Mission Hall

"Naruto, why are you so strong?" Watching Naruto walk ahead, Sasuke gritted his teeth, unable to hold back the question any longer.

"Are you asking why I've become so strong despite us undergoing the same training?"

Glancing at Sasuke, whose face was flushed with frustration, Naruto spoke the words for him.

Sasuke nodded.

"Sigh, Sasuke, it seems you still don't get it!" Naruto scratched his head. He thought for a moment; since they were teammates now, it wouldn't hurt to offer some guidance.

Hinata stood to the side, silent.

"Get what?"

"Training isn't just about brute force; it's about adjusting your approach based on your own circumstances as you go."

"Take me, for example. You see me training in taijutsu all the time, but that's because I'm from the Uzumaki Clan. My body has incredible recovery, which makes it perfect for taijutsu. Plus, since I don't have any ninjutsu to practice, I have no choice but to focus on taijutsu," Naruto explained after a moment of thought.

Hinata listened intently from the side.

"Then what should I be training?"

Sasuke looked puzzled.

He had tried Naruto's training methods, but he couldn't keep it up for long. It wasn't that Sasuke's constitution was poor, but rather that this specific form of training didn't suit him.

"You saw Hatake Kakashi earlier, right? He's like you. Of course, he isn't from the Uchiha Clan, but he does possess a Sharingan." Naruto was patient.

Sasuke nodded. "It's clear that taijutsu isn't his specialty. While his taijutsu is strong, strictly speaking, he's a speed-type ninja. He might not be able to withstand the force of even one of my hands, but that doesn't mean I can beat him."

Reflecting on the earlier spar, Sasuke nodded to himself; if the man had taken one of Naruto's punches head-on, he definitely would have been sent flying.

"Hatake Kakashi is known as the Copy Ninja of Konoha; he has many titles," Naruto explained simply.

"You mean I should focus on the Sharingan?" Sasuke frowned. He was well aware of the power of his clan's eyes, as his older brother had already demonstrated it for him. But the Sharingan couldn't be strengthened just by training. As for how to develop it? No one had taught him, and he had no idea.

"Exactly. You can keep training your taijutsu, but you don't have to copy me. You should take every opportunity to ask Hatake Kakashi for advice; his application of the Sharingan is far beyond yours," Naruto offered a hint.

Sasuke looked thoughtful.

The three of them soon arrived at the riverbank again. Hinata began her training, while the Second Pillar sat on a rock, lost in thought, pondering everything Naruto had told him.

Meanwhile, Naruto sat cross-legged on the water to fish, his Shadow Clones beginning their training.

Watching Naruto's Shadow Clones work, Sasuke felt a wave of envy, though he knew his own chakra levels weren't suited for such a method.

Inside the Hokage Building, Hatake Kakashi was reporting the day's events to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"I see. I never imagined Naruto's Three Basic Jutsu would be so refined," the Third Hokage said, taking a puff of his pipe.

"Indeed, Hokage-sama. I even have a premonition that Naruto Uzumaki is definitely hiding his true strength." Hatake Kakashi had kept his Sharingan active the entire time and could tell Naruto hadn't used his full power, though he couldn't possibly know just how strong the boy really was.

"Understood. Thank you for your hard work, Hatake Kakashi." Even the Hokage had to show respect to an elite jonin like him.

Hatake Kakashi acknowledged this, then turned and took his leave.

"Naruto... what exactly are you hiding? I hope you don't disappoint me," the Third Hokage sighed with a sense of melancholy. Ever since Naruto's personality had suddenly changed a year ago, becoming well-behaved and sensible, it hadn't brought him peace of mind—it had only deepened his anxieties.

No matter where you go, those in power always prefer people who are simple-minded and lack ulterior motives, because such people are easy to control.

But the current Naruto Uzumaki was sensible and well-behaved, which only made him feel uneasy.

If Naruto knew his thoughts, he would certainly scoff. Even though he no longer dreamed of becoming Hokage, he could still manage being a simple ninja.

Early the next morning, the three of them arrived at the Hokage Building, neither too early nor too late. The first floor was where ninjas picked up missions, while the second and third floors were the Hokage's offices.

Sasuke and Hinata were both a little excited. It was their first mission, and both were fantasizing about what it might be.

"Naruto, aren't you looking forward to it?"

Hinata looked at Naruto's indifferent expression, feeling a bit strange.

"We're just Genin. What kind of good missions could we possibly get?" Naruto wasn't looking forward to it at all.

Hearing his words, Sasuke's spirits immediately deflated.

Not long after, Hatake Kakashi arrived.

The three of them entered the mission hall, where many other ninjas were busy picking up assignments.

Among them were their classmates. Seeing Sasuke arrive, Ino and Sakura immediately crowded around.

Naruto quickly put some distance between them, pulling Hinata along with him.

"Sasuke is really popular, isn't he?" Hinata smiled.

"Forget it. This is such a hassle," Naruto said with a look of impatience.

"Yeah, Naruto's way is better." Just then, Shikamaru walked over and teased Naruto.

Hinata instantly blushed and lowered her head.

"Shikamaru, you guy..." Naruto felt a bit helpless.

The group chatted and laughed while the jonin selected their missions over by the counter.

"Naruto Uzumaki, I didn't think a loser like you would actually graduate." Just then, a harsh voice rang out from behind Naruto.

"Neji-niisan." Hinata sounded a bit timid, or perhaps more accurately, she felt a sense of guilt toward him.

"You guy, why are you here?" Seeing that it was Neji, Naruto's tone immediately turned sour.

"You bastard, stay away from Lady Hinata, or I'll finish you off." Suddenly, Neji leaned close to Naruto's ear and threatened him in a low voice.

"Try it if you think you can win." Naruto snorted coldly and pulled Hinata away.

Having read the original story, Naruto naturally knew that Neji actually cared deeply for his younger cousin, but because of his father, he appeared to loathe Hinata on the surface—or rather, he disliked her personality, and even more so, the clan's system.

His relationship with Hinata had introduced Naruto to this annoying brother-in-law. The two seemed to have fundamentally clashing worldviews, bickering every time they met, yet because of Hinata, they could never actually come to blows.

"Don't worry, Hinata. When the chance arises, I'll definitely teach him a lesson. I really can't stand his arrogant attitude."

"Neji-niisan is actually quite kind, really," Hinata said with a helpless sigh.

"Rest assured, he's just asking for a beating; a good thrashing is all it will take." Naruto understood Neji's current situation perfectly. Strength existed for one purpose: to make people like Neji listen to reason. If you couldn't beat your opponent into submission, no amount of logic would matter, for the strong never listen to the reasoning of the weak.