Article 7 - Journal Entries - They Asked For A Page From My Book
Warnings: I do not own Naruto, it's intellectual property is owned by none other than Masashi Kishimoto. I own the OC's that I've added to the story and nothing more.
-[I'm anxious to get further into Mina's life, I don't want this story to be one that takes hundreds of thousands of words before she even joins the academy. I don't want to sacrifice the integrity of my characters or story but I'm hoping this will be enough to help you understand what's happened over the time skip.!]-
…
June 12th - Age: 2 Years 5 Months
Lady Hinata-hime was kidnappened by enemy shinobi. Everyone began to panic and tensions ran high. I had never seen the compound resemble a hive so much before. They had made us angry and they were planning their retaliation. I was too young to be given any of the facts straight and instead had to enhance my ears with chakra to overhear whispers between members of my house.
The day was cloudy and it painted a grim morale for many of us. Eventually the pursuit team had encountered lady Hinata's kidnappers and eliminated them. Celebrations were in order and the main family sung praises and indulged in liqueur and sake while the side branch continued to stand guard.
War slipped out of the mouths of many in a hushed tone as they seemed like they were preparing for the worst if It came to it.
…
June 19th -
I have been able to use the Byakugan for several months, but tonight as I was meditating I found a tanketsu that was odd. I tried funneling my chakra through it but it seemed to rebound off of it. After realizing it was there I began to fiddle with it trying to discover what exactly I was working with. The reading that I had been doing lately talked about mastery over the chakra tenketsu that our family have and how to activate them using the byakugan.
I prodded at this strange existence until it finally responded to bruteforce. My body became so heavy that the frame of my bed cracked and made a loud noise. Ayasha-san arrived very quickly and despite having her byakugan active she paced around the room looking for an intruder that wasn't there.
"What happened?" she asked.
"Umm… I … broke my bed?" I said questioningly… I didn't know what else to say. I wouldn't be able to hide it from her anyways.
She looked at me with disbelief as her eyes shifted back and forth from me to my snapped bed frame.
"How did you break it? Were you jumping on the bed?" she asked worried.
Uhh… should I tell her it happened training or will that just worry her… hmm…
"I must have sat down on it to hard" I bent the truth to sound innocent.
She gave me a suspicious look like I wasn't telling her the whole truth but didn't push further. She asked if I wanted to stay in her bed for tonight and I declined. I was fearful of attachment, fearful of letting myself hope. They were weapons which would only serve to be used against me. I needed to become hardened.
I felt lonely as I watched her leave my room, for a brief moment I reconsidered.
...but I couldn't afford weakness.
I cuddled with something I knew wouldn't betray me, my pillow.
…
June 21st -
I escaped the compound in the morning so that I could explore this new tanketsu's powers. I forced chakra into it and I felt much heavier again. I stomped my foot and left an imprint in the earth.
"This is remarkable!" I thought to myself. I knew the locations of both of the inner gates which resided in the head, but this was one completely dissociated… At least I thought it was.
After messing around for a few minutes a sharp pain was felt in my hand.
I looked down and saw bone sticking from my skin.
I don't know how it didn't occur to me before. How I didn't have a dad and how I was treated a bit different, a bit more hostile towards by the adults. They must have known about this. It makes sense why they had to seal my chakra, When I was born my own ability caused my bones to protrude my body.
I cultivated focus and spread the sensation over my whole arm. After a moment I went to grab it with my other hand. I could feel a thick hard exoskeleton beneath my thin layer of skin.
I slammed my augmented arm into a tree and it impacted it leaving a significant dent. The pain was minor even though the bark had ripped the skin. I felt my arm and it felt perfectly fine, no significant damage.
… when I noticed something very odd.
My skin was stretching itself out over the wound like it was only natural. It mended the torn skin and returned to normal as if no damage had ever been sustained.
My jaw fell agape before I began exploring the limits of my ability again
...
June 22nd -
Hiashi's life was demanded by the village of Kumogakure for retribution for killing one of their most treasured shinobi. They threatened war if they were refused retribution.
It seemed most of the adults from our clan knew this was their second wind of their pursuit of the byakugan. The higher ups in the clan held secretive meetings pretending everything was going as normal.
Hizashi left the compound restrained by bindings. Neji watched hs his father was taken away into the night without as much as real parting words.
I tried to console Neji but he was convinced that Hizashi would return. "He is even greater than uncle! Uncle fears him. Uncle is jealous. He will be back, you will see."
