Naruto watched the enforcers' sluggish movements. With a sharp jab, he floored the first man, followed by a side kick that sent a second sprawling. He leaped into the air, delivering a mid-air double kick that neutralized a third.
Seeing only three men left, Naruto lunged forward like a bolt, jumping high to land a heavy punch that dealt with another opponent.
None of the Belarusian bruisers could withstand a single blow from Naruto. Those hit immediately collapsed, groaning in agony on the stage floor.
With only two armed enemies remaining, Naruto steadied his breathing and focused his mind, his hands weaving through hand signs. He wanted to successfully perform a clone technique in front of everyone.
"Clone... Double Strike!"
In an instant, a clone materialized in front of Naruto. It lunged at one of the Russian enforcers with a powerful side kick to the stomach, launching the man into the air. The clone vanished immediately after the impact.
Naruto himself performed an aerial flip, appearing above the airborne man, and delivered a devastating whip-kick that slammed the first enforcer into the last standing enemy.
CRASH!
The falling man crushed the final opponent into the floor.
Naruto landed firmly, looking down at Hayate with a beaming smile, his eyes practically screaming, I did it!
Seeing Naruto's triumphant expression, Hayate smiled and began to clap.
Clap, clap, clap!
With Hayate leading the way, the rest of the group joined in.
Hearing the applause, Naruto's smile grew even wider as he scratched the back of his head sheepishly. He felt his performance hadn't been perfect, but the encouragement warmed his heart.
Hayate stood up, and the applause died down.
"Naruto, your performance was excellent!"
"Though you failed the first attempt at the clone technique, you succeeded afterward. Given your skill level, you are qualified here."
Hayate reached into his storage space and pulled out a Genin headband. "You've graduated. From this day forward, you are a ninja!"
In truth, Hayate kept one thought to himself: even if Naruto hadn't "graduated," there were no ninja academies left for him to attend in this world anyway.
Naruto leaped down excitedly. "Old Man! I graduated! I'm really a ninja!"
"Come here, Naruto. Let me put it on for you."
Hayate removed Naruto's old goggles and tied the Hidden Leaf headband around the boy's forehead.
"There. From now on, you are an official shinobi!"
Beside them, Shizune watched Hayate's actions with a thoughtful gaze but said nothing.
Iruka's expression was more complex. This was the first time he had seen Hayate personally bestow a headband. While Hayate had given them ninja gear before, the symbolic weight of the headband was entirely different.
However, Iruka didn't question Hayate's authority to appoint a Leaf ninja. He watched silently, remembering that in his own timeline, Naruto had also graduated through an irregular set of circumstances. Perhaps all Naruto lacked now was experience—and the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu.
The Director watched the entire ceremony with rapt attention. Several words burned into her mind: Ninja. Headband. Graduation.
A burning ambition ignited in her heart. She wondered if she could send her own children, or the most promising youths of the syndicate, to the Elder's side to receive such training.
The gap between these three children and her own men was staggering. It was like heaven and earth. Ten of her most elite enforcers couldn't defeat a single child under the Elder's tutelage.
This display shattered her previous worldview. She finally understood why Hayate Shiranui, a man who seemed like just another assassin, was fit to be an Elder.
She shook her head inwardly, thinking of the fools who thought Hayate had merely "paved a way for promotion." This was something else entirely.
Naruto, now wearing his headband, immediately ran over to Sasuke to show it off. Sasuke, unimpressed by the gloating, reached out and effortlessly pinned Naruto down, instantly snuffing out his arrogant flame.
The room erupted in laughter once more.
Hayate waved The Director over and gave her an instruction. "Take this little guy's measurements. Have a few sets of suitable clothes made for him."
Hayate felt Naruto's current outfit was a bit too ragged and wanted to gift him something fresh. While Sasuke and Lee had their own clothes, they preferred their original styles, so they usually had tailors replicate their classic outfits.
Receiving the command, The Director led Naruto to the craftsmen. While Hayate had asked for "new clothes," The Director intended to have them made with the latest bulletproof materials.
Hayate and his team stayed at the Opera House for two more days.
The days passed peacefully. No missions were taken; the group spent their time resting and recuperating. During these two days, Hayate's daily check-ins netted him 50,000 Copper Coins and 200 Rebirth Stones.
On the third day, Hayate received word from Winston that the Continental Hotel had officially reopened. He gathered his team and headed back to the hotel.
Stepping out of the Maybach, Hayate looked up at the Continental. He was genuinely impressed. In less than three days, the hotel had been completely renovated and reopened.
"I guess New York's construction speed isn't as pathetic as I thought," he muttered before leading his team inside.
As they entered, Hayate noticed the face behind the reception desk had changed. It wasn't the familiar Charon. Instead, it was Eddie, the bartender.
"Eddie? Why are you here instead of the bar?"
Eddie's expression was somber, his voice tinged with grief. "Elder... Charon was lost in the attack."
Hayate felt a flicker of surprise but little genuine emotion. He hadn't been particularly close to the receptionist. Charon had been one of the few employees he didn't actively dislike, which was why the man had kept his job after Hayate took over, but unfortunately, he hadn't survived the siege.
"Where is the manager?"
"Elder, the manager is in the conference room. He isn't aware of your arrival yet."
Hayate gave a small smile, showing no offense at the lack of a formal welcome.