Standing in the middle of an empty training field, as the sun was bearing down. A young boy with blue tinted white hair and silver eyes stood there like a statue. He wore only black shorts with bandages wrapped around his hands and feet. Covering his face, he wore half a masked covering the bottom portion.

If anyone else was nearby and saw him, they might die in pleasure overload male or female alike. Sweat glitter off his body as he breathed into his nose and out of his mouth. Soon his muscles twitched and he coughed with flames flowing out of his mouth. However it didn’t burn his masked or set it on fire.

“You almost had it that time, Ryu.” Hikari praised as she healed his burnt lungs, throat and mouth. They were working on mastering the second level out of four in fire transformation.

“I want to know how the others mastered this when they mastered the fire transformation.” Ryu said as without Hikari he could have died a few times. Even his Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Shadow Clone Technique) popped a few times. Which is why he is doing it as it was a waste of chakra if they pop after a few seconds.

“Well, they aren’t mastering per say. They are basically mastering the basics and called that mastering it. The only one that truly mastered an element was Tobirama Senju in the last hundred years. Now he was a true master of water element, while the rest of the shinobi’s are basic or intermediate with their elements.” Hikari explained.

“Surely there is more masters of the elements somewhere?” Ryu said.

“There probably is, but he is an example and is well known for it. What I am teaching you is a forgotten training method. It is said that if you master this level you can burn down a two story house with a breath. While exaggerated, it allows you to convert oxygen into flames easier. Granted it will be for all the elements but one at a time.” Hikari explained making Ryu sigh as he is fully healed.

Once again, Ryu took in a deep breath through his nose and allowing it enter his lungs before mixing it with fire chakra. Blowing it out through his mouth he watched as a flame took form only to disperse a few inches away. Happy at finally succeeding, he began to keep going as it only mastered when one does it subconsciously.

For the next few hours he trained and trained again, which by the end of the day he nearly mastered the step. It's only natural since Hikari said he has a high fire affinity and he has been working on it for a week. He began the day Kakashi became his team sensei and mastered the first step in a few hours.

“It took me a few hours for the first step of burning the leaf, but a week for this level. Is the next one going to take a couple of months and the final a year?” Ryu said as he began to realize why not everyone mastered all the elements.

“Depends, as the next one is to cook an entire meal using only fire chakra. It is hard due to you cooking at three or more temperatures at once for three hours. Before yes, you need to cook three different things at once. I will allow Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Shadow Clone Technique) to give you enough hands. Since there usually someone to help with this part, but since you don’t a clone will have to do.” Hikari explained the next level making Ryu groaned.

He liked training and will follow Hikari training as it yet to hurt him. Now the thought of trying this is going to be a challenge and decided to do it one at a time. First he will begin with one item than attempted to two than finally three. It will take a bit longer but he will get there.

Inside the seal, Hakari was proud of him as he didn’t complain much outside of a joking manner. His progress was fast and that was without barely any clones, due to their number. She was getting excited to see what the future holds for them. Since they will have a very long future ahead of them.

===

Arriving at Ichiraku after he finished up his fire transformation training. Ryu, sat down ordering miso ramen. Behind the counter was the owner who was in his late thirties and his eight year old daughter. Bown of them had brown hair and eyes but while the father had fair skin, his daughter was a rosary.

“Afternoon Ayame, Teuchi.” Ryu said.

“Hello, Ryu it been awhile. Naruto was here earlier.” Teuchi laughed at Ryu sigh.

While the money issue was mostly solved, they are still skimming by until he can build up his savings. So, he might have to curve Naruto ramen addiction for a while. If not the three year old might eat out their living expenses.

“Well, not much I can do there. I was going to treat him to something special but a balanced meal is in order.” Ryu shrugged earning a dry chuckle.

“We are the same age but your like an old man.” Ayame said blushing at her slight insult.

“If Naruto wants to be a shinobi, I am going to do my best to give him a body healthy and strong to work with. Not that he needs to know that.” Ryu grinned as Hikari laughed inside his head. He like a doting brother or parent wanting the best for the blonde battery.

“Anyways, he was here with the Hokage. He dreams of becoming Hokage in the future. So what your dream, Ryu.” Ayame asked.

Thinking about it, Ryu realized he wants to survive what to come. The invasion during the chunin exams, the Akatsuki and the fourth shinobi war. There is also the hobby to create a release style for his kekkei genkai. Than a small idea formed in which of a large family outside of Naruto in the future.

“To have a large family.” Ryu said with a nod. “Also, help Naruto achieve his dream, create a style for my kekkei genkai and see the future.”

“Those are quite the goals.” Teuchi laughed.

“Do you have anyone in mind?” Ayame asked slightly blushing.

“Hmm, I would guess Hana but I don’t know.” Ryu shrugged not really interesting in romance. He is only eight after all and a few years before he might be interested.

Teuchi shook his head smiling at seeing his daughter expression. It wasn’t hard to see that she has a slight crush on the boy, but if it grows or not remains to be known. However he doubt it would work as shinobi and citizen couples don’t last long. Too many secrets and the knowledge of your partner is seducing or killing someone. Not many could handle it, so they usually split after a while.

“So how are your missions?” Ayame asked changing subjects.

“They are more chores than anything. Maybe I will ask the Hokage if he could assign them to academy students. It gives experience, and the students a feel for the life.” Ryu shrugged. “As for mission, I believe that we will be taking a C-rank in the near future. Even Kakashi is beginning to get antsy and he only been the sensei for a week.”

“Oh, do you think your team ready for those? Quite a few fresh genin feel like they are and they sometimes come back dead or crippled..” Teuchi asked concerned for the young boy.

