Chapter 9: A New Milestone!

The past two months had been transformative for both Yuto and Naruko. The relentless training sessions under Guy-sensei's guidance had begun to shape their young bodies, strengthening not only their muscles but also their stamina and mental fortitude. The grueling daily routines, from physical endurance exercises to taijutsu practice, were showing visible results.

Yuto had noticed his speed had increased, his kicks and punches becoming sharper, more precise. Naruko, too, was keeping up, her once clumsy movements now much more fluid. She had a fire in her eyes that never seemed to dim, always pushing herself to match Yuto's pace. The two had developed an unspoken competition, where neither wanted to fall behind the other.

But there was something more than just physical improvement happening with Yuto. His chakra control had become a primary focus for him, especially when it came to his leaf-sticking exercise. Every night after their training, Yuto would retreat to his dorm, determined to push the limits of his chakra manipulation.

Now, two months after Naruko's birthday, Yuto sat in the middle of his small room, cross-legged, with a single leaf resting on his forehead. His eyes were closed, and his breathing was steady. His entire focus was on the tiny piece of nature, and the steady flow of chakra keeping it in place. He had spent hours each day practicing this technique, determined to break his previous record.

His dorm was quiet, the soft sounds of the village outside barely audible. The world around him faded away as his chakra flow became smoother, more controlled. Time passed slowly, but Yuto didn't lose focus.

The minutes ticked by, and as the internal clock in Yuto's mind reached the 50-minute mark, a subtle thrill of excitement began to build. He was nearing his personal best, but he kept his focus steady. He pushed on, keeping the leaf attached to his forehead with unwavering concentration.51 minutes.His body trembled slightly from the strain, but Yuto gritted his teeth and kept his breathing steady.52 minutes.The leaf still held. Yuto opened his eyes slowly, feeling the surge of satisfaction and accomplishment wash over him. He had done it—he had pushed past his limit.

The leaf finally fluttered down as Yuto let out a deep breath. He stood up, stretching his stiff muscles with a satisfied grin. It had taken him weeks of practice, but this small victory was a sign of his progress. With each passing day, he felt himself growing stronger, not just physically, but mentally as well.Yuto knew this was just the beginning.

Perched in the shadows atop a tall building besides the dorms, Kakashi Hatake, hidden under his ANBU mask, silently observed Yuto's progress. His mission was simple: watch over Yuto and ensure his safety. This had been ordered by the Hokage, not just because of Yuto's connection with Naruko, but because of the potential threat Danzo posed.

Kakashi's eye focused on Yuto as the boy celebrated his small victory. It reminded him so much of his Sensei, Minato Namikaze. 'Sensei always had that fire,' Kakashi thought. 'The quiet brilliance, pushing himself beyond limits, even when no one was there to tell him to.' Yuto had that same intensity. While Yuto came from the Yamanaka clan, he didn't rely on its traditional techniques to stand out. Instead, he was forging his own path, much like Minato had done.

'Sensei had been the Rookie of the Year, despite coming from a civilian background and not a prestigious clan. He excelled against the likes of Fugaku and Orochimaru.' Kakashi thought back to how Minato, against all odds, had risen to become the Hokage. 'Yuto has the potential to follow a similar path. He's focused, determined, and calm.'

His thoughts briefly shifted to Naruko. She had grown significantly in the past two months. Her wild, energetic nature, mixed with her unyielding determination, mirrored Kushina Uzumaki perfectly. 'She's a lot like her mother—fiery, determined, but sweet at heart.' Kakashi couldn't help but smile under his mask. Despite the village's treatment of her, Naruko was pushing through, showing the same resilience Kushina had.

'Naruko is the loud, energetic one, just like Kushina was. And Yuto… he's already showing signs of being a prodigy, like Sensei.' Watching the two of them train together reminded Kakashi of his days on Minato's team. 'It's like watching a younger version of Sensei and Kushina all over again.'

However, Kakashi's thoughts darkened as he considered the real reason for his mission. Yuto was in danger, even if he didn't realize it. Danzo had his eyes on Naruko and, by extension, on Yuto. 'Danzo wouldn't hesitate to manipulate Naruko by hurting Yuto. And if Yuto falls… she might lose control.' The thought of Naruko going berserk, with the Nine Tails breaking free, haunted him.

'I'll have to keep a close watch on him. Yuto may not know it yet, but he's in the middle of something dangerous. Danzo's scheming is always a threat.'Kakashi's mind wandered back to his Sensei. Minato had always stressed the importance of protecting those who couldn't defend themselves yet, and Yuto and Naruko were at that crucial stage. As he watched yuto, he made a silent promise: 'I won't let anything happen to them, Sensei.'

After observing Yuto for a while longer, Kakashi decided it was time to report back to Hiruzen. With a single hand seal, a shadow clone appeared beside him, ready to carry out the task. "Go to the Hokage and tell him about Yuto's progress," Kakashi ordered quietly. "Mention the leaf-sticking exercise and how he's starting to show signs of being a potential prodigy."

The clone nodded, disappearing in a puff of smoke to carry out the mission. Kakashi stayed behind, still hidden, thinking about Yuto's rapid progress. 'There's something different about him. He's not just talented; he's unusually focused for a boy his age. Maybe he really is a prodigy, like Sensei was. And if he's progressing this quickly on his own, it's possible he could become someone of great importance in the future.'

Kakashi wasn't one to jump to conclusions, but Yuto's growth was undeniable. In just a few months, the boy had come a long way—his determination and ability to train independently were qualities rarely seen in children, even those from prestigious clans. 'I'll have to keep a closer eye on him. The last thing we need is for Danzo to catch wind of his potential.'

In his office, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at his desk, sifting through various reports when Kakashi's clone arrived. With a quick nod of acknowledgment, the clone began its report. "Yuto's progressing faster than expected," the clone said. "He's nearly halfway through mastering the leaf-sticking exercise, and he shows remarkable focus. I suspect he could be a prodigy—his progress reminds me of,from Kushina-san's stories,how Sensei used to train in his early years."

Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "A prodigy, you say?" he murmured, more to himself than to the clone. The comparison to Minato caught his attention. Yuto's rapid improvement, combined with his bond with Naruko, made him a person of interest. He already had Kakashi watching over the boy, but now he would need to be even more vigilant.

'If Yuto is indeed a prodigy, that makes him even more valuable—and vulnerable. Danzo will undoubtedly notice this soon, and he won't hesitate to act.'Hiruzen's expression hardened slightly. "Continue to observe him, but keep this information discreet. We don't need Danzo getting involved unnecessarily. Yuto and Naruko need to be nurtured in their own time, without external pressures."

The clone nodded before disappearing in a puff of smoke, leaving Hiruzen alone with his thoughts. He sighed, feeling the weight of the situation. 'Kakashi's right. Yuto may very well be a prodigy. And if that's true, we need to protect him even more carefully than before. Danzo's interest in Naruko is already a concern, but if he sees Yuto's potential… it could lead to disaster.'With that, Hiruzen made up his mind. He would continue to watch over both Yuto and Naruko, ensuring that neither of them fell into the wrong hands.

(Pls give me some power stones!)

(Find out next time on Naruto:eye system)