Naruto swung his lightsaber frowning. It easily cut through the guard's blaster. With a push from the Force, the guard then flew into the side of the ship, denting the hard hull, knocking him out. With a flick, Naruto deflected another blaster bolt upwards, wondering why his two teachers were taking so long. Normally, when he got to defend the ship, he wasn't defending it for several hours. His answer came from Jiraiya sprinting into the ship, his clothes in hand, buck naked.
Naruto sighed as Plo Koon ran up behind the Sage, deflecting blaster fire the whole time. "He slept with the Dutchess didn't he?" He spun his lightsaber in a circle, deflecting several blaster bolts into one another in an effortless show of skill. His eyes widened as he deflected more. He had never done that before, in training or practice.
Plo Koon pushed the guards back, as he and his padawan entered the ship. In moments they were in the air as the duchess ordered the men to stop firing. Soon, the trio were seated as the ship was piloted by their droid companions.
"So, sensei, explain to me please how you turned a diplomacy mission between Mandalore and Kalevala into that?" Naruto asked through gritted teeth. He eyed the now dressed shinobi with weary eyes. This wasn't the first time something like this had happened but normally it ended well. It was rather annoying however. Plo Koon nodded along with his padawan as Jiraiya told the story of how he and the Jedi were moderating the chat between the Mandalorian Duchess and the Kalevala diplomats to cease the conflict between the two planets. Mandalorians wished for the metallic ores that Kalevala held, while Kalevala wished for protection from the Hutts who were plundering their ships. Luckily, the talks concluded before Jiraiya made his move. When the woman accidently hit her panic button in the throes of pleasure, Jiraiya gathered his things, and left in a hurry. Plo Koon, having immediately understood what had happened, followed the sage to the ship, covering his back.
Naruto sighed again, letting his irritation flow out into the Force. "Okay, so from here, we should notify the council. It is likely they need to send another Jedi to handle this because of you Sensei." He spoke with certainty, as this was merely the most recent mission of which he was in charge. Jiraiya nodded, knowing that the jedi who was sent would have an easy time as the deal was all but brokered. Naruto turned to Plo Koon. "Before you ran back, I felt something. It was strange, as if a small force presence blossomed in the atmosphere."
The trip was silent between the two as Plo Koon was in a separate room speaking to the council. While things were silent, but tranquil between the two shinobi as they meditated and waited, the opposite could be said for the conversation that the Council was having.
"He is fifteen! He is not ready to be a knight! I do not care what he has done, his capabilities! He is still too young!" Ki-Aldi-Mundi argued as several of the conservative members nodded along.
"It is most irregular to have such a young knight Master Plo Koon. While our image is so fragile, what with Dooku leaving…" Kit Fisto, a new member to council said frowning. He was not wrong, as it was only four years since Dooku left; only a year since discovering him attempting to kill jedi.
"Speaking of Dooku, has Jiraiya found any leads?" Windu asked, his face stern yet his eyes closed as he meditated on the situation. He and Yoda were the only masters silent on the matter thus far. He suspected that they shared their opinions however.
Plo Koon shook his head, folding his arms once more. "He knows that someone was on the planet, and that they were not Dooku. He got the Duchess to admit that she knew that the more… jedi resenting factions of her people were in meetings but that is all he could get. Thus far, we know for certain that whomever it is, is skilled with a lightsaber, has force-sensitivity and can hide their presence. However, they got sloppy. Naruto sensed them in the atmosphere and reported it to me as we set course back to the Temple. " The pride in his voice was evident. As it should be.
Naruto was easily the most skilled padawan he had ever trained. The boy lived and breathed the Force; understanding it in ways that he had only dreamed of. The only padawan who even challenged him was Anakin Skywalker, who had the most midichlorians on record. Of course, he suspected that it wasn't by much that Anakin overpowered Naruto. Naruto held skill, control, and finesse over power though he lacked none; something that his lightsaber form mimicked.
Jiraiya had stated that the boy was dangerous. A statement from the shinobi to that affect was akin to declaring him fit for war, Plo Koon knew. It was a rare occurrence that he had seen Jiraiya fight, but he knew that he would be hard pressed to kill the man before he killed him should such a fight be required. He would be able to, but it would likely harshly wound him. Jiraiya was dangerous and for him to say Naruto was dangerous meant that there was more that the Jedi Master was not privy to.
He was shaken from his thoughts by Yoda coughing slightly. "Back on topic, we will go. Padawan Uzumaki, a powerful Jedi he will become. Yet the trails harsh they are. Worry I do, of his mental clarity. Lose him to the dark side we cannot."
