Return to The Past : Naruto Fic

21

Chapter 20 – Chances

"This Ketsueki Bunshin will be your trainer until I return from my errand in Oni no Kuni. Is that understood!" Naruto called out like a drill sergeant causing all of the ninshu students to call out in unison, "HAI!"

Nodding to himself, Naruto said, "Until the Chunnin exams, all nominated Genin will be training to perfect their ninshu enough to cause trouble for most Rookie Jōnin, if not outright defeat them. That's the level of skills I expect to be showcased by the Konoha Genin I am teaching!"

"HAI!" All the Genin of teams 7, 8, 9 and 10 called out, with his own and Sakura's replacements being Sai and Konohamaru.

"The Chunnin, Jōnin and Anbu, your job is to master as much as you can. Then specialize in the specialized bending disciplines that I, Sakura and Konohamaru have discovered. Any questions?" Seeing that no questions were forthcoming, Naruto continued, "After you have mastered your elements, your job will be to teach the ninshu classes at the academy on a part time basis. UNDERSTOOD!"

"HAI!"

"Good! Now an assessment of skills for the Genin. As I call your name, step forward! UCHIHA SASUKE!"

Sasuke stepped forward with a nervous frown causing Naruto to chuckle and say, "Your skills are satisfactory Sasuke at the moment, but I advise that you start practicing lightning generation and if possible, redirection. I would like you to see if you can develop skills in Combustion Bending, but that is not as important as Lightning Generation. Other than that, I would say that you practice mixing in Fire Bending with your taijutsu. SAI!"

Sasuke nodded and stepped back into line as Sai moved forward. "Your basic skills are top notch. Your ink based ninjutsu is unique and powerful, but I believe that combining it with your budding skills in Water Bending would be a strong asset. Please try it and get back to me. SARUTOBI KONOHAMARU!"

Konohamaru took Sai's place with a nervous smile. "You need more active experience. To remedy that, I assign you to regular spars with the Jōnin, Anbu and Chunnin present here. Other than that, I would advise that you keep practicing your newly discovered Combustion Bending, but only while under the supervision of an experience Shinobi or by clone. Other than that, keep up the good work! HYŪGA HINATA!"

Hinata stepped forward with a small smile as she waited for her review. "You have come a long way from the shy girl I started training. Your skills in that modified Jūken has skyrocketed along with your mastery of Water Bending. Your unique use of water bending as an extension of yourself is quite interesting and I would advise that you advance it more. Your fluidity in bending water into ice is lacking a bit, so you should practice a bit more. Other than that, keep up the good work! ABURAME SHINO!"

Shino stepped up with a slight buzzing emanating from his jacket. "You are good Shino. There is no doubt about it, but unfortunately, your element is the exact opposite of what would have augmented your kikaichu. Even then, you have found the time and place to develop a style of Fire Bending where you strengthen your physical capabilities with fire. An excellent style, but the lack of range will be debilitating in the long run. My advice is that you start learning to generate lightning. Other than that, keep thinking of other ways to compliment your clan jutsu. INUZUKA KIBA!"

Kiba and Akamaru jumped forward with a little whoop causing Naruto to smile and say, "What can I say Akamaru? Your master is pathetic at the moment. He has already adequately mastered both Air and Fire bending, yet he doesn't use them to augment his clan techniques. I am sure that you have told him such ideas, but he ignored you. For that, I am sorry. Make sure that he develops a style to increase the potency of his clan jutsu, will you buddy?"