Early the next morning, Tejima Shinichi fastened his ninja tool pouch and got ready to leave.
"Shinichi, wait." Mori Chie called him back, stepped forward, and gently straightened his slightly crooked collar. Her gaze was tender, tinged with a silent warning: "During the exam, stay calm—just perform at your normal level."
Tejima Kazuto, still chewing a slice of bread, chimed in with a muffled cheer: "Exactly! My son's got this! Let those kids see what the Top Student can really do!"
As he spoke he slapped Shinichi's shoulder hard—only to nearly choke himself on the bread.
Shinichi looked at his parents, feeling their ordinary, heartfelt concern.
The emerald glow that had lingered in his palm last night gave him confidence, leaving him lighter than usual—almost buoyant with the spirit a teenager should have.
The corner of his mouth lifted in a grin, and he waved a casual goodbye.
"Got it. See ya."
With that he turned, pushed open the front door, and stepped outside.
The pale morning light poured in, outlining his back in a thin halo of gold.
Kazuto watched his son's stride—calmer than ever, even a touch cocky—and blinked, then swallowed the bread and laughed under his breath:
"Brat… who taught him to walk around that proud?"
Mori Chie stood beside her husband, gazing after their son as he vanished into the light. Smiling softly, she shook her head.
"He walks like himself."
...At the academy, the classroom was already crowded.
"Shinichi-kun, good morning!"
Ino Yamanaka waved energetically; she stood next to Inuzuka Kiba, with Sakura Haruno close by.
"Over here!" Kiba grinned and beckoned. Akamaru poked his head out from beside his leg and barked once.
Shinichi nodded, walked over, and casually ruffled Akamaru's head.
Nara Shikamaru stood nearby, hands in his pockets, wearing his usual "what a pain" look.
Akimichi Choji was focused on munching chips, while Hyuga Hinata waited quietly a little farther off, fingers nervously pressed together.
Aburame Shino leaned against the wall, almost invisible.
"Shinichi-kun, you don't look nervous at all," Ino said with a smile—much politer than when she sparred with Sakura. "As expected of the Top Student."
Sakura, standing beside her, met Shinichi's gaze and instinctively looked away, fingers twisting the hem of her jacket. Her voice was subdued, edged with tension: "Yeah… I'm sure you'll be fine, Shinichi-kun."
She could argue fiercely with Ino over whether Sasuke was stronger, yet before the unreadable and clearly formidable Shinichi she didn't dare act up.
Add to that the fact today's exam would decide their futures, and even she felt her stomach flutter, her thoughts scattered.
Shinichi's glance swept over them, noting Sakura's anxiety and the worry hidden in Ino's eyes.
"With your usual scores, passing shouldn't be a problem."
Kiba scratched his head. "Sounds right… but who knows what they'll test today? If we draw something we suck at—"
Akamaru whined in agreement, as though sharing his master's concern.
"Troublesome…" Shikamaru sighed, brows knit. "If they'd just test the Three Basic Clone Techniques, we'd be done. All these extras are a pain."
Choji mumbled through a mouthful of chips, "I just hope it doesn't run long and cost me lunch."
Ino planted her hands on her hips, rallying herself. "Whatever happens, I'm passing—I refuse to repeat a year!"
Sakura drew a deep breath, still uneasy, about to speak when—
"Hey! Sasuke—stop right there!"
A loud, familiar voice burst from the doorway, snatching everyone's attention.
Uzumaki Naruto stormed in, his bright blond hair flashing in the morning sun, planting himself angrily in front of Sasuke.
Right behind him, Uchiha Sasuke entered without a word, ignoring Naruto's shouting. His cool gaze swept the room, pausing a moment when it landed on Shinichi.
"Ahhh! Sasuke-kun!"
Sakura's nerves vanished in a heartbeat; her cheeks flushed and her eyes turned to hearts. She abandoned Ino and Shinichi without a second thought and hurried toward Sasuke.
"Good morning, Sasuke-kun! You look amazing today!"
Ino watched her go and clicked her tongue. "That forehead girl…"
Shinichi took in the scene, a faint twitch at the corner of his mouth.
Interesting.
Only yesterday he'd slammed the Uchiha prodigy into the ground right in front of Naruto.
Though Sasuke showed no outward sign, Shinichi could sense the lingering stiffness and discomfort from their fight.
Yet in Sakura's eyes, this was Sasuke "looking amazing."
He glanced at Sasuke again.
The Uchiha noticed; a flash of hostility sparked in his dark eyes before settling back into cold indifference, the line of his jaw tightening almost imperceptibly.
Shinichi mused that, yes, Sasuke's "condition" was decent—at least he could still stand steadily and keep his emotions in check.
Just then the classroom door slid open; Iruka Umino stepped in carrying a stack of forms, and the room fell silent as everyone returned to their seats.
