Shinigami in the Ninja World (Re-upload)

Hello! Bleam Here! As some of you may already know, the fanfic got a copyright strike.

Format new readers, here's Chapter 1-5 of [Shinigami in the Ninja World] to get you interested. Chapter 6-240 are available on Scribble Hub.

You can find it by searching "Shinigami in the Ninja World" under my name, "Bleam," at "ScribbleHub(.)com".

This upload will be on my alt account, Bleam2.

Thank you for your continued support!

This Fanfic is already completed so hopefully no copyright strike until then. 

———

Chapter 1: Genius Uzumaki Naruto

"Shin'o Academy of Spiritual Arts."

"Registration Office," "Turn left ahead."

A wooden sign stood in the middle of the road.

Uzumaki Naruto stared at the words and took a deep breath.

Ahead was not some perilous place; it was merely a school for training "Shinigami." Failing the assessment would not bring punishment, and there was always the opportunity to reapply next year.

However... Naruto did not have any fond memories of "schools."

The last time he had contact with a "school" was three years ago.

At that time, he was still in another world, attending a "Ninja Academy" in a village called "Konoha."

He was the despised "dead last." No one wanted to be his friend, and not a single teacher liked him.

Of course, this wasn't limited to the school; his situation was the same throughout the entire village of Konoha.

Even shops and convenience stores did not welcome him or do business with him—except for "Ichiraku Ramen," the only shop willing to serve him.

So, Naruto didn't like schools.

But he had an unavoidable reason to enroll this time.

This place, different from Konoha, was another world, a place called "Soul Society," where souls reside after death.

Although he had not experienced the "Soul Burial" that other souls mentioned, Naruto had no difficulty understanding the fact: "Coming here meant I was already dead."

Death strikes fear into the living.

Yet Naruto did not find it hard to accept.

He quickly grew fond of this place—where there was no inexplicable scolding or malicious targeting of him alone. Shops welcomed his business, and many people were willing to befriend him.

Most importantly, in Soul Society, souls return after death, which meant he was finally in the same world as his parents.

The only bad news was that the place of birth for souls in Soul Society is not fixed.

There are 360 districts in Rukongai, and the probability of being born in the same district is only one in 360.

Naruto had searched his district for three years without finding his parents.

Therefore... he had to become a Shinigami.

He had to become an extraordinary person like a "Captain," with a squad of people helping him search, or have his name spread throughout Soul Society.

In that way, he would surely find his parents.

Uzumaki Naruto walked through the school gates with the crowd and filled out the registration form.

Under the guidance of an upperclassman in a blue and white school uniform, he entered a gymnasium.

Once the number of people reached 200, the gym doors closed.

"Reiatsu is the essence of a Shinigami." A formally dressed Shinigami, wearing a black uniform with a sword at his waist, began to introduce to this batch of examinees, "Only souls capable of possessing reiatsu are eligible to study at Shin'o Academy of Spiritual Arts."

"Come forward in the order I call."

"The rest wait."

The test was simple.

Each person only needed to place their hand on a crystal ball, and based on the light it emitted, the Shinigami would announce a different "rank."

Most would receive the cold "unqualified."

Those who passed were often at the unimpressive "seventeenth" or "eighteenth" rank, which did not please the Shinigami.

Only a few received the "eleventh" or "twelfth" rank, and the Shinigami's expression would soften slightly.

Clearly, the smaller the rank number, the better.

Naruto, having arrived late, was at the end of the line.

Watching one "unqualified" after another, with the occasional "qualified" in between, he couldn't help but clench his fists, making his fingertips red and his knuckles stand out.

He recognized many people ahead.

Some were acquaintances he had interacted with, with mixed outcomes; these individuals either failed the assessment or barely passed with ranks like "eighteenth" or "nineteenth."

Others were well-known figures.

One woman, who could barely use spiritual power to alter basic spiritual particles and "turn soil into sand," only received a "twelfth" rank.

It was all about talent.

But...

Naruto found it hard to believe he had any "talent."

If I had that thing back in the ninja academy, I wouldn't have been disliked. I would definitely be like Uchiha Sasuke, who, even with a perpetually sour expression, was loved by teachers and classmates alike.

Twentieth rank!

I need at least twentieth rank!

To be able to enroll smoothly.

Soon, the Shinigami called his name, "Uzumaki Naruto."

Naruto walked over with heavy steps.

Like everyone before him, he placed his hand on the crystal ball.

The Shinigami glanced over indifferently, while the upperclassman prepared to record an "eighteenth," "nineteenth," or "unqualified."

But at that moment, something unprecedented happened.

The crystal ball burst into an intense, dazzling light.

Blinding and scorching.

The recording upperclassman's eyes widened, his brush dropped, staining the floor without him noticing.

The previously indifferent Shinigami jumped up, energized, and exclaimed, "F... Fifth rank!"

The gymnasium erupted.

This group of souls, who had not yet become Shinigamis or even students, didn't understand what "fifth rank" meant, but the fact that over a hundred people before them hadn't scored above "tenth rank" proved how extraordinary this ranking was.

The Shinigami's intense reaction further highlighted its significance.

That inconspicuous blond boy...

Was he really this exceptional?

