Naruto then passed the Three Basic Techniques exam without any issues.
The plot where Mizuki bewitched him never happened.
Back when graduation was approaching, Naruto had still been hoping Mizuki would show up.
He figured he could at least go along with the act and get a free technique or two from the Scroll of Seals.
But who would have thought that a few months ago, Mizuki was already taken away by the Anbu for investigation because he'd secretly colluded with the Missing-nin, Orochimaru, behind the village's back.
In hindsight, that actually make sense.
Moreover, there was no way Mizuki could have manipulated him now anyway.
After all, almost everyone in the village knows that he is the Yondaime's son.
Although Naruto may not have a very good reputation because he have been involved in frequent demolitions in the village in recent years…
All in all, the villagers of Konoha just kept their distance from him and did not hate him like in the original work, nor did they refuse to sell things to him and treated him like an outcast.
In fact, what Naruto didn't know was that the villagers didn't cause trouble for him because they were terrified of him.
Back when he was only six or seven, he could swing a full-grown tree around like a baseball bat, which left a lasting impression on the villagers.
Who'd dare mess with him after that?
It was also because of this that Mizuki could not find any opportunity to sow discord between the Kyubi's Jinchuriki and the village.
"Sigh…"
Naruto felt like he was at a great disadvantage when he thought about the fact that he couldn't learn Forbidden Technique for free.
When he had the chance to learn a Forbidden Technique before, he'd really wanted to pick up his father's Flying Thunder God Technique. But the problem was… he really couldn't understand it!
Those complex, densely packed sealing formulas were just as confusing as a math textbook.
However, he did write it down and thought that he can try to learn it when he has the chance in the future.
Then there was the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags, which Naruto also wanted very much.
However, Hiruzen absolutely refused to let Naruto learn it.
He said he was worried that Naruto would accidentally blow up the entire Konoha Village.
Naruto still got mad thinking about that.
'What, did he really think I was that reckless?!'
Naruto's sigh caught Sasuke's attention.
"You didn't do well on the exam?"
"How is that possible!?"
Naruto was offended by Sasuke's words.
Although his theoretical grades in the Academy were poor, he is number one in practical combat. So how could he possibly not do well in the exam?
Sasuke looked visibly relieved after hearing Naruto's answer, but then, a hint of worry appeared on his face again.
"Do you think we'll end up on the same team?"
Sasuke felt it was best to be in the same class with Naruto, after all, the others were really too weak...
"Did you see that pink-haired girl?"
Naruto nodded toward Sakura and continued speaking to Sasuke.
"I, the great Uzumaki Naruto, have calculated it..."
"You, me, and that pink-haired girl will most likely be grouped together."
Hinata, who had pricked up her ears to eavesdrop the two boys' conversation, had a dim expression in her face.
'So I won't be on the same team as Naruto-kun…?'
"Hyuga Hinata, Aburame Shino, Inuzuka Kiba, the three of you, follow me."
At this time, Yuhi Kurenai pushed open the door, called out the names of the three, and left the classroom without looking back.
When Hinata heard her name being called, she left the classroom, glancing back every few steps. She was very reluctant to leave.
If Naruto hadn't encouraged her, she probably wouldn't have made it through the door.
As the Jonin Instructors come to take their students away, the previously full classroom gradually became empty.
Before long, only Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura were left in the classroom...
…
"What!?"
"You want me to be Naruto's Jonin Instructor!?"
In the Hokage's Office, Kakashi, who rarely showed any emotion, showed great reluctance.
Seeing that the other party was 'very thrilled', Hiruzen chuckled awkwardly.
He had asked other Jonin, but every single one refused.
Naruto's chaos-causing reputation was known by everyone in the village.
The Jonin had even banded together at one point, vowing to absolutely reject taking Naruto under their wings.
Of course, none of them bothered telling Kakashi or Guy.
After Hiruzen was rejected by other Jonin, he naturally turned his attention to his beloved subordinate, Hatake Kakashi.
Besides…
'No matter what, Naruto is your teacher's son. Whether it's public or private reasons, you really don't have a reason to refuse, right?'
"How about... I just go back to the Anbu?"
Kakashi said this with difficulty, but when he saw the serious expression on the Hiruzen's face, he knew this wasn't up for debate.
In fact, Kakashi had already seen this coming. Back when he was first asked to look after Naruto, he'd had a bad feeling about it.
After a long, silent standoff, Kakashi finally sighed and accepted the assignment.
Dragging his feet like a man with no dreams left, he made his way toward Naruto's classroom, with his deadfish eye on full force.
