DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO (MAYBE IF I ASK NICELY I CAN HAVE IT? JK)
Ch.10 - Asuma's Reassessment Test
Under the clear sky with scattered clouds and a gentle breeze rustling through the trees, Naruto couldn't contain his excitement as he talked to Ino and Shino. They had gathered outside, enjoying a rare day off from their ninja duties.
"I can't wait to show Asuma-sensei what I've learned lately! I'm feeling confident I won't get my butt kicked this time, dattebayo!" Naruto exclaimed, a determined glint in his eyes.
Ino, always the voice of reason, offered a word of caution. "Don't get carried away, Naruto. You might end up regretting it later on."
Naruto shrugged, a wide grin spreading across his face. "I guess... Oh well, I still need to work on some kinks," he admitted, reaching into his bag to retrieve a book.
Ino couldn't help but be surprised at the sight of Naruto reading. In their time at the academy, she had never seen him pick up a book before. She rubbed her temples, wondering if her eyes were playing tricks on her.
"Since when did you start reading, Naruto? Are you sure you're alright?" Ino asked, genuinely curious.
"It's been about a week now. Why? And yes, I'm fine," Naruto replied nonchalantly, flipping through the pages of the book.
"I honestly didn't think you were the reading type," Ino admitted, her astonishment evident in her voice.
"Neither did I!" Naruto chuckled. "But hey, I gave it a shot and I'm glad I did."
"Fair enough. Where is Shino, though?" Ino inquired, scanning their surroundings.
"I dunno, he must be handling something. He'll be here soon enough, I hope..." Naruto replied, his gaze wandering.
Just as the words left Naruto's lips, Shino's monotone voice broke the silence. "Sorry for being late. I must have overslept, which is rare even for me."
The suddenness of Shino's unexpected arrival startled both Naruto and Ino, causing them to jump in surprise.
"FOR KAMI'S SAKE! DON'T SCARE US LIKE THAT, MAN!" Naruto exclaimed, his heart still racing from the sudden appearance of Shino.
"Oh... I did not realize I scared the two of you. I apologize," Shino replied in his usual monotone manner.
"It's alright, but man, we should seriously consider getting you a bell or something, Shino," Naruto remarked with a half-joking tone.
Ino rolled her eyes and retorted, "Oh please, Naruto. Shino's not a dog, you know."
Naruto scratched his head sheepishly. "I was just kidding, Ino. Sorry, Shino. I guess that joke was in poor taste."
"Why are you apologizing? I thought it was funny. I enjoy humor from time to time," Shino retorted, maintaining his monotone voice.
Naruto and Ino exchanged puzzled glances. "Humor, huh? You don't say..." Naruto responded with a hint of skepticism.
Ino shifted the conversation. "So, how's your day off, guys? Anything interesting?"
"Well, I did some training here and there, and I read some scrolls and books last night. Oh, and I grabbed lunch at Ichira-" Naruto's voice trailed off as his mind drifted, remembering something that had happened the previous day.
- Flashback -
Ayame nodded, appreciating Naruto's growth and newfound perspective. "That's wise, Naruto-kun. It's important to value peace and stability. You're maturing into a thoughtful shinobi."
As the conversation continued, Ayame couldn't resist teasing Naruto about his relationship with Ino, one of their mutual friends.
"Speaking of Genin, where's your girlfriend?" Ayame playfully inquired.
Startled, Naruto vehemently denied the accusation. "Girlfriend? Ino? No way! She's not my girlfriend!"
Ayame couldn't help but tease him further, mischievously prodding at his emotions. "Since when did I say Ino was your girlfriend? You're the one who brought up her name. It seems like you do like her, huh?"
Caught off guard, Naruto's cheeks flushed bright red. "I-I mean, well, she's pretty..."
Ayame laughed, enjoying Naruto's flustered reaction. "See, you do like her. In that case, she can be your girlfriend. Our little Naruto is growing up so fast!" she joked, pretending to shed
"I SWEAR SHE'S NOT! And besides, I already like someone," Naruto pleaded, his voice filled with earnestness.
- End of Flashback -
Ino glanced at Naruto, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Konoha to Naruto, you there? Hello? It seems his brain must've been fried with all that reading," she remarked, a hint of teasing in her voice.
Shino chimed in with his usual monotone, "Perhaps he still hasn't fully recovered from his injuries."
Ino raised an eyebrow. "You think it's brain damage?"
Shino contemplated for a moment before responding, "Possibly."
Naruto snapped out of his daze, his face still flushed from embarrassment. "Huh? What were you saying, Ino?" he asked, trying to regain his composure.
