Arriving at Training ground forty five, Ryu took a look around. It was a grassy plain with oven grown grass and boulders here and there. It was easy to tell that not even the ones in charge of maintaining the training fields been neglecting it.

The field was out of the way and hardly any team or shinobi goes there, since it where Orochimaru trained his genin. So, when he betrayed the village nearly four years ago, it was closed off for a few weeks.

Now there is a lot of superstition and rumors of one of his labs are nearby filled with deadly experiments. Though nothing has been proven true or false, as the Hokage hasn’t really released anything to the public. So, it is perfect for him and Hikari to train.

“Ok, so what are we doing?” Ryu asked looking around.

“Since you have basically mastered the leaf concentration skill, your going to learn the tree climbing exercise. Gather chakra at the bottom of your feet and attempted to walk up the tree. Remember no using your hands.” Hikari explained but he could tell she left a part out.

Walking over to a lone tree, Ryu began releasing chakra to the bottom of his feet. Ignoring the small giggles of Hikari, he placed his right foot on the tree trunk only for the tree to fall. The amount of chakra he put in his feet torn apart the three foot diameter trunk.

“Good thing no one to see that.” Ryu chuckled nervously.

===

Unknown to Ryu, Hiruzen Sarutobi happened to watching him through the crystal ball. He was mildly curious what the boy been up to since they last met a few weeks ago. However, seeing the tree blown apart by an eight year old kid on accident. That wasn’t something he seen everyday.

Oh-ho, what dense chakra, I don’t believe I seen such destruction done while practicing chakra control. Hmm, need to get someone to fix the training field as the maintenance been slacking. Hiruzen chuckled to himself as he watch Ryu continue blowing away trees.

===

Walking halfway up a tree Ryu grinned as he making progress. While he still leaving indents on the tree, he not taking out half the tree per step. The density is a lot more potent than he or Hikari realized and happy they began now. If they waited neither knew what would happen.

“Alright, your done for the day.” Hikari said as he was nearing his fourth hour of practice.

“Great,” Ryu said as he was sweating hard.

Heading back towards the orphanage, he walked by the hot springs and suddenly remembered. He was going to take Naruto, but forgot due to the Hikari appearing. Kicking a pebble at his lack of thought he also remembered he hasn’t given Naruto his gifts yet.

Arriving at the orphanage after running through the forest. However upon entering instead of finding his blonde buddy waiting. He the orphanage matron attempting to carve Naruto up as a turkey. His blonde friend pinned by a few older kids are around eight or nine.

“What do you think your doing!” Ryu shouted as he kicked off the ground while subconsciously channeling chakra.

Appearing next to the orphanage matron, he roundhouse kick her in the head. Since she didn’t have shinobi training and only a civilian, she didn’t see it coming. So she was out cold instantly, along with the two pinning down Naruto. Ryu clunked their heads together before they could register what was happening.

“Naruto, are you alright?” Ryu said as he pulled Naruto into a hug.

“Y-yes.” Naruto managed to say as he was shakening. Almost being carved up as a turkey could ruin anyone's day.

“Did they managed to do anything to you.” Ryu asked as he began checking Naruto over.

“No, you showed up about a minute after it started.” Naruto said.

“Good, let me grab your gifts, then we are paying the Hokage a visit.” Ryu said as he grabbed the stuff fox and frog.

===

Facing across from the aged Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Ryu was fuming. Naruto was playing on the couch with the two presents Ryu gave him on the way. It was a way to distracted him as Ryu explained to the Hokage.

“What do you mean you can’t allow him to leave the orphanage yet.” Ryu gritted his teeth.

“What am I supposed to do? Even allowing him to live with you when you become genin the council barely allowed it. If I start allowing you to live there months ahead of time it would look like favoritism.” The Third explained.

“Is everything centered around Naruto life belong to the council to decide? By the sound of this it as if the council and elder run the village.” Ryu growled. “All I see is a bunch of old men and women passing their work off to you. What are they doing sipping tea, relaxing, or plotting something.”

