Naruto's gaze lingered on the ceiling of tangled roots for a moment longer before drifting—inevitably—toward Sasuke.
The Uchiha sat slumped where Sakura had left him, head tilted slightly forward, bangs casting shadows over his face. But now—
Now that Naruto's attention on himself had lessened, he could worry about the rest of his team.
Something about his rival stood out.
Still grimacing in his sleep, Naruto couldn't help but grow serious.
Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly, peeking out of Sasuke's shirt on his left shoulder lay a trio of comma marks.
"…That mark…"
He shifted quietly, careful not to wake Sakura, and leaned in closer. His hand lifted slowly, fingers hovering just inches from the back of Sasuke's neck.
The curse mark was faint now.
Receded.
But not gone.
"…If that seal works anything like mine did—"
His fingers moved closer.
"—then I should be able to—"
SNAP
Sasuke's hand shot up like a vice—
Grabbing Naruto's wrist mid-air.
Hard.
Naruto's eyes widened slightly.
Sasuke's head lifted slowly, Sharingan flickering instinctively before fading back to black.
"…Don't."
His voice was low.
Cold.
Dangerously sharp.
"…Touch me."
A beat.
Naruto's expression flattened slightly.
"…Relax, I wasn't trying to steal your lunch money."
Sasuke's grip tightened.
"…I don't need your help."
Naruto scoffed, yanking his hand back.
"Yeah? Funny, looked like you needed something when you were getting choked out yesterday."
A flash of irritation crossed Sasuke's face.
"…Say that again."
Naruto leaned back slightly, unimpressed.
"You heard me."
The air shifted.
Tense.
Sharp.
Sasuke pushed himself fully upright now, wincing slightly as his body protested, but ignoring it completely.
"…I had it handled."
Naruto snorted.
"Yeah, sure. That's why you're laid out like a corpse right now."
A pause.
"…At least I didn't get bitten like some kind of chew toy."
That did it.
Sasuke's chakra flared slightly—
Dark.
Uneven.
The curse mark flickered faintly along his neck.
"…Watch your mouth."
Naruto didn't back down.
"Make me."
For a split second—
It looked like they might actually go at it.
Right here.
Right now.
Ping
Rival Relationship Update!
Current Status: Rival Growth Link – Moderate → Rival Growth Link – Unstable
New Effect: Increased growth during conflict, but decreased cooperation efficiency
Warning: Continued hostility may reduce team synergy
Naruto blinked.
"…Seriously?"
Sasuke didn't see the notification—but his glare didn't soften.
"Stay out of my way."
"Not happening. You're acting like a little bitch right now bro. Chill out."
"Say that again—"
"STOP!"
Sakura's voice cracked through the tension like glass shattering.
Both of them froze.
She was on her feet now—
Shaking.
Exhausted.
Eyes wide with something that wasn't anger.
Fear.
"…Please…"
Her voice dropped.
"…Just stop…"
A long silence followed.
Naruto looked away first.
Clicking his tongue.
"…Tch."
Sasuke exhaled sharply, turning his head to the side.
"…Hn."
The tension didn't disappear.
But it broke.
For now.
—
Naruto exhaled slowly, then glanced back at Sasuke.
"…Still checking that."
Sasuke's eyes flicked toward him.
"…Don't."
Naruto ignored him.
"Inspect."
Ping
Name: Sasuke Uchiha
Village: Konohagakure
Rank: Experienced Genin
Due to the target being your Rival, their stats are currently visible
Stats
Strength: 64
Agility: 82
Endurance: 58 (-20% post activation fatigue)
Intelligence: 75 (-25%)
Charisma: 34
Luck: 11
Current Debuffs:
Curse Mark Inflicted (Heaven Seal Variant – Incomplete Assimilation)
Effects:
+40% Chakra Output (Unstable)
+35% Physical boost to stats upon activation
-20% Chakra Control
-25% Intelligence/Mental Stability (Aggression Increase)
-20% Endurance (Post-activation fatigue)
Additional Notes:
Foreign chakra actively integrating into host system. Seal feeds on negative emotional stimuli to accelerate synchronization. Risk of personality deviation increases with repeated use
Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Yeah."
