Chapter 38 – Graduation II
The graduation day exams had arrived a week later. In the class, most felt tensed and many was discussing about the topic the examiners will evaluate during the graduation exam.
“Azuma what do you think is the topic of the graduation exam this time? I heard last year was stealth.”
Azuma was listening to everyone as they tried to find out the probable examination topic when Naruto asked Azuma for his opinion. “Eh… I do not exactly know, but I doubt that they will have the same topic twice in a row. Therefore, I think it should be about another topic. I think general ninjutsu it a possible topic for them to test.”
“General ninjutsu? What is that?”
“…”
Practically everyone in the class looking at Naruto dumbfounded when he asked that question.
“Sigh… Naruto...” After five years being around Naruto, Azuma thought Naruto had changed. He passed his yearly exams for one and so Azuma thought this time Naruto will at least know about general things better. That thought now had crumble to dust Naruto is still Naruto.
“What? Why are you all looking at me like that, I really do not know…” Naruto felt uncomfortable when everyone was silenced still and looked at him. It was a look that made everyone wonder if Naruto is really the fourth hokage son and wondered how he manage to reach this far without being held back.
Azuma saw Naruto was getting uncomfortable, and since he know that it could be just Naruto being Naruto he decided to explain. “I guess I need to be specific then, I hope you know about body replacement technique, transformation technique or clone technique rite?”
“Yes of course I know about those, what is that about?” – Naruto
“… Naruto that’s example of general ninjutsu that everyone know about.” Azuma was stump with Naruto reply. It made him realize that Naruto is a complete blockhead again.
“Ah… but clone technique… hope it is not clone technique…” – Naruto
When Naruto was hoping that the examination topic was not demonstrating clone technique Iruka came and made the announcement. “All right everyone this year graduation test is clone technique, please come to the examination hall when you are called.”
“Erk… clone technique… why must it be clone technique” Naruto was completely stumped, he turn dejected when he found the examination topic.
“Huh? Why you are so dejected Naruto? It is just clone technique.” – Azuma
“Azuma help Me~” Naruto came towards Azuma feeling dejected and sad.
Azuma was shocked by the turn of events, he asked him about it. To his surprise Naruto told Azuma that he could not do the clone technique. Naruto could not explain why that was but he always fall short when he tried to do clone technique.
‘He cannot do clone technique? It is the same like the alternate reality, if that is true than I suppose that he need to do the shadow clone technique like before to pass then. Luckily, this time round he will pass with the others as I already thought him shadow clone technique during training.’
Azuma did not know the true reason that Naruto was not able to do clone technique in the past.
However now Azuma had a feeling that the most probable cause is because of the interaction between his chakra and the Yang Kyuubi. The interaction created an imbalance in his chakra. Based on Naruto chakra control and understanding it would be difficult for him to use simple pure yin techniques. The reasoning is slightly outstretch but it have validity to it.
Based on Azuma understanding of Yin and Yang molding. The Shadow clone can rely more towards Yang than Yin. To create the clone physical form it required the Yang properties, there is no use of Yin if it is used that way. With proper sense and chakra control one will then be able to utilize the Yin part of the shadow clone. As the Yin properties is the spiritual essence of the shadow clone that contain the experience and memories of the clone. However to mold the shadow clone technique to have a physical clone is Yang, and one can almost completely neglect the Yin part of it.
The relation with Yin and Yang can also be seen in the transformation technique and clone technique.
For the transformation technique, it rely on the individual physical body, to change one physical properties it is more reliant towards Yang properties compared to Yin.
As for clone technique, it is just an illusion of a person that had no physical form. It may have a look of the individual but it does not have any physical properties at all, it is completely an illusion of an individual. There is no dependence of Yang properties there only Yin properties.
Because of the Kyuubi within Naruto is the Yang Kyuubi, Naruto would have excess of Yang but extremely lack of Yin. With his level of chakra control and manipulation at this stage, the possibility of Naruto to mold any pure Yin technique is practically none. Naruto will need to be better with his chakra control and sense before he can even get a feel of Yin properties. He probably also will need to wait until he understand the Kyuubi chakra better.
