Naruto:Reborn into Naruto world with five wishes[Hashirama template]

Today was finally the day—the graduation exam.

I was now officially seven years old. My birthday had passed just a week ago. Not that it was a grand affair—just Tsunade, a few trusted civilians, and some ninja of the Senju compound attended. No one else really knew, and I never bothered to tell my classmates. There was no need. It was a quiet, meaningful day, and that was enough.

I reached the academy early. The atmosphere was filled with tension. Some kids were nervous, others were excited. Most of them carried anxious looks. I knew that for them, even if they failed today, they could try again next year.

But for me and Kakashi... this was it. We both planned to graduate in a single year—and we were ready.

The exam had three sections:

Taijutsu Evaluation

Written Examination

Basic Ninjutsu Performance – Clone Jutsu, Transformation Jutsu, and Substitution Jutsu.

I had already topped both the taijutsu and written tests. Kakashi came second in both, of course. The real challenge today would be the ninjutsu demonstration.

The instructor led us all to the waiting area outside the exam room. Students would be called in one by one.

The first to go was Asuma. I caught his eye and gave him a small smile and a thumbs up. He returned it nervously and walked in.

Five minutes later, he came out with slumped shoulders. One look and I knew—he had failed during the transformation jutsu. I gave him a small nod, but said nothing.

Next was Guy. He was hyped up, bursting with energy, convinced that his raw taijutsu would carry him through. I knew how this would end. The instructors were sticklers for rules. And Guy… well, he'd shine later.

Sure enough, when Guy came out, he looked crushed. His head hung low, his steps sluggish.

One by one, the rest went in. And one by one, they came back out disappointed. Tears, frustration, silence—only failure.

Now, only two names remained.

Me and Kakashi.

Kakashi was called next. As he walked past, he gave me a slight glance, unreadable as ever behind his mask. A few minutes later, he returned—expression the same.

But Guy ran up to him and asked, "You failed too?"

Kakashi didn't say a word. Instead, he pulled out a fresh Konoha forehead protector from his sleeve and showed it to Guy with a flick of his wrist.

Typical Kakashi.

And then… my name was called.

As I entered the exam room, I saw a dojo-like setting. Three instructors sat behind a table, scrolls and clipboards in front of them. They looked at me with the kind of curiosity you reserve for rare animals.

"So you're Ren Senju," one of them muttered. "Top of your class in everything... and the one who defeated Kakashi in taijutsu. Let's see what you can really do."

I nodded politely.

"Start with Clone Jutsu."

I performed it effortlessly, forming three identical clones—each crisp and precise.

"Good. Now Transformation."

In a puff, I turned into the instructor himself and back again, with minimal hand signs.

"Substitution," he said next.

I vanished and reappeared a few feet behind them, a wooden log sitting where I once stood.

All of it done with the least effort possible. They had no idea I was holding back. I could do these jutsu silently, without any hand seals at all—but there was no need to show that… not yet.

The three instructors looked at each other, nodded slightly, and one of them handed me a Konoha headband.

"You pass. Excellent work. Senju and Hatake—looks like Konoha has some real prospects this year."

I bowed respectfully and left the room.

As I stepped outside, I saw Kakashi, Guy, and a few other classmates gathered near the corridor. I lifted the forehead protector and gave them a little smirk. Guy's face lit up and he ran over, followed by Asuma and Rin. Everyone congratulated me.

Guy and Asuma were a little down, of course, but I reassured them both.

"You'll do it next year," I said. "I'm sure of it."

Truthfully, I wasn't too sure about Asuma, but Guy? He would absolutely make it.

A few minutes later, our class instructor came out to meet us.

"Ren, Kakashi—congratulations," he said with a smile. "The Hokage has summoned both of you. Please head to the Hokage Tower immediately."

Kakashi seemed unfazed. He'd been to the Hokage's office a few times already.

But for me… this would be the first time meeting the Hokage in person, face to face.

I had spied on him before, sure—watched him through mayfly and natural energy sensing—but this? This was different.

As I walked beside Kakashi through the streets of Konoha, I could feel the weight of the forehead protector in my hand.

I had officially graduated.

And something told me... this was only the beginning.