"Your purpose in coming here, I already understood completely."
The Third Hokage pondered briefly before saying in a deep voice, "If you think Naruto is a suitable child, and he has earned your approval, then teach him if you wish. There is no need to worry about anything."
He had watched Naruto's performance over the past two years. Though the boy still seemed careless and thoughtless, he had rarely pulled pranks and no longer slept during class. Instead, he had become a child who cultivated diligently and trained hard.
This child was working hard to earn everyone's recognition.
Realizing this, he felt greatly gratified.
Thinking of this, the Third Hokage smiled and continued, "Naruto's physique is quite special. You could say he is exceptionally suited to practicing Taijutsu. You are getting on in years, so surely you cannot take your superb Taijutsu into the coffin with you. It would be a good thing to have a disciple inherit your legacy."
Chen Baojun nodded and said solemnly, "I understand, Lord Third!"
"Mm." The Third Hokage nodded, a kindly smile appearing on his face as he encouraged him. "I too look forward to seeing what kind of ninja Naruto will become after inheriting the true meaning of the Konoha Dragon God."
"Oh, right. That child grew up without the love of his parents, and the villagers keep their distance from him because of the rumors about the Demon Fox. Aside from training him in skills, you will need to look after him a little more in other ways as well."
Chen Baojun fell silent for a moment, then said seriously, "I understand. I will not disappoint your expectations."
"Hehe, I believe in you. All right, it is getting late. Go back and rest early. This old bag of bones needs to go sleep too."
"Yes!"
"Naruto practicing Taijutsu?"
"I wonder what kind of ninja he will become in the future?"
After Chen Baojun left, the Third Hokage gazed at the photograph of the Fourth Hokage hanging on the wall and muttered to himself.
"Who would have thought Naruto did not inherit the talent you and Kushina had for Ninjutsu and Sealing Jutsu, but instead embarked upon the path of Taijutsu?"
The next day, shortly after lunch, Sakura followed her father, Haruno Kizashi, toward Maruboshi Kosuke's home.
Halfway there, Sakura hesitantly asked, "Dad, is this really okay? Wouldn't suddenly visiting Grandpa Kosuke be too rude?"
"It's fine, Sakura!"
Haruno Kizashi was a tall middle-aged man in his thirties. His dark pink hair was styled into a ridiculous five-pointed-star shape, as though he had a Patrick Star growing from his head, making him look extremely comical.
He flashed his white teeth and said cheerfully, "Before coming here, I already gave Senior Kosuke a heads-up yesterday that we would be visiting today."
"But..." Sakura muttered softly, "Wouldn't it be too abrupt? Too presumptuous? Wouldn't we disturb Grandpa Kosuke?"
"Hahaha, it's fine!" Haruno Kizashi laughed heartily with his hands on his hips. Seeing his daughter's unease, he said, "Don't be nervous, Sakura. Seeing how nervous you are, I'll tell you a joke to help you relax."
Sakura immediately went expressionless. "No."
Ignoring his daughter's verbal refusal, Haruno Kizashi began telling his joke.
"Once upon a time, there was a steamed bun. As it walked along, it got hungry. Guess what happened next?"
Haruno Kizashi asked with a mysterious look on his face, but Sakura merely remained expressionless.
"Then it actually ate itself! Pfft, hahahahahahaha!"
Haruno Kizashi clapped his hands and laughed, beaming so broadly that tears nearly came to his eyes.
"It even ate itself! How stupid! Hahahahahaha!"
Haruno Kizashi finally recovered from his joke and saw that his daughter was still expressionless. Confused, he asked, "Eh? Was that joke not funny? Then I'll tell another one."
"Once upon a time, there was a matchstick..."
"That's enough, Dad!"
With black lines practically appearing across her face, Sakura interrupted Haruno Kizashi's terrible joke and pulled him along.
"Let's hurry to Grandpa Kosuke's house. We shouldn't keep him waiting."
"Uh..." Haruno Kizashi reluctantly swallowed the rest of his terrible joke.
"All right!"
The father and daughter continued toward Maruboshi Kosuke's home, though Haruno Kizashi still could not forget the joke he had yet to finish.
"Sakura, this joke is really funny. Listen to the rest."
