DISCLAIMER: I do not claim to be the creator of the Naruto manga or anime series. I had absolutely no part in any creation of the series, and I'm just a dedicated fan of this series who has taken my time to create this fanfiction. I do own my OCs and of course myself.
Author Notes: This is a genderflipped-self-insert fiction of what I think would happen if Minato had two teammates who would not only challenge him to do better but could keep up. I hope you enjoy it. This is rated M, because of language, and violence. At no time will there be a pairing between any of the three teammates. Not that there won't be pairings outside their team, just not inside it. Thank you everyone who has or will review my fic. Positive, thoughtful reviews encourage me to continue the story and work on the next update while obscene or insulting reviews have the opposite reaction. Also, if you don't like it, constructive criticism is welcome, just don't be rude.
"Speech"
-Sign Language-
"Technique Casting"
"YELLING"
"Inner thoughts and speech"
"INNER YELLING"
I will add more if/when they become needed
Chapter 10 - Elements
I arrived early the next day, hoping to be able to talk with Sensei before training in private. He was already waiting there in the field with my other team members. Of course, he arrived right on time, like always. Well, that puts a damper on that. As soon as I walked onto the field, he had us spar with each other for a solid two hours, rotating us one at a time to spar with him. I could tell he was massively holding back, but even with the Sharingan I still couldn't even land a glancing blow. He was very fast, even faster than my eyes could follow. My pride was secretly grateful that no one else on my team was able to either, and by the end of the two hours, we were all thoroughly exhausted.
"Alright, gather 'round. You all are very skilled for fresh Genin, but you have a lot to improve on." Jiraiya stated plainly, looking at each of us in turn. "Minato, you need to be more aggressive when attacking. You are too defensive, waiting for your opponent to make the first move will hurt you in the long run. Iroha, I feel you have a good balance of both offensive and defensive, but then again, your clan style leans that way. You need to get faster. Getting faster will help to smooth out your style. Work on that. Kamiko, where do I start." I flinched under his glare. "You are a mess. I feel that you are fighting your instincts on your clan style. You're clearly acting more defensively when your clan style calls for more offensive maneuvers. Maybe we should work with some other styles to see if one would fit your personal style with ease." I hung my head in shame, eyes burning with resentment. He clapped his hands, making us all jump. "Now, let's go get something to eat. After that, we can take on a D-rank or two."
We slowly walked into the market part of town, slowly stretching out our tired muscles. The market was already starting to become crowded with the midday crowd. Vendors barked from their stalls and savory smells lingered in the air. I pointed to one of my favorite little places. "How about that place? It has great barbeque, and makes some really good dangos."
"Sounds good to me," Minato replied.
Iroha gave a shrug of not really caring while also giving me an eyeroll that spoke clear as day to me that I probably only chose that place because of the dangos.
"Okay then barbeque it is." Jiraiya said as we turned towards the eatery. We walked in and were quickly seated. Menus exchanged hands. "Now, you all are paying for yourselves. I might be your Jounin-sensei, but you are now all adults in the eyes of the village." Jiraiya said as he browsed the menu. We all shared a secret eyeroll.
The meal was hot and hearty. After some casual idle chat, I ordered some anko dangos to go before we all paid our shares. I didn't even wait to leave the eatery before diving into them. Iroha giggled and managed to convince me to give her one. Jiraiya clapped his hands once we were once more walking the streets. "So, brats, time to do some missions."
"Missions?" I mumbled out through a mouthful of dango. Iroha gave me a look that said all too clearly, Don't talk with your mouth full. I stuck a dango-coated tongue out at her.
"I feel more training would be good for us all, but you're the sensei." Minato said with a shrug. I noticed him eyeing one of my dango sticks. With a smirk, I handed him one.
"A mission or two would be a good break," Iroha added in.
"Okay you Brats, let's head to the mission desk," Jiraiya ordered as he directed us towards the Hokage Tower.
By the time we got to the desk, there were only a few D-ranks left for the day. We had a choice between babysitting a noble's kid while he was in town for the day, or walking some of the Inuzuka's dogs. After a team discussion, we took both.
An hour later, the very enthusiastic dogs had been walked, and my legs were killing me. A quick glance at my teammates told me that they were just as badly off. Iroha was even slightly panting.
"You still have a mission left to complete! The day is not over, Brats! Get your butts up, and let's head over to the embassy house that the noble is staying in!" Jiraiya shouted out at us while we were slumped on the steps of the Hokage tower, attempting to rest.
With one long collective groan, we pushed ourselves up, and stumbled after him. When we got there, I looked up at the embassy house. It was at least half again as large as my home. Wow. It's huge. Okay, how bad can this be? Watching a kid that isn't from ninja parents can't be as bad as watching Obi.
Walking up to the door, Jiraiya knocked, and then took a half step back. A few seconds later, the door was opened by a meek looking young woman who couldn't have been much older than eighteen. "Umm, can I help you ninja? The master isn't home right now, he is busy negotiating with the Hokage."
