---
Therefore, this tree-climbing practice is essentially training in Chakra control.
"There are many benefits to mastering this practice. First, it reduces unnecessary chakra wastage during combat. Second, it improves mobility and enhances explosive power," Kakashi explained seriously, looking very much like a true teacher at this moment.
Unfortunately, the minds of the two people in front of him had already drifted elsewhere. They only understood that completing this training would make them stronger, but they weren't listening carefully at all.
"So that's it... The reason that guy is so strong is because he mastered this training," Uchiha Sasuke muttered, clenching his fists tightly, his eyes sharp with determination.
"In that case, I'll catch up to you soon. Wait for me, freak!"
"Ye Dou, come here."
After explaining, Kakashi waved Ye Dou over.
"If I'm not mistaken, you should have already completed the advanced version of tree climbing — the water-walking exercise, right?"
"Yeah," Ye Dou nodded calmly.
"In that case, I don't have much to teach you right now," Kakashi said. "I heard from Guy that your chakra nature includes Earth and Fire, correct?"
"Correct."
"Good. Here are some basic ninjutsu scrolls aligned with your chakra attributes. They aren't particularly advanced, but they're practical. You should start practicing these."
Kakashi was generous, handing over a small stack of scrolls. While the techniques weren't A-rank or S-rank, they were solid and useful for real combat.
---
[Meanwhile, Elsewhere]
"Are you heading out to gather herbs again?"
In a dim room at the hideout, Momochi Zabuza grunted without lifting his head. In front of him, Haku, dressed casually in light pink clothes, carried a bamboo basket, preparing to leave.
"Yes. We're out of herbs at home, and I need to replenish our stock."
"Tch, it's just a small wound. Sleep it off and you'll be fine," Zabuza muttered irritably.
Haku only smiled gently and said, "I'll be back soon," before heading out the door.
"Stupid kid," Zabuza muttered under his breath. Yet after a moment, he called after Haku, "Be careful. The Konoha shinobi are on this island too."
The Land of Waves was small — so small that it might not even be as large as Konoha Village itself. Zabuza didn't want Haku running into Kakashi's team.
"Don't worry, Zabuza-sama. They haven't seen my face yet. It'll be fine," Haku said reassuringly.
Outside, the thick morning mist blanketed everything — typical for the Land of Waves, where fog rolled in daily.
But Haku was used to it by now. In fact, he even liked this peaceful atmosphere, exchanging cheerful greetings with small animals he passed by.
He walked slowly, stopping to pick medicinal herbs whenever he found them, gently placing them into the bamboo basket.
"Looks like we're running low on hemostatic herbs too," Haku muttered, bending down to pick more.
At that moment, the ground trembled slightly. Frowning, Haku stood up and walked toward the source of the disturbance.
As he got closer, he saw someone practicing ninjutsu.
"Earth Release: Ground Break!"
Ye Dou's voice rang out as he formed hand seals quickly and stomped on the ground.
But the result was disappointing. Although the ground cracked slightly, it wasn't enough to trigger the full effect of the "Ground Break" technique, which was supposed to disrupt terrain and destabilize enemies.
Ye Dou wiped sweat from his brow. He had been practicing ever since Kakashi gave him the ninjutsu scrolls.
Simple ninjutsu like this should be easy to learn, but he was trying to modify it — using his foot instead of his hand to perform the technique, experimenting to see if it would be faster or more natural for him.
According to Kakashi's explanation, the principle of "Earth Release: Ground Break" involved focusing chakra into the palm to strike the ground and manipulate the terrain.
Ye Dou theorized that it might be possible to do the same by stomping, but the results so far had been poor. As Kakashi had warned him, the control of chakra through the soles of the feet was far more difficult than through the hands.
"Ye Dou!"
Suddenly, his mongoose companion called out.
Ye Dou turned his head and followed its gaze — and then paused.
Standing a short distance away, looking delicate in his casual pink clothes, was a beautiful figure with long, flowing dark hair.
If Ye Dou hadn't known better, he would have mistaken him for a girl at first glance.
But Ye Dou knew exactly who he was.
Haku.
Or perhaps, Shui Wuyue Haku.
In the databooks, Haku's full name was never clearly confirmed. Some speculated he belonged to the Shui Wuyue Clan, famous for Kekkei Genkai like Ice Release, but others suggested he might simply be a descendant of another clan capable of combining wind and water chakra natures.
All that was confirmed was that Haku inherited his bloodline limit from his mother.
"Who are you?" Ye Dou asked, even though he already knew the answer.
---
Visit patreon.com/Mikeo481 to get 30+ chapters