[Scene Break — Konoha Village — Two Weeks into Genin Missions]
While Naruto was deep in training, life went on for the other new genin teams.
Team 7 — Under Kakashi
Setting: A muddy farm at the outskirts of Konoha.
Sakura stood knee-deep in the muck, holding a squirming piglet in both hands.
"This is not what I imagined shinobi life would be like!" she grumbled, cheeks flushed with frustration.
Sai calmly herded chickens nearby, utterly unbothered. "This is a mission. Success is determined by outcome, not personal preference."
Sasuke scowled as he hauled a bag of feed. "Tch. This is a waste of time. We should be training, not babysitting livestock."
Kakashi watched them all from the fencepost, reading his book as usual. "D-rank missions build patience and teamwork. You want higher ranks? Earn them."
Sakura looked toward the empty space where Naruto would have stood. Part of her... missed the noise. Sai noticed her glance.
"If you are seeking Uzumaki-san, he is not present. Adjust your expectations."
Sakura huffed. "I know that! I just—forget it."
Team 8 — Under Kurenai
Setting: Village streets, helping clean graffiti and repair fences.
Hinata carefully repainted a fence, hands trembling slightly but determined.
Kiba lounged nearby with Akamaru. "Man, these missions are lame."
Shino, methodically cleaning a wall with his kikaichū, replied calmly. "Lameness is irrelevant. Efficiency and thoroughness matter."
Kurenai watched them with a faint smile. "These tasks teach discipline. It is not always about battle."
Hinata stole a glance toward the training grounds beyond the walls, wondering how Naruto was doing.He... seemed different that day in class, she thought.
Team 10 — Under Asuma
Setting: Market district, assisting elderly villagers with deliveries.
Choji happily carried baskets of produce, munching on a rice ball between tasks.
Ino smiled and greeted shopkeepers, enjoying the social aspect.
Shikako trailed behind them, hands in her pockets. "How troublesome..."
Asuma puffed on his cigarette, amused. "These missions teach you about the village. Connections matter."
Shikako sighed. "I'd rather be napping. Or... maybe sparring with Naruto. He looked serious last time."
Ino perked up. "Oh yeah. He's probably getting some secret training. Tch! Lucky."
Shikako's eyes narrowed slightly. Guess I'll have to catch up...
[Scene Break — Hokage Office — Briefing]
Hiruzen skimmed the reports with a faint smile.
"Team 7 — D-rank missions proceeding. Sasuke impatient, but no major incidents.Team 8 — Solid teamwork. Kurenai's influence showing.Team 10 — Balanced dynamics. Shikako adapting.Uzumaki Naruto — progressing well under Hayato's regimen. No requests for team reassignment. Good."
He set the reports down. "Every path takes its own time," the old Hokage murmured."But some must walk faster than others."
[Scene: Afternoon — Training Ground 11 — A Chance Encounter]
The sun was high as Team 8 finished yet another D-rank mission: repainting a merchant's storefront.
Kiba stretched and groaned. "Ugh. If I have to scrub one more wall..."
Shino adjusted his collar. "Patience. D-rank is preparation."
Hinata quietly followed the two as they walked a side path past an isolated training field.
Suddenly — the sharp clang of steel rang through the air.
Kiba's ears twitched. "Hold up. You guys hear that?"
They crept toward the edge of the treeline. Beyond the bushes lay Training Ground 11 — officially unused this week.
In the clearing, steam rose from the grass.
There stood Naruto.
Sweat gleamed on his bare shoulders. His eyes were calm — too calm.In his hands: a gleaming chokutō, moving in slow, deliberate arcs.
Behind him, five Shadow Clones mirrored his motions with perfect precision.
Naruto flowed through an elegant sequence of cuts and sidesteps — faster, then faster, until he seemed to blur.
Kiba blinked. "Whoa."
Shino's brows lifted beneath his hood. "Impressive. His clones… do not falter."
Hinata's eyes were wide. He's changed so much...
At the edge of the field, a tall man — Hayato — watched silently, arms folded.
Naruto finished the sequence with a sudden flicker — vanishing mid-swing and reappearing behind a target dummy, blade pressed to its "neck."
Kshhht. The dummy's head tipped off its base.
The real Naruto exhaled slowly, sheathing his blade. "Again," he whispered.
Hayato's voice carried across the field."Good. Flow like shadow. Strike like the moon."
Kiba muttered, "Tch… We're out here chasing chickens, and he's learning stuff like that?"
Shino nodded. "His progress is considerable."
Hinata blushed faintly but whispered, "Naruto-kun… is amazing."
Hayato's gaze flicked toward the trees.
Rustle.
Team 8 froze.
"Return to your instructor," Hayato said calmly. "Training is not a spectacle."
Naruto turned briefly — and for an instant, his eyes met Hinata's.
There was no goofy grin. No wild bravado.Just a calm, steady nod — like a true shinobi.
Hinata's heart skipped.
Kiba grabbed her arm. "Come on! We're busted!"
Team 8 retreated — minds racing.
[Scene: Later — Ichiraku Ramen Stand]
Word spread fast in a village of ninja.
Team 10 heard the tale from Kiba that evening.
"—and he was slicing dummies like a pro! Five clones moving in sync!"
Shikako leaned forward, thoughtful. "Hmm... so Naruto's not wasting time."
Choji munched. "Lucky... We're stuck hauling cabbages."
Ino huffed. "I bet Sasuke-kun would catch up fast if Kakashi-sensei wasn't making us do D-ranks."
Shikako's eyes narrowed. "Or maybe Naruto's the one we'll have to catch."
[Scene: Team 7 Rooftop Briefing]
Sai reported it plainly.
"Observation: Uzumaki Naruto now displays proficiency with a chokutō and synchronized clone tactics. Efficiency notable."
Sasuke's eyes flickered. Hmph. He better not think he can surpass me.
Sakura looked away, conflicted.He's really changed... I wonder... would he even want to be on Team 7 now?