Naruto: I start with one door, and I can open it infinitely.

Six months later, it was time for another semi-annual real-world test, and Lin Chuan, Naruto, and Sasuke reunited.

Splash, splash—

"Not bad side kick, did you learn that from me?" Lin Chuan watched as Naruto, who had escaped from the water prison, was kicked into the river by Naruto and Sasuke working together.

Only when chakra is attached to the soles of his feet can he stand steadily on the water, and no matter how turbulent the waves he just stirred up are, they cannot shake him in the slightest.

"Chuan, we are not the same as we were six months ago," Sasuke said excitedly, looking at Lin Chuan. After more than a year of training, they finally saw hope of catching up with Lin Chuan and were finally able to get Lin Chuan to take this battle seriously.

"I can see that," Lin Chuan said with a helpless smirk. These two guys have improved too quickly; his water prison can no longer hold them.

Sasuke intended to imprison both of them in the water prison, but unexpectedly, he mastered Lightning Release. The electric current paralyzed the water clones outside the water prison, allowing Sasuke to break free and even rescue Naruto.

"Naruto, don't hold back, attack with all your might. You use Shadow Clones to distract them first," Sasuke and Naruto exchanged a glance. As the captain, Sasuke directed Naruto to distract Lin Chuan, and the battle broke out again.

"Alright, watch this," Naruto said, bringing his index and middle fingers together, crossing his hands into a cross, and softly shouting, "Shadow Clone Technique..."

bang bang bang-

A series of banging sounds rang out. Seeing Naruto's signature hand gesture, Lin Chuan was startled. If it were the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, he would be exhausted and still not be able to finish it off. Fortunately, it was not this ninjutsu at all.

But he still saw countless Naruto clones. Naruto doesn't know how to use multiple shadow clones, but after learning the Shadow Clone Technique, he can divide his chakra equally. Two Naruto clones continue to divide the chakra, and then four Naruto clones continue to divide the chakra.

He divided his chakra in this way, creating dozens of Naruto clones, giving the impression of multiple shadow clones. It made his scalp tingle. He never expected that Naruto would find another way and use the effect of multiple shadow clones, although the release of the ninjutsu was a bit slow.

Faced with so many Narutos charging towards him, he sheathed his short sword, raised his hands to form hand seals, and shouted, "Water Release: Water Chaos Wave..."

Splash, splash—

A large gush of water erupted from its mouth, surging towards the group of Narutos, instantly routing them and causing them to disappear with a series of thuds.

But just as he broke through Naruto's army, he saw a Naruto flying towards him from the sky, holding a round, transparent dumpling in his hand.

"Holy crap, Rasengan!" He immediately raised his hands to form hand seals, finishing the two seals in an instant, and shouted, "Water Release: Water Wall..."

A two-zhang-high water wall immediately rose in front of him, and he dived into the river the instant the water wall rose, escaping the scene. Behind the water wall, only a water clone that kept retreating was left, showing a surprised expression.

boom--

The Rasengan exploded on the water wall, creating a large splash. The Rasengan that hit the water wall slowly dissipated, and the shadow clone of Lin Chuan, behind the water wall, quickly drew his sword and stabbed at Naruto, instantly piercing through Naruto's shadow clone.

Seeing the Rasengan blocked by the water wall, and with too many shadow clones dissipating, Naruto could no longer support the remaining shadow clones. The other shadow clones that had launched the Rasengan also dissipated one by one. Naruto was immediately exhausted by the side effects of the shadow clones and collapsed to the ground.

The key to victory or defeat in this battle rests solely on Sasuke's shoulders. He was utterly exhausted when he suddenly heard a cacophony of birdsong, piercingly loud.

At this moment, Sasuke's Lightning Blade had taken shape, and he was rushing towards Lin Chuan on the water's surface. In an instant, he was in front of Lin Chuan, and the flashing lightning magnified in Lin Chuan's eyes before finally piercing into Lin Chuan's body.

wow-

The water clone was hit by the Lightning Blade and instantly disintegrated into streams of water. Sasuke's face immediately showed a look of astonishment. At the same time, a short sword was held to Sasuke's neck.

