Just as Haruma and the others were chatting about possible team placements, the time for the graduation exam finally arrived. This year's exam content was the clone technique.
By the sixth year, cultural classes were already few and far between. The curriculum focused mainly on the Three Basic Jutsu, taijutsu, stealth and kenjutsu.
Among these, ninjutsu was naturally the most important.
For Haruma and the other top students in the class, this exam was of course not that difficult at all. They easily obtained their Genin headbands, and Haruma's group agreed to head home together.
On the way, Haruma noticed Naruto sitting alone on the swing, looking desolate, though he didn't go up to comfort him.
Over these six years Haruma had had little contact with either the protagonist or deuteragonist. Besides, Naruto was only upset now, very soon, one of his greatest cheats would arrive. The Multi-Shadow Clone Technique, a forbidden jutsu that even Haruma himself didn't know, and wouldn't dare use even if he did.
In the six years that had passed, Haruma's chakra had once crushed Naruto's, but now Naruto had completely outpaced him by several times.
Even discounting Kurama, Naruto's chakra was already at least four times that of Haruma, and five times that of Kakashi.
In just a few months, as his strength grew further, Naruto's chakra would become over ten times Haruma's.
This was the terrifying combination of Asura's chakra, the Sage's body, and half of the Nine-Tails. Even with Haruma's cheats, he couldn't compare.
More frightening still, during the Fourth Great Ninja War, Naruto, with these three great advantages, was praised by Hashirama Senju himself:
"Such overwhelming chakra, you've almost caught up with me."
Yes, almost caught up with me. Even with half of Kurama, Naruto's chakra still fell short of Hashirama's.
Every time Haruma recalled this scene, his previously inflated heart felt as though it had been doused with ice water, freezing cold. The gap between himself and the greatest shinobi below the Sage level was still vast, let alone reaching the Sage level itself.
He still had a long road ahead.
After leaving the academy, Haruma parted ways with Ino, Shikamaru, Choji, and Hinata. He went home, changed clothes, and then returned to the school.
After the graduation exam, all students who obtained their Genin headbands had to return for group photos.
Haruma wore a simple grey-and-black outfit: a grey shirt with black pants. Though Haruma was born a civilian and had no bloodline limit, he at least had a good-looking face.
Standing at the academy entrance, Haruma waited for Hinata and the others.This time, Ino arrived accompanied by Sakura in her red dress. Ino herself had swapped her purple combat outfit for a spaghetti-strap princess dress. Hinata, as usual, wore a conservative long outfit and pants, her headband hanging around her neck.
When Shikamaru and Choji arrived, the six of them went to the classroom. After Iruka gathered them, they headed to the rooftop for photos.
"Let's have a meal together. Starting tomorrow, we won't have as many chances to meet." Ino said after the photos. "Barbecue, as usual. Us three guys will hunt, you three prepare the ingredients." Shikamaru suggested, glancing at the girls. From his words, it was clear this wasn't their first gathering.
"Alright." The three girls agreed readily.
The six split up.
With Haruma's sensory ninjutsu and Shikamaru's Shadow Possession, the three boys went hunting in the forest above the Hokage Monument and quickly obtained food for the day.
Then Haruma led them to a waterfall area he had discovered by chance, perfect for camping and get-togethers which they often came here for meals.
At the falls, Choji retrieved a scroll, pulling out cooking tools and clumsily preparing the ingredients, a bit out of breath from the long day of walking running and hunting.
Not long after, the three girls returned with vegetables, fruits, and barbecue supplies. And so the six sat by the water, listening to the sound of the falls as they grilled their food.
Meanwhile, Naruto, tricked by Mizuki, also began to take action.
By the time Haruma's group finished their meal and walked home, they saw numerous shadows darting across the rooftops. Shikamaru narrowed his eyes slightly, seeming nervous but trying to understand what was going on.
Still, since no village alarms were raised, it couldn't be too serious. He figured he'd just ask his father later.
Haruma also feigned ignorance. After escorting the girls home, he and Shikamaru, along with Choji, parted ways at a crossroads.
The next day, Haruma rose early and donned his combat attire though "combat attire" might be too strong a word, it was simply his usual long grey shirt and black pants. He strapped a ninja pouch filled with kunai and shuriken to his belt, slipped on shoes. Finally, he tucked his extra pair of glasses into his coat pocket and tied his headband across his forehead.
Once geared up, he headed to the academy.
This time, he didn't wait for Hinata at the gate but went straight to the classroom.Today was technically a holiday, but students who passed the graduation exam and received their headbands had to return.
Soon, the new Genin filed into the classroom. Class One, the honors class, consisted of thirty-six students, forming exactly twelve squads, counting even Naruto who had graduated last night.
"Morning, Haruma."
"Morning."
After greeting Ino, Shikamaru, Choji, and Hinata, Haruma's gaze fell on Naruto and Sasuke.
Sakura hadn't returned to her original seat. Like many other girls, she vied for the spot next to Sasuke. Naruto, shoved aside, glared at Sasuke's bored expression, unable to stomach it after six years of constant defeat.
So Naruto hopped onto a desk, squatting in front of his lifelong rival, locking eyes in a fiery glare. Then, a boy behind Naruto accidentally bumped him with his elbow.
And thus, the infamous kiss scene unfolded before Haruma's eyes.
Seeing this unforgettable moment from twelve years ago play out in real life, Haruma couldn't help but smile.
"…This…" Ino's lips twitched.
"Naruto's in for it now," Shikamaru warily muttered.
"Mhm." Choji nodded in agreement.
Hinata, curious at their words, looked up just in time to see Naruto being mobbed and beaten by furious girls, utterly baffled by the sight.
The chaos only ended when Iruka finally walked in.
"Alright, that's enough. Stop messing around."
Once order was restored, Iruka announced, "From this moment forward, you are all Genin. Until you are able to stand on your own, you'll be assigned into three-man squads under Jonin instructors to carry out missions."
"We'll now begin team placements. The names I call will be your future teammates."
"Squad One…"
As Iruka read the names, tension filled the classroom. Faces lit with excitement or fell in disappointment as names were paired.
Sitting between Hinata and Ino, Haruma noticed both girls' hands clench slightly.Though the Ino–Shika–Cho trio was unlikely to be separated, Ino still held a sliver of hope.
Hinata's hope was even greater. Based on Shikamaru's analysis, she had a good chance of ending up on Haruma's team.
Haruma, however, simply leaned on his chin, expression thoughtful.
If memory served, during team placements, the Jonin instructors were already in the Hokage's office, observing through the Third Hokage's crystal ball.
Hopefully, his efforts over the past two years had impressed Hiruzen enough.Otherwise, he'd be doomed to walk the path of a lone wolf.