Windu nodded in agreement with the Grand Master. "Master Yoda is correct. Padawan Uzumaki has the skills and the track record to go through the trials. However, as a Shinobi, we do not know how the trails will affect him, nor do we know if they will work to showcase the traits of Knighthood. Not only that, but there is the fact that he is young; barely 15 is hardly a good age to become responsible for the galaxy, which he would be as a Knight." Mace also silently thought of the report that Jiraiya and Quinlan Vos composed together. If Naruto was as good a shinobi as he was a jedi, he would be one of the best knights in the order. Requested for missions from the senate, he was unsure if the Jedi Council could protect him from the political motivations. He was the only Shinobi in the Order, the only Shinobi who was manipulatable due to his age.
"I understand your reluctance, fellow council members. I understand and accept it. I shall table my request for now. Instead I suggest we move on to our previous tangent and complete that debrief as well." Plo Koon asked, knowing that to continue would only harm his padawan's chances. "This unknown accomplice of Dooku is an issue. Ties to mercenaries, ties to Dooku, interference on Shin'o, and by all appearances capable in the Force." The unasked question of what to do about it was met with silence, until Yoda spoke.
"Master Kenobi, to Mandalore you shall go with young Skywalker. Mend any bridges you shall. Master Plo Koon, with young Uzumaki, go investigate the reports of mercenaries around Yalvin. Shinobi Jiraiya will have a separate mission. Long it has since last word on my wayward apprentice." The council nodded, their needs and desires effortlessly responded to by the Grandmaster. As the holograms began to fizzle out, Kit Fisto turned to Plo Koon before he left. "Master Plo Koon, I would like a word when you arrive to the temple. It concerns a holotape I have seen of your… padawan." A clear tone of disapproval was evident in Kit's voice. Plo Koon showed no reaction, as he was fairly certain he was aware of what Kit wished to speak about.
"Do you wish for him to be present?"
"Of course. It is imperative he is actually." Plo Koon nodded, agreeing to a meeting time. Once the feed cut out, Plo Koon stroked his chin in thought.
If my guess is correct, Fisto wishes to deal with a flaw he saw in Naruto's form. Likely his defensive bladework.
Plo Koon understood that his apprentice had high aspirations for his lightsaber combat. It was not a pipe dream as the boy easily mastered the basics, utilizing shadow clones to speed the process of years in to mere months. Jiraiya's training definitely being a boon as well, with the boy not having any issues with conditioning that many jedi did. When Plo Koon saw how easily the young jedi had taken to the way of the Lightsaber, he focused heavily upon it.
Naruto was a natural, similar to his father really. High speed combat was his preferred method; with speed and precision being his wheelhouse as the saying went. Plo Koon idly remembered the singular time he handed Minato a lightsaber; set on training settings of course. It was that moment that Plo Koon was thankful that the Shin'o planet had not developed such technology. The man proceeded to systematically destroy several combat droids that Plo Koon had brought with him to practice. Moving around the battlefield in a blur of yellow, slashing and piercing so swiftly with a training saber that it actually managed to cut through the droid's limbs. In moments, the carnage stopped, with Minato standing in the middle of the field; parts strung around him. He stared at the saber he held in a reverse grip and switched it off.
"I didn't really like the sound Plo. But I can see the effectiveness. It cuts through, though my kunai with a little help do so easier." He said after passing it back to the Jedi Master. The master didn't mention that the saber was set so that it shouldn't have cut through at all.
That natural ability with a saber seemed to be genetic as no matter the form, no matter the concept; if it involved a lightsaber, Naruto understood it. The issue was the practice. Naruto didn't do control very well. Thinking of his spars with various Jedi, a trend was easily apparent. Plo Koon only hoped that Kit Fisto would get through to his padawan in a manner that he could not.
Jiraiya frowned as he read through the file on his Holopad. "It seems like all the information leads to Dooku on Mygeeto. But that's controlled by the Banking Clan, which wouldn't risk the Jedi getting involved." Grand Master Yoda and Battle Master Mace Windu nodded in response, with the former speaking.
"That is what we believed as well. Further intelligence suggests that Dooku has taken a student. A woman."
Jiraiya frowned. "But that doesn't explain much. How did we get that intelligence? Where did it come from? I know that your Shadows wouldn't be able to get that info, because if so Dooku and that apprentice would be dead by now." At this, the two jedi looked at one another, before looking through their holopads at the access records for the report.
"There… there isn't any records of anything. It was submitted, then cleared. That's impossible." Windu thought aloud as Yoda entered a mediation, directing the Force to look at the recent past.
"A cloud, hiding the identity of the one who tampered. I sense… a desire to help… but be unknown." Yoda spoke as the sensations and vision cleared in his mind. A hazy figure slipping in easily to the Jedi Records room, modifying the record before leaving. "Nothing else, tampered with."
