Chapter no.43 Naruto

Chapter no.43 A C-Rank Step Forward

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A-rank jutsu, Wind Style: Vacuum Blade, was infamous among wind-users for its complexity. The technique worked on the principle of coating a weapon with a sheath of wind chakra, extending the weapon's range and drastically enhancing its cutting power due to the nature of wind itself. The problem, though, was the very same reason it was so powerful—wind's ability to cut indiscriminately.

Wind chakra didn't harmonize well with standard weapons. Unlike lightning chakra, which could be absorbed and evenly conducted through a blade, wind chakra clung stubbornly to the surface of the metal. This external sheath amplified the weapon's ability to pierce and slice, but it also created uneven vibrations across the surface, causing microscopic fractures. Without precise control, the weapon would eventually crack, splinter, or, worse, explode under the pressure.

Maintaining the technique required creating a stable vacuum layer between the weapon and the wind sheath, an almost impossible task for most shinobi. Even slight miscalculations could destabilize the flow, leading to catastrophic failure. For many, it took years of practice to master.

But Naruto Uzumaki wasn't exactly the patient type.

In fact, his training method could only be described as chaotic insanity.

Asuma stood with his arms crossed, watching the hundreds of Naruto shadow clones spread across the training ground, each clutching a Zweihander. They channeled wind chakra into their lungs, breathing it out across the length of the massive blades, attempting to form the vacuum sheath.

Poof! One clone exploded into smoke as its blade fractured and the wind chakra tore through it.

Then another. Poof. Poof. Poof. Clone after clone failed, the Zweihanders cracking or outright shattering before they could stabilize the technique.

Naruto didn't miss a beat. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Another wave of clones appeared, immediately picking up where the others had left off.

Asuma opened his mouth to say something, then closed it, shaking his head in disbelief. "You know, I never thought I'd see someone try to master Vacuum Blade by brute force."

Naruto grinned, wiping the sweat from his forehead as he glanced at Asuma. "Well, having the fox helps with the chakra. Shadow clones make it way easier to test stuff without wasting time."

Nearby, resting on a cloth, was a shimmering Chakra Metal Ingot.

[ Item: Chakra Metal Ingot ]
[ Description: Chakra metal for weapon creation, said to come from the bowels of the Iron Sandworms. These ingots are smithing materials of the highest degree, and weapons forged from them symbolize the wielder's ability to thrive in a world where shinobi rarely grow old. ]

Naruto crouched beside it, tracing its surface thoughtfully. "Still can't believe the Old Man gave this to me."

Asuma adjusted the cigarette between his lips. "You did Konoha a pretty big service, Naruto. Shisui Uchiha's body was important. If someone like Orochimaru had gotten their hands on it, they could've learned all sorts of Uchiha and village secrets. You did us a favor by ensuring it stayed protected."

Naruto hummed. "So, what should I do with this thing?"

Asuma shrugged. "Make a weapon."

Naruto pointed to the massive Zweihander resting nearby. "Think I can add it to this?"

"Nope," Asuma said immediately. "You can't mix chakra metal with regular metal. They don't bond properly. If you try, you'll just end up with a weak weapon."

Naruto sighed. "Guess I'm not making a chakra metal Zweihander anytime soon."

"What, giving up on Vacuum Blade already?"

Naruto's eyes narrowed. "Hell no." He formed another batch of clones, their Zweihanders already sparking with unstable wind chakra. "It's just this stupid vacuum that won't form."

Asuma chuckled. "You're thinking about it too rigidly. It's not about holding the wind in place—it's about flow." He tapped one of his trench knives against his palm. "You need to create swirls in the wind chakra. Those swirls will naturally pull away the surrounding air and form the vacuum."

"Swirls?"

"Watch carefully."

Asuma used the Vacuum Blade technique on his trench knife. The edge shimmered faintly, but as he shifted the angle, Naruto could see it—the swirling motion of the wind chakra flowing like a spiral around the blade. The air around it seemed to bend, creating a faint distortion in the light.

Asuma took a step forward, slashing cleanly through a nearby boulder. The cut was so precise that the top half slid off silently before crashing to the ground.

"Whoa."

Naruto grinned, rolling his shoulders. "Alright, swirls it is! Let's get this down!" He turned to his clones, throwing his arms up like a conductor before an orchestra. "You heard the bearded chain-smoker! We're swirling this chakra until we can cut through anything!"

"Were those adjectives necessary?"

Naruto smirked. "Well, they are true."

"Brat."

Naruto just chuckled before hesitating.

Noticing the shift in mood, Asuma frowned. "Something wrong?"

Naruto kicked at the dirt. "Well… now that I've pretty much figured out Vacuum Blade, I guess I won't need to bug you for training anymore…"

"Not necessarily. You can still swing by. Ask for training tips, hang out, maybe annoy Shikamaru a bit. Team 10 and I wouldn't mind your company."

"Wait, really?"

"Yeah, kid," Asuma said with a chuckle. "You're alright."

Naruto's grin nearly split his face as he lunged forward, hugging Asuma with way too much enthusiasm.

"Alright, alright, ease up," Asuma wheezed, patting the boy's back. "You're stronger than you think."

Naruto pulled back, rubbing his nose with his sleeve. Then, his eyes lit up with a new idea. "Hey, can I make a request?"

"Depends. What is it?"

"Can I smoke a cigarette?"

There was a beat of silence.

"…As long as you don't tell anyone."

Naruto's face lit up. "You are the coolest, Asuma!"

With a smirk, Asuma reached into his pouch, pulled out a cigarette, and handed it to Naruto along with his lighter. "Alright, kid, here's how—"

Before he could finish, Naruto flicked the lighter on, lit the cigarette, and took the biggest inhale possible.

…Then immediately regretted every decision that led him to this moment.

His entire throat felt like it was on fire. His lungs rejected the smoke like an allergic reaction, and he hacked, bent over, coughing so violently that his clones flinched in secondhand suffering before disappearing in puffs of smoke.

