A few days had passed since the last incident on the school; Naruto didn't return and continued his training at home.
After these years he already mastered the transformation Jutsu but he didn't waste his time trying to practice the last step Iruka said.
It was already hard enough to control the chakra on his skin and trying to do it inside his body, and covering the organs will be impossible with that thing inside of him.
So, he spent his time practicing the substitution Jutsu. He thinks this Jutsu has a lot of potential but it's hard to use in practice, maybe when he can do it on an instant will be useful.
Something that he finds interesting is the process to contact the outside of his body, every time he uses his he falls exhausted in less than 2 minutes, and his thoughts feels sooo slow during this time.
"It's like the first time I ran with Guy-sensei. Well, If I practice, I will be able to do it for longer"
At least for now this training can help him to improve his control of spiritual energy.
Seeing that know he can do it, just need practice.
He tries to use the M-Chakra.
The moment he uses this chakra he feels different; isn't the same slow sensation he felt when using the weak one.
Using the M-Chakra feels that he can use it and go even far away but he has no control.
It's dangerous, if he tries to use it, he feels that he won't just lose a limb.
Shaking off the horrible feeling, he promised that he won't use it until he can control it.
The clone Jutsu i's the hardest one; and it's due not to the technique's complexity, but to a problem with his body.
But with his amount of chakra, he can practice it for longer.
Tried the same method like in the class won't work, so he tried the most stupid method: incrase the amount of chakra, he never feels it will end so he doesn't care.
But didn't work, the only proficiency that increase with that method was his ability to make it looks worse.
So, he tried the opposite, but it was the same, without enough chakra the reflection disappeared in seconds. It looks better but if he can't make it every time it's a failure.
But he noticed something interesting, the amount of chakra he can control at the outside has a limit, he still doesn't know what it is but that's the next step.
The time flies and Naruto went to school one time a week to show his results to Iruka; the other kids can now do the transformation but the substitution no one had success until now.
He uses the morning in the forest and the rest of the day he practices at home, now he can run all day without feeling exhausted and his punches can make a destroy the trunk of a tree. It hurts and sometimes the splinters pierce his fingers a little.
In the other hand his meditation goes well since he can use his will, it's really helpful and now he only needs to maintain his head out of water to breath and the rest is submerged in the water feeling the turbulence.
But the problem is even now he doesn't know how to be able to breath under water, he can resist for less than 20 minutes and then he needs to get out.
After another failure on his training, it's time to go home and continue the practice of the projection.
Failing on every attempt discouraged him, but after a few days he resumed the training.
He can't project all the body because his control y poor but if he tried it with a limb? If that doesn't work, maybe a hand? a finger?
Following that thought he start to try it again, he couldn't do it with a limb, but a hand is bearable, so he continued with it.
"So, what if my control is poor? I can improve!"
That's his routine for the 2 months since school began.
This day when he's at the library he found Iruka waiting for him.
"Naruto, how is going your training? maybe i need to run with you" Iruka says with ease on his tone.
After he found that no matter he says to the Hokage it will be the same he feels conflicted, he really wants to help the kid but go against the Hokage isn't an option.
Feeling thay way complicated his feelings to Naruto. A mix of guilt and regret revolves his inner.
But seeing the kid struggle even if he knew something's was wrong strengthened his resolve.
"I will help him. Hokage didn't allow me to tell him the truth but i can help with his training, right?"
Naruto doesn't know what happened to Iruka to change his attitude but it's fine, at least now they can talk without discomfort.
"Sure, Iruka-sensei, you look pale and weak. Maybe I need call my master to teach you the youth" Naruto commented as he looked at him from head to toe.
Iruka didn't expect Naruto says something like that to him, does he really look weak?
"Ah-haha thanks, Naruto. I will be glad to meet your master" Iruka's voice was full of unease.
"Okay! My master is the best, next week i take you to meet him!" Guy-sensei stance appeared one more time.
Every time Iruka see that pose he feel his mouth tremble.
It's so bright and full of youth.
