Chapter 20: Bonds Make You Strong!
- Year 1: Day 13 -
The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over Konoha as Naruto made his way back to his apartment. His training session with Lee, Neji, and Hinata had been intense, leaving him tired but satisfied. Guzzling water from a bottle, he climbed the stairs to his apartment, eager to rest. But as he approached his door, he was surprised to see a familiar figure standing there, poised to leave after knocking.
"Ah, Naruto, got a minute?" Shikamaru greeted him with a casual smile, though his tone carried a hint of purpose.
Naruto blinked in surprise. It had been a while since the two had spoken properly, not since their mission together. Shikamaru had always been the type to avoid unnecessary interaction, even feigning sleep in the hospital to deter visitors. Curiosity piqued, Naruto nodded and unlocked his door, motioning for the other boy to step inside.
As they entered the modest apartment, the pair kicked off their sandals and Naruto led Shikamaru to the kitchen, the only viable spot for hosting guests given the lack of a living room. He offered tea, but Shikamaru shook his head politely.
"Actually, Naruto," Shikamaru began as he took a seat at the small table. Naruto followed, sitting across from him. "I wanted to ask for your help."
Naruto's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait, you're asking me for help? What's going on?"
Shikamaru shifted in his seat, his expression laced with discomfort. "I... I need to train."
Naruto's reaction was immediate and theatrical. He leaped from his chair, sending it clattering to the floor. "Who are you, and what have you done with the real Shikamaru?!" he exclaimed, pointing an accusatory finger.
Shikamaru rested his chin on his hand, looking away with a grumpy sigh. "Trust me, I'm just as shocked about it as you are."
Naruto chuckled, calming down as he righted his chair and sat back down. "Alright, you got my attention. What do you need help with?" His tone turned serious, his gaze focused on his friend.
Shikamaru straightened slightly, his casual demeanor giving way to a more somber air. "I haven't been able to push myself much physically since the mission. The wound is mostly healed, but doing anything too strenuous could reopen it, so I've been avoiding that." He clenched his fist on the table, frustration flickering across his face. "I thought about training my clan's jutsu, but my dad's on a mission and won't be back for a few weeks."
Naruto nodded, sensing there was more to the story. Shikamaru's expression darkened as he continued. "Then I thought back to that mission—to when you left me those clones to fight Sakon and Ukon. You gave me 20 clones, a full shogi board. By the end of that fight, there were only a couple left standing. If they had been real people... if I'd been in charge of an actual team of shinobi, they all would've died, and it would've been my fault."
Naruto's gaze softened. "But they weren't real people," he said gently. "They were just my clones."
Shikamaru opened his mouth to argue, but Naruto cut him off. "I get it, though. You want to be a better leader. You want to protect your comrades. You want to be stronger."
The Nara boy nodded, his dark eyes meeting Naruto's. "Exactly. And... I was hoping you could help me with that."
Naruto leaned back, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "You mean like using my clones for training? Running battle scenarios or something?"
Shikamaru's brow furrowed in surprise. "Well, I wasn't gonna ask for anything that complicated... but if you're offering, yeah, that would be great."
Naruto grinned. "Alright, then! When's a good time for you?"
The pair spent the next few minutes discussing a schedule. Naruto would send a batch of shadow clones to the Nara estate at their agreed upon time. Shikamaru would meet them at the gates and lead them to the training grounds. There, one of the clones would take on the role of a "villain," crafting realistic combat scenarios to challenge Shikamaru's leadership skills. The clone would assign both of them a team composed of the remaining shadow clones and provide him with a mission briefing—details on the objectives and situation. However, the villain clone would withhold information about its attack plans, forcing Shikamaru to anticipate threats and adapt on the fly.
The setup would mostly simulate the unpredictability of real missions, sharpening Shikamaru's tactical mind and testing his ability to protect his "team." It was a grueling exercise, but one Naruto believed would help his friend grow into the leader he aspired to be. Of course Shikamaru would be more on guard for an ambush of any kind, but this'd only help him with any future missions. One missed detail out on a real mission could end in a swift demise!
"Cool beans," Naruto said with a grin as they finished their arrangement, standing as Shikamaru rose from his seat. "We'll start tomorrow. Lead me well!"
Shikamaru sighed, but there was a spark of determination in his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't make it too troublesome, alright?"
Naruto laughed, clapping his friend on the back as he saw him out of his apartment.
- Year 1: Day 16 -
Naruto's shadow clone sat at a library desk, hunched over an anatomy textbook while Sakura explained a particularly tricky section. The clone listened intently, nodding along as she clarified concepts he had struggled with earlier.
Sakura had been surprised by how quickly Naruto was catching on. She had expected him to struggle—after all, the Naruto she knew from the academy had been more prone to doodling in the margins of his notes than actually studying. But this was a different Naruto. His questions were insightful, and his determination shone through in the same way it usually did during training.
In fact, Sakura found herself thinking that if this Naruto had been in the academy, he might have ranked among the top students. The thought made her smile softly as she returned to explaining the material.
Meanwhile, in another part of the village, five shadow clones stood in a rough line, their breathing heavy from exertion. Near them lay Shikamaru, sprawled out on the ground with one hand resting protectively over his recently healed stab wound.
One of the clones grinned through its exhaustion, hands on its knees. "Hey, Shikamaru! We did it! Your tactics were brilliant this time around. We managed to beat the attacking mes with hardly any casualties!"
