First Place, Uzumaki Naruto

As Naruto walked out of the examination hall, the area outside the classroom was already crowded with onlookers.

"Yo, the dead last is out."

"Wonder if he can stun everyone like the God of Wealth."

"Are you dreaming? Comparing this eternal dead last to the renowned God of Wealth? Are you crazy?"

"Wasn't Uchiha Kei a dead last back then too?"

"He was just being low-key, don't you get it?"

Naruto ignored the chatter of his peers outside and strode through the crowd.

Over the years, he and Uchiha Kei had been through thick and thin. Learning ninjutsu was secondary.

What he truly learned was to have a thick skin.

The outside world's opinions held less weight than a fart to him.

"Naruto, Naruto, why are you walking so fast?"

A chubby boy and a skinny boy quickly walked up to him.

"Don't listen to them, you'll definitely pass the exam."

The chubby boy magically produced a bag of chips and, with a pained expression, handed it to him.

"Here, have some chips."

The skinny boy beside him crossed his arms and lazily watched the scene.

"Choji, did you take the wrong medicine today? Giving your chips to someone else!"

The chubby boy, Choji Akimichi, looked pained. "I didn't want to... but I was afraid Naruto would be unhappy..."

The skinny boy, Shikamaru Nara, rubbed his nose.

"What a hassle... Naruto, just take them. He's about to drool a river."

Naruto looked at the two of them, his heart warming.

He had friends during these three years, didn't he?

Not to mention Kei.

These two in front of him were also his friends!

Naruto pushed the chips back to Choji Akimichi, a smile on his face.

"It's okay, I'll definitely graduate, don't worry."

Shikamaru Nara hesitated for a moment, while Choji Akimichi's eyes lit up.

"Really? Are you telling the truth?"

"Of course, it's true!"

Naruto proudly tilted his head back, about to say something.

The next scene made him choke on his words.

"Then I won't be polite!"

Riiip!

The chip bag was neatly torn open, and the chips, emitting an enticing aroma, poured into Choji Akimichi's mouth.

Naruto: ...

Shikaku Nara was used to it and could only sigh helplessly.

"Hahahahahaha."

Naruto's hearty laughter echoed through the corridor.

Afternoon.

The people in the school didn't disperse after the exam; instead, more and more gathered.

The reason was simple: the afternoon was when the results would be announced.

In Naruto's classroom, all the children stared intently at the doorway.

Naruto, still bored, rested his chin on his hand and gazed blankly out the window.

Not far from Naruto, the small Hinata Hyuga also stared blankly at him.

"Naruto-kun... so cool..."

Heart shapes gradually formed in Hinata's Byakugan.

"Ahem."

Iruka entered the classroom, holding a piece of paper.

The noisy classroom fell silent.

Everyone looked at Iruka with expectant eyes.

And the paper in his hand.

Is this the pass to their path as ninjas?

How exciting!

"Students, I'm sure you've all guessed it."

Iruka shook the paper in his hand, a kind smile on his face.

"We guessed it!"

The room erupted in screams.

"Then I won't keep you in suspense any longer. I will now announce the students who passed the examination."

Iruka scanned the room, his gaze landing on faces flushed with excitement.

"First place..."

"Uzumaki Naruto!"

The scene fell into a deathly silence.

Everyone remained frozen.

Many had their mouths hanging wide open, nearly dropping their jaws in shock.

What did they just hear?

Did they mishear?

Yes!

That must be it!

How could the perennial dead-last be in first place?

Iruka-sensei is really...

Too much of a joker.

"Iruka-sensei, please just announce it already, stop teasing us."

Sakura, with his pink hair, gave a dry laugh.

"How could the first place be that guy Naruto? It must be Sasuke, right?"

Sasuke, sitting quietly below, immediately darkened his face.

Is this what it feels like to sit in the classroom and have a pot fall from the sky?

Although he prided himself on being a genius.

He was well aware of Naruto's true strength.

It was far beyond what he could compare to right now!

At the very least, he couldn't withstand that wind-natured ball...

"Exactly, exactly, how could it be that guy?"

"It must be our Sasuke, Iruka-sensei really knows how to tell a joke."

Iruka rubbed his forehead in frustration.

Never mind these little ones; even he had been scared to death by Naruto's performance during the exam.

He passed the Three Body Technique with a perfect score.

For the additional assessment, he even demonstrated an A-rank ninjutsu, the "Rasengan"!

And it was the kind with nature transformation, too!

You have to realize...

Even he hadn't mastered an A-rank ninjutsu yet...

"Quiet, quiet!"

Iruka tapped on the podium.

"I am not joking. The first place is indeed Uzumaki Naruto!"

"Whoa!"

The room instantly exploded.

Incredulous gazes were all fixed on Naruto, who sat by the window.

What could be more shocking than the perennial dead-last overtaking everyone in the final stretch?

Naruto looked at the people around him with annoyance, then turned his gaze back to the window.

He hated these looks.

He hated the eyes that treated him like a monster.

Even though the gazes of the people present were filled with disbelief.

"Unfair!"

Sakura slammed her hand on the table and stood up, looking at Iruka indignantly.

"Teacher Iruka, you must have taken a bribe from the God of Wealth!"

"Him becoming first? Even a dog wouldn't believe it!"

Iruka frowned at Sakura's words, looking displeased.

Naruto turned back again, his expression grim.

He had always had a strange good feeling towards Sakura.

This good feeling might have come from Sakura's pretty face.

It might have come from her pink hair.

Or it might have been that cup of instant noodles from when he was five...

He liked seeing her smile, liked seeing her fierce.

He could ignore the cold mockery of others.

But Sakura saying that made him feel extremely hurt.

It felt like his heart had been ripped apart.

"Why can't Naruto-kun be first..."

Hinata blushed, standing up abruptly in front of the entire class for the first time.

Her face was flushed red, whether from anger or shyness, she didn't know.

Naruto looked at her in surprise.

Hinata...

Why was she always helping him?

"Because he's the perennial dead last!"

"Because he's..."

"Enough!"

Sakura's words stopped abruptly, and she looked at Naruto, who had his head bowed, in disbelief.

He...

He actually yelled at her!

A monster, daring to yell at her!

Sakura's chest heaved violently, her fists clenched tightly, and she leaped in front of Naruto.

"You dare to yell at me!"

Her clenched fist instantly swung towards Naruto's face.

"Naruto-kun!"

Hinata cried out in alarm, instinctively moving to get between them.

"Slap!"

Sakura froze.

Her fist...

Was tightly clasped by a palm, unable to move an inch!

"I said..."

Naruto slowly raised his head, his eyes devoid of any emotion.

"Enough!"

A look of terror appeared on Sakura's face.

These eyes...

Were filled with a disregard for life!

Filled with...

A chilling coldness that made her tremble!

This...

Was this still the Uzumaki Naruto who would do anything she said?