Chapter 22
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Iruka grinned and roared, "Today's lesson is a review test on the Transformation Jutsu! Everyone, line up! Even those who have already passed, step forward!"
"What?!" The class erupted in chaos.
"Damn it, this is all Naruto's fault!" someone complained.
Naruto shrugged. "Blame me all you want! Hit me if you dare~"
A large vein popped on Iruka's forehead. "Enough! Get over here and take the test!"
Iruka picked up the roster from the table. "Haruno Sakura!"
"Alright, Transformation Jutsu!" Poof! Sakura transformed into Iruka.
Iruka nodded approvingly. "Qualified. Next!"
"Yes! That was great!" Sakura cheered, then turned to Sasuke excitedly. "Did you see that, Sasuke?"
"The next one, Uchiha Sasuke," Iruka announced.
Unlike in the original timeline, Sasuke had changed drastically after working alongside Naruto at a part-time job. His body was packed with lean muscle, complete with eight-pack abs. Dressed in a weighted training , he looked more like a martial arts prodigy than the brooding avenger.
Without wasting a second, Sasuke formed the seals at the exact moment Iruka glanced down at his roster and transformed into a perfect replica of their teacher.
"Well done," Iruka praised. "Next, Uzumaki Naruto!"
Sasuke casually walked off with his hands in his pockets, and the girls in class swooned over his cool demeanor.
Shikamaru sighed, clearly annoyed. "Man, this is such a drag. Naruto, this is all because of you."
"Hey, don't blame me!" Naruto smirked and stepped forward. "Alright, Iruka-sensei, I'm about to show you something amazing!"
Naruto held up two fingers in front of his chest. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Poof! Another Naruto appeared beside him.
Iruka's eyes widened in shock. When did Naruto learn the Shadow Clone Jutsu?
Before Iruka could process it, the two Narutos leaned against each other. "Sexy Jutsu: Enhanced Version!" Poof! Suddenly, a breathtakingly beautiful woman in a bikini clung seductively to a half-naked Iruka.
Splurt! Iruka shot a nosebleed across the room.
"NARUTO!! How could you create such a ridiculous and shameless technique?!"
Naruto put on a serious face. "Sensei, you simply don't understand the true joy of fighting with both hands!"
Sakura, standing nearby, twitched in fury. "You damn pervert, Naruto!" With a loud whack!, she punched Naruto straight on the head, her imagination running wild with rage.
Still groggy from the hit, Naruto suddenly turned to Iruka. "Sensei, can I skip the graduation exam tomorrow?"
Iruka looked at Naruto, assuming he had lost confidence after failing the last two exams. "Naruto, don't give up! I believe you can become a ninja on your own!"
Naruto, however, had a completely serious look on his face. "No, sensei, that's not it. I've already made a deal with Teuchi-ossan! I'm gonna become a great ramen master! Being a ninja isn't my path."
Sasuke snorted. Figures.
"Naruto!!!" Iruka's roar was the only sound left in the classroom.
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The Next Day
In the classroom, Iruka stood in front of the students. "This year's graduation exam is the Clone Jutsu. When I call your name, go to the next room for evaluation." He glanced at his roster. "Uzumaki Naruto!"
"Ugh..." Naruto sighed dramatically as he walked into the next room.
Forming the seals with both hands, he called out, "Clone Jutsu!" Poof! A single, pale, weak-looking clone materialized on the floor, looking half-conscious.
Iruka's face darkened. "Unqualified!" he roared.
Mizuki, who was sitting beside him, tried to intervene. "Iruka-sensei, don't be so harsh. Naruto has incredible stamina and chakra reserves. It's just that he struggles with splitting his chakra evenly. Shouldn't we consider letting him pass?"
Iruka immediately shut Mizuki down. "Mizuki-sensei, every other student created three solid clones. Naruto barely managed one, and it's practically dead. I can't just let him pass like this!"
Naruto exhaled and left the room.
After the exams, everyone else received their forehead protectors and officially became Genin—except Naruto.
Lying under a tree next to the school, Naruto relaxed in the shade when a shadow appeared over him.
It was Mizuki. "Naruto, Iruka-sensei wasn't trying to make things difficult for you. He just wants you to become stronger."
"I know," Naruto interrupted.
Mizuki hesitated, then leaned in. "Do you want to graduate, Naruto?"
Naruto squinted at him. "Nope."
Mizuki blinked in confusion. "Uh... don't you want to be a ninja? Don't you want the villagers to acknowledge you? Don't you want to become Hokage?"
Naruto smirked and shook his head. "Nope, nope, and absolutely not."
Mizuki left, muttering to himself. What the hell just happened? This wasn't how it was supposed to go!
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Meanwhile, in the Hokage's Office
Hiruzen sighed and looked at Iruka. "Iruka, you've failed Naruto twice before. I understand why, but you of all people should know how hard it is to grow up without parents."
Iruka stayed silent.
Back in the Hokage Building, Mizuki reported back. "Lord Hokage, Naruto isn't taking the bait."
Hiruzen rubbed his temples. "What exactly did you say to him?"
Mizuki straightened up. "I asked him if he wanted to graduate, and he said no. So, I left."
Hiruzen stared at him in disbelief. "...You're an idiot."
"Uh?"
"I told you, Naruto has no interest in becoming a ninja! Why would you try to tempt him with graduation?! Use your damn head!"
Mizuki flinched. "Then what should I do?"
Hiruzen sighed. "Tell him I have a secret savings stash—enough money for him to live comfortably for the rest of his life, eating ramen and doing nothing."
"Understood!" Mizuki saluted and rushed out.
"Ugh..." Hiruzen pinched the bridge of his nose. "This guy is a lost cause. Keep an eye on things. Naruto must graduate this year!"
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Mizuki ran straight to Naruto's apartment and knocked. The door opened, revealing a beautiful woman with long hair and large eyes, wearing an apron.
"Uh… who are you?" Mizuki stammered.
"Who are you looking for?" Uchiha Izumi frowned.
"Naruto... does he live here?"
Izumi turned her head. "Naruto! Get up! Your teacher is here!"
"Ugh, what is it now? School's over, isn't it?" Naruto grumbled as he walked out, yawning. "Oh, it's you, Mizuki-sensei."
Naruto sighed. "Fine, let's talk outside." With that, he leapt onto the rooftop of the opposite house.
Mizuki followed, about to speak, but Naruto waved him off. "It's about the Scroll of Seals, right?"
Mizuki stiffened. "...Yeah."
"And if I steal it, I get to graduate, right?"
Mizuki nodded again, confused.
"Alright, time and place?" Naruto asked casually.
Mizuki quickly answered, and Naruto waved him off. "Got it. You can go now." Then, poof! he disappeared.
Mizuki stood there, completely lost.
A masked Anbu with a cat mask appeared behind him. "Well?"
Mizuki sighed. "...It's done, I guess?"
The Anbu stared at him blankly for a moment, then vanished without a word.
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Meanwhile, Naruto found Sasuke lifting weights in his training .
"Oi, Sasuke," Naruto grinned. "Wanna get stronger? 'Cause I've got a hell of an opportunity for you."
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