"Fine, i will wait for you at the school to go to meet your master."
Holding back his trembling voice Iruka continued "Anyway, I have something to tell you; in 4 months will be a preliminary test and one month after that will be the real test. If you need some help with your training, you can come to me!"
Saying that, he ran from the scene, he can't stand the Guy-sensei stance.
Naruto didn't know why Iruka-sensei ran but it doesn't matter; when the test began, he was confident that he had already made it.
His worry right now is other, when he made the stance Iruka-sensei and his classmates had an incomprensible look. It seems that he hasn't mastered the stand of his master.
Shrugging his shoulders, he left the school and go home.
He says to Iruka that he would take him to meet his master, but he doesn't know when Guy-sensei return to the village. All that remains is to wait.
One month later at the evening he feel it, Guy-sensei is back.
They always meet ni the forest, so he waits until the next day to go.
On the next day in the morning go to the school to took Iruka with him, he remembers the last time they talked.
Iruka follow him to the forest, he doesn't know Naruto train in that place, he always sees him in the village in the evening.
Passing though the Uchiha clan they see small flames in the walls. These flames always appear when Naruto walks nearby.
None of both says something to the other, they walked in silence.
Runing with a smile on his face Naruto arrived at the forest after a few minutes and see it, the silhouette of his...master?
Guy-sensei seems small, and his body also seems weak, like he's starving.
Naruto can't believe what he's seeing, his master of all people, starving? It's like saying his master get old when it's the opposite.
"Guy-sensei! What happened to you! Why you seem so weak and short? where did your muscles go?!" the person Naruto's talking can feel the terror on his voice, like seeing something incomprehensible.
"???"
When the guy turns around and Naruto can see his face he froze.
That bow-cult, bushy eyebrows, green uniform. It's sure is his master but why he seems so young?
"Guy-sensei! Maybe you managed to rejuvenate? Just to living your youth with me?!" Naruto feels his eyes blurring.
How far would his master go to teach him the youth?
The kid in front of him didn't react until he says youth, but he didn't reply to Naruto's words.
"Hahaha! My youth is strong but has not yet reached that level!" a strong voice sound from everywhere while Naruto was deeply moved.
"Guy-sensei?! Why there's a small copy of you?!" Naruto exclaimed in shock, both of them are like clones.
"He's Rock Lee, my second disciple after you! I meet him the last year when he graduates from school and since then I had taught him!" with his characteristic smile Might Guy appears on Naruto's side, he's really happy to see his disciples meet.
The copy of Might Guy, Rock Lee didn't react much with the things Naruto says but when he sees his master a strong voice came from him as he yelled "GUY-SENSEI!"
"Rock Lee, this is my first disciple, Naruto! He's one year younger than you but your youth hasn't reached him, so you need to strive more!"
Seeing the interaction between these two Naruto look at his clothes, they're the same except that Guy-sensei wear a vest. Pushing away the terrifying imagen that appears on his mind as he remembers that time Guy-sensei wants to give him a uniform like this, Naruto turned his eyes to Rock Lee.
"Hey! I'm Naruto! It's hard being a ninja? this year it's my turn to graduate" giving a hand to the kid, Naruto asked curiously.
"No! Guy-sensei is my team leader, I'm happy because of that I meet him!" replies Rock Lee shaking his head.
"Mm okay! I wonder who my team leader will be"
Iruka don't know what think seeing the interaction between these three. When Might Guy arrived, he realizes where Naruto learn the pose he always uses in the school.
Taking a step forward Iruka talks "I was hearing about you, sir Might Guy. I'm glad to know you're Naruto's master"
"Guy-sensei, this is my schoolteacher, Iruka-sensei. Las time I told him if he wants to meet you and here is"
"I knew about you, Iruka. Thank you for taking care of Naruto in the school" Taking Iruka's hand, Might Guy seem really happy to finally meet Naruto's teacher.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
Shaking his head and hands Iruka can't claim that merit for himself "Nono, isn't something like that, i couldn't give much help to Naruto these years. I just want to meet his master, he mentions it somedays and I was curious"
"Ah! Hahahah! Naruto is a brilliant young, I'm really proud of him" hearing Iruka's words Might Guy feels happy to know his disciple is spreading his youth whenever he goes.
