Chapter 2: Glimpses of the Future
The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across Training Ground 3. Naruto sat under a tree, still grinning, arms behind his head as he watched the leaves sway. His chakra glow had only lasted a second, but to him, it was everything.
And someone had seen it.
From behind the tree line, Hinata Hyuga peeked quietly. Her white eyes were wide, not from her Byakugan, but from awe. She had followed Naruto—again—though she would never admit it. He was loud, clumsy, and wore orange… but he was also kind. And more importantly… he never gave up.
She clutched her fingers together nervously.
"H-He… he used chakra… like a real shinobi," she whispered.
Hinata had spent years being told she wasn't good enough. That she was too shy, too soft, not fit to be the Hyuga heir. But seeing Naruto — beaten down by the village and still smiling — gave her hope.
Suddenly, Naruto turned his head toward her direction.
"Oi! Who's there?"
Hinata squeaked, stepped back — and tripped on a root.
"Ahh—!"
Naruto blinked, then jumped to his feet. "You okay?" He ran over and offered a hand. "Did you fall spying on me?"
Hinata's face turned bright red. "I-I… n-no! I-I w-was just… just p-passing by!"
"Riiight…" Naruto scratched his head, then grinned. "Well, you saw it, didn't you? I totally channeled chakra."
Hinata nodded shyly. "Y-You were… amazing."
Naruto blinked. It was the first time anyone had said that to him. Especially not someone who looked at him like that — not with fear, not with disgust.
Just awe.
"…Thanks, Hinata."
She gasped. "Y-You remember my name?"
"Of course!" he laughed. "You're that quiet girl in the front row. I remember everyone."
Her heart nearly exploded.
Just then, a voice interrupted from the edge of the clearing.
"Tch. That was sloppy."
Naruto turned to see a figure leaning against a tree — black hair, onyx eyes, wearing a loose shirt and shorts. It was Sasuke Uchiha… or rather, the disguised version. The girl hidden under a carefully-maintained illusion.
No one knew the Uchiha heir was actually a girl. It was a decision made by the clan head — protect the last Uchiha kunoichi from being seen as "weaker" or "less fitting" to carry the clan's vengeance.
Naruto tilted his head. "Sasuke? What are you doing here?"
She walked forward, arms crossed, trying not to blush. Her Sharingan hadn't activated yet, but her instincts were sharp. And something about Naruto… unsettled her.
"I saw what you did," she said flatly. "That chakra flow. You're not supposed to be able to do that. You're… what, six?"
Naruto shrugged. "I just practiced."
"Impossible."
"Well," he said with a cocky smile, "maybe I'm just a genius."
Sasuke blinked.
Confident, not arrogant. A goof… but dangerous. He doesn't even know it himself…
"I'll be watching you," she said, turning sharply. "Don't embarrass yourself."
"Oh-ho?" Naruto smirked. "Jealous already?"
Sasuke paused mid-step.
"…Hn."
And then she vanished.
Hinata watched the exchange with wide eyes. She felt a strange tension — not hostile, not yet. But electric.
She looked at Naruto again.
He wasn't just a prankster.
He was changing — becoming something more.
And soon, the entire village would see it.
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To be continued…