Hey everyone! Just a quick status update before we get into the new chapter! If you're following the story, then I'd like to inform you that updates may be a bit slower from now on.
I've just started a new job so I'm going to have less time to write and I'm also trying to make the chapter's a bit longer whilst also taking in advice from your reviews.
I'm going to try very hard not to let this story die as I've been enjoying writing it a lot. I cannot promise a regular upload schedule as of right now, but once I get settled in with my new job I'll try sort one out.
Thank you to those who are consistently leaving reviews, and I will be replying to some more at the end of this chapter! Thank you!
Chapter 11 : Came Far, Going Further.
Naruto stood there, mindlessly gripping the small tub of ointment that Hinata had given him after his battle with Kiba. He didn't really need it—he had barely been touched during the fight. Yet, he couldn't quite understand why Hinata had given it to him. Maybe she noticed how much he had grown, or maybe it was just her way of showing support. Either way, his thoughts were far from the small gift, instead drifting as he absently watched Choji's match against Dosu.
His mind was consumed by the memories of the two previous matches—ones that stirred something deep within him.
- Flashback Start -
First, there had been Hinata's fight against Neji. The memory burned into his mind, not just because of the violence, but because of the way Neji had treated her. His words were cruel, venomous, as he belittled Hinata and claimed that she was unfit to be a shinobi, fated to lose simply because of who she was. Naruto had been furious, shouting from the stands for Neji to shut up, telling Hinata she could change if she tried. He wanted her to fight back, to show Neji he was wrong.
At the start, Hinata had held her own. But then, Neji's true strength was revealed. His strikes, methodical and ruthless, wore her down bit by bit. Even when her defenses crumbled, Hinata refused to give in. But it wasn't enough. Neji aimed a brutal final blow, one that would have killed her if the Jonin sensei hadn't intervened just in time. Naruto could still feel the anger as he thought of Neji's words about fate—about how Hinata was destined to fail, and that she couldn't change her place in the world. Naruto's grip on the railing tightened as he remembered the blood Hinata left behind in the arena. Without thinking, he had dipped his hand into it, his fist clenched in fury as he silently vowed to win. "I will defeat Neji," he had promised. "I'll show him fate doesn't control us."
But there was another match that shook Naruto to his core, a battle that made him realize just how much farther he still had to go.
As the match began, Lee wasted no time, launching himself at Gaara with incredible speed and agility. His fists and feet moved like lightning, but Gaara didn't even flinch. Every attack Lee made was blocked by Gaara's sand, which automatically formed a protective barrier around him. Lee's kicks struck the sand, but it was like trying to punch through steel.
"What's wrong? Is that all you've got?" Gaara said, his expression cold and emotionless, as his sand continued to shield him from Lee's attacks.
But Lee was undeterred. His mentor, Guy-sensei, called out from the sidelines, reminding Lee that it was time to use "that technique." Lee hesitated for a moment but then made his decision. He leaped back from Gaara, and with a determined expression, he reached down and unstrapped the heavy weights from his legs.
The room is filled with murmurs. Weights? What was the point of that?
But the moment Lee let them go, the truth was revealed. The weights crashed to the ground with a deafening boom, causing the floor to crack and sink beneath the weight. The crowd gasped in shock. Those weights had been slowing him down?
In an instant, Lee vanished from sight, moving with such speed that Gaara's sand struggled to keep up. The sand barrier that had been untouchable until now was being pushed to its limits. Lee darted around Gaara like a blur, landing hit after hit, smashing through the sand defense and landing a powerful blow to Gaara's cheek. The crowd was in awe—someone had finally managed to land a hit on Gaara.
But as the sand fell away, the true nature of Gaara's defense became clear. A shell of hardened sand covered his skin beneath his clothes, protecting him from injury. Gaara's lips curled into a sinister grin, his eyes gleaming with bloodlust.
Lee, however, wasn't done yet. Seeing no other option, he decided to push himself even further. With a steely look of determination, he began opening the Eight Inner Gates, forbidden techniques that release the body's full potential but at a dangerous cost. One by one, Lee opened the Third, Fourth, and finally, the Fifth Gate. His muscles bulged, veins popping as his body was pushed beyond its limits. A fiery green aura surrounded him, and his speed and strength became overwhelming.
