Gathering Spirits and Drawing Rivers (Ju Ling Qian Jiang)—
This was the method of mastering spirits.
One could bypass the will of a spirit, forcibly subjugate it, and use it as a tool for combat or support.
The most skilled practitioners could command multiple spirits at once, each serving a different purpose.
By invoking a spirit's power, the user could gain temporary spiritual energy enhancements.
In rare cases, consuming the essence of a spirit could grant a small but permanent boost in strength.
Twin Fist Technique (Shuang Quan Shou)—
A technique where one hand manipulates the soul—controlling thoughts and memories—
And the other hand governs the body—reshaping muscles, bones, and flesh.
Together, the hands act in harmony, representing the dual forces of Yin and Yang—spirit and matter, mind and body.
In Naruto's view, the technique symbolized a complete fusion of physical and spiritual cultivation.
Given his current pace of growth, combined with future methods that would draw on natural energy, Naruto believed that mastering Twin Fist was a matter of time.
The Wind-Hou Qi Gate Formation (Feng Hou Qi Men)—
The pinnacle of strategy-based techniques.
By establishing the Central Palace—a mental core from which all variables could be calculated—
The user gained control over the entire battlefield as if manipulating a vast tactical array: the Qi Men Bureau (An Ancient Chinese Divination System).
At its highest level, the technique could even affect the flow of time and space.
By aligning with the Four Directions and syncing with their own movement patterns, the user could trigger various techniques tied to directional shifts—creating a near-infinite array of strategic options.
Incarnation: Magic Machine Gun—was one such manifestation of this overwhelming versatility.
These three techniques—Ju Ling Qian Jiang, Shuang Quan Shou, and Feng Hou Qi Men—were the final abilities Naruto aimed to completely master from among the Eight Unique Techniques.
To Naruto, mastering Gathering Spirits and Drawing Rivers would likely begin by delving into two of Konoha's most dangerous forbidden techniques:
The Spirit Transformation Technique (Shintenshin no Jutsu, advanced form)
The Impure World Reincarnation (Edo Tensei)
Both operated on the soul level, and by dissecting their structure, Naruto believed he could unlock the secrets of spirit summoning and control.
Twin Fist Technique, in Naruto's view, mirrored the interplay of Yin Release (mental/spiritual influence) and Yang Release (physical creation).
Given his dual growth in body and spirit, and his future plans to harness natural energy from the world around him, Naruto saw the possibility of gaining full command of both "hands."
As for the Wind-Hou Qi Gate Formation, it reminded him of the ancient Eight Trigrams (Bagua) passed down in his ancestral lineage—endlessly variable and deeply attuned to natural laws.
By mastering the Bagua's transformations, he could understand and manipulate the core mechanisms of the world—
Thus reaching a level where he no longer simply reacted to nature, but controlled it.
However—
While Naruto contemplated the final three of the Eight Unique Techniques…
Time marched on, and the six-year journey at the Ninja Academy finally approached its end.
That day—
As the final class period ended—
Iruka-sensei stood before the class.
"Tomorrow will be your graduation exam."
The exam would test only one thing: the Three Basic Techniques—
Clone Technique
Transformation Technique
Substitution Technique
Any student who could execute them successfully would graduate.
And with graduation, they would earn their Konoha forehead protector—marking them as full-fledged Genin.
"Is it finally here…?"
Naruto sat at his desk, watching Iruka leave the classroom.
His classmates erupted in cheers and excitement.
Naruto turned and looked out the window.
Outside in the courtyard—
Some of the younger students were still practicing with shuriken.
The wind passed gently through the trees, rustling the leaves.
Beneath one tree stood a lonely swing—his swing—moving gently in the breeze.
A peaceful scene.
And Naruto couldn't help but feel something stir in his heart.
The Next Morning – Graduation Day
All the students were gathered in the classroom.
The time had come.
Iruka stood at the podium, reading names aloud.
One by one, students went to the next room to demonstrate the Three Techniques in front of Iruka and Mizuki.
Those who passed returned proudly wearing their forehead protectors.
Shikamaru, Chōji, Hinata, and the others passed with no issues.
Sasuke did too.
And of course—
So did Naruto.
His execution of the Three Techniques was textbook-perfect.
Neither Iruka nor Mizuki had anything to criticize.
