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Naruto: The Chosen Undead

Reader mode
What do you mean capture the vibe? It was the exact same thing that happened in canon only naruto made a few little craters with his sword this time
 
I like the new jutsu showed, the test was pretty similar, the only difference happened after the trio was beaten, and a Sakura slighly more skilled.

The only "weird" part was when Sakura was attacking Kakashi and Sasuke cooperated with her, but i consider that being more of Sasuke using Sakura than any teamwork.

So there was not that much of a difference between what you did and cannon
 
Alchto said:
What do you mean capture the vibe? It was the exact same thing that happened in canon only naruto made a few little craters with his sword this time
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

What I meant by "capture the vibe" was if you thought I wrote the scene in a way that felt authentic. Did the dynamic feel real? Did the back-and-forth flow naturally? How was the characterization of Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura? That's what I meant when I used "vibe" as a catch-all term.

Now, about the idea that it was "the exact same as canon, but Naruto made a few little craters with his sword this time"—nah, I have to disagree. Naruto showed off his new skills and had a logical progression, which Kakashi can help with. Kakashi, on the other hand, did more than his canon self—he used elemental ninjutsu, gave actual advice, and was more involved. Sasuke used his Sharingan, learned a few new jutsu like Shunshin and Call of the Siren (even if it's not usable yet), and Sakura actually did something instead of fainting like in canon.

Sakura also got a reality check, and the back-and-forth between Sasuke and Kakashi added some world-building. Like, it explained what fire jutsu actually is, why every Sharingan user can't just copy-paste every jutsu they see, and why Kakashi being the Copy Ninja is such a big deal. Just because the fight hit similar plot beats as canon doesn't mean I didn't change anything.

Anyway, I'm curious—anything specific you'd want to see happen in the story?
 
New jutsus, we have a copy ninja who in the series used just a few jutsus, the same as his current oponent instead of those who may counter those and a sharingan skill.

I would say the same for lots of ninjas who just us one or two jutsus, and there should be thousands more, won't ask for a thousand jutsus but that there are more than just a few and bloodline abilities.

Or just more regular skills, because a lot of the jutsus shown scream "magical warrior" instead of "Magic ninja", and i always found it funny that they are suposed to be stealth fighters and are more loud than Luffy most of the times XD
 
Chapter no.9 Naruto New
  • Threadmarks
    • Chapter no.9 A Bitter Kind of Silence
    The streets of Konoha were bathed in soft moonlight, quiet and almost magical. The usual hustle and chatter of the day had given way to a peaceful stillness, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the faint whisper of a passing breeze. A few shinobi moved through the shadows, silent as ghosts, their forms blending seamlessly with the night. Some of them glanced at Naruto as he walked by, their eyes lingering for a moment on his armour, but no one said a word.

    Naruto sighed as he trudged along. Normally, the quiet felt lonely, like the world was reminding him of all the things he didn't have. But tonight… tonight felt different. The stillness wrapped around him like a blanket, soothing in a way he didn't quite understand.

    Why is this so… nice? he thought, letting his steps slow as he looked up at the moon. He allowed himself a rare moment to enjoy the peace as he made his way home.

    It didn't last.

    As Naruto approached his front door, he froze. Lying on the ground, curled up like a cat, was Konohamaru. The kid was sound asleep, drooling on a worn camo blanket he'd been using as a pillow. The blanket itself looked like shinobi gear, the kind that worked with the Transformation Jutsu to create a camouflage illusion. It was impressive for someone so young, but the fact that Konohamaru had chosen his doorstep to camp out on was less impressive.

    Naruto sighed, scratching his head. "What's this little brat doing here?" he muttered to himself, tiptoeing toward his door. He carefully reached for the handle, trying not to wake the kid up. But the door, as always, had other plans.

    Creeeeeaaak.

    "Boss!" Konohamaru's voice cut through the silence like a kunai, startling Naruto mid-step.

    Naruto turned, giving the kid a flat look. "What are you doing here, you little runt?"

    Konohamaru shot up, his face lighting up like a firecracker. "Boss! You have to teach me how to become Hokage! Please, please, please!" He clasped his hands together in front of him, his eyes wide and sparkling with the kind of desperation only a little kid could pull off.

    Naruto groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Hokage? Seriously? You're gonna pick my house to whine about this at midnight?" Without another word, he opened the door and slammed it behind him, shutting out Konohamaru's excited pleas.

    Inside, Naruto muttered to himself as he made his way to the bathroom. "Hokage. This kid…" He turned on the shower, letting the hot water rush over him, washing away the sweat and grime of the day. The soothing heat worked wonders for his muscles, but the moment of peace didn't last.

    Bang. Bang. Bang.

    "Boss!" Konohamaru's voice rang out, muffled but persistent.

    Naruto gritted his teeth, grabbing a handful of soap as the banging continued in rhythm. If he keeps this up, I'm gonna fireball his scrawny butt into next week, he thought, scrubbing with more force than necessary.

    By the time he got out of the shower, the banging was still going strong. Towel wrapped around his waist, Naruto stomped into the kitchen, ignoring the noise as he set a pot of water to boil for some instant ramen. He cracked an egg into a pan, trying to focus on anything other than the incessant knocking.

    "Boss!" Konohamaru's voice was more high-pitched now, his persistence nothing short of impressive.

    "Shut up!" Naruto yelled, slamming his hands on the counter. For a brief moment, the banging stopped. Naruto sighed, relieved—until he smelled something burning.

    "Damn it!" He turned back to the stove and flipped the egg, revealing a blackened, crispy bottom. He stared at it for a moment before muttering, "Perfect. Just perfect."

    Then, right on cue: Bang. Bang. Bang.

    Naruto's patience snapped. Slamming the pan down on the counter, he stormed toward the door, yanking it open with enough force to rattle the hinges. "What?!" he bellowed, glaring down at Konohamaru.

    The kid looked up at him with big, innocent eyes, completely unbothered by Naruto's outburst. "Train me!" he said again, this time with a grin so wide it was almost blinding.

    Naruto stared at him for a moment, utterly dumbfounded. Then he slammed the door shut in his face. "Nope," he muttered. "Not in the mood to beat up a six-year-old right now."

    He turned back toward the kitchen, only to catch another whiff of burning. "Oh, come on!" He rushed to the stove, but his egg was already ruined, charred to an unrecognizable crisp. He sighed, scraping the burnt mess into the trash.

    "Alright," he muttered to himself, "now I am in the mood to beat up a six-year-old."

    Naruto stomped back to the door and flung it open again, this time with a mischievous grin on his face. "You want me to train you?" he asked, crossing his arms.

    Konohamaru's eyes lit up as he nodded eagerly. "Yeah! Please, boss! Please!"

    "Great," Naruto said, cracking his knuckles. "Dodge."

    "Wait, wha—"

    Before Konohamaru could finish, Naruto's fist flew toward him. It wasn't hard enough to seriously hurt, but it was enough to send the kid sprawling onto the ground with a loud thud. Konohamaru lay there, dazed, his eyes wide with shock before they fluttered shut. He was out cold.

    Naruto stood over him, shaking out his hand. "That felt… surprisingly good." He let out a smug chuckle, but the realization hit him a moment later. Wait. Did I just knock out a six-year-old?

    His eyes darted around the street, panic creeping in. "Oh, crap. If anyone saw that…" His brain raced for a solution. What if I dumped him near a dumpster? Yeah, perfect! He'll look like he passed out there after getting into trouble. Totally believable.

    Then a cold breeze hit him, and he realized he was still in just a towel. "Ugh, great," he muttered, dragging a hand down his face. Resigning himself, Naruto grabbed Konohamaru by the leg and dragged him inside.

    "Can't believe I'm doing this," he grumbled, shutting the door behind him. The quiet of the night returned, leaving only the faint sound of Naruto muttering curses under his breath.

    A few minutes later, Naruto stood in his small kitchen, stirring the ramen he'd finally managed to cook. He cracked an egg into the steaming broth and gently whisked it in, watching as the ribbons of yellow swirled through the soup. At the counter, Konohamaru sat on a stool, two tissues stuffed into his nose to stem the bleeding. His legs swung back and forth as he watched Naruto work, his wide eyes filled with fascination, as if Naruto were performing some kind of ancient shinobi ritual.

    Naruto gave him a sideways glance. "See, the trick is to add the egg while the broth's still hot," he said, trying to sound sage-like. "The heat cooks it just right, makes it all fluffy, and gives the soup more richness. It's simple, but this is sacred ramen knowledge."

    Konohamaru nodded solemnly, as if Naruto had just handed him the meaning of life. "Sacred ramen knowledge… Got it, Boss."

    Naruto smirked as he poured the finished ramen into two bowls. Steam rose, carrying the comforting aroma of savory broth and egg. He slid one bowl toward Konohamaru, handing him a spoon. "Alright, kid, dig in."

    Konohamaru didn't hesitate, scooping up a bite and stuffing it into his mouth. His eyes widened in pure delight as he chewed. "This is amazing, Boss! First, you tested my speed, and now you're teaching me the secret art of ramen-making!"

    Naruto chuckled, sitting down on the other side of the counter with his own bowl. He felt a little burst of pride—he didn't get called awesome often, and hearing it from Konohamaru wasn't so bad. As the boy took another eager bite, Naruto leaned back slightly and asked, "So, why'd you want to learn from me?"

    Konohamaru paused, his spoon hovering over the bowl. His face grew serious, and he stared down at the swirling broth. "Well… you're the first person who's ever treated me like me," he said quietly.

    Naruto frowned. "What do you mean?"

    Konohamaru set his spoon down, his small hands clenching into fists. "My grandpa gave me the name Konohamaru—after the village. Everyone knows my name, but when they talk about me, all they see is the Hokage's grandson. No one ever sees me. They bow, they smile, but it's all fake. I'm sick of it! That's why I want to be Hokage, so they'll see me for who I really am."

    Naruto sat back, letting the boy's words sink in. He didn't say anything right away, just stared at his ramen. That hit a little too close to home. Naruto knew what it was like to want recognition, to want people to see him, not some version of him they made up in their heads.

    The quiet stretched between them, the only sound the soft clinking of their spoons against the bowls. Naruto opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, his front door slammed open.

    "YOUNG MASTER!" Ebisu stormed in, his glasses slightly askew, his usually prim demeanor looking thoroughly ruffled. "I've been looking for you for hours! The entire Sarutobi clan is worried sick!"

    Naruto blinked in confusion, setting his spoon down. "Uh, ever heard of knocking?"

    "Don't interrupt me!" Ebisu snapped, adjusting his glasses as he turned his sharp glare on Konohamaru. "Honorable grandson, let's go. You've wasted enough time here. Stop this foolishness and return to the clan."

    Konohamaru shot up from his stool, his fists clenched. "No! I'm not going back until I'm strong enough to defeat Grandpa and become Hokage! And Boss is teaching me how!"

    Ebisu groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose like he was dealing with an unruly toddler. "Honorable grandson—"

    "STOP CALLING ME THAT!" Konohamaru shouted, his voice cracking with frustration. "I'm not just 'honorable grandson.' I'm Konohamaru!"

    Naruto watched the boy tremble with anger, and something inside him shifted. Placing a hand on Konohamaru's shoulder, he gave him a reassuring squeeze. "Hey, let me handle this," he said softly.

    Konohamaru looked up at him, hesitating for a moment before nodding and stepping back. Naruto stood, turning to face Ebisu, his expression calm.

    Ebisu scoffed, his nose wrinkling as he regarded Naruto with disdain. "And what are you going to do, deadlast? You're nothing but a fool playing ninja. I'm far more skilled than the likes of you."

    Naruto's eye twitched, his hand curling into a fist. Who does this guy think he is? But instead of getting mad, he let out a slow breath, an idea forming in his head.

    He took a step forward, his expression unreadable. "Oh, ho, you're approaching me?" Ebisu sneered, crossing his arms.

    "I can't kick your ass unless I come closer," Naruto replied, taking another step. His voice was calm, almost casual, but his words dripped with challenge.

    Ebisu's smirk widened. "You're welcome to try, demon brat. But don't think for a second you stand a chance."

    "Teach him, Boss!"

    Ebisu's scoff turned into a chuckle, his tone mocking. "Teach me? Teach me what?"

    Naruto cracked his knuckles, a grin spreading across his face. "Lesson one: Don't underestimate your enemy."

    The light of the miracle glowed white-hot around Naruto's knuckles, the energy humming faintly in the still night. Ebisu's smirk didn't last long—before he could even react a shockwave that struck him square in the chest. The impact was instantaneous. Ebisu was launched clear out the door, his body hurtling through the air like a ragdoll.

    "W-Whoa… Boss!"

    Outside, Ebisu groaned, staggering to his feet. His glasses were askew, and his usually neat appearance was now completely disheveled. He clutched his stomach, wobbling as he tried to steady himself. Naruto wasn't about to give him the chance. In an instant, he equipped his armor, the pieces forming around him with a low, resonant clink. The weight of it felt natural now, as though it had always been part of him. Without hesitation, he disappeared in a blur of speed, the Shunshin no Jutsu propelling him Ebisu could even register the movement, Naruto closed the distance. His knee shot up in a swift, brutal arc, slamming into Ebisu's jaw with bone-crunching force. The sound echoed in the night—a sickening crack that made Konohamaru flinch.

    Ebisu's body flew backward, slamming into the metal railings outside with a deafening clang. The railings bent under the force, creaking ominously as his body toppled over the edge.

    "Don't worry," naruto said casually. "There's a dumpster down there. It'll break his fall."

    A dull thud echoed up a second later. Naruto winced. "Or… the concrete."

    Konohamaru looked up at him, stunned, before breaking into a wide grin. "That. Was. AWESOME!"

    "Eh, he had it coming."

    "Alright, kid, lesson two: never let a jerk like that boss you around. Got it?"

    "Got it, Boss!"

    The boy's excitement seemed boundless, and he practically bounced as he followed Naruto into the living room. "You were awesome, Boss! Can you teach me how to do that? That jutsu was insane!"

    "You're not ready for that yet, brat. Why don't we focus on getting you home first? It's way past your bedtime."

    Konohamaru paused, his grin fading slightly as he looked guilty. Naruto followed his gaze to the counter and froze. The ramen bowls they had just eaten from were now completely empty, and one of them looked like it had been licked clean.

    "I needed something to eat while you fought," Konohamaru giggled nervously, letting out a tiny burp.

    Naruto's eye twitched. "This kid…" He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. But before he could finish exhaling, an idea struck him. "I think…" he began, reaching for his inventory, "you need to run."

    "Run?"

    With a low hum, Naruto summoned his Zweihander, the massive blade materializing in his hands with a heavy thud against the floor. The room almost seemed to darken under its sheer weight and presence as Naruto pointed the blade at Konohamaru.

    "Run!" Naruto roared, his grin widening into something that was far too gleeful.

    Konohamaru's eyes went wide. "I'm sorry, Boss!" he yelped, spinning on his heel and bolting out the door.

    Naruto chased after him, the Zweihander over his shoulder, his laughter echoing through the quiet streets. "Come back! I just want to talk!"

    "I said I'm sorry!" Konohamaru's voice trailed off as he sprinted away, his little feet slapping against the cobblestone streets.

    Eventually, after several blocks of chasing, Naruto caught up to the boy and threw him over his shoulder like a sack of rice. Konohamaru didn't even struggle; he just clung to Naruto's back, laughing between gasps for air as Naruto walked them toward the Sarutobi clan house. The moonlight illuminated the streets, and the gentle hum of the village at night filled the space between them.

    After a while, Konohamaru's giggles faded, replaced by a thoughtful quiet. His small arms wrapped around Naruto's neck as he adjusted his position. "Boss… what's your dream?"

    Naruto paused for a moment, pretending to focus on his steps. He didn't want to talk about it, but Konohamaru wasn't the type to let things go.

    "I heard people say your dream was to become the greatest Hokage," Konohamaru pressed.

    Naruto exhaled slowly. "Yeah," he muttered, keeping his voice low. He didn't feel like explaining himself.

    "Well, sorry, Boss," Konohamaru said, his proud tone returning. "But I'm gonna be the greatest Hokage. You're just gonna have to settle for second place."

    Naruto huffed out a laugh, shaking his head. "It's not that easy, dumbass. The title of Hokage isn't something you just decide to take. It's something you earn. Everyone has to acknowledge you first. Do you think that's easy?" His voice softened as he added, "I've had a hard enough time just getting one person to acknowledge me."

    "So, what do I do?"

    Naruto adjusted his grip on the boy and kept walking. "Prepare yourself. There aren't any shortcuts to becoming Hokage."

    The boy went quiet, chewing on Naruto's words, until the grand Sarutobi clan gates came into view. The carved wooden doors stood tall and imposing, intricate symbols lining their edges. Two guards stood on either side, their expressions neutral. They nodded politely as Naruto approached, but both raised their eyebrows when they saw Konohamaru perched on his back.

    Standing in front of the gates, arms crossed and looking more tired than usual, was Hiruzen Sarutobi himself.

    "Konohamaru," the Third Hokage said, "do you even know what time it is, young man?"

    Konohamaru slid off Naruto's back, standing sheepishly in front of his grandfather. "Sorry, Gramps. I was hanging out with Boss so he could teach me how to beat you."

    Naruto winced, giving the Hokage an awkward salute. "Uh… he's not wrong."

    Hiruzen raised an eyebrow, glancing between the two of them. "I see." He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "This will be the last time I overlook this sort of mischief, Konohamaru. Tomorrow is your first day at the academy, and you need to rest."

    "Tomorrow's also my first step to becoming Hokage!"

    Hiruzen chuckled softly, shaking his head. "We'll see about that." He turned to Naruto. "Thank you for bringing him home, Naruto-kun. I hope Ebisu didn't trouble you too much."

    Naruto smirked, biting back a laugh. "Nah, that guy's fine. Probably just… lying low right now."

    "Lying low" was one way to describe it. Ebisu was unceremoniously hurled into a dumpster by one of Naruto's clones, landing with a crash that sent the lid clanging shut above him. Inside the rank, dark space, he groaned, shoving a banana peel off his head, only for a half-eaten apple core to plop onto his shoulder. His glasses were cracked, one lens dangling uselessly, and his normally pristine outfit was smeared with something he hoped was just dirt.

    Ebisu sat up slowly, glaring at the walls of the dumpster like it had personally insulted him. "Damn brat," he muttered weakly, trying to summon whatever dignity he had left—just as the dumpster's lid creaked open, and a stray cat peered down at him, its eyes glowing eerily in the moonlight.

    The cat let out a judgmental mrrrow, then leaped in, landing squarely on his face.

    "GAH!" Ebisu yelped, flailing as the cat bolted, knocking over a bag of garbage that promptly spilled onto his lap. A carton of spoiled milk popped open, drenching him as he slumped back against the dumpster wall, utterly defeated.

    "One day," he wheezed, peeling a wet noodle off his cheek, "one day I will have my revenge…"

    From the alley, Naruto's clone peeked over the rim of the dumpster, snickering. "You good in there, or should I find a second dumpster for backup?"

    Ebisu let out a strangled groan, raising one trembling fist. "Damn… brat…" he muttered before slumping fully into the trash pile, his pride officially dead.

    Back at the compound, Hiruzen gave Naruto a puzzled look but let it go. "Good night, Naruto-kun. Konohamaru, inside. Now."

    "But—" Konohamaru yawned halfway through his protest, his defiance fading as his eyes began to droop.

    "Go to bed, dumbass," Naruto said, nudging him gently toward the door.

    Konohamaru looked up, scrunching his nose. "Blah, stop acting like you know everything, Boss…" His voice slurred as he rubbed his eyes. "I'm not letting you be my boss anymore…"

    "Oh, yeah?"

    "Yeah!" Konohamaru blinked sleepily but still managed to grin. "From now on… we're rivals!"

    Naruto's smirk softened into a smile. He reached into his pocket, palming his green goggles from his inventory. Without drawing attention, he handed them to Konohamaru.

    "These are my favorite goggles," he said as the boy's eyes widened. "When the day comes that we're fighting for the Hokage title, I want them back."

    Konohamaru's face lit up as he slipped off his helmet and put the goggles on. "Then you'll have to win them back, Boss!"

    Naruto laughed, holding out his fist. "Looking forward to it, Konohamaru."

    The boy bumped his fist against Naruto's before turning and running inside, his laughter echoing behind him. Naruto stood there for a moment, watching him go.

    Hiruzen's voice broke the quiet. "He looks up to you, you know."

    Naruto nodded silently, his eyes drifting toward the moonlit village in the distance. The quiet between him and the old man stretched, heavy and awkward, like a weight neither wanted to lift. He shifted his feet, ready to leave, but Hiruzen's voice stopped him.

    "Wait, Naruto."

    Naruto froze, his body stiffening. "What do you want?"

    Hiruzen stepped forward, his robes shifting slightly in the breeze. Without the Hokage's hat, he looked different—less like the leader of the village, and more like an old man weighed down by years of regret.

    "I need to talk to you about something," Hiruzen said. He gestured toward the wooden bench near the compound's entrance. "Would you mind sitting for a moment?"

    Naruto didn't move. "I'm fine standing," he said curtly, his voice colder than usual.

    Hiruzen didn't push the matter at first, letting the silence settle between them. "It's about what happened with Kiba," he said. "I heard you… almost killed him."

    Naruto's face remained impassive, like Hiruzen had just told him the sky was blue or that water was wet. There wasn't a flicker of guilt, worry, or even surprise in his expression.

    "Naruto, this is serious. You nearly killed a fellow shinobi of the Leaf—in what was essentially a stupid fight. Do you understand the gravity of that?"

    "That wasn't just some stupid fight," Naruto said, his voice low and simmering with anger. "Kiba disrespected someone important to me. Someone who taught me about honor and strength—things this village pretends to care about but doesn't actually live by. I wasn't going to let him get away with that."

    Hiruzen studied him carefully. "While I understand that Kiba may have been out of line, Naruto, attacking and nearly killing him is inexcusable," he said. "Words can hurt, yes, but they don't justify violence. If you want to grow into a shinobi people can trust, you need to learn to control yourself. A true ninja doesn't let their emotions dictate their actions."

    The words stung—not because they were wrong, but because they dismissed what had actually happened. This wasn't about anger. It wasn't even about Kiba. It was about respect. It was about Oscar.

    "And who the hell are you to tell me any of this?"

    The atmosphere shifted instantly. Hiruzen's gaze hardened, and for the first time that evening, he allowed the weight of his authority to press down on Naruto. The air felt heavier, suffocating, a stark reminder of who Hiruzen Sarutobi truly was—not just an old man, but the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf, the professor, the protector of the village.

    "I am the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, Genin Naruto!"

    For a moment, Naruto felt the weight of that title crash down on him, the enormity of it making him feel small. But the anger burning in his chest refused to be extinguished. He straightened, his voice steady but trembling with restrained frustration.

    "So, is that it?" Naruto asked. "I have to take responsibility? I have to deal with it all? The child has to be the adult?"

    The question cut deeper than Hiruzen expected. His jaw tightened, guilt flickering in his eyes. He opened his mouth to respond, but Naruto didn't give him the chance.

    "I'm the one who has to 'control myself.' I'm the one who has to 'be fair and just.' I'm the one who has to suck it up and move on, while the rest of this village gets to throw their crap at me and pretend I don't exist. That's what being a ninja means, huh? Just keep taking it, over and over, because that's the Will of Fire?"

    "Naruto, that's not what I meant…" Hiruzen's voice softened, his tone almost pleading as he took a step closer, raising a hand.

    But Naruto didn't flinch. "Then how did you mean it, old man?" he asked, his voice quieter now but no less biting. "Because it sure sounds like you're telling me I have to carry everyone else's baggage while they get to treat me however they want. That I'm the one who's supposed to be better than them. That I'm supposed to act like a hero for a village that's never done anything for me."

    The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the faint rustle of leaves in the breeze.

    "You're right," Hiruzen said finally, his voice heavy with regret. "I wasn't there for you the way I should have been. And neither was this village. For that, Naruto, I am truly sorry."

    Naruto flinched, his eyes widening slightly. He hadn't expected that—not the apology, not the raw sadness in the old man's voice. But it wasn't enough. It couldn't be enough.

    "Sorry?" Naruto echoed bitterly. "That's it? You think 'sorry' makes up for everything? For the years I spent alone? For —" His throat tightened, and he couldn't finish the sentence.

    "No, Naruto," Hiruzen said softly. "I know it doesn't make up for anything. I know I can't undo what's been done. But I want to do better. I want to help you find your place in this village."

    Naruto's gaze dropped to the ground, his fists trembling as conflicting emotions swirled inside him. Anger, frustration, sadness—he didn't know which to hold on to, which to let go of.

    "You still want to be Hokage, don't you?"

    The question hung in the air, a quiet attempt to gauge just how deep the damage truly ran.

    Naruto hesitated, the question cutting through him like a blade. Did he? Once, being Hokage had meant everything to him. It had been his dream, his proof that he could matter. But now? Now, it felt ironically hollow.

    "What does being Hokage even mean to you?"

    Hiruzen's gaze turned distant as he looked out at the moonlit compound gates. "The Hokage is the person who embodies the Will of Fire," he said. "The belief that everyone in this village is part of one family. That we protect and care for each other, no matter what."

    Naruto felt a bitter laugh rise in his throat but swallowed it down.

    "The Hokage carries the burden of protecting the village," Hiruzen continued. "Of guiding it, ensuring that the Will of Fire is passed down to the next generation. It's a chain that stretches back to the First Hokage, and one I hope will continue long after me."

    "So, has Konoha failed me? Has the Hokage failed me?"

    Hiruzen's breath hitched.

    "I don't think I ever felt the 'warmth' of family when I cried myself to sleep, Hokage-sama," Naruto continued, his voice trembling, not from fear, but from the weight of everything he had held in for so long. "I don't think I ever felt 'protected' when the villagers glared at me like I was a monster. Like I wasn't even human."

    Hiruzen's face fell, the regret pooling in his eyes.

    Naruto's voice softened, but that only made it worse, the pain in his words sharper for how calm they were. "You talk about fairness," he said, the faintest tremble in his tone betraying the storm brewing underneath, "about justice, about family… but where was all of that when the innocent needed it? Where was the Will of Fire when the ones who truly needed it were left to fend for themselves? Where was it when I needed it?"

    Naruto raised his hand, gesturing vaguely toward the Hokage's nonexistent hat. "That hat…" he began. "That hat once meant something to me. It represented hope. A dream that maybe, one day, I could be more than the village outcast. More than just the kid everyone hated for no reason. That maybe, just maybe, I could be someone who mattered."

    His gaze locked onto Hiruzen's then, raw, unflinching, and full of unshed tears. His bright blue eyes seemed to bore into the Hokage, demanding he look at the truth he had ignored for so long. But Naruto didn't let those tears fall. He refused to give Hiruzen—or the village—the satisfaction of seeing just how much they had hurt him.

    "But now?" Naruto's voice cracked, the bitterness bleeding through as he forced the words out like broken glass. "Now, it's just a hat. Nothing more. A hat worn by a man who preaches fairness and justice but doesn't live it. A man who lets his village turn its back on a child. A man who talks about family, but doesn't even know what the word means. That's what the Hokage's hat is to me now. Nothing. Just an empty symbol."

    Hiruzen stood there in silence. He didn't argue. He didn't deny it. How could he? Every word Naruto said was a truth Hiruzen couldn't refute. Every accusation struck deeper than the last, cutting through the ideals he had spent his life trying to uphold. And now, those ideals crumbled under the weight of the boy's pain.

    Shame painted itself across Hiruzen's face. It seeped into every line etched into his weathered features. Shame not just as the Hokage—the leader who was supposed to protect and nurture every soul in his village—but as a man. A man who had failed a boy who needed him the most. A boy he had promised to look after and had let down in every way that mattered.

    But worst of all, shame as the man Naruto once called "grandpa." That name had been a gift—a sign of trust, of affection, of the hope that maybe, despite everything, Naruto still believed in him. And Hiruzen had thrown it away. Through his inaction, his silence, his complacency, he had let that precious gift rot away until there was nothing left.

    "I don't hate you, old man. I should, but I don't." He paused. "What I feel is worse. Disappointment."

    He let the word hang in the air like a blade suspended above Hiruzen's head, cutting deeper than any weapon ever could. Then, with no further words, Naruto turned away.

    For a moment, he thought to call out, to stop him, to say something—anything—to make this right. But no words came. No action felt sufficient. He remained frozen, bound by the weight of his own failings. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the great Hokage, the Professor, the man who was supposed to guide his people, felt completely powerless.

    It wasn't a new feeling, but that only made it worse. He recognized it too well—the same powerlessness that had plagued him when his relationship with his own son, Asuma, had crumbled, built on unspoken expectations and words left unsaid. The same powerlessness that gnawed at him whenever he thought of Tsunade, how he had failed to guide her through her grief and let her leave the village, carrying her pain with her. The same powerlessness that weighed on him every time he remembered Orochimaru, the student he'd let fall into darkness because he couldn't bring himself to act decisively when it mattered most.

    And now… now it was Naruto.

    This was his great flaw, the one that defined his many regrets: his inability to repair the bonds that should have mattered most to him. Time and again, he had let the people who needed him slip through his fingers, too afraid, too hesitant to confront the mess he had allowed to grow. He always told himself it was for the greater good—that his duty to the village outweighed his personal relationships—but in truth, he simply didn't know how to fix what was broken.

    Naruto paused mid-step, his back still turned to the old man.

    "If Iruka-sensei hadn't stopped my axe from hitting Kiba," he said, "I would've stopped myself." He glanced over his shoulder. "Not because of anything you taught me. Not because of anything this village stands for. But because I live by the code of someone who believed in me. Someone who gave me hope when no one else would. I wouldn't dirty his code—not even for my anger."

    The finality in his voice landed like a hammer blow, reverberating in the space between them. Naruto's eyes lingered on Hiruzen for just a second longer, piercing and resolute, before he turned and began walking again. His steps were deliberate, unhurried, as though he were leaving behind more than just the conversation.

    "Good night, Hokage-sama!"
    Author's Note:

    Hey, everyone! Wow, this chapter was intense, wasn't it? Writing the confrontation between Hiruzen and Naruto has been on my mind for ages. I really wanted to dig into the raw emotions and messy dynamics between them, and honestly, it hurt in all the best ways to write. Did Hiruzen's guilt hit you like a truck? Does Naruto calling him out feel like the turning point it should be? Let me know in the comments—don't hold back!

    So, what's next? The next chapter drops on December 16th! And it's gonna be a good one. We'll be shifting perspectives, dealing with the fallout of this confrontation, and ramping up into some major moments. Get hyped!

    BUT… if waiting is not your thing (and let's be real, who likes waiting?), Chapter 44 on Patreon

    For those of you who don't know, I'm a few chapters ahead over there, so if you want to binge the upcoming twists right now (and trust me, some spicy stuff is coming), you can join for as little as a dollar. Plus, it really helps me stay consistent with writing (shoutout to my patrons, y'all are MVPs).

    No pressure though! You do you. But if you want early access to the chaos, it's there.

    Alright, that's it from me for now. See you all on December 16th for the next update! Until then, drop your theories and thoughts in the comments—I love reading what you all come up with. Let's keep this hype train rolling!

    —Adamo Amet
     
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    • yeaaah is anyone gonna confront him about oscar? it just comes of as weird the way he keeps ranting about someone they don't know and they just let it slide during all those conversations, or maybe it's just me who thinks it's weird?
     
    Retalom said:
    yeaaah is anyone gonna confront him about oscar? it just comes of as weird the way he keeps ranting about someone they don't know and they just let it slide during all those conversations, or maybe it's just me who thinks it's weird?
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    Nah, it's not weird, my dude. I think you missed a big plot point from earlier chapters. Hiruzen straight-up told Kakashi to subtly dig into who the hell Oscar is. Basically, every notable character is overthinking Oscar hardcore because Naruto's abilities just don't add up to what they know. Like, a normal fire jutsu takes months to learn, but here's Naruto pulling out "space-time ninjutsu" (a.k.a. inventory swapping), rocking insane armor and weapons, and even busting out killer intent like it's nothing.

    From their POV, there's no way Naruto picked all this up in such a short time—it'd take years. So now they're left wondering: How long was Naruto playing dumb? Who the hell is this Oscar guy? And when did he show up in the picture? They can't just bring it up casually because Oscar seems like someone Naruto's been tight with for years. To them, this isn't just some random dude Naruto started mentioning—it's a whole mystery they think they need to tiptoe around.

    The ironic part? If they just asked Naruto directly, he'd probably spill everything without a second thought. But you know how ninjas are with their paranoia—it's all shadows and whispers. Makes it hilarious, honestly.
     
    Great chapter, it's nice to see a story where naruto actually doesn't care for the hokage position. Because even without oscar, most of the time with everything he has to go through treatment wise and how much is hidden from him, it boggles my mind in alot that he still wants to be hokage and doesn't despise it.
     
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    Adamos_Amet said:
    Nah, it's not weird, my dude. I think you missed a big plot point from earlier chapters. Hiruzen straight-up told Kakashi to subtly dig into who the hell Oscar is. Basically, every notable character is overthinking Oscar hardcore because Naruto's abilities just don't add up to what they know. Like, a normal fire jutsu takes months to learn, but here's Naruto pulling out "space-time ninjutsu" (a.k.a. inventory swapping), rocking insane armor and weapons, and even busting out killer intent like it's nothing.

    From their POV, there's no way Naruto picked all this up in such a short time—it'd take years. So now they're left wondering: How long was Naruto playing dumb? Who the hell is this Oscar guy? And when did he show up in the picture? They can't just bring it up casually because Oscar seems like someone Naruto's been tight with for years. To them, this isn't just some random dude Naruto started mentioning—it's a whole mystery they think they need to tiptoe around.

    The ironic part? If they just asked Naruto directly, he'd probably spill everything without a second thought. But you know how ninjas are with their paranoia—it's all shadows and whispers. Makes it hilarious, honestly.
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    That's the weird part tho paranoia justifies only so much, no one is asking naruto about it, hiruzen not asking because he doesn't want to risk pushing naruto away further makes sense, but no one else? not even iruka asks naruto about it? ok it's your story i gave my feedback and i like the story anyway
     
    Good Lord, that darksign/undead stuff is making Naruto unrecognizable. Sakura is the lone voice of positivity in the sea of emo and angst that is team 7.
     
    Chapter no.10 Naruto New
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    • Chapter no.10 Hawk's Gambit
    In the outer ring of Konoha's civilian district, amidst unassuming shops and buildings, lay a small, nondescript bar tucked between a bakery and a butcher shop. Its wooden sign swung slightly in the breeze, the kanji for Willow Rest visible under the moonlight. Inside, the bar was dimly lit, its air thick with the quiet murmur of patrons nursing drinks. A cloaked figure entered, leaning slightly on a cane. Shimura Danzo had returned to Konoha.

