Hi Everyone! Super sorry for the long wait but the 13th chapter is finally finished! This chapter will cover the entirety of the month training arc. I had asked everyone how they'd like me to write it and got various responses.
Most people liked the idea of skipping to days where Naruto learns something new. Some liked the idea of the full arc. And a couple even said they'd be okay with skipping over the entirety of the training arc as it's not something the readers necessarily need to know about.
Personally, I enjoy reading about a character's training and felt it needed to at least include a chapter for it. So, this chapter will entirely focus on Naruto's training, there will be a few pieces of plot mixed in that I felt would make the chapter a bit more story-like, however if training arcs aren't your sort of thing please don't feel forced to read this.
In later chapters, all of Naruto's skills learnt here will be shown off, so if you feel like just waiting til the next chapter where Naruto will be facing Neji then please do so. And just assume that anything that Naruto does in chapter that he wouldn't do in canon will be because of this chapter!
If you left a review in the last chapter please be sure to check the author's notes at the end as I have replied to them too!
Chapter 13 : From Fundamentals to Formidable
Day 2/30
- Jiraiya's Training -
As the first rays of sunlight filtered through the thick foliage of the training grounds, Naruto was already up, his eyes full of determination. Jiraiya wasted no time, setting the day's training in motion. Ten Shadow Clones sprang to life, each tasked with meditation exercises layered with chakra control drills.
Naruto; who was taking a breather from his rigorous physical conditioning, observed his clones with a mix of frustration and hope. Only two had managed to sustain the meditative state while performing the tree-walking exercises, the synergy between calm focus and active control proving to be a formidable challenge.
"Hey, Pervy Sage!" Naruto called out, a curiosity in his eyes. "I've been watching, and it seems like tree-walking while meditating is easier for the clones than water-walking. Should I have them focus on that first and then move on to the harder stuff?"
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, impressed by Naruto's thinking. "Not bad, kid. Knowing when to adjust your approach is key. If you think it'll help your clones, then go for it. But don't get too comfortable—this is just a stepping stone."
With Jiraiya's approval, Naruto gave the order, and all the clones shifted their focus entirely to meditating while tree-walking. The shift was immediate; each clone who had originally been on the alternative found the task slightly less daunting without the erratic movement of water beneath them. About three or four clones managed to sustain meditation for a brief minute or two, a small victory that boosted Naruto's morale.
Satisfied with his clones' progress, Jiraiya led Naruto to a new training spot: a rushing stream that carved its way through the forest, its waters turbulent and unforgiving. The sound of rushing water filled the air.
Jiraiya gestured to the wild waters with a knowing smirk. "Today, we're gonna step things up a notch. You've walked on calm water, but this stream's got a nasty temper. Running on it will be a whole different beast. Think of it as water-walking on steroids."
Naruto's eyes widened as he studied the churning waters. The stream was nothing like the placid lake he'd trained on before; this was a swirling force of nature, unpredictable and relentless. A grin spread across his face despite the intimidation of the task. "This is gonna be awesome! Let's do it!" he shouted, fist pumping the air.
His first attempts were clumsy. Naruto dashed onto the water's surface, only to be yanked off balance as the stream pulled at his legs, sending him crashing into the current. The cold water swallowed him, dragging him downstream. Coughing and sputtering, Naruto fought to swim back to the shore, his body battered by the unyielding flow. Each failure was met with a surge of determination. He clambered back onto the bank, soaked and shivering but undeterred. Jiraiya's voice echoed across the water, gruff but encouraging.
"Come on, Naruto! Adjust your chakra flow to counter the current! You need to be quicker and smarter—don't let the water dictate your movement!"
Naruto nodded, taking the advice to heart. He summoned every ounce of his stubborn resolve, focusing his chakra not just to step, but to combat the water's relentless push. With each attempt, he learned to anticipate the shifts in the current, adjusting his chakra output in real-time to maintain his footing. It wasn't just about running on water anymore—it was a dance between his chakra and the river, a constant battle for control.
He stumbled countless times, but his progress was undeniable. By the end of the session, Naruto managed to stay afloat for nearly forty seconds, his longest attempt yet. Though exhausted and bruised, his spirit burned with the thrill of overcoming a new hurdle. The stream, once a fierce adversary, now felt like a partner in his training, pushing him to adapt and grow stronger with every second spent on its surface.
- Ebisu's Study Group -
While the real Naruto battled the stream, his study group clones were deep in their own trials. Under Ebisu's watchful eye, each clone delved into a different topic.
Each clone was motivated by Ebisu's reasoning on why he should learn these topics. Ebisu's explanations were the key; they transformed dull reading into valuable insight. Each clone's reading felt less like an academic chore and more like unlocking hidden knowledge that could turn the tide in battle.
The clones worked tirelessly, absorbing as much information as they could. By the end of the session, they had collectively devoured ten different books. Each book covered a topic that might be basic knowledge to his peers, but would still prove to be useful to the boy's growth.
- With Naruto and Jiraiya -
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple, Naruto and Jiraiya sat by the stream, the day's challenges fresh in their minds. Naruto was tired, his body sore from the constant exertion, but his eyes gleamed with newfound understanding.
"Man, that was tough," Naruto admitted, rubbing his aching muscles. "But I feel like I'm getting it. I can't wait to get back out there tomorrow."
Jiraiya chuckled, patting Naruto on the back. "You're doing good, kid. It's not just about physical strength—you're learning to adapt, to think ahead. That's what's gonna set you apart."
Naruto's clones had already dispelled, flooding his mind with the day's studies. The information from the various topics was fresh in his mind, not soon to be forgotten due to Ebisu's advice on their practical capabilities.
It was all coming together, piece by piece. He wasn't just training his body; he was training his mind, his instincts, and his tactical awareness.