“I believe if it one to ease us into it like delivering a letter or a small escort. Both Hana and Izumi are hard working training with their clans, and I have been working extra hard increasing my training.” Ryu explained.

“Confidence are yeah?” Teuchi asked receiving a head shake.

“No, I believe in them and we are ready for when it comes.” Ryu smiled behind his masked so the two could only see his eye smile.

===

Three days since Ryu had the conversation at Ichiraku came and went. In that time he began to increase his physical training. He had clones working on the fire transformation, chakra control, and the fire jutsus.

He even increased his chakra reserves so he can make three extra clones, but still only mid chunin in reserves. So he had a clone working on increasing his hand seals speed. There was another that began researching the basics of fuinjutsu and one on bo staff techniques. So he was a busy under the guidance of Hikari and himself.

As for why he wasn’t currently training, he along with Hana and Izumi were waiting for Kakashi. He told them yesterday that he was requesting a C-rank mission. From his words he thinks they are ready for their first C-rank or he was getting antsy from staying in the village. Personally his three temporary genin thinks it the latter but going to trust his judgement.

“So, how have your two training been?” Ryu asked his teammates with an eye smile.

“I leaned a couple more taijutsu moves of my clan.” Hana replied.

“Been mostly increasing my chakra reserves. I can keep my Sharingan open for three minutes before fainting now.” Izumi said earning a clap since previously it been around a minute.

“That great.” Hana hugged her friend.

“What about you.” Izumi returned his question.

“Worked on my taijutsu and the few fire jutsu’s I know. Also began to look into learning the bo staff.” Ryu smiled as he didn’t want to reveal he can uses shadow clones.

Nodding, they watched as Kakashi appear in front of them in a swirl of leaves. Why the teen have pockets filled with them, Ryu didn’t know. Hakari has told him that it doesn’t even need a physical item. One can cast a small genjutsu to cover and could be anything like a flame or crows.

“Yo,” he sent his famous eye smile despite being late.

“Are we doing the usual?” Ryu asked.

Receiving a head shake Kakashi eye smile grew if that possible. It appears whatever he has to say is making him happy. So either a new sensei been picked or it a C-rank mission.

“We are doing our first C-rank mission. So let's go.” Kakashi had a bounce in his step.

“It kind of creepy seeing him with a bounce in his step. Usually he calm and looked bored or reading something.” Hana said as the Three Haimaru Brothers barked in agreement.

“He been getting a bit antsy with the D-rank missions. Since he probably used to higher rank and dangerous mission. The sudden switch must be driving him crazy as he pretty young still. seventeen from what my clan says.” Izumi explained.

“Hmm, well I doubt it be anything that gets him going. Maybe he just wants out of the village.” Ryu shrugged.

“Maybe he has a lover?” Hikari asked not completely sure nor really caring either. If it didn’t involved Ryu or training, than she mostly lose interest. Unless it has to with the God which she still hasn’t told Ryu why she hates him so much.

“Well, I don’t really care if he does. It doesn’t really interest me all that much. Plus, seventy five percent of his face is covered.” Ryu replied.

“Well half of your is too. Though I understand your issue since most of the village will lust or when you are older.” Ryu shuddered at her words. Since his senses are enhanced he basically can small others pheromones and hormones if they are close enough. It was a dark day when Naruto accidently pulled his masked down.

Thinking back to the incident, he was in his Ryuu form and was walking around the village with Naruto. However, something happened and Naruto accidently grabbed her mask. Which caused others to question themselves, as an out of this world eight year old appeared. It was sad to say it was a lost battle as male and female alike became aroused.

The only good thing that came out of it was his age as only slight blushes formed on the ones that seen. If he was older, it was unknown what would happen and Hikari since than dampens his sense of smell.

“So what type of mission are we doing?” Ryu asked. C-ranks can be escort, bandit extermination. Well, the ones without missing nin apart of them those are higher rank. There is also delivering a message, investigating, seduction, assassination and so on.

“Don’t know, we are going to find out aren’t we.” Kakashi shrugged as they walked to the base of Hokage tower.

Floating through the line, Ryu seen Hiruzen handing out missions. If he had to guess, he guessed the Third was using Shadow clones to help with the paperwork. Though he wondered why he didn’t use it before when he was still handling most of the village paperwork.

“Hello.” The aged man greeted.

“Hokage-sama, I would like to request a C-rank mission.” Kakashi asked coming under the stare of the leader.

“Are they ready?” Was his reply.

“Yep, I place their skills high genin to low chunin. They need a bit of experience before I would safely say Chunin though.” Kakashi answered got a nod in agreement.

“Very well.” The aged man said looking over the missions. “There is a small bandit camp that recently popped up. It appears they are beginning to raid a few merchants here and there that don’t have an escort. No known hostages or captives were reported only merchandise stolen so far.”

“We will take it.” Kakashi sighed and took the scroll.

“So, are you using a clone to help with all your work so you can be down here?” Ryu asked the aged Hokage who just laughed as if he had been caught.

Walking out, only Kakashi noticed that the Hokage summoned a couple of Shadow clones. Mainly because he the one to close the door and mentally chuckled. Though he did wondered how Ryu knew about the technique.

“So how did you know about that jutsu?”

“Hmm, well we had to learn that useless one that I can barely due to density of my chakra. So I guessed beside the few elemental ones that mentioned in history. If there one that give back memories or something like that, the Professor would know it.” Ryu shrugged not really answering the question. Hikari just laughed once she saw Kakashi shock look as his eye was completely white like a large coin.

“Ok, meet me at the south gate in an hour. Pack for a day trip as this should only take a few hours at most.” Kakashi said before vanishing into leaves.

“Well see you in an hour.” Ryu said as Hana and Izumi nodded and split up.