Chapter 7: Ramen and a Checkup

Chapter Text

Koby walked home with a pair of books under his arm, one about the test to become a ninja for exiled individuals, even though he wasn't technically exiled, and the other containing information required to be a teacher at the academy. He aimed to work through both of them in approximately half a year, which would mean he'd show up at the academy around the middle of Naruto's first year as a new teacher. Although he didn't know exactly how they would utilize him, he was determined to assist in any way he could.

After putting the books down on the counter, he began reading the first chapter. When he finished, it was time to head out to pick up Naruto from school. Naruto remained the most important aspect of his life, and his primary mission was to ensure the boy had as normal an upbringing as possible, while also nurturing him into an amazing ninja who would eventually become the Hokage.

As he walked, Koby waved to a few people he had helped during the three years he lived in Konoha, mostly with the assistance of his shadow clone. This was the longest he had stayed in one place since setting out to sea. Arriving at the school, he patiently waited for Naruto's release. He stood calmly, tapping his foot nervously, as this marked the beginning of Naruto's journey toward self-discovery and growth, and the longest the two had been apart in three years. It was a moment of letting go and allowing the boy to start forging his own path.

Koby soon spotted Naruto, who appeared to be in a good mood. He guessed that Naruto's first day at the academy hadn't gone too badly. He understood that it was a significant change for the boy, and not everyone might appreciate his boundless energy or how he approached things. Koby waved to Naruto and greeted him with a soft, "Good afternoon." He planned to walk home with Naruto and listen to all about his day, patiently allowing the boy to share his experiences without interruption.

As Koby and Naruto walked home after Naruto's first day at the academy, the young boy couldn't contain his excitement. He chatted animatedly about his experiences, sharing his thoughts on students, learning, and his teacher, Iruka-sensei.

"Naruto: Koby, you won't believe it! The academy is amazing! There are so many other kids there, and they're all learning to become ninja like me. Some of them were really nice, and I made a couple of new friends today. And guess what? Iruka-sensei is my teacher! He's really cool. He explained everything so well, and he even gave me this letter for you!"

Naruto proudly pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Koby. The letter bore the official seal of the academy and the name "Koby" written neatly on the front. Naruto's eyes sparkled with excitement as he waited for Koby's reaction.

—-

Dear Koby,

Thank you for your letter and the introduction to Naruto. I appreciate your willingness to provide background information about him, and I want to assure you that I will do my best to support him in his journey at the academy.

I understand that Naruto has had a challenging upbringing, and I will not let my personal history with the Nine-Tails attack affect my perception of him. Every child deserves a fair chance, and I am committed to creating a positive and nurturing environment in my classroom.

I am aware of Naruto's dream of becoming the Hokage, and I believe that with determination and hard work, he can achieve it. I will encourage him to pursue his goals and provide guidance along the way.

Please rest assured that I will keep an open line of communication with you regarding Naruto's progress and any concerns that may arise. Together, we can help him reach his full potential as a ninja.

Thank you for entrusting Naruto to my care, and I look forward to working with him during his time at the academy.

Sincerely,

Iruka Umino

—-

Koby read the letter and breathed a sigh of relief. His worries were dispelled as he saw the positive message from Iruka. He knew that Iruka was the right person to teach Naruto and guide him on his path.

"Well, it says that your teacher believes that with hard work, you can become Hokage someday," Koby said, his voice filled with encouragement. Then, he shifted the conversation to share his own news. "I have a surprise to tell you, something big happened to me today."

Koby's reassurance about the letter seemed to put Naruto at ease. He listened intently to Koby's words, his eyes widening with curiosity when Koby mentioned a surprise.

"Really, Koby? What's the surprise? Tell me, tell me!" Naruto exclaimed, his excitement shifting from his first day of school to the mystery of Koby's announcement.

"Well, I'm going to try cooking some ramen for you tonight, not the instant kind, but the real deal. Can't promise it'll be the best, but I'll give it my best shot," Koby said sincerely, emphasizing the effort he was putting into making a special dinner.

"Also, I talked to Lord Hokage, and in a couple of months, I'm going to take a test to become a ninja. When I pass that, I guess I won't be a marine anymore," Koby commented as they walked to the apartment. He held the door open for Naruto, allowing him to enter first. "I'll start preparing dinner, but it's going to take a while. So, why don't you wash up and find a book to read, or tell me more about your classmates while I experiment with this cooking stuff some more?"

Koby could see the excitement on Naruto's face as he heard both pieces of news. He walked into the kitchen and began cooking, starting with the noodles he had prepared earlier that morning before his meeting with the Hokage. He gathered the ingredients for the ramen and thought about his new life in the village. He was beginning to have doubts about whether he could leave in four years when Naruto became a ninja. Naruto had become like family to him, almost like his own child. While he wasn't Naruto's father, he felt a strong sense of pride and protectiveness toward the boy. If anyone ever tried to harm Naruto, they would face his wrath, and Koby was a former student of Garp the Fist.

Koby looked up to see Naruto joining him at the counter. He smiled at the boy and said, "It's coming along well, but it will still be some time," as he began to cut up some chicken to add to the ramen.

As he mixed the chicken into the ramen, Koby glanced over at Naruto and asked, "So, tell me, kid, about these new classmates of yours. Anyone cool or mysterious?" He was genuinely interested in hearing about Naruto's day and the people he had met at the academy.

