Since it was late, Team Seven decided to send the old drunk man on his way the next morning, and everyone returned home for the night.
"Naruto, wait up!"
Naruto was walking down the street when Iruka's voice suddenly called out from behind.
He turned his head, saw Iruka, and smiled, "Oh, it's Iruka-sensei."
"Naruto, where are you headed?" Iruka asked as he walked up, smiling.
"Gonna grab some food, then off to train," Naruto replied, already guessing Iruka's purpose.
"You're really working hard, Naruto," Iruka praised, then looked at him seriously and asked, "Are you still upset about what Kakashi-sensei did two months ago?"
Naruto thought quickly. He didn't fake a smile or act indifferent; instead, he curled his lip like a child and replied, "Hmph, I'm not mad at that teacher Kakashi!"
Seeing Naruto act like this, Iruka was relieved. He had taught Naruto for six years and knew him well enough to recognize when Naruto truly didn't mind.
"So, why do you always seem so lazy during missions with Kakashi-sensei?" Iruka pressed further.
"Well, the missions are just boring and get in the way of my training!" Naruto grumbled, "But don't worry, Iruka-sensei, I'll get serious next time!"
"Haha, good to hear," Iruka said, patting Naruto on the head. "Come on, let's go eat some ramen. After we eat, I'll continue guiding you in your training!"
"Really? Iruka-sensei, you're the best!" Naruto hugged Iruka happily. This side of him shone through because Iruka was truly good to him; Iruka had sacrificed a lot of his time in the past two months to guide him in ninjutsu training.
Though Iruka was only a Chūnin, he could still train Naruto in fundamental ninjutsu skills like Taijutsu, Genjutsu, and basic chakra control.
Thanks to Iruka's dedicated teaching, Naruto's strength had improved significantly over the past two months.
He had fully mastered C-rank jutsu in three elemental styles: Earth, Water, and Wind, as well as basic Taijutsu, Genjutsu, weapon handling, and the Body Replacement Technique.
All at a proficient level.
Thanks to his skill with the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu and his massive chakra reserves granted by the Uzumaki clan's Sage Body, he was able to train ten times faster!
In just two months, he had achieved progress that would take others eight years.
It was an astonishing speed!
Now, after two months, his strength had reached the level of a Chūnin, comparable to Iruka's.
If not for his lack of strong foundational skills from his years at the Academy, his strength would be nearing that of an elite Chūnin.
Currently, the system displayed his personal status panel as follows:
...
Host: Uzumaki Naruto (Male, with goggles)
Age: 12 years
Rank: Chūnin
Chakra Natures: Wind, Water, Earth (gifted by Sage Body)
Bloodline Traits:
Uzumaki Clan's Sage Body (Level 4, God-tier bloodline)
Explosion Release from Deidara (Level 1)
Abilities:
Uzumaki Clan's Sage Body Skills (exceptional chakra reserves, Adamantine Sealing Chains, Kagura Mind's Eye, rapid healing, sealing mastery)
Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu, Transformation Jutsu, Clone Jutsu, Body Replacement Jutsu, advanced chakra control, Flying Thunder God Technique…
Jutsu:
C-rank Wind Release, Earth Release, and Water Release techniques.
Items:
[Bloodline Upgrade Scroll] x1
...
In truth, C-rank jutsu aren't all that powerful, but unfortunately, that's all Iruka-sensei knew. Naruto wanted to learn B-rank jutsu from Kakashi, but the latter wasn't willing to teach him.
Furthermore, he was always under the watch of the Anbu or spied on by the Third Hokage with his crystal ball, so Naruto couldn't freely practice his Explosion Release or Flying Thunder God Jutsu.
Because of this, Naruto grew even more eager to go on missions outside the village.
Luckily, the mission to the Land of Waves was starting tomorrow. Once he dove into those waters and emerged from the abyss, Naruto's freedom would be unleashed!
After having Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto returned to the training ground, but this time he didn't ask Iruka-sensei to join him because tonight, he was going to have a duel with Sasuke.
The goal wasn't just to test his current strength but also to complete the long-term quest, [Defeat Sasuke Seven Times], that the system had previously assigned him.
Over the past weeks, he had been challenging Sasuke repeatedly, but Sasuke had refused each time. Finally, today, on the eve of the mission, Sasuke accepted.
"Sasuke, I've been waiting for this day for so long! Hahaha!" Naruto laughed as he looked at Sasuke.
"Hmph! So have I! This time, you won't beat me!" Sasuke said coolly, standing across from Naruto.
"Round one: Taijutsu!" Naruto didn't waste time. He snorted and dashed toward Sasuke, kunai in hand.
Instantly, the two of them engaged in close combat.
Sasuke was very strong in Taijutsu and had even gained Kakashi's recognition, but Naruto's skill had greatly improved over the course of his intense training.
They clashed for hundreds of moves before they finally separated, both breathing hard. Naruto grinned as he looked at Sasuke.
In Taijutsu, they were evenly matched.
"Round two: Ninjutsu!"
Just as Naruto spoke, Sasuke formed hand signs and unleashed a fireball.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
"Water Style: Water Bullet Jutsu!"
Naruto wasn't one to back down. After forming his own hand signs, he spat out a powerful stream of water that extinguished Sasuke's fireball. When fire met water, a dense white mist filled the air, obscuring their view.
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
Naruto's hands moved swiftly to form seals, and right after the water jutsu, he launched a gust of wind that blew away the mist, directing it straight at Sasuke.
Sasuke, expecting this, dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding Naruto's attack.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"
Running quickly to Naruto's left, Sasuke unleashed multiple fireballs.
Naruto, seemingly caught off guard, was hit by the flames, but in a puff of smoke, it was clear that he had used a Shadow Clone to deceive Sasuke.
Sasuke frowned and quickly dodged again, wary of Naruto's clones.
"Haha! Sasuke, get ready for my ultimate move!"
Naruto's voice echoed from all around, and Sasuke glanced around uneasily, seeing a dozen whirlwinds swirling with water, closing in from all sides like a raging torrent.
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
"Water Style: Water Bullet Jutsu!"
The clones had paired off, combining Wind and Water Styles to form a powerful jutsu that surrounded Sasuke.
"Hmph!" Sasuke's face hardened. His biggest fear was Naruto using his endless chakra reserves and Shadow Clones to overwhelm him.
He couldn't figure out why Naruto had so much chakra! The Uchiha clan couldn't match it, unfortunately.
Sasuke thought quickly for a way out, but since he only knew Fire Style, he had no means of defense or escape and could only brace himself for impact.
"Earth Style: Earth Dragon Hiding Jutsu!"
A voice came from the ground. Sasuke looked down to see the earth rising, reaching out and pulling him into the ground, saving him from Naruto's attack.
"Sasuke, you lost again! Haha!"
"Ding! [Long-term Achievement Quest: Defeat Sasuke Seven Times!] Progress: 47%. Keep going, Host!"
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