As long as there is a tree where Ye Fei dances, the Will of Fire will burn on.
The shadow of that fire will illuminate the village and cause new leaves to sprout. A ninja's true strength is revealed only when they fight to protect those dear to them.
In this world… to grow stronger, you must have someone worth protecting.
But who do you protect when you've just arrived in this world?
A dark-haired boy seated at the Ninja Academy pondered this quietly.
He stared at the test sheet in front of him—Konohagakure Year 61, Genin Graduation Exam – Class 145.
The test was divided into two sections: written and practical.
Kitahara Hitoshi, however, had been exempted from the practical due to special evaluation. Only the written exam remained.
He picked up the ink brush, filled in the answers precisely to the passing mark, then placed both hands calmly on the table.
He didn't need to be top of the class to prove anything, nor would he pretend to be the dead-last like Naruto. He just aimed for the quiet middle—just enough to pass.
Because...
He wasn't originally from this world.
His true name was Kitahara Hitoshi—a regular man from Earth who had collapsed from overwork one late night while solving equations.
When he opened his eyes again, he was in the body of a war orphan from the Hidden Leaf Village.
According to Konoha protocol, war orphans were enrolled into the Ninja Academy, trained, and raised to become shinobi—assets of the village.
Konoha raises you, and in return, you fight for Konoha.
A transactional bond. One Hitoshi didn't necessarily reject.
But unlike others in this world, he had no burning desire to climb to the top. In his previous life, he had died trying to achieve too much. So now, he only sought a peaceful existence.
Just a quiet life… becoming an average ninja, and raising rabbits.
Sure, most ninjas had companion animals known as Summoning Beasts, and although Hitoshi wasn't officially a Genin yet, he already had one.
A rabbit.
Three years ago, he found a strange rabbit with pale Byakugan-like eyes. Cold, proud, and elegant—but with a beautiful appearance—Hitoshi decided to raise it.
---
"Iruka-sensei… I'm done."
Surrounded by the rustling of brush strokes and whispered questions, Hitoshi raised his hand.
He walked up and handed the test sheet to his homeroom teacher, Iruka Umino.
"…Hitoshi." Iruka sighed lightly as he skimmed the paper. "Mm. Written exam—passed. Here's your forehead protector."
Iruka scratched his head in mild frustration. The kid was clearly smart—but he never overdid anything.
Case in point: 60 out of 100. The exact pass mark. Every answer correct. Not too much, not too little.
It wasn't laziness—it was confidence. Hitoshi knew what the threshold was and hit it exactly.
Just like that, he walked out of the classroom, Leaf forehead protector in hand.
Another Genin joined the Hidden Leaf ranks.
And Kitahara Hitoshi stepped one step closer to his vision of a simple life.
If only life were that easy…
"Wait—wait!"
A girl's voice called from behind, slightly out of breath.
Normally, a voice follows a person. But not here. Not in the ninja world.
Because before the voice, Hitoshi's left hand was already gently seized.
He turned his head.
Long, silky black hair spilled over her shoulders like a dark waterfall. Her Byakugan eyes shimmered with elegance and intensity.
Though still youthful, her beauty already hinted at the grace of womanhood.
She wore a light-blue jacket, black mesh covering her fair thighs.
This… was Hyūga Hinata. But not the shy, stammering girl from canon.
This was Black Hinata—the alternate personality that emerged under certain conditions, much like her "Road to Ninja" version. Bold. Dominant. Intensely clingy.
Three years ago, Hitoshi discovered Hinata would occasionally switch into this form for a week every month.
He had wondered then if this was really the ninja world, or a twisted doujinshi.
But the biggest mystery: no one else noticed there were two drastically different "Hinatas."
"What are you doing out here?" he asked, calmly trying to pull his hand free.
But she held on tight.
In her black mode, Hinata not only looked older and more… developed, but also had a new defining trait—extreme possessiveness.
Just my luck.
Three years ago, after rescuing a little girl insulted as a "white-eyed monster," Hitoshi hadn't realized the repercussions.
He hadn't left a name, hadn't intended anything special.
But Konoha was small. They met again at the Academy.
Since then, she had chosen the seat beside him.
At first, she was just like canon—quiet, soft-spoken, adorable.
And Hitoshi, who wanted a peaceful life, thought: Why not grow up with someone sweet and promising?
"I just finished the graduation exam," he said casually. "It wasn't too hard. I passed. Got my forehead protector."
"You know I've always done well on the written stuff."
Hinata wordlessly produced her own forehead protector.
Then stared.
Hard.
As if demanding praise.
Hitoshi inwardly sighed. Compared to his aloof pet rabbit, Hinata in this mode was the complete opposite—overbearing, expressive, and glued to him.
"Let's head to the Genin supply store," he offered.
"We need basic gear now—kunai, shuriken, scroll pouches…"
"No need," Hinata interrupted.
"I already bought three sets."
"One for you to use. One to replace it when it's worn. And one to return to me when you're done."
"…What kind of system is that?" he blinked. "Why do I have to return used gear to you? What are you going to do with it—sleep with it? That's dangerous, you know."
Hinata didn't respond. Her eyes just sparkled… creepily.
"Well, then I'll go buy pet food. My rabbit's supplies are running low again," he added.
At that, Black Hinata's mood instantly shifted.
She stiffened.
"…Then I'm not going to your place," she said flatly.
"Why?"
"Because of your rabbit," she huffed. "Its eyes creep me out."
"It glares at me like I'm some pitiful inferior species."
Her expression twisted as she remembered the disdainful way the white-eyed rabbit—Kaguya in disguise—had stared at her.
The Byakugan goddess disapproving of a modern Hyūga? Ironic.
Still, Hitoshi had no idea how deep that rabbit's identity would go.
At least for now… he just wanted to survive, pass the graduation, raise a bunny, and maybe—just maybe—grow up alongside a girl who kept flipping personalities.