Hiruzen had feared the boy might refuse or deliberately throw the selection. So instead of risking it, he forced the announcement—Hyuga Shigeo advanced directly. Fairness mattered less than securing his entry.
Shigeo followed the official into the office building. The Third Hokage stood waiting.
"Hyuga Shigeo, this joint exam counts as your first mission. I want you to take first place. Can you do it?"
"I don't know. As long as I don't fail the mission." His tone was flat.
"No. If you don't win, it is failure. Decide carefully." Hiruzen turned away, relieved he had bypassed the test—otherwise this boy might have simply walked off.
Word spread quickly. Students whispered bitterly that he had skipped the trial. Even older kids scowled. Shigeo ignored them. His place was secured.
With the day free, he went to Ichiraku Ramen. Ayame beamed. "You finally have a break. You should rest instead of working."
"It's fine. It's been a while since I saw Uncle. Besides, he and you always looked after me." He handed her a small box. "Here. A gift."
She wiped her hands, opened it, and froze. Inside was a necklace—diamonds of many sizes, the largest a teardrop at the center, with colored gems set around it.
"This… this can't be real?"
Teuchi glanced over, chuckling. "Probably just glass. Thank him anyway. He wanted to bring you something."
Shigeo kept scrubbing bowls. "It's real. Don't lose it."
Teuchi frowned, took the box, and dragged Ayame across the street to a jeweler. Minutes later, cries rang out. They stumbled back pale-faced.
"Ayame, pinch me. Am I dreaming? That jeweler said… it's the only piece of its kind. Worth fifty million!" Teuchi clutched his chest and nearly collapsed.
Shigeo quickly steadied him with chakra. Teuchi gasped, snatched the box, and shoved it back into the boy's hands. "Too valuable. We can't accept it. Absolutely not."
Onlookers gathered in the street. Shigeo saw the stares and nodded. "Fine. If you won't accept, I'll take it back."
Relieved, Teuchi insisted again. "Keep it. You live alone. Your thought is enough."
Back inside, Ayame whispered, "Thank you."
Shigeo smiled faintly, then slipped the box back into her hands. "Hide it well. Don't tell anyone. If the wrong people know, it will bring danger."
"I don't want it. Just promise to visit often." She lowered her head.
Teuchi only smiled knowingly. Shigeo quietly tucked the box into a cupboard. To him, it was theirs now, whether they claimed it or not.
The three worked together through the morning. By midday the shop was full. Students crowded in, not for ramen but to gawk.
"There he is. The one who skipped the test."
"Just a blind kid. Must've used connections."
"Disgraceful. I won't compete if this is how it works."
Teuchi slammed the counter. "This is my shop. You want to eat, wait in line. Cause trouble and get out!"
His voice silenced the crowd. Most of the children scattered, leaving only real customers.
Ayame leaned close. "Don't mind them. I know how strong you are."
Shigeo shrugged, rinsing bowls. "Words don't fill a stomach. Forget it."
(End of Chapter)
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