Naruto's eyes ached. He rubbed them with the heels of his palms, then blinked at the page in front of him. The illustration showed a plant with broad leaves and clusters of yellow flowers. Beneath it, dense text described its properties: reduces inflammation, promotes healing, grows in shaded areas near water.
He'd been studying for hours.
The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Herbs lay open across his lap, easily the thickest book he'd ever seen. Hundreds of plants filled its pages, each with detailed drawings and descriptions of where to find them, how to harvest them, and what ailments they treated.
The system had circled specific entries in red ink that appeared as Naruto turned the pages. Plants for bruises. Herbs that reduced swelling. Roots that helped blood flow and tissue repair.
Naruto traced his finger along another circled entry, mouthing the words as he committed them to memory. Serrated leaves. Purple flowers. Found near streams.
"I think I've got them all memorized, System."
[Excellent work, Naruto! You're quite sharp. Now eat lunch, then we'll gather the herbs this afternoon.]
Naruto's stomach growled on cue. He closed the book carefully and headed for the kitchen.
The afternoon sun filtered through the forest canopy as Naruto picked his way between trees, a woven basket strapped to his back. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Herbs was tucked under one arm, opened to the first circled entry.
He crouched beside a stream, examining the plants growing along its bank. There. Purple flowers, serrated leaves, just like the illustration. He pulled his kunai and carefully cut several stems near the root, exactly as the book instructed.
[Good. Now check for the one with the broad yellow flowers. It should be growing in the shade nearby.]
Naruto moved deeper into the forest, eyes scanning the undergrowth. His basket slowly filled with roots, leaves, flowers, and strips of bark. By the time the sun began its descent toward the horizon, he'd gathered everything on the list.
At home, he spread his collection across the table. Following the system's step-by-step instructions, he crushed, ground, and mixed the ingredients. Some needed to be boiled. Others were better raw. The mixture gradually transformed into a thick, greenish paste that smelled sharp and medicinal.
He spooned the paste into several small jars and sealed them tight.
[Perfect. Tomorrow, you begin the second stage of foundation building.]
Naruto stared at the jars. "What's this medicine for, exactly?"
[You'll see. Get some sleep. Tomorrow will be challenging.]
The system's tone carried that same hint of anticipation from before.
Naruto swallowed hard.
Morning arrived too quickly.
Naruto stood in a small clearing on the back mountain, two items at his feet: the jars of medicinal paste and a long bamboo stick, roughly as thick as his thumb.
He stared at the bamboo stick. "System, why did you tell me to bring this?"
[You'll need it for training.]
"What kind of training?"
[The second stage of foundation building. Now, remove your shirt.]
Naruto's hands froze on the hem of his shirt. "What?"
[Your shirt. Take it off.]
"Why?"
[Don't waste time, Naruto. Remove your upper clothing. You may keep your pants on.]
Slowly, confusion written across his face, Naruto pulled his shirt over his head. The cool morning air raised goosebumps on his skin. A year of training had built lean muscle across his chest and arms, visible definition despite his young age.
[Impressive. You've developed well. Now pick up the bamboo stick.]
Naruto bent and lifted the switch. It was light, flexible. He gave it an experimental swing. It cut through the air with a soft whistle.
"Okay, I'm holding it. Now what?"
[Now hit yourself with it.]
Naruto's jaw dropped. "WHAT?"
[You heard correctly. Strike yourself. Arms, chest, legs, back. This is the second stage: endure the harshest punishment to build the strongest foundation. Pain tolerance is crucial for advanced techniques. The more your body can withstand, the better prepared you'll be.]
"You want me to hit myself? On purpose?"
[Yes. Begin.]
Naruto stared at the bamboo stick in his hand. This was insane. This was—
He thought of the villagers' cold stares. The pharmacy owners slamming doors in his face. The children who ran from him like he was a plague.
He thought of the young man in the projection, standing alone after defeating gods and monsters.
He thought of having friends. Real friends who smiled when they saw him.
