Chapter 12: Unripe Melons
Naruto achieved a feat he had never accomplished in his previous life. ]|I{•---» «---•}I|[
Skipping class on the first day of school.
But in reality, he didn't skip completely.
He sent his Shadow Clone to attend class.
The result was the same.
Having lived two lives, his knowledge level had long surpassed his peers.
After all, reading can make one wise.
The things taught at the Ninja Academy weren't complicated for him.
Moreover, the graduation requirement was merely the Three Basic Jutsu.
As for other theories, as long as one has strength, they could pass even with a blank paper.
It didn't even matter if he remained a Genin for a lifetime.
After all, the Konoha Genin are invincible under heaven.
It's like having a Baron Buff.
Besides attending class, Naruto gave the Shadow Clone an order: no teasing Hinata.
Although the clone was essentially himself, it had independent thoughts.
He always felt a sense of cuckolding himself.
Plus, knowing his own personality, things would get out of hand if he didn't control it.
He worried that by the second day of school, Hinata would have been mysteriously wooed already.
It would make him feel like he was just picking up the pieces.
That would truly be like sleeping in Hulunbuir—surrounded by green grass.
He arrived again at the empty rice field set aside specifically for the Mysterious Seed.
Naruto showed a look of surprise.
The Mysterious Seed he buried finally showed some movement.
It was like a fetus kicking after several months of pregnancy.
He clearly saw a tender sprout emerging from the ground.
He couldn't tell what kind of plant it was just from this.
But it represented hope.
At least he didn't kill it.
Of the flowers and plants he raised in his previous life, only the cactus survived until the end.
At the same time, sprouting meant that the fruit wasn't far off.
After all, he was watering it with Chakra, not simple fertilizer.
What is Chakra?
It's the combination of physical and spiritual energy, an absolute tonic.
Naruto's mood couldn't help but become cheerful.
He felt a sense of harvest.
Though it was a bit early.
Naruto happily formed seals and summoned two clones.
Number One tended the rice field, while Number Two practiced with ninja tools.
He himself worked on physical training.
Repetition, constant repetition.
It looked quite tedious.
It reminded him of his time in the third year of high school in his previous life.
It was also about repeated memorization until it formed an instinct-like reaction.
But if you enjoy it, you can perceive the difference.
It's like league of legends; every match is about leveling from one to eighteen, but it never feels boring.
Hokage Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi watched Naruto's current situation through a crystal ball.
He blew out smoke rings pensively.
He thought that after school started, Naruto would be able to make friends and gain deeper bonds.
But he didn't expect him to skip class using a Shadow Clone right away.
In all his years as the principal of the Ninja Academy, this was the first time he encountered someone skipping class on the very first day.
And it was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
This is truly worrying!
Besides that, he remembered what Kakashi had reported at noon.
Naruto beating up Hyuga Takashi.
To be honest, he didn't believe it at first.
After all, Hyuga Takashi was a Jonin.
He wasn't old and weak, so how could he be bullied by a child?
Until he understood the cause and effect.
How should he put it?
He felt a gratified sense of 'my son has the potential to be Hokage.' ˜"*°•.˜˜.•°*"˜
As expected of the Fourth's son.
As a genius of the Hyuga Clan, Neji would surely hold a great deal of influence in the branch family in the future.
Hinata was the eldest young lady of the main house.
He was happy to see Naruto on good terms with the Hyuga Clan.
This is the Will of Fire.
Well, as long as he doesn't get too close to the Uchiha Clan, it's fine.
As for Hyuga Takashi, he was of no consequence.
"Kakashi, what do you think?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff of his pipe, white smoke drifting from both sides of his mouth.
Kakashi revealed himself. Looking at the scene in the crystal ball, he said, "Just like Sensei—hardworking, bold, and full of creativity."
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but smile slightly.
Rare indeed.
To actually say such words.
As expected, even the coldest man has a warm spot somewhere.
