Treading Water

Elite Training Ground.

It was already close to evening.

Everyone else had finished their daytime training, leaving only Naruto still trying over and over in the middle of the pool.

"Steady!"

"Your chakra has to stay steady!"

Naruto kept repeating the key points Jiraiya had taught him as he stepped on the water, carefully moving forward.

One step.

Two steps.

The moment his third step landed, the chakra beneath his feet suddenly lost balance.

Splash!

Water sprayed everywhere.

Naruto fell into the water once again.

"Damn it!"

He emerged from the water and vigorously wiped his face.

"Why can't I do it?"

Jiraiya yawned from the shore.

"I told you, don't release too much chakra at once."

"You have too much chakra in your body, and you're used to relying on brute force. Fine control like water walking is naturally harder for you."

Naruto swam back to shore, braced his hands against the ground, and climbed up.

"I'm definitely going to learn it today!"

"Just shouting slogans won't help."

Uchiha You's voice came from behind him.

Naruto abruptly turned around.

"Teacher You!"

He jumped up from the ground and immediately pointed at the pool. "I managed to take three steps just now!"

"I saw."

Uchiha You glanced at the water's surface.

"Then you sank on the third step."

Naruto's smile immediately froze.

"That's still better than two steps!"

"At this rate, you should learn it after a few more days of practice."

"I don't want to wait days!"

Naruto clenched his fists.

Sasuke had already lost to Kimimaro.

Neji had also lost to Haku.

Although he had not fought either of those battles, what he had seen during the day had still greatly shaken Naruto.

He had originally thought Sasuke and Neji were the strongest among their peers.

Yet Uchiha