Hokage, no one knows better than me how to cultivate talent.

Main Quest: The Path to Cultivating High-Quality Talent Uchiha Sasuke

[Mission Requirement: In the end-of-May exams, get Uchiha Sasuke back to first place in his grade.]

[Task Rewards: Awarded based on a comprehensive evaluation of task completion]

When Qiu Shui saw the pop-up task, she felt that it wasn't particularly difficult.

Although Naruto has now mastered Shadow Clone Jutsu and Wind Release: Gale Palm, most genin are no match for him, and even a few chunin might suffer a loss if they don't know the details.

However, Sasuke lost last time because he underestimated Naruto and didn't take him seriously. In addition, he didn't have a way to effectively counter Naruto's multiple shadow clones and Wind Release: Gale Palm. Although his one-tomoe Sharingan provided a significant improvement in dynamic vision, it was still not enough to distinguish the shadow clones with evenly distributed chakra.

However, if Sasuke mastered a powerful ninjutsu that could track Naruto, and if he remained vigilant towards Naruto at the start of the match, he would have a very good chance of winning.

The main reason Sasuke didn't get first place last time was that he ran into Naruto in the first round of the actual combat competition and was unexpectedly defeated, so he didn't even have a chance to compete for the ranking later.

Although Naruto's theoretical grades have improved considerably with his tutoring during this period, his foundation is still too weak, and he is currently still hovering at a mid-to-low level.

Although Sasuke's IQ is only ten points higher than Naruto's, his theoretical knowledge is far superior to Naruto's, and his average test score is consistently around 80 points.

In order to ensure the smooth completion of this task, Qiu Shui decided to secretly manipulate the draw for the monthly practical exam.

Even if Sasuke loses to Naruto again in the practical exam at the end of the month, but not in the first round, but in the final round to compete for the top spot in the class, he will still get first place in the overall score.

Qiu Shui could only sigh and say that he was truly a genius.

His face darkened, and he looked at Sasuke with a serious expression: "My training methods are not something ordinary people can endure; they are extremely arduous. Do you have the determination to persevere?"

Sasuke raised his head, his face serious and determined, and said, "Don't worry, Master Shusui, I'm willing to endure any hardship as long as it makes me stronger."

Qiu Shui nodded in satisfaction.

Very good, another talented person who isn't afraid of hardship.

"Okay, then you can train with me from now on."

After Qiu Shui finished speaking, he turned around and continued walking towards the training ground.

Sasuke paused for a moment, then quickly followed.

Naruto looked at Sasuke next to Shusui with a hint of confusion on his face, then immediately jogged over and said, "Sasuke, what brings you here?"

Sasuke Uchiha merely glanced at him without saying a word.

Although Naruto beat him in the monthly exam, Sasuke still didn't have a good impression of him. He felt that Naruto was just lucky and that once he received special training from Shusui-sensei, he would get his revenge sooner or later.

Seeing this, Qiushui explained, "From today onwards, Sasuke will train with you all."

Hinata then stepped forward and greeted him softly, "Sasuke-kun."

Although Sasuke Uchiha didn't have a deep impression of Hinata, she was still more pleasing to the eye than Naruto, so he gave a curt reply.

Naruto watched from the sidelines, feeling rather annoyed. How dare his defeated opponent ignore him?

However, after studying and practicing with Teacher Qiushui during this period, he has become much more composed. He no longer gets carried away as he used to be, and he doesn't shout "Let's have a one-on-one fight!" all the time.

Qiushui clapped his hands, drawing the attention of the three, and said, "Naruto, Hinata, you have mastered the tree-climbing training from last month. From now on, you will practice walking on water. The principle is the same as climbing trees, which is to concentrate chakra under your feet. However, the difference is that trees are stationary, while water is flowing. This requires more precise control of chakra and is more difficult."

"Don't worry, Master Shusui, this is no problem for me." Naruto patted his chest, his tone tinged with pride. Things had been going smoothly for him lately, and he was getting a little cocky. With Sasuke, someone he'd never gotten along with, around, he was even more eager to show off his skills.

As soon as he finished speaking, he gathered his chakra in his feet as if climbing a tree and rushed towards the river in front of him. He only stopped for three seconds after his feet touched the water.

"Gurgle."

He fell straight into the river and swallowed several mouthfuls of water.

Naruto quickly paddled back to shore, soaking wet and looking like a drowned rat. Facing the gazes of the three from Qiushui, he scratched his head awkwardly.

"Don't rush, the method is the same as when you train to climb trees, but you need to carefully feel the flow of water," Qiushui said gently, then turned to Hinata, "Hinata, you and Naruto should practice treading water together."

"Okay, Akisui-sensei." Hinata nodded, her movements much more cautious than Naruto's.

She first slowly gathered chakra in the soles of her feet, then tentatively stepped onto the water with one foot. After feeling the sensation of stepping on solid ground, she stepped out with her other foot. Although her body swayed a little, she still stood steadily on the water. After taking about ten steps, she slipped and fell into the water with a gurgle, just like Naruto.

"Hinata, you did well. Keep practicing like you were just now," Shusui praised.

Hinata was a little embarrassed by the praise, her cheeks flushed slightly, but as soon as her left foot touched the water, she lost her footing and fell back in.

Naruto learned from his earlier experience and gently stepped on the water to practice treading water.

"Master Shusui, what about me?" Sasuke Uchiha couldn't help but ask when he saw that the two of them had already started training.

"Treading water is still a bit difficult for you. You should practice climbing trees first."

A hint of disappointment flashed in Sasuke's eyes. He had come here to learn some powerful ninjutsu, not to climb trees. However, since he had just arrived and his relationship with Shusui was still just so-so, he didn't say anything.

Qiu Shui saw through the thought hidden on his face and said calmly, "Do you think climbing trees is pointless and a waste of time?"

Sasuke was an honest child who rarely lied and disdained to lie, so he said, "Hmm."

"Come on, show me a ninjutsu technique," Qiushui said.

Without asking any further questions, Uchiha Sasuke took a deep breath, quickly formed hand seals, and gathered a large amount of chakra in his body to his throat. He suddenly opened his mouth, and a red fireball about four or five meters in diameter roared out, landing on the open ground in front of him and exploding in a scorched area.

"Look at mine."

Once he had regained his footing, Qiushui also took a step forward. He didn't deliberately strike a pose; he simply gathered a large amount of chakra in his throat, making the movement seem very casual.