74. The Calm Before The Storm 2

The training grounds buzzed with intensity as each of the newly formed teams worked diligently to master the energies given to them by the Eternal Hokage. The air felt heavier, denser, as time, void, and the new forces of Null, Chrono Essence, Graviton, Fission, and Eclipse Energy swirled around the young shinobi. Each shinobi had always relied on their natural talent and the chakra they inherited from their families or clans, but this was different. These energies were raw, volatile, and required a higher level of control.

Naruto's Team - Konohamaru, Boruto, and Mitsuki

Naruto watched with an approving eye as his team worked to harness Eclipse Energy. The energy wasn't just about harnessing power—it was about balance, something Naruto understood deeply. He had spent years walking the line between destruction and hope, light and darkness.

Konohamaru held his hands out, trying to form an Eclipse-style Rasengan under Naruto's guidance. The sphere of chakra flickered, struggling to balance the chaotic swirl of light and shadow. It sputtered out, the energy destabilizing and vanishing into thin air.

"Don't overthink it, Konohamaru," Naruto called out, his tone both encouraging and firm. "This isn't like the Rasengan you know. It's the balance between opposites. If you focus too much on either light or darkness, it'll fall apart."

Konohamaru wiped the sweat from his brow, his jaw set in determination. "I got this, Naruto-sensei." He tried again, the swirling energy forming in his hand, this time more stable. The brightness of the sphere dimmed and darkened, flickering like a fading sun, until both energies began to settle in harmony.

Boruto, watching his mentor intently, felt the excitement rising in his chest. This new energy was unlike anything he'd encountered before. "I wanna try it next!"

Mitsuki, always calm and composed, watched closely as well. His pale eyes flickered between the energy in Konohamaru's hands and Naruto's stance. "Balance, huh?" he murmured thoughtfully, already analyzing the nature of Eclipse Energy. He knew that, like Naruto, there was more to this energy than brute force. It was about equilibrium.

As Konohamaru finally managed to sustain the energy long enough, Naruto grinned. "Good work, Konohamaru! You're getting it! Remember, Eclipse Energy is wild, but if you can find the balance within it, you'll be able to push yourself beyond your limits."

Konohamaru, breathless but proud, looked up at Naruto with a grin. "Thanks, Naruto-sensei. It's a bit like walking on a tightrope, but I think I'm getting there."

Sasuke's Team - Shikamaru, Neji, and Shino

Across the training grounds, Sasuke's team worked on their mastery of Graviton Energy. The weight of the air around them seemed thicker, almost suffocating, as they practiced controlling the forces of gravity itself. Sasuke stood at a distance, his Sharingan activated, watching every movement with precision.

Neji, with his Byakugan activated, moved swiftly through the trees, using his newfound ability to manipulate gravity to his advantage. His movements were light, as though the earth itself had relinquished its pull on him. With each step, he seemed to hover above the ground, flickering between gravity wells as he dashed between points.

"This energy allows you to shift the weight of the world around you," Sasuke instructed, his voice calm. "But remember, it's not just about making yourself lighter. You can increase the gravity around your enemies, slow them down, crush them under the weight of their own momentum."

Shikamaru, ever the strategist, had already begun to grasp the applications of Graviton Energy. He moved slowly, his shadow manipulation techniques enhanced by the increased gravitational force he applied to his enemies. "This makes my shadow jutsu way more efficient," he muttered, an intrigued smirk forming on his lips. "I can drag someone to the ground without them even noticing."

Shino, calm and methodical as always, had his swarm of insects moving in perfect synchronization. "With Graviton Energy, I can manipulate the weight of my insects, making them nearly invisible to the enemy while they infiltrate," Shino remarked, as his bugs flickered in and out of view. "It will give me an edge in stealth and sabotage."

Sasuke nodded approvingly. "Good. You're all learning quickly. But remember, control is key. Graviton Energy can become overwhelming if you let it get away from you. Always be aware of how much pressure you're applying."

Neji stopped his movements briefly, glancing at Sasuke with respect. "I've never felt this light before. It's like I'm moving without resistance."

Sasuke's eyes flicked over to Neji, giving a rare smile. "You're ready to take it to the next level. Use that lightness to accelerate your strikes."

Sakura's Team - Ino, TenTen, and Hinata

In another section of the training grounds, Chrono Essence swirled around Sakura's team. Time itself seemed to slow, warp, and twist as each of the kunoichi began to adapt to the refined energy of time. Sakura stood nearby, her arms crossed, watching them with a careful, yet proud, gaze.

Ino stood still for a moment, focusing her chakra, trying to slow the time around her enough to execute a Mind Transfer Jutsu in an instant. Her eyes flickered, and in the blink of an eye, she had taken control of TenTen's mind without the latter even noticing.

"What? Ino, how did you—" TenTen looked confused for a second before regaining her composure, realizing what had happened. She shook her head, slightly amused.

Ino smirked. "Chrono Essence speeds everything up. I can do my jutsu in less than a second now. That's how you beat your enemy—before they even realize what's happening."

Hinata, nearby, was focusing her Byakugan, using Chrono Essence to accelerate the flow of time around her, allowing her to see the movements of her enemies before they happened. Her Gentle Fist strikes, normally graceful and fluid, had become even more lethal with the energy of time enhancing her reactions.

"I can see it now," Hinata whispered, her voice soft but filled with certainty. "Every movement, every chakra point—it's all so clear."

Sakura nodded, her eyes gleaming with pride. "You're all doing well. But remember, the flow of time isn't just about speed. You need to be aware of every second, every moment. Time can be a weapon, but it can also be your greatest enemy if you lose control."

TenTen, twirling a kunai between her fingers, grinned. "So, what you're saying is, I can throw my weapons so fast that the enemy won't even see them coming? Sounds like my kind of energy."

Sakura smiled. "Exactly. Now let's practice keeping control as we accelerate our movements. You'll need to be able to stop time, not just bend it."

Anon's Team - Lee, Choji, and Kiba

Finally, in the darkest corner of the training grounds, Null Energy crackled and hummed around Anon's team. The very air seemed to tremble with the volatile energy as Lee, Choji, and Kiba attempted to harness the void's erasure power.

Lee, always pushing himself to the absolute limit, stood at the center of the field, his body surrounded by an aura of pure Null Energy. The energy flickered dangerously around him, but his resolve never wavered. "I will master this power! For the sake of youth and the Leaf Village!"

Anon watched silently as Lee channeled the energy, his eyes sharp. "Null Energy is dangerous. It can erase everything it touches. But if you learn to control it, you can become untouchable."

Choji stood nearby, focusing his chakra into his hands. "It feels weird. Like I'm holding onto… nothing. But I can feel the power in that nothingness." His massive hands shimmered with the faint glow of the energy, giving him the ability to erase anything in his path.

Kiba, ever the wild spirit, grinned as he and Akamaru dashed across the field, leaving behind trails of Null Energy. "This stuff is amazing! I can wipe out enemies without them even seeing me. Akamaru and I are unstoppable!"

Anon remained stoic but nodded in approval. "Good. But don't let it consume you. Null Energy takes just as easily as it gives. The moment you lose control is the moment it takes everything."

The training continued for hours, each group making significant progress. As the teams grew more adept at harnessing their new energies, they couldn't help but glance toward their respective Eternal Hokage mentors with admiration. Each of them understood, now more than ever, just how much wisdom and power their teachers carried.

This was no ordinary training. This was preparation for something far greater—something that would test everything they had learned. And they knew, with every fiber of their being, that they were being prepared for a battle unlike any they had faced before.