"No!"
"Once upon a time, there was a matchstick..."
"That's enough, Dad!"
"..."
Inside Maruboshi Kosuke's home.
Maruboshi Kosuke's home was neither luxurious and spacious nor shabby and cramped. It was merely an ordinary traditional-style house.
In the guest room, Haruno Kizashi was speaking with Maruboshi Kosuke, while Sakura sat beside them with perfect posture, quietly saying nothing.
"Senior, I came to see you today because of Sakura." After exchanging a few pleasantries, Haruno Kizashi got straight to the point.
"Sakura?" Maruboshi Kosuke smiled and looked at the quiet Sakura beside him.
When Sakura saw him looking over, she obediently nodded.
"Won't Sakura be graduating from the Ninja Academy in two years? You are an experienced ninja, Senior, so I would like Sakura to seek more guidance from you in the future. I hope she can become an outstanding ninja like you. It would be even better if you could guide Sakura as her teacher."
Maruboshi Kosuke laughed. "Kizashi, you are a Chunin, while I am merely a Genin. Aren't you afraid I'll lead Sakura astray if you ask me to guide her?"
"How could that be, Senior?" Haruno Kizashi said with a serious expression. "Although you are only a Genin, I have completed many missions with you. I know your strength is far from limited to that, and you are far stronger than I am. You are being too modest, Senior."
Huh?
Dad also thinks Grandpa Kosuke is very strong?
Surprise rose in Sakura's heart.
Maruboshi Kosuke was silent for a while. Looking at the earnest Haruno Kizashi and the expectant Sakura beside him, he suddenly asked, "Sakura, what Ninjutsu are you best at?"
"Ah?" Sakura froze, then hurriedly answered, "Water Release, Grandpa Kosuke!"
As she spoke, Sakura opened her palm, and a lifelike liquid creature appeared within it.
"Water Release?" A look of reminiscence appeared in Maruboshi Kosuke's eyes as he praised her. "You have good chakra control and a solid Water Release foundation, Sakura. You have great talent for Water Release."
Delight appeared in Sakura's eyes. "Thank you for your praise."
Maruboshi Kosuke smiled, but then his expression abruptly turned stern and serious.
"Sakura, do you have companions who are very important to you?"
When he was young, his eagerness for success had led him to rashly issue orders during a mission, resulting in the deaths of two companions. He had then sworn to the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, that he would forever remain a Genin, earning him the title of "Perpetual Genin."
If Sakura wanted his guidance, or even to become his disciple, talent alone would not be enough. She also had to show that she valued her companions!
"Companions?"
Sakura pondered for a moment. In an instant, images of Sasuke, Ino, and even Naruto flashed through her mind.
"Yes!"
"Then when you become a ninja in the future, if your companions are in danger, will you protect them and even give your life for them?"
Maruboshi Kosuke's tone was no longer kind or gentle. Instead, it became extremely imposing. Haruno Kizashi said nothing and quietly remained at the side.
Faced with Kosuke's question, hesitation flashed through Sakura's heart. She did not know how to answer.
After all, she had not yet grown into the Haruno Sakura who would dare to use her life to protect her companions. At present, she was merely an innocent young girl harboring feelings of love.
She only wanted to grow stronger for Sasuke's sake.
"Grandpa Kosuke." After a long silence, Sakura raised her head, determination flashing in her eyes.
"I cannot answer that question right now. Or rather, perhaps I still cannot give up my life for my companions. But I want the strength to protect them, and I also want to become a ninja who dares to protect her companions with her life!"
She might not be able to do it yet, but she would keep working toward that goal?
At least she was an honest child.
Mm, I should not be too harsh on a child either...
After all, she was still just a child.
Maruboshi Kosuke's stern expression faded, and he smiled.
"Then work hard, Sakura!"
After a pause, Maruboshi Kosuke continued, "Whenever I am not on missions, you may come seek my guidance. I will teach you some ninja skills and Water Release techniques!"
"Eh!?" Sakura's face filled with ecstatic surprise. She had thought her hesitation and answer had disappointed Grandpa Kosuke, but she had never expected...
"Thank you, Grandpa Kosuke!"
Before you continue