"Since everyone has drawn, I'll announce the match order now."
Ibiki Morino addressed the winners standing before him, holding the lottery barrel.
He then listed the match order on the blackboard.
1: Hiru vs. Natsu Hyuga
2: Megumi vs. Dosu Kin
3: Temari vs. Shikamaru Nara
4: Kankuro vs. Shino Aburame
5: Sasuke Uchiha vs. Gaara
Zeyu stared at the blackboard, lost in thought.
Hmm... I took Naruto's place, and Hinata took Neji's.
And judging by Gaara's attitude earlier, Dosu should survive this time...
Hinata looked at the blackboard, tightening her grip on Zeyu's hand. She placed her other hand on her chest, turned to him, and said,
"Zeyu, why don't I forfeit and let you advance?"
Zeyu looked at Hinata, thought for a moment, then smiled.
"No need, Hinata. I have a way to solve this."
Curious, Hinata tilted her head.
Then Zeyu leaned close to her ear and whispered,
"You're so good to me, Hinata. I love you most." After saying that, Zeyu kissed her on the ear.
"Ah, Zeyu..." Hinata's face turned red in an instant, and she cried out shyly.
Zeyu smiled faintly at the blushing Hinata.
The Third Hokage had seen it all from not far away. He cleared his throat helplessly and said,
"Everyone understands the schedule now, right? The final stage of the Chunin Ninja Exams will begin in one month. I look forward to seeing how you all do. Now... dismissed!"
"Welcome! Oh, Sato." Mikoto was wiping down a table as she greeted Sato, who had just walked into the restaurant.
After Zeyu started at the Ninja Academy, Mikoto found a job at a restaurant in Konoha's inner city. Once she and Sato became acquainted, he often came by to help her out.
"Yeah, I'm here, Mikoto." Sato walked over and sat down, looking a little distracted.
"What's wrong, sir? What would you like to eat?" Mikoto asked. She set the menu board in front of Sato, then sat beside him and watched him.
Sato took Mikoto's hand, looking worried.
"Mikoto, Zeyu just graduated and went straight into the Chunin Ninja Exams. I'm a little worried. They should be over by now. Do you think he's all right?"
Mikoto was surprised to hear how concerned Sato was about Zeyu. She lowered her head and smiled a little.
"Don't worry. I've watched that boy Zeyu grow up. He's very talented when it comes to training. He'll be fine."
Although she said that, Sato's words had made her worry too. She tapped her fingers against the table.
Just then, someone else came into the restaurant. Hearing the bell at the entrance, Mikoto hurried to get up and greet them.
"Anyway, Sato, don't worry. Once we're done with the lunch rush, we can go check on Zeyu together." Mikoto leaned over the back of the sofa and gave him a smile.
"Okay. Then I'll help you, too." Sato smiled, then skillfully took an apron from the cabinet behind the counter and tied it on.
Konoha Hospital
"Teacher Kakashi, how's Sasuke?" Naruto asked Kakashi beside him.
"Mm, Sasuke's condition is a little unusual. You can't see him yet," Kakashi said helplessly.
"Then train me, sensei!" Naruto said.
"No. I'm busy." Kakashi gave him a deadpan look.
Naruto narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment. Then he understood, pointed at Kakashi, and said,
"Ah, you're going to train Sasuke! Teacher Kakashi, you're playing favorites!"
"Come on, don't say that. Don't worry, I've found you a coach," Kakashi said.
"Yo." Just then, a man wearing a headband and glasses appeared behind them.
Naruto recognized him immediately. It was Ebisu, Konohamaru's teacher.
A voice called from behind. Kakashi turned around and saw the Third Hokage summoning him. He told Naruto to head back first, then went over to the Third Hokage.
The Third Hokage asked him about Sasuke, then had nothing else to say.
But Kakashi stopped him.
"What is it? Is something wrong, Kakashi?" The Third Hokage removed his pipe and asked in some confusion.
"Lord Hokage, I have some questions about Zeyu. Could I test him?" Kakashi asked, his gaze resolute.
The Third Hokage smiled at that and asked,
"What do you have in mind?"
Kakashi looked around to make sure no one was nearby, then said,
"I might use some interrogation methods."
"I suspect he's using some kind of method to conceal his identity. With the abilities he's shown, there's no way an ordinary newly graduated Genin could do all that."
"Even if he was hiding his strength and pretending to be someone else before, it's still hard to believe he could accomplish so much at his age."
The Third Hokage lowered his head slightly and thought it over.
Kakashi added solemnly,
"I recommend that Anbu investigate Zeyu thoroughly."
After a long pause, the Third Hokage finally spoke.
"Kakashi, to be honest, Zeyu will join Anbu after the exams. That was decided before the exams began."
Kakashi stared at him in shock.
"Lord Hokage, isn't that too rash? We should think it over more carefully. Zeyu..."
The Third Hokage raised a hand to stop Kakashi and said,
"There's no need to say more, Kakashi. That's settled. As for an investigation, he's already been thoroughly checked."
"His parents died in that incident more than a decade ago, and he was raised by a friend of theirs. He's sensible and polite, and the neighbors all like him."
"In short, he couldn't be any more aboveboard."
