Return To The Village

A/N: If you want another double release get this story to 200 powerstones by Sunday. This story will only continue if it gets enough support e.g. Powerstones. Goal: 200 Powerstones for double release next Monday.

Team 10 and Team 7 stood in the Hokage's office. Goro stood straight, doing his best to keep the massive blade he acquired from scraping the office floor. Being much shorter than Zabuza, he had to adjust the strap that held the blade, which he had taken from Zabuza's grave. For now, Goro had no immediate use for the blade, so he planned to store it at his house.

'The stats I gained from copying Haku and Zabuza's skills really gave me a boost. It's still hard to believe. System, pull up my stats once more.'

[New Stats:

Taijutsu: Lower Elite Jounin (10%) 

Physical: Elite Jounin (5%) 

Ninjutsu: Elite Jounin (9%)

Chakra Capacity: Elite Jounin (1%)

Chakra Control: Elite Jounin (21%)

Shurikenjutsu: Lower Elite Jounin (67%)

Kenjutsu: Lower Elite Jounin (37%)

Chakra Affinity: Water(x4) + Fire(x2) + Lightning + Wind + Ice

Skills: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ] 

'So it's real after all... I thought I was dreaming.'

Hiruzen sat in his chair, a prideful smile on his face as he looked around the room. In front of him were multiple slips of cash neatly arranged on his desk.

"Both teams did incredibly well. You completed a mission that would have been classified as Rank A," Hiruzen began.

Unable to ignore the massive blade resting on Goro's back, the Hokage commented, "I see you've managed to secure an infamous blade."

Goro scratched the back of his head, letting out a nervous laugh. "I couldn't keep my hands off it. It resonated with me."

Hiruzen sighed, thinking, "The youth are still as overzealous as ever."

Clearing his throat, he continued, "Each of your respective payments is on the desk. Go ahead and take them. You've shown you're capable shinobi."

As Hiruzen finished speaking, a knock came from behind the door. "Enter!" Hiruzen called.

The door slowly opened, revealing Asuma.

"Asuma-sensei?" Choji and Shikamaru said simultaneously.

"Hey, how's my team doing?" Asuma greeted, placing a hand on Shikamaru's shoulder.

"Couldn't be worse," Shikamaru responded in his usual lazy manner.

"He isn't wrong; that was an extremely stressful mission," Goro agreed.

'Things aren't over yet, for me at least.'

Asuma smiled, turning his gaze to Goro. "You made it through, didn't you? I trust you took care of each other."

"Naturally," Goro replied.

'He's been treating me like the older brother of the group ever since he found out I was somewhat capable…'

Team 7, including Ino, remained silent throughout the conversation with the Hokage, creating an awkward atmosphere in the office.

'They're all unsatisfied with the outcome of the mission. Haku died, Sasuke didn't contribute much in the final battle, and Sakura and Ino felt useless for almost losing Sasuke.'

Breaking the silence that suffocated the room, Hiruzen instructed, "Kakashi, you and Asuma stay behind. Everyone else, you're dismissed. Take your slips."

The genin of Team 7 were the first to take their slips and exit the room. Goro grabbed the slip nearest to him, but as he was about to leave, Asuma said, "Team 10, wait for me at Yakiniku Q. I'll be treating you guys to dinner."

Out of excitement, Choji leaped into the air, accidentally scrunching his slip in his hand. "My slip…" Choji complained, tears forming in his eyes.

Not worried about money, Goro handed over his own slip and took Choji's.

"B-but, Goro…" Choji stammered.

Patting Choji on the back, Goro assured him, "It's not a big deal, big guy. Don't worry about it."

Goro's comments tipped Choji over the edge. He jumped onto Goro, a stream of tears flowing down his face.

"It's alright. Get off me," Goro urged.

Choji's tears stopped for a moment. "Goro… Your body! It's so built!" Choji exclaimed. Everyone in the room turned their gaze to Goro.

