**Chapter 12: The Power of the Rasengan**
"Since Naruto contributed the most to this escort mission, why don't we name the bridge the Naruto Bridge?" Tazuna suggested after the bridge was completed.
"Good idea!" The group cheered in agreement.
"Alright, Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, and Haku, the mission is complete. Let's head back," Kakashi said, pulling out his copy of *Make-Out Paradise* and flipping through it as he walked.
"Okay, Haku, let's go. Um, Sakura..." Naruto shamelessly reached out to grab Sakura's delicate hand.
"Uh..."
Staring at the soft, jade-like hand in his grasp, Naruto's mind raced. *Did I really succeed this easily?*
"Hey, Naruto! Have you held my hand long enough?" Sakura scolded, her fair cheeks flushed pink. "Let go already and go hold Haku's hand instead."
At the mention of Haku, Sakura huffily yanked her hand away from Naruto's and stomped ahead, pouting.
"Ugh... she's so stubborn! Haku's much better."
In his mind, Naruto indulged in a vivid fantasy about Sakura before gently taking Haku's delicate hand.
"Hmm... calm winds, clear skies, not a cloud in sight," he murmured, inhaling deeply as he sat on his rooftop, Haku cradled in his arms.
"Hey, kid, enjoying yourself?" a suggestive voice called out. "No wonder you can come up with so many... descriptive passages."
"Hey, Perverted Sage! Can't you just appear without startling me?" Naruto groaned, bending forward to glare at Jiraiya standing before him.
"Alright, brat, had enough fun? Time to train," Jiraiya announced.
"Fine, fine. Haku, this is my teacher—just call him Perverted Sage. I'm off to train now. Be good and stay home, okay? If you're bored, you can hang out with Sakura." Naruto glanced down at Haku in his arms.
"Don't listen to him, little sis. I'm Jiraiya," Jiraiya glared at Naruto before turning a friendly smile toward Haku.
Still, Jiraiya couldn't help but feel immensely pleased by Naruto's use of "teacher."
"Okay, Uncle Jiraiya," Haku replied obediently.
Haku let out a soft cry.
"Uh..."
Jiraiya's expression froze.
"Pfft... HAHAHA!"
Naruto couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Naruto-nii, what's wrong?" Haku tugged at Naruto's sleeve, worried he had said something wrong.
"N-nothing... You didn't do anything wrong," Naruto reassured him, stroking Haku's hair to comfort him.
"Alright, brat, let's get moving!" Jiraiya urged, sounding slightly annoyed.
"Okay. Haku, I'm leaving now," Naruto said, nodding to Haku in his arms.
"Mm-hmm," Haku replied with a gentle nod.
"Alright, kid, watch closely. The ninjutsu I'm going to teach you this time is an A-rank, super-advanced technique."
Jiraiya raised one hand, palm open and facing upward. "Rasengan!"
*Whoosh... hum...*
A massive amount of Chakra rapidly gathered in his palm, forming a blue Chakra sphere that swirled like a miniature typhoon.
"Watch carefully! This is the power of this technique—*Hah!*"
Jiraiya roared, slamming the Rasengan into the tree trunk.
*Sizzle!*
The Rasengan rapidly peeled away the bark before burrowing deep into the wood in a single, relentless motion.
*Whoosh!*
Dispersing the Rasengan, Jiraiya stepped aside, allowing Naruto to clearly see the destructive impact.
"Hmm, impressive power," Naruto nodded, still somewhat astonished by the Rasengan's force despite witnessing it firsthand. Had Jiraiya not withdrawn the technique, the massive tree would have been felled.
"Alright, learning this ninjutsu is divided into three stages: release, power, and maintenance." Jiraiya extended three fingers, then pulled a water balloon from his pocket with his other hand.
"Now, try to shatter this water balloon with your Chakra," Jiraiya instructed.
"Got it!" Naruto nodded, placing the water balloon in his palm and channeling Chakra into it.
*Boom!*
The water balloon exploded instantly, sending water splashing everywhere.
"Naruto, I didn't expect you to master the first stage so easily!"
Jiraiya's voice, tinged with surprise, rang out, "Fourth Hokage, could Naruto have inherited your genius genes?"
As evening fell, a thunderous roar shattered the forest's tranquility.
"Naruto, are you some kind of monster?"
Staring at Naruto in disbelief, Jiraiya wondered if he was dreaming. "You mastered the Rasengan in just one afternoon?"
"Hah! Rasengan! *Whirr!*"
Instantly summoning the Rasengan, Naruto held it up and waved it in front of Jiraiya's face. "Perverted Sage, you're not dreaming. I can prove it."
"Naruto, I'm truly going to have to reevaluate you."
Jiraiya exhaled deeply. "Well then, let's end training for today."
"Okay."
Dispelling the Rasengan, Naruto stretched lazily. "To celebrate, Perverted Sage, treat me to ramen!"
"Okay."
Jiraiya nodded instinctively before realizing what he'd agreed to. "Wait, I'm paying?"
"Come on, don't be stingy. It won't bankrupt you."
Naruto strode ahead toward Ichiraku Ramen Shop.
"Seriously..." Jiraiya muttered, patting his somewhat deflated wallet with a pained expression.
"Phew, I'm stuffed! But... I could still eat more!" Naruto declared, clearly not satisfied. "Eating with Haku and teasing him a bit... hehe..."
"Haku, are you there?" Naruto called out, knocking on the door. With Haku around, why bother climbing through the window?
*Creak...*
The door slowly opened, revealing Haku's sweet, delicate face. His voice, barely concealing his joy, rang out: "Naruto-nii, you're back?"
"Yeah, Haku, come with me." Naruto pulled Haku out by the hand.
"What's wrong?" Haku asked, letting Naruto lead him, tilting his head to gaze at Naruto's mischievous grin.
"Silly girl, aren't you going to eat dinner?" Naruto ruffled Haku's hair. "I'm taking you to Ichiraku Ramen, my favorite place."
"Okay," Haku replied happily.
Moonlight cast their shadows together. Fate had intertwined their hearts.