In one of the training fields Shinra sat practicing the basic leaf concentration exercise but today he had finally managed to break through the one hour mark.
'I guess this should be a good level to stop, I didn't feel much of an improvement in my chakra control for a while now. Maybe it's time to move on to the next level, tree walking.'
If the leaf concentration exercise was considered to be able to control chakra while being still and focusing, then the tree walking would be controlling chakra while moving.
Although the academy was closed for the next two weeks Shinra had already memorised the theory behind tree walking as well as water walking. He didn't place much hope on receiving the Shadow Clone Jutsu, so he couldn't afford to slack off.
Shinra chose the tallest looking tree nearby and stood before it, "First bring out the proper amount of chakra to my feet, then I need to constantly supply the same amount whilst climbing. According to the scroll what this exercise requires the most is stamina, with an adequate level of both chakra refinement and stamina it shouldn't be that hard."
Shinra took the first step into the tree, the wood immediately cracked, he lost his footing and fell down. "A little bit less next time."
By the eleventh attempt, a dull ache started creeping up his calves, he was also a bit slower than usual.
After a couple of minutes of rest, Shinra continued his trial and error, and he had finally found the exact amount of chakra needed to walk on the tree, 'Now that the easy part is over, now comes the hard part maintaining a constant stream of this amount exactly.'
…..
(Hokage's office)
"He wanted you to teach him the shadow clone jutsu you say?" Hiruzen asked with amusement looking at Reigen before him.
"Yes, I tried to shut him down multiple times but he seemed really adamant on learning it." Reigen retold the story to the Third Hokage, while reminiscing about the bowing figure of the blue haired kid.
'Hmm. He is indeed talented to have mastered the clone jutsu at his age, and given his sensory talent he is sure to become a great shinobi. If I give him the scroll, how would he react I have never met him afterall. Is he the grateful type or the greedy kind?' Hiruzen analyzed internally comparing the pros and cons of such an action.
"I need to think about it, I will call you to tell you my answer after I am done." Hiruzen said as he dismissed Reigen.
Being left alone in the office Hiruzen pulled out a crystal looking orb and began using his secret jutsu, 'In the scroll it's stated that he trains in training ground 27, it should be partly abandoned as it is directly in between the Uchiha clan and the western side of the village.'
A scene began forming inside of the crystal of a Shinra tree climbing for a few steps then slipping down.
Shinra paused mid-step, a strange sensation crawling up his spine, ever since he had collapsed he would occasionally feel like he is being watched, if before he had a general sense of direction from where he was watched from this time he was clueless.
'Am I being paranoid or is someone bored enough to keep spying on a 7 year old kid?' Shinra decided to ignore the feeling and continued climbing the tree.
Time passed and a dull thud echoed as Shinra hit the ground again.
He exhaled slowly and pushed himself up, brushing dirt off his clothes. His legs felt stiff from the constant reapplication and disappearance of chakra.
'Too much… again.'
He adjusted the chakra flow slightly and stepped forward once more.
The bark cracked under his foot.
He slipped.
Another fall.
From within the Hokage's office, the image in the crystal orb shifted as Shinra slid down the tree yet again.
Hiruzen watched silently, his pipe resting on the desk beside him.
'He is quite persistent that's for sure, tree climbing isn't part of the curriculum of the academy yet he is still keen on mastering it.'
Shinra's chakra control was precise, but maintaining consistency while moving was an entirely different matter. Each attempt was close, yet always just off by a fraction.
Too much chakra and the bark shattered.
Too little and he would slip off.
Hiruzen allowed the image to linger for a few more moments before waving his hand, dispersing the scene.
"There is no rush," he muttered quietly, turning back to the stack of documents awaiting his attention.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Enter."
The door opened, and a young man with short dark hair stepped inside, kneeling on one knee.
"Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen raised his head slightly. "Shisui."
Shisui Uchiha lifted his gaze. "I have a report."
Hiruzen gestured for him to continue.
"The Hawk faction within the Uchiha clan has been gaining more influence recently. Their stance has shifted from defensive concerns to a more aggressive stance."
Hiruzen's expression didn't change, but his fingers tightened slightly around the pipe.
"What is their goal?"