"Haha, we are here on mission to watch your master's kid while he is busy this afternoon," Jiraiya barked barely containing a laugh. Then, I saw him take a gauging glance up and down this woman. It was all I could do not to roll my eyes and groan. God, REALLY, NOW?! "Here is our mission scroll with your master's signature of approval," he said as he handed her the scroll.
She read it. Then re-read it. Then, she even read it a third time! I guess she didn't see anything wrong with it as she showed us in. "This way please," she said quietly, "I will give you the quick tour, then show you to where Mistress Tomoe is. I have… things to do. My name is Mia."
True to her word, the tour was quick, and she showed us to the room where Tomoe was. "Miss Tomoe, these ninja here are here to watch you while your father is away. If you need something, please ask them," she said to the little girl who was sitting in the middle of a pile of blocks with a very upset face. Mia turned to us, giving Jiraiya-sensei the scroll of chores relating to the care of Tomoe. "If you need me I will be about the house." She quickly disappeared after that, leaving us with Tomoe.
As I stood there, Tomoe looked up at us. She is so adorable but this isn't going to be easy. She looks spoiled, like REALLY spoiled. As we look inventory of the room for "hazards" and "weak points" as Sensei commanded us to as if this was a threatened client and not a kid in the middle of the safest part of a ninja village.
We drew kunai to see who would "play" with Tomoe first. I lost the draw. I gave them a glare before turning to sit down on the floor next to Tomoe's blocks. She glared at me. I smiled back. Hmm, there is a slight chakra sense radiating off her and if I had to guess, it feels slightly hot, almost like fire. Kinda like Obi's.
"What're you building?" I asked as my hand reached out for a block.
"THAT'S MINE!" Tomoe screeched at me, trying to grab it out of my hand. I was a ninja so she totally failed as my hand moved quicker than her eyes probably could track.
"Now, Tomoe, grabbing something out of other people's hands is not nice." I explained patiently, just as I had done with Obi once. "Even if it does belong to you, you should ask for it back." I said sternly but I kept my voice even and smiled down at her. "I am Kamiko, it is nice to meet you. I am here to keep you company while my teammates over there are doing chores around the house."
Tomoe scrunched up her face, cheeks turning red. waiiit is she about…
"GIVE THAT BACK!" she screamed as she started to cry noisily.
Those are actual tears. My mouth hung open, staring at this kid throwing a tantrum in the middle of her blocks. I didn't get it! Being firm always worked with Obi! Iroha came running back into the room to see what happened.
"What happened?" Iroha asked me with an incredulous look on her face.
Looking up at her, "I only said to not grab things out of other people's hands and to ask nicely. Like I do with Obi."
Iroha let out a long sigh. "She isn't like Obi. I'll handle this, go help Minato and Sensei." she replied, making the 'shoo'ing motion at me.
I got up with a sigh of defeat, and left to help clean up Tomoe's bedroom. Not even five minutes later, I heard a cry that sounded like "THAT NOT HOW PLAY THAT. THAT THERE AND THIS THERE. NO NO NO GO AWAY YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO PLAY!" About that time, Iroha come back in and gave me this look that spoke volumes.
"Well, looks like it's your turn to give it a try, Brat" Jiraiya-sensei chuckled out clapping Minato on the back. I gave him the best smile of encouragement I could as I went back to cleaning the stains on the child's floor. How does one that small make such a mess? I never made this much of a mess. Neither does Obi.
Minato did this slow walk, as if he were walking to his death, but for the rest of the afternoon, the only thing we heard was laughter coming from the playroom. That is not fair, I have always been good with kids of all ages. I couldn't help my jealous feelings.
As we left, Iroha and myself both glared at Minato. "What did you do? Bribe her with candy or something?" I hissed at him as we entered the Hokage tower.
"Uh, no. I just sat there and listened to what she wanted. And played the part. It wasn't that difficult." he responded with a shrug. Iroha and I both shook our heads in commiseration.
I quickly caught up to Jiraiya-sensei, and caught his attention. "Umm, sensei?" He nodded towards me, acknowledging me. "I have been working on my ability to feel chakra around us, and I felt some coming from Tomoe. Is that normal for chakra in civilians to not increase as they grow up? She felt like she had an adult civilian amount."
Jiraiya paused mid-step then turned to face me, letting out a long sigh, "Yeah, I felt that too. No, just like ninja children, civilian chakra amounts increase as they grow. The fact that you could even sense chakra in a civilian child means she has more than normal. Probably not enough to make it as a ninja, but enough that she might be able to perform minor ninja tricks." He said with the last part mostly to himself then boisterously announced, "Well done today; mission reports will be done by each of you, so let's get to writing."
Each of us groaned, but followed obediently. The reports didn't take too long, but I made a small note at the bottom that I felt that Tomoe should be looked at for some basic chakra control exercises to see if she could learn techniques.
Walking out after handing in our reports, Jiraiya got our attention with a short cough, "Okay, good job. You all are dismissed. Take tomorrow off but be at the training field bright and early at sunrise the day after. I got some serious training plans for you all, so enjoy that day off."
