Chapter 4: Training Begins

[Shinji's Perspective]

What should I do about the future?

Should I change it? Or should I simply use my knowledge to gain an advantage?

It wasn't an easy question. Both choices came with significant risks. If I avoided interfering with major events, I could theoretically maintain the timeline while growing stronger. But the stronger I became, the more my presence alone would alter outcomes. The butterfly effect was no joke—one extra powerful shinobi in any battle could change everything, whether I wanted it to or not.

On the other hand, if I actively changed events, things could spiral into complete chaos. There was no telling what kind of unforeseen consequences could emerge. And that was without considering the possibility that the Sage of Six Paths was still lurking, subtly guiding fate. If he saw me as a threat to the world's destined path, he might just erase me outright.

'This is too much for a five-year-old to think about,' I sighed, rubbing my temples.

I glanced down at the white dog lying next to me, his golden eyes calm as ever. "What do you think, Shiro? Should I change the future?"

"Woof."

I turned to his black-furred counterpart. "And you, Kuro?"

"Woof."

I exhaled in amusement. "Incredible insight, as always."

They wagged their tails proudly, as if they'd just solved all my problems.

"If I do change things, I can at least prevent some of the worst tragedies… and get my revenge on Obito." My voice darkened slightly at the thought of him, the man responsible for so much suffering. "But the big question is—what will the Sage of Six Paths do if I change too much? Will he even let me exist?"

Another set of "woof woof" responses.

I chuckled, shaking my head. "You guys are great, but I should probably talk to a human about this at some point."

With a final sigh, I decided to leave future problems to my future self. Right now, I had one clear goal—training.

I had a decent head start. Thanks to my mother's brutal training regimen, my physical condition was already far beyond that of an average five-year-old. Still, I needed to push myself further. Taijutsu was going to be essential, and if I could find a way to get guidance from Might Guy someday, all the better.

As for chakra and curse energy… I still couldn't even tell the difference between them. That would take time.

For now, I changed into more comfortable clothes and settled in for the night, mentally preparing myself for the intense training ahead.

"Hah… I… am finally… done running…" I wheezed, collapsing onto the grass. My body ached, drenched in sweat, my limbs trembling from exhaustion.

Running 20 kilometers in half an hour might've been a little overkill. Sure, I had felt great at first—my new body was leagues better than my previous one—but it turns out there is such a thing as overestimating yourself.

Forty kilometers per hour. Without chakra enhancement. Just pure, natural speed. If I was already this fast at five, what would my limits be in the future?

After a short rest, I continued with strength training—push-ups, pull-ups, squats. By the time I was finished, my body felt like it had been through a battlefield.

Finally, I sat cross-legged on the grass, placing a leaf on my forehead.

Leaf concentration exercise. Basic chakra control.

I focused, trying to gather chakra, willing it to flow evenly through my body and keep the leaf in place. At first, it seemed easy. Ever since I had summoned Shiro and Kuro, my ability to manipulate energy had become a little more intuitive. But the moment I tried to stabilize the chakra further, the leaf fell.

Again.

And again.

Frustration simmered beneath my skin. I could feel the energy, but it was chaotic, unstable. It wasn't just chakra—it was something else, an insoluble mixture of two different forces warring within me.

'Damn it. If I can't even control my chakra, how the hell am I supposed to control Ten Shadows?'

Just as irritation began to take hold, a voice cut through the air.

"You seem to be having some trouble, boy."

[Jiraiya's Perspective]

"Sensei is being ridiculous. Saying I'd be a bad influence on the kid? I'm his godfather! I should be the one raising him!"

Jiraiya grumbled as he wandered through the village streets, his frustration evident. His hands were shoved deep into his pockets, and his usual playful smirk was nowhere to be seen.

Ever since he had returned to Konoha, things had gone from bad to worse. He hadn't been here when the village needed him most. He had lost his student, his dear friend Minato, and now, Hiruzen wouldn't even let him take care of Naruto.

'Minato… I failed you.'

His mind felt heavy, weighed down by thoughts of the past. Looking for a distraction, he turned his attention to the training fields—and paused.

A kid was training alone, repeatedly failing the leaf concentration exercise. Jiraiya was about to dismiss it as nothing out of the ordinary until he took a closer look.

The boy's chakra… something was off.

It wasn't just chakra. There was another force inside him, clashing with it—something wild, something raw.

His interest piqued, Jiraiya stepped forward, observing the strange phenomenon.

'What the hell is this? Some kind of unawakened kekkei genkai? Or… no, it couldn't be.'

Then, as he focused his senses further, realization struck him like a lightning bolt.

"Is that…?!"

Without hesitation, he flickered forward, appearing directly in front of the exhausted boy.

[Shinji's Perspective]

I groaned. "Do ninjas ever approach people like normal humans?"

Standing before me was a tall man with long white hair, clad in red and green robes, a massive scroll strapped to his back. He had a smirk on his face, though his eyes held an intensity that made it clear he wasn't just passing through.

"Who are you, uncle?" I asked, tilting my head in an attempt to look as innocent as possible.

His smirk widened. "I am Jiraiya! The great Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku!"

Right on cue, he struck a dramatic pose, summoning a toad beneath his feet as he gestured flamboyantly.

I blinked. "You mean one of the legendary Sannin? Jiraiya the Gallant?"

His chest puffed out with pride. "Oh, so you are a smart kid! What's your name?"

"Shinji Murakami," I answered. "My mother taught me about all the famous ninjas. She said knowledge is just as important as jutsu."

Jiraiya nodded approvingly. "Wise words. What was your mother's name? Maybe I knew her."

"Hiori Murakami. She died the night of the attack."

The light-heartedness in his expression vanished. He suddenly looked far older, guilt flashing in his eyes.

"I'm sorry," he muttered.

"Don't be," I said firmly. "It wasn't your fault. It was the fox."

After a moment of silence, he exhaled and straightened up. "Your father was Shin Murakami, right? I knew him well. He even crafted a special kunai for my student."

I smiled faintly. "Yeah… my father was a great man. He even made a sword just for me."

Jiraiya's gaze softened before he clapped his hands together. "Alright, Shinji! Try the leaf concentration exercise again. This time, I'll help."

I grinned.

'Finally. Someone who can help me make sense of this mess.'