**After the Fight - Morning**
Naruto carefully set Sasuke down in her home, making sure she was comfortable. He had sparred with her until both of them were utterly exhausted. Normally, he wouldn't go into the Uchiha compound unless absolutely necessary—after all, the Uchiha Clan wasn't exactly known for being welcoming. But tonight was different. Itachi, the one person Naruto would be wary of encountering, was out on a mission with Kakashi. For the past week, Naruto had kept tabs on both of them, just in case. He knew Itachi had left the village, and he had also observed that Fugaku, the Uchiha Clan's leader, was preoccupied with late-night meetings, likely discussing matters with the Uchiha Council.
Satisfied that Sasuke was safe, Naruto turned on his heel and left the Uchiha compound. As he walked through the darkened streets of Konoha, his thoughts wandered. His senses were sharper than ever, and he felt confident in his ability to detect chakra from a great distance. But there was a new development that both fascinated and frightened him—**Nature Chakra**. Ever since his chakra detection skill had reached level 40, he had become aware of a strange new energy. It wasn't the typical chakra he was used to sensing; this was something far more primal, something tied to the natural world itself.
Naruto had heard stories about Nature Chakra from Jiraiya and others. He knew it could grant incredible power, but it could also be dangerous if one wasn't careful. If too much Nature Chakra was absorbed, the consequences were dire—one could turn into stone or even become part of nature itself. The thought of losing control and being consumed by this immense energy sent a chill down Naruto's spine. He had never been one to shy away from risk, but this... this was something else entirely.
He shook his head, trying to push the thoughts away. His stomach growled loudly, reminding him that he hadn't eaten since the fight with Sasuke. He decided to head to his favorite place in the world—**Ichiraku Ramen**.
---
As Naruto approached the familiar stall, the scent of ramen filled the air, making his mouth water. The small stand was a haven for him, a place where he could relax and be himself without worrying about the weight of the world on his shoulders. The soft glow of the lanterns outside the stall gave it a warm, inviting feel, and Naruto couldn't help but smile as he stepped inside.
"Hey, Teuchi-san!" Naruto greeted the elderly ramen chef with a wide grin. "I'll have ten bowls of your special edition ramen! I'm starving!"
Teuchi chuckled at Naruto's enthusiastic order. "Coming right up, Naruto!" he called back, already moving to prepare the meal. "You must've had quite the day if you're ordering that much!"
Naruto smiled as he took his seat. This place always had a way of calming him down, no matter what was going on in his life. The atmosphere, the smell of freshly made ramen, and the kind faces of Teuchi and his daughter, Ayame, made him feel at home.
Ayame, now about nine years old, approached the counter with a big smile, carrying the first bowl of ramen. "Here you go, Naruto!" she said, her eyes gleaming with pride. "I made this one myself using my daddy's recipe!"
Naruto grabbed the bowl eagerly and started eating, but then he paused. He looked at Ayame, a bit of broth dripping from his mouth, as he realized what she had said. "Wait… *you* made this?"
Ayame nodded excitedly. "Yep! I've been learning from my dad for a while now. I hope you like it!"
Naruto stared at her, noodles still hanging from his mouth. "You didn't, like… spit in it or anything, right?" he asked with a teasing smirk, causing Ayame to flush bright red.
"Of course not!" Ayame protested, her face scrunched up in a mix of embarrassment and frustration. "I wouldn't do that!"
Naruto laughed, slurping the noodles back into his mouth in one swift motion. "Alright, alright! I believe you, Ayame. It's good, don't worry."
Ayame let out a sigh of relief, smiling once more as Naruto continued eating. The warmth and simplicity of the moment put Naruto at ease, and for a short while, he allowed himself to forget about the chaos of his life—the battles, the training, the looming threats. Here, in this little ramen stand, things were just… normal.
