Kitazawa's office.
Hinata Hyūga paced back and forth with her speech script in hand. She was so nervous that her little face had turned pale.
It wasn't until the door opened and she saw Kitazawa enter that she finally stopped walking.
"Nervous?"
Kitazawa walked up, patted her head, and asked.
"Mm."
Hinata lowered her gaze, embarrassed.
During this time, Kitazawa had been giving her special training, putting in genuine effort. Yet she felt she had failed his trust—when it came down to it, she couldn't stay calm.
"Being nervous is normal."
Kitazawa smiled. "Let's eat first."
He opened a summoning storage scroll and laid out a pile of food.
The air filled with an enticing aroma.
Hinata's stomach growled faintly.
Her little face flushed red from embarrassment.
"Go ahead and eat."
Kitazawa handed her a sushi roll.
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei."
Hinata took a bite, and strangely, it tasted sweet.
As the flavor spread in her mouth, she glanced at Kitazawa, only to quickly look away again.
She ate elegantly, but also with happiness.
Sitting on the sofa, Hinata nibbled while lightly swinging her small legs.
Before she knew it, her tension began to fade.
"I'm full, Kitazawa-sensei."
Hinata finished her milk, set down the glass, and looked at him.
"I'll teach you a way to ease your nerves."
Kitazawa picked up a rice ball. "When you're on stage, just imagine everyone as rice balls. That way, you won't be nervous."
"Eh?"
Hinata froze in surprise.
Could such a method really work?
"Let's go, to the schoolyard."
Kitazawa packed up the remaining food.
At his words, Hinata's heart tightened again. The nerves returned inevitably.
Following behind him, she recalled the method and began to murmur softly to herself:
"Rice balls, you're all rice balls."
Repeating it again and again, she suddenly realized her nervousness had eased somewhat.
On the schoolyard, all six grades of students were neatly arranged in formation.
Kitazawa brought Hinata straight to the stage.
"Kitazawa."
Sarutobi Hisao spotted him and greeted warmly.
Kitazawa had become a prominent figure at the academy, deeply trusted by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hisao, being a Sarutobi clan ninja and the vice principal, made a point of showing goodwill.
"Vice Principal."
Kitazawa returned the greeting politely.
At 8:30 sharp, the commendation ceremony began.
The first segment: speeches from outstanding student representatives.
"Hinata, remember the method I told you."
Kitazawa reminded.
Hinata didn't answer but gave a small nod.
She slowly walked forward and stopped.
Dozens of eyes fell on her. She instinctively trembled, her heart in disarray.
"Rice balls! They're rice balls!"
Hinata took a deep breath and began her speech.
In the second-year A class formation, Neji Hyūga was taken aback.
She actually had the courage to go on stage—and delivered her speech smoothly.
In Neji's eyes, Hinata wasn't suited to be a ninja. She was too weak, too indecisive. Her only advantage was being born into the main family.
Let's see how much you've really changed, Neji thought, recalling Mizuki's suggestion.
Originally, he hadn't cared, but now, curiosity sparked within him.
Mizuki's idea was simple: a friendly match between the two classes.
Half an hour later, the speech ended.
Thunderous applause broke out, startling Hinata from her trance.
She had been so absorbed in delivering the speech that she completely forgot about the audience below.
Hearing applause from all around, Hinata felt a subtle, new sensation rising in her chest.
This… actually feels good.
She clenched her speech script, waved unconsciously, and stepped down.
"Kitazawa-sensei!"
Her face flushed pink with excitement.
"Congratulations on finishing your speech."
Kitazawa smiled. "Look, they're all applauding for you."
"Mm!"
Hinata nodded vigorously.
She felt as if she had opened the door to a brand-new world. If she gave another speech, she was sure she could do even better.
"Do you have confidence to defeat Toranosuke now?"
Kitazawa shifted the topic.
"I… I can!"
Hinata hesitated only a moment before speaking firmly.
"You've grown a lot, Hinata."
Kitazawa patted her head. "Let's return to the first-year A class formation."
Back in formation—
"Hinata, you did great!"
Ino Yamanaka praised with a smile.
"Next time, I want to give a speech too!"
Naruto Uzumaki exclaimed eagerly.
He loved the feeling of being the center of attention. If everyone applauded for him, it meant he was recognized.
"You?"
Kiba scoffed. "When it comes to speeches, I have way better odds than you."
"Next monthly exam, we'll see whose scores are higher!"
Naruto declared with confidence.
He wasn't placing faith in himself, but in Kitazawa.
"It'll be me."
Sasuke Uchiha suddenly spoke.
Everyone turned to him, surprised.
In their eyes, Sasuke was always aloof and rarely joined their chatter.
"All right, let's not argue. Quiet down— the principal is announcing the awards."
Kitazawa clapped his hands.
The second, and most important part of the ceremony began: awards.
Each grade's top thirty students were read aloud by Sarutobi Hisao.
"Now let's welcome the Hokage to give his concluding remarks for this exam."
After the awards, Hisao smiled and turned the stage over.
In the blink of an eye, a familiar figure appeared—Hiruzen Sarutobi, in his Hokage robes.
Cheers erupted instantly.
Hiruzen's reputation was carefully maintained; his prestige in Konoha was immense.
And there was an added surprise—normally, the Hokage would not attend something as ordinary as a monthly exam ceremony.
Usually, he appeared only at the opening or graduation ceremonies.
"Now, let me briefly cover six points…"
Hiruzen, pleased with their reaction, launched into his speech.
Kitazawa tugged at the corner of his mouth.
He sensed trouble coming.
Sure enough.
Hiruzen spoke on for two whole hours. If not for time limits, he would have gone even longer.
At last, the ceremony ended and students returned to their classes.
Just as Kitazawa was about to leave, Mizuki blocked his path.
"This monthly exam, your class really shined. My students are eager to exchange with yours."
Mizuki said with a smile. "How about a friendly match between our classes?"
"Not interested."
Kitazawa rejected him flatly.
"Wh-Why?"
Mizuki's expression stiffened.
"Why? Do I even need to explain?"
Kitazawa snorted. "Second-years against first-years—what else is it besides shameless?"
One year of difference wasn't something easily bridged.
Kitazawa wasn't stupid; he wouldn't walk into a trap.
"Wait! We can negotiate!"
Mizuki hurried after him. "The time, place, and content of the match—you decide!"
He knew the one-year gap was hard to balance, so he generously gave Kitazawa the full advantage.