Chapter 16: Getting the Forehead Protector.

Time flies by, and in the blink of an eye, six years have passed. Naruto has grown from a mischievous kid into an outstanding brat.

"Yawn~ I'm so tired."

Naruto, with heavy dark circles under his eyes, walks to school with Hinata. He yawns incessantly, his footsteps floating as if he had been up all night fighting.

"Naruto-kun, today is the graduation exam. Did you not sleep well last night?"

The twelve-year-old girl has blossomed into a graceful young lady. Hinata's height has gradually caught up with Naruto's. She gently helps him tidy up his disheveled collar and wipes away the tears welling up from yawning.

"No, I practiced all night."

After six years of training, Naruto's Rasengan has reached a certain level of proficiency. Aside from being a bit slow in forming the Rasengan, there are hardly any flaws. So last night, Minato asked Naruto to set up Flying Thunder God marks in several corners of Konoha for a "test flight." The results were predictable, Konoha would have already dominated the ninja world if Flying Thunder God was that easy to learn.

"Be careful during the exam, don't make mistakes in the hand seals."

"Don't worry, I've already mastered the basic ninjutsu taught at school. It's no challenge for me. Hinata, just wait for me to become a Genin and change my rank."

"Well, you still have two more ranks to go."

Hinata knows what Naruto means by changing his name. She playfully sticks out her tongue and runs into the school.

"You two are so lovey-dovey early in the morning."

A lazy voice comes from behind. The Ino-Shika-Cho trio arrives at the school gate, led by the lethargic Shikamaru.

"Shikamaru, up so early."

"Ah, to be honest, I don't want to wake up this early, either. That woman at home is such a bother. By the way, today's the clone jutsu test. You think you'll be fine?"

"Clone jutsu? Uh, probably, maybe, I'll be fine."

Naruto's gaze becomes unfocused as he hears about the clone jutsu, feeling a bit anxious. If only it were transformation jutsu instead. Clone jutsu has always been a ninjutsu he's not particularly skilled at.

"Well, in any case, do your best."

Shikamaru pats Naruto's shoulder and offers some advice about not loafing around once he becomes a Genin, then walks into the school.

...

'Poof!' 'Poof!' 'Poof!'

The sound of clones dispersing echoes continuously in the classroom. Naruto's classmates have all completed the clone jutsu assessment and received their Konoha ninja headbands.

"Naruto, it's your turn."

Iruka knows that clone jutsu is Naruto's weak point, so he intentionally saved him for the last position.

"Clone Jutsu!"

Hinata is watching. Naruto can't afford to embarrass himself or fail. He forms the hand seals with both hands and exerts his maximum effort to create a clone. However, the more nervous he becomes, the more he forgets important things. He even gets the hand seals wrong, resulting in a limbless clone lying on the ground.

"...Failure!"

Iruka stares at the limp clone on the ground for a moment, then angrily marks it as unqualified on the grade sheet.

"Iruka-sensei, please give me another chance, I beg you."

"I agree. Naruto-kun just made a mistake with the hand seals. I'm sure he can do it properly if he tries again."

Another examiner, Mizuki-sensei, seems to sympathize with Naruto and joins in pleading for him.

"No, during real battles, the enemy won't give you another chance. This concerns Naruto's life. You can't joke around with your life."

Iruka firmly refuses. This isn't a game; it's a ninjutsu that can determine life or death. If a ninja can't use clone jutsu properly, the fatality rate of that ninja will undoubtedly increase.

"Naruto-kun..."

"..."

Faced with Hinata's attempt to comfort him, Naruto doesn't know what expression to show. He grits his teeth, turns around, opens the window, and jumps out, disappearing from her sight.

Meanwhile, Mizuki wears a smile of accomplishment.

Naruto lies on the roof of his house, staring at the blue sky, lost in thought. Until a shadow blocks the sunlight, and Mizuki, with a gentle smile, appears in Naruto's field of vision.

"Naruto, you must be very upset about failing the exam. It's okay. Just keep trying."

"It's not just that, it's not just about being upset. I feel so ashamed. I boasted in front of Hinata, and now I can't face anyone!"

Naruto's face burns with embarrassment as he recalls the words he said to Hinata in the morning. After making so many promises, he failed to live up to them!

"Is that so?"

Mizuki's smile freezes, realizing that Naruto's reaction is different from what he expected.

"And also, I promised Hinata's parents that I would become a Jonin so I could marry her. But I failed at the first step. What if someone else takes Hinata away... My life feels so dark..."

"I really can't do anything with that, but have you heard of the Scroll of Seals?"

"Um..."

The Scroll of Seals. It was a familiar name. Naruto has heard about it many times from Orochimaru. It was said to be something useless, which made Naruto believe that it was indeed useless. This led him to not believe Mizuki's lie and attempt to steal the Scroll of Seals. He had to be sure, after all.