"WHAT THE HELL?!" Naruto wheezed, dropping the cigarette like it was a cursed object. "HOW DO YOU ENJOY THAT SHIT?! IT TASTES LIKE BURNING TRASH!"

Asuma, completely unfazed, took a long, slow drag from his own cigarette before exhaling the smoke lazily. "You get used to it."

"WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO GET USED TO IT?!" Naruto's voice cracked as he continued to cough, hands on his knees.

Asuma just laughed, clapping Naruto on the back. "Guess smoking isn't for you, huh?"

Naruto glared at him, eyes watering from the lingering burn. "You think?"

Wheezing, Naruto straightened up, still glaring as Asuma took another slow, relaxed puff.

The man smirked. "Still think I'm the coolest?"

Naruto scowled, pointing at him. "No, you're the dumbass for actually liking that crap."

Asuma just chuckled, shaking his head. "Brat."

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Naruto sat cross-legged in the middle of his cluttered living room, the scroll spread out carefully in front of him on the worn wooden floor. The faint smell of instant ramen lingered in the air, and a pile of dirty laundry loomed like a mountain in one corner. Perched atop it like a king surveying his domain was the crystal lizard. The creature basked in a stray beam of sunlight, completely oblivious to the excitement radiating from Naruto.

"I still can't believe it," Naruto muttered, staring at the glowing text hovering over the scroll in his inventory. He tapped the description again for good measure, rereading it for the twentieth time.

[ Item: Fist of the Flickering Peregrine ]
[ Type: Scroll ]
[ Description: A taijutsu style scroll created by Shisui Uchiha. Rooted in the principles of the Shunshin no Jutsu, this technique draws inspiration from the swift dive of the Peregrine Falcon and the legacy of the Fourth Hokage. Shisui's ambition to merge raw speed with precise combat gave birth to this style, a reflection of his dream to become a warrior as fleeting as the wind. ]

Naruto's grin stretched wide across his face, excitement bubbling over. "This is insane! Shisui's taijutsu style! And now it's mine. Heh." He rubbed the back of his head, a familiar cocky glint in his eyes.

"I'm gonna master this for sure! And when I do, that oversized, flea-ridden, cow-headed Taurus Demon is toast! Dattebayo!"

Carefully, almost reverently, Naruto reached out and unraveled the scroll on the floor. The inked words within weren't just instructions—they were personal notes, written with the precision of someone who had poured their heart and soul into this technique. As Naruto read, his grin faltered slightly, replaced with wide-eyed awe.

[Excerpt from Shisui Uchiha's Notes]

The common misconception with the Shunshin no Jutsu is that its speed can be directly applied to combat. This is wrong. At high speeds, the body succumbs to tunnel vision, rendering precision impossible. While you could theoretically use Shunshin to become a spear and ram into your enemy, no one does this. Why? Air resistance. Without protection, the human body tears itself apart at such speeds. At best, you'll ruin your clothes. At worst, you'll burn yourself alive.

This problem led me to study the Raikage's Lightning Cloak. The Lightning Cloak is both a shield and a spear, enabling the Raikage to move at incredible speeds by eliminating drag. It functions like an arrow piercing the air rather than fighting against it. But I lack lightning chakra. My answer came from nature: the peregrine falcon.

The peregrine falcon is the fastest creature alive, diving at over 200 miles per hour. Its secret lies in its streamlined body and how it manipulates airflow. By folding its wings and tilting its feathers, it minimizes drag and glides effortlessly through the air.

Inspired by the Raikage and the falcon, I developed this taijutsu style. Using wind chakra, I create a cloak around my body that eliminates air resistance entirely. The chakra flows like air over feathers, creating a perfect aerodynamic form. This technique isn't just about speed—it's about control.

Speed is the blade, but control is the hilt. Without it, you'll cut yourself before you ever reach your target.

Naruto let out a low whistle as he sat back, the words sinking in.

"So it's not just taijutsu," he murmured to himself, staring at the intricate diagrams etched into the scroll. "It's ninjutsu and taijutsu. A wind chakra cloak…" His grin returned, even wider than before. "That's perfect for me!"

He turned toward the mountain of dirty clothes in the corner.

"Did you hear that, Mr. Lizard?!" Naruto shouted. "Your boss is about to become a legend!"

The lizard blinked once, startled, before quickly burrowing deeper into the laundry pile.

Naruto sighed dramatically, throwing his hands in the air. "I'll get you to love me one day. You'll see!"

[Excerpt from Shisui Uchiha's Notes]

The Raikage's Lightning Cloak—an extraordinary technique, both in concept and execution. The principle behind it is deceptively simple: by infusing his body with Lightning Chakra, the Raikage enhances his nervous system, drastically increasing reaction speed and muscle response. The natural conductivity of lightning allows the chakra to spread evenly, reinforcing his body without tearing it apart.

Wind, however, does not work that way. Wind is wild, volatile, an element that does not embrace—it cuts. It does not conduct through the body; it rages against it. A Wind Cloak, if applied like the Lightning Cloak, would result in catastrophic self-inflicted wounds. The body, caught within its own storm, would be shredded from within.

I have concluded that a stabilizing medium is required. A framework to direct and contain the chakra without allowing it to erode the user.

An interesting workaround, however, would be to weave chakra metal into a mesh—a flexible reinforcement that could serve as an exoskeleton, containing and stabilizing the Wind Cloak's effect.

Theoretically sound. Practically? Uncertain. I will require extensive testing and an exceptional blacksmith to bring this concept to life. The challenge now is not in the technique itself, but in whether or not I will find the time to see it through.

If only there was another of my element who could carry this burden forward…

Naruto frowned as he reread the passage for the fourth time, rubbing his head in confusion.

"Wait a second… does this mean I can wear Wind Chakra like a coat?"

He looked down at himself, then at the chakra metal ingot he had obtained. His brain started working overtime.

