The Hyuga Clan.
Hyuga Natsu reported to Hyuga Hiashi the information she had gathered while following Hanabi from a distance.
"Apologize?"
"Yes, Lord Hiashi. Miss Hanabi took a homemade medical kit and went to see them. I don't know exactly what they talked about, but she should've gone to apologize in person..."
"Hmph. All right, I understand. You may leave."
Hyuga Hiashi closed his eyes.
After Hyuga Natsu left, Hiashi sighed.
He knew Hanabi had once loved and admired her older sister Hinata more than anyone, so he had reminded her time and again never to follow Hinata's example.
He'd thought his efforts to teach her had paid off, but Hanabi had still inherited Hinata's weakness. She'd even gone to apologize.
Under normal circumstances, Hiashi would have called Hanabi in and given her a stern scolding.
But there was no need now.
This was no longer a "development period." It was a "judgment period."
What mattered now was whether Hinata could show a positive side of herself during tomorrow's Chunin Ninja Exams.
--
The next day.
The one-on-one matches finally began.
The matchups had been drawn at random. Whether there had been any foul play, no one knew.
After several matches, it was time for Naruto Uzumaki versus Kiba Inuzuka.
The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki versus Akamaru's Jinchuriki.
The two hotheaded fools began to fight.
"Beast Mimicry Ninjutsu: Four Legs Technique!"
Kiba formed hand seals, then dropped to all fours. His fingernails grew longer, too.
The next instant, Kiba charged at Naruto at "terrifying" speed and sent him flying with an elbow strike.
Naruto wasn't much different from his original counterpart.
The only difference was that he'd met Jiraiya a little earlier.
But it hadn't made much difference.
There simply hadn't been enough time.
Meeting Jiraiya early meant Naruto could only start