Chapter 3 - The Perfect Shadow
He should have been a taijutsu master by now.
Over the next few weeks, Naruto continued to train with Bushy Brow-Sensei and Bushy Brow early in the mornings. To his horror, they continued to river train. It wasn't as bad as the first time, though. Yesterday, Naruto had even made it 3 or 4 yards upstream before he was swept away—a far cry from when the river would immediately overtake him.
But to his disappointment, he hadn't learned any cool taijutsu moves. Each morning, after narrowly escaping a water death, Bushy Brow-Sensei would force him to spar with his shadow for the rest of the session. Naruto didn't understand the big deal with punching his shadow, but it certainly hadn't made him a taijutsu master yet.
Naruto jolted in his seat as Kiba's loud voice broke through his thoughts.
"Yo, Naruto! What's up with you today?" the brash boy asked, glancing over from his spot a few rows back. "I thought that jounin instructor was gonna turn you into some super awesome taijutsu master, but from the looks of it, your special training must've been a total bust!"
Kiba let out a bark of laughter at his own joke, while Akamaru yipped along gleefully on top of his head. Nearby, Shikamaru just sighed and muttered "Troublesome..." under his breath.
Naruto felt his cheeks flush, annoyance bubbling up in his chest. What would dog-breath know about his training with Bushy Brow-sensei? Just because he wasn't babbling nonstop today didn't mean the training was bad!
Naruto crossed his arms over his chest defensively. "Shows what you know, mutt-face!" he shot back. "My training has been super intense, believe it! Bushy Brow-sensei makes me swim in these crazy fast rapids every morning to build my strength and endurance. I'm pretty much a taijutsu master already!"
He puffed out his chest confidently, hoping his bluff sounded convincing. In truth, the rigorous training had been exhausting, and at times terrifying, but he still struggled with the basics. Not that he would ever admit that out loud, especially not to Kiba.
Kiba just smirked, clearly not buying Naruto's boast. "Oh yeah? Then how come I haven't seen any sweet new moves during sparring practice? All you do is flail around with no style, same as always."
Laughter rippled through the nearby students who had overheard their conversation. Naruto felt his face grow hotter. He opened his mouth to spit out a retort, but Iruka's stern voice cut him off.
"Alright you two, that's enough," the instructor chided sharply. "Let's get back to reviewing for the exam."
Grumbling under his breath, Naruto slumped low in his seat and went back to staring sullenly out the window. Iruka's droning voice faded into background noise as he brooded.
It wasn't fair - he had been training so hard with Bushy Brow-sensei, pushing himself to the limit day after day. Yet he still had nothing cool to show for it, while prodigies like Sasuke mastered advanced techniques with ease. All his hard work felt futile when he could barely perform the basics.
Why wouldn't Guy-Sensei teach him anything other than that stupid shadow sparring?
At lunch, Naruto sat alone under the shade of a large oak tree, slurping down a cup of instant ramen. It was his favorite comfort food, but today the salty noodles didn't quite hit the spot. His appetite had been soured by Kiba's mocking words back in class.
Did his training really look that ineffective from the outside? Doubt gnawed at him as he stared into the swirling ramen broth. He knew he should be stronger after all these weeks with Bushy Brow-sensei. Yet he had nothing to show for it except his same wild, unrefined style.
Lost in thought, Naruto didn't notice the group of boys approaching until a shadow fell over him. He glanced up to see three smug faces sneering down at him - a trio of bullies who liked to give him grief. The biggest one, Daisuke, shook his shaggy head in mock disappointment.
"Well, if it isn't the class clown. What's this I heard about you training with some elite jounin sensei? Must not be going too great from the looks of you."
Naruto bristled, straightening up defensively. "Shows what you know! My training has been super intense. I've gotten way stronger."
The other two boys, Hiro and Souta, laughed derisively. "Oh yeah? Then how come you still fight like a wild animal during spars?" Hiro challenged.
"Maybe his new sensei is holding back, afraid Naruto's too delicate to handle real training," Souta snickered.
Naruto clenched his fists, anger simmering beneath the surface. Who were these jerks to question Bushy Brow-sensei's methods?
"You got it all wrong!" he shot back. "I've been doing the most advanced training ever. Bushy Brow-sensei makes me swim in these huge crazy rapids every morning to build my strength. And then I spar with this super strong genin named Lee. I totally beat him last time, believe it!"
The lies spilled out before he could stop them. Naruto knew he should keep his mouth shut, but his wounded pride just couldn't take their ridicule. He had to defend his training somehow, even if it meant exaggerating the truth.
Unfortunately, his boasts only made the bullies laugh harder. "Yeah right! There's no way a dead-last loser like you could beat a real genin," Daisuke scoffed. "Nice try, though."
Naruto jumped to his feet, fists clenched and ready to swing. Insulting him was one thing, but he wouldn't let them mock Bushy Brow-sensei too.
"You wanna find out just how strong my training made me, punks?" he challenged, glaring up at the older boys.
