Jiraiya got up and headed towards him. Naruto was still looking at the lightning that was released into the air.
"Good job, you were able to do it by yourself without any tips. Let's start with the next step, piercing power! As you know lightning has two main characteristics, piercing power and speed. Right now you have achieved speed as lightning is naturally extremely fast, next you have to train it's piercing capability.
To do this you have to be able to control it proficiently. You have to be able to coat this leaf with lightning chakra without it wrinkling and pierce a tree with it. Most lightning users coat their ninja tools with lightning chakra, but that's just a rough layer of chakra. Even though it increases piercing power, it would be nothing compared to a master of lightning release."
Raiden went into deep thought. This sounded simple enough with his chakra control and shape manipulation level.
He grabbed a leaf off the ground and used his lightning chakra to surround it as a layer. The leaf was perfectly encapsulated by the chakra. He threw it towards a tree and focused on the result. The leaf was stuck inside the tree with 2cm stuck inside.
"This training should be about letting me increase my lightning chakra output while still being able to control it. If I hadn't practised the second step of the Rasengan, the leaf would probably not stick at all. Although I can control a lot more chakra than this normally, lightning is a lot more chaotic as it keeps moving all the time at an extremely fast speed.
Looks like mastering lightning release needs really fine chakra control. No problem, once I finish this training I'll have even better chakra control and be able to take my lightning chakra a step further." Raiden said to no one in particular while smiling.
Jiraiya heard him and thought 'What a monster! He instantly figured out the purpose of this training. Looks like his knowledge about chakra extremely good. Once he finishes his training I should probably ask The great toad sage about him.'
Raiden started his training again while using multiple shadow clones to help him in accumulating experience with controlling lightning.
This went on for quite a few days with him increasing the distance the leaf pierced every time. He used the same routine as before training with Jiraiya in the morning when they have no missions then train with Shisui and Itachi in the afternoon if they were present. During missions, he kept training during the way to and back from the mission location.
Finally, three weeks later, the leaf was able to go through the tree entirely. He popped all the shadow clones he was using and all their experiences came rushing back to him. He excitedly went to meet Jiraiya and told him of his achievement.
"Man, shadow clones really help in training. I should probably start using them as well. Anyway since you succeeded, take the rest of the day off. We'll meet again tomorrow." Jiraiya said.
Raiden nodded and went towards Itachi's house since his mom was still at work. He reached his house and knocked on the door. Itachi opened the door and found Raiden.
"Raiden, what brings you here? Don't you normally train with your sensei at this time."
"Well, I finished early and took the rest of the day off. Wanna go out to lunch with me?"
Before Itachi could reply, Sasuke was standing behind him.
"Raiden-Nii-san, can I come as well?"
"I don't know you'll have to ask your mother."
"But both mother and father are out on missions."
"Then it comes to Itachi." Sasuke looked at Itachi with puppy eyes and asked him "Can I come with you brother?"
Itachi sighed and said to Raiden "Wait for a bit, we'll be right out." Sasuke smiled a bright smile towards Itachi and thanked him.
They soon left. They headed towards a restaurant Jiraiya introduced to him when they went to celebrate after one of their harder missions. It was one of the more expensive restaurants in town, but today Raiden was half celebrating finishing this step that took quite some time. It's named, Yakiniku Q.
After reaching the restaurant, they found a table and sat down.
"Today, I'll pay. I've finally succeeded in the second step of my training so we're celebrating."
Sasuke quickly thanked him and Itachi asked
"So you'll finally be able to learn that Jutsu now?"
"I guess so. I'll try to do it tomorrow. I could've probably learnt it after the first step, but I had to finish my training before starting to train in it so I'll be able to maximise on its power. Anyway, the Chuunin exams are in four months, are you ready?"
"You don't have to worry about me." Said Itachi then activated his Sharingan which now had three tomoe.
"It seems I don't. Sasuke is Fugaku-san going to start training you soon?" Said Raiden while looking towards Sauke with a smile.
"Father and brother said I can't start training until I am four which is very soon. Don't worry, I'll get strong really quickly and become like brother."
"Haha, I hope so." Said Raiden.
They continued their talk while eating and spent the rest of the afternoon together before they separated a couple of hours later.
He went home to spend the rest of the day with his mother. He told her of his success and she congratulated him.
That night he was thinking of what would happen if he tried applying the lightning element to the Rasengan. Would it be completed?
The following day, He woke up early and went to meet Jiraiya.