AN: Ayeeee chapter six, sorry for the wait. I got a job, makin bank now.
Anyway, enjoy!
Chapter Six: Kumo
"Are you sure about this one?" Shisui asked as Yumi drew back the string of his longbow, a knocked arrow appearing from the storage seal near the grip. "I'm sure I can take him out if things get hairy, but I'd rather things not get hairy. This guy's scary." He continued with shudder.
"We are over two and a half kilometers away, Shisui-sensei, this arrow can travel that distance in under three seconds, and the seals I have placed on it will keep it silent, as well as increase its speed. Even if he could react, it would be too late. Now I've got the shot, what are your orders?" Yumi asked calmly.
"Alright, take it." Shisui sighed with a smile.
Twisting the bow string, Yumi channeled chakra into the arrow, and slowly a thin drilling point formed around the arrowhead, an occasional zap of lightning arcing out of it's faintly purple center. Calmly releasing his breath, Yumi let the arrow fly.
Tracking the arrow's path, he watched as it cleanly pierced through numerous full grown trees as it raced toward its target. At the last second, he saw the large man turn and widen his eyes- but it was too late. Before he could react, there was a hole going through his eye and out the back of his skull, with the arrow continuing on as if it had met zero resistance.
Observing the man's downed form for a few minutes, Yumi let out a breath. "He's down." He said as he sealed the bow into the formula on his wrist.
"Are you sure? Remember the first time-" Shisui began with a smirk before Yumi cut him off.
"It was my first time! How was I supposed to know those masks kept him alive?! Besides, I've improved a lot since then…" Yumi huffed and turned away.
"Awe~ Yumi-chan is so cute when he pouts." Shisui cooed, receiving a glare from the young Hyuga.
"I'm a boy, Shisui-baka! Don't call me chan!" Yumi frowned as the teen grinned cheekily.
"Well you look like more of a girl than Yugao, and sound more feminine to boot, that means I can call you Yumi-chan." He countered easily before poking the pouting boy's forehead.
"C'mon, we've got a bounty to retrieve." He said as he hopped away, Yumi huffing before following with his long braid trailing behind him.
It had only taken six months of training before Shisui-sensei deemed him ready for missions above D rank, and another six for the older boy to approach the Hokage about becoming Hunter-nin.
With Yumi's skill with the bow, they could take out even the most dangerous of fugitives from more than a safe distance in mere seconds- and if he somehow failed, Shisui was able to take them out with very little, if any, trouble. They were an amazing team.
A year later and they had earned over a half a billion ryo for the village with their bounties alone, and were making more with every mission. Landing silently beside the downed figure, Shisui quickly set about rendering the body.
"I can't believe you just killed Kisame Hoshigaki." Shisui commented as Yumi kept watch of their surroundings.
"He reacted at the last second. Had he been just slightly faster, we'd be fighting right now. You know how important speed is in the life of a shinobi, my arrow was faster than his reaction time. Besides, he's not the first S rank nin we've taken out." Yumi responded while Shisui sealed the severed head along with the massive sword before burning the body.
"Yeah, I know he's not the first, but compared to them, he was on a whole other level. They were S rank for their skill, he was S rank for his power." Shisui explained. "Now let's get back home, we're scheduled to report in an hour." Shisui said as he leapt into the trees, Yumi following immediately.
"What do you want to focus on next?" Shisui asked after a few minutes of hopping.
"Well, I suppose my speed and reaction time." Yumi answered. "My archery skill is growing steadily with my own training, as is my fuinjutsu level. The only other things I can improve are my ninjutsu, and elemental transformation- but I'm not too interested in ninjutsu to begin with. My arrows and seals are better." He explained.
"Speed it is then, you're lucky you have me for a sensei, I'm the fastest shinobi of the leaf! You'll be as quick as your arrows in no time!" Shisui said with a confident grin, making Yumi shake his head fondly, the action swaying his long side bangs that framed his face.
"I'll be taking that title as soon as I become a level twenty Seal Master." He responded cheekily.
"We'll see about that, the Hiraishin is fast, but I'm going to be faster and prove that you don't need a fancy technique to be the fastest shinobi." Shisui said with a determined smirk.
