Chapter 260: Chapter 260 - Tobirama's Suspicion & Mizuki's Trick
Hokage office.
Hiruzen had his crystal ball in front of him and watched as Naruto correctly performed the clone jutsu and Iruka handing him the Leaf headband. He smiled as he looked at the boy's jubilant face. 'You passed your first hurdle. Now let's hope you and your two teammates can impress your Jonin teacher.'
He let go of the Telescope jutsu and sat back in his chair as his mind went through other matters regarding the village. The kage recalled the conversation he had with his predecessor earlier that day on the Nine tails incident.
Flashback.
"So today is the graduation day huh. The Nine tails Jinchuriki will be taking part in this exam, correct?"
"Yes sensei." Hiruzen nodded.
"Hm… I'll be leaving the village for a day or two. There is something I need to confirm."
"Leaving the village? But why? What would have you take such a huge risk?" The kage was surprised because since the day his sensei was reanimated the man was adamant on staying hidden and helping only from the shadows.
"Something about the whole Nine Tails attack bothers me Hiruzen." Tobirama said as he looked at his student.
"What do you mean sensei?"
"When I first heard of the incident and heard the perpetrator was an Uchiha, I thought that somehow Madara had returned to the living and was behind it. He was the only one known to control the beast. But after thinking it through I'm sure it's not him." Tobirama said.
"Why do you say that?"
"How do I put this… It's not his style. He had strong pride and he wouldn't choose to attack from the shadows like that. If it was really Madara he would have declared it or at the very least would have made sure we knew it was him. He was a powerful individual and even his name sparks fear. He knew that and would have taken advantage of it." Tobirama knew the Uchiha very well. How he thought and how he would act and respond. It was why he was certain that the nine tails incident was not Madara Uchiha's doing.
"There is also the fact that he is dead and has been for several decades. Aside from the reanimation jutsu I don't know any other techniques that can bring an individual to life." Hiruzen said.
Tobirama nodded but Hiruzen still saw a sense of unease on his sensei's face. 'Even the possibility of Madara being alive really terrifies you, doesn't it. It's as if he left a scar on your psyche.'
The second Hokage looked at his student and spoke.
"I wanted to study Madara's body after his death but my brother forbade it. So I made sure to hide his body in a secure location in the mountains in complete secrecy… I've ignored this for so long because someone finding the hidden location in the mountains is close to impossible and breaking through the seals and entering Madara's tomb is even more difficult. And since there hasn't been any incidents or sightings of any Uchiha other than Itachi since the massacre, I figured the Uchiha who orchestrated the attack had died."
Hiruzen was silent as he listened to his teacher.
"I thought it would be a waste of time to go search and check and since we had more pressing matters to deal with, I ignored it. But now with that child graduating…"
"You want to make sure…" Hiruzen nodded as he understood his sensei's feeling. There were many times over the decades when Hiruzen had sent his shinobi to make sure the powerful enemies that were known to be dead were truly dead and gone. "I understand sensei."
Tobirama nodded. "I'll be gone for a day or two. It'll depend on what I find. I'm hoping that this whole endeavor is just a waste of time and nothing more."
The two made plans and soon the second Hokage left the village in utmost secrecy.
Flashback End.
'I wonder what sensei is up to? Since he modified the jutsu and canceled the reanimation contract I can't see through him unless he lets me… Guess I'll just have to wait till he returns.'
The Hokage let go of his thoughts and decided to go back to his work.
—-
Ninja Academy.
Outside the academy building the parents of almost all students were present and they were all happy and proud seeing their child successfully become a ninja.
Sasuke had exited the building a short while ago and seeing his classmates embraced by their parents made his heart yearn for his own. He put his hands in his pockets and quickly walked away with a stoic face avoiding everyone.
Shikamaru glanced at Sasuke's figure from the corner of his eyes and felt bad for the guy. He turned his attention to his smiling parents nearby. 'Thank god I don't have a crazy brother like his.'
"You did well, Shikamaru. Your grades are even higher than usual. I guess you really do want to become a strong ninja huh." Yoshino said with a small laugh.
Shikamaru chuckled awkwardly. 'More like I don't want to hear you nag mom.'
"Hey Shikaku. It's been a while. Looks like everyone is here." A voice came near them.
The Nara commander turned his head and smiled at his friends Choza Akimichi and Inoichi Yamanaka. Their children were with them as well, wearing their new Leaf ninja headband.
"Come on dad. I wanna go over to Sakura." Ino said as she looked around. 'Hinata has passed and Sakura just came out with a headband. So she passed. Looks like almost all of us passed. Hmm... Now only Naruto is left.'
Inoichi sighed at her daughter's energy and nodded. "Kids these days. Don't even want to spend time with their lil old dads."
"Oh let her have some fun Inoichi. It's her graduation day after all. In fact, Shikamaru, why don't you join her." Yoshino said with a mischievous laugh.
The young Nara groaned seeing his mom's face. "This is such a drag." Despite complaining he didn't disobey as he knew what his mother was like.
"Choji. Go on." Choza nodded and his son tagged along with Shikamaru and Ino. They 3 kids started to make their way towards Sakura when they saw Naruto exit the building with a big grin and a leaf headband tied to his forehead.
Before they could move further the trio immediately noticed the subdued energy and the barely hidden hostility from most of the adults surrounding them. Shikamaru narrowed his eyes and observed everyone and saw that they all discreetly had eyes on Naruto and were displeased seeing him with a headband.
