Chapter 36: Training
The essence of ninjutsu lies in the manipulation of one's own chakra—how it flows through the chakra pathways, forming seals with hand signs, and transforming into various chakra-based techniques.
Whether it's Wind Style, Lightning Style, or Fire Style—even the so-called Kekkei Genkai—they all originate from this same foundation.
Chakra nature transformation and shape transformation stem from this core principle as well.
Even the Sharingan can be understood as a manifestation of Yin Release.
This was the belief of Hiruzen Sarutobi: that all ninjutsu and genjutsu techniques are fundamentally built on chakra manipulation.
"Sakura, your chakra affinities are Yang, Yin, Water, and Earth."
"That's quite an impressive set of chakra types. But overall, you're more suited to being a support-type ninja—medic, genjutsu specialist, that kind of thing."
In the Third Training Ground, Hiruzen had taken time away from his duties to personally instruct his cherished disciple.
Aside from Hiruzen and Sakura, Asuma Sarutobi sat silently nearby.
Though he had once left in anger, spending five years as a Guardian Ninja serving the Daimyo, time had passed, tempers had cooled, and he now better understood the burdens of being Hokage.
"But I don't really feel like a support-type ninja?"
Sakura raised her hand in mild protest.
At this point in time, she possessed both strength and speed. With the unbreakable Vajra protection of Enma and the healing power of Katsuyu, she had become a formidable taijutsu-type fighter.
You could call her a tank: someone who could fight, take hits, heal herself, and move fast. Her only major weakness? Genjutsu.
But even that wasn't a big problem—she just had to summon a small Katsuyu to sit on her shoulder before battle to dispel any genjutsu if needed.
Among her peers, Sakura had already become something of a legend—her capabilities standing at the very top.
Unless her opponent was a Jinchūriki unleashing a Tailed Beast transformation, there really weren't many who could take her on.
"That's because you're incredibly talented, Sakura."
Hiruzen smiled warmly, gently patting the pink-haired girl on the head.
"Your individual combat strength is excellent."
"But if your opponent is someone who uses large-scale ninjutsu or excels at battlefield control…"
"You'd probably find yourself in trouble."
Sakura blinked, caught off guard by his comment.
Now that she thought about it, she really didn't have a good counter-strategy. Unless she summoned an enormous Katsuyu and used Tongue Tooth Sticky Acid, there wasn't much she could do against wide-area techniques.
But that kind of summoning would drain too much chakra, making prolonged fights difficult...
"This is an old technique of mine. And this one too—Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique."
Hiruzen slowly pulled two scrolls from his sleeve and handed them to Sakura.
The first: Giant Shuriken Enlargement Technique.
The second: Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique.
An old master gifting a deadly combo.
Sakura looked down at the scrolls in her hands, then up again with sparkling eyes.
"If I use my monstrous strength to throw a giant shuriken, then apply the Shadow Clone Technique to it… would that be insanely powerful?"
Before she could even finish her sentence, Hiruzen was already nodding knowingly.
That had been his exact plan all along.
Combining these three techniques would produce a result far more powerful than most could imagine.
"Yes. Go train."
Hiruzen smiled gently as he watched the girl run off with the scrolls in hand, already eager to start practicing.
Asuma had remained silent this entire time, just quietly observing.
From their brief exchange, he'd learned that this little girl had already mastered Tsunade's famous monstrous strength.
That alone stunned him. He knew how difficult that technique was to learn.
But from Hiruzen and Sakura's conversation, it seemed like this kid had learned it easily—and could even integrate it into other techniques.
"Old man, is this the 'jade' you've been talking about?"
Asuma glanced over at the excited girl not far away, who was deeply focused on reading the scrolls.
"Not just Sakura. Every child in this village is my jade."
Hiruzen slowly stood, stretching out his slightly stiff lower back, then looked at his younger son and said softly:
"You've been back for a while now. Still haven't gone to see Konohamaru?"
Asuma's expression stiffened slightly at the name.
He wasn't good with kids—especially not rowdy five-year-old ones.
"Yeah, yeah. I know…"
Asuma scratched his head and sighed in resignation.
Hiruzen gave his son a long look, his eyes softening just a little.
He was getting old. More than anything, what he wanted now was to see his children close and happy.
Now Asuma had returned, and Sakura—whom he had placed his hopes in—was growing strong and well.
The wounds of past wars were finally starting to heal. That alone brought a smile to the aging Hokage's face.
"Alright, old man."
"I'll head out now. Got some stuff to take care of. I'll visit Konohamaru tonight."
Asuma dusted off his clothes and stood, preparing to leave.
"Is it because of that girl from the Yūhi clan?"
Hiruzen's expression suddenly turned playful, a teasing smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"Uh, wait—what?"
"Why do you have to butt into everything, old man?!"
Asuma's face flushed red, and he tried to act nonchalant, hands stuffed into his pockets as he turned to walk away.
Hiruzen chuckled softly as he watched his son go.
Even through his clouded, elderly eyes, he could see the new generation of Konoha beginning to rise.
When he turned back to look at Sakura, he saw the girl waving at him excitedly—hoisting a massive shuriken nearly half her own height.
His smile widened even more.
The techniques he had passed to her weren't especially difficult, but they were practical.
The fact that she had already mastered the Giant Shuriken Enlargement Technique in such a short time was astonishing.
Her learning speed was nothing short of incredible.
This talent for rapid understanding and application—it wasn't something just anyone possessed.
Even Hiruzen himself, back when he was her age, hadn't been as brilliant as this pink-haired girl before him.
"Master! I did it!"
Sakura ran over, lugging the oversized shuriken with both hands, beaming up at Hiruzen with pride.
"Sakura, you're amazing."
Hiruzen laughed, ruffling her hair affectionately.
He'd only ever seen this kind of learning aptitude in one other person—Orochimaru.
In Sakura, he saw glimpses of that old student.
But Sakura wasn't Orochimaru. She had something more.
And he would make sure to guide her on a better path—nurture her growth with care and patience.
Until she reached a certain level of maturity, he had no intention of letting go.
"Sakura, let's try the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique now."
His gentle instruction brought another bright smile to the girl's face.
She genuinely thought of Hiruzen as her teacher.
After all, he had protected her closely over the past few years. Even a block of stone would have warmed under such care.
And Sakura was no stone.
She was blooming.
She was Konoha's future.
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(End of Chapter)