The "hero" team had started with seven clones, going up against an attacking force of ten. Despite being outnumbered, Shikamaru's quick thinking had turned the tide of the mock battle.
Shikamaru sighed heavily, staring up at the clouds drifting lazily above him. "Eh, I could've done better," he muttered. "But it's better I figure that out now than on a real mission."
Though his body was still recovering, his mind was far from idle. As he lay there, he mentally replayed the battle, running through dozens of scenarios where he could have made more efficient calls to negate any casualties whatsoever.
"Hey, that's your sensei, right?" one of the clones said, interrupting Shikamaru's thoughts.
Shikamaru tilted his head slightly, glancing toward the training ground's entrance. Asuma was strolling over, his hands shoved casually into his pockets.
Shikamaru groaned as he sat up, being careful not to strain his wound. "Yeah, it is."
"Yo, Shikamaru," Asuma called as he approached, raising a hand in greeting. "You missed the team meetup. I figured I'd have to drag you out of bed, but it looks like you've been busy."
His eyes flicked to the clones, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You got him working hard, huh? Never thought I'd see the day."
Shikamaru frowned, lying back down with a huff. "Come on, why does everyone act like I'm the laziest guy in the world? I'm not that much of a slacker."
Naruto's clone grinned at Asuma. "You'd be even more surprised to hear that Shikamaru's the one who asked me to do this!"
Asuma raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. "Seriously?"
Shikamaru waved a hand in mild frustration. "Alright, alright, you've had your laugh."
But Asuma wasn't laughing. Instead, he gave Shikamaru a thoughtful look. "You're taking this seriously," he said, his tone carrying a hint of pride. "That's good. Keep at it."
Shikamaru, despite his usual laid-back demeanor, couldn't help but feel a small spark of pride at his sensei's words.
"So, uh, what's with the clones, Naruto?" Asuma asked, his tone casual but his curiosity evident as he observed the five identical boys grinning in unison.
"Training!" the clones cheered enthusiastically, their synchronized reply so loud and abrupt that both Shikamaru and Asuma sweatdropped.
Asuma's gaze shifted to Shikamaru, raising an eyebrow as if silently asking for an explanation. Shikamaru sighed, already resigned to the fact that he'd have to elaborate. "Fine," he muttered, sitting up straighter.
He began explaining the arrangement. "I've been working with Naruto's clones for the past few days. I asked him for help because... well, during the mission to retrieve Sasuke, I realized how unprepared I was to lead a team. If those clones had been real people, a lot of them would've died because of my decisions. I don't want that to happen again."
Shikamaru glanced at the clones, who all gave him supportive grins. He continued, "So, here's how it works. Naruto sends me clones in the morning. One of them acts as the 'villain' and comes up with a mission scenario for the 'hero' team to complete. The other clones are split between the two sides, and we run the scenario. It's been... effective."
Asuma nodded thoughtfully as Shikamaru spoke, his sharp mind piecing together the implications. He was impressed, not only by the cleverness of the training but by the sheer effort Naruto was putting into it. Using shadow clones for this long, at such a high volume, wasn't something most shinobi could manage without burning out.
The grinning clones clearly weren't just standing around—they were breathing hard, their faces slick with sweat from the earlier exercise. Despite this, they radiated enthusiasm, their energy seemingly boundless.
Asuma rubbed his forehead, a bemused grin tugging at his lips. "You're really tossing around a high-level jutsu like it's nothing, huh?" he said, addressing Naruto, who shrugged with a cheeky grin.
"Shadow clones are perfect for this stuff!" one of the clones chimed in.
Another added, "Besides, it's fun to help Shikamaru train. His plans are awesome."
Asuma shook his head with a laugh before straightening up and clapping his hands together. "Alright, how about we mix things up a little bit?"
The remaining clones immediately perked up, their breathing steadying as they turned their attention to the Jonin. "What do you have in mind?" one asked, the collective excitement tangible.
Shikamaru narrowed his eyes at his sensei, curious but cautious. "I assume you're not about to give us an easy time, huh?"
Asuma smirked, his cigarette shifting slightly between his lips. "Oh, you'll see."
The air was thick with tension, the Nara training grounds now a chaotic battlefield as Shikamaru and the five Naruto clones desperately tried to keep up with Asuma's relentless offense. The seasoned Jonin moved like a force of nature, his trench knives gleaming as they sliced through the air with calculated precision. Despite their best efforts, the clones were struggling to keep pace.
"Formation Delta!" Shikamaru shouted from his position near the back, his voice sharp and commanding as his brain worked overtime to keep up with Asuma's moves.
The clones immediately split into two groups. Three rushed forward to engage Asuma directly, their movements swift and coordinated, while the remaining two darted around the flanks, aiming to cut off the Jonin's escape routes.
Asuma smirked, recognizing the tactic immediately. "Good thinking, Shikamaru," he muttered under his breath. But he wasn't about to let them corner him.
With a burst of chakra, Asuma surged forward, his trench knives igniting with wind chakra as he clashed with the first wave of clones. Sparks flew as the enhanced blades tore through their kunai, forcing the clones to retreat or risk dispelling.
"Switch to Formation Gamma!" Shikamaru barked, his mind racing to adapt.
The clones reacted instantly, the two flanking clones rushing in to fill the gap left by their retreating comrades. One clone leapt high into the air, hurling a barrage of kunai enhanced by Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu, transforming the single volley into a storm of spinning projectiles.
