The sun filtered through the trees, casting shifting patterns of light over a secluded training ground. A young boy moved through the air, twisting and flipping with the grace of an acrobat. His monkey-like features gave him a playful charm, but his movements were sharp, focused, and far beyond what anyone would expect from a five-year-old.
On the sidelines, Ebisu stood with his arms crossed, his usually stern face betraying a flicker of pride.
To anyone else, this might look absurd—a child so young training like this. But I'm not like other kids. My body is different, far beyond human limits.
With a final leap, I landed lightly on my feet, brushing a stray leaf from my hair. I turned to Ebisu, a mischievous grin already spreading across my face.
"Well?" I asked, chest puffed out. "Pretty good, right?"
Ebisu adjusted his glasses, giving a small nod. "Not bad, Konohamaru. Not bad at all. At this rate, you'll surpass the Academy students before they've even mastered the basics. It makes me proud."
"Proud enough to admit I could take down a Tokubetsu Jōnin in hand-to-hand combat?" I teased, stretching my arms behind my head.
Ebisu chuckled, shaking his head. "Confidence is important, but overconfidence? That's a quick way to fail a mission. A true shinobi knows when to temper his ego."
I rolled my eyes but couldn't suppress my grin. "You're just scared I'll end up stronger than you, Sensei."
Ebisu smirked, his tone light but firm. "Stronger or not, you still have much to learn."
TRAINING GROUNDS – LATE AFTERNOON
The sun dipped lower in the sky, painting the training grounds in shades of amber and gold. I slumped against a tree, my energy completely drained. Ebisu joined me, his movements slow as he eased himself onto the grass.
"You know, Konohamaru," he began, his voice uncharacteristically soft, "balance is everything. Even the strongest shinobi need time to recover. But remember—your skills are a gift. Use them wisely."
"Does this mean I can skip training tomorrow?" I asked, my grin returning despite my exhaustion.
Ebisu smirked. "Nice try. But I'll tell you what—we'll make it interesting. Teach me that move you pulled off earlier."
Despite the ache in my muscles, I couldn't help but laugh. "You? Pull it off? You're missing this." I flicked my tail, the motion as casual as the smirk on my face.
Ebisu raised a brow, clearly amused. "Tail or not, I'm willing to give it a try."
I leaned forward, my grin widening. "Alright, but starting tomorrow, I'm the sensei. And my first rule is simple: you follow my orders."
"Aye, Sensei," Ebisu said with a rare laugh. The sound caught me off guard, and for a moment, we just sat there, laughing together as the day gave way to evening.
After the massacre of the Uchiha clan, life seemed to settle back into what one might call 'normalcy'.. Day by day, as a kid with no responsibility, I focused on training and learning, honing my skills.
As I said, my body isn't normal. My physics are above human capabilities. And my parents and all of the Sarutobi clan know it too. So they agreed to let me train my body at an early age.
So, I train to my heart's content with no restrictions. Time passes, and now I'm five years old, which means I'm now allowed to explore the village by myself.
Anyways, it wasn't all positive for all these years. As you can see, I developed some bad habits. With so much being granted to me day by day, I became somewhat lazy at times. While other characters burst with ambition, pursuing strength to a maximum effort, to become the top of the food chains, I often found myself lounging in the local ramen shop, watching the colorful street, rather than training to enhance my skills.
I can't really fault myself. This new world I'm in is very distracting in a good way. Everything is in anime animation style each movement, each scene felt like a frame from the most elaborate anime ever produced., like a studio with all of the best animators, music, and voice actors combined with a budget of quadrillion dollars.
The first thing that hit me wasn't the visual spectacle, but the sensation of being part of this vibrant, hyper-realistic universe. I just want to sit still and enjoy everything and "take it slow for a bit," I told myself, as I slurped down a bowl of steaming noodles. The world was merry around me, and I felt strangely at peace with my decision. After all, I deserved a break. Right?
'Anyways where is naruto, he should be here as this is he's favorite place to eat or more on the only place he is welcome with open arms' I thought to myself.
"Welcome!" Teuchi, the owner, greeted a newcomer with a broad, infectious smile. His daughter, Ayame, was already preparing a bowl. The noodles were a sight to behold, slithering into the broth with a steamy dance. I slurped down the noodles, the broth rich and savory, a stark contrast to the tasteless meals I was accustomed to back home. The world was merry around me. Ninja and civilians alike shared tales of their days, their lives interwoven in ways that seemed so simple yet profound.
After finishing my bowl, I leaned back, savoring the moment, the peace. I had no urgent meetings, no deadlines, just the freedom to observe and exist. My thoughts drifted to the life I had left behind – a life of rush and routine. Here, everything was vibrant, alive, and real in a way that my previous life hadn't been.
I stood up, thanked Teuchi for the meal, and stepped out into the bustling streets of Konoha. I wandered aimlessly, my eyes catching on the Hokage Monument, the faces of the past leaders etched in stone, watching over the village.
I walked back towards the village center, my path taking me by the Hokage's office. The window was lit, casting a warm glow against the darkened streets of Konoha. Inside, I could see Gramps at his desk, likely working late into the night. The sight of him, hunched over scrolls and documents, was both familiar and reassuring.
I knocked lightly on the window, a playful grin already on my face. "Gramps! Burning the midnight oil again?"
Hiruzen looked up, his tired eyes softening when he saw me. "Konohamaru! Come in, come in."
I vaulted through the window, landing softly on the wooden floor. The familiar scent of parchment and ink greeted me as Gramps gestured for me to sit.
"How's training with Ebisu?" he asked, leaning back in his chair.
"It's good," I replied. "I'm practically teaching him at this point."
Gramps chuckled, shaking his head. "Don't let that confidence get the better of you, Konohamaru. How are you managing your new abilities?"
I stretched out in my seat, grinning. "It's tough, but exciting. It's like… I've got the energy of a thousand monkeys running through my veins!"
Hiruzen laughed, the sound deep and full of warmth. "That's quite the way to describe it. But remember, Konohamaru, strength is only a tool. True power lies in how you use it—to protect your comrades, your village, and to carry on the Will of Fire."
I groaned dramatically. "Gramps, I've heard that speech a million times."
He smiled knowingly. "And you'll hear it a million more. It's important."
I leaned back, letting the silence settle for a moment. "I'll remember," I said quietly. "I promise."
Gramps glanced at the clock and sighed. "It's getting late. You should head home."
Standing, I made my way to the window. Before leaping out, I turned back, my voice lighter. "Don't worry, Gramps. I'll make you proud—whether it's as a ninja or whatever I end up doing."
His eyes softened, and his smile deepened. "I know you will, my grandson. Now go, rest, and keep growing."
With a salute, I jumped out the window.