The road outside Konohagakure was peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Naruto Uzumaki walked beside his teammates, listening to the sound of footsteps against the dirt path and the gentle rustling of trees surrounding them.
The mission appeared ordinary.
Their client, Tazuna, complained constantly.
Sakura remained energetic about their first real assignment.
Sasuke observed their surroundings carefully.
And Kakashi…
Kakashi was being Kakashi.
Walking lazily.
Reading his book.
Acting as if nothing in the world could surprise him.
But Naruto knew better.
A shinobi’s greatest weapon was not always a jutsu.
Sometimes, it was patience.
And Kakashi Hatake was one of the most patient people Naruto had ever known.
“You’re quiet.”
Sasuke’s voice pulled Naruto from his thoughts.
Naruto glanced at him.
“Hm?”
“Usually you’re talking nonstop.”
Sakura immediately looked over.
“He’s right.”
Naruto scratched his cheek.
“Is that a problem?”
“No,” Sakura admitted.
“It’s just weird.”
Naruto smiled.
“I guess I’m trying something new.”
Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
“You keep saying that.”
Because it’s true, Naruto thought.
But he couldn’t say that.
He couldn’t tell them he had already walked this road once.
That he knew every mistake they would make.
That he remembered every person they would lose.
Instead, he simply looked ahead.
“I’m just trying to pay more attention.”
Sasuke stared at him for a moment before looking away.
“Hn.”
But Naruto noticed.
Sasuke didn’t dismiss the answer.
That alone was progress.
Behind them, Kakashi watched silently.
The jonin lowered his book slightly.
Naruto was becoming harder to understand.
At first, Kakashi thought the boy was simply acting differently because of the Bell Test.
Perhaps Naruto wanted to prove himself.
But days had passed.
The change remained.
His awareness.
His patience.
His ability to read people.
It reminded Kakashi of someone he had lost a long time ago.
Someone who believed bonds could change the world.
Kakashi’s visible eye softened.
Obito…
A sudden sound interrupted his thoughts.
A puddle.
On the road.
Naruto’s eyes moved toward it.
A small ripple formed on the surface.
For anyone else, it was meaningless.
For Naruto, it was a warning.
The air changed.
The killing intent was faint.
Almost invisible.
But Naruto had felt stronger.
Much stronger.
Kurama immediately noticed. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
“Enemies.”
Naruto’s expression didn’t change.
“I know.”
Kakashi’s eye moved toward him.
The jonin noticed.
Naruto had reacted before anyone else.
Interesting.
The puddle exploded.
Two figures emerged from beneath the water, chains flying through the air.
Their target was Kakashi.
The Demon Brothers.
The attack was fast.
Fast enough to catch an inexperienced genin off guard.
But Team Seven was no longer the same team.
Naruto moved.
So did Sasuke.
A kunai flashed through the air.
The chain was redirected.
Kakashi’s eyes narrowed.
The timing was perfect.
Sakura froze.
“What just happened?”
The attackers landed several meters away.
They looked confused.
The blond kid had interfered.
A genin.
But his movements were too precise.
Naruto landed beside Kakashi.
“You okay?”
Kakashi stared at him.
“I should be asking you that.”
Naruto smiled.
“Sorry.”
One of the Demon Brothers laughed.
“You kids actually think you can fight us?”
Sasuke stepped forward.
His expression was cold.
“You’re the ones who should be worried.”
Naruto looked at him.
For a moment, he saw the future Sasuke.
The powerful shinobi he would become.
The man who stood beside him against Kaguya.
But also the lonely boy who almost lost himself.
Not this time.
The Demon Brothers charged.
Sasuke moved first.
His Academy training was impressive.
His movements were sharp.
Precise.
But Naruto knew exactly what was coming.
The enemy was not their true threat.
They were only a warning.
A test.
Naruto moved beside Sasuke.
Together, they countered.
A kick.
A strike.
A perfectly timed opening.
The attackers were overwhelmed.
Within moments, both enemies were defeated.
Silence followed.
Sakura stared.
“You two…”
She looked between them.
“You worked together.”
Sasuke looked away.
“It was nothing.”
Naruto grinned.
“I didn’t.”
“You did.”
“I didn’t.”
Sakura sighed.
“They’re arguing again.”
Kakashi approached the defeated enemies, his expression thoughtful.
The fight had lasted only seconds.
Not because the opponents were weak.
Because Team Seven was stronger than expected.
Especially Naruto.
Kakashi looked at the boy carefully.
“Naruto.”
The blond turned.
“Yeah?”
“How did you know they were there?”
A pause.
The question everyone was thinking.
Naruto already had an answer prepared.
“I noticed the puddle.”
Kakashi looked toward the road.
The puddle.
A normal genin might have missed it.
But Naruto had noticed instantly.
“Good observation.”
Kakashi accepted the answer.
But he wasn’t convinced.
Not completely.
The mission continued.
However, something had changed.
The atmosphere was different.
The enemies had revealed themselves.
The peaceful escort mission was no longer peaceful.
Tazuna looked nervous.
Kakashi became more alert.
Sakura realized this wasn’t like their training.
And Sasuke…
Sasuke looked toward Naruto.
The blond was smiling.
Not the fake confidence he used to show.
Not the desperate smile of someone seeking attention.
A calm smile.
A confident smile.
A smile that said he already knew what was coming.
That bothered Sasuke.
Because for the first time…
Naruto Uzumaki was someone he couldn’t understand.
As night approached, Team Seven prepared their camp.
The road ahead was unknown.
But Naruto knew exactly where it led.
The Land of Waves.
Zabuza Momochi.
Haku.
The first true battle.
The first time they would see the darkness hidden behind the shinobi world.
Naruto stared into the fire.
Kurama’s voice echoed softly.
“You’re worried.”
Naruto watched the flames.
“I remember everything that happens next.”
“And?”
Naruto closed his eyes.
“Knowing the future doesn’t make it easier.”
Kurama understood.
Because memories were not just knowledge.
They were scars.
The next morning, Team Seven would enter the Land of Waves.
And the world would learn that Naruto Uzumaki was no longer the same boy who once walked this path.