Asuma's eyes flicked upward, assessing the threat in an instant. With a graceful spin, he unleashed a Wind Release: Dust Cloud, scattering the incoming kunai midair before dashing forward to close the distance.
The remaining clones rushed to intercept him, their movements precise under Shikamaru's direction. One clone attempted to sweep Asuma's legs, while another lunged at his torso with a kunai.
Asuma parried the strikes effortlessly, his trench knives a blur as he deflected their attacks. "Not bad," he remarked, twisting his body to deliver a powerful kick to the clone aiming for his legs. The clone burst into smoke with a faint pop, and Shikamaru winced.
"Stay focused!" Shikamaru yelled, his frustration mounting. "We can't afford to lose anyone else! Formation Beta—now!"
The remaining four clones regrouped, forming a tight square around Asuma. Under Shikamaru's guidance, they moved in perfect sync, launching a coordinated assault from all sides. One clone dashed in with a kunai, aiming for Asuma's left side, while another launched a Wind Release: Gale Palm from the right, forcing Asuma to pivot.
The third and fourth clones capitalized on the distraction, one going low while the other leapt high, kunai poised to strike.
Asuma grinned, impressed by their synergy. But he wasn't about to let them win. With a quick burst of chakra, he performed a rapid rotation, his trench knives glowing with wind energy as he deflected the attacks in a single fluid motion.
The airborne clone was sent flying back, dispelling as it crashed into the ground. The other three clones regrouped, their expressions tense but determined.
"Shikamaru, what's next?" one of them called out, their breathing labored.
Shikamaru gritted his teeth, his mind racing as he calculated their dwindling options. "We need to create an opening. Keep him off balance—force him to focus on multiple angles!"
The clones nodded, their trust in Shikamaru unwavering. One clone suddenly darted forward, feinting a direct attack, while another launched a Wind Release: Great Breakthrough directly at Asuma.
The powerful gust of wind roared through the training ground, scattering leaves and kicking up a cloud of dust. Asuma raised an arm to shield his face, the force strong enough to push him back a few steps.
For a moment, Shikamaru thought they might have gained the upper hand. But Asuma recovered quickly, his trench knives cutting through the wind with ease as he charged forward again.
"That's one powerful breakthrough," Asuma said, his voice calm but firm as he dodged and countered another coordinated attack, leading to another clone to perish. "Especially for just a clone."
Shikamaru clenched his fists, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. They were down to two clones, and Asuma wasn't even breaking a sweat. But he refused to give up.
Asuma's trench knives gleamed as he stood ready, his stance unwavering. Shikamaru glanced at the two remaining Naruto clones, their breaths ragged and their chakra visibly depleted. His own reserves were dwindling as well, and desperation clawed at his usually composed mind.
"Alright," Shikamaru muttered, his voice low but firm. "Listen up, this next move is our last shot."
The clones nodded, their faith in him unshaken despite the odds.
Shikamaru adjusted his strategy on the fly, an idea forming in his head. A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth despite the situation. It was risky, borderline ridiculous, but that was what made it perfect.
"You two," he said, pointing at the clones. "Transform into me."
The clones blinked in surprise, then quickly smirked, realizing the brilliance of the ploy. They both formed hand seals, a puff of smoke enveloping them briefly before revealing three identical Shikamarus standing in a line.
Asuma raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Well, this is new," he remarked, lowering his trench knives slightly.
"All right," Shikamaru said, his voice tinged with determination. "Let's make it count. All three of us, rush him!"
The trio charged forward, their movements deliberate and coordinated. Asuma, wary of accidentally injuring his student, sheathed his trench knives. His eyes darted between the approaching figures, trying to discern which were clones.
The first Shikamaru struck with sharp precision, his movements swift and almost uncharacteristically aggressive. Asuma's instincts flared. "Naruto," he concluded, ducking the attack and delivering a powerful blow to the gut that dispelled the clone in a puff of smoke.
As the second Shikamaru closed in, Asuma prepared to counter, expecting another clone.
The second figure lunged, throwing a clumsy punch that seemed entirely average in its execution.
"Shikamaru?" Asuma thought, his eyes widening in surprise as in the split second of distraction, Asuma realized too late that his body had frozen. His arms and legs refused to move. His shadow had been caught. The punch landed squarely on his face.
The "Shikamaru" that had just hit him, was actually Naruto who was just mimicking Shikamaru's Taijutsu, impressive. Same goes for Shikamaru's plan, it might not work on an enemy ninja, but he knew I wouldn't want to risk hurting him and took advantage of that.
Shikamaru slumped to his knees, grinning despite his exhaustion. "Not bad, huh? Taking on a Jonin and managing to land a hit. I'd call that a win."
Asuma chuckled, walking over to his students and offering Shikamaru a hand to pull him up. "You've got guts, and that plan was just crazy enough to work. I'm impressed."
The cheering Naruto clone was suddenly cut off as Asuma called out, "Hey, Naruto."
The clone turned, his enthusiasm still radiating but now mixed with curiosity. Asuma gave him an appraising look. "Your Wind Jutsu—it's impressive. You've come a long way since the Chunin Exam finals."
Naruto's grin widened. "Heh, thanks! I just finished mastering my wind chakra nature, so all my wind jutsu are way stronger now."
Asuma blinked, surprised. "Mastered it? Already?"
