Arata smiled faintly.
"He ran because he knew fighting both Kakashi-sensei and me together was hopeless. If it had just been me, he wouldn't have fled."
Sakura nodded slowly, half understanding.
Sasuke, standing beside her, didn't react much.
He'd already learned several Fire Release techniques — all adapted from his clan's archives — so Water Release didn't particularly impress him.
In his mind, ninjutsu like Fire, Water, or Earth Release were tools, not deciding factors.
But Naruto's face twisted in frustration.
All he had was the Shadow Clone Technique — a single jutsu, one he'd stolen from the Forbidden Scroll the night he graduated.
Not something Kakashi had taught him.
So when he saw how easily Arata commanded complex jutsu, something inside him burned.
"Kakashi-sensei really is biased," he muttered. "It's like we're not even his real students."
Arata glanced at him quietly.
He understood Naruto's frustration — he really did.
After all, Naruto was just twelve years old.
At that age, pride and envy hit harder than reason ever could.
"That's not it," Arata said calmly. "Kakashi-sensei just wants you to build a proper foundation before learning new jutsu. You passed his bell test — that means he's accepted you as his students."
"As a teacher, he doesn't want you to rush. Rushing in training only leads to injury."
He turned to Sasuke.
"Sasuke, when you started learning your clan's techniques, didn't you have to study a lot of the basics first?"
Sasuke froze for a moment, caught off guard by being pulled into the conversation.
Naruto looked at him expectantly.
Sasuke hesitated — pride told him to stay silent, but Arata's tone carried weight.
Despite his rivalry with him, Sasuke still respected Arata's strength.
Finally, he gave a curt nod.
"Yeah… the basics come first."
But that was all he said.
Naruto didn't look convinced at all.
"Basics? I learned the Shadow Clone Technique in one night! That's faster than anyone!"
Arata chuckled softly.
"That's because the Shadow Clone Technique suits you perfectly — it's almost like it was made for you."
"Think about it, Naruto. You couldn't even perform a basic Clone Technique in six years of academy training — so why could you suddenly master an advanced clone jutsu overnight?"
Naruto blinked.
He'd never really thought about it before.
"Do you know why the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique is listed as a forbidden jutsu?" Arata asked gently.
Naruto scratched his head.
"Uh… because it's awesome?"
Sakura sighed and facepalmed. Sasuke just folded his arms.
Arata continued, his tone patient but serious.
"The Shadow Clone Technique splits your chakra evenly among each clone. And when the jutsu ends, all that fatigue and chakra loss comes flooding back into the original body."
"For most shinobi, even using a few clones is dangerous. Their bodies can't handle the strain — let alone a hundred clones like you do."
"But you can… because you're the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki."
"That enormous chakra reserve and physical strength — they come from the Nine-Tails sealed inside you."
The words hit like thunder.
Naruto's eyes widened, confusion flashing across his face.
Sakura and Sasuke both turned toward Arata, startled by his bluntness.
"That's also why," Arata went on, "you can't learn just any jutsu without mastering the fundamentals first. If you try to brute-force advanced ninjutsu without proper control, it'll rebound on you — and that can kill you."
"People always wonder why some shinobi master techniques in days while others take months. Sure, talent matters — but so does foundation."
"Think back, Naruto. What did you really learn during your six years at the academy? Do you honestly think your basics are solid?"
Sakura couldn't help it — she burst into a tiny laugh.
"Solid? He barely ever studied! Every test he took was a zero! I still don't know how he managed that — you'd think just looking at the textbook would help a little."
Naruto glared at her weakly, pouting.
Sasuke frowned slightly.
So that's why he could handle that jutsu… because of the Nine-Tails.
He hadn't known the full story.
During the Nine-Tails' attack, he'd only been an infant, and after his clan's massacre, no one had ever told him the truth.
Naruto, meanwhile, had gone quiet.
He touched his stomach — right where the seal lay — his expression shadowed.
"So… that's why?" he murmured.
He looked up at Arata, voice trembling.
"Then why… why did they seal the Nine-Tails inside me?"
"If it weren't for that monster, no one in the village would've hated me."
His voice cracked — all the bitterness, the loneliness he'd bottled up for years spilling out.
Because of the Nine-Tails, he'd always been alone.
No assassination attempts, no open hostility — but the cold distance of hundreds of silent stares had cut deeper than any blade.
At that age, he couldn't possibly understand the fear in their eyes.
All he could feel was rejection.
Arata sighed softly and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"The Nine-Tails isn't a curse, Naruto. It's a weapon — a strategic power that protects the village. That means you're not hated… you're valuable."
But Naruto brushed his hand away, eyes wet and angry.
"Valuable?!" he shouted. "If I'm so important, why does everyone treat me like a monster?"
"Do you have any idea what it's like? No one talks to me. No one smiles at me. Nobody… nobody even wants me around."
His voice cracked again.
Years of isolation poured out in a single breath.
Even Sakura, who often scolded him, stood frozen — her usual irritation melting into guilt.
Sasuke looked at Naruto quietly, eyes dim with something like recognition.
He'd never been shunned — the Uchihas had been respected, even admired.
But that respect had turned to horror the night his brother slaughtered them all.
And that memory — his family's lifeless faces — felt just as lonely as Naruto's tears.
For the first time, he understood the boy beside him.
Their pain was different… but their hearts were the same.
Sakura's voice came softly, breaking the silence.
"Naruto… you're not completely alone."
"Iruka-sensei, Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba — they're all your friends. I've seen you laugh with them."
"I used to think you were just a loudmouth troublemaker. I didn't know you'd been through all this."
Her words were gentle, carrying no pity — only empathy.
Naruto's eyes softened slightly, though the hurt still lingered.
Arata said nothing more. He knew this wasn't a wound that words could heal.
For now, silence was kinder than comfort.
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