Hello, and welcome to the next chapter!
Morregen; Yup she has~ We'll see if he survives or not~ Yeah, that's the future squad. Anko could be their Sensei. He could learn to summon snakes yeah. I hope you enjoy!
Isao Gin; You never know, she could still join.
MDM11; It would be pretty cool if it did~ Perhaps, it would be a cool team. Sakura was said to be a Genjutsu type, though she went with medical Jutsu. He could be promoted there yeah. Thanks for the suggestions!
Eavise; Thanks for the suggestions! Eevee is a pretty cool one, I probably would have that if I did a pokemon story.
ShadowUzumaki55; Haku is yeah~ Ryouta's going to support her the best that he can do. Satsuki seems to sense something's not right. She did yeah, Mei's going to have a hard challenge, but she's going to do her best in trying to obtain her goals. Mei is quite powerful, she had to protect her fellow Shinobi, but it also shows how much she cares about them. They'll be popping back up in the future~
Silver crow; Thanks! Yeah, she's in it. Maybe then, maybe later on~ Ameyuri is going to be a big player in the future. Mei's got quite a bit of destructive power, but Shisui is quite a speedy guy, so it just depends. Yeah, they would differ. That's how Mei is, she flirts with handsome guys, and she liked Shisui a bit there. Yeah, Ryouta and Mei spoke quite a bit together huh~? Ryouta was there for Haku yeah, wanting to make sure that she was okay and that he'd be there for her. I'm sure Zabuza would say something like that. Yeah, they managed to get on pretty well. She probably would be loyal to him yeah. Satsuki's got some otherworldly powers there~ Things are a little changed up for this story. Yeah, Mei could probably slaughter Ameyuri pretty quickly, but due to her comrades being there, and for the most part immobilized, she couldn't unleash her true strength. Yes, we're moving onto the Uchiha, Shisui stuff now. If Shisui lives or dies, we'll soon see~ Yeah, he'd be either pure or half. He'd be close with Luna. I don't know what house he'd be in yet. He'd be a leader in his own right. He would have an animal, not sure what yet. Maybe yeah, sounds cool. Yup, Mirko's pretty cool, even back then. Yeah, Mirko surely did. He could believe in those creatures yeah~ Yeah, he could share with them. He could be friends with them. Maybe he could. Maybe he could form his own squad then. Maybe he could have them. Yup, they'd be able to tell due to their inherited abilities from their Mother's side. Thanks for the suggestions. It could be made up of them. That would be pretty cool~ Yup, that's how it would be. He'd probably would unlock Float first due to their connection as Grandmother and Grandson. Rappa with that Quirk would be a beast. Yeah that would be cool. It's part of his development so he wouldn't use Death right away. Eh, I don't know if I would or not.
Chrono trigger; They could be yeah~ It is quite sad that it wasn't really brought up much in the series. It could be a chance for some interesting growth for them. Thanks for the suggestion!
Ieuan Evans 2814; Thanks! I probably will either continue or rewrite the Charmed story.
Brainstorm Sorcerer; Yup, that's how it is~ Haku will do yeah, she'll have Ryouta supporting her. It was quite the difficult mission, but they managed to accomplish it~ Yeah, it could be something for Naruko~ Haha, they'd be curious about Mei huh~? Those would be pretty cool combination moves between them~ He could do something like that for Ryouta yeah~ We will learn more as the story goes on~ They could do that with their eyes yeah~ Ameyuri and Kushimaru will have a part to play in the story, I can't reveal much about it right now, but they will play a good part to it. No worries~ Probably before he lost his eye. Lee probably would do yeah~ Shisui and Ao had some fun times huh~? Yeah, Haku went through quite a bit of hard emotions huh. I'm sure Satsuki will have a few things that she needs to say. Some would want him to graduate yeah~ Yeah, we'll seeh what happens with the Uchiha clan, it's going to be quite...interesting~
BloodRaven46; Hehe, meant to be Izumi, it's been changed.
Skull Flame; Ameyuri's got some plans for the future, we will see her again. It is yeah~
War Sage; Thanks! Hehe, yeah, I wonder what she'd say~? Satsuki wouldn't be happy about it that's for sure~ He'll be training him a little bit yeah. With his Sharingan, it certainly is possible for him to do something like that. Mikoto could do yeah. Thanks for the suggestions! I don't know enough about the franchise to do a story about it.
Guest; They'd probably at least acknowledge he did something most Uchiha haven't done at his age. It might not change some opinions, Fugaku is going to have some intriguing reactions to it. They could boast about it yeah~
AverageAtBest3; Yeah, either's fine. Thanks! Thank you for the votes! Depends on how my schedule for real life goals, I try to stick to a schedule when I can, but things can pop up unexpectedly.
Andrew123456; I can't reveal that just yet~
Guest100; Yeah, that would be a good substitute for it, since it is My Hero, I wouldn't have Haki in it. Thanks for the suggestions!
Well, with those reviews out of the way, it's time to start the chapter!
New troubles!
It had been a over a month since Haku had been brought to the village, and for the most part, things had returned to some kind of normal. Haku had begun settling in rather well, and now was in the same class as Ryouta and the others. Ryouta had also been surprised by the people that had congratulated him regarding the Seven Ninja Swordsmen business, even the Hokage acknowledged and praised him, which he was rather happy about.
Though rewards didn't matter, he was just glad to have fought and survived a battle like that. Though some Uchiha weren't thrilled by his achievements, Fugaku on the other hand, hadn't said a thing. He didn't voice his happiness, or rage at the situation when some other Uchiha had been rather vocal about how they weren't happy with Ryouta doing what he did.
Ryouta didn't mind what they thought, he was just happy that he could have done a mission together with his elder brother, and was glad that he had met Haku, that was more than enough for someone like him.
But now, with things returning to normal for the most part, Ryouta headed down the stairs early in the morning, coming across Satsuki who had her chin resting against her palms as she sat in the kitchen together with Shisui.
"Good morning Satsuki-chan!"
Ryouta greeted, Satsuki met her eyes with his own, and her face lifted up slightly.
"Yeah, morning."
"Something wrong?"
Ryouta asked, as he pulled closer towards the young girl.
Satsuki gave a shake of her head.
"Nothing."