Click…
As the classroom's door opened, Naruto could smell that familiar salted fish scent from all the way across the room.
'Seriously, is this just how all middle-aged men end up?'
"I am your Jonin Instructor, Hatake Kakashi."
"I look forward to working with you."
The moment Sakura saw Kakashi, her eyes immediately went wide with excitement. She realized she really was on the same team as Sasuke, and inside, she was already throwing celebratory punches into the air.
'Marvelous!'
'I'm really on the same team as Sasuke!'
'This is my big chance!'
'Ino, that pig, can eat dirt!'
Sasuke nodded slightly as a sign of respect. He had heard of the genius Kakashi before, so he was quite satisfied with him being their Jonin Instructor.
Naruto's lips twitched when he heard what Kakashi said, and he said with a strange look on his face, "Uncle Kakashi, we're already this familiar, so there is no need to be so formal, right?"
His overly friendly tone made Kakashi's head throb again.
If there were even a shred of an alternative...
Kakashi really didn't want to take care of this child, even though he was his teacher's only child.
"You need to call me Kakashi-sensei from now on."
"Everyone, follow me."
After saying that, he put his hands in his pockets and motioned for the three to follow him.
Naruto followed behind Kakashi and was very disdainful of what he had just said.
'Call you sensei?'
'Just wait, you white-haired bum!'
'Soon, the three of us will each have our own elite mentors! One studied under Orochimaru, one became Tsunade's disciple, and I'll go to Jiraiya.'
'When the time comes, if we really talk seniority…'
'We're the disciples of the Legendary Sannin. My father is Jiraiya's student, and Kakashi, you are my father's student...'
'Once I become Jiraiya's disciple, Kakashi, you'll have to call me 'Uncle'.'
The group made their way up to the rooftop. Sakura was busy fangirling over Sasuke, Sasuke was trying to be cool with a straight face, and Naruto was wondering what to eat for dinner.
Kakashi leaned against the railing, looking at his new students with a deep sense of foreboding.
"I already said my name earlier."
"Hatake Kakashi. I don't have anything I particularly like. I don't have anything I particularly dislike."
"I don't have any dreams either."
After he finished speaking, he began to stare at the three people, clearly signaling it was time for them to introduce themselves.
Naruto didn't even know how to complain about Kakashi at this point.
'Who the heck introduces themselves like that!?'
"Uchiha Sasuke, I like training, I hate a lot of things, my dream is..."
"To kill that man... and to defeat Naruto."
Naruto: "???"
'Since when did beating me become your dream!?'
They had fought each other countless times in the past six years, but Sasuke had never won once.
Because of that, somewhere along the line, he'd decided Naruto was the benchmark he needed to surpass.
In Sasuke's opinion, if he couldn't even beat Naruto, there was no point in dreaming of revenge.
Now, Sasuke's dream has been changed from 'reviving the Uchiha Clan' to defeating Naruto.
"My name is Haruno Sakura, I like...."
"My dream is..."
"I hate Ino."
Every time the girl spoke, she stole a glance at Sasuke. The meaning of her words couldn't be clearer. Sasuke, with a poker face, completely ignored the poor girl's feelings and turned to look at Naruto.
The interaction between those two made both Kakashi and Naruto feel a little awkward.
Naruto then cleared his throat and started introducing himself, "Uzumaki Naruto, I like Hyuga Hinata and farming..."
"I hate people wearing masks and those who are late."
Hearing this, Kakashi's heart skipped a beat, 'Could it be that this kid was pointing at him?'
'Also…'
'You don't need to tell others that you like Hyuga Hinata. Everyone in the village already knows that.'
"My dream is..."
"World peace."
After hearing Naruto's dream, the three of them turned to look at him.
Sasuke didn't understand why Naruto suddenly dropped something so profound, while Sakura was still admiring Naruto's courage to speak out about his love just now.
"World peace, huh…?"
Kakashi murmured softly, as if he saw the shadow of his teacher in Naruto again.
Once upon a time, his teacher, Namikaze Minato, had said something similar.
'It seems that Naruto really has grown up...'
Kakashi suddenly felt a little relieved, 'Maybe it was time to start seeing Naruto in a new light.'
'After all, I can't just keep treating him like he's still the same kid he used to be.'
'Maybe this boy really won't be as much trouble as before.'
After coming back to his senses, Kakashi returned to his usual lazy demeanor and said, "Starting tomorrow, you'll begin your mission, but it's actually a test just for the three of you."
"This is an extremely difficult test with a 66% elimination rate."
"Be at the training grounds at 5 AM sharp."
"Remember to bring your Ninja Tools, and..."
"Prepare yourselves for death."