Uchiha Sasuke plopped down on the ground, looking utterly defeated.
In less than two weeks, he had already lost first place in physical training.
His goal for enrolling had always been singular: emulate Uchiha Itachi, dominate the ninja academy within a year, and graduate at the top.
And now, before he even truly began, it was already over.
"Sasuke, are you okay?"
A hand extended toward him, revealing Naruto Uzumaki's sincere face.
"What do you mean, okay?"
Sasuke's face hardened. "You just got lucky this time. Next time, don't even think of winning against me!"
"You're right, Sasuke-kun!"
Sakura Haruno chimed in, stepping forward and extending her hand hastily, fearing Sasuke would shake Naruto's hand instead.
"I won't lose either!"
Naruto said confidently. "I have Kitazawa-sensei's running techniques!"
Running techniques?
Sasuke froze, realization hitting him. He stood and strode toward Kitazawa.
Sakura was petrified, her fists clenched, teeth gritted in frustration.
Naruto scratched his head, puzzled by her reaction, but quickly let it go and went to find Kiba and the others.
"I got first place!" Naruto announced joyfully.
"Who asked?"
Kiba glared at him.
"Congratulations, Naruto," Nara offered with a smile.
"You're better than me," Choji handed over a bag of chips. "Want some?"
"Thanks," Naruto replied, feeling warmth flood his heart.
Finally, he wasn't alone—he had many friends now.
"Kitazawa-sensei,"
Sasuke inhaled deeply. "What exactly are these running techniques Naruto learned?"
"Why didn't you just ask him?"
Kitazawa smiled knowingly.
"I didn't want to," Sasuke replied coldly.
"There's no secret. I just taught him proper running form," Kitazawa explained. "And you already know it."
"I don't believe it!"
Sasuke denied instinctively.
"You can ask Naruto if you don't believe me," Kitazawa said, unsurprised.
Sasuke fell silent.
If the technique was the same, then… Naruto's stats simply outmatched his?
Impossible. Sasuke clenched his teeth and approached Naruto.
"Come with me. I have a question," he said coldly.
"What question?" Naruto followed, curious.
"What did Kitazawa-sensei teach you?" Sasuke asked directly.
"You want to learn this?"
Naruto's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Spit it out!"
Sasuke commanded, not looking at him.
"Heh, sure!"
Naruto cheerfully explained, seeing it as an honor that the academy's top student sought his advice.
Beyond pride, there was another reason: Sasuke didn't treat him differently for being called a "monster."
"That's it?"
Sasuke widened his eyes.
"Yep," Naruto replied, puzzled. "Isn't that enough?"
Sasuke realized Kitazawa hadn't lied.
And that made it sting even more.
Why were Naruto's physical stats better than his? He was the invincible Uchiha!
Sasuke thought long and hard before returning to Kitazawa.
"The answer is simple," Kitazawa said, raising an eyebrow. "The Uchiha specialize in Sharingan and fire-style jutsu."
"But…" Sasuke began.
"Naruto's talent isn't inferior, it's just different from yours," Kitazawa smiled.
He wasn't lying.
In the original tale, it was clear: Naruto inherited the Six Paths' physical aptitude, Sasuke the spiritual aptitude.
In short: one is Yang, the other Yin.
"He doesn't have any talent!"
Sasuke scoffed.
At present, besides physical training, Naruto seemed average in all other aspects.
Kitazawa chuckled.
That's the charm of stats: you meet a "stat monster," and no amount of skill can defeat them.
"You'll understand eventually," Kitazawa patted his shoulder.
Sasuke glanced at Naruto, frowning.
He didn't truly believe Kitazawa, yet somewhere deep down, he sensed it could be true.
After a short break, class resumed.
Kitazawa taught ninja tool throwing, then allowed free practice while guiding Hinata, Ino, and others.
"Kitazawa-sensei!"
Naruto's eyes sparkled. "Can I start tree-climbing now?"
"Yes," Kitazawa nodded.
He had promised Naruto that first place in physical training would grant tree-climbing lessons.
"Yay!"
Naruto bounced excitedly.
"It's just climbing, you're still far behind," Sasuke muttered.
"I'll catch up soon!" Naruto said confidently.
Sasuke was about to retort when he saw three Kitazawas.
"What jutsu is this?" Naruto exclaimed.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu," they answered in unison.
"I want to learn it!" Naruto's eyes shone.
He immediately thought about having someone to play with at home.
"Finish tree-climbing first," Kitazawa promised.
"Okay!"
Naruto nodded vigorously.
"Start training."
Kitazawa assigned his clones: one for Naruto, one for Yakumo, while he himself taught Sasuke, Hinata, and Ino.
Naruto tackled tree-climbing with enthusiasm, but progress was slow.
Kitazawa pondered.
Naruto had talent, of course—otherwise, he wouldn't become a hero.
But at the ninja academy, he was at the very bottom, struggling even with basic clones, failing graduation exams.
One reason: he didn't take learning seriously.
Two: the influence of the Nine-Tails within him.
Kitazawa massaged his forehead.
With his current skill and status, touching the Nine-Tails was out of the question.
The only solution: diligent effort.
Though Naruto's progress was slow, he was improving.
"…?"
Sasuke watched in bewilderment.
Half a lesson, and Naruto had climbed only a fifth of the tree.
The first time, he had climbed halfway effortlessly.
Sasuke couldn't believe it—he had truly lost to Naruto.
Class ended quickly.
Reluctantly, Naruto left for home.
"Congratulations on first place in physical training, Naruto," Sarutobi Hiruzen said, smiling.
"Thanks!"
Naruto grinned. "Grandpa Third, how did you know?"
"I am the Hokage," Sarutobi boasted. "Nothing escapes me."
"Wow, amazing!"
Naruto clapped and asked eagerly, "Tell me a story about the Fourth Hokage!"