Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Crunch

Naruto took a bite out of a guava fruit. He sat under a tree in the training ground 7. While eating fruit he was also resting after his spar against Yamato.

'It's been four days, huh.' Naruto said to himself as he enjoyed eating the fruit more than resting.

A little away from him Sakura was doing push-ups without enhancing herself using chakra. She was a sweaty mess.

Naruto didn't mind the smacking and groaning sounds coming from the background from time to time. Yamato and Sasuke were sparring. And Yamato was making sure Sasuke got it into his skull that Uchiha Taijutsu style was for a counter-attack. He was teaching another lesson on why Sasuke shouldn't get too aggressive and keep a cool mind when fighting.

Even Naruto had a few bruises on his face and body. But they were healing pretty fast.

Naruto was in a unique situation. What he should know was almost mastered by him and his shadow clones.

Chakra control exercises.

Leaf sticking exercise. Mastered.

Tree walking exercise. Mastered.

Water walking exercise. Mastered.

Transformation jutsu. Mastered.

Shadow clone and Multiple shadow clone jutsu. Mastered.

Substitution jutsu. Mastered.

His Bukijutsu was going pretty well.

He could even combine them and use them in different ways. Like shadow clones transformed into weapons. When the enemy dodges it shadow clones could ambush from behind.

His Taijutsu was pretty good. As for working on improving his strength, and agility. They were still going on. And he had to do all that. Because of his good chakra control and mastering both tree walking exercise and water walking exercise fighting had become much easier. Because of his great amount of grip on the surface, he could move very fast and change his direction.

He even surpassed himself making his shadow clones use Genjutsu. His main body couldn't but his shadow clones could use two Genjutsu from the shinobi academy.

He was not dumb enough to try and learn Rasengan or chakra nature transformation. Even in the library information on chakra nature transformations were vague.

Crunch

He took another bite as he looked at the sky. Meditating so much also made him much calmer. Only if he could copy Jutsus with a glance. His shadow clones had a lot of chances to see people use jutsu and practice them on the training grounds.

But he was not that big of a genius. So, no copying jutsus at a glance for him.

"Naruto, come here. You will have a spar with Sasuke." Yamato sensei called him.

"Sasuke get ready. In this fight, you will only try to counterattack. Don't attack aggressively." He said to Sasuke as Naruto walked to them.

"Sakura take a break and watch their spar." Yamato ordered Sakura. For the last few days, Yamato made Sakura train on her basics most of the time. Other than that he told her to use jutsus to half-empty her chakra reserve. In a way, Sakura had a long way to go before she was going to meet his expectations.

"Yes, Sensei." Sakura even with her tiredness walked toward them. For her, it was no longer the dream life she was hoping for at the time of graduation. Now most of her time was to catch up and reach a satisfactory level.

*

Sasuke took long breaths to calm himself. He was no way near his hundred percent and now he had to fight Naruto.

It was not like he hated it or anything. He loved it. Because now he was improving and no longer stuck not knowing what to do next.

It was going to be the first spar against Naruto. As a teammate that is. For the longest time, he looked down on Naruto. But now that he was face to face against him, he was not sure he would be able to win. And it was just a Taijutsu spar.

Sasuke was not delusional enough to think he could win against Naruto going all out. The amount of shadow clones was already shocking. Not to mention what kind of evil ideas went through that bastard's mind.

But now that both of them were going to fight against each other with Taijutsu alone. He would win. Even if he was tired and bruised.

"Only Taijutsu spar. No use of any weapons or jutsu. I will stop if it starts to get out of hand." Sasuke nodded agreeing to it. But his eyes never left Naruto. He was alert for any attack.

So, why couldn't he stop Naruto as Naruto's fist went near his face? His right hand tried to deflect Naruto's left hand punching at him. Only for Naruto to stop the punch and grab his left hand which barely moved from his guarding position.

It was like an iron grip, as he felt himself getting tugged forward. The only thing he could remember before he got knocked out cold was Naruto's fist in front of his face.

