"So, what did you gain from all this?"
Sasuke frowned slightly and said coldly,
"Seems like you're the one benefiting the most here."
"Heh~ Maybe."
Naruto chuckled and shook his head.
Sasuke stared directly into his eyes.
"Who are you, really?"
"You asked me that the first time we met, remember?"
Naruto replied with a faint smirk, his eyes gleaming with a mix of sarcasm and weight.
"Who else could I be? I'm Uzumaki Naruto of the Hidden Leaf."
"No. You're a survivor of the Uzumaki Clan."
Sasuke's tone turned serious as he spoke.
"I read about it in the village archives. There used to be a country called the Land of Whirlpools on an island off the coast. When I was training with Sachiko and the others, I overheard Eiji talking about the history of the Land of Waves. That country—Whirlpool—was home to the Uzumaki Clan, who were known for their massive chakra reserves and their mastery of sealing techniques."
"I even had them pull records from the bounty exchange. The Uzumaki were Konoha's allies for generations. The First Hokage's wife, Mito Uzumaki, was from the Land of Whirlpools. But right before the Second Great Ninja War, the Uzumaki were attacked by multiple major nations and wiped out. And Konoha—despite being their ally—did nothing."
"So now, everything you're doing... is revenge, isn't it?!"
Naruto's expression turned strange.
Of course, he knew exactly what Sasuke had been up to. But he hadn't expected the Uchiha to pull a deduction bluff at this moment.
Just as he was about to respond, Kurama burst out laughing in his mind.
"Pfft! Hahaha! This Uchiha brat... I don't even know what to say!"
The Nine-Tails collapsed, one paw slapping against the bars of his cage as he howled with laughter.
"He's got it all wrong—again! Hahaha!"
"Mmhmm~"
Naruto nodded with a wide grin.
"You're right."
"I knew it!"
Sasuke's face darkened. He felt like an idiot.
All that research… all that effort he'd made to connect the dots… and Naruto was just playing with him.
Worse, he'd had Sachiko and the others waste a ton of time gathering records.
"Anyway, it's getting late. Time for you to head back."
Naruto formed a hand seal and created a Shadow Clone. Then he turned and walked toward a lab station filled with precision instruments.
"Wait!"
Sasuke glanced at the clone and asked,
"We've lost a lot of time lately. Can we meet again tomorrow?"
"Sure."
Naruto didn't look back. He picked up a white coat from the rack.
"Same time. Same place."
As he said that, the Shadow Clone stepped in front of Sasuke to escort him out.
But suddenly, Sasuke's eyes gleamed. He formed a seal and created a clone of his own.
"Hmm?"
Both Naruto and his clone blinked.
What was he doing?
"I'm interested in your cloning tech too."
Sasuke said expressionlessly, pointing at his own clone.
"I'll leave a Shadow Clone behind to observe."
"Works for me."
Naruto smirked at the clone.
"A helper with a Sharingan will come in handy. I won't have to do tonight's dissection myself."
"You're going to dissect—!"
Sasuke's eyes widened, but before he could speak further, Naruto's clone grabbed his shoulder—and both of them vanished instantly.
Naruto turned to Sasuke's clone and gestured toward a nearby terminal.
"Go read the procedural manual. Familiarize yourself with systemic and regional anatomy."
Sasuke's clone frowned, but obediently walked over to the station and sat down.
Naruto then made another hand seal and created ten more clones, before teleporting himself with Flying Thunder God to another lab.
"Kurama? You're out?"
Naruto stood in front of a massive monitor showing hundreds of his Shadow Clones, each holding an amber-hued chakra sphere.
"Heh. Matatabi was supposed to come out, but I got a new jutsu worth studying, so I took her place."
Kurama's voice was full of glee.
"Didn't expect to walk in on that Uchiha kid's nonsense deduction. What a joke."
"What did Matatabi want?"
Naruto shifted his focus and dropped into the inner seal.
"See for yourself."
Kurama grinned and offered a fist.
