superior naruto

Naruto went all out, purchasing a full set of weight-training equipment. The set included a vest that could hold heavy metal blocks and weighted pants with straps that connected to the vest. The metal blocks were special—imbued with a curse seal that increased their weight as more chakra was injected.

Each block started at one kilogram but could go up to fifty kilograms at maximum chakra infusion. The vest could hold twelve blocks (six in the front, six in the back), totaling 12 to 600 kilograms. The pants could hold eight blocks (four per leg), adding another 8 to 400 kilograms. Wristbands for both arms could hold four blocks, adding 4 to 200 kilograms. In total, the set could weigh anywhere from 24 to 1,200 kilograms.

If I can handle 50% of the maximum weight, I should be ready to open the First Gate of the Eight Gates, Naruto thought. And the full set should get me through the first three gates.

The set wasn't cheap. Each metal block cost 1,000 ryo, and the equipment to hold them cost three times as much—144,000 ryo. The shopkeeper claimed the vest also had some armor value.

Total Cost: 192,200 ryo. With the 10% discount for genin, Naruto paid 172,822 ryo.

The shopkeeper warned, "Add the weight gradually. Don't try to max it out right away, or you'll crush yourself."

Naruto: "Got it. Do I look stupid to you?"

After that, Naruto bought twenty explosive tags in his name and another forty with Hinata's help. Each tag cost 100 ryo for the low-grade version, but Naruto opted for the mid-grade ones at 500 ryo each. That added another 4,000 ryo to the bill.

He also picked up a medium-sized storage scroll with ten cubic meters of space for 12,000 ryo.

Naruto: "Hinata, do you want one?"

Hinata: "No, thank you. The chakra test paper was enough."

Naruto: "That's not much of a gift…"

Finally, Naruto discreetly asked the shopkeeper to pack the soft armor he'd mentioned earlier—not the underwear. He made sure to emphasize the correct size, as Hinata hadn't shared her measurements. The shopkeeper, with a knowing smirk, assured him he'd get it right.

Total Spent So Far: 126,772 ryo.

The shopkeeper handed Naruto a membership card, which didn't offer discounts but promised "high-quality service." He mentioned that in two months, two new staff members would join the shop to help manage it.

Sounds sketchy, Naruto thought, but he didn't dwell on it.

A Day Out

After leaving the ninja tool shop, Naruto and Hinata visited a clothing store. Naruto bought several new outfits for himself and two for Hinata. She accepted them reluctantly, her cheeks flushed.

Next, they stopped by a bedding store, where Naruto picked up new sheets, pillows, and a quilt. Then they hit a kitchenware shop, stocking up on pots, pans, and utensils so Naruto could start cooking for himself.

Their shopping spree drew curious looks from passersby. It wasn't every day you saw two kids buying household items like they were setting up a home.

By evening, they were on the snack street, enjoying dango and other treats. A trail of Naruto clones followed behind, carrying all their purchases.

As the sun set, it was time to part ways.

Hinata: "Do you need help cleaning up?"

Naruto: "Nah, I've got clones for that."

Hinata: "Then… I'll head home?"

Naruto: "Wait, I have one more gift for you."

He handed her a neatly wrapped box.

Hinata: "What is it?"

Naruto: "Open it when you get home. It's nothing fancy."

Hinata: "Thank you, Naruto-kun. See you tomorrow."

Naruto: "See you tomorrow."

The Mix-Up

Meanwhile, the shopkeeper realized he'd made a terrible mistake. He'd accidentally packed his daughter's limited-edition lingerie—complete with a hood and matching bottoms—into the gift box meant for Hinata. He'd intended to mail it to his wife but had mixed up the boxes.

Panicking, he rushed to Naruto's house, hoping to swap the boxes before Hinata opened hers.

A New Beginning

Naruto returned home to find the shopkeeper waiting outside.

Naruto: "Uncle? Did I forget something?"

Shopkeeper: "No, no. I just wanted to check… did you give her the gift?"

Naruto: "Yeah, she took it home. Why?"

Shopkeeper: "Oh, nothing. Just… making sure she's happy with it."

Naruto: "She hasn't opened it yet. We just parted ways a few minutes ago."

Shopkeeper: "I see. Well, I'll be going then."

The shopkeeper hurried off, leaving Naruto puzzled.

That night, Naruto's clones worked tirelessly to clean and organize his small apartment. By the time he dismissed them, the place looked brand new. Exhausted, Naruto took a hot bath and tried on his new weight-training gear. From tomorrow, he'd be inseparable from it.

As he drifted off to sleep, he felt a sense of accomplishment.

The Shopkeeper's Despair

The shopkeeper managed to sneak into the Hyuga compound and swap the gift boxes. But when he returned to his shop, he found the original box had already been opened—and the contents were gone.

Shopkeeper: "What have I done…"

He slumped to the floor, despair washing over him. How would he explain this to his daughter? And what if Hinata had already tried on the lingerie?

A Month Later

Naruto spent the next month on various D-rank missions—finding lost pets, babysitting, and conducting minor investigations. Between missions, he trained with his new gear, gradually increasing the weight.

Hinata, ever patient, didn't mind the slower pace. But Sasuke grew increasingly frustrated, his brow furrowed as he waited for more challenging tasks.

Finally, Kakashi submitted a request for a C-rank mission: escorting Tazuna, a bridge builder, to the Land of Waves. What started as a simple escort mission quickly escalated into a life-or-death struggle against Zabuza Momochi, a rogue ninja from Kirigakure, and his apprentice, Haku, a user of the Ice Release kekkei genkai.

When Naruto heard the news, he was practicing walking on water at a nearby lake. The shock made him lose focus, and he fell in with a splash.

Hinata: "Naruto!"

Naruto: "I'm fine… Where's Sasuke?"

Hinata: "He's with Kakashi-sensei. They sent me to get you. We're leaving today."

Naruto: "Are you wearing your soft armor?"

Hinata: "Yes."

Naruto: "Good. Let's grab my sword and meet up with Kakashi."