บท 178: Chapter 178: Kakashi, you're not fit for the Root
Mizuki's face was deathly pale.
Applause like a tidal wave filled the office.
Akihara Kagura's plan was quite brilliant.
Following the guidance of Sarutobi Hizan, Akihara Kagura perfectly arranged everyone's roles, elevating even Mizuki's minor villain status by more than a notch.
The Root ninjas voluntarily applauded Akihara Kagura's plan. Karin, holding a notebook, scrutinized everyone present, helping to record those who did not clap.
Clearly,
People from the Root respected Akihara Kagura a lot.
Only Mizuki, the outsider, was somewhat clueless, not only failing to think of applauding in celebration but even considering rebutting Akihara Kagura's plan.
Fortunately, Akihara Kagura was kind-hearted, gently manipulating shadows to control Mizuki's body, making him symbolically clap his hands and even crack a not-so-ugly smile, evidently choosing to agree with the plan.
"Speaking of which..."
Akihara Kagura kindly patted Mizuki's shoulder: "Weren't you thinking of defecting to Orochimaru? When we capture you, just say it was Orochimaru who directed you to do so."
"That's decided then."
Akihara Kagura's fingers relaxed, and he ordered: "Add a charge of conspiring with the S-class rogue ninja Orochimaru to his confession."
"..."
As Akihara Kagura stopped manipulating Mizuki's shadow, Mizuki's body immediately collapsed, hastily trying to crawl towards Akihara Kagura!
Tendo Shisui immediately appeared in Mizuki's shadow, controlling his body, preventing this soon-to-be stylish villain boss from behaving in a disgraceful and embarrassing manner, making Mizuki register an additional charge of conspiring with Orochimaru in his confession.
"You may go now."
Akihara Kagura waved his hand satisfactorily at Tendo Shisui, then looked at Karin: "Remember to invite Iruka-sensei to dinner tonight, he took good care of you back then..."
"Yes."
Karin nodded.
Umino Iruka found the invitation a bit strange at first, but since Uzumaki Naruto was also attending, he decided to join the dinner with Naruto.
Konoha's orphanage.
The orphanage seemed quite lively.
These years, the orphanage was not short of funds.
Yakushi Nono, who once raised orphans, saw most of them working and even starting their own families, with the most successful child becoming the assistant to the Hokage of Konoha, which also made Yakushi Nono feel the most guilty.
Yakushi Nono always tried her best to make amends, but as the Dean of an orphanage, there wasn't much she could help with, the only thing she could do for Akihara Kagura was to celebrate his birthday.
There were many guests tonight.
Even Sai, who had long joined the Anbu, specially took leave to come back.
Hatake Kakashi, Uzumaki Naruto, and Mitarashi Anko were regulars, while Umino Iruka had once visited Konoha's orphanage for a home visit, but attending such a celebration was a first for him.
The group enjoyed a gathering.
Akihara Kagura specially asked Umino Iruka to stay behind, glanced at the leaving Uzumaki Naruto, and said softly: "It's hard to believe, Naruto is about to graduate..."
"Yes..."
Umino Iruka was somewhat reserved.
Akihara Kagura looked at Iruka, asking softly, "Many people in the village don't want to see the Nine-Tails fox becoming a ninja, do they?"
"..."
Umino Iruka was silent for a while, then said softly: "Naruto is a brave kid, and I also hope he can become an excellent ninja, but his shadow clone technique has always been poorly practiced, he might not meet the graduation criteria..."
"I've heard about this from Anko."
Akihara Kagura stared intently at Umino Iruka, continuing, "However, I don't care about this trivial matter. That's for the teachers of your ninja school to judge."
"Also, I want to remind Mr. Iruka that Naruto is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki of the village, not an ordinary ninja student..."
"I understand..."
Umino Iruka quickly nodded.
Although Umino Iruka deeply resented the Nine-Tails for taking his parents' lives, as a teacher at the ninja school, he would still act fairly.
"The higher-ups have also taken this into consideration."
Akihara Kagura, satisfied, looked at Umino Iruka and continued to remind him, "The exam questions you've chosen this time are good, fitting the considerations of the higher-ups..."