I awoke stretching, then blinked wearily, letting out a long yawn. I looked around at my room wondering when I got so comfortable being in this world without "modern" technology like the internet or computers. If it wasn't for all that time I spent camping and hiking with scout and my family, I think I'd be worse off. A sudden wave of nostalgia and pain rippled through me. I...miss them but there's nothing I can do about that. Dwelling on it won't help at all. I swung my legs out of bed, rubbing at my eyes. I wonder why Sensei gave us the day off we really didn't do anything that stressful these last few days of stupid D-ranks and even the training while tough by the next day I was fine. "Well, Kami, let's not waste the day in bed." I spoke out loud to myself as I jumped to my feet and got ready for the day.
Several minutes later I was dressed in my standard ninja outfit. Looking up at the mirror, I noticed my hair was starting to get long. It is almost past my shoulders, should I go get it trimmed or should I just put it up? I played with it for a few moments before shrugging. Meh, I am not doing anything dangerous, I will put it up for now. I then grabbed a hair tie and ponytailed it. As I walked to the kitchen, I saw mom sitting at the table and...wait, DAD?! "Dad?! What are you doing home?" looking between mom and dad. They both looked like they had been speaking before I came down. Since they weren't still talking, I guessed it had been about me. They both gave me strained smiles.
"Umm, I will go wait in the living room until you're done talking." I said quickly, and turned to make my way there. Before sitting down, I went over to the shelf and pulled out a book on basic taijutsu forms. This is such a simple book, but the more I think about it, Sensei is right. The clan style isn't right for me. But I don't want to embarrass Mom and Dad, especially Dad. He helped me with Our style so much. I wonder… what Mom and Dad were talking about. A gloom settled over me as I listlessly opened the book and started to read the first pages. A few minutes later, my thoughts and reading were interrupted by Dad coming in. He plopped down next to me on the couch and ruffled my hair.
"So kiddo, hungry? I think mom has some stuff prepared, but before you go eat, I need to talk to you about something really important."
"Umm, o-kay?" I answered hesitantly. Where is this going? Hopefully not another sibling.
He took a deep breath, "Okay, so you did something, when you rescued Kushina, that no one has heard of before. Water jutsu of what you are capable of doing should not beat an Earth jutsu of that strength." He paused for a second taking a few deep breaths then continued, "Can you try to show me what you did?" then quickly added turning his slight frown into a smile, scruffing my hair again, "After breakfast, of course, Kiddo."
After a disturbingly quiet breakfast, even Obi is being quiet this morning, Dad and I packed up a small pack of scrolls and some 'mission' gear. As we walked slowly through the Uchiha district I noticed we were not going to any of the Uchiha fields, at least none that I knew about.
"Umm," I timidly broke the silence between us, "where are we heading?"
"An older field that is usually reserved for Chunin or higher so that they can practice more destructive Jutsu safely." Dad responded plainly then let out a long sigh, "You know that you have gained the ire of the Clan Elders." I nodded. He tried to give me a smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "First by the rough housing when you were younger, when you unlocked our bloodline. Being not only the youngest girl to unlock it but because many of the higher up's kids were in that dust up." I notice how he subtly emphasized the 'girl' part but I put that aside and continued to listen. "Second, by asking to be admitted early, mostly because of the first did this raise any ire. Third, now because you used a Jutsu that no one has been able to identify. The Clan Elders are going to be sitting in on our training today, please listen to them carefully, this is really important, and can affect your future." He let out another sigh placing a hand on my shoulder, "No matter what happens, know your mother and I are very proud of you."
I looked up at him, and saw a tears at the edges of his eyes, "I know you love me dearly, and I will try to continue to make you proud of me. I will try to listen to the Clan Elders," then added under my breath just loud enough for him only to hear me, "crazy old bats." He stifled a snicker at that.
The district was in full swing, and fairly busy this morning as we just enjoyed the rest of our walk. A few minutes later, we reached a wall with a seal on the iron gate. In front of the gate stood the three elders, and my eyes bulged when I saw that the clan Head and his son was there too. Fugaku. I tried to ignore the way my heart decided to beat quicker. Damn it, I am going to be totally distracted by him. Not to mention his father's hard glare. This will be tough enough trying to recreate what I did without THAT distraction. Universe, why do you like to torment me?
Under my breath, again just loud enough for Dad to hear, "Okay, let's do this." I walked up to the Elders and did a small bow, "Honored Elders, I am honored that you have taken time out of your busy day to come here." Please, please let them find nothing to fault that.
A moment later which felt like an eternity, Sakuma Uchiha stepped forward and spoke in this gravelly voice, "Show us what you said you did that night to that Iro-nin." He bit his thumb then placed that hand on the seal and the gate sprang open.
As we walked through the gated wall I was surprised to see a lot of small seals both on the outside of the wall as well as on the inner part of it as well. Wonder if those are to keep stuff out or in? Dad did say this was for more destructive training.
"Okay, Kiddo, just walk us through what you did," Dad calmly said as he put a loving hand on my shoulder; then in a quiet voice added, "just stay calm, I believe in you."
