The next few days passed in a blur of sweat and training.Running laps. Horse stance. Rock climbing. Repeating the Lion Combo until his body ached. Grinding the Clone Jutsu and Body Freeze Technique until they felt like second nature. And on top of it all—digesting the experience points from his genin-level battles.
The system might hand him gifts, but if they didn't become his, then his path would never last. A tower without a foundation collapses with the first wind. Yō knew that better than anyone.
After another day of classes, he was heading home when someone suddenly blocked his way.
It was a girl—Wada Chiba, from the neighboring class. He knew of her, but training was his obsession lately. He barely paid attention to anyone weaker than him.
"What's up, Wada-san?"He tilted his head, watching her flushed cheeks.
"C-can… can we be friends?"Her voice trembled, hope and nerves tangled together as her face turned crimson.
"Sure. Being friends isn't a big deal."Yō answered without hesitation. Friends? Easy. No reason to refuse.
What he didn't realize was that when a girl says that to a boy, it rarely just means friendship. If he'd picked up on the real meaning, he might not have answered so casually.
Chiba's shoulders relaxed as relief flashed in her eyes. She hesitated, then pulled something from her sleeve—a pink envelope decorated with flower petals—and thrust it at him.
"Th-this… please, take it!"Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz. She couldn't even meet his eyes, face burning down to her neck.
"Uh… this isn't really—"Yō froze. Even without his past life's memories, he'd know exactly what that envelope meant. A straight-up confession? From a girl he'd barely spoken to? He really wasn't sure how to handle this.
But before he could reject or explain, Chiba stomped her foot in embarrassment, shoved the letter against his chest, and bolted like a startled rabbit. Yō didn't even get the chance to call after her.
"…A love letter, huh? Didn't think I'd get one of those. No wonder—it is the Naruto world. People grow up fast here."He scratched his cheek awkwardly.
Still, romance was the last thing on his mind. Wars were brewing. Strength was the only thing that mattered. He pushed the matter aside and refocused.I need to be ready. Any day now, the storm will hit. Love can wait. Survival can't.
Little did he know… fate had its own plans, and even the most stubborn transmigrator wasn't immune to the "sweet trap" of youth.
The next morning.
"Natsume Yō, right? The Hokage requests your presence."A masked ANBU landed in front of him just as he left his house.
"Lead the way."Yō didn't even blink. He'd been expecting this summons. His calm reply carried no surprise.
Hokage's Office.
"Lord Hokage, I've brought Natsume Yō."The ANBU rapped twice on the door, his voice emotionless.
"Thank you. Let him in."After a brief pause, the deep, commanding voice of the Third Hokage echoed from within.
Yō pushed the door open and stepped inside. The ANBU vanished into thin air, leaving him alone with the Hokage.