Naruto: A Lazy Life

Pov: Saburo Mori.

*Swish- Swoosh!*

I slide forward and immediately shoot three jabs at him- ensuring to keep my hits at a low speed and attacking using the scalpel justu.

*Swish- Slash!*

I watch him step once backwards before dodging all my attacks and then deflecting my final jab at his ribcage.

*Wham-*

He suddenly finishes his defensive moves and roundhouse kicks me across the head with a sudden burst of speed- sending me to the right.

*Whoo-*

He then jabs his foot out at me three times as it remains in the air- making me unable to recover upwards.

*Slide-*

I let myself fall and then slide my whole body forward to slide tackle him.

*Bam!*

He plants his raised foot down as the impact is absorbed by his lone standing leg- I slide back immediately as he attempts to return the impact.

*Whoosh-* *Whip!*

I suddenly whip back up into standing and keep sliding backwards on my feet to maintain speed- *Wooosh!* *WOOSH!*

I then weave forward with random side to side slides to throw him off- *Wham!* *Wham!* *Wham!*

My arms jab wildly at him- intense speed and precision aiming at his vitals every moment.

He tanks the fourth attack and uses that impact to deflect the fifth swift jab- but my sixth attack in the form of a rising knee shoots into his side and he grunts as he takes the damage.

Speed- the faster I am the less time he can control, he cannot store impacts forever and must release them- he can't keep up his jutsu when overwhelmed!! Doesn't matter if it's by multiple people or one person- as long as he can't keep up! He can't keep using his jutsu!

*Swish!* *Swoosh* *Stab!*

I pour more and more speed into my arms- they burn with both passion and pain from continued muscle use.

I have trained all my life for this- I have the advantage when it comes to raw output! He only dominates the world of skill- something I will not face him on.

*WHOOSH- WHOO- WHA- SWISH- SWHOO*

My arms turn into a blur- much like a flickers distinctive look, as my face turns red and drips in sweat.

*Clack- stab- bam- whack!*

I knock the two wooden rods out of his hands and begin applying pressure- jabbing my fingers at him with greater and greater speed!

*WHA-*

MY ACCELERATION IS AT IT'S LIMIT!

*-BAM!*

My hand slides forward, palm to the sky and coated in a scalpel jutsu.

I plant it deep into his gut and watch him slide back.

"Three- Zero. Right?" I arrogantly smirk.

*Tap*

His heels stop his sliding and he taps his chest.

"Do you see a scratch?" He asks me and I look closer.

Not at all... How did he- I timed that perfectly?

"No. How did you absorb the impact in time?" I frown.

"I am a warrior of many talents. Timing is one of them, do not forget I taught you your move set and I can predict the 'final impact' of your taijutsu. I merely took on lesser hits I could survive to be capable of blocking the real hit" He explains and straightens his shirt.

"So if you didn't know my every move?" I ask.

"I would fail to predict correctly. However you know how experienced I am with taijutsu and the understanding of combat I wield. It takes a lot to surprise me, you can outmatch me with raw power but never with skill" He tells me confidently, as if it was natural.

...

"So to beat you I need to be faster, take my time and only attack when you move yourself" I nod.

"Correct. My big weakness, if I cannot stop to block then I am open to an attack- if the enemies I fought previously even knew of what taijutsu I was practising then the outcomes would have changed" Takumi explains.

"You would have died?" I grimace.

"I would have become stronger" He smiles confidently.

He would have died. Right?

"What about-" I murmur.

"Enough questions, let's continue. I know your tricks so be ready to fight for your life" Takumi enters back into his stance.

"Ha- I am much stronger than you think Takumi, tricks or not I will win with my advantage in raw speed and power!" I slide back and refocus, burning as brightly as before!

*Woooosh!* *Bam!*

---

-One hour later-

Pov: Hiruzen Sarutobi.

...

I let the smoke leak from my lips as I stare at the man in front of me- looking back down to the recommendations from his team and prior captain.

...

I look back up at Saburo and note his very heavy injuries.

"You haven't recovered from your last mission?" I ask.

That was a few days ago at this point...

"No Lord Hokage, these injuries are from a spar" He bows deeply.

What kind of sparring partner beats someone up like this? He needs to visit the hospital before leaving for another mission.

"Saburo Mori, are you aware of your captains state?" I ask and ignore the injuries for now.

"Yes Lord Hokage" He bows again.

"Stand straight. Your captain is out, too many injuries on the last mission from an Ambush that you successfully escaped- aiding your soon to be dead team" I recap.

He stands taller and winces as he grips his ribs... did he break bones?

"Your team likes you, your captain stated that you train the hardest and have a great foundation for leadership, a creative mind that knows how to follow very precise instructions" I read his evaluations.

"Lord Hokage?" He raises an eyebrow.

"I am promoting you straight to Jonin, in order for you to take on a role of captain for your team and ensure mission completion at the same rate as before" I issue my order.

...

He doesn't look as happy as I thought he would.

"Saburo?" I call.

"Do you think I am capable enough to be a Jonin? Let alone command an entire team?" He asks sincerely.

Oh? How joyous, a shinobi who wants what is best for his team- although I need a team captain I will not complain about another mindless soldier breaking the mould to be something better.