But rather than looking intimidated, the bullies seemed further amused by his show of bravado. "Settle down there, pint-size," Hiro said with a smirk. "No need to get all worked up over some friendly ribbing."
Still chuckling, Souta suddenly reached out and snatched Naruto's cup of ramen from his hands. "Yeah, we're just messing around," he said casually. "But if you really trained with a jounin, you'd be fast enough to stop this!"
Before Naruto could react, Souta dashed the remnants of the ramen in his face. The cold broth stung his eyes and dripped down his cheeks. Daisuke and Hiro howled with laughter.
"Some elite ninja you're turning out to be!" Daisuke taunted.
Naruto stood frozen, blinking broth from his eyes. His hands trembled with anger and shame. The bullies' laughter echoed mockingly in his ears.
"Aww, poor baby gonna cry?" Hiro sneered, seeing the glisten of tears welling up behind the ramen broth dripping down Naruto's cheeks. The towering bullies loomed over Naruto now.
Naruto wound up, putting all his rage and shame into the punch as he aimed a haymaker straight for Daisuke's stupid grinning face. This blow would shut him up for good!
But in his fury, Naruto didn't notice Hiro and Souta slip behind him. As his fist shot forward, leaving his whole body open and exposed, they each grabbed one of his arms in an iron grip. Before Naruto could even blink, they yanked him backwards, his punch meeting only empty air where Daisuke's head had been a second before.
"Hey, let me go!" Naruto yelled, struggling violently, but their hold was too strong. Hiro and Souta dragged him behind the broad oak tree, out of sight from any teachers or students who might be passing by.
Once hidden from view, they shoved Naruto hard against the rough bark. He winced as the jagged edges dug painfully into his back. Hiro moved in front of him, grasping both his wrists to hold his arms immobile against the tree. Meanwhile, Souta took up position on his left, gripping Naruto's shoulder tightly to keep him pinned.
Daisuke sauntered over, a cruel glint in his eyes. "Looks like you need to work on defense as much as offense, loser."
Naruto thrashed and kicked, but he was trapped between their bodies and the unforgiving tree. Daisuke leaned in close, his sneering face just inches away.
"Don't worry, we wanna help you with some real training," he said, false sympathy dripping from his tone. "We'll teach you how to take a punch."
Naruto's eyes widened in realization and fear, but before he could even open his mouth to yell for help, Daisuke's fist plowed hard into his unprotected stomach.
Naruto wheezed as all the air was forced violently from his lungs. Daisuke didn't let up, pummeling blow after devastating blow into his stomach and sides. Each punch felt like a sledgehammer, leaving his body writhing in agony.
"How's that feel, dead-last?" Daisuke taunted as his fists continued their brutal barrage. "Not so tough without your stupid ninjutsu, are ya?"
Naruto could only gasp helplessly, pinned in place as searing pain exploded through his core again and again. After five more excruciating hits, his legs finally gave out, but Hiro and Souta's grips kept him upright against the tree trunk.
Naruto's head lolled forward, a bead of bloody spittle dripping from his parted lips. His lungs screamed for air, but all he could manage were short, rasping breaths between Daisuke's powerful blows.
Just when he thought he might pass out from the pain, Daisuke finally paused his assault. Naruto hung limply in Hiro and Souta's grasp, no longer having the strength to struggle. His breaths came in weak, shuddering wheezes.
Daisuke leaned in close once more, his beady eyes glinting with cruel satisfaction at the agony etched across Naruto's features.
"Face it, you're pathetic. No talent for ninjutsu, and your taijutsu is just as weak," he sneered, shoving Naruto's shoulder roughly. "Do yourself a favor and drop out now. You'll never be a real shinobi."
With those final biting words, Daisuke turned and sauntered away, Hiro and Souta following after one last disdainful look at Naruto's crumpled form. Once their footsteps faded, Naruto's legs finally gave out completely. He collapsed to his hands and knees with a strangled cry, arms wrapped protectively around his aching ribs.
Every agonized inhale sent spikes of pain through his battered core. He coughed weakly, the coppery tang of blood filling his mouth. Tears of pain, frustration, and humiliation burned behind his eyes, but he stubbornly held them back.
He wouldn't give those jerks the satisfaction of seeing him cry, even if they weren't here to witness it. Jaw clenched, Naruto shakily pushed himself to his feet, one arm still curled over his throbbing stomach. He staggered away, each step pure torment, as he focused on just putting one foot in front of the other until he was out of sight behind the academy building.
There, hidden between the wall and bushes, the tears finally leaked from his eyes despite his efforts. Sobs wracked his frame, sending more waves of pain through his abdomen. He slid down the wall, letting his body go limp as he finally released the emotions churning inside him.
Anger at his own helplessness. Shame over the bullies' cruel words. Disappointment that his training hadn't prepared him. Fear that they were right, and he'd never make it as a ninja.
