Chapter 5

"So I need to do what now?" asked Naruto utterly confused by the instruction he was just given.

"Okay, so chakra control is about managing your chakra. How much you use and how much you should use. You understand me so far?"

"Right, I understand that part. I don't understand how doing that is going to help," said Naruto.

"Naruto, this is the most chakra intensive control exercise I know," said Kakashi exasperated, "Remember what Atsui suggested. We need to work backwards from the most costly down towards the least costly exercises."

"Yeah I know, but why do I have to do that?" asked Naruto yet again.

Kakashi sighed heavily, "Would you just do it, try to have a little faith in me?"

Naruto eyed him very suspiciously then he eyed the lava flow. Where Kakashi found an active lava flow near Konoha he had no idea and it didn't really matter. He was expected to stand in front of the path of the lava and use his chakra to split the lava so that it flowed around him. The idea was to eventually narrow the wedge so that the lava got closer and closer to him without melting him. Yeah, this was totally going to end well for him.

"Once again, you need to create a massive barrier of Chakra in front of yourself and harden it. This technique once you've mastered it will benefit you for more than just creating a barrier against lava. Eventually you'll even be able to use it against elemental techniques. Most shinobi don't use this technique because it uses so much chakra, I don't even use it because of the chakra costs. You don't have any chakra issues just control issues. And I'll make you a deal, you learn this and I'll teach you a real Shoheki Jutsu. (Barrier Technique)"

"So, how am I supposed to prevent getting melted while I'm learning it?" asked Naruto irritably.

"Hmm, you have a fair point," said Kakashi, "however, you could just have a clone do it for you. Of course it will die quickly at first so you'll have to keep creating new clones but it shouldn't be so bad."

Naruto eyed him suspiciously once more, "And you're sure I learn what my clone learns?"

"Yes Naruto, just like I showed you how it works," he answered even more exasperatedly. This boy would drive him insane before too long.

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu," shouted Naruto creating almost 40 clones without much effort.

"Mah, Naruto, you know you don't have to shout the name of the technique," said Kakashi wriggling his pinky in his ear. "And can you create as few as just one clone at a time?"

Naruto narrowed his eyes and glared at him, "Isn't that the point of working on my chakra control?"

"True, well seeing as you've made so many we may as well put them to use. Line up troops. You will be marching one by one to your deaths. Your existences may be brief but you exist for the greater good," spoke Kakashi having fun with the boy.

"Osu," shouted the clones saluting the man.

"Now remember, you need to focus a great deal of chakra in front of you, from head to toe. You can imagine a wedge or a dome, whatever it easiest and then you just have to push through," explain Kakashi once more.

Kakashi then turned back to the original Naruto, "while they march off to their deaths let's make use of your time."

"Sweet!" shouted Naruto excitedly, "You going to teach me a kick ass wind Jutsu or maybe an earth technique?"

"Nope," said Kakashi with a grin, "I can teach a single clone some techniques if I wanted. No, you're going to work on speed and strength since that's the only thing your clones can't do on their own."

Naruto pouted and kicked a rock.

"So, let's get started," said Kakashi with a manic grin and glint in his eyes, "I want 10,000 squats and if you can't do that you'll be running 1,000 laps around Konoha."

Somewhere in the distance Naruto could have sworn he'd heard a shout of 'Youth'.

Meanwhile twenty clones had already perished in the war against their greatest foe to date. The lava would pay for this injustice. They would have their revenge for their fallen brethren.

"Okay, so the wedge technique worked better than the dome. But we need to make it wider and pierce deeper into the lava," said the next clone in line while those behind it nodded in agreement, "Wish me luck brothers."

"May the 'Will of Fire' guide you," said the others giving a small prayer for their soon to be lost brother.

The clone walked forward, put his hands out in front of him, trying to use them as a focus to channel chakra out of. He focused as best he could despite the hundreds of other thoughts racing through his mind. Pushing as much chakra out as he could he tried to imagine it as an arrow cutting through the lava in front of him and it worked momentarily until it got past the wedge and then it just shot right at him incinerating him.

"He will be mourned," said the next clone in line, "Okay, so now what? We were able to direct it around the wedge temporarily but it didn't last long."

"I don't think it was the wedge, at least not completely. I think we need to make it deeper . . . longer so the chakra walls extend past us," explained a clone a few position back in line.

"So you are thinking more like a diamond surrounding us completely?"

"Ooh, that's a good idea," replied the same clone with a grin.

"I will try this my brothers, may the 'Will of Fire' protect me," said the clone stepping up to the lava flow.

