"Kurama, the way your chakra flows through my body… it actually feels kind of nice."
With fox-like eyes gazing up at the sky, Naruto wore a look of utter bliss, completely lost in the sensation.
"Hmph, brat, you really know how to enjoy life," came Kurama's deep, slightly raspy voice in Naruto's mind.
"Of course! The graduation exam at the Ninja Academy is coming up. If I don't enjoy life now, then when will I?"
Naruto took in a deep breath of the crisp morning air, stretching lazily.
"Sigh… I envy you," Kurama said with a hint of melancholy.
"What's this? Want to see the world in all its color again? Don't worry, leave it to me!"
Naruto thumped his chest confidently.
"Heh, brat, I've always believed in you." Kurama's tone carried a trace of longing. "I really want to get out of here soon… it's so dark inside."
"Hey now, don't we have a light in there?"
Naruto's mocking voice echoed in his head.
"That dim thing? What good is it? I'm telling you, brat, when are you going to upgrade my living conditions? I'm in a basement and locked in a cell, no less."
Kurama couldn't hold back his complaints.
"Not like I had a choice in the matter," Naruto grumbled. "You should be grateful you've even got a place to stay. Beggars can't be choosy."
"Keep that up and I'll get angry, brat."
Kurama's tone turned irritated.
"Alright, alright, my bad. I'll think of a way to get you out of there soon."
Naruto stood up, exasperated. "But first, I've gotta get going or I'll be late for the exam."
He quickly cut off the mental link with Kurama and dashed off toward the academy.
Kurama had always been short-tempered. Naruto still remembered the last time he made fun of him, saying he'd die a bachelor. Kurama had nearly gone berserk, triggering a partial transformation that caused Naruto to sprout four tails and almost blow up the house.
From that day on, whenever Kurama started to lose it, Naruto would sever their connection, because who knew what that lunatic would do next?
"After today's exam, I should finally get my hands on the Scroll of Seals, right? Heh… I can't wait."
Rubbing his hands together in excitement, Naruto fantasized about learning powerful jutsu.
"I wasn't born into this world, but now… I'll become its Sensei!"
Wearing a short-sleeved white shirt with a yellow spiral symbol on the chest, six-year-old Naruto raised one finger to the sky. That day, he made a vow.
…
"Phew… the Ninja Academy. Finally made it."
He looked up at the massive Konoha symbol on the building's roof, adjusted his goggles, and stepped inside.
Familiar with the place, Naruto quickly made his way to the exam waiting area, a classroom now packed with students. Glancing around, he let out a quiet sigh.
"I really want to pass, but… there's no way I'm getting through the Clone Jutsu section. Oh well, as long as I get the Scroll of Seals, that's all that matters."
He comforted himself and settled in to wait for the exam to start.
….
"This year's test will be the Clone Jutsu. All students, line up and wait at the door."
A Chūnin emerged from one of the rooms and announced to the gathered children.
"Called it… Clone Jutsu again…"
Naruto let out a frustrated breath, then his eyes began to dart around mischievously. "No beauties, but there should be some cuties, right?"
"Huh? Sakura?"
His eyes lit up. Stretching his neck, he ogled unabashedly. "Man, even at this age, she's already got such a nice figure... not bad at all."
"Alright, alright, I'll stop messing with you. For now."
Just thinking about Sakura's terrifying temper sent shivers down his spine. Besides, there were way too many people around, starting a fight here wouldn't end well.
"If I touched her… or even kissed her…"
Naruto swallowed hard. "She'd probably destroy the whole place."
"Yeah, yeah. Better find a new target. Smart move."
Naruto praised himself inwardly and resumed his shameless scanning.
"Hmm… let's see…"
He murmured, eyes darting again. "Hinata? Heh, now this should be easy."
But just as he took a step forward, Naruto froze in place.
"What if she faints?"
A horrifyingly real possibility dawned on him, 100% likelihood.
"Ugh… seriously…"
He smacked himself in the face, frustrated enough to spit blood. "Finally got the perfect chance... the mood, the setting… and I blew it."
"Next up, Uzumaki Naruto!"
It was the same Chūnin as before, calling his name.
Naruto shot him a deadly glare before dragging his feet into the exam room.
"Damn it… this is going to be a black mark on my life the size of a millstone..."
…
"Uzumaki Naruto, please demonstrate the Clone Jutsu."
Mizuki gave him a "friendly" look and motioned for him to begin.
"Heh, stupid fox. One day I'll beat you until flowers bloom all over your ugly face."
Naruto shot Mizuki a dirty look. Trying to use me, huh? Not happening.
"Okay."
He nodded obediently and dropped into an unsteady stance, forming the Clone Jutsu hand sign. He focused so hard his whole body trembled.
But the effort wasn't for extracting chakra, it was to disrupt it.
After all, how else could Naruto summon a clone so pitiful it'd make gods weep and Buddhas cringe?
Poof!
To the outside observers like Iruka and Mizuki, it looked like Naruto had poured everything he had into forming just one clone.
The result, though…
"Failed," Iruka said, shaking his head regretfully.
"Huh?"
Naruto acted as if he were completely heartbroken.
"Come on, Iruka. Let him pass," Mizuki said with a sly smile. "He technically made a clone, didn't he?"
Watching Naruto's devastated look, Mizuki's "fox tail" practically wagged with excitement. His eyes gleamed in a way that made Naruto's skin crawl.
You perv… don't look at me like that! Naruto mentally stuffed Mizuki into a dark corner of shame.
"Mizuki, don't make excuses. Look at that clone, what use would it be in real combat?"
Iruka shook his head again. "Naruto, I'm sorry. You can't pass this time."
"...Got it."
Naruto nodded dejectedly and trudged toward the door.
"Naruto..."
Watching that small, slumped back, Iruka's eyes stung a little.
As the sun began to set, the warm golden light bathed Naruto's hair, making it gleam even brighter.
…
"Still upset about earlier?" Mizuki came and sat beside Naruto. "Iruka really was looking out for you."
"Then why didn't he let me graduate?"
Naruto asked, voice full of "disappointment."
"Do you really want to graduate that badly?"
There was a strange glint in Mizuki's eyes.
There it is. The fox tail shows at last, Naruto thought with an inward smirk, but on the surface he gave an eager nod.
"I'll tell you a way."
Mizuki leaned in and whispered the plan.
"Sensei… you mean… if I steal the Scroll of Seals, I can graduate?"
Naruto's voice brimmed with hope.
"Exactly."
Mizuki nodded firmly.
"Alright then. I'll go get it."
Naruto stood up, brushing the dust from his pants.
"Good. I'll wait for you at the village gate. Be quick."
Mizuki gave him an approving nod before heading off.
"Wait for me? Heh… can't wait to get your ass kicked, huh?"
Naruto grinned wickedly as he darted across the rooftops, shadows flickering beneath his feet.