7 Peaceful Times

My time at the Academy was fulfilling and well used. I tried my best to not drown in training, so I would from time to time take a day off and help my mom in the house chores or go around town helping people. The last three months of our third year in the Academy gave birth to a new nickname for me. This time, people called me "The gentle genius".

Apparently, a few of the new entries in the Academy told their parents about the gentle senpai who gave them advice from time to time. Since it was free and I had little to nothing to do in class, I spent most of my time helping others, be it by giving advice or teaching a few tricks.

Also, the most embarrassing thing that had ever happened to me took place the last day of classes. A happy Tenten came running towards me after graduating and hugged me without minding everyone's presence. I never complained about it -and I never would-, but I couldn't see the end of Kiba's, Shikamaru's and Choji's teasing after that. Not because of Tenten, since they had even seen her around my place a couple times, mainly Kiba. But because of the troupe of girls who began screaming and yelling things like "Ryota-kun, why?!" or "At least give me a little kiss before you leave us!"

"*sigh* I never want to remember that day"

"What did you say, Ryo-kun?"

"Nothing, nothing, Tenten. Just thinking out loud"

Currently, I was with Tenten on the Inuzuka training grounds, helping her with water walking. This one took a lot longer for her to master, since solid matter and liquid water were worlds apart. At least that should've been the case, but I was extremely surprised when she grasped it in less than a month. To be exact, it took her seventeen days. But, since she still had a few problems with keeping her control up while moving quickly and doing abrupt maneuvers, she came to her favourite training partner.

"The only way to do it is to keep trying until its second nature"

"I know, I know... it's just so frustrating"

Tenten was already a regular at our place, even more so than Shika, Choji or Naruto. It was to the point that Tsume had even given the guards the order of just letting her in, since they knew that I would allow her in anyways. The funny thing was that, according to Tsume, I would most likely inherit the position of Clan Head, since I presented every requirement needed and more. Hence, she pampered me a lot.

Hadn't it been for her, I wouldn't know what my Chakra affinity was nor would I have gotten so many Water Release Jutsus.

"So, how is your new team, Tenten?"

"Hmm... weird. There is this kid who doesn't use Jutsu, but is very strong in Taijutsu. And there is other one who is a monster in technique, since he is from the Hyuga clan. Our sensei is a funny Jonin, but he behaves weirdly sometimes."

I was laughing when I heard her description of Lee and Guy. Those two were indeed a weird duo. Still, I was happy for Tenten. She had become a very strong Kunoichi, for a Gening that is. I could clearly see a second Tsunade or at least Kurenai in her, as long as she got the training needed for it. But I would make sure she did.

*

"Bye Ryo-kun!"

"Bye Tenten! Be careful while doing missions!"

I was walking back from Tenten's house, while the sun was setting down. I felt a strange wish to enjoy the afternoon sky, so I Flickered all the way to the top of the Hokage Heads. I had to admit that, once under total control, the Body Flicker was one of the best Jutsu's one could learn. I had plans to merge it into my fighting style, but that was for a different time.

"It's... very rare to find such a peaceful scene here"

The sun setting on the horizong, the sky painted in yellow and orange, a few bird chirping and flying around. I could smell the humidity in the earth and the air, and feel the breeze that ran up the mountainside. It was peaceful, which was the reason why I decided to rest for a bit in there. So I just lay down and, imitating my good friend, began cloud gazing. Unluckily -or perhaps not- I was interrupted afterwards.

"It's a very beautiful sight, isn't it"

"Indeed it is, Hokage-sama"

For some reason, I wasn't really confused at the Hokage approaching me in such a sneaky manner. I had done something good for Naruto, and I was the most promising Shinobi from my generation. I guess it just seemed rather normal, once you put everything together.

"I came to ask you something, Ryota-shounen"

"What is it, Hokage-sama?"

"What do you think of this village and its people?"

It wasn't the question I was expecting, but it was a question that I could answer. I more or less already had an image of the village in my head. Even if there were people like Danzo, the Elders and Mizuki in Konoha, everyone else wasn't them. Tsume, Hana, mom, Kiba, Shikamaru, Choji, Naruto. Tenten who I had met just a few months back. The old man from Ichiraku, Teuchi, and his daughter Ayame. Asuma, Kurenai, Hayate, Kakashi, Guy, Lee, Hinata, Ino, Sakura and so many other people I hadn't met and perhaps would never meet. With so many bonds and so many feelings...

"Konoha... is my home. It is where all the people I love and want to protect live. It's where I am growing up and where I hope to someday be buried, preferably while being old and wrinkly. Konoha is a beautiful place, full of beautiful people. It just has the wrong leaders"

The face of Sarutobi when I said the last part was hilarious. He looked actually shocked at how bravely - or brashly?- I said that he and the Elders were the wrong leader for Konoha. Still, instead of reprimanding me for the lack of respect, he laughed joyfully, as if he thought the same way I did.

"I'm glad this village has someone like you to watch over it in the future, Ryota-shounen. Take care of Naruto"

And just like he came, he disappeared. What a rude old man, not even saying goodbye and giving me the task of taking care of a big, loud, annoying prankster.

"Hm.... bye, old man"