Naruto returned the next morning — earlier than even the birds dared to chirp.
He didn't hesitate. The shimmer at the grove's edge greeted him like a whisper, and the door pulsed open the moment he stepped near. His hand clenched tightly around the ryo he'd scraped together overnight. He had barely slept.
Inside the store, everything looked the same — calm, clean, glowing faintly like it was alive.
Ryuu stood at the counter, pouring tea. He didn't look surprised.
"You came back."
Naruto ignored the greeting and walked straight to the shelf. His eyes locked on Volume 5, still sealed.
"Same price?"
Ryuu nodded. "Fifty ryo."
Naruto slapped the coins down. "Unlock it."
[SYSTEM ALERT]Customer: Naruto Uzumaki
Purchase: Volume 5
Timeline Disruption: Moderate
Store Points Gained: +90
Owner Bonus: Memory Sync (Vol. 5)
Naruto dropped into a seat and opened the book.
The pages flew by in his hands. His eyes narrowed.
Team 7 entered the Chūnin Exams.
New enemies. Strange allies.
And then—that man.
Long tongue. Pale face. Snake eyes.
The forest. Sasuke screaming. A black mark burning into his neck.
Naruto jolted upright, slamming the volume shut.
"That guy… what the hell is he?!"
Ryuu didn't look up from his tea. "His name is Orochimaru."
Naruto pointed at him, fuming. "He attacked Sasuke! Put something on him! Some creepy curse thing! Is that gonna happen for real?!"
"If no one changes anything," Ryuu said evenly.
Naruto looked shaken. His fists clenched.
"I'm not gonna let him do that. I'll beat the crap out of him before he gets near Sasuke!"
Ryuu raised an eyebrow. "He's not weak."
"I don't care! I don't care how many arms or snakes or whatever he has—he's not touching my teammate!"
There was silence for a moment.
Then Naruto blinked.
"…Wait. Who is he anyway? What's his deal?"
Ryuu stepped forward, arms folded. "He used to be from your village. A powerful ninja. But he left years ago. Let's just say… he learned things people weren't meant to know."
Naruto frowned. "So he's strong?"
Ryuu's eyes glinted. "Very."
Naruto stared down at his hands. "Then I need to get stronger too."
He wasn't asking anymore. He was saying it like a fact.
Ryuu tapped the display beside him, and a faint glow illuminated a small floating panel.
[Recommended Products – Naruto Uzumaki]
Shadow Clone Jutsu – Intermediate Proficiency – 400 ryoReduces chakra cost, improves memory sync.
Uzumaki Chakra Conditioning Pill – Grade D – 150 ryoStrengthens chakra over time. Mild fatigue side effect.
Taijutsu Focus Incense – 100 ryoSharpens reflexes for short periods during training.
Naruto's eyes lit up. Then dimmed as he saw the prices.
His pouch was empty.
He clenched his jaw.
"…I'll be back," he muttered.
Ryuu gave a polite nod. "The store will be here."
Later That Afternoon – Training Ground 7
Naruto was unusually quiet.
Sasuke noticed first. He always did.
They were sparring, but Naruto was holding back — distracted. Again.
Sasuke ducked under a wild swing and countered with a clean jab to Naruto's chest. The blond tumbled back, coughing.
"What's wrong with you?" Sasuke asked.
Naruto sat up. "Nothing."
"You're worse than usual."
Naruto looked down, then muttered, "Hey… if someone was gonna try to hurt you… I'd stop them. Just so you know."
Sasuke blinked. "What?"
"I mean it!" Naruto stood. "Even if they're strong. Even if they're weird and gross and have snake eyes or something. I won't let 'em!"
Sasuke stared. "…Snake eyes?"
Sakura walked over, frowning. "What are you talking about?"
Naruto hesitated.
Then said, "Okay. I wasn't gonna say anything, but… there's this shop."
Sakura folded her arms. "A shop?"
"It's secret," Naruto said quickly. "I mean, really secret. Not even in the village. You go there and… they sell things. Books. Training stuff. They know things they shouldn't."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "What kind of things?"
"Like… the future."
Sakura scoffed. "Naruto, have you been hit in the head lately?"
"I'm serious!"
There was a pause.
Then Sasuke said, "Show us."
Naruto blinked. "What?"
"You believe it, right? So prove it."
Naruto hesitated… then nodded.
"Fine. Follow me. But don't freak out."
He turned and started walking toward the grove.
Sasuke followed, slower this time.
Sakura groaned.
"…This better not be another prank."