Book 1: Finding my Ninja Way

Chapter 1: Graduation

Five years later...

A twelve-year-old almost thirteen, Kenji immediately woke up starting his day. He got dressed in his usual outfit consisting of a black shirt, white shorts, blue sandals, and grey armbands. He then looked in the mirror and put on his Hyuga symbol headband covering his forehead. 

Once he was satisfied with his look, he smiled in the mirror. Today was the day of the graduation exam. If he passed, he would become a genin and get assigned to a team. He was now waiting for his cousin to finish getting ready for the day.

After his cousin Hinata was ready, they left the compound and began making their way to the Academy together. Kenji was looking forward to the graduation exams. He wasn't worried about it since he spent most of his time training.

He learned some decent ninjutsu so far and a few genjustu, but his main priority was improving his gentle fist technique and using his byakugan despite his cousin being from the main branch. Kenji didn't hate Hinata as his brother did or the other main branch members. When he was younger, he used to be jealous and bitter about how happy their lives seemed.  He soon learned how Hinata was treated as a failure by her father and the elders and got over his bitterness. He hated how Hinata was treated but knew there was nothing he could do about it.

                                                      •••

After a nice silent walk to the Academy. Kenji and Hinata arrived in the classroom. They saw classmates talking amongst themselves, waiting for class to begin. Kenji waved at Hinata and went to sit down in sit behind Sasuke as he waited for Iruka to show up. 

He sat quietly in his seat waited for class to begin as a boy and girl sat down next to him. He gave them a nod of acknowledgment since he didn't recall their names. He tends to avoid the crowd as much as possible, hoping to get away from his fangirls.

"Kenji-kun, good morning!" He heard two familiar female voices greeted.

He turned behind him and saw Ino Yamanaka and Sakura Haruno, who were two of his common fangirls when they were not bothering Sasuke.

"Hello Ino and Sakura," He greeted.

"Hey, get away from Kenji-kun losers!"  A new female voice shouted.

"Get lost, Ami Kenji-kun is mine," Sakura said.

"No, he is mine Billboard Brow!" Ino shouted, glaring at Ino.

Kenji sighed as more girls started to fight over him. Finally, the girls settled down as Iruka-sensei arrived in the classroom and began the graduation exam.

"Alright, class, settle down. We will now start the graduation exam," Iruka-sensei announced. "When your name is called, proceed to the testing room. The exam will be on the clone justu."

Kenji looked to see Naruto sitting next to Sakura and Sauske with a nervous aura coming off of him. He sighed, knowing that the clone justu wasn't Naruto's strong point. Nothing was Naruto's strong point expected not getting tired after he helped him train a few times since he was always trying to help his classmates if they asked for It.

Kenji sighed and rested his head on his desk as he waited for his name to be called. The first person to go in was Shino. After a couple of more names being called, it was finally Kenji turned.

"Hyuga Kenji," Iruka called out.

Kenji stood up and started making his way to the testing room where Iruka-sensei was sitting down at a table full of headbands next to Mizuki-sensei, the co-sensei.

"Now, Kenji, all you have to do is make three clones, and you pass," Iruka-sensei explained with a smile. At the same time, Mizuki looked at Kenji curiously.

"Yes, and show us why you got so many fangirls Kenji," Mizuki-sensei said, smirking creepy.

Kenji put his hands into a sign. 

"Clone justu!" He said, and in a split second, ten copies of himself stood next to him as the smoke cleared. Iruka-sensei and Mizuki observed the clones for evaluation. He stood there patiently, already knowing he had passed since he made more than three clones perfectly.

"Fantastic job Kenji like always. You got a perfect score with extra points for along more clones than necessary," Iruka-sensei said. "As expected, that you that gives you the best score for the exams."

Kenji nodded, knowing that could change when Sasuke takes the exam. Since he and Sasuke and currently tied as rookie of the year, though, if Sasuke gets a lower score, that title will be his alone.

"You may choose a forehead proctor," Iruka said, pulling Kenji out of his thoughts.

"Right," He said as he stepped forward to the table and grabbed a red forehead protector. "Thank you for being my sensei," He bowed to Iruka and Mizuki as he walked out of the room.

Kenji walked out of the room admiring his new unblemished metal with the Konoha symbol on it as well as the dark red cloth it was secured on. He looked at himself, wondering where he should wear it, before deciding to put it on his forehead. Now his identity was almost complete. All that was left was a new and better ninja outfit. 

He then walked out of the academy and started to head home with his cousin Hinata once everyone was dismissed to go home when the test was over.  With Hinata feeling bad that Naruto didn't pass, and Kenji wishing he had taken more time to help Naruto train, but the boy was just annoying at times. 

Chapter over!

I know it's a pretty short chapter and maybe kind of boring, but it was more of an introduction to Kenji passing the graduation exam.  I have a few ideas for this story except still deciding on the team placement. If you have any suggestions, please comment or Pm me. Thanks for reading!

(961 Words)