"I would be very happy if I were you…" Iruka's words lingered in the quiet air, soft but resolute.
Naruto's ears twitched at the sound, though his expression betrayed nothing. Beside him, Sasuke's heart fluttered faintly at the tone of the conversation, yet his face remained as unreadable as ever.
"I know," Iruka continued, his voice gentle but firm, "everyone thinks I support Naruto. And I won't deny it. He needs me… yes. But you must understand something else as well."
Sasuke's dark eyes flicked toward him. "What do you mean?"
Iruka looked at both boys with a calm intensity. "Sasuke needs guidance too. Perhaps more than you realize. Naruto's struggles are obvious to everyone, but for someone like you—someone brilliant and exceptionally gifted—the lessons of failure are far more crucial than the rewards of success."
Sasuke's expression remained stoic, but the slightest quiver betrayed the tug at his chest.
"You are the exact opposite of Naruto," Iruka said softly. "You are a genius, an outstanding individual, a true success. What you need most is not victory… it is defeat. And ideally, defeat in a battle against Naruto. Only through such experiences can you truly see yourself and push beyond your limits."
Sasuke's gaze fell to the ground. He wasn't accustomed to guidance, yet these words cut deeper than he expected.
"You and Naruto are mirrors," Iruka continued, "reflecting each other's strengths and weaknesses. You can see your truest selves when you face one another. If I were you, I would… thank Naruto for this challenge, for this defeat, and make a pact with it. Grow stronger. Become better versions of yourselves."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. Then, quietly, his footsteps faded away, leaving the river and its gentle murmur as the only sound.
Sasuke glanced at the flowing water. A small stone slipped from his hand, plunking into the river. It bounced once, then sank to the bottom.
"Naruto…" he whispered under his breath.
---
The next day arrived bright and clear, carrying with it a mixture of anxiety and anticipation. It was the day the Ninja Academy announced the final evaluation results—a moment that could determine not only rankings but also the trajectory of every student's future.
Naruto arrived early in class, his heart pounding in anticipation. Today, Iruka would make the final decision. Today, he would discover whether he had truly earned the "baptism" of the ninja system—a validation of his efforts, his growth, and his determination.
Even though it was not graduation season, these evaluations were critical. Each year, they shaped the path of the students, determining who might rise quickly through the ranks and who would remain in the shadows. The classroom buzzed with excitement, a cacophony of whispers, predictions, and friendly rivalries.
Until… the door opened.
Iruka stepped in, his presence commanding silence. Even the restless chatter ceased instantly.
Naruto's chest tightened. Confidence burned within him, but nerves pricked at the edges of his resolve. This was the moment.
"Öhöm…" Iruka cleared his throat. "I will now announce the final evaluation results of this period."
The room fell utterly silent. Naruto clenched his fists, his heart thrumming against his ribs. Could it be him? The thought seemed absurd. Though his grades had improved dramatically over the last months, they were still far from the top scores. Eighty points here, eighty there—it was an impressive climb, but the truly exceptional students still towered above him.
Yet… he couldn't help dreaming. Even if it wasn't him, surely it wouldn't be Sasuke. No, it should probably be Sakura, right? Her academic performance was consistently stellar, and her Ninjutsu mastery was unmatched. But then again… Hinata might be capable as well.
Naruto's mind paused. Somehow, deep down, he had been hoping for Hinata's name to be called.
And as if on cue, Iruka's voice rang across the classroom: "Hyuga Hinata!"
Naruto froze for a moment, then broke into unrestrained joy. "This is amazing!" he exclaimed, clapping his hands.
Hinata herself was stunned, unable to believe her ears. Her delicate face flushed crimson as she sank slightly in her seat, realizing she had truly come in first place. Ino's quiet laughter behind her only deepened the warmth flooding her chest.
Naruto jumped up, cheering loudly. "Great job, Hinata!"
Iruka raised an eyebrow, bemused. "Naruto, why are you so happy for Hinata?"
Naruto's grin was infectious. "I'm happy for her! She worked hard and deserves it!"
Hinata's blush deepened, her heart swelling with quiet pride. Even Sakura Haruno felt a pang of emptiness, a sudden sense of loss, as if the ground had shifted beneath her. She had expected, if not herself, at least Sasuke to claim the top spot.
Iruka continued, his voice calm and authoritative: "Hinata scored 97 points in academics, 90 points in Ninjutsu, and received 10 bonus points for her performance in the Ninja competition—197 points in total. Congratulations."
Applause erupted across the classroom. Hinata nodded shyly, her hands folded neatly on her lap. Naruto, however, could barely contain his excitement, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
"Second place goes to…" Iruka paused, and Naruto leapt before he could even think, pointing at himself with both hands. "I! I—"
Iruka smiled knowingly. "Sakura Haruno."
Naruto nearly fell backward, eyes wide. "What? Where did she come from?" he exclaimed.
Sakura, slightly annoyed, shot him a sharp glance. "Naruto! Aren't you happy I came in second?"
"I… I am! Of course!" Naruto stammered, waving his hands frantically. "I'm just surprised!"
Iruka cleared his throat, continuing. "Sakura scored 100 points in academics, 95 in Ninjutsu, and no bonus points in the Ninja competition, for a total of 195 points. Congratulations."
The class applauded again, more from amusement than awe—Sakura had always been at the top. Yet her smile was tinged with pride, a quiet acknowledgment of her consistent excellence.
"Öhöm, third place…" Iruka said, pausing for dramatic effect.
Naruto, unable to sit still, bounced again. "This time it's me, right?" he whispered to himself.
"Uchiha Sasuke!" Iruka's voice rang.
Naruto froze. His ears nearly twitched off his head. "What? How?" he gasped. "I didn't lose to him!"
Sasuke, as usual, remained calm. He did not rise from his seat. Arms crossed, head slightly bowed, he simply accepted his placement with detached indifference.
Iruka continued, "Sasuke scored 92 points in academics, 100 in Ninjutsu, with no bonus points, totaling 192 points."
A hush fell over the class as all eyes turned toward Naruto.
"And fourth place…" Iruka's gaze softened as it met Naruto's. "Uzumaki Naruto."
The room seemed to hold its breath. Even Naruto, usually bouncing with boundless energy, froze. Fourth place? After all his hard work, fourth? He had aimed for first, at least top three—never fourth.
And yet… a thrill surged through him. Over the course of just over a month, he had climbed to fourth place—a feat that seemed miraculous considering where he had started.
Iruka's eyes gleamed with pride. "Naruto, you scored 81 in academics, 100 in Ninjutsu, and 10 bonus points from the Ninja competition, totaling 191 points."
Naruto's hands flew to his face. "191 points? Just one point behind Sasuke?!" His heart raced. "Ahhh! This is incredible!"
Iruka nodded, smiling. "There is still a gap in academics, but Naruto… you have achieved something extraordinary. Congratulations."
Naruto, blushing and sheepishly grinning, whispered, "Thank you, Iruka… I'll keep working hard!"
As Iruka continued to announce the remaining results, Naruto's mind drifted. Fourth place, surpassing his personal goal of reaching the top ten, was more than enough for him. The thrill of progress, of growth, and the possibility of future victories filled him with boundless energy.
Even as the classroom buzzed with applause, Naruto's thoughts were already racing ahead—to new challenges, new battles, and the endless pursuit of becoming the Hokage he dreamed to be.
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