Chapter 13: A New Teacher

Naruto trudged toward the training ground Kakashi had told him about, still fuming. Specialist? Yeah, right. He just didn't want to deal with me, he thought, kicking a rock as he ambled sullenly. He'd been looking forward to learning some flashy new jutsu, not more boring "fundamentals." He grumbled under his breath, already preparing himself to deal with Ebisu again.

When he arrived, however, Naruto froze mid-step. Instead of the bespectacled Ebisu, a tall man with dark hair, dark eyes, and a calm demeanor stood in the middle of the training field. He wore a standard Jōnin jacket, but his presence felt different. The metal framing the sides of his head gave him a distinct look, and his sharp gaze met Naruto's with a smile.

"You must be Naruto Uzumaki," the man said, his tone steady but friendly. "Kakashi-senpai has told me much about you. My name is… Yamato."

Naruto tilted his head, his initial frustration fading as curiosity took over. "Yo," he greeted casually, waving. "You know Kakashi-sensei?"

Yamato nodded, folding his arms. "He was my captain back when we were in the Anbu Black Ops together."

Naruto's eyes widened. "What?! Kakashi-sensei was in the Anbu? That's so cool!" He grinned broadly, his earlier irritation forgotten. "So... what're you gonna teach me? Some awesome Anbu techniques?"

Yamato chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Not exactly. I'm here to help you refine your chakra control."

Naruto groaned loudly, his excitement immediately deflating. "Ugh, why does everyone keep harping on my chakra control? I've already done tree climbing and stuff! I'm ready for the good stuff!"

Yamato's smile didn't waver. "Good fundamentals are the foundation of all great ninja techniques, Naruto. If you want to learn more advanced jutsu, you need to master the basics first. Trust me on this."

Naruto crossed his arms, pouting. "Fine. Let's get this over with."

Yamato led Naruto to a nearby canal, the sound of flowing water filling the air. "Today, we're going to work on water walking. You've already practiced tree climbing, which focused on maintaining a steady flow of chakra. Water walking is similar but requires you to adjust your chakra dynamically since water is constantly moving."

Yamato stepped onto the water with practiced ease, his feet barely causing a ripple. "Like this."

Naruto watched, his arms still crossed. "Looks easy enough."

"Give it a try," Yamato encouraged, stepping back to give Naruto space.

Naruto took a deep breath and stepped onto the water. For a moment, he managed to stay afloat—but then his chakra wavered, and he sank knee-deep into the canal with a loud splash.

"Gah! This is harder than it looks!" Naruto shouted, flailing as he pulled himself back to the surface.

Yamato chuckled. "That's why we practice."

For hours, Naruto tried again and again, his frustration growing with each failed attempt. But as the afternoon wore on, his determination began to shine through. Slowly but surely, he started to adjust his chakra flow, finding the balance he needed to stay on top of the water.

By the time the sun began to dip below the horizon, Naruto stood on the water's surface with a triumphant grin. "I did it! I'm walking on water!" He threw his arms in the air, laughing.

Yamato clapped his hands lightly. "Well done, Naruto. You've made excellent progress."

Naruto turned to him, his grin still wide. "Thanks, Yamato-sensei! Maybe this fundamental stuff isn't so bad after all."

Their celebration was cut short by an odd giggling sound coming from the nearby bathhouse. Naruto's ears perked up, and he glanced at Yamato. "You hear that?"

Yamato frowned, his expression turning serious. "I do. Let's check it out."

The two moved cautiously toward the source of the sound, staying low and silent. As they approached the fence surrounding the bathhouse, Naruto peeked through a small gap and immediately spotted the source of the giggling.

A white-haired man was crouched by the fence, peering through a hole with an unsettling intensity. His laughter was punctuated by muttered comments and a lecherous grin that made Naruto's face turn red.

"Who the heck is this pervy old man?" Naruto whispered to Yamato, his voice a mix of confusion and irritation.

