Enji walked to the hospital along with Yasu,though every step reminded him of the punishing spar with his teacher. His shins ached from blocked kicks, his forearms throbbed from absorbing strikes, and a dull soreness ran across his ribs where a well-placed blow had slipped past his guard.By the time he reached the hospital,his bruises had reduced slightly, his pain had eased somewhat.He was able to walk properly without limping and wincing in pain.
The hospital corridors smelled faintly of antiseptic and medicine. Shinobi and civilians alike sat in the waiting area. A young chunin with his arm in a sling gave Enji a sympathetic nod as he passed.
A med-nin led him to a quiet examination room. "Sit," she said briskly, before peeling away the bandages from his forearm. Her trained fingers probed along the muscles, joints and the bruises ,eyes narrowing. She gave Yasu a pointed look questioning what had happened.
"Training, it was a bit intense"Yasu replied with his usual calm.
"Hmph," she snorted and turned to Enji to check his injuries. She examined him thoroughly."The bruising is deep, but your muscle density… you've got the build of someone years older. Bones sturdy, joints strong and flexible,recovery already underway."
Her palm glowed a green colour as she used mystical palm jutsu, Enji felt warm chakra flow through his body. Wherever the warmth flowed the bruises disappeared,his stiff and tired muscles relaxed, the pain reduced until he felt warm comfort. After healing him she stepped back, folding her arms, she said "You heal quickly - faster than most kids of your age I've treated. Your body is sturdier than a 7 year old's."
Enji offered a small shrug. "I train hard."
Her lips quirked into a faint smile. "Training is good,but moderation is key, anything in excess is not good" Enji nodded.
Leaving the hospital,Enji couldn't help but acknowledge the power of chakra. His body had been healed in minutes,if it had been his old world it would have taken weeks to get back to his peak.
Yasu bid his farewell and flickered away towards the hokage tower. Enji watched him leave and walked back to his home. He was tired and just wanted to go and sleep.He was looking forward to the next year and the next training session.
The Hokage's office smelled faintly of tobacco smoke, though the pipe sat unlit on the desk. Scrolls lay in ordered stacks, each tagged with red or green ribbon to signal urgency.
Yasu Sarutobi stood at attention, a report scroll tucked under one arm. His posture was crisp, but there was an ease to his stance- the kind that came from familiarity rather than protocol.
"Eight weeks since he began training under me, Hokage-sama," Yasu began. "Shurikenjutsu is already way above the level of advanced genin - including accuracy, speed, and mid-flight adjustment. Taijutsu is above standard genin level, with an instinct for reading openings. His chakra control is also phenomenal, he is able to use chakra to enhance his strikes,he learnt it without guidance,that too without injuring himself in the process.Physical conditioning… remarkable. Recovery time after extended bouts is minimal."
Hiruzen looked up from the scroll he'd been reading, the corner of his mouth twitching into the faintest smile. "I see. You've come to like the boy, Yasu."
"I respect his work ethic," Yasu replied evenly.
"Mm." Hiruzen's eyes glinted with quiet amusement. "It's good that he has someone to guide him. Especially a Sarutobi guiding a Sarutobi."
Yasu gave a short nod, then handed over the written report. "He's more than ready for the Academy entrance trials, he is stronger than a genin, there is no need for him to even attend the academy."
Hiruzen shook his head." The child is already living alone and isolated. He needs more friends and companions. The academy does help in training the kids but more importantly it is a place for developing bonds and friendship."
"Yasu,a body without a strong mind can lead to disasters."
Hiruzen emphasised as he thought about his favourite and most talented disciple. Lately, he had been hearing news about his disciple that he found hard to believe.He did not know how he would react, what he should do if the news is confirmed.He couldn't fathom how painful it would be.
He had failed to notice his disciple's journey towards darkness. He was too proud of his disciple,to see what he had become.
He did not want another prodigy following the same path.
"I understand, Hokage Sama" Yasu saluted, seeing the hokage in deep thought, he left silently.
When Yasu left, Hiruzen leaned back in his chair. Drumming his fingers on the table, he peered through the office window, to see the village sprawled under the chilly winter night,filled with lanterns, fireworks and festivities.
His thoughts drifted to the academy. The Academy had been closed since that day. Too many instructors gone in the Nine tails' rampage. Too many children displaced. But the village's future could not be delayed - the Will of Fire demanded the next generation be trained, tested, and tempered.
Hiruzen continued to ponder.
'The reopening class would be small, but promising. Uchiha Itachi, already spoken of within his clan as a prodigy - calm, calculating, and frighteningly observant for his age.With the tensions rising to an unprecedented high between the Uchiha and the village council, Itachi can be used to bridge the two sides. As per reports, the child speaks and thinks from the perspective of a hokage, truly a remarkable child.'
'Inuzuka Hana, fierce and loyal, already showing an intuitive bond with her ninken.
A pair of promising Aburame children whose kikaichū responded to them with unusual swiftness.'
'And now Sarutobi Enji — a boy whose constitution had strengthened dramatically after surviving near death, and whose discipline and adaptability set him apart even among clan heirs.'
Hiruzen tapped the edge of Yasu's report. If these children grow together, spar together, and learn to trust beyond their clans, they will be the roots of the village's next great era.
As he thought about these promising kids a small grandfatherly smile appeared on the hokage's face. He rearranged all the files on his table, put on his hokage hat, activated the protective seals and left the hokage tower.
Along the festive streets,he observed the happy and joyful mood. While returning the constant greetings and well wishes from his people, he returned to his home to see his youngest son Asuma heading back inside with a disappointed expression.
Hiruzen had always been at odds with his rebellious son,and had not expected Asuma to wait for him at the doorstep.
He had been too grief stricken and busy, that he had no time to consider his sons had been grieving too and had only him for support. With shame and guilt,he entered his home and seeing the door open, entered Asuma's room.Both of them remained silent.
Hiruzen, who had led konoha for decades,stood there, not knowing how to be a father . Finally he sat beside Asuma,and placed his hand on his shoulder, comforting him.Asuma broke down in tears, and the father and son sat there, finding solace in each other's company.Hiruzen realised how inconsiderate he had been to his family,to his only sons. He was never a good father, he realised.
He decided,even if he was busy as a hokage,he would find some way, to spend some time with his family,not as a hokage but as a father.
As the new year arrived,new resolutions had been made.