The air in the Academy classroom hung thick with tension, heavier than any genjutsu. Today was the graduation exam, the final hurdle that separated hopeful students from aspiring shinobi. My stomach churned, a familiar mix of anxiety and calculated anticipation. The practical portion, the dreaded Clone Jutsu, was the ultimate test. For most, it was a measure of raw chakra control; for me, it was an exercise in meticulous deception.
I watched as student after student entered the examination room, a small, enclosed space at the front of the classroom, separated by a screen. Whispers would erupt as each emerged, some beaming, others dejected. Naruto, a bundle of nervous energy, paced like a caged tiger. Sasuke sat perfectly still, radiating an aura of calm, almost arrogant confidence. Sakura, ever diligent, reviewed her notes one last time, her lips moving silently.
My turn was approaching. I felt the low hum of the Evolution System within my mind, a constant reminder of the mission: Pass the Academy Graduation Exam without revealing your true abilities. The reward of 30 EP and Genin Rank Confirmation was tantalizing, but the true prize was the gateway this exam represented.
"Uzumaki Naruto!" Iruka-sensei's voice boomed.
Naruto, eyes wide with a mixture of fear and bravado, practically stumbled into the room. A few minutes later, the screen shook faintly, followed by a defeated groan that was unmistakably his. He emerged, head down, shoulders slumped. Iruka-sensei looked genuinely pained, while Mizuki-sensei offered a dismissive shake of his head. My heart went out to Naruto; I knew the sting of this particular failure. It was the moment that set him on his desperate, transformative path.
"Uchiha Sasuke!"
Sasuke walked in with his usual quiet dignity. There was no shaking, no sound, just a brief silence. When he emerged, his expression was unchanged, but Iruka-sensei had a proud smile, and a few female classmates sighed audibly. He had undoubtedly produced a flawless clone. He glanced briefly at Naruto, a flicker of something unreadable in his dark eyes, before returning to his seat.
"Uchiha Namekaze!"
My name. My breath hitched, a faint tremor running through my small frame. This was it. I walked into the room, my steps measured, my face a carefully constructed mask of quiet determination. Iruka-sensei sat at a small desk, a clipboard in hand, his eyes kind. Mizuki-sensei was beside him, his unsettling smile firmly in place.
"Alright, Namekaze," Iruka-sensei said gently. "The Clone Jutsu. Take your time."
I nodded, taking a deep breath. I went through the hand seals. They were fluid, instinctual now, thanks to countless nights of practice. I began molding my chakra, consciously introducing imperfections. I visualized a clone, not of solid flesh, but of shimmering water, indistinct and wavering. It was a strange sensation, trying to intentionally botch something I was technically capable of.
"Clone Jutsu!"
A faint shimmer appeared beside me, coalescing into a transparent, ghostly figure. It was me, but blurred, almost as if seen through a heat haze. It wobbled slightly, and its form was subtly indistinct, lacking true solidity. It was clearly a clone, not a puff of smoke, but it was far from perfect. It was exactly what I had aimed for: passable, but unremarkable.
Iruka-sensei leaned forward, scrutinizing the ethereal form. A small nod of approval. "Good, Namekaze. It's a bit... indistinct, but it's a functioning clone. You pass." He made a note on his clipboard.
My heart surged with relief. I had done it. Mizuki-sensei, however, merely hummed, his smile widening slightly. His gaze felt like a physical touch, piercing, analytical. He knew. Or at least, he suspected. I kept my expression bland, a small, relieved smile on my face.
"Thank you, Iruka-sensei," I said, bowing slightly. As I left the room, I could feel Mizuki's eyes on my back, a shadow lengthening.
The results were announced later that day. Iruka-sensei stood before us, a stack of freshly printed headbands on his desk. My name was called. I walked forward, accepting the dark blue cloth headband with the Konoha leaf symbol. It felt heavier than it looked, a tangible representation of my new status. I tied it carefully around my forehead, the metal plate cool against my skin. I was a Genin.
Mission Objective Complete: Graduation Test. You have been awarded 30 EP. Current EP: 85. Rank Unlocked: Genin.
The System's notification felt more significant than any congratulatory words. I had passed. I was officially a part of the shinobi world.
The atmosphere in the classroom was a mix of joyous celebration and quiet disappointment. Naruto sat alone, his head down, clutching his failed test. My heart ached for him, knowing the depth of his desire. Sakura, radiant with her new headband, went to sit near Sasuke, who simply wore his own with the same detached air.
Then came the team announcements. My focus sharpened, my pulse quickening.
"Team 7," Iruka-sensei announced, scanning his list. "Haruno Sakura... Uzumaki Naruto... Uchiha Sasuke. Your jonin leader will be Hatake Kakashi."
