"Good, Naruto! Don't let it control you!".
Naruto sat in a meditative state. Fluctuation of heavy red waves of chakra emanates from him.
Despite not even having a cloak forming yet, this is a good first step for Naruto.
"Grrr…." , Naruto opened his eyes that's already turned red. His claws became sharper, and he felt really restless, angry, like he wants to do things he doesn't want to do.
Jiraiya notes on how long Naruto could control himself. He would call on Naruto to see if he's still able to reply at intervals. Half of the time Naruto couldn't, because he's too busy trying to suppress himself.
But Naruto didn't lose control, and the training went smoothly.
Tsuyu, on the other hand, is also in a meditative state. She's in 3 tails cloak, the transparent layer of red chakra enveloped her.
…
Right. I really couldn't suppress this hate and anger.
She said it's like it's a problem, but it's not a major problem to a point she shouldn't use Kyubi chakra. Instead, she trains to acclimatize to the turmoil her body and mind is feeling. Much like someone who's fasting, holding himself to build their fortitude.
While she wouldn't lose her consciousness with 9 tails chakra, and wouldn't target her own ally, the impulsiveness and high emotions coming from it makes her lose her IQ. She noticed she would turn into some meat brain or have Naruto's brainwave that only sees its target . and miss everything else. So for her, this training is still necessary.
***
Jiraiya isn't sure how Tsuyu is doing exactly since it's about her 'feelings' when using 9 tails and not about her control. But he could certainly praise Naruto.
He could hold on for a minute, fully conscious and still able to think clearly. Further, he's still himself. But like Tsuyu, Naruto's already limited combat awareness would drop lower.
"Okay! You two should rest now!".
The red chakra recedes from Naruto, his whiskers turned thin, his claws retracted. Naruto opened his eyes, regaining the clarity in his blue eyes.
It's so difficult…
Naruto clenched his fist. He wonders if 9 tails always carries that much hate - all the time. He looked over at Tsuyu and from the very beginning till the end never showed any struggle. Except for some weird smile that he thought he's imagining.
Jiraiya felt it's time to add a little spice. Their training is going in the right direction, and in the gap in between training 9 tails chakra, it's a perfect time to teach them the legacy of their father. Besides, these two need strength in the turmoil to come.
He's especially worried for Naruto. A real battlefield is worse than even the highest ranked mission. Life and death may be a serious concern, but war would drain you, make you lose a part of yourself. Bodies would turn into mere numbers. People no longer become 'people' on the field.
Can Naruto handle it?
Soldiers are always forged in real war. That for each death they see, it would temper themselves into a harder weapon. But… at times, they would break instead.
Jiraiya pushed that thought away. It's still too early to think about it. Besides, he is sure Tsuyu would help Naruto in this regard once the time comes.
***
"Sakura-chan, Sasuke! Kakashi-sensei! I am going to train with Ero-sennin!". Naruto waves his hand as he leaves the team with Jiraiya right after he completes a mission with them.
"Don't cause trouble, Naruto!", Sakura said jokingly, knowing the sannin is a figure to be respected, she wondered if Naruto would do something stupid.
"Go on~". Kakashi didn't say much. Jiraiya had told him to leave Naruto's training to him. While he could focus on Sasuke since only he could teach him how to utilise it.
Sasuke just remained quiet, looking at them leaving. But Kakashi noticed the look Sasuke had. The tense expression, the cold way he's standing.
The truth is Sasuke felt jealous. To train under the legendary sannin. He felt like he would be left behind, stuck with this Kakashi that shows no promise. Kakashi is strong, sure, but the more thought about it the more he felt he didn't give him anything.
Sakura too, had the same feeling. That Naruto would be even stronger. She felt a sense of fear that she would be abandoned.
She looked over at Kakashi, hoping he would help, maybe. Kakashi nonchalantly read his Icha-Icha paradise while saying-
"All right. Let's disperse. See you guys the day after tomorrow then~".
"Wait, sensei". Sasuke called out.
"Hm?". Kakashi put his book down, looking at Sasuke.
Sasuke's eyes turned cold looking at him. Those D-rank missions did absolutely nothing for him. He wanted strength. He feels like he's stuck as long as he stays with this Kakashi.
"I want to take on a real mission next time". Sasuke said in a cold tone. He's just trying his luck again.
Kakashi just glanced at him, not bothering. "Nope, you are not ready".
Sasuke clenched his fist hard. He feels like he's completely wasting his time while Naruto is out there training with the sannin.
Seeing Sasuke's dissatisfaction towards himself, he felt really annoyed too.