Naruto bumped it—and immediately his eyes widened.
"The Izanagi technique?!"
The Next Morning — Forest Near the Naka River
"You don't look too good."
Naruto smirked at Sasuke with clear amusement.
"Let's get started."
Sasuke's face was stormy.
Earlier at dawn, he'd received feedback from the Shadow Clone he left behind in the lab—along with all the dissection footage.
Just remembering it made his stomach churn.
Naruto definitely did that on purpose!
"At least you've got a strong stomach."
Naruto clapped him on the shoulder.
"I thought you were gonna throw up."
Whoosh!
In the blink of an eye, they teleported to the Land of Waves—Naruto's designated training ground.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Naruto formed hand seals and created six hundred Shadow Clones, which scattered instantly.
Moments later, the ground rumbled.
BOOM—!
Towering earth walls erupted behind Naruto, each over twenty meters tall. The view stretched endlessly.
By the time the shaking stopped, a massive gateway had formed.
"What's all this?"
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. Why was Naruto using Earth Release on such a scale?
"It's a maze—made by my Shadow Clones using Earth Style."
Naruto turned around.
"Time to change up your training routine."
"The maze has five layers. Each layer contains a number of Shadow Clones you'll need to eliminate."
"You can use any ninja tools, and even your chakra armor—but the only rule is: wipe out every last clone."
"Also, now that your Sharingan has reached the three-tomoe stage, my clones won't restrict their jutsu anymore. Everything's fair game—except for time-space ninjutsu, advanced sensory techniques, and lethal sealing jutsu."
"Perfect."
Sasuke gave a cocky grin.
"This is the kind of training I've been waiting for."
"Good to hear."
Naruto smiled faintly.
"Best of luck."
He vanished on the spot.
"Hmph."
Sasuke snorted. He pulled out a scroll, activated it with a snap, and donned his chakra armor before striding into the maze.
The moment he entered, he heard the earth shift—and thick white mist rose up all around him.
"Hiding in Mist Technique right from the start?"
Sasuke's eyes narrowed.
They were targeting his Sharingan from the get-go.
He flicked his left hand forward—kunai attached to steel wire flew into the mist—and slapped his right arm. A familiar sword appeared in his grip.
"I have to find and kill the caster to end the mist."
But then he paused—face darkening.
"Wait... with this many Shadow Clones, how the hell am I supposed to find the right one?!"
He scanned the murky path and leapt onto the left wall—only for flames to burst underfoot.
"Damn! Explosive tags!"
Reacting swiftly, Sasuke activated the Body Flicker Technique.
BOOM!
The explosion rocked the corridor.
Sasuke landed near the entrance, scowling.
When he looked back, the wall that had exploded... regenerated instantly.
He turned to look behind him—the entrance was still open.
Then he glanced skyward. There were definitely traps above. If he flew using chakra armor, Naruto would probably take him down immediately—maybe even break the armor.
"He would absolutely pull something like that…"
Sasuke weighed every possible attack vector. But something still felt off—like he'd missed an important detail.
"If the walls regenerate…"
He stared into the fog and formed seals.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
WHOOM!
A massive fireball—over ten meters wide—tore down the corridor, dispersing the mist and collapsing the walls in a blazing roar.
Sasuke dashed forward behind it.
Walls crumbled around him.
But once the fireball vanished, the mist returned.
Sasuke halted. A faint sense of danger tingled along his spine.
"What am I overlooking?!"
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Applause echoed around him.
A tall figure emerged from the mist.
As the shape got closer, Sasuke's pupils contracted—his face twisted with rage, and crimson veins bloomed across his eyes.
"AAARGH!"
He lunged forward in a lightning-charged burst—his hand piercing clean through the chest of the approaching figure.
"You truly are my son."
A calm voice spoke.
The man looked identical to Uchiha Fugaku.
"But it's time for you to rest."
Splash.
The body turned to liquid.
"Shit!"
Sasuke froze.
