Ch. 3: Powers rear their heads!

I knew that the moment I do something out of the ordinary, I should expect the cold calculating gaze of those in power to lock their sight on me. The stories of moving Mist Cloud, my sudden jump in skill and abilities and even the large contribution to the clan and the village made me famous enough amongst the villagers.

But what got them interested is my sudden ability to dominate fights in water. They saw me fight enemies without tiring and after the Niidaime Mizukage sent for me, I was all too curious where things would go.

"Come in Arashi-kun." I saw the blond man with weird hairdo like he was some character from JoJo instead of Asian based Naruto.

His Striped Kimono looked too much like a dress shirt, and his overall feel was more European than Asian. But I had seen the Reincarnated Mizukage fight and bring the entire Shinobi Company led by Gaara and Onoki to a stand still.

And given the lore of the Mizukage fighting and dying along with the Niidaime Tsuchikage the Void Muu, I had a rough idea about the events that could have led to Mizukage's demise.

But for now, I saw the smiling cold and calculating gaze bore into my very soul, as after a brief moment the pressure disappeared by the calm smile from the Kage.

"I see the rumours truly are not baseless this once. A prodigy born with the ability to wield three chakra natures, learnt all basic nature transformation techniques for all three affinities at a very young age, possess excellent chakra control even by your own clan standard and surpass even your tutors in chakra control despite being born with higher chakra reserves. And now your proficiency with Suiton has exceeded even the skill levels of our best Shinobi to the point you garnered the title Kiri no Arashi."

The man stood up as if showering himself in praise. "Subarashi! You are turning into one fine Young Man, Arashi-kun. I am truly happy to have one such as you to call my comrades."

I knew how I must reaffirm my. loyalties, as despite what the clan beats into me, I know my loyalty should be to the village first.

Perhaps the Clan Purging had some real truth behind it, apart from Zetsu and Madara's machinations. The Clan's in Kiri rule and control the power with such a tight leash, that the clanless and civilians must truly feel discontent. And given the wars kill more clan members, there is bound to be more civilians active as Shinobi than the Clans. But that is not true now, and given the Mizukage till now has been the Clan Member of the Hozuki Clan, I don't see the blood Purging and civil wars to happen at least until he dies.

I knelt on one knee, my back straight, my eyes lowered, my fist on my chest as I beat it with force. "All for the Village, all for Kiri!"

My voice echoed as the utter silence echoed louder than any sound ever could.

I had my eyes lowered and therefore I didn't see Kage's face, but I am sure I was far out of the norm.

"Get up Jounin Arashi." I heard a calm and quiet order from Kage.

Standing up erect, I saw the utter serious face of my Kage. "Leave us."

I saw shadows change and people who must be Anbu leave the room.

"Take a seat, Arashi-kun." He said as I was pointed to a chair.

He sat down, and placed his hat on the table. "Do you realise what you just said?"

I smile and nod. "I do Niidaime-sama."

"Then could you tell me for my sake, what you said and why it matters?"

"I reaffirmed my loyalty to the village, to this Village Hidden in the Mist. Above my family, above my clan, above anyone and everyone. All my efforts, my hard work and my glory I offer it all to the eternal glory of Kirigakure no Sato."

I said as I looked with unwavering commitment and belief. I didn't look away, nor did I flinch.

After what felt like an hour, but could only be a few seconds, the Kage sighed with a smile and nodded. "At least this Village has talented Shinobi who understand things that matter."

He muttered as he smiled. "Tell me boy, if you care about the village and its prosperity, why did you keep your actual stock hidden from the village?" Seeing my blank face, he wondered aloud. "That is not the actions of a Shinobi who puts his village above the Clans."

I nodded. "With respect, Mizukage-sama, I have always worked for the village, and for its benefits. The extra stock that went to the clan ensured they believed they have my unwavering loyalty. And with their confidence and support gained, I can work for the village without my own clan acting as an obstacle."

