WOW! Four chapters and the title of the fifth one already. I hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: I am just a fan. I do not own Naruto.
Chapter 4: Something to Do
When Naruto awoke, the next five months would make him come to regret his request because Yoshikawa would prove to be a merciless task master. Yoshikawa devoted the first two weeks to testing Naruto's conditioning and potential. It was evident to Yoshikawa after testing Naruto that he had prior training prompting him to push Naruto harder in the months that followed in order to discover exactly how far that training went.
The first two months were the worst for Naruto. Yoshikawa would attack him repeatedly, and training was never ending, even meal times were fare game. In that time Naruto broke down only once and had worked up the nerve to ask Yoshikawa why he was so relentless. Yoshikawa had nonchalantly responded that he would stop anytime. All Naruto needed to do was say the word and everything would go back to the way it was before. Naruto decided never to ask another question about his training again. Instead, he would silently endure whatever it was Yoshikawa threw at him. He figured that when the time was right Yoshikawa would enlighten him with the answers he sought.
Yoshikawa was constantly varying his attacks between taijutsu, ninjutsu, genjutsu, and elemental in order to grasp Naruto's full potential. Through this intense training Yoshikawa and Naruto were both able to ascertain that he had a basic grasp of genjutsu or at least how to counter it. He also had an average grasp of taijutsu, and a firm grasp of Hengen and multiple types of Kage Bunshin. Yoshikawa theorized that Kage Bunshin being Naruto's most familiar, had to be his favorite technique as well. Naruto's unbelievable endurance and chakra reserves coupled with the knowledge of Kage Bunshin would prove very useful in his future training sessions.
Yoshikawa tailored Naruto's training first towards the improvement of his genjutsu and taijutsu skills. Yoshikawa believed that genjutsu and taijutsu were the most useful tools in the training of a ninja because one focused solely on the mind while the other focused on his physical being. Only when Naruto could prove his mastery of these two aspects of his nature would Yoshikawa help him to improve his already decent although fairly limited grasp of ninjutsu. The final stage of Naruto's training Yoshikawa would devote to the learning and use of his elemental affinity.
Through all the time spent training an obvious bond was forming between the two. Naruto thought Yoshikawa to be a remarkable man; his knowledge and skills on the subjects of ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu seemed limitless. The only noticeable barrier between the two was Yoshikawa's reluctance in speaking of his past and how he had come to possess all his knowledge, but Naruto accepted this about his master even though his curiosity burned him daily; he had learned that there were some doors better left closed unless invited in.
The day's training has Naruto standing on his right leg with his left leg crossed over his right thigh underneath a raging waterfall. His knee is bent so that it appears as if he is sitting down with his legs crossed. The falling water pounds down on his shoulders with enough force to make him feel as if he was going to buckle at any moment, but somehow he was able to hold on. The exercise alone was more than enough to tax his endurance, but Yoshikawa had him doing this alongside as many Kage Bunshin as he could muster.
"Master I know I promised never to question your methods, but can you please explain the meaning behind this exercise." Naruto asked breathlessly.
"Asking questions is never wrong Haguru-kun as long as they are the right ones. In answer to your question since we have been training you have more than demonstrated how thick your skull is when it comes to things like genjutsu and meditation. I have surmised that it is not because of your lack of potential, but instead it is because of your lack of focus with anything that requires effort unless it is taijutsu related. So in order to drive into you the power of the mind and the usefulness of genjutsu I have devised this training which is both of a physical and mental nature. In order to break down that stubborn barrier you have created, I am going to wear you out until you realize that where the body has its limits the mind only has that which you burden it with."
"Okay, but why do I have to use so many Kage Bunshin?"
"Haguru, close your eyes."
Once Naruto has closed his eyes Yoshikawa picks up a rock and hurls it at one of the shadow clones so hard that it is dispelled.
"Now Haguru without opening your eyes tell me what I have just done."
"You threw a rock and dispelled one of my clones." Naruto answered.
"And how did you know that if your eyes were closed." Yoshikawa pressed.
"I really don't know Master."
"You know because even though Kage Bunshin can move and act freely they are connected to you, and through that connection anything they come to know you will know."
A light clicks on in Naruto's mind as he finds understanding in his Masters explanation.
"However even though this type of training has its obvious rewards like the ability to learn things that would normally take years to master in half the time if not sooner depending upon your ability to grasp that which you and your clones have learned; this type of training does not come without a price."
"What price would that be Master?"
"If my calculations are correct you will know soon enough."
Naruto was perplexed by his Master's words until fifteen minutes later when he collapsed. Yoshikawa shun shinned (Flash step) to his side and caught him before he fell. Naruto spent the next three days unconscious from the strain of having pushed his body to its limit. When he awoke his Master would have him perform the whole grueling process over again. It is not until a month of training and his tenth attempt that Naruto was able to push past his limit. Yoshikawa watched and waited to catch Naruto, but that time never came. Yoshikawa made Naruto continue for an additional five minutes before having him dispel his clones and allowing him to come down. More than a little shaken and feeling a little woozy but otherwise unharmed Naruto does as he is told.