I had never seen Neji like this, His heart was breaking and I could tell that he didn't believe his own words. He certainly wanted to believe himself but he seemed deflated of the actual hope he would return. He didn't hang around the windows, or talk much about it again, he just looked distraught.
I didn't know how to help, I wasn't sure. I wanted to comfort him, but I knew anything I would say to him would fall on deaf ears. He wasn't willing to listen, he had already made his mind up.
He grew quick to anger and became much more ruthless in training. He was no longer allowed to spar with children his age and had to start sparring with genin from the clan so he wouldn't injure them too badly. He seemed to want to deal with his problems the same way I did.
Violence.
It was a language we both understood, because we both knew pain. Violence accompanies pain hand and hand, without one, there is not the other. The violent and unforgiving world could only fester more pain.
…
July 11th -
I attempted for the first time the tree walking technique. The byakugan allows much more fine tune adjustments to my chakra changes and I find myself becoming much more proficient by the day. Today was finally the day to attempt to reach new heights in my training.
I focused hard on the tanketsu in my feet and cultivating as much chakra to pulsate and cycle through my feet. I cheated a little and adjusted my bone structure to be lighter and more hollow. I figured it would help to start with baby steps until they progressively turn into strides.
I had made it up the tree 2 steps before disjoining from the tree and falling into my back. Balancing releasing the grip with only one foot at a time and establishing grip with the other was difficult. I don't know why I thought this would be easy for me, I'm no genius and it never seems that anything is ever easy for me.
Everything besides my blood I have worked for. Thinking about what I would be with or without it was pointless. I would make them my tools and become a powerful presence. Dual Kekkei Genkai through only inheritance is quite rare I had read. It seemed many of the most famous shinobi managed to do so with only one. The fact I had two only helped me reaffirm that I wouldn't have been given them for no reason. Hell would be at my ankles ready to pull me down and I would need as much fight in me as I can get.
…
July 30th -
I began Incorporating the bone density changes during my use of the gentle fist which augmented how fast I could move my limbs, my balance, and the striking force of my attacks. I had shocked many of the instructors and they decided I could begin learning the Gentle Fist hidden technique. I had acceptable form, now I am to learn the signature Gentle Fist Art and the Gentle Step (which was apparently taught separately.)
It wasn't a hard concept to grasp to be able to move them separately because eventually the longer range techniques such as air and vacuum palm would compliment the style nicely. If I were to have no information from my past life I'm sure I would be much more unruly because I wouldn't have understood the teachings intentions. I had always been one to question in my past life, and it seemed that philosophy clashed with the philosophy of both my clan and village.
-Because of the "Dragon of the Forest" celebration I was forced to attend in the morning my workout needed to be pushed back further in the day. I arrived at the playground and increased my bone density to provide a greater challenge for my muscles. I began making myself so heavy I would need the assistance of chakra to be able to finish the training. It was strangely more mentally taxing than physically especially doing it without the assistance of the byakugan active. I couldn't always have it on, It's better if my training would be harder than any problems I encountered and I was ready, but I had this faint feeling like if I didn't give it my all I would fall short… that it would spell my end.
…
August 14th -
I had finally convinced Ayasha-san to take me to the villages public library. I had been inside multiple times but was not allowed to take any material home. I was without a proper check out card and I needed an adult to sign for me. Ayasha insisted on reading to me when I wanted to spend my free time reading alone. She always pushed at me to let down my defence. The way she flashes me smiles almost makes me want to, but of course that was never really an option.
…
August 15th -
Neji and I had our first spar where he could use the authentic gentle fist on me. It ended in my victory because of the way I used the change in my bone density. I can always see the wheels turning inside his head observing and calculating. He's becoming more and more comfortable with reading how I'm changing my bone structure, surely due to the all seeing nature of the byakugan. After losing he bit his lip until he drew blood, He had never been this sore of loser. It was obvious that he felt me clawing to reach his heels. I was trying to overtake him and he wanted to protect his throne. It ignited more bad blood than I had realized. I saw the first spark of what looked like hatred. I'm not sure if it was at me, his own inadequacy, or just the clan in general. He looked miserable and he wouldn't let me try to help. He was horribly anti-social, even more than myself.
