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Mindscape – Pre-Dawn
In the eternal darkness behind his mind, Naruto stood alone before a towering gate, rusted and massive, sealed with paper tags and ancient chakra.
From the shadows, two blood-red eyes opened, filled with hate and ancient malice.
"You finally came," the voice growled, guttural and thunderous.
Naruto didn't flinch. He stood straight, arms folded behind his back like a soldier at rest.
"I've felt you watching," Naruto said coolly. "Breathing. Waiting."
The beast leaned forward. "You're a child. Yet you feel like something older. Something… wrong."
"I've died once," Naruto said flatly. "I won't die again."
The fox snarled. "You aren't like the others."
"I'm not supposed to be."
Naruto's gaze remained fixed. No fear. No bravado. Just pure, unyielding resolve.
"You hate me?" the beast asked.
"I don't know you. But if you're part of me, then I'll control you. Nothing inside me is allowed to be stronger than my will."
A moment of silence passed. Then… a slow, low laugh from the monster.
"You're interesting, brat."
"I'm more than that," Naruto said as the dream faded. "I'm inevitable."
---
Morning – Ninja Academy
The classroom was noisy, but Naruto's seat—top right, back corner—was silent.
He observed.
He always observed.
Every student's habits, posture, tone, and social dynamics. Every subtle shift in the room. Tactical data.
He wasn't here to make friends. He was here to master the system that governed this village. He was here to study the foundation of the ninja world and find where it cracked.
But someone… someone kept drawing his attention.
Hinata Hyuga.
She sat near the front. Quiet. Shoulders hunched. Eyes low. But she glanced back at him more than once.
She had a kind heart. Gentle chakra. No threat.
And for reasons he couldn't yet explain, Naruto found himself… not annoyed.
He was used to analyzing people. Their strengths, their weaknesses, how to exploit them or defend against them.
But Hinata was different.
She wasn't prey.
She wasn't a threat.
She was… peace.
He didn't know what to make of that.
---
Class Begins
"Alright, class," Iruka said as he entered, holding a clipboard. "We're starting with basic chakra theory—Naruto, you're up first."
Iruka expected hesitation. Or silence. Or stammering.
Instead, Naruto stood, walked to the front, and began speaking clearly.
"Chakra is formed from the physical energy of the body and the spiritual energy of the mind," he began. "The body can be trained. The mind must be sharpened."
He recited advanced principles like he had known them his whole life.
Iruka blinked.
The class stared.
Naruto returned to his seat without a word.
Even Sasuke was staring now.
But Naruto only noticed one person watching him without judgment.
Hinata.
She looked away quickly when their eyes met, her cheeks tinged with red.
Naruto blinked.
What was that?
A… positive emotion?
He didn't trust it.
Not yet.
---
Lunch Break – Beneath the Trees
Naruto sat under the tree, eating in silence. Balanced meal. Lean protein. Low sugar. He'd begun farming herbs and making his own supplements.
Hinata approached. Timid. Fidgeting.
"…N-Naruto?"
He looked up, eyes narrowing slightly. "Yes?"
"I-I just wanted to… say your chakra theory answer was… amazing…"
"…Thank you," he said softly.
A long pause.
She turned to go.
"Hyuuga."
She froze.
Naruto looked away, back at the sky.
"…You should sit. No one should eat alone if they don't want to."
She sat next to him, hands trembling slightly.
They didn't talk.
But for the first time in this life, Naruto felt something warm.
It made no tactical sense.
But he didn't mind.
---
That Night – In the Mindscape Again
"You like her," Kurama said.
Naruto didn't answer.
"She's weak," the beast added. "Soft."
"She sees me," Naruto replied. "Not the demon. Not the orphan. Not the weapon."
The fox growled. "You're becoming sentimental."
Naruto turned, eyes like cold fire.
"No. I'm becoming whole."
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To Be Continued…
Next Chapter: Training Begins – The Silent Bond and the Hidden Shadows
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