The Day, Training Ground Seven

  “Boss, why is that ‘fox brat’ here again?” Iris whispered, his toral. He wasn’t particurly prejudiced against Naruto but wasn’t fond of him either.

  Despite Konoha’s vastness, with pces like the sprawling Forest of Death alone boasting a 20-kilometer diameter, most students who made it into the academy had a distant attitude toward Naruto.

  While some mocked him for being a css failure, genuine discrimination or isotion wasn’t as prevalent as outsiders might think.

  “Let him follow if he wants to,” Link sighed, sounding like a little adult.

  He had no i in f a e with the ails Jinchuriki, but why not ht reject or drive him away? Beyond w that such aight only ence Naruto’s persistence, Link found it hard to feel any genuine dislike toward him.

  In his previous life, Link had read the ey of Naruto. That story had been a part of his youth, a bea during school days when he loved manga and novels. He remembered flipping through its pages alone, captivated by the mischievous yet resilient protagonist.

  For a boy who bet his life for others’ aowledgment, who never gave up despite overwhelming odds, and who radiated unwaveriermination, ce, warmth, and kindness... Naruto had genuinely moved him.

  Sure, the manga had its fws, but as a prototypical shonen protagonist, Naruto shined—especially in the early arcs.

  That admiration was why Link had once loved Naruto and its titur hero so much.

  Now, living in the world of Naruto, Link didn’t naively believe the manga mirrored reality. Yet he still found it hard to harbor ill will toward Naruto.

  This is such a good kid.

  But that was exactly why Li his distance, wearing a cold expression whenever Naruto was around.

  He feared that, one day, emotions would pull him into Naruto’s orbit, f bonds that could cost him everything—just like Neji’s fate.

  From the beginning, Link’s goal was simple: survive. Keep his fate firmly within his own hands.

  “Boss,” Ami suddenly spoke up. “You—”

  “You’re smiling.”

  Link looked up at the clear blue sky. Am I? He quickly schooled his expression bato calm rality and looked down. “Alright, enough talk. Ami, you first. Show me everything I taught you yesterday.”

  “Boss~” Ami said pyfully, her voice much lighter than before. She walked toward the open training area, muttering, “But I’m a girl, you know.”

  “Ladies first, right? Makes perfect sense,” Link replied with mock seriousness. He definitely wasn’t beiy.

  Ami sighed and got to work.

  Nearby, Iris stifled a ugh.

  For the wo hours, Team Five trained under Link’s supervision. When the session ended, he instructed his teammates to rest and practi their own. Then, he walked to a nearby vending mae, bought two s of red bean soup with mochi, and sat on a bench.

  Opening one , he took a sip before pg the other on the bench beside him.

  [Fun Fact: This ed mochi drink is the same one Naruto and Konohamaru drank when chatting in the forest after Naruto’s graduation. It’s also a favorite of Anko Mitarashi.]

  “e out,” Link called casually after another sip, soothing his dry throat.

  There was a rustling noise before Naruto jumped down from a tree. “How’d you know I was there?” he asked, amazed.

  “You’ve been following me since Ichiraku Rameerday, obviously,” Link deadpanned.

  Naruto pouted slightly, unwilling to admit defeat. He even prepared to perform a jutsu—after all, he hadn’t shown off his “ultimate move” yet!

  “Your trag skills are terrible,” Link added, gesturing toward the sed . “Drink this. My treat.”

  Naruto blinked in surprise. After a brief hesitatio doicked up the drink, mumbling, “Thanks.”

  It was the first time someone his age had spoken to him so calmly, the first time someone had offered him a drink.

  Wait. No, not just someone his age—someone smaller than him.

  “What are you thinking about?” Link squi him, a hint of suspi in his voice.

  “Nothing,” Naruto replied, looking down at the unopened in his hands. It wasn’t that he wasn’t thirsty; he simply didn’t want to waste it.

  This brat...

  Link clicked his tongue, slightly annoyed but mostly amused by the kid’s quiet behavior. “Why are you following me?” he asked, leaning ba the bench.

  Sometimes, it was better to talk things out. If Naruto wouldn’t leave him alone, perhaps they could rea uanding. Maybe they could evele into a distant friendship like Naruto had with his cssmates.

  That wouldn’t be too bad, would it?

  If nothing else, Link thought, it’d make a good story to tell if he ever returo his old world.

  But before he could eborate, Naruto finally spoke up, his face breaking into a bright smile. “Thanks!”

  Link raised an eyebrow, caught off guard. “What the hell?” he muttered, taking another sip of his drink to calm his nerves.

  This kid’s so weird.

  A simple drink earned such heartfelt gratitude. If Hinata gave him a few more s, would he let her take him home?

  Suddenly, Li a bit awkward. Could he still tell Naruto not to follow him anymore? Scratg the back of his head, he tried to think of what to say.

  “Alright, listen—” he began, only to trail off.

  What could he even say? His thoughts were all over the pce.

  “Fet it,” Link said at st, sounding exasperated. “You’re impossible.”

  Naruto, having calmed down, tilted his head curiously. “Were you teag them earlier?”

  “Yeah,” Link replied, grateful for the ge of topic. “It’s not easy to bee a prenin.”

  “Then I—” Naruto hesitated, the idea f in his mind. This kid, smaller and youhan him, was already a genin and capable of teag others.

  Before he could finish, Link shot him a sidelong gnce. He’d notiaruto occasionally sneaking g his headband.

  This little puer not be thinking what I thihinking.

  Still, as an adult, Link took a deep breath to calm himself. Stay patient. Stay patient.