[Training Partner Unlocked]

Instructor: Maruboshi Kosuke

Boosts: DEX and WIS Stat Gain, Increased Chance of Insight

Recommendation: Study Leaf-Style Willow for Inspiration

"Alright, I needed someone to help me out with my Taijutsu anyways." Naruto started to stretch as he got ready to begin his training.

Kosuke said nothing as he decided to observe to find the Naruto's weak areas.

One Hour Later

Naruto could be seen panting as he finished his daily quota.

Kosuke walked up and cleared his throat to get the boy's attention.

"It seems you have a lot of strength, and your speed is passable."

Naruto grinned to show how pleased he was with himself.

"But your form with your Taijutsu is quite bland."

"Huh?" Naruto quickly lost his smile and looked at Kosuke with confusion, continuing to explain.

"Don't get me wrong. Your form seems to be coming along great with only a few weak areas. It's your movements that lack any sort of feeling."

A look of contemplation overcame Naruto's face as he tried to wrap his head around it. He did everything the same as the clone.

What else is there?

Kosuke gave Naruto a minute to think about his predicament. It would do no good to tell him all the answers.

A few moments of silence passed as he thought back to everything he's done from when he started till now.

From the beginning, Naruto followed what exactly the clone was doing.

There wasn't a time when he deviated from the clone's demonstrations.

Wait...

It seemed to hit Naruto like a train.

"Is it because...I never changed the style to fit me?"

A screen appeared.

[Acquired Insight]

Be mindful but not mindless.

The User has opened himself to wise counsel, but retaining the information is only half of the work. The system is a guide, not a rule. You noticed your mistake of confining yourself to the system. The lessons are merely reference points for you to use in your journey to grow past the system.

Training Draft Unlocked

2X Increase towards Future Progress in Steel Guardian

WIS Increased by 3

Kosuke smiled and spoke with a proud grandfatherly tone.

"Correct. You have only performed the style and familiarized yourself with it."

As he spoke, Kosuke began going through some motions with his tanto.

Apparitions of his tanto began to appear around him, swaying unlike a willow tree swaying in the wind.

Naruto swore he could feel the passing wind and was left in awe.

In the next moment, a tanto was gracing his neck.

A second passed before the blonde finally reacted and screamed before falling back.

The old man only gave a small chuckle at the boy's expense before sheathing his blade.

"The knowledge you thought to be insignificant was built from past generations' blood, sweat, and tears, and their knowledge from the generation before them."

Kosuke helped the boy up, and, from its looks, Naruto was leaning on every word.

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"Just because you've learned something does not mean the road has to end. Start building more roads. Did you meet a river? Build a bridge. Have you met a mountain? Drill a tunnel."

"While it may be hard and grueling, just take a look back, see all the progress you have made, and use it as motivation to continue striving forward. And maybe one day, you can look back to find people walking those roads, over those bridges, and through your tunnels."

"Huh..." The wise words seemed to resonate with Naruto. After all, wasn't his dream to be Hokage?

As a Hokage, he must build a path for the people to follow him.

While not everyone would follow the same path as him, shouldn't he make a path that anyone could follow?

No matter what they excelled in. Whether it was Ninjutsu, he would create a Jutsu to improve one's physique.

Whether it was Genjutsu, he would create a style to take advantage of illusions.

And Taijutsu was self-explanatory.

A grand screen with a shining, gold outline appeared alongside other regular screens.

[Main Quest]

Taijutsu is an essential part of a shinobi's arsenal, but those specializing in this art are dwindling in numbers.

Revive the art and bring it to new heights!

Bring a Style to Full Mastery and Upgrade it {In Progress}

Bring two compatible Styles to Full Mastery and Combine them {In Progress}

?

Side Objectives

Train for 25 Days in a Row {Completed}

Train for 50 Days in a Row {32/50}

...

Hidden Objectives Found

?

Completion Rewards

?

