On the day of graduation.
"Mom, we're getting our headbands today! And you know there's a party tonight," Naruto said with excitement.
He was dressed in a sleek, black, high-collared jacket that fit snugly, its edges lined with gold.
On the back, a crimson-red Uzumaki clan swirl was elegantly embroidered.
The sleeves bore subtle flame-like patterns near the wrists, adding a distinct flair.
His dark red shinobi pants were slightly loose but neatly tucked at the ankles.
A black utility belt with intricate gold detailing secured his outfit.
For his hands, he wore black wraps along with fingerless gloves, each adorned with a small metal plate.
His footwear consisted of black shinobi sandals accented with red straps for a bold yet refined look.
Kushina smiled warmly at her son, ruffling his already messy red hair. "I know, I know, Naruto! You've been talking about this party for weeks, ya know!"
Naruto grinned. "Well, of course! It's not every day we become full-fledged shinobi!"
Kushina stepped back and gave him a once-over. "My little Naruto… you're all grown up." Her voice was soft, filled with motherly pride.
Naruto's expression softened before he grinned again. "Mom, don't get all sappy now! Save it for later!" He then turned towards the door. "Karin! You ready? We're gonna be late!"
"Wait, Nii-san! Just five more minutes!" Karin called out while still getting ready.
"But that's what you've been saying for the past half-hour," Naruto muttered, arms crossed.
He waited… and waited… until finally, after another thirty minutes, she stepped out.
Karin was dressed in a sleek, high-collared dark gray jacket that reached mid-thigh, its seams lined with a striking crimson red.
Beneath it, she wore a snug black turtleneck, the Uzumaki clan symbol embroidered in deep red on the upper back.
Her sleeves featured thin crimson-red lines tracing down to her wrists, adding a touch of elegance.
For the lower half, she sported slim black shinobi pants, complemented by a deep red belt equipped with small utility pouches.
Near her ankles, subtle dark gray embroidery added a refined detail.
She completed the look with black, ankle-length shinobi boots that had a slight heel, black fingerless gloves, and a dark crimson scarf wrapped loosely around her neck.
A gold stud earring glinted on her ear, accompanied by a thin black choker and a single, delicate black bracelet on her wrist.
"You're looking even more beautiful in that, Karin," Naruto complimented with a grin.
"You're not bad yourself," Karin replied, smirking.
"Both of you, have a good day," Kana said warmly, placing a gentle hand on their heads in blessing.
"Thank you, Mom! Kana-san!" they said in unison.
"Then, we'll take our leave," Naruto said, turning toward the door.
"But, Nii-san… what about Sasuke?" Karin asked, tilting her head in confusion.
"Idiot, because of you, he left early while I was stuck waiting," Naruto sighed.
"Then… I'm sorry," she muttered sheepishly.
"Don't worry, it's not a big deal," he reassured her with a pat on the head.
With that, the two finally set off—ready to graduate and step into the world as full-fledged shinobi.
Soon, they reached the academy.
"Naruto! Karin! Over here!" Hinata called out as she spotted them.
She wore a long, flowing lavender tunic with a soft, elegant design that reached mid-thigh.
Deep purple embroidery traced the edges and sleeves, adding a delicate touch.
The Hyuga clan crest was embroidered in silver on the back.
The sleeves were slightly oversized, with a detachable deep purple hood resting on her shoulders.
She paired it with form-fitting black shinobi leggings and a deep purple sash belt tied at the side, adorned with a small silver emblem of her clan.
Her footwear consisted of white knee-high shinobi boots with silver accents, soft soles, and subtle floral engravings along the sides.
She also wore white fingerless gloves with soft lavender highlights.
A thin silver necklace graced her collarbone, a small crescent moon charm dangled from her sash, and a long, deep purple silk scarf draped elegantly around her neck.
"Hinata, you're looking beautiful as always," Naruto said with a bright smile as he and Karin walked up to her.
Hinata's face turned slightly pink, but she quickly composed herself. "Thank you, Naruto-kun," she said softly.
"You took your time getting ready, huh, Hinata?" Karin teased with a playful smirk.
Hinata chuckled. "Not as much as you, Karin."
Karin pouted. "Tch, fair enough."
The three shared a light laugh as they made their way into the academy, the excitement of their graduation buzzing in the air.
Sasuke stood a short distance away from Hinata, his usual silence and cold demeanor making it clear she had just arrived.
He wore a fitted, high-collared, jet-black coat that ended at his hips, accented with deep blue seams.
The asymmetrical front closure wrapped slightly to one side, giving it a sleek yet tactical look.
A silver Uchiha crest was embroidered on the upper back, standing out against the dark fabric.
The sleeves tapered to a snug fit at the wrists, enhancing his sharp silhouette.
He paired it with slim black shinobi pants, tailored for agility with just enough stretch for movement.
A deep blue sash belt was knotted at his waist, its ends draping slightly at his side.
The pants had concealed pockets designed for storing small weapons discreetly.
For footwear, he wore black, ankle-length shinobi boots with a minimalistic design, featuring small silver clasps on the sides and reinforced toe caps for extra durability.
His hands were covered with black fingerless gloves, and a single silver ring adorned his left hand.
