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The immense royalties from The Romantic Ninjutsu Tales of Shimura had fundamentally altered Naruto's reality. Over the following five years, his life became a disciplined cycle of training, academic study, and deepening bonds with the village's future leaders.
Spring blossomed and autumn withered five times; five years vanished in a flash.
The twelve-year-old Naruto now stood at the threshold of the Ninja Academy graduation exam. His physique was lean and powerful, his height nearly equal to that of Iruka-sensei. As he walked toward the podium at the sound of his name, his steady, upright posture radiated a quiet energy.
"Clone Jutsu," Iruka instructed, his heart heavy with conflict. He had seen Naruto's legendary dedication to Taijutsu and his sharp tactical mind, yet the boy's struggle with the most basic Academy ninjutsu remained a persistent mystery.
Naruto formed the seals. Poof. A limp, distorted clone materialized, flopping onto the floor like a discarded rag doll. A brief, sharp burst of laughter erupted from a few students in the middle rows—but it was silenced instantly by a fierce, low growl.
Akamaru, no longer a tiny pup but a formidable nin-dog, bared his teeth from Kiba's hood. The message was clear. Over the years, every student who had mocked Naruto's "Dead-Last" performance had been "specially disciplined" by the Inuzuka heir and his partner. After a series of fierce scoldings from Kiba's older sister, Hana, the bullying had ceased entirely.
Naruto walked back to his seat, a practiced look of disappointment carefully etched onto his face. His blue eyes, however, flicked toward the classroom door. Behind the slightly open gap, he sensed a cold, predatory gaze.
Mizuki is taking the bait.
"It's okay, Naruto! If we practice more, you'll definitely get it," Ino whispered, leaning over to comfort him. Since she had begun her open pursuit of Naruto, Kiba and Shino had wisely ceded their seats to create a new front-row dynamic.
Naruto's immediate circle was now a fortress: Hinata sat by the window, quietly taking her meticulous notes; Naruto sat in the center, conceptualizing his next literary masterpiece; and Ino sat on his other side, her blonde ponytail swaying as she searched for topics to keep him engaged. Even Sakura, though often moody, had drifted into their orbit.
"I'm fine, Ino. Thanks," Naruto replied with a gentle, half-hearted smile. He glanced at Hinata, noticing her ears turn pink as she quickly looked down at her desk.
Internally, Naruto's mind was racing. He knew the script. Mizuki would approach him, offer him a "secret" way to pass the exam by stealing the Scroll of Seals, and then attempt to kill him and frame him for the theft.
Playing along is the most efficient path, Naruto mused. It gives me a legitimate excuse to 'accidentally' learn from the forbidden scroll while maintaining my image. But I can't be reckless like the original Naruto.
He knew he had to inform the Sandaime beforehand. If he didn't, the Anbu guardians—who didn't care for sentimental "Will of Fire" speeches—might actually strike to kill.
As expected, after school, Mizuki was waiting on the path toward the training ground. The setting sun stretched his shadow, casting a long, dark line toward Naruto's group.
"Naruto!" Mizuki called out, his face fixed in a mask of "concerned mentor."
Naruto and his clique stopped. Mizuki's eyebrows shot up as he surveyed the lineup: Ino, Hinata, Shikamaru, Choji, Shino, Kiba, Sasuke, and Sakura. It was a formidable gathering of clan heirs.
"It's Mizuki-sensei," Naruto said, smiling politely.
"Haha, hello everyone," Mizuki forced a smile, his fingers twitching. "I have something to discuss with Naruto. I'd like to speak with him alone."
Unexpectedly, the group didn't move. Every eye turned to Naruto, waiting for his command. The coordination was seamless—a silent testament to the prestige Naruto had built within the "Circle."
Naruto waved a hand. "Go on to the training ground. I'll be there in a bit."
Only then did the group depart, with Ino turning back to remind him, "Don't be long! You promised to help me with my shuriken aim today."
As their figures disappeared, Mizuki sighed with a fake sense of wonder. "I didn't expect you to have such influence over your classmates, Naruto-kun."
Naruto offered an embarrassed, "Dead-Last" smile. "It's just that they're all very enthusiastic, sensei. So, what did you want to talk about?"
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