While Azuma was thinking about the reasons, Azuma decided to inform him a probable fix for his current dilemma. He knew that in the alternate reality he passed the exam later using the shadow clone technique. “I do not know if it is possible but you could try using shadow clone technique instead of clone technique. I think you should be able to pass with that since shadow clone technique is more advance clone technique.”
“Ah, Shadow clone. I can do that.” After hearing Azuma suggestion Naruto was excited about the option to use Shadow clone instead.
It was not a minute sooner as the Examiner came in and called. “Next, Uzumaki Naruto.”
“Yosh! I can do it!” – Naruto
“Good luck! Remember use shadow clone instead of clone technique” – Azuma
“I will thanks a bunch Azuma.” – Naruto
….
The examiner was calling the students one after another. As time passes it was Azuma turn. “Next, Uzufuyuki Azuma.”
Azuma quietly followed the examiner to the examination hall where he saw Iruka and two other examiner sitting ahead looking at him with his profile paper on the desk.
When Iruka saw Azuma, he smiled. “Ok Azuma you can begin, show me the clone technique.”
“Yes, Iruka-sensei” – Azuma
‘Ram → Snake → Tiger’
“Bunshin no Jutsu” – Azuma
‘Spoof’ (A clone Azuma appeared next to him)
“Good, you passed.” It was just Iruka had expected as he looked at Azuma with a smile.
“Thank you, Iruka-sensei.” Azuma smiled back.
“So are you going to join Konoha.” – Iruka
“I am sorry but I decided to be independent for now, Iruka-sensei.” – Azuma
Hearing that Azuma was not going to join Konoha ranks was a shock for him but he know that Azuma is different to others. Even the other examiners felt that Konoha had lost a capable ninja candidate but they acknowledge that Azuma is someone that can walk a completely different path to many others. They kept it to themselves.
“Ah, no problem Azuma. I wish for the best.” – Iruka
“Thank you, Iruka-sensei.” – Azuma
….
When Azuma came back, Naruto was waiting for him with others that passed the exam in the lecture room. “Hey Azuma here… thanks for your advice, see (while showing his Konoha head protector)”
Looking at Naruto showing his forehead protector Azuma smiled as he congratulated him while thinking about the change.
While Azuma walked towards them, Naruto noticed that Azuma did not have a protector with him. Noticing that Naruto face changed as he felt worried, he thought Azuma failed a test that he should have passed easily.
“Eh, you passed rite.” – Naruto
“Yes I did.” – Azuma
When Azuma replied that he passed Naruto was wondering why Azuma did not have his protector then. “But where is your protector.”
“Oh that, I decided not to join Konoha.” – Azuma
With that reply, Naruto worried look turn to shock “Ah! Why Not Azuma.” Most that heard the conversation was also shocked Other than Shikamaru and Choji, which Azuma already told, the ones from the capital was also calm about it. For them it was a matter of fact especially for someone like Azuma. Only the ones from Konoha particularly the ones that know him was still in shock.
“Why!” – Naruto
Azuma thought for a while and decided to go for a short and simple explanation. “Short explanation is I have other plans and joining Konoha to be a ninja for that will not help me in achieving it.”
Naruto could not understand Azuma reasoning and started his rant again.
Meanwhile Azuma was sighing internally trying to figure out how to explain it better to Naruto. Azuma thought for a while, he cannot explain the true reason and he already told about his plans to Shikamaru and Choji. After a while, he decided to explain it based from the capital point of view.
“Naruto, you are from Konoha and for you getting a profession as a Ninja is a common path for someone that has come to age. It is different for me and for many others who came from the capital.
For us that came from the capital we are living a life that is related closely to our family or clans. Our family and clans are either in politics or in businesses, some are in both of those fields as well. We are not a ninja clan or family like in Konoha.
Attending the Ninja Academy is a path that we took to further our education, trying to understand and get some basic experience of a shinobi learning curve.
