The next day.
Chiba woke up early.
Time for cultivation should never be wasted — nor taken too lightly.
Training was like losing weight: it required both willpower and consistency.
His biological clock had long since been set.
After a simple breakfast, Chiba washed up, changed into his training outfit, and looked into the mirror.
A silver-haired, red-eyed boy stared back — a delicate porcelain face, calm yet sharp.
"So handsome," he murmured, unable to stop a small smirk.
Narcissistic? Maybe.
But he wasn't wrong.
He grabbed his sword and headed out.
Outside, the system chimed softly.
[Daily Quests Refreshed]
[Swing the sword 1000 times: Reward — Kendo EXP +10]
[Refine Chakra: Reward — Chakra +1]
"A daily task, huh?" Chiba's eyes gleamed. "Not bad."
He didn't waste any time. After greeting a few neighbors, he slipped into the forest where he usually trained — far from the public practice grounds.
"First, a thousand swings!"
Chiba tightened his grip on the sword hilt and began his drills.
The [Flat-Cut Grandmaster] talent had carved deep muscle memory into his body, guiding every strike to perfect form.
The sound of his blade cutting the air echoed rhythmically through the forest.
Meditation might have been boring, but the thought of the future — of survival and power — gave him endless motivation.
Talent and effort — both were indispensable.
By noon, he didn't return home.
He ate his packed lunch under the shade of a tree, then resumed practice until sunset.
Day after day, that was his rhythm.
Training, resting, refining.
No distractions.
Time slipped away.
In the blink of an eye — one month had passed.
Chiba's diligence never faltered. His body grew stronger, his chakra steadier.
The system's interface reflected his progress:
[Status Panel]
Body Strength: 166
Mental Strength: 130
Chakra: 142
He had reached the level of an ordinary Genin. Of course, that didn't mean much — not when Konoha's Genin could destroy nations.
But that was fine.
Chiba's plan was simple: develop slowly, safely, and secretly.
By the time the Fourth Ninja War arrived, he would be strong enough to protect himself.
Kage-level isn't the end, he thought. My goal… is to stand beside Ōtsutsuki Kaguya herself.
Around that same time, the Third Hokage issued a decree:
No one in the village was to discuss Naruto Uzumaki's identity.
It stopped open hostility — but the villagers still kept their distance.
And so, Naruto remained alone.
That night.
Chiba lay on his bed, watching the hands of the clock tick closer to midnight.
"It's January," he whispered.
He closed his eyes.
[Duel Space: Activated]
A familiar darkness surrounded him.
"Little Paimon, begin character projection."
"Okay!"
Light bloomed once more. Scrolls spun across the screen — until one froze.
[Projection: Uzumaki Naruto (Five Elements Seal)]
"Ah, Naruto this time?"
Chiba wasn't surprised.
He just hoped the "Genin" tag wasn't still attached.
After all, Naruto was technically a Genin forever — until he jumped straight to Hokage.
This projection represented Naruto during the Chūnin Exam, in the Forest of Death, right after Orochimaru's encounter — when he sealed Naruto's Nine Tails chakra with the Five Elements Seal.
That meant Naruto's chakra control would be unstable.
The duel field shifted — this time to the top of Hokage Rock, overlooking Konoha.
A cool breeze carried the scent of flowers.
White petals drifted through the air.
A perfect stage for battle.
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
Naruto's voice echoed as he formed a hand seal — Ren — summoning multiple copies of himself.
Chiba tightened his stance.
The three Narutos rushed forward, kunai in hand, attacking from three directions.
Chiba reacted instantly — throwing two shuriken.
His aim was sharp; both clones dispersed into white smoke.
He closed the gap and thrust his sword toward the remaining Naruto, piercing him straight through the chest—
—but there was no resistance.
A Shadow Clone.
"When—?"
Before he could finish the thought, a surge of killing intent flared behind him.
Danger!
He spun on instinct, blade flashing.
The ninja sword pierced Naruto's torso just as Naruto's kunai sliced into Chiba's arm.
Blood splashed.
Both froze.
Then Naruto's projection dissolved into light.
Chiba exhaled, frowning slightly. "Still not enough combat experience."
This version of Naruto had already fought in the Land of Waves mission — he'd faced real killing intent from Zabuza and Haku.
His battle sense was sharper than Chiba's.
[Ding!]
[You have defeated Uzumaki Naruto (Five Elements Seal).]
[Rewards: 3000 ryō, Trait — Uzumaki Clan Physique, Taijutsu +1 (Proficiency)]
"Uzumaki clan physique?"
Chiba's eyes widened in surprise — then a smile spread across his face.
"Now that's a jackpot."
Under his command, the new physique integrated into his body.
A warm current flowed through his meridians, expanding them, strengthening his vitality.
His muscles felt lighter. His pulse steadier. His chakra flow smoother.
His entire body felt renewed.
"So this is the power of the Uzumaki lineage…"
His stamina and resilience had increased dramatically — and his chakra reserves grew along with it.
He clenched his fists.
"Looks like my luck's finally turning."
The Uzumaki physique might not rival the divine eyes of the Rinnegan or Tenseigan —
But for Chiba, right now, it was exactly what he needed.