Gaara's sand couldn't keep up anymore. Lee launched his ultimate attack—the Primary Lotus, sending Gaara high into the air with a series of dizzying blows. He grabbed Gaara mid-air and spun him violently before slamming him down toward the ground with bone-shattering force.
But Gaara wasn't done. At the last moment, his sand cushioned the impact, creating a hollowed-out shell in the ground. Gaara's face showed a crazed expression, and his sand swirled around him, more aggressive than ever.
Exhausted, Lee staggered as the effects of opening the gates began to wear on him. His body was struggling under the strain, but he refused to give up. Gaara, meanwhile, was preparing his Sand Coffin, intending to crush Lee where he stood.
Lee, barely able to stand, still tried to push forward, still tried to fight. But Gaara's sand wrapped around Lee's arm and leg, preparing to finish him off. Gaara's fingers curled as he muttered, "Sand Coffin."
With a sickening crunch, Lee's arm and leg were crushed. The crowd watched in horror as Lee fell to the ground, battered and broken. But even in his unconscious state, Lee attempted to stand, his body trembling as he struggled to rise. Guy-sensei watched in disbelief, tears forming in his eyes as he realized the extent of Lee's determination and the damage done to his body.
Before Gaara could land a killing blow, the match was called to a halt. Guy-sensei intervened, rushing to his student's side, catching him as he collapsed. The fight was over.
Naruto's thoughts were still clouded with the haunting words from the medic ninja. Lee, the boy who had pushed his body beyond its limits, might never be able to fight again. The determination and effort Lee had shown in his battle against Gaara left an impact on Naruto that was hard to shake. Lee had fought for his dream, putting everything on the line, only to be crushed—quite literally—by his own strength.
Naruto had wanted to go to Lee's side, but the medics had gotten there first. As he had overheard the medic talking to Guy-sensei, those devastating words echoed in his mind: "He'll survive, but he'll never recover enough to go back to his ninja duties."
Naruto clenched his fists in frustration. Lee had fought so hard, but now he might never be able to fight again. The thought alone made Naruto's heart ache. Is this the fate of shinobi? he thought. To risk everything and possibly lose it all? He hated the idea that someone as dedicated as Lee could be forced to give up on his dream. It made Naruto question his own path for a brief moment. Would something like this happen to him one day?
But just as quickly as the doubt came, Naruto pushed it away. No, he thought, Lee never gave up, and I won't either. I'll get stronger. I'll beat Neji. And I'll make sure I protect my friends.
- Flashback End -
Before he could sink further into his thoughts, a loud crash brought Naruto back to the present. His eyes shifted to the arena floor, where he saw Choji lying defeated, swirls in his eyes. His match against Dosu had ended quickly, much to Naruto's disappointment. Choji had fought hard, but it hadn't been enough.
With all ten matches completed, Hayate Gekkō stepped forward, calling for the victors to come down and line up. Naruto snapped out of his trance, a new sense of determination bubbling inside him. He glanced around at the other contestants—each of them strong, each of them formidable in their own right—but he was ready. He had made a vow to win, and he would see it through.
The victorious Genin stood shoulder to shoulder in the arena, with nine of them present. Sasuke was noticeably absent, his whereabouts a mystery. The defeated Genin who remained conscious, along with their Jonin sensei, watched from above, curious about the next stage.
Hayate Gekkō, his usual calm and slightly weary demeanor unchanged, addressed the nine remaining contestants. "To you nine who won your fight and earned the opportunity to participate in the finals: well done." His voice was hoarse but carried the weight of the moment. He paused briefly, then glanced toward the Hokage, giving him a slight nod. "Lord Hokage, they're all yours."
The Hokage smiled warmly, his wise and aged eyes scanning the group of young shinobi standing before him. Despite their youth, each one of them had shown remarkable potential in their battles. "Thank you, Hayate," the Hokage responded, before stepping forward. His presence alone commanded respect.
