"I just need a few more details and I think it'll be ready."
Shutting his book, Naruto rose to his full height before walking over to his closet, tossing on a heavy black shirt.
Grabbing his keys, the blonde exited his apartment, legs taking him toward his favorite destination almost instinctually.
The Library.
"Good morning, Naruto-Kun."
"Good morning to you too, big sis Shoseki."
The short brunette rolled her matching colored eyes, the sensory organs hidden behind a thick sheet of glass loosely resting atop her face.
"Just big sis is fine."
"Right, sorry."
After returning one of the many books borrowed, the brunette let the teen buy, both exchanging a grin before he disappeared into the depths of the library.
"I wish other kids his age would read as much as he does."
As much as it pained her to admit it, she didn't like the blonde at first.
Much like the other Konoha residents, she was swept up in the belief that he was no different than the monster residing within him.
But after the kid took a blade in the guts to stop her from getting assaulted, how could she not see him differently?
"Not to mention how eager he was to help around if it meant reading after hours."
At that, the librarian couldn't help but giggle, memories of her quasi-little brother fresh in her skull.
"Hear you go."
Grabbing the book from the upper shelves, the blonde handed it to his shorter classmate.
"Thank you-"
After turning around, Sakura's face morphed from one of gratitude to confusion before finally settling on rage.
"I DON'T NEED YOUR-"
A strong palm wrapped itself over the pinkettes mouth, silencing her fury-fueled yelling.
"You're in a library. Stop shouting." His tone had an inkling of annoyance layered beneath it, an emotion mimicked by his bright blue eyes.
As sound as the advice was, Sakura Haruno couldn't get over the fact that the boy stationed at the very bottom of the class had the gall to touch her, to silence her no less.
Unacceptable.
Rearing her fist back, the pinkette threw a right overhand that connected cleanly with the boy's jaw, turning his head slightly.
But that was it.
"You still don't use your hips or legs when you punch." His speech was slightly muffled due to the fist in his face but nonetheless, his point was made.
With his free left hand, Naruto peeled the fist off of his jaw before turning around and walking away from his classmate.
And as the pinkette watched the boy sit at a desk, a pile of books at his side, she couldn't help but grind her teeth.
"Just wait until our next exercise. Then you'll really feel a punch."
Scanning the space around her, the pinkette searched for a free seat to read at, finding little success due to the limited seating and plethora of patrons.
This gave her two options: Sit on the floor, or sit next to the blonde.
And, as much as she hated the idiot, she couldn't risk getting her dress dirty.
"Wouldn't want Sasuke-Kun seeing me all dirty like a pig…an Ino pig."
She snorted at her thought before begrudgingly sitting beside a deeply immersed Naruto.
Seconds turned to minutes and minutes tens of minutes and throughout that time, Sakura realized she had a problem.
She was struggling to focus.
Sure it was on an advanced level Jōnin strategy text but nonetheless, it wasn't normal.
"Probably because I'm sitting next to the idiot."
The poorly crafted explanation spurred the girl's emerald eyes to peek to her right, those same orbs tinted with curiosity.
"The Origins of Ninjutsu: A Forgotten History?"
She couldn't help but furrow her brow, rereading the title in an attempt to make sense of it.
"I don't think I've seen that book before. And why would an idiot who can barely make a Bunshin need the history of Ninjutsu?"
Before she had the chance to ruminate further, however, the blonde in question suddenly shot up from his chair.
"I got it!"
"SHHHH!"
"Oh...Sorry big sis."
"Naruto? What brings you into this old man's office?"
"I think I figured it out."
Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled at the boy before him, silently grateful for what was sure to be an entertaining distraction.
"Really now? Last week it was only a theory." His voice was jovial yet inquisitive as his eyes remained soft but expectant.
"I know, but now I think it's applicable."
Sarutobi grinned.
"Then show me."
Holding a hand up, the Hokage gave his guards the silent signal not to interfere with what came next, and for good reason.
Because if he hadn't, they'd have killed Naruto for kicking the Hokage in the ribs.
Wincing slightly, the elderly man threw a left jab, expecting to tag the blonde on the nose.
What he hadn't expected was for the blonde to already have dodged the punch, almost as if he knew it was coming.
"I know I'm holding back considerably, but surely I can't be that slow."
Furrowing his brow, Sarutobi picked up the pace, faking a lead front kick before throwing a spinning back kick to the teen's chest.
But just like before, the boy was out of range before the attack was even thrown.
"Time out, Naruto-Kun." His tone was no longer jovial, what mirth there was now replaced by genuine confusion and curiosity.
Relaxing his body, the blonde exhaled sharply, beads of sweat falling from his forehead.
"What is it, Jiji? Scared I was gonna beat you?"
"I might just let you if it means none of this pesky paperwork. But no, that's not it. Naruto, you're moving like you can see what I'm going to do next."
The boy couldn't fight the grin that split his face, the whiskers on each cheek shifting in tandem.
"That's because I can."