Chapter 23: Naruto’s Weapon Testing Grounds

“Uzumaki Naruto...”

They had seen Naruto when picking Sasuke up from school. Mikoto had even affectionately embraced Naruto once, because the boy carried the blood of her dearest friend. Yet that gesture of intimacy had brought trouble upon herself and her husband. The thought that she couldn’t even show affection to her best friend’s child left Mikoto both restless and sorrowful.

Fugaku, too, was lost in memories. Naruto’s mother, Kushina Uzumaki, had been Mikoto’s closest friend, and Naruto’s father, Minato Namikaze, was his own dear friend as well. On the night of the Nine-Tails, both friends perished. Fugaku was filled with regret—why hadn’t he been more forceful, leading his clan to break through the Anbu’s blockade to aid his friends? After all, on that night, the Uchiha clan’s pattern had been seen in the Nine-Tails’ eyes by everyone; the village’s trust was already lost. Why not simply abandon the pretense of weakness and the hollow understanding?

He knew his friends would never have doubted or blamed him, but Fugaku could not forgive himself. When the soil was thrown onto the coffin, Fugaku found a moment of courage. He asked the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, to let him raise the boy in his friends’ stead, but to no avail. That day, Sarutobi’s silence was deafening.

Fugaku often wondered, what would become of Naruto, deprived of parental love, shunned by the whole village once his identity was revealed? Would he foolishly try to win everyone’s approval, or would he quietly toil in the shadows, plotting revenge against the world?

Now, it seemed, Naruto had not chosen to drown in hatred and darkness. He had become truly remarkable. Though Fugaku would never admit it aloud, he was deeply proud—both of his sons were geniuses.

His elder son was a genius among geniuses, a prodigy. The younger was not quite as exceptional as his brother, but still far surpassed his peers in the village, even within the clan. For Naruto to defeat his younger son with ease, without ever moving his feet, spoke volumes for the boy’s talent and diligence—both surpassing Sasuke.

Seeing both parents fall silent, each lost in their thoughts, Sasuke pursed his lips. Itachi, meanwhile, knew even more.

Uzumaki Naruto, the jinchuriki, was a taboo within the Uchiha clan. The village did not want any Uchiha near Naruto. With relations growing increasingly tense between the village and the clan, if Sasuke grew too close to Naruto, the consequences could be dire.

“Sasuke...”

Itachi turned to Sasuke and said, “That child, Uzumaki Naruto—you mustn’t approach him, shouldn’t associate with him...”

“Itachi, don’t be so tense.”

Fugaku interrupted before Itachi could finish his warning. He said to Sasuke, “It’s all right, don’t listen to your brother. You can play with Uzumaki Naruto, you can be friends with him—it’s fine.”

“But Father...”

“It’s fine. Naruto’s father was my friend,” Fugaku explained. “I even wanted to adopt Naruto, to let him become your brother, but the village wouldn’t allow it. If they won’t even let children play together, then the village has truly lost all heart. Besides, you and Naruto are classmates.”

Sasuke showed little reaction, but Itachi was troubled. After dinner, Sasuke pestered Itachi for special training.

“Brother, train with me today!”

His young, determined voice broke the quiet of dusk.

“You said last time we’d do it next time—this time you can’t use the same excuse!”

Though still a child, Sasuke’s longing for strength was plain in his eyes. He looked up at his brother, big eyes blinking, face set in a look that said, “If you don’t, I’ll make a fuss.”

Itachi frowned slightly. He knew Sasuke’s talent and potential, but worried about his brother bearing the burden of training too early, possibly suffering hidden injuries. Even more, he didn’t want Sasuke’s drive to come from external pressures.

Yet, under those hopeful eyes, Itachi could not bring himself to refuse.

“All right, Sasuke, but remember—train within your limits.”

His voice was gentle yet firm, as he agreed to Sasuke’s request.

Unfortunately, when they reached the Uchiha clan’s private training grounds, they were told the place was under maintenance. Helpless, the brothers turned toward the forests of the Leaf Village. Though less professional than the training grounds, the forest was still an excellent place to train.

In the forest, the golden rays of dusk slipped through the leaves, tracing their edges in gold and casting mottled light and shadow. Sasuke followed behind Itachi, their figures weaving through the trees as their special training began. This swift movement itself was the first part of the session. Itachi patiently instructed Sasuke, teaching him the unique ways that ninja traveled at speed. Every movement, every breath, was imbued with his understanding and pursuit of the ninja path.

When they reached a clearing and began preparing the site, a small mishap occurred.

Suddenly, a strange sound rang out from the woods, disrupting their rhythm. The sound was almost fantastical, like something smooth gliding along a wire. Then came hissing and explosive noises, filled with an indescribable quality that piqued their curiosity.

Itachi and Sasuke exchanged a glance, deciding to set their training aside and investigate this mysterious source. They doubted any enemy could approach the village unnoticed, so Itachi took the opportunity to drill Sasuke in stealth.

With Itachi demonstrating, the brothers crept quietly toward the source, weaving through dense trees, and finally reached a clearing where they found the culprit—Uzumaki Naruto.

Naruto was engrossed with several strange devices, each glowing in its own way, clearly not ordinary ninja tools. Some distance away, a white-haired ninja was inspecting a target with care.

“One hundred meters! The shot spread is small, almost perfectly concentrated. Accuracy is spot on!” the white-haired man shouted.

Neither seemed to notice Itachi and Sasuke’s arrival, both wholly absorbed in their testing.

Sasuke studied Naruto with curiosity, while Itachi remained vigilant, knowing that despite his youth, Naruto already displayed extraordinary skill. What was he doing here? Practicing some kind of marksmanship?

When he saw the white-haired ninja, Itachi murmured softly, “That’s Kakashi from the Anbu. What’s he doing here?”

“That’s Uzumaki Naruto,” Sasuke muttered with a hint of annoyance. “Didn’t think he knew someone from the Anbu. I bet they’re giving him special training too. So sneaky!”

Their voices were not especially quiet, but Naruto paid them no mind.

“Accuracy’s up to standard. Next, we should test other aspects,” Naruto said to Kakashi. “Like versatility, reliability after losing spiritual energy, things like that.”

Kakashi shrugged. “Don’t count on me for that. I’m already using spiritual energy on instinct—I can’t just turn it on and off. Might not meet your standards.”

“No problem, Kakashi. If you can’t do it, there’s someone else who can.”

Naruto called out toward the trees, “Sasuke! And Sasuke’s brother! Would you help us out?”