Hiruzen POV/
After he asked a ninja for some spare shirt to wear, I watch the Hatake boy walk out of my office like this whole thing was just a massive waste of his time. Didn't bow, didn't show an ounce of respect, just... left.
He is like a mini Gintoki.
Or is it Gintoki who is mini?
Anyways, he's not normal.
The thought sits heavy in my mind as I replay what just happened. That moment when he grabbed Katsuki's hand and nearly crushed it with just his fingers, if I hadn't intervened, Katsuki would be missing a hand right now. A chunin. Almost crippled by a ten-year-old with no chakra.
To have such extreme muscle control at his age... that's not normal. No, that level of muscle control in itself is nonsense!
And that feeling I got from him when he first walked in. That ominous, almost predatory sensation that made every instinct I have scream "danger." I haven't felt anything like that since the last war.
"Bird."
An ANBU materializes in front of me instantly, dropping to one knee with that signature bird mask.
"What are your orders, Hokage-sama?"
"Go call Sakumo for me."
"Hai."
*SWOOSH.*
-------
10 Minutes Later/
*SWOOSH.*
A young man appears before me and kneels immediately. Spiky silver hair reaching down to the middle of his back, tied in a neat ponytail. ANBU attire and a mask covering his face.
"Hokage-sama!"
I smile at him. "Oh, Sakumo, you're already here. How have you been?"
He keeps his head down, respectful as always. "I am fine, Hokage-sama. Thank you for asking."
"That's good to hear." I take a moment to light my pipe. "I asked for you because I have some questions about someone. Do you mind answering them?"
"You can ask anything, Hokage-sama. I'll answer as best I can."
I nod gratefully. "Before you arrived, there was someone else here. His name is Hatake Garou."
I pause to watch his reaction. His head lifts slightly, but he says nothing.
"He's the new heir of your clan. I wanted to know if there's anything about him that we don't already know."
He hesitates for just a moment. "Can I ask why he was here, Hokage-sama?"
"On his first day at the academy, he nearly crippled one of our best students during a spar." I blow out a puff of smoke. "I'm curious how someone without any chakra could accomplish something like that. Is there anything you can tell me?"
'Now that I think about it. I just hope Danzo doesn't go insane over this.' I thought tiredly, already expecting Danzo to barge in any moment.
Sakumo shook his head. "I am sorry, Hokage-sama but... except for once or twice, I haven't gone back to my clan compound for years now. I always stay at the ANBU dormitories."
Disappointing.
Then does that mean we nearly know nothing about that kid at all?
"But..."
Sakumo continued and I leaned closer, hoping at least we know something, anything will do.
He takes a moment to gather his thoughts. "Hokage-sama... I once passed by our clan compound and I have seen him train."
"Then?" I said.
"All I can say is... he is talented." Sakumo said, but I could already guess that myself.
"By how much?" I asked.
"Generational prodigy." He said and I raised an eyebrow at that.
That's... concerning.
My eyes narrow because this doesn't add up. Chakra is the fundamental energy that separates us from ordinary people. It's what makes ninjas stronger, faster, and better. Now he's telling me that someone with absolutely NO chakra can compete with us?
"Sakumo, how can someone without chakra achieve something like that? Do you know anything else?"
"I haven't seen him in action myself but if what you are describing is true, then he might have some sort of kekkei genkai."
That catches me off guard. "A kekkei genkai? But the Hatake clan is only known for proficiency with tantos and swords. Could it be a mutation where every trace of chakra becomes concealed?"
"It's very possible, Hokage-sama."
Sighhhhhh.
I put my pipe back in my mouth and take a long puff. "Thank you, Sakumo. This information is very helpful. You can return to your duties now."
"It's my job, Hokage-sama. Please don't mention it."
He stands, bows, and...
*SWOOSH.*
He is gone.
"Bird." I call for bird and he shall appear. I think I am enjoying this a little too much.
"What are your orders, Hokage-sama?"
"Keep an eye on that boy. But be careful, and don't get too close. The last thing we need is to offend his parents. Understood?"
"Hai, Hokage-sama."
I nod, and he disappears.
I turn to the window and look out at the village below. People bustling through the streets, laughter echoing from every corner.
Peace.
Real and genuine peace.
I hope this lasts forever.
-------------
Garou POV/
"At the heath bloom a little Flower and it's name is Erikaaaa hmm hmm hmm!" I hummed to myself as I walked out of the Hokage building and just started wandering through the streets of Konoha.
Stalls line both sides of the path, selling all kinds of handmade crafts and souvenirs. The air smells amazing, teriyaki skewers mixing with blooming cherry blossoms, creating this sweet and savory combo that makes my stomach growl.
There's a cozy teahouse on one side with people sitting on tatami mats, sipping tea and chatting quietly. On the other side, street vendors are frying up tempura and grilling yakitori skewers, the smoke rising up and mixing with everything else. Somewhere nearby, I can hear a sushi chef making those precise cuts.
Katsuki just left me here after giving me a shirt that were too tight for my frame. My previous long black sleeved shirt got shredded to pieces because of that asshole's fireball, so...
Katsuki didn't even bother taking me back to the academy. Probably pissed off and trying to get back at me somehow. But honestly? I don't even care. I'm not going back there today anyway. I'll just walk around, find something to eat, and enjoy my 'punishment' week.
I'm starving.
