"You two are insane,... I love it!"
Hiruzen and Yugao laughed softly as they watched Kagami try and keep up with Rock Lee and Might Guy's intense training. The boy was doing oddly well to their shock, they were currently kicking trees having just lapped the village five times and having punched the tree a hundred times. It was only the legendary Uzumaki and Jinchuurki stamina that kept the boy going and even then it was hard for the boy.
"He is excelling, you are right Shibi." Yugao said, turning to Shibi for a moment, The Head of the Aburames was standing next to her, looking at the Hokage's orb, watching Kagami training hard. "You say he wants to join ANBU?"
"Yes, he does. We owe him for his lifetime of misery, it was an easy thing to pay attention to him for that reason but it was his remarkable skill that made me offer to speak to you. The boy's taijutsu could easily defeat many chunin in the village, he has a bright mind and he has a vast expanse of knowledge. He is working on Kenjutsu as well, I thought you of all people would appreciate that."
"Really? That's quite rare, you usually see that sort of skill in those with lesser chakra levels as a way to compensate for that deficiency."
"He is learning fast, he is already carrying his sword, a katana, with him on missions. I have yet to see him train or fight with his blade, but I have a feeling he is doing well. He won't use it against Shino in case he causes harm that he cannot patch up." He turned to Yugao. "I know you are a capable healer, perhaps you can teach him that alongside kenjutsu. I think he would appreciate both, the boy is wise for his age,"
She nodded a smile on her face "I just might."
Turning back to the orb, they watched for over an hour as the boy trained and sparred in taijutsu with Lee ( doing very well, definitely chunin level) until, after a small breathing and water break, Kagami pulled out his training sword and turned to Tenten who finally arrived. "I want to test out my skills. I won't use my real blade just in case, but..."
The girl nodded pulled out a training katana as well. "Let's get started!" It was clear in moments that Tenten was far superior with a blade, but it was just as clear that the boy was not at all bad with a blade. He was unpolished, but not at all sloppy or unorganized. The boy was faster than Tenten, stronger by a large margin and that gave him just enough of an edge to not lose in a few seconds. The battle went on for over twenty minutes, with Tenten testing him and calling out improvements like. " Work on your left side!" And " Stay straighter!", which the boy took to heart, showcasing almost instant improvements. Eventually Tenten just disarmed the boy and put her blade at his throat.
Yugao started to clap. "The boy learned all that in a week? Remarkable, and you say he is not as smart as his father, Lord Hokage! The boy is clearly a prodigy of the blade, I have never seen such fast improvement and I help Hayate train new recruits in Kenjutsu! I would be happy to take the boy under my wing."
Hiruzen sighed. "I cannot allow him in ANBU until he is at least thirteen, I refuse to have another Itachi... but what I can do is allow you to train him a few days a week. You are a trainer and work mostly in village defense, so you can spare three hours a day, three days a week to train the boy." He sighed again, this time deeper. "I underestimated his drive and skill, I was foolish. Not everyone evolves as explosively as Minato did."
No one said a word, but they all agreed.
Yugao smiled. "He might rival his mother one day, Kushina was said to be a Kage level Sword user."
"She was, she was as good with a blade as I was in my prime with my bo staff. She was as good with a blade as Guy is with Taijutsu. Even better with seals, even Minato could not beat her when she used the blade or seals. It is nice to see the boy using a blade, if Naruto is Minato's heir then he is Kushina's..."
Both Shibi and Yugoa looked at each other, not at all comfortable with that. In their minds, no one should be bound to the idea that they were replicates of their parents... it was... wrong, stifling and took away the child's accomplishments.
Yugoa cleared her throat. "The boy, what else am I permitted to teach him?"
"Kenjutsu on an overall level, medical if you feel the need, increase his basic academy techniques and the Body flicker if he has managed it, and overall combat. Do not tell him you are the ANBU trainer, tell him you are a kenjutsu user and were told by Shibi of his skills. I do not want to tempt him with ANBU and then pull it away. He deserves more than reserves, I allowed my biases to sway me too much, this is how I make amends."
I will do what I can. I assume you wish for him to go into the Chunin exams?"
"If he is skilled enough by the time we come around to that yes, we still need to show more talent, what with the Uchiha Clan Massacre and the Kyuubi attack and losing Minato and Orochimaru... we need to bolster our forces and our reputation. The boy could help with that."
"Can I tell him about Kushina, not that she is his mother but that she was a masterful Kenjutsu user? I think it would be good for him to have an idol."
Hiruzen was silent for a long moment, then he nodded. "I will allow that... go to him immediately, and train with him. Work out the days you can train with him but allow him to spar with Shino. Also, encourage him to train with Team Nine when you can, that should help as well since he is without a team. We need for him to gain attachments to the Leaf."
"Yessir."
"""
A very, very exhausted Kagami rested against a tree, meditating to recover his lost chakra and stamina. He was beat, Gai and Tenten and Lee all were in incredible shape, though it was mostly Lee and Guy. "You guys are utterly without sanity."
Guy laughed. "You did well. Not many can keep up with Lee. You are in far better shape than some Chunin, though if it is alright with you, I will be adjusting your training methods."
"If it makes me like you and Lee, I welcome it."
"That attitude will serve you well." Kagami froze, turning to face a stunning purple haired woman that appeared next to him in a rush of leaves. "Hello, Kagami, my name is Yugao and Shibi tells me that you are training in Kenjutsu. It is is alright with you, I would like to train you in Kenjutsu and in a few other things."
Guy erupted into excitement. "Young Yugao! Kagami you are very lucky, she is a master with a blade, only her lover and trainer Hayate is better but not by much. She is a fantastic Kunoichi! A tremendous tracker, a brutal taijutsu user, a sealer and healer all in one!"
"Really?" he turned to her, smiling. "I would be so beyond honored it hurts."
She laughed. "I cannot wait to train with you. I ask Lord Hokage, to make sure he is okay with it and that I have the time for it. You won't be going on any more C ranks for the next month until you can enough skills to be a beast with a blade. I have faith though, I watched through his crystal ball as you spared with Tenten here, you have talent and skill but you can be so much better."
He flushed. "Thank you, ma'am."
"Sensei, call me sensei!"
"Yes, Sensei! Am I still going D ranks? I need the money. "
She nodded. " I will train you on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays when you are not training with Shino. I expect at least three hours of training per day, so keep an open spot for me. We will be sparring for an hour of overall combat, you need to learn to mix your talents together. Are you ready for this?"
"Beyond ready, Sensei!"
"Great... Now, continue your training with Team Nine... in fact, you will be training with them every day and continuing their training when they are not here. I expect you to have a strong body and great taijutsu! It is key to your training with me."
"Awesome!"
And Kagami's smile would not drop for the entire day, finally, he felt at peace, finally, he felt good... finally he felt like he mattered.
""'
Guy masked his excitement, the boy was being scouted by ANBU! He deserved it, the boy had a rare drive and he was learning fast. He was easily stronger than Iruka or many chunin, the kid would only grow stronger. He might even surpass his father one day, though that seemed unlikely. At the least he would become a great Elite Jonin and serve the village well! He would be an inspiration to those that needed it.
He could not wait to see where the boy went, it was always exciting to see rising Ninja!
That didn't take away his worry that the boy would become too dark, ANBU had a way to warping Ninja as it did Kakashi for some time... yes, he would help keep the boy lighter and kinder, helping his soul stay pure. That he could do...
Maybe he should invite him to dinner with his team?
Maybe...
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
I think Yugao is not used enough. She has so much potential. Kenjutsu master, sensor, tracker, healer, sealer... ANBU! She is a beast and we need more of her!
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.