Saul and Hinata met up each morning for days after that. They were constantly seen together in public, walking, talking, yet always keeping a respectful distance. Their continued practice saw results as well - Hinata was performing better on all fronts and was able to speak her mind - as long as Saul was around.
However, Saul's time to get Hinata to confess was running out. The graduation exams were coming up. Once they became genin, they would have little opportunity to meet up or choose schedules as they pleased. Plus, he still didn't know for sure whether or not he'd be assigned to Hinata's genin squad! If that happened to be the case, Saul would lose most of the progress he had worked so hard for with her!
He had been suggesting the idea to her as of late - that she should go and talk to the real Naruto soon. Telling her he believed she was ready. Of course he knew she really wasn't ready - her continued procrastination and embarrassed denials when he brought up the subject were evidence of it. However, his real goal was just to put the idea into her head, to familiarize herself with it. Saul knew the perfect opportunity was coming soon.
Today, it arrived.
"We are now about to begin the graduation test." Iruka said, eyes glued to a piece of paper. He was normally more brash, enthusiastic. It was clear he was reading his speech directly from the book.
"When your name is called, please proceed to the next classroom. The test is on the clone jutsu."
Saul glanced over at Naruto. The blond had shut his eyes and was holding his face in his hands. Yep. Saul was getting a strong sense of Deja Vu. Exactly the same as canon.
In the original work, it was stated Naruto had failed the Graduation Exam multiple times before. How could this be the case if he was the same age as the rest of his classmates, and the graduation exam was only ever held once a year?
Well as it turns out, the Ninja academy had multiple 'graduation exams' throughout the year. Each was a test of a specific skill the academy taught that was required to be learned. The Transformation Jutsu, Kunai throwing, Combat, all were continually tested and re-evaluated.
The final graduation exam was weighted the highest as a way of creating artificial pressure on the examinees. It tested not only their skill in the field (which the academy already had a pretty good idea about), but also more critically how well they performed under pressure. If an examinee crumpled in the final exam but had good results otherwise, they could still be passed. The only consequence being a note in the file for their team leader to read.
This is why Mizuki was able to make a show of arguing with Iruka that Naruto should pass. The result of the final exam was not an end all be all despite what it might have seemed like.
"Saul!"
Finally! It was his turn! Hinata gave him an encouraging smile as he got up. He followed Iruka into the next classroom, where a bunch of Konoha headbands were prepared. Mizuki, a blue haired man who taught the prior year, sat near the headbands and reclined back in his chair. Iruka took his seat next to him.
"Please perform 5 casts of the clone jutsu. You may begin when you are ready."
Saul cast the jutsu 5 times consecutively without any issue and earned his Konoha headband. He wondered exactly where the limits of his Chakra were - he never seemed to have a problem with stamina regarding the Academy Jutsu. A thought to figure out at another time, for now he headed back to the graduation room to await the upcoming drama.
It only took a short while for Naruto Uzumaki to come trudging back, holding back his sorrow so desperately it was like he was mourning a dead relative. Did he actually have any relatives alive at this point? I'm not sure if Jiraiya counts... Regardless, the point stands!
Saul glanced knowingly over at Hinata, who seemed positively horrified over Naruto's current state. At this point it was only a matter of time...
After the exams, everyone was let off early. Graduates talked excitedly with their relatives, showing off their newly acquired headbands. This was not the case for Saul. Nor was it the case for Hinata. And to the desolate Naruto Uzumaki, it couldn't be anywhere further from the truth.
"Damn it... Iruka sensei..."
Naruto couldn't believe it! After their talk at Ichiraku ramen, he thought Iruka understood! Even Mizuki sensei, who had previously given him so much trouble, thought he should pass! Was it all an act!? Why! Why did everyone hate him so much!
"Uno... Naruto-kun..."
A black haired girl stood in-front of Naruto, hugging her arms to her chest.
Naruto's voice came out sharper than he wanted it to be. "What." Hinata flinched.
Still, remembering her training with Saul, Hinata tried to shake it off. She smiled at Naruto.
"Do you remember me?" She asked, "I'm Hinata, from your class."
Hinata still remembered it clearly, when Naruto fought off all those bullies for her. Well... he tried to anyway. He showed her a valuable ideology that day when he took a beating for her. Even in the face of failure, you should never give up. That was his ninja way. Hinata had always admired him for it.
"No."
Naruto's response was brash, honest, and concise. Why was she talking to someone like him, anyway! Didn't she have parents to go home to!? Unlike him...
Hinata felt like she was going to cry. She quickly pulled herself together one last time, for Naruto's sake. He needed her now. He was hurting. Hinata forced a smile, pumping her fist.
"Naruto-kun, fighting! Wasn't that your ninja way? Never give up! If you keep trying, I believe you will become Hokage one day!"
Naruto looked up at her with trembling eyes. Was this acknowledgement? Finally, did someone truly believe in him!? Then he remembered Iruka. Hinata's kind words, those which she forced herself to say, now sounded like mockery to his ears. He could tell when a smile was forced! He wouldn't be fooled, not again!
Naruto immediately stood up with rage. "Shut up! I don't need your, or anyone else's pity! Just you wait! I'll show you all one day!"
The entire area went silent after Naruto's yelling except for the sound of Hinata's quiet sobs. Some held back their children quietly, faces full of hatred and fear. Naruto was initially taken aback by her reaction, but his facial features quickly hardened back into a grimace. She had started it! Why the hell was she the one playing victim all of a sudden!?
Mizuki body-flickered to Naruto's shoulder. Naruto looked up at the one sensei who seemed to believe in him and sneered.
Mizuki was unfazed. He could use this boy. Unlike himself, Naruto was registered as one of the few who could enter the Hokage's office without triggering the seals. The scroll of seals was practically already his for the taking! He body-flickered away with Naruto.
Right at that moment, Saul arrived at Hinata's side and helped her up. He rubbed her back and escorted her over to a more quiet place.
"Shhh, shhh... It's ok Hinata... Everything will be ok." Hinata cried into his arms.
Author's Note: And so Saul's plan comes to fruition. While writing it, I was surprised how well it seemed to play out! Everything flowed incredibly naturally, from Hinata's words to how a part one Naruto would talk and react! I'm very happy with the way this chapter turned out, lol. Please leave a comment if you also enjoyed it!