Mizuki led Naruto and I through the village via rooftop until he decided to stop in a secluded spot on a small balcony. "So Naruto," Mizuki began as he sat on the edge of the platform, "how are you feeling? You seemed pretty down about not passing, and it really had me worried." Something about the tone of his voice already bothered me. "Yeah, I was really bummed out, but I'm over it now! I've decided that I'm gonna train harder than ever for next year's exam, and this time I'll have Ume to help me out! I'm gonna become a ninja next year for sure, believe it!" The blonde boy beamed, and I couldn't help but feel moved by his enthusiasm. Mizuki smiled and said "Well, that's great to hear! But still... It's too bad you couldn't become a ninja this year." Naruto stared at him blankly, but then looked away and became downcast. "Y-yeah... I was... Really looking forward to it." I looked at Naruto and put a sympathetic hand on his shoulder. Then I shifted my gaze towards the grey-haired sensei to my far right.
"What's with this jerk? He's trying to make Naruto feel bad. Is picking on kids fun for him or something? What a loser." While having these thoughts I kept a straight face, but it was hard stopping myself from giving Mizuki the death glare. The annoying sensei gave Naruto a fake look if empathy before turning his face away from us and smirking. "Well, it looks like I have to tell you." Naruto looked at Mizuki, clearly confused. "Huh? Tell me what?"
"It's supposed to be a secret, but I'm gonna let you two in on it."
"What!? Let us in on what!?"
"There's another way to become a ninja."
"REALLY!? TELL ME HOW! I GOTTA KNOW RIGHT NOW!"
"Keep your voice down, this is a secret remember?" Mizuki scolded while trying (failing) to keep the annoyed tone out of his voice.
"Oh yeah, sorry. So what do I have to do?"
"You have to get a certain scroll."
Naruto looked at Mizuki sceptically. "A scroll? That's it? You're pulling my leg, aren't you Mizuki-sensei?"
"I know it sounds like a joke but trust me, this isn't just any scroll. It's an ancient and powerful scroll hidden in the Hokage's mansion. Anyone that can learn at least one Jutsu from it will automatically prove their worth as a ninja."
"Sensei, what does this have to do with me? I'm already a ninja." I asked.
"If you were to get the scroll and learn from it, you'd become a Chūnin."
Now it was my turn to be sceptical. "Why doesn't everyone know about this method?"
"Because we sensei are only supposed to tell the students we see the most potential in." Mizuki replied coolly. "So how about it, would you like to give it a try?"
"This is obviously a trick. This guy can't really believe that we're that stupi-"
"I'M IN!"
"Naruto, you idiot."
"Great! And what about you, Ume?"
"This is really sketchy, but if I don't agree to help then he'll probably do something to me to keep me quiet." I faked an excited smile and said "Of course I'm in! Who would pass on the opportunity to become a Chūnin?"
"Excellent!" Mizuki exclaimed as he pulled out a map of the village from one of the pockets on his vest. "Once the two of you have the scroll, you'll meet me here," he said while pointing to a small clearing in one of the forests, "there's a building in this clearing. That's where I'll test you to see if you were able to learn any of the Justu. The test begins tonight, just after nightfall." After explaining a few more minor details, Mizuki headed back to the academy, leaving Naruto and I alone. "Oh man, oh man! I can't believe I'm finally gonna become a ninja! I hope the two of us are put on the same team! Wouldn't that be awesome!?" Naruto gushed. "Yeah..." I said quietly. I didn't want to hurt Naruto, but he had to know.
"Naruto... We shouldn't go through with this. I don't trust Mizuki."
"What do you mean you don't trust Mizuki-sensei? He's trying to help us."
"I don't think so. Whatever he wants that scroll for, I doubt it's got anything to do with helping us."
"Oh, I get it." He said quietly.
"Good, I'm glad you understa-"
"YOU DON'T THINK I CAN DO IT!" Naruto shouted angrily while pointing at me. His sudden outburst caught me off guard. "Wh-what? What are you talking about?" I said. "You don't think I can get the scroll!" He yelled. "Naruto, that's not true, and it's not the point." I tried to calm him down, but he was pretty focused on what he thought was the issue. "JUST SHUT UP! You know, I thought you were cool, but you're just like everybody else! You've got no faith in me, but I'll show you, and everyone else in the village. I'm gonna get that scroll and become a ninja, and someday I'll be Hokage, BELIEVE IT!" After that, he turned around and stormed off across the rooftops. "Naruto, wait!" I called out to him, but he ignored me. I stood still, alone on the balcony, trying to figure out what to do next. I didn't know how, but I knew that I had to do something to stop Naruto from stealing the scroll. Otherwise, he'd be in great danger.