"Well if anyone can do it, it'll be you, Shisui-sensei." Yumi encouraged with a small smile.
"Hell yeah!"
"Did Hokage-ue say why he needed us back so suddenly? This hunt was scheduled to last another week at least." Yumi asked, receiving a shrug from the older boy.
"Nope, just that we were to return after we got Hoshigaki and ignore the smaller bounties for now." Shisui answered.
"Did he ever answer you when you asked him why we were going after these specific missing-nin?" He asked again, receiving a glance from his sensei.
"He did… unfortunately, I can't tell you." Shisui said seriously, making Yumi's eyes widen slightly.
"It must be serious then, usually you tell me even if you're not supposed to." Yumi said, making the teen sigh.
"If it were up to me, I would tell you. Especially since you're the one getting your hands dirty. But Hokage-sama has made it known that it was explicitly need to know only. As it stands, only Hokage-sama, Obito-sama, Kakashi-senpai, and myself know about it as far as I'm aware. We are all shinobi of the highest caliber, and while you are easily Jonin level in skill, you aren't quite S rank like we are. Maybe if you get stronger, Hokage-sama will tell you." Shisui explained to a thoughtful Yumi.
"It has something to do with Obito-sama's return doesn't it?" He asked, only receiving a smirk from his sensei as the teen pulled ahead, forcing him to chase after his annoyingly faster sensei.
When they reached the gates of Konoha, Yumi had to once more admire the changes brought by the Godaime.
The walls had been reinforced with metal from Tetsu no Kuni, and the wall itself was doubled in size. The doors were now a meter thick of solid metal and stone, and were no longer swinging, but sliding. The entire sealing matrix that covered the wall was redone by Jiraya of the Sannin as well, and now there was a constant dome of chakra covering the village- though it was invisible to those lacking the ability to see or sense it.
Overall, Konoha was a literal fortress now. The only way in or out was through the gates. If one tried to pass through the new barrier without the proper clearance, they were instantly paralyzed and the barrier security team was alerted. Burrow beneath the ground? Good luck. The barrier went under the village as well.
After reporting in with the gate guard, Shisui and Yumi entered the village and began making their way to the Hokage Building by use of the Shinobi highway- the rooftops. Soon they were climbing the stairs to the Hokage's office.
"Hey, Akiko-chan!" Shisui grinned happily.
"Hello, Shisui-san. Hello, Yumi-kun." The young woman greeted, giving Yumi a smile.
"Hey~! Why do you call him Yumi-kun but I'm only Shisui-san?" The teen pouted while Yumi greeted the secretary, who turned to smirk at the older boy.
"Hokage-sama is expecting you two." She dismissed, making the Uchiha sputter while Yumi smirked and dragged his sensei into the Hokage's office.
"Hokage-ue." Yumi greeted with a bow while a still pouting Shisui handed the bounty scroll to Fugaku who nodded.
"Sorry to pull you from your mission early, but something unexpected has happened." The Godaime began, capturing their attention.
"Kumo is sending an ambassador to begin talks of an alliance." The man revealed, shocking the duo.
"As you know, the revamp in our security has obviously ruffled the feathers of the other villages, and they have been on edge ever since. For a village to want to make an alliance during such a time is odd, as keeping to yourself is the better option." Fugaku continued.
"They're up to something." Yumi stated, The Hokage nodding sharply.
"Had it been Suna, or Kiri, I wouldn't have looked twice. We already have an alliance with the Sand, and changing the parameters when a new leader is appointed is common- even though it has been two years since I became Godaime. And with Kiri ending their Civil War, aid is going to be needed at some point. But since it was Kumo, it made me wary.
"They have been trying to get their hands on kekkei genkai for decades, and we're their favorite target." The man explained. "I won't be declining their request of an alliance, as I would not mind one, however, to think that it is their only intention would be naive. As such, I want you two to guard your respective compounds while the ambassador is here." Fugaku revealed.
"I will have an ANBU shadow the ambassador for the duration of his stay, but too much surveillance is unwise. As such, rather than watch him, we will watch our own. The Hyuga and Uchiha will be their primary targets, and we can't have the Clan's go into lockdown, it could be seen as a slight. As such, you two will be guarding your compounds. You won't be suspicious as you belong there."
