The Performance Wasn't a Big Deal

Narak stood at the entrance of the Ninja Academy, watching the students file out after class!

At that moment, he was reminded of his previous life. He vaguely remembered how his grandparents had once waited for him outside the school like this when they were still alive.

Narak shook his head, casting aside the thoughts that had suddenly surfaced!

Although the system had crushed him to death and brought him to this world, and although he had barely any family left from his previous life, Narak still wanted to go back and take a look!

However, his current strength was still too weak. Once he grew strong enough to travel between worlds, he would definitely go back and have a look!

Narak thought to himself!

"Big brother."

Just as Narak was distracted, a clear voice rang out and brought him back to reality!

"Hinata, did you pass the exam? How did it go?"

Although he knew that Hinata would definitely pass with her talent, Narak still asked.

"Mm, I passed the exam! Starting today, I'm a Konoha ninja!"

Hinata took out her ninja forehead protector and giggled.

"But... Naruto..."

At the mention of Naruto, Hinata's mood dimmed.

Everyone in the class had passed the exam except Naruto. Hinata couldn't imagine how hard this blow must have been for him, or how badly it had affected him!

"Hm? Naruto didn't pass?"

"Mm!"

Hinata nodded.

"Tsk... Come on, let's go find him!"

Narak took Hinata's little hand and walked toward the school grounds!

Narak had sensed Naruto's location long ago, but he deliberately headed in the opposite direction!

After all, Mizuki needed a chance to cause trouble. Otherwise, how would Naruto become a Genin in a reasonable manner?

Narak wandered around the school with Hinata, pretending to search for Naruto, but they ran into Sasuke!

"Big brother Narak!"

Sasuke called out.

"Mm. You passed the exam, right?"

"Tch, I could have passed this childish exam years ago!"

Sasuke answered arrogantly.

Narak smiled without saying anything. After all, he understood Uchiha Sasuke's personality.

Compared with ordinary people, Sasuke's talent was quite good. The Ninja Academy really didn't have much left to teach him!

"Big brother Narak, there's something I want to ask of you!"

The moment Narak was about to leave, Sasuke suddenly spoke.

"Hmm? Haven't I already been helping you train?"

Narak looked at Uchiha Sasuke, who was making the request, and spoke.

"That isn't enough. I want you to increase the intensity of my training, big brother Narak!"

"I have something very important to do, and someone extremely powerful to kill. I know that my current strength is nowhere near enough!"

Sasuke raised his head and stared straight at Narak as he spoke loudly.

Narak looked at Uchiha Sasuke's stubborn expression and hesitated for a moment.

In the end, he said, "I'll be in the village for the next few days. Come wait for me at the highest hill outside the village every morning. That's where I train every day."

Hearing that Narak had agreed, Sasuke's face lit up with delight!

When it came to Konoha's talented young ninjas, leaving aside those from the past, Narak was unquestionably the foremost talent of the last few years!

Four years ago, at just ten years old, he had become an elite Jonin. After that, he had carried out every mission alone, yet he had never failed. Every mission, whether the relatively simple B-rank missions or the difficult S-rank ones, had been completed perfectly!

With the Third Hokage intentionally or otherwise spreading the word, Narak had become the role model of Konoha's younger generation!

That was why Sasuke willingly stayed by Narak's side and was happy to call him big brother!

He believed that with Narak's guidance, his strength would improve by leaps and bounds!

Narak turned around and rubbed his forehead. "What is this supposed to be? Why do I feel like I've become a professional babysitter? But then again, I did promise Itachi."

Narak counted on his fingers. He had his two younger sisters, Naruto, Yakumo, Karin, and now Sasuke too. It seemed that the number of people he had to look after was growing larger and larger!

"Forget it. I'm only teaching him for a few days anyway. Once they're assigned to teams, I'll leave him to Kakashi."

Narak shook his head and walked toward Naruto!

By then, he had already seen Mizuki sitting there and chatting with Naruto. Judging by the curiosity on Naruto's face, Mizuki had probably already told him about the Scroll of Seals. It was time for him to go over!

"Naruto!"

Narak walked over to Naruto.

Naruto was sitting on the swing. When he looked up and saw Narak and Hinata, his face brightened at first, but the smile soon disappeared again.

"Big brother Narak!"

Naruto greeted Narak unhappily.

"What's wrong? So what if you didn't pass this exam? Don't lose heart. There will always be another chance!"

Narak rubbed Naruto's head, then looked at Mizuki to the side and spoke pointedly.

"So you're the young master of the Hyuga Clan. I've long heard of you. My name is Mizuki, and I'm Naruto's teacher."

Mizuki introduced himself to Narak as if nothing unusual had happened.

"So you're Teacher Mizuki. Hello. I've often heard Naruto and Hinata mention you. They've been in your care at school all these years, so thank you for looking after them!"

Narak greeted Mizuki warmly as well.

Come on, it's just putting on a fake smile and acting. Who can't do that?

"Ah, haha, there's no need. It's only what we teachers should do!"

"I saw Naruto sitting here alone, so I came over to comfort him. Well, if there's nothing else, I'll be leaving first!"

Mizuki had just deceived Naruto, and apparently feared that Narak might misunderstand, so he deliberately explained himself.

"Oh, all right. We should be leaving too. Goodbye!"

Narak greeted Mizuki, then took Hinata's little hand with one hand and draped the other around Naruto's shoulders as he left!

Watching Narak's back, Mizuki's eyes flickered. "It won't be long now. As long as I succeed tonight, one day I'll become someone praised by everyone in Konoha, just like you!"

Outside Ichiraku Ramen, after Narak finished eating Ichiraku Ramen with Naruto and Hinata, he bid Naruto farewell.

This time, Naruto was unusually gloomy. Even when faced with his favorite Ichiraku Ramen, he remained dispirited. Narak could only offer him a few words of comfort and encouragement!

However, Narak didn't say much. Judging by Naruto's expression, he knew that Naruto was already considering stealing the Scroll of Seals!

As long as things proceeded according to the original plot, there shouldn't be any problems!

All Narak had to do was protect Naruto from the shadows and prevent any accidents!

Late that night!

Naruto lay alone in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep!

"Damn it, Big Brother Narak has been comforting me all this time, but he must still be disappointed in me, right?"

"Everyone else passed the exam and became a ninja, but I was the only one who failed. Everyone in the village knows that Big Brother Narak treats me like a younger brother. I must have embarrassed him, right?"

Naruto felt as though his heart were being torn apart!

Suddenly, Mizuki's words from earlier that day flashed through his mind!

"There's a Scroll of Seals hidden in the village. It contains all kinds of ninjutsu. As long as you learn the techniques inside, you can become a ninja. It's just that the Scroll of Seals has been hidden away, so it probably won't be easy to get!"

Naruto immediately sat up!

"Damn it! I have to become a ninja!"