Chapter 17: Chapter 16:[Training together ll]
The next morning, as Hinata arrived at their training spot, Naruto greeted her with a confident grin. In his hands were four small sealing tags, each carefully inscribed with intricate patterns.
"These are for you," he said, handing them over.
Hinata examined the tags with wide eyes. "What are they, Naruto-kun?"
"Gravity seals," Naruto explained, attaching one to his own wrist to demonstrate. "They'll increase the weight on your body just enough to make every movement harder. The best part is, they're subtle. No one will notice a thing, and you'll be training all the time, even when you're at the Academy.I use these all the time as well".
Hinata blinked in surprise. "All the time? Won't it make me too slow? People might notice."
Naruto shook his head. "Not with these. I've calibrated them carefully. The effect is evenly distributed, so you'll feel the resistance, but it won't change how you move in public. It'll just make everything harder for you, and that's the point."
Hinata hesitated, her fingers brushing the smooth paper of the seals. "What if I can't handle it?"
Naruto's expression softened, and he stepped closer, meeting her gaze. "You can handle it, Hinata. I've been using these for a while now, and they work. You've been training with me, so I know you're strong enough for this. Just trust me—and yourself."
Encouraged by his confidence, Hinata nodded. "Alright. I trust you, Naruto-kun."
---
Naruto showed her how to apply the seals to her wrists and ankles. The moment they activated, Hinata felt a faint but constant weight pressing down on her. It wasn't overwhelming, but it made even simple movements more challenging.
"How does it feel?" Naruto asked, watching her carefully.
"It's... different," she said, moving her arms experimentally. "But I think I can get used to it."
"That's the idea," Naruto said with a grin. "The seals work best when they're always on. This way, no one will know you're training harder than them. At the Academy, you'll still seem the same, but every step, every move, will be making you stronger."
---
The days turned into weeks, and Hinata gradually adapted to the constant resistance of the seals. They didn't affect her speed or coordination in public, but in private training, the strain pushed her limits, building her strength and endurance.
Naruto sparred with her regularly to test her progress, keeping their sessions focused and efficient.
"You're improving fast," he remarked one afternoon as they clashed. "Your strikes are hitting harder, and your stamina's way better than before. Even with the seals, you're moving like they're not there ".
Hinata smiled, wiping sweat from her brow. "It's all thanks to your guidance, Naruto-kun. Without you, I wouldn't have known where to start."
Naruto shook his head. "Give yourself more credit, Hinata. I just gave you a tool—you're the one putting in the work. Besides, it's important we both stay under the radar. The less anyone knows about how strong we're getting, the better."
Hinata nodded, her expression determined. "I understand. I'll make sure no one suspects anything."
---
At the Academy, Hinata maintained her quiet demeanor, blending into the background as always. Her movements seemed unchanged to her classmates and teachers, but beneath the surface, every step and motion carried the weight of her secret training.
Naruto did the same, keeping up his loud, goofy persona to deflect suspicion. When they crossed paths in class, they exchanged only the briefest of glances, a silent acknowledgment of their shared secret.
"We can't let anyone know what we're doing out here," Naruto reminded her during one of their sessions. "The stronger we get without anyone realizing, the better position we'll be in later. People underestimate what they don't see."
Hinata agreed, her resolve growing stronger with every day of training. The seals were a constant challenge, but they also became a source of confidence. She could feel herself improving, step by step, and she knew that as long as she stayed focused, no one would ever suspect the truth.
Together, they forged ahead, their progress hidden from the world but undeniable in their growing strength and determination.
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Author's notes.
Please give me power stones for extra chapters.