For most of the following month, Yagyu stayed in the short road town, training and teaching Karin some ninjutsu. Coincidentally, Karin's chakra nature, like Yagyu's before graduation and also like Sakura's, consisted of Yin, Yang, Water, and Earth.
Because of this, if Karin had been developed properly, she could have rivaled Naruto and Sasuke in strength, at least before they ascended to their super-Kage level. While Sakura was impressive, she still paled in comparison to Karin, who had direct connections to the Ōtsutsuki lineage.
During this period, Yagyu not only taught Karin his water release techniques but also took her to various gambling dens in the short road town using Transformation Jutsu, in order to "milk the sheep" and provide her with proper nourishment.
Thanks to this period of rest and proper nutrition during her growth phase—now free from having her chakra drained—Karin's arms no longer bore any bite marks, her skin wasn't as pale, and her hair regained its vitality. Her chakra levels were now befitting someone of the Uzumaki Clan.
Though her chakra still paled in comparison to Yagyu's or Naruto's, she would certainly catch up in a few years and become a powerhouse in her own right.
During their time together, Yagyu would spar with Karin, using clones whose chakra levels matched or were slightly lower than hers. Through these daily training sessions, Yagyu successfully extracted the Uzumaki Clan's Physical Healing and Kagura Mind's Eye abilities from Karin.
Both abilities manifested as blue orbs in Yagyu's mind. Though not red in his system, these abilities were still more useful than many red-tiered ones.
Physical Healing allowed for healing both others and oneself, essentially a weaker version of healing without hand seals.
Kagura Mind's Eye was even more impressive, being one of the strongest sensory techniques in the ninja world, with a sensing range extending for tens of kilometers.
With these, along with his Byakugan and his red-eye abilities, Yagyu now had three different sensory techniques, granting him the power of x-ray vision, far sight, and super long-range detection. In terms of sensory abilities, Yagyu had become one of the strongest in the ninja world.
August 6th, Konoha Year 60, 3 PM.
"Karin, I'm heading back now."
Standing at the door of a small apartment, Yagyu said his goodbyes. "Don't slack off on your training while I'm gone. I'll come back for you in a few days."
"Mm-hmm... Take care, Yagyu-kun," Karin responded obediently, nodding her head.
Yagyu patted her head affectionately, ruffling her now smooth red hair before vanishing with a smile.
In less than two hours, Yagyu had returned to Konoha from the short road town. Upon reaching his home, he noticed a note left by Sakura at the entrance.
The note explained how, after the Forest of Death incident, Sakura had realized her own weaknesses and sought Kakashi's guidance in learning new ninjutsu. In response, Kakashi recommended that she intern at Konoha Hospital. Once she proved herself there, Kakashi would apply for her to learn advanced medical and offensive medical ninjutsu techniques.
For the past month, Sakura had been working as an intern at the hospital, assisting the medical ninjas. Reading the note, Yagyu felt happy for Sakura but couldn't help shaking his head.
His thoughts turned to Naruto.
No doubt, a month ago, Naruto must have begged Kakashi to teach him new techniques. Instead, Kakashi had likely handed him off to a Special Jonin, Ebisu, who was also Konohamaru's tutor.
Kakashi had told Naruto he didn't have time to train him because he needed to teach Sasuke the taijutsu he copied from Rock Lee, as well as the technique of stimulating speed through lightning release chakra and his own signature move, Chidori.
While Kakashi completely dedicated himself to training Sasuke, he casually pawned Naruto off to a Special Jonin he knew Naruto couldn't stand. Kakashi's favoritism was blatant.
Looking at the original story in both the "Naruto" and "Shippuden" arcs, Kakashi taught Naruto only two things. The first was how to climb trees using chakra, and the second, with Yamato's assistance, was the incomplete Wind Release: Rasenshuriken.
Yagyu found it hard to understand why Kakashi, who had tested Naruto's chakra nature and had mastered over a thousand jutsu, didn't even teach Naruto any wind release techniques, despite Naruto not being able to learn Chidori. Even if Kakashi didn't favor Naruto, he should have at least taught him something more.
But Kakashi's lack of guidance was more baffling considering that Naruto was the son of his former teacher, the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.
Although Kakashi had been emotionally troubled during Naruto's early years, it was surprising how half-hearted his guidance remained even when Naruto needed him the most.
This flaw in Kakashi's character was significant, and it was why, despite his abundant screen time, Kakashi never quite reached the same status as mentors like Jiraiya or even Iruka, who had far less screen time.
Fortunately, by this point, Jiraiya had returned to the village. Otherwise, under the effects of the Five Elements Seal, Naruto might not have even been able to defeat Choji in the final exam.
After all, the Human Boulder technique and the Multi-Size Technique were still quite powerful.
Thinking about his plans, Yagyu felt excited about what was to come.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's era was about to end, and Tsunade's era was about to begin. Soon, it would be Yagyu's stage.
The next day, 10 AM.
In the bathroom, Yagyu was getting ready. His usual outfit consisted of a black cloak, white shirt, black pants, and boots. After putting on gloves with metal plates and securing his ninja tools, he placed his colored contact lenses into his eyes. He then took out a black cloak and a white mask from his spatial storage.
After making the necessary preparations, Yagyu formed a seal with one hand and summoned a shadow clone in a puff of smoke.
Yagyu left the bathroom, exited his house, and made his way to the vast square in the center of Konoha. Along the way, he saw many carriages and unfamiliar faces heading in the same direction. The sky was lit up by colorful fireworks, a celebratory atmosphere filling the air.
Before long, Yagyu arrived at the square. After confirming his identity at the entrance reserved for participants, he made his way inside.
Hinata and Ino were already there.
"Yagyu, over here!" Ino waved enthusiastically.
Before Yagyu could respond, he felt a chill down his spine.
Such intense killing intent!
Yagyu's peripheral vision caught a glimpse of the audience seating area. He immediately knew who it was.
The "killing intent" wasn't an illusion. It was Yin chakra, transmitting someone's emotions directly to Yagyu. He didn't need to guess—this was Yamanaka Inoichi, Ino's father and the head of the current generation's Ino-Shika-Cho trio.
With the entire Ino-Shika-Cho trio present, it was only natural that their families would attend. Yagyu, realizing that he was probably being scrutinized by two clan leaders, straightened up and nodded politely to Ino, making his way over to Shikamaru.
"Feeling any pressure?" Shikamaru teased.
Yagyu glanced at him and smirked. "I don't know about me, but you'll definitely be feeling the pressure soon enough."
"Hey, don't be so petty," Shikamaru's smile faltered, and he quickly added, "My dad's watching from the stands, so could you at least make sure I don't lose too badly?"
"Too late. I hold grudges, and I plan to turn you from a deer into a pig," Yagyu joked, a mischievous grin forming on his face.
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