This Naruto is too easily persuaded.

early summer.

With only a week left until the graduation exam, the atmosphere at the Ninja Academy is already tense.

The morning sun shone on the playground, where ninety-seven students from three sixth-grade classes stood in neat rows.

Standing before them were not only their subject teachers, but also the head of academic affairs.

And standing at the very front, holding a pipe, is the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"It's the Third Generation Lord!"

"Why is the Hokage at school?"

Whispers arose from the crowd, and everyone realized that there was likely some major news to be announced today.

Naruto stood in the line of Class 6-A, his dark blue shirt spotless, his gaze behind his black-rimmed glasses calm as still water.

"Quiet!"

With Iruka's shout, the playground fell silent instantly.

"Dear students."

The Third Hokage stepped forward, his voice loud yet gentle.

"At this important moment when you are about to graduate and become Konoha genin, I have a special announcement to make."

He took a puff of his pipe, and the smoke rose slowly.

"Given the many remarkable new talents emerging among this year's graduates, and in order to inspire the future pillars of Konoha, I, in the name of the Hokage, hereby establish this special award."

The entire room fell silent; everyone's anticipation was heightened.

"Ranked first in overall evaluation in the graduation exam—"

The Third Hokage paused, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping in Naruto's direction. "You will gain a high-level ninjutsu!"

It was as if a giant rock had been thrown into a calm lake, and the entire playground instantly exploded.

"A reward of advanced ninjutsu? Did I hear that right?"

"Advanced ninjutsu... it should be at least B-rank, right? The highest-ranking ninjutsu my dad knows is only C-rank. If I could obtain it..."

"Stop dreaming. You might have a chance to get last place."

Exclamations, doubts, and discussions mingled together.

Even the head of the teaching department, a Jonin, was slightly shocked, let alone the ordinary Chunin teachers.

This reward is far too generous, far beyond what I could have imagined.

The third generation raised his hand to silence the commotion and continued:

"The second and third place winners will also receive a C-rank ninjutsu."

He looked around the room, his gaze sweeping over every young face.

"The future of Konoha is in your hands."

"Where the leaves dance, the fire will never die."

"Show your light and warmth!"

As soon as he finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted.

……

After the announcement, the students dispersed in twos and threes, each with a different emotion on their face.

"Great! Even if I can't get a high-level ninjutsu, a C-rank ninjutsu is still pretty good."

Sakura Haruno clasped her hands together, her eyes shining.

"But the top three... Sasuke-kun can definitely get in, and Naruto is ridiculously strong now, so we can only try for third place...?"

Yamanaka Ino poked her forehead mercilessly.

"Wide forehead, stop dreaming. This time it's all about the overall results. You should be thinking about how to improve your ranking in actual matches."

Not far away, Shino Aburame tugged at her collar and whispered to Shikamaru and Choji beside her:

"It's a very troublesome situation; everyone will fight tooth and nail."

Shikamaru yawned and said lazily, "What a nuisance. Anyway, it has nothing to do with me."

Choji was somewhat worried, "But Shikamaru, what about Naruto...?"

"That guy will definitely be number one."

Shikamaru said without hesitation, "This so-called public reward is nothing but a formality."

Why?

Seeing Choji's innocent gaze, Shikamaru helplessly slapped his forehead.

"Forget about it, how about we have barbecue for lunch?"

"Okay, okay!"

Shikamaru spoke softly, but just loud enough for the people around him to hear.

Sasuke paused slightly in his steps.

He glanced at the blond figure wearing glasses not far away, who was looking down at a thick book, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

Hmph, old man.

Is it really that certain that first place is his for the taking?

Sasuke left without lingering, hands in his pockets.

He no longer feels any jealousy or resentment.

He just wanted to become stronger, using that breathing technique and the so-called health secrets, and then...

Catch up with him, surpass him.

This is the magnanimity of the Uchiha clan.

…………

As the sun sets, at the fifteenth training ground.

"Ha ha--"

Kiba Inuzuka braced himself on his knees, panting heavily.

Sweat soaked through his clothes, and Akamaru lay at his feet, also sticking out his tongue, exhausted.

"Again!"

Kiba Inuzuka gritted his teeth and charged at the stake again.

His fist slammed hard against the leather-covered wooden stake, making a dull thud.

"Why... can't I catch up..."

Kiba Inuzuka kept having flashbacks to scenes from the past.

The way he instantly killed me with a single punch while I was carrying a heavy load.

Naruto always maintained a calm and composed demeanor, as if he had everything under control.

Shikamaru said that guy would definitely be the first to know.

"Akamaru."

Kiba Inuzuka stopped, slid down against the wooden stake, and his voice was filled with unprecedented exhaustion and self-doubt.

Am I really that bad?

"Ugh...?"

Akamaru came closer and rubbed his head against his leg.

"That loser... no, Naruto, how did he even do that?"

Ya looked at his hands, which were covered with scars and calluses.

"I'm training really hard, but why... do I feel like the gap is widening?"

Akamaru could not answer, and could only let out a low sob.

He used to be on par with Naruto, and at the beginning of the school year, he could even beat Naruto.

He was first overtaken in a running test, then defeated in actual combat, and later even Sasuke was no match for him.

Until two days ago, during a sparring match with Naruto, he was defeated once again without any suspense.

Naruto, still carrying his heavy burden, easily defeated himself.

Kiba still can't forget the look in Naruto's eyes when he defeated him—calm.

There was no mockery, no smugness, or rather... no emotion whatsoever.

If Naruto mocks him, he can get angry and even use it as motivation.

But that calmness seemed to say that he had never been taken seriously from the beginning.

"Is it really true that the gap in talent cannot be bridged by hard work alone?"

This idea nearly suffocated Kiba Inuzuka.

The sky gradually darkened.

Kiba Inuzuka, dragging his weary body, carried Akamaru towards home.

Just as he turned a street corner and walked into a relatively quiet alley.

"tooth?"

A gentle voice sounded from behind him.

Kiba Inuzuka turned around and saw a white-haired teacher wearing a standard Chunin vest.

Shuimu, a teacher who is known as a "good guy".

"Teacher Shuimu."

Ya forced himself to cheer and greeted them.

"Still practicing so late?"

Shui Mu walked over, glanced at the fist that was still bleeding from the teeth, and sighed.

"You need to take care of your health while you work hard."

effort?

What's the point of working hard?

Mizuki keenly caught the fleeting gloom in Ya's eyes.

In order to carry out his plan, he had been secretly observing and looking for a suitable piece.

Originally, the target was Naruto, but now that Naruto is too dazzling, they can only turn their attention to others.

Kiba Inuzuka is the person he recently chose.

Like Naruto before him, he is impulsive, competitive, and not very bright.

It's practically the perfect chess piece.

So, Mizuki lowered his voice and said with a sincere, 'heart-to-heart' tone:

"To be honest, your fighting spirit and hard work are absolutely top-notch among your peers."

"but……"