Ino smirked, teasing him further. "Oh, good, you're back. We thought for a second there that you had brain damage. Perhaps you do."
Naruto huffed, feeling defensive. "I'm fine, I just remembered something, that's all. And no, I don't have brain damage, thank you very much."
Ino let the topic go and shifted her attention to Shino. She found it easier to talk to Naruto than Shino, not knowing how to engage him in conversation. Despite being teammates for about a month, Shino remained a mystery to her.
"Hey, Shino," Ino began, trying to strike up a conversation. "What did you do during your day off?"
"Hmm... Come to think of it, I simply ran errands and tended to my bugs," Shino replied in his usual calm tone.
"That's it?" Ino raised an eyebrow, hoping for more insight into Shino's interests.
"What do you mean?" Shino questioned, his expression unchanging.
Ino felt a pang of frustration, realizing it was challenging to connect with Shino. However, she was determined to get to know him better as a teammate.
"I've always wondered where you keep your bugs all the time," Ino commented, her voice slightly trembling at the thought. Naruto shivered alongside her, equally uncomfortable with the idea of tiny insects crawling over them.
"I keep them inside my clothes," Shino replied, though he lied to spare his teammates from the truth. He knew that revealing the truth about his bugs would likely cause them to freak out.
Both blondes shuddered involuntarily, their skin crawling as if imaginary insects were crawling on them. "But... don't you find it unsettling when they crawl all over you?" Naruto questioned, his voice filled with genuine curiosity.
"I do not. I barely notice their presence," Shino stated matter-of-factly.
"Seriously?" Naruto exclaimed in disbelief.
"Yes, it doesn't bother me at all," Shino affirmed, his tone unwavering.
Ino, intrigued by the Aburame Clan's unique abilities, chimed in. "How do you manage to do that? I mean, I know so little about the Aburames, other than the fact that they use bugs."
"What do you mean?" Shino asked, his tone devoid of emotion.
Ino reiterated her question, "I mean, how do you not find bugs creepy and shiver when they're on you?"
Shino's expression remained unchanged as he responded, "I think you do not want to know the real answer to that question, I am certain of it."
Intrigued, Ino pressed further, "How so?"
Shino sighed softly before replying, "Just trust me on this one, Ino."
Ino reluctantly dropped the topic, accepting that some things were better left unknown. She shifted her focus to a less unsettling question. "Okay, fine. But do you get to choose which bugs you control?"
Shino nodded, providing a more comfortable answer. "That I can answer without disturbing you. When a child is born into our clan, the bugs themselves choose the child. There are several species of bugs we utilize, and once a specific species chooses the child, they become partners, living in symbiosis from then on."
Naruto and Ino listened attentively, their curiosity piqued by this newfound knowledge about Shino's clan. It was fascinating and made them appreciate the unique bond between Shino and his insect companions. However, their conversation was interrupted when their sensei, Asuma, finally arrived.
"Sorry I'm late, kids. Had to deal with some stuff, you know how it is," Asuma apologized, rubbing the back of his head.
Both Naruto and Ino couldn't help but shoot disapproving glances at Asuma for his chronic tardiness. Nonetheless, they had passed the time by learning something new about their enigmatic teammate.
Ino nudged Naruto and whispered, "Asuma-sensei was probably with Kurenai-sensei, don't you think?
Naruto smirked and replied, "Yeah, Ino. Asuma-sensei thinks he's so slick, but he's pretty obvious if you ask me. What do you think, Shino?"
Shino, still maintaining his stoic demeanor, offered his opinion. "The possibility is there, though it does make sense considering Asuma-sensei's occasional lateness."
A bead of sweat formed on Asuma's forehead as he gulped nervously, denying his students' speculations. "I... I don't know what you guys are talking about," he stammered. He quickly changed the subject, clearing his throat and asking what they wanted to work on for the day, hoping to divert their attention.
His students let it slide, deciding to focus on their training instead. They requested a sparring session to gauge their progress. "Alright then, let's see if you've learned anything from your last battle," Asuma agreed, eager to get the training session underway.
- At The Training Grounds -
Asuma found himself facing off against his three students, engaging in a 3 vs 1 battle. It was a test to assess how much they had learned since their last mission. Asuma reminded them of the notes he had given them, urging them to remember their shortcomings and make necessary changes.
"Before we start, are all of you ready?" Asuma asked.
"Wait! Naruto, make a clone," Ino interjected.
Naruto questioned her, "For what?"
"To guard my body once I land my jutsu, remember?"
