Chapter 14 (Patreon)

“Mihawk-kun… Mihawk-kun…”

Mihawk slept far later than usual that morning.

It was not until Hinata’s gentle voice reached his ears that his consciousness slowly rose from the depths of sleep.

When he opened his eyes, a pair of clear lavender-white eyes filled with concern immediately came into view.

“Hinata… You’re here.”

Mihawk rubbed his eyes and slowly sat up.

Hinata watched him climb out of bed before asking worriedly, “Mihawk-kun, are you feeling all right?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

Mihawk smiled and lightly pinched the tip of her nose.

Hinata studied his face for another moment. When she saw that he truly seemed fine, she finally relaxed.

Feeling the intimacy of his gesture, a faint blush appeared on her cheeks.

“I’ve never seen you wake up this late before,” she whispered. “I thought you might be sick.”

They had known each other for many years, and Hinata had long possessed a key to Mihawk’s house.

Whenever she came inside, she was used to finding him training in the dōjō or already sitting in the living room.

This was the first time she had ever seen him asleep.

He had looked unexpectedly peaceful.

And, though she would never dare say it aloud, rather cute.

Mihawk had no idea what she was thinking.

After releasing her nose, he walked into the bathroom to wash up.

By the time he finished brushing his teeth and washing his face, Hinata was already standing beside him with a clean towel held out in both hands.

“Here.”

“Thanks.”

Mihawk accepted the towel and dried his face.

The two then left the bedroom and went into the living room.

A carefully prepared bento box sat on the table, containing enough breakfast for both of them.

After they finished eating, Mihawk returned to his bedroom to change.

Hinata remained in the living room, her gaze fixed on the door.

When Mihawk stepped out again, her cheeks immediately turned red, and she instinctively lowered her head.

His appearance was simply too striking.

His long silver hair had been gathered into a single ponytail, held in place by a dark hair tie. Sharp eyebrows framed his narrow crimson eyes.

He wore a light black kimono secured with a white obi.

His presence resembled an eagle moving through the night—cold and proud, yet carrying a natural air of dignity.

An ordinary bamboo sword rested at his waist.

At first glance, he looked like the young heir of a prestigious swordsmanship family.

Mihawk fastened his new Konoha forehead protector around his upper arm before walking toward the entrance.

“Let’s go.”

“Mm-hm!”

Hinata nodded repeatedly.

As she followed behind him, her eyes were filled with admiration.

Together, they made their way to the Academy.

By the time they arrived, the classroom was already crowded.

Some students wore their forehead protectors across their brows. Others, like Hinata, had tied them around their necks. Mihawk wore his around his arm.

Every face was filled with excitement and anticipation for the shinobi life ahead of them.

What none of them seemed to realize was that graduating from the Academy was only the first step.

The true assessment would begin once they were assigned to teams and placed under the command of a jōnin instructor.

Mihawk and Hinata walked to the back of the classroom and sat down together.

Mihawk’s appearance immediately drew the attention of many of the girls.

When they noticed Hinata sitting beside him, their gazes filled with open envy.

More students entered as the minutes passed.

Among them were Yamanaka Ino and Haruno Sakura, who were racing each other down the corridor as though the first one through the door would win some grand prize.

Naruto Uzumaki arrived not long afterward.

Mihawk quietly watched as Naruto climbed onto the desk in front of Sasuke Uchiha and glared at him.

Then someone bumped Naruto from behind.

Naruto lurched forward.

Their lips met.

The corner of Mihawk’s mouth twitched.

Even after knowing it was going to happen, watching the scene in person was something else entirely.

“Good morning, everyone.”

By the time Naruto had been beaten by the furious girls surrounding Sasuke, Iruka entered the classroom and brought the commotion to an end.

He looked across the room at the students’ eager faces.

Relief and a faint trace of sadness appeared in his eyes.

“Congratulations,” Iruka said sincerely. “From today onward, you are all officially shinobi.”

The students immediately brightened.