"So I just need to get this stuff woven into my armor, and boom, the next Shunshin no Naruto is here!"

The realization hit him like a thrown brick.

"Oh, duh."

With a flicker, he vanished from his spot—reappearing inside Higurashi's Weapon Shop.

Naruto landed right in the middle of a transaction, startling a couple of chunin as they completed their purchase. Mr. Higurashi, ever unfazed, merely raised an eyebrow.

"If you're not buying, get out," the blacksmith said dryly. "Or I'll start charging you for standing on my beautifully waxed floors."

The chunin blinked, then looked down, hesitating. The floor was, in fact, not waxed. It was covered in faint boot prints, a little dusty from the day's work. But Mr. Higurashi's deadpan expression must have been enough because they quickly muttered a goodbye and made their exit.

Naruto exhaled. "Thanks, old man."

"For what?"

Naruto hesitated. "…They were staring at me like I was the fox."

A beat of silence. Then, Mr. Higurashi scoffed. "Nope. Just admiring my fine floor."

Naruto glanced down at the mess beneath his feet. Then back up at the smirking blacksmith.

"Or," Higurashi continued with a teasing glint, "maybe they were just jealous of how ridiculously handsome you are. Girls love a little whisker action, don't they? I bet Tenten agrees."

Naruto blinked, caught off guard. "Sure?"

"Tenten is currently out on a mission."

"Yeah, I know."

Naruto placed the scroll and ingot on the counter. "I need this made."

Higurashi's eyes flickered over the designs, whistling lowly. "Fancy stuff." He picked up the ingot, turning it over in his hands. "You sure you wanna waste perfectly good chakra metal on this?"

Naruto frowned. "Waste? What do you mean?"

The blacksmith gave him a pointed look. "What do you think your armor is made of?"

"…Metal?"

"Some new kind of chakra metal," Higurashi said flatly. "I don't know what kind of ore this is, but your armor's already built to channel chakra without breaking apart under Wind Release. You don't need to mess around with wire mesh or reinforcement—just use what you've already got."

Naruto stared at his gauntlet, then experimentally pulsed Wind Chakra into it.

The result was immediate—smooth, controlled, seamless. His chakra flowed through the Elite Knight armor like it belonged there.

"Wow, Oscar really left me with something else, huh."

Naruto glanced at the Zweihander, still buzzing from his training. At least the big hunk of metal couldn't channel Wind Chakra, meaning his new jutsu wasn't totally useless. But hey, if his armor could get him to Shisui's level, that was a win.

"Thanks for everything, Mr. Higurashi," Naruto said, grabbing his stuff and heading for the door.

The old blacksmith clicked his tongue, watching him go.

"Didn't even get to tell him how conveniently wife-material Tenten's gotten with her cooking skills. Kid's hopeless."

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Back at his apartment, Naruto—fueled by both inspiration and an excessive amount of ramen—decided it was the perfect time to start training the Fist of the Flickering Peregrine.

Slurping up the last of his noodles, he set the scroll aside and clapped his hands together. Alright, let's do this.

With a quick hand sign, he summoned two shadow clones. "You two, clear some space. We're about to make some questionable training decisions."

"On it, boss!" one clone chirped, shoving the coffee table to the side.

"Try not to break anything this time."

Naruto ignored the comment as he focused on the scroll. The first step seemed simple enough: Create a cloak of chakra around your body. Then manipulate the wind chakra to flow around your form, reducing resistance like an aerodynamic bird.

"I can totally do this," Naruto said. "No problem."

He closed his eyes, gathering chakra and letting it spread across his entire body. A shimmering layer of energy coated him, pulsing faintly. So far, so good. Then, with a deep breath, he began converting it to wind chakra.

BOOM!

The wind chakra detonated outward like an uncontrolled storm, shaking the walls and sending Naruto sprawling onto his back. The pile of laundry in the corner exploded into the air, socks and shirts flinging themselves across the room like they had something to prove.

Naruto sat up, coughing as a cloud of dust settled around him. "Ugh! What the—"

He froze at the sound of wheezing laughter. Turning, he spotted his two shadow clones rolling on the floor, clutching their sides as they laughed like maniacs.

"What are you two laughing at?!"

"Look at Mr. Lizard!"

Naruto turned to where the laundry heap had been, now scattered across the room. Right in the middle of it all, perched atop a sock, was the crystal lizard. Except it wasn't perched—it was flailing. The little creature had landed upside down, its tiny legs kicking in frantic circles like a wind-up toy gone wrong.

Naruto blinked.

The clones howled even louder, one of them slapping the floor as tears streamed down his face. "He looks like he's doing aerobics! Someone get him a little sweatband!"

Naruto ignored the two idiots—technically his clones—who were laughing in the corner, their amusement only fueling his focus. His attention was fixed on the crystal lizard lying on its back, its tiny legs flailing helplessly. The little creature's beady eyes locked onto him, a mix of fear and desperation, with a pathetic attempt at intimidation as it hissed softly.

"Scary," Naruto muttered sarcastically, crouching down and motioning for the lizard to calm down. Instead, the creature hissed louder, baring its tiny teeth, but Naruto didn't care. Carefully, he nudged it back onto its feet with two fingers, letting it stabilize itself.

The lizard, clearly on edge, was about to scurry back toward the safety of the laundry pile when Naruto quickly grabbed its tail, lifting it off the ground. The tiny reptile immediately started thrashing wildly, wiggling like crazy, its movements frantic. Naruto held it steady with one hand as he poked a scale near its side, noticing a small wound beneath the scaly exterior. The creature cried out softly in pain.

"Hey, relax. I'm trying to help you, idiot," Naruto muttered, frowning. "Oi! You two morons!" he barked at his clones. "Bring me some water and that weird healing ointment Iruka-sensei gave us!"

The clones snapped to attention, their earlier laughter fading as they jumped into action.

