Naruto: Lost to Hinata on Purpose, and Now Everything's a Mess Chapter 39 39 : Attracting The Third Hokage Attention

Afterward, both Ino and Hinata received full marks and passed the graduation exam perfectly.

Seeing their performance, the Third Hokage smiled. "As expected of the Yamanaka and Hyuga clans—these two girls are truly outstanding."

By this point, Ino and Hinata had already reached the level of a Genin.

The Third Hokage was slightly surprised.

Their abilities were nearly on par with Sasuke's.

However, after checking their academic records, it was clear that Hinata and Ino were consistently ranked second and third in class.

The top spot had always belonged to Sasuke.

After receiving her ninja forehead protector, Ino walked over to Riku with a bright smile. "Look, Riku! This is my ninja forehead protector. Do you think I should wear it on my head or on my arm?"

Riku smiled. "You can wear it however you like, but I think it looks better on your arm."

Originally, Ino had planned to wear it around her waist, which left Riku at a bit of a loss.

Ino nodded. "Alright, I'll listen to you!"

Hinata wore hers around her neck, which made Riku sigh inwardly—but he didn't say anything. As long as she felt comfortable, that was what mattered.

In the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage watched Riku, Hinata, and Ino chatting and laughing through his crystal ball, frowning slightly. "Who is that boy? He seems to have a close relationship with Hinata and Ino."

The Third Hokage wasn't puzzled by Hinata and Ino being friends—he was more curious about Riku. He was just an average student from a civilian background, yet he had sohow grown close to two elite clan heirs. It was... odd.

None of the other Jōnin had any idea either.

At that mont, Kakashi stood up and said, "His na is Riku. He's a good kid."

All the Jōnin looked at Kakashi, surprised. The ever-reserved and cautious Kakashi actually knew a student with such average grades?

Now things were getting even more unusual.

The Third Hokage found it difficult to believe.

He looked at Kakashi and asked, "Oh? You know him?"

Kakashi nodded. "Yes. He's a good boy. His grades might not stand out, but he has a solid character."

The Third Hokage turned his gaze from Kakashi to Riku, who was still laughing and joking with Hinata and Ino in the crystal ball.

"Judging by how he interacts, he does seem to have a likable personality..."

But sothing about it still felt off. Would Kakashi really take notice of soone just because they had a "good personality"?

It was obvious. There had to be more to it. Kakashi and Riku clearly had an unusual connection.

Ever since Kakashi experienced the tragedies involving Obito, Rin, and the Fourth Hokage, his personality had grown distant and stoic. He had served in the ANBU for years before stepping down.

The Third Hokage had assigned him as a team leader multiple tis, yet Kakashi had repeatedly rejected students during the bell test. He wasn't soone who got close to others easily.

So for Kakashi to show familiarity with soone like Riku... It was unprecedented.

Yugao, who stood silently nearby in her ANBU gear, let out a quiet breath of relief as she watched Riku in the crystal ball.

"So he finally graduated. I'm really looking forward to his future... Maybe he truly can surpass the Fourth Hokage."

While the Third Hokage was still puzzling over Riku, Iruka called him over.

The Third watched seriously as Riku walked into the exam room.

"I really don't see what's so special about this kid that Kakashi would go out of his way to know him…"

At present, Kakashi was one of the most powerful Jōnin under the Third Hokage and Danzo—his strength was near unmatched.

Even the Hokage himself believed that if no one else rose to prominence, Kakashi could very well beco the next Hokage.

That's why Kakashi was so carefully nurtured—made ANBU captain, and later reassigned as a team leader to give him more prestige and influence.

anwhile, Riku—whose perception had grown very sharp—could feel that soone was observing him.

So he kept things low-key.

He passed the graduation exam like a normal student.

Many of the Jōnin watching were intrigued. Riku's performance was unremarkable—average, even.

Far from Sasuke's level.

Not even as good as Ino or Hinata.

What had caught Kakashi's attention?

Was it really just because Riku had a "good personality"?

Even the Third Hokage couldn't understand it.

He couldn't detect anything special about Riku at all.

But because Riku's exam performance was so ordinary, the Third stopped paying attention after a short while.

After receiving his forehead protector, Riku walked out of the room. Hinata and Ino quickly gathered around him.

Ino didn't hesitate to snatch the forehead protector from Riku's hands and strap it onto his arm herself.

"Now we match!"

Ino had also chosen to wear hers on her arm, just like Riku.

Hinata glanced down at her own, which was still around her neck. After a mont's thought, she quietly removed it and tied it around her arm as well.

Her silent gesture made Ino laugh. "Hinata, I think it looked better around your neck."

Hinata lowered her head, saying nothing.

It was clearly a protest.

Riku chuckled. "Stop teasing her. I've passed the exam, so I'm heading out now."

Graduation ant students could leave the school imdiately.

Riku didn't want to stick around.

Soon, the Hokage would give a graduation speech, and most of the students were waiting for it.

But Riku had no interest in listening. He just wanted to leave.

Hinata and Ino looked at each other, then called out, "Wait for us!"

Riku glanced at them, one on each side of him, and sighed with a wry smile. "Why are you two following ?"

Hinata didn't answer, but Ino grinned and said, "Today's our graduation celebration! Hinata and I were planning to get so barbecue."

"You're coming too. My treat!"

As she spoke, she clung to Riku's arm. Hinata looked envious, but although she wasn't as shy as she used to be, she still couldn't bring herself to be as forward as Ino.

Riku didn't seem to mind at all. He replied casually, "Sure."

"I'm not paying, after all."

Ino teased, "Of course. Riku the cheapskate!"

Riku didn't argue, but Hinata mumbled softly, "Riku-kun isn't a cheapskate… Don't say that, Ino."

The three of them chatted as they walked, eventually arriving at a local barbecue restaurant.

In Konoha, barbecue was considered expensive.

Ino had spent over a month's worth of her allowance just to treat Riku and Hinata.

Even as the Yamanaka heir, Ino's monthly spending money was only enough for one al like this. That showed how costly it was.

Just as the three of them were enjoying their food, four people entered the restaurant.

Upon seeing Riku, one of them called out, "Yo, Riku! You're here too?"

Without hesitation, he led his group over to Riku's table.

Riku had already sensed them approaching.

He looked up and smiled. "Guy-sensei. You're out for barbecue too?"

Might Guy plopped down beside Riku without reservation, calling over his students to join them.

This was the first ti Riku officially t Rock Lee, Tenten, and Neji Hyuga.