After lunch, Naruto organized a training session with his friends. The System had advised him to practice more—combat experience was essential, even for someone with his physical advantages.
The sparring matches were... enthusiastic.
When it was time for everyone to leave, Naruto waved energetically from the farmhouse porch. "See you all soon!"
For some reason, Sakura, Choji, and the others practically sprinted down the back mountain path. They disappeared into the tree line within seconds.
Naruto's brow furrowed in confusion. He turned to Sasuke. "Why'd they leave so fast? We just ate a big meal. Running like that will give them stomachaches."
Sasuke stared at Naruto's innocent, genuinely puzzled expression. He raised one hand to his face—his cheek was still swollen from their earlier "friendly sparring."
Hearing Naruto's concern for their wellbeing, Sasuke chose to say absolutely nothing.
Of course they ran. Who wants to stick around and keep getting pummeled by a humanoid Tyrannosaurus?
When Sasuke didn't respond, Naruto shrugged and wandered off to continue his solo training. As he practiced, he mentally reviewed the day's matches, cataloging what had worked and what hadn't. Analyzing combat against multiple opponents would help him adapt to different ninja fighting styles in the future.
The next morning, after breakfast, Sasuke prepared to send a shadow clone to the Academy as usual.ds
"Wait," Naruto said. "I'm going to school today. I need to make a new friend."
Sasuke's eye twitched. Some poor soul is about to get targeted.
He opened his mouth to argue—to explain that maybe, possibly, Naruto's friendship method was slightly problematic—but the words died in his throat.
He'd tried reasoning with Naruto before. Then Naruto had punched his arguments into submission and proven himself right through superior firepower.
Just wait, Naruto. Once I master your father's Rasengan, I'll use it to reason right back at you.
Sasuke formed the hand seals and created a shadow clone without further protest. The clone shouldered a school bag and waited by the door for the original Naruto.
Naruto walked over to the couch where Nine-Tails lay sprawled with his legs spread in a decidedly undignified pose. He scooped up the fox without warning.
"Come on, Nine-Tails. You're coming to school with me. I'm taking you to make friends."
The logic was sound: his target apparently had a dog. If they both had pets, wouldn't that make bonding easier?
Nine-Tails wore an expression of profound resignation. Whatever. I don't care anymore, you ridiculous human child.
With Nine-Tails tucked under one arm and his long-neglected pink backpack slung over his shoulder, Naruto headed to the Academy alongside Sasuke's clone.
"Wow, Naruto-kun! You brought the little fox!"
Hinata immediately gravitated toward them when they arrived, her eyes lighting up at the sight of Nine-Tails. "But... um... why isn't he wearing any of the little outfits I gave him?"
Nine-Tails' lips pulled back from his teeth in a silent snarl.
Naruto quickly patted the fox's head to calm him. "Next time, definitely next time."
He smiled with forced brightness. Internally, he made a mental note: I need to figure out with Sasuke how to make Nine-Tails wear those dresses willingly.
Sakura and Ino approached as well, though they kept a healthy distance from Nine-Tails. Yesterday, they'd both thought the fox looked adorable and tried to pet him.
They'd both ended up airborne courtesy of his paw.
Choji and Shikamaru wandered over to greet Naruto as well.
Before long, Iruka entered the classroom—actually arriving before the bell rang for once. He spotted the group clustered around Naruto's desk, chatting and laughing.
They appeared to be genuine friends.
Seeing this, Iruka couldn't help but remember that conversation at Ichiraku Ramen, when Naruto had shared his dream of having many friends. It seemed the boy had taken real steps toward making that dream reality.
Though Iruka did find it slightly strange that all of Naruto's friends currently sported bruises and swollen cheeks.
Oddly enough, looking at the scene made Iruka want to become Naruto's friend too.
After school, Naruto said goodbye to Sasuke's shadow clone on the road leading away from the Academy.
"Head back to the farm without me," Naruto instructed. "I'm going to find my new friend."
When he returned to the school gates, his target was nowhere to be seen. Apparently the boy had already left.
Naruto flagged down a passing classmate whose name he couldn't recall. "Hey, do you know where Inuzuka went?"
"Probably catching bugs in the forest with Shino," the unnamed student replied.
"Thanks!"
As Naruto jogged toward the forest, he frowned slightly. That's weird. Why doesn't that kid have a name? Doesn't everyone deserve a name?
In the forest, Inuzuka Kiba had just finished school and was planning to take Akamaru for a walk when Aburame Shino intercepted him.
"Kiba, come with me to catch insects in the forest," Shino said in his characteristic monotone.
Kiba would never refuse his friend's request. He scooped up Akamaru and followed Shino into the trees, where they began turning over rocks and parting tall grass in search of bugs.
"Ha! Kiba, I found one!" After half an hour of searching, Shino finally located a specimen that met his requirements. His voice actually contained a hint of excitement.
"Let me see!" Kiba hurried over and spotted a peculiar insect crawling slowly beneath a clump of grass.
"Arf! Arf!"
Akamaru bounded over at that moment, lifted one hind leg, and proceeded to urinate directly on the bug with a loud splashing sound.
"Haha! Akamaru, don't pee on Shino's bugs!" Kiba waited until the puppy finished, then picked him up and used a tissue to clean the relevant area.
Shino stood frozen, staring at the soggy insect with an expression of profound helplessness behind his high collar.
After searching a while longer, the two boys parted ways to head home.
"Come on, Akamaru! Let's go!" Kiba jogged along the forest path with his white puppy trotting at his heels.
Suddenly, a large figure appeared around the corner ahead. A tall blonde boy holding a small orange fox, with a pink backpack strap cutting across his shoulder.
Kiba skidded to a halt. Akamaru stopped beside him.
"Uzumaki Naruto?"
Kiba had no idea why Naruto was here, but his instincts suggested the other boy had been waiting specifically for him.
"Inuzuka Kiba. Akamaru."
The fact that Naruto addressed them both, using the same respectful tone for the dog as for himself, immediately improved Kiba's opinion. He hated when people dismissed Akamaru as just a pet.
Akamaru wasn't his pet. They were partners.
As if sensing Kiba's thoughts, Akamaru looked up and yipped in agreement.
"Inuzuka Kiba, let's be friends," Naruto said seriously.
Kiba had no inherent problem with Naruto. His family had never spoken ill of the blonde boy at home, and Naruto had just shown proper respect toward Akamaru. Kiba didn't mind the idea of friendship at all.
"Sure, I'm good with that."
"Then let's begin."
Kiba blinked. "Begin what?"
"The sparring match, obviously." Naruto set his backpack aside carefully. "To become friends with me, you need to show me your sincerity."
"Oh, that's what you meant." Kiba's face lit up with interest. "I don't mind a friendly match. But in the Inuzuka clan, we always fight alongside our partners."
"I understand completely." Naruto gestured to Nine-Tails, who still sat in the crook of his arm. "That's why I brought my partner too."
Nine-Tails' eye twitched.
Kiba grinned and dropped into a ready stance. Akamaru barked and took position at his side.
"Alright then, Naruto! Let's do this!"