Naruto wasn't sure how long he sat there, crying quietly as emotions and pain overwhelmed him. But finally, as the worst of the sobs subsided, a single thought crystallized in his mind:
I can't quit. I won't.
Gritting his teeth, Naruto swiped his sleeve roughly over his wet cheeks. Then slowly, agonizingly, he pushed himself back upright using the wall for support. His entire body protested, but he embraced the pain this time.
It meant he was still standing.
Naruto trudged slowly back into the classroom, trailing a few steps behind Shikamaru. His shoulders were slumped, head lowered to avoid meeting anyone's gaze. The normal boisterous energy he carried himself with had vanished, leaving him muted.
Iruka gestured for them to take a seat at the desk he had pulled up to his own. Naruto slid silently into the chair, staring blankly at the scratched surface of the wooden desk. He could feel Iruka's concerned gaze resting on him, but didn't lift his eyes.
"Thank you both for staying behind," Iruka began gently. "I know you're wondering why I asked you here today."
Shikamaru sighed loudly. "It's probably something troublesome."
Ignoring the comment, Iruka focused his attention on Naruto. "Firstly, Naruto, I heard about the...incident at lunch today."
Naruto tensed, a spark of anger flaring in his chest. Great, Iruka-sensei had heard about his humiliation. He kept his eyes locked on the desk, fingers curling into fists under the table.
Iruka's voice remained gentle. "I know those boys said some hurtful things. But getting into fights won't solve anything. You're better than that."
Naruto finally lifted his head, meeting Iruka's earnest gaze. The anger in his chest deflated. Iruka was right - lashing out wouldn't prove anything to those jerks. But it still hurt, feeling powerless again.
"I know, Sensei," Naruto mumbled. "I'll try not to let them get to me anymore."
Iruka smiled kindly. "I'm glad to hear that. Which brings me to the real reason I asked you both here." His tone grew serious again. "You've struggled more than your peers in certain areas. For you, Naruto, it's book smarts and strategy. And Shikamaru, it's motivation and effort."
Shikamaru let out another bored sigh but didn't argue. Naruto picked at a hangnail, feeling the usual knot form in his stomach that came with disappointment. Why did everything come so easily to geniuses like Sasuke, while he had to struggle for even basic concepts?
"I want you two to start meeting daily after class to play shogi," Iruka continued. At this, Shikamaru's eyes widened and he sat up a bit straighter. Even Naruto looked up with renewed interest.
Iruka went on, "Shikamaru, teaching the game to Naruto will be a chance for you to hone your strategic thinking skills and practice explaining concepts clearly." His gaze shifted. "And Naruto, learning shogi will help develop your focus, patience, and problem-solving abilities."
Iruka smiled at them both. "I think you have a lot to teach each other. And as an added incentive, you'll earn extra credit towards graduation for taking this seriously."
Shikamaru and Naruto exchanged a tentative glance. It wasn't their first choice for how to spend free time. But the promise of boosting their grades was enticing.
"Fine, I guess I can teach him," Shikamaru conceded, though his bored drawl didn't match the glint of interest in his eyes.
Naruto offered a small grin, the first since that afternoon. "And I'll try not to smash the board when I lose."
Iruka chuckled. "That's the spirit. I know you both can benefit greatly from this. Now let's begin..."
Naruto watched as Iruka pulled out a worn wooden shogi board and set of playing pieces from his desk drawer. The instructor handled them gently, almost reverently, as he placed the board on the desk between Naruto and Shikamaru.
"This was my first shogi set, a gift from my father," Iruka explained, a touch of nostalgia in his voice. He began arranging the tokens on the checkered game board.
Shikamaru nodded appreciatively as he studied the vintage set. Naruto just squinted at the unfamiliar symbols engraved on the playing pieces. They all looked the same to him.
Once the board was set up, Iruka gestured for them to begin. "Alright, I'll leave you two to play. Remember, focus on thinking strategically, not just reacting." With an encouraging smile, he headed back to his desk to grade papers.
Shikamaru immediately launched into an explanation of the rules, demonstrating how certain pieces could move and capture others. Naruto tried his best to pay attention, but his gaze kept being drawn to the open window and freedom beyond.
This was so boring! He didn't care about old board games. All he wanted to do was get back out to the training yard and practice his taijutsu skills.
"Got all that?" Shikamaru asked in his usual lazy drawl.
Naruto's attention snapped back to his unmotivated classmate. "Uh, sure! No problem!" He flashed a big grin and thumbs-up, hoping it disguised the fact he'd missed half of the explanation daydreaming about training.
With a dubious quirk of his eyebrow, Shikamaru made the first move, sliding a piece forward. The game had begun.
Naruto pored over the board, brow furrowed in concentration as he tried to recall the rules he'd just been told. Cautiously, he nudged one of his own pieces ahead, earning an exasperated sigh from Shikamaru.
"You're not even thinking strategically. I can take that piece easily."
And he did, on his next turn. Naruto huffed in annoyance as Shikamaru effortlessly captured another of his pieces. This game made no sense!
