"Wait a second…"
"Jōnin???"
Naruto froze, staring at Yuichi.
"How is that even possible!?"
Waving his hand in protest, Naruto shot Kakashi a look. "This kind of lie is way too obvious. Yuichi's the same age as me—he only just graduated from the Academy. How could he already be a Jōnin?"
Naruto spoke with absolute confidence. "Besides, nobody becomes Jōnin at twelve!"
"I did," Kakashi said calmly.
Naruto blinked. "Huh?"
Shikaku spoke up beside him. "Kakashi graduated from the Academy at five, became Chūnin at six, and reached Jōnin by twelve."
Even with both Kakashi and Shikaku saying it, Naruto's expression froze, stiff and uncertain. His world felt like it was cracking apart.
"Wait… Kakashi-sensei, you really became Jōnin at twelve?"
"Why is that so strange?" Kakashi countered. He walked over and stood beside Yuichi. "Nagano Yuichi, the same age as you, is also Jōnin at twelve. Becoming Jōnin at that age isn't so unthinkable, is it?"
Is it hard? Is it supposed to be that hard?
Naruto's mind reeled. Kakashi sounded like he was boasting—and the kind of boasting that crushed Naruto completely.
And then Yuichi made it worse.
"Actually, becoming Jōnin isn't that difficult. The exam is pretty simple. You just need to defeat three Konoha Jōnin—like Kakashi here."
Naruto: "…"
Kakashi: "…"
"Alright," Shikaku cut in before the situation spiraled further. "Yuichi, your time's nearly up. Take Naruto and head out. Be careful."
Yuichi nodded and looked at Naruto. "Let's go."
Naruto followed reluctantly, still refusing to believe it. A few months ago, they had trained together as equals. Now Yuichi was a Jōnin? The change was too fast to accept.
Once they were gone, Shikaku clapped Kakashi on the shoulder. "Don't take it too hard, being beaten by a kid. He's a monster—you're just a genius."
"…Huh?" Kakashi's brow twitched. Did he just get insulted? Since when was being called "a genius" supposed to sound so ordinary?
Shikaku always seemed so serious, but apparently he had quite the sharp tongue.
The cold wind blew beyond Konoha's walls as Yuichi and Naruto made their way down a forest path.
Meanwhile, on a street within the village, two cloaked figures appeared—robes of black embroidered with red clouds, hats shading their faces.
They moved slowly but purposefully toward Konoha's heart.
At another corner, Kurenai walked alongside Asuma.
"That kid is terrifyingly talented," Kurenai said, frowning. "He can even resist illusions. If I run into another enemy like that… I wouldn't know how to deal with them."
Asuma's face hardened. "You'd better not get too close to him."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Kurenai turned sharply. She had been voicing her concerns as a teacher, and this man wanted her to distance herself from a child?
"Despite his talent, despite inheriting the First Hokage's Wood Style… he's too bloodthirsty. When he killed Baki—"
"Enough," Kurenai cut him off, her voice cold. "That's what you wanted to say?" She turned away. "When a shinobi faces an enemy, should they show mercy? Sand Shinobi invaded Konoha. What's wrong with him defending his village?"
"Since when did you become so bloodthirsty, Kurenai?" Asuma's tone darkened.
Kurenai hadn't expected such words from him, but before she could respond, the air around them shifted—thick with killing intent.
They both felt it immediately.
That suffocating aura could only belong to killers.
Their conversation ended.
The two cloaked figures stepped into view, the red clouds on their robes unmistakable.
Asuma's eyes narrowed. "You two. Stop right there. I don't recognize you as Konoha shinobi. Who are you?"
"Oh? So the disguise is ruined," one said, voice hoarse.
The other chuckled. "Disguise? We never bothered to hide." His voice was young, calm, each word cutting clearly through the air. The familiarity in it made Asuma's chest tighten.
"What now?" the young one continued. "Since we've been found out, we might as well begin. Konoha shouldn't be much trouble right now…"
Swish!
Both men pulled off their hats, tossing them aside.
The moment their faces were revealed, Asuma and Kurenai froze.
On the empty sunlit street, only the four of them remained—two pairs locked in a silent confrontation.
The day was bright, but the air felt colder than shadow.
Meanwhile, Yuichi walked the forest trail, Naruto trailing behind, chattering endlessly.
"Yuichi, are you really a Jōnin?"
"Mm."
"What! You're that strong?"
"It's fine."
"They say you can use Wood Style! What kind of ninjutsu is that?"
"It's not ninjutsu. It's a bloodline ability."
"A bloodline? What's that?"
"It's like Sasuke's Sharingan—something you're born with."
"Can I learn it?"
"No. Don't even think about it."
Naruto's nonstop questions made Yuichi feel like he'd be worn down before they even left Konoha. He sighed and answered briefly, while quietly channeling Wood Style chakra through his body.
With each step, grass and flowers sprouted rapidly at his feet.
[Wood Style proficiency +1]
[Wood Style proficiency +1]
At least he was improving while Naruto pestered him.
"Yuichi!" Naruto finally exclaimed, eyes bright. "Since you're a Jōnin, can you teach me some really powerful ninjutsu?"
[Character: Uzumaki Naruto]
[Relationship: Friend]
[Key Event Triggered]
[Please choose carefully]
[1. Teach Naruto the Rasengan → Reward: Character Gift Pack]
[2. Refuse to teach Naruto → Reward: Wind Style Rasengan]