Disclaimer : I don't own Naruto.
Chapter 2 – Learning
After settling down in his new apartment, Naruto visited the library. After a little argument with the librarian and giving out Hokage threats he was given the access. First of all, Naruto searched for 'how to become Shinobi?' After few days in the library and reading a bunch of books & reference notes he came to following Conclusions:
What is Shinobi?
-Shinobi are the soldiers, who protect their village and do missions for the village. Shinobis can harvest chakra to become powerful and perform jutsus which normal people can't.
What is Chakra?
-Chakra is the energy found in every living organism. It's also the combination of mental/spiritual and physical energies. Chakra users have five main affinities water, fire, wind, lightning and earth. Each person has at least one of the five affinities but more affinities can be obtained through training. The spiritual and physical aspects also grant affinities of Yin and Yang respectively to every chakra user but very few people use these affinities. Also, combination of 2 or more affinities can be achieved and there are people who carry natural affinity to such combinations through bloodline, it's called Kekkei Genkai. Although Chakra is combination of mental and physical energies not every user balances it perfectly, better the balance better is the potency of chakra. But perfect balance is very difficult.
How to find/harvest Chakra?
-First you have to sit in meditation and concentrate inside yourself and search for a small flame or even just a spark and force your will on it to make it move, once you succeed you have found your chakra and are ready to learn to use it. Before anyone learn to harvest chakra body automatically produces small amount of chakra for proper functioning. But as you start to harvest chakra you have to increase your physical and mental facilities so as your body can produce more chakra.
What is Chakra Network?
-Chakra has it's own pathways in the body through it flows. There are also many tenketsu or chakra points in the body where chakra accumulates and provide support to the surrounding tissue/ organs/ cells in general. There are also eight main tenketsu which are larger and store much more chakra than other tenketsu points, known as the Eight Celestial Gates or Eight Inner Gates. These Eight gates are usually closed and restrict the user from chakra overload and keep the body operation under safety limits. Most of the chakra resides in the dantian though, from where you extract it guide it through chakra pathways and tenketsus to different part of the body as required.
How do you control chakra?
-To control chakra first you have to exert you will on it, then you make it move throughout your body pathways and tenketsus. Then there are many chakra control exercises such as leaf sticking, leaf floating, tree climbing, water walking etc. Through these exercises you can improve your chakra control. There are also some highly advanced chakra control exercises but those are for higher rank shinobis. It's easy to control less amount of chakra, as the amount increases control becomes harder.
What is Jutsu?
-Jutsu is a technique performed by Shinobis using chakra. There are mainly three types of jutsu used in combat; Taijutsu - Hand to hand combat, Ninjutsu - Chakra extensive techniques such as elemental Ninjutsu, Genjutsu – Chakra induced illusion techniques. There are also support type jutsu such as Iryojutsu - Medical Ninjutsu and Fuinjutsu – Sealing techniques. Most of jutsu(except taijutsu) require hand signs to perform but skilled shinobi can reduce or omit the required hand signs.
After learning so much about chakra from the library Naruto decided to find chakra for himself. Early morning that day he sat on his bed meditating. After calming his mind he decided to look inside to find chakra. He new it will not be easy but he would not give up. To Narutos surprise he did not find a spark, not small warm flame but river of chakra. He took a deep breath and exert his will on the river of chakra trying to move it according to his will but it was very difficult he tried for hours but could only budge it a little. He finally decided to take a break and went out to ichiraku for lunch. He kept thinking about how to proceed from here, he remembered that more chakra is harder to control. But he can't just give up right. So he decided to try different approach.
After returning home, he once again sat on the bed and started his meditation. He dived back into his body, but this time he did not try to move the chakra but just observed it. He let his will flow with the chakra itself. Instead of trying to exert his will on it, he just let chakra carry his will and he just observed. After some time his eyes lit up, instead of pulling chakra from the dantian he decided to pull it from the tenketsu points. He focused on his hand, after some time he located a tenketsu on his index finger and pulled on a chakra in it and he succeeded. He played with that chakra for some point, he would carry that chakra from tenketsu point to another tenketsu point.
After thinking about it a little he came to a conclusion, its not that he could not control his chakra, just that he could not separate the amount from his dantian small enough that he could control. He had found a direction for himself to train his chakra control. He knew that if he could keep up his chakra control exercises he would grow good at it.
Now was time for Naruto to schedule his days, he knew that he was easy to be bored. If he did nothing he would get funny ideas and get himself in trouble. Also he could not just walk around, most people would only stare at him angrily but there were some who would act on it as well. So he decided it would be best if he kept himself busy and out of people's eyes. As he knew balancing both mental and physical aspects of chakra was essential for potent chakra, he decided to work on both. Mornings would be for physical training, afternoon would be for reading in the library and evening would be for chakra control exercises.
