9 The World Not Revolving Around You

"But that doesn't explain why you're as strong as you are," said Kakashi.

"When I found out who my parents were, I managed to sneak into my family's compound and found my dad's training programmes," said Naruto. "I don't know why he hadn't revealed it to anyone else, but I'm assuming he either didn't have the time or that he didn't want someone to know about it."

"Hmmm ... I see," said Kakashi thoughtfully. "There is quite a lot of politics going on behind the scenes."

"Anyway, right now my interest lies in getting stronger and rising through the ranks," said Naruto, standing up. "I just need to gain enough experience."

"You'll gain enough experience with the missions you complete," said Kakashi, also standing up. "Take your time. You've only just began your shinobi career."

"I know," said Naruto, smiling. "How are things going to work out with the team now?"

"We'll do missions in the morning and train in the afternoon," said Kakashi.

The next few days flew by with Kakashi and his team. Kakashi was very surprised by the skill level that Naruto displayed. If he had to judge accurately, Naruto's skills had already reached High-Jonin level and as he had mentioned, the only thing holding him back were experience. Thus, their team was comprised of a high Jonin level sensei, one green Jonin, and two Genins bringing up the rear. Kakashi didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the situation he faced.

Knowing that he will accrue experience from the missions he would receive, Naruto focused on raising hi chakra control level. Since all his D-Rank Missions revolved around the village, he always left his clones to focus on the Kage-level chakra control exercise. Since his mother before him was also an Uzumaki with a large chakra reserve as well as being the Jinchuriki of Kurama, she also had difficulty at raising her chakra control. The methods Naruto was practicing were left behind by her in her journals that he found in the Namikaze Compound. What he was currently focussing on were two Kage level chakra control exercises. After completing the two Kage level exercises, Naruto's chakra control would be brought to the highest level.

The first exercise was waterfall climbing, which, upon mastery, allowed the user to control vast amounts of chakra with great precision as waterfall climbing is very difficult.

The second exercise Naruto had to perform was to deposit a handful of sand with multiple coloured grains on his hand. Using his chskra, Naruto had to separate and align the sand by colour. By being able to achieve this feat in under 10 seconds, it was considered mastered.

By completing these two chakra control exercises, Naruto's chakra control would even rival Tsunade, the celebrated Medical Ninja who was also one of the three Legendary Sennins.

Upon seeing that his team had good teamwork despie their differences, Kakashi focused more on Sasuke and Sakura in order to bring them up to speed with Naruto. He started off with the basics, teaching them chakra control.

--- In The Woods ---

"Okay, we will now train in chakra control," said Kakashi, staning in front of a tree.

"Chakra control?" asked Sakura.

"This stuff should have been covered in the academy," said Naruto, scowling. "Maybe I should talk to the old man about this when I see him."

"You're right, Naruto, this should be covered in the academy," said Kakashi. "However, since it currently isn't, we're going to have to do it now. We all know how to call upon but you don't know how to effectively utilise it. By mastering this exercise, you'll last longer in fights as well as learn new jutsus faster."

Hearing this, Naruto's interest was piqued and he curiously looked at Kakashi, wondering what kind of exercise it might be.

"Now I'll be climbing tree," said Kakashi seriously causing Naruto to sweatdrop.

"Are you serious?" asked Naruto, dumbstruck.

"Yes. Now I want you three to focus your chakra to the bottom of your feet and walk up the trees," explained Kakashi. "Once you're able to walk to the top two times, we'll move on."

"What do you mean walk up the trees?" asked Sakura.

"If up spent less time being a fan-girl and more time listening, you'd know," said Naruto with a sigh. "Here, like this."

Naruto walked up towards a nearby tree and simply placed a foot on its trunk and started walking up. Both Sasuke and Sakura were shocked upon seeing Naruto walking vertically.

"Naruto, you already know this chakra exercise very well," said Kakashi, which caused Sasuke to seeth his teeth.

"I can also do water walking and cliff clinching exercise," said Naruto, jumping back down in front of Kakashi. "I'm currently practicing waterfall climbing and sand grain partition exercise."

"Colour me impressed," said Kakashi in surprise. "You're already practicing Kage level chakra control exercise."

"I always have to keep practicing since I have a bigger chakra reserve than everyone else," said Naruto, shrugging his shoulders.

"Hey, Naruto, why do you have a bigger chakra reserve than everyone else?" asked Sakura.

"You are full of questions," said Naruto, looking at Sakura with bored eyes. "It's because I'm from Uzumaki Clan. Members of my clan naturally have bigger chakra reserves than anyone else. The only other clan that has bigger chakra reserve than us are the Senju Clan who the first and second Hokage belong to."

"You have a clan?" asked Sakura in her infinite knowledge. "I thought you had no-one."

"Wow, your sensitivity knows no bound," said Naruto sarcastically. "If you must know, my clan was killed off like this one's Uchiha clan. For all I know, I am the last surviving member of the Uzumaki clan."

"Why were they killed off?" asked Sakura, feeling sorry for Naruto.

