Naruto: Konoha Spring of the Uchiha Prodigies

"Heh, with your pathetic skills, you're far from finding what an elite Jonin like me has hidden." Kakashi didn't take Naruto's threat seriously and went back to the sofa in the living room to read his little yellow book.

While reading, he secretly marveled, "Jiraiya-sama is truly a genius in this regard. No matter how many times I read 'Make-Out Paradise,' I always gain new insights."

At this moment, the book Kakashi was holding was one of the first editions of Icha Icha Paradise that Gato had given him last time. As a novel with somewhat unconventional content, each reprint naturally removes some of the less serious parts, which is why the first edition of Icha Icha Paradise is so precious.

"Kakashi, your house has been quite noisy lately. I could hear the commotion even when I was outside." At that moment, Uchiha Touko opened the door to Kakashi's living room and said with a smile.

"Teacher?" Naruto turned to look at the doorway and, seeing Uchiha Touko walk in, asked curiously, "What brings you here?"

"What, aren't you welcome?" Uchiha Touko swaggered up to Kakashi's refrigerator, took out a can of juice, opened it, took a sip, and then sat down on Kakashi's sofa.

"How could that be?" Naruto said with a bright smile. "Teacher, I beat Sasuke again in our class sparring session today!"

"You can talk like that when you can beat Sasuke without getting hurt." Uchiha Touko gave Naruto an annoyed look. "It's only because we can't use powerful ninjutsu in class sparring that Sasuke is stronger than you right now."

"How could that be!" Naruto said, somewhat unconvinced.

“Naruto, what your teacher said is true,” Kakashi said, putting down his book. “Sasuke has almost mastered the most basic Chidori. If he uses that technique, with your current strength, you will at least be seriously injured.”

Upon hearing this, Naruto shut his mouth. He had witnessed the power of Sasuke's Chidori when he trained with Sasuke and Neji. Sasuke could pierce through a tree thicker than his waist in an instant. If the two of them were to fight at full strength, he would definitely not be able to withstand this ninjutsu.

"Don't look so sad. Kakashi and I will teach you a new ninjutsu in a bit. Its power is definitely no less than Sasuke's Chidori," Uchiha Touko laughed.

"Really?" Naruto's face lit up with surprise upon hearing this.

"Really." Uchiha Touko nodded with a smile, then took out a bag of balloons and threw it to Naruto.

"Let's do some preparation first. Fill all these balloons with water," Uchiha Touko instructed.

"What's the use of these?" Naruto asked, picking up a deflated balloon with some confusion.

"Just go when I tell you to, stop with the nonsense," Uchiha Touko said irritably. "Are you going to learn or not?"

“Learn!” Naruto nodded vigorously, picked up a bag of balloons from the table, and went to the bathroom.

"Are you planning to teach him the Rasengan? Isn't it a bit too early?" Kakashi finally spoke up. When Uchiha Touko took out the bag of balloons, he knew what ninjutsu Touko was planning to teach Naruto, but for Naruto at the moment, his control over chakra was far from meeting the requirements for learning the Rasengan.

“It’s a bit early, but practicing like this will help him improve his chakra control,” Uchiha Touko said. “Let’s build a solid foundation for him first. Once he’s mastered the water ball and ball steps, I’ll ask Jiraiya to come back. Let Jiraiya handle this final step, and let Naruto try learning the Sage Mode from Mount Myōboku.”

"Can't you teach Naruto your Sage Mode?" Kakashi said after hearing this. Because of Jiraiya's previous behavior, he instinctively didn't want Naruto to come into contact with the toads of Mount Myōboku.

“I learned the Sage Mode method in a way that Naruto can’t imitate,” Uchiha Tokko said. “The Sage Mode from Mount Myōboku is at least safe to learn.”

……

Chapter 160 Strong Condemnation

"Aren't you afraid this kid will be fooled by those toads?" Kakashi asked, still somewhat worried.

"The techniques he learned at Mount Myōboku and the summoning beast companions he acquired are benefits we can't provide. As for the nonsense from those toads at Mount Myōboku?" Uchiha Tokō listened to Naruto's excited shouts as he filled a balloon with water in the bathroom, and a helpless smile appeared on his face. "Even if this kid has really been fooled into being stupid, Mount Myōboku can't influence the village's future through him, right?"

"Or are you planning to let this kid inherit the Fourth Hokage's political resources?" Uchiha Touko said with a smile and a shake of his head.