It was such a short fight that even Yamato had to clap. Or he would've clapped if not for him having to check on Sasuke.

"He is okay. But I will take him to the hospital just in case." He said picking him up.

"Naruto you did a great job analyzing Sasuke's Taijutsu style and making countermeasures for it. Both of you can go back. There will be no missions in the afternoon." Yamato said picking up Sasuke and leaving via Shunshin jutsu.

"Okay, bye-bye, Sakura. See you tomorrow." With that, Naruto ran away leaving a shocked Sakura behind.

"NARUTOOOO!"

Naruto made the right decision running away because right after he ran away there Sakura had a furious look. Her shout even made birds run away in fear.

*

"So, this is the report," Yamato told the entire situation to the Third Hokage.

"Well, that's something else. The dead last knocking out the rookie of the year." Hiruzen started to chuckle.

"It also means his training is going well."

"So, is there anything else to report?" Third Hokage asked Yamato.

"No, but I want your opinion on this," Yamato said. In that Third, Hokage nodded telling him to continue.

"Naruto is pretty much the strongest genin in my team. And he can use shadow clones to improve faster. I am thinking about letting one of my clones teach his shadow clones about stealth, trap making, tracking and even how to maintain a team." Yamato said making the third Hokage thoughtful.

"Why so? Is he really that ahead of his teammates?" Hiruzen asked.

"I believe in his speed of improvement. His main body is working hard but I think he will soon have few things to improve and get bored." Yamato said.

"I also think making Naruto the Team leader of Team 7 will be the best. It is just a matter of time before he is good enough to get the rank of a chunin."

"On that note, I wish to teach them advanced chakra control exercises," Yamato said.

"You don't have to worry about that Naruto already mastered both of them," Hiruzen said with a smile.

"You can give him some low-level jutsu and continue with your plan. But what are you going to do about the jealousy that will start because of your decision?" Hiruzen asked.

"I will tell them to not bite more than they can chew. Besides Sakura will not be a problem at that. She is too busy mastering the basics. As for Sasuke I don't think he is much interested in all that other than his fighting prowess." Yamato's comment about Sasuke made Hiruzen frown a little. Still, Yamato was a little surprised to hear Naruto mastering both chakra control exercises.

"I will start to make them wear weights after I see their progress. I hope Guy san will not mind asking for some help." Hiruzen smiled upon hearing that. He started to chuckle.

"On that you don't have to worry. Guy will be happy to help. On that note, Guy's team will be back in a week or two. You can let both teams spar with each other. It will make their bonds stronger."

"And as I said before keep an eye on both Sasuke and Naruto's changes," Hiruzen said with a serious face.

"Yes, Hokage sama." Yamato bowed and soon left.

*

"Good afternoon, Naruto kun." Hinata said while blushing. She was in front of Naruto's apartment trying to encourage herself.

Suddenly the door of the apartment opened and Naruto walked out.

"Good afternoon to you, too, Hinata chan." Naruto greeted her smiling happily. Hinata almost jumped at him suddenly opening the door. She was not ready but calmed down by taking deep breaths.

"Why don't you come inside? I will make some snacks for you." Before Hinata could say anything she was inside Naruto's apartment frozen like a statue.

It was her first time coming inside Naruto's apartment. Even though she was shy she looked around the apartment, taking it all into her memory.

"Take a seat," Naruto said walking into the kitchen.

"Or join me in the kitchen. You can help me make cookies." Naruto said from the kitchen.

Hinata who just sat on the sofa had to give it her all to calm her excitement and shyness. So, she walked into the kitchen.

"I am here to help." She said a little more than a whisper.

Almost half an hour later both of them left the apartment. Hinata was very satisfied with the snacks. Her happiness overflowing.

Both of them were walking side by side. Naruto with a small smile on his face.

"So, Hinata how are your missions going? We are doing one D rank almost every day." He said making a small conversation.

"We only did a single D-rank mission. Kurenai sensei said we don't really have to do many D ranks." Hinata replied.

