"Ultimate Taijutsu?"
Sasuke repeated the words slowly, testing them on his tongue. He'd read through the entire Uchiha clan library, studied countless scrolls on combat techniques. He'd never encountered anything like this.
Naruto had become something of an enigma—wrapped in mystery that Sasuke desperately wanted to unravel.
Looking up, he found Naruto staring down at him expectantly, his expression practically screaming, Become my friend right now, or I'll beat you up again.
Sasuke's face throbbed where fresh bruises were forming. He sighed internally.
Fine. I did say that if he beat me again, I'd be his friend.
When he thought about it that way, it wasn't really surrendering to Naruto's overwhelming strength. It was simply keeping his word—fulfilling a promise he'd made.
Keeping promises was a core principle of Sasuke's life, something he refused to compromise on. Viewing it through that lens made him feel marginally better about the situation.
He cleared his throat, gathering himself. Meeting Naruto's eager gaze, he asked, "Naruto... would you be willing to become my friend?"
Naruto's face transformed instantly, lighting up with pure joy. He laughed—a genuine, happy sound—and rushed over to help Sasuke to his feet.
"Of course!" Naruto pulled him up with surprising gentleness. "I'd be honored to be your friend, Sasuke."
"We're both so exceptional and talented—it would be a tragedy if we didn't become friends." He grinned wider. "Now that we've both gotten what we wanted, we should celebrate! Maybe drink three bowls of water to seal the friendship?"
Sasuke's eye twitched.
Did I make a mistake? Is being friends with this guy the right choice?
"Hey, Sasuke!" Naruto's voice broke through his doubts. "Since we're friends now, let me treat you to dinner!"
"Dinner?" Sasuke's first thought flew to his brother. Itachi might be cooking something special at home tonight. Would he be disappointed if I didn't come back to eat?
"I really shouldn't—" Sasuke began.
Then he noticed Naruto's expression shift. Those pectoral muscles flexed slightly, and something dangerous flickered in his eyes.
Sasuke sighed. Is this how he treats his friends? Using intimidation? He'd have to work on teaching Naruto proper social etiquette. There'll be plenty of time for that later.
Besides, rejecting Naruto's first gesture of friendship the moment they became friends seemed wrong. It would hurt his feelings.
"Actually," Sasuke amended, "I'd appreciate that. Thank you."
"Great! We're friends—it's no trouble at all." Naruto's enthusiasm returned immediately. He studied Sasuke's unsteady stance with concern. "Can you walk okay? I can carry you if you need me to."
Before Sasuke could protest, Naruto turned around and crouched down, presenting his back.
Sasuke's mouth went dry. He stared at Naruto's broad, muscular back—those devil muscles still gleaming with sweat—and quickly waved his hands.
"No, no! I can walk. Really. I'm fine."
They walked side by side down the mountain path—an odd pair. Sasuke in his blue outfit with his face swelling like steamed buns, Naruto shirtless with only his yellow pants remaining intact.
Sasuke glanced down at those pants, genuine envy in his voice. "Where did you buy those? The quality must be amazing. They didn't tear even after all that."
Naruto's expression turned troubled. "Honestly, I don't understand it either. Every time I activate my technique, my shirt explodes completely. But my pants never tear—not even a rip. It's bizarre." He shrugged. "I got them from the same clothing store as everything else."
As they talked, Naruto led Sasuke up toward the back mountain.
The moment they reached the farm, Nine-Tails sensed Naruto's presence and bounded out of the wooden cabin. He opened his mouth to speak—then spotted the blue-clad boy beside Naruto.
"Yip! Yip yip!" Nine-Tails quickly adjusted, making adorable fox noises as he leaped into Naruto's arms.
Sasuke's eyes widened with delight. "Naruto, is that your pet?"
"Yeah." Naruto stroked Nine-Tails' soft fur, internally praising the fox's quick thinking.
"He's so cute!" Sasuke watched Nine-Tails purr contentedly under Naruto's hand. He wanted to pet the fox too, but felt too embarrassed to ask. Instead, he looked around the property. "Why do you have a place out here?"
"I don't live here—just train during the day. I contracted this land to start a breeding farm." Naruto gestured at the fenced areas. "For livestock."
Something painful twisted in Sasuke's chest. He'd known, vaguely, that his classmate had been orphaned as an infant, living completely alone. But seeing it made it real. He's only seven years old, and he's already worrying about making a living like an adult.
Compared to his own life—with loving parents and his brother Itachi's constant care—Sasuke felt almost guilty about how fortunate he was.
"Naruto..." His voice came out softer than intended.
"Come on, let me show you around the farm! Then we'll cook." Naruto, still holding Nine-Tails, took Sasuke on a tour of the back mountain.
They stopped at the pigsty first. Naruto pointed at several sleeping pigs. "This is my first venture here—pig farming. With pork prices rising, it's a steady profit. Way more reliable than opening a restaurant or... I don't know, writing books or something. Raising pigs is where it's at."
Then Naruto crouched down, gesturing at a pile of manure with surprising enthusiasm. "See this? Well-formed, no food residue, good consistency. That means the pig's digestive system is healthy. The animal is thriving."
Sasuke leaned in, examining the evidence. It really was exactly as Naruto described. He straightened, genuinely impressed. He knows so much about this.
Next came the cattle area.
Several bulls rested beneath a large tree. The moment they spotted Naruto approaching, their bodies went rigid. They scrambled to their feet with panicked urgency, each stumbling toward the nearest cow and immediately... beginning their breeding duties.
Naruto nodded with satisfaction. "Good. They've finally learned proper work ethic. They're being productive without me even having to tell them."
Sasuke stared at the scene, confused. "Those bulls look terrible. They're so thin—practically skin and bones."
"Thin?" Naruto's brow furrowed with concern. "Are they sick?"
The bulls overheard this exchange. Their eyes widened with terror, and they increased their efforts with desperate vigor.
Better this than being "examined" by Nine-Tails again.
From the cattle, they moved to the sheep pasture. The flock grazed peacefully until they noticed Naruto. Then, as one, they bolted in the opposite direction, bleating frantically as they fled.
Their cries faded into the distance.
Sasuke turned to Naruto. "Um... those sheep seem afraid of you."
"Afraid of me?" Naruto looked genuinely baffled, almost hurt. "Why would they be scared? I don't eat meat—I mean, I don't hunt them or anything."
He shook his head. "Forget about them. Let's head back to the cabin—I'll show you my cooking skills."
Naruto had actually become quite competent in the kitchen. With Chef Nine-Tails as his constant partner and teacher, he'd absorbed considerable culinary knowledge through osmosis and observation.
Tonight, he'd put those skills to good use.