A week soon passed since Ryu became a genin along with Hana Inuzuka and Izumi Uchiha. In that time, they worked on the bare minimum. They ran a few laps around the training field, a couple spars, which Kanzo would target Ryu. Finally they did some teamwork exercises before doing some D-rank missions.

As time passes, it was clearly seen that Kanzo had zero intention of training them. Well training Ryo to be exact, as any question or tips were met with one of two answers.

“Go to the Library and read,” or “Too advance for you to know right now.”

So, from training tips to low rank jutsus, Kanzo dismissed his questions. Thinking about what his plans are, he probably figures Hana and Izumi clans would train them. From there Ryu who without anyone to help would be stuck. Unfortunately, he had Hikari who has been training him.

Today like any other day for team training, Ryu was forced to spar with Kanzo. With a slightly sinister grin, he would match his speed. That was the only thing he matched as he put most of his strength behind his punches or kicks. Which would leave him bruised, but it allows him to rapidly improve his taijutsu.

Luckily he dodged or parried any of Kanzo attacks that would break his bones. So, he always looked a little roughed up by the time they get to the missions. Which, Hiruzen would look at Kanzo disapprovaling, but that's all. There isn’t any proof but he has been receiving complaints from Tsume and the Uchiha clan.

“Alright, lets go get our mission.” Kenzo growled as Ryu got a couple counters in which means the boy improving. The complete opposite of what he wanted, not that he would tell anyone.

“He has something planned.” Hikari sighed as Ryu nodded to.

“We are also approaching the bare minimum for C-rank missions. I highly doubt it would be delivering a message, or one to ease us into them.” Hikari could only nod to Ryu thought as she had to agree.

Luckily my gift is nearly complete and should be ready to go in time. Hikari thought to herself.

Trudging toward the Tower, Ryu was conversing with Hikari. The topic that started out was changed towards training. He was asking for a clone jutsu to allow him to practice both ninjutsu and taijutsu at once.

“Well, you got decent chakra control and it would speed up training a bit. Alright I will teach you, but you still need to work hard yourself. After the chore is over, I will teach you.” Hikari agreed.

Agreeing to Hikari plan, he followed into the mission area at the base of Hokage Tower. They got in line with the other genin. The newly formed teams were easy to tell apart from one with more experience. The giggles and complaints identified them as the older laughed at the younger misfortune.

“Alright, it looks like we are painting today.” Kanzo said picking up the least paying scroll.

The scroll stated they are to paint a small fence for the client for five thousand in total. With the mission being split four different directions it wasn’t that much. A bowl of ramen was one hundred and twenty five ryo. The totally he would earn would be ten bowls which Naruto nearly eats half in a single go.

“Your lucking that Hiruzen still allows Naruto his allowance. If not, you two would be barely getting by.” Instead of pitying or mocking him, Hikari sounded sad at the situation.

“Nothing I can do at the moment. If I file a complaint or complain others would just laugh. I am only eight and will make it look as if I am a spoiled brat.” Hikari couldn’t disagree as it did make sense.

“Than we must train harder to raise through the ranks, but not too fast that your skills are lacking. We can’t have some nobody killing you before your legends starts.” Hikari said but didn’t really sound concerned about dying. So he just filed that away in his mind for later.

“So Ryu, how is training going for you?” Hana asked slightly worried for her friend.

Ryu was the only one without someone to guide them in either jutsu or experience that she knows of. So, she slightly worried he will die quickly out in the field once they get past these chores.

“It been going ok. I have been creating my own style or the basics for it. Began learning a few C-rank fire jutsus. So, not too bad I suppose.” Ryu shrugged not really minding if others learned. He wasn’t telling them much as there wasn’t much to learn.

“Do you have an affinity to fire?” Izumi asked curiously.

“Don’t know, just the first element I came across. I plan on learning at least the basics for each element. The plan is to have a foundation to create my own technique in the future.” Ryu shrugged as they nodded.

“Oh, you will learn more than the basics in all the basics elements. Your going to master them all. Then the real fun begins.” Hikari mistiviously laughs sending a shiver down his spine.

“Are you trying to master the five elements like the Third Hokage?” Hana asked.

“Something like that.” Ryu shrugged.

“It's nice to have dreams.” Kanzo laughed as if he heard the world's greatest joke.

“Bastard,” everyone who heard him thought at once.

The next few hours only reinforced the idea, as Kanzo either laughed at Ryu or sarcastically told everyone his dream. A very few laughed mainly because Kanzo was their friend, and was easy to see it was forced.

“Alright, mission complete. Tomorrow your day off so do whatever.” Kanzo said handing them their pay. Ryu just sighed as he knows that Kanzo scrape some off the top of his pay.

As for why Kanzo does it, he doesn’t know as he also does it to Hana and Izumi when he saw them giving him a bit. They knew he was a bit tight on money for him even with Naruto allowance and his occasionally odd job.

“I see you two later.” Ryu said before leaving.

Arriving at the training ground, he did his daily sweep making sure no one training or watching. Pleased that no one is, he went towards the clearing.

“Alright, let's begin.” Ryu said.

“Ok, the clone technique that I am going to teach you is very chakra intense. So, don’t teach it to anyone who doesn't have at least Tokubetsu Jōnin levels of chakra. Which is around the most Jonin around the villages as far as I can tell. Even than they can create five at maximum but would deplete their chakra completely. There is even one that even more intense but you currently don’t have the chakra so we save that for later.” Hikari began explaining the drawbacks and dangers.

“Finally there is the memory feedback which can overload your brain turning you into a vegetable or kill you. So be careful at popping them a couple at a time. Now the technique is called Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Shadow Clone Technique).” Hikari explained.

After being told, Ryu spent the next hour learning it. In truth it wasn’t that hard to learn, but Hikari wanted it to be perfect. So he kept using it getting a feel for it until his reserves drained to around ten percent.

“Alright, I think you got it for now. Take a break and recover some of your chakra, which is getting near high chunin levels. Which is still equivalent to mid jonin due to density. Tomorrow, we will work on summoning the clones one handed. Then we can work on mastering the four fire jutsus I gave you down to one hand seal.” Hikari began to glow at the thought of training, and won’t accept anything less than perfect.

“Ok,” Ryu sighed out as he began to meditate on ways to complete the shadow clones jutsu more efficiently. It was one of the best ways to recover chakra, besides resting or sleeping. This method also helps clear away some of the stress he has about Kanzo.

Nearly an hour later, he managed to recover nearly half his chakra. Ryu also felt his chakra increase a bit but could really tell until he fully recharged. Looking over the the sun growing closer to the horizon. He estimated he has about an hour before he needs to head home for Naruto.

“Let’s work on the basics and call it a day.” Ryu thought as he began pounding a tree.