    The bartender froze, his hand tightening on the glass he was polishing, before quickly bowing. Without a word, Danzo moved toward the back of the establishment. His cane tapped against the wooden floor in rhythmic intervals. He paused before a worn brick wall, his lone eye scanning it until his cane tapped three times in a circular motion. A faint glow appeared, spiderwebbing into a complex sealing array. The bricks began to shift, twisting and rearranging themselves. Slowly, a narrow door materialized, creaking open to reveal a stairway descending into darkness.

    Danzo stepped through without hesitation, the door sealing itself behind him with a quiet hum. The stairway opened into a vast underground chamber, lit by lanterns casting eerie shadows on the damp stone walls. Hundreds of masked figures appeared seemingly from nowhere, kneeling silently as their collective voice echoed in unison:

    "The unseen ones who support the great tree of Konoha from the depths of the earth. We are the Root."

    Danzo's expression remained as stoic as ever. With a single, deliberate tap of his cane, the masked figures stood, silent and awaiting orders. At the center of the room stood a high-ranking Root operative, their mask etched with intricate patterns marking their rank. They held a scroll in their hands, bowing as Danzo approached.

    "Report."

    "Lord Danzo, the target has been under continuous surveillance. Sai has compiled a detailed report. Agent Sai, step forward."

    From the shadows, Sai flickered into existence, kneeling with mechanical precision. "Lord Danzo," Sai said, his tone devoid of emotion.

    "Deliver your findings," Danzo commanded, unfurling the scroll and scanning its contents with his lone eye.

    "Target Uzumaki Naruto has been observed in his home, his classroom, and in various public interactions. I have documented all noteworthy behaviors, relationships, and rumors surrounding him. The first section includes detailed points of interest."

    Danzo's gaze lingered on the mention of Naruto's team: Hatake Kakashi, Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura.

    Kakashi… Danzo muttered internally. Proceed with caution. That man sees too much.

    He moved on, his expression hardening as he read about Naruto's display of killer intent. He tapped his cane again, sharp and deliberate.

    "Agent Fu."

    Another masked figure materialized from the shadows. "Yes, Lord Danzo?"

    "Erase any civilian memories of Naruto's killer intent."

    The words hung in the dim chamber, cold and final. The Root operatives didn't flinch, didn't hesitate. They simply nodded. Danzo calculated that the clan shinobi would keep such knowledge contained. Their loyalties were bound by tradition, honor, and the subtle fear of losing face within Konoha's strict hierarchies. They would whisper, certainly, but only within the confines of their compounds. Their suspicions wouldn't reach the streets.

    Civilians, however, were a different matter entirely.

    They were Konoha's weakest link—a necessary part of the village but untrained, undisciplined, and dangerously prone to gossip. Whispers among traders at the market or murmurs over sake in the taverns could spread like wildfire, twisting and growing with every retelling. By the time those whispers reached other ears—ears outside Konoha, perhaps—they could turn into something uncontrollable.

    Naruto's killer intent wasn't just a threat to his enemies; it was a threat to Konoha's image itself. A boy who was already mistrusted and feared by many civilians now showing killer intent? That wasn't a narrative Danzo could afford to let take root.

    "Understood."

    Danzo rolled the scroll shut, his grip tightening slightly. He stared into the shadows, his voice calm but heavy with authority.

    "Sai. Fu. Analyze Uzumaki's mental state. Draft a letter. It must encourage trust and curiosity. No lies."

    "The truth, Lord Danzo?" Sai asked.

    Danzo's gaze shifted to him, piercing. "Yes. The truth wounds deeper than any lie. Use it carefully."

    Normally, the answer would be simple. If there was information to gather, he would extract it cleanly and thoroughly. Root operatives were experts in such matters. A mind could be unraveled with Yamanaka techniques, every thread of knowledge plucked clean and cataloged. Failing that, he had other methods.

    Kotoamatsukami.

    It was the ultimate tool of manipulation, one that could not be traced or resisted. A single command, flawlessly embedded, would turn even the most unruly soul into a loyal servant. With it, he could plant the seeds of allegiance deep in Naruto's mind. He could sculpt the boy into exactly what Konoha needed—a weapon with no equal, bound to the village and to Danzo himself.

    But this was not a luxury he could indulge.

    Danzo's eye flickered toward the masked figures kneeling before him, their stoic silence awaiting his orders.

    The Kyuubi.

    It always came back to the Kyuubi. The beast complicated everything. Its presence in the boy's body created a barrier of unpredictability. The sealing process that tied it to Naruto was layered with intricate protections crafted by the Yondaime. Any attempt to interfere with Naruto's mind—even subtly—risked destabilizing that seal. To gamble on such an approach would be reckless, even by his standards.

    And then there was the boy himself.

    Danzo didn't yet understand the scope of Naruto's new abilities. The sheer weight of his presence during combat reports. It wasn't just the Kyuubi anymore; the boy was becoming something else. Something unknown. And Danzo knew better than anyone that the unknown was dangerous.

    No, Naruto could not be manipulated the way others could. Not yet.

    "Root exists to serve Konoha. This mission is no different. Do not fail."

    As Naruto trudged through the streets of Konoha, the quiet stopped being soothing. Rather, it was suffocating, pressing down on him like a heavy weight he couldn't shake. He felt like a foreigner in his own village.

    "Humans," he muttered bitterly, kicking a loose pebble that skittered across the cobblestones. A humorless laugh escaped his throat, raw and sharp. He'd rather face a horde of Hollows or even a demon than deal with people. Monsters, at least, were straightforward. They didn't hide their intentions behind fake smiles or whispered insults.

    The sting of tears burned at the corners of his eyes, but he blinked them away quickly. He wasn't weak. He didn't have time to be. Emotions won't keep me alive; focus will. He reminded himself of that as he walked toward his house, his pace quickening as if he could outrun the storm in his head.

    When he finally reached his apartment, something caught his attention immediately. A red envelope, bright against the dull wood of his front door, was pinned in place with a thin kunai.

    Naruto froze, his hand hovering over the doorframe. His eyes darted to the rooftops, to the shadows pooling in the alleys, but there was nothing. No chakra signatures, no signs of lingering presence. Whoever had left it had long since gone.

    A frown creased his brow as he pulled the envelope free. The kunai was clean and ordinary, the kind anyone in the village might carry. The envelope itself was neatly folded, almost pristine, with writing on the front in small, careful handwriting:

    To Naruto, from a secret friend.

    Naruto's stomach tightened, the frown deepening. Secret friend? It could mean anything—a threat, a trap, or just another cruel joke. He had no shortage of people in the village who'd take a cheap shot at him under the guise of kindness.

    For a moment, he considered throwing it away, but curiosity won out. He shoved the envelope into his pocket and unlocked his door.

    Inside, the small space felt colder than usual. It always did when he returned alone after a long day. He shrugged off his armor, setting it down carefully by the wall, and dropped onto his worn couch. The letter felt heavy in his hand, far more than its weight should have been.

    Why do I even care? he thought bitterly, running his thumb over the edge of the envelope. But he did care. No matter how many times the world spat on him, a small part of him still wanted to believe there was something good waiting for him. Something worth trusting.

    He unfolded the letter with steady hands, though his mind churned with unease. The paper was smooth, almost unnaturally so, like whoever wrote it had gone out of their way to make it perfect. And then his eyes landed on the first line, and his breath hitched.

    [ Hello there, Naruto. You don't know me, but I know you. I was a great friend of your parents. ]

    He froze.

    My parents... He'd never really thought about them. Not deeply. He knew they had to exist, but he never let himself wonder. It was easier to accept they were gone, probably in the Kyuubi attack or something. But now, this "friend" decides to contact him? Why now? Where were they the last decade or so?

    He read on, his fingers tightening on the letter.

    [ I'm sure you have many questions, but unfortunately, I must keep myself hidden, in the shadows, to keep you safe… to keep your parents' legacy safe. But, Naruto, I can tell you this: your parents would be proud of the man you've become. ]

    A strange, stinging warmth filled his chest, and he felt tears pricking at his eyes. Proud?!

    The thought that his parents, who he'd never met, might feel proud of him was… overwhelming. He blinked hard, biting his lip to keep himself together.

    [ Naruto, I want you to know this, but you must not trust Hiruzen Sarutobi. That man has kept a lot from you—more than you even know. ]

    He drew in a sharp breath, the name jolting him back to the present. Hiruzen…? Naruto glanced at the old man's apology, fresh in his memory, still stinging like salt on a wound. The letter's words felt like they were feeding on every bit of anger, every ounce of frustration he'd been holding onto.

    [ I know this is sudden, but with the lies Hiruzen has fed you, I know my time has come. I can't help you directly—if I did, Hiruzen would try to kill me. I can only provide you with information, the truth about who you are, Naruto Uzumaki. Don't you want to know? ]

    He felt a lump rise in his throat.

    Who am I?

    He'd been searching for that answer his whole life. The old man never told him anything. He didn't even know his parents' names. Everything he thought he knew about himself felt like it was slipping through his fingers, and he had no idea what was real anymore.

    Naruto stared at the letter, his jaw tightening as his eyes scanned the words again.

    [ Naruto, you have two choices before you. Below this sentence is a storage seal where I've stored the first answer. ]

    His gaze dropped to the intricate storage seal below the writing. The faintest shimmer danced across its surface, as though it was holding something that wanted to be free.

    The next line, however, stopped him cold.

    [ Even if you choose the second option of not opening the seal, let me tell you this—the Uzumaki are the only people who can hold the Kyuubi. ]

    Naruto's fingers twitched, the letter crinkling slightly as he clenched his fist. That one line—it was deliberate, a hook buried deep in his curiosity. It wasn't just some vague hint or cryptic phrase. It was a fact, one he didn't fully understand, but it dangled in front of him like a carrot on a stick. Whoever had written this knew exactly how to bait him.

    And it was working.

    [ The choices are simple. Don't open the seal, and the story ends. You go on believing whatever lies Hiruzen wants you to believe. Or, open the seal, and I'll show you how deep the rabbit hole goes. ]

    His hands shook as he stared down at the seal.

    A war raged inside him—one side demanding he find out, the other reminding him of every lie he'd been told, every half-truth, every door slammed in his face. But the choice was clear. He had to know.

    Whatever it takes, I'm done with half-truths.

    Naruto poured his chakra into the seal, expecting the usual swirl of smoke. But instead, the letter suddenly burst into flames. He jerked back, and there, in his hands, he found himself holding a book with a note attached to the front. He pulled it off, reading the words with a mix of curiosity and unease.

    [ Naruto, you chose wisely. I know you're hungry for more, but I want to test you—to see if you're truly ready for answers that are considered village secrets. Information that can cause war... like who your parents are. ]

    He swallowed hard, his fingers tightening around the note.

    War? Just knowing my parents could do that? The thought sent a shiver down his spine.

    [ Naruto, your test is simple. Keep our conversations a secret. No one must know that you're receiving this information. I know it will be hard; I know you want to demand the truth from Hiruzen. But don't. Don't give that liar a chance to fool you. ]

    His jaw clenched as he read that. That liar. If there was even a shred of truth to this, maybe it was time to stop trusting what he thought he knew.

    [ Naruto, I want you to remain silent for the next month, and then you'll receive information about who your mother is. If you can't do that, if you tell Hiruzen or anyone else, I won't help you. Don't disappoint me, Naruto. From your friend, from your guardian, the Hawk of Konoha. ]

    Naruto stared at the note, the words blurring as his grip tightened. The Hawk of Konoha. He turned the phrase over in his mind, tasting the bitterness it left behind. A "friend"? A "guardian"? No. This was no ally. He couldn't afford to believe that.

    A part of him wanted to laugh—sharp, hollow, and humorless. Trust? After everything? After all the stares, the whispers, the betrayals, the endless solitude? The very idea was a cruel joke.

    And yet… somewhere, buried under the layers of his resentment, something desperate clawed at him. Maybe, just maybe, this time will be different.

    He hated that part of himself. Hated the hope that still flickered like a stubborn ember, refusing to die no matter how hard he tried to smother it.

    His gaze fell to the book in his lap: The History of the Uzumaki Clan. Just seeing the title made his chest feel tight, his breath shallow. It was too much. Too big.

    A legacy? A clan? A family?

    The words felt like a cruel mockery of the life he'd known.

    The book slipped from his trembling hands, hitting the floor with a dull, resounding thud. He didn't move to pick it up. He just sat there, staring at it, frozen.

    This was real. It had to be. The weight of it, the implications—it hit like a hammer blow. All his life, he had fought for scraps. For acknowledgment. For a fleeting glance of respect. He had fought to exist in a village that wished he didn't.

    And now, now, he was staring at the truth of what they had hidden from him. A clan. A family. A place he belonged.

    No one had ever told him. No one had even whispered it. They'd buried it, buried him, and pretended he didn't exist.

    A sharp, burning pain bloomed in his chest, like something tearing its way out of him. His fists clenched so tightly his nails bit into his palms, but he barely noticed. His breath hitched, his vision blurred, and then, like a dam breaking, everything poured out.

    A single tear slipped down his cheek, unbidden and unwelcome.

    Anger surged up, hot and vicious, swallowing the sadness whole. His fist slammed into the floor with enough force to shatter the wood beneath it, splinters flying outward in jagged, chaotic lines. The pain in his knuckles barely registered.

    "Why?!" The word ripped from his throat, raw and hoarse, filled with years of bottled-up fury. His voice cracked as it carried through the room, unanswered.

    Naruto's chest heaved as he struggled to pull himself together, the storm inside him refusing to settle. He thought of the villagers' scornful eyes, the hateful whispers, the way they looked at him like he was less than human. He thought of the teachers who dismissed him, the peers who mocked him, the endless loneliness that had shaped his life. He thought he had made peace with it—thought he'd grown numb to it—but now it came rushing back with brutal clarity.

    He looked down at his clenched fist, blood smearing against the cracked floor. Was this all he was worth? Was this all he'd ever be—a forgotten ghost of something great?

    He reached down, grabbing the book again. His hands shook as he pulled it back into his lap, the weight of it grounding him.

    Fine, he thought bitterly. I'll play their game. I'll keep quiet. I'll read every page, memorize every line, and carve the truth out of this village with my own two hands if I have to.

    The Hawk of Konoha.     Naruto's gaze drifted back to the note, his eyes narrowing. Could he trust them?

    He already knew the answer—No.

    Trust had to be earned, and this Hawk had done nothing to deserve it. If they thought a few words and a hidden book would win him over, they were as delusional as the villagers who thought they could keep him chained in their ignorance.

    Oscar's voice echoed in his mind. "Precept the Tenth: Trust in yourself, your weapon, and your code—for yourself, and for those you protect."

    Naruto let out a slow breath, his fingers curling around the flickering pyromancy flame that danced in his palm. The heat licked at his skin, wild and untamed, but he forced it under his control.

    "If this is another lie…" Naruto's voice was low, cold, and razor-edged. The flame cast shadows across his face.

    "…I'll clip this Hawk's wings and leave them to crawl in the dirt, regretting every breath they've ever taken."

    He didn't yell. He didn't scream. It wasn't a threat. It was a certainty.

    The room fell silent, the only sound the faint crackle of the pyromancy flame in his hand. Naruto stared down at the book, his resolve hardening like steel. Whatever this was, whoever this Hawk claimed to be, he would find out.

    And if they were lying, if this was just another betrayal in a lifetime full of them…

    Naruto's grip tightened on the flame.

    …he would burn them to ash.
    Author's Note:

    Hey everyone!

    First of all, thanks for reading this chapter—I really hope you enjoyed it.

    Now, let me just say: Naruto isn't too far gone. Sure, he's angry, hurt, and carrying enough emotional baggage to fill a storage seal, but there's still hope for him. Whether or not he finds his way back depends on a lot—and I mean a lot. At this point, it's going to come down to Kakashi, Team 7, and maybe a few others stepping up to the plate. But the question is: can they pull it off?

    Also, what did you think about Danzo's scheming in this chapter?

    The next chapter is dropping on December 20th!

    If you can't wait that long and want to read ahead, Chapter 46 is already up on Patreon:
    Chapter 46 on Patreon

    Thanks again for all the support! Let me know your thoughts on this chapter in the comments—I love hearing your theories and seeing how you think things will unfold.

    Until next time,
    Adamo Amet
     
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    • Chapter no.11 Dark Souls New
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    • Chapter no.11 Undead Burg

    Naruto opened his eyes to the familiar sight of Firelink Shrine. The soft, steady glow of the bonfire crackled in front of him, its warmth washing over him. This place… it was starting to feel like his new Hokage Monument. A place where he could just sit, take a breather, and think without anyone bothering him. Well, except for maybe Alexander.

    He glanced around, half-expecting the ever-gloomy crestfallen warrior to be muttering something depressing about fate or despair. But the shrine was quiet. Too quiet.

    "Huh. Guess ol' Alexander finally stopped sulking and decided to go out for once," Naruto muttered with a shrug. "Good for him, I guess. Maybe he finally got his life back on track after eating that cup of ramen—proof that even in a cursed world, ramen fixes everything."

    Naruto shook the thought from his head and stood up, brushing off his hands. "Alright, time to get to work," he said, cracking his knuckles.

    He made a cross-sign with his fingers, concentrating as he pushed a big chunk of chakra out of his body. The feeling was intense, like forcing water through a narrow pipe. The mechanism behind the Shadow Clone Jutsu was complicated, but in his head, it was like blowing a bubble: his body was the wand, his clone was the bubble, and chakra was the solution. Lots of chakra.

    Then, with a sharp exhale, he released it.

    Poof!

    Standing before him was his clone, grinning back at him like he'd just been born for mischief.

    "You ready for the plan?"

    "We're going grave robbing, dattebayo!" the clone declared, throwing a fist in the air like it was something to be proud of.

    "Can you not make it sound so… so bad?! It's not grave robbing! We're just… strategically scavenging stuff that nobody's using!"

    The clone just grinned and gave him a thumbs-up. "Strategic grave robbing. Got it."

    "Just… go do your job, will you?"

    The clone gave a mock salute. "Aye-aye, boss!" And with that, it took off toward the graveyard, disappearing into the shadows with more enthusiasm than Naruto was entirely comfortable with.

    He slumped back down by the bonfire, letting his chakra pool refill. That particular clone had taken a lot of chakra—not enough to leave him dry, but enough to make him feel it. It was fine, though. That clone was smarter and tougher than the average ones. It'd even make more clones if it needed backup. Meanwhile, Naruto leaned back, letting his body recharge.

    His gaze drifted to the Estus Flask hanging at his side. The thing had already saved his life more than a few times by healing his injuries, but something had been nagging at him. If it could restore his body… could it restore his chakra too?

    "Only one way to find out," Naruto muttered, pulling the flask to his lips and taking a swig. Warmth spread through his body, the familiar sensation of healing. But this time, he focused inward, on his chakra.

    And there it was.

    His eyes widened in shock as he felt his reserves refill, a rush of fresh energy flowing through him. He stared at the flask like it was the Holy Grail of ninja tools.

    "This… this thing is amazing," he whispered in awe, his lips curling into a grin. "Oh, I'm definitely keeping you around."

    Placing the now-empty flask in front of the bonfire, Naruto watched as it slowly refilled itself. He chuckled. "You, my friend, just became my new best friend. Sorry, ramen."

    Before he could plan his next move, he heard the distant BOOM of an explosion. A smug grin spread across his face as memories from his clone flooded into his mind. Apparently, the cemetery skeletons were proving to be a pain, but his clones had blown a few to bits using explosive tags.

    "Stupid skeletons," Naruto muttered with satisfaction, leaning back against a rock. "That's what you get for messing with Naruto Uzumaki."

    Another set of memories hit him—this time of the loot the clone had grabbed. He felt a tingle of excitement as he sat up straighter, rubbing his hands together like a kid about to open a birthday present.

    "Strategic scavenging, huh? Yeah, that's got a nice ring to it."

    [ Item: Winged Spear ]
    [ Weapon type:     Spears ]
    [ Description:     A long-hilted spear with a barbed point. Long reach, and can be used with shield up. Effective against hard exteriors, and hits for high damage at the right moment of an enemy's swing. But the hit radius is small, and it is easily blocked by shields. ]

    Naruto hefted the spear in his hands, feeling its weight. It had a long, sturdy shaft, with a sharp, narrow tip that gleamed faintly in the light of the bonfire. Just below the blade, small, wing-like protrusions flared out on either side, giving it an almost elegant design.

    "Looks pretty badass," Naruto muttered, turning it over. He gave the tip an experimental jab at the air, but his enthusiasm faded quickly. "But… seriously, am I gonna use this?"

    He pictured himself lugging it around in battle and immediately cringed. It just didn't feel right for him. The Zweihander was his weapon—big, heavy, and full of destructive power. This? This was too… precise.

    "Yeah, not really my style," he decided, letting the spear rest against the side of the bonfire. "Guess it's backup, or maybe… can I sell this stuff?"

    He rubbed the back of his head, wondering how selling even worked in Lordran. He'd have to figure that out later. For now, though, it was just one more thing taking up space in his inventory.

    [ Item: Caduceus Round Shield ]
    [ Weapon type:     Small Shield ]
    [ Description:     Round wooden shield crafted in Lordran. Decorated by an ancient blue Caduceus. The giant trees in Lordran are distant offspring of the great stone archtrees. This shield inherits their properties, and the wood greatly reduces magic damage. ]

    Next, Naruto picked up the shield. It was small and round, made of wood with a faded green background. The design on its face—a pair of curved lines resembling snakes meeting at a "U" shape—was faint and worn, but still visible. The edges of the shield were reinforced with a thin rim of metal, though it had seen better days.

    "Huh," Naruto said, giving it a once-over. "Not bad. Feels pretty sturdy, I guess." He rapped his knuckles against it, hearing the dull thud of the wood. "Wonder if this thing could hold up against a jutsu."

    But he frowned, already feeling its weight dragging on his arm. It wasn't that heavy, but still—he'd need to pump more points into strength before he could wield it comfortably alongside the Zweihander. And, honestly? Shields just weren't his thing.

    "Yeah, probably not gonna use this either," he muttered, setting it down with the spear.

    [ Item: Binoculars ]
    [ Description:     Binoculars made of Brass. Use to peer at distant scenery.
    This advanced device was built by a famous craftsman of Astora. Its utility is singular, but its applications many. The value of these specs depends greatly on the imagination of their owner. ]

    Finally, Naruto picked up the binoculars. They were made of brass, slightly worn but still solid, with two cylindrical eyepieces connected by a small hinge in the middle. He turned them over in his hands, feeling their smooth surface.

    "Binoculars?" Naruto muttered, squinting at them. "What am I supposed to do with these?"

    His mind wandered for a moment, and then a wicked grin crept onto his face. He remembered the onsen near his apartment in Konoha.

    "I mean… I could test these out there… Just, you know, for research purposes," he said to himself, chuckling quietly. But the thought made him blush, and he quickly shook his head. "Nope, nope, bad idea. Focus, Naruto!"

    Grinning at his own ridiculousness, he brought the binoculars up to his eyes, curious to see what they could do. He aimed them at the bonfire—and immediately regretted it.

    "ARGH! My eyes!" he yelped, pulling them away as spots danced in his vision. The light of the bonfire had practically burned into his retinas. He blinked furiously, wiping at his eyes until the pain subsided.

    Once his vision cleared, he raised the binoculars again, this time aiming them at the far edges of the shrine. Through the lenses, he could make out winding paths carved into the massive stone walls surrounding the area. The paths twisted and turned, disappearing into the distance like trails leading to the unknown.

    Naruto lowered the binoculars, a grin spreading across his face. "Well, looks like I know where I'm going next," he said, standing up and stretching. He stashed the binoculars in his pouch and gave the bonfire one last glance.

    "Let's go see what this world's got for me next!"

    Naruto made his way to the cliffside where Alexander had once stood guard over his soul drop. The ground sloped sharply, giving way to a sheer drop below, and just ahead, the massive castle wall loomed like a giant sentry. The dark stone was ancient, scarred by battles long since forgotten, and stretched so high that it vanished into the thick, cloudy sky above. Naruto tilted his head back, taking it all in, feeling impossibly small in its shadow.

    "Man," he muttered to himself, "this place always knows how to make you feel tiny."

    As he stepped closer, his sharp eyes caught sight of a set of staircases carved right into the cliffside. They clung precariously to the rock face, winding upward toward a series of ancient, crumbling archways that disappeared into the castle walls. The steps themselves were a mess—cracked, uneven, and overgrown with tufts of wild grass and moss.

    Naruto let out a deep breath, rolling his shoulders.

    He stepped onto the first stair, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of the Zweihander strapped to his back. His senses were on high alert, his eyes scanning the shadows ahead. He didn't have to wait long. A few hollows shuffled into view, their vacant, hollow eyes staring at nothing, their battered armor barely clinging to their decayed bodies. They gripped rusted short swords with hands that shook as if they'd forgotten how to fight.

    Naruto smirked, his confidence swelling. "Pfft, this is gonna be easy," he said under his breath. These hollows were barely holding themselves together, and he figured he wouldn't even need chakra to deal with them. This would be a good warm-up.

    He took a step forward, hand on the Zweihander, ready to attack. Then it came—a sharp whistling sound cutting through the air.

    BOOM!

    The explosion slammed into the ground beside him, a burst of searing flames and heat that sent Naruto stumbling backward. The blast hit his chest like a hammer, forcing the air out of his lungs as flames licked at the edges of his armor. Smoke filled his lungs, and his instincts screamed at him to move.

    "Damn it!" Naruto coughed, patting at the charred edges of his armor as he tried to regain his balance. His skin tingled from the heat, and his head pounded from the force of the blast. He barely had time to recover when one of the hollows lunged forward with a crazed howl, its short sword swinging wildly.

    The first blow slammed into his shoulder plate with a harsh clang, and the hollow didn't stop. It hacked at him relentlessly, the strikes landing with the ferocity of a wild animal. Naruto gritted his teeth, his arm vibrating with every impact as he tried to block and hold his ground. The hollow's attacks were so wild, so frenzied, it almost pushed him off the edge of the staircase.

    Then, with a sharp snap, the hollow's rusted sword shattered against his chest plate. The creature froze for a split second, almost as if it were confused, and Naruto seized the moment. With a burst of chakra, he disappeared in a blur of motion, shunshining backward to put some distance between them.

    "Alright, that's enough of that," Naruto muttered, his breath ragged. His smirk was gone, replaced with a hard glare. "These guys are supposed to be pushovers, so what the hell's going on?"

    Movement above caught his eye. Another hollow was scrambling down the upper staircase, its empty gaze fixed on him. Below, a second hollow—this one clad in dented, rusted armor—emerged from the shadows.

    Naruto didn't wait for them to close in. Triggering the pyromancy flame in his hand, he hurled a fireball at the staircase. The explosion rocked the stone steps, engulfing the two hollows in flames. Smoke and embers filled the air, and Naruto charged through the chaos, his Zweihander raised high.

    The first hollow, still stumbling forward, didn't stand a chance. With a roar, Naruto brought the Zweihander down in a devastating swing, cutting the hollow clean in half. Blood sprayed across the stone, the creature's remains crumpling to the ground as Naruto's focus sharpened. His Way of Focality screamed in his head—more attacks were coming from all sides.

    But those attacks landed on nothing but smoke. His clone had taken his place.

    BOOM!

    Another firebomb went off, consuming the area where his clone had been standing in a burst of flames. Using the distraction, Naruto appeared behind the group of hollows, his Zweihander already in motion. The massive blade swept in a wide arc, slicing clean through two hollows in one fluid motion. Their heads hit the ground before their bodies even registered the impact.

    The Zweihander crashed into the stone floor with a heavy thunk, dust and blood scattering in all directions. Naruto stood still for a moment, his chest rising and falling as he caught his breath.

    But it wasn't over. Above him, another hollow was already prepping another firebomb. Naruto glanced up, his eyes narrowing. "Not this time," he muttered.

    Letting go of the Zweihander, he pulled a kunai from his pouch and flung it with precision. The kunai struck the firebomb mid-air, detonating it in a fiery burst that sent the hollow stumbling back. Naruto didn't hesitate. He sprinted up the staircase, the wind whipping past him, his legs pumping hard as he closed the distance.

    His smirk returned as he thought about what he was going to do. "Oh, I'm gonna enjoy this," he muttered under his breath, picturing himself tossing the hollow right off the edge.

    The hollow raised its arm to throw another bomb, but before Naruto could close the gap, a massive axe swung out from behind the staircase. His instincts screamed, and he substituted, vanishing in a puff of smoke just as the axe cleaved through where he had been.

    Naruto reappeared mid-air, just in time to watch the hollow with the axe get slammed by the firebomb intended for him. But it barely flinched, its bony face turning toward him with soulless rage.

    He landed on the upper staircase, his feet skidding against the stone. "Alright," he growled, summoning the Zweihander into his hand, "no more games."

    Chakra surged through his muscles as he charged forward, raising the massive blade. The hollow swung its axe, but the Zweihander cut clean through it, the blade continuing its arc and splitting the hollow's body in two. The strike shook Naruto's entire frame, but he held steady, his grip firm.

    Another firebomb came his way. Naruto ducked into a low crouch, just like Kakashi had taught him, the bomb sailing harmlessly over his head. He glared up at the hollow, his patience officially gone.

    "You really wanna keep throwing stuff, huh?" he growled, stalking toward the hollow, fists clenched.

    The hollow hesitated, but Naruto didn't. He closed the distance in an instant, slamming his fist into its jaw. The impact sent it staggering, and he followed up with a quick left-right combo, each punch landing with a satisfying crack.

    "Here, let me help you with that whole 'falling apart' thing!" Naruto snarled, delivering an uppercut that sent the hollow flying off the edge of the cliff. He watched as it tumbled into the abyss below, its limbs flailing uselessly.

    A smirk crept onto his face. "Yeah, that felt good," he muttered, brushing off his hands.

    Naruto trudged up the stairs, the metallic clink of his armor ringing out with every step. At the top, the faint sound of running water reached his ears, and something glimmered at the edge of the platform caught his eye—a soul orb. Naruto's face split into a grin.

    "Well, don't mind if I do," he said, stepping forward.

    But then he noticed something odd. Deep claw marks etched along the edge of the platform, gouged into the stone like something—or someone—had tried to claw their way back up. Naruto frowned, leaning over the ledge, and sure enough, there was a corpse lodged awkwardly in one of the archways below. Its body was twisted, limbs hanging limp, but what caught his eye was the faint glow of something valuable near it.

    With a sigh, he created a shadow clone. "Alright, you know the drill," he said, waving the clone toward the edge. "You go grab the shiny stuff, and I stay up here looking heroic."

    "You mean lazy," the clone quipped before leaping down.

    "Yeah, yeah," Naruto called after it. "Don't get stuck like that guy, alright?" He plopped himself down at the edge of the platform, letting his legs dangle over as he took a moment to catch his breath.

    He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to center himself. Oscar's precepts echoed in his mind—words of duty, discipline, and honor. He'd started repeating them like a mantra to keep himself grounded, especially in this world where everything wanted to kill him.

    "Every mistake could mean death," he murmured, opening his eyes to stare out at the horizon. But the thought didn't weigh him down like it should've. Instead, he scoffed, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, sure. Like dying even matters here."

    Dying just meant he'd respawn at the bonfire. Big deal. But… what if he died in Konoha? Would he just wake up back here? That thought stuck in his mind for a second longer than he liked.

    Before he could dwell on it, a low, grating squeak echoed through the air. His head snapped toward the doorway behind him, and his eyes widened.

    "What the—?"

    It was a rat. No, not just a rat—a massive rat.

    "What are you, the Akimichi clan's secret mascot?"

    The creature's wild, beady eyes glinted in the light, and its fur was filthy—matted and streaked with blood. It scurried into the room on clawed feet, leaving scratch marks on the stone floor as it darted left and right, like it couldn't decide whether to charge or skitter away.

    Naruto wrinkled his nose as the stench hit him—a sour, damp smell that clung to the air like it belonged there. The doorway behind the rat led into a dark, slimy space, with walls slick with algae and water pooling at the edges. He spotted a rusted cage in the distance, and slumped against the bars was a body—or what was left of one.

    "So the rat eats corpses," Naruto said, raising his pyromancy flame to light up the area.

    The rat hissed, crouching low before lunging at him. Its claws swiped the air, and Naruto jumped back, waving his flame to keep it at bay.

    "Whoa, easy there!" he said, trying not to step into the gross puddle behind him. "I don't do hugs, especially from giant sewer rats."

    The rat reared up on its hind legs, standing almost as tall as his waist. Its claws swiped again, but this time Naruto didn't back down. He reached into his pouch and hurled a kunai, the blade slicing clean through the air before embedding itself into the rat's head.

    The creature let out a horrible screech before collapsing in a twitching heap.

    "Gross," Naruto muttered, eyeing the dead rat warily. He spotted something glimmering near its meal—a soul orb.

    "Yeah, nope. Not touching that," he said, creating another shadow clone. "Hey, you! Go grab that for me."

    "Sure thing, boss. Glad I'm disposable, huh?"

    "Yeah, that's why you are a clone," Naruto said with a grin, watching the clone step into the muck to retrieve the orb.

    Naruto moved farther along the wall, spotting another set of bars blocking an opening.

    "What the hell is this place?" he muttered, gripping the bars. He gave them a push, but the familiar system window popped up in front of him: "Does not open from this side."

    He groaned, slamming his hand against the cage.

    With a sigh, he moved on, climbing a staircase that led up to a path. Light spilled in from the right, revealing a distant tower framed by dark, swirling clouds.

    That's when he heard it.

    A low, grating sound—metal scraping against stone.

    Naruto froze, every nerve in his body on edge. His hand hovered near the hilt of his Zweihander as he strained to listen. The sound was slow, deliberate, and it was getting closer.

    "Alright," he muttered under his breath, his heart pounding. "Let's do this the smart way…"

    Naruto tossed out a shadow clone with a grin. If there was one thing he knew how to do, it was how to make a scene.

    Switching the Zweihander for the winged spear, he gripped the long, slender weapon awkwardly in his hands. It felt… strange. Not bad, just not right for him. It was like trying to use chopsticks after eating with his hands his whole life. He gave it a testing spin, grimacing at the imbalance.

    "Man, this thing is weird," Naruto muttered under his breath. "Guess I'm not gonna be pulling off any fancy moves with this. But hey, pointy end goes into the bad guys, right?"

    Ahead, his clone was doing its job, waving its arms like a maniac and shouting taunts. "Oi, you ugly sacks of bones! Come get me! What, scared of a little ninja like me?"

    Naruto smirked as the hollows were drawn toward the clone, their jerky, unnatural movements almost pitiful. The first hollow dragged a filthy axe along the ground, its emaciated body swaying as if it might fall apart any second. Through the shared memories with his clone, Naruto spotted the second one, lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

    "Classic ambush setup," Naruto muttered, crouching low.

    Pushing chakra into his legs, he surged forward in a blur of motion, his Shunshin closing the gap before the hollow even realized he was there. The spear's tip drove straight into the hollow's skull with a sickening crack. Naruto winced as he felt the resistance of bone and flesh give way, the spear skewering deep. Its body slumped onto the spear, dead weight pulling against his grip. Blood oozed down the length of the weapon, thick and dark, but Naruto held steady, using chakra to anchor himself. The second hollow leapt from the shadows, its rusted sword swinging wildly. Naruto barely had time to adjust, bracing his legs as the attacks rained down on him. Each strike hammered against the hollow corpse still stuck on his spear, rattling up his arms.