"Uzumaki Naruto's chakra is too vast to control, and at his age, it's difficult to precisely manage chakra. He certainly cannot pass the Clone Technique examination..."
"The Third Hokage plans to have Naruto try to learn a technique, one that could allow his chakra to be released directly..."
"The Multi-Shadow Clone Technique..."
"This technique is just a bit dangerous..."
"Wait..."
"Isn't that a life-threatening forbidden technique?"
Umino Iruka couldn't help but blurt out!
"This is the higher-ups' consideration, wanting to see if Uzumaki Naruto has the courage to pay the price of his life to become a ninja."
Akihara Kagura's eyebrows furrowed, and seeing Umino Iruka calm down, he continued, "You just need to know this. As long as he can desperately learn the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique to become a ninja, it will also allow him to have strong ninjutsu to protect himself..."
"If he dies..."
"It would also be fortunate for the village."
Akihara Kagura looked deeply at Umino Iruka, "A Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails who can't become a ninja always has the potential to lose control. Rather than letting him continue to live, it's better to eliminate this potential threat early."
"But..."
Umino Iruka wanted to argue, to defend his student: "Naruto... It's not Naruto's fault that he is the Nine-Tails fox. Twelve years ago, Naruto was just a child!"
"The people in the village won't care about these things."
Akihara Kagura glanced at Iruka and spoke coldly, "The people in the village will only see him as the fox that caused the chaos of the Nine-Tails, not as an innocent, not as a comrade!"
"..."
Umino Iruka felt indescribably sad because the former Umino Iruka was also one of those who harbored hatred towards Uzumaki Naruto.
"Just follow the orders."
Akihara Kagura coldly looked at Umino Iruka, indifferent to his concern for Uzumaki Naruto, casually shifting the blame to the Third Hokage: "This is a mission handed down by the Third Hokage. I am just responsible for carrying it out."
Akihara Kagura used his authority to suppress: "What you need to do is, during this period, observe whether Naruto has the determination to become a ninja and to protect the village at all costs, to judge whether he has the potential to become an excellent Konoha ninja..."
This is the advantage of being a high-ranking official.
Akihara Kagura can, just like Shimura Danzo, directly use the name of superior orders to have the ninjas below execute tasks.
"Yes."
Umino Iruka reluctantly lowered his head.
"You may go."
Akihara Kagura gestured for him to leave.
"Yes."
Umino Iruka could only leave here in frustration.
After the Chunin teacher left, Hatake Kakashi came over and asked curiously, "I think I saw you bullying Iruka just now. Don't always bully the honest ones, you..."
"It was an order from the Third Hokage."
Akihara Kagura continued to shift the blame onto his superior, glanced at Hatake Kakashi, and thought that this guy shouldn't expect to have an easy life either: "How come you haven't found a suitable student yet? This is your third year as a Jonin instructor, right?"
"Those kids..."
"There's always something not quite right..."
Hatake Kakashi casually picked up the pear juice in front of Akihara Kagura and asked, "By the way, how's the matter of transferring me to the Root division going?"
"The Root division is not suitable for you."
Akihara Kagura shook his head at Hatake Kakashi.
"Not suitable for me?"
Hatake Kakashi looked at Akihara Kagura in surprise, thinking he was talking nonsense. A former Anbu captain, not suitable for the Root division?
Just then, a Root ninja saw there was no pear juice in front of Akihara Kagura and took the initiative to pour him a glass, placing it in front of Akihara Kagura.
"This is what a qualified Root ninja is like."
Akihara Kagura looked at the somewhat astonished Hatake Kakashi.
"..."
Isn't this just flattering Akihara Kagura!
No wonder this guy claims he's not suitable for joining the Root!
Hatake Kakashi's forehead twitched, feeling his principles were greatly challenged, and sighed, "Why do I feel like the Root has become a bit murky..."
"I've been working hard."
Akihara Kagura sighed and waved his hand to his subordinates, "When Lord Danzo was here, the atmosphere in the Root was much worse than it is now. Everyone's life had to follow Lord Danzo's will. I've been working hard to change the atmosphere in the Root these years..."
"..."
Hatake Kakashi looked at Akihara Kagura solemnly, "Why do I feel that you've become more and more corrupt, Assistant Hokage..."