Shisui, who was sat a little distance away, gave a slight teasing smile.
"She's a little jealous of Haku-san and you Ryou."
Satsuki shot Shisui a scathing glare.
"That's not it at all!"
"Hehehe, if you say so Satsuki-chan~"
Ryouta cocked his head towards Satsuki who didn't look towards him.
Satsuki wasn't sure what to make of Haku.
She didn't know why, but she wasn't sure if she liked the idea of Haku being close to Ryouta.
Due to her young age, she couldn't figure it out.
But Shisui, and pretty much every adult understood why Satsuki wasn't a big fan of the Ice Release user.
"Shi-chan, do you think we can pick up Haku-san on the way to the Academy?"
"Sure, I don't see why not."
Though Ryouta had wanted Haku to stay at the Compound...Shisui knew that she currently couldn't stay with them.
Never mind the fact that she was an outsider, she was an Ice Releaser user, he could see Danzo believing that they'd turn her into a weapon against Konoha, and he didn't want Danzo to have anymore ammunition than he already did have.
Due to the unique stance Haku had with her Ice Release, she was a rare find within Konoha, he could think that there would be people, such as Danzo, that would try and make use of her talent. But he wouldn't allow it, he was going to make sure that nothing would happen to that girl, at least to honour his words to Zabuza.
Despite Zabuza being someone that killed many, Shisui did have some respect for him. At the end of it, he did see that Zabuza cared for Haku, in his own way, and didn't want her to die, nor be like him in the end, so he was going to make sure that was a reality.
"Do we have to pick her up Ryou?"
"What's wrong Satsuki-chan? Don't you like Haku-san?"
Satsuki had a sour expression as if she had just eaten a lemon.
"...She's fine I guess."
"She's just a bit jealous of how close Haku-chan is with you, Ryou-kun~"
Izumi sang as she stepped through the door.
"I am not jealous of her. Ryou and I have a great..." Izumi leaned in with a smirk, Satsuki scowled at her. "Hmph, I don't have to explain anything to you."
"Hehe, if you say so~ Anyway, shouldn't you be getting to the Academy soon?"
Ryouta nodded.
"Just having breakfast Izumi-chan. How's your medical studies coming along?"
"Really great! Yeah, I've been observing surgeries as of late, and learning how to use various medical Ninjutsu's. Even the Chakra Scalpel." Izumi weaved through some hand signs, then her hand lit up with blue chakra in the shape of a thin blade coming out of her fingertips. "With this, I can use it to make incisions deep within the body without breaking the skin. Cool, isn't it?"
"Yes Izumi-chan! Very cool!"
Shisui smiled as Izumi swung her hand forward.
"So, if you get on the wrong side of Izumi-chan, she'll cut you down from the inside. Isn't that scary Ryou? Better not make her angry~"
Izumi glanced at Shisui, who was still smiling.
"I thought you had a mission today?"
"I do, I'm going on it quite soon."
"I see...well, I don't mind if you want me to do anything regarding Ryou-kun."
"That would be great, thanks!"
As they spoke, Shisui couldn't help but think about the incident that happened with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. He was glad that despite Ryouta having to take a life, he was still the same kind and tender person. It showed Shisui that Ryouta was growing up, he was maturing, and was finding his own path in this world.
He hoped that it wouldn't be ruined for him by anyone.
Later on that day Ryouta was heading into the classroom with Haku and Satsuki following. At the door, Shisui waved goodbye to him.
"Then I'll be going Ryou. I should be back tomorrow evening."
"Okay Shi-chan! See you later, be safe! I'll wait for you on the cliff with the waterfall!"
"I will be safe, don't worry. I'll see you tomorrow at the waterfall then."
With that, Shisui took off in speeds no one around could make heads or tails out of.
As he went, Ryouta turned to the others, then walked into the school.
Going into the classroom, Ryouta sat down in his seat next to Satsuki, with Haku sitting down on the other side of him.
"Though I'm beginning to get used to this setting Ryouta-kun, there are a few things that I am unsure of."
Haku began, so Ryouta smiled.
"What's that?"
Haku's eyes cast towards Karin who kept looking towards Ryouta. It wasn't in a negative way, but more as if she was rather excited to see him. Then the same thing for Sakura, and Ino. There were a bunch of other girls that did the same thing, but Haku only knew of those three. Hinata herself was being rather quiet, she didn't say anything.
"It seems that there's a few girls that seem to really like staring at you. I've noticed a few times that they like looking at you, so I wasn't sure if I should mention it or not..."
"It's because they're weird."
Satsuki interrupted, Haku cocked her head wonderingly.
"I see, are you also?"
Satsuki twitched an eyebrow at that.
"No, because Ryou and I have a deep connection, unlike these people."
Ryouta raised an eyebrow.
"Satsuki-chan, we've always had a deep connection."
"Right."
As she said that, Naruko dramatically came towards him, and jumped onto his desk, leaning down towards Ryouta.
Her blue eyes met with his onyx eyes, her brows furrowed, and her face inches away from Ryouta's own.
Haku knew Naruko pretty well at this point, and while she could see that others had some animosity towards her...Haku didn't really get it. Sure, she was a prankster, but she didn't do anything that was out of the ordinary for her to receive some cold looks she had seen happen before, and she had become friends with Naruko during the time she had been there.
"Good morning Naruko-san."
"Morning Haku!"
Naruki exclaimed in her usual hyper way, before going back to staring at Ryouta.
Satsuki scowled, and pushed Naruko backwards just enough so she wasn't right in Ryouta's face.
"Why are you getting so close?"
Satsuki demanded, Naruko stuck out her tongue at Satsuki.
"I can be if I want to be!"
"No you can't. Go away."
Ryouta saw the seriousness in her eyes, so he stepped in to quell the argument.
"Now, now. No need to fight." Satsuki and Naruko huffed, looking away from the other. "So Naruko-san, how come you were leaning that close? Can I help you with something?"
"Yeah, I need help! I heard you're teaching Sakura and Ino stuff, so teach me too okay?"
Satsuki raised an eyebrow.
"So you need help?"
"Everyone needs help Satsuki-chan sometimes. Remember, we did in learning the Great Fireball Jutsu."
Satsuki couldn't argue with that.
"I guess you're right."
Ryouta's eyes landed on Naruko.
