Title: My Triumph lasted till the Drums

Chapter 10: 'Tis the seal Despair –

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

AN: Wow! The amount of feedback I have been getting is great! Thanks to the five individuals who gave me some solid review feedback last chapter. This one is for you guys: Demon Evernight, bunnyguest, stopeatread, Ludicc and SilverMoon6817. As a side note, I have most of this story figured out, and I will not be changing what I have planned from requests. Note, that the next chapters are going to be slower. I need to develop Nanami. She isn't a Mary Sue. They story is going to take a major shift soon. Here we go—

Dear Nanami,

I'm glad to hear that your training is going well, albeit difficult. Training is supposed to be difficult, isn't it? Struggling makes you better. Lately, I have been struggling with the idea that I will be entering the academy next year after I turn six. I am rather envious that you do not have to go to the academy, and sad we can't share the experience.

The more you practice physical training, the stronger you will become. Its most likely that you will surpass me in strength when you return, as physical strength isn't a part of my style. I am looking forward to sparring with you when we return.

Make sure you remember to keep a log of your travels. I want to hear about the places you've been. I hope to visit these places someday as well. Though, as head of the Uchiha clan, it will be unlikely that I leave the village often.

And, since I know that you will always ask, your otouto is doing well. As the Uchiha and Hyuuga are not of the best of terms, I haven't been able to gather too much on his development. But, from what I hear the Hyuuga have been boasting about his above average intelligence and quick development. I would be happy to pass along a letter to HIzashi-sama if you want to send one with Kurasu-san next time.

To save the good news for the end of my brief letter, I want to tell you something amazing that happened today. As of this November, my mother told me that she believes herself to be one month pregnant. I will have a younger sibling of my own next time we meet. I will keep you updated on my mother's progress.

I am missing you more than you know,

-Itachi Uchiha

The first few months of training with Tsunade outside of the village was brutal. Nanami felt physically exhausted every day, and when it came time to sleep for the night, she was out before her head hit the pillow. Nanami would wake up at seven in the morning and eat breakfast with Tsunade and Shizune. At 7:30 Nanami would practice her katas and stretch, getting rid of the last day's fatigue. Her training began at eight with the statement from Tsunade, "I'm going to attack you for real."

For the next several hours of the morning, Nanami would practice avoiding all Tsunade's attacks, without the aid of her 'all-seeing' Byakugan. Tsunade explained that training without the Byakugan would build up her instinct as well as her ability to dodge with the Byakugan. If her chakra was depleted and she wasn't able to use her eyes, she would still need to learn to dodge. Medical ninja are the first targeted by the enemy in the heat of battle.

And boy, was dodging the Sannin's attacks more difficult than Nanami thought it would be. While Nanami had known she was intellectually very gifted, her physical genius had never existed, unlike Itachi. That's why she never considered herself a genius. Itachi was gifted in every aspect, she was essentially a cheater. She only had an advantage because she remembered pieces of her past life, and carried part of that mind into her new childhood. Although, the ability to do that may be considered genius.

Her training caused so much damage to the terrain Most of the time, the small towns they were in would tentatively approach the trio and ask them to leave. Generally, it would greatly anger the Sannin. Nanami and Shizune would have to drag her away apologizing to the representative, thankful they were not pressing charges.

Noon was lunch time.

At one, Tsunade made Nanami meditate. Meditation, Tsunade explained, was the key to medical ninjutsu. It was with meditation that the individual perfected their chakra control. Typically, Nanami would meditate for several hours, then do her own practice on ninjutsu. She would practice her parents' techniques that she was just beginning to grasp. They were indeed very complex.

Today was different, however. Nanami's training had been particularly painful this morning. It had been 6 months of this routine and Tsunade began attacking her with Shizune. The woman had landed a particularly painful punch to Nanami's abdomen. While Tsunade allowed Nanami to fuse her bones back together, Tsunade stopped the girl from healing the bruise. She explained that the pain would remind her to focus on the task at hand, and maybe next time she would dodge the attack.

