The morning air at Training Ground No. 3 carried the smell of grass and earth, sharp from last night's rain. Sweat rolled down Naruto's brow as he balanced on one leg, his chest heaving. Across from him, Might Guy's green-clad figure was animated as always, his arms slicing the air with exaggerated gestures.
"The Eight Gates," Guy declared, voice booming with pride, "are the pinnacle of human potential! Remember, Naruto, every gate you open will push your body beyond its limits. But with each gate, the strain grows heavier. One step forward, one step closer to death!"
Naruto nodded absently. The reincarnated part of him was already piecing together the theory, mapping it against what he remembered of chakra pathways and his own system's interface. He could feel Kurama's rumble of amusement deep within him—like the fox was humoring a child trying to juggle kunai.
Before Guy could continue, soft footsteps approached. Shizune entered, Ton-Ton nestled in her arms. Her gentle smile contrasted with the intensity of the training ground.
"Naruto," she called, "Lady Tsunade asks that you come to the Hokage's office after training."
Naruto straightened, wiped his forehead, and raised a hand lazily. "Got it. Thanks, Shizune-neechan."
Then he turned to Guy. "Sensei, let's wrap it up here today. I'll take what you taught me and keep testing it on my own."
Guy's teeth gleamed with his signature thumbs-up. "Splendid! Youth shines brightest when tempered through trial! Remember, Naruto—believe in your springtime of youth!"
Naruto smirked, adjusted his pack, and headed off.
The Hokage's office carried the scent of ink, parchment, and faint traces of alcohol—probably from Tsunade's late-night work. Papers were stacked like fragile towers around her desk.
A firm knock came.
"Enter," Tsunade said, setting her brush aside.
Naruto stepped in with Shizune trailing. Tsunade pulled a scroll from a pile, sealing wax glinting red against the parchment.
"There's an A-rank mission," she said, sliding it across the desk. "You'll rendezvous with Team 8 en route. They've already departed, so make haste."
Naruto caught the scroll, brows lifting. A-rank. That meant danger at the jōnin level, but to him, it was more opportunity than threat. "Understood. I'll leave immediately."
"Good. Be careful."
He gave a short nod and left.
Tsunade rose once the door closed, moving to the window. She watched his figure retreat down the street, sunlight catching on his golden hair.
Shizune placed Ton-Ton on the floor and joined her. "Tsunade-sama… you're deliberately giving Naruto more responsibility, aren't you?"
Tsunade chuckled softly. "And? Do you think he's unworthy of it?"
Shizune shook her head quickly. "No, not at all. He's… he's remarkable."
"Sometimes," Tsunade murmured, eyes narrowing at the horizon, "I wonder if he might already be the strongest in Konoha." Then she sighed and turned back to her paperwork. "Come. These documents won't finish themselves."
Naruto strapped on a light pack—just weapons, rations, and a few scrolls. No need to overthink it. He jogged through Konoha's gates, then leapt into the trees, the wind rushing past his face.
As he moved, he unfurled the mission scroll.
"Land of Demons, huh?" he muttered. "That's a long run." He pictured the map in his head—far beyond Fire Country, across Rain, Grass, Bird, and Earth. A dangerous path if one chose land, safer but slower by sea.
Meeting up with Hinata and the others comes first, he decided, tucking the scroll away.
His system's overlay flickered faintly in the corner of his vision—chakra reserves, stamina, minute adjustments in muscle fatigue. Even with Kurama's energy humming beneath his skin, Naruto had trained himself not to lean too much on it. Real growth came from mastering his own body.
Four hours later, he reached the Fire Country's border village and spotted familiar figures resting near a well. Team 8—Hinata, Shino, Kiba, and their sensei, Kurenai.
Kurenai stood as he approached. "Naruto, good work catching up. We'll need your strength for this one."
Naruto waved a hand casually. "No problem." His eyes flicked briefly to Hinata, whose pale gaze darted away instantly, cheeks pink. He smirked at her shyness, warmth spreading in his chest despite the dangers ahead.
They rested for an hour before resuming. The next six days passed in steady travel. Bandits and stragglers from small factions dared to cross their path, but against shinobi, they were swept aside with ease.
By the seventh day, the jagged mountains gave way to the misty plains of the Land of Demons. Strange stillness hung in the air, as though the land itself feared what lay sealed within.
They were led to a temple, where a priestess in white awaited.
Naruto's eyes narrowed.
Shion.
For a heartbeat, his mind rebelled—Hinata? No, she was at his side. Yet the resemblance was uncanny. The same delicate frame, soft features, and almost identical smile. The only difference was her lavender hair and eyes.
Kiba gawked. "Holy crap! If Hinata wasn't standing right here, I'd swear she changed her hair color and got new eyes."
Shino adjusted his glasses. "It's… remarkable. Their similarity is nearly perfect."
