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Chapter Text

The rain came down in sheets, drenching the neon-lit streets of Tokyo. Late-night traffic whooshed past, indifferent to the lone figure walking down a narrow side road.

He tightened his grip on his umbrella and sighed. Another long shift, another late walk home.

"Just a few more blocks." The thought came and went like the puddles underfoot, rippling away into the dark.

He didn't notice the shadow slipping from the alley to his left.

"Yo ,you got a smoke?" a low voice asked.

He turned, frowning. The man wore a leather jacket and had a snake tattoo coiled around his neck. He was definitely Yakuza or some wannabe gangster.

"I don't smoke," he said flatly.

The man stepped forward. "Then cash'll do."

The umbrella clattered to the ground as the thug lunged. Instinct kicked in. His years of aikido training surged to the surface. He caught the man's wrist, pivoted, and redirected the momentum , the yakuza hit the ground hard with a gasp.

But the sound of footsteps behind him came too late.

Pain exploded in his back as a blade plunged in deep.

"Agh—!"he screamed as he staggered, turning just enough to see the second attacker's sneer before they kicked him down and ripped the wallet from his pocket.

He lay sprawled in the rain-soaked street as the two vanished into the night.

The pain was sharp at first, then dull. His blood mixed with the rain, flowing in crimson streams around him.

"Get up..." he told himself, trying to crawl toward a small convenience store just meters away. One arm dragged him forward. Then another.

He raised his trembling hand in front of his face. Red. So much red.

His fingers twitched once, then fell limp.

The cold settled in. The world faded , first the sound, then the light. Darkness wrapped around him like a thick blanket.

"So this... is what dying feels like..."

But just as the last shred of warmth left his body, a soft light bloomed in the void.

It grew bright, almost blindingly so, until it was all he could see.

And then… nothing.

----------///////////////====°°°°°

 

With a sharp gasp he sat up , drenched in sweat, heart hammering against his ribs.

The light was gone. The rain, the street, the stabbing pain , all of it gone as if he dreamed it.

He blinked rapidly, eyes adjusting to the dull light filtering through yellowed blinds. The air smelled… musty. A mix of instant ramen and sweat.

He was in a this was not his bed nor was it his room.

"...What the hell?" he muttered, voice high-pitched, unfamiliar.

He threw the thin blanket off and stumbled to his feet. His body felt off ,he was shorter and lighter .

That's when he saw the cracked mirror nailed to the wall.

He stepped toward it and he gasped at what he saw.

The face staring back at him wasn't his.

He didn't have whisker marks or Spiky blond hair. His black and slightly slanted eyes were replaced by wide blue eyes.

"I'm...Naruto?" he breathed, stumbling back.

His mind reeled. This had to be a dream. Some vivid hallucination before death, maybe… right?

But as soon as he thought that, a rush of memories surged through him , memories that weren't his. Images flashed of A lonely childhood. Pranks that he both remembered fondly and didn't remember at all .

He remembered a Ramen shop with a nice old man and a his cute daughter that he was sure he never went to .

He remembered Iruka and the fight against the traitor. He recalls the not so quiet hatred from the villagers. He passed The bell test yesterday, didn't he?. Kakashi's lesson was one he'd remember for his life but that was just in the show right?

He clutched his head and dropped to his knees.

"Okay, okay, okay, breathe," he whispered, forcing the air in and out slowly. His hands trembled.

After a long moment, the panic faded, if only slightly. He opened his eyes again.

It was still Naruto in the mirror.

"...This isn't a dream."he said to himself.

Somehow, he had died, and now he was in the body of Naruto Uzumaki. The Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails and future badass hero. But he wasn't there ,not yet.

This was the beginning. Right after the bell test.

He stood up slowly, breathing steadier now.

"A week before we start missions," he muttered aloud. "Still time to prepare."

The information came easily. He could remember everything every scene, every fight, every death, every lesson ,down to the finest detail. Years of watching the show and reading the manga had burned it into his brain.

And now, Naruto's memories joined them. The pranks, the loneliness, the raw pain of being hated.

He turned back to the mirror. "I'm Naruto now. But I'm still... me."

He glanced down at his hands. They were smaller than he was used to, but they felt strong. He focused, trying to recall his abilities.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu… Henge no Jutsu… Substitution Jutsu…"he listed off in his head.

That was it. Everything else was locked away behind skill, training, or chakra control he didn't have.

Naruto rubbed his temples and groaned. "God, I've got so much work to do…"

He dropped back onto the bed with a heavy sigh, arms crossed behind his head.

"But at least this time… I know what's coming."

Back in his apartment, Naruto sat cross-legged on the floor, tapping his fingers against the wooden boards as he stared at the ceiling.

"One week before our first missions," he murmured. "Which means I've got some time ti get strong enough to not die in the Land of Waves."

His mind spun with possibilities. He already had an idea of what to expect with Zabuza, Haku, and that whole fight. The only way to guarantee survival and to keep his team alive was to train.

He stood up, cracked his knuckles, and held up a hand.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"he said.

Five perfect copies appeared in the room, all grinning.

"You guys know what to do ,start practicing tree-walking. The outer wall should work. Just don't get caught."the original Naruto said.

The clones saluted, then went out through the window, one after another, heading for the building's outer wall.

Naruto sat back down and took a deep breath.

"Okay... now for the other thing."

He closed his eyes and began to focus. Deep, steady breathing. He let his thoughts drift inward, pulling himself toward the pulse of red chakra buried deep within him.

The darkness came fast, then the echo of distant water.

When he opened his eyes again, he was standing in the sewer-like mindscape, ankle-deep in water. The air shimmered with oppressive heat.

And ahead… loomed the gate.

Two glowing eyes flared behind it.

"So... the brat dares to come here willingly," a deep, growling voice rumbled.

Naruto stood his ground and said "Yeah. I figured we should talk."

The Kyūbi's snarl rumbled through the space like thunder. "You dare to speak to me like an equal? Do you know what I am, insect?"

"You're the Kyūbi. The strongest of the Tailed Beasts. But I also know what happens to both of us if I stay weak."Naruto says calmly.

That made the fox pause.

"I'm not the same Naruto as before," he continued. "I remember everything, both from this world and another. I know what's coming. And I know how much suffering you went through, too."

The fox's eyes narrowed as it searched him for deceit or delusions.

"…Hmph. You're serious. This isn't a bluff."The kyubi said finding none.

"You can check my memories if you want."Naruto offered.

Silence.

Then a flicker of power flared behind the bars. The Kyūbi's eyes glowed brighter as it dug into his memories , flashes of battles, pain, betrayal, the Fourth War… everything.

When the fox spoke again, its voice was lower and more thoughtful.

"I don't want to be sealed again. Or see that future." Kyubi said.

Naruto stepped closer. "So help me stop it. Let's change it , together."

The fox stared at him long and hard and said "…If you want to draw on my power more easily, tear off a small corner of the seal. That's it."

Naruto blinked. "That's all?"

"Don't make me regret it."it said in a low voice.

He stepped forward, reached for the seal on the gate, and peeled off a small corner.

A burst of red chakra surged out, flooding his mind and body with warmth and overwhelming pressure. It wasn't painful, it felt like a furnace igniting inside his core.

And then, the Kyūbi's form began to shift.

The massive fox dissolved in a swirl of red mist. It coalesced into a silhouette that was tall, curvy,and definitely feminine.

When the mist cleared, Naruto stared.

She stood before him in humanoid form long crimson hair cascading down her back, bright red eyes gleaming like rubies, fox ears atop her head, and nine swaying tails flowing behind her.

She wore a tight, sleek kimono that barely held together around her bust, teasing far more than it hid.

"…Whoa," Naruto said under his breath.

She twirled gracefully, her nine tails swirling behind her like silk ribbons. "Like what you see, Naruto?"

Naruto nodded slowly, blinking. "That's… definitely not what I was expecting , so what shouldI call you ?"

She smirked and stepped closer. "Name's not Kurama , that'sfor sure . Call me Ahri."

Naruto extended a hand. "Then... are we partners, Ahri?"

She stared at his hand, then smiled it was a seductive and dangerous one that could turn most nen into putty in her hands .

Instead of shaking it, she stepped in and pressed her lips against his, a soft kiss that lingered just long enough to short-circuit his brain.

She pulled back and purred, "Does that answer your question?"

Before he could respond, she raised one dainty finger and flicked him lightly in the chest.

"Now get out, I need to do some redecorating."Ahri said as he went flying away.

And everything went black.

Back in the apartment, Naruto gasped and bolted upright, nearly falling over.

His whole body tingled. His chakra felt denser, hotter, more alive.

He grinned, rubbing his chest. "Well… that happened."

***************************

~The next day ~

The sun peeked through the trees of Training Ground 11, scattering golden light across the dew-soaked grass. Birds chirped overhead, oblivious to the boy crouched at the forest's edge, breathing slow and steady.

Naruto opened his eyes, focused and said"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Ten copies popped into existence with soft puffs of smoke. They all stood at attention, looking sharper than they had the day before.

"Alright, let's divide up: five of you keep working on water walking. The pond's over there," he pointed through the trees. "The rest of you ; hand-to-hand sparring. Don't hold back."

The clones saluted and split off.

Naruto exhaled, then cracked his knuckles. He stepped into a clearing and dropped into a low stance, feet steady and arms relaxed.

He smiled to himself. Still got it.

His body flowed smoothly from stance to stance redirecting invisible strikes, turning momentum, imagining opponents attacking from every angle. His movements were cleaner than expected; even in this new body, his aikido training had carried over.

"Glad to see muscle memory doesn't need the same muscles," he muttered.

"You're not completely hopeless after all."Ahri's voice purred in his head, teasing but amused.

Naruto smirked. "Good morning to you too, Ahri. Watching me train?"

"Of course. I'm literally inside your head, it's hard not to."came the snarky response.

He took a break, sitting against a tree and wiping sweat from his brow. His clones were still working in the background, a few yelling as they slipped and splashed into the pond.

"Hey," he said, "can you teach me any of your techniques?"

There was a pause.

"Most of what I know, you're not ready for. My techniques use demonic chakra , it's real, raw energy. If your control slips, it could kill you before it even hits your enemy."Ahri said.

"Duly noted." He stretched his arms behind his head. "So what can you do?"

"My specialties are illusion techniques far beyond anything mortal genjutsu can do and my demonic fire , which you are definitely not ready for ,and pure demonic chakra attacks that destroy everything in their path, including idiots who don't know how to handle them."

He whistled low. "Sounds fun. Dangerous, but fun."

"The demon fire will have to wait until you have decent fire chakra control. Your chakra nature training hasn't even started yet. As for the demonic energy blasts… well, let's just say you're still too flammable."She explained.

He chuckled and said "Fair, enough, What about those illusion techniques, though?"

"I could show you a few. They don't require as much raw power, more finesse. Mental pressure, subtle chakra manipulation. Perfect for someone sneaky."she answered.

Naruto grinned. "That's more than enough. Canon Naruto sucked at genjutsu, this gives me a serious edge."

"You'll need to train your chakra flow carefully. These illusions don't break with a simple flare of chakra , they embed themselves in the mind. You'll need to learn to weave them gently, like silk, not blast them out like your clones."she said.

Naruto nodded to himself. "Alright. Add that to the list. Genjutsu training, fire chakra prep, eventually demonic fire, and try not to blow myself up."

Ahri gave a soft laugh and said"You're actually taking this seriously. Good. I might not regret helping you."

He tilted his head. "You don't have a summoning contract or anything, do you?"

"No," she replied, and for once, her voice was… softer. "I wasn't born the way most beings in this world were. I'm not a kitsune , not really. My father created me, based on a fox spirit he once knew. I share some traits with them, but I'm something else."

Naruto blinked. "Your… father, the Sage right?"

"Mmm." There was another pause. "That's a story for another time. You've got enough on your plate without digging into the past."

He stood and dusted off his pants. "Fair enough."

Across the field, one of the clones ran across the pond and didn't fall in.

Naruto grinned. "One week might just be enough."

========

The morning air was cool and crisp, heavy with the scent of pine and fresh earth. Birds chirped somewhere high in the trees as Naruto stepped into the clearing he'd claimed as his personal training ground. It wasn't anything fancy ,just a quiet spot in the woods near the village, out of sight and perfect for what he had planned.

He cracked his neck and took a deep breath. A slight grin tugged at his lips.

Thanks to the shadow clones he'd used to tear through dozens of chakra theory scrolls from the shinobi library the night before, he had a solid foundation to start training in elemental manipulation , something canon Naruto didn't even know of this early.

