Thanks to Natsume's help, Naruto had awakened his talent early, which made his personality deviate from the original.
He didn't need pranks—his sheer strength and sunny, open nature had earned him the recognition of many peers.
Though to villagers who didn't know the truth, the fox seemed even more frightening.
Sasuke hadn't experienced the night of the massacre, so his personality wasn't extreme—within normal bounds.
But he still had the Uchiha clan's pride.
So running into Naruto often left him fuming.
Natsume thought he was looking more and more like Minato.
A little sun.
But being too friendly made his opponents feel stifled.
Like Sasuke.
Every time he sparred with Naruto and lost, all he got was comfort.
He'd rather be yelled at.
The match on the field began.
Natsume, though, was chatting and laughing with Rinka in the stands.
After witnessing Hinata's astonishing improvement, this lady couldn't help wanting to share her joy, so she struck up a conversation.
"I've always worried about her. Hiashi has such high expectations, and I feared one day she might crack under the pressure."
Rinka's eyes grew moist as she spoke, the ample curve beneath her kimono swaying slightly.
"Seeing her like this now, I'm both happy and heartsore—no idea how much effort she put in in private."
Listening to her, Natsume suspected she might be considering him as a potential future son-in-law.
Because soon enough she started sharing Hinata's black history.
If the girl were here, she'd probably faint on the spot.
And never dare face him again.
The fight on the field had reached a fever pitch.
Naruto had patched up his weaknesses in taijutsu and tools, thoroughly outmatching Sasuke.
But he was generous by nature and didn't go for the kill, so they looked evenly matched.
Only Sasuke knew the truth.
Always just a little short.
The more they fought, the more frustrated he got.
He finally pulled away and formed hand seals.
Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!
A massive fireball suddenly bloomed on the training ground.
This time Sasuke brought out the full power of this C-rank technique.
An ordinary genin probably couldn't take it.
Let alone academy students.
Most of the spectators were stunned.
Naruto, however, didn't flinch. He backed up while weaving signs.
Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!
Another C-rank.
The most basic wind technique, simply generating a gale—its force tied to the user's chakra.
And Naruto's chakra far exceeded even a jōnin's.
The huge storm smashed the fireball and, without losing momentum, surged toward Sasuke.
He looked as if stunned, too slow to dodge.
In the next instant, Naruto used Body Flicker to appear before him, scooped him up, and ran, dodging the gale.
"Put me down! I don't need your help!"
Sasuke snapped back to his senses, face flushed.
He struggled to his feet and looked at the distant storm, feeling a bit dejected.
"Um… you okay?"
Naruto scratched his head sheepishly.
"…"
Sasuke fumed.
That smile again—it made him hard to perform.
Couldn't beat him, couldn't yell at him.
So annoying.
"You've improved fast."
Naruto gave a thumbs up, imitating the green-clad weirdo they'd met recently, flashing bright teeth. "I had to use full power to block it."
"Really?"
Sasuke was half skeptical.
If it was full power, he could accept it.
Meant the gap wasn't huge.
"I wouldn't lie to you."
Naruto's sincere, sunny smile made Sasuke nod despite himself.
Good. There's hope.
The same-grade matches wrapped up.
Next came cross-grade or down-grade challenges.
But after watching Naruto and Sasuke, no one dared overreach.
"As expected of Naruto."
Rinka, knowing his identity, couldn't help but sigh.
If the Fourth were still alive, Naruto would probably be enjoying flowers and cheers now.
Sadly, there was no applause.
Except from Shikamaru and a few others.
Natsume, meanwhile, was thinking it might be time to undo Naruto's seal and let him talk with the Nine-Tails.
By his plan, once Tsunade became Hokage, he would replace Shimura Danzō as the Hokage's advisor and take control of Root.
Then, when Naruto graduated, he'd serve as his team leader, teach him well, and ultimately have him send Hiruzen Sarutobi on his way.
The Nine-Tails was one of Naruto's biggest hacks—couldn't be wasted.
In the original, Naruto and Kurama didn't get along early on.
Natsume could help.
Or rather, give the Nine-Tails a small Hashirama-style Wood Release shock.
"Natsume, I'm heading back to prepare lunch. See you next time."
Rinka stood.
The assessments on the field had ended.
Students were returning to class.
"Goodbye, auntie."
After chatting more with Rinka today, Natsume finally understood where Hinata's personality and figure came from.
Definitely not from that old stick Hiashi.
He withdrew his gaze, scanned the area, and noticed Hinata hadn't left yet. He used Body Flicker to appear before her.
"Natsume-nii!"
Hinata's tone held a hint of joy. She looked up and asked, "How did I do today?"
Her Byakugan eyes brimmed with a desire for praise—like a little girl begging for candy.
"Beyond my expectations."
Natsume patted her head. "I'm sure you saw how shocked everyone was."
"I…"
Hinata hesitated, then swallowed her words.
Right now she only wanted his praise and attention.
Everyone else didn't matter.
"What's wrong?"
Natsume noticed her sudden blush and was puzzled.
"N-nothing."
Hinata shook her head. "Natsume-nii, I'm going to class. See you tonight."
She finished and trotted off.
Natsume blinked, then smiled.
He didn't know what it was, but cute was all that mattered!
He turned—and saw a little girl not far away.
Delicate features, a cool expression, shoulder-length brown hair, looking at him curiously.
Natsume raised an eyebrow.
He sensed a faint trace of a familiar chakra nature.
Yin Release—the power of yin, born of spiritual energy governing imagination, creating form from nothing.
The Mangekyō Sharingan possesses the pinnacle of Yin Release; its ocular powers fit that creation from nothing standard.
No matter how outrageous the wish, a matching eye technique can be born—power varies, of course.
Generally, if a shinobi is consciously controlling it, you wouldn't notice their chakra fluctuations.
Byakugan excluded, naturally.
Natsume felt intrigued, because this Yin Release was very pure.
He stepped forward. "I'm Natsume. What's your name?"
The little girl noticed him, blushed slightly, and said shyly, "I'm Kurama Yakumo."
She realized that staring at someone like that really wasn't very polite.