"Why us though? Why not our Clan Head's?" Shisui asked, Fugaku nodding in understanding.
"Obito and Hiashi will be aware that you two are guarding the compound. It comes down to politics. If the Clan Head attacks the ambassador, it will be an incident, but if a stationed guard finds an unknown shinobi kidnapping a Konoha citizen, things become far simpler." Fugaku explained.
"If something happens, we need them alive. Shisui, you can easily subdue them with genjutsu. While Yumi, you can use one of your paralysis arrows." The man continued. "The Ambassador will be here tomorrow, prepare if you need, dismissed."
. . .
"So… that wasn't what I expected." Shisui commented as they left the tower, Yumi nodding in agreement. "Do you want to train, or call it a day?" The teen asked.
"I wish to work on my fuinjutsu, and then I may finish the day training my raiton transformation." Yumi answered simply.
"Gotcha, well good luck with that. When this mission is done, be prepared to work. You wanted speed training, so that's what we'll do, understood?" The older boy asked.
"Hai, Shisui-sensei." Yumi smiled before pouting as Shisui poked his forehead and disappeared.
Grumbling, he returned to his home within the Clan Compound, and changed out of his black high collared mantle and lavender obi- the style of the Clan Era, and into a dark navy yukata, before kneeling at the calligraphy table in the sitting room.
He was currently a level sixteen Seal Master, and getting tantalizingly close to seventeen.
With his skill in the art, he had coated nearly everything he owned with seals, even himself. His arrows had numerous seals to enhance their flight and stealth ability, along with a seal he had created that returned the fired arrow to it's storage seal on his bow. Sadly, it only worked on non living things, so he couldn't use it like the Hiraishin- but he was getting closer every day.
His clothes had durability and protection seals placed on them, the few kunai he carried had an old seal that basically stopped the flow of time of an object, so they never rusted or dulled. That seal could only be used on already durable objects unfortunately.
As for his body, he had followed the instructions the Yondaime showed in his book for a full body seal that was incredibly dangerous if applied wrong, but extremely useful if successful.
The seal reinforced your chakra network, strengthened your body, didn't allow for poisons and harmful bacteria to stick to your skin or enter your body, kept your body temperature regulated, and had a toggleable part that added resistance to your body to help gain muscle. Overall, it was a masterpiece. Sadly you needed another person to apply it.
Thankfully, his Sensei could copy anything with a glance, so the older boy placed it on him so long as Yumi did the same for him. They both now had the kanji for mind, body, and soul running down their backs. Hinabi was furious when she had thought he had gotten a tattoo, but thankfully let it go when she learned it was a seal.
The last seal he added was one for his byakugan. Not to enhance them, but to prevent people from taking them. If someone came near his eyes with the intent to take them against his will, the seal would kill the thief by siphoning some of their chakra, converting it to fuuton, and forcing it into the person's system, causing a heart attack, stroke, and respiratory failure all simultaneously.
When he himself died, the seal would take some of his remaining chakra, convert it into katon, and force it into his eyes. If he were alive, it would be excruciating as it burned his eyes from the inside out, but thankfully, it only activated when he was actually dead.
This seal was his master project for when he became a level ten Seal Master. Before he placed it though, he had the Sandaime look it over, as he was a level fourteen Seal Master. When he gave him the all clear, he placed it on himself before showing it to Hiashi. He was hesitant at first, but once he knew the Sandaime cleared it, he ordered the entirety of his clan to have it placed on them. Every member of the Hyuga Clan could now be seen with a small black kite shape just above their brow in the center of their forehead.
He had informed the Godaime about the seal, and said that he was willing to place it on his clan as well, but the man said they would likely see it as a leash, but allowed him to do it for those willing. After Fugaku had accepted the seal, the amount of Uchiha that followed his example was by far the majority.
Smiling down at his papers, Yumi let out a rare grin. Turning the page in the Yondaime's book, he watched as ink filled the previously blank paper as it had done for every previous chapter and level. At the top, it read Level Seventeen. He was a level seventeen Seal Master.
Deciding that was enough fuinjutsu for the day, he stood and entered his modest back garden and sat atop the large boulder that was the centerpiece in the small yard. Breathing deeply, he started molding his chakra, monitoring the energy with his byakugan.
