With Senju Haruto subtly pulling the strings, Kakashi quickly became the jonin in charge of Team 7.
As for the Ninja Academy, under direct orders from the Third Hokage, Iruka administered a private test for Naruto. The content was the same as the other students: the Clone Jutsu.
In the original timeline, this was Naruto's weakest technique at this stage. In order to graduate and become a Leaf genin, he had even fallen prey to Mizuki's deception, sneaking into Hiruzen Sarutobi's home to steal the Forbidden Scroll.
But things were very different now. Naruto was no longer the same as before. Not only could he perform the Shadow Clone Jutsu, he could easily unleash the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu as well.
"Iruka-sensei, watch closely! This is the result of my training!"
Seeing Iruka again, Naruto was brimming with excitement. He couldn't wait to show off, hoping his teacher would finally see him in a new light.
"Then let's begin," Iruka said, locating Naruto's name on the roster. His heart was full of expectation.
Though his time as Naruto's teacher had been brief, and though at first he had carried certain prejudices against him, Iruka had matured greatly since then. If he had the chance to do it over, he would treat Naruto differently—better.
A part of him still believed that night when Naruto nearly lost control and transformed into the Nine-Tails, only to be taken away by the Third Hokage, had been partly his fault. If he had cared more about Naruto's feelings back then… perhaps things would not have turned out that way.
As he looked at Naruto now, his heart was full of mixed emotions.
With Iruka's permission, Naruto immediately formed the hand seals and unleashed the Shadow Clone Jutsu. In an instant, more than ten clones appeared around him.
"This is…?!"
Iruka shot up from his chair, eyes wide in shock.
These weren't the flimsy, illusory clones used for distraction. Every single one of Naruto's clones was solid, fully physical. And he had made more than ten in an instant!
Since when did Naruto learn such an advanced technique?
Iruka's throat tightened. He was stunned beyond belief. After all, Naruto's weakest subject had always been clone techniques.
"Well? What do you think, Iruka-sensei? I'm way better than Sasuke now, right?"
Naruto grinned proudly, dispelling his clones one by one. And that wasn't even his limit—he had only summoned ten because the classroom was too small.
Besides, Iruka had said before that making just two clones was enough to pass the test and graduate.
"Y-Yes… yes indeed…"
Iruka hurriedly nodded, still overwhelmed, and picked up the forehead protector he had prepared. He handed it to Naruto.
In truth, Naruto really was more impressive than Sasuke in this moment. But…
Iruka's thoughts flickered back to Sasuke. Ever since Itachi's defection, Sasuke had been deeply affected. His gaze, at times, had grown frighteningly cold. That worried Iruka far more than he liked to admit.
"Um… Naruto."
Iruka shook his head, pulling his mind back to the boy in front of him.
"What is it, Iruka-sensei?"
Naruto looked up as he tied the forehead protector around his head. From today onward, he was officially a Leaf genin.
"Well… to celebrate your graduation, how about I treat you to some ramen?"
Iruka remembered clearly how much Naruto loved ramen. Seeing him graduate filled him with genuine joy, and sharing a meal seemed the perfect way to celebrate.
At the word ramen, Naruto nearly jumped out of his skin with excitement.
Neither of them noticed, however, that outside the classroom, Senju Haruto and Kakashi were quietly watching from the shadows.
"Shadow clones are solid clones created with chakra," Kakashi murmured, his visible eye narrowing in thought. "They require a high level of chakra control, and he made more than ten in one go. Even for a chunin, that would be difficult. In this respect alone, Naruto is already at a jonin's level. Though… in other areas, he's still lacking."
He exhaled deeply, then turned his attention to Haruto.
"Tell me straight—having me lead Team 7… that was your idea, wasn't it, Haruto?"
"Why do you think that?" Haruto asked, his tone calm.
"Because of Naruto," Kakashi replied without hesitation. "He's the village's jinchūriki. You were the one who sent him to Mount Myōboku for training. To you, he must be like a younger brother."
"And Sasuke… with Fugaku and Itachi both being among the rare Uchiha capable of awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan, his own potential can't possibly be low. I've seen his records—he's always been at the top of his class. Not as dazzling as Itachi, perhaps, but undeniably exceptional."
Kakashi paused, then continued, "And you, Haruto… you always view things from the bigger picture. The information you gather is astonishing. If you claim you had no hand in this, I'd find that more unbelievable. But is this really okay? For me to be the one to lead Team 7?"
The truth was, Kakashi believed Team 7 held extraordinary importance for Senju Haruto.
Yet Kakashi had his own strict standards for judging whether graduates were fit to become genin. If he found them unworthy, he wouldn't hesitate to send them back to the Academy.
If Haruto truly had plans for Team 7, Kakashi feared he might disrupt them.
"Listen, Kakashi… I think I understand you better than you understand yourself," Haruto said softly.
"Others might say you're lazy, unmotivated, always showing up late… but in truth, the reason you're late is because of your teammates from the past, isn't it?"
Kakashi froze at the unexpected words. Though he said nothing, his silence was confirmation enough.
"In my eyes, no one values their comrades more than you," Haruto continued. "That's why I want you to pass that belief on to the next generation—to teach them to treasure one another.
If you find Team 7 unworthy, you can send them all back. Whatever decision you make, I'll support you, Kakashi."
Haruto's gaze was steady, full of trust.
But deep down, he knew better than anyone else—Team 7 would definitely pass Kakashi's test.
He was, in a sense, "selling Kakashi a dream," motivating him with trust and lofty ideals, just to make sure he would take on Naruto and the others.
Still, when Kakashi heard Haruto's reasoning, he was stunned.
All this time, he had doubted whether his way of evaluating genin was right.
But Haruto—Haruto had just affirmed it.