"This child... was even more outstanding than I'd imagined."
"I understand. I'll go with you, then."
"Yes."
Sarutobi Hiruzen changed into a long-unworn set of casual clothes.
The last time he had worn this combat uniform had been during the Nine-Tails' Rampage.
As the saying went, a ninja's combat uniform should not be this new or this clean.
In the Hokage Building's warehouse, Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at the Scroll of Seals preserved within a barrier.
His outstretched hand stopped.
"This won't do. His strength is improving too quickly. If the Will of Fire doesn't keep up, it'll be far too easy for him to lose control."
"Let's take it step by step. When he carries out missions in the future and discovers that Multiple Shadow Clone is his only combat ninjutsu, powerful enemies will stimulate his nerves. At that time, I'll teach him the Flying Thunder God from the Scroll of Seals..."
"Even if he can't learn it, he can still pick a ninjutsu from it."
"However, by then, Jiraiya should have returned as well. He has the key to the seal. More than ten years have passed; he'll definitely come back to inspect it."
In the original story, Naruto had an additional Five Elements Seal placed on him by Orochimaru.
Kurama's seal consisted of a double Four Symbols Seal, forming the Eight Trigrams Seal.
Minato Namikaze had deliberately left a small gap in the Four Symbols Seal.
The purpose was to let Naruto receive Kurama's Chakra and convert it into his own Chakra.
During the Chunin Exams, Orochimaru saw through it at a glance.
Then Orochimaru cast the Five Elements Seal, stopping the Four Symbols Seal from functioning.
On one hand, it was because of Uchiha Sasuke. On the other, it was a greeting for his old friend Jiraiya.
"Naruto."
"It's Third Hokage Grandpa!"
When Naruto saw Sarutobi Hiruzen and Kakashi return, a flicker of disappointment crossed his eyes.
But it vanished in an instant.
It was fine even if there was nothing. He wasn't in any particular hurry right now anyway.
Even if he did nothing, Sarutobi Hiruzen would still be slaughtered by Orochimaru.
However, dying as Konoha's protector would be far too easy on that Old Man.
"Grandpa, are you going to teach me ninjutsu personally?"
"Of course. Haven't I taught you all the skills you have?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled without the slightest blush on his old face.
Uchiha Sasuke frowned beside them, while Sakura was somewhat suspicious as well.
But Sakura quickly noticed Sarutobi Hiruzen's blind spot. Naruto gave her a gesture.
Sakura-bro: Mission guaranteed, Naruto-kun~
"No wonder Naruto is so amazing. So Lord Hokage taught him personally..."
"Right, I remember now. Lord Hokage is also renowned throughout the Ninja World as the 'Professor of Ninjutsu'!"
Right on cue, the foil arrived. Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded faintly in satisfaction.
The emotional validation was there.
"Grandpa, then let's begin. What ninjutsu are you going to teach me?"
Naruto only spoke after Sarutobi Hiruzen had satisfied himself.
Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a smile, "Do you remember what Grandpa told you when you were little? That after you graduated, Grandpa would give you a gift."
"I remember! I remember everything Grandpa says!"
Good. This was what an obedient child should be like.
"So, this gift... I heard you still don't know the Shadow Clone Technique?"
"Mhm!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen clasped his hands behind his back and said solemnly:
"Naruto, you should have noticed it too. Your Chakra reserves far exceed those of ordinary people. Even Grandpa's Chakra can't compare to yours."
"You have a long road ahead of you. Grandpa thought about it for a long time and found the ninjutsu most suitable for you."
"What ninjutsu?!"
Naruto's eyes lit up, and he looked impatient.
"Or rather, it's a Forbidden Technique."
"A Forbidden Technique developed from Shadow Clone: Multiple Shadow Clone!"
"A Forbidden Technique?!"
Sakura cried out in surprise.
Uchiha Sasuke pricked up his ears to listen.
Kakashi remained silent nearby.
His eyes were fixed on Naruto's puzzled face as he sighed inwardly. That acting... I'm no match for you!
"Why is it a Forbidden Technique?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head with a smile.
"To others, it's a Forbidden Technique. But to you, Naruto, it isn't."
"Multiple Shadow Clone is most suitable for ninjas with enormous Chakra reserves like yours. If a ninja with little Chakra, like Kakashi, tried to learn it, using it even once could endanger his life."
"Multiple Shadow Clone uses an enormous amount of Chakra to increase the number of Shadow Clones. It can create more than a thousand Shadow Clones at once."
"If your Chakra reserves are too low but the number of clones is too high, your original's Chakra will drop to rock bottom, endangering your life."
"Do you understand now?"
"I understand!" Naruto nodded solemnly.
Tch!
Uchiha Sasuke was envious, but this was not the time to think about that.
He should honestly focus on controlling his Chakra and walking on water. That was what mattered most.
"Then, it's time to begin the real training."
Sarutobi Hiruzen loosened up his limbs.
Kakashi caught on quickly and turned to Sakura.
"Come on, Sakura. I'll take you to find a teacher who can lead your special training."
"Yes!"
"Naruto-kun, good luck~!"
Uchiha Sasuke: It feels like something's missing... Forget it. No need to care.
"Kakashi-sensei, where are you taking me?"
Kakashi put his hands in his pockets. "After your daily missions end, you'll go there for special training."
"Don't rush to ask. You'll find out soon enough."
"This special training isn't mandatory. You can decide for yourself."
Thud—
Sakura lowered her head. Kakashi's meaning was obvious: the intensity would be high, and he had no confidence that she could endure it.
Damn it! How dare he look down on me!
I'll definitely complete the special training and show you!
However, before long, her face was full of despair.
Likewise, so was Tenten's in the distance.
