Naruto seemed to struggle with focusing long enough to get some of the more basic jutsus down. He had already failed at becoming a Genin twice when he was sure he could graduate early. Even Sasuke wasn't ready to graduate early, but Naruto had big dreams and wanted to get started on those as soon as possible. Shanan and Sasuke had told him many times that he couldn't cut corners if he wanted to be the greatest.

But that didn't stop him from being tricked by a rogue Jonin, Mizuki, into retrieving a forbidden scroll. He had been promised help and personal training and Naruto thought he was helping a nice and trustworthy friend. But Mizuki had plans to betray the village and kill Naruto.

Naruto had waited to meet up with him in the woods to give him the scroll. But as he waited, he read a portion of it and learned how to do an impressive jutsu that nobody else seemed to know. The multi shadow-clone jutsu.

Most clones weren't nearly as tangible as these and most people could only make a few at a time, but suddenly, Naruto could make 100 solid clones easily. With those he managed to take Mizuki down after he tried to kill Naruto's favorite teacher, Iruka Sensei.

Iruka was young for a teacher. He had a large scar across his face and was one of the few other people that seemed to care for Naruto. Shanan had never had him as a teacher, but she appreciated the way he looked after Naruto, very much.

And seeing Iruka trying so hard to protect him even after being hurt pushed Naruto over the edge. He had been scared of Mizuki until that point, but something had awakened inside of him and he used his new jutsu to overpower Mizuki easily.

Iruka had failed Naruto earlier that day for failing to make even the most basic shadow-clone, but seeing him evolve so quickly under pressure made him change his mind. He then told Naruto he believed in him and that he deserved to be a Genin.

Naruto had managed to sneak out that night. When Shanan woke up and saw that he was gone she decided to give him a little space. He was probably training on the roof since he had just failed his final exam earlier in the day. Shanan and Sasuke had tried to teach him the shadow-clone jutsu in time, but there was something about it that he wasn't getting. Shanan decided to work harder and keep trying to teach him, but for now she would try and get some sleep.

After a couple of hours, she woke up again and saw that he still wasn't back. This time she was going to go and check on him, he couldn't stay up all night and she was starting to worry, but as she was getting her shoes on, he walked in.

"There you are," she said a little too loudly, which woke Sasuke up. "Sorry..." she said to Sasuke quietly before turning back to Naruto. "Where were you?"

Naruto's face turned red and he looked down in shame. "I guess I would rather you hear it from me," he told them. He went on to explain all that had happened that day. And then what had just happened after he snuck out.

Shanan felt really bad now. Naruto had seemed genuinely happy for Sasuke when he passed his exam easily, and he probably was. But she should've known just how disappointed in himself he really was. She was also stressed about Sasuke being assigned to a team soon, but she should have known that Naruto would try anything for another chance. She should have been there for him.

"I should've helped you today," Sasuke said. "I saw you speaking with Mizuki, I should have asked you about it and helped you out instead. You're my brother… I should've helped you instead focusing on myself," he said guiltily

Shanan had felt as though she was completely responsible and was surprised that Sasuke did as well.

"Sasuke...," Naruto seemed just as surprised at Sasuke's words. "It's ok. If you guys had been able to teach me, then I wouldn't have learned such a cool trick. And things turned out alright. But I know that it could've been worse and I'm sorry I snuck out, guys. But I'm not even gonna be in any trouble," he said with a grin. "Besides, I finally passed my exam and get to be a Genin now!"

He gave his signature thumbs up and Shanan and Sasuke went in to hug him.

Things really could've turned out so much worse, so they were glad that he was safe. And they were really proud of him. Even if he was a bit of an idiot.