Even as I gave the boy a chilling smile, he nodded, though he did gulp.
"Alright, let's see it then. First... Leaf Concentration."
Throwing a leaf towards him, I nodded when he instantly stuck it to his body, doing so for the next four leaves I threw his way.
Spacing each out by ten seconds, I watched as he held five leaves on different parts of his body for another minute, before saying "Enough."
Breathing a sigh of relief, Naruto let the leaves fall to the ground, before walking towards a tree.
Smiling at him, I nodded as I saw him stick his feet against the tree, warily walking a few steps up the trunk.
However, after his seventh step he staggered, his left foot slipping off the tree.
Flickering forwards, I steadied him before gently lifting him off the tree, much to the boys disappointment.
He was pointing slightly, pursing his lips as he stared at the ground.
"Not bad Naruto... Not many kids your age could walk two steps up the tree, let alone seven. Be proud."
Seeing how he instantly beamed at me and puffed out his chest, grinning widely at me.
"Really? Aha~! Of course! I'm an Uzumaki after all! I'll be the greatest Hokage every; believe it!"
Rolling my eyes, I chopped him lightly on the head, saying "Okay 'Hokage'... Sit down, lotus position."
Pouting at me again, he sighed before sitting down, crossing his legs and placing his hands on his knees.
"Alright, close your eyes and focus... I'm going to examine your bodies progress, so just relax."
Nodding, the blonde boy took a deep breath, his muscles relaxing as he sat before me.
Giving him a few moments, I eventually placed my hands on his back, pursing my lips in surprise as I felt relatively solid muscle under his orange jacket, instead of the soft flesh of a young kid.
Nodding to myself, I smiled as I realized he truly was putting in the work, before pushing my medical chakra over his body.
Now, if he was doing all this at the detrimental harm to himself, then I'd scold the boy.
However, as I let my healing chakra wash over his body, I nodded again as I felt nothing besides normal muscle tears or strains common for heavy exercise.
"Good job Naruto..."
Removing my hands after healing him, I got up, grinning at him as I said "Alright... Taijutsu time~!"
He matched my grin, taking a few steps back as he dropped into a basic stance.
Nodding, I said "Knees a little lower... yup, good... Now pull your left arm..."
Fixing his stance slightly, a few moments later I said "Drop your stance and get back into it; let's see if you remembered it."
He did as I said, pursing his lips as he replicated the stance, briefly trying to leave his right foot facing inward before fixing it.
"Good. Now, come at me."
Mirroring his stance, I nodded again as he shot forwards, his movements shaky and slightly messy, but good enough for a kid.
Blocking his left jab by pushing it away with my left arm, I stepped into him and shoved him back, making the boy grunt.
"Again."
Resetting his stance, he charged back at me, sending out a sweeping kick before launching himself upwards, trying to grapple me by the waist.
Jumping backwards, I placed my hands behind my back as I observed his attacks, storing away any problems I had for after we finished.
His punches were sloppy, but his kicks were stronger, and he utilized his agility instead of trying to use brute force, making me nod.
At least he understood what he had going for him...
Pivoting away from another sweeping kick, I stepped over his leg and spun behind him, making the boy roll forwards before crouching, glaring at me.
Seeing his annoyance, paired with his whiskers, I chuckled.
Narrowing his eyes, he shot forwards again, raising his leg high over his body as he tried to chop kick my shoulder, only to use my dodge as a way to plant that leg down and send his other into my side, making me grunt.
"Damn... Good job; unexpected, and playing to your strengths."
He beamed at me, only to let out a grunt of his own as I slammed my leg into his side, sending him rolling.
"Don't let up; few opponents go down to one blow."
I grinned at him, enjoying the way he glared at me before huffing.
"No fair! Spars always end in first strike at the Academy; that's how I was approaching this!"
Flickering to appear before him, I sent a jab to his shoulder before sweeping his legs out from under him, slamming my foot in the earth beside his face.
He blanched, and I smirked as I leaned down over him.
