Chapter 28: The Chunin Exam BeginsJuly First
Today marked an important day for every genin with ambition.
The Chunin Exam had finally arrived.
Over the past several days, unfamiliar faces had appeared throughout Konoha's streets—genin from other villages, traveling long distances to participate in this examination.
Morning light fell across Ryuzen's doorstep.
Hinata and Shino waited outside, both ready.
Soon, the door opened. Ryuzen emerged in his black kimono, the tachi secured at his waist, red paper umbrella tucked beneath one arm.
Together, the three made their way toward the examination site.
The first exam would test their knowledge—a written examination held at the Ninja Academy.
As they walked, Ryuzen glanced back at his teammates. "You both have your application forms?"
"Yes." Hinata nodded.
Shino adjusted his sunglasses in confirmation.
Satisfied, Ryuzen continued leading them forward.
Second Floor Encounter
They reached the Academy quickly but didn't proceed directly to the examination rooms. First, they needed to submit their applications at the main building.
Climbing to the second floor, they found the corridor crowded with genin.
"—we should remove this genjutsu barrier quickly. I need to get to the third floor."
A familiar voice reached them.
Through gaps in the crowd, Ryuzen spotted the scene—just as he remembered from the original timeline.
Two chūnin guards stood before a doorway, their illusionary barrier already crumbling. As Uchiha Sasuke stepped forward, the guards suddenly attacked—
Only to be blocked by a boy in green tights with impossibly thick eyebrows.
"Hinata-sama."
Hinata noticed another figure among the group—a boy with the same pale eyes as her. A girl in a pink Chinese-style outfit stood nearby.
Team Guy. Hyūga Neji. Rock Lee. Tenten.
As if sensing her gaze, Neji turned.
Their eyes met briefly before Hinata lowered her head instinctively.
Neji approached.
"I didn't expect you to dare take the Chunin Exam so soon after graduating, Hinata-sama." His voice held no warmth—the honorific carried only cold formality, his eyes betraying deep-seated resentment.
"N-Neji... nii-san..." Hinata forced herself to look up, greeting him despite her discomfort.
Neji studied her timid expression, then spoke bluntly. "With your personality, you shouldn't be here. You're not suited for this exam. You're not suited to be a—"
THUD.
Before he could finish, a figure passed between them. Shoulder met shoulder.
Neji hit the ground.
The collision had been deliberate—a taijutsu specialist's stable stance meant nothing against that force.
"Neji!" Lee and Tenten rushed forward.
Every eye in the corridor fixed on the scene.
The one who had knocked Neji down stood calmly, looking down at the seated Hyūga with an expressionless face.
"Sorry. I wasn't paying attention." Ryuzen's apology carried no remorse. "But are you really a Hyūga clan ninja? With all due respect... you're the one who doesn't seem suited to be a shinobi."
Neji's eyes widened. The veins at his temples bulged as his Byakugan activated.
"You're angry?" Ryuzen's tone remained flat. "Then do your best to survive until the end. We'll definitely meet during the exam. Assuming you're not eliminated before then."
His crimson gaze swept over Lee and Tenten briefly. Then, without waiting for response, he continued toward the third floor, Hinata and Shino following silently.
Aftermath
"What's with that guy?" Tenten muttered resentfully, watching them go. "He's good-looking, but so arrogant! Neji, why didn't you hit him back?"
"I couldn't." Neji rose, brushing himself off, expression unreadable. "He had chakra gathered in his feet the entire time. And when he struck me, the force from his shoulder was incredible—comparable to Lee's kicks."
"No way..." Tenten covered her mouth. "He's that strong?"
Lee's expression mirrored her shock.
"That guy Ryuzen was the top student in our class."
A cheerful voice interrupted. Naruto Uzumaki stood nearby, Sasuke and Sakura beside him. His tone carried unconscious pride.
Sasuke said nothing, but didn't dispute the claim.
"Top student?" Neji's lips curved slightly. "I see. This is getting interesting."
He turned away. "Lee. Tenten. Let's go."
Before the Exam
After submitting their forms, Ryuzen's team left the main building and headed toward the examination hall.
Hinata walked beside him, head lowered, fingers intertwined.
Ryuzen misinterpreted her posture. Thinking she felt afraid after the confrontation, he offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. As long as I'm here, no one will hurt you."
"Mm." Hinata's response was soft.
She wasn't afraid at all.
She kept her head down because she didn't want anyone to see the joy in her eyes. The image of Ryuzen standing up for her played on repeat in her mind. The overwhelming sense of security made her heart sing.
They reached the examination building. At the entrance stood three familiar figures—their jōnin instructors.
Kakashi Hatake. Kurenai Yūhi. Asuma Sarutobi.
"There you are." Kurenai rose with a smile as they approached.
"Kurenai-sensei." The three greeted her.
Kakashi lowered his copy of Make-Out Paradise, studying Ryuzen with his visible eye. "So this is this year's top student. His temperament is much calmer than Sasuke's... and there's a restrained sharpness about him." He glanced at Kurenai. "You found a good student."
Kurenai's smile widened.
Ryuzen showed no reaction to the praise. Instead, he studied the famous Copy Ninja—white hair, masked face, forehead protector covering his left eye, jōnin vest. Exactly as memory painted him.
Meeting Kakashi's lazy gaze, Ryuzen nodded slightly. "Thank you for the compliment."
Then, after acknowledging Kurenai with another nod, he pushed open the examination room door.
Hinata and Shino followed him inside.
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