After the graduation test, Naruto returned to his apartment.
The moment he entered, he lay down on the bed, planning to take only a short nap before going out shopping, to buy his black outfit.
However, as he went to deep sleep, the world around him changed.
Complete darkness.
Colder in the vibe.
A long corridor stretched endlessly before him.
The air itself felt heavy around him.
Red demonic waves are surging him.
Naruto looked around calmly.
"So this is my inner world...Its different.....It's not like when I met the real Naruto."
He began walking forward in that dark surroundings.
Then he saw it.
A massive gate.
Iron bars rose toward the ceiling, covered with countless seals and paper talismans.
Behind those bars, there is a gigantic creature.
The creature has nine tails and its taking nap with folded arms lying down.
Two crimson eyes slowly opened.
Watching him.
It's the Nine-Tailed Fox.
Kurama.
The beast's enormous body filled the prison behind the gate. Its sharp teeth opened from it's mouth in the darkness, each one larger than Naruto himself.
An overwhelming amount of demonic chakra poured from its body.
Enough to make ordinary people collapse from fear.
Naruto simply looked at it.
Unmoved.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
'So this is the tailed beast I saw when I first entered this world.'
'And it is sealed inside this body.'
A faint smile appeared on his face.
'What a large amount of demonic chakra.'
Kurama noticed immediately.
Its massive eyes narrowed.
A flicker of surprise crossed them.
"You're different."
Its deep voice shook the corridor.
"Every human who stands before me trembles."
"They fear me."
"They run."
"Or they curse at me"
"But you..."
The fox leaned forward.
"Aren't you afraid, boy?"
Naruto met its gaze.
Unaffected.
"Afraid?"
He scoffed.
"Of you?"
The corner of his lips rose slightly.
"Perhaps you're the reason everyone fears me."
"That works perfectly fine for me."
A sinister smile slowly formed on his face.
Unlike others, Naruto wasn't looking at Kurama as a monster.
He was looking at it as an opportunity.
A harvest.
A source of power waiting to be taken.
He wanted to take all Kurama chakra to himself.
For a brief moment, even Kurama became silent.
The beast stared at him.
Not with anger.
But with curiosity.
Then Naruto's figure slowly faded.
His consciousness withdrew from the seal.
The last thing he saw was Kurama's burning gaze following him.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
One day, I would definitely return to meet you again....but then things will be different.
Naruto opened his eyes.
Late afternoon sunlight entered through the apartment window.
A strong beam of light hit his face.
He sat up.
Hungry.
He knows the condition of his living place.
'I need money.'
'I need food.'
'This place is empty.'
He glanced around the apartment.
Nothing had changed.
No food.
No supplies.
Nothing useful.
A job would be necessary soon.
Before that, however, he needed something else.
A new appearance.
Tomorrow was the academy photo session.
Naruto searched through the apartment and gathered every coin he could find.
Five hundred ryo.
That was all.
Pathetic.
Still, it was enough.
His gaze drifted toward the orange outfit hanging nearby.
The same outfit Naruto Uzumaki always wore.
Bright.
Loud.
Attention-seeking.
The exact opposite of himself.
'I need black clothing.'
'Something more fitting to my style.'
Just imagining himself continuing to wear orange made him frown.
Unfortunately, there was another problem.
The villagers.
Most wouldn't even hide their dislike toward him.
Some would overcharge him.
Others might refuse to sell entirely.
Then an idea appeared.
Simple.
Effective.
A smirk appeared on his face.
Sasuke Uchiha.
The village darling.
The people's favorite.
The last Uchiha.
Respected wherever he went.
Naruto knew very well that Sasuke received treatment he never would.
Sometimes even discounts.
Without hesitation, he performed the Transformation Jutsu.
Smoke appeared.
Moments later, Sasuke stood where Naruto had been.
Perfect.
Naruto adjusted his posture and headed toward one of Konoha's larger clothing stores.
Sarching for a perfect black outfit for him.
Even if it's little high price, he will get discount.
While he is busy in his own ways.
Someone immediately noticed him in that store.
Ino's voice rang out.
"Sasuke!"
Her eyes brightened instantly.
A cheerful smile appeared on her face as she hurried toward him.
"I didn't expect to see you here!"
Naruto simply nodded.
Remaining silent.
Ino didn't seem to notice anything strange.
She happily moved beside him.
"I came here to buy something for tomorrow's photo session."
Her excitement was obvious.
"I already picked an outfit."
"Wanna see it?"
Before Naruto could respond, she grabbed his hand.
Naruto glanced at the hand holding his.
A girl taking the initiative was nothing new to him.
She dragged him deeper into the store.
He simply allowed her to drag him deeper into the store.
So, Naruto allowed it.
His original plan was already becoming something else.
Soon they reached the counter.
Behind it stood Inoichi Yamanaka.
The clan head looked up from his work.
For a moment, his eyes rested on "Sasuke."
Then narrowed.
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
"Ino."
His voice was calm.
"That's not Sasuke."
The girl froze.
"What?"
Confusion filled her face.
She looked at Sauske (Naruto).
Then back at her father.
"Dad, what are you talking about? He's right—"
Inoichi stepped forward.
His sharp gaze locked onto Naruto.
"Undo the transformation."
His tone remained calm.
"But if you don't, I'll do it for you."
The atmosphere instantly changed.
Naruto knew he had been discovered.
There was no point continuing.
"I can do it myself."
Smoke appeared.
Moments later, Naruto's true appearance returned.
Ino's eyes widened.
Shock.
Then irritation.
"Naruto?!"
"What are you doing pretending to be Sasuke?!"
Her voice rose immediately.
"Don't you have any individuality"
"Why would you even do that?"
Before Naruto could answer, Inoichi placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Ino."
His calm voice stopped her.
"Relax."
The girl reluctantly became quiet.
Then Inoichi turned toward Naruto.
His expression remained neutral.
"Naruto."
"Impersonating another person inside the village is not a good habit."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"Especially when you're using their appearance to interact with people close to them and that may lead to manipulating them sometimes."
"It can be considered as a crime."
The words entered Naruto's ears.
Silence followed.
His expression darkened.
Slowly.
His fists clenched with anger.
(...To Be Continued...)