Though it was theoretically possible, it was very difficult to put into practice. Naruto had truly spent a long time on it. With the help of Jiraiya, Sage Fukasaku, Sage Shima, and the other Mount Myoboku toads, he had finally succeeded after more than a year.
Kurama could also gather natural energy, but Naruto had not yet bumped fists with him, so that kind of partner coordination was still impossible.
On this day in Konoha, two and a half years had passed since Naruto and Jiraiya left the village to train. The Hokage Rock now bore the enormous face of Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage.
Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi had all graduated as well. Their supervising Jonin, Ebisu, led them on a mission to capture Little Tiger, the pet cat, and return her to her client.
Inside the Hokage Office, Konohamaru rubbed the scratches on his face and watched Little Tiger get endlessly manhandled. He gloated, "Hahaha... serves you right, you stupid cat!"
Moegi quipped, "No wonder she ran away. She was practically becoming a ninja cat."
"Exactly!" Udon agreed.
After Ebisu handed in the mission report, he dismissed them. Konohamaru's team wandered lazily through the streets.
Konohamaru kicked a pebble and complained, "A mission like this doesn't let me show off my abilities at all! Why can't we take higher-level missions? At this rate, when will I earn everyone's recognition and become Hokage?!"
Moegi said, "That's impossible. We just graduated, so we can only take D-Rank Missions."
Konohamaru said, "Although Brother Naruto and the others took a C-Rank Mission back then, it turned out to be a hidden A-Rank Mission. They even defeated a powerful enemy like Zabuza. Brother Naruto must be even stronger when he comes back!"
Elsewhere, Naruto and Jiraiya arrived at Konoha's village entrance. Naruto wore