"Kakashi should have told you that the Lightning Blade relies on high-speed thrusts and has a large blind spot," Lin Chuan had been waiting for Sasuke to rush over, after all, the Chidori Chorus that appeared when the Lightning Blade appeared was too obvious, it would be hard for him not to notice it.

"I still lost." The lightning in Sasuke's hand dissipated, and he leaned on one knee, slightly exhausted, to support himself on the water's surface. He turned to Lin Chuan and asked, "Actually, I saw it, but I couldn't react in time. What was that move called?"

"Let's go, I'll tell you later," Lin Chuan helped Sasuke up, looked up at the sunset on the horizon, and the two walked towards the shore, preparing to start a fire to warm themselves, their clothes were soaked.

……

crackling-

Night fell, and the fire crackled and popped by the river. Every six months after the battle, Lin Chuan, Naruto, and Sasuke would sit down and get together.

After dinner, Naruto was so tired that he fell asleep right next to the fire. He and Sasuke continued to warm themselves by the fire. The battle had exhausted Naruto's chakra, and he was really starving.

Unexpectedly, these two have become so much stronger in just one year. If Naruto hadn't been unable to hold on and hadn't worn them down for a while longer, he might have been defeated by the two of them.

In just one year, Naruto learned Shadow Clone Jutsu and Rasengan, while Sasuke even learned Kakashi's Lightning Blade, though he hadn't awakened his Sharingan yet and found it difficult to control the direction of the Lightning Blade's charge.

However, the speed boost from the lightning release was almost catching up with him, and lightning release was the perfect counter to water release. His water prison and water clones would be broken as soon as they came into contact with lightning release.

When he trapped Sasuke, Sasuke's Lightning Release ninjutsu had just completed the hand seals, which broke his water prison. If Sasuke hadn't been forming the hand seals, his water prison wouldn't have been able to hold him. When the water prison trapped Sasuke, it even gave him the illusion that Sasuke hadn't made any progress, but he was wrong.

Furthermore, if his Water Release ninjutsu is released too close to himself, his body will be paralyzed by Lightning Release, instantly freezing him and rendering him unable to move. This caused him to be afraid to use Water Release when fighting Sasuke later on.

This is the difference between a genius and an ordinary person. He couldn't help but sigh. It took him five years to get to this point, while Naruto and Sasuke only took a little over a year and were almost catching up with him.

"This is a birthday present for you. Happy birthday," Lin Chuan said, warming himself by the fire. He took out a gift box tied with a ribbon and tossed it to Sasuke, whose hands and feet were wrapped in bandages from rigorous training.

"Is today my birthday?" Sasuke thought for a moment and realized that it really was his birthday today. He didn't expect Lin Chuan to remember.

"What? Did you get stupid from training? You even forgot your own birthday?" Lin Chuan smiled. He not only remembered Sasuke's birthday, but also Naruto's birthday. He had even celebrated Naruto's birthday with him before.

"A kunai," Sasuke opened the gift box and found a beautiful kunai. Kunai were really suitable as a gift for ninjas like them.

"You've made great progress this past year, you're almost surpassing me," Lin Chuan chuckled, not hiding his exhaustion. As a friend, he naturally had to be sincere and acknowledge Naruto and Sasuke's hard work during this time.

"Heh, but we still lost," Sasuke laughed self-deprecatingly. They even forced Lin Chuan to use his B-rank ninjutsu this time, but they still couldn't defeat him. Especially Lin Chuan's slash just now, it was just too fast: "What kind of ninjutsu was that? Why was it so fast? I felt it was no slower than Lightning Blade."

"This technique isn't ninjutsu; it's a samurai's sword-drawing technique, used in conjunction with the Body Flicker Technique, which is why it's so fast," Lin Chuan explained to Sasuke. High-level ninjas could see through this technique at a glance, so there was no need to hide it.

"Only one move?"

"Killing someone is just a matter of one move, why bother practicing so much?" Lin Chuan smiled. He wasn't particularly talented, so one move was enough for him to practice for a long time. Plus, the sword-drawing technique didn't require chakra, so he could practice it anytime.