The Mizukage nodded. "And what is it you want? What are your goals? Is becoming Clan Leader of such a prestigious clan not enough?"

I shook my head, even as I shockingly registered with my newfound senses related to my Demigod abilities that some of my clan elders and even my clan leader stood behind a hidden shelf waiting.

"I love my Clan, I love my clan leader who is more a sister to me and family than even my own mother. I love my clan like the family, as they treat me and I owe my growth and my life to them." I changed my speech from what I was going to say, as things made sense that the Kage wants to test me in the presence of my clan elders and the head.

"But even my own family, is merely a small part of the larger family that I owe my allegiance to. Kiri is the family and the Shinobi in it my brothers and sisters. My clan would never revolt or go against the wishes of the village, as their loyalty has been reaffirmed over the years since the foundations were laid for this Village."

I looked out the window as I saw the breeze creep in. I could smell the moist air, and all it encompasses, as I knew slowly but surely, my senses were extending further than ever before.

"This is my home, my family, and since I don't know the personal interests of my clan, I would always rank the interests of the village above any self-serving interests of the clan which is only a small subset of my family. As to my ambitions, I wish to dissolve the rift between the Clans and the civilians. I wish to push away the growing influence of the Clans, including my own, but allow the Clans and the Civilians to unite for a better future."

I smiled, "I want Clans in Kiri, to take specific roles in the daily life, and for civilians to take up the spots in the administration to fill the gaps. I want us to be a cohesive unit, and not broken shards glued together weakly. I want us to face our enemies together, United under one front, not civilian Shinobi and Clan Shinobi, but Kiri Shinobi."

And now I looked at Kage who had a grin on his face. "I want us to put down our differences, forget things that seperate us. I want to remind the people of what unites us all, not the self serving Interests of each clan, but the United wish and desire of the entire village. I want us to be united for the enemies we are going to face, for the world if needs be. A House divided against itself cannot stand. And I shall unite my house to face all enemies outside these walls with utmost cruelty and treachery, while I shall reserve my kindness and love for my village, my family. And I shall rest, only when clients drool at the sight of a Kiri Shinobi coming to their aid, and the enemies shiver in fear and marinate in their nightmares at the thought of drawing not the animosity, but mere annoyance of Kirigakure no Sato!"

I spoke with utmost conviction and belief as I needed the support of the most successful Mizukage of Kirigakure.

I saw the shelf to my side open, as the hiding Clan Elders and my Nee-chan came out, but she wasn't my sister today. She was a Clan Leader.

"Have you heard enough, Terumi?" I heard Kage speak, as he addressed the clan collectively.

I saw the smiles and pride on their face, and I had to put up my utter shock on my face to sell my act.

"We have Kage-sama. We are proud to present to you Jounin Arashi of Kiri, not of Clan Terumi anymore." I did not have to fake my surprise and confusion as those words were off somehow.

I saw Mangetsu come to my side, and place his hand kindly on my shoulders. "If it wasn't clear yet, this was a test Arashi. No clans in Kiri are disloyal or self-serving as you might believe. But it is true, that almost every single clan places their clan above their loyalties to our village."

I see the Kage sigh sadly, as even my clan elders look sombre. "But we have a few Clan Leaders and Elders in the village who have my confidence. Those who understand the need for serving the village above the interests of the clans. And the Shinobi Council I prepared in my reign and the chosen few I trust always evaluate possible members to either be advisors to our Village, or even choose a Mizukage from these ranks."

I nod as I follow their thoughts. "And therefore, even if the Clans often have a weight in choosing the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, it is I who chooses the possible candidates, as well as those to be trained as Advisors and my own students. It is not apprenticeship like between a Jounin Sensei and his team. But instead it is grooming those who would put their village above an personal interests. And so I am proud to offer you the position of Liaison between Clan Terumi and the Mizukage Office. But in reality, you are no longer a member of Clan Terumi, but of Kirigakure no Sato. Do you accept Jounin Arashi?"

I nod and tap my chest with my fist. "I am yours to command, Mizukage-sama."


After the sudden leap from a regular clan Shinobi to the Semi-legal apprentice of the most powerful Mizukage of Kiri, I reached a Training Ground with Niidaime.

"For today, we are going to test you and see how you fare against the other candidates for the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. It is up to you, if you want to go down in history as the most powerful wielder of any of the seven swords. Or rather you want to become the most powerful Kiri Shinobi who could one day take my hat. It's up to you!"

I nodded. "From what you told me Mizukage-sama, I would be more useful as a sharp scalpel than a blunt hammer. And whatever the skill set, The Swordsmen are merely instruments of Blunt Damage without accuracy and precision."

The Kage smiled. "I like how you think Arashi. I like it very much. I want you to try all your skills and abilities, and face all seventeen candidates at once. Even if you fail, you will try again as many times in a day, as you can, until one day you can defeat them all with barely any effort."

I nod, and bow. He calls for all seventeen candidates to face me, and I have a few things I want to try. Looking at Zabuza the Demon of the Mist, I realised that Water Clones would work most excellently with my current skillset, at least until I somehow learn the Shadow Clones and the possible elemental versions.

I took barely a day and a half to read and remember the theory and the hand signa, while I took merely three tries to get a Water Clone right. After that, it was constant practice and practice, until I had enough skill with the Jutsu, that the clones appeared with merely two hand seals.

And therefore, once I was face to face on the Gladiator like Arena, with a lot of known important people in the village watching the first attempt of facing the Swordsmen candidates, I knew I had no real reason to keep my skills hidden.

I heard a few jeers, rants and derisive comments aimed at me, but the Swordsmen candidates were merely a stepping stone for my inevitable growth.

As soon as the word "Begin!" was heard, I used Iwagakure no Jutsu and hid under ground. Not one to stay in place, I travelled to the very edge of the walls and appeared behind them.

Using Water Clones, I shielded myself from sight, and quickly I called upon the Mist that lingers in the village almost permanently.

The Mist settled in the Arena, as the entire span was covered with thick breathable Mist. My Sight was unimpeded as I was in my favourable terrain. My body made no sound, and neither did the tools on my person.

I had learnt to coat my weapons with Mist to prevent the slashing sounds that appear whenever a weapon is drawn. As my opponents are powerful and perhaps experienced candidates for the most deadly team of Kiri, minus the Jinchurikis, I knew I had to give my all.

But seeing the seventeen discuss with taps and handsigns, I was left to wonder how truly difficult this would be, if I chose long range action.

I could not create constructs from Mists or water too far away from me. Otherwise the entire Mist Cloud would be my Kill Zone. But given I could do a lot of damage even from afar, I decided to try my hand fighting them all.

Creating a trident in one hand, and drawing a Shield made of Water in the other, I was ready for a true Gladiator combat.

For added effect, I forced the Mist to construct an Armour around me, as the Water formed a thick layer around my body.

"There he is. Get him!"

One of them said, as he jumped with a thick heavy sword, and brought it down where I was.

Using the shield as I want, I made the shield deflect the blow towards the edge of the round shield, instead of towards centre.

As the blow landed and the Sharp and Heavy sword, which must be a trial sword for Kubikiribocho, the Sword slid across the surface of the shield, as the Water didn't give away. As the sword slid off towards the end safely, using my good reflexes, I dissolved the shield construct as it became a puddle of water, joining the mass of water surrounding me.

"What the?" The man exclaimed as he saw the sword made him lose his balance, and as he tipped forward, I touched his chest with my trident. "Dead."

Grudgingly agreeing, he dropped stance and pulled a white cloth on his chest.

One down, I used the clones to push me ahead and jumped into the crowd, where the people believed strength was in numbers. Grouped together, they were easy pickings for me, as the armour became a Spiked Ball, as the spikes extended outwards.

