It wasn't just that—Naruto had also copied several jutsu from the two ANBU monitoring him. However, those two weren't particularly skilled; they were likely commoner-born shinobi without access to advanced techniques.
One specialized in Fire Release, and the other had an affinity for both Lightning and Water Release.
From the Fire-natured ninja, Naruto learned Fire Style: Flame Whirlwind, a B-rank technique that forms a blazing vortex. He also picked up the Fire Style: Dragon Fire Jutsu, a C-rank technique that sends a stream of flames in a straight line. Other than that, the ninja only knew basic Taijutsu—which was of little use to Naruto.
Perhaps it was due to his transmigration into this world, but Naruto's chakra nature affinities now included Wind, Lightning, Water, Fire, and Earth—all five basic elements.
The other ninja, codenamed Black Tiger, was lucky to be born with both Lightning and Water affinities. The synergy between these two natures was incredibly powerful, and Black Tiger had managed to reach the rank of Special Jonin by relying on his combined-style techniques. As for the Fire Release ninja, code-named Maple Leaf, he was merely at elite Chunin level.
Black Tiger's jutsu were limited as well: Lightning Style: Earth Corridor, Lightning Style: Lightning Dance, and several basic Water Style techniques. His signature move was a powerful combination of Lightning Dance and Water Style: Water Vortex, creating a destructive combo called the Lightning Storm Water Hurricane Dance.
The following evening, Naruto, Sasuke, and Lee sat around a bonfire, roasting meat and celebrating Sasuke's achievement as this year's Top Graduate.
Despite the occasion, Sasuke didn't look very pleased. After spending so much time with Naruto, his worldview had changed. He no longer measured himself against the other academy students.
As Naruto often said, "If you limit your comparisons to your peers here, then becoming a few Jonin is the best you can hope for."
"But if you aim to become truly powerful, you're still far from the mark. All the legends of the shinobi world showed their strength while they were still young."
Naruto cited examples—the First Hokage, Second Hokage, the Sannin, the Fourth Hokage, a certain silver-haired pervert with chronic fatigue, and of course, Uchiha Itachi.
Hearing all this, Sasuke and Lee felt as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over their growing confidence. Still, Naruto made Sasuke swear to keep these things to himself. While some of the information could be found in libraries, other details weren't something Naruto should have known at his current level.
Both Sasuke and Lee understood that Naruto had many secrets—but neither of them asked. They believed that one day, Naruto would open up to them.
"Sasuke, how does it feel to be the top graduate?" Lee asked with a grin.
"Hmph! If this guy hadn't been holding back, there's no way I'd be the top," Sasuke replied coldly, jerking his chin toward Naruto.
Naruto chuckled and handed each of them a stick of grilled meat. "What about you, Lee? How'd you do?"
"Me? Mmm… delicious..." Lee mumbled with his mouth full. After swallowing, he added, "I guess I'm somewhere in the middle of the class."
"What? Mid-level?" Sasuke said, startled.
After all, Lee could already hold his own against Sasuke in a one-on-one. In Taijutsu, he could even suppress him, making it impossible for Sasuke to cast jutsu. Lee's talent in hand-to-hand combat wasn't just the product of hard work—it was real talent.
Then again, if hard work counts as a form of talent, then Lee was a genius in his own right. Especially with Naruto's guidance, Lee had grown tremendously.
"Naruto told me to keep my strength hidden," Lee said seriously. "As a shinobi, you have to conceal your abilities, prevent your enemies from reading you, and always have hidden cards to play in critical moments. That's your true survival insurance."
Having spent so much time with Naruto, Lee had started picking up some of his peculiar philosophies—chief among them: never let the enemy know how many trump cards you have.
Lee usually only showed about a quarter of his real power in public. That alone was one trump card. His power-enhancement techniques were another. At that level, he could rival Hyuga Neji.
His third trump card was his mastery of the Six Styles—an advanced Taijutsu system. But even then, Lee didn't think it was enough. After all, Naruto might be hiding even more terrifying abilities.
Sasuke was stunned, silently reflecting.
Maybe... it's not such a bad idea to hide your strength and keep some cards close to the chest.
A flicker of understanding passed through Sasuke's eyes. He made up his mind: from now on, he'd do the same.
After eating and drinking their fill, the trio resumed their daily training. Not long after, Sasuke excused himself and left early. Lee followed soon after, leaving Naruto alone.
Naruto made his way back home swiftly. Once there, he opened the door with his key, tossed his jacket onto the bed, and walked into the bathroom to wash up.
After his shower, he lay down, staring at the ceiling. His heart wasn't calm.
I'm already seven...
In just another year, the Uchiha Clan Massacre would take place. Naruto didn't know exactly what changes that event would bring to Sasuke—or whether he'd even be able to intervene. With his current strength, he doubted he could stop anything.
"Forget it! I won't think about it. The boat will straighten itself when it reaches the bridge."
With that, he closed his eyes and drifted off into sleep...
"Brat! Come here!"
A deep voice echoed out of nowhere.
Naruto instantly snapped to attention, his senses on high alert. He quickly scanned his surroundings and frowned.
It was dark—too dark.
The ground beneath him was wet and grimy, the walls damp and shadowy. A sewer. He'd seen this place before.
No... he remembered this place.
Looking up, his gaze locked onto an enormous, fanged face peering at him through a massive cage.
The Nine-Tails.
Of course—this was his mindscape, the sealed space where Kurama, the Nine-Tailed Fox, resided.
"Let me out, brat!" the beast growled. "I'll give you power! I've been watching you all these years. If you release me, I'll make you unstoppable!"
Kurama's deep voice carried a strange mix of seduction and menace.
Naruto frowned, glancing around at the oppressive, blood-red dungeon-like environment. He didn't like it—this place was part of his own consciousness, and he hated how it felt.
This is my mind.
It should reflect my will.
Naruto closed his eyes and summoned the vast mental strength within him. Like a tide, his chakra surged outward—strong and precise.
The scenery began to change.
The oppressive gloom faded. The grimy floor dried. The air lightened.
The only thing that remained unchanged was the massive cage and the beast sealed behind it.
Kurama's crimson eyes narrowed.
"This brat…" he muttered in disbelief. Naruto's spiritual control was far beyond what Kurama had expected. That explained why he hadn't tried pulling Naruto into this space earlier. There was something strange about this child.
Something unnatural.
"Kurama, spare me the speech." Naruto spoke, calm and steady. "If you could really grant me invincible power, you wouldn't still be sealed in here, would you?"
Kurama froze.
Not because of what Naruto had said.
But because of what he'd called him.
Kurama.
CLANG!!!
Kurama's massive claws smashed against the iron bars with an earth-shaking roar.
"Brat! How do you know my name?!" he roared.
His eyes were wild, filled with fury and confusion. He had watched this child grow since birth. He was no ordinary kid—he knew that much. But for him to know the name Kurama?
That name—his true name—was known only to a select few in this world. Even among the shinobi, most referred to him simply as Kyūbi or Nine-Tails.
Yet this child, just seven years old, had spoken it so casually.
"Answer me!" Kurama bellowed again, slamming his claws once more into the bars with a deafening clang.
His fanged face twisted in shock and anger.
This boy was far more dangerous than Kurama had anticipated.
...
TN:
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