Yamato's calm demeanor cracked slightly, his brow twitching. "That would be Jiraiya-sama. One of the Legendary Sannin."

Naruto's jaw dropped. "That's one of the Sannin?! He's just some old perv! No way he was on Orochimaru's team."

Jiraiya turned suddenly, as if sensing their presence. He grinned sheepishly, standing and dusting off his red cloak. "Ah, Naruto! You must be the boy Kakashi told me about."

"Wait, you know me?" Naruto blinked.

"Oh, I know plenty about you," Jiraiya said, his grin widening. "And if you're done playing around with fundamentals, I'm here to teach you something... interesting."

Naruto glanced at Yamato, who looked less than thrilled. "Yamato-sensei, who is this guy?"

Yamato sighed. "Your newest teacher, apparently."

Naruto's eyes lit up. "Finally, someone who's gonna teach me something awesome!"

"Oh, don't worry. By the time we're done, you'll be exuding awesome from your very being. For I am the gallant Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku," Jiraiya spoke with a

Naruto panted, sweat dripping down his face as he glared at the small, wriggling tadpole in front of him. It flopped uselessly on the ground, and he groaned, clutching his head in frustration.

"Three days, and it's still a tadpole!" he yelled, throwing his hands in the air. The "tadpole" croaked weakly in response, as if mocking him.

Jiraiya, sitting nearby on a rock, sipped from a bottle of sake, utterly unfazed. "Patience, kid. Summoning is all about balance and control. You're improving—last night, you almost got legs on one of 'em!"

Naruto glared at the hermit, his frustration boiling over. "I don't get it! Yamato-sensei actually shows me useful stuff. Like that chakra paper he gave me yesterday—did you know I've got two chakra natures? Water and Earth! Hah!"

He paused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Though... I guess I already kinda knew that."

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow at Naruto's idiosyncrasies. "Fascinating as your inner monologue is, brat, we're trying something new today. You're going to thank me for this later."

Moments later, Naruto was screaming at the top of his lungs as the ground disappeared beneath him.

"You threw me off a cliff! A cliff! What kind of teacher does this?!" he yelled, his voice echoing as he plummeted into a dark, seemingly bottomless ravine.

Jiraiya's voice called down after him, calm and maddeningly casual. "Relax, kid! If you figure out how to summon properly, you'll save yourself. If not, well... let's just say you won't need to worry about training anymore!"

Naruto flailed, the wind whipping past him. "This guy's crazy! This is child endangerment! I'm gonna die! I need a miracle!"

Naruto's surroundings shifted abruptly. One moment he was falling, and the next, he stood in a dark, damp sewer. The faint sound of dripping water echoed around him, and a cold shiver ran down his spine.

Ahead of him stood an enormous cage, the bars so large they seemed endless. The air was heavy with malice, and as he stepped closer, a massive red eye snapped open, glowing in the darkness.

"Well, if it isn't my jailor," a deep, guttural voice rumbled.

Naruto gulped, his voice small. "Nine-Tailed Fox?"

The monstrous form of the Nine-Tails emerged from the shadows, its sheer size and malevolence filling the space. Its teeth gleamed as it grinned mockingly.

"Would that you were but a meter closer," the fox sneered, its voice dripping with disdain.

Naruto frowned, steeling himself against the creature's oppressive presence. "Look, I know you don't like me. But I bet you don't like dying either. If you don't help me, then we both die! I'm about to hit terminal velocity out there!"

The fox's laughter boomed, echoing through the chamber. "You think I would lend my power so easily? You dare to call on me, thinking yourself strong enough to master that accursed Wood Release?"

Naruto blinked. "What? How do you know about—"

The fox's massive eyes narrowed, cutting him off. "You wish to walk in his footsteps? The one who stood at the pinnacle of this world? Prove yourself. He never needed my power."

The fox closed its enormous eyes with an air of finality, its massive body settling down as if to sleep.