"As Hayate said, well done to you all for winning your fights.", the Hokage paused for a moment, his eyes lingering on each of the Genin. "I will now explain the details for the finals. Unlike the preliminaries, which were to reduce the number of participants, the finals are the true test of your abilities as shinobi. This is the stage where you will fight not only to prove yourselves but also to showcase your skills before the eyes of important dignitaries from various lands."
"You will have one month to prepare for the final rounds," the Hokage continued. "Use this time wisely. Train, learn, and refine your skills. This will be a time for personal growth, where you can take everything you've learned up to this point and push yourselves to new limits."
Naruto's eyes widened, excitement bubbling within him. A whole month? That was more than enough time for him to get even stronger, maybe even strong enough to take on Neji or Gaara.
The Hokage's tone grew slightly more serious. "The final matches will be fought in front of a large audience that also includes not only me but also the leaders of other nations"
Naruto clenched his fists in determination. He had already made a promise to himself and to Hinata—to win. There was no way he was going to let anything stand in his way.
"Take this month to grow," the Hokage advised. "For some of you, it may be the difference between victory and defeat."
The Hokage stood before the victorious Genin, smiling gently as they awaited his next instructions. He cleared his throat and gestured to Anko, who stepped forward carrying a wooden box.
"Before I dismiss you, I'd like each of you to take a slip of paper from this box. Please, one at a time," he instructed, without offering further explanation.
The Genin did as they were told. Anko moved down the line, offering the box to each of them. One by one, they reached in and drew their numbers.
Once all the numbers were announced, the Hokage smiled knowingly, watching their expressions. "Now, I'm sure you're all wondering why I had you pick these numbers without explaining what they were for," he said, observing their reactions.
The Genin straightened up, curiosity clearly evident.
The Hokage continued, "The reason I didn't tell you beforehand is to ensure fairness. If you had known what these numbers corresponded to, some of you might have been tempted to strategize, aiming for a specific match-up. By keeping the process hidden until now, I've ensured that the results are entirely based on chance."
The Hokage nodded at Ibiki, who flipped his clipboard around, revealing the matchups.
Tournament Bracket:
Match 1: Uzumaki Naruto (1) vs. Hyuga Neji (2)
Match 2: Gaara (3) vs. Sasuke Uchiha (4)
Match 3: Kankuro (5) vs. Aburame Shino (6)
Match 4: Dosu Kinuta (7) vs. Shikamaru Nara (8)
Temari (9) advance to the second round and face the winner of Match 4.
Naruto's eyes immediately locked onto Neji, a fierce determination blazing in his gaze. He clenched his fists, feeling the weight of the moment. Finally, he thought, I get to beat that jerk to a pulp. Naruto couldn't wait to prove Neji wrong—to show him that people weren't chained down by something as stupid as fate. This wasn't just about avenging Hinata; it was about destroying the very idea that people couldn't change their destinies.
On the other side of the row, Neji smirked slightly, pleased with how things had turned out. Fate, he mused, always works in my favor. In his mind, Naruto was already defeated—just another example of someone trying to defy what was inevitable. The Hyuga prodigy was more than ready to demonstrate that fate could not be escaped.
Meanwhile, Shikamaru glanced at the bracket with a long, weary sigh. Why me? he thought, already troubled by the notion that he'd have to fight an extra match, "What a drag," he muttered under his breath.
The Hokage took in their varied expressions with an understanding smile. He gestured to the Genin. "We're about finished now, so you're all free to leave. That is, unless anyone has any questions?"
At this, Shikamaru lazily raised his hand. "May I?"
The Hokage nodded, smiling. "Go ahead."
Shikamaru scratched the back of his head, visibly bored. "So, since this is a tournament, that means there's only one winner, right? Does that mean only the victor will be promoted to Chunin?"
The Hokage shook his head kindly, explaining, "No, Shikamaru, that's not the case. Like I mentioned earlier, your matches will be spectated not just by me, but also by Kages from neighboring nations. We will be acting as judges. Based on your performance, each of us will assign a score. Even if you lose your first match, if you demonstrate the qualities we look for in a Chunin, you may still receive a promotion."
The Hokage smiled, observing the group as he spoke. "It's not about winning the tournament—it's about showcasing leadership, strategy, and the ability to make difficult decisions under pressure. That's what will earn you the title of Chunin. Of course, fighting in multiple matches gives you more opportunities to display your abilities."
