บท 18: Chapter 017- Devil Fruit

Sarutobi's level of Armament and Observation haki is similar to the level of Luffy when he fought against Katakuri. As for his Conqueror's haki, it is already comparable to the pirate emeperors.

But he hasn't managed to fully control it yet. Sarutobi can release conqueror haki whenever he wants but if he releases it in full power it will not only damage his enemy but also his ally as well because of his poor control.

"There is nothing more I can teach you about haki. From now on, all you have to do is practice. I am sure you will catch up to me in just few years of time, maybe even shorter." Shanks said with a proud smile hanging on his face thinking how he is going to boast to others when his student finally shows his power to the world.

"Thanks you shanks for your teaching. I will always remember this favour." Sarutobi said respectfully.

"Don't mention it." Shanks shrugs it off as he said, "I have a present for you because of your exceptional performance during the training. I am sure you will like."

Shanks called one of his crewmate to bring a box. As he gave that box to Sarutobi, Shanks said, "Open it."

"Is this a devil fruit?" Seeing the weird shaped fruit in there, Sarutobi asked. Though Sarutobi already recognized the fruit to be 'Hito Hito no Mi: Nika', he has to act out the part of being ignorant not make Shanks suspicious of him.

"Yes, this is a devil fruit. It's name is 'Gomu Gomu no mi'. Just like it's name suggests, it makes you a rubber man. I hope you like my gift." Shanks decided not to tell the truth for the time being.

Even though he is 99% sure that Sarutobi is the 'joyboy', he doesn't want to make Sarutobi aware of that yet.

'If he is really the joyboy, he will fulfil the prophecy whether I tell him or not. This will be my last test for him. If he can really awaken this fruit without even knowing the true nature of this fruit, it will become 100% certain that he is really the joyboy.' Shanks thought to himself.

"Even though this fruit doesn't seems much on the surface, it is the most powerful existence among the devil fruits after it fully awakens. So, I hope you will not neglect training with your devil fruit. And if someday in the future, you truly manage to awaken this fruit, come to me. I will tell you something that has been passed on to me by my captain." Shanks said with a very solemn face.

"I will remember your words." Sarutobi replied.

.....

Shanks already left the island with his other crew mates. Sarutobi is now in a treehouse with three children preparing to leave the island as well.

"So are you guys ready?" Shanks asked.

"""Yes"""Luffy, Ace and Sabo replied in unison.

"Then, let's go."

Whenever Sarutobi would get any break from his training, he would come to meet Luffy. During one of his visits, he was introduced to Ace and Sabo as well. It didn't take long for him to convince them to go with him as well.

*Flashback*

As the trio was in awe of the display of his power, he asked them "So, now do you think I am qualified to be you teacher?"

"""Yes"""

"So, What do you think about going with me to my base island? There I will be able to teach you guys better. You know that I can't always stay here, right?" sarutobi asked them while looking at their expressions.

Sabo agreed without much hesitation. He is already disappointed with his parents and there is nothing much that is holding him back from leaving this place. But for Luffy and Ace, they are still slightly hesitant.

"Luffy, I know the reason you are hesitating to leave this place is because you are afraid of your grandfather. But if you really want to become a true pirate king in the future, you have overcome all your fear, is it not?"

"Yes, you are right, Sarutobi sensei. How can a pirate king be afraid of his grandfather! I agree to go with you." Luffy said with his usual enthusiastic voice.

"As for you Ace, I know you don't want to disappoint Garp by disobeying him. But is it really possible? You want to become stronger than you father. Do you think it will ever be possible if you always stay cooped up in this small place?"

"You are right. I will go with you as well, Sarutobi sensei." Ace also made his decision after some inner struggles.

*Flashback Ends*

After saying goodbye to Makino and other villagers, Sarutobi left the village with his three apprentice. Sarutobi left behind a letter for Garp in the hand Makino in order to inform him that his grandchildren is going to be safe in his care. But Sarutobi is sure, Garp will get really angry when he knows about this.

'I should hide from him until my power level surpasses his.' Sarutobi thought as some sweet started to build up in his forehead.

...

It again took him a month to come back to his base island. Upon arrival, he first took Luffy and others to meet his other three students.

"These three are my new students. I hope you all will get along with them." Sarutobi said as he looked at his old students.

"Don't worry, sensei. I will look after our juniors. If anyone dares to bully them, I will beat them to pulp." Tsunade said cheerfully as she introduced herself to the new trio. Jiraya and Orichimaru also did the same after her.

"Take them around the island and introduce them to others as well. Luffy, Ace, Sabo, I have some works to do, I will see guys a little later."

"""Ok."""

.....

"I suppose nothing major happened during my absence." Sarutobi said to Nara Shika.

"No, Hokage-sama." Shika replied.

"Then tell me how much the ninjas improved during this year?" Sarutobi asked.

"Elite chunins had the most growth, hokage-sama. All of them now has power comparable to jonins. As long as they learn some A-level ninjutsus, they would undoubtedly become an elite-jonin."

"As for the jonins, all of them are now in the ranks of elite-jonin. But the previous elite-jonins have the least improvements."

"Only two people has managed to breakthrough to the Kage level. One is Hatake Sakumo who is in a undercover mission. In just a year, he has broken through to Kage level from just a jonin. The other one is from Senju clan who used to be elite-jonin."

"But I believe that many other will also be able to break through to the Kage level as long as they are given a few years of time for training."

"What about the ninjas that were already Kage level?" Sarutobi asked.

"Kagami said that he is already close to becoming a mid level Kage. As for the others, they showed some progress but it will still take some time before any major improvement."

"I see. Any other things you want to report?" Sarutobi asked.

"Yes. Hikigaya send some devil fruits as per your order. But I have yet to distribute them as I was waiting for your return. This is the list containing the name and the power of those devil fruits." Nara Shika handed Sarutobi a list.