Feeling the growling in his stomach, Naruto Uzumaki clutched his belly and slumped onto his desk.
[Ding! Darkening Progress increased by 0.01%!]
A prompt echoed in the subconscious space, causing Chu Ran's eyes to light up slightly.
Though it was only a 0.01% increase, this moment of being treated differently from his peers sparked a faint resentment in Naruto's heart.
[Naruto Uzumaki's parents…]
[It seems the first breakthrough will be through them.]
Lying in the subconscious space, Chu Ran's lips curled into a slight smile.
The Ninja Academy was a springboard, Iruka Umino was the fuse, and Naruto's origins were the explosive fuel for his darkening.
The lunch break ended quickly.
After enduring hunger for a while, Naruto no longer felt it as keenly.
When Iruka Umino entered the classroom, he began teaching the students about chakra cultivation.
Many of the students, being descendants of ninjas, had started chakra training early.
This included Sasuke Uchiha of the Uchiha clan and members of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio from the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans.
But there were also students whose parents were ordinary civilians, like Naruto's future teammate, Sakura Haruno.
Naruto himself was unaware of how to use chakra.
However, with parents who were among the Hidden Leaf's most exceptional ninjas, Naruto's natural talent was far from lacking.
And with Chu Ran's assistance, it was even more pronounced.
As expected, after Iruka demonstrated chakra control once, Naruto felt a warm current flow through his abdomen, spreading to every part of his body.
Chakra was the energy formed by perfectly blending the body's various components.
It relied heavily on physical strength, merging those forces into one.
It was the energy source for performing ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu.
Naruto's innate talent was already impressive. In the original story, his "dead-last" status stemmed from a lack of effort in training.
With his natural gifts amplified by Chu Ran's soul and physique enhancements, Naruto's chakra surged forth.
The Uzumaki clan's naturally abundant chakra reserves erupted, making Naruto the most dazzling presence in the classroom.
Faint blue light shimmered on his body, shocking even Iruka.
"Phew."
Naruto exhaled a puff of white breath, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
Only then did he notice that every pair of eyes in the classroom was fixed on him.
Looking around, he saw that many students still hadn't grasped chakra's components, yet he had already harnessed it.
Naruto could sense the gazes directed at him—envy, jealousy, and astonishment.
Being the center of attention felt good to him.
"Ahem."
"Everyone, don't worry if you haven't sensed your chakra yet. There's no need to feel discouraged."
Iruka gave Naruto a deep look before turning to smile and reassure the students who hadn't succeeded.
To him, it wasn't surprising that Naruto had some talent.
But what happened next truly stunned Iruka.
Following the chakra exercise, Iruka began teaching the students the most basic of the Three Basic Techniques: the Transformation Technique.
This was the simplest ninjutsu. It wasn't shocking that Sasuke Uchiha or other heirs of prominent clans mastered it easily.
But for Naruto to succeed on his first try—with no prior ninjutsu experience or guidance—was astonishing to Iruka.
On his first day, Naruto had not only grasped chakra control but also performed the Transformation Technique, one of the core Three Basic Techniques.
Poof!
A cloud of smoke enveloped Naruto, and he reverted from Iruka's likeness back to his own.
Grinning, he looked at Iruka, hoping for the same approval he'd seen given to Sasuke—a simple "good job" or "well done."
But instead of praise, he met Iruka's faintly disdainful gaze.
[How could anyone selflessly devote themselves to someone who caused their parents' deaths?]
[In the end, they're all just pawns of the Third Hokage.]
[What a cunning old fox.]
In the subconscious space, Chu Ran observed Iruka's expression and immediately understood.
This man, who in the original story became Naruto's mentor, didn't dislike Naruto for skipping classes or slacking off.
Iruka's aversion to Naruto was visceral, rooted deep within.
Seeing Naruto's face brought back memories of the Nine-Tails' rampage five years ago—the monster that ravaged the Hidden Leaf Village.
He recalled his parents' final smiles, and his own dazed expression standing by their graves.
Those images crept into Iruka's mind, one by one.
Even if he wanted to forget, it wasn't something he could overcome overnight.
"Does Iruka-sensei hate me, too?"
Naruto looked at Iruka's stern face, a wave of disappointment washing over him.
Though only five years old, he was all too familiar with that look.
[Even if Iruka-sensei and everyone else don't like me…]
[I'll make them acknowledge me!]
[If I get strong at the academy, more people will accept me!]
A voice suddenly echoed in Naruto's mind, planted by Chu Ran from the subconscious.
He couldn't let Naruto sink into despair.
He needed Naruto to train harder, to become the most brilliant genius in the Ninja Academy.
When Naruto was no longer the "dead-last" of the original story, but a prodigy, and still faced rejection—replaced by fear and wariness—that would be Chu Ran's goal.
That would be the moment Naruto began to abandon his carefree kindness.
Ding-a-ling!
The bell rang, signaling the end of the afternoon classes.
"That's all for today, everyone."
"When you go home, make sure to practice. The Three Basic Techniques are crucial for ninjas."
Iruka smiled as he assigned homework, then gathered his materials and left the classroom.
The students didn't linger either, packing their things and heading out.
Naruto followed the crowd, leaving the Ninja Academy.
Outside the school gates, a throng of parents waited to pick up their children.
But not a single one was there for Naruto.