Chapter-56

"Be careful, friend!"

"Just move!"

Several Naruto clones lifted the bison's tail, allowing Sokka to use a wooden stick with a sponge tied to it to start washing the beast's rear. The bison seemed relaxed as it floated in the river.

Meanwhile, the original Naruto sat alone on a log atop a hill, observing his clones assisting the Water Tribe teenager. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself before looking away when he heard a whip cracking in the distance.

Down by the riverbank, the girl from the Water Tribe and the Airbender practiced graceful, synchronized movements, almost like a dance. Naruto couldn't help but be amazed at how they controlled the water with their movements.

The river's water rose in gentle waves, separating from the main flow to form various shapes. Naruto was even more surprised when he saw an ice tower being created. The bending abilities of these two were truly incredible to him.

Just an hour ago, Katara had started teaching the basics of waterbending. To her frustration, the bald boy displayed far more skill than she expected. What had taken her months to learn, he seemed to grasp within minutes. It left her feeling somewhat frustrated.

Minutes turned into several moments as the waterbending lessons continued. Naruto and Sokka could only watch as spectators since neither of them possessed bending abilities like their two companions.

"This is amazing!" Both Naruto and Sokka were taken aback as the Airbender shaped a large bubble of water into a snake and manipulated it skillfully, making it move back and forth before dissipating it. He shouted with excitement as he learned more from his mentor, who managed a somewhat forced smile.

"What's next?"

"That's all for today," she declared, taking the waterbending scroll and stowing it away.

Naruto and Sokka exchanged puzzled glances at her actions. Sokka muttered, "Women," though he was well aware that his sister was grappling with a twinge of jealousy. "Let's break camp; night is approaching."

"Alright."

Hours passed.

"One, two, fluid movements, exhale.

Three, four, stop and breathe.

One, two, fluid movements, exhale.

Three, four, stop and breathe."

Katara meticulously followed every posture and instruction from the scroll. In the middle of the night, while everyone else slumbered, she ventured to the river, determined to practice repeatedly.

"Oh, come on!" Frustration welled up as her efforts resulted in nothing more than splashing herself and getting wet.

"Working hard on your practice, I see."

"Ahhh!"

"Hey!" Naruto swiftly dodged a crescent of ice that nearly nicked his head.

"I'm sorry!" She tried to apologize, but he swiftly covered her mouth.

"Shhhh~ they're asleep," Naruto whispered. Katara quickly understood and fell silent. Her discomfort intensified when she realized how close the blonde was to her.

She felt exposed, clad in only a few pieces of cloth that covered her breasts and modesty. Although Naruto didn't seem interested in looking, perhaps the darkness made it difficult to see, or he simply wasn't interested in such matters at the moment. He had seen "Naruko," after all, one of his friend's peculiar transformations.

"Isn't it a bit late to be practicing? We're leaving early tomorrow," Naruto asked seriously, gazing at Katara as they sat by the river's edge, listening to the soothing rush of water.

"I was just practicing," she replied.

"You did pretty well today."

"Not well enough." Naruto felt a pang of nervousness as Katara shot him an intense look, leaning closer. She appeared more irritated than usual.

"Well, training and improving is good, but..."

"You don't understand," the waterbender interrupted, clutching the scroll tightly in her hands. "How would you feel if someone were better at the only thing you were good at? Putting in months of effort, only for someone to come along and do it in hours."

"…"

"I'm sorry, Naruto. I didn't mean to sound unpleasant." She apologized immediately when she realized her tone had soured. As she began to rise, a hand gently touched her shoulder.

"You don't have to be ashamed of feeling jealous." Naruto reassured her with a smile, coaxing her to sit back down with him. "After all, you're just like me."

"Seriously?"

"Yes, one loser to another."

Katara's gaze went flat at the word "loser." It landed like a heavy stone on her head. "You're not good at cheering people up," she remarked as she let her head droop.

"Oh, come on! I know what it's like to be outmatched. Back in my home, I was dead weight among kids my age." Naruto admitted, still smiling.

"Oh, really?" She couldn't help but be skeptical.

"I have friends who can do things that took me weeks, while it took them days or even hours."

It was difficult for her to believe that, considering what she had witnessed. He had challenged Aang in his Avatar mode, something they considered almost divine.

"There will always be people who can do things more easily than you, but that shouldn't discourage you." Naruto continued, patting her on the shoulders. "You know, I have a friend with big eyebrows who used to say, 'I don't fear the man who has practiced 10,000 different kicks once. I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.'"

Blinking in confusion, Katara etched those words into her memory.

"Although Aang can do tricks that you can't, you have your own strengths." Naruto pointed behind him, revealing the trees that Katara had managed to cut down with her waterbending.

"…" Katara wasn't sure what to think at that moment. She had never considered it that way, and she couldn't help but smile at Naruto's attempt to lift her spirits. "Thank you…" She gratefully took Naruto's hands in her own, unable to meet his gaze.

"You're welcome!" The moment was broken as Naruto stood up, still holding her hand, and led her back to camp, unaware of the faint blush on her cheeks.

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