A quiet clearing on the outskirts of Konoha.
Uchiha Itachi gently tapped Sasuke's forehead with two fingers, a faint smile on his lips.
"That's enough training for today."
Sasuke showed no frustration from losing. Instead, his eyes shone with admiration.
"Onii-chan, you're a genius even the Hokage praises!"
"I'll train even harder to catch up to you, brother!"
Itachi's gaze drifted toward the distant figure running away.
That child… Uzumaki Naruto. The village's Jinchūriki.
It seems the Third Hokage pays him special attention.
Itachi's eyes flickered thoughtfully.
The rift between the Uchiha clan and the village leadership continues to widen.
Relying solely on Shisui and myself may not be enough to preserve the clan's standing.
If Sasuke befriends the Jinchūriki at the Academy… that could benefit both him and the Uchiha.
Sasuke noticed his brother's distraction and followed his gaze.
He puffed out his cheeks slightly.
Itachi smiled faintly.
"Sasuke, what do you think of him?"
Sasuke observed Naruto's retreating figure.
"His footwork is tight and fast. Good stamina. Probably strong chakra reserves."
He paused.
"But he's no match for me."
Sasuke lifted his chin proudly, though his bright eyes secretly sought praise.
Itachi nodded.
"Of course. He can't compare to our little genius Sasuke."
"But there's something in his eyes… like a beast. Determined. Fierce."
"If you attend the Academy together, becoming friends with him would not be a bad thing."
Sasuke stiffened slightly.
Hearing his brother praise someone his age stirred a trace of competitiveness—and a hint of hostility.
But then he remembered Naruto's lonely figure.
If I were alone like that…
The hostility faded, replaced by something unfamiliar.
He snorted.
"If he can last three rounds against me in a spar at the Academy… I might consider letting him be my friend."
Itachi chuckled and gently ruffled Sasuke's hair.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
Sasuke's smile was impossible to suppress.
[Reward Acquired: A-Rank Ninjutsu — Mystical Palm Technique (Beginner: 1/10)]
Naruto glanced at the system notification and felt a surge of excitement.
Medical-nin were among the rarest shinobi in the world—alongside sealing specialists.
Tsunade, the strongest medical-nin in the shinobi world, was renowned across nations.
Despite her disastrous gambling reputation, wealthy merchants still competed to lend her money.
Such was the value of her medical expertise.
The Mystical Palm Technique stimulates cells around a wound, accelerating regeneration and healing.
However, mastering it required medical knowledge and precise chakra control.
Simply possessing the technique was not enough.
Naruto exhaled slowly.
Practice would be essential.
Just then—
Mocking laughter echoed nearby.
"Those creepy eyes!"
"You're a monster!"
"Byakugan freak!"
Three older boys surrounded a neatly dressed girl with straight black bangs.
Hyūga Hinata.
Her pale face was tense, hands clutching the hem of her coat.
Where did my maid go…? She was just here…
Didn't she tell me to wait?
Hinata looked around anxiously.
Seeing her silence, the boys grew bolder.
They scooped up snow and hurled snowballs at her.
"Aren't you supposed to be the Hyūga heiress?!"
"So weak! Pathetic!"
A snowball struck her face.
She stumbled and fell into the snow.
Cold seeped through her clothes.
The insults echoed in her ears—reminding her of her father's disappointed gaze.
"Hinata's personality is too weak to lead the clan."
"You cannot bear the Hyūga's future."
"I am disappointed in you."
Her Byakugan blurred with tears.
The boys grew more excited, like predators sensing weakness.
Naruto stepped forward, eyes cold.
Children's cruelty was often the purest kind.
"Hey! What are you staring at?!"
"Get lost, or you'll get beaten too!"
Their tone was vicious.
Hinata saw him approach. A flicker of hope crossed her face—then worry.
He's too small… he can't fight them…
She forced herself to speak.
"G-Go away… d-don't…"
Before she could finish, the three boys suddenly collapsed, faces drained of color.
Naruto stepped forward and pressed his foot lightly against one boy's arm.
He turned toward Hinata and smiled gently.
"Close your eyes."
Hinata blinked.
Such a bright smile…
Then she hurriedly covered her eyes with both hands.
The next second—
A piercing scream tore through the clearing.
One boy's arm twisted at an unnatural angle.
Another sobbed.
"I-I'm sorry! I won't do it again!"
"Please! I have money!"
Naruto's expression remained cold.
"No."
"You don't understand what you did wrong."
He kicked decisively.
Three sharp cracks echoed in the snowy clearing.
If Might Guy were watching, he might approve of the form.