Afternoon sunlight filtered through gaps in the trees, casting golden beams across the forest. Normally invisible, fine dust drifted lazily through the air, illuminated as if it possessed a life of its own.
In a grassy clearing, a herd of deer lay resting. Their heads were crowned with branch-like antlers, while many fawns nestled beside their mothers. The younger deer held their small antlers high, stubborn and spirited.
Occasionally, birds chirped from deep within the woods, lending the tranquil forest an even deeper sense of serenity.
Whoosh—whoosh.
The calm was abruptly shattered.
The deer sprang to their feet in perfect unison, antlers raised, ears flaring wide like satellite dishes as they scanned for danger.
Swish! Swish!
Two shadows flashed across nearby tree trunks.
The herd scattered instantly, vanishing into the forest.
"Naruto! That's enough for today. I'm out of energy," a voice called out from behind.
"It's almost five, and beyond this point is the Forest of Death!"
One of the shadows lagged behind and landed on a tree branch, breathing heavily.
"Oh?"
The figure ahead stopped and turned, golden hair gleaming in the sunlight.
"So this is the Forest of Death you mentioned before, Shikamaru?"
"Yes—and we shouldn't go any farther. I—huh? Naruto, you—"
Shikamaru's words died in his throat.
Naruto Uzumaki suddenly flicked his wrist.
A kunai shot straight toward him.
Shikamaru reacted instantly, dodging on instinct and throwing one back in retaliation.
Pure shinobi reflex.
But the next instant made his pupils contract sharply.
Naruto didn't dodge.
The kunai struck him squarely.
Poof!
The body fell backward—and instantly transformed into a log.
"…The Substitution Jutsu."
Shikamaru let out a breath of relief and snapped his gaze toward another tree.
Naruto stood there calmly.
"You already mastered the Substitution Jutsu?" Shikamaru asked.
"What's so surprising about that?" Naruto replied casually, glancing toward the distance.
"It's just part of the Three Basic Ninja Techniques. Don't kids from Konoha's noble clans learn these before becoming genin?"
Hidden nearby, Gekkō Hayate—who had been tailing Naruto—quietly withdrew after confirming the technique.
Shikamaru shook his head, saying nothing.
He himself had already mastered the Transformation Jutsu and Substitution Jutsu. The Clone Jutsu, being a non-physical illusion, was useless in real combat, so he hadn't invested much effort into it.
Instead, he had focused on the Nara Clan's secret techniques, following his father's guidance.
Still, the Three Basic Techniques weren't easy.
And Naruto had only begun training recently.
According to the information Shikamaru received from the Third Hokage, Naruto had received his first ninjutsu scroll just last night.
And he had no instructor.
"Let's go," Naruto said, noticing Shikamaru's silence.
"Weren't you supposed to introduce me to a new friend today?"
Shikamaru hesitated, then asked:
"…Did you bring any money?"
Naruto's eyes glinted faintly.
"Can you buy friends with cash?"
"No! Of course not!" Shikamaru replied quickly, flustered.
"He just really likes to eat. I'm not sure I brought enough."
Naruto immediately understood.
"So it's Akimichi Chōji."
Since Naruto needed to collect more data in the Mirror World, he had planned to meet more key figures anyway—especially members of the future Konoha Twelve.
After recalling Chōji's role in the original storyline, Naruto nodded.
"Bringing money when going out is just good sense. Let's go—I'm interested in meeting your friend."
Earlier That Morning
After breakfast, Naruto walked downstairs and noticed Gekkō Hayate hiding in the same spot as the night before. The ninjutsu scroll given by the Third Hokage rested on a nearby chair.
Naruto casually picked up the scroll and sat down, deliberately reading through the Clone Jutsu and Substitution Jutsu instructions in full view of Hayate.
Then he began practicing—failing repeatedly on purpose, struggling openly.
Only after lunch did he finally succeed in forming a single Clone Jutsu.
Muttering aloud that he was going to find Shikamaru, Naruto left the house.
As expected, Hayate departed immediately to report.
Inside the seal space, both Kurama and Namikaze Minato were confused.
"Why tell Hayate you're going to find Shikamaru?" Minato asked.
Naruto answered calmly:
"I'm giving the Third Hokage a reason—and a window—to have Shikamaru appear 'coincidentally' in the right place."
"Otherwise, how would I find him? I've never even been to the Nara Clan's territory."
"I could wander around asking people," Naruto continued,
"but the Third doesn't have that kind of patience."
This was deliberate.
Naruto was letting the Hokage do the work for him.
As expected, when Naruto reached the ninja tool shop, he "ran into" Shikamaru.
Naturally, Hayate was still following invisibly.
Since Naruto had walked around the village in his true form the day before, he didn't bother using the Transformation Jutsu this time.
The stares were intense—but manageable.
Besides, if he were disguised, how could Shikamaru greet him?
Naruto suggested sparring, and the two headed straight to the forest where they had first met.
Shikamaru mentioned introducing another friend.
Naruto had assumed the Third Hokage had arranged a backup candidate nearby.
Hokage's Office
"You're certain Naruto mastered the Clone and Substitution Jutsu?"
The Third Hokage asked gravely.
"Yes," Gekkō Hayate replied, flipping through his notebook.
"His Clone Jutsu still fails often, but his Substitution during the spar was flawless."
The Third Hokage nodded slowly.
"The Five Elements Seal is working. His chakra control has clearly been affected."
Then he asked,
"Shikamaru suggested Naruto meet a new friend. Naruto didn't refuse?"
"No. He seemed… eager."
The Third Hokage narrowed his eyes.
"Resume surveillance immediately."
Something felt wrong.
Naruto's demeanor since waking up had changed.
Still—forming bonds with villagers was beneficial.
For now.
Later — Outside the Snack Shop
Shikamaru brought Naruto to a small snack shop, where they found Akimichi Chōji.
Chōji was chubby, slightly dopey-looking, wearing a white shirt with a large red 'Food' (食) character on the chest.
"Hi! I'm Chōji!"
Naruto smiled and handed him a pile of snacks.
"Ooooh!"
Chōji's eyes lit up as he grabbed everything at once, devouring bag after bag at an astonishing speed.
Naruto blinked.
Shikamaru looked embarrassed.
"Thanks!" Chōji said cheerfully, placing his hands on Naruto's shoulders.
"If you're friends with Shikamaru, then you're my friend!"
"Beginning data collection…"
Naruto casually tapped Chōji's arm.
"Data collection complete. Current data integrity: 8%. Please continue gathering data."
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto," he said warmly.
"Nice to meet you."
That Night
Back home, Naruto sat on his bed, reviewing the Mirror World's updated data.
"Almost no change… The completion rate is still too low."
Now he was certain:
The Mirror World's data targets were tied to key characters in the original story.
But one question lingered.
"The Third Hokage plays a major role in the plot… so why can't I collect data from him?"
Inside the seal space, Minato's voice echoed.
"Naruto… aren't you worried the Third will grow suspicious? You're acting very differently today."
Naruto looked at his father calmly.
"Even you think I'm acting strange?"
Minato hesitated.
"You're more proactive than usual. I'm worried the Third might—"
"Change is a good thing," Naruto interrupted evenly.
"I'm simply guiding my behavior toward what benefits me."
"And there will be more changes."
His eyes sharpened.
"The Third Hokage has eyes on me at all times. He'll find a 'reasonable' explanation."
Naruto smiled faintly.
"After all…"
"I'm just expanding my circle of friends."
"Isn't that exactly what he wanted?"
(End of Chapter)
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