Naruto: Snow Cold

I slept pretty damn well that night—like a baby. Technically, I am still a child, but you know what? Screw that.

A full eight hours. No soreness, no pain, no anything. I could feel only the benefits of Chakra Enhancement. My growing, full reservoir was proof enough of that. Ahh, stretching felt so wonderful—like that time Gojo was high and floating in the sky. Yeah, that's what it felt like. Just magnificent.

Today's the day I finally get to learn some real jutsu, even if they're just E-ranked. I'm so hyped! Ehehehe!!

I jumped out of bed with enthusiasm, quickly got dressed, and greeted my parents with a cheerful, "Mornin'!" and we chatted for a bit over breakfast before I took off to the training grounds.

Oh, did I ever mention it's called Training Grounds 27? Kinda cool, right? I like the number, honestly.

By the way, I'd also grabbed my backpack. The scrolls were stored inside, along with the Hand Seals book, just in case I needed it.

It was still early—like 6:45 AM, I think?—and yet people were already hard at work. Shopkeepers were opening their stalls, a couple of early risers were jogging along the main paths, and speaking of exercise... A faint, youthful voice echoed in the distance. Probably that weird dude in the green jumpsuit. Might Guy, was it? I loved his energy in the show, but honestly, now didn't feel like the right time to interact with him.

I quickened my pace, and step by step, I got closer to the Training Grounds.

...

Once I arrived, I took a look around, then drew in a deep breath.

Mmm, fresh air.

I laid my backpack on the ground and opened it, pulling out six scrolls. Yeah, I'd borrowed five E-ranked Wind Jutsu and two Water Jutsu. They were Gale Palm, Breeze Burst, Wind Pull, Wind Push, Wind Redirection, Subtle Drizzle, and Splash Wave.

I decided to start with wind first. After all, it was the element I felt was most interesting. I opened the scroll for Gale Palm and read over its contents, my eyes scanning the carefully written instructions and diagrams.

It said that it needed 4 hand signs, and basically what this technique did was form a compressed air projectile, that could be then expelled from your palm, as the technique's name implies.

A few minutes after I finished reading, I got up and braced myself. Alright... I wove the hand signs, feeling the chakra build up and the flow of it through my pathways, on its way toward my right arm. The seals really did help mould it the way you needed, so I'm really grateful for them.

I finished them up, and aimed my palm at the log. Gale Palm Jutsu!

...Only a gust of wind came out. Damn, why did I expect to get it done on the first try? Whatever, I'll just keep trying over and over until I actually do it, I should have plenty left in the tank for today.

Gale Palm Jutsu! Gale Palm Jutsu! Gale Palm Jutsu!

Dammit, what the hell am I doing wrong?! It feels almost like what the scroll described, but something is missing, and I don't know what!

...Wait. The chakra nature. I've only been expelling pure chakra this whole time, not even wind natured. Pffft... Hahahaha! So stupid, and I was getting worked up over nothing!

Let's try this again, shall we? I executed the hand seals once more, this time focusing on my gut and trying to "sharpen" my chakra against itself. One more time.

I pointed my palm at the log again, and finally, the energy was expelled. The air that formed in front of my palm wasn't light, but it wasn't heavy either. It felt just right, and I let it go.

The air projectile traveled a few meters before dispersing, rustling the grass and lifting a few leaves into the air. Yahoo!! Finally, an actual elemental jutsu! It might not be perfect yet, but I'll keep practicing until I master it.

I formed a fist in front of me, determined to at least fully learn this skill.

...

I spent at least an hour practicing this thing, and I think I'm doing alright? I can manage a disturbing gust now, and it at least reaches the log from where I am. I was like, what? 20 meters away from it? It would be decent in battle if I could reduce the amount of hand seals needed by memorizing the chakra flow, but for now, I think I'm good.

My chakra had been reduced to half of what it has been. My reserves truly had improved during these weeks.

I sighed, and went for the Wind Pull, Wind Push and Wind Redirection scrolls. As the names implied, they pulled and pushed objects with the breeze, or changed their direction by releasing your chakra into the atmosphere and controlling a small portion of the air current to change the direction of a projectile, pull it towards you, or you could just eject wind chakra from your palm, which is why I tried learning Gale Palm first.

I noted the handsigns, the diagram, what the chakra pathways should feel like, and how you should control the flow of the current.

Time to do this. I decided to start with Wind Push, as it should be the easiest. 3 seals only, and some wind was quickly expelled from my palm. It wasn't quite compressed like the Gale Palm, but more like a continuous breeze that lasted for a less or more than a few seconds, depending on how much chakra you used to keep it going.

I grabbed a handful of leaves, threw them at the sky, and quickly wove the jutsu once more. Go the hell away no Jutsu!

It was satisfying as hell to see them go higher up in the sky and getting farther away, drafted by the airflow. I can do this!

I know I can!

-----------???-----------

A figure was concealed within the trees, stealthily observing the girl's actions, hidden from sight. Their every movement was silent, and their eyes, sharp and calculating, never left the girl.

The girl was of course unaware of this, as she kept blissfully practicing without a worry in the world. The figure noted her control, and chakra prowess. It was good, for someone her age. As expected of one of the students in the elite batch.

She has potential to be part of ROOT, they thought, a glint of approval flashing in their otherwise impassive gaze. Potential to either be a powerful asset to the ROOT—or a dangerous threat.

Their orders were simple: Monitor potential assets. Assess whether they are a threat or can be molded into one of us.

Even if the Hokage himself had ruled that Danzo couldn't abduct any of the orphaned children taken in from Kirigakure, Danzo would still find a way—indirectly, of course.

This one certainly had potential, indeed.

"Danzo-sama... You will not be disappointed." He muttered under his breath, unheard by the ignorant girl.

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(A/N: What's good?! You thought I was dead once again, but I rose from my grave! Expect a new chapter by Saturday or Friday!)