Trio’s Journey: Second Chance

{Chapter Three}

"Progression"

It had been a couple of months since Kyosuke, Kenji, and Shin started their new lives in the Academy

During that time, Naruto's life had changed significantly

Thanks to Kyosuke's persistence and their shared Uzumaki heritage, Hiruzen Sarutobi approved Naruto to move in with the trio

Hiruzen had been hesitant at first

The three boys had seemingly appeared out of nowhere, with no prior records in the village. But upon further reflection, he decided not to pry too deeply into their origins

The Uzumaki bloodline was rare and precious, and these boys seemed to be a positive influence on Naruto

Naruto, who had lived alone and been ostracized his entire life, now had brothers

Hiruzen felt a sense of hope

Perhaps these boys could provide Naruto with the family and support he so desperately needed

Meanwhile, the trio adapted quickly to their new lives

Adjusting to their younger, smaller bodies had been a challenge, but their physical and mental conditioning helped them transition smoothly

They threw themselves into rigorous training, not only improving their physical abilities but also laying the groundwork for their future ambitions

Their training wasn't just physical

Drawing from their knowledge of the Naruto universe, they began to delve into sealing techniques, a hallmark of the Uzumaki clan

Using books they had purchased from the village stores and their natural aptitude, they managed to learn basic sealing jutsu, including:

• Storage Seals: Simple seals for storing tools and supplies.

• Explosive Tags: Basic seals that could be used in traps or as offensive tools.

• Chakra Suppression Seals: Rudimentary seals to suppress minor chakra surges.

Kyosuke took the lead in mastering the theory behind sealing, often guiding Kenji and Shin through the intricate details of the art

"It's amazing how much we can do with these, imagine what we could achieve once we master advanced seals." Kyosuke said one night as they practiced

Kenji grinned

"Maybe one day, we'll be able to create seals that rival the ones used by Kushina or Mito Uzumaki." Kenji said

Shin smirked

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. First, we need to survive Iruka's boring history lessons." Shin said with a chuckle

The trio didn't stop with sealing

Having pooled their money carefully, they managed to buy a set of wooden training swords at a bargain price

Along with a few instructional books on the basics of kenjutsu, they started teaching themselves the fundamentals of swordsmanship

The books, while rudimentary, provided invaluable insights into stance, footwork, and striking techniques

After weeks of diligent practice, they were beginning to grasp the basics:

• Stance and Balance: Understanding the importance of a firm yet flexible stance to maintain balance during combat.

• Basic Strikes: Learning clean, precise slashes and thrusts aimed at vital areas.

• Parrying: Practicing defensive maneuvers to redirect an opponent's blade.

• Footwork: Developing agility to move fluidly while maintaining their guard

Kyosuke often took the role of sparring partner for both Kenji and Shin

Their sessions were intense but rewarding, with the trio pushing each other to improve

"Kenji, your swing is too wide! Focus on keeping it tight and controlled!" Kyosuke called out during one session

Kenji nodded, adjusting his grip and striking again

This time, his movements were sharper, more deliberate.

"Much better, now if only you'd stop telegraphing your moves." Shin said approvingly

Kenji rolled his eyes but smirked

"I'd like to see you try better, wise guy." Kenji said

Outside of their training, life in the Academy continued

Sasuke Uchiha had become quieter and more distant following the massacre of his clan

The once-happy, slightly arrogant boy now radiated an intense aura of focus and determination

"It's strange, we knew this would happen, but seeing it unfold in person hits differently." Kenji said one day during their sparring session

Kyosuke nodded solemnly

"Yeah, but we can't get distracted. Sasuke has his path, and we have ours." Kyosuke said

Despite the Uchiha tragedy, the trio's spirits remained high, especially when it came to Naruto

Encouraging him to join their training sessions was initially a struggle, but Naruto eventually embraced it, particularly after seeing the results of their efforts

"Come on, Naruto, you can't become Hokage if you don't put in the effort." Kyosuke said during one of their runs

Naruto panted heavily but refused to quit

"I'll show you! I'm going to be stronger than all of you!" Naruto said with enthusiasm

"That's the spirit!" Kenji laughed, clapping him on the back

Skills Gained

Basic Sealing Jutsu:

• Storage seals for carrying supplies.

• Explosive tags for combat.

• Minor chakra suppression seals.

Kenjutsu Skills:

• Stance, balance, and footwork techniques.

• Basic strikes, parries, and defensive movements.

• Coordination drills for smoother blade handling.

Physical Training:

• Strength, stamina, and speed improvement.

• Agility and reflex training to adapt to their smaller frames.

Chakra Control:

• Tree climbing and water walking exercises.

• Chakra flow training for better precision during combat.

Survival Skills:

• Fishing and foraging for food.

