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Training with Obasaan**
The Sarutobi clan grounds were quiet that day, with the sun lazily inching toward the horizon. Naruto, a peculiar child with a preference for solitude, found himself wandering through the forest that bordered the clan's territory. He had long since accepted that most children his age were too busy with their own friends or steered clear of him due to parental warnings. It didn't bother him much; Naruto enjoyed the peace and quiet, finding comfort in his own company.
Perched high in a tree, Kakashi Hatake observed Naruto with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. Officially, he was there to keep an eye on the boy as part of his Anbu duties. Unofficially, he was enjoying the latest volume of "Icha Icha Paradise," a series of highly questionable romance novels. As he peeked over the top of his book, he wondered, *What could a kid like Naruto be thinking about so deeply?* He mentally added, *Probably not the plot twists in this book, that's for sure.*
In the depths of Naruto's mind, things were far less serene. His 'mind palace,' as he liked to call it, was a chaotic archive of knowledge dumped on him by Kushina and the Shinigami. It was like trying to cram an entire library into a single bookshelf. At the moment, Naruto was particularly engrossed in sorting through information on runes and fuinjutsu, two subjects that fascinated him. Despite having all this knowledge at his disposal, he realized that theoretical understanding was not enough. He needed practical experience—something you couldn't just pick up from a book, unlike a certain silver-haired ninja above him.
With this in mind, Naruto decided to seek help. He trotted over to Hiruzen Sarutobi's house, only to find the old Hokage absent. Instead, he was greeted by Biwako Sarutobi, Hiruzen's wife, a retired Jonin, and former medic-nin who had lived through the Second and Third Ninja Wars.
"Ah, Naruto! How are you doing, my dear?" Biwako greeted him with a warm smile, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
"Obaasan, I'm good. How are you?" Naruto replied, a genuine smile spreading across his face.
"Oh, I'm just terrible," Biwako said dramatically, placing a hand on her chest. "How could I possibly be fine when my favorite little Naruto never comes to visit me anymore?"
Naruto shifted uncomfortably, scratching the back of his head. "From today, I'll visit you daily, Obaasan. I promise!"
Biwako's eyes narrowed playfully. "Huh, that's what you said last time, and the time before that. So, Naruto, what brings you here today? What does my favorite little rascal want?"
Naruto hesitated, then blurted out, "Obaasan, you told me you were a Jonin and fought in the Second and Third Ninja Wars as a medic, right?"
"Yes, I did. What about it?" Biwako replied, her curiosity piqued.
"Well, I need help with my chakra. I can't feel it, and reading books is fine for knowledge, but I need help with practical stuff," Naruto explained, looking hopeful and slightly desperate.
Before answering, Biwako leaned in, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "But first, answer me this: why do you want to be a ninja?"
Naruto straightened up, taking a deep breath. "I want to become a strong ninja, Obaasan."
"And why is strength so important to you?" Biwako pressed, her tone gentle but probing, almost like she was interviewing him for a job.
"Well... I want to protect my home and myself," Naruto answered earnestly, carefully omitting the more apocalyptic threats like Obito, Zetsu, and Madara that lurked in his mind.
Biwako chuckled, a rich, warm sound. "Oh, my sweet child, you're only five! You'll learn all about being a shinobi at the academy. There's no rush."
Naruto frowned, his resolve firm. "But I can't wait four more years! I have time now; I can practice."
Seeing his determination, Biwako sighed, albeit with a smile. "Fine, fine. I'll help you with your chakra. But first, tell me, what is chakra?"
Naruto perked up, eager to show off his knowledge. "Chakra is the combination of Yin, our mental energy, and Yang, our physical energy. Mental energy comes from our mind and will, while physical energy comes from the cells in our body."
Biwako nodded, genuinely impressed. "Very good, Naruto. You know your stuff. We'll start your training tomorrow morning. But for now, come inside for dinner."
Without warning, she scooped Naruto up, lifting him off the ground with surprising strength for her age. "My, you've gotten heavier! Are you sneaking snacks again?" she teased, carrying him toward the house like he was an oversized plush toy. Naruto yelped, blushing furiously, while Kakashi, still hidden in the tree, chuckled to himself.
As they headed inside, Biwako continued to tease Naruto, her voice carrying through the open window. "You know, Naruto, if you want to impress the girls when you're older, you're going to need more than just chakra control. Maybe I should teach you some cooking skills too!"
Naruto groaned, "Obaasan, not the cooking lessons again!"
Kakashi, flipping a page in his book, smiled under his mask. "Looks like Naruto's got himself quite the mentor," he thought, amused by the scene unfolding below. As he returned to his reading, he couldn't help but think that Naruto was in good hands. Maybe, just maybe, Biwako could impart some wisdom beyond ninjutsu—like the importance of visiting your elders, or perhaps the subtler arts of humor and humility.
Back inside, Naruto was seated at the dinner table, with Biwako serving a hearty meal. "Now, Naruto," she said, her tone mock-serious, "you must eat well to grow strong. Even heroes need their vegetables. No skipping!"
Naruto, eyeing the broccoli with a mix of dread and determination, nodded solemnly. "Yes, ma'am!"
As Biwako laughed, the warmth in her eyes softened. Despite her playful teasing, it was clear she cared deeply for Naruto. And Naruto, for his part, felt a rare warmth in his heart—a sense of belonging and affection he treasured, even if it came with a side of broccoli.
Meanwhile, Kakashi, still perched in his tree, sighed contentedly. "Maybe this isn't such a bad assignment after all," he mused, though his thoughts quickly returned to more pressing matters—like the cliffhanger in his book.
And so, the day ended on a warm note, with Naruto eagerly anticipating the training to come, and Biwako already plotting how to sneak more vegetables into his diet. Little did they know, this was just the beginning of Naruto's journey—not just in mastering chakra, but in finding a family that cared for him in the most unexpected ways.
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