Chapter 23

The afternoon sun filtered through the trees as Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke stood outside Tsunade's private training ground. The air buzzed with anticipation, though Sasuke's skeptical expression betrayed his doubts.

"Medical ninjutsu?" Sasuke asked, crossing his arms. "What do I need that for?"

Naruto grinned at him, clearly enjoying the opportunity to explain. "It's not just about healing people, dickhead. Granny Tsunade says it's all about learning to master your chakra. If you get this stuff down, it'll make everything else you do way stronger."

Sasuke frowned, his skepticism plain. Memories of his family flashed through his mind—their smiles, their laughter, and the devastation of losing them all. What if he'd known medical ninjutsu back then? Could he have saved his father, his mother... anyone? The thought weighed on him, and he glanced at Naruto, who was brimming with his usual enthusiasm.

"I'll do it," Sasuke said finally. "Whatever it takes."

The words felt different now, carrying a new weight. It wasn't about shutting people out or chasing power recklessly anymore. It was about learning, growing, and finding strength in unexpected places.

Tsunade stood with her arms crossed, her commanding presence filling the training ground. She surveyed her three students with a mix of authority and reflection. Seeing their determination brought to mind her grandfather, Hashirama Senju, who had been a natural healer in addition to his unmatched combat prowess.

"Alright, listen up," she began. "Medical Ninjutsu isn't just about memorizing a few techniques. It's about precision, patience, and understanding your chakra like it's an extension of your body. It's a discipline that sharpens your mind and hones your control."

Naruto raised his hand eagerly. "Granny Tsunade, I'm ready! Teach me the cool stuff!"

Sakura rolled her eyes and elbowed him. "Naruto! Show some respect."

Tsunade smirked. "Cool stuff, huh? Fine. Let's see what you've got." She placed three small fish in bowls of water in front of them. "Your task is to heal the fish. Use too little chakra, and nothing happens. Use too much, and you'll fry them. Start simple—focus your chakra into your hands and let it flow."

Sakura was the first to succeed, her natural aptitude for chakra control making it almost effortless. Within minutes, the tiny fish was swimming energetically, fully healed.

"Excellent," Tsunade said with a nod. "You've got a knack for this, Sakura."

Naruto, on the other hand, struggled. His chakra surged wildly at first, causing the water to ripple violently.

"Calm down," Tsunade instructed. "Focus. Control the flow, don't flood it."

Naruto gritted his teeth, his hands glowing faintly. Slowly but surely, the fish began to stir, its movements becoming more lively.

"I did it!" Naruto exclaimed, nearly knocking over the bowl in his excitement.

Sasuke, meanwhile, had activated his Sharingan, observing Tsunade's demonstration with laser focus. His red eyes spun as he mimicked her movements perfectly, his fish recovering within moments.

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "You're using the Sharingan?"

Sasuke nodded. "I've decided to keep it active as much as possible. Kakashi-sensei said it drains chakra, so I'm treating it like training weights. If I can get used to the strain, my reserves will grow."

Tsunade folded her arms, impressed despite herself. "Smart. But don't overdo it—chakra exhaustion is no joke."

As the lesson continued, Sasuke found himself stealing glances at Naruto. He couldn't shake the image of the red chakra he'd seen Naruto use before. The raw, primal power of it. He thought back to the vision he'd had in the Uchiha ruins—of Asura and Indra, of Madara and Hashirama.

Is it possible? he wondered, studying Naruto's fierce determination. Naruto's strength wasn't just about raw power. It came from something deeper.

Sakura noticed Sasuke's distraction and smiled. "Don't tell me Naruto's ahead of you in this too."

Sasuke scowled, refocusing on his fish. "As if."

Tsunade clapped her hands, drawing their attention. "Alright, that's enough for today. You've all made good progress, but don't get cocky. Medical ninjutsu isn't just about flashy results—it's about consistency and responsibility. Keep practicing."

As they left the training ground, Naruto slung an arm around Sasuke's shoulders, grinning from ear to ear. "See? Medical Ninjutsu's not so bad, huh?"

Sasuke shoved him off but didn't deny it. "It's... useful," he admitted grudgingly.

Sakura walked beside them, her White Light Chakra Sabre strapped to her back, wakizashi on her hip. She felt a renewed sense of camaraderie between the three of them, a bond that was slowly mending.

As the sun set over Konoha, the three teammates headed home together, their paths intertwined by a shared determination to grow stronger.

The cool breeze rustled the leaves on the outskirts of Konoha as Sasuke moved through his training routine. His Sharingan flickered faintly, tracking the trajectory of a half-dozen shuriken as they sliced through the air, striking each target with precision. He followed with a series of advanced katas, his body moving with fluidity and purpose. Sweat beaded on his brow as he pushed himself harder, the rhythm of his movements sharpening with each strike and step.

As he finished, the atmosphere shifted. A presence—unmistakably foreign and unnervingly strong—prickled at the edge of his awareness. His Sharingan, almost perpetually active now, immediately pinpointed the figure hiding in the shadows.

"I see you," Sasuke said, his voice cold and steady. "You can't hide from my eyes."

The figure stepped into the light, his pale skin glowing in the moon's reflection. He was thin, almost skeletal, with long white hair that framed his sickly face. The black and purple outfit he wore was unmistakable—a symbol of the Sound Village.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "So, are you the elusive number five?"

The figure didn't react to the attempt at humor. Instead, his voice was calm and even, though tinged with exhaustion. "Sasuke Uchiha. My name is Kimimaro Kaguya. I was sent by Orochimaru with an offer."

Sasuke's grip on his kunai tightened. "Whatever it is, tell Orochimaru I'm not interested."

Kimimaro remained unfazed, his expression blank as his piercing green eyes met Sasuke's spinning Sharingan. "I mean you no harm," he said. "Elsewise, you would not have seen my approach."

"Get to the point." The implied threat was not lost on Sasuke. His Sharingan spun more fiercely, his stance tightening as he prepared for any sudden movement.

Kimimaro coughed softly, but his voice remained composed. "Orochimaru would have you abandon Konoha. But he is a patient man. In the meantime, he offers you the chance to learn from him in secrecy while still maintaining your ties to the Hidden Leaf."

Sasuke's head tilted slightly, his mind racing at the implications. "What knowledge does the Snake offer?"

Kimimaro bowed his head slightly, his tone reverent. "He would make you his apprentice. His heir."

The word heir lingered in the air, heavier than Sasuke expected. It carried weight, a promise of power and acknowledgment that Orochimaru saw something unique in him. Sasuke's gaze narrowed further as his mind whirred.

"I accept," Sasuke said after a beat, his tone sharp and decisive.

Kimimaro's expression didn't change, but his eyes searched Sasuke's face for any sign of deception. "You accept?" he repeated, his voice careful.

Sasuke stepped forward, his Sharingan gleaming with determination. "No trick. I accept. One condition, though."

Kimimaro cocked his head, intrigued. "And what condition would that be?"

Sasuke smirked faintly and shifted into a fighting stance, his muscles coiled like a spring. "You have to spar with me. Frequently. And don't go easy on me."

Kimimaro stared at him for a moment, as though calculating the request. Finally, he nodded and assumed his own stance, his fingers twitching as bones began to protrude subtly from his skin. "If that is what you desire, then I will oblige."

The wind stilled as the two faced each other, their stances unwavering. Sasuke's Sharingan burned bright, analyzing every shift in Kimimaro's posture. Kimimaro, calm and deliberate, let the first move belong to Sasuke.

Sasuke blurred forward, closing the gap with a speed that would have overwhelmed most opponents. He aimed a high kick at Kimimaro's head, only to have it deflected effortlessly by a forearm that seemed unnaturally solid. Sasuke landed lightly, spinning into a follow-up strike that Kimimaro evaded with minimal movement.

"You're fast," Sasuke muttered, his Sharingan tracking every micro-movement.

"And you are determined," Kimimaro replied, his voice calm as he countered with a precise jab aimed at Sasuke's shoulder.

Sasuke ducked, sweeping low to destabilize Kimimaro. But Kimimaro leapt gracefully, bones extending from his forearm as he struck downward. Sasuke barely dodged the attack, landing a few feet away.

"What kind of technique is that?" Sasuke asked, his voice edged with both curiosity and annoyance.

Kimimaro's response was measured. "The power of my clan. The Shikotsumyaku—Bone Pulse. Orochimaru values me for my uniqueness, just as he values you for yours."

Sasuke gritted his teeth and charged again, this time weaving fire chakra into his strikes. Kimimaro deflected each attack with his bone weapons, his movements smooth and unhurried. Though Kimimaro lacked the Sharingan, it was as if every strike Sasuke made was predicted and summarily countered.

The spar continued for several minutes, Sasuke growing more aggressive with each failed attack. Finally, Kimimaro sidestepped a wild strike and thrust a sharpened bone toward Sasuke's neck, stopping just short of contact.

"Enough," Kimimaro said. "You are skilled, but your anger clouds your judgment."

Sasuke froze, his breaths ragged. Slowly, he stepped back, his Sharingan still spinning. "I'm not done yet."

"You are," Kimimaro replied, retracting the bone and returning to a neutral stance. "We will spar again. For now, you must reflect on your weaknesses."

Sasuke clenched his fists but didn't argue. He knew Kimimaro was right. The gap in their skill was evident, but it only fueled his resolve.

