By the river outside the village.
Naruto and Sakura, looking grim, arrived at the riverbank. They found Sasuke repeatedly running up a tree under Kakashi's supervision.
Naruto frowned slightly at the sight. Sasuke's training method seemed to be practicing climbing trees, which he already knew how to do. He was about to leave.
"Kakashi-sensei, what are you planning to teach us?" Sakura asked, her voice laced with curiosity.
"First, I'll teach you the essential skill of climbing trees. Once you've mastered that, I'll teach you how to work together in combat!" Kakashi said, his eyes subtly glancing at Naruto.
Yesterday, he went back and carefully examined those leaves again. He realized the leaves didn't quite seem like nature transformation. This made him puzzled, so he planned to test Naruto today by having him climb trees across the water.
If Naruto could do it, then his judgment from yesterday would be correct. If not, then Naruto was developing some other ability.
"So it's tree climbing, huh? If that's all, then never mind, I'm out of here," Naruto shrugged.
"Why are you leaving? Don't you want to learn? It's an important combat skill," Sasuke, who was in the middle of training, turned his head, puzzled.
"I already know these techniques," Naruto replied.
"You already know?" Sasuke's heart clenched at hearing this. He was worried that Naruto would surpass him again.
"Yeah, isn't it easy to master simple techniques like climbing trees and walking on water?" Naruto blinked innocently.
"Easy to master?"
Sasuke was stunned, remembering that he had come here to train in advance, working hard for three hours without success, just to get ahead of Naruto.
But he didn't expect Naruto to have already mastered it. The key was that Naruto looked as if it was very easy, which was so infuriating.
Frustrated, Sasuke asked again, "You really learned it? Even water walking?"
"Of course. It's just basic stuff for kids. Nothing difficult."
Naruto nodded without hesitation. He used to climb trees to get fruit and catch fish in the water when they didn't have enough food. He already knew those skills.
Plus, he didn't learn any ninjutsu when he was a kid. To make himself stronger, he practiced precise Chakra control, shape transformation, and nature transformation.
He wanted to develop a Kekkei Genkai with this method, but then the system activated, and he changed his training path.
Even though he changed his training path, these basic skills were still there, so he didn't need to waste time on them.
But his words were a blow to Sasuke. As the top student, Sasuke always thought he was the best, but he didn't expect to be surpassed by Naruto time and time again. It was not a good feeling.
"Naruto, show us. If you can easily do water walking and tree climbing, then you can act freely," Kakashi said tentatively.
[Experience +2]
"Alright!"
Naruto nodded and walked towards the large tree nearby. Under Sasuke's nervous gaze, he stepped onto the top of the tree and then walked down again, step by step.
This process was incredibly smooth, as easy as walking on flat ground.
After climbing the tree, Naruto went to the small river beside it and then walked on the water, even running back and forth repeatedly.
This ironclad fact proved that Naruto was telling the truth, which once again dealt a blow to Sasuke.
"I didn't expect you to really master it."
Sasuke said with a dejected expression, clearly suffering a significant blow. Suddenly, he thought of the Bald Training Method Naruto had mentioned and quickly asked.
"Naruto, is that Bald Training Method you mentioned earlier really effective?"
"Of course it is. However, whether it works depends on your luck. If you can go bald, then you've succeeded."
Naruto said with a half-smile, waving his hand. "You guys continue, I'm off to find my Hinata."
With that, Naruto quickly headed southeast. He could sense that Hinata's team was also training in the forest, and he figured he could go over and leech some experience.
Thump, thump, thump!
Seeing Naruto run off, Sasuke clenched his fists, determined to try the Bald Training Method.
"Ahem, Sasuke, what did you mean by the Bald Training Method?" Kakashi asked, puzzled.
"Teacher, I know! It's the training method Naruto was talking about," Sakura quickly raised her hand and explained.
"Naruto said, 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and a 10-kilometer run every day, eat some bananas, and no air conditioning. He said you could become super strong in three years."
"Hmm? What kind of training method is this? Such intensity is difficult for ordinary people, but it's not difficult for us ninjas," Kakashi said doubtfully.
"I don't know, but Naruto has improved a lot. Could it be related to this training method?" Sasuke finally voiced his thoughts. He had suspected this for a while.
"I'm not sure, but you can add this training to your routine. You can handle the intensity, anyway," Kakashi suggested.
"Okay!"
Sasuke nodded, his face resolute.
But Sakura, standing nearby, hesitated, because she thought of Sasuke's image after he went bald. She shivered instantly.
Meanwhile...
Kurenai Yuhi was in the forest with Hinata, Shino Aburame, and Kiba Inuzuka, testing their combat skills.
"Not bad, not bad. Kiba Inuzuka, your dog Akamaru is very good. Its sense of smell is sharp, and it can also sense the enemy's Chakra levels and the level of danger. It's a very good Ninja Dog."
Kurenai Yuhi looked at Kiba Inuzuka with admiration, placing great importance on the Ninja Dog he raised.
"Of course. Akamaru's detection ability has helped me a lot. It's really reliable." Kiba Inuzuka held his dog.
"Woof!"
Akamaru barked, seemingly very happy.
"Right, there's something I'm a little curious about. When Akamaru senses danger, will it be frightened? How is its combat ability?" Kurenai Yuhi asked with a question.
"Don't worry, Akamaru is very combative. Even if it senses the danger of a Jonin, it's not afraid and still dares to fight." Kiba Inuzuka said proudly.
"That's really amazing. I didn't expect Akamaru to be so remarkable," Kurenai Yuhi complimented, nodding her head.
"Of course! He's a Ninja Dog from the Inuzuka clan. Naturally, he's a born fighter, especially with a master like me!"
Kiba Inuzuka puffed out his chest with confidence and pride.
But just as he was feeling so proud, and while they were still talking, a figure came running from afar. Everyone saw it was Naruto.
"Woof!"
Suddenly, Akamaru barked, and his body trembled as he curled up, fearfully staring at Naruto.
Seeing Akamaru's reaction, and remembering Kiba Inuzuka's earlier boasting, everyone turned to Kiba with questioning looks.
"Kiba Inuzuka, didn't you say Akamaru wasn't even afraid of a Jonin? Why is he scared of Naruto?" Shino Aburame asked.
"Yeah, is your Ninja Dog really as amazing as you say?"
"I!"
Kiba Inuzuka's expression darkened a bit. He had just boasted about Akamaru not being afraid of even Jonin-level dangers, but then some random person scared Akamaru like this. It was too embarrassing.
Frustrated, Kiba said to Akamaru, "Akamaru, this is so embarrassing! You're scared of even a Genin! Can't you get it together?"
"Woof!" Akamaru sensed something and became even more terrified.
Whoosh! Naruto's figure flashed and disappeared, reappearing next to everyone.
"Woof!"
Akamaru barked in fear, then darted to the ground, tail between his legs, and fled into the distance.
"This…"
The entire scene went silent, everyone staring blankly at what had happened. Kiba Inuzuka stood there, utterly dumbfounded.
"Damn it, Akamaru, come back here!"
[Experience +1] [Experience +1] [Experience +2]
....
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