Shikamaru nodded lazily, satisfied with the explanation, though clearly wishing he didn't have to participate at all. "Yeah, that answers it," he said.
The Hokage gave a final nod to the group. "Well then, well done to all of you. You are dismissed."
As the group started to break up, Naruto's mind was already racing with plans. I need to train, and I need Kakashi-sensei to help me, he thought. His eyes scanned the stands, but Kakashi was nowhere to be seen. Frowning, Naruto quickly located Sakura. "Hey! Sakura! Where did Kakashi-sensei go?!"
Naruto's face lit up with understanding. "Thanks!" he called out before dashing off toward the hospital, eager to catch up with Kakashi and begin his training.
- Inside Konoha's Hospital -
Naruto had hastily arrived at Konoha's hospital, practically pleading with the receptionist to tell him where Sasuke's hospital room was. The receptionist, looking unimpressed, sternly told Naruto to keep his voice down and that visiting hours were over, insisting he'd have to return tomorrow. Before Naruto could argue any further, Kakashi appeared at the top of the stairway, his calm demeanor cutting through the tension.
"Naruto, cool it. This is a hospital," Kakashi said with a quiet firmness.
Naruto's face brightened with excitement as he rushed over to his sensei. "Kakashi-sensei! I need your help with training for the finals!"
Kakashi sighed softly and rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm afraid I've already agreed to train Sasuke for the month," he replied, causing Naruto's excitement to instantly shift to annoyance and jealousy.
"Why Sasuke?" Naruto grumbled.
Kakashi looked genuine as he said. "I understand your frustration, Naruto. And I'm genuinely sorry that I can't be the one to train you, I just don't think you'd gain as much as Sasuke would from my personal training. Which is exactly why I've arranged someone special for you, someone suited for you personally." he said with a knowing smile.
Naruto blinked, confused. Just then, a familiar figure entered the room—Ebisu, Konohamaru's special Jonin trainer. Naruto glanced over his shoulder and instantly recognized him. "Wait a second… this guy?!" Naruto exclaimed, remembering how he'd defeated Ebisu with his Harem Jutsu in the past. As he realized what was happening, Naruto's eyes widened, and he turned back to Kakashi, protesting, "NO WAY! I DON'T WANT THIS LOSER AS MY TRAINER! HE'S WEAKER THAN ME! I BEAT HIM WITH MY HA—"
Before Naruto could finish, Ebisu quickly clamped a hand over his mouth, whispering urgently for Naruto not to reveal that embarrassing incident. "Please, Naruto, keep that between us," Ebisu pleaded, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
Kakashi let out a small chuckle. "Ebisu may not look it, but he's a Special Jonin," Kakashi explained, seeing Naruto's confused look. "A Special Jonin is a shinobi who's usually around Chunin-level in overall skill but has one area where they surpass even Jonin."
Naruto gave Ebisu a doubtful look. "But that means he's still weaker than you, Kakashi-sensei, right?"
Kakashi smiled behind his mask and glanced at Ebisu. The special Jonin stepped forward and addressed Naruto directly. "Yes, Naruto, Kakashi is much stronger than me. In a fight, he'd easily win. However, there is one skill where I believe I surpass even him."
Naruto raised an eyebrow, now slightly intrigued. "And what's that?"
"Teaching," Ebisu said with confidence. "There's a reason the Hokage has entrusted me with training his grandson, Konohamaru."
Naruto's excitement deflated slightly. "Teaching? That's it?" He seemed less impressed but still mildly curious.
Ebisu nodded. "Kakashi has shared some details about you, and I believe you have enormous potential. He also told me about the clever training method you developed using Shadow Clones to speed up your learning."
Naruto's expression perked up at the mention of his training method. "Yeah, it's pretty awesome, isn't it?" he said, soaking up the praise.
Ebisu smiled, continuing, "I misjudged you before, Naruto, and for that, I apologize. But with my help, we can take that unique method of yours and refine it even further. Together, we can make something truly impressive out of your potential."
