The sun had barely risen over the Hidden Leaf when Naruto trudged through the trees toward the Team 10 training grounds. His steps were steady, but his spirit was dim. He wasn't disheveled like the day before—his orange jacket was zipped, his sandals clean—but there was a stillness in his eyes that hadn't been there just a few days ago.
He hadn't meant to come here originally. He hadn't planned anything, really. After yesterday, planning felt meaningless.
As he approached, he saw Choji training with Ino and Shikamaru, all three deep in synchronized practice. They were focused, sweating, and laughing in that way only true teammates could. Naruto stood at the edge for a moment, not wanting to interrupt, yet unable to leave.
"Yo," he said quietly, almost uncertainly.
Shikamaru glanced over first, then Ino, and then Choji stopped mid-punch, spinning with a grin that quickly softened when he saw Naruto's expression.
"Hey, what's up?" Choji asked. "Why didn't you come over for dinner yesterday? Mom made extra just for you."
At that, Naruto flinched. It was subtle, but everyone saw it.
Ino's heart sank. She'd grown used to Naruto's wild, explosive energy. Seeing him this quiet, this unsure—it hurt in a way she hadn't expected.
Naruto scratched the back of his head. "Ah... well, after the test with Kakashi-sensei, I didn't really feel like it."
Shikamaru raised a brow. "You passed, didn't you?"
Naruto nodded. "Yeah... I guess."
"Then what happened?" Choji pressed, stepping closer.
Naruto hesitated. "I... attacked Kakashi-sensei. Didn't think. Just... reacted. He tied me to the post at the training field."
That stopped everything.
"What?" Shikamaru said, voice flat.
Naruto's shoulders hunched slightly, and he continued in a quiet voice. "He tied me there. Said it was punishment. Said my team could decide if I deserved to eat... but Sasuke and Sakura didn't untie me. Sasuke just left. Sakura followed him."
There was a silence, thick and painful.
"I waited," Naruto said, eyes on the ground. "Then I used a Shadow Clone to break the rope."
Ino took a step back, hand over her mouth. She understood now. She'd been noticing it every day—the way Naruto lit up around Choji, the way he smiled more often, even the way he ate like he was tasting food for the first time. It wasn't about food. It was about not being alone.
He was lonely. That's all.
Choji's voice was quieter now. "You should've come over, Naruto. We were waiting."
Naruto shrugged. "I... just went home. Didn't feel like going anywhere."
Shikamaru's fists were clenched, veins taut on his arms. "What kind of team does that?" he muttered.
"An academy team," Asuma said, stepping into view. He'd heard it all from a distance, having just arrived with Raigo, the young monkey summon lounging on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry that happened to you, Naruto," Asuma said, voice heavy with quiet rage. "You're supposed to rely on your team. Trust them. They're supposed to protect you, not leave you tied to a post."
Naruto rubbed his nose with his sleeve. "Guess I'm not much of a teammate."
"No," Asuma said. "That team isn't working. And that's not your fault."
The words hit like a warm wind. Naruto blinked, eyes stinging more than he'd admit.
Choji stepped forward, clapping a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "You're with us now. Come home with me tonight. Mom'll be happy."
Naruto glanced at him and smiled—small, fragile, but real.
"Thanks."
Shikamaru exhaled hard through his nose, calming the storm behind his brow. "I don't care what anyone says. That's not a team. If Sasuke and Sakura want to be stuck in their world, fine. We'll make our own."
Ino nodded. "You're not alone anymore, Naruto."
Asuma smirked. "Right. That's the spirit. Actually, I was about to show them something—summoning jutsu."
"Wait, seriously?!" Naruto's eyes lit up. "Like summoning animals?"
Asuma laughed. "Exactly. It's chakra intensive, and dangerous if you don't have a contract, but I'll show you."
He clapped his hands together and slammed them to the ground.
Smoke exploded around him, and from within it, a large white-furred monkey with red tattoos emerged, stretching with a yawn.
"Raigo," Asuma greeted. "Meet the kids."
Raigo grinned. "Yo."
Choji and Naruto's eyes turned to stars. "AWESOME!"
They looked at each other, and without even a word, nodded in sync.
"WAIT—!" Ino shouted, too late.
