In the blink of an eye, another two days passed.
Today was the day of the ninja graduation exam for Shinju and Naruto.
That morning, the two of them, brimming with excitement, left together and stepped into the examination hall.
First came the written test — for Shinju, it was no challenge at all.
Next were the demonstrations of the Substitution Jutsu, Clone Jutsu, and Transformation Jutsu.
At this moment, Shinju was facing the academy examiners, performing his Transformation Jutsu.
This was his first major exam since coming to this world. Even though he had been good at handling exams in his previous life, he was still incredibly nervous.
The chief examiner gave the word: "You may begin."
Shinju formed the hand seals.
Whoosh!
In an instant, he transformed into the Third Hokage.
All the examiners: Σ( ° △ °|||)︴
They had to admit — the resemblance was uncanny!
Even the wrinkles on the face, and that faint but unmistakable chakra fluctuation!
For a moment, the examiners actually suspected that the child version of Shinju was just the Hokage himself under Transformation Jutsu, and that the "Third Hokage" in front of them was his true form after dropping the disguise.
"Hokage-sama, please stop teasing us. Did you transform into a student just to experience the exam for yourself?" one of the examiners asked.
Shinju tilted his head, puzzled, and answered in his young voice,
"Huh? Examiner, what are you talking about?"
The examiner who had spoken: ∑(✘Д✘๑)
Embarrassing!
"All right, all right, you pass. Now get out of here!"
In the end, the chief examiner waved his hand, shooing Shinju out.
Shinju scratched his head. Though still a bit confused, passing the exam was definitely something to be happy about!
...
After a day of exams, the result was clear.
Shinju, who had prepared thoroughly, passed!
Naruto, though not great with the written part, also passed.
Now, all the successful candidates were waiting for their ninja registration books and forehead protectors to be handed out.
"Once we've passed the ninja exam, starting tomorrow, we'll be real ninja!"
In the academy, Naruto slung an arm around Shinju's shoulder, grinning from ear to ear.
"Yeah. But becoming a genin is just the beginning of our journey. We'll need to work harder and stay cautious in the future," Shinju said.
As a traveler from another world, in this unfamiliar ninja land, he had to be both diligent and careful.
"Don't make it sound so serious! Let's go have ramen tonight to celebrate!"
Naruto pumped his fist in excitement.
"Sure," Shinju replied with a nod, seeing how happy Naruto was.
Not far away, some of their classmates were whispering.
"Those two actually graduated?"
"Yeah, after being dead last for four or five years, I didn't think they'd scrape by!"
"What a shame for ninja. Bet they slipped the examiners some money."
"Hey, don't be so nasty. I heard their ninjutsu scores weren't bad!"
"Huh? How do you know? You got family working here or something?"
"I just overheard two examiners talking about Shinju — sounded like they think he's really talented…"
"Tch, he just happened to learn the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu. If that counts as 'talent,' give me two or three years and I could figure it out too!" one stubborn student said, chin raised.
Just then, Yamanaka Ino happened to walk past. She glanced at the boy and scoffed,
"You? You're not as good-looking as Shinju, not as hardworking as Shinju — give you a hundred years and you still wouldn't learn it!"
"Ino, that's going too far!" the boy shouted angrily.
"Yeah, I said it. What, you gonna hit me?" Ino shot back.
Though she was a girl, her energy was no weaker than any boy's.
The boy clenched his fist, but in the end, didn't dare swing. With the finals over, no one wanted to risk delaying their graduation.
...
While they argued, Iruka and several other teachers walked out, carrying a stack of documents and a pile of forehead protectors.
The moment the teachers appeared, all the students quieted down.
"Everyone here is this year's graduating class of the ninja academy. Now we'll be handing out your ninja registration books and forehead protectors," Iruka announced.
"Once you receive your registration book, sign it, and bring it to the Hokage's office tomorrow morning."
"When registration is complete, you will officially be genin of Konoha!"
Iruka began handing out the books and protectors one by one.
When he reached Shinju and Naruto, the normally composed Iruka's eyes grew moist.
"You two have grown up. Now you've become full-fledged ninja."
With great care, Iruka placed the registration books and forehead protectors in their hands.
"Keep working hard," he told them.
"Don't worry, Iruka-sensei! I, Uzumaki Naruto, am gonna be the Hokage someday!" Naruto said with a wide grin.
Shinju took the forehead protector and nodded.
"I've never stopped working hard."
In his memories, Iruka-sensei had always treated him and Naruto — the two so-called dead lasts — kindly, never giving up on them. And as orphans, the two of them had received plenty of care from him in their daily lives as well.
Iruka looked at the two boys who had grown so much in these past five or six years and nodded in satisfaction.
"Once you've got your forehead protectors, head home for today. Tomorrow, after you hand in your registration books, you can wear your protectors to the ninja orientation."
Shinju and Naruto nodded and left the academy.
On the way, Naruto chattered endlessly, full of excitement, while Shinju remained thoughtful.
Soon, they arrived at Ichiraku Ramen.
The shop owner noticed the forehead protectors clutched in their hands and smiled with narrowed eyes.
"Shinju, Naruto — looks like you've officially become Konoha ninja. Let's celebrate! Today's ramen is on me!"
"Yeah!" Naruto cheered, leaping up.
Shinju smiled — what could be better than free food?
In the end, the two of them ate over ten bowls between them. Fortunately, Teuchi was a kind man, saying nothing but feeling happy for the kids.
That night, Shinju and Naruto, still in high spirits, skipped their usual harsh training. After filling out their registration books, they went straight to bed.
...
The next morning, they went to the Hokage's office to hand in their registration books.
After completing the process, Shinju and Naruto stepped out, breathing a long sigh of relief.
They stood on the office balcony, looking out — the entire Konoha village spread before their eyes.
After days of rebuilding, all traces of the damage from Shinju's Wood Release: Nativity of a World of Trees had been completely repaired.
Watching the sunrise on the horizon, Shinju smiled. "I never realized Konoha could be this beautiful."
"Yeah. Even the air smells better after passing the exam!" Naruto said, grinning wide.
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