Mizuki's face was deathly pale.
The applause in the office was like a tidal wave.
Akihara Kagura's plan was remarkably brilliant.
Following Sarutobi Hiruzen's guidance, Akihara Kagura perfectly arranged everyone's roles, even elevating Mizuki's minor villain status to new levels.
The Root ninjas voluntarily applauded Akihara Kagura's plan, while Karin scanned everyone present with a notebook, helping to record those who didn't clap.
Obviously.
The Root members all held great respect for Akihara Kagura.
Only Mizuki, an outsider, was not very understanding; not only did he refrain from clapping to celebrate, but he also wanted to refute Akihara Kagura's plan.
Luckily, Akihara Kagura was a good person, gently controlling Mizuki's body through his shadow, making Mizuki symbolically clap his hands, even forcing a not-too-ugly smile, showing that Mizuki agreed with the plan.
"Speaking of which..."
Akihara Kagura kindly patted Mizuki's shoulder: "Weren't you planning to turn to Orochimaru? When we catch you, just say Orochimaru instructed you to do it."
"Then it's decided."
Akihara Kagura relaxed his fingers and instructed: "Add a charge of colluding with the S-Class traitorous ninja Orochimaru on the confession."
"..."
As Akihara Kagura stopped controlling Mizuki's shadow, Mizuki's body immediately collapsed, hastily trying to crawl over to Akihara Kagura!
Deva Path: Shisui suddenly appeared in Mizuki's shadow, controlling Mizuki's body, preventing him from performing any disgraceful and shameful acts, making Mizuki register an additional charge of collusion with Orochimaru on the confession.
"You may leave."
Akihara Kagura contentedly waved at Deva Path: Shisui, then looked at Karin: "Remember to invite Iruka-sensei to join the dinner tonight; he used to take good care of you..."
"Yes."
Karin nodded.
Umino Iruka felt slightly odd when he received the invitation, but since Naruto Uzumaki would also attend, he decided to join the dinner with Naruto.
Konoha Orphanage.
This orphanage appeared somewhat lively.
Over the years, the orphanage hasn't lacked funds.
The orphans once raised by Yakushi Nonou have mostly started working, and some even started families, with the most accomplished child becoming a Hokage Assistant, which made Yakushi Nonou feel the most guilty towards him.
Yakushi Nonou had been trying her best to make amends, but as the orphanage director, there wasn't much she could do to help, except perhaps to celebrate Akihara Kagura's birthday.
Many people came tonight.
Even Sai, who had long joined the Dark Department, took special leave to return.
Kakashi Hatake, Mitarashi Anko, and Naruto Uzumaki were frequent visitors, while Umino Iruka had previously made home visits to the Konoha Orphanage, but it was his first time attending such a celebratory event.
A group of people enjoyed a gathering.
Akihara Kagura specifically asked Umino Iruka to stay behind, glanced at the departing Naruto Uzumaki, and softly said: "To think, in the blink of an eye, Naruto is graduating..."
"Yes..."
Umino Iruka was a bit reserved.
Akihara Kagura looked at Iruka and softly asked: "The village's Nine-tailed Fox becoming a ninja, many people don't want to see this happen, do they?"
"..."
Umino Iruka was silent for a moment, then whispered: "Naruto is a brave child; I hope he can become an excellent ninja, but his Clone Jutsu is poorly practiced; he may not meet the graduation standard..."
"I heard Anko mention this."
Akihara Kagura fixated on Umino Iruka and continued: "However, I don't care about such trivial matters. It's up to you Ninja Academy teachers to judge."
"Also, I want to remind Iruka-sensei, Naruto is the village's Nine-tails Jinchuriki, not an ordinary ninja student..."
"I understand..."
Umino Iruka quickly nodded.
Although Umino Iruka deeply hated the Nine-tails for taking his parents' lives, as a Ninja Academy teacher, he would still act fairly.
"Actually, the higher-ups have their considerations."
Akihara Kagura satisfactorily looked at Umino Iruka and continued to remind: "This time, the test questions you selected are good, just in line with the higher-ups' considerations..."
"Naruto Uzumaki's Chakra is too enormous to control; his age makes it difficult to precisely control it, definitely failing the Clone Jutsu assessment..."
"The Third Hokage plans for Naruto to try learning a jutsu that can directly unleash his Chakra..."
"Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu..."
"This jutsu is slightly dangerous..."
"Wait..."
"Isn't that a life-threatening Kinjutsu?"
Umino Iruka couldn't help but blurt out!
"It's the higher-ups' consideration; they want to see if Naruto Uzumaki has the courage to pay the ultimate price to become a ninja."
Akihara Kagura furrowed his brow, waited for Umino Iruka to calm down, and then continued: "You just need to know this; as long as he can desperately learn the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu, he can have powerful ninjutsu to protect himself..."
"If he dies..."
"It's also a fortunate event for the village."
Akihara Kagura gave Umino Iruka a deep look: "An unqualified Nine-tailed Jinchuriki ninja always poses a risk of losing control. Rather than letting him continue living, it's better to solve this potential threat early."