"Assessment suspended." The Shinigami quickly calmed down and instructed a nearby student, "I'll take this... Uzumaki Naruto outside."

"Maintain order."

The student straightened up and responded, "Yes."

The Shinigami grabbed Naruto's wrist and flashed outside the gymnasium.

"Fifth rank... does that mean I'm talented?" The rushing wind and strong centrifugal force pulled Naruto back to clarity, and he asked.

The Shinigami chuckled, "Talented?"

"That's an understatement."

"Your abilities are unlike those unpolished gems yet to shine."

"We're here."

They stopped in front of a room, and the Shinigami knocked respectfully.

A voice inside said, "Come in."

The Shinigami opened the door, unable to contain his excitement as he stepped in, "Dean Hakou, a genius emerged in the new student entrance exam, fifth rank of spiritual power!"

Inside, a cheerful and kind-faced middle-aged man stood up, "Fifth rank?"

"Uzumaki Naruto." The Shinigami gently pulled Naruto inside and repeated the result, "Fifth rank of spiritual power, I saw it myself."

Then he turned to Naruto with a grin, "This is the Dean of the Shin'o Academy of Spiritual Arts, Hakou Ikki."

"Are you confused about your talent?"

Naruto nodded.

The Shinigami continued, "Fifth rank of spiritual power means that with simple training at the Shin'o Academy of Spiritual Arts, you can easily reach the Dean's rank."

Naruto was stunned.

The Dean's rank?

The Dean must be an incredible figure.

He thought of the only comparison he had...

Who was the principal of the Konoha Ninja Academy? Wasn't it the Third Hokage?

Could he become someone as remarkable as the Third Hokage?

The Shinigami chuckled, "You need at least twentieth rank of spiritual power to barely become a Shinigami."

"Tenth rank, reaching tenth rank of spiritual power can make you a low-ranked Lieutenant, like me."

"Above eighth rank, you can become a high-ranking Lieutenant, like Dean Hakou."

"Before becoming the Dean, he was a sixth rank spiritual power, serving as the third seat of the Ninth Division."

"And the fifth rank of spiritual power already meets the requirements for a vice-captain."

At this point, the Shinigami paused, his deep gaze on Naruto filled with satisfaction.

"But this still doesn't fully explain your talent."

"In nearly a hundred years, not only has no student enrolled with fifth rank of spiritual power, but even graduates with over eighth rank of spiritual power have been very few."

"Even the current captains of the Third Division, Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō, and the Ninth Division, Muguruma Kensei, were only at sixth rank when they graduated."

Naruto, engrossed, condensed this long speech into a simple question: "So, I'm a genius?"

Hakou Ichi laughed heartily, "You're not just a genius; you're a once-in-a-century genius."

"And you're quite young too."

"No wonder they brought you to see me."

Naruto didn't respond, just looked at the two people celebrating him.

Deep in his ear, a "crack" sound echoed.

Something within him broke.