"Let's see what I can do with a little head start," he muttered.

With a short hand seal, he summoned a fresh batch of clones. Twenty-five of them popped into existence in puffs of smoke, all with focused expressions. He pointed.

"We're splitting up into five teams. One for each element. Wind, fire, water, earth, and lightning , five clones each. Focus on the basic chakra shaping exercises we read about. Let's move!"

The clones nodded and scattered, already forming groups around the clearing.

The wind team moved to a row of logs set up earlier. They stood in front of the wood, channeling chakra into their hands, sharpening it into thin, cutting edges. Bits of splintered wood began to shoot off in small chunks as Naruto watched with satisfaction.

Nearby, the fire team sat in a loose circle, each holding a single leaf between their fingers. They concentrated, pushing fire chakra into the leaves just enough to ignite the surface. Small flames sparked to life , flickering and unstable ,but some clones were already managing to contain the fire within the leaves instead of letting them burn up completely.

The water group knelt beside the pond, moving their hands slowly through the air as they manipulated the surface. Thin streams of water lifted up in elegant arcs, swirling into spheres and simple shapes. One clone even managed a wobbly water whip before it splashed apart, earning a muttered curse.

To the far left, the earth clones stood in low stances, their hands touching the ground. Bits of soil and rock shifted as they pumped chakra downward, trying to move earth with will alone. A few pebbles floated shakily in the air; one even managed to make a large rock move a foot upwards before it fell to the ground kickingup alot of dust.

The lightning group was last , five clones standing in a loose circle, each cradling a crackling orb of chakra between their hands. Sparks hissed and jumped as they passed the energy back and forth, controlling the current, resisting the urge to flinch. One clone yelped as a jolt stung his fingers, but kept going.

Naruto, the original, let out a satisfied breath and said"Good. Now let's see how I hold up."

He walked over to a thick tree, flipped into a handstand against the trunk. Then, slowly and with control, he began his handstand push-ups.

"One… two… three…"he counted.

Each movement was smooth, precise. His body strained, but he welcomed it. The soreness was proof he was moving forward.

After fifty reps, he flipped back upright , and leapt onto a low-hanging branch. Hanging upside down by his legs, chakra keeping him stuck in place, he started sit-ups .

Below him, the clones continued their work. The clearing buzzed with noise as fire hissed, water splashed, sparks crackled, and stone ground against each other.

When he'd finished his reps, Naruto dropped to the ground and grabbed a wooden training sword from where it leaned against a log. He exhaled, centered himself, and began a simple kata.

Each swing was fluid, every movement clean , the result of his real-world kendo training carried into this life. The wooden blade cut through the air with precision, his feet steady, his stance perfect. He moved like someone who had done this a thousand times… because, in truth, he had.

"Nice form," Ahri's sultry voice echoed in his mind. "You'd look even better if you weren't wearing those baggy pants."

Naruto rolled his eyes mid-strike. "Not the time, Ahri."

She chuckled and said "Oh relax. I'm just appreciating the view. You're actually learning fast."

"Thanks. It helps when you've got chakra reserves that could drown an elephant and clones doing all the heavy lifting."said Naruto.

"And me," she added smugly.

"And you," he agreed. Then, after a moment: "Think I'll be ready for your illusions soon?"

There was a thoughtful pause before she answered. "You're getting there. I could start showing you some of the simpler ones soon."

"Keep this pace, and you'll get there soon. But the rest of my abilities are still awhile away. Your control isn't refined enough yet, and those techniques could kill you if you mess up."Ahri explained.

Naruto nodded to himself between swings of the wooden sword. "Understood. We'll wait until I've mastered fire chakra and my body can handle it."

"Smart boy. You're not nearly as dense as your past self."

"Well, however long it takes " he said aloud, spinning the training sword once before driving it into the dirt, "I'll get strong enough to handle whatever you throw at me."

From across the field, a wind clone sliced a log clean in half. A fire clone grinned as the flame inside his leaf danced but didn't burn through. A Lightning clone shot a blot that set a patch of grass on fire , that a nearby water clones extinguished.

