March 17th.
Today was the day of the graduation exam.
Ninja Academy, Class 1-6.
Iruka stood on the podium, smiling at the people below. "The content of this exam is the Clone Jutsu. Don't be nervous, just bring out your usual training results."
Saying that, he looked at Mizuki to his side. "Mizuki-sensei, please help register the grade sheet later."
"Mhm!" Mizuki smiled and nodded, then looked below the podium. "Then, line up according to your usual student numbers and come up one by one. The first one is Daigo Nao."
The students quickly lined up in front of the podium, going up one by one to demonstrate their Clone Jutsu.
In the back, Shikamaru rolled his eyes, muttering complaints about "how troublesome."
Naruto, on the other hand, was looking around, extremely nervous.
He was not good at the Clone Jutsu, and even now, he couldn't use it well.
Jokichi patted him on the shoulder and comforted him, "Don't be nervous."
"Jokichi!"
Naruto looked at Jokichi, feeling much more secure inside.
Jokichi pushed his glasses frame, the lenses reflecting a cold glint under the sunlight. "Anyway, since you can't do it regardless, being nervous is useless."
Naruto was stunned. Seeing the slightly raised corner of Jokichi's mouth under the lenses, he instantly realized he was being mocked.
"Hmph! I will definitely pass the exam and become a ninja," Naruto clenched his fist and swore confidently.
"Who knows!"
Jokichi's weird and sarcastic tone made Naruto very angry.
He endured it again and again, but couldn't endure it anymore.
"Jokichi, you bastard, you're making fun of me again!"
The two started fighting and playing around at the back of the line.
After a bout of playing around, Naruto's nervousness disappeared.
He took a deep breath, then slowly let it out, and his mood calmed down.
"Thank you," Naruto thanked Jokichi.
Jokichi pushed his glasses frame, the corners of his mouth slightly raised. "Why act like a little girl."
"Crack!"
A vein throbbed on Naruto's forehead, scrunching up into a '#' shape.
Why is this guy making people angrier and angrier?
Just as Naruto was about to blow his top, Iruka called out from the podium.
"Uzumaki Naruto."
"Coming, coming."
Naruto was a beat slow in reacting, and immediately ran up to the podium.
Then, everything was no different from the original anime.
The clone Naruto produced looked as if its body had been drained dry; its face was disastrously pale, it lacked strength, its body was limp, and it couldn't even stand straight.
Naturally, he failed.
Naruto was unconvinced by this result and tried to use the Sexy Jutsu to give Iruka malnutrition.
Then, he was severely reprimanded.
The exam ended quickly. Including Jokichi, a total of 28 people passed.
Iruka distributed forehead protectors to those who passed, instructed them to come to the classroom tomorrow for team assignments, and announced the end of school.
The crowd left the classroom with feelings of either joy or disappointment.
Naruto followed at the very back, feeling downcast.
Jokichi came to his side and encouraged him, "Relax, you will definitely become a ninja."
Naruto looked at Jokichi, opened his mouth, and wanted to say something.
But in the end, he didn't say anything.
He just shook his head in disappointment, turned, and walked away.
"I want to be alone for a bit."
Jokichi stood quietly in place, silently watching that back under the setting sun—lonely and desolate.
Finally, he couldn't help but sigh, turned around, and walked away.
Although he knew Naruto would ultimately become a ninja, seeing some things with his own eyes still unavoidably evoked a sigh.
Let's go home and make a good meal to celebrate!
...
The next day.
Jokichi got up early to take photos and register his ninja file, then went home to tease Kuroneko, passing a leisurely day.
The third day after the exam.
The scorching sun rose high, casting down bright sunlight that illuminated all of Konoha.
A pink, tender cherry blossom petal danced in the wind high in the sky, blown far away along with the chill, as spring arrived quietly.
Today was the day of team assignments.
The youths who had just passed the graduation exam were all extremely excited, arriving at the classroom early, and Jokichi was no exception.
Ninjas...
Just like the martial arts dreams of people in his past life.
Many people in this world also had ninja dreams.
Figures flying around, strength and speed beyond common sense, extraordinary ninjutsu...
Although this was a dangerous profession, it was still desirable.
Especially for children who had not yet experienced the hardships of society.
In the classroom.
Aside from Shikamaru, who acted like an old man, everyone else was discussing excitedly...
Discussing their teammates, discussing their Jonin instructors, discussing their brilliant future ninja careers.
Jokichi also had some faint anticipation for his upcoming ninja career, but he was not as overly excited as these classmates.
Because he knew a ninja's career was not as wonderful as imagined.
Jokichi sat in the back row, his elbows resting on the desk, his palms propping his cheeks, quietly watching the classmates who were talking animatedly.
He was very familiar with the faces of these people, but he hadn't memorized a single name.
The academy's exam was merely to test whether you had the qualifications to become a ninja, but the test given by the Jonin instructor was the true exam to become a ninja.
In this batch, only 9 people passed the Jonin instructor's assessment to become official ninjas.
The others were all sent back to the academy for further study.
Their fantasies about the future would be shattered by ruthless reality on their very first day out in society.
While Jokichi's mind was wandering, Ino suddenly came to his side and said affectionately, "Jokichi-kun, do you think we will be assigned to the same team?"
Jokichi glanced at her and said indifferently, "Stop daydreaming, there's no chance."
"It hasn't been decided yet, don't be so certain!"
Ino wasn't angry at Jokichi's cold attitude. Instead, she leaned even closer, her tone as soft as acting spoiled to a boyfriend.
To explain it in her own words, my Jokichi-kun isn't being cold; it's called having personality, having style.
What?
You ask me why I don't think like this when others do it?
Are they as handsome as Jokichi-kun?
No?
Then get lost!
Regarding this, Jokichi could only sigh helplessly.
Over the past few years, as they grew older, everyone's figures and appearances had changed somewhat.
They grew taller and became more handsome and stylish.
Jokichi's changes were even more obvious.
His short black hair was combed neatly and cleanly, which, paired with his fair skin and delicate facial features, made him look refreshing and crisp. Especially that pair of pitch-black eyes, exuding a gentle gaze, making people feel a sense of intimacy at first sight.
Moreover, Jokichi had always paid attention to his diet and exercise.
Therefore, his height was a bit taller than his peers in the class—1.63 meters, while the others were around 1.5 meters.
His clothing was quite ordinary—simple long sleeves and pants.
But, matched with his delicate face and outstanding temperament, Jokichi was also a top-notch handsome guy.
However, he just wasn't very popular.
In Konoha during this era, girls' tastes were like those in China around the year 2000; they preferred the cold, edgy 'Shamate' style.
This could be seen from the generally edgy styling of the male model group, the Uchiha.
However, perhaps it was a preconceived impression.
Ino, who took a fancy to Jokichi at first sight in the flower shop back then, did not like the edgy style like those other girls did, but instead liked Jokichi even more.
Now, she was no longer that plain, unremarkable little girl from the past.
Twelve-year-old Ino was just beginning to show her charm.
She had also become bolder in her dressing style.
A purple sleeveless crop top, a purple knee-length skirt slit to the waist on both sides, with bandages wrapping everything from her waist to her thighs underneath.
White sleeves on both arms, and a ninja tool pouch strapped to her right thigh.
Such attire was actually very commonplace in the ninja world, but to Jokichi, who came from another world, it held a different kind of temptation.
Being frequently pestered and even taken advantage of by such a girl.
Who could handle this!