According to the rumors, Shino Aburame was an undefeated legend, respected by his students throughout the Academy.
He'd achieved something remarkable: a 100% win rate in every battle he'd ever fought. Not a single loss on his record. That perfect streak had earned him a teaching position at the ninja school, where he could pass on his techniques to the next generation.
This world's Shino is actually that powerful?
Naruto couldn't afford to underestimate him. In his own world, Shino was the pistachio of their friend group, someone Naruto trusted deeply. The quiet bug user held significant weight in Naruto's circle.
When Naruto finally tracked Shino down, the first thing he noticed were the glasses. Exaggerated, attention-grabbing frames that screamed for notice. This Shino clearly wasn't the low-key individual from Naruto's world.
Time to get serious.
Controlling insect swarms was the Aburame clan's signature fighting style. Shino wouldn't abandon his family's techniques just because Naruto had appeared. When Naruto arrived at his doorstep, Shino's expression went through several fascinating transformations.
He'd never imagined that the Hokage of Konoha would get bored enough to show up demanding a "friendly discussion" as a prerequisite for friendship. The whole concept left Shino's mind spinning with question marks.
To fight fairly with Konoha's invincible legend, and to avoid insulting that hard-earned reputation, Naruto created countless shadow clones to match Shino's insect swarm.
Fairness demanded equal numbers.
When Shino saw the shadow clones spreading out in every direction, filling the space with identical Narutos, his face went dark. He could tell immediately what this meant. Naruto couldn't tolerate someone else's 100% win rate, the title of undefeated myth. He'd come to take that name away.
Resentment boiled in Shino's chest.
"Come on, Shino!" Tens of thousands of Narutos spoke in perfect unison, their combined voices creating a sound wave that shook the air. "Let's have a fair and friendly discussion!"
Shino looked at the army of Narutos stretching in every direction. Then he looked at his insect swarm, impressive by normal standards but utterly inadequate for this situation.
He silently recalled his insects.
Seeing Shino withdraw his forces, Naruto dismissed his shadow clones with equal courtesy.
What followed was a ten-minute "friendly exchange."
After Naruto left, Shino knelt on the ground, staring up at the sky with empty eyes.
"My win rate..." His voice cracked. "My 100% win rate... it's gone."
Tears streamed down his cheeks, soaking into the collar of his jacket.
Over the following hours, Naruto raced against time, moving through Konoha like a whirlwind. He became good friends with Ino, Tenten, and Rock Lee. Each encounter followed the same pattern: greeting, brief conversation, and then the process.
Even Kakashi-sensei became Naruto's friend.
The Kakashi of this world had served as Sixth Hokage before passing the title to Naruto. He'd finally removed his headband from over his Sharingan eye, though the mask remained firmly in place. When he learned of Naruto's purpose, his visible eye crinkled with amusement.
This kid's gotten cocky, Kakashi thought, a smile spreading beneath his mask. Coming to challenge me? Does he want to experience the legendary Thousand Years of Death technique?
He remembered the bell test clearly, how he'd managed Team Seven into complete submission with that very move.
Became Hokage and lost all sense of danger.
"Come on then, Naruto." Kakashi's tone carried layers of meaning. "Let's see what you're capable of."
"Yes, Kakashi-sensei. Here I come." Naruto's smile matched Kakashi's in its hidden intent.
He understood that look immediately. The essence of Kakashi never changed across worlds. This version wanted to make Naruto feel the pain of the Thousand Years of Death, just like every other Kakashi.
Anyone with that idea ended badly.
The battle began instantly. Naruto deliberately exposed an opening, making this world's Kakashi think he'd found the perfect opportunity. The silver-haired jonin moved in for the strike, fingers positioned for the infamous technique, aimed directly at Naruto's posterior.
CRACK.
What the—so hard!
The sound of Kakashi's fingers breaking made his face go pale beneath the mask.
Naruto's Hundred Refinements: Posterior Defense technique had turned his rear into an impenetrable fortress. The legendary Thousand Years of Death had met an immovable object.
And then Naruto, having successfully baited his trap, went on the offensive.
His fists blurred through combinations Kakashi couldn't hope to counter. The Copy Ninja, for all his experience and Sharingan prowess, found himself completely suppressed. Every defensive technique failed. Every counter was predicted and punished.
An hour later, Naruto left with grace and dignity, leaving Kakashi sprawled on the ground with a face full of bruises.
Guy-sensei presented a different kind of challenge.
The Fourth Shinobi World War had left him physically disabled. Initially confined to a wheelchair, Guy had refused to let his condition define him. He was a man who'd dedicated his entire life to the concept of youth, and no injury would steal that from him.
Years ago, he'd abandoned the wheelchair entirely. Now he traveled everywhere doing handstands, supporting his weight on a single arm while his legs pointed skyward. He'd go out with Kakashi exactly like this, maintaining his training regimen despite everything.
Youth would never abandon Guy, and Guy would never abandon youth.
So when Naruto appeared and requested a "friendly competition in the name of youth," this robust middle-aged man burst into tears immediately. They poured down his face like a waterfall, and he cried like a two-hundred-pound child.
How many years...
How many years has it been...
Ever since he'd become disabled, even his lifelong rival Kakashi had refused to fight him seriously. Unwilling to "bully a disabled person," as though Guy's condition made him fragile, breakable, someone who needed protection rather than an equal.
The others never said it aloud, but Guy knew. They were being careful with him. Considerate. Treating him differently.
But Guy didn't want consideration. He wanted to be treated as an equal, to communicate on level ground without his disability creating an invisible barrier.
When Naruto spoke to him in that equal tone, offering a real fight with no holds barred...
Guy's tears flowed freely.
He felt his youth returning in a profound, fundamental sense. Naruto's invitation to battle was redemption, a restoration of life's meaning, real hope burning bright after years of dimness.
Seeing Guy's reaction, Naruto felt genuinely moved. He could see the deep-seated emotions erupting from Guy-sensei's heart, years of frustration and isolation breaking free.
He made a decision. In his own world, Guy-sensei would never end up like this. When Naruto returned home, he'd have another "friendly discussion" with his Guy to ensure the Green Beast of Konoha maintained his full vitality.
An hour later, when Naruto left, Guy sat with a bruised face and a smile that radiated pure joy. Genuine, heartfelt happiness.
After that encounter, Naruto realized his current method was too slow. Making friends one person at a time, while also collecting information about this world, took too much time.
The solution was simple.
Shadow clones. Tens of thousands of them.
They scattered across Konoha like a sudden storm, each one embarking on simultaneous journeys of friendship and intelligence gathering.
For a brief time, the entire village became extraordinarily active. Everywhere you looked, "Naruto" was making friends with someone.
Of course, the real Seventh Hokage sitting in the Hokage Building had no idea that someone was making friends across Konoha using his face and name.
He concentrated on his paperwork, lost in thought. Naruto's probably at home playing with Himawari right now. He really does love children.
Maybe when he goes back to his world, he'll marry his Hinata too. Have a pair of children. Enjoy family happiness. The Seventh Hokage's expression softened. Better than me. He's not a workaholic. His kids will actually get to experience having a father.