Thud!
A massive sound echoed through the clearing as a deep fist print appeared on the trunk of a large tree.
"Two thousand!"
With one final shout, Kanon finally pulled back her fist. Sweat had long since soaked through her blue Uchiha coat and her jet-black hair.
"That should be enough Taijutsu for today." Kanon slowly removed the weights from her body.
She dragged her exhausted frame over to a tree stump and plopped down, grabbing a nearby water bottle and taking a long, deep gulp.
"Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and shuriken training are all finished for the day. My chakra reserves have grown significantly, too; it should be enough to release some relatively powerful jutsu now."
It had been a week since she met Naruto. Today was the first day of the new month, and by now, Kanon had mastered ninjutsu of various other natures.
Though her proficiency wasn't yet elite and she was mostly using C-rank jutsu, her overall chakra utilization and control had improved visibly. At the very least, for the current Kanon, basic exercises like water-surface walking and tree-climbing, which were as elementary as it gets, had become second nature to her.
Kanon wore a satisfied, beaming smile. Thanks to the Ninjutsu Tome in her mind, she had just learned her first A-rank technique: the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu.
As she was resting, she suddenly sensed someone approaching. Kanon immediately went on high alert, gripping a kunai and staring toward the direction of the sound.
Only when she saw who it was did she let out a sigh of relief.
"Kanon!" Naruto waved to her from a distance.
"What are you doing here?" Kanon asked, surprised.
"Well, it's the start of the month... I haven't had much money the last few days, so I've been fishing near the village for food..."
"Huh? Doesn't the Third Hokage leave you enough money?" Kanon asked, puzzled.
"Sigh... it's a long story..." Naruto looked away awkwardly. Between his ramen habit and some expensive repairs for the aging appliances in his apartment, he had run through his allowance. He decided to brush past the details.
"Whoa, Kanon! Is this where you train?" Naruto scanned the surroundings, noticing several shattered trees and faint traces of blood on the bark.
"Of course! This is my secret base. Hardly anyone ever comes here!" Kanon placed her hands on her hips, looking around with pride.
Aside from her training clearing, the area was entirely enclosed by dense trees, with only one path leading toward the cliffside.
From the edge of that cliff, one could look down upon a beautiful stream. It truly was a magnificent view. Kanon stood up and gestured toward the precipice.
"Come on, let's go over there."
"What for?"
"The view is better." Kanon picked up her water bottle and headed over.
Naruto followed her to the cliff's edge. As he followed her gaze, the entire panorama of Konoha was spread out before him.
His expression turned to one of longing and awe. In that moment, the scenery looked like a masterpiece painted on a scroll, and Kanon seemed to merge with the landscape—vibrant, beautiful, and full of life.
While Naruto was lost in the view, Kanon sat down on the grass at the cliff's edge. Naruto followed suit, sitting beside her.
"Naruto, did you know?"
"Know what?"
"I believe there is a shimmering field of flowers inside my heart."
Naruto didn't speak. He simply watched her, listening intently.
"The people who live in that flower field can understand one another perfectly. They can become true, honest friends."
"In that world filled with every color imaginable, everyone's dreams are as clear as crystal. Everyone works hard for what they believe in."
"There is no discrimination, and there is no pain. Whether it's a blade of grass with a stubborn will to live or a brilliant, multi-colored flower, everyone lives in peace without a care in the world. That is the flower field I long for."
Kanon turned her head to look at Naruto, who seemed a bit dazed.
"Do you believe a place like that exists?"
Naruto nodded slowly. "A flower field like that sounds perfect... but I'm just the 'monster fox' everyone talks about. Everyone hates me... and I don't have a mom or dad."
"But," he continued, his voice strengthening, "my dream is to make everyone in the village recognize me, and then I'm going to become Hokage! I won't let those people beat me!"
He paused suddenly, worried. He wondered if he was talking too much, if Kanon would find his big talk annoying. He turned back tentatively, only to find Kanon resting her chin in her hand, listening with absolute sincerity.
"You... you don't think I'm just talking big? You don't think it's boring?"
"Not at all. Living your life with a dream in your heart is a beautiful thing. Why would it be boring?"
"As long as you put in the effort for that goal, I know you'll make your dream come true."
Kanon gave him a thumbs-up. Then, she handed him a kunai with the character for "Flower" (花 - Hana) engraved on it.
"Keep this kunai with you. When you truly become the Hokage, you can give it back to me."
Naruto took the kunai, staring at Kanon in shock. "Do you really believe I'll become the Hokage?"
"Of course I believe in you! I'll be cheering for you the whole way!"
Kanon gave him a playful, tilted smile. A gust of wind blew, catching her lustrous black hair at a perfect angle. In that moment, her smile was etched deeply into the core of Naruto's heart.
Naruto stared at her, completely captivated. She was his first friend, and the first person to truly acknowledge him. His heart raced with excitement.
But then, another thought occurred to him. He realized he had never asked about her own goals or dreams.
"Kanon, we've only been talking about me. What about your dream?"
Kanon, who was stretching, blinked in surprise. She loosened up her muscles and then gently beckoned Naruto to lean in. Naruto leaned his ear toward her.
"As for me... I hope that the entire Shinobi World will one day be free of war. I want everyone to become true friends so we can all find that flower field in my heart together!"
"That's a great dream!" Naruto nodded.
"By the way, Naruto, you should be in the Academy by now, right?"
"Yeah, I'm already enrolled."
"Then... do you know Sasuke?"
"Sasuke? You mean Sasuke Uchiha?"
Naruto thought for a second. An image surfaced in his mind of a very handsome, very stuck-up boy who had every girl in class swooning over him.
"That guy! I could never forget him!" Naruto clenched his fist, looking like he had a personal grudge.
Seeing his reaction, Kanon looked confused. "What's wrong with Sasuke?"
"That guy is so full of himself! He walks around with a scowl all day, and he acts so cool just because his grades are good! And all the girls have crushes on him—I don't know what he's so smug about!"
"He's not even half as handsome as me! He's cold, arrogant, and has a sharp tongue. He's the exact opposite of me!"
Kanon covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. Naruto really is interesting, she thought.
Seeing her laughing so happily, Naruto asked, "Why are you asking about Sasuke anyway?"
"Because," Kanon replied, "he's my big brother!"
Naruto froze. He nearly stumbled over his own feet.
"WHAT?! Sasuke Uchiha is your brother?!"
Then, Naruto remembered her name. Kanon Uchiha... it actually made sense! Looking closely, she was incredibly pretty, easily at the top tier of all the girls he knew!
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