The next morning, Nagi wasn't in any rush to head to the Ninja Academy.
After all, even if he went, it was just for appearances.
So while passing through the commercial district early that day, he happened across a ninja tools shop.
The shelves were filled with weapons of all kinds, but Nagi barely spared them a glance.
His attention went straight to the gear in the back.
"Hey there, kid. You a student? Got your eye on this weighted gear too?"
The shop owner noticed Nagi's interest and came over enthusiastically.
"This is the best weighted gear in all of Konoha, no question…"
"I want to try that one," Nagi said, pointing at the rack.
The shopkeeper was just about to reach for it when Nagi added:
"Not that one. I want the heaviest set."
"…What?"
For a second, the shopkeeper wondered if he'd misheard.
"I said give me your heaviest weighted gear."
Seeing the man freeze, Nagi calmly repeated himself.
This time, the shopkeeper definitely heard it—and was completely stunned.
"That level of gear is way beyond what someone your size can handle!"
He tried to talk Nagi out of it, but Nagi's expression remained firm.
Just then, a figure in a green jumpsuit walked into the shop.
"Huh?"
Lee hadn't expected to run into a fellow academy student here.
But based on what he was seeing… this guy was definitely pushing himself.
That weighted gear—Lee trained with it constantly, and even he didn't dare use the heaviest set.
But Nagi insisted.
"Kid, I need to warn you. Once this scroll is opened, the weights activate immediately!"
Still, the shopkeeper did as asked, equipping Nagi with the highest-level weighted gear.
Nagi moved his arms and legs a bit.
No hindrance. No strain. Total ease.
"…Impossible!"
Lee's worldview shattered on the spot.
That was the top-tier weighted scroll! How was a regular student wearing it like it was nothing?
"What the heck…"
"Are today's students really built like this?"
The shopkeeper stood there, completely dumbfounded. He'd been selling gear for decades.
And he had never seen anyone successfully wear this level of weight—until now.
Nagi calmly paid and walked out under their stunned gazes.
Leaving behind Lee and the shopkeeper, frozen in disbelief.
"Incredible… Nagi must be training every day in secret!"
Lee's eyes were shining now, moved by pure admiration.
He started shouting about Nagi's dedication, calling him a hardworking genius.
"Alright! Starting today, I'll train 100 times harder!"
Pumping his fist, Lee practically lit on fire with passion.
Clearly, Nagi had inspired him—made him feel like he wasn't trying hard enough.
"…Is this guy okay?"
Nagi looked at Lee, who was suddenly acting like he'd been injected with rocket fuel, and could only feel helpless.
"Whatever. I should head to school."
He didn't give the moment much thought and headed out.
By the time Nagi reached the Ninja Academy, the place was nearly overflowing with students.
"Oh my god, it's Nagi!"
A crowd of girls immediately swarmed him with hearts in their eyes.
"Nagi, I brought a special lunch I made just for you. Want to eat together?"
A pink-haired girl with bright teal eyes and a deep pink headband squeezed her way forward, holding a beautifully prepared bento box.
"Sakura, give it up. Nagi's not going to like your cooking anyway."
Ino, already growing into her charm even in her academy days, stood off to the side.
But even her beauty didn't stop her from butting heads with Sakura when it came to Nagi.
"Tch. Still that popular, huh?"
Naruto, standing outside the crowd, practically had the words "jealousy" and "envy" written all over his face.
"Well, it's understandable. Nagi is the most good-looking guy in the entire village."
Beside him, Shino Aburame offered a blunt explanation.
"Ruff! Ruff!"
As they spoke, Kiba's companion Akamaru suddenly began barking in panic.
"Huh? Kiba, is Akamaru sick or something?"
Naruto stared in confusion—Akamaru looked completely spooked.
"Akamaru? What is it?"
After a moment of silent communication, Kiba's expression turned to pure shock.
"Akamaru just told me… that Nagi gives off a terrifying aura."
Kiba was still confused. Akamaru had seen Nagi plenty of times before. Why the intense reaction now?
"…Hmm?"
Shino's insects began to crawl toward his ears, whispering something only he could hear.
He adjusted his glasses slightly, then glanced at Akamaru.
"Kiba… Akamaru's senses are sharp."
For the first time, the ever-stoic Shino looked serious.
"You felt it too?"
Kiba quickly pieced it together from the insect exchange.
"You mean—you also…"
Shino nodded.
"My insects told me… Nagi is infinitely more terrifying than before."
The two of them stared at Nagi with new caution.
Only Naruto was still in the dark.
"Really? He looks the same as always to me. Isn't he still just Nagi?"
Naruto blinked, genuinely confused.
Sure, Nagi had always been super popular. All the girls were constantly fighting to give him their homemade lunches.
"No, you don't get it."
Kiba and Shino said in perfect sync.
The real question now was—what exactly happened to Nagi overnight to cause this change?
"Alright, alright! Everyone get to class! Iruka-sensei said he's got something important to announce!"
Naruto's voice snapped them out of it.
[End of Chapter]