Just as Kenjiro had told Hinata—
The graduation exam didn't take long.
After some casual chatting, the other students who had passed the exam gradually gathered at the playground.
Before long, Iruka Umino arrived as well.
This meant that those who weren't present had failed the exam and were eliminated.
Upon closer inspection, the only familiar face missing was Naruto Uzumaki.
"Everyone, thanks for waiting." Iruka said with a smile, holding a clipboard. "Put on your forehead protectors. We'll be taking your official photos now."
"Iruka-sensei, where should we wear them?" a student asked, raising their hand.
"Anywhere on your upper body is fine." Iruka replied.
With that, the students placed their headbands in different spots—some tied them to their foreheads, others to their arms, around their necks, or even used them as hairbands.
Hinata hung hers around her neck.
Kenjiro tied his to his left arm.
Once everyone was ready, Iruka led them to the rooftop of the main building.
A photographer was already waiting with a standing camera.
After taking their ID photos, the students quickly left the building—some strolling leisurely, others rushing toward the school gates.
At the entrance, parents had gathered.
Some were comforting their children who had failed, while others eagerly watched the school, waiting for their children to emerge.
They knew that those still inside were the ones who had passed.
As the students stepped out, the school entrance became lively with excitement.
But for the orphans without parents, the joyful scene was like salt on a wound.
Some watched enviously, others avoided looking and ran off.
Sasuke Uchiha was somewhere between the two.
After one quick glance, he disappeared in a blur.
But Kenjiro wasn't part of either group.
Because—
"Big Brother! Sister! Over here!"
A cheerful voice called out from the crowd at the entrance.
A young girl dressed in a yellow-brown kimono with flame-patterned hems was waving energetically at Kenjiro and Hinata.
Seeing this, Kenjiro's lips curved slightly, and Hinata also smiled softly.
Before they even reached the entrance, Kenjiro bent down and caught the girl as she ran toward him.
"Big Brother! Sister! I came to pick you up!"
The girl, Hanabi, wrapped her arms around his neck, her eyes immediately locking onto the forehead protector on his arm. "Big Brother, is this the headband for Genin?"
"Yeah. Here, you can hold it."
Kenjiro nodded, taking it off and handing it to her before lifting her into his arms. He and Hinata exchanged a smile.
The three of them then left the school together.
Years had passed, and now seven-year-old Hanabi had changed quite a bit.
In the original story, Hanabi at this age had shoulder-length hair.
But after seeing her sister grow hers out, she did the same on purpose.
Now, her hair reached her waist, with two strands in the front tied into braids—just like in the movie.
During training and battles, she either left it loose and straight or tied it into a high ponytail. With her determined gaze and serious expression, she already carried the same air of composure seen in Boruto.
Maybe because she matured early, Hanabi was growing faster than Hinata. She was expected to reach 170 cm in the future, and even now, at seven years old, she was already 132 cm tall—just a little more than a head shorter than Kenjiro.
Meanwhile, Hinata, at this age, still had a round, babyish face.
But Hanabi's baby fat had already mostly faded, her features taking on a more refined, oval shape.
Mimicking Hinata, she hung the forehead protector around her neck and grinned at Kenjiro. "Big Brother, since you and Sister became Genin today, let's celebrate with hot pot!"
"You just want hot pot for yourself." Hinata teased, lightly tapping Hanabi's forehead with her delicate finger.
"Hehe…"
Hanabi stuck out her tongue playfully. "Father never lets us eat stuff like that, but today I really, really want hot pot!"
Kenjiro found her adorable and chuckled. "Alright, let's have hot pot today."
"Yay!"
Hanabi cheered excitedly before pushing her luck. "Big Brother, I want a shoulder ride!"
"No way." Hinata huffed, pouting. "You're too tall for that now."
"I'm only seven! What's the problem?"
Hanabi made a funny face at Hinata, then turned back to Kenjiro, pleading. "Please, Big Brother?"
"Of course," Kenjiro said without hesitation. Flexing an arm playfully, he added, "Even if you were as tall as me, I could still lift you up."
"You're the best, Big Brother!"
Hanabi beamed with admiration, then climbed onto his shoulders.
"Honestly…"
Hinata sighed but then smiled indulgently, following them as they headed toward the market, Hanabi eagerly leading the way.
-----🍥-----
Just as they left, a figure suddenly appeared in their previous spot.
Upon closer look, it was a member of the Hyuga clan, dressed in a green vest with the same pale eyes as Hinata and Hanabi.
He was Hanabi's bodyguard.
Since Hinata had a bodyguard whenever she left home, there was no way Hanabi wouldn't have one as well.
But for some reason, instead of staying by her side, he protected her from the shadows.
Hanabi was unaware, but both Kenjiro and Hinata knew he was there.
Over the past six years, Kenjiro had never met Hiashi Hyuga in person, but he had developed an unspoken understanding with his future father-in-law.
Hiashi was strict, instilling the weight of their clan's honor. Kenjiro, in contrast, provided warmth, allowing the motherless Hinata and Hanabi to grow up under his care and affection.
At home, they lived under high expectations and pressure. Naturally, they became attached to Kenjiro.
Only when she was with him could Hanabi act her age—playful, mischievous, and full of energy.
In front of Hiashi, she was just as mature and serious as in the original story.
The same went for Hinata.
-----🍥-----
After buying ingredients for the hot pot, along with Hanabi's favorite rice dumplings, bananas, and milk, and Hinata's favorite cinnamon rolls, Kenjiro brought them home.
After stuffing themselves, the three lounged on a long sofa, chatting as they digested their meal.
Sitting beside Kenjiro, Hinata finally dropped her usual reserve and leaned her head on his shoulder. Then, out of nowhere, she murmured, "Kenjiro-kun, I think Naruto-kun was the only one in our class who didn't graduate."
"Yeah."
Kenjiro, absentmindedly twirling Hanabi's braided bangs, nodded.
They had noticed Naruto sitting alone on the swing as soon as they left the school.
"Naruto-kun has so much chakra. Why can't he even perform a basic Clone Jutsu?" Hinata asked, puzzled.
"Maybe his chakra control is just terrible," Kenjiro replied nonchalantly. "His academic scores are bad, his shuriken throwing hasn't improved much, and he's always the first to get eliminated in survival drills. The only thing he's decent at is taijutsu… Failing might actually be a good thing for him."
"Mm…"
Thinking back on Naruto's performance over the years, Hinata nodded in agreement.
Neither she nor Hanabi—who was curled up in Kenjiro's lap, her eyes half-closed—noticed the slight smirk forming at the corner of his lips.
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