Sometimes, in the world of ninjas, simply knowing something wasn't the same as understanding it.
A person could memorize a jutsu, but unless they grasped the principle behind it—its purpose, its nature, its rhythm—they would never truly master it.
Just like Sasuke, who could use basic Fire Release techniques despite never completing proper chakra-control training such as tree climbing or water walking.
This fundamental difference—between "knowing what" and "knowing why"—was exactly the challenge Kakashi faced today.
He rubbed his forehead helplessly.
"Haaah… this is going to be a bit troublesome."
He glanced at the three students standing in front of him—Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata.
Three students at three completely different stages of chakra control.
Three separate learning speeds.
Three different paths.
"I didn't expect my students to progress at three different rates…" Kakashi muttered. "Looks like we'll have to train each of you separately."
He pointed toward each student one after another.
"Sasuke—you'll learn tree climbing.
Hinata—you'll practice water walking.
And you, Naruto—" Kakashi paused for a moment, "—you'll receive special training, personally from me."
Naruto froze.
Then he exploded like a firecracker struck by lightning.
"Wha—WHAAAAAAT?! S-SPECIAL training?! For ME?! BY YOU?!"
To Naruto, this wasn't just training.
This was recognition.
This was acknowledgment.
This was the kind of treatment he had always dreamed of!
He had lived his whole life being treated as the lowest-ranked student—Diao Che Wei, the problem child, the bottom of the class. Nobody had ever given him special training before—not like this.
He grinned widely, puffing out his chest with pride, then turned to Sasuke with the smuggest expression imaginable.
Even though he didn't say anything, the meaning in his eyes was crystal clear:
Sasuke, behold! You and your extremely handsome eyebrows can cry now! I'm the special one today!
Sasuke's expression immediately darkened.
His fists clenched so tight that a faint grinding noise echoed.
"Diao Che Wei… what exactly are you so proud of?!" he snapped. "This kind of training is nothing! I'll catch up to you in a day!"
Naruto crossed his arms confidently.
"Hah! Sasuke, stop bragging! Tree climbing looks simple, but it's crazy difficult! Even with a teacher constantly guiding you, it's almost impossible to finish in a day!"
He remembered his old training with Asuma. Back then, he had risked his life, pushed himself to the limit, and even used multiple Shadow Clones to accelerate his progress.
So Naruto didn't believe for a second that Sasuke could succeed within a single day.
"At MOST," Naruto continued triumphantly, "if you somehow finish tree climbing in one day—which I doubt—you'll still need to catch up to Hinata and practice water walking afterward!"
"That means you'll still be one whole step behind me!"
Sasuke's teeth made a crack crack crack sound as he gritted them.
"Fine! Then just watch—I'll climb trees and walk on water in one day!"
"Yeah, yeah. Talk big when you can actually do it!" Naruto shot back.
Kakashi's head drooped in exhaustion.
"You two… can you stop for at least five seconds?" he sighed. "All right. First I'll teach Sasuke the tree-climbing method. Then Hinata. Naruto, I'll come to you last."
Naruto nodded obediently, though he kept shooting smug glances at Sasuke.
Kakashi then went on to demonstrate the basic principles. After a few minutes of explanation, Sasuke and Hinata walked to their respective training grounds and began their practice.
Only after both students were busy did Kakashi walk over to Naruto, accompanied by Tazuna, who observed with interest.
"Now then," Kakashi said. "Naruto, since you've already completed both tree climbing and water walking, you've gained a solid understanding of chakra control, release, and maintenance."
He folded his arms.
"From here on out, you can choose from several different directions for your future training."
Naruto's eyes lit up instantly.
"H-Hold on… I can choose? Then can't I train in all of them?!"
Kakashi shook his head.
"No. Each ninja has their own unique path. Even if multiple routes exist, you must choose the most suitable one. You can't be greedy."
He gave an example.
"Take Hinata. She's from the Hyuga Clan—she has the Byakugan and a Bloodline Limit. Her Gentle Fist style, especially when combined with the Eight Trigrams Palm, allows her to stand independently by specializing in precise chakra control."
Kakashi then pointed toward Sasuke.
"Sasuke, on the other hand, has both excellent chakra reserves and exceptional control. His path requires balanced, all-round improvement. You could say he's 'striving for perfection.'"
Naruto stared eagerly.
"What about me?! What's my path?!"
Kakashi's tone softened.
"Naruto… you were the top graduate of this year's Ninja Academy. You're unquestionably a talented ninja."
Naruto's expression brightened.
"Your chakra reserves are astonishingly vast," Kakashi continued. "Although your natural control was lacking at first, your dedication and hard work have allowed you to reach perfection."
Naruto scratched his head shyly.
Kakashi held up two fingers.
"So you have two possible future paths."
"One, using your massive chakra reserves to focus on overwhelming, powerful ninjutsu—raw force, explosive methods."
"Two, the opposite—further refining your chakra control to master techniques requiring precision. A more delicate, refined style."