Upon hearing this, Kakashi fell silent for a moment, then shook his head. He had originally intended to do just that, but Naruto had been living with him for almost a year. In that year, he had figured out Naruto's personality. The kid really wasn't suited for this job. He hadn't inherited any of the Fourth Hokage's meticulous mind, but rather his master's wife's carefree personality.

If Naruto's personality were to develop in that direction, it's hard to say what the future of the village would be like; he himself would definitely be the one tormented.

Judging from the current situation, it seems more reliable to raise Naruto's son than to force Naruto onto this path.

“These kids aren’t like us; they have choices,” Uchiha Touko remarked at that moment.

Soon, Naruto excitedly returned to the living room carrying a bunch of water-filled balloons. After Uchiha Tokō packed all the water balloons into a sealing scroll, he, Naruto, and Kakashi took Naruto to the training ground.

Although Uchiha Touko didn't systematically learn the Rasengan technique, he already met the most basic chakra control requirements for mastering it. Kakashi also learned this ninjutsu a long time ago, but because his fighting style didn't quite match the technique, he rarely used it in actual combat.

After all, before Naruto mastered the Rasengan, it was originally developed by the Fourth Hokage to supplement his offensive capabilities against enemies with high defense. The advantage of the most basic Rasengan is that it can be cast instantly without hand seals, making it suitable for ninjas like the Fourth Hokage who can increase their speed to a certain level as a finishing move.

As for Naruto's method of using this thing as a powerful move, most people really can't withstand the chakra consumption.

Upon arriving at the training ground, Kakashi first explained the principles of the Rasengan to Naruto, and then picked up a water ball and demonstrated how to break the water ball with rotating chakra.

Seeing this, Naruto also excitedly picked up a water ball and started trying it out.

Then, under the watchful eyes of Uchiha Touko and Kakashi, Naruto's face went from a cheerful smile to a serious expression, and finally, he couldn't hold back any longer and popped the balloon.

"Naruto, you pop the balloon by rotating your chakra, not by squeezing it with your hands," Kakashi reminded him.

"This ninjutsu is so difficult," Naruto said, shaking the water off his hands and making a face.

"Let's try a different method." At this moment, Uchiha Touko reminded him, "If you can't maintain the rotation of chakra by yourself, try it with three people first."

"Three people?" Naruto had a sudden inspiration after hearing Uchiha Touko's suggestion. "That's right! If one person can't do it, three people definitely can!"

"Shadow Clone Technique!" After forming the hand seals, Naruto summoned two clones with a bang. With the help of the clones, Naruto quickly completed the step of breaking the water sphere.

Kakashi was dumbfounded by this scene; he had never imagined there was such a clever way to do things.

"Teacher, what's next?" Naruto asked excitedly as he approached Uchiha Touko.

"You should first learn how to break the water sphere without using a clone," Uchiha Touko said. "I'm telling you this method so you'll remember the feeling, not so you can actually learn the technique this way. If you have to use a trick to even do the first step, you won't be able to learn the technique later."

“Okay.” Naruto nodded, and was about to pick up the water ball when he suddenly froze in place.

After a while, Naruto looked up at Uchiha Touko and said with a blank expression, "Master, the big fox in my belly told me that learning this is useless, and I should become its disciple instead. It will teach me something even more powerful."

"Ignore it, what does a fox know about ninjutsu?" Uchiha Touko said.

As soon as Uchiha Touko finished speaking, Naruto's chakra became chaotic, and the two clones beside him disappeared. It was clear that Kurama was very annoyed by Uchiha Touko's words.

"What did that guy say?" Uchiha Touko asked casually after helping Naruto stabilize his chakra.

"Uh... this..." It's not hard to tell from Naruto's hesitation that Kurama's curse was really filthy.

However, Uchiha Touko didn't care much about it. It was just the impotent rage of an unlucky guy. If it were really as powerful as he said, would it have been caught by Senju Hashirama?

Moreover, Kurama was only talking about the Tailed Beast Ball. Apart from being more powerful, can that thing compare to the Rasengan? The Rasengan is a technique that even aliens would learn after being beaten up and then enjoy playing it in the revival round. By then, the Tailed Beast Ball would have long been obsolete.

While Uchiha Touko and Kakashi were instructing Naruto, Iwata Sawaki was pacing anxiously back and forth in the small reception room of the Hokage Building.

