Naruto: The Chosen Undead

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Chapter no.79 Ripples Beneath the Waterfall

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The two of them trekked through the dense forest, the scent of fresh pine and damp earth filling the air. Sunlight filtered through the trees in patches, casting golden beams onto the forest floor. Naruto walked quickly, practically bouncing with anticipation as he tried to keep up with Asuma's long strides.

After about ten minutes of hiking, the sound of rushing water grew louder. They stepped into a clearing, and Naruto's eyes widened at the sight before him.

A massive waterfall cascaded down a jagged cliffside, the water crashing into the pool below with a roar that filled the air. Mist rose from the base, catching the light and creating faint rainbows that danced in the spray. The pool fed into a winding river that snaked into the forest, its current strong and unrelenting.

Naruto stared at the waterfall, his eyes wide. "You really weren't joking..."

"You're going to stand behind that waterfall and use your wind chakra to cut the flow of water. Think of it like cutting the leaf," Asuma explained. "But way harder. Unlike the leaf, the water's constantly moving, constantly changing. You can't just trickle your chakra into it—you need to release it in a single, precise burst. When you can manage that, we'll start with the hand signs for Vacuum Blade."

Naruto stood at the edge of the clearing, fists clenched, eyes blazing with that unshakable determination Asuma was quickly learning to expect from him. Without hesitation, Naruto began stripping off his armor piece by piece, setting it on the ground with a metallic thud.

Asuma's eyebrows shot up as he took in the sheer definition of the boy's physique. His body was built like a weapon—lean, powerful, and honed through years of effort. This wasn't the kind of build you got overnight. No, this kid had been working hard for a long time, long before the village had even started noticing him.

Exhaling through his nose, Asuma tapped the cigarette between his fingers. So that's why Konoha's got its eyes on you. It wasn't just the Nine-Tails. It was this. All of this. The mystery surrounding him, the strength he'd built, the unknowns that made people uneasy.

But that's the problem with shinobi. They were trained to look underneath the underneath, to dig for secrets. But with Naruto... where do you even start looking when you don't know what you're looking for?

A sharp shout from the boy snapped him out of his thoughts. Naruto was already behind the waterfall, water crashing down on him like a hammer as he braced himself against the force. His clones mirrored his stance perfectly, their hands glowing faintly with chakra as they tried to cut through the water. The first attempt sent only a small ripple, barely noticeable against the roaring cascade.

"Again!" Naruto barked, his voice carrying over the rush of the falls. His clones nodded, their expressions just as serious as they reset their stances.

Leaning against a nearby tree, Asuma watched him closely. Maybe that's Konoha's problem. They're too focused on his secrets, trying to figure out what makes him tick. But they're missing what's right in front of them. The boy, not the mystery. The person, not the power.

He sighed, the irony of his own thoughts settling in. He wasn't exactly innocent here. Hell, his first instinct had been to evaluate Naruto as a potential threat too. But seeing him now, pushing himself past his limits, it hit differently.

He reminded him of himself.

When he was Naruto's age, he'd been the same way—relentless, stubborn, desperate to prove something. Back then, it had driven a wedge between him and his old man.

He took another drag from his cigarette, the smoke curling into the sky. Naruto and I aren't so different. Both of them sons of Hokage. Both living under shadows they didn't ask for. Both ostracized in their own ways. Maybe that's why I feel such a connection to him. Naruto wasn't just some student. He's a reflection of who I was—and who I still might be.

Asuma watched as Naruto tried again, this time sending a larger ripple through the waterfall. It wasn't much, but it was progress. And knowing the kid, he'd keep pushing until he succeeded.

That's the thing about him—he doesn't give up.

A smile tugged at Asuma's lips as he flicked the ash from his cigarette. I think I can finally see it. His ninja way wasn't just about protecting the village anymore. It was about something bigger—ensuring that the next generation, kids like Naruto, had a future worth inheriting.

He wouldn't see Naruto for his mysteries. He wouldn't treat him like a puzzle to solve or a threat to monitor. He'd see him for who he was. Naruto. His student. A kid who deserved to be treated with respect and kindness, not suspicion.

He chuckled softly as Naruto shouted at his clones to keep going. Your secrets might intrigue my shinobi instincts, kid, but my humanity knows better. You're Naruto first. And that's how I'll treat you. I'll make sure you succeed, not because of the village's expectations, but because you deserve it.

That's my ninja way.

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A few hours later...

Naruto sat on a tree stump near the river, a pile of empty bento boxes stacked beside him. His chest gleamed under the fading sunlight, droplets of water rolling down his well-defined muscles. His soaked pants clung uncomfortably to his skin, but the food more than made up for it. Team 10 stood nearby, watching him eat like he hadn't seen a meal in days.

"Slow down, Naruto," Choji said, sounding half-impressed and half-concerned. "Even I take my time to enjoy the taste."

Naruto didn't slow down. "Can't. Too hungry," he mumbled through a mouthful of rice, grabbing another rice ball and scarfing it down. He picked up a bottle of juice and drained it in one gulp. "Training makes you starving."

