Naruto's fingers fumbled with the tiny watering can that came with the apartment. The flower's petals bloomed wide like the evening sun stretching its rays over the Hidden Leaf Village. He tipped the can ever so slightly, giving just enough water to moisten the soil without drowning the roots.
"Careful, not too much," he muttered to himself, echoing the words Jiji had imparted days ago. "Plants are like people, they need attention but also space to breathe."
He stared at the little green leaves, pondering Jiji's advice about nurturing and blending oneself into the act of care. It seemed simple, yet there was a depth he couldn't grasp, an understanding just beyond his reach. 'Even the book I got from the library doesn't say anything on how to blend in..." Naruto shook his head, his spiky blond hair bouncing with the motion.
"Maybe I should ask Jiji again," he said under his breath, but the thought made his cheeks flush with embarrassment. He may be a child but these were things he felt he should know. He sighed but then an idea sprung into his head. 'Maybe a teacher knows something!' With a determined huff, Naruto set the watering can down and dashed out the door, aiming for the academy.
The bustle of Konohagakure filled his ears as he weaved through the village, dodging merchants and villagers with relative ease, only stumbling once or twice. He could almost taste the spice-laden steam rising from the ramen stands, but his mind was set on more pressing matters. The academy loomed ahead, sturdy and familiar, promising answers within its walls despite the voice in the back of his head telling him otherwise.
As Naruto slipped inside, avoiding the notice of any teachers, a sharp voice caught his attention. He pressed himself against the wall near an open doorway, eyes widened with curiosity. A woman's argumentative tone floated out to him, tangled up with the stern reprimands of what he recognized as Miss Shinohara, the head teacher.
"Kunoichi class is essential!" Anko's words punctured the air, her passion for the subject as clear as the chakra-infused shuriken glinting in the training yards. "If our shinobi can't blend in, infiltrate, and understand other cultures, what good are they on foreign soil?"
Naruto edged closer, the allure of eavesdropping pulling him in like gravity. Miss Shinohara's reply was clipped, a sound as sharp and unforgiving as a kunai slicing through silence. "Your passion is noted, Anko, but practicality must prevail. We can't justify resources on a class that may no longer be..."
"May no longer be?" Anko's voice rose, crackling with barely contained frustration. "It's vital!"
Naruto's heart hammered in his chest as he pressed an ear against the cool wood of the door, straining to catch every word. The voice of Miss Shinohara was like a thin layer of ice over a deep pond, deceptively calm but laced with biting chill.
"Miss Mitarashi, I understand your concerns," she said, her words coated in sugar that failed to sweeten her condescending tone. "However, the decision is not solely mine to make."
"Then let me speak to whoever's in charge of it!" Anko's voice cracked like a whip, snapping the false tranquility into shards.
"Patience, Miss Mitarashi," Shinohara chided, as if speaking to a child. "We must think of the village as a whole."
"Patience?" Naruto could almost hear Anko's teeth grind. "Fine. I'll show you. I'll prove that Kunoichi class is crucial!"
Naruto clenched his fists, a wave of solidarity washing over him. Miss Shinohara had always been harsh on him for the smallest things—like when he'd accidentally shattered a window during practice. Other kids laughed it off; he got detention.
"Prove it then," Shinohara uttered, the smugness in her voice unmistakable.
The room fell silent, the tension thick enough to slice with a kunai. Then came the sound of footsteps, heavy and determined, approaching the door. Naruto's instincts screamed at him to flee, but his feet remained rooted. As the door swung open, out stormed Anko Mitarashi, her ponytail swinging like a battle flag in defiance.
Her eyes, sharp and piercing, met his. Naruto blinked, momentarily stunned as recognition set in. This was no ordinary teacher; this was a shinobi who wouldn't back down from a fight if the world were ending.
"Over here," she motioned briskly, her gaze flicking to the room next door.
Naruto shuffled aside, his mind racing. What did she want with him? They slipped into the adjacent room, the scent of old scrolls and chalk dust greeting them. Anko turned, her expression softening just a touch.
"Good on ya for snooping on teachers," she said with a wry grin, ruffling his hair. "Gathering intel is key, even if it's from your own allies."
"Uh," Naruto stammered, heat creeping up his neck. He wasn't sure if he wanted to apologize or puff out his chest in pride. "Am I... in trouble?"
"Trouble?" Anko scoffed, her smile as dangerous as it was infectious. "Nope. But there's a catch."
A catch? Naruto's relief evaporated, replaced by a mix of curiosity and dread. What did she have up her sleeve? He swallowed hard, bracing himself for whatever condition she was about to lay down.
Anko leaned against the chalkboard, arms crossed over her chest, as she peered down at Naruto with a calculating look. "You've heard the racket," she started, voice low and steady. "I'm fighting to keep the Kunoichi class alive."
Naruto's blue eyes showed a signs of deep concentration as he said "From what you talked about…infiltration and blending in…Hokage-jiji said this was very important for a ninja."
A flicker of surprise danced across Anko's face, but it was quickly replaced by a sly smile. "Well, if even old man Hokage sees it, that's something." She unfolded her arms and took a step closer. "But I got a plan—a real zinger. We prove its worth by showing drastic improvement... in the worst student."
Naruto, who had been nodding along, suddenly froze, his mouth opening but no words coming out. Was she talking about him? His cheeks flushed a shade almost brighter than the logo on his t-shirt.
"Cat got your tongue?" Anko teased, reaching out to ruffle his hair. When she realized he wasn't catching on, she wrapped an arm around his neck in a playful headlock, giving him a gentle noogie.
"Ow! Hey!" Naruto protested, trying to wriggle free, but there was a grin tugging at the edges of his mouth.
"Listen up, whiskers," Anko said, releasing him from the headlock. "If you can pull off learning the smarts from the Kunoichi classes, then you're golden. Blending in, gathering intel—that takes real skill any good ninja can profit from."
The embarrassment still painted Naruto's face, but a spark of determination lit up his eyes. He could show them. He could improve.
"Alright, deal. So, what now?" Naruto asked, rubbing the back of his head where Anko's knuckles had made their mark.
"Meet me at the crack of dawn in two days, at the dango shop," Anko instructed. "We'll start with breakfast and then a little test to see what you're lacking."
"Test? Dango shop..?" Naruto blinked in disbelief, but Anko was already heading for the door, her confidence leaving a trail in the air.
"Be there or be square, Naruto," Anko called over her shoulder, her ponytail bouncing behind her like a flag signaling the start of a new challenge.
"Right..." Naruto mumbled, a mix of nerves and excitement bubbling within him. He wondered what sort of training awaited him, but one thing was clear: he wouldn't let Anko down.