IRON WILL I

Streets of Shuri town, Land of Earth:

Kotori and Yokumaru look on at the sight in front of them with wide eyes and gaping mouths. The Land of Earth's Shuri town was lined with stalls as far as the eye can see. Dumplings, takoyaki, a huge assortment of sweets.

They go from store to store, looking at what's tastiest and unable to decide.

Naruto chuckles. "You don't have to just stare, you know?" He pushes away the banners to a dango stall. "Let's start eating."

The four of them take a seat and a bench. "Four plates, mister, and get ready to make a whole lot more!"

The man behind the stall gives a jolly laugh. "You got it!" After a short wait, he hands them their dango.

After a single bite, Kotori and Yokumaru are on cloud nine. It's really tasty. Yokumaru in particular gulfs down the dumplings like they're made of air. He eats too much and chokes lightly, pounding his chest.

Hinata giggles and cleans his mouth with a tissue, seeing as not all the paste went in his mouth. "Be careful, you'll get yourself sick."

Kotori takes a bite out of her dango. "It's like you've never seen sweets before."

Yokumaru looks down at his plate. "I mean, I really haven't. I stole a lotta things but it was for mom, and she can't eat sweets the way she is."

"Oh. I'm sorry, I didn't think."

The boy shakes his head. "It's fine. You've eaten a lot, though, huh?"

She sheepishly rubs her head. "Oh, not really. Miss Shina couldn't afford a lot of luxuries, since the orphanage was kinda struggling."

Yokumaru puffs his cheeks and squeezes her nose between his index and middle fingers. "Then what're you getting on my case for?"

"Ow ow ow." She yelps in pain, but is then surrounded by a puff of smoke and is replaced by a piece of cloth.

"Huh? Substitution? Hey, no fair, come back here!" Yokumaru steps outside and looks left and right and then left again, trying to find her. She's gone. She's gotten that good that quick?

"Umm, help?"

Or not. Yokumaru looks to where the voice came from. Up on the stall. Kotori is clutching to a metal pipe that's holding the banners following a misjudged substitution, with one banner missing after being used for as the substitute.

Hinata giggles at their shenanigans.

Naruto shakes his head and takes the banner from the bench. "Sorry, mister, I'll put it back." He helps her down and gets to placing the banner back where it belongs. "You gotta be careful where you go, so you don't get stuck like that and don't bother other people, alright?"

"Sorry, dad."

Hinata walks behind him and holds his hand, pressing herself close to him. "You bothered quite a lot of people yourself, though."

He gets flustered. "That doesn't matter now. Old news!"

"Sensei, you were a troublemaker?"

"Did you get in trouble a lot, dad?"

"I said it doesn't matter!" He holds two pouches of coin and hands them to the kids. "Look, how about a game. You buy as many sweets as you want. First one to give up from the sugar has to do double training for a week."

The two kids look at each, grab the coin pouch and dart off.

"Is it a good idea to give them a sugar high?"

"You heard 'em, right? They've never had the chance to do this kinda thing. For one reason or another, they haven't had the chance to live a normal childhood, so I'll make sure they do from now on."

"You know," She stands on her toes to press her head against his. "Just when I think you can't get any kinder…" And kisses him. "I found a ramen stall further down."

He grins. "I love you."

She chuckles. "What, because I'm good at finding ramen stalls?"

"For a lotta things, although that's a pretty nice bonus."

The two of them walk hand-in-hand.

Teshin household, Shuri town, Land of Earth:

Ever since the crack of dawn, the Teshin household has been busy with people running left and right. It's a big day for them, after all, and they have to ensure it goes well.

It's the grand opening of the Shorin dojo, the teaching of the martial art once reserved only for their clan will now be available for anyone to learn that has the patience and resolve for it.

In the yard of the family that owns said dojo, one young boy is already hard at work training. He looks to be around 7 years old, dressed in simple robes, his black hair tied up in a traditional topknot- long hair tied in a knot and folded onto the head.

