Diary of a Wimpy Ninja
By - AhriRose
Disclaimer: I do not own anything you recognize.
Naruto & Naruto Shippuden © Masashi Kishimoto
Notes: Thank you to everyone that has fav'd and followed!
. . .
Before I knew it the day was upon me; my first day at the academy.
My heart sank, my palms were sweaty, I was nearly hyperventilating, but I smiled despite the insecurities and fears running through my mind.
What if I'm separated from Shino and Kiba? What if I don't make any friends? What if no one likes me… or worse, if they make fun of me? What if I miss the target? Or trip and fall on my face? Or -
"You look like you have rabies."
Leave it to Kiba to interrupt my frantic thoughts. I blinked my eyes, relaxed my face, exhaled slowing, and flexed my fingers.
Turning to Shino, who was sitting on the other side of me, I smiled tentatively.
He gave me an nod of approval, before turning to stare at the front of the room. We were currently seated on the floor for the entrance ceremony, something they do every year for the first comers.
My mom was somewhere in the back of the room, standing with all the other parents that were able to see their children off.
I knew Kiba's mom and Shino's dad were here as well. They lucked out on not being away on missions, my dad hadn't been so lucky.
"Good morning future ninja of the hidden leaf!" The Hokage smiled down at us all. It was a surreal feeling, being in the presence of our leader. He looked so much like a kindly grandfather, yet he was the most powerful person in the village.
"Today you embark on your first step into becoming a shinobi," he looked over us, likely at our parents, "it will not be an easy road, nor will it be kind."
"But if you are willing to give it everything you have, you will find yourself a stronger person. A person worthy of wearing the symbol of our beloved village." He stepped down, leaving a man with vibrant blue hair, wearing a chuunin vest, walked up to the podium.
"I will be reading off your names and which sensei you'll have during your time at the academy, so listen up!"
"Aburame Shino, Akemi Izu…"
Finally he got to the I's, and I straightened up with my fingers crossed behind my back, "Ichiza Nobu, Ikeda Shiori, Inuzuka Kiba…"
Kiba and I shared a grin and a high five, earning us stares, but I didn't care. I was in a class with my two best friends! I turned to Shino and gave him a thumbs up, to which he simply nodded. I liked to think he was smiling underneath the collar of his jacket.
"…Uchiha Sasuke, and Uzumaki Naruto. You will all be in classroom 3-B with Iruka-sensei. Please follow him there now."
Those who were called stood and most turned to wave goodbye to their parents. I gave my mom the largest grin I've ever mustered, along with a wave to Kiba's mom and Shino's dad.
Iruka-sensei looked quite young, though his vest showed that he was indeed a chuunin. His brown hair was pulled into a high ponytail, and he had an interesting scar across his nose.
He seemed a bit nervous, which led me to believe we must've been his first class ever. When we entered the classroom it was slightly chaotic, with kids scrambling to find a seat near their friends.
Kiba immediately picked the end spot on a row in the dead middle of the desks. I followed and sat in the middle, Shino sat on the other end. I sighed and looked around, watching my fellow classmates.
A couple interesting ones stood out. A girl with pink hair was seated near a window, head down, buried in a book.
There was a deep navy haired girl with a massive blush across her cheeks staring at a familiar blonde boy seated in the row in front of her. My heart sank at the thought of him.
Then there were a few other familiar faces. Shikamaru and Choji were seated at the very back of the room, off to the left. Both sleeping and eating respectively. Mio and Mayu were seated together beside a dark haired boy. Ino was off to side, chatting animatedly with some other girls. Hiro was in the very first row, being as chatty as ever.
Once we had all settled Iruka-sensei quieted everyone down, "Now today is your first day so we will be taking it a little easy. We'll be reading over the importance and basics of chakra. Then we'll be going outside for a few laps. After lunch I'll be assigning reading materials," Queue the unanimous groans, "I'll be conducting a quiz at the end of the week so I suggest you pay attention."
"WHEN ARE WE GOING TO BE LEARNING COOL JUTSUS?!"
I nearly jumped out of my seat when the blonde boy stood up and shouted at the teacher.
Iruka-sensei's head suddenly enlarged, causing me, and several others, to shrink into our seats, "YOU NEED TO RAISE YOUR HAND AND LOWER YOUR VOICE!"
Suddenly his head became normal-sized again, "What's your name?"