Iruka's eyes was dazzled looking the perfect and original Guy-stance.
"Yes, everyone can see the strives he do every day. I also feel proud to be his schoolteacher.
That's all, if you excuse me, I go back to the school. Good bye, Naruto, see you at the test"
The three of them see Iruka leaves the scene and a few moments later they also separate in their own training.
"So long, Naruto! The day when you do the test I will be there! And when you graduated!"
"Byeee, Naruto!"
"Mm! Until then, Guy-sensei, Rock Lee!" Waving his hand Naruto says goodbye to his master and his fellow disciple.
Motivated Naruto continued with his training, after these years he made a great progress and now he can mix almost 75% of his energies. The M-chakra is now much stronger than the normal one.
He feels that in a few months he will be able to complete the training program the book gave to him, if he made it to control his chakra and make a small conduct direct to his mouth, he can stay in the water the time he wants.
The training he made to create the projection is also almost success, the last thing missing is the torso and head.
With a smile, Naruto submerged himself in the water.
----|-----|--Three months later--|-----|----
The day of the test is near, and Naruto already complete the Jutsu; at first, he thinks the hard part would be the head but when he made it, he didn't need to do anymore, the copy just moves like him.
With a day off, he went to the villages and buy food in the stalls; the villager doesn't antagonize him anymore because he's almost 1.60. and they can see the strength in his body.
Walking in the streets he can feel the hostile eyes, but the amount decreases compared to a few years ago. At least there's nobody who threw trash to him.
Going for the road which leads to the Uchiha-remains he notices a familiar back at the entrance.
Humming a melody Naruto approaches to the person and waited until he turned around.
When the whole face is now showing to Naruto the person wants to talk first but.
"It's been a long time, Nar..."
Without let him ends his words Naruto yelled with disbelief.
"Frozen face!"
"You, bastard..." Sasuke face wrinkle in annoyance.
Watching his face darken Naruto laughed with joy
"Hahaha! yup, it's been a long time, Sasuke. Glad to see you alive"
"Come, let's go somewhere else"
As Naruto spoke, a more relaxed look came over Sasuke's face.
They start talking while walking in the riverbank.
"You disappeared for a long time, i knew that you are alive. The guys in the class always talks about you, they really miss you after these years"
"..."
"For your look i see that these years won't be easy with you, but cheer up, you need to trust in your youth!"
"...?" What the hell is this guy talking about?
"I think you didn't neglect with your training, but after these years you can graduate from school?"
"Yes, I can, my mother told me" his voice turned soft as they talk about his mother.
"Okay, that's good! I thought you'd have to repeat the years you weren't in the village."
Naruto kept talking the entire time, with Sasuke replying occasionally.
When the sun starts to hide in the horizon they stopped, and Naruto go for a different way while Sasuke stood on his place.
"Hey"
"What's up? frozen face" Naruto really enjoyed calling him like that.
"Tsk, thanks, for recognize me." Saying that Sasuke turned around and went for another way.
"Hahah, okay. Sasuke, I'm sorry for your loss." Naruto's voice became serious as he spoke.
"..."
"You have to find them"
"...Tsk, of course. That's my goal, i don't need you to tell me"
This time both of them remains in silence and take separate paths.
--|-----|------|-----|----
Days passed and in the test day Naruto didn't see Sasuke.
Most of the class passed the test and everyone went to their homes.
--|-----|------|-----|----
The day of the test arrive, and this time Naruto can see Sasuke in the corner surrounded by the classmates.
"Tsk, it's always the same with this bastard"
Feeling Naruto mocked at him Sasuke's eyes spit fire.
After all the students arrive at the gym, Iruka furiously coughed to change his attention.
"Cough!... Okay! Just show me the three basic justus and you can graduate today!
Everyone has 5 minutes
Now, we'll proceed by arrival order."
