"Uzumaki Naruto… I'll be watching you."
Sasuke-kun turned his head and, as if by accident, brushed the corner of his eye.
"If you're lying, I'll kill you."
Naruto only smiled at the threat that carried no real menace. He paid no mind to Sasuke-kun's last bit of stubborn pride.
"Then do your best to catch up."
"Winner: Uzumaki Naruto!"
With Iruka-sensei's belated announcement, no cheers rose from the crowd—only silence. Everyone realized the prank-loving "dead last" was gone. In his place stood a genius they now had to look up to.
[Ding!]
[Stage-Three Mission: Monthly Exam completed… Reward: D-rank treasure chest.]
[Mission: Score high on the Monthly Exam completed… Reward: C-rank treasure chest.]
[Mission: Save Sasuke completed… Reward: B-rank treasure chest.]
A string of pleasant chimes rang in his ears. Happiness struck so suddenly that the impact of three chests left Naruto dazed. The corners of his mouth kept curling upward, but he managed to hold back his laughter. Lowering his head, he adjusted his glasses to hide his grin, leaving the others with only a solemn profile.
At that moment, a shadow flickered onto the edge of the training field. It was Sandaime Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen. He had watched the entire fight between Naruto and Sasuke-kun from afar. Though he hadn't heard their words, when he saw the two boys shake hands and the hatred in Sasuke-kun's eyes turn to drive, the Sandaime's own eyes brimmed with relief and pride.
"This is the bond of the Will of Fire…" he murmured inwardly.
Naruto had not only defeated Sasuke-kun; far more precious, he had embraced and guided him with a broad heart. That was the makings of a true leader! In his view, Naruto had grown under countless misunderstandings and pressures. Yet, thanks to an innately sunny core, he forged unshakable will in adversity and a warm character in loneliness. Now he had become a successor of the Will of Fire who could accept and uplift others.
"Minato… can you see? Your child… has grown up."
Collecting himself, the Sandaime stepped kindly before Naruto.
"A splendid match, Naruto-kun."
"Victorious yet humble, helpful to a friend—well done. By our agreement, you've passed my test."
From his robe, he drew a special card and handed it over.
"This is a special pass. With it, you may enter the second floor of Konohagakure's library and check out all Ninjutsu and materials of C-rank and below."
The surrounding students couldn't stifle their gasps. After six years at the Academy, they had learned only the three E-rank basic techniques. To study higher Ninjutsu? They'd have to wait until graduation and ask their Jonin instructors—and even then, whether they learned anything would depend on the teacher's mood. Now Naruto had effortlessly gained what they could only dream of.
"And this."
The Sandaime presented a scroll, his tone grave.
"A personal gift: a B-rank jutsu—Kage Bunshin no Jutsu."
This time, even Iruka-sensei sucked in a sharp breath along with the students. A B-rank jutsu! That was advanced arts reserved for Chunin or Jonin.
"Kage Bunshin…"
Naruto accepted the scroll and bowed deeply; behind his lenses, his eyes flashed.
"Thank you, Grandpa Sandaime! I won't let you down—I'll protect Konohagakure with all I have!"
The Sandaime's grin stretched ear to ear. In high spirits, he launched into an impromptu "Will of Fire" speech that lasted over half an hour. Though desperate to rush home and open his boxes, Naruto nodded along with rapt attention, looking deeply inspired. The Sandaime's fondness for him rose another notch.
At last, after farewells to the enthusiastic Iruka-sensei and classmates, Naruto returned home alone. The moment he stepped inside, he locked the door, drew the curtains, and sealed the room completely. The composed expression vanished; he collapsed spread-eagled on the bed.
"Whew… pretending to be calm is exhausting."
Even with an Uzumaki constitution, he felt drained.
"But it was all worth it."
He sat up, anticipation gleaming in his eyes.
"Fuse three D-rank chests?"
"Yes."
[Fusion successful: obtained C-rank chest.]
Now—time to reap the rewards.
"System, open all chests."
[Opening two C-rank chests and one B-rank chest…]
Three bursts of light exploded before him. First came the two C-rank chests.
[Obtained universal trait: Photographic Memory.]
[Description: Anything you see or hear is recorded flawlessly in your mind, never to be forgotten.]
[Obtained special item: Black-tea Set.]
[Description: A delicate bone-china tea service with endless refills; drinking calms the mind, erases mental fatigue, and slightly raises maximum mental power.]
"Whoa…" Naruto inhaled sharply.
After long nights of rote memorization, he knew the value of "photographic memory." Had he possessed it a month earlier, his efficiency would have multiplied. More importantly, the library was no longer a sea of knowledge—it was a data bank he could copy at will!
"And this tea…"
With a thought, a pristine tea set appeared on the table. He poured a cup and sipped. A warm current rushed to the crown of his head; his battle-agitated mind cooled into serene clarity.
"Definitely good stuff."
Another sip, then he set the cup down. Even the thrill of opening boxes had calmed. At last, he turned to the radiant B-rank chest—his most anticipated reward.
[Opening B-rank chest…]
[Causal target detected: Uchiha Sasuke]
[Obtained special bond: Projection of Indra.]
[Description: You have forged a deep bond with Indra's reincarnation; fate grants you a gift.]
[Effect 1: Attribute completion affinity for Katon, Raiton, Doton, and awakened high-tier Yin Release.]
[Effect 2: One-way soul link with Sasuke-kun; every time Sasuke-kun grows stronger, 30% of that growth feeds back to you.]