"So Naruko-san, how can I help you?"
"Erm...well...hmmm, I thought maybe with shurikens and that, you've got good aim. Would you help me with that?"
"Sure, I don't mind~"
Ryouta replied, Naruko gave a bright smile.
"Great! Then it'll be just us-"
"I'll be going too."
Satsuki added, Naruko sweat dropped, then face faulted.
"Why!?"
"I can go where I like."
Satsuki replied coolly, something Naruko didn't like at all.
"Grrrr! B-But it was just going to be us!"
"Why does it matter if I come?"
"Because you'll ruin it!"
"Ruin what?"
Satsuki asked, not even sure what Naruko was going on about at this point.
"Our training! I'm training to beat yoooooo...eeh, I'm training really hard okay?! You being there would throw me off my game!"
Ryouta picked up her little slip.
It seemed that she wanted Ryouta to train her, so she'd manage to beat Satsuki.
He did recall Naruko seemed to want to become stronger than Satsuki.
Having some kind of rivalry with the young girl.
"Throw you off what game? Even if I'm there or not, it wouldn't change."
Naruko stuck out her tongue childishly while Satsuki just stared at her.
Haku turned towards Ryouta, and showed a kind hearted smile.
"Ryouta-kun, do you mind if I come with you? I have to try and keep my skills up the best that I can."
Ryouta didn't have a problem with that.
He could see that Satsuki wasn't exactly thrilled about it, he didn't know why that was though.
"Sure Haku-san, it would be great if you came!"
Sakura and Ino, upon hearing this, rushed closer.
"Ryou-kun! Can we come too?"
"Yes, please?"
Satsuki began shaking her head, when Ryouta spoke up.
"Hehe, of course. The more the merrier~"
Sakura and Ino smiled at one another.
Karin, upon hearing that they were all going, walked closer, sitting down on the desk nearby.
"Well...it isn't like I want to go..."
Haku glanced at Karin, seeing her speaking to herself mostly.
"Karin-san, what are you saying?"
Karin looked back towards her, and chortled happily.
"N-Nothing! I don't want to go with you guys at all! I don't even know what you're saying Haku!"
Ryouta gave her a bemused smile.
Seeing her excitement, it was clear that she did want to come, but she didn't know how to approach the subject at all.
"Karin-san, want to come with-"
"Whatever, I don't care."
Karin tried to deny it.
But on the inside, she was rather happy.
Hinata looked on from her seat, and poked her fingers together.
When she tried to walk over to see if she could go, the Sensei came in, so she was forced to sit down in her seat, her eyes going back towards the others, and saw them enjoying their times together.
At lunch, Ryouta happened to need the bathroom, so he went to do his business.
When he came out of it, he happened to see Hinata walking in his direction…
However, the moment that she saw him, her eyes widened, and she began pulling away, her shyness taking over.
Seeing that, Ryouta pulled forward, and spoke up.
"Hey Hinata-san, how are you?"
Hinata's face began to turn white.
She was so shy that she wasn't sure on what to say.
"E-Erm...w-well...y-yes...I-I'm okay..."
Ryouta could see that she didn't seem to want to speak.
That it was hard for her to do so.
"Something wrong, Hinata-san?"
Hinata shook her head with her shyness creeping ever up on her.
"N-No..b-but...e-erm..."
Hinata fiddled with her shirt.
Trying to build her courage to speak, Hinata wasn't sure what to say though.
Ryouta could see she was struggling, so he walked closer.
"Hinata-san, are you okay? You seem to be nervous about something. It's alright, I'm not scary~"
Ryouta showed a goofy smile quite like Shisui's own, something he had seen Shisui do before, and which usually calmed others down, making them feel better than before.
His smile, brought a calming effect to her.
"Ehehe...n-no, I'm not scared...it's just...ehehe...w-when I see you...I am...how to say...it's just...really...erm..."
"You know, Hinata-san. I have to say, that I've seen your Taijutsu skills, the Hyuga practice a special kind of Taijutsu, don't they?"
Trying to make the situation more relaxed for her, Ryouta decided to bring up something that would make her more comfortable.
But he saw that her face fell slightly.
"...Yes, but I'm not that good at it...but thank you...for saying that..."
"You're not good? But from what I've seen, you're really good. Even Satsuki-chan praises your skills."
"T...The Hyuga...think I'm not that...good..."
She admitted meekly.
Ryouta could empathize with her.
"They do huh? The same for me, the Uchiha don't think I'm good."
Hinata couldn't believe it.
Seeing his skills, it seemed hard to believe that Uchiha didn't see him as anything other than a genius.
"But, what you've done..."
"It doesn't make a difference to them, they don't like me. But...it's fine, I might not be able to change it...but, even if they don't like me, I don't mind. We can only be ourselves, so to me at least...I think it's better to try as hard as you can, and do your best in everything you do."
Hinata was astonished by his perceptive.
She thought that he might've been well liked in the Uchiha.
She honestly didn't know much about the Uchiha and their ways, so to hear someone as talented as Ryouta wasn't liked at all, was surprising to her.
And his words, she quite liked them.
It was wonderful to hear.
"Ryouta-san...I...I never said...thank you, for...what happened, before we joined the Academy..."
"Ooh that? You don't have to thank me for it. I'm sure you could've handled it. With what I saw during the first day, I saw your skills. You shouldn't doubt yourself, you're skilled Hinata-san."
Hinata hadn't heard anyone say that before, besides Naruko and even Satsuki on occasion.
Now she heard it from Ryouta, she felt warm inside.
"Ryouta-san...e-erm...I-I heard...y-you're going out with the others later…"
She said, attempting to see if Ryouta was going to carry on the conversation.
Ryouta was glad that she did as well so he could finally get the chance to invite her.
"You should come. I mean if you can make it. I tried to invite you a bunch of times before, but you're always gone when I try."
Hinata giggled awkwardly at that.
She usually made it a thing that she would be away.
"Y-Yes, I would like to do that!"
Ryouta gave a bright smile.
"Great! Then I can't wait for us to all hang out together!"
Hinata thought that maybe Ryouta would be difficult to approach.
She had thought of many scenarios on where maybe they'd not be able to speak.
But at the end of the day, it seemed that they didn't have a problem talking at all.
