The next day, Naruto woke up and dressed for the Academy. His housemates had returned late from their missions the previous night and were still asleep. After a quick, nutritious breakfast, he headed to class. As he walked through the village, he received nods of respect from some ninjas for his recent prank, but the glares and hateful whispers from civilians were more prominent. "Demon," "monster," "he should have never been born"—these words, even after a lifetime of enduring them, still cut deep. Naruto walked with his head down, trying to block it all out. He reached his class and entered in a somber mood.

Unbeknownst to most, Naruto's constant clowning was a coping mechanism, a mask for the deep depression he carried due to the villagers' treatment. However, one person had seen through his facade long ago: Ino. Being from a clan of mental specialists, she had picked up on the subtle signs of Naruto's hidden pain. He hid it well, but not well enough to fool a Yamanaka. She desperately wanted to help him but didn't know how to approach him about such a sensitive topic.

Throughout class, Naruto was unusually quiet, confusing his classmates and even the teachers. Beside him, Sasuki observed him closely, noticing a change in his body language. She wanted to ask him what was wrong, but her pride prevented her from showing concern. A few rows back, Hinata watched him with sadness in her eyes. She knew why he was so withdrawn. She often secretly observed him and witnessed the harsh treatment he received. It angered her that such a good person was treated so cruelly, but her shyness kept her from acting.

When class was over, Iruka led the students outside for survival training. He divided them into groups of three. Naruto was grouped with Ino and Hinata, much to the girls' happiness and the other students' envy. Sasuki was paired with two random civilian students. They were then led to a forest and instructed to hunt for food and set up camp. They were safe, as Chunin would be observing from a distance.

Naruto instructed Hinata and Ino to set up camp while he hunted. They agreed and got to work. Naruto stealthily leaped through the trees, his senses alert. He spotted a decent-sized deer in the distance. "Well, I won't need to set a trap, it seems," he thought. Using his bloodline, he conjured a glowing purple chakra bow and arrow. He took aim, pulled back the string, and released. The arrow pierced the deer's skull with a sickening "squelch." He dropped down and approached his kill, lifting the deer onto his shoulder before returning to camp.

He arrived to find a fire burning and a tent set up. He nodded in approval. "Good job, girls," he complimented, making them both blush. He then asked, "Have you ever skinned an animal?" They shook their heads. He proceeded to teach them how, demonstrating how to preserve the hide and its various uses. After skinning and cleaning the deer, he placed it over the fire to cook. He remained quiet the entire time, which worried the two girls.

Ino finally gathered her courage and spoke up. "Are you okay, Naruto? You've been awfully quiet today."

Naruto looked at her, forcing a smile. "Of course, I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"

Ino knew he was lying but said nothing. She would ask her father about this later.

Suddenly, Hinata spoke to Ino. "Ino, can I talk to you for a minute?"

Ino, raising an eyebrow, nodded. They walked to a more secluded part of the forest. "Ino, I know what's wrong with Naruto," Hinata said.

Ino was surprised. "What is it?"

"Well, I've been watching Naruto from a distance, and he's been receiving constant hate, ridiculous, and scornful looks," Hinata explained. "If I had to guess, he's been dealing with it his whole life. But I think today was his breaking point. I overheard a villager tell Naruto that he should never have been born. That must have made him feel terrible."

Hearing this, Ino was now extremely worried about Naruto's mental state. If he had truly been dealing with this his entire life, his mind must be severely damaged. No one could go through such constant negativity unscathed. She really needed to speak to her father about this. "Thank you, Hinata, for telling me this," Ino said. "I'll speak to my father."

Hinata nodded, and they both returned to the camp. Naruto, seeing them, told them the food was ready. The Chunin observers were surprised at how easily this team was surviving. The other teams needed assistance, but not Naruto's.

After another hour, the exercise ended, and the students were sent home. Naruto said his goodbyes and headed home. Ino went straight to her father's workplace, and Hinata went home to train.

Ino arrived at the interrogation building and went to her father's office. She entered the room. "Hi, Daddy," she greeted.