"UZUMAKI NARUTO AND YOU BETTER REMEMBER IT BECAUSE I'M GOING TO BE HOKAGE!" I allowed my face to fall into my hand, how stupid is this kid?
"Naruto…" Iruka-sensei's eyes seemed to glaze over, "I won't be teaching you any 'cool' jutsu until you've managed to learn the basics. You need to memorize your hand signs, control your chakra… None of that's going to happen until at least year four."
Naruto looked crestfallen, as did a few other students.
I rolled my eyes, did they honestly think we'd learn a jutsu on the first day?
My dad had explained how Konoha's school system worked. You mainly focused on your book smarts and fitness in your first year, second year they began taijutsu and chakra control (along with kunoichi classes for the girls), then added kunai throwing in your third year (with blunt kunai), fourth year you finally began ninjutsu, fifth year blunted weapons were tossed to the side, and sixth year was usually when the average ninja graduated to genin.
Dad said he graduated in his fourth year, because he had already learned the proper ninjutsu from his father. There was also a war going on, so that had sped the graduation rate up significantly.
He said, hypothetically, you could ask to take the exam near the end of each year when they were scheduled. However, most students weren't capable of passing. Supposedly child prodigies could pass in or even before their first year, but I hadn't met any to know for sure.
Soon we were all taking notes and listening to Iruka-sensei drone on about how the chakra network worked and how we needed it to survive.
As I suspected, all the clan children looked bored out of their minds, having these basics drilled into their heads already.
No surprise to me when I seen the Uzumaki boy staring out the window, drool sliding out the side of his mouth. I felt my body shiver as the bodily fluid dripped onto his desk. He wasn't even making an attempt to take notes.
He could be from a clan, I thought, but I've never heard the name Uzumaki until today.
Still didn't mean he wasn't from a clan. The Ikeda weren't a technical clan anymore, though most the other clans were still on good terms with my father and still revered us as a clan.
"Okay," Iruka-sensei shouted, "Everyone outside!"
What followed was irritating to me, as well as Kiba and Shino. 'A few laps,' was just that. We did maybe fifteen laps before settling down to do push-ups and sit-ups. What was irritating was how easy it was. Until I glanced to either side and noticed an alarming number of students gasping for air. Among them were the pinkette, Hiro, Mayu, and Mio.
It seemed my father was correct in his assumptions.
Clan children were held to a completely different standard than civilian children. The civilian kids had probably never worked out a day in their lives, aside from playing.
The handful of clan kids present, including myself, had barely even broken a sweat.
"Good job," Iruka gave us a genuine grin, "You have an hour for lunch."
We all headed to the classroom to grab our lunches, before settling back outside in various groups. I noticed Hiro, Mio, and Mayu huddled with a few other civilian children. Shikamaru and Choji were together, the pink-haired bookworm was looking through her notes, a dark haired girl was seated off to the side a bit, and then there was the lone Uzumaki boy a ways off.
He was within the dark haired girl's vision, and I pondered whether they knew one another, though the thought was quickly brushed aside when the reasonable part of my mind questioned why they wouldn't be seated together, had that been the case.
Then there was a dark haired boy with a pretty face being surrounded by the rest of the female members of class. I thought it was rude, but he offered them an uneasy smile.
Kiba, Shino, and I were seated within the tree line. Shaded from the sun, but not too far away to people watch.
"Find out anything interesting?" Kiba enjoyed asking me this question when I people watched. It was fun to guess peoples' intentions and relations.
"Well," I tentatively picked a steamed bun up from my lunchbox, "Clearly the majority of civilian children are befriending one another, seeing as they're all in the same situation; lacking the physical prowess and knowledge that the clan children possess." Easily known without watching.
"Shikamaru and Choji are a no-brainer; best friends."
"The dark haired girl has some sort of emotional attachment to the blonde, perhaps a crush," I swallowed, "Uzumaki is clearly an outsider."
"The dark haired boy is perceived as 'attractive' so all the mindless girls are attaching themselves to him, his kindness isn't doing him any favors." If he'd growl or ignore them, maybe they'd leave him alone?
"Then there's us… obviously close friends," I gave Kiba a smile before digging into the various veggies my mother packed.
Kiba gave a low whistle, "Solid work Shio."
Since hearing my father utter my nickname Kiba takes to calling me it occasionally. Shino settles for my full name, being that he's too polite to shorten it.