• Basic first aid and wound treatment.

As the weeks went by, the trio grew increasingly excited

Their first formal kenjutsu lesson in the Academy was approaching — a skill they'd been eager to refine under proper instruction

Though their practice with wooden swords had given them a solid foundation, they couldn't wait to elevate their skills to the next level

At the same time, Naruto had begun to thrive under their care

He smiled more often, trained harder, and seemed happier than ever

For the trio, seeing their younger "brother" flourish was its own reward

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The evening sky painted hues of orange and pink as the sun dipped below the horizon

The group lay sprawled across the training ground, their clothes drenched in sweat, and their chests heaving from the intense day

Naruto, in particular, was completely spent

His limbs felt like lead, his breathing was uneven, and he barely had the strength to lift his head

"I-I'm done… no more…" Naruto muttered between ragged breaths

Kenji chuckled, though he was just as exhausted

"You're doing better, Naruto. A month ago, you'd have passed out halfway through the day." Kenji said

"Yeah, you're keeping up with us, and that's saying something." Shin added, stretching his arms out on the ground

Naruto gave a weak smile, though his eyes were half-closed

"You guys are insane… this isn't normal." Naruto said

Kyosuke, leaning against a nearby tree, smirked

"Normal doesn't get you anywhere, Naruto. If you want to be Hokage, you can't be like everyone else." Kyosuke said

Naruto groaned, rolling onto his side

"I get it, but can't we take a break for, like, a week?" Naruto said

Kenji sat up, wiping the sweat from his brow

"You know, Kyosuke, maybe we should give him a reward. He's been holding up pretty well." Kenji said

Kyosuke pretended to think for a moment before snapping his fingers

"How about we hit up Ichiraku Ramen? Naruto's favorite, right?" Kyosuke said

At the mention of ramen, Naruto's eyes lit up despite his exhaustion

"Really? You mean it?" Naruto asked

Shin grinned

"Of course. Call it a morale boost for putting up with Kyosuke's crazy training plans." Shin said

"Hey!" Kyosuke shot back, feigning offense

Naruto jumped to his feet, suddenly re-energized

"Let's go, then! What are we waiting for?" Naruto said as he began walking away

The group laughed as they began making their way toward the ramen shop

As they walked through the streets of Konoha, the usual hum of the village surrounded them — vendors calling out deals, children playing, and the rustle of the evening breeze

But as they passed, murmurs and whispers followed them

The trio's eyes didn't miss the subtle glances and sharp mutterings, many of which were directed at Naruto

"That's the demon brat…"

"Why are they hanging out with him?"

"Such a disgrace to the Uzumaki name…"

Naruto's earlier enthusiasm dimmed slightly as he shrank into himself, his head lowering and his hands slipping into his pockets

The words stung, no matter how much he tried to ignore them

Shin noticed immediately

He quickened his pace to walk beside Naruto, gently nudging him with his elbow

"Hey, Naruto, did I ever tell you about the time Kenji tripped during training and fell into the river?" Shin said, trying to distract Naruto

Naruto blinked, glancing up at Shin

"What? No, you didn't." Naruto said in disbelief

"Oh, it was hilarious, he was showing off, trying to do this fancy spin kick, but his foot slipped, and he went straight into the water. And guess what? He couldn't swim." Shin said, grinning

"Hey! I can swim just fine now, thank you very much." Kenji called from behind, glaring at Shin

Naruto chuckled, some of his tension easing

Meanwhile, Kyosuke and Kenji exchanged glances

The mutterings didn't go unnoticed by them, and the sight of Naruto flinching at the harsh words reignited the protective fire they felt toward him

Kyosuke turned his sharp gaze toward a particularly vocal group of villagers, his sea-green eyes narrowing

Kenji followed suit, sending a cold glare that made the villagers falter, their whispers dying in their throats

Everyone in the village knew better than to mess with the Uzumaki trio

The reputation began a month into their time together when a group of villagers had attempted to harm Naruto, believing no shinobi were around to intervene

Unfortunately for them, the trio was nearby

"Don't you dare touch him," Kyosuke had warned, stepping in front of Naruto

The villagers, emboldened by their numbers, had scoffed

"What are you going to do about it, brat?"

