Teaching Ninjutsu

Seeing the three agree, Kakashi waved a hand and said, "In that case, let's begin our Ninjutsu lessons.

Before that, let me ask: have all of you completed the tree-climbing and water-walking exercises?"

"Completed!" x3

After answering, the three exchanged looks, their expressions complicated. Each had thought they were the most diligent and progressing the fastest, never expecting the others had been secretly putting in extra practice too!

"Mm, that makes things easier. Since you've completed the basic exercises, I'll teach each of you the corresponding Ninjutsu based on your respective natures.

First, Sasuke. Your situation is the most similar to mine. Your Chakra nature is also the one I specialize in, and we both have the Sharingan—though yours hasn't awakened yet.

So, I'll teach you an A-rank Lightning Release Ninjutsu I created myself: Chidori!"

Lightning Release: Chidori was a Lightning Release Ninjutsu Kakashi developed in his youth, combining both Chakra nature transformation and shape transformation.

When performing it, the user concentrated an intense electric current formed from Lightning Release Chakra in their hand, then pierced the target with the speed of a thrust.

Because the powerful current produced a piercing sound like a thousand birds crying out, it was named Chidori.

Its drawback was that the user had to rush toward the opponent at high speed when attacking. They might be unable to see the enemy clearly due to moving too fast and suffer a counterattack. It needed to be used with the Sharingan to achieve its greatest effect.

"For you, Sasuke, this Ninjutsu is practically tailor-made for you.

However, before learning it, you need to develop the shape transformation and nature transformation of Lightning Release Ninjutsu. I'll teach you that bit by bit.

Also, I need your promise that even if you master Chidori, you must not use it in actual combat unless your Sharingan is active. Do you understand?" Kakashi said to Sasuke.

"Understood!" Sasuke answered loudly.

"Next is Sakura. Although I'm not especially skilled in advanced Water Release and Earth Release, guiding your training won't be a problem.

I have several Ninjutsu here for you to choose from: the offensive Earth Release: Earth Dragon Spear and Water Release: Water Whip;

the defensive Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall and Water Release: Water Wall;

the enemy-trapping Earth Release: Headhunter Jutsu and Water Release: Syrup Capture Field;

and the support-type Earth Release: Swimming Fish Jutsu and Water Release: Water Substitute. Which would you like to learn?" Kakashi rattled off eight Ninjutsu in one breath before finally pausing to ask Sakura's opinion. He truly deserved his reputation as Kakashi the Copy Ninja.

"Compared to those Ninjutsu, what I really want to learn is medical Ninjutsu. Is there any way to do that, Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asked with a smile.

To everyone's surprise, Sakura did not choose any of the Ninjutsu Kakashi had recommended. Instead, she set her sights on medical Ninjutsu.

"Well, that really is a problem. I know a little about Ninjutsu of every nature, but medical Ninjutsu is the one field I've never dabbled in." Kakashi said with a smile, one hand on his hip while his other index finger scratched his chin.

"But it's fine. I have a fairly good relationship with the director of Konoha Hospital, so I can recommend you study medical Ninjutsu under her.

It's a pity Lady Tsunade isn't in Konoha. Otherwise, she would be the best teacher for you."

"Then I'll be in your care, Kakashi-sensei." Sakura said with a smile.

"What about me, Kakashi-sensei?" Seeing that both his teammates had been given good arrangements, Menma hurriedly raised his hand and asked.

"Hmm, Menma. Originally, I had prepared several Wind Release Ninjutsu that I know for you, but I didn't expect you to possess an Extreme Wind Nature Chakra talent. That makes my original preparations rather inadequate.

Because I'm not particularly skilled in Wind Nature myself, training you according to my original plan would delay the development of your talent.

It's not as though you can't train that way, but the Wind Nature Chakra training methods I currently have can only bring out around eighty percent of your potential. That would be far too wasteful for you," Kakashi said awkwardly.

Huh? This felt strangely familiar!

"I'm not that particular, really. Eighty percent is enough." Menma did not know whether to laugh or cry.

"It's different. Extreme single-nature Chakra is more or less a baseline condition for surpassing Kage Level Ninja.

Even the slightest discount would affect the height of the strength you could reach in the future, let alone a twenty percent loss?" Kakashi said seriously.

"A baseline condition for surpassing Kage Level?

Putting everything else aside, Ninja certainly value strength, but how many Ninja can actually reach a level beyond Kage Level?" Menma asked with a frown.

"If you aren't aiming to surpass Kage Level, then you might as well not become a Ninja.

Ninja training is about aiming high and attaining the middle; aiming for the middle and attaining the low.

If you lower your standards from the very beginning, then your goals in future training will only keep getting lower.

Today, because there is no suitable training method to develop your talent, you might think becoming an elite Jonin would already be pretty good.

Then tomorrow, for all sorts of reasons, might you decide that being a Chunin is enough?" Kakashi sternly warned Menma.

Menma froze. He had never considered this question before!

Indeed, with the immense Chakra reserves he had displayed and the mature soul of someone who had lived two lives, he had seemed to possess a sense of crisis on the surface, but deep down, he had still been somewhat carried away.

He had thought himself steadier than Ninja his own age.

He had thought himself superior to Naruto at the same point in time.

He had thought himself more mature than the protagonists of other Naruto fanfiction novels.

Now it seemed that he had taken too much for granted.

The Naruto of his previous life had only been an anime, and limited by its length, many characters had been portrayed rather superficially.

But the Naruto of this life was a real world. Its people were more vivid, more human, with thoughts and wisdom of their own.

It seemed that from now on, he needed to treat the people of this world with greater reverence, Menma warned himself inwardly.

"Then what should I do?" Menma snapped back to his senses and asked Kakashi.

Kakashi said, "Hmm, there are only three people in all of Konoha who are capable of teaching you.

The first is the Third Hokage, Lord Shimura Danzō. Like you, he also possesses Extreme Wind Nature Chakra, and having trained to Kage Level strength, he is certainly capable of guiding you.

Likewise, precisely because he is the Third Hokage, his daily official duties are extremely demanding. The time he can spare to instruct you will probably be limited.

The second is Lord Hiruzen Sarutobi, the leader of Konoha's Root, known as the Professor of Ninjutsu. He was born with all five Chakra natures, is proficient in every non-bloodline Ninjutsu, and is exceptionally skilled at teaching.

But how should I put it? Lord Hiruzen Sarutobi is a typical dove. He believes Konoha should curry favor with the surrounding ninja villages in exchange for peace, even at the cost of sacrificing the village's interests.

Moreover, he likes to slip his own views into his teachings. Other than the Legendary Sannin, those who have received his guidance tend to be somewhat weak-willed in character.

The third is Lord Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin. He is powerful and, like his teacher Lord Hiruzen Sarutobi, exceptionally skilled at teaching.

His disciples Nagato and Yahiko are the leaders of Akatsuki, the Shinobi World's strongest mercenary group.

He is also your father Minato Namikaze's teacher. With that connection, it would be easiest for you to become his disciple, and you would receive the most dedicated instruction.

However, he is currently not in Konoha, and finding him would be difficult. Perhaps your father has a way.

That's all the information I can give you. As for which lord you want to guide your training, go home and discuss it with your parents before telling me. Once you've decided, I'll find a way to help you."

Then Kakashi said to the other two, "That's all for today. We'll officially begin training tomorrow. Dismissed!"