Graduation Ceremony

The next morning, Naruto went to the top floor of the Hokage Tower. The photographer was already waiting there. After the pictures were taken, Naruto slowly made his way to the Hokage's office with them, where he would get his Konoha Genin certificate.

As soon as he walked in, he saw a seven-year-old boy charging toward the Third Hokage. Perhaps because his scarf was too long, he accidentally stepped on it and fell. Naruto figured the only person in Konoha who'd dare act so disrespectfully toward the Third Hokage was his grandson, Konohamaru Sarutobi.

Naruto paid Konohamaru no mind. He walked over to the Third Hokage and handed over his papers. "Grandpa Third, here's my paperwork. From now on, I'm a Konoha Genin."

The Third Hokage looked over the papers Naruto had given him, stamped them, and said, "Congratulations, Naruto. As of today, you're a Genin of the Hidden Leaf Village."

The Third Hokage said with satisfaction, "I can't believe how quickly time has passed. You've grown into a ninja who can stand on his own, Naruto."

Naruto replied politely, "Thank you for taking care of me all this time."

The Third Hokage answered kindly, "There's no need to be so formal. Your father entrusted you to my care, and I've always treated you like my own grandson. I believe you won't disappoint me."

"I won't, Grandpa Third," Naruto replied.

Nearby, Ebisu had just helped Konohamaru to his feet. Seeing Naruto, he thought, So this is the kid with the Nine-Tails inside him? I heard he was a troublemaker, but he doesn't seem that way.

Just after getting back up, Konohamaru saw Naruto chatting and laughing with the Third Hokage. He immediately got angry and said, "So you're the one who tripped me? Do you even know who I am?"

He swung a fist at Naruto, but before Konohamaru could get close, Adamantine Sealing Chains sprang from Naruto and bound him. Naruto hadn't added a Sealing Jutsu to the chains; he'd simply tied Konohamaru up. Konohamaru struggled furiously, cursing Naruto all the while.

The Third Hokage was simply embarrassed. He knew Naruto wouldn't hurt Konohamaru.

Ebisu, however, said anxiously, "Let Konohamaru-sama go already! Do you know he's the Third Hokage's grandson?"

Naruto ignored Ebisu and walked over to Konohamaru.

Konohamaru said arrogantly, "I'm the Third Hokage's grandson. You wouldn't dare hit me, would you?"

At the same time, he sneered inwardly, Yeah, he'll be just like Teacher Ebisu. He won't dare do anything to me.

But Naruto didn't say a word. He simply flicked Konohamaru hard on the head.

So what if you're the Third Hokage's grandson? I'm the Fourth Hokage's son, and even I don't go around acting like a big shot. You little brat, you dare act tough in front of me? I'll beat the crap out of you.

The blow left Konohamaru dazed. Ebisu was stunned into silence, while the Third Hokage could only shake his head helplessly.

After beating up Konohamaru, Naruto cheerfully headed to the Hyuga Clan's estate to go on a date with Hinata. But the date quickly turned sour for Naruto, because Konohamaru kept following them with a laughably bad attempt at hiding, insisting that Naruto become his boss.

Naruto only wanted to enjoy his date with Hinata, so he turned Konohamaru down.

But Konohamaru wouldn't give up. He kept following Naruto, insisting that Naruto become his boss, which really annoyed him. Naruto took advantage of a moment when Konohamaru wasn't paying attention to lose him, then went with Hinata to the park.

Hinata asked in confusion, "Naruto-kun, who's that little boy? Why does he keep following you?"

Naruto said helplessly, "Sigh, that's the Third Hokage's grandson, Konohamaru. I have no idea what's gotten into him."

Hinata exclaimed in surprise, "The Third Hokage's grandson? Then why does he want Naruto-kun to be his boss?"

"I don't know. Who cares? Anyway, Hinata, the graduation ceremony is tomorrow. I heard that after becoming Genin, we'll be assigned to teams. I really hope we end up on the same team."

Hinata replied shyly, "I hope I get assigned to the same team as you, too, Naruto-kun."

Hearing Hinata's answer, Naruto gazed at her, moved. "Hinata."

Hinata gazed back at him tenderly. "Naruto-kun." They looked into each other's eyes.

Naruto and Hinata drew closer and closer. Just as Naruto's lips were about to meet Hinata's, Konohamaru suddenly appeared and shouted from a distance, "Boss, so this is where you are! I've been looking all over for you!"

At Konohamaru's shout, they both jumped in surprise. Hinata's face turned as red as a ripe apple.

She hurriedly pushed Naruto away and said, "Um, um, Naruto-kun, I have something to do. I'll be going now."

With that, she ran off. Naruto watched Hinata flee in fright and was devastated. I was so close—so close to kissing Hinata! It's all that damn brat Konohamaru's fault.

Naruto's face darkened. He turned to Konohamaru and said, "You damn brat, you ruined my moment! I'll beat the crap out of you. I swear, I'm Naruto Uzumaki!"