For Naruto, this was more than just preparation for the Chunin Exams. It was a journey of self-discovery, pushing him to his limits and beyond. Every stumble, every splash into the stream, every page turned in those dusty books—all of it was forging him into a stronger, smarter shinobi. And as he looked at the rushing water, Naruto couldn't help but smile, ready for whatever tomorrow would bring.
Day 5/30
- Jiraiya's Training -
Naruto could be seen at the centre of the roaring stream, his feet pressing firmly against the raging water as if it were solid ground. His brows were furrowed in deep concentration, eyes locked ahead as he sprinted against the current. The exercise demanded everything he had—balance, chakra control, and raw endurance. For nearly thirty minutes, Naruto had kept himself on top of the water, his movements precise and controlled, never once slipping beneath the surface. Each step was a battle, but his determination was unyielding.
Jiraiya watched from the bank, a proud smile stretching across his face. The boy's progress over just a few days had been nothing short of remarkable. He finally called for Naruto to stop, and the boy leaped to the side, panting heavily, his legs trembling from the exertion. Naruto tried to hide his fatigue as he landed beside Jiraiya, but the beads of sweat trailing down his face betrayed him.
"Not bad, kid. You've officially mastered the stream-running exercise," Jiraiya said with a grin, ruffling Naruto's messy hair. The boy grumbled, swatting Jiraiya's hand away with a scowl, but the hint of a smile on his face revealed his pride.
Naruto gratefully accepted the bottle of water Jiraiya handed him, taking long gulps as he let his tired muscles relax. As he rested, his eyes wandered to his Shadow Clones scattered nearby, each one focused intensely on maintaining a meditative state while tree-walking. The clones had been working tirelessly, and their efforts were paying off; all of them were now capable of entering meditation while performing the chakra control exercise on the trees, sustaining it for five to ten minutes before losing focus. It was a vast improvement from just a few days ago.
Naruto closed his eyes, channeling his own concentration. He found that he could now slip into meditation with only a few minutes of focus, maintaining the state for as long as he needed unless something disrupted him. Within this state, he could now distinguish his own chakra from the ominous, fiery presence of the Nine-Tails'. While controlling the fox's chakra still felt distant, the ability to separate the two was a significant step forward.
- Ebisu's Study Group -
Meanwhile, the study group formed of Naruto's clones was progressing steadily. Since starting on Day 2, they had covered 30 basic topics, rapidly closing the gap between Naruto and his peers in terms of theoretical knowledge. By the end of today's session, they would have reached 40 topics, a remarkable feat considering the short time they'd been at it. Naruto's understanding of the essentials had already caught up to, and perhaps even surpassed, those of more practically inclined shinobi like Kiba.
At the moment, one of the clones sat with Ebisu, going over a book that discussed the importance of controlling emotions as a shinobi. The topic irked Naruto, who couldn't help but voice his frustrations. "This stuff doesn't sit right with me. It says we should ignore our emotions and just 'focus on the mission,' but sometimes, there are things more important than the mission! Like when we protected Tazuna… If we had listened to this junk, we'd have left him to fend for himself. Who knows what would've happened to his village?"
Ebisu nodded thoughtfully, respecting Naruto's viewpoint. He explained that while emotions couldn't be ignored, it was essential for a ninja to keep them in check, especially in battle. "The Leaf Village is one of the few places that values the 'Will of Fire'—the desire to protect your comrades and those precious to you," he said. Naruto's expression shifted from confusion to interest as Ebisu explained the concept, emphasizing how it set Konoha apart from other villages.
Naruto felt his spirit swell with pride. "I'm glad to be from a place like that. But… it's hard not to get emotional, especially in a fight."
Ebisu nodded, his expression turning serious. "I understand, but losing control in battle can be deadly. If you get angry or taunted, you'll make mistakes. If you freeze when a comrade falls, you'll be next. And seeking revenge blinds you to the real objective."
Naruto's thoughts drifted to Sasuke and his relentless pursuit of revenge against his brother, Itachi. He remembered reading about the Uchiha clan's tragic fate in one of his study sessions. It was a heavy burden for Sasuke to bear, and one that Naruto had been increasingly concerned about.
Naruto was snapped from his thoughts when Ebisu asked, "Naruto, why are you training so hard? Beyond just becoming Hokage, what's driving you?"
Naruto hesitated, reflecting deeply before responding, "I want to be strong enough to protect the people I care about." He paused, then added reluctantly, "But… there's another reason, too."
Naruto's voice tightened as he explained what Neji had done to Hinata during the preliminaries, and the cruel words he had spoken about fate. The memory still burned within him, and the idea of teaching Neji a lesson in the finals was a powerful motivator.
Ebisu listened patiently before speaking. "It seems like you've lost sight of your main goal during this fight with Neji. The Chunin Exams are a test to see if you're ready to lead, not just a platform for personal vendettas."
Naruto blinked, caught off guard. "What do you mean?"
"Your plan should be to win the match and prove you're worthy of being a Chunin," Ebisu explained. "Not just to beat Neji out of spite. If revenge is all you're focused on, you're not thinking clearly."
Naruto frowned, realizing the truth in Ebisu's words. "So I've been letting my anger get the better of me… I've been forgetting what's really important." He pulled out the ointment Hinata had given him, staring at it thoughtfully. "Sorry, Hinata," he murmured aloud, feeling guilty for letting his emotions cloud his purpose.
Ebisu placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "And have you ever asked Hinata if she wants revenge? From what I've seen, she cares about Neji, despite everything."
Naruto's eyes widened. It had never occurred to him that Hinata's feelings towards Neji might be more complex. "I… never asked. I just assumed…"
Ebisu smiled gently. "Maybe tomorrow, you should go talk to her. Find out what she really wants."
Naruto nodded slowly, determination filling his heart. "Yeah… I'll go see her. Thanks, Ebisu-sensei."
