Lot happened last chapter. Now however, we'll be getting into the good stuff. I love the Third in fanfiction. Usually he's one of my favorite characters unless the author does some bashing stuff. I don't read bashing fics usually, just doesn't appeal to me. If you don't like a character in Naruto, its probably because you don't understand said character (no comment on Boruto). Sasuke catches a lot of hate, but he's actually a great character. He has good development.

Anyway, on to the chapter!

"What?" Takai tilted his head.

The Hokage leaned back, rubbing his forehead. "None of the Hokage ever considered using shadow clones to do work." The old man shook his head. "Either way, an excellent idea Takai." The old man gave him a smile.

Takai smiled in return.

"Now, since I have to remain here in case I am needed, I will send a shadow clone to help train you. Good luck Takai." The old man formed the hand sign and a clone of him appeared to his right.

Takai felt like screaming like a little girl. Training from the Hokage! He couldn't believe that worked! Takai leapt up from his chair and was about to dash out the door when he turned.

The Hokage who was about to return to his work, looked up. "Yes?"

Takai looked between him and the window. The clone smirked at the real Hokage. "Yes, you may use the window."

He ran past the desk of the Hokage, who was starting to stand up. He reached the window and threw it open. He then promptly dived out of it.

The Hokage sighed, giving the stink eye to his clone. The clone shrugged and followed the young boy. The old man shook his head as he went to close the window

Ow.

That was his current emotion.

He hadn't managed to even graze the Hokage's shadow clone. It dodged and weaved between Takai's strikes like it was art. There was no wasted energy, no wasted movement. It was all perfect.

Takai on the other hand, he had taken many hits all over. Of course, the clone was holding back significantly. It still hurt bad though.

He couldn't even tell the amount of taijutsu styles the clone shuffled through. It was absurd. Of course, Takai had his Sharingan active the whole time. The only problem was that the Hokage was so fast Takai couldn't see most of his movements. He caught only snippets which were after he was finished striking.

While the Hokage was certainly a kind man, in training he was a monster. If this was how he trained the Sannin then there's no wonder how they got so strong.

Takai went to strike but took a fist to his solar plexus for his efforts. He stumbled back, attempting to regain his breath. The clone gave him no room however. It rushed him, striking his torso six times before sticking a palm strike right in his stomach.

He flew back into a tree.

And through it.

The thankfully weak and skinny tree broke apart when he hit it.

Didn't stop him from hitting the mighty tree behind it.

Spittle flew from Takai's lips as he embedded himself over an inch into the tree.

He had no idea how he was alive right now.

And the same damn genial smile was on his face!

But of course Takai wouldn't be able to land a hit.

He groaned as he slipped from his indent and fell flat on the ground. His whole body felt ouch.

A shadow appeared over him. "Come on Takai, is that really all you have? You won't make it very far in the exam if you don't try harder." Takai knew the clone was baiting him, he knew it!

But he also didn't want to leave a challenge unanswered.

He struggled to push himself up. It took him a few moments, but he managed to get himself up. He looked at the clone who stood straight with his hands behind his back. "Good. Good...now, let's continue." Takai's eyes widened. He managed to get up a sloppy cross-block before a fist dug into his side. He was launched to his right, tumbling to a stop. He dug into the ground, leaving finger marks for about a foot.

He stood up quickly, assuming a proper stance. While the clone moved fast, Takai could still feel the hits. He usually started with a punch aimed towards his left. Takai felt his hairs stand on end. He ducked to the right and swung in an uppercut towards the clone's chin. His strike was blocked and he responded with a counter. The old man grabbed his wrist and pulled him into himself. At the same time, he sent a straight jab to his face.

Takai flipped ass over tea kettle and landed on his front.

That hurt more than a little.

The clone appeared over him once again, studying him. "Would you like to be healed?"

Takai turned his head over and side-eyed the clone. "You know medical jutsu?"

"Of course." The clone performed some hand signs. Takai watched his hands gain a faint green hue. The clone pressed his hands to Takai's torso. He could feel his many bruises and other damages rapidly heal. It was like someone was turning back the clock. Two seconds later and the feeling was gone. Takai groaned as he got up.

"Did you really have to kick my ass like that? I was beginning to think you were enjoying it." Takai rubbed his neck and began to stretch.

The clone laughed. "Of course! I was getting a feel for your skill level." The clone made eye contact with him. "And perhaps I was." He gave Takai a small wink.

Takai snorted at the antics of the clone.

"Alright, what now?"

The Hokage hummed. "Would you like to know a new chakra control exercise?"

Takai raised his eyebrow. "I didn't know there were more than the tree climbing exercise and water walking."

