<h4>Chapter 177: Temptation</h4>


    (Arthur POV)


    As the <i>Ninja Academy</i> Graduation Exam approached, I spent my days practicing alongside <strong>Naruto</strong>, making an interesting discovery during our training sessions.


    The magical power from my original body had somehow transferred to this character - just not in the way I''d expected. While I couldn''t cast spells from my world directly, my elemental magics remained: <i>Soundwave Magic</i>, <i>Rose Magic</i>, and even my demonic bloodline ability, <i>Sinful Magic</i>.


    It seemed the Naruto universe had adapted these abilities into <i>Kekkei Genkai</i> - bloodline limits. Makes sense, really. Unlike Dragon Ball''s world where magic freely exists, this universe runs on <i>chakra</i> and nature transformations. My magic couldn''t operate under its original rules here.


    Still, being able to use even limited magical power felt reassuring. The Rose Magic worked, though it now drew on chakra rather than magical mana.


    The basic <i>Clone Jutsu</i> remained a challenge though. My chakra control was absolutely abysmal. Converting my magical energy reserves into chakra through the background story edit probably wasn''t my smartest move. Sure, I had massive chakra reserves like Naruto, but controlling it was like trying to fill a teacup with a waterfall.


    Not that it mattered much for my immediate ns. Learning the <i>Shadow Clone Jutsu</i> shouldn''t be too difficult - that technique relies more on raw power than precise control. With myrge chakra pool, I should manage at least four solid clones. After that, I can work on magic implementation.


    If Naruto could master Shadow Clones with his enormous chakra reserves despite his terrible control, I should manage too.


    I just had to be careful though. The Shadow Clone Jutsu wasbeled forbidden for good reason - it divides the user''s chakra evenly among the clones. Only someone with massive reserves like Naruto could use it safely.


    ***


    The ssroom buzzed with nervous energy on exam day. <strong>Iruka</strong> stood at the front, while my ssmates settled into their seats.


    I could feel <strong>Sasuke''s</strong> cold stare as I passed his desk. "Pathetic excuse for an <i>Uchiha</i>," he muttered, loud enough for nearby students to hear. "Can''t even perform basic <i>jutsu</i>. You bring shame to our n''s name."


    <i>Great. Ipletely forgot to edit my rtionship with Sasuke in the background story. Seems the system filled in the nks itself - making me the disappointing cousin he looks down on.</i> I sighed, noting how the other students either ignored me or shared Sasuke''s disdain.


    "Naruto!" Iruka''s voice cut through the ssroom. "How many times must we go through this? You''ve failed the graduation exam three times already because you don''t take it seriously-"


    Naruto responded with his typical pout, turning away from Iruka - which promptly got him tied up and subjected to a lengthy lecture.


    The ss''s snickers at Naruto''s predicament were interrupted by <strong>Kiba''s</strong> sharp voice. "Hey, Iruka-sensei! Why''s Naruto the only one getting punished? Arthur''s failed just as many times!"


    I shot Kiba a dark look. ''You mangy mutt...''


    Iruka turned to me as if suddenly remembering. "Ah, right." His eyes narrowed. "Get over here. You and Naruto are notorious for your childish pranks and painting graffiti all over the vige monuments."


    I sighed heavily. Though I had no memory of actually pulling pranks with Naruto, it made sense that my character would be caught up in his mischief as his friend.


    Naruto''s snickering didn''t help as I grudgingly sat beside him for Iruka''s lecture before the <i>transformation jutsu</i> test began.


    <strong>Sakura</strong> went first, executing the technique perfectly while stealing nces at Sasuke. Then came Sasuke''s wless transformation, followed by a parade of ssmates. Finally, it was my turn.


    All eyes fixed on me as I formed the hand signs - Tiger, Boar, Dog. Channeling chakra through my body, I felt the familiar surge of energy as smoke swirled around me.


    The sudden collective gasp from my ssmates caught me off guard.


    "Hmm?" Confused by their reaction, I nced down and realized I''d transformed into my real-world appearance -plete with tailored suit, curved horns, and refined features. Though not drastically different from my Uchiha form, the demonic elements stood out starkly.


    I quickly dispelled the jutsu as Iruka spoke up. "Well, I''m surprised you managed to perform a basic jutsu sessfully for once. However, you were supposed to transform into me, so..."