I took several deep breaths then stupidly hazard a look at my judges. Darn they all have their Sharingans active, FUCK ME! I then looked up at Dad, and he smiled down at me before moving over to the group. Okay, BREATHE, just breathe… In then out, center yourself. Activating my own Sharingan I started to go through the motions of pulling the water out of the air and my surroundings. I can feel that there is a lot more water to pull this time verse last time I did this. Okay I think I got about the same amount, maybe a little more. Now what was the next step I did? Oh right, add a spin to it… WAIT no it was condense… "Crap!" I said as the jutsu failed in my hands soaking the front of my clothes.
"AGAIN!" Sakuma barked. I jumped at how loud he was.
Okay, time to do this again. This went on for the next hour or so… some part of the jutsu just wouldn't click right. I finally got the order right, but for some reason I couldn't duplicate it. Why isn't my fire element adding to the water? Waaaait, fire can't be just added to water. It has to be influencing it, just like you can't just try to put a match in a cup of water. "Okay, I will try this again." I said calmly.
"No, we have seen enough. Clearly you did not do what you said and it must have been someone else that defeated that Nin. We are done here." one of the elders said as they started to walk away.
"No seriously, I know what I am doing wrong. I got it this time. Seriously, watch me." I pleaded as I started to collect the water again and going through the motions of condensing, adding a drilling like twist to it, and then like a stove adding heat indirectly to try to super heat it. This feels right, just like that night. I opened my eyes and saw a small mass of very rapidly spinning water around my left hand and could feel the heat coming off of it. "GEYSER BLADE!" I shouted out as I release the jutsu and a small two or three foot drill like blade extended from my hand as I made a slashing motion.
"Hn!" One of the elders scoffed, "something that small couldn't have defeated a chunin Rock Armor jutsu." They turned, and walked off, leaving both my Dad and myself there in the empty field. As Fugaku was lead away by his father, he tried to shoot me a look of either pity or concern or something. My eyes blurred as the iron gate slammed behind the elders, blocking them from my view.
Shaking, I slowly sank to my knees, trying to fight back tears. "That's what I used, and it can defeat Rooock-" sniffle, "-armor jutsu." sniffle, "It can. You believe me, right Dad?"
Dad was crouching behind me and just wrapped his arms around me. Then he quietly spoke, "I believe you did, otherwise you wouldn't have been here. You have never told me a lie."
After an unknown amount of time of just sitting there and Dad hugging me from behind we got up and left the field. Those stupid fucking old shittie twats can go and sit on a cactus and spin. My jutsu DID kill that ninja, and they WILL see how powerful it is once I perfect it. Then THEY can be apologizing to me. Don't they know basic science? If water is heated and tightly compacted and if you add a slight spin to it it can drill through not only solid stone but metal too. I know at the academy, physical sciences was a bit scarce but I would think with all their experience they would have discovered this. I know it's not flashy but damn.
"Dad, why did they think that my jutsu couldn't hurt someone using Rock Armor jutsu?" I asked looking up at him as we walked back home, "I know Earth usually beats Water but don't they understand if something is compact enough and has enough, umm, force to it that it can punch through just about anything?"
My Dad had this gobsmacked look on his face as if I had just uttered complete nonsense, "I don't know, usually Earth does beat Water, unless the said Water jutsu completely outclasses the Earth jutsu. But you do bring up a good point, I have never thought about it like that," then almost to himself, "punch through just about anything."
Then thinking to myself then wording it outloud, "I want to go visit Iroha, may I? I promise to be home before dark. Please?!" I pleaded with the best puppy-dog eyes I could give.
Dad chuckled then answered, "Go, have fun."
As I ran off I had a lot on my mind and wanted to run some things past my friends. I hope Iroha is home or I can find Kushina. Looking around as I sped across the rooftops of the village proper I glanced around and tried to spread out my chakra senses to see if I could feel my friends anywhere nearby. Thankfully I felt Kushina and what I think is Minato sitting next a small food cart that was selling cheap raman. Soo salty, I used to love those way back when but for some reason this time around I am not much of a fan. Guess that shows that just because my mind says one thing biology dictates more. Feeling the chakra levels of the multiple civilians around. God, I am lucky… what would have happened if I was born in the body of a civilian with how much chakra I have now I would have probably overloaded that poor body. I shuddered at that thought.
I jumped down and walked over slowly waving, "Hey, you two. You busy? I figured out how to do that jutsu from that night." I eagerly anticipated their response. "Just had a long morning in front of" I paused and looked around quickly, "my asshole elders, who claimed it is a waste of a jutsu and could not harm someone of those calibur."
"Dattebane?! Those jerks, yeah! Lets go right after I finish these bowls of raman," Kushina boisterously stated and Minato look between the two of us then nodded. I could see the determination in his eyes.
"Thank you. Maybe we can run by Iroha's on the way, and see if she is free as well." I said as I blushed with appreciation.
"I agree with Kushina," Minato said then lifted his small bowl of raman and finished it with one last gulp. He got up and walked a short distance and handed the empty bowl to the man at the cart before coming back.