Naruto puffed his chest out slightly but then furrowed his brow in a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. "Okay, but what exactly will we be doing for the month?"
Ebisu, after a dramatic pause, says, "Studying."
Naruto's face twists in disbelief, and he instantly flops to the ground, groaning loudly. "No way! No studying! That's lame!" He rolls onto his back, dramatically throwing his arms over his face.
Ebisu, undeterred by Naruto's theatrics, adjusts his glasses, the light reflecting off them with a sharp glint. He leans down, his tone serious but patient. "Naruto, it's not as bad as you think. In fact, I'm suggesting something that plays to your strengths. Hear me out." Naruto peeks out from behind his arms, intrigued despite himself.
Ebisu stands up straight again and continues, "Your ability to create shadow clones is unique. What if you used them to form a study group? You could create just ten clones, each reading a different book or scroll. And with me guiding you through any confusion or difficult topics, by the time you're done, you will have gained all the knowledge from those ten books."
Naruto's skeptical look doesn't fade. "Studying is still studying," he mumbles under his breath.
But Ebisu doesn't stop. "Think about it this way: you're used to using around twenty clones, right? With only ten clones studying, that leaves you with ten clones, and your real self, free to do whatever you want. You could use that extra time to train."
He then turns his attention to Kakashi, who's been quietly watching from the side. "Kakashi-sensei, didn't you mention having some jutsu scrolls that Naruto could work on?"
At the mention of new jutsu, Naruto's depression evaporates. He jumps up, looking back and forth between Kakashi and Ebisu, his eyes sparkling with renewed energy. "Wait—so I don't have to sit there and read all the time myself? The clones do the studying? And I get to learn new jutsu?"
Ebisu nods with a satisfied smile. "Precisely. While your clones are in the library, you could be outside training and working on your taijutsu, ninjutsu, or whatever you'd like."
Naruto, now bouncing on his feet with excitement, punches the air. "Okay, maybe I can get behind this idea!",
Naruto's celebratory mood falters as a thought crosses his mind. He pauses mid-punch and turns back to Ebisu with a confused expression. "But, uh, why do I even need to study? I get that my grades weren't exactly tip-top in the academy, but that doesn't matter anymore, right? Even in the written exam, they didn't actually care whether we knew the answers or not. It was just to test our information-gathering abilities."
Ebisu, catching Naruto's puzzled look, takes a deep breath before explaining. "That's a good question, Naruto. The written exam was indeed more about your ability to gather information and strategize rather than your actual knowledge. But the finals are different. They're not just about fighting prowess; they also test your overall capability as a shinobi."
"Let me put it this way: Knowledge and understanding are crucial for any ninja. It's not just about physical strength or combat skills. When you face an opponent, knowing various strategies, understanding the properties of different jutsu, and being able to analyze and adapt quickly can make a huge difference. This is where studying comes in."
Naruto listens intently as Ebisu continues. "Think of it as adding more tools to your toolbox. The more you know, the more options you have during a fight. If you understand the fundamentals of various jutsu, tactics, and how different elements interact, you can come up with more effective counter-strategies and exploit your opponent's weaknesses."
Naruto's expression shifts from confusion to realization. He nods slowly, the pieces of the puzzle starting to fit together. "So, it's not just about being strong, but about being smart and prepared for anything that comes up?"
Ebisu smiles, pleased with Naruto's grasp of the concept. "Exactly. The more you know, the better you can handle unexpected situations. Studying might not seem as exciting as training or fighting, but it's a crucial part of becoming a well-rounded shinobi. And with the training me and Kakashi have planned, you'll be able to balance both studying and practical skills effectively."
Naruto, finally seeing the bigger picture, gives a slow nod. He didn't like studying, but the idea of becoming a smarter, stronger ninja appealed to him. Especially when it meant beating Neji in the finals.
"And Kakashi's scrolls?" Naruto asked with a grin, eager to get to the fun part.
Kakashi steps forward, smiling beneath his mask. "I've got a few jutsu in mind that will suit you perfectly, Naruto."
As Naruto heads out with Ebisu, the combination of studying and training seems less daunting and more like an exciting opportunity to grow. With a clear goal in mind and a plan set in place, Naruto feels more determined than ever to train himself up for the upcoming finals.
