AN: Thank you, Drizzy, Vendramon, Felixstormwolf99, and Carlos, for favoriting and following my story and supporting me. Reviews are always appreciated!

Chapter 3: Birthday

Four months had passed since Raiko's arrival in the Naruto universe, and during that time, he had transformed. His once frail and underdeveloped body now radiated a strength uncommon for a five-year-old. His morning routine consisted of rigorous exercises he'd carefully crafted from his knowledge of the ninja world and his old life on Earth. He'd start with laps around the orphanage courtyard, push-ups, sit-ups, and stretches to improve flexibility and core strength. While his small frame limited him, the progress was undeniable.

Physically, Raiko's endurance and agility had improved by leaps and bounds. He could run longer, move faster, and react quicker than ever before. But it was his chakra training that saw the most significant growth. The leaf-floating exercise, which once felt impossible, now came to him as naturally as breathing. He had progressed to controlling multiple leaves at once, keeping them hovering in midair while practicing tree climbing. The exercise was grueling, but Raiko found it rewarding to see himself stick to the bark without sliding down.

Water-walking, however, had been a different challenge altogether. His first attempts had ended with him face-first in a shallow stream near the outskirts of the village, soaking wet and frustrated. But with each failure, Raiko's determination grew. After weeks of trial and error, he was finally able to stand steadily on the water's surface, a feat that filled him with pride.

Now, Raiko sat cross-legged on the floor of his tiny orphanage room, focused intently on a faint blue glow emanating from his palms. He had learned how to channel chakra into his hands with precision, a skill he hoped would give him an edge in close combat and eventually ninjutsu.

The quiet hum of his chakra was interrupted by a loud knock on the door. "Raiko!" a familiar voice called.

Raiko looked up, already recognizing who it was. Over the past few months, he had grown close to Naruto Uzumaki. The boy's enthusiasm and boundless energy had been both a source of entertainment and a reminder of why Raiko needed to grow stronger. Naruto, often shunned by others in the village, had quickly bonded with Raiko over their shared love for Ichiraku Ramen and their dreams of becoming stronger.

Raiko opened the door to find Naruto grinning, his face as animated as ever. His blond hair stuck out in every direction, as if he hadn't brushed it in days. "Come on! Let's go!"

Raiko tilted his head, confused. "Go where?"

Naruto rolled his eyes dramatically. "Don't play dumb! It's your birthday, remember? I've got a surprise for you!"

Raiko blinked in surprise. His birthday had slipped his mind amidst his training. He hadn't expected anyone to remember, let alone do anything for him. "You didn't have to do anything…"

"Stop talking and let's go already!" Naruto interrupted, grabbing Raiko by the wrist and practically dragging him out of the room.

Raiko followed reluctantly, though a small smile tugged at his lips. Naruto's energy was infectious. They weaved through the bustling streets of the Hidden Leaf Village, where merchants called out to passersby, children played, and the warm scent of freshly baked goods filled the air. The afternoon sun bathed the village in a golden glow, making the scene almost picturesque.

Naruto led him to a small clearing near the village's edge, where a picnic blanket had been laid out. At the center of the blanket sat a steaming bowl of Ichiraku Ramen, Raiko's favorite meal.

"Surprise!" Naruto exclaimed, spreading his arms dramatically.

Raiko stared at the scene, his chest tightening with gratitude. "Naruto… this is amazing. Thank you."

Naruto beamed. "You're always looking out for me, y'know? It's about time someone did something nice for you!"

Raiko sat down on the blanket, shaking his head with a soft laugh. "You didn't have to go through all this trouble. But… it means a lot. Thank you."

"Stop being so sappy and dig in!" Naruto said, already helping himself to a bowl of ramen.

The two of them ate together, laughing and chatting as the sun dipped lower in the sky. Naruto regaled Raiko with tales of his latest adventures—mostly involving pranks on unsuspecting villagers—while Raiko shared stories of his progress in training.

"You've really gotten strong," Naruto said between bites of ramen. "You're probably the strongest kid in the village!"

Raiko chuckled, shaking his head. "Hardly. I've got a long way to go. But thanks for the vote of confidence."

Naruto leaned back on the blanket, staring up at the sky as stars began to dot the horizon. "You think we'll both be Hokage someday?"

Raiko smiled, looking up at the stars as well. "Who knows? But one thing's for sure—we'll get stronger together."

As the night wore on, the two of them made their way back to the orphanage. Naruto walked Raiko to his room, yawning as he stretched his arms.

"Happy birthday, Raiko," Naruto said with a grin before turning to leave.

"Thanks, Naruto," Raiko replied, watching as his friend disappeared down the hallway.

Once inside his room, Raiko sat down on his bed, his mind already turning to his training regimen for the following day. His progress so far had been promising, but he knew the road ahead would only get harder.

"Let's see," he muttered, pulling out a small notebook where he had been tracking his training. "Morning runs to build endurance, more water-walking practice… Maybe I'll start working on throwing kunai and shuriken. I need to improve my aim."

Raiko flipped through the pages, his notes filled with sketches, observations, and plans. He had even started drafting ideas for combining chakra control exercises with physical conditioning to maximize his efficiency.

"I've got to keep pushing," he said to himself, determination flickering in his eyes. "If I want to survive in this world, I can't afford to slow down. And if Naruto's going to become Hokage one day, I'll make sure I'm strong enough to stand beside him."

With a deep breath, Raiko closed the notebook and lay back on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. For the first time in a long time, he felt hopeful—not just for his future, but for the bonds he was forming along the way.

AN: Thanks for reading the story! As I mentioned, the grind for longer chapters continues. This chapter is exactly 1.1k words. The next two chapters are already written, so I'll be posting them soon. See you all soon!