Three days flew by in an instant.
During this time, Konoha's streets teemed with unfamiliar faces.
Such strangers weren't uncommon—merchants and travelers often passed through—but these new faces wore headbands etched with various symbols, marking them as ninja from other villages.
The villagers of Konoha weren't alarmed; instead, they buzzed with excitement.
The sudden influx of foreign ninja could only mean one thing: the Chunin Exams were approaching. Soon, they'd get to witness ninja battles once more.
Shopkeepers, especially, began stockpiling goods, eager to cash in on the event.
This was the Chunin Exams, one of the grandest occasions in any major ninja village.
July 1, three in the afternoon.
Team 8 gathered at their usual spot on time, applications in hand, and headed to the Ninja Academy.
On the way, Shino Aburame, hands in his pockets, said, "As the host village, Konoha's at a disadvantage. Others have likely been gathering intel on us, while we know nothing about them."
"No matter. Intel gets outdated," Izayoi replied with a light chuckle. "I'm sure you've both grown stronger these past days."
Hinata and Shino exchanged confident smiles.
Soon, Team 8 reached the Ninja Academy.
Stepping onto the campus after months away, Izayoi and Hinata felt a wave of nostalgia.
Walking familiar paths, their gazes seemed to pierce through time, glimpsing echoes of years past.
From chubby-cheeked toddlers to children shedding their innocence…
Back then, Izayoi and Hinata had walked side by side, inseparable.
At the thought, they instinctively glanced at each other. Their eyes met, and, as if reading each other's minds, they shared a knowing smile.
Reaching the familiar administration building, Team 8 had barely stepped onto the first stair when Shino and Hinata's expressions shifted slightly.
"It's… a genjutsu," Shino said, forming the tiger seal to disrupt his chakra flow.
Hinata did the same.
"To be precise, a genjutsu barrier," Izayoi said with a grin. "Looks like the Chunin Exams have already begun."
Ascending to the second floor, they found the hallway crowded. Some ninja looked dazed, faces clouded with confusion.
Others, seemingly aware of the trick, clustered at the staircase to the third floor, only to be blocked by two chunin guards.
"Drop this genjutsu barrier already! We're heading to the third floor," came a familiar voice before Team 8 reached the stairs.
"It's Sasuke-kun," Hinata said, identifying the speaker. Her gaze, however, settled on an onlooker in the crowd. "And Neji-nii-san. He's here for the Chunin Exams too."
As if hearing her, Hyuga Neji, who had been watching Team 7's antics, turned toward them.
Spotting Hinata, he approached and bowed stiffly, his face expressionless. "Lady Hinata."
His etiquette was flawless, but his tone lacked any deference. As he bowed, a flicker of resentment flashed in his eyes.
"Neji-nii-san, good luck in the exams," Hinata said gently.
"You as well, Lady," Neji replied, quickly masking his emotions. He straightened and nodded. "I hope we get to face each other in the exams."
With that, Neji turned to Izayoi beside Hinata. "You're Izayoi?"
"Got any advice, last year's top graduate?" Izayoi asked with a smile.
"…You're strong," Neji said, sizing Izayoi up before his tone turned cold. "But you should know your place. You and Lady Hinata have no future together. It's a matter of bloodlines—your fate."
"Neji-nii-san, be quiet."
Before Izayoi could respond, a sharp voice cut through.
Hinata's gentle gaze had vanished, replaced by a piercing stare fixed on Neji, brimming with warning.
Her entire presence shifted dramatically.
"My apologies, Lady," Neji said, bowing again before turning to leave.
Watching her cousin depart, Hinata reverted to her ladylike demeanor and said softly to Izayoi, "Izayoi-kun, Neji-nii-san didn't mean it. Please don't hold it against him."
Izayoi placed a hand on Hinata's head, ruffling her hair. "Hinata, you were so cool just now! It's a shame I didn't have the camera ready."
"Indeed, that aura was intense," Shino agreed with a nod.
The top three of their year—no one was ordinary.
This Chunin Exam might reveal the full strength of Izayoi, Hinata, and Sasuke Uchiha.
"You're exaggerating," Hinata said, blushing and lowering her head, her fingers tapping together nervously. The contrast was striking.
You'd almost think she had a split personality, not Sakura Haruno.
"Yo, Izayoi, Hinata, and… uh, you! You're here!" Naruto Uzumaki's voice rang out.
Team 7, having resolved their skirmish, approached Team 8.
"My name is Shino Aburame," Shino said, emphasizing his presence as Naruto overlooked him.
"Oh, Shino, hey!"
As usual, Shino's effort went unnoticed.
Naruto merely greeted him before focusing on Izayoi, grinning widely. "Izayoi, you guys are joining the Chunin Exams too, huh? This time, I'm not losing to you!"
"Oh?" Izayoi raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You sound confident. Did you learn some ninjutsu from Kakashi-sensei?"
If so, the butterfly effect was significant.
In the original story, to balance the protagonist's growth, Kakashi Hatake had been unfairly criticized.
The Copy Ninja, who knew over a thousand techniques, hadn't taught Naruto, his teacher's son, even a basic C-rank Wind Release.
This, despite Naruto having mastered tree-climbing.
It was unavoidable—Naruto already knew the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique. With his massive chakra reserves, learning even a C-rank Wind Release: Great Breakthrough would make him one of the strongest genin, disrupting the underdog narrative.
Hundreds of shadow clones casting Wind Release: Great Breakthrough together would outshine even Madara Uchiha's Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation.
"Hehe… you and Sasuke just wait and see," Naruto said, rubbing his nose smugly. "I'll blow your minds!"
"Riddle guy, get out of Konoha," Izayoi teased, earning odd looks from Hinata, Shino, and Sasuke.
Their eyes seemed to say, You're one to talk.
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