My Name Is Naruto Namikaze

CHAPTER WORDS:- 976

Chapter 15: Before Graduation

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Over the past five years, Naruto has lived a highly disciplined and fulfilling life. Since the Uchiha clan's massacre, the Hidden Leaf Village (Konoha) has entered a period of genuine peace. The other four major Hidden Villages—Cloud, Stone, Mist, and Sand—have yet to uncover the full truth about the Uchiha Massacre. Combined with Konoha's lingering reputation of strength and the fact that the other villages have not fully recovered from the Third Great Ninja War, the potential for a Fourth Great Ninja War has been effectively suppressed.

During this rare time of peace, Naruto has remained utterly focused on himself. He spent his days in a predictable three-point routine:

Academy → Home → Forest Training Grounds.

Naruto avoided wasting time on irrelevant matters, instead dedicating himself to honing his skills and expanding his knowledge.

In these five years, Naruto noticed a significant change. The ANBU who used to monitor him began withdrawing one by one. This might have been due to his impending graduation from the Academy and subsequent status as a full-fledged shinobi. Or perhaps it was because Naruto's consistent, well-behaved demeanor had finally earned the Third Hokage's trust.

Regardless of the reason, the result was clear. About a year ago, the constant feeling of being watched vanished completely. When that oppressive surveillance lifted, Naruto had to restrain himself from cheering aloud. Finally, he could gradually implement his own plans without needing to keep up his facade of meekness.

Everything was progressing smoothly.

Now, all Naruto had to do was patiently wait for graduation and team assignments to proceed to the next stage of his plans.

However, amidst all his planning, Naruto had overlooked one critical detail:

The Academy's Graduation Exam.

The significance of this oversight became painfully clear on the day of the exam.

In the designated classroom for the graduation exam:

"Clone Jutsu!"

Poof!

The familiar figure with spiky blond hair performed the technique. The air surged with white smoke, creating a dramatic scene that initially seemed promising.

Yet, as the smoke dispersed, the result was far from satisfactory.

Instead of two shadow clones standing beside Naruto, there were two… orange, blob-like objects slumped on the floor.

Yes, orange blobs.

If one were being charitable, these malformed shapes vaguely resembled humanoid figures. It could even be considered an improvement compared to years past. At least the "clones" now had recognizable features, like colors and a basic outline.

But still… this was far from what was needed.

The sight was met with stunned silence in the exam room.

Even Naruto couldn't help but twitch at the corners of his mouth.

He had expected this outcome, but seeing it play out in real-time still filled him with frustration.

Across the room, Iruka Umino's face was frozen in a grimace, the veins on his forehead bulging as he struggled to remain composed. Naruto scratched the back of his head awkwardly, forcing a sheepish smile. He opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, Iruka's heavy sigh filled the room.

"...Nope. Not happening."

Iruka's inner thoughts mirrored Naruto's sentiments.

Here was a student who consistently ranked in the top five academically. Naruto excelled in theoretical knowledge and had even claimed the top spot in written exams multiple times. His practical abilities were no less impressive, especially in substitution and transformation techniques, which he mastered within days of being introduced to them.

Even more advanced lessons, like a C-rank Wind Style jutsu Iruka had begrudgingly taught him three years ago, were absorbed by Naruto in record time.

And yet…

The Clone Jutsu remained an insurmountable hurdle.

No matter what Iruka tried—alternate methods, additional training, or simplified explanations—Naruto couldn't grasp this technique.

It was almost as if the jutsu itself had a personal grudge against him.

For a moment, Iruka seriously considered whether Naruto's inability to perform the Clone Jutsu was some kind of cruel cosmic joke. After all, this wasn't even the real deal like Shadow Clone Jutsu—just the basic, entry-level Clone Jutsu.

As Iruka looked down at the orange blobs on the floor, he had to forcibly restrain himself from muttering aloud:

"Those aren't clones; they're… something else entirely."

Clearing his throat, Iruka straightened up and put on a stern expression.

"...Naruto Uzumaki, you did not pass."

Naruto's face immediately fell.

Seriously?

Failing the graduation exam now?

That's a disaster!

In the original timeline, Naruto vaguely remembered his counterpart failing the Academy's graduation multiple times. But even then, something about that scenario didn't sit right. The exam was supposed to happen once per year, and retaking it required formal approval from the Academy.

Naruto couldn't afford a delay like that. It was now Year 60 of the Hidden Leaf calendar, the start of the original timeline. Every moment from here on out was crucial.

He couldn't let this setback ruin his plans. So what if he couldn't master the Clone Jutsu? There were plenty of alternatives, like Shadow Clone Jutsu or other tangible clone techniques!

"...Iruka-sensei, I think I can—"

Before Naruto could finish, Iruka cut him off with a sharp gesture.

"No, Naruto. Rules are rules. If you can't master the Clone Jutsu, you can't graduate. The graduation exam is designed to evaluate your overall abilities, and the Three Basic Jutsu are the foundation for all shinobi. Without mastering them, you cannot become a genin."

Iruka's serious gaze was unwavering as he spoke, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. Naruto sighs, completely annoyed. it is like some kind of higher being wants his life's story to happen the same.

"Damn you Hagaromo!" Naruto whispers, turning around. now, he has to wait till Mizuki Approached him to steal the scroll of sealings, and since an opportunity presented itself, he wouldn't let it loose. he might as well Learn the Forbidden techniques from the Scroll of sealings.

(End of Chapter)

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