Three months passed faster than Shinji expected.
Shinji stood in the center of the clearing. The past three months had carved something new into him.
Across the clearing, Hiruzen Sarutobi watched him quietly.
Finally Shinji broke the silence. "So this is it?"
Hiruzen nodded slightly. "This is the last day of your training."
His reaction speed had sharpened drastically. Fighting creatures that attacked from every direction forced him to read movement instinctively.
His chakra control had also improved. Hiruzen had spent countless hours drilling fundamentals into him again.
Hiruzen stepped forward. "You've changed."
Shinji smirked slightly. "I'd hope so after three months of getting jumped by monkeys."
Hiruzen chuckled quietly. "You were already strong before this training."
The old shinobi studied him carefully.
"At twelve you had already reached ranks of jonin-level combat ability."
Shinji scratched the back of his neck. "You say that like it's impressive."
"It is."
Hiruzen's voice was calm but firm. "Most shinobi do not reach that level until their twenties."
Shinji didn't respond. He had never thought about it that way.
Hiruzen continued. "But your strength had gaps." The old shinobi tapped his own temple. "You relied too heavily on instinct and raw ability."
Shinji nodded slightly.
Hiruzen gestured toward him. "Now your foundation is solid."
Shinji's reaction speed had grown noticeably sharper. His taijutsu had also evolved. Hiruzen had broken down every flaw in his stance and rebuilt it from scratch.
And his chakra control had improved dramatically. He wasted far less energy now. Every technique came out faster and smoother.
Hiruzen looked satisfied. "You've grown from a promising young jonin" "Into a shinobi who could genuinely hold that rank."
Shinji blinked. "You mean it?"
"I do."
The old shinobi folded his arms.
"If you were formally tested today, I have little doubt you would pass."
Shinji felt a small surge of pride. But he kept it contained. Three months of monkey training had beaten arrogance out of him pretty quickly.
Hiruzen gestured toward the clearing. "Now."
Shinji grinned slightly. "A spar?"
Hiruzen nodded. "One final lesson."
Shinji stepped back, dropping into his stance. Across from him, Hiruzen did the same. Shinji closed the distance launching a fast series of strikes.
Hiruzen blocked the first two easily. But the third forced him to shift his footing. The old shinobi's eyebrow rose slightly.
Shinji noticed. He pressed forward. Their movements blurred through the clearing.
Shinji ducked under a strike and swept low. Hiruzen jumped lightly over it. Shinji followed immediately with an upward elbow. Hiruzen blocked it but slid back slightly across the dirt.
They separated.
Hiruzen smiled faintly. "Much better."
Shinji wiped sweat from his forehead. "You're not exactly easy to hit."
Hiruzen chuckled. "That is the idea."
They clashed again.
This time Shinji mixed feints into his attacks. Several strikes forced Hiruzen to move rather than simply block. The old shinobi's eyes gleamed with approval. After several more exchanges, Hiruzen suddenly disappeared.
Shinji reacted instantly. He pivoted and raised his guard just as Hiruzen's palm strike came down. The impact still pushed him back. But he stayed on his feet. Three months ago that strike would have flattened him.
The old shinobi lowered his stance slightly. But after a few more exchanges, he stepped back. "That's enough."
Shinji straightened. The spar had been fast. But controlled.
Hiruzen studied him for a moment. "You're ready to return to your duties."
Shinji nodded slowly.
ANBU.
Missions.
The real world again.
Hiruzen looked toward the village visible through the trees. "You carry something important, Shinji."
Shinji tilted his head slightly. "The Will of Fire?"
Hiruzen smiled faintly. "Yes."
The old shinobi's voice grew quieter. "I once believed I had failed to pass it on."
Hiruzen turned back toward him. "But watching you these past months…" "I know that belief was wrong."
Shinji looked slightly embarrassed. "You're giving me a lot of credit."
"Perhaps."
Hiruzen placed a hand on his shoulder. "But the village will need shinobi like you."
Shinji clenched his fist slightly. "I'll protect it."
Hiruzen smiled. "I know."
For a moment they simply stood there.
Then Shinji straightened. "Guess I should get back to work."
Hiruzen nodded. "Yes."
Shinji turned and began walking toward the path leading back to the village.
Behind him, the old shinobi watched quietly.
His student had grown stronger.
And as Shinji disappeared into the trees, Hiruzen allowed himself a small, satisfied smile.
The Will of Fire would continue.