Effort, focus, diligence, and hard work—these were the pillars of learning for most students. They studied with determination, straining their minds and bodies to meet the expectations set for them. Even the most diligent among them, like Rock Lee, treated hard work as a kind of art form, driven by willpower and sheer perseverance. For Lee, his dedication was admirable, but exhausting; his progress always came at the cost of personal struggle.But Naruto… Naruto was different. His approach to learning and cultivation didn't resemble the stern, gritted-teeth determination of a Rock Lee. For him, cultivation wasn't a chore, a task, or even a challenge—it was an addiction. An irresistible compulsion that consumed him entirely. If he wasn't allowed to train or focus on his studies, he felt an almost physical ache, as though a vital part of him were being denied. The passion with which he attacked every subject—Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Chinese, Math, English, Moral Character, and Ninja Principles—was astonishing. To Naruto, each challenge was a game, each question a puzzle, and he tackled them with a zeal that surpassed even the most prodigious of geniuses.Iruka-sensei watched this transformation with a mixture of awe and relief. He had seen Naruto's determination before, but never like this—never this intense, this precise, this disciplined. It was as if all the hours of struggle, ridicule, and doubt had culminated into a singular, unstoppable force. The young boy's enthusiasm shone brighter than ever, lighting up the classroom.Less than an hour into the examination, Naruto had already completed every question. He wasn't rushing recklessly; his answers were precise, deliberate, and thorough. Sakura Haruno, who prided herself on her academic prowess, stared at him in disbelief, temporarily freezing mid-sentence as she wrote."That fast?!" she whispered under her breath, glancing up at Naruto's nearly flawless work.Hinata Hyuga, seated quietly nearby, felt her heart swell with admiration. "Naruto-kun… you really did it…" she murmured, eyes shining.Sasuke Uchiha, however, clenched his fists in frustration, a flicker of jealousy in his gaze. "Damn it… that Diao Che Wei!" he muttered under his breath.Despite finishing early, Naruto wasn't complacent. He methodically reviewed each answer, double-checking calculations, verifying facts, and ensuring that his paper was flawless. His motivation wasn't pride—it was the promise made by the system, a mysterious "small punishment" awaiting those who didn't make the top ten in class. Naruto didn't know exactly what the punishment entailed, and he had no desire to find out.Time passed, one and a half hours sliding by like water through a stream. Iruka-sensei's voice cut through the classroom, firm yet calm:"Ahem! The exam is over! Everyone, put down your pens!"A chorus of groans and complaints erupted immediately."Ah! I haven't finished yet!""I just found a mistake! Can I correct it before submitting?""Please, Iruka-sensei, wait a little longer!"Iruka-sensei's expression remained stern, though his voice carried the weight of experience. "Time's up! Everyone has the same amount of time. Hand in your papers immediately."He walked among the students, collecting their work. Some looked relieved, some devastated. When he reached Naruto's desk, he paused slightly, taking an extra moment to look at the densely filled answers. While he couldn't instantly tell every answer's correctness, the dedication and precision were unmistakable. A warm sense of pride swelled in his chest."Well done, Naruto…" Iruka whispered softly, leaning closer.Naruto, startled by the praise, clasped his hands behind his head and leaned back with a confident grin."Of course! Thank you, Iruka-sensei!" he replied cheerfully.Iruka-sensei's eyes misted slightly, and he quickly coughed, turning to continue collecting the other students' papers."Enough, Ise! Hand in your paper!" he barked at a struggling student, who collapsed on his desk in despair when his work was forcibly taken. Naruto watched, a surge of emotion rising in his chest. He remembered days when he had once been unmotivated, careless, or aimless—how far he had come now was almost surreal.Iruka-sensei cleared his throat, signaling the start of the second assessment. "Next, everyone prepare for the most important test of all—the Ninjutsu assessment!"Naruto's heartbeat quickened. Ninjutsu exams were always unpredictable. The questions might cover anything from