Chapter 2: Recovery

//A week later//

In the last few days, the hokage always visited Sasuke once a day and told him everything he knew about his past and what happened to his clan and brother.

Sasuke doesn't know how to react to it and because of his "amnesia" it's not really unusual for him to have that kind of reaction. The hokage also knows that this would happen, nonetheless, he continued to tell him everything since it's the child's rights as a family member and the sole survivor of the clan, excluding his brother.

Sasuke now was in his apartment that the hokage provided for him. He doesn't need to worry about any bills as the hokage will be the one responsible for it from now on, just like Naruto.

When he was still in the hospital, Sasuke also did some exercises to familiarize himself with his new physique. It was also recommended by his doctor to stimulate his nervous system. With that, he doesn't need to worry about suspicion.

Now he can move more naturally.

((Sasuke PoV))

I have been doing a variation of calisthenics these past few days and one thing I noticed is the unbelievable constitution of this body.

My maximum push ups without pause is about 200 already. In my old world, for a 7 year old to have that kind of strength, endurance, and stamina is almost non-existent or straight up impossible.

What's more, the previous Sasuke was not even focusing on training his body, evident in his physique which lacks muscles. Also, my body control and coordination is still lacking after transmigrating, making it harder to activate some muscle groups, lowering my output.

If I remember correctly, even Mighty Guy who trained his body everyday when he started attending the academy was having a hard time doing 500 push ups.

This could be attributed to my bloodline. After all, I have the blood of the gods flowing through my veins. It is no wonder Sasuke in the series was able to rival Rock Lee's speed in just a month of training.

My biggest question at the moment is how will I awaken my mangekyo. The fact that I have no memories makes it even harder. I respect Itachi but that still doesn't make him special to me. Killing him would be counterproductive if I don't even have a way to assimilate his eyes into mine. He is still important in order to keep the akatsuki in line.

'Speaking of the guy, I just don't understand how these Uchihas think. Although they are talented, their decision making is very flawed.'

'Back to what I originally planned, now that I'm in the ninja world where chakra can basically be used by everyone, I need to know how to use it first.'

I sat on the bed in a lotus position and relaxed my body. Slowly and carefully, breathe in and breathe out air.

After finally getting into a peaceful state of mind, I began focusing on my stomach. Although chakra is circulating around the body, a large amount of it can be found in the abdomen so it's easy to detect there.

A warm yet cold feeling enveloped my body. The feeling of comfort that I haven't felt before rushed through me.

After getting the grasp of it, I opened my eyes.

'That's easier than I thought. It's probably because the previous Sasuke already has access.'

'Hais, I regret not memorizing the hand signs. The only thing I know is <<multiple shadow clone jutsu>>.'

((3rd PoV))

Sasuke got off the bed. He lifted his hand in front of him and formed a plus sign. He tried several more times but nothing happened.

With this experiment, he concluded that he needs to know how to mold chakra first in order to make use of the hand signs. Right now, he has no idea on how to do that.

'As expected, it's too good to be true if I succeeded just by knowing the hand signs. According to 3rd, I can start attending the academy the day after tomorrow. There should be a library or something that I can look at there.'

//Next day//

Sasuke left his apartment at dawn and did his morning walk around the village while also familiarizing himself with the new setting he was now at.

Before he went back to his apartment, he smelled a nice aroma coming from one of the shops. He followed the direction it is coming from and there it is, the legendary ichiraku ramen shop.

Sasuke reaches into his pocket and pulls his wallet. 'Good thing I have the money that the hokage gave me as my allowance.'

He went to the shop, sat on the counter and looked at the displayed menu. "Good morning mister, can I have a normal size miso chashu pork ramen please."

"Coming right up, young man." Teuchi said and proceeded to make the ramen.

After a while the ramen is ready. Teuchi placed the bowl in front of Sasuke. "Here you go. One normal size miso chashu pork ramen."

"Thanks." Sasuke said and started eating. He can't believe what he is tasting so he ignored unnecessary thoughts and just indulged himself in the ramen. After a while he finished the bowl and ordered another one till he hit 3 more bowls.

With the last sip, Sasuke finished the last bowl with a satisfied look in his face "Ahhh, that hit the spot. How much?"

"For 4 bowls of ramen, it's 48 ryo all in all." Teuchi said. After that, He left the ramen shop and made his way to his apartment.

//Next day, Ninja Academy//

A familiar building surrounded by trees greeted Sasuke.

'Today, I'm officially part of this world.'

…

Sasuke is currently standing in front of the class with a chunin teacher beside him.

