"Huh?"
Naruto froze, startled. His face flushed red almost instantly.
But then…
His shoulders slumped, and he lowered his head.
"But everyone looks down on me," he muttered. "Even you."
Masahiko didn't soften his words.
"Because you had no ability. You caused trouble, pulled pranks, and acted like a clown just to get attention. Why would anyone respect that?"
Naruto clenched his fists.
Then Masahiko continued calmly, "But now… haven't you noticed?"
"Noticed what?"
Naruto looked up, confused.
"Over the past half month," Masahiko said evenly, "Iruka-sensei and your classmates have clearly changed how they treat you."
Naruto froze.
Then his eyes lit up, and he slapped his hands together.
"You're right! Sakura hasn't yelled at me in forever!"
He scratched his head, laughing awkwardly.
"I knew something felt different…"
Masahiko raised an eyebrow but didn't lecture him further.
He stood and reached for his wallet.
"The starting point of your life can't be changed," he said. "But the road you walk—and where it ends—that's your choice."
Masahiko's gaze was steady and serious.
"Starting tomorrow, I won't wake you up anymore. Whether you stay a nobody or work to change… that's up to you."
"You're free."
With that, Yagyu Masahiko paid and turned to leave.
In front of Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto stood motionless for a long time.
After nearly twenty days of what he'd thought was pure torment, he'd been certain he would hate Masahiko.
But when the moment finally came…
He felt no joy.
No anger.
No hatred.
Only confusion.
The next morning, before dawn.
Early spring air was still bitterly cold.
Before six o'clock, Naruto woke up on his own and mechanically brushed his teeth and washed his face.
Only after finishing did it hit him—
Starting today, Masahiko-sensei wouldn't force him to do anything anymore.
Naruto stood by the window in a daze.
After a long moment, he climbed out and began running along the familiar route.
One lap.
Ten laps.
Twenty laps.
More than an hour later, breathing heavily, he staggered into a small sushi shop and bought rice balls and hot milk.
Thirty-five laps.
That was the final count.
"So I never actually finished fifty…"
Shock, emotion, and confusion tangled together inside him. He sat there, unmoving.
Until—
"Naruto? What are you doing here?"
"Pineapple Head?! Ah—wait, I'm gonna be late!"
Naruto jolted upright.
Shikamaru sighed. "It's Saturday. The Academy's closed."
"…Saturday?"
Naruto blinked, then remembered.
Right. That was true.
Shikamaru propped his chin on his hand. "You've changed a lot lately. You even care about being late now."
"Uh…"
Naruto scratched his head, unsure how to explain.
Giving up, he ordered food for Shikamaru and sat back down.
They'd become friends through skipping classes together.
Not close—but close enough.
After listening quietly, Shikamaru accepted the sushi and thought for a moment.
"You're just not used to him not being around."
"…Maybe."
Naruto nodded, then stopped thinking about it altogether.
Shikamaru finished his food and drank his milk.
"So what now?"
"Haven't decided yet."
Naruto rested his head on the table, then suddenly looked up.
"Oh! I've got it!"
"Hm?"
"I'm gonna find people to race with!"
Naruto jumped up, grinning. "See ya, Shikamaru!"
"The money—"
"Later!"
His laughter echoed as he ran off.
Shikamaru shook his head, finished eating, and left.
Once in the alley, he released his Transformation Jutsu.
"Figures," Masahiko muttered. "At least he's better than before. Even if the Third Hokage asks questions, it's not my problem."
Outside the village, Masahiko trained as usual.
Great Fireball Technique.
Transforming chakra into flames was only the first step. He refined it, compressed it, strengthened it—
Until—
A roaring wave of fire burst from his mouth, forming a massive fireball that surged forward before dissipating.
Masahiko exhaled and checked his status panel.
[Great Fireball Technique: Proficient]
It worked.
Only at Proficient level could it be used reliably in real combat.
Just then—
Whoosh.
A figure appeared behind him.
Masahiko spun and kicked, his body reacting faster than thought.
The attacker caught his leg—
But Masahiko planted one hand, twisted midair, and whipped a spinning kick toward the opponent's head.
Bang!
The attacker released and retreated using Body Flicker.
Masahiko didn't chase.
He narrowed his eyes.
A familiar cough followed.
"…Hayate?"
"Cough—yeah. It's been a while," the man replied. "Your taijutsu's improved a lot."
Gekkō Hayate stood upright.
They'd been classmates at the Academy.
Back then, Masahiko had been completely unremarkable.
If not for today's mission, Hayate would never have guessed—
In pure taijutsu, he might not be Masahiko's match anymore.
After a pause, Hayate said, "Hokage-sama wants to see you."
Masahiko frowned. "Don't tell me Naruto caused trouble again."
"He graffiti'd the Hokage Monument, led a group of chūnin on a street chase, and got arrested by the Military Police."
"…Of course he did."
"As for why Hokage-sama wants you specifically," Hayate added, "I don't know."
"Thanks. I'll go."
Masahiko vanished in a flash.
Hayate stared at the scorched ground, pressed a hand to his chest, and sighed.
Masahiko hadn't been exceptional.
But he was healthy—and relentless.
While Hayate grew weaker, Masahiko kept moving forward.
When Masahiko reached the Hokage Building and saw the graffiti-covered walls, his eyelid twitched.
Under twenty days of training, Naruto's strength had improved.
Unfortunately, so had his ability to cause chaos.
Masahiko looked up at the building and sighed.
Execution or not, sticking your neck out doesn't change the blade.
At least he wasn't Naruto's guardian.
He knocked.
"Come in."
Masahiko entered.
Inside the office, besides the Third Hokage—
There was someone else.
Danzo Shimura.
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