Even Kurenai raised her brows, murmuring, "Like sisters."
Hinata fidgeted, but managed to step forward and bow politely. "M-my name is Hinata Hyūga. It's… nice to meet you."
Shion extended a hand, her voice calm and practiced. "I am Shion, priestess of this land. Thank you for coming."
The two girls' hands met, their resemblance made even clearer in that mirrored gesture. Naruto chuckled. For once, the world had surprised him with something harmless.
Inside the temple, Shion explained the situation.
"The demon sealed here… the people call it Mōryō. Its chakra is vast, ancient, and dangerous. If the seal weakens, disaster will spread across nations. My role as priestess is to contain it, but…" her expression faltered, "…an enemy named He seeks to release and control it."
Kurenai folded her hands. "Then our mission is simple—protect you during the sealing."
"Yes. But know this—when the seal weakens, those who crave power will come. I cannot say who, but you must be prepared."
Naruto leaned back, arms crossed. "That's fine. Leave the fighting to us. You focus on sealing."
Shion's gaze lingered on him, perhaps sensing the undercurrent of chakra that coiled within him. She bowed. "Then I entrust this to you."
They descended into the cavern where the seal lay. Humanoid statues lined the walls, eerily reminiscent of stone warriors. At the center pulsed a mass of faint purple light—the prison of the demon Mōryō. Its chakra seeped faintly through the cracks, foul and ancient.
Another monster with chakra comparable to the tailed beasts, Naruto thought. If I can harness even a fragment… it could be useful. But not now. First, protect the seal.
A thunderous explosion echoed from above.
The ground shook.
"No!" Shion gasped. "It must be He!"
Hinata's eyes flared, veins bulging as her Byakugan activated. "Four chakra signatures outside—they're trying to break the entrance!"
Kurenai's jaw tightened. "Naruto, Kiba, Shino—come with me. Hinata, stay here and protect Shion."
But Naruto stepped forward, placing a steady hand on her shoulder. "No. I'll handle it alone. If that seal breaks, we're all screwed. Stay and guard Shion."
Kurenai hesitated, torn between duty and the quiet certainty in Naruto's eyes. Finally, she nodded. "Be careful. If you're overwhelmed—call for us."
Naruto flashed a grin and strode toward the rumbling entrance.
Outside, amidst dust and rubble, a tall man with pale features directed three shinobi.
"Keep at it!" He roared. "The demon's power will be mine! No little priestess can stop me once I possess it!"
His laughter grew manic.
Naruto's voice cut through the air, calm yet edged with disdain. "Another idiot dreaming of ruling the world. How original."
He spun, eyes narrowing as he spotted the boy in orange and black, the leaf headband gleaming on his forehead.
"A brat?" He sneered. "Konoha must be desperate, sending a child to face me."
Naruto smirked. "Try me."
"Kill him," He ordered, and his three shinobi lunged.
Naruto barely moved. In one fluid motion, he seized the first by the wrist, twisted, and slammed him into the second. Bones cracked. His foot lashed out, sending the third sprawling with broken ribs.
In less than five seconds, all three lay unconscious or groaning.
He froze. His bravado faltered as realization struck—this wasn't a child. This was power on par with an elite jōnin.
"You—what are you?" he demanded.
Naruto's grin widened, eyes glinting. "Your worst mistake."
Inside the cavern, Hinata gasped. Byakugan was still active. "Naruto-kun defeated them… all three, instantly." Her voice brimmed with awe.
Kiba clenched his fists. "Damn! He's on a whole different level now."
Shino adjusted his glasses. "Naruto's growth was always hidden. Perhaps now we're only seeing his true talent."
Kurenai, sipping her tea with deceptive calm, whispered to herself, "Hinata's choice… isn't bad at all."
Hinata's cheeks burned.
Shion glanced at them, realizing with certainty that Naruto was far beyond ordinary shinobi. Perhaps even beyond what she could imagine. Still, she pushed the thought aside. The demon's chakra pulsed stronger—time was slipping away.
Outside, He snarled, weaving signs, hurling waves of dark chakra at Naruto. But each technique was brushed aside—redirected, dispersed, nullified with calm precision.
The more Naruto toyed with him, the clearer his thoughts became. He knows some kind of forbidden medical ninjutsu… something about fusing his body with the demon's chakra. I'll need that intel later.
He narrowed his eyes, focusing. He was still fighting, but to Naruto, he was already defeated.
All that mattered now was drawing out the information he needed.
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A/N: Sorry Guys, For not keeping up with regular updates the thing is my health is getting worse and worse day by day so I just properly focus on fanfic I'm reading all the comments and review I know the quality is degrading I promise to fix that asap so bare with me for few days and yah I'm not asking any sympathy I just wanted to give you guys update.