She was glad that she could speak to him.
Though she had a feeling she'd still feel a bit nervous around him.
But this little talk helped cross some barriers that she thought were up between them.
Later on during the day, Danzo had been thinking for a good while now. The thoughts of having Ryouta Uchiha pushed more and more, his eyes he had witness grow stronger, and the Sharingan was something that Danzo immensely was interested in.
More so since it was Shisui Uchiha's younger brother.
If he was talented as Shisui, or even more so, was something Danzo wanted to see.
Wanted to know.
Before he had seen what Ryouta was capable of, he didn't care about him.
But now, seeing him survive Yashiro, and then fight off Seven Ninja Swordsmen, and even brought back someone from the Yuki clan for Konoha, he thought that he had a gem in the making, someone he could shape to be what he wanted, and then gain the power of his eyes, whether that was to steal his eyes, or to make Ryouta apart of his secret group, he didn't know just yet.
So, while in a meeting with Hiruzen, Danzo casually brought it up.
"The boy, Ryouta Uchiha, the things he's done for his age have been extraordinary. Perhaps, it is time that he graduates from the Academy? It wouldn't be unheard of, Itachi Uchiha also graduated very early, and the same for Shisui Uchiha. It also could show good faith to the Uchiha."
Danzo didn't care about showing good faith, he just wanted to get his hands on Ryouta's eyes.
He knew Shisui would never allow Danzo anywhere near Ryouta.
He wouldn't allow him to even try anything with Ryouta.
Not even allow him to join his group, Root.
"Shisui graduated due to it being war times."
"Itachi Uchiha graduated early after the war."
Danzo countered, trying to remain calm and composed.
If this wasn't Ryouta, or anyone heavily guarded, then Danzo easily could bring him to Root.
But Hiruzen wouldn't ever allow Ryouta to join Root, never mind Shisui who would stop him from getting even within a hundred yards of Ryouta.
Hiruzen furrowed his eyebrows.
"What's with the sudden interest with Ryouta-kun?"
Danzo played it carefully.
He didn't give anything away.
"I'm interested in stopping this feud between the Uchiha and Konoha. This could show that we do understand the talents of the Uchiha, promoting one of their own to become a Ninja at such an age, would show them that we do appreciate their talents and powers."
"...Is that all?"
Hiruzen wasn't convinced.
Danzo had called upon the Uchiha's destruction many times before.
Now to have an interest in making Uchiha have good will with the village through Ryouta.
"Naturally, Hiruzen. You keep saying about peace, this is a peaceful solution. He's Uchiha, yet he embodies what Shisui beliefs, and Shisui's love for the village, has transferred over to the boy as well. If they see the kindness of that child, paying off in this way, then they should see that peaceful paths are the best way to go about it, wouldn't you agree?"
Hiruzen felt like it was lies.
He couldn't believe it.
Danzo's words though, always held a hint of truth, even if they were filled with lies.
"...Yes, I can understand the advantages of his early graduation, but I can also not be sure that this would quell the Uchiha. He is something of a division for Uchiha, there might be Uchiha that could be against it. I'd have to speak to Shisui-kun before making any rapid decision. He doesn't have to graduate this early, he has plenty of time, this isn't a war time situation."
Hiruzen could see the advantages of having Ryouta graduate early.
He had seen the boy in action.
Using Fire Release, using Genjutsu to a certain extent, his Taijutsu wasn't bad for a boy his age.
He survived Yashiro Uchiha who was one of the more gifted Uchiha.
He survived the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
He even had a fully matured Sharingan.
Danzo on the other hand always got annoyed when Hiruzen got in his way.
It just felt as if Hiruzen was always going to be in his way, to the point that Danzo felt like trying to take him out.
Then he'd be able to do as he liked.
"Even then, it wouldn't be such a bad idea. Perhaps Shisui would be more perceptive to the idea than you imagine. I wouldn't mind seeing another talented Ninja out on our battlefield. It would also show other nations our power, that they can't try and invade easily. We have to think of the bigger picture Hiruzen. Even if Shisui isn't sure right now, perhaps if we spoke to him, then he'd be more accepting of the idea. If he trained Ryouta Uchiha without him having to stay at the Academy, he could be another Itachi, another Shisui. He'd be one of the youngest graduating post war. Now that it isn't war time, it would be a testament to the talent the child has. It would benefit our village if he was."
Danzo's words, he wondered if they would get anywhere.
He never could understand what Hiruzen was going to be thinking, feeling.
"Yes, I understand the bigger picture. But, I also have to think about the safety of the children. They are our future, sending them out to die isn't what we need to do now. We have to think of the future. No doubt, Ryouta Uchiha is going to be a strong Ninja, what the boys been through already is a testament to his skill, we should prepare that child and make him stronger before sending him out. He has battle experience, lets allow him to gain education on being a Ninja, and how to apply that before making any decisions."
Danzo wasn't satisfied.
He wasn't thrilled that Hiruzen was putting a stop to his plans once again.
For now, he couldn't make hasty moves.
He had to wait for the opportunity to present itself.
Whenever that was going to be, he wasn't sure.
As that happened, Ryouta took Naruko, Karin, Sakura, Ino and Hinata to a private training area, while Satsuki sat close by, watching with keen interest. Even Haku was looking on with intrigue, she had seen how Ryouta fought, so seeing him teaching made her rather happy.
Ryouta taught them the basics of what they wanted to know, how he aims and what kind of force he uses when throwing it, and then they got to practising with one another.
Satsuki wasn't sure what Naruko was up to, why she'd bother learning about throwing weapons.
But she didn't really care in the end, and just watched on.
"So, it's like that. If you focus, then you should be able to do it. That's how Shi-chan taught me anyway."
Ryouta's explanation brought some clarity to them, so they began practising.
They practiced for about an hour, and during that time, most of them get the hang of it.
"L-Like this Ryou-kun?"
"Ooh yeah, I hit the bullseye!"
"Y-Yes...I did too."
"Hmph, it wasn't that hard for me."
Sakura, and Ino got it down pretty quick, so did Hinata, and with some practice, so did Karin.
Naruko on the other hand, fuelled by her passion, and annoyed by Satsuki's presence, wasn't getting it down.
