Chapter 7
It has been four months since Yuri began his intense and consistent chakra control training. Day in and day out, he dedicated himself to the three foundational chakra control exercises: the Leaf Concentration Practice, Tree Climbing Exercise, and Water Walking Technique. Now, at only eight years old, Yuri had successfully mastered all three with a level of precision that rivaled even some genin. He could now suppress and manipulate his chakra to such an extent that it felt like second nature—like breathing.
Yuri understood that chakra control, while undervalued by many young academy students, was a core survival skill for any aspiring shinobi. His early mastery of these techniques gave him a kind of inner confidence and discipline that made him stand apart, especially among the non-clan children. Yuri wasn't loud about his progress. Instead, he kept his skills quiet, honing them in private when no one was watching.
His desire to control chakra with surgical precision came from his long-term plan: to learn medical ninjutsu. He wasn't aiming to be the next Tsunade or Sakura, smashing boulders with monstrous strength, but he wanted to be able to heal, patch up wounds, and perform medical analysis in the heat of battle. He wanted to be the kind of ninja who had multiple layers of skill to rely on, not just brute force.
Yuri's days had become a cycle of focus and effort. Mornings began with meditation and breath control, followed by physical conditioning to maintain his stamina and flexibility. Then came the core training: chakra control, shuriken practice, and taijutsu.
In particular, Yuri had taken a keen interest in recreating a taijutsu style similar to that of Shira from the Hidden Sand Village. The silent, the precision of each strike, and the efficiency of energy reminded him of how an assassin would move. It suited his Illumi-like appearance and aura well—quiet, calculating, unreadable. While he couldn't replicate the exact style due to differences in physiology and resources, he studied it closely and incorporated what made sense for his build and skills.
Each night, Yuri would end his routine by reading. The books varied—basic medical texts from the academy library, anatomical studies he managed to borrow from retired medics, and strategy books originally written for Chūnin and Jōnin officers. He studied relentlessly, knowing that knowledge was power, especially in a world where danger lurked in the shadows.
A full year passed in what felt like a blink of an eye. Yuri turned eight, and his body showed clear signs of growth and conditioning. His limbs were more defined, his posture straighter, and his reflexes razor sharp. He was still a child by age, but mentally and physically, he was far beyond his peers.
During this time, a significant event occurred—Naruto was kicked out of the orphanage. The staff, while never explicitly abusive toward Naruto, treated him with cold disdain. They kept their distance and whispered cruel things when they thought he wasn't listening. The moment Naruto reached the age of three, the orphanage saw an opportunity to remove him. No one protested. No one defended him. No one but Yuri.
Yuri, with all his memories and reasoning from his past life, couldn't allow a child—especially Naruto, a child carrying such a heavy burden—to be left alone on the streets. That was a line he refused to cross. The moment he found out, he packed his belongings, took Naruto by the hand, and left the orphanage without a word.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, arrived shortly after to provide Naruto with a small apartment and a modest allowance. While the gesture seemed kind on the surface, Yuri found it frustrating. Who would sell groceries to Naruto? Who would offer him a service or a kind word when the entire village viewed him with fear and hatred?
So, Yuri took matters into his own hands. He became Naruto's guardian in all but name. He cooked their meals, taught Naruto basic hygiene, manners, and knowledge—reading, writing, and math. He didn't teach him any fighting skills yet, not because he didn't want to, but because he wanted Naruto to have a strong intellectual foundation first. To Yuri, a clever shinobi with average power would always outlast a strong but ignorant one.
Their life together wasn't easy. Grocers often turned them away, and children still avoided Naruto. But slowly, with Yuri's presence beside him, Naruto began to feel less alone. He smiled more. He grew curious. He asked questions and loved Yuri like an older brother.
Yuri, meanwhile, continued his life at the academy. His presence remained enigmatic. He never really participated in class unless required, preferring to study or practice in silence. His clothes—black shirt, black cargo pants, and a pair of dark ninja sandals—only added to the mysterious image. And then there were the glasses. He wore thin-rimmed black glasses not out of necessity, but out of habit from his past life. They gave him a studious appearance, one that made people hesitate before approaching him.
Itachi Uchiha remained the closest thing to a friend in the academy. Over the past year, their bond had grown. They trained together—shuriken throwing in the evenings, sparring occasionally. Itachi respected Yuri, though he could never quite figure him out.
One afternoon, while Yuri sat on the academy rooftop eating his lunch—an apple and some rice balls—he heard footsteps approaching. Itachi, as calm and graceful as ever, appeared and sat beside him.
"I'll be graduating this month," Itachi said quietly, his gaze focused on the village skyline.
Yuri nodded, not surprised in the least. "I figured you would."
There was a pause between them, filled only by the whispering breeze.
"What about you?" Itachi asked. "It's not like you have anything left to learn here."
Yuri looked at him, unreadable as always. "I'll stay a couple more years."
"Why?"
"Because I don't need to rush. And because I need time to prepare for what comes next. This world is… cruel."
Itachi said nothing. He understood the weight behind Yuri's words. More than most.
As Itachi stood up to leave, Yuri spoke again.
"Itachi."
He turned.
"Take care of yourself. Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment. Think rationally. You know better than anyone how quickly things can fall apart."
Itachi gave a small, thoughtful nod. "I will."
And then he left.
The next day, Itachi graduated from the academy and joined the ranks of active ninja.
Yuri watched from the academy rooftop, his lunch untouched.
"Your path has started, Itachi," he thought to himself. "And I can't do anything to help you carry that burden. Not yet."
Chapter End.