AN: Note that I do not own Naruto, Naruto Shippuden, or any of the characters from either Anime. This work is a fanfiction written out of my love for the series and not in any attempt to make a profit.
Proofread by: Author
And so, comes a chapter I actually had planned, with a few outcomes I hadn't planned. I enjoyed writing it nonetheless, even if it was during a time crunch, the day before an exam… Don't worry, I am more or less responsible with how I study for the exam. I wrote this chapter during one long break and it took me only half as long as it tends to do, because of my tunnel-vision focus to get it done. If this resulted in errors I failed to spot… Make sure to point it out, and I'll get back to fixing them. Now, without further ado, enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 115: Prodigy in the making
It took Sakura a long time to finally get to see Tsunade again. Apparently, becoming Hokage had left her with so little free time on her hands, that it seemed almost impossible to ask for an audience with her. The only reason Sakura managed to secure one was that people kept mistaking her for Tsunade's apprentice. Of course, Sakura and Heikō decided not to refute the claim this time, and instead took advantage of it, which left them waiting to be let in to see the Hokage… for six entire hours.
Naturally, the six hours spent waiting were used wisely, practicing their external chakra creation, as it turned out to be their next best chakra control exercises. Slowly, but surely, the waste of mental and physical energy during the process was reduced, while their control over the chakra they created was increased. All they lacked to perfect their method was to figure out how to convert one type of energy into another. Since chakra could be turned into different elements or effects, it stood to reason that the individual components of chakra shared some level of those capabilities. Not to mention, that those energies were born from other sources of energy, to begin with, converted within the body. It was a frustrating endeavor that seemed to only lead to dead ends, no matter what method or how many attempts they made to try and figure out the secrets to infinite chakra.
Eventually, the six hours passed, and Sakura and Heikō could only boast of having advanced their chakra control, but nothing else in that time. They knew they were improving, but it still felt like it wasn't enough, leaving them disappointed, yet optimistically hopeful as they entered Tsunade's office. After all, change didn't come in just one day.
"Ah, Sakura, it's a blöessing to see you again. Unless you're here to give me more paperwork." Tsunade grumbled the last part, making Sakura smile as she shook her head negative.
"No, actually. I came here as your student. You know how I've asked your opinion on a multitude of techniques before, right?" Sakura asked, making Tsunade sigh.
"I do. And I'm sorry. Some of them seem well thought out, but I don't want you risking the potential backlash you could experience, and I don't have the time to help you develop the safer ones. As you can see, I am almost literally swamped in paperwork." Tsunade pointed out, gesturing to the stacks of paper on her desk, which Sakura and Heikō could feel hid a bottle of sake from view.
"Actually, that's fine. I have an idea on how to minimize the risks, but I need your approval and help to do so. It shouldn't take too long." Sakura promised, just as Shizune entered, carrying a tray with tea.
"Oh, Sakura. Sorry for disturbing you, but I brought Tsunade some tea while she takes a break." Shizune explained, and Sakura shook her head to show she didn't mind.
"It's fine," She assured her and watched as Shizune walked over to deposit the tea in front of Tsunade. Sakura couldn't help but smirk as she noticed Tsunade removing the bottle of Sake, hiding it from Shizune.
"Nice, blackmail." Heikō decided triumphantly, which nearly made Sakura chuckle.
"Why would we need blackmail on Tsunade?" She asked curiously, yet amused.
"Well, in case she refuses to give us permission to learn the Shadow clone Technique, even if we have enough chakra." Heikō pointed out, sounding almost convinced Tsunade would refuse for some reason.
"I don't think she'd have any reasons to forbid us," Sakura responded, watching Tsunade take a sip of her tea, before thanking Shizune and turning her attention back to them.
"Because she'd worry about us," Heikō answered before Tsunade spoke up again.
"Now then, you wanted to ask for my help, you said? I'd need to hear what you had in mind if I'm to help you." Tsunade pointed out.
"Yes, of course. I wanted you to confirm that my chakra reserves are enough to use the Shadow Clone Technique. With clones, I'd be able to perform certain risky training experiments involving chakra, without any risk to my body. It would also allow me to adjust my current training and increase its efficiency." Sakura explained although Tsunade didn't look pleased with the request.
