Naruto: The Chosen Undead

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Chapter 116 One-handed seals

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Kurenai watched Naruto with a warm, amused smile.

His eyes were wide with excitement, his whole posture alive with energy. He had no idea just how difficult the path ahead was, but he was eager. And that, in its own way, was admirable. Still, she had to find a way to teach him without burying him under abstract theory. Something visual, she thought, tapping a finger against her chin. Something tactile. Something that speaks his language.

Her crimson eyes shimmered.

With a snap of her fingers, a shimmering genjutsu enveloped the space around them. Naruto blinked and suddenly, a mannequin stood in front of him. It glowed with faint chakra lines, dots pulsing gently along its form. He recognized it from the Academy; it had been used to teach chakra flow and tenketsu points. "Miss Kurenai! You used genjutsu to help me visualize this, didn't you?"

She smiled. "You're quick to catch on. Yes, I thought this would help. One-handed seals are incredibly difficult, and even I've never mastered them. But I can show you the theory."

"Alright! So… where do we start?"

"Do you know why shinobi use hand signs?"

"Yeah. They help mold chakra into jutsu, right?"

Kurenai nodded. "That's the technical answer. But chakra isn't just energy, it's intention, shaped by will. Hand seals act like a brush and ink, helping the body write its will into the flow of chakra."

She stepped forward and touched a point on the mannequin's chest. It glowed softly, then chakra lines flared outward like ripples on water.

"A jutsu is more than a technique," she said. "It's a pattern—an agreement between mind, body, and spirit. The seals guide that pattern, opening and closing specific chakra pathways like valves, allowing energy to circulate through the body in harmony."

Naruto stared, fascinated. "That's… a lot cooler than how Iruka-sensei explained it."

Kurenai laughed lightly. "He was trying to keep things simple. But since you're ready, I'll show you more."

She raised a hand, and the mannequin's network pulsed again—this time, alternating between the left and right sides of the body. The energy moved like tides, flowing first through the left, then the right.

"In the body, chakra moves like yin and yang... two halves in balance. Yin governs the spiritual, the internal. Yang governs the physical, the external. Like the sun and moon. Breath and heartbeat. In and out."

"So chakra… switches between the two sides of the body?"

Kurenai nodded. "Exactly. That flow, alternating between yin and yang, is what stabilizes a jutsu. The hand seals guide that cycle, allowing the body to channel energy through both sides in balance. That's why most seals require two hands to create the full loop."

She paused, letting that sink in before snapping her fingers again. The genjutsu shimmered. Now, two glowing figures appeared, 0ne standing on each side of a radiant floor etched with symbols. One was Naruto. The other… was also Naruto. They moved in perfect unison, forming hand signs together.

"See?" Kurenai said. "Each hand represents a side of your inner flow. Yin and yang. Left and right. Together, they complete the cycle that allows chakra to take form."

Naruto stared, entranced.

"But one-handed seals," Kurenai continued, "require something different. Instead of balancing yin and yang, you must find a way to let one half embody both. You must harmonize them within a single hand."

Naruto blinked. "So… like combining sun and moon into one? Making the day and night share the same sky?"

She smiled. "Yes. That's a beautiful way to put it."

With another snap, the figures merged into one and began performing seals with just one hand. The flow was slower, but denser. More deliberate. The chakra glowed in steady pulses instead of alternating ripples.

"You're no longer letting yin and yang take turns. You're weaving them into one thread. That takes more than skill—it takes mastery over your own inner nature. You must guide both stillness and motion with a single will."

Naruto's eyes widened with wonder. "How do you even start with that?"

"To learn one-handed seals, you need someone to complete the cycle with you. At first. Like a reflection. The two of you split the chakra pattern, then repeat it together, again and again, until your body memorizes the entire process internally."

The mannequin flickered, replaced now with Kiba and Naruto performing seals back-to-back.

"When that practice becomes second nature… your mind and body will begin to mirror your partner's energy. That's when the true training begins when you must become your own reflection."

Naruto stared at the scene, awed.

"Once you internalize both halves of the flow," Kurenai said, "you'll no longer need a second person. The cycle will exist entirely within you."

"Where do I find someone like that?"

"Well… I may have the perfect partner."

The genjutsu shimmered and fell away like morning mist, revealing Hinata standing quietly behind them.

"The weird girl who always looks away when I talk to her?"

Hinata's breath hitched. He thinks I'm weird…

Kurenai arched a brow. "Naruto, this isn't a genjutsu anymore."

"Oh. Uh… sorry."