Only a few students (citizen) failed the test and after more than hour it's Sasuke's turn.
He does it easily and return to his seat.
And now, it's Naruto's turn.
Iruka think there will be no surprise, after these months Naruto trained his control and in the preliminary test, he does it.
Focus his eyes on Naruto's body, he can see the horrible amount of chakra this brat has.
But there's something wrong, why his clone jutsu feels so complicated?
Finishing his demonstration, Naruto stood and wait Iruka's approval.
"Naruto, why your clone jutsu feels weird? Like it's different things." Iruka is skeptical.
"Ah! Iruka-sensei, you know that i has problems controlling my chakra so, I tried to separate the body and project one part at time. Like a puzzle game"
"Puzzle game? are you saying that every part of your clone is assembled?"
"Yes! Isn't it amazing? Thats the only way i found to do it!" Naruto's face overflows with absolute confidence.
"Mmm yeah, I guess. Well done, Naruto" Iruka's already get used to it, in these years Naruto amazed him every time.
The kids of prestigious clans felt their faces numb, even they know that this Jutsu doesn't work like that.
When the test ended, Iruka clap his hands.
"I'm proud of everyone! Even if you can't do it today, continue with the good work and next year you can success!"
Iruka continued when all the kids who failed the test get out of the hall "Today you would become a Konoha's Genin! Come here and I will give you the headband"
Everyone cheers up when he says that, even Sasuke has a small smile.
As they received their headbands, they exited the hall to meet their parents.
"Here, Naruto" Giving the headband Iruka talks Naruto with a smile "I hope you can forgive me for the things I do"
"It's okay, Iruka-sensei. Everyone has their problems, what matters is that you tried to help me" Naruto grinned
"Thanks Naruto, I will invite you to eat later"
"Okay! It's a promise, bye Iruka-sensei!"
When Naruto left the hall, he looks everywhere until he finds the tall man with the green uniform.
"Guy-sensei, look! I'm a ninja now, like you!"
"Hahaha! I'm really proud of you Naruto, I'm happy you can progress in your path of youth!" Might Guy take Naruto in a hug filled with pride and satisfaction.
"Let's eat This deserve a celebration!
All the kids were showing off their achievement to their parents.
Mikoto sits waiting for her son, there's a few problems, but she managed to solve it.
Look the small smile on his son face Mikoto feels better, it has been difficult, but they are improving.
"Look mom, it was easier than I expected. You know that something like this won't stop me"
"Mm, give your mother a hug. You are the best, Sasuke"
Sasuke resisted a bit, but when his mother hugged him, he hugged her back as a smile appear on his face.
"Let's go home, I'm going to make your favorite meal."
Holding his mother's hand, Sasuke walked with her to their house.
It wasn't in the Uchiha clan compound, but they still had a home.
--|-----|------|-----|----
The school arc end and soon Naruto will be 12! It's time to go to the tower.
I want to give Rock lee a better development but it's hard, even in the physic arts talent it's required so, give me some ideas. I had some but i want to hear what you think.
Hiruzen didn't seem to give Naruto his headband. It was because of Might Guy's presence.
I had an idea for Sasuke's development where he doesn't see his brother kill their clan. With his mother and other family members still alive to stay with him, he could be better than his canon side.
He remembers the note Naruto gave to him and he keeps it on his heart.
Seeing Might Guy being a father figure to Naruto it's so sweet.
Sasuke won't become a sociopath like happen in the canon, it's so frustrating to see him in such state meanwhile Kishimoto tell us Itachi is completely sane, it's not fair.
Naruto only use his M-chakra when he's alone, he remembered the things the book told him.
Also, he tries the jutsus with M-Chakra.
The transformation with M-Chakra makes it no have difference with the real one, it's an enhanced version but he didn't know how to copy the inner of the body.
And the clone jutsu it's almost useless apart from helping him with the chakra control.
-----|-------|-------|------|-------|-----
Thanks for reading!
Have a nice day.
And please leave comment. I'd love to hear your thoughts.