The classroom emptied in a rush, children running out as though freed from a cage. Iruka gathered the attendance book with absent eyes, his mind still clouded. When he reached the door, his steps froze.
Five students remained seated, motionless in their places.
Uchiha Sasuke. Hyuga Hinata. Nara Shikamaru. Akimichi Choji. And the one he most struggled to accept, Uzumaki Naruto.
Iruka frowned. "You five… what are you doing?"
Their silence was unsettling. Each gaze was fixed on the boy in the back corner. Naruto.
When Iruka spoke, they slowly turned their eyes on him, five pairs at once, but none spoke.
Iruka sighed and gave up. "Fine. Just remember to go home early."
He left, already thinking of his report to the Hokage and the advice he would have to beg on how to handle Naruto.
The moment he was gone, Shikamaru leaned forward. "Naruto, Choji and I came up with a new formation. Want to test it?"
Choji puffed his chest proudly. "That's right. I can use Partial Expansion now, not just Human Boulder. Your Shadow Clones won't have the same advantage anymore!"
Naruto chuckled softly. "I am fine with it. But today is the first day of enrollment. Shouldn't you two be celebrating with your families?"
Shikamaru yawned. "Celebrating what? Classes are boring. The Academy teaches nothing worth the trouble."
Choji patted his belly. "I would rather be home with snacks."
Naruto rose, smiling. "Then let us head to the old training ground. I will see your new strategy."
He stepped into the aisle. Shikamaru and Choji followed, but a sharp voice cut across the room.
"Uzumaki Naruto!"
It was not Iruka.
It was Sasuke. He blocked Naruto's path, pride burning in his eyes.
Naruto's gaze swept toward him, then to Hinata, who had spoken a soft "Naruto…" but now stared at the floor, her face hidden.
"What do you want?" Naruto asked.
"I challenge you!" Sasuke declared.
Naruto blinked, almost amused. So this was the boy who carried Indra's chakra. Of all the Uchiha, Sasuke was strangely… normal. Proud, brooding, yet far from the twisted extremes others would fall into. He was earnest, straightforward. A boy who loved fiercely, hated fiercely, and never hid his heart.
Naruto's lips curved faintly.
"What? Do you not dare fight?" Sasuke bristled under that unreadable stare, anger rising.
"Can you tell me your reason?" Naruto asked.
"My brother said I am not your match. I will prove to him that I am stronger than you!"
Naruto tilted his head. "Only for that?"
Shikamaru and Choji exchanged baffled looks. To fight someone just because an older brother had said so? Ridiculous.
"Just answer. Dare you or not!" Sasuke pressed.
Naruto's voice was ice. "Your brother says I am stronger. And if the Hokage said the same, would you challenge him too?"
"That is different!"
"Different how? Or is it that you are afraid of the Hokage, and only bold enough to fight those you think are weak?"
"I… I am not…" Sasuke faltered, shame flashing across his face.
Naruto shook his head. He had no interest in playground duels. He humored Shikamaru and Choji to keep the Hokage at ease. But Sasuke's provocation meant nothing.
"You are an Uchiha," Naruto said.
Sasuke straightened, pride flaring. "Yes."
"Then tell me. Have you opened your eyes?"
The words struck like a blade. Sasuke's face crumbled. His head dropped. "I… I have not awakened my Sharingan."
"Then you hold no interest for me. Step aside."
The dismissal cut deeper than any wound. Sasuke froze, eyes wide with humiliation, before finally staggering back, defeated.
Naruto did not glance at him again. He beckoned to Shikamaru and Choji and strode toward the door.
A voice trembled behind him. "Naruto-kun."
He paused.
Hinata hurried forward, cheeks flushed red.
"We… we met before."
Naruto nodded softly. "Yes. Hinata, do you still lose your way?"
Her eyes widened. "No… no longer. Ah… Naruto-kun knows my name!"
He smiled faintly. "When the teacher called roll, I saw you stand."
Hinata stammered, overjoyed. "Oh… oh."
"Let us walk you home."
"N-no… I can go myself."
But Naruto shook his head and, before anyone could react, gently took her hand. Together they walked out into the sunlight.
Shikamaru and Choji stared, dumbfounded. Something about the gesture was strange, yet they followed without protest. Behind them, Sasuke remained standing, stunned, the weight of Naruto's words crushing his pride.
Near the school gates, Naruto released Hinata's hand at last. Shikamaru and Choji lagged far behind, too slow to hear his quiet question.
"Hinata. Have you opened your eyes?"
She lowered her head, whispering. "My training is not enough. I have not awakened the Byakugan."
Her words echoed Sasuke's, and Naruto's eyes gleamed.
The Byakugan, in its true evolution, rivaled even the Rinnegan. Yet the Hyuga had never uncovered the path of its ascension. Though strategically invaluable, they were reduced to little more than Konoha's sensory corps.
Ever since Hiruzen's reign, the great clans had been systematically weakened. The Hyuga, more than any, were pushed aside. No seats in Anbu. No voices in Root. Their role limited, their influence stifled. A clan of guests in their own village.
Naruto's thoughts lingered. Interesting. Very interesting.
Hinata peeked up shyly. "Naruto-kun, what are you thinking?"
Naruto's reply was simple, yet it made her heart nearly stop. "I was thinking of you."
Her face flared crimson. She swayed, almost fainting, until Naruto steadied her by the shoulders.
"What did you say?" she whispered.
"Nothing. Only that you will awaken your eyes soon."
"I… I will try my best." Her voice was no more than a breath.
Naruto's gaze lingered, and then he turned away, the path of destiny already forming beneath his steps.
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