"The strong often walk alone... but the wise know when to share the road."
— Uncle Iroh, Avatar: The Last Airbender
--
Riverside Clearing –
Otis stood shirtless near the river, arms folded, and his shoulder bandaged from a morning accident that looked worse than it actually was. His eyes were locked across the clearing.
On the far side, Hinata and Sayuri were sparring.
Sayuri moved like a blade — fast, reckless, with that Uchiha sharpness in every step. Her strikes were quick and explosive,
Hinata, by contrast, flowed like water
She didn't block — she redirected her every strike. She didn't fight Sayuri's fire with more fire. She let it burn and slid around it, arms tracing soft arcs, her fingers glowing faint blue at the tips.
Otis leaned against a rock, watching.
One was aggressive.
The other — gentle.
And yet… both were getting stronger.
They sparred regularly, though Sayuri couldn't win when Hinata activated her Byakugan. Since hadn't awakened her Sharingan yet, so both were relying only on taijutsu.
Otis couldn't help but smirk.
Sayuri lunged in again — a feint to the left, followed by a sharp sweep aid at Hinata's leg.
But Hinata dropped low, pivoting off her back foot, slipping past the strike like water around a stone.
She didn't counter. She Just flowed.
Sayuri's brow twitched. Her strikes were fast — aggressive — but Hinata wasn't eting force with force.
She was gliding. Reading.
It was irritating.
And Hinata's footwork was getting faster.
Otis folded his arms, biting down on a grin.
They're starting to read each other.
Otis stepped forward slightly, not wanting to interrupt, but unable to hold his tongue either.
"…You're aiming too high with those kicks, Sayuri."
Sayuri didn't break focus. "Maybe she's shrinking mid-fight."
Hinata blinked at that. "W-What—?"
Sayuri twisted suddenly, trying to take advantage of Hinata's distraction, aiming a strike behind her shoulder — but Hinata dodged it by a hair's breadth.
Otis called out again, voice flat. "Hinata — more follow-through with the hips. Stop being polite."
Hinata flushed. "O-Okay…"
Sayuri huffed. "Tch. She's always polite."
Otis leaned back. "That's why she's still dodging all your hits."
Sayuri stumbled.
Hinata paused.
Sayuri threw her arms up. "Okay, now you're on her side!"
Otis shrugged. "She's improving. You're just angry you can't steamroll her anymore."
Sayuri pointed a finger at otis
Hinata giggled.
Then, Naruto's voice cut through the trees.
"OTISSSSS—!"
Otis turned.
Naruto was bounding through the grass, eyes wide, arms flailing.
"I saw the smoke from the distance!"
He skidded to a stop beside Otis, panting.
Last ti they'd gone to Morie's shop, he'd shown Naruto the place. Now, the kid showed up every couple of days — sotis earlier than expected.
Otis didn't really mind.
Things were getting livelier around here. Hinata and Sayuri had more sparring options now, and Naruto, for all his noise, had ridiculous stamina. Endurance like a beast.
Not bad at all.
Hinata called out, "Hello, Naruto"
Sayuri rolled her eyes. "Oh great. The volu's here."
Naruto blinked at both of them, then turned back to Otis. "Is this where you train your secret jutsu?! The one you used on that Chūnin?"
"No," Otis said flatly.
He scratched his chin. "But… I might test it right now."
Naruto flinched. "WAIT— I need a helt!"
Sayuri smirked, arms crossed. "Just bury him in sand and test around him."
Hinata sighed. "You're all terrible…"
Otis walked toward the riverbank.
Behind him, Naruto trailed nervously.
Sayuri followed, muttering insults under her breath, while Hinata walked quietly beside her — already used to the chaos.
The day was far from over.
Then ca the sharp rustle of branches.
An ANBU had stepped into view from the tree line, silent as snowfall. The fox mask tilted slightly.
"The Hokage has requested your presence."
Otis didn't speak right away. He stood slowly, brushing the dust from his palms.
"…Now?"
The ANBU nodded once. "Imdiately."
Otis turned, grabbed his shirt from a tree branch, slung it over his shoulder — and walked without a word.
A while later…
The warmth of the outdoors faded the mont Otis stepped into the Hokage building.
He ducked through the doorway, his head brushing the top of the doorfra. The faint scent of old parchnt and tobacco filling the air.
The office was quiet, Books lined the walls, and the large window behind the desk offered a view of the village. Hiruzen was already standing, hands clasped behind his back as he looked out the window toward the Hokage Monunt. The last glow of sunlight was bleeding into the sky, painting the rock faces gold and red.
"You called," Otis said, stepping forward.
"I did." Hiruzen didn't turn. "How's the training?"
Otis shrugged. "Good. Quiet."
The old man finally looked over his shoulder.
"You've co far alone. Further than most people your age ever do. And with that strength… cos a bad habit."
Otis tilted his head.
"You isolate yourself. You train in silence. You learn in solitude. It works—until it doesn't."
"I learn faster without noise," Otis said plainly.
"But not deeper," Hiruzen replied.
Then he continued, tone steady.
"I've arranged a sensei to train you in hand-to-hand combat.Soone who can bring out your potential where raw power isn't enough."
He walked slowly back toward the desk, then opened a small drawer and pulled out a scroll—unrolling it. On it were mission records, training rosters, and several nas circled in red ink.
He tapped two of them.
"You need refinent. Especially in one area — taijutsu. You've got strength, speed, instincts. But your technique needs polish."
He looked up.
"So… your new sensei, at least inside the village, will be Might Guy."
Otis blinked. "…That loud green maniac?"
Hiruzen chuckled. "You haven't even heard the full arrangent."
The Third Hokage's expression grew more serious.
"Guy doesn't have ti to take you on missions. His responsibilities won't allow it. You'll train under him three days a week — no exceptions. He has a strict thod, but he's already agreed."
He paused.
"So for everything outside the village… soone else will guide you. A shinobi who knows hardship. Mistakes. Perseverance. Soone who once held the title of Eternal Genin… but who has more experience than most jōnin combined."
He reached over, pulled a mission scroll from the side, and handed it to Otis.
"His na is Maruboshi Kosuke."
Silence.
Otis frowned. "That na…"
"He's known as the Eternal Genin," Hiruzen said. "But don't let the title fool you. He's survived three wars. Been part of every major conflict since before you were born. His wisdom… is imasurable. He'll teach you things no one else can."
Otis was silent. For a long ti.
"…You're giving two sensei?"
"Two threads of the sa rope," Hiruzen said. "One will polish your body. The other… will shape the way you walk the world as a shinobi."
The room fell silent.
Otis's eyes lingered on the scroll for a long second.
Finally, he said, "When?"
"Guy will et you at the north training field tomorrow at first light in the morning. Kosuke will find you when it's ti."
Otis turned to leave, but the Hokage's voice stopped him at the door.
"…Otis."
He glanced back.
Hiruzen looked tired again, but there was pride in his voice.
"You're not just a weapon. Rember that".
--
(A/N)
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