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"…That's not good."
Sakura looked between them anxiously.
"…What is it?"
Deciding to keep it simple, he responded.
"…Whatever's on his neck is messing with him. It's not good…the more he uses it, the worse it's gonna get."
Silence.
Sakura's hands tightened slightly.
"…Can we remove it?"
Naruto shook his head immediately.
"…Not right now."
His eyes flicked back to Sasuke.
"…That thing's way more complicated than what was on me."
Sasuke scoffed.
"…Then don't worry about it."
Naruto met his gaze.
"…I'm not."
A pause.
"…I'm just saying—don't rely on it."
Sasuke didn't respond.
But his silence said enough.
—
Another quiet moment passed before Naruto stood, stretching slightly.
"…Alright."
His tone shifted.
Back to business.
"…We've got what—three scrolls?"
Sasuke's face showed the first hint of a positive emotion since waking up, an arrogant smirk. "Four actually."
Holding up another Earth scroll as well as the 3 he already stored on his person.
Naruto eyes narrowed, his mouth turning upward slightly.
"…Then we're not hunting anymore."
Sasuke's eyes lifted.
"…We move to the tower."
Naruto nodded.
A beat.
"…We're not gonna push our luck."
Sakura exhaled in relief.
"…Finally, something that sounds like a normal plan."
Sasuke stood slowly, testing his balance.
"…Route?"
Naruto didn't hesitate.
"…Same one as before."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"…River bends east about a kilometer out. From there, elevation rises—natural path toward the center."
Sasuke nodded once.
"…Hn."
Sakura grabbed her gear, determination settling back into her expression.
"…Then let's go."
Naruto stepped toward the edge of the alcove—
Pausing for just a moment.
His hand resting briefly over his stomach.
Then—
He grinned.
"…Next stop—tower."
And just like that—
Team 7 moved out.
Stronger.
More dangerous.
And far less stable than before.
2 Hours later
Their journey progressed smoothly; Naruto lead the way with controlled confidence. His clones sent ahead of their group notified them of a presence incoming.
Naruto's stride didn't slow—but his eyes sharpened.
"...We've got company."
Sasuke shifted slightly to the right flank, silent, his posture low and ready despite the lingering fatigue in his system. Sakura moved to the rear, kunai already in hand, her earlier exhaustion buried beneath sheer will.
The forest ahead rustled.
Three figures stepped into view.
One of them pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose with a practiced motion.
"…Hello again," he greeted casually.
Kabuto.
Behind him stood two genin.
One wore a cloth mask that obscured most of his face, a pair of circular sunglasses hiding his eyes. The other was unremarkable—plain features, neutral stance, forgettable in an NPC way.
Naruto's eyes flickered to the two new genin.
"Inspect," he muttered quitetly.
Ping
Name: ???
Village: Otogakure (Hidden Sound)
Rank: Genin
Allegiance: ???
Threat Level: Small
Name: ???
Village: Otogakure (Hidden Sound)
Rank: Genin
Allegiance: ???
Threat Level: Small
Naruto's expression didn't change.
But internally—his stomach dropped. Hidden Sound Ninja had already infiltrated Konoha's ranks. A foreboding omen for the conflict seen in his vision.
Kabuto smiled lightly, hands raised in a non-threatening gesture.
"Easy. We're not here to fight."
A pause.
"…Actually, we were hoping to cooperate."
Sakura blinked.
"…Cooperate?"
Kabuto nodded.
"The Forest of Death isn't exactly forgiving. Teams get picked off fast."
His eyes flicked between them, lingering—just slightly—on Sasuke.
"…Figured strength in numbers might be smarter."
Naruto didn't respond immediately.
He glanced at Sasuke.
Then Sakura.
Then back to Kabuto.
"…You want help getting to the tower."
Kabuto's smile widened slightly.
"Something like that."
A beat.
Naruto exhaled through his nose.
"…No."
Silence.
The masked genin—shifted slightly.
