The Master's Intelligence

After Kakashi left, only Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura remained at the training ground. The three of them looked at one another, each wondering what to say.

"Naruto."

Sasuke spoke first. "That technique you used to defeat Kakashi-sensei just now—what was it? I didn't see you make any hand seals, and even though I used the Sharingan, I couldn't copy it."

"You mean the Adamantine Sealing Chains. That technique can only be used by someone with the Uzumaki Clan's special constitution. It's a bit like your Sharingan."

Naruto explained, "Also, not every ninjutsu requires hand seals."

"So it's a Kekkei Genkai of the Uzumaki Clan. No wonder I couldn't copy it."

Sasuke recalled someone making hand seals so quickly they were impossible to follow, then continued, "Do you know any ninjutsu that doesn't require hand seals? I mean techniques anyone can use, without needing a special constitution."

"There are some, but either they're very difficult to learn or they use a lot of chakra. Given your current situation, I suggest you focus on building a solid foundation first."

Naruto shared his experience. "Actually, so far, the Master has hardly taught me any techniques. Most of the time, he's had me do all kinds of basic training. The techniques I've mastered are all ones I learned in the past few months."

"Just a few months?"

Sasuke's eyes widened. "Then why do you seem so proficient with them?"

"Because my fundamentals are solid, and I can use Shadow Clones to build up experience quickly."

Naruto explained, "The Master said that no matter how difficult a technique is, it's fundamentally made up of basic things. So the more thoroughly you master the fundamentals, the faster and more easily you can learn all kinds of techniques."

Sasuke furrowed his brow and muttered, "The fundamentals..."

"Are there any techniques that would suit me?"

Sakura asked Naruto too. "Compared to you and Sasuke, I have very little chakra. Even with good control, I can't use many techniques."

"Wait until the Master teaches you Qi Refining."

Naruto told Sakura, "The Master says he has high hopes for you."

"Huh?"

Sakura couldn't understand. "Why?"

Naruto closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the Master had taken over. "Because you don't have any special bloodline, but your body has good natural aptitude. You're well suited to Qi Refining."

"Really?"

Sakura wanted to be happy, but she wasn't quite sure she dared to be. "Do I really have that kind of aptitude?"

"You really do."

The Master confirmed, "You were naturally stronger than other people, weren't you? But your limbs and body aren't 'burly.' That's a sign of talent. Besides, you have a natural gift for chakra control. Naruto and Sasuke are both worse at it than you."

A little more confidence appeared in Sakura's eyes.

"All right, don't just stand around wasting time. It's lunchtime. Go eat, then get ready for this afternoon's training."

The Master reminded them at just the right moment, "Remember to eat well. A balanced diet will help you grow faster. On the other hand, poor eating habits will slow your growth."

"Huh?"

Sasuke sounded puzzled. "Master, can what we eat really affect how strong we get?"

"Of course."

The Master affirmed, "Where do you think your body's energy comes from? Food is the most important and primary source of energy for your bodies. If you want to get stronger as quickly as possible, you need to eat not only enough, but well."

Sasuke thought for two seconds, then asked, "So what should I eat for it to count as 'well'?"

Sakura looked at him eagerly too. Master, I want to know as well!

"Looks like you still have a lot to learn."

The Master headed toward the market. "Come on, let's go. I'll teach you how to choose the right ingredients."

The next day, when Kakashi saw the three of them at the Hokage Building, Naruto looked the same as he had the day before, but Sasuke and Sakura seemed a little different. "You two look pretty lively today."

Sasuke tried to keep a cool expression, but the corners of his mouth curled up despite himself, as if he were smiling. "I got a good night's rest."

Sakura looked at Kakashi and smiled. "You've got a bit of a dark circle under your eye, Kakashi-sensei. Didn't you sleep well last night?"

Kakashi's gaze wandered. He really had spent the entire night reading Icha Icha Paradise. "I found a fascinating book and couldn't help reading a little longer. But don't worry, it won't affect today's mission."

"Hurry up and get us a mission, Kakashi-sensei."

Naruto urged him, "If it's an easy one, we'll send a Shadow Clone."

"As long as you can guarantee the mission gets done, I don't mind you sending a Shadow Clone."

Kakashi asked, "But do you have something urgent to do?"

"Training."

Sasuke answered before anyone else could. "Sakura and I are already five years behind Naruto. If we don't get moving, we'll never catch up to him."

"You're certainly motivated."

Kakashi praised them hesitantly, then silently headed toward the Hokage's office, muttering to himself, At this rate, in less than two years, even if I go all out, the three of them will be able to take me down with ease.

It was a good thing for his students to grow strong enough to surpass him. But if they did it too quickly, did that mean he was a useless teacher who had little to teach them?

With that thought, Kakashi made a decision: he would cut down on his reading time and train hard while he still had room to grow.

The four of them entered the Hokage's office.

Newly graduated Genin, no matter how strong they were, had to start with the simplest D-rank missions to gain experience.

Team 7's first mission was to clear a river.

"We can handle clearing the river ourselves."

Naruto said, "You two have just about finished your tree-climbing practice over the past couple of days. Let's try Water Walking."

Kakashi stared at them in surprise. "How do you know about tree climbing and Water Walking?"

Sasuke and Sakura looked at Naruto.

"The Master taught us."

Naruto replied candidly, "If Kakashi-sensei wants to get stronger, you can ask the Master for guidance too~"

"Naruto,"

Kakashi asked warily, "who is this Master you're talking about?"

"I don't know, but the Master definitely isn't a bad person."

Naruto said, then asked, "Would Kakashi-sensei like to speak with the Master in person?"

"Is he nearby?"

Kakashi looked around, but couldn't sense anyone besides the four of them.

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

Naruto pointed to his stomach. "Kakashi-sensei should know about my situation, right? The Master is in there. Of course, the Master I'm talking about isn't the Tailed Beast."

Those few sentences contained so much information that Kakashi was a little dazed. After a long moment, he finally spoke. "What would happen if I wanted to speak with your Master?"

"Nothing would happen."

Naruto didn't know what Kakashi was worried about, but he continued, "If Kakashi-sensei doesn't feel comfortable, I can make a Shadow Clone for the Master to use."

"Do that!"

Kakashi said at once. "We're only talking, so a Shadow Clone will be enough."

"All right."

Naruto formed hand seals. "Shadow Clone Technique."

Poof! A cloud of white smoke appeared beside Naruto and instantly dispersed, revealing a Shadow Clone.

At a glance, Kakashi could tell the clone was different from Naruto. It completely lacked Naruto's usual spirited vitality. Its eyes were clearly blue, yet looking into them felt like staring into an abyss.

"You should have noticed my presence much earlier, Kakashi."

With Kakashi staring at him as if he'd seen a ghost, the Master spoke slowly. "Minato and Kushina are both very disappointed in you..."