We ate in silence before noticing the usual suspects playing ninja. Kiba joined, but I felt weird about playing it. We were training to become ninja, glorified liars and murderers.
My moral compass inhibited me a lot. I remembered too much about the wrongs and rights of my prior life. Try as I might, it seemed hopeless for me to erase my emotions. The least I could hope for, was to swallow them deep down and hope they stayed buried. This would be a harsh life for me otherwise.
Dad warned me that somewhere between our third and fifth year in school we would be required to kill an animal. It seemed easier said then done now, but it would prepare us for the reality that we would someday kill another human being.
"Are you fine, Shiori?"
Shino brought me out of my thoughts, as per usual. I gave him a half-hearted smile and nod before putting away my lunch utensils.
We were called back inside shortly after, all returning to our previous seating. Although some of the girls fought over the seat next to the Uchiha boy.
Iruka-sensei passed out some reading material for us all, it was a history book on the hidden leaf and a book that went into further detail on the chakra network.
When we were released our parents were all waiting, with the exception of the Uzumaki boy. I paused in my step to watch him walk, presumably home, with hunched shoulders. It made my heart clench. I wonder where his parents are.
"Shiori!" I looked to my left to see my mom waving with an apprehensive grin.
I hoped she hadn't seen where my line of vision was previously. I didn't feel like getting a lecture today. With a sigh I jogged over to her, receiving a small hug when I reached her.
"How was your day honey?"
We made our way back home while I bit my lip, "It was okay." She glanced down, "Just okay?" I smiled as I elaborated, "Well, I was happy to be able to sit between Kiba and Shino, but class was irritatingly easy. We went over everything I already know, and even the laps were easy; we only did fifteen mom."
She gave a short laugh as we began walking, "That's what happens when you're being taught from home. You'll always be ahead, until you're not."
I raised my eyebrows at that.
"You see, for now you're ahead of the civilian children, but after a few years of training some of them may surpass you. The key is to constantly train, and realize that someone will always be stronger than you."
With a nod I replied, "but someone has to be on top, right?"
"Not always. While there's always someone at the top, there will always be those striving for that spot. When you become arrogant, that is when someone you least suspect will overtake you."
My mother was oddly wise today, but I took her words to heart. It was all true.
"Did you make any new friends?" She easily directed the conversation in another direction.
"No," I peeped, "I just stayed with Kiba and Shino… do you think… maybe we'll be on a team together? Someday?"
"Well when you're on a genin team they are always a three person team, usually with one female, so it's possible," she paused as we made our way through the front door, "but don't get your hopes up. You won't be on a team for a few years, at least. Try to make more friends. These children will cross into your life at some point, and it is always beneficial to have allies."
So it wasn't friends she was concerned with, I mused, it was the lack of allies I had.
. . .
As time wore on I attempted to make more friends, really I did, but it seemed impossible for me.
I began "kunoichi classes" which were actually ingenious. Most the girls thought it was just pure fun gathering flowers, but it was a skill we needed for the future. You could send messages through floral arrangements. You could also form medicines and poisons with some.
Haruno Sakura was made fun of incessantly, and each time I averted my eyes. I was too cowardly to stand up for her, but Yamanaka Ino was not. One day she was fed up with the mocking taunts that led Sakura to tears. She stood up and berated the girls, and from that moment on, they were friends.
This was unfortunately another situation where I was painfully aware that I was a loner. Without Kiba and Shino I was lost, and friendless.
I supposed I could count Shikamaru and Choji as friends, but that was mainly because of my ties to Kiba and Shino. Hinata was definitely a friend, but we were both so shy it made for a lot of sitting in silence.
Besides her I wasn't really able to make friends with any of the other girls in our class. All the rest were enamored with Uchiha Sasuke. Though my previous theory on him being less friendly was proved false.
Earlier this year his entire clan was slaughtered.
There was even a rumor that is older brother had done it, but I wasn't sure if I believed that entirely. He had only been thirteen. Yes he was supposedly a prodigy, but could he truly be capable of murdering his entire family, sans his younger brother? Morally I wanted to say no, but there was a small part of me that felt he had.
As I aged my memories became less reliable than they already were. Sometimes I had dreams, or rather nightmares, of what was to come. I couldn't sort out which were accurate though.
What use am I when I can't even recall anything useful?
I spent many nights sobbing quietly into my pillow. Feeling a sense of dread for the future.
