Three years have passed. I am now six years old.
Yesterday, an ANBU delivered my admission letter from the Konoha Ninja Academy. It was not Kakashi this time. The masked shinobi simply handed me the letter and disappeared without saying much.
The letter confirmed it. I had been enrolled in the Konoha ninja academy.
Today was Sunday.
Tomorrow, my life as an academy student will begin.
I stood near the window of my apartment, looking out at the village. The last three years had not been very dramatic.
No life-or-death battles.
No sudden attacks.
Just learning.
Training.
Growing.
It took me three months to fully learn how to read and write this world's language. Thanks to the library and Hiroji, I improved quickly. After that, I kept reading regularly. Books on history. Geography. Basic shinobi theory.
I also learned how to cook.
At first, I burned half of what I made. But now, I can prepare simple and healthy meals without trouble.
I also tried learning music but it was a disaster.
I tried learning basic instruments from picture books. It did not go well.
I was not talented.
I wanted to learn music because I thought whenever I would be in a fight, my clones could play background music. Or they could play music on my entrance so that I could look awesome whenever I am entering into a battle.
Sigh!
"I really need Shadow Clones,"
If he could use clones in the future, learning would become much easier.
But for now, I have to rely on myself.
Physically, I trained every day.
Running.
Push-ups.
Pull-ups.
Squats.
Basic body exercises.
I avoided heavy weight training. I did not want to affect my growth or damage my body at a young age. I decided to wait a few more years before starting serious weight training.
I focused heavily on chakra control.
I started with the basic leaf exercise. One leaf stuck to his forehead.
After three years, I could now stick five leaves at different places on my body at the same time.
Six if I pushed myself.
Even after three years of practice, I struggled beyond that.
It showed how poor my natural chakra control was.
It was not impressive. But it was better than before.
Slow progress was still progress.
My chakra sensing had improved the most.
From fifty meters… To one full kilometer.
I could now sense chakra signatures within that range.
Every civilian. Every shinobi. Every fluctuation.
It gave me awareness.
Safety.
Information.
As for jutsu…
I did not practice any visible techniques.
Not even my Weapon Construct ability.
I kept that hidden.
I did not want attention.
Not yet.
Until I have someone backing me.
Or until I was strong enough to defend himself properly.
I turned away from the window and sat on my bed. Tomorrow, the Ninja Academy begins.
In the original timeline, I was the dead last.
This time?
I would not be.
I closed my eyes.
Maybe it was time.
A small smile formed on my face just thinking about that. Maybe this was the right moment to slowly reveal my Weapon Construct ability.
Not all at once.
Not in a flashy way.
But little by little.
If I showed small signs of it early, people would grow used to it. They might think it was some rare Uzumaki trait. After all, the Uzumaki clan was known for strong chakra, sealing techniques, and chakra chains.
Creating weapons from chakra? It would not sound too strange.
If I played it carefully, people would accept it as something unique but natural. Over time, it would stop being shocking.
That was the plan.
Now, As for my social life…
Nothing much had happened in the past three years.
I had a few small fights with civilian kids. Mostly insults. A few pushes. Nothing serious.
I still had no real friends.
Also I have not met anyone from the main cast yet.
No Sasuke.
No Sakura.
No Shikamaru.
I even missed the event shown in anime where Naruto helps Hinata when she gets separated from her caretaker, some kids bully her about her eyes and then Naruto helps her and drops her home.
I think it was a pretty big event, as it resulted in Hinata having a crush on Naruto….
Meh, Whatever. It's not like love and friendship will help me defeat Pain, Madara or Kaguya. I am different from the canon Naruto.
But one relationship had grown stronger.
Hiroji.
Shirozu Hiroji was a grumpy, middle-aged man.
He complained a lot.
He scolded me when I misplaced books.
But he was kind.
In his own quiet way.
I am almost certain Hiroji is not just a librarian.
The man had chakra levels equal to an elite jōnin. And his presence was always calm and controlled.
Too controlled.
I noticed it.
Hiroji noticed me noticing it.
I noticed Hiroji noticing that I noticed.
And it became a silent game between them.
Neither spoke about it.
Both understood.
Oh, I finally found Ichiraku Ramen. It took me weeks.
But when I did, it was worth it. The ramen was heavenly. Especially the miso pork ramen.
For the first time since coming to this world, I felt something close to comfort while eating.
Overall, the last three years have been productive. Not groundbreaking. No big achievements.
But I have built a foundation.
Body.
Chakra control.
Awareness.
Discipline.
Now, the next six years at the academy would shape me.
My goal was clear.
Become number one. Graduate at the top of my class.
No dead last.
No clown.
No fool.
I hope the academy teachers will be fair.
Not biased.
Not blinded by hatred like the villagers.
But even if they were,it would not matter.
I would still rise….like Phoenix
I clenched my fist and looked at my reflection in the mirror. My red hair is wilder than anime. At six years old I stood 122 cm tall. My body is fit and healthy, overflowing with vitality. I am already quite different from the canon naruto. I make eye contact with my reflection in the mirror.
"I will become the best,"
"The best there was."
"The best there is."
"And the best there will ever be."