Looking at the slowly dissipating white smoke and the empty patch of grass, Kakashi froze where he stood, while Sasuke and Sakura exchanged confused glances.
A feeling of having been "played" arose spontaneously in the hearts of the three.
"Where exactly... is this guy hiding?"
Sasuke gritted his teeth, about to activate his Sharingan to search.
Rustle.
The nearby bushes were pushed aside.
The real Uzumaki Naruto walked out, his clothes neat and his hair perfectly in place. He was holding a simple first-aid kit in his hand.
He met the three people's cryptic gazes head-on.
"Don't look at me like that."
Naruto walked up to the group and said matter-of-factly: "As the commander, never exposing the main body until 100% safety is confirmed is common sense."
Why didn't I know this common sense? Kakashi could not help but inwardly complain.
Commanders in the shinobi world are all strong individuals, and if necessary, they will even charge onto the front lines of the battlefield. If you constantly fear death and hide in the rear, you will only be looked down upon...
At Naruto's request, the group was now resting in the shade of a tree.
Although everyone had passed, the aftermath of the battle lingered. Sakura was mentally exhausted. Kakashi reeked. Sasuke had multiple abrasions and had exhausted his Chakra.
And these conditions were basically all directly or indirectly related to Naruto...
"Don't move."
Naruto half-crouched in front of Sasuke, a faint green glow emanating from his hands. He gently pressed them onto Sasuke's swollen, injured arm.
"Is this... a Shousen Jutsu?"
Although Kakashi was holding Icha Icha Paradise, his gaze remained fixed on the green light.
Even though it was only the most basic healing technique—not as advanced as the full Palm Sage Technique—for a newly graduated Genin, this level of Chakra nature transformation and control was practically textbook quality.
"I taught myself by reading books; it can only handle basic emergency situations," Naruto said calmly. "Waiting for rescue during a battle often means handing your life and death over to someone else. Therefore, mastering basic self-restoration is essential."
"Furthermore..." Naruto looked up and met Sasuke's eyes. "Stop staring at me with those Sharingan eyes; this is my main body, not a Kage Bunshin."
Sasuke snorted coldly and turned his head away. But he didn't pull his hand back. Even someone as proud as Sasuke had to admit that although Naruto's behavior was sometimes quite inhuman, he could usually be trusted.
After finishing with Sasuke, Naruto turned to look at Sakura.
"Are you uncomfortable anywhere?" Naruto asked gently.
Sakura lowered her head, squatting on the ground with her hands covering her face, her voice barely a whisper: "I... I'm fine, I just kept hiding in the back and didn't do anything..."
Saying this, she let out a faint sob.
"Naruto, Sasuke... am I useless? In the battle just now, Sasuke could make Kakashi-sensei respond seriously, and Naruto, well, you go without saying... Only I... was like a burden, and ended up falling for a Genjutsu."
This profound sense of powerlessness and disparity caused the girl, who had always prided herself on excellent theoretical grades, to feel an unprecedented frustration.
"Do you want to become stronger?"
Naruto's voice suddenly rang out.
She looked up, tears still clinging to her rain-streaked face. Naruto was standing right in front of her, looking down at her. The eyes behind his glasses were profound and calm.
"Yes, I want to become stronger! I want to become someone useful to everyone!"
A spark of hope suddenly ignited in Sakura's heart, and she shouted.
If it was Naruto, he would definitely understand me. She was certain in her heart.
"Very good." Naruto nodded and held up two fingers. "Based on your physique and characteristics, there are generally two paths you can take."
"First, Iryo Ninjutsu," Naruto said calmly. "Using your excellent Chakra control to become a medical ninja is a very reliable path, and there are many successful examples."
Sakura's eyes lit up; this sounded perfect for her.
But immediately after, Naruto changed the subject: "However, if you'll permit me to speak frankly, as long as I am here, this team does not need a dedicated medical ninja."
Naruto shook the green Chakra in his hand, his tone revealing intense confidence. "I can handle general injuries, and if I can't handle an injury, a regular ninja would be powerless anyway. Therefore, if you want to be more valuable, this path has already been blocked by me."
Sakura froze, the light in her eyes dimming somewhat.
That's right, Naruto knew how to do everything. What was the point of learning an Iryo Ninjutsu that was destined to be inferior to Naruto's?
"Therefore, I highly recommend you take the second path."
Naruto's voice suddenly became deep, carrying a hint of magnetic allure. "Fuuinjutsu."
"Fuuinjutsu?"
Sakura, Sasuke, and Kakashi were all stunned simultaneously.
"That's right." Naruto adjusted his glasses. "I believe it is a more fundamental power, one that surpasses Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu. It is the... writing of rules."
"Sealing fire into paper, folding space into a scroll, paralyzing a body, and even manipulating souls... that is Fuuinjutsu!"
A trace of fanaticism flashed in Naruto's eyes.
"It doesn't require massive amounts of Chakra or a strong physique; it only requires extreme knowledge and control!"
Naruto looked at Sakura, his gaze burning. "Sakura-chan, your learning ability is practically made for sealing."
"Furthermore..." Naruto paused, stretched out a hand toward Sakura, and his tone became incredibly sincere. "I am researching some advanced Jutsu formulas, and I happen to need an assistant. A partner... who can keep up with my thinking and help me handle precise runes."
Boom—
Sakura's mind seemed to explode.
Partner? Naruto said he needs me? Not a burden, not a teammate, but a partner? And studying... Fuuinjutsu together?
"I'll learn it!"
With almost no hesitation, Sakura grabbed Naruto's hand, her eyes resolute. "Naruto, please teach me Fuuinjutsu! I will definitely become your best assistant!"
Sasuke leaned against the tree nearby, watching the two of them. He felt a strong sense of déjà vu. It seemed as though something similar had happened to him.
Kakashi's mouth twitched.
He opened his mouth, instinctively wanting to interrupt and tell them that Fuuinjutsu is not a simple thing. It requires vast knowledge reserves and complex calculations. Most importantly, Konohagakure's advanced Fuuinjutsu are basically monopolized by the higher-ups.
But... Kakashi glanced at Naruto.
Given his background and his relationship with the Sandaime Hokage, if anyone in all of Konoha had the qualifications to access such knowledge, it was probably this kid in front of him.
Moreover, judging by Naruto's posture, he might already have a plan for Sakura's future? Kakashi thought inwardly.
This kid's ambition and planning were truly astonishing.
Thinking this, Kakashi swallowed the objection that had been on the tip of his tongue. He picked up Icha Icha Paradise again.
Forget it, let them mess around; Naruto will cover them anyway.
Author's Note: A bonus episode will be released at 100+ Power Stones, and another after two new 5-star reviews.