Jonin Instructor

Naruto, having experienced countless cycles of Reincarnation, already had his own views on the Mizuki incident.

His opinions wouldn't change just because the Third Hokage said so.

However, Naruto still managed to show a hint of lingering fear on his face. He clenched his fist slightly and said in a tone of sudden realization, "So that's how it is... he's that kind of person. I understand now, Grandpa Hokage. I really... was almost fooled by him."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was satisfied with Naruto's reaction and his tone softened, becoming encouraging. "It's good that you understand."

"Naruto, you are completely different from him. You have an incredibly bright future and a firm heart to protect the village. Don't let the twisted logic of a traitor influence your path forward."

Hiruzen Sarutobi rose from his chair and slowly stepped forward, placing his hand on Naruto's shoulder. He said gently, "Forget what Mizuki said."

"Remember, Konoha's future needs you, and you must keep moving forward with the goal of becoming Hokage!"

"Only by becoming Hokage and gaining everyone's recognition can you realize your true worth and truly protect this village. This is the true Will of Fire."

Naruto felt a sense of helplessness inside.

Hokage, recognition, worth, protection – these words had been repeated too many times in his previous cycles of Reincarnation.

Every time he had adhered to these beliefs, the end result didn't seem to bring true liberation.

Naruto had also gained the recognition and the position of Hokage he had long desired through multiple cycles of Reincarnation.

Therefore, in this cycle of Reincarnation, Naruto needed to observe, not to become the person the Third Hokage envisioned by blindly following his words.

After all, Naruto could clearly sense the controlling nature within the Third Hokage's words.

Naruto looked up, his blue eyes shimmering with the determined and slightly inspired light the Third Hokage expected to see. "Yes! Grandpa Third! I will definitely work hard! I will become a great Hokage, gain everyone's recognition, and protect the village! That is my ninja way!"

A deeper smile spread across the Third Hokage's face. He gently patted Naruto's shoulder. "Very good. I knew you wouldn't disappoint me."

"Go now, prepare to welcome your Genin career. You will have an excellent Jonin Instructor."

"Yes! Thank you, Grandpa Third! I'll be going now!"

Naruto bowed respectfully and then turned to leave.

The moment he turned, the passion and excitement on his face quickly faded, replaced by a calm demeanor. Only a flicker of deep thought flashed in the depths of his eyes.

The Third Hokage watched Naruto's retreating back, his kindly expression slowly receding. He took a puff of his cigarette, his eyes growing more complex.

Very good, his reaction was correct, just as he had predicted.

The power of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki must grow along the right path.

The Will of Fire must become his sole belief.

Only then would he be the village's most powerful weapon.

Naruto walked out of the Hokage Building, the sunlight warm on his skin. He didn't stop, heading straight towards Sasuke's house. It was time to go see his good brother.

Naruto walked along the familiar street and happened to pass by the familiar Ebisu and Konohamaru.

After walking only a few steps, he heard a child's voice from behind him.

"Teacher Ebisu, that person looks a bit familiar..."

Naruto didn't look back. He knew it was Konohamaru's voice, but he continued to walk forward without stopping.

Although some new words had been added during his time in the Hokage's office that weren't there before.

But Naruto was different from his first life; he didn't play any pranks, so he saved a lot of time and didn't meet directly in the Hokage's office.

Ebisu pushed his sunglasses up and said calmly, "Young Master, that's the troublemaker, the dead last, Naruto Uzumaki. I advise you not to get involved with him. Only with the help of my elite home tutor can you become an excellent ninja, or even a candidate for Hokage."

Ebisu said this, but in his heart, he knew that Naruto had dealt with Mizuki alone yesterday.

However, Mizuki was just a Chunin instructor who had long since retired from the front lines, while he was a Special Jonin. They were not on the same level at all.

Ebisu didn't take Naruto seriously.

But as he turned, he realized Konohamaru had already run off.

"Young Master, where did he go?!"

Naruto ignored the small commotion behind him and continued straight towards Sasuke's house.

However, he was thinking about it to some extent.

This was because Naruto remembered Mizuki's words from last night.

He was right. Someone like the Third Hokage's grandson, Konohamaru, regardless of his talent, had a personal tutor educating him from birth.

He was immediately ahead of all civilian ninja and even some clan disciples from the starting line.

Not long after, at an intersection, he bumped into Sasuke, who was just about to go out for training.

Sasuke held the ninja tool bag he had just prepared, neatly packed with ninja tools. He looked up and saw the distinct Konoha forehead protector on Naruto's forehead, and was stunned.

"You brat, you actually graduated?" Sasuke's voice held a hint of disbelief. "How did you do it?"

Naruto's expression was blank. He simply replied, "Does it matter?"

Without waiting for Sasuke to ask further, he reached out and grabbed the other's wrist, heading towards the training grounds. "Let's go. We still have time today."

Sasuke was pulled somewhat abruptly, his brow furrowed in clear annoyance, but surprisingly, he didn't pull away.

He also felt a sense of anticipation, wondering if Naruto could really make him stronger.

In this Reincarnation, Naruto didn't have a clear goal at first, he just wanted to properly feel the details he had previously overlooked.

But now, the direction was gradually becoming clear, and it was very necessary to have Sasuke stay in Konoha.

So... he had to make Sasuke realize that with his help, he was much more useful than Kakashi, Orochimaru, and others.

The two walked to the familiar training ground in silence.

It wasn't usually crowded here, making it perfect for training.

Naruto walked to the center of the field and looked at Sasuke, "Show me your best Shurikenjutsu, I want to see it."

As a Ninja, getting stronger was nothing more than Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu. Sasuke had the Sharingan, so there was no need to teach him Genjutsu.

Sasuke had already achieved some results in Ninjutsu, so Naruto decided to start teaching from the Taijutsu branch, Shurikenjutsu.

Sasuke glanced at Naruto, seemingly feeling disrespected by being ordered around like that, but he still complied.

He quickly took out the ninja tools he had just bought from his tool pouch and then acted swiftly.

Kunai and Shuriken flew out one after another, embedding themselves in the targets far away, hitting the bullseye almost every time.

Naruto watched quietly, and after Sasuke finished, he said, "Your fundamentals are solid, but there's still room for improvement."

"For example, your way of generating force is wrong. You rely too much on wrist strength and ignore the coordination of your shoulders and waist. Also, your stance before throwing is too obvious, making it easy for enemies to predict."

Sasuke's expression soured.

Being lectured by a former dead last like this made him feel a bit uncomfortable, but he had to admit that what Naruto said made sense.

"Then show me," Sasuke said stiffly.

Naruto didn't refuse and casually took out a few Shuriken.

His movements were fluid and effortless, with almost no visible charging process.

The Shuriken flew out, drawing several arcs in the air, all hitting the bullseye.

Two even arrived later, knocking aside the first two and changing their trajectories.

Sasuke stared, stunned.

Was this even more refined than during the Ninja Academy test that time?

So Naruto had been hiding his strength even then?

Sasuke had also worked hard on his Shuriken throwing techniques, which was why he had always been first in his class.

But compared to Itachi's Uchiha-style Shurikenjutsu, and Naruto's throwing method, there was still a considerable gap.

Of course, in Sasuke's mind, Naruto's Shurikenjutsu was still inferior to Itachi's.

He just didn't know that after maintaining Infinite Reincarnation and fighting against top-tier powers in the Ninja World multiple times, including Uchiha Itachi.

Under such high-intensity combat and training, Uchiha Itachi was no match for Naruto.