A few minutes later, after Kushina finished her three bowls and Minato had taken them back to the vendor, we made our way to the Hyūga district. I nodded at the two gate guards, "Hello One and Two," I said with a straight face trying to show NO EMOTION but then bust out laughing, "Hehehehehe, can we come in and see Iroha?"
Two frowned and then said, with all seriousness, "I am not Two. You should know by now that I am… Three."
Wow, this one has humor, I must be rubbing off on them. One elbowed Three in the side, before standing aside for the gate to swing open. "You may enter."
As the gate closed behind us, I let my face drop the super serious look and started a giggling fit. "Hehe, ha ha, I never thought a Hyūga would actually crack a joke like that. Both Iroha and I have been calling those two that since...well, ever."
Minato just shook his head but Kushina cracked an evil smile, "Whatever you say, number Two."
At this, all three of us had hysterical giggling fits while we walked to Iroha's place. As we rounded the corner, we saw Iroha's dad and Iroha in battle stances; instinctively I activated my Sharingan just in time to watch a beautiful display that was over in seconds. If I hadn't had my Sharingan active, I probably wouldn't have caught all that. Damn, 64 point strike, he is not holding back. Iroha at least got a few hits in, think I counted them at 16 before she crumpled. Shaking my head, I quickly deactivated my Sharingan and rushed over to the edge of their training circle.
"You okay, Iroha?" Kushina asked kneeling down at the edge of circle.
"Yes," She answered rubbing her shoulder and slowly getting up, "or I will be once Dad unseals the tenketsu."
Her father slowly walked over and within a blink of an eye re-opened the closed tenketsu. "It is good to see you Kamiko Uchiha, Kushina Uzumaki, and Minato Namikaze. Iroha has a hour left in practice, then she is free to do as she pleases." he said nodding at each of us in turn. "As long as you stay quiet enough to not distract her, you are welcome to stay." He then turned his white eyes upon me, with a slight frown on his face. "Kamiko Uchiha, as per clan laws, DO NOT activate your Sharingan while here again. These are Hyūga clan techniques, and not only that, they would be useless to anyone that does not possess the Byakugan."
"I am extremely sorry, a bit of a habit when I see a fight so I can understand what is happening. It will not happen again." I apologized with a small bow and stayed bowed.
"Thank you. I understand the habit, I have worked with a few Uchiha in the past." he said before turning back to the training circle.
With Kushina and Minato in tow, I made my way to a small bench near the edge of the circle closest to their house and sat down. Watching Iroha and her dad spar is quite enlightening. They are so graceful but those light taps are so debilitating. I thought Iroha was good but when I see her next to him it is clear that she has a lot to learn, let alone me. Iroha beats me more than half the time and if he can not only avoid her blows by either deflection or pure avoidance… damn! Guess that's why he is a Jounin and we are still green as a leaf Genin. While he said not to activate my Sharingan doesn't mean I can't study what they are doing. I thought grinning.
"What are you grinning about, Dattebane?" Kushina said looking at me as Minato had this glassy stare at the fight in front of us.
"Nothing much," I continued to grin, "just that even without the Sharingan I have been a quick study. You know I have never solely relied on it."
We continued to watch the amazing one-sided spar for the next little over an hour at which time it was about lunch time. Iroha scored a few good blows but in the end it was of course obvious who was more experienced.
As we left the compound towards the shopping district for some lunch I asked, "So...umm… Do you ever feel that your spars are ever one-sided or that he is venting through you?" Then quickly added, "Not that I saw that today...just...umm…" I looked down at my feet as we walk, "I just got put through the ringer by my esteemed Clan Elders about my Jutsu."
It was quiet for a good few seconds, but it felt longer. Iroha then spoke up, "It has never felt that way to me. There has been times when he was ruthless about the training but never was it him venting through me. I am sorry that…" Then she whispers just loud enough for only us to hear. "Your chauvinistic clan elders are short sided." Then she raised her voice to normal levels, "but you were amazing that night."
"Yeah, DATTEBANE!" Kushina shouted making a few people passing by stare but I didn't care.
"You were a true ninja of the leaf in my book" Minato added.
"So before this gets any mushy-er, where do we wanna eat?" I asked. These are true friends better than any I had in my previous life. I mean we risked life and limb.. Literally to save Kushina.
"How about that Raman cart?" Kushina proffered up as a suggestion.
"How about that new Akimichi BBQ place?" Minato offered up.
"Personally the all you can eat sounds good." I said.
As Iroha responded, "Ribs sound great."
After lunch we wandered around the shopping district just chatting idly about just about anything that popped into our heads until I saw a new weapon shop that I hadn't seen before. "How about we check out that place? I need some better kunai. Maybe a short blade and I could get Dad to training me with it. How about you all?"
"Sounds good to me I could use some more kunai." Minato said shrugging.
Both Kushina and Iroha shrug. "Might as well." Iroha added.
As we entered the store it was quickly obvious that this smith had some interesting ideas on kunai. They had some oddly shaped blades for them and one had Minato in a trance.
