Several months had passed since Hiro had begun actively training with his summons, refining their abilities while also learning more about his own chakra siphon ability. Through continued practice, Hiro had developed a better sense of how to incorporate Chūta and Yamiha into combat scenarios, finding ways to maximize their strengths while bancing his own stamina.

  One of the biggest challenges Hiro faced was his inability to accurately measure his own chakra levels. Unlike other shinobi, who could sense their reserves with experience, Hiro had no clear indicator of his limits. Exhaustion would hit him all at once, rather than gradually building up as a warning. Through trial and error, however, he and Kaya discovered a simple but effective method to track his chakra usage: if his summons could no longer perform their techniques, it meant his chakra siphon had deactivated to prevent him from overexerting himself.

  To build on this discovery, Hiro adjusted his training regimen. Each weekend, he dedicated one morning exclusively to each summon, allowing them to use as much chakra as they could until their abilities ceased functioning. This not only helped him track his chakra reserves, but also pushed his summons to refine their techniques and endurance.

  For Chūta, training was straightforward but intense. His primary drill focused on airborne endurance, using controlled wind bursts to stay in the air as long as possible. At first, his flight time was limited, but with Hiro’s chakra siphon passively feeding into him, Chūta’s stamina gradually improved. Over time, he was able to stay aloft longer and longer, maneuvering with greater control.

  Once he built up enough endurance, Hiro introduced a control-based challenge—Chūta now had to remain as still as possible in midair, stabilizing his position rather than just staying aloft. This required finer adjustments in his wind bursts, developing his ability to hover precisely and maintain bance even in turbulent conditions.

  Though these training sessions drained Hiro’s chakra significantly, he refused to let that stop his own growth. After his chakra reserves were depleted, he shifted focus to physical training, working on his weapon techniques and endurance while his body was pushed to its limits. Kaya, ever observant, noted his determination and offered him an amusing piece of advice.

  She chuckled as she recalled something she’d heard from a genin—a taijutsu specialist who swore that training while completely exhausted enhanced gains exponentially. Kaya even giggled as she mentioned that the man and his green jumpsuit were legendary in Konoha.

  Chūta, meanwhile, had taken to his new training routine with enthusiasm—and not just because Hiro had started offering him greater sunflower seed rewards for his progress. He seemed to take pride in his improvement, pushing himself further each week.

  Through structured training and careful monitoring, Hiro and Chūta had both grown stronger, their progress setting the stage for even greater challenges to come.