As Kimimaro turned to leave, he glanced back at Sasuke. "Orochimaru expects much of you, Sasuke Uchiha. Do not disappoint him."

Sasuke watched as Kimimaro disappeared into the shadows, his mind buzzing with thoughts of the power and knowledge that awaited him. For now, he had found an ally—and a new way forward. But in the depths of his heart, he couldn't help but wonder if he was treading a path he could never return from.

The early morning sun cast a golden glow over the training ground as Naruto stood before Yamato, his arms crossed with determination. The air was thick with the scent of earth and water as Yamato laid out the plan for the day.

"Alright, Naruto," Yamato began, his tone measured but encouraging. "Today, we're going to push your chakra nature control further. You've come a long way, but we're aiming for mastery. Earth and Water are your foundation, and your Wood Release will only be as strong as the base elements you've perfected."

Naruto nodded, the glint of Tsunade's necklace catching the sunlight as he shifted. "Got it, Yamato-sensei. Let's do this."

Naruto began with Earth Release, his hands moving in practiced seals. With a sharp exhale, he thrust his hands into the ground, forcing chakra through the earth. A small hill erupted from the flat terrain, the soil compact and sturdy.

"Good," Yamato called. "Now, bring the water."

Naruto weaved another set of seals, summoning water from the surrounding moisture in the air. It pooled at the base of the hill, swirling with increasing intensity. With a grin, Naruto brought his hands together in a final seal, merging the two elements. The water surged upward, cascading down the hill in a clear, glittering waterfall.

"Yeah!" Naruto cheered, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Did you see that, sensei?"

Yamato smirked, giving an approving nod. "Not bad, Naruto. But now comes the hard part."

The transition to Wood Release training was seamless, and Naruto's enthusiasm never wavered. Yamato demonstrated his technique, extending wooden spikes from his fingers with ease. The wood grew rapidly, twisting and branching as if alive.

"Wood Release is different," Yamato explained. "It's not just about combining Earth and Water. It's about giving life to the wood, feeling it grow as an extension of yourself."

Naruto furrowed his brow in concentration, his hands forming the snake seal. Slowly, tendrils of wood began to sprout from his palms, twisting into small branches. They were slower than Yamato's, but they were solid and sturdy.

"You're getting there," Yamato encouraged. "Now, try to shape it."

Naruto gritted his teeth, pouring his chakra into the wood. The branches thickened and elongated, forming the rough outline of a small tree. It wasn't combat-ready yet, but it was growing faster and stronger than his earlier attempts.

"Not bad for a rookie chūnin ," Yamato teased.

Naruto shot him a grin. "Give me a month, and I'll have a forest growing here!"

Yamato then taught Naruto how to use Wood Release in combat, demonstrating how to extend wooden spikes from his fingers and hands. Naruto picked up the technique quickly, finding it both practical and versatile.

"Think of it as a natural extension of your body," Yamato said, crafting a staff from his own wood with a simple flick of his wrist.

Naruto mirrored the motion, summoning a staff of his own. It was smooth and solid, a testament to his growing control over the technique.

Yamato smirked. "Let's see how you do in a real fight."

The two squared off, wooden staves in hand. Yamato struck first, his movements precise and deliberate. Naruto parried the blow, his staff vibrating with the impact. He countered with a series of quick jabs, forcing Yamato to step back.

"Not bad," Yamato admitted, deflecting Naruto's strikes with ease. "You're getting the hang of this."

Naruto grinned, his confidence growing with each clash of their staves. He spun the staff in his hands, channeling his growing skills in bojutsu.

As the spar continued, Yamato couldn't help but marvel at Naruto's progress. In just a few months, the boy had gone from a wild, untamed chakra user to someone who was beginning to embody the strength and resilience of the First Hokage himself.

Naruto's healing factor was astounding, even by shinobi standards. He'd demonstrated the ability to rebuild flesh and muscle, and Yamato suspected it wouldn't be long before he could heal even more severe injuries. The potential was endless.

The glint of Tsunade's necklace around Naruto's neck caught Yamato's eye, a symbol of both his determination and his connection to Konoha's greatest legacy.

Naruto lunged forward with a powerful strike, forcing Yamato to block with both hands. Their staves locked, the two grinning at each other in mutual respect.

"You're coming along faster than I expected," Yamato said, stepping back to end the spar. "But don't let it go to your head. You've got a long way to go if you want to master Wood Release."

Naruto twirled his staff once more before letting it dissolve back into the ground. "Don't worry, Yamato-sensei. I'm just getting started."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Naruto felt a renewed sense of purpose. He wasn't just training for himself—he was training to protect those he cared about. And with every tree he grew, every technique he mastered, he felt closer to the legacy of the First Hokage.