"I understand your intentions completely," the Third Hokage said after a moment's contemplation, his voice deep and grave. "If you believe young Naruto has potential and has earned your approval, then by all means, teach him. Don't hesitate for any reason."
The Third Hokage had been observing Naruto's progress over the past two years.
Though the boy still maintained his carefree and impulsive demeanor, he had remarkably stopped pulling pranks and falling asleep in class.
Instead, he had transformed into a diligent and hardworking young man, dedicated to rigorous training.
'This child is working so hard to earn everyone's recognition,' the Third Hokage thought, feeling deeply gratified.
With this in mind, the Third Hokage smiled and continued, "Naruto's physical constitution is exceptional, making him exceptionally suited for mastering taijutsu. You're getting older, Chen Baojun. You can't take your extraordinary martial arts skills to the grave. Having a disciple to inherit your legacy would be a great thing."
Chen Baojun nodded solemnly. "I understand, Third Hokage!"
"Hmm," the Third Hokage nodded, a warm smile spreading across his face. "I'm eager to see what kind of ninja Naruto will become after inheriting the Konoha Dragon God's Secret Art."
"By the way, that child grew up without parental love, and the villagers avoid him because of the rumors about the Nine-Tailed Fox. In addition to his skill training, you'll need to take extra care of him in other areas as well."
Chen Baojun paused, then replied earnestly, "I understand. I won't disappoint you."
"Heh, I trust you. Well, it's getting late. You should go home and rest. This old bone needs his sleep too."
"Yes, sir!"
"Naruto, training in taijutsu, huh?"
"I wonder what kind of ninja he'll become in the future?"
After Chen Baojun left, the Third Hokage gazed at the Fourth Hokage's portrait hanging on the wall and murmured to himself.
"I never imagined Naruto wouldn't inherit your and Kushina's talent for ninjutsu and sealing techniques. Instead, he's chosen the path of taijutsu."
__
The next day, shortly after lunch, Sakura set out for Maruboshi Kosuke's house with her father, Haruno Kizashi, leading the way.
Halfway there, Sakura hesitated, asking anxiously, "Dad, is this really a good idea? Isn't it rude to visit Grandpa Kosuke so suddenly?"
"Don't worry, Sakura!"
Haruno Kizashi, a tall, robust man in his thirties, sported comically pink hair styled into a five-pointed star, making him look like he had a Patrick Star growing out of his head—a truly comical sight.
He grinned, revealing his pearly white teeth, and declared cheerfully, "I already informed Senior Kosuke yesterday that we'd be visiting today!"
"But..." Sakura murmured, "won't this seem too abrupt, too presumptuous? What if we're disturbing Grandpa Kosuke?"
"Hahaha, don't worry about it!" Haruno Kizashi clapped his hands on his hips and laughed heartily, noticing his daughter's anxiety. "Relax, Sakura! You seem so tense. Let me tell you a joke to lighten the mood."
Sakura's face immediately went blank. "No!"
Ignoring her refusal, Haruno Kizashi launched into his joke.
"Once upon a time, there was a steamed bun. As it walked along, it got hungry. Guess what happened next?"
Haruno Kizashi leaned in conspiratorially, his eyes twinkling with mischief, but Sakura remained completely expressionless.
"Then, guess what? He actually ate himself! Pfft, hahahahahahaha!"
Haruno Kizashi clapped his hands and roared with laughter, his eyes crinkling into crescent moons as tears welled up from mirth.
"He ate himself! How utterly ridiculous! Hahahahaha!"
Snapping out of his laughter, Haruno Kizashi noticed his daughter's unchanging blank expression and tilted his head in confusion. "Huh? Didn't you find that funny? I'll tell another one then."
"Once upon a time, there was a match-"
"Enough, Dad!" Sakura interrupted, dark lines of exasperation forming on her forehead as she grabbed his arm. "Let's hurry to Grandpa Kosuke's house. We shouldn't keep him waiting."
"Ugh..." Haruno Kizashi reluctantly swallowed the rest of his joke, looking forlorn.
"Alright!"
The father and daughter resumed their walk toward Maruboshi Kosuke's house. Along the way, Haruno Kizashi couldn't shake the urge to finish his joke.
"Sakura, this joke is hilarious! Let me finish it."