The clone moved into the lava, one step at a time. The diamond image was kept in mind surrounding him on all sides as he pressed in deeper and deeper. Once he was surrounded on all sides he stopped to look around himself. "Yes, I did," he jumped once in joy and was incinerated the next moment.

"That sucked," said the next clone in line, "But that worked now we need to make it better."

Meanwhile the real Naruto was still doing squats, "253 . . . 254 . . . . 255"

"Only nine thousand and change to go," said Kakashi gleefully as he continued to read his porn.

BREAK

Sakura was beyond happy that her first week of Iryonin training was over with. It was so boring. She had done nothing but read text books that entire week and then be tested rigorously on the knowledge imparted by those text books. She'd never been as thankful as she was then that she was a bookworm of the highest order. Sadly she still had weeks of reading to go before they began teaching her first aid and a very weak Iryojutsu. Still, she felt it was totally worth it.

Sakura was happily walking towards training ground 7 for her first official team meeting. It was something she was excited for but also dreading.

"Good morning Haruno-san," greeted Sasuke politely catching Sakura completely off guard and making her instantly terrified.

"Good morning Uchiha-san," she stuttered out in reply.

"Nice weather we're having today. Should be good for training," was Sasuke's calm and friendly seeming reply.

"Yeah, should be good," she stuttered back. She was truly afraid for her life.

"Morning Teme, Sakura-chan," said Naruto boisterously as he almost literally bounced into the clearing.

"Good morning Uzumaki-san," greeted Sasuke causing Naruto to freeze in place and look at him.

"What the fuck?" was his very eloquent response.

"There is no need for such profanity Uzumaki-san, it is very rude and may offend our clients," replied Sasuke calmly. He was neither harsh nor cruel in his response but almost congenial.

"What is wrong with him?" asked Naruto of Sakura whom he now noticed was white as a sheet.

"Sakura-chan," Naruto repeated trying to get her attention, "Sakura-chan, are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Yo," greeted Kakashi appearing in the clearing.

"What the hell?" shouted Naruto, "Am I dreaming? First Sasuke is nice and Sakura is quiet and now you show up on time. Am I trapped in a Genjutsu?"

Kakashi chuckled nervously, "Well, I figured I should be on time for our first team meeting. Don't worry, I promise not to make it a habit."

"Good morning Kakashi-sensei," said Sasuke politely.

"Ah, you've been practicing," said Kakashi with an appreciative nod, "That should make cooperating with your team that much easier. If you need to stop at any time, just let me know and you drop the act for a few minutes until you're ready to resume.

"I will let you know if at any time this façade becomes difficult to maintain. Danzo-sensei wants me to practice this as often as possible while I'm with my team and in front of villagers, clients and potential clients," explained Sasuke, "It is unnatural for me but I can understand the logic of it."

"Good," said Kakashi, "Continue to approach things logically like that and you'll make a good reputation for yourself in no time."

"And a good reputation will lead to higher end missions wherein I can improve my skills and move closer to my ultimate goal," added Sasuke a very slight murderous gleam entering his eyes at the end.

"You've gotten so much creepier Sasuke," said Naruto before he shook his head and slapped himself once, "Focus, you have objectives today, focus."

"Good job reigning yourself in Naruto," said Kakashi seemingly pleased before turning his attention to Sakura who was shaking like a leaf.

"Calm down Sakura-chan," said Kakashi put a firm hand on her shoulder, "You're perfectly safe with this team."

Sakura seemed to calm drastically just from that letting loose a long breath she didn't know she'd been holding. Take a few additional deep breaths she finally addressed her Sensei, "I'm sorry I panicked like that. I was unprepared for such a . . . drastic shift."

"We've gotten pretty good at this over the years Sakura-chan," said Kakashi kindly to the girl.

Sakura nodded once stealing herself.

"Okay team," began Kakashi, "I'm going to run you through a series of warm up exercises I want you to complete together as a team when you arrive for team meetings. I will usually arrive shortly after you've completed the exercises and I promise you, if you don't do them I'll know and simply won't show up at all. Fair enough?"

The three Genin nodded once compliantly and then followed the instructions Kakashi gave them. It took about 30 minutes to get through all the exercises but it was a good warm-up as far as they could ascertain.

"Now, as you know I'm a Jounin. What you don't know is that was once part of ANBU. I tell you this so you know that I am a very accomplished and capable shinobi. I want you to feel safe around me and I want you to know that I have a lot I'll be able to teach as time passes if you have just a little patience. That said I'm going to outline our plans for the first month as a team. Any questions before I begin?"

