If the plot changes, then Naruto himself must find other ways to compensate.
He could try persuading Iruka again.
Or even appeal directly to the Third Hokage.
In short, at this early stage of the original plot, graduation is an absolute must.
First, it allows him to operate freely.
Second, staying in the Ninja Academy serves no further purpose.
To be more precise, by three years ago, the Academy had long stopped being of much help to him.
What Naruto had been doing in these past few years was repeatedly refining his physical foundation.
Now, if he wanted to get stronger, what he needed was not just physical training—but actual combat experience.
That, more than anything else, is what most shinobi rely on to grow stronger.
And it was something the Academy could never provide.
Even the most mundane D-rank missions accumulate real-world experience—let alone dangerous assignments that would truly test him.
If he hadn't been trying to avoid drawing too much attention and knew the system wouldn't allow it, Naruto would've already applied for early graduation two or even three years ago.
So, graduating this year was absolutely essential.
This time, no delays were allowed.
However, as it turns out, Naruto's worries were completely unnecessary.
Just as he was contemplating backup plans and worst-case scenarios, Mizuki's figure appeared in his line of sight—not far away.
The moment Naruto saw him, all unease faded.
So long as Mizuki appeared at this exact time and place, Naruto could be 100% sure the timeline hadn't veered from the original story.
That knowledge brought him a quiet sense of relief.
Of course, he still had to play the part—acting dejected and disappointed after his supposed exam failure. Mizuki couldn't be allowed to catch on.
Wearing a deliberately bitter smile, Naruto waved and slowly walked over to the approaching Mizuki.
"This time, let me make good use of this opportunity."
Both teacher and student, while looking at each other, were acting.
And in that moment, a shared thought passed through both minds:
"Thank you, Mizuki-sensei, for the generous starter package. I'll gladly take it!"
As Mizuki pretended to sit down and show concern, speaking with false warmth, Naruto returned a naive and cheerful expression—while secretly mocking him.
---
—Dividing Line—
Night.
A bright new moon hung in the sky.
When it slipped behind a veil of dark clouds, all of Konoha seemed submerged in quiet shadow.
It was a perfect night for a thief.
Most of the village had long fallen asleep.
Only a few entertainment spots and guard posts remained active.
The streets were deserted, the silence thick.
Under the cover of night, one figure darted toward the village center.
That figure—was none other than Naruto Uzumaki, the "gullible" boy Mizuki had tricked into a "special graduation mission."
Of course, Naruto knew full well what was happening.
This so-called "mission" was nothing more than a ploy to make him steal one of Konoha's top-secret treasures—the Scroll of Seals.
The scroll wasn't stored at some secret assessment location, as Mizuki claimed, but rather inside the personal residence of the Third Hokage himself.
By all logic, what Naruto was about to do—stealing one of the village's most forbidden items—should classify him as a traitor.
And yet, Naruto wasn't nervous at all.
Because he knew: he would succeed.
He would successfully steal the Scroll of Seals.
He would do it even under the watch of the Anbu.
He would take it with ease.
There was only one explanation for this: the Third Hokage had allowed it.
Back in his original life, Naruto never quite understood how he had managed to infiltrate such a secure place and steal something so important without resistance.
Was it a plot hole?
Or was something more calculated going on?
In this life, after thinking it through, Naruto had drawn his conclusion.
The Third Hokage had turned a blind eye.
It was his quiet form of compensation for all Naruto had suffered.
Sure, this was just a theory, but Naruto was 80–90% certain of it.
Because otherwise—stealing from the Hokage?
Don't be ridiculous.
Not even with his current abilities could Naruto get close to the Scroll of Seals if the Anbu were doing their jobs.
Let alone breaking the barriers that must protect such a sacred object.
Even understanding the enchantments would be a challenge at his level.
"Wow… So this is where the Third Hokage lives? Spacious…"
Naruto was perched on a high tree branch outside the Hokage's compound.
Camouflaged by leaves, he observed the mansion below.
According to Mizuki's lies, this was the location of the "special test."
All he had to do was sneak in, retrieve the mission scroll, and pass the exam.
Naruto thought back to Mizuki's overly kind smile from earlier.
He couldn't help but sneer.
"What an idiot."
Even if Mizuki was pretending to be clever, he'd still end up being used by Naruto.
And Naruto would ride that deception all the way to graduation—and beyond.
"Well, here we go. No one's stopping me anyway."
After surveying the surroundings and confirming what he already expected—no guards, no barriers, no alarms—Naruto leapt forward.
With a light tap of his right foot, he flipped over the compound wall and landed silently in the courtyard.
He moved cautiously, not out of fear, but to preserve the illusion.
Even if the path was clear, he had to play the part of a "nervous thief."
Strolling in carelessly would be suspicious.
Proper thief behavior—and acting skills—were still necessary.
Now the real issue began.
He knew he could learn the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique—just like in the original story.
But what about everything else?
He didn't just want that one jutsu.
He wanted to explore the scroll and learn as many jutsu as possible—especially the more advanced or forbidden ones—before Mizuki arrived.
And without being noticed by the Third Hokage.
If Hiruzen caught on...
Who knows what that sly old politician would do?
That was the only real problem in tonight's plan.
As for Mizuki?
Please—Naruto from the original timeline beat Mizuki easily.
Why wouldn't this stronger, sharper version of Naruto be able to do the same—if not crush him outright?