Life in Konoha returned to normal. No killing. No blood. No desperate fights for survival. Just the everyday rhythm of village life—missions, training, and the occasional civilian request that barely counted as work.
Naruto liked this pace.
The absence of battle meant he could do what he enjoyed most—lazing around under the sun, soaking in the warmth like a cat stretched across a rooftop. He had claimed a particularly nice spot in one of Konoha's quieter areas, a place where the sun hit just right and the breeze wasn't too strong. There, he sprawled out, arms crossed behind his head, eyes half-lidded as he listened to the distant hum of the village.
Of course, Sasuke had other plans.
"Fight me."
Naruto yawned, shifting onto his side to find a more comfortable position.
Sasuke's brow twitched. "Naruto."
Naruto closed his eyes.
"Fight me."
Silence.
Sasuke's eye twitched again.
"I'll treat you to ramen."
Naruto's eyes snapped open.
"...Fine."
Sasuke smirked in victory.
And that was how Naruto found himself sparring nearly every other day. Sasuke never won, but he kept challenging him, determined to close the gap. Naruto, on the other hand, didn't really mind. One spar equaled one bowl of ramen, and honestly? That was a good deal. He never held back enough for Sasuke to feel insulted, but he also never tried too hard. It was just an easy exchange—effort for food.
It drove Sasuke insane.
Sakura often watched from the sidelines, arms crossed, switching between cheering for Sasuke and groaning when Naruto dodged effortlessly.
"How are you so good at fighting like that?" she asked one day, after Sasuke had once again ended up flat on his back, breathless and glaring.
"Yeah," Sasuke grumbled, pushing himself up. "It's like fighting some wild animal."
Naruto tilted his head at that, blinking slowly.
"...I manage," he said, shrugging.
Neither of them were satisfied with that answer.
Even Kakashi, who had always been quietly observant, had his suspicions. Naruto's fighting style wasn't like anything taught in the Academy. It was unpredictable, fluid, instinct-driven. It wasn't something learned from human combat training—it was something else entirely.
And there was... another thing.
People started to notice.
Animals liked Naruto.
No, scratch that—animals loved Naruto.
It had started small, with stray cats curling up next to him whenever he dozed off in the sun, or crows swooping down to drop shiny trinkets near him. But then it escalated. Dogs would break free from their owners just to follow him down the street. Squirrels and birds would perch on his shoulders, utterly at ease. Even Inuzuka hounds—trained war animals that barely tolerated strangers—would approach him with wagging tails.
At first, Sasuke and Sakura thought it was funny.
Then, during lunch one day, it got ridiculous.
Sakura had just unwrapped her bento when she froze, her entire body going stiff.
A large, black snake had slithered its way onto the table, flicking its tongue lazily as it coiled near Naruto.
Sasuke went tense, immediately reaching for a kunai.
"Naruto," Sakura hissed, barely moving. "There's a snake—"
Naruto picked up a rice ball and, without even looking, held it out.
The snake opened its mouth and took a bite.
Sasuke and Sakura just stared.
Naruto chewed his food idly, patting the snake's head before nudging the rest of the rice ball toward it.
Sakura made a strangled noise. "Wh—why are you—what—"
"It was hungry," Naruto said simply.
Sasuke watched as the snake, a venomous one, casually wrapped itself around Naruto's arm, content and relaxed.
"...Are you serious?"
Naruto blinked at him. "What?"
Sasuke inhaled sharply.
"Are you some kind of animal whisperer?" Sakura demanded, still keeping a wary distance from the snake.
Naruto shrugged. "I dunno."
Sasuke pinched the bridge of his nose.
Kakashi, who had been watching from nearby, wasn't even surprised.
He had known Naruto forever. He had seen him get along with creatures that would sooner bite a shinobi's hand off than accept their presence. He had seen the way wild things responded to him, drawn to him like he was one of their own. This? This was nothing new.
But for Sasuke and Sakura, this was an entirely new level of what the hell?
The snake finished eating and slithered off, disappearing into the tall grass. Naruto went back to eating like nothing had happened.
Sakura exhaled. "That was not normal."
Sasuke, begrudgingly, had to agree.
But Naruto just kept eating. Because to him, it was normal.
And that was the end of it.