And Kakashi's warmth came from his teacher and teammates.
He had guessed correctly; perhaps Naruto could lead Kakashi out of the gloom.
"Since Naruto is obsessed with training, if you have time, you can guide him."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed.
What could he do?
He couldn't force him to come back to school.
A forced melon isn't sweet.
Besides, it would ruin the good relationship he had built with Naruto.
He didn't want another Orochimaru to appear.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Kakashi, behind his mask, shuddered slightly, then bowed and vanished from the spot.
He appeared openly for the first time at Naruto's self-made training ground and watched him do high jumps.
Although he had watched many times in secret before, he couldn't interact with him then.
Now it felt a bit like the'secret lover' finally becoming the official one.
A few minutes later, Kakashi spoke up, "Naruto, your current intensity isn't quite right for you. It's a bit low."
Naruto stopped in his tracks.
Wiping his sweat, he looked at Kakashi with some surprise.
To think he would actually come out and talk to him.
Was it a butterfly effect from this morning's events?
"Are you that Anbu uncle?"
Naruto asked, pretending not to recognize him.
"Mm."
Kakashi didn't suspect a thing.
A child is the best disguise.
"While these pieces of equipment are interesting, their intensity is average. To see results, you can only keep repeating them."
Kakashi took out four heavy weights and said, "This is a return gift for this morning."
A return gift?
Do you think I'll believe your nonsense?
One copy of 'icha icha paradise' can be exchanged for all this?
It's likely the old man Hiruzen told you to do this.
Naruto thanked him with a grin.
These weights weren't cheap.
He had thought of the iron rings Rock Lee wore on his legs early on, but unfortunately, he was short on cash and couldn't afford them.
Now that he could get them for free, it was naturally good.
He put on the weights and immediately felt like his hands and feet weren't his own, feeling exceptionally uncomfortable.
This was because he wasn't used to it.
Humans have great adaptability.
After all, some people can find pleasure in pain.
Mere training was nothing.
By the end of the afternoon, Naruto had basically familiarized himself with them.
In addition, he received guidance from Kakashi.
He gained a deeper understanding of basic Taijutsu.
Although Kakashi's body was quite weak, he was a genuine Jonin.
His level went without saying.
Three months passed.
Naruto gradually became accustomed to Kakashi's presence.
Though he spent most of his time reading 'icha icha paradise', he was quite dedicated when guiding him.
The only thing that surprised Naruto was that Kakashi actually said it was his first time reading 'icha icha paradise'.
Could it be that he had prematurely led him down a path of no return?
What a sin.
The physical training was starting to show results.
The 'nine-in-one' belly fat from his previous life had separated again.
It was quite well-defined.
He could now rival Muscle Jinlun.
His ninja tool throwing had also improved; he knew a thing or two about Kunai, shuriken, senbon, and so on.
Not to mention Chakra refinement.
One only needed to see Kakashi's envious gaze to understand.
And at school, his clone was quite well-behaved.
Not causing trouble, respecting teachers, and completing homework as required.
So much so that Iruka's attitude toward him had subtly changed.
He hoped Iruka would never find out it was a clone.
The only one who wasn't very happy was probably Hinata.
Because the clone ignored her.
The main body, lost in the joy of training, had forgotten her existence.
So, there was a reason he was single in his previous life.
The Mysterious Seed in the rice field grew a fruit half the size of a fist.
It was actually a watermelon.
This was beyond his expectations.
Three melons on one vine.
Naruto was already considering who to give them to.
One for himself, one for Hinata, and another for Neji?
After a routine check and confirming they were still unripe melons, he ended his day's training.
The Shadow Clone that had been studying in class all day returned.
Naruto learned that there would be a midterm test tomorrow.
He thought about it and decided to go in person, and while he was at it, ask about Neji's situation.
He hadn't heard from him since their last meeting.
Thanks to the big boss 'A Bag of Heavenly Chili i' for the reward.