Naruto: The Sarutobi Who Can't Spark

Under Haruko's tutelage, Raijin proved to be an exceptional student. He quickly grasped everything that was taught to him. Within just four days, he had learned basic shurikenjutsu, improving both his offensive and defensive capabilities with shuriken and kunai.

Initially, Raijin's practice sessions lasted until 10 AM, but seeing Raijin's potential, Haruko extended them until noon.

By the second day, he had grasped the basics, and by the fourth, he had fully integrated the use of shuriken and kunai into his fighting style.

Haruko did notice one peculiarity; Raijin's unusually high stamina.

Though Haruko held off on teaching taijutsu until she was delighted with Raijin's development in shurikenjutsu, Raijin practiced training his body according to his previous physical regime before sleep. After learning from Haruko that excessive training was not harmful to his body unless it involved external weight, Raijin also made a new personal training plan.

Raijin added punches and kicks to his training in addition to his usual stretching, running, push-ups, squats, planks, and lunges along with strengthening his forearms and shin. This left his hand and leg bloody and in a complete mess. He had to wrap bandages over his limbs. Haruko also noticed his hand wrapped under the bandages but didn't question it to Raijin.

Today was his last and final training from Haruko, and his deal with Haruko has ended. Hoping to extend his deal, Raijin asked, "Will you train me for taijutsu for the rest of the month?"

Haruko was taken aback. "The deal was just for a week, Raijin. Don't think of me as a pushover."

Raijin pointed out, "But you promised to train me in taijutsu. We haven't even started that yet–"

"If you had impressed me," Haruko corrected. Even though Haruko was impressed by Raijin's progress, she kept this to herself, "And sorry to say, Raijin, I am not."

At the end of his training, Haruko gave Raijin some pointers for shurikenjutsu and suggested some scrolls from the clan library to improve further. During this conversation about the clan library, Raijin admitted, "I haven't had a chance to visit the library. I'd rather continuously train." Internally, Raijin reflected on his past life, 'Being buried under books 24/7 in college was quite a burden. Though I miss having computers and internet to surf around.'

"Studying is also essential to be a strong ninja. You should visit the library and study in the coming week. Without knowledge, one cannot be a strong and reliable ninja. Brain and Brawns both are important."

Raijin stayed silent and didn't immediately reply.

Haruko waited for his reply, but when none came, she spoke up instead. "If you want me to train you in taijutsu continually…" She paused and gauged his reaction, "…you must study in the library."

Raijin pretended to be surprised by Haruko's proposal, but he finally agreed, reluctantly.

After he agreed to Haruko's proposal of continuous training, he sent her on her way. Haruko also made arrangements for Raijin with the clan librarian, carefully selecting specific books that would challenge yet not overwhelm Raijin.

…

Raijin didn't hate to learn or study. He just wanted Haruko to decide herself to teach him—to take control of the situation—because if Raijin pushed Haruko onto it, she would straightly deny it.

Raijin's apparent disdain for studying proved to be a successful move. Understanding Haruko's desire for control and authority, he strategically placed the bait of 'hating to study' for her 'proposal' in one of the conversations. This psychological play aligned with Haruko's personality—her need to maintain control and ensure Raijin would never take his training for granted.

Raijin immediately went for his physical training early this noon after having a meal. Since the second day of training with Haruko, he had been using a log as a punching bag. Despite his intensive training schedule, Raijin never neglected his leaf concentration practice. He progressed from maintaining focus for an hour (with fifteen minutes of struggle) to an impressive two hours (though the final twenty minutes remained challenging).

While his chakra reserves showed some growth, with no noticeable change, the purity and concentration of his chakra improved significantly.

The following week, Raijin immersed himself in studying at the library. Although frustrated by not being allowed to take books home, he made the most of his study time inside the clan library.

Satisfied with his dedication, Haruko began her taijutsu training, teaching him whenever she could spare time from her clan duties after a week at Raijin's library camp.

Over the next six months, Raijin became proficient in shurikenjutsu and continued to progress in his physical training.

With 6 months of rigorous training and studying, Haruko was evidently impressed with Raijin. She gave him a few compliments and advice along the way. Haruko even informed the clan elders about the Raijin's improvement. The clan elders didn't pay too much attention to Haruko's antics as she always gets over to the moon after teaching some younger generations.

Raijin, however, improved his physical capability over the past 6 months. His chakra reserves increased to the size of an adult's fist.

Before he struggled with a single pushup, now 155 pushups and a hundred pullups were no longer an impossibility but a regular part of his routine. Hours of running no longer left him gasping for breath.

Haruko's training regime evolved with Raijin's progress. Simple running exercises transformed into stair climbs, simple crunches changed into scooping water upside down hanging in the air from the leg, however, punches remained the same along with kicks.

Haruko wanted to teach him taijutsu which she excelled at but refrained after seeing Raijin's own taijutsu concept. She was surprised but later helped him tailor the art that fit him. One that emphasized speed and precision over raw power. The way he targeted vital points and pressure points spoke of countless hours studying anatomy texts and scrolls. 

He continuously sparred with Haruko's clone for the past 6 months. First Haruko was amused to see Raijin come up with a whole new fighting style. It resembled Hyuga Clan's Gentle Palm but without using chakra points and chakra. Instead, it just targets human vital organs.

Impressed by his understanding of the human body, Haruko reached out to her contacts in the Medical Unit. Soon, Raijin found himself learning from experienced medical professionals, absorbing their knowledge about human anatomy like a sponge in an endless ocean.

Not once did he reject an opportunity to learn, no matter how challenging the subject matter.

When Raijin declared his intention not to enroll in the academy for now, Haruko's expression soured like milk left in the sun. Even her offer to teach him ninjutsu couldn't sway his decision. His stubbornness left a bitter taste in her mouth.

The six months had changed more than just Raijin's capabilities, the relationship between tutor and student had transformed into something neither had expected. Haruko no longer carried herself with the distant authority of a clan elder. Instead, her stern facade would soften, her eyes holding a mixture of pride and affection as she watched him train.

Raijin's initial goal had been achieved; he had a somewhat stronger body than what he had during Nine Tail's attack.

He now understood the extent of his recovering abilities - his body could recover from even the harshest injuries with just a single night's rest. Furthermore, his physical form could now withstand immense strain, regaining its stamina through a small rest.

He understood that to grow stronger, he would need to push himself beyond the limits every single day.

Though Raijin was satisfied with his current physical prowess, his skilled mastery of shurikenjutsu, and his capable taijutsu techniques, he knew this strength was still not enough he needed ninjutsu. This strength was not enough to gain 'absolute power'.

If he hoped to learn the art of ninjutsu as soon as possible, he would first have to achieve true proficiency in chakra control and a substantial chakra within himself.

"To set sail smoothly, one must build the ship through tireless night work."

Reconsidering his original plan to wait until after the academy commenced, Raijin decided he should begin learning ninjutsu immediately. Even a few mastered jutsus would exponentially increase his overall strength and fighting capability. This will grant him a wider array of tactical options as well as some hidden cards.

"The groundwork had been laid, now it was time to start constructing the sturdy palace of absolute power."