The joyful and carefree times always seem so fleeting. Before anyone realized it, several months had passed, and today was the day of the ninja academy graduation exam.
"This year's graduation exam topic is the Clone Technique," Iruka-sensei announced from the podium, holding the exam list.
Kaguya had no reaction; this kind of ninjutsu was a piece of cake for her. Sasuke and the others felt the same; such a technique was trivial to them.
Naruto had been smiling at Kaguya, but upon hearing the exam topic, his expression instantly fell. He scratched his head vigorously—this was the technique he was least proficient in.
"Sasuke, you first."
Sasuke stepped forward and formed the seals with his hands.
"Poof," with a puff of smoke, three identical Sasukes appeared.
"Good, next."
Sasuke snorted, glancing provocatively at Kaguya behind him, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Kaguya, your turn."
"Yes."
Kaguya smiled slightly and extended her right hand. Just as everyone was wondering what she was going to do, her fingers moved like lightning, so fast that they could only see afterimages.
Ram—Snake—Tiger.
"What? She can form seals with one hand?"
"Amazing!"
"Unbelievable."
"Even many teachers can't form seals with one hand."
Amidst the murmurs of the crowd, with a "poof," more than ten Kaguyas appeared around the classroom, smiling and waving at everyone.
"Incredible!"
"Not only can she form seals with one hand, but she can also create so many clones."
"Truly a genius of the Hyuga clan."
"She's beautiful and her ninjutsu is excellent. So enviable."
Iruka-sensei was also stunned by Kaguya's ninjutsu. She had always been the top student in his class, but he realized he had still underestimated her.
Meanwhile, Sasuke clenched his teeth and fists, clearly upset.
Kaguya smiled faintly, seemingly unfazed, and gracefully returned to her seat.
"Alright, next, Naruto."
Naruto stepped forward, trying to encourage himself, and formed the seals.
"Poof," with a puff of smoke, a crumpled, doll-like figure appeared on the ground.
Naruto's face darkened, and he covered his mouth with his hand as cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
Iruka's mouth twitched as he shouted angrily, "Fail!"
Beside him, Mizuki-sensei smiled and said, "Iruka-sensei, his physical abilities and stamina are quite good. And he did manage to perform the Clone Technique, so let him pass."
Kaguya scoffed, knowing Mizuki's scheme well from her knowledge of the Naruto series.
Sure enough, Naruto's face lit up with joy.
"Mizuki-sensei," Iruka said, "everyone else managed at least three clones. Naruto only made one, and it's useless. I can't let him pass."
Naruto gritted his teeth, frustration clear on his face.
After the exam, most students passed and became genin, receiving their forehead protectors.
Kaguya looked at her forehead protector with annoyance. Wearing it on her head looked terrible, so she decided not to and hung it casually around her neck. The contrast between her petite frame and the large forehead protector made her look even cuter—a phenomenon known as "gap moe."
"So pretty."
"So cute."
"I feel like I'm going to have a nosebleed."
"You're disgusting, wipe your nose."
Kaguya's face twitched. This wasn't a pleasant experience. She would rather not have such a pretty face if it meant not attracting so much attention. It felt like she was constantly under surveillance.
"Hey, look at that child."
"Yeah, that one."
"It seems he's the only one who didn't pass."
"Serves him right."
"It would be terrible if someone like him became a ninja."
"After all, that child is..."
"Stop talking, it's taboo to mention it."
Two parents whispered, looking at Naruto with expressions of disgust.
Naruto was sitting alone on a swing, looking very dejected.
Seeing Naruto like this, Kaguya suddenly felt a bit of pity.
She could somewhat understand Naruto, not because of anything else, but because she had a similar experience. She was a left-behind child, often home alone. Her house was far from school, and she didn't have many friends, so she often entertained herself.
That feeling of loneliness was unforgettable, even now.
As Kaguya was about to go comfort him, Mizuki appeared beside Naruto.
Kaguya's eyes narrowed. She knew the main storyline was about to begin.
In the evening, she hurriedly returned home. After dinner, she quickly ran out again.
Tonight was the night Naruto would steal the Scroll of Seals. She had to find Naruto. Her goal was the Scroll of Seals, or more accurately, the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
The Shadow Clone Technique creates physical copies of the user, distributing chakra evenly among the clones. Unlike the ordinary Clone Technique that creates illusions, Shadow Clones are tangible and can perform various jutsu.
The Multiple Shadow Clone Technique is an enhanced version, producing far more clones than the standard Shadow Clone Technique.
The key feature is that the experiences of each clone are transmitted back to the original body before they disappear. Naruto used this technique for training, allowing his experience to multiply by the number of clones he created.
It's practically a cheat for leveling up.
Nightfall came.
"Hokage-sama, this incident cannot be dismissed as a prank."
"The Scroll of Seals contains dangerous jutsu sealed by the First Hokage. If misused..."
"If he takes it outside the village, it would be a major problem."
The Konoha ninja were standing before the Third Hokage, their emotions running high over Naruto's theft of the Scroll of Seals.
"Alright, go and bring Naruto back," the Third Hokage ordered with a wave of his hand.
"Yes."
With a swish, the ninja disappeared.
Meanwhile, in the forest...
"Uh, the first jutsu is..." Naruto unrolled the giant scroll and read the words, "Multiple Shadow Clone Technique. What? The first one is the jutsu I'm worst at."
"Hey, Naruto," Kaguya called as she stepped out from behind a tree. "What are you doing?"
"Oh, it's Kaguya-chan," Naruto's eyes lit up. "I'm learning jutsu." He said, waving the Scroll of Seals in his arms.
Kaguya's eyes narrowed. This was the item she was after.