"What has you so googie eyed?" I asked walking up while I had some heavier than normal kunai but shaped normally.
He just held up a three pronged kunai for me to see. "Hmm looks interesting." Kushina commented as she looked over my shoulder.
"Definitely unique," I said, "hmm now to see their stock of short blades."
The store clerk had only acknowledged us entering by a head nod but when I said short blades his eyes lit up and he asked, "What type of short blade? Curved? Straight? Light? Weighted? What type of material? Steel or Chakra Steel? How much is your budget?" the stream of questions kept on coming as he quickly left the counter and was almost up in face.
"Umm… I don't know but let's start with straight preferably, and actually I would like a little heft to it. If nothing else, to build up some strength. Also, what is chakra steel?" I answer staring at him and sizing him up a little. Damn this kid is build like a brick house, definitely not an Akimichi but the muscles on him… Definitely a Ninja with that headband and only a few years older than us.
"Chakra Steel is for those who know how to channel their elemental affinity into a blade and it enhances the strikes with that element. Wind increases the sharpness of the blade so that it can pierce or slice though things easier. Lightning also increase the cutting power like Wind but it also can induce numbness on a target. Earth makes the blade harder and so it is harder to break and also adds more weight to it so hits harder but more bluntly. Fire engulfs the blade in an intense localised flame which incinerates anything it comes in contact with. Water I have never seen used, but I would think it would work like wind." He spoke in a mile a minute pace. "It also greatly increases the cost of the blade as the mineral is rare here in the Fire Lands as well as harder to work."
"Wow, that's a lot to take in, and I think I missed most of that except that it costs more." I said taking a step back, "Well, show me some standard blades of the straight kind, please."
He then guides me over to several racks of blades of various lengths. About fifteen minutes later, and having picked up several dozen blades, I settled on a nice two foot long blade with a nice one handed handle. I also opted for a blade that was not Chakra Steel as it would triple the cost. But nevertheless, I made up my mind to save up for one. This blew my budget that Mom gave me for equipment for a long time as well as what I had saved up and she probably won't be happy that I spent so much but Dad will be happy to teach me how to use a blade.
As we left with our new purchases in our arms and the sword on my back in a nice back holster I had bought from them as well, I looked up and it was already becoming early evening. "I got to go home but see you all tomorrow at training?" then sheepishly added, "Sorry Kushina, but maybe tomorrow evening after everything we can hang?"
"No problem I am meeting with the Hokage tomorrow so going to be super busy, DATTEBANE!" she shouted with one fist punched up into the air.
"Well, later then." both Minato and Iroha responded right after each other.
When I got home Mom was in the kitchen preparing dinner, Obi was on the living room floor with the blocks and Dad was sitting on the couch reading a scroll while watching over Obi.
"I am home," I announced as I opened the door, "Hi, Obi and Dad, I am glad to be home. I got a few items while I was out." I sat down next to Dad and showed him my purchases, "Sorry I blew my budget for a while, but look at this sword I got. It's not as nice as yours but could you teach me some basic Kenjutsu?"
Dad quietly looked over the blade with a very keen eye, he then answered me, "Of course Kiddo, but you better hide that from your mother or she might have both of our hides." he chuckled at that. I quickly got up and rushed it off my bedroom then came back.
The next day, I woke up before the sun had started to peek over the horizon and took a quick shower. Just as I strapped on my kunai pouches, the first day birds began to herald the dawn. I tightened my kunai straps and my eyes fell on my new sword, propped up against the closet. Should I bring that even though it would be little more than a club in my hands? Might as well, maybe Sensei might know a few things about kenjutsu. I quickly strapped the new sword to my back, feeling slightly awkward with the weight of it. I will definitely need to get used to wearing this if I am going to fight with it.
I quietly left my bedroom and made my way to the kitchen to grab an apple and a bun for breakfast, but Mom was there. I was like a deer in headlights as she turned to me and saw the blade on my back. Her face went from very pleasant to explain this NOW! expression. "Umm, yesterday I went by a weapon shop and umm… I got some new things and this was one of them. The boy at the shop told me to wear it so I would get used to the weight of it while I learn how to use it."
She spoke with such a calm sweet voice that I knew I was in trouble, "And how much did you spend?"
I must not tell lies, anyway Mom and Dad have always been able to tell when I wasn't telling them the truth. "Okay, don't be mad. I spent about five months of spending money I had saved up" I held up my hands to placate her as I quickly added, "and he gave me a great deal as it was my first blade and I bought so much."
She pressed her lips together and was quiet for a good while. Then slowly responded, "Ooo-kay, I guess you are old enough to have a weapon like that, but. BUT, next time ask either your Father or myself before making a large purchase like that. Now, off with you." She handed me a small bag of food, still frowning slightly. I made sure to give her a hug before running out the door.
I quickly made my way to our training field as the sun fully rose, and while I waited for them to show up, I went back to training my chakra sensing on the rock. Oh, thank God. My chakra's fully replenished after all that crap the Clan Elders put me through. Even though my eyes were closed, I could feel every step that Iroha took on the field in my chakra. She quietly stepped off to the side and sat down nearby. The quiet morning stretched between us.