Inoichi looked up and smiled. "Hello, princess. What brings you here?"

Ino turned serious. "I have to ask you something important."

Inoichi replied, "What is it?"

Ino then explained her observations of Naruto and her conversation with Hinata. When she finished, Inoichi stood up, a serious look on his face. "Thank you, baby," he said. "Head home. I'm going to the Hokage." With that, he body flickered away.

He arrived at the Hokage's office and knocked. "Enter," he heard. He opened the door and greeted Hiruzen. "Hello, sir. I have an important matter to discuss."

Hiruzen turned serious. "What is it?"

Inoichi then relayed what Ino had told him about Naruto. Hiruzen looked worried and angry with himself. He should have known. There was no way a child could deal with the hate of an entire village alone and remain undamaged. The hidden ANBU members felt pity for Naruto. Even though he often pranked them, they still liked the kid.

"Weasel!" Hiruzen called out.

Suddenly, a Weasel-masked ANBU appeared. "Retrieve Naruto immediately," he ordered.

Weasel immediately disappeared.

Naruto was in his compound training ground, relentlessly striking a thick wooden post with punches, kicks, knees, elbows, and the occasional headbutt. Silently watching him were his housemates. They were worried, as they knew something was wrong. Naruto was never this reckless in his training. His arms and legs were bleeding from the repeated strikes, and the wood was slightly stained with his blood. Tsunade and Ayame went to stop him but were blocked by Jiraiya. They looked at him angrily. "Why are you stopping us?!" Tsunade whispered harshly.

"Naruto needs to vent whatever he's feeling," Jiraiya replied. "Pretty words won't help." They looked conflicted but heeded his words.

"Punch, kick, elbow, knee, back kick," Naruto muttered, throwing various combos and ending with a headbutt that drew blood from his forehead.

Suddenly, Tsunade and Jiraiya sensed someone at the gate. Tsunade went to check, not wanting to disturb Naruto further. She saw the Weasel-masked ANBU, Itachi. "Hello, Tsunade," Itaia said. "The Hokage requests Naruto's presence."

Tsunade nodded. "Wait here. I'll go get him."

Tsunade retrieved Naruto, and both he and Itaia disappeared in a swirl of leaves, reappearing at the Hokage Tower. She was worried when she saw him bloodied. She asked what happened, and he simply responded, "Training."

He reached the Hokage's office. Everyone looked worried at Naruto's state. Hiruzen asked what happened, and he gave the same answer. "I brought you here for a mental evaluation," Hiruzen explained. "It is necessary for every upcoming ninja to see if they are fit for duty." Naruto simply nodded.

Inoichi spoke up. "Have a seat, Naruto. It won't take long."

Naruto sat, and Inoichi placed a hand on Naruto's head. After ten minutes, Inoichi looked at Naruto with pity and worry. Naruto was sent home afterward.

"So, what did you see?" Hiruzen asked.

Inoichi sighed. "It's not good. His mind is literally a sewer. I've never seen such a depressing mind before. He's been depressed for a long time but has been hiding it extremely well. The fact that he's able to function normally is a miracle. His treatment by the villagers has taken a huge toll on him. He'll need therapy to heal his mind."

Hiruzen was shocked. The happy-go-lucky Naruto was depressed? How had he hidden it so well? "Well, let me rephrase," Inoichi corrected himself. "He isn't hiding it *on purpose*."

Naruto had been in this state for so long that he considered it normal. It *was* normal for him. But it seemed he had finally reached his breaking point. It was astonishing he had lasted this long. Everyone felt a pang of sympathy for Naruto.

Naruto himself was walking home, confused about the earlier meeting but dismissing it as unimportant. He had to get back to his training. He entered his compound and immediately resumed his rigorous routine. His clones were still training and studying diligently. He went to a separate clearing and created ten shadow clones. The clones immediately attacked him. The first clone led with a right hook, which Naruto ducked before countering with an elbow strike to the body that the clone blocked. Naruto grabbed the blocking arm and tossed the clone aside. He then leaned back to avoid a kick from another clone, grabbed the leg, and jumped forward, slamming the clone onto its back, dispelling it. Sensing a clone rushing him from behind, Naruto executed a backflip to dodge, landed on the clone's shoulder, and then flipped it over, slamming it headfirst into the ground, dispelling it.

Three clones rushed him simultaneously. Naruto weaved, jumped, and flipped through their attacks with fluid grace. He spun behind one, grabbed it around the waist, and then leaned back, delivering a devastating German suplex that cracked the ground. Seeing another clone approaching, Naruto performed a handstand, using his legs to block an axe kick. He then wrapped the clone's leg in a leg lock, snapping it with a sharp crack.

Naruto got to his feet, only to be met with a kick to the leg followed by another kick from a different clone, sending him crashing to the ground. He immediately kipped back up to his feet. A few clones remained. Naruto created chakra kunai, channeling wind chakra into one and lightning into the other, before throwing both. The kunai cleanly pierced through two clones before embedding themselves in a tree and the rock behind it. Naruto then charged the remaining two clones. He launched a jumping kick that was blocked, using the block to push off and spin into a punch aimed at the other clone, which was dodged. Naruto used the momentum to throw a split kick, hitting both clones and dispelling them.

Naruto let out a heavy breath. He dispelled the training clones and began to process the experiences, analyzing his performance. Once he was finished, he returned home to freshen up. After eating dinner, he went to his forge and began working on creating his first sword. He needed something to occupy his mind. The only sound was the rhythmic clang of metal on metal. By the time he finished, it was well past midnight. Deciding he had done enough for the day, he stored his sword and went to bed.

The next morning, as Naruto was heading to the Academy, he was intercepted by the Cat-masked ANBU and brought to the Hokage's office. He was informed that for the next month, he would be placed under Inoichi's care for therapy. When Naruto asked why, Inoichi explained that he was suffering from chronic depression. Naruto was surprised. Hearing that he was depressed explained a lot. He had thought that the constant negative feelings he experienced were normal, so he had developed various coping mechanisms to deal with them. He agreed to the therapy without objection.

Iruka was notified of Naruto's extended absence. Over the next month, Naruto's absence was keenly felt. Class was much more dull and boring without him. Ino and Hinata suspected the reason for Naruto's absence. Sasuki wondered if it had anything to do with his sudden change in demeanor. She would never admit it, but she missed him a little. Ever since she had started challenging him to spars, her progress had skyrocketed, as he would offer her advice and useful criticism. His fan club constantly complained about his absence.

During therapy, Naruto was forced to confront and speak about the things he had locked deep inside himself. He admitted that he harbored a deep hatred for the villagers. He was forced to acknowledge some extremely dark thoughts that he had kept hidden away. Inoichi reported to the Hokage after every session. Hiruzen was deeply saddened that the village had forced Naruto to suffer in silence for so long. He knew the only way for Naruto to truly heal was to get him away from the village for a while.

Tsunade and Jiraiya were informed of Naruto's mental state. Both were extremely distraught, with Tsunade near tears. Jiraiya volunteered to take Naruto away from the village until graduation. Hiruzen readily accepted the offer. Iruka was informed that Naruto would be absent for the next two years. Iruka was saddened; he would miss him. He then informed the class.

"What?!" Everyone yelled. Two years without Naruto? School would be so boring. Sakura looked sad. Ino and Hinata exchanged worried glances, already knowing a little of what was happening. Soon, the entire school learned of Naruto's absence. It would be a long two years.

During Naruto's two-year absence, the village was… different. Dull. The ANBU were bored without Naruto's pranks to liven things up. The Academy was listless, and the village as a whole just felt… boring. Though the civilians were pleased that the "demon" was gone, even Sasuki, despite her progress in training, felt her progress had plateaued. She wouldn't admit it, but she missed Naruto. Ino and Hinata simply hoped Naruto was doing okay. Everyone in the Academy felt his absence.

Naruto himself was thriving. He was genuinely happy to be away from the constant hatred. It felt like a tremendous weight had been lifted from his shoulders. After living his whole life being hated, the *absence* of that hate felt… strange. It was so ingrained in his life that its absence felt like something was missing. He and Jiraiya traveled the nations, and Naruto was finally able to experience a normal life, where people were kind to him. His cheerful demeanor, which had once been a carefully constructed facade, was now genuine. He didn't have to constantly act happy; he *was* happy.

Unbeknownst to him, his dark, sewer-like mental landscape had undergone a dramatic transformation. It was now a bright, sunny forest with a warm breeze. Even Kurami, the Kyuubi, welcomed this positive change. Kurami felt guilty about the life her jailer had been forced to live. Seeing him create a fake personality to cope was heartbreaking. No child should have to endure that. But now, his happiness was real. This journey had done wonders for his mental state. It was almost time for Kurami to introduce herself, but not yet.

Naruto didn't just travel with Jiraiya; they also trained. Jiraiya shared some of his original seals with Naruto. His favorite was the Fire Seal. This inspired Naruto to create his own original seal, which he called the Elemental Seal. It allowed Naruto to store any elemental jutsu indefinitely until he was ready to unleash it. Jiraiya felt Naruto was ready for his father's jutsu and taught him the Rasengan. Naruto learned it in four days and was soon able to summon one in each hand. Thanks to his unique chakra, Naruto's Rasengan was a bright purple and even stronger than a normal one. He was already thinking of ways to improve it.

Naruto was confused about why Jiraiya would teach him a jutsu invented by the Fourth Hokage. It seemed suspicious. After reading a book on the strongest ninjas in history, Naruto came to a conclusion. The Fourth Hokage was his father. When he saw a picture, he couldn't deny the resemblance. Even if his hair and eye colors were different, his facial structure was nearly identical. He confronted Jiraiya about it, and Jiraiya confirmed it. Knowing who his father was made Naruto want to live up to his name. He wanted to perfect the Rasengan by adding an element to it.

Naruto's taijutsu also improved. Jiraiya taught him how to impose his strength on others and taught him defensive kata from Frog Kumite. Naruto also learned how to break genjutsu. Thanks to his unique chakra, he couldn't cast them himself, but he started working on seals that would cast them for him. Naruto also improved his bloodline abilities. He was now skilled enough to shape his chakra into anything he desired. However, he only used his bloodline when absolutely necessary. Naruto also expanded his arsenal of elemental jutsu. These, however, he would keep as a surprise.

Now, we see a slightly taller Naruto wearing a black, slightly open yukata, revealing his muscular chest. He wore loose black hakama pants tied with a red obi belt and red shin bandages. He also had red bandages on his wrists. He was walking beside Jiraiya, heading back to Konoha. It was time for graduation.

Naruto was quiet. He wasn't looking forward to returning, to be honest. He had spent two years away from the hatred, only to have to return to it. Jiraiya knew what Naruto was feeling. They had talked about how Jiraiya wanted to confront and eradicate all the hate in the world. Jiraiya's words resonated deeply with Naruto. Thanks to that conversation, Naruto was confident he could better handle the hate.

Naruto and Jiraiya reached Konoha's gates and were granted entry. As they walked through the village, people noticed Naruto, but seeing Jiraiya with him kept them quiet. They reached the Hokage Tower and entered through the window.

Hiruzen was slightly annoyed. "You couldn't take the door?"

"C'mon, the window is way faster," Jiraiya replied with a grin.

Hiruzen looked at Naruto with approval. The boy had grown. He looked much stronger now. "Naruto, you've grown," Hiruzen complimented. "I see you've been training hard."

Naruto nodded. "Of course. I wouldn't waste those two years."

Hiruzen nodded. "Graduation is tomorrow. Don't be late. Dismissed."

Naruto nodded and jumped out the window.

Hiruzen then asked, "So, how strong is he?"

Jiraiya smirked. "Well, if he went all out, I'd say he's elite Jonin level."

Hiruzen's pipe fell from his mouth. "Are you sure?" he asked.

"I'm positive," Jiraiya replied. "We sparred before returning… I still have bruises."

Hiruzen was proud of how strong Naruto had become. "He also has field experience. I had him collect D-rank to C-rank bounties. He's got relevant battle experience. Hell, he could be an ANBU captain if he desired."

Hearing this, Hiruzen was reminded of Itaia.

Naruto made his way home, entering through the gate. He reached his house and entered. He was immediately rushed by Ayama and Tsunade, who glomped him in a hug. They had missed him. They had been worried about Naruto's mental state when he left, and seeing that he was okay was a huge relief. Even the stoic Kimiko hugged him. She didn't know why, but she was intrigued by Naruto.

After they sat him down, they asked about his journey. They were surprised by some of his stories. Hearing how he had become an active bounty hunter was particularly interesting. Kimiko wondered if she could recruit him into ANBU. He certainly had the skillset for it.

Naruto then showed Tsunade some of his new medical seals. One was a poison extraction seal. Others included a revitalization seal (converting natural energy into life energy and capable of healing almost any fatal injury) and a stasis seal (placing a person inside in stasis, making it easy to transport the injured without causing further harm).

Naruto had also created a new system for the hospital to run more effectively. It was a seal that combined genjutsu and medical jutsu. He called it the Medical Projection Seal. By combining his diagnosis seal with the projection seal he invented, he was able to not only diagnose a patient but also have the information projected for the doctors to see the patient's vitals. These seals would be placed on all the beds in the hospital. He also created other seals that made it easier on the medical staff.

Tsunade, hearing this, was shaking with excitement. These seals would revolutionize the medical field. To combine two completely opposite ninja arts into something like this showed Naruto's mastery of both. She couldn't wait to put these systems into place.

Naruto talked with Ayama and Kimiko. He learned that Ayama had been promoted to Special Jonin, being a medical specialist. Kimiko had been given her own ANBU unit that handled assassination and espionage missions. Naruto hugged them both, saying he was happy for them.

He then left for his forge, wanting to create weapons for his loved ones. He would remain there until it was time for dinner. For Sasuki, he created a simple yet elegant chokuto sword. It featured a white hilt with the Uchiha crest and a black blade forged from chakra metal. The blade had seals that kept it sharp and repaired all damage. For Hinata, he made an artistic-looking purple bow with a seal for storing multiple arrows, knowing some Hyuuga were known archers. For Ino, he created a beautiful necklace with a charm that had a chakra converter seal. The seal converted natural chakra into usable chakra, which Ino could activate when low on chakra. For Tenten, he made five beautiful throwing knives that he carved, honing seals into them. He also carved a seal that, when she flared her chakra, the knives would return to her no matter where she was. For Ayama, he made two sleek brass knuckles that she could channel chakra into. For Kimiko, he made gauntlets that had hidden blades that extended using chakra, perfect for assassination. He finished the gifts and sealed them into separate scrolls.

After finishing his projects, Naruto headed downstairs to find a huge feast laid out before him. "This is a welcome home dinner for you," Tsunade said with a warm smile. "I hope you enjoy it."

Naruto's mouth watered at the sight of the various dishes. Jiraiya entered after speaking with the Hokage, and everyone dug in. The night was filled with laughter and happy chatter. After dinner, everyone went to sleep.

The next morning, Naruto got dressed and ate breakfast. After finishing, he disappeared in a lightning body flicker, reappearing outside his classroom. He entered, and the entire class went silent, staring at him in shock. Everyone was flabbergasted to see Naruto after two years. The girls blushed, noticing how his yukata revealed his muscular chest. After a moment, the class erupted with questions, the girls also adding comments on how handsome he had become. Ino, Sakura, and Hinata rushed to hug him, expressing how much they had missed him. Sasuki simply grinned, happy to see that Naruto was back.

Iruka calmed the class down, reminding them they had a test to take. Naruto, of course, finished first. After everyone else finished, they were led outside for the aiming test. Everyone passed, with Sasuki taking first place, followed by Hinata, Sakura, and Ino.

Now it was Naruto's turn. He grabbed the kunai and shuriken, channeled wind chakra through them, and launched them at the targets. The weapons not only went through the targets but also through the trees *behind* the targets. The entire class watched with mouths agape. What the hell was that? Sasuki looked at Naruto with a hint of admiration. With that display, Naruto took first place.

Next was the taijutsu test, where the students had to spar a Chunin instructor.

The class was led to the taijutsu ring. To pass, the students had to either last five minutes or land a hit on the Chunin instructor. Every student passed, with the clan heirs performing the best. Sakura was next, facing Iruka. Using the forms Naruto had taught her, she was able to land a hit within four minutes. Ino lasted the entire five minutes. Hinata, using a modified Gentle Fist style, landed two hits in three minutes. Sasuki landed a hit in two minutes.

Last was Naruto. This time, Mizuki volunteered. He was one of Naruto's biggest haters and wanted to hurt him under the pretense of a spar. Naruto knew this. They both got into their stances. Before anyone could react, Mizuki rushed forward at full speed, surprising everyone. But to Naruto, he was slow as a snail. Naruto ducked under his punch and swept his leg, which Mizuki jumped over. Seeing this, Naruto jumped up, performing a dropkick that sent Mizuki crashing back down, grunting in pain upon landing. He rolled out of the way to dodge Naruto's falling stomp. He got to his feet and rushed Naruto again, throwing multiple attacks, all of which Naruto defended. Naruto caught a punch and pulled Mizuki into a sharp knee to the gut. Mizuki doubled over, and Naruto then elbowed his head, sending him face-first into the ground. Naruto allowed him to get up.

Iruka went to end the match, as Naruto had already passed, but Mizuki stopped him. He was angry at being beaten so soundly. This time, Naruto rushed, faking a punch before kicking Mizuki in the thigh and punching him in the nose, which was blocked. Naruto grabbed his arm and pulled him into a headbutt, dazing Mizuki. Naruto jumped and wrapped his arm around Mizuki's neck, slamming him headfirst into the ground in a perfect DDT. Mizuki was immediately knocked unconscious.

The class was surprised, seeing how easily Naruto had taken down a Chunin while taking no damage himself. Some civilians who watched pro wrestling were excited to see Naruto execute a move in a real fight. It was badass. The Naruto fan club yelled about how cool he was. Mizuki was taken to the hospital. Iruka was looking at Naruto after seeing that last move. It looked extremely painful.

Now, the last test was the ninjutsu test. After everyone received their headbands, Naruto was last. Naruto, without using any hand signs, performed the Shadow Clone Jutsu, replacing the normal clone jutsu with his variant. Iruka congratulated Naruto and gave him his headband.

Naruto walked back to class. Everyone crowded around him to congratulate him and say how awesome his fight was. Naruto thanked everyone. Iruka entered and said how proud he was of everyone and told them to report back to get their team placements.

Everyone walked out, greeting their parents. All the kids were talking about Naruto's fight with their teacher. The civilian parents just looked at Naruto with hate, confusing their kids. The clan heads simply nodded in approval. Naruto was congratulated by the clan heads, which he appreciated. Before he could walk away, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around, seeing Mikoto Uchiha smiling at him. "Why don't you come have dinner with us tonight to celebrate?" she offered.

Naruto was surprised, not expecting this, but accepted, as it would be rude not to. He walked with Sasuki, Itaia, and Mikoto to the Uchiha compound. He noticed the absence of Fugaku but didn't ask, feeling it would be impolite. They reached the compound, and Sasuki immediately dragged him to the training ground, with Itaia following. "Fight me," she demanded.

