Naruto: Beyond The Cage

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Chapter 4 – The Perfect Son

I was in my room, sitting by the window, watching the sky as I reflected on what had happened during those 6 months. As always, I continued my secret training, without my parents knowing anything. It was my routine: practicing the techniques I had developed, testing my limits, improving the elemental threads, the Rasengan, and my super strength. I felt stronger every day, more in control of my body and my chakra. It was the kind of progress that was only seen in prodigies in the academy, and that was what I wanted to be. Maybe even more than that.

But what really marked the day, what would make everything change, was what happened during dinner.

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What Happened During the Six Months

In the previous six months, I had been increasingly focused on my techniques. The Rasengan, for example, was perfect, I could already keep it stable, which was impressive considering my age and the lack of a master. I didn't have anyone's support, but my memory of the things I saw in the anime guided me. I found myself imitating Naruto's movements and even Jiraiya's explanations, as if I were able to create my own version of the technique.

As for super strength, without anyone like Tsunade to teach me, I simply based myself on the idea of concentrating chakra in the muscles, forcing the body to surpass its limits. Not only had I become physically stronger, but I could also use this strength with precision.

The elemental threads, in turn, were at a level that even I didn't imagine I would reach so soon. Manipulating chakra in the four elements was my way of controlling the environment and even creating a protection around me, something that gave me a great advantage.

All of this, of course, without anyone knowing. My parents were oblivious to this side of me. The only thing they noticed was that I seemed increasingly disciplined and focused, but nothing more.

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The Juken and the Revealing Dinner

During dinner today, everything changed. The three of us were at the table: my father, my mother and I. As always, the atmosphere was calm, almost casual. But for me, there was a silent tension in the air. Something was about to happen.

As we ate, my father suddenly broke the silence.

"I've been thinking," he began, his voice serious, but at the same time as if he were measuring each word. "You're old enough to start learning the Juken."

I froze for a moment. My heart raced, but I tried to remain calm. Juken. The clan technique. But what really made me tense were the words left unsaid in the absence of a clan heir—usually the caged bird seal is applied before or during Gentle Fist training.

My father looked at me with a thoughtful expression, as if he was waiting for my reaction. "You'll start training in the Juken soon. Are you ready for it?"

I stared at him, feeling the pressure building. I knew this was also my chance to stand out, to become the perfect son he had hoped for. Putting my doubts aside, I answered firmly:

"Yes, father. I'm ready."

He nodded, apparently satisfied with my answer, but something in his eyes made me feel like he expected more from me. He expected me to be the best. The son he always wanted, without remembering Seiji.

My mother, next to Hiashi, looked at me with a shy smile, but there was something in her eyes that betrayed concern. "So that's it, huh?", she said softly. "You're going to start the Juken."

I nodded. "Yes, mother. I'll do my best."

She smiled slightly, but her eyes didn't seem as confident as her expression. Maybe she knew what this meant to me, to us, and how much I wanted to be that son she never had.

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Preparing for Juken Training

When dinner was over and I retired to my room, a whirlwind of thoughts took over my mind. The Juken. It was the training that would define my future. I knew it wouldn't be easy, especially since I was from the family branch and couldn't learn most of the techniques, but that was the least of it. If Neji could imitate the main family's techniques, I could too. But I also knew that this technique could bring me closer to what I wanted most: my parents' complete approval.

My mind was full of questions and certainties at the same time. Would I be good enough for them? The answer was in my hands. Training would begin soon, and I would do whatever it took to show that I was the son they wanted, the ideal successor.

I wasn't just training to be strong. I was training to become perfect in my parents' eyes.

But more than that, to replace the void left by Seiji. To be the perfect son they had been waiting for.

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