Ace wakes up early in the morning, and after doing some physical exercises. He gets ready for the graduation exam.
Ace's mother cooks a lunch for him. After taking lunch, Ace starts walking towards the academy.
........
After reaching near the academy. Ace looks at the old and large Ninja Academy, with a large board on the top with a word 'kanji' is written on it which means fire.
On the way towards the class, he sees many children walking inside nervously and some are even looking afraid.
He reaches towards his class and looks inside, here also atmosphere is a little same but not that gloomy. Well it's reasonable many children in this class are from big clans and some are even successors of there respective clans.
He sits on his favourite seat near the window and looks at the children sitting in the classroom.
Shikamaru and Choji are sitting on his back bench. Shikamaru looks towards me and Choji is as always eating his potato chips.
Naruto is sitting in the middle row. He is sitting alond with Sakura and Sasuke. Many girls are looking at Sasuke and some are even lost in their own dreams.
Shikamaru looks at me viewing the class and says "What a drag Ace! It might be our last time in the class. Are you getting emotional ?"
Ace looks at him and taunts "You are the one to talk Shikamaru. It seems after graduation you will lose your place to sleep."
At this moment Choji also joins the conversation while eating chips and saying "Well it's not important that everyone will be able to chirp...chirp... graduate. There is a chance many of our classmates chirp... will also fail the exam."
"It might be possible in other classes. But in this class it might not happen. Many young patriarch and juniors of big clans like you guys are in this class. So the only one who can fail is our classmates are those who come from commoners family like me" Ace replies to Choji jokingly.
Shikamaru looks at his intriguing answer and says lightly "Ace you are always in top 5 in class. This exam is a piece of cake for you."
At this moment Kiba walks in class and sits on the same bench with Ace. With akamaru's small head poking out of his jacket and says "Yo Ace, Shikamaru and Choji. What are you guys talking about ?"
Ace looks at him and was about to say something then he suddenly stops for a moment and says with irritation "Let's talk after the class is over" while looking at the class entrance.
Kiba looks at me and repeats "What.. class..?"
Shikamaru follows Ace's gaze and says exhaustingly "Sigh it's the time for the exam to start."
........
Iruka walks into the class and stands in front of the black board and says "It's time to start the graduation exam. Exam will be conducted in the examination hall. Teachers incharge for this exam will be me and Mizuki sensei."
"You guys have to perform the Shadow Clone Jutsu to pass the exam and successfully become konohas genin"
At the same time Naruto slaps his face with both his hand. Everyone in the class looks at him for a slight moment and then ignores him.
Iruka also looks at him for a moment and then looks at the class again and says "Everyone start making a line outside the exam hall. You have to come one by one and don't make noise in the corridor."
Saying this he leaves the class.
Students starts standing up and starts walking towards the examination hall.
Ace and his group also walks out of the class and joins the line formed outside the examination hall.
........
Time keep passing and soon it was Ace's turn. He walks into the examination hall.
The hall was quiet large and spacious. At the front Iruka and Mizuki sensei were sitting beside the table with a register on it. And several hand bands with konoha sign lying on the table.
Mizuki looks at Ace smilingly and says "Student Ace, you can start."
Ace replies "Yes sensei"
Then he says "Shadow Clone Jutsu", and makes four same looking clones without even using hand signs.
Seeing this, Iruka and Mizuka smiles and nods at him. Iruka stands up and passes one of the hand bands with says happily to Ace "You have passed the exam, Ace congratulations."
Ace bows slightly and replies with a smile on his face "Thank you! Sensei"
After taking head band, Ace ties it on his head and walks out of the hall happily. And start walking towards the classroom.
........
Soon time passed and many students graduation exam was over. Students who passed the exam were sitting in the class and talking happily and excitedly.
Whole class passed the exam, excluding Naruto. That's why he was sitting depressingly on the last bench of middle row with his head down.
When he walked out of the hall and came to class, without wearing a head band. Even many students laughed at him.
After some time, he walked out of the class with his head down.
Time passed quietly, At this time Iruka sensei walked in the class and said "Congratulations, students for passing the exam. Two days after you will be alloted in a 3 man team with your Jonin sensei. So you guys have to come school one last time. Have a happy journey towards your path of becoming a shinobi."
Whole class was excited after hearing this. Some even wanted to jump from there seat and chear out loud. But they restrained themselves.
Iruka looked at the class with some emotion and said slowly "Okay now, class dismissed. You can go now."
With this most of the class ran out happily.
........
ACE POV
When I walked out of the school gate. There was a crowd of parents standing there.
It seems like many parents came to school for their children's graduation. All the students and parents were happy and excited.
"Great Job! That's my son!!"
"Now! You're a man"
"I'm so proud of you!! I'm going to make your favourite dinner tonight"
Everywhere atmosphere was lively, many people were happy for their children's graduation and becoming a shinobi.
I was also hoping that maybe my family would also come here for me. But it seems like it was not the case.
Well I knew it is difficult to come here from the edge of the village to here for an ordinary person.
So the only one who can come here would be my father.
When I was looking for him. I suddenly heard some auntie's talking with each other with a displeased expression with their gaze on a tree.
I also followed there gaze to see Naruto sitting on a swing tied to the trees branch, with his head down.
"Hey that 'kid' " while pointing at Naruto.
"Yeah that's the kid. It seems like he is the only one who failed"
"Well that's good"
"We can't have him becoming a shinobi."
"Since he is-"
"Hey we can't talk about that"
I also looked at Naruto. And stood there for some time while looking at him. I wanted to go and talk to him.
In the beginning of our school years he used to sit near me. So we used to talk with each other and become friends but after some time he started chasing after Sakura.
But still I was his friend, i decided and started walking towards him.
But before I can walk towards him. Suddenly some one placed his hand on my shoulder.
I was annoyed a little and said back in little anger "Hey what's your problem-"
But I stopped in middle as the person standing front of me was my dad. He was wearing konohas jonins jacket.
He looked at me and said "Let's go Ace. Your mother is waiting at the home."
It seems like he doesn't want to talk much. So i replied with my head down a little "Yes.. father..."
When I pulled my head upwards, now i realized what happened. It seems like I was looking at Naruto for some time. So many people were looking at me with a frown.
I put my head down again and followed my father on the road.
........
When we were walking towards the house. Father was walking at the front and I was walking beside him but a little behind him.
He questioned me while walking "Why were you looking at that child Ace ?"
I looked at him and replied "I am sorry father. I felt little pity for him. So I wanted to talk with him."
He moved his head towards me and he was angry with my response, And said "Ace I don't want you to get involve with that child. Many people doesn't like him. If you get too close to him, others will start looking at you with same attitude."
"And you have become a shinobi now. Control your emotions and only chase your goals. This time I will not say anything much to you."
I replied to him lightly "Yes father, I will keep that in my mind."
........