As Naruto returned to his training, a newfound clarity settled over him. His path forward was becoming clearer, not just to be victorious, but to become a great shinobi.
Day 6/30
- Naruto's Visit -
Naruto's day started differently. He'd already arranged with Jiraiya to take the morning off from training, and despite sending his usual ten clones to each of his teachers, he had a personal mission in mind. His steps carried him to Konoha's hospital, where his primary goal was to visit Hinata, to ask her if revenge on Neji was truly something she wanted him to pursue. But it wasn't just about Hinata. Sasuke and Lee were also in the hospital, and Naruto hadn't had a chance to speak to either of them since the training began.
As he stepped inside, Naruto approached the receptionist with uncharacteristic politeness, making sure to keep his voice down as he asked for the room numbers of his fellow Genin. The receptionist informed him that she would need to check with each patient before giving out the information, and Naruto nodded, finding a seat in the waiting area. After a few minutes, she returned with the room numbers, and Naruto was on his way.
His first stop was Hinata's room. Standing at her door, he knocked softly and heard a shy, stuttered "Come in." Naruto entered with his usual bright smile, though it faltered slightly when he saw Hinata's bandaged form. He quickly pushed the feeling aside, not wanting to show any pity.
They exchanged pleasantries, Naruto asking about her condition and Hinata shyly stumbling over her words. But Hinata, curious, eventually asked why Naruto was visiting her. Embarrassed, she quickly apologized, realizing how her words might have sounded. Naruto laughed, brushing off her concern. "Actually, you're right, Hinata. There is a reason."
Naruto hesitated for a moment before admitting that he'd been so wrapped up in the idea of avenging her that he'd lost sight of his real goal in the Chunin Exams. Hinata blushed at his words, but after a moment of thought, she firmly told him that she didn't want Neji to get hurt. Naruto was taken aback, unable to comprehend how Hinata could still care for Neji after everything he had put her through. But Hinata looked straight into Naruto's eyes and softly said, "You'd know all about that, Naruto."
Naruto was stunned by her insight. Hinata explained that despite how everyone in the village had treated him, Naruto still wanted to protect them. It was a trait he and Neji shared in some ways—caring despite being hurt. Naruto was quiet, reflecting on how well Hinata seemed to understand him, despite them rarely talking. As they continued chatting, Naruto made a promise: Hinata better be there to watch his match because he was going to win and become a Chunin. With a cheeky grin, he added, "And I won't even hurt Neji that bad." Hinata smiled at his words, watching as Naruto left the room.
Naruto then went on to visit both Sasuke and Lee before leaving the hospital. His time with Sasuke was rather uneventful. Sasuke had yet to wake up from his coma-like status that he'd been in since the preliminaries. Naruto knew the guy was tough and that he'd wake up soon enough though, he wasn't worried.
Lee was surprisingly; or maybe unsurprisingly, found training outside despite his injuries. Naruto joined him for a while, impressed by Lee's unwavering determination. He couldn't help but feel concern for his friend's condition and made a mental note to ask Jiraiya about the famous healer of the Sannin. He'd read about her during one of his study sessions, Jiraiya's ought to be able to contact her.
The visit to Hinata had reminded him of why he was fighting and who he was fighting for. He couldn't afford to let anyone down.
- Jiraiya's Training -
After finishing his visits at the hospital, Naruto hurried to the clearing where he and Jiraiya usually trained. When he arrived, he found Jiraiya standing in the middle of the clearing, arms crossed, watching over Naruto's ten shadow clones. Each clone was firmly attached to the bark of the surrounding trees, all in a meditative state. It seemed they had finally achieved the stillness Jiraiya had been pushing them toward for days.
The Toad Sage turned as Naruto approached, a smile tugging at his lips. "You're finally here," Jiraiya called out. "Good, because today we're starting something big."
Naruto nodded, his expression unusually serious, the weight of his hospital visits still fresh in his mind. Seeing the focused look on Naruto's face, Jiraiya smirked mischievously. "Seems like your visit to your little girlfriend has lit a spark in you. Did she promise you a perverted reward if you win?" he teased, covering his mouth to hide his chuckles while flashing a lecherous grin.
Naruto instantly turned bright red, his face heating up as he shouted, "Hinata isn't my girlfriend! And I'm only 13, you pervy sage!" He glared, flustered, but quickly composed himself, his expression shifting to something more reflective. "Actually, Hinata made me realize something important," Naruto added more seriously. "I shouldn't be training just to beat Neji. I need to get stronger... to protect my friends."
Jiraiya's playful expression disappeared, his face growing serious. "Good," he said, nodding in approval. "That'll make this next part easier." Without another word, Jiraiya turned and began walking further into the clearing, expecting Naruto to follow.
Naruto trailed behind, heart thumping in anticipation. They walked until they reached an open area, far from the meditating clones. Jiraiya stopped, his back still to Naruto. After a long pause, he turned to face him, eyes sharp with purpose.
"We're going to try and tap into the Nine-Tails' chakra," Jiraiya announced, his voice calm but firm.
Naruto's breath caught in his throat. He had felt glimpses of the fox's power before—wild, terrifying, and uncontrollable. The thought of harnessing that immense energy sent a shiver down his spine. But this was no time for hesitation. He nodded, determination etched into his features, ready to take on the challenge, no matter how daunting.
Jiraiya gave a small nod of approval, recognizing Naruto's resolve. "Alright, let's get started."
Day 8/30
- Jiraiya's Training -
Naruto batted away Jiraiya's strike, leaping backward as the older man chased after him, their sparring moving at a breakneck pace. They were engaged in an intense, taijutsu-only fight, though Jiraiya was clearly holding back. Naruto knew this wasn't about winning. The sparring helped sharpen his instincts, forcing him to put his taijutsu into practice against a far stronger opponent, it was a lesson in understanding his limits. Naruto had faced powerful foes before and knew that there were times when retreat was the better part of valour. But the main purpose of the sparring was different—it was about accessing the Nine-Tails' chakra under duress.