After losing a third piece to Shikamaru's infuriatingly calm tactics, Naruto decided to go on the offensive. Forget strategy - he would overwhelm Shikamaru with an all-out assault!
Grinning, Naruto surged several of his remaining pieces forward recklessly, leaving his king wide open. "Ha! How d'ya like that?"
Shikamaru just shook his head. "This isn't about blind offense. You left yourself totally vulnerable." With a few quick moves, he had Naruto's king cornered. "Checkmate."
"What? No way!" Naruto cried in disbelief. But sure enough, his king was trapped with nowhere left to run.
They reset the board to play again. Naruto cracked his knuckles, determined to do better this time. But three humiliating defeats later, his confidence was badly shaken. No matter what he tried, Shikamaru easily out-maneuvered him every time.
Sweat beaded Naruto's temple as he struggled desperately to protect his king in their fourth game. But it was no use. After barely ten moves, Shikamaru had already cut off all avenues for escape.
"Checkmate," he intoned casually, sitting back in his chair.
Naruto groaned, tugging at his hair in frustration. "How do you do it so easily? This game makes no sense!"
Shikamaru just shrugged. "You can't just blindly attack or randomly move pieces. That's not how strategy works."
As they reset the board again, impatience simmered in Naruto's gut. This was getting him nowhere! He didn't have time for drawn-out games. The graduation exam was coming up fast, and he needed to be training!
Half-listening as Shikamaru droned on about proper opening moves, Naruto discreetly slipped a shuriken from his weapons pouch under the desk. He idly tested the sharp tip with his finger, mind racing.
What if, during their next match, he "accidentally" knocked the board over in frustration? Then maybe Iruka would let them end this tedious lesson early so he could go practice his taijutsu...
Tuning back in, Naruto realized Shikamaru had already made the opening moves of their fifth match. Brow furrowing, Naruto quickly pushed a few random pieces forward, just trying to defend. But Shikamaru's strategy quickly backed him into a corner once again.
"And checkmate," Shikamaru announced in a bored tone, not even ten moves in. "You're not learning anything, are you?"
That was the last straw. Naruto surged to his feet, hands planted on the desk as he leaned over the board. "That's it, I can't take anymore!" he shouted loudly. "This game makes no sense and I hate it!"
For emphasis, he spun into a roundhouse kick right on top of the desk. But his foot slipped on some stray pencils, throwing off his balance completely. With a yelp, Naruto tumbled forward, hands flailing—directly into the shogi board.
Pieces went flying in all directions as the board upended from the impact of Naruto's body. He crashed to the floor in a mess of scattered tokens and broken wooden squares. From nearby, Iruka cried out in alarm.
"Naruto! What happened?" The instructor rushed over, disbelief written across his features as he took in the wreckage of his once-pristine childhood shogi set.
Rubbing his head where it had cracked against the edge of the desk, Naruto stared at the shattered remnants surrounding him. He hadn't meant to actually destroy it!
"I-I'm so sorry, Sensei! I was trying to do a cool move and messed up," he stammered, guilt gnawing at his insides. He bowed his head, unable to meet Iruka's gaze. "I know that board meant a lot to you..."
But Iruka's expression softened as he crouched down to Naruto's level. "It's alright. It was just an accident." With a small sigh, he started gathering the scattered pieces. "But I think that's enough shogi lessons for today."
Naruto gritted his teeth as he forced his aching body through yet another repetition of the kata. His limbs trembled with the effort, sore muscles screaming in protest. But he pushed through, determined not to show weakness.
The shadow on the wooden post mimicked him half-heartedly, a perfect reflection of his own lackluster movements. Naruto suppressed a sigh, frustration simmering in his gut. How was this baby stuff supposed to make him a master ninja?
Across the training field, Lee and Guy-sensei were sparring vigorously, exchanging blows so fast they were nearly a blur. Naruto couldn't tear his eyes away, jealousy burning in his chest. He wanted to be the one testing his skills against Bushy Brow, not stuck with this dumb shadow sparring.
"Yosh, Lee! Excellent form!" Guy bellowed encouragement between strikes. "Keep fanning your flames of youth!"
Lee's eyes shone with pride and determination. "Yes Guy-sensei! I will show you the fruits of my hard work!"
Naruto's shoulders slumped, his own gaze drifting to the ground. No matter how hard he trained, it never seemed enough. He was still stuck on beginner exercises while Lee mastered advanced techniques. What was he doing wrong?
A large hand clasped his shoulder, jolting Naruto from his brooding thoughts. He glanced up to see Guy towering over him, brows furrowed in concern beneath his severe bowl cut.
"Naruto, your flames of youth seem to be burning low today," Guy rumbled. "What troubles you, my student?"
Naruto straightened, shaking his head in denial. "Nothing, Bushy Brow-sensei! I'm totally fired up and ready to train, believe it!" He forced a wide grin, hoping it disguised his inner frustration.