—ToT—
Fate had other plans.
The Chūnin Exams.
Naruto had heard about them before. A test meant to push genin past their limits, to separate the weak from the strong. It wasn't just an exam—it was a battlefield disguised as a competition, a way for the villages to show off their future powerhouses while simultaneously weeding out those who couldn't keep up. Violence was guaranteed. Death wasn't uncommon.
And now, Kakashi had nominated Team 7 to participate.
Sasuke and Sakura were thrilled.
Naruto? Not so much.
"No."
The refusal was immediate.
Sasuke and Sakura gawked at him.
"What do you mean 'no'?" Sasuke demanded, narrowing his eyes.
"No," Naruto repeated, shifting in his sunlit spot. "I'm not doing it."
Sakura frowned. "But—why? You're ridiculously strong! You could probably win the whole thing without trying."
"Don't want to," Naruto said simply.
Sasuke scowled. "You're chickening out?"
Naruto blinked at him. "No. I just don't feel like it."
"That's chickening out," Sasuke snapped.
Naruto shrugged.
Sakura crossed her arms. "Come on, Naruto. If you become a chūnin, you'll get better missions, better pay. Don't you want that?"
Naruto considered it.
Did he want that?
Higher rank meant harder missions. Harder missions meant more fighting. More fighting meant more death.
No, he didn't want that.
So he repeated himself. "No."
Sasuke clicked his tongue, obviously frustrated. "I'll treat you to ramen."
Naruto yawned, turning over onto his side. "Not worth it."
That earned a visible flinch from both of them.
"Dattebane," Sakura muttered under her breath.
It was bizarre, seeing someone so absurdly powerful turn down an opportunity like this. Sasuke had known Naruto was weird, but this was another level.
They tried again, offering different deals—more food, easier missions, even just a promise that they'd stick together. Naruto didn't budge. He didn't want to kill anyone, and no amount of ramen could change that.
But then, the Hokage himself called him in.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was old, wise, and patient. He had seen all kinds of shinobi in his time—warriors hungry for power, children desperate for recognition, prodigies who craved challenge. Naruto was none of those things.
So Hiruzen didn't push. He simply explained.
"If you pass the Chūnin Exams, you'll be promoted," he said, folding his hands together. "And if you continue to climb the ranks, you'll get closer to your goal of becoming Hokage."
Naruto stared at him.
Becoming Hokage? That was the end goal, wasn't it? The ultimate proof that he had made it? That he belonged?
But something still felt… wrong.
"How many lives do I need to take to become Hokage?" he asked, voice flat. "Man wild as a whole?"
Silence.
That was the answer, wasn't it?
Too many.
Naruto's grip on his sleeves tightened.
He didn't like violence. He didn't want to kill. But survival was a different matter. He had lived as something else before, as something ancient and primal, and he knew the law of nature—kill or be killed.
He didn't want to kill anyone.
But he wouldn't let anyone kill him, either.
"…Fine."
Hiruzen nodded.
Naruto turned to leave, but paused at the doorway. "I won't kill anyone," he said over his shoulder. "Or anything."
And with that, he left.
Hiruzen sighed, rubbing his temples.
This was going to be interesting.
—ToT—
Team 7 made their way toward the Shinobi Academy, where the first phase of the Chūnin Exams would be held.
Naruto wasn't particularly excited.
Exams meant tests. Tests meant thinking. Thinking meant effort. And Naruto didn't like effort. Not for things that didn't matter.
Sasuke, on the other hand, was determined. He walked ahead with purpose, arms tucked into his pockets, eyes sharp. This was his chance to prove himself, to show everyone just how far he had come. Sakura stuck close by, glancing between her teammates, nerves clear on her face.
As they approached the Academy, they were met with a crowd of other genin gathered outside a large doorway.
Something was off.
Two older-looking genin stood in front of the entrance, blocking it off. The sign above the door read "301", but Naruto could see through the illusion. The actual room number was lower.
Two random genin were trying to push past the guards. The taller of the two managed to get one step forward before one of the "guards" kicked him square in the stomach, sending him sprawling across the floor.
The guy groaned in pain while the fake exam proctors stood firm.
"If you can't handle this," one of them sneered, "then don't even bother taking the exam. We're doing you weaklings a favor."