Flashback
Day 6 had been entirely focused on learning how to harness the Nine-Tails' chakra. Naruto spent hours in meditation, gradually becoming familiar with the process of drawing on the beast's immense power. By the end of the day, he could pull out small amounts after a minute of focused meditation. On Day 7, his progress accelerated. His shadow clones, now equipped with the same knowledge, began accessing the Nine-Tails' chakra during their meditation sessions, most of them had even transferred to doing the water-walking exercise instead of tree-walking. By the time the day ended, Naruto had managed to shorten the time it took him to draw on the chakra to about ten seconds—an impressive improvement thanks to the combined effort of his clones.
End Flashback
Naruto ducked under another swing, sending a swift horse kick toward Jiraiya's stomach before retreating, his opponent following close behind. As Naruto ran backward, Jiraiya quickly gained on him, but Naruto remained calm, counting down in his head.
"One... two... three..."
Jiraiya was closing in.
"Four..."
Just as Jiraiya lunged, Naruto closed his eyes in concentration.
"Five!"
With a sudden burst of speed, Naruto deftly weaved away from Jiraiya's attack, and the surge of the Nine-Tails' chakra filled him, enhancing his strength and agility. He immediately went on the offensive, using his smaller stature and improved speed to his advantage. Naruto dodged Jiraiya's attacks with ease, striking back with quick, precise blows. This exchange continued for several minutes before Jiraiya finally raised his hands and called out, "Enough!"
Naruto halted, releasing the chakra as the red energy receded from his body. He stood, panting slightly, as Jiraiya approached with a grin.
"Well done," Jiraiya said. "It could use some work, but you're not far from mastering this."
Naruto grinned widely. "Oh yeah! Master of the Nine-Tails, right here!"
Jiraiya laughed. "Not quite—you're not even at the one-tail stage yet."
Naruto deflated, sighing heavily. Jiraiya clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't be discouraged. This is a fantastic start. I can already see how much stronger you are when you pull on even a small bit of the Nine-Tails' chakra."
Naruto nodded, his excitement returning. "Yeah, it feels like my strength doubles just from that small amount."
"Exactly," Jiraiya confirmed. "That's why we had to do so much meditation first. That kind of power could easily overwhelm you if you don't control it."
Naruto's expression grew serious as he nodded again, understanding how the chakra could corrupt his body and mind if he wasn't careful. Jiraiya smiled. "Once you master this, we can start working on some new material."
Naruto's eyes lit up, and the two returned to their sparring positions, ready for another round. Hopefully by the end of today he could shorten the time needed to pull on the beasts' chakra by even more.
- Ebisu's Study Group -
Meanwhile, Naruto's clones in Ebisu's study group continued to make impressive strides in their learning. By the end of Day 8, they would have read through a total of 70 books. Naruto's foundational knowledge had grown exponentially—if he were to return to the Academy now, he could easily ace most, if not all, of his exam questions. His knowledge still lagged slightly behind his brainier peers, but he was quickly catching up.
Today marked a turning point. Naruto was moving beyond basic concepts that would typically be covered in the Academy and into more specialized subjects. While these books weren't exactly advanced, they were tailored to Naruto directly.
Over the next few days, this edge in learning would give Naruto a one-up on some of his peers, as many of them wouldn't have been exposed to the same information.
These new topics covered things like combat tactics, and even a brief introduction to elemental jutsu. Though Naruto only received a basic understanding of the elemental concepts, the glimpse into that world excited him. Ebisu, noticing his enthusiasm, promised to bring chakra paper soon so that Naruto could finally discover his chakra affinity.
Day 9/30
Naruto started his day with his usual routine, but with one small change. He sent an extra clone to the library with the usual ten that attended Ebisu's study sessions. This clone, however, had a different mission—it was time to find out Naruto's chakra nature, something Ebisu had mentioned the day before.
- With Ebisu -
As the 11 Naruto clones arrived at the library, they quickly took their places, prepared for another day of studying. Ebisu handed out the study materials to ten of them, but the 11th clone stood by, noticeably buzzing with anticipation.
Ebisu approached this extra clone with a small, folded piece of paper in his hand. "This is what we talked about yesterday," he said with a smirk, holding up the chakra paper. "We'll find out your chakra nature today."
The clone's excitement was mirrored by the other clones, who glanced curiously as they worked through their assigned reading. Ebisu explained, "The chakra paper reacts based on your elemental you're lightning, the paper will wrinkle. If you're earth, it will crumble. If you're wind, it will split. If you're fire, it will burn. For water, it will dampen."
Handing the paper to the clone, Ebisu gestured for him to channel his chakra into it. Naruto's clone held the paper tightly, channeling his chakra as instructed. The paper immediately split cleanly down the middle. All the clones went wide-eyed, and a low hum of excitement filled the room as they watched.
Ebisu smiled warmly. "Wind nature. That's pretty rare for a shinobi from the Leaf Village."
The clone blinked. "Wind, huh? Is that good?"
"It's excellent," Ebisu explained. "Most of our village's shinobi have a Fire nature. Wind is much rarer here but powerful, especially for offense. It's excellent for enhancing cutting techniques and making attacks more deadly."
The clone couldn't help but grin. "That's awesome!" The other clones quietly celebrated, thrilled to learn something unique about their abilities.
Before the clone could dispel, Ebisu went on. "If you want to start practicing how to use your Wind nature, I recommend starting with cutting a leaf in half with your chakra alone. It's a good beginner exercise. But of course, you'll need Jiraiya's permission before attempting it."
Nodding eagerly, the clone thanked Ebisu for the advice, absorbing every detail. After a final nod, the clone dispelled, sending the experience and knowledge directly to the real Naruto, who now knew his chakra nature.
