After eating, Naruto Uzumaki pulled Sasuke Uchiha into trying twice more.
Sakura stayed, sitting nearby and watching.
The portal formed and dissipated again and again, holding steadier each time than the last.
On the final attempt, Sasuke maintained the portal for nearly three seconds, its edges so stable that there was almost no visible fluctuation.
Then he voluntarily withdrew his eye power, and the portal smoothly dissipated into the air.
Naruto's eyes widened.
"Just now... did you close it yourself?"
Sasuke nodded.
"I got it under control."
Even Sasuke could not keep the delight out of his voice.
"It's still not enough to let anyone through, but the portal is stable now. Next, I just need to keep improving the efficiency of my chakra output and extend its duration enough for several people to pass through."
Naruto leaped to his feet.
"Then how much longer do you need?"
Sasuke thought for a moment.
"At today's rate, I should be able to try letting someone through in about ten more days."
Naruto cheered and turned to Sakura.
"Did you hear that, Sakura? Ten days! Just ten days!"
"In just ten days, we can go rescue him."
Sakura stood up straight and smiled. "Since you've succeeded, can we call it a day early?"
Naruto froze, then turned to look at Sasuke.
Sasuke glanced at the pits and broken trees littering the Training Ground, then at his right hand, which was still trembling slightly.
"That's enough for today."
Naruto almost failed to register it. "Really?"
"Really."
Sasuke flexed his wrist. "For the remaining ten days, what I need is precise control, not brute-force training."
"Using too much chakra will only affect stability. I've done enough today."
Naruto grinned, turned, and ran out of the Training Ground. "Then I'll go tell Pervy Sage! And