Training Begins

Early the next morning, Naruto arrived at the Hot Spring Inn, only to find Sasuke and Sakura already there.

The three exchanged glances. The mood between them was a little awkward.

"Good. You're all on time."

Xiu strolled into the front courtyard. He wore a black, high-collared short-sleeved shirt bearing the Uchiha crest, black training pants, and tall black ninja boots—classic Uchiha style.

"By the rules I laid out, I should have eliminated one of you. But someone pulled strings—"

As Xiu's words trailed off, all three lowered their heads, looking a little guilty.

Sasuke: He means me!

Sakura: He's probably talking about me—

Naruto: That's right! It's me!

"But since you're standing here now, none of that matters."

Xiu suddenly smiled. "I declare Team 7 officially formed!"

All three brightened at once.

"Yes!"

Naruto cheered, while Sasuke and Sakura visibly relaxed beside him.

Naruto hurried up to Xiu. "Hey, Master, what kind of mission are we doing? Guarding a Daimyo? Protecting a princess?"

"Master?" Sasuke frowned and shot Xiu a questioning look.

"Oh, that. Naruto formally became my student too," Xiu said casually. "You two are fellow disciples now, so get along."

"Fellow disciples?" Sasuke looked at Naruto, unable to hide the disdain in his eyes. "With this dead last?"

"Bleh!" Naruto grinned and sprouted a tiny seedling from his hand. "Ha! Bet you didn't see that coming, stupid Sasuke!

"I awakened a Kekkei Genkai! It's a gift from Master! Jealous?"

"It's Kekkei Genkai, idiot! And I already have a Bloodline." Sasuke gave a soft snort, though he couldn't stop glancing at the seedling in Naruto's hand.

That's Wood Release?!

Thanks to Xiu, the Uchiha clan had never been wiped out. With Mikoto, a Jonin, teaching him at home, Sasuke knew far more than he had in the original