Moments later, they held the lizard down on the table while Naruto got to work. He cleaned the wound first, gently wiping away the dirt and grime that had gathered on the rough edges of the scales. The lizard hissed and squirmed but didn't fight as much as before. Naruto then took the small tin of ointment, scooping some onto his fingers and applying it carefully.

The healing ointment fizzled as it reacted with the wound, releasing a faint, minty aroma and creating a gentle foam that quickly dissolved into the injured area. The scales around the wound seemed to knit together, the jagged edges smoothing out as the injury began to close. The lizard gradually stopped thrashing, its body relaxing under Naruto's careful hands.

"There," Naruto said, setting the creature back down on the floor.

The lizard hesitated for a moment before bolting toward the laundry pile, only to stop abruptly. Its safe haven was gone.

Naruto grinned sheepishly. "Oh yeah, forgot about that. My bad." He grabbed a handful of clothes and began tossing them back into a makeshift pile. "Alright, alright. There you go. Back to your little kingdom."

But the lizard didn't move. It just sat there, staring at him.

"What? You want to thank me? Or… are you hungry?" Naruto asked, scratching his head. He rummaged through his kitchen for a moment before returning with a small piece of raw meat, placing it down near the lizard.

The crystal lizard eyed the meat cautiously before scurrying over to bite into it. Naruto watched as the creature gnawed at the morsel, its little jaws working furiously. Then, to his surprise, the lizard stopped halfway through and slowly approached him, dropping the half-eaten meat near his hand as if offering to share it.

Naruto blinked in surprise. "Uh… thanks?" he said, a grin spreading across his face as he reached out to pet the lizard, but it immediately darted back a few feet, staring at him from a safe distance.

Naruto laughed softly, picking up the leftover meat. "Progress. I'll take it," he said, shaking his head.

The lizard watched him closely as he pretended to eat the meat, sliding it out of view with a sleight-of-hand trick. Naruto raised it to his mouth and then slipped it into his sleeve, making it look like he took a big bite. "Mmm, so good," he said, loudly smacking his lips. There was no way he was actually going to eat that.

The lizard tilted its head, its beady eyes narrowing in suspicion, but it didn't seem to protest.

Naruto stood and turned to his clones. "Alright, you two. Keep an eye on the little guy. Kakashi-sensei should be showing up any minute now."

One of the clones crossed his arms, a thoughtful look on his face. "Hey, we should name it."

"Ramen?" the other clone suggested immediately.

"No," Naruto shot back.

"Noodle?"

"No."

"Well, I'll think of something," Naruto said, waving them off as he grabbed his jacket. He gave the crystal lizard one last glance before heading toward the door. "Be nice to it. I'm the boss here, not you idiots."

As Naruto left, the lizard watched him go, its small head tilted slightly, before scurrying back to its newly rebuilt laundry pile.

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Naruto flickered into the training ground, skidding to a halt just in time to hear Sakura's annoyed yell.

"You're late… both of you!" she shouted, glaring at both Kakashi and Naruto.

The two rubbed the backs of their heads sheepishly, clearly caught off guard.

"I was late because I was trying to save a woman from a giant talking bear," Kakashi said nonchalantly, his usual deadpan delivery making the absurd claim sound oddly plausible. "The bear demanded I defeat him in poetry before he'd let her go."

"Did you win?" Naruto asked earnestly, his eyes wide with curiosity. Considering the bizarre things he'd seen in Lordran, this story didn't sound far-fetched to him.

"He's lying!" Sakura said, her disbelief palpable.

"Shame on you, Kakashi-sensei," Naruto scolded, though he leaned closer and whispered, "So… did you win?"

"Of course I did."

Sakura groaned in exasperation before turning her glare toward Naruto. "And what's your excuse?"

Naruto hesitated for a moment. He didn't want to mention the crystal lizard—not yet. Maybe when the little guy was friendlier, he'd show it off, proving that only he was worthy of its trust. For now, he needed a distraction.

"I was training to use Shisui-san's taijutsu," he said proudly, puffing out his chest. "You know, the one that got him the name Shunshin no Shisui."

That caught everyone off guard, but they immediately translated his words to mean that he was trying to recreate Shisui's taijutsu style.

"How do you know about this?" Kakashi asked, narrowing his visible eye slightly.

"Oh, Iruka-sensei told me," Naruto said smoothly, his grin widening. "Imagine this—Shunshin no Naruto!" He practically shook with excitement at the thought.

Kakashi paused, his mind racing.

Sakura turned her gaze toward Sasuke, her curiosity shifting. Shisui's funeral had been just yesterday. What did Sasuke think about all of this?

Sasuke gave a small nod. "I hope you're able to recreate it."

The unexpected encouragement surprised everyone.

"Thanks for the support, teme," Naruto said, grinning wide.

"If you need help, just ask," Sasuke replied evenly.

"Actually, I've taken a major step toward it!"

Seeing the way everyone was staring at him, he lifted his gauntlet and pulsed Wind Chakra through it.

"Shisui-san used a Wind Cloak to reduce air resistance—something about bird aerodynamics. I'm gonna do that and combine it with Shunshin!"

Sakura and Sasuke just stared, trying to process the sudden info dump.

Kakashi, for his part, somehow found his voice. "My, Naruto," he said, almost choking on his own words, "it seems like you're serious about becoming the next Shunshin no Shisui."

Even as he spoke, Kakashi's mind was spinning.

Because one simple, terrifying realization had just hit him like a runaway bull when he tapped a finger against the boy's armor, sending a trace of chakra into it—only to watch in stunned silence as it flowed through the metal effortlessly, without a hint of resistance.

Naruto's armor—his ridiculously heavy armor—was made of chakra metal.

Not just a little bit.

Not just some reinforcement.

No.

The entire thing was chakra metal.

Kakashi suddenly felt like he needed to sit down.

Because that meant someone had thrown an ungodly amount of money at this kid. Who in their right mind had that kind of wealth?! Who could just casually afford to coat an entire suit of armor in one of the rarest materials in the world?!

