𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙙

𝟎𝟐𝟑

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"Tree climbing?!" Sakura exclaimed, her emerald eyes widening at the unusual training proposal.

"What kind of training is that, sensei?" Sakura pondered, her curiosity piqued.

"Well, this isn't normal tree climbing. You'll climb without using your hands," Kakashi explained, a hint of mystery in his tone.

Kakashi's explanation sent shockwaves through the group of Genin. Karma could almost hear their thoughts churning. "But how?" Sakura asked, her brow furrowing. "Well... watch." Kakashi swiftly formed hand seals and placed each of his legs on the tree, effortlessly walking up its trunk.

"He's climbing... vertically," Naruto observed in amazement.

"You understand now? Gather your Chakra in the bottom of your feet and climb up a tree; this is something you can do once you can use Chakra well," Kakashi clarified.

"Wait a minute, how is learning how to climb a tree going to make us grow stronger?!!" Naruto yelled, Karma couldn't help but let her head drop in embarrassment.

"The main purpose of this training is to learn how to control the proper amount of chakra in a specific area. The bottom of the foot is the most challenging place to gather Chakra. If you can master this control, theoretically, you can master any Jutsu. Secondly, it's about developing the stamina needed for Chakra control, especially during battle when you need to gather Chakra while constantly moving. That's why you must gain the stamina for proper control," Kakashi explained with his usual nonchalance. "Me taking all day isn't going to accomplish anything..."

Kakashi then produced three kunai from his pouch and threw them in front of the Genin, surprising them.

"Use the kunai to mark how far you make it up the tree and set that as your goal. Try to surpass it. You're not good enough to walk up the tree at first, so get some momentum and try running up it. Got it?"

"This training is nothing to me! I could do it before breakfast! Because I'm the one who improved the most," Naruto boasted.

"Why don't you stop bragging and pick a tree and climb it?" Kakashi retorted.

Each Genin placed their hands in a tiger seal and closed their eyes. Moments later, they ran to a tree and placed their feet on it. Naruto fell immediately, while Sasuke put too much Chakra into his feet, causing the tree to break.

Sakura, on the other hand, seemed to excel. "Hey, this is pretty easy!" she exclaimed, sticking her tongue out at the boys from her perch on a tree branch.

"Sakura!" Naruto called out.

"It looks like the best at controlling Chakra right now is... Sakura," Kakashi noted.

Naruto smiled brightly at Sakura, while Sasuke looked down in defeat. Karma couldn't help but notice Sakura's change in mood when she saw Sasuke's reaction.

"Wow! Not only does she know a lot about Chakra, but her control and stamina are quite impressive as of now. Sakura is closest to Hokage, unlike a certain someone... I guess the Uchiha clan isn't worth that much either," Kakashi commented.

"Shut up!!" Sakura yelled, clearly irritated.

Kakashi sighed and walked back to his spot. Karma observed Naruto, who seemed determined to give it another try. As she watched him, she felt another presence behind a tree. Turning around, she saw Inari watching their training. She flickered behind him and waited.

"Pft... that's just a waste of time," Inari scoffed.

"Is it now...? Last I checked, we aren't obligated to protect anybody but your grandfather," Karma remarked, placing her hand on her hip.

"What the hell?! We don't need your help!" Inari huffed.

"So, what you're saying is that you want to die?" Karma tilted her head to the side.

"What- no! Just shut up!" Inari said before running off.

"If you say so~," Karma said with a sly smirk underneath her mask. She returned to the forest and sat down on a tree trunk, leaving Kakashi to supervise the Genin's training.

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