Chapter 7: 10, 11 & 12
Chapter 10: After the Duel
The aftermath of the sparring match left the training ground in an eerie calm, the earlier intensity lingering in the air. Naruto picked up the broken sword, his cold, composed demeanor unshaken despite the taxing fight.
"I appreciate the experience," Naruto said, bowing his head slightly.
Guy grinned, giving Naruto a thumbs-up. "You're always welcome to join our training sessions, Naruto-kun! The energy of youth is best shared, after all!"
Lee's eyes sparkled with admiration as he clenched his fists. "Naruto-sama, your promise to face me in a pure taijutsu battle fills my spirit with determination! I will train harder than ever so I can face you at my full strength!"
Naruto nodded, a rare glint of respect in his gaze. "I'll hold you to that, Lee. Don't disappoint me."
Lee's enthusiasm overflowed. "I swear, Naruto-sama, I will surpass even my own limits!" He turned to Guy, his energy infectious. "Guy-sensei, we must train even harder! Let's push ourselves to new heights!"
Guy matched his energy with a dramatic pose. "Yes, Lee! Together, we'll conquer mountains and surpass the bounds of youth! Let's begin right now, 1,000, no 5000 laps around the village, followed by handstand push-ups on the Hokage Monument!"
"Yes, Guy-sensei!" Lee shouted, tears of determination streaming down his face.
Tenten sighed, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "You two are going to wear yourselves out."
Naruto turned to Tenten and bowed his head slightly. "I apologize for breaking your sword."
Tenten blinked in surprise, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks. "Oh, it's fine! Really! I wasn't expecting... all of that to happen," she said, gesturing vaguely toward the shattered remnants of her weapon.
"Still, it was careless of me," Naruto said, his tone firm.
Tenten waved him off.
With his goodbyes said, Naruto turned to leave, his posture as composed as ever. Neji fell into step beside him. "I'll escort you back to the estate, Naruto-sama," he said.
Naruto nodded in acknowledgment.
Behind them, Lee's voice rang out again, his passion unabated. "I'll work harder than ever if I hope to stand a chance against you, Naruto-sama!"
Guy patted Lee on the shoulder, his eyes brimming with pride. "That's the spirit, Lee! Let's aim for the stars together!"
"Thank you, Guy-sensei!" Lee exclaimed, his grin as bright as the sun.
The Walk Back
The Hyūga estate wasn't far, but the walk felt longer under the weight of unspoken thoughts. Neji glanced at Naruto out of the corner of his eye, his mind racing with questions. He replayed the spar in his head; the way Naruto wielded the sword, despite being a novice, his incredible speed, the oppressive aura that had pinned them all down, the sword's transformation, and the strange techniques Naruto had used to end the fight.
"Something on your mind, Neji?" Naruto's calm voice broke the silence.
Neji flinched, caught off guard. He hadn't realized he'd been staring. Naruto's rare smirk made him feel even more self-conscious.
"You're curious," Naruto stated rather than asked.
Neji nodded, his tone respectful. "Yes, Naruto-sama. Just what was all of that during the fight?"
Naruto's chuckle was low and almost teasing. "That's a secret," he said, his smirk widening slightly.
Neji sighed internally. He had expected as much. "Figures," he muttered under his breath.
The rest of the walk passed in companionable silence, though Neji's mind continued to churn. Naruto-sama is a mystery, even to us. He surpasses expectations at every turn, and yet he remains so composed. What drives him? What are these abilities he possesses?
As they approached the estate gates, Neji stole one last glance at Naruto. Despite his frustrations, he couldn't help but feel a deep respect for the enigmatic prodigy.
Naruto paused at the gate, glancing back at Neji. "Don't overthink it, Neji. All will become clear in time."
With that, Naruto stepped inside, leaving Neji standing at the gate, more intrigued than ever.
---
Chapter 11: A Shinobi's Routine & The Sword's Order
Naruto's days followed a rigorous cycle, Hyūga duties, intense training sessions at both the clan estate and Training Ground 7 with his team, and the seemingly endless string of D-rank missions that felt more like chores than true shinobi work.
