A few days had passed since the last incident at 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 that Iruka told him.
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 in an instant, it will be useful.
Something that he finds interesting is the process of contacting the outside of his body. Every time he uses his
"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 now he can do it, just needs practice.
He tries to use the M-Chakra.
The moment he uses this chakra he feels different; it isn't the same slow sensation he felt when using the weak one.
Using the M-Chakra feels like he can use it and go even farther 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 is 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.
Trying the same method like in the class won't work, so he tried the most stupid method: increase the amount of chakra, he never feels it will end so he doesn't care.
But it didn't work, the only proficiency that increased with that method was his ability to make it look 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 outside has a limit, he still doesn't know what it is but that's the next step.
The time flies, and Naruto goes to school once a week to show his results to Iruka; the other kids can now do the transformation, but the substitution has been a failure until now.
He spends 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 destroy the trunk of a tree.
It hurts and sometimes the splinters pierce his fingers a little.
On the other hand, his meditation goes well since he can use his will, it's helpful and now he only needs to keep his head out of the water to breathe and the rest is submerged in the water feeling the turbulence.
But the problem is even now he doesn't know how to breathe underwater. He can resist for less than 20 minutes and then he needs to get out.
After another failure in 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 is poor but if he tried it with a limb? If that doesn't work, maybe a hand? a finger?
Following that thought he started 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.
Today when he's at the library he finds Iruka waiting for him.
"Naruto, how is your training going? maybe i need to run with you" Iruka says with ease in his tone.
After he found that no matter what he says to the Hokage it will be the same he feels conflicted, he wants to help the kid but going against the Hokage isn't an option.
Feeling that way complicated his feelings for Naruto. A mix of guilt and regret revolves his inner.
But seeing the kid struggle even if he knew something 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 to call my master to teach you the youth"
Naruto commented as he looked at him from head to toe.
Iruka didn't expect Naruto to say something like that to him, does he 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 will take you to meet him!" Guy-sensei stance appeared one more time.
Every time Iruka sees that pose he feels 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 didn't matter; when the test began, he was confident that he had already made it.
His worry right now is another, when he made the stance Iruka-sensei and his classmates had an incomprehensible look. It seems that he hasn't mastered the stance of his master.
Shrugging his shoulders, he left the school and went home.
He says to Iruka that he would take him to meet his master, but he doesn't know when Guy-sensei returns to the village. All that remains is to wait.
One month later in the evening he feels it, Guy-sensei is back.
They always meet in the forest, so he waits until the next day to go.
The next morning, I went to the school to take Iruka with him. He remembers the last time they talked.
Iruka follows him to the forest, he doesn't know Naruto trains in that place, he always sees him in the village in the evening.
Passing through the Uchiha clan they see small flames in the walls. These flames always appear when Naruto walks nearby.
Neither of them said anything to the other, they walked in silence.
Running with a smile on his face Naruto arrived at the forest after a few minutes and saw 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 gets old when it's the opposite.
"Guy-sensei! What happened to you! Why do you seem so weak and short? where did your muscles go?!" the person Naruto's talking to can feel the terror in his voice, like seeing something incomprehensible.
"???"
When the guy turned around and Naruto could see his face, he froze.
That bow-cult, bushy eyebrows, green uniform. It's his master but why does he seem so young?
"Guy-sensei! Maybe you managed to rejuvenate? Just to live 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 said 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 sounded 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 met him last year when he graduated from school and since then I have taught him!" with his characteristic smile Might Guy appears on Naruto's side, he's happy to see his disciples meet.
The copy of Might Guy, Rock Lee didn't react much with the things Naruto said but when he saw 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 looks at his clothes, they're the same except that Guy-sensei wears a vest.
Pushing away the terrifying image that appears on his mind as he remembers that time Guy-sensei wanted 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 that I met him!" replies Rock Lee shaking his head.
"Mm okay! I wonder who my team leader will be"
Iruka doesn't know what to think seeing the interaction between these three. When Might Guy arrives, he realizes where Naruto learned the pose he always uses in school.
Taking a step forward Iruka says "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. Last 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 seemed happy to finally meet Naruto's teacher.