Naruto would start his mornings early, first he would go for a run. He would run till he cannot anymore. Then he would do stretches as found in the books at library. Afterwards he would do heavy physical workout. Then he would rest for a while to let the fatigue wash off. Then he would go to Ichiraku for brunch. Later he would read in the library till 4pm. He did not restrict himself for anything particular he would just let himself drawn in the knowledge he found. There he learned about healthy diet and decided to learn to cook for himself. But he knew that shops charged himself thrice the amount. So he hashed up a deal with Ayame that she would do shopping for him, in return he would work 2 hours everyday at Ichiraku. So from 4 to 6pm Naruto worked at Ichiraku.
After returning home in the evening, his favorite exercises would start, Chakra Control. First he started with each teketsu, he would pull the chakra from there and drag it all over his body through all his tenketsus. He did not know this but most shinobi never use all the tenketsu, only tenketsu in hands, legs and connecting them to dantian, but he didn't care. Then he would separate smaller amounts from the tenketsu and pull it through all over again. He would change the amount, pathways and do all over again. Then he started to capture chakra from multiple tenketsu and pull it again. He found it fun. He also noticed that as he would put his chakra network through stress it would grow is size as well as become more resilient. Through trial and error Naruto also learned to open and close the tenketsu at will. He would open and close them in series. If any Hyuga were to see it, they would find as if watching celebration string lights blinking on and off in rhythm. After he also started pulling chakra through his dantian, separating it in different amounts dragging it through all his body.
After he was satisfied with his inner control, Naruto decided to start most basic chakra control leaf sticking exercise. It took Naruto total of 30 seconds to get it right. But Naruto was not happy, he decided to increase difficulty. He started sticking leaves all over his body. After he succeeded with all his teknetsu, he started to make them slide across his body by connecting one leaf to the chakra from more than one tenketsu. Initially it was very difficult, but his neural network was slowly adapting to his way of multitasking. After he was bored with all he could do with leaf sticking exercise, he moved on to leaf floating exercise. He did same with leaf floating exercise, he used all his tenketsu to perform it. Then he would switch the leaves from one tenketsu to another. Later he decided to combine both the leaf sticking and leaf floating exercises. But this time it was difficult. The amount of chakra needed to stick the leaf to body and amount of chakra needed to make the leaf was different. He ended up tearing apart many leaves before he mastered it. Then he realized something, chakra needed for sticking and floating is different for different leaves. Then started Naruto's trial and errors in chakra control, he would use different leaves, pebbles, sand, small objects even dirt. Later Naruto started on tree climbing and combined did it together with other two as well. Naruto also learned to ski on vertical surfaces while multitasking. Then same for water walking. Naruto was learning to control his chakra and enjoying himself as well.
Naruto kept up his learning in the library as well. He read novels for fun, he read books on maths, anatomy, botany, psychology, politics. He also learned few strategy games but he could only play against himself. He also learned how to make mind palace for himself. It was then he met his tenant for the first time. Naruto was confused he just wanted to create a mind palace for himself as he was learning too much and he didn't want to forget it and wanted to recall it easily. But here he was in what looked like sewer with ankle deep water in it. There was a huge cage in front of him, behind the bars was he very huge orange fox with nine tails. Naruto looked at the fox curiously, asking "Who are you? Where are you?" The Kyuubi just laughed "hahaha kit, I thought it would take you at least couple more years for you to get here. Never thought you could do it before you turned 5". Naruto was confused "What do you mean?". "We are in your mind kit." " We are? I know I was trying to create a mind palace, but I never imagined I could just come inside my mind. So who are you? And what are you doing in my mind?" "hahaha kit, you have way too many questions. But I don't have to answer you, do I? So now you can make yourself scares." "Ok I will but first I want to make a mind palace for myself, how can I do that if my mind is such mess?" "hahaha, can't help you there kit. You will figure out something for yourself. Now shut up I'm going to sleep." "Okay you sleep, we will talk later, now let me think how I'm going to make that mind palace." With that Naruto exited his mind palace and decided to consult old man Hokage fisrt.