...

As night fell, the people of Konoha immersed themselves in their dreams, while a small shadow sneaked into the Third Hokage's house.

"The Scroll of Seals, the Scroll of Seals."

Naruto sneaked around the Third Hokage's house, believing that, according to Mizuki's words, the scroll should be hidden in a secret compartment in the Third Hokage's study. While Naruto was still studying the layout of the house, he suddenly bumped into a little kid. The kid, wearing pajamas and half-asleep, stared at Naruto for three seconds before opening his mouth...

"Mhmm?!"

"Shh, I'm not a bad person."

Naruto quickly covered Konohamaru's mouth and pulled him into a corner in the shadows.

"Let go of me! I'm the Third Hokage's grandson. Do you want to die for sneaking into my house?"

As a member of the second generation of the village, Konohamaru had the attitude of proudly announcing his grandfather's title to everyone. However, at this moment, Naruto only had his mission in mind and didn't care who he was.

"I don't care about you. Don't interfere with my mission."

"Mission? That means you're a ninja?"

"Not yet, but I will be once I complete this mission."

"Oh, I see. It must be a test given by Grandpa."

"You're sharp, kid. That's right. Once I get the Third Hokage's Scroll of Seals, I'll succeed."

"No, no. Grandpa is really strong. It's impossible to take something from him."

"You won't know until you try. Watch me!"

"Tch, if you can get the Scroll of Seals from Grandpa, I'll recognize you as my big brother."

"Get lost! I don't want that."

Both of them sneaked to the entrance of the study, and with Konohamaru's help, they skipped the step of unlocking the door, which pleased Naruto with this unexpected encounter.

"Oh, there it is."

Following Mizuki's instructions, Naruto pulled out a book from the bookshelf, and then the ground split open, revealing a hidden room with a scroll almost the same height as Naruto lying inside.

"Naruto, what are you doing in my house?"

Naruto was startled by the faint inquiry before he could even feel happy. The Third Hokage appeared behind him like a ghost.

"...Sexy Jutsu!"

Naruto suddenly turned around and used the completed version of the Sexy Jutsu. A naked, golden-haired beauty with a voluptuous figure appeared in the air, causing the Third Hokage's blood to rush as he fell unconscious with a nosebleed.

"Hahaha! Too easy."

Naruto laughed manically, carrying the Forbidden Scroll on his back as he left the Third Hokage's house, heading towards the agreed-upon location.

"...Big brother!"

Konohamaru looked at his fallen grandfather, feeling genuine awe for the first time. Perhaps being young, he didn't understand that Naruto didn't defeat the Third Hokage with strength but with hormones.

...

"I took a look, Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu? Why does it start with this lousy ninjutsu? No wonder Orochimaru always says this book is useless. Let's see, Edo Tensei... I've already learned it. Flying Raijin... Can this be true?"

Naruto squatted on the ground, full of anticipation, as he opened the Sealing Scroll. However, he realized that with his knowledge, he could only understand three jutsus and two of them were taught by someone else. His enthusiasm was dampened by half.

"Well, this Shadow Clone Jutsu is quite simple, just one hand seal."

Unwilling to give up, Naruto picked up the Sealing Scroll again and started reading. To his surprise, he found that the Shadow Clone Jutsu was super easy to learn, completely ignored the warning, and began studying it.

One hour later...

"Naruto, can you tell me what you're doing?"

Iruka's temple throbbed as he finally found Naruto, only to discover the boy lying on the ground, seemingly doing nothing.

"I'm taking an exam, Iruka-sensei. Can you give me the headband?"

"Exam? What are you talking about?"

"It's a makeup test given by Mizuki-sensei. As long as I present the Scroll of Seals, I'll pass."

"Mizuki?!"

Iruka suddenly had a bad feeling, and behind him, an astonishing killing intent emerged. He quickly pushed Naruto away and was hit by several shurikens himself.

"I never thought you would find your way here, Iruka."

"Cough... Mizuki, what are you planning to do?"

Iruka spat out a mouthful of warm blood and stared at Mizuki, who emerged from the shadows.

"What am I planning to do? Of course, it's to kill this brat and become the world's strongest ninja by using the ninjutsu in the Scroll of Seals."

"Iruka-sensei!"

Even Naruto, despite his stupidity, realized that he had been manipulated. He wanted to help Iruka but was shouted at loudly.

"Don't come any closer! Run and find the Third Hokage!"

"Ridiculous. Do you think a brat like you can escape from my grasp?"

Mizuki calmly looked at Iruka. Although Iruka was only a Chunin with no outstanding abilities, dealing with a mere Genin like Naruto was too simple.

