Rasengan

Naruto performed exceptionally well, and Kakashi wanted to teach him the signature ninjutsu he had created.

Naruto was no fool. Understanding Kakashi's meaning, he quickly infused his chakra into the chakra test paper.

Just as Naruto expected, the chakra test paper split apart on the spot. But beyond his expectations, the paper in his hand also became damp.

Kakashi took the paper and examined it, saying in surprise, "Wind and water, two natures. Naruto, that's very impressive. You have innate Wind-Nature Chakra, and your Water-Nature Chakra is particularly prominent. Ordinary ninja only have one nature. Unfortunately, you can't learn my ninjutsu."

"Ah... yeah!" Naruto's head was buzzing, and he looked rather downcast, making Kakashi think he was upset because he could not learn the technique.

"Water nature... Where did this water nature come from? Shouldn't I only have wind chakra?" Naruto found it hard to believe.

At that moment, the Nine-Tails cleared up Naruto's confusion, its voice reaching his mind. "Chakra is the product of spiritual energy and physical energy combined. After you devoured part of Awen's soul, your spiritual energy changed. That Water-Nature Chakra must be Awen's innately prominent chakra nature."

"So that's it. In other words, this water nature belongs to Awen!" Naruto replied in surprise.

Coming back to his senses, Naruto stopped dwelling on his chakra nature and asked, "Kakashi-sensei, since you can't teach me your own technique, then teach me another A-rank ninjutsu!"

Kakashi tilted his head, looking at Naruto's expectant face. "You really know how to ask. I do have an A-rank technique, but I'm not sure how to teach it to you."

"What? What is it, Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto asked eagerly.

After thinking for a moment, Kakashi held out his palm. As a mass of chakra gathered, it formed into a sphere of chakra, spinning irregularly within.

"This technique is called the Rasengan. It was developed by the Fourth Hokage, and it's also A-rank. It's just..." Kakashi trailed off.

"Just what?" Naruto asked Kakashi in confusion.

Kakashi sighed and explained, "It's just that I don't know how to teach you this technique—how to make you learn it."

Naruto froze. Combining this with Awen's memories, he understood what Kakashi meant. When Jiraiya taught Naruto the Rasengan, he had found a method, breaking down the training needed to master the Rasengan into three steps so Naruto could learn the technique.

But Kakashi did not know how to guide Naruto in learning the Rasengan. His understanding of it was only average, and he simply could not grasp its principles step by step as Jiraiya did. Naruto had Awen's memories as a third-person perspective and knew how to learn the Rasengan, but Kakashi did not. Even though Kakashi had mastered the technique, he did not know how to teach it to someone else.

"The Fourth Hokage's technique... I want to learn that, Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto pointed at the Rasengan in Kakashi's hand.

Kakashi recalled what Hiruzen Sarutobi had said: Naruto idolized the Fourth Hokage. On the Scroll of Seals, besides the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu, Naruto had also copied down the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Kakashi smiled. "Then do your best, Naruto. With the Rasengan, pay attention to rotation and maintaining it."

As Kakashi explained his simple understanding of the Rasengan, he slammed the Rasengan in his hand into a nearby tree. The inside of the tree shattered, leaving a spherical crater in its trunk. Naruto hurriedly nodded as he watched.

Naruto thought, At last, I can learn this technique openly. No more sneaking around. He formed hand seals.

"Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Several hundred Narutos appeared in the clearing, leaving Kakashi stunned.

"Everyone, let's learn the Rasengan together!"

"Yeah!"

Naruto and his Shadow Clones cheered loudly as they began learning the Rasengan in a grand formation.

Kakashi exclaimed, "Shadow Clone is a B-rank technique. The Second Hokage developed it to gather intelligence. A Shadow Clone's memories and experience all return to the original body. The Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu is even A-rank. Only Naruto can create so many Shadow Clones and train with them at once."

After understanding Naruto's method, Kakashi began to worry about the Nine-Tails within him. He even regretted teaching Naruto this technique. If the Nine-Tails' chakra leaked out during training and caused Naruto to go berserk...

Thinking of that, Kakashi shouted, "Wait, Naruto!"

Every Naruto stopped and looked at Kakashi. "What is it, Kakashi-sensei?"

Kakashi said, "Training with Shadow Clones can accumulate a great deal of experience, but it also puts an enormous burden on the body. Naruto, you can only use fifty Shadow Clones at most, and each training session cannot exceed three hours."

"Ah! Why, Kakashi-sensei?" The original Naruto stepped forward and asked unhappily.

"This is for your own good, Naruto. I'll be watching you the whole time. The situation is urgent now, but in the future, don't use this training method without anyone supervising you." Kakashi took out an alarm clock and placed it nearby, deliberately emphasizing his warning.

The Nine-Tails spoke again from the inner space. "That white-haired brat is worried that my chakra will leak out and make you go berserk."

Naruto replied inwardly, "What are you talking about? Kurama, you clearly aren't interfering with my chakra anymore."

The Nine-Tails snorted. "Hmph. Follow his instructions for now. Mastering the Rasengan one-handed can wait. First, use the method from Awen's memories and have your Shadow Clones help you with the Rasengan."

"So that's why!" After realizing what Kakashi meant, Naruto dispelled some of his Shadow Clones, leaving only fifty. He had originally wanted to master the Rasengan one-handed in one go, but that could wait for another chance.

After giving a few more instructions, Kakashi headed over to Sasuke and Sakura to check on their training. He would probably return later.

Hidden nearby, Inari stood behind a large tree with a wary expression, watching Naruto train. His eyes flickered darkly as he muttered, "It's useless. It's all useless. You can't defeat Gato."

"What are you doing here?" Naruto appeared behind Inari, startling him into letting out a scream.

Naruto's fifty Shadow Clones were still training. The Naruto beside Inari was the original, wearing a brilliant smile.

Inari leaned against the tree and slumped down. "It's useless. No matter how hard you try, it's useless. You can't defeat Gato, just like..." At that point, tears streamed down Inari's face.

Naruto's expression turned serious. He remembered something a certain man had said in Awen's memories, words that fit perfectly at a time like this. His voice low, he said, "If you keep doing nothing, then it really will all be useless..."

"Inari, everyone has a past they want to forget. The past can no longer be changed, but the future can still be saved."

Naruto's words seemed to stir something in Inari. Looking at Naruto, he said, "Even if the future changes, Keisha still won't come back. There's no meaning in that."

After saying that, Inari lowered his head, pressed his lips together, and walked away stubbornly. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the trees, making his lonely, small figure flicker between light and shadow.