- Jiraiya's Training -
Meanwhile, Naruto had already arrived at the usual clearing where he and Jiraiya trained. Just as he was about to create his clones for their meditation training, a sudden wave of memories hit him—the feedback from the clone at the library. The discovery that he had a Wind chakra nature, and Ebisu's suggestion for training it, immediately flooded his thoughts. Naruto's eyes widened, excitement bubbling up as he processed the news.
Without missing a beat, Naruto relayed everything to Jiraiya, practically bouncing on his feet. "Hey, Pervy Sage, guess what! Turns out I've got Wind nature chakra! Ebisu said I should start by cutting a leaf in half with my chakra, pretty cool, right?"
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, inwardly pleased. Wind, just like Minato. He suppressed a smile but gave Naruto an encouraging nod. "Not bad, kid. Wind chakra can be pretty powerful in the right hands. You should definitely work on that—help you round out your skills."
Jiraiya gestured for Naruto to create his usual ten clones, but this time for a new kind of training. "Send your clones to do that leaf-cutting exercise Ebisu recommended. It's a good start for mastering your elemental chakra. Once you get the hang of it, we can figure out more advanced stuff."
Naruto could barely contain his excitement as he hastily summoned his clones. Each one looked as thrilled as he was, and without wasting any time, they sprinted off to gather leaves, ready to start channeling their chakra to split them in half.
The clones soon formed a small group, each holding a leaf and sitting cross-legged on the ground. With furrowed brows and focused expressions, they began channeling their chakra, attempting to split the leaves.
Meanwhile, the real Naruto stood back, watching the clones for a moment before his thoughts drifted to what else he could work on. Jiraiya, sensing Naruto's brief pause, scratched his chin before asking, "So, kid… what about those scrolls Kakashi gave you? They've gotta have something interesting in them."
Naruto blinked, completely forgetting about the scrolls until Jiraiya mentioned them. An embarrassed grin stretched across his face as he scratched the back of his head. "Uh… the scrolls! Yeah, about that... I, uh, totally didn't forget where I put them…"
Jiraiya gave him a pointed look, waiting. Naruto nervously patted down his pockets, his mind racing until suddenly, a realization hit him. With a relieved sigh, he reached inside his orange jumper and pulled out two neatly rolled-up scrolls.
Jiraiya, having watched the entire scene with mild amusement, chuckled. "You're something else, kid." He took the scrolls from Naruto and unrolled them, skimming through the contents.
After a moment, Jiraiya let out a hearty laugh and handed them back. "Looks like your sensei knows you pretty well. These jutsu seem right up your alley."
Day 13/30
- Jiraiya's Training -
Naruto had been working relentlessly over the past few days, fully mastering the two jutsu from the scrolls Kakashi had given him. By the end of the first day, he had already learned how to use both of them with decent proficiency. By the second day, he was confident enough to integrate them into his regular combat tactics. Now, on Day 13, these techniques were second nature to him, ready to be deployed in battle without hesitation. Meanwhile, his 10 clone training group had successfully completed the leaf-splitting exercise, progressing faster than anticipated thanks to Naruto's vastly improved chakra control and his use of clones to accelerate the process.
In the middle of their usual training session, Naruto found himself sparring with Jiraiya once again. This time, he was determined to put his new jutsu and strategies to the test. He created five clones and quickly formed them into a battle-ready formation, relying on the tactics he had studied with Ebisu. Naruto shouted commands to his clones, and they fell into a synchronized attack pattern, charging Jiraiya from multiple directions.
Jiraiya, calm and composed as always, quickly dispatched the first two clones with minimal effort. Unfazed, Naruto immediately switched strategies. His remaining three clones retreated, circling around Jiraiya as they formulated their next attack. Without warning, the clones stopped in unison, each pulling out a handful of shuriken. With a swift motion, they launched the projectiles toward Jiraiya. As the shuriken flew through the air, they multiplied into hundreds, thanks to Naruto's newly mastered Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Jiraiya smirked, unimpressed. "You'll have to do better than that!" he barked, weaving a hand sign. His hair grew and hardened, forming a protective barrier around his body. The shuriken clattered harmlessly against the shield, falling to the ground as Jiraiya dismissed the technique. His smirk faltered when he noticed something odd—the clones had vanished.
Before he could react, Jiraiya's eyes darted upward, and he spotted a clone plummeting toward him from above. The clone held up a hand sign, clearly ready to trigger the Explosive Shadow Clone Jutsu; the second of Naruto's newly acquired jutsu. Jiraiya's hair barely extended fast enough to block the ensuing explosion. As smoke billowed around him, another clone burst from a bush behind him, forcing Jiraiya to turn his hair shield once again to absorb the second explosion.
Now fully alert, Jiraiya anticipated the next attack. "It won't work again!" he called, grinning as he prepared for the third clone's charge. To his surprise, the third explosion never came. Instead, it latched onto him in a firm grapple, grinning widely as it taunted, "Yes, it will!"
Before Jiraiya could react, he felt another presence in front of him. Wrenching himself free from the clone, he quickly launched it away before it could detonate. But it was too late—Naruto himself had closed the distance, his eyes glowing red with the Nine-Tails' chakra. With a smirk, Naruto drove a powerful fist into Jiraiya's hastily raised arms.
For a moment, the two battled fiercely, with Naruto pressing his advantage. His newfound strength and improved tactics kept Jiraiya on the defensive, the elder shinobi grinning all the while. But as the spar dragged on, Jiraiya decided it was time to stop playing around. With a swift movement, he sent Naruto spiralling backward, cutting the spar short with a burst of overwhelming power.
"You're getting better, kid," Jiraiya said, dusting off his cloak. "But don't get cocky."
Naruto picked himself up, a wide grin plastered across his face. "That was awesome!" he exclaimed, exhilarated from the intense exchange. Though Jiraiya had bested him in the end, Naruto was satisfied.
