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...
The final exam for the first-year students at the Ninja Academy had arrived.
It was split into two parts: theoretical knowledge and practical skill assessments.
For Naruto, both were a walk in the park.
Unsurprisingly, he took first place in the written test—not just in his class, but across the entire first-year cohort.
As for the practical exam? Even easier. With Naruto's current skill level, it was hardly a challenge.
And just like that, Naruto became the top student of his year.
This was a far cry from the Naruto of the original timeline—where the interference of the Nine-Tails' chakra and his obsession with pulling pranks had kept him firmly at the bottom of the class for six long years.
In the original story, Sasuke always ranked first.
But with this version of Naruto, even if Sasuke gave it his all, he could only come in second place.
This result made Sasuke grit his teeth in frustration—and he began to see Naruto as a rival.
But if Naruto found out that little Sasuke now viewed him as a competitor...
He'd probably offer him three seconds of silence.
Because honestly?
"I'll give you time to catch up... until you can't even see my back."
After the test results were released, the Third Hokage was immensely satisfied with Naruto's performance.
Not only was Naruto the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, but he had also inherited the talent of his father—the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato.
The combination of the Nine-Tails' power and Minato's genius was almost unimaginable.
Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but wonder:
Just how dazzling would Naruto's future become?
And if he could steer that power in the right direction...
The Sarutobi clan could cement its dominance over Konoha for generations, becoming the village's most powerful lineage.
At that moment, the Third Hokage stood by the window in his office, gazing out at the bustling streets of the Hidden Leaf Village.
His expression was filled with emotion.
"Keep walking this path, Naruto."
"For the sake of Konoha, this is the ideal outcome."
A fleeting thought passed through Hiruzen's mind—of the Fourth Hokage and Kushina Uzumaki.
Perhaps there was a flicker of guilt when it came to Naruto.
But if that guilt ever existed, it was quickly buried beneath the weight of political gain.
With the final exam over, the Ninja Academy went on break.
The once lively schoolyard fell quiet almost overnight.
Ordinarily, Naruto would've returned to the lonely life he lived before entering the Academy.
But things were different now.
Shikamaru, Choji, and the other little powerhouses often came to hang out with him during the holidays. They knew about Naruto's bond with Hinata and would even help bring her over to play.
Naruto had companions now.
They were nothing like the villagers.
From the very first time Shikamaru and the others looked at him, there was no disgust or wariness in their eyes.
Because of that, Naruto treated them differently too.
He didn't view them the same way he did the villagers who ostracized him.
He knew clearly who deserved his resentment—those in power, and the villagers who had judged him without ever understanding him.
Not Shikamaru and the others.
And certainly not Hinata.
This holiday was the first time since arriving in this world that Naruto experienced a rare kind of peace.
Especially when he was with Hinata.
Hinata was simply... the cutest girl in the world.
Even during the holidays, Naruto never slacked off. Training was part of his daily routine—and now, he had begun exploring new ideas.
Training Ground 66.
Naruto had just completed his morning drills.
After finishing lunch, he lay back on the grassy field, arms behind his head, staring blankly at the sky.
Suddenly, a few birds flapped their wings and burst out from the nearby woods. Naruto's gaze followed them as they ascended into the clouds.
He envied them. The way they soared through the sky without limits—free and unbound.
More than just a childlike dream, Naruto began to see the strategic value in flight.
If a ninja could master the ability to fly, they'd gain an overwhelming advantage in combat.
Most ninjutsu couldn't reach opponents in the air.
In a fight against powerful enemies, taking to the skies could shift the entire battle.
You could attack from above, avoid close combat, even escape if needed.
But Naruto knew the reality.
In the shinobi world, true flight was rare.
As far as he remembered, there were only a few ways to fly using ninjutsu.
The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki of Iwagakure, had a unique Doton (Earth Release) technique—Light-Weight and Heavy-Weight Rock Technique.
By manipulating an object's weight, he could float and even fly freely.
But Naruto had never seen the technique firsthand. Besides, Iwagakure had classified it as a forbidden jutsu.
Definitely off-limits.
As for the rest?
Most flying abilities weren't true flight.
They relied on summons, external tools, or constructs to stay airborne.
What Naruto wanted...
Was a technique that allowed him to fly under his own power.
And then—it hit him.
A flash of inspiration struck like lightning.
Another world... another story...
Dragon Ball.
In that universe, there was a move called the Air Dance Technique. By sensing Qi and controlling the air, the user could achieve true, unrestricted flight.
Naruto's eyes lit up.
"Can I recreate that here... with chakra?"
If he could substitute Qi with chakra—specifically, wind-natured chakra—it might work.
He sat upright.
Focusing his thoughts, he recalled everything he knew about the Air Dance Technique. Then he combined it with his deep understanding of wind-style chakra and its extreme property transformations.
And suddenly—an epiphany.
You have created a new technique: Wind Style: Wind Dance!
Wind Style: Wind Dance Technique
A technique that uses vast amounts of chakra, combined with extreme manipulation of wind-natured chakra, to generate lift and propulsion—allowing the user to fly under their own power!
Naruto's heart pounded.
He could feel it.
The technique was real. And it worked.
Eyes snapping open, he couldn't suppress the excitement welling up inside him.
Flight.
True flight!
It had always been one of humanity's oldest dreams.
And now, he had achieved it—with his own strength.
Even so, Naruto didn't let his guard down.
He knew Anbu agents were always watching him in secret.
And that old bastard, the Third Hokage, probably still used his crystal ball to spy on him now and then.
So Naruto calmly closed his eyes again.
And slipped into the sealed space within his body.
Inside the seal, the massive chakra beast—Kurama, the Nine-Tails—lifted his head in surprise.
"You again? In the middle of the day?" he asked, curious.
Naruto couldn't hold back his grin. "Kurama! I've got something awesome to show you!"
Kurama raised a brow, setting aside the novel he'd been reading.
The last time Naruto had been this hyped... was when he first mastered the Wind Style: Rasenshuriken.
That alone made Kurama curious. And slightly concerned.
After all, this brat was very good at springing surprises.
Naruto saw Kurama's reaction and immediately began channeling chakra. He prepared to demonstrate the Wind Dance Technique.
A surge of energy erupted from within him.
Chakra swirled like a breeze, wrapping around his body—and he began to lift off the ground.
Kurama blinked.
He was stunned.
"What the hell is this kid doing now?!"
"Why is he floating?!"
Naruto hovered steadily in the air, adjusting to the sensation.
Then, looking down at the wide-eyed Nine-Tails, he smirked.
"Watch this."
In the next instant—
He shot forward!
Skipping the slow adaptation phase most would need to practice aerial movement, Naruto jumped straight to high-speed flight!
Kurama just stared, slack-jawed.
This brat…
He really did it.
...
TN:
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