Naruto: The Medical God

The classroom gradually began to settle as the last of the students finished their exams. Iruka stepped forward, his voice cutting through the lingering murmurs of conversation. "That concludes the graduation exam. To those who passed, congratulations. You'll need to report here tomorrow morning to be assessed and placed into your three-man teams. For those who did not pass," his tone softened, "don't lose hope. There's always next year."

The weight of Iruka's words hung in the air, a mix of relief and disappointment spreading among the students. Those who passed exchanged hesitant smiles, while others sat quietly, their expressions downcast.

As the class began to disperse, Shin stood from his seat, his gaze locking onto Naruto. Something didn't sit right with him. Naruto had been practicing the required jutsus the entire week and he could execute them with more than enough proficiency to pass. So what had gone wrong during the exam? Determined to find answers, Shin took a step toward him.

Before he could get far, a hesitant voice stopped him in his tracks. "Shin… ehm… d-do y-you think that we will be... in the same team?"

Shin turned, surprised to find Ayaka standing a few feet away, fidgeting with her hands and avoiding his eyes. Her cheeks were flushed, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Maybe," Shin replied after a moment's pause, his tone neutral but not dismissive. Ayaka's face lit up slightly, a small smile tugging at her lips as she nodded, the hint of her earlier embarrassment still lingering.

"W-Well, I guess we'll see tomorrow," she added, her voice carrying a hopeful edge.

Shin offered a brief nod before turning back to where Naruto had been seated, only to find his desk empty. He scanned the room, but Naruto was nowhere to be seen. His frustration grew as he realized the boy must have left the classroom in the chaos of dismissal.

Clenching his fist slightly, Shin resolved to track him down later. Whatever had caused Naruto's unexpected failure, Shin wasn't about to let it slide without understanding why.

...

The academy doors swung open, and the newly graduated genin trickled out, the sunlight bathing their faces. Laughter and chatter filled the air as parents and guardians eagerly greeted their children. Proud smiles, words of congratulations, and embraces were exchanged amidst the joyous crowd.

Shin stepped out, trailing slightly behind the group. His gaze swept across the gathering, observing the happiness radiating from the students and their families. He knew better than to expect his father to show up. After all, being a ninja of his caliber often meant long missions and unpredictable schedules. And so, he decided to continue looking for Naruto amidst the crowd of people.

It was then that he spotted him—a tall figure with sharp features and dark hair, clad in a standard-issue jonin uniform. Shin's breath caught, his gaze locking onto the man making his way through the crowd.

"Father!" Shin called out, his voice carrying over the noise.

The man's eyes turned toward him, sharp yet unreadable. As he approached, his imposing presence silenced a few nearby conversations. Standing in front of Shin, he crossed his arms, his expression stern as always.

"Shin... I see that you've passed the exam," his father said, his tone clipped and serious. There was no obvious warmth in his voice, but something in the way his gaze lingered on Shin betrayed a sense of hidden pride.

Shin straightened his posture, clutching the headband tied securely around his forehead. "Yes, Father. I did."

For a moment, neither spoke, the weight of their unspoken bond hanging between them. Shin's father gave a small nod, his eyes briefly scanning his son as though taking in this new chapter of his life.

Shin's father broke the silence as they walked down the academy grounds, his voice steady yet holding a warmth Shin rarely heard. "Wanna go back home? I have a gift for you."

Shin's eyes widened in surprise, his usual composure breaking into a bright spark of joy. It was the first time he'd heard his father utter the word "gift." "Really?" he asked, his excitement palpable. "Then, let's g—"

He stopped mid-sentence as something in the distance caught his attention. His gaze landed on a familiar figure with blonde hair, sitting alone on the swing near the academy. It was Naruto, his head bowed and his expression painted with sadness.

Shin's heart clenched at the sight, and his steps faltered. Without hesitation, he turned back to his father. "Father, can you wait here for me just a bit?"

His father's brow furrowed, but he nodded. "Yes," he replied, though his voice carried a hint of irritation.

Shin didn't notice. He was already walking toward Naruto, his focus entirely on his friend. Behind him, his father's expression twisted into something darker. Shin... what the hell is he doing with that monster? How many times have I told him? That kid is the reason his mother is gone... the cause of all this pain. The cause of all my pain!

Oblivious to his father's burning glare, Shin reached the swing. "Naruto?"

The boy on the swing looked up, his blue eyes dull with disappointment. "Oh, it's you, Shin…"

"What happened during the exam?" Shin asked, his concern evident. "You created a nearly perfect clone yesterday! I know you could've done it today too."

Naruto hesitated, his hands clutching the rope of the swing. "Shin… I—"

Before he could finish, a familiar, sharp voice cut through the air. "Hey, Hamada, I'm glad to see you hanging out with people on your level. Right, failed Naruto?"

Shin turned to see Sasuke Uchiha standing nearby, his arms crossed and his signature smirk plastered across his face. The small crowd of students began to gather, sensing the brewing confrontation.

"Sasuke, cut it out!" Shin snapped, his tone sharper than usual. "That's not nice!"

"Tch!" Sasuke's smirk deepened, his voice laced with venom. "Who's talking about being nice? You? The same guy who insults others' dead families?"

A hush fell over the crowd as Shin's expression hardened. The tension was palpable. Even Shin's father, standing at a distance, got interested despite his still shimmering rage.

"Hmph. Uchiha," Shin said, stepping closer to him, his voice low but firm. "Let's settle this once and for all."

Sasuke's eyes glinted with challenge as he stepped forward to meet Shin's gaze. "Yeah, Hamada. Get ready to get your ass handed to you. And this time, I won't let you use any of your cheap tricks."

To be continued...

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