The Incident Begins

Naruto's life gradually settled into a steady rhythm. Every morning, his figure could already be seen running through the streets of Konoha Village, training his taijutsu with a clear goal in mind.

Today, I'll definitely run into the power of youth... Might Guy.

Naruto looked forward to it every day. He imagined that thick-browed man in a green jumpsuit suddenly leaping out from some corner and passionately shouting, "This is youth!"

Yet several days passed. Forget meeting Might Guy himself—Naruto did not even hear his signature shout.

Looks like he went out on a mission... Naruto came to that conclusion with some disappointment.

Every afternoon, Naruto would arrive on time at the clearing on the outskirts of Konoha's forest. This had become the training ground he and Satsuki had agreed upon.

What surprised him was that he had originally thought that, as the eldest daughter of the Uchiha Clan, Satsuki would be lucky to sneak out two or three times a week. But in reality, during all seven days of the week, he could see her here on at least five of them.

Looks like she successfully convinced that old Third Hokage.

Satsuki had similar doubts. After she and Naruto had gone home separately that day, her usually stern father, Fugaku Uchiha, had unusually summoned her to his study.

"Satsuki, you've made a very good friend." Fugaku's voice was much gentler than usual. "You can train with him more often from now on."

Just as Satsuki was delighted by her father's approval, Fugaku added a strange condition. "But remember, don't mention this to any other clan members." He stressed, "Including your sister, Itachi."

Satsuki's little face was full of confusion. She had originally planned to find a chance to introduce her sister to Naruto. But seeing her father's solemn expression, she obediently nodded.

It was the first time her normally unsmiling father had given her such a clear instruction. Though she did not understand why, she decided to keep this promise properly.

But... her sister appeared at home less and less often. Her sister, who used to practice shuriken with her and occasionally take her out for Three-colored Dango, could now only be seen briefly in the mornings.

Sometimes, Satsuki had to deliberately wake up early just to catch the brief time when she could eat breakfast with her sister. "Is Big Sister very busy lately?" one morning, Satsuki asked Itachi, who was tying her forehead protector.

Itachi turned around and crouched down, lightly poking her little sister's forehead as usual. "Sorry, Satsuki. There have been a lot of missions lately." Her voice remained gentle, but her eyes held complicated emotions Satsuki could not understand. "Once I get through this busy period, Big Sister will practice with you again, okay?"

Satsuki obediently nodded, unaware that her seven-year-old sister, Itachi Uchiha, had already become a chunin and begun taking on real ninja missions. Those hurried figures leaving home each morning were rushing toward mission assembly points.

Strangely enough, though, Satsuki did not feel as disappointed as before. Because every afternoon, whenever she arrived at that clearing in the forest, she could always see that blond boy. Naruto seemed to always be there, either practicing hand seals or studying new ninjutsu techniques.

"Yo, you got here earlier than yesterday!" Naruto always greeted her so energetically.

During the time she spent with Naruto, Satsuki discovered a comfort unlike anything she had felt before. Within the Uchiha Clan, children her age either had not begun formal training yet or had only average talent.

As for those clan children who had already started training, they were either arrogantly flaunting their talent or keeping a straight face all day while pretending to be mature.

Being around those people is exhausting...

Satsuki had thought that more than once. But being with Naruto was completely different—he listened seriously when she spoke, sincerely felt happy about her progress, and, more importantly, never looked at her with that attitude of "what an Uchiha should be like."

If Naruto knew what Satsuki was thinking, he would definitely have wanted to complain. Putting two tsunderes together was not a good idea.

It was precisely Naruto's combination of outstanding talent and thoughtfulness that made Satsuki enjoy the time she spent with him more and more.

After their training every afternoon, they would put away their ninja tools and sit by the lake, sharing the lunch Naruto had prepared. This was Satsuki's favorite time—the exhaustion after training gradually faded, replaced by the satisfaction brought by good food.

"Hey, Satsuki, what's your dream?" Naruto casually asked one day while biting into a rice ball.

