The estimation of Naruto's ability to master his element was pretty accurate. After the first day he had already been able to split a leaf in half and was making great progress on splitting the river.
Meanwhile Shikamru was able to climb the trees and was aiding Mito in completing the process. Mito had more chakra then Shikamru but less control. Partly do to the nature of the Shadow Possession Jutsu. It was a clan technique and took very fine control.
Naruto was currently having clones practice different seals as well. He had some good ideas outside his gravity seals. Those helped him tremendously in physical conditioning. Some were elemental seals for his arrows. He also had an idea for a seal to hold chakra. It would be charged then when he needed it he could refill his chakra reserves or another person's reserves with it.
After a full day of training everyone met at the house for dinner. Tsunami had food across the table for the ninja. " If you need or would like anything else please just ask. "Thank you Tsunami." All three Genin bowed before diving into their meals.
"I have to thank you again for agreeing to come this far Kakashi." Tazuna spoke after finishing his meal. Looking at the man he gave him an eye smile, "I'm glad we came as well. From what my team says they all agree."
Naruto smiled at the old man, "Don't worry we will make sure you get that bridge built."
Catching Naruto and the others off guard, Inari slammed his hands down on the table, "You should just give up! Gato will kill you all."
"Look kid, I'm not going to die. I have to much to do." Naruto went back to eating but Inari wasn't finished, "You stupid ninja know noth-" This time it was Naruto slamming his hand down, "Are you done! You can cry and give up or you can keep fighting. If I'm going to die then I want to know I did my best!"
Standing up Naruto pushed his chair and walked out of the house before anyone could speak to him. Mito went to follow but Shikamaru grabbed her wrist.
Looking at the Nara he just shook his head. Kakashi knew that Naruto was fine he just needed to cool off. "Is he okay?" Looking at Tsunami he saw the motherly care in her eyes. "Yeah he will be. When Naruto was a few years younger then Inari here, the villagers hunted him. Later he was left for dead by a leaf ninja. He has fought to survive. I can't imagine what would have happened if he hadn't found his family."
Everyone finished their meals, Shikamru helped Tsunami clean up while Mito helped Kakashi to bed. Kakashi told both of them that he would have Naruto watch over Tazuna while they continued their training. Especially seeing how Naruto could do both.
After a couple of hours Naruto lay in the grass looking at the stars. Sighing he closed his eyes, "You know you can be super troublesome. "
Smiling he looked up at the intelligent boy, "Yeah well we all got issues." Gazing back at the stars he thought about his talk with Inari. "I'll need to apologize."
Sitting next to his blond teammate, Shikamaru couldn't help but smile at his the Jinchuriki's kindness. "Yeah that would probably be a good idea."
"I don't know why it bothers me still. I barely remember that day." Shikamaru hummed as he thought, "Well you were what three, four years old? Most kids would be permanently traumatized. It's only logical."
Naruto hummed in agreement. Both boys laid there for a few hours before Shikamaru heard a light snore come from Naruto. 'Great I have to carry him back. How troublesome.'
Waking up the next morning Naruto got up and headed down stairs. Grabbing his Yumi and wakizashi, he headed out with Tazuna. Seeing the bridge from the water was great and all. However the magnitude came into full view standing on the thing.
"Tazuna this is absolutely incredible." The old man smiled as Inari quietly made us way to the edge and hung his feet over ignoring the ninja.
"Thank you, it's been tough but we have to finish!" Naruto looked around and only saw about twenty workers, "Where's your crew?"
Sighing the old man looked around, "They have been scared off. Mostly through threats or kidnapping of their children." Naruto took a deep breath to hide his anger. Forming a hand sign, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Forty Naruto's appeared in front of the workers. "I want you all to partner with the old man's workers. They're in charge."
To Tazuna's surprise, the clones helped tremendously. His crew loved having the blonds assistance. Even Inari was surprised. Watching the original sitting on top of a high post in amazement. He still thinks they will all die but the ninja was someone he couldn't figure out.
Meanwhile Mito finally reached the top of her tree, "Yes! I got it!" Jumping she in excitement she fell only to be saved by Shikamaru, "Damn it. You need to be more careful."