…
October 21st -
Today was the first week I was able to maintain a 50/50 win ratio against Neji in spars. It seems to be inciting him and he is recklessly throwing himself into his training. I wanted to help him but I decided it was for the best. If he felt more inspired to work than he would be only stronger. If he is worth it I can try to skip classes in the academy to make sure we end up in the same year. I wanted to be on a team with him and guy sensei anyways. We could easily place as top student in our respective genders during the year we graduate, so it's not too much to think we could easily manipulate it so that we would be on the same team.
…
February 4th - Age: 3 Years 2 Months.
The chunin exams are being hosted in the village starting sometime this week. I saw a group of sand shinobi and could tell the traditional garbs of the puppet core one of their members wore. The puppets in naruto's world had always interested me even before I ever found myself in this world. The way Sasori of the red sand innovated and fought was a testament of the true strengths of the puppet master jutsu.
I stalked the team for a while from a far with my byakugan. I wanted to see If i could watch him perform it, if I could get just a little bit of an idea that I could build off of.
Their were guidebooks in the public library for building puppets, but not for learning the puppet master jutsu.
The family surely looks down on this technique and would likely never allow me to pursue it for my own. But I was greedy, where some saw waste, I saw tremendous opportunity.
I guess I wasn't as sneaky as I thought I was, because I was snuck up on and restrained.
I was brought to the group when I noticed that the Jounin sensei had disappeared, and the person behind me morphed back into the man who had disappeared from my sight.
The chakra pathways looked identical… When did he make the clone? So this was the shadow clone… definitely a tricky jutsu.
"Why were you spying on us, were you sent here by your clan?" The man asked.
"I… I wanted to learn the puppet master jutsu. I am envious the hidden leaf does not have a puppet core and I wish to learn!" I shouted.
The look of intimidation they were giving me was toned back a few levels, but only by a few. They still seemed weary of me.
"Go away squirt, these puppets aren't meant to be handled by kids. Maybe when your about this tall we can talk about it." the boy said as he held up a hand to his chest.
"I'm completely serious, What can I do to convince you to teach me?" I spit out.
His eyes narrowed and looked from side to side as if to make sure that no one else was around.
he gave me a smile and ushered me to come closer with his finger. I leaned in close and he put a hand over his mouth to either obscure the vision of his mouth or funnel the sound directionally to make sure it didn't carry… maybe both.
My heart danced as one of my key aspirations were about to be in my grasp.
"I AIN'T TEACHING NO SNOT NOSE BRAT MY SECRETS!" he shouted.
Ouch, he had shouted so loud my ear rung. I covered it with my hand and gave him a glare.
He had a cocky smirk on his face and looked satisfied with himself.
"I will prove that I am worth it." I announced.
His eyebrow went up at that… He only had one eyebrow, no wonder he was so mean, he probably gets picked on a lot.
"Kid, ain't nothing gunna… You can already use the tree walking technique?!" he gasped.
I was intent on showing him I was serious. Of course it would be impossible for him to teach me a jutsu that required precise chakra control if I didn't have it. What other 3 year olds can display the control I have been able to achieve. It's been hard work and training for years… So much commitment just to get to this point. I wouldn't let this opportunity slip through my fingers because I look young.
"-and I have already unlocked the byakugan. If i'm correct, it should be possible for me to use chakra thread from any tenketsu from my body. I want to be a mighty and legendary puppet master, I will do anything for you to train me senpai!"
I could hardly believe the words coming out of my mouth, they sounded feasible, and it landed some credibility for why a hyuga would want to learn the puppet master jutsu. I just need to convince him to teach me.
"You know what squirt… I kind of like you. I'll train you under one condition." He said.
My determination had worked! If I can do it I will surely meet his condition.
"What is your condition?!" I asked excitedly.
"You will follow me until the exams start and carry my gear. It's the only way I'll agree to train you."
Hmm… If I'm seen walking behind foreign ninja and carrying their gear someone will go snooping… It will probably be embarrassing for the clan if they catch wind of it… and there was a chance that I would be punished.
But whatever, Carpe Diem, seize the day. It is easier to ask for forgiveness than my clans blessing, they would never accept.
"I accept your terms."
So for the rest of the two days that I was allowed outside the compound I carried his gear. It made it easier by reinforcing my bone structure.
After shadowing him and being seen by many he later taught me the basics behind the puppet master jutsu. How to create the chakra threads from my fingertips and adjust the length. He then explained the concept behind moving the puppet with the strings and how I need to think elasticity or the threads would break and I'd lose the connection. Conceptually it made sense, but putting it into practice was difficult. I saw results, but being able to do anything practical with my chakra threads I could create was impossible. It would take much training to be able to have anything of value added for combat utilization.
