The morning sun filtered gently through the curtains of Naruto's small apartment, casting golden light on the freshly waxed wooden floor. A quiet breeze stirred the fabric of the long combat robe draped over a simple hanger. The silence of the room was broken only by the steady, rhythmic breath of the boy standing before the mirror.
Naruto stood tall, his expression calm but sharp, eyes steady and resolute. His once unruly golden hair had taken on a deeper crimson hue since the end of his training, cascading down in refined layers around his face. The whisker marks that once graced his cheeks had faded entirely, giving way to an angular jaw and mature features—his gaze no longer the naive stare of a boy but the piercing look of someone who had seen more than his age would suggest.
He wore a black, tight-fitted robe with silver linings tracing across the shoulders and down the sleeves. A golden embroidery of the Taiji (Yin-Yang) symbol was stitched boldly across his chest and back, its balance reflecting the harmony he now held within. On his waist, a simple silver belt held his robe with discipline, and his forearms bore polished metal bracers, elegant yet efficient. The faint metallic glint of the belt buckle mirrored the steely determination in his eyes.
His body had changed too. The boy who once struggled to catch up in physical drills now moved with the grace and confidence of a hardened warrior—his lean frame was laced with muscle, every motion economical yet controlled, as if each step carried the weight of unseen battles.
Taking one final breath, Naruto grabbed his sprit Sword, slipped the pendabt around his neck like a talisman, and exited his apartment without a word.
---
As he approached the Academy, the familiar sights of the bustling Konoha village welcomed him. But this time, it was different. He no longer felt like a stranger walking through the crowd. His strides were firm, shoulders squared, his presence drawing second glances from villagers who would have once sneered or ignored him entirely.
A child tugged at his mother's sleeve, pointing. "Mom, is he a samurai?"
"No, dear," the woman replied, eyes lingering on Naruto as he passed. "That's Uzumaki Naruto."
---
At the Academy gates, the usual morning chatter of students echoed from the windows. Naruto climbed the stairs slowly, his mind calm, unbothered by the nervous excitement that filled the air inside.
As he entered the classroom, **a hush** fell.
Gone was the loudmouth prankster who used to barge in, shouting and waving his arms. In his place stood a boy transformed—quiet, proud, and commanding. He nodded respectfully at the students who turned to him, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on the group that had become his closest friends: Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji.
"Naruto!" Ino waved with a bright smile. "You look… amazing!"
He smiled faintly and walked toward them.
Shikamaru raised a brow. "You look like someone who's already been on a mission."
Choji nodded in agreement as he munched on a rice ball. "You've changed… in a good way."
Naruto shrugged slightly. "I just trained. That's all."
Though he said little, his presence spoke volumes.
---
Iruka entered the classroom shortly after and clapped his hands to gather attention.
"Alright, listen up! Today is your graduation exam. I will call your name one by one. You'll come forward and perform the three basic ninjutsu techniques—Transformation, Clone, and Substitution. Those who pass will receive their forehead protector and be recognized as Genin."
Groans and excited whispers filled the room.
"First up, Haruno Sakura."
The exams proceeded swiftly. One by one, the students stepped forward, showcasing the techniques they had practiced for years. Some performed well, others barely scraped by.
Finally, Iruka looked down at the clipboard. "Uzumaki Naruto."
The room went quiet.
Naruto stood up silently and walked to the center of the classroom. Iruka, Mizuki, and the observers—Chunin and a few special guests—watched him with neutral expressions.
"Begin," Iruka instructed.
Naruto closed his eyes briefly. Then, with movements as smooth as flowing water, he performed all three jutsu in sequence—without a single hand sign.
His **Transformation Technique** shifted him into Iruka's likeness so convincingly that even Mizuki blinked in disbelief. His **Clone Technique** produced not one, but three clones, each perfectly formed. His **Substitution Technique** occurred so quickly and subtly that a small puff of smoke was the only evidence he had swapped with the chair beside him.
Silence.
