Trio’s Journey: Second Chance

{Chapter Six}

"Meeting Rock Lee!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at his desk, his eyes fixed on his crystal ball, a rare smile spreading across his face

Through the shimmering orb, he watched the Uzumaki brothers — Kyosuke, Kenji, Shin, and Naruto— training vigorously in the open field

The Hokage leaned back in his chair, a sense of pride swelling in his chest

"To think… at their age, they've already achieved skills comparable to low-genin." Hiruzen murmured, stroking his beard thoughtfully

"Kyosuke's leadership, Kenji's discipline, Shin's intellect… and Naruto, growing into his own. These boys will be extraordinary as they mature." Hiruzen thought as he glanced at his table

A pile of paperwork loomed at the corner of his desk, but for a moment, Hiruzen allowed himself the luxury of simply observing

{The Training Grounds}

Kyosuke leaned back, narrowly dodging the sharp edge of Shin's katana as it sliced through the air

The older brother countered swiftly, his own blade darting toward Shin in a sharp arc

Shin raised his katana just in time to block, their weapons clashing in a burst of sparks

The brothers grinned at each other, their competitive spirits driving them forward

"You're going to lose this time!" Shin called out, pushing Kyosuke back with a burst of strength

Kyosuke chuckled, steadying himself as he readied his blade again

"You said that last time, remember?" Kyosuke said, remembering their previous matches

With a sudden burst of speed, Kyosuke advanced, his strikes precise and relentless

Shin parried each one, his movements fluid and controlled

{The Spectators}

Naruto sat cross-legged nearby, watching the match with wide, amazed eyes

"Whoa… Shin and Kyosuke are going all out!" He exclaimed, his voice full of awe

Kenji, standing beside him, crossed his arms as he watched intently

"Of course they are. Kyosuke's leading by two points in our sparring matches." Kenji said

Naruto blinked, confused

"You guys keep score?" Naruto asked

Kenji nodded

"Yeah. It's not just about competition — it's about learning. By pushing ourselves against each other, we can figure out our strengths and weaknesses. It helps us improve." Kenji explained

"Ohhh, I get it now," Naruto said, nodding in understanding

He paused, tilting his head

"Wait… why aren't I part of this?" He asked

Kenji sighed and smacked Naruto lightly on the head, causing the blonde to fall back, rubbing the sore spot

"Because you haven't won a match yet, idiot!" Kenji shot back

Naruto pouted, looking down in embarrassment

Kenji softened, glancing at him

"Don't feel bad about it, Naruto. Out of the four of us, you have the most potential." Kenji said softly

Naruto's eyes widened, stunned by the statement

He looked up at Kenji, who remained focused on the duel in front of them

"Really? You think so?" Naruto asked hesitantly

Kenji smirked, finally looking at him

"Of course. You've got more potential than any of us. It's only a matter of time before you surpass us. And when you do, you'll be closer to your dream of becoming Hokage." Kenji said

Naruto's face lit up with a big grin

Hearing his brothers believe in him filled him with newfound determination

{Kyosuke vs. Shin: The Kenjutsu Duel}

Back in the center of the field, Kyosuke and Shin continued their fierce duel

Kyosuke launched a diagonal slash toward Shin's shoulder, but Shin twisted his body, dodging the blade by inches

He countered with a low sweep aimed at Kyosuke's legs

Kyosuke leaped into the air, flipping gracefully over Shin's head

As he landed, he spun with a powerful horizontal slash

Shin ducked just in time, rolling to the side before springing back to his feet

"You're getting better, Shin!" Kyosuke called out, his voice filled with excitement

"You won't win this time!" Shin retorted, his grip on his katana tightening

Shin charged forward, his blade a blur as he unleashed a series of rapid strikes

Kyosuke blocked each one with precision, sparks flying as their katanas clashed

Suddenly, Kyosuke sidestepped, forcing Shin to overextend

Seizing the opportunity, Kyosuke spun on his heel and aimed a strike at Shin's exposed side

