I won't lie when I say that the three of them are phenomenal. They've more than met my expectations of them. All of them were able to complete in a week what I asked of them.
I'd actually been thinking. I know I promised that I'd teach Naruto an A rank wind jutsu, but I've changed my mind. I'll wait till the time of the Chunin Exams for that.
There are three other jutsus I'll teach him instead over the period of what remains of this month. No doubt he'll be annoyed but it can't be helped. These jutsus will give his skillset more utility.
With regards to Neji and Yakumo, I already know what we're going to be focusing on the next three weeks. In the case of Neji, the irony makes me smile.
As the three of them arrive at the training ground, I create two clones. One motions to Naruto and the other to Neji. Then they move away and leave Yakumo to me.
She and I head towards the stream of water that's near the training ground. Both of us are lost in thought as we walk. She's calmed down much since the team was formed.
Don't get me wrong. She was never like Naruto. However, her childhood was a lonely one. She's the youngest member of her clan and therefore had no playmates.
To add to her problems, her parents were dead and her clan held her at arm's length. Then Kurenai came and for a time, Yakumo had hope. It was wasted though.
Neither Kurenai nor the Hokage could help her. The insidious voice of her Ido just made things worse. She probably gave up on things getting better.
Then I came with promises. Not the first adult to do do. She was naturally sceptical though. Not that she can be blamed for that. Then, I caught her by surprise. I actually helped her.
Her power was, for the first time in her short life controllable and she was given a chance to prove herself. She quickly seized the opportunity with both hands. Since the team's been formed, there's been a lightness in her.
She doesn't look sad and world weary anymore. No longer does she feel hopeless. The team gave her friendship and comradery. Just being around her peers. It's plain to see she's happy.
I can't take all the credit though. Naruto has been amazing with her. His genuineness, his warmth and his willingness to befriend her has helped Yakumo immensely.
Surprisingly even Neji has warmed to her. Now don't get the wrong idea. He doesn't smile or anything of the sort. But he does help if either of the two ask him.
In any case once we arrive at the stream I turn to face her. " Yakumo, fire is a volatile element. To control fire, you must first control yourself. This is how I taught myself. "
" Close your eyes. Cycle your chakra towards your chest and try and heat it. Then cool it. Then heat it and cool it again. Until you can do it instinctively. That is what you are going to do for the next two hours. Sit against the tree over there and meditate. "
There's no confusion or anything of the sort from her. She does as she's asked. I focus my sensing on what's going on inside of her. As far as I know, I'm the only person that trained my fire natured chakra this way.
Contrary to what most people believe, there isn't just one way to learn nature transformation. You must do it the way that best suits you. With my volatile chakra, this is how I learnt.
I can feel her clumsy attempts as the minutes move on by. I don't interrupt her though. She must do this initial stage at her own pace. Only then will I offer more guidance and of course, practical solutions.
As the hours draw to a close, she hasn't achieved it yet. Im not surprised. It's not something that's done in a day. When time is up I coax her to stand up.
" Yakumo, I think that's enough for now. Do your stretches then complete ten laps around the training ground. I'll await you in the shade of one of the trees over there. We'll begin with the theory of sealing jutsu then so be prepared. " She nods and heads off.
With clone 1 and Naruto
We've moved right to the centre of the training ground. We then sit down facing each other. I know he's gonna try and protest and probably start whining but I'm going to nip that in the bud before he even starts.
" Naruto I want you to listen to me very carefully. DON'T interrupt me because I know you'll want to. I've decided not to teach you that A rank jutsu just yet. Instead I'm going to teach you two jutsus instead. "
" One is the C ranked Wind Style Vacuum Blast, it sends a razor sharp wave of wind before you and the other is the B ranked Vacuum Blast Barrage which sends multiple waves of razor sharp wind. "
" Do you see now why those jutsus will be of more use to you at this stage in your training? " He looked indignant as I started talking, no surprises there but the excitement has built on his face again. He's so predictable.
