Walking on air was something that has only been described as a feeling of euphoria. When someone is so happy, excited, or elated. That nothing can bring them down. And now I know why this phrase is used in such a way. Because now, here I stand, roughly ten feet in the air with nothing under my feet.
And I feel absolute euphoria.
I never imagined that actually standing in the air would feel so solid, like I was still on the ground.
I had thought it would be more like I was floating or levitating, feet dangling in the air or something or something along those lines. But no, my feet are standing on what feels like a solid surface. And when I take a step, my feet seem to almost kick up dust. Like I'm on a dirt road or something.
Okay Blossom, now that you've mastered both things I set out to teach you today, why don't we try combining both of them. Try flash stepping in the air, to another place in the sky. It can be higher or lower, or directly in front of you. But remember, you have to be able to see where you're going. As you advance with the technique, you may be able to just imagine where you want to go and get there, but the greater the distance the more energy you use, so you cant exactly travel from one country to another. But I imagine you should be able to go all the way across the village after a few moths of hard work.
Wow, Senbonzakura. I never thought I would be able to experience something like this until I met you. I've always been the girl who was never supposed to be good enough or strong enough because she was a civilian girl who was only playing ninja. After I graduated everyone expected me to quit and work a normal job. Follow in my parents footsteps. Even my parents had only let me join the academy to entertain me. They never thought I would get this far either. But now that I have gotten this far, and I'm so close to becoming a Chunin, they keep pushing me to keep going. They have been my biggest supporters. And it's all thanks to you. For choosing me. So thank you for believing me to be worthy enough to have me by your side.
You have always been worthy Sakura, you just had to believe in yourself. Because it is not you who is by my side, it is I who stands by yours. I may have seen you potential, and it may have been me who chose you, but there have been many who have been chosen but failed to keep going with it.
Really?
Yes. You are not the first one to have been chosen to wield a sword from a scroll that hails from the Village Hidden in the Mist. Many a times, our scrolls have been stolen to be used by criminals and thieves all over the world. Treasure hunters that believe us spirits are worth something, but without being chosen, they have no way to use us, and we are otherwise worthless to the rest of the world, and are then forgotten. Left to be picked up by other strangers and collect dust on a shelf, maybe never to be used at all. But some are. Like you, there are others across the Nations that do not belong to Kiri but have been chosen, some use the swords they were gifted with rather well, others do not. Perhaps one day, you will find others with the gift of the Spirit Sword.
That's incredible. Do you think I'd find any here in Konoha?
I don't think so Blossom. I would have sensed another Spirit if they were here. But perhaps as you take missions and travel the world, you will find someone.
I sure hope so. I would love to meet another person who was chosen. Someone else who was worthy.
It might not be as great as you making it out to be Blossom. Just because the sword chose their master, does not mean that their ideals are pure of heart. A spirit could be tainted, and as such, can choose a nasty master to fight along with. So if you do ever meet someone. Just be careful. We may be powerful, but that doesn't mean someone else can't be stronger against us.
Right.
Now then, enough of the negative. How about you try flash stepping about thirty feet to your left, and about five feet down as well.
You mean right over the lake?
Yes, that way if you lose concentration and you fall, it wont be on solid rock.
I glanced downward, slightly confused, and let out a gasp.
I was standing over a rather ragged looking rock, covered in sharp edges.
I looked to where Senbonzakura told me to go and thought back to the flash step.
One foot in front of the other, focus the reishi to my feet, and push. All the while trying to keep myself still up in the air.
The rolling of my stomach came back because of how high I was, but I managed to land exactly where I wanted to go. Still up in the air.
"Yes!"
I yelled excitedly as I began jumping up and down from ten feet in the air.
"Well, now ain't that somethin'?" Said a voice from behind me, causing me to gasp and spin around, momentarily forgetting that I was still ten feet up. I snapped my head downward and came across a person I had never seen before.
Two people actually.
Both were women, one appeared to be in her mid twenties, and other one looked to be in her early thirties maybe.
The younger one had short black hair and black eyes, holding a small pig in her arms. The older one had honey colored eyes and medium length blonde hair tied into two low pig tails that hung over her shoulders and lied atop her rather large breasts. But the main thing I noticed about her, besides her large melons, was the purple diamond resting on the middle of her forehead.
"Who are you?" I managed to squeak out, thoroughly surprised that she was able to sneak past Senbonzakura's defenses, normally he would warn me that someone was nearby.
The blonde haired woman looked slightly insulted.
"Don't they teach you brats anything in the academy anymore? Jeez." I stared in awe as the woman squared her shoulders and stood a little taller, confidence rolling off of her in waves.
"The names Tsunade, Senju Tsunade. One of the three Legendary Senin. And this right here is my apprentice, Shizune." Said woman waved while still looking shocked. "Pleasure to meet you kid. Now, why don't you come on down from there and tell me, just what kind of witchcraft that is?"
