Another month passed.
Kazama Shin had gradually grown familiar with the neighbors around his residence. While he wasn't overly warm, he always maintained proper courtesy and greetings.
Early one morning—
Seeing him heading out again at dawn, the nearby uncles and aunts smiled and greeted him.
"Ah, little Shin, going out to train again?"
Kazama Shin stopped politely and responded to each of them.
"Yes, Aunt Miko!"
"Haha, you'll definitely become an outstanding ninja in the future!"
Knowing his goal, a middle-aged man laughed as he encouraged him.
"Then I'll have to thank you for the encouragement, Uncle Jiro!"
Kazama Shin smiled and didn't deny it.
—
Watching his departing figure, the neighbors couldn't help but praise him.
"Sigh, what a polite and hardworking child…"
…
What they didn't know was that after a month of training, although his physical improvements weren't dramatic, they were steady.
And now, Kazama Shin could already be considered a true Genin.
After all, he possessed Genin-level chakra, had some foundation in taijutsu, had mastered the Three Basic Techniques, and even knew one or two additional ninjutsu.
That alone already placed him above most freshly graduated Genin.
In fact, most ordinary Genin might not even be his match.
Of course, that only applied if they weren't from powerful clans.
The gap between civilian ninjas and those from major families was enormous.
Not to mention anything else—just in terms of ninjutsu, most mid-level techniques were easily accessible within clans, not to mention their secret techniques.
Civilians, without top-tier teachers, could only rely on accumulating experience and completing missions to exchange for the techniques they wanted.
…
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Kazama Shin ran through the streets.
Today's training was to run from his home all the way to Konoha's gate and back—a total of over sixteen kilometers, no small feat.
In the early morning, Konoha felt quiet and serene under the cover of lush green trees.
Only an occasional civilian or ninja could be seen on the road.
As they watched Kazama Shin run past, they cast curious glances.
—
"Ah, what a coincidence, Shin!"
Suddenly, a voice called out from behind him.
A blond-haired, blue-eyed boy ran up to him.
"It really is a coincidence, Naruto."
Kazama Shin replied flatly, somewhat speechless.
Half a month ago, Naruto had accidentally discovered that he trained every morning. Since then, these "coincidental encounters" had become a daily occurrence.
"Hehe…"
Uzumaki Naruto scratched his head and grinned, the whisker-like marks on his cheeks twitching.
But he also knew that Kazama Shin didn't like talking too much during training, so he didn't chatter endlessly and simply followed behind, running alongside him.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Another set of footsteps joined the rhythm on the street.
They ran in silence.
At the same time, Kazama Shin skillfully activated his Copy Technique on Naruto.
"Ding! Copy failed!"
"Ding! Successfully copied the residual chakra of Minato Namikaze. Fuse?"
"Ding! Copy failed!"
After three consecutive attempts, Kazama Shin, long used to failure over the past month, didn't think much of it and continued running forward.
It wasn't until he had run nearly a hundred meters that realization struck him.
"Wait—what?! Who? Minato Namikaze? The Fourth Hokage?!"
His mouth fell slightly open as he roared inwardly, his emotions surging.
He had almost forgotten—
Naruto still carried traces of his parents' chakra left behind to protect him…
So that meant—
This was truly the Fourth Hokage's chakra?!
Minato Namikaze's strength came entirely from his talent and hard work.
Though he didn't possess a Kekkei Genkai, that didn't matter.
What truly made him terrifying—
Was his talent for space-time ninjutsu!
A smile slowly spread across Kazama Shin's lips.
"Space-time ninjutsu… even in the Six Paths-level battles later on, it shines brilliantly…"
Thud!
"Why did you stop?"
Naruto, who had run ahead, noticed no one beside him and turned back in confusion.
"It's nothing, Naruto."
Kazama Shin's youthful yet slightly handsome face broke into a gentle smile.
His bright eyes stared at Naruto—
As if looking at a priceless treasure.
"…"
Feeling uncomfortable under that strange gaze, Naruto shuddered slightly, his thoughts running wild.
He swallowed nervously and stammered,
"I… I'm normal…"
Kazama Shin's face darkened instantly. If this were a manga, black lines would have already filled his forehead.
"Why is everyone in the Naruto world so mature this early?!" he roared inwardly.
At the same time, he snapped,
"Of course I'm normal too!"
Then he added,
"Enough talking. I'm going to speed up now!"
The moment he finished speaking—
Tap! Tap! Tap!
He dashed forward, leaving behind a faint trail of dust.
"Hey, wait for me!"
Naruto shouted as he hurried to catch up.
But at his current level, he was no match for Kazama Shin, who already possessed chakra and had undergone training.
…
Inside the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage used the Telescope Technique through a crystal ball.
Watching the scene near Konoha's gate—a panting blond boy and a black-haired five-year-old standing steadily—
A warm smile spread across his face.
"That's wonderful, Minato… Naruto has formed a bond."
Looking at Naruto's exhausted yet "foolish" smiling face in the crystal ball, he sighed softly.
"It's been a long time since I've seen Naruto smile like that…"
Putting down his pipe, he exhaled.
Over the years, watching the Fourth Hokage's son be rejected by his peers had left him feeling powerless.
But now, things were different.
At least among children his age, there was someone with a clean background who was willing to befriend Naruto.
"Kazama Shin…"
After a moment of thought, the Third Hokage gave an order.
"Next year, arrange for him to enter the Ninja Academy…"
"Yes!"
With the Hokage's command, his subordinates immediately recorded the instruction.
…
At this moment, Kazama Shin had no idea—
He had already begun to change the course of certain events.