I Punch the Tailed Beast Ball

Chapter 457: Procedures Still Must Be Followed

"Ahem, since it’s the first day, let’s do self-introductions before training. Say your name, what you like and dislike, and maybe what your dream is," said Nagasawa, addressing Naruto and Sasuke standing before him.

Even though he knew the two were already acquainted, he still wanted to go through the proper routine, otherwise, it felt like something was missing.

The three of them were currently at Training Ground 18 in Konohagakure, where Nagasawa planned to begin their foundational training.

Naruto and Sasuke glanced at each other before Naruto stepped forward first.

"My name is Naruto Namikaze. I hate green peppers. I like listening to Uncle Nagasawa tell stories. My dream is to become a great ninja like Uncle Nagasawa and my dad!"

After Naruto spoke, Sasuke followed quickly,

"My name is Sasuke Uchiha. I hate sweet things. I like being with my brother. My dream is to become someone my brother and father can be proud of."

Hearing Sasuke’s answer, Nagasawa’s expression turned serious.

Sasuke, seeing the usually smiling Nagasawa suddenly turn stern, thought he was about to give a deep lesson, but what came next left him speechless.

"You don’t like sweet things? Sasuke, let me tell you, sugar is an essential element of the human body. It brings joy and satisfaction..."

Nagasawa earnestly explained the importance of desserts and the greatness of sugar.

Watching the normally dignified Nagasawa seriously talk about sweets, Sasuke began questioning reality.

To avoid acting disrespectfully toward Nagasawa, Sasuke had been lectured just the day before by Fugaku, who seriously explained Nagasawa’s status in Konoha, his importance, and the great contributions he made to the village.

Coming from his usually stern and reliable father, Sasuke didn’t doubt it. In fact, he felt ashamed of speaking badly behind Nagasawa’s back.

According to Fugaku, Nagasawa was the savior of the new Konoha, the key figure who turned the tide after the Third Shinobi World War, a man who contributed not only to Konoha’s revival but also to peace throughout the ninja world, and someone who had helped the Uchiha clan greatly.

How could Sasuke, knowing this, have badmouthed such a figure behind his back?

Besides, Nagasawa was Itachi’s teacher, someone even his genius brother respected deeply. To Sasuke, that was all the validation he needed.

Yet, here was this man who played such a critical role in world peace... now seriously lecturing him on the value of sugar.

"Father wouldn’t lie to me... right?" Sasuke wavered internally.

Unlike the confused Sasuke, Naruto was listening with great interest to Nagasawa’s sugar philosophy.

Of course, Nagasawa didn’t intend to spend the whole day on sweets. Once he felt it was enough, he transitioned.

"My name is Nagazawa Fujiwara. You can call me Teacher Nagasawa. Or Uncle Nagasawa, if you prefer. What I like and dislike is a secret. As for my dreams, grown-ups’ dreams aren’t something kids need to worry about."

Sasuke was stunned. "That’s it? That’s just your name..."

"Hehe, I know what Uncle Nagasawa likes, you like sweets!" Naruto laughed loudly.

"Well, favorite food counts too," Nagasawa didn’t deny his sweet tooth. It wasn’t like liking sweets was some shameful hobby.

Compared to the creepy obsessions of certain ’alchemists’, his hobbies were harmless, he wasn’t exactly headed for prison.

"Ahem, that’s it for introductions. Now let’s start the actual training," Nagasawa cleared his throat, interrupting Naruto before he could go off-topic again.

Since the two were only three years old, Nagasawa wasn’t heartless enough to have them train all day.

For now, they would train for four hours daily, two in the morning, two in the afternoon.

And it wouldn’t be all physical training. Early on, they would focus mostly on theoretical knowledge, building a solid foundation.

"You know about chakra, right?" Nagasawa asked.

"Yeah! It’s the energy ninjas use," Naruto quickly replied. Coming from a ninja family, he had at least heard of it.

"Of course. Ninjas use chakra to perform jutsu," Sasuke added. He had once begged Itachi to show him ninjutsu, and Itachi had demonstrated a Fire Style, Great Fireball Technique and explained chakra briefly.

Nagasawa nodded. "Then do you know how chakra is refined, or what it’s made of?"

The two boys shook their heads. They hadn’t started formal ninja education yet.

"Chakra is formed by combining physical energy from every cell in the body with spiritual energy. By refining the energy from your cells and mixing it with mental energy, you produce chakra."

"Of course, don’t try to refine chakra on your own yet. Many generations of ninja have already created safe, stable methods of chakra refinement."

"Cellular energy... spiritual energy?" Both boys looked bewildered.

Not surprising, this was complicated stuff for three-year-olds.

Nagasawa didn’t bother explaining what cells or spiritual power were. He just gave a basic overview and had already prepared reference materials for them to take home.

"Chakra is a ninja’s foundation. While it’s not everything in a battle, having a lot of it is a real advantage," Nagasawa continued.

