Training Ground Three, by the lakeside.
"Clap, clap, clap."
The sound of applause echoed through the empty training ground. Naruto turned around, not showing much surprise. He simply pushed up his glasses and bowed slightly to the old man emerging from the shadows of the forest.
"Grandpa Sandaime, you're here."
Sandaime Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen scanned the surroundings. Several giant trees shattered by Fuuton, deep gouges in the ground, and ripples on the lake that had yet to settle. The muscles at the corner of his eyes twitched slightly.
A C-rank Ninjutsu of this power even a Chunin wouldn't be able to pull that off, right? The Sandaime thought to himself. This child's Chakra is simply like a monster's.
However, he did not let his surprise show, only stepping forward to offer encouragement.
"Well done, Naruto-kun."
As the Sandaime approached, there was an unmistakable sense of admiration in his voice, alongside a hint of shock.
"It seems you've not only mastered tree-climbing, but you've also reached the threshold of Chakra nature transformation. Ninjutsu of this caliber is rare even among Genin."
As he spoke, he took a deep puff from his pipe.
"It's all thanks to your good teaching, Grandpa Sandaime." Naruto gave a modest smile.
The Sandaime felt even more satisfied. Neither arrogant nor impulsive, gifted with extraordinary talent, and then there's his family... this burning Will of Fire was enough to move even the Hokage. Satisfied as he was, the Sandaime's expression turned serious.
"However, Naruto-kun, have you noticed that while your technique is powerful, a significant amount of Chakra is still being wasted?"
Naruto nodded; he had noticed this problem himself. An effect that should only require one part of Chakra took five parts in his hands to achieve. The reason was simple: insufficient Chakra control.
"So, regarding Chakra mastery, I'm going to teach you an advanced training exercise." The Sandaime pointed to the lake surface nearby. "Suimen Gaikou no Gyou (Water Surface Walking)."
"Water Walking?" Naruto was taken aback.
"That's right."
With his hands behind his back, the Sandaime walked onto the lake step by step. His feet stepped onto the water's surface as if he were walking on solid ground. The lake surface rippled slightly, but he did not sink.
"Tree-climbing only requires adhering to static bark, but water is fluid. You must constantly sense the changes in the current and continuously adjust the output of Chakra from your soles. If tree-climbing is about gripping tight, then Water Walking is about release and balance."
Standing on the water, the Sandaime beckoned to Naruto. "Come, give it a try. Once you master this skill, your control over Chakra will elevate to a whole new level."
Naruto looked at the shimmering lake and took a deep breath.
[Ding!]
[Advanced teaching detected.]
[Suggestion recorded: Chakra Control Training (Water Walking).]
[Quest Requirements: Complete Water Walking training and stand/run on the water's surface for 30 minutes without falling in.]
[Quest Reward: Chakra Control (Intermediate), Water Attribute Affinity +10%.]
"As expected!"
A fighting spirit ignited in Naruto's eyes. He walked to the edge of the lake, channeled Chakra to his soles, and then cautiously attempted to walk on the water. However, the feedback was completely different from the solid tree trunk. The flowing water constantly disrupted the cohesion of his Chakra, and he couldn't find a point of leverage at all.
Splash.
Naruto felt his footing give way, and he tumbled straight into the lake.
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Naruto scrambled out of the water in a sorry state, drenched from head to toe.
"Haha, Naruto-kun, Water Walking is far more difficult than tree-climbing." The Sandaime looked at the soaked Naruto and laughed, shaking his head. "It will likely take you some time to train. I'll be heading off now."
"Goodbye, Grandpa Sandaime."
Naruto waved at the departing Hokage until his figure was out of sight.
"Again!"
Naruto turned back and continued his training. Once, twice, ten times, twenty times... the sun set, and the moon rose. Time ticked by. An ordinary person would have collapsed from exhaustion long ago. But Naruto had his Breathing Technique constantly pumping in oxygen, the superior constitution of the Uzumaki body, and blue energy recovery pills as a safety net.
Finally, when the moon reached its zenith, for the first time, Naruto stood shakily upon the water.
"Yes!"
Then a gust of wind blew, causing ripples to rise, and Naruto accidentally sank back into the lake.
"Phew..."
Climbing back onto the shore, Naruto let out a long breath and shook his wet blonde hair. Looking at the shimmering lake, there was no discouragement in his eyes, only greater determination.
"It seems Water Walking training isn't that easy. I'll need to grind at it for a while."
He glanced at the system quest progress bar.
[Water Walking Proficiency: 5%]
...Over the next two weeks, Naruto began his arduous training. Every morning, he would carry his weights and run around Konohagakure, practicing his Breathing Technique. At the Ninja Academy, he devoted almost every single second to reading. After school, he would return to the lakeside to continue practicing Water Walking.
As time passed and his proficiency in Water Walking improved, Naruto could clearly feel the changes. His Chakra consumption when using Ninjutsu decreased, and his control over the techniques increased. It was no longer like before, where he relied on brute force and could only barely release an uncontrollable technique by consuming massive amounts of Chakra.
Now, not only was his casting speed extremely fast, but the power was also completely under control. More importantly, under Aizen's subtle influence, Naruto's temperament had undergone a total transformation. He was no longer just barely pretending to be a reserved person as he had before.
Ever since he started following Aizen's advice, his life had been steadily improving, and he received more and more positive feedback from those around him. Naruto's mindset had changed fundamentally, and he had come to accept many of Aizen's ideas to a great extent.
The night before the Monthly Exam.
Naruto unusually did not go to practice Water Walking today. He sat at his desk, quietly reading the final book given to him by Iruka-sensei. As he finished the last page, the system notification sounded.
[Ding!]
[Phase Two: Long-term Reading, Completed.]
[Obtained D-rank Treasure Chest x2 (Accumulating).]
[Ding!]
[Phase Three: Monthly Exam, Activated.]
[Quest Requirements: Reach the passing grade in the monthly theoretical exam.]
[Quest Reward: D-rank Treasure Chest, accumulatable.]
Naruto looked at the Phase Three quest and felt a bit speechless. Just how much did Iruka-sensei look down on him?
"It's decided. I'll aim for at least the top fifteen in class... no, the top ten!" Naruto made a silent resolution.
He checked the proficiency of his other İki core skills: Breathing Technique and Water Walking.
[Breathing Technique Proficiency (371/1000)]
[Water Walking Proficiency: 83%]
"It's a pity Water Walking is still a little short. It would be more secure if I had the reward from the Water Walking quest," Naruto thought regretfully. "However, this is already enough to handle the current exam."
He stood up and walked to the mirror. He looked at the tall young man with steady eyes in the mirror.
"The current me is like a completely different person compared to zaman school started!"
He recalled how a month ago, he was ignored and loathed as always. But now, the way they looked at him had become complicated. There was doubt, disdain, and wariness, but the one thing that was gone was being ignored.
"In the future, I will make it so that their eyes hold nothing but admiration!" Naruto clenched his fist and made a silent vow.
Lights out, sleep. Tomorrow would be the zaman to make everyone shut up.