In a clearing next to a small river, Kakashi-sensei with a thick mark on his forehead was patiently explaining how to cast a C-rank water release.
"The technique I'll teach you is the C-rank, Water Release: Gunshot. It's a simple technique that doesn't require much in terms of Chakra Control, and it's more about how much water release chakra you can knead in a short time."
Explaining the principles, he performed the technique slowly in front of Sakura, allowing her ample time to see each hand seal.
Tiger, Horse, Boar, Monkey, Ram and Snake.
"The seals are pretty much the same as the great fireball jutsu but in inverted order." Kakashi noted before spilling out a watter bullet the size of a house towards a tree.
In Sakura's astonished eyes, the moment it hit the tree the water ball exploded and the tree was shattered by the impact leaving only the broken and shattered base of the tree.
If a person gets hit by something like that, wouldn't they have all their bones shattered if they don't get blown up on the spot?
Seeing her amazed and awed looks, Kakashi nodded in satisfaction.
"Remember, the water release chakra is gathered in the mouth and compressed, the more chakra you can control in this state, the better the effect. Don't overdo it, otherwise you might blown up your own head. Keep experimenting with slow amounts of chakra until you find the sweet spot.
Don't blindly add chakra to it, a Ninjutsu is only meant to kill the enemy. If one unit of chakra can have enough power to defeat your opponent, you don't need to add another.
Once the chakra is condensed, just spat it out and let it form the shape of a ball outside, it will fly forward and hit the enemy like a bullet, hence the name."
"Thank you, Kakashi-sensei!"
Seeing Sakura's excited looks, Kakashi nodded.
Although he's lazy, he isn't the kind of person that would trick his students. Since he has to teach them, then he would definitely strive to give them a good foundation.
Even the choice of technique to teach has deeper reasons behind it. If Sakura can master this C-rank technique, she won't have to be like other mediocre Ninjas who need to borrow water from lakes and river to cast their techniques.
After all, although this is a C-rank technique, it's difficult is comparable to some A-rank ones. There's a reason why their second Hokage became famous all over the world.
Only he could easily condense so much water without external assistance.
The requirements for the amount of chakra was high, but even higher was the requirement for Chakra control.
With Sakura's talent in chakra control, she might really be able to do it. As for the amount of Chakra... Kakashi stopped for a moment and glanced at her thin and malnourished figure and sighed.
If she's still obsessed with getting a boyfriend in the future, she will never develop a body strong enough to use the best techniques.
Unaware of his thoughts, Sakura tried the technique for the first time, and the result...
"Water Release: Gunshot!"
The chakra flared, energy gathered in her mouth and then!
Nothing.
Looking at the saliva she spat on the ground, a blush appeared on Sakura's face and she glared at Kakashi sensei as if accusing him of tricking her.
Seeing her frustrated look, a small smile appeared on Kakashi's mouth. It's so satisfying!
"Ahem, your talent for chakra control is good, but it hasn't been developed to an acceptable level yet, next, while Naruto and Sasuke are practicing Tree Climbing, you will practice walking on water. The idea is the same, but the difficulty is much higher, since water is a fluid in constant movement. Once you master this technique, you can try the Water Release: Gunshot again."
Having said that, Kakashi turned around and left. The crutches in his hand making "pat" sounds as he moved back to the house.
"Stinky Kakashi-sensei... I asked to learn Ninjutsu and instead he asks me to learn to walk on water, do I look like Jesus?"
Although she complained, Sakura quickly focused and started her training.
...
On his way back, Kakashi thought about what happened these two days and wondered if his understanding of Sakura is still a bit shallow.
Naruto and Sasuke, despite their lack of control, both possess a massive reserve of Chakra that, when compared to Sakura's... There's no comparison at all.
It's like the difference between the water in a river and the water in a pond.
But... Remembering the scene he involuntarily saw with his Sharingan, he began to doubt his own judgement.
Could it be that her potential is more on the spiritual side? Was Zabuza's stimulus so high it kicked her power up a notch?
He couldn't be blamed for thinking so.
Because compared to yesterday, he is completely sure that... Sakura's Chakra reserves have increased a bit.
It's not much, but someone improving so much to the point of being visible to the naked... Well, to the Sharingan eye means that the improvement was substantial.
Maybe she really has some hope to stand on equal footing with the rest of them, the only question is if Sakura will put in the work to achieve that.
...
Back to Sakura.
Staring at the river, she couldn't help but gnash her teeth.
After hours of training she still hasn't quite gotten the hang of it.
Compared to tree climbing, which she mastered in just an afternoon, this thing is a lot more complex.
Tapping her leg, she analyzed the issue.
Water, unlike the tree, is in constant movement, this kind of unstable surface is slippery and unstable. Maintaining a constant flow of Chakra isn't enough to keep you still above the water.
Twisting the corners of her wet clothes, she sighed depressedly. She had learned this lesson at this cost.
Rather... A better approach might be to change the flow based on the situation...
If she moves, more water gets displaced, therefore, a higher concentration of Chakra is needed...
If she can balance the amount while maintaining a constant output, then maybe...
Having figured it out, she put it to practice.