"Naruto, there's a way you can still graduate!"
"Cool! What is it?" asked Naruto, wondering why this guy (who was usually sneaking glares at him) was actually being helpful.
"There's a scroll in the Hokage's Tower," said Mizuki. "If you can learn one technique from it, you'll be able to graduate."
"You mean the kinjutsu scroll on the second floor, the one they keep in the safe, behind the autographed first edition run of the Icha Icha series?" asked Naruto.
"Ah," managed Mizuki. "Ah, yes. That's the one."
"Okay," said Naruto. "Any technique?"
"Ye-yes," said Mizuki. "Any technique. I've marked the place you're to meet me at, and I'll take the scroll back after you demonstrate the technique."
"No sweat, piece of cake, ummmm - cake," said Naruto, momentarily distracted by the fox's craving for sweets. "Okay!"
"Right," said Mizuki. Finally he just shrugged. If some kid that seemed as scatterbrained as Naruto did in class could actually accomplish this, then he'd just eliminate the monster at the end of things.