Sasuke was now nowhere in the vicinity of kind. He sneered and glared at everyone. His aura reeked of anger.
Class was more interesting now. Not just because of Uchiha's new personality, but because of the courses. We now practiced taijutsu and sparred. Usually I was pitted against Shino. He went easy on me. Not in the sense that he allowed me to win, but in the sense that he hurt me as minimally as acceptable.
Taijutsu was sadly not my best subject.
We also started to learn chakra control, nothing interesting, just meditating to become more aware of it.
This was something I gave my complete and udder attention. My yearning to learn the family technique was eating away at me.
Kiba and Shino had less and less time to spare now too. Their families had started teaching them their respective training.
Three weeks ago Kiba had visited, shortly, to introduce me to his companion Akamaru. The white puppy was incredibly adorable.
That's when Kiba stopped visiting. We used to hang out every weekend, but now he was busy training with Akamaru.
It seemed to work out, because my mom upped my training. She wouldn't let me bring them to school, but she allowed me to start using my actual Sais. Mom was deadly with a sword. She preferred the katana, but she really wanted me to work on harnessing my own style with my Sais.
Shino and I had never been on a particular schedule to hang out, but we usually hung out on the odd weekday and the occasional weekend. He and I stopped being able to hang out even before Kiba.
He and I stopped seeing each other outside school months ago.
Luckily we were all three fiercely loyal. We were still close friends, and we still sat and talked together in school.
The following year was even more stressful.
At school we added kunai throwing, which meant adding more math to aid us in calculating our throws. This also meant that, happily, Dad began helping me with senbon throwing when he was home. My aim wasn't horrible, but it left much to be desired.
I was doing really well in school, minus my throwing and taijutsu. While I had improved, I could only beat Shino two out of five times. In throwing I could only hit the bullseye three out of five times. Mom said that was really good for my age and how long I have been throwing, but it seemed all the clan children could hit the bullseye four out of five times. The exception being Uchiha Sasuke who seemed to be some sort of knockoff prodigy. He could hit the bullseye every time.
Mom was helping me with chakra control now though. She even began showing me chakra strings. She said her mother had been a puppeteer so this was something that was drilled into her. While she wasn't a puppeteer, she did find several uses for knowing the strings.
My heart swelled at that information. More clues to the puzzle of who my grandmother was, is.
It also made me inwardly curious as to if my cousin was also a puppeteer? I yearned to know more about him. I suspected my yearning to be due to the fact that I wanted a sibling. My own wanted nothing to do with me, and so I sometimes imagined what my cousin was like. I imagined us being close, but it was fore nought.
Time continued to pass and I grew increasingly lonely.
I was now ten and entering my fourth year in the academy and I only had three friends, although I wasn't entirely sure if Hinata counted. I always sat with Kiba and Shino at lunch, except for the times Kiba skipped out to ditch. I couldn't even recall the last conversation I had with Hinata.
Biting my lip I glanced into the mirror, would changing my appearance make me more susceptible to friendship, did I not look friendly enough?
My black hair was cut into a long bob ending at my clavicles. I wanted longer hair, eventually, but not until I had the skills to back it up.
A ninja with long hair meant you had efficient enough skill for it not to be a handicap.
My bright caramel eyes still looked slightly too big for my face, and I hoped I'd grow into them, but judging from my mother I doubted I would. She did say they were helpful when facing enemies though, they would underestimate you due to you looking young and innocent.
I had the uncanny ability of never holding a tan, though with all the forestry it wasn't a huge surprise. If you didn't know me you'd probably assume I was ill with how pale I was.
Height wise I was on the slightly shorter side at four foot three. I had no clue on my weight, but judging from my appearance I was thin, but toned from all the physical training.
As far as my clothing went it was dark, simple, but practical seeing as I was aspiring to be a kunoichi someday soon.
I wore a sleeveless black fishnet top that was visible underneath my black v-neck crop top that had a detachable hood, which I nearly always wore on. Then I wore simple black shorts that ended mid-thigh. To finish the look I had the standard blue sandals. I wanted black, but my dad said it was tradition in Konoha to sport the blue sandals until you reached chunin.
I don't know if it had to do with the price of the black ones, or if it really was tradition though.
As far as accessories went, I had my black reversed pack as well as my kunai holster on my right thigh wear I had white bandages securing it; the only color that broke up the black.
Kiba said I looked unapproachable, but Shino said I looked practical.