It seemed... to be biased.

~~~

I can't find a Dean (only the Principal which is the Captain-Commander) Shin'o Academy on Bleach, nor is there a person named Hakou Ikki in Bleach.

波岗一喜, はこういっき, Hakou Ikki

Chapter 2: First Meeting with the Nine-Tails

Naruto found it a bit challenging to adjust to his new identity as a "genius."

He also felt somewhat uncomfortable being observed with so many "friendly" and "enthusiastic" looks.

It was a treatment entirely different from what he had experienced in Konoha, a stark contrast.

The significant psychological gap made him inevitably anxious and uncertain.

He worried about whether he truly had talent.

He worried that once the "truth was exposed," he would continue to be ridiculed by his classmates and looked down upon by his teachers.

However, after enrolling.

Naruto first learned a term: " A Fool's Worry (杞人忧天)."

He was indeed a genius.

The main four courses at Shin'o Academy are "Swordsmanship (Zanjutsu), Hand-to-Hand Combat (Hakuda), Shunpo (Hoho), and Kidō."

"Swordsmanship" refers to kenjutsu, as Shinigami are warriors who fight with zanpakutō, and the sword is their other half.

"Hand-to-Hand Combat" is similar to the taijutsu Naruto was familiar with.

"Shunpo" is a technique for rapid movement.

In these three areas, Naruto showed exceptional talent, especially in Shunpo. While other students struggled to grasp the basics, Naruto had already mastered it. This movement technique seemed ingrained in his body, activated upon contact.

His talent in swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat wasn't as evident compared to some of his peers.

But Naruto worked hard enough.

Moreover, he had an extraordinary healing speed since childhood, which he retained in the Soul Society.

While others could only train for seven or eight hours a day, Naruto could train for fourteen or sixteen hours!

He wanted to quickly fulfill the potential that the Dean had mentioned.

He wanted to become a Captain soon.

He wanted to find his parents quickly, to have a family soon.

Among the four courses, Naruto's performance in "Kidō" was the weakest, even quite poor.

Kidō is a form of spellcasting that converts spiritual power into various techniques, similar to the "ninjutsu" in Konoha.

When his classmates had already mastered the first-ranked Hadō and Bakudō and started learning higher-ranked Kidō spells, Naruto's "Hadō #1: Shō (衝,Thrust)" was still laughably weak, less powerful than the air from a fart.

This troubled Naruto.

It wasn't that he lacked talent, nor was his learning progress slower than others.

It was just that... he couldn't perform it.

It was the same when he was "alive," though he didn't understand it then.

After "Death," it was still the same. However, after studying courses on understanding "Spiritual Power," Naruto could clearly feel that the reason he couldn't perform Kidō was due to a strange power interfering within him.

He didn't know how to explain this to his teachers and was even more afraid of his "Fool's Worries" coming true.

However, not all schools are "Ninja Academy," nor are all teachers "Ninja School Instructors." People in the Soul Society are vastly different from those in Konoha. The Shinigami responsible for teaching Kidō did not scold Naruto but instead patiently and gently guided him.

After understanding Naruto's situation.

The teacher did not think it was a lack of talent but attributed this strange power to Naruto's enormous spiritual power, which he had yet to fully control, causing the illusion of interference.

This was considered a "genius problem," something that could be solved with more practice in spiritual power control.

With the teacher's comfort and encouragement from his classmates, Naruto gradually gained confidence, similar to when he studied the "Sexy Technique"—he wasn't incapable of performing all ninjutsu; the "Sexy Technique" he worked hard on was quite outstanding.

His progress in Kidō, though slow, became visibly better.

His studies went smoothly.

His life was also going well.

His classmates liked him very much and took good care of him. It wasn't related to talent but to his age. Naruto was the youngest in the class, whether in terms of his twelve years of life before death or the three years after.

Two months later.

With new students settling in, those who were to drop out had already done so, and it was time for the Zanpakutō Ceremony.

In the classroom.

The instructor announced loudly: "Finally, the time has come."

"The day to bestow your Zanpakutō upon you."

"From today on, you will be called Shinigami apprentices until you graduate."

Speaking, he knocked on the table.

"It is time to tell you about the graduation rules of Shin'o Academy of Spiritual Arts."

"There are two ways to graduate."

"One way is to complete six years of study. Even in our class, the most outstanding class this year, this method is the only graduation option for the vast majority of you."

"The other way is to master the initial release (Shikai), allowing for early graduation."

"Such geniuses are rare."

"It is even rarer for a first-year student to master the initial release and graduate."

"But... perhaps this year, we will have one."

Almost as soon as the teacher's words fell, everyone's eyes unanimously turned to one person.

A small blond boy sitting in the front row.

"Teacher, I..." Naruto scratched his head and smiled sheepishly.

The teacher ruffled his hair, "I have high hopes for you to become the youngest captain!"

With the other hand, the teacher grabbed a shallow hit (Asauchi) and placed it in front of Naruto, "The Zanpakuto being distributed to you now do not have names yet. Or rather, they only have a standardized name for now, called 'Asauchi.'"

"Remember one thing."

"The Asauchi is not given to you, it is temporarily leased by the Shin'o Academy of Spiritual Arts."

"Until you graduate and join the Gotei 13 (13 Division Imperial Guards) or other organizations such as the Onmitsukidō (Punishment Force), it will not be officially granted to you."

"Now, remember these words firmly!"

"During the lease period, the Asauchi must not be given to others."

"It must not be lost."

"If any of these situations occur, or if the Asauchi is damaged or broken, you must report it to the Academy immediately."

"Otherwise... you will face severe punishment."

The teacher's face and tone were exceptionally serious.

The students nodded solemnly in agreement.

Only after the last person had received an Asauchi did the teacher's expression soften slightly, "Now, as taught in previous lessons, try the Blade Zen (刃禅, Jinzen)."

"Use your spiritual power to feel the voice of your sword."

Blade Zen.

It is a practice of the Shinigamis.

In meditation, using spiritual power to resonate with the Zanpakuto, achieving the purpose of communicating with the Zanpakuto.

Being able to communicate with the sword is the first step toward its release.

Only by knowing its name can one use its power.

Naruto closed his eyes and placed the sword on his lap.

As soon as his spiritual power touched the sword.

His consciousness was suddenly pulled with great force, as if a deep pit had opened beneath him, causing him to fall weightlessly.

When he came to his senses again.

He found himself in a damp, dark underground like sewer.

Naruto looked around, bewildered.

Where is this?

Another world?

But he quickly dismissed the thought.

He could feel a familiar power here, the power that interfered with him when he cast "Kidō."

This is likely the "inner world" the teacher had mentioned.

However...

Generally, mastering the initial release involves merely hearing the sword's voice. Delving into the inner world is something only Shinigamis who have mastered the initial release and further studied "Bankai" can do.

Is his talent that strong?

Moreover, where is the spirit of his Zanpakuto?

Naruto stood up and walked along the path.

He soon reached the end.

A towering red barred gate blocked the way, behind it was dark and seemed to house something.

Heavy breathing, undisguised malice, a glimpse of crimson, like all-devouring flames.

"Hey, kid." From behind the gate, the massive creature stirred and called out.

Naruto responded, "I'm here."

"Come a little closer." It called again.

Naruto approached.

With a whoosh, a fierce wind blew.

A huge claw ruthlessly stabbed, clanging against the gate, with long claw blades piercing through the gap, stopping just at Naruto's throat, almost piercing it.

"You've got guts... kid."

"Daring not to dodge."

Naruto grinned brightly, "Why should I dodge? You won't hurt me."

"My name is Uzumaki Naruto."

"What is your name? Can you tell me?"

