My Techniques are a bit off

"Clang!"

Link crushed the empty drink can in his hand and tossed it into the designated recycling bin from a distance. [Japanese vending machines often have separate bins for PET bottles or aluminum cans.]

Taking a deep breath, he stood up and said, "If there's nothing else, I'm heading back now."

"Alright," Naruto replied, standing as well. Despite his initial intention to ask for guidance after witnessing how Link had helped his classmates improve, he ultimately kept silent.

It wasn't that Naruto was obsessed with getting stronger. In fact, his understanding of what it meant to be strong was still vague. Although he loudly proclaimed his dream of becoming Hokage, he had never considered the strength or qualities required to achieve that goal.

Instead, his emotions at this moment resembled the envy of seeing two friends with a cool new toy—except the "toy" in question was the chance to be taught and improve.

Naruto watched Link walk away, unable to bring himself to speak up or ask him to stay. He didn't know how to respond to someone who showed him kindness without malice or disdain.

So, he remained there by the vending machine, holding the drink Link had given him, unwilling to leave for a long time.

At that moment, perhaps, he just wanted to cry.

Link walked away, letting out a silent sigh. From the start, he had no intention of forming close ties with Naruto, and that resolve hadn't changed.

He wouldn't actively seek interaction with the boy. However, when Naruto jumped into his life so boldly, challenging him, Link knew it meant entering the Third Hokage's radar.

This realization led him to a crucial thought: perhaps this wasn't such a bad thing.

To progress in the shinobi hierarchy, having talent wasn't enough. Leaders needed to see and recognize your potential. Equally important, they needed to believe in your loyalty and character. Who would invest in nurturing a cold, ungrateful individual?

In a village like Konoha, steeped in the ideals of the Will of Fire and camaraderie, the Third Hokage would likely prioritize personality and values even more than raw strength.

If it were Danzo? Personality wouldn't matter; a bit of brainwashing and a cursed seal would suffice.

When Link performed his quirky antics in front of Naruto, he wasn't just playing a role for Naruto. He was building a persona—a calculated mix of strengths and flaws—to leave an impression on the Hokage.

During his time at the Academy, Link had already begun constructing his "genius" image by showcasing his unique jutsu and striving for early graduation. In peacetime, early graduation was rare; a kekkei genkai or unique technique plus early promotion would undoubtedly make him stand out among the hundreds of faceless shinobi.

But perfection was forgettable. People connected with those who had quirks and vulnerabilities. So Link deliberately exaggerated his insecurities—his annoyance at being called short, his awkwardness, and his occasional immaturity.

These weren't lies; they were carefully amplified truths.

Labels stick.

He wanted to brand himself as: a talented genius, insecure about his height, with a slightly difficult personality, and some oddly juvenile traits.

Link didn't hate Naruto—that was genuine. He truly hated being short. His emotions and reactions were often real.

But beneath all this lay a singular, pure goal: to climb higher.

He wanted to become a chunin, then a jonin, and possibly an eventual Hokage candidate. If that required leveraging the Third Hokage or Naruto's position as the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, so be it.

A completely fake persona couldn't manipulate others for long. However, if laced with genuine emotions, it could sway even the most cautious hearts. Still, Link knew the risks. Too much authenticity might lead him to form real bonds—a vulnerability he couldn't afford.

Bonds were dangerous. They could tether him to others, weaken his resolve, or even lead to tragedy—just as his mother had succumbed to illness and his father had died on a senseless mission.

"For now, this is far enough with Naruto. I'm not ready for the complications of being his 'friend.'"

Acting required immersion, but prolonged interaction with Naruto made Link realize he was softer than he thought. He decided to put some distance between them. Even now, using half-truths to manipulate someone so innocent left a lingering discomfort.

But this was a necessary step.

Link wasn't a true genius. Without his mutated jutsu, his minimal chakra reserves would likely reduce him to cannon fodder. Even with his unique abilities, he was effectively a glass cannon—a strong offense but with little ability to maintain control in prolonged battles.

He had already planned contingencies for improving his chakra reserves. From gaining access to a tailed beast's power or undergoing modifications, to—more realistically—partnering with a reliable "power bank," like Naruto.

With enough chakra, Link believed he could change any battlefield.

However, catching a tailed beast or undergoing dangerous modifications was far too risky. It would be safer to rise through the ranks and let Konoha secure such resources for him—or perhaps persuade Naruto to lend his chakra in the future.

Why struggle alone when tools and collective resources could be used?

"Keep moving forward, Link. One day, you'll truly control your destiny."

As he walked the lonely path back to the training ground, Link suppressed his unease and refocused.

For a brief moment, perhaps, even he wanted to cry.

…

Back at the Seventh Training Ground, Link saw his teammates diligently practicing.

Without hesitation, he joined in, beginning his physical training. His routine was simple—basic exercises and honing his physical condition. When it came to developing new jutsu, he had long hit a bottleneck.

Among his current techniques, his Clone Jutsu stood out. Its primary strength lay in granting him a unique form of damage immunity—a trait that had saved his life during his fight with Kakashi.

The jutsu's potential was vast: it allowed him to split his body and reassemble it, offering critical advantages in taijutsu. However, against Kakashi's Shadow Clone feints, this advantage had been undermined.

Initially, Link had envisioned more advanced applications, like splitting into smaller segments—or even separating into cells or atoms.

But through repeated tests, he discovered a critical limitation:

All of his mutated jutsu relied entirely on the amount of chakra supplied to extend their duration or enhance their effects.

~~~

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