UCHIHA LIBERATOR (NARUTO X MALE UCHIHA OC)

Chapter 15

3RD POV

At the break of dawn, Training Ground 9 was quiet, the mist of early morning still clinging to the air. Standing in front of their sensei, Kushina, the three young Genin—Ryuichi, Fuyumi, and Haru—looked both eager and a bit uncertain.

"Good morning, students," Kushina greeted them warmly. Each of the three responded with their own version of a "Good morning," reflecting their personalities. She smiled, observing them thoughtfully.

"From today," she began, "I'll be focusing on helping each of you develop individual skills tailored to your strengths and interests. Alongside that, we'll also be training for team-coordinated attacks." She glanced at each of them, excitement sparking in her eyes as she introduced the new challenges awaiting them.

Turning to Fuyumi, she said, "Fuyumi, you'll be focusing on seal techniques and kenjutsu. I'll also help you develop your sensing abilities."

"A sensor?" Fuyumi repeated, tilting her head in curiosity.

"A sensor," Haru interjected, "is a shinobi who can detect others by sensing their chakra."

Fuyumi nodded slowly, processing this. "But...what makes you think I'm a sensor?" she asked, skepticism in her voice.

Kushina chuckled. "I don't think you're a sensor, Fuyumi—I know it. It's something you have naturally, even if you don't fully realize it yet."

Fuyumi blinked in surprise, and Kushina moved on, addressing Haru.

"Haru," she said, "you'll be focusing primarily on taijutsu. Alongside that, I want you to develop skills in shuriken-jutsu, kunai techniques, and the basics of senbon."

"Weaponry?" Haru asked, clearly surprised. "I've never heard of a Hyuga who specializes in weapons."

Kushina smirked. "Well, I've never heard of a Hyuga who dreams of becoming Hokage, either." She snorted playfully, earning a chuckle from Fuyumi.

Haru raised an eyebrow, "Hey, don't underestimate the Hyugas."

Kushina laughed, "I'm not. I'm just saying that every Hokage has always had at least two areas of mastery. I want you to become versatile, especially if you're serious about being Hokage someday."

Finally, she turned to Ryuichi. Her expression softened slightly, turning empathetic. "Ryuichi, I heard about your grandfather. My condolences."

Ryuichi waved a dismissive hand. "We weren't close...but his passing did remind me of how far I still have to go if I'm going to accomplish my dreams."

Kushina nodded approvingly. "You're taking it well. Now, for your training..." She reached into her pouch, pulling out a small slip of paper, and handed it to him.

Ryuichi frowned, examining the slip. "What's this?"

"It's chakra paper," she explained, noticing his blank expression. Chuckling, she elaborated. "This paper is used to determine your chakra nature affinity. When you send chakra into it, it will respond in a specific way, indicating your affinity. If it catches fire, it means fire. If it splits, that's wind. If it wrinkles, that's lightning. If it crumbles into dirt, you have earth. And if it becomes damp, it's water."

Ryuichi raised an eyebrow. "It's obvious I have a fire affinity, right? I mean, with my Uchiha background and all the fire jutsu I can do?"

Kushina nodded. "Maybe. But there's no harm in confirming. Sometimes, shinobi excel at elements that aren't their primary affinity, so let's just see."

With a skeptical look, Ryuichi focused a bit of chakra into the paper. To his surprise, it immediately wrinkled tightly in his hand.

Kushina's eyes lit up. "See?" she said proudly.