16: Chapter 16 Graduation! The Kong Lockdown"Beep.beep."
Konoha Hospital, Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
The ward was filled with the smell of disinfectant and medicine, with only the regular, cold "beep.beep." sound of the intensive care unit echoing.
After examining Iruka's wound, the doctor whispered to the nurse, "I heard that Mizuki instigated the students to steal the Book of Seals?He's insane!"
I never expected him to be so ruthless, beating Iruka-sensei like this.his back is almost pierced!Spinal contusion, internal bleeding, multiple soft tissue contusions.he's a beast!
But evil deeds have their retribution.I heard that Mizuki was beaten into a vegetative state on the spot?The torture department people have already dragged him away.He deserved it!
On the hospital bed, Iruka was as pale as a sheet, leaning weakly against the pillow.
He listened silently to the doctors' discussion, then cast a silent, accusatory glance precisely at the restless blond boy next to him—Naruto Uzumaki.
Naruto felt extremely uncomfortable under that gaze, so he could only scratch the back of his head, flashing his signature silly grin in an attempt to get away with it, while muttering to himself:
"Uh.hehehe.well, actually there are three of us."
He lowered his voice even further, "Usually, after a fight, I can wake up refreshed and full of energy."
Who knew that Iruka-sensei would actually.uh, need to rest for so long.
His tone was full of incomprehension of the "ordinary person's" physical condition and a hint of grievance.
Seeing Naruto's anxious expression, Iruka's heart softened.His initial resentment instantly transformed into helplessness and a touch of relief: 'This child.though reckless and eccentric, he's ultimately kind-hearted.He's worried about me.'
However, Naruto's next words immediately shattered Iruka's emotional filter: "Iruka-sensei!You have to get better soon!"
Naruto leaned closer to the hospital bed, his azure eyes gleaming with pure urgency."Everyone else in the class has already taken their graduation photos and hung them on the wall!They're all discussing tomorrow's class assignments!"
I've already planned out a super cool pose for the photo!All that's missing is your signature to complete the graduation paperwork!What if I miss the class assignment?
Iruka: "."
He felt pain in his chest more than in the wound on his back, and he almost choked on a mouthful of blood again.
He silently turned his head to the window, tears streaming down his face: 'Why did I even have any expectations for this idiot?I've already started to mourn for his future teammates for three minutes…'
Although he was inwardly complaining about the raging storm, Iruka was actually quite anxious.
The Anbu had already sent word that the Third Hokage would personally come to handle Naruto's graduation matters and bring the Hokage's condolences.
But it's been almost half a day, why hasn't the Hokage arrived yet?
Could it be.that he regrets it?
Speaking of Cao Cao, the third generation arrived.
A respectful greeting came from outside the ward: "Third Hokage!"
This was followed by Hiruzen Sarutobi's familiar, gentle, and calm response: "Yes, thank you for your hard work."
Naruto jumped up in surprise: "Third Hokage!"
Iruka struggled to sit up and bow, saying, "Hokage-sama."
"Lie still, Iruka."
Hiruzen Sarutobi strode into the ward, gently pressed Iruka's shoulder, and glanced at his pale face and the layers of bandages wrapped around his back.
His eyes revealed genuine concern and a hint of barely perceptible guilt."Your injuries are severe, please rest well.It was my duty that delayed my visit."
"Lord Hokage, you flatter me.cough cough." Iruka responded weakly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi turned to Naruto, who was looking at him with curiosity and had already moved closer, and smiled kindly:
"Naruto, your rambling on here isn't good for Iruka-sensei's recovery.Come with me, let's talk about some things related to your graduation somewhere else."
He cleverly blocked Naruto's barrage of questions that was about to come out.
"Okay!"
Upon hearing about graduation, Naruto immediately put all other questions aside and followed the Third Hokage out of the ward with sparkling eyes.
————————
Top of Hokage Rock.
A cool morning breeze ruffled their clothes.Standing atop the massive stone sculpture of the First Hokage, the entire Hidden Leaf Village was bathed in the golden light of the rising sun, spread out before them.
"Naruto," Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke first, his voice tinged with apology, "Forgive this old man for not being able to properly see you for so long."
"Hehe, it's okay, Grandpa!I know you're busy!"
Naruto waved his hand magnanimously, then asked anxiously, "Then what about my graduation."
"Congratulations, Naruto."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and officially announced, "You have successfully graduated!From today onwards, you are a genin of Konoha!"
"yeah--!"
Naruto jumped up high in excitement, waving his fist wildly, "That's awesome!I knew I was a genius!"
"Remember to go to the photo studio this afternoon to take Shinobu's registration photo."
The Third Hokage reminded him, a smile playing on his lips as he looked at Naruto's excited expression.
He abruptly changed the subject, taking out an ancient scroll, no bigger than the palm of his hand, from his wide sleeves.The scroll was imprinted with the unique spiral-shaped sealing runes of the Whirlpool Clan.
"This is a graduation gift for you."
Naruto curiously took the scroll, finding it heavy in his hand: "What's this?A new ninjutsu?"
"It's called 'King Kong Lockdown'."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone became exceptionally solemn, "This is not an ordinary ninjutsu, but a sealing technique unique to the Uzumaki clan."
It can condense incredibly strong golden chakra chains to bind enemies, and even.suppress tailed beasts.
He gazed intently at Naruto, not missing the fleeting look of bewilderment and curiosity about the tailed beasts in the boy's eyes.
'This is a precious dowry brought by the first lady, Lady Uzumaki Mito…'
The Third Hokage sighed inwardly, 'It's a pity it fell into the hands of that girl Tsunade.'She used it as an antique to exchange for gambling money.and now it has ended up back in your hands; it's a coincidence of fate.
But what he said was: "You have now awakened a unique physical transformation type bloodline limit.Although this power is strong, I am also worried that it is too strange and may affect.certain balances within your body."
"Hmm."
The words "Nine-Tailed Fox" came to his lips, but after thinking about it, he kept them to himself.
"Mastering this Vajra Lock might buy you precious time to stabilize the situation should you encounter an extremely dangerous and uncontrollable force going berserk in the future."
Next, the Third Hokage inquired in detail about Naruto's specific feelings when he awakened "Bullet Release," the changes in his body after awakening, and his current level of control and effectiveness of the ability.
Aside from concealing the core secret of having Luffy and Ichigo as his "friends" in his mind, Naruto explained in detail the characteristics of his body becoming as elastic, stretchable, and durable as rubber, and even excitedly demonstrated by stretching his finger a little.
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