Guiding Steps
The forested training grounds hummed with energy today, both familiar yet somewhat different. Here, the air smelled of damp pine, and the ever-present mist clung to the trees like a veil, softening the world and adding a layer of mystery. From the clearing where he found himself, Naruto drew in a deep breath, taking in the faint hint of ocean from the air, even though it was rather far off from this part of the woods.
Before him stood a trio of academy students— wide-eyed, clutching their small packs like lifelines, and shuffling their feet. Naruto supposed their expressions were a mix of nerves and excitement, seeing how their eyes darted around the towering pines like they expected something to jump out any second. A smile tugged at his lips— he could imagine their minds spinning inside, the comfort of their academy classrooms feeling far away, leaving them unsure of what to do in the unfamiliar wilderness for the first time in their lives. Heheh, it wasn't even that long ago I was the one shuffling around here, trying to figure things out.
This whole setup brought back memories. Naruto could almost picture his younger self moving through these woods, each survival camp a little more challenging than the last, beating essential skills into their bones. Every few months, the academy instructors would throw them here with a list of basic tasks, like setting up camps, finding food and the like. For the first couple rounds, there would be a Genin guiding them, but each time after that, it got progressively tougher. Fewer hints. Less guidance. Eventually, more and more challenges would get tossed in their way— scavenger hunts, dodging simple traps, capturing a rival team's flag, or even navigate around mock raids set up by the academy staffs, all disguised as enemy shinobi.
Back then, it had been equal parts of nerve-wracking and exciting, sometimes even frustrating. But over the months, though, he and his classmates learned—learned how to rely on their own two hands to fend for themselves, to think on their feet, to react to their surroundings even when tired, hungry, and scared. It all built up the necessary foundations, until these skills became like a second nature. Naruto still remembered the rush of energy, the thrill of trying to overcome each obstacle, and the pride when his group pulled it off—well, not always, but it was enough.
Now here he was again, but this time around, he would be the one doing the guiding. It was his turn to pass some of those lessons down.
"Umm.. Kaimori-senpai, what do we do first?" one of the boys piped up, voice a little shaky like he was trying his hardest to sound brave.
Naruto blinked, feeling a flush creeping in his face at their expectant looks. Kaimori-senpai? Really? That sounded so... grown-up and stuff. Like he was a great deal older and wiser, and it felt a bit awkward being on this side of things. He was a Genin now, sure, and the Kirigakure headband around his forehead made it official, but it hadn't been that long ago since he was just like them, asking a hundred questions and trying not to mess up. Something told him his headband was probably what made them more nervous than they needed to be, and Naruto resisted the urge to fidget with the metal plate. After all, he had been in their shoes once— he remembered how the sight of it on his seniors used to make him feel exactly the same. Uh, maybe I should ease things a little.
"Well, first off… just call me Naruto. No need for all that 'senpai' stuff," he cleared his throat and stood straighter, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "Okay, we gotta make sure we're ready for the next two days out here. Survival camp's all about learning how to handle yourselves in the wild." He paused, catching the subtle tightening of their features. "It sounds tough, but this is your first, so don't worry— I'll be with you the whole way. Just focus on learning as much as you can."
The kids exchanged slow glances before the same boy from earlier, probably the least nervous of the bunch, squared his shoulders, "Okay, Kai— um, I mean, Naruto-senpai." His two classmates followed, nodding in sync.
Well, I tried. Naruto held back a snicker. Part of him felt a little giddy being looked up to like this. But the kids were all still kind of stiff, their eyes darting between him and the trees around as if still half-expecting some wild beast to lunge out of the bushes at any moment. I used to think the exact same thing.
"Alright then," Naruto took over, his voice steady, though his stomach was doing these weird flips. "First things first—finding water. You can go without food for a while, but not water." He dropped to his haunches, inspecting the ground. His fingers ran over a faint trail of mud near a cluster of moss-covered rocks. "See this? Signs of moisture. If you follow them, it'll lead you to a water source. Not always, but it's a good place to start."
