Naruto awoke first thing the next day, his eyes burning. He knew that Zabuza was not deceased and that soon they would run out of time before he made his return if the hunter-nin had, in fact, rescued him. He needed to become stronger rapidly if he were to protect Tazuna and the people in the Land of Waves.
Kakashi sat on the porch, tired from the fight but better than he had been the previous night. He grinned under his mask as he gazed at Naruto. "Are you not impatient?"
Naruto's fists were clenched. "Of course! We have to move fast if Zabuza is still alive! I need to work out!"
Soon, Sakura and Sasuke emerged from the house, stretching and yawning. Sneering, Sasuke glared at Naruto. "You think shouting about training and running around is going to make you stronger?"
Naruto turned to give him a snarl. "Oh? Emo boy, do you have something better to suggest?"
Sakura sighed. "Cut it out, you two. What's the plan, Kakashi-sensei?"
Kakashi stood up and yawned. "Well, we're going to focus on developing your base. Teamwork, agility, and chakra manipulation. I saw how much effort you three required after the last fight."
Naruto frowned and folded his arms. "Tch. I thought I did fairly well."
Kakashi shook his head. "Even though it was great, your Flamethrower was sloppy. It's not yet mastered by you. And you will be predictable if you use only one technique."
Naruto groaned. "Oh, all right. First, what are we doing?"
Kakashi smiled. "Climbing trees."
Naruto blinked. "Climbing trees?"
Sasuke's brow creased. "That sounds easy."
Kakashi nodded toward a giant tree in the distance. "Without your hands."
That caught their attention. Naruto's gaze grew wider. "What? Wait!"
Kakashi demonstrated with an example by walking up a tree trunk as if it were flat ground and stopping when he reached a solid branch. "This exercise will assist you in having greater control over your chakras. You can easily ascend any surface if you are able to maintain the right amount of chakra in your feet.
Sakura's eyes sparkled. "That's amazing!"
Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "Tch. Alright, let's get started."
They were tossed kunai by Kakashi. "Each time you fall, mark your highest point on the tree. Try harder each time."
Naruto cracked his knuckles and grinned. "Easy! Look!"
He jumped over the tree with too much confidence, his foot thudding into the bark. but he slipped immediately and dropped onto his back.
"Ah no! What in the world?"
Sasuke chuckled. "Fool."
Sakura, though, took a deep breath before gingerly placing her foot against the tree. She hopped back down after stamping her place and taking some steps up.
Nodding, Kakashi said, "Good job, Sakura. Keep going."
Naruto rubbed his head and sat up. "Oh no! This'll take forever!"
Kakashi smiled. "Then stop whining and get climbing."
With every passing hour, Naruto's annoyance increased as he tumbled onto the ground over and over. Sasuke, too, struggled, but never failed to pass Naruto. Sakura, on the other hand, was already in the tree half way with minimum struggle.
Breathless, Naruto glared up at the tree in frustration. "Why is this so hard?"
Kakashi noted while resting against a tree. "You're using too much chakra. You won't stick if you use too little. If you use too much, you'll turn against yourself."
Naruto grumbled. "It's easier said than done."
But he wasn't going to give up. He concentrated, closing his eyes and concentrating. He indicated his advancement with a kunai after rushing at the tree again and managing a few stairs before falling back.
Out of the corner of his eye, Sasuke saw. "Tch. He is improving."
Kakashi watched them closely. This was the start of their real improvement, and already he could see it.
Tsunami waited with worried eyes from the living room door of the house as the training continued. Tazuna, her father, noticed and let out a sigh. "You're still worried about them?"
Tsunami frowned. "They're just children. Also, if Zabuza's alive."
Tazuna took a swig from his flask. "They are not just children. They are ninja. And he reminds me of someone, that loud one."
Tsunami tilted her head. "Who?"
Tazuna chuckled. "He reminds me of Kaiza, which is unbelievable."
Tsunami gasped. "Papa."
Tazuna turned towards Naruto, who still ran obstinately against the tree. "Those who change things are people like him."
Naruto was exhausted by evening. He stared at the stars as he lay out flat on the grass. "This is awful."
Standing nearby, Sasuke smiled. "Are you giving up already?"
Naruto jumped to his feet. "As if! Just wait till I master this before you do!"
Sasuke's smile faded a little. Naruto's determination was commendable despite the insults.
Kakashi approached. "Naruto, you're improving. Keep at it."
Grinning, Naruto stood up and dusted himself off. "I will!"
The rustling of leaves, the crunch of footsteps on bark, and the silent determination of Team 7 striving to become stronger hung in the air as night fell darker. They would not be taken by surprise in the upcoming real battle