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Mizuki stared at the explosive tags surrounding him, a cold dread creeping up his spine.
He had grown accustomed to his peaceful life as a ninja academy instructor, comfortable, predictable. Now, faced with real danger, his hands trembled. Worse still was Naruto's voice, calm and detached, as if deciding his fate were no harder than swatting a fly.
"My patience is limited, Mizuki-sensei."
Mizuki's eye twitched. He scanned the shadows, desperate to spot the boy, but the night gave up nothing. Then a glint of steel, moonlight catching the edge of a blade pressed against his throat.
"I'll stay in Konoha!" he blurted, sweat beading on his forehead. "Don't...don't do anything!"
Silence. The pressure at his neck vanished. Naruto was gone as suddenly as he'd appeared.
Mizuki slumped to the ground, breath ragged. The truth gnawed at him, if even a student could outmaneuver him so easily, what use would he be to someone like Orochimaru?
Naruto arrived early for his graduation exam. Iruka and Mizuki stood waiting in the assessment room.
To anyone else, Mizuki seemed unchanged same easy smile, same kindly demeanor. But when Naruto met his gaze, the man quickly looked away.
"Naruto," Iruka began, "today's test is the Clone Technique. Ready?"
Naruto performed the jutsu without fuss.
[Ding~ System task completed. Simulation opportunity +1.]
Iruka beamed. "Perfect! No need to adjust the class placements." He handed Naruto his forehead protector. "Congratulations, Genin Uzumaki Naruto."
Naruto took it, then dropped the bombshell.
"Actually, Iruka-sensei... I don't really want to be a ninja."
Iruka blinked. "Oh. Well... that's your choice. A quiet life isn't a bad one." He rubbed his neck. "But we'll need to inform the Hokage. Right, Mizuki?"
"Y...Yes," Mizuki agreed, voice tight. "Definitely... report it."
Naruto smirked. Good. Keep acting, Mizuki. Act until the lie becomes your truth.
As they walked out, Iruka hesitated. "Naruto, even if you're not a ninja, visit sometimes, alright?"
"Sure, sensei."
Just then, Sasuke skidded to a halt beside them, having overheard. "You're quitting?!"
Naruto shrugged. "Yep."
Sasuke's mind raced. 'Why would someone that strong walk away? Unless... he doesn't need a jonin's training.' The realization hit like a kunai.
'He's already beyond that.'
"I'm not joining the teams either," Sasuke declared.
Iruka's jaw dropped. "What?!"
"Naruto has his own methods," Sasuke said, chin raised. "I'll train with him instead."
Naruto's eye twitched. 'Oh no?!'
"Sasuke, I'm just done with ninja life. That's all."
Sasuke scoffed. "You think my Sharingan can't see the truth?" He crossed his arms. "Name your price, Uzumaki. How many ryo to train with you?"
Naruto stared. "...What?!"