Hinata's Growth

Beizawa's office.

Hinata Hyuga paced back and forth with her speech in hand. She was so nervous that her little face had turned pale.

It was not until the door opened and she saw Beizawa that she stopped.

"Nervous?"

Beizawa walked over, patted her on the head, and asked.

"Mm."

Hinata Hyuga felt embarrassed.

During this time, Beizawa had been giving her special training and had put his heart into it.

Yet she had let down his trust. At the critical moment, she could not keep a straight face.

"It's normal to be nervous."

Beizawa smiled and said, "Eat first."

He opened the Summoning Storage Scroll and took out a huge pile of food.

An enticing aroma filled the air.

Hinata Hyuga's stomach made a quiet sound.

Her little face immediately turned red with embarrassment.

"Eat."

Beizawa handed her a piece of sushi and said.

"Thank you, Teacher Beizawa."

Hinata Hyuga took a bite of the sushi and somehow found it especially sweet.

She savored the taste in her mouth, glanced at Beizawa, then quickly looked away.

Hinata Hyuga ate elegantly and happily.

Sitting on the sofa, she ate while lightly swinging her little feet.

Her earlier nervousness unknowingly faded away.

"I'm full, Teacher Beizawa."

After finishing her milk, Hinata Hyuga set down the glass and looked at Beizawa.

"I'll teach you a way to ease your nerves."

Beizawa picked up a rice ball and said, "When you go onstage, imagine everyone as rice balls. Then you won't be nervous."

"Huh?"

Hinata Hyuga froze.

Would that really work?

"Let's go. We're heading to the field."

Beizawa put away the remaining food.

At his words, Hinata Hyuga's heart rose to her throat again, and nervousness inevitably returned.

Following behind Beizawa, she recalled his method and began muttering to herself.

"Rice balls, you're all rice balls."

Hinata Hyuga repeated it over and over.

For some reason, she felt much less nervous.

On the field, students from all six grades stood neatly arranged in designated formations.

Beizawa led Hinata Hyuga directly to the platform.

"Beizawa."

Hisao Sarutobi spotted him and greeted him.

Beizawa was now considered a prominent figure at the Ninja Academy and was deeply trusted by Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hisao Sarutobi was a ninja of the Sarutobi clan and also the Vice Principal, so he took the initiative to show Beizawa goodwill.

"Principal."

Beizawa responded politely.

At eight thirty, the commendation ceremony officially began.

The first segment was speeches from outstanding student representatives.

"Hinata, remember the method I told you."

Beizawa reminded her.

Hinata Hyuga did not answer, only nodded.

She slowly walked forward and came to a stop.

Countless gazes fell upon her. Her body trembled instinctively, and panic rose in her heart.

"Rice balls! They're rice balls!"

Hinata Hyuga took a deep breath and began her speech.

The formation of Second Year Class A.

As Neji Hyuga listened to Hinata Hyuga's speech, surprise surfaced in his heart.

She actually had the courage to go onstage and deliver her speech smoothly.

In Neji Hyuga's view, Hinata Hyuga was not suited to be a ninja.

She was too weak-willed and had no mind of her own.

Her only advantage was being born lucky, into the main family.

"Let me see just how much you've changed."

Neji Hyuga suddenly recalled Mizuki's suggestion.

He had not been interested before, but now he felt a faint trace of anticipation.

Mizuki's suggestion was simple: hold a friendly match between the two classes.

Half an hour later, the speech ended.

Thunderous applause broke out, and Hinata Hyuga seemed to awaken from a dream.

She had been completely immersed in her speech and had entirely forgotten about the audience below.

Listening to the applause from all around her, a subtle feeling arose in Hinata Hyuga's heart.

This seemed pretty nice?

She gripped her speech, instinctively waved it, then finally stepped down from the stage.

"Teacher Beizawa!"

Hinata Hyuga's little face was flushed pink with excitement.

"Congratulations on finishing your speech."

Beizawa smiled and said, "See? They're all applauding for you."

"Mm!"

Hinata Hyuga nodded vigorously.

At that moment, she felt as if a door to a new world had opened before her.

If she were asked to give another speech, she was certain she could do even better.

"Do you have the confidence to defeat Toranosuke now?"

Beizawa abruptly changed the subject and asked.

"I... I can do it!"

Hinata Hyuga hesitated for a second before answering in a firm voice.

"Hinata, you've grown quite a bit."

Beizawa patted her head and said, "Let's return to First Year Class A."

The two returned to the formation of First Year Class A.

"Hinata, you did great!"

Ino Yamanaka praised her with a smile.

"Next time, I want to give a speech too!"

Naruto Uzumaki said eagerly.

He liked the feeling of being the center of attention, and if everyone applauded for him, that meant he had earned their recognition.

"You?"

Kiba Inuzuka snorted and said, "My chances of giving a speech onstage are way higher than yours."

"At the next Monthly Exam, who scores higher is anyone's guess!"

Naruto Uzumaki declared confidently.

It was not that he believed in himself, but that he believed in Beizawa.

"It'll be me."

Sasuke Uchiha suddenly said.

Everyone instinctively looked at him, surprise written across their faces.

In their impression, Sasuke Uchiha had always been aloof and rarely took part in their discussions.

"Alright, stop discussing this for now. Keep quiet. The Principal is commending you."

Beizawa clapped his hands and said.

The second segment of the commendation ceremony, and the most important segment, was the commendations.

Hisao Sarutobi read out the top thirty students from each grade.

"Next, let us welcome the Principal to deliver a concluding speech on this Monthly Exam."

After commending the students, Hisao Sarutobi changed the subject and said with a smile.

A familiar figure appeared out of thin air. It was Hiruzen Sarutobi, dressed in the Hokage's ceremonial robes.

In an instant, cheers erupted.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had done an excellent job with publicity and enjoyed immense prestige in Konoha.

Besides that, everyone was surprised.

He should not have appeared at an ordinary Monthly Exam commendation ceremony.

Normally, he only showed up for opening ceremonies and graduation ceremonies.

"Next, I'll briefly cover six points..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was very satisfied with their reaction.

It showed that everything he had done was worthwhile.

Beizawa twitched the corner of his mouth.

He already had a bad feeling about this.

Sure enough.

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke for two whole hours. If time had not been limited, he could have kept going.

The commendation ceremony ended, and everyone returned to their classes.

Just as Beizawa was about to leave, Mizuki blocked his path.

"Your class really stole the spotlight in this Monthly Exam. The students in our class all want to exchange pointers with yours."

Mizuki wore a smile as he asked, "How about our two classes hold a friendly match?"

"Not a chance."

Beizawa refused outright.

"Wh... why?"

Mizuki's expression instantly froze.

"You're seriously asking why?"

Beizawa snorted and said, "Second years fighting first years? Other than shameless, I can't think of any other word to describe it."

A one-year gap was not something that could be easily erased.

Beizawa was not an idiot. He would not go looking for trouble.

"Wait! We can discuss it!"

Mizuki caught up to him and said, "You decide the time, the place, and the format of the friendly match!"

He also knew that the one-year gap would be difficult to overcome, so he was extremely generous and handed Beizawa the initiative.