Reborn In The World Of Naruto

One month had passed since Ryuuji embarked on his intense training regimen. Each day had been grueling, but he was driven by an inner resolve that no one around him could understand. 

"Ninety-eight… ninety-nine… one hundred!" He exhaled deeply, dropping to the ground, utterly exhausted. "Haah… haah… haah…" Every breath he took felt like fire in his lungs, his small body trembling from the strain. But there was a flicker of pride in his exhaustion. He'd finally completed his routine.

Suddenly, a faint chime echoed in the air, startling him. A translucent blue screen materialized before him, suspended mid-air.

[DING!]

[Congratulations! You've completed the quest Gaining Strength: Part 1!!]

[Rewards will now be given!]

[New Quest Unlocked: Gaining Strength: Part 2]

[Description: This quest has been crafted specifically for you to elevate your currently insignificant level of strength. Try, at the very least, not to embarrass yourself.]

[Requirements: Defeat a high-level Genin using only Taijutsu.]

[Reward: Advancement to High-level Genin Stage in Body Cultivation, Gaining Strength: Part 3, ???]

As Ryuuji finished reading, he felt an unusual surge of energy ripple through his body. His muscles grew, filling out his small frame, and a new vigor took root deep within his core. When he looked down at himself, he saw a faint transformation—his height had increased, his six-year-old body now resembling that of an eight-year-old. His muscles had gained definition, his limbs more proportionate and strong.

The ache from his training vanished completely, leaving him refreshed and reinvigorated.

"This… this is incredible!" Ryuuji exclaimed, laughter bubbling up. He couldn't resist a triumphant laugh, his fists clenched as he reveled in his new strength. But his excitement was short-lived as he remembered something important.

"Wait a minute…" He frowned, his joy fading. "How am I going to explain this to Grandpa and Shisui?" Panic began to settle in as he imagined their reactions.

'What do I say if they notice? How do I explain growing nearly three years older in one day?'

"What do I do? What do I do?" he muttered, pacing as his mind raced for answers. "Calm down, Ryuuji," he told himself, exhaling deeply. He forced himself to focus back on the notification screen.

[Congratulations! You've reached the Mid-level Genin Stage in Body Cultivation!]

[Your capacity to store Chakra has increased!]

[Congratulations! You've unlocked the Great Fireball Technique!]

[Would you like to learn it now? Yes/No]

Without hesitation, Ryuuji selected 'Yes'. In an instant, a flood of information streamed into his mind, embedding itself as if he had practiced the jutsu for years. The hand signs, the technique, the concentration—it was all there.

"So this is how it's done?" he whispered to himself, flexing his fingers as the energy of the jutsu buzzed through his body. "It seems fairly simple. Ugh, I'm dying to try it out!" But a quick look at his hands reminded him of his current predicament. "But if I step outside like this, people will definitely notice…"

He paused, a spark of an idea forming. "Wait a second… I can use that jutsu!"

With a grin, he brought his hands together, performing the hand seals with ease.

*Poof!*

A cloud of smoke briefly enveloped him, and when it cleared, Ryuuji looked just as he had before, his six-year-old form restored.

"Body Transformation Jutsu. Genius." He smirked, satisfied with his disguise. Now that his change was hidden, he could think about testing his new strength without drawing suspicion.

Just as he turned to leave, he heard voices approaching from down the hall. He quickly straightened as Shisui and another man with a calm, composed demeanor walked toward him. The boy's dark eyes were sharp, his posture impeccable. Ryuuji recognized him immediately—it was Itachi Uchiha.

"Oh? Ryuuji, come here!" Shisui called, motioning him over.

Ryuuji approached, keeping his expression neutral.

"Ryuuji, this is my friend Itachi," Shisui introduced, placing a hand on his younger brother's shoulder. "Itachi, this is my younger brother, Ryuuji."

"Nice to meet you, Ryuuji," Itachi said politely, a small smile on his face.

"Likewise." Ryuuji nodded, hiding his fear for Itachi behind a reserved smile. 'So this is the infamous Itachi Uchiha, the man responsible for the Uchiha Massacre.' he thought, watching Itachi's composed expression.