All three shook their heads ready and excited to get started.

"I need all three of you to understand up front that I prioritize teamwork. As such our first month is going to be focused learning to work together. Know this, working together does not mean you have to be friends. You don't even have to like each other. I only ask that you be patient with each other and treat each other with equal respect. The faster you all learn to do this faster we'll be able to progress into C-Rank and even possibly some B-Rank missions. Again, you don't have to be friends or like each other to work together as a team. When I was in ANBU I worked with a lot of other shinobi, all of different skill levels, talents, and personalities. I did not always like who I worked with because of their personalities but while I was in ANBU I had a 96% percent mission success rate simply because all of us knew how to cast aside our personality issues in order to work together for optimal results."

"What about the other 4% percent?" asked Sakura curiously but not entirely sure she wanted the answer.

"Some missions are just doomed to fail. You have to understand, sometimes we're given bad intelligence, and sometimes luck just runs out, and any other number of problems can occur. I can tell you this much though, in those missions that we failed it was not due in any way to personality issues. As you go through the ranks, you're going have to find your own way to deal with the various personalities and work with them in as efficient a manner as possible. It will not always be easy and you will have to work at. Fortunately, you all have time."

"Now, as I said this month will be focused on learning to work together as a team. Beyond that we'll be working on situational awareness exercises, physical training, some chakra control exercise, and of course D-Rank missions," explained Kakashi unable to hide the glee in his voice at the mention of D-Rank missions.

"Unless you have any other questions let's get started with some situational awareness exercises," said Kakashi clapping his hands together.

BREAK

Following the team meeting Sasuke reported directly to Danzo. His rage was bubbling just beneath the surface. Today had really worn on him. Holding up that fake appearance for so long, he just didn't feel it was necessary. It didn't feel beneficial. And most importantly it didn't make him feel less homicidal.

"Report Uchiha-san," ordered Danzo without any nonsense in his voice.

"I was able to maintain the required false façade as ordered. I attempted to make small talk but was ineffective as my teammates were unprepared for the drastic change in my attitude. The teamwork exercises and situational awareness exercises went very smoothly and a lot of conflict with my team was completely avoided using the false façade."

"Good," said Danzo, "Now, logically explain why conflict was avoided."

Sasuke nearly growled. Everything since he started working with the man was about logical deduction. He reigned in his temper as he'd been practicing rigorously. "Logically conflict was avoided by presenting suggestion then discussion the pros and cons of those suggestions. Avoiding harsh insults of poor ideas and giving constructive criticism created an open environment in which discussion flowed freely. This pattern is in alignment with existing research and behavioral science studies learned this past week."

"Good," said Danzo, "Now, logically explain how this benefits you."

"Logically I benefit by creating a more positive image of myself to the village, the people I will work with, the people I may work with in the future, potential clients and actual clients. Creating a more positive image of myself will improve my reputation as a shinobi and give others a sense that I am capable and professional which will in turn lead to better missions. Better missions will lead to more opportunities to improve my skills. Improving my skills brings me closer to obtaining revenge for my clan and the death of Itachi."

"Good," said Danzo, "Now, given these logical deductions, can you see purpose to continuing this current path of development?"

Sasuke didn't like it but the logic was sound and no matter how much he disliked it the results spoke for themselves, "Yes, logically I see the benefit and can continue down this path despite feeling irritated and angry that it is logically necessary."

"Good," said Danzo, "How is your need to kill? You don't seem overly on edge but I don't want you to risk damaging the good work we've already begun."

"I am irritable but not out of control," said Sasuke honestly, "I should be fine for another day or two."

"Do not hesitate to ask Uchiha-san," said Danzo, "I'm not like those other fools. I understand your needs better than most. I recognize your talent for what it is. In me you will always have an ally while you remain loyal to the leaf."

Sasuke nodded to the man. He did not mind this man so much.

"Now, training for today," said Danzo, "We will continue training your Fire elemental chakra. A few more weeks of this then we'll start on your Lightning elemental chakra. Then the real fun starts to see if you can mix them."

Sasuke grinned maniacally, he really didn't mind this man at all. He willingly gave him the power he so desired.

BREAK

"Today we're going to work on a combat scenario," said Kakashi as he entered the clearing instantly peaking the interest of all three of his Genin.

"Sweet!" shouted Naruto his usual excited self.

"Four clones Naruto," said Kakashi causing Naruto to frown. He complied anyway creating five clones instead of the requested four.

