Chapter 21: Skills, Surprises, and New Faces*

*Kakashi's POV*

The sun bathed the training grounds in a warm, golden light as Team 7 gathered for another day of intensive practice. Kakashi, ever the picture of casual ease, stood before his students, ready to impart some fundamental skills that were crucial for their growth as shinobi. Today's focus was on mastering tree walking and water walking.

"Alright, everyone," Kakashi began, his voice carrying its familiar relaxed tone. "Today we're tackling two important techniques: tree walking and water walking. These will help you control your chakra more precisely and enhance your agility."

Naruto's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "Tree walking? Water walking? That sounds amazing, Sensei!"

Sakura and Sasuke exchanged a glance. Sakura's face brightened with eagerness, while Sasuke's expression remained focused, reflecting his usual seriousness.

"Tree walking," Kakashi explained, "is all about using your chakra to stick to vertical surfaces. It's a skill that will improve your movement and agility."

He pointed to a tall, sturdy tree nearby. "You'll need to concentrate chakra at the soles of your feet and try to walk up the trunk. Start with a small amount and increase as you gain control."

Naruto's hand shot up eagerly. "So it's like climbing walls in those ninja movies?"

Kakashi chuckled lightly. "Sort of, but with less movie magic and more chakra control."

He demonstrated by walking up the tree effortlessly, moving with the grace of someone who had mastered the technique. He reached the top and then descended lightly, landing in front of his students with a nonchalant smile.

Naruto couldn't wait to try. He rushed at the tree, placing his feet on the trunk with determination. However, he quickly lost his balance, sliding down with a loud thud. "This is harder than it looks!" he exclaimed, rubbing his sore rear.

Sakura stepped up next. With a look of calm determination, she placed her feet on the tree trunk. To everyone's surprise, she began climbing smoothly, her chakra control flawless. She reached a good height and then descended effortlessly.

Kakashi watched with an impressed smile. "Great job, Sakura. You've got a natural talent for this."

Naruto, still on the ground, grumbled playfully. "Show-off."

Sasuke approached the tree with his usual air of confidence. He planted his feet on the trunk and began to climb. Despite his usual precision, he struggled to maintain his balance and control, sliding down several times before managing a decent height.

"This is frustrating," Sasuke muttered, his voice tinged with frustration.

Kakashi nodded encouragingly. "You're making progress, Sasuke. Keep practicing, and you'll get the hang of it."

The morning continued with the team working on their tree walking skills. Kakashi moved around, offering guidance and encouragement. Naruto and Sasuke struggled with the technique, while Sakura continued to demonstrate a natural proficiency, helping her teammates with their technique.

By midday, Kakashi decided to switch to water walking. The team gathered by the river where Kakashi demonstrated the technique, walking across the surface of the water with barely a ripple.

"Water walking is similar to tree walking," Kakashi explained. "You need to distribute your chakra evenly to stay afloat. Start with a small amount of chakra and gradually increase it as you gain control."

Naruto, ever enthusiastic, jumped onto the water but immediately sank with a loud splash. "This is impossible!" he spluttered, flailing as he tried to keep his head above water.

Sakura approached with a calm and focused demeanor. She placed her feet on the water's surface and, to everyone's amazement, began walking across effortlessly. Her control was impeccable, and she moved smoothly, barely disturbing the water.

Naruto and Sasuke watched in awe as Sakura demonstrated her mastery. "How are you doing that?" Naruto asked, a mix of admiration and frustration in his voice.

Sakura shrugged, her face flushed with exertion. "It's just about controlling your chakra. Once you get the hang of it, it's not that hard."

Sasuke tried next, stepping cautiously onto the water. He wobbled and swayed, struggling to stay afloat. Despite his efforts, he sank a few times before managing to walk a short distance with visible effort.

"This is tougher than it looks," Sasuke admitted, wiping water from his face.

Kakashi watched with a thoughtful expression. "Keep practicing. It takes time to master these techniques. Focus on control and balance."

As the afternoon wore on, Kakashi decided to take a short walk to clear his mind. His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden appearance of a young, masked boy standing by the river's edge. The boy's outfit was dark and sleek, blending into the surroundings, and his presence carried an air of quiet intensity.

Kakashi recognized him immediately from the mission briefing: Haku, the boy rumored to be a formidable shinobi working for Zabuza. He approached the boy with a cautious but composed demeanor.

"Haku, right?" Kakashi called out, keeping his tone even.

Haku turned, revealing his delicate but determined features. "Kakashi Hatake," he greeted smoothly. "I didn't expect to encounter you here."

Kakashi regarded him with a thoughtful expression. "We're currently on a mission in this area. What brings you to this part of the forest?"

Haku's gaze remained steady. "I'm simply taking a walk, reflecting on recent events. It's a peaceful spot."

Kakashi nodded, though a sense of unease lingered. "It is peaceful here. But remember, in the world of shinobi, peace is often fleeting."

Haku's eyes revealed a flicker of curiosity. "Indeed. Sometimes, it's the moments of tranquility that reveal the most about ourselves."

Before Kakashi could respond further, Haku turned and began to walk away, disappearing into the shadows. Kakashi watched him leave, a sense of foreboding settling in.

As Kakashi returned to where his team was waiting, he reflected on the day's events. Despite the challenges they faced, the students were making progress. Kakashi glanced at the darkening sky, the day's encounters adding layers of complexity to their mission.

Back at the campsite, Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke were finishing their dinner, their laughter and conversation a welcome distraction from the day's difficulties.

"Alright, everyone," Kakashi called out, interrupting their chatter. "Time to get some rest. We have another big day of training tomorrow."

As they settled down for the night, Kakashi's thoughts lingered on Haku and the mission ahead. The challenges were far from over, but Kakashi felt a renewed sense of determination. Whatever lay ahead, he was ready to face it—with his team by his side and a steadfast resolve to guide and protect them through it all.