Chapter 16: Chapter 16
The Forest of the Konoha Training Ground
The forest was alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant bird calls. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled patterns on the ground. Naruto stood in a small clearing, his figure illuminated by the scattered rays of light. His breathing was steady, his focus unwavering as he prepared to practice Kido under Aizen's guidance.
"Kido is an advanced spell commonly used by the Shinigami," Aizen's voice echoed in Naruto's mind, calm and instructive. "It is divided into three categories: Hadō (Destructive Kido), Bakudō (Binding Kido), and Kaidō (Healing Kido), corresponding to destruction, control, and assistance."
Naruto listened intently, his sharp mind absorbing every word. "Kido is composed of spiritual particles, and different incantations represent different spells. While chanting can make the use of Kido smoother, some powerful Shinigami can release Kido without incantations."
Under Aizen's guidance, Naruto finally began learning the Kido he had been so eager to master. The basic Kido he was practicing didn't require complex chants, making it a good starting point.
Naruto stood upright, one hand raised with his fingertips pointed at a boulder. He focused, feeling the Reiatsu within him flow smoothly to his fingertips. Unlike the frustrating struggles with chakra control, manipulating Reiatsu felt natural and effortless.
"Hadō Number One: Shō!" he called out.
A flash of white light erupted from his fingertips, striking the boulder and leaving a shallow mark. Though the damage was minimal, Naruto's face lit up with a smile.
"It didn't do much, but at least it worked," he said, pleased with his progress. This was one of his first successful attempts at using Kido, and it filled him with confidence.
"Keep practicing until you master it," Aizen encouraged.
Naruto nodded, his determination renewed. After the setbacks with ninjutsu, even this small success in Kido felt like a significant victory.
In the Sealed Space
Aizen observed Naruto's progress with a thoughtful expression. Naruto's talent as a Shinigami was nothing short of extraordinary—no, it was terrifying. For Naruto, there seemed to be no bottleneck in mastering Kido, Zanjutsu (swordsmanship), or Reiatsu control. With consistent practice, he improved steadily, much like Aizen himself had in his early days.
Naruto was like a child of destiny in the ninja world. He had the sealed space, Aizen's guidance, and the Nine-Tails sealed within him. It was almost certain that Naruto would eventually harness the Nine-Tails' power. Even without his Shinigami abilities, Naruto had the potential to become a formidable force.
Compared to the stagnant and complacent members of the Soul Society's Central 46, Naruto was a true prodigy. He had the qualities Aizen valued—intelligence, ambition, and the drive to grow stronger. Perhaps one day, Naruto would even surpass Aizen's expectations.
Back in the Training Ground
Naruto lowered his hand, slightly dissatisfied with the minimal damage his Kido had caused. Still, he reminded himself that he was just beginning. With more practice, he was confident he could master Kido completely.
Naruto was content with his current situation. He had a comfortable home, enough supplies, and even friends like Rock Lee and a wise mentor like Aizen. Compared to the lonely and hopeless child he had been a few years ago, his life had improved significantly.
His expression softened, and a perfect smile spread across his face. But beneath that smile was a calculated resolve. To achieve his goals, he had to maintain the facade of the Naruto Uzumaki everyone expected to see.
Training and Challenges
Since starting at the ninja academy, Naruto's interactions with Rock Lee had decreased. Rock Lee had paused his training to focus on reviewing his lessons and refining his chakra. Naruto, too, had returned to training alone, dividing his time between ninjutsu, chakra control, Zanjutsu, and Kido.
Time flew by as Naruto's skills improved. His proficiency in Kido and Zanjutsu grew rapidly, but his chakra control remained stagnant, as if stuck in quicksand.
At the training ground, Naruto stood motionless, his eyes closed, holding his sword, Kyouka Suigetsu. A gentle breeze carried the scent of grass, and Naruto's presence seemed to merge with the surroundings.
A nearby ninja, observing from the shadows, was so startled by Naruto's focus that he accidentally revealed a faint chakra fluctuation. Naruto's eyes snapped open, sharp and alert.
In an instant, his sword flashed like a phantom.
Crack.
Naruto sheathed his sword and exhaled. A falling leaf, perfectly sliced into four equal pieces, fluttered to the ground. In that brief moment, Naruto had struck four times with precision and speed.
