Spring, with flowers blooming.
Natsume returned to the Konoha Ninja Academy.
"Naruto."
As soon as he entered, he saw a lonely figure swinging on the swing.
"Big brother?"
Naruto turned his head, his tone full of surprise, asking, "Why are you here?"
"I wanted to ask you, why aren't you in class?"
Natsume walked over, somewhat puzzled.
Because it was an internal Konoha Chunin Exam with fewer participants, they didn't suspend classes like in the original; they just used one building.
"Break time after class."
Naruto explained, "I came out for some fresh air."
"How's school going for you?"
Natsume saw the unnaturalness on his face; probably not fresh air, but avoiding classmates' strange looks.
Until Naruto clears the demon fox label, the stronger he gets, the more feared he is.
In the original, he earned recognition after saving the village multiple times.
"Big brother, let me tell you, I'm super awesome!"
Hearing Natsume's question, Naruto got excited, jumped off the swing, and said proudly, "I'm number one in my grade now. Grandpa Hokage says the future Hokage will definitely be me!"
Number one in the grade?
Without the Nine-Tails causing trouble, it's really different.
As for Sarutobi Hiruzen, he wasn't lying.
With Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina's sacrifices, Naruto's super talent, and Jiraiya arranged as his teacher, becoming Hokage would be easy.
Shimura Danzo felt very frustrated.
Naruto didn't realize his life had been fully planned out.
Actually, not just Sarutobi Hiruzen, but the Sage of Six Paths and Asura's chakra destined him to be the ninja world's savior.
Many in the previous life speculated Naruto didn't darken because of Asura's chakra influence.
But it was just chakra, not Asura himself.
At most, it was like a programmed script, highly likely to turn Naruto into a partner of justice.
But justice is very subjective.
Is protecting Konoha justice?
Is Sarutobi Hiruzen's Will of Fire justice?
It's all uncertain.
There's a lot of room for manipulation.
Turning Naruto into a ruthless killer would be hard, but having him kill a few people is simple.
Like Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Congratulations."
Natsume patted his shoulder and asked, "Have you made friends?"
"Not... yet."
Naruto hesitated for a few seconds, then smiled, "It's been too short; everyone isn't familiar yet."
Poor kid.
It's been two months already.
With kids' natures, they'd bond quickly. How could he have no friends?
"There's a Chunin Exam today. Did you know?"
Natsume changed the topic.
"I know. The school notified us not to go to the Hokage Building to avoid disturbing them."
Naruto asked belatedly, "Big brother is here for the Chunin Exam?"
"Mm."
Natsume invited him, "Interested in checking it out?"
"Yes!"
Naruto got excited but soon deflated, "I have class."
"Use a clone technique to fool them. Later, learn Shadow Clone and let it attend class for you."
Natsume unhesitatingly taught skipping class tricks.
"Eh?"
Naruto was stunned for two seconds, then his eyes lit up, "Can it be used like that?"
A new world opened.
Clone Technique was one of the basic three.
With Naruto's current talent and chakra, it was extremely easy.
Speaking of which, Natsume was really envious.
Only three, and Naruto's chakra already surpassed Natsume's.
Bloodline worlds are so despairing.
When the two appeared at the exam site, they immediately drew countless gazes.
In Konoha, Natsume wasn't famous, but Naruto definitely was.
From Hokage to villagers, everyone knew the demon fox rumor.
But ninjas were different.
Uninformed Genin showed similar looks to villagers.
Disgust and hatred made Naruto lower his head.
He regretted coming, as it might affect Natsume.
But he didn't notice some people's distinctly different looks.
Pity, regret, guilt, etc.
These were all Jonin, some even former subordinates of Namikaze Minato.
They all knew Naruto's true identity.
After all, golden hair, Uzumaki surname, plus demon fox rumor—anyone with a brain knew who he was.
Natsume glanced around.
His two teammates, Inuzuka Hana and Kabuto, hadn't arrived.
Tsunade had been called by Sarutobi Hiruzen early, seemingly to be the chief examiner.
There were familiar faces.
Itachi, Mitarashi Anko, and Uzuki Yugao.
The first two were unchanged, but the latter's aura was colder, almost identical to Orochimaru's.
Itachi wasn't with his teammates.
He was nearby, chatting with a kid.
Seeing the laughing Itachi, like a normal person, Natsume couldn't help but marvel.
This eternal ice had melted.
Indeed, even the coldest man has a warm spot.
Natsume glanced at Naruto and said, "I'll take you to meet someone."
Asura and Indra's fated entanglement couldn't be avoided.
So, stimulate Sasuke early.
Faced with the super genius Naruto, what would he do?
"Itachi, is this cute kid your little brother?"
Natsume approached and greeted.
Have to say, current Sasuke is pretty cute.
Genes are good.
"Natsume."
Itachi stood up and introduced, "He's Sasuke, my brother."
Because Natsume saved Shisui and discussed the Will of Fire, his attitude was decent.
"This is Naruto."
Natsume looked down, but saw his eyes fixed on Sasuke.
As if seeing a peerless beauty.
Sasuke was the same.
Indeed, Stand users attract each other.
Itachi frowned upon hearing Naruto's name.
Anyone could contact him, but not the Uchiha clan.
He was about to tell Sasuke to go back when Natsume asked first: "Sasuke, are you in school? Naruto is now number one in the first grade at the Ninja Academy."
I'm fanning the flames directly.
Sasuke immediately showed surprise.
He wasn't in school, but he was surprised that someone his age was already in school and number one.
For some reason, a fire ignited in his heart, wanting to compete.
Number one can only be from the Uchiha clan!
"Natsume, Sasuke should go back. Mom is waiting."
Itachi quickly stopped the topic.
Natsume glanced at Mikoto nearby and nodded.
Any more would seem too deliberate.
"Sasuke?"
Itachi's eyes narrowed.
He noticed Sasuke's expression.
Unconvinced.
As if the next second, he'd drag Naruto into a one-on-one man fight.
"Oh oh."
Sasuke snapped back, reluctantly turning to leave.
He walked to Mikoto and asked, "Mom, can I go to school?"