"Grrr! Come on you stupid weapon! Throw straight! It always seems to bend at the end!"
Naruko complained, so Ryouta went over, and placed his hand on top of her own.
Her blue eyes went towards his onyx eyes, and saw his smile.
"You're too tense Naruko-san. Loosen up a little bit. It bends because when you're throwing, your hand is flicking a little too much to the left. If your hand is a little more steady and not so tense, it will go forward."
"Ehehe...y-yeah, I'll try...but, it doesn't come easily to me...when Iruka-sensei explains it...I get confused, he doesn't make it easy for me at all!"
"Just take your time, and ready your weapon. Don't grip it too tightly, but not too softly either. Hold it naturally in your hand, and line up the mark on your target. Here, like this."
Ryouta's fingers ran across Naruko's hand, allowing her to relax her grip.
As he did, Sakura, and Ino bit her lower lip, wishing that they'd have their hands held like that.
Karin pushed her glasses up, showcasing an annoyed look. Though she would keep denying it for as long as she could do.
Haku didn't seem to care, she thought that he was just teaching Naruko
Hinata though was rather happy for Naruko to learn, not feeling like the others.
Satsuki scowled at seeing what was going on.
Naruko though stared into Ryouta's eyes, who just smiled back.
"Here, that's good. Now, throw it at the target. Don't worry about anything else, just think about yourself. No one's pressuring you, right now all you have to do is your best, and whatever that is, you should be proud. Shi-chan always says that to me, and it always makes me feel calm. Just remember to focus, block out everything that could be distracting for you."
Naruko's hand moved upwards, glancing at Ryouta who gave a reassuring look, turned her attention back to the target, and threw the kunai forward, and hit close to the bullseye, closer than she had gotten beforehand.
Naruko looked surprised, while Ryouta smiled.
"See? If you relax, then your concentration is much better. With more practice, you'll get it down!"
"Hehehe! Yeah right! That was good! Here, I'll do it again!"
Naruko did just that, Ryouta smiled brightly.
"See Naruko-san? You can do it~"
"R-Right! Thanks!"
"No problem~ Lets keep practising okay?"
"Yeah! Hahaha! I'll get so good at this that Satsuki will even be shocked!"
Ryouta smiled at the sight, while Satsuki joined Ryouta.
Her eyes met with his own, and he pulled backwards.
"It seems that she's inspired by you Satsuki-chan."
"Perhaps. Still..."
Ryouta cocked his head.
"What is it?"
"Nothing."
Satsuki, without looking, just held onto his hand, surprising him, though it wasn't unwelcomed either.
Sakura and Ino who's eyes turned wider and wider, gritting their teeth at Satsuki while Karin glared holes into the young girl, allowing her glasses to lift up and down several times, as Ryouta tilted his head.
"Ooh, you want to hold hands? Why didn't you say so Satsuki-chan?"
She looked embarrassed to admit to it.
But she tried her best to keep her composure.
"I...whatever, it doesn't matter."
Ryouta thought she was rather cute when she was acting as she was, not caring when it was clear that she did.
Sakura and Ino stormed over, and glared at Satsuki who did the same thing back.
"What?"
Ino and Sakura just stared at Satsuki as if they hoped their thoughts were transmitting to Satsuki herself.
Karin walked over, and murmured "Honestly, getting jealous of hand holding." while she secretly did feel a little jealous about it.
Haku didn't really understand much about relationships. But she was happy that everyone seemed to be getting along. Even she was beginning to blend in with the others also, and relaxing, something that she didn't get to do with Zabuza.
Ryouta glanced over to Naruko, seeing that she wasn't distracted by them at all, which made him smile.
Hinata also smiled at what was going on, enjoying being together with everyone.
Despite how they acted, it seemed that they truly were becoming a good friendship group.
The next day, Ryouta and Izumi watched as Satsuki followed her brother around the house of Shisui and Ryouta's.
"Come on big brother...train with me. I don't want to fall behind...I haven't even awakened the Sharingan yet...and Ryou's already got his matured..."
"That's because Ryou's been through many different and difficult situations."
Itachi explained, Satsuki bit her lower lip.
"I know that, but I also want to be strong too. I can't fall behind..."
"You wont fall behind. I'm sure your Sharingan will awaken someday." Itachi lightly poked Satsuki's forehead with two of his fingers. "Be patient. You wouldn't want to awaken it like how Ryou awakened it anyway, isn't that right Ryou?"
Ryouta glanced between the siblings.
"Yes, Satsuki-chan, I don't want you to have to go through something like that."
"Still...Ryou, you don't think I'm weak, right?"
"Of course not Satsuki-chan."
"Then why doesn't big brother spar with me like yours does…?"
Izumi, seeing the sadness within Satsuki, could understand it well.
Itachi was rather busy a good portion of the time, and unlike Shisui who was rather open and bubbly, Itachi found it hard to be like that.
So she moved up, and got close to Itachi.
"Yeah Itachi-kun, why don't you train with Satsuki-chan right now? Heck, why don't we three have a battle against you? What do you say Satsuki-chan?"
"Yeah, that's a good idea Izumi-san!"
Ryouta smiled.
"I wouldn't mind testing my skills against Itachi-san either."
Itachi looked between them, then he exhaled slowly.
"Well...if it is a little sparring match, I don't mind."
"Great, then lets go!"
Izumi took the hands of the kids, and began walking out.
She flashed a smile and mouthed "Thanks." to Itachi, who bowed his head as a response.
Upon arriving at a field, Izumi, Ryouta, and Satsuki each got into stances, while Itachi pulled out his tanto.
"First time you hit the floor, you're out, okay?"
Itachi said, setting the rules for them.
Izumi nodded slowly.
"Fine by me, right you two?" Ryouta and Satsuki nodded. "Hehe Itachi-kun. Don't underestimate us just because these two are still young, and while I might not be you, I still have a few tricks and skills up my sleeves~"
"Understood. Then I'm ready when you are."
Izumi pulled back, and took out a kunai.
"Alright you two, lets do this!"
""Right!""
As soon as they said it, Izumi and Ryouta's eyes shone brightly with their fully matured Sharingan. Itachi was astounded that Izumi also had begun with using her Sharingan since he knew she had low chakra reserves for the Sharingan and could only maintain it for a little while.