"Hey! Wait!" Naruto yelled, his panic rising. "Don't just ignore me! I'm gonna die!"

The fox didn't stir. Its silence was deafening, a clear dismissal.

Naruto clenched his fists, his heart pounding. His mind raced as he searched for something—anything—to save himself. He closed his eyes, focusing inward. He thought of his training with Yamato, of the paper revealing his chakra natures. He thought of that perverted sage's lessons, which contained unconventional wisdom.

Water... and Earth… Look deep within yourself.

The pieces clicked into place. Naruto gritted his teeth, his resolve hardening. "Fine. If you won't help me, I'll save myself!"

He focused all his chakra, pulling from the depths of his being. Images of his friends, his dreams, and his unrelenting desire to become Hokage filled his mind. The raw energy surged through him, and he felt the faintest flicker of something new—something deep and untapped.

"I'm not giving up!" Naruto roared, pouring every ounce of his willpower into the summoning seal.

Jiraiya watched the ravine with a mix of curiosity and confidence. A loud boom echoed from below, followed by a massive plume of smoke. The ground trembled, and a gust of wind blew up from the ravine.

Jiraiya grinned as he saw a massive toad's head emerge from the smoke, its yellow eyes glaring up at him.

Naruto stood on the toad's head, panting heavily but grinning from ear to ear. "Ha! I did it!"

The toad croaked loudly, its voice booming. "Who dares summon me?! Jiraiya, you have ten seconds to explain yourself!"

Jiraiya waved lazily from the cliff's edge. "Relax, Gamabunta. It's just the kid. Nice work, Naruto."

Naruto blinked, internalizing the magnitude of the toad beneath him. His jaw dropped. "Whoa... I actually summoned him!"

Gamabunta growled. "This runt summoned me? You'd better have a good reason for this, kid. Summoning me into a seemingly bottomless ravine isn't the best first impression."

Naruto laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Uh... well... you see…" After a moment his expression changed and he spoke as if remembering himself, "The ero-sennin pushed me! That's not a metaphor about unlocking my potential, either. The crazy old asshole actually tried to kill me! Although… before today I've only been able to summon tadpoles…."

"Exactly! Who knows how long it would've taken you if we had continued to pursue… conventional means of practice. There's a method underlying the madness, boy. All part of my patented progress plan," Jiraiya chuckled, his hands on his hips. "Congratulations, Naruto. You're one step closer to becoming a true disciple of the Toad Sage. Tomorrow, your real training begins."

Naruto groaned despite his burgeoning grin, feeling an odd mix of dread and anticipation. But as he looked at the behemoth toad beneath him, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of pride. One step closer…

"Next time, have a few barrels of sake. Or give me someone strong to fight," Gamabunta grumbled with feigned annoyance. "Though I suppose I can't blame you entirely for the irresponsibility of your teacher."

Teacher. Naruto's head reeled.

A few short months ago he was alone; he'd had nobody. His classmates openly derided him, his teacher's ignored him, and the general populace was content to suffer him provided he suffered in solitude. For that reason he had resolved to become truly insufferable—he was unabashedly boisterous, played juvenile pranks, and in doing so forced attention from those who would see him unattended. The attention wasn't usually positive, but even that was preferable to being alone. But now, he had Iruka-sensei, Kakashi-sensei, Sasuke, Sakura-chan, Lee, Yamato-sensei, and many more. He had friends, companions, and teachers who would suffer him willingly.

He looked at the ostentatious figure of Jiraiya, who returned his dumb expression with a disarming levity. Naruto's eyes burned with resolve as he determined to learn everything he could from everybody who would deign to teach him.

Sakura sat under the shade of a tall tree, panting heavily as she wiped sweat from her brow. The clearing was quiet now, the training session with Naruto and Lee having ended for the day. Lee had been as energetic as ever, shouting words of encouragement to her and Naruto as they climbed trees, ran laps, and sparred. But now, alone with her thoughts, Sakura couldn't shake the feeling of inadequacy that weighed heavily on her.

