Failed the Exam

Naruto's sudden change made Sakura feel somewhat uncomfortable.

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

Sakura couldn't tell whether she felt relieved or vaguely disappointed.

Meanwhile,

Naruto sat down at his desk and turned his attention to the window. He knew what was going to happen next.

Iruka would come in and announce the start of the graduation exam. Then he would call the students' names in order, sending them one by one to the next classroom for a Clone Technique test.

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

But not because he was clumsy or weak. He would do it on purpose.

He would let everything follow the familiar script until Mizuki came to him and revealed the existence of the Scroll of Seals.

This time, though, Naruto planned to get 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 thinking about their brief conversation the previous night.

There had been an unusual steadiness in the way Naruto spoke and the way he looked at people.

It wasn't an act. It had been there for a long time.

Sasuke desperately wanted to grow stronger, and Naruto's sudden display of skill had shown him a possibility.

But his pride wouldn't let him approach Naruto and ask again.

After all, he had already swallowed his pride and asked once.

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

He had already begun researching the new goal he'd decided on last night: undoing the Caged Bird Seal on Neji Hyuga, and perhaps even on the Hyuga Clan.

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

Once he confirmed the technique was useless for breaking the cycle of reincarnation, he had left it alone.

Last night, Naruto had gone over that knowledge again. He had to admit it would be a bit tricky, but undoing the seal wasn't impossible.

Soon, the classroom door opened and Iruka walked in, a list in his hand. He surveyed the room, lingering a moment longer on Naruto.

"The graduation exam starts now," Iruka announced, drawing everyone's attention. "When I call your name, go to the next classroom for the Clone Technique test. First, Uchiha Sasuke."

Sasuke stood and walked out of the classroom without changing expression.

Several girls, led by Sakura and Ino, quietly wished him luck.

Naruto waited in silence.

He knew his turn would come soon. In his first life, his failure had spread through the entire grade in no time.

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

One student after another was called out. Most came back excited.

A few returned with their heads hanging.

Hinata left with her face still red, but came back with a faint smile.

She had clearly passed.

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

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

Naruto stood and headed for the door.

As he passed Iruka, he gave him a calm smile.

"Don't be nervous, Naruto," Iruka said, unable to help himself. "After how well you've done these past two days, I'm sure you'll pass."

"I know, Iruka-sensei."

Naruto answered softly, then walked into the next classroom.

He knew he would fail, but this time, his failure would mark an entirely new beginning.

Naruto entered the next classroom.

The center of the room had been cleared, facing a small wooden table piled with brand-new Konoha Forehead Protectors. Two chairs stood behind the table.

Mizuki was already sitting in one of them. When Naruto came in, he immediately put on his usual, overly kind, false smile.

Iruka came in after him and sat in the other chair, looking much more serious than Mizuki.

"The exam is the Clone Technique!"

Iruka announced, looking at Naruto with both encouragement and concern.

The result came as no surprise to Naruto.

So he went through the motions of forming a hand seal and shouted, "Clone Technique!"

"Poof!"

When the smoke cleared, a limp clone stood crookedly beside him, its eyes rolled back.

Naruto couldn't help marveling inwardly. He hadn't expected that deliberately controlling his Chakra to make such a shoddy clone would take more finesse than creating a perfect Shadow Clone.

Hadn't the clone in his first life been lying down?

Whatever. The result was the same.

"This..."

Iruka stared at the clone, at a loss for words. Confusion and disappointment filled his eyes.

He didn't understand how Naruto, who had performed so well yesterday, could fail at such a basic Ninjutsu.

Iruka let out a long sigh, then steeled himself and announced with a pained voice, "You failed!"

Naruto lowered his eyes. He didn't argue, nor did he act exaggeratedly dejected or make a fuss like he used to. He simply stood there quietly.

His unusual calm left both teachers somewhat puzzled, but they were each lost in their own thoughts and didn't dwell on it.

Mizuki promptly played the peacemaker, gently persuading him. "Iruka, look, Naruto did manage to make a clone. Why not let him pass?"

"No!"

Iruka's tone brooked no argument. "Everyone else can make two decent clones! Naruto's is just a defective copy. If he meets an enemy on a mission, he'll get himself killed!"

A glint of satisfaction flashed in Mizuki's eyes. He wanted Naruto to see Iruka's harshness and his own generosity.

Mizuki turned to Naruto and sighed with feigned helplessness. "Naruto, you saw for yourself. It's not that your teacher doesn't want to help you. The rules are the rules."

"I'm sorry I disappointed you both. I'll try harder next time."

Only then did Naruto let a hint of appropriate disappointment show. He spoke quietly, then turned and left the classroom.

Iruka watched him go, his heart heavy, but forced himself to resist the urge to call Naruto back.

He firmly believed his strictness now was for Naruto's safety in the future. On the battlefield, enemies wouldn't spare anyone just because they weren't strong enough.

That was simply how cruel a profession being a ninja was.

People died.

Naruto walked out of the school alone.

Not long after he left the school building, Inuzuka Kiba's loud voice rang out. "Hey, Naruto! How'd the exam go? You passed for sure, right?"

Kiba approached as he spoke, then gave Naruto a hearty slap on the shoulder.

His voice drew the attention of quite a few 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.

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

Naruto answered calmly, then quickened his pace and walked away.

The news left everyone there stunned.

Naruto had done brilliantly at Transformation Jutsu and Shuriken Throwing yesterday, even defeating Sasuke. And now he had failed the Clone Technique?

He hadn't graduated?

Kiba looked shocked and incredulous.

A thoughtful, surprised look entered Shikamaru's lazy eyes. He had keenly noticed that Naruto's voice held no real disappointment. That was a little strange.

But there wasn't enough information to go on, so Shikamaru merely found it suspicious and didn't think much further.