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Jiraiya tapped his fingers on his arms as he sat on the rail guard in front of Naruto's apartment. He had been expecting to meet Minato's boy at the bath house after the second round, it was easier to wait when there was beautiful women to study ahem, but he never showed up.
That was weeks ago and now there was only a few days left until the exams. Far too few to train Naruto in how to use the nine tails chakra and be able to summon Toads. The only glimpse of the orange loving blonde was in the library but it was only a group of shadow clones reading chakra manipulation and basic knowledge about subjects ranging from elemental chakra use, herbology, basic strategy, history of the clans of Konoha and Suna…
"Just where is he?" Jiraiya asked out loud to himself as the sky rumbled in the distance.
Naruto breathed in then out before opening his eyes. With his foot he tossed his training spear into the air where he grabbed it. As his mentor instructed he began the steps of fighting form his master taught him, spinning his training tool and himself as he moved forward like the wind or a top. The sky rumbled as the darkened clouds expressed their anger at the land below, withholding the promise of rain in ancient tradition of the elements. He paid it no mind as it was only a distraction, even as spun and twisted on the treacherous surface of the water that threatened to sweep him over the falls.
His master told him that in combat one did not always have the luxury of having the environment to their advantage. And training only one skill at a time wasted potential experience of combining skills to survive in combat. Naruto felt sweat on his brow as his legs shook with exhaustion as well has his arms as he continued doing his set. His constant use of chakra to stay above the water surface was tested as he was forced to adjust the amount and flow for every step he took. But it was worth it as his control was higher than ever before.
Leaping into the air and twisting himself, Naruto thrust his spear into the water. The surprised proud had no chance to react as it's life bled away from the blow. Landing on the water in a crouch Naruto spun to the right, sending the fish into a basket where several other fish laid from his work. Still he spun on the water surface, never resting even with this victory. The water hissed and spat at his ankles, wanting to drag him into its cold embrace and over the falls where it would devour him.
On the riverbank tending a small fire was his master, an old man that was a foreigner to the village. The elder had come to see the chunin exams a few years prior and had taken a liking to Naruto's spirit and in his words, guts. That day Naruto was attempting to prank a shopkeeper but his sensei put a stop to that with his own set of prank traps. Naruto learned his lesson that day and soaked up every lesson from the man as he was by far a better teacher than the academy professors.
Next to the old man was his evil pet chicken. The cat Tora maybe had the greater reputation of being a rite of passage for gennin in Konoha, but the chicken was worse. Tora was just an experienced cat who knew how gennin worked. But the chicken could even make the Hokage sweat in Naruto's option. Also, the cat didn't throw lighting around when angry.
Spinning around, Naruto flipped onto the soft mud and grass lining the waterway. Wiping his brow he walked over to the bucket and towel where he began to wipe the sweat from his torso after removing the weights from his arms, ankles, waist, shoulders and upper thighs.
"You did well." His master stated as he placed his tea pot over the fire. Naruto gave him a soft, tired smile from the praise. Petting his chicken the old man went on as he poked the flames. "I am pleased you have managed to get this far under my spotted guidance."
"You are a good teacher, Master Wu." Naruto said as he rolled his left shoulder to ease out the tension there.
"You were a good listener." Chuckled Wu in good nature as he added in the tea leaves. "I support your dream to become Hokage Naruto, even if I wish you were willing to join the team I've formed. But one cannot control where the stream goes, only affect the course for a time."
Naruto nodded his head and tossed his towel onto the rock before dumping the rest of the water out into the river. Lifting the basket he carried it over to where the fire was to start preparing the fish for consumption. Taking a kunai he began cleaning the frist trout of its scales and the other undesirable parts.
"Master Wu," Naruto began, concern in his voice as he worked. "Do you think I am ready to face Neji?"
The chicken clucked and shuffled over to Naruto who gave it's head a pat. Wu stroked his beard before pouring some tea into a cup.
"You expect me to tell you you are ready? One cannot tell another if he is ready or not to fight, only help prepare them. I thought you Spinjitzu not to help you fight as it were, but to help you reach balance within yourself. How you use it is up to you, but you must be the one to decide, not an old man like me."
"Master Wu… That didn't help." Naruto stated as he made a clone to start sharpening sticks.
"Perhaps, perhaps not. Spinjitzu may or may not help you in the journey you will travel but it is this old man's hope you'll make your realm safer for everyone." Taking a sip of his tea Master Wu closed his eyes. "I wonder how my other students are doing."
"Didn't you mention that they fought the sons of Garmadon and your brother after being trapped in the realm of Oni and Dragons?" Naruto asked as he recalled the first few days of training.
"Ah yes, that was some time ago and before the Oni invasion. I hope they remembered to stay in shape and practice while I am away. But I shaltn't keep my hopes up. Tell me, how is your element training holding up? Any progress?"
Naruto lifted his index finger and a tiny flame appeared. "It's hard but I've gotten the basics down. Master, why did you want me to learn all five element transformation techniques and medical jutsu?"
Wu stood up after setting down his tea cup to answer the question. "It is far better to have something and not need it than not having it and needing it, Naruto. Like my frist student you are capable of manipulating wind to a high degree. Like that Suna girl you mentioned, wind is powerful but can be countered with or dodged. By learning all five plus the medical techniques you will be free to adapt to situations as they unfold."
"I see…" Naruto nodded slowly as he finished preparing the fish and staking them to the sticks to cook over the fire.
