G3F\\\Gaiden of the Three Failures
YD5
Disclaimer: I don't own NARUTO!
He remembered little of the night's end. There was dazed but pure relief, as the sky lightened and something resembling warmth touched his raw flesh; a voice had called out from an uncertain distance, and he had probably garbled his response. Whatever he may have said, the confirmation of life brought shouts of shock, joy, and dismay from what must have been a group of people coming up the path behind him. His name; awed swearing and exclamations; 'stop looking at the sun!' Hands touching, shaking a stiff shoulder. Lee had vomited in the snow.
Mifune, grasping his shoulder with gentle words of pride, and the stark face of a man who looked like a middle-aged version of the Kawazora he knew, were glimpsed as someone lifted Lee up. It had been Ken'ichiro who ultimately carried the ashen, confused and strengthless young man in a blanket in his arms, while Mifune kept him talking, promising he would be able to rest soon. Lee had no idea whether his answers were coherent. Every now and then, he noticed the face of the unknown man, always gawking right at him. He wondered if the guy was all right.
They had begun passing by more people, and Lee heard awed murmurs, saw many a bowed head, as light hands briefly brushed his still-numb flesh. He paid his confusion little mind, however, for a great concern had risen to the forefront of his thoughts. He had a sense of panicking, demanding to know if he would keep his hands. In his delirium, he found himself transferred to a hospital bed. Someone was cutting his right hand free of the dagger binding, and berating him for trying to move. He didn't know why he wanted to move. He was being told he could rest now.
He didn't, until the doctor told him he would keep all his fingers and toes.
Young Dragon's Gaiden
Part Five: Ascension
His eyes opened groggily on the same white ceiling. He was under blankets; he was, wonderfully, incredibly, warm. An oxygen mask was affixed over his nose and mouth, and a hand neared to brush across his forehead. He blinked.
"Rock Lee, of the ninja village Hidden in Leaves. Are you quite sure you're completely human? No gods a generation back or two?"
Lee chuckled, enjoying the warmth of Koaki's small palm on his forehead. "Positive," he said. "They do not come more ordinary than me." Looking her way, he gasped. Bandages wrapped around her forehead, and her right arm rested in a sling; she sported tape on the bridge of her nose, a gauze pad taped to one cheek, a number of visible bruises, and a nasty shiner to top it off. "What…?"
"Tripped," she provided simply, seeming oddly pleased with herself. Lee gave her a no-nonsense look, and she rubbed her neck. "In fact, I tripped in such a way that Shinwara's fellows won't be willing to cross me any time soon."
"You did not…?"
"An epidemic of tripping broke out that night," the chief healer said sourly as he entered from an adjacent room. "Thankfully, Sengo-san trips remarkably well for as long as she can keep her weapon in her hands. Rock Lee-san, how do you feel?"
Lee's eyebrow twitched. They do not pretend very well…
A sound drew his attention to the door. Someone he did not recognize yelped as Lee met his eyes, and the visitor hurriedly continued on his way.
"A look at the one who survived the night," Koaki explained. "When you first got out of urgent care, there was a line all the way outside the infirmary of people just waiting to get a glimpse of you, as if to make sure you're real. The numbers seem to have dwindled gradually in the day since, so now you're only getting visitors every few minutes or so."
"And what about you, Koaki-san? Have you been making sure that I am real, as well?"
She snorted softly at his teasing. "I have no need to confirm things I already know, shinobi," she said with mock-seriousness, but spared him a wink with her black eye. She stood, with a bit of help from a wooden crutch. "I never doubted you, Lee. I'll go now, to inform Lord Mifune – he asked to be notified when you awakened."
The general returned alone, without Koaki. The master and pupil nodded to each other, one uncertain, the other abashed. Eventually, they attempted at the same time to break the silence: Mifune with words of apology, and Lee with words of thanks. They paused in surprise. Then Mifune let himself laugh heartily, and Lee gave off laughter of his own.
Master and pupil needed not always to understand each other, Lee decided. That the two could share a laugh together was plenty in itself.
"Shinobi."
"Kawazora-san? Good evening."
