Plot Development

The next day.

The Ninja Academy welcomed its triennial graduation season.

The campus was crowded with parents whispering to each other.

"Do you think my son will graduate and become a ninja?"

"Who knows, I only know my son will definitely make it!"

"You're just bragging. With your son's talent, he'll be cannon fodder even if he becomes a ninja."

"Damn it, what did you say! Let's settle this outside!"

Amidst the chaotic school, various discussions could be heard everywhere.

Many hot-tempered individuals even started dueling on the spot.

Of course, none of this affected the little ones inside the teaching building.

Naruto, bored, propped his chin on his hand, his gaze listlessly following a small bird flying past the window.

So boring...

A place filled with children like this is truly uninteresting.

Over the past three years, Naruto had also progressed at an astonishing rate.

Having accompanied Uchiha Kei on several missions outside the village, his combat experience and ninjutsu far surpassed that of an average Chunin.

His signature move, the Rasengan, he had mastered to perfection, comprehending elemental transformation early on.

He had originally wanted to graduate early like Kei.

Unfortunately, Kei absolutely refused.

Thus, he could only obediently remain in the Ninja Academy.

"Hey, do you know what Kei has been up to lately?"

The tsundere boy Sasuke stood beside him, looking down at him.

Without the Uchiha clan massacre, Sasuke was not as cold as he was originally.

But his inherent tsundere nature still existed.

"I don't know."

Naruto replied irritably.

He genuinely didn't know.

For the past two to three months, Kei had been acting mysteriously every day, not including him in many things.

This had put him in a very bad mood.

"How could you not know? Aren't you and Kei inseparable?"

Sasuke pressed on, unwilling to give up.

Ever since he had witnessed Kei's Sharingan three years ago, it had been a huge blow to him.

His older brother Itachi had awakened his Sharingan at eight, and Uchiha Kei had also awakened his at eight.

Why, with his talent, couldn't he awaken his eyes even now!

He was already eleven years old!

It was so unfair...

It was this obsession that drove Sasuke to constantly set Kei as his goal for the past three years.

The result of his striving...

was only more discouragement...

Gradually, that competitive spirit was shattered.

What remained now was only admiration.

"You're so annoying! I don't know, I don't know!"

Naruto roared.

The classroom immediately fell silent.

"Naruto! Are you bullying Sasuke again!"

A pink-haired little loli stomped over fiercely.

Behind her were many other girls, all indignant, glaring at Naruto with fierce eyes.

Just like in the anime, the handsome and arrogant Sasuke had a large fan base.

"Sakura, I wasn't bullying him."

Naruto's tone immediately lowered, becoming ingratiating.

"How could you not! I clearly saw you yell at Sasuke!"

"Exactly, exactly! I saw it too!"

"How dare you bully Sasuke!"

"Apologize! Apologize to Sasuke!"

In an instant, Naruto was surrounded by Sasuke's rabid fans.

"I really didn't..."

Naruto listened to the chattering voices around him, his own voice dropping even lower.

What could he do? A whole crowd of girls, even if he was peerless in strength, what good would it do?

Besides, Kage had specifically told him.

He absolutely could not show his strength in front of others.

Therefore, he was still the "dead last" in the class.

"Stop with the nonsense, apologize quickly!"

Sakura, with her pink hair, glared at him.

Naruto felt incredibly wronged, but looking at Sakura, he still lowered his head towards Sasuke.

"I'm sorry..."

Sasuke opened his mouth, but in the end, he said nothing and turned back to his seat.

He was also afraid of this group of rabid fans...

It was better to avoid trouble.

He could apologize to Naruto after the exam.

However, the rabid fans, led by Sakura, were clearly not willing to let Naruto off the hook.

"See, Sasuke didn't even forgive you."

"I think this guy should kneel and beg Sasuke for forgiveness."

"I agree! He should kneel!"

Just as the rabid fans were being relentless, a small figure squeezed through.

This figure looked at them with a somewhat timid expression.

"Naruto-kun already apologized..."

Unfortunately, the rabid fans didn't pay her any mind.

"Don't be like this, we're all classmates, Naruto-kun..."

"You shut up!"

Sakura glared fiercely at the timid figure.

"We're getting justice for Sasuke, he deserves it!"

"That's not true..."

Seeing Naruto's wronged face, the figure forced herself to be brave, her face turning completely red.

"Hinata, why are you speaking up for this guy? He's a bad person, you know?"

"Naruto-kun isn't a bad person..."

Hinata mustered her courage and looked up at the rabid fans.

"Naruto-kun is a very, very good person..."

Hinata explained, her teeth gritted.

"Very, very good?"

Sakura turned her head, her eyes fierce.

"Do you know him well? Do you know who he is?"

"He's..."

Sakura didn't finish her sentence, but her eyes, as she looked at Naruto, were filled with disgust.

A fox demon!

He's a fox demon!

Naruto froze, looking at Sakura in disbelief.

How could Sakura say that about him...

"He's no one! He's Naruto-kun!"

Hinata shouted loudly with her eyes closed, then covered her face and ran away.

The rabid fans stared blankly at the fleeing Hinata.

This girl...

She actually dared to speak loudly today?

It's truly amazing.

Naruto also looked at Hinata, a warm feeling rising in his heart.

Was she the second person, besides Kage, who didn't dislike him?

"Knock, knock, knock!"

On the podium, Iruka slammed his desk hard.

"Everyone quiet down, return to your seats, and don't make a fuss."

"The exam is about to begin."

Under Iruka's imposing authority, the brainless fans finally let Naruto go and grudgingly returned to their seats.

Naruto also breathed a huge sigh of relief.

There was nothing more terrifying than being surrounded by brainless fans with no IQ.

"Next, we will begin the exam. Everyone go outside, and those whose names are called will come in."

The little ones in the classroom one by one walked out.

"Tada Ichiro..."

The little one whose name was called nervously walked into the classroom.

Sasuke paced restlessly, and after a long while, he made up his mind and walked up to Naruto again.

"Um..."

The apology was on the tip of his tongue, but his tsundere nature kicked in at that moment.

"Can you not walk so close to me?"

Naruto looked around frantically, afraid the brainless fans would surround him again.

"Ahem, I came to apologize to you, about what happened just now..."

"I didn't hold what happened just now against you. After the exam, I'll take you to see Kage."

Sasuke looked at him, overjoyed.

"Really? Thank you so much, Naruto!"

Watching Sasuke skip away, Naruto wailed inwardly.

So childish!

I really want to graduate quickly!

I really want to go find Kage!