"Come." Wu said as he walked a few feet from the flames. "Let me taste your Spinjitzu, I wish to see and feel it."
Sighing Naruto slowly walked a distance away from the fire and Wu. "Do I have to?"
"Less whining and more fighting!" Chilled Wu as he twirled his bamboo staff. "Or are you afraid of this old man?"
A tic mark appeared over Naruto's forehead. "Oh, your asking for it! Ninja-"
"Go!" Naruto/Wu shouted as they charged at one another. Wu with his golden Spinjitzu shone brightly as he spun towards the young student of his. Naruto spun but was unable to get his Spinjitzu up and was sent flying into a tree.
"Itai itai itai!" Yelled Naruto as he held his head.
"Again! Your opponents will not give you the mercy I was waiting for you to recover! Show me your Spinjitzu!" Taunted Wu firmly as he spun his staff.
Growling Naruto got to his feet and got into the position he had practiced time and time again. His spear was broken but Naruto knew it was old and well worn from use.. it was a pity but he had lost weapons before. This one only lasted this long because of luck. Leaping forward at Wu, Naruto calmed his mind and recalled his training.
'Jump up, kick back, whip around and spin,' he thought/chanted to himself as he moved. 'Then jump back, do it again!'
Wu's face broke into a grin as Naruto finally unlocked his Spinjitzu. It was a beautiful light blue color with red highlights that spun around it, the characteristic form of the tornado Spinjitzu made. Spinning into his Spinjitzu form, Wu and Naruto underwent a mock battle, Spinjitzu student versus Spinjitzu master.
"You have finally unlocked your Spinjitzu." Master Wu stated with pride as he felt the power behind the blow that Naruto was attempting. Only to have Wu grip his leg and send him flying. "But don't get cocky. You have far to go until you are a master fighter, young Naruto but I can see you will be well at hand for the battles ahead."
Groaning from his place, Naruto grinned at his master. "Thank you sensei."
"No Naruto, it is I who should be thanking you. There are few surprises left in the world for an old man such as myself. Teaching you was a privilege. Perhaps you and I will see each other again. Perhaps not, fate will decide what will come our way."
"Is this goodbye master?" Naruto asked softly.
"Hummm. Goodbye signifies we will not see each other again. But one should not be afraid of goodbyes as they aren't always what they seem. We will meet again when the time is right. Be it in this life or the next Naruto, we will meet again. Now," calling his hands together he tilted his head towards the fire. "There seems to be some delicious fish waiting for us for dinner. Let us end today with a nice meal before I depart."
"Of course sensei."
"Uzumaki-san… GENIN UZUMAKI!"
"Gah!" Naruto jumped up awake as the Anbu agent stood over him. Shaking himself away Naruto noticed the remains of the fire he and master Wu used last night before he had departed for Ninjago. "Wha- what's wrong Anbu-nee-chan?"
"The Hokage requests your presence at the tower Uzumaki-san… why are you out here?"
Opening his mouth to answer, Naruto closed it when he spotted two objects. One was a bamboo staff leaning against the trees, the other was a hat like his master.
"Just doing some training to beat up Neji and win the exams!" He said cheerfully as he placed the hat on his head and picked up the staff. It felt like an old friend saying hello after a time apart. "Is there a problem? I wanted to keep my promise to Hinata after all."
"No… no problem at all." Was the simple reply Naruto got from the agent who disappeared after delivering a final message. "Just be sure to report to the Hokage within the hour. Good luck with the exams Uzumaki-san."
"Thank you." Naruto whispered as the Anbu disappeared. She would be forgiven if she believed he had been talking to her at that moment, but she was not the one he was referring to. Naruto knew that master Wu was the one who had left these gifts for him. 'We will meet again master. I swear it Dattebayo!'
As he walked down the path to head to the tower he wondered just what the future had in store. He would be the greatest ninja ever but also the best Spinjitzu Master of the realm. That was his dream and Naruto will not give up.
"Ah master Wu, teached yet another brat that dam forsaken style did we?" A voice said in the clearing after Naruto had left. The air shimmered and a figure appeared but he was no ninja. "Ah Pythor you old chum you did it again. True there are ninja here but they aren't like those annoying brats he calls a team Wu has. Only this… Naruto Uzumaki was it? And he's the only one that knows Spinjitzu! And barely oh ho ho! What luck! Now then, let's see what sort of mischief and knowledge I can discover in this realm. Perhaps I'll get some new henchman or army to take over Ninjago and grant my revenge on those traitors and ninja… better follow that child. Don't want to miss out on a chance to see who this Hokage person is, Pythor?"
Pythor vanished into the air as he slowly follow the boy. Naruto did not know this nor did he pay attention that he was being followed. As it were, a thought had come to him. "What happened to Wu's chicken?"
Jiraiya screamed as the chicken attacked him with a ferocity unlike anything he has experienced in years, beating even the daily beatdowns from the girls who objected to his research. The chicken roared and blasted him with lightning as it chased him away from Naruto's kitchen and out of the apartment. He had decided to break in and explore Naruto's living conditions and had opened the refrigerator only to be attacked by the awnry fowl.
"Nice bird! Nice evil angry bird!" Jiraiya yelped out as the ground was blasted under his feet. This did nothing to calm the angry chicken as it continued its assault on the man, determined to make him pay for breaking and entering.
"Bawwwwk!"
"Aaaaaah! Stay away from me!"