Elemental transformation was extremely difficult, and he was 'lucky' to have one of the most dangerous and difficult affinities. While most of his clan held a doton or suiton affinity, he had raiton. It was rare, but not unheard of, to have an element different from your parents. His mother had a doton affinity while his father had suiton- but had trained the other elements to an impressive extent under his Jonin-sensei.
Shisui told him he was blessed by Raijin-sama, but he doubted it. Although, when he asked the Sandaime about it, and told him what Shisui had said, the man hummed and said that there was a lightning storm the day he was born- a rarity for the colder time of year. The man theorized that the Natural Energy from the storm may have affected him, and that perhaps Raijin had blessed him by creating the storm. Yumi didn't know though, he was just annoyed at how different he was. He didn't hate it, but it made him stand out- which he did hate.
First were his bright purple eyes. Then there were his effeminate features, it didn't help that he kept his hair long- but it was a matter of usefulness and honor! If he was captured and stripped of his tools, he could use his hair to hide weapons, cut it to be a weapon, or use it for an improvised bow string.
And for his clan, their hair was a point of pride and honor- especially in the Warring States Period. They would only cut their hair if they lost a battle. It was to show that, like their hair, they would grow from their loss. Sadly, it slowly lost its meaning and became a status symbol with only a few Hyuga cutting their hair after a loss in battle- and when they did, it was condemned as weakness, not respected as a show of growth and learning.
But being a boy with long silky hair did nothing but accentuate his delicate features, and it only brought attention to him. His soft voice also didn't help him in that regard. He did well to ignore it though.
As a slight breeze brushed past him, taking his hair in its gentle touch, he focused on his core. What he was doing was probably dangerous, but if he could do it…
Ninjutsu had never interested him, but pure chakra manipulation did. He blamed it on his love for his taijutsu style that was focused around it. He had so far only created one jutsu, and it was basically manipulating pure raiton chakra and spiraling it around a point- much like Tsukisasuken.
He could use it with arrows, like he had earlier that day, kunai if they could handle the chakra, and his fingers for better piercing power with his Tsukisasuken strikes. A normal strike shreds, grinds, and is overall, excruciatingly painful- according to his sensei.
The raiton strike drills and numbs. The person doesn't even feel they've been struck, and bleed out from the gaping wound. That had been an interesting trip to the hospital… Shisui had needed a transfusion.
What he was trying to do now was pure raiton manipulation. Everything he'd read about raiton said that people only ever expelled it from their bodies. They mold it inside and channel it into their technique simultaneously. He was trying to keep it inside his body.
But it was annoyingly difficult.
The energy just loved leaving his body and not staying put.
Taking a calming breath, he focused on the orb of purple energy and decided to change his approach. So far he had been erring on the side of caution and only transformed small amounts of his chakra- so that if something went wrong and he found out why no one kept the lightning inside themselves, he wouldn't die and would merely receive a slight jolt.
But this time, he took half, and hoped for the best. This was probably a stupid idea… Shisui-sensei was rubbing off on him.
After moulding the chakra, what happened surprised him. The lightning chakra was flowing into his normal chakra, and reverting back while he continued to convert his chakra into lightning chakra. It was a continuous cycle, a balanced loop. He kept it contained to his core, but curiously began to let it flow the rest of his system.
Immediately he gasped and his eyes snapped open to reveal illuminated purple orbs. His body felt extremely light, like he had just released his resistance seal and dropped weights he didn't know he had been carrying.
He'd done it! His raiton was staying inside his body!
Steadily, he got to his feet, being sure to take things slow. Looking at the roof of his house, he jumped- and was instantly standing on his house. All he had done was jump like normal, it felt as if he had used a shunshin, but faster! One second he was on the boulder, the next he was on his roof!
Maybe he wouldn't need the Hiraishin to take Shisui's title of fastest shinobi of the leaf… oh he was gonna be so mad!
This needed a name… with a slightly wry smile, he sent a silent thank you to Shisui.
Raiton: Raijin no Kei. Grace of the Thunder God.
. . .