~~~

杞人忧天, A Fool's Worry - is a metaphor for unfounded and unnecessary worries.

Chapter 3: Malice

The paw was withdrawn.

A dark shadow loomed overhead, and a gigantic face pressed against the gate.

A triangular face, golden pupils, and covered in fur.

It was a fox.

Its face alone was taller than Naruto, a fox of grand stature.

It grinned, revealing sharp, menacing teeth: "What did they tell you?"

"What made you have such an illusion."

Mocking, sneering, and with a strange tone.

Naruto frowned, slightly puzzled.

He disliked this blatant malice, but his teacher had said that perhaps the way a Zanpakutō spirit expressed emotions varied—sometimes friendly, sometimes fierce. These attitudes were tests to see if the wielder was truly qualified to fight with it.

The lessons he learned flashed through his mind like flipping pages of a book.

"You are the manifestation of my inner strength," he responded. "You will be my most important companion for life."

The Nine-Tails couldn't help but laugh: "Inner strength... companion..."

"How ridiculous."

"Has the group in Konoha fallen to such naivety?"

Naruto was stunned.

What did he just hear?

Konoha?

How could it be "Konoha"? How could this fox utter such a word?

"How could it have anything to do with Konoha?" he instinctively retorted.

The Nine-Tails sneered, mocking in return: "How could it not have anything to do with Konoha..."

"I am already dead." Naruto interrupted, speaking earnestly, "No longer in Konoha."

The Nine-Tails narrowed its eyes, somewhat bristling: "Dead?"

No...

He didn't even feel it, suddenly dead?

Such serious words coming from this short guy sent shivers down one's spine.

Naruto sat cross-legged, recounting his experiences over the past three years.

The terms Soul Society, Shinigami, Shin'o Academy, Gotei 13, one after another, entered the Nine-Tails' ears.

"The Pureland"... It had heard of this when it was first born, accompanying the "Sage of Six Paths," Otsutsuki Hagoromo. As for the Shinigami... it had seen it when it was in the belly of the first jinchūriki of Konoha, Uzumaki Mito.

But what Naruto said was completely different.

Lies made up by Konoha?

Unlikely.

Such lies were meaningless and couldn't deceive it.

And with its knowledge and experience, these things sounded seamless, not fake.

This kid's thoughts were easy to understand, not like lying.

"So that's the situation," Naruto concluded. "Whether you were born in my heart in Konoha or here in the Soul Society, we are now partners."

"Would you tell me your name?"

The Nine-Tails grinned, exhaling heavily: "You speak convincingly, but it's hard for me to believe you."

"How about this."

"Kid, let me feel those things you mentioned."

Naruto was puzzled: "Feel?"

"What do you want me to do?"

The Nine-Tails pondered, its gaze moving away from the seals on the gate: "Consider it your reward for entertaining me this time."

"Stop resisting my chakra, I will control it well and use your senses to feel the world."

It wanted Naruto to remove the seal and release it.

But... the things he said, though different from its understanding of the "Underworld," sounded true.

Its body was still half sealed in the soul of that Fourth Hokage guy.

Compared to temporary freedom, restoring its body was more important.

"If it's not related to Konoha, will you tell me your name..." Naruto stubbornly clung to the question.

Bang—

A paw slammed against the gate, and the Nine-Tails, impatient with the question, retorted: "I might consider it, kid!"

Its power surged, driving Naruto out.

Darkness overcame him.

He felt that weightless falling sensation again.

Before opening his eyes.

An extremely strong stench invaded his nostrils.

Something was rotting.

Naruto opened his eyes and looked around—

It was not the bright and spacious classroom; instead, he found himself lying on a bed in a narrow and cramped room.

The room seemed somewhat familiar.

It was... his place in Konoha.

He sat up and looked around in a daze, following the familiar smells.

Uncleared instant noodle cups, an open milk carton, some half-eaten fish and mushrooms that could barely be considered side dishes...

Memories flashed through his mind.

Instant noodles had been almost his only staple food in the past few years. Not many people were willing to sell him anything, so he could only stockpile this cheap instant food.

Fish and mushrooms... he had gotten those from the mountains, which wasn't easy.

But...

Wasn't he already dead?

How did he return to Konoha, to this nearly forgotten residence of his?

What about the not-so-easy, yet joyful days in the Soul Society, in the Shin'o Academy?

"This doesn't seem to be the Soul Society you mentioned, kid." Nine-Tails' slightly angry voice sounded in Naruto's ear.

Naruto snapped back to reality, "Can you see?"

"No," Nine-Tails replied impatiently. "But I told you before, I can sense the world through your senses."

"So?"

"Where is the evidence of the Soul Society?"

Naruto didn't speak; he was puzzled too.

Was it all just a dream?

But such a long and vivid dream...

He frowned, about to get up from the bed to check outside.

But a sharp pain in his waist made him feel something hard poking him.

Naruto looked down.

It was a sheathed sword, its guard pressing against his abdomen.

His spirits lifted!