His grip tightened on the bamboo stick.
A flash of determination hardened his features.
CRACK!
The switch struck his chest. Pain exploded across his skin, sharp and immediate. He gasped, eyes watering.
CRACK! CRACK!
Two more strikes in quick succession. Red welts rose on his torso, angry lines against his tanned skin.
Three hundred meters away, two ANBU operatives stood on a high branch, hidden among the leaves.
They'd been monitoring Uzumaki Naruto for over a year now. Orders from the Third Hokage himself. Watch the Nine-Tails container. Report any unusual behavior.
The first ANBU, designated Wolf, tilted his head. "Is he... taking his shirt off?"
Bear, the second ANBU, leaned forward. "Appears so."
"Why would he—"
Naruto picked up the bamboo stick.
Both ANBU tensed.
Then Naruto swung the switch. At himself.
CRACK!
The sound echoed through the forest.
Wolf and Bear stared in stunned silence as the boy struck himself again. And again. Red marks bloomed across his small body.
"Is this some kind of..." Wolf trailed off, at a loss for words.
"I'll report to Lord Third." Bear's voice was grim. "You stay and monitor."
Bear vanished in a blur of movement.
Wolf remained in the tree, watching the bizarre training session below with growing concern.
"Lord Third!"
The door to the Hokage's office burst open.
Hiruzen Sarutobi jerked violently, hands slamming down over the crystal ball on his desk. His heart hammered. The image of the women's bathhouse vanished beneath his palms.
Not again.
He took a slow breath, composing his features into serene authority. When he looked up at the ANBU operative in his doorway, his expression was perfectly calm.
"There's no need to rush. Catch your breath, then report." His voice was gentle, patient.
The ANBU ninja straightened, clearly moved by the Hokage's concern. Lord Third is so considerate. Such wisdom and compassion. I'm honored to serve under him.
"Lord Third, thank you for your concern. But this matter is urgent. Naruto Uzumaki is exhibiting extremely unusual behavior."
Hiruzen's eyebrow lifted fractionally. "Oh? What kind of behavior?"
"He's... he removed his clothing and is whipping himself with a bamboo stick, sir."
The calm mask on Hiruzen's face cracked slightly. His eye twitched.
"I see. Wait outside. I'll call for you shortly."
"Yes, Lord Third!" The ANBU ninja bowed deeply and stepped out, chest swelling with pride. He said he'll call for me! Perhaps he's finally recognized my talents!
The moment the door closed, Hiruzen's hand flew from the crystal ball. He passed his palm over its surface, and the image shifted from the bathhouse to the back mountain.
There, in perfect clarity, stood six-year-old Naruto Uzumaki. Shirtless. Covered in red welts. Raising a bamboo stick high above his head.
CRACK!
Even without sound, Hiruzen winced. The boy's face contorted in pain, but he raised the switch again.
CRACK!
Blood began to seep from some of the deeper welts.
CRACK!
"What in the world..." Hiruzen muttered, leaning closer to the crystal. Naruto's expression was fierce, determined. Almost... happy?
The Third Hokage's mind raced. Heartbreak? No, ridiculous. He's six years old.
Then he remembered reading about certain ascetic practices in distant lands. Monks who sought spiritual enlightenment through self-inflicted pain and suffering.
Is Naruto seeking some kind of redemption? But for what? What does a six-year-old child think he needs to atone for?
The image in the crystal shifted slightly as Naruto moved. More welts. More blood. That same strange, determined expression.
Hiruzen rubbed his temples. This required careful handling. He couldn't intervene directly without revealing the surveillance, but he couldn't simply ignore a child harming himself either.
He raised his voice. "ANBU operative, you may enter. I have an assignment for you."
The door opened immediately. The ANBU ninja practically vibrated with eagerness.
"Continue monitoring Naruto closely. If his behavior escalates or he appears to be in serious danger, intervene. Otherwise, observe and report daily. This is a matter of village security."
"Understood, Lord Third! I won't fail you!"