"Elder Fugaku, when will the Hokage be able to return?" After a while, Iwata Zeki finally couldn't help but ask.

"Mr. Iwata, please be patient. The Hokage is truly busy right now. This concerns the safety of our village's Jinchuriki and Tailed Beasts. Please understand, Mr. Iwata," said Fugaku Uchiha expressionlessly.

"I was rude, I apologize," Iwata Sawaki sighed, his heart burning with anxiety.

Konoha has been so sincere, sending the third most important person in the village besides the Hokage and his assistant to receive him, and also telling him the secret that there was a problem with the Jinchuriki's sealing. That's more than enough for them.

Why today of all days? Iwata Sawaki was anxious, but he had to remain calm.

Twenty minutes later, an ANBU ninja rushed into the reception room.

"Squad Leader Fugaku, urgent intelligence: Ten minutes ago, the ninja army of the Land of Earth launched an attack on the border of the Land of Waterfall, and the border troops of the Land of Waterfall suffered heavy losses."

"What?" Before Fugaku Uchiha could react after hearing the information, Iwata Sawaki had already rushed in front of the ANBU, his wide eyes bloodshot.

"Mr. Iwata, please calm down." At this moment, Fugaku waved his hand to dismiss the ANBU who had come to report, and then spoke to reassure him.

But now Iwata Sawaki was clearly panicked, and Fugaku's attempts to calm him down seemed unlikely to have any effect. At this moment, sitting quietly in the reception room was Iwata Sawaki's last vestige of composure.

"Mr. Iwata, I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting." About ten minutes later, Uchiha Touko, having finished instructing Naruto, finally arrived. Upon entering the reception room, he immediately spoke to Iwata Sawaki.

"Hokage?" Upon hearing Uchiha Touko's voice, Iwata Sawaki abruptly looked up, his bloodshot eyes filled with hope as he stared intently at Uchiha Touko. "Please, Konoha, you must help our Takigakure!"

"What makes you say that, Mr. Iwata? What exactly happened?" Uchiha Touko asked, feigning ignorance.

"Lord Hokage, we just received intelligence that Iwagakure launched an attack on the border of Takigakure twenty minutes ago," Fugaku Uchiha explained at the opportune moment.

"What?!" Uchiha Touko exclaimed in shock, "Onoki actually dares to launch a war directly?"

"Hokage, please, Konoha, save our Land of Waterfall!" Iwata Zeki exclaimed excitedly. This usually gentle and refined middle-aged man had lost his composure and was now tightly gripping Uchiha Touko's hand. At this moment, Konoha and the Land of Fire were their only hope for the Land of Waterfall.

"Mr. Iwata, rest assured, Konoha will not stand idly by in this matter." After reassuring Iwata Zeki, Uchiha Touko instructed Uchiha Fugaku, "Class Leader Fugaku, issue a statement to the ninja world, expressing Konoha's strong condemnation of Iwagaku's behavior that disregards the peace of the ninja world!"

Chapter 161 Glory Belongs to the Land of Waterfalls!

Uchiha Touko's words left Iwata Sawaki stunned.

After a moment, Iwata Sawaki carefully considered his words before asking, "Um, Hokage, isn't there any more practical assistance you could offer?"

Upon hearing this, both Uchiha Touko and Uchiha Fugaku turned to look at Iwata Sawaki, and the atmosphere in the reception room suddenly became somewhat awkward. After a while, Iwata Sawaki tentatively asked, "Um, Hokage, is there no more practical help you can offer?"

"Substantial help?" Uchiha Touko asked, feigning confusion.

"For example, Konoha will send troops to help our Land of Takigakure repel the invading ninjas from the Land of Earth?" Iwata Zeki said, forcing a smile. "Of course, our Takigakure is willing to join the Konoha Pact, and we are willing to fully cooperate with all aspects of cooperation that the Hokage mentioned earlier."

“I see.” Uchiha Touko stroked his chin, lost in thought. “If Iwagakure hadn’t gone to war with you, this agreement would have been easy to make. But now that Iwagakure’s invasion of your Takigakure is a fait accompli, we can’t just include you in the alliance.”

"This... how could this be?" Iwata Zeki panicked immediately upon hearing Uchiha Touko's words.

“Mr. Iwata, I understand your feelings. However, the purpose of this treaty is to unite the strength of our allies for the peace of the ninja world. To include a country currently at war in the treaty, and for Konoha to send troops, would be to drag the country that previously signed the treaty with us into the war. This is completely inconsistent with the purpose of our initiating this treaty,” Uchiha Touko said with some difficulty.