"Good enough, Naruto please wait over by the stumps while I get your teammates and clones started," ordered Kakashi.

Naruto of course complied but it didn't stop him from grumbling.

"So today's combat simulation is a protection detail. You are protecting a client on an escort mission when you come under attack by a shinobi," started Kakashi.

"Rank and affiliation?" asked Sasuke immediately.

"Jounin and let's go with Kumo," said Kakashi thoughtfully, "I'll be playing the Kumo-nin in this exercise. You have 10 minutes to plan while I get Naruto started."

"Sensei?" called Sakura before he could walk away, "Um . . . "

"What is it Sakura-chan?" asked Kakashi.

"Why are you so hard on Naruto like this?" asked Sakura, her curiosity finally getting the better of her. They had been a team for a week now and everyday Kakashi would have Naruto create a couple of clones then send the real one off to do physical exercise. Usually he did an insane number of push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, squats, squat thrusts or sprints while they would do the situational and combat exercises.

"Hmm, it's not that I'm being hard on him," said Kakashi, "It's partly that he asked me to do and partly that this is what he needs."

"I did not ask for this," said one of the Naruto clones.

Kakashi raised his single eyebrow, "Oh, has your ambition changed?"

"No," said Naruto easily.

"And what do you think is required to become Hokage?"

"You have to be the best," said Naruto easily though feeling like he was being led into a trap.

"And how do you think you become the best?"

"Lots of Jutsu?" Naruto half asked half guessed.

"Try again," said Kakashi.

"Hard work and training," groused Naruto.

"Like I said, he asked for it," said Kakashi.

"But what did you mean when you said he needs it?" asked Sakura.

"Okay, so you've seen Naruto bring out a hundred clones before when I teach you a new technique right?"

Sakura and Sasuke both nodded.

"Okay, no how long does it take you to learn that exercise usually?"

"About a day," answered Sakura.

"And it takes Naruto the same day right?"

"Yeah," said Sakura.

"No, it takes Naruto one hundred days," said Kakashi causing Sakura to startle and Sasuke to raise a slightly curious eyebrow.

"What do you mean?" asked Sakura.

"Kage Bunshin is a very dangerous but useful technique. The chakra cost to make one Kage Bunshin is more chakra than both of you combined have available, closer to three times what the both of you have combined. That should give you an idea as to how much chakra Naruto has available to him, before you get upset at how unfair it is remember it's a double edged sword, because he has so much his control will always be horrid. I mean really, really, really bad. Anyway, everything that Naruto's Kage Bunshin learns he in turn learns. So if he has 100 clones learn something in 1 day he's actually learned something in 100 days. Understand?"

"Why does it take him so long to learn stuff?" asked Sakura curiously.

"It's the way his brain works," said Kakashi trying to keep it simple as possible and hoping they wouldn't ask any more questions, "It is also why I work so hard on getting Naruto to focus better. He's actually improved quite a bit since I first started working with him two weeks ago though to most it would hardly be noticeable."

"Isn't it hard on his body to repeat the same action so many times like that?" asked Sakura letting the budding medic in her show through.

"It is very hard, but like his overwhelming chakra capacity he is also a stamina freak. How often do you see him sweat when doing the same activities the two of you do?"

"I've never paid attention," said Sakura honestly.

"He's never sweat with us," said Sasuke, "It's strange though. Why does he have such stamina and chakra? Logically it doesn't appear to be natural."

"It's his heritage," said Kakashi.

"A bloodline?" asked Sasuke thoughtfully, "Is he really Uzumaki?"

"Yes," said Kakashi hoping it would drop.

"I see, thank you for the information," said Sasuke calmly.

"If that is all, you'd bet get to preparing and I'd best get Naruto to work," said Kakashi leaving them to plan.

"What took you so long?" asked Naruto impatiently tapping his foot.

"You'll know when you dispel your clones. For now we have work to do," said Kakashi.

"So what am I doing today, push-ups, sit-ups . . . "

"We're going to change up your pattern a bit starting today. From now on you'll do one of those exercises two days a week. Two other days you'll be doing the sprint and turn exercise. The remaining three days a week will be dedicated to Taijutsu combinations."

"Yes, finally," shouted Naruto in joy.

"You say that now," said Kakashi, "Now this won't be a true style or anything overly complex. I will be a simple 3-6 move combinations consisting of a block or two and two to four strikes. Okay with you?"

Naruto frowned slightly in consideration, "Okay, let's see what you've got."

