Are you trying to scam me?" She asked, her expression completely full of anger and suspicion.
"No," Sora said plainly and calmly. "I'm using my time and effort, and in exchange you pay me for that work. My work isn't bad either, so what I'm asking for is completely fair," he added with confidence.
She scoffed dismissively.
"Fine, but if I'm not satisfied with what you produce, I'll beat you up," she said threateningly.
He simply nodded in agreement. There was absolutely no way she could beat him in a fight, so he wasn't worried about her threat at all.
She gave him the money and he started drawing right away. He didn't know her much personally, but based on her personality and demeanor, he knew exactly what he should draw her as.
He first drew a huge chair, sketching the chair with a specific thought in mind. It was a sort of throne, but designed in the traditional Japanese style.
He added her sitting on the chair with her legs crossed, looking down at multiple figures kneeling before her. Drawing the background carefully, he added gold and all sorts of jewelry and shirtless men positioned around her.
He then added her face with careful attention to detail. He made sure to make it match her personality perfectly. He added a smug smile to her expression, but made sure to make it clear and pretty since he was getting paid for quality work.
After he was done with the finishing touches, he gave it to her. Seeing the drawing, she smiled with satisfaction, but then her nose bled slightly and she quickly rubbed the blood away.
She must be some kind of pervert, Sora thought quietly to himself as he observed her reaction. She nodded approvingly at the drawing and then turned around to leave, but before she completely left the area, she paused and spoke over her shoulder.
"My name is Ino," she said simply and matter-of-factly before walking away from him.
Sora turned back around to face Naruto who was still grinning happily and cheerfully at the drawing he had given her earlier.
"Hehe, I'm so cute," she said smugly with obvious satisfaction and pride.
He just smiled quietly to himself without saying anything in response.
Clap clap
Iruka clapped his hands together loudly to get everyone's attention, and the entire class immediately turned to face him at the front of the room.
"We'll be doing some tests today," he announced clearly and then led everyone outside to the training area behind the academy.
Leaving the classroom behind and arriving in the outdoor courtyard area, Sora looked around carefully and surveyed the entire training space. He knew with absolute certainty that there was no way the tests would be about ninjutsu techniques since civilian students didn't have any access to those kinds of advanced skills yet.
So it must be physical exercises and assessments of their basic abilities.
"We'll be doing some physical assessments today," Iruka said, directly confirming Sora's earlier suspicions about the nature of the tests.
After his announcement, the class was instructed to complete four different assessments in total. The first assessment was running and speed tests to measure their agility. Naruto came in first place with impressive results while Sora secured second place. And the third place position went to a boy named Sasuke.
The second assessment was push ups and upper body strength to test their physical conditioning. And once again the roster and rankings remained exactly the same as before. Naruto had an abundance of stamina and endurance that served her extremely well in these physical challenges. While Sora's consistent training regimen had been working greatly in his favor and paying off.
The third assessment was hand to hand combat with absolutely no ninjutsu techniques allowed whatsoever. And once again only three people remained at the very top of the rankings. It was Naruto, Sora and Sasuke who outperformed everyone else.
Sora stood on the sidelines observing carefully as he watched Sasuke and Naruto fight against each other in their match. The fighting technique and skills he had taught her over time was proving genuinely useful and she was faring pretty well in the ongoing match.
Sasuke rushed in aggressively with determination and jumped high into the air, attacking with a powerful flying kick aimed at her. Naruto seeing this incoming attack approaching ducked low to the ground and punched him hard in the side with significant force. Sasuke was sent back several feet from the impact of the blow and landed on his feet while clutching his stomach area painfully.
He coughed a few times in obvious pain and discomfort, then his eyes hardened with fierce determination and resolve as he rushed in again with renewed vigor and energy. He threw a rapid flurry of kicks and strikes in quick succession that pushed Naruto back defensively and kept her on the retreat.
