"Hahahahahaha!"
The moment Naruto gave his answer, the Third Hokage threw his head back in hearty laughter—so loud that even the ANBU downstairs couldn't help but wonder what had put the old man in such a good mood.
Shikaku Nara, meanwhile, remained calm and collected. His eyes never left Naruto. Unlike the Hokage, when Naruto eagerly said he wanted to see the Scroll of Seals, a sharp glint flashed through Shikaku's eyes.
Yamato, still disguised as Iruka, looked genuinely shocked. First, he hadn't expected the Hokage to suddenly bring up letting Naruto see the Scroll. Clearly, the Hokage was making one final test.
But even more surprising was how Naruto accepted without hesitation.
This wasn't part of the original plan at all. Yamato was curious to see how the Hokage would handle things from here.
Judging by that laughter, though, Hiruzen Sarutobi was quite pleased with Naruto's response.
Could it be… was he really going to let Naruto read the Scroll of Seals?
But the scroll on the desk was a fake...
"Hokage-sama? That reward you mentioned—do I get it now, or...?"
Naruto looked longingly at the scroll on the desk.
"Relax, Naruto."
The Third Hokage stood from his chair, gently patting the scroll beside him.
"I have to take care of the Mizuki situation today. Tomorrow, after the graduation briefing and once your team is assigned, come to my office. I'll show it to you then."
"Okay!" Naruto nodded quickly. Then he added,
"But Hokage-sama, can I ask—how many jutsu can I learn?"
The Hokage chuckled.
"Naruto, most of the jutsu recorded in the Scroll are extremely powerful. Even though you've earned a reward, given your current skill level and rank, I can only let you learn one A-rank jutsu."
"Only one?"
Naruto sounded disappointed.
Seeing his reaction, the Hokage's tone hardened slightly.
"Naruto, jutsu aren't something you collect like toys. I already gave you the Shadow Clone Technique—a B-rank jutsu. That's something even many chūnin can't handle. And A-rank jutsu are far more complex. Don't be too greedy!"
Naruto's eyes lowered.
"Understood."
"Good. That's the right attitude."
The Hokage's tone softened again.
"You can head home for now. I've got my hands full lately. But to save you another trip, I'll have someone come to your house tomorrow afternoon to notify you."
Naruto gave a deep bow.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
Scene change – Mount Myōboku
Jiraiya followed Fukasaku into the Grand Elder Toad's sleeping chamber.
"Great Lord Elder! Jiraiya has returned."
The Great Toad Elder cracked open his eyelids.
"Jiraiya, the heir to the Tsuchigumo Forbidden Jutsu—have you arranged for them?"
"Yes," Jiraiya replied, stepping forward and kneeling on one knee.
"To ensure their safety, I've sent them to a different continent entirely. But Great Elder, the Third Hokage had an agreement with the Tsuchigumo Clan. Wouldn't sending them to Konoha have been safer?"
The Elder narrowed his eyes.
"Konoha is no longer safe for them."
"...What?"
Jiraiya looked up in shock, hoping for an explanation.
But all he heard was the steady breathing from atop the platform.
The Great Toad Elder had already fallen asleep again.
"Hehe~ Naruto, that old man was very pleased with how you handled yourself in the office. And Shikamaru's old man said a few good words for you, too. Oh, and tomorrow, the Hokage plans to teach you the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique."
Naruto had just returned home and entered his upstairs bedroom when Kurama's voice echoed in his mind.
"Not surprising," Naruto replied, sitting down.
"Shikaku's helped me before. Several times when Shikamaru had to write observation reports about me, he submitted… let's say, more 'creative' versions."
He entered the Mirror Dimension. As soon as the floating window interface appeared, all three tailed beasts manifested behind him.
"Check out Kakashi's memory here. It's kinda interesting."
Matatabi glanced at Kurama, then tapped the floating screen with a paw, expanding it. Soon, an image filled the window: Kakashi and Hayate Gekkō searching around Sasuke's bedroom.
"Naruto, Kakashi says you have a serious case of obsessive-compulsive disorder," said Isobu cheerfully, raising a claw to point at the screen.
"And that Uchiha Sasuke's been worried since he left the classroom—he's afraid that if he's not teamed with you, it'll hurt his future training."
Naruto chuckled.
"As expected from Sharingan Kakashi. His insight is sharp."
"But Isobu—spoilers aren't good manners, you know?"
"Huh? What are 'spoilers'?" Isobu tilted his head.
"You really don't know?"
Kurama twitched an ear and grinned.
"He means you just told Naruto stuff before it actually happened—like how Hayate and Broomhead haven't even shown up yet."
"But didn't you just tell Naruto about the Hokage earlier?" Isobu countered.
Kurama's eyes bulged.
"Are you calling me out, Isobu?!"
Isobu shook his head and opened another floating window. After a few taps, he selected Chōza Akimichi and then vanished.
"Hmph."
Kurama glared at Matatabi in frustration.
Matatabi blinked in confusion, about to respond, but then Kurama pulled up another window, tapped Uchiha Shisui, and disappeared from the space entirely.
Naruto looked up with a small smile.
"Matatabi, you think Kakashi's gonna show up late tomorrow?"
"Guaranteed."
Matatabi flicked her tail.
"That guy's got a rotten personality. He never wants to take on students, so every time he's assigned a team, he shows up late on purpose."
Naruto smirked.
"Good."
"Huh?" Matatabi blinked.
What did he mean by good?
Meanwhile, at the Nara household
Shikaku had just returned home, but his expression was unusually serious.
"Father, I saw Iruka-sensei take Naruto to the Hokage's office."