Kakashi stepped back into a ready stance, "I'm going to show you this 3 times. Once at full speed, once at half speed, and once to break down the individual movement. Throw a punch at my midsection."

Naruto complied with a straight left.

Kakashi very slowly stepped in towards Naruto meeting his punch with a forward elbow block, "first move is the block, then we double counter," explained Kakashi as he lowered his forearm and thrust his elbow towards his solar plexus and used the momentum to slide in closer gently knocking Naruto back in the process, "the elbow thrust should knock the wind out of your opponent as well and pushing him back a step," Kakashi finished with a back fist strike that could either hit the face and nose be shot into the throat, "we finish with the back fist. Depending on how far back your opponent stumbles, an uppercut strike to the throat, chin or nose might work better. If you look at my rear arm it is kept protective in a few inches from my chest just in case."

"Dude, that is so badass," said Naruto excitedly.

"This is one of my favorite counter and strike combos," said Kakashi, "Now I'll show you at half-speed and then at full speed." As promised Kakashi did exactly as he said.

"Sweet," said Naruto as he mimicked the move at half speed.

"I want you to do this combination 5,000 times leading with your right and then 5,000 times leading with your left. When I teach you combinations like this our goal is force muscle memory to develop and help you improve your focus by giving you a singular task to work on and develop. Remember, your goal is to get faster while maintaining discipline," instructed Kakashi.

"Osu!" shouted Naruto excited for this particular exercise.

"I'll come back and check on you shortly," said Kakashi walking back towards his remaining Genin.

"You three ready?" asked Kakashi looking at the group.

"Yes sensei," said Sakura. The group was surrounding the target dummy in the Manji Formation.

"On my mark," said Kakashi, "Mark!"

"Ambush," warned Sasuke, "Naruto put up a barrier about the client and Sakura."

"Daburu Chakra Shoheki no Jutsu," said two clones running quick hand seals sitting so Sakura and the dummy were between them. Seconds later a transparent blue green barrier in the shape of a pyramid surrounded them.

"Sending in a clone to evaluate threat," said one of the Naruto clones moving in rapidly on Kakashi.

Being a simulation Kakashi allowed the clone some leeway before dispelling it with a Raipurusu no Jutsu.

"Definitely a lightning user," said Naruto, "Be wary of using earth techniques."

"You learned any wind techniques yet?" asked Sasuke.

"Not yet," said the clone, "my barrier can take quite the beating but it leaves us exposed in the open here."

"I'll engage in Taijutsu and some Ninjutsu when I have an opening. Please harass him at range with kunai and shuriken," said Sasuke.

The two remaining Naruto clones ran out to try and pincer the Jounin while Sasuke engage in a frontal assault

It didn't take long before the two remaining clones were destroyed and Sasuke was technically 'killed' ending the simulation.

"It was a good plan," said Kakashi, "Using a barrier was smart but I would recommend using a double pass barrier."

"What's that mean?" asked Sakura.

"A barrier within a barrier," said Kakashi, "The objective is to place the client in the inner barrier. Then Sakura and Naruto place themselves in the outer barrier. This would allow Naruto to continue to create clones to support Sasuke. In the event of Sasuke's injury, clones could retrieve him for Sakura to heal while the other clones keep the attacker busy. This also protects Sakura while she works."

"Wouldn't a triple layer work better?" asked one of the Naruto clones.

"Indeed, a third outer barrier would provide further protection and cover, dropping the second layer, creating clones to fill the space in between the second and third barrier, replacing the second barrier and dropping the third to let the clones lose. Reverse the order to bring someone back inside the overall barrier," explained Kakashi, "The downfall to this is it can be very time consuming but provide additional layers of protection."

"So I would have to work on my speed of use or . . . what?"

"Speed bringing up or down the barriers will help but the time it takes to move in and out of the various levels can be detrimental if someone needs quick medical attention," explained Kakashi further, "Fortunately you'll rarely have to face a Jounin on a mission and if it should ever come to that you have me to cover and there aren't many Jounin I can't handle."

"Indeed, though as mentioned earlier it would not hurt to learn a wind technique or two," said Kakashi, "Sasuke and Sakura would also benefit from a Genjutsu or two."

"Does that mean you'll be teaching us some?" asked Sakura hopefully.

"Hmm . . . . no," said Kakashi before producing three scrolls, "Let's see if you can learn these on your own and in a few days if you still need help I'll consider it."

"You're the best Kakashi-sensei," shouted the Naruto clone running over to the original with scroll in hand.

"Thank you Kakashi-sensei," Sakura and Sasuke echoed.