His mind cleared—but his legs buckled. His strength faded rapidly.
"The mist… it's poisoned..."
That was Sasuke's final thought before everything went dark.
Meanwhile — Back in Konoha
Naruto, disguised with the Transformation Jutsu, entered the Shueisha Bookstore.
He picked up a blue-covered book—and just then, received memory feedback from his Shadow Clone.
He smiled, paid for the book, and sat on a bench outside, flipping through the pages like he was engrossed.
"Naruto just bought The Secrets of Social Interaction?"
From his hidden perch, Yamato raised a brow in confusion.
Just then, Naruto closed the book and started walking toward the outskirts of the village.
Yamato followed silently.
After weaving through several streets, Naruto arrived at a secluded stone pavilion, dropped his Transformation Jutsu with a puff of smoke, and sat down to read again.
Later That Morning — Hokage's Office
"You're saying this kid is even better than Hyūga Neji was in the last class?"
A boy, around eight or nine, frowned at Naruto's photo. He had ash-brown hair and wore a blue scarf.
"Yes. And he graduated top of his class too,"
the Third Hokage replied with a warm smile.
He turned to Yamato and rubbed the boy's head.
"Iruka and Ebisu both said you work hard—but right now, you're only ranked second in your class."
"That's just because I don't try!"
The boy blushed.
"Moegi's just good at memorizing stuff!"
"Mmm. As long as you understand."
The Third looked at him fondly.
"You know, Naruto didn't start with good grades either. But he worked hard, and eventually became number one in every subject."
"Liar!"
The boy slammed the photo on the desk.
"If he's so amazing, why didn't Iruka-sensei ever mention him? You're making this up, Grandpa!"
"Haha~"
The Third chuckled.
"Iruka didn't want to hurt your confidence. After all, you keep shouting about beating me, but you won't even admit you lost to Moegi. If he told you about Naruto, you wouldn't have believed him anyway."
"Tch! Then I'll go beat Naruto right now! After I beat him, I'll challenge you! I'll be the Fifth Hokage, dattebayo!"
He stormed off—then doubled back.
"Where is he?!"
The Third gestured to Yamato.
Yamato leaned in, touched his earpiece, and hesitated.
"Hokage-sama… Naruto just went to the Medical Division to apply for a medical-ninjutsu aptitude test."
"...What?"
The Third's face froze.
"What did you say he's doing?!"
(continued in next message)
(Continued from above — Chapter 139 translation, Part 2)
Two Hours Later — Outside Konoha Hospital
Naruto walked out, looking mildly troubled.
"Naruto,"
Matatabi's voice echoed in his mind,
"The Third just summoned Kakashi and Shikaku. They're discussing your test results now."
"Mm, they probably know I failed the medical-ninjutsu test."
Naruto glanced at the book in his hand — The Secrets of Social Interaction.
"Even without the Crystal Ball, Yamato is still the perfect surveillance tool."
Matatabi asked curiously,
"What now? The Third already told his grandson about you. That was his plan all along. In the vision I saw, you've caught Konohamaru's attention. He'll likely come challenge you soon."
"Good."
Naruto smiled faintly.
"I'll head to the Hokage's Office and settle this once and for all."
"Since Hiruzen wants to use his grandson to mess with me... I can use the boy's personality to get him off my back."
"This will be the last time I go to the Hokage's Office on my own terms. Maybe I can even dump this whole mess back on Hiruzen."
Matatabi blinked silently. He was about to return to the Mirror World but decided to stay and watch how Naruto played it.
Minutes later, Naruto stood beneath the Hokage's Office—but didn't go in.
Back upstairs, Hiruzen turned to Yamato.
"Naruto still hasn't come up?"
"No."
Yamato shook his head.
"He seems hesitant. Probably discouraged after failing the medical test."
The Third narrowed his eyes and looked across the room at Shikaku.
"Your thoughts?"
