"Of course it's okay," Naruto said with a warm smile, gently pinching Hinata's cheek. "I won't make you worry anymore."
Inside the classroom, Haruno Sakura and Yamanaka Ino watched the couple's interaction with blank expressions.
"Ugh, why couldn't I be Naruto's fiancée?" Sakura grumbled under her breath.
"Honestly, ever since they got engaged, I've stopped bringing lunch to school," Ino admitted with a sigh.
"Why's that?" Sakura asked, raising an eyebrow.
Ino shot her a deadpan look. "Because we're already getting stuffed with dog food just watching them."
"..."
Hinata returned to her seat, her cheeks still faintly pink, while Iruka addressed Naruto.
"Naruto, since you're feeling better, you'll just need to take the makeup exam tomorrow," Iruka said. "You missed today's assessment, after all."
Naruto nodded obediently. "Got it, Iruka-sensei."
At the same time, a familiar chime echoed in Naruto's mind.
[Ding~ New System Mission: Pass the Ninja School Graduation Exam
Reward: Simulation Opportunity +1]
Passing the exam? For Naruto now, it was child's play.
As he returned to his seat, Iruka began his closing remarks for their graduation. Most of it was standard advice, take care of themselves, remember their training when facing danger, and avoid getting killed on the job.
With the graduation assessments over, classes were dismissed for the day. Naruto stayed seated, lost in thought.
He had been considering something for a while now, whether he even wanted to be a ninja anymore.
Plenty of graduates chose different paths, but for a Jinchūriki, that was practically unheard of. His reasoning was simple: he already knew the future.
Originally, Naruto had planned to follow the script, experience the life of a Hokage, navigate the shinobi world as it unfolded. But plans were just plans. Reality was another matter.
With the system boosting his abilities to absurd levels, sticking to the original path felt unnecessary. Why not carve his own future?
Being a ninja meant walking a predetermined road. But stepping away? That was true freedom.
Still, he'd take the graduation exam. A free simulation opportunity wasn't something to pass up.
By the time Iruka finished speaking, their time as students was officially over. All that remained was tomorrow's placement classes.
After packing up, Naruto and Hinata walked out side by side. Glancing back, Naruto spotted Iruka lingering by the classroom door, his expression bittersweet as he watched the students he'd taught for six years leave.
Naruto waved. Iruka smiled in return.
Hand in hand, Naruto and Hinata descended the stairs. Surprisingly, neither Sakura nor Ino bothered them today, a rare occurrence.
But their peace was short-lived.
At the foot of the stairs, Uchiha Sasuke stood waiting, arms crossed, his usual cold glare fixed on Naruto.
"Uzumaki Naruto," Sasuke said sharply. "Don't be late tomorrow."
Naruto blinked. "Why?"
Sasuke scowled. "I checked the class assignments. We're in the same team. And I'm not letting you slack off, I'll be challenging you every single day."
Naruto's face twitched. "Sasuke… that's a bit much, don't you think?"
His tone only seemed to provoke Sasuke further. "I've lost to you sixty-seven times. Even if you don't take me seriously now, I will surpass you." His Sharingan flickered to life, twin tomoe spinning. "With these eyes, I'll make sure of it."
Without another word, Sasuke turned and stalked off.
Naruto sighed.
'Yep. Definitely making the right choice.'
If becoming a ninja meant dealing with Sasuke's daily challenges, slacking off sounded way more appealing.
Just as he was about to leave, another figure approached Mizuki, one of the kinder instructors at the academy, clutching a stack of papers.
"Uzumaki Naruto, right?" Mizuki smiled.
Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly.
'Ah. The Forbidden Scroll incident.'
He was curious about the scroll, but unlike his naïve younger self, Naruto wasn't about to fall for such an obvious trap. Still…
If he ignored Mizuki, the man would just target someone else. And given Mizuki's proximity to Iruka…
Better to deal with him now.
Naruto put on an eager expression. "That's me! What's up, Mizuki-sensei?"
Mizuki chuckled. "Since you missed the exam today, there's a mandatory makeup test. Care to take it now?"
'A makeup test?'
Iruka had clearly said it was tomorrow.
Naruto feigned surprise. "Really? Then I'll go right away!" He turned to Hinata. "Hinata, head home first. I'll catch up later."
Hinata hesitated. "I… I can wait for you."
Naruto shook his head. "It's fine. Remember what happened last time?"
A blush crept up Hinata's cheeks.
Last time, they'd lost track of time while playing outside, and Hiashi had panicked, scouring the village with a team of Hyūga clansmen. Though he acted indifferent, Hiashi did care especially since Naruto had a certain… reputation.
After that, Hiashi had imposed a strict curfew: Hinata had to be home by seven.
"O-Okay," Hinata murmured, nodding before heading off.
Naruto watched her go, then turned back to Mizuki with a grin.
"Alright, sensei. Lead the way."