course."
At that moment,