Chapter 178: Kakashi, you're not fit for the Root

Chapter 178: Kakashi, you're not fit for the Root

Mizuki's face was deathly pale.

Applause like a tidal wave filled the office.

Akihara Kagura's plan was quite brilliant.

Following the guidance of Sarutobi Hizan, Akihara Kagura perfectly arranged everyone's roles, elevating even Mizuki's minor villain status by more than a notch.

The Root ninjas voluntarily applauded Akihara Kagura's plan. Karin, holding a notebook, scrutinized everyone present, helping to record those who did not clap.

Clearly,

People from the Root respected Akihara Kagura a lot.

Only Mizuki, the outsider, was somewhat clueless, not only failing to think of applauding in celebration but even considering rebutting Akihara Kagura's plan.

Fortunately, Akihara Kagura was kind-hearted, gently manipulating shadows to control Mizuki's body, making him symbolically clap his hands and even crack a not-so-ugly smile, evidently choosing to agree with the plan.

"Speaking of which..."

Akihara Kagura kindly patted Mizuki's shoulder: "Weren't you thinking of defecting to Orochimaru? When we capture you, just say it was Orochimaru who directed you to do so."

"That's decided then."

Akihara Kagura's fingers relaxed, and he ordered: "Add a charge of conspiring with the S-class rogue ninja Orochimaru to his confession."

"..."

As Akihara Kagura stopped manipulating Mizuki's shadow, Mizuki's body immediately collapsed, hastily trying to crawl towards Akihara Kagura!

Tendo Shisui immediately appeared in Mizuki's shadow, controlling his body, preventing this soon-to-be stylish villain boss from behaving in a disgraceful and embarrassing manner, making Mizuki register an additional charge of conspiring with Orochimaru in his confession.

"You may go now."

Akihara Kagura waved his hand satisfactorily at Tendo Shisui, then looked at Karin: "Remember to invite Iruka-sensei to dinner tonight, he took good care of you back then..."

"Yes."

Karin nodded.

Umino Iruka found the invitation a bit strange at first, but since Uzumaki Naruto was also attending, he decided to join the dinner with Naruto.

Konoha's orphanage.

The orphanage seemed quite lively.

These years, the orphanage was not short of funds.

Yakushi Nono, who once raised orphans, saw most of them working and even starting their own families, with the most successful child becoming the assistant to the Hokage of Konoha, which also made Yakushi Nono feel the most guilty.

Yakushi Nono always tried her best to make amends, but as the Dean of an orphanage, there wasn't much she could help with, the only thing she could do for Akihara Kagura was to celebrate his birthday.

There were many guests tonight.

Even Sai, who had long joined the Anbu, specially took leave to come back.

Hatake Kakashi, Uzumaki Naruto, and Mitarashi Anko were regulars, while Umino Iruka had once visited Konoha's orphanage for a home visit, but attending such a celebration was a first for him.

The group enjoyed a gathering.

Akihara Kagura specially asked Umino Iruka to stay behind, glanced at the leaving Uzumaki Naruto, and said softly: "It's hard to believe, Naruto is about to graduate..."

"Yes..."

Umino Iruka was somewhat reserved.

Akihara Kagura looked at Iruka, asking softly, "Many people in the village don't want to see the Nine-Tails fox becoming a ninja, do they?"

"..."

Umino Iruka was silent for a while, then said softly: "Naruto is a brave kid, and I also hope he can become an excellent ninja, but his shadow clone technique has always been poorly practiced, he might not meet the graduation criteria..."

"I've heard about this from Anko."

Akihara Kagura stared intently at Umino Iruka, continuing, "However, I don't care about this trivial matter. That's for the teachers of your ninja school to judge."

"Also, I want to remind Mr. Iruka that Naruto is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki of the village, not an ordinary ninja student..."

"I understand..."

Umino Iruka quickly nodded.

Although Umino Iruka deeply resented the Nine-Tails for taking his parents' lives, as a teacher at the ninja school, he would still act fairly.

"The higher-ups have also taken this into consideration."

Akihara Kagura, satisfied, looked at Umino Iruka and continued to remind him, "The exam questions you've chosen this time are good, fitting the considerations of the higher-ups..."

