Hi. I had finished chapter 3 around the end of May, which for me, is the same time the school year ends. Then, my family and I went on vacation the first week of summer, and apparently, my muse was thinking along the same lines. However, luckily for me, my muse returned home minutes after I did, so as soon as I unpacked my stuff, I was able to write this whole chapter in one sitting, which I am very proud of. Also, my sister started editing my story, and she made quite a few improvements, especially with grammar. Ok, time to answer the reviews.
To Chewie Cookies: It's just the start… I think.
To Dragonman180: Yeah. I found that out shortly before you told me that, but I wasn't able to correct it until after. Thanks though.
To Raptor2001: You will find out for yourself.
Remember to check the past chapters for repostings.
Training Ground
The next morning, when Kakashi had just reached the place where he trained Naruto (as usual) when he spotted the recently-promoted chunin, along with several shadow clones, was each holding something small, which they were all hunched over. Once the copy-ninja got a closer look, he noticed that, for some strange reason, the blonde was practicing the Rasengan.
"Morning, Naruto!" Kakashi greeted him. "I thought you were supposed to be learning new techniques, not practicing old ones."
The blonde shrugged. "Well, my talk with Hinata yesterday kinda made me realize I've been doing something wrong." This response puzzled the jonin.
"What have you been doing wrong, Naruto?" He asked. "As far as I can see, you have the Rasengan down flat. You've even invented two versions of it."
"Well, remember the two shortcuts I came up with when I learned the technique? The one where I use my hands to help with rotation, and the fact I need a shadow clone to use it properly?" Naruto asked soberly. Kakashi nodded thoughtfully.
"I have been relying on those, when it would be best if I learned to do the technique without the shortcuts. It would be quicker, and I wouldn't waste any chakra on the shadow clone."
Naruto's unusual mature speech made Kakashi to scratch his head for a few seconds and realize that maybe all of his lectures about chakra hadn't been completely wasted. When he was satisfied with this explanation, the copy-ninja reached into one of his vest pockets and took out, to his student's surprise, several balloons. The silver-haired shinobi walked over to the nearby river and silently filled them with water. He came back and handed one to the silent blonde, and each of his shadow clones
"Well then, back to square one. You know what to do: pop them by rotating the water with your chakra and this time, no hands." He emotionlessly instructed him. "Don't worry, you can do it."
"Yes sir!" Naruto replied smartly. He even saluted. Then, he started doing something he hadn't done in several years. As he trained, Kakashi's thoughts drifted from his Itcha Itcha book and back toward his student. A few months before Naruto had started his ninjitsu training, he had taken his second chunin exam. (That was actually what had convinced Kakashi that Naruto was ready for it). To those who didn't know him, Naruto appeared to be a dropout who was so weak, that even at his age, he was unable to become a chunin. However, to their surprise, the jinchuriki had taken the exam by storm. He already knew the secret of the written segment, so it was no problem for him. His above-average shinobi skills allowed him to pass the second segment with ease, even though he had no teammates helping him, and the same skills had allowed him to make it through the final segment undefeated. By the final round, almost everyone in the stands from Konoha had been cheering his name. Kakashi had rarely been so proud as when Naruto had emerged from the arena, tired but grinning widely. Just thinking about it made the jonin smile, though it was invisible under his mask..
Naruto can do it. Kakashi thought. He has so many things going for him. From his bloodline and his friends, to his awesome potential. Kakashi's unseen smile widened. He can do a lot more.
About an hour later.
"I popped it! I popped it!" One of the clones called out. The others had already turned to look at him when his balloon had burst loudly.
"Good, Naruto." Kakashi congratulated him tonelessly, without looking up from his book.. "Now, release the clones, and compile what you learned."
Eagerly, the jinchuriki did as he was told, and sat down for a few minutes to catch his breath, and to review what he had done. The clone that had succeeded had started with the basic ring-shaped spin he had known for years, but as he got used to it, he added another ring, and another, connecting them into one current as he made them, until it had gotten enough rings, and reached the required speed. Once it did, the balloon popped instantly. Naruto concluded he needed to reach the needed rotation speed and amount a lot faster to truly have passed the first step without cheating.
Once he was done thinking, Naruto stood back up and recreated his clones, minus one since he was down one balloon. Thirty seconds after he restarted, another loud pop was heard, which was quickly followed by another one.
"RECOMPILE!" Kakashi barked, sounding much like a drill sergeant this time. Naruto released his jutsu once again without hesitation, and stood there for a few seconds. Then, for the third time, the blonde made more clones. This time, it took less than five seconds, and all the balloons popped, almost in unison. A happy Naruto grinned as he released the clones.
"Will that do, Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto asked his instructor cheerfully. His seemingly mature image disintegrated during that moment as he struck a pose. Kakashi once again, reached into one of his vest pockets and took out a water bottle, which he tossed at his student, who caught it in one hand
"Great job, Naruto. You finished the first step properly in record time-" The copy-ninja began to tell the jinchuriki.
"Thanks, Kakashi-sensei. For the water bottle, I mean." Naruto interrupted him sort-of jokingly.
"-with my superb training method, of course." The disgruntled shinobi finished under his breath. Sometimes Naruto can go from serious and cool to annoying in record time.
"What did you say, Kakashi-sensei?" Asked the blonde, who thought he had heard his sensei say something, as he sat down in some shade.
"Nothing, Naruto." He replied with a sigh.
About twenty minutes later, the jinchruiki stood back up, and informed his silver-haired instructor that he was ready to continue training.
"Alright, let's go." Kakashi replied. He silently was glad he was wearing his mask, it just wasn't his style to show this much emotion.
