Sasuke sat at his usual spot in the Ichiraku Ramen Stall, his senses sharply attuned to the sounds around him. The bustling noises of Konoha faded into the background as he focused on the chakra signatures of the people nearby. He could sense Naruto's approach even before the boy entered the stall. Naruto's chakra was always vibrant, pulsing with unrefined energy that spoke of the immense potential within him—potential that, in this timeline, was yet to be realized.
Naruto entered the small stall with his usual enthusiasm, oblivious to the disdainful looks thrown his way by some of the other patrons. But Sasuke, now under the guise of "Izuna," knew better than anyone that Naruto was used to this. It had been five years since the Nine-Tails' attack, and the boy still bore the brunt of the villagers' hatred. It was this isolation, this lack of any meaningful connection, that made Naruto an ideal candidate for Sasuke's plan.
"Old man Izuna!" Naruto called out as he bounded into the stall, immediately spotting Sasuke sitting quietly. Naruto's voice was cheerful, but there was an undercurrent of loneliness that only someone like Sasuke, who had known him in another life, could detect.
Sasuke felt a small flicker of amusement but didn't correct Naruto's assumption about his age. Despite his youthful appearance beneath the white hair, Naruto insisted on calling him an old man. He'd tried to correct him before, but Naruto was as stubborn as ever, even in this younger version of himself.
"Come on, Naruto," Sasuke said, his voice quiet but inviting. "Sit down. Order whatever you want. Today's the last day I'm treating you."
Naruto froze, his excitement turning to confusion. "What do you mean 'last day'? You're leaving Konoha?" he asked, sliding into the seat next to Sasuke. His face was filled with shock, his wide eyes showing genuine concern.
Sasuke had expected this reaction. Naruto had quickly latched onto "Izuna" as one of the few people who treated him with kindness, albeit under the guise of an elderly traveler. It made Sasuke feel a pang of guilt for what he was about to do, but he reminded himself that it was necessary. This was the first step in integrating himself into Naruto's life, the first step in shaping the boy into the shinobi he needed him to be.
"Yes, I have to leave," Sasuke replied, keeping his voice steady, though he allowed a note of sadness to seep into his tone. "I've spent what little money I had on renting that small apartment. If I don't leave soon, I'll be out on the streets."
Naruto's face fell. "But… but Konoha's great! You don't have to leave. People here will help you, I'm sure of it! You're blind—you can't just wander off. You could get hurt! You could die!"
Sasuke inwardly smiled, knowing this was exactly what he had predicted. Naruto's heart was too big to let anyone suffer if he could help it, especially someone he believed to be a vulnerable old man. This was the emotional manipulation that Sasuke had planned. He hated using Naruto's kindness against him, but it was necessary to create a deeper bond, a trust that would let him influence Naruto's path.
"That's kind of you, Naruto," Sasuke said, allowing his voice to waver slightly. "But I don't see another choice. I've got nowhere to stay, and I don't want to be a burden to anyone."
Naruto's face contorted with thought, and then, as Sasuke had hoped, the boy's expression brightened with an idea. "You can stay with me!" Naruto exclaimed. "I live alone, you know! My apartment is pretty big, and there's plenty of space for you to stay. You don't have to leave, Izuna!"
Sasuke paused, pretending to be taken aback by the offer. "You want me to stay with you? An old blind man in your apartment?"
Naruto nodded vigorously. "Yeah! I don't mind. I like company! It's kinda lonely living by myself. You'd be helping me too!"
Sasuke allowed a smile to cross his face, though it was hidden behind his black sunglasses. "Well, if you're sure… I don't want to impose."
"You're not imposing! Come on, it'll be fun!" Naruto grinned, clearly pleased with his own solution.
And just like that, Sasuke had achieved the first part of his plan. By appealing to Naruto's innate kindness and loneliness, he had secured a place in the boy's life. Living with Naruto would provide him with the perfect opportunity to influence him, to guide him towards becoming the powerful shinobi that Sasuke knew Naruto could be. More importantly, it would allow Sasuke to mold Naruto's relationships, especially with his younger self and the rest of the Uchiha Clan.