The Hokage nodded. "Yes, many don't know of the others."

Takai gestured for the Hokage to take the lead. "It would be handy."

The clone nodded and the pair took five steps over to the nearest tree. It was relatively short and squat. "Climb this tree and grab onto a limb."

Takai did so. "Like this?"

The Hokage nodded. "Exactly. Now, place one palm on the underside and channel chakra to your palm. Too much and something like blasting off a surface during tree walking will happen. Too little and you simply slip."

Takai nodded and directed his chakra to his palm. It took a few minutes, but he got the ratio down. "I think I have it."

"Now the other hand."

Takai let go with his left and pressed it against the underside of the limb. He copied his previous motions, finding the balance quicker. Takai noticed the drain on his chakra and the difficulty of concentrating instantly. "Woah. This isn't easy." He grunted.

The Hokage then smiled at him. "Now, do pull-ups."

Takai looked at him like he had grown a third head. "Huh? Care to explain?"

The old man grinned. "It forces more chakra out continuously, thus increasing the chakra coils quite a bit. It also allows the development of channeling chakra to the hands for certain jutsu such as Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld. That jutsu has you place your hands on the ground and channel your chakra."

Takai nodded and began to exercise. The strain of his vest didn't make it easier. The Hokage watched him work silently, specifically staring at his palms.

About four minutes later, his control began to slip. Sweat was building all over his upper body. His fingers slowly lost adhesion to the bark, his palms followings shortly after. Takai fell from the branch, dropping the short distance to the ground without harm.

"Whew. That's pretty difficult." He observed. Takai stretched his hands. forming fists and letting go.

The Hokage nodded. "Yes, it is. You not only have to work with your chakra, but also perform a movement a lot of people already struggle with. It is very much a compound exercise."

The Hokage then looked him in the eyes. "Are you ready for more taijutsu?"

Takai's eyes widened as the clone grinned. A blink later and he was defending himself barely defending himself.

Takai awoke the next day feeling rather refreshed. Thank Kami for that. If he had to wait to heal he'd probably give up. It was like battling for his life every time. Multiple times a day.

As soon as the Hokage finished beating him senseless, he was made to work on chakra control.

Then he got beaten some more.

Repeat.

While not pleasant by any meaning of the word, he could already feel massive gains in strength and speed. It was nearly intoxicating the way he was growing. This was just one day of training. What if he trained this way for years? He practically salivated at the possibilities.

Takai shook his head and got up out of his old bed.

He turned around and took a long hard look at the piece of furniture.

'I'm going to need to go shopping for new things eventually.' Takai did his morning stretches before doing the rest of his routine. He went downstairs and had a breakfast of cereal. Takai then went back upstairs and took a shower. Even though he didn't feel the fatigue of broken down muscles, it still soothed his body. After that, he brushed his teeth and put on fresh clothes.

Moments later he was making his way to the training ground.

There, he found the clone waiting for him.

"Good morning Takai, I trust you're ready?"

Takai merely nodded, mentally psyching himself up for his next beating.

"Since we focused on taijutsu yesterday, how about we switch it up? What would you like to learn?"

Takai raised his eyebrow. "Aren't you the one training me?"

The clone countered quickly, "I don't know exactly what you know."

Takai conceded and began to think about his rather limited knowledge of jutsu. He was actually probably safe in terms of Ninjutsu. He had a handful of techniques he could use at the end of the month. He could afford to wait on that for now. His Genjutsu however...

"I only have one Genjutsu. I would like to learn some more."

The Hokage nodded. "Understandable. That Sharingan of yours makes it much more potent than normal."

"I can also just copy it from you once you show me."

The Hokage nodded and assumed a simply stance ideal for making hand signs. "Are you ready?"

With a blink, Takai's Sharingan flashed to life. "Yes, I am."

Takai barely finished his words before he was pushed into a Genjutsu. He barely caught three hand signs: ram, boar, and snake.

It was disorientating to watch his surrounding change before him.

The forest lit on fire. The inferno rapidly consumed the trees. The air was thick with smoke. The smell make Takai choke and tears form in his eyes. Animals such as deer and other woodland creatures ran around panicking. Unidentifiable shinobi ran around throwing jutsu all over the place. One spotted Takai and started a series of hand signs.

Takai was quick in pulsing his chakra to escape the genjutsu. He fell to his knees, panting rapidly. It felt so real. He knew it wasn't. He watched The Hokage cast it as well as spot the flaws with his Sharingan.

