Training

"Thud... thud-thud."

One pebble after another struck the targets with pinpoint accuracy. Naruto used the same technique he used to throw shuriken, repeatedly hurling pebbles at the targets around him.

Yi Xiang gave a slight nod. Although he'd noticed that only two or three out of every ten pebbles hit the bull's-eye, hitting the target at all was pretty good for Naruto at this stage.

"That's enough. Stop and take a break." Seeing Naruto drenched in sweat, his back completely soaked, Yi Xiang urged him to stop.

During this time, Yi Xiang had taught Naruto his throwing techniques and demonstrated them himself. He hit the bull's-eye eight or nine times out of ten, and the rest landed within the seven-ring.

Aside from his natural talent, the only thing the original owner had to show for himself was his shuriken-throwing technique. By Uchiha standards, it was average.

Yi Xiang's thoughts wandered as he considered what else he could teach Naruto.

"Naruto, watch carefully. Pay attention to my feet."

Yi Xiang reminded Naruto once more. Below, Naruto nodded seriously, his gaze fixed on Yi Xiang.

Step by step, Yi Xiang walked upright as if he were moving across flat ground, even though he was vertical against the tree at a ninety-degree angle. He moved slowly to make it easier for Naruto to observe.

Before long, he was almost at the top of the tree. Yi Xiang didn't continue upward. Instead, he controlled the chakra in his soles and stuck upside down to the thick trunk.

"Whoa... Whoa! Big brother Yi Xiang, I want to learn that!" Naruto shouted excitedly.

Yi Xiang took a Kunai from his ninja pouch and tossed it with his left hand. It landed in front of Naruto.

"Naruto, it won't be that easy to learn. First, use the Kunai to mark the highest point you can reach right now. Then keep pushing past it."

Naruto gave an "Mm," eagerly picked up the Kunai, and began trying. Yi Xiang retraced his steps, then leaped down and landed steadily on the ground.

As someone who knew almost everything about the world of Naruto, Yi Xiang was familiar with the two essential basics: tree climbing and Water Walking.

During his free time over the past few months, Yi Xiang had explored them until he could use them with ease. Now he was teaching Naruto by copying Kakashi's method.

As for questions the Konoha High Command might ask, Yi Xiang's excuse was that he'd once seen Uchiha ninja teaching their children.

He could even use that excuse if he performed the Great Fireball Technique. But a genius who could use ninjutsu at eight would surely attract the attention of the Konoha High Command and be a prime target for recruitment.

"Thud!" Just as Yi Xiang expected, Naruto took two steps up the tree before falling hard. Naruto quickly got back up and tried again, over and over, falling repeatedly before each new attempt.

A few hours later, Naruto sprinted forward and, in the blink of an eye, climbed to the middle of the tree, about six meters up. He quickly carved a mark into the trunk with his Kunai, then rolled down and landed steadily.

Clap, clap, clap, clap!

Yi Xiang applauded without holding back, pleased to witness Naruto's progress. Then he praised him. "Well done. Take a break."

"Rustle... Haaah!"

The autumn wind swept through the dense woods, carrying away the slightly yellowed leaves and brushing against Yi Xiang and Naruto's cheeks.

Yi Xiang felt a slight chill, while Naruto spread his arms, enjoying the cool air as if he were standing in a stream.

Yi Xiang wasn't as hardworking as Naruto. One hour of training a day was the most he could bear.

There isn't much academic pressure in this world, the food is decent, and life is pretty stable for now. But there's still less fun than there was before.

Still, I should be grateful. In a world where strength as a ninja rules, I have plenty to eat and drink, and I have a system. Besides, by the time of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, technology will be so advanced that there'll surely be plenty of fun things to do.

Yi Xiang smiled, feeling at ease.

The tall brown tree Naruto had trained on had been fortunate enough to witness his growth, its trunk marked from bottom to top with lines carved by Kunai.

Dusk fell, and the sky grew hazy and mysterious. The setting sun sank lower as two young-looking figures walked slowly along the street.

Before long, they were inside Ichiraku Ramen. Yi Xiang and Naruto each picked up a pair of chopsticks and spoke at the same time. "Let's eat!"