And more importantly—

WHO THE HELL WAS OSCAR?!

Kakashi squeezed his temples. First, he finds out Oscar is dead. Then, Naruto casually drops that he's already avenged him. When did that even happen?! How did that even happen?! Was Konoha asleep when all of this went down? Did everyone blink and miss an entire arc of Naruto's life?!

His brain was starting to overheat.

He needed a nap. Or maybe an extended leave of absence. Preferably somewhere far, far away—where Naruto wasn't casually dropping life-altering revelations that made zero damn sense and gave him an existential crisis every single time he spoke.

Oblivious to Kakashi's slow descent into madness, Naruto just grinned.

"Shunshin no Naruto," he corrected proudly. "Don't forget it!"

"Fair enough. Good luck, then," Kakashi said, feeling the sudden urge to just knock himself out.

"Thanks! I'm off to see Team 10—gonna ask Asuma-sensei if he can help me with Shisui's taijutsu!" Naruto said, already preparing to leave.

"Ino's going to be there," Sakura teased, a sly grin spreading across her face.

"Yeah, I know, Sakura."

Sakura wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, clearly trying to get a rise out of him.

"Weirdo," Naruto muttered before body flickering out of sight.

"What was that about?" Sasuke asked, raising an eyebrow as he observed Sakura's flushed face.

Sakura squealed, her voice high-pitched with excitement. "I think Ino has a crush on Naruto!"

"Oh?" Kakashi said, leaning closer like a gossiping auntie. "Do tell."

Sakura eagerly launched into her theories while Kakashi nodded along with faux interest. Meanwhile, Sasuke ignored them both, picking up a few leaves from the ground. He focused on his own training, already channeling chakra into the leaves to generate a small current.

"Sasuke-kun," Kakashi called, glancing over, "what do you think about this?"

"Hn," was Sasuke's only response, his focus unbroken.

Sakura paused, watching him closely. Sasuke's indifferent response struck a chord. How could he remain so detached when one of his biggest fans was now gone?

Ino's words echoed in Sakura's mind: Do you like Sasuke, or do you like the idea of him?

She thought she had an answer now. At first, she had liked the idea of Sasuke—the mysterious prodigy, the perfect hero. But over time, she had come to see the real him. His burdens, his pain, his dreams. She no longer saw him as someone to protect her or save her.

Now, she wanted to stand beside him, shoulder to shoulder.

That was what her love had grown into—a quiet strength to match his.

Her resolve hardened as she watched him continue his training, his focus unwavering.

She would stand by his side, no matter what.

That was her promise to herself.

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Naruto jolted awake to the faint sound of scratching. Blinking blearily, he sat up, his senses sharpening in the quiet of the night. A quick glance at the clock told him it was two in the morning.

With a furrowed brow, he turned his head toward the source of the noise. His tired eyes landed on the small figure at the balcony window, its little claws tapping lightly against the glass.

A familiar, shimmering blue form.

The crystal lizard.

Naruto groggily rubbed his face before whispering, "Dude… what are you even doing?"

The tiny creature froze at his voice, its bright eyes flickering toward him, caught in the act. Naruto noticed how the moonlight outside seemed to bend toward the large, gleaming crystal on its back, absorbing into it like a gentle tide pulling away from shore.

He paused, watching the way the little thing shifted restlessly, glancing between him and the outside.

"…You wanna go out?"

The words were barely out of his mouth before he was already moving. He slipped out of bed, careful not to startle the lizard, and padded over to the window. At his approach, the creature flinched, its tiny body tensing as if ready to scurry away.

But instead of grabbing it, Naruto simply unlocked the window and pushed it open, letting the cool night air spill into the room.

"Go on, then." He gestured toward the open space.

For a moment, the crystal lizard hesitated. Then, with quick, skittering movements, it scrambled onto the balcony, its tiny form bathed in moonlight.

Naruto leaned against the doorframe, watching. The lizard tilted its head up, its crystal glowing faintly as it drank in the silvery light. It stood perfectly still, as if caught in some quiet, reverent moment, the wind ruffling its scales.

There was something… serene about it.

Naruto smiled, but as he stepped out, the cold air immediately bit into his skin. A glance down told him that the crystal lizard wasn't handling it much better—its small body trembled slightly under the night's chill.

Naruto didn't think twice.

He lifted his hand and let a small, controlled pulse of warmth bloom from his palm—the faint glow of a Pyromancy Flame flickering to life.

Almost instantly, the air around them softened, the bite of the cold easing into something gentler. The crystal lizard turned back toward him, its bright eyes reflecting the fire's glow.

Naruto chuckled. "Better?"

The lizard didn't answer, obviously, but it didn't run either. Instead, it just stared at him, then at the flame, then back at him again.

Naruto yawned, grabbing his blanket from inside and wrapping it around himself, sinking into its warmth. His eyelids grew heavy, sleep trying to drag him back under.

But then—

A small nudge against his side.

Naruto cracked an eye open and found the crystal lizard had shuffled closer, staring up at him expectantly.

"…You wanna enjoy the heat too?" Naruto asked, raising his arm slightly.

The little creature wasted no time. It carefully scurried under the blanket, nestling against the warmth of the Pyromancy Flame.

Naruto grinned at the sight. Feeling a little bold, he reached out and lightly scratched under the lizard's chin.

It chirped. A tiny, high-pitched sound—somewhere between a squeak and a trill, like a little bell ringing through the night.

Naruto chuckled. "You like that, huh?"

The lizard responded by pressing into his hand, clearly enjoying the attention.

A name. He should name it.

Naruto paused, thinking. Something ramen-related? …Nah. Something in the back of his mind told him no—that wasn't right.

And then, in the quiet, he finally had an epiphany.

"…You know," he murmured, his voice soft, "there was a dream I had once."

The crystal lizard stilled, listening.