As they sat together eating ramen, Sasuke subtly shifted the conversation to learn more about Naruto's daily life. "So, do you have many friends, Naruto?" he asked, though he already knew the answer.
Naruto's expression darkened for a moment, and he shrugged. "Not really. People don't really like me much. I mean, Teuchi and Ayame here are nice to me, but…" His voice trailed off as he stared into his bowl of ramen.
Sasuke had expected this. The village's hatred of Naruto ran deep, stemming from the attack of the Nine-Tails. It was this isolation that Sasuke wanted to change. He needed Naruto to be seen differently by the village—respected, admired even—if Sasuke was to use him to access the power and influence he needed within the Uchiha Clan. And the only way to do that was to make Naruto stronger, both as a shinobi and as a person.
"You know, Naruto," Sasuke began slowly, "sometimes people don't see what's right in front of them. They're blinded by their own fear and prejudice. But if you can prove to them that you're not what they think you are, that you're strong and capable, you can change their minds."
Naruto looked up, his expression a mix of confusion and hope. "You think so?"
Sasuke nodded. "I know so. I've seen it happen. And I believe you have the potential to be something great. You just need the right training, the right guidance."
Naruto beamed at the compliment, his blue eyes shining with determination. "I'm gonna be Hokage one day! Then everyone will respect me!"
Sasuke smiled inwardly. Naruto's dreams of becoming Hokage hadn't changed. It was a goal that would fuel his determination, and Sasuke could use that drive to push him further. "And I believe you will, Naruto. But to get there, you need to become strong—stronger than you are now. If you want, I can help you. I may be blind, but I know a thing or two about becoming stronger."
Naruto's eyes widened. "You'd train me? Really?"
Sasuke nodded. "If you're serious about becoming Hokage, then yes, I'll help you."
Naruto's face lit up with excitement, and Sasuke knew he had him. The bond was forming, the trust was building. From here, Sasuke would slowly but surely guide Naruto towards becoming the shinobi he needed him to be. And through Naruto, Sasuke would gain the influence he needed over the Uchiha Clan.
It was a delicate plan, one that required patience and precision. But Sasuke was nothing if not patient. He had waited years to set things right, and now, in this alternate timeline, he was finally in a position to do so.
As they finished their ramen, Naruto's excitement was palpable. Sasuke could sense the boy's chakra buzzing with energy, eager for the training to begin. And Sasuke, hidden behind his facade as the old, blind man "Izuna," smiled inwardly.
The first steps of his plan had been set in motion. Now, all he had to do was wait for the pieces to fall into place.
Sasuke—or rather, Izuna—had settled well into Naruto's apartment. It wasn't a luxurious place by any means, small and cluttered, but it was warm, comfortable, and more than enough for the two of them. The apartment's cramped kitchen had become a familiar sight to Sasuke, where he had begun a new routine with Naruto, slowly influencing the boy's habits in subtle but meaningful ways.
From the moment Sasuke moved in, he had taken charge of Naruto's diet, recognizing how much the boy relied on instant ramen for every meal. It was something that, in the old timeline, he knew contributed to Naruto's poor health. But this time, Sasuke would make sure Naruto didn't fall into the same pattern. He started by teaching him simple recipes, small changes that Naruto could handle without feeling overwhelmed.
Naruto, always eager to learn and help, was easy to convince. It began with Sasuke explaining, "Naruto, if you want to get stronger, you need more than ramen to fuel your body. You need your vegetables, your proteins. A Hokage needs to be healthy."
The mention of Hokage was always a sure way to grab Naruto's attention. His eyes had widened, and he had nodded enthusiastically. "Okay, but I don't know how to cook anything but ramen."
Sasuke, still playing the part of an old blind man, smiled in his usual patient way. "I'll teach you. You'll help me cook, and in return, you'll get stronger."
It wasn't a difficult sell. Naruto was lonely, desperate for companionship, and willing to trust anyone who showed him kindness. And so, their new routine was set. Every day, Sasuke would guide Naruto through the cooking process. They started simple: grilled fish, steamed vegetables, and rice. Slowly, Naruto learned to prepare more elaborate dishes, and under Sasuke's influence, he started eating healthier without even realizing it.
