Graduation day arrived beneath a bright Konoha sky, the Academy buzzing with restless excitement. Naruto sat slouched in his chair, fingers drumming against the desk as he watched his classmates chatter nervously. When Sasuke walked past him with that usual cold confidence, Naruto couldn't help himself.
"Yoo, teme, ready for graduation?" Naruto called out with a grin.
Sasuke's mouth twitched faintly. "Just you wait. I'm going to defeat you."
Naruto snorted. "All the best, teme." He quickly slid away from Sasuke's row, muttering inwardly. Yeah, I'm definitely staying away from him today. He clearly remembered that horrifying accidental kiss from the original timeline. No way I'm reliving that nightmare.
Spotting a familiar pair of pale lavender eyes, Naruto brightened. "Yoo, Hinata, you ready for graduation?"
Hinata looked at him, her posture straighter than before. "Yes, I am. And I will keep working hard." Her voice held a new firmness that hadn't been there in the past.
Naruto smiled and raised his fist. "See? You'll become stronger with that kind of determination."
Hinata smiled softly and bumped her fist against his. "Of course I will."
I want to stand beside you after all, she added silently, warmth blooming in her chest.
"Hey, what about me?" Ino suddenly jumped between them, hands on her hips.
Naruto laughed. "You'll also become a great kunoichi, Ino." He raised his fist again, and Ino smirked before bumping it confidently.
"Of course I will," she said proudly. "I'm not losing to anyone."
From the back, Shikamaru sighed dramatically. "Life just became more troublesome. Now we'll have to do missions."
"Yeah, but I'm gonna be Hokage!" Kiba barked, grinning widely.
Naruto smirked at him. "Nope. It's me who's going to become Hokage."
Though inwardly, he shouted toward the hidden watchers, Yes, you can become Hokage. He could practically feel the Third Hokage observing through his crystal ball and the subtle presence of several jonin monitoring the class.
"Naruto-kun…" Hinata called softly, as if wanting to say something important.
Naruto turned toward her. "Yeah, Hinata?"
Before she could continue, a boy stumbled from behind and crashed into Naruto's back. Naruto lurched forward—and his lips met Hinata's.
The classroom froze.
The boy blinked in horror. "S-sorry about tha—"
"No way…" someone whispered.
"Did Naruto just kiss Hinata?"
"Damn, that's so romantic!"
"Hey, don't shout nonsense! He just slipped because that kid bumped into him!"
"But why are they still like that?"
Naruto and Hinata snapped back to reality and stumbled apart, both faces burning crimson.
"Hi-Hinata, I didn't do that on purpose!" Naruto blurted out, waving his hands. "It was an accident, I swear!"
Hinata covered her face, steam practically rising from her head. "H-Hmm…" she nodded shyly, unable to form words.
Ino's eye twitched as she caught the small, blissful smile hidden behind Hinata's hands. Her gaze slowly shifted toward the trembling boy responsible.
"Don't you know how to walk?" Ino snapped. "And you want to be a ninja?"
"So-sorry!" the boy stammered.
"Ino, it was an accident. Stop being troub—" Shikamaru began, only to freeze at the icy glare she shot him. "...Troublesome," he finished weakly, deciding silence was safer.
Ino huffed and dropped into her seat, only to notice Hinata peeking at her—and winking with a tiny victorious smile.
You… Ino fumed inwardly. Fine, that was your victory. Just you wait. It's just a kiss.
Hinata looked away innocently, but the sparkle in her eyes betrayed her triumph. Rivals they might be, but today she had scored first.
"Ahem." Iruka-sensei's voice cut through the noise. "The exam will start now. Come forward when your name is called and demonstrate the Clone Jutsu. Pass this, and you will graduate."
Naruto leaned toward Hinata again. "Hey, Hinata, can you place the leaf mark on my scarf?"
Hinata's expression softened instantly. "Of course I can, Naruto-kun."
Naruto grinned as he handed her the red scarf. "You're the best, you know that?"
Hinata held the fabric carefully. "It's the one I gave you… You're still wearing it?"
"Of course," Naruto replied without hesitation. "I told you I'd treasure it."
Her smile brightened like the morning sun. Ino watched quietly this time—and then looked at the leaf pendant resting around Naruto's neck. A small, satisfied smile curved her lips.
After receiving his forehead protector, Naruto passed it to Hinata.
"Don't worry," Hinata said gently. "It will be ready by tomorrow, before team assignments."
"Thanks, Hinata." Naruto flashed her a grin before heading toward his training ground.
From today onward, there will be no ANBU tailing me. I'm finally free.
"Hey, Naruto!" Ino's voice rang out just as he prepared to begin training.
He turned with a lazy wave. "Yo. You need me in—"
He never finished the sentence. Ino grabbed his collar and pressed her lips against his.
She pulled back just as quickly, face red but eyes determined. "I'm not losing to Hinata," she declared before running off.
Naruto stood frozen for a long moment, scratching the back of his head. "Well… didn't expect Ino to be that bold." He chuckled softly. "So the girls are open about their silent rivalry now, huh?"
Naruto wasn't a dense protagonist. He knew Hinata liked him. But Ino? That was surprise to him.
"Well, let time decide where we go," he muttered thoughtfully. "No need to rush."
Still, he couldn't stop the bright smile spreading across his face.
Ino… Hinata…
Their names echoed warmly in his heart as the winds of a new chapter in his life began to stir.