That Day When Suzuki-kun Wasn't the Mob-B! Chapter 499: Reunited at the Chunin Exam (Patreon)

"Good morning, Suzuki-kun."

As Hinata greeted him with a gentle smile, Suzuki also smiled, feeling that his mood had improved. Compared to seeing the faces of a group of old men, it was far better to see the face of a cute girl. But his encounter with Danzo also made him realize that even with Hiruzen as a teacher, it seemed... his life was still the same.

Yeah, he might show his talent and grow, but he knew well that in the eyes of others, there was still a gap between him and the strong. More importantly, this was the reason why they thought they could try to manipulate him.

Even if I have Tsunade's backing, too...

Suzuki felt like if he didn't kill Danzo, then it wouldn't be over.

Waiting for Sasuke?

There were a whole three years before Shippuden, so instead of waiting for that time, it was better to finish it as soon as possible.

"Sorry to make you wait."

"N-No, it's fine. I didn't wait too long..."

Hinata knew that Suzuki had gone to talk with Hiruzen for a while, and as for how she knew, it was because his summoning beasts—the two kitties, Shiro and Kuro, whom he had picked up during his training—had told her.

Frankly, for kitties to come to the Hyuga yard, while it might be unexpected, the two somehow could enter as they wished, ignoring the fact that her clan was known for the Byakugan, the eyes that allowed them to see anything without obstruction.

It was weird, but when Hinata thought about how hard the two had tried to come in, like they had just finished a brutal mission, she couldn't help but hug them and tell them that they did good. But if possible, she felt it might not be safe for them to enter the Hyuga compound, as it was dangerous, and the other clan members might do something harmful to them.

"Should we go, then?"

"Yeah."

As Suzuki and Hinata prepared to leave, Shino, standing to the side, pushed up his glasses and was about to say something, but they ignored him.

"Come on, Shino. What are you standing there for?"

"...If you notice me, greet me, too."

Yeah, Shino was sulking.

Still, the Chunin exam was about to start, and during it, they would face many dangers, as ninjas from many other villages would come.

"There are many from the other villages, Suzuki-kun."

Hinata moved closer to Suzuki, as she could see many people wearing different headband designs. She wasn't scared, but it felt much more comfortable when she was close to Suzuki, especially since she didn't have a good impression of the other villages. She had been kidnapped in the past, which made many people make strange doujins about her.

Then again, she was with Suzuki now; such a thing in the doujins would definitely never happen.

"Konoha hosts the exam, after all, so it is inevitable that there will be many people here." Suzuki walked calmly, trying to hold back a yawn. He knew well that even if the exam made many nervous, his results were all but absolute; in this village, at least, he didn't think anyone could defeat him. "But don't worry, they won't dare to do anything."

"Why?"

It wasn't just Hinata, but Shino, and somehow the others who happened to overhear their conversation, couldn't help but look at him curiously.

"....."

Was this something to be curious about?

"There are many nobles, wealthy merchants, and probably even the daimyo, too. Those are the main sources of income for ninjas, and if the ninjas cause trouble during this moment when those people are present, their village might not get jobs, which makes them unable to make money. When they don't have money, it's clear what will happen, right?"

"I see..."

In the end, the Chunin exam—while for the Genin it was something that changed their fate, raised their status to a better one, and gave them an opportunity to get a better job that would increase their income—for the village, it was nothing but a marketing strategy. It was to show everyone—those wealthy merchants, nobles, and the daimyo—the power of their villages, the seeds, and the new generation, which gave them the confidence to give jobs to those villages.

"That makes sense!"

Naruto was surprised and couldn't help but say it.

"It's been a while, Naruto."

As they approached the venue, many familiar figures were seen, and it wasn't just Naruto, but Sasuke and Sakura.

Sasuke was his usual self, just showing his aloof expression, clearly trying not to show that he was interested in Suzuki's conversation.

As for Sakura, she strangely stared at Suzuki for a while.

"Hmm?"

Suzuki felt Sakura was acting strangely, but he didn't bother to ask, as he didn't think Sakura's heart for Sasuke would change.

Then again, Sasuke's heart had always been for Naruto.

"I am good!" Naruto quickly came over to Suzuki with a happy, bright smile. "By the way, Suzuki, we faced a dangerous mission and won! This Uzumaki Naruto is different from before! But don't worry, I will make sure that you will be okay in the exam!"

He beamed as he pointed his thumb at himself, thinking that he would be the hero for Suzuki. Probably many had forgotten since it had been a while, but Suzuki had saved Naruto before, when Naruto and Iruka were about to be killed by Mizuki, which is why Naruto wanted to do the same for Suzuki.

As for Shino and Hinata?

Frankly, Naruto wasn't good with either of them. Shino was often ignored because of his low profile, and Hinata?

While it might be strange, Naruto only thought that Hinata was a gloomy girl, as his heart was set on Sakura. Even though she often beat him and said things that hurt him, he still tried to think positively, which made Suzuki feel a little pity for him, thinking that the reincarnated soul within Naruto messed him up, as it didn't allow him to think negatively.

Still, Suzuki couldn't help but look at Hinata, and he felt even weirder when her eyes were always on him.

"Ah, uh, ah!"

Hinata quickly lowered her head shyly when Suzuki noticed her staring at him.

"....." Suzuki.

"I think we will be fine, Naruto. You should focus on your team and do your best. Let me hear the story of your mission later, though."

If Suzuki wasn't wrong, Naruto's latest mission would give him many benefits.

"Okay!"

"Wait!"

"Hmm?" Suzuki, who was about to leave, stopped when he heard Sasuke. "What's wrong, Sasuke?"

"I will definitely win against you."

Unlike before, Sasuke had awakened the second stage of his legendary eyes, and this time, Suzuki wouldn't be his opponent!

"Do your best, then." Suzuki nodded with a smile as he left—

"Suzuki-kun~!"

Ino, who appeared out of nowhere, leaped and clung to him happily, rubbing her face against his, wondering why he had become more handsome~!

Yet while Ino was happy, Hinata, on the side, just smiled softly as a dark aura emanated from her.

"........" Everyone.

Regardless of whatever else happened, there was one thing that many were curious about: why had this guy become more handsome so suddenly?