Chapter 6: Hyuga Training

Hikaru's training, as per usual, started bright and early.

"So, what's first Grandpa?" he asked excitedly.

"First, you need to improve your chakra control more. To perform the Hakkesho Kaiten, you must expel chakra from all of your tenketsu, and spin rapidly. Activate your byakugan and watch closely."

Hikaru did as he was instructed, and watched as Hiashi emitted chakra from his entire body.

"That doesn't look too hard."

"Then by all means, give it a try." Hiashi said with a knowing smile.

It took Hikaru six days.

It dawned on him that each training session wasn't as taxing as the last. Each step in improving his chakra control also did wonders for his stamina. As his efficiency in controlling his chakra grew, the amount he needed to use lessened, leaving more of the valuable essence to be used for later.

Of course, that didn't help with learning the rotation needed to perform the kaiten. Hikaru suffered through numerous dizzy spells before success.

-ooo-

It was an exhausted Hikaru that dragged himself into the furoba that night. Hiashi was more than 'not easy'. He was downright cruel. The blonde youth couldn't remember when he was pushed that hard. Hikaru smiled. He wouldn't have it any other way. He was an Uzumaki, and Uzumaki's thrived under pressure.

Another day or two, and he'd have the kaiten down pat.

That thought elicited another grin as he scrubbed himself clean before relaxing in the furo.

-ooo-

Naruto fumed as Tsunade checked on him again.

"I'm fine Oba-chan! I've been fine for a week! I'm going to go insane if you keep me here much longer! Do you now how little there is to do, or how much paper work I have waiting for me? You remember the paper work don't you?!"

Tsunade cringed. She did indeed remember. The thought of the headaches she received from that blasted duty gave her a large desire for a bottle of her liquid relief. She finally relented.

"Alright, you can go. Besides, I think Hinata-chan is getting a little 'lonely'." she added with a smirk.

Naruto's cheeks reddened. "You leave Hina-chan out of this you old bat." There wasn't much fight in his words.

The former hokage's grinned deepened. "Get out of here Naruto."

Naruto scratched his head. "Um, do you think you could leave? I still need to change. I don't think it'd send the right message for the hokage to be running around in a hospital gown."

The sanin laughed aloud as she left the room. "I have to check on Neji anyway."

Naruto quickly changed, and leapt out the window, enjoying the feel of the wind in his face.

"First stop, home."

-ooo-

Hiashi was proud of his grandson. In a little over two weeks he had been able to master the Hakkesho Kaiten. As Hikaru trudged into the house Hiashi called to him.

"Hikaru, tomorrow we begin your training for the Hakke Rokujuyon Sho."

Hikaru perked up immediately, and sauntered into the main building as if he hadn't spent the last eight hours in almost non-stop training.

He turned the corner to the main hall and ran into a passerby.

"Oh, sorry about that, I was… Dad!"

Naruto smiled as he ruffled his son's hair playfully.

"How's it going squirt?"

Hikaru huffed at the inference of his small stature.

"I'm taller than you were at this age." he groused.

"And how would you know that? Last I checked, you weren't around back then." Naruto said with a grin.

"Mom told me. She said you were shorter than everyone else your age until you came back from your training with Uncle Jiraiya."

"Oh, really? Well, maybe I'll have to tell you some embarrassing stories about your mother then."

"Don't you dare Naru-kun." Hinata said, walking up from behind. "Unless you want some other little secrets leaked out." she said sweetly.

"I, uh, was only kidding. Yeah, that's it. Just a harmless jest." No one bought it.

Hinata turned to her son. "So, how's your training coming along?"

Hikaru beamed now that the spotlight was on him. "I've mastered the Kaiten, and Grandpa says we'll start on the Hakke Rokujuyon Sho tomorrow!"

"That's my boy! I bet you'll have it down in no time!" Naruto exclaimed.

Hikaru brightened even more under his father's unwavering confidence.

"You bet I will! I'm an Uzumaki after all!"

His parents smiled at their excitable child.

"Go ahead and do… whatever it was you were about to do. I need to talk to your grandpa." Naruto said as he patted his son on the shoulder. "I'm under the assumption that you'll be staying here until your training is done?"

"If that's alright with Grandpa than yeah."

"Alright. Come back home when you're done, but take all the time you need."

Hinata blushed at the undercurrent of Naruto's statement. Fortunately Hikaru was still a little too young to pick up on the innuendo.

"Don't worry. It won't take me long!" he said, pumping his fist in the air. He turned a little green and added, "I think I'll settle for a bath first though."

Naruto broke out into laughter as his son dashed to the furoba.

-ooo-

Hikaru activated his byakugan and took stock of his opponent as he slipped into the jyuken. The young Uzumaki smiled to himself.

'He's within my field of divination.' he thought to himself. His foe didn't know what hit him as Hikaru called his attack.

"Hakke Rokujuyon Sho!"

With amazing speed and deadly accuracy, Hikaru started hitting the tenketsu of his unfortunate sparring partner. When he was done, the wooden training dummy was in shambles.

"You're getting better." Hiashi said from the side of the training ground, "But your aim is still a little off. Do it again."

Hikaru huffed. Hiashi was not an easy taskmaster. One of the house servants set up another training dummy, and Hikaru went through the process again. He was getting bored. The past week had seen him do nothing more than pulverize humanoid shaped wooden dummies with his chakra. The week before, Hiashi had him running up trees and across pools of water, building his chakra control, but he wouldn't give up. His unique blend of Uzumaki determination and Hyuga pride would allow nothing less than total success, no matter how long it took.

Hikaru gritted his teeth. 'Two weeks is still too long.' he thought. "I'll get it this time! Hakke Rokujuyon Sho!"

Hiashi smiled as Hikaru hit each point dead on.

"Yosh! I did it!"

Hiashi nodded. "Now, for the next step."

Hikaru's face fell at those words. "You mean there's more?"

Hiashi nodded as a branch member stepped into the practice ring.

"Step three, full contact sparring."

Little over one month after arriving at the Hyuga complex, and Hikaru had learned two of their most valued techniques.

End Chapter 6