Naruto: I Copy Skills

A/N: (1/2) Early Double Release (Will probably do another on Monday). I want to push the story forward, so it gets more interesting. Guys don't be stingy with your powerstones. This story's continuation depends on your support—so don't forget to give the story powerstones! We've been dropping in rank, let's increase our power ranking! Goal: 800 Powerstones.

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Shifting his gaze from the dark interior of the shed to the frail boy standing before him, Goro asked, "Where are your parents?"

The boy blinked, confusion written on his face. "Parents?" he repeated, as if the word itself were foreign to him.

"Yes, your parents. Where are they?" Goro reiterated, this time with more urgency, his brow furrowing.

Tomio's face darkened, and he shook his head. "I don't have parents."

Goro's brow furrowed further. 'The academy files… the principal... It's all been a lie.' Goro's mind clicked through the puzzle, realization setting in. The boy had no one. 'They never checked on him, never cared. This was all fabricated.'

"What's been stopping you from coming to the academy?" Goro asked, his tone gentler now, though the concern in his voice was clear.

Tomio looked away, a hint of shame in his voice. "I always come home hungry, with no food. There's no reason to exert myself anymore. I used to get by on scraps, but ever since you came, the village has started to flourish. That means prices for regular food have gone up… I can't afford it." He explained this matter-of-factly, as though it were something he had come to accept.

Goro clenched his fists, hiding his growing frustration. "And why hasn't there been any development in this area?"

Tomio raised an eyebrow, clearly confused. "Respectfully, Lord Takikage, you're the one better able to answer that question. I don't have a clue."

Goro facepalmed, sighing heavily. 'Of course, he wouldn't know... That's my job.' Goro's eyes scanned the sheds once more. 'There's corruption going on in this village. Someone is withholding resources, and no one's holding them accountable.' His frustration grew. 'I need to talk to Aika and figure out who's been leading the construction efforts.'

Crouching down to Tomio's level, Goro spoke softly but firmly. "Get on my back. I can't have the best student in the academy living in these conditions. Until things are fixed here, you'll stay with my assistant."

Tomio hesitated, his eyes wide with surprise. "Are you sure about this, Lord Takikage?"

Goro sighed again, his voice sharp but not unkind. "I wouldn't be crouching down like this if I didn't mean it. Now hurry up. I'm not staying in this ridiculous pose any longer."

Tomio looked at Goro for a moment, as though trying to determine if this was real, then nodded. He climbed onto Goro's back, wrapping his thin arms around the Takikage's neck.

"Hold on tight," Goro warned, "We'll be moving fast."

With Tomio securely on his back, Goro flickered away, moving swiftly across the village, from rooftop to rooftop. The wind whipped around them, and Tomio clung to Goro, his eyes wide with awe as they traveled at incredible speed.

After a few minutes, they arrived at Aika's home, located in the residential district not too far from the outskirts. Her house was one of the largest in the area, a testament to her usefulness and loyalty to Goro. It stood tall and well-kept, a sharp contrast to the dirty, old sheds where Tomio had lived.

Goro gently set Tomio down, and the boy's eyes sparkled as he gazed up at the impressive house. "Whoa…" he muttered under his breath, clearly taken aback by the sheer size of the place.

Goro smirked slightly, watching the boy's wonder with a sense of satisfaction.

From inside the house, a familiar voice called out. "Sasuke, be a dear and check who's outside!"

The door opened, revealing Sasuke, who stood barefoot, wearing his usual blue shirt and white shorts, though his headband was absent.

"Sleep well?" Goro asked, walking toward the door.

Sasuke nodded, stepping aside to let Goro and Tomio enter. "Yeah."

"Who is it?!" Aika's voice echoed from the kitchen, clearly wondering who had arrived.

"It's just Goro," Sasuke replied flatly, his tone indifferent.

"Goro? You mean Lord Takikage?!" Aika exclaimed, rushing out of the kitchen. She nearly stumbled in her haste, bowing quickly when she saw him. "W-welcome to my home, Lord Takikage! Please, have a seat!"

Goro nodded, waving off her flustered reaction. "Thank you, Aika." As he made his way inside, her eyes fell on Tomio, still in his tattered clothes, standing awkwardly beside Goro.

"Lord Takikage, who is that?" she asked, curiosity clear in her voice.

Goro glanced down at Tomio, then back at Aika. "He's the top-performing student at the academy," Goro explained, walking toward the seats around the dining table.

Sasuke, who had taken notice of Tomio's appearance, raised an eyebrow. "Top performer at the academy? Why is he dressed like that?"

Goro's gaze shifted to Sasuke, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he thought. 'That reminds me… Sasuke was also the top of his academy class at one point.'

Aika, now back in the kitchen, glanced over her shoulder. "Wow, what a talent. You're skilled enough to have caught Lord Takikage's attention," she said, her tone warm and encouraging.

Tomio scratched the back of his head, clearly embarrassed by the sudden attention. He muttered a quiet, "Thank you…"

Sasuke sat down beside Tomio, still eyeing the boy curiously. Goro took his usual place at the head of the table, Tomio seated beside him, and Sasuke next to the boy.

Breaking the silence, Sasuke's expression hardened, and he looked directly at Goro. "I can't wait a whole week before I start training. I need to begin now. I don't have time to waste."

"Relax," Goro responded. "You have plenty of time. Besides, I have someone special I want you to train with."

Sasuke's eyes flickered toward Tomio, clearly skeptical. "It can't possibly be this child?"

Goro shook his head. "Obviously not. Her name is Fū. I've been training her for some time now, and I believe she could give you a run for your money. She's a Genin, just like you."

Sasuke scoffed, clearly unimpressed. "I didn't leave the Leaf Village just to waste my time with other Genin."

Goro waggled a finger. "She isn't some regular Genin. Just wait. If you're unsatisfied, I'll personally arrange for your departure to Orochimaru and even provide you with a water phoenix to get there."

'Before I let him train, I need to seal away that curse mark,' Goro thought, glancing at Sasuke. 'It's far too volatile right now.'

Sasuke fell silent, wondering what Goro could be planning.

Aika entered the room with plates of meat, vegetables, and bowls of rice. "Lunch is ready!" she announced cheerfully, setting the dishes on the table.

Goro opened his mouth to protest. "I didn't come here to eat, Aika—"

She cut him off with a firm but playful smile. "It's lunchtime. It would be rude of me not to offer you food."

Goro sighed, resigning himself to the meal. "Fine," he muttered, glancing at Tomio, who was already eyeing the food hungrily. 'He needs this more than I do,' Goro thought as he prepared to eat.

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Reminder: You guys don't be stingy with your powerstones. This story's continuation depends on your support—so don't forget to give the story powerstones! We've been dropping, let's increase our power ranking! Goal: 800 Powerstones.