Kabuto's expression didn't change.
"…No?"
Naruto's gaze hardened just a fraction.
"…We're not teaming up."
A pause.
"…And if you try to force it—"
His chakra flared faintly.
Controlled.
"But sharp."
"…We'll fight."
The air stilled.
Sasuke didn't speak.
Didn't need to.
The way his eyes locked onto the trio—
Cold.
Calculating.
Said enough.
Sakura tightened her grip on her kunai, standing firm despite everything.
Kabuto watched them for a long moment.
Then—
"…Fair enough."
He adjusted his glasses again, turning slightly.
"No need to make enemies."
The two genin behind him didn't argue.
Didn't protest.
They simply followed.
Within seconds—
They were gone.
Naruto watched the treeline a moment longer before clicking his tongue.
*Ping*
+1 Intelligence for not teaming up with secret enemies!"
"…Creepy."
Sasuke muttered,
"…They were hiding something."
Naruto nodded.
"…Yeah."
A beat.
"…We made the right call."
Sakura exhaled slowly.
"…Let's just get to the tower…"
—
They moved again.
Faster this time.
No detours.
No unnecessary stops.
Naruto's clones scouted ahead, feeding him information in short bursts. The terrain gradually shifted—trees thinning slightly, elevation rising just like he'd predicted.
The air changed.
Less wild.
More… structured.
"…We're close," Naruto said.
And then—
They saw it.
The tower rose from the center of the forest like something ancient and immovable. Stone walls, tall and imposing, cutting into the canopy above.
"…Finally…" Sakura whispered.
They approached cautiously—but no one stopped them.
No traps.
No ambush.
Just… silence.
Naruto pushed the door open.
CREAK
The interior was dim.
Cool.
Stone walls lined with age and faint markings.
And there—
On the far wall—
Text.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed.
"…A riddle."
Sakura stepped forward, reading aloud quietly.
"Two halves of the world stand apart—One above, one below.One grants life, one demands proof.Neither alone may open the path.
Heaven watches in silence.Earth waits in stillness.Only when both bear witness—Do the gate of destiny open."
She frowned.
"…What does that even mean?"
Naruto tilted his head.
"…Wait."
He looked down at their scrolls.
Then back at the wall.
Then—
"…Oh."
Sakura blinked.
"…Oh?"
Naruto scratched his cheek.
"…It's not complicated."
He held up one scroll.
"…Heaven."
Then another.
"…Earth."
A beat.
"…We just open them at the same time."
Sakura paused.
"…That's it?"
Naruto shrugged.
"…Probably."
Sasuke huffed.
"…Try it."
They stepped into the center of the room.
Naruto and Sasuke each took one scroll.
Sakura stood close, watching carefully.
"…Ready?"
Naruto nodded.
"…Yeah."
"Three… two… one."
They opened them.
At the same time.
The seals across the scrolls ignited instantly—
Lines of fuinjutsu spreading outward across the floor in a circular formation.
Naruto's eyes sharpened.
"…Oh, that's clean…"
His mind tracked it instantly now.
"…It's a summoning array."
Sakura blinked.
"…Summoning?"
Naruto nodded.
"…Yeah—targeted."
He pointed slightly.
"…It's keyed to a specific chakra signature."
Before she could ask—
POOF
A cloud of smoke filled the room.
When it cleared—
A familiar figure stood in the center.
"…Yo."
Iruka.
Sakura's eyes widened.
"…Iruka-sensei?!"
Naruto broke into a grin.
"…No way."
Iruka crossed his arms, looking between them.
"…Looks like you made it."
A pause.
Then—
A small, proud smile.
"…Good work, Team 7."
A notification rang out as Naruto rushed forward and bear hugged his old Sensei.
*Ping*
Bonus Mission Complete!
Secure an extra 2 scrolls than required for the 2nd phase of the Chuunin exams. Current scrolls held 4/4!
Rewards:
+3 to every stat, including luck!
+3 Free lottery spins!
+100 System Points!
*Ping*
Charisma debuff has been removed, you potty mouth!
