"Hello everyone, I am Uzumaki Naruto!"
Naruto shouted excitedly, his face radiating confidence.
"I am the top student in the Ninja Academy's overall grades! Let me specially point out that Uchiha Sasuke is second."
"Tomorrow is the day of the Ninja Academy graduation exam, and I will definitely amaze everyone at tomorrow's exam, just you wait!"
Uzumaki Naruto clenched his fists and said with a determined gaze.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the windows into the Ninja Academy classroom, filling it with bright light.
Iruka-sensei stood solemnly on the podium, holding the exam roster, and called out to the class in a resounding voice:
"Now, let's begin the graduation exam. Those whose names are called, come to the next classroom."
"And the subject for this graduation exam is—the Clone Technique."
As soon as Iruka-sensei's voice fell, a slight commotion arose in the classroom, with students showing mixed expressions of nervousness and anticipation.
Naruto said smugly:
"Hmph, the Clone Technique? That just happens to be my best Ninjutsu."
With his confident demeanor, Naruto looked as though he could already see the dawn of success.
Iruka-sensei called out:
"Uzumaki Naruto, first."
Following this, Naruto happily accompanied Iruka-sensei to the next classroom to take the graduation exam.
Naruto quickly formed hand seals and then shouted loudly:
"Clone Technique."
However, to everyone's surprise, nothing around him changed; everything remained exactly as it was before.
Naruto's eyes widened in shock, and he cried out in disbelief:
"What's going on?"
Iruka-sensei immediately frowned and said sternly:
"Naruto, what are you playing at? This is an exam! Even for a prank, there's a limit, or is it that you don't want to graduate yet and want to stay at the Ninja Academy to study for a few more years?"
"I'll give you one more chance, make the most of it."
A hint of severity edged Iruka-sensei's tone.
Naruto thought to himself in confusion:
"How strange, what just happened? Why couldn't I gather chakra all of a sudden?"
Fine beads of sweat broke out on Naruto's forehead, and he felt extremely anxious inside.
Afterward, Naruto took a deep breath, determination flashing in his eyes, and once again focused all his might to gather chakra. He skillfully formed hand seals and shouted:
"Clone Technique!"
Immediately following, a burst of white smoke dissipated abruptly, but appearing beside Naruto was a lifeless Naruto. The clone was sickly and collapsed weakly to the ground the moment it appeared.
Seeing this, Iruka-sensei's expression darkened, and without hesitation, he immediately announced Naruto's exam result:
"Fail!"
Iruka-sensei's voice was resolute and decisive, without a shred of hesitation or pity.
Teacher Mizuki walked up beside Iruka-sensei and whispered softly:
"Naruto's movement techniques and stamina are actually quite good. Even like this, he can barely be considered to know the Clone Technique. You might as well just pass him..."
A slightly benevolent smile hung on Teacher Mizuki's face.
Hearing Teacher Mizuki speak up for him, Naruto's eyes instantly lit up. He raised his head happily and looked at Iruka-sensei with full anticipation, his eager gaze seeming to say:
"Iruka-sensei, please, just let me pass!"
With a firm expression, Iruka-sensei then stated to Teacher Mizuki:
"Teacher Mizuki, the Clone Technique requires at least being able to create three people, but Naruto can only make one right now. Furthermore, a clone like the one Naruto produces is only a hindrance. There's no way I can let him pass."
Iruka-sensei's tone was resolute, his gaze unwavering as he looked straight at Teacher Mizuki, making his stance entirely clear.
Finally, when the graduation exams for all the students had concluded, the sky gradually grew dark.
Naruto sat alone on a swing, gently swaying back and forth.
His gaze was dim as he quietly watched everyone nearby happily discussing graduation.
A gentle breeze swept past, rustling the blonde hair on Naruto's forehead, making his figure appear exceptionally forlorn in the fading glow of the setting sun.
The joyous laughter of the surrounding classmates seemed separated from him by an invisible barrier. He just sat there quietly, completely out of place with the lively scene.
Naruto sat on the swing with his head lowered, his entire person seemingly shrouded in a layer of gloom.
The discussions of the newly graduated students drifted into his ears from time to time.
"I can finally stand on my own two feet!"
The voice was filled with pride and joy.
"Great job, as expected of you!"
Full of praise and admiration.
"Congratulations, happy graduation! Let me treat you to something good tonight."
The words carried a deep sense of friendship.
"Hey, isn't that guy Uzumaki Naruto, who usually ranks first in exams? How come I heard he didn't pass the graduation exam?"
The voice carried doubt and a hint of mockery.
"Yeah, and it seems he's the only one who didn't pass."
The echoing words pierced Naruto's heart like sharp arrows.
"He really drops the ball at the crucial moment!"
The contemptuous tone kept ringing in Naruto's ears.
These voices intertwined, acting like chilly gusts of wind that made Naruto's heart grow colder and colder.
Naruto adjusted the goggles on his head, his face full of disappointment and frustration.
Just as Naruto was about to get up and leave the swing, a figure suddenly appeared beside him, blocking the light in front of him.
Subconsciously, Naruto looked up and saw, to his surprise, Teacher Mizuki, who had just spoken up for him earlier.
At that moment, Teacher Mizuki's figure appeared somewhat blurred in the dimming light, yet carried an inexplicable sense of oppression.
Naruto was slightly startled, a flicker of surprise and confusion flashing in his eyes.
Teacher Mizuki bent down slightly, leaned in close to Naruto, and whispered:
"Naruto, come with me for a moment."
Teacher Mizuki's voice was low and mysterious, as if hiding some unknown secret.
Hesitant for a moment, Naruto still stood up and followed behind Teacher Mizuki.
The lingering rays of the setting sun stretched their two figures out long, making them look lonely and bewildered.
Standing not far away, the Third Hokage quietly watched this scene through his thick spectacles.
The Third Hokage's graying hair fluttered gently in the breeze. No obvious expression could be seen on his weathered face, only an elusive gleam flashing within his deep eyes, as if he were deep in thought.
Bathed in the setting sun, his figure appeared solemn and dignified, yet carried a trace of imperceptible worry.
Then, the Third Hokage slowly turned his head and said to Iruka-sensei beside him:
"Iruka, I have something to tell you in a moment."
The Third Hokage's voice was steady and powerful, carrying an unquestionable majesty.
Iruka-sensei immediately replied:
"Understood."
Iruka-sensei's tone was submissive, his eyes holding a hint of confusion and nervousness, unaware of what the Third Hokage was about to say to him.