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Today was the test Iruka had told them he would give.
In these months, the class had been practicing Taijutsu. Although training with ninja tools was important, most of the kids only did the bare minimum. Taijutsu training took up most of their time and only a few could make time for other things.
The test they would do today wasn't a match against their classmates; they needed to fight 1v1 against Iruka. If he considers that someone wasn't ready, that student would fail the test and have the rest of the year to try again--one attempt per month. If they continue to fail, they would repeat the year with another group.
Listening to the rules that Iruka proposed, some kids seemed worried. They knew that they weren't at the level they wanted, their hope was to be approved before the year ended.
The whole class was going to the gym; for this day, the school had set aside an arena for it. Only the challenger could enter the room; the others must wait until it's their turn.
At the entrance to the arena, Iruka stopped and turned to the kids.
"You can wait here. Only the student I call may enter the room. Anyone who tries to enter without permission will be disqualified, understood?"
"Yes, Iruka-sensei" the whole class replied in unison.
Nodding with satisfaction, Iruka posted a list on the door.
"There's the list. You can prepare for your turn with it. I will call you according to this order."
As he entered, he called the first name in the list. It was a civilian student.
Naruto was watching him, but he didn't remember his name. He only remembered the names of those he considers important.
Iruka continued calling the kids, but no one from the clans had entered the room yet. Naruto thought that it was a bit obvious that Iruka did that to avoid pressuring the other students. There were 25 students in the class but only four had passed Iruka's test.
When all the civilians left the gym, only the children from the clans remained.
Nine of them, including Naruto.
There was no surprise, all of them passed the test. The last one was Naruto's turn.
"Naruto, come in." Iruka's voice came from inside the room.
As he entered the room, Naruto could see Iruka standing in the center of the arena.
He didn't seem tired, as if dealing with the kids was an easy job for him.
"Hello, Naruto. You know the rules, you can fight me using only Taijutsu. Once I think that you are qualified, you'll pass and don't need to do it anymore. For the rest of the year you can ask me if you want another training."
"Okay, Iruka-sensei. If you'll excuse me." As he spoke, Naruto took a stance. This wasn't like the first time. Now he is one of the best in the class; his strong body gives him an advantage , allowing him to practice better, and his red chakra was useful for dealing with the small injuries he got. Only Sasuke and Hinata can tie a match with him.
Everyone had been watching his progress, and no one mocked him again. Nobody wanted to get beaten up, and seeing that, Naruto only had matches against Sasuke and Hinata.
He and Sasuke now addressed each other by their names. The only thing that continued annoying him is that he didn't know what happened with Hinata; he needs to ask her what the problems.
Erasing those thoughts, he focuses on the fight.
Naruto waits till Iruka makes a mistake, but after a few feints, he knew that he needed to make the first move.
Iruka stood on his place, waiting for him in a defensive stance "Naruto, show me the results of your training. You don't need to win, only prove to me that you can see the weakness in others. Sometimes the enemy wants to prolong the fight until his teammates arrive, if you can't see what's his weakness, you can't escape."
Naruto didn't reply, he just continued watching him, searching for a spot where he could land a fatal strike. The only thing he had in mind was to focus on the fight.
As he was completely focused on it, Iruka seemed to see Naruto's eyes differently than usual. They were—they looked like a fox's eyes.
Iruka kept his eyes on him when, suddenly, Naruto moved. A forward step, then a sharp jab aimed at Iruka's shoulder. Iruka could follow the speed, but the strength he demonstrated is something he hadn't expect.
He knew that Naruto's body was stronger than others, but this was the first time he had a firsthand experience of it. Iruka blocked, but the force hurt his arm a bit. An injury like that could be ignored, but he is a grown adult, and his body was way stronger than a child-- that's what he thought, until now.
Naruto didn't stop with that, seeing that he blocked the jab-- Naruto took a step back and landed a kick aiming to Iruka's ribs. Naruto didn't think about whether that could hurt his teacher, he only wants one thing: I want to beat him
Iruka managed to redirect the hit, and using the impulse, Naruto recovered his leg and retreated from his range.
