Time flew by, and before anyone knew it, the 60th year of Konoha had arrived. It was a significant year—the year Naruto and his classmates would graduate from the ninja academy and officially become genin. The atmosphere was tense as the students gathered in the hallway, waiting for their turn to take the final graduation exam. The test would assess their mastery of the three basic ninja techniques: the Clone Technique, the Transformation Technique, and the Substitution Technique.
Naruto stood calmly among his peers, his expression serene despite the nervous energy buzzing around him. For him, this exam was just a formality. He had trained relentlessly for years, and he was confident in his abilities. Becoming a ninja meant more than just earning a forehead protector—it meant stepping into the wider world, a world he had only read about in books and heard about in stories. He longed to see what lay beyond the walls of Konoha, to experience the freedom he had been denied for so long.
As he glanced around at his classmates, he noticed the mix of excitement and anxiety on their faces. Some were fidgeting, others whispering to each other, and a few were silently rehearsing their hand seals. Naruto, however, felt a sense of detachment. He knew that becoming a ninja wasn't his ultimate goal. From the books he had read, he had learned about the diverse careers in modern society—white-collar workers, athletes, explorers, archaeologists. He dreamed of a world where people could live peacefully, free from the constant threat of war.
The ninja world, as it stood, was fraught with danger. Villages and nations were always on edge, wary of each other. No one could predict when the next great war would break out, and no one could guarantee the safety of their loved ones. Life in this world was fragile, and Naruto hated that fragility. He wanted more—more power, more control, more freedom.
"I want a life and power beyond everything," Naruto thought, planting a seed of ambition deep within his heart.
"Uzumaki Naruto!" Iruka's voice broke through his thoughts, calling him into the classroom for his exam.
Naruto stepped inside, where Iruka and Mizuki sat behind a desk, a row of Konoha forehead protectors neatly laid out in front of them. The room was quiet, the air thick with anticipation.
"Perform the Clone Technique," Iruka instructed, his tone professional but not unkind.
Naruto nodded, forming the necessary hand seals with practiced ease. "Clone Technique!"
A perfect clone appeared beside him, indistinguishable from the original. Iruka's eyes widened slightly in surprise, while Mizuki's expression remained unreadable.
Inside Naruto's mind, Minato smiled. "Today, Naruto becomes a ninja."
The Nine-Tails, ever the cynic, snorted. "If the old man hadn't interfered with his chakra control, it might have been a different story."
Minato shook his head. "Even without my help, Naruto would have passed. His control is excellent."
The Nine-Tails rolled its eyes. "Tch."
"Pass," Iruka announced, a proud smile spreading across his face. He picked up a forehead protector and handed it to Naruto. "Congratulations, Naruto. You're officially a ninja now. You've made me very proud."
Naruto accepted the forehead protector, his heart swelling with gratitude. "Thank you, Iruka-sensei."
As he tied the forehead protector around his arm, memories of the past flooded his mind. He thought back to a snowy day two years ago, when he had crossed paths with Iruka on the streets of Konoha. At the time, Naruto had known that Iruka's parents had died during the Nine-Tails' attack, just like so many others. He had expected Iruka to harbor resentment toward him, but the man had surprised him.
Instead of anger or hatred, Iruka had shown kindness and understanding. He had taken Naruto under his wing, treating him not as the village's pariah but as a student deserving of guidance and care. That day, Iruka had invited Naruto to accompany him on a visit to a struggling student's home. The student, whose father had died on a mission, had locked himself away, refusing to eat or speak.
Iruka had sat with the boy, sharing his own story of loss and resilience. He spoke of how he had chosen to honor his parents' memory by becoming a teacher, dedicating his life to helping others. Naruto, moved by Iruka's words, had joined in, offering his own encouragement. Together, they had helped the boy find the strength to move forward.
That day had marked a turning point in Naruto's relationship with Iruka. The man had become more than just a teacher—he was a mentor, a role model, and, in many ways, a father figure. Naruto had seen the depth of Iruka's compassion and the strength of his character, and he had been inspired to strive for the same.
As Naruto left the classroom, Iruka watched him go, a proud smile on his face. Mizuki, however, frowned, his expression dark.
"Iruka," Mizuki said, his voice low, "Naruto is the Nine-Tails' vessel. The demon fox killed your parents. Don't you hate him?"
Iruka's smile didn't waver. "I used to," he admitted. "But I've come to realize that Naruto isn't the Nine-Tails. He's just a boy who's been burdened with something far beyond his control. Despite everything, he's never given up. He's faced hatred and rejection, but he's never let it break him. Instead, he's chosen to spread warmth and kindness to everyone around him."
Mizuki's frown deepened, but Iruka continued, his voice firm. "Naruto is my student, and I'm proud of him. I believe he'll become Hokage one day. He has the heart of a true ninja."
In the darkness, Naruto had become a light for others. And Iruka knew, without a doubt, that his student would shine even brighter in the years to come.