As soon as he finished shouting, Naruto charged at Konohamaru. Seeing Naruto rushing toward him in a rage, and Hinata already gone, Konohamaru immediately realized he'd ruined Naruto's moment. Without another word, he turned and ran.

But before he could take a step, Naruto appeared in front of him, looking furious. Konohamaru despaired. "Boss, calm down! I didn't mean to! Just hear me out."

Naruto replied harshly, "There's nothing to discuss."

Naruto didn't give Konohamaru a chance to explain. He went straight over and gave him a thorough beating, until Konohamaru was crying out for his parents.

Afterward, Naruto looked at Konohamaru and said, "Tell me, what do you want?"

Konohamaru said seriously, "I want you to teach me ninjutsu so I can defeat my grandpa and become Hokage."

Naruto looked at Konohamaru seriously. "You want to become Hokage?"

Konohamaru replied solemnly, "Yes."

Naruto looked at Konohamaru's serious expression and said, "Becoming Hokage isn't as simple as defeating the Third Hokage. You have to earn the recognition of everyone in the village before you can become Hokage."

Konohamaru asked in confusion, "Earn the recognition of everyone in the village?" "That's right. You can only become Hokage when everyone in the village sees you as Hokage. There are no shortcuts to becoming Hokage. And the path of a Hokage is filled with sorrow. Do you think you can shoulder everyone's sorrow?"

Konohamaru thought for a long time, then answered firmly, "Yes. I believe I can. I'll earn everyone's recognition and shoulder all their sorrow."

Naruto watched Konohamaru with satisfaction and thought, This kid really does have what it takes to become Hokage. He's determined, has a strong sense of justice, and takes responsibility. He could definitely take over from me one day and become a good Hokage.

Naruto decided to train Konohamaru properly.

So he said, "To become Hokage, you have to earn everyone's recognition. But without strong skills, you won't be able to protect the village, either. So I've decided to teach you ninjutsu, so you can better protect the village."

Konohamaru asked excitedly, "Really? Thank you, Boss! I knew you were the best! So, Boss, what are you going to teach me?"

Naruto said proudly, "The first jutsu I'm going to teach you is the Transformation Technique. Don't underestimate it. This is my own original version of the Transformation Technique, called the Sexy Technique. I once used it to defeat Grandpa Third!"

Konohamaru was astonished. "You defeated Grandpa? Then I have to learn it! Boss, you have to teach me!"

Naruto grinned. "Don't worry, I'll teach you. First, turn into that pretty big sister over there."

And so Konohamaru began learning the Sexy Technique from Naruto. He really was a genius; it took him just one afternoon to learn it, though he still had a lot of room to improve. (You know what I mean, hehe.)

Just as Konohamaru had learned the Sexy Technique, Ebisu found him. Konohamaru went back with him, but then refused to leave and used the Sexy Technique against Ebisu.

But Ebisu just mocked him. When Ebisu tried to forcibly take Konohamaru away, Naruto got angry and defeated him with the Harem Technique.

The next day, Naruto went to school with Hinata to attend the graduation ceremony. As they walked, Naruto seemed distracted. Hinata spoke to him several times, but he didn't hear her.

Hinata asked curiously, "Naruto-kun, what's wrong? You seem a little distracted."

Naruto replied apologetically, "Sorry, Hinata. I don't know why, but I keep feeling like something bad is going to happen today. But when I use my sensory abilities, I can't sense any danger approaching. It's strange."

Hinata was intrigued, too. She knew what Naruto could do, and if he felt something bad was going to happen, there had to be a reason.

So Hinata activated her White Eye and looked around, but nothing unusual was happening anywhere in Konoha.

She said in confusion, "That's strange. I don't see anyone suspicious with my White Eye."

When Naruto saw that Hinata's White Eye hadn't spotted any strangers or anything unusual, and that everything was as it usually was,

he smiled and said, "Maybe I'm just being too sensitive. Besides, with the space-time abilities of the Flying Thunder God Technique, no one should be able to threaten me. We'd better hurry, or we'll be late."

With that, Naruto took Hinata's hand and strode forward. Looking at the hand Naruto was holding, Hinata replied shyly, "Mm, Naruto-kun."

By the time Naruto arrived in the classroom, many students had already arrived.

When Kiba saw Naruto come in holding Hinata's hand, he asked in confusion, "Naruto, what are you doing here? It's graduation day. Didn't you fail the exam and have to repeat the year?"

Naruto proudly pointed to the Konoha Headband tied around his arm. "I graduated too, Kiba. You think a little test could stump me? You're so naive."

Kiba glanced at Naruto's headband and said, "What are you so proud of? I've got one, too."

Sasuke arrived just then. Naruto saw him and smiled. "Sasuke, you're here."

Sasuke walked up to Naruto and said, "Looks like your plan worked. Congratulations."

"Thanks," Naruto replied.

Just then, Naruto suddenly felt someone shove him. He lost his balance and fell toward Sasuke in front of him. The entire class fell silent.