Chapter 21: Chapter 20:[Graduation Exam]
(Four Years Later)
The transformation was nothing short of extraordinary. Four years of rigorous, relentless training had honed Naruto and Hinata into shinobi far beyond their years.
Their secluded training ground, once a humble clearing, now bore the scars of countless battles and experiments: cracked earth from intense sparring, faint scorch marks from explosive techniques, and intricate seals etched into the surroundings as testaments to Naruto's ever-evolving fūinjutsu mastery.
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The sun had barely risen, casting a golden hue over the village outskirts. Naruto stood at the center of their training ground, his breathing steady as he faced Hinata. Both of them looked vastly different from their younger selves.
Naruto, now taller and leaner, exuded confidence and strength. His bright blue eyes held a sharpness that hadn't been there before, and his once wild movements were now calculated and precise.
Hinata, no longer the shy, hesitant girl she once was, stood poised and calm. Her movements were graceful yet powerful, a perfect blend of Hyūga precision and the unyielding determination she had cultivated over the years.
They circled each other, the air between them charged with anticipation. This was a routine spar, yet neither held back. In a blur of motion, they clashed—Hinata's Byakugan guiding her strikes while Naruto used his chakra chains to block and counter.
"Your strikes are getting faster," Naruto remarked, grinning as he dodged a palm aimed at his shoulder.
"And your chains are harder to predict," Hinata replied, her tone calm but carrying a hint of pride.
After a few more exchanges, they stepped back, both smiling.
As they rested under the shade of a tree, Naruto leaned back, his hands behind his head. "Four years, huh? Hard to believe we've come this far."
Hinata nodded, her lavender eyes soft as she looked at him. "It feels like yesterday we were learning Shadow Clones. Now… it's like we're completely different people."
Naruto chuckled. "Yeah, but we're still us. Just a better version."
The bond between them had deepened over the years, becoming something unshakable. They trained together, supported each other, and shared secrets no one else knew.
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Naruto had achieved unparalleled mastery over his Shadow Clones, using them not only for combat but also for strategies and experiments. His fūinjutsu had reached master level, and he could now create seals capable of trapping opponents, storing massive amounts of energy, or enhancing his own abilities.
Kurama's chakra was no longer a wild force—it was a tool Naruto could wield with precision, allowing him to briefly enter a controlled, enhanced state that boosted his strength and speed.
Hinata had fully integrated her Hyūga techniques with innovative strategies she developed alongside Naruto.
Her Byakugan's range and precision had expanded dramatically, and she had perfected her use of chakra-infused strikes, making her a formidable opponent in both offense and defense.
One evening, as they prepared to leave their training ground, Naruto turned to Hinata, his expression unusually serious."The graduation Exams are coming.We are finally going to become a shinobi".
Hinata nodded, her determination clear. "We'll prove ourselves, Naruto-kun. Together."
Naruto smiled at her, his confidence unwavering. "Yeah. Together."
Though the world hadn't yet seen their full potential, that was about to change. The years of hidden effort and unyielding perseverance had forged them into something extraordinary, and they were ready to take the first steps toward their destiny as shinobi of the Hidden Leaf.
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The day of the Academy graduation exam had finally arrived. For most of the students, it was a time of anxiety and anticipation. For Naruto and Hinata, it was a well-practiced routine.
Four years of secret training had prepared them far beyond what was expected of any Academy student.
They had used every opportunity to grow in strength and skill, but they kept their progress hidden behind carefully constructed facades. Naruto still played the part of the loud, energetic prankster, while Hinata maintained her quiet and modest demeanor.
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"Are you ready, Hinata?" Naruto asked as they walked toward the Academy.
Hinata nodded with a small smile. "Of course, Naruto-kun. And you?"
Naruto grinned. "I've been ready for this since we started training. Let's just get through it without showing too much, alright ? We still have the real genin exam to pass".
Hinata agreed. They had both agreed years ago to keep their true abilities a secret until the right moment. Today wasn't that moment—not yet.
The first part of the exam was a written test. Naruto feigned confusion, scribbling answers slowly while occasionally scratching his head for show.
In reality, the questions were easy; his private studies with Hinata had ensured that.
Hinata, meanwhile, worked quietly and efficiently, finishing her answers with time to spare. Her calm demeanor didn't draw any attention, as most of her classmates expected her to excel academically.
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Out in the training yard, the students took turns throwing shuriken and kunai at a series of targets.
Naruto stepped up, pretending to be unsure of himself as he held his first kunai. "Here goes nothing," he said loudly, drawing a few chuckles from the crowd.
With a flick of his wrist, the kunai hit the outer edge of the target. "Aw, man!" Naruto groaned, scratching the back of his head.
On his second and third throws, he hit progressively closer to the bullseye, leaving the impression of improvement without revealing his true skill.
Hinata's turn was quieter but equally calculated. She hit the center of the target with ease but avoided showing off excessive precision.
Finally, the students were called into the classroom one by one for the Jutsu test.
When Naruto's name was called, a hush fell over the room. Everyone expected him to fail—the Clone Jutsu had always been his weakest point, and he had deliberately maintained that image throughout his Academy years.
Stepping into the room, Naruto grinned nervously at Iruka-sensei. "Alright, here goes!"
He formed the hand seals, carefully adjusting his chakra output. A single puff of smoke appeared, and a passable clone stood beside him.
Iruka scratched his head, a bit surprised but relieved. "Well, it's not perfect, but it's good enough. You pass, Naruto."
Naruto let out a loud cheer, running out of the room with exaggerated enthusiasm.
Hinata's turn followed shortly after. She formed the hand seals with practiced ease, creating three flawless clones that stood perfectly still.
"Well done, Hinata. You pass," Iruka said with a warm smile.
When the results were announced, Naruto and Hinata stood among the newly graduated genin, headbands tied proudly around their foreheads.
Naruto laughed loudly, throwing his arms behind his head and whispered quietly"We did it, Hinata!"
Hinata smiled, her cheeks lightly flushed. "Yes, Naruto-kun. We did."
As they walked away from the Academy, Naruto leaned closer to her and whispered, "Now the real work begins."
Hinata nodded, her lavender eyes filled with determination. "Together, Naruto-kun."
The next chapter of their journey as shinobi was about to begin, and neither of them could wait to show the world the strength they had quietly cultivated for years.
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Author's notes.
Please give me power stones for extra chapters.
Join me on patre@on to read ahead / Drwriter.