"So we either have a shadowed ally or an enemy of our enemy. Either way we have a security threat." Jiraiya spoke, his arms crossing. To enter the Jedi Temple, modify records and walk out, all while hiding themselves from the Jedi within… that was skill and something he would even struggle with. It wouldn't be impossible; he could think of a few ways to pull it off, but he was a shinobi who had done spy work like that for over four decades.
The Jedi were understandably unhappy with this revelation. Mace spoke openly,"If it wasn't for you, we would have never known about the intrusion. Tell me why did you think of questioning the intelligence?"
Jiraiya nodded, understanding the purpose behind the question. "In my line of work, there are three constants. One, that there is always going to be information to search for. Two, that someone somewhere will not want you to have that information. And that Three, as long as the above is true, that means someone will attempt counter info. That means, you have to question the validity of all information gained. If it doesn't have a source, it is questionable. If it has a source, but the source doesn't act within character, it is questionable."
"If the information is questionable, should it not be dismissed?" Mace Windu asked the room, his tone musing. Immediately Jiraiya shook his head.
"No, because it could be accurate. There is a saying back on Shin'o that says 'Shinobi live or die by information'. That is true, however there is another, less known saying, 'Information is like the tide.' It is always changing. So while yes, it may be1 questionable, that doesn't mean it is invalid. It means that it needs to be considered carefully."
Yoda nodded, "The Force gives visions. Prevent the future, we do not. A path to the Dark Side, that is." Mace instantly understood. Much like Force Visions, information must be taken with caution. It is not a guarantee, but a mere hint of a possibility. Considering his master never did covert missions, most jedi did not, it wasn't a surprise that he was ignorant of the topic.
Jiraiya continued to look over the information. "I don't know if me going after Dooku is the best idea… But I am offering to do so. I won't be capturing him though." When two warriors of similar strength clashed, there was only one real result. Jiraiya understood that, in a manner that the Jedi didn't. Dooku's ideals and Jiraiya's would clash when they met, and knowing the fallen Jedi as Jiraiya did, he knew that it would be a singular clash. There would not be a repeat.
Mace nodded and looked to Yoda. As the man's former master, it was up to him to give the order. Before Yoda spoke, Jiraiya interjected.
"I want to be clear here. If you accept my offer to do this… Dooku will die. Even if he kills me, he will die. Naruto will hunt him to the ends of the galaxy. The Shinobi of the Leaf will hunt him to the end of the Galaxy. And I am not certain Dooku can kill me. By giving this order Yoda, you cannot take it back."
The grandmaster hung his head, knowing the shinobi spoke the truth. "Time. I need time to meditate"
Jiraiya nodded, understanding the man's plight in a way even Mace Windu did not. "Talk to Hiruzen. He had to deal with a similar decision." He stood and prepared to leave. "I am going to stick around a bit, look into that security breach. I'll see you before I leave, and if you don't have a decision, then it will be tabled. Have a good day."
As the Shinobi left, Mace turned to Yoda. "Grandmaster. Why do you hesitate? Dooku has fallen to the Dark Side. He has harmed jedi. He…" Windu stopped talking as Yoda held a clawed hand up, and a lone tear fell from his eye.
"Your apprentices, always just apprentices. A child Dooku was, turned into a proud man." Without another word, he called Hiruzen on the holopad. The elder shinobi answered with a smile.
"Master Yoda! Greetings. Ah Master Windu, greetings as well." Upon seeing the Jedi's faces he lost the smile and gained a look of compassion tinged with determination. "How may this old man be of assistance?"
Yoda spoke, his voice hinged with sadness. "An offer Jiraiya made. My fallen apprentice, he would target." The grandmaster did not need to speak much more, as Hiruzen instantly understood. Hiruzen turned fully towards the holopad. He sipped at the saucer he had by his side before he spoke in a firm controlled voice.
"When I was younger, I took a squad of genin. Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru. Tsunade was a prodigy, capable of anything. She took to chakra control and taijutsu like a fish to water. Jiraiya was… was a hassle to train. He didn't view it as necessary until after his first conflict, where he was saved by myself. After, that he put forth effort. Yet he was so far behind the others, that it didn't appear as if he was skilled at all. It wasn't until he found the Toads that his skills jumped. Orochimaru… Orochimaru was more like me than I care to admit. He was a genius of the highest order. I have met only three shinobi in my life time that could compare to that man's capabilities. Two became Hokage, the other is our youngest ANBU Captain in history. If Tsunade took to being a shinobi as fish to water, it was as easy to Orochimaru as breathing. Those early years, they are something I look back upon and smile. The three of them together, there was hope for the future. Then the Second Shinobi World War happened."