"Yo~!"
"Kakashi!"
"My lifelong rival!"
At another training ground.
Might Guy stood with his arms folded, watching Rock Lee do one-handed push-ups beside him while shouting about youth and hot-blooded passion.
Neji was practicing Gentle Fist against a wooden post on the other side.
Tenten stayed far away from the two green-clad figures. Several half-dead fish lay before her, along with a book of auxiliary curse seals.
Clearly, Tenten was practicing the Mystical Palm Technique.
While meditating, she suddenly heard Might Guy's voice.
Then she saw Sakura, whom Kakashi had brought over.
One look at Sakura's expression told her what was going on.
"Guy, this child lacks training. Her Physical Energy is too low. Please lead her through special training for a while."
"Hahaha, don't worry! This is what I'm best at!"
Might Guy extended a hand, gave a thumbs-up, and grinned. The light reflecting off his teeth even flashed into Sakura's eyes.
Noticing Sakura, Might Guy looked at her and blinked.
Sakura-bro: "..."
Those eyebrows were so thick, exactly like Rock Lee's.
"Hehe... hahaha..."
Sakura forced out an awkward yet polite smile.
"Sakura-chan~"
The moment Rock Lee heard that, he began doing his push-ups even faster.
"Nine, nine, nine, nine... ten thousand!"
"Teacher Kai!"
"I finished... ah~!"
Bang—
Might Guy delivered a loving flying kick.
Rock Lee took off.
"Don't let anything else interfere with your determination to train, you idiot!"
"Swear upon hot-blooded youth that you'll remain loyal to it!"
"Teacher Kai!"
"Lee!"
"Teacher Kai!!"
"Lee!!"
The scene was too beautiful to show.
"Ahem, this isn't the only path to improving yourself. Of course, it's currently the special training most suitable for you."
"Whether you undergo the training is up to you."
Kakashi awkwardly patted Sakura's shoulder as well.
Sakura: o(╥﹏╥)o
After a while, she collected herself, and her eyes became resolute.
"Kakashi-sensei, thank you. I'll work hard!"
"It's good that you understand."
Kakashi smiled helplessly as well.
Might Guy and Rock Lee returned while walking on their hands.
"Yo!"
"The hot blood of youth is calling to me!"
"Sakura, this is the Training Suit I specially prepared for you. Put it on, and you'll gain an iron-like will, with power filling your entire body!"
Duang~!
That limp Green Jumpsuit appeared.
Sakura had thought she could accept it, but tears still silently streamed down her face.
"Can I not wear it?"
"Of course you can, but I strongly, strongly recommend it!"
"That's right! Sakura-chan, put it on, and youth and hot blood will embrace you!"
"Sakura, you don't need to listen to them. Just train with me for now."
Tenten walked over while rubbing her forehead, helplessly pulling Sakura away.
If this continued, Sakura would definitely try wearing the Green Jumpsuit at least once in order to become stronger.
That scene... Tenten was already running away in her mind.
Even Neji, who was focused on his training nearby, couldn't help twitching at the corner of his mouth.
Having realized how small he was, he should work even harder!
However, he regretted it, because he had secretly worn one at home once.
Other than making him unbearably ashamed, there had been nothing special about it.
After confirming that she would be coming here often in the future, Sakura followed Kakashi back.
Even with Tenten's comfort and guidance, Sakura's emotional trauma remained. She needed a day or two to recover and get used to the two green-clad boys around her.
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
Sasuke kept steadying his breathing.
"Finally... finally, I did it!"
"I can learn ninjutsu too!"
"Kakashi!"
He hurried back to the shore.
Kakashi and Sakura had returned just then.
After tending to her wounded heart, Sakura blushed as she did push-ups some distance away.
I'm going to grow muscles... waaah~
Tenten had comforted her, saying girls did not build muscle that easily.
Besides, wouldn't it look good to have defined abs?
But Sakura, who had never trained before, still felt that muscles would be easy to build.
If Tenten had just said that some blond liked looking at her, Sakura probably would not have been feeling this way.
"Oh, Sasuke, you finished your training too."
"Not bad. Even though you took the longest, you still deserve some praise."
Sasuke raised a brow, suppressing his irritation. "Hmph. So can you teach me ninjutsu now?"
Kakashi found himself in a difficult spot.
He pinched his chin and frowned.
"Well... because of Naruto, your training progress has been too fast. I haven't figured out what ninjutsu to teach you yet."
"How about this? The Uchiha Clan is best at Fire Style ninjutsu."
"How about I teach you the Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique?"
Sasuke: You bastard!!
Are you messing with me?!
Seeing Sasuke finally unable to suppress his temper and on the verge of exploding—
Kakashi gave a sly little smile and said,
"Well, I'm joking. Anyway... let me think about it properly first."
You'd better.
Sasuke closed his eyes, his fists clenched tight.
Just then—
"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"
Bang bang bang—!!!
A series of sonic booms rang out.
Thick white smoke spread out, enveloping the entire training ground.
Sasuke immediately opened his eyes and frowned toward the direction where the sounds continued to ring out.
Sakura, who had been doing squats, stopped as well and looked toward the source of the noise.
Kakashi revealed an envious look.
Obviously, aside from Kakashi, Sasuke and Sakura still did not know what those sounds meant.
Until the white smoke, which had come quickly and vanished just as quickly, dispersed.
Both Sasuke and Sakura's eyes widened, their mouths large enough to fit a fist.
Even Kakashi, who had been mentally prepared, felt his heart tremble.
Being absurdly lavish with Explosive Tags was one thing, but he was just as absurdly lavish with Chakra.
"Th-this... how many Earth Style: Mud Walls could that make?!"
Before you continue