Naruto also remembered that even Rock Lee didn't have many D-rank mission records. At first, Naruto wanted to do more D-rank missions. But seeing how people dislike him he decided against it. He was not interested in getting all the bad reviews.

"So, how are your trainings going? Sorry, that I can't join you. You know how strict our Sensei is."

"You don't have to worry. You have nothing to apologize for. Kurenai sensei is also training us." Hinata shook her head and said.

"Wait a second," Naruto said as he made a hand seal. With that, his whiskers vanished. After all, people could easily recognize him because of it. And without those whiskers, he was like another Yamanaka clan member. He caught Hinata's left hand with his right. And with a blushing Hinata, they decided to hang around.

Even the shy and atomic-blushing Hinata understood her situation. And she was really happy about it.

"Ahh, young love," Hiruzen said wistfully ignoring Koharu, one of the elders glaring at him.

"Spying on Uzumaki is one thing. Why are you even spying on them when they are on a date! Where is your shame." She started to scold Hiruzen even though he was the Hokage.

"You don't have to be that harsh," Hiruzen said as he turned off his crystal ball.

"Like I don't know you have the habit of peeking at the women's bathhouse. Just like your problematic disciple Jiraya." She glared at him even harder saying that.

"Look through these papers.." She left leaving a few papers.

"Pervert." She left slamming the office door harder than needed.

"And here I thought my work was done," Hiruzen muttered looking through them.

He was not just spying on Naruto he was also trying to figure out Naruto. At least he was okay with the changes. As for the matter of dating the heiress of the Hyuga clan, he was pretty sure Hiashi knew all that and wanted it to happen.

Hiruzen knew the Hyuga clan's situation. And if Naruto and Hinata were to get together it would mean Hinata getting out of her fate. She would no longer have to fear about curse seal. Not only Hinata would be safe, but that way Hanabi would be able to become the clan head and not receive the curse mark as well. A win-win situation.

Naruto was the weapon of the village. And he and others would not agree to let the Hyuga clan control him, by using Hinata as hostage.

It was a pretty win-win situation. And he would wholeheartedly support it.

*

"How are you feeling?" A nurse asked as Sasuke sat on his hospital bed. He was feeling well-rested. Even after losing against Naruto, he felt more motivated to win against Naruto than to feel angry at himself.

After seeing how easily Naruto could use shadow clone jutsu. Which was supposed to be a jutsu for Jonins he knew Naruto was not that simple. And even though his improvement was fast it was not going to change anything. He would defeat Naruto.

Naruto would become just another stepping stone for him, on his path to get his revenge.

But before that.

"Yes, I am feeling much better." Now that he answered he had to think of a way to defeat Naruto. He didn't even care as the nurse left the room.

"Don't think to much about it. Every one of you has your own strong point." His Sensei said entering the room. He wondered for a moment was his Sensei born with dead fish eyes.

Sasuke felt comfortable thinking about his Sensei. There was no time wasted like that white hair. At the same time, he loved the challenge.

Yamato sat on a chair next to his bed.

"Naruto is not that strong compared to you. Especially in Taijutsu. He just mastered advanced chakra control exercises." Yamato got Sasuke's attention with that.

"I was going to wait a little while longer before teaching your team. But it will probably be for the best. From tomorrow on both you and Sakura will work on advanced chakra control exercises. We will do 2 D ranks a week and have a single holiday." Yamato said.

"So, take some rest or sleep. Come to the training ground at the same time."

At the end of it all Sasuke felt more excitement for the next day than anger about losing.

*

Next morning.

Naruto woke up at 4:30 in the morning. He had no problem waking up early in the morning. Even if that early was night outside. While his shadow clone was busy making a small breakfast for him.

The real him started to get freshened up. And in just 20 minutes he was ready for another day of training.

While his shadow clones started to get busy with their tasks he walked out of his apartment. Locking his apartment, even if it was more of a show than anything, he ran toward the training ground.

And just before 5, he reached the training ground.

As the time reached 5 Yamato Sensei appeared. He looked back where he saw both Sasuke and Sakura running.

