Chapter 30: A Heavy Duty & A Heated Debate
"Eh? You want me to train with Naruto?" Sakura was obviously surprised when she heard that. While Naruto's strength was impressive, he hadn't reached the point where he could instruct others, right?
"Well, I believe Naruto is qualified for this task," Kakashi said, offering a brief, closed-eye smile in Naruto's direction.
Naruto was a little speechless. This Kakashi is really something, dumping Sakura on me like this. But he understood. The most critical task of this break was to protect Sasuke. By supervising and training her one-on-one, Kakashi ensured that even someone like Orochimaru would find it difficult to get close.
"Okay then. Sakura, we'll train together from today," Naruto said, turning to her with a bright, encouraging grin.
Sakura nodded, looking at his sunny smile. So, that means I'll be training alone with Naruto every day for a while? For some reason, the thought sent a flicker of hopeful anticipation through her.
"Hmph!" From the side, Sasuke watched Naruto and Sakura and felt an inexplicable pang of irritation. After a soft snort, she looked at Naruto and stated firmly, "Just wait, Naruto. I will definitely be stronger than you by the Chunin Exams."
"Okay, I'll be waiting," Naruto replied, his smile unchanged.
"Then it's settled," Kakashi clapped his hands once, then gave Naruto a meaningful look. He turned to the other two. "You two wait here a moment. This is a top-secret mission from the Hokage. You're not cleared for it yet."
Sakura's face burned with curiosity at the words "top-secret mission," but the label itself forced her to swallow her questions.
Following Kakashi to an empty, secondary training ground, Naruto listened as his sensei explained the so-called 'top-secret mission.'
"Naruto, the Hokage has already discussed the broad situation with you, correct?" Kakashi asked. After seeing Naruto's nod, he continued. "After your audience with him, the Third summoned me. He made an additional decision. He will be overseeing your personal training for the next several days."
"Huh?" Naruto couldn't hide his surprise. The old man himself wants to train me?
With this new question on his mind, Naruto arrived at the secluded corner of the massive training grounds Kakashi had indicated. The slightly hunched figure of the Third Hokage stood waiting.
"I didn't expect the great Third Hokage to have time to guide me personally," Naruto said as he approached, the area now empty save for the two of them.
The Third turned slowly, a gentle smile on his weathered face. "An old man like me gets rusty sitting in the office all day. It's good to come out and stretch these old bones occasionally."
Naruto just smiled in return.
"Alright, Naruto, let's begin." Looking at the boy's familiar, bright smile—so much like Minato's—Sarutobi felt a wave of fondness. "While I have many ninjutsu I could teach you, that is not my focus this time. What I wish to impart are the finer details of combat and the instincts needed to survive. These are more fundamental than any single technique."
Naruto listened and nodded solemnly.
A flash of approval crossed the Third's eyes. Most genin Naruto's age would balk, yearning only for flashy, powerful jutsu. That Naruto accepted this without argument or disappointment was a mark of maturity.
"So, for these next days, I will spar with you relentlessly. I hope you learn through direct experience." The Third took a deep breath, his expression hardening into one of grave seriousness. "In these spars, I will not hold back. If you lack the resolve to face me as a real enemy, you will not achieve the growth you need."
That evening, Naruto returned home utterly exhausted. He ate a quick meal, then sat cross-legged on his bed to meditate, cycling his chakra and replaying every moment of his battle with the Hokage.
The Third was Hokage for a reason. Despite his age, the experience forged in countless battles and the killing intent honed over a lifetime created a palpable pressure. Yet, Naruto was no longer the clueless dead-last. Facing the Sandaime's precise and powerful assaults, he responded with a calm focus that clearly shocked the old man.
Of course, Naruto had fought at his limit and was still no match for the Third, especially since he hadn't tapped into Sage Mode, and the Hokage had undoubtedly held back his true strength.
But the training's purpose was achieved. Fighting the Third had been immensely instructive, revealing countless subtleties Naruto needed to absorb.
In three days, when we spar again, I'll be better, he promised himself before sleep finally claimed him.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, the door was shut tight. The Third, having just returned from the training grounds, found his evening interrupted by trouble in the form of two elders.