Naruto in turn attempted to hit the specific pressure point that Sora had taught her about previously in order to disable him effectively, but Sasuke was far too fast and agile in his movements, and his relentless barrage of attacks didn't give her any time or opportunity to fight back effectively or mount a proper counterattack.
She was pushed back against the wall behind her with nowhere left to go, and Sasuke stopped his fist right in front of her face at the very last possible moment before making contact.
"Sasuke wins this match," Iruka announced loudly to the assembled students.
Sora seeing this outcome and result entered the ring confidently and with self-assurance. Now it was him against Sasuke in the final and decisive match. From what he had observed and seen during the previous fight between them, he knew with certainty that he could beat Sasuke using his superior abilities and accumulated experience.
"Begin," Iruka shouted loudly to start the match.
And once again it was Sasuke that rushed in first with characteristic aggression and intensity. Sora seeing that Sasuke was brash and overly aggressive in his fighting style decided to use it to his advantage strategically and tactically.
He left himself wide open intentionally as a deliberate trap. Sasuke seeing this apparent opening and opportunity rushed in eagerly without hesitation and attempted to strike his stomach area with force, but at the very last moment Sora dodged smoothly and effortlessly to the side and landed a quick, precise strike directly to his chin that knocked him out cold instantly.
The whole courtyard went completely quiet and silent in shock. The fight had been extremely quick and decisive from start to finish, and not even Iruka himself expected it to end so fast and abruptly.
"Sora wins," he announced with a clear hint of surprise evident in his voice.
Hokage Office
Hiruzen watched intently from his crystal orb as Sora defeated Sasuke in just one single strike. He took a deep, contemplative breath from his pipe and exhaled slowly.
"This kid is something else entirely," he muttered quietly to himself.
Hiruzen was genuinely surprised and impressed by Sora's exceptional skill and natural talent. For someone so young and inexperienced, he knew instinctively how to fight effectively and plan his strategies in the midst of actual battle.
He knew without doubt that someone like Sora would become someone truly significant in the ninja world eventually. But Naruto alone isn't enough to keep him loyal. His personality and from what he's observed and seen so far, it's not enough to guarantee his allegiance.
He's extremely attached to Naruto specifically, though the underlying reasons are completely unknown and mysterious. Judging carefully from his actions thus far, he would not hesitate for a moment to abandon and turn on the village if it ever threatens Naruto in any way.
But Naruto's sincere dream of becoming hokage put him at ease somewhat. Naruto would stop Sora if it ever became necessary. But still he wanted to find something else additional to bind him to the village.
He tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table in thought. And then a promising thought came to mind. Hiruzen could do something specific. Something that would make Sora deeply indebted to him and the village.
He could reveal the true identity of his parents to him, but still that wasn't enough of an incentive since he didn't seem to care much about that.
Hiruzen smiled knowingly to himself. Ninjutsu—what if he gave Sora access to ninjutsu techniques. The specific ones that his parents had used during their time.
With that plan in mind, he called for an ANBU operative.
"Get Sora and Naruto here immediately," he commanded.
"Hai," the ANBU operative said respectfully and disappeared into the shadows instantly.
Academy library
Sora carefully read through the various jutsu techniques that were learned in the academy curriculum. He looked around the space, noting that no other people were present there except for him and Naruto.
But he didn't care about that at all. If others wanted to waste their valuable time doing other things, it wasn't his problem to worry about or concern himself with.
After reading through the final scroll completely, he knew exactly what to do next for both him and Naruto going forward. There was a total of three basic academy jutsu techniques. The clone jutsu, the transformation technique, and the body replacement technique.
Though they are basic jutsu techniques to someone like him with his knowledge, he would use them to the fullest extent possible. But he did find information about a technique called the shadow clone jutsu. It allowed one to remember and retain the memories of the clone after it is dispelled and disappears.
But the scroll only has general information on the technique itself, not detailed instructions on how to actually perform it properly. Something like that particular technique would be absolutely perfect for Naruto's training. With that specific technique at her disposal, she would improve her chakra control much faster and more efficiently.
