What Should I Do If My Disciple Is Too Talented?
Kakashi stood silently, watching as Naruto continued to practice the Rasengan. The once simple blue sphere of chakra was now being infused with different elemental attributes, resulting in a variety of dazzling effects. Kakashi quietly tucked away the notes he had prepared the night before, feeling a mix of pride and helplessness.
What should I do if my disciple is too talented? Kakashi mused to himself. Naruto's rapid progress was both impressive and slightly disheartening. As a teacher, Kakashi had expected to guide Naruto through the struggles of mastering the Rasengan, but the boy had picked it up almost effortlessly. Still, Kakashi couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. Naruto was, after all, the son of the Fourth Hokage. His talent was nothing short of extraordinary.
Kakashi sighed, his visible eye crinkling with a faint smile. "I guess I can rest easy knowing he's in good hands—his own."
At that moment, Naruto noticed Kakashi's gaze. He dispelled the Rasengan and turned to his teacher with a warm smile. "Kakashi-sensei, thank you for your guidance. Without your clear and simple instructions, it might have taken me days to master this technique."
Naruto's gratitude was genuine, and it softened Kakashi's heart. He remembered Iruka's words about Naruto: "He's someone who can warm everyone's hearts and take care of those around him. He's like the sun for all of us." Naruto's calm demeanor, gentle personality, and unwavering kindness made him the perfect embodiment of the Will of Fire.
Kakashi pretended to rub his forehead in mock frustration, his tone light and playful. "It seems I got lucky picking up such a talented disciple. I might run out of things to teach you soon."
Naruto chuckled, his blue eyes shining with sincerity. "There's still so much I need to learn from you, sensei. I'll be counting on your guidance."
The two shared a quiet moment of understanding, their bond as teacher and student growing stronger with each passing day.
While Naruto's progress was smooth, Sasuke and Sakura faced their own challenges.
Sasuke's training revealed several glaring issues. His chakra control was lacking, a common problem for someone his age. The impatience of youth often led to neglecting the fundamentals, and Sasuke was no exception. Despite Naruto's influence, Sasuke's progress in this area had been slow.
"Start with tree climbing and water walking," Kakashi instructed, his tone firm but not unkind. "Mastering these basics will improve your control."
Sasuke scowled but didn't argue. He knew Kakashi was right, even if he hated admitting it.
Sakura, on the other hand, surprised Kakashi with her exceptional chakra control. However, her lack of practical combat experience and ninjutsu knowledge held her back. When Kakashi asked her about her goals, Sakura hesitated for a moment before answering with determination.
"I want to learn medical ninjutsu," she declared, her voice steady.
Kakashi nodded, pleased with her choice. "Medical ninjutsu is a noble path. I'll teach you the basics."
As the three began their respective training, Kakashi observed them with a sense of pride. Despite their differences, they shared a common drive to grow stronger. It was a quality he admired.
One Month Later
The team had grown restless. The endless D-rank missions—finding lost pets, pulling weeds, and other mundane tasks—were wearing on their patience.
"Kakashi-sensei, please! I'm going to lose my mind if we have to do one more D-rank mission!" Sakura cried, grabbing Kakashi's arm and shaking it vigorously. Her strength was no match for his, but her frustration was palpable.
Sasuke, standing nearby, crossed his arms and glared. "These missions are a waste of time. I need to get stronger, not babysit cats and pull weeds."
Naruto, ever the mediator, stepped in. He gently knocked Sasuke on the head, his tone firm but kind. "You need to respect your teacher, Sasuke."
Sasuke huffed, his cheeks reddening slightly, but he didn't argue further.
Kakashi sighed, his dead fish eyes reflecting his exasperation. This team is harder to handle than I expected. He gently pried Sakura's hands off his arm and addressed the group. "You're all too impatient. You're not ready for missions outside the village yet."
Sasuke's frustration boiled over. He punched a nearby tree, his voice filled with anger. "How am I supposed to get stronger like this? How am I supposed to find the truth and defeat him if all I'm doing is chasing after pets?"
Naruto stepped forward, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to Sasuke's outburst. "Kakashi-sensei, I think Sasuke and Sakura have reached a point where they need to face real challenges. It's time for them to experience the harsh realities of being a ninja."
Kakashi considered Naruto's words carefully. He had received similar hints from the Third Hokage. A ninja who had never faced life-and-death situations was still a rookie, no matter how skilled they were. Naruto's rapid growth had forced Kakashi to reconsider his approach.
After a moment of silence, Kakashi relented. "Alright. If you're all so eager, we'll take on a mission outside the village."
Sakura cheered, her frustration instantly replaced by excitement. Even Sasuke's usual scowl softened, a glimmer of anticipation in his eyes.
"But," Kakashi added, his tone serious, "you must follow my orders. No reckless behavior. Understood?"
The team nodded in unison, their determination evident.
Kakashi selected a slightly more challenging D-rank mission: hunting down a group of bandits near Nightwish Town. After the last Great Ninja War, many displaced individuals and rogue ninjas had formed gangs, terrorizing small villages. This particular group had taken control of Nightwish Town, preventing anyone from leaving.
The mission was rated as D-rank, but Kakashi knew better. Bandits were unpredictable, and even a seemingly simple task could turn dangerous. Still, it was a good opportunity for his students to test their skills in a real-world scenario.
As they set out for Nightwish Town, Kakashi couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. His students were growing stronger, not just in skill but in spirit. They were ready to take the next step—ready to face the challenges of the ninja world.