In Front of the Academy Gates
Six years had passed, yet the Ninja Academy remained largely the same—though some new facilities were under construction. Standing before its gates, Naruto couldn't help but reminisce.
He recalled the days when he had waited here, feeling no different from a mere extra in the background.
"Dear~"
A familiar, playful voice snapped him out of his thoughts. He instinctively started to respond but paused. Something felt off.
Ino was bold, but she wasn't usually this direct.
Before he could process it further, a soft weight pressed against his arm as Ino clung to him.
Her affectionate display drew envious glances from their classmates.
"Why didn't you answer me?" she pouted, clearly displeased.
Naruto let out a small sigh, smiling bitterly. "How could I dare when you call me that in public?"
Sure enough, he felt an immediate chill from behind. He didn't even need to turn around to know that Yamanaka Inoichi was glaring daggers at him.
"Did you argue with your dad again?" Naruto asked.
"Don't bring it up," Ino grumbled, her pout deepening. "I told him I wanted to be in the same class as you, but he refused. He said there's no precedent for breaking up the Ino-Shika-Cho formation."
Naruto chuckled. "Well, he's not wrong."
"That's not the point! If it's not possible, just say so! Why does he have to give a whole lecture about it? So annoying!"
From the side, Yamanaka Inoichi sighed in resignation. Meanwhile, his wife, Rino, covered her mouth, chuckling softly as she observed Naruto.
"He really does look like Minato," she whispered. "No wonder Ino is so taken with him."
"Shh!" Inoichi quickly hushed her. "This isn't the place for that."
Then, looking at Ino, he explained, "Even if all three clans agreed to change the tradition, the Hokage wouldn't allow it. You remember what I told you the other day, right?"
Hearing this, Ino sighed but still held onto Naruto's arm. "I don't care—I still want to be in the same class as you."
Inoichi's face darkened. "That's enough! Go home, already. I can't stand this anymore!"
Naruto laughed as Hinata arrived, joining their group. Together, they walked into the academy.
Inside the Classroom
The classroom was already filled with students when they arrived.
"Haah~" Shikamaru yawned. "We're probably getting tested on the Clone Jutsu."
"Why do you think that?" Naruto asked.
Shikamaru shrugged. "Because out of the three basic techniques, the Clone Jutsu is of moderate difficulty. Makes sense for an exam."
Ino huffed. "Well, even if we end up in different teams, Genin aren't that busy. We'll still see each other. Right, Hinata?"
Hinata nodded slightly, her voice soft but determined. "Naruto-kun has improved so much. We'll work hard to catch up."
Ino immediately hugged her. "Hinata, you're too sweet! Now I look unreasonable in comparison!"
"Ahh, Ino! Not so tight!" Hinata squeaked.
Their playful moment was cut short when Iruka entered the room.
"Settle down, everyone. The exam details have been finalized. You will be tested on the Clone Jutsu. Remain quiet until your name is called."
He scanned the roster before calling the first batch of students. As expected, murmurs filled the classroom—though no one appeared particularly anxious. Unlike the original story, where Naruto had struggled, here, the elite class had all mastered the basic techniques.
One by one, students were called in, returning with their newly earned forehead protectors. Shikamaru, Ino, Choji, and Hinata all passed with ease. The class slowly emptied.
Sasuke was among the remaining few. He turned and glanced at Naruto, his eyes narrowing.
'Four years ago… that battle…'
His fists clenched. 'Brother Shisui must have been killed by that man. But Naruto… he knows Shisui-nii's technique. Maybe he was taught by him?'
Sasuke stood up, his eyes cold. 'I'm finally leaving this academy where all we do is waste time. From now on, I'll train seriously. I will become a true ninja and avenge my clan!'
As he left, Naruto remained seated, deep in thought.
Should he follow the original plotline, or…?
The examiners were still Iruka and Mizuki—no surprises there.
"Uzumaki Naruto, it's your turn," Mizuki called out, his voice gentle.
Naruto stood and walked forward. "Alright."
He formed the hand seals at a normal pace. "Clone Jutsu."
Poof! Poof!
Thick white mist swirled around him before dissipating, revealing two identical clones standing beside him.
Iruka smiled. "Well done! Congratulations, Naruto. From today onward, you are a real ninja."
He stepped forward, handing Naruto a forehead protector. Accepting it, Naruto simply nodded and turned to leave.
Back in the classroom, his female classmates were watching him expectantly. The moment he displayed his forehead protector, cheers erupted.
Both Naruto and Sasuke had passed.
Now, there was only one question left in their minds:
'As long as those two aren't in the same team… we might have a chance to be on a squad with one of them!'
Ino felt a little down and glared fiercely at the overexcited fans surrounding them.
Hinata lowered her head and whispered, "I'm so glad, Naruto-kun passed the test too."
Before she could say anything more, a hand gently pressed down on her head.
"Did you really have that little faith in me?" Naruto teased.
