Starts In Konoha: Unlocking Shadow Clone

After these words came out, the whole class fell silent.

Hinata, who was sitting in front of Naruto, whispered softly, "Naruto-kun… I believe in you..."

Next to her, Kiba raised his thumb with a grin, "Naruto, gotta hand it to you for having guts! I feel relieved to have you as my support."

Earlier, Kiba had only managed to make a single clone, and although he passed the test, his score was at the bottom. But with Naruto stepping up, he could finally ensure that he wouldn't be the last in the class.

Hearing this, Naruto furrowed his brow: "Kiba, I'm not the same Naruto as before. Do you really think I'm still the dead-last?"

"Obviously! You've always been the worst in class." Kiba replied without hesitation.

Naruto took a deep breath and forced himself to suppress the anger in his heart. His eyes narrowed with a mischievous glint: "Alright, since you think I'm the dead-last, why don't we make a bet?"

"What kind of bet?" Kiba asked puzzledly.

"Let's bet on this exam. If I produce more clones than you, you will give Akamaru to me. Do you dare to accept it?" Naruto said playfully.

"This..." Kiba hesitated. As a member of the Inuzuka Clan, his bond with his Ninken, Akamaru, was deep and unbreakable. Akamaru is his partner since childhood, so how could he make a bet with Akamaru as the chip? But he had already boasted too much, so it would be too embarrassing if he backed out now.

After thinking for a moment, Kiba added: "Alright, I'll take the bet! But since Iruka-sensei let you skip the exam, he must think you're even better at the Clone Technique than Sasuke. So, you'll need to create at least four clones for it to count as a win. If you don't, you lose, and you have to admit you're the dead-last! Are you up for that?"

Kiba had only been able to produce one clone himself, so he knew how challenging it was. Even Sasuke couldn't create four clones at the moment, so it was simply a pipe dream for Naruto to be able to do so.

Hearing this bet, Sasuke on the side did not say anything. However, if one looks closely, they can see that Sasuke nodded slightly.

Obviously, Sasuke also didn't think Naruto's Clone Technique could surpass his own.

"Deal!"

Naruto snorted, with a triumphant look in his eyes: "Now, I'll show you all what I'm really made of!"

After saying that, he walked confidently to the exam spot beneath the podium.

In one swift motion, Naruto's hands began forming hand seals with a speed that far surpassed everyone else in the room. But it wasn't just the Clone Technique's simple Ram - Serpent - Tiger sequence. Instead, Naruto formed the seals for the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique: Ox - Dog - Dragon - Rat - Dog - Boar - Serpent - Tiger!

While the basic Clone Technique took five seconds to perform three hand seals, the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique required forming eight hand seals in just four seconds, multiplying the difficulty by several times.

Seeing this scene, not only the students but even Mizuki, standing by Iruka, wore a look of utter shock. Only Iruka, who had seen it once, remained relatively composed.

At the next moment, a massive cloud of white smoke filled the exam spot, and the sound of 'bang bang' was heard continuously, at least ten times.

As the smoke cleared, the entire podium area was filled with clones of Naruto!

But it didn't end there. All of Naruto's clones quickly formed the Ram hand seal, and in the blink of an eye, each clone transformed into a beautiful, long-haired girl.

Seeing this, the classroom plunged into dead silence.

Everyone knew that basic clones were mere illusions and couldn't perform a second Ninjutsu. It was clear that these weren't ordinary clones but genuine Shadow Clones. And the fact that Naruto had created over ten of them in one go showcased an astounding amount of Chakra.

The graduation exam mainly tested the Clone Technique and Transformation Technique, but Naruto had effortlessly combined both, proving beyond a doubt he deserved to skip the exam!

His impressive display left the entire class awestruck, jaws dropping in disbelief.

Naruto's precise control and mastery made it clear… there was no way he was the dead-last.

Bang!

Satisfied with the stunned reactions below, Naruto dispelled the Ninjutsu and turned to Iruka with a calm smile, "Iruka-sensei, have I passed the exam?"

"You know how to use a fusion of Ninjutsu? Excellent grades. Naruto, congratulations on your successful graduation!" It took Iruka to finally snap out of his shock. He realized how remarkable Naruto had become, as Naruto's skill had genuinely stunned him.

"Iruka-sensei, I have a few more words I'd like to say." Naruto added with a gleam in his eyes.

"Go ahead." Iruka gestured.

"As a Shinobi, I've been searching for the true essence of what it means to be a Shinobi. What exactly is a Shinobi? Although I haven't reached the deepest understanding, I know one thing: 'Shinobi' implies endurance. That's why I've endured for years, without seeking applause or admiration, just quietly training with all my might. Today's results wouldn't have been possible without years of hard work."

Naruto cleared his throat and continued, "I think I have learned a little bit about the Shinobi's way of endurance. Today, I show my strength, not to boast, but to prove I am worthy of leaving the Academy as a true Shinobi. I, Uzumaki Naruto, am not the dead-last you all see me as!"

After he finished speaking, the whole class fell into silence, and everyone felt a burning sensation on their face.

Who could have imagined that the 'dead-last' they belittled had been striving tirelessly all along? Someone with such perseverance had endured their scorn without ever breaking, while many of them could barely match Naruto's strength now. Who were they to laugh at him?

Even Iruka trembled, realizing how wrong he'd been about Naruto all these years!

Thinking of this, Iruka couldn't help but lead the applause.

With one person taking the lead, the entire class burst into warm applause.

"Naruto, you've done so well all these years. It must have been so hard on you. I'm proud to have taught such an outstanding student. I also apologize for misunderstanding you all these years!" Iruka said, his eyes wet with emotion.

"Naruto, I'm sorry, I misjudged you!"

"I had no idea you were this incredible!"

"You are amazing!"

Classmates followed with apologies, giving Naruto the thumbs-up in admiration.

Seeing this, Naruto felt the resentment in his heart finally dissolve.

The speech he'd just made was something he improvised, but he'd needed to say it to change these people's views of him. He didn't want to always be the dead-last in everyone's eyes, it was too stifling.

When his goal was achieved, Naruto smiled and said, "My dear classmates, you don't need to apologize. Your criticisms were also what drove me to improve. It is thanks to all of you that I achieved today's results. I know you all have great potential and have worked hard in your own ways. I hope our class goes on to become excellent Shinobi in the future!"

Clap, clap, clap!

The entire class applauded enthusiastically, their eyes filled with hope, envisioning a bright future as Shinobi.

Seeing this, Iruka nodded approvingly. At this point, he didn't need to say anything more.

From the collective doubt just now to the current unity and the aspiration to become excellent Shinobi, it had all stemmed from Naruto's powerful speech.

Iruka found himself more and more hopeful about Naruto's future. He couldn't help but recall their talk at the ramen shop last night, 'Maybe… just maybe… Naruto really could become the Hokage one day!'

However, just when the class was in high spirits, Naruto cleared his throat and looked toward Kiba. "Kiba, I believe I won our bet. So… are you ready to hand over Akamaru?"