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Spring blossoms painted Konoha in pastels as Sasame returned to the Ninja Academy for the first time in years.
"Naruto?"
Just past the gates, he spotted a lone figure listlessly swinging on a creaky old set.
"Big Bro?!"
Uzumaki Naruto whipped around, eyes wide with delight. "What're you doing here?"
"Better question—why aren't you in class?"
Sasame approached, noting how the boy's smile didn't reach his eyes.
The Chunin Exams were being held internally this year, so only one academy building had been cordoned off.
"Free period!" Naruto hopped off the swing with forced cheer. "Just... getting air."
Liar.
Sasame saw right through it. This wasn't about fresh air—it was about escaping the glares.
Until the "demon fox" stigma faded, Naruto's growing strength would only breed more fear. In the original timeline, it took saving the village multiple times for acceptance.
"Hey, guess what? I'm crazy strong now!"
Naruto's demeanor flipped like a switch, puffing out his chest. "Top of my class! Gramps Hokage says I'm definitely gonna be Hokage someday!"
First place, huh?
No Kyuubi sabotage made all the difference.
As for Hiruzen's claim—well, it wasn't wrong. With Minato and Kushina's legacy, Naruto's talent, and Jiraiya as his future mentor? The Hokage seat was practically preordained.
(Somewhere, Danzo was grinding his teeth.)
What Naruto didn't realize was how scripted his life was—not just by Hiruzen, but by Asura's chakra and the Sage of Six Paths' machinations. Destiny had pegged him as the "savior" from birth.
Many theorized Asura's influence kept Naruto from turning dark. But chakra wasn't consciousness—at best, it was programming nudging him toward "heroism."
And "heroism" was subjective.
Was protecting Konoha just? Was Hiruzen's Will of Fire moral? Debatable.
Plenty of wiggle room to... adjust perspectives.
Turning Naruto into a bloodthirsty tyrant was impossible—but convincing him to, say, remove certain obstacles?
That was doable.
"Congrats." Sasame ruffled his hair. "Made any friends?"
"Not... yet."
Naruto's grin faltered. "Everyone's still getting to know each other!"
Oof.
Two months in and zero friends? Kids bonded fast—this was pure ostracization.
"Know about the Chunin Exams today?" Sasame changed topics.
"Yeah! Teachers said to stay away from the Sarutobi Building." Naruto blinked. "Wait—you're competing?"
"Yep." Sasame smirked. "Wanna sneak in and watch?"
"Hell yeah—!" Naruto deflated. "...But class."
"Bunshin no Jutsu (Clone Technique) your way out. Once you learn Kage Bunshin (Shadow Clones), just send one to suffer through lectures."
Sasame delivered this wisdom with zero remorse.
Naruto's jaw dropped.
"...You can DO that?!"
The Clone Technique was basic Academy fare—for someone with Naruto's chakra reserves, it was child's play.
(Sasame felt a twinge of envy. Three years old and already more chakra than him? Damn bloodline privileges.)
Their arrival at the exam hall drew stares.
While Sasame was a nobody, Naruto was infamous. From Hokage to civilian, everyone knew the "demon fox" rumors.
The genin's reactions mirrored the villagers'—disgust, hatred. Naruto hunched his shoulders, instantly regretting coming.
(He never noticed the handful of jōnin watching with guilt or pity—those who'd served under Minato and recognized the Fourth's son.)
Sasame scanned the room.
His teammates—Inuzuka Hana and Yakushi Kabuto—weren't here yet. Tsunade had been summoned by Hiruzen at dawn, likely to strong-arm her into being head examiner.
But he did spot familiar faces:
Uchiha Itachi (no surprises there)
Anko Mitarashi (unchanged, thankfully snake-free)
Yūgao Uzuki (now radiating snake-adjacent menace, practically a Mini-Orochimaru)
Itachi wasn't with his squad. Instead, he was chatting with a tiny raven-haired boy—smiling, of all things.
Sasame nearly did a double-take.
The Iceberg Prince actually thawed for someone?
Turns out even the coldest men had a soft spot.
"Naruto," Sasame nudged him, "meet someone."
Asura and Indra's fated bond was inevitable. Might as well poke it early.
Facing a prodigy like Naruto, how would Sasuke react?
"Itachi, who's this adorable little bean?" Sasame sauntered over.
(Gotta admit—baby Sasuke was stupid cute. Genetics win again.)
"Sasame." Itachi stood. "This is my brother, Uchiha Sasuke."
Given Sasame had saved Shisui and debated Will of Fire philosophy with him, he got mildly warmer treatment than most.
"And this," Sasame gestured, "is Uzumaki Naruto."
Then—
Silence.
Both boys were locked in a staring contest so intense, you'd think they'd found their soulmates.
(Truly, Stand Users do attract each other.)
Itachi's brow furrowed at "Naruto." Anyone else, fine—but an Uchiha mingling with the Jinchūriki?
Before he could intervene, Sasame struck:
"Sasuke, you in school yet? Naruto here's top of first year."
Cue malicious matchmaking.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed.
He wasn't enrolled, but the idea of someone his age already leading a class?
Something primal ignited in him.
No one outshines an Uchiha.
"Sasuke," Itachi cut in, "Mother's waiting."
Sasame spotted Uchiha Mikoto nearby and backed off. (Pushing further would be too obvious.)
But Itachi caught the competitive glint in Sasuke's eyes as he left—the kind that demanded a duel.
At Mikoto's side, Sasuke suddenly blurted:
"Can I start school tomorrow?"
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 115 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 30 power stones I will publish the next chapter.
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