12 Relationship Exposure

As the morning light gently filtered through the curtains, another vibrant day unfolded.

Under the persistent chime of the alarm clock, Hayashi began to stir from his slumber. He emerged from the depths of his dreams, gradually gaining awareness of his surroundings as the remnants of sleep dissipated like morning mist.

Upon sitting up, an unusual hush descended upon his surroundings.

This silence stretched beyond the confines of his room, enveloping the entirety of his space and engulfing even the bustling noise of village life outside.

At dawn, the rhythm of breathing seemed to echo like a soft breeze, causing the world to stand still.

Breaths intertwined, delicately caressing the leaves.

Yet, this fleeting sense of awareness flickered away as swiftly as it had come, dissipating into the unknown.

Though he yearned to grasp it once more, the sensation eluded him.

However, he knew in his heart that it was no mere illusion.

"Is this the power of a true swordsman?" he pondered, his hand gently pressed to his forehead. Memories of the epic clash between Hawkeye and Shanks flooded his thoughts, prompting a soft murmur, "Such power seems almost beyond human."

The duel between the two legendary swordsmen had carved an unforgettable memory into Hayashi's mind.

Indeed, it was a spectacle that widened his perspective and underscored the vast disparity between top-tier swordsmen and true masters of the blade.

Though Hawkeye and Shanks currently stood at the pinnacle of swordsmanship, he recognized that they were destined for even greater heights.

Through his connection with Hawkeye's perspective, Hayashi had glimpsed the realm of the true swordsman in advance—a realm where strength surpassed mortal limits.

This newfound insight had proven invaluable, vastly deepening his understanding.

[Your template of 'Hawkeye' has been unlocked to 47.86%.]

Upon seeing the unlocking progress, he rose with a gleeful spirit. After briefly washing up in the bathroom, he assigned a shadow clone to attend the graduation assessment at the ninja school in his place.

As usual, he made his way to his training ground. There, he immersed himself in the practice of swordsmanship, dedicating himself fully to honing his skills. With proficiency in the technique of 'cutting' attained, the need for basic swordsmanship practice waned. From that point forward, his focus shifted to refining his ability to sense the Breath of All Things.

Meditating could be a tedious affair, testing the limits of one's patience. Yet, it was also a practice in mental fortitude and self-cultivation. Swordsmen often sought to discover their unique path within the realm of swordsmanship.

For Hayashi, particularly after attaining awareness of the Breath of All Things, he found himself drawn to the serenity of swordsmanship. The quieter his mind became, the clearer the rhythm of voice he perceived. 

In this state, he felt his power steadily rising. As he assumed the sword posture, each passing minute marked a step further along his journey.

The morning slipped away swiftly.

When his shadow clone returned to the training ground bearing a bento and a Genin forehead protector, he had just emerged from his state of swordsmanship.

Accepting the bento, specially prepared by Hinata, he spared only a passing glance at the Genin forehead protector before departing from the training ground.

After enjoying the bento at a nearby restaurant, he cleaned the bento box and returned home.

Dismissing the shadow clone, he received word that Hinata would visit him later.

Holding the Genin forehead protector in his hand, Hayashi closed his eyelids slightly. It seemed as if he was taking a moment to rest, the weight of the metal emblem grounding him in the present.

"Hayashi..."

It didn't take long before he heard Hinata's gentle voice.

Opening his eyes, he looked at Hinata. She was standing before him with a bunch of keys in her hands, gazing at him softly.

Meeting her lavender pure white eyes, he smiled and said, "Let's go." 

"Yeah." Hinata smiled faintly and nodded.

The two left the house, walking side by side down the street toward the ninja school.

After the graduation assessment, they would need to have their pictures taken for their ninja files.

When it came time for the photos, Hayashi chose not to have a shadow clone take his place.

Partly for the significance of the occasion, and partly because he needed a moment of calm.

Ever since witnessing the battle between Hawkeye and Shanks, he had been in a constant state of excitement. A new world awaited him on the horizon, filling him with anticipation and wonder.

Tomorrow would mark a fresh beginning. It would be the start of his own journey, one that would disrupt the storm of history.

With this realization, he suddenly reached out and grabbed Hinata's hand.

"Hayashi..."

Feeling her hand held by him, Hinata's body trembled slightly. A blush graced her cheeks as she stole a glance at him.

Seeing Hayashi's gaze fixed ahead, seemingly unaware of her scrutiny, she lowered her head slightly. Tentatively, she clasped his hand, unsure of his reaction

Sensing the girl's resolve, he couldn't help but smile faintly. Their clasped hands shifted to interlock their fingers, resembling a couple deeply in love.

"Hayashi, Hinata, you..."

Just as Hayashi and Hinata arrived at the gate of the ninja school, a graceful figure suddenly appeared before them.

It was Ino. Her expression showed surprise as she glanced at him and Hinata, their hands intertwined. Observing Hinata's blush, she remarked, "Ah, no wonder Hayashi seems uninterested in other girls. Looks like he's already been taken."

"Um... Ino..." Hinata stammered, her face flushing as dizziness clouded her thoughts.

Unperturbed, he paid no heed to Ino's teasing. Firmly holding Hinata's hand, which attempted to break free, he nodded at the blond girl before ushering Hinata into the ninja school.

Watching the two depart, Ino smiled softly.

"They make quite the pair," she mused, devoid of envy or jealousy.

In their younger years, a group of girls led by her had vied for Hayashi's attention. However, their pursuit was short-lived.

Many were openly rebuffed by him, their advances quelled by his commanding presence as the class's top student. Even those harboring secret affections dared not approach him.

Initially persistent, Ino's interest waned over time. It was redirected from her former crush to her ongoing feud with her best friend, Haruno Sakura.

She had once believed that no woman in the class was worthy of someone as aloof as Hayashi. Yet, in an unexpected turn, Hinata—often overlooked and shy—had quietly won the race.

Hyuga Hinata had proven herself, against all odds.