Calmly finishing his paperwork for the day, Fugaku pondered the warning he received from the Sandaime. He didn't understand why the man was so terrified of the paperwork, he made it sound as though he was constantly buried in it. While it was… troublesome, it was manageable. Especially after he forced the elders to retire. If he needed council, he had Hiruzen- someone who had actually been in his position. His cousin Shikaku was also there to confer with if the need arose. The elders were unnecessary.
Straightening his desk, he summoned a canteen of water that he kept in the sealing array on his wrist, and took a generous sip before returning it to it's seal. Call him paranoid, but it had saved his life many times, and now that he was Hokage, it was better safe than poisoned.
Hearing a knock, he looked to the doors as Akiko entered his office with a bow. "The Kumo ambassador is here, Hokage-sama." She informed.
"Thank you, Akiko-san. Send him in." He answered simply. Nodding, the young woman opened the door and in strutted a blond man wearing casual shinobi attire.
"Thank you for allowing Kumo this opportunity, Hokage-dono." The man said with barely a dip at the waist as he pointedly avoided eye contact. Fugaku didn't care about tradition, if his shinobi nodded, rather than bowed, or were loose around him, he did not mind. But this man was being intentionally disrespectful. It made his mental eye twitch.
He waited and stayed silent. He found silence made people uncomfortable. Though this man seemed like the type to enjoy his own voice.
"I am Umakiri, Hokage-dono." The man said, to which Fugaku stayed silent yet again as sweat appeared on the man's brow. "Ehem… right, well, to business then." Umakiri said as he procured a scroll and sat it on Fugaku's desk.
Sending his senses to the scroll, Fugaku found it to be safe and unfurled the roll. Skimming the document he found it was full of holes and heavy favorment of Kumo. Calmly rolling it shut, he sat it back onto his desk and leveled his dispassionate gaze on the ambassador.
"I assume the Raikage said these terms were non-negotiable." He stated, taking careful notice of Umakiri's flinch at the mention of his Kage.
"He expressed his desire to…" Umakiri began hesitantly, but trailed off as he stared at Fugaku's mute face. "Yes, they are non-negotiable." The man nodded.
"You may stay tonight, you leave tomorrow." Fugaku dismissed. Umakiri gave a nod before hurryingly leaving from the office.
Fugaku sighed, something wasn't right. "Buta." Immediately the boar-masked ANBU was standing at attention before the Godaime. "Please alert Obito that he is needed." With a nod, the brunette disappeared. A few seconds later, the new Uchiha Clan Head appeared from a portal of swirling space wearing Konoha jonin garb, with the cloth of his hitai-ate being used to cover his missing eye.
"What's up, Hokage-oji?" He asked.
"I just finished meeting with the Kumo ambassador, but something isn't right about it. No Kage would send someone this inept for an actual treaty. I want you to go to Kumo and meet with the Raikage and ask about this ambassador, his name is Umakiri. I have a feeling he wasn't sent here by the Raikage." Fugaku revealed before handing his nephew the scroll Umakiri left.
"Take this, it's the treaty the so-called ambassador gave me, show it to A and explain the situation." He continued before grabbing an empty scroll and writing in it for a few moments before stamping it with the Hokage's seal and handing it to the teen. "Give that to him as well. It is a real treaty agreement. Please behave yourself, don't start a war." Fugaku ordered.
"I resent that…" Obito huffed before giving a lazy salute and disappearing through a swirling hole in space.
. . .
Obito appeared a few hundred meters away from Kumogakure, and began making his way toward the village at a calm pace. When he was fifty meters out, he caught an ANBU tail. Finally arriving at the gate, he smiled happily at the glare the chunin on duty gave him.
"State your business, tree hugger." They ordered.
"I was sent by the Godaime Hokage to meet with the Yondaime Raikage." He answered simply. Before the chunin could respond, a blank masked ANBU landed before Obito.
"Follow me." They ordered before turning around and guiding him past the glaring chunin, Obito simply stuck his tongue out at the man- chuckling at the vein throbbing on his forehead.
Soon enough, he was following the ANBU into the glass egg built around the central mountain. There, they were met by a white haired girl around Obito's age, who had the common dark skin native to Kaminari no Kuni.
"Welcome to Kumogakure, I am Mabui, Raikage-sama's assistant." She introduced with a polite bow.
