Chapter 15 – Growth and Resolve
Naruto walked beside Sakura as they headed back toward Kakashi and Sasuke's training area near the water. The quiet sound of waves and distant construction from the bridge filled the air while Naruto continued explaining chakra affinities.
"So if you master Earth Nature, you can make your hair harder so it won't be cut by kunai."
He continued calmly while gesturing with his hand as if shaping chakra in the air.
"You can also learn Earth Style: Hardening Jutsu for defense. It makes your body much tougher."
Sakura suddenly grabbed Naruto's arm and stopped walking.
Her eyes were wide with concern and curiosity.
"So Ino can already do things like that, right?"
Naruto nodded without hesitation.
"Yeah. She started nature transformation training right after graduation."
He scratched the back of his head casually.
"Even Hinata already started hers."
Sakura slowly lowered her head as the realization hit her.
She had always believed she was keeping up with everyone.
Now she finally understood how far behind she really was.
Sakura looked up again with determination.
"Can you tell me how to train my nature transformation?"
Naruto smiled slightly.
"Well, we're about to meet Kakashi-sensei anyway."
He pointed ahead.
"He can teach you the proper method."
As they walked closer, they finally saw Kakashi supervising Sasuke near the river.
Sasuke stood on the surface of the water, carefully maintaining his balance with chakra.
"Hey Kakashi-sensei! We need your help!"
Naruto shouted loudly.
The sudden shout broke Sasuke's concentration.
Splash!
He immediately lost control and fell straight into the water.
"NARUTOOOO!"
Sasuke shouted angrily while climbing back out.
Naruto burst out laughing.
"Wahahaha! You still haven't learned it?"
He pointed mockingly.
"And you call yourself an Uchiha genius? Mr. Number Three."
Sasuke's face turned red with anger and embarrassment.
During the academy he had been ranked second.
Then suddenly Hinata had grown incredibly strong and defeated him, pushing him down to third place.
Even now he still couldn't defeat her in taijutsu.
Her Gentle Fist was anything but gentle.
Kakashi watched the two with an amused smile behind his mask.
Their constant bickering almost reminded him of another famous duo.
He turned toward Sasuke.
"Keep practicing."
His tone returned to normal laziness.
"I'll see what they want."
"Yes, sensei."
Sasuke nodded and continued practicing water walking with renewed focus.
Kakashi then walked toward Naruto and Sakura.
"So what do you two need?"
Naruto spoke first.
"Sensei, teach Sakura Earth Nature Transformation training and teach me some Wind ninjutsu."
Kakashi blinked in surprise.
"Nature transformation already?"
His visible eye narrowed slightly.
"And you want jutsu?"
Naruto nodded casually.
"Sakura spends most of her time reading medical books anyway."
He pointed toward her.
"So she can train while studying."
Then he pointed at himself.
"And I need some jutsu."
Kakashi nodded slowly.
"I understand Sakura's situation."
Then his eye narrowed at Naruto.
"But what about you—"
Naruto casually picked up a small leaf from the ground.
Within seconds, the leaf split perfectly in half between his fingers.
Kakashi's eye widened slightly.
"Tsk."
Naruto tossed the leaf aside.
"I already mastered Wind Nature."
Of course, Naruto only needed the excuse of Kakashi officially teaching him jutsu.
He already knew many techniques, but he couldn't reveal them openly.
Kakashi sighed in resignation.
"You could have told me earlier."
He scratched the back of his head.
"How about you start learning another natu—"
Naruto slowly turned toward him.
He smiled sweetly.
A vein popped on his forehead.
"Are you teaching or not…"
He spoke slowly.
"S-E-N-S-E-I?"
Behind Naruto, his hair suddenly began floating upward like burning flames.
Naruto deliberately used his Hair Manipulation Jutsu, recreating the terrifying aura of Kushina Uzumaki when she was angry.
Kakashi immediately shuddered.
For a moment he felt like he had traveled back in time.
He nearly bowed instinctively.
"F-fine! I'll teach you!"
He wiped the sweat forming on his forehead.
Naruto nodded happily.
But Kakashi couldn't help the quiet sadness that appeared in his heart.
Minato-sensei… Kushina-senpai…
If only you were still alive.
---
A week passed peacefully in the Land of Waves.
The bridge construction was almost finished, and Team 7 continued guarding the workers while training during their free time.
Sakura began practicing Earth Nature Transformation while studying medical texts.
Naruto occasionally helped guide her training.
Meanwhile Kakashi taught Naruto several Wind Style techniques, though Naruto mastered them much faster than expected.
Sasuke continued improving his chakra control and water walking.
Just when the bridge was about to be completed—
Trouble finally arrived.
Gato appeared with a large group of hired samurai.
His short figure walked arrogantly toward the bridge while the samurai surrounded him.
"Damn Zabuza for abandoning me without finishing the job!"
Gato shouted angrily.
He pointed toward the villagers and workers.
"You bastards! Stop building that bridge!"
His voice turned cruel.
"Samurai! Kill them all!"
The hired warriors rushed forward.
Kakashi simply stood there watching calmly.
Sakura moved first.
She quickly formed hand seals.
Her pink hair suddenly grew long and extended outward like living ropes.
The hair wrapped around several samurai instantly, binding their arms and legs tightly.
Naruto immediately created several Shadow Clones.
The clones rushed forward and knocked out the captured samurai before they could cut Sakura's hair.
Meanwhile Sasuke stepped forward and formed hand seals.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
A massive fireball shot forward.
Naruto immediately followed with another jutsu.
"Wind Style: Gale Palm!"
The powerful wind fed the flames.
The fireball expanded violently.
BOOOOM!!!
The explosion scattered the remaining samurai instantly.
Within moments, the battlefield fell silent.
Only Gato remained standing.
Naruto began walking toward him slowly.
But Kakashi raised a hand to stop him.
"We can't kill him."
Naruto paused.
Kakashi continued calmly.
"He has connections with the Daimyo."
His tone grew serious.
"If we touch him directly, things could become complicated."
Naruto thought for a moment.
Then he nodded.
He turned toward Tazuna and the villagers.
"What if they beat him up…"
Naruto shrugged casually.
"And he just happens to die?"
Tazuna immediately understood the meaning.
The villagers' eyes filled with anger and courage.
They rushed toward Gato together.
Gato screamed as the crowd overwhelmed him.
Kakashi watched the scene unfold.
His eye twitched slightly.
"You really think outside the syllabus."
Naruto grinned proudly.
"We have nothing to do with his death."
He shrugged again.
"It was all the villagers."
Soon after, the bridge construction was finally completed.
With their mission finished, Team 7 prepared to return to Konoha.
The newly built bridge stood tall behind them as they began their journey home.