"They want to… have an Uchiha as a hokage." Although Shisui worded it as so the message was clear, a coup d'état was brewing.
Dealing with the faction itself wasn't hard but the repercussions would be severe, even more Uchiha would feel hated and caged by the village which in the worst case scenario could lead to the eradication of the Uchiha clan.
Seeing the silence of the Hokage Shisui continued with the report, "Increased patrols within the clan district. Closed meetings. The younger members are being encouraged to train harder."
Hiruzen sighed. "And their leadership?"
Shisui hesitated briefly. "Uchiha Fugaku remains cautious and currently doesn't seem to support them. However… Uchiha Senjiro seems to be one of the louder voices within the faction."
Hiruzen closed his eyes for a moment.
'Senjiro. I remember that Kagami had once told me that after the death of Lord Hashirama a small group of Uchiha wanted to reclaim Madara's corpse to dispose of it, but with the presence of sensei in the village they didn't dare to make a move, their ringleader at the time was called Senjiro is it the same guy?'
"Continue observing," Hiruzen said calmly. "No direct intervention for now."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Shisui bowed and disappeared in a blur.
Left alone once more, Hiruzen leaned back in his chair.
'It appears that I lack both your political sense and power, I wonder what you would've done in this situation— sensei.'
His gaze drifted back toward the crystal orb.
…..
Ren sat on the roof of his home, staring at the wooden training post in the courtyard below.
His fists clenched unconsciously.
Second place.
The thought gnawed at him more than he cared to admit.
It wasn't the loss itself that bothered him—His father's words echoed in his mind from that day a year ago.
"What are you happy about? You are an Uchiha it is expected that you would rank above others. Honestly, I envy that Fugaku he got blessed by a talent like Itachi, maybe if you were a bit… nevermind."
This time he had lost his rank one spot and not even to a clan member.
A civilian-born orphan.
Someone with no clan, no inheritance and no expectations.
Ren exhaled sharply, and pushed the thought out of his mind.
'This is the hand I have been dealt, there is no use to envy others.'
He jumped down from the roof and entered the house. 'Come to think of it Father said that he had a clan meeting to attend today.'
Back in Training Ground 27, Shinra leaned against the tree, breathing heavily.
Sweat dripped down his chin, soaking into the dirt below.
His legs trembled faintly.
'Just… one more time.'
He pushed off the ground and stepped forward.
He took his first step.
Then he took another step.
Then another.
His breathing slowed as he focused entirely on the sensation beneath his feet, adjusting the flow instinctively rather than consciously.
Three steps up.
Four.
Then his concentration wavered.
He slipped again.
Shinra landed hard, staring up at the branches above him.
For a long moment, he didn't move.
'This is very inefficient,' he admitted to himself. 'But there isn't a better solution.'
He stood up again.
Hours passed unnoticed.
The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the training field.
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen paused mid-document and frowned.
The room felt quieter than usual.
He glanced at the time.
"…Already this late?"
Almost absentmindedly, he reached for the crystal orb once more.
'Let's see if he gave up.'
The image formed.
Shinra was still there.
His movements were slower now.
He climbed.
Slipped.
Rested.
Then climbed again.
Hiruzen watched as Shinra reached a point higher than before.
"…He is still going," Hiruzen murmured.
Minutes passed.
Then more.
The image didn't change much, yet Hiruzen kept observing.
When Shinra finally managed to stand upright at the top of the tall tree, several meters above the ground, he didn't cheer.
He just smiled covered in dirt and small scratches.
Hiruzen's eyes softened slightly.
'Not bad at all, he reminds me a bit of Jiraya back when he was a child.'
The Hokage leaned back slowly, the image fading as he extinguished the jutsu.
He stared at the ceiling for a moment before standing up.
"…Perhaps giving it to him might not be a bad idea."
Outside, night had fully settled over Konoha.
In Training Ground 27, Shinra finally allowed himself to slide down the tree and sit at its base.
His body ached.
His chakra reserves felt very thin.
But he had finally climbed the damn tree.
For the first time since he arrived in this world, Shinra allowed himself a well deserved break, and slept with his back resting against the tree.
——
A/N: 10 Chapters already, hope you enjoyed them.