Naruto tilted his head. Hm. A test before the test.
A few more genin hesitated, whispering to each other. Some walked away, deciding the exams weren't worth it.
Sasuke sighed. "Idiots."
The moment he spoke, everyone turned toward him. He ignored them, stepping forward casually, hands still in his pockets.
"You see through it, don't you?" he muttered to Naruto.
Naruto gave a small nod. He didn't really care, but yeah, he could tell it was fake.
Sasuke clicked his tongue. "Tch. Sloppy."
He walked toward the door, narrowing his eyes at the illusion. In one smooth motion, he dispelled it with a subtle burst of chakra.
The "301" shimmered and changed.
It was actually the second floor.
Immediately, the room filled with murmurs. The genin who had gathered around took a step back, realizing they'd been tricked.
One of the fake exam proctors smirked. "Clever."
Before anyone could comment further, a blur of green shot out from the side.
"YOU THERE! THE LOVELY LADY WITH THE BEAUTIFUL FOREHEAD!"
Sakura flinched. "H-Huh?"
A figure landed in front of her—a boy dressed in a full green jumpsuit, with thick eyebrows and a confident grin.
"My name is Rock Lee," he declared proudly, striking a dramatic pose. "And I have fallen in love with you at first sight!"
Silence.
Sakura gaped.
Naruto blinked.
Sasuke groaned.
Lee wasn't deterred. He grabbed Sakura's hand, bringing it up dramatically. "Please, go out with me! I promise to protect you with my life!"
Sakura yanked her hand back, face scrunched in disgust. "Absolutely not."
Lee's face fell. "Ah…"
Naruto, who had remained detached throughout the whole interaction, watched with mild interest. Humans were weird.
Lee recovered quickly, turning to Sasuke with an eager expression. "You! You are Sasuke Uchiha, are you not?"
Sasuke frowned. "What if I am?"
Lee grinned. "Then I challenge you to a fight!"
Sasuke's eye twitched. "We're literally about to take an exam."
"Fighting is the ultimate test of skill!" Lee declared, flashing a thumbs-up. "What better way to prepare than to challenge a strong opponent?"
Sasuke looked to Naruto, as if expecting him to say something. Naruto shrugged.
Lee turned to Naruto as well. "And you! I sense something… different about you."
Naruto stared at him blankly.
Lee's eyes gleamed. "Let us fight sometime!"
Naruto blinked. "Why?"
"Because I want to test my strength!"
Naruto's expression didn't change. "Oh."
Lee seemed to take that as a yes, nodding enthusiastically before giving them a final thumbs-up and disappearing as suddenly as he had appeared.
Sakura shuddered. "What a weirdo."
Sasuke rubbed his temple. "This is already giving me a headache."
The exam room was packed.
Genin from every corner of the world filled the space, bodies pressed close, the air thick with tension. Conversations buzzed in low murmurs, eyes flickered around in cautious glances, and despite the chatter, there was an undeniable heaviness hanging over the room.
Killing intent.
Naruto felt it the moment he stepped inside. The weight of it pressed against his skin, invisible yet suffocating. It was instinctive, a silent warning from multiple sources all at once.
Sasuke stiffened beside him. Sakura exhaled sharply.
Naruto blinked.
So that's how it worked.
If someone projected enough fear, others would hesitate, maybe even back off. It was a defense mechanism, just like how animals displayed colors to warn predators or how some creatures made themselves look bigger to intimidate threats.
So… would they leave him alone if he did the same?
Naruto tilted his head, considering.
Then, in the next moment, he let go.
His killing intent seeped out, blanketing the room in something ancient and primal. A pressure that wasn't just murderous intent, but something deeper—something that whispered of the hunt, of silent death in the dark, of prey that never escaped.
The effect was immediate.
Several genin stiffened. Some paled, others broke into cold sweats. A few gagged, nausea washing over them in waves. One unfortunate genin collapsed right then and there, eyes wide with fear.
The room, which had been filled with quiet conversations just moments before, fell into an eerie silence.
Naruto observed, blinking slowly.
Huh. It worked.
Then—
A voice cut through the silence.
"You."
Naruto turned.
