Chapter 37: Academy graduation
It's been six years since the Uchiha tragedy, the village had time to calm down and go back to its calm and peaceful days.
Kayle was sitting on the of the Hokage Rock, he could see almost the whole village from his position, he was peacefully enjoying the view as he knew he didn't have much time left before leaving the village.
Today was the day for the graduation, Kayle would finally get his headband and start his career as an official Ninja of Konoha, he closed his eyes remembering all the efforts he put into his training, he was proud of everything he had done until now and started feeling slightly excited about the adventures he was ready to experience outside the village.
After rememoring enough of his past twelve years of hardship, he finally started heading to the academy for the graduation ceremony, up to now, everything happened as in the main story he knew of, with the only exception being that Sasuke had to share his first place with someone else which made him a little more bitter.
Once inside, Kayle first noticed Naruto looking pretty down on the side, he knew that he had failed the practice exam one day ago and knew his chances of graduating were very low, Kayle headed towards him putting his hand on top of his shoulder.
Kayle: "Hey buddy! you don't have to overthink things...worrying about it will not change anything, I know how hard you worked and let me tell you, as long as you keep the hard work you will definitely become one of the greatest ninjas out there"
Naruto looked up to him, as a slight light started shining softly deep inside his eyes, his eyes became slightly moist, he looked at one of his first friends, and knowing that someone he esteemed had thing kind of thoughts for him warmed his heart.
Naruto: "I know Kayle... I know... but still... I don't want to be left behind by everyone, I finally have friends, Choji, Shikamaru, Kiba,... and even you"
Kayle: "Hey you never know what will happen in the future, we each have different opportunities and maybe you will get one that will help you catch up to us, we will be waiting"
Naruto felt slightly better, he steeled his resolve as to gasp any opportunity he could, while glaring at Sasuke, his rival, even though kayle seemed around the same strength as him, Naruto decided that Sasuke suited more as a rival for several reasons.
First, he felt that both of them knew of the darkness in the society, he could see the darkness deep inside Sasuke's soul and he knew that with slight difference maybe it would be him, the one being corroded by this darkness.
Secondly, while Kayle kept encouraging him, Sasuke had always been looking down on him, making sure to insult him on every occasion and always reminding him that he was a loser and telling him that he could never become stronger than himself.
Lastly, Kayle seemed to lack something, Naruto couldn't put his finger on exactly what was lacking but he knew that he had a drive, he knew that he wished to be recognized by everyone in the village, the same village that ignored him all these years, he wanted to show them that he deserved their recognition and become a Hokage, the ultimate proof that he was worthy of it. And for some strange reason, he could feel that Sasuke shared a drive as well, one he didn't know about yet, but one that kept pushing him to become stronger and stronger that's why he wanted him as his official rival.
The ceremony quickly ended with no hick-ups, at the end of it, Iruka called Kayle once more to try to convince him of joining a team under a Jonin one more time.
Iruka: "Hey are you sure you really made out your mind ? did your parents even agree with you? you know that you would be learning quite a lot more with the help of a Jonin so why do you keep insisting on becoming an adventurer this early... it's not to late to do it in a few years after being mentored"
Kayle smiled awkwardly, Iruka has constantly tried to change his mind once he knew about his plan, he felt grateful for his teacher to be this concerned about him but he also was a little annoyed, he couldn't explain that he already surpassed most of the Jonin in Konoha in term of fighting strength and he didn't want to keep pretending being weaker than he really was.
Kayle: "Sensei! you really don't have to spend more time on this, I've long made my mind, I've also had my father monitor me and teach me everything he knew about being an adventurer, all is left for me is taking the one week course and getting the official seal from the Hokage"
Iruka: "Okay Kayle, but remember if you ever change your mind come to me, I will help you make a request to integrate an existing team... and be sure to pay extra attention in the course you have to show everyone what a graduate of the Konoha academy is capable of"
Kayle nodded at him before turning around and finally going home, tomorrow he will finally start his last week inside the village before venturing outside.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone