It had been a few months since Naruto's fifth birthday, and his life had changed dramatically. After the revelations about his parents and the discovery of their home, Naruto had thrown himself into training with even more determination. He had moved into the Namikaze estate, a place that felt both foreign and familiar at the same time. Though the house wasn't as large as the clan compounds, it was far more spacious on the inside—a testament to the advanced fuinjutsu his father had used to expand the space.

Naruto had chosen to stay in the master bedroom, which he assumed had belonged to his parents. The room was simple but cozy, with a large window that let in plenty of sunlight. Every corner of the house felt like a piece of his parents' lives, and Naruto cherished it deeply.

But the real treasure lay in the basement. When Naruto first discovered it, he was awestruck. The basement was a fully equipped training room, complete with kunai and shuriken launchers that could be adjusted for speed, an obstacle course with varying difficulty levels, and the crown jewel—a taijutsu simulator. Naruto quickly realized that his father had designed all of it, and the thought filled him with pride.

The Taijutsu Simulator

In the basement, Naruto found a letter addressed not to him, but to anyone who used the taijutsu simulator. It was written in his father's neat handwriting, and Naruto read it eagerly.

To the user of this simulator,

This is one of my greatest creations. The taijutsu simulator is a dummy enhanced with fuinjutsu, capable of mimicking over 30 different taijutsu styles. It was designed with the help of Might Guy, Konoha's taijutsu master, and is intended to push the user to their limits.

However, I must warn you—do not use this simulator until you have reached level 5 of the gravity and restriction seals. The simulator is extremely advanced and can cause serious injury if used prematurely. Train hard, and when you're ready, this tool will help you reach new heights.

Minato Namikaze

Naruto's eyes sparkled with excitement as he finished reading the letter. He couldn't wait to use the simulator, but he knew he had to be patient. For now, he focused on his training with Shisui, determined to reach level 5 of the seals as quickly as possible.

Training

Under Shisui's guidance, Naruto's skills had improved dramatically. He had mastered water walking, a feat that even some genin struggled with. His accuracy with kunai and shuriken had also improved, though he still only hit the bullseye four out of ten times—and only on stationary targets. Shisui had started teaching him the academy taijutsu katas, which Naruto had already mastered due to his relentless training.

The academy katas weren't a true taijutsu style; they were more of a foundation, a set of basic movements that every shinobi needed to know. But Naruto understood their importance. They were the building blocks for more advanced techniques, and he practiced them diligently, determined to perfect every movement.

Shisui had also introduced Naruto to the basics of fuinjutsu. Knowing that it was his parents' area of expertise, Naruto was eager to learn. He spent hours studying the intricate symbols and patterns, his natural curiosity driving him to understand how they worked. He wanted to surpass his parents in every ninja art—ninjutsu, fuinjutsu, kenjutsu, and more. It was a lofty goal, but Naruto was determined to achieve it.

Flashback

Naruto sat cross-legged on the floor of Hiruzen's office, his blue eyes wide with curiosity. The Hokage was seated at his desk, puffing on his pipe as he reviewed a stack of documents. Naruto had been waiting patiently for the right moment to bring up the topic that had been on his mind for weeks.

"Jiji," Naruto began, his voice hesitant but determined, "I want to learn fuinjutsu."

Hiruzen looked up from his paperwork, his eyebrows raised in surprise. "Fuinjutsu? That's quite an advanced field, Naruto. What made you decide on that?"

Naruto fidgeted slightly, his fingers tracing the swirl-like tattoo on his wrist. "I… I found some books in my parents' library about it. And I thought… since my dad was good at it, maybe I could be too."

Hiruzen's expression softened, and he set his pipe down. "Fuinjutsu is a powerful and intricate art, Naruto. It requires precision, patience, and a deep understanding of chakra control. But more than that, it requires perfect handwriting. A single misaligned brush stroke in a seal can have disastrous effects. Are you prepared for that kind of discipline?"

Naruto nodded eagerly. "I am, Jiji! I'll do whatever it takes to learn!"

Hiruzen smiled, a glint of pride in his eyes. "Very well. But before we dive into fuinjutsu, you'll need to master calligraphy. Let's start with the basics."

Later that day, Hiruzen took Naruto to a small shop in the village that specialized in calligraphy supplies. The shop was filled with brushes, inkstones, and stacks of high-quality paper. Naruto's eyes widened as he took in the sight, his excitement palpable.

Hiruzen picked up a brush, examining it carefully before handing it to Naruto. "This is a beginner's brush. It's soft enough to help you learn control but firm enough to create clean lines. You'll also need ink and paper."

The shopkeeper, an elderly woman with a kind smile, handed Naruto an inkstone and a stack of paper. "These are perfect for practicing. Remember, young man, calligraphy is not just about writing—it's about expressing your soul through the brush."

Naruto nodded, clutching the supplies tightly. "Thank you! I'll do my best!"

Back at the Namikaze estate, Hiruzen set up a small table in the garden for Naruto's first calligraphy lesson. The sun was setting, casting a warm golden glow over the scene. Hiruzen dipped the brush in ink and demonstrated the basic kanji for the letter "水" (water).

"Watch closely, Naruto," Hiruzen said, his movements slow and deliberate. "Each stroke must flow naturally, like water itself. The brush should glide across the paper, not scratch or drag."

Naruto watched intently, his eyes following every movement of the brush. When Hiruzen finished, he handed the brush to Naruto. "Now, you try."

Naruto took a deep breath, dipping the brush in ink. He focused on the kanji Hiruzen had drawn, trying to replicate it. His first attempt was shaky, the lines uneven and the strokes too thick in some places. But to Hiruzen's surprise, it was remarkably close for a first try.

"Not bad, Naruto," Hiruzen said, pointing to a slight misalignment in one of the strokes. "Here, this part needs to curve a bit more. Try again."

Naruto nodded, his determination unwavering. He dipped the brush in ink once more and began again. This time, his strokes were more controlled, the lines cleaner and more precise. When he finished, Hiruzen's eyes widened in astonishment.

"This… this is excellent, Naruto," Hiruzen said, his voice filled with pride. "It looks like the work of a professional. You truly are your parents' son."

Naruto beamed, his chest swelling with pride. "Thanks, Jiji! I'll keep practicing!"

Over the next few days, Naruto and Hiruzen continued their calligraphy lessons. Each day, Hiruzen introduced a new kanji, and each time, Naruto was able to replicate it almost perfectly within two or three tries. Hiruzen was amazed at how quickly Naruto picked up the art, his natural talent shining through.

After Hiruzen left for the evening, Naruto made his way to his parents' library. The room was filled with shelves upon shelves of books, each one a treasure trove of knowledge. Naruto's eyes widened as he took in the sight, his heart racing with excitement.

He walked over to the section labeled "Fuinjutsu" and pulled out the first book he saw:Fuinjutsu for Beginners. He opened it carefully, his fingers tracing the intricate diagrams and symbols on the pages.

As he flipped through the pages, Naruto's determination grew stronger. He was ready to dive into the world of fuinjutsu, to unlock the secrets his father had left behind. And with Hiruzen's guidance and his own natural talent, he knew he could achieve anything.

Flashback end

Naruto was practicing his shuriken throws at a random training ground on the outskirts of the village. The sun was high in the sky, and the sound of kunai hitting the target echoed through the quiet area. Naruto wiped the sweat from his brow, grinning as he adjusted his stance for another throw.

Just as he was about to release the shuriken, a voice called out from behind him. "Hey, you! What are you doing here?"

Naruto turned to see a boy about his age standing at the edge of the training ground. He had dark hair, pale skin, and sharp, observant eyes. Naruto tilted his head, not recognizing him. "Uh, training? What's it to you?"

The boy crossed his arms, his expression serious. "This is my training ground. I come here every day. Who are you?"

Naruto smirked, not one to back down from a challenge. "Your training ground? I didn't see your name on it, teme."

The boy's eyes narrowed. "Teme? Who are you calling teme, dobe?"

Naruto grinned, sensing the beginning of a rivalry. "You, obviously. What, you gonna do something about it?"

The boy stepped forward, his expression darkening. "I don't know who you think you are, but you're not better than me."

Naruto's grin widened. "Wanna bet? I'll show you who's better!"

The two boys squared off, their competitive spirits igniting.

Just as Naruto and Sasuke were about to charge at each other, a voice called out, stopping them in their tracks. "Hey, hey, what's going on here?"

Both boys turned to see Shisui standing a33 few feet away, his arms crossed and a playful smirk on his face. Beside him was another boy, about ten years old, with sharp, calm eyes and an air of quiet confidence. He had the same dark hair and pale skin as Sasuke, but his demeanor was far more composed.

"Nii-san!" Sasuke exclaimed, his eyes widening in surprise.

The older boy, Itachi, stepped forward and gave Naruto a small nod. "Hello, Naruto-kun. I'm Itachi Uchiha. I'm a chunin, just like Shisui."

Shisui chuckled, stepping between the two younger boys. "Itachi's my best friend, and Sasuke-chan here is his little brother. We thought it'd be a good idea for you two to meet. You know, make a friend or two while you're at it."

Naruto and Sasuke both scoffed at the same time, crossing their arms and glaring at each other. "Friend? With him? No way!" they said in unison.

Shisui laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Well, that's not the reaction I was hoping for, but okay."

Itachi, ever the calm one, stepped forward and placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "Sasuke, Naruto-kun is a talented shinobi. I think you'll both benefit from training together."

Sasuke frowned, clearly not convinced. "Why should I train with him? I'm already training with you, nii-san."

Shisui smirked, leaning down to Sasuke's level. "Well, Sasuke-chan, you know I'm stronger than Itachi, right? That means my student is bound to be stronger than his."

Sasuke's eyes widened, and he immediately turned to Shisui, his face red with anger. "Stop calling me Sasuke-chan! And there's no way you're stronger than nii-san! You're just an idiot!"

Naruto burst out laughing, pointing at Shisui. "He's right, you know. I call him baka all the time!"

Sasuke couldn't help but laugh at that, and for a moment, the tension between them eased. Shisui, however, looked utterly defeated, a dark cloud forming over his head as he muttered, "No one respects my greatness…"

Itachi shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Shisui, stop being dramatic. You're embarrassing yourself."

After the brief moment of levity, Itachi turned to Naruto and Sasuke, his expression serious. "Why don't you two properly introduce yourselves? Tell each other your likes, dislikes, and dreams for the future."

Naruto stepped forward first, his chest puffed out with pride. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki! I like ramen, training, and hanging out with my friends. I don't like people who are mean for no reason, and I hate waiting for ramen to cook! My dream is to become Hokage and surpass everyone!"

Sasuke rolled his eyes but stepped forward as well. "I'm Sasuke Uchiha. I like training and spending time with my family. I don't like people who waste my time, and I hate losing. My dream is to become the strongest Uchiha and surpass my brother."

Naruto grinned, pointing at Sasuke. "Hah! You're gonna have to get in line, teme! I'm gonna be the strongest!"

Sasuke glared back. "In your dreams, dobe."

Shisui clapped his hands, interrupting their bickering. "Alright, alright, enough of that. Now, tell each other about your skills. Naruto, you go first."

Naruto nodded, his expression turning serious. "I'm fast and strong for my age, and I've got really good chakra control. I've completed the leaf-sticking, tree-walking, and water-walking exercises. I know basic taijutsu and how to fight with kunai and shuriken. Oh, and I'm learning fuinjutsu."

Sasuke's eyes widened slightly at the mention of fuinjutsu, but he quickly masked his surprise. "I know the Uchiha Interceptor Fist taijutsu style, but I've only just started learning it, so I'm not that great yet. I can do the Fireball Jutsu, and I've mastered the leaf-sticking exercise. I'm also pretty good at throwing kunai—I can hit the target about seven out of ten times."

Shisui nodded, clearly impressed. "Not bad, you two. You've both got a lot of potential. And now that you know each other's strengths, you can start training together."

Naruto and Sasuke exchanged a glance, both clearly reluctant but also curious. Finally, Naruto shrugged. "Fine, but don't slow me down, teme."

Sasuke smirked. "Same to you, dobe."

Itachi stepped forward, his calm demeanor cutting through the tension between Naruto and Sasuke. "Before you begin, there's something you need to know. In the Leaf Village, spars between shinobi are conducted with respect and tradition. You'll start by making the spar sign."

He demonstrated the hand seal, a simple gesture with his fingers forming a cross. "This sign shows that you acknowledge your opponent and agree to fight with honor. It's a tradition that dates back to the founding of the village."

Naruto and Sasuke exchanged a glance before mimicking the sign, their movements slightly awkward but earnest. Naruto grinned. "Got it! Let's do this, teme!"

Sasuke smirked. "Don't cry when I beat you, dobe."

Shisui interrupted with a laugh, waving his hand dismissively. "Alright, alright, Itachi, they get it. No need for a history lesson. Let's see some action!"

Itachi shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Very well. Begin."

The Fight Begins

Naruto and Sasuke charged at each other, their movements sharp and deliberate. Naruto threw the first punch, aiming for Sasuke's shoulder, but Sasuke sidestepped smoothly, countering with a quick jab to Naruto's ribs. Naruto grunted but didn't falter, sweeping his leg low to try and trip Sasuke. Sasuke jumped over the sweep, landing gracefully and launching a spinning kick toward Naruto's head.

Naruto ducked just in time, the kick whistling over his spiky blond hair. He retaliated with a series of rapid punches, forcing Sasuke to block and backpedal. Sasuke's movements were precise, his Uchiha training evident in the way he deflected Naruto's strikes with minimal effort. But Naruto's raw speed and strength kept him on the offensive, his relentless attacks pushing Sasuke to his limits.

Sasuke saw an opening and took it, feinting left before delivering a powerful kick to Naruto's chest. The impact sent Naruto flying backward, but he twisted mid-air, flipping gracefully and landing on his feet. He grinned, brushing off the hit like it was nothing. "Not bad, teme. But you're gonna have to hit harder than that!"

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "Don't get cocky, dobe."

Naruto's grin widened as he deactivated his gravity and resistance seals. The sudden shift in his speed was immediate and startling. He charged at Sasuke again, his movements now a blur. Sasuke's eyes widened as he barely managed to block Naruto's first strike, the force of the punch sending him skidding backward.

"So fast!" Sasuke muttered under his breath, but he quickly regained his composure. He adjusted his stance, his focus sharpening as he tried to predict Naruto's movements. The fight intensified, with Naruto's speed and strength clashing against Sasuke's skill and precision.

Naruto launched a high kick, which Sasuke dodged by leaning back. Sasuke countered with a sweeping kick aimed at Naruto's legs, but Naruto jumped over it, landing behind Sasuke and throwing a punch. Sasuke spun around, blocking the punch with his forearm and retaliating with a quick jab to Naruto's side.

The two boys exchanged blows, their movements a blur of punches, kicks, and blocks. Naruto's raw power and speed were matched by Sasuke's technique and agility, creating a perfect balance between them. Neither could gain the upper hand, and the fight dragged on, each boy pushing the other to their limits.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they both threw a punch at the same time, their fists colliding mid-air. The impact sent them both tumbling backward, landing hard on the ground. They lay there for a moment, breathing heavily, before sitting up and glaring at each other.

Itachi stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "That's enough. The spar is over. It's a draw."

Naruto and Sasuke looked at each other, their expressions softening as they caught their breath. Naruto was the first to speak, a grin spreading across his face. "Not bad, teme. You're pretty strong."

Sasuke smirked, wiping sweat from his brow. "You're not so bad yourself, dobe. For an idiot, anyway."

Naruto laughed, and Sasuke couldn't help but chuckle as well. For the first time, there was a hint of mutual respect between them.

Shisui and Itachi watched from the sidelines, their expressions a mix of pride and amusement. Shisui leaned over to Itachi, a grin on his face. "This is gonna be fun. I can already tell they're going to push each other to new heights."

Itachi nodded, his eyes focused on Sasuke. "Yes, but we'll need to keep an eye on them. They're both strong-willed, and that could lead to trouble if we're not careful."

Shisui chuckled. "Don't worry, Itachi. I've got this under control. Besides, it's not every day you get to train two prodigies at once."