But Shin anticipated the move, dropping to one knee and angling his katana upward to block

Using the momentum, Shin rolled forward, creating distance between them

"Nice one." Kyosuke said with a grin, impressed by Shin's quick thinking

Shin smirked, wiping sweat from his brow

"Don't get cocky." Shin said, advancing

The fight continued with acrobatic displays and sharp exchanges

Shin executed a backflip to dodge a downward slash, landing gracefully before lunging forward with a thrust

Kyosuke pivoted to the side, using his katana to deflect the attack, then countered with a sweeping strike that Shin barely managed to block

The brothers locked blades, their faces inches apart as they pushed against each other

"This is fun." Kyosuke said, a bead of sweat trailing down his temple

"Yeah, but I'm still going to win." Shin admitted, grinning

With a burst of energy, Shin disengaged, spinning into a powerful slash

Kyosuke parried, their katanas ringing out one final time before they stepped back, breathing heavily

"Draw?" Shin suggested, lowering his blade

Kyosuke nodded, sheathing his katana with a satisfied smile

"Draw." Kyosuke agreed

As the brothers walked back toward Kenji and Naruto, they were greeted with claps and cheers

"That was awesome!" Naruto exclaimed, bouncing with excitement

"Not bad, but next time, I'll be the one to beat you both." Kenji said, smirking

The Uzumaki brothers laughed, their camaraderie shining brighter than the sparks from their blades

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The Uzumaki brothers, having finished their rigorous training session, returned to their shared apartment

They moved with ease, each of them knowing their tasks

Kyosuke set their training equipment neatly in its corner, Shin cleaned their practice blades with precision, and Kenji grabbed the bucket and inspected the fishing rods

Naruto, though a little behind the pace, hurriedly tossed his gear into the storage area and joined the others, brimming with excitement

"All right, everyone ready?" Kyosuke asked, slinging his fishing rod over his shoulder

"Let's catch something big this time!" Naruto exclaimed, nearly stumbling over his own feet in his enthusiasm

"Not if you scare away all the fish with that yelling." Kenji teased, lightly tapping Naruto on the head

Naruto pouted

"Hey! I'm just hyped! Last time I caught the biggest one, remember?" Naruto said as his grin widened

The trio stared at him, annoyed from his sudden bragging

Shin smirked

"That was luck, Naruto. Let's see if you can do it twice in a row." Shin said

As they headed out toward the river, the golden glow of the setting sun bathed the village in warm light

The streets were quieter now, with the occasional villager smiling or waving at the brothers

The sky was streaked with oranges and purples, and a cool breeze carried the scent of earth and water

{On the Way to the River}

"So, why are we fishing for dinner again?" Naruto asked, kicking a stray pebble down the path

"Because, it's a skill every ninja should have. Hunting, foraging, fishing — it's all survival training." Kyosuke began

"Also, because we don't have money to keep buying ramen every day." Shin added, adjusting the fishing rod slung across his back

Naruto groaned

"Man, you don't have to remind me about that part." Naruto said sadly

Kenji chuckled

"Besides, it's not just about catching fish. It's about relaxing and enjoying the process. You don't always have to be training or fighting." Kenji added further

"Relaxing is nice and all, but I'm still going to catch the biggest fish!" Naruto declared

"You've been saying that every time." Shin said, raising an eyebrow.