Naruto looked on and thought " Atleast they're having fun".
~~~~~```||||
The sun was beginning to dip toward the horizon, casting long shadows across the quiet pond at Training Ground 12.

The water rippled gently beneath the steady steps of a shadow clone sprinting across its surface while flinging wind blades at another clone on the opposite shore. Lightning crackled in the distance where another group of clones practiced fine chakra control.

A clone leapt high over the water, twisting in mid-air before launching a burst of flame at a dummy made from packed dirt and straw.

Naruto stood on the bank, arms crossed, watching it all unfold.

Just seven days had passed since he woke up in this world, in Naruto Uzumaki's body. And now, watching his clones move with purpose and skill, he could feel the difference down to his bones.

His chakra control had improved dramatically tree walking, water walking, even early elemental shaping. His muscles were stronger, his reactions sharper. All of it thanks to what he knew, what he remembered, and how hard he worked .

A slow grin spread across his face.

"Not bad for one week," he muttered.

"Better than I expected, honestly," Ahri's voice purred through his mind. "You've come a long way, boyo."

Naruto smirked and said "Coming from you, I'll take that as high praise."

"You've earned it. And since your control's gotten better, it's time I showed you something new. Come into the mindscape."Ahri said.

He closed his eyes and focused. His breathing slowed, the sounds of training faded, and the world around him melted away.

He opened his eyes in the , echoing chamber of his mind. The shallow water that filled the chamber was gone now , as was the towering gate that once caged Ahri

From the mist stepped Ahri, radiant and elegant in her humanoid form. Naruto noticed she wore a choker around her neck with the seal on a talisman in the middle.

"Well?" she said, hands on her hips. "Ready to learn something actually fun?"

Naruto grinned. "Definitely."

She walked toward him with slow, confident steps and explained "What I'm about to show you is a type of illusion but it's not like the genjutsu mortals use."

Her eyes glinted as she spoke, "Genjutsu works by interfering with the opponent's chakra network, tricking their brain by manipulating their chakra flow. That's why it can be dispelled with a simple chakra flare or broken with pain."

She stepped behind him, one hand gently brushing across his shoulder.

"My illusions work differently. They don't touch your chakra they go straight for the senses. Sight, sound, smell, touch. Direct input. Which means two very important things…"she said.

She appeared in front of him again, holding up a finger a d said"One: flaring chakra won't break them. They can't be dispelled that way."

She held up a second finger and continued "And two: I can affect multiple people at once. Because I'm not tied to their chakra. Just their minds."

Naruto's grin grew slowly and he said "Now that's an advantage."

"Exactly," Ahri purred. "No Sharingan instant dispels, no chakra control master shrugging it off. If they can see or hear, they can be caught."

He nodded, the gears already turning in his head. "So instead of a straight-up combat illusion, I could use it for misdirection. Fake clones, duplicate sounds, false enemies… even make myself invisible to a group if they're all seeing the wrong thing."

"Exactly," Ahri said, clearly pleased. "The more subtle, the better. And since most ninja aren't trained to deal with illusions that don't use their chakra, it'll take them far longer to realize they've been tricked."

Naruto crossed his arms, thoughtful. "This... could be game-changing."

"Bingo." She flicked one of her tails at his forehead. "Let's get started. I'll walk you through one of the simplest , sensory mirage."

"Sounds good." He cracked his knuckles. "Let's make this week count."

Ahri's smile widened.

"Oh, it already has."
~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day ~

The morning sun was just beginning to climb over the rooftops of Konoha when Naruto arrived at the small training field behind the academy. The dew was still fresh on the grass, and the air carried that crisp coolness only found in early morning hours.

He checked the time: exactly 8:00 a.m.

Just like Kakashi had told them.

Across the field, he spotted Sasuke and Sakura already waiting. Sakura stood a little too close to the last Uchiha , animatedly talking about something mundane.

Sakura ,either didn't care or was oblivious to the fact that he was completely ignoring her. Sasuke had his arms crossed, a scowl etched across his face, offering nothing more than an occasional grunt in response.

Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at the pink haired girl.

" I bet she hasn't trained at all", he thought." Still obsessing over Sasuke like they're in a schoolyard crush. She's a liability right now."

Then his gaze shifted to Sasuke and thought"He's at least competent. Talented, even. But that ego… and his obsession with revenge... it'll hold him back when it matters most."

Naruto gave them a casual wave, then walked a few paces away, dropped his gear, and began his warm-up. Slow stretches turned into a steady stream of push-ups, then into sit-ups, where he hooked his legs under a training post and powered through sets without pause.

He was halfway through a set when a sharp voice interrupted him."What are you doing? Trying to show off for Sasuke or something?"

He opened his eyes and saw Sakura standing over him, hands on her hips, an annoyed scowl on her face.

Naruto starred at her, utterly unimpressed. "No. I'm training. Kakashi won't be here for a while, and I don't likw to waste time."

He sat up, dusted off his hands, and added with a biting tone, "Maybe if you did the same, you wouldn't be such a pathetic kunoichi."

Her face twisted in anger. "What did you just say?!"

She raised her hand and swung and was shoved as Naruto caught it effortlessly.

His eyes, calm and sharp, met hers and he said in a low voice "Don't do that again."

He let her go, but Sakura, red with fury, took a step back and shouted, "Don't tell me what to do, loser!"

She swung again, faster this time.

Naruto didn't hesitate. In one smooth motion, he turned, grabbed her wrist, and flipped her clean over his shoulder with a perfect judo throw. She hit the grass with a startled yelp, and before she could recover, Naruto had her pinned, one knee lightly on her lower back, holding her arm behind her.

He leaned in and growled just loud enough for her to hear."Tell me, Sakura… are you one of three things? Deaf… stupid… or a traitor?"

That's when a sharp crack signaled Kakashi's arrival.

"Enough," Kakashi said, his voice quiet but firm.

Naruto immediately let go and stepped back, expression unreadable.

Sakura sat up gingerly, holding her wrist and glaring at him. "He—!"

"Sakura," Kakashi interrupted, his eye narrowing slightly. "Don't. I saw everything."

Kakashi looked between them all. "Naruto was not in the wrong. You attacked a fellow Konoha shinobi outside of a spar. That's not only reckless—it borders on treason. You do that again, and I'll have no choice but to report it to the TI department."

Sakura paled and nodded.

Kakashi exhaled through his nose and clapped his hands once, sharp and sudden. "Now. That was your first test of the day."

They all looked at him, confused.

He gestured toward Naruto.

"Only he passed. Why? Because I told you to be here at eight sharp. And instead of wasting time chatting or brooding, he used that time to train."

He looked directly at Sasuke, then at Sakura.

"You two failed. Think about that before you call yourselves real shinobi."

He continued by saying " I'm your commander ,not your babysitter, yes I'm hear to teach you things but I will not hold your hands the entire way."

Naruto said nothing, simply standing off to the side, arms crossed and face neutral.

As the tension settled in the clearing, Naruto found himself eyeing Kakashi a little more closely.

"Why's he acting so different? "he thought." He wasn't like this in the original timeline… There was no laziness, no vague lectures, no ambiguous lessons buried beneath dry sarcasm. This Kakashi was direct and serious. "

He couldn't quite put his finger on it and thought"Maybe something changed? Did something in the timeline already shift just by me being here?"

That's when Ahri's voice slipped into his mind like silk."Does it matter?" she said in-between yawns. "If he's acting like a competent teacher, isn't that a good thing?"

Naruto smirked internally. "Yeah… good point."

Kakashi raised two fingers.

"That brings us to the second test: teamwork," he said coolly, eye wandering lazily over the three of them, though his tone remained razor-sharp. "And let me make something clear ,none of you passed it."

Sakura's mouth opened in protest, but Kakashi didn't give her the chance.

"Sakura, you failed horrendously. You attacked a teammate outside of a spar. That's not just a personal failure ,it's a violation of shinobi protocol."

She shrank under his gaze, her earlier arrogance rapidly crumbling.

"Sasuke," Kakashi continued without missing a beat, "you failed too. Not because you weren't involved, but because you stood by and watched it happen. You didn't lift a finger to stop it, didn't say a word to de-escalate it."

Sasuke's scowl deepened, but he didn't argue. He just looked away, jaw tight.

Kakashi turned to Naruto. "And Naruto… you weren't perfect either."

Naruto raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Yeah, figured."

"You escalated with your words. Provoking a teammate ,even if they're in the wrong ,only makes the situation worse. And while I respect the fact that you trained, you should've asked if your teammates wanted to join instead of isolating yourself."

Naruto accepted that without complaint. "Understood."

Sakura and Sasuke just frowned.

Kakashi folded his arms and looked them over like a jōnin inspecting fresh recruits. "I need to know where each of you stands as a shinobi, and I'm not going to assume anything based on academy scores or reputation."

He pulled a small scroll from his pouch, unfurled it, and tapped it once. A set of wooden targets and training dummies popped into view with a puff of chakra smoke.

"I've prepared a series of exercises that will help me assess your current physical, mental, and chakra control abilities—"

"But why?" Sakura interrupted with a whine. "Sasuke and I were the top two at the academy. Shouldn't we be doing missions already?"

The clearing fell silent.

Kakashi slowly turned his head to her, one visible eye sharpening into something dangerous.

"Are you ordering me around, Sakura?"

She froze like a rabbit caught by a wolf.

"Because if so, that would be the second sign of insubordination you've shown today. Want to try for a third?"

Sakura swallowed hard and shook her head. "N-no."

Kakashi's tone was ice. "When I ask you a question from now on, your answer will begin with 'Yes, sir' or 'No, sir.' All of you. Understood?"

The three genin responded in unison.

"Yes, sir!"

Naruto crossed his arms behind his back and nodded, smirking slightly to himself.

"Okay. I kind of like badass Kakashi."

Kakashi stood with his hands in his pockets, the breeze ruffling his silver hair as he watched his students prepare for the individual assessment. "Alright," he said, his lone visible eye scanning the three, "I'll be testing each of you to get a better understanding of your current skills."

He called Sasuke up first. As expected, the Uchiha moved with practiced ease .

Sasuke was quick, precise, and confident in his every strike and movement. Kakashi made him go through basic taijutsu forms, some target practice with shuriken, and a few simple jutsu to gauge chakra control. When it ended, Kakashi gave a nod of approval.

"Solid high-genin level," he muttered to himself. "Maybe even close to chunin with some polish."

Next up was Sakura. Kakashi's expression barely changed, but Naruto could feel the disappointment radiating off him as she struggled with her chakra control under pressure, hesitated on her movements, and had almost no stamina to back up her attacks.

Kakashi sighed and scratched the back of his head. "How did she even graduate?" he whispered, to himself.

Finally, Kakashi turned to Naruto. "Your turn, blondie."

Naruto stepped up with casual confidence, stretching his shoulders. He flowed through the taijutsu drills with speed and power, each movement sharp and deliberate. His clone control was seamless, and his chakra manipulation far more refined than it should've been for a genin. When he demonstrated water walking and elemental chakra exercises. well beyond what any of them should know, Kakashi's eye narrowed .

"Interesting…" Kakashi thought. "He's stronger than Sasuke already... and improving faster too."

When Naruto finished, he wiped some sweat from his brow and stood straight. Kakashi stared at him for a moment longer before turning to address the team.

"Sasuke, Naruto ,you're both in good condition," he said. "Keep training like this, and you'll both make excellent shinobi."

He looked at Sakura last, his voice turning colder. "You have potential, Sakura. But potential's meaningless if you don't put in the work to realize it."

Sakura's face turned red, but she didn't say anything. She didn't dare.

Kakashi waved them off. "Sasuke, Sakura ,you're dismissed for the day. Naruto, come with me. The Hokage wants to see you."

Naruto asked , curious. "The old man? What for?"

"You'll see," Kakashi said, already starting to walk.

Naruto followed silently behind Kakashi through the corridors of the Hokage Tower, trying not to fidget as they approached a door tucked in the far end of the top floor. It wasn't the usual briefing room. This one was reinforced, quieter… private.

Kakashi opened the door and motioned for him to enter. Naruto stepped insideand immediately froze.

The Hokage sat behind his desk, his face more serious than Naruto had ever seen. Standing at his side was Inoichi Yamanaka, dressed not in casual village attire but in full shinobi gear, his piercing eyes already focused on Naruto like he was a puzzle to solve.

Then came a click from behind him. Kakashi closed the door and locked it and Naruto gulped.

"Sit, Naruto," Hiruzen said, gesturing to the chair in front of him.

Naruto obeyed, shoulders tense.

"Do you know why you're here?" the Hokage asked, folding his hands together.

Naruto offered a cautious, "...Nope."

Hiruzen studied him for a moment longer, then slowly pulled a manila file from a drawer. He opened it, adjusted his glasses, and began to read aloud in a tone that felt more like a judgment than a report.

["Naruto Uzumaki. Age: 15. Status: Low-level Genin. Skill levels: subpar in all categories excluding Shadow Clone and Henge. Known techniques: minimal. Jinchūriki of the Kyūbi, no access to its chakra. Street-smart, but poor academic and tactical performance. Social skills: erratic. Personality: lazy, overly friendly, prone to goofing off, has difficulty focusing, but shows extreme emotional resilience and an abnormal tendency to forgive easily."]

He closed the folder with a snap and stared hard at Naruto.

"This report," he said, tapping it with his fingers, "was compiled by Iruka Umino, signed off by myself, and supported by accounts from multiple Academy instructors… just eight days ago."

A bead of sweat slid down Naruto's temple.

"Would you say that's accurate?" Hiruzen asked.

Naruto shook his head silently.