"To travel through Lordran with my master," Naruto continued. "He was supposed to teach me things. We were supposed to explore together. I wanted to take him to Ichiraku, let him try ramen—bet he'd have liked miso. We'd sit together, talk about anything and everything, and…"

His voice wavered.

But he swallowed it down, blinking hard before rubbing his sleeve across his eyes.

When he lowered it, the crystal lizard was still staring at him.

Naruto took a breath.

"…Would you do me the honor of taking his name?" he asked, stretching his hand out. "Of traveling through Lordran with me?"

For a long moment, the lizard didn't move.

Then, slowly, it stepped forward—pausing just long enough to press its nose lightly against his outstretched hand.

Naruto felt something tighten in his chest.

He grinned—wide and a little wobbly—but real.

"Alright, Oscar," he whispered.

The crystal lizard chirped again, curling closer to his warmth.

Naruto wrapped the blanket a little tighter around them, leaning back against the balcony door, the exhaustion finally pulling him down.

And as his eyes slipped shut, he had no idea that this moment—the quiet beginning of a boy and his lizard—would someday become legend.

That one day, the gods themselves would tremble at the sight of the two dragons of Lordran.

But for now, they were just a boy and his tiny companion, resting under the moonlight.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

The Hokage's Office was quiet, save for the faint rustling of paper as Hiruzen Sarutobi read through Kakashi's report.

The old man's brow furrowed as his eyes drifted over the latest findings.

"Scorch Release?"

Hiruzen muttered the words under his breath, the concept alone making him feel a familiar sense of unease.

Kakashi, standing at attention before the desk, gave a nonchalant shrug.

"Just a theory—courtesy of Sasuke Uchiha."

It was a flimsy idea at best. Naruto's chakra nature had already been confirmed, but Kakashi had long since learned to account for the impossible, especially when something like the Kyūbi could be involved.

Hiruzen hummed, continuing through the rest of the report.

And then, he paused.

Naruto's armor… made entirely of chakra metal.

Hiruzen's fingers tightened slightly on the parchment, his chest growing inexplicably tight.

The entire armor?

His first thought was sheer disbelief, but the implications settled in quickly. The amount of chakra metal required…

Even the Daimyō himself would wince at its worth.

Where? Hiruzen's mind raced. Where in the world did Naruto acquire enough chakra metal to forge an entire suit of armor?

A part of him—the leader of Konoha, the protector of its future—felt the whisper of an opportunity.

If only Konoha knew how to replicate it…

The thought came unbidden, and with it, an old memory—Asuma's voice, blunt and laced with quiet disappointment.

Are you? Or are you doing this for Konoha?

Hiruzen's lips thinned.

Let's say you figure out Naruto's mysteries. What then? Are you expecting Konoha to benefit from them? From him? Because if that's the case, then you've forgotten something important, Father.

And yet—here it was. A legitimate way for Konoha to benefit from Naruto's strange evolution.

"Kakashi, what are we doing?"

Kakashi blinked. "Hokage-sama?"

Hiruzen set the paper down, exhaling. "These investigations… these mysteries. What is the end goal?"

Kakashi frowned slightly, his visible eye sharpening. "Sir?"

The Hokage's gaze didn't lift from the parchment.

"What do we hope to gain from this?"

A beat of silence.

Then, Kakashi replied, "At the very least, we can ensure Naruto is safe from whatever caused this."

Hiruzen huffed, the sound dry and tired.

"Safe." He shook his head. "Yes, of course. Because keeping him ignorant and alone for the last decade was for his safety."

The bitterness in his voice surprised even himself.

Kakashi's stance remained steady, but his eye flickered with something unreadable.

"Hokage-sama, if I may."

Hiruzen motioned for him to continue.

"It's clear that you've been thinking a lot about Naruto, and perhaps you're feeling like you've failed him."

Hiruzen let out a slow breath. "Didn't I?"

Kakashi was quiet for a moment, then shook his head.

"Hokage-sama, no one understands better than you how much weight rested on your shoulders after the Kyūbi attack. You lost your wife that night. You had to oversee the reconstruction of Konoha, handle the growing number of war orphans, and manage rising political tensions with the threat of another Shinobi War looming overhead.

"Then there was the Uchiha Clan's unrest, the fractured alliances with other nations, the Council's interference, Danzo's schemes, the ANBU's internal conflicts…"

He sighed.

"Sir, I know you didn't do what was best for Naruto, but you tried—while the world felt like it was crumbling under your feet."

The words hung between them, settling into the office like an unspoken truth.

Hiruzen's fingers drifted over his desk, brushing against the edges of the report.

"Wise words, Kakashi." His voice was quiet. "But I gave everything I had to Konoha, and yet… it feels as though I failed the people who truly mattered."

Kakashi's gaze softened, his eye distant.

"Can I join you in that sentiment?"

The way he said it spoke of understanding.

They were both too late to realize who truly mattered.

A beat of silence passed between them.

"Lord Third," Kakashi said. "Teaching Team 7 has taught me something valuable."

"Oh? And what lesson is that?"

Kakashi's eye curved slightly, though it wasn't quite a smile. "That people can change, despite their past."

Hiruzen hummed, waiting for him to elaborate.

Kakashi continued, "I've watched Sakura go from a kunoichi who would have been a casualty in her first real battle to someone who works tirelessly to stand beside her teammates. I've seen Sasuke—despite everything—open up to Team 7, trusting them in ways I never thought he would."

His tone softened.

"And I've watched Naruto's grief of Oscar… heal."

"Guess being a teacher has been good for you."

"It's all thanks to your guidance, Lord Third."

The old Hokage let out a quiet chuckle before his expression turned solemn. He leaned back in his chair, folding his hands over the desk.

"Kakashi, I've come to a realization." His voice was softer now, but steady. "I want to make things right for Naruto. A second chance."

"Second chances come after proof of change, not before."

Hiruzen nodded, his grip on his pipe tightening. "Which is why I'm going to tell him about Minato and Kushina."

The words hung heavy in the air.