"Oh! Right, hehe, my bad," Naruto replied, swiftly creating a clone.
"Ready?" Asuma confirmed.
"Yes!" all three of them responded.
"Okay, GO!" Asuma declared, signaling the start of the battle.
Naruto charged towards Asuma, aiming a right hook, but Asuma evaded the attack effortlessly. Reacting quickly, Naruto created a clone to strike Asuma, but his sensei proved too fast. Asuma caught the clone and tossed it aside.
Taking advantage of the opening, Naruto attempted to strike Asuma with a knee strike. Although Asuma managed to block the knee, he felt an unusual sensation as if his hands were stuck. Naruto had applied chakra to his knee, causing it to adhere to Asuma's palm. Seizing the opportunity, Naruto struck Asuma's chin with his other knee, successfully landing a hit. He continued his assault by summoning a clone to deliver a powerful blow to the back of Asuma's head. However, Naruto's spinning kick missed its mark as Asuma skillfully dodged the attack.
Asuma was taken aback by Naruto's unexpected chakra control, realizing that he hadn't even taught him basic techniques like walking on trees or water. His thoughts were interrupted when Shino launched a swarm of bugs towards him. Asuma swiftly dodged each insect, executing flips and dashes to evade the relentless assault. "Now, Ino," Shino called out.
Asuma quickly performed a Kawarimi (Body Replacement Technique), substituting himself with a log. Ino was about to initiate her Shintenshin no Jutsu (Mind Body Change Technique), but she hesitated just in time, avoiding losing consciousness. Asuma appeared behind her, attempting to strike her, but Ino ducked and retaliated with a sweeping kick. Asuma managed to jump away, giving Ino an opportunity to create distance by executing a reverse somersault and dashing backward.
"Good job, Ino. Don't release that jutsu until you're certain it'll hit," Asuma commended. Suddenly, he sensed a chakra signature approaching from behind—it was Naruto sprinting at high speed. "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu! (Shadow Clone Technique)" Naruto yelled, creating three clones to confuse Asuma and mask his true location. Naruto and his clones moved in erratic patterns, attempting to make Asuma lose track of the original.
Anticipating Naruto's tactics, Asuma leaped into the air, evading a pair of arms reaching up from beneath the ground. "Nice try, Naruto, but I know you love that trick," Asuma remarked.
"How can you be sure I'm not a clone?" the clone beneath asked.
Asuma's realization struck him as he looked down from above. "Bunshin Kaiten Kakato Otoshi! (Clone Spinning Heel Drop)" Three Narutos descended from the sky. "Eat this!" they shouted as they descended upon Asuma. However, to their surprise, their attack struck a log, causing it to shatter into splinters.
"DAMNIT! Asuma-sensei performed a Kawarimi! (Body Replacement Technique)" Naruto exclaimed in frustration. Suddenly, he found himself dragged down into
Asuma used the Doton: Shinju Zanshu no Jutsu (Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique) to trap Naruto's head above the ground, demonstrating that he was not the only one capable of underground tactics. Naruto struggled but couldn't free himself from the jutsu.
While Asuma dealt with Naruto, Ino threw shurikens at him, but they hit yet another log. Frustrated, she expressed her disbelief. Suddenly, she felt a presence behind them.
Asuma had swiftly moved behind Ino and Shino, attempting to land a hit on both of them. However, they managed to evade his attacks in time. Ino sensed the presence once more and turned around, finding Asuma behind her again. She blocked his punch, but the force was powerful enough to make her slide across the ground.
Meanwhile, Shino was observing the situation from a distance until he heard rustling from behind. Reacting quickly, he threw shurikens at the bush, but nothing happened. Suddenly, another Asuma appeared behind him. Asuma emphasized the lesson that even if there's only one enemy, they could still be a threat. Shino blocked Asuma's kick with his arm, causing him to back off. However, when Shino tried to escape, he bumped into yet another Asuma. It was too late as Asuma caught him in a lock.
The only one left was Ino. She and Asuma engaged in a series of punches and jabs. Ino did her best to block each attack, but Asuma's strikes were heavy, causing her arms to go numb. Ino attempted a punch, but Asuma caught her arm and pinned her down on the ground.
Once all his students were freed, Asuma gathered them around him to share some final notes.
"Listen up, here are some more of my notes. Let's start with Ino," Asuma began, and Ino nodded attentively. "Your speed and accuracy have improved, which is good. It was wise of you to cancel your jutsu when you realized it wouldn't land. However, you still struggle with close-hand combat. Consider finding a weapon that suits you—a sword, senbons, or a kusarigama, for example. Having a versatile arsenal will help you fend off opponents in different situations. Remember, not every fight will be at a distance, so be prepared."
