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Chapter 21: The Beginning of Events
Naruto's daily life gradually settled into a stable rhythm. Every morning, his figure could be seen on Konoha's streets, jogging and practicing taijutsu with a clear purpose in mind.
"Today I'll definitely run into Guy-sensei and his youth..."
This was Naruto's daily hope. He imagined that man in the green jumpsuit suddenly bursting out from some corner, enthusiastically shouting "This is youth!" But after several consecutive days passed, forget seeing Guy himself—he hadn't even heard his signature battle cry.
'Looks like he's out on a mission...' Naruto reached this somewhat disappointing conclusion.
In the afternoons, Naruto would punctually appear at that clearing on the outskirts of Konoha's forest. This had become his and Satsuki's designated training ground.
What surprised him was that he'd originally thought Satsuki, as the young lady of the Uchiha clan, would be lucky to sneak out two or three times a week. But the reality was—out of seven days in a week, he could see her figure there at least five days.
'Seems like she successfully convinced her side too...'
Satsuki had similar confusion. After parting with Naruto that day and returning home, her usually stern father, Uchiha Fugaku, had unusually called her into his study.
"Satsuki, you've made a very good friend," Fugaku's voice was much gentler than usual. "You can train with him more often in the future."
Just as Satsuki was feeling joy at her father's approval, Fugaku added a strange condition. "But remember, don't mention this to other clan members." He emphasized specifically, "Including your sister Itachi."
Satsuki's small face was full of confusion. She had originally planned to find an opportunity to introduce her sister to Naruto. But seeing her father's serious expression, she obediently nodded.
This was the first time her usually taciturn father had so explicitly instructed her about something. Though she didn't understand the reason, she decided to faithfully keep this promise.
But... her sister appeared at home less and less frequently. The sister who used to regularly practice shuriken with her and occasionally take her out for three-colored dango could now only be glimpsed briefly in the early mornings.
Sometimes Satsuki would deliberately wake up early just to catch that brief moment of eating breakfast together with her sister. "Has sister been very busy lately?" she asked one morning, watching Itachi tie on her forehead protector.
Itachi turned around and crouched down, gently poking her younger sister's forehead as always. "Sorry, Satsuki. There have been a lot of missions recently." Her voice was still gentle, but her eyes held complex emotions that Satsuki couldn't understand. "Once I finish with this busy period, I'll practice with you again, okay?"
Satsuki obediently nodded, but didn't realize that her sister—seven-year-old Uchiha Itachi—had already become a chūnin and begun undertaking real ninja missions. Those figures hurrying away in the early mornings were all footsteps rushing to mission assembly points.
Strangely though, Satsuki didn't feel as lost as she used to. Because every afternoon when she came to that clearing in the forest, she could always see that golden-haired boy's figure. Naruto seemed to always be there, either practicing hand seals or researching new jutsu techniques.
"Yo, you're earlier than yesterday today!" Naruto would always greet her with such vitality.
In her time spent with Naruto, Satsuki discovered an unprecedented sense of comfort. Within the Uchiha clan, children her age either hadn't begun formal training yet, or had mediocre talent.
As for those clan children who had already started training, they either arrogantly showed off their abilities or constantly put on mature faces all day long.
'Dealing with those people is so exhausting...'
Satsuki had thought this more than once. But being with Naruto was completely different—he would seriously listen to her speak, would genuinely feel happy about her progress, and most importantly, never looked at her through the lens of "an Uchiha should be such and such."
If Naruto knew Satsuki's thoughts, he would definitely resist the urge to complain. 'Having two tsunderes interact definitely isn't a good idea.'
It was precisely Naruto's qualities—both exceptionally talented and considerate—that made Satsuki increasingly enjoy their time together.
Every afternoon training session would fly by, and afterward they'd put away their ninja tools and sit by the lake sharing the lunch boxes Naruto prepared. Satsuki loved this time most—when the fatigue from training gradually faded, replaced by the satisfaction that good food brought.
"Hey, Satsuki, what's your dream?" One day, Naruto asked casually while biting into a rice ball.