The missions were a mixed bag. Some villagers barely hid their disdain when they saw him. Others, however, fawned over him, enchanted by his composed demeanor and Hyūga status. Those who admired him often let him off easy, pushing most of the workload onto his teammates while they chatted with him. Naruto, unbothered, allowed it, after all, it wasn't his fault they were so eager to impress him.
One afternoon, Naruto made his way to a well-known weapons shop in the village, one run by Tenten's father. As he stepped inside, the scent of oiled steel and polished wood filled the air. The walls were lined with kunai, shuriken, and various types of weapons, neatly arranged and well-maintained.
Tenten, who was busy organizing a shelf, glanced over and immediately brightened. "Naruto, what brings you here. I am guessing you want a sword?"
Naruto gave her a slight nod of acknowledgment.
Tenten grinned knowingly. "Figured as much. Any specific type?"
Naruto's answer was simple yet firm. "The highest quality possible. It should be durable. Other than that, I don't care."
Tenten raised an eyebrow, impressed by his lack of concern for aesthetics or special features.
She disappeared into the back of the shop and soon returned with her father, a burly man with sharp eyes and an air of experience. He studied Naruto for a moment before speaking. "You're looking for a high-quality blade, huh? You're not the type to settle for anything less."
Naruto nodded. "I need something reliable."
Tenten's father stroked his chin. "I have a contact in the Land of Iron. The best blacksmiths in the world are there. If you want a truly exceptional sword, that's where we'll have to get it from."
Naruto considered it briefly before nodding. "That will do."
The older man smiled. "Good. I'll place the order, but quality like that isn't cheap."
Without hesitation, Naruto reached into his pouch and pulled out a portion of his savings. He handed it over. "A down payment."
Tenten's father accepted it, a glimmer of approval in his eyes. "Smart. Once the sword is ready, I'll let you know."
Tenten watched the exchange with quiet interest. Most shinobi her age didn't care much about weapons beyond basic kunai and shuriken, but Naruto was different.
Before Naruto could leave, Tenten hesitated, then spoke up. "Hey, Naruto... You ever use storage seals?"
Naruto glanced at her. "No."
Tenten's eyes lit up. "Then you should learn. Carrying all your weapons physically is inefficient. Storing them in a scroll makes everything easier. I can teach you, if you're interested."
Naruto considered it. He had read about fūinjutsu in passing, but learning how to properly store and summon items would be useful. "I'd appreciate that."
Tenten beamed. "Great! It's not too hard once you get the basics down. We can start now if you have time."
Naruto nodded, and she quickly grabbed a blank scroll and ink. She started explaining the fundamentals, drawing out a simple storage seal and showing him how to channel chakra into it. Naruto, always a quick learner, picked it up with ease, and within minutes, he successfully stored and retrieved a kunai from the scroll.
Tenten whistled in approval. "Damn, you learn fast."
Naruto simply rolled up the scroll, tucking it away. "It's a useful skill."
Tenten smirked. "You're going to get hooked on fūinjutsu, just watch. Once you see what advanced seals can do, you'll never go back."
Naruto didn't respond, but he silently acknowledged her words. Efficiency was key, and if fūinjutsu could enhance his effectiveness, then it was worth mastering.
With his business concluded, he gave Tenten a respectful nod and exited the shop, already thinking about how to incorporate storage seals into his training.
---
Chapter 12: The Hoes Are Watching
The sun hung high over Training Ground 7, casting long shadows as Naruto and Sasuke faced each other, standing a few meters apart in the sparring circle. The air was thick with tension, not just from the impending clash but from the gathering of spectators.
Whispers and giggles filled the air.
"Oh my god, look at them!"
"Uchiha-sama is so cool~!"
"Naruto-sama looks so elegant when he moves!"
"Who's gonna win?!"
From the sidelines, a small crowd of kunoichi-in-training had gathered, eyes sparkling as they fawned over the two strongest genin in the village. The attention was unavoidable, two prodigies clashing in a test of skill? This was peak entertainment.
Kakashi, meanwhile, was reading Icha Icha Paradise, barely acknowledging the scene. He turned a page lazily. "Ah, youth. Rivalries, drama... and of course, the audience."
The combatants ignored the commentary.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "Ready to lose?"
Naruto adjusted his stance, lifting his hands in the traditional Gentle Fist position. However, his Byakugan remained inactive.
