Chapter 43: Preliminaries & A Proposition
A ninja slipped out to check and returned moments later. "Hokage-sama, they've just arrived."
"Good. Send for Uchiha Sasuke immediately. No, wait—it may be too urgent. We'll go out to them," the Third decided after a moment's consideration.
Down in the main hall of the tower, the genin who had survived the second exam were gathered, talking in hushed, excited clusters.
The Third Hokage, followed by the assembled Jonin sensei, emerged onto the balcony overlooking the hall, officially concluding the second exam and announcing the start of the preliminary matches to thin the numbers for the final round.
Just as in the original timeline, the first match paired Sasuke against one of Orochimaru's disposable Sound ninja spies. However, the Sasuke who stepped onto the floor now was far stronger than her counterpart from that other history. Trained by Kakashi, having begun to master the Chidori, her speed was now on par with Rock Lee's. The spy couldn't hope to keep up. He was swiftly, efficiently dismantled by a flurry of taijutsu strikes before he could even land a blow.
The ease of her victory drew murmurs of admiration from the watching ninja. The Uchiha legacy is formidable indeed.
Next came Naruto's match against Kiba Inuzuka. The comedic, drawn-out battle from the original story did not occur. The Naruto standing across from Kiba was no longer a clueless kid; he was a traveler with hard-won power.
The Third, Kakashi, and Anko—those who knew Naruto's true capabilities—already knew the outcome. The other Jonin, like Kurenai, Guy, and Asuma, watched with heightened interest, having heard whispers of the Hokage's personal tutelage. They were even more curious about Naruto's performance than they had been about Sasuke's.
Kiba, however, having witnessed Naruto's terrifying speed and power against Gaara, was already sweating. He knew he stood no chance. But he wasn't one to cower. He and Akamaru gave it their all, launching a frenzied, coordinated assault.
It amounted to nothing. Naruto moved with an almost lazy grace, evading every fang and claw without apparent effort, his movements a study in economical efficiency. Soon, Kiba and Akamaru were panting heavily, having failed to even ruffle Naruto's hair.
With a grimace of utter frustration, Kiba raised his hand. "I forfeit."
From start to finish, Naruto hadn't broken a sweat. That very lack of exertion made him seem profoundly deep and unfathomable in the eyes of the spectators.
"Hn. Uzumaki Naruto… he truly is strong," Neji Hyuga commented from the sidelines, a spark of keen interest in his pale eyes.
Gaara simply stared, his gaze a silent, ravenous promise.
Scene Ten: A Private Discussion
As Naruto returned to the observation area, Kakashi approached, his usual lazy demeanor replaced by a serious, closed-off expression.
He motioned to Sasuke. "Sasuke, with me. There's something we need to discuss."
Sasuke, who had been glaring at Naruto as Sakura fussed over him, was pulled from her simmering resentment. She blinked. "What is it?"
"You'll see. We need to address the mark on your neck." Kakashi's tone left no room for argument.
Sasuke froze, her hand involuntarily rising to touch the inflamed, three-tomoe curse mark. A flicker of conflict crossed her face. The power it offered was intoxicating, but the memory of the corrosive agony, the loss of self… she knew it was no simple gift.
It was then that Naruto, having noticed the exchange, walked over. "Kakashi-sensei. Regarding Sasuke's Curse Mark… I think I might have a way to deal with it."
Kakashi's visible eye widened. "What? Naruto, you can neutralize a Curse Mark?" He glanced around quickly, lowering his voice. "Both of you, come with me. We need to talk privately."
Naruto nodded. He and Sasuke followed Kakashi to a secure, soundproofed chamber used for briefings. After sealing the door and dismissing the guards outside, Kakashi turned to Naruto.
"Naruto. What you just said… explain. What is your method?" Kakashi's curiosity was palpable. In his understanding, Orochimaru's Curse Marks were nearly impossible to remove, a problem even the Third Hokage couldn't fully solve.
Naruto offered a small smile, glancing at Sasuke, who watched with a carefully neutral expression that couldn't mask her intense focus. "Kakashi-sensei, you know I bear a Curse Mark as well. Do you understand its fundamental principle?"
Kakashi frowned, thinking. "Konoha has records from… earlier studies. The Curse Mark contains a highly invasive spiritual wavelength from Orochimaru himself, fused with an extremely potent, unique form of chakra."
