Graduating Smoothly, with a Root Ninja as Lead Jonin?

Outside the Ninja Academy gates.

After six years, it was still pretty much unchanged... well, not entirely. New facilities had begun construction.

Thinking back to his former self, standing at the Ninja Academy gates like some nobody.

"Darling~"

At that moment, a girl's voice interrupted Naruto's recollection.

He was about to respond when he suddenly realized something was off.

She had plenty of nerve, but she was not usually this direct.

Before long, the girl wrapped herself around Naruto's arm, soft weight pressing against him.

The sight made quite a few boys and girls their age reveal envious looks.

"Why didn't you answer me?"

The Blonde Girl puffed out her cheeks, looking a little unhappy.

Naruto gave a wry smile. "How could I possibly answer when you call me that?"

Sure enough, a faint chill immediately came from behind him.

He did not even need to turn around to know that Inoichi Yamanaka was staring at him like he wanted to kill him.

"You argued with your dad again?"

"Don't even mention it."

Ino's pout grew even deeper.

"He's useless. I said I wanted to be in the same class as you, and he said there was no precedent for it. Ino-Shika-Cho had to be in the same class."

"Then he went on and on with a whole bunch of reasons."

"It's so annoying. If it can't be done, just say so. Why make so many excuses?"

Ino did not lower her voice at all.

Inoichi Yamanaka fell silent outright.

"Haha, our daughter does have a point."

Rino Yamanaka covered her mouth as she chuckled, looking at Naruto, who stood a full head taller than her daughter.

She whispered, "He really looks like Minato. No wonder Ino is so crazy about him."

"Shh. This isn't the place to say that."

Inoichi Yamanaka hurriedly stopped his wife.

"Your dad has his difficulties too. Even if the three Ino-Shika-Cho families agreed not to put this generation of Ino-Shika-Cho in the same class, the Third Hokage would never agree. Did you forget what I told you that day?"

Only then did Ino put away her little sulk and shake Naruto's arm.

"Nooo, I really want to be in the same class as you."

"Come on, let's go home. I can't stand this anymore."

Inoichi Yamanaka's face had gone green.

How could this be?

She was a girl... and why did she obediently listen the moment that brat said a few words?

After waiting a while, Hinata arrived as well.

The group then entered the school together.

By the time they reached the classroom, almost everyone had arrived.

"Ha~"

Shikamaru yawned. "They'll probably test the Clone Technique later."

"Why?"

Choji obligingly played along.

"Because among the Three Basic Jutsu, the Clone Technique is moderately difficult."

"Mm. Want some Potato Chips?"

Shikamaru turned to look at Ino beside Naruto.

"Ino, are you still not giving up?"

Ino could only sigh. "There's nothing I can do. Besides, genin aren't that busy. If we want to meet, it'll still be easy."

"Right, Hinata?"

Hinata nodded slightly and said softly,

"Naruto-kun's grades are very good. We'll work hard to catch up to Naruto-kun too."

The moment Ino heard that, she pulled Hinata into her arms.

"Hinata, if you're this sensible, doesn't that make me look unreasonable?"

"Ah~ Ino, I won't dare to do it again next time~"

After they messed around for a while, Iruka finally entered the classroom.

"Everyone, quiet down."

"The exam content has been decided."

"It will be the Clone Technique from the Three Basic Jutsu. Remain quiet from now on."

"Students whose names are called will go next door to take the exam."

After saying that, Iruka glanced at the roster and called two students out.

The classroom immediately erupted.

Most of those talking were the students who had guessed that the exam would be the Clone Technique.

However, hardly anyone looked troubled.

Even in the original story, Naruto had been the only one wearing a worried expression.

The Three Basic Jutsu were the foundation of a ninja.

In an elite class, there was not a single student who could not perform them.

The exam did not take much time.

Soon, more than half the class had gone out and passed the test.

Shikamaru, Ino, Choji, and Hinata had all gone out.

Not many people remained in the classroom.

Uchiha Sasuke was among them.

He suddenly turned back and glanced at Naruto, who was meditating while multitasking.

He recalled that battle from four years ago.

"Brother Shisui must have been killed by that man."

"That guy Naruto... was probably taught by Brother Shisui. It's only natural that he knows that move."

He then stood up.

It was his turn.

His eyes were cold.

"Finally, I'm leaving this school that only knows how to play house."

"I'll definitely become a ninja, then kill that man!"

In the end, only Naruto remained.

He looked at the classmates who were gradually returning with their forehead protectors.

He wondered whether he should follow the original plot.

There were no changes. The proctors were still Iruka and Mizuki.

"Uzumaki Naruto, you're up."

Mizuki said gently,

"Naruto, start whenever you're ready."

"Okay."

Naruto nodded, then formed hand seals.

He kept his speed neither too fast nor too slow. "Clone Technique."

Poof, poof—

Thick white smoke billowed around him. When it cleared, two identical Clones stood beside Naruto.

"Not bad!"

"Congratulations, Naruto. You passed. From today onward, you are a true ninja."

Iruka picked up a forehead protector, stepped forward, and handed it to Naruto.

After accepting it, Naruto merely nodded faintly before turning to leave.

When Naruto returned, he found all the female students looking at him.

Once he showed them the forehead protector in his hand,

Cheers immediately erupted throughout the classroom.

They had all passed, and both Naruto and Sasuke had passed.

