Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Snowfall and New Encounters!
The winter season had fully descended upon Konoha, draping the village in a blanket of white snow. Everywhere Yuto looked, children were laughing and playing, their faces flushed with excitement from the cold. The once green training grounds now sparkled with fresh snow, untouched by footprints. Yuto, Naruko, and their ever-enthusiastic sensei, Guy, stood out from the crowd—not just because of their long scarves and Guy's unmistakable green jumpsuit, but because they were running laps instead of enjoying the snow like everyone else.
"Sensei, do we really have to train today?" Naruko grumbled, her breath visible in the chilly air as she tried to keep pace with Yuto. "I wanted to play in the snow!""Nonsense, Naruko! The power of youth knows no season!" Guy proclaimed with a thumbs-up and a grin that radiated warmth despite the cold. "Training in the snow builds character! Embrace it!"Naruko puffed her cheeks in frustration, but before she could complain more, Yuto chimed in, offering a solution. "Naruko, if you want, we can play in the snow for an extra hour after our training."
Her mood shifted instantly, eyes lighting up. "Yeah! Let's finish this fast!" she exclaimed, suddenly increasing her speed.Yuto chuckled and matched her pace, their breath coming out in synchronized clouds of white. "That's the spirit of youth!" Guy roared, matching their speed with ease as they raced through the village.The sight of Naruko and Guy's intense expressions made the villagers uneasy, but Yuto was used to their looks of pity directed his way. He ignored them, focused on the task at hand. Eventually, after completing three laps, Guy clapped his hands and declared training for the day finished.
"Well done! You've both surpassed your previous times! I'm proud of you both!"He said as he left after waving at them,ready to train more and burn his sweat to increase his power of youth.Before Yuto could catch his breath, Naruko grabbed his arm and began dragging him through the village. "Come on, Yuto! Let's play!"They ran to their favorite spot behind the Hokage Monument, a hidden nook where the snow lay thick and undisturbed. "Snow fight!" they both yelled, grabbing handfuls of snow and pelting each other with it. Laughter filled the air as they ducked and dodged, slipping and sliding in the snow. For a moment, everything was simple and carefree.
Hours passed like minutes, and soon, the sky began to darken. "Naruko, we should stop for today," Yuto said, brushing snow off his scarf. "It's getting late."Naruko pouted but quickly brightened when Yuto added, "Tomorrow, I'll treat you to ramen." "Yuto, you're the best!" she beamed, before they waved goodbye and headed their separate ways. As Yuto made his way back to the dorms, he noticed a familiar figure standing alone in the snow. A small girl, her lavender eyes wide and filled with uncertainty, glanced around nervously. Her short dark hair and the emblem on her jacket confirmed her identity.
'Hinata Hyuga' , Yuto thought. She looked so lost and fragile, just as she had in the anime, back when Naruto had first met her. 'But this is different… Naruko's not here. Should I help her?' Yuto stood there, considering his options. In the original series, Naruto had helped Hinata, sparking the beginning of her admiration for him. But here, in this world, would Hinata admire Naruko in the same way? She was a girl aftera all,and he didn't know how lesbian or gay was seen in this world. After a moment of hesitation, Yuto decided to step forward.
"Hey, are you lost?" he asked gently. Hinata jumped, startled by his voice, and tried to speak, but all that came out was a series of quiet stutters. "I-I… I…" Yuto smiled, trying to make her feel more at ease. "It's okay. You're a Hyuga, right? If you're lost, I can take you home. I know where the Hyuga compound is." Hinata's eyes widened slightly, and she nodded, still too shy to say much. Yuto turned and gestured for her to follow. As they walked, he tried to make small talk. "I'm Yuto Yamanaka. What's your name?"
"H-Hinata Hyuga," she stuttered, barely audible. "No need to be shy," Yuto said kindly. "It's okay." He continued leading the way, recalling how Naruko had once pranked the Hyuga clan by painting their kimonos pink. He chuckled at the memory; it was amazing how they'd managed to pull it off without getting caught. Eventually, they reached the Hyuga compound. Yuto stopped a short distance from the gates, afraid that the guards whose face they had painted pink while escaping will remember him.He pushed these thoughts away while turning to give Hinata a soft smile. "Well, here we are. Be careful not to get lost again, okay?"
