The sunlight filtered softly through the windows of the Hokage's office as Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, leaned back in his chair, reviewing a stack of reports from the Academy. His pipe rested idly on the desk, the usual smoke curling around him absent as his attention was fixed on the papers in front of him. Across from him, seated calmly, was Rika Toriyama, the Chunin responsible for the top class at the Academy.
"Kakashi Hatake," Sarutobi murmured, glancing over the first report. "I see he continues to excel. Remarkable, even by the standards of a genius."
Rika nodded, her expression neutral but respectful. "Yes, Hokage-sama. Kakashi is far ahead of his peers. His understanding of ninjutsu and strategy is exceptional, and his physical abilities speak for themselves. He's in a league of his own."
Sarutobi hummed thoughtfully, setting the report aside. "His progress isn't surprising, though I'll be keeping an eye on how the weight of his talent affects him in the long term."
He moved to the next report and paused, his brow furrowing slightly as he came across a name he didn't often hear discussed.
"Haruto Takeda," the Hokage read aloud. "Orphaned… and from what I can see, his performance is somewhat… average?"
Rika shifted slightly in her seat, her eyes momentarily flickering with a bit of thought. "In terms of taijutsu and raw physical skills, yes, he's behind others like Kakashi or Guy. But Haruto is a hard worker. His written tests and his grasp of strategy are outstanding."
Sarutobi raised an eyebrow at that. "Outstanding, you say?"
"Yes," Rika said, nodding. "He's sharp, quick to adapt, and his understanding of tactics is well above the norm for his age. While he struggles in physical areas, his mental capabilities more than make up for it. He's further along than many orphans I've taught in the past. His progress is steady, and his determination is clear."
The Hokage leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the report. "So, while he may be behind now, you believe there's potential?"
Rika gave a small smile. "I do. He may not stand out in the same way as Kakashi, but there's something there. He's constantly pushing himself, and he's improving at a steady pace."
Sarutobi considered this for a moment, his gaze thoughtful. "It's rare to see an orphan progress this consistently. Especially given the circumstances."
Rika nodded in agreement. "Haruto is driven, and he's beginning to catch up in areas where he was once behind. I believe with time, we'll see even more growth from him."
Sarutobi set the report down, his interest piqued but not wanting to linger too long. "Keep watching him. If he continues to progress, he could become a valuable shinobi."
Rika nodded, rising as the Hokage moved on to the next student. The conversation about Haruto had been brief, but it left a lingering sense of curiosity in Sarutobi's mind. Haruto Takeda—an orphan with potential that wasn't immediately obvious, but perhaps, in time, he would prove himself in ways they hadn't yet considered.
As Rika left the office, Sarutobi sat back, exhaling slowly. "Interesting," he murmured to himself, picking up the next report.