The jedi solemnly looked as the man's stoic face broke, showing pain and anguish. As it should. The jedi were aware of how terrible the world wars were for the shinobi. A cumulative decade and a half of millions of deaths, something that only Yoda could understand in it's bloodshed. Mace watched as the shinobi pulled himself back together with a mere breath, his face stoic once more.
"The Second War destroyed any semblance of hope for many shinobi. Orochimaru was one. His parents were first generation shinobi, unremarkable in the general sense other than their parenting of him. They were killed, within the first two weeks of combat. Orochimaru, who was on an S rank assignment discovered this upon returning. He was not the same after. He embraced cruelty, tore through Iwa's ranks, and held only his teammates and myself as any restraining buffer. Seeing this, I ordered the trio to function together until further notice, hoping that they would offer Orochimaru a grounding force. It was this decision that saved their lives when they met Hanzo the Salamander. By all accounts, Hanzo was one of the strongest shinobi on the planet at that point. He was on par with myself and any other kage at the time at least, as he destroyed the entire army that was with the trio. Yet they still fought. They fought and managed to force him to retreat. In response they were labeled the Sannin. After that battle, Jiraiya found three students and trained them for a year as he recovered from the battle with Hanzo. Tsunade and Orochimaru continued in the war effort, avoiding any conflict with Hanzo. It wasn't until the last six months of the war that such a conflict could not be avoided. Orochimaru and Tsunade were forced to confront him, when Jiraiya entered the battle once again and forced him to retreat once more. He was too late however, as Hanzo had already killed the squad that his teammates were escorting. One of those members was Tsunade's fiancé Dan. Tsunade could not save him even with her prodigious skill in medicine. Jiraiya never forgave himself for being late. Watching his friend die, Orochimaru became obsessed with immortality. Then, the war ended." Hiruzen took a deep breath before continuing. "Tsunade refused to take a genin team, stating that she couldn't protect them. Instead she focused on her little brother, teaching him everything she knew. Jiraiya, Jiraiya took on more students, having loved teaching the orphans. As he waited for his team to be assigned, his former student Konan came to the village relaying news that her two teammates were killed by Hanzo. But that Hanzo was dead. She would be the leader of the Hidden Rain and he was welcome as her sensei. He did not forgive himself for leaving them to die. In his grief he found Minato Namikaze, and trained him as an apprentice when the child easily passed the chunin exams within a month of graduating, even after his teammates died in the attempt. Another thing that Jiraiya never forgave himself for. Orochimaru didn't take any students, instead finding peace in the work of the Research and Development department, occasionally taking S-rank missions. However, the third war occurred, and there, the Sannin shattered." Hiruzen took a drink from a cup that sat beside him, taking the moment to organize his thoughts.
"I had three fronts to combat. So I had to make the decision to mobilize Tsunade. I sent her and her brother, who was a genin, to the Iwa front. Knowing that if I put Orochimaru and Jiraiya on that front, Jiraiya would not be enough to keep Orochimaru from falling into further darkness. I instead placed them on the Kusa front. It was there that Orochimaru began experimenting on humans, as Kusa employed a suicide bombing technique that turned humans into living chakra bombs. On the Iwa front, Tsunade was helpless to save her brother from Onoki's daughter, Kurosona. A woman who Tsunade allowed to escape in order to attempt to save her brother. A loss that destroys her want and desire to be a shinobi or a medic and leaves her with hemophobia. I had to reallot my resources, as Tsunade could not continue being on the front. I sent Jiraiya to the Iwa front, knowing that Orochimaru had cracked the suicide bombing technique that Kusa had utilized. Jiraiya, with his apprentice Minato, took to the Iwa front forcing the war into a stalemate. A stalemate that saw much of our military forces some time back in the village. Orochimaru beat back Kusa, allowing him time back as well. Minato took on a team to teach, which Jiraiya was happy about. Yet he took the chunin that Orochimaru truly wished to teach, Kakashi. Kakashi who earned a field promotion to Chunin when an escort mission turned into a war relevant mission at 6 years old. Within a year of teaching under Minato, Kakashi was promoted to Jonin at 13, something Orochimaru was jealous of as Minato and by proxy Jiraiya received such praise. Orochimaru took an apprentice, a talented shinobi in Anko Mitarashi who was barely younger than Kakashi, yet already a chunin. He taught her everything he could, without teaching her forbidden techniques or techniques that would kill her to learn. By this point, Minato Namikaze ended the third shinobi war after taking control of the Iwa front when Jiraiya was hurt. That cemented his place as a candidate for Hokage. I had a tough decision, as it was decided that I would step down after the Third War. It was my failure as a leader that allowed the war to occur. I had three options. Jiraiya, Minato and Orochimaru. Jiraiya denied the position, as he wished to travel. He needed to be away to heal and recover from war and he was right to ask it. That left me with Minato and Orochimaru. Both were equals in reputation one being the Yellow Flash, the other being the White Snake. I chose the future. I chose Minato to be the Fourth Hokage, a decision that Orochimaru never forgave. A decision that lead to his further spiral. As you know, once Minato died, I retook the hat. Orochimaru by this point was experimenting on Konoha citizens, an act I refused to allow. I confronted him and, in a moment of weakness, allowed him to escape with his apprentice Anko. Anko escaped six months later, and gave information on every base after we broke the memory seal she was fitted with. I was then tasked with training Kakashi to be my replacement. His first order upon being hokage, was to order me to train as if my life depended upon it. I did so. His second was for me to hunt down and kill Orochimaru."