The kids crowded around, peering at the dirt like it held the secrets to everything. Naruto couldn't help but chuckle under his breath. He stood up, waving for them to follow, and as they trudged through layers of fallen pine needles and scattered patches of moss, he glanced over his shoulder every now and then, making sure the kids were still with him. They seemed so small, unsure and caught between excitement and fear—the kind that made every step feel like an adventure, but also kind of terrifying. And before Naruto knew it, a tug of protectiveness flickered in his chest. These kids were counting on him to show them the ropes, and it reflected in the way they kept sneaking looks at him, likely for reassurance.
When they finally found the stream—a clear ribbon cutting through the forest floor—Naruto crouched by the water's edge, motioning for the kids to join him. He scooped up a handful of water, letting it trickle through his fingers. "See how clear it is? If the water's flowing like this, it's usually safe. You can always boil it to make sure, though." Naruto let his words sink in, before adding, "But watch out, if it's muddy or just sitting there, you gotta move on and try elsewhere. C'mon, fill your canteens."
The kids perked up at his words, pulling out their bamboo canteens with newfound enthusiasm. Naruto watched them go, feeling the shift in the mood. They're starting to relax. Neat. Once they'd gathered their water, Naruto led them a little further into the forest, keeping an eye out for a good spot to set up camp. The light had begun to shift, golden rays slanting through the thick canopy above.
"Next thing you gotta know—setting up camp before it gets dark," Naruto turned to face the kids, who were still hanging on his every word. "When picking a campsite, you wanna look for a few things— high ground, a clear view with some covers, and close enough but not too close to the water source. Keep a good distance."
The only girl among the trio, a petite student with short black hair tied in a ponytail, raised her hand. "But Naruto-senpai, isn't water important for us?"
Naruto nodded. "It sure is. But you shouldn't camp in low areas 'cause they can flood real easily. Plus, many animals come to drink there, which could mean trouble," he watched as they gulped, and added with a snicker, remembering his own group's mistake back then, "And trust me, you don't wanna be dealing with mosquitoes all night long. I learned that the hard way. We were itching for days after my group picked a spot right by the river. Not fun."
The kids giggled at that, their spirits lifting as they moved along together. Things were slowly working out, and Naruto couldn't hide the grin tugging at his lips. Just a little bit more. Eventually, they found a suitable place, and Naruto called for a stop. "Here's a good spot," he said, gesturing to the area. "Not too far away from the stream, high enough, and we've got a bit of tree cover in case the weather gets rough. Let's set up camp here."
And as they got down and started unpacking, Naruto thought it would be a good moment to share about the uses of pine saps. He reached for the gooey substance oozing from a break in the bark, the sticky resin coating his fingers as he peeled it away. The familiar scent filled his nose—sharp and earthy. "See this sticky sap? It's works like glue. Super handy, not just for holding stuff together but also for treating small wounds. You can smear it over cuts if you don't have anything else." He showed them a small scratch on his arm that he'd covered with the sticky substance. "It's not the best, but it'll do in a pinch. Oh yeah, and it's great for starting fires, too."
The kids stared in wonder, before trying it out on themselves. They then fumbled with the ropes and stakes, struggling to secure their tent and set up perimeters, using sticky sap to hold things together. The tent sagged awkwardly at the edges, but Naruto nodded at their effort, recalling his own clumsy attempts at their age when nothing ever seemed to stay upright. He let them keep going, stepping in when needed but mostly allowing them to try things out on their own.
"Doing is the best way to learn anything," Naruto said, quoting what one of his seniors had told him in the past. "Don't worry if something doesn't work—just give it a shot, and we'll fix it together." And teaching by showing rather than explaining came more naturally to Naruto, too—it felt right. Watching the kids slowly piece things together, bit by bit, brought him a sense of satisfaction.