Naruto paused, then remembered Asuma's teachings. A faint ache formed in his chest.
"Sensei… Asuma once told me that Wind Release has two styles. One that blows things away… and one that cuts."
He looked at Kakashi.
"And those two styles sound exactly like the two choices you just mentioned."
He inhaled, piecing it together.
"Massive chakra… equals the blowing-type Wind Release."
"Precise control… equals the cutting-type Wind Release."
"Is that right?"
Kakashi smiled softly.
"Not exactly the same, but your understanding is spot on."
He gave an example.
"Your Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu is the 'quantity path.'
Wind Release: Gale Palm is the 'refinement path.'"
"Which one do you feel more suited to?"
Naruto frowned in thought.
"Hmm… Shadow Clone techniques come naturally to me. But Wind Release: Gale Palm is… really difficult."
Kakashi nodded.
"Precisely. That means you lean toward the 'raw force path.' It's your natural strength."
"But…" Naruto hesitated. "I don't want to give up Wind Release: Gale Palm. It feels so powerful…"
Kakashi sighed helplessly.
"I told you earlier—every ninja has a unique style. You can't be greedy."
He leaned closer.
"Think about it. What is the ultimate ninjutsu you want to master someday?"
Naruto's heart trembled.
Then he suddenly remembered Asuma's words.
"…Kakashi-sensei," he whispered. "Do you know anything about Wind Release Chakra Mode?"
Kakashi froze.
His single visible eye widened.
"Wind Release… Chakra Mode?"
He crossed his arms, nodding slowly.
"I see. So you want to create your own unique physical ninjutsu style—just like Kumogakure's Lightning Release Chakra Mode, but in your own Wind style."
"That… is truly a genius idea."
"But also a path as difficult as climbing to the heavens."
He narrowed his eye.
"Did Asuma tell you about this?"
Naruto nodded.
"Yes. He told me he was also a Wind Release ninja, but he could never achieve this. He believed it was the pinnacle of Wind Release ninjutsu… and he entrusted that dream to me."
Kakashi exhaled deeply.
"So that's why you refuse to give up Gale Palm."
"Indeed," he continued, "to complete Wind Release Chakra Mode, you must master both paths—the raw force path and the refinement path—and fuse them perfectly."
Kakashi looked at Naruto's determined eyes.
He could see it—Naruto wasn't doing this just for himself.
He was doing it for the teacher who believed in him.
Kakashi took a deep breath.
"…All right, Naruto."
"You can pursue both paths."
Naruto's eyes shone.
"I'll support you completely. I'll guide you step by step. But I must warn you…"
"Training in two paths simultaneously will be unimaginably difficult. Even with your effort, even with my full guidance, success is not guaranteed."
He stared straight into Naruto's eyes.
"Are you prepared for that?"
Naruto clenched his fists. His voice trembled, not from fear, but excitement.
"Kakashi-sensei… I WILL succeed!"
Kakashi's eye curved into a crescent as he placed a hand on Naruto's head.
"I believe you will."
Tazuna watched quietly from the side, his expression softening.
For a moment, he remembered something—or rather, someone—Kaiza and Inari…
Kakashi straightened.
"Now, Naruto. What ninjutsu are you currently practicing?"
Naruto responded immediately.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
Kakashi nodded.
"A typical explosive-style Wind Release. A perfect representation of the raw force path."
He inhaled deeply.
"Then let's begin. I'll prepare a unique training regimen tailored just for you."
"Kakashi-sensei… I'm ready!"
Kakashi formed hand seals instantly. A sharp cutting sound ripped through the air—whish!—as a surge of Wind chakra burst forth.
A nearby tree was sliced cleanly down the middle.
Naruto's jaw dropped.
"AWESOME! That's so strong! Kakashi-sensei, you can use Wind Release too?!"
Kakashi scratched his cheek sheepishly.
"Well… I'm actually proficient in all five basic chakra natures—Wind, Earth, Water, Lightning, and Fire."
Naruto stared.
"…So you're telling me Kakashi-sensei is a GENIUS ninja?!"
"No wonder Bushy Brow-sensei and Asuma-sensei worship you!"
Kakashi groaned.
"…What's with that salty tone?"
"Because!" Naruto puffed up his cheeks. "Mastering even one Wind Release technique is so hard for me! But you're a master of ALL of them?! That's so unfair!"
Kakashi chuckled.
"This is what I meant earlier. Everyone has different talents."
"But don't be discouraged. When it comes to chakra reserves… you far surpass most people."
Naruto blinked.
"Wait—what?! You mean my chakra is bigger than yours, Kakashi-sensei?!"
Kakashi nodded.
"…Much, much bigger."
Naruto practically exploded with joy.
"I'm AMAZING!"
Kakashi immediately drenched him with cold water.
"You're amazing, but your path is still harder than anyone else's. You want everything. That makes your future training as difficult as soaring to the heavens."
Naruto grinned boldly.
"I'm not afraid!"
"Kakashi-sensei, this is my choice—and I'll complete it with everything I've got!"
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)