"Yes, Naruto-kun!"
Hinata's small face was flushed red, her training uniform soaked with sweat, but her eyes were incredibly firm as she once again assumed her stance.
"Alright, alright, it's so hot—"
Ino grumbled, yet she didn't slack off in the slightest, concentrating as she attempted to control Naruto with her Mind Body Switch Technique.
First Year, Autumn.
Demon Country, the maple forest outside the newly built shrine.
The maple leaves were like fire.
Naruto finished his training in Konoha and instantly arrived in the Demon Country using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Shion was already waiting in the maple forest, wearing a light purple kimono. Compared to before, she had shed much of her youthful innocence, gaining a few touches of a Miko's serenity and elegance. However, when she saw Naruto, a girlish excitement still flickered in her eyes.
"You're here?"
"Mm, just finished training. I brought you Ichiraku Ramen from Konoha Village."
The two walked side by side on the path covered with fallen leaves, chatting about their recent lives.
Naruto would tell her interesting stories from other worlds.
Shion, in turn, would recount the troubles and progress of governing the Demon Country.
There was no grand drama, only a gentle warmth and the tranquility of each other's company.
Naruto would occasionally guide Shion on how to more effectively control her vast Miko power.
Second Year, Winter.
One Punch World, Saitama's apartment.
"Squats! Squats! Heave-ho!"
Saitama chanted, doing squats side by side with Naruto.
As Naruto had said, there was indeed no air conditioning in the apartment, regardless of the severe cold or scorching heat.
But in reality, Saitama surprisingly agreed with and supported Naruto on this point, because—he was too poor to afford the electricity bill for air conditioning.
However, in the cold winter, the two worked up a sweat, the room was steaming, and a layer of frost formed on the windows.
"Naruto-sensei, will we really not catch a cold like this?" Saitama asked, puzzled, as he squatted.
"Saitama, you must remember, only the weak catch colds. A true powerhouse can even kill viruses with their aura," Naruto said with a serious expression, uttering seemingly profound words.
Saitama: "..."
Although it sounded unreliable, after a year, he indeed found that he almost never got sick, and his physical strength had increased to an unbelievable degree, even being able to easily defeat some Wolf-level and even Tiger-level monsters with pure strength.
He just didn't know why, but lately, his hair loss was getting more and more severe. Second Year, Summer.
Fire Shadow World, Death Forest!
"Eight Trigrams Empty Palm!"
Hinata shouted, pushing out a palm through the air. The powerful Chakra shockwave snapped a large tree, which would require several people to embrace, in half, its power far exceeding what it once was.
"Well done, Hinata! Ino, it's your turn!"
"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!"
Ino Yamanaka clapped her hands on the ground, creating a swamp even larger than the Swamp of the Underworld she had used when escorting Shion.
Naruto stood with his arms crossed, watching their progress with satisfaction.
Third Year, Autumn.
Demon Country, mountaintop sunset.
Naruto and Shion sat on a giant rock at the mountain peak, watching the enormous sun slowly sink into the sea of clouds.
"Time passes so quickly," Shion said softly, the wind blowing through her long hair.
"Yes, it's been three years." Naruto nodded.
These three years, he had traveled between two worlds, on one hand, training Saitama to become stronger and balder, on the other hand, guiding his companions in Konoha, and on yet another hand, accompanying this Miko who wanted to have children with him.
It's worth mentioning that the flow of time in the One Punch World and the Fire Shadow World were quite similar.
"When will you come next?" Shion asked, a hint of imperceptible reluctance in her voice.
"Soon," Naruto smiled. "According to exclusive intelligence, tomorrow the supermarket will have limited-edition instant noodles for sale. I'll come over after I grab some."
Shion couldn't help but chuckle. This reason was always so... down-to-earth.
She gently leaned her head on Naruto's shoulder. Naruto paused slightly but didn't move away.
The setting sun cast their silhouettes long.
"Naruto, when will you help me pass on my Miko power to the next generation?"
Third Year, Winter.
One Punch World, park in the snow.
Heavy snow fell, and the accumulated snow on the ground was ankle-deep.
"100! Done!"
Naruto and Saitama simultaneously completed their last sit-up for the day, their exhaled white breath like steam.
Three years of persistence, unbroken, regardless of wind, rain, severe cold, or scorching heat.
Saitama wore a fluffy hat, and snowflakes landed on the brim, quickly melting.
Naruto unexpectedly snatched Saitama's hat off, looking at Saitama's bald head, and he knew he had succeeded.
Heaven rewards those who work hard!
Three years, a full three years!
This hidden quest had taken far too long.
"Naruto-sensei, why is your hair still thick?" Saitama, now in a "stick figure style" with an expressionless face, showed a hint of confusion.
This greatly puzzled Saitama.
Why had all his hair fallen out in three years, not a single strand left, and even hair transplants didn't work, yet his teacher Naruto still had an enviable head of golden hair?
Naruto put the hat back on Saitama's bald head and replied, "Otherwise, how would I be your master? There's a reason for it."
"I see—"
"Let's go, Naruto-sensei, eggs are on sale at the supermarket today."
Saitama, deeply convinced, nodded without overthinking, and patted the snow off his body.
"Okay." Naruto smiled and nodded.
"Speaking of which, it seems like the New Year is approaching."
"It is."
"Naruto-sensei, should we get together and have a hot pot at home?"
"That's a pretty good idea, but wouldn't it be a bit lonely with just the two of us?"
"Huh? Naruto-sensei, do you have friends?!" Saitama, walking side by side with Naruto in the snow, widened his eyes, looking at Naruto with a bit of surprise.
"Friends, well, I have quite a few."
"Could it be a girlfriend?!"
"Girlfriend—hmm—something like that—"
Naruto pinched the bridge of his nose, suddenly getting a headache. What should he do with so many confidantes?
"Ah—Saitama asked with a somewhat defeated and unwilling tone, 'Sensei—I've never asked before, how old are you?'"
"Three years ago I was 12, so now I'm naturally 15," Naruto replied.
Of course, with Naruto's current height and development, he was indistinguishable from an eighteen-year-old youth.
Walking with Saitama, he was more than half a head taller than the 175cm Saitama.
"15—years—old—"
Saitama, who was already in a stick-figure state, instantly turned to stone, then cracked from his head down to his body, splitting in two.
Saitama at this moment:
25 years old!
Single!!
Unemployed!!!
"I'm a bit discouraged, but as expected of my master."
Saitama quickly recovered, feeling genuine admiration for Naruto.
In fact, after three years of training, Saitama not only became stronger and balder, but his emotions also became more indifferent; he wasn't very interested in girlfriends.
He'd rather read manga and play games, enjoying his freedom, than spend time dating and coaxing girls.