Naruto was stubborn at first, grumbling about the vegetables. But Sasuke manipulated the situation further, making the boy feel as though it was his responsibility to help "Izuna" with the meals. "Naruto," Sasuke had said one evening, his voice soft but firm, "I can't do this alone. My eyesight… well, you know. I can guide you, but I need your hands to help me."
The guilt and the sense of duty worked like a charm. Naruto had puffed out his chest, determined to prove himself capable, and soon he was cutting vegetables and preparing meals with newfound pride.
What Naruto didn't know was that Sasuke had another plan in mind. Since Naruto couldn't go out frequently, it was Sasuke who went to the market to buy their groceries. With his blindfolded eyes and missing hand, the villagers pitied him. Some of the shopkeepers, though still wary of Naruto, were kinder to Sasuke. They assumed he was an old veteran who had fallen on hard times. Many times, people would add extra vegetables or meat to his basket, believing him to be living a sad, lonely existence. Sasuke didn't correct them; instead, he used their ignorance to stock up on more nutritious food for both himself and Naruto.
He returned to the apartment each time with full bags of food, telling Naruto it was because of the villagers' generosity. "They're kinder than you think," he'd say, even though both he and Naruto knew that wasn't entirely true. But the extra food allowed them to cook more frequently, and Naruto—having cooked the meals himself—was more likely to eat the healthy food he'd prepared.
As time passed, Naruto's body grew stronger, though he didn't quite realize it yet. He was still as wild and rambunctious as ever, but there was a newfound energy about him, a slight improvement in his physical form. And Sasuke knew this was only the beginning.
One evening, after a quiet dinner, Naruto sat on the floor, his legs crossed as he watched Izuna finish his meal. The fire in his blue eyes burned brightly as he thought about his future, about his dream of becoming Hokage. Sasuke could feel it—the frustration, the unspoken doubts that gnawed at Naruto.
He leaned back, speaking in a casual tone, "You know, Naruto… the strongest of the village become Hokage."
Naruto's eyes flicked up, his focus sharpening. "Yeah, I know that! I'm gonna be the strongest! Stronger than anyone!"
Sasuke let the silence linger before continuing, "That's true. But did you know that some of the strongest clans in Konoha start training their children as soon as they can walk?"
Naruto blinked, confusion clouding his expression. "Huh? Like who?"
"The Hyuga," Sasuke said slowly, "the Uchiha… they all start early. By the time most kids reach the Academy, they've already trained for years."
Naruto's face fell, his usual exuberance dimming slightly as the reality set in. "You mean… they've been training this whole time? And I'm just starting now?"
Sasuke nodded, knowing his words were sinking deep into Naruto's heart. "That's right. The clan kids have a head start. They've been honing their skills for years before even stepping foot in the Academy. It's not impossible for you to catch up, but it'll take hard work. A lot of it."
Naruto looked down, his fists clenching. The thought of being left behind, of being at a disadvantage, was clearly hurting him. Sasuke knew Naruto hated the idea of being weak, of being underestimated. But it was exactly this vulnerability that Sasuke needed to tap into.
"You don't have to be left behind, though," Sasuke added, his voice calm but filled with a hint of challenge. "I can help you. I may be blind, but I know how to train. If you're serious about becoming Hokage, then you'll need to be stronger—stronger than anyone."
Naruto stared at him, the fire in his eyes reigniting. "You'd really train me?"
Sasuke nodded. "I will. But it won't be easy. You'll have to work harder than you ever have before. The clan kids have their families to train them. You'll have me. And if we start now, maybe—just maybe—you'll be able to catch up."
Naruto's determination was palpable, his hands tightening into fists. "I'll do it! I'll train harder than anyone! I'm gonna be Hokage, and no one's gonna leave me behind!"
Sasuke smiled inwardly, knowing he had succeeded in planting the seed. "Good. Then we'll start tomorrow."
Author Note:
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