"You realize that the Shadow Clone Technique is a Forbidden one, correct?" Tsunade asked, receiving a nod from Sakura, making her sigh. "Considering your request, you also know the biggest reason as to why. The technique requires at least low-level Jōnin chakra reserves to use them safely… Come here, and we'll see. If you have the reserves necessary, I'll consider it." Tsunade promised, and Sakura smiled as she walked over so Tsunade could test her.
Offering her right arm, Sakura watched as Tsunade lit her hands up with green, medical-chakra and began inspecting her wrist, where one would usually search for a pulse. "Channel some chakra into your arm for me," Tsunade asked them, and Sakura obliged. After a moment, Tsunade let go of her arm but kept her hands glowing with medical-chakra, as she seemed to follow her chakra up her arm until her hands settled over Sakura's heart. "Alright. Now, please channel as much chakra as you can, just circulate it, nothing more." Tsunade asked, them, and once again, Sakura obliged, summoning every ounce of chakra she could, before taking control of it as best she could and began manually accelerate it through her chakra system, focusing on it with all her might, dropping her sensory abilities in favor of doing her best. She heard Tsunade gasp, which nearly brought her out of her focus, but ultimately, she ignored it, until she felt Tsunade remove her hands from her.
"Alright, that's enough," Tsunade told her, and Sakura let go of her control, allowing her chakra to slow down and settle down to its usual flows and pace. Opening her eyes, she looked at Tsunade, realizing she was shocked.
"So, what's the verdict?" Sakura asked, only for Tsunade to chuckle, shaking her head.
"You don't even realize how incredible you are. Your chakra control is like nothing I've ever seen. I didn't think it was even possible to be as proficient as you are with your chakra… Unfortunately, despite the control you've shown me, your chakra reserves are still lacking. You're on the high end of the Chūnin level of chakra reserves, but not quite Jōnin yet… There is a technique I think you might be interested in, which, if what you've shown me so far is any indication, you might actually be able to master and improve to the point that it won't impact you negatively." Tsunade informed them, looking deep in thought as she considered it. "Tell me, have you ever heard of the Eight Inner Gates?" Tsunade asked, making Shizune gasp.
"Tsunade! You can't be serious! The eight Inner gates are a self-destructive art bordering in Kinjutsu! You yourself called the technique repulsive!" Shizune pointed out, making Tsunade sigh, while Sakura and Heikō only felt confusion.
"Shizune, I am aware of that. But, Sakura and Heikō have shown to be very inventive and intuitive when it comes to chakra. Considering their incredible, almost perfect chakra control at ninety-eight percent, I am inclined to bet that they'd be able to not only master the Eight Inner Gates but improve the technique to a point that it doesn't destroy them from the inside out." Tsunade explained, trying to calm Shizune, only managing to slightly alarm Sakura and Heikō. They'd rather not learn a suicide technique if they could help it. At least not until they learned the clone technique and could learn to practice such things safely. However, curious, and not one to doubt Tsunade, they decided to inquire further.
"What exactly are the Eight Inner Gates?" Sakura inquired, making Tsunade smile, while Shizune looked defeated.
"The Eight Inner Gates are eight specific tenketsu located in your body that, when opened, provide you with an extreme increase in chakra and power. I believe that each gate opened, increases your chakra by roughly fifty percent of your original power. The way it was explained to me long ago, the Eight Inner Gates regulate the power in our body, to protect us from our own power and chakra. With all of the Gates closed as is normal, an individual can at most bring out roughly twenty percent of their body's potential." Tsunade began explaining, shocking Sakura and Heiko.
"Only twenty percent!?" Heikō shouted in their mindscape, feeling as if this couldn't be right. And if it was, was Tsunade seriously hinting that unlocking these gates could overcome that limit? Why wasn't this well known and more commonly used if that was the case?
"And if one opens all eight gates… then they can reach one-hundred percent of their potential?" Sakura asked, receiving a nod from Tsunade, making her frown, and glance at Shizune, who was also frowning. "But it is dangerous to do?" She asked, receiving another nod.
"Full use of this technique, meaning that you decide to open all eight gates, is synonymous with death. The body simply can't handle the strain, and once the technique ends, the user dies." Tsunade explained, leaving Heikō far less interested, and Sakura blanching at the idea.