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow at Choji. "When you're telling someone to slow down, you know it's serious."

"Seriously," Choji said with a chuckle. "I feel like I should be worried for you."

But neither of them noticed that Ino wasn't paying attention to the conversation. Her eyes were glued to Naruto's upper body. She had never thought much of him before—loud, annoying, and definitely not her type—but now, drenched from head to toe and radiating a confidence she couldn't quite place, he looked... different. And those muscles. Where did those even come from?

"Geez," she muttered under her breath, and before she knew it, her hand reached out as if it had a mind of its own. Her fingers brushed against his chest, and she gave his pec a light squeeze.

Naruto froze mid-bite. Slowly, he turned to look at her, his chopsticks still halfway to his mouth. "Uh... Ino? What are you doing?"

Ino snapped her hand back, her cheeks burning red. She coughed awkwardly and looked away, trying to play it cool. "Just... uh, checking if they're real."

"Really, Ino?"

Choji, meanwhile, was staring at her with wide eyes. "Did you... did you just touch him?"

"Shut up!" she hissed, shooting both of them a glare. "It was nothing!"

"Okay," Naruto said with a shrug, completely unfazed. He resumed eating, shoveling more food into his mouth without a care in the world.

Ino stared at him, dumbfounded. What kind of guy doesn't even react to that?

"How did you get like this, anyway?" Choji asked, leaning closer and poking Naruto's bicep. His eyes widened. "Your muscles feel like rocks!"

"It just kind of happened." Truthfully, every time he gained more experience and pushed himself further, his body seemed to transform on its own—stronger, sharper, more defined. The only thing that didn't seem to change, much to his frustration, was his height.

"Gah, Sakura is so lucky," Ino said, pouting. "She gets to hang out with Sasuke-kun and... and..." Her voice trailed off as she realized what she was about to say. She shook her head, her cheeks turning pink again. "Never mind."

Naruto raised an eyebrow, swallowing a mouthful of rice. "And what?"

"Nothing!" she snapped, avoiding his gaze. But she couldn't help stealing another glance at his chest. Not that impressive, she told herself. Sasuke-kun is still better.

"So, how are Sasuke and Sakura training?"

"Probably lazing around like a pig. Unlike Sasuke-kun, at least you're putting in the effort." Ino gave Naruto an appraising look. "I'll give you that."

Naruto frowned. "Actually, Sakura's been training barrier ninjutsu. She's been working really hard."

"Yeah, right," Ino scoffed. "She's probably doing nothing and hoping Sasuke will save her, as usual."

Naruto's expression darkened. "Or maybe that's just your fantasy."

"Excuse me?!"

"Sakura's been working her butt off," Naruto said firmly. "She's not the same girl she was in the Academy. Don't dismiss her like that."

The two of them locked eyes, tension crackling in the air.

"Whatever you say," Ino muttered, looking away. "Working hard doesn't mean she can beat my beauty."

Naruto snorted. "Right. Because that's what matters in a fight."

A heavy silence settled over the group. Shikamaru and Choji exchanged a glance, both silently agreeing: no way were they poking this hornet's nest.

Finally, Naruto broke the silence. "Why do you even like Sasuke?"

Ino blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

"Why do you like him?" Naruto repeated, leaning forward slightly. "What's so great about Sasuke, anyway?"

"I..." Ino hesitated, her usual confidence faltering. "I like Sasuke-kun because he's... strong. And cool. And he's... he's..."

Ino's voice trailed off, her confidence slipping away. The words refused to come, slippery and evasive like water through her fingers. She prided herself on her eloquence, her ability to name and describe the intricate beauty of flowers, the subtle nuances of emotions—but now, when it mattered, she found herself at a loss.

Despite her extensive vocabulary, none of the words she grasped for felt right. None could truly capture the reason she admired Sasuke. For the first time, she was struck by how hollow those words sounded when said aloud.

Naruto, watching her struggle, crossed his arms. His voice was quiet but firm as he broke the silence. "Grow up, Ino. Sakura's grown up, and it's time for you to do the same."

The words weren't spoken with malice, but they landed heavily nonetheless. He'd meant to defend Sakura, to stop Ino from dismissing her progress—but instead, his words pierced deeper than he'd intended.

Ino froze, her mind spinning as she stared at him. His bluntness, so unpolished yet undeniably honest, cut straight to the heart of her feelings. She couldn't think of a retort, couldn't summon her usual snark. Instead, one question echoed in her head, louder and louder until it drowned out everything else: Why do I like Sasuke?

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[ Personal Note: First off, thanks a ton to all of you for sticking with this story. Seriously, you guys are awesome. Now, if you're interested in supporting me on P@treon, let me just say that over there, I post these massive 5k-word chapters. But heads up, if you're jumping to P@treon, you'll need to start from Chapter 38, since that's where this chapter lines up with the content there.

To everyone here just reading along, please don't forget to leave a comment! Honestly, your comments make my day, and they let me know you're as invested in this story as I am. So yeah, thanks again, and I hope you have an amazing rest of your day!