---
After devouring his ten bowls of ramen, Naruto paid Teuchi with a grin and waved goodbye to both him and Ayame. Feeling full and satisfied, he decided to take a detour before heading back to his apartment. There were a few things he needed to take care of.
Naruto made his way toward a nearby forest just outside the village. It was a quiet, secluded area where he often trained alone. But tonight, he wasn't here to train—he was here to gather supplies. He had started developing a habit of hunting and fishing in his spare time, stocking up on food that he could store in his inventory for later. It wasn't just about survival; it was about preparation. Naruto knew that his journey would only get harder from here, and he wanted to be ready for anything.
As he reached the forest, Naruto activated his chakra detection skill, scanning the area for any nearby animals. He quickly sensed the presence of several boars and a few wild birds. With practiced ease, he moved silently through the trees, his footsteps barely making a sound. He had gotten quite good at hunting over the past few months, and it didn't take long for him to track down a large boar.
Naruto crouched low, focusing his chakra into his legs as he prepared to strike. With a swift burst of speed, he lunged forward, his hand forming a blade of chakra that sliced cleanly through the boar's neck. The animal fell to the ground without a sound, and Naruto quickly stored it in his inventory. He repeated the process with a few birds, making sure to gather enough food to last him for the next few days.
Once he was satisfied with his haul, Naruto made his way back to his apartment. The moon was high in the sky now, casting a pale light over the village. Most people were asleep, and the streets were empty and quiet. Naruto liked it this way. The stillness of the night allowed him to think clearly, to plan his next moves.
---
Back in his apartment, Naruto wasted no time getting to work. He set up a small training area in the corner of his room, complete with weights and various tools he used to improve his strength and chakra control. Tonight, his focus was on honing his chakra detection and control. He had noticed that while he could sense chakra over a wide area, he struggled to pinpoint specific details when focusing on a single point. This left him vulnerable, if only for a brief moment, but Naruto wasn't satisfied with having any weaknesses.
As he began his training, Naruto pushed his chakra detection to its limits. He expanded his senses, feeling the ebb and flow of chakra throughout the village. Every person, every creature, even the trees and plants had a faint chakra signature. It was overwhelming at times, but Naruto had learned to filter out the noise and focus on what mattered.
He narrowed his focus, zeroing in on a specific area far beyond the village walls. His range was impressive, but as he concentrated harder, he felt a familiar vulnerability. His senses dulled for a moment, leaving him exposed. Naruto cursed under his breath, but he didn't let it deter him. He knew that mastering this ability would take time.
After hours of intense focus, Naruto finally stopped, his body drenched in sweat. He collapsed onto the floor, breathing heavily. His muscles ached from the strain, but he could feel the progress. Little by little, he was getting better.
As he lay there, staring up at the ceiling, his thoughts drifted back to **Nature Chakra**. The idea of harnessing such a powerful force intrigued him, but the risks were too great. He had to be careful if he anted to use it if he used Nature Chakra and failed, his body would turn into stone as he became one with the earth well from. Naruto shuddered at the thought. He wasn't ready for that kind of power yet. Not until he understood it better.
For now, he would focus on what he could control—his own chakra, his skills, and his relationships with those around him. Sasuke, Kurama, and even Kakashi were all pieces of a much larger puzzle. Naruto knew that in order to achieve his goals, he would need to manipulate these relationships carefully. He had already started with Sasuke, slowly earning her trust and planting the seeds of loyalty. Kurama would take more time, but Naruto was confident that he could win the Nine-Tails over eventually.
---
As the first light of dawn began to creep through the window, Naruto finally pulled himself off the floor. His body was sore, but his mind was sharp. Today would be another day of training, another day of progress. He had no time to rest—not when there was so much left to do.
Naruto grabbed a towel and wiped the sweat from his face, a determined look in his eyes. He was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead. And with each passing day, he was getting closer to becoming the unstoppable force he knew he could be.
The game had only just begun.
----------------------
Sorry for the late reply, guess iw as too tired to post, but here it is enjoy...!!