- Konoha's Hot Springs -
Naruto's excitement quickly fades as Ebisu leads him outside the Konoha hot springs. His brows furrow, and he immediately throws up his hands in protest. "Oi, oi, oi! What's going on here, you perv? This isn't some training; you're just trying to peek, aren't you?!"
Ebisu twitches, a noticeable tick mark forming on his forehead, but he maintains his composure. "Naruto," he says in a low, measured voice, "I am not a pervert. I've brought you here for a legitimate reason, and it has nothing to do with peeping."
Naruto crosses his arms, not entirely convinced, his suspicious eyes darting between Ebisu and the hot springs. "Uh-huh… sure."
Taking a calming breath, Ebisu continues, "This is part of your practical training, something I believe you'll find very useful before we start on your study sessions. So if you could kindly stop accusing me of inappropriate behavior, I'd appreciate it."
Naruto scratches the back of his head, clearly still dubious but also intrigued. The promise of learning something practical, something real, outside of just books, makes him relent. "Alright, alright! I'm sorry, Ebisu-sensei. I guess I may have jumped the gun a little," Naruto says with a grin, though his voice is laced with overly dramatic and insincere apology.
Ebisu sighs, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, not entirely convinced by Naruto's half-hearted attempt at politeness, but chooses to let it slide. "Good. Now, follow me, and I'll show you why we're here. You're going to learn something important about chakra control."
Naruto perks up at the mention of chakra control. His attention shifts away from his earlier suspicions and back to the task at hand, ready to see what Ebisu has in store for him.
Ebisu stops in front of one of the onsen pools, the steam rising in soft wisps, and turns to Naruto with a confident smile. "Alright, Naruto. Today, you're going to learn something that will push your chakra control to the next level."
Naruto's eyes light up with curiosity and excitement. "Oh yeah? So, what are you gonna teach me?"
Ebisu gestures toward the steaming water. "Water-walking."
Naruto's jaw drops, his eyes wide with anticipation.
Ebisu nods, pleased with Naruto's enthusiasm. "Kakashi informed me that he's already taught you the tree-climbing exercise, correct?"
Naruto nods eagerly. "Yeah! I nailed it after a few tries, even though it was tricky at first."
"Well," Ebisu continues, "water-walking is the next step. It's more difficult because, unlike a solid surface like a tree, water is constantly moving and shifting. You'll have to control your chakra in a much more precise manner."
Naruto listens closely as Ebisu explains the differences. "When you're tree-walking, you channel your chakra into the soles of your feet, creating a bond with a solid surface. That bond, once you master it, remains constant as long as you maintain the right amount of chakra."
Ebisu kneels beside the edge of the onsen pool, dipping a finger into the water. "But water, as you can see, is always moving. It's fluid, unpredictable. You can't form a stable bond like you do with a tree. Instead, you need to constantly adjust the amount of chakra you release, staying balanced on top of a surface that's always changing."
Naruto frowns, realizing the added complexity. "So, I've gotta adjust the chakra in my feet the whole time?"
and you'll sink right in. The key is maintaining perfect control over your chakra flow—constantly adjusting and adapting to the water's movement beneath you."
Naruto scratches his head, looking down at the pool. "Sounds kinda tricky... but I think I can do it!"
Ebisu smiles. "I have no doubt. With your improved chakra control from the tree-climbing exercise, you already have a solid foundation. This is just the next logical step. Once you master this, your overall control will improve drastically."
Naruto clenches his fists in determination, his mind already whirling with excitement. "Alright! Let's do this! Time to walk on water!"
Ebisu stands up and steps back, giving Naruto room to prepare. "Whenever you're ready, Naruto. Focus, feel the flow of your chakra, and step lightly."
Naruto nods, ready to take on this new challenge.
Naruto gathers his chakra, concentrating as hard as he can on his feet like he did when he climbed trees, and steps forward onto the water with confidence. But the moment his foot touches the surface, he plunges straight through, his yelp of surprise echoing as he splashes into the steaming hot water.
