Reincarnation: The Uzumaki Awakens

[ ACADEMY ENROLLMENT DAY, NARUTO WALKS ALONGSIDE NEE-CHAN IZUMI TOWARDS THE CROWDED GATES... ]

Excitement filled the air as young ninjas chattered eagerly

Naruto glanced at Izumi, feeling grateful for her presence

[ SUDDENLY, TWO FIGURES CAUGHT NARUTO'S ATTENTION: ]

Sasuke Uchiha, a brooding boy with piercing eyes and spiky black hair, stood tall

Beside him, Itachi Uchiha Naruto's past interactions with him still fresh in mind

Naruto's gaze locked onto Sasuke, and a strange sensation stirred within

FLASHBACK FROM NARUTO'S PAST LIFE (UNKNOWN TO HIM, A PREVIOUS INCARNATION):

Memories of a rival, similar to Sasuke's appearance and attitude, flooded Naruto's mind 

This past rival was arrogant, strong, and... Naruto had competed fiercely against him

BACK TO PRESENT, NARUTO THOUGHT:

"This Sasuke guy seems like a total showoff... reminds me of someone."

Sasuke sensed Naruto's intense gaze, turning towards him

[ SASUKE'S EYES NARROWED, YET HE FELT AN INEXPLICABLE TWINGE IN HIS CHEST: ]

As if Naruto's gaze awakened a dormant emotion or memory

Meanwhile, Izumi positioned herself protectively behind Naruto

HER EYES GLARED AT ITACHI, WARNING CLEAR:

"Stay back, Itachi Uchiha. Naruto's under my care."

Itachi's expression saddened, he nodded slightly before turning away

ITACHI WHISPERED TO HIMSELF BEFORE WALKING OFF:

"Still protecting him, Izumi... my heart remains tangled."

Sasuke watched Itachi leave, then returned his gaze to Naruto intrigue sparked

[ AFTER ENROLLMENT, NARUTO WALKS HAPPILY BESIDE IZUMI, HOLDING HER HAND LIKE A LITTLE BROTHER... ]

Izumi smiles warmly, enjoying this rare carefree moment with Naruto

[ SCENE SHIFTS TO HIDDEN LEAF VILLAGE STREETS, NEAR THE ACADEMY AREA: ]

Suddenly, Naruto's eyes widen as he sees two familiar faces from village stories

[ HINATA HYUGA AND INO YAMANAKA STAND FACING EACH OTHER, OBVIOUS TENSION BETWEEN THEM: ]

Hinata's gentle eyes narrow slightly, while Ino's confident expression turns icy

Naruto senses their rivalry and releases Izumi's hand, curious

NARUTO OBSERVES OUT LOUD:

"Wow, Hinata-chan and Ino-chan are glaring at each other! What's going on?"

Izumi watches with interest, knowing village dynamics

INO TURNS TO NARUTO, VOICE SWEET BUT LACED WITH COMPETITION:

"Just discussing about ninja stuff

[ SCENE CONTINUES WITH NARUTO CHATTING AMICABLY WITH HINATA AND INO... ]

All three laugh together, Naruto enjoying the friendly conversation

Hinata smiles softly at Naruto's carefree nature, while Ino teases him playfully

SAKURA HARUNO WATCHES FROM AFAR, INCREASINGLY CONFUSED BY NARUTO'S EASY BOND WITH THE OTHERS:

She thinks to herself: "Naruto's actually kind of... charming when he's not yelling 'Dattebayo!' everywhere?"

After a while, Naruto says goodbye to the girls and walks off with Hinata

HINATA WALKS BESIDE NARUTO, THEN PARTS WAYS WITH HIM NEAR HER CLAN DISTRICT, LEAVING HIM TO HEAD HOME WITH NEE-CHAN IZUMI LATER

Back with Ino and Sakura, the atmosphere shifts to gossip mode

SAKURA TURNS TO INO, DREAMY EXPRESSION:

"Ino, don't you think Sasuke-kun is just so handsome and cool?"

Ino's response surprises Sakura

INO RAISES AN EYEBROW, VOICE LOW AND WARNING:

"Sakura, drop Sasuke thoughts he's not worth my time. But actually, I need to warn you about someone else... Naruto Uzumaki."

Sakura's confusion deepens

INO CONTINUES:

"He's already taken, Sakura. Naruto belongs to me. Mark my words."

[ CONTINUE ]ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