Happy times are always short-lived.
In the blink of an eye, it was already August 5th of Konoha Year 60.
Only two days remained until the official matches of the third Chunin Exam.
Izanami, who had taken Hanabi out for a half-month trip, finally returned with several large scrolls and bid farewell to the reluctant Karin.
Before leaving, Izanami instructed her, "Karin, there's a scroll on the desk in my study that I didn't put away. It contains the training method for a jutsu. After I leave, make sure to train with it diligently. When I return, I hope you've mastered it."
Hearing that Izanami would return to visit her again, Karin instantly lit up. She stood straight and saluted: "Yes! I won't let you down, Izayoi-kun!"
"Then we're off. Goodbye."
"Onee-chan Karin, bye-bye!" Hanabi waved happily.
Karin smiled and waved back, watching as Izanami carried Hanabi on his back and vanished with a Body Flicker Technique.
At 6 PM, Izanami returned to Konoha with Hanabi right on schedule.
"So many carriages… and so many people…"
Walking along Central Street, Hanabi looked around in awe.
"It's because the official Chunin Exam matches are the day after tomorrow," Izanami explained with a smile. "Ordinary folks who can't use the Body Flicker Technique have to come early."
"Onii-chan, I'll definitely cheer for you. So don't lose!" Hanabi said, raising a small clenched fist.
"Don't worry. Onii-chan will win for sure."
Izanami looked ahead confidently, his gaze piercing through the bustling crowd as he whispered with a smirk, "In every aspect."
After sending Hanabi—who had taken out the sealed scroll with souvenirs—back to the Hyuga Clan gate, Izanami waved goodbye and returned home to make final preparations for the upcoming grand event.
August 7th, Konoha Year 60.
At the break of dawn, Central Street in Konoha began to stir, soon bustling with noise and excitement.
By noon, fireworks lit the sky.
People from all walks of life—whether ordinary civilians or nobles in luxurious attire—hurried toward Konoha Plaza, traveling by carriage or palanquin.
An hour before the exam, the plaza was already packed to capacity.
Many visitors from other regions and nations who failed to get tickets blocked the entrance, arguing with the ninja on duty.
But even after being denied entry, they didn't leave. They opted to stay close, hoping to picture the scenes from inside by listening to the sounds.
Too bad the ninja were too honest. Had they held onto some tickets for resale or opened a gambling ring outside, they'd have made a fortune.
"Izayoi-kun, long time no see."
After a whole month, Hinata finally came out of her house and arrived at Izanami's home.
The side effects of their artistic photo incident had long been washed away by longing.
Without hesitation, Hinata threw herself into Izanami's embrace, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist, her voice and eyes full of emotion.
"Long time no see, Hinata."
Izanami hugged her just as tightly.
Despite the soft pressure from her chest, he surprisingly didn't entertain any impure thoughts.
It was their first time being apart for so long since they were six.
For two people so deeply intertwined in daily life, the past month had felt like a year.
Izanami had Hanabi to accompany him, which helped.
But for Hinata, the time was agonizing.
These past few days, she had to endure Hanabi's endless stories about their trip and look through photos of Hanabi and Izanami together.
Uncharacteristically, she found herself jealous of her little sister.
So, the moment the break ended, Hinata rushed to find Izanami.
The separation hadn't weakened their bond; it had only made their connection deeper.
After a long silent embrace, they finally sat down for breakfast.
While Hinata washed the dishes, Izanami returned to his room.
He retrieved one of his birthday gifts—a white robe with a flame pattern—as well as the large scrolls brought back from Sakura Street, then headed into the en-suite bathroom.
By the time Hinata finished drying the dishes and untied her apron, Izanami had already stepped out of the room, dressed and ready.
Together, the two left for Konoha Plaza.
Konoha Plaza was a large, spherical, open-air facility, resembling specialized training grounds like the Forest of Death.
Under normal circumstances, it wasn't open to the public.
Whenever it did open, it signified the start of a major event.
Entering through the contestant passage, Izanami saw that the chief examiner and some examinees had already gathered.
Seeing the examiner with a senbon in his mouth, Izanami inwardly sighed.