I tried not to bust out laughing, after all we were outted before we even got the chance to surprise the village with this new move.
Well, no point in hiding it now I suppose.
Yeah, I guess not. I mean, we were literally caught red handed.
Besides, someone was able to sneak past me and right under our noses, quite literally, so she must be incredibly strong.
Of course she is, didn't you hear what she said, she's a Senin. That means she was on the same team as that snake Orochimaru, they are some of the strongest Shinobi to ever walk through the nations.
Well, best get down there then.
Right.
Without thinking I pushed myself down and flash stepped right in front of the two women.
Both of them kept their eyes in the sky for a moment before the realized I was no longer there.
"Wha-"
"Wher-"
"I'm right here." I said, causing them both to snap their heads to look down at me.
"What in the?" Began the woman called Shizune. "How did you do that?"
I rubbed the back of my head, a bit embarrassed.
"Well, it's kind of a long story, and there's no telling how much of it you'll believe of it either." Tsunade crossed her arms over her chest, causing them to bounce at the movement.
"It's not witchcraft is it?" She asked me again, seeming to be stuck on the idea I was performing black magic or something.
"No, no. The maneuver I just performed to come down here, from up there, was called the flash step, similar to that of the body flicker jutsu." I said trying to explain it as easily as I could.
"And that thing that you did, where you were standing in mid air? I don't think I've ever seen anything like that before." She pushed.
"But you have seen it though, just on water or up walls or solid objects. But it's the same concept."
Tsunade scoffed at my words, causing me to frown.
"Kid, there have been many people who have tried to walk on air since the beginning of the shinobi time line, especially after they discovered that they could use their chakra to walk on water and stand upside down on a ceiling. So tell me how in the hell a girl who's just a genin, was able to do it?"
"Because I wasn't using chakra." Tsunade choked on her own spit.
"I'm sorry, what? So it is witchcraft!"
"No!" I yelled, exasperated.
"Tsunade, please. Just let her explain." Shizune pleaded, seeing the tired look on my face.
Tsunade pursed her lips before nodding her head, allowing me to explain.
Senbonzakura, should I tell her everything?
That depends on you Blossom. I wouldn't suggest telling the whole world about it just yet, but after the exams are over, everyone is going to know about it anyway. But the main question is, can you trust her enough to tell her and her friend about it. I mean, you've only just met them.
I know it may sound strange, but yes, I feel as though I can trust them with this.
Then I trust you. You may tell them all about me.
Thank you, Senbonzakura.
And so, I began the tale of my life over the past few months. I told them of how I came to have ownership of the Spirit Sword, and the powers he gives me. Along with everything he has taught me thus far, including what they had just witnessed.
"Wow kid, that's quite the adventure you been having." Tsunade said as she rubbed her chin, causing me to gape at her.
"You mean to say, you believe me?" I asked, thoroughly surprised.
I mean, my story does sound a bit farfetched. I didn't think she would believe me right away.
"Of course I believe you kid. I've been traveling the world. Nation to Nation ever since the last war had ended damn near 13 years ago. I've seen many things in my day, including people like you. As a matter of fact, I just left Kiri not to long before coming here. They were talking about how more and more outsiders are getting their hands on their scrolls. Most the people are fine with it, after all, the sword has to accept you, and they know not everyone is worthy in Kiri. But there are some among them who believe otherwise. So if you ever run into a ninja from Kiri, be careful, you may not know who exactly you're talking to." I found myself nodding my head slowly.
It was something I had never really thought of before. But I suppose it makes sense. It's considered one of their village secrets after all. I know Konoha would be upset for the same reasons.
"Thank you Tsunade-sama. I'll do my best to keep that in mind should I ever travel near their borders." I said.
She smirked at me.
"You shouldn't be going near their border anytime soon kid, you're just a genin. Unless you plan on taking a leave of absence from Konoha like I did. Then things would be different."
"What do you mean a 'leave of absence', like leaving Konoha?" I asked, having my interest peaked from her words.
She merely shrugged at me.
"Something like that. It's not exactly abandoning the village. It's more like turning in your headband and have no real affiliations or ties to any nation until you decide you want to come back, or you have to come back because of some sort of deadline you made with the Hokage." She explained further, causing my mouth to form a circle in understanding.
"Oh, I see. Is that why you've returned then?" I asked. She did mention having taken a leave of absence earlier.
"Again. Something like that. I'm only here until the chunin exams are over. The Hokage asked me to come back for a bit while the exams were taking place. Just in case an old friend of mine shows up."
My face immediately twisted as my mood turned sour.
"You mean Orochimaru?" She looked surprised.
"Ah, so you have an idea of what's going on in the village at the moment then."
"No, not exactly. I did however run into him during the exams. He's after my teammates Sharingan."
This time, it was Tsunade's face that twisted.
"So that's what he's after then." I nodded my head slowly.
