Author's Note: Merry Christmas and a Happy (almost)New Year faithful readers! I wanted to update on Christmas day but I won't be able to use the Internet that day, or Saturday even, so I'm doing it now. I hope you all like this chapter, despite how it's a bit rushed and probably just a little inaccurate as far as technical aspects in the HSDK world go, but I don't thinks it's bad.

Summary: Itachi never expected to wake up again after passing on for the last time, and he knew this wasn't the work of Impure World Resurrection. Follow his struggles as he makes his way into the world of Martial Arts and mastery of Kushinada-style Jiujutsu! Things are about to get interesting…

Disclaimer: I don't own History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi or Naruto. I…don't.

Anyway, Merry Christmas and enjoy the chapter!

~99~

Chapter 2: Succession

Mikumo watched with great satisfaction as her disciple of only a few weeks took down five somewhat skilled opponents in less than thirty seconds. He was using basic, physical Jiujutsu takedown moves that were much too physical for her tastes, but she had instructed him to do that purposefully.

She wanted him to firmly grasp the concepts of generalized Jiujutsu so that he would better see the difference (superiority) in her family style when she began to teach him. She was already preparing his body though, and it wouldn't be long before she deemed him completely ready to learn.

Mikumo had thought he'd been taught Jiujutsu by the old man he had spoken of before, but she soon learned that was not the case. Itachi's style was mixed and relied on flexible, agile movement, predicting his opponent's movements and then acting accordingly. She was however more impressed with Itachi's own ability than the mixed style he was taught.

She had known going in that Itachi was a genius, but she could scarcely believe how mature and intelligent he truly was. He was incredibly articulate, using words and forms of speech that were usually only heard in those much older. And despite his young age, he knew how to read and write perfectly without error, and one only needed to show him something once for him to almost completely grasp the concept and do it himself. On top of that, his ability to watch and imitate was amazing and nearly always spot on.

Furthermore, he was somehow already very skilled at predicting the movements of his opponents. She had noticed early on when pitting fighters against Itachi that his eyes moved rapidly and followed their movements with apparent ease. It was almost as if he saw things slower than everyone else, but Mikumo believed it to be natural talent.

His physical body was another thing that impressed her. His muscles were developed to a surprising extent and his endurance and stamina indicated he'd put himself through some fairly intense training. It also seemed he was naturally inclined to be a fighter, something that interested her greatly. His physical make up showed signs of some great genetics, and she still couldn't determine exactly how that was.

From what she'd been able to find out, Itachi's mother had been nobody important and had died during childbirth due to poor medical treatment. His father was an unknown who seemed to have left his mother at some point during her pregnancy. Mikumo could only guess that the father was probably a martial artist, perhaps even one of the Kuremisago, and his genes had been the key to Itachi's great aptitude for the martial arts.

She wondered if he was still alive, and if he was, whether or not he even knew he had a son in the first place. She was sure if he knew just how much of a prodigy his son was, he'd be back trying to take Itachi with him. It was not to be however. Mikumo wouldn't give up Itachi for anything.

In fact, if she ever had a child, which would probably never happen (if it was still possible at all, even with her young body), she hoped they would be like Itachi. As it was, Itachi was basically her adopted son anyway, having taken her name legitimately. She'd used her resources in the government and gotten him new papers and had erased his old records at the orphanage he'd lived at for eight years. His new name now was Kushinada Itachi.

A fine name indeed, she thought with approval.

~99~

Itachi was somewhat bored playing the part of the ignorant student. Most of what Mikumo was teaching him he already knew. Taijutsu was the equivalent to the "Martial Arts" of this world, or at least for the most part. Taijutsu was the general term for physical/hand to hand combat back in his world and the martial arts were generally the same thing here.

The Uchiha clan had developed a Taijutsu style that relied (obviously) on predicting the enemy's movements and shutting them down with what the user deemed necessary. It was a bit more technical than that, but it was basically that simple. Still, Jujitsu was simply a direct form of physical combat that was used for defeating armed opponents fairly gently—without using debilitating force.

