Admiration and Breaking Point

At the Ninja Academy within Konoha, classes go on as usual with one odd wrinkle. Naruto sent a Shadow Clone in his place while he stayed at his apartment to work on his calligraphy for Sealing Jutsu along with other Shadow Clones to practice or research several things. The Shadow Clone watched the Chunin Instructor, Iruka Umino, teaching a class on the usage of Jutsu.

" As you can see when using the Transformation Jutsu, it is possible to endow yourself with unique physical properties such as sharp claws or webbed fingers to your advantage."

The Shadow Clone thought with boredom plaguing him.

" To think that things would be so different, no big brother Iruka treating Naruto to Ramen while Mizuki is still an a*shole purposely setting boss up against Sasuke to enjoy watching the Uchiha beat up or humiliate the boss. Not that the boss was going to waste his time sparring with kids; he could easily beat half to death with brute strength and speed alone without Taijutsu techniques. The things the boss does to avoid attention and focus on more important matters."

The Shadow Clone mentally sighed while pretending to pay attention as Iruka wouldn't ignore Naruto like the other Chunin Instructors. The Shadow Clone glanced at the Uchiha Twins and could practically feel the wall they built around themselves to close off the rest of the world. It was concerning, to say the least, as the Original Sasuke without his twin sister at least reacted to others if pressed enough, but now he flat-out ignores everyone and everything aside from his sister.

The Shadow Clone agreed with Original's thoughts on the matter that the twins were fundamentally different from Canon Sasuke as he literally had no one but now had a sister in this case. It was hard to get an idea of what was going through the twins' minds aside from the burning desire for revenge since they isolated themselves. Unfortunately, Sasuke still likely had a part to play as the possible incarnation of Indra in the future.

" I really hope he doesn't get on a team with them like in the Canon because, unlike Sakura, Sarada is a serious Kuniochi, but that is unfortunately very likely to happen regardless of grades as politics and abilities play the biggest part in team selection. The Uchiha twins will definitely get Kakashi Hatake as their Jonin sensei in the future because he is the only one who can teach them about the Sharingan.

While the boss is no longer the Jinchūriki, he is still Minato's son, and it's practically a tradition to pair off previous students with their sensei's kids or relatives to maintain and strengthen bonds. So, a Team 7 with the boss and the Uchihas is pretty likely.

That aside, I wish I could dispel myself as learning things you already know is the worst kind of boredom, but the boss needs to avoid drawing attention as much as possible."

The Shadow Clone internally monologues itself to try and combat its boredom in attending classes. It was still only morning, and the Shadow Clone was already bored out of its mind.

" Maybe I should talk to the boss about making a fidget spinner in order to make attending class for him more bearable?"

The Shadow Clone wondered as the day slowly ticked by second by ever slower second.

________________________________________

Hinata Hyuga left the Academy as usual and did not return to her Clan's compound immediately as it was unimportant for her to be there. Just a year ago, she lost her status as heiress to the Hyuga Clan to her 5-year-old younger sister in a sparring match, and her father stopped paying her any mind. It hurt her to lose her father's attention in favor of her sister, but in return, there were no serious expectations for her.

Hinata only had to pass the Academy and become a Genin, then Chunin, in order to hold up her Clan's honor. She has lost most of her motivation to train outside the bare minimum since then, at least until more recently, that is. The young Hyuga cut through the pass through one of the gates in Konoha and went through the woods to reach a place with a waterfall. She found a spot and hid there to wait.

Hours ticked by as Hinata steadily hid her presence as time went by until a newcomer showed up. It was Naruto Uzumaki, wearing a black tank top and gray shorts with bandages covering his hands, arms, and legs. The blonde stretched like he always did in this remote area, then went to the cliffside and took a Taijutsu stance, then started striking the solid rock without restraint.

Hinata watched Naruto patiently as he punched, kicked, elbowed, knee-stricken, and other forms of attacking against the cliff. It wasn't long until he started bleeding, but he did not stop as he pushed himself until his thick bandages tore and needed to be replaced. The blonde took off his bandages to reveal just how battered and scared his limbs had become. A part of the Hyuga girl wanted to go to him and offer medicine, but she couldn't bring herself to even leave her hiding spot.

When Hinata first lost her status as a heiress and her father stopped paying attention to her, she felt lost and despondent. She aimlessly wandered outside Konoha's wall as she couldn't bear the stares she received within the village from the rumors spreading her loss of heiress-ship. She then stumbled on Naruto training like he is now and watched absentmindedly before leaving.

