After three months in the hospital, Naruto felt as if his body was about to fall apart.
He decided to run ten laps around Konoha as a warm-up before creating Shadow Clones to attend school in his place.
Some of his current strength could already be shown. Although the basic knowledge taught in the Ninja Academy—such as reconnaissance, counter-reconnaissance, traps, and sealing techniques—was still useful, sitting in class every day to learn them was a waste of time.
Meanwhile, power across the world was rapidly growing.
Uzumaki Nagato had just completed the creation of the Rinnegan and begun working on the Six Paths.
At the same time, Konan and Uchiha Obito were constantly recruiting members for their organization, persuading powerful ninjas to join.
During this period, Kakuzu, Loquat Jūzō, and Sasori were all invited into the organization.
They had not yet become the world-famous terrorist group they would later be.But over the next ten years they would act as mercenaries on the battlefields of the great ninja villages, rapidly increasing their strength.
On the other hand, Naruto and the other young talents were living in the peaceful illusion created by Sarutobi Hiruzen, enjoying a golden age that lasted six years.
Kakashi had already become a Chūnin at the age of six, while Uchiha Itachi graduated from the Ninja Academy at seven.
Yet in the original story, Naruto couldn't even graduate until he was twelve, becoming a "talentless" Genin who couldn't even swim or climb walls properly.
But this time things were different.
Naruto could not afford to waste time like in the original plot.
Now that he possessed the Sharingan, he could display some of the talent in ninjutsu inherited from his father, Namikaze Minato.
As for the Shadow Clone Technique, he had supposedly learned it from the "Kind Fox." Even if Hiruzen investigated, there was no need to explain much.
After all, the fox had already started using Shadow Clones for training at the very beginning of the academy.
"Whoa~!!"
Just as Naruto finished his warm-up, he suddenly heard a loud shout.
He turned around and saw a man with a watermelon haircut wearing a green jumpsuit rushing toward him.
Naruto instantly spun toward him with the Leaf Great Whirlwind.
But who was Guy?
Might Guy had never lost in physical training.
He easily dodged Naruto's attack, grabbed him, and started rubbing his head wildly until tears almost came out.
"Ah~ amazing! You've finally recovered! Losing an eye means nothing. Doesn't Kakashi also lack an eye? Maybe one day you'll obtain the Sharingan just like him, and the two of you will become the Great Swords of Konoha together!"
Naruto:
"..."
The Great Swords of Konoha?!
That ridiculous phrase instantly shattered Naruto's mental defenses.
He pushed the overly enthusiastic Guy away and laughed.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to be depressed because of one eye. I'll just train even harder! Mr. Guy, I want to learn the Eight Inner Gates!"
Guy was stunned for a moment.
Then he raised his thumb with shining teeth.
"No problem!"
Naruto felt warmth in his heart.
Once Might Guy chose someone, he would teach them everything without holding back.
"Are you sure you don't want the same hairstyle as mine?"
"Your black tights aren't as cool as my green ones."
"My team also has a great summoning beast. Want to try signing a contract?"
"For the sake of our youth! Let's start with a hundred laps as a warm-up!"
Naruto:
"..."
Compared with certain levels of madness, ordinary people simply couldn't handle Guy's personality.
Still, Naruto was fired up by that youthful spirit and once again threw himself into intense training.
Thanks to the Sharingan, Naruto mastered many basic ninjutsu without outside guidance.
However, techniques ranked B-rank and above were still unavailable to him, as they were sealed inside the Scroll of Seals.
So nearly every day, Naruto trained in the Eight Inner Gates with Might Guy.
Meanwhile at school, his Shadow Clones diligently absorbed all kinds of basic knowledge from textbooks and practical lessons.
Under Naruto's control, they consistently ranked first place in every exam.
Of course, Naruto knew these achievements couldn't be hidden from the "old fox," Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Two ANBU watched him every day.
Even so, a Shadow Clone still lay lazily on the desk in the classroom.
As long as the Third Hokage wasn't a fool, he would certainly realize that Naruto's true strength was far greater.
Hiruzen looked at the ANBU report and fell into deep thought.
"I didn't expect that child's strength to grow to this level."
He took a slow puff from his pipe, reading the report with interest.
"The Eight Inner Gates, already opened to the Second Gate? He thought no one noticed, but unfortunately for him… this old man knows everything."
"Even his Shadow Clones are used so skillfully. In just half a year, even the academy teachers didn't realize it. This talent is no worse than Minato's."
"Uchiha Itachi entered the academy and quickly advanced to the senior class. And now Naruto… seems to have reached the same level as the original fox."
Hiruzen stroked his chin and murmured:
"Perhaps… we can let him graduate early."
"Then we can send someone to prevent the coming Nine-Tails storm…"