"SUMMONING JUTSU!" both yelled, forming the hand seals.
There was a massive burst of smoke—and both boys vanished.
"IDIOTS!" Ino screamed. "He just said it was dangerous!"
Raigo and Asuma stood frozen, cold sweat beading on their necks.
"Well," Asuma said after a beat. "That's... not good."
Elsewhere: Hokage's Office, the Day Before
The Hokage's office smelled faintly of ink, old parchment, and tobacco—a familiar scent, though it had never felt quite so heavy before. Choza Akimichi sat across from Hiruzen Sarutobi, who looked older than ever, yet his eyes today bore a glint not of fatigue, but of something warmer. Gratitude.
"I wanted to see you in person," Hiruzen began, exhaling slowly as he removed the pipe from his mouth. "Not just as the Hokage… but as a grandfather."
Choza blinked. "Hokage-sama?"
The old man's hand waved gently. "No titles between us, not today. Just Hiruzen… and Choza."
There was a brief silence. The kind that hangs like mist over still waters.
Then Hiruzen smiled—an expression so rare these days, it almost startled Choza.
"Thanks to your son," Hiruzen said softly, "I've gotten my son back."
Choza leaned forward, heart swelling with confusion and pride.
"Asuma," Hiruzen continued. "He's changed. He's training again. He's signed the summoning contract and is preparing to coordinate with Gokuen. He… looks me in the eye now. Not just with defiance—but with purpose."
Choza didn't know what to say at first. He simply nodded, heart full. "I always believed in Choji. But even I didn't see this coming."
Hiruzen chuckled. "None of us did. And yet… here we are. Your boy is stirring the world around him. Asuma. Ino. Shikamaru. Even Naruto."
At the name, Choza shifted slightly, unsure where the conversation was headed.
Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, eyes clouding with thought.
"I know Naruto is visiting your clan grounds."
Choza opened his mouth—but Hiruzen lifted a hand, silencing him.
"I won't stop it," he said firmly. "Truth is, I couldn't, even if I wanted to. After Minato died, and with me being… well, old and less active, the real power sits with the council now. I'm mostly a figurehead. A place-holder."
Choza frowned. "That can't be—"
"It is," Hiruzen said simply. "But there are things they can't touch. And Naruto visiting the Akimichi grounds is one of them."
Choza nodded slowly. "He's a good kid. Hungry for love, belonging… and ramen."
The old man smiled again, eyes softening. "He reminds me of his mother, you know. Kushina. That fire. That bottomless appetite. But also the way he laughs like he's never known sorrow, even when that's all he's ever known."
Hiruzen stood and walked toward the window, gazing down at the village.
"If you'd like," he said quietly, "Naruto can move into one of your clan's houses. I know Yumiko is fond of him. And clearly… he's found something with you all. A bond."
Choza's eyes glistened. "You'd allow that?"
Hiruzen turned back to him. "I would. But you cannot adopt him."
Choza looked up in surprise.
"He is the heir of a powerful clan. The last of the Uzumaki in the village. The Fourth's son. Officially, the village must remain neutral in his upbringing, until such time he is strong enough to choose his own path."
"I understand," Choza said, nodding solemnly.
"But…" Hiruzen added with a soft smile, "off the record… thank you. To you. To Yumiko. And especially to Choji."
He returned to his chair slowly, groaning a little as his old knees creaked.
"I haven't met him since the academy graduation," Hiruzen admitted. "But tell him this: I'm grateful. Deeply. Because of him… the next generation might not just survive—but shine."
Choza stood up, bowing respectfully.
"I'll tell him. And… thank you for trusting us."
As Choza turned to leave, he felt the weight of what had just passed. His son—his Choji—was changing the course of things. Quietly, without fanfare, like the ripple of a stone tossed into still water.
And those ripples were reaching far.
[chapter end...]
Before you all start judging me or cussing me out, let's be real — Naruto didn't actually learn much from the rest of Team 7. All he really learned was tree climbing. Most of his real growth came from Jiraiya's teachings. Later on, Kakashi helped him develop the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken. Also, I want a story where other characters are strong too — not just side characters with no depth. That's what I like about One Piece: every character is great and has something special to offer. If you have any suggestions, drop them in the comments!