"Surely you have a lot of strength, Naruto." Iruka complained; he wasn't a teacher who expected to be beaten by his students.
"Gai-sensei taught me well." Naruto's voice calmly sounded as he did a straight dash, low to the ground, followed by a raising knee aimed to Iruka's ribs. Iruka wasn't supposed to dodge it, so he could only receive it and try to redirect it as he had with the previous attack.
This time, Naruto didn't let him go so easily. As he watched Iruka's hands move to divert his kick, Naruto shot his own hands out and grabbed Iruka's arm, wanting to throw him to the ground.
Oh shit...
Iruka tried to withdraw his arm, but Naruto wouldn't allow it, as his own body hit the ground, he tangled his legs with Iruka's to break his balance.
Iruka expected him to do that, but the force he felt on his arm and legs were something he couldn't free himself without using chakra.
"Sigh..."
Using the substitution Jutsu, he appeared a few meters away, leaving Naruto hugging a log with his whole body.
"That's fine, Naruto. You pass." Iruka felt a little ashamed for using a Jutsu, but Naruto's strength could have knocked him down if he hadn't used chakra
Releasing the log, Naruto got up and stared at Iruka.
He waited for a moment.
"Is something wrong, Naruto?"
'He didn't seem happy to pass'
Staring into Iruka's eyes, Naruto asked. "Iruka-sensei, why do you hate me? I have done nothing wrong, but everyone in this village hates me. Could you tell me why?"
...
Iruka's face turned pale. Why did he ask that? He knew that the kid had done nothing wrong, but-- even with that, how could people forget that thing was sealed inside him? He couldn't answer that.
He remained silent, ignoring Naruto's question.
"You can continue with your training and come see me if you have any questions" Iruka said, tried to divert the subject.
The room continued like that until Naruto turned around and started walking to the door. "I understand, Iruka. No one can hide the truth forever."
There was no deception or sadness in Naruto's voice, only calmness. If they were treating him badly without reason, someone will pay the consequences. There was a calmness about him, but also a repressed rage.
Iruka felt a knot on his throat. Of course, he knows that to do that to a child was inhuman.
'Iruka? Why does the Hokage allow that? No one in the village could stop Naruto if something went wrong... '
That kind of thought was the reason they always isolate him; he isn't a kid, he's a weapon that no one can control.
Naruto didn't feel joy when he passed the test; it had been easy for him. He had only wanted to ask Iruka that question, but it seemed that even after these years he's the same as others.
Leaving the room, everyone could see Naruto's face. He looked calm, but Sasuke, Hinata, and Shikamaru could see that he was holding something back. He's mad.
"What happened inside?" No one thought that he had failed the test.
He didn't say anything, just left the school. Hinata and Sasuke were following him.
This was the first time they'd gone out with him, and they saw it clearly—people pointed, whispered with disgusted expressions, and stepped aside whenever he passed. No one welcomed him.
Naruto kept walking, heading straight for his house. He knew they were following.
Near his house, people start disappearing from the streets. He lived in the village's most remote corner.
As they saw Naruto enter the house, they stopped. It was awkward, they didn't know whether to follow or head home.
Naruto opened the door, turned them with a smile and said. "Come in, I'll get you something to drink."
They stopped hesitating and followed him inside.
As they entered-- they could see it. Naruto's house was clean and tidy, sparsely furnished, with most belongings in the living room.
Naruto walked to the fridge, grabbed two fruit drinks and gave them.
"Here, this tastes good. You can sit on the sofa."
Taking a seat, they took a sip. He was right, it tasted good.
Seeing that they felt more comfortable, he asked. "Is something wrong? It's the first time you follow me home."
They froze a bit when they heard that. What were they supposed to say?
The room fell into an awkward silence.
"You seemed upset, Naruto-kun... we were worried and wanted to ask you what happened." Hinata said, breaking the silence and Sasuke kept sipping his drink.
Naruto had been waiting for that—knowing his friends were worried made him feel more comfortable. "Oh, thank you, guys. Mm, there was a problem Iruka but it's solved."