"Haguru, how do you feel?"
"I am a little shaken and more than a little tired but I feel fine Master."
"How was it that you were able to keep yourself from passing out this time?"
"I don't know. I just didn't want to I guess."
"Think Naruto. How was it that you were able to stop yourself from passing out after three and a half hours this time? Take your time. What did you feel? What was different?"
Yoshikawa waits patiently as Naruto mulls over his question.
"I want to say that my training has finally allowed me to build up enough endurance and I am sure that is part of it, but there was this point where I heard myself saying it's okay to take a break, go ahead and lay down, and just as I was about too something else inside me told me that I should keep going that now wasn't the right time to rest and even though I really just wanted to let go, some mysterious energy allowed me to continue."
"And do you realize what that moment was?"
"Sure, it was me going crazy." Naruto quipped.
Yoshikawa looking upon his pupil and smiling began to laugh.
"No, Haguru you were not losing your mind; you were using your mind, to break down the barrier of stubbornness that is your thick skull. Once you recognized your bodies limit had been reached you tapped into the recesses of your mind and told it to hold on. Instead of your mind obeying your body for once you made your body obey your mind. Let's go home; it's time to eat and rest. Tomorrow you begin the second phase of your training.
"Alright!"
Naruto is so excited about the day's training he is unable to sleep any further and decides to prepare breakfast. Yoshikawa smelling something good rises and heads for the dining area where he discovers two plates loaded with healthy portions of rice, eggs and rabbit meat left over from the night's meal. Naruto enters the room with a tray holding a pot of freshly brewed mountain tea and two cups sets them on the table and greeting his Master sits. Master and pupil say a silent prayer of thanks before digging in. Their meal finished, both sit silently sipping on mountain tea allowing their food to digest a ritual they have enjoyed since their first encounter.
"Haguru, you know you didn't have to do this. It is part of my normal routine after all."
"I know Master, but I couldn't sleep past dawn and I just wanted to show my appreciation for everything you have done."
"Haguru….," Yoshikawa wanted to express his pride in having him as a pupil and to tell him he did not need to repay him, but it has been so long since he has allowed himself to show any kind of emotions that he was uncertain on how to proceed. Naruto sensed this and pressed his Master for the sake of pure mischief.
"Yes Master?"
"It is time for your training."
Naruto smiled inwardly and silently followed his Master; for the very first time the longing to know who he was became nothing more than an afterthought and he was genuinely happy. Yoshikawa took Naruto to a breath taking field filled with azuma ichirinsou and hitotubatago. Yoshikawa had him sit and focus on his breath. If it had been two and half months ago Naruto would have never been able to do as he was asked, but ever since yesterday he felt different somehow. Ten minutes pass before Yoshikawa instructs Naruto to forget the world around him and to focus on himself and only himself.
"Tell me how does one perform a genjutsu Haguru."
"The genjutsu user extends his chakra outward through the use of his eyes; hypnotizing his victim into believing whatever he wants."
"And how does one counter a genjutsu?"
"Either the person recognizes that a genjutsu is being performed and temporarily cuts his chakra flow and then sends a surge of chakra to disrupt the chakra flow of the genjutsu user or his partner snaps him out of it."
"Very good, the next phase of your training involves chakra sensitivity this will help you go a long way in recognizing genjutsu so that you can avoid them; eventually you will learn how to perform and counter them using your own, but first we will improve your defense against them."
"How will we do that Master?" Naruto inquired.
"That was the point of the breathing exercise. If you can block out the extraneous and focus solely upon who you are, you should be able to realize when someone is trying to manipulate you through the use of genjutsu by recognizing the foreign chakra that has entered your system instantly. It is by no means an easy task to master which is why I had you train in the utilization of your Kage Bunshin in order to shorten the length of this training. Once you master this I will teach you a few basic genjutsu and then we shall move on to taijutsu."
It took Naruto a solid month of intense training before he was able to train his senses to recognize when someone was trying to manipulate his mind, but he finally succeeded in mastering chakra sensitivity as well as a few basic genjutsu. Yoshikawa was surprised at how quickly he learned and was very much pleased. He decided to reward his pupil for the five months of total dedication by allowing him to accompany him to fetch provision in the far neighboring Sand country. It was part excursion and part necessity since his provisions had dwindled so low.
They would travel on foot improving his taijutsu skills and when they returned he would begin to further his training in genjutsu and as an added bonus Yoshikawa would instruct him on some ninjutsu to motivate his mastery of genjutsu. Once Naruto proved to be truly knowledgeable in his skills he would introduce the concept of elemental affinity.
"Pack your things Haguru."
"Why?"
"Because tomorrow we are leaving."
"Where to?"
"To gather provisions, you have eaten us out of house and home. What should have lasted us another three months has been greatly reduced thanks to your stomach."
"Does that mean we get to take a break from training?"
"You're not that lucky. Go get ready, and then get some rest; we leave at first light."