Chapter 14: [More Training (Part 1/2)]
Following Iruka's explanation of the Leaf Concentration exercise, he instructed the class to hold a leaf to their foreheads and attempt to channel chakra into it, aiming to make it stick. Sasuke, displaying mild disinterest, cast a brief glance at the leaf before reluctantly complying and placing it on his forehead.
'I'm definitely letting my shadow clone stay in school for me later. Though I will probably turn up now and then to simply hang out with my friends.' Sasuke thought offhandedly.
With the leaf securely adhered, Sasuke surveyed the classroom to observe everyone's progress. Sakura and Ino were visibly putting in effort, achieving some success albeit with limited results, as their leaves continued to fall after a brief while.
Then there were the two beside him. Shikamaru simply held the leaf in his hand staring at it for a second before slumping his head back on the desk.
"What a drag..." Shikamaru muttered.
Turning to his other side, Sasuke saw Choji chewing... the leaf?
"Man, this is such a drag. Doesn't even have a hint of flavour, you know?!" Choji said as he spat out the lead and began munching on his crisps "These snacks, on the other hand, now that's what I'm talking about! So much better!"
Sasuke sensed Iruka's disapproval directed at his two friends, but the teacher was occupied with Naruto in the corner.
'What a colourful atmosphere.'
But Sasuke soon noticed a person who managed to complete the exercise. At the front of the classroom sat a young girl with bluish-purple hair that was in a hime-cut and pale lavender eyes, that lacked pupils. Sasuke soon found himself recognising the girl- Hinata Hyuga.
'What a waste...' He thought.
The Hyuga Clan possesses the Byakugan, a Dojutsu like the Sharingan. This allows them to have an almost 360° field of vision and possess a vision that can penetrate any object, making each Hyuga a valuable asset to Konoha. They are also known for their excellent chakra control, which Hinata's ability to quickly master the Leaf Concentration exercise reflects.
'Such great potential but alas, the one who possesses it has no desire for self-improvement.' As Sasuke watched the anime he understood that the underlying reason for Hinata to stop showing off or practising her abilities was to protect her younger sister, Hanabi.
After swiftly glancing around the classroom, Shikamaru beside Sasuke opened his eyes. With his head still lying on the desk, he looked at Sasuke and queried, "How are you able to do that?"
"I've practised this before today," Sasuke replied.
"Any tips?" Shikamaru inquired, hoping for a simple shortcut to complete the exercise and doze off again.
"Close your eyes and have complete focus on the leaf through your sense of touch. That's all you need to complete it faster, though you still need to work," Sasuke advised.
Shikamaru prepared to close his eyes ready to sleep, upon hearing that there wasn't a shortcut. However, he glanced at Sasuke momentarily. Noticed how the Uchiha had the lead stuck to his forehead still, despite being distracted by his questions.
"Ugh, what a drag." Shikamaru lifted his head from the desk and beckoned Choji to join him in finishing the chakra control exercise.
'Even if it's a hassle, I'd rather not lag too far behind my friends,' Shikamaru thought to himself.
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After the school day concluded, Sasuke found himself at a secluded training ground tucked away in the farthest corner of the village. While the area appeared somewhat dilapidated, Sasuke deemed it sufficient for his immediate needs.
Sensing the absence of the once-curious gazes that used to follow him, he pondered,
'Even though the Uchiha training ground should be a safe spot for Rasengan practice, given that no one else utilises it, I'd rather err on the side of caution. Unlike most Ninjutsu in my arsenal, the Rasengan could potentially bring harm if its existence was exposed. As a Uchiha orphan, possessing the Fourth Hokage's signature Jutsu raises too many questions.
Though the revelation might not directly jeopardise his life, the inevitable questioning that would follow posed a significant risk. A lack of a satisfactory answer could potentially result in severe consequences.
To ensure added safety, I employed the Transformation Technique to travel here, making it unlikely that anyone would associate me with the Rasengan practice in the unlikely event my practice here is discovered.'
Sasuke then contemplated the schedule that he had meticulously planned.
Morning: Run around the village with weight, occasionally spar with Lee or Guy
Afternoon/After Ninja School: Rasengan and Body Flicker Jutsu practice
Evening: Genjutsu practice
This is the planned schedule for five days of the week. On the remaining two days, his focus will be on intensive practice of Fuinjutsu and honing his chakra control at home. Initially, he underestimated the necessity of rest, given the constant presence of chakra within him.
However, he quickly noticed his body becoming sluggish, hindering progress in advancing his physical abilities. It became evident that rest is crucial for his overall well-being, particularly given the fact that, despite his advanced skills, he is physically only seven years old and still in a stage of growth.
'Today I'll begin the Rasengan training. But before I begin...'
Ram → Snake → Tiger
Shadow Clone Jutsu
After flawlessly executing the required hand seals and channelling his chakra with precision, a sudden wisp of smoke materialised in front of Sasuke, revealing 21 more identical forms of himself. With a deliberate release of the technique, additional smoke enveloped the area.
'So, 21 is the absolute maximum number of shadow clones I can produce, but each of them has very little chakra,' Sasuke contemplated.
Further experimentation revealed that, for Ninjutsu practice, generating five shadow clones seemed to be the optimal number. Any more, and the chakra distribution became too thin, while too few proved inefficient.
'I'll start with a single shadow clone to assess the impact of Ninjutsu training. I need to determine if my heightened spiritual power can mitigate the mental fatigue associated with this training method.'
Creating a lone shadow clone, Sasuke handed it a water-filled balloon, instructing the clone to employ its chakra to manipulate the water within. The shadow clone diligently began its task. After several minutes, successfully altering the balloon's contents, Sasuke dispelled the jutsu.
Feeling only a negligible strain on his psyche, Sasuke's expression brightened as he realised the viability of this approach.
Taking a cautious approach, Sasuke restricted the number to three shadow clones. He instructed them to recommence the Rasengan practice, seamlessly integrating himself into the training session. The quartet of Sasuke's focused intently on refining their techniques, each contributing to the collective effort with a calculated distribution of chakra. The air crackled with the intensity of their training, as Sasuke slowly honed his skills through his disciplined use of shadow clones.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Perma_Frost
Perma_Frost Just a few more chapters and then this arc/volume will be coming to an end.
Have some idea about my story? Comment it and let me know.
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