Beating Naruto Senseless

Beating Naruto Senseless

Ayato stared blankly at the test paper before him, his eyes lifeless. What sins had he committed in his past life? Why was he being punished like this?

He had explained these things countless times, and Ayato thought he had made them perfectly clear. Yet the crooked handwriting all over the test paper told him that Naruto had not understood a thing.

Ayato had never had the chance to experience the agony of tutoring a child's homework in his previous life. He had not expected to get a taste of it so soon in this one, through Naruto.

After grading Naruto's test, Ayato had ended up like this, his eyes vacant and the corners of his mouth twitching.

Really, I really only knew that Naruto's theoretical knowledge was poor in the original story. I never imagined it would be this outrageously bad.

Ayato let out a deep sigh. Iruka was truly amazing to have taught Naruto for six years and still turned him into a ninja.

So Naruto's later studies had all relied on Shadow Clones. Though that was a talent in itself, it would not work right now.

First, the Third Hokage was definitely keeping a close eye on Naruto, so Ayato could not casually teach him the Shadow Clone. Second, even if he ignored the Third Hokage and taught Naruto the Shadow Clone, Naruto might not be able to use it yet.

Naruto's Chakra reserves were certainly sufficient, but the problem was that the Nine-Tails inside him was causing trouble, making his Chakra difficult to control.

Teaching Naruto ninjutsu in his current state would basically be pointless. Even his personal cheat skill, the Shadow Clone—or rather, the Multiple Shadow Clone—might not be something he could learn.

Still, the fact that he would somehow manage to learn the Multiple Shadow Clone later was quite bizarre in Ayato's eyes. All he could say was that Naruto truly was the most unpredictable ninja.

Seeing Ayato's state, Naruto scratched his head sheepishly. He felt like he had disappointed Ayato.

Ayato put down the test paper and no longer had any intention of teaching Naruto theoretical knowledge. Since Naruto was only suited for learning through physical memory, the current method was no longer appropriate. Besides, it was not as though there was no alternative.

"Naruto, where do you usually train?" Ayato asked.

"Train? Um, anywhere outside should work." Naruto scratched his head. He did not have any particular place where he trained.

"Oh, then come with me." Ayato thought about it. This place was indeed rather remote, making it suitable for training.

"Okay." Naruto nodded and followed Ayato.

In a small clearing in the woods, Ayato and Naruto stood facing one another.

"Ayato, do we really have to do this?" Naruto was reluctant to attack Ayato and was still asking.

"Naruto, don't you want to become Hokage? The prerequisite for becoming Hokage is becoming a ninja, and becoming a ninja is not easy. Every ninja has to undergo long periods of training." Ayato stared at Naruto. Though his body had not fully recovered, dealing with Naruto as he was now would be more than enough.

"But..."

"No buts. If you cannot even get past me, how can you dream of becoming Hokage? Don't you want everyone's acknowledgment? Then come at me. Don't worry about hurting me. Have you forgotten? I was first in the academy's tests in this area too." Ayato watched Naruto, who was still hesitating, his gaze turning slightly cold as he continued.

"If you cannot even bring yourself to attack like this, then give up on becoming a ninja. I do not want to be friends with someone who cannot even become a ninja."

The instant Ayato finished speaking, Naruto froze. There were many things he did not understand, but he understood these words. If he did not attack, he would lose the friend he had now.

Then he would return to that lonely life all by himself. Thinking of how he had once curled up in the corner of his bed and cried at night, his tears had already run dry, and he had had enough.

He did not want to return to his old life!

"No, absolutely not!" Naruto clenched his teeth, his azure eyes now filled with determination. In the next instant, he charged at Ayato.

"Hm?" Ayato watched Naruto's movements. There was basically no technique to them, but his speed was worth praising.

Let's first test Naruto's current physical condition. With that thought, Ayato did not take the initiative to attack, merely defending passively.

Determined not to lose Ayato as a friend, Naruto attacked without restraint. Though there was no technique to it, neither his endurance nor the power behind his blows could be underestimated.

At the very least, Ayato was a little surprised. Naruto's speed, endurance, and strength were all higher than he had expected, and far greater than what he had shown during the academy's tests.

Had Ayato's words just now provoked Naruto? Ayato pondered. Though only a tiny amount of the Nine-Tails' Chakra was probably leaking through the seal right now, Naruto could still display greater strength under these circumstances.

Ayato clicked his tongue. He really was a little envious.

But in that case, Ayato did not intend to hold back any longer. Though Naruto had erupted with strength beyond his usual level, he was still merely at the level of children playing house in Ayato's eyes.

Compared to Rock Lee, Naruto fell far short in technique, strength, and speed alike!

Finally, when Naruto grew exhausted, Ayato began his attack. Other than a few vital areas, every part of Naruto's body became his target.

Ayato also held back his strength somewhat. He could not possibly go all out. If he truly did not control himself, he really could beat Naruto to death.

Even so, it hurt Naruto. It hurt terribly, so much that he wanted to cry. Yet Naruto still did not fall, because he did not want to lose his only friend.

Becoming Hokage was indeed something Naruto wanted, but did he not want to become Hokage in order to gain everyone's acknowledgment?

If he lost even his first friend, then what was the point of becoming Hokage?

So he absolutely, absolutely could not fall. He could still endure. What were these physical pains compared to the cold stares and loneliness of his past?

Ayato looked at Naruto with some uncertainty. Naruto's body should have already reached its limit. Why had he not fallen yet?

Under Ayato's astonished gaze, Naruto moved. He walked toward him, slowly raised his hand, and then let it fall lightly against him.

There was no strength behind it, let alone any damage. Just as Ayato had judged, he did not dodge and let the punch land on him. Naruto had already reached his limit, and what had allowed him to endure until now...

Ayato's eyes flickered slightly. He sighed and looked at Naruto before saying softly, "That's enough, Naruto."

"Then... are we still friends now?" Naruto asked, panting as he stared at Ayato.

"Of course we are." Ayato nodded with a smile. "I was just trying to provoke you. In truth, you are even more outstanding than I imagined, Naruto."

"O-of course I am. I... I'm the man who'll become Hokage!" Before he could finish, Naruto could no longer support himself and fell forward.

Even as he fell, a smile remained on his lips. He had managed to keep his friend~

Ayato caught the falling Naruto and smiled as well. He felt that Naruto's willpower was stronger than his own. He had not intended to hit that hard at first, but when he considered Naruto's recovery ability, there was no need to be so restrained. Still, Naruto enduring for this long had been beyond his expectations.

Thus, Naruto ended up like this. There were probably not many uninjured places left on his body, but none of his injuries had damaged his foundation. Naturally, Ayato had done that deliberately.

This way, the passive effect of the Nine-Tails' Chakra would emerge. Then, through this repeated healing process, Naruto's body would be strengthened.

This was probably comparable to Ayato's Lightning Release Massage, except gentler and without requiring him to do anything himself. Naruto just had to take a thorough beating. The more Ayato thought about it, the more envious he became.

In that case, Naruto might become even stronger than he had been in the original story. It would be even better if they did not need to rely on that Sage of Six Paths' power when the time came.

Ayato looked at the unconscious Naruto and stroked his chin. It seemed like he could give it a try.