"This feeling… it's incredible."
Sora stood atop the tree, his heart surging.
He no longer wanted to be ordinary. He wanted strength—true strength. The kind that allowed him to control his own destiny instead of being dragged by it.
In his past life, he couldn't even guarantee three meals a day.
Now, he was stepping into a world of power beyond ordinary humans.
And all of it began with Tsunade.
She was the turning point of his fate.
A long howl burst from his chest.
All the frustration, anger, helplessness, and humiliation accumulated over the years were released in that cry.
From this day forward—
He would never allow anyone to threaten him again.
"I still don't understand what he went through as a baby to become so cold," Tsunade murmured as she watched him.
Shizune nodded softly. "Except when he's with us, his eyes show no emotion toward anyone else. It's like he's looking at inanimate objects."
Tsunade remembered the answer he gave her long ago.
Survival.
That was all he said.
For survival, even as a baby, he hardened himself.
Her heart tightened slightly.
"Sora, come here."
His emotions vanished instantly. His expression returned to calm indifference.
Seeing that contrast, Tsunade and Shizune could only sigh inwardly. At least he was different with them.
"Starting today, you'll spar with Shizune," Tsunade said.
"Because the gap between you is too large, she'll use only one Shadow Clone. It will have just one-tenth of her strength."
Sora didn't feel fear.
He felt anticipation.
Three years of effort—
Finally, a chance to test it.
"Begin."
The moment Tsunade finished speaking, Shizune completed the hand seals.
A Shadow Clone appeared instantly.
The clone didn't hesitate.
It lunged forward, delivering a sharp whip kick that cut through the air with a sonic crack.
Sora's skin prickled.
Tsunade's words echoed in his mind:
"In a battle between ninja, mercy is suicide."
He reacted instantly.
Pushing off the ground, he leapt backward several meters like a startled ape. The moment he landed, he surged forward, fist striking out like a leopard.
"Too slow."
The clone intercepted his punch and followed with a vicious elbow.
Sora's pupils contracted.
This was his first real fight.
No ninjutsu.
No fancy techniques.
Only instinct.
Memories surfaced—
Fighting wild dogs for scraps of food.
There were no rules.
Hesitation meant losing.
He stopped retreating.
Instead, he drove his knee upward, smashing directly into the clone's elbow.
Bang!
The impact forced him back several steps.
But the moment he stabilized, his speed doubled.
Chakra flowed into his legs—just like tree climbing.
His body felt light.
In a blink, he crossed seven or eight meters and launched a sweeping kick.
Everything was instinct.
Split-second judgment.
Raw survival.
"This kid is fierce…" Tsunade muttered in surprise.
During the fight, Sora's eyes grew colder than ever.
No fear.
Only calculation.
He knew this was a Shadow Clone. One solid hit would disperse it.
So he aimed only for vital points.
There was no hesitation.
No mercy.
Shizune's clone grew sharper in response. Though limited to one-tenth strength and using only physical combat, it couldn't afford embarrassment.
It caught his leg mid-swing and flung him aside, following up with a midair barrage of kicks.
Sora was sent flying.
Fortunately, he reinforced the impact points with Chakra.
Otherwise, those hits would have broken bones.
"It's not over!"
Just before hitting the ground, he twisted like a wildcat and landed on all fours.
All remaining Chakra surged into his limbs.
He pounced like a tiger descending a mountain.
"Break!"
Both fists shot forward.
The clone deflected them easily—
But in that instant, Sora's head slammed forward.
Even Shizune was startled.
He was fighting with a life-for-life mentality.
Seeing Tsunade watching, the clone didn't dare go easy.
Shizune raised her knee sharply toward his head.
At that critical moment—
Sora opened his mouth and bit down.
Chakra surged into his jaw.
Crack.
The Shadow Clone burst apart.
If it had been a real body, that move would have been suicide.
His skull would have shattered first.
But he understood the weakness of Shadow Clones.
He couldn't overpower Shizune—even at one-tenth strength.
So he gambled everything on a single decisive strike.
Trading injury for victory.
Silence filled the clearing.
Tsunade stared at Sora.
He stood there, breathing heavily, eyes steady.
Cold.
Ruthless.
Efficient.
And for the first time—
She saw the shape of a true ninja emerging.
...
Author's Update 18+ 📢
The fanfic Naruto: Raised by Kushina, Took His Brother's Wife – Part 1 is now officially fully completed!
It is now available on Patreon for all tiers, including the lowest Tier 1.
The complete Part 1 has been uploaded on Patreon.
📚 Category: Naruto 18+
🔗 patreon.com/Shadow_demon_007
Thank you all for your continuous love, support, and patience for this story 💙