"Okay class. Most of you already know what happened. Right now, Sasuke just recovered from the incident and has lost most of his memories. I expect you to help him familiarize and adjust to this unfamiliar environment. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Sensei~"

The teacher turned his head to Sasuke, "You can have your seat."

"Thank you, Sensei." Sasuke bowed and looked for a free seat.

He scanned the classroom and noted some familiar faces. Then, his Gaze landed at the yellow haired kid. The kid looked back at him and immediately turned his eyes away.

There was no one sitting besides the kid so Sasuke decided to sit there.

"U-uh." The blonde kid was surprised, he didn't expect Sasuke to choose the seat next to him.

"Can I have a seat?"

"Yeah, sure."

"Thanks" Sasuke sat down.

"Anyway, what's your name?" Asked Sasuke.

"Oh, hehehe." The boy chuckled and rubbed his index finger against his nose.

"You probably don't remember but I'm the number 1 student here. My name's Naruto, Uzumaki Naruto." Naruto said and lifted his other hand, asking for a handshake.

Sasuke accepted and shook his hand.

"If it's the best student that will guide me then I'm in good hands."

"Hehe, bet you do."

"Alright, let's begin." The teacher said and began his lecture.

…

A couple of hours later, the class finally ended. The teachers recapped some lessons for Sasuke but not everything. Since it's counterproductive to adjust the curriculum just because of one person, the academy decided for him to have an after class so he goes home later than anybody.

//A week later//

While detouring home from the academy, Sasuke stumbled upon a playground and decided to go there.

There are swings, slides, monkey bars and other stuff for the children to play.

"Ohh hey, Sasuke. Didn't know you also play here." A kid sitting on the fence called Sasuke's name.

"Hmm?" Sasuke turned his head to the side and saw Naruto.

"Ohh, Naruto. What are you doing there alone? Why not play with others?"

"Haha. Once you reach my level, it's kinda hard to play with other kids." Naruto said smuggingly.

"I see." Sasuke said and approached the monkey bar.

The bar is quite high, about twice his height. Knowing his capabilities, he bent his knees and launched himself up, grabbing the bar.

'I haven't done any pulling exercises yet. This is perfect, let's see how many I can do.' Sasuke thought and proceeded to do pull ups until he couldn't any more.

…

'67, 68, 69…'

"Urgh" Sasuke tried to do another one but his body gave in.

His grip loosened and fell on the ground. He couldn't move his upper body and just lay on the ground.

*Heavy breathing*

On the side, Naruto watched this transpire.

"Yow! He's beat up!" He said and got off the fence.

He walked towards Sasuke who was still on the ground and reached out his hand. "Need help?"

"Thanks… B-but I will just lie here for a moment… I-I have no strength to stand."

"What? Doing that repeatedly exhausted you that much?"

"..."

A couple of minutes later, Naruto helps Sasuke get up and sits on the bench.

"What was that just now?" Naruto asked.

"I'm training of course. In order to catch up with you guys, I need to do extra work."

"That's good and all, but what does that have to do with what you did earlier? It's not even related to hand-to-hand combat like taijutsu." Naruto asked in puzzlement.

"You honestly don't know? Then, what type of training are you doing?"

"I'm always fighting a dummy of course. I'm even getting better and better at it." Naruto said proudly.

"You do you I guess. But according to what I learned from my after classes, building and improving your physical capabilities is much as important as combat skills."

Sasuke doesn't know what to think of this kid. 'He has so much potential and he doesn't even know it. What's more, he can naturally heal at a ridiculously fast rate because of Kurama, which is basically a cheat code for using 8 inner gates. Such a waste.

What's the 3rd even thinking letting a talent like him rot away without proper guidance even after knowing the kid's Uzumaki lineage and the tailed beast's healing factor. In both individual and political standpoint, that's illogical in every way.

Does he think he can protect the kid forever? Does he think the other villages have become as laid back as them after the previous wars, not minding the fact that they have a powerless jinjuriki? The fact that he knows the presence of a dangerous force, akatsuki, makes him look even more incompetent.'

"Heh, I guess I don't need something like that. I'm already strong and fast after all. What's more, I rarely get tired." Naruto said proudly.

"Sorry to say this, Naruto. But if that's how you think then I can probably surpass you in a month. The ninja world is a very dangerous place, you know. There's no such thing as enough strength."

Sasuke said and bid Naruto farewell. "Well, I will go first. I still have to hike the mountain. See you tomorrow, Naruto."

"O-okay, bye"

…