"Sensei, you're from the Akimichi clan, right? So why don't you use your signature techniques?" I couldn't hold it in anymore and asked the question that had been spinning in my head from the very beginning.
Chōza smirked slightly, adjusting the forehead protector.
"Because it's too dangerous... for you," he replied, looking at us seriously. "Our clan's techniques require a lot of chakra and cause massive area damage. That's not ideal when I'm fighting alongside students. My job is to train you, not flatten you — even by accident."
We exchanged glances — it sounded a bit creepy, but it made sense.
"Well, now that I've told you about your weaknesses, it's up to you to start working on them. But before we move on to higher-ranked missions, I'll give you a small advantage — teach you a couple of tricks," he took a step forward, and his voice grew stricter. "It's not a jutsu per se, more like a foundation every shinobi must master."
He stopped, looking us directly in the eyes:
"As you've already realized, chakra control is the basis of everything. It plays a key role not just in performing jutsu, but in your stamina, your speed — even how long you can hold out in a fight. Poor control, and you're just leaking chakra into nothingness."
"Strong chakra control means doing more with less," Chōza summed up. He sighed, glancing toward the forest. "Let's combine that with surface-walking. Stability, balance, concentration — all of it matters."
With those words, he walked up to the nearest tree and, without slowing, stepped onto the trunk. It looked like he just kept walking — only now vertically upward.
"The principle is simple," he said calmly as he ascended. "Chakra needs to flow constantly from your feet in just the right amount. Too little — and you fall. Too much — and you get blasted off the surface."
He stopped at a height of about three human lengths, standing at a right angle to the ground.
"But now the task gets harder. You have to move quickly without disrupting the chakra flow. Jumps, turns, body shifts — they all require precision. Get it wrong by even a fraction of a second, and you're already falling. Who wants to try?"
I stepped forward and shrugged.
"Sensei, I've already got it down," I said, heading toward my own tree.
"Same here," Genma nodded, already running up the bark beside me.
Guy slumped his shoulders and blew a strand of hair off his face.
"Hey, come on! Am I the only one who hasn't nailed this yet?" he groaned, but his voice wasn't desperate — it was eager.
"Well, Guy, now's your chance to catch up — and surpass them," the sensei grinned, jumping down from the tree. "Start by holding your position. Then — slow step up. When you can stay on for at least thirty seconds, we'll add movement."
Guy was already staring at the trunk like it was his personal nemesis.
"And as for you two — since you've already mastered this — I can help with something else," Chōza said, casting a sharp look at us. "One at a time. Everyone has their own focus. Kotetsu, you first."
I stepped forward right away.
"Fūinjutsu," I said without hesitation.
Sensei raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Sealing techniques, huh? Interesting choice. Why do you want to study them?"
I paused only for a second, but the words came naturally:
"They're versatile. You can seal weapons, traps — even chakra itself."
"That's true," the sensei said, scratching his chin. "But I'm not a specialist in that field. The best I can give you is the basic fūinjutsu knowledge they teach at the academy. But if you're asking... I assume you already know it?"
"Yeah," I nodded confidently. "I've already learned the main kanji."
"I see..." Chōza squinted thoughtfully. "Well, that means you're already ahead of most academy grads. After the destruction of the Uzumaki clan, we've hardly had any true fūinjutsu masters left in the village. That field used to be far more developed."
He sighed, then looked back at me.
"I'll try to find something for you. Ask around among some old contacts — maybe someone's still practicing, or at least has access to records. It might take time, but if you're serious — stay on course."
I nodded, feeling a fire light up inside.
"Thank you, Sensei."
"Don't mention it."
"Alright. Genma, your turn. You want to work on a jutsu or an element?"
Chōza turned to Genma, who'd been quietly leaning against a tree, fiddling with something in his hands the whole time.
"Genma. What about you?"
He pushed off the trunk, nodded, stood straight, and looked at the sensei seriously.
"I'd like to improve my control over the Earth element."
Sensei gave Genma a thoughtful look and tilted his head slightly.
"I've already seen you use Earth Style jutsu. Is that your main nature?"
"Yeah," Genma nodded. "I took the chakra nature test back in the academy — I've got Doton. I can handle the basics fine, but it feels like I'm using the element too crudely. I want to learn to control it more precisely — not just throw boulders, but understand the structure of the earth, use it purposefully in combat."
"Understanding the foundation is already half the path," sensei nodded seriously. "Earth is not just defense or brute force. It's stability, pressure, control. The hardest part is learning to feel the ground beneath you — and beneath your enemy. Then, you can fight on your terms without even moving."
"That's exactly what I want," Genma confirmed. "Control over the battlefield, over the opponent's movement..."
Guess I'll sit and listen — might be useful, I thought, settling on the nearest stump and quickly fishing out a notebook and pencil from my pocket. As the sensei talked with Genma, I tried not to miss a single word.
For a couple more minutes, the sensei explained the finer points of Earth chakra control, and I kept eavesdropping...
"There — like that," he finished, showing the final hand seal and explaining the technique.
"Alright..." he patted Genma on the shoulder.
Looks like they're heading into the practical part, I thought, noticing the teacher gesturing for Genma to follow him toward one of the training areas.
Jumping in now would be a bit rude. Better not get in the way — especially since I had something I'd been meaning to finish for a while.
I quickly checked my money — in the small pouch on my thigh, 40,000 ryō lay neatly wrapped in paper. Somehow, I hadn't spent anything unnecessary this week. Even surprised myself.
"Well then. Let's head to the shop," I muttered under my breath, pulling my headband tighter and heading toward the shopping district.
The familiar Torida's shop, right in the center of the village, greeted me with well-known signs and the scent of metal, oil, and paper.
Today they were running a special — 5% off on gear, and I couldn't miss that chance.
I stepped in and immediately spotted Torida — as always in his old apron, bandages on his wrists, and a thin cigarette in the corner of his mouth. He was clicking away on an abacus without even lifting his head, but the moment I crossed the threshold, he knew.
"Welcome back!" he nodded, still clicking the beads. "You again."
"Still not sold?" I asked, scanning the shelves and heading straight to the familiar display.
"You mean the chakra weights?" he chuckled, craning his neck. "They've been gathering dust here for six months. No one wants them — says they're 'impractical.' Everyone's after flashy scrolls with fire effects."
He ducked behind the counter and pulled out a neat dark bundle. The fabric looked tough — almost military-grade — and on the inside, intricate and powerful fūuin seals shimmered faintly.
"Here they are. Fūinjutsu-based weights: seals increase the mass without changing the size. Hands or feet — doesn't matter. Control's simple: pour in chakra — they get heavier. Take it out — back to normal. Holds steady. Tested on chūnin."
I carefully unrolled the bundle and felt the chakra inside react the moment I touched it. Dense, smooth weight — but complete control.
"How much?" I asked, already knowing I'd buy them.
"38,000 ryō with the discount. Don't forget — sale's today."
I silently took the money from my pouch and handed it over.
"Perfect," he said, wrapping up the change.
Now's the time when Guy isn't wearing weights... Maybe I can catch up to him?