"Exactly," Hiruzen muttered. "And that's the problem."

He leaned forward, tone sharpening. "Naruto, this file matches the boy we've known for years. But you ,suddenly ,are not that boy. You've changed , dramatically in a short time. Did you think we wouldn't notice "

After a short pause the Hokage continued" You're calm, focused, disciplined, skilled in chakra control, elemental theory, and strategic combat. Your behavior is more like a seasoned chūnin than a prankster genin."

Naruto said nothing, but his fists clenched slightly on his knees.

"Now," the Hokage continued, "I know you're Naruto. The Kyūbi's presence is unmistakable. But I can't ignore the possibility that either someone is influencing you… or something has changed you."

Naruto tensed. His eyes flicked toward Inoichi, who remained quiet but vigilant.

In his mind, Ahri's voice echoed smoothly.

"They think I'm corrupting you… or worse, that Danzo has gotten his claws into you. You've improved too fast. It's suspicious."

Naruto mentally nodded, projecting his thoughts to her. "Options?"

"Lying won't work. Not with the mind-reader here. Running would only confirm their fears and get you branded a threat. Your best option is to tell the truth. Let them see it."

Naruto took a breath and slowly exhaled and glanced between the Hokage and Inoichi.

"You think… I'm being controlled," he said. "By the fox... or by Danzo."

Hiruzen didn't answer but his eyes narrowed.

Naruto leaned back in his chair, steeling himself. "Okay," he said. "Then I'll tell you the truth."

He closed his eyes for a second and said"When I woke up eight days ago… I wasn't the same Naruto."

The air in the room shifted. Inoichi's expression changed ,barely ,but Kakashi tensed subtly at the door.

"I have all his memories. Every moment and prank. Every lonely night and beating. But... I also have memories that aren't his. Of another world. Of another life. One where I watched everything Konoha being destroyed by the Akatsuki, a world war. I know how this world is supposed to go."he said calmly.

He met the Hokage's gaze directly now, voice calm but firm."I didn't ask to be here. I don't know how I got here. But I'm trying to help. Because I know how fucked up this world gets if we keep going the way we are and I don't want that."

Hiruzen said nothing for a long moment. Then:"Inoichi?"

The Yamanaka closed his eyes briefly, fingers forming a hand sign. After a few seconds, he opened them and gave a slow, measured nod.

"He's telling the truth," he said. "As bizarre as it sounds... he believes it. And it doesn't feel like a delusion or mind control. Two minds, merged into one. Naruto's... and someone else's."

The room fell into silence.

Sarutobi finally leaned back and asked "Then the question is… what do we do with this information?"

______------

AN: Yep a new story a Naruto plot bunny that's been floating around in my head for awhile..1st a few things about this story

1. Naruto and the rookies from his class are 15 years old.

2. Everything b4 the Resurrection is true to cannon Naruto besides the ages of Naruto and Nejis classes and fem kyubi.

3. Oc was a martial artist and teacher at a dojo in og world so he knows how to fight and he has a photographic memory.

4. He also was a huge anime fan especially Naruto so he remembers every detail of the show and has read the wikis as well and supplementary material (guide books)

5. Mc. Will be op. Not bc of O.C but bc Naruto is given cheatcodes throughout the series and if they existed from start Naruto would've been op as fuc imo.

6. Clones don't work like in the anime...they don't muliply experience like they do in canon... they're still broken just in a different way..he'll learn some things a little bit faster but the brokenness of them is they let Naruto learn a whole bunch of things simultaneously.

7. ...my logic for changing this is that it makes more sense imo ...if there's 1000 clones learning the same technique so why do they learn it 1000x faster? ..each clone is still 1 Naruto trying to learn the technique so while summoning a few clones might speed it up a bit bc they're all gonna try something slightly different so one will learn it 1st but the benefit of this would even out pretty quickly ...he'll still abuse clones tho ;)

8. ENJOY THE STORY REVIEWS ARE WELCOME AND FAVS AND FOLLOWS! PROBABLY POKÉMON FIC NEXT UPDATE!ENIX OUT:)

Chapter Text

The room was dead silent.

Sarutobi studied Naruto with an intensity that would've unnerved most shinobi. Inoichi stood quietly beside him, still watching Naruto's every microexpression, while Kakashi leaned against the door, watching everything with his visible eye.

Finally, the Hokage broke the silence.

"Tell me then, Naruto… exactly how strong are you?"

Naruto didn't hesitate. "I could beat most jōnin if I catch them off guard."

That earned a slight widening of Inoichi's eyes and a subtle shift in Kakashi's posture.

Naruto continued, voice steady. "I'm definitely stronger than most chūnin, unless they've got some ridiculous bloodline or hax-tier ability. I've trained nonstop since I got here, and I already had years of experience back in my old life."

He raised a hand and let a small arc of electricity dance between his fingers.

"I can use all five base elements. My strongest are lightning and wind ,those come naturally to me. I'm good with fire and water too. Earth's the weakest, but even that's serviceable enough for combat. "

Sarutobi's brow rose slightly. "All five elements? At fifteen?"

Naruto just nodded. "Yeah. I had the theory memorized before I even got this body, and now that I've got the chakra reserves, putting it into practice came easier than you'd expect."

Kakashi stepped forward slightly. "And taijutsu?"

Naruto smirked. "Top-level Aikido. Was an instructor's assistant at an MMA dojo; so I've got Judo, Kickboxing, and some freestyle grappling under my belt. I'm faster and stronger now than I ever was in my old life, so that training really shines through."

He paused, then added, "I've also started tapping into the Kyūbi's chakra. Not full cloak mode or anything but enough to enhance speed, strength, and regeneration. I can use medical jutsu on myself, though it doesn't work on anyone else. Probably due to how its chakra mixes with mine."

Sarutobi looked thoughtful, but not surprised.

"But the best part?" Naruto grinned slightly, eyes glinting with a touch of mischief. "I can use illusions. Not regular genjutsu, something better. It targets perception and awareness, but not through chakra networks. It slips under genjutsu resistance and doesn't rely on disrupting chakra flow. Basically, if I want you to see something, you will see it."

Inoichi's eyebrows rose at that, clearly intrigued.

There was a long silence as the gravity of everything Naruto said sank in.

Then Kakashi, dry as ever, asked, "Is that all?"

Naruto gave a shrug. "Pretty much."

He paused, then added, "I suck at normal genjutsu. I get the theory, but execution's always been spotty. And I'm only mid-tier with kenjutsu ,can hold my own, but nothing flashy or elegant. Just practical."

Kakashi snorted softly, looking mildly exasperated.

Naruto just shrugged. "You asked."

The Third Hokage leaned back in his chair, pipe idle in one hand, his expression unreadable. Smoke curled up slowly, forgotten.

"You're not just gifted," Sarutobi said at last. "You're operating on a completely different level than what we've come to expect from genin. Even most jōnin would struggle to claim half the breadth of ability you've demonstrated."

He glanced to Inoichi, who nodded slightly, a clear confirmation of Naruto's truthfulness.

The old man looked back at Naruto, face sharp now, voice firmer.

"In your opinion… what should we do next?"

Naruto blinked, surprised.

Sarutobi didn't flinch.

"You clearly have foresight, power, and the drive to act independently. So tell me, Naruto… What course of action do you think is best for Konoha, starting from here?"

/\\\\\\

Naruto stayed quiet for a moment, considering the Hokage's question. Then he spoke carefully, but confidently.

"Well… first, I think we need to make a team adjustment."

Sarutobi raised an eyebrow.

"I don't think Sakura is a good fit for Team 7," Naruto continued. "She's not taking her training seriously, her priorities are all out of whack, and her obsession with Sasuke makes her more of a liability than an asset."

Kakashi's lone visible eye narrowed, but he didn't interrupt.

Naruto went on, "But… she's got insane chakra control. With the right guidance, she could be a genjutsu specialist. Kurenai can't teach any of her current students that, but she could teach Sakura."

Sarutobi stroked his beard, silent.

"In exchange," Naruto said, "I'd like to have Hinata on Team 7. She's quiet, but she's smart, determined, and her Byakugan would give us long-range scouting and danger detection , something we're lacking right now."

Kakashi looked to the Hokage and gave a single nod. "I agree," he said simply. "I could train Sakura, but Kurenai would bring out her true strengths faster. And Hinata would round out Team 7 better than she does Team 8."

Sarutobi sighed, but nodded thoughtfully. "Very well. I'll authorize a switch . We'll also use Kurenai to test these illusion techniques of yours. If she can't break out of them, it'll help confirm your claims about their effectiveness."

Naruto smiled faintly. "Fair enough."

There was a pause. Then Naruto leaned forward a little, clearly thinking ahead. "Do we have anyone in the village who can teach me senjutsu?"

At that, Sarutobi's expression turned strained. "No. Unfortunately, only Jiraiya and Tsunade have studied senjutsu to any significant degree and neither of them are in the village. Jiraiya's training and intel-gathering outside the borders, and Tsunade… well, she hasn't been back in years."

Naruto frowned. "That's disappointing. We should try to get Jiraiya back soon. If I can master Sage Mode, I'd hit Kage level immediately. It's that good."

Sarutobi exhaled through his nose. "Yes… I'll consider it."

"One more thing," Naruto added. "I'd like a second sensei. Someone who can help with taijutsu and kenjutsu , those are the areas I need to push harder."

Sarutobi tilted his head. "Most of our jōnin are tied up with squads or missions. The only available one who fits that bill would be…" He paused, then gave Naruto a dry look. "Anko Mitarashi."

Naruto's eyes lit up. "Perfect. She knows poisons, unconventional tactics, and training against her snakes will give me useful experience , especially considering I'll be fighting Orochimaru eventually."

That caught both Kakashi and Sarutobi off guard. The Hokage gave him a long, appraising look.

"…You really are thinking ahead."

Naruto shrugged. "Might as well prepare properly. Better than dying with regrets."

/\\\\

The door to the Hokage's office opened as Kurenai Yuhi stepped inside, her expression calm but curious. She gave a respectful bow to Sarutobi before glancing around, noting Kakashi's presence and Naruto's.

"You called for me, Lord Hokage?"

Sarutobi nodded. "Yes. There's going to be a change to the genin squads."

Kurenai's brows lifted slightly. "What kind of change?"

Kakashi stepped forward. "We're switching Sakura Haruno and Hinata Hyuga between our teams."

Kurenai's eyes narrowed a little. "May I ask why?"

Kakashi didn't hesitate. "Because Sakura, right now, is dead weight. She has potential ,a lot of it , but she's not applying herself. And on my team, I've already got Sasuke Uchiha, who's near Chūnin level, and Naruto…" he gestured toward the blond teen, "...who's already performing on a high Jōnin level, if we're being honest."

Kurenai turned to Naruto, who gave her a casual wave and a small grin.

Kakashi continued, "To properly bring Sakura up to speed, I'd have to invest too much time into her alone. That would come at the expense of training Sasuke and Naruto , and that's not acceptable. But her chakra control is close to perfect, and you're a genjutsu expert. With you, she might actually live up to her potential."

Kurenai crossed her arms and thought for a moment. "...That actually makes sense," she admitted. "I couldn't teach any of my current students genjutsu anyway, but Sakura would be a good candidate. And Hinata would gain a lot from being with stronger teammates."

She turned to the Hokage. "Shall I go inform Hinata?"

Sarutobi shook his head. "Not yet. You're still needed here for something else."

Kurenai raised a brow. "Oh?"

"You're going to help test Naruto's illusion techniques," Sarutobi said calmly. "We need to confirm if they're as powerful as he claims , and as a genjutsu master, you're the best suited for the task."

Kurenai glanced at Naruto again, this time with sharper interest. "I see... very well. Let's see what he's capable of."

Naruto smirked slightly and cracked his knuckles. "Ready when you are, sensei."

/\\\

Kurenai followed Naruto into the private training room, her eyes narrowing slightly as he shut the door behind them with a calm, almost lazy confidence.

"We'll need complete silence and no distractions," Naruto said, his tone lighter than she expected for something so serious. "Illusions like mine work best without outside interference."

She gave a nod and activated a sound-suppressing seal on the walls with a practiced hand. "Done. Now, let's see what you've got."

She turned to face him ,only to catch his eyes wandering.

"Eyes up here," she said sharply, snapping her fingers in front of his face.

Naruto didn't flinch. Instead, he smirked. "Can't blame me. You're impressive , in more ways than one."

Kurenai's lips thinned. "Take this seriously. You're still a genin. You're not even close to my level."

His smirk vanished instantly, replaced by a cold, calm expression. "No, Kurenai-sensei. You're the one beneath me."

Before she could react, the world shifted. A breath, a blink , and suddenly, she felt a presence behind her. She turned quickly, but no one was there. Then she felt a hand brush against her cheek from behind.

Her eyes widened. No sound, no chakra signature. Nothing.

"What…?" she muttered, stunned.

Naruto's voice echoed around her, casual and amused. "That was my first illusion. You didn't even notice it activate, how disappointing. "

Her heart skipped. She flared her chakra, trying to break free,and again his voice came, from every corner of the room.

"That won't work. My illusions don't attack your chakra network. They go deeper. They bypass it."

Suddenly, she gasped not from pain or fear, but from pleasure. It felt like a thousand hands had descended all at once, pressing into her limbs, shoulders, scalp and even her chest.

It was overwhelming her with the eerie sensation of invisible pressure. A powerful genjutsu master like her should have been able to dismiss such illusions instantly, but this...

"This one's called A Thousand Hands," Naruto said, almost like he was introducing a jutsu to a class. "It's a sensory illusion. Not visual. Not auditory. Pure tactile feedback. Try dispelling that."

Kurenai gritted her teeth, struggling to stay composed, even as every part of her body felt like it was being pressed, tugged, or groped by phantom touches. She focused her breathing, analyzing the effect , nothing was registering on her chakra sense. Her own genjutsu mastery gave her no advantage here.

The invisible hands continue their work all over her body with gentle caresses on her most sensitive areas .

"I..." she muttered through clenched teeth, "...wasn't expecting this."