"And I'll prove it every time!" Naruto shot back, his grin infectious

Kyosuke smiled as he listened to the banter

"Whoever catches the smallest fish has to do the dishes tonight." Kyosuke added

Naruto gasped dramatically

"Wait, what? When did that become a rule?" Naruto asked

"Just now." Kyosuke said nonchalantly, causing the group to laugh as Naruto began to protest loudly

{At the River}

The riverbank was peaceful, the water glinting like molten gold under the setting sun

Tall trees lined the area, their leaves rustling gently in the breeze

Birds chirped intermittently, their songs blending with the soft babble of the flowing water

The brothers set down their belongings and got to work

They assembled the chairs they had crafted with their own hands — a combination of bushcraft and knowledge from their past lives

Each chair was sturdy, practical, and unique in design

"Man, these chairs are the best. Who knew we could make furniture like this?" Naruto said as he plopped down into his

"Team effort." Shin said as he cast his line into the water his movements precise and calm

Kyosuke sat down and followed suit

"It's satisfying to use something you've made yourself." Kyosuke added

Kenji smirked, tossing his line into the river

"Especially when it makes fishing easier. Now, everyone focus." Kenji said

For a while, the group sat in contented silence, their eyes on the water as the evening settled around them

Naruto leaned back, watching the gentle ripples in the water

"Do you guys think we'll ever catch something crazy? Like a giant ninja fish or something?" Naruto asked

Shin raised an eyebrow

"A ninja fish?" Shin asked, slightly confused

"Yeah! You know, one that shoots water jutsu or something." Naruto said, his eyes sparkling with imagination

Kenji chuckled

"If that happens, I'll let you handle it." Kenji said

Kyosuke smirked

"Don't encourage him, Kenji. Next thing you know, Naruto's going to try fishing with explosive tags." Kyosuke said

"Hey, that's not a bad idea!" Naruto said, grinning mischievously

Shin sighed

"That would scare off all the fish, Naruto." Shin said

"Or worse, blow up the riverbank." Kenji added

Naruto laughed, waving them off

"Fine, fine. I'll stick to the rod and line. But just wait, I'll catch the biggest fish here!" Naruto claimed once again

Shin gave him a sideways glance

"You've said that three times now. Want to put a wager on it?" Shin asked

Naruto's eyes gleamed

"Oh, you're on!" Naruto said

The peaceful atmosphere was interrupted by the sharp sound of a branch snapping in the nearby forest

The brothers instantly went silent, their instincts kicking in

They turned toward the sound, eyes scanning the treeline

From the shadows, a figure emerged — a boy with thick eyebrows and wearing a green jumpsuit

He approached them with a determined stride

Kyosuke, Shin, and Kenji exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable

They recognized him immediately: Rock Lee, a name that carried memories from their previous lives

"Who's this guy?" Naruto asked, tilting his head

Lee stopped a few paces away, giving them a respectful bow

"Hello! I am Rock Lee. I heard voices and followed the sound. I did not mean to intrude."

Kyosuke stepped forward, his tone friendly

"You're not intruding. We're just fishing for dinner. I'm Kyosuke. These are my brothers, Kenji, Shin, and Naruto." Kyosuke said politely, showing his friendly and welcoming demeanor

Lee straightened, his expression earnest

"It's nice to meet you all. Are you training here?" Lee asked

Shin tilted his head, curious

"Not right now. We're just relaxing. " Shin asked, curious why he suddenly showed up

"I was running laps around the village, to improve my endurance and taijutsu!" Lee said proudly, his determination shining through

Kenji raised an eyebrow

"Laps around the entire village? How many?" Kenji asked

Lee grinned

"Fifty!" Lee said

Naruto's jaw dropped

"What?! You're crazy!" He said, as he stared at him in disbelief

Lee rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly

"I do my best. My goal is to become a splendid ninja despite not being able to use ninjutsu or genjutsu." Lee said

The brothers' interest was piqued, though they knew why he doesn't use them, they don't want the conversation to shift

Kyosuke exchanged a glance with Shin and Kenji

"You don't use ninjutsu or genjutsu?" Kyosuke asked

Lee nodded firmly

"Correct. My taijutsu is my strength. I train every day to prove that hard work can surpass natural talent!" Lee expressed enthusiastically

Shin smirked

"That's some dedication. I like it." Shin said

Kenji leaned forward

"How about a sparring match sometime? Taijutsu only." Kenji asked, a grin forming

