Inside the Ninja Academy.
Kawaki and Code had entered the Ninja Academy as transfer students.
After personally conducting a preliminary assessment, Iruka Umino was surprised to discover that both children already possessed strength at the Genin level. However, while their combat instincts and chakra control were excellent, they lacked a systematic understanding of ninja theory, village rules, teamwork ethics, and the foundational ideology of what it truly meant to be a shinobi.
Because of this, Iruka made a decisive judgment.
He directly placed both of them into the senior class. Once they completed the necessary coursework, they would be allowed to immediately take the Genin Graduation Exam.
At the podium, Iruka was explaining chakra circulation principles with his usual passion and clarity.
Below the podium, Code listened intently, sitting upright with focused eyes. In contrast, Kawaki leaned against his desk, his gaze drifting toward the window, clearly distracted.
Suddenly, Kawaki's eyes lit up.
He shot to his feet and shouted loudly:
"Naruto Boss!"
The entire classroom froze for a second before erupting.
"Oh my god, it's Naruto!"
"No way, Uzumaki Naruto is really here?!"
"That's the hero who saved the ninja world!"
"He's so cool!"
The chatter grew louder and louder.
Iruka placed his textbook down firmly and spoke in a stern voice:
"Everyone, quiet down!"
The room immediately fell silent.
Iruka then turned and pointed at Kawaki.
"Kawaki, sit down."
Kawaki scratched his head awkwardly.
"Oh…"
Reluctantly, he sat back down.
Iruka then stepped out of the classroom.
In the corridor outside the classroom.
"Naruto."
"Iruka-sensei."
Iruka looked Naruto up and down carefully. After a moment, he sighed with emotion.
"You've changed a lot, Naruto."
Naruto smiled faintly.
"Yeah… there's not much I can do about that."
Then he asked directly,
"How are Kawaki and Code doing?"
Iruka smiled.
"Code is very well-behaved. He listens carefully and follows instructions. Kawaki is a bit restless, but nothing serious. Both of them are very talented. With proper training, they'll pass the Genin Exam easily."
After a pause, Iruka added with a thoughtful expression,
"Based on my observations, their current combat ability is already close to that of Chūnin."
Naruto nodded slowly.
That didn't surprise him.
Both Kawaki and Code carried Karma (Kāma) marks. Although their awakening levels differed, once those marks activated, their strength could rise to Jōnin-level in an extremely short time. However, power without discipline was dangerous.
Theory, structure, and ideology were just as important as strength.
"Iruka-sensei," Naruto said seriously, "please keep a close eye on them. Make sure they don't go down the wrong path."
Iruka nodded without hesitation.
"I understand."
"Then please call them out."
"Alright."
In a nearby office.
Naruto sat on a bench while Kawaki and Code stood in front of him.
Naruto crossed his arms lightly.
"Have you two been studying properly?"
Code immediately straightened his posture.
"Reporting to the leader! I've studied ninja regulations, village rules, sealing basics, and mission classifications."
Kawaki saw how fluent Code was and refused to be outdone.
"Boss, I studied too!"
Naruto raised an eyebrow with mild amusement.
"Oh? What did you learn?"
Kawaki scratched his head.
"I learned the Three Basic Techniques—the Transformation Technique, Clone Technique, and Substitution Technique. I also learned chakra control basics and the classification of ninja tools!"
Naruto nodded approvingly.
"Not bad. At least you weren't completely distracted."
Code couldn't help but laugh quietly.
Kawaki looked embarrassed.
Naruto then stood up and spoke seriously.
"Code. Kawaki."
The two immediately became solemn.
"You lack fundamental ninja theory and haven't fully established what it means to be a shinobi. Your strength is already impressive—if you took the exam now, you could even qualify as Chūnin."
"But the ninja world isn't built on power alone. It requires knowledge, teamwork, responsibility, and understanding."
Naruto's gaze sharpened.
"Konoha is now your village. You must grow properly and learn how to protect it."
Code answered firmly,
"Don't worry, leader. We won't disappoint you."
Kawaki nodded vigorously.
Naruto smiled, then patted both of their shoulders.
"That's good to hear. Now—roll up your sleeves."
Both of them obeyed instantly.
When they rolled up their sleeves, Naruto placed a Flying Thunder God Technique (Hiraishin no Jutsu) mark on each of their shoulders.
Even Kakashi, standing nearby, felt a slight chill.
"As long as you have chakra," Naruto said calmly, "I can reach you instantly—no matter where you are."
He looked at them seriously.
"If you ever encounter something you can't handle, especially in a life-or-death situation, send chakra into this seal. Even if you only activate it mentally, I will sense it and come immediately. Understand?"
Code and Kawaki nodded solemnly.
"Yes, leader."
"Yes, boss."
Naruto then dismissed them back to class.
After they left, Hatake Kakashi entered the room.
"Finished?"
Naruto nodded.
Kakashi folded his arms.
"So… both of them carry Karma. If it fully awakens, they could be overwritten, right?"
"Yes," Naruto replied calmly. "But Code is different. He carries a White Karma. When it awakens, only his strength will increase—there's no risk of possession."
He paused.
"Kawaki is the real key."
Kakashi nodded slowly.
"I understand. I'll keep a close watch on them."
Naruto smiled.
"Thank you, Kakashi-sensei."
Kakashi sighed.
"As Hokage, there's only so much I can do. The rest… you'll have to shoulder alone."
Naruto looked at him steadily.
"I will definitely win."
Kakashi gave him a thumbs-up.
After leaving the academy, Naruto went to find Uchiha Sasuke.
He stood outside Karin's residence. After a short while, Sasuke walked out, adjusting his clothes.
The moment Sasuke saw Naruto, his eyes narrowed.
"You've changed."
Naruto smiled faintly and placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder.
In the next instant—
Hiraishin activated.
They appeared atop Hokage Rock, overlooking the village below.
"You've gotten stronger," Sasuke said quietly.
Naruto nodded.
"I absorbed the power of another Ōtsutsuki—Isshiki, the one formerly known as Jigen."
Sasuke studied Naruto carefully.
"You really do look like Kaguya and Momoshiki now."
Then Sasuke asked,
"How did you find Isshiki?"
Naruto explained everything—his cooperation with Ōtsutsuki Urashiki, the search, and the final confrontation.
Sasuke frowned deeply.
"Naruto… can Urashiki really be trusted?"
Naruto answered honestly,
"I know it's dangerous. But he's my only window into the Ōtsutsuki clan. Even Kaguya only knows limited information—she was a guardian, not a core member."
"There's no other choice."
Sasuke remained uneasy.
"If the Ōtsutsuki God appears… Urashiki could betray you."
Naruto placed his hand firmly on Sasuke's shoulder.
"I've prepared for that. Even if Urashiki stabs me in the back, I won't die."
Sasuke stared at Naruto for several seconds.
Then he spoke with absolute resolve.
"Even if it costs me my life, I will protect the village."
Naruto smiled gently.
"I won't let it come to that."
The two stood silently, watching Konoha beneath them—aware that the battles ahead would be far greater than anything the ninja world had ever known.
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