I Punch the Tailed Beast Ball

Chapter 456: The Beginning of Naruto and Sasuke

At noon, after finishing his lunch, Nagasawa headed to Minato’s home.

After thinking it over repeatedly, he had finally decided, it was time to start training Naruto and Sasuke.

Originally, he had planned to begin their training when they turned four, wanting to give them a bit more carefree childhood.

But after finding traces of the Ōtsutsuki Clan through something Kakashi had brought to him, Nagasawa felt a strong sense of unease.

As the saying goes, finding one cockroach means there’s likely a nest nearby.

While the Ōtsutsuki weren’t exactly like that, the fact remained, they almost always moved in pairs. If one appeared, another usually wasn’t far behind.

After all, not every Ōtsutsuki pair ended up like Kaguya, backstabbing her partner. A two-person unit was the norm.

Nagasawa feared there might be more than just two.

What if they had come because Kaguya hadn’t returned for too long? If the main branch of the Ōtsutsuki had sent an investigation team to replant the God Tree, then the number of incoming enemies was entirely unpredictable.

As a clan that travels the cosmos, planting God Trees and harvesting their chakra fruits, the Ōtsutsuki posed a threat of the highest order. Nagasawa always assumed the worst when it came to them.

Even from the mere tip of the iceberg that had been revealed, the power of the Ōtsutsuki Clan was terrifying.

Kaguya alone had gained unimaginable power from just one chakra fruit.

So those Ōtsutsuki who had been traveling through the stars for ages, endlessly planting and harvesting, just how strong were they? Likely strong enough to destroy planets with a single attack.

And as for the clan’s leaders, the true top of the hierarchy, their might was unimaginable.

That’s why, even with Six Paths-level power, Nagasawa didn’t let his guard down. He continued training, strengthening Konoha, and increasing the village’s overall prosperity and resilience.

He didn’t expect Konoha to become strong enough to face the entire Ōtsutsuki clan in seven years. But he wanted to make sure a couple of stray members couldn’t just walk in and wipe them out.

After all, Konoha’s world, its planet, was just a speck in the galaxy. The Ōtsutsuki might not even see them as worthy opponents yet.

According to Kakashi’s account, an Ōtsutsuki named Isshiki attacked him when he was twenty-four, which was seven years from now.

For Konoha’s safety, Nagasawa needed to produce multiple super-Kage level powerhouses in that time.

Because against the Ōtsutsuki, ordinary Kage weren’t even worth mentioning. Only super-Kage levels could contribute in battle.

Even then, one-on-one wasn’t enough. It would take multiple super-Kage working together just to hold them off, hold, not defeat.

Kakashi had reached Six Paths level at twenty-five, yet even he was nearly killed by Isshiki. If not for Nagasawa, he would’ve died.

Ideally, he’d raise some people to Six Paths level, but those conditions were harsh, and he wasn’t sure he could do it in time.

So Nagasawa began picking those he deemed talented with high potential.

He planned to cultivate the Three Legendary Sannin first. They were already Kage-tier, and with his guidance, super-Kage within seven years was very feasible.

Orochimaru was the easiest, he already had a pair of Mangekyō Sharingan and was crafting a perfect vessel. Once successful, he could simply implant the eyes and ascend quickly.

Jiraiya had a deep foundation. With Sage Mode and Nagasawa’s help, reaching super-Kage wasn’t a problem.

Tsunade was trickier, still suffering from hemophobia. She might not be able to fight at all, but even if not, her support abilities were invaluable.

As for Hiruzen, he was too old. Nagasawa decided to let him rest.

Minato was promising, his Sage training had gone well. Kushina, too, showed potential, especially with half of Kurama inside her.

Fugaku was also on the list, through enhancement with Hashirama cells and Mangekyō Sharingan, he could be developed.

He also considered training some seasoned jōnin, hoping they might bloom with the right push.

Among the younger generation, Nagasawa focused on his own disciples, Kakashi, Shisui, and even the now-reformed Obito.

Might Guy, though special because of the Eight Gates, was also a priority.

Inuzuka Midori and Nara Enzui, old subordinates of his, were close to Kage-level thanks to his past support and their own talents.

He wasn’t playing politics or building factions. His goal was raising Konoha’s overall strength.

Next came the new generation, those who had graduated within the last three years, like the elite from the Special Ops squad, or Itachi and Kabuto, both geniuses in the original timeline.

Then came the preschool tier, like Naruto and Sasuke.

For now, these were the only two from that age group he planned to personally train.

He was surprisingly practical in this regard. Sure, there were other factors, but the main one was,

NagasawaNaruto and Sasuke were the protagonists in the original timeline.

NagasawaIf they had the potential to reach Six Paths level then, they certainly had that now.

And if Nagasawa trained them himself, they might reach that cap faster, maybe even surpass it.

That meant greater prosperity for the village, and more power to defend it.

---

When Nagasawa arrived at Minato’s home, the family had just finished lunch and were chatting in the living room.

