Chapter 24 – A Kick from the Big Fox
A knock sounded.
Hiruzen hurriedly shut off the crystal ball, patted his slightly flushed cheeks, and called out, "Come in."
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The office door swung open.
An Anbu in a frog mask stepped inside.
"Hokage-sama."
"Ah, Haru."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed, his expression turning grave. "Has something happened to Naruto?"
Haru nodded. "Just now he sparred with Uchiha Sasuke and crushed him. Afterward he invited him to the training ground; the two seem to have become friends."
Hiruzen took out his pipe, lit it with Fire Release, and drew a slow breath.
Thoughtfulness settled on his face.
The Uchiha Clan had been restless lately; certain minds were wavering, threatening the hard-won peace of Konoha.
"Only Sasuke, so it's fine—they're classmates after all."
Remembering a certain man's promise, Hiruzen added, "If Naruto comes into contact with a second Uchiha, report it at once."
"Yes, sir!"
Haru rose and left.
"Let's see what the little rascal is up to."
Hiruzen stood; the crystal ball shimmered, revealing Naruto and Sasuke.
The two had rolled up their pant legs and stood knee-deep in a rice paddy, staring at stalks of rice.
"???"
Hiruzen's face was a question mark.
He had assumed that, true to Uchiha nature, Sasuke would keep challenging Naruto to reclaim his pride.
They'd be at each other's throats.
But what in the world was this?
It's driving me crazy!
Are you addicted to farming now?
And you, Sasuke—son of the Uchiha head—actually fell for Naruto's nonsense and started planting rice?
Are shuriken no longer cool? Is Fire Release no fun?
Naruto, out in the paddy, had no idea Hiruzen was ranting.
Glancing at the rice Sasuke had massacred, he said, "Don't panic—it won't help. You can't master Lightning Release in one go. Think back to when you learned Fire Release; ease the lightning nature into your Chakra."
"I know."
Sasuke flushed, embarrassed by the devastation. He stiffened his neck. "I'm not panicking. I was just too hasty. Next time I'll nail it!"
He raised his right hand, shaped Chakra into a blade, then let lightning flicker, dyeing the translucent knife blue.
Naruto gave it a look. Step one was done, but it wouldn't last.
Simple as it seemed, the jutsu demanded both shape and nature transformation.
It required superb control.
Sasuke was still a bit short.
In the original story, after facing Zabuza, Kakashihad them climb trees to sharpen their skills.
Sakura Haruno finished first.
Naruto and Sasuke were the slowest.
Sure enough, as Naruto mused, Sasuke lost control.
His Chakra scattered.
The rice in front of him took another hit.
He himself ended up soaked and sporting an afro.
A perfect illustration of "showboating gets you lightning-struck."
Naruto couldn't stifle a laugh.
Sasuke's face darkened.
Well, it was already blackened by electricity.
Naruto couldn't read any further change in expression.
"Next time for sure!"
Sasuke shouted.
He tried to mold Chakra again, only to feel a sudden hollowness.
His Chakra was spent.
Watching the still-spirited Naruto, he began to question life.
What's with this guy's Chakra reserves?
Naruto raised an eyebrow. Seeing nothing happen after ages, he guessed the reason.
"Let's take a break; you can wash up."
Sasuke didn't refuse.
His pride would normally make him push on.
He couldn't disgrace the Uchiha name.
But since Naruto suggested it, he went along.
"There's a stream nearby."
Naruto pointed. "Did you bring a change of clothes? I can lend you some."
He often stayed overnight in the Treehouse and had plenty of spare outfits.
"I've got my own."
Sasuke gave a cool nod and, hair still splayed like a dandelion, jogged to the stream.
Naruto was mildly surprised.
Then he thought of Itachi and understood.
His older brother must have taught him.
Uchiha Itachi was the model Ninja.
Calm, brilliant, patient, ruthless, powerful.
Only short on schooling, overthinking, and trapped in a dead end.
Naruto always steered clear of such people.
A short while later Sasuke returned, changed and handsome as ever.
Sitting opposite Naruto, he couldn't help asking, "Where did you get so much Chakra?"
Naruto answered honestly, "I was born with it."
He wasn't lying.
Aside from the Nine-Tails, most of his Chakra came from the Uzumaki bloodline.
"…"
Sasuke snorted. If you don't want to say, just say so—do you need an excuse like that?
He recalled Naruto earlier claiming he was naturally super-strong.
Naruto knew he'd been misunderstood.
But explanations were tricky.
Which reminded him of something.
Karin and her mother.
Their bodies could heal wounds and replenish Chakra if someone bit them.
As a fellow clansman, maybe he could too.
He glanced at Sasuke and quickly shook his head.
His body was reserved for Hinata's bite alone.
No one else.
"Sasuke, I've got something good."
Naruto produced a bag of dog food.
He peeled off the label and handed it over.
System-made kibble contained Yang Release.
Yang Release corresponded to physical energy.
Eating it restored stamina and Chakra.
"Smells great."
Sasuke sniffed; the air was mouth-watering.
"What is it?"
"You know soldier pills? This is a special kind."
Naruto fought back laughter.
"Thanks, Naruto."
Sasuke showed rare courtesy.
Since meeting Naruto, he'd received a lot of help.
Once an Uchiha approves of you, they're no different from anyone else.
Sasuke grabbed a handful and ate it; warmth spread through his body.
His eyes widened. "Delicious!"
Naruto only wished he had a camera.
To snap a shot of Sasuke eating dog food.
Tell him later and you could probably unlock Mangekyo Sharingan on the spot.
Just then Naruto's vision went dark; he appeared in the Sealing Space.
Two colossal eyes glared at him.
"Brat, why'd you give my dinner to an Uchiha? You know I hate them most!"
What, you're jealous?
Naruto was speechless.
"Big Fox, you eat plenty every day. One bag less won't kill you."
"It's not about one bag, understand?"
The Nine-Tails raged. "He's an Uchiha!"
"Oh?"
Naruto brightened. "Big Fox, could it be you're scared of the Uchiha?"
"Impossible!"
The Nine-Tails bellowed and booted him out.
Naruto blinked.
Who do you think you are—Kiana?
I may have been a sky-splitting janitor in my past life, but you're just a stinky fox.
Many thanks to the "Undersea Azure Dragon" boss for the tip. P.S.: The week-long promo push has begun—this decides the novel's life or death. Dear bosses, keep reading to the latest chapter every day!