In the end, everyone except Naruto managed to pass the graduation test. Some scraped by, some breezed through, but one by one they received their headbands and the warm congratulations of their peers.
Only Naruto was left behind.
He sat alone on the swing outside the classroom, his legs dangling, eyes fixed on the laughing crowd in front of him. Their joy and voices clashed against the silence that wrapped around him.
Not far away, Hidan lay lazily across Konan's back, head resting in his hand, watching Naruto's lonely figure with an almost predatory amusement. He wasn't here by coincidence. He was waiting. Waiting for Mizuki to make his move.
"Master, why are you so interested in that little one?" Konan finally asked, her voice calm but tinged with curiosity. She knew well enough that Naruto was the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, but even so… would that alone really catch her master's eye?
For three years, Konan had followed Hidan without hesitation. She was the only one who had witnessed his terrifying growth, his strange abilities, and the ruthlessness with which he handled anyone foolish enough to stand in their way. In that time, she had grown completely used to his presence. Dependent, even.
In this bloody world, it was not easy to find someone one could rely on—especially as a woman who had already lost too much. Konan was exhausted by war, by death, by betrayal.
She no longer dreamed of peace for the shinobi world. Her only wish now was simple: to serve quietly as Hidan's maid.
If enemies came, Hidan would crush them. If schemes arose, Hidan would twist them to his own amusement. All she had to do was stay by his side. That was her fragile happiness.
"It's a secret~" Hidan answered with a faint smirk, refusing to elaborate. What am I supposed to tell her? That I already know everything that's about to happen? That I'm watching because it's fun?
Konan fell silent at his vague answer, lips pressed together.
Then she blinked and stiffened.
"Master! That one called Mizuki—he's taken Naruto away!"
"Oh?" Hidan stretched lazily, not the least bit surprised. "Then let's head to the woods. That's where the real show starts. And…" His eyes glinted with amusement. "That's where a surprise is waiting for me."
Konan froze. Her pale cheeks flushed red like an apple, and she tilted her head in embarrassment.
"Master… isn't that a little… inappropriate? If it were at home, I wouldn't mind. But outside—it's too shameful."
"…Huh?"
For once, even Hidan's brain blanked. What the hell kind of misunderstanding is this?!
His eyes widened. Wait—don't tell me my sweet maid's thoughts have already gone that far after my 'training'?!
Before Hidan could tease her further, Konan, flustered by her own words, quickly adjusted her grip and hurried through the streets with him on her back. Better to flee than give her master an opening to make things worse.
--
Meanwhile, among the crowd of parents and teachers, Sarutobi Hiruzen was not as careless as he appeared. He called Iruka over and left with him, seemingly casual, but his gaze lingered on Mizuki.
The Hokage knew Mizuki's heart was tainted with greed. He also knew that Naruto was the perfect target. That was precisely why he allowed this incident to happen.
Because within the Scroll of Seals lay a technique that could only reveal its true potential in the hands of a jinchūriki. Sarutobi wanted Naruto to grasp it.
The forbidden jutsu of shadow clones—no, multiple shadow clones.
--
"Master, is it here?" Konan asked softly as they arrived at the dense grove, her eyes scanning the dark woods.
"Yeah. This is the spot." Hidan nodded, then gave her a sly grin. "Hide us. You've got that paper tree technique, right? The one that blends perfectly with the forest?"
Konan's amber eyes glimmered with devotion as she nodded. "Yes."
With a swift series of seals, countless sheets of paper poured from her sleeves, swirling like a blizzard before wrapping around them both.
Within seconds, the two had vanished, hidden inside a hollow paper tree indistinguishable from the others around them. Not even the faintest trace of chakra leaked out.
Inside the narrow trunk, Hidan reluctantly slid down from Konan's back. The cramped space left barely enough room for them both.
"Tch. If the diameter were any bigger, this would've been the perfect chance to do something fun," he muttered under his breath.
Konan nearly choked. She didn't dare ask what exactly he meant.
--
Outside, Naruto had already unrolled the massive scroll. His small hands struggled with its weight, his eyes narrowing in frustration at the complex characters.
"This… this is too hard…" he muttered.
The words he stared at belonged to the technique he had always failed at in class. But this wasn't the basic clone jutsu—it was its enhanced, forbidden counterpart: the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
Through a small gap in the paper tree, Hidan observed everything with amusement.
"Oh, here we go…" His eyes lit up with interest.
That scroll—the legendary Scroll of Seals of Konoha. Within it were said to be countless forbidden techniques, accumulated since the era of the First Hokage. Techniques powerful enough to crush clans, destroy villages, or reshape battlefields.
Back then, Hidan had never bothered with it. He knew only one thing inside was worth his attention: the Flying Thunder God Technique.
The rest? Too troublesome, too limited, or too boring. If he ever wanted them, he could simply kill the current user and take them by force.
But now, watching the scene play out as it had in the anime he remembered, his anticipation rose.
"Master… is that really the Book of Seals?" Konan whispered, her eyes wide with awe. Every village had their own version of such a text, filled with guarded secrets. To see a mere academy dropout clutching Konoha's most forbidden treasure—it was unreal.
"That's right," Hidan replied with a grin. "Later, I'll need you to copy it for me. I've got plans for it."
Konan nodded without hesitation. If her master wanted it, then it was reason enough.
Hidan leaned back against the paper wall, closing his eyes for a moment.
Let's play along with the plot. Stealing it myself would've been too boring. But letting Naruto take it, watching him stumble into greatness—that's far more entertaining. After all… he's the protagonist. And I've got high expectations for him.
After all, the stronger Naruto is, the better it is for me...kukukuku~.
Naruto clenched his fists, sweat dripping from his brow as he tried again and again to perform the technique. Mizuki's trap loomed closer with every passing second.
And from the shadows, Hidan and Konan watched silently, one amused and the other wary, as the night of destiny began.
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