"Uzumaki Naruto's chakra is too vast to control, and at his age, it's difficult to precisely manage chakra. He certainly cannot pass the Clone Technique examination..."

"The Third Hokage plans to have Naruto try to learn a technique, one that could allow his chakra to be released directly..."

"The Multi-Shadow Clone Technique..."

"This technique is just a bit dangerous..."

"Alright."

"Go back and rest early."

"I should also go back and rest early."

Akihara Kagura stood up and patted Hatake Kakashi on the shoulder, "I'll have to help pick Jonin instructors for the graduates during this period. I'll make sure to pick a few problematic students for you..."

"That's really something to thank you for..."

Hatake Kakashi couldn't help but twitch the corner of his eyes.

In his heart, Hatake Kakashi didn't really think Akihara Kagura would do such a thing, nor would the Third Hokage agree to it. He still thought Akihara Kagura was joking.

"You're welcome, it's what I should do."

Akihara Kagura waved his hand and was about to leave, casually reminding Hatake Kakashi, "By the way, I wasn't joking this time. There really are quite a few problematic students in this year's graduates..."

"As long as it's not Naruto, it's fine."

Kakashi Hatake nonchalantly waved his hand.

Over the years, Kakashi Hatake and Udon Ise's relationship had been good.

Kakashi Hatake was aware of Naruto Uzumaki's learning progress. As a home tutor, Udon Ise was nearly driven insane by Naruto Uzumaki's homework. He was struggling in both cultural studies and ninjutsu.

Udon Ise first resolved to help Naruto Uzumaki graduate early; then, he aimed to make Naruto the top student at graduation. Now, for Udon Ise, it would be a great success if Naruto could simply graduate.

June.

The graduation season of the Ninja School quickly approached.

The graduation assessment of the Ninja School was chosen to be the Clone Technique.

Iruka Umino had been keeping a close eye on Naruto Uzumaki, fearing someone might hurt this student. He was also worried about the student's fate, fearing that Naruto might die in the future. He didn't know what to do except to take things one step at a time and give Naruto a little more care.

It has to be said.

This made Naruto Uzumaki's graduation season pass not too badly.

However, this did not mean that Naruto Uzumaki could pass the graduation exam.

The day of the Ninja School graduation assessment finally arrived.

Mizuki and Iruka Umino were the examiners for these students, with two Chunin teachers supervising the exam with mixed feelings and tumultuous emotions.

Until...

It was Naruto Uzumaki's turn.

Naruto Uzumaki honestly released the Clone Technique. The chakra within his body surged, but ultimately, his attempt to perform the technique failed. A clone sticking its tongue out and lying on the ground could not be considered a pass under any circumstances.

Iruka Umino struggled for a long time but ultimately fulfilled a teacher's duty, not allowing Naruto Uzumaki to pass the test. On the other hand, Mizuki, one of the examiners, praised Naruto Uzumaki's physical strength and endurance along the way, believing that this child could be admitted exceptionally.

However...

Both examiners must agree for a pass.

Naruto Uzumaki...

Did not pass the graduation assessment.

Most other children in the Ninja School passed the exam, wore the ninja headbands distributed by the village, and gathered together to discuss when they might become Chunin or Jonin. The parents were also boasting about their children who passed the exam.

Naruto Uzumaki sat alone on the swing in the Ninja School playground, tightly holding the swing's ropes, with his head hung low, unsure of what to do.

"Naruto."

Mizuki stood by the swing, gently rubbed his head, and comforted him with a smile: "Sorry, I couldn't get you through the graduation assessment. I saw your effort and thought I could convince Iruka..."

"Mizuki sensei!"

Naruto Uzumaki looked up at Mizuki sensei, this great person who spoke up for him.

"There's still a chance."

Mizuki approached Naruto Uzumaki with a smile, whispering, "There's a Scroll of Seals in the village that records very powerful techniques. As long as you learn one of them, you can become a ninja comparable to the Hokage. It will definitely make you a ninja or even the Hokage..."

"Eh!"

Naruto Uzumaki's eyes were once again filled with surprise.

"Come with me."

Mizuki patted the little guy's head and looked towards Iruka Umino in the distance, continuing with a light laugh: "We also need to call Iruka sensei. He's also an examiner for the graduation assessment..."

~~~

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