"So, did everyone remember the lesson on the Will of Fire today?"
"Yes!" the children chorused.
"Good. Then class is dismissed. See you in the afternoon."
"Yes!"
The children sprang to their feet and rushed out of the classroom.
Naruto was about to leave as well—he had plans to put into motion, and bribing a few friends was step one. However, just as he was heading out, Iruka called him back.
"Naruto, wait a moment."
At the door, Ino turned to him. "We'll wait for you outside."
"Ugh, Iruka-sensei is so long-winded," she muttered.
Iruka: "..."
It wasn't unusual for Naruto to be stopped after class—he had a habit of 'sleeping' through lessons, after all.
"Naruto, do you remember what we discussed about the Will of Fire today?"
"Yeah, I remember."
Iruka sighed. "Naruto... I know you've already mastered chakra control techniques, but if you truly want to become Hokage, that alone isn't enough. A Hokage must first be a great ninja."
"Oh."
Naruto's response was indifferent, almost dismissive.
Iruka's brow furrowed. A bitter feeling churned in his chest, one he struggled to suppress.
"I'll try my best. If there's nothing else, I'll be going now."
Naruto turned and left without waiting for a reply.
Iruka watched his retreating figure, torn between calling him back and letting him go. A voice deep inside whispered: He's just a fox demon. There's no need to waste energy on him.
But then he sighed. "He's my student... If I let my resentment dictate my actions, then what kind of teacher am I really?"
"Iruka, something on your mind? You look troubled."
A gentle voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Mizuki-sensei."
After some hesitation, Iruka shared what had happened.
Mizuki smiled reassuringly. "Iruka, don't blame yourself. You've already done more than enough. To be so patient with the demon fox that took your parents... you're admirable."
"No more, Hinata! I'm stuffed!"
"I swear, even if my dad came, he wouldn't be able to beat you at this!"
Choji lay flat on the ground, rubbing his round belly. He gave a thumbs-up to Hinata, who was still calmly eating beside him, his eyes filled with admiration.
Beside him, Rock Lee, clad in his gray training uniform, nodded seriously.
"As expected of the Hyuga clan. I am defeated—utterly defeated."
Shikamaru, finishing his meal, glanced at them and sighed. "At least sit up before you pass out. And remember, it's your turn to wash the dishes later."
Meanwhile, Naruto, grinning, answered a few of the girls' questions before knocking on the table. His voice grew serious.
"I need your help with something."
The group immediately turned their attention to him.
"There's nothing left for me to learn at the Academy," Naruto stated bluntly. "So I plan to leave a shadow clone in class while I go train. I need you all to cover for me."
"What?!"
"Naruto, you... you've already mastered Shadow Clone Jutsu?"
"Oh! My eternal rival, you continue to astound me!" Lee declared passionately.
Naruto blinked. He had expected them to be shocked at his plan to skip class—not at his ability to maintain a shadow clone in school.
"Hmph, no need to be surprised," he said. "Honestly, all of us here are in the same boat. The Academy isn't teaching us much, but we have no choice but to attend."
His gaze shifted to Lee. "Lee, once I get the hang of this, I was going to have you cover for me in class, but... No, Tiantian, I'll leave it to you."
Lee, who had been about to enthusiastically agree, was stunned. "Why not me?"
Naruto smirked. "Let's be real—if I ask you, I doubt you could fool the teachers for a whole class."
Lee wilted instantly. "Oof..."
"Honestly, it's a great idea!" Tenten chimed in. "I need more training time too—I can't afford to fall behind Naruto."
She turned to Hinata. "Hinata, want to take turns skipping class?"
Hinata hesitated. Skipping class...?
This... this didn't seem right.
Over time, Hinata had grown stronger. She no longer fainted from embarrassment or suffered hunger-induced weakness. But when it came to Naruto, she still turned into a flustered mess more often than not.
"Hmm? Hinata, you don't want to?" Naruto asked, tilting his head.
Panicked, she shook her head quickly. "N-No! I...I just need to think about it!"
It wasn't that she didn't want to improve—it was just... skipping class still felt wrong.
Tenten, leaning in, fixed Naruto with a knowing look. "You think we haven't noticed?"
Naruto blinked. "Huh?"
She smirked. "You have a lot of secrets, you know. Don't underestimate us just because we're kids. We can tell."