Ebisu watches with a smirk tugging at his lips, arms crossed as Naruto flails. "Just as I expected," he says to himself. "Water-walking is a much more difficult task than tree-walking."
Naruto bursts out of the water, gasping for air and scrambling to the edge. "What the hell, Ebisu? This water's boiling me alive!" He waves his arms frantically, steam rising off him as if he were a noodle being cooked.
Ebisu lets out a small chuckle, adjusting his glasses as they glint in the sunlight. "Ah, I forgot to mention—this water is over 60 degrees. The reason I chose this spot to train in is to force you to learn faster, by putting you under stress. And, well, it also keeps you from simply brute-forcing your way through the lesson with your shadow clones."
Naruto, still drenched and panting, stares at him incredulously. "What?! Why can't I use clones? I thought you said they were a great way to train faster!"
Ebisu's expression softens for a moment, as if he's remembering something fond. "Oh, I still think they're useful," he replies, watching Naruto wring out his clothes. "But this particular training is more about teaching you the value of hard work and dedication."
Naruto raises an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean? I work hard!"
Ebisu smiles, recalling a memory from not too long ago. "There was a time when young Konohamaru was training particularly hard. I, of course, believed it was due to my excellent teaching methods. But when I asked him about it, he told me something different—he said it was because you told him, 'There are no shortcuts to becoming Hokage.'"
Naruto blinks in surprise, not expecting such words to come back to him.
Ebisu continues, "While your shadow clones are indeed a smart way to maximize your training, there's something to be said about putting yourself through the grind—the real, difficult work—without relying on tricks. This water, as you've already noticed, will prevent you from simply overwhelming the problem with numbers. You'll need to feel the chakra yourself, master it through your own effort."
Naruto, still a little frustrated, huffs but listens intently. "So you're saying... even if I'm using clones, I still need to put in max effort, huh?"
"Exactly," Ebisu says, nodding. "The harder you work, the more determined your clones will be. They are a reflection of your own resolve. If you take this training seriously, they'll take it seriously too. Remember, Naruto, there's no shortcut to real strength."
Naruto nods, "I guess I've been a bit reliant on the fact that I can learn anything quickly with my clones, so that means my clones will only be working as hard as I am."
"Precisely," Ebisu agrees. "Now, how about you try again?"
Naruto looks at the steaming water and nods, his resolve hardening.
Naruto stepped onto the water once again, wobbling as he tried to balance his chakra. His face twisted in concentration, but this time, he managed to stay afloat for a moment longer before falling back into the water. Determined, he tried once more, and this time, his feet remained on the surface for a few seconds. Ebisu, observing from the side, smiled, impressed by how quickly Naruto was grasping the technique.
"Well done, Naruto! You're learning faster than I expected," Ebisu said, a rare note of praise in his voice. But before he could continue, Naruto's eyes widened in shock, and he pointed behind Ebisu, his mouth agape.
"Hey, what the—look behind you!" Naruto shouted, but in doing this, he lost his concentration and splashed into the water again.
Confused, Ebisu turned to see what Naruto was pointing at. His face instantly morphed into a mask of anger. Standing there, casually peeking over the wall into the women's bath, was a tall man with wild, spiky white hair that flowed down his back. His red robes stood out vividly against his dark green vest, and a massive scroll was strapped to his back. His face, marked with red lines running down his cheeks, had an oddly carefree expression as he watched the steam rise from the other side of the bathhouse wall.
Ebisu clenched his fists, his glasses gleaming furiously. "How dare you engage in such indecent behavior!" he shouted, launching himself at the man without hesitation. "I will not tolerate this perversion!"
But before Ebisu could land a hit, the white-haired man raised his hand, barely sparing a glance in Ebisu's direction. With a simple, fluid motion, he deflected Ebisu's strike effortlessly, sending the Special Jonin flying backward with a light tap to his chest. Ebisu hit the ground hard, knocked out cold in an instant.
Naruto, who had just clambered back onto the shore, stared in disbelief. His jaw dropped as he watched the white-haired man brush off Ebisu's attack like it was nothing. "What the...?" Naruto muttered, still soaking wet. He couldn't believe what he had just seen. Sure, Ebisu wasn't the strongest guy around, but to be taken out with so little effort… this guy was on a whole different level.