"Luckily, I'm the Assistant Hokage."
Akihara Kagura clinked glasses with Hatake Kakashi, holding the pear juice, "Be thankful that the current Assistant Hokage is your friend. If it were Lord Danzo in this position, you could go to the back mountain tonight to pick a feng shui treasure land for yourself..."
"Alright."
"Go back and rest early."
"I should also go back and rest early."
Akihara Kagura stood up and patted Hatake Kakashi on the shoulder, "I'll have to help pick Jonin instructors for the graduates during this period. I'll make sure to pick a few problematic students for you..."
"That's really something to thank you for..."
Hatake Kakashi couldn't help but twitch the corner of his eyes.
In his heart, Hatake Kakashi didn't really think Akihara Kagura would do such a thing, nor would the Third Hokage agree to it. He still thought Akihara Kagura was joking.
"You're welcome, it's what I should do."
Akihara Kagura waved his hand and was about to leave, casually reminding Hatake Kakashi, "By the way, I wasn't joking this time. There really are quite a few problematic students in this year's graduates..."
"As long as it's not Naruto, it's fine."
Kakashi Hatake nonchalantly waved his hand.
Over the years, Kakashi Hatake and Anko's relationship had been good.
Kakashi Hatake was aware of Naruto Uzumaki's learning progress. As a home tutor, Anko was nearly driven insane by Naruto Uzumaki's homework. He was struggling in both cultural studies and ninjutsu.
Anko first resolved to help Naruto Uzumaki graduate early; then, he aimed to make Naruto the top student at graduation. Now, for Anko, it would be a great success if Naruto could simply graduate.
June.
The graduation season of the Ninja School quickly approached.
The graduation assessment of the Ninja School was chosen to be the Clone Technique.
Iruka Umino had been keeping a close eye on Naruto Uzumaki, fearing someone might hurt this student. He was also worried about the student's fate, fearing that Naruto might die in the future. He didn't know what to do except to take things one step at a time and give Naruto a little more care.
It has to be said.
This made Naruto Uzumaki's graduation season pass not too badly.
However, this did not mean that Naruto Uzumaki could pass the graduation exam.
The day of the Ninja School graduation assessment finally arrived.
Mizuki and Iruka Umino were the examiners for these students, with two Chunin teachers supervising the exam with mixed feelings and tumultuous emotions.
Until...
It was Naruto Uzumaki's turn.
Naruto Uzumaki honestly released the Clone Technique. The chakra within his body surged, but ultimately, his attempt to perform the technique failed. A clone sticking its tongue out and lying on the ground could not be considered a pass under any circumstances.
Iruka Umino struggled for a long time but ultimately fulfilled a teacher's duty, not allowing Naruto Uzumaki to pass the test. On the other hand, Mizuki, one of the examiners, praised Naruto Uzumaki's physical strength and endurance along the way, believing that this child could be admitted exceptionally.
However...
Both examiners must agree for a pass.
Naruto Uzumaki...
Did not pass the graduation assessment.
Most other children in the Ninja School passed the exam, wore the ninja headbands distributed by the village, and gathered together to discuss when they might become Chunin or Jonin. The parents were also boasting about their children who passed the exam.
Naruto Uzumaki sat alone on the swing in the Ninja School playground, tightly holding the swing's ropes, with his head hung low, unsure of what to do.
"Naruto."
Mizuki stood by the swing, gently rubbed his head, and comforted him with a smile: "Sorry, I couldn't get you through the graduation assessment. I saw your effort and thought I could convince Iruka..."
"Mizuki sensei!"
Naruto Uzumaki looked up at Mizuki sensei, this great person who spoke up for him.
"There's still a chance."
Mizuki approached Naruto Uzumaki with a smile, whispering, "There's a Scroll of Seals in the village that records very powerful techniques. As long as you learn one of them, you can become a ninja comparable to the Hokage. It will definitely make you a ninja or even the Hokage..."
"Eh!"
Naruto Uzumaki's eyes were once again filled with surprise.
"Come with me."
Mizuki patted the little guy's head and looked towards Iruka Umino in the distance, continuing with a light laugh: "We also need to call Iruka. He's also an examiner for the graduation assessment…"
~~~
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