It was times like those I wished I had a female companion to question. Of course it was a silly notion, but I'm still a ten year old girl. I wanted to know if altering my appearance slightly would make me look more approachable. Not that I would change necessarily. I was very set in my ways of loving basic colors; gray, white, and black.
Even my bedroom was mostly black and white.
It was also minimalistic with just the basics. Not because my parents refused me things, but because it was my personal style.
Beside my door was my full length mirror, which was conveniently placed there as opposite it was my bedroom window. Adjacent was my plain bed (I had no need for a frame) with white sheets and comforter. There was a gray 'accent' pillow in the center, with my beloved panda plush. Under the window was my sleek black dresser which contained the bare necessities of undergarments, spare bandages, and plain pajamas. Then there was the bathroom, and opposite it, my closet.
My closet was small and only had my clothing, shoes, and a small storage dresser for my weaponry. I also had a small chest that I kept my small amount of art supplies.
In my bathroom I had only the basic hygiene necessities as well as a basic health pack.
My mom always joked that someday I would be every man's dream; a cheap date. I wasn't so sure about that though, because I loved food. Luckily I burned so many calories that I was allowed to indulge, though I mainly tried to consume a high-protein diet.
With a sigh, I made my way downstairs to prepare my lunch.
"Bye," I whispered to the empty house as I made my way to the academy.
Now that I was older, and more independent, my mother had resumed active duty. She was still only a chunin, but Dad said he doubted she would remain as such after she took a couple missions and passed the Jonin test later this year.
It was lonelier at home now that both parents were always away, but I had to remind myself that I was lucky that I even had both parents alive and well.
During lunch I had decided to be a bit bold today. Kiba was off playing hooky along with Uzumaki, Choji, and Shikamaru.
Shino was resting under a tree. He had explained that he had a particularly tough training day with his mom yesterday.
I noticed that most the girl's were still swarming the area, looking for Uchiha. I decided, against my better judgment, to walk up to the pink haired girl; Haruno Sakura. To work on my memorization, I had learned everyone's name in my class.
She was seated by herself, still glancing around for a certain brooding boy. Shortly after our third year at the academy she and her only friend, Yamanaka Ino, had a falling out. I wasn't sure on the specifics, but I knew it had been due to their mutual feelings toward Uchiha.
"Um," My sudden vocalization caused her to jump. Her green eyes met mine, and suddenly I was brought back to that first time at the playground when I met Kiba.
Like that time, the other person saved me from further humiliation, "Uh… hi…? Shiori-chan, right?"
I nodded, and inhaled some courage, "And you're Haruno Sakura-san, correct?" She nodded, confusion blatantly written on her face.
"I'm not really sure how to go about this," I bit my lip, "I just… I don't have any female friends, other than Hinata, but really are we? I haven't spoken to her in… two years? I can't even remember the last conversation we had, but… but I'm rambling, sorry." My face was burning.
The fear of being rejected was beginning to bubble to the surface.
"Are you trying to ask me to be your friend?"
I exhaled with a nod, "Yes, if you want. I mean, I noticed you don't seem to have any friends either. Well, not that you couldn't! I just meant that all the other girl's are overly invested in other endeavors, which you are too, but not that it's a bad thing!"
Her face was definitely angry. She wore all her emotions blatantly on her face.
Quickly I attempted to rectify what I had said, "Listen, I'm sorry. I ramble when I'm nervous. It's a horrible habit. I just thought maybe we could at least train together, or even just study?"
She calmed down, and seemed to realize I was an incredibly awkward individual, "Well… I guess that'd be okay. I'm the smartest in our class, well, other than Sasuke-kun." She blushed with a slight giggled, "And you're one of the best in the physical aspects."
I personally thought she was embellishing a bit. While I was still significantly better than the civilian children, I was still barely catching up to the clan children. Although I was improving a lot from last year.
"You are! Maybe you can help me with calculations? I'm not the best with mathematics unfortunately." I never was.
She nodded, "I'll talk to my parents, but I'm sure it'd be okay if we met after school… say, Wednesdays and Fridays?" It was more than I had counted on, so I nodded.
Thus began a tentative friendship, which Kiba teased me for profusely.
"I can't believe you're friends with one of the biggest fan-girls in class!" I rolled my eyes at that comment, "So she has a tiny crush." He laughed at the prospect of it being 'tiny'.