Looking at the two old figures before him, Sarutobi's gaze was sharp, seeing through their intentions instantly. "Koharu, Homura. You're here about Naruto, I presume?"
Koharu, ever blunt, spoke first. "Hiruzen, we are curious. What has motivated you to suddenly take such a… personal interest in training the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki?"
"Indeed, Hiruzen," Homura added, adjusting his glasses. "The boy is a Jinchuriki. His primary function is as a village asset. To pour such effort into him now… what is your aim?"
The Third shook his head wearily, a wry smile touching his lips. "Jinchuriki? Asset? Heh. Koharu, Homura, what have we old men strived for all these years, if not the prosperity and stability of Konoha? But look at our village now. Since the Fourth's sacrifice, the White Fang's death, and the Sannin's departure… how many truly exceptional shinobi have we produced? Konoha, for all its seeming glory, is on perilously thin ice."
The two advisors shared a glance, their expressions reluctantly conceding the point. Koharu nodded. "The situation is as you say. We are aware of the village's… fragility. But even so, to personally train the Jinchuriki? Unless… you see him as a candidate for Hokage?"
The Third offered a faint, enigmatic smile but did not answer. The lack of denial was answer enough, stunning the two elders.
Koharu's frown deepened. "Hiruzen, even if your time as Hokage is ending, it is far too soon for a boy like him! His age alone—"
"I did not say the next Hokage would be him," Sarutobi interjected, his voice calm but firm. "My interest is in talent, pure and simple. I have an intuition that Naruto is destined for something extraordinary. Have you forgotten the power he manifested? The Sage's power."
"The Sage's power…" The words hung in the air, effectively silencing Koharu and Homura. They had read the reports. While the exact nature of the power was unclear, all historical records agreed: Sage Mode, the ability to wield natural energy, was a formidable force. Jiraiya of the Sannin was proof. And Naruto's version seemed… different.
"Hmph! Sage power?" A cold, rasping voice cut through the room from the doorway. An old man, most of his body wrapped in bandages and leaning on a cane, entered without invitation. His single visible eye fixed on the Hokage. "When will you shed these naive sentiments, Hiruzen? We are not hot-blooded youths anymore. Even if the boy has this power, he is the Nine-Tails' container. He was raised in an environment of hatred and exclusion. No one can know his true feelings toward this village. To recklessly bolster his strength is to invite an unpredictable threat! If he were to use that power against Konoha…? His training should be managed. Controlled."
"Danzo!" The Third's usually kind eyes turned flinty. "You dare oppose me on this? Again?" He had tolerated many of this man's radical schemes over the years, but he would not allow him to lay a hand on Naruto. "Naruto is the Fourth Hokage's son. I believe in his heart. I will never permit you to turn him into one of your mindless puppets. If you move against him… do not think I will be merciful." The Third's voice was low, all traces of gentleness gone, replaced by the iron will of the man who had once been called "The Professor." The sheer force of his presence made the other three figures in the room stiffen. They did not doubt he meant every word.
Chapter 31: Training Sakura
Unaware of the heated debate among Konoha's elders, Naruto had meditated until midnight before finally sleeping. The spar with the Hokage had been profoundly instructive, and he was confident of showing greater improvement next time.
Early the next morning, Naruto was up with the sun. He was just finishing his preparations to head out for breakfast when a knock came at his door. He opened it to find Sakura.
"Sakura? You're here early," Naruto said, adjusting his ninja pouch at his waist, genuinely surprised to see her.
"Didn't Kakashi-sensei say I should train with you?" Sakura replied with a determined smile. "I want to get stronger, so I'm starting right away!"
Naruto grinned and nodded. "Alright. Sounds good. But I haven't eaten yet. I was just about to grab something. Have you had breakfast?"
"I have!" Sakura nodded, then produced a wrapped bento box from behind her back with a slightly shy smile. "If you haven't, you can have this. I made it for you."
"Huh? You made this?" Naruto was momentarily stunned, then a warm feeling spread through his chest. "Thank you, Sakura. That's really kind of you." She can be really thoughtful, he thought, accepting the offering.