Naruto's POV (Leaf Academy - Hidden Leaf Village)
"Your performance in the Physical Aptitude, Taijutsu, and Weapon and Tool Mastery of the Finals was impressive. Downright better than the average student in each regard. Your scores in Fuijutsu were surprisingly high, considering your poor handwriting, and they were above average. You passed the theory, but it's a clear weak point; your score in that portion places you below average. However…" Iruka trailed off.
Mizuki stepped forward with a small smile. "Allow me, Iruka. I understand…" Muzuki offered. He scanned the list, and his expression was hard to read, but he locked eyes with Naruto with shocking intensity. "Your scores in both the Genjutsu and Ninjutsu portions of the Finals were a failing one, well below the average of your peers. While this is a minority compared to the sections where you scored well in their considered vital aspects of a Genin, Meaning failing them tanks your overall score… by grading metric alone, you've failed the Genin Finals…"
Naruto couldn't believe what he just heard. It was as if this was a nightmare, and this was the turn. But Naruto's tired body made it clear this was all too real. "I failed…"
"Not quite," Iruka sighed heavily. "With the updated procedure for the Academy, we have created a safety net for this experimental branch of Genin. For those who failed the Finals but scored relatively close to passing, you achieved a percentage of sixty-eight, seventy is considered the line to pass. Meaning you are within the threshold…"
Mizuki smirked openly at the blonde, continuing for Iruka. "The Remedial Exam. With their approval, we will be trying out a new concept for you and a couple of others. I have been elected to run this particular Exam. Would you like a second chance, Naruto Uzumaki… a chance to right this wrong?"
"Don't let him mislead you, Naruto…" Iruka replied grimly. "This is nothing close to ideal; this is a combat exam, unlike the Finals you just took. You and the others will face Mizuki in potentially lethal combat…"
"A second chance, huh…" Naruto replied, his heart and mind already set. "I've never been the type to give up; it's in my blood to fight back… besides I've been meaning to go a few rounds with Mizuki…" The blonde finished locking eyes with said Chunin.
"I know the feeling Uzumaki…" Mizuki said with a tone that set Naruto somewhat on edge. But Naruto wouldn't let anything distract him now…
"Give me the details," Naruto said with a small, somewhat fake smile as he walked toward the door, turning his back to the two Chunin. "I'll pass this time…"
"Training Ground 32, just after sunset…" Mizuki replied with ease, seemingly as ramped as Naruto. "The others will meet us there, and the exams will take place as soon as I arrive."
"I'll be there," Naruto said as he opened the doors. He allowed them to close behind him, ignoring Iruka's cries as he began to trek his way through the less traveled hall of the Academy.
The blonde needed a moment alone to think over this whole thing. An approach of informing "her" that wouldn't lead to any unnecessary grief. Truly, Naruto knew this was something less than an actual problem. Not passing the initial Finals off merit alone was a blow to his pride. However, Naruto was used to setbacks; they were a familiar theme in his life. He didn't mind the less-than-ideal passing as long as he did, in fact, pass.
But mostly, he didn't truly want to run into the others. While Naruto couldn't claim to be a popular guy in the Academy, a fact he suspected was due to the parents of his peers. He even found his place within a group. A strangely prestigious one at that.
Naruto was drafted into the Academy within a roster full of incredible talent and potential. The majority of the Academy and even more certain to the blonde, the majority that would pass, was tied to shinobi families. Either the kids of a shinobi couple or those born within major and minor clans alike. And Naruto had somehow found his way into an odd friendship with the same people. In fact, most of them were heirs to clans, meaning that, one day, they would likely rule over them.
It all started when Naruto met his first and potential best friend. A strange one for sure, but one that had proven one of his most reliable over the years. Shikamaru Nara, the heir of the famous genius Nara Clan. The young man had the same lazy expression, sharp eyes, and dark hair indicative of their clan and was twice as lazy and brilliant as any of their members. Such had the Nara regarded relatively well within the walls of the Academy. Even further so due to the connections it provided him. That would be his friendship between the clans of the Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka clans, displayed in the Academy with the trio of Ino, Choji, and Shikamaru. The three had known each other since they were young, and they were obviously close. The close-knit group had, in fact, been the ones to approach Naruto. And while Ino had always seemed somewhat distant from him, the men of the trio had hit it off with him.
This led to the outcast making a couple of friends if he could call Ino such. But the three as heirs had performed much better than he did in the Academy. So much so there was no doubt in his mind they had passed. And Naruto would rather not face the shame if he could. However, as he turned into an intersection of the halls, he turned face-first into the group he was hoping to avoid.
Shikamaru was walking with the duo he was usually with, but a couple more as well. Kiba Inuzuka, a man Naruto had heard of but scarcely encountered. Shino Aburame was a more relaxed man he had met and even somewhat got along with. Naruto cursed his luck inwardly but snorted as he stepped towards his friends.
"Guys! I wasn't expecting to run into you. I'd ask if you passed, but I'm certain you did, ya know!" Naruto replied with an energy that felt hollow. But he wouldn't allow his failure to get in the way of being happy for them. "Congratulations!"
"It was such a drag…" Shikamaru's tired voice complained. "I nearly gave up, but my dad warned me against it… so here I am, now a Genin… the excitement…"
"This bum has been like this all day!" Ino complained. "This is a big day for all of us. Would some energy kill you?"
"Don't ask him that. He'll just answer honestly." Naruto joked, matching eyes with Ino. "Suppose that means you passed as well?"
"Of course!" Ino smiled before flinching suddenly. However, before Naruto could question such, Kiba suddenly extended an arm over them both.
"Of course, we all passed!" Kiba assured the group. We're the next up-and-comers; years, for now, they'll remember this day!"
"I certainly will." Shino agreed with a sigh. He locked eyes with Naruto, as much as his shades allowed. "However, we shouldn't assume."
"It's certainly making an ass out of you, Kiba." Shikamaru agreed with a roll of his eyes and a small smile. "In fact, Choji here has to take the Remedial Exam."
Choji chuckled as Naruto gawked, shocked that one of them was in the same boat as himself. "Yeah, I didn't do well in Theory or Physical Aptitude. It turns out failing both is kind of a big deal."
"You too?!" Naruto replied earnestly.
"Hahaha!" Kiba roared. "Both of you… sorry." The dog owner realized its rudeness. "Seriously, no shame. Just caught me off guard."
"Forgive Kiba; he often speaks faster than he thinks," Shino explained, elbowing the apologetic Kiba.
"No worries," Naruto replied with a sigh. "Besides, we're both gonna pass this Remedial Exam with ease, then you'll see just how good we are!"
"I like the spirit, Uzumaki!" Kiba complimented. "Hope you're not all bark and no bite…"
"Unfunny." Ino broke the tension with ease. "Shikamaru?"
"Right. It feels like the only right thing to do now that most of us are Genin is celebrate," Shikamaru explained. I'm organizing a get-together with all the newly promoted Genin. There's no doubt in my mind that both you and Choji will pass after all. I'll let you know when. See you around Naruto."
The pieces said the group offered goodbyes as they walked away. Naruto smiled slightly, now uplifted by his peers. Just maybe things weren't so grim.
Naruto began his trek through the Academy and village streets with just a bit more bounce. Determined and now hopeful about the upcoming Remedial Exams. All he had to do was tell "her" and prepare…