It was more or less a facet of his style in close-combat situations, so her teaching of its fundamentals was unnecessary for the most part. He didn't want to arouse too much suspicion though with his advanced knowledge of fighting arts. He'd already caused a little too much interest in his new teacher and he didn't want to give her any more questions that he may not be able to answer to her satisfaction later on.

The only things that really interested him were Mikumo's intentions, her unique family style she had yet to teach him, and her education on the martial arts world. He was particularly fascinated at hearing of some of the different styles that had been developed throughout the world over time and of the many different masters of those styles that his new teacher had spoken of.

Mikumo was interesting herself in that sense. From the way she spoke of things or others—often patronizingly—as if she were more wise and experienced than her peers, it implied she was older than them. He found it hard to believe, but he'd seen much more odd things (in his past life, of course) than someone who could apparently keep themselves young. She looked to be in her twenties but Itachi suspected she was much older.

Still, it was shocking that someone from this more mundane world could have developed some kind of technique or system that allowed them to maintain their youth. Itachi couldn't help but think of how much Orochimaru would have given to learn her secrets. His path to immortality would have certainly gone a lot more smoothly if he'd known what Kushinada Mikumo did.

He couldn't dwell too much on those thoughts though, not when he had to focus on much more important things—like his new master, for example. His teacher was no doubt someone to be wary of, but Itachi was glad he'd met someone who could teach him adequately in the deeper ways of this world. It wouldn't do if he'd been paired with someone subpar when there were people like Kushinada Mikumo out there. Definitely not.

~99~

Three Months Later

Mikumo watched through narrowed eyes as her disciple threw his opponent to the ground easily without touching him.

She'd underestimated his capacity once again, it seemed.

To have such fine control of his KI when she'd only started teaching him the basics of her style less than two months ago was unheard of. Itachi was like a fish to water when it came to manipulating his opponents' movements using only his KI. It was almost scary, actually.

Could it be fate, she thought with some bemusement, that I've come upon one so completely suited for the Kushinada style?

She'd also seen him practicing to manipulate his own KI to understand it better. She had approved of such experimentation, only expecting it from her brilliantly inquisitive student. She had been unprepared, however, when he had started to use it in conjunction with his more physical style to strengthen his body and increase his resistance to damage.

That was something that one usually only learned when they started their fall into mastery of their martial art. After that point, she had stopped putting limits upon the potential of her disciple. Still, it was a shock for him to so easily learn the basics of her style, something that had been difficult for even her.

Maybe that was the point though. Itachi was truly one of a kind, a martial artist like no other with talent surpassing all of them. He was perhaps one in a million; no, one in a billion, to be honest. His skill would keep improving until only the strongest could pose him any challenge. He could truly bring the martial arts world to new heights.

Mikumo smirked slightly at the thought. And I will guide you to that peak, my disciple…

~99~

Itachi was only now appreciating the usefulness of having someone like Kushinada Mikumo (specifically) teach him her martial art. Her KI manipulation methods were quite helpful in allowing him to understand the mysterious energy better. With his new understanding, his chances of recreating some of the Ninjutsu of his old world were now somewhat more realistic.

He was most interested as to whether or not he could maybe use KI to perform Genjutsu at some point. It was unlikely, seeing as how KI was so difficult to grasp and use on others, but he could definitely give it a shot. It was frustrating how much less moldable KI was than chakra, really. If he could make a figurative comparison, it was like trying to hold and fight with a large, wet bar of soap (KI), as oppose to holding and fighting with a firm and balanced wooden staff (chakra).

It wasn't much of a problem though, at least as far as Itachi was concerned. He had a long time to experiment and refine his control, and a master that was perfectly suited in guiding him towards his goals. With enough practice and hard work, he was sure things would work themselves out.