Naruto nodded proudly, puffing out his chest. "Yep! Took a lot of hard work, but I got it down. Wind's my thing now."
Asuma smiled, clearly impressed, but his attention was drawn to the way Naruto's eyes kept drifting toward his sheathed trench knives. He raised an eyebrow. "What's up? You interested in my knives?"
Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Well, they look really cool. It'd be awesome to learn how to use something like that, especially since it would fit my Tempest Style perfectly."
Asuma chuckled at Naruto's unabashed excitement. "They'd suit you pretty well, that's for sure. Wind chakra flows through them like a natural extension of your body. They can cut through just about anything if you use them right."
Naruto's eyes lit up, glistening with interest. "Really?! Could you teach me?!"
Asuma stroked his beard, pretending to think it over. "Well, considering you've been helping Shikamaru with his training and making my job easier... sure. But there's a condition."
"Anything!" Naruto said eagerly.
"You'll have to get your own trench knives before we start. Mine are special, and if we're going to do this, you need to train with the real deal."
Naruto practically buzzed with energy, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "Deal! Thanks, Asuma-sensei!"
Asuma smiled warmly at the clone's enthusiasm, but before he could say anything else, Naruto turned to Shikamaru, who was smirking from his spot on the ground.
"Thanks for the training, Shikamaru! I'll see ya later!"
With that, the Naruto clone shouted a cheerful goodbye, dispelling himself in a puff of smoke.
Asuma shook his head with a fond chuckle, looking down at his student. "Your friend's something else, isn't he?"
Shikamaru sighed, letting his head fall back onto the grass as he stared up at the drifting clouds. "Yeah... troublesome, but in a good way."
Naruto stood across from Lee in the training field, the atmosphere crackling with anticipation. Both fighters locked eyes, their determination evident in their stances. The soft hum of the breeze rustling through the trees was the only sound as they prepared to engage.
On the sidelines, Neji and Hinata observed with rapt attention. Neji stood with his arms crossed, while Hinata sat quietly, her gaze flicking between Naruto and Lee.
"You can tell they're both improving," Neji remarked, his tone analytical. "Naruto's reflexes and unpredictability are giving Lee trouble."
Hinata nodded, her voice soft but firm. "Lee's speed is incredible, but Naruto's adaptability makes it difficult for him to land a clean hit."
The spar began with a burst of movement as Lee dashed forward, his speed a blur. His first strike, a sharp jab aimed at Naruto's ribs, was narrowly avoided as Naruto twisted his body and countered with a quick jab of his own. Lee sidestepped, and the two exchanged a rapid series of blows, each testing the other's limits.
"Lee's combinations are as relentless as ever," Neji observed, his eyes following every motion.
Naruto ducked under a sweeping kick, using the momentum to pivot and launch a counterstrike. His fist grazed Lee's side, forcing the green-clad ninja to hop back and reset his stance. Lee grinned, clearly enjoying the challenge.
Lee surged forward again, launching a spinning kick that Naruto barely avoided. Naruto immediately retaliated with a swift uppercut, which Lee deflected with his forearm. Their movements blurred together as they continued to trade blows, neither giving an inch.
Lee attempted a feint, his body shifting as if to deliver a roundhouse kick, but at the last second, he drove a palm strike toward Naruto's chest. Naruto caught the movement, twisting his body to narrowly avoid the attack before planting a quick kick to Lee's abdomen.
Lee stumbled back but recovered instantly, his grin widening. "You're not holding back, are you?"
Naruto smirked. "You'd complain if I did."
The battle intensified as both fighters pushed themselves further. Lee launched into the air, twisting into a series of aerial kicks aimed at Naruto's upper body. Naruto ducked and weaved through the onslaught, managing to land a solid punch on Lee's shoulder mid-spin.
"Remarkable," Neji said, his tone carrying a hint of admiration. "Naruto's balance and precision are keeping up with Lee's sheer speed and power."
Hinata smiled faintly, her gaze fixed on Naruto. "He's worked so hard. They both have."
The sparring session reached its peak as Naruto and Lee collided one final time, their strikes landing simultaneously—Naruto's fist to Lee's chest and Lee's kick to Naruto's shoulder. The impact sent both fighters skidding back, breathing heavily as they recovered.
From the sidelines, Neji raised an eyebrow. "A draw?"
Lee wiped his brow, laughing. "A draw for now, but next time, I'll win!"
Naruto chuckled, extending a fist toward Lee. "You keep saying that, but I'm not planning to lose anytime soon."
Lee bumped fists with him, his smile as bright as ever. "Then we'll just have to keep sparring until one of us does!"
As Neji and Hinata joined them on the field, the four shinobi shared a sense of camaraderie.
Naruto's expression suddenly shifted from calm exhaustion to wide-eyed shock, quickly followed by a burst of uncontainable excitement. His mouth opened in a silent gasp, and he nearly stumbled as if hit by an invisible wave.
The others immediately noticed. Lee tilted his head curiously, his boundless energy momentarily paused. Neji raised a questioning eyebrow, while Hinata looked at him with gentle concern.
"Naruto?" Hinata asked softly. "What happened?"
Naruto's grin stretched ear to ear, his blue eyes sparkling with unrestrained joy. "One of my clones just dispelled," he said, his tone brimming with excitement.
The three exchanged glances, waiting for him to elaborate.
"And?" Neji prompted, folding his arms as he stared at the animated blonde.
