A peaceful day passed like a fleeting breeze.
After school, the afternoon sun hung low, casting a golden hue over the quiet streets of Konoha. Naruto walked home alone, his shadow stretching long behind him. The heat of the day had softened into a gentle warmth as he wandered past a quiet riverbank near the village edge.
There, just ahead, was a figure seated at the water's edge silent, still, thoughtful.
Naruto slowed his pace.
Framed by the golden rays of the sun, Uchiha Sasuke sat on a flat stone beside the water. His arms rested on his knees, black hair drifting slightly with the wind. His gaze was cast out across the river, but it wasn't the water he was focused on it was something further, deeper.
Naruto's steps faltered. A flash, something ,glimpsed in his mind, like déjà vu. The sight of Sasuke's silhouette by the river stirred an inexplicable memory… but it slipped away before he could grasp it.
Isn't that Uchiha Sasuke? The top of the class?
As Naruto stared, Sasuke slowly turned his head, as if sensing the gaze. Their eyes met.
Black met blue.
Naruto blinked. And then, without hesitation, he offered his trademark grin bright, unbothered, and sunny.
Sasuke scoffed softly, turning his head away, uninterested.
Tch. That smile. Always so irritating.
Naruto scratched his cheek with a sheepish chuckle, unbothered by the cold reaction. He turned away and continued his path home, muttering to himself, "Still as moody as ever. Guess it's time to get to work."
Naruto wasn't the same boy from a year ago. After awakening as Salaar in this body, he'd written out a rigorous schedule for himself study, physical conditioning, chakra control. Every spare moment not spent in class was dedicated to training.
A Year Later
Naruto had quietly mastered the full academy curriculum.
He knew the theory. He had near-perfect chakra control. His clone techniques—both regular and transformation were sharp and practiced. Even Iruka, the strict yet kind academy instructor, had taken notice.
In fact, Iruka had taken it upon himself to mentor Naruto more personally, quietly encouraging him and praising his relentless progress.
They now sat at the usual booth in Ichiraku Ramen, steam rising from their bowls.
Naruto, wearing a snug white turtleneck and black pants, devoured his second bowl without pause.
"You've just about eaten through my entire wallet this year," Iruka groaned, rubbing his forehead.
Naruto grinned mid-slurp. "Hehe! Iruka-sensei, you said you'd treat me whenever I needed it. You can't back out now!"
Iruka looked at the boy no, the young man. before him. In one year, Naruto had matured at an incredible rate. The goofy energy was still there, but it now masked a sharp, focused mind beneath.
Reluctantly smiling, Iruka nodded.
Then Naruto suddenly stopped eating. "Hey, Iruka-sensei… do you know any cool jutsu? I'm done with the basics. I wanna try something new."
Iruka scratched his chin. "Well, I could show you something a little more advanced…"
"Shadow Clone Technique?" Naruto asked eagerly. "The real one? That's the one where the clone is physical, right?"
Iruka blinked in surprise. "Yes but that's a jounin-level technique. It's chakra-intensive. Not everyone—"
"I wanna try it," Naruto said firmly, eyes glowing with anticipation.
Iruka sighed. "Alright… but don't blame me if you pass out."
They moved to a grassy clearing behind the academy. Iruka demonstrated the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu, forming a perfect duplicate beside him.
Naruto focused. He formed the seals.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Poof!
Two perfect clones stood beside him—solid, balanced, and identical.
Iruka's jaw dropped. "Wh-what the Naruto, how…?! That's impossible for a genin to learn in one try!"
Naruto smiled modestly. "Guess I've been practicing more than you thought."
Iruka couldn't believe it. The clones were not just functional they were stable. Even the chakra distribution was balanced. He had suspected Naruto had talent, but this… this was beyond talent. It was genius.
The Sparring Session
That week, the class was led outside to the academy training grounds. It was sparring day.
Students were encouraged to pick opponents for practical taijutsu matches.
Shikamaru fought Choji, their battle more of a lazy scuffle than a match.
Kiba took on Shino, bugs flying as Akamaru barked excitedly.
Sakura clashed with Ino, both yelling more than fighting.
Sasuke was immediately challenged by one of the more arrogant students—a boy from a minor clan. The fight lasted less than thirty seconds.
A roundhouse kick from Sasuke sent the boy flying across the yard, landing hard in the dirt. Gasps rippled through the class.
Naruto, meanwhile, stood alone.
He noticed no one had approached him. Despite his quiet progress, his reputation as the "jinchuriki monster" still lingered. The others ignored him—
either out of fear or disdain.
Then, he noticed someone else looking lost Hinata Hyuga. She stood uncertainly in the crowd, scanning for someone to pair with.I cannot leave my future wife alone can't I 🤣
Naruto approached with a smile. "Hey, Hinata! No sparring partner?"
She flinched at his voice, turning with a blush. "N-Naruto-kun…"
"I don't have one either. Wanna spar together?"
"W-With you?" Her face lit up redder than ever. "O-Okay!"😖😢
They moved to a quiet corner of the field. Naruto stepped into a ready stance, his eyes playful.
"Let's see that famous Hyuga soft fist," he said.
Hinata hesitated, fingers nervously tugging at the hem of her shirt. "O-Okay…"
As she calmed herself, her stance grew sharp and focused.
This is my chance, she thought. Naruto-kun has worked so hard… I have to show him that I have too!
She struck first.
Naruto parried, then dodged, matching her movements in a graceful flow. Palm met fist, step met counter-step. The two moved as if dancing, pushing each other faster, stronger.
Their clash ended in a draw—both leaping back, breathing hard.
"You're strong, Hinata," Naruto said, genuinely impressed.
Hinata beamed.
The Challenge
Just as they sat down to rest beneath a tree, a loud thud echoed across the yard.
A boy was sent flying crashing to the ground in a plume of dust.
The class fell silent.
At the center stood Sasuke Uchiha, hands in his pockets, black eyes cold and unreadable. His latest opponent groaned in defeat.
"Is that all?" Sasuke muttered.
The murmurs began.
"He's crazy strong…"
"No one can beat Sasuke…"
"I bet even Iruka-sensei's impressed."
Sasuke turned away, bored until his gaze landed on Naruto.
He started walking toward him.
Hinata's breath caught.
"Naruto."
Naruto stood, brushing dust from his pants.
"You've changed," Sasuke said simply, stopping in front of him.
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "You watching me or something?"
Sasuke ignored the jab. "Spar with me."
The class exploded with whispers.
"Did he just challenge Naruto?!"
"But Naruto's… well, he's always been…"
"Not anymore. Haven't you noticed?"
Naruto glanced toward Hinata. She looked worried.
He smiled, reassuring her. "Don't worry."
Then turned to Sasuke. "Alright. Let's go."