Chapter 26: Graduation Ceremony
The next morning, Naruto arrived at the top floor of the Hokage Tower, where the photographer was already waiting. After the photos were taken, he collected them and made his way to the Hokage's office to apply for his official Genin certificate from Konoha.
As soon as he entered, he saw a seven-year-old boy rushing toward the Hokage. But due to his overly long scarf, the boy tripped and fell. Naruto instantly recognized the only one in the village who would dare behave like that with the Hokage—his grandson, Sarutobi Konohamaru.
Naruto ignored Konohamaru and walked up to the Hokage. Handing him the documents, he said with a smile, "Grandpa Hokage, this is my paperwork. From now on, I'm a Genin of Konoha."
The Hokage reviewed the information, stamped it with approval, and smiled warmly. "Congratulations, Naruto. From today onward, you are officially a Genin of Konoha."
With a gentle sigh, he added, "Time really flies… You've grown into a fine young ninja, ready to stand on your own."
Naruto replied respectfully, "Thank you for everything, Grandpa Hokage."
The old man chuckled fondly. "No need for such formalities. Your father entrusted you to me, and I've always considered you my own grandson. I believe you won't let me down."
"I won't," Naruto replied confidently. "I promise."
Meanwhile, Ebisu—who had just helped Konohamaru back to his feet—was watching from the side, thinking, So that's the Nine-Tails kid? I heard he was a troublemaker… but he doesn't seem like one at all.
Konohamaru, now up again, saw Naruto laughing and chatting with the Hokage. His face twisted with jealousy. He marched up to Naruto and shouted, "Hey! You tripped me on purpose, didn't you?! Do you even know who I am?!"
He threw a punch at Naruto—but before he got close, a diamond-shaped seal formed and bound him. Naruto hadn't applied any sealing jutsu—it was simply a chakra-formed rope to restrain him. Konohamaru struggled and cursed, but it was no use.
The Hokage sighed in embarrassment but remained calm, knowing Naruto wouldn't hurt him.
Ebisu stepped forward nervously. "Let him go, please! That's Lord Konohamaru, the Third Hokage's grandson!"
Naruto ignored him and stepped up to Konohamaru.
"I'm the Third Hokage's grandson! You wouldn't dare hit me!" Konohamaru yelled arrogantly.
In his head, he scoffed, He's probably like that stiff Ebisu—too scared to do anything to me.
But Naruto said nothing and gave him a solid smack on the forehead.
You think being the Third Hokage's grandson makes you special? Naruto thought to himself, I'm the son of the Fourth Hokage, and I don't act high and mighty. You little brat, acting all arrogant—I'll beat some sense into you.
Konohamaru was stunned. Ebisu froze. The Hokage just shook his head with a helpless chuckle.
Feeling refreshed after putting the brat in his place, Naruto headed to the Hyuga estate for a date with Hinata. But his mood quickly soured when Konohamaru showed up again—this time poorly disguised with his "Shadow Clone Jutsu" and insisting Naruto was his boss.
Naruto just wanted to enjoy his time with Hinata, so he refused. But Konohamaru kept tailing them, annoying Naruto to no end.
Taking advantage of a moment of distraction, Naruto finally shook Konohamaru off and went to the park with Hinata.
"Who is that kid?" Hinata asked, confused. "Why is he following you?"
Naruto sighed. "That's Konohamaru. The Third Hokage's grandson. I don't know what his deal is."
"The Third's grandson? Why does he want you to be his boss?"
"No idea. And honestly, I don't care." Naruto changed the subject with a smile. "By the way, Hinata, today's the graduation ceremony. I heard that once we become Genin, we'll be assigned to squads. I really hope we end up in the same group."
Hinata blushed and nodded. "I… I hope so too, Naruto-kun."
Naruto looked at her warmly. "Hinata…"
"Na-Naruto-kun…" she replied shyly, gazing back at him. Their faces inched closer.
Just as their lips were about to touch—
"Boss! There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you!" Konohamaru's voice pierced the moment.
Startled, Hinata turned beet red and pushed Naruto away. "I-I just remembered something! I have to go!"
Then she dashed off in embarrassment.
Naruto stood there in disbelief. Just a bit more… just a little more and I could've kissed Hinata… Damn it, Konohamaru!
