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Daichi was walking home thinking about what had just happened. 'His chakra had gotten stronger. Uchiha always get stronger the more emotion they feel and the more dangerous the battle. But it still wasn't able to reawaken his Sharingan. I know that he awakened his eyes that night at the massacre. Or at least I think so. Not so sure because of my presence and since I didn't see it happen I can't be too certain. But if he did, his brain must have buried that memory deep as some sort of protection for his fragile psyche…'

Daichi thought about what he should do next.

'I need to be careful. If I fight and help him awaken the Sharingan too early it could help in the long run or screw things up… Things could go either way.'

Daichi ran his hand through his hair. 'Ghaa! This is so frustrating... The future I know is bad… But it's better than the one I don't. The safety of my life comes first and before everything else. Things have already derailed somewhat… I'm not gonna cause any more ripples in this pond.'

With a sigh Daichi made his choice. He then thought about Sasuke's reaction as he lost the fight.

'This is strange… I never would have expected him to show me respect, of all things… I wonder what changed?'

He thought about the Sasuke he knew in this life and the one he had seen through a screen in his old one. And after several minutes of comparison Daichi came to a conclusion.

'In the show Sasuke had no one to match him in the academy. He was the best. And Naruto was the last in the class. So when Naruto the dead last started to rapidly catch up to him he felt that his improvements must have stalled. He was angry and jealous that someone he could easily defeat got to the same level of strength as him… '

Daichi walked through the streets and was a few minutes away from his home.

'But here that didn't happen. I took first place and he was always second. He now has someone he could measure himself against. This fight was the most intense one we had till now. And he must have felt his growth in power. And he even started to open up… This Sasuke… He is still a child who's in pain and looking for help and not the giant angry ball of mess that is the genin Sasuke in the show… I think what he needed the most was to vent his frustrations on someone… At least that's my theory. Or I could be wrong and it could be something else…'

Daichi thought about his actions and thought about the changes his involvement would bring to Sasuke's mental state.

'If I could help him, would he turn away from the path of vengeance when he learns the truth?... Most likely not… But that doesn't mean I shouldn't try… Right…? Can I truly influence him…? Well…. Whatever the case… If I can help him and make him form meaningful relationships with the other future Rookie's then this endeavor would be worth it.'

Daichi reached his home and soon made his way to the backyard. 'I need to start the next nature chakra. I can't let Sasuke get ahead.'

Daichi looked at the pond and saw the water rippling about due to the movements of the wind and fishes.

'I have earth and fire. Water seems like the best choice to master next.'

He went to the nearby tree and sat down. He picked up a fallen leaf and stared at it as he remembered his conversation with Kensei regarding the water nature chakra.

Flashback.

Kensei drank a cup of tea and spoke. "Water is a very versatile element. It depends on the person to bring out the full power of this nature. The second Hokage's prowess with the water abilities was unlike any before and after him. Even now… There's not one that can use water style jutsus the way the second did… I've seen you take a few books from my study. What have you learned and understood about the water element? Tell me."

Daichi thought about everything he learned and he understood several aspects of this nature.

"Water is the element of change. It's formless and shapeless. But it can also take the shape of anything depending on its surroundings. It can flow gently or it can become as destructive as a Tsunami." Daichi replied.

Kensei nodded. "Yes, it's true. But that's the most basic thing. I want you to tell me what someone who has absolute control over this element would be capable of… I know you came to a few conclusions and have some theories. Let's hear it."

Daichi knew what his old man was asking. He had taken books on water nature and even on Kekkei Genkai and read through them. More specifically about the Ice users from the Yuki clan. Daichi wanted to learn as much as he could about an element so he could come up with various techniques in the future.

Daichi looked at his grandfather. "Someone trained in the 2 steps of water chakra nature would be able to manipulate 2 main properties of water. Viscosity and density. Changing the liquid into thick and adhesive or as thin as oil."

Kensei nodded in agreement. "Yes. The jutsus like Starch Syrup binding rope and Starch Syrup capturing field perfectly match that."

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Daichi nodded. "But there's more. A true master can condense vapor particles and liquids enough to be tangible to the point where they are solid and hardened. And the water molecules have high heat capacity and coolant capabilities."

Kensei thought about that point. He was a smart man and quickly realized Daichi's point. "You're talking about using water molecules as a medium for heat exchange aren't you?"

Daichi nodded and continued. "A true master can decrease the surrounding temperature and can even change water to ice or steam by manipulating it at a molecular level."

Kensei raised an eyebrow at that. He didn't think such a thing was possible without the help of a Kekkei Genkai ability.

"And you believe this can be done with just training and no Kekkei Genkai."

Daichi smiled and nodded. "I believe so, yes."

Kensei was impressed with the goals Daichi set for himself. "If you can do something like that, then you would have gone one step beyond the second. And that… would be truly incredible."

Flashback End.

Daichi placed the leaf in his hand and concentrated. 'The trick is to let the chakra flow like water.'