He nods his head vigorously. Like a puppy. The comparison is an apt one. It seems like the more things change, the more they stay the same. Naruto has calmed down surprisingly a lot over the years.
He's attentive when it comes to jutsu. He doesn't question the pace of learning jutsu and he doesn't question my methods either.
He's learnt. While he can be left to his own devices to train, he's realised that he sees better results under someone that's knowledgeable. The years in the Academy taught him that.
He's learnt more under my tutelage than he's learnt anywhere else. He realises that. Pride is all well and good, but you need to be able to back it up.
Everyone in the village has called me a prodigy. It used to get to him when he was younger. I sat him down and explained things to him though. Not all shinobi are the same.
Not everyone is equally good at things. I think it's my explanation of the tenets of nature transformation that finally got to him and sunk into that thick skull of his. How there is no superior element. There's always one that's stronger than the other.
As I teach him the handsigns and explain it all to him, I can see the determination on his face. I smile. He sees me smiling and then he blushes. I laugh.
With clone 2 and Neji
As we move away from the others I study him. He looks... peaceful for lack of a better word. When our team was formed, he was a big ball of hurt and jagged edges.
His been carrying around the pain of his sealing as a younger child as well as the death of his father, deep inside of him. It makes me frown internally.
In canon, his uncle Hiashi Hyuuga waits until the Chunin Exams next year, to talk to Neji about his brother's death. If it weren't for Naruto and the way he shattered Neji's preconceptions, things would've eventually come to a head.
Now that finally, someone has spoken to him, acknowledged his worth as an individual, offered to bring out his true potential and is willing to train him with no restrictions, it's like the weight of the world has been removed from his shoulders.
I've always thought he was a tragic figure. The Hyuuga have only wasted the potential he has. Wasted all their potential in fact.
From my understanding, they are all descended from Hamura, the Sage's younger son, yet the Uchiha have always been the superior clan. Why is that?
The Hyuuga seemingly aren't capable of out of the box thinking or indeed, innovating. They've been using the same techniques for centuries with little change. Well, that comes to an end now.
"Neji " I say " it's time to move on to the next stage of nature transformation. It will likely take months for you to get it down. You see, this isn't the standard training method, I however have something in mind for the end result. "
" The next stage will actually consist of a number of pseudo stages. It will start with you creating arcs of lighting that run from one of your hands to the other. "
" After you're successful, which I have no doubt that you will be, the arcs will then have to run up and down both of your arms. We'll built on that, as the months go by, until you can do so and cover your entire body. "
" As a Hyuuga, channeling chakra through your chakra points is child's play. It eventually culminates in the Rotation technique of the Main Family of your clan, which allows them to expell chakra out of all their chakra points simultaneously while spinning, thus creating a dome of chakra. Your clan's ultimate defence. "
" I actually think, as I've told you before, that you have the talent to reverse engineer the techniques of the Main Family. I however have a better idea. One I think you'll like more. "
" We will instead work on you reverse engineering a much better defensive technique. One that will allow you your full range of motion, which is critical in a fight against any opponent. That's why I've structured your nature transformation training as I have. "
" Your innate chakra control, plus the amazing abilities of the Byakugan makes you uniquely placed to learn this jutsu. Something not even an Uchiha with their Sharingan could do. "
" You're going to recreate, with my help, the Lightning Armour technique of the Third and Fourth Raikages. I can think of no greater revenge for you against The Hidden Cloud Village. "
" When they find out, it might mean a new conflict between our village and theirs, that is why you won't use the technique until you have fully mastered it. Fortunately as I've said, it won't take you as long to learn it as they have. "
He looks incredulous as I finish talking. I can't blame him. What I'm talking about is insane. Incredibly dangerous as well. I know though, that once he masters the jutsu, there will be no objections from the higher ups in the village. It will also buy him status and prestige among the strongest shinobi in the Leaf.