The courtyard was empty of any others, at this hour. Most were probably at the mess hall, but Lee had yet to be discharged from the infirmary. Some things, however, never changed; he preferred not to wait around for his recovery lying in bed. Though the doctor scolded him for trying anything strenuous, Lee could at least get away with short walks in the yard, and as such, he would appreciate them. It was in such a setting, as Lee in his patient's robes enjoyed the fresh air and practiced putting weight on his feet, that Kawazora Shinwara came in fine clothes to confront him. He called Lee a freak.
"How can you stand there, so nonchalant? You've got everyone thinking you're some sort of god…!"
Lee quirked an eyebrow. "I can do little to control what people think of me. You are a fine example."
"Filthy outsider…!"
"Kawazora-san… I have been acquitted of my crime against you, and absolved by the most arduous and stringent trial that this land of Iron has to offer. Your own father has publicly declared his and his clan's support of Lord Mifune's leadership. If you would still find me unworthy of pursuing the Warrior's Way, I do not know what you expect me to say here."
"Do you not resent me, demon?"
Lee shook his head honestly. He held up his mitten-wrapped hands; under the thick woolen covering, each hand's fingers were securely bound in cotton wrap and taped to each other, to prevent Lee agitating the damage to recovering tissues while feeling slowly returned to the digits. "A bit of frostbite will heal with time."
All of Shinwara's strength went into the fist he brought to Lee's gut. The blow's recipient was moved not an inch. At Lee's not unkindly questioning look, Shinwara yelled and struck just as ineffectually at his face. Lee barely flinched as the other trainee pelted him with blows.
"You're a demon! You must have cheated the ordeal with ninja magics, but no one else can see it! Who do you think you are, to come here, and stir up the clans, and turn the order of things on its head?!"
CRACK!
Lee tasted a tinge of iron, where knuckles had split inner cheek against teeth. Shinwara was panting.
"Why don't you fight back anymore, Shinobi? Say something! I command you!"
Lee straightened as the noble's shaking fist withdrew. He looked him in the eye, and spoke evenly. "In truth, I do not fit in with shinobi, either. You are wrong if you think that I deal in ruses and manipulation; all I am is all that you see, and nothing more." His expression softened. "If that is all, I will be on my way, Kawazora-san."
Lee bowed his head politely, and when he stepped forward, Shinwara held firm for but a second, and then stumbled untouched from his path. The robe-, mitten-, and slipper-clad shinobi passed the Kawazora son by. And he felt his intent, just before the bite of a wooden sword landed sharply at the back of his neck.
With a grunt, Lee fell to one knee. The quick whistle of wind, and another strike clacked against the back of his skull. Teeth clenched, Lee simply sat and endured the rain of blows upon his shoulders, head, and back, along with the scorching abuse flung from his assailant's lips. Shinwara was blind with rage; fighting him would not change anything. So Lee waited him out, until he had been beaten to the Kawazora's satisfaction.
Shinwara dropped the ruined practice sword in exhaustion, and Lee stood, straightened the robe that lay tattered over his bloodied back, and continued on his way without sparing the other boy another glance. After getting this cleaned up, he had something to ask of Mifune…
Shinwara stared after Lee until he vanished back into the infirmary. The young samurai was thusly alone when his knees buckled, and he fell to the dirt, struggling to understand why he felt as though he was the one who had been defeated here.
And so, though Lee did not know it, it was not his power but his newfound restraint that ultimately planted the seeds of change in Kawazora Shinwara, future head of the Kawazora House, that evening in the courtyard. Even greater than Lee's immense outward strength was the quiet power that now resided comfortably within him, thoughtful, waiting to unfurl. It imparted a humbling effect on the Iron youth, an effect that left him no choice but to reexamine his manner of living.
There is something that I can do for Lord Mifune. One more thing…
Lee stood in samurai armor at the master's side as Mifune listed the terms of the combat. The head of Kawazora had held true, and stood now at Mifune's side in a gesture of support. The leaders of the seven remaining rebel clans, along with each clan's respective, single greatest warrior if not the clan head himself, were assembled before them, dressed in ornate armor of their clans' colors and style. The heads of twelve additional clans, with a small entourage apiece, had come to bear witness; Lee was quietly amused to see the often goofy Ken'ichiro done up and finely dressed beside his father, in Okazaki colors. Such variegated dress and traditional armor was used only in rare cases as these, when ceremony was called upon to resolve conflicts between the powers within Iron's own borders.