My mind drifted back to all that had happened in the forest of death. I wasn't one hundred percent sure what his endgame was, but whatever it was, it was surely nothing pleasant.
"Well kid," Tsunade said, clearing her throat. "It was nice to meet ya', but I'm afraid we must be on our way. Shizune and I were supposed to have met up with the Hokage a while ago." Tsunade said before she laughed at the look of horror on my face.
As she made her way out of the training grounds she left with a few parting words.
"Be safe out there kid, and make sure to kick some ass at those exams. I'll be looking out for ya!"
~•~
3rd POV
Tsunade and Shizune were talking quietly among themselves as they made their way to the Hokage's tower.
Discussing what they both had just seen just moments ago.
"Can you believe it Lady Tsunade? A girl her age, having possession of one of the worlds greatest powers, one that isn't even that well know to many just yet!" Shizune exclaimed, truly in awe of what she had seen the girl, Sakura, do only moments ago.
"I know. From what the Mizukage had told me, the village started acting really strange ever since the first occurrence had happened a little less than a year ago. I mean can you imagine, having someone attack you with something that was supposed to belong to your own village? That would be like an Uchiha or a Hyuuga finding out that their dojutsu was being used by someone from outside their clan. Of course there would be an outrage." Tsunade said, recalling her most recent conversation with the newly appointed fifth Mizukage, Mei.
"Did she mention how many more have shown up since then?" Shizune questioned as the Hokage's tower came into view.
"Besides that ANBU from Suna? I think there were three others, but she didn't mention where they were from."
"Why do you suppose that is?"
"I think it's because they weren't strong enough against Kiri shinobi."
"You mean?"
"As I had told Sakura, not everyone from Kiri is okay with their swords being used from outsiders. I think Mei failed to mention who else had the Spirit Swords because they were already dead,, and the scrolls returned."
"Do you think the same thing will happen to Sakura if someone finds out?"
"Yes, that's why I told her to be careful during the exams. As of right now, all the contestants from Kiri have failed, and are no longer in the exams. Therefore, they have no reason to be here anymore. But that doesn't mean that word about it wont spread."
"That's why you put that thought in her head. About taking a leave of absence from the village." Tsunade had no response to that, the answer was clear on her face that yes, that was her intention.
"As soon as the exams are over, I have no doubt in my mind that Kiri will show up in the village. Not as an enemy, because that would be foolish. But merely to investigate, keep tabs on her, until she gets sent on a mission. Then find a way to take back what's theirs." Tsunade said instead.
"But the Mizukage is one of the people among the village who is okay with outsiders having possession of the scrolls and the swords! Why would she do that?"
"It wont be her doing. Those against the idea, will still do what they think is right, even if it may cost them their careers, or their lives."
"Do you think she'll be alright?" Shizune asked as they finally reached the base of the tower and began their way inside after being told to go on by the receptionist.
"I think so. She may be young, but she's also the only one I've seen be so in tuned with their sword counterpart. Even the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist can only use their swords as they are, and usually its in their second form. Some don't even make it to the third form. But her, she can use other abilities that were given to her from the sword. She can stand on air, move at speeds that I'm sure even Shisui would be stunned at. And the spells she told me she performed in the forest as well. I've never heard of things like that before. She'll be better than them, stronger than them. And if she can get her sword to it's third and final form as well, she'd be incredible." They had made it to the door of the Hokage's office. Shizune knocked twice, and they waited. "She'll survive them all Shizune, even if I have to take her out of the village to train her myself."
"Come in!" Yelled a voice from the door, causing Shizune who was shocked beyond beliefe at her masters words to shake her head and look at Tsunade in confusion, who in turn looked just as confused at the voice that told them to enter.
"That doesn't sound like the blonde haired Hokage that I was expecting." Tsunade said after hearing a feminine voice coming from the other side of the door.
The women opened the door and went inside, seeing a rather pissed off looking red head and an upset blonde Hokage.
"Uh, we can come back later if you'd like." Shizune said rather awkwardly, thinking they had just walked in on a lovers quarrel between Minato and Kushina.
Both of them immediately caught on to what they might have been thinking and quickly shut that thought down.
"No, no. It's alright. Kushina and I were just told some rather upsetting news about my son and his recent behavior with one of his teammates." Minato said with a frown still etched on to his face. The reminder caused Kushina to scowl all over again as her hair began to float around her in waves.
"Oh? That brat of yours causing trouble?" Tsunade asked after her and Shizune relaxed a bit.
"Do you want to know what Mikoto told me!" Kushina yelled, causing the women to get interested at the topic of gossip. "She told me something very interesting this morning about Naruto and Sasuke and about how they've been treating poor Sakura-chan!"
Tsunade and Shizune both looked at each other, only knowing about one person in the village with that name who has an Uchiha as a teammate.
"Tell us Kushina-san, what has you son been saying to this teammate of his?"