As he sat there deep in contemplation and careful thought, he suddenly sensed the distinct presence of someone standing directly right behind him. Acting purely on instinct and his trained reflexes, he quickly took out his kunai weapon and immediately spun around to attack the intruder with swift precision. The very moment his attack made contact and landed, the person instantly transformed into a wooden log through substitution technique and reappeared standing a few feet away from his original position.
Naruto, witnessing this sudden confrontation and unexpected turn of events, immediately got into a defensive stance and prepared herself for potential combat, but after carefully observing and seeing the distinctive ANBU mask worn by the figure, she visibly relaxed and calmed down considerably, recognizing them as an ally rather than a threat.
Sora, also noticing and recognizing the characteristic ANBU mask that identified the person as a village operative, calmly and deliberately put his kunai weapon away and returned it to its proper place.
"What do you want from us?" He asked directly and bluntly, showing no inclination whatsoever to apologize for his aggressive defensive reaction.
The white-haired ANBU operative's mouth visibly twitched with slight irritation behind the protective mask at Sora's lack of apology or remorse,
"The Hokage wishes to see both of you in his office immediately," he stated clearly and formally.
Sora simply nodded in acknowledgment and understanding. The timing of this summons was actually quite perfect and convenient for him since he had already been planning and preparing to formally request access to the shadow clone jutsu technique from the Hokage anyway.
The masked ANBU operative then vanished completely and disappeared from sight in a sudden explosion of white smoke that filled the immediate area. Sora turns his attention toward Naruto standing beside him.
"Let's go now," he said simply and directly to her.
Naruto smiled brightly with obvious relief and happiness, and carefully put the scroll she had been holding back in its proper place on the shelf. She honestly didn't really enjoy or like reading very much at all, and now that she could finally leave the library and do something else, she genuinely feels quite happy and relieved about the change of activity.
The Hokage's Office
Knock knock
"Enter," Hiruzen ordered with his characteristic authority.
The door opened slowly and carefully, and two young children entered the office. Naruto ran in enthusiastically and energetically.
"Gigi," she said happily with clear excitement and affection in her voice.
Hiruzen smiled warmly and genuinely at her innocent and pure nature, and then turned his attention to Sora standing beside her. Seeing his characteristically cold and impassive expression, his mouth twitched slightly with mild amusement.
"Cough, do you know the reason why I called you two here today?" He asked them both directly.
Both Sora and Naruto shook their heads negatively in response, indicating they had no idea.
He smiled knowingly at them.
"Well, since you two are starting and beginning your time at the academy, I need to give you some special presents," he said with warmth.
He then took out and produced a bunch of scrolls from his desk drawer.
"This particular one is for you Naruto," he said clearly and handed one scroll to her directly.
He then handed the remaining others to Sora with care.
"The ones I'm giving you are quite important and significant. Naruto, the jutsu technique contained within is perfectly suited and ideal for someone with a large and substantial amount of chakra like yourself." He then turned his full attention to Sora, his eyes visibly softening with emotion and sentiment.
"And these scrolls, they actually belong to your parents. They were their techniques," He smiled softly and gently at him.
That's right, he had planned and intended to make Sora stronger and more capable while simultaneously portraying and presenting himself as a better and more caring person. He planned and schemed to improve and strengthen the relationship between them significantly.
And him seeing and observing how close he and Naruto are together, Sora would definitely think twice before abandoning and leaving the village since doing so might make her sad and upset.
Seeing and examining the jutsu scrolls carefully, he remained calm and composed in his demeanor, but after seeing Naruto smiling brightly and jumping around excitedly with pure joy, he slightly grinned with genuine happiness.
"Thank you very much, hokage-sama," he thanked with sincere gratitude.
"It's no problem at all," he smiled warmly in return.
Naruto looked up from her scroll and turned her attention to Hiruzen with excitement.
"Gigi, I'm going to live together with Sora," She said with clear happiness and enthusiasm.