–"You have invited them to settle this dispute, have you not? The other rebel clans…"
"I have. Without the Kawazora, who were the heart of the dissenters, some have abandoned their hostility. The rest, however, are beginning to squabble amongst themselves. Before things can get out of hand, I will end this in the name of Iron and of the unity that gives her strength."
"So, you will fight them to prove your right to lead…"–
"You will fight one by one, in the order of your choosing, until one is victorious or you all are defeated. I trust that each of the seven clans to accept this challenge has already selected its champion?"
"Hai."
"Hai."
"Hai…"
–"That is your offer?" Mifune chuckles.
"I am serious. I want to show you that your faith in me was not wasted. I want to thank you…"
"You already have… They will be here in four days' time, Lee. What about your hands?"
"I will be fine. In four days I will be ready to fight."–
Mifune's old eyes surveyed the seven warriors.
"Very well. I will now name my own champion. Rock Lee, of the Village Hidden in Leaves, step forward!"
"Hai! Shishou!" Lee said, removing the mask of his helmet.
"Shinobi!" The word was growled, like something repulsive. Lee stepped quickly in front of Iron's general as the man in dark blue, grey, and black, his armor trimmed in gold, grasped the hilt of his katana, but the man made no further move to suggest of attack. "So that boy is your pet shinobi? Do you mean to mock us, Mifune?!"
"I do not. The same terms will apply to my champion; one defeat is all your faction will need."
"You are the leader of Iron! You are Iron! He is not fit to represent you. An outsider, beneath peasants! I refuse to fight such a joke!"
Lee's eyes narrowed the slightest degree. Mifune coughed politely.
"May I remind you, Lord Kurayamiki, that this lowliest outsider has been acknowledged by the gods? Or do you challenge their judgment as well? He is my pupil and vassal, whom I would trust with my own life. He may be born shinobi, but he fights as samurai. This boy is beneath no warrior – not me, and certainly not you."
Lee gasped, and Kurayamiki's face darkened.
"I'll kill him," the man growled, and turned to join the others as the first clan's warrior came forward.
Mifune drew a scarf from his robe. Lee gripped the hilt of his own katana as well as he could, and let Mifune tie his hand to it: Lee's hands' dexterity and grip had in fact not fully recovered in time. Lee's first challenger snorted in distaste.
"Handicapped, as well?"
Mifune tied off a knot. "You say I squander our military potential, yes, but you also criticize my permitting foreigners to learn. If the gods' favor will not suffice, shall I let you be the judge of this outsider's worth, Lord Oonaga?" He clapped his pupil on the shoulder. "Go – Lee."
"It will be my honor," Lee said, smiling as he strode to stand before his scowling foe.
The two bowed to each other. A small gong rang to herald the start. And Lee was standing behind Oonaga, the blade tied to his hand still sheathed as he turned to head back to the starting position, while the man slumped to the ground.
"M-m-m'lord?!"
"Stunned, nothing more," Lee assured the attendant who came running up to the samurai's prone body.
Mifune quirked an eyebrow. A simple hilt to the solar plexus, huh? Oonaga will be out for a while… He watched as the man was carried aside and fanned by his attendant, and Lee bowed to the next in line. Careful, Lee… Your enemies will not underestimate you much longer.
The next foe initiated with an Iai strike, its start flawless in all but the fact that Lee's straw sandal was breaking the man's wrist before a third of the blade was drawn. The man's sword clattered to the ground, and Lee's whistling blade snapped to halt a hair's breadth from his foe's neck. With a stammered 'I submit' he was off to the sidelines for medical attention, and Lee was on to the next one.
The duels grew more heated; as Mifune had predicted, the clans had managed to agree on an arrangement such that their seven champions fought Mifune's one roughly in order of escalating prowess. They had intended to wear him down if needed, to better ensure the victory of the strongest among them. The plan was reasonable enough in theory, but perhaps even more futile against the strong son of shinobi than it would have been against the aged – but sharp – warrior-general. The youth braved each dance of blades without faltering, with acuity in every move, and bested each contender without fail. He felt the sword in his hand, and the dry grass beneath his feet; he felt his opponents' animosity. More than anything, he felt his master's faith in him, and Mifune's proud smile on his back, and he knew he would not lose.
