Naruto leaned over his notebook, carefully writing everything down step by step.
Step 1: Chakra Control
• Learn Leaf Concentration Exercise (balancing a leaf on the forehead to improve fine chakra control)
• Master Tree Walking
• Master Water Walking
In the original story, Naruto's chakra control had been absolutely terrible — not entirely his fault, considering the Nine Tails constantly disrupting his flow.
It was understandable... but that weakness had held him back for far too long.
Not this time.
'Alright, let's write step two,' he thought, tapping the pencil lightly against the page.
Step 2: Taijutsu Basics
• Train speed, strength, and reflexes daily.
• Learn Academy Taijutsu properly — not just reckless brawling.
He paused, a grin spreading across his face.
'I could also learn by sparring with Rock Lee and Gai-sensei... If I can find them, that is. They're probably graduating this year, so tracking them down might be tough... but hey, there's no harm in trying,' he thought with excitement buzzing under his skin.
Step 3: Stamina and Physical Conditioning
• Daily running and endurance exercises.
• Bodyweight workouts: push-ups, sit-ups, squats, pull-ups.
(A strong body equals a strong ninja.)
And finally...
Step 4: Knowledge Gathering
• Study ninja basics at the library: hand seals, tactics, traps.
• Learn about chakra natures and sealing techniques early, if possible.
(He needed to be smarter — not just stronger.)
He leaned back, surveying the plan he'd sketched out.
It wasn't perfect — there would be adjustments along the way — but it was a hell of a lot better than wandering blindly like in the original story.
He had a full year before the plot truly kicked off. There was no need to rush things and risk hurting himself; slow, consistent training would build a foundation even geniuses would envy.
'I don't ever plan on using Kurama's chakra until we're actually buddies,' he thought firmly. 'For now, I'll stick to using my near-unlimited chakra supply. That's already an insane advantage.'
Satisfied, Naruto carefully tore out the training pages and found a spot to hide them — slipping them between a loose floorboard near his bed.
He knew better than to trust that his life was private. As the Nine Tails' host, ANBU agents routinely checked in on him from the shadows. He still remembered the first time his fridge mysteriously refilled overnight — how he'd been confused at first, even spooked. Now? He barely even cared.
With his plan ready, Naruto sat cross-legged on the floor and closed his eyes.
Meditation — something he'd never really appreciated before — now felt essential.
A ninja needed a calm mind, sharp instincts, and strong discipline. And chakra control started from the mind first.
Breathing slowly, Naruto tried to channel his chakra, feeling the warmth stir inside him...
And instantly winced.
It was like trying to cup water in his hands while standing under a raging waterfall.
The chakra surged and pulsed wildly, stubborn and heavy — completely unrefined.
'Tch... This is going to be harder than I thought,' he thought, gritting his teeth as he forced himself to focus.
No matter how much the chakra bucked and twisted inside him, he wouldn't give up.
After all, this was just the beginning.
After a few minutes, Naruto was sweating buckets, his hair sticking to his forehead as he sat rigidly on the floor. He gritted his teeth, feeling his chakra spiral and thrash violently as he tried to move it through his body.
It was like trying to force a raging river through a drinking straw — wild, overwhelming, and impossible to control by brute strength alone.
But then, something clicked.
Instead of pushing against it, Naruto changed his approach.
He let the chakra flow freely, like a current, simply guiding it with gentle nudges rather than trying to force it where he wanted.
It wasn't perfect — his control wavered and slipped constantly — but it was a hell of a lot better than before.
After a while, Naruto exhaled deeply and opened his eyes, panting.
'Well... not bad for my first try,' he thought with a small, satisfied grin.
Pushing himself off the floor, Naruto headed to the bathroom. He needed to clean up before the Academy — couldn't show up looking like a complete mess.
The warm water helped wash away the sweat and tension from his body, and for a moment, he simply stood under the stream, eyes closed, gathering his thoughts.
'Today's the start,' he reminded himself. 'I'm gonna take every chance I get to get stronger.'
After a quick bath, he dried off, threw together a simple breakfast — mostly instant ramen and some leftover rice — and ate quickly, eager to get moving.
Then he tugged on his bright orange jumpsuit, the iconic outfit that somehow made him stand out like a sore thumb.
Naruto stepped outside, and the early morning sun bathed his skin in golden warmth.
He closed his eyes for a second, feeling the sunlight on his face, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Today felt different. Today, he wasn't just Naruto Uzumaki, the class clown everyone ignored or laughed at. He was someone who was going to change everything.
Taking a deep breath, Naruto sprinted off toward the Academy, his heart pounding with excitement.
'I can't wait,' he thought, his grin widening as the wind rushed past him.
When Naruto finally arrived at the Academy, he slowed to a stop in front of the building and stared up at it for a long moment.
It looked exactly like he remembered from the anime — the tall stone structure, the big windows, the carved symbol of the Hidden Leaf above the main doors.
Simple, sturdy... and strangely intimidating.
In the original series, they never really focused much on Naruto's life inside the Academy. Sure, there were a few flashbacks here and there — glimpses of lonely lunches, failed exams, the cold shoulders of classmates — but that was it.
He'd never been a fan of flashbacks either.
Especially when they gave long, drawn-out ones to some of the most boring characters imaginable. Still, he'd watched everything back then, just in case something important popped up.
'No more talk no jutsu either,' he thought dryly, a smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth. 'From now on, I only speak in sign language. These hands will do all the talking.'
Chuckling to himself, Naruto pushed open the doors and stepped inside.
The halls were mostly empty — early morning sunlight poured through the windows, casting long golden beams across the floor. His footsteps echoed softly as he made his way to his classroom.
When he peeked inside, he found it completely deserted.
'Well, I'm freakin' early,' he thought with a shrug, stepping into the room.
The classroom smelled faintly of chalk and old wood. The chalkboard up front still covered in faint smudges from the day before.
Naruto wandered over to a seat near the middle — not too far back to look lazy, not too far forward to seem suspicious — and dropped into the chair with a sigh.
'I'm sure some people will suspect me for showing up this early,' he thought, leaning back and resting his arms behind his head.
'But whatever. Let 'em think what they want.'
He tilted his head back, staring at the ceiling, a small fire already burning low and steady in his chest.
TO BE CONTINUED
[Please drop 5 drillion stones]