[Little V: Alright then, everyone—see you in a month. Bye-bye~]
As the screen vanished, people across the Shinobi World felt a subtle shift within themselves.
Ninja Academy Classroom
The Rookie Nine carefully sensed the changes in their bodies.
Though their appearances had barely changed, their chakra reserves, ninjutsu proficiency, and overall ability had risen to levels close to what they possessed three to four years later.
(Naruto graduated in Year 60 of Konoha. The new Chūnin Exams took place around Year 63–64.)
They gradually adjusted to the sudden surge of power.
After some time, they had mostly stabilized it. Their raw strength now approached that of their future selves from the screen—though differences remained in height, weight, combat experience, and battlefield awareness.
Seeing that they were ready, Iruka led them outside to greet the Hokage.
Outside the Academy Building
Standing in the schoolyard were Konoha's leadership—Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, and Minato Namikaze.
Naruto spotted Minato and sprinted forward. Minato opened his arms—
"Bang!"
Naruto's fist slammed into Minato's stomach.
Minato did not complain.
He only felt heartache.
He pulled Naruto tightly into an embrace.
"I'm sorry… for everything these past years. You've worked so hard, Naruto."
"…I missed you… Dad."
The words of blame turned into tears of longing.
Naruto clung tightly to his father, afraid this might not be real.
For years he had imagined what it would be like to live with his parents. That happiness had always been beyond his imagination.
Now, at last, he had someone who could hold him—
A true family member.
Tobirama stepped over and placed a hand on Nagi's shoulder.
"You've done well in the future. As expected of my disciple."
"…Mm."
Nagi had no memories of his own parents. There were no photographs at home.
He had once asked his cousin, who claimed he could not even remember what Nagi's parents looked like.
At that moment, Nagi understood the feeling of reunion.
Though his teacher had always been strict, Nagi could feel the care behind it.
The years living under Tobirama's guidance had been the happiest of his life.
Having someone to guide him… to restrain him… was a blessing.
Hashirama walked up cheerfully.
"Hahaha! Hello there, grand-nephew! I'm your Uncle Hashirama!"
"Greetings, Uncle."
Nagi bowed politely.
"Hahaha! What a good kid. Tobirama chose well."
Minato then stepped forward and bowed deeply to both Nagi and Iruka.
"Nagi, Iruka—thank you for taking care of Naruto all these years."
They hurriedly helped him up.
"Please don't, Uncle Minato. You and Aunt Shiranui Kūshina gave everything for Konoha. Taking care of Naruto was only right."
"Yes, Fourth Hokage-sama. It was our duty."
Sasuke watched Naruto reunited with his father.
Envy flickered in his eyes.
Later… I'll ask Nagi if my parents can be revived too.
Several Days LaterKonoha Training Grounds — Back Mountain
Nagi stood facing Hashirama.
An hour earlier, Nagi had wanted to familiarize himself with his newfound strength. Tobirama had intended to spar with him—
But Hashirama had eagerly cut in.
"You've trained him enough, Tobirama! It's my turn!"
Nagi, too, wished to experience firsthand just how powerful the First Hokage truly was.
From afar, clan heads and numerous jōnin watched from a distant mountain ridge.
Tobirama had sternly warned them:
"If you wish to live, do not cross this mountain line. And be prepared to evacuate at any moment."
MEidara sat atop a tree stump at the edge of the field.
On one hand, he was curious to see Nagi's abilities.
On the other, he was prepared to intervene if Hashirama failed to restrain himself.
Hashirama gestured for Nagi to make the first move.
Nagi nodded.
He swiftly drew a shuriken from his pouch.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"
The single shuriken multiplied into countless shadow clones, raining forward.
Hashirama casually threw a punch.
The shockwave from his fist scattered every shuriken instantly.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
A massive water dragon surged toward Hashirama.
Unhurried, Hashirama drew back his arm and punched forward.
"Pure Land: Heaven-Piercing Fist!"
The water dragon exploded into mist.
"So much raw physical strength…"
(A casual punch equal to one of Tsunade's ultimate blows.)
But Nagi wanted to test his taijutsu.
He dashed forward.
Hashirama understood immediately.
He threw a punch.
Nagi caught the fist between both palms, stepped back, and redirected the force—guiding it aside like flowing water.
Hashirama increased both power and speed.
Nagi's arms moved slowly, smoothly, palms open—
Before the stunned audience, he received the punch with his right hand, allowed his body to yield, and then returned the force back toward Hashirama.
An Eight Trigrams pattern appeared beneath Nagi's feet.
"Gentle Fist: Flowing Water Style."
His hands lowered, palms shifting between yin and yang positions.
Hashirama's eyes lit with interest. He answered with another Heaven-Piercing Fist.
"Grasp the Sparrow's Tail."
Nagi adhered and redirected, issuing force with subtle rotation.
Hashirama involuntarily staggered forward two steps before stabilizing.
MEidara narrowed his eyes.
Using intent rather than brute strength… Four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds.
Hashirama continued pressing forward, testing Nagi's movements.
Nagi flowed through techniques seamlessly—
Single Whip.
Raise Hands.
White Crane Spreads Its Wings.
Brush Knee and Twist Step.
Play the Lute.
Each motion fluid and elegant.
Finally, Hashirama withdrew, laughing in admiration.
"Incredible fist technique! At close range, my body felt bound—unable to break free."
But Nagi shook his head.
He knew Hashirama had been holding back. If Hashirama unleashed his full monstrous strength, even redirecting it would be nearly impossible.
The Hyūga clan members watching were utterly baffled.
"Is that Gentle Fist?"
"It looks like it…"
"Why does it feel completely different from ours?"
"How would I know?"
In Konoha, most standard taijutsu styles emphasized Strong Fist—Tsunade and Might Guy being prime examples.
Gentle Fist represented the Hyūga Clan's precision-based style.
Yet while Hashirama's Strong Fist was straightforward, Nagi's Gentle Fist felt transcendent—
Subtle, intricate, almost philosophical.
It was a level of refinement that left even seasoned shinobi speechless.
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