However, he also activated his own Sharingan, and went to move…
When Satsuki took the first strike.
"So you're going to be striking me Satsuki?"
"That's right big brother, I wont lose so easily!"
Taking out a kunai, she rushed her brother, and came in from the left. He smiled lightly, and used his tanto to block off the attack from his little sister, while using that time to try and sweep her leg.
However, when he did, Ryouta had already thrown shurikens towards him. Going for his leg, he had to abandon that attack, his eyes going for Ryouta's, seeing that Ryouta had used his Sharingan to predict the way that he was going to attack Satsuki, and chose the best way to stop Itachi from stopping Satsuki.
Satsuki raised said leg, and swung it for his upper body to try and knock him down.
He blocked her leg with his arm, while Ryouta came running in, and withdrew a kunai.
Coming from his other side, Ryouta tried to take down Itachi, but he blocked with his sword, as Satsuki gave the same kind of attack towards his other side, forcing Itachi to block both of their attacks at the same time.
Itachi was astounded that Satsuki had managed to work so well with Ryouta in such a small moment that even seasoned people might have trouble with, showing the trust the pair had between the two and how they could adapt to fighting.
"Interesting, their teamwork skills are near flawless. Given a few years, I'd be hard pressed to find two people more capable of working together so effectively. They are growing up together, understand one another's skills and know how to fight within each others movements, sliding in and out of one another's attacks. It's quite amazing for kids to be capable of doing that."
While his thoughts were turning to impressed, he blocked both Ryouta and Satsuki's combined attacks, forcing the pair of them backwards with a swing of his tanto.
"Hah!"
Izumi used that chance to try and shoot off some shuriken.
"Nice attempt, Izumi."
However, Itachi moved fast, and brought out his own shuriken, deflecting the shuriken of Izumi's own, all the while he kept Satsuki at bay who came at him with a flurry of attacks with her kunai itself.
He moved so fast that Satsuki couldn't follow him, and if Ryouta and Izumi didn't have their Sharingan on, they wouldn't have followed him either.
So they tried a different tactic instead.
Ryouta's eyes met with Itachi's own…
And suddenly, Itachi heard "Itachi!" which sounded like Shisui.
Itachi smirked slightly.
"A Genjutsu? Sharingan can see through Genjutsu."
Itachi explained to Ryouta, and he used his Sharingan to see through it…
However, it wasn't a Genjutsu.
Turning, he saw that what appeared to be Shisui came for him, his eyes going towards the other three...and saw that Izumi no longer was there.
Surprise came over him as he realized what Ryouta had actually done.
"So, a visual Genjutsu to hide Izumi. Not bad."
Itachi praised as he deflected Izumi's blow, as Satsuki weaved through some hand signs, the same for Ryouta.
Combining their chakra together, they allowed their "Fire Release, Fireball Great Jutsu!" to shoot out at the same time. Mixing together, the flames grew together, and increased their power at the same time.
Itachi looked at the power of the flames, and smiled secretly to himself, proud of what their combination had achieved.
"Fire Release, Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Itachi matched the intensity of their flames, and clashed together violently.
The heat in the air caused Izumi to back off, while Itachi acknowledged the power of the two working together.
It wasn't something that he couldn't take at least a little seriously.
Despite their age, they weren't weak by any means and could fight rather well together.
Itachi though poured more chakra into his flames, and pushed the others backwards.
"You're not doing bad. I believe that together, you two could become a very strong team together. I'm proud of your teamwork capabilities, and skills."
Itachi's flames eventually overcame the two working together, and forced them backwards.
Landing on the ground with a thud, the pair exhaled slowly.
Yet, they didn't give up either.
They stood back up with Izumi moving closer.
"You aren't going to give up?"
"Just getting started big brother, right Ryou?"
"Aah yes, Satsuki-chan!"
Izumi giggled at the sight.
"Well, if they're to be fighting, I suppose I should also~"
Itachi smiled at their ability to continue on, so he did as well.
They lasted longer than Itachi had thought they would. While he didn't go super serious against them, he could see that Ryouta had learned a fair bit from Shisui, Satsuki was someone that also could tag team with Ryouta quite well, and even Izumi astounded him by how she fought him.
As he tripped the last person, Itachi looked over all of them.
"It seems that you've improved more than I thought you had. Satsuki, you also have surprised me with your capabilities. Ryou, your usage of your Sharingan is pretty well, I can tell Shisui's been training you how to use it in different ways, I'm impressed. And Izumi...it seems you've also grown a bit stronger also. I'm pleased."
"So, will you train with me some more big brother?"
Satsuki asked, Itachi looked towards her.
Seeing her expecting face, Izumi's raised eyebrow, and Ryouta's curious face, he let out a small breath.
"I don't see why not."
"Thank you big brother! I can't wait to learn more! Then I'll beat even you Ryou!"
"Hehe, can't wait for it Satsuki-chan~"
Ryouta and Satsuki smiled at one another.
Itachi looked between them, and knew in the future, they'd be quite the dangerous pair together.
But, he was glad right now that they still had the opportunity to have fun and be children.
It only made him more determined to make sure that Fugaku and the others didn't ruin their childhood the most that he could do anyway.
Meanwhile, Shisui and Sugaru looked around at the mess they had to deal with. Dealing with the enemy that had tried to launch a sneak attack against the true, Sugaru's mind cast back to the mission that Danzo had given him.
The mission that was weighing on his emotions.
Something he didn't even want to think about.
He was Root, he was supposed to have no emotions.
But there was something each time he had a mission with Shisui that bubbled something deep inside up.
It felt like he had some kind of expectation when he would see Shisui. It felt warm...Shisui always talked to him casually, kindly. It wasn't like how other people spoke to him.
It felt like a friendship.
Even though Sugaru didn't really know what a friendship felt like.
He believed he and Shisui had one.
Yet, he still had his mission to think about.
For Danzo.
Shisui, seeing that Sugaru was being more quiet than he usually was, moved closer.
"Something on your mind?"
Sugaru blinked.
Seeing Shisui's hand before his face, he continued to blink for a few moments.
He had spaced out.
He didn't even notice that he was spacing out.
"Oh...no, nothing."
"You sure? You seemed a bit out of it for a little while there."
Sugaru nods without voicing his thoughts.