She sighed, pulling a small kunai from her pouch. Its blade gleamed faintly in the fading sunlight, but what made it special were the intricate seals she had carefully etched onto its surface over the past week.

Unrolling her sealing scroll, Sakura began reviewing her notes. Her Fuinjutsu studies had been the one area where she felt she could contribute something unique to her team. It had started with simple storage seals, but her ambitions had grown. Now, she was experimenting with chakra storage and transfer, even transmutation seals, inspired by the techniques of the Second Hokage and the legendary Jiraiya of the Sannin.

She traced her finger over the lines of one seal she mastered, the marked Kunai glowing faintly in response. "Half of my chakra stored in here," she muttered to herself. "It's not much, but it's something. A start."

Sakura frowned. She knew about seals like Tsunade's Strength of a Hundred, capable of storing vast amounts of chakra within the user's body. But such techniques were volatile and dangerous, and she wasn't ready to take that risk. For now, channeling her chakra into external storage was safer, even if it meant sacrificing some of her reserves during training.

Her musings were interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. Sakura looked up, her hand instinctively tightening around her kunai. A woman stepped into the clearing, and Sakura's breath caught.

The woman was stunning. Her pale skin was accentuated by her sleek purple hair, which cascaded down her back. She wore a standard Konoha Jōnin uniform, though there was an air of elegance about her that made her stand out. Despite her composed appearance, Sakura noticed the woman's eyes were red and puffy.

"Hello, Sakura," the woman said, her voice soft but confident.

Sakura stood, uncertain. "Uh, hi. Can I help you?"

The woman offered a small smile. "My name is Yūgao Uzuki. Your sensei, Kakashi, was an old captain of mine. He thinks it would be beneficial—for both of us—if I teach you Kenjutsu. The art of the blade."

Sakura blinked, taken aback. "Kenjutsu? Me? Using a sword?" She glanced down at the kunai in her hand, the idea of wielding a true blade feeling foreign. "I've never thought about it. I suppose I do find myself lacking in close-range combat situations..." Her voice trailed off as she tried to process the suggestion. "This was Kakashi-sensei's idea?"

Yūgao nodded, her smile faltering slightly. "Yes. He believes you have the discipline and focus needed to master the blade." Her tone was steady, but there was a weight behind her words that Sakura couldn't quite place.

Sakura hesitated. She had never considered herself a swordswoman, but the offer intrigued her. "Why now? Why would he suggest this? I already lost my match. I'm out of the tournament."

Yūgao's expression grew distant for a moment, her eyes clouded with an unspoken sadness. "Sometimes," she said quietly, "we need a new path to find our strength."

Sakura noticed the faint trembling in Yūgao's hands, quickly hidden as the woman folded them behind her back. Her curiosity was piqued, but she didn't press. Instead, she nodded, her resolve firming. "Alright. I'll do it. Teach me Kenjutsu."

Yūgao's smile returned, a hint of relief in her eyes. "Good. We'll start tomorrow. Bring focus, determination, and... patience." She turned to leave, but paused, glancing over her shoulder. "And Sakura... you have more potential than you realize. Don't let doubt hold you back."

As the woman disappeared into the trees, Sakura sat back down, her mind buzzing. She looked at her sealing scroll again, then at the kunai in her hand. A new determination sparked within her.

If Kakashi believed she could master the blade, then she would. She wouldn't just rely on Fuinjutsu or her intellect—she would find strength in a new way, and prove to herself, her teammates, and her sensei that she belonged by their side.

She clenched the kunai tightly. This was the beginning of something new.

The month of preparation was in full swing as Team Seven separated to pursue their individual training, each following their own path toward strength. The days passed in a blur of sweat, determination, and growth.

High in the mountains, where the air was thin and crisp, Sasuke stood on a rocky outcrop, his Sharingan spinning as he watched Kakashi. His sensei stood a short distance away, holding a single kunai, the faint crackle of electricity dancing along its edge.