"No!"
"Once upon a time, there was a match-"
"Enough, Dad!"
"..."
At Maruboshi Kosuke's house.
Maruboshi Kosuke's house was neither lavishly spacious nor meagerly cramped—just an ordinary, unassuming Japanese cottage.
In the guest room, Haruno Kizashi was engaged in conversation with Maruboshi Kosuke, while Sakura sat beside them, perfectly composed and utterly silent.
"Senior, I came to see you today about Sakura," Haruno Cho said after exchanging a few polite greetings, cutting straight to the point.
"Sakura?" Maruboshi Kosuke smiled, glancing at the quiet girl beside them.
Sakura nodded obediently when his gaze met hers.
"Sakura will graduate from the Ninja Academy in a couple of years. Senior, you're a seasoned ninja, so I'd like her to seek your guidance in the future, aiming to become as exceptional as you. It would be even better if you could mentor her as her teacher."
Maruboshi Kosuke chuckled. "Kizashi, you're a Chūnin, while I'm just a Genin. Aren't you worried I might lead her astray?"
"Absolutely not, Senior," Haruno Kizashi replied earnestly. "Though you're only a Genin, I've worked on many missions with you and know your true strength far surpasses your rank—it even surpasses mine. You're being too modest."
' Eh?'
' Dad thinks Grandpa Kosuke is really strong too?'
Sakura thought in astonishment.
Maruboshi Kosuke remained silent for a moment, then, gazing at Haruno Kizashi's earnest expression and Sakura's expectant face beside him, he suddenly asked, "Sakura, what's your most proficient Ninjutsu?"
"Ah?" Sakura blinked in surprise before quickly replying, "It's Water Release, Grandpa Kosuke!"
As she spoke, Sakura opened her palm, and a lifelike liquid creature materialized within it.
"Water Release, hmm?" Maruboshi Kosuke's eyes flickered with reminiscence as he praised, "Impressive Chakra control and a solid foundation in Water Release. Sakura, you have a natural talent for it."
Sakura's eyes lit up with joy. "Thank you for your praise."
Maruboshi Kosuke smiled briefly, then his expression shifted, becoming serious and focused.
"Sakura, do you have any truly important comrades?"
In his youth, Kosuke's eagerness for quick results during missions had led him to rashly issue orders, resulting in the deaths of two comrades.
He had then sworn an oath to the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, vowing to remain a Genin forever, earning him the title "Eternal Genin."
If Sakura wished to receive his guidance or even become his disciple, talent alone wouldn't suffice. She would also need to demonstrate genuine regard for her comrades!
"Comrades?"
Sakura pondered briefly. In that instant, images of Sasuke, Ino, and even Naruto flashed through her mind.
"Mm!"
"Then, when you become a ninja in the future, will you protect your comrades when they're in danger, even if it means sacrificing your own life?"
Maruboshi Kosuke's tone shifted from gentle and kind to intensely authoritative. Haruno Kizashi remained silent, standing quietly beside him.
Faced with Kosuke's probing question, a flicker of hesitation crossed Sakura's face. She didn't know how to answer.
The Sakura standing before him hadn't yet matured into the courageous ninja who would later risk her life to protect her comrades. She was still just an innocent, lovestruck young girl.
Her desire to grow stronger stemmed solely from her feelings for Sasuke.
"Grandpa Kosuke," Sakura said after a long silence, lifting her head with a resolute glint in her eyes.
"I can't answer that question right now. Or rather, I might not be capable of sacrificing my life for my comrades yet. But I want to have the strength to protect them, and I want to become a ninja who would dare to give her life for her comrades!"
'She might not be capable of it now, but she'll keep striving toward that goal?'
'She's an honest child, at least.'
'Hmm, I shouldn't be too harsh on a child after all. She's still just a child.'
Maruboshi Kosuke's stern expression softened into a warm smile.
"Then keep working hard, Sakura!"
After a pause, he added, "Whenever I have time between missions, you can come to me for training. I'll teach you some ninja skills and Water Release jutsu!"
"Ehh!?" Sakura's face lit up with overjoyed surprise. She had feared her hesitation and answer had disappointed Grandpa Kosuke, but instead...
"Thank you so much, Grandpa Kosuke!"
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