He draws his sword a hundred times a day, and has practiced it 36,000 times a year. Now he has practiced it more than 50,000 times. That's why he said that what he lacks now is a chakra blade. Without a sharper armor-piercing ninja tool, no matter how fast he swings his sword, it's useless. An enemy wearing armor can negate most of the damage.

"Murder?" Sasuke subconsciously looked at Lin Chuan. He had spent more than a year with Lin Chuan and knew a bit about his past. He found that the look in Lin Chuan's eyes when he attacked didn't lie; it was the look of someone looking at a dead person.

"Forget about that. You just started a little late. I reckon you'll catch up with me in the next year or two. You two are the real geniuses. Did you like the gift?" Lin Chuan was genuinely envious of the two of them. After all, who wouldn't envy the protagonist?

"Not bad, it's rare that you still remember my birthday," Sasuke said with satisfaction as he accepted the kunai, but he dared not accept the title of genius from Lin Chuan.

Only now did he finally realize the true weight of the word "genius." It wasn't as simple as others said, nor was it just about being the top student in the ninja academy. He finally understood just how much of a genius his brother was.

"Haha, we're friends," Lin Chuan laughed. Since he wanted to maintain a good relationship with the main character, how could he not remember such details, including the birthdays of important supporting characters?

"Friend? You're still the first friend I've ever made. As for the second one, well," Sasuke said, looking at the soundly sleeping Naruto. There was no need to wake Naruto now; the guy was exhausted from training.

Although I hate to admit it, my second friend is Naruto. They trained together, fought together, challenged Lin Chuan time and time again, and fought side by side time and time again. Before they knew it, they became good friends.

Although this friend is a bit silly and sometimes not very bright, he's really brave enough to take risks when things get tough. That's why he doesn't find Naruto annoying. After all, how many friends would be willing to take a hit for you?

Rather than treating Lin Chuan as a friend, he saw him more as a rival, a rival with whom he could make progress.

"It's getting late. Let's finish this fish and head out." Lin Chuan picked up the grilled fish, gazing at the golden-brown, crispy skin and the sizzling, oily flesh. He took a bite and ate it along with the soldier's rations, which would also restore a lot of his chakra.

"Your grilled fish skills are still so good. It tastes so good even with just a sprinkle of salt." Sasuke also picked up a grilled fish. They often trained and picnicked together, and Lin Chuan always cooked for them.

"Haha, this is something you learn through practice," Lin Chuan said, his mouth full of oil. He finished the grilled fish in a few bites, leaving only a fish bone. He then put the fish bone back on the fire to grill, as eating fish bones can also help you get calcium.

"I'm full," Sasuke put down the fish bones, kicked Naruto, and shouted, "Naruto, go home and sleep..."

"Oh? Huh? Going home?" Naruto was still a little confused when he woke up. He hadn't had enough sleep yet, and he didn't expect to have to go home. He could only put on his dried clothes and go home.

"We're leaving now," Sasuke said, leading Naruto towards the light in Konoha. The area with the most light was the city center.

"Goodbye," Lin Chuan said, raising his hand to say goodbye to the two. He picked up a crispy fish bone and chewed on it. Suddenly, a familiar face appeared on the other side of the river and leaped to Lin Chuan's campfire.

"Kawa, long time no see. Your life is still as comfortable as ever," Yakushi Kabuto sat down opposite Lin Chuan, noticing the fish bones they had left over and the two grilled fish by the fire, and chuckled, "Were these two grilled fish for me?"

"No, I was planning to take them back for a late-night snack. Since you want to eat them, I'll give them to you," Lin Chuan said, looking at the two grilled fish, which were too many to eat.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony," Kabuto said without hesitation, picking up the grilled fish and eating it without any fear of it being poisoned. As he ate, he tossed a backpack at Lin Chuan, saying, "The gold you wanted..."

"Here's the intelligence you requested," Lin Chuan said, taking the twenty kilograms of gold. He felt a sudden weight in his hand; it was indeed quite substantial.

