Master's Intelligence

After Kakashi left, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura remained in the training field, glancing at one another while contemplating what to say.

"Naruto." Sasuke spoke first. "That technique you used to defeat Kakashi-sensei at the end—what was that? I didn't see you weave any hand signs, and even with my Sharingan active, I couldn't copy it."

"You mean the Adamantine Sealing Chains. That technique relies on the unique constitution of the Uzumaki Clan; it's somewhat similar to your Sharingan." Naruto explained, "Besides, not all ninjutsu require hand signs."

"So, it's a Kekkei Genkai of the Uzumaki Clan? No wonder it couldn't be copied." Sasuke recalled the speed at which someone else could weave signs—so fast they were nearly invisible—and continued, "Do you know any ninjutsu that doesn't require hand signs? I mean, techniques that can be used without a special bloodline."

"There are some, but those techniques are either extremely difficult to learn or consume a massive amount of chakra. Given your current situation, I suggest you focus on building your foundation first." Naruto shared his own experience. "Actually, Master hasn't taught me many techniques so far; most of the time, he has me performing various basic exercises. The techniques I've mastered now are all things I've learned in the last few months."

"Only a few months?" Sasuke's eyes widened. "Why do you look so proficient with them?"

"Because my foundation is solid enough, and I can use Shadow Clone to accumulate experience quickly." Naruto explained, "Master said that no matter how difficult a technique is, its essence is composed of basic elements. Therefore, the more thoroughly you master the basics, the faster and easier it is to grasp various techniques."

Sasuke frowned slightly, muttering to himself, "The basics, huh..."

"Are there any techniques suitable for me?" Sakura asked Naruto. "Compared to you and Sasuke, my chakra reserves are too low. Even if my control is good, I can't use many techniques."

"Wait until Master teaches you Qi Refining." Naruto said to Sakura. "Master said he thinks very highly of you."

"Huh?" Sakura was confused. "Why?"

Naruto closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, he had switched to Master: "Because you don't have any special lineage, but your physical talent is excellent, which is very suitable for Qi Refining."

"Really?" Sakura wanted to be happy, but she was hesitant. "Do I really have that kind of talent?"

"You really do." Master affirmed. "You were born with more strength than others, right? Yet your limbs and body aren't 'bulky'—that is talent. Furthermore, you have a natural gift for chakra control; even Naruto and Sasuke are inferior to you in that regard."

A newfound confidence flickered in Sakura's eyes.

"Alright, don't just stand there wasting time. It's already noon; go have lunch and prepare to start your afternoon training." Master reminded them at the right moment. "Remember to eat well. A balanced diet allows you to grow faster. Conversely, if your dietary habits are poor, it will slow down your rate of growth."

"Huh?" Sasuke let out a puzzled sound. "Master, it's just eating—does that really affect how strong we become?"

"Of course it does." Master affirmed. "Where do you think your body's energy comes from? Food is the most important and primary source of your body's energy. If you want to become stronger as quickly as possible, you must not only eat until you're full, but you must eat well."

Sasuke pondered for two seconds and asked, "Then what should I eat to be considered 'eating well'?"

Sakura also cast an eager look: Master, I want to know too!

"It seems there is still much for you to learn." Master began walking toward the market. "Come, let's go to the market; I'll teach you how to select the right ingredients first."

The next day, when Kakashi saw the three of them at the Hokage Building, Naruto was the same as yesterday, but Sasuke and Sakura showed slight changes. "You two, you're in high spirits today."

Sasuke tried to maintain his cool expression, but the corners of his mouth curled up uncontrollably, as if he were smiling. "We rested well yesterday."

Sakura looked at Kakashi and smiled. "Kakashi-sensei, you have a bit of dark circles under your eyes. Did you not sleep well?"

Kakashi's gaze drifted away; he had indeed spent the entire night reading Icha Icha Paradise. "I found a very fascinating book and couldn't help but read it for a while. But don't worry, it won't affect today's mission."

"Let's go pick up a mission quickly, Kakashi-sensei." Naruto urged. "If the mission is simple, we'll just let our Shadow Clones handle it."

"As long as you can guarantee the mission is completed, it doesn't matter if you send Shadow Clones." Kakashi asked, "But is there something urgent you need to do?"

"Training." Sasuke answered quickly. "Sakura and I are already five years behind Naruto. If we don't seize every moment, we'll never catch up to him in this lifetime."

"You two certainly have ambition." Kakashi praised them with some hesitation, walking silently toward the Hokage's office while muttering to himself: If things continue like this, in less than two years, even if I go all out, I'll be easily defeated by the three of them.

It is a good thing for disciples to grow and surpass their master. But if it happens too quickly, does it mean that he, as a teacher, is useless and has very little left to teach his students?

Thinking of this, Kakashi made a decision: reduce his reading time and properly train while he still had room for growth.

The four of them walked into the Hokage's office.

Newly graduated genin, regardless of their strength, had to start accumulating experience from the simplest D-rank missions.

The first mission Team 7 received was to clear out a river channel.

"If it's just clearing a river, we can handle it ourselves."

Naruto said, "You've both just about finished your tree-climbing practice over the last two days, so let's try water-walking."

Kakashi was stunned to hear this: "How do you know about the training methods for tree-climbing and water-walking?"

Sasuke and Sakura looked at Naruto.

"My Master taught me."

Naruto said candidly, "If you want to get stronger, Kakashi-sensei, you can ask Master for advice too~"

"Naruto,"

Kakashi said guardedly, "Who exactly is this Master you speak of?"

"I don't know, but Master is definitely not a bad person."

As Naruto spoke, he asked, "Do you want to talk to Master face-to-face, Kakashi-sensei?"

"Is he nearby?"

Kakashi scanned his surroundings, sensing no one else besides the four of them.

"Don't bother looking, Master is inside me."

Naruto pointed to his abdomen: "You should know about my situation, Kakashi-sensei. Master is in there. Of course, the Master I'm talking about is not the Tailed Beast."

The amount of information in Naruto's few sentences was overwhelming, leaving Kakashi a bit dazed. After a long moment, he finally spoke: "If I wanted to talk to that Master of yours, what would you do?"

"It wouldn't be a big deal, would it?"

Naruto didn't understand what Kakashi was worried about, but he still said, "If you're uneasy, Kakashi-sensei, I can create a Shadow Clone for Master to use."

"Let's do that!"

Kakashi said immediately, "A Shadow Clone is enough for just a conversation."

"Alright."

Naruto formed hand seals: "Shadow Clone Jutsu."

Poof, a puff of white smoke erupted beside Naruto and dissipated instantly, revealing a Shadow Clone of Naruto.

At a single glance, Kakashi sensed the difference between this Shadow Clone and Naruto—it completely lacked the vibrant, energetic aura Naruto possessed. Despite having blue eyes, it felt as if it were staring into an abyss.

"You should have sensed my existence much sooner, Kakashi."

As Kakashi wore an expression of seeing a ghost, the Master said slowly, "Minato and Kushina... they were both very disappointed in you."