Konoha's Genius is a bit Ordinary?

Natsuro looked at the visibly excited Naruto and smiled.

He had expected this reaction. Once he mentioned Sage Mode, he knew Naruto would be highly intrigued.

"Alright, then, let's head to Mount Myoboku right now."

"Huh? Right now?" Naruto scratched his head, feeling a bit out of sorts.

After all, his previous training sessions usually required a lot of begging and persuasion to get Jiraiya to teach him anything. Natsuro's straightforward and decisive approach caught him off guard.

"Yes, right now. Is there anything you need to prepare?" Natsuro asked.

"Um, at least let me pack a few sets of clothes…" Naruto scratched his cheek sheepishly.

"Right… good point." Natsuro nodded. He always had his gear ready through sealing techniques and had momentarily forgotten that Naruto didn't know any sealing jutsu.

They both began making their way back to Naruto's home.

"Natsuro, is it okay for us to leave just like that?" Naruto asked.

"I already informed Lady Tsunade. She agreed that you should go train in Sage Mode. Besides, you're not really doing much in the village anyway," Natsuro replied bluntly.

"Hey! I am useful! I can help the village with lots of missions!" Naruto tried to argue.

"You're still a genin, and because of the Akatsuki, it's best if you don't roam around too much. So tell me, what exactly can you contribute by staying in Konoha?"

Naruto deflated instantly. He had no counterargument.

Then, as if ignited, a fiery determination flared up in his eyes. Damn that Akatsuki! One day, I'll destroy them completely!

"Natsuro, what if Jiraiya-sensei comes back and can't find me?" Naruto asked suddenly.

Natsuro rolled his eyes. "Relax. If Jiraiya-sensei returns, the first thing he'll do is check in with Lady Tsunade. She'll tell him you're at Mount Myoboku training in Sage Mode."

"Besides, knowing him, he's probably in the hot springs at Yugakure researching again. Do you really think he'd be worried about you?"

Naruto fell silent, somewhat exasperated. Given what he knew of Jiraiya, Natsuro's assessment was likely accurate.

....

After Naruto packed what seemed like an enormous pile of luggage, Natsuro couldn't help but comment. "Why are you packing so much? You won't even need most of it."

"Better safe than sorry!" Naruto flashed a thumbs-up at Natsuro.

Natsuro was speechless. He never imagined Naruto had this kind of "mom mode" about him. He thought this sort of over-preparation only happened when someone's mother packed for them.

"Alright, are you ready now?" Natsuro asked again.

"Ready! Let's go!" Naruto shouted, his excitement reignited.

At Mount Myoboku

"Wow… so many toads!" Naruto exclaimed, looking around at the surroundings as he followed Natsuro.

"Of course. This is Mount Myoboku, the sacred land of the toads. What else did you expect to see?" Natsuro replied with a hint of exasperation.

Still, he led Naruto toward Fukasaku.

"Little Natsuro, long time no see. And this one here… is he the new disciple of Little Jiraiya?" Fukasaku asked as he saw the two approaching.

"Yes, this is Naruto Uzumaki, the Nine-Tails jinchuriki," Natsuro introduced.

At the mention of that, Fukasaku's expression became serious. He looked at Naruto carefully and nodded, as if understanding something profound.

"I see," Fukasaku said gravely.

Naruto, however, was confused. Why is everyone acting so serious? It's just an introduction, right? What's there to 'see' and 'understand'?

"Little Natsuro… you…" Fukasaku's gaze shifted to him, his expression curious and probing.

"Yes, I've achieved an initial success," Natsuro confirmed with a nod.

"Is that so? That's wonderful news." Fukasaku smiled warmly, though he didn't fully understand the implications. He simply trusted that whatever Natsuro had achieved, it was significant.

"So, Little Natsuro, what brings you here this time?" Fukasaku asked.

"Natsuro brought me here to learn Sage Mode!" Naruto finally found an opportunity to chime in, raising his hand excitedly.

"Sage Mode?" Fukasaku looked hesitant and turned to Natsuro for confirmation.

Natsuro nodded and said, "Naruto is well-suited for Sage Mode."

"Is that so? Since you're... Little Jiraiya's disciple, you're naturally qualified to learn Sage Mode," Fukasaku said, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

"But whether you're truly suitable or not will be determined during your training," he added.

"I'll leave Naruto in your capable hands," Natsuro said. "I have other matters to attend to."

"In such a rush? Shima has been asking about you too," Fukasaku said, surprised.

"No choice. The crisis foretold by the Great Toad Sage's prophecy is likely imminent, so I don't have time to rest," Natsuro replied, shrugging.

"I see," Fukasaku said, startled, but nodded. "Alright then, Little Natsuro, go take care of what you need to. If Naruto is suitable for Sage Mode, I'll make sure to train him with all my effort."

"Wait, Natsuro, you're leaving already? So you're not the one teaching me?" Naruto asked, finally catching up to the conversation.

"I haven't mastered Sage Mode myself; how could I teach you?" Natsuro replied with a chuckle.

"Oh, that makes sense," Naruto said, realizing the truth, though he still felt a little disappointed. He had been looking forward to Natsuro teaching him.

"Well then, see you around. Hopefully, the next time I see you, you'll have already mastered Sage Mode." Natsuro extended his hand, ultimately opting to pat Naruto on the shoulder.

Naruto hesitated for a moment, thinking Natsuro might mess up his hair as he had done in the past. Though it wasn't entirely unpleasant, it was a little embarrassing for someone his age.

Feeling the firm pat on his shoulder instead, Naruto blinked, then grinned widely in his signature way, giving Natsuro a big thumbs-up.

"Don't worry! I'll definitely master it! Believe it, dattebayo!"

"Good luck," Natsuro said with a smile before disappearing from Mount Myoboku.

Naruto stared at the spot where Natsuro had vanished, lost in thought.

"Naruto, did Little Natsuro explain what Sage Mode is to you?" Fukasaku asked suddenly.

"Huh? No, he didn't," Naruto admitted, scratching his head.

"As expected. Little Natsuro is great in every way, except for one thing, he loves passing off troublesome tasks to others," Fukasaku said, shaking his head with a resigned smile.

Fukasaku had long since understood Natsuro's personality: if something could be delegated, Natsuro would find a way to delegate it.

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