With Rock Lee stepping forward to defend him, it seemed the bond between the two had deepened.
"Naruto, in my eyes, you're not that Nine-Tailed Demon Fox! You're my friend! The friend who acknowledged me!" Afterward, Rock Lee had said this to Naruto with great solemnity.
"Thanks."
Lee was, by all accounts, the first person to stand up and speak for Naruto. It would be impossible not to be moved. However, according to Aizen-sensei's words: sympathy and sentimentality were the most pitiful emotions, the ones that should be discarded first. So, Naruto quickly pushed this fleeting gratitude to the back of his mind and regarded Rock Lee with rationality. These simple-minded, passionate youths often made for excellent 'comrades-in-arms.'
"Same time tomorrow, at the training grounds," Naruto said. After dinner, the two had set a time to meet again.
In the days that followed, Naruto gained a training partner. Lee bought training weights following Naruto's example. He wasn't interested in swords, so most of his training time was dedicated to tempering his body and practicing his fist techniques. Though still crude, his form at least began to take shape.
Naruto, on the other hand, had begun his swordsmanship training. Wielding the dark green Kyoka Suigetsu, he practiced his swings endlessly under Aizen-sensei's guidance.
"Swordsmanship is divided into Kendo and Zanjutsu," Aizen's voice echoed in Naruto's mind. "Kendo is a fighting technique using the Zanpakuto, cultivating powerful spiritual strength through the honing of mind and will. Zanjutsu, similar to Iaido, is about killing in a single strike, felling an opponent with one blow. Zanjutsu can be honorable and straightforward, or it can be despicable and shameless. Its sole purpose is to defeat the enemy. In other words, Zanjutsu is a killing art that exists purely for combat."
Aizen recalled how, in the Shinigami world, Head Captain Yamamoto had once tried to teach Kenpachi Zaraki Kendo when he joined the Gotei 13. Yamamoto had hoped Kenpachi would replace his primitive, bloody fighting style with standardized techniques and the spirit of Kendo, hoping he would gain some spiritual insight. Unfortunately, the latter had absolutely no interest in learning.
Considering the history of the Gotei 13, Yhwach had once described the past Gotei 13 as "Sword Demons" because its former members all used Zanjutsu rather than Kendo. It wasn't until later, when Head Captain Yamamoto and the first Kenpachi, Retsu Unohana, both turned to practicing Kendo, that the entire Gotei 13's outlook on life and the world changed.
Aizen, familiar with the Gotei 13's history, scoffed at Kendo. In his view, a Zanpakuto was a weapon for killing; the so-called spirit of Kendo was nothing but a burden in battle. The current Gotei 13 was far too soft and posed no threat to him whatsoever.
"Decide for yourself whether you wish to learn Kendo or Zanjutsu." Aizen left the choice to Naruto.
"I choose Zanjutsu." Unsurprisingly, Naruto chose Zanjutsu without hesitation.
'Zanjutsu, is it? I look forward to witnessing your first kill. The first time, one always faces fear and trepidation. Like a flower blooming on a cliff's edge, we all stop before the precipice, rather than stepping out into the sky without fear like the flower. Once you successfully take that step, you will no longer be the Uzumaki Naruto you once were.' A playful curve touched Aizen's lips, his eyes filled with amusement.
One year later.
Konoha, Year 53.
Today was also the day Rock Lee would enter the Ninja Academy. The day before enrollment, Lee had chatted with Naruto for an entire afternoon. The gist was that he was very nervous and hoped his ninja aptitude was good. He wished to become a ninja outstanding in taijutsu, but not lacking in ninjutsu either. He had high hopes for himself.
Naruto didn't see Lee off to the Ninja Academy; he didn't want Lee to suffer cold stares because of him. Offering Lee his sincere blessings, he moved swiftly through the trees. By concentrating Reiatsu at the soles of his feet, he could accelerate his movement – a basic application that needed to be mastered before learning Shunpo.
Over the course of this year, Naruto had also gained a general understanding of the Shinigami world Aizen inhabited. In the Shinigami worldview, there were two concepts: Reiatsu and Reiryoku. Those with high Reiatsu could wield more Reiryoku. Reiryoku was the primary substance composing souls. A qualified Shinigami could use the Reiryoku within their body, expelling it to create Reiatsu, which could intimidate enemies or be used to solidify various weapons or barriers.
Naruto's aptitude was quite good; within this year, he had already mastered the basic application of Reiatsu. This greatly astounded Aizen. For a novice Shinigami, controlling Reiatsu was often the most difficult part. Yet, Naruto performed all of it perfectly.
Naturally, Naruto was quite pleased with this and full of anticipation for his future ninja career. 'My Shinigami talent is so outstanding, my ninja talent surely won't be bad either. I will become a ninja proficient in ninjutsu and a Shinigami proficient in Kido!'
Naruto returned home. He wasn't training today because he was about to begin something extremely important in his life: chakra extraction. At five years old, Naruto could now begin cultivating chakra. The Third Hokage had also promised to send him related books on the day school started. According to Konoha Ninja Academy regulations, children aged six with ninja aptitude could enroll. Naruto was still a year shy of six but was already preparing to learn the relevant knowledge in advance.
Children from Konoha's various prominent clans also typically began chakra cultivation before enrolling, partly because their families had the resources, and partly to ensure their clan members could excel after enrollment and uphold the family name.
Konoha's higher-ups had engaged in fierce debate regarding Naruto learning to use chakra. The main protagonists, naturally, were the Third Hokage and Danzo, those dear frenemies. In Danzo's words: "Hand Naruto over to Root. I can forge him into the most perfect Konoha weapon in history. He will become a deterrent to other ninja villages."
The Third Hokage, however, believed Naruto could perfectly inherit the Will of Fire, and that allowing him to enter the Ninja Academy and form bonds with other students was the correct path. After all, there was the successful precedent of Kushina Uzumaki, who had found true love during her time at the academy, became one of Konoha's top fighting powers, and even gave birth to Uzumaki Naruto. This proved the Third Hokage's theory was viable.
In the end, despite Danzo's forceful arguments, the Third Hokage once again invoked his Hokage authority, successfully 'debating' Danzo into silence. Danzo had left, angrily flicking his sleeves. 'Since you had already made your decision, why did you even ask for my opinion?' Danzo's dissatisfaction with the Third grew deeper, and his desire for the Hokage position intensified by another fraction.
Regardless, Naruto was the biggest winner of this dispute. He had gained the opportunity to learn chakra ahead of schedule.
Naruto sat on his bed, cradling Kyoka Suigetsu, as excited as a child about to receive a beloved toy. Once I learn chakra, will I be able to use ninjutsu? How is chakra utilized? What's the difference between chakra and Reiatsu? His mind teemed with a thirst to explore the unknown.
Knock, knock. A sudden rapping came from the door. Naruto immediately rushed over, opened it, and found no one outside. However, two books lay on the cold stone steps.
"Thank you," Naruto said, nodding slightly towards the trees, then carried the books back inside. The door closed tightly, and the leaves rustled faintly.