Iruka's mouth parted slightly. Mizuki furrowed his brows. The room was utterly still.
Then Iruka broke into a smile. "Naruto… You pass."
Naruto gave a slight nod. Iruka reached into the box and pulled out the Konoha headband. He stepped forward and handed it over.
As Naruto took the forehead protector and tied it around his arm, a small ripple of awe moved through the classroom. Even Sasuke Uchiha—always aloof—watched him with a glimmer of curiosity.
---
**At the Hokage Tower**
In the observation room, behind a mirrored glass, several Jonin stood watching the exams.
"That boy," murmured Kurenai Yuhi, eyes narrowed. "He's completely different from before."
"His movements… they're sharp. No wasted energy," Kakashi Hatake said, flipping his book closed for once. "Something about him reminds me of a seasoned fighter. But he's just a boy."
Asuma Sarutobi lit a cigarette, watching the boy's calm retreat to his seat. "His physical posture, gaze, control—it's like he's been trained outside the Academy."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, folded his hands behind his back. His gaze never left the screen. "He's no longer a child," he whispered. "Naruto has begun to find his path."
---
That evening, Naruto returned to his apartment. As he placed the headband on his desk, his eyes drifted to the **white egg** resting atop the cloth pillow. The **Celestial Divine Nine Fox Egg**, which had remained dormant for days, was glowing faintly now, pulsing with a gentle rhythm like a heartbeat.
Naruto stepped forward. As if compelled by instinct, he pricked his finger with a kunai and let a drop of blood fall onto the surface.
The moment his blood touched the shell, it shimmered with radiant light. The pulse grew stronger, and fine cracks began forming across the surface.
The egg responded.
Naruto watched silently, a sense of familiarity blooming in his chest.
"Welcome," he whispered.
---
**Next Morning**
Naruto stood before the mirror again. His outfit was the same, but something had changed.
A presence now walked with him.
The egg, though still unhatched, had established a connection—he could feel it. It was warm, playful, proud, and yet mysterious. In his dreams the night before, he had seen flickers of its future form: a fox with nine flowing tails, eyes filled with ancient wisdom and loneliness.
Naruto tied his headband tightly around his forehead, glanced once at the still-glowing egg, then left for the Academy.
---
As he entered the classroom, **heads turned**. Girls blushed, giggled, or looked away nervously. Naruto had always been loud and annoying in their eyes—now, he was something else entirely.
"He's so… cool," one whispered.
"Did he always look like that?" another girl murmured.
Even Sakura glanced up and blinked twice.
"Is that Naruto?" she whispered to Ino, who only smiled and nodded knowingly.
Kiba stared at him, his pup Akamaru yipping quietly from his head. "What the hell did that guy eat over break?"
Hinata turned red, barely able to look up from her desk.
Shino said nothing, but adjusted his glasses slightly.
Sasuke's gaze lingered a bit longer than the rest.
Naruto walked to his seat calmly, acknowledged Ino and Shikamaru with a nod, and folded his arms across his chest.
---
Iruka entered and clapped his hands once more. "Congratulations to all who passed. Today, we will assign you into three-man squads."
The classroom leaned in with anticipation.
"Team 10: Yamanaka Ino, Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji."
Ino smiled, Shikamaru groaned, and Choji happily offered his friends snacks in celebration.
"Team 8: Hyuga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino."
Kiba gave a loud cheer. Hinata merely nodded, while Shino stood without emotion.
Iruka paused for a breath.
"Team 7: Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura, Uchiha Sasuke."
Naruto blinked, glanced sideways. Sakura *jumped to her feet.*
"What!? Why do I have to be on the same team as Naruto!?"
The class chuckled.
Naruto didn't react. He simply leaned back and stared out the window, watching the drifting clouds.
Sasuke, sitting beside him, narrowed his eyes. "Don't get in my way."
Naruto didn't answer—just smiled faintly.
For all his training, changes, and battles yet to come, Naruto knew one thing:
This was only the beginning.
To Be Continued…