Hinata, after that, still wandered around aimlessly for weeks but always came back to find Naruto training hard, to the point of drawing blood and to the point of pure exhaustion. It became a routine for her to go and watch the blonde train as hard as he could. The Hyuga girl could only ask herself each time when she watched him train.

" Why does he train so hard?"

From class, Hinata only knew Naruto as someone aloof and solitary who occasionally chatted with a select few classmates. Still, he only showed a bored expression and none of the drive that he was displaying right now. The Hyuga girl got curious and started to watch him closely but was surprised time and again when he always slipped away undetected when classes ended. She only knew he would be here at some point.

Naruto stopped attacking the cliffside and entered a meditation pose with his legs crossed. Hinata then used her Byakugan to watch his next step in training more closely, rapidly cycling Chakra throughout his body and expelling it in controlled amounts throughout his body. With Chakra Control easily rivaling the Hyuga Clan, he emitted Chakra from all his Chakra points, something only the Hyuga Clan are known to do with their Bloodline Limit.

Naruto got up an hour later, took out a wooden spear from his Storage Scroll, and used an unusual hand sign to create Clone, not illusionary Clones from the Academy's Clone Jutsu, but instead, Solid Clones her Byakugan could not see through. The Clones then attacked the Original with their wooden spears. It was a clash of united and focused fighting forces against a single foe that was practically choreography with some odd maneuvers here and there.

This fight kept up for the next few hours until it was almost sunset, and the Clones dispersed, revealing an exhausted Naruto dripping with sweat and tears. Hinata watched the blonde leave with shaky steps as her heart pounded against her chest. The Hyuga girl truly admired the boy who was her age but put so much effort into training. She also reflected on herself as she asked herself.

" Can I train myself that hard? Can I push myself to my limits? Can I be like him, to never give up and push forward regardless of how hard it is?"

Part of her wanted to do exactly that, but other parts were filled with nothing but doubt and self-defecating thoughts about her inferiority. She was at the point where she only needed to take the first step to try and change herself. Only Hinata can decide for herself.

________________________________________

I sighed in relief as I entered the large tub in the bathhouse after my training this evening, but my cuts stung against the hot water. I could already break thin trees with my fists alone, so upgrading to solid rocks seemed logical despite the pain it put me through. I know enough about first aid to treat my injuries and when to exercise restraint. I had to admit it was smart of me to pick the spear as my weapon of choice because it works well with the Shadow Clone Jutsu.

I thought maybe of using a sword of some type or an axe, but when I realized the Shadow Clone Jutsu also replicated the weapons I hold, I immediately knew which weapon works great with a lot of numbers: the spear. The spear just works to my advantage with greater reach than what most Ninjas usually deal with, as aside from exceptions, most Shinobi use a katana and tanto as their weapon of choice.

The spear is also easy to use; thrust, stab, and sweep are its most basic move sets. Plus, I can also use it as a staff somewhat, which is one of the most versatile weapons. I briefly imagined a fight with Canon Neji during the Chunin Exams, and I couldn't help but grin as the spears could be used to keep him at bay while forcing him to the back foot. While his Heavenly Rotation could protect him from being stabbed at while surrounded but, it took up Chakra to use and probably not a small amount either.

My mind went to more challenging opponents that I might encounter in the not-so-distant future. Gaara is easy douse him with water or even oil, and his Sand Barrier is useless before he can make more sand. Rock Lee, well. Genjutsu would probably be the most efficient, and I can use Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing after experiencing it at the Academy. I had chills remembering that class as it was to show everyone the horrors of war, but I memorized the hand signs regardless and had my Shadow Clones practice on me to learn it since they were immune to Genjutsu.

I generally prefer using pain to escape Genjutsu since it's quicker. Just pricking my finger on a needle works, at least with low-level Genjutsu. However, I don't know how about higher rank Genjutsu. As for the Sound Five and some Filler Arc villains from the first part of Naruto, I wasn't sure about how to beat them, at least not yet.

I finished soaking in the bath and got out to head back to my apartment.

" Hey, Demon Shit!"

I turned to see a heavily drunk man; he grabbed my shirt and cursed me.

" Because of you, my business went under, and now I have a debt I can't pay off."

I arched an eyebrow as if to ask silently.

" And you're still here?"

The smell of alcohol assaulted my nose as I felt nothing but disdain for the man. The drunkard raised his fist as he cursed me.

"Because of y-."

