Three days had passed since Team Seven returned from the Land of Waves.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Konohagakure was peaceful.
Naruto spent those days doing exactly what no one expected him to do.
Training.
Not flashy techniques.
Not overwhelming displays of power.
The basics.
Every morning before sunrise, he could be found at Training Ground Three, repeating the Academy’s fundamental exercises.
Tree climbing.
Chakra control.
Shuriken accuracy.
Taijutsu forms.
Things he had long since mastered in his previous life.
Kurama watched from within.
“You’ve thrown that same kunai at the target two hundred and seventeen times.”
Naruto threw another.
It struck the bullseye.
“Two hundred and eighteen.”
“You know you can hit it blindfolded.”
“I know.”
“Then why?”
Naruto retrieved the kunai before answering.
“Because this body can’t.”
Kurama understood immediately.
Naruto possessed the memories and instincts of the Seventh Hokage.
His muscles did not.
Every movement had to be relearned.
Every reflex rebuilt.
His adult experience was trapped inside the body of a twelve-year-old genin.
“I keep forgetting.”
Naruto smiled.
“So do I.”
He looked at his hands.
They were smaller.
Lighter.
But stronger than they had been when he first graduated from the Academy.
Progress.
Slow but steady.
Exactly how it should be.
A familiar voice interrupted him.
“You’re here early.”
Naruto turned.
Kakashi stood beneath a nearby tree, his orange book already open.
“Morning, Kakashi-sensei.”
“I’ve been looking for you.”
Naruto tilted his head.
“Something wrong?”
Kakashi closed his book.
“The Hokage wants to see Team Seven.”
Naruto nodded.
“I figured.”
Kakashi raised an eyebrow.
“You figured?”
Naruto laughed awkwardly.
“I mean… after a successful mission, we’d probably have to report in.”
“Hm.”
Kakashi wasn’t convinced.
Again.
Naruto somehow anticipated things before they happened.
It was becoming a pattern.
Half an hour later, Team Seven gathered outside the Hokage Tower.
Sakura looked refreshed after several days of rest.
Sasuke, as always, appeared calm, though Naruto noticed the faint bruises on his hands.
He’d been training nonstop.
The team entered the Hokage’s office together.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up from a stack of documents and smiled.
“Good. Everyone is here.”
Naruto grinned.
“Morning, Old Man.”
Hiruzen chuckled.
“I see some things never change.”
The atmosphere relaxed.
Kakashi stepped forward and handed over another report.
“The final paperwork for the Land of Waves mission.”
Hiruzen accepted it.
“I’ve already received messages from the Land of Waves.”
He looked toward Team Seven.
“The bridge has been completed.”
Sakura smiled.
“Really?”
“The villagers wished to express their gratitude.”
Naruto quietly smiled to himself.
He remembered the bridge standing proudly years later.
Only now…
He knew Haku and Zabuza were somewhere out there, alive.
Changing the future in ways no one could yet imagine.
Hiruzen folded his hands.
“Your performance exceeded every expectation.”
His gaze rested on each member in turn.
“Sakura.”
She straightened immediately.
“Your composure improved significantly during the mission.”
“Thank you, Lord Hokage.”
“Sasuke.”
The Uchiha simply nodded.
“Your combat ability reflects the talent expected of your clan.”
Sasuke accepted the praise silently.
Finally…
Hiruzen looked at Naruto.
“Naruto.”
“Yeah?”
The old Hokage smiled warmly.
“You surprised me.”
Naruto rubbed the back of his head.
“I’ve been hearing that a lot lately.”
“I imagine you have.”
A brief silence followed.
Then Hiruzen reached into his desk and removed three envelopes.
“I have another matter to discuss.”
Kakashi crossed his arms.
“The Chunin Exams.”
Sakura’s eyes widened.
“So soon?”
Sasuke’s attention sharpened instantly.
Naruto remained perfectly calm.
Exactly as Hiruzen expected.
The Third Hokage continued.
“The Chunin Exams are held twice a year.”
He placed the envelopes on the desk.
“Based on Kakashi’s recommendation…”
Sakura looked at her teacher in surprise.
“…all three of you have been nominated.”
The room fell silent.
Sakura looked stunned.
“Us?”
Sasuke’s lips curled into the faintest smirk.
Naruto simply looked at the envelope.
The Chunin Exams.
The invasion.
Orochimaru.
Gaara.
The death of the Third Hokage.
Naruto’s smile faded slightly.
History was approaching once again.
Hiruzen noticed.
“Naruto?”
The blond looked up.
“Is something wrong?”
Naruto quickly smiled.
“No.”
He picked up the envelope.
“I was just thinking.”
“About what?”
Naruto looked out the office window toward the village.
“This exam…”
His voice became thoughtful.
“…is going to change a lot of lives.”
No one understood what he meant.
Except Kurama.
Inside the seal, the Nine-Tails slowly opened one eye.
“He remembers.”
Naruto answered silently.
“I remember all of it.”
Kurama’s expression grew serious.
“Orochimaru.”
Naruto nodded almost imperceptibly.
“The invasion begins here.”
His fingers tightened around the invitation.
He had already changed the Land of Waves.
He had saved Haku.
He had saved Zabuza.
But this…
This would be different.
Orochimaru was unlike any opponent Team Seven had faced.
Brilliant.
Patient.
Merciless.
And now…
Naruto had the unsettling feeling that the legendary Sannin wasn’t just interested in Sasuke anymore.
Somewhere far from Konohagakure, hidden beneath layers of earth and stone, a pale man slowly unrolled an intelligence report.
Golden eyes moved across every line.
His smile widened.
“So…”
Orochimaru whispered.
“…Naruto Uzumaki.”
His long fingers tapped lightly against the parchment.
“A jinchūriki who predicts enemy movements.”
“A child who changed the outcome of the Land of Waves.”
“And someone who convinced Zabuza Momochi to abandon the path of blood.”
He chuckled quietly.
“How extraordinary.”
Kabuto Yakushi stood nearby.
“You believe the reports are accurate?”
Orochimaru closed the scroll.
“I don’t know.”
His serpent-like eyes gleamed with curiosity.
“But I intend to find out.”
Far away, Naruto looked up at the bright blue sky above the Hokage Monument.
He could feel it.
The calm before another storm.
This time…
The serpent was already watching.