But Guy was not so easily fooled. He crossed his massive arms, staring Naruto down with piercing intensity. "Do not try to hide your struggles, Naruto. Share them so I may guide you back to the path of youth!"
Naruto fidgeted under the weight of Guy's stare, avoiding his gaze. After a long moment, he finally mumbled, "It's just...we've been training for weeks, but you still won't teach me anything cool! It's always shadow sparring and katas. When do I get to learn sweet moves and spar for real?"
He couldn't keep the irritation from seeping into his tone. After all his hard work, he had nothing to show for it! The graduation exam loomed, yet his skills remained laughable.
To his surprise, Guy smiled and clapped him on the back. "Patience, Naruto! You must walk before you can run. Once you have mastered yourself, then you will be ready to master your techniques!"
Naruto sighed, shoulders slumping again. Why did everything have to take so long? He was ready for action now!
Naruto let out a frustrated huff, but sank back into a fighting stance facing the wooden post. His shadow mimicked him perfectly, cast sharply across the weathered wood in the morning light.
Brow furrowed, he went through the motions again slowly. Punch, kick, uppercut. The shadow echoed him move for move. He still didn't understand how this baby stuff was supposed to make him stronger.
As if reading his thoughts, Guy crossed his bulging arms. "Observe carefully, Naruto. Do you notice any openings or vulnerabilities in your opponent's form?"
Naruto squinted at the shadow critically. It looked pretty solid to him. "Uh, not really Sensei," he mumbled with a shrug.
Guy stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Look at how your shadow leaves the head unguarded after that roundhouse kick." He pointed to demonstrate.
Naruto peered closer and saw what Guy meant. After the wide sweep of his leg, the shadow's arms dropped low for a split second, leaving the head wide open.
"Oh yeah, I see it now! My shadow was totally ready to get clobbered!" Naruto exclaimed, embarrassment coloring his cheeks. Why hadn't he noticed such an obvious thing? Some elite ninja he was turning out to be.
But Guy just flashed a wide grin, teeth pinging brightly. "Excellent! Now you are beginning to understand the deeper purpose of this exercise."
He placed a giant hand on Naruto's shoulder. "By observing your shadow, you learn to recognize weaknesses in your own form. Find the flaws, and you can correct them. That is the true value in this training!"
Understanding dawned on Naruto. This wasn't just boring busywork - it was helping him fix holes in his technique! Eagerly, he turned back to the post with new eyes, determined to spot every vulnerability.
For the next few minutes, he paid close attention as his shadow mimicked each punch, block and kick. More weaknesses jumped out at him now - arms overextending, balance faltering, core left unprotected.
A wide grin split Naruto's face. Wait till he showed Bushy Brow-Sensei how observant he could be!
Guy let out a booming laugh. "Excellent, Naruto! Your eyes blaze with the fires of youthful insight!" He struck a pose, teeth pinging. "Now take what you have learned and adapt your stance to eliminate those openings!"
With renewed enthusiasm, Naruto adjusted his posture, keeping his guard higher and weight centered. No way was some dumb shadow going to reveal any flaws this time!
He flowed between moves fluidly, pleased when his shadow revealed no obvious gaps. When he struck the final pose, Naruto looked eagerly to Guy for approval.
The jounin grinned and gave him a thumbs-up. "Superb job, Naruto! You have embraced the deeper lesson of this training - learning to recognize and overcome your own weaknesses through self-reflection."
Guy's voice swelled with pride. "You have taken the first vital step in your journey toward becoming a splendid ninja fueled by the power of youth!"
Naruto rubbed the back of his head, cheeks flushing at the praise. Maybe this shadow stuff wasn't so pointless after all. And Bushy Brow-sensei wasn't nearly as crazy as he seemed.
Pumping a fist, Naruto shouted, "Yeah! Just you watch, I'm gonna keep getting stronger every day! And I'll be ready to take on anything when I'm Hokage, believe it!"
Guy laughed loudly. "That's the spirit! Now, shall we review your form one more time?"
Grinning from ear to ear, Naruto turned back to the post, more motivated than ever to master the art of reading his shadow.
Naruto scuffed his toe in the dirt outside the academy gates, glancing sidelong at Shikamaru. "So uh, sorry again for wrecking Iruka-sensei's shogi set," he mumbled.
Shikamaru just shrugged, hands in his pockets. "Don't worry about it. Playing you was too troublesome anyway."
They started walking down the road leading into the village center. Naruto's hands fidgeted at his sides. He still felt guilty for destroying Iruka's treasured childhood gift. His teacher had brushed it off as an accident, but Naruto wanted to make things right.
"Hey, you know a lot about shogi and stuff," Naruto ventured. "Is there a place around here we could find a nice replacement set?"
Shikamaru quirked an eyebrow. "You're really serious about this?" At Naruto's vigorous nod, he sighed loudly. "So troublesome... Yeah, there's a game shop in the market district. They might have some decent boards."