"I’d like Naruto to begin training with me starting tomorrow," Nagasawa said directly.

"Huh? Train with Uncle Nagasawa?" Naruto’s eyes lit up, he’d get to see him every day! Maybe now he’d finally hear the end of those stories...

"Isn’t it a little early to start?" Minato asked, puzzled. They had discussed this before, and Nagasawa had said four years old would be a better time.

"I don’t mind, as long as Naruto’s willing," Kushina said casually.

It was Nagasawa, after all. He was practically family, no concern over whether Naruto would be properly taught.

"I think it’s important to build a strong foundation early," Nagasawa explained. "Naruto’s already been running for a while and practicing the breathing method I gave you. He’s ready."

As for the Ōtsutsuki, Nagasawa wasn’t about to burden Minato or Kushina with that knowledge.

It would only cause anxiety. Better to tell them when the time was right.

Minato nodded. He knew Nagasawa wouldn’t harm Naruto. "No objections here, then. If Naruto’s up for it, go ahead."

Naruto’s eyes sparkled. "I want to train! I want to be a great ninja, just like Dad and Uncle Nagasawa!"

Minato laughed and ruffled his hair. "It won’t be easy. You’ll have to work hard."

"I will!" Naruto pumped his fists, full of confidence.

"Then I leave Naruto in your care," Kushina added. "Don’t hold back just because he’s our kid. If he needs a beating, go ahead."

"...Mom?!" Naruto froze. Was this really his mother? Was he adopted?

No, wait, his hair looked just like Dad’s. Definitely not adopted.

"Mom..." he whined, drawing laughter from the adults.

"Then it’s settled," Minato said seriously. "Naruto’s training is in your hands."

Nagasawa nodded. "You won’t be disappointed."

Minato and Kushina could easily teach Naruto themselves, they were strong enough. But they had complete faith in Nagasawa.

"Starting tomorrow, come to my house after breakfast," Nagasawa said. "Today’s your last day off."

"Got it!" Naruto responded eagerly.

After some more casual conversation, Nagasawa left for his next stop, Sasuke’s home.

---

Sasuke, meanwhile, was sulking in the yard, tossing pebbles at a wooden post.

Though it wasn’t the first day since Itachi had left, he was still moody. He hadn’t trained or played all day.

He missed the old days, hearing his brother’s voice in the morning, eating lunch together, getting feedback after training.

Now there was nothing. No brother, no guidance, no warmth.

Nagasawa"It’s all that Nagasawa guy’s fault. If not for him, nii-san wouldn’t have gone to ’tour Fire Country,’" Sasuke muttered, blaming Nagasawa.

As if the post were Nagasawa himself, Sasuke angrily chucked rocks at it.

He didn’t know Nagasawa well, but he’d met him before. His father had introduced them once, and his brother often mentioned him, with a strange look in his eyes.

He also remembered being told that Nagasawa attended his baby celebration, but he was too young to remember.

Just as Sasuke fumed,

Nagasawa"Why blame me? I did try to convince your brother to delay his journey," Nagasawa said, suddenly appearing behind him with a grin.

Sasuke jumped and nearly fell over, but Nagasawa caught him in time.

"Don’t sneak up on people! It’s scary!" Sasuke yelled, flustered.

Nagasawa chuckled. "Saying bad things behind people’s backs is even worse, though."

Sasuke’s face turned red. He hadn’t expected Nagasawa to appear at that moment.

Still bitter, he muttered, "Dad and Mom didn’t agree, but nii-san said you approved, so they changed their minds..."

Nagasawa smiled ruefully. Itachi had played that card, huh? He had agreed, but only after failing to talk Itachi out of it.

Nagasawa"I’m sorry for badmouthing you. Just... please don’t tell nii-san," Sasuke said quickly, backing down.

He could tell Nagasawa was important to Itachi, maybe not family, but close.

Nagasawa"Not telling him? I could... but only if you listen to me," Nagasawa said with a mischievous grin. "You don’t want your precious brother to know, do you?"

Three-year-old Sasuke felt danger. He bolted inside to get his parents.

Fugaku, hearing Nagasawa had arrived, welcomed him warmly.

When Nagasawa explained he wanted to take Sasuke as a student, Fugaku was overjoyed.

Nagasawa’s strength was beyond question, especially after that Chūnin Exams incident. All of Konoha knew now what true power looked like.

And his teaching skills were proven, Itachi had become a prodigy under his wing, winning first place in the four-village joint Chūnin Exams at just eight years old.

To have Sasuke follow the same path? Fugaku couldn’t have been happier.

He told Sasuke solemnly to respect Nagasawa like he did his own father, and to study hard under him.

Sasuke was stunned. The father he ran to for help had just betrayed him!

But hearing that Itachi had also been Nagasawa’s student... suddenly the idea didn’t seem so bad.

After all, if his brother trusted Nagasawa, maybe he could too.