"Clone Technique!"
A puff of white smoke filled the exam room. Three identical copies of the boy appeared beside him, each breathing in unison. He grinned at the two instructors seated before him—Iruka Umino and Mizuki—his own creations perfectly stable.
"Excellent," Iruka said, smiling as he scribbled a few notes. "You pass. Here—your forehead protector. From today onward, you're one of Konoha's shinobi. Make us proud."
The boy's face lit up. "Thank you, Iruka-sensei!" He bowed repeatedly before running out of the classroom, clutching the headband like treasure.
Outside, a crowd of students pressed around the door.
"He passed!""Look, he's got his forehead protector!"
Their voices blended into a chorus of nervous excitement. Even though it wasn't their turn yet, every passing moment brought their dreams closer.
Leaning against the wall, Sasuke frowned. "This is pointless. Just hand me the forehead protector already."
"You know that's not how this works," Naruto said with a crooked smile. "Rules are rules. No shortcuts."
Sasuke only grunted in reply, turning away. He preferred silence to crowds—an avenger, not a participant.
Naruto exhaled softly. For all their differences, they were both outsiders here. The other students never quite accepted him. Even without open hostility, their glances and whispers kept their distance. Their parents' opinions had already done the damage.
He caught sight of Hinata across the room. Her pale eyes darted up at him for a second before she quickly looked away, cheeks pink. She'd gotten braver lately—at least she didn't hide behind her hands anymore. Naruto smiled faintly. Progress.
Then a furious yell echoed from the exam room."Failed! What are you even doing? You could form two clones before—now you've only got one! And it's half-dead!"
Naruto tilted his head toward the sound. He already knew who that voice belonged to—the poor kid destined to play his old role in this story. A timid boy with weak chakra control, doomed to fail Mizuki's test.
Sure enough, the boy stepped out, eyes downcast, holding back tears. Laughter rippled through the other students.
Naruto's expression darkened.
"Is that funny to you?" His voice cut through their laughter. "From where I'm standing, you're no better than him."
Silence dropped like a blade. The same classmates who'd mocked the boy now stared at Naruto in terror. Everyone knew his strength—stronger than anyone in their class, even rivaling some Chunin. None of them dared speak.
The trembling boy looked up. "T-thank you…"
Naruto's tone softened, though his gaze stayed sharp. "If you don't want to be looked down on, then train. Get stronger. Make them look up to you instead. That's the only way to silence them."
He turned to leave. "Remember that."
The boy clenched his fists, staring at Naruto's back. "I'll become strong… I'll prove it…"
A few minutes later, Iruka called out, "Uzumaki Naruto!"
Naruto smiled. "Guess that's my cue."
When he entered the room, Mizuki was already watching him with that polite, venomous grin. Naruto pretended not to notice.
He formed the seal. "Clone Technique."
Five perfect shadowy doubles appeared at once, standing in formation behind him.
Iruka blinked, astonished. "Flawless. Excellent work, Naruto! You pass." He handed over the Konoha forehead protector, his smile genuine.
Naruto accepted it, tying the symbol of the Leaf around his head. "Thanks, sensei. Don't forget—my goal's still Hokage."
Iruka chuckled, a little nostalgic. "I believe you, Naruto."
As Naruto left the room, he glanced at Mizuki. Beneath that smile burned envy, resentment, and a hint of desperation.
Perfect, Naruto thought. Just as planned.
Soon, Mizuki would whisper his temptations to the wrong boy. And when the sealed scroll changed hands… Rikudō Shingon's next stage would begin.