It wasn't just Shikamaru and his two friends that noticed the change. Hinata was also keeping an eye out and waiting for Naruto. When she saw him exit the building she was extremely happy inside. 'I knew you could do it Naruto.'
She wanted to congratulate him but was too shy and afraid. But she noticed some of the adult's faces turning from joy to frown as they looked at Naruto. 'It's the same as that day.'
Hinata paid close attention to what some of the adults were whispering. But it wasn't just Hinata. Most of the rookies noted the change and they were paying close attention.
—-
"I can't believe he passed. What is Lord Hokage even thinking?" A woman whispered to her friend as they crossed their arms and looked at Naruto with barely hidden hate.
"Letting that boy into the academy was a mistake in the first place. I thought he would fail but now…"
"It was best if he was far away from here."
"What if he… What if he turns into the mon-"
"Stop. We're not supposed to talk about that. Remember."
"What are you guys talking about?" One of their kids asked.
"It's nothing. Listen, if you're ever on a mission with that boy, be very careful." The woman said to her child, pointing at Naruto.
Naruto's classmate didn't understand the reason but he nodded his head nonetheless.
The two women stopped talking and quickly left the academy grounds with their kids.
Similar murmurs were happening among most civilians and some ninja parents. Shikaku slightly frowned as he heard the whispered remarks. 'If nothing is done then it seems even with Lord Hokage's law, their hate might soon pass down to their children… I'm truly sorry Minato.'
—-
Naruto saw some of his friends as he looked around. 'I can't wait to show them my headband.'
He saw Sakura a short distance away and was about to walk over and show her his headband but the murmurs from the adults stopped him.
Even though it looked like Naruto was ignoring them, the boy was paying close attention to what was being said. He heard every word they spoke and the immense joy he felt after graduation quickly disappeared. He didn't want to look up and see the hateful faces of the adults. He even became hesitant to go near his friends. He didn't want them to see him like this. So vulnerable.
'Eh. I'll see her next week when Iruka sensei announces the teams. I'm gonna get some Ramen. I'm sure the old man and big sis will be happy to see me.'
Naruto decided to go to Ichiraku ramen unaware that several eyes were on him. Several friends and one dangerous foe.
—-
"Oh my god. You're wearing the headband. That means you passed." As soon as Naruto walked into Ichiraku Ramen Ayame noticed the new item tied around Naruto's forehead. She was excited for him.
"Yup. I'm a ninja now." The depressed mood he had earlier vanished as soon as Naruto entered the store. He was happy seeing their reaction.
"Congratulations on passing your graduation exam Naruto. I'm so happy for you." Ayama hugged the blond as soon as he came near.
"Well done kid. Take a seat. I'll get you something good." Teuchi got to work and soon Naruto had a big bowl of his favorite Ramen in front of him.
"A premium Miso ramen with extra pork. Just how you like it. It's on the house kid."
Naruto's smile widened as he looked at the two people. "Thank you for the food, old man."
Teuchi and Ayame smiled as they saw the boy dig in.
To Naruto the ramen tasted much better than usual. 'At least there are some people that care about me… I will make this village acknowledge me one day. I'm gonna be a great ninja and when I become Hokage everyone's gonna respect me.'
The boy ate his food and talked about his exam with Ayame and Teuchi.
"So who do you want to be on a team with Naruto? Is it your dear Sakura?" Ayame had a teasing smile as she looked at the slightly blushing boy.
"Come on Ayame, stop teasing the poor kid." Teuchi said as he made more Ramen.
"But it's so cute seeing his reaction… Now who do you not want on your team?" Ayame asked and Naruto instantly had an answer.
"That jerk Sasuke. I really hope Iruka sensei doesn't put him on my team. I can't stand that arrogant bastard."
"Language Naruto."
"Sorry old man."
—-
His time at Ichiraku Ramen went well and soon Naruto was on his way home. 'I wonder who'll be my teammates. I want Sakura to be the second member but who will be the third… Hmm… Maybe Kiba… Or Choji. It'll be cool if it was one of those guys. Hinata is okay too I guess. If it's Shikamaru… I don't know if I can deal with his lazy butt. Eh. I guess it's fine. I don't want Ino. She sure can be bossy when she wants to be. Shino is… kinda creepy. And definitely not that bastard Sasuke. Anyone but him.'
The blonde boy prayed in his heart. He was on a less traveled street in the village and when turned a corner he saw Mizuki waiting nearby. The Chunin instructor saw Naruto and gave the boy a small wave.
"Hey Mizuki sensei. Didn't you say you had some work to finish?" Naruto asked the Chunin with a big smile.
"Yeah. I still do. In fact it's why I'm here." The Chunin replied, coming near the boy. The small street was empty save for the two. One of the reasons Mizuki chose this spot.
Naruto was confused by that statement. "What do you mean?"
Mizuki smiled at the kid and told him the reason he was there. "Naruto. I'm here because there is one more test for the graduation exam."
—------------
Author's Note:
In canon Tobirama didn't know about the Izanagi jutsu of the Uchiha clan. If he did then he probably would have destroyed Madara's eyes or his entire body just to make sure he won't come back. This is my hypothesis based on the story.
The more logical reality based assumption is that the creator pulled the OP plot Armor jutsu at the last moment for Obito and thus included it for Danzo to make it seem like a big deal and to explain away any plot holes…
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