"Well, you all are just in time. Just make sure to not come at the last minute." Yamato said looking at Sasuke and Sakura.

"Start stretching. After warming up start doing your morning exercises. Today I will teach you another chakra control exercise." Yamato said.

Sasuke knew about that. And so, he was far more motivated to complete his physical training first. Naruto didn't mind, he just felt the exercises were getting easy for him.

The only person who did not like doing all that was Sakura. Yes, she was happy that she did not fail the genin exam. But that didn't mean she liked her current life. It was far from her dream life.

Then there was also the fact their sensei was not happy with a lot of her decisions. Like not training enough or none on her part. But worst of all their Sensei told her if she started to diet in the future he would kick her out of the team.

So, with all that unwillingness hidden inside her heart and without any complaints she started to get moving with her teammates.

About three hours later all of the team 7 genins sat under a tree having breakfast. It was a routine. Yamato made sure that they were eating enough, even if he had to make them their breakfast.

Naruto and Sasuke had no complaints about it. Sakura was just having a little hard time adjusting to the increased amount of food.

Crunch crunch

Naruto decided to eat guava after breakfast again.

"You two can have one, too." He tossed one to each.

While Sasuke started to eat right away leaning his back to the tree. Sakura was full so she packed it in her bag for later.

"I can see why you like it. But I don't think I like it so much to eat all the time." Sasuke said after eating it.

"Well, it doesn't matter," Naruto said not looking at Sasuke. He just got a memory of one of his shadow clones. The shadow clone in question decided to visit outside of the village by transforming into a bird. And now Naruto knew about the surroundings of the Leaf village, well sky eye view that is.

"How did you grow so strong so fast?" Sasuke asked him. Sakura also looked at him.

"Well, you know Mizuki sensei is a traitor right?" Naruto asked. Both of them widened their eyes.

"What!? What happened?" Sakura was the one to ask.

"Before getting captured as a traitor he used to teach me Taijutsu. And he sabotaged my training. And after Iruka sensei found out about it he decided to help me fix my mistake and help me create a solid foundation." There were a lot of things he was not telling. But for Sasuke's question, it was more than enough.

"So, you had it in you. But because of him, you were dead last." Sasuke said. He had a thoughtful look.

"It was not completely his fault, either. I was not like the current me. I was just not motivated enough to find a way and improve. My priority was different." It was the truth the previous Naruto had different priorities. Like getting acknowledged by others.

All three of them talked to each other taking a small rest after breakfast. In a way, it made them a little close to each other. Though other days they were mostly silent.

"Well then. Now that all of you have rested. I will teach you a new chakra control exercise. After mastering it you will see the advantages of learning it." Yamato said as he walked inside the training ground.

All three of them walked in front of him.

"This is called tree walking exercise." He said as he walked in front of a tree. Putting one foot at a time he started to walk on it like it was the ground.

"Make sure to maintain the amount of chakra to stick with the tree. Too much chakra will make the bark explode and too little you will not be able to stick with the tree." Explaining it he jumped down from the tree.

"Another important thing when falling off make sure to land safely." He said pointing at the trees.

Sasuke was the first to try and the tree bark exploded. He glanced at Naruto and Sakura to see both of them easily walking up.

"Sasuke, when controlling chakra calm mind is more helpful than anger." Yamato reminded Sasuke.

"Sakura start to go up the tree and walk down till half of your chakra is exhausted. You have very little chakra and you will have to increase it." He said to her.

"Naruto I know you learned it from Iruka. So, follow my clone it will give you lessons in stealth for today." He said to Naruto as a clone of him walked out of the training ground. Naruto understood Yamato wanted to keep his wood release a secret, for the time being at least.

"And Sasuke if you are dissatisfied with Naruto getting extra lessons, don't worry, after you finish mastering tree walking and water walking you will get the same lessons." Hearing that Sasuke nodded at him and continued to try and walk on the tree. It was not like he didn't feel jealous but instead, he decided to put his all into what he was doing.

A/N: It will be great if you help me by donating. But don't worry those chapters will get public release soon.

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