Start Chapter 6
Although I can't directly help Naruto anymore, that doesn't mean he won't improve on his own. He just needs to keep up the hard work. Maybe he'll find someone who has the time and is allowed to teach him in due time. For now I have to sort out all of this paperwork. I forgot how much more annoying it to be a teacher rather than just being an administrator. I hope he'll make good use of that spot I showed him.
At Naruto's Secret Training Spot
The blonde academy student looks at the training log in front of him before slowly running through his basic taijutsu sequence on it. The rhythmic thump of wood fills the clearing as he beats down on the large piece of wood. His pace begins to pick up as the time goes on and for a little while the world is lost to him. Sweat starts to drip off of his brow and breathing starts to become gradually more difficult. Once Naruto reaches the point of exhaustion he lands a spinning kick to the training post that puts a crack in it.
"That's a mean kick you have there." The blonde turns around to see a man in a bandanna, sunglasses, and a dark blue Jounin outfit, "Sorry I couldn't help, but noticing your hard work. My name is Ebisu and I am a renowned teacher in the Leaf Village." The man takes a look at the boy before smiling, "I am also a good friend of Iruka's in case you were wondering how I found this place."
Naruto wipes off his head before nodding, "Did Iruka send you here to help teach me?" Putting his hands on his waist the blonde puffs a little before finally catching his breath, "I'd appreciate any help you could give me, because honestly I feel as though I'm not going to get very far on my own." The sunglass-wearing man nods, "Well what do you suggest I do?"
Ebisu laughs lightly, "Now, now a good teacher doesn't just tell you what you need to do. You tell me what you need to work on and maybe I'll have a solution." The Jounin lets Naruto think for a bit. As the time passes Naruto compiles a list of things in his head, "Well what do you need to work on?"
"Mainly chakra control and jutsu execution, but I could also use some help on my overall speed in close combat situations. Plus I need to work on making strategies before I go into battle rather than coming up with things on the fly." Naruto says before letting Ebisu think for a bit. The Jounin takes out a sheet of paper and pen before listing things that he could possibly teach the blonde. Dotting his last period and nodding the man hands the boy a list, "Well I can tell you I've learned most of these chakra control exercises and they've become almost second nature. I would like to pick up Shougi though and training weights?"
Ebisu nods, "I'll show you some more chakra control exercises, but they're geared towards your affinities. Also I'll get you training weights, I know a guy who has plenty to spare. As for combat speed and planning, we'll work on those together." The man smiles, "Meet me here tomorrow after the academy lets out and we'll talk more. For now you can go back to your training." In a puff of smoke the man disappears from the area leaving Naruto to his practice. Turning towards the target dummies he pulls out his kunai and begins practicing his accuracy. Once he feels he's done enough the blonde heads back home for the night.
The Next Day at the Academy
Naruto sits at his desk taking notes on Iruka's lecture and the lunch bell rings mid-sentence, "Alright class take your lunch break and we'll pick up where we left." The blonde grabs his sealing scroll before heading out into the academy courtyard to his favorite eating spot. Although, it reminds him of the past the lone swing helps him remember how far he has actually come from those times. Slowly eating his lunch the blonde enjoys the sunshine and light breeze going across the city. As he finishes his lunch he hears the end of lunch bell ring and Naruto heads inside back to class.
Later that Day during a Lecture
Iruka asks the class, "When dealing with an unexpected combat situation what do you think is the best course of action?" Looking over the classroom he sees that Sakura's hand is up, "Sakura, go ahead and tell us what you would do." The pink-haired girl smiles and explains that you should create a distraction before getting into cover before quickly coming up with a plan. She looks over to Sasuke for approval, but the Uchiha doesn't even acknowledge her, "Any other answers?"
Naruto raises his hand Iruka nods for him to go ahead, "Like she said create a distraction, but prepare a replacement technique possible with some kind of trap like an explosive tag. Then quickly locate them using chakra sensing techniques, and from there decide what to do." Pausing to think for a second the blonde continues, "If they're still at the sight of the explosion do a double check of the surrounding area in case they're still alive or there are more hostiles. Then move in for the kill if you're sure the coast is clear, but still keep a wary eye the whole time. Chances are if they're good enough they won't have been caught up in the trap."