Because of this, the infamous scene from the original story—where Mizuki manipulated Naruto into stealing the Scroll of Seals—never occurred.
In fact, considering Naruto's current strength and insight, the entire premise now seemed absurd.
A boy with no chakra control, no Body Flicker, and amateur technique—
Sneaking into the highly secure Hokage's Office, breaking through the seals, and stealing the Scroll of Seals right under the nose of Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage?
It bordered on fantasy.
If the other villages ever heard the Scroll of Seals could be stolen so easily, they'd raid Konoha eight hundred times a day.
Naruto now believed the whole incident must have been a carefully crafted plan by Hiruzen.
The first objective?
To let Naruto access powerful ninjutsu and pass the graduation exam.
But more importantly—
To allow Iruka's genuine care to reach Naruto at a pivotal moment…
To forge an emotional connection through adversity.
And plant the seeds for Naruto's growth.
This was the true goal behind the entire plan:
To reach Naruto—through Iruka's choice.
Iruka's act of shielding Naruto from a fatal attack…
Was designed to move him.
To make Naruto direct his emotions toward Iruka—to fully trust him.
And Iruka… was Konoha's most loyal ninja.
Looking deeper into the matter, maybe even Iruka himself knew the truth behind the whole incident.
Because from beginning to end, everyone in Konoha had been lying to Uzumaki Naruto.
In the original timeline, Naruto's life from birth to graduation was no different from a real-life Truman Show.
Watched. Controlled. Manipulated.
But now—things were different.
Back then, Naruto could never master the Clone Technique, and it wasn't because he was untalented.
The real reason?
The Nine-Tails' chakra constantly disrupted Naruto's own chakra flow, preventing him from using even basic ninjutsu properly.
But now?
He and Kurama had reached an understanding long ago.
The Nine-Tails no longer interfered with Naruto's chakra.
He wouldn't dare.
After witnessing Naruto's current path—his terrifying growth and determination—
Would Kurama still mess with him?
That would be asking for death.
Besides…
They were partners now.
And between partners…
You don't sabotage each other's progress, damn it!
Of course—
Kurama had to admit—
There was another reason behind his cooperation.
Naruto had offered him the ultimate tribute:
Manga, light novels, soda, and potato chips.
He was fed. Entertained. Respected.
Who wouldn't be swayed?
"Hey, kid! Stand over here! It's your turn for the photo!"
On the rooftop of the Hokage Building, the old man in charge of taking archive photos for newly graduated genin waved Naruto over impatiently.
He scowled slightly as he looked at Naruto, who had been gazing silently at the Hokage Rock.
In truth, the old man didn't even want to take a picture of the so-called "demon fox brat."
He couldn't believe Naruto had actually graduated.
But what could he do?
It was his job.
"I'm coming."
Naruto replied calmly.
He tore his gaze away from the Fourth Hokage's stone face—
His father's.
Over the years, Naruto had learned how to ignore the malice of the villagers.
But just now, as he looked at that familiar face carved into the mountain…
He was struck by the strange thought:
This was the first time he'd seen his father's face so clearly—
as he was now.
If the Nine-Tails' attack had never happened…
If the Fourth Hokage and Kushina had survived…
In this time-traveled life, what kind of future would he be witnessing?
What would the world look like now?
Naruto didn't know.
And he didn't dwell on it.
Because—
What mattered most…
Was the present.
He wore a new black outfit.
The metal plate of his Konoha forehead protector was tied proudly around his left shoulder.
His golden hair danced lightly in the breeze.
Standing tall in front of the camera, arms folded across his chest—
Naruto smiled.
Just slightly.
A quiet, confident smile.
"Click!"
At that moment, Uzumaki Naruto's image was captured—frozen in time.
The old photographer pulled the instant print from the camera and glanced at the photo.
He stared for a while.
He didn't know why…
But for a moment—just a fleeting moment—he felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
As if, in that photo of Naruto…
He was staring into the eyes of Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage who had once given his life to protect Konoha.
"No way… There's no way this demon fox brat could resemble the Fourth Hokage…"
He muttered under his breath, trying to shake the feeling.
"I must be getting senile. My old eyes are playing tricks on me."
The old man quickly looked away and shook his head, silently cursing himself for even thinking such a thing.
...
TN:
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