    Naruto dismissed the spear into his inventory. His now-free hand lit up as he summoned the pyromancy flame, the orange glow casting eerie shadows across the hollow's gaunt, mindless face.

    The fireball hit the hollow point-blank. Flames erupted across its body, making it screech as its skin bubbled and cracked. But even as it burned, the thing staggered forward, undeterred.

    "Seriously?" Naruto groaned, frustration bubbling up alongside his chakra. "What does it take to put you down?"

    With a roar of effort, he threw a punch straight into the hollow's chest. His gauntlet connected with a satisfying crunch, the force sending the hollow flying backward. It hit the wooden bridge just as a firebomb exploded against its back, flames bursting outward in all directions. Finally, the creature collapsed into ash.

    Who's handing out firebombs to these guys?!

    As if on cue, another hollow at the far end of the platform raised its arm, a firebomb already cocked and ready. Naruto's eyes narrowed.

    Shunshin carried him forward, and his boots slammed into the hollow's chest with enough force to send it flying. He felt the crunch of ribs giving way beneath his weight as the hollow tumbled off the edge, flailing uselessly before disappearing into the abyss below.

    He didn't even have time to enjoy the moment. Another hollow lunged from the shadows, its rusted sword slicing downward in a vicious arc. Naruto ducked just in time, feeling the blade whistle past his head. Rolling to the side, he instinctively summoned a weapon—and cursed when the winged spear materialized in his hands again.

    The hollow swung again, but Naruto ducked low, sweeping his leg out in a wide arc. His foot connected with the hollow's shin, sending it tumbling backward in a flailing mess of limbs. Before it could recover, Naruto grabbed its bony ankle with a firm grip.

    "Time to take out the trash," he quipped, swinging the hollow around like a sack of rice. With a grunt, he flung it off the ledge, watching as it spiraled down into the darkness below.

    Finally, silence.

    Naruto took a deep breath, straightening up as he scanned the area. His muscles ached, his armor was scratched up, and he was pretty sure he smelled like whatever foul sludge the hollows were living in.

    "Definitely need to work on my taijutsu when I get back," he muttered.

    The path ahead was littered with broken barrels and rotting crates, leading to a series of small, crumbling buildings. The windows were dark, the wooden beams sagging under the weight of decay. He summoned a few shadow clones, sending them off to search the smaller buildings while he continued forward.

    Crossing a rickety wooden bridge, he stepped into a larger room, the air stale and thick with dust. A stone staircase spiraled upward to his left, parts of it broken and crumbling. Beneath it, a pile of broken barrels covered something—or someone.

    Naruto crouched down, nudging the barrels aside to reveal the crumpled body of a humanoid. Its limbs were twisted unnaturally, its hollow eyes staring blankly ahead. Near its hand, a soul orb glowed faintly.

    Reaching out, Naruto grabbed the orb, feeling the familiar pulse of energy run through his fingers. He frowned, his thoughts darkening for a moment.

    "Were they like me?" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "Did they come here thinking they could make it out alive? Did they want to ring those Bells of Awakening too?"

    The thought left a sour taste in his mouth. Naruto sat down on the cold stone, letting the silence wrap around him. He just let himself sit there, scrolling through his inventory, trying to ignore the nagging feeling in his chest.

    [ Item: Ring of Sacrifice ]
    [ Description:     This mystical ring was created in a sacrificial rite of Velka, the Goddess of Sin. Its wearer will lose nothing upon death, but the ring itself breaks. ]

    Another magic ring. Naruto rolled his eyes, tossing it back into the inventory. One-time use, maybe, and considering what he had to do to go back to Konoha, it'd be best not to waste it. Next up. His finger flicked across the screen, landing on another find.

    [ Item: Humanity ]
    [ Description:     Rare tiny black sprite found on corpses. Use to gain 1 humanity and restore a large amount of HP.
    This black sprite is called humanity, but little is known about its true nature.
    If the soul is the source of all life, then what distinguishes the humanity we hold within ourselves? ]

    Naruto tilted his head as he read the description. "Okay, that's… cryptic," he muttered, pulling off his gauntlet to inspect his hand.

    He frowned. His skin looked off—ashen and rough, like a hollow's. "Wait a sec… didn't I just reverse my hollowing?" He flexed his fingers, turning his hand over to get a better look. "Is there, like, a time limit on this thing, or did it reset because I died?"

    He let out a groan and moved to the next item on the list, his eyes narrowing as he read the name.

    [ Item: Rubbish ]
    [ Description:     Rubbish with no value.
    Who in their right mind would bother carrying this around? Perhaps you need help. ]

    Naruto grumbled, "First of all, fuck you, system. And second, I didn't pick this crap—my clones did."

    Still, he pulled it out of the inventory, intending to throw it away. In his hand was a pile of junk—a moldy piece of paper with strange, childlike drawings on it, scraps of metal twisted and broken, and some shards of pottery with faded patterns. It looked like... memories. Memories that had been abandoned, left to rot. The longer he stared, the more unsettling it felt. The quiet around him stopped feeling like peace and started pressing in, cold and heavy.

    What happened to these people? The question formed in his mind before he even realized it. This world was full of mysteries, echoes of history, culture, and life that didn't fully make sense. But staring at that moldy piece of paper, something about it felt different. Real, in a way that got under his skin. He let out a slow breath, pushing the "rubbish" back into his inventory, but the thought lingered. What will happen if I ring the Bells of Awakening?

    Naruto stood up, brushing off the dust and taking a deep breath. I'll find my answers by ringing the bells, right? The thought ran through his mind as he took each step, feeling more certain, more determined. Whatever this world held, the bells would be the key to understanding it.

    He climbed up the stairs, his footsteps echoing against the cracked stone. The path opened up into a cold, empty walkway shadowed by a towering castle. High, rough walls stretched up on both sides. The whole place felt… forgotten. Barely visible in the gray mist ahead were crumbling towers, hints of a place long abandoned. There was no sound, just the faint, hollow echoes that broke the stillness.

    And then, he heard it.

    A loud, bone-rattling roar from the left, shaking the entire walkway. His mind went blank, his body frozen.

    What the hell…

    Naruto felt his stomach twist in dread, and then he saw it—a massive, dark red creature, dragon-like but far more monstrous than any story he'd ever heard. Its body was covered in rough, spiked armor, dark as blood, with sharp bone-like protrusions along its head and neck, pointing backward like jagged thorns. Where its eyes should've been, there was just a smooth, bony surface—no eyes, just an empty, blind stare. Somehow, that made it even worse, as if it could still see him, feel him standing there, paralyzed.

    Is that... a dragon? Naruto's mind struggled to process what he was seeing. Oscar had told him about dragons, but seeing one was completely different from hearing about one.

    It didn't feel real. It was like a dream, one where he was caught between terror and awe, just staring, unable to look away.

    The dragon didn't notice him—or didn't care. It stretched its massive, scarred wings, leathery and worn, and with a powerful beat, it lifted off the ground, soaring into the gray sky. Naruto watched as it flew over the stone arch, its silhouette dark against the towers, vanishing into the mist as if it were returning home.

    He stood there, heart racing, staring at the spot where it had been.

    Did that… actually just happen?

    The awe he felt was ripped away in a flash as pain erupted in his knee. It was sudden, blinding—like his whole leg had been set on fire. His gaze shot down, and there it was—a damn arrow lodged deep in his knee.
    Great, he took an arrow to the knee!

    The pain was unbearable, searing up his leg and into his spine, making his vision blur. He felt a rush of anger and frustration. Without hesitation, he grabbed the arrow shaft and yanked it out in one harsh pull, biting down a scream as blood flowed from the wound. His breaths came short and ragged, every nerve in his body still singing with pain.

    Stupid hollows and their stupid arrows, he thought, gulping down an Estus Flask as fast as he could. The warm, healing energy flooded through him, knitting up the wound and finally numbing the burning ache. He took a deep breath, the pain easing enough to think straight.

    "I hate hollows," he spat, his eyes locking onto the hollow that dared shoot him. One of those soulless creatures was running toward him, its skeletal frame rattling with each step. Rage surged through him. Oh, you picked the wrong target.

    Gripping his Zweihander tightly, he lunged forward, swinging the blade in a brutal downward arc. The impact sent a satisfying crunch through his arms as the blade cleaved the hollow in two, a splatter of blood marking the stones beneath it.

    But just as he took a moment to catch his breath, something whizzed past his neck, close enough to graze his skin—a second arrow, barely missing him. His head snapped up, fury igniting as he caught sight of the archer.

    Naruto barely had time to process it before two more hollows rushed him from the sides. He brought up his Zweihander, blocking their strikes as the metal screeched against his own blade. But he couldn't focus entirely on them; every few seconds, another arrow came hurtling toward him, the archer clearly intent on skewering him alive.

    These guys are really pissing me off.

    Naruto clenched his teeth, fighting back with one hand while his other reached for an explosive tag. With one quick movement, he slapped it onto the nearest hollow's chest, pushing back with all his strength as he leaped away. "Fuin!" he barked, triggering the tag.

    The explosion tore through both hollows, bits of bone and dust scattering in the air. The blast gave him just enough cover to sprint up the stairs toward the archer, his eyes set on the damn hollow that had the nerve to shoot him.

    As he got closer, he could see it fumbling with its weapon, hands barely steady as it tried to notch another arrow. The thing was holding a battered crossbow, the kind that looked like it had fallen apart ages ago and been haphazardly pieced back together. Its bony fingers struggled to attach the arrow to the crossbow's string, its entire movement slow and clumsy.

    Naruto didn't waste a second and went in for the kill. But then, his Way of Focality screamed at him, and he instinctively ducked as a firebomb came flying from above. He cursed under his breath.

    If I ever find the bastard who invented firebombs, he thought furiously, I'll shove a dozen of these things up his ass and light the fuse. Let's see how he likes it!

    With no other choice, he lunged forward, tackling the hollow with his shoulder and slamming into its frail body with all his weight. It staggered, but instead of falling away, its hands clamped onto his armor with a death grip. He tried to shake it off, but its bony fingers wouldn't budge. With a jolt, he felt them both tumbling off the ledge.

    Welp, I'm dead, he thought, bracing himself for the worst.

    But luck was on his side.

    They landed hard on a balcony just below, his armor clanging against the stone as the hollow squirmed beneath him. He wasted no time, slamming his Zweihander down, pinning it through the chest. The hollow's body went limp, but he wasn't finished.

    Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a humanoid corpse slumped against the wall, a wooden shield clutched in its lifeless hand. The shield was long, oval-shaped, with a simple design carved into the wood. Its surface was worn and rough, the faded lines barely visible.

    "Thanks," he muttered to the corpse, prying the shield from its stiff grip. With a growl, he bashed the still-twitching hollow under him until it was nothing more than scattered bones.

    Great, a new shield. That I'll probably never use.

    With one last breath, he stood up and headed back to the stairs, determined to find the remaining hollows. He climbed up, his eyes scanning every shadow, his muscles tensed with anticipation. Alright, where are you, firebomb-throwing assholes?

    Reaching the top, he finally saw them. A few hollows perched above, each one fumbling with firebombs, their lifeless eyes fixed on him. His blood boiled as he prepared to strike back.

    But then, something caught his eye—a familiar, hopeful glimmer.

    An unlit bonfire, hidden in a small room just to the side. His heart skipped a beat, and a grin spread across his face.

    Yes! He didn't have to restart from Firelink Shrine. He darted into the room, the flames flaring to life under his touch.

    With renewed energy, he turned back to the hollows perched above, his hand reaching for his own firebombs.

    Alright, you're done.

    They'd be getting a taste of every sharp tool he had on him, firebomb by firebomb, if it was the last thing he did today.

    Bring it on.

    Almost ten minutes later, Naruto dusted himself off, wiping a bit of grime from his armor as he surveyed the carnage. His stomach growled loudly, breaking the silence, and he sighed, rolling his eyes.

    "Man, I'm starving," he muttered. "Guess that's my cue to head back."

    Naruto took a deep breath, standing at the edge of the broken bridge.

    "See you soon, Lordran," he muttered under his breath, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. And then, without hesitation, he leaped into the void.

    The wind whipped past him, cold and biting, but he didn't flinch. The falling sensation was almost comforting now, a reminder that he could leave this cursed place whenever he needed to. The world blurred around him as the blackness swallowed him whole.

    And then, silence.

    Back at the bonfire, the flames danced quietly, their warmth a sharp contrast to the desolation surrounding them. Slowly, the world began to reset. The hollows Naruto had slain clawed their way back to unlife, their battered forms shuffling aimlessly across the ruined landscape. Bones clicked back into place, broken weapons reformed, and lifeless eyes lit up without any purpose.

    Among them, the crossbow hollow stirred. It stumbled toward the place where Naruto had jumped, its movements slow and mechanical. There, nestled among the shattered stones, was a faint, glowing soul drop.

    The hollow hesitated, its head tilting slightly as if sensing something. Then, with a jerky, almost reverent motion, it reached out and absorbed the soul. For a moment, nothing happened. But then, its posture straightened. Its movements became… different. More deliberate. More alive.

    In Lordran, time always returns to its stagnant state. Death becomes life, and life becomes death, in an endless, unchanging cycle.

    But change… change is always inevitable.
    Author's Note:

    This isn't canon, but it's my personal interpretation of the Shadow Clone Jutsu—similar to how I reimagined the Transformation Jutsu as a reflection and refraction of light jutsu. Picture the Shadow Clone Jutsu like a bubble of chakra. The Academy-style Clone Jutsu is just the empty bubble, while a Shadow Clone is that same bubble filled with chakra.

    This interpretation helps logically explain why Naruto, who was labeled talentless, managed to master the Shadow Clone Jutsu in Episode 1. It's because Naruto already had the foundation for the technique from his Academy training—he just needed to fill the bubble with chakra. And it also explains why Shadow Clones are so fragile, disappearing in one hit—like popping a bubble!

    What do you guys think about this explanation? Does it make sense to you, or do you prefer the classic approach?

    Now, let's talk about the binocular moment. I'm tired of fanfic authors pretending Naruto is some innocent, clueless kid who doesn't understand certain things. This is the guy who invented Sexy Jutsu, a transformation into a naked woman covered in clouds, and we've seen him peeking at magazines. Let's be real—Naruto is a bit of a perv, and that's part of his charm! So yes, the binocular moment was a nod to his cheeky personality, true to his character.

    Now, onto the bigger questions:

    1. What do you think happens if Naruto dies in Konoha? Would he respawn in Lordran like he does here, or would something completely unexpected happen?
    2. How do you think Naruto will deal with the soul drop problem? If hollows can absorb his soul and grow stronger, doesn't that create an even bigger problem for him later? Will he need to figure out a way to prevent hollows from feeding on his soul, or maybe even take revenge on the ones that do?
    Let me know all your thoughts in the comments! I love hearing your theories and seeing how you think things will unfold.

    Next Chapter: Dropping on December 24th!

    If you can't wait that long and want to read ahead: Chapter 48 on Patreon

    Thanks so much for the support, as always. You guys make writing this story such an incredible journey.

    Until next time,
    Adamo Amet
     
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    • I think if naruto dies in his world it would probably be game over 🤔, maybe I'm reading this the wrong way but I feel like the version of naruto that can die is just his manifestation in the dark souls, what with him becoming muscular and looking like an adult and stuff while in the "real world" he materializes all the stuff from ds "on" his real body
     
    I feel he should not? if he has a Dark Soul, that means that he should pretty much be immortal. And i want a scene were he dies, the group goes back to their camp just to see a reforming Naruto XD
     
    Chapter no.12 Naruto New
  • Threadmarks
    • Chapter no.12 Spiral of Growth, Tunnel of Revenge
    Naruto blinked awake, his eyes locking onto the familiar cracks in his ceiling. Same old apartment, same old stains. For a moment, he stared at them, letting the remnants of his dreams flicker away—vivid images of Firelink Shrine, hollows, and the adrenaline-pumping thrill of battle. A grin stretched across his face. That's what you get, dattebayo!

    He rolled out of bed, shuffling toward the bathroom and grabbing his toothbrush on the way. As he scrubbed lazily, his reflection stared back at him—half-asleep and disheveled. His hair stuck out at odd angles, and toothpaste foam dripped down his chin, but he didn't care. His mind was elsewhere, replaying the rush of last night's fights.

    After brushing, he wandered through his cluttered apartment, kicking aside stray wrappers and clothes. The mess was part of its charm, really. But his plants? Those were different. Grabbing his watering can, he made his rounds, carefully tending to the little bursts of green that brightened up the dull space. "Can't let you guys die on me," he muttered.

    Once the plants were watered, he eyed the rest of the mess. With a sigh, he summoned two shadow clones, who popped into existence with exaggerated groans as they took in the chaos.

    "Clean this up," he said, waving a hand dismissively.

    The clones glared at him but didn't argue, muttering as they got to work. Naruto, meanwhile, rummaged through his inventory and pulled out a thick, weathered tome. The History of the Uzumaki Clan.

    He studied its worn leather cover as he made his way to the bathroom, settling onto his porcelain throne. The book looked ancient, its edges frayed and its dark leather cracked with age. At its center, a faint spiral was embossed, so subtle it only caught the light at the right angle. Around the spiral, intricate patterns wove outward like vines, curling toward the edges of the cover. The pages inside were yellowed and brittle, and the ink bled faintly across the parchment as though time itself was trying to erase the words.

    Naruto hesitated, running his fingers over the cover. Was it disrespectful to read something so important in here? He shrugged. Some of my best ideas happen in here, anyway.

    Flipping open the book, he skimmed the first lines, but his eyes widened as the words sank in.

    "My name is Tobirama Senju. The year is 572 of the Amatsu Calendar, commonly known as the End of the Warring States Period."

    Naruto blinked. Tobirama Senju? The Second Hokage? And this wasn't just any history book—it was a journal. Handwritten.

    The weight of the book seemed to shift in his hands, heavier now, as though the words themselves carried a sense of purpose. Naruto's stomach twisted as he read on.

    "With the formation of the first village, many more will follow. That is the nature of the world; it changes, for better or for worse. Many clans have shown interest in joining my brother's village, and he has sent me on a diplomatic mission to the Uzumaki clan to offer an invitation. It would give us an incredible strategic advantage should other villages emerge, though I doubt my brother considers any of that. He simply wants to extend his hand to our distant cousins."

    Naruto froze, his breath catching. Distant cousins? He reread the line, his mind racing. The founders of Konoha—the First and Second Hokage—and somehow, he was connected to them?

    He slammed the book shut, staring at its spiral-emblazoned cover. Frustration bubbled beneath the surface, hot and raw. Distant cousins to the village founders, he thought bitterly, and yet not a single word about the Uzumaki Clan in the academy. Nothing.

    The anger sat heavy in his chest, sharp and restless. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to breathe, to shove it down before it boiled over. Maybe I'm overreacting, he told himself. He hadn't exactly been a model student in the academy—maybe he'd just missed it. Yeah, right. That thought didn't carry much weight, but it was enough to stop him from storming into the Hokage's office and ruining his chances with the Hawk.

    Instead, he stepped into the shower, letting the cold water hit his face. It stung, but it also cleared his head, snapping him out of the haze. As he scrubbed away the frustration, his thoughts wandered back to the book and… the spiral.

    The same spiral on the Uzumaki book cover. The same spiral carved into the center of his Konoha headband. Something he'd seen a thousand times but never thought about.

    As he stepped out of the shower, dripping wet, the thought nagged at him. Grabbing a towel, he dried his face roughly before pausing, his eyes narrowing.

    "Hey," he called out. "Clone! Get in here!"

    A shadow clone poked its head into the bathroom. "What now?"

    "Go grab that Uzumaki book and skim it for anything about the spiral in the leaf symbol," Naruto said, toweling off his hair.

    "Why not read it yourself?"

    "Because," Naruto huffed, gesturing to his dripping body. "I'm wet, fresh out of the shower, and I don't want to ruin the pages. God, am I stupid or something?"

    The clone raised a finger.

    "Not. A. Word!"

    The clone nodded and grabbed the book. After a few minutes of flipping carefully through the brittle pages, it spoke.

    "Okay," the clone said. "There's a bit near the end that talks about it."

    Naruto perked up, pulling the towel tighter around his shoulders.

    "Tobirama writes," the clone began, "The spiral was always a symbol of the Uzumaki. When we designed Konoha's sigil, Hashirama insisted we include it, claiming it would stand as a reminder of the bond between our two villages."

    "Wait, so… the Uzumaki spiral is part of the Konoha symbol because of Lord First?"

    The clone nodded. "Though I believed alliances should be pragmatic and not sentimental, my brother insisted Konoha and Uzushio could never be mere allies. They were family. That bond was sealed with the marriage of Hashirama Senju and Mito Uzumaki—a union that united our villages as sister nations."

    The clone smirked faintly. "My brother, ever dramatic, believed this symbol represented that connection—two separate paths spiraling together, growing stronger with each turn."

    The shadow clone tossed the book at him with a smirk. "Here. You can keep reading this while I take a break."

    Naruto barely caught the book, his mind too preoccupied to question the clone's sudden generosity.

    Meanwhile, the clone made a beeline for the kitchen, eyes glinting as they locked onto the ramen stash.

    "Break time," it muttered, opening the cupboard with a grin that would have made a starving dragon guarding a hoard look flaccid.

    Meanwhile, the original dove back into Tobirama's words, his fingers tracing the faded ink.

    "The Uzumaki Clan has a strange relationship with the Senju Clan," the entry began. "There is a blood connection, and the Uzumaki have never denied it, yet they care nothing for it. When the Senju waged war on the Uchiha, the Uzumaki never once offered assistance nor asked if they could help. They remained distant, almost indifferent. If you ask me, let them stay on their islands. With villages rising, it's only a matter of time before they come crawling to Konoha for protection."

    Naruto stared at the words, his lips pressing into a thin line as irritation bubbled up. "You're an asshole."

    He leaned back on the couch, the leather creaking slightly beneath him. Reading this journal had given him a glimpse into who the Second Hokage really was—a man as cold and logical as the paper he wrote on, someone who saw the world as a chessboard and people as pieces to be moved.

    Naruto frowned, his fingers tightening on the book. What did that say about the Third Hokage?

    His eyes flicked back to the page. So, my clan didn't get involved in their battles. There was a strange pride in that, a stubborn independence that felt right, like it was etched into his very bones. The Uzumaki didn't follow anyone's orders.

    Turning the page, he read on. Tobirama's words were clipped, almost as if the man had been annoyed while writing.

    "It has been a week since I was granted an audience with the clan leader. They rejected Konoha's offer outright."

    Naruto snorted, imagining Tobirama's frustration.

    "I sent a message back to the village, and now my brother has ordered me to remain with the Uzumaki. 'Learn their culture and history,' he says. 'Make friendly relations.'" The words were even written in quotes. "My brother's hope for kinship borders on naïveté, but I will do as instructed."

    Naruto smirked. "Bet you hated that, huh?"

    As he turned the page, his breath caught.

    A drawing filled most of the next page—a bearded man, his head covered by a hood that cast his face in shadow. His eyes were sunken, intense, and… were those red? Spirals of intricate fuinjutsu seals radiated from his head like a halo, glowing faintly in the delicate pencil work. Bright strands of red hair peeked out from under the hood, vivid even on the worn paper.

    The figure seemed alive, almost like the drawing was staring right back at him.

    Naruto's fingers hovered over the image, hesitant to touch it. The caption below read: "History of a clan can often be inferred from its folklore. The Senju have the tale of the Yang God, the Uchiha the Yin God. Interestingly, the Uzumaki have the tale of the Hanged Man."

    Creepy.

    But Naruto couldn't stop reading, his grip on the page tightening.

    "The story, as I have gathered, is this: the Yang God, Ashura, had two sons. One loved battle and adventure; the other was inquisitive, seeking knowledge above all else. When the time came for a successor, the scholarly son chose not to fight his brother for the title. He deemed the position worthless for his own goals. His brother became Ashura's successor and founded the Senju Clan."

    Naruto blinked, stunned.

    "The man traveled the world in search of answers, and his journey brought him to the islands of the Land of Whirlpools. It was here that he hanged himself—not out of despair, but to summon the God of Death. For nine days and nine nights, he hung, asking his questions of the Shinigami as it waited for him to die. Yet, on the dawn of the ninth day, he still lived. The Shinigami, impressed by the man's resilience and unyielding vitality, offered him something no mortal had ever earned before—a fragment of divine knowledge. The God of Death taught the man how to summon him at will, a privilege reserved for the brave and the damned. But that was not all. The Shinigami taught him the secrets of speaking to chakra itself.

    This sacred craft, the Shinigami revealed, was a language—a way to bind the intangible and etch it into reality. Outside the Uzumaki Clan, this became known as fuinjutsu. But within the Uzumaki Clan, it was revered as the Art of Runes.

    This man became the founder of the Uzumaki Clan: Oden Uzumaki."

    Naruto stared at the words, his heart pounding as they settled into him like an anchor.

    This story… it resonated with him in a way he hadn't expected.

    It wasn't just about lineage or power—it was about someone rising from nothing to greatness, carving their own path through sheer determination. The Uzumaki founder wasn't important because he was Ashura's son or tied to any grand legacy. He was important because of what he did. Because he earned it.

    It reminded him of his own story—just an orphan with dreams too big for the life he'd been handed. But that didn't stop him. It never had.

    He turned the page, diving into Tobirama's drawings, and couldn't help but marvel at the detail. Each illustration was alive with vibrant energy, like a snapshot of a world Naruto was only just beginning to discover.

    One drawing caught his attention—an Uzumaki village, with large, communal homes that seemed to welcome anyone inside. Wide-open doorways framed with colorful banners fluttering in the breeze gave the designs a warmth that tugged at something deep in him. Naruto could almost hear the laughter spilling out as families shared meals and stories.

    Another page showed a festival scene, people dancing beneath the glow of lanterns and wearing intricate masks in honor of the God of Death.

    Naruto grinned as his eyes landed on a depiction of children gathered around a pool of water and ink. Their faces were scrunched in concentration, hands moving carefully as they practiced intricate seals.

    He chuckled, flipping to the next page, where a group of craftsmen were carving shields reinforced with seals. The designs looked unbreakable. Naruto smirked, thinking, Guess I'm honoring my heritage in a way, even if shields don't exactly fit my Zweihander style. Another reason to start building up my stats so I can start using shields.

    Then, his laughter bubbled up as he stumbled upon a drawing of a small Uzumaki child, maybe six years old, practically drowning in a bowl of noodles. It wasn't ramen, but it looked close enough. Naruto could almost see himself in that role—living among his clan, surrounded by family, sharing meals and laughter.

    For a moment, the image warmed him. But then, that familiar tug of longing crept in, bittersweet and unshakable.

    What could my life have been like? he wondered, before shaking his head. Alright, Naruto. Stop daydreaming and read the damn words.

    He refocused, turning to the last page, where Tobirama's words waited, steady and profound.

    "I once asked the clan leader why the Uzumaki Clan's sigil is a spiral," Tobirama had written. "He said to me:

    A whirlpool holds its shape, unchanging, like a memory etched in stone. But a spiral breathes and grows, shifting with each turn. What begins as a simple swirl transforms, as the vortex gives way to the spiral—ever deeper, ever evolving.

    For even if it seems to spin the same, every turn carves a new path. The floor beneath it changes, the air thickens, and the scenery shifts. In each twist lies a new truth, in each descent, a hidden strength. So, too, does life shift and flow, as we are bound not to the flatness of fate but to the living spiral of choice and change. The Uzumaki walk this spiral, unbroken and ever-reaching."

    Naruto closed the book, the words lingering in his mind like an echo:

    "The Uzumaki walk this spiral, unbroken and ever-reaching."

    Naruto felt like he truly understood what it meant to be an Uzumaki. The spiral wasn't just a symbol—it was a way of life. A reminder that every turn, every struggle, carved a new path forward. The Uzumaki didn't cling to the past or stay rooted in one place. They grew. They adapted. They endured.

    They didn't break. They just kept reaching.

    Rising from the couch, Naruto wandered to the window. Below him, the village stretched out in quiet stillness, bathed in the soft light of dawn. The first rays of the sun painted the rooftops in hues of orange and pink, vibrant and alive. It felt… different now. Like a promise.

    "I'm an Uzumaki," he murmured. He looked down at his hand, tightening it into a fist. "And the Squire of Oscar."

    Naruto exhaled slowly, the breath steady and sure, as if releasing something he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

    The spiral never ends, he thought. It keeps going, deeper and stronger with every turn.

    And so would he.

    Naruto strolled into Training Ground 7—two hours late, as usual—with a smug grin plastered across his face. Tucked under his arm was his latest "treasure": the Uzumaki Clan history book.

    Of course, he still couldn't show it off—it would raise too many questions. So, he crafted a plan befitting his expertise.

    "Yo, Sakura! What's up?"

    She looked up, her eyes going wide as they locked onto the book in his hand. "Na-Naruto… you can read?!"

    "Of course I can read, Sakura. What do you think I've been doing all these years, eating the books?"

    Sakura looked ready to fire back but hesitated, her expression shifting to something more uncertain. "Uh… what're you reading?" she asked, her tone unusually polite, like she wasn't sure if she really wanted to know.

    Naruto smirked, his backup plan already in motion. In a split second, the Uzumaki Clan history book vanished into his inventory, replaced by a highly questionable smut book he totally didn't steal from Iruka's secret stash. Both books had identical covers—an ingenious touch Naruto had thought of himself—so he could seamlessly switch between the two without raising suspicion. Foolproof. Absolutely foolproof.

    Sakura froze, her face immediately flushing bright red as her gaze darted to the bold, scandalous lettering. Her expression shifted from shock to rage in a matter of seconds. Naruto had to bite back a grin as she clenched her fists, the air around her practically crackling with fury.

    "You pervert!" she shrieked, storming off toward the training dummies. She muttered under her breath, her voice just loud enough for him to catch: "Kakashi-sensei corrupted Naruto-baka. If he corrupts Sasuke-kun, he'll feel the wrath of Sakura Haruno, the beautiful maiden of war!"

    Naruto barely held back a laugh as he glanced at Sasuke, who was sitting nearby, pretending not to listen while reading a scroll. Naruto decided to push his luck.

    "Yo, teme," he called. "Wanna read?"

    Sasuke didn't even look up, but Sakura did. Her head whipped around so fast Naruto half-expected it to snap.

    "Don't you dare, Naruto!" she screamed, her voice shrill enough to make nearby birds scatter. "I'll fight you with the heart of a maiden of war in love!"

    Naruto burst out laughing, doubling over at her ridiculous outburst. Sasuke, meanwhile, finally glanced at her, his expression as unreadable as ever. Sakura's face softened immediately, turning bashful, as if she hadn't just declared war seconds ago.

    "Hn." Sasuke's noncommittal grunt was all she got before he returned to his scroll.

    Naruto grinned wider. Sasuke didn't care, and Sakura's crushed expression only made it funnier. Winding her up was almost too easy.

    "Oh my, what a lively team I've got," came a familiar, lazy voice.

    "Kakashi-sensei, you corrupter! Deviant! Pervert!" Sakura yelled, pointing an accusatory finger at him, her face still flushed from earlier.

    "Mou, mou, Sakura-chan, what did little old me do?"

    "You corrupted Naruto with your ways!"

    Naruto casually handed Kakashi the smut book with a perfectly straight face.

    "Good taste, Naruto," Kakashi said, flipping through the pages briefly. "But the cover made from a camouflage cloak? Why?"

    "It's so I can use Transformation Jutsu to hide it," Naruto replied with a sly smirk. "Wouldn't want Sakura getting jealous of some pretty women."

    Sakura's death glare was immediate and laser-focused, boring into the back of his head like a drill.

    In truth, though, Naruto had a different reason. The camouflage cloak and Transformation Jutsu weren't about hiding smut—they were about hiding the actual history book he was reading. But hey, plausible excuses were a shinobi's bread and butter, and this one was perfect.

    "Alright, everyone, sit down. I need to reveal today's plans."

    Naruto plopped down with a contented sigh, his plan having worked perfectly. Sakura sat as far from him as possible, muttering under her breath while glaring daggers at him.

    Naruto glanced her way, noticing how uncharacteristically quiet she was compared to her usual loud tirades. Was this some kind of miracle? For a moment, he considered if he should be worried… then shrugged. Nope. Sakura being quiet was definitely proof that the gods were on his side today.

    "Today's our first real training day. Here's the plan: we'll go until noon, training each of you individually. After that, you'll get a two-hour rest before we meet some special people, and in the evening… our first mission."

    A surge of excitement hit Naruto. Our first mission!

    But then Kakashi made three shadow clones, each one beckoning them to follow separately. It took a second, but it finally clicked. Individual training, huh?

    Naruto glanced at the real Kakashi, expecting him to lead one of them, only to see him walking over to a tree and lying down for a nap. Naruto sweatdropped along with Sasuke and Sakura.

    Lazy bum!

    Before he knew it, Kakashi's clone had a hand on Naruto's shoulder, and in a flicker of movement, they were deeper into the forest. Naruto barely had time to blink before they stopped.

    "So, what are you planning to teach me, Cyclops Instructor?"

    Kakashi's clone handed him a folder instead of answering. Naruto took it, his grin fading as he looked down. The file had his name on it—his academy records—but it looked thicker. More... detailed. He flipped it open.

    "What is this?"

    "It's your current report," Kakashi said. "An assessment of your skills."

    Naruto couldn't help but feel uneasy. Reading through, he saw:

    Taijutsu skills: B

    Genjutsu skills: F

    Ninjutsu skills: A

    He skimmed past the other categories, not wanting to read every detail. Looking back up, he said, "These aren't the results I got at the academy."

    "Of course not," Kakashi replied. "This is my report. My evaluation of your skills."

    Oh. Naruto couldn't stop the little smile creeping back onto his face. Kakashi's assessment was definitely worth more than any report card. See? I'm awesome! But before his ego could fully inflate, Kakashi popped it like a balloon.

    "But don't get ahead of yourself," he said, bringing Naruto back down to earth with a thud. "We've got a lot of work to do if you want to catch up to Sasuke and Sakura."

    Naruto felt a chill run down his spine, like a breeze passing right through him. When he looked down, he froze—he was in his underwear. What the—

    He blinked, and everything was back to normal. Naruto gritted his teeth, muttering, "Genjutsu."

    "Exactly," Kakashi replied. "You might be better than the average academy student, but if you really want to catch up to your teammates, there's a lot you still need to learn."

    Naruto clenched his fists, the old, familiar fire building inside him. "I'll definitely catch up!" he shouted.

    Kakashi motioned for him to turn the page. Naruto did, and his face fell at the sight of his academic scores. The horror must have been clear on his face because Kakashi didn't even smirk—just watched him.

    "Come on, Sensei, what good is the academy's 'useless' knowledge gonna do me?" Naruto waved his hand dismissively. "Like, what's the powerhouse of the cell? Who cares?"