The rich broth, tender slices of pork, and noodles coated in savory soup were enough to make anyone swoon with delight at the mere smell.

One bowl, two bowls... eight bowls, nine bowls. Uncle Ichiraku and his daughter Ayame smiled as they each added more noodles to Yi Xiang's and Naruto's bowls. They seemed happy that Naruto had made a friend.

"Gulp!"

After swallowing the last mouthful of broth and noodles, Yi Xiang let out a long breath. To celebrate the day's training, he'd generously told Naruto to eat as much as he wanted that evening.

But only for tonight. Given how much the two of them could eat, Yi Xiang figured he'd soon be forced to live on fish, too.

A month passed in a flash amid disciplined training and recreation.

Of course, Naruto did most of the training during this time, while Yi Xiang supervised from the side.

Unable to stand the boredom, Yi Xiang trained for at most one hour a day. After that, he was either fishing or finding somewhere to take a nap.

Every now and then, he took Naruto along for barbecue or a soak in the hot springs.

As the two grew closer, Naruto followed Yi Xiang everywhere, sticking to him like a shadow and listening to him very closely.

That evening, after Yi Xiang and Naruto had dinner together, the two said goodbye and headed back to their respective homes.

After closing the door, Yi Xiang found a blind spot that couldn't be seen from outside. He lowered his head and took out a folded sheet of paper, then quickly unfolded it to reveal two names and routes marked in red and black ink.

Three little red stars were drawn beside the name Jing Tianjinya, while the Nonaka Family had one. Both were his targets tonight.

At two in the morning, Yi Xiang, who had been glancing at the clock every now and then, sat up. He'd been resting with his eyes closed for hours and could barely hold back his sleepiness. "System, open backpack."

Yi Xiang lightly tapped the white card showing Naruto, with an image of him just after graduating from the Ninja Academy on its face. A prompt appeared at once.

[Ping! Ninja fused: Naruto Uzumaki. Remaining duration: 23:59]

In a daze, Yi Xiang felt a surge of energy flow into his body, filling him with strength. His drowsiness vanished completely, and he felt even more alert than he had during the day. Numerous combat techniques and ninjutsu also appeared in his mind.

This was Yi Xiang's trump card for tonight, and the first ordinary-grade ninja he'd drawn: Naruto Uzumaki.

I didn't get Naruto's memories, but his way of thinking in battle and his experience seem to have merged with mine as a reference. If I use the Transformation Technique to take on his appearance and fight the enemy, no one will think I'm a fake Naruto.

But he even has the Rasengan. I thought Naruto at this point had only just graduated from the Ninja Academy.

Good thing it doesn't affect my intelligence. Otherwise, if I drew an idiot, there'd be no way to return him. Yi Xiang grumbled to himself, then began forming Hand Seals.

"Shadow Clone Technique!"

"Poof!"

White smoke dispersed, and two clones identical to Yi Xiang appeared in an instant. Without needing any instructions from Yi Xiang, they formed Hand Seals and transformed into tiny mosquitoes before flying out the window.

Jing Tianjinya, male, around thirty to forty-five years old, was a notorious local drunkard and ringleader. Lazy and gluttonous, he used his tall, fat frame to skip out on paying for meals or bully people weaker than himself.

When Yi Xiang had been training Naruto, Jing Tianjinya had mocked them for being orphans and bringers of misfortune. He'd spat in front of them and given them a contemptuous, vicious look. He was suspected to be one of the first people to spread the rumor that Naruto was the Fox Demon.

After reaching the target's home, Yi Xiang's clone recalled his identity. Yi Xiang had taken a little time to casually investigate him. The clone then found a gap in a wooden door and quickly flew inside.

It was a small wooden house with a slanted roof, the sort commonly seen in Konoha. As soon as the clone entered, the stench of alcohol assaulted him.

There was little furniture inside, and bottles of alcohol lay scattered everywhere. Jing Tianjinya was fast asleep on the floor, snoring like thunder.

Enduring the filthy surroundings, Yi Xiang's clone transformed into a Root operative and approached the target at a steady pace. When he was half a step away, one hand quickly clamped over Jing Tianjinya's nose and mouth, while the clone stomped down hard, precisely on the man's fat hand.