Growth

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

Danzo said sharply.

The Third, Hiruzen Sarutobi, slapped the desk and said,

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"What do you want to do, then? Kill him?"

A cold glint flashed in Danzo's eyes as he explained,

"I want to take him to Root and nurture him in the Will of Fire."

Danzo explained.

"No! I absolutely won't allow you to do that. Besides, I promised that guy I'd take good care of his brother."

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

Danzo stared coldly at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"He's a descendant of the Uchiha. He'll be a threat to Konoha someday. I won't let a hidden danger like him remain in the village."

Now it was Danzo's turn to object.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped the desk.

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

Danzo froze in place as Sarutobi warned him.

"Sarutobi, you'll regret this!!!!!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained unmoved.

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

"Bang!" The door slammed shut.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in his chair and watched him leave, letting out a sigh.

... (Another three years later... Well, I really don't know what to write, so I'll skip ahead to the main story. The protagonist is twelve now, the same age as the Konoha rookies.)

Konoha Ninja Training Ground

"Third Gate, open!"

A faint green glow surrounded Josuke as he charged at Rock Lee. Lee wasn't about to back down and responded by opening the Third Gate as well.

Three years had passed since Josuke became Might Guy's student. In that time, he'd opened the Third Gate, while Lee, just as in the original story, had reached the Fourth Gate.

Josuke had now barely reached the level of a Chunin. Calling him a genius was no exaggeration.

It was almost time to be assigned to teams, and he had no idea which one he'd end up in. Josuke hoped he'd be placed on Team 7, since Kakashi was such a famous figure.

But that would depend on how the teams were assigned.

In the blink of an eye,

Lee's flying kick came straight at Josuke.

Josuke dodged, then kicked at Lee. Lee leapt straight into the air, easily evading the attack.

The two were evenly matched, facing off against each other.

Then the next exchange began. Josuke made the first move, using the Clone Technique. A clone identical to him appeared.

He and his clone charged at Lee, who didn't look the least bit flustered. A Front Lotus easily countered Josuke's attack.

"Stop!"

Guy called out to halt them.

He smiled at them. "You're both doing great. Now this is youth!!!"

When Guy had been their age, he hadn't been nearly as strong as they were. It had been his father... who helped him grow and reach the heights he had achieved today.

Guy thought for a moment, then continued,

"That's enough training for today. Josuke and Lee, you've both done great. You'll be Genin in a few days, so take it easy until then."

Josuke and Lee nodded and said goodbye to Guy.

Back at home,

Josuke was surprised to see Sasuke in the living room. It was a rare sight. He walked over, and Sasuke said coldly, "Come fight me."

Tsk.

What was his foolish little brother thinking now? Had his brain short-circuited again? Even if Sasuke wanted to spar, Josuke didn't. Training with Guy was fun, but it was exhausting too.

Josuke shook his head.

"I'm already tired today. Maybe another time."

Then he left the living room and went back to his room, leaving Sasuke looking displeased.

"Hmph, coward."

Sasuke glared in the direction Josuke had gone and snapped.

Meanwhile, something major had happened recently: our Crown Prince, Naruto, had stolen the Scroll of Seals. Though it would be more accurate to say the Third had let Naruto take it.

Otherwise, how could a useless ninja like Mizuki's plan possibly have worked?

Josuke wondered 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 Chakra reserves, he'd probably only manage a few attempts before the backlash killed him.

The Crown Prince really lived up to his title, getting to learn all sorts of things. Unlike Josuke...

After taking a bath, Josuke lay in bed and thought over everything that had happened over the past few years. Before long, he drifted off to sleep.

The next thing that happened was the day the teams were assigned.

Josuke had thought he'd be placed with some random teacher, but to his surprise, he ended up on Team 7. With him included, Team 7 now had four members.

That was very Konoha of them.

And Team 7's leader was, without a doubt, our very own "Fifty-Fifty Kakashi"—er, Hatake Kakashi.

Nothing much else happened, and the four soon reached the spot where Kakashi had told them to wait.

It was morning.

Josuke and Sasuke were the first to arrive. Sasuke still had that arrogant look on his face.

Sakura arrived next, carrying three rice balls.

The moment she saw Sasuke, her eyes filled with hearts.

Sakura walked over to Josuke and Sasuke.

She took out two rice balls.

"Sasuke, Josuke, you haven't had breakfast, have you? These two rice balls are for you."

With that, Sakura handed them over.

Sasuke glanced at them and said nothing. Josuke, meanwhile, secretly chuckled. His future sister-in-law was so thoughtful. May the lovers end up together—and later, just watch out for Chidori, Kunai, and the Rinnegan.

Josuke wasn't going to be shy about taking the rice balls. He accepted them openly.

"Thanks, Sakura. I'll take Sasuke's share too."

Then, without a trace of hesitation, Josuke took both rice balls from Sakura and started eating.

Not bad, not bad. His future sister-in-law's rice balls were delicious, hehe.

Josuke hadn't even finished one rice ball when Naruto arrived.

He immediately tried to get close to Sakura, who wanted nothing to do with him.

After Sakura gave him a good scolding, he sheepishly moved away, then noticed the rice ball in Josuke's hand.

He snatched it and said happily,

"Josuke, I knew this rice ball was for me! Thanks so much. I'm digging in!"

Naruto happily grabbed the rice ball and wolfed it down.

"Not bad, this is delicious! Thanks, Josuke!"

Josuke hadn't even had time to react before Naruto had started eating...

Naruto was doomed. That was the first thought that came to Josuke's mind.

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

Sakura came storming over. She swung a heavy punch at Naruto's head.

That darn Naruto had eaten the rice ball she'd made for Sasuke!!!!!! Aaargh!!!!!

A huge lump instantly swelled on Naruto's head.

At least Naruto had finished the rice ball in two or three bites, so none of it went to waste.

"What'd I do?~ Sakura."

Naruto held his head and looked at Sakura with a wounded expression.