Hiruzen's façade broke, and tears ran down his face. He shuddered softly as he remembered that mission. Mace Windu was silent, transfixed by the story and allowing the man to confess his failures and his successes. Yoda cried silently with the man, knowing where the story would end, yet allowing Hiruzen to continue.
"I hunted my student through Kusa, where his name was still feared. I hunted him into the land of Rice, where he had set up dozens of bases. I was lucky to find the correct one immediately. We fought…. And I beat him. He was helpless, out of chakra, his contact with the snakes severed, paralyzed from the neck down due to a strike from my staff. He looked at the sky, and he spoke. Words I will never forget. He…"
Hiruzen lost himself in the memory of his student, the white face being paler than he ever saw it. The man's golden pupils dilated in agony. His voice raspy as he spoke. "I let her go Sensei. I… I couldn't hurt that little girl. Not with how she looked at me… just like they looked at me. Just like Dan and Nawaki looked at Tsunade. Just like how Konan looked at Jiraiya. I.. I couldn't let that be destroyed again sensei. So I gave her a nature seal, and a memory seal. She was always crap at sitting still…"He chuckled, leading to a bloody cough. Once he caught his breath he continued." One to help and one to keep the memories of those bases safe. You broke the memory seal didn't you sensei?" Orochimaru chuckled faintly as blood speckled his lips from the action. "Good. I hope she remembers the last thing I told her. She holds the contract now. Manda likes her you know. Liked her better than me, the giant worm. She… she will be the future. Maybe not better than that Kakashi Brat, but… Jiraiya always had the better luck with people. He chose a good student. Sensei, I'm ready to see them all. I… I'll tell them you say hello. I'll tell them that Jiraiya is sorry for not being fast enough, that Tsunade is sorry for not being better, that you are sorry for not being the best, and I'm sorry. I'm sorry for being the monster they never wanted me to be…" Orochimaru's voice faded as Hiruzen drove his stave down, shattering the man's skull.
Yoda gasped as the Force vision faded, granting the Grandmaster freedom from the old Shinobi's memories; the echoes of the despair vibrating through the Force due to the bond the two men had cultivated over the years. Mace grunted, having allowed himself to view the visions as well, his desire to understand the pain and choice that the shinobi made bridging the gap that the two men had in relation.
Hiruzen continued, his voice strained from the telling of the tale. "I was forced to do that, but I thank Kakashi. If I had killed Orochimaru earlier, before he escaped, I would have saved the hundreds of people I found in those bases. Hundreds of souls that I could have saved, hundreds of souls that were tortured and experimented on for my student's descent into madness. It was that, more than anything else that made me understand why I was not fit to lead the village anymore. It was something that Kakashi saw immediately; something that Minato saw with Danzo, something I never saw at all. There are choices we must make as leaders, that hurt us personally. Yet the pain is worth it if we look to the future. You were given an amazing choice Master Yoda. But you were also given a gift. You don't have to hunt your student down and kill them. Your student was like a son; a man who you watched grow into a legend in his own right. My advice Grandmaster, is to take the offer." When Yoda nodded, he continued.
"I want to be clear… my decisions did not lead Orochimaru down that path. His decisions did. The Jedi believe in free will, and this is a major example of that. Master Yoda, you could have done nothing if Dooku has truly fallen to the Dark Side, as his decisions led to such a thing. Just like there is nothing you can do to force redemption upon him. Sometimes, people don't want to be saved. Orochimaru did not want to be saved, he just wanted to either live forever or spend eternity as he once was. He lost his way because of war, strife,losses that he viewed as catastrophic and victories he viewed as worth less than the lives that paid for them. Dooku is the same. You called me after his resignation from the order and you know what we spoke on."