Sugaru then walked a little distance away from Shisui.
His eyes scanned over the area, seeing the different bodies of the bandits that tried to invade.
"Shisui-san."
"Hmmm?"
Shisui hummed, turning to face Sugaru directly.
"Though we have killed many people this day, I see your eyes are filled with remorse. Can you explain why that is? They were evil, weren't they? Our mission was to stop them. They had done many horrible acts, kidnapping men and women, doing disgusting things with them."
"Yes, they were quite evil. Their actions were disgusting. I don't feel remorse per-say, I am someone that doesn't find killing exciting. I'll do what is necessary like any Ninja. But I don't get the thrill that some others find from killing people."
Sugaru listened to his words, and could understand why Shisui would say something like that.
"...I feel nothing when I kill. No remorse, no anger, no sadness. I just do my mission."
Sugaru confided, Shisui furrowed his brows.
"When you told me about your Father, what did you feel then? Do you remember?"
At his question, Shisui watched Sugaru's face.
He didn't show any chance.
Nothing at all.
No emotions.
No happiness.
No sadness.
Nothing.
"I'm...not sure what I felt back then."
"It's alright if you don't want to explain, it can be difficult with the circumstances that you had to deal with. I wouldn't be able to put to words how I felt when I lost my parents either."
"Though you still have your little brother. If something would happen to him...how would you feel about that?"
"My brother...he's a major part of my world. If something happened to him...well, I wont let anything happen to him. That's all I can say." Shisui exhaled slowly. "But enough about depressing stuff. We just finished our mission together! In record time as well! Aren't you excited about that?"
"Excited…? I don't really get excitement like that."
Shisui chortled.
"I should have expected an answer like that. Either way, we can head on back to the village. It's funny, it seems that we're being paired off more and more lately. I wonder why?"
As he innocent said it, Sugaru didn't show it on his face.
But he did think that Shisui might be becoming suspicious about what Sugaru's mission was supposed to be.
How he was meant to be the one to help Danzo gain Shisui's eyes.
Later that day, after the Academy, and having some dinner, Ryouta was going to set off towards the waterfall to go and wait for Shisui, when he stepped outside, he happened to come across Fugaku who stared at him curiously.
Ryouta avoided eye contact with him, and then tried to bypass him, but Fugaku stopped him.
"Where are you going?"
"To wait for Shi-chan to return."
Fugaku began watching him leave the area, but he then called out to him.
"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen, you were there when they came, weren't you?"
"...I didn't fight them directly."
Ryouta said without looking back.
"But, to stand on the same battlefield at the age you are, even I wouldn't have been able to do so."
Ryouta turned back towards Fugaku, and saw that he had his same usual expression on his face.
It wasn't quite cold, and it wasn't warm either.
He didn't know why, but he felt as if Fugaku wished to say something.
He always did when he was stopped by Fugaku.
Whether that was a good or bad thing, he didn't know.
"...Fugaku-sama, is there something I can help you with?"
"No, I just wished to say that during that event, you made Uchiha proud. As a small child standing on a battlefield with those monsters, even Itachi wasn't capable of doing that at your age. Yet, you managed to do so, that makes you a worthy Uchiha."
"...Fugaku-san, may I ask a question?"
"What is it?"
Ryouta wondered if he should ask this.
But due to how Fugaku had been acting, he never quite understood what he was thinking.
Did he hate Ryouta?
Did he tolerate Ryouta?
Did he like Ryouta?
Before the incident with Yashiro, Ryouta would have said that Fugaku tolerated Ryouta at best, and hated him at worse. But now...he truly didn't know what Fugaku's heart was feeling.
So, he decided to ask him straight out.
"...How do you feel about me?"
Fugaku was caught off guard with the question.
He didn't answer it.
He didn't say anything negative, or positive either.
Ryouta didn't quite know what to do with that, so he simply bowed his head.
"I've got to get towards Shi-chan now."
Fugaku watched as Ryouta began walking away.
Inhaling slowly, Fugaku walked forward.
"Your Mother, and Father, they were trusted comrades to me, and I'd even go as far as to say they were some of my closest friends." Fugaku admitted, his eyes going towards Ryouta's own. "You aren't, a disgrace to Uchiha."
Though it wasn't really an answer to if he hated him or what…
It still was unexpectedly a rather nice thing to hear Fugaku say.
Even if it came off without much emotion behind his words.
"Fugaku-san...all I ever wanted to be, was someone that could live up to the talents of my brother...to surpass my brother. I know I've got a long way to go...but, I also want to make my clan proud. I know...many from the clan never will...accept me, but I believe Uchiha, the clan itself, is one that is filled with love. Maybe...it isn't always shown, but Uchiha...Shi-chan said that it's a clan that loves the most and loses the hardest."
Fugaku, listening to the boys words, slowly nods his head.
"Indeed, Uchiha do love, and lose the most. It's our greatest strength, as well as a big weakness."
"...That's why, I've decided to love, and make sure I never lose...and if I do...I wont lose me. Because I know...Shi-chan wouldn't want me too."
Hearing the words of a child, Fugaku wondered if he, as an adult, had done and said the right things in the past.
If what he had done now was the best thing for the future.
"...That's very mature, Ryouta. You may leave now."
Ryouta bowed, and walked away.
Fugaku watched the boy go, and furrowed his brows.
Thinking more about the future of Uchiha, and the coup itself…
To lose, and remain who you are…
Fugaku knew he hadn't done that when he lost Ryouta and Shisui's parents.
Waiting upon a cliff that overlooked a waterfall, Ryouta, was waiting for his brother to return. He got in some practice while he was there, mostly he tried to hit the other side with some kunai, and shurikens, controlling their path with wire.
However, while he was waiting…
He felt a sudden cold chill run down his spine.
He couldn't explain the feeling at first.
He looked around, but couldn't see anything.
Taking out a kunai, he continued to look around.
"Izumi-chan...is that you?"
He called.
But didn't get an answer.
He stood up, looking back to the deep looking rows of trees.
While not a forest per-say, it was deep enough that Ryouta couldn't see through to the other side.
"Shi-chan, are you here? Don't prank me."
Ryouta said sternly and yet with a playful hint to his tone of voice…
But nothing came of it.
