The crowd buzzed with excitement. Everyone was blown away.
Hyuga Hiashi stood off to the side, his expression as stern as ever—but in his eyes, a spark of pride flickered.
It hadn't been easy.
The Hyuga clan had always kept a low profile. Sure, they were known as one of Konoha's noble clans, but you seldom heard people talk about them. Most conversations were about the Uchiha, or other flashier ninja.
Hyuga?
All people ever mentioned was the Byakugan... and their poker-faced stares.
What else was there to say?
But today, Hinata's explosive performance on the battlefield changed everything.
Not only had her recent "future bride" declaration made headlines, but now her skill in combat had the audience whispering the Hyuga name with real admiration.
As clan head, Hiashi couldn't help but feel satisfied.
Low-profile or not, even the Hyuga enjoyed a little respect.
"The girl's strength is on par with a Chūnin... no, stronger than most. Her Gentle Fist has so much force behind it, it's practically elite level. I've never seen that kind of style from the Hyuga."
The Jōnin examiner scribbled a few final notes, then stopped.
There was nothing left to evaluate.
No one could deny it—Hinata passed with flying colors.
If she failed this exam, people would riot.
"Hinata... that strong?"
"That examiner—was that him at full strength? No way... he clearly had to start trying harder near the end!"
Sasuke stood quietly at the edge of the field, face darkening.
He wasn't blind.
He could tell that during his fight, the examiner was holding back.
But against Hinata? He had to go all-out to keep up.
Sasuke suppressed the frustration boiling inside him.
He'd gotten used to this feeling.
Setback after setback had hardened his mind.
The proud, rebellious Sasuke people imagined?
That kid didn't exist here.
The real Sasuke was calm. Focused. Aware of his limits.
There were people stronger than him everywhere. Even Hinata.
And Sasuke accepted that.
There's always someone stronger. There's always another mountain to climb.
He knew the truth now.
Naruto watched the fight with a grin plastered across his face.
"Wow. She used the same stance she did in our spar. Nice. My future wife—fierce and adorable."
He was in an absurdly good mood.
He loved both versions of Hinata—
The shy, gentle one.
And the powerful, fearless one.
Both were perfect in his eyes.
"Still too early. Not strong enough yet. If she had more power behind those blows, he wouldn't have kept up at all."
Naruto assessed the battle with a calm gaze.
He already knew the ending.
A draw.
"Time's up! Ten minutes have passed!"
"Congratulations, Hyuga Hinata—you've passed the Genin exam!"
"And Uchiha Sasuke, the same goes for you. The two of you can proceed to the Hokage Building any time to register and receive your headbands."
Nohara the Chūnin examiner exhaled in relief, soaked in sweat.
Hinata's fists were vicious.
He wasn't sure he could've lasted much longer.
Hinata herself was drenched as well, her cheeks flushed from effort.
Naruto strolled over and gently wiped her forehead with a tissue.
Hinata just stood there in a daze, face glowing like a pink peach, completely ignoring the examiner's words.
Sweet.
Too sweet.
The Jōnin examiner's eye twitched.
He was a Jōnin. Still single.
Meanwhile, these children were flaunting romance right in front of him?
Obnoxious.
"That was incredible. Two more early graduates—both from the big clans. Looks like Konoha has hope for the future."
"Sasuke from the Uchiha is impressive, but that Hinata girl—she was even better. Cute and deadly. I wish I had a daughter like that."
"Hyuga's the number one clan in Konoha now, huh?"
"Yeah. With the Uchiha gone… the Hyuga claim the top spot."
The audience slowly dispersed, full of excitement and gossip for the coming days.
Sasuke walked home alone.
The Uchiha compound was long gone—reduced to ashes in one night.
The Hokage had given him an apartment. Just like Naruto.
A lonely child with an allowance, protected by the village.
Soon, though, Sasuke would need to earn his own way through missions.
His steps halted suddenly.
He wasn't alone.
A figure stood in the middle of the dim, quiet road—
A man in a black cloak and a bull-shaped mask.
"Do you want revenge?"
The masked figure's voice was cold. Sharp.
Sasuke's expression barely changed.
The question no longer shocked him.
Revenge… was part of his path.
But not all of it.
He wanted strength.
He wanted to surpass Naruto.
Then avenge his clan.
Hatred wasn't his driving force anymore.
Strength was.
"…Do you want to become stronger?"
The masked man spoke again.
"Who are you? What do you want?" Sasuke asked.
"I am Ox, of the Red Sun Society's Zodiac. You've been selected. Join us—and we will make you stronger."
Sasuke's eyes widened slightly.
The Red Sun Society…
Rumors of Kira, the strongest man in the ninja world, had spread everywhere by now.
A mysterious, unstoppable group. Untouchable, feared, legendary.
And now… they were inviting him?
His heart wavered.
But the masked man wasn't finished.
"Don't get excited. Even if you join, you'll only start as an outer member. You're still weak. Pathetic, even. You can't overpower a single Chūnin. You're far from worthy."
The man flicked a small card at Sasuke.
Coordinates.
"Think it over. If you want to join us—come to this location. I'll be there. And I will train you personally. I'll make you stronger."
His voice echoed in the night.
"Remember. Come, if you want to grow.
Stay home, if you want to stay weak."
The masked man vanished without a trace.
The quiet street regained its stillness.
Sasuke stared at the card.
His mind flashed with the words:
#1 in the ninja world… Ox… Zodiac… Red Sun…
He burned the card to ash with a small flame.
Then continued walking as if nothing happened.
The next morning, both Sasuke and Hinata arrived at the Hokage Building.
They signed the induction papers.
Tied on their headbands.
And officially became Konoha Genin.
Their new team was confirmed:
Team Kakashi.
Uzumaki Naruto.
Uchiha Sasuke.
Hyuga Hinata.
Their instructor?
Hatake Kakashi—the Copy Ninja himself.
Team 7 was born.
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