"This is the Chidori," Kakashi explained, his voice calm but firm. "A high-level technique designed for speed and precision. It's not just about power—it's about control and strategy."

Sasuke nodded, his jaw set. "Teach me."

Kakashi's eye narrowed. "It's not a technique to be taken lightly. Its speed makes it deadly, but it requires clear intent. Use it recklessly, and you'll leave yourself wide open."

The training began with small bursts of lightning chakra, crackling in Sasuke's palm as he struggled to maintain stability. Hours turned into days as Kakashi pushed him to refine the technique.

"Focus, Sasuke," Kakashi instructed. "You can't brute-force this. Your chakra won't bend to your will. Feel the flow of your chakra, and guide it."

By the end of the week, Sasuke stood alone on a cliff edge, the Chidori blazing in his hand. He smirked as the sound of chirping birds filled the air, the technique finally within his grasp.

Naruto's days were divided into three grueling sessions. Each morning, Yamato guided him through chakra control exercises. Standing on water became second nature, and Yamato introduced new challenges, such as maintaining his balance while performing hand seals.

"Your chakra reserves are immense," Yamato observed. "But that makes control even more important. Without it, you'll waste more energy than you use."

In the afternoons, Jiraiya took over, focusing on summoning techniques. Naruto's frustration grew with each failed attempt to summon anything more than a tadpole.

"Stop overthinking it!" Jiraiya barked one day, his patience wearing thin. "Your chakra's fine. It's your conviction that's lacking. You need to believe you can do it."

Finally, after countless attempts, Naruto stood atop Gamabunta, the massive toad glaring at him. "You again?" Gamabunta growled. "What do you want, runt?"

Naruto grinned, his exhaustion forgotten. "To get stronger!"

Evenings were spent with Lee and Sakura, sparring and running endless drills. Lee pushed him to his limits, shouting encouragement as they raced up the Hokage Monument.

Sakura's training with Yūgao began with the basics. The older kunoichi handed her a simple katana, its edge unremarkable but its weight unfamiliar in Sakura's hands.

"Kenjutsu isn't just about swinging a blade," Yūgao explained. "It's about precision, timing, and understanding your opponent. A sword can extend your reach, but it also leaves you vulnerable if you overcommit."

Sakura practiced basic stances and strikes, her movements clumsy at first. Yūgao was patient but firm, correcting her posture and guiding her hands.

"You're overthinking again," Yūgao said one evening as Sakura fumbled a parry. "Let your instincts guide you."

"I don't have instincts for this," Sakura muttered, frustration creeping into her voice.

Yūgao placed a hand on her shoulder. "You do. You just haven't found them yet. Trust yourself."

As the days passed, Sakura's strikes became smoother, her movements more confident. Yūgao introduced her to exercises that combined Kenjutsu with chakra control, showing her how to channel chakra into her blade for enhanced attacks.

One evening, as the sun set, Yūgao watched Sakura spar against a wooden dummy, her strikes sharp and deliberate. The older woman smiled faintly, her mind flashing back to a younger version of herself.

As the month wore on, the three shinobi pushed themselves to their limits. Sasuke honed his Chidori until it became second nature, the lightning chakra dancing in his palm with ease. Naruto's summoning improved, and he began experimenting with using his toads in battle scenarios. Sakura's strikes with her blade became fluid, her Fuinjutsu skills seamlessly blending into her combat style.

Each of them carried their own burdens and dreams, but the time apart forged them into something greater. When they finally reunited, they would find themselves stronger, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead.

Naruto stood in the center of the secluded training ground, surrounded by dozens of shadow clones. Each was lost in their own attempts to control the elusive power of Wood Release, focusing intently as they experimented with small bursts of water and earth chakra.

Naruto grinned to himself. He hadn't had time to practice Wood Release much over the past month, but his clones had been putting in the work for him. Now, as he absorbed their collective experience, he felt closer than ever to mastering the technique.

