Though Uzumaki Naruto didn't fully agree with Shihouin Naraku's words, he still believed him because the other ninja was clearly very powerful.
"Brother Naraku, do you think I can become a ninja as powerful as you?" Naruto asked hesitantly, his round eyes fixed on Shihouin Naraku as he waited for an answer.
"You—" Shihouin Naraku pretended to look serious, examining Naruto up and down. Naruto immediately straightened his posture and tried to look more confident.
"Although you're far behind me, you do have the potential to become an excellent ninja."
"Hehehe..." Upon hearing Shihouin Naraku's praise, Naruto was so happy he almost laughed out loud. It was truly unexpected that someone would praise him so highly when he was ranked last in his class.
Seeing how Naruto couldn't contain his happiness, Hatake Kakashi leaned closer and asked in a low voice, "Are you really so sure about him?"
"Of course!" Shihouin Naraku replied quietly. "How could a child born from the Fourth Hokage and an Uzumaki clan descendant possibly have poor talent?"
Remembering the amazing abilities of his teacher, Namikaze Minato, Kakashi nodded in agreement. He knew too well how powerful his sensei had been—a ninja who could frighten enemies with his name alone.
"Believe it or not, even if this kid can refine chakra now, you wouldn't be able to compare to him," Shihouin Naraku said with raised eyebrows and a teasing smile.
Wow, is he looking down on me? Kakashi thought. But considering the Uzumaki blood flowing through Naruto, Kakashi knew he couldn't match the boy's chakra reserves.
While the two were chatting, Naruto, who had been cheerful just moments ago, suddenly became depressed. This was unusual, as Naruto's personality had always been optimistic and confident.
"What's wrong? Why did you suddenly become so down?" Shihouin Naraku asked.
"Brother Naraku, I'm proud of becoming a ninja, but I'm still the worst student in school!" Although Naruto claimed not to care, being ranked last clearly frustrated him.
"The worst student?"
"Naruto, you should know that truly strong people often start from the bottom and work their way up to become powerful!" Shihouin Naraku's expression turned serious. He looked at Naruto, placed a hand on his shoulder, and continued:
"Among the Jōnin of Konohagakure, there is such a ninja. He wasn't good at ninjutsu and even worse at genjutsu. He only had a talent for taijutsu. He was almost kicked out of the ninja academy because everyone thought he could never become a proper ninja, but he never gave up. Since he couldn't learn ninjutsu and genjutsu well, he devoted all his efforts to taijutsu."
As soon as Kakashi heard Shihouin Naraku's words, he knew exactly who he was talking about—his eternal rival, Might Guy.
Naruto listened attentively to Shihouin Naraku's story, not even willing to blink.
"So, where is this person now?" Naruto couldn't imagine how someone who was bad at ninjutsu and genjutsu and only knew taijutsu could become a successful ninja.
"Now..." Shihouin Naraku gave a thumbs up, a smile spreading across his face. "Now he is the strongest taijutsu master in Konohagakure. His taijutsu surpasses everyone else's. Even the Third Hokage can't match him in hand-to-hand combat!"
"This man is already a powerful Jōnin. He has made great contributions to Konoha and defeated countless enemies!"
Kakashi nodded in agreement. He used to think that Might Guy merely had a talent for taijutsu, but now he realized that Guy was the embodiment of taijutsu mastery!
Having fought Might Guy many times, Kakashi knew all too well how powerful his rival's punches and kicks were. After every direct confrontation, Kakashi inevitably ended up with injuries.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage Tower, Sarutobi Hiruzen watched with satisfaction as Shihouin Naraku motivated Naruto. He appreciated this teaching method and believed it would bring out Naruto's better qualities. The example of Might Guy was indeed appropriate and something Naruto should learn from.
"Naruto, do you know how this guy managed to succeed?" Shihouin Naraku asked.
Naruto shook his head, looking to Shihouin Naraku for the answer.
"It's never-ending hard work!"
"It's the will to never give up!"
"It's the confidence that no one can match!"
"If running a thousand meters doesn't make you stronger, then run ten thousand meters!"
"If swinging your fist a thousand times doesn't make you stronger, then swing it ten thousand times!"
"That's the answer!"
With each word Shihouin Naraku spoke, Naruto's eyes grew brighter until his entire being seemed to be on fire. Any trace of frustration that had lingered in Naruto completely vanished.
Kakashi couldn't help but give Shihouin Naraku a thumbs up. These words truly made his blood boil too.
"I get it now!" Naruto exclaimed. "I will definitely be like this person and never give up! I'll keep practising and become a great ninja! This is my ninja way!"
The fighting spirit burning within Naruto infected everyone present.
Shihouin Naraku was surprised. It seemed he was the one who had inspired Uzumaki Naruto's Ninja Way! I guess I do have a talent for motivational speaking, he thought to himself.
The fired-up Naruto excitedly swallowed the food in his mouth. His blood was boiling, and he didn't know how to release all this energy.
"Brother Naraku, I'm going to show you my self-created Transformation Technique to demonstrate my will and determination!" The excited Naruto couldn't help showing off. He jumped to an open space nearby and formed hand seals.
"Eh? Wait..."
"Sexy Jutsu!"
With a puff of smoke, a curvy blonde beauty appeared in front of everyone.
The blonde beauty struck a seductive pose and blew a kiss toward Shihouin Naraku and Kakashi.
"How about it? This is my own transformation jutsu!" Naruto boasted through his female form. "Even Iruka-sensei was defeated by this move!"
At that moment, all the high morale in the air disappeared, replaced by an awkward silence.
The corner of Kakashi's mouth twitched. He didn't know what to say.
Is Naruto really the son of Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina? Could it be possible that I've got the wrong kid?
"Bang!"
As the transformed Naruto approached him, Shihouin Naraku sent him flying with a powerful kick.
"Ah~" Naruto cried out as he fell into a patch of dense grass, startling a flock of birds.
"What a useless jutsu," Kakashi commented.
Hearing this, Shihouin Naraku suddenly thought of something that made him smile.
Who would have thought that this ridiculous transformation of jutsu would one day save the world? From the love-struck Haruno Sakura to the ancestor of chakra Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, all would fall victim to this technique.
Mangekyō Sharingan, Rinnegan, Wood Style, Nine-Tails Chakra—none would compare to the Harem Jutsu.
From that perspective, Uzumaki Naruto was truly a genius!
Uchiha Sasuke? Not even close.
----------------
You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion