Chapter 15: Terms and Tests
A cold silence followed Hiashi's words. Seeing Hinata flinch under her father's stern gaze, a spark of protective anger ignited within Kamikawa Hiraoka. He wouldn't stand by while she was intimidated, not even by her own father.
Compared to Hiashi's icy demeanor, Yamanaka Inoichi's frustration felt almost warm.
Hinata, her worry for Hiraoka plain on her face, looked between the two most important men in her life.
Hiashi's gaze remained fixed on Hiraoka, his voice cutting through the tension. "My approval is not given lightly. My daughter's future is not a trivial matter."
"You mean I need to prove my worth," Hiraoka stated, his tone even and unwavering. It wasn't a question.
"Precisely," Hiashi replied.
So, it's strength that speaks here, Hiraoka thought, his resolve hardening.
Inoichi, who had been observing quietly, finally tapped a finger on the table. "Our terms are simple," he declared. "Excel in the upcoming graduation exam. Then, secure first place in the forthcoming Chunin Exams. That will serve as a sufficient demonstration of your potential."
Hiraoka didn't even blink. "That's it? I thought you were going to demand I become Hokage. A mere Chunin Exam is hardly a challenge. Consider it done." He waved a hand dismissively, a calculated display of arrogance meant to mask his relief. The conditions were, in fact, perfectly manageable.
The sheer nonchalance in his agreement gave both fathers pause. They exchanged a brief, startled glance. For a moment, they wondered if they had set the bar too low.
"Very well," Inoichi said, standing up and brushing off his clothes. "We will hold you to that."
With a final, unreadable look from Hiashi, the two men vanished from the doorway as silently as they had arrived.
Hiraoka let out a long, slow breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "Well," he said, turning to the two wide-eyed girls, "shall we go? We have a graduation exam to attend."
The walk to the academy was a spectacle. Hiraoka walked proudly between Hinata and Ino, each of their hands held firmly in his. The envious and scandalized looks from passers-by were a sweet nectar to him. He only released their hands as they reached the academy gates, yielding to their whispered, flustered pleas.
In the classroom, the air was thick with nervous energy. Iruka stood at the front, his expression serious.
"Today determines if you have what it takes to call yourselves shinobi," he began.
Uchiha Sasuke, his impatience palpable, cut him off with a cold, "Enough talk. Just tell us where to go."
Iruka was taken aback for a moment, then sighed inwardly. "Everyone, follow me," he said, forgoing any further speech.
As they were led to the examination hall, Hiraoka watched Sasuke with a sense of dark amusement. The act is already beginning. The avenger has no time for sentiment or ceremony.
"Enter in pairs for the assessment!" an examiner announced. "First pair: Uchiha Sasuke and Nara Shikamaru!"
Shikamaru trudged forward, his hands in his pockets and a look of profound boredom on his face. "What a drag..." he muttered. Sasuke strode past him, his expression unreadable.
Not long after, Sasuke emerged first, his face a stony mask that revealed nothing. Shortly after, Shikamaru followed, looking as uninterested as when he went in.
"Naruto, stop worrying about others," Hiraoka said with a light laugh, seeing Naruto's anxious expression. "I'm sure Shikamaru passed."
"Tch, of course he did," Shikamaru confirmed lazily.
The examinations continued. Some students emerged beaming with pride, clutching their new forehead protectors. Others stumbled out, faces streaked with tears of failure.
Finally, the call came. "Kamikawa Hiraoka and Uzumaki Naruto!"
Hiraoka rose calmly and walked in. Naruto, meanwhile, burst into the room with a loud, "Yeah! My turn!"
Inside, Iruka gave them an encouraging smile. "The test is simple. Demonstrate the Clone Technique and the Transformation Technique."
Hiraoka nodded. With fluid, precise hand seals, he performed both jutsu flawlessly. A solid, non-transparent clone appeared beside him, and in a puff of smoke, he perfectly transformed into Iruka's likeness.
"Excellent control, Hiraoka," Iruka praised, making a note on his clipboard. "You pass."
"Alright, Naruto, your turn," said Mizuki, the other proctor, his tone deceptively kind.
Naruto grinned, forming his seals with gusto. "Clone Technique!" he yelled. A single, pathetic, wheezing clone appeared beside him, wavered for a second, and then collapsed into a puddle of chakra on the floor.
Iruka's face fell. "I'm sorry, Naruto. Failed."
"Now, now, Iruka," Mizuki interjected smoothly. "He did create a clone, however weak. With more training..."
"Please, Iruka-sensei!" Naruto begged, his eyes wide with desperation. "Just let me pass!"
Iruka shook his head sadly. "The rules are clear, Naruto. I'm sorry."
Naruto's face fell, but then a mischievous, desperate glint appeared in his eyes. He had one more trick up his sleeve. "Fine! Then how about this one? Sexy Jutsu!"
In a much larger, more dramatic puff of smoke than Hiraoka's, the form of a stunning, smoke-shrouded woman appeared where Naruto had been standing.
Iruka's jaw dropped. Mizuki stared, speechless.
And Kamikawa Hiraoka, who had seen it all before, simply shook his head with a wry, internal sigh. Some things never change.
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I always though the academy was a waste of time. Years for training for just 3 ass Jutsu's. Bruh
I deserve stones