"Alright," he muttered, rubbing his hands together. "Let's see if I can make this work."

He closed his eyes and focused inward, trying to replicate the sensation his clones had described. He felt the familiar tug of his water and earth chakra, the two natures intertwining like threads in a tapestry. And then—there it was. That elusive melding.

Naruto seized the feeling and pulled. The ground beneath him trembled, and a meager tree, the size of a bush, sprouted from the earth. Its bark was smooth, its branches reaching skyward as if saluting its creator.

Naruto grinned, his chest swelling with pride. "Yes! That's my best one yet!"

From the shadows of the nearby forest, a quiet clap broke the stillness.

"That was impressive," Yamato said as he stepped into view, his tone calm but genuinely appreciative. "It took me years to make one that big."

Naruto jumped, spinning around with a startled expression. "Yamato-sensei! Uh, I can explain!" He scratched the back of his head nervously, certain that he was about to get in trouble for using what he thought were forbidden bloodline techniques.

Yamato's calm smile didn't waver. "Explain what? Naruto, you're a Wood Release user."

Before Naruto could respond, Yamato brought his hands together in a snake seal. "Wood Release: Great Forest Technique."

The ground rumbled as a tree as tall as an aspen burst forth, its thick trunk and sprawling branches forming a protective barrier around Yamato. The display was both awe-inspiring and humbling.

Naruto's jaw dropped. "That's almost like the technique from the scroll! Did you steal it too?"

Yamato froze for a moment before bursting into laughter, the absurdity of the question catching him off guard. "What? No! Why would I steal it? How could I? Only those with the kekkei genkai can even use it."

Naruto frowned, his confusion evident. "Wait... so I didn't steal the bloodline techniques?"

Yamato's smile softened as he approached Naruto, placing a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder. "No, Naruto. Wood Release isn't something you can just learn from a scroll. It's a kekkei genkai, a special ability passed down through bloodlines. It's the result of combining water and earth chakra into something greater."

Naruto blinked, his brow furrowed in thought. "So... it's a coincidence I can use it?"

"More than a coincidence," Yamato said, his tone turning more serious. "The only natural user of Wood Release in history was the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. His power was legendary—strong enough to control tailed beasts and shape the land itself. No one since has been able to use it naturally."

Naruto tilted his head. "Then how can you use it?"

Yamato's expression darkened slightly, and he took a deep breath. "I didn't inherit it naturally. My abilities are... artificial."

Naruto's eyes widened. "Artificial? What do you mean?"

Yamato hesitated, then gestured for Naruto to sit. "You deserve to know the truth."

As Naruto plopped down cross-legged, Yamato began to explain.

"When I was a child, I was one of sixty infants taken by Orochimaru. He was conducting experiments to replicate the First Hokage's abilities. Orochimaru infused us with Hashirama's DNA, hoping to create new Wood Release users."

Naruto's fists clenched, anger bubbling up at the mention of Orochimaru. "That snake! He's always doing messed-up stuff!"

Yamato nodded grimly. "Most of us didn't survive the experiments. I was the only one who did. I don't know if it was luck, or fate, or something else, but I gained the ability to use Wood Release as a result."

Naruto stared at Yamato, his expression a mix of awe and sympathy. "That's... that's crazy. I'm sorry that was done to you, sensei. But you're using it to help people now, right? That's what matters."

Yamato smiled faintly. "Exactly. And now, it seems like fate has brought me here to help you. Your ability to use Wood Release naturally is something extraordinary, Naruto. It's not just a power—it's a responsibility. If you master it, you could achieve things no one else can."

Naruto's grin returned, his determination blazing in his eyes. "Alright! Then I'll become the best Wood Release user ever! Dattebayo!"

Yamato chuckled. "One step at a time, Naruto. Let's keep practicing."

As Naruto stood, ready to dive back into training, he couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of purpose. For the first time, he truly understood the magnitude of the power he was beginning to unlock—and the legacy it carried.