"I've heard a lot about you from my brother." Itachi said.

"He keeps talking about how you are always 2 steps ahead of him. That you are better than him at both education and the three types of jutsu." Itachi continued.

"I'm flattered to know that he has such a high opinion of me." Ryuuji said.

"In order to catch up to you, he is putting extra effort in his training." Itachi said.

"I'm happy to know that." Ryuuji nodded his head.

A sudden chuckle echoed from the hall, drawing their attention. Ryuuji turned to see his grandfather, Uchiha Jima, walking toward them. Jima's smile was warm yet dignified as he greeted them, his presence commanding respect.

"Hohoho… If it isn't our future clan leader," he said with a knowing grin.

At once, Itachi bowed deeply. "Greetings, Elder."

"Hohoho… no need for such formalities," Jima chuckled. He turned to Ryuuji, his eyes gleaming with affection. "Come with me, Ryuuji. I'd like a word with you."

***

Inside his grandfather's private quarters, Ryuuji knelt in respectful silence, adopting the traditional seiza position across from Jima. But as he tried to maintain his younger form's appearance, he felt a subtle tension in the air.

"You can drop the Body Transformation Jutsu now, Ryuuji," Jima said, his voice calm yet firm.

'.....!?'

Ryuuji was shocked hearing the words come out of his Grandfather's mouth. He couldn't believe his grandfather had seen through his Body Transformation Jutsu when even Itachi and Shisui couldn't.

'H-how? I didn't even see him use his Sharingan, then how did he find out? No, even if he did use it, the Sharingan isn't like the Byakugan, it shouldn't be able to see through my disguise! Just how did he find out!?' Ryuuji inwardly thought.

'C-calm down, Ryuuji, I need to think of something to get me out of this mess first.' Ryuuji thought to himself.

"G-grandpa, what do you mean?" Ryuuji asked, trying his best to be calm.

"Hmm? You mean to say you aren't using the Body Transformation Jutsu to hide your appearance that now looks like an 8 year old's?" Uchiha Jima asked in a casual tone.

"....!!?"

Ryuuji was once again stunned hearing these words. At this point, since his grandfather already knew so much, he should just come clean.

"H-how?" Ryuuji asked in a stammering voice.

"Little boy, my hair didn't turn gray just like that. Such trivial things can't be hidden from people at my stage." Jima said with a small smile.

"...Hoof..." Ryuuji exhaled as a cloud of smoke covered him and he came back to his original form of an 8 year old boy.

Ryuuji then turned to look at his grandfather and asked.

"Aren't you going to ask me why?"

"Why would I?" Jima asked his voice still casual.

"Huh? Aren't you curious to know?" Ryuuji raised an eyebrow feeling confused.

"I mean, if I suddenly looked like an 8 year old, then even I would try to hide it." Jima answered.

"You are not going to ask me why I suddenly look like an 8 year old boy?" Ryuuji asked.

"Well, that's....."

***

Elsewhere in the village, in a dim, quiet room, Koharu Utatane sat with her hands folded, her expression one of barely-contained frustration. Her eyes flicked impatiently to the door.

"He's late," she muttered. Her fingers tapped rhythmically on the table as she waited.

'Where is that ANBU agent? He's supposed to be here with a report on Uchiha Ryuuji.'

At last, a figure in a lizard mask appeared, moving swiftly into the room with a large bag slung over his shoulder.

"Koharu-sama," he greeted her, bowing. "Brace yourself."

"What's that supposed to mean?" she snapped, eyeing the bag warily.

Without a word, the ANBU agent placed the bag on the table and opened it for her. Inside lay a grisly sight—the chopped remains of a body. At the top of the heap lay a cracked chicken mask.

The sight left Koharu reeling. Her face twisted with rage and disgust as she took in the remains. "Damn you… UCHIHA JIMAAA!!!" she screamed, her voice shaking the walls of the room.

***

Shoutout to:

Vegeta_light

Joshua_Johnson_4664

arno00