A red-haired boy stood a few feet away, his posture relaxed but his pale green eyes sharp, staring directly at Naruto as if sizing him up. A large gourd rested on his back, heavy with something alive inside it.
Naruto noticed how, unlike the others, this boy didn't flinch. If anything, his gaze sharpened.
"What is your name?" the redhead asked.
Naruto blinked. "Me?"
"Yes. You."
"...Naruto Uzumaki. Dattebane."
A slow smirk spread across the redhead's face. "And I am Sabaku no Gaara."
Something shifted. The killing intent in the room had barely settled before a fresh wave surged forth—except this time, it was aimed solely at Naruto.
"Mother wants your blood."
Naruto stared.
Sakura tensed. Sasuke shifted into a stance. The air crackled with something unseen, the temperature in the room seemingly dropping.
But Naruto didn't react the way most people would.
He didn't move. He didn't tense. He didn't even frown.
He just… blinked.
"Why?"
Gaara's eye twitched.
The silence that followed was heavy. It was the kind of silence that should've been filled with fear, dread, or at the very least, understanding.
But Naruto didn't understand.
He tilted his head, genuinely puzzled.
"You're strong," Gaara stated, voice low, almost reverent. "Mother wants your blood."
"That doesn't answer my question," Naruto pointed out.
Gaara's fingers twitched, sand shifting slightly in response. His pupils dilated, the bloodlust rolling off him thick and suffocating. "Mother needs your blood."
"But why?" Naruto asked again. "I need my blood."
Sakura's breath hitched. Sasuke let out a slow, controlled exhale, eyes flickering between the two.
Gaara's lips parted slightly, as if he wasn't used to being questioned about this. As if everyone simply accepted his words as absolute truth.
Naruto, however, was looking at him like he was an unsolved puzzle.
Gaara's expression darkened.
"You don't understand," he murmured.
"Nope."
The killing intent thickened. The sand around Gaara's feet began to shift, curling like tendrils waiting for the command to strike.
Kankurō, who had been watching from the side, suddenly stepped forward, a nervous chuckle escaping him. "Alright, alright, that's enough, Gaara. No need to kill the guy before the exam even starts."
Gaara didn't budge. His eyes were still locked onto Naruto, his expression unreadable, as if he were studying something beyond the surface.
Naruto, meanwhile, continued to stare, waiting for an actual answer.
Temari joined her brother's side, crossing her arms. "Geez, what is wrong with you?" she muttered under her breath before flashing an apologetic look at Team 7. "Sorry about that. He gets a little… intense."
Gaara ignored her.
His eyes flickered downward, staring at Naruto's hands, at the way his fingers flexed slightly, the way he stood, the way he didn't look afraid.
"Why are you not scared of me?" Gaara asked, voice low, almost curious.
Naruto thought about it.
Then shrugged.
"Because you haven't done anything to me."
Another pause.
Temari's eyebrows shot up. Kankurō blinked.
Sasuke's expression twitched.
Gaara… narrowed his eyes.
The tension between them thickened, silent and unspoken.
Kankurō shifted uncomfortably before reaching out, placing a firm hand on Gaara's shoulder. "C'mon, let's go."
Gaara didn't move.
Kankurō's grip tightened, his tone taking on a rare note of urgency. "Gaara."
Slowly, almost reluctantly, the redhead stepped back. The sand around him settled, the pressure easing slightly, though his gaze remained locked onto Naruto until the very last moment.
"This is not over," Gaara murmured before turning away.
Naruto tilted his head again but said nothing.
Kankurō let out a breath and gave a tight smile. "Uh, yeah, so, good luck in the exam or whatever."
Temari just shook her head, muttering something about "psychopaths" before following after her brothers.
The moment they were gone, the room seemed to exhale. The air felt lighter, the tension dissipating as if a storm had just passed. Conversations hesitantly resumed, though a few wary glances were still thrown Naruto's way.
Sakura let out a shaky breath. "What the hell was that?"
Sasuke was still watching the direction Gaara had left in, frowning. "That guy's dangerous."
Naruto thought for a moment.
Then nodded. "Yeah."
Sakura glared at him. "Then why did you just stand there?"
Naruto blinked. "I wanted to know why he wanted my blood."
Sakura groaned.
Sasuke muttered something under his breath.
Naruto yawned.
TBC