"As gennin, this is the best time for you to build your teamwork with Sakura. You had issues with her most. Just forget it". Kakashi's tone is more stern this time. He wanted Sasuke to learn real teamwork and care of his teammates first. Or well, just Sakura mostly since he's already close with Naruto.
Sakura looks at Sasuke, seeing his eyes full of resentment towards Kakashi. As for herself… she's completely ignored by him at the time.
Sasuke recalled Tsuyu's words before - that she could recommend her to ANBU. That way he could do something that's real at least, something that could improve his strength, using enemies as his grindstone instead of whatever he is doing with Kakashi squad. And even, find the shadow of Itachi Uchiha. As for having Tsuyu or ANBU's support in his revenge, no, he rather do it with his own hands.
I need to talk to her later.
***
"Let me do it…". Sasuke said coldly to Sakura who hadn't finished even half of the area assigned to her to weed the field.
"Sasuke-kun, it's okay. This is my part…", Sakura thought Sasuke was worried for her, and she felt slightly happy.
"You are too slow dammit…", Sasuke muttered lowly, but it's barely audible to Sakura. She felt her heart stung as she saw Sasuke quickly weeds next to her, as if he just wanted to finish the stupid mission quickly and get back to training on his own.
"Hey Sasuke! Don't be such a jerk! Sakura-chan, I am done too! I can use shadow clones to finish it quickly! Let me!". Naruto also went to help.
I keep letting Sasuke-kun down…
Sakura felt dejected. But then she encourages herself that she will definitely keep up! She hastens her hands to clear faster.
Kakashi, looking at the trio, then sighed.
Sasuke is too preoccupied with strength, and it seemed seeing Naruto training with the sannin made him ignore Sakura more. And those looks towards Naruto, his jealousy is obvious. This can't be done.
After they are done with the weeding, the mission is completed. Sasuke is already about to leave quickly. Naruto left to train with Jiraiya.
"Sasuke-kun, see you later", Sakura tried to say to him. But Sasuke, not even once glanced at her nor replied.
Sakura felt Kakashi's hand on her shoulder. "I will talk to him, don't feel too sad". Kakashi still says kindly to her.
As Sasuke heads to the training field, he turns to see Kakashi following him.
"What do you want?", he asked, annoyed.
"I understand you don't want to get left behind. Then… just follow me". Kakashi took the lead and walked ahead. Deciding to teach Sasuke his signature jutsu… Chidori.
This could help Sasuke feel an improvement and stop being so moody. Besides, the time of turmoil that's to come does require him to be strong. So he gave himself an excuse to teach such a dangerous Jutsu to him. The real truth is, it's because Kakashi saw himself in Sasuke… with the way he lost everyone and everything close to him.
Cries akin to birds buzzing in Sasuke's ears. His sharingan looks in awe and excitement at crackling lighting in Kakashi's hand.
Naruto… I wouldn't let you surpass me!
For the time being, Sasuke forgot about his original plan.
***
With Jiraiya training Naruto, while Kakashi focusing on Sasuke - Sakura felt at a loss at times. Kakashi asks her to train the basics first, because she needs to reach Naruto and Sasuke's grasp in their foundation first.
Sakura already had excellent ability to use body flicker, cloning jutsu, and was able to climb and run up the walls. It was the result of training earlier with Tsuyu in chakra control when she was still in the academy. But her combat ability, her ability to defend herself is lacking. Teaching her jutsu won't help much when she cannot keep up on the basic level. So Kakashi personally fights with her, showing where she lacks and what movements she's making wrong.
In just a few rounds, Sakura already felt tired and had to rest. She looks at Sasuke who's practicing the lighting release.
Cries of birds echoed in the air, Sasuke rushed and thrusted his palm towards a big rock.
Chidori!
Crumbles~! The rock is split apart into two.
Kakashi nods in acknowledgement. With sharingan assisting him, he learns really fast in just a week...
Sakura looks at Sasuke, who's already so strong. While she felt even more useless.
Basics… I couldn't even keep up with their basics…
Sakura, after all, wasn't a hardcore like Naruto and Sasuke. Naruto had a dream of Hokage and desperation for acknowledgement - and Tsuyu as his guide that pushes him - that makes a world of difference. While Sasuke had vengeance as his drive.
Sakura is just a normal shinobi, having parents at home, and doesn't have a grand goal to accomplish. So over all these years in the academy that Naruto and Sasuke work their asses off, Sakura is more laidback in her training. And this is the cause of such a rift between their abilities.
No. I will train harder and keep up!
Sakura stood up again, practicing more of her movements. Kakashi glanced over at Sakura, also satisfied that she had spirit and motivation now.
***