A few days later.
The day of the Ninja Academy's graduation exam had finally arrived.
When this year's candidates learned that the exam would be the Clone Technique, their reactions were mixed—some were overjoyed, while others were disheartened.
But none of this applied to Naruto and his peers. To them, the Clone Technique was hardly a challenge!
Even Naruto, despite the Nine-Tails within him interfering with his chakra control, had no trouble with it.
After all, Jiraiya had been back in the village for quite some time and had been training Naruto intensively. How could he have done nothing?
What truly brought them relief—yes, even Sasuke let out a sigh and smiled—was learning that Kitagawa Minamoto wouldn't be overseeing the exam.
"Yes! Awesome!"
The exam went smoothly. Even Naruto passed without issue. When Iruka handed him the forehead protector, Naruto was ecstatic.
But just as he was about to rush off to show off to Kitagawa Minamoto, Mizuki suddenly called out to him.
"Congratulations, Naruto, on passing the exam."
"Hehe, thanks, Mizuki-sensei."
It was already dusk, and Naruto, being the last to take the test, found himself alone.
Though he was eager to leave, he forced himself to stay and politely respond to Mizuki.
"But don't get cocky. Graduating from the academy is just the beginning."
Mizuki smiled, adopting the demeanor of a kind teacher.
"After graduation, your journey as a ninja truly begins. Your assigned Jōnin instructor will test you further—that's the real challenge. I hear you're close with Minamoto-sensei, right? You must know about his journey."
"Minamoto..."
At the mention of Kitagawa Minamoto and his "solo graduation," Naruto couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration.
It was all Minamoto's fault for setting such a high standard! Even Kiba had been nagging to team up with Naruto because of it.
"And Minamoto-sensei is a true genius."
Mizuki sighed with admiration, though a flash of jealousy flickered in his eyes.
"Graduated as a Chūnin in his first year, became a Jōnin in his second... He might even become Hokage one day!"
"Hokage..."
Naruto pressed his lips together. That word struck a chord in him.
"But still, I hope you succeed."
Mizuki patted Naruto on the shoulder, leaning in to whisper.
"By the way, I've heard there's a Scroll of Seals in the village. It contains incredibly powerful techniques. Mastering just one of them could make you a ninja as strong as the Hokage..."
"Hokage..."
"Yes, Hokage."
Seeing Naruto's confused expression, Mizuki realized he might have pushed too hard. He quickly added,
"Don't overthink it. Congratulations on graduating! And forget what I just said. I mentioned it because you're close to Minamoto-sensei..."
"After all, he's a genius—a true genius. He might even be the future Hokage. As his friend..."
"None of us want you to fall too far behind."
"Wow, what a cliché setup."
On the rooftop of the academy, Kitagawa Minamoto stood with Kakashi, observing the scene below. Minamoto couldn't help but smirk.
"Not very clever, but it might just provoke Naruto."
Kakashi chuckled softly but then shook his head.
"Still, you do have quite an influence on Naruto."
Though they were far away, as experienced ninjas, they had their own ways of eavesdropping. Mizuki's whispered words were no secret to them.
"Tch. No wonder today's students are so mediocre. Now I see where the problem lies."
Kitagawa Minamoto crossed his arms and spoke disdainfully.
"Last time, those two brats blew up someone's house and immediately tried to drag me into it. What happened to camaraderie?"
"..."
Kakashi gave him a deadpan look, but Minamoto continued to grumble.
"Couldn't they at least say, 'You go first; I'll cover you'?"
"..."
"No wonder Konoha's education system is under fire. But why didn't I turn out bad when I had Mizuki as a teacher?"
"Can you please stop talking?"
Kakashi couldn't hold back any longer. Was it possible that you were worse than Mizuki?
And wasn't the collapse of Konoha's education system your fault to begin with?
"Fine. What's your plan?"
Kakashi sighed, deciding not to dwell on it.
"And do you think Naruto will really fall for this?"
"Naruto's not that dumb. Jiraiya's been training him for a while now."
Kitagawa Minamoto thought for a moment before shaking his head.
"Still, he's likely to try and handle it on his own. That idiot always has something up his sleeve. Let's just watch for now."
Minamoto understood Naruto well. With Jiraiya's guidance, Naruto had undoubtedly grown.
Especially since he trained alongside Sasuke, constantly comparing himself to his rival. Naruto's mind worked faster than most people gave him credit for.
Moreover, Jiraiya's training was classified information. Few people knew about it, and those who did wouldn't spread it around.
"Someone like Mizuki couldn't possibly know. Otherwise, he wouldn't take such a reckless gamble. And believing Naruto could actually steal the Scroll of Seals just proves how incompetent he is."
Kitagawa Minamoto shook his head. Based on his understanding of Naruto, the boy was likely planning to act alone.
"Fortunately, it's not a big deal. Naruto knows enough to handle this."
With the Nine-Tails inside him, Naruto's training naturally came with complications. Jiraiya had to address these issues, even if he hadn't yet revealed everything about Naruto's parents.
"So tonight won't be a problem. And who knows, I might even get a look at the Scroll of Seals."
The thought made Minamoto blink with curiosity.
"Do you think there are different versions of the Scroll of Seals?"
