superior naruto

"Naruto!" Hinata called out, her voice soft but confident.

As the number of conversations between the two had increased, Naruto had opened up more, and Hinata's courage had grown as well. At least now, she dared to wave at Naruto.

Naruto turned to Iruka. "Mr. Iruka, Hinata's calling me. I…"

Iruka's face darkened. "Go…"

*While my students are holding hands with girls, I'm still single… Ugh! I want to die!*

The two quietly found a secluded spot.

Hinata handed Naruto the copy scroll she had bought. *Is this like exchanging tokens?* she wondered, her cheeks flushing at the thought.

The scroll was small, about the length of a little finger and no thicker than a mung bean. It came with a brief instruction manual. By injecting chakra into it, the scroll would automatically expand to match the size of the scroll being copied. Once unrolled, it would form a film to cover the original, completing the replication.

*This is perfect for what I need,* Naruto thought.

Before entering the examination room, Hinata smiled encouragingly. "Naruto, do your best today!"

Naruto grinned. "You too, Hinata! Give it your all!"

*Well… even if I cheer for myself, it won't help much…*

The ninjutsu assessment involved performing a specific technique in a separate classroom, judged by the examiners.

Iruka called out, "Next, Naruto!"

*My turn already?* Naruto stood up, instinctively glancing at Hinata. She met his gaze and made a cute cheering gesture. Naruto couldn't help but smile.

But then came the moment of truth…

He walked into the examination room. Iruka and Mizuki sat at the front desk, Iruka as the examiner and Mizuki as the assistant. On the table lay the forehead protectors of the Leaf ninja, neatly arranged.

Earning one of these would mean promotion to genin, with a monthly income far higher than his current stipend. Plus, completing missions would bring additional rewards. Naruto wanted this identity more than anything.

Iruka announced, "This year's ninjutsu exam subject is… the Clone Technique."

*Of course, it's the Clone Technique,* Naruto thought bitterly.

Mizuki smiled kindly. "Naruto, begin."

Naruto nodded. "Yes."

He formed the hand seals and called out, "Clone Technique!"

*Poof!*

A single clone appeared beside him, but it was limp and misshapen, like a wilted eggplant. It flopped to the ground pathetically, and even Naruto felt embarrassed for it.

Iruka declared, "Failed!"

Naruto took a deep breath and looked at Iruka, who wore a stern expression.

"I'll keep working hard," Naruto said quietly.

Mizuki interjected, "Come on, Naruto at least produced a clone. Let him pass."

Naruto glanced at Mizuki. His expression seemed sincere, but Naruto knew better. If he were still the naive Naruto of the past, he might have fallen for Mizuki's act, thinking Iruka was being too harsh.

Iruka shook his head firmly. "No. Other students can produce at least three clones. Naruto only managed one, and it's unusable. He cannot pass."

Naruto didn't feel any resentment toward Iruka. He understood the teacher's position.

"Iruka-sensei, I'll go now," Naruto said, lowering his head.

Even though he had expected the result, it still stung.

Iruka called out, "Next, Hinata!"

As Naruto left the classroom, he ran into Hinata. She had overheard Iruka's verdict and looked at him with concern. "Naruto?"

Naruto forced a smile. "Don't worry. I'll graduate from the ninja school. I promise."

Hinata nodded, her faith unwavering. "I believe in you."

Naruto gestured toward the exam room. "Go ace your test."

Hinata smiled. "Okay."

Naruto didn't return to the classroom. Instead, he wandered the streets of the Leaf Village, ignoring the disgusted looks from passersby. Their opinions meant nothing to him.

*What others think of me is their business. Han Xin endured humiliation—what's a little disdain to me?*

But one thing puzzled him: why had the Third Hokage told the village he was the demon fox? Why was he the only one kept in the dark about his parents? Was it to protect him from the enemies of the Fourth Hokage? If so, why let him grow up surrounded by hatred and fear?

*Did the Fourth Hokage sacrifice his son for the village, only for the village to treat me like this? Doesn't anyone feel guilty?*

Naruto took a deep breath and looked up at the sky. The clouds were white, high, pure, and carefree. He couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.

*I wish I could be like those clouds, free and untroubled.*

"Naruto! There you are. I was worried when you left the school."

Naruto turned to see Mizuki approaching, his face filled with pity. *If only Iruka-sensei or Hinata had that expression—it would feel genuine.*

Naruto bowed his head. "Mizuki-sensei, is there something you need?"

He wasn't good at acting—or maybe he just didn't want to pretend in front of Mizuki.

Mizuki sighed. "Don't take failing the exam too hard. Iruka-sensei… well, he's not being fair to you."

Naruto nodded. "Hmm…"

Mizuki gestured for Naruto to follow. "Let's talk somewhere else. I'll tell you about Iruka's childhood."

Naruto agreed. "Okay."

Mizuki led him to a high platform overlooking the village. From here, the houses below looked small and distant.

Mizuki began his story. "You know, Iruka-sensei was just like you once. He was an orphan too."

Naruto listened, playing along as Mizuki spun his tale. Finally, Mizuki reached the point. "Naruto, do you want to pass the exam? There's a secret I can share with you. If you succeed, you'll pass."

*Here it comes,* Naruto thought, his heart racing. This was the moment he had been waiting for—a test that could change his life. Passing meant standing tall in this world. Failing meant another year at the ninja school, living on meager subsidies and enduring the village's malice.

Naruto forced a grateful smile. "Really? What is it?"