    "Alright, let's say you have a mission in the Fire Capital. You need to sneak in without anyone noticing. Which route do you take?"

    "The... least obvious route?"

    Kakashi's face remained blank, unamused. Naruto got the message. "Fine. But how am I supposed to become stronger if I'm stuck with books and basics?"

    "Shadow clones."

    Naruto scratched his head, trying to piece together Kakashi's point about shadow clones. His mind churned through everything he knew about the jutsu until something clicked.

    "You're gonna use the memory transfer to boost my training," he blurted out.

    "How do you know about that?"

    Uh oh. Naruto hadn't exactly shown this jutsu off to anyone yet. To cover himself, he quickly flashed through the hand sign, creating a dozen clones that popped up around him, all grinning expectantly at Kakashi.

    Guess that throws out the possibility of Naruto learning his strange jutsu or collecting those bizarre items from some kind of hidden treasury in the forbidden scroll. Kakashi sighed inwardly. A pity—I actually liked that idea.

    "Great. Saves me from teaching you the Shadow Clone Jutsu."

    "No, no, teach us, teach us!" the clones chorused.

    "Alright," Kakashi said, humoring them. "If you can get a higher score than Sasuke and Sakura in the academic tests."

    The clones glanced at each other, exchanging determined nods. "Yosh! Let's study!" they shouted.

    "Pop the clones, Naruto," Kakashi said with a smile. With a nod, Naruto dispelled them all.

    Then Kakashi handed him a scroll. Naruto unrolled it, seeing a list of subjects and notes.

    "Now, make two clones for each subject," Kakashi instructed, "and an extra clone to follow me. Your textbooks and everything you need are in that scroll."

    Naruto created the clones and assigned each to their study group, watching as a second Kakashi clone guided them to a makeshift "classroom." Naruto turned to follow the original deeper into the forest.

    "Uh, Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto asked. "I can make way more than just a dozen clones. Wouldn't it be better if I made, like, hundreds?"

    Kakashi gave him a pointed look. "A human mind can only process so much information at once. Even if you had a hundred clones reading a single line, your brain would barely register it after dispelling them. The overload would overwhelm your mind, and it might even shut down completely."

    "Really? You're sure about that?"

    Kakashi nodded. "Think of it like trying to shove a hundred bowls of ramen into your mouth at once. You wouldn't taste or enjoy any of it—and you'd probably pass out before getting through half. Your brain needs time to digest the information. So for now, we'll stick to a dozen clones."

    Naruto still looked skeptical but reluctantly nodded. "Okay, but... what're we doing, then?"

    "You and your clone will be practicing the Academy Katas," Kakashi said.

    Naruto groaned. "Come on, Kakashi-sensei! Give me some cool taijutsu! Katas are so stiff—it's like a dance move. How's that supposed to help in a real fight?"

    Kakashi didn't respond. He simply threw a punch, so fast that Naruto barely had time to react. He raised his palm to block, but Kakashi shifted, his body invading Naruto's space. Before Naruto could process it, Kakashi hooked his leg behind Naruto's and shoved, sending him tumbling to the ground.

    "Hey! What's the big deal?"

    "Kata number five," Kakashi said calmly.

    Naruto replayed the sequence in his mind. Kata number five... a side dodge and jump. If he'd followed the movement instead of resisting, he could've sidestepped the attack entirely.

    "The academy's taijutsu isn't some flashy fighting style," Kakashi explained. "It's a series of katas created by the Second Hokage—designed to keep you alive. Each kata is a response to a common attack. It's a foundation. Master these, and you'll be prepared for a lot more than you think."

    Naruto looked down, the weight of Kakashi's words settling over him. Better to learn now than regret it on the battlefield, he thought.

    "Good," Kakashi said. "Now, spar with your clone. Fix your katas, and then—if you get it down—I'll teach you a very important jutsu."

    A grin spread across Naruto's face. "Yatta! New jutsu!" he shouted, charging at his clone with excitement.

    Kakashi facepalmed. He missed the part where this was about katas.

    The real Kakashi had swapped places with one of his clones as he walked over to Sasuke, who was deeply engrossed in a scroll on the Sharingan.

    Sasuke didn't even bother looking up.

    Kakashi had known from the start that getting Sasuke to play as part of a team was going to be an uphill battle. The boy was too absorbed in his own goals, laser-focused on what he thought he needed. Ironically for an Uchiha, Kakashi thought, he's extremely tunnel-visioned.

    Watching him, Kakashi could see it plain as day—subtle signs in his posture, the stiffness in his shoulders, the tightness in his jaw. Sasuke's body had been strained to the point of breaking, a result of endless training since the day Itachi killed the Uchiha clan. The boy hadn't taken a single day of rest, not one, and it was wearing him down. He didn't realize how much damage he was doing to himself by not giving his body and mind a chance to recover.

    And now, with the awakening of his Sharingan, things had only gotten worse. Itachi once described the Sharingan awakening to Kakashi as being like a surge of adrenaline, pushing the body to its limits, amplifying one's abilities but draining one's reserves faster than usual. There was a point—the post-adrenaline fatigue, in medical terms—where the body just couldn't keep up with the strain. Right now, Sasuke was seeing rapid growth. But after this stage, if he continued at this pace, that growth would stagnate, leaving him broken and burned out. The symptoms were all there, hidden behind that stoic face.

    But this wasn't just about physical fatigue. Sasuke was a flight risk. Every move he made, every glance, screamed one thing: revenge. If he ever had the chance, Kakashi knew he'd go after Itachi in a heartbeat, no matter the consequences. And with Naruto growing stronger, showing abilities none of them fully understood, Sasuke's inferiority complex was a fire waiting to consume him. The more he saw Naruto's progress, the harder he'd push himself, until he burned himself out completely.

    Kakashi had even consulted Inoichi Yamanaka, a man who knew more about the human mind than anyone else in Konoha, and he agreed with Kakashi's assessment. If he didn't intervene, Sasuke would break himself down piece by piece in his blind pursuit of power.

    "Sasuke-kun, do you want me to train you, or are you going to spend the day buried in scrolls on the Eye of Insight?"

    "Just show me your training."

    "So you can copy it?" Kakashi asked, raising an eyebrow.

    "Yes," Sasuke replied, his Sharingan flickering to life. "Saves us both time, and you can get back to your lazy reading."

    Kakashi held back a groan. This kid…

    "My dear, cute student," Kakashi started, "do you know what it takes to earn an epithet in the shinobi world?"

    Sasuke's eyes narrowed. He was trying to figure out Kakashi's angle, trying to read him like he would a scroll, but Kakashi could see the wheels turning in his head.

    "Notable achievements," he finally answered, but it was clear his mind had already drifted. He was thinking about Itachi. About Red Glare of the Leaf, and how he planned to surpass it someday. His eyes were full of that familiar fire, the kind that consumes everything in its path if left unchecked.

    "Do you know what my epithets are?" Kakashi asked, his voice steady. He could see the impact that simple question had on Sasuke. The boy stiffened, his gaze locking onto Kakashi with something like shock. His eyes widened just slightly, and Kakashi could see the disbelief breaking through his usual calm façade.

    "Multiple epithets…?" Sasuke muttered, almost to himself. That tiny crack in his stoic mask told Kakashi everything he needed to know. Good, he thought. Sasuke had never expected his lazy, book-reading instructor to have something so significant. Kakashi had already surprised him. One epithet was a lifetime achievement in this world. But to have multiple? Sasuke didn't know what to make of that.

    "You know, it's a shame you didn't bother to do a background check on me."

    It wasn't just an observation—it was a reminder of Sasuke's blind spot, of his lack of curiosity about the world outside his obsession with revenge.

    Sasuke clicked his tongue, frustrated. "Why would I waste time doing that?"

    Kakashi chuckled. "Itachi went out of his way to learn everything about me."

    The effect was immediate. Sasuke's calm shattered, replaced by something raw and visceral—disbelief and rage warring within him. "What did you just say?!"

    "When Itachi was stationed under me in the Anbu, he did a full background check on me. The man with a thousand jutsu, Kakashi the Copy Ninja." Kakashi lifted his headband, revealing his Sharingan. "Kakashi of the Sharingan."

    For a split second, there was hope in Sasuke's eyes, a fragile glimmer. "You… you're an Uchiha?"

    Kakashi shook his head, and the hope in Sasuke's eyes shattered like glass. "No," he said, his voice tinged with sympathy. "This eye was given to me by a dear friend during the war, just before he died. The Uchiha Clan wanted it back, of course, but it was your father who insisted I keep it. He honored my friend's final wishes."

    Kakashi saw a flicker of happiness at the mention of Sasuke's father, a softness he rarely showed. For a moment, Sasuke was just a boy remembering his family. But then the light in his eyes dimmed, and the memory replayed in his mind—his parents lying dead, Itachi standing over them.

    "Teach me everything you know," Sasuke demanded, his voice cold and brittle, his Sharingan spinning, the single tomoe in each eye alive with desperation.

    Kakashi could hear it in Sasuke's voice—the undercurrent of fear, the fear that he wouldn't be strong enough, that he'd never reach Itachi.

    Kakashi looked at him carefully, weighing his words. "My first training command…" He paused deliberately, drawing out the silence. "…is for you to rest for the next week."

    Sasuke stared at him as if he'd just slapped him, confusion and anger battling on his face. "What are you talking about?"

    "That's my first command. Go. Take a rest."

    "I can't!" Sasuke's voice rose. "I have to—"

    He didn't get to finish before Kakashi stepped forward, pinning him against a tree, his hand around the boy's throat, holding him there. He could feel Sasuke's pulse under his grip, erratic.

    "Listen to me, Sasuke," Kakashi said, his voice low. "I trained Itachi. I trained him when he entered the Anbu. I trained him to be a captain." Kakashi let his Sharingan spin, the tomoe merging, transforming into the Mangekyo Sharingan.

    "That eye…" Sasuke managed, barely able to get the words out. Kakashi released him, watching as he dropped to the ground, sucking in air, his hand rubbing the red mark on his neck.

    "Here's the truth, Sasuke," Kakashi said, looking down at him. "I am the only shinobi in the world who can help you reach Itachi. But I won't do it."

    "No, you can't—"

    "Yes, I can," Kakashi said firmly. "And I've decided I don't want to train you."

    He turned, letting his words sink in, feeling Sasuke's gaze burning into his back. Kakashi knew what Sasuke was thinking—that he was throwing away the only thing that mattered to the boy, that he was holding his dreams hostage. Kakashi could almost hear the wheels turning in Sasuke's head, that same tunnel vision driving him to desperation.

    "What do you want from me?!"

    Kakashi stopped, glancing over his shoulder. "It's simple," he said quietly. "I want you to do nothing for the rest of this week. No training, no missions. Just rest. If you can do that, if you can show me that you're willing to listen, I promise I'll train you. I'll make you a shinobi who could surpass even Itachi."

    Sasuke's jaw clenched, his hands curling into fists as he struggled with the command. Kakashi knew what he was thinking. Do nothing? How could that help? How could rest make him stronger? But Kakashi had planted the seed, and he knew that doubt would gnaw at Sasuke until he gave in. The boy had no choice; he wanted the power too badly.

    Kakashi watched Sasuke for a moment longer, seeing the internal war playing out behind the boy's eyes. He knew that showing the Mangekyo had been a risk, one he hadn't wanted to take lightly. That particular Sharingan was a secret only he and the Hokage shared, a power he kept hidden unless absolutely necessary. But Sasuke needed to understand, needed to see just how serious Kakashi was about his role in guiding him down this path. This was a move to cement one truth into Sasuke's mind: if he wanted revenge, if he wanted a chance to confront Itachi one day, Kakashi was his only way.

    Finally, Kakashi gave him a slight nod and turned to walk away, leaving Sasuke alone with his thoughts. He didn't need to say anything more. The boy had his command, his first real challenge, and now it was up to Sasuke to rise to it—or falter. Kakashi would be watching closely, ready to step in if needed, but he could only hope that this was enough to keep Sasuke from destroying himself in the process.

    I hope I haven't misjudged you, Sasuke, Kakashi thought as he turned away, already mapping out his evening. He'd stop by the memorial stone first. He'd grab some salt-broiled saury and miso soup with eggplant on the way, something comforting after a day like this.

    And, well, if he just happened to pass by the bookstore… Kakashi allowed himself a rare smile, a slight giggle escaping as he thought of picking up the new Icha Icha novel set. A reward for a job well done.

    Author's Note:
    Well then, this was certainly an interesting chapter to write! I hope you all had as much fun reading it as I did putting it together. Now, onto some questions I think you might have regarding this chapter.
    Question: Why did you take inspiration from Norse mythology and add it to the Uzumaki Clan?
    Answer: In canon, the Uzumaki Clan has always been shrouded in mystery—masters of fuinjutsu, renowned for their resilience and vitality, and tragically wiped out with most of their history lost to time. To me, this felt like an exciting opportunity to explore their culture and origins in a way that not only enhances Naruto's personal journey but also deepens their connection to the larger world.
    The decision to connect the Uzumaki founder, Oden Uzumaki, to the Norse myth of Odin hanging from Yggdrasil was very intentional. In Norse mythology, Odin sacrifices himself by hanging from the world tree for nine days and nights to gain the wisdom of the runes. Similarly, Oden Uzumaki hangs for nine days to summon the Shinigami and unlock the secrets of chakra and fuinjutsu (or, as the Uzumaki call it, the Art of Runes). The parallels between these two stories were just too fascinating to ignore!
    Here's why the Norse influence works so well for the Uzumaki:
    • The Uzumaki live on an island nation, much like Norse coastal settlements, thriving in isolation while adapting to harsh environments.
    • Their mastery of fuinjutsu feels like a natural parallel to the Norse runes, which were seen as magical symbols capable of shaping reality.
    • Their iconic red hair ties well to Norse imagery, where red hair often symbolized fiery strength and individuality.
    • Their reputation as warmongers in the Minato one-shotreflects the fierce, battle-hardened spirit often associated with Vikings and Norse culture.
    That said, this isn't a full-on dive into Norse mythology. You won't see Loki, Thor, or the Nine Realms making appearances, nor will this turn into a retelling of Ragnarok. The Norse inspiration is exactly that—inspiration. It's a way to give the Uzumaki Clan their own unique cultural identity, one that feels powerful, mysterious, and worth rediscovering. This adds flavor to their legacy while staying true to Naruto's world and themes.
    For me, the connection between Naruto and the Uzumaki spiral strengthens the story in meaningful ways. The spiral isn't just a clan symbol; it's a representation of growth, evolution, and the eternal struggle to reach deeper and higher, no matter the obstacles. This idea ties beautifully to Naruto's journey through Dark Souls—a world where every challenge forces growth, where perseverance and determination are the only ways forward.
    So, what do you all think? Does this Norse-inspired take on the Uzumaki Clan add something interesting to the story? I'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback!
    Question: Who are the Yang and Yin Gods of the Senju and Uchiha?
    Answer: The Yang and Yin Gods in the folklore of the Senju and Uchiha are, of course, Ashura and Indra Otsutsuki. In contrast, the Hanged Man is unique to Uzumaki folklore, giving their mythology a distinct and mystical flair that sets them apart from the other major clans.
    Question: Red Glare of the Leaf? Why choose that as Itachi's epithet?
    Answer: Honestly? "Itachi of the Sharingan" felt too generic for someone as complex and iconic as Itachi. I wanted something that captured his power, his grace, and the awe he inspires in both allies and enemies. "Red Glare of the Leaf" ties into the visual spectacle of his Sharingan while evoking a sense of mystery and fear—it's almost poetic, don't you think?
    But hey, if you've got a cooler epithet in mind for Itachi, I'd love to hear it in the comments! What would you call him?
    Want to read ahead: Chapter 48 on Patreon

    Thanks so much for the support, as always. You guys make writing this story such an incredible journey.

    Until next time,
    Adamo Amet
     
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    • Chapter no.13 Cogs in the Machine

    The soft glow of dawn crept into Sakura's room, casting a gentle, golden light across her walls. She yawned, rubbing her eyes as she sat up and stretched, feeling the quiet peace of early morning settle over her. On the nightstand beside her bed lay her well-worn diary, its cover decorated with little stickers she'd added over the years. Reaching for it, she flipped to a fresh page, her lips curving into a faint smile as she took a calming breath.

    Dear Diary,

    Today's my first day with Team 7. I hope Kakashi-sensei won't be late, but I'm going to get there early. Maybe this will be the day I finally get a chance to impress Sasuke-kun…

    Sakura's pen hesitated for a moment, her thoughts wandering unbidden to Naruto.
    I wonder… was he always like this? she wrote slowly. He's different somehow—quieter, almost distant. He hasn't even tried asking me out once lately…

    Her brow furrowed slightly. As much as she'd always brushed off his ridiculous attempts, there was a small, reluctant part of her that had come to expect them. His constant, goofy persistence had been an odd sort of constant in her life—something she could rely on, even if it was annoying.

    But now… Now it just feels strange, she continued. Like he's someone else entirely, and that loud, silly Naruto I used to know is gone.

    She frowned, tapping the pen against the edge of the page, trying to unravel the knot of confusion in her chest. Somewhere in the back of her mind, a sharp, familiar thought surfaced: Why do you even care, Sakura? It's Naruto. You've spent years wishing he'd leave you alone.

    It wasn't a separate voice—not really. It was her, just the sharper, clearer part of herself that often broke through when she doubted. A part she sometimes called Inner Sakura, though she knew it wasn't someone else. It was her, cutting through her own thoughts with blunt logic.

    With a quiet sigh, Sakura closed the diary and set it carefully back on her nightstand. She swung her legs off the bed and stood, stretching again as the sounds of the waking village filtered in through her window.

    After brushing her pink hair with care and slipping into her usual outfit, Sakura bounded downstairs. The familiar scent of breakfast greeted her, along with the low murmur of her parents' voices drifting from the kitchen.

    Her father, Kizashi Haruno, was hunched over the kitchen table, animatedly explaining something as he gestured to a scroll. His dull pink hair stood up in wild spikes, and his booming laugh filled the room. Sakura caught snatches of the conversation—something about "inventory shipments" and "supplier delays."

    Her mother, Mebuki, was the opposite of Kizashi's energy. Focused and no-nonsense, she stood by the counter, chopping vegetables with quick, efficient movements. Despite the contrast between her parents, Sakura loved these mornings.

    "Morning, Mom! Morning, Dad!"

    "There's my girl! Heading out for shinobi business early, huh? Hoping to catch a certain someone's eye, maybe?"

    Sakura's cheeks flushed immediately. "D-Dad, it's not like that!"

    Keep your nose out of it, Dad! her sharper self grumbled internally, though Sakura kept her face as neutral as possible.

    "Ah, young love. Reminds me of when your mom and I started dating."

    Without missing a beat in her chopping, Mebuki added, "Just remember, Sakura, the more you focus on yourself, the more others will take notice. Being early and disciplined is good, but don't let it all be for someone else."

    Sakura nodded, even as frustration prickled at her edges. Her mother's words were always so pointed, as if Sakura weren't enough just being herself. Every suggestion, every "encouragement" felt like a push toward something tougher, something stronger.

    Doesn't she get it? Sakura thought. I don't want to be a warrior princess. I just want to be… me. And maybe catch Sasuke-kun's attention while I'm at it. Is that so hard to understand?

    But deep down, Sakura knew her mother wasn't being critical for the sake of it. It was her way of trying to prepare Sakura for the dangers of the shinobi world. Maybe Mebuki didn't have the words to say, I'm scared for you, so she said, Train harder. Maybe that was her version of love.

    Still, it was exasperating. Like the time her mother had secretly mixed weight gainer powder into her rice to bulk her up. Sakura had nearly choked on it before spitting it out, declaring dramatically that she was never eating again.

    Sakura sighed at the memory, finishing her light breakfast. She grabbed her ninja pouch from the counter, ready to head out.

    "Have a good day, sweetheart!"

    "Stay focused!" Mebuki added sharply, her eyes flicking briefly to Sakura's ninja pouch as if scanning it for flaws.

    Sakura stepped outside, her frustration melting away as the crisp morning air hit her face. The world felt alive—the bustle of merchants setting up their stalls in the market, the warm sunlight filtering through the trees, and the distant hum of the village beginning its day.

    All right, Sakura, she thought, steeling herself as she made her way toward Training Ground 7.

    The soft hum of the morning still lingered in Sakura's mind as she stood at Training Ground 7, waiting for everyone to arrive. The early sunlight bathed the clearing in golden warmth, and she took a deep breath, savoring the quiet.

    Do some training—that'll impress Sasuke-kun, she thought, rolling her shoulders and stretching her arms.

    Sakura stepped into a basic stance, her mind already running through the forms they had practiced at the academy. She began with simple punches, her movements sharp and precise, gradually flowing into the defensive blocks and sweeps she'd been working to perfect.

    Her body moved on autopilot, muscle memory guiding her as her thoughts wandered. He'll see how serious I am. Maybe he'll even comment on how much stronger I've gotten! She imagined Sasuke standing nearby, his arms crossed as he watched her with faint approval.

    But the daydream faltered when her form wavered on a kick, and she stumbled slightly. She straightened immediately, her face heating in embarrassment, even though no one was watching yet.

    Focus, Sakura! her sharper self chided. What's the point of training if you're just going to daydream the whole time?

    Suddenly, the swirl of leaves and a faint flicker of movement broke her focus. She froze mid-punch, turning just in time to see Sasuke step into the clearing, his dark eyes focused on the scroll in his hands.

    Her heart leapt, and she instinctively straightened her back, brushing a stray strand of hair out of her face. Flashing her brightest smile, she greeted him in her most cheerful voice. "Hello there, Sasuke-kun!"

    Sasuke glanced up for the briefest moment, his expression unreadable, before returning his attention to the scroll.

    He never did that in the academy.

    She bit her lip, suppressing the silly grin that threatened to spread across her face. For a moment, her confidence soared. But then, like a cold gust of wind, doubt crept in.

    Am I… sweaty?

    Her smile faltered, and her fingers twitched as she brushed at her hair.

    "Be cool, Sakura. Be cool," she muttered under her breath, her nerves building. The thought of Sasuke noticing something embarrassing about her was unbearable.

    Before she could stop herself, she made a quick, decisive choice. "I'll be right back!" she announced, spinning on her heel and sprinting away from the training ground.

    Sasuke barely glanced up as she ran off, his gaze flicking briefly in her direction before settling back on his scroll. He let out a faint sigh.

    At least it's quiet now, he thought, the corners of his mouth twitching ever so slightly.

    An hour later, Sakura sat a few feet away from Naruto, staring blankly ahead as her mind replayed the utterly humiliating episode with Naruto and Kakashi. She clenched her fists, a blush creeping up her face as her inner self chimed in, unimpressed.

    Maiden of war? Really? That's so cringe.

    Sakura groaned inwardly.

    Her thoughts spiraled as she began blaming Naruto for the whole ordeal. One moment, he was acting like the loud, obnoxious boy she'd known in the academy. Then the next, he was… different. Subtler, quieter. Like he was trying to be someone else.

    Honestly, she couldn't tell if this was a new character he was playing or if that unpredictability was just who Naruto really was. Her inner voice, sharper and more skeptical, cut in.

    Or maybe he just got mad in the academy, and this is still the same old Naruto.

    Sakura sighed. That… actually makes sense. Fine, maybe Naruto is just Naruto. But still… where does he get this stuff?

    Who cares?     her inner self interjected bluntly.

    Sakura nodded, shaking the thought away. She had better things to focus on than figuring out Naruto. Much better things. Like catching Sasuke-kun's attention.

    Her thoughts drifted until Kakashi's voice cut through, pulling her back to the present.

    "Today's our first real training day," Kakashi announced, standing lazily with his hands in his pockets. "Here's the plan: we'll go until noon, training each of you individually. After that, you'll get a two-hour rest before we meet some special people, and in the evening… our first mission."

    Her breath caught, and her heart raced.

    Our first mission!

    Her mind immediately conjured a perfect image of the three of them—Team 7—standing tall and triumphant. Sasuke would be calm and heroic as ever, while she dazzled everyone with her cleverness and beauty. Naruto would… also be there. And then, as the sun set on their successful mission, Sasuke would finally look at her and confess his love.

    Before her imagination could run further, Kakashi casually created three shadow clones, each one stepping forward and beckoning them to follow.

    Sakura blinked, surprised. Wait… those are solid clones. She quickly realized what this meant. He's splitting himself up so he can teach us all individually. That's actually… kind of smart.

    Her initial excitement dimmed as another thought crept in. Surely, he's going to personally train Sasuke, right? Maybe me too. After all, I have the best academic scores. That has to count for something.

    But then her eyes followed the real Kakashi, and she froze in disbelief. He wandered over to a tree, stretched out under its shade, and laid down. With a casual yawn, he pulled out a familiar orange book and flipped it open.

    Sakura's jaw dropped.

    Are you kidding me?!

    Her hand twitched, almost balling into a fist. She forced herself to take a deep breath, but her thoughts were already bubbling, sharp and unfiltered.

    Shānnarō! Lazy bum! I'm standing here, ready to give it my all, and he's just lying there like it's nap time?! What kind of teacher does this?!

    Her gaze then flicked to Sasuke. He didn't even bat an eye. His focus remained entirely on his scroll, as if this level of effort—or lack thereof—from Kakashi was exactly what he'd expected.

    Of course Sasuke-kun doesn't care, Sakura thought, crossing her arms. He probably doesn't even need Kakashi-sensei's help. He's already so talented. Honestly, Sasuke could probably teach me something more useful than whatever this lazy old man has planned.

    But even as she reassured herself, doubt gnawed at the edges of her confidence. What if my clone trainer doesn't actually push me? What if Sasuke's training is more intense, and he gets even further ahead?

    The thought lit a fire inside her.

    No. I won't let that happen. Lazy teacher or not, I'm going to give this everything I've got.

    The Kakashi clone assigned to her waved her forward. "Let's go, Sakura."

    Sakura felt a hand on her shoulder, and before she could process what was happening, the world around her twisted into a dizzying blur. Trees, leaves, and streaks of sunlight rushed past in a disorienting whirlwind, her stomach lurching violently with the motion.

    The sudden stop hit her like a shockwave, and she stumbled forward, her legs shaky beneath her. Her vision spun, and she barely had time to steady herself before the nausea overwhelmed her. Leaning forward, she emptied her stomach, the sour taste of bile burning her throat. She coughed, spitting to clear the acidic tang from her mouth, her hands trembling as she tried to compose herself.

    "W-What… was that?"

    "That," Kakashi replied, "was the Shunshin no Jutsu. It's a high-speed travel technique. Hmm… now that I think about it, you're the only one on the team who doesn't know it."

    "What? How?"

    "Naruto learned it from Iruka, and Sasuke copied it from Naruto."

    "Sasuke-kun is amazing."

    Kakashi raised a brow at her. "And what about you?"

    "What… what do you mean?"

    Instead of answering, Kakashi handed her a folder with her name printed neatly on the front. Sakura hesitated, her fingers curling around the edge of the folder as if bracing herself for what she might find. With a deep breath, she opened it.

    Her eyes scanned the page, her breath catching as the contents sank in. Line after line of evaluations stared back at her, harsh and unyielding. "F" in taijutsu. "F" in ninjutsu. Only her academic marks stood out, and even they felt hollow in this context.

    Her hands trembled as she held the folder, her throat tightening with a painful lump she couldn't swallow.

    "What… is this report?"

    "It's my assessment of your current level as a ninja."

    The words felt heavy, cutting into her pride.

    "But… but I'm the top kunoichi in my class."

    Kakashi's gaze was steady. "That may be the case, but tell me—what would happen if you fought Naruto or Sasuke right now? How long would you last? You saw what they were capable of during the bell test. What about you?"

    The question hung in the air like a kunai aimed at her chest.

    "I…" Sakura hesitated. She couldn't bring herself to say it out loud, but she knew. Sasuke was leagues ahead of her. And Naruto… she couldn't even imagine lasting against him for more than a few seconds.

    "I am weak. Huh? Sensei."

    Her inner voice, normally brash and quick to retort, stayed quiet this time, offering no snarky remark or sarcastic comeback.

    "I see," Kakashi said, his tone softer now, though no less firm. "Acknowledging where you are is the first step to getting stronger, Sakura. It's okay to be weak right now, but staying that way isn't an option if you want to survive as a ninja."

    His words stung, but there was a strange clarity in them.

    "Yes, sensei."

    Kakashi gave her an encouraging nod. "Good. Now, why not use that sharp mind of yours to figure out what you can do to improve, based on the report?"

    His words gave her something to hold onto, a spark of direction amidst the sinking despair. She took a shaky breath, forcing herself to focus as she analyzed the report in her mind, picking through her glaring weaknesses and the faint glimmers of strengths.

    "Sensei," she asked cautiously, "are there any areas where you rated me higher than Sasuke or Naruto?"

    Kakashi's visible eye crinkled in approval. "Good question. Well, for starters, your chakra control is better than both of theirs. You also have a stronger academic foundation and an affinity for genjutsu according to your academy report."

    She nodded slowly, though the answers felt bittersweet. Academics and chakra control… that's it? Those don't win fights.

    Still, it's something. Build from there. You're not completely hopeless. Figure out how to turn what you're good at into something useful.

    But the thought didn't anchor her—it only made her chest tighten further. This couldn't be it. She couldn't accept that the only things she was good at were chakra control and being book smart. Those were basic, foundational skills, not the kind of things that made a shinobi strong or respected. Not the kind of things that would make her stand out.

    "No," she said. "That can't be everything. There has to be more."

    "Oh? What do you mean, Sakura?"

    Her throat felt tight, but she forced herself to push past it. "I… I didn't get to show you anything in the bell test. I know I didn't do much back then, but it doesn't mean I can't do anything." Her voice wavered slightly. "You said I have chakra control, right? Then test me again. Let me prove that I have more to offer. Just… give me another chance."

    Kakashi threw a kunai at the ground, the blade landing with a soft thud. Sakura stared at it for a moment before a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

    "Okay, sensei," she said. "What's the test?"

    She looked up, ready for instructions—or maybe even a sparring match—but her breath hitched as she realized Kakashi was gone.

    "Huh?!"

    A cold voice from behind her made her freeze in place.

    "S-Sakura…"

    She turned slowly, her breath catching in her throat as her eyes fell on him—Sasuke.

    Or rather, what was left of him.

    Her knees almost buckled as the sight burned itself into her mind. His skin was pale and streaked with blood, deep cuts crisscrossing his body. One of his arms was completely gone, and his left eye was a hollow, bloody socket. His lifeless gaze bored into her, and dark blood trickled down his cheek in slow, gruesome streams.

    Her breath hitched, and she staggered back, her hands flying to her mouth. Her mind screamed in protest, unable to process the horror in front of her.
    This isn't real. This can't be real.

    "Sasuke-kun…" she whispered, her voice trembling as her heart pounded against her ribs.

    Her vision blurred, the nightmare consuming her entirely, and everything went dark.

    Sakura's eyes snapped open, her body jolting upright as a scream tore from her throat. She gasped for breath, her chest heaving as her frantic gaze darted around. The sunlight filtering through the trees was warm and real. The training ground came into focus—familiar and steadying.

    And there he was. Sasuke. Whole, unharmed, standing just a few feet away, deep in thought.

    The relief hit her like a tidal wave, and before she knew it, she was moving, closing the distance between them. Without thinking, she threw her arms around him, clinging to him with every ounce of strength she had. Her face pressed against his shoulder as the tears spilled freely, her body shaking.

    "Sasuke-kun."

    The sight of the last Uchiha in that genjutsu had shattered something deep inside her, and now, feeling the warmth of him—solid and alive—she couldn't bring herself to let go.

    Sasuke stiffened, clearly caught off guard, but he didn't push her away. He stood awkwardly, his arms unmoving, his gaze shifting uncomfortably.

    "Dobe, you hug like this," Naruto said, demonstrating an exaggerated motion.

    Sasuke pushed Sakura away.

    "Now that's the opposite of hugging," Naruto added with a pointed finger, as if lecturing the last Uchiha on basic human interaction.

    Meanwhile, Sakura barely registered the exchange. Her mind felt distant, her body like it wasn't her own. She blinked once, twice, her eyes sliding over to Kakashi, who stood nearby, his attention buried in that stupid book.

    "Sensei… what happened?"

    Without even glancing up, Kakashi replied, "Genjutsu. I wanted to test how you'd react under an intense situation. Maybe even see if you can break out of it."

    His tone was casual, indifferent, like this was just another lesson in a long line of many. But to Sakura, it wasn't. Her fists clenched at her sides as a horrible, sinking feeling settled in her chest.

    She felt it all at once: the humiliation, the shame, the overwhelming sense of failure. Her mind raced as memories flashed before her—her insistence on proving herself, on questioning Kakashi's evaluation, on begging him for a second chance.

    And this was what she'd done with it.

    She swallowed hard, bile rising in her throat. She couldn't shake the crushing weight of it all.

    "Sakura?" Kakashi's voice broke through her spiraling thoughts, quieter now, with an edge of concern.

    Her eyes darted to him, but she couldn't meet his gaze for long. "I… I just need a minute," she murmured, her voice cracking slightly.

    Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked toward the nearby lake, her feet heavy but determined. She needed space—away from Kakashi, from Sasuke, from Naruto. From the reality that she was the weakest link on this team.

    At the lake's edge, Sakura knelt, her hands trembling as she stared at her reflection in the water. The rippling surface blurred her face, but she could still see herself: the girl who'd thought she was so much more than this.

    You're pathetic, Sakura thought bitterly. You had one chance to prove yourself, and what did you do? You panicked. You cried. You couldn't even tell it wasn't real.

    Her nails dug into the dirt. She gritted her teeth, but it didn't stop the flood of thoughts from crashing over her.

    You're the dead weight of Team 7. Sasuke doesn't need you. Naruto's lost interest in you. Even Kakashi-sensei probably regrets taking you on.

    The words grew louder in her mind, each one driving deeper, relentless and cruel. They weren't coming from anyone else—just her. She didn't need an outside voice to remind her of her failures; she could do that all on her own.

    Mom was right, she thought, the realization twisting in her stomach like a knife. I'm not strong enough to be a kunoichi. I should've trained harder. I should've listened to her instead of chasing after some boy who barely even looks at me.

    She squeezed her eyes shut, but the tears spilled over anyway, hot and unforgiving as they streaked down her cheeks. Her fists clenched against her thighs, trembling as she tried to hold herself together, but the cracks were already there, and she felt them widening with every passing moment.

    She hated herself in that moment—hated how right it all felt. Hated that she couldn't find anything, not even a single spark of hope, to cling to.

    The soft crunch of footsteps behind her startled her, and she quickly wiped at her tears, though she knew it was pointless.

    Kakashi sat down beside her, his presence quiet. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the gentle lapping of the lake the only sound between them.

    "Am I…" she hesitated, her voice trembling. "Am I going to be sent back to the academy?"

    "You're already a genin, Sakura. You're part of Team 7."

