Just as Yuki was enjoying a sweet family reunion with his sister, three days flew by. Finally, it was time for the ninja school's annual graduation exam.
"It'll be fine… I'll definitely pass the exam. It'll be fine… I'll definitely pass the exam. It'll be fine… I'll definitely pass the exam…"
When Yuki arrived at the ninja school he hadn't visited in a long time, he encountered a blond kid nervously chanting to himself at the school gates.
"Hey, you're here already? Pretty early."
"Wah! Wha—it's Yuki! Don't scare me like that!"
Hearing Yuki's voice, Naruto practically jumped out of his skin. After all, few people ever spoke to him, so sudden interactions like this were rare.
"Yuki, where have you been all this time? I searched all over the village for you before and couldn't find you."
Now that they'd run into each other, the two walked side by side toward their classroom, with the blond kid clearly having a lot to say to this elusive "friend."
Of course, "friend" was mostly Naruto's wishful thinking. To Yuki, he was simply treated like any other classmate—without distinction. But in Naruto's eyes, that alone made him a good friend.
"Forget about me. I heard you painted Hokage Mountain yesterday?"
"Hey, yeah… Even though Iruka-sensei scolded me, it's a shame you weren't here. If you were, we could've painted faster together."
I wouldn't join you in such stupid antics. Yuki held back a sigh and smiled. "Confident about today's exam? If you fail, you won't be able to graduate with everyone."
"I should be okay… Right? Yuki, you always come in first on every test. Any tips you can share?"
"Tips? Not really. In my opinion, an exam just showcases what you've accumulated over time. As long as you keep a calm mind and perform at your usual level, it's fine."
"Oh! Got it! Thanks!"
But your "usual level" seems to be failing all your finals… Watching Naruto suddenly perk up, Yuki silently grumbled to himself.
Soon after Yuki and Naruto entered their classroom, it was already packed. Most students had clearly arrived earlier than usual, each preparing for the exam in their own way.
However, the moment Yuki appeared, almost every eye in the classroom turned toward him as if he were some alien creature.
Yuki completely ignored his classmates' stares. Over the years, this had become his routine every time he came to school. Who could blame them? He never attended classes normally—only showing up for exams—and yet he consistently ranked first in every one.
Not long after, Iruka, the homeroom teacher in charge of the class, arrived. He scanned his students, his gaze lingering on Yuki a moment longer than the rest, before announcing, "Listen up. The subject of this graduation exam is the 'Clone Technique.' When your name is called, proceed to the next classroom in order."
"Ack! Ahhhh—!"
But just as Iruka announced the exam topic, Naruto, sitting beside Yuki, began to tremble uncontrollably.
"What the hell?! The Clone Technique is the ninjutsu I'm worst at!"
Really now? That's not even the case… Watching Naruto shiver as his name was called for the exam next door, Yuki did his best to suppress the urge to comment. After all, considering what this kid would achieve in the future, such a statement felt awkward no matter how he looked at it.
But when it came to things like the Clone Technique… it didn't really concern him. As the classroom gradually emptied, Yuki sat on his stool, lost in thought.
After all, the Hyūga clan didn't possess vast chakra reserves. Maintaining the Byakugan required chakra, and so did the Gentle Fist. There simply wasn't any extra chakra to waste on flashy Clone Techniques. It was all about conserving energy for actual combat—fighting to survive.
"Hyuga Yuki! Hyuga Yuki, come take the exam!"
Just as Yuki's thoughts drifted, a voice suddenly called his soul back to earth. It seemed it was finally this guy's turn.
Alright, alright. Hearing his name, Yuki lazily rose and walked toward the neighboring classroom. Inside, he saw two teachers seated behind a table like interviewers, the surface covered with Konoha forehead protectors.
Entering the room as nonchalantly as if browsing a market stall, Yuki stood before the two teachers, gave a slight bow, and took a glance at the silver-haired monkey sitting to the right of the table.
That's right—the "silver-haired monkey." That was Yuki's assessment of one of the most notorious villains in the Naruto series: Mizuki-sensei.
Honestly, he had no idea what this guy was thinking. To come up with a "brilliant plan" like using the dead-last Naruto to steal the Scroll of Seals from the Hokage's residence, then kill Naruto himself and flee Konoha with the scroll… His IQ was truly on par with a monkey's.
From Yuki's perspective, the probability of this plan succeeding was about the same as a husky accidentally performing the "Reanimation Jutsu." Mizuki probably mistakenly believed all of Konoha's Hokage, Jōnin, and Chūnin had turned into huskies, right?
"It's time to begin."
Seeing Yuki was ready, Iruka nodded at him, though his eyes held complex emotions.
Regarding his student Hinata Yuki, Iruka felt utterly helpless. Throughout his teaching career, he'd had very few opportunities to interact with this student.
Logically, a student who rarely attended classes and had such an obvious attitude problem should be facing expulsion. Yet, Yuki had consistently ranked first in every exam for years, with no one ever challenging his top position. This left the teacher deeply perplexed.
Of course, Yuki didn't care about others' opinions. If he had to study here for years, playing house with these kids, he might have gone insane or been assimilated by Naruto's idiocy long ago.
Clone Technique! As Yuki began forming hand signs, three clones appeared in the empty classroom amid a burst of thick mist.
Very good. Three clones in total, each identical to the original, standing firmly in place. Clearly, he had mastered this technique to a high standard.
Seeing the clones of this top student with the peculiar temperament, Iruka and Mizuki beside him immediately nodded. The former then picked up a Konoha forehead protector from the table and handed it over.
"Congratulations, Yuki-san."
"Thank you, Iruka-sensei, for your guidance over all these years. I'll take my leave now."
Guidance over all these years? Hearing Yuki's words, Iruka looked somewhat embarrassed, knowing full well he'd never actually had the chance to teach this kid anything.
Since Yuki was among the later examinees, by the time he left the school, the gates were already crowded with excited parents and students.
Clearly, because these young students had just passed their exams and received their Konoha forehead protectors, their parents were overjoyed, wearing expressions that screamed, "My child is so outstanding!"
What a pity… A wicked smile crept onto Yuki's face. If these people knew their children would have to return to school in a few days, would they cough up blood on the spot?
He knew that out of the twenty-seven Genin graduating this year, only nine would ultimately be assigned to teams. The rest would have to go back for more training—"cooked meat," as it were.
"Brother! Brother! Brother's here!"
Just as Yuki stepped out, an adorable voice called from the crowd. Just hearing it, Yuki knew it had to be the world's cutest little sister.
"Hey!" In a flash of white, Hinata had already let go of her mother's hand and leaped toward Yuki, her face filled with admiration.
"Come on, let's go home."
Seeing the siblings get along so well, their mother, Hinata Aoi, also beamed with joy and walked with the two children toward the Hyūga estate.
However, neither Hinata Aoi nor Hinata herself actually asked how Yuki's exam went. Both knew perfectly well that with their son's (brother's) abilities, failing the exam was simply impossible.