Finally he faced Lord Kurayamiki. Mifune had warned Lee of the man's frightening strength and prodigious skill with the blade; possibly more formidable in combat than even Lord Kawazora, he was in truth the only warrior present who might have been a match for Mifune. Lee did not fear, however, as he bowed to his foe and the match began, and it was not for his usual reason to grow stronger by suppressing it.
Perhaps the man was distracted, or overconfident, for his intent was plain as day. The blade driven by a murderous heart could not touch the youth, to cut down the single obstacle in its wielder's path, no matter how furiously it tried. Light in heart and light of foot, Lee's strong body danced surely from strike after deadly strike. His blade was first partially unsheathed to cleanly catch and deflect a savage blow; Kurayamiki began to stagger back with the recoil of his own excessive force, and a sharp kick to the gut threw the man several meters. He fell to one knee, face drawn tight with pain. He swore.
"Y-you fool…" He wheezed, catching hold of his breath. "You weren't born here, raised among samurai! How can you even claim to understand what you're fighting for?!" With a roar, he rose tearing toward Lee, drawing his katana back to strike.
Lee, however, was too suddenly before him, the butt of his katana's hilt positioned to collide with that of Kurayamiki's early in the motion of the man's swing. The result was that the lord's katana was popped clear out of his hand, and with a curt move of the hilt Lee proceeded to crack one of his opponent's ribs. A second strike, to the jaw, sprawled him out on his back. The man began to reach desperately for his fallen blade, only to flinch as Lee stepped firmly on his shoulder, and held the blade of his katana steady at his throat.
"You said that the ruler of Iron is Iron. Lord Kurayamiki… if that is so, I can imagine no better a person for Iron to be, than the person it already is." Lee's voice was cool as the man glared up at him. "Who else could I fight for? After all, it is because of the harmony Lord Mifune has encouraged … that three as different as Sengo Koaki, Okazaki Ken'ichiro, and Rock Lee of the Leaf were able to be friends."
"Friendship?" the man snarled. "Is that why you fight? If you are a warrior, spare me such drivel. I do not submit; finish what you have started, shinobi."
Lee frowned, his brow stern. He stepped from the man's shoulder, and returned his weapon to its sheath. "You have made your point known. You may not think much of me, but I will not kill a man for a difference of opinion."
"Coward," he spat. Lee simply bowed somberly, and turned to return to Mifune's side.
His back had been turned but a moment when Lee sensed movement behind him – saw Mifune's eyes widen – and turned, drawing his blade only to receive a slice from forearm to hand. He cried out, but the wrap had been torn along with his flesh; with his next movement, the sword's weight was pulling it from his feeble grip. It clattered to the ground, as Kurayamiki swung his sword in both hands with the clear intent to remove Lee's head.
Fwoosh!
Mifune had been dashing toward them, but was still five meters shy of striking Kurayamiki down when the lord's blade lashed around, clipping a few hairs from a sharply ducking Lee's head. The general stayed his advance and his blade, as Lee stepped into Kurayamiki, hefted the man clear from the earth with a palm beneath his breastbone, and briefly pulled back to hurl him away again. Kurayamiki went sailing into his vassal, who'd begun approaching him prior to the lord's furious retaliation. The younger man was in turn bowled off his feet, and the two crashed to the ground, tumbling once and then sliding for an additional few meters before coming to a halt.
Whispering rose from those presently assembled clans, at this spectacular show of strength. It would not soon be forgotten – the day that the fearsome lord of the Kurayamiki was thrown with one arm by a youth, god-child or not, more than a head shorter.
Lee grunted as Mifune tore off Lee's already-ruined sleeve, wadding it to press to his bleeding arm. Wincing, he nonetheless stared down the pale-faced lord and spoke dangerously. "I spared you because dead leaders plague their survivors with resentment and turmoil. Make no mistake; I will not kill over a difference in opinion, but if you intend to make your life a threat to the peace here, I will slay you without a second thought."
