NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5: Chapter 5:[Training]
The small clearing was peaceful, away from the noise and pressure of the village. He had worked hard to find this place—a secluded spot deep in the forest, far enough from the village that no one could easily find him.
The Anbu assigned to keep an eye on him had been diligent, but with Kurama's guidance, Naruto had slipped past unnoticed.
He smiled to himself, recalling how he had distracted the guard. The Anbu, engrossed in a book, had never even seen him slip away. It felt almost like a game to Naruto, a small victory in his quest for freedom.
Naruto's eyes were fixed on the leaf, the cool morning breeze rustling its edges as it gently swayed in his palm.
"This is it?" he asked, his face scrunched in confusion. "You woke me up early for this?"
Kurama growled in annoyance. "Yes, this. If you can't stick a leaf to your forehead, you'll never control your chakra well enough for anything else. Now shut up and focus."
Naruto huffed but placed the leaf on his forehead as instructed. He closed his eyes, channeling his chakra. For a moment, the leaf stayed in place, but then it slid off and fluttered to the ground.
"Too much chakra," Kurama said. "You're blasting it like a firehose. Control it. Focus on keeping the flow steady."
Naruto tried again, biting his lip in concentration. He imagined his chakra like a gentle stream, pouring just enough to keep the leaf from falling.
It slid off again.
"Gah!" Naruto groaned, slamming his hands onto the ground. "This is stupid! Why can't I do it?"
"You're impatient," Kurama snapped. "Your chakra reserves are massive for a brat your age. It's like trying to hold back a flood with a teacup. You'll have to practice until you get it right."
Naruto gritted his teeth and picked the leaf up again. He placed it on his forehead, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. This time, he didn't try to force it. He imagined the chakra flowing gently, like holding a fragile balloon.
The leaf stayed.
Naruto's eyes flew open in surprise. "I did it! I—"
The leaf slid off.
"Don't celebrate yet, idiot," Kurama said, though there was a hint of approval in his voice. "Keep practicing until you can hold it for at least five minutes without breaking focus."
Naruto sighed but nodded. "Fine. Five minutes. I can do that."
The sun climbed higher as Naruto worked, his determination unwavering. By midday, he managed to hold the leaf in place for nearly three minutes before losing focus. By evening, he hit the five-minute mark, collapsing onto the grass with a satisfied grin.
"I did it," he murmured, his voice heavy with exhaustion.
Kurama's voice rumbled in his mind. "Not bad, kit. Tomorrow, we'll move on to something harder. For now, rest. You've earned it."
For the first time in years, Naruto felt a spark of pride. He was one step closer to proving himself—not just to the village, but to himself.
The next day, Naruto returned to the clearing, determined to continue the training. The early morning mist still hung low in the air, giving the forest a quiet, serene atmosphere.
He had gotten up before sunrise, eager to continue his training. His heart pounded in his chest, excitement and nerves battling for control.
Today was different. He felt something new, a calm focus he hadn't had before. As he settled into his cross-legged position again, the leaf resting in his palm, he could sense the surrounding trees, the energy of the earth beneath him. The familiar presence of Kurama lingered in his mind, a quiet strength.
You ready to continue, brat?
Naruto nodded. "Yeah, I won't mess up this time. I'm gonna get this leaf to float."
He closed his eyes and began to focus on his chakra. He could feel it flowing through him, the raw power, but this time he focused on controlling it—slowly, carefully. The key wasn't just pouring energy into it, but channeling it in a precise way.
The leaf twitched.
Naruto's heart raced, but he didn't let himself get distracted. He visualized the leaf lifting, gentle and controlled. He poured chakra into it, using the flow to pull it up, higher and higher.
A whisper of triumph echoed in his chest as the leaf hovered, just an inch above his palm. It was small, but it was a start.
The leaf wobbled, and Naruto held his breath, his concentration tightening.
Slowly, it steadied, floating perfectly above his hand, suspended by his will.
"I did it!" he whispered, his voice barely audible, as if afraid to disturb the fragile moment.
Not bad, kid, Kurama's voice rumbled, warm with approval. You're learning.
Naruto grinned, the leaf still floating in the air. It wasn't much, but it was a victory. A small one, but it meant everything.
---------------------------------
Author's note .
Please leave power stones for extra chapters.