"What are you doing? I have never seen you so still."
"I am trying to work on my chakra sensing," I answered, still not opening my eyes. "When I was younger, I was able to feel the chakra around me quite easily, but I have lost the knack for it. I asked my Dad about it, and he gave me a book."
"Hmm, that sounds intriguing. With my Bakugan, I can see chakra in people. But to feel chakra sounds... odd. Although, I can see the benefits of that skill if we were not near each other."
She joined me in my quiet meditation. The sun was warm and the slight wind made a calming sound as it swept through the field.
About twenty minutes later, both Jiraiya and Minato walked into the field, chatting. Iroha and I both opened our eyes and stood up. Jiraiya-sensei had with him three fairly large scrolls. I almost winced. Damn I can feel the ambient chakra on those things, they're like freaking beacons. I cleared my throat and spoke up; "Ummm, Sensei what are those? I can tell they are not jutsu scrolls as I can feel the chakra radiating off them."
He was taken aback a bit by that, but it was barely noticeable. Clearing his throat, he replied, "These are to test your chakra affinities. That way, I can tailor your training appropriately."
"Sensei," Iroha spoke up, "Kamiko and I know our affinities. Her Father tested us while we were in the academy. I am Wind and Yang. She had both Fire and Water."
Again, Jiraiya was taken aback for a split second. He then spoke up, "That is all well and good, but these scrolls are way more precise than the normal chakra paper. Me and my ol' teammate Orochimaru worked on the Fuinjutsu that is on these scrolls." He said grinning then added, "These were a team effort of my ol' Genin team. Now gather around and I will explain what you all need to do."
We grouped up and sat down in front of him. "Now these scrolls use not only a drop of your blood but you will pour in about as much chakra as you would a replacement jutsu," he explained as he unrolled one of the scrolls, "Here is where you will place a drop of blood in this little circle in the center. Then, here is the hand outline where you will channel your chakra. Now I must impress the importance of doing the two steps quickly otherwise the scroll is wasted. You will have no more than maybe thirty seconds at most. The rest of this is fairly complex Fuinjutsu and it would take too long to explain it to neophytes like yourselves. Okay, then let's start with you, Minato," he ordered as he handed Minato a small needle and motioned for him to go.
Minato went through the motions that was explained to us, and after he poured his chakra into it, a series of symbols and numbers appeared in a circle near the top of the scroll. "Hmm, interesting." Sensei muttered, "Well, let's see how the rest of you do before I make the announcement. Your turn, Iroha." he said rolling out another large scroll in front of her.
Iroha did the same as Minato did and just like him a series of symbols and numbers appeared in the circle near the top. "Now you, Kamiko." he quickly said rolling out the third and final scroll.
I took a deep breath and followed his instructions, Step one, prick finger and place a drop of blood in the center of scroll. Step two, place hand on spot. Step three, pour chakra into the scroll. Step four, sell my soul to the devil...ha. No, seriously, these steps are like straight out of a fantasy book or something. Buuuut I have seen some strange stuff here, and I am supposed to trust Sensei. So, here I go. I then poured the required chakra into the scroll, and a few seconds later a symbol appeared in the circle with an equal sign and another symbol and numbers after that. "That is interesting, very interesting." he spoke out glancing over my results. "Well, let's start with Minato here. You have a very strong Wind affinity and probably going to be rather strong with it. You also have two minor affinities with both Fire and Lightning but they are rather minor especially now." He then turned to Iroha. "You have a very strong Yang affinity and a slightly stronger Wind affinity. You and Minato will be hard to train in Wind as very few in Leaf get Wind as an affinity so we will have to work from the ground up on that."
"What about Kami?" Iroha asked politely but also curiously as Minato nodded.
"Well, hers is very interesting. I have never seen it do this before but if we built this scroll right… and I know we did, Kamiko has a blended affinity of both Fire and Water. Not so sure what that equates out to but I would think she would be able to learn any Fire or Water jutsu." Jiraiya spoke slowly.
At this I closed my eyes for a second then spoke up, "Yesterday my clan elders had me try to repeat the jutsu I did that other night and I even though I did repeat it, they said it wasn't what it was and that it wasn't worth their time. Do you wish for me to replicate it for you now?" I pleadingly looked up at him. "Please, I know I can do this."
"I think that would be smart. I'll be able to get a proper look at it, and be able to tell what you did." Sensei said with a bit of seriousness I had not heard from him yet, "I am also curious as to the jutsu itself."
I got up, activating my Sharingan and walked over towards the boulder that sat near the center of the field. Then, as if Jiraiya was reading my mind, he said, "Don't use the boulder as a target just yet. Let me give you a target." He made a hand sign I hadn't seen before - it looked like a cross with two fingers from each hand. The chakra coming off him is acting really weird. I have never seen chakra act that way. About that time he finished channeling, he shouted out, "Shadow Clone Jutsu" and I took a step back as a very solid clone appeared next to him. If it wasn't for my Sharingan, I would not have been able to tell that it...he… that thing next to him wasn't a illusion. Also, what did my eyes do when he used that. It felt odd like I was completely understanding what was going on. Probably should ask Dad later.