Kakashi's breath hitched just slightly, his fingers twitching at his side.

"You mean to tell him everything?"

"Yes." Hiruzen exhaled. "But not until I've dealt with Danzo first."

The mere mention of that name sent a chill through the air.

Kakashi frowned. "You're taking direct action?"

Hiruzen's eyes sharpened. "I am."

He gave Kakashi a brief but thorough summary of his plan.

When he finished, Kakashi was already calculating the risks. "Do you want me to join the squad? If Danzo has a plan in place, you can assume he'll use it."

"I know the dangers, which is why I handpicked the team myself. Shibi Aburame will lead the team of ANBU captains—he's already tagged every member with his kikaichū. If Danzo tries to use Kotoamatsukami, their chakra will disrupt the genjutsu immediately."

"A failsafe. Smart."

Hiruzen nodded. "Tsume Inuzuka will also be on the team—her heightened senses will detect any Root operatives, in case Danzo has continued his activities despite his so-called exile."

Kakashi folded his arms. "It's a good start. But if Danzo's backed into a corner, he'll retaliate. That team has countermeasures, but they still need more muscle. What about Gai?"

"He's away on a mission."

Kakashi's lips thinned slightly. "Jiraiya-sama, then?"

Hiruzen shook his head again. "No. Jiraiya is too far away to accompany the team. Instead, I'll be sending Enma to accompany them. Even Danzo isn't foolish enough to make a move against the Monkey King."

Kakashi let out a low whistle. "Pulling out all the stops, huh?"

Hiruzen's expression darkened. "I refuse to let Danzo be a loose end."

Kakashi nodded.

There was nothing else to say. At least, not about that.

"Do you want me to keep an eye on Naruto? Just in case Danzo tries something while we're handling this?"

Hiruzen's gaze flickered, studying Kakashi carefully.

Smart. The man had already figured it out.

"If you must."

Kakashi nodded. "Good. I've been thinking of taking Team 7 through more teamwork drills. Maybe throw in a few D-rank missions."

"That's a good idea. They've developed their individual skills—now they need to learn how to use them together."

A brief silence settled again.

Then, Kakashi asked the inevitable question.

"And the mysteries?"

Hiruzen's fingers tapped idly against his desk.

"We are shinobi, Kakashi. It would be foolish to dismiss mysteries just because they involve Naruto." He looked up. "But from now on, we separate the two. Naruto and his mysteries are not the same. Treat them as such."

Kakashi held his gaze for a moment.

Then, slowly—he bowed.

"Understood, Hokage-sama."

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

[ One Week Later ]

It was a clear day in the forests of Konoha, where the birds chirped and the leaves rustled with the gentle breeze. Team 7, however, was not enjoying the idyllic scenery. Instead, they were crouched in the dirt, stalking a small brown cat with a red ribbon on its right ear—the infamous Tora, beloved pet of Madam Shijimi, one of the wives of the Fire Daimyō.

"Alright, Team 7," Kakashi said, his voice grave as he crouched behind a tree, his book conspicuously in hand. "This is a high-priority mission. Tora is known for her evasive maneuvers, her cunning, and her unrelenting will to escape. We can't afford any mistakes."

Naruto groaned, his head dropping to his hands. "It's a cat, sensei. I bet I could catch it solo, dattebayo."

"This mission comes directly from Madam Shijimi. And remember, she's not just any client—she's a diplomat for the Fire Daimyō. How we handle this reflects on Konoha."

"And on you," Sakura added dryly, shooting Kakashi a sideways glance.

"Exactly," Kakashi replied, unfazed. "So, no pressure. But if we fail, we risk jeopardizing diplomatic relations with the entire Fire Nation." He turned a page in his book. "No big deal."

The team collectively stared at him.

"Are we seriously pretending this isn't a waste of time?" Sasuke asked flatly.

"I mean," Sakura chimed in, "shouldn't someone talk to Madam Shijimi about how she's treating this cat? It keeps running away for a reason."

"It's not our job to question the client," Kakashi said. "Our job is to retrieve Tora."

"Poor cat," Sakura muttered under her breath as they moved into position.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

The team scattered, each taking a planned route. Sasuke was the first to act, hurling kunai with ninja wires imbued with lightning chakra. They struck the trees around the fleeing Tora, cutting off her escape routes with precision.

The cat hissed, its amber eyes darting wildly for an exit. It turned left—Naruto was there, standing with his arms crossed, a smug grin on his face. It turned right, and there Naruto was again, the same smirk on his face.

No matter where Tora turned, Naruto was there.

"Afterimages?" Sasuke muttered. Naruto was fast enough now to make it seem like he was everywhere at once. "You're seriously using Shisui's technique on a cat?"

"I'm refining my skills, teme," Naruto said, his grin widening as he flickered into another position. "Besides, this cat is way tougher than it looks!"

Tora hissed and arched her back, trying to look intimidating, but Naruto wasn't fazed.

"Ninja Art: Pyramidal Barrier!" Sakura shouted, slamming her hands together.

The kunai Naruto had placed around the area suddenly glowed, creating a shimmering pyramidal barrier around the panicked cat. Tora scratched at the chakra barrier wall of her new prison, but it was no use.

"Target confirmed," Naruto said dramatically. "It's Tora. Mission complete."

Kakashi finally emerged from the trees, clapping slowly. "Excellent work, Team 7. Tora has been successfully apprehended."

"You could've helped, you know."

"Why? You were doing so well."

"Yeah, well, next time you can chase after a demon cat!" Naruto grumbled.

"Stop complaining, Naruto. We finished the mission," Sakura said, shaking her head as she carefully deactivated the barrier.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Team 7 stood blankly as Madam Shijimi scooped Tora into her arms.

Madam Shijimi was a corpulent woman with dark brown hair styled into three enormous poofs. Her face was coated in purple eyeshadow, pink lipstick, and a thick layer of powder. Her nails were painted to match her gaudy rings, which jingled as she petted Tora with excessive force. The poor cat looked utterly defeated, its amber eyes half-lidded as it resigned itself to its fate.

