Naruto: The Medical God

Iruka stood at the front of the classroom, clipboard in hand, his gaze scanning the list of names. He cleared his throat, and the murmurs among the students quickly faded into silence. "We'll begin the graduation exam. Each of you will perform the three required jutsu: Transformation, Substitution, and Clone. This is your chance to prove yourselves, so do your best."

The air in the room thickened with tension, the anticipation palpable. Every student sat rigidly in their seats, eyes fixed on Iruka as he read the first name.

"Hikaru Saito, you're up."

A boy with short, dark hair and a determined yet nervous expression stood. His hands fidgeted slightly as he made his way to the front of the classroom, under the scrutinizing gaze of his peers. Iruka offered him an encouraging smile, while Mizuki stood off to the side, his arms crossed and face unreadable.

"Begin with the Transformation Jutsu," Iruka instructed.

Hikaru nodded, taking a steadying breath. He formed the seals, and a puff of smoke appeared, revealing a decent replica of Iruka. It wasn't perfect, but it was enough to pass the requirement. Encouraged, Hikaru moved on to the Substitution Jutsu. He formed the seals again, but when he attempted to switch places with a nearby chair, nothing happened. His face flushed as he tried a second time, then a third, but the jutsu failed to activate.

A hushed murmur spread across the room, and Hikaru's shoulders slumped in visible disappointment. His hands trembled slightly as he moved on to the Clone Jutsu. Two faint, flickering clones appeared beside him, their forms unstable. It was clear they lacked the solidity needed to meet the standard.

Iruka's expression softened, though he remained professional. "Thank you, Hikaru. You may return to your seat."

The boy returned to his desk, his head bowed and face pale, avoiding eye contact with his classmates. Iruka addressed the room, his tone even but firm. "Hikaru Saito did not pass. He was unable to perform the Substitution Jutsu."

The atmosphere grew heavier as the implications of failure hit home. Some students exchanged nervous glances, while others stared straight ahead, determined not to let doubt creep in.

Iruka glanced at the list again. "Next up: Aya Nakamura."

...

The exam continued, the atmosphere in the classroom growing tenser with every passing test. Iruka stood at the front, clipboard in hand, carefully observing each performance, while Mizuki leaned against the wall, his expression calm but watchful.

Iruka's voice broke through the murmurs. "Next, Sasuke Uchiha."

A hush fell over the room as Sasuke rose from his seat, his expression unreadable yet exuding confidence. His movements were precise and deliberate, the quiet authority he carried making it impossible for anyone to look away.

"Of course, the prodigy gets called now," Naruto muttered, folding his arms.

Shin's gaze followed Sasuke as he walked to the front, his expression sharp and calculating.

Sasuke positioned himself in the center of the room, his stance relaxed but ready. Iruka nodded. "Begin with the Transformation Jutsu."

Without hesitation, Sasuke formed the required seals, and a puff of smoke enveloped him. When it cleared, the room collectively inhaled; standing in his place was an exact replica of Iruka. The transformation was flawless, down to the smallest details.

Iruka smiled faintly. "Good. Now for the Substitution Jutsu."

Sasuke's hands moved in a blur, and with a flicker, he vanished, replaced by a chair from the corner of the room. Moments later, he reappeared exactly where he'd been standing, his expression as calm as ever.

"Excellent. Finally, the Clone Jutsu," Iruka instructed.

Sasuke clasped his hands together, his focus unbroken. Two perfect copies of himself appeared beside him, each one as precise and composed as the original. The room erupted in murmurs of approval. Even the students who normally envied him couldn't help but admire the sheer ease with which he completed the exam.

"Great," Iruka declared. "You pass."

Sasuke dispelled the clones with a wave of his hand and turned toward Iruka, retrieving the Konoha headband with a calm, measured motion, then turning back toward his desk. His expression was as stoic as ever, but there was a faint air of satisfaction in the way he carried himself. As he passed Shin's desk, he slowed, letting his dark eyes settle on him.

"Tch! Someone like you becoming a ninja... you don't deserve it, Hamada," Sasuke said, his voice cold and cutting.

Shin's lips pressed into a thin line as his gaze met Sasuke's. Unlike the whispers around them, their animosity was silent, simmering under the surface.

"We'll see about it, Uchiha," Shin replied, his tone low but steady, refusing to rise to the bait. He pushed back his chair and stood, his movements deliberate as he made his way to the front of the classroom.

As he rose, Ayaka's voice broke through the silence. "Good luck, Shin," she said, her tone quiet but filled with sincerity.

Shin paused briefly, glancing back at her. A faint smile curved his lips as he nodded. "Thanks," he said simply before continuing to the front.

Ayaka's breath caught in her chest, and for a brief moment, her heart fluttered at his words. She quickly looked away, her face flushing slightly, but the warmth that spread through her chest lingered.

As Shin passed Sasuke, the tension between them hung thick in the air, unnoticed by no one. The classroom fell quiet again, all eyes now on Shin.

"Let's see if you can back those words up, Hamada," Sasuke muttered, loud enough for Shin to hear.

Without turning back, Shin stepped into the center of the room. "I intend to."

Iruka cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention back to the test. "Shin, begin with the Transformation Jutsu."

Shin stood confidently in front of the class, his expression calm as he began the exam. In a flash of smoke, he transformed into an exact replica of Iruka, even capturing the smallest details with flawless precision. The class watched, impressed by how seamlessly he executed the technique.

Next, Shin performed the Substitution Jutsu. In a blink, he vanished, leaving behind a chair in his place. Moments later, he reappeared exactly where he had been standing, with no sign of hesitation or faltering. It was as though the jutsu was second nature to him.

Finally, he completed the Clone Jutsu. A perfect trio of clones appeared beside him, each one solid and indistinguishable from the original. The clones stood motionless, as if waiting for their command, embodying the precise control Shin had over his chakra.

The class, which had been quiet up until now, murmured in approval, their eyes wide with admiration. Iruka nodded, impressed by Shin's execution.

"Excellent, Shin. You pass," Iruka said with a smile, his voice firm but appreciative.

Shin allowed the clones to disappear with a simple wave of his hand. He approached Iruka, who handed him the Konoha headband with a respectful nod.

Shin took it, his fingers brushing the fabric. He gazed at the headband for a moment, the metal plate gleaming under the fluorescent light. The symbol of the Hidden Leaf Village, etched in the center, seemed to hold a world of meaning. It was the culmination of years of hard work, the reward for his determination. He carefully tied it around his forehead, his expression unreadable, but there was a quiet satisfaction in his eyes.

As he turned to face the classroom, the tension in the air melted away, replaced by a sense of accomplishment.

To be continued...

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