I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

How much you look forward to when you come, how embarrassed you are when you leave.

After being sent out of Naruto's house, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, walked alone through the dimly lit streets of Konoha. His shadow stretched under the glow of the streetlamp, flickering slightly as he walked until it was swallowed by the darkness at the road's end.

Inside, Naruto Uzumaki piled the dishes in the sink, suppressing a laugh as he recalled Hiruzen's flustered expression during their earlier conversation. "Big fox," Naruto said, glancing toward the sealed space in his mind. "Tell me, doesn't that count as standing up to the Hokage and leaving unscathed?"

Kurama, the Nine-Tails, opened one massive eye and regarded Naruto with a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Your so-called victory is nothing more than a delusion. If anything, you only embarrassed yourself more than the old man." Still, seeing Naruto's genuine smile softened Kurama's normally harsh gaze. He couldn't deny that this young jinchūriki was different—someone who sought connection rather than control.

The next morning, Naruto returned home from his usual morning jog to find a nondescript cardboard box on his doorstep. He eagerly carried it inside, speculating that it was yet another of Hiruzen's attempts to make up for the limited funds he provided. Opening the box, Naruto discovered books labeled "Ninja Basics: A Beginner's Guide," "Chakra Control Techniques," and "Three Basic Jutsu Mastery." His face lit up with excitement. These weren't just any books—they were foundational guides to mastering ninja techniques, things he had longed to study but lacked access to.

He picked up How to Properly Extract Chakra and began reading, his past life memories helping him understand the concepts. Chakra, he learned, was a mix of physical and spiritual energy, essential to ninja techniques. However, balancing these energies was no simple task; even promising students took weeks to master it, and some never succeeded. Naruto's determination drove him to try immediately.

After a few focused hours, Naruto felt a warm current flow through his body. It was chakra, coursing through his meridians like an untapped river. "Alright, let's see what I can do now!" Naruto declared. Infusing his arms with chakra, he gripped his sofa and lifted it over his head. His triumph was short-lived, as his chakra reserves depleted, sending the heavy furniture crashing down onto him.

Crawling out from under the sofa, bruised but smiling, Naruto realized the risks involved in chakra manipulation. He approached his subsequent attempts more cautiously, but his enthusiasm was undiminished. However, the thudding of furniture disturbed his neighbors, prompting annoyed shouts about noise from the floor below.

Once he was more confident, Naruto decided to share his progress with Kurama. In the sealed space, the giant fox barely looked up. "So, you've extracted chakra," Kurama said, unimpressed. "Congratulations. You're one of thousands in this village who can do that." His sarcasm was palpable. Naruto left the sealed space with a pout, determined to improve further. He might not have Kurama's respect yet, but he wasn't giving up.

By lunchtime, Naruto felt famished from the morning's exertions. As he ate, his thoughts drifted to the books on ninjutsu, particularly the infamous Three Basic Jutsu: Clone Jutsu, Transformation Jutsu, and Substitution Jutsu. Though considered beginner techniques, they were vital tools for any ninja. Naruto, having struggled with Clone Jutsu at the Academy, decided to focus on improving it first.

Naruto carefully followed the book's instructions and formed the hand seals. With a loud poof, a clone appeared beside him—but it was grotesque, misshapen, and frothing at the mouth. "Ugh!" Naruto groaned, realizing that Kurama's chakra was interfering.

He returned to the sealed space, where Kurama smirked at him. "If you can't handle a simple Clone Jutsu, maybe you should reconsider being a ninja," Kurama taunted.

Naruto crossed his arms. "Don't act like you're innocent! Your chakra's messing with mine."

Kurama yawned. "If you can't even control foreign chakra, you'll never succeed. Of course, if you ask politely—call me 'Master'—I might help you."

Naruto glared at the fox. "Yeah, right." Refusing to beg, he decided to focus on his own abilities. Remembering a memory training method he had recently unlocked, Naruto began practicing precise chakra control through exercises modeled after Hyūga clan techniques.

The next few hours were grueling but rewarding. Naruto's newfound control allowed him to refine his chakra and improve his ninjutsu, though he knew it would take weeks, if not months, to perfect. "Dinner first," he muttered as his stomach growled, reminding him that even ninja needed sustenance.

That evening, as he looked up at the moon from his bed, Naruto reflected on the day's progress. The road ahead was long, but for the first time, he felt hopeful about mastering his ninja abilities. Despite his struggles with Kurama, his limited resources, and his loud neighbors, Naruto drifted to sleep with a small smile, dreaming of the day he'd achieve his goal of becoming Hokage.