"B-Brother Hayate…" Hinata coughed softly, a thin trail of blood slipping from her lips. Even as her body trembled, she forced herself to stand. Her pale eyes lifted toward Hayate, and she managed a faint, wavering smile."I'm fine… really… don't—"
Hayate's chest tightened. He could see the truth behind that fragile smile—her pain, her resolve. He sighed quietly, dispersing the swirling energy of his Great Ball Rasengan with a flick of his wrist. The golden light faded.
"If there's a next time," he said evenly, eyes fixed on Neji, "I won't hold back. I'll launch it straight at you."
"Humph." Neji's tone was cold and dismissive. "You think fate can be changed? …Heh."
Hayate turned away, kneeling beside Hinata. Her breathing was shallow, but her eyes still held that quiet, determined light.
"No one stays the same forever," Hayate said softly, resting a hand on her shoulder.
"Eh…?" Hinata blinked up at him, confused.
"Don't keep talking about fate," he murmured. "Because fate isn't something that binds you… it's something you hold in your own hands."
"Why…" Hinata whispered, her voice trembling.
Hayate smiled faintly and looked toward the stands—toward Naruto, who was watching with clenched fists. Their eyes met.
"Because," Hayate said, smiling a little wider, "you're not a dead-last, Naruto. None of us are."
Elsewhere, in the shadows above the arena, Maki glanced toward Gaara, unease flickering across his face."Gaara, what do you think of that genin?" he asked carefully. "That Hayate kid… could he be—"
Gaara's lips curved into a chilling smile, his pale eyes narrowing."I'll kill him."
Because of Hayate's earlier interference, the rest of the matches had been slightly reshuffled. The outcomes, too, were no longer what they should have been.
The final winners of the preliminaries were: Kazehaya Hayate, Naruto, Gaara, Temari, Shikamaru, Neji, Ino, Sakura, and Tenten, who advanced by default.
When the preliminaries ended, the village announced a one-week break before the final exams. After the genin dispersed, the jonin gathered beside the Third Hokage, their expressions grave.
Kakashi arrived last, his face unusually serious.
"Kakashi," said the Third Hokage, taking a slow puff from his pipe, "how is the curse mark's seal?"
"The seal itself is stable," Kakashi replied. "But…"
"But?"
"I ran into Orochimaru."
"What?!" The jonin in the room tensed instantly, anger flashing in their eyes.
"Orochimaru dared to appear in Konoha? Is he looking to die?!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled another puff of smoke, eyes shadowed. "So it's come to this…"
After a long pause, he turned back to Kakashi. "And what do you think of Hayate?"
At the mention of the name, the room grew quiet. The jonin exchanged looks, uncertain how to answer.
"Yūhi Kurenai," Hiruzen said, turning to her. "You're his squad leader. What's your assessment?"
Kurenai folded her arms thoughtfully. "He's growing fast—far too fast. His mindset is calm, mature. No one ever taught him advanced ninjutsu, yet he's mastered them as if by instinct, as though he reached an epiphany on his own. His talent… it's terrifying."
"I see." The Third Hokage nodded slowly. "The next exam is in one week. Orochimaru's presence may signal a deeper plan. Remain vigilant. Dismissed."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
When the others left, Hiruzen stayed behind, staring at the smoke curling from his pipe."Should I report him to the ANBU already?" he muttered to himself. After a moment's thought, he shook his head. "No… Hayate's strength still has room to grow. He's a dragon waiting to take flight."
"Hokage-sama."
A masked ANBU operative appeared, kneeling.
"What's your impression of Kazehaya Hayate?" Hiruzen asked quietly, still gazing out the window where birds soared above the rooftops.
The ANBU, codenamed Dragon, replied firmly, "Though he's officially a genin, the ninjutsu level he displays already exceeds most jonin. His instantaneous movement combined with swordsmanship is devastating. He's… a rare talent."
"Hmm." Hiruzen nodded in agreement. "Then there's no need for him to continue the exams. Inform him that he will be promoted to chunin ahead of schedule."
"Yes, Hokage-sama." Dragon bowed and disappeared.
Hiruzen watched the empty space where the ANBU had stood, murmuring softly, "Let's hope the Will of Fire burns brightly in your heart, Kazehaya Hayate…"
"Hey! Hayate! Where are you headed?"
Naruto's voice rang out as he jogged up from behind. Hayate was walking down the path from the arena, carrying Hinata on his back, with Kiba trailing a few steps behind.
"Ah, Naruto." Hinata's voice was soft and flustered. Seeing him, her face flushed crimson, and she immediately buried her head against Hayate's shoulder.
"We were just heading home," Hayate said, giving Naruto a lazy side glance. "Eat something, get some sleep. Pretty basic recovery plan, y'know?"
He could feel Hinata fidgeting slightly on his back, and despite the exhaustion, he couldn't help smiling.
"Well," Naruto said, scratching his head, "I'm planning to gather everyone and visit Lee and Sasuke at the hospital. Wanna come along?"
Hayate thought for a moment. "Sure. Hinata needs to get checked out anyway."
"N-No… really, I'm fine…" Hinata whispered, her voice barely audible—but there was a faint strength hidden in her tone.
"It's fine," Hayate replied lightly. "I'll take care of you."
Just then, a stern voice interrupted.
"That won't be necessary."
A man stepped out from the corner—his pale eyes identical to Hinata's, his expression severe.
"Ah—Uncle Chunxiao!" Hinata exclaimed softly, bowing her head.
"Miss Hinata!" Hyuga Chunxiao's gaze darkened the instant he saw the blood at the corner of her mouth. "You're injured?! Come, I'll take you home immediately for treatment!"
Without waiting for permission, he stepped forward to take her from Hayate's back.
Hayate sidestepped smoothly, voice cool. "No need. I've got her."
You've got to be kidding me, Hayate thought bitterly. Finally get a moment alone with Hinata, and this guy shows up out of nowhere to ruin it. If I didn't have to play nice, I'd plant a Rasengan right on that smug face.
"Who are you supposed to be?" Chunxiao demanded, glaring.
"Uncle Chunxiao," Hinata said softly, "Brother Hayate is my teammate."
"Hayate…?" Chunxiao's brow furrowed. The name sounded familiar. Then his eyes widened, and he let out a mocking laugh. "Oh! You mean that Kazehaya Hayate—the one who kept failing the academy exams three or four years in a row? The so-called dead-last of dead-lasts?"
He smirked arrogantly. "And you think you can talk to me like that? Don't forget your place, genin."
What an arrogant idiot. Hayate's expression darkened, though his smile didn't fade.
The system really did saddle me with quite the 'reputation.' Anyone and everyone thinks they can mock me. Fine then… just wait for the next Chunin Exams. Let's see who's laughing after that.
"What's that look?" Chunxiao sneered, stepping closer. "You unhappy with something?"
He reached out, hand aiming to roughly pat Hayate's head—
—but Hayate's eyes flashed.
In a blur, he tilted his head aside, drew the silver-white blade from his waist, and slashed toward Chunxiao in one swift, gleaming arc.