Shikaku answered seriously:
"I think it's just as Yamato says. Kakashi told us he taught Naruto Mystical Palm Technique only to help him improve chakra control. The medics said Naruto took the test to see if he had aptitude—on Kakashi's suggestion."
"Now that he failed, he's likely here to ask if you have another way to help his chakra control."
"Hmm, reasonable analysis."
The Third nodded.
"When he's learning ninjutsu—"
He paused mid-sentence.
Yamato suddenly looked surprised.
"Hokage-sama, Naruto just left... and a few steps later, he ran into Konohamaru."
"Oh?"
Hiruzen's eyes lit up.
"How's that going?"
Yamato didn't reply right away. Then his expression stiffened.
"Hokage-sama… Konohamaru... um... he cursed Naruto out. Loudly. In public. Called him a bootlicker."
"...What?"
The Third froze.
"Explain. What happened?"
Yamato's face twitched.
"Konohamaru challenged Naruto. Naruto said he wasn't interested in fighting children. Then Konohamaru revealed who he was — your grandson — and said he'd beat Naruto before coming to challenge you."
"At that point, Naruto's attitude changed."
"How so?"
Hiruzen's voice sharpened.
"Naruto flipped through that book he bought this morning—The Secrets of Social Interaction. Then he praised Konohamaru's name, said he was honored to meet him, and claimed he wasn't worthy to fight such a great person."
"He said you'd always taken great care of him, and that if Konohamaru was willing, he'd love to spend time together."
"He even asked Konohamaru to help ask you if you had a method for improving his chakra control."
"That's when Konohamaru snapped. Called him a bootlicker, said he was just like Ebisu and the others, and stormed off."
At that moment, Shikaku's expression shifted.
"What book did Naruto reference?"
"That one he bought from Shueisha — Secrets of Social Interaction."
"...Didn't expect it to backfire."
Hiruzen muttered.
After a moment of silence, he walked to the window.
"Get me that book. Now."
"Yes, sir!"
A figure outside the balcony vanished into the air.
Evening — Nara Clan Compound
Shikamaru dragged himself home lazily just as the sun dipped below the horizon.
As he entered, he paused with a puzzled look.
"Dad… having trouble talking to people lately?"
He sat across from Shikaku, pulling out a shogi board.
"No."
Shikaku shook his head, placing a book on the table.
"Then why are you reading a book on social interaction?"
"It's actually a good book. And today, something very interesting happened."
Shikaku started placing pieces on the board.
"Like what?"
As they set up, Shikaku recounted what he saw at the Hokage's Office. Shikamaru listened, frowning deeper with each sentence.
"Something's off."
Shikamaru's usual slackness vanished.
"That doesn't sound like Naruto at all. He wouldn't choose a tactic like that—it gains him nothing."
"You think he was wrong to act that way?"
Shikaku replied calmly.
"But it's completely logical. Because of his chakra control issues, he's falling behind his teammates. His jōnin sensei can't help him. Then, the Hokage's grandson appears. So Naruto tries to leverage that to get help from the Hokage. That's not a bad strategy."
"But it backfired! That's the problem!"
Shikamaru's face shifted.
He ran the situation through his head—again and again—and a different possibility clicked into place.
"You get it now?"
Shikaku smiled, placing a piece on the board.
He picked up the book on the table.
"I don't know how much Naruto knows about his true heritage. But his choices go beyond expectation. He looked like he made a mistake—but it was the best possible move for him."
"And the most interesting part? He learned that tactic from this book — on the same day. If he hadn't bought it before Hiruzen made his move, I'd almost think he predicted everything in advance."
Shikamaru glanced at the book in his father's hand. Then he looked down and gently placed a piece on the board.
"I won't let our clan get dragged into this mess."
Shikaku nodded slowly and resumed playing.
As night fell, Shikaku left to help his wife with dinner. Shikamaru sat alone, staring not at the board—but at the book his father had left behind:
The Secrets of Social Interaction
He opened it and flipped through a few pages.
And one thought echoed in his mind—
This book is a smokescreen too…
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