The sensation stopped. Just like that.

Kurenai staggered slightly, her heart pounding and her chest heaving and her face flushed with pleasure, her pride wounded.

Naruto stood across the room again, arms crossed.

"Lesson one," he said, voice calm, "Never assume your opponent is beneath you."

Kurenai straightened, slowly regaining her composure. Her pride wanted to flare, but she couldn't deny it ,he was the real deal.

/\\\/-

Naruto leaned casually against the wall, arms folded, that same confident glint in his eyes.

"Next," he said smoothly, "we're going to test sensory manipulation. I'm going to try altering your perception of temperature. Try to keep track of what's real."

Before she could respond, a sudden chill swept over her body , like she was dropped into a frozen lake. Her breath hitched, and she instinctively crossed her arms, trying to suppress a shiver.

Then, just as quickly, the cold vanished. Her skin prickled with heat. Sweat beaded down her temples, her back, her arms. Her uniform clung to her uncomfortably.

"Stop it," she said sharply.

Naruto snapped his fingers. Instantly, her body returned to normal. No temperature fluctuation. No chakra to trace. Just him, standing there, smirking.

She exhaled slowly and straightened up. "Fine," she said, brushing a lock of damp hair from her forehead. "Let's test these illusions under combat stress. I'll only use taijutsu. You? No physical contact, only illusions."

Naruto's smirk widened. "Your call."

Without hesitation, Kurenai dashed forward and struck ,only for her fist to pass through his chest like mist.

"An illusion already? When did he cast it?"She thought.

She spun, searching the room, eyes narrowed. He wasn't behind her. Or to the side. Her instinct for genjutsu patterns screamed nothing there were no signals, no traces. Her stance shifted defensively as she crouched, heart steady but wary.

Then the world tilted.

Her vision wobbled. Her knees buckled as a wave of nausea and dizziness slammed into her. She gritted her teeth and dropped to one knee, trying to center her chakra but nothing was wrong with her chakra.

This isn't normal genjutsu. This is…

The heat returned. Worse than before. It was suffocating now , like standing in the center of a volcano. Her uniform soaked with sweat, her breath came fast and ragged. Her chest rose and fell, her arms weak.

"I - " she gasped, trying to speak, to push chakra out , to try anything.

She collapsed onto her side.

Her vision blurred. Then everything faded.

When her eyes opened, the room was still. Her arms and legs were bound gently but firmly by rope. And she was slung over Naruto's shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

He set her down carefully, not roughly , but with the calmness of someone who had just won a match he never doubted.

Kurenai stated at the ceiling, mortified.

"I think we're done here," Naruto said, kneeling to untie her bindings.

She didn't stop him.

She couldn't. Not just because her limbs still trembled ,but because her pride was still trying to understand what just happened.

As the rope slipped free and she sat up, she looked at him , really looked ,and saw not a boy… but a shinobi unlike anything she'd ever trained with.

"You really… weren't exaggerating," she said softly, breath still uneven.

Naruto offered a small grin. "Told you. Not genjutsu."

She stared at him a moment longer, unable to help the flicker of awe rising behind the remnants of her pride.

/\\\\

Naruto and Kurenai stepped into the office, where Sarutobi sat behind his desk, pipe in hand, eyes sharp despite his age. Kakashi stood to the side, arms crossed, as the door shut quietly behind them.

Sarutobi looked up. "Well then… Kurenai, what's your evaluation of Uzumaki's illusion techniques?"

Kurenai folded her arms, her face serious. "They're… ridiculous," she admitted. "If this were a real infiltration scenario and Naruto was an enemy, he could've killed me or restrained me and dragged me out of the village before anyone realized I was under attack. None of my normal methods for dispelling genjutsu worked."

Sarutobi's eyes narrowed with interest. "And what skill level would you place him at, strictly based on what you've seen?"

She was quiet for a moment. "If his other skills are even moderately developed, then… I would rank Uzumaki-san at low jōnin level, possibly higher in real-world combat conditions."

Naruto gave a small, satisfied nod. "I'm better than decent in most areas," he said plainly. "In a real fight, I would've won nine out of ten times. The only reason she'd have a chance is if she went all out from the start and didn't underestimate me. Then it'd probably be a coin flip."

Kurenai's brow twitched slightly, but she didn't deny it. Instead, she hesitated ,then spoke up. "Hokage-sama… I'd like permission to train Naruto personally. In addition to Kakashi's team regimen."

The room went still.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow, while Sarutobi tilted his head. "Oh? And why is that?"

"I can teach him advanced chakra control techniques he likely hasn't encountered yet," she said firmly. "Also, sparring against multiple instructors will broaden his adaptability. I know several pressure point striking techniques and chakra suppression tactics that will be invaluable for someone like him." She glanced at Naruto. "His potential is too high to risk stagnation."

Sarutobi considered her words. Then he gave a slow nod. "I'll allow it , as long as your responsibilities to your team aren't neglected."

Kurenai bowed slightly. "Of course, Hokage-sama."

"Good," Sarutobi said, standing. "Then your first task is to bring Hinata and Sakura back here immediately. The team change must be made official."

"Yes, Hokage-sama," she repeated, turning briskly toward the door.

As she stepped out, Naruto glanced at Kakashi, who was silently staring at him with that lazy, unreadable eye.

"What?" Naruto asked.

Kakashi just shrugged. "Just wondering if you're planning to be Hokage by the end of the month."

Naruto smirked. "Nah. End of the year at the earliest."

/\\\

Kakashi leaned back against the wall, eye still locked on Naruto. "So, just how strong are you really?" he asked casually, though his tone held an edge of curiosity.

Sarutobi took a slow puff from his pipe, watching Naruto intently.

Naruto just grinned and raised his right hand.

In a flash, a swirling orb of pure chakra spiraled into existence , the Rasengan. Its power pulsed in the room like a heartbeat.

"I've mastered the base version completely," he said, casually spinning the orb in his palm. "I'm almost done refining the ranged version too, though the chakra control's tricky."

He dispelled it with a faint whoosh of air, then added, "Been experimenting with elemental variants . The lightning one is gonna be insane once I get the balance right. The fire one? Creates a nasty explosion. Big enough to barbecue a tree. Water and wind are coming along, mostly just extra punch for now. Earth… well, Earth hates me."

Kakashi's eye twitched slightly. "Elemental Rasengans? You sure you're not secretly a lab experiment?"

Naruto smirked. "Nah. I just have too much free time and a demon fox battery."

Sarutobi chuckled faintly but said nothing as Naruto continued.

"I'm also working on incorporating lightning chakra into my taijutsu," he said, cracking his knuckles. "It's kind of based off the Gentle Fist. Less chakra point striking, more internal disruption. Once it's polished, it'll be deadly in either capture or elimination missions"

Kakashi gave a thoughtful hum, filing that information away.

Before either could reply, the door opened.

Kurenai stepped in, followed closely by Sakura and Hinata.

Naruto's eyes flicked over them both.

Sakura looked… like Sakura. Same pink hair, same impatient expression. Naruto could see that she was still as flat as a board. He couldn't help but shake his head slightly. What was the old Naruto even thinking?

Then his gaze shifted to Hinata.

She stood quietly, hands clasped in front of her, head slightly bowed , but her figure… was not subtle. Her skin-tight training shirt hugged her upper body in ways that practically shouted for attention. Curves that had no business existing on a shinobi-in-training even though her upper body caught the eyes of many male gazes ,don't let it be said that her lower half was lacking either. She had wide hips and a large but and killer legs that had just the right amount of meat on them.

He licked his lips and thought this will be fun.

He gave a sheepish grin as Hinata offered him a shy smile in return.

Yeah… past Naruto must've been high.

\N.u.P /\

Naruto stood off to the side, arms crossed, as the Hokage cleared his throat.

"We've decided to reassign teams," Sarutobi said, his voice calm but firm. "From today onward, Sakura Haruno will be placed under Kurenai Yuhi's supervision, while Hinata Hyuga will join Team Seven under Hatake Kakashi."

Naruto winced even before it happened.

"What?! That's not right!" Sakura blurted out, stepping forward. "Me and Sasuke were meant to be together!"

Naruto's head slowly turned toward Sarutobi. The old man's expression had frozen ,his eyes narrowing, jaw clenching. Uh-oh.

"Oh shit…" Naruto thought, just as Sarutobi's hand slammed onto the desk.

CRACK!

The wood splintered beneath the force of his palm, sending a jolt of silence through the room.

"Are you," the Hokage said slowly, his voice like ice, "a genin… attempting to defy a direct order from the Hokage?"

Sakura went pale. Her eyes widened as the weight of what she just said hit her all at once. "N-no, Hokage-sama," she mumbled, shrinking into herself.

"Then shut up… and listen," Sarutobi growled, the authority in his voice absolute. "I was hoping Kakashi's report was exaggerated, but it appears not. That outburst confirmed it."

He sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. "After such a disgraceful display of disrespect, I'm sorely tempted to assign you to wall patrol or gate duty for the rest of your life. However…" He gave her a hard look. "Because Hatake Kakashi and Naruto both say you have potential, I'm giving you one more chance."

Naruto glanced at Sakura. She was trembling slightly, her eyes cast down. "Good. Maybe this would be the wake-up call she needed." He thought.

"You'll live on your own from now on," Sarutobi continued. "Kurenai will oversee your training and your daily routine. Your lifestyle is inefficient. I've even heard… you're dieting."

Hinata, who'd been quietly observing, gasped. "Sakura… are you trying to diet while training as a kunoichi? Are you suicidal?"

"I didn't want to get fat…" Sakura said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Naruto groaned and dragged a hand down his face. "Seriously? Look at Kurenai. Look at Hinata. Do either of them look fat to you?"

Sakura looked at the two women in the room and sees the curves that put her own to shame.

"They probably eat three thousand calories a day," Naruto said, pointing between them. "Because that's what actual training demands. You don't get bodies like that by starving yourself and swooning after Sasuke."

Kurenai smirked slightly, folding her arms with a raised eyebrow. Hinata blushed furiously, but didn't deny it.

Sarutobi leaned back in his chair, watching Sakura intently. "This is your last chance, Genin Haruno. You'll follow Kurenai's training program to the letter. If you can't handle that… we'll find another use for you."

Naruto let out a breath. "Man… I almost feel bad for her. Almost".

/\\\

Sakura kept her eyes lowered but managed to find her voice.

"I understand… but why are we being switched?" she asked, confusion and a hint of frustration slipping through her tone.

Before anyone else could speak, Naruto stepped forward.

"It's simple," he said. "You've got near-perfect chakra control. That means you're naturally suited for genjutsu. Kurenai-sensei is a genjutsu specialist ,she can train you in ways no one else on your old team could."

He crossed his arms and looked at her without malice, just honesty.

"Hinata, on the other hand, can't really use genjutsu well because of her Byakugan. Her team before this one was already overspecialized in tracking skills ,Kiba, Shino, and her? That's redundant. Team 7 doesn't have a tracker, and her eyes fill that gap."

He paused, then shrugged. "Plus… let's be real. The chemistry on Team 7 with you in it? It just doesn't work. You've been so focused on Sasuke that you're not growing. "

Kakashi nodded lazily, but his voice was serious. "He's right. You do have potential, Sakura. But both Naruto and Sasuke are already prepared for advanced training. If you stayed, I'd have to spend so much time getting you up to speed that it would drag the whole team down."

Sakura flinched at the bluntness but said nothing.

Kurenai stepped forward next, her expression calm. "You'll still be part of a team, just one that fits your strengths better. I also know some medical ninjutsu ,I can teach you the basics. If you apply yourself, you'll become a strong kunoichi."

Sarutobi folded his hands on the desk, his voice turning stern again. "Do you understand your situation now, Sakura?"

She nodded quickly. "Yes, Hokage-sama."

"This is your last chance," he said sharply. "If I see even a hint of insubordination again, you'll be turned over to the Yamanaka Clan for re-education."

Sakura's eyes widened, and she swallowed hard. She'd heard rumors about that. The kind of thing reserved for rogue shinobi or unstable operatives. Not… genin.

She straightened up quickly and saluted. "I won't waste this second chance, Hokage-sama. I promise."

Sarutobi held her gaze for a moment longer, then nodded.

"Good. Kurenai, take her and Hinata and begin transition protocols. Dismissed."

"Yes, Hokage-sama," Kurenai said with a bow. She gestured to the two girls and led them out of the room.

Naruto watched them go, then sighed under his breath." Here's hoping she actually takes it seriously this time."

\\\\

The office door opened with a quiet creak, and in walked a woman in a tan overcoat, fishnet bodysuit, and confident swagger. Her violet eyes glinted with mischief as she approached the desk.

"You called, old man?" Anko Mitarashi said, hands in her pockets and a playful grin on her lips.

Sarutobi looked up from the last of the paperwork, a faint sigh escaping him. "Anko. Thank you for coming so quickly. I've got a new assignment for you , training support for a rather... promising genin."

Anko raised an eyebrow, glancing to the side where Naruto stood, arms crossed and looking up at her with casual interest. She gave him a slow, deliberate once-over, her smile sharpening.

"This little brat?" she said, tilting her head. "Doesn't look like much. But I guess I'll have fun breaking him in."

Naruto didn't flinch. In fact, he met her gaze head-on and gave a smirk of his own. "I won't be broken. If anything, you're the one who should worry."

Anko blinked, then laughed, a low, throaty sound that echoed through the room. "Feisty. I like that."

Sarutobi cleared his throat before the banter got out of hand. "Anko, take this seriously. Naruto's strength and potential are far above his rank, but he lacks refinement. You'll be focusing on taijutsu, kenjutsu, unconventional combat, and anything else you think will sharpen his edge."

He turned to Naruto. "This is part of your advanced training program. Treat Anko's lessons with the same respect you give Kakashi and Kurenai."

Naruto gave a nod, still not taking his eyes off his new teacher. "Got it."