It was an Asauchi.

He reached out, grasped the hilt, and picked it up.

"Can you see this sword?" Naruto asked, his eyes burning with excitement.

Nine-Tails was puzzled, "A sword? What sword..."

Its voice halted abruptly, "Huh, that's strange, you actually have a weapon in your hand."

It had seen many types of ninja weapons.

Whether ordinary kunai, shuriken, or the seven bizarre swords of the Mist, even the Bashōsen and the (Shichiseiken) Seven Star Sword of the Sage of Six Paths... all of them were different from the sword it sensed now.

No matter how unique those weapons were, they existed tangibly in this world.

But this sword in Naruto's hand...

If not for the reminder, it would have been overlooked.

It existed in a state of near non-existence, connected to Naruto's aura, almost as if it were part of his body.

"This is the Asauchi I told you about." Naruto's voice was filled with excitement, "Although I'm not sure why we're back in Konoha, the Asauchi came back with me. This means the Soul Society and the Shin'o Academy were not a dream!"

"They really exist!"

Nine-Tails snorted dismissively.

"Now you should tell me your name," Naruto said confidently.

Nine-Tails sneered, "Just a weapon, that doesn't prove anything."

It was also puzzled.

Such a weapon... it was hard to say it was forged by ninjas. In its long lifespan, it had indeed seen some ninjutsu related to souls—such as the "Spirit Transformation Technique" and the "Reaper Death Seal"... but even the Shinigami summoned by the latter didn't have a weapon with this feel.

Instinctively, it felt that Naruto wasn't lying; the Soul Society should exist.

But without witnessing it firsthand, it was hard to believe.

Naruto held back, not shouting.

He gripped the Asauchi, pondering why he suddenly returned to Konoha.

Because... entering the inner world?

He tried Zanpakuto meditation again, returning to that "sewer" and, after being chased out by Nine-Tails, still found himself in his small room, not back in the Shin'o Academy.

He tried various other strange methods.

But none worked.

Couldn't go back?

Naruto looked through the window at the Hokage Rock in the distance, clenching the Asauchi in his hand.

No...

There's still a chance!

In the Gotei 13, there was the Thirteenth Squad responsible for "Purification," which would dispatch Shinigami to the living world.

Konoha would certainly be no exception.

As long as he could find that Shinigami, he could return to the Soul Society.

For now...

First, figure out what has changed in Konoha during his absence.

But it was unclear how to explain his three-year disappearance and his unchanged appearance.

However, the unchanged state of his house and the lack of attention...

No one would care about him, right?

Naruto tidied up his room, threw away the trash.

He found a little over a thousand assets from the drawer and headed to the nearest convenience store.

Just at the door.

An old man in an apron rushed out with a broom in panic, "Get out, you jinx!"

"I told you, you're not allowed near my store!"

Naruto looked up at him, surprised.

Not surprised by his attitude—

Konoha was full of such people, who didn't hide their malice towards him.

But that after three years in the Soul Society, the convenience store owner's appearance had not changed at all.

He then tiptoed to look at the electronic clock inside the store, completely different from his mechanical alarm clock, showing the time and date.

It wasn't three years later.

It was still the day he left Konoha for the Soul Society.

As if... time had stopped when he left, only resuming upon his return.

"You scoundrel, didn't you hear what I said?" The store owner didn't care what Naruto was thinking, his defiant attitude and scrutinizing gaze inflaming his anger further. He raised the broom high and struck at Naruto.

Chapter 4: I'm not the problem

But the wooden stick didn't hit Naruto's head as it used to.

In the split second he acted.

A cold flash swept through.

The kunai cut through the soft wood, the broom head fell to the ground, kicking up dust.

"You bastard! My broom!" Anger overwhelmed the convenience store owner's mind. He didn't realize what it meant for the other person to fight back; he only cared about his belongings. He raised his hand, wanting to attack again, "Damn you, you never bring anything good..."

Before he could finish his sentence.

Naruto grabbed his wrist, tripped him, and threw him to the ground.

With a swing of the kunai.

The convenience store owner looked up, still wanting to continue cursing.

With a clang—

The kunai nailed the ground just past his nose, vibrating slightly, fragile like a violin string.

He was momentarily dazed.

A sharp pain shot through his tailbone, spreading electrically throughout his body, causing his hair to stand on end.

The pain brought him back to his senses.

His arm was twisted at an unnatural angle, not broken, but the muscles and tendons were stretched to their limit, causing severe discomfort.

These sensations overpowered the anger in his mind.

He began to panic, realizing he was being hunted: "What... what do you want to do?"

The demon fox...

"To buy something." Naruto continued looking into the store, staring at the clock. "Don't worry, I will pay. Will you welcome me this time?"

The convenience store owner gritted his teeth: "I won't welcome you..."

Naruto applied more force, increasing the angle of the arm twist.

The store owner broke into a sweat, hurriedly changing his tune: "Welcome, welcome! Of course, you're welcome."

Naruto gave a cold smile, grabbed the kunai, and threw it back into his pocket before walking into the convenience store.

If it had been three years ago, he wouldn't have used this method.

But...

During his three years in the Soul Society, he learned that in some "necessary" situations, violence was far more effective at solving problems than other methods.

