"Grandpa Ancestor, the teachers are all outside. They want to see you!"
Ichiro Suigen was pushed forward helplessly.
There was no choice.
All the people waiting outside were his teachers, and their request was not unreasonable. They only wanted to meet the Patriarch.
So when Ichiro entered the courtyard, he gathered his courage and spoke on their behalf.
Inside the quiet courtyard, the old man—Prince Suigen, the Ancestor of the Chuigen Clan—was sitting calmly, holding a teacup.
He took a few slow sips.
Instead of answering immediately, he asked lightly,
"Has Naruto returned?"
Ichiro nodded.
"Yes. He's back."
Prince Suigen hummed softly and placed the teacup down.
Then he looked at Ichiro and sighed.
"It's not that I don't want to see them."
"It's simply… the time has not yet come."
Ichiro frowned.
"Grandpa Ancestor, when will the time come?"
Prince Suigen chuckled.
"You'll know when the time comes."
Then his expression became serious.
"Go and tell your teachers this."
"Although Naruto has improved, he is not yet truly strong."
"Tell Takero to train him as if he were the future Young Master of the Suigen Clan."
Ichiro's eyes widened.
Train Naruto as the future Young Master?
That meant his grandfather valued Naruto extremely highly.
"Yes, Grandpa Ancestor!"
He quickly bowed and turned to leave.
Just as he was about to step out of the courtyard, Prince Suigen added,
"Also, don't forget."
"Bring Naruto here tomorrow."
Ichiro paused.
"Understood!"
With a wave of his hand, Prince Suigen dismissed him.
Outside the Courtyard
As soon as Ichiro came out, Takero and the others surrounded him.
"Well?"
"How was it?"
"Did he agree to see us?"
Ichiro sighed.
Chuigen Sky Burial frowned.
"What happened?"
Chuigen Gongshan urged impatiently,
"Speak up!"
Natsuki rolled up her sleeves.
"Don't tell me you forgot everything again!"
Ichiro hurriedly raised his hands.
"Wait, wait, listen to me!"
"Grandpa Ancestor said he won't see you for now."
"Because… the time hasn't come yet."
Everyone froze.
"The time hasn't come?"
"When will it come?"
Before anyone could question further, Ichiro continued,
"He also said Naruto should be trained as the future Young Master."
"He's still not strong enough."
"I've told you everything he said."
Silence fell.
Then—
"Hey! Don't leave yet!"
Takero grabbed Ichiro.
"Did he say anything else?"
"No."
Sky Burial asked,
"Did he mention when the time would come?"
"No."
Moriichi asked,
"Did he explain why?"
"No."
Natsuki frowned.
"Why don't you remember anything useful?"
"No."
Yanshan glared.
"Brat, do you only know how to say 'no'?"
Ichiro smiled bitterly.
"Masters… instead of questioning me, why don't you think about how you trained me back then?"
"And how you'll train Naruto now?"
Moriichi frowned.
"But Naruto has common attributes."
Ichiro widened his eyes.
"What?! Common attributes?"
"Then how did he become so strong?"
Natsuki replied seriously,
"The senior brother asked each of us to train him."
"Unexpectedly, Naruto is more talented than any common-attribute cultivator."
"His comprehension is terrifying."
"Everything comes easily to him."
Everyone nodded.
Ichiro fell silent.
Suddenly, a thought struck him.
"Could it be…"
"Is Naruto… a legendary existence?"
Takero looked at him.
"Now you understand why we're here."
Ichiro nodded slowly.
"Oh, right."
"I'll bring Naruto to see Grandpa tomorrow."
The six masters exchanged looks.
After a moment, Takero spoke firmly.
"Then we'll train him even harder."
"The Patriarch has placed his bet on Naruto."
"For the future of the Chuigen Clan, we must go all out."
With consensus reached, they dispersed.
The Wooden House
That night, after bathing, Naruto lay comfortably on his bed.
Just as he was about to fall asleep—
Knock, knock.
"Huh? Who is it?"
He walked over and opened the door.
It was the girl next door.
"It's you?"
She nodded.
"Why were you gone so long?"
Naruto scratched his head.
"I went back to the academy. Just came down from the mountains."
She looked him up and down.
"Oh… no wonder."
"You're much stronger."
Naruto laughed.
"Really?"
He asked,
"Is something wrong?"
She shook her head.
"No. Just walking around."
Then she turned and left.
Naruto stared at her back, puzzled.
"Strange…"
He closed the door and went to sleep.
The Next Day
Early in the morning, Ichiro came to fetch Naruto.
Naruto mentioned the girl from last night.
Ichiro burst out laughing.
"She probably likes you!"
Naruto waved his hands.
"No way!"
"She ignored me!"
"Besides, I already have a family."
Ichiro patted his shoulder.
"Then talk to her later."
"Come on, I'll take you to see Grandpa."
Naruto was shocked.
"Grandpa Ancestor wants to see me?!"
"Yeah."
"Let's go."
They flew together to the ancient courtyard where Naruto had first awakened.
It was still the same peaceful garden.
Under Ichiro's guidance, Naruto passed through corridors and corners until they arrived.
"Grandpa Ancestor, Naruto is here."
Ichiro announced cheerfully.
Prince Suigen was watering flowers.
He slowly turned around.
When he saw Naruto, he smiled kindly.
"My little friend is here."
Naruto bowed.
"Yes, Grandpa."
"Sit, sit!"
Prince Suigen gestured.
Then he looked at Ichiro.
"You, get out."
Ichiro froze.
"…Me?"
"Out."
"…Alright."
He left reluctantly.
Soon, only Naruto and Prince Suigen remained.
"Come, drink tea."
The old man poured tea for Naruto himself.
Naruto accepted it respectfully.
After drinking, Prince Suigen sighed softly.
"These peaceful days…"
"They won't last long."
Naruto's heart tightened.
He asked carefully,
"Why do you say that, Grandpa?"
Prince Suigen smiled faintly.
His eyes carried endless depth.
"Because…"
"A storm is coming."