"Uzumaki Naruto…"
Kakashi quietly repeated the name, a flicker of regret passing through his visible eye.
He knew that name.
He knew who this child was.
The Fourth Hokage's son.
The Nine-Tails' jinchūriki.
A faint sense of guilt rose within him.
For all these years, Kakashi had buried himself in self-reproach and memories. He had never truly gone to see his teacher's child.
Twelve years…
Twelve whole years.
How had Naruto lived all this time?
Closing Make-Out Paradise, Kakashi kept his tone casual—but there was a trace of sincerity beneath it.
"So, what do you need from me?"
Naruto shook his head lightly and replied in an easy tone, "I was just curious. A ninja as skilled as you—why are you standing around reading so leisurely? Shouldn't you be out on a mission?"
"Normally, yes." Kakashi scratched the back of his head. "But I've been assigned to lead the new batch of genin, so I'm on a temporary break. Who knows… I might even end up as your jōnin instructor."
Naruto smiled faintly.
Of course he would.
Naruto had lived through that reality countless times.
But outwardly, he merely nodded cooperatively.
"Really? Then I'm looking forward to it. If I become your student, I'll probably improve a lot."
Kakashi studied Naruto's bright expression with quiet surprise.
He had always assumed that a jinchūriki's childhood would be darker. Lonelier.
But the blond boy in front of him had clear eyes and an open smile—without a trace of gloom.
If anything, there was a steadiness there that didn't quite match his age.
That detail reassured Kakashi slightly.
"Then let's look forward to tomorrow's graduation exam," Kakashi said.
"Yes," Naruto replied, a subtle undertone in his voice. "Tomorrow's an important day. I'll see you at the graduation briefing."
Kakashi nodded. "Yeah… see you."
They passed each other.
After a few steps, Kakashi stopped and glanced back at Naruto's retreating figure.
Thoughtful.
He reopened Make-Out Paradise.
But he couldn't read a single word.
...
After parting from Kakashi, Naruto spotted another familiar figure downstairs near his apartment building.
The boy stood in the shadows beyond the streetlamp's reach, pacing back and forth. His inner conflict was almost visible.
Sasuke.
Naruto remembered.
In many previous loops, if he defeated Sasuke during sparring, Sasuke would do exactly this.
After school, after dinner, after wrestling with his pride—
He would come alone to Naruto's building, hesitating whether to knock and ask how Naruto had grown stronger.
Most of the time, Sasuke would ultimately leave in silence.
Until one particular loop—after Team 7 was formed and they had truly opened up to each other—Naruto learned that every time he returned home, Sasuke had been lingering downstairs moments later.
In one loop, Naruto had even hidden behind the window to secretly watch Sasuke struggle with himself.
He had found it amusing.
But this time, because of his conversation with Kakashi—and his thoughts about the Hyūga clan, Naruto had returned at just the right moment.
They ran straight into each other.
Naruto's expression remained calm as he walked forward and greeted him casually.
"Yo, Sasuke."
Sasuke startled slightly, snapping his head up. When he realized it was Naruto, he forced himself to regain composure and turned his face aside with a quiet snort.
"You… why are you back so late? I didn't see you at the training grounds."
Naruto smiled faintly.
"This morning, I gave the Hokage faces a little tattoo work. After school, I helped wash it off."
He tilted his head slightly.
"So why are you wandering around my building? Lost? I'm pretty sure your house is the other way."
Sasuke stiffened, heat creeping faintly up his cheeks.
"T-That's none of your business!"
"So you are here to see me? Something you need?"
Naruto cut straight to the point.
Silence hung between them for a few seconds.
Sasuke pressed his lips together, as if steeling himself. Casting aside his pride and embarrassment, he raised his head and met Naruto's gaze directly.
"The taijutsu you used today… and your shuriken skills. How did you learn them? Can you tell me? I have a reason I must become stronger."
Naruto paused slightly.
That was unexpected.
In previous loops, even if Sasuke came to him, he would usually probe indirectly—or demand answers harshly. Rarely had he spoken so directly.
Was it because this time they had run into each other face-to-face? Because Naruto's attitude had changed?
Naruto knew better than anyone that even the smallest variation could cause subtle—or dramatic shifts in the future.
That was a lesson carved from countless loops.
Looking into Sasuke's dark eyes, filled with obsession—Naruto thought for a moment before answering.
"I suppose I could tell you. But let's talk after the graduation exam. It's late. Go home and get some rest."
He turned to head toward the stairwell.
"Wait!"
Sasuke's voice stopped him.
Another question that had troubled him all day burst out.
"Did you really just suddenly work hard and get stronger? Or were you hiding your strength all along? I don't quite believe what you said this afternoon…"
Naruto stopped and looked back.
His sapphire-blue eyes carried a complicated expression.
After a moment of quiet, he replied slowly:
"Hiding my strength? What would be the point? I did only recently 'figure some things out.' As for the reason… I'll tell you someday."
With that, Naruto entered the stairwell. His footsteps gradually faded.
Sasuke remained where he stood. The night wind stirred his black hair.
His confusion hadn't lessened.
If anything, it had deepened.
But he was certain of one thing now.
Something significant had changed within Uzumaki Naruto.
Sasuke looked up toward the rooftop—toward Naruto's apartment.
He would just have to wait.
After the graduation exam, perhaps he would finally get his answer.
---
The Next Day.
When Naruto stepped into the classroom, many students were already seated.
Out of habit, his eyes swept across the entire room.
Every student.
Every seat.
Almost exactly as he remembered from countless loops.
Of course, there were minor differences—depending on the changes Naruto himself had made after restarting.
He paused briefly at the doorway.
His gaze settled on Hyūga Hinata, seated by the window.
She was looking down at the book on her desk, pale eyes focused and serene.
Remembering yesterday's brief exchange—and all the small moments he had ignored in earlier loops—Naruto walked over.
"Good morning, Hinata."
Startled by the familiar voice, Hinata looked up.
Color flooded her cheeks instantly. Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the edge of her book.
But compared to yesterday's flustered panic, she seemed slightly steadier today.
"G-Good morning, Naruto-kun."
Her voice was soft—but clear.
Naruto smiled lightly and didn't linger. He returned to his seat.
Others had noticed the exchange.
Ino nudged Sakura with her elbow and whispered, "See? I told you. Naruto's been acting strange since yesterday."
Sakura didn't reply.
She watched Naruto's back as he sat down, brows knitting slightly.
He really had changed.
He wasn't the Naruto who would rush over loudly to greet her and try to grab her attention.
Today—
He hadn't even looked in her direction.