After the meal, both Team 8 and Team 10 began a month-long period of secluded training. Strictly speaking, it was a month of guidance from their parents.
Aside from Haruma and Shikamaru, Ino and the others did not truly understand the significance of the chunin Exams.
But that did not mean their parents were ignorant.
Reaching the official matches meant Ino and the others would be fighting not only before senior shinobi, but also before daimyo, nobles, and even ordinary villagers. They would be representing not just their village, but also their clans.
Because this concerned the honor of both family and village, even someone like Ino was confined at home, receiving instruction from Inoichi Yamanaka, her father, and had began to learn the higher-level secret techniques of the Yamanaka clan. Shikamaru and Choji, as well as Hinata and Shino, were the same.
Only Haruma, who was a civilian with no parents, remained completely free, just like Naruto. Of course, Naruto was not truly free. Despite being matched against Haruma, which filled him with despair, his ninja way did not allow him to give up so easily. No matter what difficulties he faced, he would never abandon the fight.So, just as in the original story, Naruto pestered Kakashi endlessly, begging him to be his teacher.
Yet Kakashi had eyes for Sasuke, having just witnessed Gaara and Rock Lee's battle, Kakashi copied Lee's taijutsu skills with his Sharingan and immediately passed them on to Sasuke. If time allowed, he was also planning to teach Sasuke how to stimulate his cells with Lightning Release chakra, as well as his own signature technique, Chidori.
As for Naruto, things unfolded just as before he was handed over to Ebisu, Konohamaru's tutor and a special jonin.
Yes, Kakashi in these early days really was that biased. Other than a little chakra control, he taught Naruto absolutely nothing. If he had treated everyone equally, it might not have been so bad. But while possessing all elemental affinities and having copied thousands of techniques, he chose to teach Sasuke advanced Lightning Release while giving Naruto nothing. Even at Naruto's most desperate moments, Kakashi offered no help.
As the Fourth Hokage's disciple, this bias was Kakashi's greatest stain, even if he was in his darker phase during that period. Because of this, when it came to teachers who truly shaped Naruto, Kakashi's influence was far less than that of Iruka's.
Fortunately, during this month Naruto also met one of the most important teachers of his entire life, the true beginning of his "cheat mode."
While the other rookies were entering their closed-door training, Haruma quietly left Konoha and traveled to Tanzaku Town to meet with Karin.
"Haruma, it really is you!"
To Haruma's surprise, even before he reached Karin's small house, she was already waiting at the door.
Seeing her overjoyed expression, Haruma asked curiously, "Karin, how did you know I was coming?"
"Because I sensed it," Karin answered, her cheeks flushed, her voice brimming with excitement. "Haruma-kun's chakra is so strong, it's the most amazing chakra I've ever felt."
Whack!
A quick chop landed on her head. Haruma sighed, black lines forming on his forehead. "Speak normally."
"Hehe…" Realizing how ambiguous her words sounded, Karin stuck out her tongue before explaining honestly, "A few days ago, you taught me sensory techniques, right Haruma-kun? For some reason, I seem to have real talent for them. In just a few days, my sensing range has multiplied, and I've even gained a telescopic ability."
"I was training my sensory techniques just now, and I sensed your chakra. I've been watching you this whole time!"
Her voice turned giddy again, her cheeks pink with admiration. "No wonder Haruma-kun is so strong, your chakra reserves are unbelievable. And that Body Flicker Technique of yours… it's even faster than your jonin instructors."
Nodding knowingly, he continued. "So that's it. It seems my research was correct. What you're using should be your clan's Kagura Mind's Eye."
"Our clan? Kagura Mind's Eye?" Karin blinked in surprise. "Does that mean you've found something about my mother's and my lineage?"
"Yes. Let's talk inside." Haruma nodded, stepping into the house.
"I'll help you change your shoes, Haruma-kun."
At the entrance, Karin quickly crouched down, bringing out a pair of slippers she had bought earlier, and helped him take off his shinobi sandals. Haruma didn't refuse. The last time he had stayed here for three days, she had served him the same way.
Haruma, of course, had no idea just how far Karin had gone in disciplining herself.
After changing his shoes, Haruma sat down in the living room and looked at the still-blushing Karin before him. Slowly, he said, "I did some research in Konoha's library. Karin, you and your mother… you're descendants of the Uzumaki clan, the ones thought to be wiped out."
"The Uzumaki clan?" Karin tilted her head, clearly puzzled. She had never heard of it. Her mother had never told her, and the Grass Village had no records about them.
So Haruma explained slowly, "The Uzumaki clan were distant relatives of the Senju, who helped found Konoha. Their homeland, the Land of Whirlpools, was an ally of the Land of Fire. The First Hokage's wife and the Fourth Hokage's wife were both Uzumaki. Unfortunately, their land and their hidden village were destroyed decades ago."
"The clan had three unique traits, an extraordinary vitality with healing abilities, the Kagura Mind's Eye, and the Adamantine Sealing Chains. The healing ability is what you displayed before. The Kagura Mind's Eye allows you to sense disturbances within dozens of kilometers, and even grants telescopic vision like the Byakugan. It's said to be one of the strongest sensory technique in the shinobi world."
Haruma gave a small sigh as he looked at her astonished face. "Before, I wasn't sure. But now, I am a hundred percent certain you and your mother must be members of the Uzumaki clan."
"My… my mother and I… such a grand heritage?" Karin whispered, disbelief in her eyes.
"Though I don't know why your mother didn't seek refuge in Konoha," Haruma said with after a brief silence, "what matters is that you are an Uzumaki. That means you'll definitely be able to join us in the Leaf."
"Really? That's wonderful!" Karin's face lit up instantly. Just knowing she could stay in Konoha, could stay with Haruma longer made her want to cheer. If not for her fear of being disliked, she would have thrown herself into his arms right then.
"Come on, let's go eat," Haruma said, standing up and offering his hand.