บท 28: Chapter 27
Chapter 27
The air was heavy. And just like Naruto, every other of his classmates was hopeful and anticipating the result of their training. Only one final part of the exam was left, performing one of the academy's jutsu. Naruto's hands trembled with excitement and worry. Even if he knew he wasn't the smartest, he worked his ass off to learn mathematics and history to pass the test.
"For the last test, please come forward and perform clone jutsu," Iruka-sensei announced to Naruto's dread. "Please come when your name is called."
Clone jutsu was the bane of his existence. He never was able to control his chakra to perform it. He always used too much chakra and created an explosion of smoke, with his clone being deformed and not resembling him at all. Still, to pass the exam, he needed to concentrate on this time. He had to use all his focus to control his chakra.
"Naruto Uzumaki," Iruka-sensei called him over.
Naruto nervously came over in front of Iruka-sensei and Mizuki-sensei. Iruka wished Naruto good luck and motioned him to start. Naruto made the hand sign and started to control his chakra. He had only one chance, so he used everything he could to suppress his chakra. And when he was at his limit, he released his chakra to perform the jutsu.
"Fail," Iruka-sensei said after looking at Naruto's pale, not even standing version.
"Iruka, this is his third time, and he technically created a clone. What if we give him a break and," Before Mizuki-sensei could finish his words, Iruka interrupted.
"No, every student has to create three clones, and Naruto didn't even manage to create a functional one. His performance doesn't merit him passing the exam."
…
Naruto sat on the swings outside the academy and watched his classmates congratulate him on passing the exam. He listened as the adults insulted him and made fun of him. He jumped off the swings and slapped his face. So what if he failed this time? At least he was third physically, just behind Sasuke and Kiba. He will succeed next time.
"Isn't that the boy?" Naruto felt all kinds of eyes upon him.
"It is good he didn't become a shinobi. Something like he doesn't deserve to be one."
"He is nothing but a troublemaker. He should give up and not bother Hokage-sama with his silly dreams."
"I am thankful that my son won't have to be on the same team as him," Naruto heard them all, yet he wasn't listening to them.
He will prepare for the following year. He will learn more to have a higher grade on the writing part of the exam and learn to control his chakra to at least create one perfect clone. It didn't matter if he was slower than his peers. He will not give up. Holding back his tears, Naruto passed the happy classmates and left for home alone.
"Naruto."
"Mizuki-sensei?" Naruto turned to the voice calling him.
"Would you mind talking with me?"
Naruto followed silently after Mizuki-sensei to a quieter place. Naruto didn't know what to think about Mizuki-sensei. Never before had he helped Naruto, so he was surprised by the sudden kindness but suspicious too. Something about his eyes wasn't right. He smiled at Naruto, but that smile didn't seem to go to his eyes.
"What did you want to talk about?" Naruto asked when they were alone.
"I don't want you to hate Iruka-sensei. Just like you, he is an orphan. His parents died when he was young, so he is an earnest guy," Mizuki began. "So, he worked very hard, and what he accomplished, he did it by himself."
"And? What that got to do with me?" Naruto was perplexed.
"You remind him of himself. He thinks he is helping you," Mizuki-sensei said. "Can't you understand where he is coming from? As one orphan to another."
Naruto felt something wrong with the way Mizuki-sensei called him an orphan. The way he looked at Naruto and the way he said the word orphan felt wrong. He couldn't discern why and, in the end, thought it was only in his mind. Naruto knew that Iruka-sensei didn't let him pass because he hated him but because he wasn't ready.
"Still, I really wanted to pass his time," Naruto couldn't hide his feelings.
"Then it can't be helped. Let me tell you a secret I kept for a long time."
…
Hearing Mizuki's secret, Naruto was ecstatic. He had a chance to prove himself once again. But after an hour, he calmed down. Somehow it didn't make sense that a secret method to graduate was to steal a forbidden seal scroll from Hokage tower. Kaen had taught Naruto that stealing is a crime, so how could doing so make him pass the exam? What bugged Naruto more was that Mizuki-sensei told him about it, not Iruka-sensei. Thinking wasn't his strong suit of Naruto, so he asked Iruka-sensei about it.
"Iruka-sensei, is there no other way to pass the exam?"
"Naruto," Iruka sighed. "I know how you feel, but you are not ready yet. Being a shinobi isn't as simple as you might think. Shinobi are responsible for many things. Not only are their lives at risk but everyone around them too. I do not doubt that someday you will become a great shinobi, but you must be strong enough to bear the responsibility first."
Naruto believed in him, he didn't know why, but he believed him. Yet, he wanted to believe Mizuki-sensei too. He wanted to be a shinobi and prove to others that he was strong. He couldn't bring himself to tell Iruka-sensei what Mizuki told him, as he thought it was his only chance to become a shinobi and prove himself.
…
Kaen was surprised to see Naruto in front of him. Kaen was relaxing after a session of training under a tree. Naruto looked nervous and tense. Kaen looked at the setting sun and then turned to Naruto. He could already guess why Naruto was there, but he never thought that Naruto would come to him.