Naruto's mind raced as he stood there, his eyes wide in awe. "This guy… he's gotta be as strong as Kakashi-sensei! Who the hell is he?!"
Naruto, his curiosity piqued, watched as the mysterious man continued his casual perusal of the women's bath, completely unfazed by Ebisu's attack or Naruto's presence. The mystery surrounding him only deepened.
Hope you guys liked this chapter, it was mainly used to set the building blocks of Naruto's training for this month. I had actually wanted to give Naruto another teacher, my first thought had been someone like Asuma or another Jonin level shinobi. But I just couldn't really find a way for it to work, most of the Jonin senseis would be training their own Genin.
I do believe Asuma probably wouldn't be the one training Shikamaru since he'd probably be training with his father with his Clan jutsu instead. But I also just don't see Asuma wanting to train Naruto, not only does he not really have any association with him, but it'd also just be giving his own Genin a harder time should he make it into the finals, so I decided against it in the end.
Instead, I wanted a way for Naruto to realistically get some good development, without making him into a literal God. So following Canon, Kakashi had still asked for Ebisu to train Naruto. Whilst Naruto isn't lacking in his basic skills anymore, his intelligence is still the exact same. However, I didn't want to replace Jiraiya with Ebisu as obviously Naruto would not gain any way near as much experience from simply training with Ebisu for the month.
So that's why I'm having the Jiriaya meeting still happen. This way, Naruto will still gain skills from Jiraiya, and from the scrolls that Kakashi had given him, whilst also improving his intelligence a bunch by having 10 clones studying with Ebisu every day.
I'd be happy to hear any other realistic changes that could happen with Naruto's training!
Now, onto reviews:
WilsorBR - I'm glad to hear you don't mind me missing the Karin part. I agree, this Naruto would easily beat his canon counterpart as right now he's just better as an overall ninja. I agree with what you're saying about the training too, I don't want to make him too OP just yet, and I do like the idea of Naruto learning Fuinjutsu, but I'm not too sure he'd start to learn it yet, he'll definitely get through Jiraiya's training faster, so maybe he'll offer to teach it him, but I'll have to think about what exactly Jiraiya will teach Naruto, as somehow in the 3 year training trip he went on, Naruto was taught almost nothing...
Time Parad0x - Yeah, I guess narratively speaking, it would make his last action less dramatic. However, I'm not really too fussed with writing stuff simply for entertainment purposes. This story is meant more as what I genuinely believe would happen, should Naruto of realised the secrets of the shadow clones earlier on. Also, no, this story will not blindly follow Canon. I was holding off on making massive changes too early as to me personally, it'd not only dissuade me from writing, but I think it'd also make it less enjoyable as a reader. I don't want to give away too much, but I'm not too sure Sasuke will be able to compete with post-chunin exams Naruto...
Vini666 - Thanks for this, It's my first time writing a story so I'd appreciate any advice given. I hope I did a bit better in this chapter!
ShadeOClutch - I agree that Shikamaru beating extremely high level ninja with just his intelligence is a bit far-fetched. However, I'm trying to make this story realistic to Canon events, so Shikamaru will still be promoted to Chunin. Though I have to say, I'm pretty sure Shikamaru was promoted due to his fight in the finals against Temari. There's actually a lot more aspects that they look for in a Chunin than just leadership. Such as mastery over their skills, tactical prowess and decision making.
DarkBolt - Thanks for the review! As you can see, Kakashi did give Naruto some jutsu scrolls, but you'll have to see what they are in the next chapter! Also, I hope you're alright with the idea of Kakashi still requesting Ebisu, and my reasoning behind it. I believe the only person who would know Jiraiya is in the village at the time would be Hirzuen though I may be wrong about that. Anyway, I still feel Ebisu would be suggested to train Naruto as although he still has the basics down, his knowledge is still severely lacking in the basics and more, but I'm still making them meet Jiraiya at the hot springs and thus starting Naruto and Jiraiya's training. Also I'm glad you liked the Naruto Vs Kiba fight! It might not have had too many changes but I think it showed off Naruto's improved skills without making him seem like a clown like in the original...