Pieces of splintered wood flew through the air, the wooden training stake quivering violently from the force of the strike.
"Bu… Naruto?!" Sasuke's voice faltered, disbelief etched across his features. "When did he even learn to pull off such a powerful Taijutsu move?!"
Before Sasuke could collect his thoughts, Naruto's triumphant laughter carried across the training grounds, brimming with pride and reckless confidence.
"Hahahaha!" Naruto shouted. "During our next ninja training session, I'll use this move to make Sasuke beg for mercy on his knees!"
Sasuke's face flushed crimson with rage, his blood boiling at the audacity of Naruto's words. "You bastard, Naruto!" he growled. "Do you think you can beat me with such a little trick?!"
Yet even as he fumed, his mind acknowledged the truth. "But… this Taijutsu is really powerful. If I get caught off guard, I could actually get knocked down… Damn it!"
Sasuke's fists clenched involuntarily as he grabbed a blade of grass, rolling it tightly into a ball in frustration. He stepped back silently, heart racing with determination.
"Just that little brat… does he really think he can surpass me?" Sasuke muttered through gritted teeth. "Huh… I'll show him the difference in our abilities!"
With that, he turned toward the Uchiha compound, intent on preparing a far more brutal, grueling special training session. He would surpass himself—or die trying.
---
The Exchange Between Comrades
Meanwhile, Naruto, unaware of Sasuke's plotting, continued his training with Rock Lee.
"Ahuuu—Ahshu!" Naruto's voice rang out, mimicking the sounds he imagined Sasuke might make in protest.
"Damn it, who's talking bad about me behind my back?" he grumbled, hands on his hips. "That bastard must be Sasuke…"
Rock Lee, ever perceptive, tilted his head in curiosity. "Uchiha Sasuke?" he asked. "I've heard of him. He's the genius of the Uchiha Clan, right?"
Naruto pouted and waved dismissively. "Ah, Uchiha Clan, yes. But genius? Forget it!"
Lee's expression was serious. "No, Naruto. Genius does exist. Even though I may not want to admit it, it is a fact. Sasuke is truly exceptional. And there is another in our class—Hyuga Neji. He is an opponent I yearn to challenge the most!"
Naruto's eyes sparkled at the mention of a shared rival. "Absolutely! I'll definitely beat that bastard Sasuke too!"
The two young shinobi locked eyes, their shared determination palpable. Rock Lee extended his palm toward Naruto, who met it with his own.
"Naruto! This is our passionate youth promise!" Lee exclaimed.
"Alright!" Naruto replied with unrestrained energy.
"Then let's start our handstand walking workout today!" Lee announced.
"What?!" Naruto groaned.
Yet, like every day, he persevered.
---
Relentless Physical Training
After another day of extreme voluntary training, Naruto felt completely exhausted. The sun had scorched the training grounds, sweat dripping from every pore, yet the boy pressed on. His body ached, but his spirit soared.
At last, the system chimed, its pleasant notification breaking through his fatigue:
[The host has once again completed Taijutsu training. Physical Strength increased by +3. Current Physical Strength: 93 points!]
[Congratulations! You have gained a new skill…]
[Physical Strength Monster!]
[When the host is immersed in Taijutsu training and combat, they can unleash physical strength, stamina, and explosive power far beyond normal limits. Physical endurance and recovery are also significantly enhanced!]
Naruto froze, a wild grin spreading across his face. "This… this is incredible!" he shouted, leaping into the air, hands raised triumphantly. "My strength has increased so much! Physical Strength Monster… does this mean I'm actually suited for Taijutsu training? Sasuke… I will absolutely beat you in our next session!"
---
Sasuke's Determined Night
Meanwhile, in the shadows of the Uchiha compound, Sasuke trained under the cover of night. Practicing the Great Fireball Technique, he sneezed involuntarily, momentarily distracted.
"Ahshu—what's going on? Is Diao Che Wei cursing at me?" he muttered in irritation.
Shaking off the distraction, Sasuke focused. "Fire Release! Great Fireball Technique!"
A massive fireball erupted from the lakeshore, the fiery glow painting the water crimson and illuminating the night sky. His eyes reflected the flames, mirroring his burning determination to surpass Naruto and every obstacle in his path.
---
Evening Reflection and Growth
Later that night, Naruto completed his scheduled Chakra Refining Technique and Clone Technique repetitions. Exhausted yet exhilarated, he finally allowed himself the rest he had earned. Before sleep, he reviewed his stats:
Chakra Amount: 42 points
Ninjutsu:
Clone Technique (55/100)
Transformation Technique (61/100)
Substitution Technique (45/100)
Chakra Refining Technique (73/100)
Taijutsu:
Basic Taijutsu (58/100)
Shuriken Technique (41/100)
Leaf Whirlwind (60/100)
"Chakra has increased to 42… that's 19 more than before!" Naruto muttered, his eyes sparkling. "If I recall, a Ninja Academy student usually has about 10 points. That means I'm equivalent to four ordinary students! And my Clone Technique went from 16 to 55… all those hours of training really paid off."
Yet the most prideful achievement was mastering Leaf Whirlwind, taught by Might Guy. Reaching 60 points in proficiency, it was Naruto's first truly lethal Taijutsu technique. Alongside his academic growth—raising previously twenty-to-thirty average points to forty or fifty—Naruto felt a genuine sense of progress and potential.
Satisfied, he drifted into deep sleep, his body twitching occasionally as he dreamed. The dreams were vivid and varied: eating ramen with Iruka-sensei, defeating Sasuke in combat, training with Rock Lee, even going on a date with Sakura. Yet sometimes Sakura's face blurred, replaced by the shy, gentle visage of Hinata.
Naruto murmured softly in his sleep, confused by the sudden shift in his dreams.
---
The Next Morning – A Comrade's Challenge
The following day, it was once again time for Ninja Academy lessons. For Naruto, this was the fifth day since the system had appeared. Time felt simultaneously short and unending, as every moment was packed with intense growth and training. After a quick breakfast, encouraged by the system's guidance, he strode to the Academy with one hand casually raised in a confident posture.
"Hey, Naruto! Good morning!"
Naruto flinched slightly at the cheerful voice. "Lee!" Rock Lee called out, walking alongside him with a radiant smile. "Let's race! Let's see who reaches school first!"
Before Naruto could reply, Lee vanished in a blur, like a wisp of smoke racing ahead.
Hearing this, Naruto's fighting spirit surged. "Huh, who's afraid of who?!"
Exploding with energy, he followed Lee, transforming into a cloud of dust as he sped through the streets. While Lee possessed greater explosive power, Naruto's endurance gave him the advantage in sustained speed. The two burst through the Academy gates nearly simultaneously, laughing and panting in exhilaration.
"I was still a hair ahead!" Naruto exclaimed, his grin wide with excitement.
In that moment, Naruto felt the thrill of camaraderie, of rivalry, and of the boundless potential of youth. Even if others whispered and pointed at them, calling them eccentric or reckless, it no longer mattered. For Naruto, the journey had begun, and nothing could stop his ascent.
---