I pricked all of them on their chest through their armour and claimed, "Dead. all of you."

Out of the eight, two refused to back down, as they charged at me. Using the trident, I parried a blow, and replaced myself with a clone who exploded into small pins and pricked their faces and armours.

"Stand down. Or I will be forced for critical take down."

Sullen and grunting, they nodded as they reluctantly pulled the white cloth on their chest.

Nine down and eight to go, I jumped, as I saw Ninja wire and traps below my feet. Cursing and using Kawarimi no Jutsu, the Substitution Technique, I landed safely away from the spot where a large explosion echoed.

I saw a man come up from ground as they looked around for me.

Silent Killing technique relied on the fact, that even the smallest of movements in the Mist, could be heard and sensed. But I was one with the Mist. I made no sounds, no disturbance as the Mist muffled my presence completely.

And according to what Nee-chan told me, I had somehow become invisible to the chakra sensors, as they couldn't sense me, if I wasn't using chakra actively.

And given that I was throwing off their senses, I was happy when I saw the trap I set out was undetected. I had a few broken shuriken compressed with Explosion Tags, and I had set it off with a delay.

The wick was Waterproof and burnt with magnesium fuse, and when I heard grunts and moans in pain, I saw the three of them were caught in the makeshift frag grenade. I had made it low power and low damage, but getting the message, the three drew their white cloth.

The five who remained were dangerous, as they were older, and I recognised their faces from the reanimated corpses in anime.

Someone called Jinpachi, and others looked familiar too. And that meant they were not easy targets, as they had evaded any offensive movement from me, and merely analysed me from a safe distance.

After the explosion, I realised that the five would be a troublesome fight, as they fought united, with each complementing the other fighter and covering each other's weakness. I saw them spread out and come at me wide, to block my retreat.

Fighting close range with so many opponents, was never a good idea, especially not those who fought as a team. And facing them was not going to be easy, as they were not brash or over reaching.

I knew I have to defeat them, but I was not sure, how easy my win would be. Making a bigger construct, I increased my size to about three metres tall. I was encased in water, while my feet stayed in air, as the armour was based on Susanoo, but made of water.

I looked down and noticed I look like a doll, as my arms were stubby and my Construct's feet were too thick for moving. I watched them come, but I wanted a shock and awe to break their formation. Using as much of the Mist I can, I made thick Spears as they rushed to the Shinobi, but aimed at non-lethal targets.

The Spears hit two, with little force, but they took the hint and drew the white cloth. As for the other three, they evaded the attack with ease, at the cost of giving up their formation.

Pushing the water at them, I landed on the ground, while watching my hands take a trident, only to be forced to parry to coordinated strikes. One was easy to deflect, the other landed on my shoulders.

If they were using actual swords, I would be sheared through from my shattered collar bones. But given they were for training, I felt a deep gash and a broken collar, which healed instantly from all the water around us. As the Sword was pulled out, I threw a trident out in force, watching the attacker land about a few dozen feet and use his white cloth.

But that distraction was enough for the other two to capitalise on, when I felt a prick on my throat and a stab in my guts.

Reluctantly pulling my white cloth, I healed myself, and dissipated the Mist, as I saw the aftermath of my "spar".

And given that the ground was covered in holes gouged out and craters and cracks covering the place. Almost all my opponents were grunting in pain, and I saw a few had taken their armours off and nursing the swelling and broken ribs.

I saw the crowd look at the scene with morbid fascination, as even the Mizukage looked shocked.

The Iryo-nin came swiftly taking away the injured, and two of them came to me, as the crowd came to congratulate me.

I saw the annoyed look on Niidaime's face and sheepishly rubbed my head. "Sorry, I got too excited."

He shook his head and congratulated the other swordsmen candidates who looked at me unhidden anger, resentment, a little envy and a lot of vengeance.

