Exam

In couple of chapters, there will be a timeskip then the novel will truly start!

--

Time slid by with the grace of leaves floating in the wind, and Ryomaru found himself evolving alongside his classmates. His prowess in Taijutsu had grown to such an extent that even Neji, revered as the best in the class above, found himself overmatched in duels. This newfound strength of Ryomaru established an unspoken hierarchy within the academy—his peers scarcely daring to challenge him. Initially, Kiba harbored some semblance of competitiveness but seeing Ryomaru surpass Neji marked the end of his defiance. Ryomaru's days unfolded in a symphony of spars against Iruka or Mizuki, or in guiding his fellow students under their watchful gazes. Thus, life at the academy flowed, leading to a day of jubilant celebration—graduation day for Neji, Lee, and Tenten's class.

Neji's class stood assembled in an orderly fashion in front of the academy, their faces a mix of anticipation and anxiety, awaiting the summons for their turn to display mastery in the three mandatory Jutsus. The written test was already a thing of the past, and now, one by one, students were called forth, their nerves a vivid dance of shadows upon their faces.

Meanwhile, amidst the structured chaos, Ryomaru, Hinata, Hanabi, and Temari engaged in animated conversation with Neji, Tenten, and Lee.

Ryomaru was talking vividly with Lee about the different fighting techniques they had learned.

With an excited glint in his eyes, Lee was unrelenting in his pursuit to coax Ryomaru into another rigorous training session, "Ryomaru, our last training was so exhilarating! We must train together again! Think of the strength we could gain!"

Ryomaru, recalling the exhaustive and relentless training regimen of Lee and Gai, smiled politely yet firmly, "Lee, training with you and Gai-sensei was indeed a unique experience. But I must admit, it was quite intense, even for my liking."

Lee's brows knitted in fervor, "Intensity is the key to unlocking our full potential! Ryomaru, you are a strong warrior; together, we could reach new heights!"

Ryomaru chuckled, placing a gentle hand on Lee's shoulder, "Your passion is admirable, Lee, but for now, I think I'll stick to my own pace. Maybe some other time."

Undaunted, Lee pressed on, "Very well! But the offer remains, my friend. The flames of youth burn brightly within us!"

While Lee and Ryomaru were engaged in their spirited exchange, Tenten found herself absorbed in conversation with Hinata, Hanabi, and Temari.

At this moment, Tenten was deeply engrossed in a hushed conversation with Hinata, Hanabi, and Temari. She was playfully nudging at the three girls, who had unwittingly dropped hints about having special someones in their hearts. Her eyes danced with mischief as she teased them, "So, who are the lucky ones then?"

Hanabi, cheeks aflame, retorted with a scowl, "There's no one, Tenten! Stop making things up!"

Temari, rolling her eyes yet harboring a shadow of a smile, said, "Indeed. We merely spoke in general."

However, it was Hinata who, with her downcast eyes and blush evident, merely mumbled, "I-it's not like that..."

Tenten chuckled and leaned closer, trying to coax more out of them. "Oh, come on! You all were so dreamy-eyed. It was so obvious!" Her eyes flickered knowingly between Hanabi and Temari. "Could it be... Ryomaru?"

Hanabi swiftly turned her face away, her silence betraying her thoughts, while Temari's eyes sharply met Tenten's, her voice firm yet evasive, "It's unwise to jump to conclusions."

Meanwhile, Neji, who was standing slightly aloof, listened to their conversation with a contemplative gaze. He wasn't participating but seemed to be absorbing every detail with a subtle intrigue in his eyes.

It was here, amidst the quiet teasing and whispered confessions, that Ryomaru joined the gathering with Lee still beside him, exuding his passionate aura about training and the boundless vigor of youth.

He greeted the group warmly, his voice laced with an easy-going charm, "So, what's the secret talk about?" His eyes lingered on Hanabi and Temari, catching the subtle shifts in their expressions.

Hanabi stiffened but maintained her composed facade, "Nothing of importance." Her eyes, however, betrayed a hidden mix of emotions as they briefly met Ryomaru's.

Hinata, who had been silent, timidly looked up, her voice a whisper, "H-how did the talk with Lee go, Ryomaru?"

Ryomaru smiled softly at Hinata, "As energetic as ever. He wants to train together again." He chuckled, "His spirit is indeed commendable."

Neji, still observing, silently acknowledged Ryomaru's unique ability to connect with people with a slight nod. The scenario before him portrayed vivid glimpses of the relationships intertwining around his cousin and the boy from the Cloud.

It was then Tenten decided to drag Neji into the conversation, "Neji, what do you think about all this? Don't you find their secretive talks intriguing?" She pointed her thumb towards the blushing trio.

Neji responded with a detached calmness, "It's not our place to pry into others' feelings."

Neji had always been firm in his convictions. To him, unwavering dedication and intense training were the sole pathways to victory. Every lesson from his father had underscored the importance of serving the Main Branch, emphasizing that service demanded strength. Naturally gifted due to his Hyuga lineage, Neji was already celebrated as a prodigy. He stood atop his peers, his talents and skills honed meticulously over the years. To him, life's distractions—be it friendships, emotions, or love—were potential weaknesses that could hinder his path to greatness.

However, despite all his beliefs, Ryomaru seemed to challenge them. Neji found it puzzling that a boy a year his junior, who embraced friendships and joys of life so openly, could still overpower him. Neji couldn't deny the fact that while Ryomaru's heritage played a part in his prowess, the young boy from the Cloud also trained with relentless dedication. But Ryomaru's approach to life was different. He had seamlessly balanced rigorous training with an equally vibrant social life, something Neji had not thought possible.

Neji watched Ryomaru carefully as they stood amongst their peers. The ease with which Ryomaru conversed, the subtle charm that emanated from him, and the way his ice-blue eyes captivated those around him made Neji introspective.

"Why so quiet, Neji?" Lee nudged him, pulling him from his thoughts.

Neji glanced at him, "Just thinking."

----

Read 45(15 chapters for each novel) advanced chapters in my Patreon!

patreon.com/IWriteFanfic2