Ryouta felt convinced that someone was there, so he clutched his kunai tightly...
"Hello~"
He gasped when seeing a figure appear down beside him was waving at him casually.
Ryouta remembered him, but he didn't think he was this stealthy all of a sudden.
"W-Where did you come from Tobi-san…?"
Ryouta asked.
Was this guy that fast that Ryouta didn't notice him?
It was certainly possible, but Ryouta felt unsure about that.
"Don't worry~" A silly sounding voice came from the man. "It's just your friendly neighbour Tobi here to lighten your day~" He replied happily, his lone eye shooting for Ryouta. "Aah, so it's you again. Hehehe, I didn't think I'd see you up here~"
"Ah...well, my big brother is going to be coming back soon...so, I'm waiting for him..."
"Ooh I see~ So that's the reason~"
"Yes...it's been a while...actually Tobi-san. Where do you live exactly? I mean...do you have a home anywhere?"
Tobi's happy go lucky facade dropped for a few moments.
Ryouta felt a change in his demeanour almost immediately.
But then it went back to the way it was beforehand.
"I don't really live anywhere~ I just live wherever it is convenient for someone like me to live!"
"But, don't you want to have a home to live in?"
Ryouta asked, genuinely curious about what was going on.
"Not really~ I do as I want to~ It isn't like I've got anyone waiting for me~"
"Oh...you don't have family?"
"Not anymore."
Ryouta furrowed his brows.
When it came to Tobi, he didn't know how to feel.
There was something off about him.
His answers always held some truth, but they also felt like lies as well.
Ryouta wasn't sure what to think about him.
Tobi then falls back onto the grass, his hands stretched up into the air.
"It's nice, isn't it? This village."
"Erm...yes, it is quite nice...so, you don't have family...at all?"
Tobi's eye turned towards Ryouta.
"Ah...no I don't. I had parents, but I don't know anything about them."
"Oh...I'm sorry...I don't have a Mom or Dad either...I don't know much about them, my brother gets sad when they're talked about..."
"It seems we're alike. We don't know anything about our parents huh~?"
Ryouta raised a brow at Tobi.
"No...but, I sometimes see pictures of my Mom and Dad...they looked nice..."
"Hehe, tell me something little one. The Uchiha, do you hold a grudge against them for not liking you? I heard that they have been mean to you, right? So, do you hate what they have done to you?"
Ryouta didn't like the question.
He didn't know Tobi.
He didn't have a reason to say such stuff about his clan.
"…I can't really talk about that with strangers."
Tobi strokes his chin.
"Something wrong?"
Ryouta began pulling back slightly.
"...I think it would be best if I leave now..."
Ryouta was beginning to feel uncomfortable.
Something was different than the usual times he had seen Tobi.
He couldn't outright say what it was.
But there definitely was a change.
"I'm acting weird aren't I~? Hehe, sorry about that~"
His demeanour might be goofy.
But it felt off at the same time.
"Why...are you really here?"
Tobi turned his lone eye towards Ryouta.
For a few moments, Ryouta felt a chill go down his spine, as if he was being frozen from the inside out.
Tobi's demeanour, had definitely changed.
"I'm here for..."
As Tobi was going to say something...
Ryouta's attention was diverted to something else who raised their voice.
"Ryou!" Shisui's voice called. "Are you here?"
Ryouta became excited upon hearing his brothers voice.
"Shi-chan! I'm here!" Ryouta called, looking back to the dense trees. "Tobi-san, my brothers..." As he spoke, he looked towards Tobi...who had disappeared, perplexing the child. "...Where did he go?"
As he said it, Shisui appeared through the trees, his eyes had a deep red colour going for him.
"Where did who go?"
"Tobi-san. He was just here."
Shisui raised an eyebrow, and used his red Sharingan eyes to look all around the area.
But he couldn't see anyone, no chakra signatures.
Even when using his Sharingan, he couldn't detect anything.
"There's no one here Ryou. I've never heard of anyone called Tobi before."
"He was here...he was really strange...he couldn't have moved faster than you...could he Shi-chan?"
"At least I should've seen him retreating...weird..."
Shisui remained cautious.
But he did make a crow clone, and sent it around the area to make sure no one was looking for his brother.
"Shi-chan..."
"Hmmm? Something wrong?"
"It's just...that Tobi-san guy, he was saying really weird stuff...he asked me about Uchiha...and how I felt about them..."
Shisui furrowed his brows.
"What did he look like?"
"I don't know...he has a weird mask on, with a swirling pattern. I've met him before...but, we only spoke for like a minute. Today was different...I don't know, but there's something I didn't like Shi-chan...something about him...was off. It was...like he was...a goofy person one second...then he sounded really serious the next..."
Shisui placed a hand on top of Ryouta's head, and gently patted.
"Don't worry about that, everything's okay. I'll see if there's any guy named Tobi around here, and if there is, I'll make sure he leaves you alone."
Shisui wasn't thrilled about this.
Having maybe a chance meeting sure.
But it was clear to Shisui that Ryouta was feeling a little worry.
Someone had intentionally made his brother feel like that.
But he didn't know who it would be.
A mask that had a swirl pattern, he couldn't recall anyone like that.
Not In the Anbu, or anything like that.
He thought about Fugaku.
Ever since the incident with Yashiro, he wasn't sure what to make of Fugaku.
Perhaps another member of Uchiha that had been trying something with Ryouta.
He was going to find out sooner or later.
Whoever it was, Shisui wasn't going to allow anyone else to harm his little brother.
He couldn't stop Yashiro...but this time he'd do whatever it took to make sure his brother was safe.
End chapter!
We're back in Konoha! Haku's adjusting to the new area around her, Ryouta's trying to help her the best that he can, while continuing his training. But now, Tobi seems to have pushed a little far, and his goofy facade dropped a bit to worry Ryouta on who he was, and even Shisui's worried about him, and wants to know more about why he's been around Ryouta. Even Danzo has become interested in Ryouta due to what happened with Yashiro, and then the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. Though the Hokage blocked him from truly trying anything with Ryouta, at least for now it seems to be that way.
Well, until next time, thanks for reading!
Ryouta; Satsuki, Sakura, Naruko, Hinata, Ino, Haku (fem), Kurotsuchi, Karin, Konan, Mei,