Iruka moved to the podium, swept his gaze across the class, and announced in a clear voice:
"Everyone quiet—sit in your own seats! The Graduation Exam begins now. I'll call your names one by one; when you're called, go next door for your test!"
He paused, his gaze casually sweeping over the nervous-looking Uzumaki Naruto in the back row, and added:
"Also... the subject of today's exam is... the Clone Technique!"
At those words, the classroom erupted in a chorus of gasps—some delighted, others dismayed.
"The Clone Technique?!"
"So that's it!"
In the back row, Uzumaki Naruto's face instantly drained of color, turning deathly pale, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
"Damn it..." He clutched his head, almost slumping onto the desk, voice thick with despair. "Of all things... it's the one jutsu I'm worst at... what do I do... what do I do..."
Teacher Iruka didn't give the students much time to fret; he lifted the roster and began calling names.
"First up, Nara Shikamaru."
Shikamaru rose languidly, scratched his head, and strolled into the next classroom.
He was back in moments, a Konoha forehead protector now tied around his arm.
Gasps swept the room at the sight.
"Second, Akimichi Choji."
Choji, stuffing the last chip into his mouth, ambled out. He too returned moments later, forehead protector in place.
Iruka's voice rang out again, clear across the room.
"Third, Tejima Shinichi."
Tejima Shinichi stood calmly and, under everyone's gaze, walked into the adjoining classroom.
Uchiha Sasuke's eyes tracked his back until the door shut.
In the next room, Umino Iruka and Mizuki sat at the examiners' table.
"Shinichi, begin when you're ready," Iruka said with an expectant smile.
Tejima Shinichi nodded and formed hand seals at chest height.
Ram–Snake–Tiger.
"Clone Technique."
With a soft cry, three clones identical to Tejima Shinichi appeared at his side.
Iruka's face was etched with shock and admiration.
"Those are... Shadow Clones! And three at once!" he exclaimed. "Shinichi, you're the most gifted student I've ever taught!!"
Mizuki too stood, a gentle smile on his face, applauding. "Remarkable talent, Shinichi-kun."
Yet deep in his downcast eyes a flicker of darkness passed.
Damn... another prodigy... doing effortlessly what others strive for in vain... this nauseating talent... Still... as if something occurred to him, the shadow vanished from Mizuki's face.
Tejima Shinichi inclined his head slightly. "Thank you, teachers."
Dispelling the clones, he accepted his Konoha forehead protector from Iruka.
"Congratulations, Shinichi."
Iruka said sincerely, handing the protector to him personally.
Shinichi took it, idly holding it as he turned and left the exam room.
When he stepped back into the original classroom, the brand-new protector drew every eye.
The exams continued, names called one by one.
"Yamanaka Ino."
"Haruno Sakura."
"Uchiha Sasuke"—all passed and returned wearing protectors.
At last, Iruka called the name everyone waited for.
"Uzumaki Naruto!"
The classroom atmosphere turned palpably tense.
Everyone knew Naruto's worst subject was the Clone Technique.
Face ashen, Naruto rose and trudged toward the next room.
In a corner, Hyuga Hinata clutched the hem of her jacket, pale eyes full of worry.
Her gaze followed him until he disappeared, lips trembling as if to speak, yet no sound came.
Moments later, angry shouts and the thud of something falling echoed from next door.
Naruto returned, head hung low, forehead bare, face a picture of defeat. He slumped alone in a corner, a stark contrast to the jubilant, protector-wearing students.
Time passed; the Graduation Exams ended.
Some rejoiced, others despaired.
The classroom door opened again; Umino Iruka entered. He scanned the room, his eyes lingering a moment on Naruto in the corner with mixed feelings, then cleared his throat and announced,
"Today's Graduation Exam is concluded. Those who passed, return here tomorrow at eight a.m. sharp. Class rosters will be posted and assigned Jonin instructors will take you on your first missions."
He paused, then continued,
"Rest well tonight and be ready. From tomorrow on, you are true Konoha Genin. Dismissed!"
At once the classroom erupted in chatter.
The newly qualified students excitedly discussed tomorrow's team assignments, guessing who they'd be with and which Jonin would lead them.
Those who'd failed, like Naruto, kept their heads down, forlorn amid the laughter.
Tejima Shinichi joined none of it.
The instant Iruka dismissed them, he pocketed his protector, stuffed it into his ninja tool pouch, and strode out first, not looking back.
He knew what would happen tonight—and chose to watch from the sidelines.
None of it concerned him.
Indeed, the sealed scroll holding countless forbidden techniques held immense allure for him.
Especially any Wood Release jutsu hidden within—exactly what he desired most right now.
Yet he knew the shrewd Hiruzen Sarutobi would never entrust the complete sealed scroll to Naruto.
It was more a test, a test tailored for Uzumaki Naruto.
At best, Naruto would receive a trivial scroll or two, or perhaps an elaborate fake.
Risking exposure for something so minor, possibly non-existent... far too unprofitable.