~99~

"Hmm…" Mikumo hummed as she watched Itachi strengthen his lower body with some exercises she'd designed. "Your body is still too young for the kind of training I need to put you through to enhance your speed. If only you would go through puberty sooner…"

Itachi raised an eyebrow at her as he worked his legs faster in their harnesses. "You say …unnecessary things, Master."

Mikumo's face stayed impassive but on the inside she was quite amused. She'd never thought she would have grown so attached to someone else, not after her mother had died, but Itachi was very much the exception. He was just so much of a bright light in her life that she couldn't help but feel affection for him. She would never admit such a thing to him or anyone else, but she acknowledged it herself, and that was enough.

His progression, and his ideas and theories even, were somewhat unsurprisingly revolutionary, at least in her opinion. She had never felt so much pride in another person than when Itachi had discovered new ways to further refine control of KI. He had tried focusing it to the soles of his feet and walking up a wall, for one.

While it hadn't worked at first, he had gradually but noticeably gotten better at controlling his KI. She still couldn't quite believe that soon after that, he had been able to somewhat stick himself to a vertical surface for almost thirty seconds before slowly sliding down.

At that point, she'd started to do some of the things Itachi did alongside him, knowing his ideas were valid and would contribute to even her considerable abilities and control. She could only hope he would share his ideas as freely as he was now with her when he got older and reached his true potential. It was something she dearly hoped to see.

~99~

"I have learned to focus and mold my inner energy better through the use of the Kuji-in hand-seals of Taoist and Buddhist practices," a twelve year old Itachi explained to Mikumo patiently.

Mikumo raised her eyebrows, wondering where he'd even learned of them. "How do you know of Kuji-in? I don't recall teaching you that."

Itachi nodded, his face giving nothing away. "The library on martial arts you took me to in southern Japan had some documents on the uses of Kuji-in. It was described that Shinobi and some other warriors of the past would use Kuji-in to focus their minds and bodies to better utilize their skills. I thought that perhaps this concept would apply to the control and shaping of KI as well."

Of course, Itachi was lying that he'd gotten the idea from a book. While it was true that he had found a book (with some surprise on his part) explaining the use of Kuji-in hand-signs, he had thought of using them long before he'd found the book. He'd even tried the Grand Fireball technique during his later years at the orphanage, hand-seals and all.

It hadn't worked simply because he could never grasp and control his KI well enough, but with Mikumo's guidance in KI manipulation and his own attempts to better utilize it with common chakra control exercises from his old world, he believed he could recreate at least the Grand Fireball, or something like it if nothing else.

Mikumo nodded in understanding. "That is quite interesting. Do you truly think it will be useful though? Would it not be better to learn to focus your KI without using Kuji-in practices as a shortcut?"

Itachi didn't want to share that with the use of "Kuji-in," or basically the equivalent to the ninja hand-seals of his old world, he would possibly be able to perform seemingly impossible feats (for this world) in the form of Ninjutsu, or something similar. There were other uses for it anyway.

"Think of them like…training wheels on a bicycle," Itachi said after some thought. "With the proper use of Kuji-in, I will likely be able to reach your level of control in half the time it would take were I not to use them and keep on with your methods. The hand-seals are not a crutch, but they will help me become accustom to more advanced manipulation much faster."

Mikumo's eyes widened marginally in surprise, not having expected her student to have apparently found a significantly faster way around the continuous and difficult training (and long hours of constant meditation) required to use the more advanced techniques of the Kushinada style. Well, it actually wasn't that surprising looking back. This was Itachi, after all.

"Alright, I will allow it," Mikumo said finally. "I know that there are martial arts that use Kuji-in to stimulate stronger movement of KI and heighten their abilities as a result, but I hadn't thought it could be used for any more than that."

Itachi nodded. "I believe they can be used for much more."