"Food" was not a necessity in Rukongai.

Ordinary souls wouldn't feel hunger.

Only souls with spiritual power had the need to eat.

Thus, the price of food was extremely high.

If one didn't want to starve, they had to resort to some unsavory methods.

In the first half year, Naruto survived using this method.

It wasn't until later, when he found a job and had a stable source of income, that he gave up "robbery" and spent a year repaying the total cost of the food he had taken.

Walking into the convenience store.

The numbers on the clock ticked away.

It wasn't broken.

So... the three years he spent in the Soul Society had barely passed in Konoha, or even hadn't moved at all?

He pondered this question while selecting ingredients.

A piece of meat, two potatoes, some seasoning, and a bag of rice, costing less than six hundred ryo.

This was the market price.

Naruto didn't take advantage of the situation.

But after he left, the convenience store owner couldn't wait to close the door and report to the Konoha Police.

This is outrageous!

I knew we shouldn't have let that damn kid into the ninja school.

Now he learned a few skills and dares to attack innocent, pitiful people like us.

What about in the future?

Hokage Office.

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was reviewing official documents.

A ninja knocked on the door and entered: "Lord Third, that Uzumaki kid has caused trouble again!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen, accustomed to these incidents, spoke calmly: "What prank has Naruto pulled this time?"

"He had a conflict with a convenience store owner and injured him." The ninja gritted his teeth, extremely angry.

Upon hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression turned serious.

Uzumaki Naruto was a troublemaker.

But previously, it was just pranks limited to the school grounds, aimed at attracting attention.

But now... he actually injured someone?

This was the first time, a breach of the bottom line.

It had escalated into a real conflict.

"Where is Naruto now?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked.

The ninja replied: "He went home."

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed in relief. If he went home, the situation didn't need to escalate further: "Got it. I will give him a good talking to."

"This time, Naruto really went too far."

Uzumaki Naruto's residence was not far from the Hokage office, in the village center's low-rent apartment building.

It didn't take Sarutobi Hiruzen long to get there.

He raised his hand and knocked on the door.

Frowning, he was filled with doubt.

He had always been very strict in his teachings to Naruto, and Naruto had always been obedient. Even when he was bullied to such an extent, he never fought back.

But today...

The door quickly opened, and Naruto, wearing an apron and holding a kitchen knife, came out to greet him. When he saw Sarutobi Hiruzen, his eyes lit up, "Third Hokage Grandpa!"

In Konoha, he was the person who treated Naruto the best.

Bearing the title of "Hokage," he was also the most powerful and knowledgeable person in the entire village.

Naruto had really wanted to see him!

Whether from emotions...

Or the questions filling his mind—why he went to the Soul Society, why he came back, and why he hadn't changed even though three years had passed in Konoha.

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked through Naruto and into the house, feeling a bit dazed.

A house where you could see the end from the entrance.

Clean...

Tidy...

Only ingredients on the table—potatoes, meat, and rice cooking on the stove.

It didn't look like Naruto's home at all.

Such a big change in just a few days.

But the important matter was the "hitting" incident; these changes weren't as important. Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled and asked, "Naruto, today a convenience store owner came to complain, saying you hit him. What was the conflict between you two?"

So he came for this matter.

Naruto corrected him, "I didn't hit him; he attacked me first."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, "Why did he attack you?"

"I wanted to buy some ingredients to cook," Naruto said confidently. "But as soon as I entered his convenience store, before I said anything, he wanted to hit me."

"I just stopped him from attacking me and wanted to do business with him."

"I paid for the things I bought."

Sarutobi Hiruzen felt slightly relieved.

So that's how it was?

It wasn't an intentional "revenge attack," which was a relief.

He softened his tone, "Even so, Naruto, you could have come to me."

"Fighting isn't a good thing, Naruto. Remember what I taught you? No matter what, you shouldn't..."

Naruto was stunned.

Two memories surged in his mind.

One was from the Soul Society, where he was starving and had to snatch food, the shop owner chasing him with a knife, cursing and showing a vicious face.

But after he worked to pay off his debt, the shop owner was very relieved and said that Naruto hadn't done anything wrong; he just had to show that he couldn't be robbed easily, as weakness would lead to being bullied. If he thought Naruto was problematic, he would have called the Shinigami long ago.

Becoming "ugly" to survive was not a sin.

Naruto's willingness to make amends made the situation ultimately beautiful.

The other memory was older, related to the Third Hokage, fragmented.

Every time he fought back when bullied as a child, the Third Hokage would appear to comfort him.

It felt warm then, as only the Third Hokage cared for him in the whole village.

But now looking back...

Those who bullied him were never punished, not even scolded. They continued to bully him the next day.

Those comforting words now seemed to teach him to be weak and endure.

In comparison...

Naruto found he preferred the shop owner's curses.

"Do I need to find the Third Hokage every time I want to buy something?" Naruto interrupted Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was taken aback.

Naruto spoke decisively, "When the Third Hokage is around, they respect you and let me buy things. But once you leave, they won't welcome me again."

"I can only stockpile a lot of stuff each time."

"But I paid for the things I bought, not a penny less."

"If he tries to hit me and I stop him, and he gets hurt, that's his own fault."

