Year 60 of Konoha.
This was a very special year… because in the original Naruto story, the plot began exactly from this year.
On this day, the Aizono sisters, the Yukinoshita sisters, Yui, Yumiko, and other players went to the Ninja Academy in groups.
Today was the graduation exam.
Unknowingly, they had been in this world for four years.
In these four years, many things had happened.
Most players, whether 'veteran players' like Yukino and Eriri, or 'new players' like Haruno and Utaha, had preliminarily mastered the Three Basic Techniques and certain combat skills, qualifying them to become Genin.
But there were also those with poor talent who were eliminated partially and dropped out.
For example, Tomoya, Kazuya, and Sonoko.
The first two were physically inept in the real world, and their level in the Naruto World was about the same.
Iruka had given them chances, letting them repeat a year, but they truly had no talent for becoming Ninjas, so he had no choice but to persuade them to stop being Ninja.
As for Sonoko...
You could only say that this young lady indeed wasn't very good at this.
But she wasn't as disappointed as the first two about being dropped out… after all, even without gaining superpowers, her family background in the real world was enough to ensure she lived a life of ease for the rest of her days.
Arriving at school.
Because the graduation exam was about to take place, all the students were chattering non-stop.
Four years had passed, and the players' bodies had grown from 8 years old to 12 years old, already taking shape.
For girls like the Aizono sisters and Utaha, who already had good figures to begin with, it was even more noticeable.
But the most outstanding was Haruno, whose physical age was now 15… after all, her age advantage was there.
"I definitely want to become a Ninja, and then fight alongside Makoto!" Airi couldn't wait to announce.
In these four years, Makoto had already made a name for himself in Konoha's Ninja circles, and even in the Land of Fire… he was now a Chunin.
This also made the players realize that the gap between themselves and that person was growing wider and wider.
The one who felt the worst was Yukino.
Four years ago, she had sworn in front of her mother that she would definitely surpass Makoto and become the Yukinoshita Family's guardian deity.
And what was the result?
She was left further and further behind.
"Hey, Hikitani, how's that guy... Tomoya doing?" Eriri came over and asked Hachiman.
After Tomoya was dropped out a couple of years ago, her interactions with him had decreased.
Eriri had gone to the orphanage to visit him, but every time she went, Tomoya would have a face full of displeasure and say, "Why are you commoners coming to see me?"
As if everyone owed him money.
Over time, even Eriri and Utaha, who had once had feelings for him, visited him less often… after all, no one liked to be treated coldly when being friendly.
"My name is Hikigaya..."
Hachiman helplessly corrected her, then said, "He's fine, still the same as before, staying alone and not talking. But the orphanage director said that after turning 12, he can't live in the orphanage anymore and has to go out and work… I don't know if he can support himself."
After speaking, Hachiman added another sentence in his heart: 'I don't think so.'
He had spoken a total of only a few words with Tomoya, but his impression of him was quite bad.
He felt that Tomoya had no real ability at all, yet inexplicably considered himself extraordinary, always thinking he was some kind of chosen one.
Thinking this, the figure of Makoto surfaced in Hachiman's mind, and he muttered to himself: "If there's a chosen one... only that person qualifies."
"Hachiman, I hope we can be placed in the same team after graduation."
A gentle voice came… it was Totsuka Saika.
Hachiman blushed and nodded vigorously: "Yeah, yeah, I hope so too."
While most players were preparing for the graduation exam, Makoto was called to the Hokage's office.
Four years had passed, and his body in this world had also grown to 12 years old, standing at over 160 centimeters.
"Makoto, I want to promote you early to Jonin." Hiruzen got straight to the point.
"Isn't that sudden, Sensei?" Makoto raised an eyebrow.
Hiruzen smiled and took a puff of his pipe: "This year's Ninja Academy has many excellent students, and I believe quite a few will successfully graduate. But we're a bit short on Jonin, so I need to trouble you."
Makoto complained inwardly: 'The reason there are so few Jonin is really because your Elder Council killed them off, isn't it?'
But on the surface, he looked serious: "Your student follows all of Sensei's orders."
Hiruzen nodded with satisfaction.
Many things had happened in these four years, including the death of his eldest son and daughter-in-law while carrying out a confidential mission.
At that time, when Makoto heard about this, he was the most agitated… if Kakashi and Guy hadn't held him back, he would have rushed out to avenge them.
This incident left an extremely deep impression on Hiruzen.
From then on, Makoto's ranking in his heart directly surpassed Kakashi's, becoming the person he trusted most.
And it was during these four years that Makoto earned himself a title through his actions—
[The Hokage's Sharpest Blade]
Bang!
The door to the office was pushed open.
The only person in all of Konoha who dared to enter the Hokage's office without knocking.
Makoto raised an eyebrow slightly.
Sure enough… it was Danzo.
"Hiruzen, are you planning to make the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki a Ninja?" Danzo's tone was unpleasant, clearly coming about Naruto.
"Is there a problem, Danzo?" Hiruzen took a puff of his pipe and asked calmly.
"Of course there is."
Danzo looked serious. "The Jinchuriki is an extremely dangerous existence. The slightest carelessness could lead to a rampage. Moreover, after officially becoming a Ninja, he will need to go out on missions. What if he's accidentally discovered by an enemy country and captured? Just like Kushina before."
Hiruzen, as if he had long seen through Danzo's intentions, said calmly: "Then what do you suggest?"
"Hand him over to me."
Danzo looked as if it were only natural. "I will raise him to become Konoha's finest weapon."
"Pfft."
Hiruzen couldn't help but laugh out loud.
He knew that was exactly what Danzo would say.
Before he could speak, Makoto suddenly said coldly: "Matters concerning the Jinchuriki have always been decided by the Hokage. Since when does the leader of an underground organization get a say?"
Hiruzen immediately smiled.
He knew his most beloved disciple would step up.
In these four years, every time Danzo came to cause trouble, Hiruzen would call Makoto over in advance.
Makoto, who came from a background of sharp-tongued insults, could always curse Danzo until he didn't even recognize his own grandchildren.
Danzo glared fiercely at Makoto: "Get out, brat! Don't think that just because you've attached yourself to Hiruzen, you can disregard everyone else. When I was shedding blood and risking my life for Konoha, you weren't even born yet!"
Makoto didn't move an inch: "I'm just stating a fact. Also, according to Konoha's system, Elder Danzo, you only have the authority to dispatch Root's Ninjas. You don't have the right to give me any orders."
Danzo was instantly furious.
He never expected that such a mere brat would dare to disregard him!
He suddenly drew the kunai that would later be able to pierce Susanoo and shouted angrily: "Brat, do you want to test the sharpness of my kunai?!"
Makoto's eyes turned fierce, and he suddenly drew his own kunai—
"My kunai is not without its advantages either!"
Looking closely, a piece of talisman paper with a seal was pasted on the handle of Makoto's kunai.
That was a Flying Thunder God kunai.
That's right… just a year ago, after Makoto was promoted to Chunin, Sarutobi Hiruzen showed him the training method for Flying Thunder God Technique from the Scroll of Seals.
Since his son and daughter-in-law were dead, the only person in the entire village that Hiruzen unconditionally trusted now was Makoto.
Of course, he had to find ways to power up his own disciple.