Yoda again nodded as Mace's eyes widened. He never knew how close the two leaders were. To think that Hiruzen knew things that even he, the closest confidant that Yoda had on the Council… Mace shook his head. It didn't surprise him as much as it should have really. Hiruzen and Yoda were similar in humor, ideals and oddly, experience. Yoda and Hiruzen had seen prodigies fall, ordinary people rise to be legends and countless lives shift from their positions at the top of their various orders. Of course they would share stories and seek understanding of one another. He spoke for the first time, needing to understand what the two spoke about in order to follow the conversation.
"What did you all discuss about Dooku leaving?"
Hiruzen shared a look with Yoda, who gave his approval before Hiruzen spoke. "As you know Dooku left for what were cited as personal reasons. That is loosely what happened. Dooku was unhappy with how the Jedi were handcuffed by the Senate. A Senate that, according to Dooku, was corrupt and unequally representative of the inner core worlds. He isn't wrong. It is shocking to me how the Galactic Republic is run by the elite, who only care for the worlds that have resources and money to give." Hiruzen continued, disregarding Windu's clenched teeth. "Dooku believed that it would be better for the Jedi Order if it were to separate from the Senate and operate independently." Mace Windu let his anger flow into the Force, allowing it to dissipate. Hiruzen shrugged before saying,"I don't know the particulars of the Jedi arrangement with the Senate. So I shall not give advice, as I told Master Yoda. However, every student has a principle that they disagree with fundamentally with their teacher. Tsunade and myself different on the role of a medic. She was right. Jiraiya felt that a shinobi's purpose should not be to kill but to promote peace. I feel that is too idealistic. Orochimaru felt that a shinobi was held by higher moral duties and therefore had different moral responses than civilians. A view I think the Jedi share, even if it is subconscious."
Yoda held up a hand to Mace, warning him to be silent. He spoke for the first time since Hiruzen started. "Right he is. The Jedi, held to a different standard they are. Even to the citizens of the Republic, Jedi are heavily critical. Hiruzen. Your counsel appreciated it was. Talk again soon we must." With a smile the Jedi ended the transmission, promising a game of shogi when Yoda visited at the end of the month.
As the holopad went dark, Mace Windu finally exploded. "That man! He criticized the Order and you allowed it Grandmaster! You allowed an outsider to judge us!" The man nearly continued before he took a deep breath, releasing his anger into the Force. Once he was calm, he looked at the Grand Master.
"Why Grandmaster?"
Yoda was silent as he stood from his chair. "A burden, Leadership is. In ways, he understands." The door closed with a hiss as the Battle Master of the Order turned to look through the window.
Mace Windu looked over the Endless City of Coruscant, lost in his musings.
While Jiraiya was having his meeting, Naruto and Plo Koon were meeting with Kit Fisto. More specifically, Naruto was meeting with Kit. The duo had entered the room speaking softly to one another, mindful of the various jedi in the training area working diligently.
When Naruto noticed that their appointment was with an unknown to him Jedi Master, he bowed silently. One of the knights in the room snickered slightly at the boy's disrespect, having not addressed the master with one of the traditional greetings. Instead, Naruto glanced towards Plo Koon who spoke softly.
"Master Fisto is not one for traditional rhetoric. You may address him as usual."
"Yes Sensei." Naruto visibly eased, as he set across from Kit. The Nautolan eyed the boy slightly, waiting for what he would say. Once the blond was comfortable, he smiled and said," I heard that you were willing to help me. Thank you for that Sensei Fisto."
Cocking his head at the new term of Sensei, Kit spoke to Naruto for the first time. "It is my pleasure Padawan Uzumaki. It is the duty of the Masters of the Order to provide for the next generation. But what is this Sensei?"
Plo Koon answered for his padawan, knowing that several of the Knights and a few of the masters in the room were paying attention. "On Shin'o, a sensei is one who teaches. In any capacity. A position of honor among shinobi, only the best was to be allowed to teach the next generation. Similar to how a padawan is assigned, a sensei would be assigned to talented students." Kit Fisto nodded before pulling a holocron recording from the pocket of his robes. Activating the device, the two Masters and single padawan were shown footage of Naruto engaging in lightsaber movements. More precisely they were movements of his attempts at mastering Niman. If Naruto looked he would see that it was recorded from his recent spars against Anakin and Plo Koon.