Mikumo smirked slightly in response. "Mm, I suppose…

~99~

Itachi placed his white stone at intersection 5-13, carefully avoiding Mikumo's strategic trap in black's territory. He didn't like playing white, but he supposed it was good to be challenged. Playing white against someone of Mikumo's skill, however, was very difficult. Go was one of her favorite strategic games and Itachi had only started learning a few years ago.

At least now he had the ability to bring her to the endgame. Up until about a year ago he'd always had to resign prematurely because of major loss in battles of territory.

His eyes widened in surprise though when he noticed the true nature of Mikumo's trap as she placed a stone in the middle of one of his lesser formations. And just like that, he lost another eight points.

Itachi sighed in resignation, thinking perhaps he shouldn't have even thought he was catching up to her. "I have nothing," he said, slightly bowing his head to her.

Mikumo's impassive face broke into a small smile, her eyes proud. "It will keep you humble, my disciple."

Itachi smiled in response at her quip. Through time and things like this, they'd grown fairly close. It was probably as much a surprise to her as it was to him at how relaxed they both acted around each other now. Their relationship was odd, but Itachi saw Mikumo as a friend and mentor, and she more than likely thought of him as a prized student and source of great pride.

"Let us rest," Mikumo said after an easy silence. "We've done enough for today. Tomorrow will mark the beginning of the second stage of your body's strength training. It is crucial that you have enough energy to complete it."

~99~

Itachi panted after finally finishing the seventy-eighth set of sprints he'd been made to run. The new hellish training Mikumo was putting him through was supposed to rapidly increase his speed and strength. While he could already see results, even he was starting to really feel the strain of her methods.

Mikumo stood not far off, looking at him without emotion. "This training is important," she had said. "As your body grows, so too will the many muscle fibers you continuously tear and regenerate. The training now is for the purpose of reaching your body's full potential when it has finished growing."

This kind of physical training was more intense than most anything he'd been through in his previous world. He knew that the powerful fighters here would have a means to compensate for their lack of chakra, but he'd always thought it was through mastery of KI, not incredibly stressful (physically speaking) conditioning of the body.

It was ironic too. The Kushinada Jiujutsu style boasted one hundred percent skill, zero percent power, and yet the training he was going through was making his body quite powerful. Of course, there was an emphasis on increasing his speed so that he could use some of the more "illusory" techniques of the Kushinada style, but it was annoying to have to do this kind of training so often.

It took Itachi about an hour to finish before he moved on to the training machine Mikumo had designed as a part of the upper-body portion of his training. He strapped the harness connecting to the machine around his abdomen and locked his hands tightly around the two rope-like extensions hanging at each side of the machine. They connected back to the machine, pulling up heavy weights as he rhythmically punched the wall in front of him.

As he continuously punched the wall, his mind filled with the idea of how powerful a true master of this world would be if only they could use chakra.

It was a fearsome thought.

~99~

Itachi sighed, looking around the parking lot dispassionately. Unconscious bodies littered the pavement, their weapons sprawled haphazardly around them. They had been his targets after Mikumo had directed him here after hearing from her "people" that there would be a smuggled shipment of illegal drugs near the docks of the city he'd been staying in.

Going on these "missions" served the purpose of giving him some real life experience. While he appreciated the thought, he was no stranger to near-death experiences (in fact, he was no stranger to actual death!) and he didn't really need to condition himself for situations like this.

Mikumo however thought otherwise. She thought he needed some experience against numerous actual opponents intending solely to kill him as quickly as possible. She had enough confidence in him though and had decided to let him fight on his own without her there to help, guide or protect him.

It was fine with Itachi though. He was actually glad to get away from Mikumo for awhile, mostly because of her hellish physical training, but also because of what she'd been implying as of late.

Mikumo was starting to really try to get him to kill an opponent in a serious battle. In fact, Itachi suspected these little outings she'd been putting him in were also for that purpose. While the subject of killing an opponent in a fight wasn't new, Itachi had never been overtly asked by Mikumo to kill his opponents during a fight.

