After the situation in the forest was fully brought under control, Mizuki was taken away in chains to a training and rehabilitation center, while Iruka was sent to the hospital as quickly as possible to receive treatment. As for Naruto, he was escorted by the ANBU on the way to the Hokage Tower, surrounded by a heavy silence filled with tension.
The Third Hokage had already given clear orders that the boy was not to be harmed, stating that his involvement in the theft of the Forbidden Techniques Scroll had not yet been fully judged. Naruto could not see the ANBU's expressions behind their white masks, but he could feel their stares piercing through him. By instinct, he understood that any wrong move or careless joke in this situation could cost him his life without hesitation.
Even though they followed orders, not all of the ANBU were happy with what was happening. As they walked behind him, thoughts quietly entered their minds:
Why does this little brat receive special treatment?
If anyone else had caused the theft of such a dangerous forbidden scroll, even by mistake, they would already be locked in a cell next to the traitor Mizuki. But this boy was not only spared punishment—he was even allowed to graduate from the Academy. These thoughts stayed unspoken, trapped in cold silence, as none of them dared to say them out loud.
When they entered the Hokage's office, Naruto felt something strange for a brief moment, as if he had seen a glass-like object shining and then disappearing under the desk. He did not think much of it. He stepped forward hesitantly and spoke in a voice that tried to sound confident:
"Hello, Grandpa… I'm sorry for losing the scroll, but it was Mizuki's fault. He tricked me and made me steal it."
Naruto still did not understand the true value of the scroll that had almost been lost by the village. He was simply trying to explain his actions with honest innocence.
"Watch your words, boy, and show proper respect!"
one of the ANBU said sharply.
However, Hiruzen calmly raised his hand, stopping him.
"That is enough. I can handle this from here. You may leave."
The ANBU hesitated for a moment, then bowed.
"Hai, Hokage-sama."
After giving Naruto one last warning look, they disappeared using a Shunshin technique.
Silence filled the room.
Hiruzen slowly turned toward Naruto and looked at him with sharp eyes that made the boy's body tremble without him realizing it.
"Now, Naruto… why did you believe Mizuki without asking another teacher? Were you really that careless? A true ninja does not swallow words blindly. He doubts and uncovers deception."
Naruto lowered his head for a moment, then quickly lifted it.
"I'm sorry, Hokage-sama… I really wanted to become a Genin. I just wanted everyone to acknowledge me. I promise I'll think carefully next time before I do anything!"
His voice was nervous at first, but soon returned to its usual tone. A wide, innocent smile appeared on his face, completely unaware of the disaster that could happen if the scroll thief had been a ninja from an enemy village.
Hiruzen sighed deeply.
"Alright… be more careful from now on. Remember, you and your classmates will gather tomorrow at the Academy to be divided into teams. The meeting is at ten in the morning. You should rest and change your clothes before then. You may go."
Naruto's face suddenly lit up.
"Thanks for reminding me! I wish you a great day, Grandpa!"
He left the office almost flying with joy, barely holding himself back from shouting or hugging everyone he passed. And who could blame him? He had finally graduated from that cursed Academy… and become a real ninja.
Hiruzen stood by the window, watching him walk away.
"Nothing can keep your spirits down for long… can it, Naruto?"
Then he turned and called for an ANBU member.
"Contact the hospital. Get Iruka Umino's room number and interrogate him."
He paused for a few seconds, his eyes narrowing with hidden concern.
"I only hope… that he noticed something about the scroll thief. If even some of the secrets inside that scroll fall into the wrong hands… it could be a disaster for Konoha."
*** ***
Multiple Shadow Clone Technique…
Flying Thunder God…
Louis's eyes moved over the names of the techniques one after another, without stopping for long on any of them. He closed his eyes for a moment and let out a slow breath, then muttered in a low, frustrated voice:
"This… is not what I want."
He knew his limits well.