-Later that night, I was brought before Hiashi and questioned what I was doing shadowing foreign ninja. I lied and told them that the boy approached me and offered to teach me the puppet master jutsu If I carried his gear. I had told them I accepted his proposal because I thought that perhaps I could funnel the gentle fist chakra into the threads and attack tenketsu at a range.
Hiashi scoffed and belittled me saying that the Gentle Fist was never intended to do anything like that. It was not how our ancestors created it and that I was spitting on generations of refining our families art. I was bent over and hit with a hickory switch twenty times to learn my lesson. I Had made a thin bone exoskeleton under the skin in my butt to alleviate the pain but I was saw through.
Without even needing his byakugan he had known something was off. He activated my curse mark and a searing pain erupted from my forehead. "Have you learned to respect and obey your elders!? There are no shortcuts. Our technique is an ART! I WONT HAVE SOME HALF-BLOOD TAINT OUR SACRED FAMILY PRACTICE!" he bellowed.
I had not learned my lesson. I made it appear like I did, but I had not.
My acting skills were coming along well now, I'm getting more comfortable with my mask everyday. Almost like I am the mask, that we had been inseparable all this time, that we were one.
…
(Roughly a month later…)
I managed to create chakra threads which were flexible and strong enough to pull grass by the roots. This is the first instance I felt anything akin to true progress. The gentle fist chakra seemed too rigid for outrought force through the thread. It was like trying to drink something thick with a straw that was too thin. I found progress when I realized that I could manipulate the gentle fist chakra to be less viscous. I imagined transforming the form to water and letting it flow into the string naturally. It was a small victory but it was still far from practical usage. If Hiashi knew what I was doing im sure he would be relentless on my rear end.
…
I don't remember when I discovered it, but be relocating my spine or extracting it, I was able to bypass the blind spot of the byakugan. The inherent weakness of the eyes were offset by my other kekkei genkai! This is a truly awesome discovery.
…
Age: 3 Years 7 Months -
Began training with blunted shuriken and Kunai both in target practice, but also setting up traps which would launch them at me during my obstacle courses and I would need to block them with my Bone Kekkei.
…
Age: 3 Years 9 Months -
I was caught training by Anko while she was still a chunin and she seemed heavily interested by my idea's to train, so she asked to participate. We both ran ideas off each other to improve each of our training regimens and I could tell that I heavily impressed her especially because of my age.
...
Age: 3 Years 10 Months -
Anko began tutoring me in several things which helped me correct out my form for throwing projectiles, and also began sparring with me with Taijutsu alone. I could hardly keep up. I kept being ran into corners because of her unusual style of Taijutsu and speed. Her technique reminded me faintly of the Shaolin style of my old life.
I watched her movements like a hawk would watch his prey. I wanted to soak up her techniques and reverse engineer the Shaolin fighting style of my memories to have a unique 2nd style of Taijutsu I can switch between If i ever see the need.
My bone Exoskeleton that I had been mastering was working splendidly, but the fact she knew that I was more durable caused her to really give it to me. She was a master at exploiting my openings and making me more aware of what I was doing wrong. I would come get punished by her in the mornings when she didn't have missions, then go home to get punished by the Genine and Chunins back home. Hiashi seemed to be ecstatic with my progress and had personally saw fit to take a role in training me. I would train with him, Neji, and lady Hinata. He would drill us tirelessly. He seemed to be the hardest on me likely because he saw great potential in the dual kekkei genkai.
I believe this fact angered Neji to no end as I had finally earned my title "Prodigy of Prodigies." I was being recognized for my prowess and surpassed Neji in fighting prowess thanks to the fact I can channel the gentle fist through hollow bone tubes. I could extend bone tubing from my body and strike several points at once heavily disrupting my opponents chakra so I can go in for a winning strike.
…
End of Diary entries…
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Authors Notes: Zemptai-sama again, I really want to skip further into the future but i figured I could at least do this much. Let me know if you guys have any suggestions and i'll consider adding it to future updates or revising it into the story.THE FANS GET WHAT THEY WANT! The next chapter will simply be a list of journal entries that mina has made that the audience can read giving them insight on some of the things that happened to her during the time I refuse to cover.
Enjoy the story and I earnestly ask anyone who is willing to, to write me a review. I will cherish each and every one of them and respond as best as I can. I write so I can share with you guys, and it warms my heart to hear your opinions and interact with the readers.