A monster like Naruto, who possessed a colossal amount of chakra, was a different case entirely. For Asuma, however, guiding such a prodigy was a deeply fulfilling challenge.
"Naruto, if you want to improve your accuracy, you need to know that it will be extremely difficult," Asuma warned, his expression serious. "This involves the outward release and constant maintenance of chakra, which is more advanced than any of the special training you've done before. Are you ready?"
Naruto clenched his fist, his eyes burning with determination. "Of course!"
Asuma nodded. "Alright. Let's start now. We're going to learn how to walk on water."
"Walk on water?!" Naruto scratched his head frantically, utterly confused.
Asuma led Naruto to a small, calm river that flowed through Konoha. "This place is perfect for this training. Watch me first."
With practiced ease, he gathered chakra at the soles of his feet and then released it outwards, creating a stable platform under him. It was as if the chakra had become an extension of his body, offsetting his own weight. He stepped lightly onto the river's surface and walked across to the other side and back again, as if he were strolling on solid ground.
Naruto watched with wide-eyed admiration, eager to try it himself. "Amazing! Let me try!"
"You've practiced tree climbing before," Asuma said. "Walking on water is the next level. You not only need to gather chakra in your feet, but you also need to constantly release it, turning it into a force that supports your entire body."
Naruto nodded repeatedly, then came to the riverbank and took a deep breath. "Refine the chakra, call upon it, gather it at the soles of my feet, and then... release!" He carefully projected the chakra from under his feet, then tentatively stepped onto the water.
*Splash!*
As expected, Naruto plunged directly into the river and began struggling miserably. "Blub-blub-blub—"
Asuma hurried forward and pulled him out. "How about it, Naruto? Not as simple as it looks, right?"
Of course, Naruto wasn't convinced. He stripped off his soaked clothes and stood dripping on the bank. "I don't think it's that difficult, Asuma-sensei!"
Asuma smiled. "Good. That confidence is a valuable thing to have."
Naruto stepped lightly onto the water again with his bare feet.
*Splash!*
And again.
*Splash!*
However, Asuma's brow furrowed in thought. *Hmm? Naruto... he seems to be getting more skilled with each attempt. If he keeps this up, walking on water won't be a challenge for him at all.*
He was right. In the past, Naruto's chakra had been disrupted by Orochimaru's Five Elements Seal, making this kind of control difficult. But now, with his chakra flowing freely, the exercise was much easier. Because Naruto had such massive reserves, releasing a constant stream of chakra was simpler for him than the delicate control required for tree climbing.
Just as Asuma predicted, only half a day had passed when Naruto's triumphant shout echoed across the river. "Ha! Asuma-sensei, I did it!" He was swaying unsteadily on the water's surface, staggering like a drunkard, but he didn't fall.
Asuma couldn't help but applaud sincerely. "Naruto, well done. I thought this would be your most difficult practice, but it turns out to be quite easy for you."
Naruto was incredibly proud, laughing out loud. He also felt that this practice was more relaxing than any he'd done before. He excitedly stomped his feet on the water, sending waves splashing in every direction.
Asuma smiled and lit another cigarette. "Very good. It only took half a day to get the hang of it. Now, we can truly begin practicing with the Gale Palm."
Naruto ran across the water's surface, leaving a series of swirling ripples in his wake, and saluted Asuma excitedly. "Yes, Asuma-sensei!"
Asuma then began to formally teach him the secrets of the technique. Naruto summoned a shadow clone; the main body prepared the Gale Palm while the clone readied the shuriken. In an instant, a strong wind blew, adding its power to the ninja tools and doubling their speed. But that was just the beginning.
"Now," Asuma instructed, "while you launch the Gale Palm, release your chakra and add it to the wind itself. Try to control the wind, and then use the wind to control the shuriken. Let the wind become an extension of your body, just like your own arm."
Naruto nodded repeatedly. "Oh! I get it!" He couldn't wait to begin. Gradually, he started to understand what Asuma meant. Control the wind, not the shuriken. When it came to shurikenjutsu, Naruto was far inferior to Sasuke. But if he thought of the wind as his own arms, then it was just like throwing the shuriken directly at the enemy with his own hands. Of course, that was easier said than done.
Another full day passed. "How's it going, Naruto?" Asuma asked.
Naruto was a little discouraged. "I can perform the Gale Palm itself, and with a clone, I can do the shuriken combo. It's just... the precision. I can release my chakra, but I can't skillfully turn the wind into my arms. It's like... my hands and feet won't obey me. I can touch the shuriken with the wind, but I can't use it to hit the enemy accurately."
Asuma laughed. "It's amazing that you can even do that much! The issue of precision isn't something you can solve overnight. Honestly, at your age, to complete the tree-climbing and water-walking training and to be able to control, release, and maintain your chakra to this level... you are already a genius among geniuses."
Naruto shook his head. "Not even close. Three days have passed. I have to perfect the Gale Palm within ten days!"
Asuma frowned. "Naruto, why are you so hard on yourself?"
Naruto sighed. *It's not me, it's the system!* If it were just about learning the technique, he had already done it. But the system hadn't given a completion prompt, which meant he had to keep improving until it was perfect. "Thank you, Asuma-sensei. I'll continue to work hard." He bowed deeply, then turned and left. Asuma watched his back, took a puff of his cigarette, and smiled with relief.
Naruto knew Asuma had taught him everything he could. The rest was up to him. He returned home, ate dinner, and immediately began practicing again. In his dreams, he fought Sasuke and Neji, but this time he gave up all other tactics and focused solely on honing his Gale Palm. His win rate plummeted, and he was beaten repeatedly, but his control over the technique improved immensely.
The next morning, Naruto saw the familiar white-eyed girl on the street outside his window. He was delighted and quickly invited Hinata upstairs.
She smiled shyly. "Naruto-kun, I'm sorry I haven't been able to come out to help you study these past few days..."
"Ah, what are you talking about? It's a huge help even if you only come once in a while!" Naruto's training had reached a bottleneck, so a break was welcome. He took lessons on cultural subjects with Hinata, which helped calm his frantic emotions. But Hinata was observant and could tell something was on his mind.
"Naruto-kun, have you run into a problem again?"
Naruto had nothing to hide from Hinata. "Um, Hinata... do you know how to precisely control the release of chakra?"
Hinata was startled. She never expected such a technical, professional question to come out of Naruto's mouth. But she immediately began to think. "Chakra release?"