Graduation exams, a term once distant yet constantly on their minds, had, with the passage of time, quietly arrived before the students.
In the classroom, students sat neatly, and the air was filled with a mix of tension and anticipation.
Iruka-sensei stood at the podium, holding a roster, his voice steady and strong, continuously calling out the names of the students to be tested.
While waiting, the classroom was occasionally filled with the students' whispers.
They discussed their revision, encouraged each other, or felt a hint of unease and apprehension about the upcoming exam.
Chizhao sat in her seat, appearing exceptionally calm and composed.
She rested her chin on her hands, her gaze drifting through the window, fixed on the white clouds outside.
Shikamaru's profound question couldn't help but resurface in her mind:
"Have you never thought about what you'll become after graduating from the Ninja Academy?"
Recalling Mizuki-sensei's kidnapping incident,
she knew that Orochimaru had already marked her as an important target, and that unknown threat was like a sword hanging over her head, ready to fall again at any moment.
Would it be during the Chunin Exams?
Would Sasuke still be Orochimaru's target?
Since Sasuke no longer viewed Itachi-nii as an object of revenge,
then he shouldn't be swayed by Orochimaru either, right?
Just as Chizhao was lost in her complex thoughts, she felt a subtle gaze directed at her.
She followed her gaze and indeed met Sasuke's eyes, as deep as the night.
Their eyes met for a moment, then Sasuke looked away and gave a slight nod, turning his head back.
Was he... encouraging her?
"Shiratori Chichao! Uzumaki Naruto!"
Iruka-sensei's voice rang out at the opportune moment, pulling her thoughts back to reality.
The two responded one after another, and following Iruka's steps, they entered the empty classroom next door.
Facing a test administered solely by Iruka, Naruto seemed a bit confused:
"Iruka-sensei, why are Chizhao and I being tested together this time...?"
Iruka-sensei sat behind the desk, on which Konoha Ninja headbands were neatly arranged.
He sternly picked up their test papers and explained:
"That's because your situations are quite special, so you'll be tested together."
Chizhao crossed her arms, confidently checking the secret weapon hidden in her sleeve, then responded in a relaxed tone:
"Naruto and I are both ready, so bring it on."
Iruka cleared his throat, holding the test paper:
"Because Mizuki leaked the test questions to Naruto before, this time the exam content has been temporarily changed to the Transformation Technique..."
"Wh-what?!"
Chizhao's face instantly filled with astonishment, as if struck by lightning, she froze on the spot.
This was it, how was this different from what she had foreseen?
Transformation Technique, where would I get a Transformation Technique?
Naruto was equally flustered, protesting loudly:
"That's not fair, Iruka-sensei! Mizuki-sensei was the one who tricked me first! It's not like I knew on purpose, how can you change our test questions at the last minute?!"
Iruka looked at the two agitated students in front of him, wiped away a cold sweat, and tried to calm them: "You two, calm down first..."
"In that case, Chizhao, close your eyes!"
Seeing Naruto strike a pose beside her, Chizhao instantly understood his intention and immediately cooperated by covering her eyes, then secretly opened a tiny slit.
"Transform! Sexy Jutsu!"
With a "bang," Naruko, amidst a swirl of smoke, sexily winked at Iruka.
The alluring sight was fully revealed, and Iruka's eyes widened sharply, nosebleed gushing out of his nostrils like a dam had broken, with a "poof."
Watching Naruko so closely, Chizhao's supposedly covered eyes couldn't help but widen as well.
Oh my, that body is just too, too ~ hot...
Nosebleed.
An enraged Iruka punched Naruto on the head and roared, "Let me finish talking, you idiot!!!!"
After some commotion, Iruka sat upright, cross-armed, with wads of paper stuffed into both nostrils.
"The test questions were indeed changed, but you two performed excellently after discovering Mizuki's plot and successfully thwarted his plan, so you two don't need to take the exam and can graduate exceptionally."
Upon hearing that they didn't need to take the exam, Naruto's eyes instantly lit up: "Really? That's great!"
Not expecting this outcome, Chizhao dazedly accepted the Konoha headband from Iruka-sensei, feeling its heavy weight, a complex emotion passing through her heart.
Just like this, so smoothly...
Graduated?
Naruto tightly clutched the hard-earned headband, his fingertips gently caressing it, his gaze softly turning to Chizhao beside him, a brilliant smile blossoming on his face.
It was truly wonderful to graduate smoothly with Chizhao!
"Chizhao, Naruto."
Iruka-sensei's warm voice broke the silence, and both of them simultaneously looked at his gentle face.
The crisp chirping of birds outside the window echoed in the classroom, accompanied by the rustling of leaves, and Iruka smiled slightly:
"Congratulations on your successful graduation."
As his words fell, the light in the room seemed to come alive, suddenly becoming bright and warm.
Naruto's eyes were slightly red, his lips tightly pressed, holding back tears, and he stubbornly nodded.
"Thank you, Iruka-sensei!"
Then he lunged over the desk, tackling Iruka to the ground.
Iruka could only helplessly shout, "That hurts! Get up, Naruto!"
Watching the two entangled on the floor, Chizhao couldn't help but smile as well.
Although it wasn't exactly as she remembered, at least they had graduated smoothly.
Naruto sat happily on the swing, holding his headband and smiling brightly.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling his clear blue eyes, which were as pure as a spring of water.
On the other side, Chizhao gazed at the headband in her hand with mixed feelings.
Now I'm really a Ninja, it feels so unreal.
"Hey, hey, Chizhao..."
"Hmm?"
Feeling her clothes being tugged by someone, Chizhao turned her head and saw Naruto's sparkling, watery eyes.
"Can you help me put on my headband?"
She gladly took the headband from Naruto's hand and readily agreed, "Of course!"
Naruto sat on the swing expectantly, obediently closing his eyes.
The corners of his mouth unconsciously curved upwards, and the sunlight on his dazzling golden hair added a few more points of brightness and vitality.
Chizhao looked at Naruto like this, a strange tenderness welling up in her heart, and she couldn't help but reach out to gently stroke his soft hair.
Her low mood instantly improved quite a bit.
Feeling a sudden touch on his head, Naruto secretly looked up.
The girl's beaming expression was covered with a gentle filter in his eyes, becoming dreamlike.
He was momentarily lost in thought, and his heartbeat unconsciously quickened a few beats.
Chizhao realized her lapse, quickly withdrew her hand, and smiled apologetically:
"Sorry, sorry, I couldn't help it because Naruto is too cute."
"Eh?!" Naruto's eyes widened in surprise.
C-cute?
Is that really how I look in Chizhao's eyes??
Shouldn't it be handsome, or attractive, or something?
Not noticing Naruto's stunned expression, Chizhao took off his goggles and carefully helped him put on the headband, ensuring it fit perfectly.
"Mm! It really suits you perfectly!"
Naruto's fingers caressed the cool metal, a nameless joy surging within him.
Then, his gaze gently fell on the goggles in Chizhao's hand, and he softly took them.
And what they carried was a precious memory.
"Although it's a shame I can't wear these anymore, I'll definitely treasure them! After all, it's a special gift from Chizhao!"
"Naruto..."
Moved by his words, she smiled slightly, looked up at the clear blue sky, and joyfully swung on the swing with the wind.
"In the future, there will be many, many more gifts!"