I didn't let him finish his sentence as I punched his beer belly without holding back. I was done holding back. He fell to his knees and looked at me wide-eyed, but I wasn't done. I kicked him in the groin, making him fall over, and I mercilessly stomped his face with my heel. I felt euphoria at inflicting pain and harm on the drunk. It was satisfying, far too satisfying, to pay back even a fraction of the amount of hate I was given by this shitty village.

I felt myself smile as I continued to deal out the pain. The man started crying as he begged.

" I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm-."

I cared nothing about his apologies as I was far too pent up with rage and hate to stop now. I straddled him over his chest and punched him as he tried to protect his head. It felt good to let out my anger, my hate, MY MALICE against this drunken fool. The adrenaline hit me, as I did not stop until the man no longer made any attempt to protect himself. He was still breathing, but he was unconscious, and I heard the silent horror of the crowd that watched me nearly kill the drunkard.

I saw the pure fear in everyone's face, and I grinned as I roared out in malice and defiance.

" WHO'S NEXT!"

I laughed as most scattered like insects, leaving only a few Shinobi who stared at me with hardened expressions. I dismissed their presence as I walked back to my apartment, feeling lighter and more at peace. It did not bother me that I knew I would've never acted like this in my previous life because, unlike then, I truly had something I hated with a passion: this village and most of its residents.

As for the consequences of my actions today, I'll deal with them as I feel no regret.

________________________________________

Jiraiya was in the Hokage office with Hiruzen and Tsunade as they went over the latest revision for the Medical Ninjutsu department, which the fifth Hokage jokingly asked.

" Hey, Tsunade, have you given thoughts on my proposal?"

The Slug Princess had a cold, if not murderous, look as she replied.

" The one where you suggested changing the nurse uniform with a shorter skirt and exposed cleavage? It's in the trash where it belongs."

The former Hokage sighed at his student's actions as Jiraiya laughed good-naturedly as it wasn't a serious proposal, even if he did hope it would go through and he would see his crush in a sexy nurse uniform. The three heard a knock on the door, and the fifth Hokage said.

" Come in."

It was a Chunin with a hard expression and the first thing he said with severity.

" I have something to report."

Jiraiya gestured for him to continue, and the Chunin told him of what Naruto did just less than an hour ago. The Fifth and former Hokage were utterly stunned at what they heard, and Tsunade looked mildly interested in what she heard. From the Slug Princess' experience with the former Jinchūriki, she got the impression that he was polite and serious, but she was aware of how the village continued to treat him and the scars he built up from training. She couldn't say she was surprised as she noticed early on the restraint he showed when interacting with most of the class.

Tsunade knew enough to recognize a rage that was about ready to boil over from being pent up. However, Jiraiya and Hiruzen were utterly gobsmacked at learning that Naruto nearly killed someone; they honestly thought he held the Will of Fire deeply in his heart and recognized the whole village as family. The Fifth Hokage then ordered the Chunin.

" Leave us."

The Chunin quietly left, and Jiraiya immediately tore into his sensei.

" Sarutobi-Sensei, I thought you said Naruto was fine. You visit him regularly!"

" I noticed some impatience and dismissal, but I just chalked it up to the follies of youth. I had no idea things would turn out like this."

Tsunade snorted at Hiruzen's explanation and said matter-of-factly.

" Your growing senile, sensei. Naruto Uzumaki has been silently enduring how the village has treated him like an outcast for years, and I'm amazed something hadn't happened before now."

The former Hokage slumped into his seat, and Jiraiya announced resolutely.

" I'm going to talk to him."

As the Fifth Hokage rose from his seat, but the Elder stopped him.

" No, Jiraiya, it's late, and it's best to let Naruto cool down first before trying to talk to him. Plus, this is my failure. Let me make amends."

Jiraiya paused for a moment and then said.

" No."

" No?"

Hiruzen asked in confusion, and the Fifth Hokage stated.

" It's late, and it is better to wait first, but I am the one talking to him. I have never once met and talked with him after I became Hokage, even though I am his Godfather. I owe it to Minato to try and help Naruto."

" Jiraiya, it is because you are the Hokage that you can't show favoritism, especially towards Naruto. It would draw too much attention to him and place him in danger."

The former Hokage explained, and Jiraiya dismissed his concern.

" Then it's a good thing nobody will know aside from us and Naruto."

The fifth Hokage planned to meet his Godson in secret, and Tsunade thought with exasperation.

" It might be already too late now to try and make up for lost time."