Chapter 24: The Understanding Between Izayoi and His Father-in-Law

Chapter 24: The Understanding Between Izayoi and His Father-in-Law

Just as Izayoi had told Hinata Hyuga, the graduation exam didn’t take long.

While chatting with classmates, the others who had passed the exam gradually gathered at the training ground. Soon, Iruka Umino arrived as well.

This meant the only familiar face missing was Naruto Uzumaki.

“Class,” Iruka called, holding a clipboard. “Let’s all put on your forehead protectors. We’ll take your graduation photos now.”

“Teacher Iruka, where should we wear the forehead protectors?” a student asked.

“Anywhere on your upper body,” Iruka replied.

The students tied theirs on their foreheads, arms, necks, or even used them as headbands. Hinata hung hers around her neck, while Izayoi fastened his to his left arm.

Once everyone was ready, Iruka led them to the rooftop of the Administration Building, where a photographer waited with a studio camera.

After queuing for photos, the students rushed out of the building, some strolling, others sprinting to the school gates. Parents crowded the entrance—some comforting children who had failed, others eagerly scanning the crowd. Everyone knew those still inside had passed and become genin.

The gates buzzed with activity, but the scene stung the hearts of orphans. Some avoided the sight altogether, fleeing the campus. Sasuke Uchiha was one of them. He glanced once, then vanished in a blur.

Izayoi, however, felt no sorrow.

Because—

“Onii-chan! Onee-chan! Over here!”

A bright voice rang out at the gates.

Hanabi, wearing a brown and ochre kimono with flame-patterned hems, waved energetically. Seeing her, Izayoi’s lips curled into a smile, and Hinata’s face softened.

Before reaching the gates, Izayoi knelt, catching Hanabi as she leapt into his arms.

“I’m here to pick you two up!” Hanabi chirped, hugging his neck. Her eyes sparkled as she noticed his protector. “Onii-chan, is this your genin forehead protector?”

“Yep. Here, play with it.”

Izayoi removed his protector, handed it to her, then lifted her onto his shoulders. He and Hinata exchanged a glance before the three walked home together.

At seven years old, Hanabi had changed significantly. Unlike her original short hair, she now kept long tresses reaching her waist, styled in twin braids framing her face. During training, she either kept it straight or tied into a single ponytail, her sharp gaze and serious expression already hinting at the fierce warrior she’d become.

Perhaps due to early maturity, Hanabi’s height had surpassed Hinata’s. At 1.32 meters tall, she stood just an inch shorter than Izayoi. While Hinata’s face still held baby fat, Hanabi’s had slimmed into a delicate oval.

Mimicking Hinata, Hanabi draped the protector around her neck, grinning. “Onii-chan, let’s celebrate you and Onee-chan becoming genin! We’ll have hotpot tonight!”

“You just want to eat hotpot yourself,” Hinata teased, poking Hanabi’s forehead.

“Nah,” Hanabi giggled, sticking out her tongue. “Father won’t let us eat it normally, but I want it today!”

Amused, Izayoi nodded. “Fine, we’ll have hotpot.”

“Yay!” Hanabi cheered, then added slyly, “Onii-chan, carry me on your shoulders too.”

“No way,” Hinata frowned. “You’re too tall for that now.”

“But I’m only seven!” Hanabi stuck her tongue out at Hinata, then turned to Izayoi with puppy eyes. “Please, Onii-chan?”

“Easy.” Izayoi flexed his arm. “Even if you grow as tall as me, you’ll always be my little sister.”

“You’re the best, Onii-chan!”

Hanabi slid from his arms to perch on his shoulders as Hinata sighed, trailing behind with a fond smile.

Whoosh—

Moments after they left, a figure materialized at the gates. It was a Hyuga clansman in a green vest, bearing the same pale eyes as the sisters. Hanabi’s personal guard.

While Hinata always had a protector, Hanabi’s was unusually discreet. Instead of shadowing her, he lingered in the shadows. Only Izayoi and Hinata knew of his presence.

Over six years, Izayoi had never met Hiashi Hyuga, but an unspoken understanding existed between them. Hiashi enforced rigid discipline, burdening the sisters with the clan’s legacy, while Izayoi nurtured them with warmth and affection.

Under his care, the two blossomed—Hinata found confidence, and Hanabi retained her playful spirit. Before Hiashi, Hanabi remained the precocious prodigy from the original story, and Hinata still the timid girl.

That night, they shopped for hotpot ingredients, mochi balls, bananas, milk, and Hinata’s favorite cinnamon rolls. Back home, they lounged on the couch, digesting their meal while chatting.

Resting her head on Izayoi’s shoulder, Hinata murmured, “Izayoi-kun… It seems like Naruto-kun was the only one who didn’t graduate.”

“Yeah.” Izayoi nodded, twirling Hanabi’s braid as he watched Naruto sulking on the swing earlier.

“His chakra reserves are so strong. Why can’t he master even a simple Transformation Technique?” Hinata frowned.

“Poor control,” Izayoi shrugged. “His academics are terrible, his shuriken throwing hasn’t improved, and he’s always the first eliminated in survival drills. Maybe failing isn’t bad for him.”

“True,” Hinata agreed, recalling Naruto’s struggles over six years.

Snuggling into Izayoi’s lap, Hanabi yawned sleepily. Neither noticed the faint smirk tugging at Izayoi’s lips.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end