Naruto nodded. "Good. Because I was subjected to it, I've felt its nature firsthand. The 'unique chakra' you mentioned originates from a pervasive, powerful force in the world: Natural Energy."
Kakashi couldn't hide his shock this time. Sasuke just looked puzzled. As an elite Jonin, Kakashi had heard of such things. Natural Energy was a realm beyond most shinobi; the only one in Konoha known to wield it was the legendary Sannin, Jiraiya, with his Sage Mode. For Naruto to speak of it so casually…
Naruto continued, ignoring Kakashi's reaction. "The Curse Mark's power is a fusion—Orochimaru's spiritual energy blended with Natural Energy, creating a corrupted 'Sage Chakra.' The Orochimaru component is what corrodes the host's mind. That's why, Sasuke, I warned you not to use it." He looked at her directly, his expression earnest.
Sasuke, hearing this explanation for the first time, was stunned by Naruto's depth of knowledge. "Then… how can you use it? Aren't you afraid of the erosion?"
Naruto smiled. "That's the key. That's why I can help you. At the moment the Curse Mark was applied, I… purified the chakra. I expelled Orochimaru's spiritual energy from it."
"What?!" Kakashi couldn't contain his disbelief this time. To purge Orochimaru's consciousness from within one's own mind? The willpower, the mental fortitude required was unthinkable, even for a Kage-level shinobi.
Naruto confirmed with a nod. "I did. I can destroy Orochimaru's presence within the Curse Mark's power. However, while I could do it within myself, entering Sasuke's mind to do the same is another matter. I'd need external support to suppress the mark while I work." He met Kakashi's eye. "I need to learn sealing techniques."
Kakashi stared, once again floored by the boy's insight. How much does he know? He looked at Naruto, seeing not a twelve-year-old, but a mind of startling depth and clarity. His trust in Naruto, born from his lineage and his own observations, held firm. "After all that, your goal is to learn sealing jutsu?" Kakashi quipped, a hint of his usual dry humor returning to ease the tension.
Naruto grinned. "An opportunity to learn from the best? I wouldn't miss it."
Scene Eleven: The Seal of Heaven
One hour later, in the same chamber.
Naruto dispersed ten shadow clones in a series of soft pops. A flood of knowledge and practiced experience flooded his consciousness, making him sway slightly before he integrated it all. Then, he laughed. "Alright. I've got it."
Sasuke and Kakashi simply stared, dumbfounded. He had mastered foundational sealing techniques—a discipline that took most ninja years—in a single hour?
The method—using shadow clones to multiply training experience—was a secret even Kakashi thought few knew. And judging by Naruto's seamless execution, he'd been using this method for a long time. That explains his insane growth rate, Kakashi thought, a feeling of profound respect, even awe, replacing his initial shock. This is the Fourth's son… a true monster.
Sasuke was reeling. Her pride in being a peerless genius felt naive and childish. She had been blindly resenting Naruto's strength without understanding the sheer intellect, creativity, and relentless work ethic behind it. For the first time, she saw the gulf not just in power, but in maturity and understanding.
After a long silence, Sasuke spoke, her voice complex. "Naruto… now I understand how you became so strong."
Kakashi could only nod in silent agreement.
Naruto smiled at Sasuke, hoping this demonstration might finally ease some of her combative rivalry. He then turned to Kakashi. "Alright. Now, to deal with Sasuke's Curse Mark. Kakashi-sensei, you should step outside."
"Huh?" Kakashi was puzzled. "I should stay. If something goes wrong during the sealing—"
Naruto shook his head, glancing meaningfully at Sasuke. "Remember Sasuke's identity. She's a girl. It's hardly appropriate for a grown man to be here while I inscribe sealing formulae on her body. I'll have a shadow clone observe to ensure safety. It'll be fine."
Understanding dawned on Kakashi, followed by a flush of embarrassment he was glad his mask hid. This kid… his real goal wasn't just the sealing jutsu, was it? He shook his head, a wry thought crossing his mind, and quickly excused himself.
Once the door shut, leaving them alone, Sasuke, who had been quiet, finally spoke, a faint blush on her cheeks she fought to control. "He's a 'grown man.' And what are you? A woman?"
Naruto's smile turned into a full grin. "I'm a boy."