After greeting Hinata, Kaito turned to the lazy Shikamaru and asked, "What's going on today? Why are you all here so early?"
"What else can I do? My mom knows I have the Ninja School graduation exam today, so she made breakfast early. I had less time to sleep in!" Shikamaru rolled his eyes, looking annoyed.
"My mom too!" Choji added while munching on a bag of chips.
"If that's the case, I guess they're all the same!" Kaito glanced at the students around him.
"I think so. Our parents seem more anxious about the exam than we are," Shikamaru muttered with a hint of resentment.
"Come on! Don't act like such a downer. Since you're here, just focus on the exam."
As they chatted, time passed quietly.
Before long, Iruka walked in with Mizuki.
"Alright! The graduation exam starts now! This is your proctor, Mr. Mizuki!" Iruka gestured toward Mizuki as he spoke.
"Students whose names are called, head to the next classroom to take the test!"
Suddenly, Iruka frowned. "Where's Naruto? Why hasn't he arrived yet?"
"Teacher Iruka, Naruto hasn't shown up," a student reminded him.
"What?! It's the graduation exam today, and that kid dares to be late?" A large cross-pulse popped up on Iruka's forehead.
"Teacher Mizuki, I'll go find Naruto. Please wait a moment!" Iruka turned and apologized.
"It's alright, Iruka-sensei. There's still time. You go on ahead—I'll wait for you," Mizuki said with a gentle smile that made him seem trustworthy. Those who didn't know better would be easily fooled by his demeanor.
"Thank you!" Iruka said gratefully before hurrying off.
By now, Iruka had already developed a close bond with Naruto thanks to the Third Hokage's influence. He didn't want Naruto to miss such an important day.
Iruka moved quickly and soon returned, dragging a loudly protesting Naruto with him.
And so, the official part of the graduation exam began.
"Now that everyone's here, we'll begin immediately. Today's exam is the Clone Jutsu! Those whose names I call, please proceed to the next classroom!"
After Iruka made the announcement, Naruto groaned. "Seriously? I had to get stuck with Clone Jutsu... the one I'm worst at!"
Ignoring Naruto's complaints, Iruka began calling names. "Inuzuka Kiba!"
One by one, the names were called. After a while, Kaito finally heard his.
"Go get 'em, Kaito!" Ino and Hinata cheered in unison.
"Don't worry," Kaito nodded, getting up and heading to the testing room.
"Ayanami Kaito, please begin your Clone Jutsu demonstration," Iruka said kindly from his seat.
As the top student in class, Iruka already had a good grasp of Kaito's skills. Even as he spoke, the assistant had already reached for a ninja forehead protector, ready to hand it over once the demonstration was complete.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Kaito formed hand seals, and three perfect clones appeared on either side of him.
"Congratulations, Kaito. You've officially graduated!" Iruka smiled as he handed over the forehead protector.
"Thank you, Iruka-sensei!" Kaito bowed respectfully.
"Go ahead. Don't forget to attend the team placement ceremony tomorrow."
"Got it!"
Their exchange ended there as Kaito returned to Ino and Hinata, holding the forehead protector proudly.
"Wow! Kaito, you passed!" Ino beamed.
Nearby, a student who hadn't been called yet watched with envy, silently vowing to pass no matter what.
Time passed, and more and more students received their forehead protectors.
Before long, school was dismissed. Nearly everyone in the class had graduated—except Naruto, of course.
But Kaito knew that Hiruzen Sarutobi would arrange for Naruto to graduate in his own way—as a small act of atonement for his past decisions.
The setting sun bathed the atmosphere in golden light.
Parents had already gathered at the entrance of the academy, anxiously waiting for their children.
As the students came out, excited parents scanned the crowd, waving and calling their names.
For a moment, the commotion rivaled a busy street market.
Kaito glanced over and exchanged a look with Hiashi Hyuga before giving Hinata a few final words. Then he walked toward Ino and her father.
"Hey, Father-in-law! Here to pick me and Ino up today?" Kaito teased.
His relationship with Yamanaka Inoichi was much more relaxed than with Hiashi, so a little joking around was fine.
Before Inoichi could respond, Nara Shikaku chuckled and shot him a look.
"Oh? Father-in-law, huh? That's bold, Kaito! When's the wedding?"
"Could be soon, could be later," Kaito replied with a wink. "Depends on how my father-in-law feels about it."
Ino blushed deeply and looked down, while Inoichi's face turned green. He almost exploded on the spot.
After Shikamaru and Choji joined them, the group left together, chatting and laughing.
On their way out, Kaito's gaze shifted—just for a moment—toward Naruto, who sat alone on the swing set, looking dejected.
"Kid… come have dinner at my place tonight," Inoichi said gruffly as they walked.
"Well, since Father-in-law insists, how could I say no?" Kaito replied with a grin.
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