I saw the two who landed fatal strikes on me look at me with small amounts of respect and healthy amount of approval.

I saw the Mizukage congratulate all the Swordsmen candidates as they technically won against me, even if I agree that I lost.

The crowd however seemed to be congratulating me as if I had won this face off.

I saw Mizukage come towards me, and I knelt swiftly in his presence. "Rise Kiri no Arashi. You have displayed the strength of our Kiri Shinobi excellently. With talents such as yours and the brave Swordsmen Candidates, I am assured of my Village's safety and future. Tell me, despite your loss, you have demonstrated your skills quite well. Tell me if you have any requests. In my power as Mizukage, I will try to fulfil it, within reason of course."

I pumped my chest and shook my head. "I am grateful for your words, Mizukage-sama. If you must grant me anything, I want to learn and grow in service of my home, my village. I ask for nothing more."

With that loud thunderous applause rang across the arena, as people looked at me with respect and adoration. I knew I have to unite Kiri, before the Blood Purges occur.

Even if it means putting the violent and insane Kaguya Clan members down, I would do so, if it ensured the safety of my village.


After that day, I would often seek the Swordsmen Candidates for a spar, and while some were reluctant, I promised to handicap myself in certain ways, and had to agree to show them how to detect through the Silent Killing Technique.

People had gotten to believe, that my superior Water Affinity allowed me the feats they saw possible. Even Mizukage assumed the same, since he could replicate almost all my feats with sheer water control.

But he had limits, as such control often expended chakra in large amounts and resulted in dangerous situations like Chakra Exhaustion, where the body felt weaker than before, since there was absolutely no chakra in our Tenketsu Points and Chakra network debilitating our abilities.

But my Demigod powers had no such limits, it was an ability or rather a set of abilities different from Chakra techniques. I felt drained and mentally tired after using them, but with each continued use, I was getting adapted to it and could sense the duration of my abilities increase.

I could sense through the Mist in the air, and if there is humidity, then I could sense through it. I could also sense the presence of the sea, and after the day of my first Spar with the Swordsmen Trainee, I found myself venturing to the seas.

I could sense two of my clan members and one of the Anbu from Hoshigaki Clan follow me. But it was not a secret I wanted to keep hidden. I wanted to be known as the child blessed by the waters, and to that end, I took off my clothes and my armour, only taking my Head band on my head and the right trousers which I secured with the Chakra conducting cloth which acted as my belt.

I stretched a little, and dived into the water, as I sensed my followers do the same. Either they were sent to keep an eye on me, or they wanted to protect me. Either way, I didn't mind, as I dived deeper into the sea and landed on the sea bed. Inhaling the water, I felt the salty taste on my tongue, as my body automatically filtered it through my lungs.

I could breathe in sea water, and the salt did nothing to irritate my throat or hurt my chest as a normal human would.

I sat down in water, breathing in the calm as I forgot about my minders and all my worries. I felt a sense of calmness and peace as I sensed the water within me and around me. I could feel my senses expand in seas much more than they ever could in water, as I saw it all in mind's eye.

I felt the utmost calmness as the water swung with waves as the deep random rhythm of the rise and fall of the seas felt like a calming, soothing melody. My mind burdened with thoughts, my plans and my knowledge of what is to come, was soothed with the gentle caress of water as I felt the fishes go past me, and I sensed the calmness from the silence.

I could sense the Hoshigaki clan member remain as the other two went up for air and dived back again, only to wait at the surface.

It had been an hour or so, since I sat down in the water, but after the calmness, I stood up in place and breathed in deeply. I felt the torrent of water as I inhaled, and sensed the calmness as I walked quietly on the sea bed watching the corals and the fishes around me.

I wasn't able to talk to fishes, not yet anyway, but I could sense who was hostile and who was not. In the seas, none were against my presence, as I sensed reverence and acceptance from everything around me. If what I knew about the Greek Pagan God's was true, metaphysically speaking, they are the personification of the very concepts and domain they govern.

