Strictly speaking, though.
Naruto was already more capable than the vast majority of this year's graduates. Ranking in the top five overall wasn't just some meaningless figure; it was a very real accomplishment. But it wasn't only because of the rules. After six years together, Iruka had come to regard Naruto as family in the truest sense. Iruka knew all too well what kind of profession being a ninja was. Though he was currently teaching at the Ninja Academy, he was also a true ninja, one who had not only undertaken B-Rank Missions and A-Rank Missions but had also helped carry them out as a member of a squad. In this world, ninjas held the highest status, but their profession also carried the greatest risks.
Iruka was perhaps a little too worried about Naruto.
Naturally, during this graduation exam,
Iruka was both following the rules of the exam and acting out of concern for Naruto.
If something wasn't allowed, then it wasn't allowed.
Naruto had only just opened his mouth
when Iruka already knew what he was about to say. He cut Naruto off before he could get his hopes up, convinced it was the best choice. Besides, Naruto's circumstances were special. Another year of study at the academy might not be a bad thing, and the Third Hokage would surely approve of what he was doing.
Iruka silently thought to himself.
"But, Iruka-sensei..."
Seeing Iruka's utterly solemn and serious expression,
Naruto, who knew Iruka's personality very well, understood that Iruka meant every word. If he said Naruto wouldn't graduate, then Naruto definitely wouldn't graduate. But if that really happened, wouldn't that be terrible?
"If I say no, then it's no, Naruto. You failed your graduation exam and will have to go back and study for another year. Once you've mastered the Clone Technique, you can come back and take the exam again. Then, I'll make sure you graduate."
Iruka spoke with an unwavering, resolute expression.
Looking at Iruka's unyielding face,
Naruto felt as if he couldn't breathe.
No way.
Was it really going to happen?
Was he really not going to graduate?
Just like in the original story?
Naruto's eyes widened, and he felt at a loss. If he couldn't graduate...
Uh.
Wait?
Just like in the original story?
Not graduate? Didn't something really important happen when he graduated in the original story?
At the thought,
a certain figure surfaced in Naruto's mind. He raised his head, shifting his gaze slightly to the left, toward the imagined figure that had appeared before his eyes.
"Iruka-sensei, I think we should let Naruto graduate. That clone doesn't quite pass, but he did manage to make one, more or less. Besides, over these six years, Naruto has ranked in the top five in both written and practical tests. He's also mastered the other two of the Three Body Technique perfectly. I think we can let him graduate."
The figure wore a gentle expression and a bright smile. At first glance, he had the warm air of a friendly older brother next door, the kind of person whose presence made you feel warm just by seeing or hearing him.
Naruto's attention was instantly drawn to him.
"No! Mizuki-sensei, the rules are the rules. Naruto performed very well during his time at the Ninja Academy, and his written and practical scores have always been near the top. But the graduation exam requires students to use the Three Body Technique proficiently. That's a set requirement for passing. Naruto hasn't met it, so he can't graduate. That's the right thing to do. As examiners, we can't make exceptions."
Iruka shook his head stubbornly and spoke with firm conviction.
Mizuki.
That's right. The examiner sitting beside Iruka, who seemed like a warm, friendly older brother, was the first villain to appear in the original story, a character familiar to every Naruto fan.
This villain, something of a master of exaggerated expressions,
was also the key figure who helped Naruto take the first step toward becoming a ninja.
He'd almost forgotten about this important event.
Naruto still looked dazed on the outside, gazing at Iruka with pleading eyes, but his mind was already racing as he worked out what to do next.
The Scroll of Sealing incident!
That's right.
The moment he saw Mizuki,
the first story event from the original plot came to mind.
For years now,
the Scroll of Sealing had been one of Naruto's targets.
This might be his only chance to get his hands on it so openly.
Most importantly,
in his previous life, his counterpart in the original story had only learned the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
Naruto thought that was an enormous waste of resources.
In this life,
he had to make good use of this opportunity.
Naruto thought to himself.
Iruka, standing at the front of the room, had no idea what was going through the brat's mind.
Seeing Naruto still looking at him with those pitiful eyes and staying in the examination room instead of leaving, Iruka assumed he couldn't accept the result.
Though he felt somewhat reluctant,
Iruka kept his face stern and spoke to Naruto.
"If I say no, then it's no, Naruto. Go back and train. You can take the next exam."
Naruto had already made up his mind,
but he still put on an utterly disappointed expression. His downcast look was so convincing it seemed etched into his very being. Since coming to this world, Naruto had improved not only his strength but also his acting. At the very least, he had reached the basic standard of an ordinary actor and acquired the essential skills of the profession.
"Yes, I understand..."
He answered listlessly, his head lowered.
Naruto slowly turned around and trudged toward the door as if each step weighed a thousand pounds. His lonely retreating figure nearly made Iruka call out to him, but in the depths of his heart, Iruka's conviction kept him firm in his decision.
Rules were rules!
They couldn't be broken.
And as mentioned before, from Iruka's perspective, this was also for Naruto's own good.
"Naruto, I hope you can forgive me. You'll understand someday."
Watching Naruto leave,
Iruka's gaze flickered as he silently thought to himself.
"Next, Sakura Haruno."
"Yes!"
After Naruto had disappeared from view,
Iruka quickly pulled himself together and continued with the graduation exams.
Iruka didn't notice Mizuki beside him watching the direction Naruto had gone, a strange glint in his eyes and the corner of his mouth curling up in a faint, sinister smile.
Then the expression vanished just as quickly. Even Iruka, sitting beside him, hadn't noticed it.
"Naruto Uzumaki, huh? Heh. This is a pretty good opportunity to use. Kid, it's your honor to help fulfill my ambition!!"
The pure ambition buried deep within Mizuki's heart rapidly took root, growing beyond all restraint.