Ryouta Senju - Makings Of A Legend

In the luxurious home of the Senju Family, Senju Kiyo, Senju Teichi and Senju Ryouta all sat at the dinner table together indulging in a family meal.

"Ryouta-kun, how was your class today? I heard from Iruka-san you were top of the class once again." Teichi looked at his firstborn son, the Senju couple were thinking of having another child in the near future.

Ryouta nodded, "Hai, Tou-sama."

"I heard this year's first year students have most of the clan heirs." Kiyo joined into the conversation, "That's a lot of talent, huh?" She looked at her son warmly with pride clear in her eyes as he shrugged.

"No-one's on my level," Ryouta took another bite of his food, "It's kind of boring honestly." His parents looked at their son, noting the tone he spoke with.

'Would he be looking to graduate earlier?' Teichi thought. 'But I really wanted Ryou-kun to make more friends other than clan heirs. That way he can build more bonds within the village, but if he wants to graduate early, I won't stop him.' Kiyo thought simultaneously.

As the family were engaged in ranging topics centered around Ryouta's schoolwork, the child in question sensed the presence of an ANBU outside.

His clone had felt the same ANBU shinobi watching his class -him specifically- from afar. So Ryou himself was quite familiar with the chakra of this shinobi

His father seemed to have sensed the chakra of the ANBU shinobi as he stood up. "Hold on Kiyo-chan, Ryou-kun. I'll be right back." He stated, excusing himself as he walked towards the entrance.

Ryou seemingly paid no mind, however, the young prodigy created a clone, merging it with the wooden floors as it followed after his father. He would see who this ANBU was.

It may be Kakashi since by the time, with insignificant changes to the plot, Kakashi should still be in ANBU.

Teichi twisted the door knobs and pulled the double doors open, revealing an ANBU shinobi with a distinct cat faced mask on.

The clone's eyes widened, recognising this ANBU to be Yamato/Tenzō from the orginal series. This was planned by Hiruzen. This would likely be his sensei, as only Tenzō can properly develop Ryouta's Mokuton prowess.

"Senju-sama, Hokage-sama requests your family's audience." The ANBU said as the clone's eyes narrowed, silently dispelling itself as the original gained the memories of his clone.

Ryou, processing this information, opened his eyes while wiping his mouth with a handkerchief as he looked up from his finished plate.

As if on cue, Teichi walked in with a warm smile on his face. "Ryouta-kun, Kiyo-chan. We have to meet with the Hokage." Teichi looked at both his son and wife after saying this.

Ryouta stood up with an annoyed expression on his face, "Tch. Mendokuse." He muttered.

"Oi. Be respectful kid, that's Hokage-sama you're complaining about." His father quickly reprimanded his son as Ryou looked away in response.

"Well let's go." Kiyo stated, livening the mood as Teichi placed a hand on both Ryouta's and Kiyo's shoulders.

The family of three suddenly disappeared from view. 'So this is the shunshin no jutsu.' Ryouta thought as the three were in the reception of the Hokage Building.

"Senju-sama, you can go straoght ahead." Ami quickly stated, no-one wanted to get on the bad side of the Senju Clan, especially with news of Ryouta's prodigious status.

Murmurs about Ryouta's strength were heard throughout the area as the Senju Family walked through the corridors, Teichi and Kiyo guiding their son to the Hokage's office.

Hiruzen, as if sensing the three, yelled a swift, "Come in!", prompting the patriarch of the Senju Clan to twist the door knob and push the door open.

"Teichi-kun. How have you been?" Hiruzen greeted Ryouta's father as if they were old friends.

"Hokage-sama. I've been good, busy taking care of this kid." He said with a smile while gesturing to his son as Kiyo stifled a laugh, maintaing a warm smile on her face.

Ryouta's sharp eyes took in every inch of the Hokage's office, sensing the nine ANBU stationed in different areas of the room.

The closest being one directly behind Hiruzen. 'Wait. That chakra signature is different from the others.' Ryouta thought while sensing the ANBU's chakra.

He closed his eyes and refined his chakra, and sure enough. This ANBU was not a part of the ANBU assigned to protect Hiruzen.

He paid it no mind, deciding not to speak on it.

"And you must be Ryouta-kun. You're getting pretty famous around the village." Hiruzen stated with his usual kind grandfatherly smile.

Yet, inwardly, the Hokage himself was astounded by the sheer density and colume of the boys chakra.

'To have this much chakra this early. He might grow up to match Hashirama-sensei's chakra levels, considering he has Mōkuton as well, and not a cheap copy in Yamato's case but real awakened Mōkuton, there's no telling how powerful this boy will become. Whether that's a good or bad thing for the future will depend on how he answers my questions.' Hiruzen finished his thoughts, gesturing the three to sit down alongside Iruka, who offered a kind smile to his student and his parents.

As everyone was sat down, Hiruzen got straight to the point, addressing Ryouta's parents.

"Teichi-kun, Kiyo-chan. I won't beat around the bush. Iruka here is the chūnin instructor of the First Year academy students.

He's been observing each of his student's performance since the start of their time in the shinobi academy till now.

And I have to say, your son is every bit the prodigy. He consistently ranks first in every category, and quite frankly, its not even close.

