Everyone couldn't believe the sight waiting for them when they walked into their classroom for the 'final' time.

Sitting at the front row, grinning from ear to ear was a clearly exhausted Naruto. There were noticeable scratches on his body and cuts all over his clothing, almost like he just arrived from rigorous training. Iruka looked just as awful, but looked much more physically exhausted.

Nearly everyone was more than surprised to see Naruto wearing a Leaf Village headband, and Iruka without his.

Hinata was amongst the first to arrive, and the only one to show concern for Naruto's injuries. Naruto grinned goofily, promising to tell her the story of how he received the headband later, after they become teammates.

But of course, nothing could go as the two friends wanted.

It started when nearly everyone arrived for the team sorting. With Hinata at the center of the table, Naruto sat on one side of her while Sasuke obligated to be on the other side. When Sakura and Ino came charging inside, the quiet room of simple chatter was replaced with loud shouts of yelling over who stepped into the room first. As expected, the argument stopped as soon as they noticed Sasuke.

Noticing that all the seats at the table were already taken, Ino chose to find another spot, even if she was reluctant to do so.

Sakura, on the other hand, boldly asked Hinata if she could move so Sakura could have the seat next to Sasuke. Before Naruto could let out a single word of disapproval, Hinata laid her hand over his—

Calming him down instantly.

With her heart-melting smile, Hinata agreed, only if Sakura says nothing rude or mean to the tired Naruto. Although taken back by the simple request, Sakura reluctantly promised not to saw anything, so to not lose her chance of sitting next to 'her' Sasuke.

While Hinata moved to a row further back, Naruto pouted about the new circumstances, too tired and exhausted to argue or move with her. At least they would become teammates shortly.

But things never go as they wanted.

Once everyone finally arrived, Iruka-sensei went through the list of each assigned team. When he found out he was teamed up with Sasuke and Sakura and not with Hinata, Naruto loudly voiced his anger, demanding to know why he and Hinata couldn't be on the same team.

Waiting until the blonde boy said his piece, Iruka calmly explained that the arrangements were made based on the results of the exam. Since his results were at the bottom of the class, Naruto was paired with Sasuke and Sakura because they have two of the highest scores. Although she also had one of the highest score, Lord Hokage felt Hinata would be better suited for a surveillance team with Kiba and Shino. The Hokage was the only one who could change the teams, and he has made it clear that his decision was final.

So after meeting their new sensei and getting to know their teammates, Naruto and Hinata walked together to the Hyūga compound with Naruto still sulking about the situation. Once they were inside and found her father preparing tea for them, Naruto finally told about what happened the night before.

"Mizuki-sensei lied to me about a rule with the graduation exam," Naruto began slowly, so he wouldn't become too loud and rash like the other clan members disliked. "He told me if I could master one jutsu from the sacred scroll, I would be allowed to graduate. I learned one jutsu by the time Iruka-sensei found me a few hours later. When I told him what Mizuki said, Iruka-sensei protected me when Mizuki attacked us."

Hinata gasped at the information. "Why would he—"

"He wanted revenge," Hiashi assumed, "for something, I remind you, you are not responsible for."

"The Nine-Tailed Demon attack on the village," Naruto clarified. "Mizuki said it was sealed inside me and that's why almost everyone hates me. He and Iruka-sensei were so surprised when I told them I already knew."

"It's to be expected. We were told not to say a word about the incident." Hiashi paused to sip his tea. "What happened next?"

"I used the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu to attack Mizuki," Naruto continued, staring into his cup in thought. "They were actual solid clones. I probably created hundreds, if not a thousand."

"That's amazing!" Hinata praised. "Iruka-sensei must have been so proud of you."

Grinning excitedly, Naruto adjusted his headband giddily. "Iruka-sensei gave me his headband and told me I officially graduated," he revealed happily. "We went to Ichiraku Ramen this morning to celebrate." Then, his smile faltered when he remembered the day's events. "I wished we could have been on the same team, Hinata. We would have been unstoppable, ya know?"

"There were plenty of reasons for you two not being on the same team," Hiashi claimed, causing the children to stare at him. "The Hokage and your two new senseis discussed it at length with me. Considering the incident that took place all those years ago, we concluded that you two would be too reckless on missions because you would be too concerned with each other's safety. Depending on how the next few missions go, the Hokage will consider pairing your two teams on a mission. If the mission is successful, your teams will be paired more often. I was able to at least have that granted for you."

"Thank you, Father," Hinata stated with a simple bow. "We will prove to you that we can handle it."

Gazing at his daughter, Hiashi suggested, "Hinata, why don't you prepare Naruto's guest room? He looks as though he will fall asleep at any moment."

Naruto shook his head unconvincingly. "I'm not tired, Lord—" Midway through the name, the blonde haired boy let out a massive yawn against his will. Covering his mouth with his hand, Naruto mumbled, "Sorry, I guess I am."

"We will talk more after you have rested," Hiashi reassured. "You'll need as much as you can get since your real training starts tomorrow."