Hinata nodded, her cheeks slightly pink from either the cold or embarrassment. "Th-thank you," she whispered.Yuto waved goodbye, heading back toward the dorms. As he disappeared into the distance, Hinata stood there for a moment, watching his retreating figure. "Yuto…" she murmured softly, his name lingering on her lips before she finally made her way inside.
After Yuto had escorted Hinata home, he finally reached his dorm. The cold air of the winter night didn't bother him as much anymore, having trained with Guy-sensei has made his endurance stronger. As he entered his room, Yuto sat down on the edge of his bed, glancing out the window to the now silent and snow-covered village. His breath came out in soft clouds as he took a deep breath, his mind focused on the days ahead.He stretched for a moment before a familiar screen flashed in front of him. The quest screen glowed dimly in the darkness of the room, the blue light casting shadows over his face. His eyes drifted to the remaining two quests.
[Quest Number 1:
1st ranker :When you turn 8,you will take the academy entrance exam and rank first in every test.Show everyone that a new genius is born and get the attention of your clan head.
Reward:Mystery Box,2 points added to all your stats except luck.]
[Quest Number 3:
Fit Body:Train your body to harsh exercises and keep increasing them when you feel that you are getting a hang of it.To be recognised as a genius,your physical strength and speed should be able to match your chakra control. Keep doing these exercises till your academy exams and Ace the test.
Reward:Mystery Box, 2 points added to all your stats.]
It felt so close yet so far away."The exams are in five days…" he muttered quietly to himself. Yuto recalled what Guy-sensei had told him earlier. "Rest for the last two days. Let your body recover." The training he and Naruko had endured would prepare them, but rest was crucial to sharpen their skills for the exam.His gaze lingered on his clenched fist, the slight shaking in his fingers betraying the sheer determination that burned within him. "I will ace it," Yuto said under his breath, tightening his grip. "I've worked too hard, pushed myself too far to back down now. This isn't just about passing an exam. It's about what comes after."
The words Guy-sensei had spoken to him rang clearly in his head, echoing with the weight of meaning: "The foundation is everything. Even the mightiest warriors need to be built from strong roots." Yuto felt his chakra humming softly beneath his skin, a product of those months of intense training. He knew this was just the beginning. His eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at his hand, slowly forming a tight fist."I'll surpass the Hokage. I'll surpass all the great shinobi that came before me, not just in strength but in mastery. I'll beat them in every one of their specialties. That's my dream," he murmured, the fire in his voice rising. "I will become the Ashura no Shinobi—the blade of the future Kami no Shinobi."
The words carried the weight of his ambition. He knew what awaited him in the future—Madara, the Otsutsuki, threats that had destroyed entire planets in his past life as a mere spectator of the anime. This time, he wasn't just a watcher. He was a player in the game, and his survival depended on how strong he became. With a deep exhale, Yuto dismissed the glowing screen. The room returned to its previous quiet state, leaving him in the darkness again. The future weighed heavily on his shoulders, but he welcomed the challenge. He wasn't scared—he was excited.
Sliding under his blanket, Yuto allowed his tense muscles to relax as sleep gradually pulled him into its grasp. A soft smile crept onto his face as he imagined it: fighting alongside Naruko, the two of them against all odds, their combined strength rivaling that of Madara and Hashirama's.
He could see Madara's Rinnegan eyes staring him down, feel the pressure of battle bearing down on him. But he wasn't alone. Naruko was at his side. Together, they would face whatever came their way. Yuto's last thoughts before sleep overtook him were of the battles he would fight in the future and the goal that had driven him ever since he had been reborn into this world: to become someone who would not just protect this world which was the home of his loved ones,but also be feared and respected by all its enemies.Tomorrow was another day. Another chance to get stronger.The exams were close,And Yuto Yamanaka was ready for it.
(Pls give me some power stones!)
(Find out next time on Naruto:eye system)