Naruto climbed back onto the riverbank and looked at Huahuo.
"What do you mean by competing?"
Huahuo pointed at the flowing river.
"I've practiced the Water Surface Walking Technique for a long time. You're still training. Let's see who can run farther across the river."
Chen Xing smiled faintly.
With Huahuo's chakra control, she clearly had the advantage.
Hinata hesitated.
"Chen Xing-brother… should they really compete?"
Chen Xing raised a hand to stop her.
"Who do you want to win?"
Hinata looked toward Naruto.
"…Naruto."
Huahuo's talent made her somewhat arrogant. Hinata felt it would be good for her sister to face a setback.
Chen Xing nodded.
"Then Naruto will win."
Hinata blinked in surprise.
From what she had seen, Naruto could barely walk five or six steps across the water.
Chen Xing watched Naruto carefully.
Naruto's potential was enormous, but he lacked the correct training method.
"Hey, Naruto," Chen Xing called.
Naruto slipped again while concentrating on the river and fell with a splash.
He climbed out and walked over.
"What is it, Chen Xing-brother?"
"I'll teach you a faster way to train chakra control."
Naruto's eyes lit up.
Even Sasuke Uchiha glanced over quietly.
"What method?" Naruto asked eagerly.
Chen Xing spoke calmly.
"Do you know the Shadow Clone Technique?"
Naruto nodded.
"Of course!"
"The technique was created by the Tobirama Senju. Every clone shares its experience with the original when it disappears."
Naruto scratched his head.
"So?"
Chen Xing continued.
"If your clones train, their experience returns to you when they disperse. It's extremely dangerous for most ninja because the fatigue and strain also return."
He looked directly at Naruto.
"But your chakra and recovery ability are far greater than normal."
Nearby, Kakashi Hatake narrowed his eyes. He immediately understood the implication.
If Naruto used clones to train, his progress could multiply many times.
Naruto grinned.
"That's awesome! I'll try it!"
He formed hand seals.
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
A cloud of smoke burst across the riverbank. Dozens of Narutos appeared at once.
"Let's all train!" the clones shouted.
They rushed toward the river and began practicing the Water Surface Walking Technique together.
Sasuke watched silently. His eyes sharpened with determination.
"I won't lose to him," he muttered.
Huahuo stared in shock at the dozens of Narutos running across the water.
"How does he have so much chakra?"
Chen Xing chuckled and rubbed the top of her head.
"There are many kinds of talent."
Huahuo immediately pushed his hand away.
"Don't mess up my hair!"
But she didn't move away.
---
An Unexpected Visitor
Chen Xing suddenly glanced toward the forest.
A moment later, a voice sounded from the trees.
"Hinata, are you here?"
A woman stepped down from a branch.
It was Kurenai Yuhi.
Hinata quickly stood up.
"Kurenai-sensei."
Kurenai greeted Kakashi briefly before turning to Hinata.
"I was looking for you. There's a mission."
Hinata nodded.
"Yes."
She looked apologetically at Chen Xing.
Chen Xing smiled.
"Go ahead. I'll wait here."
After Hinata left with Kurenai, the latter suddenly stopped and turned toward Chen Xing.
Her expression became cold.
"You. Come here."
Chen Xing sighed and stood up.
"Alright."
Kurenai walked deeper into the forest without another word.
Chen Xing followed behind her, a faint smile forming on his lips.