"I'm Obito Uchiha, I was sent by the Godaime Hokage to meet with the Raikage." He said, bowing calmly.
"Right this way, Obito-san." She said with a polite smile as she led him to an elevator, the ANBU following after him.
"Raikage-sama is in a bit of a mood, so if he yells at you, or throws something, please don't take offense. He's like that with everyone." Mabui said with a slightly annoyed look as they rode the elevator to the top floor, her words making Obito raise his brow.
"Noted, thank you for your warning."
Exiting the lift, Mabui led him to a pair of large double doors and knocked, before stepping out of the way with the ANBU.
"What are you-" Obito began before a massive weight crashed through the doors and passed safely through his head, shocking the Kumo nin to the side.
Mabui's brow twitched and she stepped over the splintered doors and into the large office, Obito following after her while the ANBU stayed outside.
"You nearly killed a Konoha ambassador, Raikage-sama! Stop throwing your weights at the slightest inconvenience!" She reprimanded the barely listening Raikage, who was busy glaring at Obito.
"What do you want." The man grunted, ignoring Mabui's reproachful look.
"The Godaime Hokage just met with a man named Umakiri. He claimed to be Kumo's ambassador for the creation of an alliance between our villages." Obito began, unfazed by the sudden killing intent rolling off of the large man.
"Umakiri gave him this scroll detailing the treaty." He continued, handing the scroll to Mabui who's brow pinched as she read the document. "As you can see, no one with any experience creating treaties made that document." He said, Mabui nodding with a grimace as she handed it to A- who glared at it as though it offended his mother.
"Godaime-sama sent me here to see if Umakiri was acting under your orders, or if he has gone rogue and is acting for himself or someone else entirely." Obito finished. Mabui stared at the Raikage for a few moments before the man nodded and she stepped forward.
"Umakiri is a Jonin that we discovered to be giving information to Orochimaru five days ago. He escaped our capture by pure chance." She revealed.
"I see, that is much better than the alternative." Obito said. "We have reason to believe he will attempt to kidnap one of our citizens." He said, making A's glare intensify. "Knowing Orochimaru is involved, it's more than likely that he's acting under his orders. He would never be successful in the attempt, so I bet Orochimaru is using him to create tension between our villages." Obito theorized, before shrugging.
"Knowing he's working with Orochimaru, we'll squeeze him for information to see what he knows about the snake, and execute him." He continued before procuring the scroll Fugaku gave him and handing it to Mabui. "That is an authentic treaty agreement, Hokage-sama is interested in lowering the tension between our villages, and hopes you are as well." He stated as Mabui read the document.
"Raikage-sama, it is simple and equally beneficial." Mabui began as she handed the scroll to the scowling man. "A stronger non-hostility agreement, open trading routes, lower taxes, and open civilian borders- if you check that box. It also doesn't interfere with our alliance with Iwa, as it is only economic." Mabui explained as he read over the document. When he was done, he leveled a glare at Obito, who met it uncaringly.
"I want Umakiri." The man stated gruffly.
"So long as you're alright with us getting the info about Orochimaru, you can have him." Obito shrugged. A nodded and handed the document to Mabui who added the clause, before showing it to Obito. He read it over and gave it back to A who signed it and got to his feet.
"I want to meet the Godaime and get Umakiri myself, let's get going- we can get there by nightfall." The man ordered.
"I have a space-time ninjutsu that can take us there if you'd like." Obito offered, Mabui's eyes lighting in curiosity.
"Fine, Mabui, you're coming." He ordered, the young assistant bouncing over to his side with an excited look in her eyes.
"Alright, it requires physical contact and feels like you're stretching a muscle, so be prepared." Obito said as he rested a hand on their shoulders and sucked them into his eye.
. . .
"Well that was the quickest mission ever." Shisui commented as they walked down the street to go to lunch.
"Technically, the mission was canceled." Yumi replied while Shisui waved it off.
"Details. I'm just glad I don't have to patrol the compound all night. Unlike you, I can't see everything around me in a fifteen kilometer radius." The teen huffed as they entered the dango shop.
"Over here!"
Hearing the shout, they turned to see Anko waving boisterously from her spot between an annoyed Yugao and unfazed Itachi.