    "But I don't have anything to offer," she whispered. "I'm the weakest one here. I don't have Sasuke's talent, or Naruto's… whatever bag of mysterious abilities and items. I don't even know why I'm here."

    Kakashi didn't reply immediately. Instead, he leaned back slightly, gazing out at the water. "So what?"

    "What?"

    "So what if you're weak now?" Kakashi said. "Do you think the Sakura sitting here, right now, is the same Sakura you'll be in a week? A month? A year?"

    "I… I don't know."

    "The answer is no," Kakashi said simply. "People change. They grow. Do you know I once had a teammate who was the weakest in our group? Barely scraped by in the academy. His chakra control was abysmal, his ninjutsu was atrocious, and his taijutsu was a mess. The only reason he even passed was because during the war Konoha hands out the title of genin if you can use chakra at all."

    "What happened to him?"

    Kakashi's visible eye softened. "He became one of the strongest people I've ever known."

    Her breath hitched at that, a flicker of hope igniting in her chest despite herself.

    "You see what I'm saying?" Kakashi asked, turning to look at her directly.

    "I… I think so."

    "I believe you can be an excellent kunoichi, Sakura," Kakashi said. "Don't doubt that. You've got the sharpest mind on this team, and I don't say that lightly. But you have to decide to put in the work. You can be all that, but it's up to you to get there."

    Sakura exhaled shakily, wiping at her face again. "Thanks, sensei. I think I just… I just need some time to sort it all out. It's not every day your entire idea of yourself gets shattered."

    "That's true," Kakashi said with a smile. "But shattering is the first step to rebuilding something stronger."

    Meanwhile, Naruto was pacing nearby, his face twisted in worry.

    "Sasuke, you're a monster," he finally declared, jabbing an accusing finger at the Uchiha.

    "What are you talking about?"

    "Look at what you did!" Naruto flailed his arms for emphasis. "If only you had hugged her back! A hug, teme! How hard is that?!"

    Sasuke frowned, his expression unreadable. "Whatever," he muttered and turned to walk away.

    But before he could take another step, Naruto lunged forward, grabbing the back of Sasuke's shirt like a desperate man clinging to hope.

    "Oh, no you don't!" Naruto shouted. "You're going to hug her. Right now."

    "What?" Sasuke whipped his head around, glaring at Naruto. "No. Let go of me, dobe."

    "Go hug her, you emotionally stunted iceberg! This might be the only chance you ever get for a woman's touch!"

    Sasuke's eye twitched, his patience officially gone. "I said, let go!"

    What happened next was something neither of them would forget anytime soon.

    There was a loud, tearing sound as Sasuke yanked himself free. Naruto stumbled back, holding a large piece of black fabric in his hands, blinking in confusion.

    The air grew heavy as Sasuke slowly realized what had just happened. His once pristine black shirt was now a tattered mess, with most of the front ripped clean off, exposing his pale chest to the world.

    Naruto stared at the scrap of cloth in his hand, then at Sasuke's exposed chest, then back at the cloth.

    "Er… oops?" Naruto offered weakly, a nervous laugh bubbling up as he slowly took a step back.

    For a moment, there was silence. And then it happened.

    "DOOOOOOOBE!"

    Kakashi paused, his single eye lazily sweeping over his team of fresh-faced genin. Despite their outward calm, each one seemed to be carrying their own brand of chaos. Sakura was deep in thought. Sasuke, on the other hand, looked like he'd been forced into something profoundly humiliating. His expression was one of barely-contained disdain, all because he was wearing the strange tattered cloth robes that Naruto had handed him earlier.

    Naruto had insisted they were his "pyromancer clothes," a statement that confused everyone, including Kakashi.

    Pyromancer clothes? Kakashi mused, watching Sasuke tug at the frayed fabric with a scowl. Were these related to how Naruto trained his fire jutsu? Or maybe… it's something else entirely.

    The thought tugged at him, poking at the mystery that was Naruto Uzumaki. But he shook it off for now and addressed his team.

    "Remember what I told you," Kakashi said, his voice slicing through the silence. "At noon, we're going to meet another team."

    Sakura's face tightened slightly at the announcement. A flicker of worry crossed her features, and Kakashi didn't miss the way she bit her lip. Please don't let it be Ino's team, she thought, anxiety bubbling in her chest. The last thing she needed was for Ino to see her flustered and out of sorts—especially with Sasuke here.

    "Why?"

    "Well," Kakashi began, "I thought it'd be good for you three to learn from your senpais what being a genin really entails. Just a simple social gathering."

    He left out his real intention: fostering a little healthy competition between Team 7 and Team 3. He hoped that rivalry would help them grow closer as a team instead of constantly being at odds with each other.

    Kakashi pulled a pocket watch from his vest, flipping it open and eyeing the time. His gaze shifted back to his students as he started a countdown in his usual unhurried manner.

    "Ten… nine… eight…"

    Sakura exchanged a quick, bewildered glance with Naruto, who mirrored her confusion.

    Sasuke discreetly tugged at the collar of the robe and caught a faint whiff. Instantly, his face twisted in barely-contained disgust. Of course, the dobe never washes his clothes, he thought bitterly. He made a mental note to throw the robe into the nearest fire pit the moment Kakashi stopped paying attention. Honestly, if Kakashi hadn't insisted he wear this ridiculous thing, he'd have incinerated it on the spot when Naruto first offered it to him.

    As Kakashi reached "one," a loud, booming voice shattered the calm.

    "Kakashi! My fire of youth has allowed me to be here on time!"

    The voice was proud and impossibly loud, almost echoing through the clearing. Team 7 turned in unison, their eyes widening as they took in the man who had seemingly materialized behind Kakashi.

    He stood tall, radiating confidence and energy. His fair skin and strong jawline were accentuated by a… unique sense of fashion. A green jumpsuit clung to his muscular frame like a second skin, orange-striped leg warmers covering his calves. His flak jacket was fashionably unzipped, and his gleaming red forehead protector was tied like a belt around his waist. But the real standout features were his impossibly shiny bowl cut and the thickest, boldest eyebrows Team 7 had ever seen.

    "Is this… some kind of genjutsu?"

    Sasuke didn't even glance at Naruto. "I've been trying to break out of this genjutsu ever since you handed me these ridiculous clothes."

    "Shut up! Those are quality pyromancer robes!" Naruto shot back. "If you ask nicely, I'll even give you the matching hood and pants."

    "If I ask nicely, can I set them on fire?"

    "Fuck you, Sasuke."

    As if on cue, another figure appeared beside the man, standing ramrod straight with military precision. The boy looked like a miniature version of the older man—the same polished bowl cut, the same bushy eyebrows, and the exact same green jumpsuit. The only noticeable differences were the boy's wide, round eyes with prominent lower lashes and the bandages wrapped tightly around his forearms.

    "Guy-sensei!" the boy exclaimed loudly. "I'm sorry, but I was a second late!"

    The older man let out a thunderous laugh, slapping the boy on the back so hard it made Team 7 flinch. "A second late, Lee? HAHAHA! Then give me a hundred sit-ups as punishment!"

    "YES, GUY-SENSEI! THANK YOU, GUY-SENSEI!" the boy—Lee—shouted before dropping to the ground. He began his sit-ups immediately, his form perfect and precise, each count executed with an intensity that left Team 7 speechless.

    "Are we… supposed to do that too?"

    Sakura shook her head, wide-eyed, unable to form a coherent response to Naruto.

    "Weirdos, am I right?" a confident, teasing voice cut through the tension, making Team 7 turn their heads toward the new arrival.

    A girl with dark hair tied into two buns and sharp, observant gray eyes stood casually off to the side, a kunai balancing effortlessly on her fingertip. She had an easy confidence about her, a smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth. Her outfit was practical yet stylish—a sleeveless pink qipao-style blouse with red trimmings and yellow buttons, paired with dark green pants. A pouch strapped to her thigh swayed slightly as she shifted her weight.

    She gave them an appraising look before throwing the kunai into the air and catching it with practiced ease.

    "Am I right, Neji?"

    "This is a waste of time," came a calm, almost dismissive voice from above.

    A boy stepped out of the shadow of the branches, moving with a quiet grace. He had pale skin and long, dark hair that framed his sharp features, tied into a loose ponytail that flowed behind him. His white, featureless eyes, tinted faintly lavender in the sunlight, settled on Team 7 with a detached, almost bored expression.

    "Why bother socializing? None of them are at our level."

    "What'd you say, you smug—"

    "Ah, Team 3 has arrived!" Guy's booming voice interrupted, his tone brimming with enthusiasm. "What do you think of my youthful team introduction, Kakashi?"

    "Hmm? Did you say something, Guy?"

    Guy's expression fell, his fist tightening dramatically as he muttered, "Curse you, Kakashi! Always pretending not to notice my brilliance!"

    "Rival?" Sasuke's voice broke the moment, his brows furrowing as he glanced between Guy and Kakashi.

    In a blur of green, Guy suddenly appeared behind Team 7.

    Guy caught Naruto's reaction with a small, pleased smile. Interesting… He tracked my movement. And that strange armor of his… Guy's sharp eyes focused on their feet, his keen gaze assessing the weight distribution with meticulous precision. I wonder how it would respond to the Gentle Fist. Kakashi, my eternal rival, it seems you've gathered quite the youthful team.

    "Yes!" Guy declared with theatrical pride, striking a pose that caused the sunlight to gleam dramatically off his forehead protector. "We are eternal rivals!"

    Team 7 looked on in disbelief.

    "In fact, my record against Kakashi is fifty wins to forty-nine losses! That's right—I am stronger than your sensei!"

    Naruto's jaw dropped, and he let out a loud, incredulous, "What?! No way!" He spun toward Kakashi, waving his arms wildly. "Sensei, tell me this isn't true! Tell me you're stronger than… than Bushy Brows Senior over here!"

    "Oh, yeah, sure. I only lost last time because I needed to buy the new Icha Icha release."

    As soon as the words left Kakashi's mouth, Guy's face lit up, and he was in Kakashi's personal space, his eyes blazing with intensity. "So, that's how it is, Kakashi! You're saying you weren't giving it your all? Then let's settle it right here and now—a rematch! One thousand laps around Hokage Mountain!"

    Kakashi sighed, his expression unchanging. "Guy, I'm busy."

    "Busy?!" Guy repeated, aghast. "What could be more important than rekindling the flames of our rivalry?"

    "Reading."

    "Team 3! Socialize with Team 7 while I go secure my youthful victory!"

    Before anyone could protest, Guy kicked up a cloud of dust and vanished in a blur of green, leaving the two teams standing awkwardly in his wake.

    Kakashi let out another tired sigh, already walking away with his book in hand. "Yeah, socialize," he said over his shoulder, his tone completely indifferent.

    "Wait, Sensei, where are you going?!"

    Kakashi gave a half-hearted wave. "To find a quiet place to read. Don't cause too much trouble."

    And with that, he was gone, leaving the two teams standing together in awkward silence.

    Naruto turned to Sasuke and Sakura, looking completely bewildered. "What just happened?"

    Sakura, still processing everything, could only shrug.

    Tenten, however, grinned, breaking the silence. "Don't worry. You get used to it."

    "I don't know if I want to get used to it."

    Tenten giggled, her laughter ringing out clearly, and Naruto's face lit up with pride. It wasn't every day a girl laughed at his jokes, let alone an older female.

    Neji, however, was less than amused. His pale eyes flicked over Sasuke's tattered robes, a faint sneer curling at the edges of his mouth. "Is this how the last of the Uchiha carries himself?"

    Sasuke's Sharingan activated with a faint red glow, his expression calm but cold. "Maybe you'd like to test why this robe has so many marks of fire."

    Naruto's eyes widened in surprise. Sasuke defending the clothes he gave him? Maybe Sasuke wasn't so bad after all—

    "Hey, Naruto," Sasuke interrupted, tugging at the collar of the robe as if noticing something unpleasant. "Wash this with fire after we're done here."

    "I take back every nice thing I ever thought about you!"

    "I'll survive."

    "This is a waste of time. I'm going back to training," Neji muttered coldly, turning to walk away. "You coming, Tenten?"

    But Tenten didn't respond. Her eyes were locked onto Naruto, or more specifically, the armor he was wearing. She tilted her head, studying it intently—the craftsmanship, the weight, the metal plating—and the faintest hint of fascination crept into her expression.

    Sakura noticed the look, her brow furrowing. "Is she… drooling?"

    Neji noticed as well. "Fate plays strange tricks," he muttered. "Granting valuable things to the unworthy." With that cryptic remark, he turned and walked off, leaving the rest of them thoroughly confused.

    Meanwhile, Rock Lee was still on the ground, hammering out sit-ups as if his life depended on it.

    "Forty-seven! Forty-eight! Forty-nine!"

    Tenten shook her head, clearly exasperated by her teammates, and then turned her full attention back to Team 7. "Well, on behalf of Team 3, I'm Tenten," she said. "The guy down there doing sit-ups is Rock Lee, and the one who just stormed off in a huff? That's Neji Hyuga."

    Then, with a deliberate step forward, her gaze settled on Naruto. Her smirk deepened, and her tone shifted to something lighter, teasing, almost flirtatious. "And who are you, handsome?"

    "Uh… I'm, uh… Naruto Uzumaki!"

    "Naruto Uzumaki," Tenten repeated, her voice velvety, as if she were savoring the name. She took another step closer, her movements deliberate, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she looked him up and down.

    Sakura and Sasuke's jaws dropped.

    Tenten's hand reached out, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of the armor Naruto wore. Her touch lingered as her eyes locked onto his. "This armor of yours… it's incredible."

    Naruto swallowed hard, his face burning brighter. "Uh… thanks?"

    "I'd do anything to get my hands on something like this," Tenten added, leaning in closer, her fingers gliding along the plating with the confidence of someone who knew exactly how flustered she was making him.

    Naruto's heart was pounding so loudly he was sure everyone could hear it. He took a tiny step back, but Tenten only followed, her smile turning playful.

    She tilted her head, looking up at him through her lashes as she leaned just a breath away from his ear. "So… what do you say? Would you share it with me?"

    Naruto was utterly overwhelmed, his brain short-circuiting as every word seemed to echo louder than the last. For a moment, it looked like he might combust on the spot.

    "I-I—uh—" he stammered, his voice cracking as he stumbled back another step, his hands flying up to cover the armor protectively. "T-this armor is special to me!" he blurted out. "I can't just… I mean, no offense, but I can't just—uh—give it away!"

    Tenten leaned back, laughing softly, clearly enjoying his reaction. "Relax, Naruto," she said, raising her hands in mock surrender. "I was only teasing."

    Naruto's shoulders sagged with relief, but his face was still bright red as he mumbled, "Oh… right. Teasing. Cool. Ha-ha…"

    Sasuke and Sakura were still staring, both completely caught off guard by the entire exchange.

    "What… just happened?"

    "A miracle," Sasuke responded to Sakura.

    Naruto, desperate to escape the situation, quickly retreated to the side of the clearing, pulling out the Uzumaki clan book and burying his face in it, refusing to look at anyone.

    Tenten watched him go, her smirk softening into something almost fond. "Cute."

    "Do you need to see a doctor?"

    "Why?"

    "You were just…" Sakura leaned in, lowering her voice to a whisper. "Flirting with Naruto."

    Tenten blinked, then laughed lightly. "Oh, that? That was just my way of relaxing him."

    "Relaxing him? For what?"

    "For his armor," Sasuke cut in.

    Sakura gave an awkward laugh, trying to defuse the tension. "Uh… senpai, maybe don't try that again. Naruto's really… protective of that armor." She hesitated, recalling what Naruto had done to Kiba for making fun of it. "It's… important to him."

    "Play stupid games, win stupid prizes," Sasuke warned, his gaze shifting to Tenten with mild disdain.

    Tenten smirked, unbothered by the icy reception. "I think you two might have the wrong idea. I wasn't trying to steal anything. I was just making Naruto feel comfortable so I could find out where he got such awesome armor. You can't exactly buy something like that at your local smithy."

    Sasuke and Sakura exchanged a look, their expressions suddenly shifting as realization dawned.

    "Wait," Tenten continued. "Did you actually think I was trying to seduce Naruto and then steal his armor?"

    Sakura's nervous laugh was all the confirmation Tenten needed, and she burst into laughter. Sakura joined in hesitantly, trying to play off her embarrassment.

    "I wouldn't underestimate him if I were you," Sasuke said bluntly, cutting through the levity. "Naruto's master had it commissioned from somewhere."

    Tenten's curiosity flared, but Sasuke offered no further explanation, too busy tugging at the collar of the itchy robe Naruto had given him. With a quiet sigh, she realized she wasn't going to get more out of him.

    "Boys," Tenten said with a wry smile, extending a hand toward Sakura.

    Sakura chuckled, taking her hand with a nod. "You can say that again."

    The brief camaraderie between the two girls was interrupted by a loud, triumphant shout from across the field.

    "Ninety-eight! Ninety-nine! One hundred!" Rock Lee's voice boomed as he leapt to his feet, striking a dramatic pose. His green jumpsuit practically shimmered in the sunlight as he looked around, his eyes immediately locking onto Sakura.

    "Sakura Haruno!" Lee announced grandly, striking a gallant pose. "Your beauty blooms like a thousand cherry blossoms in spring! Would you do me the honor of joining me for tea? Or perhaps a moonlit stroll under the stars?"

    "Oh, uh…"

    Tenten slapped a hand to her forehead, letting out a long sigh. "Lee… we just got here."

    Sakura managed a polite smile, though her awkwardness was obvious. "That's… really nice of you, Lee, but I'm not really looking to, um, date anyone right now."

    Lee's face fell briefly, but his recovery was as quick as it was dramatic. His eyes shone with determination as he gave her a firm thumbs-up, his grin returning full force. "I understand, Sakura! My flames of youth shall continue to burn brightly for you regardless!"

    He threw her an exaggerated wink, so intense it looked like he was trying to ignite a spark through sheer willpower.

    "Uh… thanks, Lee," she mumbled, shooting a quick look at Tenten, who gave her a sympathetic shrug.

    Lee walked up to Sasuke, who had just taken off the itchy pyromancer robe and unceremoniously tossed it at Naruto's face.

    "Will you fight me… Sasuke Uchiha?"

    Naruto pulled the robe off his head, glaring at Sasuke before glancing at Lee.

    "Armor—"

    "No." Sasuke cut Naruto off, locking eyes with Lee. "I'll handle this."

    Without another word, Sasuke stepped into the center of the training ground.

    Meanwhile, Tenten sighed loudly. "I don't think this is the 'socialization' your handsome sensei had in mind."

    "Does he…" Sakura hesitated, glancing at Lee, who was now bouncing lightly on his toes, his fists clenched in readiness. "Does he always ask girls out like that?"

    "Pretty much." Tenten shrugged. "Lee's got a good heart, but subtlety isn't exactly in his vocabulary. He'll ask any girl he thinks is cute out for tea. If you gave him five minutes, he'd probably write you a love letter in perfect calligraphy and deliver it by hand with flowers."

    Sakura couldn't help but laugh, though she quickly bit her lip when Lee sent her a quick, encouraging thumbs-up. "What is it with this team and asking people out?" she muttered under her breath, before snorting at an idea that popped into her head. "Just imagine if Neji asked Sasuke out…"

    Tenten froze, her wide eyes blinking once before she burst into loud, unrestrained laughter. Clapping her hands, she doubled over, tears forming in her eyes. "Oh, please, that would be priceless! Neji? Asking someone out? That guy thinks emotions are a liability!"

    Sakura chuckled. "He'd probably write a dissertation about why romance is pointless before even considering it."

    As their laughter filled the clearing, Lee and Sasuke squared off in the center of the training ground. Sakura leaned closer to Tenten, lowering her voice. "So… who do you think is going to win?"

    "You'll be surprised."

    Lee shifted into his stance, one arm extended forward, palm open, while the other rested at his lower back. His feet slid slightly apart, his weight evenly balanced. He began to sway ever so slightly, like a leaf in the wind, his movements fluid and light.

    Sasuke narrowed his eyes. With a burst of speed, he dashed forward, closing the gap in seconds. He swung a punch aimed straight at Lee's face.

    Lee moved like a blur. He spun low, his back leg whipping around in a wide arc—Leaf Whirlwind! The kick came so fast that the air seemed to hum with its force.

    Sasuke barely had time to react. He crossed his arms in a hasty block, but the sheer speed and power of Lee's kick broke through his guard, the impact slamming into his ribs. Sasuke's body lifted off the ground, twisting midair before he hit the dirt, skidding several feet back.

    Naruto winced. "That looked like it hurt."

    Sasuke kipped up with a burst of energy, his body flipping gracefully as he landed back on his feet in one smooth motion. His Sharingan burned brightly, the tomoe spinning as his jaw clenched in frustration.

    "This time it will be different," Sasuke growled, brushing the dirt off his sleeve. "With the Sharingan, I am invincible!"

    Lee didn't say a word. He simply smiled, his posture light and almost carefree as he adjusted his stance. In a split second, his body flickered—one moment he was standing in front of Sasuke, the next he was gone.

    Sasuke's Sharingan tracked the movement too late. He felt it before he saw it—a sharp impact under his chin. Lee's upward kick connected cleanly, his foot snapping Sasuke's head back with precision.

    The force of the kick sent Sasuke soaring into the air, his body twisting helplessly as he flew upward. Lee was already moving, vanishing again in a blur of speed. Before Sasuke could regain his balance midair, Lee appeared above him, his leg coming down in a punishing axe kick aimed at Sasuke's chest.

    Sasuke managed to twist at the last second, narrowly avoiding the full force of the kick, but the shockwave sent him hurtling toward the ground.

    Naruto darted forward, his arms outstretched just in time to catch Sasuke's limp body before it could crash into the dirt. He stumbled slightly from the weight but managed to stay upright, staring at Sasuke, who was completely knocked out.

    "Wow, teme," Naruto said, glancing down at the unconscious boy in his arms. "If you'd worn my armor, you might've survived long enough to actually fight back."

    Sakura's jaw hung open, disbelief etched across her face.

    Sasuke lost.

    Her mind scrambled to process it, but no matter how many ways she replayed the fight, the conclusion was the same. Sasuke, the top student of their class, had been knocked out cold.

    "Of course there are bigger fish out there," Tenten said casually, snapping Sakura out of her daze.

    "Yeah," Sakura murmured, her head nodding absently. Today felt like a rude awakening, a slap of reality she hadn't expected.

    "So…" Tenten's voice shifted, pulling Sakura from her spiraling thoughts. "What's it like being on a team with Sasuke Uchiha? All I've heard is that he's a genius, and judging by his form just now…" She glanced at Sasuke, still propped against a tree where Naruto had dumped him. "…I can see why people say that."

    "Yeah, he's… well, he's Sasuke. Top of the class, good at pretty much everything, and totally out of everyone's league. He's intense, though. Always pushing himself harder than anyone else, like he's got something to prove."

    "Sounds like Neji," Tenten said with a knowing nod. "He's got the Byakugan, so he has this insane perception advantage no one else can match. And it's not just that—he has techniques that only someone from his clan could even dream of learning. It feels almost unfair sometimes." Her gaze softened slightly. "But… I guess that's why he's my benchmark. He's always ahead, and I've been playing catch-up since the day we met."

    "I know exactly what you mean! No matter how much I study or how hard I train, Sasuke's always ten steps ahead. It's like I'm running a race I'll never win."

    Tenten let out a short laugh, but her eyes wandered. Her focus shifted to Naruto, or more specifically, the massive Zweihander strapped to his back. Her eyes widened slightly, captivated by the craftsmanship of the blade—the sheer size of it, the intricate details.

    It's like looking into a mirror.

    The older girl chuckled at the thought and shook her head, tearing her gaze away from the blade. "You know, it's kind of funny…"

    "What's funny?"

    "The similarities between our teams," Tenten explained, her smile turning thoughtful. "Both teams have the top student and top kunoichi from the graduating class. And then…" She smirked, glancing at Naruto. "The so-called 'dead-last,' who's somehow turned out to be one of the most surprising and capable members of the group."

    Sakura blinked, her surprise obvious. "Wait… you mean Lee was…?"

    "Yup." Tenten nodded, her smirk widening. "Lee was the one who couldn't perform a single jutsu—not even the Clone Technique. He couldn't do ninjutsu, couldn't do genjutsu, and he bombed academically. But…" Her gaze softened as it flicked to Lee. "He trained harder than anyone else I've ever met. And now? He's the only person who can challenge Neji."

    Sakura stared, her disbelief clear. "That's… unbelievable." She looked down, her voice dropping to a quiet murmur. "At least you're strong, Tenten-senpai… I'm just… weak."

    Tenten frowned and nudged her gently. "Hey, don't sell yourself short. You were the top kunoichi in your class, weren't you?"

    Sakura's shoulders slumped, and her smile faded into something small and bitter. "Does that even matter when I'm practically the weakest link on my team? I mean, I can't even keep up with Sasuke or Naruto. It feels like… like I'm always going to be left behind."

    Tenten tilted her head, studying Sakura thoughtfully for a moment. "Why do you have to keep up with them?"

    Sakura blinked, startled by the question. "What do you mean?"

    "Well… isn't that what being on a team is about?" Sakura asked hesitantly, her voice trailing off. "I thought we were supposed to all be equal…"

    Tenten crouched down, brushing a hand across the dirt and drawing three interlocking circles. She looked up, motioning for Sakura to follow her gaze. "Think of a team like a machine. Each team member is a cog in that machine. What do you think happens if all these cogs are spinning at different speeds or if they're all just trying to outdo each other?"

    "The machine… breaks?"

    "Not exactly," Tenten said, meeting her eyes. "The machine might still work, but it won't last. All those cogs, competing and pushing against each other, will wear themselves down until they stop spinning altogether." She sighed. "Our team went through that. I spent so much time trying to keep up with Neji's natural talent and Lee's insane drive that I didn't stop to think about what I could contribute. I just kept trying to match their strengths. And you know what happened?"

    "What?"

    "We were a mess. We completely failed the Chunin Exams last year."

    Sakura blinked in surprise. "You… failed?"

    "Yep," Tenten said with a shrug. "And honestly, it was embarrassing. We were so out of sync that we almost got split up as a team after that. Things only changed because we stopped thinking of it as a competition and started figuring out how we could work together. Instead of trying to outdo Neji's precision or Lee's stamina, I focused on what they didn't have. I figured out how I could fill in the gaps, and that's when things started clicking. I stopped trying to be the cog that spun the fastest and became the one that kept the whole machine running."

    Sakura stared at her, processing the words in silence. She thought about her own team—how she'd spent so much time worrying about how far ahead Sasuke and Naruto were. It had never occurred to her to look at things differently.

    So… I don't have to be like them?

    Tenten shook her head firmly, a kind smile on her face. "Not at all. You don't have to keep up with them. You have to be you. There's nothing wrong with being weaker than your teammates if it pushes you to find your own strengths. But if you waste all your time trying to be something you're not, you'll never figure out what makes you stand out."

    Sakura's gaze dropped to the dirt, her fingers lightly tracing the circles Tenten had drawn.

    "You're stronger than you give yourself credit for. You were the top kunoichi, right? There must have been something you excelled at in the academy."

    Sakura hesitated for a moment, thinking back. "Well… I've always been good at chakra control. And I have a really good memory. I could memorize things almost instantly."

    "Chakra control and a great memory? That's impressive. There are so many things you could do with skills like that—medical ninjutsu, genjutsu, barrier ninjutsu… You've got a lot of options."

    Sakura blinked, a little overwhelmed by the possibilities. "What would you recommend?"

    "That depends. What are you most confident in?"

    "Well…" Sakura paused, remembering her shaky attempt at Kakashi's genjutsu test. "I'm not totally confident in my chakra control… but I am confident in my ability to study and memorize things."

    Tenten nodded, her smile widening. "Then I'd suggest Barrier Ninjutsu. It takes a strong memory and chakra control—most people don't have the skill for it. But if you put in the work, you might be naturally suited for it."

    "Barrier Ninjutsu? I've… never even heard about that before."

    "See?" Tenten grinned. "You already have a unique edge. It's all about finding the right way to use it. And hey, if you ever want to spar, work on taijutsu, or even try kenjutsu, let me know. Us kunoichi have to stick together, right?"

    "Thank you, Tenten-senpai."

    Naruto turned to Rock Lee, a grin spreading across his face as he declared, "Rock Lee, you've defeated my teammate. I must avenge him!"

    Lee's face lit up with pure excitement, his teeth flashing in a bright smile as he struck a dramatic pose. "Yosh! Come at me, Naruto-kun! Let us test the flames of our youth!"

    Naruto smirked, sliding his helmet down over his head with a satisfying click. He reached back, grabbing his Zweihander and swinging it into a wide, sweeping arc as he charged at Lee. The massive blade sliced through the air with an audible whoosh, but Lee leapt into the air, twisting his body mid-spin as he came down with a powerful kick aimed at Naruto's shoulder.

    GONG!

    The sound reverberated across the training ground as Lee's kick connected with Naruto's armor. Lee landed a few feet away, flicking his foot as he eyed Naruto's armor with wide-eyed amazement.

    "Never…" Lee murmured, flexing his toes. "Never have I encountered armor that could take the force of my weights without even a dent!"

    Naruto hummed, shifting his stance. The Zweihander was too slow against Lee's incredible speed, so with a thought, he switched it out for his hand axe. The smaller weapon gleamed as he spun it in his hand, testing its balance. It wasn't as powerful, but it was faster—and Lee demanded speed.

    "Naruto-kun! Show me your resolve!"

    Naruto didn't hesitate. He darted forward, the hand axe swinging in a tight arc toward Lee's ribs. Lee ducked under it with inches to spare, pivoting into a lightning-fast palm strike aimed at Naruto's chest. Naruto twisted, blocking the strike with his forearm before retaliating with a sharp upward slash.

    The axe's edge whistled past Lee's cheek as he flipped backward, his feet barely touching the ground before he launched himself back toward Naruto. His fist shot forward, but Naruto sidestepped it, spinning into a backhand swing of his axe.

    Lee blocked the strike with his forearm, the force sliding him back a few inches as his feet dug into the dirt. He retaliated with a whirlwind of kicks, each one faster than the last.

    The fight turned into a flurry of movement, the clang of metal against bone echoing across the training ground.

    Lee darted in low, spinning into a sweeping kick aimed at Naruto's legs. Naruto jumped, the axe slicing downward midair. Lee flipped backward, dodging by a hair's breadth as the blade embedded itself into the ground where he'd just been.

    Naruto landed and smirked. "You're quick, but…"

    He suddenly feinted with the axe, shifting his weight as he unequipped it mid-swing. Before Lee could react, Naruto's fist shot forward in a straight jab. He poured his strength into it, his chakra enhancing the force of the blow.

    CRACK!

    Lee was flung backward, skidding across the dirt before coming to a stop. His arm dangled at an odd angle, and as he glanced down at it, a wide grin spread across his face. "Naruto-kun! You dislocated my shoulder!"

    Before Naruto could respond, Lee grabbed his shoulder and, in one swift motion, popped it back into place with a loud pop. He rotated his arm with ease, the grin never leaving his face.

    "I am going to take this seriously now!"

    Suddenly, Lee vanished.

    Naruto's eyes widened as he turned, searching for him. A kick landed against his back, but when he spun to retaliate, no one was there. Another kick struck his side, followed by one to his leg. Each blow came from a different angle, faster than Naruto could follow.

    Well, Way of Focality easily tracked the boy's movements; it was just that Naruto's body wasn't able to respond quickly enough.

    He reached back and re-equipped his Zweihander, raising the massive blade in both hands. He stood still, waiting.

    Lee reappeared in front of him, his leg drawn back for another high-speed kick. But this time, Naruto was ready.

    With a mighty swing, Naruto brought the Zweihander down in a downward arc.

    A loud bang echoed across the training ground as a blur of green and silver clashed in midair. When the dust settled, Guy-sensei was standing between Naruto and Lee, his hand gripping Naruto's Zweihander mid-swing and catching Lee's kick with his other hand. His expression was stern, more serious than either Sakura or Tenten had ever seen before.

    "Lee!" Guy barked. "This isn't socializing!"

    Everyone sweatdropped.

    "Sensei!" Lee cried. "A spar can be argued to be the most youthful form of socializing!"

    "Uh… is it?" Naruto mumbled, scratching the back of his helmet.

    Sakura and Tenten sighed. "Only on this team…"

    "No excuses!" Guy's eyes blazed with fiery intensity as he glared down at his student. "If you are truly dedicated to the path of youth, you must accept the consequences of your failures! Now, give me one thousand laps around the forest!"

    Lee's jaw dropped slightly, but he didn't argue. "Yosh!" He took off into the trees, his figure quickly disappearing into the distance.

    Naruto lowered his sword, his excitement deflating as he watched Lee vanish. "Aww… I wanted to keep going," he muttered, clearly disappointed.

    Guy turned to him, shaking his head. "Patience, Naruto-kun! Battles of youth must also teach us restraint!"

    Behind them, Kakashi gave Guy a look. "Quite the speech, Guy. Really inspiring. Maybe you should also learn restraint."

    "Do not mock the flames of my youth, Kakashi!"

    Kakashi didn't bother replying, simply flipping a page in his book.

    As the dust settled, Sakura found herself turning to Tenten, a question bubbling up in her chest before she could stop it. "Tenten-senpai… what's your dream?"

    Tenten's face softened at the question, her gaze drifting into the distance. "My dream?" she repeated, her voice thoughtful. "I want to be a legendary kunoichi. Someone young girls can look up to, someone they can admire. Like Tsunade." Her tone grew steadier. "She's strong, brilliant, beautiful—everything a kunoichi can aspire to be. I want to be like that someday."

    Sakura felt her chest tighten. Tenten's words were so confident, so full of purpose. It made Sakura feel… small. Tenten had a vision, a goal so much bigger than herself. Meanwhile, Sakura couldn't even picture her future beyond her infatuation with Sasuke.

    "Th-that's a beautiful dream, Tenten-senpai."

    "What about you, Sakura? What's your dream?"

    Sakura froze, the question making her heart sink. She didn't know what to say. She felt… embarrassed. What could she admit? That her only dream revolved around a boy who barely acknowledged her?

    "I… I don't know," she finally said, her voice quiet, almost ashamed.

    "Are you ashamed of your dreams, Sakura?"

    Sakura's head snapped up, her cheeks flushing. "N-no! It's just… I don't really have anything important," she admitted. "Not like you."

    Tenten chuckled softly. "You know," she began, "my dream wasn't always so… noble. When I was younger, I thought my dream was to get Neji to notice me."

    "You… you did?"

    "Yup." Tenten gave a small, self-deprecating laugh. "Back then, I thought that if he noticed me, if he acknowledged me, then I'd feel like I mattered—like I was achieving something."

    "What… what changed?"

    Tenten's expression turned thoughtful, her gaze drifting again. "One day, I realized I didn't want to live my life in someone else's shadow. I didn't want my worth to depend on whether or not someone else saw me. I wanted to stand on my own, to have something that was mine. So, I let that go. I found a new dream—a bigger one. One that made me excited to wake up every day."

