Naruto: Young Teacher
Chapter 29
Ren stood in front of Team 7 with a tired expression. Out of all the things he could be doing, babysitting new genin was the last thing he wanted.
Damn it, Kakashi… you're supposed to be their sensei, not me, Ren thought irritably.
"So, all you have to do is channel chakra to the soles of your feet," Ren explained calmly. "Then stick to the tree like this."
He demonstrated by casually walking up the tree trunk.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura watched closely before attempting it themselves.
They trained for half an hour, repeatedly slipping and falling.
Eventually, Sakura succeeded.
"I-I did it!" she said, staring at her feet in disbelief.
Ren nodded with approval.
"I told you," he said. "You're perfect for becoming a medical ninja."
Naruto groaned in frustration.
"Damn it! Why can't I do it?" he complained loudly.
Sasuke said nothing, but his determined gaze remained fixed on the tree.
Ren tossed a few kunai toward them.
"Mark the highest point you reach," Ren instructed. "Then keep trying to surpass it."
He folded his arms slightly.
"Normally, it takes months for genin to master tree walking."
Sasuke glanced between Sakura and Ren.
"How long did it take you?" he asked.
Ren shrugged casually.
"Two seconds."
The others froze in disbelief.
Sakura blinked before asking another question.
"Then… what about Hinata and Ino?"
Ren thought for a moment before answering.
"Hinata learned it in a few tries because of her Hyūga training," he said. "Ino took a few minutes."
Sakura's mouth twitched slightly.
Even here, she wasn't ahead of Ino.
A small sense of regret formed within her for not joining their earlier training.
"Alright," Ren said, turning away. "Sakura, keep practicing until you can walk without stumbling."
He pointed at Naruto and Sasuke.
"You two keep training. Don't disturb me."
After walking a considerable distance away, Ren formed several shadow clones.
"Alright," he said quietly. "Let's begin."
The clones dispersed in different directions.
Some went to search for Zabuza and Haku, while others headed toward Gato's operations to gather resources.
The real Ren walked toward a nearby lake.
He began training his water release, focusing on shaping the water with precise chakra control.
Meanwhile, several clones moved deeper into the forest.
They began testing Ren's theoretical fuinjutsu concepts.
One clone eventually located Zabuza and Haku.
Its appearance shifted into that of an oni-masked ninja before approaching them.
"Yo, Zabuza," the clone said mockingly. "Who would've thought a Jonin and two academy graduates would leave you in such a pathetic state?"
Haku immediately stepped in front of Zabuza, taking a defensive stance.
Several masked figures surrounded them from all directions.
One of them suddenly used Shunshin and appeared behind Haku, grabbing him by the neck.
Zabuza's eyes widened in shock.
That speed… and the level of chakra control…
"What do you want?" Zabuza asked coldly. "Leave Haku out of this."
The masked clone chuckled lightly.
"I like dealing with smart people," it said. "Here's the deal."
It stepped forward slightly.
"You're going to return to Kirigakure and inform Mei Terumi that her suspicions are correct."
Zabuza's expression hardened.
"The Third Mizukage has been under control for years," the clone continued. "The one behind it is a man named Tobi."
It paused briefly before adding more details.
"He wears a spiral mask and a black cloak with red clouds."
Both Zabuza and Haku listened carefully.
"That same man is also responsible for releasing the Nine-Tails in Konoha."
"What?!" both of them exclaimed in shock.
This wasn't just a random threat.
This was someone targeting entire hidden villages.
"Who are you?" Zabuza asked cautiously. "And what proof do you have?"
The masked figure shrugged.
"You're still alive, aren't you?" it replied. "Once you report this, you'll learn the truth yourself."
It straightened slightly.
"As for who we are…"
There was a brief pause.
"We are the—" the clone coughed awkwardly. "Ahem… wrong line."
It continued smoothly.
"We are the Dawn. We deal with those who shouldn't exist."
Zabuza narrowed his eyes.
"Release Haku, and I'll deliver your message."
Another clone stepped forward and placed a seal on Haku.
Zabuza's fists clenched in anger.
"You don't have a choice," one of the clones said coldly. "Disobey, and the boy dies."
With that, all the clones vanished instantly using Flying Thunder God.
Zabuza blinked in silence.
If not for the seal on Haku, he might have thought it was all an illusion.
"Zabuza-sama…" Haku said quietly.
Zabuza exhaled slowly.
"We leave for the Hidden Mist once I recover," he said.
"Yes, Zabuza-sama," Haku replied.
A week passed.
Ren and Sakura guarded Tazuna and the bridge workers while Kakashi rested and recovered his chakra.
Naruto and Sasuke continued their tree-climbing training relentlessly.
Ren quickly grew bored of standing guard.
So, he decided to teach Sakura the next stage of chakra control—water walking.
Each time Sakura lost focus and fell into the water, one of Ren's shadow clones would grab her and pull her out like a drenched kitten.
Sakura wanted to yell at him, but she held back.
When she complained to Kakashi, he simply waved it off.
"That's the next step in chakra control," Kakashi said lazily. "Keep training."
He glanced at Ren briefly.
"With him around, you're not in any danger."
And so, Sakura spent the entire week repeatedly falling into the water.
Meanwhile, Naruto and Sasuke spent their time running up trees… and falling down just as often.
Their training continued without rest.