[Special Side Quest Completed]

Meet Maruboshi Kosuke {Complete}

Side Completion Rewards

Instructor: Maruboshi Kosuke

Rare Armor: Plated Gloves

+150 Rep with Hiruzen Sarutobi

+5 WIS

[Main Quest Side Quest Completed]

Train for 25 Days in a Row {Completed}

Completion Reward

+1 Hint towards a Hidden Objective

There was so much information for Naruto to look at, but he had to put it away since he was with the company.

The blonde put up his poker face while he starts to scream in joy in his head at completing two side quests in one sitting.

Kosuke looked at the blonde with a sweat drop forming on his brow.

'He didn't understand a single word I said....'

The old man was looking at what looked to what could only be described as a dunce's face before sighing and turning away to walk the path out of the training grounds.

Naruto quickly snapped out of his inner celebrations to catch him leaving.

"Hey! Wait, Old Man! Thanks for helping me. If you need anything, just holler, or I could treat you to some ramen, okay?! Believe it!"

Kosuke did not stop, but a joyous laugh could be heard before Naruto heard his response.

"I will hold you to that. Till next time."

After the old man left, Naruto stood in the same spot for a couple more moments.

"Alright!" The blonde began letting out the joy he had been holding in forever. Dancing in a very embarrassing way.

"Oh yeah! Who's the man? I am!" Several more humiliating and cringe lines came after.

If only Naruto knew that someone was watching this go down.

If only he knew...

Hokage's Office

Two people occupied the office.

One was the Third Hokage, and the other was a particular green leotard-wearing training fanatic.

They were currently looking at this scene with the crystal ball, and their expressions could not be seen.

Hiruzen soon turned off the crystal ball and bit his thumb while shaking slightly.

He was trying to cover his laughter, and his self-control was crumbling by the second.

Gai performs his signature "nice guy" pose with his thumb extended with a wink and bright smile.

"His Youth is flowing through the roof! This young man is truly worthy of being taught by the Sublime Green Beast!"

Hiruzen had to bow his head to cover his face with the Kage hat.

Unless he wanted to show how blue his face was becoming from holding in his laughter.

The Third Hokage finally got his emotions and face under control before cutting Gai's rant about the Power of Naruto's Youth, as he put it.

"So, you agree to give Naruto some guidance?" Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe.

"Why yes! I can see a flame burning so bright that my flames are roaring in joy, but I must ask why you are allowing this after all this time? I know my Eternal Rival, Kakashi, has asked for him many times before." Gai lost his jovial tone in exchange for a more serious one, albeit a confused one.

The old man did not answer immediately and closed his eyes.

"I am ashamed to say the reason is due to my negligence. I am tired, Gai. Time has beaten me more than I care to admit, and Naruto is an unfortunate victim of my crime."

Humming slightly, he opened his eyes and locked eyes with Gai.

"I intend to not let it continue further. Too many mistakes have already been made due to my decisions or lack thereof. Naruto is a bright boy, and the people continue to wear those shades of hatred to block out his rays."

Hiruzen walked around his desk before giving a low bow to Gai, startling him into stammering.

"Please. Help Naruto burn bright enough to the point where even those shades can no longer allow them to ignore his bright will."

Gai looked at the humble old man before breaking out of his stupor.

"Sir! There's no need to bow. I am certain even without my help. The Flames of Youth burning within young Naruto would reach untold heights! But rest assured, with my help, his flames will burn bright enough to beat the sun!"

Gai showed posed again to show his support.

"If not, I will run around the Village 1000 times! No 5000!"

Hiruzen let out a chuckle in relief and amusement.

"I know you will."

As the conversation finished, a knock was heard as the Third Hokage called them in, knowing who it was.

Another old man walked in and greeted the Hokage.

It was Kosuke.

"So, Maruboshi, what do you think of young Naruto?"

Kosuke tilted his head upwards in thought before smiling.

"Interesting."

Back at the Training Grounds

Naruto finally realized his shame and quit the 'celebratory' dancing.

He decided to check out his rewards and went for the armor he got.

While the other stuff was great, what boy wouldn't be giddy at the thought of getting cool ninja gear?

As Naruto opened his rewards, his smile turned flat.

Soon, twitch could be seen getting more and more violent.

"WHAT THE FUCK!"