Naruto: Shadows of the Divine Flame

Graduation day had arrived.

For years, the Academy had been a structured routine of lessons, spars, and written exams designed to shape us into shinobi. Some students, like Sasuke, had always been at the top, excelling in every subject without fail. Others, like Naruto, struggled with even the most basic techniques. Now, after everything, we were at the final hurdle—the Genin Graduation Exam.

The atmosphere in the classroom was thick with tension. Some students sat with an air of confidence, already certain of their success. Others, like Naruto, were fidgeting in their seats, barely keeping their nerves in check. I sat near the back, watching as Iruka stood at the front of the room, explaining the details of the exam.

"You will each be called in one by one to perform the required technique in front of the instructors. Successfully completing the jutsu will earn you your headband and the rank of genin."

Iruka's tone was firm but encouraging, but it did little to ease the anxious energy buzzing through the room. Naruto, sitting beside me, was muttering under his breath, hands gripping the desk tightly.

"I suck at this jutsu," he groaned, barely keeping his voice low enough to avoid catching Iruka's attention. "I've failed every time. What if—what if I mess up again?"

I leaned back in my seat, arms crossed. "Then you fail."

Naruto shot me an incredulous look. "Aren't you supposed to say something *encouraging*?"

I smirked. "Would you rather I lie?"

He opened his mouth, closed it, and then groaned, slamming his head against the desk. "I *hate* you sometimes."

I chuckled but said nothing more. There wasn't much I could do to help him now. The test was simple: perform the **Clone Jutsu**, a basic E-rank technique that every Academy student was expected to master. For most, it was easy. For Naruto? Not so much. His chakra control was terrible, something I had noticed early on. He always put too much energy into his techniques, overwhelming them instead of refining them.

One by one, students were called into the next room, where they would perform the required jutsu in front of Iruka and Mizuki. Each time, they came out wearing a forehead protector, proof of their success. Sasuke was one of the first to finish, returning to the classroom with his usual cool indifference.

Then—

"Naruto Uzumaki!"

Naruto gulped loudly. I could practically see the sweat on his forehead as he stood up and dragged himself toward the exam room. The classroom fell silent for a long moment, and then—

"Naruto… you failed."

There was an awkward silence as Naruto stumbled back into the classroom, shoulders slumped, eyes shadowed with disappointment. I could tell he was barely holding it together. I didn't say anything—he was already punishing himself more than anyone else could.

Then—

"Raiden Uchiha."

I stood and walked into the exam room, where Iruka and Mizuki were seated behind a desk, both watching me expectantly.

"All you have to do is perform the Clone Jutsu," Iruka said.

Simple. I lifted my hands into the required seal, barely needing a moment to focus.

"Bunshin no Jutsu."

Three identical clones appeared around me—solid, stable, perfect.

Iruka nodded approvingly. "Excellent work, Raiden. You pass."

Mizuki smiled. "As expected."

I stepped forward and took the forehead protector from Iruka's hands, tying it around my head with a sense of finality.

I had officially become a shinobi.