"What is it, Naruto?"
"Ehem," Naruto seemed to be gathering his thoughts. "Well, you see, I failed the graduation exam."
"It would be your third time," Kaen commented.
"Well, after I failed, Mizuki-sensei came to me and offered another way to pass the exam."
"Go on."
"I must steal a forbidden seal scroll from Hokage tower to prove myself. He said he would ensure I graduate if I learn anything from it and bring him the scroll."
"And you came to me because you don't believe him?" Kaen asked.
"Did he lie?" Naruto asked.
"Of course he did," Kaen stated. "Stealing is a crime. Have I not taught you that stealing is a crime? And stealing from Hokage Tower would be considered treasonous. You would be hunted down and killed for such a crime."
"Then I won't do it," Naruto proclaimed, finally able to relax.
"You will do it," Kaen disagreed.
"What?"
"Aren't you curious why Mizuki told you to do something like this?" Kaen asked.
"Why?"
"We only can find the truth if you do as he told you," Kaen said. "Maybe it is a test that only he knew of, or he might be a traitor and use you to accomplish his goal. If the latter is true, we need to reveal and capture him, don't you think?"
Capturing a traitor will go well on Kaen's record. At first, he wasn't concerned about Naruto, one or the other way Hokage would make Naruto graduate. And Mizuki wasn't dangerous enough for Kaen to worry about. But Kaen had been bored for some time. And after he messed up a couple of Danzo assassination attempts. It seemed that ROOT backed off.
"What do you say if I tell you there is a secret to learning clone jutsu inside the forbidden seal scroll, and if you help me, you can learn it?" Kaen asked, and it piqued Naruto's interest.
…
The havoc wreaked in Hokage tower as every available shinobi was summoned. Once it was revealed that Naruto stole the forbidden seal scroll under Hokage's nose, every shinobi was tasked with capturing him. Kaen halfheartedly listened to the orders, and when Hokage motioned for the shinobi to move, Kaen quickly left.
He stood on the tallest tree looking over the whole forest. He waited for the players to enter his board. It annoyed Kaen to no end that Iruka came before Mizuki. Naruto was perplexed about what to say to Iruka as he tried to question Naruto. Kaen considered knocking Iruka down, but finally, Mizuki showed up.
At first, Kaen watched Mizuki attacking Iruka with interest as Mizuki revealed his true intentions. But when Mizuki started to reveal Naruto's secret, Kaen moved. Before Mizuki could even react, his head was buried in the ground as Kaen had one leg pinning him down. Kaen decided that Naruto didn't deserve to learn the truth that way.
"Well done, Naruto, you have lured the traitor from his hiding," Kaen turned to Naruto.
"What?" Iruka looked at Kaen, shocked.
"Naruto felt that Mizuki was lying to him, so he came to me. I determined that Mizuki was a traitor and made the plan to capture him red-handed," Kaen explained. "Now, Naruto, give me the scroll."
Naruto looked at Kaen, Mizuki and Iruka. For a moment, he reached to give Kaen the scroll but stopped. Kaen narrowed his eyes and asked Naruto again to provide him with the scroll. Yet instead, Naruto held the scroll close to his chest. Kaen smiled, as he didn't expect Naruto to do something like this.
"Why won't you give it to me?" Kaen asked.
"How can I trust that you didn't use me to get the scroll for yourself?" Naruto asked back.
"You passed," Kaen said.
"What?" Both Naruto and Iruka looked at Kaen perplexed.
"Being a shinobi, strength alone isn't enough," Kaen said. "What matter is a mindset. You not only distrusted Mizuki and came to me but chose not to put your trust in me even after we had known each other for so long. It is the worst trait in some situations, but in the shinobi world, thinking for yourself and not listening to every order your superior gives might save you and your teammate's lives. Thinking for yourself and doing what you think is right is your true strength, Naruto. Give the scroll back to Hokage-sama, and Iruka will escort you. I will take care of this trash."
…
"I was bored," It was Kaen's answer to every question Hokage-sama asked about the situation with Mizuki. "More importantly, when are you going to tell Naruto the truth? He will find out about it someday and might take it badly."
"I dreaded such a day," Hokage-sama said, gazing at the table. "But I prepared for it. I will tell him next time we are alone."
"Well, that's good. I will be going then."
"Wait," Hokage-sama stopped Kaen with a smile on his face. "You said you were bored. It so happens that I have a job for you."
"I am listening."
"Well, it so happens that we have a team you would be perfect to lead."
"You talking about the new genin, aren't you?"
"They need a good sensei to show ropes around. At first, I had another person in mind to care for that team, but I think you would be more suited."
Hearing such words, Kaen understood that Hokage was talking about his sharingan and sealing jutsu mastery. He could guess what kind of team Hokage wanted him to teach. He initially wanted to disagree, but then he thought it would be fun to teach the brats. And he had been training Sasuke for some time now. He wanted to see how far he could push the brat.
"Fine, I will teach the team you want," Yet when Kaen agreed, he saw The Third Hokage smiling viciously, and cold sweat dropped along his back. But he dismissed it and went home.
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