Naruto's eyes lit up with enthusiasm as he began talking about his day at the academy. "Oh, Koby, you won't believe it! I met some really cool kids today! There's this girl named Hinata, she's super quiet and shy, but she's really nice. And then there's Ino, she's kinda bossy, but she's funny too. And Kiba, he's got a dog! A real dog! It's so awesome!"

"I see, that is big stuff, sounds great," Koby commented as he listened to Naruto. It sounded like Naruto had met people who he could get along with and who he would work with potentially in the future. He paused as he thought about his next words carefully. "Now, one more thing, in a few months I might be helping out at your school, as a teacher there," Koby added as he watched the ramen cook before him, it would be done rather quickly at that point.

Naruto's eyes widened in surprise and excitement at Koby's revelation. "You, a teacher at my school? That's so cool, Koby! You're gonna be the best teacher ever!"

Naruto's enthusiasm was clear as he imagined Koby teaching at the academy. He couldn't wait to have his mentor around in school, and it made him even more determined to work hard and become a great ninja.

"Yes, well, it will take some learning and work, but I promise to help you and the village as much as I can. I am sure I can keep an eye on you to make sure you keep out of trouble then," Koby said as he then pulled out some bowls. He put the ramen that was ready into the bowls, placing one in front of Naruto before joining him with his own.

Taking a bite of it, well, it was okay. It tasted a bit bland, but it was better than the instant stuff. Just, it was nowhere near the level of the stuff at the Ramen stand. Still, he figured it would work, and as he finished his bowl, he would let Naruto have the rest of the ramen himself.

Naruto eagerly dug into the ramen, slurping the noodles and savoring the flavor. He didn't seem to mind that it wasn't as flavorful as the ramen from the stand; he was just happy to have a homemade meal from Koby. Between bites, he managed to say, "It's good, Koby-sensei! Thanks for making it!"

After dinner, he cleaned up and put Naruto to bed. The boy needed his sleep, as he had a busy day every day. The next morning, he took Naruto to the academy before heading to get a check-up. He hadn't done so since he was a marine, and this was important for official records and for his upcoming ninja exam.

Upon arriving at the hospital, he noticed something different. It wasn't a place he frequented, but it seemed the hospital was short-staffed that day and had asked a former ninja, who had left the village to travel with her teacher, to help for a single day. Koby looked at the short, dark-haired woman and smiled, saying, "I'm here for my check-up. I don't think anything is wrong, but it's best to be safe," in a friendly tone.

Koby, his white shirt now removed, revealed his well-toned physique. He noticed Shizune's slightly surprised expression and asked, "Um, you okay?" He was genuinely concerned, unaware that he had already made an impression on Shizune.

Shizune blushed slightly, caught off guard by Koby's toned physique. She quickly composed herself and nodded, "Y-Yes, I'm fine. Just a bit surprised. Sorry about that." She tried to regain her professional demeanor, focusing on her duties as she began the check-up.

As the check-up continued, Koby talked a lot about Naruto and shared stories from his past, including his time as a Marine Captain and his experiences in the village. Shizune found his humility refreshing, and the conversation flowed smoothly between them. She explained that she was currently assisting her mentor, who was traveling. Her duty was to Lady Tsunade and her protection, just as Koby's duty was to Naruto.

Koby couldn't help but feel a bit confused by Shizune's situation. He wondered whether a mentor should prioritize the needs of their mentee and not drag them around the world for personal reasons. However, he decided to keep his thoughts to himself, hoping that everything was going well for Shizune.

"Do you mind if I speak with Lady Tsunade? I would like to talk to her for a moment," Koby requested as the check-up concluded. He had passed with flying colors.

Shizune looked a bit surprised by Koby's request but nodded. "Sure, I can ask her. Just wait here for a moment," she replied before heading off to find Lady Tsunade.

A few minutes later, Lady Tsunade, a striking woman with long blonde hair, approached Koby with Shizune in tow. "What's on your mind, young man?" she asked, her tone curious but not unfriendly.

"What is the main job of a mentor?" he asked Tsunade directly, knowing the answer but wanting to hear her view on it.

Tsunade raised an eyebrow, considering Koby's question. "The main job of a mentor," she began, "is to guide, support, and teach their mentee, helping them grow and develop their skills. It's about sharing knowledge, providing guidance, and ensuring the well-being and progress of the one you're mentoring. Why do you ask?" She was curious about Koby's interest in this topic.

"To help them grow and become the best version of themselves possible," Koby finished as he looked at her. His tone was more serious but keeping its natural sincerity as well. "Your Lady Shizune's mentor, by dragging her around, and not allowing her to advance, would you say you have been a good mentor to her? If you don't let a plant take root somewhere it never grows to its full potential."

Tsunade's expression hardened as she considered Koby's words. She was used to straightforward conversations, and she appreciated his honesty. "You make a valid point," she admitted, her voice tinged with a touch of resignation. "Mentorship is about helping someone reach their full potential, not holding them back. I'll have a talk with Shizune about this." She appreciated Koby's perspective and was willing to consider making changes for her mentee's benefit.

"Well, Lady Tsunade, Lady Shizune, I thank you for your help, and have a good day," he said as he bowed before heading out to go read and later pick up Naruto.