SWNOVELXO Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Meeting Bai!
After boldly declaring to Inari that "heroes exist!", Uzumaki Naruto's training took a sharp turn toward intensity and discipline.
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[Uzumaki Naruto's Training Becomes More Diligent]
"Do 1,000 push-ups in one go. If you can't manage that, then jump rope 2,000 times."
"If 2,000 jump ropes are too much, then kick the wooden post 5,000 times!"
Already brimming with talent, Naruto's progress was nothing short of remarkable thanks to this relentless training. In just a short time, he began to show signs of rapid improvement.
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[Commentary Begins]
Rock Lee: "Why do Naruto's training methods and phrases sound so familiar?"
Might Guy: "Lee…"
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After a particularly brutal training session, Naruto let out a long breath and collapsed to the ground, panting from exhaustion.
Inside his body, the Nine Tails scoffed.
Kurama (Nine Tails): "What's the point of this kind of training? Why don't you just ask me for more chakra?"
Naruto chuckled weakly and replied, "Thanks for the offer, Big Fox, but I think it's important to build my own strength. One day, if we're ever separated, I'll need to rely on myself alone."
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Ōnoki: "That Naruto thinks too far ahead. A Jinchūriki being separated from their Tailed Beast? That's suicide! The moment they separate, the Jinchūriki dies. What's the point of training for that?"
Hashirama Senju: "True, but this Naruto... he reminds me of myself and Madara when we were younger—so passionate and driven."
Uchiha Madara: "Don't lump me in with you. I'm an Uchiha genius. I never needed such foolish training."
Of course, Uchiha Madara had also trained relentlessly. During the chaos of the Ninja World Wars, he did everything he could to survive, to protect his clan, and especially his younger brother.
He just never admitted it—his pride wouldn't allow it.
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Ninjas are strange beings.
No one remembers how hard you worked.
They only remember the end result:
With a single blow, you split two mountains in half.
They'll call you a genius.
They'll say you were born with it.
But that's far from the truth.
Geniuses often work even harder than everyone else.
Because the higher you stand,
The further you see.
And the clearer you understand:
There's always someone stronger.
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[Meeting in the Forest]
While Naruto lay resting beneath a tree, he suddenly heard footsteps nearby.
He opened his eyes to find a beautiful woman standing before him. Her long black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, and her skin was as pale as fresh snow. She wore a flowing pink kimono and held a gentle smile.
"Hello. Are you a ninja?" she asked softly.
Naruto didn't answer immediately. A warning echoed in his mind—it was the Nine Tails.
Kurama: "Hey, Naruto, that's the masked brat who took the Mist ninja away."
Naruto: "The Mist ninja...? Oh, you mean Zabuza."
Naruto's mind clicked. The Nine Tails, who had been around since the days of Hashirama, naturally saw Zabuza as nothing more than a child.
But that wasn't what shocked Naruto.
Naruto (mentally): Wait... are you saying this gorgeous girl is actually a boy?!
The Nine Tails answered proudly.
Kurama: "Of course he's a guy. I can sense the chakra flow within him. I can tell a lot about someone's body structure just by that."
Kurama: "No doubt about it. He has the same... structure as you."
Kurama (smug): "He's got the thing with a hook, just like you."
Naruto: "...What the hell kind of explanation is that?!"
He was momentarily speechless.
Sure, distinguishing male and female foxes was probably easy for Kurama,
But calling someone "the one with a hook" was way too blunt!
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Then another thought crossed Naruto's mind.
Naruto (shocked): Wait... he's the same size as me?!
Naruto looked again at the feminine figure before him.
Could he really be... a cute boy with such a girlish appearance?
Still unaware that his identity had been exposed, the boy—Bai—continued to smile politely.
Bai: "Little brother, it's dangerous to be alone in the forest."
Naruto smirked.
Naruto: "Yeah, especially when you run into someone from the Hidden Mist Village."
That took Bai by surprise.
How had Naruto seen through his disguise? He was sure he had been careful. On the battlefield, he had worn a full mask!
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Naruto (smirking): "Want to know how I figured you out?"
He stood up, dusted himself off, and began his deduction like a seasoned detective.
Naruto:
"First of all, the people of the Land of Waves are all poor.
No way they could afford such fancy clothes.
Even if they could, who wears a clean kimono in a muddy forest?
Clearly, you're not from around here.
And since you're not poor, but still sneaking around the woods...
You must be connected to that bastard Cardo."
Then he pointed to the basket Bai was holding.
Naruto:
"There are herbs in that basket, right?
Medical herbs, used to heal ninja wounds.
The only ninja I know who got hurt recently... is Momochi Zabuza.
And your height, your build—
You match the masked ninja who used the ice mirrors with Zabuza!"
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[Everyone Reacts]
Bai fell silent.
This kid—who looked no older than twelve—had seen through everything.
Kurama: "Ahem! Where's my credit? I'm the one who told Naruto!"
Kakashi: "Even so, Naruto's deduction holds up.
Most people would be fooled, but his reasoning was sound."
Bai (thoughtfully): "I'm starting to wonder...
Did he already suspect me before the Nine Tails said anything?
The way he spoke—it didn't sound improvised at all."
Ōnoki: "This Naruto is terrifying.
He's not just a genius in battle.
He's cunning and insightful.
All villages should start taking him seriously."
Terumi Mei: "What's there to fear? I already love Naruto-kun!"
Jiraiya: "Oh? Mizukage-sama, is the Water Country recruiting?
No real reason, I just want to... experience the culture."
Chōjūrō: "Mizukage-sama would never go for an outsider like you!"
Terumi Mei: "No, no, Chōjūrō. I'm really interested in Naruto-kun.
I look forward to seeing him grow!"
Chōjūrō: "Wuuuu... Mizukage-samaaaa!"
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[End of Chapter 36