Unbeknownst to most, the first semester was drawing to a close. In that period, first graders attended cultural classes and physical education only. Their days were filled with studying, exercising, or chakra extraction. Except for Class 1, Grade 1, other students were advised to drop out—ninjas were rare, after all. Not only was the entrance exam grueling, but the graduation exam was brutally difficult. Graduation wasn't final; without a Jonin's approval, students would have to repeat the course. Elimination rates were alarmingly high, and this was just the progression from apprentice to Genin! Beyond Genin lay Chunin, Special Jonin, and All-Rounder Jonin—but that wasn't Izanami or Shino's concern.
After the first two weeks, Izanami never attended school in his real body unless there was a taijutsu duel. His reason for enrolling was simple: to get close to Hinata, Naruto, and Sasuke—and reveal their secret "red entries" before they graduated. Once they graduated, chances of encountering them would plummet, making the task exponentially harder. In the original timeline, Shino didn't meet Hinata again until the Chunin Exams; graduation at the end of March and the exams beginning July 1st were pivotal dates. Izanami would strike during the summer, before those opportunities faded.
Ding-ling-ling… The final bell rang, signaling the end of another school day. Students who had spent the afternoon in PE were still brimming with energy.
"Juuyabiru, do you want to play ninja games with us?"
"Izanami, want to walk home together?"
Some students left with their parents; others stayed behind, forming small groups to hang out. Izanami, always popular in his shadow-clone form, greeted invitations with a tactful smile—even when declining. Today was no exception. Facing yet more invitations, Izayoi's clone bowed politely and said, "Sorry, I already have plans. Next time, for sure!"
"Oh, invited again? Juuyabiru is just that popular!"
Next time, promise, okay?"
Though disappointed, they didn't press. After leaving the school grounds, Izayoi's clone slipped into a nearby alley and dispersed. Memories and fatigue rejoined Izanami's real body. Having trained and rested at home, he murmured, "The holidays start in a few days. Time to act."
July 20
It was lunchtime after morning classes. Some students, living nearby, went home to eat; others brought bentō boxes to class. Izanami brought a box and sat eating alongside Hinata. Over the past three months, they'd become friends—not close enough to share every thought, but enough to know each other's hobbies and secrets. Hinata liked pressing flowers. And she knew that "Juuyabiru" was just Izayoi's shadow clone.
When she discovered his secret, Hinata's reaction was priceless: mouth agape, beautiful eyes wide, full of shock—and even more admiration. Mastering Shadow Clone so early, without even learning Multi-Body Technique, was unbelievable.
As they ate, Izanami asked, "Hinata, tomorrow marks the start of summer vacation—what will you do?"
"To… train at home," she replied softly.
"Want to train with me?" Izanami invited.
She froze, surprised: "Can I?"
Before he could respond, she shook her head, deflated: "Father won't allow me."
Since the kidnapping incident, Hinata had to be accompanied by a guard—and meeting an Uchiha in class didn't help. For the clan's honor, she had to progress without being overshadowed by Sasuke.
"Hey, don't worry about that," Izanami grinned. "I'm asking if you want to go out and train during the holidays."
She mumbled assent, head bowed.
"Good. We'll train tomorrow." Leaning closer, he whispered his plan into her ear. The heat from his breath warmed her cheek; her blush reached her ears. For Hinata, it was the first time feeling so close to a boy. All her built-up defenses collapsed. She barely registered his words.
"…You've got to make the first move tomorrow, or my plan falls apart," he added.
"Okay… I'll try," she replied, sounding lost in thought.
Then she looked up: "Juuyabiru, what did you just say?" Her voice was hesitant.
Izanami's response was swift: Pa! He flicked her forehead gently and repeated the plan in a firmer tone. Hinata, already covering her forehead, gazed at him with shiny eyes.
The Next Day: Start of Summer Vacation
Forty days of summer freedom began. Izanami stood outside his house and entered a narrow alley. With a soft peng, like a popped balloon, a shadow clone emerged—and out from it stepped a blonde girl in a hat: Ino Yamanaka.
"Hello, I'm Ino Yamanaka. I'm here to invite Hinata to play; we made plans yesterday," Izayoi, disguised as Ino, told the Hyuga guard.
The guards exchanged a look.
"One moment, please."
One guard bowed, stepped inside, then returned with Hinata. The girl in the white trench coat gently smiled at the disguised Izanami.
The plan was working flawlessly—and summer training was only beginning.
Notes & Observations (implicitly preserved):The ninja academy is extremely selective; only a few survive graduation.Izanami uses shadow clones exclusively for school to protect his real identity and conserve strength.He aims to uncover strong ninjas like Hinata before they scatter after graduation.His relationship with Hinata blossoms over three months, evolving from classmates to friends.He devises a plan involving secret summer training, relying on training together—and nudging her to take initiative.Ish disguised as Ino to escort Hinata out under guard, testing and enacting his scheme.
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