The following week at the Ninja Academy was… unusual. The teachers had all received new orders from the Hokage's Office—subtle, discreet, and not written on paper. The message was simple: "Increase the intensity of practical lessons. Observe Uzumaki Naruto closely. "
They were told it was to "assess progress. " But every instructor could tell it was more than that. The Third Hokage was testing something—or someone.
That morning, Iruka entered the classroom, his expression neutral. But the stack of scrolls in his hands hinted that today's lesson would not be ordinary.
"Alright, class, " he said with a small smile. "Today, we're skipping theory. We'll be doing real combat drills— team exercises and live-scenario testing. "
The students erupted with excitement. "Finally! " "Are we getting weapons? " "Can we spar with real jutsu this time? "
Iruka chuckled softly. "Not quite that far. But you'll be using chakra attacks for the first time under supervision. "
As he spoke, his gaze flicked briefly toward the back of the room—where Naruto sat quietly, arms crossed, eyes half-closed.
Iruka hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Everyone, meet at the training field in ten minutes. "
Ten minutes later, the class stood in formation outside. Several other instructors were present as well, each watching the students carefully.
The test was divided into two parts: chakra control accuracy, and combat cooperation between teammates.
But what the students didn't know was that this time, their chakra levels and reactions were being monitored directly from the Hokage's office through a special seal array hidden beneath the training field.
Hiruzen wanted to see how Naruto would react under pressure—whether his calm demeanor would hold, or whether his immense chakra might spiral out of control.
Iruka began the first phase. "Alright, everyone—line up for the chakra control test! We'll be practicing precision bursts against wooden targets. Only use E-rank chakra output—no more! "
The first few students went easily enough. Sasuke's fire burst scorched his target neatly; Shikamaru hit his mark lazily but perfectly.
Then it was Naruto's turn. The instructors all turned slightly, pretending not to, but their attention was locked on him.
Naruto walked up to the practice line. He raised his hand toward the wooden dummy, his expression calm as ever.
He molded chakra—just a tiny amount, enough for a simple burst.
Boom! The air rippled. The target disintegrated instantly, exploding into a spray of splinters.
The crowd went silent. Iruka blinked several times. "…Naruto! That was supposed to be an E-rank output! "
Naruto scratched the back of his head innocently. "I thought it was. "
Up in the Hokage's tower, the seal array projected an image of the training field into the crystal orb. Hiruzen leaned forward slightly. "So controlled… and yet the raw density of his chakra is off the charts. "
Beside him stood an ANBU captain. "Should we intervene, Lord Hokage? "
Hiruzen shook his head. "No. Continue observing. " He narrowed his eyes. Let's see if he loses his temper when provoked…
Back on the field, Iruka sighed and gestured toward the next phase. "Alright, moving on! Team sparring matches. Three versus three. Remember, the goal is teamwork, not victory. "
The class cheered. This was what everyone had been waiting for.
Iruka glanced down at his list. The teams were already assigned—by the Hokage's office. And when he read the names, he almost frowned.
"Team One: Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura, Uzumaki Naruto. " There was a ripple of whispers. "What? Naruto's teamed with Sasuke! ?" "That's unfair! " "Sasuke-kun's gonna destroy him! "
Iruka forced a smile. "Quiet, everyone. This is just for training. "
But inside, he felt a twinge of unease. He knew these matchups weren't random.
On the other side of the field, their opponents stepped forward—three older students, all nearing graduation. Each one had solid chakra control and real combat experience. It was clear they'd been hand-picked to test Naruto's limits.
Iruka's heart sank slightly. This isn't just a school exercise anymore…
"Begin! " The moment Iruka's hand dropped, the three senior students charged. Sasuke and Sakura moved instinctively to defend.
Sasuke unleashed a burst of fire. Sakura, using perfect chakra control, reinforced the ground to block an incoming strike.
Naruto didn't move at first. He just stood there, eyes calmly tracking every motion.
One of the opponents lunged straight for him, swinging a kunai. Naruto sidestepped smoothly—barely even turning his head—and tapped the attacker's wrist.
A tiny pulse of chakra surged through his fingers. Crack! The kunai flew from the attacker's hand, embedding itself into the dirt ten meters away.
The older student froze. "What—? "
Before he could recover, Naruto's foot swept out—not even fast, just precise. The boy hit the ground instantly.
Naruto sighed softly. "You really shouldn't swing so wide. "
The crowd of students went silent again. Even Sasuke paused mid-attack, watching him.
There was no wasted movement, no flare of chakra, no emotion. It was like watching a trained assassin at work—calm, efficient, inevitable.
Iruka's heart pounded. This isn't normal for a child.
The two remaining opponents hesitated, then charged together. Naruto's eyes sharpened slightly. He moved.
In that instant, the wind stirred. Dust lifted from the ground, and faint sparks of lightning shimmered around his feet.
When the world caught up a second later, the two attackers were flat on their backs, their weapons scattered, their clothes singed by precise, nonlethal strikes.
Iruka raised his hand quickly. "Enough! Match over! "
The training field was dead silent. Even Sasuke said nothing. He just looked at Naruto with a strange expression—a mixture of shock and fascination.
Naruto, meanwhile, simply brushed the dirt from his sleeve and walked back to his spot. He didn't look proud or arrogant—just… calm.
Iruka swallowed hard. That wasn't a fight. It was a demonstration.
Up in the Hokage's office, Hiruzen leaned back slowly in his chair. The pipe in his hand had gone cold. "Wind and lightning fusion confirmed, " he murmured. "He used it instinctively in movement. And yet… no sign of emotional instability. "
He looked at the ANBU captain beside him. "What do you think? "
The masked ninja hesitated before replying quietly, "Lord Hokage… that boy isn't just a prodigy. He's something else entirely. "
Hiruzen nodded slowly, his gaze heavy. "Yes. A force of nature waiting to choose whether it protects… or destroys. "
Back at the Academy, Iruka dismissed the class after the exercises. But as Naruto walked past him, he quietly said, "Wait. Naruto. "
The boy stopped. Iruka hesitated for a long moment before speaking. "I don't know what the Hokage's planning, but whatever happens… stay true to yourself, alright? "
Naruto blinked, surprised. Then he smiled faintly. "Don't worry, Iruka-sensei. I always do. "
He turned and walked off into the sunset, the warm light glinting off his golden hair. Behind him, Iruka watched silently, feeling a strange mix of pride and unease.
And high above the village, inside the Hokage's tower, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood by the window, watching the boy's silhouette vanish into the distance.
"Uzumaki Naruto…" he whispered softly. "Show me, child— will you become this village's salvation… or its storm? "
The wind outside howled faintly, carrying with it the distant rumble of thunder.
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