[Actually this scene takes place before Naruto and Mizuki fight, but I made it here to elevate the MC. Hope you enjoy it. see how I elevate him]
After a good night's sleep, Naruto woke up early.
Refreshed.
The training from the previous day had given him a much deeper understanding of chakra.
To him, chakra and qi were not identical.
But they shared enough similarities for him to adapt quickly.
Now that he understood chakra as a parallel to qi, controlling it had become much easier. The moment he understood its nature, channeling chakra no longer felt unfamiliar.
Naruto sat down and pulled out the academy books.
Transformation Jutsu.
Clone Jutsu.
Basic techniques.
He began practicing immediately.
The first attempt revealed the flaws.
The second corrected them.
Success.
A small smirk appeared on his face.
His progress was faster than expected.
Not because these techniques were extraordinary.
Because his experience was.
Years of controlling energy in the Murim world had not disappeared simply because he entered a new body.
After mastering the academy techniques, Naruto turned his attention toward something else.
The Shadow Clone Jutsu.
The forbidden technique he had discovered in the forest.
His first attempt produced distorted copies.
The second improved slightly.
The third was perfect.
He made many clones of himself, stationing in his room.
Identical.
Stable.
Complete.
Naruto observed them quietly.
Satisified.
He dismissed the clones and closed his eyes.
Tomorrow was the graduation test.
THE GRADUATION TEST
The classroom buzzed with excitement.
Most students wanted to graduate and become shinobi. Nearly two-thirds of the class had applied for the graduation examination to test their progress.
Everyone wanted to graduate and become a Genin.
Iruka-sensei stood at the front of the room.
"The graduation test will now begin."
One by one, students were called forward.
Sakura went first.
She created two perfect clones before transforming herself into an exact replica of Iruka.
"Pass."
Ino followed.
She created a clone of herself and transformed into Iruka as well.
"Pass."
Shikamaru lazily walked forward.
"What a drag..."
Even while complaining, he completed both techniques successfully.
"Pass."
Choji stepped up next.
His clone appeared with a bag of chips in hand, then he transformed into Iruka.
Several students laughed.
"Pass."
Shino calmly completed the test.
"Pass."
Kiba stepped forward with Akamaru.
The dog, Akamaru made a perfect clone of Kiba, and then Kiba transformed into Iruka.
"Pass."
Hinata nervously walked forward.
Despite her nervousness, she successfully created two clones and transformed into Iruka.
"Pass."
One after another, students completed the examination.
Eventually, only two remained.
Naruto.
And Sasuke.
As Naruto stepped forward, several students began laughing.
Akamaru barked.
Kiba leaned back with a grin.
"I bet Naruto fails."
Many students chuckled.
Everyone expected the usual embarrassment to hit on Naruto.
The old Naruto probably would have shouted back.
This one didn't.
Naruto ignored them.
Completely.
Naruto simply walked to the center of the room.
He formed a hand seal.
Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Poof!
Seven identical Narutos appeared beside him.
Perfect.
The laughter vanished.
Before anyone could react, Naruto formed another seal.
Transformation Jutsu.
One clone became Sakura.
Another became Ino.
Then Shikamaru.
Choji, holding with a bag of chips.
Shino.
Hinata.
Kiba.
And finally Sasuke.
Eight different students stood side by side.
Every transformation was flawless.
Silence.
The entire classroom stared.
Even the students being copied looked shocked.
The resemblance was flawless.
Kiba looked at his clone.
Then at Naruto.
Then back at the clone.
"What the..." (Sakura's inner thought)
Sakura stood frozen. She didnot expected this.
Even Shikamaru looked more awake than usual.
Hinata's eyes sparkled when Naruto showed off; she got pink cheeks with admiration.
Ino was the first to break the silence.
"That's..."
Her eyes sparkled slightly. A spark of admiration flickered in her eyes before she could hide it.
"Actually pretty cool."
Even Ino cheeks got slightly pink.
Sakura couldn't disagree.
Sakura stared at the transformed clones.
Speechless.
She had expected Naruto to fail.
Not outperform her.
Not like this.
No one expected Naruto to do something like this.
Not even Iruka.
A wave of surprise swept through the room.
For a moment, it felt as if everyone's thoughts had stopped.
Now it was Sasuke's turn.
Sasuke stepped forward silently.
But inside, his thoughts were not calm anymore. Ego struck his inside doorbell.
'Naruto...'
The loser, who always rank last
The clown of the academy.
The boy everyone mocked.
Yet that same Naruto had just displayed something Sasuke himself had not expected.
An unpleasant feeling settled in his chest.
Like a fish bone struck under his throat.
Since the massacre of his clan, Sasuke had only one goal.
Itachi.
Everything he did was for that goal.
Every training session.
Every sacrifice.
Every step forward.
He had to surpass everyone.
He wanted to be number 1 in the village....
Only then could he surpass Itachi.
Only then could he get revenge.
He doesn't need attention, nor girls, nor friends....he needs only one thing....to kill Itachi with his own hands.
If he could not even outperform Naruto...
Then how can he defeat the man who destroyed his clan?
His fists tightened.
Determined to surpass Naruto, Sasuke formed his hand seals.
He attempted to create more than seven clones.
Four appeared.
That was his limit.
Frustration flashed across his eyes.
He immediately attempted the Transformation Jutsu.
Poof!
Two clones disappeared into smoke.
Only two remained.
One transformed into Naruto.
The other transformed into Iruka.
Both were perfect.
But it was not enough.
Not after what Naruto had just done.
Sasuke's jaw tightened.
His gaze drifted toward Naruto.
Unwilling.
Frustrated.
Angry.
Several boys exchanged looks.
Kiba scratched his cheek awkwardly and smirked.
Even Shikamaru looked surprised.
Among the girls, Sakura and Ino looked disappointed on Sasuke's behalf.
Iruka remained impartial.
As a teacher, he had to.
But the result was obvious.
Naruto had delivered the most impressive performance of the day.
Iruka stepped forward.
A smile appeared on his face.
"Congratulations."
"More than half of the students who applied for graduation have passed. Only a few failed."
"But don't worry. You can try again next year."
Cheers immediately erupted throughout the classroom.
Iruka began handing out forehead bands.
One by one.
Eventually, he stopped before Naruto.
The metal plate reflected the classroom lights.
The hidden leaf symbol in it.
Iruka placed the headband into Naruto's hand.
"Congratulations."
Naruto accepted it.
Before dismissing the class, Iruka spoke once more.
"Remember, tomorrow we'll have a photo session."
"So bring your headbands."
"It's the first of many memories you'll make as shinobi."
....
Naruto quietly looked at the forehead protector in his hand.
His thoughts were elsewhere.
This was only the beginning.
A small step.
Power.
Influence.
Authority.
I will get everything, just you wait...He declared it to the world.
And his journey had only just begins after he became a chunin, now he is not chunin.
(...to be continued.)