Takai turned his head to look at the old man who was still in the same stance. "That was the Demonic Illusion: False Surroundings Jutsu." Takai nodded. His Sharingan had already copied it. Takai slowly got to his feet and fully turned to the old man.

He then paused.

There was an itching feeling inside his head. Something wasn't quite right. He spun around and examined every detail of his surroundings. Several trees and plants were missing as well as some weeds by his feet that weren't there previously.

He pulsed his chakra again.

This time he reached reality.

"Good job. I didn't expect you to get through that jutsu so quickly. That is the Demonic Illusion: Double False Surroundings Jutsu." The old man was standing straight with his hands behind his back this time.

Takai nodded. That was some genjutsu. "That felt...too real."

The Hokage nodded. "I am quite skilled in the art."

Takai snorted. That was the understatement of the era.

"Now, cast it on me."

Takai nodded, locking his eye with the Hokage's two and casting the illusion.

The man nodded. "Not bad for a beginner. If you time it right such as using a smoke bomb, you can completely destroy an enemy's perception of the battlefield."

Takai felt the Hokage break his illusion.

"The subtle details such as spreading small rocks around the clearing was a nice touch. I'd say that was a good illusion. However, remember this: the potency of a genjutsu is only limited by your imagination." The Hokage then began to form some more hand signs. Boar, dog, bird, monkey, and ram.

Takai nodded as he copied the jutsu.

"Demonic Illusion: Descending Hell Jutsu." Takai looked around for a few moment. He then turned back to the clone.

"I don't see anything."

"Ah, look up." The Hokage said with a small grin.

Takai followed his direction and-

"HOLY- WHAT THE FUCK?!"

A gigantic fireball that had to be many hundreds of feet wide dominated the sky. The heat spiked to unbearable levels as it neared. It was painfully bright to his eyes. He was quick to dispel it.

He pulled at his collar, trying to cool himself off.

The Hokage chuckled. "Yes, I quite like that illusion. When it works, it works wonderfully."

Takai nodded. "No wonder."

He looked back to the Hokage. "So, any more for me?"

The Hokage nodded. "One more. Then we'll practice some." He then looked serious rather than relaxed. "This next Genjutsu has the potential to very seriously injure someone's psyche. It cranks all the senses up to twenty. This includes the ability to sense chakra and other unique things like that."

The Hokage performed the ram, hare, and horse hand signs. "As soon as I let this go, dispel it immediately."

Takai nodded resolutely.

Suddenly he felt his brain practically melting. Everything ever-

He cycled his chakra. That was indescribable.

"What is it called?" Takai questioned, rubbing his temples. His less than a second long exposure was more than enough to make his head hurt.

"Demonic Illusion: Hell Sensing Jutsu." The Hokage looked him in the eye. "You absolutely cannot use this on an ally during a spar. This could very easily kill."

Takai nodded quickly. "Just...out of curiosity, what rank is it?"

"It is a B-rank Genjutsu. Thankfully, its extremely uncommon. I've only ever encountered a handful of people who know the technique. Of that amount, a fair portion are dead. So, you're unlikely to every encounter it."

"Don't jinx me." Takai groaned.

The clone cracked a small smile. "Now, practice them. Once you run out of chakra to cast illusions, we'll move on to more martial training."

Takai whimpered.

The Hokage forced him to up the weight on his vest while exercising. Thanks to his medical jutsu, his growth was explosive. He was already able to move around almost normally with his vest set to half a ton. He felt that medical jutsu was almost a cheat of some sort. He tried to copy it but found he lacked the control.

It was like being able to copy lightning jutsu, but he can't use them yet as he hasn't completed any training for it.

The third day of his training with the clone was upon him.

His excitement practically vibrated his bones as he made it over to the training ground.

They had already trained a day of Taijutsu and Genjutsu. That left Ninjutsu.

It was most exciting. There are practically infinite possibilities.

Takai found the clone standing the their clearing as usual.

"I trust you're ready?"

Takai nodded, thinking about what the Hokage could show him first.

The clone walked towards Takai until he was an arm's length away.

He then pulled a clay cup full of water from behind his back.

Takai's brain blanked. "What?"

"Control training. Its specifically for fire." The Hokage moved the cup towards him.

Takai accepted the cup, holding it in both hands. "Uh, what? I already burnt the leaves."

The clone's smile twitched. "There are multiple stages. This one is specifically for control. By channeling your chakra into the cup you heat it up. You must get it to be about as hot as tea fresh out of the kettle."

Takai nodded. This should be easy! He had a crazy strong-

"OWOWOWOWOWOW! HOTHOTHOTHOT!" The cup exploded in Takai's hands as soon as he channeled his chakra into it. The water reached a boil nearly instantly and spilled all over his hands.

