Graduation
Through out the 3rd and 4th year at the academy Naruto had been at a higher level than most of his students. By end of his third year, Naruto beat Sasuke for number one in class in both endurance and weapons. Hinata took 3rd as she finally beat Kiba, which was enough for her father. Kiba took 4th since then. Naruto's feelings for Hinata grew as well, but he still didn't know why. By a few weeks before the fourth year Naruto hardly see Tenten Neji and Lee since they were now ninjas and on the same team doing missions, but Tenten still put time in making sure Naruto was capable and ready for his exam.
The week before the exam, Tenten went ahead and switch from plain Clone Jutsu to Shadow Clone Jutsu, suggested by her dad. As Naruto failed to form a normal Clone for some reason, but he made dramatic improvements on Shadow Clone. Now they were only one day away from becoming a ninja. "Ok Naruto shows me what you learn," Tenten told him. She was wearing her headband on her forehead like most ninjas. Naruto made a cross with 2 fingers from both hands, "SHADOW CLONE JUTSU" Naruto shouted as he not only made 3 shadow clones, but instead 20. "Great job Naruto with that you'll most definitely become a Genin," Tenten told him. "Can we go get some Ramen now?" Naruto and all his Shadow Clones asked as 20 stomachs growled. "Yeah why not," Tenten told him.
At the Mizu Ramen restaurant Naruto had his goggles off as he ate 10 bowls of Ramen. "I have to say Naruto, you have grown a lot in strength and personality since that day I saved your life," Tenten told him. "Thanks, it's because I have good friends helping me out," Naruto said. Tenten smiled knowing that he also was talking about her. "Naruto, even if you passed the first exam, you still need to prove yourself worthy to your Jonin-sensei by working together with the team your assigned with," Tenten told Naruto from experience. She already told him that he would be teamed up with 2 more Genins, so she didn't need to tell him. "I don't care, I'll do my best working with my team mates even if one of them is Sasuke," Naruto said helping him to another bowl.
Just then a tall man in a neon green jump suit landed between them, along with Rock Lee who wined up looking like the man's clone. "Hey Tenten, what brings you out here," the man asked. "I was just finishing teaching Naruto a jutsu he'll need in order to graduate tomorrow, so now I'm giving him pointers Guy-sensei," Tenten explained. Naruto had met Guy from his last birthday party, and he enjoyed Guy's company. "Oh that's right tomorrow he'll graduate, well Naruto I hope the fire youth burns brightly for your friends tomorrow," Guy shouted. "Yes as I wish you and the others luck as well Naruto," Lee said. "Thanks, I think," Naruto mumbled as he got back to his soup.
The next day everyone was ready for the exams, which the jutsu they had to perform was the clone jutsu. Slowly everyone was called in the separate room and came out with a ninja headband. Including Hinata, Kiba, Sakura, Shikamaru, and Choji. "Naruto Uzumaki," Iruka-sensei called. Naruto entered the room where on the tables the headbands wait. "When ever you're ready Naruto," he instructed Naruto. "I might want to warn you, I haven't master the clone jutsu, but I did learn something similar to it from Tenten," Naruto said as he made a single hand sign. "SHADOW CLONE JUTSU" Naruto shouted as the room filled with 20 shadow clones.
When Iruka touched one of the clones he found out they were solid clones. "Naruto, Jutsu is a Jonin level, and you manage to make 20 clones out of it" Iruka explained. Naruto didn't say a thing as Iruka continued, "Well, let me say that, if you can perform this high level jutsu, then you most definitely deserve the right to be a ninja. Congratulations you graduated." Iruka gave Naruto his headband. Naruto was extra excited that he immediately removed his goggles and tied his headband in its place, and practically ran out of the room.
"Yes, all of us graduated," Kiba said with Akamaru barking. "Yeah but we're far from finishing," Naruto told them. He told his friends and Shino what Tenten told him last night. "What a drag! Just when you think we're done with one test, we have to deal with the other," Shikamaru said. "Don't worry all we need to do is work together to beat our Jonin instructor. The only drag is that the whole group can't be in one squad," Naruto said, "Any way 4:30 at my apartment, graduation party." "w-we'll be there N-Naruto," Hinata said shyly. Naruto blushed a little, 'I sure like it when Hinata does that. Wait where that came from? She's a friend, so why do I get these feelings,' Naruto thought as he try to shake the thought out.
That night Mizuki tried to steal the scroll of sealing on his own (since Naruto graduated, Mizuki couldn't trick Naruto into stealing it for him, like he did in episode one), but was caught in the act and arrested for treason. So Naruto was never told about the Nine-Tail Fox demon sealed in him.
Iruka was about to go over which Genin goes into what squad, "Lord Hokage before I start I'm curious on who was Naruto's 2nd and 3rd friend before the academy and after he met Tenten?" Iruka asked. "Let me guess, your thinking of pairing him up with those two," Hokage said. "Well, yes I thought they stand a chance as a team if they do," Iruka suggested. "In that case, it would be the 2 that helped Tenten prepared Naruto for the Academy, Hinata Hyuga and Kiba Inuzuka along with Kiba's dog Akamaru," the 3rd Hokage told him. Iruka looked down at what he had set up. "Well I had Shino with those two, but I can trade him for Naruto on squads," Iruka said. "I think it wouldn't really matter who you team Naruto up with, as long as he's with his friends, Iruka," 3rd Hokage told him, "But I also agree with you, if Naruto's instructor is Kakashi, you might as well team Naruto up with friends he knew the longest, other than Tenten," the 3rd Hokage with a chuckle.