Graduation Exam

- 3rd Person Pov -

That night, The moon hung high in the sky as the small Ichiraku ramen shop was lit up in a timely fashion. 

Naruko took a bit of ramen into her mouth with her chopsticks.

"Naruko,"

"Hmm," She hummed as she continued slurping on her ramen.

"Why would you do that to the Hokage faces? I mean you know who the Hokage are right?" Iruka asked.

"Of course I do," Naruko replied as she dropped her chopsticks and looked at Iruka, her blond curls banging against her head.

"Everybody knows, They were the greatest Shinobi of their time right? The best of the best, Undefeated Ninja champions... and the Fourth Hokage, He was the most amazing," Naruko said.

"Then why did you..." Iruka was interrupted by Naruko's answer.

"Because I am going to be greater than any of them, Me, Naruko, The next hokage," She said, pointing her chopsticks at Iruka, "A Ninja legend, so that everyone will stop disrespecting me and look up to me, believe it,"

"And uhh... by the way, I kind of want to ask a little favor, sensei," Naruko said, all-smiles at Iruka.

"You want another bowl?" Iruka asked.

"No, I want to try on your headband, Come on please," Naruko pleaded, her blue eyes wide.

"Oh- this, No way, You can only wear the Leaf headband when you finally graduate the academy and become a Ninja, and for that, You have to pass the test tomorrow," Iruka said while touching his headband.

"That is so uncool," Naruko put in, she was pouting now.

"Hehehe, Is that why you took off your goggles?" Iruka asked.

"Uhh- I want another bowl!" Naruko exclaimed.

…

Naruko was walking home now, Her eyes glued to the ground as people kept avoiding her once again, something she was used to. Normal people weren't supposed to be used to it but what could she say, She was used to it.

"Hey," She suddenly heard a voice so familiar call out but thinking it was to another person, She continued walking.

"Naruko," The voice said, "I want to talk," 

Naruko turned her head and saw the black haired Uchiha staring at her, his gray eyes piercing her blue eyes.

"What do you want?" Naruko asked, she was a bit excited although she didn't want to show it, Someone was finally talking to her.

"About the Academy exams tomorrow," Kai said.

"Oh- I see where this is going now, Since I wrote the theory exams three times in a row, You want to ask me for some questions for revision well I don't know-" Naruko said, her hopes had been dashed but she was interrupted by the boy.

"No," Kai said, "You're bad at the cloning jutsu, Naruko and without that cloning jutsu, You will fail once again,"

"I know, What do you want me to do?" Naruko asked.

"I want to teach you," Kai replied.

…

This is a basic technique that every shinobi can use. In fact, Konohagakure's Ninja Academy prevents students from graduating unless they master this technique, it was for this reason that failed three exams in a row. For this technique, users create one or more afterimages of themselves to move alongside them. Unlike most other clone techniques, these afterimages have no substance and thus are incapable of damaging opponents. Because of this, it is only useful for distracting enemies while other attacks are prepared.

Kai honestly wanted to teach her the Shadow Clone Jutsu but it wouldn't be helpful in the Graduation exam and he decided to let fate take it's course. He was here in this world and since some characters were gender blended, He might as well alter the fates of the ones he could alter.

The backyard of the Uzumaki heiress would suffice for the training and Kai knew that. It wasn't a hard technique, No it was a very simple technique and she knew it too but her control over her chakra was trash so she couldn't perform it.

"Alright, Let's see, First to perform the Doppelganger technique, Focus some chakra into your hand, don't overdo it or it'll end up like a lifeless clone," Kai instructed to Naruko who had sweat running down her face.

"Umm," Naruko mumbled and made a handsign, focusing her chakra into her hands.

"Calm down and let the chakra flow freely," Kai instructed and a low groan left Naruko's throat as she focused more Chakra.

…

It was Naruko's tenth time doing it and she hadn't gotten it right, Her eyes glued to the ground as a slight red painted her cheeks, She was embarassed.

"Umm, You don't have to stay here, I'm just a waste anyway," Naruko said, gritting her teeth, "You tried to help me but I don't get why I can't do it,"

A female Naruto was a lot calmer and more reasonable than a Male Naruto and Kai liked that.

"Try again," Kai said, his palm touching her shoulder, "Whenever you fall, You stand up and try again. That's what a Ninja does, No matter the cost, Don't ever give up,"

'Ugh, Now I sound like one of those gurus from anime,' Kai thought.

"So don't mope around, Try harder and you'll be able to do it," Kai said, "I believe in you,"

Naruko stared at his eyes.

"You believe in me?"

"Yes, of course I do," Kai said with a smile.

…

The sun was high in the sky as the Academy was eerily silent, The Final years were taking their exams and the other classes were listening intently, Sounds of the clicking of pens echoed through the halls of the Ninja Academy as Iruka stared at the class with a list in his hand.

"We will now start the Final exam," Iruka announced, "When your name is called, Proceed to Mizuki-sensei to submit your Examination paper, Your final test will be on... the clone jutsu,"

Naruko smiled inwardly, Her training with Kai had let her master the Clone Jutsu... She could finally graduate and it was all thanks to a single boy that had spent his night helping her.

'I wonder if we're friends,' Naruko thought, her face exhibiting a bright red glow.

-

Author's Note:

Second chapter done, Proceed to the 'Author's Note' chapter to get a picture of Naruko.