Few days later it was Naruto's 5th Birthday and he was happy as old man would come to visit him. Naruto was smarter that to wonder outside on his birthday as he had no intention of playing a role of a punching bag for few drunkards. So he was waiting in his apartment when the old man decided to show up. Hiruzen was happy to see Naruto "Happy Birthday Naruto. How are you doing? We haven't seen each other in couple of months". "Thanks, old man. I am doing well. How about you? Have you been enjoying your paperwork?" "Haha Naruto I'm Enjoying it very much, thank you". After talking for some time Naruto decided to ask what was on his mind "So Old Man, I was trying to build a mind palace for myself and I got in some trouble". Sarutobi was confused, he had never heard of mind palace. He was great shinobi with a lot of knowledge, but this was his first-time hearing about it, so he said "Sorry Naruto I have not heard about it, so I'm not sure about it". Naruto was very calm "It's ok old man, I can build it myself I have different issue. So, when I was starting I ran into this cage you see and there was a big orange fox there, was it the kyuubi that attacked the village 5 years ago?" Hiruzen was shocked to the core, for a second he did not know what to say. He took a deep breath and asked Naruto to describe what exactly did he see, and Naruto obliged; he told everything that happened on that day. After thinking for a while Hiruzen decided to be honest with Naruto. "So Naruto you know how 5 years ago the kyuubi attacked our village and Yondime Hokage killed it?" Naruto just nodded. "Actually kyuubi is one of the bijuu and made of sentient chakra constructs and cannot be killed. There is only one way to defeat them that is to seal them away. But papers and other objects are not enough as they cannot carry so much chakra. So they are sealed in people, such people are called Jinchuriki, as they sacrificed everything for the village." Naruto confirmed his hypothesis and finally understood why everyone hated him so much. By this point Naruto is well read, he has read about psychology. He understand but found it funny too 'If they hate him because they think he is the demon, then they should just fear him, how come they get the courage to beat him or even look at him for that matter. Hiruzen continued "Fourth wanted people to see you as hero, but…" Naruto interrupted him "I understand old man. They were grieving and angry and just needed a commonplace to vent at. It's ok, they will understand someday that I'm Naruto Uzumaki and not the Kyuubi." Hiruzen was pleasantly surprised "I didn't know you were so mature". Naruto scratched his head sheepishly "Thanks old man". He paused "So old man can you teach me a few jutsu?" Hiruzen just smiled and ruffled Naruto's Hair "Sorry Naruto, you are still too young, plus to learn jutsu you need to be able to control chakra." Naruto Interrupted again "I can control chakra old man, I can even walk on water" Hiruzen just laughed and pointed "So can you climb on this wall?" Naruto stood up and walked up the wall. Hiruzen was shocked to say the least "Naruto who taught you how to do that?" Naruto deadpanned "I learned that myself from the books, so will you teach me or not?" Hiruzen was unsure what to do "Ok Naruto what would like to learn?" Naruto had an answer ready "That shape changing jutsu I have seen academy kids practicing." Hiruzen asked "And why is that?" Naruto was serious "I want to be able to shop without being overcharged. I also want to learn few trades like carpeting, tailoring, farming, hunting and such. And I don't thin anyone will teach me. Also I will like to learn sealing arts too." Hiruzen felt sad so he agreed " Ok Naruto, here is the scroll for three academy jutsus, these are compulsory to pass the academy. Also this is an introductory book for sealing arts. As I can see you are going to learn a lot and you have enough chakra to spare I'll give you one more scroll, this is 'shadow clone jutsu' very useful. But be very careful with it's use it's forbidden for a reason."
After Hiruzen Sarutobi left, he was contemplating if he should ask Jiraya to check the seal. As Naruto was alone, he decided to meet up with his tenant again. In the mindscape "Hello Kyuubi-San, I forgot to introduce myself the last time, I'm Naruto Uzumaki. How are you doing?" Kyuubi just growled "Go away kit, I'm in a bad mood." Naruto could also sense that the kyuubi was emitting much more negative aura than the last time, so he decided leave the fox alone for now and work on his Mind Palace. "Ok, sorry for the disturbance. I will just focus on my work for now and trouble you later" And Naruto sat down his eyes closed. Kyuubi just raised an eyebrow and went back to sleep.
In his meditation Naruto was observing his mindscape, he really was not happy with how it looked. So he decided to do something about it. He imagined a prairie full of lush grass few patches of huge tree and for a mischievous touch few groups of rabbits jumping around. The thing was though everything was scaled as though kyuubi was normal sized fox and he was in normal size prairie and forest. There was still a cage though it was now just a dome size and covered the entire prairie and forest. The kyuubi got up looked around and was confused, he didn't know if he should be happy, sad, angry or pissed. And Naruto didn't want to be in vicinity just yet so he flew straight up to construct a majestic sky castle for himself.
After that day Naruto would go to his mindscape everyday to talk to kyuubi and annoy him with the rabbits. Kyubbi did not respond often but Naruto could feel that the kyuubi liked the company, so he was happy to give it.
After building his mind palace, Naruto was learning many new tricks with his memory. Now Naruto had almost identic memory. He even started to store voices/noices, smells, chakra signatures, feelings, intencities and many more things. He also had a section where he would store the outlandish ideas he had for jutsus.