That jutsu, in the hands of the Hidden Leaf will counterbalance the loss of my father and The Flying Thunder God jutsu. He finally speaks " sensei, what you're proposing sounds insane. That's a jutsu only Kages have been able to utilise. How can I do it when countless shinobi across the continent have no doubt tried to recreate it? "
I shake my head. " You are still so shortsighted Neji. You said it yourself. Countless shinobi. They worked as individuals, because obviously they wanted the power for themselves and they didn't want to share. "
" You won't be alone Neji. I'm helping you afterall. You are aware they call the both of us prodigies aren't you? You sell yourself short
. You have one thing those other shinobi who tried to recreate it, don't have. The Byakugan. That will be the key to learning this jutsu. "
" Naturally, mastery of lighting natured chakra isn't all that you'll need. Your body needs to be a lot stronger than what it is now. For that reason, I'm doubling your physical training regimen, and you will spar with me for a full hour each day. Do you accept this? "
His face is turned away from me, so I can't see his expression. There's a fine tremor wracking his frame though. I've no doubts about the difficulties he's going to have to go through. In the shinobi world however, this is the only path to power.
He turns and looks at me. His face is passive, but his eyes...there's a fire burning inside them. My lips twitch. For a moment, the image of my brother superimposed itself over Neji. I have a feeling I know what he'll say.
" I don't know if I'll ever be able to do this sensei, but the chance to pull one over the Cloud and my clan, I'll train as hard as I can, then surpass even that, till I master that jutsu sensei. "
I smile widely. I have no doubts about him having it down in a few years. I didn't exaggerate when I told him that his eyes are the key to helping him learn this jutsu.
It's all about precision. If he doesn't get it just right, he'll literally tear his body apart. Unlike the Third Raikage and his son, Neji doesn't have a special, durable body. He can't afford to make mistakes. His eyes must constantly track his chakra usage and what it does to his body.
I can already imagine the reactions of the shinobi in this village, when he finally completes this jutsu. Can imagine the reaction of his clan. Torn between pride and horror.
By then, hopefully Neji will have broken free of them. After all, if he stays in the Hyuuga clan, there's a chance the Clan Elders wouldn't allow him to use the lighting armour. They are after all traditional even to the point of stupidity.
As the day drags on, my clones and I work all three of them into the ground. Neji and Naruto especially. When we finally end our session, they're both huffing and puffing.
I allow them time to cool down then I clap my hands. " Alright you three, today was a productive session, let's head on over to the market so that we can each get a snack, then we can go our separate ways. "
With that that said, the four of us head back, chatting about inconsequential things. I look up at the Hokage Mountain smiling.
After getting our snacks, I send the three of them home, while I run an errand. After closing my eyes, I try and locate my quarry.
Ah. He's outside the village. Why am I not surprised. I take my time walking towards the gates though. No need to subject myself to madness just yet.
As I walk, I can feel the stares on me. Nothing malicious though. There's respect. I'm not surprised. This village has always granted celebrity status to its strongest shinobi.
Not only am I the youngest Jounin in the village currently, I'm also the strongest kunoichi here. That's a lot of expectation. I don't mind tho. I want them to see my talent. My power. My ridiculous age.
As I leave the village, I can hear them long before I see them. Not that I'm surprised. Finally, a messed up clearing appears. They seem to be talking right now so I don't interfere.
When they finish, I brace myself then clear my throat. In a flash Guy sensei sweeps me up in a crushing hug. I laugh and return it.
" My youthful former student! Oh how it warms my heart to see you again! I hear you have students of your own now! Truly your flames of youth BURN! "
Inside I'm rolling my eyes. Sigh Guy sensei is too much. I am glad to see him though. " I do indeed have a team sensei now sensei. I doubt I'll be as good a sensei as you were, but I'm trying my best. "
' Manly ' tears are streaming down his face. I quickly tell him about why I came to see him though. I want him and Lee to train alongside my team when they have the time.
He agrees, as long as I agree to spar with him now. I reluctantly agree.
After half an hour the training ground is destroyed and I'm laying on my back wheezing. Naruto and the other two better be grateful for what I'm willing to go through for them. That said, I fall asleep right where I'm laying.