"I-It's n-no p-p-problem, N-Naruto-kun."

Naruto scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Okay… well, uh… do you know Shadow Clone Jutsu?"

Kurenai interjected gently. "Let's not jump into the deep end, Naruto. Start simple. How about a transformation jutsu?"

Naruto nodded but then paused, glancing down at his right arm. "Actually, I've got a question. Is there a way to… I dunno, block chakra from going into my right side? I don't wanna accidentally spread my curse or anything. Or… should I just cut it off?"

Kurenai's eyes widened. "No. No, don't do that."

Hinata quickly stepped forward. "I-I can help. The Hyūga Clan specializes in taijutsu that targets chakra points. I… I can seal the flow."

Naruto gave a grin. "Awesome. Go ahead and touch me."

Hinata's whole body locked up. D-Did he just say—?! Still, she gathered her courage, activated her Byakugan, and gently pressed her fingers to his shoulder. She frowned. "Naruto-kun… it's difficult. Like it's resisting me."

Naruto winced. "Must be the armor. Even though I'm not wearing the full set, the resistance is still there."

He pulled off his gambeson to make it easier.

Kurenai gasped.

"What?" Naruto asked. "Is something wrong?"

"No," she said quickly, composing herself. "Just surprised. You've got a well-trained body."

Her voice was calm, but inwardly, she was impressed. That kind of build takes discipline… and pain tolerance. This boy has been through more than he lets on.

Meanwhile, Hinata had promptly fainted the moment her eyes landed on Naruto's shirtless, well-toned physique. Her brain short-circuiting under the weight of teenage hormones and zero preparation.

She lay on the grass, a thin trail of blood running from her nose.

"Uh… Kurenai-sensei?"

"Oh? Now I'm sensei?"

Naruto grinned. "You taught me something. That counts, right?"

Kurenai chuckled. "Fair enough. What is it, Naruto?"

He scratched his head. "How do we keep going? I feel weird training with someone passed out beside me."

"She just… got overwhelmed," Kurenai said dryly, giving Hinata's foot a discreet nudge. Stop fantasizing and get up, you silly girl.

Hinata groaned faintly, still pink-faced on the ground.

"Let's give her a few minutes," Kurenai said.

"Alright," Naruto replied, then shifted, his tone more serious. "Actually, I wanted to ask… Can I see Kakashi-sensei?"

Kurenai's expression softened immediately. She slowed her pace and faced him fully.

"Why?" she asked gently.

"I just… I think I can help him get better. Just one minute. That's all I'm asking."

She placed a hand on his shoulder. "I know you want to help, Naruto. And I know how much Kakashi-sensei means to you. But trust me, right now what he needs most is rest. You'll only disturb his recovery if you rush in."

Naruto's face fell.

"How about this," Kurenai added. "The moment Kakashi shows signs of improvement, I'll let you be the first to see him. I promise."

Naruto hesitated, frowning as he processed her words. He wanted to argue, to say that an estus can heal Kakashi properly—but something in her voice soothed his urgency.

"Fine… but don't get mad if I sneak in with Sakura and Sasuke's help!"

"You can try. But keeping sneaky genin out is part of my job."

Naruto smiled slightly.

Behind them, Hinata stirred like someone waking from a beautiful dream and then immediately wanted to crawl under a rock. Her cheeks burned.

"Hinata," Kurenai said, "I'm sure Naruto is ready to resume."

Naruto held out his hand.

"My name is Naruto Uzumaki, squire of Oscar of Astora."

Hinata blinked, confused, but placed her hand in his. "H-Hinata Hyūga… of the Hyūga Clan."

Kurenai raised a brow at Naruto's odd introduction but said nothing. The moment between them—awkward, innocent, and oddly formal—made her smile. This might be just what Hinata needs.

By dinner time, both Naruto and Hinata looked like they'd been tossed through a bush. Scuffed clothes. Frayed sleeves. Minor burns.

Their training trying to harmonize chakra flows to perform a single jutsu had ended with Hinata suffering most of the consequences. Trying to sync with Naruto's wild, ocean-like chakra was like trying to steady a boat in a storm.

But Hinata didn't mind the bruises.

Dinner was a watery miso broth; light, fragrant, and barely enough to fill half a bowl.

Tazuna's family had clearly done their best, scraping together what they could. But with two teams of shinobi under their roof, it was obvious the food was being stretched thin. No one complained, but the silence at the table felt heavier than usual.

Naruto stirred his soup with his chopsticks, poking at the floating tofu like it might yield some sort of answer.

