"That… that's Uzumaki Naruto?"
"I didn't expect that in just a few years, the so-called 'demon fox kid' has become this powerful. They say he defeated a Cloud Village Jōnin — and not just any Jōnin, but one whose strength is second only to the Raikage."
"I always said he'd become someone great. No matter the weather, that kid trained every single day without ever skipping once. With that kind of dedication, how could he not turn into a monster of a ninja?"
"And stop calling him a demon fox already. It's been years. The kid's smiling and bright every day — how is that the form of a demon? That rumor was clearly nonsense."
"You heard, right? It was Shimura Danzo who spread that garbage in the first place — calling Naruto a demon fox to stir public hatred. That man is rotten to the core."
"That's not even all. Danzo was behind a ton of things. The White Fang incident? That was confidential village information, but he leaked it everywhere until the rumors drove White Fang to suicide. He just loves destroying Konoha from the shadows."
"Good thing Naruto didn't get crushed by all of that. Otherwise, Danzo would've ruined him too."
The news from the Hidden Cloud spread through Konoha, stirring up the whole village. Along with it came more rumors — all pointing to the shady things Danzo had done behind the scenes.
Walking through the streets, Naruto noticed it immediately: the looks people gave him had changed. No longer cold or distant — now there was interest, even a hint of guilt.
He kept his face calm, but inside he was thrilled.
Cloud Shinobi, you guys really did me a favor.
Fame brings status. Status brings influence. Influence brings followers.
The path to Hokage starts exactly like this.
Things were looking good.
"...but seriously, 'Smiling Demon'? That nickname sucks. Why not something cool like 'Optimus Prime' or 'Megatron'?"
If Naruto had one complaint, that was it. Now if he smiled at someone, they flinched like he'd burn their soul alive.
At the Ninja Academy, Uchiha Sasuke sat frozen at his desk, fists clenched tight.
Smiling Demon, huh?
Suits him. That bastard smiles on the outside and has a demon inside.
Ever since the news broke, the school was buzzing — but the other students weren't surprised. Naruto was already a monster when he was in school. Beating a Jōnin? Just another Tuesday for him.
But for Sasuke… it hurt.
He remembered Naruto's words. The promise he made to himself.
He trained like a man obsessed — pushing past exhaustion daily, refusing to rest unless he reached his limit. His strength had skyrocketed. Normal Genin were nothing to him now.
But after hearing Naruto had already reached Jōnin level…
The gap had widened again.
"No. I'm done wasting time here. I'm applying for early graduation."
But before that, there was something he had to do:
"Naruto — I'm challenging you."
"Oh? Didn't I beat you enough last time?"
"Shut up. I want to see how far apart we are now."
They met at Naruto's usual training field. Sasuke attacked with everything he had — kunai, shuriken, fast-cast ninjutsu. He was sharper, faster, stronger than before.
Naruto blocked lazily. Nothing Sasuke did broke through.
"Chakra is body energy + spiritual energy. If you want more chakra, build a stronger body. Strong body → strong spirit → massive chakra."
"It's the foundation. With a solid base, every jutsu gets stronger."
"Don't rely on your Sharingan. That's a tool, not a backbone. If your body's weak, Sharingan won't save you."
"So go train a few more years and then come back."
Naruto's voice was casual as he dodged everything.
Then — bam.
One casual kick, faster than lightning — Sasuke flew back and curled in pain on the ground.
But he heard every word.
Pride didn't matter. Reputation didn't matter.
The strong decide what's right — the weak don't get a say.
Naruto vanished into a puff of smoke.
Sasuke stared. A clone?
Is the gap really that big?
He stood, silent, and walked away — back straight, but heavy.
A figure stood on a nearby branch, eyes full of guilt.
Uchiha Itachi.
He'd been secretly watching Sasuke every day, seeing him train until collapse. It twisted his heart.
Another figure appeared beside him — Uchiha Shisui.
"Itachi, don't overthink it. Sasuke really has grown. He's calmer, more mature. He's not the same kid anymore."
Itachi stayed silent, then suddenly spoke:
"The President's method… is actually pretty useful."
"What?"
"The full-armor disguise. Nobody knows who's underneath it."
"What are you getting at?"
"Sasuke keeps begging me to train him, and I keep refusing. That just leaves him to suffer alone. So why shouldn't I train him myself — just under a different title?"
"...You mean—"
"Yes. The Red Sun Society is recruiting new members, right? Let Sasuke join as an outer-circle rookie. Then I can guide him personally. Problem solved."
Itachi finally smiled — faint, but real.
Shisui hesitated… then nodded.
It was a good plan.
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