"What we will be discussing Padawan, are the niche fundamentals of your Niman form. You have modified it heavily to your needs, at least from the view of traditionally taught Niman. You have done so obviously because you wish to focus upon Jar'Kai as swiftly and fluidly as possible. As you were told, correctly I may add, by Master Plo, Niman will provide the best benefit to you to achieve this. How you were able to master Niman to the point you have in only seven years is not something that I have privy to, however I can see that it has left flaws." Fisto pointed at Naruto's feet first. "Traditionally, niman relies upon the foot work basics of Ataru and Shii-Cho. However, you have modified it to utilize ataru for solidity and mobility and pivots from Makashi. The issue is that the reason that shii-cho was used in foot work, is the protectionary circles the form embraces." The master stood and gestured for Naruto to watch his feet. Lighting his saber, Kit Fisto went slowly through a few general sequences that he would use in combat.
Plo Koon interjected as Kit sat back down upon deactivating his lightsaber. "Naruto, what did you see?"
The blond scrounged his brow up as he thought. "Sensei Fisto's footwork was entirely centralized to a single point that ran vertically down his center mass. It created a circle of movement." Kit Fisto hid his surprise, as that was much more in depth than he expected from the padawan. While most understood the circular aspect, few recognized that it was centered around the center mass of the jedi's body; one of the main reasons it is taught to all younglings. By teaching it early, the Jedi naturally avoided having to train the understanding of that space.
Naruto continued,"If I remember correctly from watching Master Kenobi and Anakin sparing, Master Kenobi's form, Soresu, utilized a highly similar circle. Makashi doesn't and neither does Ataru. Sensei, is it a primarily defensive trait?" The question made Kit blink as he thought of a proper response.
"Yes and no. I would instead label it as a fundamental defensive attribute. Which is the issue with your niman. You have a flowing quality, and plenty of control, finesse and power to handle the angles. However, you have only fledgling defenses. This doesn't normally matter against someone like Anakin against whom it is clear you are more skilled. However, against your master who increases his offense as you grow, it becomes more apparent." He highlights a specific point in the holocron recording. Naruto, with his left saber is attempting a high cut, while his lower saber attempts a stabbing slash to the opponent's torso. Pausing the recording, Fisto points at the clear flaws. "You leave your legs open, there isn't enough footing to push through the slashes, meaning you are wasting a portion of the power in the execution to make the attack work allowing this to happen." Kit plays the recording, showing Plo Koon bat aside the stabbing attack while ducking the high cut and placing the tip of his saber to Naruto's throat.
"There is another issue. Your form of Niman can't decide whether to block, parry or redirect. This issue stems again from your footwork."
Naruto frowned and at the gesture of Kit asked "But aren't I deciding that? I know that on the base level, the movements become instinctual, but sometimes when it looks like I should say parry, it feels wrong to do anything other than block." Plo Koon nodded as did Fisto.
"The footing is where that is coming from. When blocking with a lightsaber, one always directs the force of the blow either down or out. This is due to the heavy heel presence in the stance, anchoring you. It is why in Ataru, one parries when moving forward and is why Makashi is so effective. It allows the user to redirect without blocking by manipulation of leverage, angles and torque." Fisto explained. "Stand up for me."
For the next several hours, the padawan and two masters worked on footwork and defensive uses of the lightsaber. As the sun began to set, Kit finally called the session to close.
"I'm beat! How about we call it for the day, and meet up an hour before second meal. We can discuss, then eat then practice." At Naruto's nod, he was dismissed to swiftly run down the halls of the temple in search of Jiraiya.
Fisto looked at Plo and asked,"Why is he looking for Jiraiya? Didn't you all arrive with him?" The two began to leave the training area, walking slowly to relax their bodies. While not strenuous, it was still exercise to train a padawan. It wasn't until they had left the room itself that Plo Koon answered as he stroked his chin, a tell that his fellow master knew meant he was thinking.
"Yes, we arrived together. Yet the bond between Naruto and Jiraiya is not unlike another padawan master bond. While not empowered and tethered in the Force, it is one of commonality. Jiraiya understands Naruto better than I do as a sentient being. Part of that is because both, for the early part of their years, grew up alone as orphans. While Jiraiya was never scorned as Naruto was, he could still relate to the loneliness. Their methodologies are also similar. Neither are stupid by any means; however, they will not be victors in intellectual contests against some of the brightest minds in the galaxy either. No, where they excel is creativity, objectivity and rapid decision-making skills. The latter two are from their training as shinobi, while the first is their talent." Plo Koon spoke his thoughts aloud admitting to someone other than Yoda that there was someone in Naruto's life that fundamentally understood him better than even his master did. A prospect that Kit Fisto understood as well. His master was a human female who had issues understanding his species-specific abilities and how useful they could be with the Force. It was his uncle, Master Teras Kasi, that pulled him aside and explained how to handle the sensory overload from his head tentacles.
