A few weeks had passed since the day I mastered the Rasengan, the Big Ball Rasengan, the Super Big Ball Rasengan, and even the Planetary Rasengan.
After grasping the Rasengan and several of its derived jutsu, I started to notice something… off.
The Nine-Tails—Kurama—was acting different.
Not too different. Just... a shift in tone, in attitude. Subtle, but definitely there.
Naruto tilted his head, frowning slightly.
Was Kurama going soft on him? No, not exactly.
But something had changed.
Maybe it was the power of the Planetary Rasengan. Yeah—that must've rattled that arrogant, tsundere fox.
After all, the Planetary Rasengan was nearly the size of a Tailed Beast Bomb—and packed about the same punch.
Even though Kurama was a Bijū—reborn eventually after death, since he was made of pure chakra—he definitely didn't want to get hit by something that powerful.
It wouldn't kill him…
But it would hurt.
A lot.
Just thinking about it made Naruto burst out laughing.
Kurama, scared of him? That was a new one.
Now that he had the Rasengan down, his next goal was clear: master the wind-nature chakra transformation.
Once he could change his chakra nature to wind and fuse it with the Rasengan...
He'd unlock the Rasenshuriken.
That was the next level.
The Wind Style: Rasenshuriken—and all the derivative techniques that came with it once his chakra nature manipulation was complete.
So yeah, that was the next mountain to climb: elemental chakra transformation.
Add that to the Rasengan... and boom—one of the most devastating Wind Release techniques in existence.
But Naruto wasn't rushing it.
He wasn't some kind of training-obsessed beast, going nonstop 24/7.
He believed in balance.
Train hard, rest well.
Push during practice—but take time to relax too.
Only that way could he improve at full speed, without burning out.
There was no need to rush anymore. The six years at the Ninja Academy had been mostly peaceful for Naruto.
That morning, after practicing the Stargate Meditation Method all night, Naruto was full of energy.
He quickly prepared breakfast and packed lunch, then slung his schoolbag over his shoulder and headed out.
As he approached the Academy, he passed other students and parents, all following their daily routines.
But, just like always... the villagers' eyes told the story.
To them, he was still the demon fox—an omen of misfortune.
They avoided his gaze like a curse, as if locking eyes with him would bring them bad luck. To see Naruto was to suffer.
At the Academy, only a few people ever spoke to him—those from established ninja clans.
Students like Shikamaru Nara, Hinata Hyūga, and Chōji Akimichi didn't seem to care about the rumors or the stares. And for that, Naruto was quietly grateful.
In class, the lessons were mostly the same: chakra refinement, the basic Three Techniques (Transformation, Clone, Substitution), hand seals, and endless talk about the Will of Fire.
But to Naruto, who had long surpassed this level, those lessons were easy—almost boring.
With his current understanding, he only needed to glance through the material to grasp it.
So most days, Naruto either practiced his own techniques under the desk… or simply napped.
Even though the Stargate Meditation kept his mind refreshed without sleep, Naruto still enjoyed the occasional nap—for no reason, no goal. Just peace.
Of course, to Iruka, Naruto's attitude looked like pure disrespect.
From the beginning, Iruka had hated the idea of teaching the demon fox.
And now, every time he looked at Naruto—either dozing off or staring into space—it irritated him even more.
"This damn fox… ungrateful."
The Third Hokage had granted Naruto the right to attend school, and this was how he repaid that kindness?
Sleeping?
"Uzumaki Naruto!"
Iruka suddenly called out in the middle of the lecture.
"Come solve this problem on the board."
Every head turned toward Naruto.
The class buzzed with poorly hidden glee.
"Heh, Iruka-sensei's had enough of him!"
"Even if he knows the Three Techniques, that's no excuse to slack off."
"Time to watch the show!"
At that moment, Hinata, sitting beside him, anxiously nudged Naruto.
But he was already aware.
Even in meditation, Naruto could sense his surroundings without interruption. His eyes may have been closed, but part of him was always listening.
He opened them calmly and walked to the front of the class.
Standing at the board, Naruto gave a smooth, confident explanation.
To Iruka's surprise… the answer was completely correct.
He stared at Naruto, stunned.
How? This boy barely paid attention—he was either meditating or asleep. Yet he answered the question flawlessly.
Iruka didn't know what to feel.
Meanwhile, Naruto didn't care what Iruka thought.
He wasn't like the Naruto from the original timeline—he didn't need a surrogate father.
Sure, he was a kid now… but his soul was far older.
He could see the truth in Iruka's eyes—the same distrust and disdain the villagers showed him every day.
There was no need to develop a fake relationship with someone who didn't see him for who he was.
After finishing the answer, Naruto calmly returned to his seat.
He caught Hinata looking at him with wide, admiring eyes.
He smiled and whispered, "Thanks."
Hinata's face turned bright red in an instant. Her cuteness made Naruto chuckle silently to himself.
After that, Naruto's mastery of theory and his flawless performance with the Three Techniques left Iruka with no excuse to criticize him—even if he wanted to.
Eventually, Iruka reported Naruto's behavior to the Third Hokage.
But the Hokage's response was simple:
"Let him be. Don't interfere unless necessary."
He had been observing Naruto closely these past weeks… and was more than satisfied.
That afternoon, Naruto continued his peaceful routine.
Classes passed quietly.
When school ended, he walked home alone under the setting sun—just like always.
He cooked, ate dinner, washed the dishes, then showered.
Finally, he sat cross-legged on his bed, appearing to refine chakra diligently—for the benefit of the ANBU surveillance team he knew was watching.
In truth, Naruto had entered the sealed space within his body once more.
"Yo, Kurama. Good evening."
His voice echoed in the vast, silent chamber as he walked calmly across the water toward the massive cage.
Behind it, the glowing eyes of the Nine-Tails stared back.
...
TN:
Support me & 20+ Get Advance Chapters on: Patreon(.)com/LordMerlin