When one of them seemed especially nervous, Naruto crouched beside him and adjusted one of the wobbly poles. "Hey, don't sweat it," he said with a smile, tying off a knot with deliberate, slow motions for the student to follow. "First time I did this, the whole tent collapsed as soon as I let go. It was a total mess."
That earned a small smile and laughter from the boy, and after a few more tries, he managed to get the knot right. Naruto found himself enjoying this, watching the kids warm up to him. They weren't just nervous little shadows anymore—they were asking more questions, getting curious about everything, that sparked a strange sense of pride in him.
As he watched them work, Naruto couldn't help but wonder how Haru was handling his own group somewhere out in the woods. Knowing Haru, the medic-nin was probably cramming them with all sorts of medical know-hows, making sure they knew every herb and remedy in the book. Bet he's got them drowning in herb facts right about now. Naruto's lips quirked. Hope they're keeping up.
Once the tent was up, the boy who had been rather quiet up until now, raised a hand and met his eyes. "Naruto-senpai, what about food? W-what if we run out of rations?"
Naruto flashed him a grin. "Good question, now I'm gonna teach you how to get yourselves some. You gotta keep your rations for emergencies." He straightened up and led them down to the stream again, where the water shimmered under the fading daylight. "Fish are one of the easiest things to catch out here, especially if you know a trick or two. C'mon, let me show you."
Grabbing a sturdy branch, Naruto pulled out a kunai from his pouch and tied it to the end with some wire, fashioning a makeshift fishing spear. "Fishing with a rod or net works, but sometimes you gotta get creative." He rolled up his pants and slipped off his sandals before wading into the stream, the cool water swirling around his ankles.
"Now here's the trick," Naruto said, eyes focused on the water's surface as he poised the spear. "Fish like to stay in the shallows, so keep quiet, stay still and just wait until they come close enough… then strike!" He moved himself just right, and with one quick thrust, skewered a decent-sized fish on the end of his spear. "See? Not too hard once you get the hang of it. Gotta be quick, though."
The kids looked amazed, their eyes sparkling at his little demonstration. Naruto's face flushed a little as he tossed the fish onto the bank and passed the spear to the nearest student. "Here, give it a shot."
The next hour or so passed with the kids taking turns trying their hands at fishing, though their splashing around scared most of the fish off. Naruto stayed nearby, offering pointers—how to better stay still, how to adjust their grip— and after a while, one of the boys finally caught one. The look on his face was priceless— pure joy as he pumped his fists.
"Nice one!" Naruto clapped him on the back, grinning. "Let's keep going!" As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Naruto nodded to himself. They're doing pretty good... way better than I did at first, that's for sure.
By the time the sun was close to setting, each of the kids had caught at least one fish. They were growing more comfortable around him, the nervousness fading into excitement. Naruto gave them a thumbs-up. "Not bad, huh? Now that we've got some fish, let's see what else we can gather. Follow me." Under Naruto's guidance, they explored the area, collecting bamboo shoots and pine nuts. "Out here, you can find plenty to eat if you know where to look. Anything you can get without touching your rations is a win."
The meal came together quicker than expected. They'd gathered enough food to settle down for the night, huddled around the campfire they had built with pine sap, its sharp scent filling the air. Naruto crouched low, plucking a nearby pinecone and rolling it between his palms. "These are handy too. Pinecones are great for keeping the fire burning. Once it's going, toss a few in—they burn slow and steady, so it's nice to have a bunch ready."
The kids mirrored his movements, crouching beside him, nodding along as they grabbed the pinecones, inspecting them up close before working together to collect a small pile. The fire crackled softly, flickering light and shadow across their faces as nightfall wrapped them in its deepening embrace. Naruto took his time showing them how to prepare the fish they had caught, skewering each one on sticks and sprinkling a mix of wild herbs they had gathered. Nothing fancy, just a basic mix Haru had taught him a while back. Never thought I'd be thanking him for those herb lessons.
One of the boys, the one with the wild hair, poked at the fire with a stick. "Naruto-senpai, how do you know all this stuff?"
