Both entered the training ground, each holding a wooden katana.
Kakashi, being the wise man he was, had already vanished. He knew if he stayed, they'd find a way to rope him into something.
Naruto and Yugao faced each other, standing a few meters apart.
Yugao glanced at him, her expression mildly curious. "You know, I was surprised when Kakashi asked me to teach Kenjutsu to a kid.
But…" She tilted her head slightly, scanning him up and down. "Now that I see you in person, you don't look like a kid at all."
Naruto smirked. "Heh, I get that a lot."
She crossed her arms, her sharp eyes studying him. "Your height, your build… You look more like a teenager than a seven-year-old. And that attitude of yours certainly isn't helping."
Naruto grinned, adjusting his grip on the wooden katana. "Well, sensei, I may look older, but I'm still just a student. So go easy on me, yeah?"
Yugao chuckled, shaking her head. "No chance. If you want to learn Kenjutsu, you'd better be prepared to bleed for it."
Naruto's grin widened. "Then bring it on!"
Yugao held her practice sword loosely at her side. "Alright, let's see where you stand. Attack me with everything you've got."
Naruto didn't need to be told twice. He dashed forward, raising his wooden blade high as if aiming straight for her head.
Yugao smirked, already reading his move.
Too obvious. She calmly raised her katana, preparing to block—
But at the last second, Naruto twisted his wrist, changing his target and swinging low toward her leg.
Her eyes widened slightly. Oh?
Despite being caught off guard, her reflexes kicked in. With a swift motion, she parried his strike at the last second, the sound of wood clashing echoing through the training ground.
Naruto grinned. "Heh, gotcha."
Yugao smirked. "Not bad… but not good enough."
With matching grins, both charged at each other, their wooden katanas clashing in sharp, rhythmic thwacks.
For a moment, they looked like battle maniacs, completely lost in the thrill of the fight. But despite Naruto's enthusiasm, he lacked what Yugao had—experience and refined skill.
Hit after hit, block after block, the spar continued. Yugao's movements were smooth and precise, while Naruto relied on instinct and unpredictability.
Then—CRACK!
Naruto's wooden katana snapped in half. He stumbled back, staring at the broken weapon in his hands.
He let out a breath and chuckled. "Guess that means I lost."
Yugao lowered her sword and gave him an approving nod. "Be proud, kid. You're strong."
Naruto blinked. For a split second, the way she looked at him—her expression, her confidence—reminded him of Sukuna. Why does this feel familiar?
Yugao smirked. "You already have strength. You just need some refinements."
Naruto clenched his fists, a new fire burning in his eyes. "Then train me well, sensei!"
Yugao chuckled. "That's what I'm here for."
Naruto grinned, his excitement barely contained.
She sheathed her wooden katana and stretched. "Anyway, that's enough for today. Starting tomorrow, the real training begins."
Naruto's grin widened. "Heh, can't wait!"
Yugao chuckled. "Let's see if you're still saying that after I'm done with you."
As they wrapped up, Yugao turned to Naruto. "By the way, do you even own a real katana?"
Naruto scratched his head. "Uh… nope."
Yugao sighed. "Figures. Well, get yourself one—even a low-cost blade will do for now. You can't train properly without a real weapon."
Naruto nodded. "Got it!"
Yugao gave a small wave. "Alright, I'll take my leave. Rest up—tomorrow's going to be tough."
With that, she disappeared into the night, leaving Naruto standing there, already thinking about where to get his first katana.
Naruto tapped his chin, deep in thought.
Should I just buy a katana from the System Shop? It would be quick, easy, and probably high-quality.
But then—he smirked. "Nah, buying it outside is better… that way, I can get closer to another beauty—Tenten."
His mind was made up. Weapon shop it is!
With excitement bubbling in his chest, Naruto turned and dashed toward the marketplace, eager to visit Konoha's best weapon store—where a certain bun-haired beauty owned.Tenten's Weapons Shop
Naruto pushed open the door, stepping inside. The scent of polished steel and oiled wood filled the air. His sharp blue eyes scanned the walls, lined with all sorts of weapons, from kunai to massive battle fans.
"Is anyone here?" he called out.
A moment later, a girl with brown hair tied into two neat buns stepped out from the back. She wasn't much older than him, but she carried herself with confidence.
