Water Mountain Gate – Farewell
Naruto's cultivation at Water Mountain Gate officially came to an end.
Under Natsuki Tategen's guidance, he had truly understood the essence of Water Release.
Gentle.
Flexible.
Endless.
Like flowing water itself.
What surprised Natsuki the most was that Naruto was able to adapt to Water Release so quickly.
He had found a mental state that perfectly matched water's nature.
This saved her a great deal of trouble.
Under her teaching, Naruto's progress was astonishing.
In just half a month, he had already mastered the fundamentals.
One day, Natsuki exhaled a cloud of smoke and said lazily,
"Alright, Naruto."
"I've taught you everything I can."
"It's time for you to go down the mountain."
Naruto immediately cupped his hands.
"Thank you, Master Natsuki!"
Natsuki rolled her eyes slightly.
"How many times have I told you?"
"When no one's around, call me 'Sister.'"
Naruto smiled bitterly.
"…Alright, Sister."
After bowing again, Naruto leaped from Water Mountain Gate and flew downward.
Along the way, many senior sisters came out to see him off.
"Junior Brother Naruto, take care!"
"Come back and visit!"
"Don't forget us!"
Naruto waved repeatedly.
Although these senior sisters had teased him endlessly, they had also taught him many things.
Especially one sentence—
"Water has no fixed form."
It had been deeply engraved in his heart.
Thinking of Fire Mountain Gate, Water Mountain Gate, and his senior brothers and sisters, Naruto felt warmth in his heart.
He took a deep breath and landed steadily at the foot of the mountain.
Golden Mountain Gate – Forging the Blade
Below Water Mountain Gate, someone was already waiting.
It was the master of Golden Mountain Gate—
Chuigen Gongshan.
Naruto immediately saluted.
"Greetings, Sect Master!"
Gongshan nodded lightly.
"Come with me."
As Naruto had expected, the five mountain masters were taking turns training him.
Thus, his cultivation at Golden Mountain Gate began.
Here, Naruto's sword cultivation reached a new height.
Under Gongshan's guidance, Naruto constantly refined his blade.
He used Metal Release to absorb minerals from the earth.
He fused them into his sword.
He tempered it again and again.
The sword gradually emitted dazzling light.
When he held it, sword chakra surged like a tide.
Here, Naruto learned:
Swordsmanship
Metal Release activation
Chakra infusion into weapons
Combat enhancement
Only then did he realize—
Among the five elements, Metal Release was mainly used to strengthen weapons.
It was not simply about creating metal.
It was about refinement.
Another month passed.
One day, Gongshan smiled.
"It's time for you to leave."
Naruto raised his sword and saluted.
"Thank you, Master!"
Wooden Mountain Gate – Life and Growth
Outside Golden Mountain Gate, someone else was waiting.
The master of Wooden Mountain Gate—
Chuigen Moriichi.
"You must be Naruto."
Moriichi spoke calmly.
Naruto nodded.
"Yes. Greetings, Sect Master."
Moriichi raised his eyebrows.
After passing through three mountain gates, Naruto's aura had completely changed.
He was no longer immature.
He was sharp.
Confident.
Heroic.
"Hmph. Follow me."
They entered Wooden Mountain Gate.
Here, Wood Release had two main branches:
Healing techniques (similar to Medical Ninjutsu)
Offensive Wood Release (similar to Hashirama's Mokuton)
Naruto was already familiar with both.
After all, in his previous life, he had Hashirama cells in his body.
So his learning speed was terrifying.
Moriichi was deeply shocked.
He had never expected someone with "common attributes" to perform so well.
His prejudice disappeared completely.
He began teaching Naruto seriously.
Another month passed.
Before Naruto left, Moriichi handed him a pill.
"This contains concentrated chakra and dark matter."
"If you're seriously injured, it can save your life."
Naruto accepted it solemnly.
"Thank you, Master!"
Moriichi wiped his eyes.
"Go… go…"
They had almost become friends during this time.
Parting was hard.
Earth Mountain Gate – The Lazy Master
At the foot of Wooden Mountain Gate, another person was waiting.
The master of Earth Mountain Gate—
Chuigen Yanshan.
He was lying on a recliner, sleeping soundly.
Two disciples stood beside him.
Seeing Naruto arrive, one disciple hurriedly shouted,
"Master! Wake up!"
Yanshan slowly opened his eyes.
"Oh… he's here?"
Naruto suppressed his helplessness and saluted.
"Greetings, Sect Master!"
Yanshan stretched.
"Alright. Let's go."
The disciples lifted the recliner.
They all flew up together.
At Earth Mountain Gate, Yanshan threw Naruto a book.
"Read this first."
Then he lay down again.
And fell asleep.
Naruto was speechless.
What did this master do at night?
Why was he always sleeping?
But since he had been told to study, Naruto obeyed.
After passing through four mountain gates, Naruto was now extremely mature.
His foundation was terrifying.
He read.
Practiced.
Experimented.
When confused, he asked.
And Yanshan would wake up, answer briefly, then sleep again.
After several days, Yanshan couldn't sleep anymore.
Naruto had too many questions.
"Don't you even understand Earth Release like this?"
Naruto shook his head honestly.
Yanshan held his forehead.
"My head hurts…"
Naruto asked curiously,
"Master, why do you love sleeping so much?"
Yanshan replied lazily,
"Our doctrine is simple."
'All things return to dust.'
'Sleeping forever is the ultimate ending.'"
Naruto thought.
"Then why sleep so much when you'll sleep forever after death?"
Yanshan froze.
"…That actually makes sense."
His drowsiness vanished instantly.
"No, no, stop confusing me!"
"Come, let's continue!"
Another half month passed.
Naruto bowed deeply.
"I'm leaving, Master."
Yanshan looked at his back and sighed.
"A common attribute…"
"To reach this level…"
"Incredible."
Reunion
After leaving Earth Mountain Gate, Naruto saw someone waiting.
When he recognized the person, his eyes lit up.
"Brother Ichiro!"
"Why are you here?"
His journey through the Five Mountain Gates had finally led him back to his origin.