Sasuke noticed immediately. His eyebrow twitched. "Oi. What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Naruto blinked. "What?"
"You're not even using your Byakugan."
"Yeah."
Sasuke scowled. "Are you underestimating me?"
Naruto sighed. "Sasuke, you haven't awakened your Sharingan yet. If I used my Byakugan, it wouldn't be fair."
Sasuke's aura flickered for a moment. His confident presence, once filled with pride, seemed to shrink. "Fair...?"
The whispers from the kunoichi turned into scattered gasps.
"Did he just say it wouldn't be fair?"
"Uchiha-sama's aura... it's fading!"
"Not the aura loss...!"
Sasuke's teeth clenched. "You... bastard."
Naruto just shrugged.
Sasuke snapped. "Enough!" He launched forward with impressive speed, aiming a sharp kick for Naruto's ribs.
Naruto smoothly pivoted, deflecting the attack with minimal effort. Sasuke twisted, aiming a punch for his jaw, but Naruto sidestepped with the grace of a seasoned warrior, flicking his wrist to tap Sasuke's exposed forearm.
A jolt of chakra pulsed through Sasuke's limb, numbing it slightly.
Sasuke growled. "Damn Gentle Fist!"
He flipped back, creating distance. His hands blurred through seals. "Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!"
A massive fireball roared toward Naruto, heat waves rippling through the air. The kunoichi in the crowd let out dramatic gasps.
"Kyaah! Sasuke-sama is so strong!"
"That fireball is huge!"
Naruto didn't move. He simply lifted his hand, then, at the last possible moment, he vanished with a blur of speed.
The fireball exploded into the ground, leaving behind scorched dirt. But Naruto was already behind Sasuke.
Sasuke's instincts screamed at him, but before he could react....
"Tap."
A soft poke to the lower back.
Sasuke's entire body stiffened.
Naruto's voice was calm. "That's your kidney, by the way."
The kunoichi let out a mixture of gasps and delighted squeals.
"He touched him!"
"Naruto-sama is too fast!"
"Uchiha-sama got outplayed!"
Sasuke's pride took another hit. He spun, trying to sweep Naruto's legs, but Naruto simply jumped, flipping over him. He landed effortlessly, like he hadn't even exerted himself.
Sasuke panted slightly. His mind raced. Naruto wasn't even trying.
The realization made his stomach churn.
Naruto tilted his head. "You done?"
Sasuke grit his teeth. He reached into his pouch, flinging multiple shuriken in a curved arc while simultaneously unraveling ninja wire. With a flick of his fingers, the wires tightened, ready to ensnare Naruto mid-dodge.
But Naruto... just stood there.
The shuriken whizzed toward him, only for his hands to move in an elegant blur. With precise, controlled movements, he plucked the wires, caught each shuriken from the air, catching them between his fingers.
Silence.
The crowd went wild.
"Did you see that?!"
"HE CAUGHT THEM ALL!"
"Naruto-sama is insane!"
Sasuke stared. "..."
Naruto glanced at the shuriken in his hand before casually tossing them aside. "Sasuke, do you really want to keep going. I would hate to see you disappoint the hoes even more?"
Sasuke clenched his fists. His frustration boiled over, but deep down, he knew it. The gap between them was too vast.
His aura flickered again, this time, barely visible.
The kunoichi murmured in horror.
"His aura... it's gone."
"Uchiha-sama lost his shine..."
Sasuke dropped his stance, his shoulders stiff with tension. "Tch." Without another word, he turned on his heel and walked away.
The kunoichi gasped again.
"Wait, he left?!"
"He just walked away...?"
"Uchiha-sama, come back!"
Naruto watched him go, exhaling slightly. "That could've gone better."
Sakura frowned. "You really didn't have to say it wasn't fair."
Naruto shrugged. "It wasn't."
Kakashi, still reading his book, hummed. "Well, that was entertaining."
Naruto turned toward him. "You're supposed to be training us."
Kakashi lazily turned a page. "Oh, I was. The lesson? Don't let emotions cloud your fighting ability. I think Sasuke learned something valuable today."
Naruto sighed.
The kunoichi dispersed, still buzzing over the match.
And Sasuke... well, somewhere in the distance, an Uchiha boy was probably rethinking his entire life.
Tbc