Kurama Yakumo
---
Uzumaki Naruto's talents had blossomed earlier than in the original timeline, thanks to Natsume's guidance. This mentorship had significantly changed him—he was no longer the mischievous prankster but a cheerful, capable boy admired for his strength and sunny demeanor.
Yet, to some villagers still haunted by the memory of the Nine-Tails' attack, Naruto remained a living reminder of the demon fox's destruction.
Uchiha Sasuke, on the other hand, had grown up in a different reality. The Uchiha Clan massacre had never occurred. Though he carried his clan's pride and ambition, he hadn't been consumed by hatred or darkness. His personality, while still prideful, was far more grounded.
And yet, meeting Naruto often left Sasuke speechless with frustration.
Natsume couldn't help but notice how much Naruto had begun to resemble Minato Namikaze—the Yellow Flash of Konoha. His overwhelming friendliness, coupled with his undeniable talent, left his rivals feeling outmatched and infuriated—especially Sasuke.
Whenever they sparred, Sasuke would fall short, only to be met with Naruto's kind words of encouragement. For Sasuke, it would almost have been preferable to be mocked or scolded.
The sparring match began.
Natsume sat in the audience, chatting casually with Hyuga Rinka. Lady Rinka, radiant in her elegant kimono, could barely contain her pride.
"I used to worry so much about her," Rinka said, her voice tinged with emotion. "Hiashi's expectations were so high, I feared she'd crumble under the pressure."
Her hands tightened on her lap as her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "But seeing her now—a strong kunoichi, standing tall—I can't help but wonder how much she struggled alone to get here."
Natsume listened attentively, sensing that Rinka might see him as a potential match for her daughter. As the conversation shifted toward Hinata's childhood, he imagined how mortified Hinata would be to hear this discussion.
On the training field, Naruto's sparring session with Sasuke reached a critical moment.
Thanks to additional instruction from Sarutobi Seinosuke, Naruto's weaknesses in taijutsu and ninja tools had been refined. His improvement was evident as he outclassed Sasuke effortlessly. Yet, true to his nature, Naruto never fully overpowered his rival. To onlookers, they seemed evenly matched.
But Sasuke knew the bitter truth—Naruto was holding back.
Frustration gnawed at Sasuke's pride. Gritting his teeth, he withdrew and formed hand signs with precision.
"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!" (Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!)
A massive fireball roared across the training grounds, its heat palpable even to the audience. This wasn't the standard C-rank technique—it carried far more power, a testament to Sasuke's talent.
The spectators gasped, their murmurs echoing through the stands.
Naruto, however, remained calm. Without hesitation, he formed his own hand seals.
"Fūton: Daitoppa!" (Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!)
Naruto poured a torrent of chakra into the jutsu, elevating the technique beyond its usual power. The resulting windstorm not only extinguished Sasuke's fireball but sent shockwaves across the field, threatening to knock Sasuke off his feet.
Just as it seemed Sasuke might be overwhelmed, Naruto appeared before him in a blur, using the Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique) to carry him out of harm's way.
"Put me down! I didn't need your help!" Sasuke shouted, his face flushed with embarrassment.
Naruto scratched the back of his head, offering a sheepish grin. "Uh, you sure? That wind was pretty strong."
Sasuke glared at him, too embarrassed to retort. He turned his gaze to the distant remnants of the storm, anger bubbling beneath the surface. He hated the helplessness of always falling just short.
Naruto, oblivious to Sasuke's turmoil, gave him a thumbs-up and beamed. "You're getting stronger, you know! That fireball was amazing—I had to give it my all to counter it!"
"Really?" Sasuke's frustration wavered, replaced by a flicker of hope.
"Of course! I'd never lie to you," Naruto replied earnestly, his sincerity impossible to ignore.
For a brief moment, Sasuke believed him.
As the sparring session ended, the academy's focus shifted to the upcoming challenge matches. Yet, after witnessing the clash between Naruto and Sasuke, no one dared to step forward.
In the stands, Rinka sighed softly. "If only the Fourth Hokage were alive… Naruto would be celebrated for his strength. But instead, they only see the Nine-Tails."
Natsume's thoughts wandered. Perhaps it was time to consider unsealing Kurama. In the original timeline, Naruto and Kurama had clashed repeatedly before forging a bond. But with guidance, things might go differently. Kurama's power was, after all, one of Naruto's greatest assets.
"I must prepare lunch. Until next time, Natsume," Rinka said, rising gracefully.
"Take care, Lady Rinka," Natsume replied as she departed.
His attention soon shifted to another figure still lingering on the training grounds—Hinata Hyūga. Before she could leave, Natsume appeared in front of her with a swift Shunshin no Jutsu.
"Natsume" Hinata greeted, her white eyes lighting up with excitement. "How did I do today?"
She looked up at him, her cheeks flushed as if awaiting his approval.
"You were amazing," Natsume said, ruffling her hair. "You had everyone in awe."
Hinata's face turned even redder, and she fidgeted nervously. "I... I'm glad."
"What's wrong?" Natsume asked, noticing her hesitation.
"N-Nothing!" Hinata stammered, shaking her head. "I have to get back to class. See you tonight, Natsume!"
She darted off, leaving Natsume chuckling softly.
As he prepared to leave, his attention was drawn to a delicate figure nearby—a girl with long brown hair and a cold expression. Despite her distant demeanor, her eyes betrayed curiosity as she watched him.
Intrigued by the faint traces of Yin Release in her chakra signature, Natsume approached.
"My name is Natsume. What's yours?"
The girl blinked, her cheeks tinged with pink as she realized he'd caught her staring. "I'm Kurama Yakumo," she replied quietly, her voice shy yet composed.
---