Seems like even in this world, the protagonist of Shippuden wouldn't escape the same fate.
"I thought you two were so busy dating you forgot the exam time," Uchiha Sasuke quipped sharply as Izanami and Hinata joined the group.
Hinata blushed slightly, while Izanami chuckled.
"Looks like you've had a tough month," he said.
"On the contrary, it's been great."
Sasuke's lips curled into a rare smile. "If we face off in the finals, I'll surprise you."
"I'm looking forward to it."
Izanami's eyes briefly flicked to Sasuke's neck.
Seeing no Curse Mark, he concluded that Sasuke had likely been training under Kakashi, just as in the original timeline.
He had probably mastered the Chidori by now.
That meant Sasuke had completed Lightning Release nature transformation and was now ready for shape transformation—possibly even Chidori Stream or Lightning Cutter.
The stronger Sasuke grew, the more excited Izanami became.
One by one, the remaining examinees arrived.
Unlike in the original story, Naruto wasn't being chased by wild animals and made it on time.
Meanwhile, up on the VIP stands, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru—disguised as the Fourth Kazekage—had taken their seats.
Shiranui Genma took out a pocket watch, checked the time, and announced:
"Time's up. Examinees who haven't arrived are disqualified. Their opponents advance automatically."
All eyes turned to Uzumaki Naruto.
Of the eleven participants, only Tossan Kinuta was absent.
Naruto immediately placed his hands on his hips and laughed.
"Hahaha! That guy must've been scared of me and ran away!"
Genma took out a clipboard, crossed out Tossan's name, and explained:
"You all went to the Academy, so you should know that official matches are no-holds-barred. Use any method necessary. If someone dies, they die. The death waiver you signed in the second exam is still valid."
"So, if you're in over your head, surrender early. Don't expect me to step in and save you."
"Examinee No. 2 is disqualified. Uzumaki Naruto advances. Next, Hyuga Hinata and Temari—Numbers 3 and 4—please stay. Everyone else, head to the waiting area."
As Genma spoke, Gaara, Kankuro, and Neji left immediately.
Izanami and the other rookies cheered Hinata on before heading to the stands.
"Great! Onee-chan is up first! Ganbatte!"
Hanabi shouted from the audience with excitement.
"Hanabi, mind your manners," Hiashi said sternly.
"Yes."
Hanabi quickly composed herself, her posture rigid and serious.
"Hyuga Hinata, right? You're really a Genin this year?"
In the arena, Temari looked Hinata over.
Despite being three years younger, Hinata's figure had already surpassed her own—especially in areas Temari was self-conscious about.
Her lips twitched in annoyance.
Worse, the intel showed Hinata had a handsome childhood friend who topped the class, had mastered multiple nature transformations, and even created an S-rank Storm Release technique.
Not only were they teammates since graduation, but they were also never apart.
Temari, daughter of the Kazekage and princess of the Hidden Sand, couldn't help but feel jealous.
Looks, background, personality—Hinata had it all.
Did she save the world in her past life?
Hinata had no idea what Temari was thinking.
But hearing her comment still made her a little shy.
For some reason, women her age—and even older—often looked at her "assets" with envy.
She used to think they were just a burden, something that affected her movement in battle.
But that changed once she realized Izanami liked them.
After seeing his nosebleeds and reactions, she no longer viewed them as a disadvantage but rather as something to be proud of.
That thought wiped away her shyness.
A subtle smile appeared on her lips.
But in Temari's eyes, Hinata was smugly mocking her small chest.
Instantly enraged, Temari yanked the Three-Star Fan from her back and slammed it to the ground.
"Young lady from a prestigious family… I hope your strength is worthy of my fan."
The term "prestigious family" flipped a switch in Hinata.
She glanced at her father and sister in the stands.
Veins bulged around her eyes as her Byakugan activated.
"I'll give it my all," she replied firmly.
Their gazes clashed, sparks flying.
The pressure between the two caught Genma's attention.
He removed his senbon, raised an arm, and declared:
"Chunin Selection Third Exam – Official Match: Hyuga Hinata vs. Temari… Begin!"
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