Sure, here is the translation:
"But..."
Umino Iruka still wanted to argue, wanted to defend his student: "Naruto... Naruto being the Nine-tails is not his fault at all! Twelve years ago, Naruto was just a child!"
"The people in the village won't care about that."
Akihara Kagura glanced at Iruka and spoke coldly: "The people in the village will only think of him as the fox that caused the Nine-tails disaster, not see him as innocent, nor as a comrade!"
"..."
Umino Iruka felt an indescribable sadness, because he was once among those who harbored resentment towards Naruto Uzumaki.
"Just follow orders."
Akihara Kagura looked coldly at Umino Iruka, dismissing his concern for Naruto Uzumaki and casually placing the blame on the Third Hokage: "This is a task assigned by the Third Hokage-sama, I'm just responsible for executing it."
Akihara Kagura directly exerted his authority: "What you should do is observe whether Naruto has the determination to become a ninja and protect the village at all costs, to judge if he has the potential to become an excellent Konoha Ninja..."
This is the benefit of being in a high position.
Akihara Kagura could very well, like Shimura Danzo, directly use the name of a higher-up command to have the ninjas below execute tasks.
"Yes."
Umino Iruka lowered his head helplessly.
"You may leave now."
Akihara Kagura waved to dismiss him.
"Yes."
Umino Iruka could only leave dejectedly.
After this Chunin teacher left, Kakashi Hatake took a seat and curiously asked: "I just saw you bullying Iruka, you really shouldn't bully nice guys like that..."
"It's an order from the Third Hokage-sama."
Akihara Kagura continued to shift the blame onto his superior, glancing at Kakashi Hatake, thinking this guy won't have it easy in the future: "Why haven't you found suitable students yet? Haven't you been an Instructor Jonin for three years now?"
"Those kids..."
"Always have some issues..."
Kakashi Hatake casually picked up the pear juice in front of Akihara Kagura: "By the way, what about transferring me to the Root?"
"The Root isn't suitable for you."
Akihara Kagura shook his head while looking at Kakashi Hatake.
"I'm not suitable?"
Kakashi Hatake looked at Akihara Kagura with surprise, feeling that this guy was speaking nonsense, considering a former Anbu Captain is not suitable for the Root?
Just then, a Root Ninja saw that there was no pear juice in front of Akihara Kagura and proactively came over to pour a cup and place it in front of him.
"This is a qualified Root Ninja."
Akihara Kagura looked at the somewhat stunned Kakashi Hatake.
"..."
Isn't this just buttering up to Akihara Kagura!
No wonder he claimed he's not suitable to join the Root!
Kakashi Hatake's forehead twitched, feeling his worldview was greatly challenged, and he sighed: "Why does it feel like the Root is becoming somewhat corrupt..."
"I'm really making an effort."
Akihara Kagura sighed and waved to his subordinates beside him: "During Danzo-sama's tenure, the atmosphere in the Root was much worse, everyone's life had to follow Danzo-sama's wishes, I've been working very hard these years to change the Root's atmosphere..."
"..."
Kakashi Hatake glanced at Akihara Kagura with a hint of melancholy: "Why do I feel like you're becoming more and more corrupt, Hokage Assistant-sama..."
"Luckily I am the Hokage Assistant."
Akihara Kagura raised his pear juice and clinked glasses with Kakashi: "Count your blessings, your friend is the current Hokage Assistant. If Danzo-sama were still in this position, you could go to the Memorial Stele tonight and choose a feng shui burial plot for yourself..."
"Alright."
"Go home early and rest."
"I also need to go home early and rest."
Akihara Kagura stood up and patted Kakashi Hatake on the shoulder: "In this period, I still have to help select Instructor Jonin for the graduates, I'll choose a few problem students for you..."
"I really should thank you for that..."
Kakashi Hatake's eye twitched involuntarily.
Inside, Kakashi Hatake didn't truly believe Akihara Kagura would do such a thing; the Third Hokage wouldn't agree either, and he thought Kagura was joking.
"You're welcome, it's what I should do."
Akihara Kagura waved his hand as he prepared to leave, casually reminding Kakashi Hatake: "By the way, I'm not joking this time, there are indeed quite a few problem students in this graduating class..."
"As long as it's not Naruto, anyone else is fine."
Kakashi Hatake shook his hand dismissively.
In recent years, Kakashi Hatake had built a good relationship with Mitarashi Anko.
Kakashi Hatake was aware of Naruto Uzumaki's academic progress; Mitarashi Anko, as his home tutor, was nearly driven crazy by Naruto's coursework, as academic and ninjutsu lessons were lacking.
Mitarashi Anko initially aspired to help Naruto Uzumaki graduate ahead of time; then aspired to help him become the top of his graduating class; now, for Mitarashi Anko, Naruto graduating at all would be a big success.
June.
The Ninja Academy's graduation season quickly approached.
The Ninja Academy's graduation assessment was selected to be the Clone Jutsu.
Umino Iruka constantly watched over Naruto Uzumaki, afraid someone might harm this student, worried about his fate, fearing Naruto might perish someday. He didn't know what to do, he could only take one step at a time and give Naruto a bit more care.
It's worth mentioning.
This made Naruto Uzumaki's graduation season bearable.
However, this did not mean Naruto Uzumaki could pass the graduation exam.
The day of the Ninja Academy's graduation test finally arrived.
Mizuki and Umino Iruka were the examiners for these students, both Chunin teachers held differing thoughts as they supervised the exam, their moods were fluctuating nervously.
Until…
It was Naruto Uzumaki's turn.
Naruto Uzumaki could only honestly perform the Clone Jutsu, his chakra continually surging inside him, ultimately leading him to fail in casting the jutsu, with a fake clone sticking its tongue out and lying on the ground, this kind of jutsu could by no means be deemed a pass.
Umino Iruka struggled for a long time, but ultimately fulfilled his duty as a teacher, not allowing Naruto Uzumaki to pass the test; whereas Mizuki, the examiner, continually praised Naruto's physical abilities and endurance, believing this child could be given a special admission.
However…
The examiners must both grant a pass together to achieve this.
Naruto Uzumaki…
Failed the graduation assessment.
Most of the other kids at the Ninja Academy passed the exam, received the village-issued ninja headband, and gathered together laughing and chatting about when they will become Chunin and Jonin in the future, while parents nearby praised their children who passed the assessment.
Naruto Uzumaki sat alone on the swing in the Ninja Academy playground, clutching the rope tightly, his head hung low in despair, not knowing what to do.
"Naruto."
Mizuki stood beside the swing, reached out to gently ruffle his hair, and smiled to comfort him: "Sorry, I couldn't get you through the graduation assessment. I saw your efforts, thought I could convince Iruka..."
"Mizuki-sensei!"
Naruto Uzumaki raised his head to look at Mizuki-sensei, the kind person who spoke up for him.
"There's still a chance."
Mizuki leaned in close to Naruto Uzumaki and whispered: "There's a Sealing Book in the village, it records very powerful jutsu. Once you learn one, you can become a ninja comparable to the Hokage, surely it can make you a ninja or even the Hokage..."
"Eh!"
Naruto Uzumaki's eyes were filled with excitement once again.
"Follow me."
Mizuki patted the little guy's head, then looked towards Umino Iruka in the distance, chuckling as he continued: "And we'll have to call Iruka-sensei too, since he's the other graduation test examiner..."