Walking slowly to the swing, Mizuki comforted the crying Uzumaki Naruto, "Naruto, are you still angry with Iruka-sensei? I don't think Iruka-sensei is targeting you. After all, becoming an excellent ninja is not that easy. Besides, you can go back to school and take the exam again next year."

But unfortunately, Mizuki's comfort did not have any effect.

Naruto lowered his head and retorted unwillingly: "I know what Mr. Mizuki meant, but why am I the only one who failed? Why am I the only one? I tried so hard." His tone was full of reluctance. For a love-starved boy who has always been unpopular but still maintains his enthusiasm and desires to be recognized, failing this exam is really a huge blow to him.

The adults not far away looked at this side coldly, and from time to time there were vicious and sarcastic voices of "monster", "it serves you right, you should have been driven away long ago" and so on, which hit the originally optimistic and cheerful kid even more.

It seems that this is not a good place to talk. Mizuki patted Naruto's hunched shoulders and said kindly: "Naruto, do you want to change places? I have something to tell you later. The graduation exam is not completely hopeless. As long as you work hard, you may have a chance to retake it."

"Really, Mr. Mizuki? You won't lie to me?" Naruto was very excited to hear the unexpected good news and looked at Mizuki with hope.

"Well, of course I won't lie to you. Even though it's difficult, you actually have a lot of ninja talent. Maybe you can get Iruka-sensei's approval and become a ninja. But let's find a quiet place and talk slowly!"

"Okay, okay, Mizuki-sensei, where are we going?"

"Let's go to the Hokage Rock. The weather is nice today. You go first, I'll be there in a while."

"Okay, I'll go first then. Teacher Mizuki, you should come here quickly too."

"Well, we'll be there soon." Mizuki watched Naruto run away in a hurry and headed for the Hokage Rock. It seems that for a lonely and ostracized child, the position in his heart of being recognized as a ninja is extremely important, and this may be used in the future. But at least for now, he is not the person that Naruto longs to be recognized in his heart. Mizuki couldn't help but laugh at himself. The status of a supporting role has not been improved. It seems that even if today's matter is successfully concluded, there is still a long way to go in the future. In the next few years, the combat power of the ninja world will increase exponentially with the passage of time. Various bosses of all sizes who were extremely powerful in the early stage have become weak in combat in the later stage. At this point in time, with his own level, potential and status, he doesn't even have the opportunity to build a city, farm, fight monsters and upgrade. Those with a slightly worse golden finger may not be able to hold on, not to mention that there is no sign of a golden finger at all. At present, he can only take one step at a time and talk about other things later.

As the students were taken home by their parents, the Third Hokage left the school. Mizuki also left the school after saying hello to Iruka and headed for the Hokage Rock.

On the way to the Hokage Rock, Mizuki has been thinking about the fundamental problem of his own positioning. The previous Mizuki was just a clever Konoha ninja with average strength. He was outstanding among the Chunin. His ninjutsu and illusion were average, and his physical skills were excellent, but limited by his ordinary body. He also knew a little bit of puppetry, and with an excellent tactical mind, among the Chunin of Konoha, in terms of strength alone, he was already a capable backbone of Konoha. If he could learn another outstanding specialty, it would not be surprising to be promoted to a special Jonin. At such a young age, he has reached this level, which is already an excellent result for a war orphan who does not even have a surname. However, his character weaknesses are also very obvious. He is too jealous and has too strong self-desires, but he does not have the strength and tolerance to match them. He pinned his hopes of becoming stronger on Orochimaru's charity, and he himself has no chips to show. In the end, he wanted to seize the Book of Seals as a gift for his surrender. But he was crushed by the child of destiny. No, this should be the malice of the world. The superiors watched silently as they were suppressed as the initial stepping stone, and used their remaining energy to improve the strength of the child of destiny and educate him. It couldn't be more convenient. With Mizuki's magnanimity, how could he look down on Iruka, who was always inferior to him in strength, and how could he believe that a loser who couldn't even use a clone technique in such a short time would learn the advanced ninjutsu of multiple shadow clones? And for Uzumaki Naruto, who has an amazing amount of chakra, this is such a suitable killer. It's not surprising that he was beaten up with the malice of the whole world. This situation is very similar to his own. He has mediocre qualifications, but he has a heart that is unwilling to be mediocre. He rashly wants to struggle, but he didn't expect that he didn't have the strength at all. In addition, the right time, place and people are not on his side. It is definitely difficult to escape the tragic end.

However, having traveled to this point in time, with my intelligence advantage, I might be able to fight for a chance. Besides, I have no way out.