Unable to hold her laughter she, "Let's go again!" Shikamaru rubbed his temples. "I'm going to go see what the Naruto clones are working on."
"Sure ya are." Mito hit the boys shoulder, "I think your just want to see the smorgous board of blonds. The deep red on Shikamaru's face made Mito chuckle in victory. "I'll come too though."
Making their way down to the river they saw clones scattered everywhere. Some were splitting the river, a few were making different seals and utilizing different brush strokes. While a few were firing arrows at targets. "Wow. Your future boytoy has insane chakra levels."
Unable to react to Mito, Shikamaru was in utter shock. He understood Shadow Clones pretty well. With his own chakra he figured he could only create two. Yet Naruto had a couple hundred running around while he was protecting Tazuna and the bridge crew.
"Don't worry. I'll make sure you both catch up to him." Kakashi smiled at his two students. "Mito, I would like to help you with your sharingan. Shikamru, you will be working with twenty of the Naruto clones."
Standing in front of the real Kakashi, "Okay Mito. Let's discuss your Sharingan. Tell me.hownyou perceive your new eyes."
"Well that's easy, it is the bloodline of my clan. It enhances my perception and makes it easy to cast genjustu. It is super powerful." The sense of pride in her new powers was evident. Many Uchiha were over confident in the prowess of their sharingan. Something that killed many users of the doujutsu. Shisui and Itachi being some of the few that were different.
"While it is powerful, it can also be a crutch. Your sharingan can help tip the balance of a fit in your favor but it is also something you shouldn't be reliant to much on. While you can use it longer then myself, it still drastically uses ones chakra."
Listening to her sensei, she had to admit he made a sort of sense. "So what are we going to be working on?" Kakashi gave the female Uchiha a smile, "I want to focus on your speed. Seeing an attack coming means nothing if you cannot avoid it."
A grin formed on Mito's face, "oh this will be great!" Kakashi chuckled as he started her training.
A clone of Kakashi was over seeing Shikamaru's training, "Now we have two things I would like to work on. First the length and time you can hold a shadow possession. Something that drastically needs improving. And second your close quarters combat, which we will make up when we return home."
Shikamaru nodded to his sensei, "I understand my need for the shadow possession but I am a mid to long range combatant." Kakashi couldn't help but sigh, "Yes you are. But tell me, if you fought Naruto in Taijutsu or with his wakizashi would you win?"
Shaking his head he responded, "No, Naruto is one of the top combatants in our class." The realization hit him, "Except he is a long range specialist."
Kakashi put his hand on the boy's shoulder and smiled, "Yes, Naruto and his parents understood he will be by himself or without a bow in many situations. So he is one of the most versatile young shinobi Konaha has had in awhile."
Kakashi watched as Mito focused on molding her chakra to increase her speed. It would be a weaker version of the body flickr to prepare for the actual technique. Shikamaru was using the tendrils of the shadow possession to catch and hold multiple clones at a time.
Mito played off her confidence, but Kakashi could see through it. From what Itachi had said, her mother and majority of the clan treated her like a stain on the clan. Her father being a unknown Shinobi from Kiri. Sasuke was her only friend with in the clan. While Shikamaru acted lazy and tired all the time. Even though he clearly cares about getting stronger. That being more and more of a push with his bond with Naruto.
Naruto looked around and was happy to see all the work they got done. Smiling he said farewell to the workers and started to escort both Tazuna and Inari. Gazing at the boy, Naruto decided this was a good time to apologize, "Hey Inari."
He looked up with a glare, "I'm sorry for yelling at you." Crossing his arms he looked at his feet, "Why do you care so much? About the bridge or helping."
Naruto gave him a smile before looking forward to their path, "Well I know what it's like to feel hopeless. If I can make someone feel like there is hope then I know I'm being a good person ya know."
Tazuna listened as they continued to talk. Naruto had changed the topic to food and hobbies. Inari actually took the bait and engaged back in the conversation. This random kid, a deadly ninja is the one bringing his grandson back to life again. It was something he thought he'd never be able to see again.