"You cannot go all in. If you do, you get burnt." The Hokage pulled another cup out. "Try again."

Takai shook his hands in the air vigorously until they cooled off. A moment later and a lesson learned, he was back at it. He slowly pumped chakra into the cup. It grew warm in his hands. Several minutes passed as he focused. The clone said nothing.

He watched steam slowly curl from the surface of the liquid. "YES!" Takai celebrated until-

"OWOWOWOWOW! SHIT! OWOWOW!" In his excitement he blew the cup up. His fingers were bright red from the hot water.

The Hokage nodded. "Yes, such things will happen. We'll keep at it until you have this one under your belt. With it, you should be able to cast many more fire jutsu before you tire."

Takai nodded. He hadn't struggled with that before, but then again, he hadn't cast more than a handful at a time. Fire jutsu also ate at chakra like no one's business.

He watched the clone pull another cup out from behind his back.

Takai tilted his head. "Huh?"

The Hokage winked at him. "Trade secret."

Takai looked at him for a couple seconds before shrugging, the man could have his secrets. Takai took the cup and began to work once more.

"So, are there other exercises like this?"

"Yes, there are actually a great many exercises devised for the purpose of chakra control. Many more than we have time for. Most are specialized for certain villages anyway due to their environment. So, they are redundant to learn." The Hokage watched the water carefully.

Takai nodded. The water was once again heating up. It took another few minutes, but he managed it. The Hokage took the cup from his grasp and examined it. Takai felt oddly nervous. It was as if his heated water wasn't good enough. "That's...amazing. Very few get this exercise down so fast." Takai preened under the praise.

The Hokage then took two cups out at the same time. "Now, do two at a time. Then, the exercise will be complete. After that, we'll practice some other things."

Takai took both cups. How much harder could it be?

Turns out, a lot harder.

He lost count of how many cups he shattered.

Thankfully, this isn't a chakra intensive exercise. Its just about control.

Control he was rapidly gaining.

Two hours.

Two hours of blowing cups up.

The clone was looking at the steaming water carefully. He grabbed both cups and took a sip.

A small smile appeared on his face. "A perfect temperature." The Hokage put the cups behind his back. "Now, continue the chakra pull-up exercise from yesterday. This time however, you will be using just your fingertips."

Takai nodded. "The smaller surface area increased the amount of chakra I need to put out and how well I need to control it, right?"

The clone nodded. "Yes, exactly."

He walked over to the nearest tree and latched onto the lowest hanging limb which was conveniently within his reach. He channeled chakra to the palms of his hands to secure himself. He then slowly receded the chakra from his palms until it was his at his fingertips.

Takai grunted. "Just a bit harder." It was quite a bit more difficult this time. The control required was crazy.

"Ahem, Takai, I believe you are forgetting something?"

Takai winced as he started his pull-ups. The change in weight distribution and accounting for it was a weird feeling. But it was also pretty similar to a handstand. The concept is similar.

The Hokage walked over to Takai, standing in front of him. "Tell me Takai, what gets someone off-balance easiest in a battle?"

"Emotions."

The clone nodded. "What is this not saying?"

"Uh...I don't follow."

The Hokage gave him a look. "Think about it."

Takai did think. It took him awhile actually. It didn't really make sense to him. Emotions...he had them right now. He could feel all sorts of things- oh!

"That a shinobi shouldn't be bare of emotion?"

"Indeed. We are people too, not mindless killing machines. Our emotions are what keep up in check. They prevent us from doing horrible things to our fellow man." The clone leveled his gaze at Takai. "It is key that one keeps these feelings. All of them, including the negative ones. They're a delicate balancing game. Emotions are impossibly more complicated than any jutsu or training."

Takai gained a thoughtful look as the old man lectured.

"The biggest danger to a shinobi is by far hate." The man looked like he was reminiscing in a memory. "My student, Jiraiya, has something he believes in. He said it to me once. "Once you've been hurt you learn to hate. But if you hurt another you become hated. On your shoulders you sense guilt. But it is because one understands such pain, the generosity toward others become second nature. That's what makes us human.""

Takai paused in his exercise to listen. "That's...incredibly wise. Are you sure we're talking about the same person? The man who wrote Icha Icha?"

The Hokage busted out laughing. "Yes, I'm quite sure. I remember it clearly as if it were yesterday."

"It's definitely unique." He commented, continuing his pull-ups.

The clone nodded. "That it is."

Takai was deep in thought. Hate. Did he hate anyone?

Yes, he did. He hates the enemies of Konohagakure, his home.

