Naruto: Limit Breaker-Chapter 55: Cunning Little Fox

Chapter 55: Cunning Little Fox

"Ryosuke."

Early in the morning, Ryosuke was just about to leave for school after a long absence.

He had just finished breakfast and was stepping out the door when Hinata—whom he hadn't seen since waking up—came running over from the yard on her short legs, holding a small black square box in her hands.

"Slow down, will you? You were exhausted from training last night. You should still be resting."

He didn't even need to open it. Just from the subtle, familiar fragrance, Ryosuke already knew what it was—a bento made just for him.

"These are all the things you like to eat."

Hinata held out the lunchbox with both hands, her large eyes staring at him expectantly, as if waiting for something.

"Thanks, Hinata."

Ryosuke gave her a soft smile, taking the box from her and gently patting her head with his free hand. "Rest up today. Try to make it to school tomorrow—I wanna see a good fight."

"Mm!"

Hinata nodded seriously, her eyes half-closing as she leaned into his palm. She unconsciously rubbed her head against his hand, just like a content little kitten.

Ever since the first time Ryosuke patted her head over a year ago, she had fallen in love with that comforting gesture.

Especially after hearing those warm words from him last night—words that made her feel safe—it meant even more.

Time seemed to slow down. Neither of them spoke, content with the quiet moment.

They stood there like that for a while, as if the world around them had faded.

"Ryosuke, you haven't left yet?"

The peaceful silence was broken by a sharp, unexpected voice.

It was Hanabi.

She'd been eating slowly and had just stepped out of the yard—only to catch them in that little moment.

"Ah—"

Hinata jumped slightly, startled. As if realizing something all of a sudden, she took a quick step back and looked at Ryosuke in a bit of a panic.

"R-Ryosuke, you're gonna be late!"

"I know." He chuckled and withdrew his hand from the air. "You get some rest."

He gave a quick wave to Hanabi and finally headed out.

The moment had been sweet. Even though he knew he was going to be late, he hadn't wanted to ruin it.

He enjoyed it too.

---

When Ryosuke got to class, the first lecture was nearly over.

Even though he was late, Iruka didn't say anything. That was one of the perks of being a top student.

The classroom was filled with chatter during the break, but the back row—where Ryosuke sat—was quiet as usual.

Some classmates hadn't changed at all over the last month, but some... had changed a lot.

Take Naruto, for example.

He sat up straight, hands clasped on the desk, a calm smile on his face.

Though he looked the same, something was different. His whole demeanor had shifted—his aura, his presence.

"Hinata took today off?" Naruto asked casually, smiling.

Something about his tone felt... familiar.

Ryosuke nodded slowly, a little confused by the vibe Naruto was giving off. "She was tired after training last night. She probably needs a day or two to rest."

"That's a shame," Naruto said, stretching. "I was looking forward to seeing her match against Kiba."

The more he talked, the more Ryosuke felt something was off.

The tone. The posture. Even the expression.

It was almost like Naruto was... copying him.

He frowned slightly. Naruto's behavior over the past month was starting to feel eerily familiar.

Trying to shake off the weird feeling, Ryosuke asked, "Did you go to the training ground too?"

"Of course," Naruto nodded. "I'm gonna be a ninja, right? Gotta build up that combat experience."

He smiled again, light and sunny. "No one really wants to spar with me, but they don't stop me from watching."

This time, his smile didn't carry the bitterness it used to.

It was calm. Composed.

Like he didn't mind the isolation anymore.

Ryosuke didn't reply right away. He just stared quietly at Naruto, studying his face.

He had planted a genjutsu on him before leaving—a subtle failsafe.

If Naruto ever did something reckless and the Third Hokage or the village elders tried to pry into his mind, the illusion would make him forget certain details. It was a safeguard, a way to cover their tracks.

Now he needed to confirm whether that genjutsu was still intact.

After a few moments, Ryosuke checked with his Byakugan.

It was still there.

He calmly said, "They're not here."

He didn't specify who "they" were. He didn't need to. Naruto understood.

"...Was it the Byakugan that let Ryosuke detect them?" Naruto thought to himself, his expression loosening just slightly.

But not by much.

It seemed Naruto had figured out that he was being watched. That his place in this village wasn't exactly... ordinary.

"As long as I want to become Hokage, and protect this village, Grandpa Hiruzen is willing to teach me a lot."

Naruto didn't press the topic. He changed gears and continued. freeweɓnovel.cѳm

"He's been helping me with chakra control lately. I've been working really hard."

"That fox sealed inside me—it messes with my chakra. That's a big reason why I couldn't use ninjutsu properly before."

"But recently, as I've gotten better with chakra control, his influence is fading bit by bit."

Ryosuke gave a subtle smile. "If the Third Hokage found out you were approaching him just to gain his trust, you'd be in a lot of danger."

Naruto had grown fast—faster than Ryosuke expected.

"I know my position in the village is sensitive because of... the fox."

Naruto placed a hand over his abdomen.

"But Grandpa Hiruzen's been good to me. I don't want to lie to him. I just... want to gain power faster."

"If he didn't trust me, he wouldn't be teaching me all this stuff."

Ryosuke's eyes narrowed slightly. "Why are you telling me all this?"

Naruto shrugged, grinning. "Because you taught me a lot too. So I trust you."

His smile was eerily similar to Ryosuke's now.

It didn't carry as much emotion. It wasn't as genuine. But it was close.

"I taught you?" Ryosuke smirked, his eyes curving into crescent moons. "I don't remember teaching you anything."

"You told me to go to Grandpa Hiruzen if I needed help, right?"

Naruto leaned back in his seat, that grin still lingering.

Whiskers on his cheeks, a glint in his eyes—he looked just like a cunning little fox.

"Honestly, I get it. Why they watch me, why they isolate me."

"If the fox inside me ever broke loose, Konoha would be devastated. So many people would die."

"I don't like this village much right now... but it's still my home. It's where I was born and raised."

"And there are people here I care about."

"So yeah. I'll protect it. I haven't lied to Grandpa Hiruzen about that."

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