Chapter 39: Spiritual Qi? Power of Nature!
The two of them stood very close, and Franklin spoke directly. "Now that you've seen it, you should understand why I want the two of you to get along. If you brothers unite, you'll absolutely become invincible in the ninja world."
The moment that familiar voice rang out, Sasuke's expression changed. With the power of his three-tomoe Sharingan, he quickly noticed something subtly off about Naruto's shadow.
"Stop staring. Put those eyes away. Didn't I already tell you to learn how to hide them? Do you actually have a death wish?"
"Sorry. I'll be more careful."
Seeing the usually aloof Sasuke bow and apologize to his shadow left Naruto rather surprised.
"You know Big Brother Lin too? So, Big Brother Lin, you've been hiding in my shadow all this time?"
Franklin didn't bother to deny it. He admitted frankly, "That's right. After all, I did sneak into Konoha. Without some special method, I'd be found in no time. Anyway, stop just standing here. All your classmates are staring at you two."
Franklin's words worked. The two of them started walking side by side toward the academy. On the way, Naruto asked, puzzled, "Big Brother, what did you mean by what you said just now?"
Franklin made no attempt to hide anything.
"It's nothing. I just want the two of you to unite and learn how to conceal yourselves. If you don't trust my words but still want to know the truth, then get stronger — and find it yourselves."
"Big Brother, it's not that I don't trust you, I just—"
Franklin cut him off. "Enough with the useless excuses. It's your life — you make the choices. I told you all that just because I was sick of watching you be deceived. If you like living this way, I've got no reason to interfere."
Naruto fell silent, while Sasuke simply listened quietly beside him.
As soon as the two of them entered the classroom, all eyes turned toward them. Sasuke's obviously swollen cheek immediately set off a roar of laughter from their classmates.
"Sasuke, what happened to your face?"
Sakura Haruno rushed over first, but the two of them fell into deep thought and ignored her completely. Yamanaka Ino, who had also planned to approach, sensibly backed off and sat down.
Sakura seemed used to being ignored like this. At that moment, Iruka walked in carrying a clipboard.
"Since everyone's here, we'll begin the exam. Today's graduation test is the Clone Jutsu. If you pass, you'll receive a Konoha forehead protector — proof that you're now a ninja capable of handling missions independently…"
Iruka's voice snapped the two boys back to attention. Naruto's face instantly fell — clone techniques were something he was notoriously bad at.
"I'm done for. I'm done for. My clone jutsu is the worst. Big Brother Lin, can you help me? I really don't want to fail."
For that kind of request, Franklin was powerless. Their cultivation paths were completely different — how could he help?
But as he thought deeper, he wondered: wasn't the spiritual energy he cultivated also a type of natural power? If so, could he perhaps use spiritual energy to perform the senjutsu or ninjutsu of this world?
Could the hand seals and internal energy flow he used for the Five Element Techniques be substituted with this world's seals and their chakra circulation method?
He decided to test it immediately. At his true body's location, recalling the flow of Naruto's chakra from yesterday's Sexy Jutsu, Franklin steadied his mind, formed hand seals, and circulated his spiritual energy in a specific pattern.
He pictured Lala's image in his mind. In the next moment, Franklin felt spiritual energy surge across his body. As a strange sensation spread, his divine sense scanned himself.
He discovered that the spiritual energy enveloping his body had concealed his real form, transforming into a highly realistic illusion — a projection of Lala's appearance. Anyone with a bit of cultivation would see through it instantly, but it felt completely different from Naruto's transformation technique. Still, it was good progress — enough to confirm he was on the right track — and Franklin's mind started spinning with new ideas.
As for Naruto's plea for help, Franklin refused without hesitation.
"No cheating during exams. Just do your best. Whether you pass or not doesn't matter. I promise you this — after today, your Shadow Clone Jutsu will absolutely surpass everyone else's."
"Really?!"
"Really."
Naruto jumped up in excitement, immediately drawing Iruka's attention.
"Sasuke, what happened to your face? How did it swell like that? Do you need a medical-nin to treat it?"
Sasuke maintained his cold, aloof demeanor. "Sorry, Sensei. I did it by accident and haven't had time to treat it. I'll take care of it after class."
"Up to you. Naruto, behave yourself. If you fail the exam, you won't graduate."
Naruto's face fell again. As one classmate after another passed the test, it was finally his turn. And just as Franklin remembered, he produced a lumpy, pale-white humanoid blob.
"Naruto, you fail."
At Iruka's words, Naruto could only hang his head in dejection.
"I think Naruto did pretty well. He's very determined and works hard. Maybe we should let him pass," Mizuki offered kindly.
Naruto was a little surprised by Mizuki's words, and they instantly lifted his spirits.
"No. Everyone else managed to create at least two usable clones. He produced only one — and it's useless. I can't pass him like that."
The result left Naruto disappointed and a little angry, but the outcome clearly wasn't his to decide.
"Frustrated? Do you think Iruka should have passed you?"
Naruto nodded slightly, then shook his head. "I did think that, but I know it's wrong. Failing is my fault. Iruka-sensei did the right thing."
Outside the school building, the training grounds were crowded with parents. Many of Naruto's peers now wore forehead protectors, proudly showing them off as their parents showered them with praise.
Seeing this crushed Naruto's mood completely. He walked over to the spot where Franklin had been hiding earlier — where a lone swing hung from a tree.
Sitting on the swing by himself, Naruto looked like the very picture of isolation, a sharp contrast to the joyful family reunions around him. Harsh, cutting remarks drifted into the ears of both Naruto and Franklin, deepening Naruto's sadness.
"Hurts, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, it hurts."
"I can't do anything about that. What's done is done — you can't change it. All you can do now is look ahead. If that's not enough, you could always grow stronger, wipe out the village, and see if that eases your resentment."
A strange surge of emotion rose in Naruto's chest, but he quickly came to his senses. "Big Brother… do you always have to go straight to the extreme?"
"Maybe a little. Then just get stronger. Anyone who ever insulted you — make them pay. And anyone who dares bully you — crush them."
Naruto seemed to be lost in a vision of the future, and his expression gradually brightened.
"That actually sounds like a good idea."
"So, what have you decided to do?"
After a moment of silence, Naruto answered, "I'm going to become Hokage."
Franklin was speechless. Just one step away, and yet he never seemed to take it. Was Naruto becoming Hokage some inevitable point in this world's fate?
"Do as you like. It's your life — your choice. Come on, let's go. The longer you watch these happy families, the more it's going to hurt."
Naruto hesitated, wanting to say something, but in the end, he stayed silent. Just as he got up to leave, Mizuki appeared beside him. When Naruto saw who it was, he quickly forced himself back into his earlier depressed state.
"Hurts, doesn't it?"
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