Naruto perked up instantly, his usual exuberance returning. "Awesome, let's go! I wanna get Iruka-sensei the best shogi set ever, believe it!"
He took off at a jog down the street, forcing a grumbling Shikamaru to pick up his pace. As they neared the busier village center, Naruto skidded to a halt outside a cozy looking store nestled between two restaurants. A carved wooden sign above the door proclaimed it the Lucky Mongoose Game Shop.
"This is the place!" Shikamaru declared as he caught up to Naruto, slightly out of breath. Before Naruto could dash inside, Shikamaru grabbed his jacket collar. "Hold on. Remember, look around quietly and don't knock anything over."
"Yeah, yeah, I got it!" Naruto said with an exaggerated eye roll. But he could barely contain his excitement as he stepped inside the shop, a bell above the door announcing their arrival. His bright blue eyes grew wide, reflecting the colorful disarray lining the shelves.
There were board games, puzzles, cards, and tokens of every shape and size. Naruto had to force himself not to grab and play with everything in sight. Even Shikamaru seemed intrigued by the wide selection, muttering "How troublesome..." under his breath as he perused the shelves.
They made their way to a section displaying polished wooden shogi sets, ranging from cheap beginner boards to ornate sets with lacquered pieces. Naruto picked up a basic one with a plastic carrying case.
"Whaddya think of this one?" he asked Shikamaru eagerly. But the other boy just wrinkled his nose.
"Too flimsy. The engraving will wear off the pieces after a few games."
Naruto placed it back with a huff. This was harder than he thought! He studied the selection intently, hoping to spot the perfect set that would make Iruka-sensei smile again.
Then his eyes landed on a handsome set nestled in the back. The checkered board was made of rich rosewood with delicate etchings along the edges. And the playing pieces had elegant calligraphy instead of simple stamped characters.
He reached for the elegant rosewood shogi set nestled on the back shelf. But just as his fingers brushed the lacquered surface, another hand swooped in, grabbing the board at the same time.
"Hey!" Naruto cried out indignantly, looking up to see who had snatched his prize. Towering over him was a muscular man with a shiny bald head and a thick black beard. His beady eyes glinted above a smug grin.
"Well, well, looks like we both had our eyes on this fine set," the man rumbled. He held the box just out of Naruto's reach. "How 'bout we settle this the proper way? You any good at playing, pipsqueak?"
Naruto gulped, sweat breaking out on his brow. Play against this hulking brute? No way! He was still just a beginner at shogi. But the gleam of the elegant playing pieces called to him - he had to win that board for Iruka-sensei!
Swallowing his fear, Naruto squared his shoulders and shot the man his best foxy grin. "You bet! I'm an expert shogi player, believe it!"
The bald man let out a bellowing laugh. "Excellent! Why don't we have ourselves a quick match then, kid? Winner takes the set, deal?"
Before Naruto could object, the man had already snatched a board off a nearby shelf and plopped down right in the middle of the store's narrow aisle. Other customers eyed them curiously as they squeezed past the impromptu playing space.
"Uh, hey mister, I'm not sure we should just start a game here," Naruto whispered loudly, laughing awkwardly. But the bald brute ignored him, eyes glinting eagerly as he began setting up the pieces with oversized hands.
Naruto shot a desperate glance at Shikamaru, who just sighed in response. "So troublesome... Looks like you've got no choice. Just try not to lose too quickly."
Some encouragement that was! Naruto gnawed his lip as he lowered himself across from the bearded player. This was bad. He was totally going to make a fool of himself. But he had to try - it was for Iruka-sensei!
Swallowing down his nerves, Naruto waited as the man made the first move. Then inspiration struck! He would just copy whatever his opponent did - that way he couldn't mess anything up too badly!
Tongue between his teeth, Naruto carefully mimicked the man's first move. A slow grin spread across the brute's face. "Not bad, kid. You've got some skill." He laughed loudly as he countered Naruto's move.
The game quickly picked up speed, but Naruto kept pace, always mirroring his opponent's moves precisely. He started to sweat as the man employed more advanced tactics, cornering his pieces. But he refused to slip up or deviate from the pattern.
By copying rather than thinking, he couldn't make any disastrous mistakes, right? It was just like Bushy Brow-sensei's shadow sparring - using an 'opponent's' moves against them!
After twenty tense minutes of play, the bald man scratched his beard thoughtfully as he surveyed the board. Naruto held his breath, waiting for the brute's next move. Then he saw it - in setting up a complex trap for Naruto's general, the man had accidentally left his own king vulnerable!
Heart pounding, Naruto slowly reached out and captured the undefended king piece. "Checkmate!" he cried in disbelief.
"What? No way!" The bald brute stared at the board in shock before letting out another bellowing guffaw. "Well played, pipsqueak! You really had me fooled into thinking you were an amateur there at first!"
He clapped Naruto heartily on the back, nearly knocking the wind out of him. "Using my own strategies against me by copying my moves - now that's some clever playing! Felt like I was battling my own shadow there."