Naruto learned all four jutsu pretty quickly, but Naruto wanted to master them. So he would practice them every day. He discovered a very interesting thing. To perform the clone jutsu he only needed about a quarter of tenketsu chakra. He had been stretching his chakra network every day so his reserves were massive compared to when he had started. For the dantian he had found an uncomfortable but very useful trick. He would start when his chakra reserves were full, he would start a wave of chakra from the closest tenketsu and the wave would bring chakra from all the tenketsu's from his body. His dantian will act like a balloon and chakra like air, he would pump air and recede it and then repeat. It was really helpful. He would expand his reserves everyday. He had read that few people stretch their reserves by completely emptying them, but he found his method much more easy and reliable.
Getting back to the topic, clones and transformation took about quarter of tenketsu amount of chakra and for replacement jutsu chakra amount varied depending upon distance, weight of the replacement etc. But Naruto was not satisfied with transformation so he did some adjustments now it took more than ten times the chakra, but transformation was solid. Naruto wanted these techniques to become second nature to him. He wanted to be able to do them without hand seals, just by thinking, without leaving any poof of smoke. And for replacement he wanted it to be a muscle memory, if he is attacked while distracted, he wanted his muscles to perform replacement. Naruto was hard on himself like that. So Naruto's training continued.
In a chilly morning of November, Konoha's blue beast might guy was wondering around on his training free day, when he came across a boy who was fully spent by running around and starting the stretches. He decided to stick around. Guy was shocked by the display of youth by the boy. So he decided to say hello when the said boy was relaxing his muscles after an intense workout. "Hello my youthful friend, I must congratulate you as you have shown your flames of youth that burn so brightly." Naruto was confused but gave a youthful smile and said "Hello, how may I help you." Guy was quick to respond "You are mistaken boy, I am here to help you in your youthful pursuit of strength." Naruto was dumbstruck and trying to figure out a response. Guy asked "May I look at your physical training regiment?". Naruto gave him his schedule. After looking over it, Guy was impressed but also confused as Naruto was not practicing any fighting style. Upon being asked Naruto's response was simple "I do not have anyone to instruct me and I do not want to develop any bad habits which will be detrimental in the long run. So I'm only doing physical conditioning." Guy was pleasantly surprised, After mulling over a bit Guy decided to teach Naruto Basics of hand to hand combat. No Style only theories and proper way to hit, dodge, block and balance oneself. After grinding Naruto couple of times Guy also presented Naruto with two sets of chakra enhanced weights for both wrists and ankles. After getting Naruto Set and getting rejected for the green spandex Guy left to do his own thing, with a promise to keep tabs on Naruto's development.
From the old man's Justus, Naruto loved Shadow Clones the most. Initially one shadow clone took half of his chakra and was still fragile. After trial and error though, Naruto found many kinks like while performing shadow clone just imagine yourself tall and shadow clone will be tall. Here the mind palace came in handy, as without it Naruto could not imagine perfectly and isolate that particular image for the clone jutsu. Naruto also started to freely manipulate the amount of chakra needed for the shadow clone. Naruto also combined his own version of chakra extensive transformation with the shadow clone and Naruto was very elated. For a tenketsu worth chakra Naruto could make a family of cockroaches and have them spy around. He was also studying many animals nearby carefully for transformations. He really had hard time to have his clones fly while transformed into a bird. Naruto was envious of his own clones. But he got over it and decided to figure out how to fly for himself, one day. Now a days he would make animal or bird clones to make them hunt for his meat.
Even before his 6th birthday Naruto had figured out his lineage. He decided not confront old man about it, as he knew the reasons behind it's concealment. Naruto also started to search about anything he could find about his parents.
After he started working at different jobs in his transformation, Naruto found many new ways to control his chakra. Like he made furniture for himself only using wood and chakra. He has figured out shape transformation of chakra, but had no idea what to do with it. Now he could use chakra strings and use puppets if tried. He once made a blanket by weaving chakra strings. He could also make very durable ropes and chakra weeps. He wasn't sure where to go from there.
Naruto did not forget to train in the art of fuinjutsu. He could already make explosive tags, flash tags, smoke tags, storage seals, resistance seals which he started to use, gravity seals he set up in his training ground. He also loved art of sealing very much. He knew that many things which seem impossible using ninjutsu can be easily done using fuinjutsu.
Naruto did not let up on Kunai and Shuriken practice. It was very easy for Naruto to heat bull's eye on moving target when he himself was in high speed. So he started incorporating ninja wires and various tags to do various things.
Naruto also practiced stealth, trapmaking, trap disabling, tracking and tailing and anything that caught his fancy.
By the time Naruto was 7, Naruto was good cook, carpenter, tailor, farmer, hunter, accountant, spy, tracker, traping expert (at least as per himself). Now he was pestering old man Hokage to finally let him join Ninja Academy.
AN : In this story Ninja Academy is a 4 year program and starts at the age of 8 (excluding wartime). Naruto is applying for early admission because he is in need of serious life changes.