Time flew.
In the blink of an eye, it was the 60th year of Konoha, the year Naruto and Sasuke were to graduate.
Everyone was nervous about the final graduation exam.
Under Iruka's direction, the students entered the classroom one by one in an orderly fashion to be tested on the Three Basic Jutsu.
Waiting in the hallway with the other students, Naruto, however, felt calm.
As long as he passed this exam, he would become a ninja and could leave the village to undertake missions.
He was already twelve years old but had never once stepped outside Konoha. He yearned for the world beyond, wondering if it was as full of unknowns as the knowledge he had acquired from the "modern world."
He profoundly understood the importance of freedom.
As the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, he had been under strict surveillance for twelve years, and he had also maintained his training for twelve years.
His gaze swept over each of his classmates; every face was etched with excitement and tension.
"Ninja," Naruto mused silently.
He understood that being a ninja was not his ultimate destiny.
From his knowledge of the "modern world," he had learned about various professions in modern society.
White-collar workers, athletes, explorers, archaeologists.
Society had order, significantly reducing the occurrence of evil.
Naruto longed for that kind of peaceful world.
The current ninja world was fraught with danger; ninja villages and great nations were all wary of each other.
No one knew when the next Shinobi War might erupt.
No one could guarantee their loved ones wouldn't truly lose their lives.
In this chaotic ninja world, life was so fragile.
"I want to possess life and power that transcends everything." A seed quietly took root in Naruto's heart.
"Uzumaki Naruto." Just then, Iruka's voice interrupted Naruto's thoughts.
He immediately stepped into the classroom. On a desk, a row of Konoha forehead protectors was neatly arranged. The examiners were Umino Iruka and Mizuki.
"Clone Jutsu!" Naruto swiftly formed the hand seals.
A perfect clone appeared beside Naruto.
Within him, Minato smiled. Naruto is becoming a ninja today.
Beside him, the Nine-Tails snorted disdainfully. If I were to interfere with his chakra control, it would be a different story.
That's not necessarily true. Naruto's chakra control isn't bad, Minato shook his head. Even if you interfered, he could still pass.
"Hmph."
"Pass."
"Congratulations on becoming a ninja, Naruto." As the result was announced, Iruka smiled, picked up a forehead protector, and gently handed it to Naruto. "You are the student I am most proud of."
"Thank you." Looking at Iruka, Naruto expressed his sincere gratitude.
His mind drifted back to a certain snowy day two years ago.
Naruto remembered it was snowing then.
After parting ways with Sasuke and Rock Lee, he had been walking alone on the street.
He was continuously memorizing the incantations for various Kido spells.
Just then, a familiar figure appeared at the end of the street.
It was Iruka.
He had learned from other students that Iruka's parents had also died during the Nine-Tails' attack.
From a certain perspective, Naruto could be considered Iruka's enemy.
This was why Iruka's gaze had been so complicated when they first met.
However, in the following years, Iruka had perfectly fulfilled his duties as a teacher. He taught diligently, cared about each student's growth, and had never once given Naruto a hard time.
This was unexpected for Naruto.
In his memory, any villager who held a "grudge" against him would either curse him or, at the very least, give him the cold shoulder. But Iruka hadn't.
Without hesitation, Naruto walked up to Iruka and greeted him.
Seeing Naruto, Iruka was rather surprised and then explained his purpose.
The father of a student in the class had died on a mission. The student was emotionally devastated, locking himself at home all day, refusing to eat or drink. As his teacher, Iruka had decided to visit the student's home to understand the situation better.
Naruto knew the student too; he was a very ordinary, even poorly performing, student in the class.
As far as he knew, homeroom teachers at the Ninja Academy only needed to impart ninja knowledge. Regardless of how well they taught, their monthly salary wouldn't decrease.
Many homeroom teachers adopted a laissez-faire approach, teaching what they knew and occasionally showing some concern for the students.
But after school, it was: you are you, I am I; your life has nothing to do with me.
I won't interfere much, and I hope you won't disturb me either.
Of course, teachers paid close attention to excellent students, trying their best to meet all their requests.
As for the poor students, they were left to fend for themselves.
Iruka could be considered a very special teacher.
"Naruto, you get along so well with everyone in class. Could you come with me?" Iruka invited Naruto, his tone gentle.
Naruto accompanied Iruka to the underperforming student's home. He watched as Iruka gently comforted the student, sharing his own past.
In the past, he, like the student, had loving parents and a happy life.
But tragedy always arrived unannounced. During the Nine-Tails' attack, his parents perished, leaving him alone in a cold house.
He had despaired, had been enraged, but then he thought that if his parents were alive, they certainly wouldn't want to see him wallow in misery.
Life is tragic, but it must go on.
He had to live on, carrying his parents' hopes.
So he chose to become a teacher, hoping to guide lost children and help them find their way.
Iruka's words deeply moved Naruto.
For a moment, he even saw a vision of himself using his "Talk no Jutsu."
So, Naruto also stepped forward and, coordinating with Iruka, delivered a double dose of motivational speech.
The underperforming student was instantly moved to tears, feeling as if his entire life had been elevated. He hugged Iruka and Naruto, declaring his resolve.
From then on, the class had one more diligent student and one less underperformer.
Afterward, Iruka enthusiastically treated Naruto to a meal of ramen, and the two chatted happily.
Naruto was touched by Iruka's sense of responsibility.
Iruka, in turn, was moved by Naruto's optimism and gentleness.
Even though he had been cruelly hurt, Naruto still chose to bring warmth to everyone.
Perhaps this was why the entire class trusted him.
At that time, Iruka, with a grand wave of his hand, treated Naruto to three large bowls of ramen.
Afterward, he clutched his empty wallet with a pitiful expression as he watched Naruto leave.
Snapping back from his memories, Naruto took the forehead protector and tied it around his arm.
He gave Iruka-sensei a gentle smile, nodded, and left the classroom.
Watching Naruto depart, the corners of Iruka's mouth couldn't help but curve upwards.
Beside him, Mizuki frowned and asked, "Iruka-sensei, Naruto is the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox that killed your parents. Don't you hate him?"
"Hate? I certainly did once." Iruka shook his head and said with a smile, "But later, I came to understand. Naruto is different. Though called a demon fox, he hasn't hurt a single person. Instead, he strives to gain recognition. He wasn't defeated by rumors; he crushed all the malice and shouldered it himself, yet he left warmth and sunshine for everyone."
"He is my most outstanding student, and I firmly believe he will become Hokage," Iruka stated unequivocally.
Though surrounded by darkness, he became a light for everyone.
This is the disciple I am most proud of.
Uzumaki Naruto.