To train or not to train, THAT is the question.

Maybe it was because Ryu thought himself to really be a father but he accepted the kids' mistakes and forgave them. He still found Sakura to be quite cute. Not from the Manga and whatnot, he stopped judging everyone based on that a long time ago.

Sakura in general was a very cute little girl.

Ryu rubbed his chin and muttered "Train her maybe?" he looked a bit hesitant, wasn't this digging Tsunade's corner? Plus, Sakura had a talent in Medical Ninjutsu, which Ryu knew nearly nothing about.

If his Chakra nature was recorded, it would probably not be Fire anymore, something like Pure Yang Chakra. Coupled with his Mangekyou, which was Yin, he was basically a Yin-Yang Chakra nature.

Though Ryu was confused, because he couldn't breathe Sun Breathing. He figured that it was most likely due to Naruto and Sasuke having Indra and Ashura Chakra that they were able to.

As he thought about it, Sasuke and Naruto were kinda like Yoriichi and Michikatsu… Actually, a lot like them!

Ryu smiled to himself and shook his head as he looked at Sasuke for a moment before leaving.

The next day

Ryu was crouching on a tree, eating Extra Super Sweet Mochi Dango with glazed Chocolate sauce as he watched Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura get obliterated by Kakashi with one hand.

Naruto ended up being tied to a stump and Kakashi warned them not to feed him or they would all fail before leaving.

Ryu flicked a Mochi Dango into his mouth with a toothpick, but it was caught in the air!

Kakashi sat down next to him and pulled down his mask, eating the Mochi Dango as he said "Why are you here? Worried about them?" Ryu's face turned ugly as he said "Did you just eat my Mochi Dango?"

Kakashi chewed and looked at him.

Ryu sighed and put a Mochi Dango in his mouth, saying "Not really worried, so much as curious." Kakashi somehow had another Mochi Dango in his hand as he replied "Concerned?" while pointing at himself.

Ryu rolled his eyes and said "Not about you. These two little bastards have holes in their brains. Did I teach them 6 Powers for no reason?" Kakashi sweat a bit, saying "You know… Those techniques take a long time to master! I'm not surprised they don't use them!"

He rubbed his leg and sighed, "I remember learning them… It wasn't fun…" Ryu laughed and elbowed him, "You only ruptured a few muscles and veins, no big deal!" Kakashi nearly fell off the tree!

He retorted "Only?! Good thing for Lightning Breathing, or else I'd be in a wheelchair!" Ryu laughed and smiled happily, "Kakashi in a wheelchair… I'd pay to see that." Kakashi rolled his eye and looked at the three at the poles sharing food, completely ignoring his words.

Ryu chuckled and shook his head, saying "By the way. I'm sure you heard…" Kakashi fell silent and sighed, closing his eye "Yes, I heard. Sarutobi Clan secret techniques, apparently they were created by Third Hokage himself."

Ryu smiled and threw a Mochi Dango in his mouth, chuckling, "Well, whatever. Karma will get him eventually. I just feel bad for the kids who have to suffer." Kakashi stayed silent and looked at Ryu, saying "What does THAT mean?"

Ryu glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, "I think you know exactly what it means right? I think actually you know very well what it means. And I even think that you will not even stop it."

Kakashi's face darkened and he turned back, staying silent.

Ryu turned back to the kids, changing the subject "I have something new." Kakashi didn't reply and Ryu continued "Breathing Style Sage Mode. I started with Lightning Breathing…"

As he threw another Mochi Dango into his mouth, savoring the extreme sweetness.

Kakashi's eyes lit up and Ryu added "Not finished yet. One wrong step and you'll turn to stone. Or rather in your case… Ashes?" Kakashi looked at him, asking "The principles?" Ryu replied simply "Natural Lightning. Speaking of which, your Chidori is so weak."

Kakashi was helpless, retorting "I tried what you told me, the highest I can go is 1000 degrees! After that, my Chakra gets sucked dry! Even from the Breathing Technique which boosted my Chakra because of my improved Physique, it still can't support 1500+!"

Ryu licked his fingertips, humming "I'll make a trip to the Cloud Village and steal their Lightning Release Techniques, maybe you can create something new. At any rate, 1000 degrees is pretty good already."

Kakashi snorted, "Yeah so great… Lightning usually gets burned up by fire anyway, right?" his tone was full of sarcasm and Ryu chortled, looking at Kakashi teasingly "Hey~! My flames are 3000 Degrees! Of course your Lightning will burn up! But you know, blocking them with a Lightning clone was pretty good! If you have the Thunder Cloak Jutsu, I think you'll be unstoppable!"

Ryu slapped his palm and said "I'll get you Flying Thunder God too. Haha! Kakashi's about to fly!" Kakashi looked at Ryu's excitement and smiled under his mask, shaking his head as he replied "I don-"

Ryu pinched his lips shut and sneered, "Did I ask you? I was getting Jutsu for my Sage Mode creation, you're just an added bonus. Who cares about what you want?" Kakashi rolled his eyes and finally said "Okay. Thank you, Ryu."

Ryu smiled happily and stood up, dusting off his pants as he chuckled "You can beat them, just don't kill them~" before disappearing directly.

Kakashi smiled to himself, feeling warm in his heart.

In truth, in terms of raw strength, Kakashi couldn't compare with Ryu, but he was so tricky that they tied sometimes.

Of course, in a fight to the death, Kakashi didn't think he could win. But it would never go that far to begin with so it didn't really matter in the end.

Ryu returned to the apartment and dropped off the books before writing a note. He kissed Anko's sleeping face and got dressed, leaving the house and flickering into the sky.

That very night, Naruto and Sasuke came home and Anko was making dinner, smiling at them, "How was it?" Naruto slammed his head on the table, "So tiring~! I'm STARVING~!"

Sasuke looked around and said "Where's Ryu?" Anko pointed her thumb at Ryu's desk, saying "Go wash your hands, boys. Dinner's almost ready. You'll be home alone tonight."

Sasuke picked up the note and his lips twitched…

'Went out to see the world's biggest Dango. I'll be back in a few days~ -Ryu'

Along with a shitty drawing of a bear face with a bow on its ear.

Sasuke tossed the note on the table and grumbled "Irresponsible bastard…" Naruto came back from washing his hands and laughed to the sky, "Hahaha! Well, well, well! Looks like we have the house to ourselves!"

Anko knocked on his head with a sweet smile, "Don't get any funny ideas, mister. No girls, no gambling, no drinking, no fighting, no throwing water balloons at the people walking by…"

Naruto was shocked and blurted out "So many rules!? And no throwing water balloons?! How did you know!?" Anko's lips twitched and she said angrily, pulling his ear "You think I don't know what you and Ryu do when I'm not around?! How many times have people complained! Do you know!?"

Naruto blushed and shouted "Ow! Ow! I'm sorry! I won't do it again!" Anko let him go and Naruto rubbed his ear, letting out a breath and muttering "When you're here that is… heh heh heh~"

Anko shouted angrily "You little devil!" as she squeezed his face in all sorts of shapes and sizes while Naruto begged for mercy.

Sasuke sat at the table and cleared his throat, "Idiot." Naruto pointed at him angrily "Don't act like you didn't throw some too!" Sasuke's eyes widened and Anko turned to him, grinning evilly, "Oh, did he now?"

Sasuke shook his head like a rattle and Anko chuckled, stretching out a claw, "I don't believe you!" before beating them both up.

The next night