"Is this… animal abuse?" Sasuke muttered under his breath, glancing at the limp Tora.

"I think so," Sakura whispered back, frowning. "No wonder the cat keeps running away."

Naruto's thoughts drifted to his pet crystal lizard, now named Crystal Oscar. He suddenly felt a deep sense of pride knowing that he treated his little companion with respect and care. Glad I don't treat Oscar like that, he muttered to himself.

As Madam Shijimi hugged Tora tighter, the cat let out a small, pitiful noise.

"Well done, Team 7!" Madam Shijimi gushed, her rings glittering as she clasped her hands together. "You've brought my precious Tora back to me. She's such a naughty little thing, always trying to run away. But now she's back where she belongs!"

Naruto winced as Tora's amber eyes locked onto his. For a moment, it was like the cat was begging for help.

"...We're done here, right?"

"Yes, Naruto, you're done for now," Hiruzen said with a faint smile, watching as an ANBU quietly escorted Madam Shijimi out of the office.

"I must congratulate Team 7," Hiruzen continued. "You've successfully completed twelve D-rank missions. With this, you are now qualified for higher-ranked missions."

Naruto's face lit up like a firework. "Finally! No more chasing cats, dattebayo!" he exclaimed, pumping a fist into the air. Sakura smiled, and even Sasuke's usual aloofness seemed to soften with mild interest.

Hiruzen smiled at their enthusiasm and picked up a scroll from the pile on his desk. "Your next mission will be a C-rank escort. It's a step up from what you've been doing but well within your capabilities. Bring in the client."

At the Hokage's signal, an ANBU stepped out of the room. Moments later, the door creaked open, and in walked an older man with a hunched posture, carrying a faint air of irritation.

Team 7 took in the sight of their client—a gray-haired, bespectacled man with a large beard and dark eyes. He wore a sleeveless V-neck shirt tied with an obi, plain pants, and sandals. A towel hung loosely around his neck, and a pointed hat sat atop his head. Most strikingly, he was holding a beer bottle, which he sipped from like it was water.

The man glanced at Team 7 and grimaced. "Hokage-sama," he said, his voice gruff, "while I appreciate the quick turnaround on my mission… are these wet-behind-the-ears brats really going to protect me?"

"Hey! Who are you calling a brat, old man?"

Before Tazuna could retort, Hiruzen raised a hand.

"Tazuna-san, I assure you, these genin are more than capable of handling your simple escort mission."

The word simple hung in the air like a knife.

Tazuna froze mid-sip of his beer, his hand tightening slightly around the bottle. A bead of sweat rolled down his temple as his gaze flickered to the Hokage, then to the trio of genin standing before him.

"S-Simple, huh?" Tazuna muttered, his voice strained. He let out an awkward chuckle, wiping his forehead with the towel draped around his neck as he quickly tried to change the subject.

"What kind of ninja wears armor like that? And why's a shorty like you lugging around a sword twice your size? Are you compensating for something?"

Naruto's grin stretched wide as he stepped forward, resting a hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Want me to show you what it can do?"

Tazuna took a nervous step back, sweat beginning to bead on his forehead. "No, no! That's fine, kid. I was just kidding!" he said with a nervous chuckle, lifting his beer bottle as if to toast.

"Tazuna-san, you'll find Naruto's capable of much more than jokes."

"Yeah, right…" Tazuna muttered. "Guess I'll just have to trust you all."

"Good choice, old man."

Tazuna scowled, trying to regain his composure. "I'll have you know I'm a man of great renown!" he declared loudly, puffing out his chest. "I'm Tazuna, the best bridge builder in the Land of Waves! And until I'm safely back in my country to finish my masterpiece, it's your job to protect me—even if it costs you your lives!"

Team 7 stared blankly at him, unmoved by his theatrics.

The silence stretched awkwardly until Tazuna deflated slightly. "...Uh, I mean… thanks for your hard work in advance."

Hiruzen clapped his hands once, bringing the room back to order. "Team 7, your mission begins in two hours. Use the time to prepare."

Tazuna, who looked like he was ready to bolt, muttered, "I'll, uh… go check out the village or something."

"There's a bar down the street that serves Earth Nation beer," Hiruzen added casually.

Tazuna's eyes lit up despite himself. "Is that right?" he asked, feigning disinterest as he sipped his beer.

As Tazuna adjusted his grip on the bottle, the top suddenly slid off with an unnervingly clean cut, the jagged edge catching the light. The severed piece fell to the ground with a soft clink, and a stream of beer immediately spilled out, splashing onto his hand and dripping onto the floor.

The room went silent, all eyes snapping to Naruto, who stood smirking, his hand casually resting on his sword hilt.

Tazuna gulped. "Geez, kid. You're fast. Really fast."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

Tazuna's nervousness was palpable now as he shuffled toward the door. "...Uh… anyone want some booze?"

Sasuke and Sakura shook their heads immediately, while Kakashi smiled under his mask. "I don't drink."

"Bring me one. I want to see what it tastes like."

Tazuna nodded at Naruto with newfound respect. "You've got guts, kid," he muttered before disappearing out the door.

"That guy is definitely a sad drunk old man."

"Absolutely," Sakura said with a sigh, while Sasuke grunted in agreement.

Kakashi straightened, his lazy demeanor returning. "Alright, Team 7, you're dismissed for now. Meet up at the northern gate in two hours, ready to go."

Naruto perked up immediately. "Ichiraku Ramen?"

Sakura and Sasuke exchanged a glance before shrugging.

He had trained relentlessly for over a week, honing his skills and pushing himself to his limits. Now, Naruto felt ready—ready to return to Lordran and face the Taurus Demon. This battle would be his measure, his proof that he could take on the dangers lurking not just in the unforgiving world of Lordran, but also in the shadows beyond Konoha.

But before all that… Ramen!