"Compared to Sasuke, teacher, don't we all seem talentless?"
The difference was so overwhelming that Naruto had already begun to lose confidence.
However, Kakashi looked at Naruto and spoke.
"No! Sasuke does have remarkable talent, but the fact that you all successfully graduated means you each have talent too."
Naruto was skeptical.
"But we're struggling with basic ninjutsu. We can barely manage hand signs, while Sasuke learns more advanced techniques and masters them after just seeing them once!"
Hearing this, even Sakura felt disheartened.
Maybe they truly were just talentless.
At this moment, Sasuke dispelled his Lightning Clone and turned back to see the downcast expressions on Naruto and Sakura's faces.
Their eyes were filled with despair, as if they had suddenly lost all hope in life.
Sasuke quickly understood what was happening.
It seemed they were shaken by his talent.
"Don't get discouraged so quickly, Naruto, Sakura!"
"Naruto, you have talents that no one else possesses!"
Naruto looked up at Sasuke, skeptical of his words.
"What talent do I have?"
Thinking about how he had almost failed to graduate, Naruto couldn't believe Sasuke.
"Idiot!"
"Do you think everyone has a monster-level healing ability like yours?"
"And your Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu it's a forbidden technique. Do you think it's forbidden for no reason? The fact that you can use it so freely shows your chakra reserves are far beyond that of a normal person!"
Sasuke glanced at Kakashi.
"In our Team 7, you probably have the most chakra."
Naruto was stunned.
He had long been used to his healing ability.
But hearing Sasuke's words now, he began to realize.
Normal people couldn't be like him at all.
And when it came to chakra reserves, to think he had the most!
Naruto found it hard to believe and looked to Kakashi.
"Sensei, is what Sasuke said true?"
Kakashi nodded.
"Have you not noticed? Your chakra reserves are indeed the highest in Team 7, even higher than mine."
Higher than the teacher's…
Sakura was shocked. Compared to Sasuke's incredible talent, this revelation about Naruto was even more alarming.
Because this meant that in Team 7, she was the only ordinary one.
Sasuke had monstrous learning ability, a prodigy in every sense.
Naruto, on the other hand, had a monster-like physique with incredible healing and immense chakra reserves.
And Kakashi was on another level altogether.
It turned out that in Team 7, Haruno Sakura was just… normal.
"I won't lose to you, Sasuke!"
Naruto seemed to regain some confidence.
Even if his ninjutsu talent was no match for Sasuke, he realized he had his own strengths. He needed to leverage them to catch up.
Seeing the determination in Naruto's eyes, both Sasuke and Kakashi smiled.
Meanwhile, Sakura was plunged into despair.
How could an ordinary person like her possibly keep up with two monsters?
Sasuke noticed Sakura's mood but decided not to say anything for now.
After all, it wasn't the time to point out her talent in chakra control.
They hadn't even started practicing tree climbing or water walking yet.
That discovery was best left for later when Sakura would realize it herself.
In the meantime, Sasuke occasionally practiced his Lightning Clone Jutsu.
Each use consumed half of his chakra, so he couldn't afford to use it recklessly.
He also had to reserve some chakra for potential battles that could arise at any moment.
So, he could only practice once in a while.
On the other hand, Naruto was fully utilizing the terrifying advantage of his Uzumaki clan's resilient physique.
Once he got familiar with forming hand seals, he immediately switched to "spamming mode," relentlessly casting jutsu.
Although his talent fell far behind Sasuke's, what he lacked in aptitude, he made up for in sheer effort and repetition.
Even though Naruto hadn't yet discovered the cheat-like potential of the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu for training, he still trained with insane dedication.
After a whole night of exhausting practice, Naruto finally managed to master Wind Release: Gale Palm, albeit only at a basic level.
As for Sakura, although she hadn't yet succeeded in mastering Water Release: Wild Water Wave, it seemed she was close.
Thanks to her innate talent for chakra control, once she perfected her water release, its power would surpass Naruto's wind release by a noticeable margin.
By the next morning, the team of five set off again.
If all went as planned, they would arrive in the Land of Waves today, marking the completion of their mission.
However!
When things are supposed to go smoothly, that's usually when the unexpected happens.
Zabuza Momochi was about to make his appearance.
Yesterday, when he didn't receive a report from the two Chūnin he had sent, Zabuza knew something was wrong.
They were most likely dead.
Otherwise, there was no way they wouldn't send back any message.
In this situation, Zabuza's curiosity was piqued.
Who could have possibly eliminated the two Chūnin he sent?
Konoha ninjas.
But which ones?
As Kakashi and the others had just entered the borders of the Land of Waves, Naruto, exhausted from an entire night of intense training, struggled to keep his energy up.
Though his chakra reserves were still plentiful, the mental fatigue was unavoidable.
Now he looked utterly drained, and if not for the strong physique of the Uzumaki clan, any ordinary person would consider simply opening their eyes after such a night of training a miracle.
Yet Naruto was still able to keep moving, his unyielding stamina making even Sasuke a little envious.
Although Sasuke's body might not be as indestructible as Naruto's, his excellent constitution ensured he would continue to grow stronger through training.
Perhaps one day, he could even rival the Uzumaki clan's legendary resilience.
As Sasuke mused about training, he thought about returning to Konoha and picking up some taijutsu techniques.
Among all the taijutsu styles in Konoha, there was one move in particular he had always admired.
He needed to track down that old man and learn that taijutsu technique Konoha Dragon God!
Swish!
Suddenly, a sharp sound of something cutting through the air came from behind.
Sasuke snapped out of his thoughts and reacted instantly.
He reached out and pushed Naruto and Sakura to the ground.
At the same moment, Kakashi grabbed Tazuna and leapt away.
A split second later, a dark shadow sliced through the space they had just occupied.
Crash!
It struck a large tree in the distance with a loud impact.
Looking up, Sasuke's gaze fell on a massive broadsword embedded in the tree.
The corners of his lips curled into a small smirk.
"The Executioner's Blade."
"Zabuza Momochi is here!"
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