The next day, Koby took Naruto out and about, fully aware of the disapproving looks they received from the villagers. He brushed off their disdain, as he had no emotional attachment to this place and couldn't stand the mistreatment of the boy. Being an outsider, he didn't care about their opinions. Koby spent the morning teaching Naruto how to throw a punch, focusing solely on the boy's well-being. He knew this would be a gradual process, but Naruto showed a remarkable willingness to learn quickly.
"Good work, Naruto. Remember not to waste any movements; it's a waste of energy and gives your opponent more time to react," Koby advised, setting a goal for the young boy. He decided to demonstrate by using a bit of Haki on his hand and effortlessly splitting a tree in half with a punch, causing it to fall over. Koby caught the tree mid-air and used Geppo to float gracefully back to the ground. He continued to demonstrate punches, reducing the tree into small pieces suitable for firewood. Koby ensured the area was cleaned up as well.
"Now, in the pursuit of justice, we must leave a place better than we found it," Koby explained to the five-year-old, instilling his sense of responsibility and duty in Naruto.
Naruto watched in awe as Koby effortlessly demonstrated his incredible strength and skills. His eyes widened, and his jaw dropped as he saw the tree split in half and then reduced to small pieces with each powerful punch. Naruto was both amazed and inspired by Koby's abilities.
"Wow, that's amazing!" Naruto exclaimed, his face lighting up with excitement. "I wanna be strong like you, Koby-sensei!"
Naruto's determination to become a powerful warrior of justice, just like his new mentor, burned even brighter. He eagerly listened to Koby's advice, determined to absorb as much knowledge and training as he could.
Koby's routine with Naruto continued as he aimed to make a positive impact on the boy's life. The two would spend their mornings training outside, with Koby sharing his knowledge and skills. Afterward, they would return home for lunch, and Koby would send his reports to those who were keeping an eye on him in the village.
In the afternoons, Koby and Naruto would read more about chakra, and Koby would explain the basics to the young boy. They would then either continue their training or go for a run, working on putting their newfound knowledge into practice. Chakra was a new concept for both of them, and they were determined to learn and grow together.
Their evenings were filled with dinner and conversations about their day, bringing them closer day by day. As time passed, Naruto's pranks became less frequent, and he focused more on his training and learning from Koby.
A month later, Koby found himself in the Hokage's office, providing a detailed report on Naruto's progress and their life together. He ensured that they caused no disruptions in the village and followed all the guidelines set by the Hokage.
"That is my report, Lord Hokage," Koby concluded, awaiting the Hokage's response.
The Hokage listened attentively to Koby's report, his expression thoughtful. He could see the genuine dedication and care Koby had for Naruto. It was clear that Koby was doing his best to provide a stable and nurturing environment for the young boy.
"Koby," the Hokage began, "I must admit that I had reservations when you first proposed this arrangement, but it seems you've taken your responsibilities seriously. You've shown great commitment to ensuring Naruto's well-being."
He paused for a moment before continuing, "I will continue to monitor this situation closely, but I appreciate your efforts in looking after Naruto. It's not an easy task, and I hope that your guidance will help shape him into a fine ninja one day."
"Lord Hokage, is there a chance that I can show Naruto more of my abilities? I want to demonstrate them to him, but I don't want to raise any concerns with your people who are watching. So far, I've only taught him the very basics of what I know, and I wouldn't mind if you were to witness my full abilities as well. I believe it might inspire the boy to work even harder and push himself to become a better ninja for your village. Perhaps we could arrange this for tomorrow," Koby suggested, eager to showcase to Naruto the possibilities that hard work could unlock. He understood that approval was necessary, especially considering the power he had not yet revealed to them.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, considered Koby's request carefully. He knew that Koby's abilities were likely far beyond what they had seen so far, but he also understood the potential benefits of inspiring Naruto to excel in his training.
After a moment of contemplation, the Hokage nodded and said, "Very well, Koby. I'll grant your request. Tomorrow, you can demonstrate your abilities to Naruto, and I will be there to witness it as well. Just ensure that it's done in a controlled and safe environment, so as not to cause any unnecessary alarm."
Koby nodded in gratitude, appreciating the Hokage's understanding. He knew that this opportunity could be a turning point in Naruto's training and his integration into the village.
The next morning, Koby found himself at an old, abandoned training ground. It was a suitable location for his demonstration, with the Hokage, Naruto, and several Anbu operatives present to observe and ensure there were no surprises. Koby smiled as he faced the crowd, ready to showcase his abilities.
He began by demonstrating Geppo, soaring through the air with graceful ease. Then he proceeded to exhibit the other six powers, either by targeting objects or engaging in sparring with one of the Anbu ninjas. He also showcased his observation haki, displaying his uncanny ability to anticipate and react to events as if he could foresee the future.
Koby took breaks to explain each skill thoroughly, ensuring that everyone understood the intricacies of his abilities.
Finally, he approached a massive boulder and addressed the onlookers. "Now, this is armament haki," he explained, drawing back his fist. With incredible force, he punched the boulder, shattering the enormous rock, which was much larger than himself, into countless pebbles. He paused, allowing the impact of his display to sink in. "That's my complete move set," he concluded, looking at Naruto and the Hokage to gauge their reactions.
Naruto's eyes widened in amazement as he watched Koby's incredible display of abilities. The young boy had never seen anything like it before, and it left him in awe. He was inspired by Koby's skills and determination to become a great ninja.
The Third Hokage, on the other hand, watched Koby's demonstration with a thoughtful expression. He had seen many skilled individuals in his time as the village leader, but Koby's abilities were truly exceptional. He recognized the potential value of having someone like Koby as a mentor for Naruto.
After Koby finished his demonstration and explained his abilities, the Hokage nodded appreciatively. "Impressive, Koby. Your skills are truly remarkable. I believe your presence here can be of great benefit to Naruto and our village. Thank you for your willingness to help."
"Thank you, Lord Hokage. I am glad to be of help to you and Naruto. If there is ever any way I can help, just tell me. I am not going anywhere, so if I have time outside of turning Naruto into a great ninja, I will do my best to do it," Koby commented with a smile. He knew this was a significant moment for himself and for Naruto, who would now have a clearer goal to aim for.
Koby, of course, took Naruto out for some ramen afterward. He listened to the boy's questions and answered them patiently, happy to have shown him his abilities and shared this special moment with him. The two had a pleasant time together as Koby was getting accustomed to his role as mentor and protector of the boy. Every day brought new challenges, but it was all worth it.
Once they got home, Naruto was exhausted, and Koby helped tuck the boy in. Koby then worked on his ninjutsu, creating his first shadow clone. He experimented with it, observing how it operated and realizing the drain it had on his body. It was a useful technique but came with its drawbacks. He made a mental note to train Naruto in it at some point since it was a requirement to become a ninja.
Koby knew he still had a long time to go till the boy became a ninja, years of work. He was going to prepare though, to make sure he was ahead of the game. Make sure he had things setup for Naruto to excel at school and improve towards his dream. Naruto was Koby's job and he was as dedicated to that as anything else in his whole life. Maybe he was more dedicated to seeing this boy grow than anything else even.
Heading to bed, Koby felt content with his efforts. He believed he could make this life work, helping Naruto achieve his dream while improving his own abilities. Despite being far from home and missing his friends and mentors, life was good.
A/N- After this I think I will do a time skip to when Naruto is starting at the academy. I hope again you enjoyed this chapter.