Late at night, in a remote training ground in Konohagakure.
Naruto stared at the Scroll of Seals in his hands, biting his lip.
"This was way too easy... Should I take a look?"
After hesitating for a moment, he couldn't resist opening it. The first technique listed made him scratch his head.
"Shadow Clone Technique, huh? Too bad I already know that one."
"But... why isn't Mizuki here yet?"
Just as he was wondering, he sensed someone approaching. Looking up, he saw Iruka.
"Iruka-sensei? What are you doing here?"
"What are YOU doing, Naruto?"
Iruka asked angrily, while Naruto blinked in confusion.
"Mizuki-sensei told me that if I learned a technique from the Scroll of Seals, I'd become stronger. Strong enough not to embarrass Minamoto!"
"Not embarrass Minamoto? Mizuki?"
Iruka was initially puzzled. Earlier, Mizuki had reported that Naruto had stolen the Scroll of Seals and might be planning to leave the village.
The news had left Iruka restless. The Scroll of Seals was kept in the Hokage's residence, heavily guarded. How could Naruto have stolen it?
But as Naruto's teacher, Iruka's concern for him outweighed his doubts. He had rushed to find Naruto, only to discover this shocking scene.
"Mizuki!"
In an instant, Iruka felt a chill run down his spine. Then, he heard the sound of something cutting through the air.
Reacting instinctively, he pushed Naruto aside just as a barrage of kunai rained down on them.
Though Iruka managed to avoid the worst of it, he still sustained injuries.
"Iruka-sensei!"
Naruto cried out in alarm, spotting Mizuki in the distance.
"What's going on?"
"Just hand over the scroll, Naruto. After all..."
Mizuki stood on a tree branch, looking down at them with disdain.
"You're nothing but a criminal in this village!"
"A criminal?"
Naruto frowned, while Iruka quickly realized what was happening.
"Shut up, Mizuki!"
"Let me tell him the truth."
Mizuki sneered, his cold laughter echoing in the night.
"Twelve years ago, the village made a rule—one you were never allowed to know. No one could tell you that you're the Nine-Tails Demon Fox!"
"..."
Naruto froze, his mind racing.
Before he could respond, Iruka shouted,
"Naruto, don't listen to him! You're not the demon fox!"
"Oh? And how can you say that?"
Mizuki mocked Iruka, his voice dripping with scorn.
"Have you forgotten? The demon fox killed your parents twelve years ago."
"Shut up!"
Iruka interrupted Mizuki, turning to Naruto with unwavering determination.
"Naruto is not the demon fox. He's different. He's my hardworking, dedicated, and exceptional student!"
"He tries his best, even if he's not the smartest. He's determined to do everything he can."
"Minamoto recognizes him. The Hokage recognizes him. His classmates are starting to recognize him."
"I believe that one day, everyone will recognize him."
"Because he's not the demon fox. He's Naruto Uzumaki of Konohagakure!"
Iruka's voice rang out, firm and resolute, echoing through the still night.
Naruto stared at Iruka, his wide blue eyes filled with disbelief.
"You're really annoying."
Mizuki finally broke the silence, letting out a cold laugh.
"You want to protect him? Fine. I'll deal with you first, then the brat. Let's see how much you really believe in him!"
"Thank you, Iruka-sensei."
Naruto suddenly spoke, tears glistening in his eyes but a bright smile on his face.
"I was worried you hated me."
"Naruto..."
Iruka opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted as Naruto stepped forward, placing himself between Iruka and Mizuki.
"Actually, I already knew everything you said! Pervy Sage told me a long time ago."
"Pervy... Sage?"
Mizuki froze, unable to comprehend who Naruto was talking about.
Even Iruka was stunned. He hadn't expected Naruto to know the truth.
"Yeah, Pervy Sage."
Naruto nodded, setting the Scroll of Seals aside and standing tall.
"Iruka-sensei is right. I'll earn everyone's recognition because my goal is to become Hokage!"
"Tch, you brat..."
Mizuki scoffed, but Naruto interrupted him again.
"And did you really think I'd fall for your tricks? Minamoto might be annoying, but he was the first person to acknowledge me! You jerk!"
"Tch, this kid..."
Not far away, Kitagawa Minamoto had been quietly observing the entire scene.
Watching Naruto shout in defiance, he couldn't help but chuckle. But when Naruto's chakra began to surge uncontrollably, Minamoto stroked his chin, a thought forming in his mind.
"Should I take a closer look at the Nine-Tails?"
After all, he remembered that within Naruto's seal, there was chakra left behind by Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki.
He was curious about their chakra and its nature.
As he pondered, his eyes suddenly transformed, turning a pure, glowing white.
In an instant, the world around him seemed to shift.
In a dark, damp sewer-like space, a massive cage loomed, holding back a dangerous presence that breathed evenly within.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, the massive creature stirred, its eyes slowly opening.
In that moment, its crimson fox-like eyes widened in shock.
"Old man?"
The enormous fox instinctively spoke, but then its expression changed.
"No! That's not it... This aura..."
Muttering to itself, the fox abruptly rose, its nine tails thrashing wildly. Its fur bristled as it let out a deafening roar.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
"Who the hell are you?!"
(End of Chapter)
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