The afternoon at the Ninja Academy didn't have any of the classes Naruto hated; they only had a disaster prevention drill before school ended early.
One by one, classmates were picked up, or they sneaked out of the school through the back gate in groups of three or five. Of course, they couldn't go home right away during such a precious opportunity. They had to have a great time outside and then go home for dinner at the usual time when school ended.
Shikamaru Nara yawned, pondering where he should catch up on his nap later. This damned disaster drill had ruined his lunch break plan, even though his lunch break usually lasted from after lunch until school ended.
Seeing Shikamaru Nara Naruto Uzumaki all alone, Shikamaru muttered, "What a nuisance," but still went up to greet him.
" Naruto, Choji others are going to eat barbecue, let's go together."
Naruto had just been tapped on the shoulder, turned around abruptly and saw that it was Shikamaru Nara, one of the few people who was willing to play with him. He then happily said:
"Okay, where should we go...? Never mind, I have something very important to do today, let's go together next time."
Shikamaru Nara subtly glanced at Naruto, noticing something, but clearly there was no need to say it aloud—too much trouble.
So Shikamaru Nara yawned, patted Naruto on the shoulder again, and casually said:
"Alright then, since you have something important to do, there's nothing I can do. We're going to the forest behind Hokage Rock tomorrow, want to come along?"
Naruto, who had just felt a little down and embarrassed thinking about the empty Toad at home, instantly cheered up and nodded vigorously:
"Okay, see you tomorrow."
Shikamaru Nara casually waved to Naruto with one hand in his pocket and his back turned.
Ino, who had been waiting at the classroom door for a while, pointed at Shikamaru Nara's nose and scolded Shikamaru for falling asleep again. Choji, holding potato chips, was happily eating them nearby, completely undisturbed, as if he was used to such arguments.
After the trio left, the once lively classroom seemed to be Shizune, with only the soft sound of the breeze rustling through the treetops and a familiar yet unfamiliar figure standing there.
Naruto knew that the figure Sasuke. It seemed to be his older brother who usually took him to school, but he hadn't seen him recently, probably on some mission. Naruto had once heard Sasuke boast that his brother was Konoha's number one genius ninja...
Finding that all the students in the classroom had left, Sasuke silently left his neatly tidied desk, preparing to return to his cold, empty home.
This is my fifth year at the Ninja Academy. In one more year, I can leave the Ninja Academy, become a Genin, find that man, and kill him!
As Sasuke turned the corner away from the classroom, his gaze met that of Naruto, who had been watching him intently. Their eyes reflected each other, yet remained completely still.
Sasuke left without looking back, and even deliberately chose the back door where there were few people around. It was rare that there were no annoying girls bothering him today, so he could probably get back to practice his Shuriken Technique more quickly.
As for that bearded boy who was called the fox demon... he was just a clueless little brat.
After Sasuke left, the quiet classroom seemed to be dimmed to its lowest setting, and the sunlight outside could no longer penetrate the classroom. Naruto silently stuffed the book, which he had only opened a few pages of, into his desk, and then followed the route Sasuke had taken, leaving the Ninja Academy through the back door.
Sasuke was trying to avoid the villagers' complex gazes—whether out of fear, hatred, or pity—but whatever the reason, they were all things Sasuke despised.
Naruto was trying to avoid the rocks that could hit him at any moment, and even more hurtful than the rocks, the knives called words.
Naoki Senju stood on the school rooftop, watching Sasuke and Naruto leave the Ninja Academy one after the other, both alone.
At this moment, he decided to test the limits of Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō, to see how long these two old foxes could hold back and how long they could endure.
In the last battle, the Three-Tails 'Chakra was surprisingly useful, and it was sure to give them a big surprise.
Naoki Senju snapped his fingers, and Crow feathers gathered on his shoulder, coalescing into a Crow with blood-red eyes of pure color.
Naoki Senju's eyes converged with the Crow's, and after a moment of disorientation, when he opened his eyes again, a somewhat illusory Uchiha Itachi appeared before him.
"Can it communicate, or can it only record information?"
The illusory Uchiha Itachi scanned his surroundings, and upon seeing the familiar Konoha, he was somewhat taken aback, yet also found it perfectly normal.
"We can communicate, but please keep it brief; the Genjutsu can only last for three minutes."
"Three minutes? That's enough, but no one can see you like this, right?" Naoki Senju curiously poked Uchiha Itachi's body, and unsurprisingly, he passed through.
"Only by leaving Genjutsu seed beforehand can one see Genjutsu." Uchiha Itachi explained the basics of Genjutsu with difficulty.
"Although I don't understand Genjutsu very well, I understand now."
Naoki Senju clapped his hands, and the instant he activated his Body Flicker Technique, he completely disappeared from the rooftop. Then, an Anbu Ninja emerged from the floor. If the Third Tsuchikage of Iwagakure had seen this, he would have been furious.
This is because it is one of the Earth Release Ninjutsu used by Iwagakure) for its tight defenses; the Rock Concealment Technique is the best reconnaissance Ninjutsu in the entire Shinobi World.
Despite the strict precautions, Konoha still managed to steal it.
The Anbu Ninja confirmed they had lost track of their target again, but they were already used to it; how often did they lose track of their target seven or eight times a day? Besides, the Senju Clan Compound was an absolute no-go zone. Even if they were killed by Tsunade, one of the Sannin Princess Tsunade, in the Senju Clan Compound, no one would object, including the Third Hokage to whom they served.
And so, Naoki Senju easily shook off the Anbu's surveillance, and with Uchiha Itachi's Genjutsu Crow, caught up with Naruto and Sasuke, who were walking on the same road but had not exchanged any words.
Naoki Senju grabbed Naruto's arm and, before he could refuse, lifted him up, followed by Sasuke with a cool expression.
Uchiha Itachi raised his right hand, then hesitated and lowered it again. He had originally wanted to remind Naoki Senju to be gentle and not hurt Sasuke... but something felt off...
The difference in strength between Naruto and Sasuke was also revealed at this moment. While Naruto was still in a daze, Sasuke had already grabbed Naoki Senju's arm, twisted his waist, and fiercely kicked Naoki's neck.
While such a counterattack is indeed excellent among peers, it's far too weak to be effective against Naoki Senju.
Releasing Sasuke's shoulder, and taking advantage of the moment he lost his balance, Naoki Senju swiftly grabbed Sasuke's right calf. As the price for his resistance, he was carried upside down all the way to his destination.
" Sasuke, if you want to know anything about that man, you'd better keep quiet, or I'll leave you on the side of the road right now."
After careful consideration, Sasuke, unable to resist, chose to give up. He gave a haughty snort, then his face gradually flushed red, and he couldn't help but ask:
"Who are you? And where are you taking me?"
"To correct you, it's 'you guys,' Naruto is coming too."
This time, Sasuke simply turned his head away. He was just a bottom-of-the-class student at the Ninja Academy, and the bottom-of-the-class student at that, not worth paying attention to at all.