The Child Who Carried Stones

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This book adopts the revised timeline of Shippuden, meaning Naruto was born in Konoha Year 51.

Late March, Konoha Year 42.

Spring was in full bloom. The air was filled with the scent of damp earth and fresh leaves, and the morning sun, carrying a pleasant warmth, filtered through layers of foliage to cast flickering patches of light upon the road.

It was the start of another school year.

"Kakashi, do not underestimate that child. If he maintains this mindset and persists, he will surely surpass you in the future."

At the gates of the Konoha Ninja Academy, Hatake Sakumo lowered his body to ruffle his son Kakashi's hair. He watched the retreating backs of Might Duy and his son, speaking with earnestness.

Kakashi was unimpressed. Although he had asked for Might Guy's name under his father's prompting, he did not take Might Guy to heart, nor did he believe his father truly held him in high regard.

That guy was merely an object his father used to warn him against pride and complacency.

"He should worry about passing tomorrow's make-up exam to even get into the school first. Alright, Dad, let's go inside and finish the enrollment procedures."

Hatake Sakumo gave a helpless smile. Just as the father and son were about to step through the academy gates:

Thud, thud, thud.

A heavy, steady sound of footsteps echoed from the street corner facing the school gate. Hatake Sakumo let out a soft sound of surprise and stopped to look toward the source of the noise.

Seeing his father stop, Kakashi looked somewhat impatient, but he followed his father's gaze nonetheless.

The footsteps grew closer, thumping dully against the ground.

At the corner, a swaying shadow rolled into view first, and what appeared in the sight of the father and son was a massive boulder.

A rock that could run?

No!

Looking closely, one could see a pair of small legs moving in a steady rhythm between the base of the boulder and the ground.

The rock was indeed moving.

But more accurately, a lean, plain-looking child was carrying it on his back. The boulder's volume was more than three times that of his torso; without a close look, it seemed as if the rock were moving on its own.

Rough hemp ropes dug deep into his thin shoulders. He ran slowly, but every step was planted firmly, leaving shallow, damp prints. His black hair was soaked with sweat, sticking to his forehead and obscuring part of his vision, yet he seemed not to notice, focusing only on the road ahead. His lips were pressed into a thin line, his breathing heavy but rhythmic.

"Whose child is that?"

"Is... is that rock real?"

"Carrying something that heavy? That's reckless!"

As soon as the figure carrying the giant boulder appeared on the street, it immediately drew the eyes of everyone at the academy gate. Whispers broke out among the parents who had brought their children for enrollment.

"Grandstanding!"

Kakashi took in all the gasps and curious discussions around him. He gave a light snort; he could manage that level of weight himself right now, and he could even run faster.

Judging by the guy's appearance and height, he should be a third or fourth-year student at the Ninja Academy. The ninja tool shops sold equipment for weight training that was much more ergonomic and scientific.

To insist on choosing a bulky boulder—and a Yellow-Gray Rock at that, which had a lower density and thus a larger volume for the same weight—and to specifically choose a time when many people were registering for school, it seemed to Kakashi like nothing more than a poorly executed performance designed to grab attention.

"Kakashi."

At that moment, Hatake Sakumo spoke calmly. His gaze remained locked on the slowly moving figure, with something extra in his eyes.

"Watch closely," the White Fang said softly, yet firmly. "That child... is not using any Chakra."

Hearing this, Kakashi's pupils constricted slightly, and he immediately refocused his gaze.

The flow of Chakra and the execution of techniques always produced fluctuations in energy, whether strong or weak, hidden or obvious. Based on this, one could tell if an opponent was using a Transformation Technique or roughly judge the power of their ninjutsu.

And in Kakashi's observation—sure enough! There was not the slightest trace of deliberate Chakra flow around that guy. This meant the burden of that boulder was being borne entirely by his own physical strength!

Even for a rock with low density like the Yellow-Gray Rock, the weight at that volume was not insignificant.

If he wasn't using Chakra, Kakashi thought for a moment, then spoke in a calm tone.

"He just has a bit more strength than usual."

Hatake Sakumo did not reply, merely glancing upward for a split second before shifting his gaze away without a change in expression.

"Is that child... Shinichi?"

"It really is him."

Among the crowd, several parents seemed to recognize the child carrying the boulder.