His mastery of Zanjutsu was unparalleled for someone his age. Though he had yet to test his skills against other ninjas, Naruto knew he could defeat an adult with ease.
His progress in Kido was equally impressive. His Reiatsu continued to grow steadily, and according to Aizen, he had already reached the level of a third-seat officer.
However, chakra control and Shunpo (Flash Step) remained challenging. Shunpo required exceptional physical fitness, and despite his rigorous training, Naruto's body wasn't yet ready for it. The intense training also increased his nutritional needs, straining his limited budget.
Naruto didn't ask the Third Hokage for more funds. Instead, he relied on his resourcefulness, foraging for mushrooms, herbs, and even ginseng in Konoha's forests to supplement his diet.
An Unexpected Encounter
"Who's there?" Naruto suddenly sensed someone nearby. His Reiatsu flared, and he turned sharply toward the source of the noise.
A boy in white clothes emerged, trembling under the pressure of Naruto's Reiatsu. His teeth chattered, and he looked visibly shaken.
Naruto noticed the Uchiha fan emblem on the boy's clothes. "Uchiha?" he thought.
He withdrew his Reiatsu, and the boy collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath.
"Why were you spying on me?" Naruto asked calmly.
"Spying? This is a public place. I was just passing by," the boy retorted, though his voice wavered. He was Uchiha Sasuke, a proud member of the Uchiha clan.
Sasuke was stunned by what he had witnessed. The boy before him, who appeared to be his age, wielded terrifying sword skills and exuded an aura that made Sasuke's body tremble. As a member of the Uchiha clan, known for their Sharingan and pride, Sasuke felt a mix of fear and shame.
"Hmph, your skills aren't bad," Sasuke said, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. It was the first time he had complimented someone so openly, and it felt unnatural.
Naruto smiled gently. "Hi, my name is Uzumaki Naruto. I apologize for my earlier behavior."
Sasuke hesitated, then nodded. "Uchiha Sasuke," he introduced himself, his tone still guarded but less hostile.
Naruto's smile widened. "Nice to meet you, Sasuke. What brings you here?"
Sasuke crossed his arms, his pride returning. "I was training. This is one of the best spots in the forest for it. I didn't expect to find someone else here."
Naruto chuckled. "Same here. I come here to practice my techniques. It's quiet, and no one bothers me."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly. "Your sword skills are impressive. Where did you learn them?"
Naruto's expression remained calm, but his mind raced. He couldn't reveal Aizen's existence or his Shinigami training. "I've been practicing on my own," he said simply. "I've always been interested in swordsmanship."
Sasuke didn't seem entirely convinced, but he didn't press further. Instead, he glanced at the boulder Naruto had been practicing on earlier. "What was that light you used earlier? It wasn't a ninjutsu."
Naruto's smile didn't waver. "Just something I've been working on. It's still a work in progress."
Sasuke's curiosity was piqued, but he didn't ask more questions. Instead, he turned to leave. "Well, don't let me interrupt your training. I'll be going."
"Wait," Naruto called out. Sasuke paused and looked back. "If you ever want to train together, let me know. It's always good to have a sparring partner."
Sasuke considered the offer for a moment, then nodded. "Maybe. We'll see."
As Sasuke disappeared into the trees, Naruto's smile faded, replaced by a thoughtful expression. The encounter had been unexpected, but it gave him an idea. If he could form alliances with others in the village, even someone as proud as Sasuke, it might help him achieve his goals.
A New Plan
Naruto returned to his training, but his mind was elsewhere. The meeting with Sasuke had sparked a new line of thought. If he could build connections with others in the village, he could gain valuable allies and resources. It wouldn't be easy—his reputation as the Nine-Tails' container made him an outcast—but Naruto was nothing if not determined.
As he practiced his Zanjutsu and Kido, Naruto began to formulate a plan. He would need to be careful, of course. Revealing too much about his abilities or his true nature could backfire. But if he played his cards right, he could turn the village's disdain into an advantage.
For now, though, he would focus on his training. The stronger he became, the more options he would have. And with Aizen's guidance, Naruto knew he was on the right path.
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