Plo Koon continued his explanation. "On Shin'o, one starts training to become a shinobi at a young age. So infused in the culture, that it is debatable on if it is as early as first breath. Instead of tag, children play ninja. They learn to read by reading histories of famous shinobi. For them, being shinobi is more than just a job. They are trained from birth for a life style that is as intense as that of a jedi master. For orphans… it is their only hope." Sadness edged into the man's voice. "At age 11 or upon graduation of the shinobi academy all orphans are required to pay for their own housing. If they are in the shinobi academy, they are allotted a monthly stipend to pay rent and buy food. Jiraiya was talented enough to graduate the academy at age 6." Plo Koon did not need to look at Kit Fisto's face to know what he would see. He knew that the reaction the master had was the same as his when he found out, and was the same emotions that he allowed to drift away into the Force.
"Please tell me that has been changed Plo." Kit ground out as he struggled to contain his emotions.
Plo Koon nodded. "Kakashi changed it nearly immediately. He grew up similarly, and refused to allow it to happen under his watch. However, this shared existence allows for Jiraiya to connect with Naruto. It also allows him to teach him in a way I cannot. Naruto is a kinesthetic learner. He learns swiftly when he can visualize, move and interact. I am not the same. I learn by theorizing planning and then executing. From what I understand, the majority of shinobi on Shin'o are kinesthetic learners, even if not to the same degree as Jiraiya or Naruto."
"How does he understand diplomacy then?" Kit asked as they entered the residential area of the temple.
Plo Koon laughed before answering. The sound brought a smile to Kit's face, as it was a rare occurrence. "While he is a kinesthetic learner, he understands people well. A trait again shared by Jiraiya."
With a farewell, the two masters retreated towards their personal quarters, knowing that rest would be wise.
Over the course of the next week, Plo Koon, Kit Fisto, Naruto and occasionally Jiraiya worked on solidifying the defensive measures of the variation of Niman that Naruto had decided to utilize. After that first day, Kit was astounded by the progress. Everything that was mentioned during their last session was implemented, if not perfectly than adequately.
The trio had even started to add in manipulations of the Force and started to experiment with small movements of fingers to grant large effects; an idea that absolutely terrified Kit. When first explained by an excited Jiraiya to the two Jedi Masters, it would be something similar to what his teammate Tsunade was capable of.
"Imagine that Naruto needs to get space in a fight. A single flick of his finger, and a push of Force. It would allow him greater capability in offense, while giving him a great exercise in control and power."
Plo Koon had thought of the idea before deciding it should be investigated, saying, "If it is something that all can learn, the Jedi may gain a valuable tool." That proved to be too optimistic however. The jedi could get a Force push to occur with a flick of a finger, however it was only enough to stagger an opponent. When the duo went to Yoda to ask for advice, the Grandmaster nodded and explained the nature of Force based Telekinesis.
"Telekinesis. Requires focus balanced with output. Tighter the point is, the higher focus required. The larger the point, the more output." It was only after that advice that Plo Koon managed to Flick away Jiraiya, though the effort put heavy strain on his finger. It was decided to shelf the idea for now, at the insistence of Grand Master Yoda.
Once the week ended, Jiraiya, Plo Koon and Naruto were asked to the Council chambers. Upon entering, they were met with a full council, baring Plo Koon's seat. It was Mace Windu who explained why they were there.
"There are reports of violent activity around Belnar. Currently, they are on planet when the distress signal was sent. However, all communications are normal. We must assume that the Belnarians are in danger. Master Plo Koon and Padawan Uzumaki, you are to eliminate the threat should it exist on the planet or in nearby space."
Plo Koon nodded before telling Naruto to gather their supplies and to prep their ship. Once the blond left, he turned back to the council. "Why are we being chosen?" Jiraiya stayed silent, his eyes only on Yoda.
Grandmaster Yoda spoke this time, stating that, "Decision clear in the Force it is. Send you to Belnar we must, if we are to avoid much darkness." The old Grandmaster sighed before looking to Jiraiya. "Asking I am that what you offer… be done it shall."
Jiraiya nodded, his eyes steely. "Fine. Plo and Naruto will go without me to Belnar. It seems I am hunting Dooku."
AN: Well. It seems that this story has suffered the same as my other story. I simply have no time right now. So updates will be slower than usual. I have the next chapter written and it will go up at the end of August or beginning of September. I haven't decided yet.
As for the chapter itself... we have a ton of stuff here. The most important of which is the death of Orochimaru. I majorly changed his character and the history of the Sannin, to better suit my needs. Any questions you can ask me! Hope you enjoy the chapter!
-Zero