"The kid said he'd been strong since he was little, but I didn't believe him. I never expected it to be this exaggerated..."

"I heard him say he was coming to register last time..."

"What a pity, the world has lost a future master chef..."

"A chef? Isn't that kid working as an apprentice at the blacksmith shop?"

This guy is actually a new student like me?

A flash of surprise crossed Hatake Kakashi's eyes. Judging by Shinichi's height and appearance just now, he had been certain the other boy was a third or even fourth-year student, never expecting him to be a fellow freshman.

Kakashi!

I've finally found you!

As he shuffled toward the Ninja Academy gate with a giant boulder strapped to his back, his gaze swept quickly over the white-haired, masked boy standing at the entrance. Deep within his eyes, a flicker of imperceptible intensity ignited, and his heart began to pound uncontrollably.

Five years!

Ever since the day I heard you were born, Kakashi!

Higashino Shinichi took a deep breath, shifted his gaze away with a composed expression, and dropped the boulder in an open space beside the academy gate. After exchanging brief pleasantries with a few familiar parents, he turned to head into the school.

As he passed by the Hatake father and son, he noticed Kakashi looking him up and down. He paused for a moment and offered Kakashi a smile.

The smile was clean and sunny, like a breeze without a hint of gloom. Despite his plain face, it carried an inexplicable sense of affinity that made people feel naturally close to him.

Seeing this, Kakashi was stunned. He couldn't help but think of that senior known as a genius whom he had encountered at Ichiraku Ramen last month; his smile had been just as clean and sunny, making people feel instinctively at ease.

[Affinity (White): Your words and actions make people feel relaxed and friendly. It is easier to gain favor and basic trust when communicating with others.]

Shinichi didn't care how he reacted; he nodded at the Hatake duo as if they were just an ordinary father and son, then continued walking past them without stopping.

At that moment, Kakashi suddenly spoke up.

"Hey!"

Shinichi stopped in his tracks and turned his head, a look of slight confusion on his face.

"If you want to train your body properly," Kakashi's voice carried the bluntness and sense of certainty typical of a genius, "you should go to a ninja tool shop and buy professional weighted gear. Carrying a rock with an irregular shape like that is not only inefficient and hard to balance, but it's also easy to cause unnecessary muscle or bone damage."

Shinichi listened carefully, his smile never fading, and nodded. "You're right. Professional equipment is indeed safer and more efficient. I've checked the ninja tool shops."

His tone was calm, without a hint of displeasure at being corrected:

"It's just that, for now... I haven't found anything that perfectly suits my current needs. This rock is cumbersome, but once you get used to it, it's not too much trouble to adjust. Still, thank you for the advice, classmate. My name is Higashino Shinichi, and you?"

How could there not be anything suitable at a ninja tool shop?

Kakashi frowned. He was familiar with the inventory at the ninja tool shops, and the claim that there was "nothing perfectly suitable" seemed quite far-fetched. But then he thought better of it, feeling he had been meddlesome; it was strange enough that he had called out to a stranger, so why press the issue? He simply replied coolly:

"Hatake Kakashi."

"Kakashi, is it? I'll remember that."

Shinichi nodded and turned to walk into the school gate.

"That child has had it rough, losing his parents at such a young age..."

"He's donated almost all the money he earned working part-time over the past year to the orphanage..."

"No wonder... he's a good, loyal-hearted boy..."

The whispers of the parents nearby drifted over faintly.

Kakashi cast his gaze toward Shinichi's retreating back and remained silent for a moment.

"Let's go handle the enrollment procedures, Dad."

Shinichi, who had already walked quite far, was unaware of what followed. At this moment, he was reflecting on his exchange with Kakashi.

Professional weighted equipment, huh?

You make a very good point, Kakashi.

But...

If I don't carry this giant boulder, how would the world know that I possess Natural Strength, far beyond that of an ordinary person?

A faint curve tugged at the corner of Shinichi's mouth. With a thought, a floating panel visible only to him appeared in his field of vision.

[Name: Higashino Shinichi]

[Profession: Swordsmanship Apprentice]

[Talents: Intelligent (White), Diligent (White), Affinity (White), Robust (White), Foodie (White), Tenacious (White), Agile (White), Calm (White)]

[Draws Remaining: None]