Chapter 5: The Legend of Speed, Naruto Uzumaki
Without Shimi Yuna's reminder, Shiki Yuna had already planned to make more friends.
To be more precise, he intended to complete a few more achievements.
After Shimi Yuna left, Shiki Yuna and Shino Yuna entered the Ninja Academy.
The place was bustling with students and parents, a lively and thriving scene.
Suddenly, Shiki Yuna stopped in his tracks.
Shino Yuna took a couple of steps forward, then turned back, somewhat puzzled.
Following Shiki Yuna's gaze, he saw a yellow-haired boy.
Standing in a corner, exuding an indescribable loneliness.
"That's Naruto Uzumaki," Shino Yuna said directly.
The villagers of Konoha treated Naruto Uzumaki like a monster, but they didn't.
As a prominent ninja clan, and with Shimi Yuna once being Minato Namikaze's teammate, he had naturally corrected their views.
However, due to the Third Hokage's orders, he hadn't revealed Naruto Uzumaki's true identity.
"There's a lion hidden in his eyes," Shiki Yuna suddenly thought.
Yes, it was a compliment.
Naruto Uzumaki looked dejected, but those eyes were filled with intense emotions.
In the original story, he managed to earn the recognition of everyone in Konoha, which, in a way, was a kind of terrifying determination.
Because a normal person, treated like that, would've long turned into a venomous troll or gone completely dark.
Of course, it might be the influence of Asura's chakra.
[Naruto Uzumaki]
[Current Achievement: Newly Made Friend]
[Passive Achievement: Unknown]
As Shiki Yuna observed him, Naruto Uzumaki lifted his head.
He was highly sensitive to such gazes, sometimes even able to sense others' malice.
But this time, there was none.
Not far away stood two boys dressed in similar styles.
The one in front was striking—handsome, with a calm demeanor.
The one behind was almost unnoticeable.
Naruto Uzumaki scratched his head.
They… aren't afraid of me?
He had already attended the academy before, but not a single classmate liked him.
So, under the Third Grandpa's arrangements, he was starting over this year.
While he was puzzled, he saw the boy in front walking toward him.
Naruto Uzumaki froze, his confusion turning to unease.
Doesn't he know I'm a monster?
"I'm Shiki Yuna," Shiki Yuna said, standing in front of Naruto Uzumaki. "Wanna be friends?"
Having read the original story, he knew that with Naruto, there was no need for roundabout tactics—just be direct.
Of course, if he were an Uchiha, he'd steer clear of him.
He didn't want to catch the attention of two creepy old men.
But as a member of the Yuna clan, a staunch supporter of the Hokage, loyalty was his creed.
"Huh?" Naruto Uzumaki's eyes widened, looking around. "You… you sure you're talking to me?"
"It's you," Shiki Yuna nodded calmly.
"I'm Naruto Uzumaki!" Naruto hesitated for a few seconds, then switched to an excited expression. "Nice to meet you!"
[Achievement Unlocked: Naruto Uzumaki's 'Newly Made Friend.' Reward: Bronze Skin Gu.]
[Bronze Skin Gu: A first-rank Gu insect that enhances the Gu master's skin defense, allowing them to withstand more damage.]
Truly the legend of speed.
Shiki Yuna hadn't expected it to be so easy.
The Moonlight Gu and Bronze Skin Gu were a classic combo—one for attack, one for defense.
Moreover, ninjas, except for a few, were generally fragile.
No matter how strong, a kunai to the vitals meant death.
That's why Danzo Shimura once stabbed through Susano'o with a kunai.
[Naruto Uzumaki]
[Current Achievement: Dominate the Ninja Academy]
[Passive Achievement: Unknown]
Shiki Yuna was slightly taken aback by Naruto's new achievement.
This was going to be tricky.
Everyone knew Naruto was the dead-last at the Ninja Academy.
In the original story, he even failed to graduate and was forced to steal the Scroll of Sealing.
But tricky or not, it had to be done—no flipping the table.
Besides, achievement rewards were tied to difficulty.
"Let's head to the classroom," Shiki Yuna said, snapping back to reality.
"Okay… okay!" Naruto was still in a daze.
Did I really make my first friend so easily?
Third Grandpa, you weren't lying!
To their left, on the second floor of the school building, two figures stood quietly.
"Shikaku, who is he?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, taking a puff of his pipe.
"Shiki Yuna," Shikaku Nara replied.
He had come to drop off his son, Shikamaru Nara, and ran into the Third Hokage.
"Oh, it's him," Hiruzen recalled. "Shimi's son."
He hadn't met Shiki Yuna but knew he had a high aptitude for medical ninjutsu.
What a promising seedling!
Tsunade's importance went without saying.
But ever since she developed hemophobia, it was hard for her to continue as a medical ninja.
Now, there was new potential.
Add a bit of the Will of Fire, and with a good relationship with Naruto Uzumaki, Shiki Yuna might become a future pillar of Konoha.
The prerequisite was that Tsunade would agree to take him as a student.
Shiki Yuna, Naruto, and Shino entered the classroom.
Naruto's heart jolted.
The air suddenly went quiet—the worst kind of quiet.
All eyes turned to him, followed by hushed discussions.
Naruto instinctively glanced back.
He was worried his two new friends might change their attitudes.
But they didn't.
Both remained calm, as if they hadn't noticed.
Naruto began to suspect their sunglasses weren't just for show.
"Only dogs bark frantically when they're scared," Shiki Yuna said, unfazed, as he walked to an empty seat.
Naruto blinked, his eyes full of innocent confusion.
He was too young, his mind too simple, to fully grasp the meaning.
Shino Yuna, used to Shiki's shocking remarks, wasn't surprised.
He only worried that one day his big brother would get beaten to death.
He'd have to become the strongest insect controller to prevent that.
Naruto sat down, still unable to shake off the strange looks and occasional devilish whispers.
He quickly turned to Shiki Yuna, his gaze complicated.
"Ask whatever you want," Shiki Yuna said, sensing something.
Naruto's look was off.
Considering how Naruto often called Sasuke Uchiha "Sasugay" in the original story, Shiki Yuna could only think, Beware of Konoha's southern vibes!
"I'm the monster they talk about," Naruto said directly after some thought.
He was afraid Shiki Yuna had become his friend without knowing this.
"So what?" Shiki Yuna asked casually.
"Huh?" Naruto looked confused.
"You really don't get it," Shiki Yuna said, shaking his head.
He suddenly tilted his chin.
The classroom's attention shifted.
Especially among the girls.
Sasuke Uchiha walked in, hands in his pockets.
Expressionless, he exuded a cool aura.
"It's him!" Naruto's eyes lit up.
He'd seen Sasuke before and was impressed.
Because, like Shiki Yuna, Sasuke's gaze toward him was normal.
Well, not exactly normal—more like he didn't even acknowledge Naruto's existence.
Sasuke ignored the classroom's commotion and sat in the front row.
From start to finish, he carried an air of arrogance.
Shiki Yuna could've caused a similar stir if he'd entered alone, but Naruto had stolen his spotlight.
The door opened again.
This time, three people came in together.
Choji Akimichi was munching on a bag of chips, crunching loudly.
Shikamaru Nara looked half-asleep.
Only Ino Yamanaka scanned the room, and upon spotting Shiki Yuna, she ditched her two companions.
"She… she's coming toward us," Naruto said, blinking, his tone incredulous.
"I'm Ino Yamanaka," Ino said, standing in front of Shiki Yuna, extending her hand confidently. "I forgot to introduce myself last time."