"Good," Sarutobi said. "Kakashi, you're dismissed. Get the rest of the team paperwork finished."

Kakashi gave a lazy wave. "You sure you don't want me to stick around? Could be fun watching Anko beat some humility into him."

"Go," Sarutobi said flatly.

With a chuckle and a disappearing act, Kakashi was gone.

Sarutobi stood and walked around his desk. "You two will begin today. I want a mock battle nonlethal of course ,so you can assess each other's strengths."

Anko grinned and cracked her knuckles. "Sounds like fun. Come on, brat. Let's see if you're all talk."

Naruto simply grinned and followed her as they walked out together.

Scene: Training Ground 17 – A few Minutes Later

The sun was just starting to dip, casting golden light across the open field. Anko stretched her arms lazily, her trench coat discarded onto a tree branch, revealing her full combat outfit beneath.

"You've got five minutes to warm up," she said, rolling her shoulders. "After that, we go full tilt. Taijutsu and mobility only for the first spar . No jutsu ,yet."

Naruto shrugged off his jacket and took his stance.

"Five minutes? I won't need it."

Anko's grin widened.

"Oh, this is gonna be fun."

Anko cracked her knuckles and eyed the blond brat standing across from her. "Alright, let's see if you're anything special, Uzumaki."

She dashed forward at a solid chunin-level speed, not her best but enough to put pressure on most genin. She led with a feint, then twisted into a sweeping kick aimed at his ribs.

To her surprise, he slipped past her strike like water around a stone, pivoted, and caught her leg mid-swing.

"What the-?!"

Before she could counter, he spun and hurled her away with more strength than she expected. She flipped midair, landing in a crouch with a soft thud, her violet eyes narrowing.

"Okay... maybe he's not full of hot air after all."she thought .

The moment her feet hit the ground, she launched forward again. This time she didn't hold back as much . She came in fast, fists jabbing in a tight flurry, testing his reactions, probing for weaknesses. But the kid blocked every blow cleanly and efficiently.

They jumped apart after the exchange, landing several meters from each other.

Anko licked her lips and gave him a toothy grin. "Not bad, brat. You're better than I thought. But don't get cocky. You won't be able to handle me once I stop playing around."

Naruto's response wasn't words at first ,just a slow and cocky smirk spreading across his face.

"I was about to say the same thing about you," he said casually, adjusting his stance.

Anko's eyebrow twitched.

"Oh, it's on now."

This kid's cocky smirk was starting to get under her skin.

"Alright, brat," she said, cracking her knuckles. "We're allowed to use more than just taijutsu now. But don't worry ; I'll try not to maim you."

To her satisfaction, Naruto's smirk faded." Probably scared. Good."

But just as she prepared to attack, he vanished in a blur of speed. Her eyes widened ,she barely got her arms up in time to block the flurry of blows that followed.

"You talk too much," he said coolly, his voice right in her ear as he pressed the assault.

Anko gritted her teeth and jumped back, tossing kunai in retaliation. He weaved through them with ease. When she leapt forward and caught him with a spinning kick to the side, he staggered slightly, then looked up at her with narrowed eyes.

"I'm glad you're not all talk," he said, brushing off the hit like it was nothing.

That did it.

"You little punk," she hissed. "Think you're hot stuff, huh?"

She rushed him again, this time at near full speed. He danced around her strikes, redirecting them smoothly, annoying her more with every passing second. Then she saw an opening and launched a fire jutsu at point-blank range.

The flames engulfed him.

Anko blinked through the smoke, heart thudding. The silhouette was still and smoking. Not moving.

"Shit," she whispered. "Did I kill the brat?"

A sudden volley of shuriken from the treeline cut off her thoughts. She twisted away, cursing, and looked back and saw that Naruto's burned body was gone.

"Genjutsu," she muttered, furious.

Then she heard him from behind her."Not genjutsu."

She turned just in time to see his grin before he was on her again. His strikes were faster this time, more precise. She blocked what she could, but a few snuck through .Sharp jabs laced with lightning chakra that made her muscles spasm slightly and tore at parts of her clothing in small rips, especially around her sleeve and thigh.

She hissed and jumped back, eyes scanning. "So, the brat's using lightning now too? Great."

He pressed her harder, and she found herself backing into a tree. When she tried to counterattack, he caught both her wrists and slammed them gently but firmly against the trunk above her head.

Panting, Anko gave him a smirk through her labored breathing. "You know..., this might look like you're about to try something you'll regret."

Naruto chuckled, licking his lips lewdly as he looked at her heaving chest. "Maybe."

He ran a hand across her cheek ,not roughly but tenderly ,and she shivered in spite of herself.

"Relax," he said with a wink. "Just playing with you ."

Then, with a flicker of chakra, he sent a jolt of lightning through his palm into her back, and her vision sparked. Before she could process it fully, everything went dark.

Her eyes blinked open, and the afternoon sun stabbed at them like senbon. Her head throbbed slightly, but the bruised ego stung worse.

She groaned and sat up, spotting Naruto calmly sitting nearby, sipping from a canteen like nothing had happened.

"The hell," she muttered. "Why do you even need training if you're that damn good?"

He glanced at her, smirking. "Still salty?"

She scowled. "I'm a jōnin. Sure, I underestimated you at first ,but I still got spanked like a naughty schoolgirl."

Naruto stood up, brushing the dirt off his pants. "Strong or not, I need to get stronger. Way stronger. And that's where you come in."

Anko raised an eyebrow. "Yeah? Why? What exactly are you planning for, brat?"

He stepped closer, his playful demeanor fading into something cold and focused. "You ever heard of the Akatsuki?"

The name made her pulse quicken. "The name has popped up in a few mission reports. Nothing solid. Why?"

Naruto crossed his arms. "They're after people like me. Jinchūriki. And they're not just some rogue-nin scavenger gang ,they've got monsters in their ranks. You remember your old sensei?"

Her eyes narrowed. "Orochimaru?"

He nodded. "Yeah. He used to be part of them."

Anko's stomach turned. "Of course he was," she muttered bitterly.

"But that's not even the worst part," Naruto continued, voice low and serious. "Itachi Uchiha is one of them too."

She paled.

"The two most infamous traitors in village history ,both with the same organization?"

Before she could even process that, Naruto's next words landed like a sucker punch.

"And their leader," he said, eyes hard, "is so strong he bitch-slapped Orochimaru without breaking a sweat."

Anko stared at him, completely silent for a moment.

Finally, she spoke. "You're not joking, are you?"

Naruto shook his head. "Nope. And I'm not planning on ending up dead, captured, or whatever they want with the tailed beasts. So yeah, I need all the help I can get ."

Anko leaned back, still trying to absorb it all. The kid might be a mouthy punk , but now she saw it. Behind the confidence and teasing, there was steel.

"Alright, brat," she said finally. "You've got my attention."

\\

Next Day – Training Ground

Naruto arrived early, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed, waiting for the others. Kakashi arrived a few minutes later, hands in his pockets and that ever-present lazy eye smile. Sasuke and Hinata trailed behind, looking curious.

"Alright," Kakashi began, "today we're going to split training a bit. Sasuke, Hinata , you two will be learning a useful chakra control exercise: tree walking. Naruto and I will be sparring in the meantime."

Naruto smirked. "Try not to get shown up by the newbie, Sasuke."

"Tch." Sasuke ignored him, but his eyes sharpened in challenge.

Kakashi demonstrated, calmly walking up the trunk of a tree until he was standing upside-down on a branch. "Focus your chakra to the bottoms of your feet . If you use too little and you'll slip off, too much and you'll blow yourself away from the surface. Now, go try."

Hinata hesitated only a moment before stepping forward. She pressed a foot to the tree trunk, focused her chakra, and began walking up. Her movements were careful and precise, eyes narrowed in concentration. She made it almost to the top before she lost balance and dropped lightly to the ground.

Sasuke, on the other hand, charged at his tree with determination. He got about a quarter of the way up before his foot slipped, sending him tumbling back with an annoyed grunt.

"Not bad for a first attempt," Kakashi called over before glancing at Naruto. "Ready?"

Naruto cracked his knuckles. "Born ready."

They moved into the center of the clearing. Kakashi fought with his usual deceptive casualness, never revealing exactly how much effort he was using, but Naruto's speed and unpredictability kept him on his toes. It was a constant exchange of blows, blocks, and feints ; enough that the noise of their spar drew Sasuke's attention more than once.

When they finally broke apart, Kakashi gave an approving nod. "Not bad, Naruto. You're sharper than last time."

He turned back to the others. "Alright, Sasuke , you're using too much chakra in bursts. Smooth it out. Hinata , your control's good, but try adding more speed without losing focus."

Then Kakashi reached into his pouch and pulled out a small, worn book, tossing it to Naruto. "Here. A collection of ninjutsu techniques .It has a variety of elements, some utility, some combat. Pick and learn what fits you."Kakashi explained.

Naruto caught it, flipping through the pages briefly before grinning and saying "Nice. Guess this training's already paying off."

\\_

The warm scent of broth and freshly cooked noodles filled the air as Naruto pushed aside the curtain to his favorite ramen stand. Hinata followed quietly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as they slid onto the stools.

Teuchi greeted them with his usual booming cheer, "Naruto! Your usual?"

"Two bowls!" Naruto grinned. "And one for my teammate here , whatever she wants."

Hinata smiled politely and ordered, her hands folded neatly in her lap.

While they waited, Naruto leaned on the counter, turning toward her. "So, Hinata , tell me about yourself."

She blinked. "A-about myself? Well… I'm the heiress to the Hyūga clan, so ..."

Naruto shook his head, cutting her off with a wave of his hand. "Nah, I already know that. I'm not asking about the Hyūga heiress. I wanna know about my beautiful teammate."

The sudden compliment hit her like a thrown kunai; Hinata's cheeks turned a deep crimson. She glanced away for a moment before shyly meeting his eyes again. "W-well I have a little sister, Hanabi. She's… a lot more confident than I was at her age. My favorite food is cinnamon buns. After my mother died, Kurenai-sensei sort of became like a mother figure to me… and I was so happy when I found out she'd be my sensei."

She hesitated, then added softly, "B-but… being with you is just as good."

It took her a second to realize she'd said the last part out loud. Her face burned even redder, and she quickly turned away.

Naruto's eyes widened slightly before a grin spread across his face. He chuckled warmly. "I'm glad to have you too, Hinata. You're way nicer… and prettier than Sakura ever was."

Hinata ducked her head, unable to hide her smile.

Just then, Teuchi placed steaming bowls of ramen in front of them. Naruto clapped his hands together. "Alright! Let's eat!"

Hinata's blush lingered, but she couldn't help feeling a warm glow that had nothing to do with the ramen.

/\\\

The weeks that followed blurred into a whirlwind of training. Team 7's improvement was obvious ,even Hinata's gentle strikes grew sharper and more precise, and Sasuke's progress quickened with each training session. But it was Naruto's growth that left everyone shocked.

Under Kakashi's watchful eye, Naruto pushed himself to new limits. The silver-haired jōnin drilled him in advanced techniques, focusing heavily on the use of lightning chakra. Sparks danced along Naruto's arms as he learned to channel and shape the energy, his attacks becoming sharper and faster with each day.

Anko's sessions were if anything more fierce than Kakashi'slessons. She put weapons in his hand and forced him to master them. She took a perverse pleasure in painfully drilling him until his weapon handling was as precise as hers. She taught him several supporting jutsu, many involving poisons such as paralyzing mists, tipped senbon. She also had him learn traps that would make any opponent think twice.

Kurenai's training was quieter but no less intense. She refined his chakra control to a razor's edge, guiding him through exercises that tested his focus and discipline. She passed along knowledge of medicinal jutsu for field treatment and, to Naruto's surprise, offered him tips on genjutsu and how to spot them, and to break them. Even though his own illusions where much better than his skill with genjutsu , Naruto was never one to turn down knowledge or new skills .

Ahri had even taught him how to summon a small amount of "Kyubi fire" as she called it .

He couldn't use it too its full potential He remembered her words when he asked " Yes , baka, you'll eventually be able to change your form to be made of fire . But right now , if you tried the only thing your body would turm into is ash!"

By the end of each day, sweat soaked his clothes and his muscles ached, but the fire in his eyes burned brighter than ever.

Every session brought new skills, sharper reflexes, and the growing realization among his teachers: sooner rather than later Naruto would replace them if they didn't up their own skills .

This led to them increasing their own training as well . Kakashi was back to his Anbu peak level of power and Kurenai wasn't far behind. Anko was no longer a special jonin but a fully fledged one with the skill and power to back up her new rank.

/N.u.P\\\

Training Ground – After a Day of Training

The sun was dipping low when Sasuke stepped forward, eyes sharp and voice cold.

"Naruto… fight me."

Naruto arched an eyebrow but smirked. "Sure. Kakashi-sensei, you're our ref?"

Kakashi closed his book and sighed like it was a chore, but there was a spark of curiosity in his visible eye.

"Fine. Rules are simple ,use the full extent of your skills, but no maiming or killing(obviously). Clear?"

Both nodded.

They moved to a nearby clearing, standing fifteen feet apart. The air was charged with the tension between them. They bowed once, never breaking eye contact.

Kakashi's hand slashed down. "Hajime!"

Sasuke burst forward first, a blur of sharp kicks and precise punches. Naruto flowed around them with ease, weaving and leaning just out of reach. Frustration flickered in Sasuke's eyes as each strike met only empty air.

With a sharp leap back, Sasuke tried to create distance , only for Naruto to close it instantly. His speed caught Sasuke off guard, and before he could react, Naruto slammed into him. He hit Sasuke with a rapid three-hit combo ,strike, elbow, knee ,that Sasuke barely even saw.

Staggering back, Sasuke hurled a handful of kunai in desperation. Naruto flipped over them effortlessly, landing behind him in a crouch. In a seamless motion, Naruto's foot slammed into Sasuke's back, sending him crashing into a tree trunk hard enough to make the wood shake. He slumped to the ground.

