After they finished discussing the exam's contents, Ino released the Mind Transmission Technique. They chatted for a while, easing their initial nerves, before examiners wearing Chunin vests began checking the candidates' admission documents one by one, verifying their identities and directing them into the exam room.
The Konoha group exchanged a few words of encouragement, then followed the crowd into the written exam room.
The seats seemed to have been assigned at random.
When Naruto found his seat and sat down, he looked up to discover that Hinata was sitting right beside him.
She was nervously arranging the paper and pens on her desk, her fair cheeks faintly pink. Clearly, she had noticed the coincidence too.
"Don't be nervous."
Naruto turned toward her and lowered his voice, smiling at the visibly nervous Hinata. His tone was relaxed and reassuring.
"Just do as well as you normally do. I'm right here beside you. It'll be fine."
His words were like a warm breeze, brushing away some of the unease in Hinata's heart.
She gave a soft murmur of agreement and nodded, feeling her heartbeat steady a little.
Naruto watched her, his eyes shifting as an idea struck him. Suddenly, he leaned closer and said with a hint of anticipation, "By the way, Hinata, if we both pass the Chunin Ninja Exams this time... I'd like to eat something you cooked. Would that be okay?"
"Huh?"
Hinata hadn't expected Naruto to make such a request out of nowhere. Her face instantly turned even redder, and she hurriedly waved her hands, her voice barely above a whisper.
"N-Naruto-kun, your cooking... probably tastes better..."
But Naruto shook his head.
"But I want to eat your cooking, Hinata."
He stressed the words, then casually rested his left arm on the desk and leaned slightly toward