-Kurama-

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FINALLY, the kid is starting to think on his own! Kurama was thinking he'd have to spoon feed a jutsu into Naruto, which is possibly not a good idea, considering Kurama's techniques just aren't meant for a human to use. Sure, Kurama could just make up something (he has more than enough expertise), but he doesn't know what reasonable human limits are, especially for children, so he figured it would be best to just teach Naruto the theory so that he could read jutsu scrolls or just make things up himself.

Plus, it teaches him critical thinking. Whatever helps him survive. And makes sure that Kurama's Jinchuuriki isn't a pathetic idiot.

Well, Kurama thinks Naruto might always be an idiot. But at least he won't be a weak idiot.

Either way, Kurama is happy to help Naruto decipher the scroll for Wind Release: Great Breakthrough. It's not the worst, all things considered. Very simple, but that means it's also very versatile. It could actually be rather strong, depending on the power and skill of the user. Plus, being simple means it's a great starting point for branching out.

At the very least, Kurama is sure Naruto will have it down in a few days, and he can use it to improve his understanding of his wind-natured chakra. Certainly, this is a good thing.

.

-Sasuke-

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Naruto's been working like crazy for the last few days. Sasuke isn't sure where he got that jutsu scroll, but he knows better than to question things when Naruto's involved. Plus, if Naruto learns more, "Fuzzy" will tell him more advanced stuff, and then Naruto can teach Sasuke the advanced stuff. So Sasuke is perfectly fine with (attempting) to be helpful whenever Naruto asks.

Sasuke may already know a fire-style jutsu, but knowing fire style can't really help him teach his friend anything about wind style.

So Sasuke is more stuck being patient while Naruto figures it out, and throwing in his two cents every once in a while when Naruto gets frustrated. Still, Naruto gets it down reasonably well in less than a week. And of course, being Naruto, he got very excited with his new jutsu.

"Sasuke! Spar with me!"

"We're not supposed to spar until at least second year in the Academy, idiot."

"What does that have to do with anything? I'm not supposed to be in the chuunin section of the library, but I got this cool jutsu from there anyway!"

"... Fine. But it's your fault if we get in trouble."

And so, their first spar began.

Although, "spar" is being a little generous. It was more just them hitting each other. Like a kid's wrestling match. Actually, that was exactly what it was. The only notable bit was when they decided to try to add jutsu into the mix.

Apparently mixing wind and fire is a Very Bad Idea.

So that's how two five-year-olds burned down a training ground. They had absolutely no clue what to do next, so they kind of just sat there, staring at the flames.

And then Itachi showed up.

Sasuke immediately panicked (he didn't want his nii-san to think he was irresponsible!) and tried to think of something to say to make it better, but Itachi just looked around for a few seconds, glanced at them, and said:

"I didn't see who did this, did you?"

And thus, Naruto's second-favorite ANBU target was chosen.

(Kakashi is still mourning the dying embers of his sanity.)