"Match over," Kakashi called, raising Naruto's hand.

Sasuke's glare could have cut steel. "How… how did I lose to the class dobe?"

Naruto met his eyes without a trace of hesitation. "Simple. I'm stronger than you."

Sasuke's jaw tightened, anger boiling over. Without another word, he turned and stormed off into the trees.

/\\\N.u.P/

Hokage's Office – Morning a few days later-

Team 7 filed into the Hokage's office, the smell of pipe smoke hanging faintly in the air. Naruto blinked in surprise when he spotted a familiar figure leaning casually against the wall , Anko Mitarashi.

She caught him staring and gave him a slow, mischievous wink. Naruto smirked back, wondering what she was doing here.

Kakashi stepped forward, hands in his pockets and announced "Team 7, reporting for duty."

The Hokage studied them for a moment before turning to Kakashi and asking "Do you think your team is ready for a C-rank mission?"

Kakashi simply replied with confidence "I think they can handle it. What's the job?"

"You'll be escorting a bridge builder to the Land of Waves," Sarutobi said, tone casual.

Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly. ".. Wave! That means Zabuza and Haku. Good. This is where things get interesting." He thought remembering the wave mission.

The Hokage motioned toward Anko. "Due to some… interesting intelligence we've received about the situation in Wave, I'm assigning Anko to accompany you. Consider her backup should things get dangerous."

Anko grinned like she was already hoping it would.

Sarutobi paged his secretary. "Send the client in."

The door creaked open, and in stepped a scruffy old man with a large bottle hanging from his hand. His eyes darted around the room before settling on them.

"This is Tazuna, the bridge builder," the Hokage introduced.

Naruto felt a rush of excitement. His training with Kakashi, Anko, and Kurenai had pushed him far beyond where the Naruto of this timeline should be. He was ready ,more than ready ,to test himself.

This time, he thought, Wave is going to play out very differently.

-/N.u.P/

CHAPTER 2 up and cliffhanger alert and two chapter drops in one day ;)

I also started a p-a-t-r-e-o-n page ..either search Enix-King or copy link below if you're interested...will get early chapter releases and supplemental materials( character bios/ artwork/omakes) even at lowest level and higher tiers get poll Access and shout-out on fics and top tier will be able to commission one shots .Ill still post here and other free sites but any support would be great ..:)

patreon .com / EnixQueen

/A.N.

So anyways about this chapter set up Naruto's growth it seems fast from our pov but Naruto is working his but off he's being trained by 3 jōnin including a much more motivated Kakashi and Kurenai during her spare time and Anko is spending most of her time focusing on training him ...

Plus in the background he's still learning stuff from Ahri and using clones to do training at a faster rate...

this Naruto is already close to end of Manga Cannon Naruto if he wasn't using senjutsu or chakra cloaks ..Right now Cannon Naruto from the Pein arc would wipe the floor with him bc Senjutsu is just that broken imo ...

Set up relationship foundations with Anko/Kurenai/ Hinata and Naruto to set up future growth...Basically he could have Hinata today if he wanted and Anko probably wouldn't be adverse to having some no commitment " Fun-time with Naruto and Kurenai is aways off from romantic feelings but Naruto has already got her respect for treating her right and his strength and personality..

Got a new OverlordX One-piece fic if you're interested:) Going to focus on Legendary journey (Pokémon fic) and Devilish overlord ( Overlord dxd crossover) next after that not sure what'll be next focus .. Welp Enjoy my fics drop reviews/ likes/Kudos and have a great life my people ..Enix out:)

Chapter Text

Konoha's Main Gate – Early Morning

The morning mist still clung to the massive village gates as Team 7 waited, packs secured and weapons checked. Kakashi stood at ease with his hands in his pockets, his single visible eye drifting lazily over the group.

"All right," he began, voice calm but carrying enough authority to snap everyone's attention toward him. "For this mission, I'm the team leader. If anything happens to me, Anko takes command. Worst case, if both of us are incapacitated, Naruto will take charge."

Hinata straightened and nodded quickly, a small smile flickering across her face. "Understood," she said, clearly pleased for Naruto.

"Ok, Kakashi-sensei," Naruto replied with an easy grin.

Sasuke's brow furrowed. "Why is he in charge?"

Before Kakashi could answer, Anko pushed off the gate wall with a smirk. "Simple. Naruto's stronger."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "I'll admit I underestimated him, but I'm still stronger."

Anko let out a boisterous laugh. "Brat , Naruto-kun is almost as strong as me."

That earned a raised eyebrow from Kakashi. He gave a sigh and cut in before things could escalate. "Enough. The only reason you need, Sasuke, is that I'm your commanding officer, and you don't question mission protocol. Clear?"

Sasuke nodded his head but said nothing, crossing his arms in reluctant acceptance.

An awkward silence settled over the group until the sound of heavy footsteps broke it. Tazuna, reeking faintly of sake and carrying a massive pack, ambled toward them with a crooked grin.

"Well," the bridge builder said, adjusting the strap on his shoulder, "let's get this show on the road."

Kakashi gave a single nod, turning toward the open road beyond the gates. "Team 7 , move out."

With that, their mission to Wave began.

!N. 3!N. 3!NUPCh3!n.u.p!NU.P3!

The path wound gently through the woods, until it opened into a broad overlook. From there the walls of Konoha stretched like a gray ribbon against the horizon, and the stone faces of the Hokage monument gleamed in the morning sun.

Anko whistled low. "Not a bad view. First time outside the village for anyone?"

Hinata and Sasuke shook their heads. Naruto kept his eyes on the distant monument, a grin tugging at his lips. "Yeah, it's my first time. But I'm thinking more about this being our first real mission."

Anko smirked and sauntered closer. "Nervous?" she teased. "Don't worry, Anko-chan will protect you." Before Naruto could react, she looped her arms around him from behind,pushing her chest against his back with a mischievous squeeze.

Naruto stiffened, a faint pink creeping up his cheeks.

Hinata saw this and pouted thinking " Naruto-kun is liking that too much "

Anko's sharp eyes caught it instantly. "Ohhh," she sang, voice dripping with amusement. "Is the princess jealous?" In a flicker of motion she was suddenly behind Hinata, hands gropingher chest . "Relax, I'm just teasing. Besides, I happen to know Naruto-kun' is a chest man and you're certainly not lacking in that department, Princess-chan "

Hinata squeaked and went even redder.

"Anko!" Naruto stepped between them, scowling. "Quit sexually harassing my teammate. And knock it off with the weird innuendos already."

Anko held up her hands in mock surrender, lips curling into an exaggerated pout. "You never let me have any fun."

Kakashi, who had been watching the entire exchange with a lazy eye, finally gave a quiet cough. "If everyone's finished with the morning drama," he drawled, "we do have a mission to complete."

Naruto shook his head and started down the trail, Hinata trailing beside him with a shy smile. Anko followed, still smirking to herself.

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Team seven traveled down the road towards wave. Birds called overhead and Anko filled the silence with chatter but Naruto's mind was elsewhere.

"You've been improving fast", Ahri's sultry voice purred through his thoughts. "After this mission, I think you're ready for the next step. I'll teach you senjutsu."

Naruto froze mid-stride, eyes widening." Senjutsu?!" His inner shout nearly made Ahri jump . "You've known how to use senjutsu this whole time?!"

He could practically feel her smirk as she said. "You never asked."

"Troublesome vixen," he grumbled inwardly.

Ahri's laughter rang like a chime. "Don't pout. I waited because senjutsu is dangerous for the unprepared. Push too soon and you could end up in a bad way ."

Images flooded his mind ,his own body turning to cold stone, or a distorted half-fox hybrid with burning red eyes.

Naruto's stomach tightened." Great. Either dead as a rock or chased out of the village. Thanks for the nightmare fuel."

"Consider it motivation", Ahri teased, though a thread of genuine concern laced her tone. Focus on staying alive . Then we'll talk."

Before he could retort, a soft voice cut through his thoughts.

"Pineapple," Hinata said calmly, the agreed code for ambush.

Naruto snapped back to the present. His gaze flicked ahead and caught the faint glimmer of a puddle across the trail which shouldn't be there . His muscles tensed at the same moment as the rest of the team.

They kept walking, steps measured.

Then in a blur of motion the puddle exploded.

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Two masked figures burst from the puddle in a spray of water, their claws flashing as they lunged straight for Anko.

Two kunai whistled through the air forcing the Demon Brothers to twist away. Naruto stood at the edge of the road, arm still outstretched from the throw, his eyes narrowed.

"Sasuke, now!" Naruto shouted.

Before the attackers could recover, Sasuke darted forward, in a blur of speed . He spun into a sharp kick that caught the nearer brother across the chest, driving him back several meters.

Behind them, Hinata slid smoothly in front of Tazuna, her Byakugan flaring to life as she settled into a protective stance.

Meizu snarled and hurled a smoke bomb. The clearing filled with a choking haze.

But even before the smoke thinned, two shadows streaked from opposite in a coordinated pincer strike.

"Too slow," Naruto said, his voice cutting through the smoke.

He leapt straight up, the claws swiping harmlessly beneath him. Landing behind the nearer attacker, he clamped both hands on the man's shoulders and heaved him over his hip, slamming him into the packed dirt. Blue sparks crackled across Naruto's palm.

"Lightning Palm," he murmured.

The man convulsed with a choked scream before going limp, smoke curling faintly from his body .

"Gozu!" Meizu roared, rage overtaking caution. He charged Naruto head-on, clawed gauntlet snapping forward.

Naruto ducked under the vicious swipe and snapped upward with a perfectly timed uppercut.

CRACK!

Meizu's head snapped back and he went airborne, crashing to the ground in a stunned heap.

Before he could even push himself up, a shadow flickered behind him.

"Where do you think you're going, brat?" Anko purred.

Her elbow drove down between his shoulder blades like a hammer, slamming him flat. With a flash of hand signs, several sleek snakes erupted from the earth, coiling around his arms and legs until he was pinned .

The smoke cleared to reveal the battlefield: one Demon Brother unconscious, the other writhing helplessly beneath Anko's snakes.

Naruto dusted off his hands and smirked. "Guess that's that."

Kakashi stepped forward, eye narrowed as he inspected the scene. "Efficient," he said calmly. "Very efficient."

!N. 3!N. 3!NUPCh3!n.u.p!NU.P3!

Naruto strolled toward the restrained Meizu, cracking his knuckles one by one, a slow smile spreading across his face. The sound echoed across the quiet clearing like breaking twigs.

"Well," he said casually, "looks like it's time for you to tell us everything you know about Zabuza and his partner."

Meizu spat at the ground near Naruto's feet, his eyes defiant. "Tch… fuck you, brat. I'm not saying a damn thing."

Naruto chuckled, a low sound that made the hair on the back of Sasuke's neck rise. "Good. I was hoping you'd say that. I've been wanting to test a few… techniques."

He crouched beside the prone man and, with deliberate slowness, pressed a single finger against Meizu's shoulder. Naruto's Chakra flared as he made Meizu feel as if all his nerves were on fire .

Meizu arched off the ground, a strangled scream tore from his throat as his body convulsed.

After a few seconds Naruto withdrew his hand. "That," he said calmly, "was just a sample."

Meizu panted heavily, sweat beading on his forehead. "Do your worst," he growled.

Naruto tilted his head. "Okay."

He snapped his fingers and the rogue shinobi howled again, his voice cracking under the pain.

When the sparks finally died, Meizu slumped, trembling but still defiant .

"I'm not… telling you… anything," he rasped.

Naruto's eyes hardened. "Maybe your pain won't loosen your tongue," he said quietly. "But what about your brother's?"

He turned toward Anko, who stood a few feet away with Gozu bound tightly under her foot . "Anko," Naruto called, his voice carrying an edge that even Kakashi noticed. "Is one of the village's top TI specialists. She knows how to make someone talk."

Anko's lips curled into a wicked grin. "Oh, I can be very creative," she said, letting a snake hiss inches from Gozu's ear.

Meizu's eyes widened as he looked at his unconscious brother. The defiance in his face wavered, then cracked. He lowered his head in defeat, voice barely above a whisper.

"Stop… I'll talk."

Naruto eased back, the tension in his stance relaxing slightly. "Good choice," he said, his tone still icy. "Now start with Zabuza's plans ,everything you know."

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Meizu finally slumped against Anko's binding snakes, voice hoarse as he spilled what he knew—Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of the Mist, and his masked partner Haku were both hunting Tazuna. He described their skills in clipped, fearful detail before going silent.

Naruto glanced toward Anko, a calculating look in his eyes. "You remember their bounty?"

Anko's grin widened. "Ten thousand ryō each if we bring them back dead… twenty-five if they're alive."

Naruto gave a low whistle. "Lucky for us. Well , unlucky for them."

He unrolled a large sealing scroll with a flick of his wrist. "Looks like you two aren't dying today."

Before the Demon Brothers could react, Naruto's fingers blurred through a quick set of hand signs.

In a flash of inked light, both brothers vanished into the scroll with a muted pop. Naruto snapped it shut and slung it over his back.

Kakashi clapped his hands together. "Nice work, all three of you. That was your first real combat encounter, and you handled it perfectly."

Then his lone visible eye sharpened as he turned to Tazuna. "But now it's your turn to answer a question. Why didn't you mention that a billionaire crime lord like Gato was after you?"

Tazuna flinched, rubbing the back of his neck as sweat gathered on his brow. "I… I barely had enough money to pay for a simple escort. If I'd told the truth, no one would have taken the job. I had no choice."

Kakashi let the silence stretch before exhaling through his mask. "Convenient how that just 'slipped your mind,' huh?"

The bridge builder winced.

"Relax," Kakashi said at last, his tone easing but his gaze still sharp. "The Hokage already knew your situation . He told me to proceed with a C-rank only if you passed a little honesty test. If you'd lied any further, my orders were to abandon the mission on the spot."

