Hiruzen Sarutobi considered many possibilities.The most fitting one was Jiraiya's Sage Mode.
But Jiraiya had said that cultivating Sage Mode required traveling to the Three Great Sage Lands.
So that possibility was ruled out.
Unable to figure it out for now, he could only let Yamanaka Kei return and continue to monitor Naruto's chakra condition closely—without allowing the slightest accident!
———
Three Years Later
During this time, although his system mission progress had been hindered somewhat by training, Naruto never slacked off.
His Sage Mode could now be activated instantly!
That was a qualitative leap.
Jiraiya's Sage Mode required the aid of the two toad sages, and also preparation time before he could enter it.
In real combat, such requirements could easily be interrupted.
But being able to activate it instantly was a completely different story.
His maxed-out Shadow Clone Jutsu had also been developed further into Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Three years passed, and though Naruto was only twelve years old, his height had already reached 1.7 meters—towering above peers of the same age.
The childishness in his facial features had faded away for the most part.
His golden hair gleamed even more brightly, and as he sat at the classroom window in fitted white clothes, he looked every bit the model of a "school idol."
Even Sakura Haruno, who was always quarreling with Naruto, would sometimes find herself staring blankly at his side profile.
'If this guy's personality wasn't so awful, he'd really be absurdly handsome…'
Naruto opened his status panel after a long time.
Name: Naruto Uzumaki
Age: 9 → 12
Physique: 33 → 46 (Average civilian = 1)
Chakra: 106.6 Ka units
Bloodline Limit: Perfected Uzumaki Sage Body
Abilities: Breath of Wind (Intermediate), Transparent World, Absolute Chakra Control, Sage Mode
Ninjutsu: Three Body Technique, Illusionary Transformation, Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu, Flying Thunder God
The Breath of Wind combined with his natural physical growth had once again greatly boosted his physique and chakra.
His chakra had already surpassed the 100-unit mark.
With such a body, paired with Sage Mode and top-level abilities like Flying Thunder God…
'At my current power level, even without using Nine-Tails chakra, I should already be at Kage-level, right?' Naruto thought once again.
Since today was graduation day, he didn't send a clone to attend class.
For a milestone like graduation, the main body had to be present for the sense of ceremony.
On the graduation day, of course, there were no classes.
Iruka Umino hadn't arrived yet, and the classroom was noisy with chatter.
Thinking of the upcoming graduation exam, many students wore expressions of both excitement and worry.
Beside him, Shikamaru Nara still looked as lazy as ever.
He suddenly turned to Naruto."Naruto, what do you think this year's graduation exam will be?"
Naruto thought for a moment. In the original story, it should have been Clone Jutsu. But he wasn't sure whether the butterfly effect caused by him would change things.
"Probably one of the Three Body Techniques. Shouldn't be too hard."
Shikamaru gave a helpless smile."You really talk big without worry. Look at them."
Many of the civilian students nearby had overheard Naruto's words, and some looked utterly dejected.
The Three Body Techniques were easy for Naruto, but for some less-talented civilian students, reaching the graduation standard was still difficult.
Ino Yamanaka also leaned in with a smile, bringing with her a faint floral fragrance.
Three years ago, Ino had asked Naruto whether he preferred girls with long or short hair.
That question had also been overheard by Hinata Hyuga.
Since then, both girls had begun growing out their hair.
Now, Ino's light-golden hair was tied into a long ponytail. Combined with her cheerful smile, her girlish charm was undeniable.Unlike the so-called "tough girl influencers" in his previous life's internet, this was the genuine "shoujo saikou"—the true peak of maiden charm!
"I heard that after graduation, we'll be divided into three-man squads. If we could choose our own teammates, that'd be great!"
As she said this, Ino kept her gaze fixed on Naruto. Her meaning was obvious.
Shikamaru glanced at her. He knew more than Ino, and so he also knew—she was destined not to be in Naruto's team.
A little later, Iruka entered the classroom, raising his hand to quiet the students.
"Everyone! Today is your graduation day. I hope you all become excellent shinobi, for yourselves, for your families, and for Konoha—just like the Will of Fire…"
His slightly emotional speech moved a portion of the students.
After steadying the mood, Iruka announced the exam.
"This year's graduation test is… Clone Jutsu. The students I call will proceed to the training hall."
Hearing the test was Clone Jutsu, many less-confident civilian students immediately grew tense.
One by one, names were called, and students went off to the training hall.
Those who returned wearing new forehead protectors looked ecstatic.
Those who failed looked utterly defeated.
Among the crowd, Sakura Haruno let out a sigh of relief. She was confident in her Clone Jutsu.
Naruto strolled into the training hall.
Before him sat two examiners. On the left was Iruka.
On the right was a teacher with long pale-blue hair.
Naruto recognized him at once—it was Mizuki, the homeroom teacher from the neighboring class.
This man was one of the rare characters in Naruto who was never redeemed—pure scum to the end.
The man looked at Naruto with a mysterious smile.
Seeing that fake, insincere grin, Naruto thought to himself:
'I wonder if this guy will still try to trick me into stealing the Scroll of Seals…'
"Naruto, you can begin," Iruka reminded him, noticing his distraction.
Snapping back, Naruto twitched his right hand's fingers almost imperceptibly.
A second later—bang!
Another identical Naruto appeared beside him.
This was max-level Clone Jutsu, empowered by his Absolute Chakra Control.
He rapidly formed a single hand seal!
The result was just like this: it looked as though he hadn't even formed any seals at all.
Not only stylish, but also extremely practical in real combat.
Both Iruka and Mizuki were startled.
As teachers, they couldn't even quite understand what they had just witnessed.
Naruto had clearly not made any seals—so how had he performed the technique?
"P-Passed," Iruka could only announce helplessly.
Naruto stepped forward, took his forehead protector, and returned to the classroom.
Sitting by the window again, he weighed the forehead protector in his hand. Unlike his classmates, he didn't treat it like some priceless treasure.
He just tossed it casually onto his desk.
When all the students had finished, Iruka proposed that the entire class take a commemorative photo.
On the training field, Class A students stood in three rows, with Mizuki responsible for taking the picture.
Click!
The photo froze that moment in time.
Their Academy days had officially come to an end.