Naruto leaned back, stretching his legs out, propping his hands behind his head. He chuckled, looking up at the dark canopy. "I don't know that much," he admitted. The night was cool, the distant chirps of insects weaving through the air. "I've just picked things up along the way. Same as you guys will. It's alright if we don't know everything right away. We'll figure it out as we go."
"But... aren't you scared? Being out here?" another asked, his voice hesitant.
Naruto paused for a moment, thinking it over. "Honestly? A little, yeah," he admitted, scratching the back of his neck as he watched their faces shift in surprise. Sitting up, he grabbed a stick and poked at the fire. "It's normal to be scared, especially out here. But being scared doesn't mean you should give up. You just gotta push through it."
The fire crackled, filling the quiet between them. The kids seemed to be turning his words over in their heads, their expressions thoughtful as the orange glow of the flames danced across their faces.
Naruto glanced at them again as the fish sizzled. Their attention was now locked on the fire, still fiddling with pinecones, waiting for the meal. Maybe I'm not so bad at this teaching stuff after all. The tense energy when the day started had melted away into something easier, more comfortable. He couldn't help but grin as they stared at the fish, like it might cook faster if they willed it to. And when it was finally done, he clapped his hands to get their attention, "Alright, dig in!"
They eagerly grabbed their portions, and Naruto felt a warmth spreading in his chest. It was still kind of new, but he liked it—the feeling of being someone they looked to, like he was a big brother of sorts, guiding them through the unknown. As they ate, he stirred the fire with a stick, flames crackling softly in the quiet of the woods. "So," he asked casually, "what kind of shinobi do you guys wanna be?"
The question seemed to catch them off guard, but one by one, they began to open up. Naruto listened with full attention, nodding as they spoke, offering bits of encouragement here and there. As their voices filled the space, he felt something shift, a connection he hadn't noticed before. They reminded him of himself at their age—full of dreams, unsure of how to reach them, but determined to make something of themselves.
When they turned the question back on him, Naruto paused, feeling the weight of their expectant gazes. He stared into the fire for a moment, letting the warmth of the flames settle his thoughts. "Me?" His voice was quiet at first, but steady. "I wanna be a shinobi who can protect the village, and the people precious to me." The words felt heavier than he'd expected, raw and honest. His gaze flickered, the firelight dancing in his eyes. "You know, my senpai once told me this— when you have something precious to protect, that's when you become truly strong."
The words hung in the air, thicker than the mist surrounding them. It must have sounded pretty cool, too, as the kids seemed to take his words to heart, their expressions thoughtful as they mulled over his answer. Naruto felt a flicker of vulnerability, opening up like that, but it felt good too—sharing a part of himself with them, something deeper than the other advices he had given them throughout te day.
As the meal wrapped up and the night grew darker, Naruto taught them about keeping watch, explaining the importance of staying alert for any signs of trouble. "It's easy to get comfy by the fire, but you can't let your guard down, even if this is just an exercise. You never know what could happen out here." He stood, stretching, casting a glance at the dark woods. "We'll take turns. Watch each other's backs. That's teamwork."
The kids agreed without hesitation, and Naruto assigned them their shifts. He could see the fatigue settling in their eyes, but they nodded in all seriousness, understanding the responsibility. As they finally crawled into their tents, Naruto took the first watch, sitting beside the fire as it flickered in the darkness. He smiled to himself. They were good kids. He could tell. And one day, they'd be out here leading a group of academy students of their own, passing on what they had learned.
With that thought, Naruto settled into his spot, the warmth of the fire at his back. He kept one eye on the surroundings, and the other on the kids' sleeping forms, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. So this is what it feels like... being the one in charge. There was a quiet satisfaction in knowing that he had helped them, even in small ways.
The night stretched on, peaceful and calm, the mist wrapping around the forest like a gentle shroud. Heh, maybe this whole mentoring thing isn't so bad after all.