Asuma nodded, his gaze steady and calm.
"You've crossed the threshold," he said. "But don't be mistaken — you're still far from mastering this technique."
Naruto's shoulders slumped. He had hoped that finally achieving the Wind Release: Gale Palm would feel like a breakthrough. But Asuma's words were a reality check.
"Putting everything aside," Asuma continued, "tell me, can your Gale Palm actually harm an opponent?"
Naruto bit his lip. He knew the answer. The technique could summon a gentle breeze at best. It rustled clothes and hair, sent up a little dust from the ground… but it couldn't harm anyone. Not a serious opponent.
Asuma reached over and patted Naruto's shoulder, offering a rare, encouraging smile.
"Don't despair, Naruto. You've done well already. You've taken the first step."
Naruto's eyes lit up. "Really?" he asked, his voice trembling with a mixture of hope and disbelief.
"Yes," Asuma replied. "And I promised you: I'll help you grow stronger. I'll guide you to truly harness Wind Release."
Naruto's grin spread from ear to ear. "Great! I won't let you down, Asuma-sensei!"
Asuma's expression became serious again. "Before we proceed, I need to explain what Wind Release Ninjutsu really is. There are five basic elements in Ninjutsu: Wind, Lightning, Water, Fire, and Earth. Each has its strengths and weaknesses."
He paused, letting the information sink in. "For Wind Release, there are generally two approaches: one focuses on propulsion, the other on cutting."
Naruto tilted his head, confused but intrigued.
Asuma demonstrated. "Watch carefully."
He formed a series of hand signs, then inhaled deeply, concentrating chakra into his mouth before expelling it forcefully.
"Wind Release: Wind Powder Technique!"
A sudden gust of wind tore through the training ground, carrying sand and dust. The sky seemed to darken as particles swirled around, obscuring vision. Naruto shielded his eyes, awed by the sheer force.
Asuma's voice carried over the whirlwind. "This technique mainly disrupts the enemy's vision, but its power comes from the sheer blasting force of Wind Release. Propelling, pushing, or disorienting — that's its strength."
He didn't stop there. "The other method focuses on cutting power."
With that, he infused Wind Release chakra into a Chakra Blade, extending his control over it. With a precise throw, he thrust it forward with incredible speed.
The blade slammed into a massive boulder with a sharp crack, splitting it apart cleanly. Naruto's jaw dropped.
"Wow… that's amazing!" he exclaimed.
Asuma returned the blade to his hand and explained, "By channeling Wind Release into a Chakra Blade, you increase its cutting and piercing power. It also allows for remote manipulation, giving the wielder incredible flexibility in battle. Essentially, you're using the force of Wind to slash and pierce with precision."
Naruto's curiosity grew. "So… my Gale Palm… which type does it fall under?"
Asuma studied him for a moment. "Your technique leans toward the first category — blowing. But you could also enhance it using weapons like kunai or shuriken. Still, that only augments the pushing power; it doesn't grant cutting ability. Blasting power is easier to wield, while cutting power demands greater control."
He leaned closer. "Naruto, your chakra reserves are enormous, and your stamina is exceptional. But your chakra control still needs refinement. That makes you better suited for the blasting power of Wind Release."
Naruto's eyes sparkled with excitement. "So… I can still improve it?"
"Absolutely," Asuma said. "There's even another approach: integrating Wind Release with Taijutsu."
Naruto's mouth fell open. "Wind Release… combined with Taijutsu? That's possible?"
Asuma nodded, smiling faintly. "Of course. Here, watch."
He gripped his Chakra Blade tightly, infused it with Wind Release, and launched a rapid series of punches — his fists slicing through the air with a whistling sound.
"Hurricane Fist!"
Though it was called a fist technique, in reality, the wind-enhanced Chakra Blade amplified every strike, tearing through a large boulder with a single motion. Dust and small fragments flew in all directions. Naruto's eyes widened, half in awe, half in disbelief.
"That's incredible! It's like combining strength with the wind itself!" Naruto muttered.
Asuma nodded. "This is just a basic demonstration. When truly mastered, it requires channeling Wind Release throughout the entire body. The effect is similar to the Hidden Cloud Village's Lightning Release Chakra Mode."
Naruto blinked. "Wind Release Chakra Mode?"
"Yes," Asuma replied, his tone serious. "Think of it as infusing Wind Release into every cell in your body. Your speed, power, and precision increase dramatically. Only a few in the world can master such a technique. Even the Third and Fourth Raikages have used their Lightning Release Chakra Mode to devastate battlefields."
Naruto's excitement bubbled over. "So… I could do something like that with Wind Release? Infuse it through my body?"
Asuma nodded. "Exactly. With proper control and training, you could significantly enhance your speed, strength, and the pushing and cutting capabilities we discussed. Combined with your natural stamina and reserves, you could achieve something unprecedented."
Naruto's heart raced. "I can… I really can?"
"I believe in you," Asuma said. "But remember, it won't happen overnight. You need to master the basics first."
"Starting tomorrow, you'll train with me every day," Asuma added. "We'll refine your Wind Release, beginning with Gale Palm. Even though it's your own technique, I'll guide you step by step."
Naruto leapt up in excitement. "Yes! Thank you, Asuma-sensei!"
---
That evening, Naruto returned home, his heart brimming with anticipation. He was thrilled not only because Asuma had agreed to help him train, but also because his sensei believed he had the potential to develop a secret technique that no one had achieved before. Recognition like that meant more to Naruto than anything else.
After dinner, he wasted no time. The street outside was quiet under the dim glow of the moon. Naruto began his tree-climbing training, determined to strengthen his chakra control.
He climbed higher than ever before, but he knew his control was still imperfect.
"Alright… no rushing. Just focus on chakra control, step by step," he muttered to himself.
Each movement demanded precision. His fingers grasped the bark, directing chakra carefully through his limbs. Several times he lost his grip and fell, bruising his body, yet he refused to give up. The quiet night echoed with the sounds of his struggle: thuds, grunts, and occasional yells of pain.
Hours passed. His determination never wavered. By midnight, Naruto had completed 2,000 tree climbs, his chakra control noticeably improving. He had raised his skill from 49 points to 66 points in a single day — a remarkable leap fueled by effort, the Shadow Clone Technique, and sheer determination.
Exhausted, he crawled to bed, barely aware of the system's warnings about rest. The countdown had begun for bed preparation, but Naruto collapsed instantly, falling asleep before it ended.
Even in dreams, he didn't rest. He continued fighting in his mind, dueling against Sasuke, Neji, and other imagined opponents. Each battle was a test of his abilities, sharpening his control, speed, and reflexes.
By the time he woke, Naruto's body ached, but his spirit soared. Every step, every push, every failed attempt had brought him closer to mastery.
He understood now: strength wasn't just about raw power. It was about control, focus, and the will to keep improving, no matter how many times you fail.
Tomorrow, he would face Asuma again, ready to take the next step toward becoming a ninja capable of extraordinary feats — perhaps even achieving a Wind Release Chakra Mode of his own.
For now, though, he allowed himself a rare, contented smile. Even in the darkest night, he was moving forward. And nothing could stop him.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)