Name: Naruto Uzumaki
Village: Konohagakure
Rank: Experienced Genin
Stats
Strength: 64
Agility: 76
Endurance: 73 (+10%)
Intelligence: 74
Charisma: 53
Luck: 12
System Points: 260
Inventoryxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Damaged Uzumaki Record (Fragment)
2 Soldier Pills - stamina/chakra boost at cost of extreme fatigue
2 Skill Experience Packs (Small)
Flash Anklet - 20% move speed buff for 60 seconds, 300 second cooldown
Chakra Stabilization Band: +15% experience boost to Chakra Control training
Uzumaki Vital Surge Capsule: +50% END/AGI Special interaction. Massive chakra boost
12 Free lottery Spins
Skillsxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Trap Making – LVL 5 (18/50)
Academy Taijutsu – LVL 6 (59/60)
Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu – LVL 1 (1/10)
Shadow Shuriken Jutsu LVL 3 (24/30)
Tree Walking LVL MAX
Water Walking LVL 1 (5/10)
Advanced Fuinjutsu LVL 1 (1/10)
Wind Release: Cyclone LVL 6 (0/60)
Wind Release: Gale Pierce LVL 4 (48/40)
Water Release: Tidal Wave — LVL 4 (02/40)
Achievementsxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
First Gamble (+1 Luck)
Poison Resistance - Grants a minor resistance to poisons
Seal Curious - +20% success rate when replicating seals, + 2 Intelligence
Words that Reach: +15% to convince enemies to change their current views!
Bathroom Bandit - +50% bonus to assassination success chance if target is using the bathroom!
Rival Growth Link - Moderate/Unstable (Effect can grow stronger with increased relationship status)
Description: Moderate stat gains when rival experiences breakthroughs in battle as well as the chance for bloodline Awakening fragments. Decreased cooperation due to current rival debuffs!
Wind Affinity Passive - Increased compatibility with wind-based techniques, Reduced chakra cost for wind jutsu, Enhanced cutting potential
Water Affinity Passive - Increased compatibility with water-based techniques, Reduced chakra cost for water jutsu, Enhanced water creation potential when not near a source of water!
Ramen Worshipper: +10% Bonus to Skill experience for (1) day after eating Ichiraku Ramen
Uzumaki Bloodline (Weak):
Slight increase to Endurance and overall chakra capacity (10%)
Improved compatibility with fuinjutsu (+20% lvling speed for fuinjutsu related skills)
Perk: Uchiha's Personal Trainer!
When Sparring together, both user and Sasuke will experience a 25% experience boost to skills!
When facing the same opponent, all stats for both individuals will receive a 10% stat boost!
Current Quests:
Legendary Quest: Bloodline Investigation
Objective:Discover the truth behind your Uzumaki lineage.
Possible leads:
• Historical records within Konohagakure
• Surviving members of the Uzumaki Clan
• Ruins of the Hidden Whirlpool Village
• Survivors linked to Kirigakure's Bloodline Purge, hidden/exiled
Rewards:
• ??? Amount of Bloodline awakening fragments
• Unique Uzumaki specific Techniques
• Major Stat Growth
Hidden Quest!
Objective: Help rival become strong enough to defeat a certain man
Target: Unknown Individual
Related Entity: Sasuke Uchiha
Status: In progress
Hidden sub missions are contained within this quest, It's up to you to discover them user!
Career Progression quest
Objective: Pass the Chuunin Exams!
There are various hidden sub-objectives that will lead to increased rewards! It's up to you to find as many as you can!
Rewards:
+10 to every Stat Besides Luck!
3 Skill Experience Packs (Medium)
1 Skill Evolution Stone
1 Legendary Item
Access to Advanced Chakra Control in Shinobi Shop
A meeting with the Hokage that will shed light on current Legendary Quest
+300 System Points!
National Crisis Quest:
Objective: Figure out the cause of the situations you've witnessed in your vision
Prevent your former classmates from having to endure the above situations.
Rewards will vary based on which classmates' fate is altered
Time limit: 1 month, better start doing some digging!