I smile and look at him in the eyes.

"Of course" I assure him.

...

His face... he doesn't trust me one bit.

"Do you have reason to doubt such a call?" I ask.

"I had a major breakthrough recently, my strength surpasses my old self by tenfold due to it" He explains.

So shouldn't he feel capable enough? What is the problem here?

"I faced the same mountain before I was strong and after I had this breakthrough, and I realized that I couldn't climb any higher than last time- it was still so insurmountable" He continues further.

Ah. Lacking clarity, he thinks he is still weak perhaps? That his strength is a lie?

"But that mountain- my teacher told me I had grown, from a average genin to a high-chunin. I don't think I am worthy of being a Jonin Lord Hokage" He bows again.

So he trusts his teacher more than his Hokage? I see... but refusing to be a Jonin due to trusting a peer and understanding himself is a great case for being a Jonin. I like to promote the shinobi with heads on their shoulders after all.

"So who is this teacher of yours?" I ask with a smile.

"Takumi Uchiha... I know how it sounds Lord Hokage but despite his nickname he really is a great-" Saburo begins defending his teacher.

Saburo Mori- it was that Saburo Mori, perhaps the bruises hid his face from my memory or maybe I am overworked. I almost didn't recognize him.

"Takumi. Of course, you are that Saburo- to see how you have grown in such a small time frame... I know Takumi and trust his judgement. Which is why I will leave this decision of your promotion up to him" I cut him off.

"Wait- what?" He squeaks.

"This small scroll, get his signature on it and I will have you promoted. You have a month before your next deployment" I insist.

His team will be healed and functional by then. At least two members will, I have to check up on the other medical reports...

"But what if I don't get it signed..?" He asks wearily.

"Then you have been judged unworthy, and I will assign you to another post. Dismissed" I command.

Takumi has an odd ranking system, I have judged this shinobi worth being a Jonin from his merit and recommendations alone... it is how I promote everyone in times of war- when we don't have time to think.

But Takumi can see beyond ability and merit- through to the core of a person and judge how they would act as a higher ranked individual.

He is a cruel judge- but a competent one.

---

-Twenty minutes later-

Pov: Takumi Uchiha.

*Knock- Knock- Knock!*

I open the door and yawn.

"Back for more? Didn't I just beat you?" I mock.

"Well... I came here for something else, mind if I come in?" Saburo Mori asks.

Hn.

"Sure, close the door as you enter" I walk inside and he follows me to my dining room.

"What is it that you require from me?" I ask and sit down.

"I need you to evaluate me" He takes a seat opposite me.

"I just did. High-Chunin- lingering towards an average chunin" I note.

"Yes- well, you know how I was asked to head to the Hokage? Turns out I was being promoted to Jonin... and becoming a captain" He tells me.

"Congratulations" I reply as if I didn't care.

If he dies, which he most likely will- the village doesn't lose anything, but if he lives through the war as a captain that alone proves he grew strong enough to hold his rank, granting the village exactly what it wanted from him.

He is old enough to take that risk- behold it's consequences or overcome it's trials.

I sip my cup of water and look raise an eyebrow.

"You drink water in a tea cup?" He interrupts himself.

"Obito accidentally destroyed my regular glasses and these tea sets are all I currently have" I explain.

"What was he- never mind. Look, I may have panicked and refused last second- but he told me that if my teacher signs this by the end of this month... that I can be a captain" He hurriedly finishes his story and slides over a small scroll.

The Hokage told him to be judged by me? I see- he can just assign another shinobi if it comes down to it, but Saburo has potential that he doesn't want to risk for a temporary solution to a leaderless team.

And so he is using up my free time instead of his own to accurately judge if he can handle it.

*Sip*

"So..?" Saburo fiddles with his fingers.

"You have a month" I tell him.

"To train? Prove myself? Do you think I am worthy?" He asks me a flurry of questions.

"Yes, of course- and no" I answer.

"So I can be worthy in a month..." He takes in my answer.

"You would not take the job if I told you not too?" I return my own question.

"Huh? Of course" He says naturally.

Hn.

I close my eyes and sigh.

"... after that breakthrough- I am not going to believe everything you say, but I definitely have my faith in you and your talents- turning me from... what I was into what I am now, I am not ashamed to call you my teacher" He tells me.

Hn?

"In fact- I wish to learn more from you, grow stronger with your guidance not just for this job but for future ones" He asks me sincerely.

"So you want to take on this role as a Jonin captain?" I ask and fiddle with the scroll.

"Yes. If you think I am capable of it" He bows.

"You aren't ready for it. I doubt a month of preparation can ever prepare you for it" I warn.

"Are you saying that you are incapable of training me?" Saburo taunts.

"Yes. You are the first person I have ever taught, I have advised and criticised others but never have I travelled down this path" I answer resolutely.

"... Oh- I thought that- well I suppose I thought you were a bit more arrogant than that" Saburo scratches his head.

"It must seem so, after all I am rarely viewed outside of my favoured domains" I understand him.

Hn.

I wonder if this month will be as fun as the last one?

"So- when do we start?" Saburo stands up.

*click*

I place my cup down and think it over.

"Tomorrow morning, get some rest" I state.