"Hey guys! Where's Izumi, Itachi?" Shisui asked as he and Yumi sat across from them.
"She unfortunately couldn't make it because of the academy's new schedule." He said simply.
"That's too bad. You know, she could probably graduate early if she wanted." Shisui said.
"She merely wants to be completely prepared, so she is taking her time." Itachi explained.
"Yeah, not everyone has to be a genius like you!" Anko said around a mouthful of dango.
"Don't you mean us? Everyone at this table is a 'genius.'" Yugao pointed out before smirking at Yumi. "Especially Yumi-chan, he didn't even go to the academy and he's already a Hunter-nin." She continued as he scowled at her. Unfortunately, before he could respond, the server came to take his and Shisui's orders.
"Speaking of our resident hunter, who was your latest hit?" Anko asked as she cleared an entire skewer of its dango with her elongated tongue, her question making Shisui smirk.
"The Kirigakure no Kaijin." He said, causing three sets of eyes to widen in shock as Anko dropped her empty dango stick.
"No fucking way." Anko stated, receiving reproachful glares from Yugao and Yumi while Shisui cackled.
"Yumi took him out from three kilometers away in seconds! Even I was scared of this guy, but Yumi was all like 'even if he could react, it would be too late.' It was so badass!" Shisui regalled, doing a deep gravelly voice so far removed from Yumi's, it made even Itachi snort while Yumi ducked his head with a blush.
"I don't understand why more Hyuga don't become archers, it seems incredibly powerful when paired with your byakugan." Yugao commented as she popped a dango ball into her mouth.
"It was what my Clan specialized in during the Warring States Period." Yumi began. "Unfortunately, our arrows were useless against our biggest adversary of the time, the Hozuki Clan. So we developed the Jūken to subdue them by cutting off the flow of chakra in their bodies, preventing them from turning into water. Eventually it became what we were known for, and we stopped practicing archery- until me, that is." He finished.
"Was Tsukisasuken ineffective against them or something? It seems kinda weird to develop an entire new style of taijutsu when you already have one that does more damage." Shisui asked after receiving their orders of dango, making Yumi nod.
"While a Tsukisasuken strike gouges holes and destroys the tenketsu and chakra network of a normal person, it only made the Hozuki turn into water due to the physical damage, allowing them to escape. Jūken is gentle so that it doesn't cause physical damage while cutting off the flow of chakra, preventing the Hozuki from turning into water and allowing for a decisive strike that can kill them." Yumi explained before digging into his lunch before Anko stole it.
"As interesting as this is, history sucks, so let's talk about something else." Anko said before smirking at Itachi who just blinked owlishly. "So, Itachi-kun~ when are you and Izumi-chan getting together?" She asked slyly, Itachi just tilted his head.
"We are only ten." He stated simply.
"And? We're shinobi! Our lives are short, so we grow up fast to counter it." The girl exclaimed while Itachi chewed his dango slowly before swallowing.
"It will happen when we are ready." He stated simply, making the older girl fall on her face.
"You guys are so boring, why do I hang out with you again?" Anko asked with a huff as she stole a stick of dango from Yumi's plate, winking at the glare he sent her.
"Because you love us~!" Shisui sing-songed.
"More like we're the only ones who can handle your craziness." Yugao countered with a snort, easily dodging the skewer Anko flicked at her.
"So what's new with everybody?" Shisui asked.
"I will be participating in this year's Chunin Exams." Itachi revealed, Anko slinging her arm around his neck.
"You'll wipe the floor with those losers!" She encouraged, while Itachi blushed against her chest.
"I have joined the ANBU." Yugao said, eyes widening as she was suddenly face to face with Itachi under Anko's other arm.
"Damn right you are!" The oldest girl exclaimed.
"My turn now!" Anko said happily as she let the two go. "I've joined the TI division!" She said with a manic glint in her eye, Shisui sighing at the news.
"Of course you have…" He mumbled, the scantily clad kunoichi cackling with far too much excitement as Yumi raised his hand.
"I am now a level seventeen Seal Master, and I have created an enhancement technique." Yumi said next, squirming as everyone turned their gazes onto him.
"Jeez, kid, don't you ever sleep?" Anko asked, the true concern in her tone making him blush and duck his head.