As such, Poseidon was the God and the Personification of the Concept of Seas, Rivers, Lakes, Oceans, Horses and Earthquakes. And as his child, Percy and by extension I, had the distilled essence of these concepts flowing in my blood.

And that made me certain, that it wasn't control that I experienced with what I started to call Demigod powers. It was merely uniting my consciousness to the concepts and domain of my heritage. And I realised that I wasn't the spider on the web, but the very silk that tugs and weaves the complex web around this reality.

And with that epiphany, I walked calmly to where I sensed my feet take me, as I came upon the ridge where I saw the Sea bed end as a deep Gorge begin.

Even to my sight, it was dark as I saw the gorge have no end. But I felt the calling from the gorge as something uttered my name and called for me.

Without a thought, I felt myself reach with my mind, trying to connect to the voice. The voice was deep, gravelly and without malice, as I extended my hand over the gorge and felt something touch my fingers.

I saw a giant snake like appendage as I saw it was as wide as forty feet. It was filled with dark black etchings as the appendage itself was massive and as big as I imagined Blue Whales to be. I saw the tip of the appendage was a sharp harpoon like end, and when the appendage touched my fingers, I tried to push my energy through them.

In an instant, I sensed my mind turn inwards, as I saw an emptiness as black as void. I sensed two red planets, or stars, as they glowed brightly. I saw the twin stars draw near to me as they never seperated, merely came closer from a distance.

And when they were almost within touching distance, I saw the two stars now appear like glass. My breath hitched however, when the two stars blinked and I belatedly realised they were not stars but eyes. Eyes of the being who currently was looking at me.

And why did I realise that? Because I saw the two sharp rows of pointed ivory teeth open as the giant beast opened its maw.

"You have finally awoken, Cousin."

I swore, I could feel my blood drain and mind reset itself as I registered its voice and its words.

"I..I have. What is it y..you desire of me?" I felt myself ask, despite the shudder in my voice.

I felt a breath of air launch in my face, as the beast huffed. "You are yet a little egg, cousin. When you grow a spine to face me, come again. Until then think of me by my name."

I felt the shiver and cold as I heard its words. "And what is your name?"

I heard sounds of metal creaking, plates rubbing against each other. I felt the joints of the beast crack and move in the dark, as the darkness moved away, and I noticed, it wasn't the darkness that shrouded my sight, it was the beast's entire body.

I saw the turtle like thick armour on its body, its dangerous head with thorny horns surrounding his head likea crown. Even from afar, I saw its muscular gigantic jaw and the Sharp arsenal of Spears he calls teeth.

I saw its claws and its feet come from the thick armour of shell, as I registered the long Tentacles from its lower back down to the ground, as the beast registered in my mind, while it confirming my thoughts at the same time.

"Some call me the Deep One or the Forgotten. But our family calls me the Kraken."

And it pushed me out of my mind, as I felt my body register the shaking.

I saw the Anbu from Hoshigaki clan come to my side and pull me from my place, as I stood in place. He was trying to shield me from the giant tentacle of the Kraken, but I knew he would be of no use, should the Kraken want to hurt me.

I signalled him to stop, and pulled my arm away. Walking further, at the still standing tentacle, I swam up and touched it ones while trying to relay my thoughts.

"I will come when I am ready for you cousin. And the world will watch in horror and fear as the Kraken is unleashed unto this world."

I felt the feeling of approval as the tentacle gradually descended into the ground as the gorge rumbled and the sea bed shook and trembled.

I calmly swam to the shore, jumping out of water and landing on the surface with all the water pushed out of my body. My body was as dry as it could be, and I began to wear my clothes, as I waited for the Hoshigaki to inform the Terumi Clan Minders and come to me.


Standing in front of the Clan Leader and my Mizukage, as they both had similar expressions on their face was funny, if not the annoyed glare thrown my way, with each passing word from the three minders' reports.