Jiraiya watched Naruto carefully, impressed by how quickly the boy had adapted to his new jutsu. "You've really got a handle on those techniques," Jiraiya remarked, his tone half-praising, half-casual, as Naruto brushed dirt off his jacket after their intense spar.
Naruto grinned confidently. "It's no big deal," he said, waving a hand dismissively. "They both rely on the Shadow Clone Jutsu, which I'm already great at, so it wasn't that hard to get the hang of 'em." His tone was full of pride, his blue eyes sparkling with satisfaction.
Jiraiya nodded, already considering what was next for Naruto. He began speaking aloud, almost to himself as he ran through Naruto's abilities. "You're getting pretty good at harnessing the Nine-Tails' chakra, which gives you a huge power boost. The Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu gives you a solid long-range attack option. And those Exploding Shadow Clones—well, they open up a whole new set of strategies in battle, though I wouldn't recommend relying on them too much unless you're looking to go out with a bang," he said with a chuckle.
"And on top of that, you've got the basics of wind chakra down. Splitting that leaf was the first step," Jiraiya continued, his voice becoming more thoughtful as he stroked his chin. "So maybe it's time we think about adding a wind-based jutsu to your arsenal... But..."
Jiraiya's voice trailed off as an idea took hold. He wasn't sure if Naruto was ready—this was an advanced technique, something even Jiraiya had struggled with when he first learned it. But then again, Naruto had exceeded his expectations time and time again. His clone training method allowed him to learn at a speed Jiraiya had never seen before. And if anyone could pull this off... it might just be the son of Minato.
A faint smile tugged at Jiraiya's lips as he made his decision.
"Alright, brat," Jiraiya said, snapping back to his usual gruff tone. "I've been thinking about your progress and where to go from here. You've built up a good skill set, and your chakra control's getting sharper, especially with your wind nature. But now..." He paused for dramatic effect. "I think it's time we move on to something bigger."
Naruto perked up immediately, his curiosity and excitement practically radiating off him. "Bigger? Like what? A new jutsu? Tell me!"
Jiraiya crossed his arms, staring Naruto down with a serious expression. "This isn't just any jutsu. It's an A-Rank Jutsu that only a handful of shinobi know. A jutsu that doesn't rely on hand signs, but instead on pure chakra control and power. It's called the Rasengan."
Naruto blinked, his excitement hitting a whole new level. "Rasengan? What kind of jutsu is that?" he asked, his voice full of curiosity.
Jiraiya nodded. "It's a technique that doesn't need hand signs, just raw chakra manipulation. You use your chakra to form a spinning sphere of power in your hand. The Rasengan can devastate an opponent with sheer force, and there's no flashy setup that gives it away."
Naruto's eyes widened. "A jutsu with no hand signs... and it's just chakra? That sounds awesome! You're gonna teach me that?"
Jiraiya's expression softened, though his tone stayed serious. "Yeah, but don't get ahead of yourself, kid. The Rasengan's tough. It takes a lot of concentration, chakra control, and raw power. It's not something you'll learn overnight. And for this specific Jutsu, I won't allow you to use your shadow clone method, they'll be working on some Jutsu to aid your wind nature."
Naruto clenched his fists, eyes burning with determination. "You bet I'm ready! I'll master it faster than anyone, even without my clones! Just watch, Ero-Sennin!"
Jiraiya shook his head with a laugh. "Don't get too cocky now. This isn't something you can brute force your way through. But with the way you've been training, you might just be able to pull it off."
Without wasting a second, Jiraiya turned and gestured for Naruto to follow him. "Come on, kid. We'll get started right away."
Naruto followed eagerly, his heart racing with anticipation. The Rasengan... He could hardly believe he was about to learn such a powerful technique. This was the kind of jutsu that could change everything, a real step toward becoming Hokage—and proving to everyone that he was more than just the "dead last."
As they walked, Naruto's mind raced with thoughts of what mastering the Rasengan would mean. He was ready. No... more than ready. He was going to learn this jutsu, and nothing would stand in his way.
- Ebisu's Study Group -
Over the past five days, Naruto's 10-clone study group had been diving into a range of specialized subjects, moving beyond the academy basics. They explored strategies for team dynamics, learning how to coordinate effectively with allies during missions. They studied the basics of chakra sensing, which would help them detect nearby enemies or allies. The clones also delved into the fundamentals of trap setting and evasion tactics, preparing them for unexpected situations in the field. Additionally, they covered survival skills, including foraging for food and understanding basic first aid. Each subject wasn't exactly advanced, but they weren't part of the academy curriculum either—filling in the gaps that would make Naruto a more well-rounded shinobi.
Day 22/30
- Jiraiya's Training -
Naruto stood in the centre of the clearing, a grin plastered across his face as he faced a large boulder half-buried in the earth. Holding one hand out, his fingers curled slightly, he focused for just a moment before a bright, spinning blue orb of chakra appeared in his palm—the Rasengan. Without hesitation, he thrust the orb forward, slamming it into the boulder with a powerful, fluid motion. The impact was immediate and explosive; the boulder shattered into fragments, sent flying in all directions by the force of the attack. As the dust settled, Naruto turned toward Jiraiya, who was watching from the side with a proud smile.
"Well, colour me impressed," Jiraiya clapped slowly, his eyes sparkling with genuine admiration. "Learning the Rasengan in such a short time? You've outdone yourself, Naruto."
Naruto puffed out his chest, beaming. "Heh, I told ya, Ero-Sennin. I'd master it faster than anyone!"
While Naruto had been diligently focusing on mastering the Rasengan, his ten clone group had been busy honing their skills in a different way. Jiraiya, understanding the importance of independence in training, had decided to step back and let Naruto tackle the Rasengan on his own. Instead, he had dedicated his time to guiding Naruto's clones through a series of wind nature jutsu that Ebisu had selected.
