Legion of Naruto

Chapter 4

With a start, Kakashi awoke to a dark but comfortable room. Mind racing it took a few moments before he could piece together what had led to him being laid up in a bed in an unknown place. The mission, the battle, winning, and over using his cursed eye. It all came back to him in a flash and he groaned in half embarrassment. To think he'd exhaust himself to quickly in front on his students. Well, they lived to tell the tale, so he could live with it for now. Though when they got back to the village he was sure to hear it from Asuma and the others when he filed his report. With a tired groan the exhausted ninja rolled and rose to his feet, shuffling out the door and down the stairs where he could hear people.

Downstairs it was three bored genin who were waiting on the condition of their sensei to improve. While Naruto had wanted to train like normal, he figured that since they were in unfamiliar territory that he should probably wait for some orders for once. Sakura was helping Tazuna's daughter Tsunami prepare lunch with what supplies they had. Sasuke was waiting just as Naruto was, not entirely sure how they should proceed. Tazuna had assured them that he wouldn't need protection within the village of wave, but they were all nervous regardless. However As they heard a thumping from the stairs, all three students heaved a relieved sigh as their sensei made an appearance, though slow.

"Well well well, it's good to see everyone up and so chipper." Kakashi was in good spirits at least, seeing his students all happy and in one piece. "Come with me, we have much to talk about." Thanking Tsunami for the help while he was out, he ushered his students out of the house and into a clearing not far away. Arranging all three of them before him, Kakashi got serious for a moment, "I think it's time to get a little more hands on with your training." Seeing each of the kids focus on him a bit more, he nodded with some pride, "I'm proud of you Naruto for taking initiative to learn more of the basics and continuing chakra control and movement techniques, I would have thought our resident bookworm would have done the same." Looking pointedly at Sakura, she raised her hand.

"But Kakashi-sensei, why would we need to continue exercises after the academy?"

Motioning to Naruto, Kakashi hoped that maybe having an example would put things in perspective. "Because first, you should always be working towards improvement. And second, many of these basic exercises have practical uses. Like tree walking and water walking. Notice yesterday how Zabuza and myself continued our fight on the lake, or how Naruto was able to reposition using the trees? You never know what skill will have the most use and when, so it's best to learn all that you can, and practice, practice, practice. Plus, it'll do wonders for building up your chakra reserves. Much like a muscle, using it will build it up." Turning and motioning to the line of trees behind him, he looked mainly at Sakura and Sasuke, "You're goal for the next week is to be able to reach the top of the tree with just your chakra. And not just once, you must continue the training until you can do so so hours at a time without getting tired. This will increase both your control and your capacity." Turning to Naruto Kakashi nodded, "While I understand you have tree walking down, I noticed you're still working on the water walking skill."

"Uh yeah, I can hold it for short times, but varying my chakra still takes some concentration."

Nodding and expecting the answer, Kakashi motioned back towards the village, "Your job this week is to watch over the bridge building, practice the exercise while at the bridge, and make safe use of your clones in the meantime. Got it?"

"Hai!"

Kakashi waved him off as he himself turned and trudged back to the house, "Then I'm going back to bed, chakra exhaustion is no joke, and I need to be in the best form I can be before the week is over."

Not seeing the need for urgency, Sakura again raised her hand, "Why's that sensei?"

Kakashi looked back to them with a gleam in his eye, "Because that hunter nin was a fake. Normally hunter cut off the head and burn the body. Considering also the weapon used to eliminate Zabuza, I have a suspicion that the hunter was actually Zabuza's accomplice." But waving them off Kakashi turned away, "But all we can do it prepare as much as possible and be ready for when they return." So saying, their sensei walked back towards their clients home.