Naruto: The Nine-Tails' Legacy

Although Kurenai had never interacted with Naruto many times personally, the name Uzumaki Naruto had long since spread throughout Konoha's ninja circles.

At first, it was because of his status as the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki.

For Konoha shinobi, that was information they could not avoid knowing.

Whether willingly or unwillingly, everyone viewed and remembered the name through a different lens.

But afterward, under the Third Hokage's guidance, Naruto entered the Ninja Academy and displayed talent so extraordinary that it left everyone speechless.

Naruto's reputation in the Academy wasn't simply because he stood out.

He had stood at the absolute pinnacle of the Academy for six straight years without suffering a single defeat.

That title meant more than simply earning the admiration of younger students.

Many shinobi who were several years older than him—genin, chūnin, and even some active jōnin who had already graduated—had once been defeated by him.

And without exception, whenever those people mentioned Uzumaki Naruto during missions, they all described him the same way:

"That kid was absurdly strong."

Even the most stubborn ones only argued that things were different after becoming official ninja.

Not one of them denied that Naruto had been stronger than them during their Academy days.

After all, Naruto had beaten them face-to-face.

Anyone who tried to save face would immediately be exposed by the other victims.

Besides...

Since everyone had been beaten by him anyway, it was far better to elevate Naruto to some legendary status.

That way, losing to him didn't seem embarrassing.

Because of this, Naruto became the center of attention throughout Konoha.

By the time he graduated, the vast majority of jōnin openly acknowledged his strength.

Then came his first mission.

And it exceeded everyone's imagination.

A newly graduated genin had led his team and completed an S-Rank mission almost entirely without the participation of his supervising jōnin.

A feat unprecedented in Konoha's history.

There was even a certain self-proclaimed "Konoha's Greatest Passionate Teacher" who swore his lips were sealed.

Yet whenever he drank too much, he would enthusiastically recount Naruto's battle against Kakashi.

With vivid detail.

Down to the exact millimeter length of Kakashi's wounds.

He always claimed it was because two of his students kept pestering him for information.

Yet even when Kakashi was present, he never denied the story.

He merely punched a certain green jumpsuit enthusiast a few times.

Soon after, the Third Hokage made an unprecedented decision.

Naruto was promoted to chūnin only a few months after graduation.

And because of his blond hair and his reputed high-speed combat style, more and more voices had begun comparing him to the Fourth Hokage himself.

There were even rumors floating around that he was Minato's direct successor.

In short—

Within modern Konoha, a huge number of shinobi, Kurenai included, had absolutely no doubt about Naruto's title.

The greatest prodigy of Konoha.

Perhaps even the greatest genius in Konoha's entire history.

"GRAAAH!"

Zabuza coughed up a mouthful of blood as he crashed into the ocean.

Scarlet spread through the seawater.

But the cold shock also helped clear his mind.

This brat is dangerous.

And incredibly strong.

Ignoring the pain in his abdomen and the seawater filling his lungs, Zabuza instantly moved.

If he didn't retaliate immediately, he would lose all initiative.

The veteran killer rapidly formed hand seals underwater.

At that exact moment, Naruto landed on the ocean surface.

Then—

A massive water dragon erupted from the sea.

"Hm?"

"Water Release: Heavenly Triple Roaring Cyclone Blooming Ice-Sealing Water Dragon Zero Style..."

Naruto tilted his head.

"Oh right."

"If it's not Senjutsu, I think people call it Water Dragon Bullet Technique."

"So you want to play ninjutsu?"

He casually formed seals.

The instant Zabuza's water dragon lunged toward him—

Another water dragon burst upward from beneath the sea.

It bit directly into Zabuza's dragon.

The two dragons clashed in midair.

Then exploded into countless droplets.

This kid...

I'm underwater and can't properly gather chakra, but he matched my Water Release with a casual counterattack...

Wait.

What is he doing now?!

Originally, Zabuza had intended to use the Water Dragon as cover while surfacing for air.

Then he saw Naruto continue forming seals.

His eyes widened.

"Let me give you something stronger!"

"Senjutsu: Water Release—"

"(Fifteen words omitted.)"

Zabuza nearly lost his mind.

A new water dragon formed beneath the sea.

Except this one was larger than both previous dragons combined.

"What the hell is that?!"

"Does he not need time to gather chakra?!"

The giant dragon slammed into him.

Before Zabuza could react, it dragged him violently toward the ocean floor.

On the surface, Naruto sensed Zabuza's rapidly increasing negative emotions.

"Let's follow that up with a multiple version—"

Then he suddenly paused.

"Hm?"

An anomaly.

"Secret Technique: Thousand Flying Water Needles!"

Countless senbon made of water rained down from above.

They descended toward Naruto from every direction.

The speed and power weren't particularly impressive.

Naruto simply released the chakra beneath his feet.

His body dropped into the ocean.

The water needles missed.

However, Naruto diving beneath the surface caused White to freeze.

Unlike Naruto, he had no ability to sense malicious intent.

From above the ocean, he could no longer locate either Naruto or Zabuza.

"This is bad!"

White clenched his teeth.

Zabuza had fallen into the ocean while already heavily injured.

There wasn't much time.

Without hesitation, White dove in after him.

Zabuza-sama won't last long underwater in his condition.

I have to find him.

That blond boy entered voluntarily.

He'll probably return to the surface first and look for—

His thoughts stopped.

The moment he entered the water.

The blond-haired boy was already there.

Waiting.

Floating slightly deeper below.

Looking upward.

Smiling directly at him.

White's eyes widened.

Then he noticed Naruto's completed hand seal.

The Rooster Seal.

Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique.

Naruto firmly believed in one principle.

If a move works—

Use it again.

After all, nobody played with a single technique better than he did.

Another water dragon formed.

This one surged downward through the ocean.

Its jaws snapped around White.

The dragon carried him deeper and deeper into the sea.

Only now did White realize the true danger.

It wasn't just the impact.

Or the seawater flooding his lungs.

At this depth—

Neither he nor Zabuza would have enough air left.

This boy...

He's unbelievably strong!

Trapped inside the dragon's crushing force, White struggled to move.

Blood leaked from beneath his mask.

Yet he still fought desperately.

One hand moved.

Single-handed seals.

Back on the ocean surface, Naruto frowned.

The masked boy...

Had no negative emotions toward him at all.

Not even a trace.

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