By the time Shin arrived at the academy, the classroom was already filled with quite a few students.
"Shin-kun! Good morning!" Ino waved energetically as she greeted him. She stood beside Kiba, with Sakura at her side.
"Over here!" Kiba grinned and waved him over. Akamaru poked his head out beside his leg and gave an eager bark.
Shin nodded in acknowledgment and walked over, casually reaching out to ruffle Akamaru's head.
Shikamaru stood nearby with his hands in his pockets, wearing an expression that clearly said everything was a hassle.
Akimichi Choji was focused entirely on his bag of chips. Hinata stood a short distance away, quietly fidgeting with her fingers.
Aburame Shino leaned against the wall, his presence as subtle as ever.
"Shin-kun, you don't look nervous at all," Ino said with a smile, her tone noticeably more polite than when she argued with Sakura. "As expected of the top student."
Sakura stood beside her.
Normally, she would argue fiercely with Ino over Sasuke, but in front of Shin, whose strength felt unfathomable and whose personality leaned toward quiet detachment, she didn't dare act the same way.
And today was the graduation exam that would decide their future. Even she couldn't suppress the unease in her heart.
Shin's gaze swept across them, taking in Sakura's tension and the concern in Ino's expression.
"Based on your usual performance, passing shouldn't be a problem for you either."
At that, Kiba immediately responded. "That's true… but who knows what they'll test today? What if we get something we're bad at?"
He scratched his head. At his feet, Akamaru let out a small whine, as if sharing his concern.
"What a drag…" Shikamaru muttered, frowning slightly. "If they'd just test the basic three E-rank jutsu, things would be a lot simpler."
Choji, still munching on chips, spoke vaguely. "I just hope it doesn't take too long and delay lunch."
Ino placed her hands on her hips, trying to boost her confidence. "No matter what, I have to pass! I don't want to repeat a year!"
Sakura took a deep breath, her face still carrying traces of unease. She was about to speak when—
"Hey! Sasuke! Stop right there!"
A loud, familiar voice rang out from the entrance, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Naruto burst in like a whirlwind, his bright blond hair catching the sunlight as he blocked Sasuke's path, shouting loudly.
Behind him, Sasuke walked in with an indifferent expression, completely ignoring Naruto's noise. His cool gaze swept across the room, briefly pausing when it landed on Shin.
"Ahhh! Sasuke-kun!"
Sakura's demeanor changed instantly. All her earlier nervousness disappeared as her face flushed and her eyes lit up. Without hesitation, she left Ino and Shin behind and hurried toward Sasuke.
"Sasuke-kun, good morning! You look like you're in great shape today!"
Ino watched her go and clicked her tongue in annoyance.
Shin observed the entire scene, the corner of his lips twitching ever so slightly. Interesting.
Just yesterday, he had slammed this so-called Uchiha genius into the ground right in front of Naruto.
And yet now, while Sasuke's expression revealed nothing. He didn't show any discomfort left behind from their clash.
Just then, the classroom door slid open. Iruka walked in, holding a stack of forms. In an instant, the chatter died down, and everyone quickly returned to their seats.
Iruka stood at the lectern, his gaze sweeping across the class as he spoke in a firm voice:
"Everyone, quiet down and sit properly. The graduation exam will now begin. I'll be calling names in order. When your name is called, proceed to the classroom next door for your assessment."
He paused, his eyes briefly landing on Uzumaki Naruto, who sat in the back row looking visibly tense, before continuing:
"Also… the subject of this exam is… the Clone Technique."
The classroom immediately erupted into murmurs and exclamations. For some, it was a relief. For others, despair.
"The Clone Technique?"
In the back row, Naruto's face instantly fell, draining of color. Cold sweat began to form on his forehead.
"Damn it…" He grabbed his head, nearly collapsing onto the desk. His voice was filled with panic. "Of all things… it had to be the one I'm worst at… What do I do… What do I do…"
Iruka didn't give them long to dwell on it. He picked up the list and began calling names.
"First, Nara Shikamaru."
Shikamaru rose lazily, scratching his head as he made his way to the next classroom.
Before long, he returned with a Konoha forehead protector tied around his arm.
"Second, Akimichi Choji."
Choji walked out, popping the last chip into his mouth. He passed just as smoothly and returned wearing a forehead protector.
