Naraku took the forehead protector with both hands and thanked the Examiner, "Thank you."
The Examiner, no longer as indifferent as before, asked with a smile, "How did you feel just now?"
"I felt... like I couldn't win no matter what. I still have many shortcomings."
Naraku gave a wry smile, gripping the forehead protector. That sparring session reminded him of his first day in this world, and the feeling of fighting Kakashi.
The Examiner patted Naraku's shoulder comfortingly. "Actually, you're already quite good among Genin, especially considering how young you are. However, precisely because you are so young, we must be strict. If we just let you graduate and take on missions casually, that would be harming you."
Naraku nodded. "I understand."
"As Sakumo-senpai said, he's very sensible."
The Examiner chuckled twice, then said, "Alright, I need to report the results to my superiors. You can head home now."
It wasn't until the Examiner's figure disappeared through the doorway that Naraku realized. The other party was most likely instructed by Sakumo to conduct a strict test, to prevent him and Kakashi from graduating with insufficient skills and causing harm to themselves and others on missions.
No wonder the combat intensity was always perfectly calibrated. He had been wondering how the Examiner knew his skill level so well. It turned out Sakumo had already made arrangements.
His old father truly worried himself sick.
But, it didn't feel bad.
Naraku curved his lips, tied the forehead protector to his forehead, and strode out of the training ground.
Outside, Kakashi was already waiting for him in the shade of a tree.
Naraku quickly ran over, his eyes bright as he looked at Kakashi's forehead protector, also tied to his forehead.
"I knew it wouldn't be difficult for you, Kakashi. Have you been waiting long?"
"No," Kakashi shook his head. "I just came out too."
"It's great that we can graduate together. So, can we go on missions together in the future?"
Naraku took a few steps forward, and Kakashi naturally walked beside him, heading out of the academy.
"Probably, but we'll need a Chunin to lead the team."
Naraku didn't ask further, silently shifting his gaze to Kakashi beside him. The latter's hair and body were occasionally illuminated by the sunlight filtering through the leaves, and his expression and movements were relaxed, seemingly in a good mood.
Feeling the familiar sensation of being watched, Kakashi turned to Naraku. The latter was indeed looking at him, hesitating as if he had something to say.
"What's wrong?"
"Um, I," Naraku pulled a small cloth pouch from his chest, clutching it tightly in his hand. "I have something for you."
Kakashi's curiosity was piqued. "Let me see."
Naraku gave an embarrassed smile. "It's a bit humble..."
Then, from the small cloth pouch, he pulled out two necklaces made of black braided rope, each with a polished, teardrop-shaped gray pottery shard. The sharper end had a hole for the string. Overall, they looked unremarkable at first glance, and even after being polished, their surface had little luster.
Kakashi looked closely at the two pottery shards, feeling a sense of familiarity.
"Happy graduation, Kakashi."
Naraku handed one of the necklaces to Kakashi, whispering, "I'm sorry, Kakashi, for using something you gave me as a gift."
Kakashi remembered. The healing salve he had given Naraku was in a pottery jar of that color.
"Is this... that jar?"
"Yes," Naraku lowered his head, holding the remaining pottery shard in both hands, explaining somewhat awkwardly. "It's fragments of the jar. I secretly went back and picked them up. For me, even though it's broken, it's still the most precious thing."
Kakashi caressed the pottery shard in his hand, feeling its smooth, rounded curve. He knew Naraku must have spent a lot of effort polishing it. Then he thought of how much Naraku cherished the medicine jar he had given so casually, and he felt a little conflicted.
Naraku seemed completely unaware of this, continuing, "I hope it can protect us like a good luck charm."
"Idiot, only strong power can protect oneself."
Kakashi grumbled, but his body still honestly put the necklace around his neck, placing the pottery shard inside the inner layer of his clothes, and walked quickly forward as if nothing had happened.
"Let's go home. We'll go on a mission in a couple of days."