"Rest is important for growth. Without it, you can never reach your full potential." Itachi nodded, making Shisui snort.
"Thank you, oh great sage, your wisdom has once again enlightened our feeble minds! We shall cherish your teachings for generations!" Shisui pandered, Anko snorting as Itachi pouted.
"I found your words very wise, Itachi." Yugao soothed, Itachi nodding sharply with satisfaction.
"Fuinjutsu isn't difficult, it's actually interesting and I find it relaxing. And I discovered the enhancement technique by meditating- so it wasn't all that taxing…" Yumi justified.
"So long as you're not overworking yourself." Shisui said as he patted the Hyuga's head.
"So what's this new technique?" Anko asked as she gestured to their server for another plate of dango.
"It's simple really. It's pure raiton manipulation and chakra control." He started. "Everything I've read on elemental transformation involves expelling the transformed chakra from your body- I wanted to see what would happen if I kept it inside. I balanced my chakra with raiton chakra, and the raiton began flowing into my normal chakra and reverting back while I continued to create raiton. I don't understand why, but it enhanced my senses and my body- with my speed being the most affected." He explained, Anko hummed, Yugao looked confused, and Itachi and Shisui shared a glance.
"Sounds like a form of Senjutsu." Shisui said, capturing the table's attention.
"What's that?" Yumi asked curiously.
"Basically, a person takes in natural energy, and balances and blends it with their chakra to make senjutsu chakra. It enhances your senses and physical characteristics. The Shodai was a Sage, and Jiraya of the Sannin is reputed to be one as well- though that's just a rumor." Shisui explained. "It's very difficult to learn, and only people who have very large chakra reserves and strong bodies can learn it."
"Do you really think what I'm doing is a form of Senjutsu?" Yumi asked, making his sensei shake his head slowly.
"I don't think so, though it is similar. I'd say you're just enhancing your body with raiton, like how you do with your normal chakra." He said, while Yumi frowned.
"I don't think it's like that. I'm not channeling the chakra into my legs or arms like I would normally. All I'm doing is letting it flow through my body." He said, Shisui humming contemplatively.
"You're the first of ever heard of someone doing anything like this. The Sandaime and Yondaime Raikage have something similar, but they channel their chakra to wrap around their bodies, and don't keep it inside of them as far as I know." He said before shrugging. "I guess you really were blessed by Raijin-sama!" He laughed as Yumi pouted with a blush.
"So what do you call it?" Anko asked.
"Raiton: Raijin no Kei." He mumbled, making Shisui laugh loudly.
AN:
Yup, Yumi killed shark-boy. Don't @ me.
And thoughts on Yumi's Raijin no Kei? It's not chakra enhancement, it's not senjutsu, it is what it is. And it's not as OP as it may seem...
Oh yeah! The economic alliance with Kumo. The only reason A likely accepted was because he wanted Umakiri so badly... but why???? Idk either tbh.
And finally, Yumi and Shisui's friends! The Geniuses of Konoha!
For those curious, the academy got an overhaul with Fugaku's rise. It's a lot better than three jutsu and boom you're a ninja. That's why Izumi wanted to stay. But I didn't mention any of that because the academy doesn't really matter to the story. Just know that Fugaku revamped a lot in the village. It's almost like he's preparing for something...
As for the history lesson, meh, it sounded cool and made sense to me.
Finally, for those curious to timeline, I found a tumblr post of a pretty concise timeline of the series, and I'm writing based on that. Right now Itachi is 10 and becoming a chunin, Shisui is 15-ish, Yumi is 7-ish, and I've changed Mei Terumi's age to 18-ish.
But wait, what does Mei have to do woth anything????? *cackles*
Onto irl stuff, I'll post as much as I can. My plans for this story are big. BIG. And I'm not planning on dropping or stopping anytime soon. That being said, I work, like, every day. It sucks but I like money. I'll post when I have the energy lol. Just know I haven't abandoned this.
Lastly, Yochan. Thanks again for your words, they mean a lot, but until I have a lot more to this story, more stories posted, and heck, even a posting schedule, I'm not starting any money stuff. I'm not gonna steal your money for like, 20k words. But thanks for the thought!
le fin~