Naruto's sudden change made Sakura feel strangely unsettled.
It was as if something she had grown used to had suddenly disappeared.
She couldn't quite tell whether she felt relieved—or faintly disappointed.
...
Meanwhile, Naruto sat at his desk and turned his gaze toward the window.
He knew exactly what would happen next.
Iruka would walk in, announce the graduation exam, then call students one by one to the neighboring classroom for the Clone Jutsu test.
Naruto's plan was simple.
Just like in his first life—fail the exam.
Not because of incompetence.
But deliberately.
Everything had to follow the familiar script—until Mizuki approached him and revealed the existence of the Scroll of Seals.
And this time, Naruto intended to extract something different from Mizuki.
At the back of the classroom, Sasuke rested his chin on his interlocked fingers, staring at Naruto's back.
He was still thinking about last night's brief conversation.
The way Naruto spoke.
The way he looked at people.
There was a steadiness there that wasn't new—and definitely wasn't fake.
Sasuke desperately wanted to become stronger.
And the power Naruto had displayed made him see a possibility.
But his pride wouldn't allow him to ask again.
He had already swallowed his pride once.
Naruto could feel the gaze on his back.
But he didn't turn around.
Because the new goal he had set last night—breaking the Caged Bird Seal of Hyūga Neji, perhaps even reforming the Hyūga clan's system—had already begun to occupy his thoughts.
In one previous loop, Naruto had studied the Caged Bird Seal.
He had learned how to apply it.
But not how to remove it.
After confirming it had no effect on breaking the time loop, he had abandoned the research.
Last night, he revisited that knowledge.
It was tricky.
But not impossible.
Soon, the classroom door slid open.
Iruka walked in with a list in hand. His gaze swept across the room—and lingered slightly longer on Naruto.
"The graduation exam begins now," Iruka announced. "When I call your name, proceed to the next classroom for the Clone Jutsu test. First—Uchiha Sasuke."
Sasuke stood and walked out without expression.
Sakura, Ino, and several girls whispered encouragements.
Naruto waited quietly.
He knew it wouldn't be long before his name was called.
In his first life, his failure had spread through the entire grade within minutes.
But this time—
Naruto wouldn't care about the stares or the whispers.
One by one, students returned.
Most excited.
Some dejected.
Hinata left with a red face—and returned with a shy smile.
She had clearly passed.
Naruto counted silently.
His turn was next.
"Uzumaki Naruto."
Iruka's voice from the doorway carried a hint of complexity.
Naruto stood and walked forward.
As he passed Iruka, he gave him a calm smile.
"Don't be nervous, Naruto," Iruka couldn't help saying. "Based on how you've performed these past two days, I believe you can pass."
"I know, Iruka-sensei."
Naruto replied softly and entered the testing room.
He knew he would fail.
But this time—
His failure would be the beginning of something new.
---
The room was cleared in the center.
Across from him stood a small table stacked with brand-new Konoha forehead protectors.
Behind it were two chairs.
Mizuki was already seated in one, wearing his usual overly friendly smile.
Iruka entered behind Naruto and took the other seat, far more serious.
"Exam topic: Clone Jutsu!"
Iruka declared, his gaze holding both encouragement and concern.
Naruto wasn't surprised.
He formed a hand sign casually and called out:
"Clone Jutsu!"
Puff!
A cloud of smoke appeared.
When it cleared, a limp, pale-faced clone slumped awkwardly beside him, eyes rolled back and posture unstable.
Naruto couldn't help but inwardly sigh.
Intentionally controlling his chakra to create such a poor clone required more finesse than producing a perfect Shadow Clone.
In his first life, the clone had been lying flat on the ground, hadn't it?
No matter.
The result was the same.
"…This…"
Iruka stared at the clone, unable to speak for a moment. Confusion and disappointment filled his eyes.
How could Naruto, who had performed so impressively yesterday—fail at such a basic jutsu?
Iruka let out a long sigh.
Then hardened his heart.
"Fail!"
Naruto lowered his gaze.
He didn't argue.
He didn't protest or throw a tantrum like he once had.
He simply stood there quietly.
The abnormal calm unsettled both teachers—but each had their own thoughts and did not dwell on it.
Mizuki stepped in smoothly, playing the mediator.
"Iruka, come on. He at least produced one clone. Why not let him pass?"
"No!"
Iruka's tone was firm.
"Everyone else can produce at least two proper clones! Naruto's current level is incomplete. On a real mission, he'd lose his life!"
Mizuki's eyes flickered with satisfaction.
This was exactly what he wanted Naruto to see—Iruka's harshness and his own apparent kindness.
Turning to Naruto, Mizuki sighed with false sympathy.
"See, Naruto? It's not that I don't want to help you. Rules are rules."
Naruto allowed a trace of appropriate disappointment to surface.
"I'm sorry for disappointing you both. I'll work harder next time."
He bowed slightly and left.
Iruka watched his retreating figure, heart heavy—but restrained himself from calling out.
He believed this strictness was for Naruto's own safety.
The battlefield would not show mercy.
Ninjas died.
That was reality.
...
Naruto walked alone out of the school building.
He hadn't gone far before Inuzuka Kiba's loud voice rang out.
"Hey, Naruto! How'd it go? You passed, right?"
Kiba jogged over and slapped Naruto's shoulder.
The shout drew attention.
Sakura.
Hinata.
Shikamaru.
And Sasuke, who had clearly been waiting nearby.
Naruto replied calmly,
"Sorry. I failed. The Clone Jutsu is the one I'm worst at."
Then he quickened his pace and walked away.
Everyone froze.
Naruto, who had excelled in Transformation Jutsu and shuriken throwing yesterday, who had even defeated Sasuke—
Failed the Clone Jutsu?
Didn't graduate?
Kiba's face was filled with disbelief.
Shikamaru's lazy eyes sharpened slightly.
He noticed something strange.
Naruto's tone lacked real frustration.
That was… suspicious.
But there wasn't enough information.
So he merely found it odd—and let it go.