Konoha: The Honored One

"Work hard, kids," Gojo said casually, adjusting his blindfold with a smirk that could infuriate even the most patient monk.

"I'll master the fire-style Rasengan in no time. Just watch me," Sasuke retorted with a signature glare. He strode toward the waterfall, radiating determination as if sheer willpower could vaporize the torrent before him.

Boiling waterfalls with chakra?

Advanced Rasengan?

Piece of cake—if you're insane or Sasuke.

His hands crackled with energy as he began his intense training. Revenge-fueled ambition coursed through his veins, driving him to push past his limits.

Meanwhile, Sakura darted over to Gojo, holding a wriggling carp with an air of triumph. "Look, Gojo-sensei! I did it!" she exclaimed, beaming like she had just saved the world—or at least this fish.

Gojo tilted his head, pretending to be amazed. "Whoa, incredible! Did that fish also learn chakra control?" he teased. But inwardly, he was impressed. Sakura's growth was undeniable. Reviving a nearly dead fish with precise healing chakra in such a short time was no small feat.

Gojo reached out, ruffling her hair in a rare gesture of genuine praise. "You're sharp, Sakura. Smarter than the fox kid, maybe even the emo prince over there." He waved lazily in Sasuke's direction.

"Hey!" Naruto Uzumaki's voice rang out from across the clearing. His face scrunched up in frustration, his wild blond hair quivering with indignation. "Don't lump me with those two! I'll show you what I've got!"

"Uh-huh," Gojo drawled, already turning away to avoid laughing. His ability to needle Naruto was truly unmatched.

"Sensei, can I move to the next stage now?" Sakura asked eagerly, practically vibrating with anticipation.

"Hmm," Gojo mused, rubbing his chin as though he were weighing her request. He glanced over at Naruto, who was glaring at him from the sidelines like an angry kitten. "Fox kid, come here for a sec."

Naruto stomped over, arms crossed and scowling. "What do you want, sunglasses <&guy? If this isn't about training, don't waste my time!"

"Oh, it's about training," Gojo assured him with a grin that would've been disarming if it weren't so mischievous.

Without warning, Gojo's hand darted out.

Smack!

Naruto reeled backward, clutching his cheek. His eyes widened in disbelief as a bright red mark bloomed across his face. "Ow! What the hell was that for?"

"Just testing your reflexes," Gojo said cheerfully.

Naruto lunged forward. "You're dead, old man!"

Before he could close the gap, Gojo effortlessly sidestepped and delivered another playful slap to Naruto's other cheek.

Smack!

Naruto hit the ground, both cheeks now blazing red.

"Ouch…" He sat up slowly, clutching his face and glaring at Gojo, who was nearly doubled over with laughter.

"You look like a monkey's butt," Gojo managed between chuckles.

"Why, you—!" Naruto started, only to stop as Sakura hurried over, her hands glowing with healing chakra.

"Relax, Naruto. I'll fix you up," she said, though her lips twitched, betraying the effort it took to keep from laughing at his predicament.

"You're laughing at me too?!" Naruto exclaimed, though he stayed still as Sakura worked.

A moment later, his swollen cheeks were back to normal.

"See? Isn't it nice to have a healer on the team?" Gojo said, giving Sakura a thumbs-up. "You're officially qualified as a normal ninja now."

"Normal ninja?" Sakura repeated, her smile faltering slightly.

"Don't sweat the 'normal' part," Gojo said, waving her concern away. "You're doing great. Way better than these two knuckleheads."

"Hey!" Naruto and Sasuke shouted in unison, though Sasuke's protest was quieter and came with an extra layer of disdain.

Sakura, on the other hand, puffed out her chest proudly. "Thanks, Sensei! I'll keep improving. One day, I'll even surpass Lady Tsunade!"

Gojo raised an eyebrow. "Big goals for someone who's still… compact."

"Compact?!" Sakura sputtered, realizing too late that Gojo's gaze had dropped to her chest. Her face turned a deep shade of crimson as she folded her arms over herself.

"I-it's not about that!" she stammered.

"Sure, sure," Gojo said, waving dismissively. "But just so you know, some styles suit certain… proportions better."

Sakura's embarrassment quickly turned to fury. "You're impossible!"

Meanwhile, Naruto, who had been blissfully unaware of the subtext, scratched his head. "What are you guys even talking about?"

Gojo chuckled and decided to redirect the attention. Stamping his foot lightly, he sent a tremor through the ground. A moment later, a massive rock formation erupted from the earth.

"Alright, ironboa-Sakura," Gojo corrected himself with a sly grin, "show us what you've got."

"Don't think I'm the same as last time!" Sakura declared, cracking her knuckles. She approached the rock with an air of confidence, chakra surging visibly through her fists.

With a sharp yell, she drove her fist into the stone.

BOOM!

The rock shattered spectacularly, fragments flying in every direction. When the dust settled, all that remained was rubble.

Sakura turned to face Gojo, her chest heaving with exertion. "How's that, Sensei?"

"Not bad," Gojo said, clapping lightly. "Not bad at all. Though I wouldn't call it artful. More… destructive chic?"

Naruto gaped at the destruction, his usual grin replaced with a look of awe. "Whoa… Sakura, that was awesome!"

Sakura beamed at the compliment, only for Gojo to add, "Though if you keep punching like that, I'm gonna start calling you Wreck-it Sakura."

"Wreck-it—?!"

In the distance, Sasuke watched the display with narrowed eyes. His grip tightened around his training tools.

"Hmph. Impressive, but brute strength isn't everything," he muttered, focusing once again on refining his fire-style chakra. "I'll show them. Uchiha always rises above the rest."

Back near the rubble, Naruto suddenly stood up, determination lighting up his face. "That settles it! I'm not letting Sasuke or Sakura leave me in the dust!"

"That's the spirit, fox kid," Gojo said, patting him on the head. "Now, let's see if you can keep that enthusiasm after a couple more slaps."

"Wait, what—?" Naruto started, but Gojo's grin told him everything he needed to know.