Naruto: Blacksmith

The First Day.

After the introductions, Iruka allowed the students to move around freely.

He probably wanted bonds to form quickly.

After all, ninjas often work in teams, and developing relationships early is key to future cooperation.

The class had about 30 students, most of whom didn't know each other. Gradually, they began introducing themselves and forming small groups based on their interests.

In the classroom, those with similar personalities quickly grouped together.

Kuro, for his part, preferred to stay on the sidelines and sat alone. But that peace didn't last long.

Naruto and Ino were the first to approach him, followed by Sakura, Shikamaru, and Chōji. Even Hinata, though shy, glanced in his direction from her seat, occasionally sneaking furtive looks.

Though Kuro didn't speak much, the others seemed comfortable chatting among themselves, spontaneously forming a circle with him at its center.

"....."

Kuro was speechless.

Wasn't I supposed to keep a low profile, studying and training quietly?

Yet these kids seemed to have formed a social group where he, unintentionally, was the core.

Except for Sasuke, it seemed all the future ninjas set to graduate that year gravitated toward him.

Am I going to end up becoming the 'leader' of this group?

---

The joyful moments passed quickly, and before they knew it, the bell marked the end of the school day.

Iruka returned to the classroom, standing at the podium with a slight smile on his face.

"Today's class ends here. Remember to meet on the playground tomorrow at nine sharp."

"Iruka-sensei! Will there be ninjutsu training tomorrow?"

"Will it be a super powerful ninjutsu?"

"I heard from my dad that the school only teaches basic jutsus!"

"Is that true?"

Iruka smiled, calming the group's enthusiasm.

"Unfortunately, no. Tomorrow is the opening ceremony, and Hokage-sama will be present."

"The Hokage-sama!"

The classroom buzzed with excited murmurs at the news, but soon after, Iruka dismissed the class.

The students began leaving in small groups, chatting among themselves.

Kuro stood up from his seat, greeted Shikamaru and Chōji, and prepared to leave.

"See you tomorrow," he said with a smile.

"Hmm, see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, see you tomorrow."

At that moment, Ino ran up to him with a bright smile.

"Kuro, let's walk home together!"

"..."

Kuro froze for a moment, surprised. He turned his head to look at the girl, who was gazing at him expectantly.

"I'm going to train nearby, so you'll have to go home without me."

"Oh… you're going to train?" Ino responded, disappointed.

For a moment, she seemed like she wanted to follow him, but she knew that would disrupt his training. Besides, there was a guard at her house's entrance, and her family wouldn't allow her to come home late.

Noticing her sadness, Kuro added to reassure her, "We'll see each other soon, don't worry."

With those words, he walked past her and continued on his way.

Ino watched him leave with a mix of admiration and sadness.

Naruto, who had been sitting in the front row, had already left the classroom and was waiting for him at the school's entrance.

After greeting each other, they started walking together.

At the school gate, they saw several parents waiting for their children.

Kuro recognized several familiar faces: Mikoto Uchiha, Kiba's mother, Shino's father, a young member of the Hyuga clan's branch family, and Sakura's father.

As he watched his classmates run into their parents' arms, acting like the children they were, Kuro noticed the expression on Naruto's face.

There was envy and longing in his eyes, but also a hint of loneliness.

Kuro patted him on the shoulder and smiled.

"Let's go."

"Mm."

Naruto nodded, his spirits lifting.

The two left the school together.

As they passed through the gate, Kuro bowed politely to the Ino–Shika–Chō trio.

The three returned his smile.

After saying goodbye to Naruto, Kuro headed to Training Ground Number 9, while Naruto took the path home.

---

Mikoto watched the backs of the two boys as they walked away, lost in thought.

Isn't that blonde boy Kushina's son?

Mikoto and Kushina had been best friends, but since the Nine-Tails incident, the Uchiha clan had faced a crisis of trust within the village.

As the wife of the clan's patriarch, she couldn't openly visit Naruto, as it might be interpreted improperly.

However, she had heard rumors about the boy's life. People said Naruto lived in isolation, hated by the villagers, scorned, and even avoided by other children.

But he doesn't seem as bad off as they say.

Thinking about the other boy who had left with Naruto, a soft maternal smile appeared on Mikoto's face.

"Mother!"

Sasuke's voice broke her thoughts.

Turning around, she saw her son running toward her with open arms.

"Sasuke…" Mikoto murmured affectionately, stroking her son's head. "What did you learn at school today?"

"They didn't teach us anything. The teacher let us move around freely." Discontent was evident in his tone.

Sasuke had hoped to start learning advanced ninjutsu on the first day, but reality had been different.

"Your sensei probably wanted everyone to form bonds quickly. Ninjas need to work together and trust each other."

"But they're so weak; most don't even know the basics."

"That's just for now." Mikoto smiled, taking his hand. "Don't underestimate anyone. In time, they'll catch up."

"Hmm."

Sasuke didn't seem convinced, but he nodded. Mikoto didn't press further. She knew some lessons could only be learned through experience.

"Let's go home."

With the sunset casting its glow, mother and son walked toward the Uchiha residence.

On the way, they passed by Training Ground Number 9. Mikoto stopped when she noticed the boy who had been with Naruto earlier. He was practicing with shurikens, hitting nearly every shot with precision.

Mikoto brought a hand to her mouth, her beautiful dark eyes trembling with disbelief.

How is this possible…?

She wasn't surprised by the boy's accuracy but by the technique he was using.

That technique is exclusive to the Uchiha clan.

Although it wasn't unusual for clan techniques or ninjutsus to be shared within the village—even the Sharingan in exceptional cases—Mikoto recognized something more.

The boy's techniques weren't just similar to the Uchiha's; they were exactly the same as the ones her son Itachi had developed during his private practice.

Why is this boy using Itachi's specific skills?

Sasuke, noticing his mother's expression, looked toward the training ground.

Seeing Kuro's flawless throws, he was surprised.

"He's amazing. He's… I think he's one of my classmates."

"He's your classmate?"

Mikoto glanced at Sasuke, then back at Kuro, deep in thought.

"Fufufu~..."

"What's wrong, Mom?"

"It's nothing," Mikoto stopped laughing. She took Sasuke's hand and continued walking home.

"But you should get along with your classmates, especially him. He seems very talented."

"Of course!" Sasuke responded enthusiastically, though he added in a competitive tone, "But I'm really good too."

"Obviously, of course you are."

At the training ground, Kuro felt Mikoto's gaze and tried to focus on his practice.

What a woman…

There was something dangerous about her—a mix of maternal elegance and a seductive aura that made him feel uneasy.

That kind of woman… so mature, so beautiful, so... Ara~Ara…

He couldn't resist admiring such divine craftsmanship.

Kuro shook his head, suppressing the shiver that ran through him.

Focus!

With a sigh, he returned to his training, throwing shurikens with precision.

He knew the Uchiha had a special hidden weapons technique, but what Itachi had taught him didn't seem too different from publicly available throwing techniques.

After all, these were basic skills, lacking the refinement of advanced techniques like blind-spot targeting.

If someone can recognize it, then it's not exclusive to the Uchiha clan.

________

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