"By the way, Naruto, don't you know what you are?"

"Know what?"

"Shut up! Don't say it!"

"Twelve years ago, the Nine-Tailed Fox attacked Konoha. It happened to be the year of your birth. Have you never wondered why the people in the village hated you so much?"

Mizuki untied the Demon Wind Shuriken on his back, preparing to finish Naruto off when he was distracted. That's why he attacked Naruto verbally.

"Mizuki!!!"

Iruka pulled out the shuriken from his body in anger and rushed towards Mizuki, but was kicked back.

"Yes, you are the Nine-Tailed Fox, that wretched creature that transformed into you. That damned monster fox almost destroyed Konoha..."

Mizuki became more and more excited. When he was young, he was almost affected by the Nine-Tails. Therefore, he also harbored great hatred toward the Nine-Tails, which was the reason for his verbal attack on Naruto.

"Shut up, you bastard!"

Suddenly, Naruto disappeared from where he was supposed to be beside Iruka, and then a fist grew larger in Mizuki's field of vision. Following that, he felt intense pain in his cheek as his teeth were knocked out.

"What are you blabbering about, calling my friend a monster?!"

Naruto pulled back his fist, furiously shouting at Mizuki.

"Uh, uh, Naruto, you know that the Nine-Tails is inside you?"

Iruka was in a panic. He wasn't a Jinchuriki, so he didn't know that Naruto could communicate with the Nine-Tails. Judging from Naruto's obedient behavior, it seemed that they had a good relationship, which was not right. The script was wrong. Iruka panicked internally.

"Yeah, I know. He is my best friend. No one can insult him."

That's Naruto's character. Even if you call him a monster or garbage to his face, he can respond with a smile. But he absolutely cannot tolerate insults toward his friends.

"Haha, I was worried for no reason. You had Hinata by your side since you were a child. How could you be the Nine-Tails? You are Naruto Uzumaki of Konoha." Iruka smiled.

"Damn it, you damn monster!" Mizuki shouted.

Filled with a tremendous killing intent, Mizuki returned from being knocked away, but Naruto's furious punch knocked out some of his teeth.

"What can a little brat like you do?"

"Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Naruto formed hand seals, and a surge of chakra erupted from his body. The small grove was instantly filled with Naruto's clones, like a pack of wolves engulfing Mizuki.

"Naruto, congratulations on passing. From today, you are a ninja." Iruka whispered with pride.

Iruka's eyes were teary as he saw the mischievous child finally able to stand on his own. The years of being a teacher were not in vain. Saying that, he untied the headband from his forehead and handed it to Naruto.

"That's great! I'm one step closer to becoming Hokage!"

"Always thinking about becoming Hokage isn't good. Cough, if possible, take me to the hospital before celebrating."

"Iruka-sensei!!!"

...

"Nine-Tails, is what Mizuki-sensei said true?" Naruto's serious voice echoed within the sealing space.

"What do you mean?"

"Did you really attack the village and want to destroy Konoha?"

"That's my true nature. Fierce and brutal. If I have a fondness for slaughter, what would you do?"

The Nine-Tails stared at Naruto, hoping to see a hint of dissatisfaction or disgust in his eyes, but there was none. Naruto's gaze remained clear.

"In that case, I can only bear the hatred on your behalf. It doesn't matter anyway. Everyone in the village already thinks I am you."

"...Tch, I was controlled back then. It wasn't my intention to attack Konoha."

"I knew it! Nine-Tails, you don't really seem like a bad person."

"You little brat! I'm tired. I don't want to see you." The Nine-Tails chased Naruto out of the sealing space. If things continued like this, he would eventually be influenced by this brat.

"Hehe, Nine-Tails, are you feeling shy? The things Naruto said were really touching."

Suddenly, Minato appeared. He had witnessed Naruto getting angry and hitting the traitorous Chunin. Being connected to the Nine-Tails through their chakra, he could somewhat sense its emotions. His expression, which was usually deserving of a beating, had turned into °ω°.

"You bastard!" The Nine-Tails was furious. It used its tails to fiercely slam Minato onto the ground.

1 hit

2 hits

3 hits

Countless hits later, the Nine-Tails finally stopped after Minato surrendered.

"That child has finally become an outstanding ninja. Kushina, our child has become an excellent ninja." Miniato teared up with pride.

"Alright, stop crying." Nine-Tails sighed.

Whether it was due to lacking a physical body or not, Minato's emotions always fluctuated greatly. At this moment, he started crying again while watching Naruto's exceptional performance, driving the Nine-Tails almost crazy.

"Kushina, I miss you."

The Nine-Tails began to reminisce about the days when it resided within Kushina. At least it didn't have to deal with this idiotic father and son, which gave it a massive headache.