Naruto and Sasuke

Time passed slowly like this, and the days of training were dull and tedious.

By the tenth day, Sasuke could already climb trees while carrying weights. By the thirteenth day, he could walk on water with weights as well, completing Masayo's requirements two days ahead of schedule.

After completing his water-walking training, Sasuke could clearly feel that his strength had undergone an earth-shaking transformation.

His ninjutsu consumed less chakra, and even while wearing weights, his speed and strength were far greater than before.

"The more fundamental something is, the more it needs to be tempered and refined. It's like building a house—without a foundation, it can easily collapse."

Masayo's words made Sasuke nod earnestly. He followed Masayo's example and sat down on the grass.

Masayo handed Sasuke a chakra test paper. "What I can do is only make your foundation more solid and smooth out your future training. This is chakra test paper. Test your chakra nature."

Masayo explained chakra natures to Sasuke again. Sasuke poured his chakra into the test paper, and it immediately crumpled.

"Lightning Attribute? Besides the Uchiha clan's innate Fire Attribute, you also have Lightning Attribute. Unfortunately, my chakra natures are wind, fire, water, and the newly developed earth—four in total. But my team leader, Kakashi, has Lightning Attribute. If you end up assigned to Teacher Kakashi's team in the future, you can ask him for guidance."

Masayo watched the chakra test paper Sasuke had tossed aside finally turn to ash and slowly disperse.

"You have four chakra natures?"

Sasuke looked at Masayo in surprise. After hearing Masayo's explanation, he now understood what chakra natures were.

"Mm. For the next while, besides teaching you Fire Attribute chakra applications, I'll also teach you combat and genjutsu. Sasuke, a ninja's battles aren't child's play."

Masayo drew the Light-Concealing Sword from his back. Its transparent blade glimmered beneath the light, making Sasuke's hairs stand on end as he hastily drew a kunai.

"I understand. Come at me."

Holding his kunai, Sasuke watched Masayo with complete vigilance. He also wanted to know just how wide the gap between their strengths was.

As dusk fell, Sasuke dragged his battered body out of Training Ground 44. Masayo had shown no mercy in battle. Several kunai had broken, and at the beginning, Masayo's killing intent alone had left him unable to move.

But although it hurt, it was all worth it. Sasuke was glad that he had found the right person. Masayo had helped him tremendously.

"But why did those higher-ups oppose Masayo helping me train?"

Sasuke thought about it for a long time without figuring it out. He had no idea that the lie Masayo and the Third Hokage had devised together would completely blow up later on.

"Sasuke, what happened to you... Wahahaha... Who beat you up like this?"

Hearing that familiar voice, filled with unmistakable gloating, Sasuke frowned slightly and turned around. A blond boy in an orange casual outfit stood there, his blue eyes wide, three whisker-like marks on each cheek. He pointed at Sasuke and laughed wildly.

"Dead last."

Sasuke lost interest, shoved his hands into his pockets, and turned his back on Naruto.

"Hey..."

Naruto froze on the spot. Sasuke was as cold as ever, and the things he said always drove Naruto crazy.

"You show-off! You're clearly hurt, so what are you acting so proud for? I'll make Sakura disappointed in you, then become Hokage and make everyone in the village acknowledge me!"

Naruto waved his fists and charged at Sasuke. Just as his fist struck Sasuke's back, Sasuke vanished. In Naruto's stunned instant, Sasuke grabbed his fist, yanked it backward, and locked up Naruto's other arm as well.

"Ahh... You... when did you...?"

Naruto struggled in pain, but it was useless. Sasuke stood behind him, gripping his fists like an immovable mountain.

Sasuke smiled faintly. "Dead last, you're too weak. Instead of chasing after me, think about how to make yourself stronger. You can't even perform the basic Clone Technique. Forget becoming Hokage—you won't even become a ninja."

"Sh-Shut up! It's just the simplest Clone Technique! How could I, the future Hokage, possibly be stumped by something like that? Sasuke, just you wait! Once I become Hokage, you'll definitely acknowledge me too! And Sakura will throw herself into my arms!"

Even restrained by Sasuke, Naruto continued shouting loudly and struggling with all his might.

Suddenly, Sasuke released Naruto. Naruto's body lurched forward uncontrollably, and he nearly fell.

Sasuke folded his arms across his chest and looked at Naruto indifferently. "I'm not interested in any of that. As for the injuries on my body, they're lessons. Every scar is proof that I've become stronger. Dead last, whether in the past, present, or future, you'll never catch up to me."

Sasuke walked past Naruto and down the streets at dusk, leaving him with only his back. The Uchiha fan crest on that back left Naruto standing there in a daze.

"Ah... Sasuke!"

Naruto snapped back to his senses and screamed in frustration.

"Hmph..."

Hearing Naruto's shout, Sasuke smiled. He and Naruto were alike in that way: both had lost their parents and were alone.

"Real combat is truly important. He's incredible—I couldn't even touch Masayo's clothes. Asking him to train me was definitely the right choice. It's just a shame that this kind of combat training only comes once every two days."

Sasuke still could not suppress the restlessness in his heart. The increase in strength gave him hope for revenge, but he knew that this alone was not enough to defeat Itachi Uchiha. He had to become stronger, even stronger.

Meanwhile, on his way home, Naruto kept mulling over Sasuke's words.

"What did that smug jerk mean? Every scar is proof of getting stronger... Does that mean you get stronger by beating yourself up?"

Naruto thought curiously. He quickly tried it and found that it did not work at all—he had not gotten any stronger. He was immediately furious.

"That Sasuke actually tricked me! Damn it, just wait until tomorrow!"

Naruto clutched his injured forehead, leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was watching him through a telescope, full of question marks.

"What's wrong with Naruto? Did studying turn his brain to mush?"

The more Hiruzen Sarutobi thought about it, the stranger it seemed. He specifically went to check on Naruto that evening, and once he learned the reason, he broke out in a cold sweat. Yes, that was definitely Naruto.

The next day arrived. As usual, Sasuke and Masayo used Shadow Clones to go to the Ninja Academy.