"Just make sure she doesn't rub off on you. You're the only sane girl in this class I swear, well… other than Hinata-chan." I noted the slight reddening on his face with a snicker, "You sure you should be accusing others of becoming fans, when you're clearly crushing on Hinata-chan."
He sputtered as Shino adjusted his glassed, "Indeed."
"Not you too!"
I couldn't help but giggle at the thought of Shino joining in on the teasing. Kiba never denied his crush, but he did always change the subject, "So I'm having a birthday party this weekend. Nothing fancy, but you're both invited."
With a grin I replied, "I'm so glad you're having a party, because I already bought you the perfect gift last month!"
I had gotten him a first edition comic and action figure of his favorite series. It was a guilty pleasure of his, but I had also gotten him some practical gifts as well; as well as some herbs from my mother's garden. Then my personal favorite was a jacket with a fluffy liner in the hood. His mother had not so subtly told me he had been eying it, and with her blessing, I bought it. Of course it had taken me three months to save it on my measly allowance, but Kiba was one of my best friends so it was well worth the cost.
Kiba and Shino always complained that I spoiled them, but I didn't care.
Shino's birthday was at the beginning of the year, and I had gotten him a slew of ninja equipment as well as a home made cake. He never wanted parties, so I always made sure to keep it simple with baking him something special as well as spoiling him with gifts.
The week went on without incident, I met with Sakura twice and realized something; underneath her fan-girl exterior was a very bright and determined girl. We actually had a lot in common when she wasn't blabbering on about the Uchiha boy.
I helped her with her taijutsu stances, as she was far too timid and stiff in them. In return she helped me with my mathematics.
Although we had only hung out outside of the academy, I enjoyed the prospect of gaining her as a friend someday.
Kiba's birthday was surprisingly reigned in. He said he had an all out one on his actual birthday with the whole clan attending, but this one was just for his closest friends. I was a little surprised Uzumaki wasn't there, but Kiba said they weren't friends, just allies when they skipped classes.
He didn't cry, not that I expected him to, but he was extremely happy and grateful for his gifts.
The Academy was a lot more challenging as well, as we were working on ninjutsu. We focused on the skills needed to graduate mainly; the clone jutsu as well as the replacement jutsu.
Finally the weekend was coming to a close and my dad came home, with spectacular news.
"Shiori," He sat me down on our backyard porch, "It's time."
Curiosity bubbled inside me, with a hope that what I thought he meant was the truth. He gave me a sly smile, "Go upstairs and grab your ribbons." That was all it took for me to break out in a huge grin and race to my room, extra chakra infused in my feet. I swung open my closet and grabbed the ribbons out of their box.
When I made it back to my father he was grinning wider than I was, "Wow! That must've been a new record for you making it to your room and back, huh?"
I sheepishly nodded, a bit embarrassed at my lack of restraint.
He carefully grabbed the ribbons from my hands and gestured for me to hold out my arms, which I did, though they were slightly shaking from the excitement. I had waited five years for this moment.
Carefully he wrapped my arms, starting at my bicep and ending them when they were wrapped around my fingers. I noted that they were quite loose.
"Now slowly release a bit of chakra into them," I closed my eyes and did as instructed. I could feel the ribbons tighten slightly. When I opened my eyes I realized they had tightened and looked exactly the same as my father's.
"Good, good."
With a hum he began to meticulously check my ribbons for any looseness or extreme tightening, "Perfect Shio! You got it on your first try, just like your old man!"
I beamed with pride at that.
"Now you need to focus on maintaining that small amount of chakra for now, okay? You need to be able to keep these secured at all times, and if you're able to do so for a solid six months, we'll begin on the actual combat prowess of the ribbons."
My face remained neutral, but inwardly I was deflated once more.
"I expect you to be completely honest, because if you can't maintain the control you could seriously injure yourself. You remember about Hideki?" I simply nodded, "Good girl. Keep him in mind, because that is an unnecessary disadvantage you do not want or need."
"Also, if at any time you add too much chakra, you need to disengage them at once, even if it means you direct all the chakra into your feet."
Seeing the question in my eye he answered without me opening my mouth, "You'll know by the tightening. Right now they're perfect, but if you add too much they'll tighten even more, and eventually you could lose one or both arms."
A shiver ran down my spine at the thought.
Sure I could make due with one arm if I was forced, but without both, at this stage? I'd never be a ninja, and I would be an invalid; a burden on my parents.
