"I understand what you're asking."
Hiruzen Sarutobi considered the matter briefly, then spoke in a steady voice. "If you believe Naruto has the potential, and he has earned your recognition, then teach him. There's no need for hesitation."
Over the past two years, Naruto's changes had not gone unnoticed. He was still loud, still careless with his words, but the pranks had stopped. He no longer slept through class. Instead, he trained relentlessly, day after day.
The boy was chasing acknowledgment with everything he had.
That alone was enough to make the Hokage feel relieved.
"Naruto's body is unusual," Hiruzen continued. "Exceptionally well-suited for taijutsu. You're not getting any younger, Baojun. It would be a shame for your skills to disappear with you. Passing them on is a good thing."
Chen Baojun straightened. "Understood, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen nodded, a gentle smile appearing. "I'm curious to see what kind of shinobi Naruto becomes once he inherits the Dragon God's legacy."
Then his tone softened.
"That child grew up without parents. And the village… hasn't been kind to him. Teaching him skills is one thing, but I'd like you to look after him as a person as well."
Baojun was silent for a moment. Then he bowed his head. "I won't fail you."
"Good," Hiruzen said, waving a hand. "It's late. Go get some rest. This old man needs sleep too."
"Yes."
After Baojun left, Hiruzen turned his gaze to the portrait of the Fourth Hokage on the wall.
"Taijutsu, huh," he murmured. "So he didn't inherit your ninjutsu or Kushina's sealing talent after all."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"I wonder what kind of future you'll carve out, Naruto."
The next day, shortly after lunch, Sakura set out with her father toward Kosuke Maruboshi's home.
Halfway there, she slowed, anxiety creeping into her voice. "Dad… is this really okay? Showing up like this—won't it be rude?"
"It's fine, Sakura!" Haruno Kizashi said cheerfully.
He was a tall man in his thirties, with pink hair styled into an unmistakable five-pointed shape that made him look perpetually unserious. He grinned broadly.
"I already contacted Kosuke-san yesterday. He knows we're coming."
"But still," Sakura muttered, "what if we're bothering him?"
Kizashi laughed and put his hands on his hips. "You're too tense. Want to hear a joke to relax?"
"No," Sakura said flatly.
Ignoring her, Kizashi launched in. "Once there was a bun walking down the road. It got hungry. Guess what happened next?"
Sakura stared straight ahead.
"It ate itself!" Kizashi burst into laughter, clapping his hands. "Isn't that hilarious?"
Silence.
"Huh?" He blinked. "Not funny? Okay, how about another one. Once there was a matchstick—"
"That's enough, Dad!" Sakura snapped, grabbing his sleeve. "Let's hurry up. We don't want to keep Kosuke-san waiting."
"…Right," Kizashi said reluctantly, swallowing the rest of his joke.
Kosuke Maruboshi's home was modest. Not cramped, not grand. Just an ordinary wooden house, well-kept and quiet.
Inside the guest room, Kizashi chatted with Kosuke while Sakura sat straight-backed at the side, hands folded neatly in her lap.
"Kosuke-san," Kizashi said after some pleasantries, "we came today because of Sakura."
Kosuke smiled and looked toward her. Sakura nodded politely.
"She'll be graduating from the Academy in a couple of years," Kizashi continued. "You're an experienced shinobi, so I was hoping she could learn from you. If you were willing to guide her… even as a teacher."
Kosuke chuckled. "You're a chūnin, Kizashi. I'm just a genin. You're not worried I'll lead her astray?"
"Of course not," Kizashi said seriously. "I've worked missions with you. I know your ability far exceeds your rank."
Sakura's eyes widened slightly.
Dad thinks Kosuke-san is that strong?
Kosuke fell silent for a moment. Then he asked, "Sakura. What ninjutsu are you best at?"
"Huh?" She blinked. "Water Style, Kosuke-san."
She opened her palm, and a small, lively shape of flowing water formed, wriggling gently.
Kosuke's gaze sharpened. "Water Style… Good control. A solid foundation."
He nodded. "You have talent."
"Thank you," Sakura said, her face brightening.
Kosuke's expression then turned serious.
"Sakura," he said quietly, "do you have companions who matter to you?"
Memories surfaced in her mind. Sasuke. Ino. Naruto.
"Yes," she answered.
"If one day they're in danger," Kosuke pressed, his presence suddenly heavy, "would you protect them? Even at the cost of your own life?"
The room grew still.
Sakura hesitated.
She wasn't the Sakura of the future yet. She was still a girl whose strength was driven by admiration, by longing, by youth.
After a long pause, she lifted her head.
"Kosuke-san," she said earnestly, "I can't promise that now. I might not be able to give my life for them yet. But I want the power to protect my companions. And I want to become a shinobi who can make that choice one day."
Honest. Not perfect. But sincere.
Kosuke studied her, then smiled.
"Then work toward it," he said.
He nodded once. "When I'm not on missions, you can come train with me. I'll teach you what I know. Water Style included."
Sakura froze.
"R-really?"
"Yes."
Her eyes lit up. "Thank you so much, Kosuke-san!"