The notebook he tossed over contained records of Sasuke's experiences and changes over the past year, as well as the changes in Sasuke's strength and the ninjutsu he used.

"Wow, that's really detailed. You have the potential to be an undercover agent," Kabuto Yakushi said, his lips twitching as he looked at the observation diary that was like a regular diary, recording the dates. Who keeps a diary?

Lin Chuan meticulously recorded everything in his diary, including what Sasuke ate, what ninjutsu Sasuke used during their battle, and even the changes in Sasuke's strength. He was truly meticulous!

Lin Chuan had no interest in Kabuto Yakushi's undercover story; his fingertips were already touching the gold. "As long as you're satisfied, senpai, otherwise I won't feel comfortable taking this reward..."

"Chuan, you're joking. This is a fair trade," Kabuto Yakushi put down his diary and looked at Lin Chuan. He had thought the other party would just brush it off, but since the other party was so serious, he gave up any other thoughts.

"Your gold is fine too," Lin Chuan said, taking out a kunai and making two cuts on the gold brick. He found that it was also gold inside. He would burn it with fire when he got home to confirm its authenticity.

As for counterfeiting gold, this isn't modern times; it's a ninja world with low productivity. Mining gold is much easier than counterfeiting it.

"I'm leaving now. Enjoy your meal, senior. Remember to put out the fire before you go," Lin Chuan said, picking up the gold and bidding farewell to Yakushi Kabuto. He didn't want to stay with Yakushi Kabuto for too long.

"Chuan, remember to keep our business a secret," Kabuto Yakushi said. He didn't know if Lin Chuan would change his mind along the way, but as long as Lin Chuan provided information, their deal could continue.

"No problem," Lin Chuan disappeared into the night, leaving only his voice, which sounded somewhat excited.

"Hehe," Kabuto finished the grilled fish in his hand, used Water Release to spray the fire, and disappeared into the shadows.

……

Back home, Lin Chuan thoroughly verified that the gold was genuine, hid it carefully, washed up briefly, returned to his room, turned on his desk lamp, and took out his notebook.

With three years left until graduation from the Ninja Academy, his ninjutsu and swordsmanship were nearly perfected, and it was time for him to learn the remaining ninjutsu and swordsmanship from Master Maruboshi Kosuke.

The time ahead is still very tight; he needs to complete three years...

Learning the basics of illusion.

C-rank ninjutsu, Summoning Jutsu.

A-rank ninjutsu, Water Release: Water Severing Wave.

A-rank ninjutsu, the Shadow Clone Technique of the Hand Sword.

Then I learned the derivative sword technique of the Crescent Moon Dance, the Secret Sword Moon Shadow.

This is his study plan for the next three years. Naruto and Sasuke have both learned the A-rank ninjutsu Rasengan and the A-rank ninjutsu Lightning Blade, and he also needs to have his own A-rank water-style ninjutsu.

Fortunately, Summoning Jutsu is a C-rank ninjutsu, so I can start by learning Summoning Jutsu. Next is the A-rank Water Release: Water Severing Wave, which matches my chakra attribute, so I should be able to learn it relatively quickly, especially since I have the foundation of Water Release: Heavenly Cry, which is a Water Release ninjutsu that is compressed and launched from the mouth.

Finally, there's the Sword Shadow Clone Technique and the Secret Sword Moon Shadow. I'll consider learning these two if I have time; otherwise, I'll have to learn them during my next time travel.

There's also Kosuke Maruboshi's Konoha-ryu swordsmanship, and Yanagi...

He still needs to learn some basic illusion techniques, which belong to the Yin attribute transformation. He needs to learn Yin attribute transformation before he can master illusion techniques.

Ninjutsu that can be learned with time is not too difficult. Even if it takes time and effort, you should learn the basics. Only when you draw a body with good ninja talent will it be easier to master.

Maruboshi Kosuke's S-rank Konoha-ryu swordsmanship is something he only needs to learn; he doesn't need to master it, or even be proficient in it. Learning it is his real goal.