What followed was a swift and brutal lesson

Despite their small frames, the trio's skills far outmatched those of ordinary civilians

In moments, the aggressors were on the ground, groaning in pain

"If any of you even think about harming him again, you'll regret it." Shin had said, his voice icy

The event hadn't gone unnoticed

An ANBU operative had been observing from the shadows and reported the incident to the Hokage

When the trio was summoned to Hiruzen's office, they explained what had happened

The Hokage sighed, his face a mix of weariness and understanding

He couldn't fault them for protecting Naruto, though he did caution them to avoid unnecessary violence in the future

As for the villagers, their attempt to spin the story in their favor was quickly shut down when the ANBU revealed the truth

They received their punishment, and though the mutterings and glares persisted, no one dared to lay a hand on Naruto again

Now, as they reached Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto's mood had lifted significantly thanks to Shin's distraction

The trio's protective actions hadn't gone unnoticed, either

The villagers who had been glaring earlier now quickly averted their eyes, unwilling to draw Kyosuke or Kenji's wrath

"Here we are!" Naruto cheered, running ahead and sliding onto one of the stools

"Good evening, Naruto! And I see you've brought your brothers along." Teuchi, the owner, greeted warmly

Kyosuke, Kenji, and Shin took their seats beside Naruto

"What'll it be today?" Teuchi asked, his smile genuine

"Four bowls of miso ramen, please!" Naruto exclaimed excitedly

"Make that five, he's going to want seconds."Kyosuke said

As the warm aroma of ramen filled the air, the group relaxed, their spirits high despite the challenges they faced daily

For Naruto, moments like this were rare treasures — proof that he wasn't alone anymore

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The four of them sat around the ramen bar, the warm aroma of broth and freshly made noodles filling the air

Teuchi placed four steaming bowls in front of them with a smile

"Eat up, boys! And you too, Naruto!" Teuchi said cheerfully

Naruto's eyes sparkled with excitement as he clasped his hands together

"Itadakimasu!" he said loudly before diving into his ramen

Kenji slurped his noodles noisily, causing Kyosuke to shake his head

"You're like a vacuum cleaner, Kenji." Kyosuke teased

Kenji grinned with a mouthful of noodles

"Don't hate the technique. It's efficient!" Kenji said

Shin chuckled, pausing to wipe his mouth

"Efficient at grossing people out, maybe." Shin added

Naruto laughed so hard he nearly spilled his bowl

"Kenji eats like me! Finally, someone who gets it!" Naruto said

"That's not a compliment." Kyosuke muttered, but he couldn't suppress his grin

Teuchi watched the boys with a warm smile as Ayame refilled their water glasses

"You all bring such energy to this place. It's nice to see Naruto smiling so much." Ayame said

"That's because ramen is the ultimate happiness food," Kenji declared, raising his chopsticks like a victory flag

Shin nodded solemnly

"Ramen diplomacy might just save the world one day." Shin said

Naruto joined in

"Yeah! Ramen for Hokage!" Naruto said

The group erupted into laughter, their voices filling the small shop with life and joy

After they finished eating, Kyosuke leaned back, patting his stomach

"That hit the spot. Thanks, old man Teuchi." Kyosuke said

"Anytime," Teuchi replied, beaming

As they got up to leave, Kyosuke glanced at the others

"I'm going to take a walk for a bit. Clear my head." Kyosuke said

Kenji raised an eyebrow.

"You sure? The streets aren't exactly friendly, especially with Naruto around." Kenji said

Kyosuke nodded

"You guys go ahead. Just make sure Naruto gets home safely." Kyosuke said

Naruto hesitated for a moment but nodded

"Alright. Be careful, Kyosuke." Naruto said

"Don't worry about me." Kyosuke said with a small smile

The three headed off while Kyosuke strolled through the quieter streets of Konoha, his hands in his pockets and his mind deep in thought

He wondered how much their presence had already begun to change the world around them

Was their involvement with Naruto altering events for better or worse?

As he walked, he noticed a girl sitting on a bench near a small park

Her face was buried in her hands, her shoulders trembling slightly

"TenTen?" Kyosuke recognized her immediately, though this wasn't how he had pictured meeting her

He walked up slowly, stopping a few feet away

"Hey… are you alright?" he asked softly, not wanting to startle her

TenTen flinched and quickly looked up, her eyes red and puffy from crying

She wiped her face hastily, trying to compose herself

"I'm fine. You don't need to worry about me," TenTen said, her voice trembling slightly

Kyosuke tilted his head, unconvinced

"You don't look fine. I don't mean to intrude, but… sometimes it helps to talk. I can sit if you want." Kyosuke suggested softly

She hesitated, then gave a small nod. Kyosuke sat on the bench, leaving a respectful distance between them

He didn't push, letting her speak first if she wanted to

After a moment, she sighed and glanced down at her hands

"I… I made a mistake earlier. It wasn't a huge deal, but I still feel terrible about it." TenTen said as her voice tremble

"What happened?" Kyosuke asked, his tone calm and encouraging

"I was helping my parents with some supplies, and I wasn't paying attention. I ended up dropping a crate, and some tools got damaged. My parents said it's okay, but… I can't help feeling like I let them down."she said slowly