Lee's eyes lit up

"I would be honored! But I must warn you, I won't hold back!" Lee said with enthusiasm

Naruto crossed his arms, pouting

"Great. Another crazy training freak." Naruto said

Everyone laughed, the tension from the earlier interruption fading away

Lee sat with them, and soon the conversation turned to their training routines, goals, and dreams as the evening deepened

The bonds of camaraderie began to form, and the brothers realized that Rock Lee's determination might just make him a future ally — and a formidable rival

Everyone laughed, the tension from the earlier interruption fading away

Kyosuke, ever the leader and strategist, saw an opportunity to foster camaraderie and extended an open invitation

"Hey, Rock Lee, why don't you join us? We're just fishing and relaxing, but you're welcome to sit down and take a break with us." Kyosuke said with a warm smile

Lee hesitated, his eyes wide in surprise

"You… you want me to join you?" Lee asked

"Of course, there's no harm in unwinding after a hard day of training." Shin said, nodding in agreement

Kenji smirked

"Besides, it's not every day we get to hang out with someone as dedicated as you." Kenji added

Naruto jumped in enthusiastically

"Yeah, come on, Lee! Sit down. We don't bite!" Naruto added with a big smile

Rock Lee glanced between them, his hesitation melting under their genuine smiles

Finally, he nodded

"Thank you! I would be honored to join you." Lee added

He carefully sat down on one of the spare logs near the riverbank, his posture as straight and proper as ever

The brothers adjusted their fishing lines as they continued their conversation, making sure to include Lee

"Why are all of you fishing? Isn't this… just relaxation?" Lee asked

Kyosuke leaned forward slightly, the teacher in him naturally taking over

"It's more than just relaxing. Fishing teaches patience, precision, and adaptability. It's about understanding the environment, learning how to harvest your own food, and becoming self-reliant. These skills can be critical for a ninja on a mission." Kyosuke explained thoroughly

Lee's eyes sparkled with newfound understanding

"I see! So even something as simple as fishing can be part of training?" Lee said

"Exactly, survival is one of the most important skills a shinobi can have. Learning to fish or hunt not only ensures you can feed yourself but also sharpens your awareness of the world around you." Kyosuke said

"That's amazing! I had never thought about it that way before. You all think deeply about these things." Lee said as his enthusiasm grew

Naruto chuckled

"Yeah, that's Kyosuke for you. Always turning everything into a lesson!" Naruto said

Kyosuke smirked but said nothing, turning his attention back to his fishing line

As the conversation flowed, Naruto suddenly asked

"Hey, Lee, how come you don't use anything else besides taijutsu? I mean, wouldn't it be easier with ninjutsu or genjutsu?" Naruto asked, his curious piqued

The question seemed innocent enough, but Kyosuke, Kenji, and Shin immediately noticed the slight shift in Lee's demeanor

His usual energetic expression faltered for just a moment, replaced by a flicker of something deeper — pain, perhaps, or a buried memory

Kenji acted quickly, delivering a light smack to the back of Naruto's head

"Idiot! Think before you ask something so personal!" Kenji shouted

Naruto yelped, rubbing his head

"What was that for? I was just curious!" Naruto shouted back

Lee, however, laughed softly, waving a hand

"It's all right. I don't mind explaining." He paused, gathering his thoughts

"The truth is, I can't use ninjutsu or genjutsu. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't produce even the simplest jutsu. It was… disheartening, especially when everyone around me seemed so talented." Lee explained

Naruto's eyes widened in surprise, but he remained quiet, sensing the weight of Lee's words

{Rock Lee's Story}

Lee continued, his tone steady despite the emotions evident in his expression

"At first, I felt like I didn't belong in the academy. I thought, 'What kind of ninja can't use ninjutsu or genjutsu?' I worked harder than anyone, but no matter what, I couldn't do what others could. Some of my classmates laughed at me. Others just ignored me." Lee said