"Am I wrong?"

"Am I supposed to just take the beatings and curses without fighting back?"

"Am I supposed to live on instant noodles every day? Is it wrong to want to eat some normal food?"

"Am I supposed to fish and hunt in the mountains for food?"

His pent-up emotions exploded in a series of questions, like shurikens, leaving Sarutobi Hiruzen stunned, unable to respond.

It wasn't that he didn't know how to answer.

He just didn't expect Naruto, who had been enduring for so many years, to suddenly and without warning, explode.

"Naruto, there may be some misunderstandings, but the village is a whole..." Sarutobi Hiruzen began his usual speech, trying to morally bind Naruto with the "greater good" of the village.

Naruto wasn't buying it.

Or rather, the old Naruto would have cared about the "village" as his only place of belonging.

But now...

He interrupted Sarutobi Hiruzen again, "Third Hokage Grandpa, if the problem lies with them, please solve their problem."

"Why come to solve the problem of me, the victim?"

With a bang, the door closed heavily.

Naruto didn't want to talk to Sarutobi Hiruzen anymore.

Let alone share the doubts and secrets in his mind.

The accompanying ninja shouted, "Uzumaki Naruto, is this how you treat the Hokage?"

"Come out and apologize properly..."

His shouting was stopped.

Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand, "No need, it's my oversight."

He sighed, feeling heavy-hearted and a bit ashamed.

His eyes fell on the door.

He could hear the sound of a knife chopping on the cutting board inside.

He really owed the Fourth Hokage a lot…

Chapter 5: I am also a genius

Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't knock on the door again.

He just listened outside for a while, hearing the chopping of knives, the bubbling of soup, and the aroma of meat wafting through the air.

Compared to Naruto developing his own ideas, what was happening now seemed even harder for him to accept.

The place that once housed the Jinchuriki now began to have the feeling of a home.

Sarutobi Hiruzen consoled himself.

This wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

After all, he had always hoped for this, wishing for Naruto's well-being. If the Fourth Hokage could see this, he would be relieved too...

But why was there a bit of unease?

Perhaps it was because he still knew too little about Naruto.

He turned and left.

He decided to observe carefully during this period.

A Jinchuriki must not go astray.

Uzumaki Naruto had changed significantly.

His classmates at the ninja academy were the first to notice.

The boy who was disliked just a few days ago suddenly became less annoying.

The most noticeable change was in his appearance.

Naruto had always worn a dirty, high-collared orange tracksuit, looking crude and sloppy.

But now, he finally took off that tracksuit.

He was now wearing a plain white hoodie without any patterns, which complemented his blonde hair, paired with gray cropped pants, giving him a fresh and clean look.

"Uzumaki seems much more pleasing to the eye now." During lunch break, Yamanaka Ino said this to Haruno Sakura as they ate lunch together.

Haruno Sakura followed her gaze.

Uzumaki Naruto didn't seem much different from usual—at least in her eyes. He was still sitting alone, eating lunch by himself.

"He even makes his own bento?" She quickly noticed something unusual. Naruto had a bento box! Although the side dishes and rice didn't look as exquisite as those made by her parents, they still seemed quite tasty.

Yamanaka Ino hesitated, "I don't think so? He used to always eat bread, right?"

She wasn't sure either.

Before this period, who would pay attention to Uzumaki Naruto?

"Even if he looks a bit better, he's still far from Sasuke," Haruno Sakura crossed her arms, her gaze moving past Naruto to Uchiha Sasuke sitting not far away, "A loser is a loser." Maybe this is just his new way to attract attention."

She didn't like Naruto.

Yamanaka Ino shook her head without saying anything, but she didn't quite agree with this view.

Compared to the students, the teachers at the ninja academy noticed more of Naruto's internal changes.

He started to study seriously!

No more skipping classes, no more sleeping in class, and his grades were excellent...

He transformed from the "dead last" to an "outstanding student" almost overnight.

However, most teachers still didn't like him, and some even disliked him more—news of Naruto "hitting" the convenience store owner had spread. He faced no punishment, and the Third Hokage even "favored" Naruto, making nearby shops do business with him.

They had almost the same opinion as Haruno Sakura.

They thought this annoying kid couldn't possibly study well and would just lose interest quickly.

Especially with graduation approaching, what's the use of pretending now!

Naruto was genuinely interested in the knowledge of being a ninja.

He used to find these things boring, with no encouragement from teachers and no welcome from classmates, so he had no motivation to study.

But since returning from the Shin'o Academy.

Reading the textbooks again was a revelation.

Understanding "Chakra" and its definitions, basic physics, the application of the Three Basic Techniques...

Although, in essence, Chakra and spiritual power are two completely different forces—one from the body and one from the soul.

But the techniques to use them were the same.

"Reiraku (霊絡, Spirit Coils)"—a technique taught at the Shin'o Academy to sense and recognize spiritual energy, could also be applied through "Chakra." This allowed him to identify people around him by Chakras aura without seeing them.

With a basic understanding, he could also successfully perform Kido after a few training sessions.

Of course, the parts in the books about the "Will of Fire" were still boring, dry, and uninteresting.

The last class of the new week.

Umino Iruka banged the podium heavily, "One week until the graduation exam, and you will become real ninjas."