A thin black rope belt was loosely tied around his waist, adding to his effortlessly composed style.
Strapped diagonally across his back was a sheath for his katana—a weapon he had obtained a year ago, thanks to Naruto, who had personally trained him in Kenjutsu.
All three walked up to Sasuke.
"Sasuke, how could you leave before us?" Karin asked, pouting slightly.
"Why? I knew you'd take forever to get ready, so I figured I wouldn't waste my time and just came early," he replied without the slightest hesitation.
"You—!" Karin fumed, unable to handle his brutally straightforward answer.
Both Naruto and Hinata laughed at her, but when she glanced a them, they quickly looked away and even pretended they didn't hear anything.
Then, another two beauties just arrived.
"Sakura, Ino." Naruto, seeing this as best chance to escape from Karin's menacing glance.
Sakura wore a sleeveless, deep-red fitted tunic that reached her hips, adorned with a subtle pink floral pattern near the bottom.
White accents traced the edges, and a V-neck collar with a slight high-cut gave it a sharp yet elegant touch.
The medical-nin symbol was embroidered in silver on the left side of her chest.
She paired it with slim, flexible black shinobi leggings, complemented by a soft pink sash belt tied loosely at her side.
Delicate white embroidery decorated the thighs, adding a refined touch.
Her black, mid-calf shinobi boots had rosy pink soles, designed with shock-absorbing features to withstand heavy impacts, and small steel reinforcements at the toes for added durability.
For accessories, she wore black fingerless gloves, a thin pink choker around her neck, a white armband bearing the medical-nin symbol, and a single silver bracelet that subtly reflected the light.
Ino wore a sleeveless, high-neck, deep purple crop top that hugged her frame snugly but comfortably.
A subtle black lotus floral embroidery graced one shoulder, while gold trimming lined the edges, adding a touch of elegance.
The open-back design featured a crisscross lace-up pattern, giving it a stylish yet functional appeal.
She paired it with a sheer deep purple wrap skirt, slit on one side for ease of movement, with thin gold embroidery delicately woven near the hem.
The flowing fabric gave her a graceful, almost ethereal presence.
Her footwear consisted of black, knee-high shinobi boots with deep purple soles, designed with a slight heel for both style and stability.
Soft floral engravings decorated the surface, a subtle yet intricate detail.
For accessories, she wore black lace fingerless gloves, a thin gold choker, and a small deep purple charm bracelet.
A gold hairpin, shaped like a flower, secured her signature ponytail, ensuring it remained flawless even amid battle.
Sakura and Ino soon reached them.
"Naruto, how do I look?" Sakura and Ino asked at the same time, then immediately turned to glare at each other.
"You both look amazing," Naruto said with his usual bright grin.
"Be more specific, Naruto," they insisted, once again speaking in sync before shooting daggers at each other.
Naruto tilted his head, pretending to be deep in thought. "Hmm… Sakura, you look strong and confident, like a warrior with grace. And Ino, you have this playful, charming aura that makes you stand out. Either way, I like both."
Both girls blinked, a faint blush creeping onto their cheeks at his effortless confidence.
Ino recovered first, smirking. "Oh? Naruto, are you confessing?" she teased.
Naruto stepped closer, cupping her face gently with one hand while bringing his face dangerously close to hers. Ino's heartbeat quickened—she hadn't expected this level of boldness.
"Who wouldn't admire a girl as beautiful as you?" he said smoothly.
Before anything else could happen, Karin and Sakura quickly yanked them apart, their faces slightly red.
"Alright, that's enough of that," Sakura muttered, avoiding eye contact.
Karin crossed her arms. "Yeah, no way I'm letting my idiot brother get kidnapped by Ino this early in the day."
But before they could do anything, the ceremony started, prompting them to quickly enter the class.
Shikamaru and his group had already settled inside.
"Guys, over here!" Kiba called out, waving them over.
"Arff!" Akamaru barked excitedly from Kiba's shoulder—the little pup had been his birthday present from his mom.
Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba, and Shino were dressed in their usual outfits, standing in contrast to the more refined and stylish looks of Naruto's group.
Kiba eyed them curiously. "What's up with you guys? Looks like you all had a total fashion makeover."
Shikamaru, Choji, and Shino also turned their attention toward them, intrigued by the sudden wardrobe shift.
"This was Naruto's idea," Ino said with a smug smirk. "Apparently, he wanted to see us looking even more beautiful."
Naruto just shrugged, unfazed. "What can I say? You all look great."
Kiba narrowed his eyes. "Wait, does that mean you didn't think they looked good before—"
Before he could press further, Iruka entered the room.
"Alright, everyone, settle down!" he called out, his voice commanding the usual respect.
As expected, they took their usual seats, anticipation filling the air.
Soon, Iruka began distributing the headbands, marking their official status as full-fledged shinobi. One by one, each student received their forehead protector, a symbol of their growth and dedication.
After that, he moved on to the team assignments.
"Now, listen carefully—these teams have been chosen based on your individual strengths and compatibility," Iruka explained, scanning the room. "Once your team is called, wait for further instructions."
Everyone straightened up, eager to hear their placements. The moment of truth had arrived.