Daichi knew what his chakra was like due to using several water style jutsus. He focused on that and tried to make the leaf damp with hai chakra. Several minutes passed by and he opened his eyes when he heard the sound of the system notification.

He opened his palms and looked at the leaf. A small portion of the leaf was slightly wet.

[A new skill is created with a specific action.]

Water - Leaf dampening technique - (Active/Passive)(LV. 1): A water chakra affinity training skill obtained through continuously focusing chakra to a leaf and making it wet. A basic technique to help the user increase the strength of their water nature chakra.

[Note: increasing the level of this skill will increase the level of the skill 'Water Affinity.']

[Effects:]

1% increase in Water Chakra control.

[CP cost : 52/sec.]

'Yeah… Seems about right…'

At that moment Kensei came out of the house.

"So you've begun training your third element huh…"

"Yeah…" There was something that Daichi wanted to ask Kensei. "Hey. Do you know the training techniques the other villages use to train the chakra natures…?"

Kensei looked at Daichi questioningly.

"I doubt the Sand village has trees or waterfalls to help their ninjas train. And the same goes for the rest of them. So they must have different types of training unique to their villages. Do you know what they are?"

Kensei nodded. "I do. And you are right. Each village has their own unique type of training methods to master the chakra natures… But I'll tell you about them another time."

Daichi slightly pouted but didn't say anything else. He created two shadow clones and all three of them got to work.

—-

Days passed with Daichi training the first step of the water chakra nature. He would spend his mornings with Lee working out and would spend the evenings with Naruto and the others. He would then train once he reached home till midnight and the routine continued.

Daichi was able to build a balance between training and spending some time on his hobbies and just playing around. He knew that next year he would have to leave the village so he was enjoying as much as he could with his friends while he had the chance.

A couple weeks had passed and one evening as Daichi was training in the backyard Kensei came to meet him.

"I'm headed to the capital. I won't be back for a week or two." Kensei said.

Daichi was slightly confused at that. "I thought you usually go only once a year. Didn't you just get back from the capital a few months ago?"

"Yes. But something has come up that needs my attention. Don't worry about it."

Daichi nodded and watched his grandfather leave. 'Strange... Does this have anything to do with my trip to the capital next year?'

Daichi was suspicious as to why he had to leave the village to learn medical ninjutsu from someone and even more that the Hokage was allowing him to stay an academy student even while he's outside the village. One of the reasons he accepted was because he knew the Hokage had a hand in this decision and he was curious as to what that man had planned.

'I know that Kensei wouldn't let any harm come to me and if I oppose this decision then it might ruin my goodwill with the Hokage… Not that I care about that but I rather have someone as influential and powerful as him as an ally than an enemy.'

Daichi let the matter go for now and got back to his training. Now with the whole place to himself he was free to train without restraints. Daichi started to increase the intensity of the training and got to work.

—-

Hokage Office.

It was night time. Hiruzen was looking over the various mission reports and filing them. As he got down with the last document he let out a breath of slight relief.

'I need to find a successor. I'm getting too old for this.'

He took his pipe and filled it with some tobacco and lit. He stood and walked to the window of the room and stared at the night sky.

'Kensei left for the capital today. And Jiraiya has informed me that Tsunade has agreed to a meeting. Good. At least that's something.'

The Hokage then thought about Daichi and one of the main reasons why he decided to go through with having him learn under his student.

'Tsunade and Jiraiya are the only ones strong enough to take this position. But Jiraiya has his various duties and he won't take the hat. So that leaves Tsunade. But I know no matter what I say she won't take the position and I can't exactly force her… But if she comes of her own will…'

Hiruzen let out a puff of smoke and thought about the reasoning. 'Right now her only attachment is the girl Shizune and she travels with her. But if Tsunade forms a similar attachment to Daichi, then she might be more willing to come back. With Daichi's talents he'll be able to pick up everything needed from Tsunade before he becomes a genin. I know Daichi wants to become a ninja. And if he comes back then she might also be willing to return. Or at the very least I'd have a better chance at convincing her to take my place. I was surprised just how much Kensei changed because of Daichi… I just hope he'll be able to accomplish the same thing with Tsunade.'

Hiruzen hated the fact that he had to resort to manipulating his students but he justified his actions with the reasoning that desperate time calls for desperate measures. He also wanted to make sure that Daichi had solid attachments in the village.

'It's not just Tsunade but Daichi would also form an attachment with them. Kensei must have warned Daichi about Danzo and told the boy about our relationship... I'm sure of it. But if Tsunade becomes the Hokage then Daichi would feel more comfortable and trusting towards the village or at the very least the Hokage's seat of power… And Kensei would also trust Tsunade a lot more than he does me… I hate that I have to manipulate them like this but this is necessary. I see no other way.'

Hiruzen then thought about the plan he set in motion regarding Isen and he let out a sigh. 'I just hope everything goes according to plan.'

Hiruzen stood there staring at the stars as he thought about several things. A while later he left the tower and headed home.