Chapter 28 (Patreon)

July 1

For shinobi, today was an important day.

The Chūnin Exams had finally arrived.

Over the past few days, many unfamiliar faces had appeared throughout Konoha. Genin from distant villages had traveled all the way to the Land of Fire to take part in the exams.

That morning, Hinata and Shino stood outside Mihawk’s house, waiting for him.

A short while later, the door opened.

Mihawk stepped outside wearing a black kimono. His sword was tied at his waist, and a red paper umbrella rested in one hand.

Once he joined them, the three headed toward the examination site.

The first stage of the Chūnin Exams was a written test, and it would be held at the Ninja Academy.

As they walked, Mihawk glanced at his teammates.

“You both brought your applications, right?”

“Yes. I have mine.”

“Mine is here as well,” Shino answered.

Mihawk gave a small nod.

The three soon reached the Academy, but instead of going directly to the examination room, they first entered the administrative building to submit their application forms.

When they reached the second floor, they found a large crowd gathered in the corridor.

“This is just a genjutsu making the second floor look like the third,” a familiar voice said from the front of the crowd. “Drop it already. We’re trying to get to Room 301.”

Mihawk looked through the gaps between the gathered genin and immediately understood what was happening.

So they had arrived during the same scene he remembered.

Team 8 remained near the back of the crowd.

After Sasuke exposed the simple genjutsu, the two chūnin guarding the door suddenly attacked him.

Before their blows could connect, a thick-browed boy wearing a green jumpsuit stepped in and stopped both of them.

“Neji-niisan…”

Hinata had noticed another boy standing nearby.

He had the same pale eyes as her.

Beside him stood a girl with her hair tied into two buns, wearing a pink Chinese-style outfit.

They were the other members of Team Guy: Hyūga Neji, Rock Lee, and Tenten.

Neji had been watching Lee, but the moment he heard Hinata’s voice, he turned toward her.

When their eyes met, Hinata instinctively lowered her head.

Neji walked over.

“I didn’t expect you to enter the Chūnin Exams so soon after graduating, Hinata-sama.”

He used the proper form of address, but there was no warmth or respect in his voice.

His pale eyes were cold.

“N-Neji-niisan…”

Hinata raised her head and greeted him despite her unease.

Neji looked at her timid expression.

“With your personality, you shouldn’t be here. You’re not suited for the Chūnin Exams, and you’re not suited to be a shinobi—”

Thud!

Before he could finish, someone walked straight past him.

Their shoulders collided.

The impact sent Neji to the floor.

Neji had trained his balance and stance for years, yet he had still been knocked down.

“Neji!”

Lee and Tenten hurried over.

The noise drew the attention of everyone in the corridor.

When Team 7 realized Mihawk was the one who had knocked Neji down, their expressions changed slightly.

Mihawk looked down at Neji without changing his expression.

“Sorry. I didn’t notice you.”

His tone made it clear that he was not sorry at all.

“Still, are you really from the Hyūga Clan? If something that small is enough to knock you down, maybe you’re the one who isn’t suited to be a shinobi.”

“You…”

Neji rose, anger showing on his face.

The veins around his temples bulged as he activated the Byakugan.

Mihawk remained calm.

“Did that make you angry?”

He met Neji’s stare directly.

“Then make sure you stay in the exam long enough to face us. We’ll meet sooner or later.”

Mihawk turned away.

“Try not to get eliminated before that happens.”

He briefly looked at Lee and Tenten before leaving with Hinata and Shino.

“What’s wrong with that guy?” Tenten muttered as she watched Mihawk walk away. “He looks so calm, but he’s unbelievably arrogant.”

She turned toward Neji.

“And why didn’t you hit him back?”

“I wouldn’t have landed the attack,” Neji answered, closing his eyes.

“What?”

“He had chakra gathered in his legs the entire time. The moment our shoulders touched, he released a large amount of force through the impact.”

Neji glanced toward Lee.

“It was no weaker than one of Lee’s kicks.”

“You’re kidding…”

Tenten covered her mouth in surprise.

“He’s really that strong?”

Lee stared after Mihawk with a serious expression.

“Of course he is!”

Naruto’s loud voice suddenly came from behind them.

“That guy is Mihawk. He was the top student in our graduating class.”

Naruto spoke as though Mihawk’s achievement was somehow his own.

Sasuke stood beside him with an irritated expression, but he did not deny it.

“The top student?”

Neji looked toward Naruto and the others.

They clearly knew Mihawk.

Hinata had also stayed close to him the entire time.

A faint smile appeared on Neji’s face.

“I see.”

His interest had clearly been raised.

“This exam may be more interesting than I expected.”

He turned away.

“Lee, Tenten. Let’s go.”

After submitting their applications, Mihawk, Hinata, and Shino left the administrative building and headed toward the examination room.

Hinata kept her head lowered as they walked, quietly touching her fingers together.

Mihawk assumed Neji’s words had frightened her.

“Don’t worry,” he said with a small smile. “As long as I’m here, no one will hurt you.”

“…Mm.”

Hinata answered softly.

However, she was no longer afraid.

She had kept her head lowered because she did not want anyone to see how happy she was.

The moment Mihawk stepped in front of Neji kept replaying in her mind.

Knowing he would protect her made her feel safe.

When the three arrived at the building where the written exam would be held, they saw three jōnin standing outside the examination room.

Hatake Kakashi, Kurenai Yūhi, and Sarutobi Asuma were waiting near the door.

“You made it.”

Kurenai straightened when she saw Team 8 and greeted them with a smile.

“Kurenai-sensei.”

Mihawk, Hinata, and Shino greeted her together.

Kakashi lowered the copy of Icha Icha Paradise in his hand and looked at Mihawk.

“So this is the top student from this year’s graduating class?”

His visible eye studied Mihawk carefully.

“He’s much calmer than Sasuke. And that controlled sharpness…”

Kakashi glanced toward Kurenai.

“You found yourself a capable student, Kurenai.”

Kurenai’s smile grew at the praise.

Mihawk’s expression did not change.

At the same time, he observed Kakashi.

Silver hair.

A black mask covering the lower half of his face.

His forehead protector tilted over his left eye.

A standard Konoha flak jacket worn over dark clothing.

He looked exactly as Mihawk remembered.

This was the famous genius who had become a jōnin at only twelve years old.

Mihawk studied Kakashi’s tired-looking right eye for a moment before giving a small nod.

“Thank you.”

He then nodded to Kurenai.

After that, Mihawk opened the door and entered the examination room with Hinata and Shino.