Naruto flushed under the praise, scratching his head sheepishly. "Just got lucky I guess!" But inside, excitement bubbled up. He had actually won his first real shogi match! And using Bushy Brow's advice of learning from your opponent's weaknesses, no less. This victory stuff felt pretty great!
The bald man slid the polished rosewood set across to Naruto with one last laugh. "Well, a deal's a deal! You've earned this, kid. Just promise me a rematch someday, eh?"
Naruto reverently picked up the ornate box, grinning from ear to ear. "You bet, mister! I'd never go back on my word!" His heart swelled knowing this beautiful set was his to give to Iruka-sensei.
As the bald man ambled away, Shikamaru sauntered over looking mildly impressed. "Not bad. Maybe you have some talent for strategy after all."
Naruto laughed loudly, hugged the shogi set to his chest. "Just you wait - someday I'll beat you too, believe it!"
Shikamaru just shook his head, muttering "So troublesome..." under his breath. But Naruto could see a hint of a smile tugging at his bored classmate's lips.
After paying what could have afforded more than just a few cups of ramen, Naruto followed Shikamaru out of the cozy game shop onto the busy village street. The sun was getting low in the sky, casting an orange glow over the bustling marketplace. Naruto's nose twitched as they passed a ramen stand, the savory aroma making his mouth water. But he forced himself to keep walking - he had a gift to deliver!
"Hey, I gotta get home before my mom throws a fit," Shikamaru drawled, glancing anxiously at the darkening horizon. "See you at the academy tomorrow."
"Yeah, later Shikamaru! And thanks for the help!" Naruto called over his shoulder, already dashing off down the road toward the academy. He clutched the rosewood box tight to his chest, unwilling to risk dropping it after all the effort he had put into obtaining the perfect shogi set.
Naruto clutched the ornate rosewood shogi set excitedly as he rushed back to the academy. The sun had begun to sink below the rooftops, casting the village in an orange glow. He couldn't wait to see the look on Iruka-sensei's face when he presented the surprise gift!
Just thinking about his teacher's reaction made Naruto pick up speed, his sandals skidding around corners as he raced down familiar streets. Before long, the proud gleaming buildings of the academy came into view up ahead.
Grinning from ear to ear, Naruto burst through the front gates in his usual exuberant fashion. At this hour, the training yards were empty, most students and teachers already home for dinner. Everything was still and quiet on the surface, but Naruto could sense Iruka-sensei's chakra emanating from his classroom up ahead, the man's warmth and patience so familiar after years under his guidance.
Clutching his gift, Naruto made for the classroom entrance—only to skid to a halt as hushed voices reached his ears from within the room. He immediately recognized Iruka-sensei's calm baritone, followed by the brash challenging tone of none other than Kiba Inuzuka. Curious despite himself, Naruto crept toward the doorway as stealthily as he could (which wasn't very).
Pressing himself flat against the wall, Naruto caught snippets of conversation floating out from the cracked door.
"...failing most of the written exams, and his practical skills are barely average," came Kiba's loud complaint. "He's gonna flunk out for sure with dead-last scores like that!"
A soft growl rumbled as Akamaru seemed to agree from atop Kiba's head. Naruto's fists clenched, indignation rising in his chest. Was that jerk Kiba trash-talking him to Iruka-sensei?
"Now, Kiba, I know you're upset about your scores, but insulting classmates won't help," Iruka chided gently. "If you dedicate yourself, I'm confident you can improve."
Naruto had to stifle a snicker. Hearing Iruka admonish loudmouth Kiba was always satisfying. But his amusement quickly turned back to irritation. Just who did dog-breath think he was, complaining about Naruto behind his back? Not so funny when the insults were aimed your way, huh Kiba?
Bristling with righteous anger on behalf of his teacher, Naruto was ready to burst in there and give Kiba a piece of his mind (and maybe his fist too). But at the last second, he hesitated.
Eavesdropping left a sour taste in his mouth, reminding him too much of years spent on the outside looking in. And most importantly, he didn't want to disappoint Iruka-sensei by barging in and causing a scene. This was between teacher and student.
With great effort, Naruto peeled himself away from the wall and slunk back toward the front gates. He would wait for Kiba to leave before presenting the gift. In the meantime, maybe some solo training in the yard would help him blow off steam.
The sun had just dipped below the rooftops as Naruto slipped into the training yard, casting everything in hazy twilight. One benefit of the poor lighting was it created crisp shadows across the ground and walls.
Recalling Guy-sensei's advice, Naruto plopped down in front of the blank academy wall and assumed a fighting stance. His shadow dutifully mimicked him, spread large across the wooden planks.
Narrowing his eyes, Naruto flowed between practiced punches and kicks. His shadow moved in perfect sync, betraying no openings or flaws. He had come a long way from that first embarrassing session.