Satsuki answered without hesitation, "Of course, it's to surpass Big Sister and become a ninja the Uchiha Clan can be proud of!" This was the belief that had been instilled in her since childhood, as well as the motivation behind her daily hard work.

Naruto nodded thoughtfully and continued, "And then? What will you do after surpassing your sister?"

Satsuki froze. She had never considered that question. In her simple worldview, becoming stronger was the end goal. It was everything.

"Your turn," she said, changing the subject in a panic. "What's your dream?"

Naruto gazed at the shimmering lake. "Me... I guess I hope that, when danger comes in the future, I'll be able to protect the things I want to protect."

That answer confused Satsuki. In her eyes, dreams should be concrete and clear, like "becoming Hokage."

But when she turned to look at Naruto, she found that his profile appeared especially serious beneath the setting sun, and her own reflection was mirrored in his blue eyes.

For some reason, Satsuki suddenly felt her cheeks grow hot. She did not understand where this strange feeling came from. She only knew that whenever she was alone with Naruto, her heartbeat would unconsciously quicken.

Naruto had no idea that he had inadvertently stirred the little girl's heart. At first, spending time with Satsuki had only been for the sake of earning system points. But gradually, he found this tsundere Uchiha girl innocent and adorable, and the time he spent with her became enjoyable as well.

Until one evening, when they parted ways, that familiar system notification suddenly rang out in Naruto's mind.

Congratulations, Host: You have formed a bond with original character "Uchiha Sasuke" (Level 5)!

Points gained: 500 points!

Naruto was stunned. He had not expected that Satsuki could be gradually won over through spending time together. According to the original plot, he and Satsuki should not have formed such a bond until after graduating from the Ninja Academy. Yet now, they had already developed a close relationship like childhood sweethearts.

As for the other one, every night, Naruto would sit on his bed, close his eyes, and sink his consciousness into the Sealing Space. A damp, chilling aura washed over him, but Naruto had long since become used to it.

"Kurama, I'm here!" Naruto grinned as he walked toward the massive iron bars.

Kurama lazily lifted his eyelids, his nine tails swaying casually. "What boring story did you bring today?" Although his tone was cold, those beastly eyes could not help glancing at the sheets of paper in Naruto's hand.

"Today's a great part!" Naruto held up the latest handwritten chapter as though presenting a treasure. "Xiao Huohuo is finally about to attack the Misty Cloud Sect!"

And so, every night, Naruto would come chat with Kurama on time. Sometimes he told amusing stories from his day, and other times he continued writing that handwritten Battle Through the Heavens.

Until one night, Naruto became too exhausted from researching the newly acquired Water Release Ninjutsu and forgot to enter the Sealing Space. The next evening, when he appeared as usual, he was greeted by Kurama's icy back.

"Kurama?" Naruto called cautiously.

The great fox did not move at all. Only the tip of his tail flicked impatiently.

"That ninjutsu yesterday was too complicated. I practiced until really late..." Naruto explained while scratching his head.

"Hmph, this old man doesn't care whether you come or not." Kurama finally spoke, his voice clearly sulky. "It's better this way. Peace and quiet."

Naruto was just about to continue coaxing this tsundere tailed beast when the system notification suddenly sounded in his mind.

Congratulations, Host: You have formed a bond with original character "Kurama" (Level 3)!

Reward: 400 points gained!

Naruto nearly laughed out loud. So the great fox was not really angry; he was just sulking. Naruto tactfully did not expose him and simply sat down as usual, beginning a new chapter of the story.

And just like that, Naruto's points increased by another 1,600. He eagerly carried out a ten-pull. Though he did not get the purple or gold reward he had dreamed of, his gains were still considerable.

Earth-nature Chakra adaptation and mastery of nature transformation—this increased his Chakra affinities to four.

Chakra reserves equal to half of Kakashi's—he had obtained an astonishing amount of "half-Kakashi" Chakra.

There was also a 20% increase to his Sealing Jutsu Talent, along with a huge pile of common currency from the Hokage world.