A collective gasp swept through the room. Sakura shrieked with joy, instantly forgetting her disappointment for Naruto. Naruto, initially dejected, bolted upright, disbelief warring with elation. Sasuke remained impassive, but even he couldn't hide a faint widening of his eyes. Team 7. The legendary team. My core objective, Sasuke, was right there.
"Team 8," Iruka-sensei continued, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "Inuzuka Kiba, Hyūga Hinata, Aburame Shino. Your jonin leader is Yuhi Kurenai."
I barely registered the others. My fate was still unannounced. I knew I wouldn't be on Team 7; it was already set in stone.
"Team 10," Iruka-sensei said. "Akimichi Choji, Nara Shikamaru, Yamanaka Ino. Your jonin leader is Sarutobi Asuma."
My name hadn't been called. Was I left out? Just as a wave of anxiety began to crest, Iruka-sensei cleared his throat, his gaze landing on me.
"And for our final team, Namekaze," he began, "you will be placed on Team 11, along with... Hayashi Akio, and Yamada Ren. Your jonin leader will be Maito Gai."
Team 11. Akio was the average, slightly clumsy boy I'd been paired with during the scavenger hunt. Ren was a quiet, unassuming girl. And Maito Gai... the Green Beast. This was an unexpected twist. My heart sank slightly. I wanted to be on Team 7, to directly influence Sasuke, to be close to Naruto and Sakura. This felt like a detour. But then, a thought surfaced: Gai-sensei's taijutsu expertise could be invaluable for my own physical evolution. And being away from the direct scrutiny of Kakashi or the immediate chaos of Team 7 might actually be beneficial for maintaining my secrets.
I nodded, accepting my fate. This was the first true divergence from the canon I knew. My path was truly unknown now.
The Academy was dismissed, and students scattered, eager to celebrate. I lingered, watching Team 7 gather. Sakura, beaming; Naruto, practically vibrating with excitement; Sasuke, still aloof, but with a barely perceptible softening of his expression. They were the stars, destined for greatness. And I was... a supporting character, at best. But my role was no less critical.
As I turned to leave, a hand landed on my shoulder. It was Mizuki-sensei. His smile was wider than usual, his eyes glinting with a predatory intelligence.
"Congratulations, Namekaze," he purred, his voice low, almost conspiratorial. "You've proven quite the resourceful one. A hidden talent, indeed."
I met his gaze, my face carefully neutral. "Thank you, Sensei."
"Tell me," he continued, his grip tightening subtly on my shoulder. "That Clone Jutsu... it was quite... unique. Not quite perfect, not quite a failure. A rare display of control, to be so precisely imperfect." His voice dropped to a whisper. "The Uchiha were known for their mastery, yes, but also for their... potential. Some secrets are best kept, wouldn't you agree? But some secrets... some secrets can also be shared, if one finds the right partner."
He leaned in closer, his breath warm on my ear. "There are texts, forbidden scrolls, that speak of true power, Namekaze. Power that goes beyond mere village teachings. Power that could truly honor your clan's legacy, make them unforgettable. Are you truly content with being just another Genin, with just an 'indistinct' clone?"
My mind raced. He was testing me. He was offering a temptation, clearly believing I possessed hidden abilities beyond my facade. He knew something was off. My fear was real, but so was my strategic mind. This was the snake, dangling the apple.
I pulled back slightly, feigning a child's discomfort. "I... I don't understand, Sensei. I just tried my best." I looked around, as if worried someone would overhear. "I'm just glad to be a Genin."
Mizuki chuckled, a dry, humorless sound. He released my shoulder. "Of course. Just something to think about, little Uchiha. A rising star should always consider all paths to greatness. The village... sometimes it holds people back." He walked away, melting into the throng of students, leaving me with a chill that had nothing to do with the evening breeze.
The System chimed, a new mission immediately popping up.
New Mission Unlocked: Serpent's Deception Objective: Identify Mizuki's true intentions and gather information on his clandestine activities. Avoid being drawn into his schemes. Reward: 50 EP, Stealth (Skill Points), Intelligence (Skill Points). Status: Pending.
This was no longer just about blending in or training in secret. Mizuki was a direct threat, a predatory presence. His offer, his suspicion, it all pointed to the early stages of his betrayal of Konoha. He was looking for pawns, and he saw something in me.
I stood there for a long moment, the Konoha headband a new weight on my forehead. Genin. The word felt different now. It wasn't just a rank; it was an entry into a world far more complex and dangerous than the Academy. My team was unexpected. Mizuki was a looming threat. But my resolve remained unwavering. I was Uchiha Namekaze, the forgotten Uchiha, and my evolution was just beginning. The path to saving Sasuke, to confronting Madara, to rewriting fate, had just gotten a whole lot more complicated. The shadows of Konoha held more than just secrets; they held direct threats, and I had to be ready.
End of chapter 13