"I'm here. What do you need?" she asked, crossing her arms.
Naruto grinned. "A katana! A real one!"
Tenten raised an eyebrow, looking him up and down. "For you? I thought only older genin or chunin bought swords like that. How old are you, anyway?"
Naruto smirked. "Take a guess."
Tenten examined him, noting his height and build. "Twelve? Thirteen?"
Naruto burst out laughing. "Nope. Try again."
She frowned. "Fourteen? No way you're fifteen, right?"
Naruto wiped a tear from his eye. "Wrong again. I'm seven."
Tenten stared at him, dead silent. Then, she blinked rapidly. "Wait… what?! You're kidding, right?"
Naruto grinned. "Nope. Born in the year of the Kyuubi attack."
Tenten rubbed her temples. "There's no way you're seven. You're taller than most of my classmates! What do they feed you?!"
Naruto chuckled. "Just good old ramen and hard work."
Tenten sighed. "I feel like I've aged five years just hearing that… Anyway, let's find you a katana."
As she pulled out a few swords, Naruto tilted his head. "Are you attending the Academy?"
Tenten glanced at him while placing the swords on the counter. "Yeah, but I took the day off today since my father's out on a merchant trip."
Naruto nodded. "I see. So, you know Neji Hyuga?"
Tenten, who was leaning against the counter, nodded. "Yeah, he's in my class. Why? You know him?"
Naruto smirked. "Let's just say I have my ways."
Tenten frowned slightly, eyeing him curiously. "You're hiding something, aren't you?"
Naruto grinned, setting the blade down and picking another. "Maybe. Maybe not." He swung the new sword, feeling the way it cut through the air. "This one feels better."
Tenten shook her head. "You're weird."
Naruto chuckled. "And yet, here you are, talking to me."
After testing several katanas, he finally found one that felt just right—balanced, strong, and fitting naturally into his grip.
"This one, senpai," he declared with a grin.
Tenten took it, examining the blade before preparing the sheath and bill. As she handed it back, Naruto suddenly realized something.
"Wait… I forgot to ask. What's your name, senpai?"
Tenten raised an eyebrow, amused. "You seriously picked a sword before knowing my name?"
Naruto chuckled. "Finding the right blade was more urgent!"
She shook her head with a smirk. "It's Tenten."
Naruto grinned. "Nice to meet you, Tenten-senpai! Now, about that bill… you don't give discounts to cute kohais, do you?"
Tenten rolled her eyes. "Not a chance."
She handed him the receipt. "That'll be 80 thousand Ryo."
Naruto's jaw nearly hit the floor. "What?! No discount?!" He grumbled but reluctantly handed over the money.
Tenten smirked. "No discounts for kohais who try to act cute."
Naruto pouted but quickly recovered. As he secured the katana to his waist, a thought struck him. "Senpai, do you have any name for my katana?"
Tenten rolled her eyes. "It's your sword, idiot. You're the one who needs to name it."
Naruto tapped his chin in thought. "Right, right…" Then, as if struck by divine inspiration, he snapped his fingers. "Then your name will be… Ten!"
Tenten's eye twitched. "Hey! Why are you naming it after me?"
Naruto smirked. "Well, I bought it from you, so obviously it should have your name!"
Tenten groaned. "That's the dumbest reason I've ever heard."
Naruto grinned wider, tilting his straw hat down. "Too late! It's official now. Ten and I will cut through fate together!"
Tenten just sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Why do I feel like you're going to be a handful in the future?"
With that, Naruto turned and walked out of the shop, already thinking about how to show off his new sword.
Tenten shook her head with a chuckle. He's not only cute but also kinda handsome… I'll give him that.
Naruto walked through the village with his newly bought katana tied to his waist, a straw hat covering part of his face, and a twig lazily hanging from his mouth. He was fully committed to the ronin aesthetic.
Villagers glanced at him with amusement, some whispering, "What's he supposed to be now?"
Naruto smirked under his hat. "A wandering swordsman, searching for strength and adventure," he muttered dramatically to himself.
As he strolled through the streets, he made sure to walk just a bit slower, nodding sagely at random people like some wise old warrior—though most just gave him confused looks.
"Now all I need is an epic entrance to my training ground… Maybe if I jump from a tree in slow motion?" He grinned, already planning his next move.