Oddly enough, his fingers are dark brown in colour. He's performing kata in front of a tree, knees slightly bent, hand outstretched. He delivers two punches, causing some bark to fly off. He doesn't flinch, even though the impact should've been enough to tear off his skin. His jutsu is protecting his hand, making it rock hard. He shifts his position, lowering himself. Another strike and a kick. He winces at the kick, apparently not having the same protection as his hands, but keeps going.

His movements are fast, precise, and well practiced.

He takes a stance and kicks the tree. "Tch. Too slow, too high." He takes the same stance again and repeats it until he's satisfied.

After more than two hour of this, a voice calls to him.

"Shoto!"

He turns to see a man and woman dressed in the same robes as him, the man having the same topknot hairstyle as him and the woman- tied in a long ponytail. Shoto looks to the side in annoyance. The man walks to the boy at a fast pace and grabs his hand, inspecting the darker brown fingers.

"I've told you to cut it out, Shoto."

"But, Father-"

"No 'buts'. You will respect your uncle's decision and that's final." The man lets go of Shoto's hand. "Our clan is no longer shinobi, so stop. Now come, we're to meet with Cousin Sokon and prepare for the day." He makes his way toward the house

The boy lowers his head and follows. "Yes, Father."

The woman tries to place her hands on his shoulder to pull him into a hug but he brushes her off and continues to walk. She frowns and walks behind him.

After several minutes of walking in silence, the man and boy looking annoyed and the woman looking worried, they make it inside the

They eventually reach the Shorin dojo not far from their home. It's a busy place, with multiple people scrubbing the place clean, some cleaning the walls, or retouching the place with paint, especially the signs on the walls and outside the building. Everyone is doing something to prepare for the big day.

The public opening of the Shorin school as a martial arts school, now to accept anyone who may wish to study a fighting style and hone their skills. A vast change from before when it was for family members only, when the clan's fighting style was for actual combat.

Inside, they're met by an older man who approaches with a smile.

"Itosuke, Asami. Shoto. I'm glad you came, there's much work to be done before the grand opening."

"Of course, cousin." Itosuke bows his head "Shoto, you go help with the painting."

Shoto curls his hand into a fist. "No."

The man turns around, glaring. "What did you say?"

"I said no!" The boy shouts loud enough to grab everyone's attention. "I don't want the Teshin clan to become a circus, I won't be part of it!"

A slap resounds throughout the dojo. Shoto lands on his butt, his cheek stinging.

Itosuke is furious. "You disrespect Sokon's wishes, and now you embarrass me in front of everyone?"

Asami kneels down. "Shoto!" She turns to her husband. "Itosuke, that was too far."

Shoto rubs his cheek and stands up.

"If you intend on continuing this behaviour, then leave. I won't have you ruin an important day because of your foolish obsession with the past."

He pushes himself up and runs out.

Asami calls out to him but he keeps on running. She looks like she wants to go after him, but the elder Teshin stops her.

"I believe he needs to gather himself. I'm sorry. This divide came about from my decision on the clan's future."

"You've nothing to apologize for, cousin. You're the head of the Teshin clan, your word is law." Itosuke places his hand inside his robe, letting it rest. "It's my fault for not disciplining him properly that he rebels at such a young age."

Sokon looks at his younger cousin with a pointed look. The lad still doesn't get it. He sighs and leads them to help with preparations.

Streets of Shuri town, Land of Earth

Naruto and Hinata make their way out of the ramen stall, having eaten their fill.

"Think the kids are done by now?" Naruto pats his belly.

"Doubtful, but we can still check in on them."

They make their way back to the main street and surprisingly almost immediately find the kids. Thought it'd be harder. They're leaving one store in particular, waving back to someone inside and carrying a large bag filled with wrapped sweets, and seem to be chatting away.

"What's this, decided to stock up on food?"