"And you're suggesting we learn it?" Sakura asked, trying to understand why Tsunade would ever do that.
"I am," Tsunade confirmed with a calm nod, and an amused smile, making Sakura feel like she was missing something. "As I told Shizune, I am confident that your abilities might be just what this technique needs. If you manage to develop a way to use the Eight Inner Gates safely, even if only personally, you would become a force to be reckoned with. I am not saying you should aim to master the technique completely, but mastering, and improving on just one gate will be a great achievement and a tremendous advantage. The rest would be up to you two." Tsunade told them, leaving them to contemplate on the possibilities, while Tsunade finished her tea, glanced at the clock, and sighed. "It seems our time is running out. I need to get back to work, so you will have to scram. If you're interested to learn how to unlock the Eight Inner Gates, then look for Maito Gai. I will write and deliver to you my personal permission and request for him to teach you." Tsunade promised.
Sakura was about to leave, still contemplating the suggestion, before stopping and looking back at Tsunade and her mountains of paperwork. "Is that all the paperwork you have to do?" Sakura asked, mentally calculating how long it would take Tsunade to get through all of it on her own. There was no way she could do it all by the end of the day.
"That it is, brat. What about it?" Tsunade asked, not happy to be reminded about it.
"Well… I was wondering why you don't use shadow clones to help process the paperwork. You must have enough chakra, and you have access to the technique, right? It'd make it all a lot easier." Sakura pointed out, making Tsunade freeze, before she looked down at the paperwork and then began laughing, stood up, and turned to kiss Shizune before running out of the office, presumably to learn the Shadow Clone Technique, leaving behind a shell-shocked Shizune, and a relieved Sakura. Relieved, because she had avoided being kissed. Tsunade was too old for them, and she didn't think she was into girls. Turning back from looking down the hall, where Tsunade had disappeared, to look back at Shizune Sakura saw her frozen in place, her eyes distant and her expression frozen in confusion and indecision.
"Well, that happened," Heikō spoke up, and Sakura nodded, not sure as to what to say in response.
"Shizune, will you be alright?" Sakura asked, which fortunately seemed to snap Shizune out of the funk. It took her a moment to process Sakura's question before she nodded.
"Yes… I will be after a drink." Shizune told her, which made Sakura smile.
"Second drawer on the left." Sakura pointed out, thinking it was fair that Tsunade paid for the little incident, as she had been the one to cause it.
AN: Okay, so planned for this chapter was Sakura asking about Shadow Clones. Without Heikō's reserves being counted with Sakura's, their chakra capacity would still have been at the level of Genin. Without training, it would have been at low-level Genin, so there are some major differences here at this point of the story when compared to canon.
In the Anime, Tsunade knows the Shadow Clone Jutsu, but it is never explained when or where she learned it. I took some creative freedom here in assuming she didn't know it until she came back to Konoha, and in canon learned it after inheriting the scroll of seals as the Hokage. Hopefully, this will lighten her burden significantly, and we'll see her around some more.
Now, to be honest, I hadn't planned for Sakura and Heikō to learn to open the Eight Inner Gates. That's quite something, don't you think? Imagine the devastation and beatdown that a Tsunade strength Sakura with the Eight Inner Gates could cause… It makes me shudder and wonder… It feels like the perfect technique to combine with the Strength of a Hundred Seal… If Sakura and Lee had ended up together, their children would become legends… Provided they didn't end up with a chakra network like Lee's.
Another unexpected thing was Tsuande kissing Shizune. It was a fun opportunity, and with Tsunade sneaking Sake into her office, and being happy enough "that she could kiss someone" I just had to write it down as the idea struck me. The gratitude was of course directed at Sakura, but Shizune was the closest person, and Tsunade does have a fair lot of things to be thankful for Shizune as well, so it is reasonable that she could end up directing it all into a sudden kiss like that. I do wish to make it clear that this was intended as a joke, much like Naruto's and Sasuke's kiss at the beginning of canon, and is not me shipping the two of them, or trying to subtly/unsubtly shove some romantic undertones into this story. Just making sure I am perfectly clear about that.