“No, they are helping to keep the village safe.” Hiruzen said.

“Really, than why aren’t there offices for them to do their share of paperwork. It can’t be they are taking important files home. Where it is easier to break into than the Hokage Tower.” Ryu threw his hands around. “I know the nine tails did a number on the village, but did it break the shinobi known as God of Shinobi and the Professor?”

Hiruzen barely able to contain his fury. “The council gained too much influence by the time I got reinstated.”

“That only an excuse you want to hide behind. I know your kind and forgiving and can make hard choices. All the books and villagers who lived through the shinobi wars can attest to that. However, it seems you are turning your eyes away and refuse to see how the village is.” Ryu said as Hiruzen slammed his fist down.

“I’m too old for this,” the man once known as God of Shinobi said.

“Well too bad, it's not time to pick the next Hokage.” Ryu replied. “Your only allowed to retire after Naruto becomes a genin at twelve.”

After saying that, Ryu picked up Naruto who pretended to sleep. He knew that it wasn’t a good idea to jump into the conversation. However, he knew it was about him.

“Where we going Ryu?” Naruto asked.

“Camping, for the entire weekend in the forest behind Hokage rock.” Ryu said as he closed the door to the office.

===

Arriving near a small river, Ryu placed Naruto down and told him to grab some firewood. He on the other hand began looking around for edible plants and maybe small game. Placing a few simple traps for rabbits, Ryu also looked for somewhere to sleep. In the end he made a couple of hammock.

They weren’t anything special as he just tied it together with vines and placed his sweatshirt beneath him.

“Alright, Naruto, time to sleep, so we can get up early.” Ryu said as Naruto nodded and climbed into his hammock.

For the rest of the time the two camped out, Ryu began teaching Naruto survival skills he learned in the academy. Like a fish in water, Naruto took trapping to a whole new level. The little blonde began to explore ideas he never thought of or possible.

He also managed to get some training in, Hikari decided to teach him his range of attacks. So standing in the creek he seen a few fishes gathered around him. Every swipe with his hands he would miss and wait until the fish return taunting him. It was only after an hour passed that Hikari explained it.

“Ryu, you need to stay calm and imagine a sphere where your arms can reach. Growing impatient or angry is counterproductive. When you swipe at the fish, aim a bit ahead of it.” Hikari said calmly as Ryu took a deep breath.

Using the advice, he tried again and easily caught five fish in a row. Being excited due to finally learning he tried again only to fail. Thus making him learn that he needs to be calm to focus in order to use it.

He also spent some time on tree climbing as Naruto took a nap or designing traps. When he heard Naruto laughing to himself, he got slightly worried. Well, not for himself but others as Naruto was planning something.

===

During the time the two were away from the village camping. The Hokage called a council meeting following Ryu advice. When he looked over some of the decisions the elders made, he frowned. Instead of helping it was driving a wedge and lowering the future Shinobi and Kunoichi survivability.

Luckily he began investigating now as in a few years, he didn’t want to know how bad it could have gotten. He even seen some of his signatures forged, removing some course form the academy. Growling as he saw his old rival and teammates signatures. He could only sigh at how far everyone fallen.

Sitting at his desk, he looked over what used to be a mountain of paperwork. Now it was cut down to about half and a quarter of it was probably issues involving Naruto.

Why no matter how many times I deny Danzo access or to execute Naruto. There is always one to resubmit the papers again. The aged professor wanted to know how they thought it would work the next day.

Both Ryu and Itachi are more mature for their ages. One has seen the effects of war, while the other basically raising a boy since he was five year old. Both of them would be a great Hokage when they are older and more experienced. He hummed as he used his crystal ball to look in on Ryu and Naruto.

He saw the two testing Naruto latest trap and chuckled as the rope was too long and covered them in mud. It relieved him to see Ryu acting his age, and wondered how he could get Itachi to do the same.