The Jounin smiles, "Good job a little more detailed than necessary, but by far the right way to go about things. Now if they do survive the trap, you can…" Iruka continues explaining possible outcomes and Naruto keeps taking notes on the lecture. Eventually the final bell rings for the day and the class lets out. Naruto immediately begins heading towards his secret training spot. On his way there he decides to take the ninja highway on the rooftops. Finding the nearest building he climbs up it using the tree-climbing technique and begins bounding from rooftop to rooftop. The wind whips in his face as he feels the excitement within him grow. Once Naruto gets near the Hokage Mountain he travels down back to street level. Walking to the stairs he begins the trek up the enormous set of steps. As he reaches the top flight after a good amount of effort he takes a deep breath before climbing up the side of the mountain. Being a short distance he gets up there with relative ease and continues his journey into the forest.
Naruto sees Ebisu waiting for him in a clearing and calls out to the Jounin, "Hey I'm here." The sunglass-wearing man nods before motioning for the blonde to be quiet as he comes over. Edging towards the man Naruto stands next to him and looks to where the Jounin points. It's a mother swan tending to its eggs by the small lake and suddenly they begin to crack and soon after some hatchling swan pop out. The father flies into the nest and the two birds nuzzle each other as they see their newborn children coming into the world. Naruto at first is confused, but then sees the beauty in that moment, as he thinks about it harder. Something pangs inside of the blonde's chest at the sight of a happy family.
Ebisu notices the boy's azure eyes turning misty and quietly says, "Let's get to some training." Naruto nods before leaving the area with the Jounin. Once they're well out of earshot of the new family Ebisu pulls out a leaf, "You are going to split this using wind chakra, although that may sound simple it is a lot harder than it sounds." Ebisu hands the blonde the leaf, "From what I've been told you need to imagine your chakra as a thin blade to foster wind chakra effectively. The thinner the blade the better, now give it a try." Naruto takes a look at the leaf before cupping it in his hands, the blonde attempts to visualize his chakra as a blade. At first nothing happens, but as he runs the chakra through the piece of greenery he hears a small rip. He opens his hands and sure enough the piece of forest has torn at the top even if only a little, "That's a good first try, now keep practicing that for a little while until you can tear a leaf completely without any trouble." Naruto nods before steeling his resolve and grabbing another leaf to practice splitting. Eventually after a few hours of trying Naruto manages to get the leaf torn halfway and begins to feel frustrated at his slow progress, "Don't get angry, it can take months or even years before someone gets the leaf partially torn. Right now you're doing a lot better than the majority of the population."
The blonde boy sighs, "If you say so." Getting back to work Naruto gives the exercise another few hours. He begins to grow tired as his chakra reservoirs begin to dwindle down to nothing, "Ebisu, can we do something else? I need a break from this or I'm going to pass out." The Jounin nods before pulling out some training weights for the blonde to try on. Snapping the metal bands around his ankles and wrists Naruto feels significantly heavier, "Jeez, who wore these, a gorilla?"
Ebisu laughs at the boy's comment before shaking his head and replying, "No, just a crazy guy in green spandex, you might meet him one day." Lining up in a defensive stance the Jounin says, "Come Naruto, show me what you've got!" The blonde goes to attack the man from the side and fails due to the newly added resistance to his body. He gets thrown back into a tree and his body hits the trunk with a resounding thump, "Come on, my grandmother can move faster than that! Just because you have a little extra weight on you doesn't mean anything!" Naruto sighs before getting up and brushing himself off to prepare for another round of combat. Eventually the blonde becomes so tired and worn down he collapses. Ebisu laughs at the boy's tenacity, "This kid doesn't know the meaning of quit I guess." He smiles before picking up the boy and slinging him on his shoulder. Walking away from the training ground he takes the boy home and lays him in bed. Setting the alarm for the blonde Ebisu stands over Naruto glad that he got such a good kid from Iruka to train, "Maybe one day I can get you where you need to be." In a puff of smoke the Jounin leaves for his home.