I keep walking, letting my nose guide me, then I hear someone shouting about hot food. I follow the voice and find this little ramen stall tucked away in a corner. Not exactly a good looking stall.
Behind the counter is a kid around my age, wearing a white chef uniform. Dark black hair, light brown skin, skinny as hell, and his eyes are closed.
He looks familiar.
I walk closer and he spots me immediately. "Ohh, customer! Are you interested in some hot ramen?!"
He has to look up at me because of the height difference, I'm like 190cm or something now, which is ridiculous for a ten year old, but whatever. Genetics are freaky like that... just like his father.
He looked nervous, probably because I look like I could bench press his entire stall.
"What kind of ramen are you selling?"
"Miso ramen, sir customer!" His eyes are practically sparkling with hope even though not visible.
"Bring me a bowl."
I sit down on one of the wooden chairs in front of the stall and cross my arms. He gets to work immediately, moving with this desperate energy like I'm his first customer in weeks.
"Your stall is pretty empty," I say, watching him work. "Why's that? And why are you working alone at your age?"
He pauses for a second, his hands still working the dough. When he spoke, his voice was quieter.
"My parents were civilian ninjas. They died in the First Ninja War a few years ago. I've been alone since then and had to rely on myself to survive. I didn't want to go to the orphanage and leave the house my parents left for me, but the money they saved was running out, so I opened this ramen stall. Hoped that maybe I could make enough to get by."
Another victim of senseless war.
He smiles, but it's one of those sad smiles that doesn't reach anywhere.
"My ramen's not the best around. Not terrible either, but there are better places nearby. That's why it's so empty here."
I feel a twinge of pity looking at him.
Hard times create tough kids like this guy, but kids were never meant to work. This dude should be somewhere with his friends being kids.
"What's your name?"
He places the bowl in front of me. "My name is Teuchi, sir."
I nod and mutter "itadakimasu" before digging in.
I'm basically inhaling the ramen when Teuchi speaks up again. "I haven't seen you around before, sir. Are you new to the village?"
"My name's Hatake Garou. From the Hatake clan. I'm ten, and I've lived here my whole life, just never came to this part of the village much." I keep eating.
The ramen's okay... edible, not amazing, but okay.
"What?!"
He screams so loud that pedestrians turn and stare. He starts bowing and apologizing to everyone.
I look up with a raised eyebrow, then shrug and go back to eating.
"How can you be TEN?! I thought you were like 25 or at the very least 18!" Sweat's pouring down his face as he stares at my muscles that made him feel so small. "Are you a ninja?"
I shake my head. "Nope, far from it."
"Then... how?" He scratches his cheek as he muttered to himself but I heard him.
"Just training and too much protein, nothing much." I keep my voice casual.
He doesn't answer and just stares.
"What's your dream, Teuchi?" I asked.
"My dream?" He was surprised at the sudden question.
I just waited for his answer while eating.
'That girl, Ayami, Teuchi's daughter. She can make a good disciple.' I thought.
"I guess, maybe if I can get my hands on some money, I want to get myself a proper Ramen shop. I know it's nothing grand, but I found out that making Ramen somehow makes me happy and be at peace."
"At first I wanted to become a ninja like everyone else, but unfortunately, I didn't have the aptitude for it. After becoming literate, I dropped out of the ninja academy." Teuchi said with a sad smile, embarrassed to say it.
"Let me ask you a question, Teuchi." I said as I looked at the empty bowl.
"Please go ahead, Sir."
"If you were ordered to kill a baby, would you do it?" I asked with shadows hiding my face.
"..."
He became quite and looked at me with a horrified and dazed expression as if asking that if the question should even be asked.
"Exactly, that's what ninjas do on a daily bases. So, don't feel down. An unburdened weakness is nobler than a strength stained by blood." I said to Teuchi who nodded dazedly.
I stand up and reach into my underwear, gotta keep the money safe somehow, right? And then pull out a wad of cash. Count about 30,000 Ryo, around 3000 dollars, give or take.
[10 Ryo = 1 $]
They are some of my savings.
"Here, take it."
I hold it out to him.
"NO NO NO!! THIS IS WAY TOO MUCH! I CAN'T ACCEPT THIS!" His eyes fly open immediately for the first time.
Just regular black eyes... no Rinnegan, Ramengan or anything cool, which is Kinda disappointing.
He tries to hand it back but I'm not having it. "This amount means nothing to me. Take it. Improve your stall, and work on your cooking skills. Just give me a discount when I come by sometimes, okay?" Big ass lie, I am broke as fuck.
I put the money on his counter, then I turn around and start walking away without waiting for his answer like the badass I am.
Behind me, I hear him shout, tears in his voice, "THANK YOU, GAROU-SAN! I WILL NEVER FORGET THIS KINDNESS!"
I don't look back, just raise my hand and keep walking.
9000+ Aura
I smile a little to myself.
Honestly? Teuchi's one of those rare people I actually respect.
Pure, selfless, and the kind of guy who deserves good things.
The money I gave him is nothing to me. Money itself doesn't mean anything to me. If I have it, good, if I don't? Then... whatever.
It's not like I will die of hunger just because of a piece of paper.
Thankfully, those rats don't exist here to control even the weather like they did to Earth.
A little bit of skill and you can go by without even having any money... mostly.
Though, money is still important.
.
I just hope Teuchi grows up to be the same good man from the anime. I wanna taste that future ramen of his someday.
*Grrrrr*
My stomach growls.
Seems I am still hungry.
TheEnd