I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

The Nine-Tails didn't believe Naruto could leave Konoha, but it didn't stop the beast from contemplating the possibility.

As a tailed beast with an innate ability to sense good and evil, Kurama despised the emotional turmoil within Konoha. The layers of deceit and resentment hidden behind the villagers' faces exhausted it. The constant barrage of malevolence in such a densely populated place wore on Kurama's patience. For the Nine-Tails, stepping outside the village alongside its host would be a welcome reprieve.

Still, the question lingered: could a tailed beast ever truly achieve freedom? Bound by human seals for centuries, Kurama felt uncertain about its own fate.

Early the next morning, Naruto headed to a secluded forest clearing in the village, carrying a scroll filled with techniques for Wind Release. He carefully read through the instructions before forming hand seals to summon several shadow clones.

Unlike taijutsu, which depended entirely on physical conditioning, ninjutsu demanded precise chakra control and consistent practice. Naruto relied on the Shadow Clone Jutsu to accelerate his learning process, knowing that once a clone was dispelled, its experiences and memories would return to the original body. However, this method had its drawbacks: the physical and mental exhaustion accumulated by the clones would also transfer back, a burden few could bear.

But Naruto's Uzumaki heritage granted him a formidable chakra reserve, a boon that allowed him to push the limits of this method. "With all this chakra, I can do whatever I want," Naruto muttered confidently.

While his clones practiced Wind Release techniques in the distance, the real Naruto sat cross-legged, holding a water-filled balloon in his hand as he worked on the Rasengan. Known in the village as the late Fourth Hokage's signature technique, the Rasengan had become Naruto's mainstay. Mastering it would not only give him an edge in battle but also honor the legacy of his father, Minato Namikaze.

The Rasengan's training regimen was divided into stages: first, maintaining stable chakra control; second, using rotational force to burst the water-filled balloon; and third, amplifying the technique's destructive force to rupture a rubber ball. Only by completing these stages could Naruto successfully wield the Rasengan.

Naruto had reached the second stage of training, but the task proved more difficult than expected. Despite his natural chakra reserves, his control was still immature, leading to repeated failures. Frustrated yet determined, Naruto glanced at his clones, who were successfully unleashing Wind Release techniques on a distant set of trees. A small sapling had already been sliced in half by a clone's Wind Scythe Jutsu. Observing their success, Naruto furrowed his brow in thought.

When the clones finally dispelled due to chakra depletion, Naruto received a rush of memories and insights. Closing his eyes, he pieced together the feedback from the clone exercises. When he opened his eyes again, the water balloon in his hand suddenly burst. Staring at the splattered water, Naruto realized something: even if one knew the steps of a technique, mastery required more than repetitive effort. Training different techniques simultaneously could provide valuable insights and enhance overall skill.

Encouraged by this progress, Naruto continued training over the next week. On the seventh day, his hard work bore fruit. Forming a spiraling sphere of chakra in his hands, he shouted, "Rasengan!" The dense orb smashed into a tree, leaving a sizable crater in the wood. Naruto grinned in satisfaction, though his palm throbbed from the strain.

The Rasengan's immense power came at a cost; its close-range application made it risky in battle. Still, Naruto considered it a growing technique that could evolve alongside his strength. One day, he vowed, he would create variations of this technique, adding his own touch.

Kurama's voice cut through Naruto's thoughts, dripping with disdain. "A cheap knockoff of the Tailed Beast Bomb. Your Rasengan is nothing more than a pale imitation of my power. One Tailed Beast Bomb could obliterate a mountain."

Naruto scratched his head sheepishly. "Yeah, yeah. But you're still stuck in a cage, aren't you?"

Used to Naruto's retorts, Kurama ignored the jab. Instead, it added, "But for a human, your Rasengan isn't bad. Aren't you afraid the Hokage will start fearing your strength?"

Naruto laughed. "I doubt the old man has anything to fear from me right now."

Kurama scoffed. "Your chakra reserves have grown—barely. Maybe 1% of my strength, at best. That might put you above some of those weaklings in this village, but don't get cocky."

Naruto absorbed Kurama's words, reflecting on his progress. Judging by his current abilities, he could take on most Genin and even some Chunin. However, against the elite Jonin of the village, he still had a long way to go.

Naruto was unconcerned about attracting the Hokage's attention. As long as he stayed within the realm of a promising but controllable Genin, the Third Hokage wouldn't consider him a threat. Moreover, Naruto was keenly aware of the Anbu operatives shadowing his every move. He made no attempt to hide his training, knowing full well that once he grew strong enough to detect their presence, the Hokage would likely loosen his surveillance.

On his way back to the village, Naruto walked through the streets with his usual swagger, ignoring the hostile stares from the villagers. Their resentment no longer affected him; he had long since stopped seeking their approval.

Suddenly, Naruto noticed that the malice directed at him had diminished. Looking ahead, he spotted members of the Uchiha Police Force engaging in law enforcement, their stern voices addressing a crowd of disgruntled villagers. The hostility once aimed at Naruto had shifted to the Uchihas.

"It's always the Uchiha," Naruto muttered. "No one likes them."

He continued walking, uninterested in the commotion. Village politics and infighting held no appeal for him. Yet, Kurama's growl echoed in his mind. "I despise the Uchihas. Their Sharingan is a cursed tool, always manipulating others."

Nearby, Uchiha Sasuke watched the scene with admiration, while his older brother, Itachi, observed in silence. Itachi's gaze briefly fell on Naruto's retreating figure. He recognized the boy as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and saw a parallel between Naruto's isolation and the growing estrangement of the Uchiha clan.

Sasuke, unaware of his brother's thoughts, beamed up at him. "Will you practice shuriken with me tomorrow, Itachi?"

Itachi sighed, placing a hand on Sasuke's head. "Not tomorrow, Sasuke. I have a mission."

Disappointed, Sasuke pouted. "Why don't you join the police force? Then you'd have time for me every day!"

Itachi's heart ached at his brother's innocence. The weight of his clan's arrogance and the village's prejudice left him despairing for their future. Only his friendship with Shisui kept him grounded. For Sasuke's sake, Itachi chose to shoulder these burdens alone, determined to uphold the Will of Fire—even at the cost of his own happiness.