The kids turn to where the voice came from, to see Naruto and Hinata approaching.

Kotori shakes her head. "Uncle Kakashi treated us with a whole buncha things!"

Hinata smiles and pats them both on the head, leading them to walk along together with them. "Did you remember to thank him properly?"

"Of course!"

After a second, it clicks. Naruto and Hinata look at each other. "Wait, 'Uncle Kakashi'?" They go back to the stall the kids just left and poke their heads inside, and sure enough, Kakashi's spiky white hair is there to greet them.

He waves to them. "Hello."

"Kakashi-sensei?"

A woman sitting next to them twists her head around, also a familiar face. Long brown trenchcoat, violet hair tied in a spiky ponytail.

Anko just finishes her sweets. "Hey, ya brats. Fancy seeing you here."

"Anko-sensei?"
"Creepy snake lady?"

A skewer is embedded in Naruto's forehead protector.

"Who you calling creepy?"

And to her side is another woman, dressed in the usual Hidden Stone Uniform, of brown flak jacket and one-sleeved clothing underneath. She spins around, her short black hair, swaying slightly as she does.

"You're… Kurotsuchi?" Naruto takes out the skewer from his protector.

"Naruto. Didn't think I'd be bumping into you in these parts. What brings you here?"

"We were on our way to the Hidden Stone for our big mission but we stopped 'cause it looked like something big's going on."

"Oh?" Kakashi perks up. "I would've thought you're here for the Teshin clan's dojo opening. Thought it might be right up your alley."

"The… who now?"

Hinata gets a look of recognition, the name ringing a bell. But it couldn't possibly be the same clan, could it?

"The Teshin clan." Kurotsuchi explains. "They used to be a shinobi clan in the Hidden Stone but they lost their status around the Second Great Ninja War."

"Then…" Hinata takes a step forward. "It's that same Teshin clan?"

"Yeah. I suppose you'd know about them."

Naruto looks between the two. "You know them, Hinata?"

"Only from old records I've read. They were a powerful shinobi clan, specializing in ninjutsu and taijutsu that allowed them to clash with the Hyuga clan on equal footing."

"Wow, they were that good?"

Kurotsuchi forms hand signs and her arm becomes darkened brown like earth. "They were said to be so proficient in Earth Style that it was stronger than any other, strong enough to even block the Hyuga's Gentle Fist from blocking their pressure points. They were one of the few who could stand up against them." Her arm returns to normal and she resumes eating her snacks. "But they lost their touch; lost every battle against the Hyuga clan. So they fell from grace and exiled themselves from the village."

"Wow, that sounds cool." Yokumaru exclaims.

"And… now they're opening a dojo, even though they were that amazing?"

Anko orders a new plate of sweets. "Apparently they're going to teach their clan's personal fighting style to the public, become a dojo instead of a shinobi clan."

"That feels like a bit of a waste. Just because they lost against the Hyuga clan doesn't make them any weaker! That's stupid."

"Well, you can tell them that yourself."

"Preferably don't." Kakashi adds. "Whatever your opinion on it is, it's their decision to make and theirs alone. So please be respectful of it."

"Yeah, I know, don't worry."

Kurotsuchi stands up and stretches. "I'm actually headed there now. I'm here as Grandfather's representative, and I guess as an apology for letting the Teshin clan go all those years. You guys wanna come?"

Yokumaru and Kotori look excited at the prospect. "Can we go? Please?"

Hinata and Naruto share a look. "If we're allowed to, of course."

Naruto looks to the kids. "This might be good training for you guys, actually. See someone else fighting besides me and Hinata."

On their way out in the street to head for the dojo, Hinata turns to Kakash and Anko. "Are you here because of the Teshin clan, as well, like Kurotsuchi?"

Kakashi waves dismissively. "No, we were on a joint mission with some Hidden Stone shinobi and stopped here on our way back home when we saw something was happening. And happened to run into Kurotsuchi."