Naruto leaned forward, his hands waving as if trying to contain the energy coursing through him. "Asuma-sensei just promised to teach me how to fight with wind-enhanced weapons to thank me for helping train Shikamaru!" he exclaimed, practically vibrating with enthusiasm.
Lee was the first to respond, a dazzling smile spreading across his face as he threw a fist into the air. "That's fantastic, Naruto! Wind-enhanced weapons will make your Taijutsu even more formidable! Truly, you're setting an example of youth in action!"
Neji exhaled through his nose, shaking his head in bemusement. "I'm not sure what's more surprising: Asuma offering to teach you something so specific, or that you somehow got your lazy friend to actually train."
Hinata, meanwhile, gave Naruto a warm smile. "That's amazing, Naruto. I'm sure you'll learn quickly."
The group couldn't help but smile at his antics, his infectious excitement lightening the air around them.
Naruto turned to Neji and Lee, his eyes lighting up with an idea. "Oh, I almost forgot! Your teammate, Tenten—she's great with weapons, right? Do you think she could help me pick out the right trench knives to buy?"
Lee was the first to respond, practically leaping forward with enthusiasm. "Of course, Naruto! Tenten is a master of weaponry! She'll definitely know exactly what you need. I shall ask her tomorrow morning when our team meets up!" He gave a thumbs-up, his teeth sparkling under the setting sun.
Naruto grinned widely, his hands resting on his hips. "Thanks, Lee! That'd be awesome."
As Neji observed the interaction, his expression remained neutral, though his keen eyes didn't miss the slight shift in Hinata's demeanor. Standing just behind him, Hinata's faint smile wavered as her fingers lightly pressed together.
'Naruto… shopping for weapons… with Tenten…' she thought, her brows knitting ever so slightly. 'No! It's not a date. It's just shopping. Just… weapon shopping…'
Hinata shook her head to dispel the intrusive thought, silently scolding herself for getting distracted. She raised her eyes back to Naruto, who was now animatedly discussing what he might learn from Asuma's training.
Lee and Neji didn't seem to notice her momentary lapse, but Neji's faint smirk hinted that he wasn't entirely oblivious.
"Don't worry, Hinata," Neji said under his breath, his voice low enough that only she could hear. "Naruto barely notices what he's doing half the time, let alone any deeper implications."
Hinata's face turned a shade pinker as she stammered a response. "I-I wasn't worried, Neji!"
Neji's smirk grew slightly as he turned back to watch Naruto ramble on about what kind of techniques he'd learn next.
- Year 1: Day 21 -
It had been a week since Lee had asked Tenten about Naruto's request for help in choosing a weapon. She had agreed readily, excited at the prospect of guiding a new weapon user in the village. However, due to her busy schedule that week, she had to postpone their outing. Naruto had taken the news in stride, understanding that her expertise would be worth the wait. After all, he had no clue where to begin. Most stores in the village had either overcharged him or outright refused him service when he was a kid—a sting that he now understood was rooted in fear of the Nine-Tails sealed within him. While the bitterness lingered, Naruto had long decided he'd prove them wrong. Their fear was misplaced, and he wouldn't hold it against them entirely. Plus, he's sure he got back at most of them with his pranks.
The week of waiting passed quickly, as Naruto's days were filled with some exciting events. His morning spars with Neji, Lee, and Hinata remained mostly uneventful. The once reluctant Hinata now attacked with confidence, her progress visible in every match. Neji continued to push Naruto to the edge, while Lee's boundless energy ensured Naruto never got too comfortable.
Leadership training with Shikamaru, however, brought an unexpected change. Asuma had evidently mentioned Shikamaru's extracurricular activities to the rest of Team 10, because when Naruto's clones arrived at the Nara clan training grounds one day, they found all three members of Team 10 waiting for them.
Choji had been the first to step forward, his large frame shifting uncomfortably as he spoke. "I've been feeling… left behind," he admitted, his voice low. "All the other rookies are getting stronger, and I've just been… the same old Choji. I can't let my best friend be the only one working hard. If Shikamaru's putting in the effort, then I will too."
Naruto had grinned at the heartfelt declaration, but before he could reply, Ino had chimed in, her tone sharp but not without a hint of vulnerability. "And I'm not going to let these two drag me down! If Team 10 wants to stand a chance against forehead's team, then we all need to get stronger!" She crossed her arms, tilting her head defiantly as if daring anyone to question her resolve.
Naruto's grin widened, and he gave them both a thumbs up. "Alright, the more the merrier!" he said, already imagining how much easier it would be to split up his clones now that the entire team was involved.
The first training session had been eye-opening for the other members of Team 10. Shikamaru's growth as a leader was immediately evident, and it caught Choji and Ino completely off guard. Their usually laid-back teammate had become a commanding presence, barking out orders with authority. Despite their surprise, they found themselves instinctively following his directions as though directly under the influence of his Shadow Possession Jutsu.
But even with Shikamaru's sharp mind guiding them, Naruto's clones still held the advantage. They were stronger and faster than the slightly underwhelming Team 10, and the 'villain' team often triumphed in their mock battles. It was frustrating at first, but Shikamaru took each loss as a learning opportunity, fine-tuning his strategies and keeping his teammates motivated.
By the end of the week, Naruto had noticed a difference—not just in Shikamaru's leadership, but in the way Choji and Ino moved and fought. They were starting to trust each other more, their teamwork improving in small but significant ways. Shikamaru's orders flowed more naturally, and his team responded with sharper execution.