The Next Day
Naruto's alarm blares as he wakes up from the previous day feeling sore all over his body; "Well at least he got me home." Laughing hurts as his body is still not fully recovered from yesterday's training session. Plus the added weight to his frame doesn't help either, "Time to get going." The blonde gets out of bed taking off his clothes and weights to get a shower before breakfast. Once the water is hot the boy steps in and instantly feels the soreness from the previous night starting to leave his body, "Nothing like a hot shower to get rid of soreness." As he finishes up cleaning off he goes to his room and begins getting dressed for the day. Heading into the kitchen he prepares a breakfast sandwich to get him fueled and ready to go.
In the Academy Classroom
Iruka finishes attendance and clicks his pen before saying, "Alright everyone we're going to do some taijutsu practice out in the training ground." The class stands up and follows behind their instructor to the training area, "Okay everyone look for a partner of equal skill." Sasuke grabs Naruto and the blonde pulls his arm away before nodding in acknowledgement, "Okay line up from one another and make the sign of ninja." The two boys do as they're told, "Begin whenever you're ready." Sasuke motions for Naruto to come, but the blonde stays put. Growing frustrated the Uchiha comes at the boy trying for a feint, but Naruto reads it and counters with a rising wind kick. His foot makes contact with the raven-haired boy's jaw sending him up in the air. Sasuke lands hard on his butt cradling his jaw. Growling in frustration he comes at Naruto this time at an angle, once again the blonde isn't fooled and redirects his weight sending Sasuke tumbling away.
"Jeez, Sasuke I thought you were supposed to be of equal skill level." Naruto taunts causing the Uchiha to shake his head and begin making hand seals. The blonde recognizes a fire jutsu coming and quickly grabs Sasuke's hands before punching Sasuke's head up so the fireball blows into the air, "What the hell Sasuke? Are you trying to kill me? This is practice not combat!" Iruka quickly comes over and grabs the boy before taking him away from the area. Everyone stops and murmurs about the blonde's improved skills, "I guess I better watch what I say next time." Sighing the boy waits for the Jounin to come back.
Iruka calls out, "Everyone back inside, since Sasuke has shown such a lack of self-control we are going to have lecture for the rest of the day." A collective groan goes over the class as they head inside downtrodden about the turn of events, "Naruto come here." The blonde gulps before walking towards his teacher, "I know you were just trying to get Sasuke riled up to beat him, but next time don't say anything. The last thing I want is you going to the hospital with burns all over your body." Naruto nods and the two begin heading inside for the modified lesson.
Later that Day on the Streets
Naruto spots Sasuke walking home as he heads towards his training ground the Uchiha looks back and the two make eye contact. The raven-haired boy runs towards Naruto and the blonde heads into a nearby alleyway to disappear onto a rooftop. Naruto gets away and decides to opt for the ninja highway to get to his spot. Once at the training grounds Naruto grabs a leaf and begins to get to work on the exercise he was shown last night. Ebisu comes onto the scene observing the blonde already at work on the leaf-splitting exercise. He smiles at the boy's work ethic and lets him practice until the blonde sits down clearly exhausted, "I see you've been hard at work." Naruto smiles wearily and the Jounin puts down a Shougi board, "Now how about a change of pace?" The boy nods and as Ebisu is explaining the game before the two start playing. At first Naruto loses a lot, but keeps his cool knowing this takes time to learn. Eventually he gets the hang of it and begins to start putting together good strategies, "Now the key to Shougi is always thinking several moves ahead of your opponent. Instead of just coming up with strategies on the fly try doing it ahead of time." The boy tries to use this strategy and winds up making a lot more mistakes, but after a while it starts to click. Ebisu sees this and smiles at the blonde's progress. Once the sun begins to set Ebisu says, "Well that's enough for today. I'll see you tomorrow." Picking up the pieces and board the Jounin leaves in a puff smoke.
Feeling refreshed Naruto decides to get to work on some accuracy practice, "May as well do something else while I'm here." For a few more hours until night completely falls the blonde works on some target practice. Once the moon comes out he collects his weapons and decides to head home feeling he's done enough for the day…
End Chapter 6