Asuma then shifted his focus to Ino's reliance on her clan's techniques. "You rely heavily on your clan's jutsu. While they are powerful, it's important to diversify your skills. I've seen your father fight, and he incorporates offensive techniques effectively. Explore your chakra nature and start learning from there. By expanding your jutsu repertoire, you'll become a more formidable ninja. Overall, you've made improvements, and well done."
Ino listened attentively, taking note of Asuma's feedback. She was determined to work on her weaknesses and expand her abilities to become a stronger ninja.
Asuma took a moment to acknowledge Shino's contribution in setting up Ino for her almost successful jutsu. "Shino, well done on creating an opportunity for Ino to land her jutsu. You're starting to understand how to set the pace of a battle as a team. However, it's crucial that you also learn to fight independently. Your teammates won't always be by your side, and you need to be able to defend yourself. Focus on improving your close-combat skills, as it appears to be your weakest area. Once your opponent's identify this weakness, the battles will become much more challenging for you. So, it's in your best interest to work on it. Also, maintain your guard and stay vigilant. A healthy dose of paranoia is necessary. Given your logical and level-headed nature, I believe you can achieve this. Keep up the good work, Shino," Asuma commended, patting his shoulder.
Turning his attention to Naruto, Asuma expressed his admiration. "And now, Naruto, I'm impressed! You caught me off-guard there. When did you learn how to perform tree-walking and water-walking?"
Naruto chuckled in response. "I didn't actually... I used 'Nebaiken (Sticky Fist)', which is in this scroll right here," he explained, handing over the scroll he had referenced.
Curious, Asuma took the scroll and began reading it himself. He was genuinely impressed by Naruto's resourcefulness and ability to find a style that suited him. "I see. This is excellent, Naruto. You've discovered something that works well for you. And the timing is perfect because soon, I'll be teaching all three of you about chakra control."
Asuma then asked if there were any questions, but none of the students had any. Satisfied, he dismissed the class, stating that the training for the day was complete.
"Alright then, all of you are dismissed. Except you, Naruto, please stay," Asuma instructed.
In a teasing tone, Ino couldn't help but joke, "Ohhhhh... Someone's in trouble for kicking Asuma-sensei's chin."
Naruto's voice trembled with worry as he responded, "Ha ha, very funny, Ino. You're not mad about that, right, Asuma-sensei?... Right?" Naruto asked.
Asuma reassured him, "Of course not, Naruto. In fact, I'm impressed."
Naruto let out a sigh of relief, saying, "Okay, thank Kami..."
Ino and Shino bid their farewells, leaving the training grounds. Naruto remained, curious as to why Asuma wanted him to stay behind.
"Why do you want me to stay, Asuma-sensei?" Naruto inquired.
Asuma explained, "Listen up, you'll need more practice when it comes to chakra control, kid."
Naruto seemed puzzled. "Huh? But why? We haven't even started yet..."
Asuma responded, "I just know that you'll need more time to practice, not because you're dumb, but because you have an abundance of chakra."
Perplexed, Naruto pressed further. "Okay, but what does having a large amount of chakra have to do with it? I thought having a large amount of chakra was good."
Asuma began to illustrate his point. "Imagine you have a bucket that contains all the water in the ocean, and you're asked to water a single flower. It would be challenging to water the flower with just enough water without drowning it in the process. Similarly, when someone has a large chakra reserve, it becomes more difficult to control and mold that chakra accurately. That's why I'm telling you this."
Understanding started to dawn on Naruto. "I see..."
Asuma reassured him, "But don't worry, I'll help you along the way. Additionally, make sure to inform your teammates to meet me here tomorrow. It's time to go on missions again."
Naruto expressed his gratitude and bid farewell. Asuma, alone on the training grounds, reflected, "They're starting to grow. I'm proud of them," speaking to no one in particular.
(A/N: Thanks for your continued support, I really enjoy writing these, and I am sorry for not uploading that much lately. I really have to handle those documents haha (I wrote this while I was on the road, well I was on a train so yeah hahaha). Also, I saw some comments about seeing other teams and sure I'll do that, that seems doable. The Chunin Exams arc is coming soon haha and I'm excited to get there. I would also like to announce that I am taking a break for a while after dealing with college stuff, I am feeling a bit burnt out lately so yeah. Hope you guys understand, I will reply to the messages I received soon. That is all haha cheers ^^)
P.S. Try looking up where Shino keeps his bugs haha or rewatch the episode in part one of the Anime haha