Naruto couldn't help but feel a swell of pride as he watched Team 10 train. They were all growing stronger, and he was glad to be part of it.
There was also the clone dedicated to studying with Sakura. Their sessions continued as usual, filled with pages upon pages of medical texts, detailed diagrams, and complex theories. Naruto had to admit that, despite the pride he felt at keeping up with the material—even managing to follow Sakura's pace—he was starting to find it unbearably boring.
Not that he'd ever think of giving up. No way! Naruto reminded himself of how crucial this knowledge was. If he wanted to learn medical jutsu, he needed to understand the foundations first. His past realizations about the importance of having a medic on the team drove him forward. Even with just one skilled healer, having another teammate who could use basic medical ninjutsu could mean the difference between life and death in the field. But knowing all that didn't make the dry, endless pages of anatomy and chakra flow diagrams any more exciting.
To his surprise, even Sakura seemed to struggle with the monotony. Several times, Naruto caught her stifling yawns or shaking her head to keep from dozing off. It was a stark contrast to her usual diligent demeanor. The only thing keeping her awake, she later admitted with a small laugh, was Naruto's boundless energy and his determined attitude. She was genuinely grateful for his presence, and the two developed a silent rhythm, motivating each other to push through the tedium.
Then, just as Naruto was beginning to feel his focus slip entirely, something happened that reignited his spark.
"Can you grab the next book?" Sakura mumbled, rubbing her tired eyes as she slumped onto the table. "I just need to rest my eyes for a bit." She listed off the title of their next study material, her voice tired and dry. "It's probably as exciting as the last one."
Naruto nodded through a yawn and dragged himself out of his chair, his legs heavy from sitting for hours. He shuffled toward the shelves where Sakura had been pulling their recent materials, scanning the spines for the title she'd mentioned. His fingers hovered over the row of books as he searched.
Finally, he spotted it. "Ugh, there it is," he muttered, reaching out to grab the book. But as his hand moved toward it, another title caught his eye.
A single word froze him in place: Uzumaki.
Naruto's eyes widened as he stared at the spine of the book, his mouth dropping open in disbelief. "No way…" he whispered, his heart suddenly thundering in his chest.
He pulled the book off the shelf carefully, as though it were something fragile, and read the full title: The Fascinating Nature of the Uzumaki Clan.
His hands trembled slightly as he flipped the book over, staring at the cover. The Uzumaki crest was printed boldly on the front—a spiraling whirlpool, the same design that adorned the back of his jacket.
"What is this?" he muttered to himself, a thousand questions flooding his mind.
For a moment, Naruto stood there frozen, gripping the book as though it might vanish if he let it go. Then, with a sharp intake of breath, he turned on his heel and hurried back to Sakura, the forgotten textbook left behind on the shelf.
Naruto's thoughts swirled as he walked back from the training grounds, still clutching the Uzumaki book he'd discovered. Between the newfound history of his family and his relentless training schedule, his days were packed. Yet, amidst it all, there was another important part of his routine—his sparring sessions with Sasuke.
To Naruto's surprise, those sessions didn't bring the satisfaction he'd expected. It wasn't because Sasuke wasn't still his rival; it was because Naruto had realized something he never thought he'd see: he had surpassed Sasuke.
In every spar, it was clear. Naruto's Taijutsu was sharper, his elemental jutsu packed more power, and his overall knowledge of the ninja arts had expanded beyond anything Sasuke could match right now. It wasn't a matter of arrogance—Naruto had worked hard to reach this point—but he knew it was a bitter pill for Sasuke to swallow.
Their most recent sparring session had been no different. Sasuke was fast, his Sharingan giving him a razor-sharp edge, but Naruto's unrelenting Tempest Style Taijutsu and his ability to adapt with his vast arsenal of jutsu had put Sasuke on the defensive the entire time. When the spar finally ended, Sasuke roared in frustration, slamming his fist into a nearby tree.
Naruto stopped mid-step and turned to see Sasuke slump against the trunk, sliding down until he hit the ground. His head was tilted forward, his bangs shadowing his face, but the tension in his body said everything.
Naruto paused for a moment, a familiar pang of understanding rising in his chest. This was how he used to feel—when Sasuke always stayed ahead of him, when no matter how hard he tried, Sasuke's genius eclipsed his effort. Naruto walked over and crouched down in front of him, his expression calm and empathetic.
"Why do you think you're only gonna grow stronger outside the village?" Naruto asked softly.
Sasuke's head snapped up, his glare sharp. "Why the hell do you think? Orochimaru was going to make me strong," he bit out, his voice laced with frustration.
Naruto tilted his head, his expression thoughtful rather than confrontational. "But you do know that Orochimaru became strong inside the village, right?"
Sasuke opened his mouth to retort but stopped himself, the words caught in his throat.
Naruto continued, his tone steady but insistent. "And your brother. And the other Sannin. And, I'm pretty sure all the Hokage came from the Leaf too—well, except Hashirama, but he built the Leaf in the first place!" Naruto leaned forward, his blue eyes locking with Sasuke's. "There are plenty of powerful shinobi who came from the Leaf, Sasuke. How about you get to their level first, and then you can complain about not being able to make any more progress here?"
Sasuke stared at the ground, Naruto's words washing over him. He hated to admit it, but they struck a chord. Was the curse mark clouding his judgment so much that he hadn't even considered this before? Naruto was right.
