Days spent working hard always flew by.
In the blink of an eye, several days slipped quietly past. That day, Naruto finally met the new companion Kiba had been talking about for so long-Akamaru.
Akamaru was still tiny, fluffy as a little white dumpling that could move. He looked so cute that Naruto felt he could gently scoop him up with one hand.
Naruto did not actually do that, though. He simply crouched down curiously and held out a finger for the little fellow to sniff.
Akamaru edged timidly closer and touched his damp nose to Naruto's fingertip.
Kiba Inuzuka looked delighted. Holding Akamaru as though showing off a prized treasure, he thumped his chest and told Naruto, "Listen, Naruto! Akamaru's food budget has to be even higher than mine! Give him the best meat and nutrition!"
But despite how serious Kiba looked, Naruto did not agree to take any extra money.
He smiled, rubbed Akamaru's little head, and shook his head.
He had never brought lunch for Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba, and Shino every day to make money.
For Naruto, it was simply something he wanted to do.
His friends liked his cooking and were willing to pay for the ingredients themselves, so he would keep cooking for them.
The warmth passed between those lunch boxes was far more precious than any amount of money.
Only when he gathered with Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba, and Shino, chatting freely and sharing food, did Naruto truly feel, deep down, how vivid and real this world-and he himself within it-were.
The sense of detachment he felt when alone, and the self-consciousness of playing a role, quietly melted away in their simple companionship.
He could clearly feel that he was truly living in this world, breathing its air and embracing its sunlight.
This was no longer a fantasy glimpsed through a screen in his previous life, but something he was experiencing firsthand.
He now possessed the supernatural power he could only dream of and envy in his previous life-chakra-and through his own effort and talent, he had even gained a rudimentary grasp of Wood Release.
His Wood Release was still very immature. Its power was probably barely enough for a bit of landscaping or growing a few vines, nowhere near the legendary might of Nativity of a World of Trees...
But he could clearly feel that he had been improving lately.
Both the proportions in which he combined his chakra and his fine control over life force were steadily improving.
That tangible growth, together with the sense of reality his friends gave him, formed the solid foundation that supported him as he moved forward.
"By the way, Naruto."
As Kiba Inuzuka spoke, he lifted Akamaru, who had been squirming restlessly in his arms, and placed him on top of his messy hair. Once the little white dog was settled securely there, he looked at Naruto expectantly.
"Could you teach us a couple of moves in private?"
He gestured with his hands.
"Those moves you used to beat Sasuke in combat class-whoosh, smack! The really cool ones!"
He was not exactly quiet. Sasuke, seated toward the front of the middle row, heard every word, and "beat Sasuke" grated on him in particular. He whipped his head around and glared coldly at Kiba Inuzuka.
Far from being frightened, Kiba Inuzuka only grew smugger. He slung an arm firmly around Naruto's shoulders and flashed Sasuke an infuriatingly provocative grin, as if to say, Yeah, I said it. What about it?
Caught in the middle, Naruto felt a little helpless. He answered honestly, "That's Guy's taijutsu. It's called Konoha Whirlwind. Since he's come here to teach, he'll probably teach everyone in a later combat class."
Following Kiba's gaze, Naruto naturally saw how furious Sasuke looked, as though he might charge over and hit someone at any moment. Still, Naruto did not intervene or push Kiba away.
As though he had not noticed Sasuke's murderous glare, Kiba Inuzuka kept grinning and deliberately made a downward pressing motion with his hand.
"Not that spinning kick! I mean the move afterward-the one where you went bam and pinned him to the ground with one hand! That one was even better!"
Bang!
Sasuke Uchiha could take no more. He slammed his hand on his desk and shot to his feet, turning a knife-sharp, icy glare on Kiba Inuzuka. The air in the entire classroom seemed to freeze.
Rage burned in his chest. I admit I might not be able to beat that monster Naruto Uzumaki right now, but you think I can't beat you, Kiba Inuzuka?!
"That's enough, Kiba."
Beside them, Shikamaru Nara sighed helplessly and tried to intervene. He found this pointless provocation an absolute pain.
At the same time, many of the girls in class who admired Sasuke shot angry looks at Kiba Inuzuka, and disapproving whispers filled the classroom.
Kiba, however, could not have cared less.
He knew perfectly well that he did not need to worry much about the clan-born classmates glaring at him. Four of the five members of their little group were future clan heirs, and their clans' relationships were deeply intertwined. They would not truly become enemies over something this trivial.
As for the civilian shinobi, he had even less reason to care.
Everyone knew that after graduation, they would most likely go their separate ways and rarely cross paths.
And Sasuke?
Kiba Inuzuka had long been sick of the way he wore a sour face every single day, as though everyone owed him money!
Usually, he held back only because he could not beat Sasuke and did not want a thrashing. Today was the perfect chance to run his mouth a little.
"Enough, Kiba."
Seeing the atmosphere grow increasingly tense, Naruto also spoke up to stop him.
He patted Kiba's shoulder, signaling that he should quit while he was ahead.
Naruto knew very well that, however enthusiastically Kiba talked, his current strength was nowhere near enough to beat Sasuke now that he had awakened his Sharingan.
If they actually fought, Kiba would get beaten badly.
"Sasuke, I'm sorry on Kiba's behalf."
Kiba had started this, so their side ought to apologize.
"Hmph!"
Seeing Naruto step in to stop Kiba from provoking him any further, Sasuke knew there would be no fight today.
Still seething with anger and resentment, he gave a cold snort and finally sat back down. His back remained rigid, making it clear that his anger had not subsided.
At that, Naruto shot Kiba a mildly warning glance.
Kiba immediately got the message. Looking a little sheepish, he withdrew the arm draped over Naruto's shoulders, scratched his head, and muttered under his breath.
"If you really want to fight in the future, you can come spar with me anytime."
Naruto looked at Kiba and said seriously, "But right now, you really can't beat Sasuke. Don't go picking fights with him."
"Hehe, I know, I know!"
Kiba immediately put his grin back on and bumped Naruto with his shoulder.
"Well, you were standing right beside me! I definitely wouldn't have done that if you weren't here."
He said it as though it were perfectly justified.
He really did have a childish streak.