The Graduation Exam

The long-awaited graduation exam at the Ninja Academy had finally arrived.

When Iruka announced that the exam would test the Clone Technique, Meihui breathed a sigh of relief, but Naruto lost his composure.

He had planned to put on an act, only for it to become all too real. He genuinely couldn't perform the Clone Technique. Strangely enough, he could learn everything else-even that C-rank Wind Release Ninjutsu, which he had already mastered.

Yet he simply couldn't learn one little Clone Technique.

On the day of the exam, the classroom was packed with students.

Iruka held the roster. "When your name is called, go to the classroom next door for your ninjutsu test."

"Meihui Uzumaki."

Hearing his name, Meihui stood up and headed for the next classroom.

As he left, he saw Naruto cheering him on.

With a faint smile, Meihui went in.

"Let's begin the exam, Meihui." Seeing that Meihui was ready, Iruka got straight to the point.

Meihui nodded. After forming a few simple hand seals, five clones identical to him appeared at his side.

Mizuki recorded his score nearby, while Iruka smiled and nodded.

"I knew this kid Meihui had potential ever since he was little. Another perfect score."

Meihui didn't feel much about it. He glanced at the insincere Mizuki and left.

My little EXP piñata, whether I strike it rich this time depends on you.

After coming out, Meihui headed straight home. It wasn't appropriate for him to take part in what came next.

At last, it was Naruto's turn to take the exam. His heart raced, and his hands trembled.

Naruto walked shakily into the exam room.

"Are you ready, Naruto?" Seeing how nervous Naruto was, Iruka couldn't help asking with concern.

"I'm ready, Iruka-sensei."

Iruka might have believed that nonsense if he hadn't noticed Naruto's legs shaking nonstop.

"Naruto, relax. Take your time."

Naruto gathered his chakra. With a pop and a puff of white smoke, a "Naruto" lay on the floor.

Seeing the vein bulging on Iruka's forehead, Naruto broke out in a cold sweat.

"Naruto, what are you doing? This is your Clone Technique? It's nowhere near your brother's."

As Iruka scolded him, Naruto lowered his head in shame.

Mizuki stepped forward at that moment, trying to smooth things over.

"Come on, Iruka. Naruto is excellent in other areas. Why not give him a passing grade?"

"Mizuki, it's not that I don't want to pass him. Naruto's Clone Technique is just too poor. There's no way to justify passing him."

"Naruto, you've failed this exam."

Mizuki tried to persuade Iruka again, but Iruka refused.

And so Naruto left, dejected.

A forlorn Naruto sat alone on a swing, unaware that Mizuki had quietly followed him.

"Naruto, are you all right?"

"Oh, Mizuki-sensei. I'm fine."

"Iruka is doing this for your own good, you know."

"Then why didn't he pass me?"

"It's all right, Naruto. Iruka just wants you to become truly strong. He isn't deliberately making things difficult for you by failing you. I know another way you can graduate."

Listening to Mizuki try to fool him, Naruto could only think how utterly lame his methods were. His brother, by comparison, had a whole bag of tricks for stringing him along.

Suppressing the urge to expose him, Naruto began putting on a performance.

"What is it? Hurry and tell me, Mizuki-sensei! I want to become a genin too!"

Seeing Naruto so eager, Mizuki smiled knowingly.

Kid, you took the bait so quickly.

Meanwhile, Naruto couldn't help recalling something his brother had once taught him.

The best hunters often appear as prey. Both of them had their own hidden agenda.

"Naruto, did you know there's a scroll in the village that contains all kinds of powerful ninjutsu? As long as you learn any one of the techniques in that scroll and show Iruka, he'll let you graduate."

"Really, Mizuki-sensei?"

"Really. If you learn one of those techniques, forget graduating-you could even defeat your brother."

If Mizuki hadn't said anything about defeating his brother, Naruto might almost have believed his nonsense.

At the thought of his brother pinning him and Sasuke to the ground and beating them up, Naruto couldn't help shuddering.

After telling Naruto the location, Mizuki left.

Naruto didn't go home either. He went straight off to steal the Scroll of Seals.

Meihui had already told Naruto about everything that was going to happen.