"Okay!"
Naraku happily put on his own necklace and caught up to Kakashi.
Just thinking about himself and Kakashi wearing matching handmade polished necklaces made him incredibly happy. Even the wildflowers by the roadside seemed exceptionally beautiful, and the weeds were so green and vibrant.
He didn't believe anyone else could give a more meaningful gift than this in the future. Kakashi's future White Moonlight would definitely be Naraku Uchiha...
One year later.
In the dark, dense forest, two figures were swiftly moving, chasing a small white shadow further ahead.
Kakashi jumped behind a bush and made a few hand signs to Naraku, who was not far to his side, indicating that he would initiate the attack and Naraku should be ready to provide support at any time.
Naraku nodded vigorously. Kakashi, confirming he had seen the hand signs, immediately used a Body Flicker Technique to attack.
After a flurry of commotion, Naraku didn't even get to join the fight; Kakashi had already caught the white shadow.
"This is the third time, isn't it?"
Kakashi held a fat white cat by the scruff of its neck, letting it struggle frantically and meow wildly. He even mischievously bounced it up and down, making the fat cat see stars and lose the energy to fuss.
"Yes, it seems Yuriko really wants to leave that lady."
Naraku pulled out a collapsible cage from behind his back, opened and assembled it, then took the large male cat named "Yuriko" and deftly put him inside.
"With this, we've completed one hundred D-rank missions. We can go apply for C-rank missions now!"
After securing the cage on his back, Naraku's voice betrayed his excitement, and his eyes were full of smiles.
After graduating, they could only take D-rank missions, which were all about repairing bridges, mending roads, catching cats, and apprehending dogs—boring, tedious tasks with relatively low pay.
Even if Naraku had the patience to do these, the Animator wasn't interested. Naruto had updated a few more episodes, but they all focused on Minato Namikaze's recent experiences; he and Kakashi didn't have any screen time.
If he didn't find a way to get some thrilling battles soon, who knew how long the audience there would have to wait to see him appear.
What if his popularity dropped by then?
"No time to lose, let's go now."
Kakashi had also had enough of these miscellaneous tasks and had been stifled for a long time. Now that they had finally completed the superiors' requirements and could take on higher-level missions, he couldn't wait a moment longer.
The two quickly returned to the Hokage Building, submitted the results of their mission, and then headed straight to the C-rank section, hoping to take on a somewhat challenging mission.
"There's currently one C-rank mission that's quite suitable for you two. Take a look."
The Ninja in charge of managing missions handed over a piece of paper. It detailed a mission to clear out mountain bandits, with a decent reward.
However, the personnel list stated that it required one Chunin and three Genin. They would have to wait until they gathered enough teammates before they could assemble and depart.
"No need to rush. The team should be assembled by tomorrow. I will notify you when it's time to gather. Once there are enough people, a Chunin will lead the team. You must follow the captain's instructions and not act on your own, understood?"
The Administrator, seeing Kakashi and Naraku were young, couldn't help but remind them a few times.
"Understood."
Naraku readily agreed. This afternoon's free time could also be used to replenish Ninja tools and prepare for tomorrow's mission.
The two exited the Hokage Building, turned in another direction, and decided to visit their usual weapons shop.
After browsing in the shop for a long time and replenishing some consumable throwing weapons, the two children looked at their largely empty wallets and exchanged glances.
"How about," Naraku put his wallet back in his chest, seemingly having made up his mind, "we buy next time at the Uchiha Clan Compound? It should be cheaper there."
Even if he had truly bad luck and encountered his Scum Father, with Sakumo and Fugaku's agreement, he wouldn't dare to do anything.
Kakashi silently nodded, not saying much.
He knew Naraku always disliked returning to the Uchiha Clan Compound, but some things couldn't be avoided forever. Facing them sooner was actually for the best.
A bonus episode will be released at 100+ Power Stones, and another after two new 5-star reviews.