It was surely a frustrating thing for Mikumo, who had been trying to put him in situations where killing the enemy was the only choice. She'd tried pitting him against opponents that she thought were more skilled than Itachi so that he would have no choice but to use a devastating technique to win, or something similar at any rate. Itachi, however, would always manage to defeat his foes through some other means, usually with psychological tactics or superior maneuverability and use of the environment/area around them.

Jiujutsu in general though was a martial art used for the purpose of defeating the enemy without killing them, or even harming them too severely. Kushinada Jiujutsu may have been a lot different from general Jiujutsu, but it still held the same principles for the most part. This served as a bit of a deterrent to Mikumo's beliefs and he only impressed her further by not having to kill his opponents when forced into a difficult situation, but the subject was never really dropped.

Itachi was very familiar with killing, though Mikumo would never know. In his original life, he'd killed many for the simple purpose of protecting his village. He'd even killed most of his entire family to prevent a potential war from springing up. It had been a pretty misguided and rushed decision, he admitted, but it had been for the safety and livelihood of everyone else, especially his younger brother.

He never killed simply for the pleasure of it, or for some outdated belief in maintaining a certain way of life. He only killed when absolutely necessary and even then it was usually to protect others or sustain some higher goal. In this world where it was relatively peaceful, there was no reason for needless death, martial arts be damned.

He only hoped Mikumo wouldn't do anything too drastic to pass on her ideals to him.

~99~

Itachi knocked the last enemy out with a quick but powerful throw to the ground, not physically of course, and then surveyed the area for the smuggled weapons shipments he'd been sent to put a stop to. He sighed when he couldn't spot any crates or boxes in the three vans his enemies had brought for transportation. He resigned to waking up and interrogating one of the thugs when he felt a subtle change in the air around him.

His eyes widened slightly before he immediately moved to the side with extreme speed, cleanly missing the blade that entered the area his head had been in just previously. Itachi then quickly gained some distance between him and his new apparent opponent.

"That's some serious speed," the man who had attacked him remarked as he pulled an oddly shaped sword back. "The rumors were true then. A skilled martial artist was behind all those recent failed shipments."

The man standing opposite him was dark skinned and clearly of Asian descent. He had brown hair that matched his eyes braided and held at the back of his neck in a small tress. His clothing was simple, consisting of only a long sleeved, black, tight-collared shirt with matching black pants and black, unremarkable shoes. His vast muscular build was easily notable even through his clothing though and his KI pressure was quite large. The two curved swords in each of his hands only added to his intimidating appearance.

Itachi narrowed his eyes and quickly prepared for a difficult fight. This would be his first time seriously fighting someone of this caliber. He had only ever sparred with Mikumo and she was simply too fast and experienced for him to pose much of a challenge to her. He hadn't ever fought against another master, despite some of the chances he'd had, and this man was clearly at that level.

"I'm surprised an unarmed teenager could've stopped all those operations so easily," the man remarked, readying himself for battle as he cracked his neck and shook his arms out slightly. "But I guess those idiots weren't too strong anyway. I am impressed that you took them all out without killing them though, even though they all had their guns; that takes some skill."

Itachi shrugged casually, as if unconcerned. Internally though he was ready for anything and his focus was completely on his new opponent and their surroundings. He had been waiting for a challenge like this ever since he had discovered the potential of the true martial artists of this world and it was finally here. This fight would mark his progress in his new life, and Itachi hoped his hard work would pay off.

He truly did hope so, because if he couldn't defeat this new fighter, his short time in this world would come to a bloody end.

And then, abruptly, the fight began.

~99~

—And Chapter 2 is finished!

—I know I may have distorted Mikumo's personality a bit, but I wanted for her to seem less of "bad guy" in my story. Some things I may have messed up or didn't place in as accurately as I could—mostly in relation to the HSDK world—so I hope you guys won't be upset about anything I screwed up with, but I did my best, so meh.

—Feedback people! Give it!