"It's okay!" Might Guy waved his fists enthusiastically, exuding his usual youthful energy. "Our mission hasn't even started yet! Didn't Tazuna say that there's a bad guy named Gato in the Land of Waves? Hehe! Just wait until I arrive—I'll take him down with the power of youth!"
Kazuki couldn't help but smile.
I have a feeling that sensei is about to be disappointed.
After a brief rest, Kazuki, Might Guy, and Tazuna resumed their journey toward Tazuna's home. They reached their destination in less than two hours.
Upon their arrival, Tazuna's family welcomed them with warm hospitality. However, just as Might Guy was preparing to showcase his skills by dealing with the infamous Gato, an unexpected piece of news sent shockwaves through everyone.
Gato was dead!
The tyrant who had oppressed the Land of Waves had been eliminated—silently and efficiently—by a member of a mysterious organization, right in his own office.
Tazuna was in disbelief at first. It wasn't until his daughter and fellow bridge workers confirmed the news that he finally accepted it.
Without wasting any time, Tazuna quickly left with his colleagues—whether to handle the country's affairs or to push forward with the bridge's construction remained unclear.
Might Guy, on the other hand, looked visibly disappointed. His enthusiasm deflated like a punctured balloon.
Then, as if sensing something was off with his sharp intuition, he suddenly turned to Kazuki, narrowing his eyes.
"Wait a second... Kazuki! You weren't involved in this, were you?!"
Kazuki blinked innocently. "Sensei, without any evidence, you can't accuse me of something like that!"
"Besides, if Gato is already dead, that means the Land of Waves is no longer in danger. Our mission is basically over, right?"
"Uh… I guess so." Might Guy scratched his head. "Once Tazuna returns, we'll confirm everything with him. If the mission is complete, we can leave tomorrow."
No, he's avoiding the topic!
Might Guy suddenly realized this, and his suspicions about Kazuki deepened. He had no proof, but something told him his apprentice had something to do with Gato's demise.
"Kazuki… you really didn't—"
Before Might Guy could finish his question, Kazuki quickly interrupted.
"Sensei, did you forget that my graduation exam is the day after tomorrow?"
"Huh? Graduation exam… the day after tomorrow?" Might Guy froze, clearly having forgotten.
"I knew it," Kazuki muttered, rubbing his forehead in exasperation. "We have to return to Konoha before then. If we don't finish this mission in time, I'll miss my exam and have to repeat a year."
"Ah…" Might Guy looked guilty for a moment, then straightened up, placing a hand over his chest.
"Don't worry, Kazuki! As soon as we report back to Tazuna, we'll leave immediately! I promise you—we'll make it back in time!"
Konoha.
Inside the Ninja Academy classroom, a group of twelve-year-old students gathered in small clusters, their faces filled with barely contained excitement.
Today was their graduation exam!
"After today, we'll officially be genin!"
"We've practiced the Three Basic Jutsu so many times—this test will be easy!"
"Finally! I'm going to graduate and start my journey to becoming Hokage!" a boy with a runny nose declared proudly.
"Hahaha!" The classroom erupted into laughter.
Just then, a Chunin instructor wearing a Konoha forehead protector and a green vest entered the room.
The students immediately fell silent.
Looking at their eager faces, the instructor smiled slightly, feeling a rare moment of pride.
"Students, after six years at the Ninja Academy, the time has finally come. Today, you will take your graduation exam. Please line up in an orderly fashion and proceed to the designated examination room."
Following his instructions, the students quickly formed lines and began filing out of the classroom one by one.
Rock Lee was also ready to stand up and get in line.
At this moment, he noticed that Tenten was still sitting in her seat, her expression clouded with worry.
"Tenten, are you worried about Brother Kazuki because he hasn't come back yet?"
Tenten nodded, a hint of sadness in her eyes. Her small face puffed up like an angry bun as she said irritably,
"That idiot brother! When we last talked, I told him today was the graduation exam, so he had to be back early! But now, he's still nowhere to be seen!"
Even though she sounded annoyed, her face clearly showed her concern for Kazuki.
Rock Lee chuckled. "With Brother Kazuki's strength, I'm sure nothing can stop him!"
"But what if he's late and misses the exam?" Tenten said anxiously. "If he doesn't take it, he won't be able to graduate and will have to repeat another year!"
At that moment, a calm voice joined the conversation.
"He'll be back for sure."
Neji Hyuga spoke with absolute confidence.
Tenten and Rock Lee were both taken aback—they hadn't expected Neji to have such faith in Kazuki.
Since their barbecue gathering before, thanks to Kazuki's influence, Tenten and Rock Lee had grown closer to Neji. Despite his usual stoic demeanor and blunt words, he was ultimately a good person at heart. After spending time together, they had come to see him as a friend.
"Neji… how do you know?" Rock Lee asked.
Neji's expression remained unwavering. With a look of certainty, he declared,
"That guy is someone I consider my rival. I know he won't let me down. He will be here for today's graduation exam."
Hearing Neji's words, Tenten's tension eased slightly.
She remembered what her brother had told her before he left—he had promised to return before the exam. She had to trust him.
"Let's go. We should take our exams too," Tenten said to Rock Lee and Neji.
At the Ninja Academy
The graduation exams were proceeding in an orderly manner.
The test focused on the Clone Jutsu, one of the fundamental techniques of the Three Basic Jutsu. Most students managed to pass, though a few, lacking the necessary talent, failed to graduate.
For students like Tenten, Rock Lee, and Neji—who consistently ranked among the top in their class—the Clone Jutsu was an easy task. One by one, they passed without difficulty.
However, there was still no sign of Kazuki.
Time ticked by, and the number of students waiting in line dwindled. Finally, the last student entered the exam room.
By now, the sun was beginning to set. The golden light of dusk stretched their shadows along the academy corridor.
Tenten, Rock Lee, and Neji, who had already completed their exams, remained standing in the hallway. Despite passing, none of them looked happy.
Kazuki still hadn't shown up.
A heavy silence settled between them.
"…Brother… is he really not going to make it?" Tenten murmured, unwilling to believe it.
"Who said I wouldn't make it?"
A sudden voice rang out in the corridor.
In the next instant, a powerful gust of wind surged through the narrow space, forcing Tenten, Rock Lee, and Neji to shield their faces.
When the wind subsided, two figures stood before them.
One was a man in green training gear, his bowl-cut hair and thick eyebrows unmistakable. Standing beside him was a striking young man in white, his features refined and composed.
"Brother…?"
Tenten was stunned for a moment. Then, realization hit her.
Her brother, Kazuki—he was finally back!
Overwhelmed, she rushed into his arms, her eyes glistening with tears.
Four years apart… He had grown taller. He looked even more handsome.
"Brother! What took you so long?!" Tenten demanded with a mix of relief and frustration.
Kazuki raised his hands in surrender. "Ahem… You should ask Guy-sensei about that. If I hadn't reminded him about the graduation exam, he'd still be out enjoying missions without a care in the world."
"Uhh… well…" Might Guy scratched his head awkwardly before quickly changing the subject. "Anyway! We made it just in time! Now, Kazuki, hurry up and take your exam!"
Tenten finally let go of her brother, albeit reluctantly.
She still had a lot she wanted to say, but she knew Kazuki's exam was the priority now.
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