“However, you’re still only genin. From now on, you’ll be placed into three-man cells and carry out missions under the supervision of a jōnin instructor.”

The classroom instantly grew quiet.

“I’ll begin announcing the team assignments.”

The moment the students heard that they would be placed into groups of three, excited whispers spread throughout the room.

Countless eager gazes turned toward Sasuke and Mihawk.

The girls made no attempt to hide which teammates they were hoping for.

Even Hinata, seated beside Mihawk, looked at him with quiet expectation.

However, as Iruka continued calling names, the number of students who still had a chance to join either of them gradually decreased.

Before long, six teams had already been announced.

“Team 7: Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, and Sasuke Uchiha.”

“What?!”

Naruto immediately shot to his feet.

“Iruka-sensei, why do I have to be on the same team as that stuck-up Sasuke?!”

Sasuke glanced at him coldly.

“That’s what I should be asking. Don’t slow me down, dead last.”

“What did you say, bastard?!”

Naruto leaned across the desk, ready to start another fight.

“Enough!”

Iruka glared at him until Naruto reluctantly sat back down.

Iruka cleared his throat and continued.

“Next is Team 8.”

Mihawk’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Hinata Hyūga.”

The moment Hinata heard her name, her body tensed.

“Shino Aburame…”

Iruka paused briefly before reading the final name.

“And Nerona Mihawk.”

“Mihawk-kun, that’s wonderful!”

Overcome with happiness, Hinata instinctively grabbed his arm.

For someone as shy as her to react so openly in front of the entire class showed just how delighted she was to be placed on the same team as Mihawk.

Mihawk was surprised as well.

He had not expected the Third Hokage to place him in Team 8.

It seemed Hiruzen valued him enough to alter the original tracking team and allow him to take Kiba Inuzuka’s place.

Still, Mihawk was completely satisfied with the arrangement.

Hinata, his childhood friend, was with him.

Shino Aburame was calm, intelligent, and dependable.

Hinata’s Byakugan could survey an enormous area, while Shino’s insects could spread throughout the surroundings without drawing attention.

When those abilities were combined with Mihawk’s Observation Haki, Team 8 would remain a highly effective sensory and tracking unit.

Their jōnin instructor, Kurenai Yūhi, might not be among Konoha’s strongest jōnin when it came to direct combat, but she was one of the village’s foremost genjutsu specialists.

She could make up for Mihawk’s lack of knowledge in that area.

In return, Mihawk’s swordsmanship and close-combat ability would provide the team with the offensive power it had previously lacked.

This version of Team 8 would be far stronger than the one Mihawk remembered.

“Team 9: Kiba Inuzuka…”

Iruka continued announcing names.

“Team 10: Ino Yamanaka, Chōji Akimichi, and Shikamaru Nara.”

Once the final names were called, the team assignments came to an end.

Iruka left the classroom carrying the roster.

Before long, jōnin instructors began appearing at the doorway one after another.

“Team 3, come with me.”

“Team 1, move out.”

One group after another left the classroom, some students looking excited while others appeared visibly nervous.

Not long afterward, a graceful woman stepped through the door.

She briefly looked over the remaining students.

Her crimson eyes eventually settled on Mihawk.

After studying him for a moment, she smiled with clear satisfaction.

“Team 8, come with me.”

She turned and walked out of the classroom.

“Mihawk-kun, our instructor is a woman.”

Hinata stared after Kurenai Yūhi in surprise.

After seeing so many male jōnin arrive to collect the other teams, she had begun to assume that all the instructors would be men.

“Let’s go.”

Mihawk did not comment on it.

He turned his gaze toward Shino, who had already risen from his seat.

At that exact moment, Shino looked toward him as well.

Although Shino’s eyes were hidden behind his dark glasses, Mihawk felt as though their gazes met through the lenses.

He gave his new teammate a small nod.

Then, with Hinata beside him, Mihawk left the classroom and followed their new jōnin instructor.