Iruka? No 'sensei'?
It feels strange --everyone calls him "Iruka-sensei", even Naruto. But this time was different, there was alignment in his voice.
Hinata glanced at Sasuke, then asked again. "Could you tell us what happened, Naruto-kun?"
Placing a hand on his chin, Naruto replied with a smile. "Sure. Let me sit."
Sitting down on the green carpet, he took Ego from the shelf.
Hugging the book, he began to talk.
"Before I explain, I want to know—what do you know about me?"
Answering first was Hinata. "I only know that you are an orphan, Naruto-kun... No one talks about you in the clan and usually I couldn't leave home."
Sasuke added "It's the same, and that you were training after school."
Listening to them, Naruto nodded. "Mm I see, that's the problem. Both of you didn't know how others see me. Do you know how I got food two years ago? I couldn't. Whenever I tried to buy something, they threw trash at me and told me to leave. It was the same in every stores, they didn't call me by my name--" He paused for a moment. "--They call me demon fox, with hatred in their voices.
Hinata whispered. "Demon fox?..."
"Mm, all of them call me like that. Most people in this village hate me-- and I don't know why. What could a 6 years old kid do to deserve the hatred of hundreds? Every time I tried to ask someone the reason, they got mad and insulted me. You noticed it today, people were people pointing at me like I'm some kind of spectacle."
Naruto shrugged. "I asked Iruka today after the match. I won-- so I thought that he could tell me the reason." shaking his head, he continued "he didn't, he ignored my question and didn't answer me."
"I will find out the truth. No one can hide i forever."
Seeing Naruto's eyes burn with quiet rage, they understood: he will do it, no matter what.
"... Thank you for telling us."
He shook his head "It's okay. Sooner or later, you will find out too. Thanks for caring."
They continued talking--- about it, and school; and by midday they were ready to head home.
"If you need help with the training, you can call me, Naruto-kun" Hinata says with a shy smile.
"Naruto. You can come to my house... we owe you our lives, and I think my mother will help you if you ask." Sasuke said it, but he felt awkward.
Even Naruto felt astonished, but he answered them with a kind smile. "Okay, thank you. If you don't mind, you can train with me, I'm always training with my master in the evenings."
"Sure, I'm in. What about you, Hinata?"
"I can do it until 5 p.m. I need to go home after that" Hinata answered, no one was waiting for her in the clan.
"Okay, tomorrow I will take you to my master. He would be happy about it. Goodbye."
As they went to their homes, Naruto threw himself to the sofa.
"You heard that, Ego? They were worried about me, but I don't know if I should go..."
[I'm glad for you, Naruto. At least there are a few that treat you as a person; and you should accept Sasuke's offer--his mother might tell you the truth.]
"Okay, I will go in a week. Thank you, Ego. None of this could be possible without you."
With everything ready, Naruto used the rest of the time to meditate until he needed to go with Gai-sensei.
Being in a good mood, his training was more effective-- and the day flew by.
The next day, at the school gate.
Naruto told his friends to wait for him in the field next to the river, they have to eat first.
A few minutes later, Naruto arrived at the field and he saw his master.
"Gai-sensei!"
"Naruto!"
"Gai-sensei, I invited my friends to train with us. Can we wait for them?"
"Your friends? Sure! It's always better to do it with friends!
They didn't have to wait for long--15 minutes later Hinata, and Sasuke arrived at the field. Both wore comfortable clothes for training; well, as comfortable as Hinata could manage the clan rules.
"Hi, Naruto-kun. Hello, sir."
"Naruto. Hello, sir"
Naruto introduced them with joy. "Gai-sensei, they are my friends! From now on, they will be training with us in the evenings!"
"Hello, kids! I'm Naruto's master, Maito Gai! Let me help you with your youth!" Gai smiled broadly, his gleaming teeth on full display.
He is very enthusiastic
Gai reached into his bag and pulled out two pairs of weights for them.
"Your measurements would be similar to Naruto's, you can use this!" Giving it to them, he didn't think that it would be a problem for kids wearing it.