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 some days and I was curious"
"Ah! Hahaha! Naruto is a brilliant young man. I'm proud of him.
"Hearing Iruka's words, Might Guy feel happy to know his disciple is spreading his youth whenever he goes.
Iruka's eyes were dazzled looking at the perfect and original Guy-stance.
"Yes, everyone can see the efforts he makes every day. I also feel proud to be his schoolteacher.
That's all, if you excuse me, I will go back to school. Good bye, Naruto, see you at the test"
The three of them see Iruka leave the scene and a few moments later they also separate in their training.
"So long, Naruto! The day when you do the test I will be there! And when you graduate!"
"¡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 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 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 a 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 completed 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 bought food in the stalls; the villagers don'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 at him.
Going for the road which leads to the Uchiha-remains he notices a familiar back at the entrance.
Humming a melody, Naruto approached 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 letting him end his words Naruto yelled with disbelief.
"Frozen face!"
"You, bastard..." Sasuke's face wrinkles 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 along the riverbank.
"You disappeared for a long time, I knew that you were alive. The guys in the class always talks about you, they 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 your training, but after these years can you graduate from school?"
"Yes, I can, my mother told me" his voice turned soft as they talked 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 started to hide in the horizon they stopped, and Naruto went for a different way while Sasuke stood in his place.
"Hey"
"What's up? frozen face" Naruto enjoyed calling him like that.
"Tsk, thanks, for recognizing me." Saying that Sasuke turned around and went 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 remain in silence and take separate paths.
--|-----|------|-----|----
Days passed and on 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 arrives, and this time Naruto can see Sasuke in the corner surrounded by classmates.
"Tsk, it's always the same with this bastard"
Feeling Naruto mock him, Sasuke's eyes spit fire.
After all the students arrived at the gym, Iruka furiously coughed to change his attention.
"Cough!... Okay! Just show me the three basics justus and you can graduate today!
Everyone has 5 minutes
Now, we'll proceed by arrival order."
Only a few students (citizens) failed the test and after more than an hour it's Sasuke's turn.
He does it easily and returns to his seat.
And now, it's Naruto's turn.
Iruka thinks there will be no surprise, after these months Naruto has trained his control and in the preliminary test, he does it.
Focusing his eyes on Naruto's body, he can see the horrible amount of chakra this brat has.
But there's something wrong. Why does his clone jutsu feel so complicated?
Finishing his demonstration, Naruto stood and waited for Iruka's approval.
"Naruto, why does your clone jutsu feel weird? Like it's different things." Iruka is skeptical.
"Ah! Iruka-sensei, you know that I have problems controlling my chakra, so I tried to separate the body and project one part at a time. Like a puzzle game"
"Puzzle game? Are you saying that every part of your clone is assembled?"
"Yes! Isn't it amazing? That's 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 got used to it, in these years Naruto amazed him every time.
The kids of prestigious clans felt their faces go numb, even though they knew that this Jutsu didn't work like that.
When the test ended, Iruka clapped 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 succeed!"
Iruka continued when all the kids who failed the test got out of the hall
"Today you will become a Konoha's Genin! Come here and I will give you the headband"
Everyone cheers up when he says that, and 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 looked everywhere until he found the tall man with the green uniform.
"Guy-sensei, look! I'm a ninja now, like you!"
"Hahaha! I'm proud of you Naruto, I'm happy you can progress in your path of youth!" Might Guy takes Naruto in a hug filled with pride and satisfaction.
"Let's eat! This deserves a celebration!
All the kids were showing off their achievements to their parents.
Mikoto sits waiting for her son. There are a few problems, but she manages to solve them.
Looking at the small smile on his son's 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 appeared 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 ends 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 physical 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 in his heart.
Seeing Might Guy being a father figure to Naruto it's so sweet.
Sasuke won't become a sociopath like in the canon, it's so frustrating to see him in such a state . Meanwhile Kishimoto tells us Itachi is completely sane, it's not fair.
Naruto only uses his M-chakra when he's alone, he remembers the things the book told him.
Also, he tries the jutsus with M-Chakra.
The transformation with M-Chakra makes it no different from the real one, it's an enhanced version but he didn't know how to copy the inner part 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 a comment. I'd love to hear your thoughts.