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"Then, let's leave the plan like this for now. After all, there's still some time before Konoha's Chunin Exams. If we discuss overly detailed plans now, they might all become useless if any unexpected situations arise," Orochimaru said, looking at Kagaya.
Kagaya nodded. Indeed, it was a bit premature to formulate overly detailed plans now. Setting a general direction was sufficient.
"Alright, I agree with you. So, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now."
"Feel free!"
One month later.
Konoha.
At the Ninja Academy, Iruka stood on the podium, holding a piece of paper, and addressed the students below.
"Now, we will begin the graduation exam. When your name is called, come to the classroom next door. The test for this time is the Clone Technique!"
Upon hearing this, Naruto, who was sitting below, was stunned.
'The Clone Technique? Isn't that the jutsu I'm worst at? Why such bad luck?!'
Although Naruto complained incessantly in his heart, the exam wouldn't change just for him.
"Uzumaki Naruto!"
Soon, Naruto's name was called.
Naruto walked nervously into the adjacent classroom. Upon entering, he noticed the room had no desks or chairs; it was very spacious. Only at the podium was there a large table and two chairs. The table was covered with Konoha forehead protectors, and two people sat on the chairs.
One was Iruka, whom Naruto knew well. The other was a Konoha ninja with white hair. Naruto also recognized this person, though he wasn't very familiar with him. He was another teacher named Mizuki.
After Naruto entered the classroom, neither Iruka nor Mizuki spoke; they just watched Naruto quietly. Naruto knew the exam had already begun.
Despite his inner anxiety, with things having come to this, Naruto had no choice but to proceed.
Hand seals.
A large amount of chakra surged outward. Naruto's chakra was as astonishing as ever, but...
"Clone Jutsu!"
With a loud shout and a puff of smoke, Naruto created a clone. However, the clone was a useless, paralyzed on the ground, unable to even move.
Looking at this clone, both Iruka and Naruto were stunned.
Cold sweat dripped down Naruto's face. He could probably guess what was coming next.
"FAIL!"
Sure enough, Iruka roared loudly.
Naruto's eyes widened wide. Even though he had anticipated this outcome, experiencing it for real still made him feel deeply disappointed. Becoming Hokage was his dream, but now, he couldn't even become a ninja.
At that moment, Mizuki suddenly spoke to Iruka. "Iruka-sensei, his body flicker and stamina are quite good. And this could barely count as being able to use the Clone Technique. Even if we let him pass..."
Naruto was overjoyed. He hadn't expected this teacher, whom he wasn't very familiar with, to speak up for him at such a critical moment.
However, Iruka interrupted Mizuki, speaking helplessly. "Mizuki-sensei, everyone else can make at least three clones. But Naruto only made one, and it's so useless it just gets in the way. I can't possibly let him pass."
This was Iruka's final judgment.
Compared to Mizuki, Iruka's decision felt rather cruel to Naruto. Naruto stared intently at Iruka. At this moment, for the first time, Naruto felt a trace of resentment towards this teacher who had taught him for six years.
By noon, the graduation exams had all ended.
Naruto sat alone on a swing outside the Ninja Academy, slightly hunched over, his eyes shadowed. Anyone could see the child was deeply dejected.
If it were anyone else, perhaps someone would have stepped forward to comfort them, saying "try harder next time."
But for Naruto, all that came from the surroundings were taunts.
"Hey, that kid..."
"Yeah, that one."
"I heard he was the only one who failed."
"Hmph, serves him right!"
"It would be terrible if someone like that became a ninja."
All around the Ninja Academy, countless people were immersed in a joyful atmosphere. Graduation was, after all, a happy occasion.
Many children were fantasizing about their future ninja careers. Many adults were praising their own children.
Only the area around this swing seemed to exist in a different world from the crowd not far away.
One side was bathed in sunlight, the other shrouded in shadow.
The adults spoke disparagingly about Naruto without a second thought, without any restraint.
They certainly knew Naruto could hear their words. They certainly knew Naruto was just a 12-year-old child.
But the one thing they didn't know—or chose to ignore—was how detestable it is to cast a shadow over a child's heart.
Look! This is the son of the hero. This is the son of the hero who protected Konoha with his life. This is the son of the hero who was forced to become the Jinchuriki, bearing the immense hatred of the Nine-Tails for Konoha!
The entire village mocked, despised, and loathed this hero's son.
Faced with these taunting words and scornful looks, Naruto said nothing. He just quietly lowered his head even further.
At this moment, the image of that boy from years past surfaced once again in Naruto's mind—the boy who, every time he defeated him, would also encourage him.
In his eyes, Naruto didn't see disdain or disgust, but thick anticipation. It was the light Naruto most wanted to approach.
Kagaya... I...
Naruto thought dejectedly. Was he really not cut out to be a ninja? Was wanting to defeat Kagaya too arrogant?
"Do your best! Maybe in the future, you might be able to defeat me."
However, just as Naruto was feeling down, in a daze, it seemed as if he saw Kagaya again, patting his shoulder, encouraging him with hopeful eyes.
A faint smile appeared on Naruto's lips, but it soon turned back into a look of dejection.
In the end, this was just an illusion, Naruto knew that very well.
But just then, Mizuki suddenly appeared beside Naruto. Naruto looked up. He had a natural fondness for this Mizuki-sensei who had helped him at a critical moment.
*****
Akatsuki Hideout.
"Bzzz... Bzzz..."
Projections appeared one after another. Soon, the projections of all Akatsuki members were present.
Kagaya looked at the Deva Path.
"Leader, I plan to invade Konoha soon. Can you send a few people to assist me?"
Sending people to help Kagaya invade Konoha was something promised to Kagaya when he joined Akatsuki.
Pain nodded.
"Acceptable. However, I heard you are cooperating with Orochimaru?"
Orochimaru had always been a target for Akatsuki's pursuit. Pain needed to address the matter of Kagaya privately cooperating with him.
Kagaya didn't deny it, speaking frankly.
"Yes. Invading Konoha requires manpower. Relying on me alone is impossible."
"I see. Very well. After the cooperation ends, if the opportunity arises, kill Orochimaru."
Pain said this. Akatsuki's pursuit of Orochimaru had always been somewhat optional, as can be seen from the original story; Akatsuki never paid much attention to Orochimaru from beginning to end.
Therefore, regarding Kagaya's cooperation with Orochimaru, Pain couldn't be bothered to say much. He just routinely instructed Kagaya to kill Orochimaru if he had the chance. If there was no opportunity, it didn't matter much either.