Each pair weighed 20 kilograms—10 per leg.
It wouldn't be a problem, it's less than when Naruto started. He's using 40 kg in each leg.
Receiving the weights, they thought that it would be easy, but the next actions shattered that illusion.
Watching Maito Gai mixing so many ingredients until everything was dissolved it made them nauseous. Once done, Gai poured the concoction into a beaker.
"Take this, kids! If you want a perfect body you must need to eat well! This is like eating the food of a week at a time!"
A week? Are we pigs? They started to feel regrets from accepting Naruto's offer, but watching him drink in one gulp, they made guts and drank it.
It's the worst thing they have tasted in their life, it felt horrible but they drank it.
When they recovered a bit from the hell, they saw Naruto seeing them with a malicious smile.
This bastard...
"Good job, guys! Only a few could drink it in the first attempt!" Gai was joyful watching the eyes of the kids burning with youth(resentment).
Naruto grinned. "Gai-sensei, Hinata only can train until 5 p.m.-- we'll need to push harder to make the most of it."
"You're absolutely right, Naruto! With intense training, you'll all have a body like mine in the blink of an eye!" Gai flexed, his strong muscles shining under the sunlight.
Like him? mm doesn't sound bad... Sasuke placed a thoughtful hand on his chin, seriously considering it.
Like him? How am I going to like Naruto-kun if I look like this? No, that can't happen! Hinata was determined to find out if she will end like that or if it would be different for her.
"Alright, guys. Just follow me, you can use your chakra at the end to treat your body, but if you can, seek a healer." Giving the last advice, the group started to do exercise.
Doing it with weights on their bodies was way much harder than they thought, it was only 3:30 p.m but they felt already exhausted.
"Mm, rest for ten minutes and use your chakra on the affected areas." Gai stopped and gave the kids time.
Sitting on a rock, they gasp for air.
"Naruto... how can you do this? and how much weight are you carrying?" Sasuke's face was pale, he had a stronger body than other kids but he never did training like this.
"You're getting used to it, and I had an advantage, don't compare with me."
"Just tell us, we want to know, right, Hinata?"
"Mm, it's to know the gap, Naruto-kun." Even Hinata was curious, her clan fought in close combat but they didn't pay much attention to their physique.
Naruto shrugged. "Okay. If you want to know, I carry 40kg on each leg, it's a bit hard."
...
I'd better not ask again
The week continued like that and one day, Sasuke invited Naruto to his home.
Walking through the Uchiha compound was an experience Naruto hadn't had before.
They walked until they reached Sasuke's house--it was near the Great Hall the clan used for assemblies.
After entering the house, they continued walking till they reached the courtyard. Naruto saw a beautiful woman watering the plants.
"Mother, Naruto came to visit."
"Sasuke, why don't you call your mother 'Mom' like you used to?" Mikoto turned to them with a pity expression; since that incident her son became more formal to her.
"Mother, don't do that when we have visitors." Sasuke replied calmly
Taking a step forward, Naruto introduced himself. "Hello, Sasuke's mother. I'm Naruto, and a classmate of your son."
"Don't be so formal, Naruto. You can call me Auntie Mikoto." she said with a soft smile.
He didn't have a problem with it, so he called her as she told him. "Okay, auntie Mikoto."
After hearing that, Mikoto's smile became more kind. "That's better, you want to ask me something?"
"Mm, Sasuke told me that you could answer my doubts." Naruto nodded
"Ah, yes. Sasuke, please leave the room for a while, this is something private to Naruto." Mikoto said with a thoughtful look.
"Okay, mother." Leaving the courtyard, Sasuke went to the living room, waiting for them.
As they stayed in the courtyard, Mikoto continued seeing Naruto.
So, this is Kushina's son and who saved my clan. Poor kid...
"Auntie Mikoto, can you tell me why the village hates me?" Naruto asked directly, he wanted to know.
"Sure, Naruto. Take a seat and we can talk." Offering him a seat, they stare at each other.
"You've something inside you, Naruto."
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Thanks for reading!
Have a nice day.