    Sakura felt a pang in her chest. "But… what if I don't have anything like that?" she asked softly, her voice full of frustration. "What if I'm just… empty?"

    Tenten reached out, placing a steady hand on Sakura's shoulder. "Dreams aren't always waiting for you, Sakura. Sometimes, you have to go out and find them."

    "You think I'll find it by trying Barrier Ninjutsu?" Sakura asked hesitantly.

    "You'll have to start somewhere, right?"

    Author's Note:

    Well, well, well—back-to-back chapters! What's the special occasion?

    Christmas! 🎄 It's Christmas Day where I am, and today's chapter is my gift to all of you. I hope you enjoy it and have a wonderful holiday season!

    I also wanted to take a moment to explain why I decided to go with Sakura becoming a Barrier Ninja. Let's be honest—her becoming a Medical Ninja or a Genjutsu specialist has been done to death. So, I thought, why not take a unique route this time? Exploring the potential of Barrier Ninjutsu felt like a fresh and exciting way to develop her character.

    Let me know what you think! If you have any ideas related to this direction, feel free to share them—I'd love to hear your thoughts.

    Next chapter drops on January 1st! 🎉 Can't wait that long? You can read ahead to Chapter 50 on Patreon.

    Thanks so much for your support, as always. You guys make writing this story such an incredible journey.

    Until next time,
    Adamo Amet
     
  • New
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    • At least here Sakura will have Some growth!!
    I feared for a moment that Sakura would end up like cannon, looking like an useless thing. Yes i hate cannon Sakura bite me.

    Personal issues done, Thanks for the chapter, it is good

    Merry christmas
     
    Adamos_Amet said:
    If the soul is the source of all life, then what distinguishes the humanity we hold within ourselves? ]

    Naruto tilted his head as he read the description. "Okay, that's… cryptic," he muttered, pulling off his gauntlet to inspect his hand.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    On the trail of a great mystery! You're blessed by a darker place, Naruto. Embrace the abyss within to achieve your birthright!

    Adamos_Amet said:
    In Lordran, time always returns to its stagnant state. Death becomes life, and life becomes death, in an endless, unchanging cycle.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    And now when he gets back, there's gonna be a super-hollow with glowy eyes after him.
     
    Chapter no.14 Dark Souls New
  • Threadmarks
    • Chapter no.14 The Ring of Sacrifice

    I need to improve my stats.

    That was the singular thought dominating Naruto's mind after his brief spar with Rock Lee. His senses could keep up with Lee's speed, but his body couldn't. He felt it with every block, every dodge, every strike Lee landed.

    And with their first real mission on the horizon, Naruto knew he couldn't afford to stay the same. He had to take this seriously.

    Excusing himself under the guise of going to the bathroom, Naruto slipped away into the world of Lordran.

    The flickering flames of the second bonfire greeted him, the heat warming his face despite the ever-present chill of the world around him.

    "Okay," he muttered to himself, standing and stretching his arms. "So sitting at different bonfires really does change where I wake up. I wonder if my clones can connect to the bonfire too..."

    He trailed off, shaking the thought away. There was no time to get distracted. He had work to do.

    Stepping out of the small room housing the bonfire, Naruto moved with purpose. First, he needed to collect his souls from his last death. Then, maybe kill a few more hollows, gather resources, and level up.

    "They should've returned by now, right?" Naruto muttered. He thought back to his first experience in the Northern Undead Asylum. No matter how many times he cut something down, it always came back. Nothing ever stayed dead.

    The thought gnawed at the edges of his focus. Why don't they stay dead? Was it because of some magic? Or was it just the nature of this world? The questions multiplied in his mind, spiraling out of control. Why did things die in Konoha? What even was the purpose of life?

    For a brief moment, the enormity of the question almost stopped him in his tracks. The purpose of life is eating ramen!

    "Wow," he muttered aloud. "I sound like those philosophy club losers."

    His voice echoed faintly in the silence, bringing with it a memory from his academy days. Clubs were a big deal back then—everyone wanted to be part of something. Naruto, of course, hadn't been allowed to join any of them, but he still remembered the philosophy club. A bunch of nerds having heated debates about life, existence, and other stuff he used to think didn't matter.

    Now, walking through Lordran, those same thoughts seemed inescapable.

    "Is it my increased intelligence making me think like this?" Naruto wondered aloud. "Or... maybe I just want answers for once?"

    He exhaled deeply, rolling his shoulders as he walked. Whatever the reason, Naruto was strangely glad for the change. It was proof, he figured, that he'd matured. A version of himself from a year ago wouldn't have bothered to ask questions like this. Why would he? No one had ever bothered to give him answers anyway.

    But now?

    Now he was starting to ask, even if he had to find the answers on his own.

    And the answer he found when he stepped out of the bonfire room: Something is wrong.

    There was no crossbow-wielding hollow waiting near the edge. No hollow on the stairs. He glanced up toward the rooftop where firebomb-wielding hollows—only to find their crumpled bodies scattered across the platform, arrows protruding from their armor.

    Something—or someone—had cleared the area before him.

    A faint whistle snapped him out of his thoughts.

    Naruto's instincts screamed, his head jerking to the side just in time to see an arrow hurtling toward him. It was fast—far faster than the clumsy shots fired by the hollows he'd encountered before. His hand shot up instinctively, snatching the arrow out of the air.

    His eyes darted down, catching the faint glint of something tied to the shaft.

    "A firebomb?!"

    Flooding chakra into his arm, he hurled the arrow high into the air, watching as it exploded in a burst of heat and shrapnel above him.

    The air crackled, and the heat singed the back of his neck. Naruto ran and pressed his back against the stone staircase, hiding himself from view. His breath came quick, adrenaline rushing through his veins.

    The boy's gaze locked onto the bridge overhead.

    No soul drop. Must've taken it and leveled up. Now they're targeting me.

    Naruto's jaw tightened. His mind raced, trying to make sense of it. Goddamn, is this Petrus or something?

    The thought wasn't comforting, especially when he remembered the undead hunts.

    Whatever, he thought, trying to steady his nerves. He darted down the stairs, his plan forming quickly. Get out in the open, use the Substitution Jutsu to dodge, find the enemy's location—

    Suddenly, he froze.

    Way of Focality flared to life as he found something gleaming in his peripheral vision—a spear.

    Naruto twisted his torso, narrowly avoiding the spear as it whooshed past his side. The young shinobi spun on his heel, his eyes locking onto the source of the attack.

    It wasn't a person.

    It was a hollow.

    What the hell is going on?

    The hollow reared back its arm, preparing another spear thrust.

    Naruto's left hand shot out with precision, gripping the spear mid-thrust. Chakra surged into his arm, fortifying his muscles as he locked the weapon in place. He could feel the hollow's resistance, the weapon trembling under its struggle, but Naruto held firm. With a sharp push, he forced the hollow backward, positioning it between himself and the unseen archer.

    Perfect timing.

    Twang! An arrow sliced through the air, aimed directly for him. The hollow staggered as the projectile struck its chest, embedding itself with a muted thud. Naruto barely had time to brace as the firebomb strapped to the arrow detonated. The explosion tore through the hollow's body, the force ripping apart its armor. The blast's shockwave brushed past Naruto, but his meat shield absorbed the worst of it, leaving him shaken but unharmed.

    Way of Focality flared again—a hollow approaching from behind, sword raised high for a killing blow. He barely had time to think. His fingers blurred through the hand signs, activating the Substitution Jutsu. In an instant, he found himself standing behind the hollow instead of in front of it, kunai in hand as he slit the hollow's throat.

    Naruto looked on in disbelief. A spear-wielding hollow had been shoved forward—kicked—by the crossbow hollow standing behind it.

    It's like a human barking orders to a dog. The crossbow hollow growled again, and the spear hollow moved forward, its movements carrying just enough intent to follow the "command."

    "The crossbow hollow… it's the closest to my soul drop," Naruto muttered as he glanced at the ledge above. "It must've absorbed my souls and leveled up."

    So it increased intelligence too?

    "Oi, thief! Give me back my souls!"

    The crossbow hollow gave him a response by firing an arrow.

    Naruto replied by hurling a kunai.

    The two projectiles collided mid-air with a sharp clang, the force of the impact deflecting the arrow off course.

    The smoke bomb attached to the kunai's hilt detonated with a loud pop. Thick, choking smoke billowed out, engulfing the area and obscuring the hollows from view.

    Naruto wasted no time. He made two shadow clones, one of which crouched low, lacing its fingers together. Naruto stepped onto its hands as the clone launched him high into the air.

    "Up here!" Naruto yelled, drawing the hollows' attention upward.

    The crossbow hollow turned, aiming its weapon at the airborne Naruto.

    From within the smoke cloud below, unseen by the hollow, Naruto's clone hurled a fuma shuriken. The massive, curved blade spun silently as it cut through the dense smoke, hidden from view. It arced wide, hugging the bridge's edge in a sharp curve before emerging from the fog without warning.

    The shuriken struck with a deafening crunch, slamming into the crossbow hollow's weapon. The force shattered the crossbow instantly, fragments of wood and metal scattering in every direction as the hollow staggered back, momentarily disarmed.

    The original grinned as he descended from above, the air rushing past him. Years of prank-filled escapades had made falling an art form for him. He angled himself perfectly, landing with both feet on the crossbow hollow's shoulder. The impact sent it crashing onto the concrete floor with a loud thud.

    Naruto didn't hesitate. He raised his fist, chakra surging into his arm, ready to bash the hollow's skull in when he saw the jaw clicked open, revealing a firebomb lodged inside its mouth.

    Seriously? Naruto's eyes widened, and he reacted instantly, equipping the talisman in his hand. As the hollow bit down, the firebomb detonated.

    Boom! The explosion sent flames and shockwaves rippling outward.

    Naruto acted on pure instinct, activating the Force miracle. A burst of energy erupted from his talisman, creating a shockwave that pushed the fire away from his body. The air hissed around him as the flames dissipated harmlessly, leaving him unharmed.

    As the smoke cleared, Naruto glanced down to see the hollow's broken, lifeless body. The faint glow of a soul orb floated upward from its remains.

    "Not so smart after all, huh?"

    But the moment of triumph didn't last. He heard guttural growls and the heavy clank of metal. Turning his head, he spotted the spear-wielding hollow charging through the smoke cloud, its weapon raised for another strike.

    Naruto smirked, casually tossing the talisman between his hands.
    "Watch your back!"

    The hollow paused, but before it could react, Naruto's shadow clone lunged from the smoke behind it. The clone swung the Zweihander in a heavy, overhand attack, the massive blade slamming down onto the hollow's head with a sickening crunch.

    The clone popped in a puff of smoke from the force of the strike, but the hollow staggered, disoriented and off balance. Naruto seized the opportunity, gripping his own Zweihander tightly as he followed through with a heavy attack of his own.

    Naruto exhaled, resting the Zweihander on his shoulder as he surveyed the area. The smoke was beginning to clear, and the battlefield was eerily silent once again. But something caught his eye.

    Hidden against a stack of crates, partially covered in shadows, was a narrow staircase leading downward.

    A grin spread across Naruto's face as he adjusted the grip on his sword.
    "Why not?"

    Without a second thought, he smashed through the crates, sending splinters and debris flying. There was something fun about it, something childlike and satisfying about just… breaking things. He swung his arms like a kid knocking down sandcastles, laughing a little as the wood shattered around him.

    "That was fun, dattebayo!"

    With a skip in his step, Naruto made his way down the strange concrete staircase. The room he stepped into was dim and dusty, lined with old wooden pillars that led to a balcony on one side and a hall on the other. His eyes scanned the place, catching movement behind a set of rickety shelves. A hollow was crouching there, probably thinking it was hidden.

    "Hey, geniuses," Naruto called out. "If you're gonna hide, maybe try crouching lower. Might work better."

    Not that he expected a response.

    He got a mischievous idea, something a little old-school prank style. With a grin, he pulled out a firebomb and tossed it right at the shelves. Flames licked up the wood, engulfing the hollow. Naruto waited for some kind of reaction—a scream, a dance, anything. But the thing just burned, unfazed. Guess the dead really don't have a funny bone, he muttered, rolling his eyes at his own joke. Lame.

    The half-burnt hollow charged at him with a massive axe raised high. Naruto twisted just in time, dodging the swing and hearing the axe thud against the ground. Before it could pull back, he planted his foot on the axe's blade, channeling chakra into his foot to hold it steady. The hollow struggled, trying to yank it free, but Naruto wasn't budging.

    "Just pull harder. I know this is very embarrassing for you, but you're dead, so…"

    Then, with a grunt, the hollow jumped back, releasing the axe and lunging at him bare-handed. Quick as a flash, Naruto grabbed the axe by the handle, swinging it up and into the hollow's face. The blade struck its open jaw, driving the head straight into the doorframe. He pressed harder, splitting its head like a piece of wood.

    Naruto laughed, holding up his new weapon triumphantly.
    "New weapon! Now we're talking!"

    "Can you… shut up?!" a voice hissed from the balcony, making him jump out of his skin.

    His heart nearly stopped. He wasn't expecting that.

    He threw the axe into his inventory and tightened his grip on the Zweihander. Naruto inched forward and tiptoed along the wall, trying to keep silent. When he peeked around the doorframe, what he saw was… definitely not what he'd expected.

    A hollow was sitting there, right on the ground, like he was selling something at a market stall. He looked skeletal, with hollow eyes and rotting skin stretched tight over his bones. His clothes were dark and tattered, blending right into the shadows around him. Scattered around him were old, worn pots, cracked barrels, and containers that looked like they'd been through a war or two.

    "Hey, so did you just talk?"

    "Of course," the hollow replied, sounding almost amused. "I haven't gone hollow yet. And you… you seem to have your wits about you, hmm?" He looked Naruto up and down. "Then you are a welcome customer! I trade for souls. Everything's for sale!" The merchant let out a raspy laugh, reaching into one of the crates around him and pulling out a few items.

    Naruto's mind reeled as he took in this odd scene. Here he was, in the middle of a place where everything and everyone tried to kill him, talking to a hollow merchant with the weirdest sales pitch he'd ever heard. He glanced to the side, noting the system window that had popped up, showing the merchant's inventory.

    Well… this just got interesting.

    [ Purchase Wares ]
    [ Items ]
    — [ Repair Powder -     500 Souls ]
    — [ Throwing Knife -     10 Souls ]
    — [ Firebomb -     50 Souls ]
    — [ Lloyd's Talisman -     500 Souls ]
    — [ Orange Guidance Soapstone -     100 Souls ]
    [ Key Items ]
    [ Weapons ]
    [ Ammunition ]
    [ Armour ]

    "Quick question," Naruto said. "Are you the asshole selling firebombs to those hollows?"

    The merchant let out a wheezy, raspy laugh. "Oh, heavens, no! I don't trade with mindless, twitchin' beasts. Why, they'd sooner rip my limbs off than pay me a fair price, eh? Not my ideal customer."

    "Good," Naruto replied, cracking a grin. "Because I was about ready to buy every single firebomb you had and shove 'em right up your bony ass."

    The merchant gave a sort of dry chuckle that almost sounded like a cough. "Well, good for me then, lad. Now, what can I interest you in today?"

    Naruto's eyes went to the firebombs laid out in front of him. Annoying as they were, he couldn't deny their usefulness. Plus, he also really wanted that repair powder.

    After a few clicks through the system menu, Naruto had spent a thousand souls, picking up ten firebombs and a sack of repair powder. The powder itself was kind of odd—a small, rough sack filled with glowing yellow dust. The bag looked like it had seen better days, and the powder inside gave off a warm glow, almost comforting. He shrugged and took out Oscar's old sword—well, the hilt, at least—and dumped the powder over it.

    Nothing.

    The boy shot the man a glare, but the merchant only grinned wider, raising his bony hands in mock innocence.

    "Ohhh, now, don't be mad at me, lad!" the merchant said. "That powder fixes up the durability of yer weapon, not a total repair job. Best it can do is patch up a crack or two. Now, why not get yerself a proper weapon, eh? This piece o' crap's as dead as the hollows, I'd say."

    For a moment, anger flared in his chest, hot and immediate. His first instinct was to snap back, to defend Oscar's sword, to remind this guy that he didn't know the first thing about what this blade meant.

    But then he stopped himself.

    The words sat on the edge of his tongue, but Naruto swallowed them back, forcing himself to take a breath.

    This isn't like Kiba, he thought, the memory of the day flickering in his mind. When Kiba had insulted Oscar's sword, it felt personal—like an attack on Oscar himself, on everything he had stood for. Naruto had been in a raw state back then, still grieving, still trying to figure out what it meant to carry on someone else's legacy.

    But this guy?

    Naruto glanced at the merchant, who was busy admiring his own wares and muttering to himself about profits. The merchant wasn't mocking Oscar, wasn't trying to disrespect the sword or its history. He didn't even know its history. He was just... being a merchant. Loud, annoying, practical.

    The anger still simmered, but it felt distant now, not worth acting on. Oscar's sword didn't need defending—not from someone like this. Its worth wasn't in how it looked or how sharp it was.

    It was in the legacy it carried, and no insult could tarnish that.

    "Words can hurt, yes, but they don't justify violence. If you want to grow into a shinobi people can trust, you need to learn to control yourself. A true ninja doesn't let their emotions dictate their actions."

    He let Hiruzen's words settle for a moment, his grip loosening. The merchant didn't know the weight of Oscar's sword or its legacy. And now that he thought about it… Kiba probably didn't, either. Back then, Naruto had acted purely out of grief, his emotions running unchecked. That had been the real reason he lashed out—not because Kiba deserved it, but because Naruto wasn't ready to deal with the weight of his own loss.

    Naruto sighed. Yeah… I think I'll maybe apologize to Kiba when I meet him again.

    "Yeah, yeah."

    "Heh, that's the spirit, lad! Got myself a nice spear here—sharp as your wit, I'd wager!"

    But that didn't mean Naruto was going to let the insult slide. Oh no, the merchant had earned himself some petty payback.

    For the next hour, Naruto lingered at the stall, pretending to browse. He'd pick up an item, turning it over in his hands like it was a priceless treasure, only to put it back with a loud, noncommittal "Hmmmm..."

    The merchant, ever the salesman, prattled on with exaggerated enthusiasm, his cackling laugh punctuating every pitch.

    Naruto picked up a club reinforced with rusted barbed wire and strips of leather.

    "What is this supposed to be? A club for self-defense or a really bad DIY project?"

    The merchant puffed out his chest proudly. "That there is the Reinforced Club, a masterpiece of utility! Leather grip, barbed wire for extra pain, perfect for bashin' heads!"

    Naruto squinted at the weapon, his finger poking at the nailed-on leather. "The grip is literally falling apart. And rusted barbed wire? Is that supposed to kill someone or give 'em tetanus?"

    The merchant waved a hand dismissively. "Bah, tetanus is killing someone, just slower. I call that long-term effectiveness!"

    "Well, I'm not looking to catch a disease from my own weapon."

    The merchant groaned dramatically. "Bah! You wouldn't know quality if it bit you on the backside!"

    Naruto smirked, giving the club a few test swings. The barbed wire rattled with every motion, the leather pommel already threatening to come loose. "Does this come with a warranty?"

    "Aye," the merchant growled. "The warranty is me not smackin' you upside the head with it!"

    Naruto gasped mockingly, feigning deep offense. He adjusted his grip, swinging the club again—this time, "accidentally" letting it slip from his hands. The club flew off the ledge with a faint whoosh.

    Silence.

    Then, the sound of the club clanging off something below echoed faintly in the distance.

    "I swear that was an accident."

    The merchant's hollowed jaw tightened as he glared at Naruto. "Just pay me for the club."

    "Ehhh, I don't know about that. Kinda feels like the club wasn't up to standard, y'know? Pretty slippery grip..."

    The merchant's cackle was gone, replaced by a cold silence as he slowly reached behind him and pulled out his Uchigatana. The blade gleamed menacingly in the dim light.

    "You're going to pay. One way or another!"

    "Nuh-uh!"

    Before the merchant could take a step, Naruto hurled a smoke bomb to the ground. The area filled with a thick cloud, and when it cleared, Naruto was gone.

    "Yulia…" The merchant muttered under his breath. "Next time, I'm gutting that brat."

    Far away, Naruto's laughter echoed faintly through the air. It was a small victory, and he couldn't stop grinning.

    "Totally worth it!"

    Naruto walked down the hall, the path twisted a few times until it opened up to a narrow pathway. Just up ahead was a bright red ladder leading upwards, but four hollows stood in the way, looking about as mindless as the ones from back in the Northern Undead Asylum. His fingers itched to get moving. Those hollows had been perfect target practice back then, and honestly, he was feeling kinda nostalgic.

    "Alright," he muttered under his breath, cracking his knuckles, "time to see if all that kata training pays off."

    He took a step forward, and like clockwork, two of the hollows charged him, swinging their jagged daggers all over the place. Their moves were sloppy and wide open. This was gonna be fun. Naruto shifted his weight slightly, grounding himself, and prepared for the first strike.

    The first hollow lunged, aiming its dagger right at him. Kata one, he thought, sliding his right foot back as he twisted his torso just enough to let the blade zip by. His left hand shot out, grabbing the hollow's wrist and pulling it forward, just enough to throw it off balance. Then, without wasting a second, he brought his knee up hard, driving it into the hollow's gut, making it stagger backward. Naruto finished it off with a punch straight to its throat. Quick, brutal, and satisfying.

    First down, three to go. Not bad, huh? he thought.

    The second hollow wasn't far behind, coming in with a sloppy overhead swing. Naruto ducked low, shifting his stance to his left, sliding his foot forward to close the distance. As the hollow brought the dagger down, Naruto moved in close and went straight for its jaw with an elbow strike, snapping its head back. In the same breath, his other hand shot up, catching its dagger hand and twisting the wrist until it let go of the blade. Then, he drove his knee into its thigh and shoved it back to the ground for good measure.

    The last two hollows looked at each other like they were trying to come up with a plan. One circled to his right, while the other closed in from the left. Alright, alright, so these guys are actually trying now? Naruto shifted his stance, lowering his center of gravity, and took a deep breath. If they wanted to play it smart, he'd just have to be smarter.

    The hollow on the left jumped first, exactly what Naruto was counting on. Kata three, he reminded himself, stepping right into the hollow's reach instead of backing off. He blocked its strike with his arm and went straight for its throat. Then he twisted, pulling it forward with his momentum, and it stumbled right into his sweep as he kicked its shin out from under it. As it dropped, he brought his fist down on the back of its neck, making sure it was down for good.

    The last hollow froze for a split second, just long enough for Naruto to size it up. He straightened up, exhaled, and locked eyes with it, daring it to make a move. It took the bait, lunging in a clumsy rush. Kata five, he thought, sidestepping to the right to dodge the blade. With one quick motion, he grabbed its wrist, twisted it, and forced it to drop the dagger. Naruto punched it hard in the ribs, making it gasp, then slammed his knee into its face, watching it drop like a sack of rocks.

    Straightening up, Naruto rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck, feeling pretty pleased with himself. Those katas Kakashi drilled into him? Yeah, they weren't flashy, but they got the job done. Every move was smooth, no wasted energy, no frills. Just straight-up efficient.

    "Thanks for the warm-up, guys," he muttered to the fallen hollows, turning his gaze up to the red ladder.

    Climbing up the ladder, Naruto pulled himself onto a rooftop and spotted a corpse nearby clutching a handful of throwing knives. He quickly scooped them up, stashing them in his inventory. Taking a look over the edge of the roof, he realized he was right above the bridge where that dragon had been.

    Glancing at the alarm clock Naruto had brought along to keep track, he knew he had to wrap things up fast. With a deep breath, he jumped down from the roof and headed back to the bonfire, ready to cash in some souls.

    [ Name: Naruto Uzumaki ]
    [ Souls: 1500 ]
    [ Required Souls: 900 ]
    [ Covenant: Way of White ]
    [ Level: 10 → 11 ]
    [ Souls: 666 ]
    [ Attributes: ]
    [ Strength: 16 → 17 ]

    Naruto took a deep breath, feeling his body grow stronger as the power surged through him.

    The boy felt ready to head back to Konoha. Unfortunately, there was one glaring problem.

    [ Souls: 600 ]

    He frowned. If I die, there's no telling which hollow might snatch them up, and I really don't want to come back to find some upgraded hollow using my souls against me.

    Naruto sighed, scratching his head. Man, maybe I should've gone for intelligence instead of strength. Come on, brain. Think, think!

    His mind raced for a solution until an idea came to him.

    [ Item: Ring of Sacrifice ]
    [ Description:     This mystical ring was created in a sacrificial rite of Velka, the Goddess of Sin. Its wearer will lose nothing upon death, but the ring itself breaks. ]

    He held it up, frowning. One-time use only. Sure, it would work for now, but what about the next time… and every time after that?

    If only there was a way to keep it from breaking each time, he thought, the gears in his head spinning. Then, like lightning, an idea struck.

    "Alright, let's test this."

    He slipped the ring onto his finger, then made a shadow clone. Sure enough, the ring appeared on the clone's finger too. A grin spread across Naruto's face as he threw the original back into his inventory.

    Without giving himself time to second-guess the plan, Naruto jumped off the ledge.

    [ You Died ]
    [ Through sacrifice, no souls were lost. Ring of Sacrifice shattered. ]

    The messages flashed in front of him as his vision blurred and he jolted awake in his room back in Konoha.

    The first thing he did was yank open his inventory, and there it was—Ring of Sacrifice, good as new.

    "Yes!" he yelled, his face breaking into a triumphant grin. Before he knew it, he was spinning around the room, doing a goofy dance.

    "Yatta, yatta! Found a loophole! My souls are safe, dattebayo!" he sang, practically skipping around his room.

    Naruto flopped back onto his bed, the wide grin still plastered on his face as he stared up at the ceiling. The rush of success still buzzed in his veins. He reached for the clock on his bedside table and froze.

    "Wait—what the—?!"

    It had only been 40 minutes here in Konoha, but he'd just spent two hours in Lordran. His eyes widened as realization struck.

    That's insane. Two hours there, but barely any time passes here? I could train so much... get stronger way faster.

    A grin crept across his face again, but he quickly shook the thought away. Focus, Naruto. First mission with Team 7 is coming up. You've gotta crush it.

    As he walked to meet his team, his mind drifted, daydreaming about all the wild possibilities.

    Maybe we'll cross the sea to hunt for treasure... fight some pirates... or rescue a lost princess from a society of soul-reapers. Yeah, that'd be awesome!

    Naruto puffed out his chest.

    "Today's mission: Collecting honey."

    Naruto felt like a balloon that had just been popped.

    "...What?" He just stared at the mission scroll Kakashi was holding, the reality of it crashing over him like a bucket of cold water.

    Sakura leaned over, her brow furrowed. "Wait, really?"

    "Yep. Collecting honey. Exciting, isn't it?"

    Naruto's eye twitched. I should've stayed in Lordran…

    "Collecting honey is pretty awesome, Naruto-kun!" Sakura chirped, clearly trying to be optimistic.

    Naruto turned to her, his face deadpan. He began clapping—slow, sarcastic, deliberate. "Wow. Incredible. Truly inspiring."

    "Well, excuse me for trying to make the best out of it!"

    "And here I thought you'd appreciate the finer points of this mission."

    "Yeah, Kakashi-sensei, I think you're confusing me with someone who cares," Naruto grumbled.

    Kakashi's visible eye crinkled in amusement. Without another word, he strolled over to a nearby tree and, to their shock, began walking up it—horizontally. Like it was the most normal thing in the world.

    "Kakashi-sensei…" Sakura whispered, her jaw dropping. "He's—he's walking up a tree!"

    Naruto just squinted, his tone flat. "We're in a genjutsu."

    "Again?"

    Kakashi chuckled from his place high in the tree. "No genjutsu this time, you two. Pay attention!"

    They both looked up at him, still perched casually on the tree trunk.

    "Listen up," he called down. "For the next two weeks, we'll be handling simpler missions around Konoha. But don't think of them as boring. Every one of these tasks will tie into your training one way or another."

    With that, Kakashi reached up into a beehive, swiping a glob of honey as effortlessly as plucking a flower. Then, with an easy hop, he landed right in front of them, holding the honey like a trophy.

    "See? Collecting honey is pretty awesome."

    Naruto stared at the honey in Kakashi's hand, then at Kakashi's unbothered face.

    "How did you do that?" Naruto asked, eyes wide. Already his mind was racing with possibilities. Imagine sticking to walls, scaling cliffs, or even hanging upside-down on the ceilings of Lordran. That kind of ability could change everything.

    "Simple, Naruto. Chakra control," Kakashi said matter-of-factly.

    Naruto's eyes lit up, a mix of excitement and confusion. Sakura had that serious look she got when she was analyzing something, like she was already memorizing every word Kakashi was saying.

    "You see," Kakashi began, "this is what we call chakra control. For something like tree climbing, you've got to focus your chakra at the soles of your feet. Too much, and you'll push yourself off. Too little, and you'll slip. It's all about balance and precision. The soles of your feet are one of the trickiest places to manage chakra, so learning to do it here helps improve your control overall."

    Sakura's eyes gleamed with understanding. "Oh! So this is like an advanced version of the leaf-sticking exercise we did at the academy."

    Naruto groaned. "I suck at that stupid leaf thing! Either the leaf falls off, or it gets stuck and won't come off at all."

    Kakashi raised a hand to stop him. "That's because you're not balancing the flow properly, Naruto. This exercise is all about control. If you don't have good control, you'll drain yourself too fast in a fight or waste chakra where you don't need it."

    Naruto frowned, processing the information. Kakashi could see his brain working hard, so he broke it down even further.

    "Chakra's made up of two parts," he explained, holding up two fingers. "Physical energy, which comes from your body, and spiritual energy, which comes from your mind. The better you control both, the less energy you waste. Master this, and you'll use chakra more efficiently. You won't tire yourself out so quickly, which means you can stay in a fight longer. Make sense?"

    Naruto nodded.

    Without warning, Kakashi tossed two kunai toward them.

    "Use these to mark how far you get up the tree," Kakashi instructed. "The goal is to get to the top and back down without falling. Once you can do that, we'll go collect the honey."

    "So, Kakashi is using training as an excuse to make us do chores," Naruto shot back. "Next thing you know, he's gonna have us 'polishing weapons' to practice strikes or 'painting fences' for arm control. Bet it's all a scam."

    "We get paid for this, Naruto."

    Naruto blinked at Sakura's words, then looked at Kakashi. "Wait, really?"

    Kakashi nodded, his expression as casual as ever.

    Naruto crossed his arms. "You should've started with that."

    "Any other questions?"

    "Yeah… where's Sasuke?"

    "Sasuke? Oh, he's on a different mission today."

    The white-haired cyclops cast a brief glance at the nearby bushes where he knew Sasuke was hiding, his presence giving away his stubborn insistence on being part of the training despite needing rest.

    Naruto shrugged, clearly not caring enough to pry. "Whatever."

    As Naruto and Sakura got to work, Kakashi scribbled a quick note on a piece of cardboard: Go home and rest, Sasuke. He tossed it lightly toward the bushes, where he heard a quiet, irritated "Hn." Kakashi shook his head. Stubborn as ever.

    A loud thud pulled his attention back to the clearing. Naruto was lying flat on the ground, face-first in the dirt, his armor practically embedded in the earth.

    "Wow," Kakashi said, tilting his head upward. "Looks like Sakura's already halfway up her tree. Nice job, Sakura."

    Sakura's laughter echoed down from the branches. "This is easy! Just like the leaf exercise!"

    "Help me, I am stuck!"

    Kakashi stifled a laugh, shaking his head. So that's what the Hokage meant, he thought, when he said the greatest joy of teaching is watching your students fall on their butts while learning chakra control.

    This was going to be a long night, but at least it was entertaining.

    Author's Note: Happy New Year! 🎉

    Let me know what you think of the chapter! Any and all ideas for the future are most appreciated.

    The next chapter drops on January 5th! Can't wait that long? You can read ahead to Chapter 52 on Patreon.

    Thanks so much for your support, as always. You guys make writing this story such an incredible journey.

    Until next time,
    Adamo Amet
     
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    • Chapter no.15 Naruto New
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    • Chapter no.15 Threads of Fate: Bonds, Blades, and Barriers

    The early morning chill bit through Sakura's clothes as she stood in the middle of nowhere. Endless fields of grass stretched around her, disappearing into the thick line of forest in the distance. Everything looked washed out in the pale blue light of dawn, the sun barely a suggestion on the horizon. Five a.m. Really?

    She pulled her arms around herself, yawning as she glanced around. Why was she even here? Simple: Kakashi-sensei told her to be, after she'd asked him how she could learn barrier ninjutsu. Sure, it was kind of a random question, but she figured it couldn't hurt. Now she was thinking he was just messing with her. Kakashi-sensei, early? Yeah, right.

    "Maybe I can just… lie down for a few minutes…" she mumbled, searching for the closest patch of soft-looking grass.

    "Oh, is my cute little genin tired?"

    Sakura practically jumped out of her skin. "K-Kakashi-sensei!" she managed, rubbing her eyes in disbelief.

    "Yes?" he replied, looking far too alert for this ungodly hour.

    "Y-You're… early?" Her mind was still processing. Why was he early, today of all days?

    Kakashi just shrugged. "Well, today I didn't get lost on the road of life," he said, as if that explained anything, looking pleased with himself.

    The road of life, she thought, deadpan, just staring at him. She was too tired to even react. Inner Sakura wanted to shout, Stop being so smug! But even Inner Sakura was tired, so all she could do was give him a blank look as he reached over and ruffled her hair. Normally, that would irritate her, but she hadn't exactly put any effort into it this morning. She barely had the energy to care.

    "Alright, so… when do we start this training?"

    "Oh, well, then let's get going. Can't keep your barrier ninjutsu teacher waiting."

    Then, without missing a beat, he started weaving through an endless stream of hand signs. His fingers moved so quickly they blurred together, each sign flowing into the next with precise speed.

    In an instant, a massive patch of grass ahead of them shimmered, then vanished, as if it had only been an illusion. What lay beneath was a hidden stone stairwell, descending sharply downwards. The sight snapped her fully awake, her mind racing.

    "Ready to head into Konoha's Barrier Corps HQ?"

    The stairway wound downward, the world above disappearing as the walls rose up, closing them into the earth. Step by step, a strange energy seemed to thicken the air around her. With each step, the weight of the place seemed to sink into her bones.

    As they reached the bottom of the stairwell, she stepped into an enormous underground cavern. She barely registered the ceiling above; the space was so expansive, it felt like she'd walked into a stadium. The floor itself was covered by a sealing matrix that stretched endlessly, its intricate lines and symbols written in ink on this giant canvas, forming patterns that coiled and branched across the entire floor. It looked like something that took years—maybe even generations—to create.

    In the center of the matrix was a large, clear crystal orb, nearly as tall as she was. Inside, hundreds of red dots moved, clustered and spread out. Some dots moved quickly, crossing paths with others, while some held still. A few seemed to interact, flaring briefly before separating again. The orb pulsed faintly, reacting to whatever the dots were doing, creating a sense of something alive within it.

