Chapter 34: Chapter 34
The next day, Naruto arrived at the ninja school wearing a casual outfit he had never worn before, complete with a pair of glasses. The change in his appearance was subtle but noticeable, and it immediately drew curious glances from his classmates and even a few villagers. Naruto, who had always been seen in his usual attire, now looked more approachable, more human. It was as if he had shed a layer of his carefully crafted persona and allowed a bit of his true self to shine through.
This change wasn't accidental. After his conversation with Aizen, Naruto had decided to stop imitating others and start embracing his own identity. He was no longer content to be a reflection of someone else's ambitions or ideals. He was Naruto Uzumaki, and he would carve his own path.
As he walked into the classroom, the students couldn't help but stare. Yamanaka Ino was the first to approach him, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Naruto, why the new look? You're not trying to impress someone, are you?" she teased, pulling Sakura along with her.
Sakura, holding a cup of orange juice, blushed slightly as she handed it to Naruto. "Naruto-kun, you look... different today. But it's a good different!"
Naruto accepted the juice with a smile. "Thank you, Sakura. And Ino, I just felt like trying something new. No need to overthink it."
He glanced at the red bow in Sakura's hair and added, "That bow suits you. It matches your hair perfectly."
Sakura's face turned even redder, and she stammered a thank you before retreating to her seat with Ino, who was grinning mischievously.
Naruto took his seat, noticing that Sasuke was absent. The Uchiha prodigy was still recovering from their recent battle. Naruto made a mental note to visit him after school.
When the final bell rang, Naruto and Rock Lee left the academy together, heading toward the Konoha Hospital. Along the way, Rock Lee couldn't contain his excitement. "Naruto, I heard you've become the top student in our year! And that new Bloodline Limit of yours—what's it called again? Mirror Flower Water Moon? It sounds incredible! Is it like an illusion?"
Naruto chuckled. "You could say that. It's not exactly an illusion, but it's close. It creates distractions by manipulating light and water. It's not as powerful as a true genjutsu, but it's effective in battle."
Rock Lee's eyes sparkled with admiration. "I'd love to see it in action someday!"
"If it's you, Lee, I think you might be able to break through it," Naruto said with a smile.
Rock Lee laughed, scratching the back of his head. "You're just being kind, Naruto. Illusions are my weakness. If I faced your Bloodline Limit, I'd probably be completely helpless."
The two continued their lighthearted conversation as they approached the hospital. When they arrived, they were directed to Sasuke's room. As they entered, they found Sasuke sitting up in bed, looking slightly embarrassed. Beside him was a young man with calm, piercing eyes—Uchiha Itachi.
Itachi was in the middle of feeding Sasuke a slice of apple when Naruto and Rock Lee walked in. Sasuke quickly turned his head away, his cheeks flushing. "Naruto! Lee! What are you doing here?"
Itachi set the apple slice down and turned to greet the newcomers. "Hello, I'm Sasuke's brother, Itachi Uchiha. Sasuke has told me a lot about you. Thank you for looking after him."
Naruto felt a chill run down his spine as Itachi's gaze lingered on him for a moment. There was something unsettling about the way Itachi looked at him—a quiet intensity that made Naruto's instincts scream in warning. He could sense the immense chakra radiating from Itachi, a testament to his strength and skill. This was no ordinary ninja; this was a predator.
"It's nice to meet you, Itachi-san," Naruto said, forcing a polite smile. "Sasuke's been a great training partner."
Itachi's expression softened, but his eyes remained sharp. "I've heard about your recent battle. While I appreciate your dedication to training, I hope you'll be more careful in the future. Sasuke's safety is important to me."
Naruto nodded, his heart racing. "Of course. I didn't mean to hurt him. It was just a sparring match."
Sasuke quickly interjected, "Nissan, it's not Naruto's fault. I asked him to use his full power. I wanted to see how far I still have to go."
Itachi's gaze shifted to Sasuke, his expression softening. "I understand. But you must remember, Sasuke, there's a difference between pushing your limits and recklessness."
The conversation continued, with Sasuke eagerly sharing stories about his training and his admiration for Itachi. Naruto and Rock Lee listened, occasionally chiming in with their own anecdotes. Despite the friendly atmosphere, Naruto couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Itachi's presence was overwhelming, and Naruto was acutely aware of the power gap between them.
After leaving the hospital, Naruto and Rock Lee made their way to Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto's favorite spot in the village. The warm, comforting atmosphere of the ramen shop was a stark contrast to the tension he had felt in Sasuke's room.
As they ate, Rock Lee noticed Naruto's pensive expression. "Something on your mind, Naruto?"
Naruto hesitated before answering. "It's just... meeting Itachi made me realize how much I still have to learn. He's on a completely different level."
Rock Lee nodded thoughtfully. "Itachi-san is a prodigy, but so are you, Naruto. You've already accomplished so much. Don't sell yourself short."
Naruto smiled, appreciating Lee's optimism. "Thanks, Lee. I'll keep working hard. One day, I'll stand at the top—not as a reflection of someone else, but as myself."
Meanwhile, back at the hospital, Itachi stood by the window, watching Naruto and Rock Lee disappear into the distance. His expression was unreadable, but his thoughts were anything but calm.
"Naruto Uzumaki," he murmured to himself. "You're an interesting one. I wonder... what kind of shinobi will you become?"
Sasuke, still lying in bed, looked at his brother with admiration. "Nissan, do you think I'll ever be as strong as you?"
Itachi turned to him, his smile gentle. "You have the potential to surpass me, Sasuke. Just keep training and never lose sight of your goals."
Sasuke nodded, his determination renewed. "I will, Nissan. I'll become stronger than anyone!"
Itachi's smile widened, but his eyes held a hint of sadness. "I believe in you, Sasuke. Always remember... no matter what happens, I'll always be proud of you."