Exam Failure

Naruto's sudden change made Sakura feel a little uneasy.

It was as if something she had grown accustomed to had suddenly disappeared.

Sakura couldn't tell if she felt relieved or if a faint sense of loss lingered in her heart.

Meanwhile.

Naruto sat down at his seat and turned his attention to the window, knowing what was about to happen.

Iruka would come in to announce the start of the graduation exams, then call out names in order, sending students one by one to the adjacent classroom for the Clone Technique test.

Naruto's plan was simple: fail the exam, just like in his first life.

But not because of clumsiness or weakness, but intentionally.

He wanted everything to unfold according to the familiar script until Mizuki approached him and revealed the existence of the Scroll of Seals.

This time, however, Naruto intended to pry some different information out of Mizuki.

At the back of the classroom, Uchiha Sasuke rested his chin on his crossed hands, his gaze fixed on Naruto's back.

Sasuke was pondering their brief conversation last night.

The way Naruto spoke, the look in his eyes, both exuded an unusual calmness.

It wasn't feigned, nor had it been present for just a short while.

Sasuke desperately wanted to become stronger, and the power Naruto had suddenly displayed showed him a possibility.

But his own pride wouldn't allow him to proactively ask again.

After all, he had already humbled himself and asked once.

Naruto could feel the gaze on his back, but he didn't turn around.

Because the new goal he had decided on last night—to unravel the Caged Bird curse mark on Neji Hyuga, or even the entire Hyuga Clan—he had already begun researching.

In one of his past reincarnations, Naruto had indeed studied the Caged Bird, but he had only learned how to apply the curse mark, not how to remove it.

Once he confirmed that the technique was ineffective in breaking the cycle of reincarnation, he had abandoned it.

Last night, Naruto had recalled that knowledge again. He had to admit, it was a slightly tricky matter, but not impossible to resolve.

Soon, the classroom door was pushed open, and Iruka walked in, a roster in his hand. His gaze swept over the classroom, lingering for a moment on Naruto.

"The graduation exams will now begin," Iruka's voice drew everyone's attention. "Students whose names I call will proceed to the adjacent classroom for the Clone Technique test. First, Uchiha Sasuke."

Sasuke stood up and walked out of the classroom expressionlessly.

A few girls, led by Sakura and Ino, quietly cheered him on.

Naruto waited patiently.

He knew it wouldn't be long before it was his turn. He remembered that in his first life, his failure in the exam had quickly spread throughout the entire grade.

But this time, Naruto wouldn't pay any mind to the stares or gossip.

One by one, students were called out. Most returned excitedly.

A small portion, however, returned dejected.

Hinata's face was red when she left, but she returned with a faint smile.

She had clearly passed.

After counting how many students had already taken the exam, Naruto knew it was his turn.

"Naruto Uzumaki," Iruka called from the doorway, his tone somewhat complex.

Naruto stood up and walked towards the door.

As he passed Iruka, he gave the teacher a calm smile.

"Don't be nervous, Naruto," Iruka couldn't help but say. "I believe that with your performance these past two days, you'll definitely pass."

"I know, Teacher Iruka,"

Naruto replied softly before walking into the adjacent examination room.

He knew he would fail, but this time, his failure would be a brand new beginning.

Naruto entered the adjacent classroom.

The center of the room was cleared, facing a small wooden table filled with brand-new Konoha headbands. Two chairs were placed behind the table.

Mizuki was already seated in one of them. Seeing Naruto enter, his face immediately broke into his usual, overly kind, and hypocritical smile.

Iruka followed him in and sat in the other chair, his expression much more serious than Mizuki's.

"The exam subject is the Clone Technique!"

Iruka announced, his gaze towards Naruto filled with both encouragement and worry.

This outcome was not surprising to Naruto.

So, Naruto made a hand seal with feigned effort and shouted, "Clone Technique!"

"Bang!"

After a puff of smoke, a limp clone with rolled-up eyes appeared beside him, standing wobbly.

Naruto couldn't help but sigh inwardly. He hadn't expected that deliberately controlling his Chakra to create such a shoddy clone would require more finesse than executing a perfect Shadow Clone.

Wasn't this clone from the first generation lying down?

Whatever, as long as the result is the same.

"This..."

Iruka stared at the clone, speechless for a moment, his eyes filled with confusion and disappointment.

He didn't understand. How could Naruto, who had performed so excellently yesterday, fail at this basic Ninjutsu?

Iruka sighed heavily, finally hardening his heart. He announced with grief in his voice, "Unsatisfactory!"

Naruto lowered his gaze. He didn't argue, nor did he throw a dramatic tantrum or make a fuss like he usually would. He simply stood quietly in place.

This unusual calmness made the two teachers behind the desk feel a slight sense of bewilderment, but they were both lost in their own thoughts and didn't probe further.

Mizuki opportunely played the peacemaker, kindly persuading, "Iruka, look, Naruto at least managed to create a clone. Why not let him pass?"

"No!"

Iruka's tone left no room for negotiation. He sternly declared, "Everyone else can create two decent clones! Naruto's current status is just a defective product. If he encounters enemies during missions in the future, he'll be killed!"

A glint of successful scheming flashed in Mizuki's eyes. He wanted Naruto to see Iruka's strictness and his own magnanimity.

Mizuki then turned to Naruto, feigning a helpless sigh, "Naruto, you see, it's not that your teachers don't want to help you, it's just the rules."

"I'm sorry for disappointing you both, teachers. I'll try harder next time."

Only then did Naruto show a hint of appropriate dejection, finishing in a low voice before turning to leave the classroom.

Iruka watched his retreating back, feeling uneasy, but he suppressed the urge to call Naruto back.

He firmly believed that his strictness now was for Naruto's future safety. Enemies on the battlefield wouldn't show mercy just because someone was weak.

Being a Ninja was such a cruel profession.

People could die.

Naruto walked out of the school alone.

Not long after leaving the school building, Kiba's distinctive loud voice rang out, "Hey, Naruto! How was the exam? You definitely passed, right?"

Kiba approached as he spoke, then slapped Naruto hard on the shoulder.

The voice attracted the attention of many students nearby, including Sakura Haruno, Hinata Hyuga, and Shikamaru Nara, who were preparing to leave, as well as Sasuke, who had been waiting for Naruto for a long time.

"Sorry, I didn't pass... The Clone Technique is the Ninjutsu I'm worst at."

Naruto replied in a flat tone, then quickened his pace and left.

The news stunned everyone present.

Naruto, who had performed outstandingly in the Transformation Jutsu and Shuriken Throwing yesterday, even defeating Sasuke, had actually failed the Clone Technique?

He couldn't graduate?

Kiba's face was a mask of surprise and disbelief.

Shikamaru's lazy eyes showed a hint of thought and surprise. He keenly sensed the lack of genuine dejection in Naruto's tone, which was rather strange.

However, there was too little information at the moment, so he merely found it slightly suspicious and didn't ponder it further.