basic elemental jutsus to complex tactical maneuvers. He had mastered many techniques, but there was always a chance that the test would push him to the limit."Ahem," Iruka continued, "this year's Ninjutsu assessment topic is…"Naruto tensed, bracing himself for the announcement."Clone Technique!"The words echoed in the classroom. Naruto groaned softly, burying his face in his hands. Clone Technique was his least favorite Ninjutsu. Even though he had improved tremendously, creating clones with precision and control had never been his strongest point.However, a spark of determination lit up in him. His skills had increased exponentially—he could no longer fail this assessment. What's more, he had an ultimate trump card: the Shadow Clone Technique. This exam would be no match for him.Iruka-sensei's voice rang out once more. "The Clone Technique assessment begins now! First up, Nara Shikamaru!"Shikamaru stirred lazily as Akimichi Choji nudged him awake. He rubbed his eyes and reluctantly made his way to the podium."Clone Technique," he muttered, forming the hand signs with a slow, deliberate motion. A puff of white smoke appeared, revealing a single clone. While decent, it lacked complexity or flair."Passable… 60 points," Iruka remarked, jotting down the score. Shikamaru shrugged indifferently and returned to his seat, unfazed.Next was Choji, who had secretly finished his snack before stepping up. With a cheerful grin, he created a clone that mirrored him almost perfectly."Not bad… 65 points," Iruka nodded, impressed.Inuzuka Kiba followed. He radiated confidence and created two identical clones simultaneously, their movements precise and lifelike."Very good! 85 points!" Iruka exclaimed. Kiba's performance reflected the rigorous training of the Inuzuka clan.All eyes turned to Uchiha Sasuke. With his usual aloof air, Sasuke casually strode to the podium. His hand signs were executed with cold precision."Clone Technique."In an instant, four lifelike clones emerged, each indistinguishable from the original. Iruka-sensei's eyes widened in surprise."As expected of Sasuke… 100 points!"Naruto's lips curled into a frown. "Still so fond of showing off, that bastard Sasuke," he muttered under his breath.Sasuke's gaze met Naruto's, and an electric tension crackled between them. Both boys snorted in irritation and turned away, their rivalry simmering silently.Finally, Sakura Haruno stepped forward. Her hands moved swiftly, creating three flawless clones."Very good… 95 points," Iruka said, acknowledging her skill.The room buzzed with anticipation. Naruto clenched his fists behind his head, a grin spreading across his face. He was ready. The exam was about to witness the full potential of his training, the culmination of his relentless cultivation, and the true power of his Shadow Clone Technique.As Naruto stepped onto the podium, his heart raced with excitement and nerves. He looked around the classroom at his classmates, their expressions ranging from awe to mild concern. With a deep breath, he focused entirely, channeling his chakra precisely as he had practiced countless times."Clone Technique!"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!In an explosion of white smoke, Naruto unleashed a flood of clones—ten, twenty, thirty, and soon hundreds. Each clone moved with perfection, mirroring his movements flawlessly. The classroom fell silent, students staring wide-eyed at the display. Even Sasuke's eyes widened slightly, his usually unflappable demeanor momentarily shaken.Iruka-sensei's mouth fell open. He had seen Shadow Clones before, but nothing like this—Naruto's control, precision, and sheer scale were unprecedented. He quickly wrote down the score."150 points!"A murmur of amazement rippled through the room. Naruto's performance wasn't just excellent—it was beyond anything anyone had expected. The boy who had once struggled with basic techniques had now surpassed his peers with sheer dedication and skill.As the smoke cleared and Naruto's clones dissipated, he smiled, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead. The battle for excellence was far from over, but in this moment, he had made his mark.And as the classroom erupted into applause, Naruto knew one thing with absolute certainty: his journey had only just begun. The road to becoming Hokage was long, arduous, and filled with challenges—but with effort, perseverance, and a little bit of luck, there was nothing he couldn't achieve.
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