"You… applied for early graduation, Hinata?"
"Yes."
Hyūga Hiashi stared at his eldest daughter, taken aback — not just by her request, but the way she held his gaze so firmly now.
He suddenly found himself missing the Hinata of old — that quiet, timid little girl who would hide behind his leg and speak in whispers.
That Hinata was easy to love. Easy to protect.
This one?
Too straightforward.
Too bold.
Too much like him.
And definitely not "cute."
"Hinata," Hiashi began seriously, "our Hyūga clan doesn't need you to become a shinobi to live a good life. Sending you to the ninja academy was just to maintain appearances. Even if you never graduate — even if you never fight — the Hyūga clan will always protect and support you."
"I know," Hinata replied quietly.
"But… I still want to graduate early."
"…Why?"
"Because I want to stay by Naruto-kun's side," she said without hesitation.
Hiashi almost popped a vein.
Of course.
Of course this was about Naruto.
The infamous story of Hinata's "confession" in class — that she wanted to become Naruto's bride — had spread throughout Konoha… and dragged the Hyūga clan's dignity through the mud.
If it weren't for Naruto's recent rise in status — graduating early, defeating a Cloud Jōnin, becoming Chūnin at seven years old — Hiashi was absolutely sure half the clan elders would've marched to Naruto's doorstep demanding answers.
"Give us back the honor of Hyūga!"
That kind of thing.
In the corner, a little head peeked around the wall — Hyūga Hanabi, eyes sparkling.
"Wow… big sis is so cool! She even talks back to Father. I wanna be like her someday!"
"Hanabi! Why aren't you in the dojo training?" Hiashi snapped, redirecting all his growing anger onto the innocent younger daughter.
Hanabi stuck her tongue out and bolted down the hall.
Hiashi huffed, turning back to Hinata. "See what you've done? Even your sister's picking up your bad habits."
"I can't… sigh… never mind. Do what you want."
He stormed off.
Behind him, Hinata bowed gently.
"Thank you, Father."
Then her gentle voice hardened.
"Only by Naruto-kun's side can I keep growing stronger. I don't want the Hyūga name to stagnate. I want to make it shine — loudly — throughout the ninja world."
Hiashi paused, frozen.
"If I don't improve, Naruto-kun will keep getting farther and farther ahead of me. I don't want that…"
As her voice wavered — equal parts determination and vulnerability — the last of Hiashi's anger melted away.
That night, Hinata stepped into the Hyūga dojo with fire in her eyes.
Off to the side, Hyūga Hizashi and his son Neji watched quietly.
"Haha, look at that — Miss Hinata's already mastered Eight Trigrams: One Hundred and Twenty-Eight Palms… and she's only seven," Hizashi murmured. "Don't fall behind, Neji."
Neji's eyes widened.
The Hinata of his childhood was shy, delicate — someone who needed protection.
This Hinata?
A graceful tempest. Fierce. Focused.
"The branch family exists to protect the main family," one of the elders always preached.
Neji clenched his fists.
For the first time, those words ignited something.
I must protect Miss Hinata… and at this level, I'm still not strong enough… not even close.
"I need to train harder," he whispered — then left to practice another 300 Gentle Fist strikes.
Meanwhile, word of the early graduation trial spread across Konoha like wildfire.
"Did you hear? Not just Sasuke — the heir of the Hyūga clan is applying too!"
"And a seven-year-old graduating as a Genin? Isn't that too early?"
"It's not just any student — it's the last Uchiha and the Hyūga heiress. This is going to be big."
"Let's go watch — this is practically a village event!"
By the afternoon, the academy grounds were packed with civilians and shinobi alike — from curious shopkeepers to elite ninja.
Even Naruto appeared, proudly wearing his brand new Chūnin vest.
Whispers followed him.
"Already promoted?"
"That's insane speed…"
"Kakashi-sensei became Chūnin at six, didn't he?"
Naruto grinned openly.
Perfect. Let them talk. Hype is free.
"...Naruto-kun! Congratulations on becoming Chūnin!"
Hinata approached shyly, accompanied by her still-annoyed father. The moment she saw Naruto, her serious face melted into sunlight.
Ignoring her father's death glare, she jogged straight over — and Naruto took her hand like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Together, they chatted intimately while the rest of the world watched in disbelief.
(Hyuga Hiashi: My blood pressure…)
As the crowd parted, Sasuke finally arrived — alone, reserved, unreadable.
He ignored the stares.
But when he saw Naruto, his eyes sharpened — not with hatred this time, but resolve.
This time… I won't lose.
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