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The sun hung low over the rooftops of Konoha, painting the village in warm orange and gold. The air buzzed with excitement and nervous energy, a chorus of voices echoing through the training yard. Today was special. Today was graduation day.
It was the 15th day of the Month of Bloom, Year 61 of the Hidden Leaf Calendar, a date marked in every young shinobi's memory as the day they stepped closer to becoming a true ninja. For most, it was a proud milestone. For Naruto Uzumaki, it was a chance to finally prove himself.
He perched on a wooden railing, legs swinging, bright blond hair catching the fading sunlight. His wide grin masked a storm of nerves inside.
This is it, he thought. No more messing around. Today I'll show everyone—I mean, Iruka-sensei, those stuck-up classmates, even Sasuke—that Naruto Uzumaki is destined for greatness.
Around him, whispers floated through the crowd. "He'll fail, just like always." "Bet he's dead last again." Naruto's fists clenched, but he refused to let his frustration show. His grin only widened.
Iruka-sensei stepped forward, clipboard in hand, his voice cutting through the chatter. "Alright, students. Today's graduation exam begins. Each of you will perform the Clone Jutsu in front of me and Mizuki-sensei. Pass, and you become a genin."
Naruto's stomach sank. Of all the techniques… Why the Clone Jutsu? Still, he jumped down, puffing his chest out. "Piece of cake! You all better start calling me 'Naruto-sama' after this!"
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The training field was quiet, the tension almost palpable. One by one, students stepped forward, performing the basic clone technique under the watchful eyes of Iruka-sensei and Mizuki. Each student moved confidently, hand seals flowing smoothly as their clones solidified in the air.
Naruto's turn arrived. He stepped onto the field, fists clenched, chest pounding. His usual grin felt heavy.
Iruka-sensei looked at him kindly. "Naruto… focus. Put your chakra into the clone exactly as we practiced."
Naruto nodded and formed the hand seals—Tiger, Ox, Monkey—forcing his chakra outward. A small puff of smoke rose… and vanished immediately.
He tried again. And again. And again. Each attempt ended the same way: a weak puff of smoke that disappeared before it could form a proper clone. The other students watched silently; some exchanged worried glances.
Naruto's face burned with frustration. "Why won't it work?!" he shouted, pounding the ground with his fist. Sweat ran down his brow, and tears threatened to spill.
Iruka stepped forward, his expression gentle but firm. "Naruto… I'm sorry. You didn't pass the graduation exam."
Naruto froze. The words hit harder than any blow. He had failed… again. His dream of becoming a ninja felt further away than ever.
The other students moved past him, leaving Naruto standing alone on the field. He clenched his fists, trying to hold back the tears.
I'll… I'll show them… I will become a real ninja…
Even in failure, the fire in Naruto's heart burned brighter than ever.
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Naruto slumped against the edge of the training field, hands gripping his knees. The sting of failure burned hotter than the afternoon sun. He had failed the graduation exam. Again. The other students had gone, some laughing quietly, others congratulating each other. He felt invisible—worthless.
A soft, almost comforting voice broke the silence. "Naruto…"
Naruto looked up. Mizuki was standing there, leaning casually against a tree, his expression calm and warm. "Don't look so down. Everyone has their own pace."
Naruto blinked. "Really…?" he asked hesitantly.
Mizuki smiled. "Yes. You're stronger than most, Naruto. You just haven't learned to control your power yet. It's not your fault you struggled today."
Naruto felt a flicker of hope. "You… think I can still be a ninja?"
"Of course," Mizuki said, crouching slightly, lowering his voice. "But to become someone truly respected… someone no one can ignore… you need the right training. There's a scroll, hidden in the Hokage's office. It contains secret jutsu, powerful techniques. You could learn them—maybe even surpass everyone."
Naruto's eyes widened. "Secret jutsu…?"
"Yes," Mizuki said softly. "But it's forbidden. Only those who are brave enough, clever enough… and who truly deserve it can handle it." He paused, letting his gaze linger on Naruto, letting the boy's pride and longing grow. "I know you've been laughed at, ignored, treated like… like you're nothing. This could change all that."
Naruto swallowed hard. The sting of failure, the desire to prove himself, the hope that someone—anyone—believed in him, all swirled together. "I… I want to try," he whispered.
Mizuki's smile widened, almost imperceptibly. "Good. I knew you were special. Follow me."
Naruto, trusting Mizuki as an authority figure, didn't hesitate. He had no idea that the man he believed in was leading him into danger… a trap that would soon reveal the secret of the Nine-Tails inside him, forcing Naruto to face his first real battle as a true shinobi.
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