Naruto sat up in bed, his orange hair falling messily in front of his eyes. His gaze was cold, hollow, void of any spark of happiness or hope. A long time ago, he had been a boy with dreams and endless energy, but now, he felt only resentment and bitterness toward the village that had caged him. Each day, he felt his anger grow, like a storm brewing deep within his soul. The seal on his forehead kept his power in check, but it did nothing to silence the fury in his heart.

He threw back his thin blanket and swung his legs over the edge of the bed, his movements silent but full of purpose. Standing up, he stretched, feeling the strength in his body, the muscle he had built through relentless, lonely training. He had become strong—strong enough that he could almost feel the power thrumming beneath the surface, waiting to be unleashed. The power, always just out of reach, taunted him every day, as if daring him to break free.

Naruto reached for his clothes, pulling on a loose, dark outfit similar to the one he'd once seen in an old picture of a boy named Kimimaro—a shinobi like him, cursed with a power that others feared. The clothes were simple: a sleeveless top that exposed the strength of his arms and a pair of long pants with straps to hold his kunai and shuriken. He tied a thick rope belt around his waist, completing the look with forearm guards to help channel his strength. His movements were methodical, his expression unchanging.

As he pulled his hair back from his face, his gaze flicked to the Kabutowari resting in the corner of his room. He didn't need it yet—he was still far from mastering it—but the weapon was a reminder of who he was, of the legacy his father had left for him. And one day, he would wield it with the control and strength his father had.

Naruto walked to the front door of his apartment, exhaling slowly as he placed his hand on the cold metal knob. Outside, he already knew they would be waiting. They were always waiting.

As he opened the door, three ANBU operatives stepped forward, their masks reflecting nothing back at him. The leader held up a set of chakra-suppressing chains, a ritual that had become as familiar as breathing.

"Wrists, Naruto," the ANBU said, his voice devoid of any warmth.

Naruto extended his hands without a word, letting them snap the chains into place around his wrists. The moment they clicked shut, he felt the seal on his forehead flare up, reinforcing the control on his chakra. The chains were heavy, dragging on his movements, but he barely noticed anymore. It was just another part of his daily routine.

Without a word, they set off toward the academy, Naruto walking in the center of the silent procession. Villagers stepped aside, watching the young boy and his escort, their faces a mix of fear, judgment, and relief. Naruto ignored them, his focus locked on the path ahead. He had stopped caring about their whispers and stares long ago. They meant nothing to him.

Today was the graduation exam.

When they arrived at the academy, the ANBU led Naruto through the front entrance, guiding him to the classroom where the test would take place. He stepped inside, feeling the familiar tension as every head turned his way. Iruka was at the front, looking at him with a mixture of pity and worry. Naruto felt a flare of annoyance at the pity in his teacher's eyes. He didn't need anyone's pity; all he needed was to become stronger.

The other students whispered as he took his seat, their stares lingering on his bound wrists and the seal on his forehead. He could feel their fear and curiosity, but he met their glances with a cold, impassive gaze. They didn't understand him, and they never would.

Iruka cleared his throat and began to explain the structure of the graduation exam. "Today, we'll be testing each of you on the basics—Transformation Jutsu, Clone Technique, and Substitution Jutsu. Those who pass will officially become genin."

The students buzzed with excitement, but Naruto remained silent, watching Iruka with a steely focus. This was his chance to prove himself—to show that, chains or no chains, he was more than just the village's burden. He wasn't just a monster they could lock away.

One by one, students were called up to the front to demonstrate their jutsu. Naruto watched them, his expression blank as each classmate took their turn. Some succeeded, others stumbled, but none of it mattered to him. He was focused solely on his own turn, knowing that his every move would be watched and judged.

Finally, Iruka called his name.

Naruto stood and walked to the front, feeling the weight of every gaze in the room pressing down on him. His chains clinked softly as he moved, the oppressive seal on his forehead pulsing with every step. Iruka gave him a small nod of encouragement, though Naruto barely registered it.

"Alright, Naruto," Iruka said. "Start with the Transformation Jutsu."

Naruto took a deep breath, focusing his chakra despite the restraints. He knew the transformation wasn't perfect—the seal limited his chakra flow, making it harder to control his abilities. Still, he pressed forward, weaving the signs and visualizing his target.

In a flash of smoke, Naruto transformed into a perfect replica of Iruka. It wasn't his best work, but it was enough to pass. Iruka nodded, looking pleased, and gestured for him to move on.

"Now, the Clone Technique," Iruka instructed.

Naruto steeled himself, knowing this jutsu had always been his weakness. The seal dampened his chakra control, making it nearly impossible to create clones. He focused hard, feeling the strain as he forced his chakra into shape. A single, weak clone flickered beside him before vanishing in a puff of smoke.

The other students snickered, their laughter like needles digging into his pride. Naruto clenched his fists, struggling to keep his anger in check as he stared at the empty space where his clone had been.

Iruka's face softened, but he didn't comment. He knew Naruto's situation and the difficulty of controlling chakra under such severe limitations. "You did well, Naruto. Finally, the Substitution Jutsu."

Naruto took a deep breath, clearing his mind. He visualized the target—a wooden log across the room. With a flash of movement, he completed the signs, and in an instant, he had switched places with the log, appearing where it had stood a moment ago.

Iruka gave him an approving nod. "Well done, Naruto. You passed."

Naruto returned to his seat, his expression stoic as he ignored the glances of his classmates. Some looked impressed, others surprised, but none dared speak to him directly. He sat back, feeling a rare glimmer of satisfaction. It wasn't much, but it was a step. He would take it.

When the exam concluded, Iruka approached him with his forehead protector, a symbol of his new rank as a genin. Naruto took it, his fingers brushing over the metal plate, feeling the weight of it. This was more than just a piece of metal; it was proof that he had succeeded, that he was one step closer to control.

"Congratulations, Naruto," Iruka said quietly, his tone kind but cautious.

Naruto simply nodded, securing the protector around his forehead, just below the sealing tag. It felt strange, wearing it alongside the chains that bound him, but it was a reminder that he was strong enough to endure.

As he left the classroom, the ANBU reattached his chains, and he fell in line without a word. He didn't care about the whispers or the stares anymore. He was a genin now, and this was only the beginning.