The Hidden Uchiha Gamer

(Akari's POV)

Half a year had passed since I began training Naruto and Hinata. Their growth had been extraordinary, though not without its challenges. With Shiina's help, I managed to craft opportunities for Naruto and Hinata to bond naturally, all while counteracting Hinata's persistent doubts. The root of those doubts, unsurprisingly, lay with her father, Hiashi Hyuga.

Hiashi might be seen as a strict and cold parent, but in truth, his harshness stemmed from a place of concern. He feared that Hinata's innate kindness would be her undoing in the cruel world of shinobi. However, kindness is not inherently a weakness; it becomes one only when it clouds judgment. Through careful guidance, I helped Hinata see that her compassion could coexist with strength, provided she wielded it with resolve.

To my surprise, my words reached even Hiashi. His demeanor softened, and he began tempering his "tough love" approach with genuine encouragement. The results spoke for themselves—Hinata now struck her opponents without hesitation.

Naruto's training had been just as transformative, though his challenges were different. Where Hinata needed to overcome doubt, Naruto had to rein in his boundless energy and focus on sharpening his mind. With some patience—and more than a little effort—I managed to curb his impulsive tendencies. He could now stay focused on tasks for longer, showing flashes of the prodigy he truly was.

Naruto had always been brimming with untapped potential; all he needed was the right mentor to guide him. His rapid mastery of the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu, a B-rank Kinjutsu, proved it. That level of learning in mere hours was no joke, even for someone with vast chakra reserves. People might claim he's carried by his vast reserves but even if they claim that, they're overlooking the fact that he had to learn it first. Learn, which means as it as. Learn. 

Shiina, on the other hand, had officially reached a fresh Genin level of skill—a significant milestone in her journey. Yet, it wasn't enough to complete the Quest. It was stated in the quest that she needed to be high-Genin level and tread into Chunin territory. That was the goal, and I had no intention of letting her stagnate.

But enough reflection. Let's get to the present.

♛♚♕♔♛♚♕♔♛♚♕♔♛♚♕♔

The Asauchi gleamed in the soft morning light as I swung it through the air in precise arcs. Each swing was deliberate—practicing Kendo and Iaido techniques I had honed through endless repetition. The blade sliced through the air with barely a whisper, a testament to my growing skill. Drawing it from its sheath, striking, and resheathing in one fluid motion—it had to be perfect, imperceptible to the naked eye.

Around me, three Kage Bunshin carried out separate tasks.

The first clone worked tirelessly on Shape Transformation, weaving chakra into impossible shapes and refining the control needed for advanced techniques. The second focused on Water Nature Transformation, diligently channelling chakra to manipulate the element with greater finesse. The third clone, however, was busy levelling up my arsenal of Jutsu. I used 50% of my chakra into that one so it could repeatedly use a Jutsu I wanted to reach max level.

It was an efficient system, one that had been in place for nearly three hours.

The rhythmic whoosh of my blade slicing the air was interrupted by two distinct pops, signalling the dispelling of my clones. Immediately, a textbox appeared in front of me:

[Water Nature Transformation and Shape Transformation have reached LVL 10]

I paused, lowering my Asauchi. The notifications were satisfying and expected. I had reached the max levels in these 2 skills. The next textbox appeared with a Quest I had gotten 3 months ago when I did my Secret training that day. 

[Quest: Mastery of the Five Elements has been updated]

[Mastery of the Five Elements

Requirement for Completion: Become a part of the 1% of people to master all five chakra natures: Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, and Lightning.

Objective: Reach Max Level (LVL 10) in all 5 of the Basic Chakra Natures. (3/5 done)

 Rewards:

S Rank Jutsu Creation Scroll

50,000 EXP

10,000 Ryo

Elemental Master Title]

I had started this quest by accident 3 months Ago when my secret training began incorporating the Kage Bunshin to increase the speed of my training. 

I dismissed the textbox and took a moment to sheath the Asauchi with a satisfying click. The progress was substantial, but I wasn't finished. Two chakra natures remained—Earth and Lightning—and each required a different approach.

The third clone dispelled next, flooding my mind with hours of repetitive Jutsu practice. The sudden influx of information was not a bother for me. A textbox appeared.

[Katon: Hosenka no Jutsu has reached LVL 15]

I learned it from the scroll a few weeks. All because I had been mastering most of my Jutsu's currently, outside of Katon: Gokyaku no Jutsu because that one is destructive. I have been using it when I decided to train my Suiton Jutsu's as well

I created three new clones, assigning each a specific task. One would be a sparring partner . The second began practicing Earth Nature Transformation—shaping a part of the ground into a distinct shape with Chakra. The third clone was set to do the 5th which was Lightning Nature Transformation—crinkling leaves with just your Chakra though an advanced application would be turning on a lightbulb with Lightning Chakra, but both ways work.

Increasing the Fire one was setting fire to a stick with Chakra with greater mastery being shown by making it like a torch and Wind was shown in Canon. It was cutting a leaf with Chakra alone, with an advanced application being cutting running water in half, stopping it in it's path with Chakra alone.

Meanwhile, I turned my attention back to my doppelgänger that would be my sparring partner. I unsheathed my Asauchi and it did too, we both entered into a traditional Kendo opening stance. 

The sparring session began with a sharp crack as our wooden blades clashed. My Kage Bunshin mirrored my every move, making each strike and parry a test of my own skill. The sound of the Asauchi cutting through the air mixed with the rhythmic thuds of our feet against the ground, creating a cadence that matched the intensity of our duel.

I stepped forward, initiating a feint to the left before quickly shifting to strike from the right. My lookalike read the move perfectly, quick blocking the strike putting our blades into a bind, slipping her own down mine and thrusting, pressing forward with a counterattack however I unlocked our blades stepping back to dodge the strike. The exchange had been quick, but I knew not to falter here.

I began several more exchanges with my double, it's reactions seamless—every action it took was a reflection of my own. It was a spar that tested my ability to predict and outmanoeuvre myself, as much as it was one of infusing my blade with my essence. Depending on how far along I was to getting my very own Zanpakuto. Which I knew was no time soon.

I twisted my blade around behind my back as I span it forwards, locking blades with my replica on plus, with it on minus, I slipped my blade down it's one, sparks flying as metal rubbed against metal. I stepped forwards, avoiding the other's weapon as my blade reached the point I needed it to then in a snap I brought my blade upwards into a stab through the brain, with a poof of smoke my Kage Bunshin vanished, it's Chakra returning to me.

I sighed, looking at my weapon be once more sheathing it. The grip was steady as I settled into the basic Juken stance that I read from the scroll. Beginning with a series of swift tight movements releasing chakra from my palms and fingers as I continue using the technique.

I increased the intensity, turning up the heat as I continued on. It was gruelling yet every ounce of effort brought me closer to my goals—mastering the five elements, getting my Zanpakuto, and setting me up for success for my future plans. 

Yet, amid all the intensity, my thoughts drifted. Shiina's smile, her laugh, her unyielding enthusiasm, her kindness, her... adorable nature. The warmth she brought into my life, and the quickening of my heartbeat.

What was this, feeling? Every time I asked myself that question, I felt further away from the truth. Why was it so hard to figure out these emotions inside me?

I shook my head, forcing the distraction aside.

Focus, Akari. There's still much to do.

You are the Masterpiece of the White Room, even in another life.