"So today... is a practical lesson."

"Everyone gather at the training ground."

The class groaned.

Compared to training and practical lessons, they preferred theoretical classes.

The latter was boring, but teachers wouldn't say anything if they slacked off.

The former...

In addition to the practical lesson, there would definitely be physical training afterward.

No one wanted to run three kilometers!

But the students obediently left their seats, some through the windows, some through the doors, heading to the training ground.

After lining up, the students sat around the field.

"Anyone want to volunteer..." Iruka raised his hand.

Naruto immediately stood up, "Iruka-sensei, I want to train with Uchiha Sasuke."

He spoke with determination.

In recent days, the teacher and classmates had not changed their views about him.

He knew clearly that he lacked an opportunity for the teacher and classmates to understand his changes.

And now... the opportunity has arrived.

Iruka was about to refuse.

Although Naruto was improving, he was clearly not on the same level as Uchiha Sasuke.

However, before he could politely decline, the instructions from the Third Hokage a few days ago resurfaced in his mind.

He quickly changed his tone, "Alright, since you're so persistent, Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, come and have a practical training session."

The students were astonished.

Previously, Iruka-sensei would never have agreed so easily to Naruto's unreasonable requests.

Uchiha Sasuke stood up coldly and walked to the center of the field with Naruto.

"First round of practical training."

"Uzumaki Naruto versus Uchiha Sasuke."

"Begin!"

Iruka-sensei picked up his notebook, stepped out of the field, and announced the start.

The battle did not erupt immediately.

Uchiha Sasuke, with his hands in his pockets, looked coldly at the person opposite him, "Uzumaki Naruto, you will never be my match."

"What we bear is different."

"A guy of your caliber doesn't have the qualifications to be compared to me."

"Iruka-sensei should have arranged a more interesting opponent for me."

Cheers from the girls erupted.

Naruto remained silent.

Chakra gathered at his feet and burst forth in an instant, stretching his figure like a line, right as Uchiha Sasuke finished his sentence.

A golden flash—

Those cheers seemed to celebrate this moment.

Uchiha Sasuke's pupils widened.

So fast!

He barely raised his hand, forming a cross in front of him.

But Naruto's hand had already grabbed his face and slammed it down hard.

"Caliber?"

"Does something like that need to be mentioned?"

A thud hit the ground, dust billowed, mingling with Naruto's calm voice.

With one hand raised in a fist, the other reached to his back, hooking two kunai with his index and middle fingers.

A punch to the dust.

A crunching sound—

A block of hard wood was sent flying.

A substitution jutsu.

There was movement in the smoke.

Naruto was not surprised at all; in his eyes, ribbons floated. Those were ribbons representing chakra aura, which only he could see.

There were two representing Uchiha Sasuke.

One circled behind the crowd, the other charged openly to the left.

He waved his hand.

Kunai shot towards those two directions.

"You have indeed made some progress, but you are still far from me," Sasuke's voice came from the left.

Naruto ignored it, not even glancing to the left.

That was a clone.

The real Sasuke was—

He reached out and grabbed the thicker aura ribbon, twisting around.

Sure enough, he was behind him.

Dust-covered face, blood-stained forehead, having failed to avoid the first strike, Uchiha Sasuke looked extremely disheveled, raising a kunai to strike.

Clang!

But since that was the case.

The kunai collided with the one Naruto had shot earlier, falling to the ground.

The clone on the left was shot into a puff of smoke by another kunai.

Sasuke was shocked.

How did he detect it!

After being hit the first time, using the substitution jutsu to escape, he immediately used the clone jutsu.

And even let the clone speak to distract.

He didn't even look?

So confident he was behind him?

As thoughts surged.

Another golden stream of light.

Naruto stepped closer, chopping down with one hand, reaching to his back with the other.

This time, Sasuke was prepared, hands no longer in his pockets, barely able to keep up with this speed, raising his hands to defend.

But...

The attack suddenly came from below, hooking his calf, causing a sudden shift in his balance.

Naruto easily flipped Sasuke over.

A thud on the ground.

Sasuke tried to move again.

A slight prick at his neck, an old, no longer sharp kunai pressed against his throat.

"You lost, Uchiha Sasuke," Naruto announced softly.

Uchiha Sasuke, unwilling but unrefuting.

He looked at Naruto, shock and confusion in his eyes.

Unable to understand, how did this loser change so much in just a few days?

Iruka and the other students were also incredulous.

Uchiha Sasuke actually... lost.

Naruto straightened up, looking calmly at Sasuke, "You carry a heavy burden."

"But that's no reason to underestimate your opponent."

"You are not yet a strong person."

"You do not have the right to look down on others from above."

Sasuke gritted his teeth, clenching his fists.

Lowered his head.

He couldn't even beat a loser now?

Naruto paused slightly, raising his voice, not just speaking to Sasuke, but also to Iruka-sensei, and his classmates.

"The result is clear."

"I am not a loser."

"I am also a genius."

~~~

Readers should understand that Naruto is a kid who wants to be recognized.

Those Ribbons that Naruto are seeing are the visualization of Reiryoku (Spiritual Power)

———

Next Chapters starts at Chapter 241