Naruto: Ant King Reborn

Chapter 2: Clash of Young Titans

The air around the Academy was charged with excitement. The training grounds, usually reserved for the standard curriculum, had been transformed into an arena where students from Konoha, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure would test their mettle against one another. 

It was a rare event, one meant to strengthen diplomatic ties between the villages while fostering competition among the next generation of shinobi. 

For most, it was a friendly challenge. 

For Naruto, it was an opportunity. 

He had spent the past years analyzing his classmates, identifying weaknesses, measuring strengths. But the unknown, that was true growth. He would face fighters from outside Konoha, those trained in different disciplines, with their own unique fighting styles. 

And he would dominate them all.

---

The Exchange Students Arrive

The foreign students stood in a line before the gathered Konoha Academy students. 

From Iwagakure, there was: 

Kurotsuchi, a dark-haired girl with sharp, intelligent eyes and a smirk that promised trouble. 

Akatsuchi, a large, burly boy with an easygoing demeanor but an undeniable physical presence 

From Kumogakure, there was: 

Omoi, a dark-skinned boy with white hair, chewing on a lollipop with an almost lazy expression. 

Karui, a fierce-looking redhead, arms crossed, eyes scanning the Konoha students like a predator sizing up its prey. 

Iruka stood at the front, clapping his hands to get everyone's attention. "Alright, everyone! This event is not just about winning, it's about learning! You will be paired up with a student from another village, and you will spar. Show respect to your opponent and fight with honor!" 

Naruto didn't care about honor

He cared about results

The moment his name was called alongside Akatsuchi, he grinned.

---

The two boys stepped into the ring. 

Akatsuchi cracked his knuckles, his massive frame casting a shadow over Naruto. "Guess you got unlucky, huh?" he said with a friendly smile. "I don't like hurting people smaller than me, but I'll try not to go too hard." 

Naruto didn't react. He simply observed 

Akatsuchi's stance was relaxed,too relaxed.Overconfidence.

His body, though large, was not slow, his positioning suggested he had good control over his weight. But there were openings. The way he shifted his footing betrayed his reliance on brute force.

Naruto had already won.

The proctor raised a hand. 

"Begin!" 

Akatsuchi lunged forward, throwing a powerful palm strike aimed at Naruto's chest. 

Naruto was already moving.

He sidestepped with precise timing, just enough for the attack to graze past him. His hand shot out, fingers brushing against Akatsuchi's extended arm, not attacking, but feeling.

Measuring. 

Akatsuchi turned, swinging a wide backhand strike. Naruto ducked.

The crowd murmured. Even the other exchange students watched with interest. 

Akatsuchi growled and stomped the ground, sending a shockwave of force in all directions, trying to throw Naruto off balance. 

A good tactic. Against someone slower

Naruto's feet adjusted instantly, flowing with the motion instead of resisting it. He leapt onto Akatsuchi's outstretched knee and sprang forward, straight for his face. 

A flicker of surprise crossed Akatsuchi's features. 

Naruto's elbow smashed into his nose. 

The larger boy staggered, blinking in shock. The attack wasn't powerful, but it was precise, his vision blurred for just a moment. 

And Naruto did not let up. 

He struck, not hard, but in all the right places. A hit to the inside of the knee, disrupting balance. A light tap to the throat, forcing a reflexive cough. A jab to the wrist, causing a slight muscle spasm. 

Individually? Nothing serious. 

Together? They dismantled his ability to fight.

Akatsuchi stumbled back, gasping. His limbs felt sluggish, his reactions delayed. 

Naruto didn't gloat. He didn't speak. 

He simply watched.

Akatsuchi knew. 

He had lost.

The proctor hesitated before raising a hand. "Winner, Naruto Uzumaki!" 

Silence. 

Then murmurs. 

"That was insane!" 

"Akatsuchi didn't land a single hit!" 

Naruto turned, stepping out of the ring without a second glance. His work was done.

But as he walked back to the crowd, he caught sight of three particular figures. 

Watching him. 

The three.

---

They had no memories. No recollection of the past. 

But from the moment they saw Naruto fight, something inside them stirred 

The girl with sharp eyes, instincts screaming. (Observe him.) 

The boy with refined grace, his pulse quickening (Follow him.) 

The tall, muscular one, his body itching for battle. (Protect him.) 

Their matches were called. 

The first guard stepped forward. 

Eyes locked on Naruto for a split second before turning to face their opponent. 

The others watched

Fascinated. 

Drawn.

And thus, the first steps were taken. 

A king does not remember his court. 

But the court remembers their king