I saw the Clan Leader look at Mizukage who sighed. "Any particular reason you went to the deep seas and confronted whatever beasts lay there. There have been reports since ancient times of the giant beasts that eats ships and people alike and none who returned from the attacks of the monster."

I sighed sadly. "It is a misunderstood creature Mizukage-sama. It is a giant squid and only hunts when it gets hungry. I sensed him call to me, so I meditated a little in water and then went to meet him. And since I returned unharmed, I can vouch for the squid."

I heard a sharp bang, as the clan leader rapped the table. "You idiot. What if the creature wanted to lure you to its open mouth? How did you even know where to go looking for it?"

I shrugged. "He called to me, and called me Cousin. I just left to meet him. He said, I should come again when I am more strong, and it will follow me to battle and come to my aid."

The Kage looked at the Hoshigaki Anbu who shrugged. "I heard nothing Mizukage-sama. But when I tried to pull Arashi away, he was in some kind of trance, when he became conscious, he swam to the Massive Blind Snake and touched it. Whatever happened, the Snake left without harming any of us."

I waited silently, as I was ordered to stay away from the gorge. But I requested and was allowed to meditate in the seas, as I told them it was calming and relaxing for me.


Change in POV

After Arashi was escorted out, the Mizukage turned to his loyal Terumi Clan Leader.

"Terumi-san, has this activity been the norm for Arashi?"

He saw the young woman shake her head. "He was nothing out of the ordinary, Mizukage-sama. If anything, we were surprised at how despite being a prodigy, he had no bad behavioural traits, arrogance or even any tics that we normally associate with prodigies. He hasn't acted too out of the norm, but this behaviour is not one we noticed before.

He hummed in thought. "And his abilities? Even Hoshigaki have to come for air, despite their clan abilities. And nothing from either Kaguya or Terumi Clan points to such deep connection to water. Though it remains to be seen, if it is with seas only, or other water bodies. And if it is dependence on Water bodies. I am sure, you have also noticed his prodigious water abilities. I am not sure any one before had such ability with water. Even I have to make effort and expend too much chakra to replicate feats he so easily performed."

The Terumi Clan Leader nodded. "We noticed it after the first day of the war. He was hit with a blunt damage from a stray Water Jutsu on the first day of the Uzushiogakure Invasion."

He had her complete attention, as she explained. "I saw him fall and knew it was going to be bad. I tried to heal him, but he was not breathing. Using Iryojutsu, I saw his brain had internal bleeding as his skull was cracked."

He saw her point at the brain stem, and he absolutely knew it was a fatal hit.

"I was angry and began to avenge his death, as I saw he had no pulse. His body was cold, but not from the water below, but from bleeding out. I don't know what happened, because I was struck in grief at losing him. I only came to my senses, when I saw him stand up in place, the previous litres of blood gone away, the shrapnel and rocks in his face healed and his face healed without even scars or wounds."

He looked at her in wonder, as she continued. "I wiped my tears, but I was cautious as I came to him. I saw him look at me blankly, and wondered if he had amnesia. Whatever happened, whatever healed him, he felt different as he looked at me as if I was a stranger. His eyes were blank, his face contorted as he looked around in wonder and shock. I came to him with a grin and tried to hide my grief. He didn't seem to come out of his shock, as I inspected his wound I tried healing previously. With the Diagnostic Jutsu, I saw him completely healed, the previous clot and bleeding was plugged and he was as good as new."

He saw the shock still persist on her face. "I had heard of weird demonic kinjutsu developed in Konoha and thought Uzushiogakure also had them. So I acted as if everything was alright and left from his sight, but stood nearby."

"I saw with bated breath, as various emotions made on his face. Sad, grief, despair, pain, wonder, shock, disbelief and I even saw him pinch his arm and pick up the wet sand and smell it."

