After the holiday ended, it was time for the Ninja Academy to begin again.
Hinata and Sasuke returned to school, both looking forward to seeing Naruto, but when they arrived in the classroom, they were shocked to find that Naruto was absent.
Sasuke and Hinata exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with worry.
After failing to get any answers from the other students, the two went to the teachers' office and found their homeroom teacher, Iruka.
Once he understood why they had come, Iruka said with a puzzled look, "I don't know where Naruto is either. When class started just now, I was going to ask you where he'd gone."
"Come to think of it, there hasn't been any news about Naruto in the village lately."
Hearing this, Hinata and Sasuke looked at each other. They had both stayed home during the holiday, training hard, and had no time to pay attention to outside rumors. They never expected Naruto to have disappeared just like that.
What were they supposed to do if they really couldn't find Naruto?
Seeing their dejected expressions, Iruka sighed softly and said, "Go back to class first. After school, I'll take you to see the Third Lord. He should know where Naruto went."
"All right, Iruka-sensei, remember to let us know..."
With no other choice, Sasuke and Hinata returned to the classroom.
After school, Iruka took Hinata and Sasuke to the Hokage Building, where they met the Third Hokage handling official business in his office.
The Third Hokage extinguished his pipe and delivered the explanation he had prepared long ago.
"I know why you're here. You came because of Naruto, didn't you? He has passed the assessment and officially become a genin. I have currently sent him out on a mission."
"So Naruto has already graduated..."