So, where should I start? I should change my nature. Shuimu is a mediocre person, and so am I. This is a very similar temperament. In addition, Shuimu is an unsuccessful villain. Although he has not done anything evil, he is definitely full of strong malice. Xunzi pointed out in the chapter "Human Nature is Evil": "Human nature is evil, and those who are good are fake." In terms of the deeper meaning, it does not mean that human nature is ugly and good people are fake. The original intention is to say that people should not rely solely on their own nature and ignore the acquired learning, and use "ritual" and "righteousness" to implement the function of education and cultivate gentlemen. However, in this war-torn world where human life is relatively cheap, it is a luxury to talk about gentlemanly virtues. It is the privilege of the protagonist to spread love and justice. At present, I am far from qualified. I can only do the literal meaning and be a fake gentleman for the time being. "Therefore, the saints transform their nature and give rise to falsehood, falsehood gives rise to rituals and righteousness, and rituals and righteousness give rise to laws and regulations." It is not my turn to talk about too troublesome things at the moment. I am barely qualified to be a Hokage. Saint, gentleman? I am neither. I am just a mortal who is busy with his own life and temporarily does not care about other things.

If we think about it this way, the tricky matter seems to have some clues. The key lies in the progress and details of tonight's action.

Finally arriving at the Hokage Rock, Naruto, who had been waiting impatiently for a long time, greeted from a distance: "Teacher Mizuki? You're finally here. You're so slow. I'm getting hungry from waiting. Over here~"

"I'm sorry, Naruto, I'm late, but there's still time."

"Hey, Mr. Mizuki, what method do you mean by passing the exam? Tell me quickly." Naruto, who had been impatient for a long time, asked hurriedly.

Mizuki smiled slightly: "Don't be so anxious, I have something else to tell you before talking about this." Looking at Naruto who was full of hope, he said slowly: "Well, Naruto, first of all, I don't want you to resent Iruka-sensei. He is the one who really cares about you. Iruka-sensei is actually an orphan too, and it is understandable that a person would feel lonely. For you who share the same suffering, Iruka will not bear any ill will towards you, you have to believe this. Iruka-sensei and I have known each other for many years, and I know his character very well~"

Naruto was unconvinced after hearing this, and puffed up his cheeks in anger: "I know, but I just don't understand why I can't be a ninja. I have clearly decided to be the best ninja, and then I must become Hokage, so that everyone will recognize me. If I can't even be a ninja, what should I do?"

"It's not that easy to become a qualified ninja, Naruto. It's completely different from playing ninja games. In addition to excellent ninjutsu and strength, a ninja must also be willing to sacrifice."

"I know." Naruto clenched his fist and said with determination, "I will definitely become a ninja. Doing what I say is my ninja way!"

"Is that so? I see." Mizuki said as if he had known this long ago: "That's really amazing, Naruto. But there was a big mistake in what you said just now, teacher, I have to correct it~"

"What's wrong?"

"You said you wanted to become Hokage and have everyone recognize you. This wish is good, but you got the cause and effect order wrong." Mizuki looked at Naruto and answered seriously, "It's not that everyone will recognize you if you become Hokage, but only those who are recognized by everyone can become Hokage!"

"Cause and effect? ​​Order?" Naruto didn't hear it at all.

It seems that I said unnecessary words. Shuimu felt disappointed and thought that he had completely overestimated the kid's ability to understand.

"Hey, Mr. Mizuki, although I don't quite understand what you mean, there is one thing I know, I will definitely become the Hokage and be recognized by others. Teacher, please quickly teach me how to pass the exam and become a ninja!"

"Naruto is such a good boy. The teacher believes that you will succeed~" Shuimu sighed in his heart. It is true. "Naruto, the reason why you failed the exam is because you did not learn the clone technique well. That is why teacher Iruka did not allow you to be a ninja. Advanced ninjutsu is a must for ninjas, so I think that as long as Naruto learns advanced and powerful ninjutsu, he should be able to become a ninja."

"Is that so? Where can I learn advanced ninjutsu?" Naruto was full of surprise and said excitedly, "Does Mizuki teacher want to teach me ninjutsu? That's great!"

"No, Naruto. Although I am a Chunin, I don't know any powerful Ninjutsu. But I know where there are advanced Ninjutsu. Those are more powerful than those taught by Sensei Iruka. Once you learn them, Sensei Iruka will have no objection and will definitely let you become a Ninja."

"Is it true? Where is it? Please tell me quickly, Teacher Mizuki~" Naruto couldn't wait to hear the good news.

"There is a legendary sealed book in Konoha. It should be enough to learn the advanced ninjutsu in it, Naruto~"

…

Everything went as expected, Mizuki looked at Naruto who left with satisfaction.

"Okay, the first step is complete. The hero has embarked on the road of leveling up, killing monsters, completing tasks, and gaining skills, so I have to prepare myself well~"

According to legend, the hero is the embodiment of love and justice, and there are always like-minded people around him to serve as partners of justice. The other people in Konoha's Twelve Genin are this role, what is my current status? The big tonic pill used to inspire the hero to burst out the ultimate move and improve the combat power after sacrifice seems not enough, but Iruka barely qualifies.

"Next, just follow the plan and wait for the trial. After inheriting the will of the original Shuimu and the mediocre white-collar worker, your luck should also improve. After all, even if one plus one does not equal two, it should be greater than one~"