Qiuqa highlights 4 key points from Naruto Classic Episode 1.
1. Naruto Fails the Academy
For the Ninja Academy graduation exam, Iruka required every student to create a Bunshin (Clone) as a prerequisite to becoming a Genin. However, when Naruto made his attempt, the resulting clone was a failure—appearing as a pathetic, battered copy.
Left with no choice, Iruka decided not to pass him. Dejected, Naruto sat alone on a swing beneath a tree. He watched his classmates joyfully celebrating their success, painfully aware that he was the only student who had failed.
2. Mizuki’s Deception
Mizuki, another Academy instructor, approached Naruto and invited him to talk on a rooftop. He told the boy that if he truly wanted to graduate, he needed to steal a secret scroll from the Hokage’s office and hand it over to him in the forest that night.
Later that evening, the Jonin reported to the Third Hokage that Naruto had stolen the secret scroll. In response, the Hokage ordered them to hunt Naruto down and retrieve it.
Iruka eventually tracked Naruto down deep in the woods. Bursting with excitement, Naruto declared that he had just mastered one of the techniques and was waiting for Mizuki to pass him, just as promised. Shocked, Iruka realized that Naruto had been manipulated—Mizuki was the one who actually wanted the secret scroll.
3. What Naruto Means to Iruka
Suddenly, from a tree branch above, Mizuki hurled a massive shuriken at Naruto. Reacting instantly, Iruka threw himself over his student, shielding Naruto and taking the attack with his own back. Terrified, Naruto scrambled away, hiding behind a nearby tree to eavesdrop on their exchange.
Mizuki mocked Iruka, questioning why he would protect Naruto when the boy harbored the Nine-Tailed Fox—the very demon that had killed Iruka’s parents. Without hesitation, Iruka firmly replied that he never saw Naruto as the demon fox. To him, Naruto was a cherished student and a valued citizen of Konoha. Hearing this, Naruto was moved to tears.
Moments later, Mizuki raised another shuriken, preparing to strike the helpless Iruka, who was now slumped exhausted against a tree. Before he could attack, Naruto lunged forward, kicking Mizuki and sending him flying backward. Seething with anger, Naruto roared that he would destroy Mizuki for hurting his teacher.
4. Defeating Mizuki with Kage Bunshin
Naruto then conjured a thousand Kage Bunshin, instantly swarming Mizuki from every direction. Iruka watched in awe; Naruto had managed to master an advanced, high-level jutsu far beyond the standard clone technique.
Panic consumed Mizuki, and he collapsed to the ground, trembling in terror. After taking a relentless beating from the clones until he lay unconscious, the fight finally came to an end.
In the aftermath, Iruka stood before Naruto. With immense pride, he announced that Naruto had officially graduated as a Genin. As a true mark of acknowledgment, Iruka took off his own Konoha headband and tied it securely around Naruto’s head.
