Chapter 70: The dazzling afterimage

The graduation exam was approaching for those in their last year of the academy.

Hachiro stood on top of a nearby building as he watched the students below prepare for the assessment.

The test to become an official genin in the Cloud was relatively simple. After passing this test the students would be selected by Jonin sensei.

Guide Jonin could freely select between 1 to 3 student(s) as long as the Raikage gave the 'ok'.

As for the content of the test, it was nothing more than a demonstration of the three types of jutsu, taijutsu, ninjutsu and genjutsu.

"We have a secret letter that has been flagged as urgent."

An Anbu in cloud uniform appeared beside him with the Body Flicker Technique to report.

Even if she wore a mask, he already knew who she really was, courtesy of her sweet voice,

Pakura.

Another girl in similar uniform stood at attention beside her.

She was 17 years old and had a unique temperament of her own.

Izumi Uchiha.

"Don't worry about that for now, let's go take a look when it's Hinata's turn. I need to be there when she goes on stage."

Hachiro threw his arms around their shoulders.

Pakura trembled slightly, before escaping with a quick sidestep.

What was that for?

She remarked unhappily in her mind.

Izumi just froze, not expecting it at all.

She came back to the land of living after he moved his arm away.

She breathed a sigh of relief.

Just then, the Raikage's assistant walked over to a stage set up in the middle of the playground and shouted while holding a data board.

"I will be the chief examiner, recording your results this year. My name is Mabui."

"This exam will be divided into three parts, pass any of these to graduate from the academy and earn yourself an official Cloud Shinobi forehead protector. The three parts will be, taijutsu, ninjutsu and genjutsu. You can pass these tests by getting the approval of your examiner, that's all."

After her speech was finished, Genkei stood in front of the stage and shouted,

"I will be the examiner for those interested in the genjutsu test. Who will go first?"

Killer Bee appeared in a puff of smoke on stage and started making his weird gestures.

"Yo, uncle Killer Bee~ in charge of testing your gain through pain~ Oh, yeah~"

Darui walked half way up the steps before scratching head and turning around lazily,

"I will be in charge of ninjutsu. There's no pressure, you don't have to win, just prove you have the strength of a genin."

The group of rookies didn't dare to even look at Killer Bee the famous jinchuriki of the eight tails.

Well aside from, Omoi and Karui, the two looked up at him in awe.

Suddenly, a pale hand arose and drew the attention of everyone surrounding it.

"Can I take your test uncle Bee?"

They noted that her voice sounded as gentle as a spring breeze.

[The Byakugan Princess] Hinata Raiden

That was her nickname in the academy

With her appearance, the heartrate of many little ghosts shot through the roof.

"Hmm~ Miss Hinata is still beautiful."

Omoi said somewhat dazedly with a lollipop in his mouth,

"Pity, she's got an overprotective dad..."

"I wish I had a bloodline like hers..."

Karui said with mild jealousy,

Although, they were both known as beautiful girls in the academy, because Hinata had a much rarer appearance and skin colour, she ended up getting more attention. Secretly, it annoyed her.

"You would like to take the taijutsu test?"

Mabui asked professionally,

"Yes, please."

Hinata replied quietly.

"Don't worry girly, I'll end it early!"

Killer Bee kindly told her,

Hinata blinked at him and nodded slightly, "Okay, thank you Uncle Killer Bee."

While walking into an open area, she looked around the edge of the playground trying to find her parents.

She could spot Terumi Mei and Samui smiling and mouthing words of encouragement.

She smiled but showed some disappointed when she couldn't find her dad.

Suddenly, she heard a static sound which soon, starting forming comprehensible words.

"Hinata, don't hold back."

She activated her byakugan and saw Hachiro waving from over a hundred meters away.

She suddenly felt as if she was brimming with energy, she could show her dad all that she had learned!

"Are we starttiinngg~"

Killer Bee expressed his impatience by dragging out his words.

"S-sorry, I'm ready now!

Hinata apologised and got into a fighting stance.

"Alright then, how about you begin."

Killer Bee spoke calmly showing off his confidence.

"The dumbass doesn't have his guard up at all."

Hachiro murmured with a grin.

The veins around Hinata's pretty eyes bulged.

Some of the parents and shinobi spectating reacted instantly,

The byakugan ?!

Thanks, to some advice given to her by Mei, she made sure that she didn't underestimate her opponent.

Gleaming golden lightning surrounded her small and slender body. It formed a coat that acted as a protective shield.

Even the civilian parents could feel the massive concentration of chakra.

"Huh? She's learnt Lightning Style Chakra Mode. Is this some sort of variant?"

Darui, muttered to himself in shock.

The Eight Tails reminded Killer Bee.

"Be careful. She's younger and weaker than–"

Bang!!!

The Eight Tails didn't get to finish his sentence before a dazzling afterimage materialised in the reflection of Killer Bee's sun glasses.

The Jinchuriki felt a sharp pain in his jaw.

A couple of teeth from the bottom row of his mouth become loose, as he tried to figure out what had just happened.