Shikamaru was setting up a shogi board. He paused when he noticed his father's strange mood.
Shikaku nodded.
"Shikamaru, after spending years around Naruto, what do you think of him?"
Shikamaru furrowed his brows.
"He's very cautious... Father, what are you trying to say?"
Shikaku sighed.
"Something happened at the office today. Don't ask what—just tell me. If you were Naruto, and the Hokage suddenly offered to teach you a powerful jutsu, would you refuse?"
Shikamaru's expression grew serious.
"Standing in Naruto's shoes? I'd definitely say yes—and I'd hope to learn as many as possible."
"So he did accept, didn't he?"
Shikaku nodded slightly.
"As I thought. You really do see him as a friend. I'm starting to regret having you take on the Hokage's mission back then."
Shikamaru's eyes narrowed.
"Father, what happened? Is Naruto—"
"He's fine," Shikaku cut in.
"But from now on, be careful around him. His danger level is far beyond what I imagined."
Shikamaru blinked.
"But we've already graduated. Starting tomorrow, I'll be on missions with Asuma-sensei. Might not see him for a while."
The Next Day
"From today on, you are shinobi who can stand on your own. You'll be grouped into teams of three..."
On the platform, Iruka began the team assignments after the graduation briefing.
"First squad..."
As the names were called out, Sasuke remained laser-focused. Only a few names were left now.
"Team 7: Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura."
"Team 8: Hyūga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino."
"Team 10: Yamanaka Ino, Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Chōji."
Iruka read out three teams in a row. Hinata glanced longingly at Naruto, only to find him smiling and waving at her.
She blushed and waved shyly in return.
Sasuke let out a breath of relief. As for the beaming Sakura beside him—he ignored her entirely.
"Wait patiently—your jōnin instructors will be here shortly."
Iruka looked around the classroom, satisfied, and left after organizing his papers.
Not long after, the bearded Asuma entered.
"Team 10, with me."
Shikamaru and Chōji stood up and waved to Naruto before leaving. Ino gave a small wave as well.
Soon after, Kurenai arrived and took Team 8 away.
In no time, only Team 7 remained.
Naruto sat by the window, his gaze distant and sarcastic.
Kakashi's still at the Memorial Stone. Figures.
Sasuke sat quietly, pondering how Naruto might structure their future training. Now that they were officially genin, he couldn't rely on Naruto's Shadow Clones to carry him anymore.
He was so lost in thought that Sakura, watching from beside him, fell headlong into a lovestruck daze.
Two hours passed.
Naruto stood up and headed for the door.
Sasuke blinked.
Where's he going?
Naruto left the classroom and walked straight to the faculty office.
Faculty Office
"What?! You're applying to repeat the year?!"
Iruka's shout shook the entire office—and probably the room next door. He had only just returned home when a colleague summoned him, saying Naruto wanted to talk.
Naruto nodded seriously.
"Yep. It's been over two hours. Everyone else is gone. The teacher assigned to our team hasn't shown. There's only half an hour left before school ends. Pretty sure he doesn't want to take us. So… I'll just repeat the year."
"Calm down, Naruto!"
Iruka's face paled.
"I'll check what's going on right now. But you can't repeat the year!"
"I'm not in a rush at all, Iruka-sensei," Naruto said innocently.
"But why can't I? And with only 25 minutes left in the day, if you don't approve me now, I won't be able to join another team tomorrow."
"No way!"
Iruka shook his head firmly.
"This affects more than just you. If you drop out, what about Sasuke and Sakura?!"
"Just give me five—no, ten minutes! I'll go find out what happened!"
Naruto frowned.
"I don't see the point. I'm not close to them. Why should their situation matter to me?"
"Besides, don't forget—the Hokage's still waiting to teach me that A-rank jutsu!"
Iruka wiped the sweat from his brow.
"Calm down! Just wait for me in the classroom—I'll be right back!"
Naruto glanced at the wall clock.
"Only 20 minutes left until school ends."
Poof!
Iruka vanished in a Shunshin, leaping out the window.
Five minutes later, Iruka met the Third Hokage. A few breaths later, they rushed toward the Memorial Stone—but Kakashi was already gone.
After asking around, they finally found him… at a bookstore, shopping for manga outside the Shueisha store.
Back in the classroom, Naruto had returned. Sasuke, still stewing in thoughts, assumed Naruto had gone to the bathroom.
With only two minutes left before the end-of-day bell, a tired, lifeless Kakashi finally walked in.
"I'm your jōnin instructor. Be at the mission hall beside the Hokage building tomorrow morning at 9. I've already selected your first mission."
He turned to leave, but Naruto stood up.
"Wait, Kakashi-senpai!"
"Hm? Got a question?"
Kakashi turned back, eyes dimly amused. Recalling what the Hokage and Iruka had said earlier, his gaze toward Naruto was tinged with helplessness.
"Are we jumping straight into missions?" Naruto asked calmly.
"Rumor says you're infamous for being strict. They say you like to give team-building tests before accepting genin. A few years ago, you even told me to pray I wouldn't get assigned to you."
"So, no test?"
Kakashi's visible eye narrowed slightly. He looked at Naruto—and at Sasuke, who was now staring at him strangely.
"That's just a… game."
"And the fact that you waited this long? That was the test. Especially for you, Naruto."
He gave a small, tired smile.
"I think you'll be my most outstanding subordinate."
Naruto gave a cool smile.
"Thanks for the compliment. But… you're wearing a mask. How am I supposed to know if you're being honest?"
Ding-ling-ling—
The school bell rang.
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