He wouldn't hesitate to fight and kill for his home.

It was his job after all. He's a shinobi.

Takai opened his door the next morning to find Sasuke standing right in front of his house. They were just about nose-to-nose

"Fight me."

An eyebrow rose.

"Why?"

Sasuke crossed his arms. "I'm measuring my growth. I would go fight Naruto but I haven't seen him since the exams."

Takai nodded. "Yeah, he's off training."

"Where?"

Takai shrugged. "Beats me, ask Kakashi-sensei."

Sasuke pursed his lips. "So, you'll fight me?"

Takai tilted his head, eye looking skyward. "Maybe...what do I get in return?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "What do you want?"

"I'm sure Kakashi-sensei has taught you a new jutsu or two..." He drew out his last few words.

Sasuke sighed. "I haven't learnt it enough for it to be usable."

The other boy shrugged. "No dice then." He went to close the door, but Sasuke held it open. "I'll-"

Takai swung the door open and gave Sasuke an eye-smile. "Sure!"

Sasuke stared. "I didn't offer anything."

"I know."

Sasuke huffed and led the way.

The pair walked off into the forest hosted by the Uchiha district. A few minutes later and they were on the shoreline of a sizeable lake.

Takai whistled. "Nice lake."

Sasuke hummed in agreement.

Takai stepped out onto the water, easily holding his step. It was even easier than after he had mastered water walking. He watched Sasuke follow him, occasionally stumbling on the surface of the water. Takai suddenly turned on his heel, assuming a simple stance ideal for quick hand signs. He popped his knuckles and limbered up his hands.

Sasuke assumed his own stance, one best for a quick charge.

"You ready?"

Sasuke grunted, muscles tensed.

"GO!" Takai activated his Sharingan and immediately shot a Genjutsu at Sasuke, Demonic Illusion: Descending Hell Jutsu, but he felt his attack be denied. Sasuke darted at Takai, Sharingan on.

Takai sped through hand signs, and soon an orb of water even bigger than his fireballs normally were was shooting towards Sasuke. Takai then let go of his water walking jutsu, slipping right through the surface while the attack blocked Sasuke's view of him. He activated his Water Breathing Jutsu and began swimming towards Sasuke's position.

Sasuke immediately stepped back several paces before plunging his hands into the water. Takai swam forwards only to experience paralysis in his hands. He snatched them back. Sasuke had electrified the water around him.

Alright, time to change tactics.

Takai shot to the surface, abusing his new strength. Sasuke's eyes launched upwards, immediately forming the hand signs for a fireball. Takai went through his hand signs faster, and expelled the water bullet. It clashed with Sasuke's fireball, emitting steam.

Takai ran forward, delving into the steam. He came in contact with Sasuke's body. Thanks to the Third's harsh training, Takai easily blitzed and bodied him. He threw him down onto the surface of the water, breaking his hold on his water walking jutsu. Takai then release his own, dropping onto the boy. Takai quickly activated his Water Breathing Jutsu.

His hands went to Sasuke's neck and they clamped down like a crocodile's jaws. Sasuke put his arms between Takai's and pushed outwards, but the different in strength was far too great.

His scowl turned into a desperate expression.

Takai looked nonplussed. His clothing wasn't even wrinkled.

Kami, the Hokage really trained him. Two days and he was ahead of his peers by a fair margin. Imagine what years of this could be...he nearly salivated at the thought.

Takai snapped back to reality once Sasuke tapped his arm.

Guess it wouldn't look very good if he drowned his friend. Takai pulled him into his torso and then swam for the surface. It only took him five seconds to swim from the thirty feet they had dived down.

He breached and immediately slapped a hand down on the water, tenketsu radiating chakra. He then pulled a leg out, chakra on the bottom of his foot. Last, he pulled himself out and shouldered Sasuke.

The sound of the lake was quite peaceful. Gentle waves lapped at the shores, only moistening a small portion of the small shore.

It was only broken by his fellow Genin coughing water up. Takai stepped onto the shore and promptly dropping Sasuke on his ass. "Right. See you next time!" Takai waved, giving Sasuke a nice eye-smile before he ran off.

Sasuke could only cough up more water.

Woooheee, chapter 1-0! We're in the double digits! A lot of training this chapter. There will be more in the next as well.

The Sandaime doesn't screw around, does he? Kicking Takai's ass up and down the street. Too bad he doesn't have a big furry source of chakra sealed into him. That would make it too easy.

Feel free to leave reviews! It helps me improve as a writer and I'd love to put out better content.

See you next time ladies, gentlemen, and FIM-92 Stinger Missile Launchers!