Anko smirks. "I managed to get him to take me on a date."

"Not a date, Anko."

"Uh-huh, sure." She leans back to literally talk to Hinata behind his back. She stage-whispers. "Totally a date."

Kakashi sighs, and Anko bumps him with her butt, laughing.

-x-

As they walk through the streets, some distance away from them is a young boy in a topknot, brows furrowed as he looks at the group of Leaf ninja.

"Is that… a Hyuga?"

Shoto had bought some sweets to get his mind off everything that happened with his father. He hadn't intended to return at all today, and wait for the so-called dojo to close. But it might be worth going, after all.

Shorin-ryu dojo, Shuri town, Land of Earth:

A crowd had already gathered by the time Naruto and his group reached the dojo. It seems the Teshin name still carried some weight, despite the long time they'd spent closed off from others, or perhaps some are simply interested in picking up a new skill.

The very first day is apparently reserved for exhibition matches. Practitioners from the Teshin clans will put on some practice fights to show what the style is all about, and if other martial artists are present, they can issue a challenge.

Everyone is currently sitting around the arena, observing the mock fights, many showing interest.

Hinata especially takes an interest in seeing their techniques. She can already imagine how a potential battle against the Teshin clan would go, and they definitely are capable to countering the Gentle Fist, although it's been a while since the style was actually used in a proper battle so it's not exact.

Kotori looks around at all the people gathered, impressed at how many are here. She spots one boy in particular staying back from everyone else. He's leaned against the door, dressed in the same robes as the people from the Teshin clan. Curious as ever, she stands up from her seat and goes to him. Yokumaru sighs and joins her, if not to make sure she doesn't get herself in trouble. The adults do see them leave, but see they're not going far and even if they did, they're plenty capable of tracking them down.

Kotori approaches Shoto. "Hey there. Are you from the Teshin clan?"

"Uh, yeah? How'd you know?" Shoto visibly wasn't expecting to be approached.

"The clothes are the same." Yokumaru motions at the boy's attire.

"Oh. Right."

"I'm Kotori Uzumaki, nice to meet you!" She's as bubbly as ever.

"Yokumaru Kigatsu." He introduces himself in a not as energetic way.

"Shoto Teshin." He straightens his pose, and holds his hands close to his chest. His fist hits his palm, which wraps over his closed hand, and bows.

"I saw the others do that, too, is it a greeting?"

The boy stands up. "Yeah. We do it as a greeting, and as a beginning and end every spar. It's tradition."

"That's cool! Dad shows us a different ritual they do in the Hidden Leaf. Guess it's different for everyone, huh?"

"I guess. We have our way because we're not really ninja." He puts on a strained smile.

"But you used to be, right?" Yokumaru props himself against the doorframe. "They said your clan was strong."

Shoto balls up his fist. "So you know? Yeah, we used to be, but they gave up a long time ago. Now we're just here to put on shows, I guess."

Kotori tilts her head. "You don't like it?"

"Of course not! I wanna be a ninja, but like this, the Teshin clan will never be ninja again."

"Aw, but can't you just be on your own or something? Become a ninja without your family?"

He shakes his head. "Father won't let me. I have to stay with the clan's decision; it's tradition." Suddenly, he looks up with a furrowed brow to Kotori. "Why're you even asking, and why am I telling you?"

"Because! Now we can be friends!" She grins.

Shoto, confused, looks at Yokumaru.

Yokumaru shrugs. "Don't question it. I don't."

A commotion inside grabs their attention. They turn around to see… Naruto in the arena. Opposite of him is a young man, black hair tied in a topknot. Between them, acting as a mediator is the head of the Teshin clan, greying hair also tied in a topknot. Actually, every Teshin has a topknot.

Sokon looks between the two of them. "Introduce yourselves."

The man in front of Naruto gives the traditional bow. "Nabe Teshin. Empty Hand style of the Teshin clan's Shorin-ryu."