"But, Hokage, you are the only one who can help our Land of Waterfall right now." Iwata Sawaki was almost in tears.

"Rest assured, we will definitely do our best to help your Land of Waterfalls," said Uchiha Touko. "Although Konoha cannot send troops directly for the time being, we will provide you with the greatest possible assistance. Whether it is daily necessities or military supplies, we will provide them to you at the lowest possible price based on humanitarian principles. Our allies will do the same."

Hearing this, Iwata Zeki felt a little better. Then, Uchiha Touko continued, "However, in the matter of confronting Iwagakure head-on, only your Takigakure ninjas can accomplish this."

"This..." Iwata Zeki looked troubled upon hearing this. "Although I really don't want to boost the morale of others, as you know, the quality of our Takigakure ninjas is indeed much weaker than that of Iwagakure. In a head-on confrontation on the battlefield, our chances of winning are not very high."

“Mr. Iwata, there’s no need to be so pessimistic,” Uchiha Touko said. “In the end, war is a contest of a nation’s logistical capabilities. Right now, you have the support of all the allied nations of the Konoha Pact. As long as you can hold off Iwagakure’s first wave of attacks, you will definitely be the ones to win the rest. As for the quality of the ninjas…”

Uchiha Touko looked at Uchiha Fugaku and asked, "Class President Fugaku, how's the research on that technique going?"

"Does the Hokage mean that combined Lightning Release ninjutsu?" Fugaku Uchiha asked. "The most crucial part of the research on that technique, the linking of different chakra, has been solved. Only some details need to be optimized."

"That's good." Uchiha Touko nodded, then looked at Iwata Zeki. "Mr. Iwata, you can bring back to the Land of Waterfall the multi-person combination lightning release ninjutsu that we developed in Konoha to counter the combined earth release ninjutsu of Iwagakure. This technique can concentrate the power of Chunin and Genin, about fifteen fire release ninjas, fifteen water release ninjas, plus fifty lightning release ninjas, to release a combination ninjutsu similar to my Lightning Release: Kirin. We originally developed this technique to deal with the threat from Iwagakure, and now it can come in handy."

"Really? Then thank you so much, Hokage." Iwata Zeki's face lit up with joy. You see, Iwagakure's overall strength ranks among the top three in the ninja world, even though there aren't many truly strong ninjas in the village. This is all thanks to their combined Earth Release ninjutsu. Now, Uchiha Touko is willing to provide Takigakure with a method to deal with this ninjutsu, and what he's providing is Lightning Release, which is the most effective counter to Earth Release ninjutsu. With the logistical support from the Land of Fire, Iwata Zeki felt a surge of confidence in withstanding the Land of Earth's attack.

"In addition, we can provide you with high-quality ninja tools such as explosive tags, and we can even give you priority access to our Konoha ninja tools," Uchiha Touko continued.

"Thank you so much, Hokage!" Iwata Sawaki said gratefully.

"Don't rush to thank me," Uchiha Touko waved his hand instead. "I can give you the combination ninjutsu for free, considering our personal relationship. However, you will still need to purchase these ninja tools and supplies yourself. After all, these are the livelihoods of millions of civilians in the Land of Fire. I hope Mr. Iwata can understand."

Upon hearing this, Iwata Sawamoto thought for a moment and then gritted his teeth and said, "We, the Takinokai, will pay, but regarding the price..."

“Mr. Iwata, you can rest assured,” Uchiha Touko said. “Our Land of Fire is not a country that takes advantage of others’ misfortunes. We can provide you with the supplies you need during your war with the Land of Earth at 80% of the market price. Furthermore, considering your difficulties, you can also pay in advance in the form of a loan to get through this crisis first.”

"Thank you, Hokage," Iwata Zeki said. "Now, there is only one last question: what should we do if Onoki or the Jinchuriki of Iwagakure personally intervenes? We in Takigakure do not currently have any strong enough to withstand them."

“That is a problem,” Uchiha Touko said, stroking his chin. “Although I don’t think Onoki will personally intervene, if the siege drags on for too long, I can’t rule out the possibility that he will personally lead the attack. Moreover, their Jinchuriki are indeed a troublesome matter for you.”

"By the way, how old are your Jinchuriki this year?" Uchiha Touko asked.