The Multiple Shadow Clone Technique was tempting, yes, but it was not for him. He did not have the massive chakra reserves that Naruto had, and he was not foolish enough to believe that willpower alone could make up for such a huge biological difference. Trying to master it would only lead him to exhaustion... or a dead end.
As for the Flying Thunder God…
He paused at the name for a few seconds longer.
It was a legendary technique, speed that defied logic. But it was not just simple teleportation. It was built on complex sealing techniques, deep understanding of symbols, and the precise relationship between marks and distance. And Louis, despite his confidence, had not yet truly begun his journey into that field.
"Not now…"
he thought calmly.
"Not before I build a proper foundation."
Then...
His eyes stopped.
His pupils widened slightly.
"…Oh."
He leaned forward without realizing it, as if something had pulled him toward the page.
The Eight Gates Technique.
It was not just a technique.
It was a path.
The strongest taijutsu style in the shinobi world. A style that relied on neither ninjutsu nor genjutsu, but only on the body itself—breaking it, rebuilding it, and then breaking it again.
And Might Guy…
The man who turned weakness into strength, and who used this technique to force even Uchiha Madara to acknowledge him.
A faint shiver ran through Louis's body.
"This is it…"
he said without realizing it.
Without hesitation, he immersed himself in trying to understand the technique. He read, reread, imagined the flow of chakra, imagined the gates opening one after another, and wondered about the price, the limits, and the human body when it is forced to go beyond itself.
Time passed without him noticing.
Until morning light slipped through the window.
Louis slowly opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling for a moment, then suddenly sat up.
"…Damn."
He looked around, then at the clock.
"I'm going to be late!"
He jumped out of bed, ate breakfast quickly, and started changing from his pajamas into his outfit... then suddenly froze.
"Sasuke… that bastard. Why didn't he wake me up?"
He rushed out of his apartment, putting on his coat while running, holding his belt between his teeth, with his headband already on his forehead. His mind was still filled with the Eight Gates, the body, and the limits that could be broken.
Suddenly...
Collision.
He stumbled slightly and said in a tense voice without looking:
"Look, I don't have time to deal with fanatics right now. I'm in a hurry."
Then he added as he prepared to leave:
"Sorry, my friend, I don't have time to fight. Please step out of my way."
But a hesitant voice stopped him.
"K-Kyosuke-kun?"
Louis froze, then turned around.
It was… Hinata.
The heiress of the Hyuga clan.
"Ah…"
he said, scratching the back of his head.
"Sorry, Hinata. I didn't see you."
Without thinking, he reached out his hand to help her up.
That was enough.
Her face turned bright red, her fingers curled nervously, and her eyes avoided his. She did not move.
"…"
Louis looked at her for a second, then said lightly:
"Well? Are you going to stand up, or are you planning to sit there all day?"
She became even more flustered and quickly took his hand.
"Ah ! I-I'm sorry for making you wait, Kyosuke-kun!"
She stood up beside him, still feeling the warmth of his hand in her palm, her heart beating fast for no clear reason.
Louis looked at her and spoke as if making a very normal suggestion:
"Since we're here… how about we go together?"
Hinata hesitated, then nodded shyly, her cheeks growing even redder when she realized he was still holding her hand.
And more than that…
She could not bring herself to ask him to let go.
And so, Louis and Hinata arrived at the academy… holding hands.
Voices stopped.
Stares froze.
Then...
"What is this?!"
Ino shouted angrily.
"Are you betraying me?! I agreed to Sakura, but I didn't agree to someone else!"
Sakura's face immediately turned red.
Hinata's face became as red as a tomato.
Everyone watched the drama unfolding with interest.
As for Louis…
His gaze slowly dropped to his hand.
"…"
"Ah."
He had completely forgotten.
Before he could say anything...
A playful female voice came from behind them:
"Oh my, how lovely youth truly is… Is this a love triangle? Or... oh, it's a square."
Everyone turned around.
It was Kurenai.
One of their teachers.
And her smile promised nothing good.