Mifune nodded, scornful. "You call yourself nobility? I should send you to face the mountain's judgment, and let us see how well you fare!"
The man shuddered visibly. Shamefaced, he shifted to his knees and bowed deeply. "P-please forgive my impudence…"
Mifune gave a sound of acknowledgment. The Kurayamiki's vassal helped his lord to his feet, and the two retreated to join the other defeated representatives.
The general sighed, and turned to Lee. "Well done, lad."
"Thank you…"
"All that is left is the ceremonial closing – will you be all right to take part? You do not need to."
"I can manage that much more."
"Are you sure?"
"Hai. I can."
So Lee went aside to have his wound bandaged, while Mifune addressed those assembled to formally declare the result of the combat, and begin the closing remarks. Lee returned to his side, katana re-bound to his hand, to await his first defeat of the day.
At last, Lee and Mifune faced each other, bowed, and assumed identical stances. Lee knew he would not best him today, while he was indeed still recovering from his ordeal, and he accepted it. All the same he would do his best, as the tradition demanded. He relaxed, shutting his eyes to slip into harmony with the world around him, and waited.
The gong sounded.
Two katana met with a resonant clang and a white flash of sparks; the ground buckled into a radial web of cracks centered directly beneath them, and a shock of wind tossed back Lee's and Mifune's hair as it sent swift billows of dirt tumbling into the lines of spectators.
Lee's jaw dropped. Mifune gave only a pointed look, and a stern smile of pride. The man would never have held back.
Lee had matched him.
A shinobi had matched Mifune's Quickdraw.
"I don't believe that any more will be necessary here today," Mifune announced. Lee returned the great warrior's smile. The two sheathed their blades, rising to full height, and bowed to each other.
"Thank you, my champion."
"The honor is mine, my teacher."
The young shinobi's exploits in the Land of Iron did not quite end there. Within two days, when Kurayamiki and all the rest had returned to their homes across the land, an anonymous message alerted the general to the presence of a hired assassin planted among the base's personnel. Lee was entrusted the task of confronting the suspect, and pushed just hard enough in the ensuing clash to force the spy to unleash a ninjutsu. This ascertained, the young man quickly overpowered and apprehended him; Mifune's men put the spy behind bars. With this incident, the conflict and the stirring coup were resolved at last.
Rock Lee's time among the samurai was brief, but would remain forever precious to him – and to those he'd touched. He could stay no longer than he did, however, for the forces of the Leaf would be needing his power soon enough. Mifune understood this, and was able to see him off with confidence despite that Lee had not once managed to best him. The fact remained that, being stronger and swifter to begin with, if Lee were to attain Mifune's level of mastery he would surpass him easily in battle. Even so, the young man left Iron many times a finer warrior than he had been upon his arrival.
"Could you answer it now, I wonder? Do you finally understand which katana is finer?"
The question was asked only of the rising sun, for the remarkable youth had only moments ago vanished in the distance. Though Ken'ichiro had not caught his muttering, at Mifune's side, Sengo Koaki gave an inquisitive look. He shook his head, waving off her curiosity.
I can have faith now that you would make the right choice. So, when a time comes that you must choose … you will not become the blood-soaked warrior who can only destroy all that lies in his path.
Indeed, if… no, when you make the right choice, who can tell how great you might become?
Such was the story of another day. As it was, the tale of a lost outsider ravaged by bloodshed – a tale of a young dragon of a fighter finding his way, of a soul rising from its lowest point to its highest thus far, and of an uncanny shinobi now welcome among samurai – would find its place in the history of Iron's continuing era of peace.
-青春の竜-
Young Dragon's Gaiden
End
A/N: Well, there's one complete Gaiden! Hope you enjoyed!
So, why not post this in the main story? Mainly, it would break the flow. Combining all four parts, this is about the size of a short-to-average J3F chapter, but since there's not much to say about Hinata's and Naruto's training or the goings-on in New Oto/Konoha during the 24-25 timeskip, I think a full chapter following only one main character would be a bit out of place, no?
If anyone has any preference on whose to continue next, let me know. I'm not likely to post any more sidestories until after I can finish Toward the New Age, Act II, though.