The Third Hokage patted Kakashi on the shoulder and smiled.
"Come on, Kakashi. Shouldn't we be happy that Konoha has another genius? Don't be so tense. Relax."
"But..." Kakashi murmured.
"I understand how you feel, but I'm willing to give Zeyu a chance. Let's wait and see how he does," the Third Hokage said.
Since the Third Hokage had put it that way, Kakashi fell silent.
The Third Hokage slowly walked away, thinking,
Zeyu, don't let me down. Just don't turn out like Orochimaru.
As the Third Hokage stepped outside, he looked up at the clouds and thought,
Maybe I should urge Hiashi to approve of Hinata and Zeyu soon. He shouldn't make things too difficult for them.
Come to think of it, is my nephew Sato seeing Zeyu's aunt? Hmm... I should get them together as soon as possible.
He's joining Anbu? No way. I have to ask him about this. Even if he really is a genius, where did he learn the Rasengan? Kakashi watched the Third Hokage leave, then vanished in a flash.
Some time before that
Kurenai and Nana had things to do, so they said goodbye to the others and left. Shino said he needed to go home and report in, so he left too.
"Hehe, big bro, sis-in-law, what are we doing next?" Shota asked, rubbing his hands and bending toward Hinata and Zeyu, who were holding hands beside him.
Megumi looked at Shota with an expression of disdain.
"Hmm... Well, since we finally got to come out, we should take a break..." Zeyu said, glancing at Hinata.
Hinata lowered her head, her cheeks faintly red. She held Zeyu's hand and lightly scratched his palm. When Zeyu looked over, she raised her head and gazed at him, biting her lip.
"Huh?... Ah! I'm starving! I'm going to get something to eat!" Zeyu shouted as he understood. He scratched the back of his head.
Hinata smiled faintly and wrapped her arms around his.
Feeling the soft warmth against his arm, Zeyu was secretly delighted.
Shota quickly patted his chest and said,
"Leave the food to me. My family makes really delicious meals, and the servants will definitely have everything ready by now. We can go straight there."
"Really? I don't want to impose," Zeyu said.
"It's fine, it's fine. You've helped Megumi and me so much, big bro. What's a meal between friends? Don't be shy," Shota said with a smile.
"Then I won't hold back. Let's go!" Zeyu said happily.
Suddenly, a "Grrr~" reached their ears.
They all froze for a moment.
Hinata's face turned bright red. She clung to Zeyu even more tightly and rested her head against his shoulder.
"Ah, I'm so hungry! I can't wait any longer. Shota, lead the way. Let's hurry!" Zeyu said. He picked Hinata up and leaped away.
Looking down at Hinata in his arms, Zeyu smiled and whispered,
"Your stomach growled as soon as you heard there'd be delicious food. Hahaha, you're so cute."
"Zeyu, don't tease me," Hinata said shyly, burying her face in his chest.
"Big bro, wait for me!" Shota hurried after them.
"Honestly..." Megumi sighed helplessly and followed.
Konoha, the Hyuga Clan
Hiashi sat cross-legged on a cushion, his eyes closed as he rested. Some sweets and tea utensils sat on the low table before him.
The tea in the cup had gone cold. Its rim was dry, as though no one had touched it.
Hanabi sat nearby with her fists on her knees. Every so often, she rubbed them together, biting her lip and staring down at the floor, restless.
Just then, someone came to the entrance, knelt, and knocked.
"Come in," Hiashi said.
The door slid open. Natsu Hyuga knelt at the entrance and said,
"Clan Head, it's getting late. It's time to eat."
"I know. Wait a little longer," Hiashi said, waving her off.
"No, I can't wait any longer." Hanabi gritted her teeth, stood up, and headed for the door.
"Stop!" Hiashi barked.
Hanabi slowly turned around and lowered her head.
"Father, I'm going to find my sister."
"You're not going!" Hiashi said without looking at Hanabi, still sitting in the same position.
"Why not? Father, aren't you worried something might have happened to my sister?" Hanabi looked up and asked emotionally.
"If something happens, it'll be Hinata's own fault. She skipped training to fool around with some brat. This is none of your concern. I'll handle it," Hiashi said, crossing his arms and knitting his brow.
"But..." Hanabi said softly, clearly worried.
Just then, a Hyuga clansman came rushing to the door with a report.
"Something's wrong, Clan Head!"
Hiashi stood and hurried out. "What happened? What's wrong?"
The clansman bent over, hands on his knees and sweat pouring down his face. Gasping for breath, he said,
"Something's wrong... Clan Head... I just heard..."
"What happened?" Hanabi asked anxiously, clenching her fists.
The clansman caught his breath, then said, "I heard that someone from the Hyuga Clan at the exam site... was carried to the hospital."
Hanabi's eyes filled with tears. Gritting her teeth, she bolted out the gate without another thought.
"Hey! Hanabi! Come back!" Hiashi shouted.
As Hanabi ran farther away, Hiashi hurriedly told Natsu to catch up and keep an eye on her, making sure she didn't do anything reckless.
"Honestly, she never makes anything easy," Hiashi muttered, pacing back and forth in the courtyard.
You rotten brat, you're dead! Hiashi thought, then rushed out the door toward the hospital.