Several days passed.
The sound of splashing water rang out continuously in the woods outside Tanzaku Town.
Naruto Uzumaki was drenched in sweat, both hands gripping a balloon filled with water.
He had been stubbornly working at it here for days.
The chakra backlash had torn the skin on his hands open, and blood dripped down his wrists.
"That idiot Pervy Sage!"
Naruto complained through gritted teeth.
"He promised to teach me ninjutsu, then got caught peeping at the women's bathhouse and hauled to the police station to give a statement!"
"I'm going to pop this water balloon all by myself!"
Just as Naruto focused all his attention on channeling his chakra.
Soft footsteps came from deep within the woods.
Kabuto Yakushi adjusted his reflective round glasses, a gentle smile on his face.
Carrying a white Medical Kit, he stepped out from behind a tree trunk.
"Naruto-kun, you're training very hard."
Naruto jumped, dropping the water balloon, which burst against the ground.
He turned and recognized the senior who had helped them during the Chunin Ninja Exams.
"Kabuto? What are you doing here?"
Kabuto walked up to Naruto, opened the Medical Kit, and took out bandages and medicine.
"I happened to be passing through Tanzaku Town on an errand."
"I saw you training so desperately, with your hands injured this badly. I couldn't just stand by."
"I'm a medical ninja. Let me bandage you up first."
Naruto held out his hands, looking a little embarrassed.
"Thanks. I'm practicing a super-powerful ninjutsu."
As Kabuto cleaned Naruto's wounds with medicine, he spoke in an extremely gentle voice.
"Naruto-kun, there are some things you don't need to push yourself so hard over."
"There are barriers between ninjas when it comes to talent."
"Can you really catch up to Sasuke by working this hard?"