Satsuki answered without hesitation: "Of course it's to surpass my sister and become a ninja that makes the Uchiha clan proud!" This was the belief instilled in her since childhood, and also the motivation behind her daily diligent training.
Naruto nodded thoughtfully and continued asking, "What about after that? What will you do after surpassing your sister?"
Satsuki froze. She had never considered this question. In her simple worldview, becoming stronger was the end goal, the finish line.
"Your turn," she said, somewhat flustered as she changed the subject. "What's your dream?"
Naruto gazed at the shimmering lake surface. "Me? I guess... I hope that when future dangers come, I'll be able to protect the things I want to protect."
This answer confused Satsuki. In her view, dreams should be concrete and clear, like "becoming Hokage."
But when she turned to look at Naruto, she found his profile looked particularly serious in the sunset, his blue eyes reflecting her own image.
For some reason, Satsuki felt her cheeks suddenly grow warm. She didn't understand where this strange feeling came from, only knowing that whenever she was alone with Naruto, her heartbeat would unconsciously quicken.
Naruto was completely unaware that he'd inadvertently stirred a young girl's heartstrings. For him, spending time with Satsuki had initially been just for gaining system points. But gradually, this tsundere Uchiha girl was both pure and adorable, and their time together had become genuinely pleasant.
Until one evening, when they were saying goodbye, that familiar system notification suddenly rang in Naruto's mind.
[Congratulations Host: Bond established with original character "Uchiha Sasuke" (Level 5)!]
[Points gained: 500!]
Naruto was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected Satsuki could be gradually won over through their interactions. According to the original plot, he and Sasuke wouldn't establish this kind of bond until after graduating from the ninja academy. Yet now, they had already formed a relationship as intimate as childhood friends.
As for the other one—every night, Naruto would sit on his bed, close his eyes, and sink his consciousness into the seal space. The damp, cold atmosphere would hit him, but Naruto had long grown accustomed to it.
"Kurama, I'm here!" Naruto cheerfully walked toward the massive iron bars with a grin.
The Nine-Tails lazily lifted its eyelids, its nine tails swishing casually: "What boring story did you bring today?" Despite the cold tone, those beast eyes couldn't help but glance at the papers in Naruto's hands.
"Today's an exciting part!" Naruto held up the hand-written latest chapter like a treasure, "Xiao Yan is finally going to attack the Yunlan Sect!"
Just like this, every night Naruto would punctually come to chat with the Nine-Tails. Sometimes he'd tell stories about his day's adventures, sometimes he'd continue writing that hand-copied "Battle Through the Heavens"
Until one night when Naruto, exhausted from studying his newly acquired Water Release jutsu, forgot to visit the seal space. The next night when he appeared as usual, he was greeted by the Nine-Tails' cold back.
"Kurama?" Naruto called tentatively.
The great fox remained completely motionless, only its tail tip flicking impatiently.
"Yesterday that jutsu was too complex, I practiced until very late..." Naruto scratched his head in explanation.
"Hmph, I don't care whether you come or not," the Nine-Tails finally spoke, its voice carrying obvious sulking undertones. "I was just enjoying the peace and quiet."
Just as Naruto was about to continue placating this tsundere tailed beast, a system notification suddenly rang in his mind.
[Congratulations Host: Bond established with original character "Kurama" (Level 3)!]
[Reward: 400 Points gained!]
Naruto nearly burst out laughing. So this great fox wasn't truly angry—it was just throwing a tantrum. He wisely didn't expose this, but instead sat down as usual and began telling the new story chapters.
Just like that, Naruto's points increased by another 1,600 total. He eagerly conducted another ten-pull, and though he didn't draw the coveted purple or gold rewards he dreamed of, his harvest was still substantial.
Earth Release chakra nature affinity and advanced transformation mastery—bringing his chakra natures to four types.
Half of Kakashi's chakra reserves—gaining an astonishing "half-Kakashi" amount of chakra.
Plus a 20% sealing technique aptitude boost, and a large pile of Fire Country currency.
With such steady progress in both strength and relationships, Naruto felt that his new life was finally on the right track. Little did he know that major events were already beginning to stir in the shadows of the village, and his peaceful training days were about to face their first real test.
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