His face darkened. He turned and glared at the boy. "You little brat… You ruined everything! I swear, if I don't beat the crap out of you, I'm not Uzumaki Naruto!"
With a yell, he lunged at Konohamaru. The boy panicked, realizing too late that he had ruined something important. He turned to run—but Naruto was already in front of him.
"B-Boss! Wait! I didn't mean to! Just listen!"
"No point in talking."
Naruto didn't give him a chance to explain and gave him a thorough beating until Konohamaru was bawling for his parents.
Then Naruto asked seriously, "Alright, what's with you anyway?"
Konohamaru wiped his tears and said, "I want you to teach me ninjutsu… so I can defeat my grandfather and become Hokage!"
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "You want to be Hokage?"
"Yes," Konohamaru replied firmly.
Naruto looked at him with renewed seriousness. "Becoming Hokage isn't just about defeating the previous one. You need the acknowledgment of everyone in the village. That's the only way."
"Everyone in the village?" Konohamaru echoed, confused.
"Yes," Naruto said. "There are no shortcuts. The road to becoming Hokage is filled with hardship and sadness. Can you handle carrying the pain of the whole village?"
Konohamaru fell silent, thinking deeply. Then he nodded. "Yes. I can. I'll earn everyone's recognition, no matter what."
Naruto smiled proudly. This kid has potential. Strong character, justice, and responsibility. He could be a worthy successor…
"Alright then," Naruto said. "If you want to become Hokage, you need strength to protect the village. I'll teach you ninjutsu, starting now."
"Really?! Thanks, Boss! You're the best!" Konohamaru shouted with joy. "So what are you gonna teach me first?"
Naruto grinned. "We'll start with the Transformation Technique—but not just any kind. I created this one myself: the Sexy Jutsu. I used it to defeat your grandfather once."
"Seriously?! Then I have to learn it too!"
Naruto laughed. "No worries. You'll master it. Now, try transforming into a big sister."
Konohamaru started learning the Sexy Jutsu—and to Naruto's surprise, he was a quick learner. By the afternoon, he could perform it decently (though still a bit clumsy… you know, heh).
Just then, Ebisu found him and tried to drag him home. But Konohamaru resisted and even used the Sexy Jutsu on him.
Ebisu was unimpressed—until Naruto appeared and knocked him out cold using the upgraded Harem Technique.
The next morning, Naruto walked to the graduation ceremony with Hinata. But his mind was elsewhere.
Curious, Hinata finally asked, "Naruto-kun, is something wrong? You seem a bit distracted."
Naruto gave an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Hinata. I don't know why, but I have this strange feeling that something bad might happen today. I've used my sensory abilities, but I can't detect any threat. It's... weird."
Hinata, now intrigued by Naruto's unease, took it seriously. She knew how reliable Naruto's senses were. If he felt something was off, there was probably a reason behind it.
She activated her Byakugan and scanned the surroundings carefully. But everything in the village seemed perfectly normal.
"That's odd," she said, puzzled. "I didn't see anything suspicious with my Byakugan either."
Naruto saw the concern in her eyes and tried to lighten the mood. "Maybe I'm just being paranoid. Besides, with my Flying Thunder God technique, I can handle any surprise. Let's hurry up, or we'll be late."
With that, he took Hinata's hand and walked forward with confident strides. Hinata looked down at their hands, her cheeks turning slightly pink. "Y-Yes, Naruto-kun," she replied shyly.
When they arrived at the classroom, most of the students were already there.
Kiba noticed them walking in hand-in-hand and raised an eyebrow. "Naruto? What are you doing here? Isn't today the graduation ceremony? I thought you failed the exam and had to repeat a year?"
Naruto grinned and waved the Konoha forehead protector tied around his arm. "I graduated too, Kiba! You think a little exam could stop me? You're way too naive."
Kiba scoffed, pointing to his own forehead protector. "Hmph, you're not the only one. I've got mine too."
Just then, Sasuke entered the room. Naruto's expression brightened. "Hey, Sasuke. You made it."
Sasuke walked over and gave a slight nod. "Looks like your plan worked. Congratulations."
"Thanks," Naruto replied.
At that moment, someone suddenly bumped into Naruto from behind, causing him to stumble forward—right into Sasuke.
The entire classroom fell silent.