Since Naruto Uzumaki had already mastered Tree-walking and even Water-walking, he decided to train alone.
After all, Naruto needed to master both shape transformation and nature transformation of wind chakra through Wind Breathing All Sword Techniques. Though even he himself didn't understand exactly how he had achieved this mastery, he had gradually gained control through repeated attempts.
Being able to master the four initial Stages of Wind Breathing already proved his extraordinary proficiency in handling chakra.
Even without deliberate practice, things just fell into place for him.
Thus, Naruto came alone to a patch of Forestland, drew his ninja sword from his waist, and began methodically swinging his blade—simple, focused, and precise.
Nearby, a pair of eyes was observing Naruto's training.
The owner of those eyes was Miyuki Uzumaki.
Having finally seen Naruto again, Miyuki didn't want to take her eyes off him for even a moment.
Therefore, after informing Chinya, she followed here and used the Mind's Eye of the Kagura to conceal herself while watching Naruto train.
Watching him from afar brought her a deep sense of joy.
Suddenly pausing mid-swing, Naruto glanced toward Miyuki's direction and asked the Nine-Tails inside him, "Nine-Tails, can you sense someone watching me?"
The Nine-Tails' voice echoed in Naruto's ears, "I don't sense anyone watching you."
"A hallucination perhaps?"
Trusting the Nine-Tails' senses, Naruto let it go and got back to training.
Meanwhile, Kakashi had taught Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno the essentials of Tree-walking, demonstrated once, then let the two practice on their own.
Kakashi approached Naruto and asked, "How well have you mastered Wind Breathing All Sword Techniques?"
Naruto answered, "I've only mastered up to the Fourth Stage. I've been trying to grasp the Fifth Stage but always feel like something is missing."
Sitting down on the grass, Kakashi said, "What I learned from Chinya-sensei was Thunder Breathing, which differs from your breathing technique. However, since we're both using breathing methods, my knowledge should be sufficient to guide you temporarily. Feel free to ask me any questions, and I'll answer whatever I know."
A smile appeared on Naruto's face: "That would be great, Kakashi-sensei."
Until now, Naruto had always been exploring Wind Breathing All Sword Techniques by himself. When encountering problems, he could only think through solutions alone, accumulating numerous doubts. Finally, he had someone who could provide answers.
Naruto raised various questions about practicing Wind Breathing All Sword Techniques, and Kakashi answered each one carefully.
Many issues that had previously confused Naruto suddenly made sense, bringing him a clear understanding.
After finishing the Q&A session, Naruto sitting beside Kakashi asked curiously, "Kakashi-sensei, do you know my mother?"
Kakashi replied, "Yes, I do."
Naruto looked at Kakashi intensely, asking, "Then do you know where she is?"
Kakashi hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I understand."
Kakashi had expected Naruto Uzumaki to ask where Miyuki Uzumaki was, but instead, Naruto simply said, "That's great," without inquiring about his mother's whereabouts.
Surprised, Kakashi asked, "Aren't you curious about where your mother is?"
Naruto lay on the ground looking at the sky and replied, "Of course I'm curious. I've thought about meeting my mother every single day. But… I guess I'm just not ready yet. Back then, Uncle Chinya told me he would reveal the truth once I could control my emotions better. At that time, I didn't know what kind of truth he meant to tell me.
Years passed before Uncle Chinya finally revealed my origins. When I learned the truth, I nearly broke down entirely. It turned out that all along, both my mother and I had been treated as sacrifices. Everyone bullied us. I felt—I was furious—and I wanted revenge.
With Uncle Chinya's help, I regained my composure. Had he told me the truth right from the start, I would have totally broken down, consumed by hatred and driven mad by it. Without power, I surely would've ended up controlled by them.
That's why I feel so grateful toward Uncle Chinya—for teaching me how to manage my emotions, training me in [Nin-Taijutsu], one of the most powerful techniques I've ever learned—and protecting my mother all this time.
I know my strength is still too weak. There are things I can't do even if I know the truth now. Now that I know you, Kakashi-sensei, know where my mother is, I'll come ask you when the time comes and I've grown stronger—you will tell me then, won't you?"
Kakashi stared at Naruto for a brief moment, then smiled and said, "Of course I will. Naruto, keep working hard. I believe when the time comes, Chinya-sensei might even arrange a meeting between you and your mother himself."
Naruto nodded firmly. "Yeah, we'll meet eventually!"
He got up from the grass, stretched lazily, and with none of the earlier indifference, energetically declared, "Well then, I should keep pushing forward too!"
Naruto resumed his training.
Watching from afar, Uzumaki Miyuki stood motionless as tears streamed endlessly down her cheeks.
The more mature Naruto grew, the more Miyuki felt heartbroken. Guilty. Pained beyond words.
After all, Naruto had walked through misfortune all by himself.
Inside Gato's base,
Gato entered Zabuza's room, followed closely by a group of hired rogue ninja.
Gato grumbled, "Come on, after all that talk, you came back with your tail between your legs? You're even more useless than I feared."
Haku, sitting beside Zabuza, stood up and turned toward him.
The rogue ninja hired by Gato grew alert one by one.
Zabuza, who had been leaning back on the couch with his eyes closed, finally spoke, "Teach them a lesson."
As soon as Zabuza finished speaking, the temperature in the entire room plummeted rapidly; even their exhaled breaths turned into white mist.
In an instant, Haku appeared behind two rogue ninja. With Senbon piercing into the necks of two rogue ninja.
The two rogue ninja's Byakugan flickered briefly before they collapsed to the ground—unconscious but not dead.
At the same time, Haku drew out a senbon and pressed it against Gato's throat, the needle's tip piercing his skin.
The sharp pain sent chills down Gato's spine, his legs beginning to tremble uncontrollably.
Other rogue ninja surrounding Gato stared in shock at Haku.
They hadn't even registered Haku moving—how had he suddenly materialized in front of them?
"Disrespect Zabuza-sama again, and you won't live to regret it."
Haku put the senbon away and returned to Zabuza's side.
Zabuza opened his eyes and warned Gato, "Don't think hiring a bunch of losers gives you the right to talk back to me. I told you, I work at my own pace. Question me again, and you know what awaits. Now get lost!"
Gato fled the room in terror, practically crawling in his haste to escape.
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