The Academy was supposed to be boring.
At least, that's what Naruto remembered. Days of Iruka-sensei drilling hand seals into kids who could barely sit still, and tests designed to weed out those who couldn't mold chakra properly. In canon, Naruto had coasted, pranking teachers, sleeping in class, and grinning through his failures.
But this Naruto wasn't the same. He carried instincts from another world, and a power that didn't belong here. Observation Haki whispered truths before they happened, Armament hardened his strikes, and Conqueror's leaked in subtle flares when his emotions spiked.
He couldn't flaunt it — not yet. But he also couldn't waste time. So he played the fool by day, while sharpening himself by night.
The Hokage's Office — A Week Earlier
The paper lanterns cast a warm glow, softening the sharp edges of the Hokage's office. Naruto stood stiffly before Hiruzen, hands clenched at his sides, expression wavering between stubborn pride and hesitation.
"So," the old man said gently, pipe set aside, "what is it you wanted to show me, Naruto-kun?"
Naruto swallowed. He didn't dare mention memories of another life. But if he wanted help, he had to give something.
Wordlessly, he closed his eyes. A shift came over him — subtle, yet undeniable. The Hokage felt it first in his own body, like an invisible hand brushing across his spine. His heartbeat quickened, his instincts flared, and for an instant, it was as though the boy could see through him.
Then Naruto opened his eyes, and his fist clenched. His small hand darkened, skin hardening into a sheen of invisible armor. He struck the wooden training post nearby, and it cracked — cleanly, unnaturally, far beyond what a nine-year-old's fist should do.
Silence.
Naruto bit his lip. "I… I don't know what it is. It's not ninjutsu. It just… happened. And I can feel things sometimes — like danger, or when people are lying. It's like a… bloodline, I guess."
Hiruzen leaned back slowly, hands steepled, eyes sharp but unreadable. Inside, his mind raced. This wasn't chakra. It wasn't any kekkei genkai he knew. But it was real. And dangerous.
Finally, he nodded. "Then it is a gift. One that must be trained properly — or it will consume you."
Naruto's eyes widened. "So you'll help me?"
The Hokage smiled faintly, though the lines of worry on his face deepened. "Not just me. I will appoint others — strong shinobi who can teach you what I cannot. You will not walk this path alone, Naruto-kun."
The boy's grin burst through like sunlight. For the first time, he believed it.
Back to the Present — Academy
"Uzumaki! Wake up!"
Iruka's voice snapped through the room. Naruto jerked upright from his desk, a drool stain on his notebook. Except he hadn't been asleep. He'd been listening — to Iruka's steady breathing, to the flutter of chakra that flared when he grew irritated, to the scratch of Sasuke's pen.
Naruto grinned, rubbing the back of his head. "Chakra is formed by mixing physical and spiritual energy in the coils, and seals are just a way to mold it. But you don't need seals if your control's good enough."
The room went still. Even Sasuke looked up, eyes narrowing.
Iruka blinked. "…Correct." Then his eyes softened, though he quickly masked it with sternness. "But stop pretending to sleep if you already know the answer. Pay attention properly."
The class laughed. Naruto laughed too, mask in place. But inside, his thoughts were razor-sharp. Impress just enough. Not too much.
That night, under the cold wash of moonlight, he sparred with shadows. Wooden kunai flashed in his hands, Observation painting ghostly afterimages of strikes that hadn't landed yet. He adjusted angles, hardened his grip with Armament, and moved until his muscles screamed.
That was when the Hokage's promise bore fruit.
Kakashi arrived first.
(Read as in the previous draft — Kakashi's sharp scrutiny, the "dead-last" line, Naruto smirking that he'll drag him back into his prime.)
Gai followed, a roaring storm of green spandex and passion. Naruto wheezed under the hug but grinned, feeding off the energy.
Anko last, with her wicked grin and sharp tongue. "Kid, you might just survive me," she said after his cheeky retort.
Together, they became his hidden team — sharpening him, while unknowingly sharpening themselves.
Shikamaru's lazy games grew sharper under Naruto's challenge. Kiba fought louder, Hinata pushed harder, and Sasuke… Sasuke's eyes flared with new fire every spar.
One fight left the whole class stunned: Sasuke on the attack, Naruto always just one step ahead. Sasuke's frustration boiled over when Naruto's counter sent him staggering.
"You weren't holding back before," Sasuke spat.
Naruto grinned. "Guess I got serious."
But behind that grin, his thoughts were steel. I'll pull you higher, Sasuke. All of you. Stronger than canon ever allowed.
The foundation was set. The mentors had arrived. Bonds were being forged. And already, the future of Konoha was beginning to tilt.