Tazuna cleared his throat. "Good news," he said, breaking the silence. "I talked to some of the workers. They've agreed to return to the bridge… under one condition."

Kurenai, seated beside him, continued. "They've asked that a shinobi be present at all times to guard them while they work. Starting tomorrow, we'll rotate shifts. Three of us will accompany Tazuna-san, while two will stay here to protect the house."

Her eyes flicked to Naruto, who looked up from his soup mid-poke.

"Use the downtime to keep working on those one-handed seals," she said gently.

Naruto gave a casual nod. "Sure," he said, and then leaned toward Sasuke and Sakura, voice dropping to a whisper. "She's still not letting me see Kakashi."

Sakura sighed, putting her chopsticks down. "Kurenai-sensei, can we visit Kakashi-sensei? Just for a minute?"

Kurenai didn't even look up. "No. I'm his assigned medic, and I won't allow visitors. He needs rest and silence."

She didn't say the truth out loud: the state Kakashi was in might shatter the morale of his team. His injuries were worse than any of them had guessed, and seeing their mentor like that it would do more harm than good.

"Hn," Sasuke said, and the sound made Naruto's ears perk.

It was the signal.

"Hn," Naruto echoed, followed by Sakura with her own very nonchalant, "Hn."

Oscar bopped his head once with an attempted "Hnn," which made Akamaru perk up curiously.

Kurenai narrowed her eyes at the coordinated nonsense and muttered under her breath, "What are they plotting now?"

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Later that night, Sakura quietly shut the door to their room.

"Hinata and Shino are guarding the outside of the house while she left Kiba on guard duty to her own room," she whispered. "And went to check on Kakashi-sensei. I think she's doubling down just to make sure we don't sneak in."

"She really doesn't want us to see him," Naruto said, tossing a pebble across the room for Oscar to chase. The little lizard sprinted after it gleefully, courtesy of Akamaru's bad influence.

"That only confirms it," Sakura murmured. "If Kakashi-sensei's that bad, she thinks this is what's best for us."

"Even more reason," Sasuke said quietly. "He needs an Estus. And we're the only ones who can get it to him."

Naruto sat up. "Alright. Plan B?"

"Yeah," Sasuke nodded. "You fight me with the Zweihander. I'll use a longsword. We make a lot of noise, Kurenai will have to step in."

"Sakura slips past and gets the flask to Kakashi," Naruto finished, pounding a fist onto the floor. Oscar mimicked the gesture, placing a tiny claw on the floor with pride.

Sakura frowned. "Or… we try my plan instead."

Moments later, they approached the room.

Kiba looked up from his crouch near the doorway, arms crossed. "Kurenai-sensei said you're not allowed near Kakashi. And if you try, she will stop you. Violently."

Sasuke stared at him. "Relay this to Kurenai; we don't care."

"Either she lets us in," Sakura added, holding up a roll of high-grade explosive tags, "or we destroy the house."

Kiba's eyes widened. "Whoa, what?!"

Naruto unsheathed the Zweihander with a deep shing, its weight creaking the wooden floor beneath him. Sasuke's kunai crackled with lightning. Oscar hissed from Naruto's shoulder, his glowing eyes daring Kiba to test them.

Akamaru whimpered slightly and took a step back.

"You do realize this is extortion, right?" Kiba said, deadpan. "You're threatening a civilian house."

"Pot calling the kettle black," Naruto said without hesitation.

Kiba sighed deeply, muttering to himself as he turned and banged on the door. "I swear this mission is going to be the reason why mother kicks me out of the house…"

The door opened slowly.

The smell hit them first. The tang of blood, sweat, and something sterile and bitter. Kiba gagged and turned away, covering his nose with his sleeve.

Kurenai stood in the doorway, shadows clinging to her like a second robe. Her eyes were tired, but hard.

"If you're so desperate to see him," she said quietly, "come in." She stepped aside. "But don't say I didn't warn you."

Team 7 stepped into the room then stopped.

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[ Personal Note: First off, thanks a ton to all of you for sticking with this story. Seriously, you guys are awesome. Now, if you're interested in supporting me on P@treon, let me just say that over there, I post these massive 5k-word chapters. But heads up, if you're jumping to P@treon, you'll need to start from Chapter 57, since that's where this chapter lines up with the content there.

To everyone here just reading along, please don't forget to leave a comment! Honestly, your comments make my day, and they let me know you're as invested in this story as I am. So yeah, thanks again, and I hope you have an amazing rest of your day!