Chapter 189: Graduation

"Alright, alright! I get it Naruto, you can make a joke! Now stop it before I hit you."

Glaring at the blonde boy across from me - well, blonde 'girl' across from me - I let out a low sigh and tapped my fingers against the desk, watching as smoke whirled around Naruto's body and allowed him to return to his normal, trickster form.

Gone was the big breasted, wide hipped beauty that he had used as his Henge, allowing me to breathe out calmly before I rapped my fingers along the edge of the desk, staring straight into those 'innocent' blue eyes that struggled to maintain eye contact with me.

"Would you like to take this seriously, or shall I knock some sense into your head again? I want a proper, real Henge, not your joke that will only get dimwitted men and futanari to ogle you with a nose bleed."

Hearing Iruka coughing beside me, I didn't even bother to glance at him as I sighed again, knowing full well that the rather innocent man beside me was likely wiping away at his nose to get rid of the 'evidence'.

Naruto coughed, finally 'breaking' and looking away from me as I continued to stare at him, the young Uzumaki nodding and rubbing his hands together before swiftly forming the three signs for one of the most basic jutsus, smoke bursting from around him.

As it dissipated, I nodded and stared at the man in front of me, my eyes raking over the simplicity of his features as well as the lack of any flaws in the body, even when Naruto began to jump, crouch, twirl and move around, showing me that he could maintain a solid transformation without much issue.

He had come a long way over these years; gone was a bitter, lonely punk vying for attention of any kind who took nothing seriously and believed he could somehow become someone who would have everyones attention.

In his place was a talented, brilliant child who most definitely could become Hokage so long as he kept at it, his abilities and natural genius when it came to seals and trickery being put to use in new ways as he matured.

Physically, he was stronger, adept at controlling his body, adept at controlling his chakra, and rather swift as well, while his mentality had matured and sharpened as he talked and socialized with his peers, all of whom were immensely talented as well.

Bouts of shogi with Shikamaru, spars with Sasuke, studying with Karin and hanging out with Hinata all helped the once lonely and angry boy become someone new, and I was proud as I stared at Naruto in front of me; proud of the promising young man he had become, and proud of myself for being able to help facilitate that change.

"Good. Your time at the Academy is coming to an end, and soon you'll properly begin your journey as a Shinobi. Knowing these skills will be imperative to your future, as they are the foundation that any and every Shinobi inside of Konohagakure utilizes on their many missions. You will learn to build, expand, and fortify that foundation beneath someone else after the Graduation Ceremony; your Jonin Sensei."

Releasing his Henge, Naruto nodded, his expression solemn as he looked between Iruka and I, his blue eyes misting slightly before he grinned, bringing a smile to both of our faces.

"With this, the test is concluded, and I find you..."

Taking a deep breath, I stared at Naruto for a moment, the boy blinking as he leaned forwards a tad, anticipation and anxiety in his eyes as he waited for my next words, only to grin even more as I placed a Hitai-Ate on the table and slid it forwards, saying "Worthy to bear the symbol of Konohagakure as you take your next step as a Shinobi. Wear it with pride, Naruto Uzumaki. From today onwards - unless you commit a crime or are found undeserving of such a symbol - you are a Genin."

I nodded, watching as he dashed forwards and swiped the metal plate from the table, his movements rather quick for his age as he blurred slightly in my vision, tying it around his head and doing his best to ensure it was situated in the middle of his brow.

Chuckling, I stood up and reached forwards, fixing it properly for him before I patted his cheek, adding "I'm proud of you, Naruto. Congratulations."

Iruka stood up as well, the scarred man grinning just as much as Naruto as he said "You did great, Naruto! I knew you had it in you. Always did."

Laughing, Naruto nuzzled into my hand before hugging Iruka, his glee at having accomplished the first part of his dream becoming slightly infectious as we stared at the boy with smiles, though my happiness stemmed from something else as well.

From Genin to Chunin, I would help shape three more Shinobi for Konoha, before setting them free completely and potentially returning to teaching at the Academy... or perhaps, after those years, I would retire and enjoy life with my family as they began to grow?

Either way, this was a new milestone for many people, not just the students who were happily making their way from student to Genin; for the teachers who would become Jonin Sensei, the parents and siblings who got to work alongside their children, the ability to bring honor, wealth and prestige to themselves and their Clans...

So much was happening today, for so many people, and it was joyous for each and every one of us.