"Naruto Uzumaki. Mount Myoboku's Frog Kata."

Murmurs can be heard all around, at the mention of his name. It seems Naruto is known even around these parts

Sokon scratches his chin. "I see. So you that Naruto Uzumaki... " Sokon takes a step back, to give them space. "Begin"

Nabe Teshin gives the traditional bow, and the two of them take their stances.

Shoto looks between the blonde man standing in front of his second cousin and Kotori. "Wait, Naruto Uzumaki? The hero from the war? And you said you're… Uzumaki?"

"Yep!" Kotori beams. "He's my adoptive dad."

Shoto then looks to Yokumaru.

"He's just my sensei."

The spar begins. Nabe practices a style all too familiar for Shoto. He begins with his knees slightly bent, hands outstretched with one shoulder in front of the other. Naruto has his palms open, one high and one low.

Nabe makes the first move, delivers a series of punches that are pushed aside by Naruto, who takes an opening to try and get the upper hand. He parries what punches are thrown his way and utilizes thrusts to both deliver powerful blows and push Nabe back to throw him off his balance.

Frog Kata specializes in keeping opponents at bay, and finding an opening for a decisive strike.

Nabe manages to keep his footing and return the attack. Naruto tries to parry and thrust, but the Teshin ducks and delivers a kick, which Naruto jumps over with a toad-like hop. Nabe gets back to his feet and punches up to Naruto's chest, but he parries that, too and tries to push him back as he falls back to his feet.

The two have everyone's undivided attention.

They continue like this for a while longer, not one of them gaining the upper hand but they both feel the other is not going at full force. When one speeds up, the other matches it; when one slows it back down, the other matches it. They're keeping this to a spar, as it should be.

Naruto can't help but enjoy himself. "He's really good. If this was a real fight, he might get the upper hand in taijutsu. A shame they're not shinobi anymore."

Nabe keeps his distance. "So this is the war hero, the saviour of the world. Times like this, I agree with Shoto. It's a shame we're no longer shinobi so we can clash in actual battle."

The spar is stopped by Sokon, enough having been demonstrated. "Thank you both for your display." He bows to them both, and they bow to each other.

With that, Naruto returns to his seat next to Hinata.

Kakashi leans forward slightly. "Did you get that out of your system."

"Yep! He's really good." He turns to Hinata. "You sure you don't wanna have a go at it?"

"I'm sure, I don't believe this is my thing."

Naruto looks around. "No one?" Everyone shakes their heads. "You guys are no fun, ya know that?"

The day continues like this for a couple more hours, until no one is left to test themselves against the Teshin clan. Eventually, the exhibition comes to an end and people leave. Naruto and his group are among the last to leave, taking time to talk about what they saw, and also to wait for Kurotsuchi to finish talking with the head, Sokon Teshin.

Shoto looks nervous about something. He looks like he wants to say or do something, but is questioning it. Just as Kotori is about to ask what's wrong, he goes to the arena. He takes the traditional bow. Facing Hinata Hyuga.

Name meanings

Teshin clan (鉄心一族, Teshin Ichizoku) = 'iron will'

Shoto Teshin (鉄心 ショト, Teshin Shoto) = 'pine waves'. Named after Gichin Funakoshi, whose pen name was Shoto, cited as the father of modern karate for spreading it throughout all of Japan.

Itosuke Teshin (鉄心 イトスケ, Teshin Itosuke) = named after Anko Itosu, Gichin Funakoshi's karate teacher.

Asami Teshin (鉄心 アサミ, Teshin Asami) = named after Anko Asato, Gichin Funakoshi's karate teacher.

Sokon Teshin (鉄心 テシン, Teshin Sokon) = named after Sokon Matsumura, the two Ankos' karate teacher.

Nabe Teshin (鉄心 ナベ, Teshin Nabe) = named after Nabe Matsumura, karate master and son of Sokon.