Growing Up

"Sarutobi, that evil Uchiha brat is definitely coveting our Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!"

Danzo said sternly.

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, patted the table and said, "Then what do you want to do? Kill him?"

A cold glint flashed in Danzo's eyes as he explained, "I want to bring him to Root to be indoctrinated with the Will of Fire."

Danzo explained.

"No! I absolutely will not allow you to do this, and I promised that guy I would take good care of his brother."

Sarutobi shook his head, slowly picked up his pipe, and took a puff.

Danzo stared coldly at Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"He is a descendant of the Uchiha, and in the future, he will definitely be a threat to Konoha. I will not allow such a hidden danger to remain in the village."

Now it was Danzo's turn to be displeased.

However, Sarutobi Hiruzen tapped the table.

"Danzo, don't forget who the Hokage is!!!"

Danzo was frozen in place and warned, "Sarutobi, you will regret this!!!!!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen remained unmoved.

With that, he got up and left the Hokage's office.

"Bang!" The door was slammed shut.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, still seated, sighed as he watched Danzo's retreating back.

... (Three more years passed... Well, mainly I really didn't know what to write, so I'll skip ahead to the main plot. At this time, the protagonist is 12 years old, and the Konoha rookies are also 12 years old.)

Konoha Ninja Training Ground

"Third Gate, open!"

A faint green light emanated from Josuke as he charged towards Rock Lee. Rock Lee, not to be outdone, responded with the Third Gate as well.

Three years had passed since he became Might Guy's disciple. In three years, he had managed to open the Third Gate, while Rock Lee, just like in the original story, had reached the Fourth Gate.

Josuke had now barely touched the Chunin level, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a genius.

Soon it would be time for team assignments. He wondered which team he would be assigned to. Josuke still hoped to be assigned to Team 7, after all, Kakashi-senpai's fame was immense.

However, it all depended on how the assignments were made.

As quick as lightning.

Rock Lee's flying kick already struck towards Josuke.

Josuke dodged the attack and then kicked towards Rock Lee. Rock Lee flew straight up into the air, directly avoiding the attack.

The two were evenly matched and confronted each other.

Then, a new round of attacks began. Josuke made the first move. Josuke used the Clone Technique, and a clone identical to himself appeared.

Immediately, he and the clone attacked Rock Lee. Rock Lee, however, was not the least bit flustered. A Front Lotus easily neutralized Josuke's attack.

"Stop."

Might Guy called out to stop them.

He smiled at the two and said, "You're both very good! This is youth!!!"

When Guy was their age, he didn't have their strength. It was his father... who helped him grow and achieve his current accomplishments.

Might Guy thought for a moment and then said, "Today's training ends here. Josuke and Rock Lee, you've both done very well. You'll be Genin in a few days, so rest well for these few days."

Josuke and Rock Lee nodded and bid farewell to Might Guy.

Returning home

Josuke was surprised to see Sasuke in the living room, which was quite rare. Josuke walked over to Sasuke, who said coldly, "Let's have a spar."

Tsk.

What was this foolish little brother thinking? Was his brain malfunctioning again? Even if Sasuke wanted to fight, Josuke didn't. Although training with Might Guy was fun, it was also truly exhausting.

Josuke shook his head.

"I'm already very tired today. Let's do it another day."

With that, he left the living room and returned to his room, leaving behind a displeased Sasuke.

"Hmph, coward."

Sasuke said angrily, watching the direction Josuke left.

Meanwhile, a major event had also occurred these past few days: our Crown Prince Naruto had stolen the Scroll of Seals. However, it was less stealing and more like the Third Hokage letting Naruto take it himself.

Otherwise, how could a trash ninja like Mizuki's plan have succeeded?

He just didn't know if the Scroll of Seals contained anything like Flying Thunder God or Great Fire Annihilation.

He wanted to learn Multiple Shadow Clone too, hehe...

But with his current amount of Chakra, he'd probably get backlash and die after a few tries.

The Crown Prince is truly the Crown Prince, learning such things so easily. Unlike himself...

After showering, Josuke lay on his bed, carefully thinking about the events of the past few years, and gradually drifted off to sleep.

The next thing that happened was the day of team assignments.

Josuke had expected to be assigned to some no-name teacher, but he was actually assigned to Team 7. Including himself, that made four people in Team 7.

This was truly very Konoha.

And the leader of Team 7, as expected, was our Hatake Kakashi.

Nothing much happened. The four quickly arrived at the location Kakashi had told them to wait.

It was a morning.

Josuke and Sasuke were the first to arrive, Sasuke still looking arrogant.

Sakura arrived next, holding three rice balls.

As soon as she saw Sasuke, her eyes couldn't stop sparkling with love.

Sakura walked over to Josuke and Sasuke.

She took out two rice balls.

"Sasuke and Josuke, you haven't eaten breakfast, have you? Here are two rice balls for you."

Sakura said, handing them the rice balls.

Sasuke glanced at them and said nothing, but Josuke chuckled inwardly. The sister-in-law is so thoughtful. Congratulations to the lovers for finally getting together. Just be careful of Raikiri, kunai, and the Rinnegan later.

Josuke didn't stand on ceremony with Sakura and accepted the rice balls generously.

"Thank you, Sakura. I'll hold onto Sasuke's for him too."

With that, Josuke unceremoniously took two rice balls from Sakura and started eating.

Not bad, not bad. As expected, my sister-in-law's rice balls are delicious, hehe.

Before Josuke could finish one rice ball, Naruto arrived.

As soon as he got there, he tried to get close to Sakura, but she was cold to him.

After receiving a scolding from Sakura, he awkwardly walked away. Then, he looked at the rice balls in Josuke's hands.

He snatched one away and said happily, "Josuke, I know this rice ball is for me, right? Thank you so much. I'm going to dig in."

Naruto happily picked up the rice ball and started eating it in large bites.

"Mmm, delicious! Thanks, Josuke."

Josuke hadn't even reacted before Naruto had already started eating...

Naruto is finished, was the first thought in Josuke's mind.

"Idiot Naruto, why did you steal my rice ball!!!!"

Sakura, furious, walked towards Naruto and delivered a heavy blow, punching him in the head.

Damn Naruto for eating the rice ball I prepared for Sasuke!!!!!! Ahhhhhh!!!!!

A large lump instantly formed on Naruto's head.

Fortunately, Naruto finished the rice ball in two or three bites, so nothing was wasted.

"What's wrong~ Sakura?"

Naruto clutched his head and looked at Sakura pitifully.