A year into his time at the Academy, Naruto noticed something strange: the ever-present ANBU surveillance around him was starting to fade.
For as long as he could remember, masked figures had always been in the shadows, watching his every move. At first, it was frustrating and suffocating, but as he grew older, he learned to tolerate it.
However, in recent weeks, their presence had lessened significantly. Naruto didn't know why, but he wasn't about to complain. The absence of constant eyes on him meant more freedom—and more opportunities to train.
With the ANBU no longer hovering over him, Naruto threw himself into his training with even greater intensity.
He now had the freedom to explore techniques and abilities that he couldn't risk practicing under their watchful eyes.
His mastery over the chakra chains had improved significantly. At first, he could only summon a single, weak chain that sputtered and faded quickly. Now, he could call forth multiple chains, their golden light wrapping around targets with increasing precision.
He practiced tirelessly in the forest outside the village, binding logs, trees, and even wild animals to test the strength of his seals.
Kurama observed with a mixture of pride and caution. Not bad, brat. You're getting stronger. But don't get cocky—your chains are still nowhere near what your mother could do.
Naruto grinned, wiping sweat from his brow. "Yeah, yeah. Give me some time, and I'll make Mom look like an amateur!"
Bold words, Kurama replied. But you've got potential. Don't waste it.
[FLASHBACK]
Late one evening, as Naruto sat cross-legged in his room, reviewing a sealing scroll under the dim light of a lantern, Kurama spoke up, his voice unusually serious.
Brat, there's something you should know.
Naruto blinked, setting the scroll aside. "What's up, furball? You're sounding kinda weird."
Kurama huffed, ignoring the nickname. You've been making progress—not just with your chakra chains, but with fūinjutsu. That talent isn't random. It's something you inherited… from your mother.
Naruto froze. "My mom?"
Yes, Kurama said, his tone gentler than usual. Her name was Kushina Uzumaki. She was my previous jinchūriki before you. And like you, she was an Uzumaki through and through—stubborn, fiery, and a natural when it came to seals.
Naruto's heart raced. He had never known anything about his parents; the village refused to talk about them, and Hiruzen only gave vague, comforting platitudes. To hear Kurama speak of his mother felt like a missing piece falling into place.
"W-What was she like?" Naruto asked hesitantly, his voice quieter than usual.
Kurama's memories of Kushina surfaced, and he allowed himself a moment of reflection. She was strong, determined, and had a temper that could put a bijū to shame. But more than that, she cared deeply for you. She wanted nothing more than for you to grow up happy and safe.
Naruto swallowed the lump in his throat, his hands curling into fists. "Then why? Why weren't they here for me?"
They gave their lives to protect you, Kurama said, his voice low.
[FLASHBACK END]
With fewer eyes on him, Naruto also dove deeper into his study of fūinjutsu. The ninja library became his second home, and he absorbed every piece of information he could find on seals.
Storage seals, explosive tags, chakra-suppressing seals—Naruto experimented with them all, testing his creations in secluded spots around the village.
One evening, he managed to create a barrier seal strong enough to hold back a small stream of water. While it wasn't perfect, the success filled him with a sense of pride.
Kurama, however, remained pragmatic. You're progressing fast, but don't forget the basics. Fūinjutsu isn't just about flashy tricks—it's about control.
"I know, furball," Naruto muttered, carefully redrawing a seal after a failed attempt. "I'll get it right next time."
The reduced ANBU presence also allowed Naruto to push himself physically. Without constant scrutiny, he could train late into the night without worrying about being caught or questioned.
He ran laps around the village, practiced taijutsu in secret, and even worked on honing his chakra control with the leaf balancing exercise Kurama had taught him.
Occasionally, he would sneak into the training grounds to watch the older genin and chunin practice. Though he was careful to keep hidden, Naruto took mental notes on their techniques, mimicking their movements later during his own training .
Naruto's behavior at the Academy remained unchanged. He continued to play the fool, failing deliberately during lessons and sparring sessions. His classmates and instructors thought him clumsy and unfocused, and he was perfectly fine with that.
Sasuke, on the other hand, continued to excel, his focus sharper than ever since the Uchiha massacre. Naruto observed him from afar, intrigued by his intensity but careful not to draw attention to himself.
"Man, he's really going all out," Naruto muttered one day, watching Sasuke land blow after blow during a sparring match. "What's he trying to prove?"
Kurama's voice rumbled in his mind. He's not trying to prove anything—he's preparing for revenge. Don't get in his way, brat. That kind of drive can be dangerous.
Naruto nodded, choosing to focus on his own path. He had his own reasons for growing stronger, and he didn't need anyone else to complicate things.
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Author's notes.
Please give me power stones.