Konoha: The Honored One

"Gojo-sensei, can you teach me that technique? I want to be able to use a powerful jutsu like that!" Naruto's eyes shone with excitement as he imagined the scene in his mind.

If he could master something like that, he pictured himself stepping up just when Sasuke was down and Sakura was in danger. He'd appear at the perfect moment, show off his new jutsu, and defeat the enemy in a blaze of glory.

Perfect.

And that Great Fireball Jutsu? Totally low-end in comparison!

"Hehehe," Naruto covered his mouth, smiling to himself as he got lost in his own heroic daydream.

Sasuke, hands in his pockets, scoffed. "Idiot."

He didn't need to guess what kind of ridiculous fantasy was running through Naruto's mind.

"And just a minute ago, you were calling the Great Fireball Jutsu low-end." Gojo raised an eyebrow, looking mildly amused. "You sure change your tune fast."

"Gojo-sensei, the Great Fireball is a C-rank Fire Style technique. But you and Sasuke used the same move, and yours was way stronger. How does that work?" Sakura asked, sounding genuinely curious.

She was the top student in their class, but it didn't make sense to her how Gojo's Fireball Jutsu was so much more powerful than Sasuke's, even though it was supposedly the same technique.

"Good question, Sakura." Gojo raised a finger, and a small, light blue chakra flame sparked at his fingertip. "No technique has a set power. It's all about how much chakra you put into it."

He continued, "Like with the Fireball earlier—I packed a lot of chakra into it, which amplified its strength. And when your chakra control is refined enough, you can even perform jutsus with fewer hand signs."

He shot a quick look at Sasuke. "As for doing jutsus without hand signs… that's something only I can manage right now."

Thanks to his advanced chakra control, Gojo could bypass the usual requirements, casting techniques instantly when he needed to. Though, to be honest, he usually went through the hand signs anyway—mostly because it looked cool.

"Hmph. A little show-offy, don't you think, Sensei?" Sakura grumbled, her fists clenched as she struggled not to roll her eyes.

"Any other questions?" Gojo asked, looking around.

Naruto, sitting cross-legged on the ground like a perfect student, eagerly raised his hand. "Me, me, me! Can I learn Fire Style?"

"Your chakra's nature is important." Gojo explained. "If you use techniques that align with your chakra type, they'll be stronger. But we'll get into that later. Right now, it's a little early for you to focus on that."

He added, "Mastering even one move to its full potential can be more useful than knowing a dozen fancy ones."

Sasuke's voice cut through, sharp as ever. "So, what's your chakra type?"

Gojo popped a lollipop into his mouth, casting a sidelong glance at Sasuke. "Show a little respect, will you? Add ''Sensei' when you address your elders."

If Sasuke was going to play it cool, he could at least show some courtesy.

"Gojo-sensei," Sasuke gritted out, his tone controlled, "what kind of chakra type do you have?"

Gojo adjusted his sunglasses, a smug smile tugging at his lips. "I'm a master of all types."

Sakura clasped her hands, her face lighting up in admiration. "All types? Gojo-sensei, you're incredible!"

Gojo might have his quirks, but he was strong, cool, and pretty much… perfect.

Sakura sneaked a glance at Sasuke, her heart torn. She liked him, too. This was impossible.

"Gojo-sensei is that powerful?" Naruto's eyes went wide. He didn't totally understand what it meant to be a master of all types, but it sounded awesome.

"Very good." Gojo nodded, clearly pleased with himself. "Keep the compliments coming."

"Actually, the old man, the Third Hokage, mastered all chakra types," Gojo said with a slight shrug.

"The Third Hokage is that strong?" Sasuke asked, trying to hide his curiosity.

It was funny that Gojo had just lectured him on respecting elders, and here he was, calling the Third Hokage an 'old man.'

"Oh, he was the strongest ninja in the world in his prime," Gojo said, nodding. "He represented the peak of what a 'common' ninja could achieve."

The Third Hokage had aged, of course, and new talents were rising. But he was still legendary.

Sasuke's gaze sharpened. "Who's stronger—him or you?"

"Sasuke, that's rude." Sakura shot him a reprimanding look, though she was secretly thrilled he'd asked.

Naruto, on the other hand, was fuming. "Sasuke! You can't ask that. Grandpa Third is the Hokage! He's respected by everyone!"

Ignoring them both, Sasuke stared intently at Gojo, waiting for an answer.

Gojo thought for a moment, stroking his chin. "I haven't fought him, but if he were still in his prime… well, he'd be tough to beat."

"Does that mean you'd lose?" Sasuke pressed.

Gojo didn't hesitate, his tone confident. "Nah. I'd win."

The group fell silent, their faces reflecting awe and surprise. They could tell Gojo meant what he said.

Facing off against the Third Hokage—and winning? Had their team really lucked out with such a powerful teacher?

"Alright, back to business." Gojo stood, stretching his neck, which cracked as he moved. "Let's continue with the assessment."

"To be honest, none of you are really cut out to be ninjas. I hate teaching kids with big dreams but no strength to back them up."

He raised two fingers. "You have two choices. One, give up now and go back to the academy. Two, keep going, but I'll be your opponent—and you might end up dead."

As he finished speaking, Gojo's smile faded, and his expression hardened. His chakra surged, light blue energy radiating from him, filling the air with killing intent.

The ground trembled, and the sky darkened. Cracks began to appear, stretching across the ground like an earthquake.

"Choose," he said, voice cold. "Quit, or die."

Team 7 dropped to their knees, faces pale with terror as Gojo's killing intent washed over them.

This was no longer the easygoing teacher they'd seen before. Now, Gojo looked like someone who wouldn't hesitate to kill.

Sasuke's breathing quickened, and his mind flashed back to that night—the night his clan was slaughtered. This aura… it was just as cold as Itachi's.

If they fought Gojo Satoru now, he would kill them.

"Quit being a ninja? No way." Naruto's face was pale, but he forced himself to his feet, eyes blazing with determination.

"I'm going to be Hokage. No way am I backing down here!"