"Where is he? Why isn't he here yet?"
"Man, there are so many people here—it feels like I'm back at the academy! I recognize half these faces."
"How was your life under Teak Jōnin? I heard he was a very serious and rigid person."
"Ugh, it's all boring errands! When do we get to go on real missions outside the village like proper ninjas?"
"I can't wait to see Uzumaki Jōnin! Everyone says he's amazing!"
"It's like meeting a celebrity! Do you think he'd sign something for me?"
"I saw him once! He's so cool… and so handsome! I totally love him!"
At the Seventh Training Ground, the air was buzzing with chatter. Nearly every Genin who hadn't made Chūnin yet had gathered—faces full of excitement, nervous energy, and curiosity.
Most of them admired Naruto deeply. He wasn't just a name to them—he was a living legend, the youngest Jōnin in history, the one who had fought shadows and won.
The power of example really was contagious.
Standing a little apart, a group of Jōnin instructors watched their students gather. Their feelings were… complicated.
Kurenai Yuhi frowned. "You really think Uzumaki Naruto knows how to teach? I don't want him breaking Ino and Chōji on the first day."
Asuma chuckled, blowing smoke. "Relax. The Third wouldn't have picked him if he wasn't capable. Let's just see what happens."
Guy grinned and clapped Kakashi on the shoulder. "Don't worry so much! Little brother Naruto's amazing! Right, Kakashi?"
Kakashi looked offended. "Why are you dragging me into this, Guy? I'm supposed to be on vacation."
But the others stared at him expectantly—Asuma, Kurenai, even Guy—and Kakashi sighed.
"You want to know what Naruto's good at?" he asked flatly. "Fine. I used to be called a genius, remember? Chūnin at six, Jōnin at twelve. People thought I was the gold standard."
Asuma smirked. "You were. Back then."
Kakashi groaned. "Yeah, well… it didn't last long. That brat learned every single jutsu I knew in days. Days! He wiped my teaching list clean. Do you know what it feels like to be a teacher with nothing left to teach?"
Kurenai laughed lightly. "Painful?"
"Humiliating," Kakashi muttered darkly. "He'd tease me every day, mumbling sarcastic things under his breath, acting like I was holding him back. I thought I'd lose my mind."
The others exchanged glances—part sympathy, part amusement.
Kakashi continued, his tone softer now. "He's a monster. His talent's unreal. After a few missions, he was learning faster than I could even prepare lessons. I realized one day… I wasn't teaching him anymore. I was just watching him grow past me."
He stared into the distance. "I've been called a prodigy all my life. But compared to him? I'm painfully average."
He chuckled bitterly. "When Sasuke and Hinata graduated early, I threw myself into training them just to get away from Naruto. At least with them, I could still pretend to be a teacher."
He paused, then added in a quiet voice, "When he was seven years old, I knew—I couldn't beat him anymore."
The words hit hard.
Asuma and Kurenai both inhaled sharply, eyes wide. Even Guy's smile faltered for a moment.
They all knew Naruto was strong—strong enough to defeat Kage-level opponents—but surpassing Kakashi at seven? That was on a whole other level.
Guy broke the silence with a booming laugh. "Kakashi's right! Brother Naruto's amazing! When he was little, we used to compete in leg strength training! Even then, I couldn't hold him down! That kid's energy burned brighter than youth itself!"
Kurenai blinked. "Wait… Naruto's taijutsu is that strong?"
Guy grinned. "Stronger than mine."
Three jaws dropped.
Kakashi froze mid-step, eyes twitching. "Wait—what?"
He'd known Naruto as a ninjutsu monster—a human cannon who could fire jutsu like a machine gun. But taijutsu too? That had never come up.
Guy just nodded proudly. "Of course! His body is pure discipline. Every muscle, every motion—it's scary. His control and speed go beyond mine now."
Kakashi's face darkened. "You're telling me he hid that from me? His own teacher?!"
Guy just chuckled. "He's humble. Or maybe he didn't want to scare you."
Kakashi's visible eye twitched again. "Humble, my ass."
Then—
"He's here!"
All heads turned.
Naruto stepped onto the field, the sun glinting off his hair. He wore a simple Jōnin vest, hands in his pockets, smile bright and easy. Beside him walked Hinata and Sasuke—his two most capable allies and assistants.
The entire training ground went silent for a heartbeat.
Then came the whispers.
"Wow… that's him?"
"He looks… normal."
"Normal? Are you blind? Look at him—he's glowing!"
Rock Lee stared at Naruto critically. "Hmm. He doesn't look strong."
Tenten rolled her eyes. "Lee, you're hopeless. Look at that face, that aura! He's like—like a movie hero!"
Meanwhile, Sakura clasped her hands dreamily. "Naruto's cool… but Sasuke-kun is so much cooler!"
Ino groaned. "They're both gorgeous. I can't choose!"
Kiba clenched his fists, grinning fiercely. "Uzumaki Naruto… finally, I'll prove myself against you! Right, Akamaru?"
"Woof!"
Choji munched worriedly on chips. "I just hope this training isn't too rough… I didn't bring enough snacks for a month."
Shino said nothing, but his bugs were restless. They crawled frantically under his collar, reacting to something instinctive and primal.
"...This isn't going to be easy," he muttered. "He's dangerous."
Naruto stepped forward, sunlight catching his smile.
"Alright, everyone," he said warmly, "I'm Uzumaki Naruto—your Jōnin instructor for this month. We'll be doing full-scale training—mind, body, and spirit. It won't be easy."
He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "I might mess up a few things here and there, so… I'll apologize in advance."
The Genin exchanged uncertain glances.
To them, this boyish, cheerful Jōnin didn't look intimidating at all.
But behind those easy smiles and casual words, the veterans—Kakashi, Guy, Asuma, and Kurenai—knew better.
The unremarkable-looking Uzumaki Naruto standing before them…
Was anything but unremarkable.
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