She shook her head, hiding her grief and shock. "I expected him to attack our Kiri men, and was ready to deal with whatever was possessing my Kid brother's body. But he rubbed his head, looked around and began to run through the beach at breakneck speeds."

She held a finger to her lips. "If I remember correctly, I knew there was something different and weird. I wanted to believe that he is my brother, that whatever happens he will come to me with that goofy smile."

She smiled as if reminiscent of the past. "But he began to hop the trees as if he was someone from Konoha. He always had superior chakra control. But as I saw him, I realised he was mimicking someone he perhaps saw somewhere. Because after missing a step and almost falling down or breaking his jaw on the tree, he immediately learnt to take measured steps as I saw him jump and improve with each step."

She smiled. "But the way he learnt from his mistakes, and how he avoided contact with the reinforcement, I hoped my brother came back to me."

"I tried to follow him, but the Uzumaki sensed me easily, while he escaped unaware into the trees. I had to fight my way, but by the time I was done, it was too late, and he was too far gone."

He saw her excitement dwindle. "It was afternoon then, and still there was no sign of him. I wondered what happened to him, and thought he could have gone rogue or whatever possessed his body would come back for an ambush."

She held her head. "I was distraught at the thought of fighting someone who looks like my baby brother. But when the sensors saw, not sensed but saw, him coming to our base. I had set the base on high alert."

He saw her smile sadly. "I interacted with him, even stored his loot in separate storage. I kept scouts on him, and the next day we followed his trail. But he acted unlike my brother would, but he was on our side. We at least saw that, when he cut down the Uzumaki woman. At least we knew, if he was not Arashi, at least he was not on Uzumaki's side."

She then showed the reports. "He acted strangely, as we saw him somehow heal himself from a large cut on his thighs. Ordinarily, it was a serious injury, and cauterizing the wound would have resulted in necrosis in muscles to set in, meaning a large chunk of thigh muscles would be excised in surgery and he would be suffering from chronic pain in the leg all his life."

She shook her head in wonder. "But the blood reversed it's flow, as instead of bleeding out, it went back inside his wound. He healed his leg without a speck of Medical Healing chakra. He used no visible Jutsu as there was no chakra sensed, but somehow the wound sealed itself, and while Arashi himself looked shocked, he somehow knew what was happening if the looks on his face were any indication."

She smiled, "Holding on to thought, that perhaps I haven't completely lost my brother, I began to interact with him. Acted vulnerably to see if he tries to capitalise. Tried to question indirectly if he remembered the few personal and private moments, that no one apart from me and Arashi should remember. He answered perfectly, without pause, not as if he was reading a script, but as if he was really recalling his memory. I tested various clan secrets and his own techniques too, and he passed perfectly as we expected. Save for a few oddities."

He was curious, as he got enraptured in this tale. "And what were these oddities?"

"Arashi somehow knew all the possible Advanced Nature Transformations, even speculated how he could try to mix chakra natures to obtain Wood Release, the legendary Kekkai Genkai of Hashirama Senju of Konoha. He was found learning about records to practise Yin and Yang Release, while also several people noticed and found him practising Advanced Chakra Control Methods. Every waking moment was either spent reading something, practising what he read, or those weird abilities he somehow awakened. He was seen healing cuts without Iryojutsu, creating constructs and weapons out of water without using hand seals, he was also found testing and fighting using Silent Killing Technique with such precision that we wondered if he somehow found deeper secrets when he seemingly died."

She smiled wryly. "Whatever happened, my baby brother grew a spine, became confident of himself, awakened abilities and powers unheard of and never seen before, knew things suddenly he was never found to know before, became stronger physically as he doesn't realise it, and somehow he became the perfect Shinobi of the Kiri as one could only dream. Make of it what you will, Mizukage-sama."

And what could he make of it truly, when he saw it himself? Perhaps, some goda somewhere blessed his village despite his failings, and gave him a boon and a blessing in the name of Kiri no Arashi.