Here @riojiyo131, your trusted writer.
If we reach 500 Power Stones before tomorrow's release, I'll upload an extra chapter.
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Under Hizashi's strict guidance, Naruto immersed himself in intense training to perfect his Byakugan and master the art of the Gentle Fist.
The Byakugan was undoubtedly one of the most powerful dōjutsu in the ninja world, with extraordinary sensory capabilities. However, Naruto wasn't sure how much he would actually use it in real combat.
He soon discovered that the Byakugan's telescopic vision was astonishing. With just a few hours of practice, he could already see clearly over ten kilometers away. This, however, was largely due to everything Hizashi had transmitted to him through the system.
[Hizashi Hyūga: With enough training, that range can increase even further. But the true power of the Byakugan lies in its ability to see the chakra circulatory system and chakra points in detail. Without that ability, the Gentle Fist is nothing more than an elegant dance without real power.]
[Fugaku Uchiha: The Gentle Fist is still a dance, no matter how you look at it.]
[Hizashi Hyūga: You've been quite talkative lately, especially considering no one asked for your opinion.]
[Fugaku Uchiha: What did you say, you blind bastard?]
[Hizashi Hyūga: Shut up and go treat that conjunctivitis, Fugaku!]
[Naruto Uzumaki: Both of you, enough. Hizashi, continue. Without your guidance, I won't be ready to train Hinata tomorrow.]
[Hizashi Hyūga: Fine. But I want you to know that I'm a very strict teacher.]
Naruto rolled his eyes.
[Fugaku Uchiha: A very blind one...]
[Naruto Uzumaki: ...]
[The group leader, Naruto Uzumaki, has muted Fugaku Uchiha for three minutes.]
[Naruto Uzumaki: It's been a while since I last muted someone. Feels nostalgic.]
[Madara Uchiha: I'm glad it's not me this time.]
[Hizashi Hyūga: Naruto, pay attention...]
[The System - Chat Group has detected that a group member wishes to train the leader!]
[Generating an exclusive training space...]
[Progress obtained in this scenario will be reflected in the real world.]
Naruto was surprised as he read the system's message.
Since when did the system have a function like this? And why didn't he know about it?
He didn't think twice before jumping into the portal that opened before him.
Inside, Hizashi looked at him with the same surprise.
Hizashi had been in the same room as Sakumo and Might Duy, where Naruto had placed him so he wouldn't be alone, when a portal suddenly absorbed him and brought him to this place.
"This is good. It will help with your progress in the Byakugan and, in turn, with Hinata's."
At the mention of Hinata, Hizashi looked Naruto up and down.
"But that doesn't mean I accept you as my niece's partner."
Naruto snorted in amusement. "While I'd love to have your approval, I don't actually need it. The Hyūga Clan has almost completely abandoned Hinata, its rightful heir, so she can make her own decisions."
Hizashi frowned but said nothing. He was already aware of Hinata's current situation thanks to Naruto.
"Let's begin."
Naruto nodded, ready.
Both activated their Byakugan simultaneously. Their pupils became sharp, and the veins around their eyes bulged due to the increased blood flow.
"Your Byakugan is already well-developed. After all, you inherited it from me."
Naruto nodded, understanding what Hizashi meant.
They immediately began training in the art of the Gentle Fist. Adjusting his stance, Naruto adopted the traditional Hyūga guard and lunged at Hizashi.
Despite having all of Hizashi's combat experience, Naruto's attacks were easily dodged.
Naruto frowned. Having experience and mastering it were two completely different things.
"Your attacks are too rough. The Gentle Fist isn't about hitting hard but about cutting off chakra flow with precise movements. Relax your shoulders."
Hizashi patiently guided him through the process.
Naruto grumbled but followed the advice. He relaxed his shoulder muscles and attacked again. This time, he felt the difference—each strike became smoother.
And so, Naruto and Hizashi continued training for hours.
Meanwhile, at the Hokage Mansion...
...
Seated at his desk, Hiruzen summoned all the Jōnin-sensei to discuss the upcoming Chūnin Selection Exams.
Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma stepped forward.
"Do you wish to recommend any of your students for the exam?" asked the Third Hokage.
Iruka, standing behind them, tensed upon hearing the question. As their former Academy teacher, he felt deep concern for them. In his opinion, it was still too soon for them to take the exam.
Kakashi was the first to speak.
"Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, and Naruto Uzumaki. I recommend the entire Team 7 for the exam."
Kurenai followed.
"Hinata Hyūga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame. I recommend the entire Team 8 for the exam."
Asuma briefly smiled at Kurenai before turning his gaze to his father, the Third Hokage.
"Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Chōji Akimichi. I recommend the entire Team 10 for the exam."
"Wait a moment!" Iruka interrupted in shock.
Hiruzen looked at him and gestured for him to speak.
"I may be overstepping," Iruka began, "but those Genin were my students at the Academy. It's true that they have talent, but it's still too soon. They should wait a little longer before taking the exam, when they have more experience..."
Kakashi frowned.
"I became a Chūnin at six years old. Compared to Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto, I was eight years younger."
"Naruto is nothing like you!" Iruka exclaimed, raising his voice in near frustration.
During his time as Naruto's teacher, Iruka had seen... though he didn't want to admit it, mediocre talent compared to his classmates. In his opinion, Naruto wasn't ready for the exam.
"Naruto is nothing like me?" Kakashi replied calmly. "Right now, Naruto is almost as strong as I am."
Kakashi's statement left Iruka and everyone in the room stunned. Kakashi, one of the village's greatest geniuses, had just said something so astonishing.
Even Guy, observing from the side, was surprised.
Almost as strong as Kakashi...? More than ever, Guy wanted to meet his eternal rival's prodigious student.
"You should also remember this, Iruka," Kakashi added. "They're no longer your students. They're mine now."
Iruka clenched his teeth and stepped back. He couldn't do anything about it. If their Jōnin-sensei said they were ready, he had no power to contradict them. Besides, the Hokage didn't seem to have any intention of preventing Team 7 from participating.
"Sasuke Uchiha has shown great progress since awakening his Sharingan. I've been personally training him, and he is capable."
"Sakura Haruno is the least skilled of the three, but she's still prepared. She has great talent in Medical Ninjutsu and will become an exceptional Kunoichi."
"And Naruto Uzumaki... is the strongest of the three. He has mastered an S-Rank technique and two A-Rank techniques. His physical strength is impressive, and his Taijutsu skills are outstanding." Kakashi glanced at Guy when he mentioned this, much to Guy's confusion. "He has also learned to control the Kyūbi's chakra at will."
"Few in this room can confidently say they could face him," Kakashi stated, looking directly at Iruka and the Chūnin and Jōnin behind him.
With those words, Kakashi turned to the Hokage and nodded.
"They don't even need a test to prove their capability."
Hiruzen smiled slightly. Since Naruto had been secretly trained by Minato, it wasn't surprising that the boy was so powerful.
"You are all dismissed," ordered the Third Hokage.
In the blink of an eye, everyone in the room disappeared.