    My second attempt proved better, sessfully matching Iruka''s appearance down to his <i>chunin</i> vest.


    Then came Naruto''s turn. He pulled his signature move - transforming into his <i>"Sexy Jutsu"</i> form, sending Iruka reeling backward with a nosebleed.


    The clone portion of the exam followed, and everyone breezed through it... except Naruto and me. My attempt was particrly pathetic - even worse than Naruto''s pale, sickly clone. My version looked like a half-formed shadow that copsed instantly.


    Sasuke''s piercing re spoke volumes about his thoughts on my performance. Deadst in the ss, even below Naruto - a new low for the Uchiha name.


    After the exam, Naruto and I trudged out together. His usual energy was gone, reced by quiet disappointment over his failed clone jutsu.


    ***


    (3rd Person POV)


    A week had passed since Arthur entered the <i>Naruto</i> world. Despite endless practice sessions with Naruto, both boys faced another bitter failure at the final graduation test under Iruka and <strong>Mizuki''s</strong> watchful eyes. Theirst hope of passing slipped away with yet another failed clone jutsu.


    The defeat hit Naruto particrly hard. Now he sat on the wooden swing beneath the old academy tree, while Arthur stood beside him, both watching their sessful ssmates celebrate.


    Arthur adjusted his orange-tinted goggles, simr to the ones worn by the legendary <strong>Obito Uchiha</strong>. Both boys observed silently as their peers proudly disyed their new forehead protectors.


    "Did you see them fail again?" a mother whispered nearby, pulling her daughter closer.


    "Good. Can you imagine if they became <i>ninja</i>? That demon fox boy and that cursed Uchiha..." another parent muttered.


    "I heard the Uchiha boy is even worse than the fox child. They say he brings shame to his entire n."


    "Shh! We''re not supposed to talk about either of them..."


    The parents'' whispers carried clearly to the two boys, though they pretended not to hear.


    Arthur sighed, cing a reassuring hand on Naruto''s shoulder. Seeing his friend''s usual energypletely drained hurt more than his own failure. "Hey, don''t lose hope now. We still have a chance."


    Naruto remained uncharacteristically quiet, his eyes fixed on the ground.


    "Trust me," Arthur continued, conviction in his voice. "This world won''t abandon those who keep trying and stay hopeful. We''ll be ninja - I promise you that."


    Nearby, the <strong>Third Hokage</strong> and Iruka observed the two outcasts. The old leader''s face grew stern as he watched them.


    "Iruka..." The Third Hokage''s voice carried a weight of concern. "We need to talkter..."


    ***


    That afternoon, Naruto and Arthur sat together on the academy rooftop, legs dangling over the edge. The usual energy that defined Naruto was nowhere to be seen as he mechanically munched on chips, barely tasting them. Arthur watched his friend carefully, noting how the typically talkative ninja-hopeful had grown so quiet.


    When Naruto did speak, his words came out bitter and hollow. "Iruka-sensei... he didn''t even give us a chance. He knows how hard we''ve been trying..."


    Arthur remained silent, his attention split betweenforting his friend and anticipating Mizuki''s arrival.


    Right on cue, their instructor appeared, his footsteps deliberately heavy enough to announce his presence. "I thought I''d find you two up here."


    Mizuki''s voice dripped with false sympathy as he exined how they could still earn their headbands. "There''s another way to be ninja..."


    Both boys perked up instantly, Arthur carefully matching Naruto''s genuine enthusiasm with well-practiced eagerness. As Mizukiid out his n to steal the <i>scroll of seals</i>, they leaned in closer, appearingpletely drawn into his scheme.


    After the boys rushed off to prepare, Mizuki''s lips curled into a calcting smile. "I hadn''t nned on the Uchiha being involved," he muttered to himself, "but this works even better. That failure of an Uchiha might actually make himself useful - he''ll help Naruto get that scroll for me." His quietughter held a dark edge.


    "Can you believe it, Arthur?" Naruto''s excitement bubbled over as they ran. "All we have to do is get that scroll from the old man''s office, and we''ll be real ninja!"


    "Right," Arthur agreed, matching Naruto''s pace. "We''ll have to be careful though - stealing such an important scroll won''t be easy!"


    Internally, Arthur smiled. He knew full well that the Third Hokage would deliberately allow Naruto to take the scroll. Sometimes the best way to expose a traitor was to let their n y out - with a few careful adjustments.