Graduation Exam

Time flies.

Counting the days, the graduation exam is tomorrow.

"Childhood!"

On the rooftop, Naruto and the others lay looking at the sky.

This childhood is truly like sand, slipping away the moment you try to grasp it.

Fortunately, this childhood is much happier than his previous life.

"Naruto!"

Iruka-sensei's voice called from below.

Naruto poked his head out from the edge. Beside him, Sasuke, Choji, Shikamaru, Kiba, and others lined up, revealing their heads one by one.

For a moment, five fake dog heads + one real dog head looked down.

Oh, right, forgot Shino, he needs to be added too.

"Come down," Iruka waved.

"Coming!"

Naruto didn't think twice and jumped down.

He maintained basic respect for Iruka-sensei, who often treated him to ramen and genuinely cared for him.

This was the second adult, besides the Hokage old man, who accepted him.

"School's out, you guys can head back now," Iruka said to the others behind Naruto.

"See you tomorrow, Naruto. Goodbye, teacher."

"Goodbye, Iruka-sensei~ Goodbye, Naruto~"

Everyone greeted and said goodbye.

Seeing Iruka send the others away, Naruto suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Sensei, I have something to do at home. Maybe I should head back..."

Naruto turned to leave, but Iruka stopped him. "Stop right there, Naruto! You've been found out, and you still want to run?"

"Found out what, Iruka-sensei?"

"You've forgotten what you did?"

Forgotten?

No, it was just too much.

When he was younger and during his time at the Ninja Academy, the number of side missions was usually small, mostly pranks.

Who knew that as graduation approached, all sorts of side missions would pop up in various ways.

He'd done so many side missions recently that Naruto couldn't even keep track.

Indeed, some of these side missions weren't exactly good in nature, and Naruto didn't dare to confess everything now that Iruka was pushing him.

What if something undiscovered was exposed? That would be bad.

"Iruka-sensei, can you give me a hint?"

Iruka was speechless, only looking towards the Hokage Rock.

'So that's what it is.'

Naruto remembered. But this wasn't even a mission.

Painting the Hokage Rock was just something he did casually. If he didn't do it once a week, his obsessive-compulsive disorder would act up.

If you really wanted to say, there was actually a reason why Naruto insisted on doing this.

Personally altering the Hokage Rock was a historic event, a super huge reward that Naruto had been coveting for a long time.

But the Third Hokage never gave him the chance.

Therefore, Naruto could only quietly paint it once a week, letting the villagers realize how beautiful these Hokage Rocks were under his brush, beautiful in various styles.

Weren't these lifelike Hokage Rocks much better than these broken stones?

That old man, the Third Hokage, was so stubborn!

"The Hokage has ordered you to clean it up by the end of today," Iruka-sensei delivered the notice.

"I have a rare illness that prevents me from cleaning anything~"

Iruka-sensei lost his temper. "Go clean it up properly."

"Okay."

Naruto sighed. He sincerely wanted to seek Iruka's support again. "Iruka-sensei, do you think the Hokage Rock, painted like this now, looks better than bare stone?"

Iruka scratched his head awkwardly, but finally praised him sincerely, "What you painted does look better than bare stone."

"Right?"

Naruto immediately suggested, "How about we submit a joint petition to the Third Hokage, asking him to listen to our opinions? As long as enough of us support the person..."

"Naruto!"

Iruka interrupted Naruto's daydreaming, "This isn't something we can easily decide. If you still want to change it in the future, wait until you become Hokage to make the change."

Naruto glanced at Iruka speechlessly.

When I become Hokage? That'll be ages from now.

Don't let the Third Hokage's age fool you, that old man is still as spry as ever.

Seeing Naruto's reluctant expression, Iruka decided to offer him a carrot. "If you can clean everything up before evening, I'll treat you to ramen."

"Okay."

"Okay? Is that all?"

"Yay!~" Naruto was forced to perform.

The next day was the graduation exam.

All the students gathered in the classroom. Naruto scanned the room; there were about 30 people in total.

If I remember correctly, there were 90 students at the opening ceremony six years ago, but now only these are left.

It seems the path of a ninja is quite difficult.

Two-thirds of them couldn't become ninjas and were forced to drop out.

And I, Uzumaki Naruto, the notorious idiot of the Ninja Academy, managed to stumble through it all.

I guess I just got lucky with my grades.

"The graduation exam will now begin. Those whose names are called, please come to the adjacent room. The test this time is the Shadow Clone Jutsu. Please be prepared," Iruka announced the test shortly after.

Then, one by one, students were called to the next room for their exam.

"Uzumaki Naruto!"

"Coming!"

Naruto shouted and ran to the next room.

The room next door was very spacious. The chairs had already been moved for the exam, and it was Naruto and his friends who helped move them yesterday.

Teacher Iruka and Teacher Mizuki sat behind a table. On the table were rows of ninja headbands, which signified their identity as Konoha ninjas.

Naruto glanced at them with longing.

Oh my god, the six-year main quest is finally about to be completed.

"Naruto, hurry up," Teacher Iruka urged.

He knew Naruto well. Although his grades weren't great, his Shadow Clone Jutsu was definitely not a problem, and graduating was also not a problem.

"Okay!"

Unformed →巳→寅

Shadow Clone Jutsu.

Bang~

Three lifelike clones instantly appeared around Naruto.

After a brief exchange with Mizuki, Iruka decisively passed him.

The moment he took the headband from Teacher Iruka, Naruto felt an urge to cry.

Six whole years! How many six-year periods does one have in a lifetime?

Wait, is the next main quest going to be for me to become Hokage directly?

Just kill me now!

"You need to submit your ninja registration form tomorrow, and don't forget to come to the briefing session the day after tomorrow," Teacher Iruka instructed.

"Got it," Naruto waved goodbye.

"This guy," Iruka sighed with concern, watching Naruto turn and leave.

As soon as he stepped outside, Naruto's eyes narrowed.

Teacher Mizuki's gaze towards him felt... off.

There was malice.

He had seen plenty of malice in the village, but Teacher Mizuki always seemed so nice. Why did he suddenly change?

He hid it too well.

Just like me, Naruto, he's too good at hiding.

But this kind of life is about to end.

The days of needing to hide my strength are finally over. From today onwards, I, Uzumaki Naruto, will show the world in detail: what a true genius looks like!

Wait.

"Why hasn't this main quest been completed yet?" Naruto glanced at the panel. The main quest was still showing as in progress.

He decided to ask the resident strategist.

Shikamaru explained, "For now, you've only graduated from the academy. You're not considered a true Genin until your Jonin leader approves of you."

"I see."

"Hey, Naruto, come take a picture!"

"Coming!"

Click!

The group photo was taken.

In the picture, Naruto wore his headband on his forehead, a brilliant smile on his face.

Thanks to book friend 20220317143354966, Akabane Natsuha for the monthly tickets, and Dan Hua Zhenren for two monthly tickets. Thanks to Akabane Natsuha for the tip. This is the first tip the book has received, thank you very much.

Thank you all for your support, and thank you to every reader for your recommendation tickets and support in reading. This is very helpful for the results. I will continue to add more updates tonight.

Also, a note: Except for necessary characters, I won't bore you with repetitive plotlines. The more we go on, the more I'll deviate from the original story.