As long as those two were not in the same class, they would all have a chance to be in the same class as one of them!

Ino was somewhat depressed and glared viciously at those lovestruck girls.

Hinata, meanwhile, lowered her head and said quietly,

"That's great. Naruto-kun passed too."

As soon as she finished speaking, a hand pressed down on her little head.

"You have that little confidence in me?"

Hinata had been growing her hair for six years, and it had already reached the same length as when she was grown up in the original story.

It looked much better than short hair.

Meanwhile, short-haired Ino had completely broken free from the restraints on her looks.

In the original story, she had originally worn short hair. Who knew which lovestruck girl had mentioned that Uchiha Sasuke liked girls with long hair?

Pink Hair started growing her hair out, and Ino, who loved competing, ended up growing hers out too.

Not long after, Iruka came in.

After congratulating everyone on graduating smoothly, he assigned them one final task.

"Over the next week, everyone must go to the Hokage Building to have their graduation photo taken."

"Remember to keep your forehead protectors safe."

"After your information has been registered, you'll be assigned to classes. When the time comes, wait in the classroom as usual..."

After saying a few simple words, Iruka wiped away the tears at the corners of his eyes.

"All right, congratulations once again on graduating smoothly. Dismissed!"

"Woohoo~!"

The newly graduated children all cheered.

After leaving the Ninja Academy, Tenten and the other two, who had already finished their mission, were waiting by the school gates.

When Tenten saw the forehead protector in Naruto's hand, she happily jogged over.

"Congratulations on graduating smoothly, Little Brother~!"

"To celebrate my Little Brother's graduation, Dad and Mom had me tell you early that you should come over for dinner tonight~"

"Hmph!" Neji snorted. In his eyes, Naruto graduating had been a foregone conclusion, nothing worth being surprised about.

"As expected of the rival I've recognized for life!"

"Neji, I'll defeat you first, then challenge Naruto!"

At those words, veins bulged on Neji's forehead.

"All right, all right. Didn't we agree to have a picnic today?"

"Let's go. There have been quite a lot of Mountain Rabbits in the mountains lately."

Naruto smoothed things over, reminding everyone of what came next.

"Bunnies are so cute... Naruto, can you add more cumin later?"

The next day, Hinata and Ino came to Naruto's home to ask him to take graduation photos with them.

Naturally, Naruto did not refuse.

It was just a pity that he could no longer obtain the Scroll of Seals using the original method.

Yesterday, he had kept a Clone watching Mizuki's movements.

For some reason, that guy had become incredibly well-behaved.

That was until Naruto sensed the Anbu Ninja changing shifts nearby.

Well then, the bullet from several years ago had come flying back.

Then he could only wait for the bullet fired at Sarutobi Hiruzen years ago to bring him some returns.

A graduation gift?

It should be the Scroll of Seals, right?

After arriving at the Hokage Building, the three smoothly had their photos taken and their information registered.

The three of them knocked on the door to Sarutobi Hiruzen's office together.

They handed the documents to Sarutobi Hiruzen and were about to leave when

A childish voice rang out.

"Grandpa, let's settle this in a duel!"

Konohamaru had made his entrance.

Then he tripped over himself.

"Ow!"

"Konohamaru-sama!"

Pervert Teacher Ebisu had made his appearance as well.

The Hokage's Grandson?

Out of the corner of his eye, Naruto caught sight of a photo of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.

He really got special treatment.

Without giving it much thought, he was about to leave.

"Damn it! I knew it! You three must have been behind this, or I wouldn't have fallen for no reason!"

Tears streamed down Konohamaru's face as he covered his nose.

He jumped up and pointed at Naruto's group.

"Kurama?"

Ebisu noticed the three of them as well. At first glance, he spotted Naruto's face—the three symmetrical whisker marks on each side were far too conspicuous.

"Brat, what did you say?!"

Ino glared, frightening Konohamaru into backing away again and again.

Then his gaze shifted to Naruto and Hinata.

That woman was not someone he could provoke... the other woman looked quiet and gentle, so she had to be easy to bully.

"Damn it, you actually dared to ambush me!"

If he wanted to do it, he would do it. There was no need to worry about so much.

Holding a Shuriken, he rushed toward Hinata.

Before he had taken more than a few steps, Ebisu grabbed him by the collar and lifted him up.

Ebisu bowed to Naruto and the others. "My apologies."

Then he turned toward Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"My apologies, Lord Hokage. This was my failure."

"It's fine. Take Konohamaru and leave."

"Naruto, your files are in order. You may go back first."

Watching Naruto's departing back, Sarutobi Hiruzen took a drag from his pipe.

"I seem to have said I'd give him a big gift."

"His Clone Technique is decent enough... no rush. This gift would be better if it came when he needed it most."

After everyone had left, the doors were shoved open roughly.

The newcomer was a regular visitor.

Though late, he had arrived.

"Hiruzen, what exactly are you thinking?"

"You actually allowed the Jinchuriki to become a ninja. Do you intend to let him leave the village too?"

"You are no longer the Hokage Assistant. I hope you will consider your words before speaking."

This time, Danzo would not be so easily dissuaded.

His Spare Eye was gone. He could not use Kotoamatsukami carelessly, and he was not sure whether Sarutobi Hiruzen had also obtained Shisui's Another Eye.

"Hmph. He can become a ninja, but I have one condition."

"Let a Root Ninja become his Lead Jonin."