But Naruto knew he couldn't get cocky. Shadow-sparring was all about vigilance, staying sharp to spot vulnerabilities. Keeping Guy's advice in mind, he pushed himself to find new angles, imperfections in his form.
There - after his spinning hook kick, he overcommitted his weight too far forward. Naruto adjusted his balance accordingly, keeping his center of gravity back this time. Again the shadow copied him precisely.
Naruto couldn't stop a wide foxy grin spreading across his face. He was getting good at this! Now if only he could wipe the smirk off jerk Sasuke's face this easily…
Naruto sank into the familiar footwork drills Guy-sensei had drilled into him. Step, pivot, kick. Step, pivot, punch. His shadow slid smoothly across the wooden wall as he flowed between movements.
To the casual observer, his form likely appeared sloppy, bordering on spastic - he could imagine the whispers of "no style" or "fights like a wild animal." Those voices from his past echoed faintly in his mind, criticisms he once took as truth.
But now, as his body twisted and struck invisible opponents, Naruto felt only the harmony in each motion. The clumsy boy who tripped over his own feet was gone. In his place was a dancer who could predict his partner's every move. That partner was the darkness itself.
Step, pivot, kick. Slip. Punch. Naruto began to pick up speed, challenging himself to spot any openings as his shadow struggled to keep up. But his form remained sealed tight, posture low and grounded in the angled light.
He can't even throw a proper kick!
The air rattled, as Naruto's foot sliced through.
He calls that a punch?
With a slip and twist, he rocketed his fist forward.
Look at him pretend he can fight.
Naruto twisted in a roundhouse kick, stopping inches before slamming the wall.
Naruto lost himself in the drills, by now, dancing around his shadow faster than ever before. His footfalls were silent, his movements graceful. The chain flowed seamlessly like water pouring over river stones. No hesitation, no doubt.
Suddenly, a few more lights switched on, casting a total of three shadows on the wall. For a moment, Naruto saw the looming silhouettes of Daisuke, Hiro, and Souta - the three academy bullies who had cornered him behind the oak tree at lunch.
Naruto froze mid-kick, sweat breaking out on his brow. His muscles tensed as adrenaline flooded his system, instincts screaming at him to run. Shadows couldn't hurt him...right?
Clenching his jaw, Naruto shook his head sharply. No way was he backing down, imaginary bullies or not! With a defiant yell, he launched back into his drills, attacking the shadows with a fierce barrage of strikes.
In his mind's eye, Daisuke's sneering face taunted him as the shadow dodged Naruto's blows. Hiro and Souta's shadows flanked him, trapping him between their larger bodies. Naruto could almost smell the earthy aroma of crushed grass and feel the unforgiving bite of the oak's rough bark behind him, just like that day.
"Hold still, pipsqueak!" Daisuke's shadow jeered as Naruto evaded a lumbering punch. The words sent hot anger lancing through Naruto's veins. He twisted and slammed his heel into Hiro's midsection, imagining the satisfying wheeze of air forced from the bully's lungs.
"Not so tough when it's a fair fight, huh?" Naruto panted, wiping sweat from his brow. He ducked under a blow from Souta, returning a sharp jab to the taller boy's solar plexus. But the shadows kept coming, mimicking that awful day no matter how fiercely Naruto fought back.
Still, he refused to give in. With a primal shout, Naruto struck Daisuke's shadow with a crushing roundhouse kick. It collided with the wooden wall in a shower of splinters. Breathing hard, Naruto finally stopped, fists still clenched tightly at his sides.
Naruto stepped back from the splintered dent in the wooden wall. His shoulders heaved. His lungs burned. Sweat dripped down his temples, heart still hammering from the imagined battle.
When he finally lifted his head, the three looming shadows of the bullies were gone. Only his own remained, slightly distorted after the impact with the wall but otherwise mirroring him perfectly.
But as his shadow mimicked him across the pitted wood, an odd sight made Naruto freeze mid-punch. There, with perfect posture and textbook smooth motions, was the silhouette that could only belong to one student - Sasuke.
Naruto blinked rapidly, certain his exhaustion must be making him see things. But no, the distinctive spiky hair and confident stance were unmistakable. Not only had his shadows become his bullies. Somehow, this one had transformed into a mirror image of his rival, too?
Narrowing his eyes, Naruto launched a series of spinning kicks at the wall. But even as he poured all his energy into the wild moves, the shadow - Sasuke - copied his exact movements, except it flowed through them effortlessly.
Naruto skidded to a halt, panting hard as irritation simmered in his gut. No matter what he did, this stupid shadow made him look like a flailing amateur next to the perfect form of his smug rival. It wasn't fair!
Then suddenly, Naruto froze. Wait - this was his shadow reflecting him, not Sasuke. Which could only mean...the flawless execution was his own doing, not the Uchiha's.
It was his shadow that was perfect.
Author's Note:
Hope you guys are enjoying! So what do you guys think? The next few chapters should cover Naruto's graduation and the shenanigans he gets up to!
Make sure to favorite, follow, and review! ;)