Sasuke looked up slowly, meeting Naruto's gaze with a mixture of contemplation and resignation. "I have a feeling…" he began, his voice quieter than before. "I have a feeling you'll always be stronger than me from this point forward, Naruto."
Naruto flinched at the admission, caught off guard by the vulnerability in Sasuke's tone. "Ah, well, I can't exactly deny that…" Naruto rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "My shadow clone training method is something no one else can fully take advantage of."
Sasuke nodded, his expression serious. "Then as long as you're in the village, I'll always be learning from you."
Naruto's eyes widened, shocked at Sasuke's surprisingly candid declaration. He realized this wasn't just a simple statement—it was a rare, vulnerable moment where Sasuke was placing his trust in him.
Naruto straightened up, holding out a hand. "Well, if that's the case, you better keep up."
Sasuke stared at the offered hand for a moment before clasping it, pulling himself up. His smirk was faint but real. "You'd better not slow down, Naruto. If you do, I'll leave you in the dust."
Naruto grinned, not catching the dual meaning of Sasuke's words. "Not a chance, Sasuke."
The week had passed, and the day Naruto had eagerly awaited had finally arrived. With Tenten leading the way, Naruto followed her through the bustling streets of Konoha, his eyes darting from shop to shop. The village market was alive with activity, lined with stores displaying a variety of wares—shinobi tools, vibrant clothing, scrolls of all shapes and sizes, and just about anything a ninja could need.
Yet, despite the wealth of options, Naruto noticed something odd. Tenten hadn't so much as slowed down to look inside any of the stores they passed, and that left him scratching his head in confusion.
"Uh, Tenten," Naruto began, jogging a little to catch up to her. "Don't we actually have to go inside a shop to buy a weapon?"
Tenten giggled, her amusement clear as she glanced over her shoulder. "Of course, idiot! But I know a shop that has only the best equipment. I shop there myself! Trust me, this place is worth the wait."
Naruto's curiosity was piqued, but before he could question further, Tenten added with a sly grin, "And judging by the budget you gave me, I'm sure we won't have any problems finding you something good. I never really expected you to be the saving type, though. Guess it helps that you've been doing higher-ranked missions since becoming a Chunin."
Naruto's eyes sparkled at the mention of getting a high-quality weapon, his excitement bubbling to the surface. "Most of my savings are actually from when I was still a Genin! But yeah, being a Chunin definitely helps—I've been on more C-Ranked missions than I can count!"
Tenten nodded, satisfied with his explanation as she finally came to a stop. Turning on her heel, she gestured to a rather unassuming shop tucked between two larger stores. Its exterior was plain and unremarkable, with no flashy displays or signs to hint at what treasures might be found inside.
Naruto blinked, his initial excitement replaced by confusion. "This is it?" he asked, his voice laced with skepticism.
Tenten's grin widened. "Oh, don't judge a book by its cover, Naruto." She pushed the door open, the faint jingle of a bell announcing their arrival. "Come on, you're gonna love this place."
Still unconvinced but trusting Tenten's expertise, Naruto followed her inside.
As Naruto stepped into the shop, his jaw dropped in awe. Every wall was lined with weapons of all shapes and sizes, glinting under the soft lighting. The shop seemed larger on the inside, with rows of displays showcasing everything from kunai and shuriken to more exotic weapons like scythes and kusarigama. Naruto's eyes darted from one display to the next, unable to decide where to look first.
"Whoa…" he murmured, his voice filled with wonder.
Tenten led the way with a confident stride, clearly in her element. "Pretty great, huh? This place has the best selection in Konoha."
Naruto nodded absently, still scanning the room as if trying to soak in every detail.
They approached the counter, where a middle-aged shopkeeper with a well-kept beard greeted them with a friendly smile. Tenten wasted no time getting to the point. "We're looking for a weapon for him," she said, nodding toward Naruto. "Something versatile but sturdy. He's learning to enhance weapons with Wind Chakra."
Naruto chimed in, "Yeah, the guy teaching me uses trench knives, so I figured I'd go with those."
Tenten immediately interjected, her hands on her hips. "Not necessarily trench knives, Naruto. You need something that fits your style, not just a copy of someone else's weapon."
Naruto raised an eyebrow at her, half agreeing but still picturing himself wielding something cool like Asuma's trench knives. "Fine, but trench knives are still awesome," he muttered.
The shopkeeper chuckled, finding their banter amusing. "Why don't you both take a look at the smaller weapons section over there?" He pointed to a row of shelves on the left.
"Thanks!" Tenten said brightly, leading the way.
Naruto followed her to the section, where an impressive array of compact weapons was neatly arranged. Tenten crouched down in front of a pair of sleek trench knives, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She picked one up, carefully examining the blade's edge. "Look at this craftsmanship! The balance is perfect, and the blade is honed to precision. Whoever made this really knew what they were doing," she babbled, completely engrossed.
Naruto leaned over to glance at the knives, but they didn't quite grab his attention. He nodded absentmindedly as Tenten continued to gush, his gaze wandering to the shelves nearby. Suddenly, something caught his eye.
A small, unassuming shelf a few rows over held a single circular weapon. Its design was simple yet mesmerizing—a sleek, gleaming metal ring with subtle carvings etched along the edges. Naruto's curiosity piqued as he walked past Tenten, ignoring her enthusiastic commentary, and stopped in front of the weapon.