Naruto just looked at Itachi, who smirked in amusement. Naruto sighed and accepted. Sasuki rushed him immediately and launched a high kick, which Naruto effortlessly caught and tossed her away. She flipped and threw a kunai. Naruto flipped away before rushing her. To her confusion, he ran *past* her before she was tripped by ninja wire. Naruto wrapped up her left leg, spun her around, and then released her. She hit a tree back first before Naruto tossed multiple shuriken with wire attached, tying her to the tree. She was then replaced with a log. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" she yelled from behind. A huge fireball was shot toward him. Naruto smirked before disappearing at high speed. He appeared in front of her and palm-struck her gut while simultaneously placing a paralysis seal on her, causing her to freeze, unable to move. He put a kunai to her neck. "I win this," he said.

Sasuki was embarrassed at being beaten with practically no effort, but she got the answers she wanted. Itaia, watching, was impressed. It looked like Naruto took her book seriously. Using seals, he fought like a true Uzumaki. Itaia, intrigued, asked for a spar. Naruto was surprised but accepted. This would be a true test.

Naruto released his gravity seals and rushed at extreme speeds. He jumped, going for a flying elbow. Itaia blocked and slightly winced, as the hit was sharp. Naruto followed with a leg sweep that she jumped over. Naruto returned to his feet before blocking a kick. Naruto pulled her leg, trying to take her down. Itaia released chakra to break Naruto's grip. Naruto jumped back and threw a shuriken, which multiplied into fifty. Itaia dual-wielded kunai and blocked the shuriken. Naruto then flared his chakra, and all the shuriken exploded. "BOOOOOOOOM!" The whole clearing shook. Sasuki was worried but knew how strong her sister was. Naruto kept his guard up, knowing he didn't get her. He looked around; something was off. His eyes widened, and he broke the genjutsu. Upon breaking it, he was kicked in the chest and sent flying.

While in the air, Naruto threw two kunai with wires into the ground and pulled himself toward her, flipping forward into a dropkick that was blocked. Itaia skidded back a few feet. Naruto performed a few hand signs and yelled, "Wind Style: Great Gust!" Naruto then unleashed strong, hurricane-like winds. Itaia smirked and used the Fireball Jutsu. A Naruto clone appeared under it and used the Water Bullet Jutsu to extinguish the fire. The wind continued toward her, and she dodged but still got singed. That last maneuver surprised her.

Naruto appeared, and they engaged in a high-speed taijutsu battle. Punches, kicks, knees, and elbows were thrown. Naruto constantly attacked Itachi's legs, slightly slowing her down with every strike, also reducing her power. Naruto channeled chakra and used his speed to create afterimages. Itaia was extremely surprised. "It's just like Shisui," she thought. Before suddenly taking a hard right hook. She was then tossed around like a ping-pong ball. She activated her Sharingan before catching a kick, finally seeing which one was real. Naruto channeled lightning chakra, shocking her.

Naruto, seeing the Sharingan, smirked. He had come up with his own counter. He flared his chakra. The brightness of it blinded Itaia as she grunted and closed her eyes in pain. Naruto took advantage of this and created chakra chains to wrap around her. Itaia felt her chakra being nullified and conceded. She had no idea Naruto would be this strong. Both were holding back a lot, but still, he was way stronger than she was at his age. He released her.

Sasuki, who witnessed this, had never been so surprised in her life. Naruto had bested her sister, the one constantly praised as the most talented Uchiha. There was no way. Sasuki looked at Naruto in a completely different light.

Itaia was thinking, "I guess it's true that the Uzumaki were really the strongest clan." She was curious about what he would do against the Mangekyou Sharingan. Naruto's potential was truly terrifying, and that was without the Kyuubi's power.

Sasuki glared at Naruto and approached him. "Why the hell did you hold back so much in the Academy!?? And what were those chains?!"

Naruto looked sheepish. "First, there's no need to go all out in the Academy, and second, that was my bloodline." Naruto explained.

Sasuki was surprised again. He had a bloodline? Since when? She realized she didn't really know Naruto like she thought she did. Itaia already knew about the Uzumaki bloodline, but she had never seen it. It was very impressive.

Speaking up, Itaia told them it was time to head back for dinner. As they were walking, both Sasuki and Itaia were constantly sneaking glances at Naruto. His strength and skill were something they had never seen in one so young. Naruto was a complete mystery.