In the blink of an eye, it was time for the Ninja Academy's graduation exams.
Hyuga Clan Grounds.
After checking the various ninja tools on his person one last time, Neji took a deep breath and strode out of his room.
Today's graduation exam was extremely important to him. The Hokage would personally present Konoha forehead protectors to the students who passed, and as the Hokage's disciple, he had to pass with outstanding results.
Only then could he live up to his status as the Hokage's disciple!
When he reached the courtyard, Neji found his father, Hizashi, standing at the gate. He hurried over and bowed. "Father!"
Hizashi looked Neji over from head to toe. Seeing how alert and energetic he was, he nodded in satisfaction and smiled. "How is your preparation?"
Neji replied, "Please rest assured. I won't bring shame upon you or my teacher in today's exam!"
Hizashi pondered for a moment before saying, "Neji, don't resent your teacher. I've already told you about Naruto's situation. Protecting Naruto is your teacher's responsibility as the Hokage. You need to learn to understand that."
Neji shook his head. "Father, I don't resent my teacher."
Hyuga Kagami had spent the past few months carefully guiding Naruto, and it had indeed made Neji feel somewhat upset. But he already knew of Naruto's special identity as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and that Naruto was an important target being watched by Akatsuki, so he held no resentment toward Hyuga Kagami.
If anything, he was merely a little jealous of Naruto.
Hizashi saw through Neji's thoughts at once and sighed softly. "Sigh, these are troubled times. Akatsuki, Aoki's defection, the Main Branch... all of it rests on your teacher's shoulders. The pressure he bears is beyond anything we can understand!"
The matter of Hyuga Aoki was