"So... go do what you need to do. We'll handle the rest."
The group met his gaze, their expressions serious.
Naruto sighed. "Tch. Shikamaru figured it out, didn't he?"
Gah—
Several people turned away immediately.
Naruto smiled and shook his head. "Shikamaru, I still underestimated you. You truly are the deer among the pigs, deer, and butterflies."
Shikamaru touched his nose. He was used to being praised, but this was the first time he had received such words from Naruto.
"Then I'll leave the rest to you, Shikamaru."
Shikamaru's face turned slightly red, but he feigned helplessness, spreading his hands. "Ah, what a drag. But I can't find a reason to refuse."
Several people cheered in unison.
But Shikamaru stood up and walked toward the bathroom. Naruto followed him, knowing that Shikamaru had something to say in private.
"Naruto, I don't know why things turned out this way... but I need to say this."
Shikamaru took a deep breath. "If things get out of control, I'll make sure the Ino-Shika-Cho trio withdraws. That's all I can do."
Naruto smiled.
As expected of you, Shikamaru.
"Don't worry. I have a trump card. You might not have to shoulder so much."
His words carried multiple meanings, and Naruto knew Shikamaru would pick up on them.
As expected, Shikamaru remained silent, simply watching Naruto.
Naruto raised his hand.
The Senju DNA within him activated.
Wood Release: Wood Clone Jutsu!
With a series of cracks, a wooden figure identical to Naruto emerged from his extended arm, transforming rapidly before Shikamaru's eyes.
"Mu... Naruto, you—?!"
Shikamaru's eyes widened in disbelief.
Though he was brilliant, he was still young. He understood many things but hadn't yet grasped the full implications of what he was seeing.
"Are you insane? Why are you showing me this? Aren't you afraid—"
He cut himself off, lowering his head.
After a moment, he looked at Naruto's wooden clone and sighed with a wry smile.
"This is such a pain... unbearable."
"I know what to do and when to do it."
"Naruto... all these years, it must have been tough for you."
Naruto said nothing, merely gesturing for his wooden clone to leave with Shikamaru.
Once they had gone, Naruto took a deep breath.
"The day has finally come when I don't have to hide so carefully anymore."
A relieved smile played on his lips.
Whoosh!
In an instant, he vanished from the bathroom using the Body Flicker Technique.
He arrived at the secluded waterfall he had chosen long ago.
Spreading his arms, Naruto let out a deep breath. He hadn't felt this kind of freedom in a long time.
"Absorb!"
As he absorbed nutrients from the surrounding trees, he also gathered information from them.
"No one's around. I can train without any worries."
"First, Nintaijutsu training under the waterfall."
"Then, Rasengan training... And after mastering that, Wind Style: Rasenshuriken, infusing it with chakra nature transformation."
"I need to familiarize myself with Uchiha Shisui's fighting style and integrate the Rasengan into it."
"Once I've honed my skills, I'll attempt Sage Mode again."
Naruto glanced at his wooden hand, feeling the nutrients being absorbed from the trees.
"This must be natural energy, right?"
He pondered for a moment. "Perhaps, on the night of the Uchiha Massacre, I can capture a White Zetsu. If I have natural energy, then by absorbing White Zetsu's abilities, I might be able to learn the Mayfly Technique."
"I could also master the Art of Misdirection..."
"Sage Mode relies on absorbing and utilizing natural energy."
"My Wood Release stems from the Senju and Hashirama's cells—both high-level natural forces. It shouldn't be difficult."
"But just to be safe, I won't attempt it yet."
After preparing himself, Naruto pulled out a bag of balloons.
"Let's start Rasengan training."
Whoosh!
His Sharingan spun into activation.
Shadow Clone Jutsu!
Poof!
Several shadow clones materialized around him. Together, they began the Rasengan training.
Three months later.
Naruto dispelled his shadow clones, absorbing their experiences and insights. The Rasengan in his palm gradually dissipated.
"Time to take a break before moving on to Rasenshuriken training."
"Next, the Academy will cover the basics of the Three Basic Jutsu and shuriken techniques. There'll be exams."
"Hokage might be watching closely. To prevent my Wood Clone from being discovered, I'll attend in person."
Naruto took one last glance at the waterfall before heading back, his mind set on the road ahead.
…
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