Goro's face turned a light shade of pink. "I'm going on ahead," he said, quickly leaving the room.

Shikamaru and Choji followed, with Ino being the last to exit.

"How was his performance?" Hiruzen asked, his expression shifting from a smile to a more serious look.

"That child is a very capable shinobi. I believe he is already at the level of a Chunin," Kakashi answered.

Leaning in closer, Hiruzen added, "Another genius has emerged, hm?"

Kakashi nodded.

Hiruzen looked down at his desk, contemplating his next actions. "We're in a time of peace; there's no need to progress the child through the ranks too quickly. It's best to let him mature at a natural rate," Hiruzen thought.

Looking up from his desk, Hiruzen shifted his gaze to Asuma and said, "Don't put too much burden on the child. As talented as he is, he's still young."

Asuma nodded and replied, "On that note, I'm treating these kids to lunch and can't keep them waiting too long. I ask for permission to leave, Lord Third."

Hiruzen waved his hand, allowing Asuma to leave.

By the time Asuma arrived at the restaurant, Goro and the rest of Team 10 had already taken their seats, waiting for his arrival.

"You took your time, Sensei!" Choji complained, rubbing his stomach. He had been starved of snacks for the entire journey back to the village.

Asuma laughed, scratching his chin with his index finger. "It was quite a long walk…" he said.

Tilting his head to the side and pointing at Asuma, Goro retorted, "But you're a Jonin, aren't you, Sensei? Couldn't you have used Body Flicker instead of walking here?"

Ignoring the question, Asuma took the seat between Choji and Shikamaru, opposite Goro and Ino.

The group ate together, but Ino remained silent throughout the meal. When asked what was wrong, she pretended everything was fine and returned to her gloom.

'That mission must be weighing heavily on her… I'm not a hero, though. I'd rather not get involved.'

By the end of the meal, everyone expressed their gratitude to Asuma and went their separate ways. Choji and Shikamaru left together, and Asuma flickered away. Waving at Ino, Goro started walking in the direction of his apartment.

"Wait!" Ino called, catching Goro's attention.

Turning on his heels, Goro asked, "What is it?"

As Ino walked closer, her expression darkened, and tears welled up in her eyes. "I—" Ino began, her voice shaky.

"I'm too weak…" she continued, her voice a bit more stable.

Goro sighed, placing his hands on his hips. "Asuma-sensei can help you get stronger. That's what he's here for."

Ino shook her head. "No. Goro, you're probably the strongest Genin in the village. The Land of Waves mission confirmed that for me. It's not Sasuke who's the strongest—it's you," Ino admitted.

Goro was taken aback, unsure how to respond.

'She's kind of forcing this on me. Even if I wanted to train her, I can't. I got these abilities from copying skills, not from training hard.'

"I'm sorry, Ino, I—"

[Calculating training possibilities… Found!]

'Hm? And what's that possibility, System?'

Ino fell silent and turned around to leave. "I understand it's a hassle—"

"Wait, Ino!" Goro called out.

Ino spun back around, curious about what Goro was going to say.

[The possibility is a Mode. It's called Training Mode. This shifts the System's focus from the user's growth to the growth of others. You currently have 5 slots. Would you like to use a slot?]

'Ino will be a good test subject to see how this thing works. It'll also strengthen our camaraderie, so I don't mind using a slot on her. Yes, System, I'd like to use a slot.'

[Successful… Slot 1: Ino Yamanaka]

"Hello? Goro…?" Ino said for what felt like the hundredth time.

Goro's eyes refocused on Ino. "Yeah, uh, I can help you train tomorrow morning," Goro answered.

A faint smile tugged at Ino's lips. "Thank you…" she said earnestly.

Reminder: If you want another double release get this story to 200 powerstones by Sunday. This story will only continue if it gets enough support e.g. Powerstones. Goal: 200 Powerstones for double release next Monday.