"Like how the Uchiha clan has a natutal affinity for Fire Style Jutsus, my clan has a natural affinity towards Sealing Jutsus," said Naruto. "My clan was feared for their Sealing Jutsus and were targetted for it. That's why the only place you'll find any news on my clan is the old dusty documents found on some old library shelf."

"Are you hoping to rebuild your clan someday?" asked Sasuke with a tinge of emotion.

"Perhaps ... someday ...," said Naruto, his gaze trailing after a few shadows in the sky. "Anyway, you two have tree climbing to do. I'm going to be a little busy so don't look for me unless it's a mission."

As Naruto left, Sasuke looked after his teammate's receding silhouette. He recognised that look Naruto had on his eyes. It was the same look that he saw in his own eyes whenever he looked at himself in the morror. Sasuke also understood the pain Naruto was feeling. He had not stopped to think that there could be another who haf also lost his clan and family. However, what he could not understand was how Naruto was so strong despite having the samd circumstances; no family, no clan, no outside help, same time spent in the academy ... yet, Naruto was considerably stronger. Why?

This was not something Sasuke could swallow. He turned to face the tree Naruto had just climbed and stared at it pondering.

"Are thinking how Naruto can be so much stronger tha you?" asked Kakashi, breaking Sasuke's train of thought.

"He was always a loser!" said Sasuke angrily. "How can a loser be as strong as that? He's always beating me in training! He's always the first to finish our missions! Why?"

"Sigh ... you need to out of your own little world, Sasuke," said Kakashi with a sigh. "The world doesn't revolve around you. If you stopped being so narrow minded, you'll actually notice things that will help you in your goals. You and Naruto are more alike than you'd think, if you stopped and looked."

Naruto spent the rest of the day training hard in his chakra control. At first, he wanted to finish it as soon as possible. However, he found the degree of difficulty of exercise was greater than he had expected.

Naruto had gone deep into the forest and was currently standing in front of a small waterfall. He had found this location during his academy days and would always come here alone whenever he wanted to train alone.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu," called out Naruto as 20 Naruto clones popped into existance with puffs of smoke. The original Naruto took out a scroll and with anothet puff of smoke, multiple buckets full of water balloons popped out. Without saying a single word, the original Naruto and 10 clones took a total of 11 buckets to one side. The remaining 10 clones all sat on the ground, cross-legged as they practiced the sand-partition exercise to increase his chakra control.

Naruto had been following this training method for the past week. He was training his chakra control as well as his chakra manipulation. He wanted to learn the chakra manipulation jutsu his father had created. Naruto had only recently found details of the jutsu in one of his father's journals he had missed previously when he had been in the Namikaze Compound. He had been extremely excited at finding out that journal because it also had his father's signature jutsu that made him become known as the Yellow Flash; the Flying Thunder God Jutsu. What he currently needed to do was to create his own formula that will allow him to use the jutsu.

--- Next Morning, Mission Room ---

The next morning, Naruto was standing in front of the Hokage and Iruka in the mission room.

"Hey old man, when are you going to give us a mission worthy of my skills?" asked Naruto, scowling.

"When your team has completed a minimum of 25 D-Rank missions," said the Hokage indifferently.

"Since when was that rule put into place?" asked Naruto, surprised.

"Since last week," replied the Hokage. "Also, from now on, if any Genin team has to complete a minimum of 15 missions by law. Otherwise, they risk getting sent back to the academy."

"Gramps, why are you torturing us?" asked Naruto, his eyes tearing up. "How do you expect our skills to develop if all you're making us do is baby-sit?"

"Shut it!" snapped the Hokage. "As soon as you have completed your 15 weekly D-Rank missions, I'll assign you a C-Rank mission. I'm already aware of your skill level, Naruto. Kakashi, how are Sasuke and Sakura's training coming along?"

"Sasuke is ready for a C-Rank mission," replied Kakashi. "Sakura will be ready by the end of next week if she keeps up her current training pace."

"If you spent less time trying to flirt with Sasuke and more on your training, we could have had our first C-Ranl mission this week itself," said Naruto, glaring at Sakura.

"Sh-shut up!" stuttered Sakura, blushing hard.

"Naruto's right, Sakura," said Sasuke. "Focus more on your training."

"How many missions have we copleted this week?" asked Naruto.

"This week, you have completed 9 D-Rank missions," said Iruka, after reading from a report.

"Give me the remaining 6 and I'll have them finished by the end of the day," said Naruto. "I can quickly finish them with my Shadow Clones."

"No, you have to finish them as a team," said the Hokage sharply.

"Sigh ... I wish you two would have enough chakra to perform a couple of Shadow Clones," said Naruto. "It would make your training so much faster."

"Actually, I already finished the tree climbing exercise," said Sakura, trying to redeem herself for her lack of skill compared to Sasuke and Naruto.

"Really?" asked Naruto in a surprised tone. He knew just how difficult chakra control exercises were. "That was quick."

"Sakura has near perfect chakra control," said Kakashi. "I was surprised as well at how quickly she finished the tree climbing exercise."

"Alright, you train with me, Sakura, while Saauke trains with Kakashi-sensei," said Naruto. "This way, we can get assigned to a C-Rank mission quicker. Gramps, give us our first mission for today."