Tazuna blinked, realizing just how close he'd come to being left alone on the road.

Kakashi straightened and looked over the team. "Now that we know we're facing Zabuza Momoch and his partner ,Haku , who wields a bloodline capable of controlling ice . Facing both changes everything . Stay sharp from here on out, Team Seven . This mission just became a lot more dangerous."

Naruto felt a thrill of anticipation in his chest. Zabuza and Haku… this is where things really start.

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The road ahead was quiet, only the crunch of boots on packed earth and the occasional rustle of leaves breaking the silence. Naruto walked beside Hinata, his senses alert but his grin easy.

"That was… incredible," Hinata said softly, her pale eyes shining. "The way you handled the Demon Brothers… it was amazing."

Naruto flashed her a bright smile. "Thanks. But you were good too. You caught the ambush and didn't freeze up when they attacked. That's huge."

From behind them, Sasuke let out a low grunt as he asked "How are you that good already?"

Naruto glanced over his shoulder and answered "I don't talk about my skills outside the village. You never know who might be listening." He smirked. "But even if I did… the answer's simple , training my ass off."

Sasuke scowled and shoved his hands into his pockets, muttering something under his breath.

Hinata looked from Sasuke back to Naruto. " He does have a point , though .It really is impressive," she said, her voice tinged with admiration. "You've improved so much since the Academy."

Naruto's grin turned sly. "If you're interested, I could give you some private lessons when we get back." He put extra weight on the word private.

Hinata's cheeks flushed pink. "I… I'd like that," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Before Naruto could tease her further, Anko slid up behind him with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Oh? Private lessons, huh? Think you can handle having me join in on those 'private' sessions, Naruto-kun?"

Naruto shot her a wolfish grin. "I've got enough stamina for both of you at the same time." He said with a playful wink.

Hinata's blush deepened to a near scarlet, and Anko barked a delighted laugh.

A few minutes later, a sudden rustle came from the bushes. A white rabbit bounded out onto the path, making Tazuna jump back with a startled yelp.

Naruto's eyes narrowed. A snow rabbit… in this season?

At the same time, he and Hinata spoke in perfect unison. "Pineapple!"

Kakashi's voice cracked like a whip. "Down!"

Everyone dove for cover just as something massive whistled through the air.

After the object passed over them the Konoha ninja got up to see what had happened.

They saw that a giant sword had buried itself deep into a tree trunk.

Perched casually atop the blade stood a tall man .

Kakashi's single visible eye narrowed. "Zabuza Momochi.

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The air thickened with killing intent as Kakashi's hand rose to his forehead.

With a single motion, he pulled his hitai-ate up and revealed a crimson eye, the tomoe of the Sharingan spinning as it locked onto Zabuza.

Zabuza's grin widened beneath his bandages. "Well, well… the Copy Ninja himself. I'm honored. Kakashi of the Sharingan."

"What Kakashi-sensei has the Sharingan?!" Sasuke blurted out, eyes going wide.

Naruto turned and gave him a flat look. "Seriously? You didn't research our sensei? Kakashi's practically legendary."

Before Sasuke could retort, the mist-nin vanished in a blur of motion. The massive sword ripped free from the tree with a metallic screech and whirled back to its master.

Zabuza landed in the middle of the group, sword raised for a killing blow.

Seeing this Anko flashed forward, her kick slamming into the flat of his blade and forcing him to block instead of follow through.

"Not today!" she hissed.

Sasuke leapt to capitalize, a kunai flashing in his hand. It struck true , but the target dissolved into a splash of water.

"A water clone," Hinata breathed.

Soon a thick and unnatural mist began to fill the battlefield.

Naruto's voice cut sharply through the clearing. "Heads up! Zabuza loves water clones and silent killing techniques , don't let your guard drop!"

A low chuckle drifted through the growing mist. "Well, well… I'm surprised a brat knows so much about me."

Naruto smirked into the mist and said "I make it a point to study badasses who catch my interest."

"Oh?" Zabuza's deep voice rolled across the mist like thunder. "Does that make me a badass in your eyes?"

"Yeah," Naruto shot back, his grin feral. "But I'm still gonna take that sword of yours after I beat you."

A bark of laughter echoed all around them. "I like this brat!"

Behind him, Kakashi's voice cut like a kunai. "Maybe you should pay more attention to the fight, then."

Zabuza's head snapped around but it was too late. Kakashi appeared at his back, a kunai poised for the strike.

"Or maybe," Zabuza said with a eerie calm, "you shouldn't fall for such obvious traps."

The figure in front of Kakashi rippled and dissolve into another puddle with a soft splash.

The mist deepened, swallowing sight and sound alike. A cold, predatory voice floated out from nowhere and everywhere at once.

" Your death begins, now ."

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The mist grew so thick it felt alive, curling around their legs and muffling every sound.

A cold, steady voice slid through the haze like a knife through flesh.

"There are nine points on the human body where a single strike means death," Zabuza intoned. "larynx, spine, lungs, liver, jugular vein, subclavian artery, kidneys, the heart" a pause, deliberate and chilling "—the brain. One cut… and you'll never even know you were dead, so which shouldI choose ?."

Sasuke's breath hitched. His kunai trembled in his hand.

Kakashi's Sharingan swirled calmly, his voice firm and grounding. "Relax, Sasuke. Breathe. Trust me. I won't let any of my precious teammates die."

A whisper brushed Sasuke's ear far too close.

"Don't make promises you can't keep, Copy Ninja."

Steel flashed.

Zabuza's massive blade swept out of the fog toward Sasuke's neck but Sasuke dropped and rolled, the sword carving a trench in the earth where he'd just been.

Naruto's eyes narrowed. "Not on my watch!"

Three shadow clones burst into existence.

One launched itself straight at Zabuza, tanto flashing. Another yanked Sasuke back to his feet. The third stayed tight to Naruto's side, eyes scanning the fog.

The first clone clashed with the swordsman, tanto meeting steel in a shower of sparks.

Zabuza snarled and shattered it with a brutal kick, smoke exploding where the clone had been.

"Tch." Naruto's hands blurred. "Round two!"

The remaining clones surged forward. One darted low, tanto stabbing deep into Zabuza's side and the body burst into a puddle of water.

Naruto scowled. "Is that your only trick, old man?"

A shadow loomed.

Zabuza emerged from the mist behind them, bandaged grin visible even in the gloom.

"Not even close, brat."

He kicked the stabbing clone hard enough to disperse it in a puff of smoke, then pivoted toward the second. Instead of countering, the clone stood its ground and let his punch hit its chest.

Instead of dissipating into harmless smoke the clone detonated with a thunderous blast of compressed chakra, a flash of heat and light tearing through the mist.

Zabuza was hurled backward, his cloak smoldering, landing in a low crouch. Smoke curled off his shoulders, the scorched bandages barely hiding a feral grin.

"Clever," he admitted, brushing ash from his sleeve. "But you'll need more than party tricks to kill me."

Before he could charge, a blur of silver intercepted him. Kakashi stood between Zabuza and Naruto, kunai raised, Sharingan gleaming like blood.

"This fight," Kakashi said evenly, "is with me."

Zabuza straightened, leveling the giant sword at Kakashi with one hand.

"Fine by me. It doesn't matter to me in which order you all die."

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Zabuza lunged first, the Executioner's Blade cutting a deadly arc toward Kakashi's head.

Kakashi sprang upward, the edge whistling beneath him, and twisted in midair his kick landing cleanly on Zabuza's chin.

The blow staggered the Demon of the Mist back several steps, feet gouging into the damp earth.

Before Zabuza could recover, Kakashi darted forward like a silver streak.

The massive blade slashed horizontally, catching Kakashi clean across the chest and the wounded "Kakashi "dissolved into water, splattering across the ground.

Zabuza's eyes narrowed. "A water clone? Cheap copycat ."

Without warning Kakashi erupted from the fog, kunai flashing with killing intent. His movements blurred as he unleashed a furious combination of strikes, each blow forcing Zabuza backward. Steel met steel, sparks flaring in the damp air as their weapons clashed again and again.

Finally, Zabuza caught an opening and drove a heavy kick into Kakashi's ribs, sending him skidding through the mud.

"Got you"he said but his gloating was interrupted

as the the body on the ground flickered with blue light and detonated into a web of crackling electricity.

Zabuza howled, his muscles convulsing as the current ripped through him. Smoke curled off his shoulders as he dropped to one knee, teeth clenched in pain.

"Lightning clone," Kakashi's calm voice echoed through the mist. "Not just a copycat."

Before Zabuza could steady himself, a blur of purple and black struck.

A snake shot from Anko's sleeve and sank its fangs into Zabuza's arm.

"Damn it !" He jerked back, but the snake released and vanished in a puff of smoke.

Anko smirked, landing lightly a few feet away. "That wasn't just a bite. My little friend carries a special venom. In a few minutes, you won't be able to move a single muscle. Until then, you'll feel… sluggish."

"Give up ,little demon " she mocked Zabuza.

Zabuza's breathing deepened, the first traces of numbness creeping into his limbs.

"Never," he snarled, forcing his body to obey.

With a guttural roar, he heaved the Executioner's Blade in a desperate slash toward her head.

Anko barely tilted aside, the massive blade tearing through the mist where she'd been a heartbeat ago.

"You'll have to do better than that, big guy," she teased.

Before he could swing again, she flipped behind him, chakra-charged heel slamming into his back.

Zabuza crashed face-first into the ground the impact sending a tremor through the soaked ground.

"Stay down," Anko said, coiling another snake around her arm. "Or the next one goes for your throat."

Zabuza growled low, struggling to push himself up ; but his arms were already starting to betray him, trembling under the spreading paralysis.

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Kakashi advanced, Sharingan spinning, as

Zabuza's breath came in ragged pulls, the Executioner's Blade sagging in his unsteady grip. The poison and lightning were doing their work , his body trembled as he struggled to stay upright.

"This fight's over," Kakashi said, stepping closer.

Zabuza tried to lift the sword, but his arms barely responded.

Kakashi's eyes narrowed. One more step was all he needed to subdue Zabuza.

But then a volley of razor-sharp ice spikes tore through the mist. He flipped back in a blur, landing in a crouch as shards hissed past his face.

A sudden blast of frigid wind surged from the tree line, carrying a curtain of swirling frost that sealed the path between them and Zabuza. The temperature dropped in a heartbeat, white mist mixing with the cold until vision shrank to a few feet.

Naruto slammed his hands together , making hand signs.

He inhaled sharply and exhaled with force.

"Wind Style: Gale Burst!"

A roaring gust tore across the clearing, scattering the icy gale and clearing the field.

Through the fading frost stood a single figure, slim and silent, masked in porcelain. Black hair framed the smooth mask as the figure planted themselves protectively in front of Zabuza's fallen form.

Kakashi straightened, eye narrowing. "So… you must be Haku."

The masked ninja gave no reply only glaring at the Konoha ninja.

With a single fluid motion, Haku wove hand signs. Sheets of frost rippled across the ground, and several gleaming ice clones rose from the mist, each a perfect mirror of the masked rescuer.

"Clones," Anko muttered, tightening her grip on her kunai.

The copies rushed forward in a silent charge, blades of frozen chakra glinting.

"Careful!" Kakashi barked.

Before anyone could intercept, the ice clones leapt into the air and each one detonated in a burst of freezing shards, exploding into a blizzard of jagged ice and blinding snow. Shouts rang out as the Konoha shinobi shielded their eyes and faces, the world disappearing in a deafening whiteout.

For several tense seconds there was nothing but the roar of the wind and the hiss of settling snow.

Then there was only silence.

Naruto lowered his arm, squinting into the thinning haze.

"They're gone…"

The battlefield lay empty. Zabuza and the masked stranger had vanished without a trace, leaving only the shattered remnants of ice glittering across the forest floor.

Kakashi's Sharingan swept the treeline, but there was no movement. He exhaled slowly.

"This isn't over."

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The group moved in silence, the forest canopy gradually thinning until the sound of rushing water replaced the rustle of leaves. Tazuna led them down a narrow dirt path that wound toward the shoreline.

A small fishing boat waited by the pier, its owner nervously glancing around as though even the trees might hold assassins. The man gave them a wary look until he noticed Tazuna. The man waster no time and beckoning them aboard without a word.

They climbed into the boat, settling in with their gear as the oars dipped into the water. Mist clung to the surface of the river, thick and heavy, curling around them .

Nobody spoke for a time, tension hanging over them like a weight. Kakashi kept his single visible eye scanning the fog, Sharingan hidden once more. Sasuke's fists were clenched tightly in his lap, while Hinata stayed near Tazuna, Byakugan flaring now and then to sweep the mist.

Naruto sat near the bow, gaze sharp, but when the fog began to thin he stood up.

Through the dissipating haze, a massive silhouette emerged. Steel and stone rising from the water, scaffolding stretching across like skeletal arms. The unfinished bridge loomed ahead, gray against the dim sky.

Tazuna's voice broke with emotion as he pointed.

"That… That is the hope of my people. The bridge that will free us from Gato's grip."

Everyone turned their eyes to the half-built monument, the effort of an entire nation etched into its foundation.

Naruto clenched his fists and smiled faintly.

"Don't worry, old man. We'll help protect that dream !

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Well chapter 3 up : ) i know its a small chapter but it felt right place to stop..right after the first important fight...next story updated will be Pokémon after that I'm undecided..

Also shout out for benjir144de for being my first paying p.a. . on ! Thanks benjir ...

Search enix-queen on p.a.. .on if you're interested in supporting me ..completely optional good perks once it gets going with more members but I'm not going to hide 20 chapters behind a paywall ..don't like it when people do that so I'm not going to do it myself...

Thanks for any fav / follows/ kudos/ reviews/comments and have a great life and enjoy my stories ..Enix out :)