Chapter 22: Three Years Later
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought of many possibilities. The most fitting one was Jiraiya's Sage Mode.
But Jiraiya had once said that training Sage Mode required going to one of the three great sage regions.
So he ruled out that possibility.
Unable to figure it out, he could only instruct Yamanaka I to return and continue closely monitoring Naruto's chakra condition. There must be no mistakes!
...
Three years later.
During this period, although the self-discipline task was stuck on collecting Hashirama cells, Naruto had not slacked off.
He could now activate Sage Mode instantly!
This was a qualitative change.
Jiraiya's Sage Mode required the assistance of two toad sages and a period of preparation before he could enter it.
In actual combat, it was very easy to be interrupted.
Being able to activate it instantly was completely different.
With max-level proficiency, Naruto had also successfully derived Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu from the regular Shadow Clone Technique.
Three years had passed, and although Naruto was only twelve years old, his height had already reached 170 cm — a full head taller than most kids his age.
The childish softness on his face had mostly faded away.
His blond hair had become even brighter. Sitting by the window in the classroom, dressed in a fitted white outfit, he looked every bit the male god.
Even Sakura, who was constantly roasted by Naruto, would occasionally stare at his side profile in a daze.
[If this guy's personality wasn't so awful, he would really be ridiculously handsome…]
Naruto opened his status panel after a long time.
Name: Uzumaki Naruto Age: 9 → 12 years old Physique: 33 → 46 (Average person = 1) Chakra: 106.6 cards Bloodline: Perfect Uzumaki Sage Body Abilities: Constant Stage Wind Breathing, Transparent World, Perfect Chakra Control, Sage Mode Ninjutsu: Three Basic Jutsu, Phantom Transformation Jutsu, Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu, Flying Thunder God Technique
Thanks to Wind Breathing and natural physical growth, both his physique and chakra had surged once again.
His chakra had broken through the 100-card mark.
With this kind of body, combined with top-tier abilities like Sage Mode and Flying Thunder God…
[With my current combat power, without using the Nine-Tails' chakra, I should already be at Kage level, right?] Naruto thought to himself again.
Today was the day of the Ninja Academy graduation exam, so he hadn't sent a Shadow Clone to school.
Graduation was a special occasion — it needed to be attended by his real body for the proper sense of ceremony.
There were no classes on graduation day.
Iruka hadn't arrived yet, and the students in the classroom were noisy and excited.
Thinking about the upcoming graduation exam, many students looked both excited and worried.
Shikamaru, sitting beside him, still had his usual lethargic expression.
He suddenly turned to Naruto and asked, "Naruto, what do you think this year's graduation exam will be?"
Naruto thought for a moment. In the original story, it was the Clone Technique, but he wasn't sure if the butterfly effect had changed it.
"Probably one of the Three Basic Jutsu. It shouldn't be too hard."
Shikamaru gave a helpless smile. "You really are standing there talking without any pain in your waist. Just look at them."
Many civilian students nearby had also heard Naruto's words. Some looked visibly dejected.
The Three Basic Jutsu were easy for Naruto, but reaching the level required to graduate was still difficult for some students with average talent.
Ino also smiled and leaned over, bringing with her a faint floral scent.
Three years ago, Ino had once asked Naruto whether he preferred girls with long hair or short hair.
Hinata had also heard that question.
Since then, both girls had started growing their hair long.
Now Ino had a long, light-blonde ponytail. Paired with her lively smile, she looked every bit the energetic teenage girl.
Unlike the muscular "strong girls" popular on the internet in his previous life, this was the real deal — a genuine, adorable girl!
"I heard that after graduation we'll be divided into three-man teams. It would be great if we could choose our own teammates!"
As she spoke, Ino kept looking at Naruto. Her intention was very obvious.
Shikamaru glanced at Ino. He knew more than she did, so he also knew that Ino was destined not to be in the same team as Naruto.
A while later, Iruka walked into the classroom and raised his hand to quiet the students.
"Everyone! Today is your graduation day. I hope you can all become excellent shinobi — for yourselves, for your families, and for Konoha, just like the Will of Fire…"
Iruka gave a slightly emotional speech that moved both himself and some of the students.
After calming down, Iruka announced the content of today's exam.
"This year's graduation exam is the Clone Technique. When your name is called, please go to the gymnasium."
Hearing that the exam was the Clone Technique, the less confident civilian students immediately became nervous.
As Iruka called names one by one, students headed to the gymnasium.
When they returned to the classroom after the test, those who had successfully received their forehead protectors looked extremely excited.
Those who failed looked dejected.
Among the crowd, Sakura breathed a sigh of relief. She still had confidence in the Clone Technique.
Naruto walked casually into the gymnasium.
Two examiners were sitting in front. On the left was Iruka.
On the right was a teacher with light blue long hair.
Naruto recognized him at a glance — it was Mizuki, the homeroom teacher of the neighboring class.
This character was probably the only pure villain in the entire Naruto series who never got redeemed or had any twist.
Mizuki looked at Naruto and gave a mysterious smile.
Seeing that hypocritical smile, Naruto thought to himself:
[I wonder if this guy will still try to trick me into stealing the Scroll of Seals.]
"Naruto, you may begin," Iruka reminded the slightly distracted Naruto.
Snapping back to attention, Naruto's right-hand fingers moved almost imperceptibly.
The next second — Poof!
A perfect clone appeared beside him.
This was the result of max-level Clone Technique combined with Perfect Chakra Control.
He formed the seal with one hand at high speed!
The effect looked almost as if he hadn't formed any seals at all.
Not only was it cool, it was also extremely practical in real combat.
Be an honest person like Kisame? Not even dogs would do that.
Both Iruka and Mizuki were shocked.
As teachers, they were momentarily unable to understand what they had just seen.
Naruto clearly hadn't formed any hand seals — so how did he release the clone?
"P-Passed."
Iruka could only helplessly announce the result.
Naruto stepped forward, took his forehead protector, and returned to the classroom.
Sitting by the window, he weighed the protector in his hand. Unlike the other students, he didn't treat the symbol of a shinobi as a precious treasure.
He simply tossed it casually onto the desk.
Once everyone had finished the exam, Iruka suggested that the whole class take a group photo.
On the sports field, Class A students stood in three rows while Mizuki took the picture.
Click!
The photo was taken.
Their time at the Ninja Academy had officially come to an end.
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