Two years passed.
No dramatic flashbacks, no cheesy time-lapse music. Just early mornings, quiet nights, sore muscles, and a lot of silent grind.
I was seven now.
And while most kids my age were still learning how to properly throw a shuriken, I was out here doing elemental transformations, high-speed taijutsu, and… yeah, I finally pulled it off—
The Rasengan.
No clones holding my hand, no "dad help me," none of that. Just me, raw chakra, and a whole lot of spinning.
Kakashi-sensei didn't even react when I first showed him. Just blinked once, then went, "Huh. Took Naruto six times as long. You're not bad."
That was his way of saying, "I'm impressed."
I'll take it.
---
The village had changed too—or maybe it was just how people looked at me.
Before, I was the brat with the attitude problem. Now? People nodded when I passed by. Shopkeepers offered snacks, elders called me "young lord" again, but this time with a little more sincerity.
I didn't go looking for praise.
I just showed up. Did my thing. Didn't run my mouth.
When you get stronger, people notice.
---
Academy life? Still boring. I was miles ahead of the other kids. Not trying to be cocky—it's just true.
I already knew how to counter genjutsu, had three chakra natures under control, and could use two shadow clones at once to split up tasks. One trained in taijutsu. The other read theory. I stayed focused on the practical stuff.
My clone walking the "Itachi path"? I stopped calling it that. It's just what made sense. Study, observe, remember.
Be better.
---
Kakashi's training pushed me hard.
No flashy jutsu marathons. Just relentless repetition, mental discipline, awareness. Stuff no textbook could teach you.
Chakra control drills on water. Precision kunai throws with one eye closed. Sparring matches where the only rule was: don't lose.
And then… he said it.
"The bell test. Tomorrow. Bring everything you've got."
---
The next day, Training Ground Three.
I stared at the same bells Dad and Sasuke had once chased. The legendary setup. Except this time, it was just me and Kakashi.
He stood there, arms relaxed, book in one hand.
"You know the rules," he said. "Take the bells from me before sunset. Or you lose."
"No clones?"
"You can use anything."
"Alright then," I grinned, stretching.
Kakashi closed his book with a snap.
"Begin."
---
I didn't charge in like an idiot. I knew better.
Shadow clone to the left, smoke bomb to the right. I moved underground with Earth Style while my clone went loud.
He blocked the clone. Easily. But that was the point—his attention was split.
I emerged just behind him and launched a Rasengan straight at his blind spot.
He twisted in time, but not fast enough. I clipped his arm and sent him sliding back.
His smile widened.
"Oh? You're serious."
"You said bring everything."
---
We clashed a few more times. Taijutsu rounds, mid-air counters, substitution traps.
I even threw a lightning kunai tied to a wire, forcing him to dodge into a fake opening.
By the time the sun was halfway down, he was breathing heavier than usual. Still calm, but impressed.
I had one clone left.
I made it transform into me and run right at him, yelling loudly.
Predictable.
Kakashi disarmed the clone instantly… only for a shadow to appear behind him.
The real me.
Rasengan in hand.
And this time, I didn't miss.
---
He flew back, rolling across the grass, and when the smoke cleared—
Both bells were clutched in my fist.
Kakashi sat up slowly, brushing dust off his vest.
"Looks like I've got nothing else to teach you."
I blinked.
"Seriously?"
He nodded. "You've outgrown this phase. Strategy, patience, execution… you've got all three."
I handed him one bell out of habit.
"Keep it," he said. "You earned them both."
I stared at the bells. Honestly? I felt… proud. Not excited. Just quietly, genuinely proud.
"Thanks, Kakashi-sensei."
He gave me a tired smile.
"I'll let Naruto know you're ready. Maybe it's time you had a real mission."
I nodded, slipping the bells into my pouch.
Training was over.
Time to test all of this in the real world.