    The layout of the space became clearer as she took a few more steps in. High above the sealing matrix, metal bridges crisscrossed the cavern, connecting from one side to the other, suspended by thick chains bolted into the cavern walls. These bridges led to rooms and buildings built into the sides of the walls, their stone facades blending into the cavern's structure. People moved across these bridges, their footsteps echoing faintly in the vast space.

    Below, there were more people scattered across the sealing matrix. Some sat cross-legged in deep meditation, hands placed gently on the lines of the seal. Others spoke in hushed voices, discussing the orb's red dots or jotting down notes on small scrolls. They seemed completely immersed, each person in sync with the energy around them. She couldn't even begin to count how many people filled this place, each focused, each connected to the matrix in some way.

    "So," Kakashi said, "pretty impressive, isn't it?"

    "Sensei… what is all this?"

    "This, Sakura, is Konoha's Barrier Corps HQ. Not many people get to see it, and for good reason. This is the core of the village's security network. Every time someone enters or exits Konoha, that matrix picks it up."

    "Wait… so, the red dots in that crystal orb… are those people?"

    "Got it in one," Kakashi replied, sounding impressed. "Those dots are chakra signatures. Every person in the village has one, kind of like a fingerprint. The barrier records them all—the villagers, the shinobi, even visitors. Each dot shows a unique signature, so the Corps can keep track of who's where, all the time."

    Sakura watched the dots move, some clustering, some drifting apart. "So it's… like a huge surveillance system?"

    "Sort of," Kakashi said. "But it's a bit more sensitive than that. This matrix doesn't just track movement—it senses chakra fluctuations too. Let's say someone's chakra spikes suddenly, like if they're fighting or using a lot of jutsu. That would show up as a disturbance."

    "Wait, so if I were to, I don't know, throw a big jutsu or something, they'd see it here?"

    Kakashi chuckled. "Only if it was strong enough to matter. They're mostly looking for serious spikes—big jutsu, sudden surges, things that could signal trouble. It's how they tell the difference between an academy student practicing fireballs and an actual threat."

    Sakura glanced around at the shinobi meditating on the sealing array and taking notes by the crystal. "And… what are all these people doing?"

    "Good question," Kakashi said. "You see those people meditating on the matrix? Those are sensory ninjas. They're syncing their chakra with the barrier, so they can feel every signature coming in and out of the village. It's not just looking at dots—they're actually feeling the chakra, like an extension of their own senses."

    "So they can just… sense if someone dangerous comes through?"

    "Yep. They're trained to pick up on hostile or unfamiliar chakra, even if it's masked. If something doesn't feel right, they report it immediately. The ones up top, taking notes? They're the analysts. They track and record everything—patterns, anomalies, anything strange that might need a closer look."

    Sakura's eyes widened. "So… this place is like Konoha's immune system."

    Kakashi gave a nod.

    "But… there's so many people here. Just for this?"

    "Yeah. And none of them get any recognition. No missions, no glory, but without them, Konoha would be a lot more vulnerable. They're the silent guards of the village, working in the background to keep things safe."

    Sakura looked at him. "I didn't realize you cared so much about this kind of stuff, Sensei."

    "Well, don't let it get around. I have a reputation to uphold." He paused, glancing back at the vast sealing array with respect. "But the truth is, the village can't survive on just a few strong fighters. We need people like this. People who pay attention to the little things, who work in the shadows. It's the only reason the rest of us get to be out there, fighting."

    "I… didn't know there was this whole other side to protecting the village."

    Kakashi shrugged, his tone casual again. "Most people don't. And that's kind of the point. If this place does its job right, no one has to know it's here. The only ones who notice it are the ones who need to be noticed."

    He tilted his head, watching her reaction. "Still want to learn barrier ninjutsu?"

    "More than ever."

    "Good answer," came another voice, smooth and lazy, as Sakura looked over to see two men approaching them.

    The first man had brown, shoulder-length hair that hung loosely around his face, with a single senbon needle clamped casually between his teeth. His forehead protector was tied like a bandanna, and he wore the standard jōnin attire with a certain relaxed confidence. He looked at Sakura with a faint smirk, as if he already knew everything there was to know about her.

    Beside him stood another jōnin with a distinctive feature: a scar like a jagged welt ran across the bridge of his nose and down one side of his face. His brown spiky hair and dark eyes gave him a serious, almost brooding look. Unlike his companion, he didn't seem inclined to smile. Instead, he examined Sakura with a calm, assessing gaze. His hands were wrapped in black bandages, and she noticed the faint glint of metal rings on a few of his fingers.

    "Genma. Raido," Kakashi greeted them with a nod. "I see you two managed to tear yourselves away from lounging around the mess hall."

    Genma gave a lazy shrug, the senbon in his mouth shifting from one side to the other. "We heard there was a new recruit," he said, glancing at Sakura with a glint of curiosity. "Didn't expect it to be one of your students, though, Kakashi."

    "Ah, Sakura's a fast learner," Kakashi replied smoothly. "And I knew the Barrier Corps could use some fresh talent. Figured she could handle you two without too much trouble."

    Raido raised an eyebrow, his scar stretching slightly with the motion. "We're not here to scare her off," he said. "But she'll need to prove she's serious. Barrier work isn't for everyone."

    "I'm ready for whatever you have planned."

    Genma chuckled. "Confident. I like that." He turned to Kakashi with a sly grin. "Mind if I give her a little test? Just to see if she's got the control for this kind of work?"

    "Be my guest. Though you might want to be careful—Sakura's full of surprises."

    Genma's smirk widened, and he pulled the senbon from his mouth, twirling it between his fingers with practiced ease. "Alright, Sakura. Think you can balance this?" He held out the toothpick-sized needle, raising an eyebrow.

    Sakura reached out, taking the senbon carefully. She felt the weight—light, almost insubstantial. But she knew what this was about. Chakra control. She glanced at Kakashi, who gave her an encouraging nod.

    Taking a deep breath, she focused, channeling chakra into her fingertips, letting it flow evenly through the senbon. Slowly, she lifted her hand, balancing the needle upright on her index finger. It wobbled for a moment, and she adjusted her chakra flow, steadying it until the senbon was perfectly still.

    Genma's smirk faded slightly, replaced by a look of genuine surprise. He leaned in, squinting at the needle as if he couldn't believe his eyes. "First try… huh."

    "What's the matter, Genma? Didn't you need, what… a dozen tries before you managed that?"

    Genma shot kakashi a look. "I could get it to balance. Just couldn't keep it steady for more than a few seconds."

    Raido chuckled softly. "Looks like you've been shown up, Genma."

    Genma grumbled. "Beginner's luck. Maybe she's just a natural."

    "A natural? I thought that was you, Genma. Weren't you telling everyone how you'd mastered chakra control when you were, what, ten?"

    Genma huffed, flicking the senbon back into his mouth. "Hey, it's not as easy as it looks. You'd know that if you actually practiced this stuff, Kakashi."

    "Oh, but I do practice," Kakashi replied, deadpan. "I just happen to be better at it."

    Sakura watched the exchange, a little surprised by Kakashi's uncharacteristic teasing. He almost seemed… protective. Her heart lifted a bit—Kakashi wasn't the type to go out of his way for just anyone. Sensei is awesome, Inner Sakura yelled proudly.

    "Alright, alright. You've got talent, I'll give you that. But raw talent only gets you so far. You'll need to work your butt off if you want to make something of it." Genma glanced at Raido. "Think she can keep up?"

    "She might. And the kid will have to, considering Kakashi pulled some strings to get her a teacher."

    "You… really did that, Sensei?"

    Kakashi gave her a lazy wave, brushing it off as if it was no big deal. "Well, my cute little genin wanted to dabble in barrier ninjutsu, so I thought, why not? I'm not much of a barrier expert myself, so I just… asked around."

    Genma chuckled. "And you just happened to land on Iwashi? Really, Kakashi? Out of all the possible instructors, you picked him?"

    "Did you lose a bet or something?"

    Kakashi shrugged. "Iwashi's a good teacher."

    Genma and Raido both raised their eyebrows in perfect synchronization, then looked at each other before turning back to Kakashi.

    "In what world?"

    Kakashi's eye crinkled. "In the world where I trust him to push Sakura to her limits. Isn't that what matters?"

    Sakura took a deep breath, grounding herself, steadying her nerves. She reminded herself of Tenten's words about being a part of a bigger machine. Every cog has its role, she thought. This is how I contribute to Team 7.

    Sakura followed Kakashi, Genma, and Raido across the metal bridge, expecting something grand or imposing. But when she looked around, her first thought was how… ordinary it seemed.

    Honestly, it wasn't anything special. The place felt more like an office than the heart of Konoha's defenses. The walls were plain concrete, gray and utilitarian, with no decoration or personal touches.

    Genma said, turning to Sakura. "Bet you five ryo he's standing there with a coffee and the morning paper, halfway through, like he always is."

    "Now that's just a losing bet."

    Sakura gave them a confused look, wondering if they were exaggerating. But as they stepped inside, there he was: a man in his late twenties, dark eyes focused on the newspaper in his hand, a coffee cup in the other. He had brown hair and a small goatee, and wore a simple grey uniform—identical to the others working in the Barrier Corps. He looked… ordinary. Incredibly ordinary. Like he could have been a clerk at a library, not a barrier specialist in Konoha's security network.

    Genma leaned over to Sakura, whispering, "Now he's gonna head to the fridge, grab a slice of sourdough, eat about two-thirds, sip his coffee, finish the rest, then wash it down. Watch."

    To Sakura's surprise, Iwashi did exactly that, moving with an almost mechanical precision. He finished his coffee, tossed the paper cup into the trash, then folded his newspaper with care, as if he were completing some kind of daily ritual.

    "Now he's going to come over and introduce himself like he's never met a stranger in his life," Genma said, smirking.

    Iwashi finally looked up, his expression calm and unreadable. He gave a small nod to each of them. "Kakashi. Genma. Raido." Then his gaze settled on Sakura, who straightened under his steady stare.

    "Iwashi Tatami."

    Sakura nodded back, trying to keep a straight face. "Sakura Haruno. It's… nice to meet you."

    He looked at her for a moment longer, his eyes giving nothing away, then nodded. "Haruno. You're going to shadow me. My job is to introduce you to the fundamentals of barrier work. Your job is to pay attention, take notes, and stay out of the way."

    Sakura's heart sank as she realized she didn't have a notebook. She hadn't even known she was supposed to bring one, and Iwashi's sharp gaze made her feel like this was already some kind of test she was failing. Just as she was about to panic, Kakashi stepped forward, holding out a small, leather-bound notebook.

    "Here, Sakura... You'll need this."

    Relieved, Sakura took it, but her relief quickly turned to embarrassment as she noticed the cover. It was covered in tiny, doodled chibi Sasukes, all in different dramatic poses, with little hearts floating around them. Her face went bright red as she looked up to see Kakashi, Genma, and Raido barely containing their laughter.

    She shot Kakashi a look, her blush deepening. I'll get back at you for this, Sensei. Shanaro! Inner Sakura fumed.

    "You are a grown man, Kakashi-sensei," she muttered, clutching the notebook to her chest.

    Genma snorted, nearly doubling over with laughter. Raido was shaking with silent laughter, trying to keep a straight face but clearly failing. Kakashi just shrugged innocently.

    "It's important to have a personal touch, Sakura."

    Suddenly, Kakashi gave her a gentle nudge, inclining his head toward Iwashi, who was glancing down at his watch with an air of practiced patience, as if he lived every moment according to a strict schedule.

    Sakura quickly straightened, the last of her embarrassment fading as she focused on Iwashi, who finally looked up, his expression calm and collected.

    "Any questions you have, write them down in that notebook. You can ask them at lunch. I'll also be giving you daily tasks. Small assignments to practice what you learn here. You'll be judged on consistency and attention to detail. If you can't keep up…" He paused. "Then don't waste my time."

    "Understood, Iwashi-sensei."

    Iwashi's expression remained neutral. "Good. Then let's get started."

    "Better not dawdle. He's not exactly the patient type."

    She hurried after Iwashi, her notebook clutched tightly in her hands as they wove through the winding corridors of the facility. Iwashi moved with purpose, never glancing back to see if she was keeping up. He pointed out various rooms and sections as they passed, his explanations clipped and efficient.

    Sakura had a hundred questions swirling in her mind, but she kept them to herself, jotting them down in her notebook as they continued through the Barrier Corps HQ. To her surprise, though, Iwashi led her out of the building entirely and toward Konoha's southern gate.

    The southern wall loomed above them, stretching as far as she could see, crafted from dense, sturdy wood. This wasn't ordinary lumber—it was said to be grown by the First Hokage himself, Hashirama Senju, using his Wood Release. The wall extended all around the village, up to the base of the Hokage Mountain, where it anchored Konoha's outermost defenses.

    Without a word, Iwashi began scaling the wall, his chakra perfectly controlled as he walked up the vertical surface as if it were second nature. Sakura followed quickly, focusing to keep her own chakra flow steady as they climbed.

    Once they reached the top, Iwashi stopped and knelt down, pulling a small pot of ink and a fine calligraphy brush from his tool pouch. Without any wasted movement, he dipped the brush in ink and began renewing a long, intricate strip of sealing script that ran the length of the wall. His strokes were precise, each one flowing smoothly into the next, as he moved down the ten-meter section with practiced ease.

    Sakura watched, mesmerized. There was a calm efficiency in the way he worked, almost meditative. His brush barely hesitated, gliding across the surface in a steady, fluid rhythm. She could feel the faint pulse of chakra weaving into the symbols as he painted.

    Once the seal was restored, Iwashi moved through a series of hand signs. He clapped his hands together, then slowly pulled them apart, drawing out delicate blue threads of chakra. Sakura gasped as the threads wove together, twisting and interlocking like fibers forming a cloth. They shimmered in the morning sunlight, forming a complex lattice that hardened into a barrier. Iwashi placed it carefully above the seal he'd just painted, and the barrier settled with a soft glow, integrating seamlessly into the invisible dome surrounding Konoha.

    "Wow…" Sakura whispered, staring as the barrier faded into transparency, becoming part of the larger protective field.

    Iwashi didn't respond, already moving to the next section. For the next few hours, he repeated the process over and over—renewing the seals, weaving the barrier threads, then moving to the next stretch of wall. Sakura followed along, observing him in silence, marveling at his endurance and precision. He worked tirelessly, barely pausing to breathe, until at last he stopped for lunch, sitting down on the edge of the wall and pulling out a simple bento box.

    Sakura hesitated before sitting beside him, her notebook in hand. She glanced at him nervously, not wanting to disturb his rest.

    "Questions?" Iwashi said, without looking up.

    "Well… aren't you tired, sensei? You've been working non-stop for hours. I mean… doesn't this drain a lot of chakra?"

    "Irrelevant. Either ask your questions now or eat your lunch. I gave you the time; use it."

    Sakura bit her tongue, feeling a bit stung. She'd only wanted to show some concern. Fine, Inner Sakura said. If he wants questions, I'll give him questions.

    "Alright then," she said. "Why is it called 'barrier ninjutsu' when you're using so much… well, fuinjutsu?"

    Iwashi nodded, as if he'd expected this question. "There are two types of barrier techniques: Offensive and Defensive. Offensive barriers are often pure ninjutsu—used in combat to trap or attack enemies, usually temporary and chakra-intensive. Defensive barriers, on the other hand, rely heavily on fuinjutsu and are designed to be stable, long-lasting. Because of that, barrier work is usually categorized under ninjutsu."

    Sakura's brow furrowed. "So… what's the formal name?"

    "Kekkai Jutsu," he replied, his tone patient but precise. "It's split into two main types, offensive and defensive. The distinction is largely for the archives. Out in the field, people just call it 'barrier ninjutsu.'"

    She nodded, jotting that down, but another question popped up immediately. "Why do we use fuinjutsu for defensive barriers? Isn't fuinjutsu… complicated? I thought it was one of the hardest paths a shinobi could take."

    Iwashi raised an eyebrow, his mouth twitching slightly at the corner, like he almost wanted to smile. "Two questions at once. But I'll allow it. First, we use fuinjutsu because, unlike pure ninjutsu, a properly crafted seal can maintain a barrier long after we've left. If I tried to sustain this barrier with my own chakra alone, I'd collapse in less than an hour. The seal sustains it for us. Think of it as anchoring the barrier to the wall, rather than to my own chakra reserves."

    Sakura scribbled furiously. "So… how often do you have to renew them?"

    "Every twelve hours," he replied. "There's an entire branch dedicated to maintaining and replacing these seals around the village. It's constant work. Like sweeping the floors—if you miss even one section, you create a weak spot."

    Sakura absorbed this, thinking of the endless dedication it must take to keep the entire village's defenses in place. "And… what about the fuinjutsu?"

    "Fuinjutsu is complicated if you're trying to create new seals. Crafting a seal from scratch—designing it, testing it, ensuring it functions without backfiring—that's an art. And yes, it's one of the hardest arts a shinobi can pursue. But here, we're not creating new fuinjutsu. We're following a blueprint. Every single seal I've painted today was designed by the Second Hokage himself. A masterpiece of efficiency."

    He gestured to the faintly glowing strip he'd just completed. "All we do is replicate it. Copy and maintain. We're not trying to match the genius of Tobirama Senju. We're just preserving his work. So for defensive barriers, it's about precision and memorization, not innovation."

    "So… I'm learning defensive barriers?"

    Iwashi nodded.

    "What if I wanted to learn offensive barriers?"

    "Offensive barriers? That's a different story. Those are jutsu meant for the battlefield—traps, containment fields, techniques to lock down or even crush enemies. They're volatile, require immense chakra, and a much deeper understanding of elemental ninjutsu. To even begin learning them, you'd need to be at the level of a Tokubetsu Jōnin."

    Sakura's eyes widened.

    "Focus on the basics, on the defensive side, and perhaps… one day."

    Sakura nodded, feeling both humbled and motivated.

    "Honestly, I think I need to digest everything I've learned today. Maybe I'll ask more questions tomorrow. For now… what's my assignment?"

    Iwashi gave a small, approving nod. "Good. Knowing when to absorb information is just as important as knowing when to seek it." He held up his hand, tapping his fingers thoughtfully. "Your first task is simple, but foundational. You need to learn how to create a single chakra thread."

    Without responding directly, Iwashi brought his hand to his mouth, wetting his thumb and forefinger. Then he pressed his fingers together, drawing them apart slowly. A thin line of mucus stretched between them, glistening in the sunlight. He looked at her and gave a tiny smirk.

    Sakura's lips pursed in disgust.

    Iwashi chuckled, amused by her reaction. "Look closer, Haruno. Think of this like the structure of a chakra thread. Just like how the mucus is connecting my fingers, a chakra thread is formed by focusing and stretching your chakra into a thin, cohesive line. The key is in control—keeping it steady and connected, even as you move."

    She looked at his fingers again, this time with more focus, trying to see past the unpleasantness. "So… tension?"

    "Precisely. You're creating a link between two points and holding it together, just like this line of mucus. But with chakra, it's a lot harder. If your control slips, the thread will break or dissipate. You need to keep it focused and stable, but also flexible, so it doesn't snap. The thread should feel almost… sticky. Cohesive. Like it wants to cling to itself."

    "So… that's how you do it."

    Iwashi's eyebrow arched. "What do you mean?"

    Without hesitation, Sakura pressed her palms together, focusing her chakra between them. She took a deep breath, then slowly pulled her hands apart. A single, faint blue thread of chakra stretched between her fingers, shimmering softly in the light.

    Iwashi's eyes widened slightly, and he just stared, speechless for a moment.

    "How…?"

    "Well, I've been watching you all morning, trying to understand how you were creating those chakra threads for the barrier. I kept going over it in my head, breaking down each step. Your explanation with the… um… mucus analogy helped me see what I was missing. I wasn't applying enough tension, or keeping the flow steady."

    Iwashi blinked, then let out a quiet chuckle. "You're a quick study, Haruno." His expression softened. "I wasn't expecting you to pick it up that fast. You have a bright future ahead of you."

    "Thank you, sensei. I'll do my best not to disappoint you."

    Iwashi nodded. "Nothing more I can ask. But since you've already completed the first assignment… let's move on to the next."

    "I'm ready. What's next?"

    Sasuke lay in bed, his body restless even though he'd slept longer than he ever had. Every part of him felt tense, ready to leap into action, to throw a punch or focus his chakra. But there was nothing for him to do. Just a full week of rest, as if rest was what he needed. As if he could just switch off this burning need to move, to train, to chase down the shadows of his nightmares.

    Withdrawal. That's what it felt like. His body, his mind—they were screaming for him to get up and train.

    He dropped to the floor, his arms already braced for push-ups, when Kakashi's voice echoed in his mind like a taunt: Rest. The word was a curse, a binding chain, and it took everything in him to push himself back up, seething.

    How could he rest when Itachi was out there, when his enemy was getting stronger with every passing second?

    Sasuke sat up with a scowl, pushing the blanket away. His room felt stifling, almost like a cage. He glanced around, his gaze sweeping over the plain walls, the small table with its scattered books, the bed he'd lain in for far too long. His eyes drifted to the cabinet in the corner, and then to the old gramophone sitting on top of it. He hadn't touched it in years. It had been a gift from his mother, something she'd brought back from the Land of Snow.

    He stood up and walked over to it, his hand brushing against the dusty surface. His mother had loved this gramophone. He could still remember her laughter as she'd explained how it worked, how she'd insisted on playing her favorite songs for him, her face lighting up like she'd found a treasure. She used to play music when the house was quiet, just the two of them. She'd put on one of her upbeat records and take his hands, guiding him in a clumsy dance around the room, her voice soft and gentle as she laughed at his stumbling steps.

    Sasuke swallowed, his throat tight. He didn't have many memories like that, not with her, not with any of them. Just fragments, bits and pieces he clung to because they were all he had left. And yet, here it was, something she'd left behind, something he'd barely looked at since that night.

    On a whim, he lifted the gramophone's lid and searched for a record. His fingers brushed over a familiar one, the label worn from use. He could almost hear her voice saying, This one's my favorite, Sasuke.

    Slowly, almost hesitantly, he placed the record on the turntable, set the needle, and stepped back as the music crackled to life. The song was bright, cheerful—a melody that seemed to fill the whole room, lifting the heaviness that had settled over him.

    Without thinking, Sasuke took a step, then another, letting his body sway to the music. His movements were stiff at first, awkward, like he was forgetting how to dance, how to let go. But as the melody continued, his feet found their rhythm, and he began to move like he had all those years ago, the way his mother had taught him. His arms stretched out, reaching for hands that weren't there, and he could almost imagine her beside him, guiding him, laughing as they spun together.

    For a few precious moments, he wasn't alone.

    He could almost smell her lavender perfume, feel the light touch of her fingers as they brushed against his cheek. His mother's hands had always been warm, guiding him gently, like he was something precious. He could still hear her laughter, soft and bubbling as she twirled him around, her face full of a joy he hadn't seen in anyone else since. Her voice echoed faintly in his memory: Sasuke, you'll grow up to be someone amazing. I just know it.

    He closed his eyes, letting the memories wash over him, letting himself fall into the past. He was a child again, clumsy and carefree, held safe by someone who loved him more than anything in the world.

    The song played on, filling the empty spaces in his heart, stirring memories he'd buried deep. For the first time in years, he let himself feel something other than anger. He let himself remember what it had been like before everything fell apart.

    As the final notes faded, silence poured back into the room like cold water, flooding every corner, settling like a weight on his shoulders. It was a silence so thick, it felt like he could choke on it. The music had left a ringing in his ears, a phantom echo of the warmth and joy he'd felt so briefly, like a sliver of sunlight slipping behind storm clouds.

    He was alone.

    Suddenly, the silence was shattered by the memory.

    The blood on the tatami floor. The lifeless look in Itachi's eyes as he stood over their bodies, his face a mask of indifference. Sasuke squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block it out, but it was there, burned into his mind, as much a part of him as his own name. He could hear the echo of his taunting words.

    "You're weak. Why are you so weak? Because you lack… hatred. Hate me. Detest me. Run. Run and cling to your pitiful life. And one day, when you possess the same eyes as I do… come and find me."

    Anger, grief, longing—it all bled together, filling him with a pain that had nowhere to go. He felt like he was drowning in it, like he was still that scared little boy watching his world burn around him.

    Before he could stop himself, his fist collided with the wall beside him. He wanted to tear that gramophone apart, to throw it against the wall until it shattered. How dare it bring back those memories, tease him with a warmth that was gone forever? How dare it make him remember?

    A single tear slipped down Sasuke's cheek before he could stop it. He wiped it away quickly, almost angrily, hating the weakness it exposed. But the ache in his chest didn't go anywhere. It just sank deeper, a weight he couldn't shake—a constant reminder of everything he'd lost.

    This is just another test, he told himself bitterly. Kakashi has the Mangekyo Sharingan… he knows what it takes. Rest wasn't some kind of reward. It was a trial, a different kind of challenge, like enduring a brutal training session. Kakashi wanted him to feel this—to sit in the silence, to confront the emptiness instead of running from it.

    But knowing that didn't make it easier.

    It felt like punishment, worse than any physical training, harsher than any sparring match. Because resting meant facing the silence, facing the hollow ache that wouldn't go away. Resting meant accepting the truth: he was alone. The last of his family, his clan, his memories.

    The lone avenger.

    The streets of Konoha bustled with the everyday noise of village life, filling the air with a mix of voices, laughter, and the occasional vendor hawking their wares. Sasuke walked through the paths, hands stuffed in his pockets, letting the noise wash over him. It wasn't the peace of solitude he usually craved, but after hours alone in his room, anything was better than that silence.

    He paused at a food stand, his eyes drifting over trays of freshly made onigiri. The vendor greeted him with a friendly nod, and Sasuke handed over a few coins in exchange for a neatly wrapped rice ball. As he walked away, he took a bite, savoring the simple flavor.

    A little further down the road, Sasuke spotted a group of kids playing a game of beigoma. They crouched in a tight circle around a small dirt arena, eyes glued to their spinning tops as they clashed, sparks and dust flying. Each hit sent gasps and cheers rippling through the group. One boy shouted with delight as his top knocked another clean out of the ring, his grin wide with victory.

    There was a faint tug in his chest, a feeling he couldn't quite place. The kids were so… carefree. Untouched by loss or vengeance. They could waste hours on a game without a care in the world, and he almost envied them for it.

    He felt a presence behind him and, without looking, knew who it was.

    "You know you can go join them."

    "Hn," Sasuke muttered, shifting his gaze back to the game. He wasn't interested in playing with a bunch of kids, but the sight of those spinning tops and the happy, oblivious faces was strangely… calming. Like watching water flow down a quiet stream.

    "Wow, didn't know you liked beigoma."

    "I don't."

    "Well, you're certainly staring hard enough. So… how's the resting going?"

    "Hn." Sasuke's response was barely a sound. He could feel his frustration building, like a tightly wound coil that had nowhere to release.

    Kakashi sighed theatrically. "I'm going to take that as a 'not well.'" He lowered his book just enough to meet Sasuke's glare. "Don't you have any hobbies?"

    "Training. Eating. Sleeping," Sasuke replied curtly.

    "Ah," Kakashi said, drawing the word out with mock wonder. "When did Guy's craziness infect my cute little genin?"

    "What are you talking about?"

    "Might Guy," Kakashi said, shaking his head with exaggerated lament. "All he does is train, eat, sleep, or show up to bother me with his ridiculous 'challenges.' I swear, it's like his entire life revolves around his training regimen. Hmm." He tilted his head, giving Sasuke a sidelong glance. "Sound familiar?"

    Sasuke's jaw clenched. "His student was fast," he muttered, voice low. He didn't need to explain more—Kakashi would understand. The memory of Lee's speed, the way he'd been defeated in an instant, still stung.

    Kakashi chuckled. "Ah, yes. Guy's speed…" He glanced away. "To tell you the truth, even my Sharingan can barely keep up with him."

    "Are you… intentionally doing this?"

    Kakashi looked back at him, the picture of innocence. "Doing what?"

    "You know I want to train, and you keep talking about people I need to surpass."

    "Is that really the lesson you're taking from all this?"

    "What else am I supposed to take from it?" Sasuke shot back, feeling genuinely confused and a bit stung. He didn't understand what Kakashi was trying to prove, why he was throwing these little jabs at him.

    "Even Guy," he said, his tone gentler, "takes time to rest and recover."

    Sasuke huffed and looked away, refusing to acknowledge the point. Rest. As if that would bring him any closer to the power he needed. He watched as one of the kids' beigoma spun wildly out of the ring, scattering dust and pebbles. The game ended in laughter, their voices bright and unrestrained. That feeling tugged at him again, faint but persistent—a distant memory of what it was like to be carefree.

    "Do you have… any ways I can pass the time?"

    Kakashi's eye lit up as if he'd been waiting for that question. He slapped his forehead with a gasp, overacting just enough to be ridiculous.

    "Ah, I knew I was forgetting something!" He hopped up from the bench, nudging Sasuke forward with his shoulder. "Come on, let's go, Mr. 'No Life.'"

    Sasuke rolled his eyes, muttering a faint "Hn" as he let Kakashi steer him away from the park.

    They walked through the village together, Kakashi making small talk about the villagers they passed, pointing out this or that shop as if they were on a tour. Sasuke mostly stayed quiet, but his mind wandered. He'd never really taken the time to just… look around Konoha like this. To him, it had always been a place of duty, of memories that were both bitter and sweet. But here, among the noisy vendors and the chatter of families, it felt different.

    "Ever been to a sauna, Sasuke-kun?"

    "No," Sasuke replied, eyeing the entrance.

    "Oh, come on," Kakashi said, already guiding him inside. "A true shinobi knows the importance of relaxation. And it's tradition. Consider it part of your training."

    They ended up sitting in the sauna, Kakashi leaning back with a satisfied sigh while Sasuke sat stiffly, arms crossed, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else.

    "You know," Kakashi said after a while, "the Third Hokage used to come here all the time."

    "What does that have to do with anything?"

    "Balance, Sasuke." Kakashi's voice softened. "Even the strongest shinobi understand the need for balance. The Third valued strength, but he also valued wisdom and rest. If you burn yourself out, you'll have nothing left to fight with."

    Sasuke didn't respond, but he could feel those words settling uncomfortably in his mind. He shifted, feeling the heat press against his skin, the sweat gathering at his temples. Part of him wanted to argue, to brush Kakashi off, but another part of him—the part that was starting to feel the weight of his own exhaustion—listened.

    After the sauna, they wandered down to a small bookstore nearby. Kakashi led him inside, the familiar smell of old paper and ink filling the air. Sasuke trailed after him, browsing with vague disinterest until he realized Kakashi had led him straight into the adult section, shelves stacked high with luridly titled novels. He gave his teacher a deadpan look.

    "I am a child," he pointed out.

    Kakashi considered this for a moment, hand to his chin.

    "Technically you are a legal adult when you got that Hitai-ate."

    Rolling his eyes, Sasuke made his way toward the counter, where a girl about his age was arranging a display of card games. "Hey! You look like you're looking for something interesting," she said cheerfully. "Have you ever played Ninja Karuta?"

    "Ninja… Karuta?"

    "Yep! It's a card game with famous shinobi from history." She flipped the box over, revealing rows of cards with small portraits and text. "It's kind of like a collectible game. You can learn about different ninjas and their achievements. It's fun! Plus, there are rare cards, too."

    Sasuke looked at the game, hesitating. It wasn't what he'd call thrilling, but… it was something. And he had nothing else to do. With a sigh, he pulled out a few coins and handed them over.

    "Good choice!" The girl beamed as she handed him the box. "Shuffle the cards before you play," she advised. "That way, you get a different experience each time."

    Sasuke nodded, opening the box as he sat down on a bench to the side. He began shuffling the cards, the edges smooth against his fingers. Kakashi joined him, clutching a new orange book and glancing over with mild interest.

    Sasuke drew his first card and turned it over. The card depicted a serious-looking man with short, spiky brown hair, two distinctive markings on his cheeks, and a calm, steady gaze. He wore a high-collared green jacket, his expression cool and composed.

    "No way! You pulled an ultra-rare card!"

    "Well, well. Sasuke Sarutobi."

    "Sasuke Sarutobi…" The black haired boy muttered the name under his breath. His mother had named him after this legendary shinobi, a man he'd never bothered to learn about. The realization was unsettling, like a light breaking through the narrow tunnel he'd confined himself in, revealing a world he knew so little about.

    Kakashi tilted his head, amused by Sasuke's reaction. "Sasuke Sarutobi. He was the father of the Third Hokage, a shinobi revered as the 'God of Ninjutsu' during the Warring States Era," he explained . "They say his fire style was so intense, his flames turned blue. One of the few to stand against Madara Uchiha on equal ground."

    The girl at the counter was practically glowing with excitement, staring at the card in Sasuke's hand as though it were made of solid gold. Sasuke was stunned, his jaw slack as he processed Kakashi's words.

    "They say that battle was what finally convinced the Sarutobi clan to join Konoha," Kakashi added.

    To think, someone outside of the Senju could rival Madara himself, to fight him to a standstill… It shattered his assumptions about the world.

    He felt an uncomfortable but intriguing shift within himself, a nagging feeling that maybe—just maybe—the Uchiha weren't the only pinnacle of strength he'd once thought of. His world had been small, closed off, but now it felt a little… bigger.

    Sasuke absently flipped through the cards, his mind elsewhere. Most were common—names and images he barely registered—while the girl at the counter rambled on about rarities and collections. Then he froze.

    The last card in his hand stopped him cold.

    "Kakashi?"

    The girl's eyes darted between the card and Kakashi himself, her mouth slightly open. "You're… the real deal," she said, awestruck. "The Copy Ninja, Kakashi Hatake!"

    "Ah, well," Kakashi said, "I like to think of myself as more than just a card in a deck. But yes, that's me. Lucky pull, right?"

    "I mean, there's a whole subset of cards for famous Konoha shinobi, but this one is practically legendary! Do you… I don't know… get royalties for this?"

    "Sadly, no. But maybe I should negotiate—it might help fund a few more editions of my favorite books." He raised his ever-present orange novel with a playful wink, and the girl stifled a giggle.

    "Don't encourage him."

    "But he's a legend!" she insisted, grinning. "People come in here all the time hoping to pull the 'Copy Ninja' card. It's super rare."

    Kakashi plucking a packet of cards from the shelf. "Well, let's see if my legendary streak holds up." He tore the wrapper open and sifted through the cards. His hand paused at one. His face flickered with curiosity, then softened into something almost wistful.

    "Here, take a look."

    Sasuke stared at the name on the card, the title hitting him like a punch:

    Wicked Eyes Fugaku.

    His chest tightened as he took the card. There, on the glossy surface, was his father. Fugaku Uchiha stood in his usual commanding stance, his stern gaze unyielding, as if staring straight into Sasuke's soul.

    Sasuke's fingers trembled slightly as he held the card, his lips pressing into a thin line. Kakashi's voice cut through his haze.

    "Want to trade?"

    Sasuke nodded, unable to trust his voice. They swapped cards without another word. Kakashi chuckled softly, holding up the "Copy Ninja" card he'd just acquired. "Looks like I got a mini-me. But don't tell Guy about this, or he'll buy out the entire store just to find his own card."