Most of us from the capital will be going back to help their clan or families be it in their business or politics.
Whether in business or politics we do rely on ninjas to help in certain critical tasks, the experience here will allow us to make better decisions in the future.
In turn, it will indirectly help Konoha as the through better understanding on the difficulties of a ninja, arrangements of contracts as well as reimbursements will be done more appropriately. Personally I think Konoha would have an increase in reimbursements, funding and income in the future to come.”
When Azuma explained it that way Naruto was completely blur, he could not understand it at all. Nevertheless, he know personally that it is something that is true. He had herd some conversation of his parents regarding Konoha developments and the increasing connections they had with the capital. As he looked at Azuma and the students from the capital, he saw their smile and agreement from Azuma explanation. All of them after attending the Academy for this long period have made connection to this place called Konoha it was their second home.
“… I know all this… but…” – Naruto
“Naruto, it is not your decision to make. It is as Azuma said he have other plans. It is not as if he will suddenly disappear from us, he will still be around most of the time. It is just that he is not going to be a Konoha ninja. That is all.” – Shikamaru
“I know! But…” – Naruto
“Sigh so troublesome…” – Shikamaru
While Naruto was still trying hard to accept Azuma decision, Iruka came in and congratulated everyone.
“Congratulations you all, you all have passed. You are now Genin. For the ones that decided not to join good luck with your future endeavors. As for you Genins come tomorrow to know your team allocation and your team instructor. Class dismissed.”
…
After Iruka walked out of the lecture hall, the students restart their conversations with their friends while they walked out of the lecture hall. The topic of conversation was mainly about their future paths. The ones that are going to be ninjas are talking about their future teams while the ones that are not was talking about their next plans.
On the other hand, the group from Konoha that are close to Azuma was silent. After they found out that Azuma was not going to be a ninja most was sadden. While Azuma sigh at this situation, Shikamaru asked Azuma about his adventure plans. Azuma told him that he was going to get a head start tomorrow.
When Naruto heard that Azuma was going to leave tomorrow he started his enquiring again as it was another shock for him. It interrupted Azuma conversation as he was going to talk about his adventure plans to Shikamaru.
“Sigh… I have already packed, and am already saying my good byes to you all today. You all are Genins already and tomorrow onwards you will be getting a new start. I should also get started as well don’t you think?”
Naruto was quiet after that. He did not know how to reply, as it is true that they will be starting their new ninja journey tomorrow. For Azuma to start his journey then is not something that he can stop. It is just that Azuma was his first friend. He had been friends with him since he know how to talk. Although Azuma is from the capital, his parents always brought him to see him when he was still a baby. He was close to Azuma.
In fact, Azuma was the one that thought him how to read. When Naruto visited Azuma, he was always in the clan library.
Naruto did not have much interest about reading but his only friend at that time was Azuma. It was because of that that Naruto tried his best to get Azuma attention. It was at that time that he asked Azuma help to teach him how to read, it was a way for him to get the attention of his friend. When Kushina saw that she was extremely happy and thought Naruto was going to be a child genius like Azuma soon. Sadly, it did not happen.
“… Anyway why not we all have a party, we just graduated. Let’s remember the fun times.” – Azuma
When Choji heard party, “Party? Yakiniku!!!”.
There was nothing that Shikamaru and Azuma had to say, it is like Choji trademark answer when it goes down to party and meals.
When Azuma suggested a party and Choji recommended the location everyone started to brighten up about that suggestion.
“Yea lets party.” – Kiba
“Arf-arf” – Akamaru
“… yosh lets all party.” – Naruto
“… I will join the party” – Sakura
“Ino?” – Sakura
“Huh, yea I am in.” – Ino
“Since you have already invited then I will join as well.” – Shino
“…” – Sasuke (acting cool while walking along with everyone)
“Thank you for inviting Azuma-kun, I am joining as well.” – Hinata
They ended up in the Yakiniku place… everyone had a great time. Remembering their time in the Academy. Azuma manage to say his goodbyes in a good note, while everyone promise to meet up when they are back in Konoha.