They day got better when, during her meditation, Kurasu-san arrived delivering Nanami a batch of letters from her parents and Itachi. She had missed her friends and family so much. She would ask them to send pictures in her next letter, especially of baby Neji. He had to be around 6 months now.

Her day progressed even more when Tsunade explained that her post-meditation time would now be filled with other things. Today, Tsunade brought Nanami to a clearing close to the village. Shizune was nowhere to be found, Nanami assumed she was studying in the hotel room.

"I think you're ready to move on to the next part of your training," Tsunade explained.

Nanami was a bit surprised at this. She knew that her dodging and stamina had drastically improved, and so did her chakra control and chakra pools.

"Itachi has a summoning contract with the crows. I have a summoning contract with slugs. I am going to share this contract with you because it is the first step in learning the Byakugō no In, the Reserve Seal," Tsunade said.

"You can't be serious. You think I am ready for that?" Nanami asked with urgency.

"Frankly, your chakra control is the best I have ever seen. Your age keeps you from stamina, but that will change in time. Once you have both, your speed, strength and control will be unmatched," Tsunade said, with a gleam of pride in her brown eyes, "Ninja today are obsessed with shortcuts, finding and creating newer and bigger jutsu to outmatch each other. They are so focused on this, they forget the basics, they never master what matters. Bigger isn't better when it comes to a battle.

"If you can't dodge an attack, you die. If you can run faster than others, you will be caught and die. If you aren't physically stronger than others, you will be defeated in a battle with no chakra and die. Training with me, you will become a master of basics, charkra focused taijutsu and medical ninjutsu. Then, you can focus on specialty jutsu."

Nanami took in her words, and processed the complement from her teacher. The woman had hardened from war and was very particular. She was a drunk and lost most of her money gambling. She was not perfect, and she wasn't invincible. But, Nanami respected the woman and believed in her words. She would love this woman because she was there. Tsunade allowed Nanami into her life and that was a massive step for the Sannin to take. Nanami would return the favor, and treat the woman as family.

"So, I'm going to learn to summon slugs?" Nanami asked.

Tsunade smiled at her apprentice. The girl was progressing faster than she could have imagined. "Kuchiyose no Jutsu," Tsuande said, biting her finger causing it to bleed. She then performed the corresponding hand signs and slammed her hand to the ground. Smoke rose from the seal placed on the ground and in the seal, was a small slug.

"It's good to see you, Tsunade-sama," the slug said in a voice rivaling the gentleness of Nanami's.

"Katsuyu, this is Nanami Uchiha. I have taken her as my apprentice and I have decided she is worthy of signing a contract with you," Tsunade said.

"Yes, when your ready hime," the slug said.

Itachin,

I am so thankful for your letters. They give me so much strength. I have been progressing in my training. Tsunade-sama is going to tach me an amazing technique, but I'm not telling you what it is. I want it to be a surprise!

Please do keep me updated on Neji, and your little sibling as well. You are going to be the best big brother in history, I know it. Remember to take care of yourself while training. Your baby brother or sister needs a healthy nii-san, (I am predicting a little brother). When I get back, I'll be able to heal your wounds, but until then, please be careful.

If I have anything to say about you travelling, we will be travelling anywhere you want in the future. I've heard that the land of snow is very beautiful in the summer. I have been collecting local flowers from the region and pressing them for you so we can add them to our collection. While I have found some real beauties, Mysotis flowers remain my favorite. Did you know that in the Land of Tea, locals refer to them as "forget-me-nots"? Quite fitting, don't you agree?

If you can, will you deliver the letters I have attached to this one? One is for my parents, and the other for Hizashi-san. I am requesting them to send me pictures of themselves and Neji.

Please stay safe and tell your parents that I miss them as well. Also, tell Mikoto-san that the best flower to have around the house during pregnancy are peonies, supposedly they bring healing and good fortune. They also smell amazing!

I think I am missing you just as much,

-Nana