The brothers listened intently, their expressions softening with empathy

"But then, I met my sensei, Might Guy. He believed in me when no one else did. He told me that hard work could surpass natural talent, and he showed me what true strength meant. Thanks to him, I realized that taijutsu could be my way of becoming a splendid ninja." Lee said, his voice brightening

He smiled, his enthusiasm returning

"Now, I train every day to prove that he was right. Even if I can't use ninjutsu or genjutsu, I'll show the world what I can do with taijutsu alone!" Lee exclaimed with a big smile on his face

Naruto looked at Lee, his mouth slightly open in awe

"Wow… Lee, that's incredible! You're like a real-life underdog hero!" Naruto exclaimed in awe

Kyosuke nodded, his tone thoughtful

"It takes a lot of strength to turn what others see as a weakness into your greatest weapon. That kind of determination is rare —and admirable." Kyosuke said

Kenji crossed his arms, smirking

"You've got guts, Lee. And that drive of yours is something to be proud of." Kenji added

Shin leaned forward

"You know, if you ever want to spar or try out different techniques, you're welcome to join us. Fighting against a moving opponent is a lot better than practicing against a wooden post." Shin offered

Lee's eyes widened, and for a moment, he looked as though he might cry

"You… you really mean that?" Lee asked in shock

Kyosuke smiled warmly

"Of course. You've got the right mindset. We'd be happy to train with you anytime." Kyosuke backed up

Lee's voice trembled slightly as he replied

"Thank you. That means more to me than you know. Aside from my parents and my sensei, no one has ever been this supportive of me." Lee said as he bowed

The brothers exchanged glances, their own respect for Lee growing even stronger

The group returned to their fishing, the atmosphere lighter and more uplifting than ever

Rock Lee's story and determination had left a deep impression on the Uzumaki brothers, reminding them of the value of resilience and belief in oneself

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As the evening deepened, the group continued to fish, sharing light-hearted stories and laughter

The sky above turned into a canvas of deep oranges and purples as the sun dipped below the horizon

The river shimmered with the fading light, and a soft breeze carried the scent of the forest around them

Rock Lee, now completely at ease, joined in their conversations as if he had always been part of their group

For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of belonging outside of his small circle of family and Might Guy

After a while, Kyosuke reeled in a large fish, holding it up triumphantly

"Looks like dinner is served!" he announced, grinning from ear to ear

Kenji smirked

"Finally. I was starting to think you'd lost your touch." Kenji teased

"Oh, please, this is pure skill." Kyosuke retorted

Naruto pouted

"Hey! I haven't caught anything yet!" Naruto said

"Maybe if you stopped talking so much, you'd focus better." Shin teased, earning a laugh from everyone, including Lee

As they prepared to head back, Kyosuke turned to Lee

"You're welcome to join us for dinner, Lee. We don't have much, but it's always better with good company." Kyosuke said with a welcoming smile

Lee hesitated for a moment but then bowed deeply

"Thank you. I would be honored." Lee said

The group made their way back to the apartment, their buckets filled with fish and their hearts filled with a newfound sense of connection

They cooked together, laughing as Naruto struggled to prepare his share of the meal without burning it

As they sat around the small dining table, eating and enjoying each other's company, Kyosuke glanced at Lee

"Remember, Lee, you're welcome here anytime. We all train hard, but it's important to have friends to support you along the way." Kyosuke said

Lee's eyes glistened with emotion as he nodded

"Thank you. I won't forget this kindness." Lee said

The night ended with the group sprawled out in the living room, exhaustion and satisfaction washing over them

Naruto's loud snoring filled the room, while Kenji and Shin exchanged quiet remarks about improving their fishing technique

Kyosuke leaned back against the wall, his mind already strategizing how to include Lee in their training sessions

In the quiet moments before sleep, Lee looked around at his new friends and smiled to himself

For the first time, he felt like he had found people who truly understood his struggles and supported his dreams

Tomorrow would bring more challenges, but for tonight, he allowed himself to bask in the warmth of camaraderie