Kyosuke nodded, processing her words

"I get that. It's hard not to feel guilty when you care about someone and make a mistake. But if they said it's fine, maybe you're being a little too hard on yourself." Kyosuke spoke softly

She glanced at him, her brow furrowed

"Maybe, but… I feel like I can't afford to mess up. Like, if I make one mistake, it proves I'm not good enough." TenTen said

Kyosuke frowned slightly

"That's a lot to put on yourself. Nobody's perfect, not even the best shinobi in the village. What matters is learning from the mistake and moving on. And honestly, it sounds like your parents aren't upset at all. If they're not holding it against you, why should you?" Kyosuke said

The girl looked away, her expression softening as his words sank in

"I… hadn't thought of it like that." TenTen said

Kyosuke smiled slightly

"You don't have to be perfect. Just try your best. Everyone stumbles sometimes. It's what you do after that matters." Kyosuke said

TenTen let out a quiet breath, the tension in her shoulders easing a little

"Thanks. I guess I needed to hear that." She said with a smile

"Anytime," Kyosuke replied

They sat in silence for a moment, the soft rustling of leaves filling the quiet

Finally, TenTen turned to him, her voice tentative

"What's your name?" She asked curiously

"Kyosuke, Kyosuke Uzumaki." he said, offering her a friendly smile

She nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips

"I'm TenTen. Nice to meet you, Kyosuke." TenTen said

"Nice to meet you too, TenTen," Kyosuke replied warmly

As they stood up, Kyosuke glanced at her

"How about I walk you home? It's getting late, and the streets can be… unpredictable." Kyosuke offered

TenTen hesitated but then nodded

"Alright. Thanks again, Kyosuke." She said

As Kyosuke and TenTen walked through the dimly lit streets of Konoha, the tension from their earlier conversation slowly began to dissipate

TenTen seemed more at ease now, though the occasional sniffle betrayed her lingering emotions

Kyosuke decided to steer the conversation toward lighter topics to lift her spirits

"So, TenTen, do you always help your parents with their work, or was today a special occasion?" Kyosuke began, glancing at her with a small smile

She shrugged, her pace steady beside him

"I help them pretty often. They run a supply shop, so there's always something that needs moving or organizing. It's not exactly exciting, but it's what I can do to help." TenTen replied

Kyosuke nodded thoughtfully

"That's pretty impressive. Honestly, I'd probably drop something every time if I were doing that. My coordination isn't great when it comes to carrying stuff — especially anything fragile." Kyosuke said

TenTen looked at him, a small smirk forming on her lips

"You're kidding, right? You don't seem like the clumsy type." TenTen replied in disbelief

Kyosuke chuckled, scratching the back of his head

"Oh, you'd be surprised. Back when I was younger, I tried helping someone carry a stack of plates. Guess how many I broke." Kyosuke said in amusement

TenTen tilted her head, her curiosity piqued

"How many?" TenTen asked, her curiosity grew

"All of them, every single plate in the stack. I tripped over my own feet, and it was like a fireworks show, but with broken dishes." Kyosuke replied with a grin

TenTen burst into laughter, her earlier sadness momentarily forgotten

"That's awful! I can just picture it — plates flying everywhere and you looking completely panicked." TenTen replied, in between laugh

Kyosuke grinned, pleased to see her laugh

"Oh, it gets better. After that, they never let me near the kitchen again. To this day, I think they're still convinced I'm some sort of kitchen disaster magnet." Kyosuke said

TenTen shook her head, a smile lingering on her face

"You're definitely making me feel better about my mistake. At least I didn't destroy a whole stack of plates." TenTen said in amusement

"Exactly, compared to me, you're practically a professional." Kyosuke said with mock seriousness

She laughed again, her steps lighter as they continued down the street

"Okay, okay, you win. I'll stop beating myself up over the crate incident." TenTen said in between laughs

"Good, you've got enough to deal with as a ninja-in-training without adding unnecessary guilt to the mix." Kyosuke replied, his tone warm

TenTen glanced at him, her smile softening into something more genuine

"Thanks, Kyosuke. You're… pretty easy to talk to." TenTen said softly

He shrugged casually

"I just tell it like it is. Besides, everyone needs someone to remind them not to be so hard on themselves sometimes." Kyosuke replied

As they approached the small shop where TenTen lived, she stopped and turned to him

"Well, this is me. Thanks for walking me home. And for, you know… everything else." TenTen said

"Anytime, take care, TenTen." Kyosuke replied with a smile

"You too, Kyosuke." she said, her voice lighter than it had been earlier

She waved as she stepped inside, and Kyosuke stood there for a moment, watching the door close behind her

Then he turned and began his walk home, feeling a quiet sense of satisfaction knowing he had helped someone in need