After their conversation ended, the two resumed their training as usual. Lee felt a subtle shift—he was growing closer to Naruto.
He could sense that Naruto was hiding many secrets. For someone their age, Naruto possessed an uncanny number of training methods, a mature aura, and eyes that seemed to carry the weight of countless burdens.
No matter what Naruto-kun wants to do… I will follow him to the end!
My Ninja Way will always bloom for Naruto-kun!
Though Lee was still young, he was already moved by Naruto's sincerity and quiet strength. That unshakable will and mysterious charm had deeply impacted him.
He was ready to give everything for his friend.
If Naruto-kun is ever in danger, I'll be the first to stand before him!
In Lee's heart, Naruto was like a radiant beam of sunlight, shining directly into his soul. While Might Guy was once like a warm spring breeze, Naruto had now become the sun itself—burning, resolute, and unshakable.
As of now, Lee and Might Guy had not officially formed their legendary teacher-student bond. Their connection was still in its early stages. Until now, Lee had always insisted that Taijutsu alone was enough to become a great ninja—but inwardly, he had been uncertain.
That changed the moment Naruto introduced him to the Six Styles.
He saw a future in Taijutsu. A new path.
And upon learning that Naruto carried burdens of his own, Lee trained even harder. His youthful heart, brimming with conviction, burned with even greater fire.
In the shinobi world, people matured early, and their willpower ran deep. For someone like Lee, a single vow could become a lifelong creed.
The next day, classes resumed as usual. But Naruto felt noticeably more at ease.
He was no longer alone.
With Lee by his side, the feeling of being surrounded by enemies had finally begun to fade.
Surprisingly, Uchiha Sasuke didn't approach Naruto that day. Perhaps he hadn't learned the Shadow Clone Technique yet… or maybe he simply chose not to.
Either way, Naruto didn't mind.
This was a no-risk proposition—he had nothing to lose.
He continued with his usual routine. Training, refining techniques… and teasing Hinata had become one of his few daily amusements.
By the fifth day, Sasuke showed up again. This time, Naruto didn't leave the Academy grounds, knowing that if he did, the ANBU would begin tailing him again.
"Why are you following me?" Naruto asked flatly.
Sasuke paused for a moment, then said, "Didn't you say you needed someone who knows the Shadow Clone Technique? I've already learned it. I can train with you now, right?"
"Oh? You really want to train with me?" Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Fine—but there are conditions. First, don't reveal our connection. Second, don't expose my strength at school."
His voice was calm and serious.
To Sasuke, these conditions seemed trivial.
What was the harm in people knowing how strong you were?
To a proud Uchiha like Sasuke, strength was something to be displayed. The Uchiha were the elite of Konoha—known, feared, and respected.
He didn't yet understand Naruto's caution.
The two made their way to the training ground, where Lee was already hard at work. Since receiving Naruto's specialized training, Lee had been practicing with unwavering dedication.
Though Naruto had told him to suppress his strength and never show more than one-third of his true ability, Lee didn't fully understand why.
But he chose to trust Naruto.
Naruto had said that a shinobi must always have trump cards—hidden techniques, unexpected strengths. Lee had come to accept this through Naruto's steady influence.
When Naruto arrived, Lee stopped his training and greeted him warmly. He even began helping Naruto prepare lunch, and Sasuke quietly lent a hand too.
After they filled their stomachs, the three resumed training.
Naruto's streamlined Taijutsu system had been modified to increase the body's ability to absorb nutrients, improving strength growth through a synergy of rest, diet, and precise exertion.
Naruto also shared the basics of their previous Taijutsu drills with Sasuke.
To Sasuke's surprise, these exercises were more complete than what even his brother, Uchiha Itachi, had taught him.
Sasuke, in return, demonstrated the Shadow Clone Technique he had recently learned.
Though Itachi had initially questioned Sasuke's interest in such an advanced technique, his younger brother's persistence eventually won him over.
And so, the Uchiha prodigy passed down the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu—a forbidden technique typically reserved for elite shinobi—to his younger sibling.
After all, Sasuke was already six and a half years old, and Naruto himself had mastered the Shadow Clone Technique when he was only five.
As Naruto received Sasuke's version of the training method, a familiar mechanical voice echoed in his mind once more, making the corners of his mouth curl upward with satisfaction.
"Shadow Clone Technique +5!
Shadow Clone Technique +4!"
In the following days, Naruto, Lee, and Sasuke devoted themselves fully to training. At the Academy, Sasuke's grades noticeably improved—especially in practical combat, where his progress became the talk of the class.
Meanwhile, another new book appeared on Naruto's desk. It was the long-awaited Chakra Nature and Hand Seal Analysis, one he had been trying to get his hands on for some time.
Curiously, he had also borrowed more niche volumes like Herbology and Basic Medical Ninjutsu. Normally, only those aspiring to become Medical-nin would even glance at such material.
But to Naruto, Basic Medical Ninjutsu was incredibly enlightening—especially the sections explaining human anatomy and the flow of chakra through the body's tenketsu and meridians. That knowledge directly enhanced his understanding of Taijutsu and chakra control.
Hokage Building – Office of the Third Hokage
"Maple Leaf! Report."
The Third Hokage's calm yet commanding voice echoed through the room.
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
The masked figure kneeling before him was the ANBU assigned to observe Naruto.
"Uzumaki Naruto has been diligently studying and training Taijutsu alongside Rock Lee and the youngest son of Uchiha Fugaku. He's also been reading quite a number of books lately—covering a wide range of topics."
The ANBU paused for a beat, then added, "He recently learned the Shadow Clone Technique from Uchiha Sasuke. Occasionally, he skips class to train in the forest."
The report was straightforward—nothing drastically new to the Third Hokage. It merely confirmed what he already suspected.
Naruto practicing Taijutsu didn't raise any alarms. In the Hokage's mind, Taijutsu had its limits. Even Might Guy's mastery was, in his eyes, capped at the level of an elite Jōnin.
This, of course, excluded Nintaijutsu—techniques that combined Taijutsu with chakra-based enhancements—since those were classified under Ninjutsu.
But when Sasuke's name came up, the Third Hokage paused briefly.
"The Uchiha Clan… They've been acting a bit unsettled lately."
He waved his hand, and in an instant, the ANBU vanished into the shadows.
Only the Hokage remained, slowly puffing on his pipe, smoke curling through the office in silent contemplation.
During this time, Naruto and Sasuke began their little "truancy project."
As long as there were no practical lessons scheduled, the two would use Shadow Clones (Kage Bunshin) to attend classes in their place, while their real bodies slipped away to their hidden training base.
This secret training became a routine.
Their bond quietly deepened with each passing day.
However, despite their growing friendship, a quiet frustration lingered in Sasuke's heart. No matter how hard he trained, he still couldn't surpass Naruto.
Yes, Naruto would lose to him during sparring matches—but Sasuke wasn't fooled. He could tell Naruto was holding back… deliberately.
And the most telling sign?
Even Rock Lee, with pure Taijutsu alone, could sometimes pressure Naruto.
That meant Naruto was concealing a vast portion of his true strength.
And Sasuke couldn't stand that.
He didn't want to be coddled.
He wanted to surpass Naruto—at his full power.
...
TN:
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