Hinata's hair had been growing for six years, reaching the same length as in the original series when she was older. It suited her much better than short hair.
On the other hand, Ino had completely broken free from the limitations of appearance. Originally, she had short hair, but who knew which fanboy started the rumor that Sasuke preferred girls with long hair?
As a result, Sakura grew hers out, which in turn spurred the ever-competitive Ino to do the same.
Not long after, Iruka entered the classroom. After congratulating everyone on their successful graduation, he assigned them their final task.
"Within the next week, all of you must go to the Hokage Building to take your graduation photos," Iruka announced. "Make sure to take good care of your forehead protectors. Once your information is registered, you'll be assigned to your teams. Until then, wait in the classroom."
After saying a few more words, Iruka wiped the corners of his eyes, trying to suppress his emotions.
"Alright, congratulations again on graduating! You're all officially genin now. Dismissed!"
"Wahoo!"
The classroom erupted in cheers as the newly graduated ninja celebrated their achievement.
—
Outside the Academy, Tenten and her teammates were waiting at the gate, having completed their earlier mission. As soon as she spotted Naruto's forehead protector, Tenten trotted over with a grin.
"Congratulations, my stinky little brother, you did it!" she teased.
She then relayed a message from her parents. "To celebrate your graduation, my mom and dad want you to come over for dinner tonight!"
"Hmph," Neji scoffed. To him, Naruto's graduation was a given, not something to be surprised about.
"As expected of my lifelong rival!" Lee declared with enthusiasm.
"Neji, I'll defeat you first before I challenge Naruto!" Lee continued, his voice full of determination.
At those words, a vein twitched on Neji's forehead.
"Alright, alright," Naruto interjected, smoothing things over. "Didn't we plan a picnic today? Let's go. I heard there are a lot of wild rabbits in the mountains lately."
Tenten clapped her hands together. "The rabbit is so cute... Naruto, make sure to add extra cumin when we roast it later."
—
The next day, Hinata and Ino arrived at Naruto's house so they could take their graduation photos together.
Naturally, Naruto had no reason to refuse.
It was a pity, though, that he wouldn't be able to get his hands on the Scroll of Seals through the usual method.
He had sent his clone to observe Mizuki yesterday, only to find the man acting strangely well-behaved.
Naruto smirked to himself. It seemed the "bullets" he had fired at the Hokage years ago were finally coming back.
A grand graduation gift?
It had to be the Scroll of Seals.
At the Hokage Building, the registration process went smoothly. After taking their photos and submitting their forms, Naruto, Ino, and Hinata knocked on the Hokage's office door to hand in their documents.
Just as they were about to leave, a childish voice rang out.
"Hey, old man! Let's have a showdown!"
Konohamaru appeared—only to immediately trip over his own feet.
"Ow! That hurt!"
"Lord Konohamaru!" cried his panicked tutor, Ebisu, as he rushed over.
Naruto caught a glimpse of a portrait of the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, hanging on the wall.
The difference in treatment was obvious.
Shrugging, he turned to leave, but Konohamaru suddenly jumped up and pointed an accusing finger at him.
"I knew it! You guys must've done something to make me fall like that!"
His voice was nasally from holding his nose, but his eyes burned with determination.
"The Nine-Tailed Fox...?" Ebisu muttered, his gaze landing on Naruto. The three whisker-like marks on his cheeks made him unmistakable.
"What did you just say, you little brat?!" Ino snapped, stepping forward aggressively.
Konohamaru flinched and backed away, only to look at Hinata. She seemed quiet—easy to bully.
"Tch! You planned this, didn't you?!"
Acting on impulse, he grabbed a shuriken and rushed at Hinata.
Before he could take more than a few steps, Ebisu swiftly lifted him off the ground.
"My apologies," Ebisu said, bowing slightly toward Naruto and the others before turning back to the Hokage. "Hokage-sama, this was my mistake."
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved it off. "It's fine. Take Konohamaru and go."
He then addressed Naruto. "Your registration is complete. You may leave now."
As Naruto walked away, Hiruzen took a slow drag from his pipe.
"I did say I would prepare a grand gift for him..."
His eyes narrowed slightly. 'His Clone Jutsu is already quite standard... But this gift might be better if it helps someone else in need.'
—
The moment Naruto left, the door to the office was shoved open roughly.
An all-too-familiar visitor had arrived.
"Hiruzen, what the hell are you thinking?!" Danzo Shimura strode in, his voice low and dangerous. "You're actually letting the Jinchuriki become a ninja? Are you planning to let him leave the village?!"
Hiruzen exhaled a cloud of smoke and leveled a steady gaze at him. "You're no longer the Hokage's advisor, Danzo. I suggest you choose your words carefully."
Danzo sneered. "Hmph. You can let him become a ninja if you want. But I have one condition."
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. "And what would that be?"
Danzo's single visible eye gleamed with cold calculation.
"Let a Root ninja be his Jonin instructor."
…
+40 Advanced Chapters: P-com/LordMerlin