Then Iruka's voice rang out again, clear and steady:
"Third, Kagutsuchi Shin."
Shin stood up calmly, drawing the attention of the entire room as he walked toward the next classroom.
Inside the adjacent classroom, Iruka and Mizuki sat at the examiner's table.
"Shin, you may begin when ready," Iruka said, his expression expectant.
Shin gave a slight nod and formed hand seals in front of his chest.
Ram → Snake → Tiger
"Clone Technique."
With a soft invocation, three figures appeared instantly beside him. Each one was identical to Kagutsuchi Shin.
Iruka's eyes widened with surprise, "Perfect. Shin, you are truly the most outstanding student I've ever taught!"
Mizuki also stood, clapping lightly with a warm smile. "Remarkable talent, Shin-kun."
But deep within his lowered gaze, a fleeting shadow passed, almost imperceptible.
Damn it… another one of those geniuses… Achieving effortlessly what others struggle for… this kind of talent…
Then, as if recalling something, the darkness in Mizuki's expression faded away.
Shin inclined his head slightly. "Thank you, sensei."
With a thought, the clones dispersed.
Iruka personally handed him a Konoha forehead protector. "Congratulations, Shin."
Shin accepted it casually, holding it in one hand before turning to leave the room.
When he returned to the main classroom, the brand-new forehead protector immediately drew everyone's attention.
The exams continued, names being called one after another. Each of them passed and returned wearing their forehead protectors.
Finally, Iruka called out the next name: "Uzumaki Naruto."
The atmosphere in the classroom shifted instantly. Everyone knew that the Clone Technique was Naruto's weakest point.
Naruto stood, his face pale, and walked toward the next classroom with heavy steps.
In a corner, Hinata clutched the hem of her clothes tightly, her white eyes filled with worry.
Her gaze followed Naruto as he left, her lips trembling slightly as if she wanted to say something, but no words came out.
A moment later, the sound of Iruka's stern voice and something crashing to the ground echoed from the next room.
When Naruto returned, dejected and crestfallen, his head was down. His expression was filled with disappointment and frustration as he sat alone in the corner, a stark contrast to his classmates who proudly wore their forehead protectors.
Time passed, and the graduation exam came to an end.
For some, it was a moment of joy. For others, one of quiet despair.
The classroom door slid open again as Iruka stepped inside. He looked around, his gaze lingering briefly on Naruto, a trace of complexity in his expression. Then he cleared his throat and spoke loudly:
"Today's graduation exam has concluded. Those who passed, report back here tomorrow at eight sharp. At that time, team assignments will be announced, and your assigned Jonin sensei will begin leading you on missions."
He paused before continuing:
"Go home and rest well. Prepare yourselves. Starting tomorrow, you will be a true Genin of Konoha. Dismissed."
The moment he finished speaking, the classroom erupted into excited chatter.
Those who passed eagerly discussed the upcoming team assignments, speculating about their teammates and their future Jonin instructor.
Those who failed, like Naruto, remained silent, their heads lowered, standing out starkly against the lively atmosphere.
Shin did not join in the discussions.
The moment dismissal was announced, he picked up his forehead protector from the desk, slipped it casually into his ninja tool pouch, and stood up.
Without hesitation, he left the classroom first. He already knew what would happen tonight. And he chose to remain an observer.
None of it concerned him.
In truth, the sealed scroll containing countless forbidden techniques held immense appeal to him.
Especially the possibility of ninjutsu related to Bloodline Limit, like Wood Release. That was exactly what he desired most at this moment.
He desires Wood Release techniques for a reason.
After awakening the power of magma, he had tried to use it instinctively, attempting to release that power through his chakra. But no matter how he tried, it wouldn't manifest properly.
That was when he realized the problem.
Awakening alone wasn't enough.
Just like a Ninja born with Fire Nature chakra couldn't automatically use fire techniques, he couldn't simply wield magma without the proper jutsu to guide it.
However, he understood one thing clearly. The ever-cautious Sarutobi Hiruzen would never hand over the real Scroll of Seals to Naruto.
At best, it was a test. A trial meant specifically for Uzumaki Naruto.
What Naruto might obtain would likely be nothing more than a modified scroll, or perhaps even a carefully crafted imitation.
To involve himself recklessly over something so uncertain, something that might not even exist… It simply wasn't worth it.