After school that afternoon, Naruto, as usual, launched into his high-intensity training.
Having sprinted twenty laps around the vast perimeter of Konoha Village, he headed to a secluded training ground on the outskirts.
Instead of going home to rest, he began practicing Shuriken throws—one of the most fundamental skills for a Ninja.
Yet the way he trained next went far beyond "fundamental."
Several strands of hair-thin but tough Chakra threads, almost invisible to the naked eye, slipped from Naruto's fingertips like nimble spider silk and latched onto scattered Shuriken and Kunai on the ground.
The next moment, his fingers twitched as if plucking invisible strings.
Shuriken Control Technique!
The motionless Ninja tools were yanked up by the Chakra threads and hovered momentarily in mid-air.
As Naruto's hands flashed through rapid hand-signs, the Shuriken and Kunai in the air came alive, weaving and darting, even changing direction mid-flight before slamming into distant wooden posts in perfect unison.
The control alone was already exquisite.
But when the tools struck the posts they only gave dull thuds and fell limply to the ground, failing to lodge deeply.
Though the Shuriken performed intricate maneuvers, the strikes lacked real force.
The reason: the pull exerted by the thin Chakra threads could never match the initial kinetic energy and piercing power of a direct throw.
They were "guided" to the target, not "driven" through it.
Naruto studied the scattered tools, pondering. Precise control was within reach; turning finesse into force was the next hurdle.
Maybe… swap ordinary Kunai for ones tipped with sticky Explosion Tags?
The idea flashed through his mind.
That would solve the problem of the technique's inherent lack of power.
The core of the attack would shift from physical penetration to explosive damage.
If a single tag was too light, he could lash it firmly to a Kunai for extra weight and steadier flight.
Then he only had to time the tag to detonate the instant the wire-guided weapon reached the enemy.
The technique would evolve from a control-and-harass move into a lethal surprise finisher.
Relieved to have found a solution, he sighed at the inconvenience still ahead.
His Wood Release and other secretly stockpiled powers had to stay hidden for now.
Having greater means yet being forced to hold back was frustrating.
But revealing his trump cards too early would be foolish until he could control the situation.
From behind a nearby tree, a small head timidly peeked out; fair cheeks flushed, pure-white eyes unblinkingly watched the sweating figure on the training ground with admiration.
It was Hyuga Hinata.
Seeing Naruto's precise control and focused expression, Hinata felt both admiration and self-doubt.
"Naruto-kun is already so strong, yet he trains this hard… while I keep falling short of Father's expectations at clan practice and in the Academy…" While she dwelt on these thoughts, an even smaller head peeked from the other side of the trunk.
Black hair and white eyes belonging to the younger Hyuga Hanabi tilted as she studied her big sister's intent yet lonely back, a huge question mark practically floating above her.
Lately her sister always came home late—was she secretly watching the blond Big Brother train?
Hanabi blinked her clear eyes, curiosity written across her tiny face.
She didn't understand why her sister hid, nor what was special about the training boy, but the seriousness on Hinata's face told her it must be important.
While Hanabi stared at her sister's back, lost in questions, a warm hand settled without warning on her head and ruffled her soft hair.
Startled, the little girl jerked back and plopped onto the soft grass.
Flustered, she looked up at whoever had touched her.
Blond hair and smiling blue eyes met her white gaze.
It was the Big Brother who'd been training—yet now stood right here!
Realization dawned: it was a Shadow Clone!
Naruto showed no apology; instead he pressed a forefinger to his lips and playfully winked, signaling her to stay quiet.
With his other thumb he subtly jerked toward Hinata, still facing the field, unaware.
Hanabi's bright eyes flicked from Naruto to her oblivious sister, understanding lighting up her face.
She slapped both hands over her mouth, nodded vigorously, and sealed their "secret."
A silent pact formed between the unlikely pair in an instant.
In truth, Naruto had sensed the hidden follower long before and decided to play along.
Before entering the training ground he quietly dispelled a Shadow Clone training with Wood Release at home, reclaiming its Chakra and awareness.
Using the forest as cover, he concealed his real body and sent a fresh "performance" Shadow Clone to the field to train as if nothing were amiss.
His true self slipped silently into the blind spot of both Hinata and the smaller shadow behind her.
He waited until the little figure appeared, completed the silent exchange with Hanabi, and finally spoke.
With a gentle smile he teased from behind Hinata,
"So you've been watching me train, huh? Hinata."