Hiruzen's eyes instantly bulged wide with complete shock and surprise as he started coughing profusely and violently from his smoke-filled lungs. He couldn't believe or process what he was hearing from her.
"W-what?" He stuttered out awkwardly through his fits of coughing.
"Yeah, Sora said he's going to take care of me properly," she smiled with innocent joy.
He blinked several times in confusion and disbelief, and then turns his attention to Sora, his mouth twitching with mixed emotions.
Unknown to anyone present in the room, someone inside of Naruto's seal was fuming with absolute rage and anger.
"YOU BASTARD, HOW DARE YOU TRICK AND DECEIVE MY DAUGHTER!?" He roared loudly in pure rage and fury.
As he roared with anger and frustration, the beast inside the cage just laughed mockingly and gleefully at the man's extreme expressions and reactions.
"Is that really true and accurate?" Hiruzen asked seriously.
Sora nodded affirmatively in confirmation. Hiruzen scratched his head thoughtfully in contemplation. He didn't see any valid point or reason not to allow it. With how self-sufficient and capable he is, Naruto would definitely be better off living with him. And—he turned his gaze to Naruto.
She had a bright and innocent smile on her face. He didn't want to make her sad or upset.
"Sigh, fine—but," his eyes narrowed seriously and sternly. "No weird or inappropriate things happens," he said with clear warning.
They both looked confused and puzzled by his statement. Naruto didn't understand what he meant at all, while Sora just didn't think he was talking about that particular subject matter.
"Okay," they both said in unison together.
Hiruzen nodded in acceptance and waved them off dismissively. Sora and Naruto took their scrolls carefully and walked off together.
After leaving the hokage office and stepping out into the warm afternoon air, they headed directly to the training ground with purpose and determination. Sora wanted to see and test if the jutsu techniques he was given by the Hokage could actually be used and performed yet at his current skill level.
After they reached and arrived at the training ground area, Naruto sat down comfortably on the grass and started reading through her scroll with interest and curiosity while Sora did the same thing beside her, carefully examining his own scrolls.
He read through each one carefully and thoroughly, studying them and committing them to memory. In total there was a collection of four different jutsu techniques. Two fire-based jutsus and two earth-based jutsus that he could work with and practice.
If he remembered correctly and accurately from his knowledge, there were things called chakra natures that determined one's affinity. Though one could theoretically learn and master all the different natures through hard work, having a natural chakra affinity and predisposition would make it considerably easier and faster to learn specific techniques.
He decided and chose to try the fire jutsu first and see how it went.
D-rank: Fireball
Spew and release a fireball from the mouth with concentrated chakra.
This skill and technique is pretty explanatory and straightforward in its description, but the hand signs and seals are a completely different matter altogether. He had already memorized and committed to memory all the hand signs and their proper sequence, now he just needs the execution to become instinctive and natural through repeated practice.
He started forming and making hand signs one by one with careful deliberation and focus. It took him a total of approximately 20 seconds to form and complete all the hand signs in their proper sequence. When he was done and finished with the signs, he released and expelled the fireball from his mouth. Though it was only the size of a small mango fruit and not very impressive.
He looked at and observed the fireball quite disappointed and unsatisfied with the result. But he knew and understood it wasn't the jutsu itself that was the problem or issue. It was him and his current lack of skill and experience. He needed more practice and experience to improve his technique.
With that thought and realization in mind, he continued in his practice session and moved on to try the earth jutsus next to see how those would perform.
D-rank: Mud Wall
And again, unfortunately, the jutsu came out weak and underwhelming in its execution. The wall that formed was not powerful or sturdy enough for his expectations and what he had hoped to achieve. But none the less and regardless of the disappointing results, he continued training and practicing diligently.
The other two remaining jutsu techniques he decided and resolved to train and practice later when he had more chakra available and restored. Both of them were ranked as c-rank techniques and as of now and at this moment, he didn't have enough chakra reserves or capacity to practice them properly without exhausting himself completely.