Just as he reached for it, the shopkeeper appeared over his shoulder and plucked it from the shelf with a grin.
Naruto jumped in surprise, his wide eyes fixed on the weapon in the man's hands.
"The chakram, huh?" the shopkeeper said, turning it over in his hands. "Not many shinobi give this weapon a second glance. Even Tenten hasn't noticed it before."
At the mention of her name, Tenten stood and joined them, her curiosity now piqued. "Huh, I guess I never did," she admitted, frowning slightly. "It's beautiful, though. Was it made here in the village?"
The shopkeeper shook his head, his grin widening. "No, the blade was forged in the Land of Iron."
Both Naruto and Tenten's eyes widened in unison.
"That's samurai territory, right?" Naruto asked.
The shopkeeper nodded. "Correct. Their weapons are renowned for their sharpness and durability."
Tenten leaned closer, her voice filled with fascination. "I've read about their craftsmanship. It's unmatched. But what makes this one special?"
The shopkeeper smirked, a glint of pride in his eyes. "This chakram has a unique feature I've never seen before. Watch closely."
With a subtle flare of chakra, the shopkeeper gave the weapon a slight tug. The chakram split cleanly into two semi-circles, each with a wavy handle completing the design. One handle was black, the other white, creating a striking contrast.
Naruto and Tenten stared in awe.
"When joined, they form a complete ring," the shopkeeper explained as he reconnected the pieces with another chakra pulse. "These are called Yin-Yang Chakram. Not only are they versatile, but they're also incredibly durable, even against enhanced chakra attacks."
Naruto's eyes sparkled as he stared at the weapon, his excitement bubbling over. "I'll take them!" he declared, his voice firm.
Tenten glanced at him with a knowing smile, shaking her head fondly. "Of course you will."
The shopkeeper chuckled as he handed Naruto the weapon, his grin mirroring the boy's enthusiasm. "Good choice, kid. I can't wait to see how you make them your own."
That's where I'm gonna end this chapter! I'm not sure if it seems like I'm rushing the three year time-skip, or the opposite. In my story I don't want it to just be a timeskip as i'm kinda more interested in actually writing the next three years in detail, explaining how Naruto learnt specific things. And also due to his rank as Chunin, I'm sure he'll be assigned a few interesting B-Rank missions atleast, which I'm interested in writing as we rarely got to see any more normal missions that Ninja would go through, instead we only got D-Rank or missions gone extremely wrong, like the wave mission.
Also, I think the split Chakram I gave Naruto is interesting and it'd definitely fit his Taijutsu style amazingly, as well as adding a long range versatility too. If you aren't sure what a Chakram is, if you search up "Xena's split Chakram" you can go into images and get a good idea of the weapon. The only difference is the separate handles are black and white respectively on Naruto's weapon.
I wonder how everyone is going to develop with Naruto impacting them all so much? Everyone is definintely going to be stronger than in Canon. The only shinobi from the konoha 12 that have not had an interaction with Naruto are Kiba and Shino. But both are still putting in even more effort than they did in Canon. And I'm sure Kiba's boisterous and impatient nature will have him challenging Naruto soon enough!
The next chapter will probably be larger skips, as most of the training groundwork has been laid out now, so we just gotta see how it goes from here on. Again, if there's anything you think Naruto should learn, or that you think I've forgotten about, or anything like that, please don't hesitate to let me know, as we've got a long time to get all of his training down, and a lot should be possible during this time.
Reviews!
NewRadcarl504 - Thank you! Hope you enjoy this chapter!
bloodbrother 18 - New chapter is finally here! Thanks for the review!
BigBillyWilly - I'm glad you enjoyed all the interactions with everyone! Yes, hopefully we're gonna see a big power upgrade with all the konoha 12 (something I think should of happened in Canon...). Yes, this fic is gonna be a Naruto and Hinata pairing, I'm sure you're right, their relationship is already further along than it was in Canon! I'm glad you like how the training is going, and yeah I agree, Naruto having Genjutsu would be cool and unexpected, though he does already know how to dispel Genjutsu due to his studying sessions! Swords are always cool, you're right lol.
Legend3881 - Ooh, I actually don't know much about the Yin and Yang chakra so I'll have to do some research into it, but if the Wiki is true then perhaps we could have Naruto learn some sort of healing technique with his Yang Chakra? I'll definitely look into it, thanks!
Lampre8 - Do you know if time moves the same way in mt myoboku? I know in a few fics I've read it moves a lot slower, but I can't really remember if that's Canon or not. I'll definitely look into it anyway, but knowing more about myoboku would be appreciated! Super great idea though, would make it so Jiraiya wouldn't even have to return to the village to help train Naruto here and there.
Aether Dragon13 - Haha, well I'm glad you read it all the way through this time! Funny thing is, I actually had this chapter completed the night before you left this review, but I had to reply to reviews and had work the morning after so I had decided to postpone it! So thankfully I could give you a reply! I totally agree, after correlating it to my own story, and looking at the databooks, all Naruto did on his training group was improve his basic abilites, chakra control and become slightly smarter (likely only due to maturity and not Jiraiya teaching him lol). But he was a perfect master for Naruto, and he must be doing something right with all the powerful shinobi he's trained! Lampre8 mentioned Jiraiya training Naruto in Mt Myoboku, so sage training is definitely plausible, I just need to find out the ins and outs of mt myoboku before I get started on that.