"We're not at the Academy, now are we? Hm?"
"N-No, Aunty..."
"Good; get up. Again."
He scrambled to his feet, gingerly rolling his shoulder before launching himself out at me.
~~~
The blonde trickster panted, his body covered in sweat as he glared at me, his body battered and bruised.
"T-This... is child... abuse..!"
Laughing, I grinned down at him, healing the bruises before lifting him up.
"Sure kid... that'd hold up for a civie, but not for an Academy student~!"
He clicked his tongue, only to shiver as I grinned back at him, balling my fist and raising my brow.
Waving his hands, he stepped back, saying "N-Nope, I-I'm good! Learned a lot, Aunty! Thanks!"
He turned tail and ran towards the house, making me laugh again at how he scurried away.
Walking behind him, I shouted "Naruto! Use the small shower in the right room beside my bedroom!"
"Okay!"
Entering the house, I made my way to the kitchen, where Kurenai stood with a few bags, looking a little confused.
"Kurenai?"
She turned towards me, relief on her face as she said "Kokoro! I didn't know where you wanted them, sorry..."
Chuckling, I kissed her quickly before sorting through the food and spices, placing them in the various cabinets.
"Nai, do you want a stew or noodles?"
She pursed her lips, looking over the ingredients we had before saying "Stew. I want something filling..."
"Okay~"
Giving her another quick kiss, I grabbed what I needed before preparing the meal, Kurenai slipping out towards the beginning and leaving me alone.
I could hear Anko and Cameia talking in the center courtyard, while Makoto and Karin chatted with Naruto for a few moments before the boy went to get cleaned up.
Smiling, I found myself imaging those voices being doubled; a girl like Anko scurrying around, laughing as she caused all kinds of trouble, Kurenai chasing after her with a small smile.
Maybe a young boy with Kurenai's raven hair sitting quietly near me, reading or scribbling things down on a notepad, mirroring her initial shyness.
Or a tall teen girl with golden eyes, her blank face staring up at her mothers expressionless face as they trained, the two women dancing around as their Kama's swung around...
Would Makoto remarry, or would Karin and Naruto get together? Would we have them visit every once in awhile, their energetic children laughing merrily as they caused trouble with Anko's children?
Smiling gently down at the meat I was slicing, I jumped when Makoto entered, bowing slightly as she said "Do you need help, Mistress?"
Taking a deep breath, I nodded, gesturing to the vegetables.
"Could you chop these and put them into the pot?"
She nodded, taking a knife and expertly slicing the long carrots.
We silently worked together in the kitchen, gradually creating a delicious stew.
Letting it simmer, I had Makoto set the table, before calling everyone in.
Watching the large table get easily filled up, I smiled, joy running through my veins.
"What's got you so happy?"
Feeling Anko slide behind me, I grinned as I leaned into her embrace, cupping her cheek as I said "It's nice, having this large table filled with people... I just can't wait till it's like this everyday, our children quarreling and bickering with one another as we eat..."
She chuckled, kissing my cheek as she said "Yes... I can't wait to put a kid in you... then another, and another..."
We both laughed, before moving to the table.
Watching Naruto and Karin talk with one another, Kurenai ask Makoto questions, and chatting with Anko and Cameia, my heart soared, enjoying the company around me.
This is what I wanted...
---
This is just here cause of me talking about Karin x Naruto...
Yes, they are distantly related... probably.
Thing is, most clans interbred someway or another, so I'm just guessing as long as it isn't direct blood related (Mother, Father, Sister, Brother, Actual Aunt/Uncle, and so on...), then's its fine.
So, I'm just going with what the original author wrote/alluded to, which is clans can somehow be perfectly fine with relations like that...
And yes, Naruto x Karin is happening...
As is Naruto x Hinata
And maybe more; who knows.
Cause realistically, he and Sasuke should 100% have a harem to repopulate their clans, and I'm surprised that Sasuke didn't have one in the show...
Since that was his whole shtick in the original show....
Anyways, yup, that's going to happen, so :D
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