"Okay, I want you to hit my clone with your technique." Jiraiya stated, then quickly added as Iroha was about to speak up, "This is a solid clone so you actually have something physical to hit. Also don't worry about it being me." The clone then did a transformation jutsu to appear like the Iro-nin that I faced that night. Jiraiya smirked as his clone moved to be in front of me, the Iro-nin's face mirroring that smirk. "I think this will help with your visualization of the jutsu."
Okay, you got this down now. Just do it. I quickly went through the motions of gathering, condensing, adding the drilling motion, then the most critical part heat… and lots of it. "Geyser Blade" I shouted as I did a slicing motion. His clone tried to block with a kunai, and steel met water briefly before the Geyser Blade sliced through the blade and into the clone's shoulder. Iro-nin went "POOF" and Jiraiya shook his head briefly as I turned to face him.
"That was powerful, I bet your Clan Elders were quite pleased with it." Jiraiya commented. Then added when he saw the looks on my face and my teammates. "They didn't?" He then let out a long sigh, "Of course they didn't, short-sighted fire clan people. If it isn't flashy, they just ignore it."
I grimaced at that, but then nodded, "So what do you think?"
"I think you need to do it again, but this time try to hold the technique, and not dispel it after it hits. Try to keep it there as long as you can." Jiraiya commanded. "I wish to look at it closely while its active."
For the next few minutes, I used my technique a few times, each time I was able to hold it a little bit longer and by the end I was able to hold it for a solid minute before it fizzled out. I slumped down and rested my back against the boulder, panting heavily. "Is… that… enough… for… you…? I am… exhausted… after… that."
Sensei nodded, "I got an idea of what you are doing. It looks like your elements are combining in a way to create superheated water, turning it almost to vapor, but you are able to keep it from entering that state, so it not only burns the target but pierces. Ingenious!" Then, almost to himself, "This is something new that no one has seen before, or at least lived to tell about it."
"Well, I think it's an amazing technique," Minato commented sagely, "I like how you had this like spin to it… almost like a drill."
"Those old geezers don't know what they are talking about," Iroha said, "look at my clan's techniques. It's nothing flashy but it's extremely deadly. If not debilitating."
"I agree with both of their assessments, Kamiko." Sensei stated, "This is at least a high C-ranked offensive jutsu maybe even a low B-rank, very deadly. I am going to have to ask you to not use it in any spars with teammates, or with other Leaf-nin unless I give you explicit permission." He then motioned for everyone to gather around. "Up until this point you have been able to perform D-rank or lower jutsu that you learned in the Academy. With the exception of maybe some clan techniques that might be higher. But jutsu like this one can do way more harm than a punch or a kick so please do be careful when using them. To defend oneself or others, restrictions like the one I just put on Kamiko's technique are of course lifted, but do tread lightly when using them. Remember, she sliced the top of that ninja's head off so…" he let that thought trail off for us to think on.
"YES, SENSEI." we all shouted in near unison.
"Well then, I think we are going to do some more spars till mid afternoon, then I am going to dismiss you all for the day." Jiraiya said, "I will make a small list of some techniques I know that works for each of your elements for you to practice on your own time while you spar."
For the next few hours we did taijutsu spars, I was really low on chakra so thankfully no jutsu. Right before he dismissed us for the day he handed each of us a small scroll with permission to get two jutsu of our respective elements of C-rank or lower from the Konoha Research Library in the Hokage's Tower. He pulled me aside after he dismissed us. "Kamiko, your scroll only allows one jutsu of each element, and I would highly recommend with the Water jutsu to pick up a supplementary jutsu, as they can be very useful."
"Sensei, I got a question for you." I asked after nodding, "Do you know anything about Kenjutsu or what was it that boy called it again, um...oh, right, Chakra channeling?"
"I do know a little about Kenjutsu, but I am in no way an expert. I normally do taijutsu or use a technique. Now, Chakra channeling is a tough thing to master, but I do know how. I see you bought yourself a sword yesterday, I expect it's not made of Chakra Steel so learning to chakra channel will be harder to do with it, but we can cover that in the coming months. Now off with you." he said shooing me off.
I guess I will try to catch up with Iroha and Minato. I wonder what type of techniques we can get. At a flat run, I was able to catch them up, and we chatted all the way to the Hokage Tower.
Author Notes: I am sorry that this chapter took so long to get out. I was struggling with some of the scenes and had to seriously contemplate what I wanted to do with them. Also for those who have wondered, when I died in this world and was reborn into the world of Naruto the show had not yet been aired so I have zero foreknowledge and I am trying to write it like that. This has been one of my greatest challenges but I am glad I did it. I am glad you all are enjoying my story and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I also wish to continue to give thanks to frodoschick and Halbyrd on co-writing without them this story wouldn't be as well written as it is. If you liked it or had any question either put in a Review or PM me. Until next time.