Jiraiya had carefully reviewed the material Ebisu provided, and after approving a selection of the wind techniques, returned to the clearing, ready to impart his knowledge. The clones listened attentively as Jiraiya explained the basics of each jutsu, breaking down the required chakra control and the unique hand signs. By the end of the week, the clones had successfully learned a handful of wind jutsu, excited to add them to Naruto's ever-expanding arsenal.
"Remember, these jutsu will give you versatility in battle," Jiraiya instructed, emphasizing their importance. "There's another step to wind nature training that focuses on extreme control over your wind chakra, but for now, I think you should master these techniques first. You can always refine your control later."
Naruto's excitement surged at the thought of learning even more about his wind affinity. The idea of perfecting his control and pushing the limits of his abilities made him eager for the future.
- Ebisu's Study Group -
The study group continued to dive into one book after another, the air around them filled with the rustle of pages turning. As they transitioned to slightly more advanced topics, their progress inevitably slowed. Yet, Naruto's newfound knowledge had elevated him above a significant portion of his classmates. His natural creativity in battle complemented this intellectual growth, setting him apart even further.
However, both Ebisu and Naruto noticed that their study sessions were bearing less fruit than before. Neither felt disheartened, though; they recognized that Naruto had raced through every subject he had once struggled with, catching up to his peers and even surpassing many. Naruto himself marveled at his rapid advancement, astonished that he possessed such potential for intelligence.
Ebisu congratulated him, suggesting that it might be time to end the study group. Naruto's heart sank at the thought; he feared this meant he had reached his peak and wouldn't gain any more knowledge. Sensing Naruto's unease, Ebisu quickly reassured him. While knowledge was undoubtedly powerful, it was now crucial for Naruto to embed what he had learned through rigorous sparring and practical application with Jiraiya in their final week. This new direction filled Naruto with renewed excitement as he anticipated putting his hard-earned knowledge to the test.
- Jiraiya's Training -
Naruto suddenly felt a jolt of information and eagerly relayed his discussion with Ebisu to Jiraiya, explaining how his progress had begun to slow down as they tackled more advanced material. "Ebisu thinks it's best I spend this last week training entirely with you," Naruto said, "so I can fully absorb everything I've learned and ensure my skills are battle-ready." Jiraiya nodded, agreeing with Ebisu's points. "This last week will be all about enhancing your skills to the max for your battle with Neji. However, I think it's best if your clones handle the jutsu practice while you focus on a rigorous physical training regimen. You haven't been doing that much lately, have you?" Naruto sighed, knowing Jiraiya had called him out on his halt in physical training since mastering the stream-running exercise.
With a smirk, Jiraiya continued, "Before we move on to pure enhancement, there's one more thing I want to teach you." He demonstrated the summoning jutsu, guiding Naruto as he signed the contract. The memory of the toad who had defeated Ebisu rushed back to Naruto, fueling his excitement. "Summoning jutsu requires a lot of chakra and good control," Jiraiya explained. "Thankfully, you've been working hard. Your chakra reserves are already gigantic, and your control is surprisingly refined." Naruto's head seemed to inflate comically with each compliment, and Jiraiya noticed he had unwittingly boosted Naruto's ego. Shaking his head with a sigh, he returned to his explanation.
When Naruto attempted his first summon, he called forth the very same toad, Gama, who had faced off against Ebisu. "Hey there!" Naruto greeted the toad, but Gama simply croaked back at him. Jiraiya chuckled, explaining, "Gama doesn't really talk, but he's sure to have your back." He pointed at the necklace around Gama's neck, adorned with the kanji for loyalty. Understanding the hint, Naruto bowed to Gama. "I signed the toad summoning contract, and I'd love to earn your respect—and hopefully the respect of the other toads as well." Gama nodded and turned to walk a short distance away, pausing when he noticed Naruto wasn't following. Jiraiya gave Naruto a gentle push, prompting him to catch up.
Once they reached an open part of the clearing, Gama dropped into a fighting stance. Grinning, Naruto quickly mirrored him, the excitement of their upcoming battle coursing through him. The two engaged in a spirited clash, and by the end of the spar, Naruto had earned Gama's respect and loyalty. As they caught their breath, Jiraiya explained that each morning for the next week, Naruto would summon a different toad to earn their respect before diving into his physical conditioning for the rest of the day. Determined and ready, Naruto nodded, eager to learn more about the powerful toads that would soon be his allies.
Day 29/30
Just as planned, Naruto spent the entire week honing his current skills and pushing his physical abilities to new heights. He quickly mastered the toad summoning jutsu, enthusiastically greeting each toad and earning their respect. To his astonishment, he even managed to summon the chief toad by channeling almost all of his chakra into one powerful summon. The chief, having heard only good things about the new toad summoner from his family, warned Naruto that he expected to be summoned only for real threats, not for trivial matters. Naruto eagerly agreed, then dispelled the chief, feeling a swell of pride. By the end of the week, he had met most of the toads and gained a reputation in Mount Myoboku—though he remained blissfully unaware of its significance.
Alongside his success with the toads, Naruto noticed tangible improvements in his physical abilities, thanks in part to a new diet Jiraiya had insisted on after discovering Naruto's terrible eating habits. This new regimen, combined with his intense training, helped him gain muscle, speed, and stamina—something almost unfathomable for the already energetic boy. But the improvement that brought him the greatest joy was his unexpected height. "I GREW AN INCH! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!" he exclaimed to the heavens, his voice echoing as Jiraiya guffawed loudly. "You're still a tiny runt!" Jiraiya laughed, but Naruto barely registered the teasing; he was too thrilled with this new milestone.
Throughout the week, Naruto mastered all his skills, culminating in intense sparring sessions where he showcased everything he had learned. Although he remained no match for Jiraiya, the progress he had made since his academy days was mind-blowing. In less than a year, he had transformed from a low Genin into what now appeared to be a high Chunin in skill level, a fact that filled him with determination and excitement for the battles ahead.
