"Congratulations, Naruto, you've graduated!"
Umino Iruka took off his ninja forehead protector and personally fastened it around the bewildered Naruto Uzumaki's forehead.
Naruto Uzumaki froze, then held his forehead protector and laughed happily. The morning sunlight filtered through the leaves into the woods, a gleam of light falling across the forehead protector.
At that moment, Konohagakure's strongest genin was born!
"Clap, clap, clap..."
Applause rang out through the woods.
Naruto Uzumaki and Umino Iruka turned to look. Shihōin Naraku had appeared at some point and was walking slowly toward them, smiling and clapping.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."
Several masked ANBU members landed silently behind Shihōin Naraku and followed him.
"Big brother Naraku!"
"Lord Naraku!"
Naruto Uzumaki had initially been a little embarrassed, but when he touched his forehead protector, he realized he had already graduated and no longer needed to hide.
"Big brother Naraku, I graduated! Hahaha..."
Naruto Uzumaki planted his hands on his hips and laughed loudly with delight, his pride plain to see.
"Naruto, mind your manners in front of Lord Naraku."
Iruka patted Naruto Uzumaki's shoulder, telling him not to be so cocky.
Seeing Naruto Uzumaki's smug expression, Shihōin Naraku couldn't resist taking him down a peg. With a smile, he reminded him, "Naruto, haven't you forgotten something? Why do you have the village's Scroll of Seals?"
The happy Naruto Uzumaki froze, only then realizing that he seemed to have gotten himself into serious trouble today.
"Just a reminder: Lord Hokage can revoke your ninja status and take back your forehead protector."
Shihōin Naraku's words struck Naruto Uzumaki like a thunderbolt, leaving his mouth hanging open in utter shock.
After taking Naruto Uzumaki down a peg, Shihōin Naraku signaled for his subordinates to take away Mizuki, who lay on the ground nearby. Then he had someone help Umino