"Thank you, sensei."
After receiving the Leaf Village forehead protector from Iruka-sensei, a symbol of graduation, Furen turned to glance meaningfully at Mizuki, making him feel a little puzzled.
The graduation test topic was the basic Clone Technique. For Furen, who had already reached the level of a Chunin, it was no problem at all. He easily passed and secured his forehead protector, marking him as an official ninja.
As Furen left the exam room, it was Naruto's turn to take the test.
"Good luck," Furen said to Naruto, who was about to enter.
Naruto, looking at Furen's forehead protector shining under the light, patted his chest and said confidently, "No problem!"
Watching Naruto enter, Furen thought back to the original storyline, where Naruto failed his Genin exam. Deceived by Mizuki, Naruto later stole the Forbidden Scroll of Seals from the Third Hokage. Mizuki planned to take the scroll and flee to join Orochimaru, but was ultimately defeated by Naruto, who learned the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique from the scroll.
"The Multiple Shadow Clone Technique..." Furen licked his lips, feeling tempted.
Unlike the regular B-rank Shadow Clone Technique, which most could learn, the A-rank Multiple Shadow Clone Technique was a forbidden jutsu. Its primary feature was creating an enormous number of clones, and the experiences of each clone would transfer back to the user upon dispersal. However, the chakra division due to the sheer number of clones would leave the user with dangerously low reserves, often resulting in life-threatening fatigue. For this reason, the First Hokage had it sealed away, as few could safely use it.
Naruto, throughout the original series, used the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique from the very beginning, becoming a crucial element of his combat style until the end. The technique's strength was undeniable.
As expected, Naruto failed the exam and sat dejectedly on a swing hanging from a tree, watching his classmates happily don their headbands, his gaze downcast.
Shortly after, Mizuki approached Naruto, just as Furen had anticipated.
"Everything is proceeding just like the original story," Furen thought, narrowing his eyes as he started formulating a plan...
That night, under the great stone faces of the Hokage Monument, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, looked solemn as he gave orders.
"The scroll Naruto took contains dangerous jutsu sealed by the First Hokage. If misused, the consequences will be dire." He exhaled deeply, the lines on his face deepening.
"It's been some time since the scroll was stolen. Go find Naruto and bring him back!" Sarutobi commanded with authority.
Immediately, the gathered Leaf ninjas scattered, rushing to locate Naruto and the stolen scroll.
Watching from a distance, Furen noticed Mizuki following closely behind. Quietly, he trailed Iruka, who was searching for Naruto with growing urgency.
When Iruka reached the village outskirts, hesitating before entering a forest, Furen stepped out.
"Iruka-sensei."
Hearing Furen's voice, Iruka turned, surprised. He hadn't sensed Furen's approach at all. Despite his shock, he asked, "Furen, what are you doing here?"
"I noticed the other ninjas searching for something, and now that I'm a Genin, I figured I could help out." Furen pointed to the Leaf forehead protector on his head. "What can I do, Iruka-sensei?"
Iruka was touched by Furen's sense of responsibility for the village. After a brief explanation of the situation, Furen pretended to be shocked and nodded repeatedly before suggesting, "Sensei, I'll search over there while you head back to the village and ask if anyone has seen Naruto. We'll cover more ground that way."
Iruka didn't hesitate. He nodded and started questioning villagers, while Furen turned and headed in the direction Iruka had intended to go.
According to the original story, Naruto would be practicing the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique from the scroll in the forest. With Iruka's guidance, Furen would have no trouble locating Naruto; otherwise, searching the vast outskirts of the village would be like finding a needle in a haystack.
"The old man Hiruzen is probably watching Naruto through his Telescope Technique right now," Furen thought, licking his lips. He knew that if he wasn't careful, he could easily be discovered, making this a risky endeavor.
However, the reward was worth it—the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique was too valuable a forbidden jutsu to pass up.
After about ten minutes of following the path, Furen heard Naruto panting from exertion. With a few swift jumps, he landed silently on a nearby tree branch and called out, "Naruto, you need to return the scroll to the village. Mizuki-sensei is lying to you!"
Naruto, sitting on the ground, exhausted, looked up at Furen. He was about to boast about how he could graduate, but froze upon hearing that Mizuki had deceived him.
"Mizuki-sensei said that if I got the scroll, I could definitely graduate!" Naruto argued, still confused.
Shuriken!
Several sharp kunai sliced through the air toward them.
Furen, who had expected this, immediately performed a Body Flicker Technique, grabbing Naruto and pulling him to safety just as the kunai struck the tree where they had been standing, turning it into a pincushion.
"Naruto, give me the scroll and go back to the village. Mizuki-sensei is trying to trick you!" Furen urged, shielding Naruto.
Mizuki, standing not far away, his expression dark, called out, "Hand over the scroll, or else!"
Furen positioned himself between Naruto and Mizuki, saying, "Give me the scroll and go report this to Iruka-sensei and the Hokage."
Naruto hesitated, wanting to show off his newfound jutsu, but Furen pointed to his forehead protector.
"Go claim your headband, then come back and help me!" Furen shouted.
Naruto's eyes widened, then he nodded firmly and rushed toward the village.
Mizuki's cold gaze followed Naruto's retreating figure before he flung one of his giant shuriken at him. The sound of the heavy weapon cutting through the air was much more intense than that of the kunai.
There was no way Mizuki would let Naruto live after coming this far.
Just as the shuriken was about to strike Naruto, a sharp flash cut through the air.
Ding!
A kunai struck the giant shuriken, deflecting it off course.
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A/N:
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