As the sun dipped low in the sky, casting long shadows across the training ground, Jiraiya turned to Naruto, a serious glint in his eye. "Today will be the last spar of the month. Tomorrow is your rest day before the Chunin Exams." Naruto felt the weight of those words settle over him, igniting a fierce determination.
"Alright! I'll show you what I've got!" he shouted, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.
"Let's see if you can back that up," Jiraiya replied with a grin, preparing himself.
Naruto immediately formed a few clones, not overwhelming Jiraiya with numbers, but creating just enough to flank him. As they moved in, Naruto positioned himself behind his clones, strategizing his next move. "Now!" he yelled, and two of his clones executed Wind Release: Gale Palm simultaneously, launching Naruto forward with a powerful burst of wind at his feet.
"Nice acceleration," Jiraiya acknowledged, sidestepping but not expecting the quick maneuver.
In mid-air, Naruto activated Wind Release: Gale Platform, creating an invisible platform beneath him that allowed him to change direction fluidly. "You can't escape that easily!" he shouted, pivoting mid-air to dive towards Jiraiya.
With his chakra flaring, Naruto quickly formed the hand signs for Shuriken Shadow Clone. Multiple shuriken replicated into countless copies, hurtling toward Jiraiya like a deadly rain.
"Clever!" Jiraiya exclaimed, and he swiftly countered with an expansive Doton technique, raising a wall of earth to shield himself. The shuriken clattered harmlessly against the barrier, but Naruto wasn't finished.
Using the distraction, he performed a Wind Release: Great Breakthrough, channeling a powerful gust of wind to topple the earth wall, sending debris flying toward Jiraiya.
"Good use of tactics!" Jiraiya called out, dodging the flying debris with graceful agility. But as Jiraiya countered with a jutsu of his own, Naruto quickly adapted.
He summoned more clones to engage Jiraiya from different angles, employing feints and distractions. "Let's go! Wind Release: Wind Bullet!" Naruto commanded, sending precise blasts of wind toward Jiraiya, who was now surrounded.
Jiraiya, ever the experienced shinobi, easily evaded the bullets, but Naruto had anticipated this. With a swift movement, he switched tactics again, launching into a flurry of punches and kicks, blending in taijutsu with his wind techniques.
Jiraiya was impressed but still unfazed. He dodged Naruto's strikes effortlessly, countering with a gentle tap to Naruto's shoulder, knocking him back.
"Not bad at all, but you still have a long way to go!" Jiraiya said, chuckling as he stepped back, his eyes twinkling with approval.
Breathless but exhilarated, Naruto grinned widely. "I didn't land a hit, but I can feel how much I've improved!"
"Absolutely," Jiraiya agreed, nodding approvingly. "You've come a long way in a short time. Rest up tomorrow and prepare for the challenges ahead. You're ready for the Chunin Exams."
Right... Finally done... This took much longer than I would have liked it too and I have been busy but honestly I think a large portion of the time writing it was just me trying to figure out what to realistically include in the training. I personally enjoy writing a much more realistic style, in terms of what Naruto would actually learn, and honestly everything here seems to fit that criteria.
Funnily enough, I had actually seen a few reviews that had literally guessed what they think Naruto should learn WHILST I was writing him learning it lol. I hope you guys enjoyed seeing the progress Naruto made and honestly I kinda expect hate on this chapter as most probably will find it too repetitive and pointless due to not too much plot being here. But it's helped me and I enjoyed doing it so what can I do I guess. Anyway, time to answer some reviews.
redeyehawk - I agree, I hope you enjoyed it!
WilsorBR - I took your advice and had Naruto visit Hinata at the hospital, I didn't make it too plot based unfortunately as I'm not too sure how many people are gonna read this chapter, but rest assured, I will definitely expand on it later in the story now that those foundations have been set.
Solidspider - Great! I'm glad you're enjoying it.
Dennis Spiral-Flame 55 - Thank you very much for the review, I really enjoy in-depth reviews like this and I totally agree that blindly following canon events can be a bit boring, but you're right in your assumption on why I'm doing it. As you can see in this chapter, Naruto has learnt a whole variety of skills; including his wind nature, which I hope you're pleased about. And I totally get the Sakura thing, I'm also an avid fan of Sakura bashing to be honest lol. Also, I definitely plan on having Naruto come up with a jutsu or a few at some point as that would be so badass and would definitely be plausible due to his much better understanding of chakra and his refined control over it.
Lampre8 - Man, I bet you won't even see this... Sorry about including the training arc haha, but thank you for the review anyway and I totally agree, I prefer a organic strength gain to instantly being overpowered, though that may be difficult with the look of how much progress Naruto gained in just a month, It's genuinely incredible to think how much Naruto could train if he actually took advantage of this Jutsu earlier on.
Aether Dragon13 - I tried to take your advice here and It definitely helped. Though with the sheer amount Naruto learnt, I'm not sure you'll actually be able to tell how many time skips there are haha. Thank you!
sunnymediratta84 - Just like with Aether Dragon, I took your advice and I really hoped you liked this training arc even though it might be a wee bit repetetive.
deniswanheda - I'm glad you're enjoying the story and I hoped you like the training arc!
iANti0ST - I really appreciate that, thanks!
the god of distruction - You were one of the people I was talking about with guessing what Naruto would learn haha, I was mid way typing about his new jutsu and I see this review. Glad you think it was good decision for Naruto to learn these Jutsu and hopefully we get to see a good amount of use from them. Also that's super interesting and I've not actually put too much thought into it just yet as it doesn't seem like something that would pop up, but exploring Naruto's heritage would definitely be interesting, with his shadow clones I'm sure he could discover a bunch in a short amount of time too!