The sun had barely set over Konoha when Oliver leaned against the balcony railing of his apartment, gazing out at the village below. It had been three years since he arrived in this world, and though he had adapted to the strange new life, there were still moments when he found himself reflecting on how everything had begun. His thoughts often returned to that fateful day—three years ago—when he first met Naruto Uzumaki.
Three Years Ago - The First Meeting
Oliver had just settled into his new apartment in Konoha, still adjusting to the hustle and bustle of the Hidden Leaf Village. The first few days were overwhelming. The sounds of the village—the chatter of people, the occasional loud noise of a distant training ground—had become the backdrop of his life. But on that particular evening, there was something different. It wasn't the usual noises of the street vendors or children playing. It was a loud crash followed by frantic yelling.
"I'm gonna become the Hokage!" a voice shouted at the top of its lungs, followed by another loud crash and what sounded like something—or someone—slamming into a wall.
Oliver sighed and stood up, walking to the door of his apartment. He wasn't the type to get involved in others' problems, but the noise was getting ridiculous. He opened the door and made his way down the hallway, annoyed at the disruption. It didn't take long for him to locate the source.
The door across the hall was wide open, and inside, a boy with spiky blonde hair was standing on a table, energetically gesturing as he spoke to himself.
"I'm gonna prove them all wrong!" Naruto Uzumaki declared loudly, knocking over a pile of books as he struck another dramatic pose.
Oliver paused in the doorway, blinking. He had heard the rumors about this boy—Naruto Uzumaki, the village troublemaker with big dreams and a loud mouth. But to see it in person? It was… something else.
Unable to ignore the noise any longer, Oliver knocked firmly on the doorframe. "Hey!"
Naruto whipped around, eyes wide and startled for a moment before breaking into a grin. "Oh hey, sorry! Didn't know I was disturbing anyone."
Oliver raised an eyebrow. "Disturbing? You're shaking the walls down."
Naruto scratched the back of his head, sheepishly. "Yeah, sorry about that. I just get… really excited sometimes, you know?"
Oliver stared at him for a moment before sighing. "I don't mind the excitement, but try to keep it down. Some of us value our peace and quiet."
Naruto's eyes lit up, clearly more interested in making a new friend than in explaining his loud behavior. He jumped off the table, hands on his hips. "Oh! You're new, right? I haven't seen you around before. I'm Naruto Uzumaki! Future Hokage!" He added the last part with dramatic flair, his voice filled with determination.
Oliver couldn't help but smile slightly at the enthusiasm. He wasn't one to make friends easily, but there was something contagious about Naruto's energy. "Oliver. And, uh, what exactly are you doing here, Naruto?"
Naruto's face split into an even wider grin. "I'm training to be the Hokage! I gotta get stronger, you know? I'm gonna show everyone that I can do it!"
Oliver raised an eyebrow, slightly skeptical. He'd heard about Naruto's dream, but hearing him talk about it with such unshakable confidence was different. He wasn't sure whether to take Naruto seriously or not, but the boy's infectious personality made it hard not to be at least a little interested. "Training to be Hokage, huh? Sounds like a long road."
Naruto nodded enthusiastically. "It is! But I won't give up! I can't, not when I've got so much to prove!"
The Beginnings of Friendship
Over the following weeks, Naruto didn't stop showing up at Oliver's apartment. Sometimes, it was to ask if he wanted to train, other times just to hang out. At first, Oliver found it a little annoying, but he soon realized that Naruto wasn't just seeking company—he was seeking something deeper. Something he was missing, maybe even without realizing it himself.
One evening, after a particularly grueling day of training, Naruto showed up on Oliver's doorstep again, looking a little down.
"I'm just not getting any better," he muttered, slumping against the doorframe. "No matter what I do, it's like I'm always falling behind everyone else. It sucks."
Oliver glanced at him. Despite all the bravado, despite all the energy, it was clear that Naruto had his doubts too. "Everyone has their own pace," Oliver said, shrugging as he grabbed his gear to get ready for training. "Besides, you've got determination. That's something a lot of people don't have."
Naruto's face lit up, the spark of excitement returning to his eyes. "You really think so?"
Oliver nodded. "I do. Now, if you're serious about training, then let's go."
From then on, their training sessions became a regular thing. Naruto was often more energetic than Oliver preferred, but he couldn't deny that the boy's enthusiasm made up for it. As time passed, Oliver's own skills grew, and Naruto's relentless spirit pushed him to new heights. They trained together, laughed together, and even got into trouble together.
The Will of Fire
As Oliver spent more time with Naruto, he began to hear about the Will of Fire—the philosophy that guided the Hidden Leaf Village. To Naruto, it was everything. It was the spirit of never giving up, of protecting the people you cared about, of always moving forward no matter the challenges.
"The Will of Fire is what makes this village strong! It's about protecting everyone you love!" Naruto had explained to him one evening after a particularly hard training session.
Oliver had listened, but he couldn't fully embrace it. He respected the ideals behind it, sure. Protecting those you care about and fighting for the people you love were noble goals. But something about it seemed… manipulative. He had lived through too many situations where such ideologies were twisted to control others. The Will of Fire, while noble in spirit, sometimes felt like a tool for those in power.
Despite his reservations, he couldn't help but respect Naruto's belief in it. The boy had been cast aside by so many, and yet he clung to the Will of Fire with a passion that was hard to ignore.
SkillSetandStrengthatGraduation(Mid-Chunin)
• Chakra Control: Mastered chakra control for jutsu efficiency and advanced techniques.
• Taijutsu: Skilled in hand-to-hand combat, especially with tonfa and his refined speed.
• Ninjutsu: Mastery of basic academy jutsu and early proficiency in elemental jutsu (Fire & Wind).
• Fūinjutsu: Basic sealing techniques for tactical advantage in combat.
• Strategic Intelligence: Highly tactical in combat, using his sharp mind to outthink opponents.
• Physical Strength: Well above average for his rank, capable of taking on multiple opponents simultaneously.
• Tactical Combat: Adapts quickly to new situations, using a blend of styles and techniques learned from various sources.