Before the sun rose into the sky, Naruto was in the training field doing some basic exercises. Running, push-ups and what not. Asuma and shikamaru walked in on him training but they didn't call out to him immediately, they watched him from afar while they gathered their thoughts. ' how does he expect to get any stronger doing the same exercises they taught him in the academy... He doesn't even have any weights strapped on his body. This is gonna be a lot of work' Asuma looked at Naruto with mild concern.
Next to Asuma shikamaru was having thoughts of his own, his expression conflicted but as soon as he saw Naruto training with all his might his thoughts gained clarity 'knowing him he won't use it for something I wouldn't approve of....maybe....'. " What a drag" shikamaru sighed and walked over to Naruto leaving Asuma to his thoughts. " Hey Naruto" hearing his name Naruto slipped while doing some one handed push-ups and he fell flat on his face "Guuhh... What is it can't you see I'm doing something here" Naruto lifted his face off the ground and looked towards the voice. " We need to talk there's something I'd want to tell you".
" Shikamaru?, you wanna tell me something?"
" Yeah it's about your shadow clone jutsu, there's more to it than what meets the eye"
" What's that supposed to mean, I haven't noticed anything weird is it dangerous!"
" Well yes it is dangerous for the average Shinobi but your Chakra reserves are large enough for you to use it safely, but that's not what I want to tell you, make a clone and have it follow me behind those bushes" Naruto did just that.
Shikamaru walked behind the bushes with the clone and walked back to Naruto alone."Now, what number did I give the clone before it dispelled itself" Naruto looked at shikamaru like he asked a stupid question "It's 38, what does that have to do with anything". " That confirms it, when the shadow clone disperses wether from receiving a hit or intentionally cancelling the jutsu, you recieve information gathered by your clones".
Shikamaru stoic expression and random observation confused Naruto "Is there something I'm missing here". ' right this is Naruto were talking about' sighing once more shikamaru decided to keep things simple and straight to the point " I have a way to take your training to the next level using your clones" Naruto's ears perked up "Really? How". Shikamaru explained to Naruto in detail all the benefits and limitations of this training method. " So basically anything they learn, you learn the only exception being you need to train your body yourself" Naruto jaw dropped a while ago but shikamaru's just kept dropping bombs on him one after another "Shikamaru..... YOU'RE A GENIOUS!!! When I become Hokage you definitely going to be one of my advisors hahahaha" shikamaru's face grew pale ' I shouldn't have told him....'.
Asuma thought now would be the best time to walk in on the conversation now that shikamaru was done with his little Grand reveal. " Ok Naruto I guess it's time I train you like I promised, Here take this and put some of your Chakra in it" Asuma took out a piece of paper and gave it to Naruto " Why, isn't this just some paper" Naruto was unsure why he needed to do such a thing.
" This is Chakra paper depending on the reaction it has with your Chakra we'll be able to determine what element you have a natural affinity towards" not wasting any time Naruto moulded a little Chakra into the Chakra paper and it cleanly split in half. " What's that supposed to mean" Naruto looked at Asuma curiously " it looks like you're the same as me Naruto you're Chakra affinity is wind". Naruto wasn't sure wether he should be happy with the results or not " Is it any good?" Asuma looked offended " Wind is as good as any other element, it has its pluses and minuses, it all depends on how far you can take it kid." Naruto still looked dissapointed " I wanted something cool like fire style or lightning style, Damn why's Sasuke so lucky". Asuma deadpanned at naruto's antics. ' so that's why, what a naive kid'.
" Look kid this only determines your elemental affinity, basically you'll find it easier to master wind style than any of the other elements. It doesn't mean you can't master the other elements a good example would be my father the third Hokage he mastered all of the elements. Fire, water, wind, fire, lightning, yin and yang. You can do the same especially if you use that new fancy training method shikamaru came up with".
" ALL RIGHT!! Let's get started sensei. What do I do now" Asuma instructed Naruto to collect a bunch o leaves and using his clones split them in half with his Chakra and when he succeeds he should dispell the clones and create a new batch of clones that have the collective experience of all the clones while his main body was given a new harsher training regiment that tested the limits of his resolve. Running around the entire training field multiple times, lifting gradually increasing weights and so on. Once in a while shikamaru and Naruto performed a joint training exercise where shikamaru used the shadow possession jutsu on Naruto, while Naruto tried to break free. So far Naruto couldn't move an inch and the technique held him in place until shikamaru dispelled it himself when his Chakra was low and he needed to rest.
"Haa...haaa... I'm done for the day my Chakra reserves dried up for the fifth time in a row" shikamaru knelt down his shadow retreated from Naruto's setting him free "haa...haaa... I.... haa....can keep going" Naruto took deep breaths and slowly calmed his vigorous heart. " Hey Naruto, that summon of yours... Ash was his name right" Shikamaru inquired " yeah, he's not here right now though" shikamaru though for a moment "the inuzuka clan specialize in fighting along side a dog as their partner, maybe kiba can polish your teamwork a little bit" Naruto was uninterested in the proposal "Kiba? there's no way he'll train me after I kicked his ass in the prelims" shikamaru layed under a tree watching the clouds drift peacefully in the sky. " Take it as your first test as a candidate aiming to be the Hokage, being the Hokage you'll have to deal with people far more difficult than Kiba. If you can't even convince him to train with you then you should give up on being the Hokage" shikamaru used the best motivational speach he could to get Naruto on his way. "Ugh....FINE I'll make him train me if it the last thing I do!!" Naruto left the training field and headed towards the inuzuka clan.
The last time he was here was when he was on a d rank mission, cleaning the inuzuka clan's dog kennels. It was the filthiest thing he'd ever had to do. ' Now where does kiba live.... What the?... what's that lil pup doing out here all alone' Naruto approached the puppy lying in the middle of the road, it had soft looking black fur. "Hey there little guy are you lost?..... I guess he's asleep, maybe kiba knows where he's from". Naruto carried the pup with black fur in his arms as he went in search of kiba.