Naruto followed Iruka toward the Academy, only to find the school gates completely blocked by students.
Word had already spread like wildfire—Naruto talked back to Hyūga Neji and walked away standing.
Whispers buzzed everywhere.
"That's him? The dead son actually dared to mouth off to Neji?"
"Neji probably just didn't bother. One punch and Naruto would fly."
"Maybe he learned some weird forbidden jutsu…"
Iruka frowned, about to restore order—
When a loud, cocky voice cut through the crowd.
"What's the big deal? So the dead son flapped his gums and Neji didn't punch him. That impressive?"
The crowd parted.
Inuzuka Kiba swaggered forward, a blade of dog grass hanging from his mouth. Red fang markings streaked his cheeks. At his feet padded a snow-white Akamaru.
Both looked thoroughly unimpressed.
Kiba had just finished training when he heard the rumors. Everyone praising Naruto? Impossible. Kiba ranked top three in taijutsu, had Akamaru's support, and usually basked in attention.
Now the spotlight was stolen by the class clown?
Unacceptable.
"Yo, Naruto." Kiba jabbed a finger at his shoulder. "Heard you 'won' against Neji? Practicing lip service now? Couldn't make a Shadow Clone last mock exam, so you switched to Talk-no-Jutsu?"
Akamaru barked sharply, fur bristling as he crouched to spring.
Laughter rippled through the students.
Iruka stepped forward—
Naruto lightly touched his arm. It's fine.
He stepped up, eyebrows raised. "What, you want to try too?"
"Try? I'll crush you." Kiba spat out the grass and snapped his fingers. "Akamaru! Go scare him!"
Akamaru shot forward like a white blur.
Several girls shrieked.
At the back of the crowd, Hinata had just arrived. Her heart leapt into her throat. She instinctively stepped forward, only for Shino to gently block her path.
"Calm down," Shino said evenly. "Naruto isn't panicking."
Indeed—
Just before Akamaru's paws reached him, Naruto shifted half a step.
He didn't use chakra.
He simply turned slightly, letting Akamaru's momentum pass—and casually placed a hand atop the puppy's head.
Years of experience.
Future Hokage. Former dog-owner. Master-level petting technique.
He scratched behind the ears and along the neck just right.
Akamaru instantly melted.
His tail wagged furiously. He whined happily and nuzzled Naruto's palm.
The entire crowd froze.
Kiba's jaw dropped. "Akamaru! What are you doing?! I said, "Scare him!"
Frustrated, Kiba charged himself, fist swinging toward Naruto's shoulder with solid speed.
To most students, it looked decisive.
To Naruto—
Slow motion.
He slid his foot back in the most basic Academy evasive step. Kiba's punch sliced through empty air.
Naruto lightly placed a hand on Kiba's shoulder—not pushing, just guiding.
Kiba had committed too much force. His footing slipped.
"Thud!"
He hit the dirt face-first.
A discarded dog grass stem stuck perfectly to the tip of his nose.
Three seconds of silence—
Then explosive laughter.
"No way—Kiba fell?!"
"He called Naruto dead last and face-planted first!"
"Look at the grass on his nose—!"
Even Iruka turned away to hide a smile.
Kiba pushed himself up, face dusty and red. "You cheated! You tripped me!"
Naruto spread his hands innocently. "Didn't touch you."
He pointed down.
A smashed banana peel lay under Kiba's foot.
"You stepped on that. Not my fault."
The crowd roared louder.
Kiba turned green with embarrassment. "Impossible! Again! I'll fight you again!"
"Enough!" Iruka stepped in firmly. "The mock graduation exam is about to start. Anyone who keeps fighting loses participation points!"
That did it.
Kiba grabbed Akamaru's collar, still fuming. "Let's go! This is embarrassing!"
Akamaru whined, looking back at Naruto longingly before being dragged away.
The crowd slowly dispersed.
Shikamaru, hands in pockets, yawned. "Troublesome…"
Chōji crunched chips beside him. "Naruto's move just now looked kinda cool, don't you think?"
"Probably luck," Shikamaru muttered, walking toward the classroom.
Naruto glanced at the stray white fur stuck to his sleeve and chuckled.
Kiba never changed—loud, competitive, but loyal. In another lifetime, he'd fought desperately in the war, swearing he'd become jōnin before Naruto.
"Na-Naruto-kun… are you okay?"
Soft, worried.
Hinata stood before him, holding out a small handkerchief. Her eyes were faintly red.
"Akamaru didn't scratch you, did he?"
"I'm fine. He doesn't bite." Naruto accepted the handkerchief and brushed the fur from his hands.
It carried a faint cherry blossom scent—the same as her.
Hinata's face warmed again as she watched him use it.
"I'm glad… you're okay. The exam's starting…"
"Yeah. Let's go."
They walked inside together.
Behind them, Iruka stared at Naruto's back, increasingly puzzled.
Talked down Neji.
Flipped Kiba.
When did his taijutsu get that good?
Inside the seal, Kurama scoffed.
"You're the Seventh Hokage and you're wrestling puppies."
Naruto grinned inwardly.
They're all future comrades. No need to go hard.
He glanced sideways at Hinata, who walked carefully beside him.
And his smile widened.
Showing off a little in front of my wife?
Way more satisfying than beating Kiba outright.