"And chakra comes in different forms. There’s regular chakra, but also special types, like Tailed Beast Chakra or Senjutsu Chakra. I’ll explain those in detail another time."

He quickly wrapped up the chakra explanation. Since both their parents were powerful ninjas, they could help explain the basics at home.

"If you have questions about chakra, ask your parents. Now, listen carefully, what I’m about to teach you next is truly important," Nagasawa said seriously.

Though his templates came from other worlds, Nagasawa had unified them into a cohesive system.

The core of this system was the Breathing Technique.

The version of the Breathing Technique Nagasawa now practiced was vastly different from the original. He had incorporated knowledge from other worlds to create one perfectly tailored to himself.

Even the Special Ops Squad learned a modified version, easier for the average ninja to master.

Nagasawa’s own breathing style was unique and non-transferable, developed through template fusion, like Yoriichi Tsugikuni’s Sun Breathing from Demon Slayer, which no one else could master. That’s why Yoriichi created the five other Breathing Styles for the Demon Slayer Corps.

In the context of the Naruto world, chakra became the foundation of the breathing techniques.

Without abundant chakra, the breathing methods couldn’t unleash their true power or sustain prolonged battles.

Though not as strong as Nagasawa’s own version, the system he created had potential to reach Six Paths level, if talent allowed it.

Nagasawa had already planned to teach Naruto and Sasuke the Breathing Technique. He had previously split and simplified Sun Breathing, giving part of it to Naruto.

He hadn’t given it to Sasuke yet, because it was too valuable and his relationship with the Uchiha wasn’t as close as with Minato’s family. Giving something so rare to a two-year-old Uchiha seemed inappropriate.

Still, because training was starting earlier than expected, Sasuke hadn’t fallen far behind.

"I’m going to teach you something called the Breathing Technique. It’s a forbidden art I developed myself, one of my proudest achievements," Nagasawa declared.

"Breathing Technique?" Sasuke was puzzled. What could be special about breathing?

Having practiced it already, Naruto asked, "Is it that Sun Breathing you gave me before, Uncle Nagasawa?"

"That’s right. The Breathing Technique you’ll learn is the progenitor of all Breathing Styles, Sun Breathing."

Sasuke looked at Naruto curiously, then asked what it was. Upon learning that Naruto had already been training, Sasuke felt slightly cheated.

Even though Naruto had a head start, Nagasawa had both of them start from scratch together.

First, because this time he would guide them directly, correcting mistakes. Second, it would avoid making Sasuke feel left out.

They were still kids, you couldn’t expect too much maturity. Their bodies were still developing.

Step by step, Nagasawa guided them.

Because Naruto had practiced before, he was smoother, able to breathe steadily while moving.

Sasuke, on the other hand, struggled. His rhythm was off, and he kept making mistakes.

Whether from exertion or embarrassment, his face turned red, beads of sweat forming on his cheeks.

Nagasawa told Sasuke to take a break and pay close attention while he demonstrated.

Sasuke glanced at Naruto training diligently, eyes filled with frustration, but he ultimately listened and rested.

"I’ll train even harder at home. I won’t let that idiot Naruto leave me behind," Sasuke vowed silently.

He had a strong competitive spirit, especially when it came to Naruto. He couldn’t accept being weaker.

Because they were still young, Nagasawa made sure to avoid overworking them, allowing plenty of breaks.

Soon, two hours had passed.

Nagasawa placed the chakra study materials and Sun Breathing manuals into sealed scrolls and handed them over.

"These scrolls are for you. Do what you want with the general material, but the Sun Breathing scrolls are strictly confidential. Don’t let anyone else read them, not even close friends or family."

While unlikely that anyone could master Sun Breathing just from reading, you never know. Better safe than sorry.

Even if the chances were one in a billion, Nagasawa remained cautious.

Both boys nodded and thanked him, promising to keep the scrolls private and train diligently.

Seeing that Sasuke was tired, Nagasawa created a Shadow Clone to escort him home.

Watching the clone disappear into the distance, Nagasawa stroked his chin.

"I wonder if Sasuke will succeed in mastering Sun Breathing..."

He wasn’t sure. Though Sasuke and Naruto had similar talent, Breathing Techniques depended on compatibility.

The sunny, passionate Naruto fit Sun Breathing perfectly, but Sasuke might not.

Even Naruto and Itachi hadn’t truly mastered Sun Breathing yet. They had only scratched the surface.

It remained to be seen whether they could grasp the core. If not, they might have to evolve the style into something else or supplement it with a secondary breathing style.

Each path had its pros and cons,

Creating a new style based on Sun Breathing was extremely difficult but highly personalized, with the highest ceiling.

Dual-training with another style offered stability and solid results, but had a lower cap.

Still, Nagasawa figured most would try the first option.

Everyone mocks gamblers, yet everyone gambles.

Those capable of learning even the basics of Sun Breathing were bound to be ambitious.