    Sasuke barely heard him. His attention was riveted on the card in his hand.

    For all his father's power and presence, Sasuke had never truly felt close to him. Admiration had always been laced with fear, pride tangled with longing. Now, staring at the card, a strange and unfamiliar warmth bloomed in his chest.

    Were you ever proud of me... dad?

    He swallowed hard, blinking against the sting in his eyes. For a fleeting moment, he let himself imagine his father's hand resting on his head, reassuring and steady.

    Sasuke took a slow, shaky breath, willing himself back into composure. "Is… is that it?"

    "That's up to you," Kakashi said. "But if you don't have anywhere better to be..."

    The truth was, Sasuke didn't want this quiet, strange peace to end. "I've got nothing else going on," he muttered, though the words carried less indifference than he intended.

    Kakashi ruffled Sasuke's hair without warning, earning a half-hearted scowl. "Come on, then. Let me show you how I waste my free time. You might even learn to relax."

    "Hn," Sasuke grunted, but there was no edge to it.

    Naruto lay sprawled on a thick tree branch, one arm tucked behind his head while the other held a sticky chunk of honeycomb. The faint hum of bees buzzed around him, but he remained relaxed. This was, after all, Aburame clan territory, and as long as he wore his Konoha headband, the bees wouldn't attack. Their only interest in him was delivering the honey, which Naruto was more than happy to accept.

    The branch beneath him groaned slightly under the combined weight of his body and armor, but he ignored it.

    "You know that branch might not hold, right?"

    Naruto glanced down to see Kakashi coming into the area.

    "Yeah? Well, maybe you should've sent a clone to teach me sooner instead of showing up just in time to criticize," Naruto shot back.

    "Looks like you've been practicing, though. At least you're not falling down anymore."

    Naruto's grin widened, and he shifted slightly, his feet sticking to the branch with perfect chakra control. "Practicing? Please, I'm a natural. Watch this!"

    With a cocky grin, Naruto shifted his weight and flipped himself upside down, sticking to the underside of the branch with precise chakra control like a bat hanging from a cave.

    "Very impressive," Kakashi said dryly. "And totally unnecessary."

    "Come on, sensei! Admit it—I'm getting better. Doesn't this kind of progress deserve a reward? Like, I don't know… a cool new jutsu?"

    Kakashi tilted his head as if genuinely considering the idea, and Naruto's grin grew wider in anticipation.

    "Nope," the white-haired man said flatly.

    "Man, you're impossible! What am I supposed to do in the meantime? Keep climbing trees like a monkey?"

    "Precisely. Chakra control isn't about flashy moves—it's about mastery. You've stuck to the tree—great. Now do it while running, carrying weights, or dodging attacks. Refine it."

    Naruto groaned. "Fine, fine," he muttered, stomping over to the tree he'd climbed earlier. "But I swear, if I don't get something new soon, I'll—"

    "Fall flat on your face if you don't pay attention," Kakashi cut in smoothly. "Naruto, there's no shortcut here. Get your basics solid, and the rest will follow. You're doing well. Don't rush it."

    Naruto groaned again but scaled the tree with renewed determination. Reaching the hive, he carefully extracted another piece of honeycomb and made his way back down. This time, he landed lightly, holding the honey aloft like a trophy.

    "Mission complete, sensei!"

    Kakashi clapped once. "Well done. See? Hard work pays off."

    "Yeah, yeah," Naruto muttered. "But seriously, sensei, isn't there something else I can work on? My clones are already hammering out all the boring stuff."

    "Like what?"

    Naruto scratched his nonexistent beard. "Well… maybe my taijutsu? I've been practicing the katas like crazy, but it feels like I'm just going through the motions. I want to do something cooler, you know?"

    "The katas are your foundation, Naruto. Without them, everything else falls apart. But you're right—there's always more. What exactly are you looking to build on?"

    Naruto's eyes lit up. "Something badass! Like combining taijutsu with my sword, or—"

    "Kenjutsu," Kakashi interjected smoothly. "If you're serious about your sword, that's the logical next step."

    Naruto practically bounced on his feet. "Yes! That's exactly what I'm talking about! So, when do we start?"

    "Unfortunately, I can't help you much with kenjutsu."

    "What? Why not? You're, like, a super ninja who knows everything!"

    Kakashi's smile turned sheepish. "Flattering, but your weapon is… unique. It's not the kind of sword most shinobi use, and I've never trained with anything like it. Teaching you properly would require someone with specific expertise."

    Naruto frowned. "So, what am I supposed to do? Just figure it out on my own?"

    "I think I know someone who can help you," Kakashi said. "Give me a few minutes."

    Naruto tilted his head. "Wait, you do? Who is it?"

    Kakashi didn't answer. Instead, he gave a lazy wave and disappeared in a swirl of leaves, leaving Naruto to mutter, "Could've at least given me a hint, lazy sensei…"

    A few minutes later, Kakashi returned with a familiar figure beside him.

    "Tenten?" Naruto blinked, confused. "Kakashi… why is she here?"

    "Aww, didn't you miss me, Naruto?"

    Naruto flailed his arms, already flustered. "No! I mean, yes—I mean—"

    Seeing the younger boy flustered, Tenten giggled and lightly booped his nose. "Relax, I'm just joking with you."

    Naruto sighed in relief, but before he could recover, Tenten added with a sly grin, "Though, if you want to make it up to me, you could let me try on that armor and swing around that big sword of yours."

    "No!"

    Kakashi interjected. "Naruto, I brought Tenten because she can help you with your kenjutsu."

    "No offense, but why her?"

    Tenten raised an eyebrow. "Because I specialize in weapons—every kind. Blades, staffs, projectiles, you name it. If anyone can help you figure out that massive sword of yours, it's me."

    "But you've never used a sword like this before, have you?"

    "No," Tenten admitted, "but that doesn't mean I can't help. Your sword reminds me of the Kubikiribōchō from the Mist Village. And kenjutsu isn't just about swinging a blade around. I can help you figure that out—and maybe even teach you how to defend against other weapons while we're at it."

    Naruto hummed thoughtfully.

    "Well," Kakashi said, "I think you're in good hands, Naruto."

    "Where are you going?"

    "To read."

    "You're a clone?"

    "Oh yeah," Kakashi said flatly. "And I'm going to make the most of my fleeting existence by catching up on my book." He vanished with a flicker.

    Naruto sighed and turned to Tenten. "So, what do we do first, uh… Tenten-senpai?"

    "Why don't you let me check out the weapon first?" Tenten said.

    Naruto grinned and tossed the massive Zweihander to her.

    The moment it landed in her hands, her knees buckled, and she hit the ground with a startled yelp. Struggling to lift it, she shot Naruto an incredulous look. "Why the hell is this sword so heavy?!"

    Naruto purred. "Guess you can't handle my sword, Tenten."

    "Shut up and help me!"

    Author Note:

    Well, this was certainly a fun chapter, wasn't it?

    I'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter, so drop a comment—I'll do my best to reply to as many as I can. Now, onto some points that need addressing due to this chapter:

    1. Iwashi, Genma, and Raido: I'm pretty sure most of you recognized Genma as the protector from the Chunin Exams, but what about the other two? If you're not familiar, Iwashi, Genma, and Raido are members of the Hokage Guard Platoon. What makes them interesting is that all three are canonically skilled enough to use the Flying Thunder God Technique when working together.

    I thought this trio would be a natural fit for introducing Sakura to the Barrier Corps HQ, especially since their presence adds some prestige to the entire operation. Plus, their banter and dynamics with Kakashi gave me an opportunity to highlight their personalities more. Let me know what you think of how they were portrayed here!

    2. Barrier Ninjutsu: There isn't a lot to go on when it comes to barrier ninjutsu in canon, so I took some creative liberties to flesh it out and add logical world-building to this style of fighting.

    Barriers are a fascinating concept when you think about it. They're not flashy like Rasengans or Amaterasus, but they're the backbone of a village's defense system—subtle yet indispensable. I tried to make them feel more grounded by explaining the mechanics: using fuinjutsu for stability, sensory ninjas syncing their chakra with the barrier, and the constant maintenance required to keep them intact.

    The idea of offensive vs. defensive barriers also felt like a necessary distinction. Defensive barriers are about longevity, stability, and protecting the village. Offensive barriers, on the other hand, are battlefield tools—short-lived but incredibly effective for containment and traps.

    What do you think of this interpretation? Do you like how barriers are being explored in this story?

    3. The Games Sasuke Encounters: Sasuke's moments with the children were meant to show a different side of him—the way he quietly observes, reflects, and maybe even envies their carefree lives. Plus, it gave me a chance to throw in some traditional Japanese games to add a bit of cultural flavor and slice-of-life world-building.

    Beigoma: These are traditional Japanese spinning tops made of metal or wood. Players wind a string around the top, pull it hard to launch the top, and try to knock their opponent's top out of the ring.

    Karuta: This is a card game that involves matching cards based on poems, phrases, or pictures. In this story, I tweaked it a bit so the cards feature famous shinobi from history. Think of it like a collectible card game mixed with trivia about ninja lore.

    The addition of shinobi-themed Karuta really speaks to me because it's such a small but meaningful way to expand the world. It shows that even in a world filled with war and danger, people still celebrate their history, culture, and heroes in everyday ways.

    4. Sasuke Sarutobi and Power Tiers: Okay, let's talk about Sasuke Sarutobi and why I made him strong enough to fight Madara.

    In canon, Madara and Hashirama are so ridiculously overpowered that it feels like no one else even comes close to their tier. My problem isn't that they're strong—it's that they're the only ones on that level. It creates a power vacuum in the world-building. Like, if Madara really was that untouchable, why didn't he become an emperor? Who could've stopped him from building his own nation?

    For me, it's more interesting if there were other shinobi who could challenge them, even if they couldn't outright win. That's where Sasuke Sarutobi comes in. As the father of the Third Hokage and a legendary figure in his own right, it makes sense for him to be on that tier.

    Now, to clarify: I'm not saying Sasuke Sarutobi could defeat Madara. But he could stand against him, hold his own, and maybe even push him to his limits. This keeps Madara and Hashirama as the peak of their tier while still allowing room for other strong characters to exist. It adds nuance and depth to the world's power structure, making it feel less like a two-man show.

    What do you think about this change? Does adding more Madara/Hashirama-tier characters improve the story for you, or do you prefer the canon approach where those two are in a league of their own?

    5. Yūgao Uzuki: I can already hear people asking, "Why didn't Kakashi ask Yūgao for help with kenjutsu? Or Hayate?" And you'd be totally right to wonder that! Both Yūgao and Hayate are excellent swordsmen, and it would make sense for them to step in here.

    But there's a specific reason why Kakashi chose Tenten instead. Let's see if you can guess! I promise, the answer will come up later in the story.

    Let me know your thoughts on this chapter! Did you enjoy the mix of training, character moments, and world-building? Any ideas for future chapters are always welcome—don't be shy!

    And if you can't wait for the next update, the next chapter drops on January 8th! You can read ahead to Chapter 54 on Patreon.

    Thank you all for your support—you make writing this story such an incredible journey!

    Until next time,
    Adamo Amet
     
  • New
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    • Can't wait for Naruto to bring back some of the more... exotic weapons. Those Lordran smiths have some wacky ideas.

    TBH I'm not well informed on Naruto, so worldbuilding is lost on me. I'm mostly here for the action. It's written well, though, so good work there.
     
    Chapter no.16 Naruto New
  • Threadmarks
    • Chapter no.16 The Kouhai and the Kunoichi

    Tenten had always dreamed of having a junior—a bright-eyed, eager kouhai who would follow her around, help her polish her weapons, and listen with awe as she rattled off the finer points of bladecraft. She imagined spoiling them with sweets, teaching them techniques, and occasionally ruffling their hair like a doting older sister.

    The fantasy had likely come from her years at the orphanage, where she had been the self-appointed big sister. But not the soft, nurturing kind. No, Tenten had been the tomboyish protector, the one who'd scrape her knuckles and grind bullies' faces into the dirt if they so much as looked at her younger charges the wrong way. She had been their defender—rough around the edges, but fiercely loyal.

    Her fascination with weapons began early, fueled by an unapologetic disdain for the stereotypical games other girls played. Dolls? Ridiculous. What use did a doll have? None. Unless, of course, you retrofitted it.

    Tenten's first and last doll had been a shabby thing someone at the orphanage gave her, probably out of pity. To her, it was nothing but raw material. With scavenged sewing needles for hands and scissors attached to its stubby legs, she transformed it into the Princess of Blades. Princess wasn't a toy; she was a tool—one that could cut fabric, sew patches, and terrify the occasional boy who dared to tease her.

    The matron, however, had not been impressed. Tenten couldn't understand why. Princess was practical, useful, and infinitely cooler than any ordinary doll. But the other girls had shrieked in horror, and the doll had been confiscated.

    Her obsession with sharp things only deepened when she was adopted by a kunoichi and a blacksmith. It had felt like fate, as if she'd been plucked out of obscurity and handed over to the perfect family. Her new parents were loving and patient, but they didn't share her fascination with pointy things—not at first.

    Tenten's father, in particular, had been amused by her enthusiasm. He'd given her rounded training tools with dulled edges, designed to be as harmless as possible. She'd hated them.

    "Why does everything have to be round?" she had grumbled, holding up a blunt kunai with utter disdain.

    "Round is safe," her father replied with a chuckle.

    "But round isn't scary," she countered. "Pointy is scary."

    He had laughed, ruffling her hair. "You'll understand when you're older."

    She hadn't. What she had done was throw the kind of tantrum only a six-year-old could manage, complete with stomping feet and tearful proclamations of "I hate you!"

    Two years later, her mother didn't come home from a mission.

    Tenten never forgot the hollow feeling that settled in her chest when her father sat her down, his face drawn and pale, to tell her what had happened. Her childish outburst haunted her, replaying over and over in her mind.

    When he handed her doll back to her that night, her father's voice was quiet but firm. "You said pointy things are scary, didn't you? Well, we're going to make them less scary. For you."

    And so they had. Her father had begun training her in earnest, teaching her the art of weaponry. She threw herself into it with everything she had—not just to honor her mother's memory, but to ensure that she would never be weak, never be helpless. Every kunai, every shuriken, every blade she mastered became a small triumph, a step forward on a path she had carved for herself.

    Over the years, her obsession with weapons became both her passion and her identity. But somewhere deep down, Tenten had always hoped to find someone who shared that same love. Someone who didn't just see weapons as tools, but as extensions of themselves—things that demanded respect, care, and artistry.

    She doubted she'd ever find that person. It was more of a whimsical daydream than anything else, something she thought about in quiet moments while polishing her kunai or practicing her throws.

    Then Kakashi Hatake had shown up one afternoon, asking if she could help Uzumaki Naruto with his swordsmanship.

    Tenten wasn't sure what she'd expected when she agreed to train Uzumaki Naruto in swordsmanship, but what she got was a walking disaster with a greatsword and a grin too wide for his own good. He had spirit, sure, but skill? Nonexistent.

    "GIVE ME TWENTY SWINGS, MAGGOT!" Tenten barked, pacing back and forth.

    Naruto's face twisted in annoyance, but he gritted his teeth and complied. He swung the massive Zweihander in wide arcs, each swing accompanied by a grunt of effort.

    By the time he hit number twenty, sweat poured down his face, but his swings looked no better than when they started. Tenten pinched the bridge of her nose, exhaling sharply.

    "Stop," she commanded.

    Naruto froze mid-swing, his blade wobbling precariously in his grip.

    "First things first," Tenten said. "You don't just swing a sword like it's a club. This isn't some blunt instrument—you're holding a crafted weapon, and you're treating it like a stick you picked up off the ground. Now show me your grip."

    Naruto adjusted his hands on the hilt, clutching the massive weapon so tightly his knuckles turned white. "Like this! Solid grip, no way it slips!"

    Tenten's eye twitched. "Solid grip? You're choking the life out of it!" She grabbed his hands, peeling his fingers back one by one with no small amount of irritation. "Your grip isn't supposed to turn your hands into stone! Loosen it up! Think of it like holding a bird—tight enough that it doesn't fly away, but not so tight you crush it to death."

    "Uh… like this?"

    "Better," Tenten said. "But not good enough. Your blade's weight is all on one end, so you need to let your dominant hand guide the swing while your other hand stabilizes it. Right now, you're trying to manhandle the damn thing into submission."

    Naruto shifted his grip again, his hands sliding closer together. He gave the blade a test swing, and while it was far from perfect, it didn't look quite as clumsy.

    "Not terrible," Tenten admitted begrudgingly. "But we're just getting started. Now your stance. Let me guess—you're about to drop into something ridiculous, aren't you?"

    Naruto, already planting his feet wide apart and hoisting the Zweihander over his shoulder, froze mid-movement. "What's wrong with this? I've got a stable base!"

    "Stable?" Tenten snorted. "You look like you're about to chop down a tree, not face an enemy. Your stance is so stiff, I could knock you over with one good shove." To prove her point, she flicked his shin with her foot, and Naruto wobbled unsteadily.

    "Your sword isn't just about power, Naruto," Tenten continued. "You've got reach and control on your side, but if you plant yourself like a rock, you'll never be able to use either. You need to move. Movement is life. Movement is survival."

    Dropping into her own stance, Tenten bent her knees slightly, her feet shoulder-width apart. "Watch me. See how I'm steady, but not stiff? This lets me shift in any direction without losing balance. Now copy it."

    Naruto mimicked her stance, adjusting his feet and bending his knees.

    Tenten hummed, nudging his leg with her foot until his positioning improved. "Keep your knees soft. You lock them, and you're going to tip over the second someone puts pressure on you. Now hold that sword steady and don't lean forward like an idiot."

    "This feels weird…"

    "It's supposed to," Tenten said. "Because for the first time, you're not doing it wrong. Now swing the damn sword, and don't embarrass me this time."

    Naruto exhaled, focusing on his grip and stance as he swung the Zweihander in a wide arc. This time, the blade moved smoother, with more control. He held steady at the end of the swing, his balance intact.

    Tenten's sharp eyes caught every detail, and for the first time that afternoon, her lips curved into something resembling a smile. "Finally. You're not completely hopeless."

    "Ha! I knew I was awesome!"

    "Don't get cocky, maggot!" Tenten snapped. "You did one decent swing. You've got a thousand more before I'll call it 'awesome.' Now keep going. Again!"

    Naruto groaned but complied, his swings growing steadier as the minutes passed. Tenten barked corrections with every misstep.

    "Your grip's slipping! Fix it!"
    "You're leaning forward too much—keep your weight back!"
    "Your follow-through is sloppy! Tighten it up!"

    By the time an hour passed, Naruto was panting heavily, his movements slower but far more precise. Tenten stepped in front of him, her sharp gaze locking onto his tired face.

    "Alright, maggot," she said, pointing her katana at him. "Now that you're not embarrassing yourself with the basics, we're moving on to tempo."

    "Tempo?" Naruto panted. "Like… rhythm or something?"

    "Yep," Tenten said. "Swordsmanship isn't just about swinging harder or faster. It's about when you strike. If you time it right, even someone stronger or faster than you will fall. You, however, have all the finesse of a bull in a china shop. So, we're going to fix that."

    She raised her katana, moving it in a slow, deliberate arc before snapping into a quick feint. Naruto instinctively raised his Zweihander to block, but Tenten redirected and lightly tapped him on the shoulder.

    "See what just happened?" she asked. "You reacted too fast. I didn't need to overpower you—I just needed you to overcommit."

    "So what do I do? Not block?"

    "You wait," Tenten said simply. "Patience is a swordsman's best weapon. Don't swing at every opening—wait for the right moment. Practice finding your rhythm. If you master that, you'll control the fight instead of reacting to it."

    Slowly, the boy nodded.

    "Good. Now shut up and swing. You've got a lot of ground to cover, maggot."

    Naruto's swings had been relentless for the last half hour, though to Tenten's trained eye, his technique was still rough.

    "Alright!" she barked. "Stop embarrassing yourself and listen up. We're moving on to something even you should be able to understand: edge alignment."

    "Edge alignment? That sounds important."

    "It is important. If your blade's edge isn't lined up with the direction of your swing, you're smacking things with the flat. You're not slicing; you're slapping. You might as well be swinging around a plank of wood."

    Naruto frowned, gripping his sword. "So, how do I fix it?"

    "First of all, loosen up! I can see those white knuckles from here!" Tenten marched over and yanked his hands off the hilt, holding them up for inspection. "What did I tell you about strangling the damn thing? You're not trying to choke it to death!"

    "But I need to hold it steady!" Naruto protested.

    "And you can do that without squeezing it like it owes you money," she shot back. Grabbing his hands, she adjusted his grip. "Your dominant hand goes here, near the guard. That's your guide. Your other hand stabilizes. Got it?"

    Naruto grumbled but nodded, shifting his hands into place.

    "Better," Tenten admitted grudgingly. "Now, when you swing, stop thinking about just hitting things. Imagine cutting. Visualize the edge slicing cleanly through whatever you're aiming at. Let the blade do the work."

    Naruto nodded and swung again, this time focusing on the edge of his Zweihander. The blade hissed through the air with a sharper, more precise sound.

    "Not bad," Tenten said, stepping back to give him room. "But we're not done. Here's your next drill: pick a target—a tree, a dummy, whatever—and focus on clean, straight cuts. Precision over power. If the cuts are sloppy, adjust your grip until they're not."

    "Got it!" Naruto said, already zeroing in on a nearby wooden training dummy.

    [4 Hours Later]

    Naruto stood over the training dummy, panting heavily as he inspected the marks he'd made. The cuts were cleaner than before, though still far from perfect. He leaned on his Zweihander, his arms trembling from fatigue.

    "Not terrible," Tenten said, appearing behind him like a shadow. "You're starting to understand what it means to use the blade properly. But we're not done yet."

    Naruto groaned. "Of course we're not."

    Tenten ignored him, raising her katana in a swift, practiced motion. "Next lesson: centerline control."

    "What's that?" Naruto asked, dragging his sword upright.

    "It's the imaginary line running down the middle of your opponent's body," Tenten explained, stepping into a combat stance. "Whoever controls the centerline controls the fight. Keeping your blade aligned with it forces your opponent to either attack you head-on or risk exposing themselves. If you let your sword drift off-center, you're wide open. Understand?"

    Naruto nodded slowly.

    "Good. Let's see how well you hold it."

    Tenten closed the distance in an instant, pressing her katana lightly against Naruto's Zweihander and pushing it aside. "See? All I did was shift your blade a little, and now I've got a clear shot at your head. You can't let that happen."

    Naruto adjusted his grip, trying to keep his sword aligned as Tenten moved around him, testing his control with quick jabs and feints. Every time his blade wavered, she struck—lightly tapping his shoulder, arm, or ribs to emphasize his openings.

    "Stay grounded!" she barked. "Your arms can't do all the work. Use your stance! Let your whole body stabilize the blade!"

    Gritting his teeth, Naruto widened his stance, bending his knees and lowering his center of gravity. Slowly but surely, he began to track her movements more effectively, keeping his blade steady even as she tried to throw him off balance.

    "Better," Tenten said. "Now, here's your next solo drill: draw a line—chalk, rope, whatever—and practice moving while keeping your blade aligned with it. No rushing. Keep it slow and steady until it feels natural."

    "Got it," Naruto said, determination burning in his eyes.

    By the time the sun sank below the horizon, Naruto lay sprawled out on the grass. Every muscle in his body screamed in protest, and his hands felt raw enough to peel like overripe fruit.

    "I'm dead. This is what death feels like."

    Tenten strode over, her silhouette outlined by the fading light. Without a word, she tossed a small bottle onto his chest.

    Naruto sat up with a pained hiss, glaring at the offending object. "What's this?" he asked suspiciously, uncapping it. One sniff had him recoiling like she'd thrown poison gas at him. "What the hell is this?!"

    "Onion pineapple juice."

    "That's illegal. That has to be illegal."

    Tenten rolled her eyes. "Stop being dramatic. It's good for recovery. Pineapple helps with inflammation, and onion's packed with nutrients."

    "Yeah, nutrients that'll kill me." Naruto shoved the bottle back at her like it might explode. "This isn't recovery—it's a war crime."

    "Don't be such a baby, Uzumaki." Tenten leaned back on her hands. "You want to get stronger or not? I drink this all the time. Look at me—perfect condition."

    Naruto squinted at her, skepticism all over his face. "Yeah, but you're also insane. That stuff's probably why."

    Tenten smirked, her tone teasing as she tipped the bottle back and took a long sip without flinching. "Crazy enough to out-train you, maggot," she said, emphasizing the last word with a smirk. "Now drink it, or tomorrow you're doing another hundred swings—and I won't be nice about it."

    Naruto groaned, pinching his nose as he took the tiniest sip. The second it touched his tongue, he gagged violently and practically threw the bottle back at her. "Nope! Nope! I'd rather die sore. You win."

    Tenten shrugged, taking another sip like it was a glass of water. "Suit yourself. More for me."

    Naruto flopped back onto the grass with an exaggerated groan. "You're evil, you know that? Like, pure evil."

    "Better to be evil and strong than nice and weak," Tenten shot back. "But I guess you wouldn't know, seeing as you're still weak and nice."

    "Wow," Naruto said. "Who knew you were so mean? Here I thought you were the pretty kunoichi who throws knives, but no—you're a total sadist."

    "Pretty kunoichi, huh? Was that a compliment, Uzumaki?"

    "Don't make it weird!"

    "You're the one who said it," Tenten teased, tossing a pebble at him.

    Naruto dodged it with a half-hearted glare, then turned to watch the last streaks of sunlight fading into twilight. For a moment, the two sat in companionable silence.

    "Today was a good day."

    "Yeah. A good day to learn I suck and I'm a maggot."

    Tenten laughed. "I didn't mean it like that, you idiot. I was just trying to motivate you—get you fired up, you know? Push you to prove me wrong."

    "Well, it worked," Naruto admitted, rolling his shoulder with a wince. "We got through the basics, and I think I can figure the rest out on my own. I mean, I kinda have to, right? No one here really knows how to use a Zweihander properly."

    Tenten nodded. "Exactly. We can teach you the basics, but the rest is on you. You've got to make it your own."

    "One week!"

    Tenten blinked. "What?"

    "I'll figure out my own style in one week."

    Tenten snorted, trying—and failing—not to laugh. "Oh, sure. One week. You're going to master a fighting style in seven days. That's totally realistic." Her tone was laced with sarcasm, the kind people use when they're trying not to outright call someone delusional.

    "You'll see. I've got a trick up my sleeve."

    "Oh, this I've got to hear," Tenten said, leaning forward.

    Naruto explained his shadow clone training method with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for ramen. When he finished, Tenten stared at him, her jaw slack.

    "That's such a bullshit jutsu."

    Naruto laughed, already feeling his energy return. "Hey, don't hate the player, hate the jutsu. But think about it—if I use it right, I'll have my style in no time."

    "Right," Tenten said. "And when you do, you can come back, and we'll spar. Swordsman to swordswoman."

    "Deal." Naruto grinned. "But when I win, you've got to admit I'm better."

    "When you win?" Tenten scoffed. "Keep dreaming, maggot. You're not ready to beat me yet."

    "I'm serious!" Naruto said. "And when I do win, maybe I'll even teach you something. Swordsman to swordswoman."

    "Sure, Uzumaki," Tenten said. "Swing by the blacksmith shop near the eastern edge of the forest when you're ready. I'll be waiting."

    Naruto nodded, filing the address away. Then, with a sly grin, he added, "Oh, and don't worry—I'll bring an armor set for you. You're into armor, right? I've got a place I can get some."

    "You're bringing me armor?!"

    "I mean, you can't go around calling yourself a badass swordswoman without some awesome armor, right?"

    Tenten rolled her eyes, though a faint blush dusted her cheeks.

    The sunset bathed the training ground in warm hues, casting long shadows over the grass. The boy turned to glance at the horizon, the fading sunlight catching in his blue eyes before he looked back at her and smiled.

    It was a simple smile—boyish and confident—but it caught her off guard. For a fleeting moment, she thought—no, realized—he was more handsome than Neji.

    Her cheeks flared red at the thought. Tenten's crush on Neji had always been a shallow one. Sure, he was striking, with that long hair and stoic face, but every conversation with him was either a bitter rant about destiny or some jab at the Hyuga clan. There was nothing fun, nothing warm. If he hadn't been handsome, she doubted she would've bothered with him at all.

    But Naruto? Naruto was different. He wasn't just handsome; he was hardworking, vibrant, full of energy and warmth. And he respected weapons.

    For a split second, she thought his boyish grin suited him far too well. He wasn't like Neji—stoic and distant—but maybe that was the point. Naruto wasn't what she expected... and maybe that's why the teasing had felt fun. Real. She crushed the thought before it could linger.

    Her thoughts spiraled as her face grew redder, and she clenched her fists in frustration. Get it together, Tenten!

    Naruto laughed at something, breaking her internal crisis. The sound of his laugh—carefree and natural—sent her heart fluttering in a way she didn't know how to control.

    Desperate to change the topic—and distract herself from her own thoughts—she blurted out, "You know, I wish I could do the Shadow Clone Jutsu."

    Naruto hummed.

    "Maybe I could've had a chance as a medical ninja," she added quietly, almost as if speaking to herself.

    "I could teach you it."

    Tenten blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

    "I could teach you the Shadow Clone Jutsu," he said casually, already considering how using Estus flasks to recover chakra could make it possible. Why not?

    Could she really? No—that dream was buried for a reason.

    "Forget it," Tenten said quickly, waving him off. "It's nothing, just a passing thought."

    "Come on," Naruto pressed. "You could be more than just a weapons specialist."

    Tenten froze.

    Just a weapon specialist?

    The words hit harder than she expected. The phrase dug up old memories and emotions she thought she'd buried long ago.

    Her dream of becoming a medical ninja... the dream she'd abandoned.

    It all came flooding back—the image of Tsunade, her role model, strong and compassionate, the greatest healer in the world. As a young girl, Tenten had idolized her, not for her strength or status, but for her ability to save lives. Tsunade had embodied everything Tenten had wanted to be: a healer, someone who could mend wounds instead of inflicting them, someone who brought hope instead of fear.

    But reality had crushed that dream. Her chakra control hadn't been good enough, and no amount of effort seemed to fix it. She had tried and failed, over and over, until the truth became undeniable.

    She wasn't talented enough.

    So, she'd buried the dream. She'd turned to weapons instead—sharp, deadly, and reliable. She convinced herself that she loved them. And, to be fair, she did. But no matter how much she loved her weapons, they'd always been a second choice, a bitter consolation prize for a dream she couldn't reach.

    The timing hadn't helped. It was around the same time she'd lost her mother, and the grief had made the rejection cut even deeper. She had thrown herself into training, determined to become the best weapons specialist in Konoha, not because it was her passion, but because she couldn't stand to feel like a failure.

    No one knew about this. Not her sensei, not her teammates, not even her adoptive father. And now here was Naruto, oblivious as always, casually digging up something she'd worked so hard to bury.

    "I think we're done here."

    "Oi! Oi! Oi!" Naruto protested, scrambling to his feet. "What's that supposed to mean? What do you mean we're done?"

    Tenten turned away, dusting off her training gear. She gave him one last look, her expression unreadable. "Hey, Naruto..."

    "Yeah?"

    "Where do you get off saying something like that?" she muttered. Tenten shook her head, more at herself than at him. "Forget it. Goodbye."

    How does he do it? How does he say something so simple yet so painfully true?

    "Hey! Tenten! Tenten!" Naruto called as she walked away, scratching the back of his head in frustration. "Where are you going?"

    She didn't answer, leaving him standing there with a baffled expression.

    Naruto sighed, slinging his Zweihander back over his shoulder. He hadn't even gotten to explain how she could become a medical ninja on top of being a weapons specialist. Whatever. He'd figure out how to help her later. For now, he needed to focus on his own training.

    "Guess I'm off to Lordran," he muttered to himself. "She'll see. I'll master this, and we'll spar again. Swordsman to swordswoman."

    With that, he turned toward the horizon, ready to continue his journey.

    Author's Note:

    Welp, that's done! I know this wasn't a massive chapter in terms of action or big plot twists, but it's one that sets the foundation for a lot of character development and future storylines. Trust me, the upcoming chapters are going to be longer (6k+ words) and packed with even more depth and exploration!

    Now onto this chapter:

    1. Swordsmanship Training:
    I really wanted to bring some realism into the sword training—grips, stances, centerline control, tempo, etc. This part was the trickiest for me, and I rewrote it 3-4 times because I didn't want it to feel like a word salad or an info dump. How did I do? Was it well-paced? Did it make sense and flow naturally? If you have suggestions or ways the training could've been more immersive, I'd love to hear them!

    2. Tenten's Character Expansion:
    Oh, I'm so excited for Naruto and Tenten's next encounter. Naruto, clueless as always, won't even realize he upset Tenten, and she'll still be mad. It's going to lead to a lot of growth for both characters, so stay tuned for that. Also, what do you guys think—what armor set should Naruto bring for Tenten?

    3. Romantic Undertone:
    Okay, okay, I know I hinted at Tenten having a small crush on Naruto, even though she's denying it to herself. Whether that turns into something more, or if it's just a fleeting crush as they both grow up, I haven't fully decided yet. What do you guys think? Do you want to see Dark Souls Naruto end up with Tenten, or is there someone else you'd like to see him paired with?


    Let me know your thoughts on this chapter! Any ideas for future chapters are always welcome—don't be shy!

    And if you can't wait for the next update, the next chapter drops on January 10th! You can read ahead to Chapter 56 on Patreon.

    Thank you all for your support—you make writing this story such an incredible journey!

    Until next time,
    Adamo Amet
     
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    • Adamos_Amet said:
    1. Swordsmanship Training:
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    i don't know much about swordfighting to give an expert opinion, but i think it was good without doing a whole chapter with a treatise on swordfightin

    Adamos_Amet said:
    3. Romantic Undertone:
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    I think it is good, they are teenagers so having a crush is normal, it is up to time and the characters to make it grow, but remember that there is Hinata too, so beware of going the trash shonen harem protag. Or letting romance parters remain secondary characters.

    Because a romance, even a teenager one, would make said character (hinata, Tenten or any other that may appear) more important to Naruto, and thus causing them to appear more and maybe even take the spot of one of the already established MC. normally i would not mind dropping Sakura or Sasuke, but you are having them grow (unlike the manga and anime), so here i would like to keep seeing them.

    That said good chapter and hope to see more
     
    Its good to see him getting some actual training in. Hope to see it pay off in Lordran, since he's mostly been fighting mindless creatures so far. A real opponent will demand skill.

    I bet he finds some ridiculous armor suit to get her, like Catarina. Love to see the reaction there.
     
    I enjoyed the training. I feel like it wasn't too info dumpy. One of my old coaches did HEMA and from what little I learned from him. It felt like you got the basics and important bits out. Intrigued on what his style is gonna be, I kinda picture him using his clones as setup that way he can come in with a finishing blow.
     
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