And Iruka here has said, he even suspected that Ryouta was getting bored during fights with Uchiha Sasuke, who is behind him at second place, bearing in mind that Sasuke is the second son of the Uchiha patriarch, Uchiha Fugaku and the younger brother of Uchiha Itachi.

As everyone knows with Itachi, he graduated when he was one year older than Ryouta's age now. So it took him a full year and a few months for us to even consider him for early graduation.

It took Ryouta just a few weeks. I'm sure you understand what I'm implicating." Hiruzen stated as Teichi looked down with a sigh, a smile forming on his face.

"Of course. It seems my little Ryouta-kun seems to be ready to advance to a higher grade." He said.

"Pardon my interjection Senju-sama. But it's not just that. I believe Ryouta is already genin material. He's already shown signs of his ninjutsu repertoire, mastering the three basic academy jutsu which are required to pass the genin exam within just five minutes." Iruka stated.

"And this is not even mentioning his mind. He has not only the best theory results in his class, but the best in the school. It's up to you guys and Ryouta-kun. But if you were to ask me, I'd say that keeping Ryouta in the academy is only hindering his talent." Iruka stated, which was a shock for himself as he was definitely against sending kids to the battlefield.

"Well. His chūnin instructor knows him best. Quite frankly. I don't have any problems regarding your decision, no matter what it is.

Unlike other early graduates, I'm not particularly worried about Ryouta not having strong bonds to the village, because of his lineage and status.

If he were an Uchiha, then perhaps I'd be concerned, but considering who his family is, I have no isdue with him graduating early." Hiruzen stated.

'It seems they want to push me to graduate early. That was hte plan anyway, this just speeds it up.' The young Senju thought as he perked up.

"I want to graduate now." He said suddenly as his mother looked at him. "Ryouta-kun. Let's think clearly okay?

Once you graduate, you're officially a shinobi, but you being a Senju and the only Mōkuton user in the village, this paints a huge target on your back," Kiyo interjected as she tried to persuade her son to think over this life changing decision.

"You being a child will do nothing to halt enemy shinobi's pursuit. Please think about this."

Ryouta looked at Hiruzen. "If something were to happen to the village, what good can I do if I'm in the academy. I want to protect my village on the front lines." He said as Hiruzen's eyes widened ever so slightly.

'I sense that strong will of fire. Time to ask some questions.' The Hokage gazed at Ryouta.

"Ryouta-kun. What does being a shinobi mean to you if you graduated right now." He asked as Ryouta thought about it before deciding to give the answer.

"To be a shinobi. A shinobi is someone who endures. Someone who can follow or lead others into any darkness and work together to overcome that darkness. Similarly, a shinobi walks towards danger with no fear while everyone else runs away. That is because the sole reason for a shinobi's existence is to protect those who can't protect themselves." Ryouta explained perfectly as everyone looked at the child shocked.

Hiruzen just smiled. "Would you be willing to be Hokage in the future, Ryouta-kun." Hiruzen asked curiously as Ryouta looked up, understanding and respect in his eyes.

"Hai, Hokage-sama." He replied as Hiruzen smiled. "Can you answer what being a Hokage means then? Ryouta-kun?"

"The Hokage is responsible for everything that's in the village. Its his responsibility to protect everyone here, and to make sure they're safe and happy within their village. He tends to the finances of this village, the rules, the daily events, everything. He controls every single shinobi who bears a Konoha hitaiate, and basically directs when they live and die. This job is not for the faint of heart, and only for someone who loves this village deeply." At the end of his answer he was staring back at the Hokage.

Hiruzen himself was shocked at the understanding Ryouta showed of being a shinobi and being a Hokage. He had no idea Ryouta was this perceptive and knowledgeable.

The other occupants of the room similarly stared at the Senju heir in shock along with the Hokage. It was simply unheard of, a six-year old possessing such a deep understanding of something modt people don't understand until much later on in their lives.

Hiruzen was shocked so much, thag he didn't notice his jaw was hanging a bit. 'Such a deep perception and insight at such a young age,' he thought with wonder, 'Only one person had shown such understanding like this, and he too was a year older.' His thoughts wandered to the prodigy of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Itachi.

"Hai, Ryouta-kun. That's exactly what being a Hokage means." Hiruzen stated with a tender smile.

"I'm not against my son graduating now, if he's up to it. Who am I to stop him?" Teichi asked with a proud smirk, he was clearly proud of his son.

Senju Kiyo, hearing this, finally relented. "Fine. I also support Ryouta-kun's decision." She said as Ryouta smiled.

"Go to the academy as usual in two weeks, when you arrive, ANBU will take you to sit your written exam, they will test you on the ninjutsu and taijutsu portion, and when you pass, come straight to my office to receive your hitaiate, any preferred colour or the standard light blue?" Hiruzen asked.

"I'll take the standard blue hitaiate, Hokage-sama." Ryouta stated as Hiruzen nodded. "Well. That's all. I sense boundless potential and an even greater will of fire from you, young Ryouta. I have no doubt that you will grow to match or even surpass Hashirama-sensei's talent." Hiruzen stated with a smile as Ryouta perked up at that.

"Arigatō, Hokage-sama."