Chapter 17: Group Training

As the next day drags on, Musaki is starting to get used to the turtles around here as well as the others to train with them there. It took some bumpy roads for both Raph and Musaki, but as soon as they started training together, it seems as though that the ice has finally broken and they started getting along pretty well...almost.

As Musaki walked past the bunkhouse, Raph called his name and that startled him a little. He turns around and looked a little surprised that he's behind him. He chuckles softly and said, "Morning, Raph."

"Did I scare you?" asked Raph.

"Kinda."

Raph chuckled and said, "Sorry, kid. Just wanted to know that if we're still cool."

Musaki sighed and said, "You know, you were this close to hurt my feelings, but since yesterday, I think you've improved a little and you're okay with me around."

"Of course, kid. Why wouldn't I be cool with you?"

"Cause when you first saw me, I was beginning to think you and Tigress couldn't stand my guts, but as time went by, you were okay, I guess."

"Well, hey. Tigress could be my friend."

"You're kidding, right? Why would Tigress be interested by you?"

"Cause she's hot!"

"She still s my guts. I've been here for two years and she still can't stand me. Why couldn't she just give me a break?"

"I don't know."

"I don't know either."

"So, you are both getting along?"

They turned around and saw Splinter and Shifu walking on the way from the training hall and saw them both standing there. Musaki chuckled and said, "Yeah, we're cool."

"That is what I like to see." Splinter said.

"Well, he's okay."

"We are gonna do some training, all of us." Shifu said.

"All of us...meaning..."

"You, Raphael, Michaelangelo, Donatello, Leonardo, Zeke, Zuko, Tigress, Po, Crane, Mantis, Monkey, Viper along with myself and Splinter. We're gonna combine ninjitsu and kung-fu together."

Raph and Musaki looked at each other and Raph said, "Sounds cool."

"Yeah, it could be interesting." Musaki said.

"Are you up for it?"

"Absolutely."

"Great. Follow us."

Splinter and Shifu continued walking and Raph and Musaki were following them to the training hall and within a few seconds, they made it to the training hall and the others were there before them. They were all surprised to see them all waiting for Musaki, Raph, Shifu and Splinter. Shifu asked, "Were you all waiting for us?"

"Yes, master. We got here a couple of minutes ago." Viper said.

"Well, now that you're all here, we have something to tell you all. Because Splinter is from Japan, we thought that we can all use some ninjitsu to go with our training. We're all gonna combine our kung-fu along with their ninjitsu today."

Hearing this got them by surprise and unexpected for them. Mantis asked, "How do we combine these things?"

"Splinter can teach us what he knows and we can teach the turtles what we all know."

"Sort of learning how to do their moves?" asked Po.

"I guess you could say that." Splinter said.

"Well, okay then."

"Splinter can take the floor here." Shifu said.

Splinter goes in front of the Five, Shifu, Zeke and Musaki and teaches them what he knows. He tells them, "As I have been teaching my sons for a number of years, you must learn the art of ninjitusu. It is a term for 'ninja' back in Japan. You have to use the same moves that I have taught my sons."

The turtles came behind Splinter and started teaching them everything they need to know. They all did some ninja moves, where it involves flipping, using their weapons and sparring. The Five, Po, Shifu, Zeke, Zuko and Musaki watched what they're doing and see if it's gonna be in good use for their training skills.

Then, by their surprise, Splinter rose up in the air and landed on his feet on the ground...hard. It took them by surprise to see an old rat do some fast moves, but it was actually impressive. Musaki dropped his jaw and became shocked by what he saw.

"You just saw it, right?" asked Musaki.

"I couldn't tell. My eyes were distracted by Splinter's jump." Zeke said.

Splinter dusted himself off and stared at Zeke and Musaki and told them, "You may think I am an old rat, but I have the moves of a young ninja warrior."

"And we respect that."

Splinter nodded his head and they continued on with the teaching. Raph, Mikey, Leo, Donny and Splinter were teaching the others some basic ninjitsu training and they're all hoping they can emulate it well. Splinter and Raph come face to face and do this one move where they're sparring with each other and Raph got his sais and plans to kick Splinter, but he misses and leaps in the air and got on the ground. Raph grunts in effort as he takes a few punches, and Splinter grabs the sai and flip him over. Donny, Mikey and Leo went in for the training and do more moves and made an impression on everyone.

It got them moved and Splinter told them all, "This is how we do ninjitsu."

Everyone was in complete awe of those spectacular moves. Shifu looked at them and said, "That was impressive. Now it's our turn to teach your sons the basis of kung-fu."

Splinter honored him and let Shifu take the floor along with his students. Zuko stayed behind with Splinter and the others. Shifu chuckled and told them, "Kung-fu has become a tradition here in China to teach self-discipline and self-defense, but mostly to attack. I've taught them everything I know as the years go by. My master Oogway invented kung-fu a long time ago and it's been passed down for a long time. Now, it is time to unveil what we all trained and hope to showcase it to your training."

Shifu started doing a few kung-fu moves to start off and did some backflips and also punches. Mikey looked at him and thought that he was too old and that he could hurt himself. He asked him, "No offense, but aren't you afraid that you'll hurt yourself?"

Leo and Raph groaned in embarassment and covered their faces to prevent further embarassment. Shifu chuckled and said, "This may surprise you, but my left leg has a limp, but it doesn't stop me from being unstoppable. So, I'm not afraid at all."

"Ohh...so you're old?"

Everyone was surprised to hear what Mikey just said. Shifu told him, "I may be old, but I have the life of a young kung-fu warrior. I may be small and old, but do not let that fool you. I can knock you out in a second."

"Okay, I get it now."

"Oh, do you?"

Shifu went back to the training and told the Five to show them what they have. Crane and Tigress went first and she did a backflip and attacked Crane, but he made perfect aims to throw her off course and then, Mantis went in where he picked Po up and throwing him up without being seen. Next, Viper comes up with using her tail to swipe at anything in it's path and Monkey does some flips, twirls and goes completely airborne.

Po stepped up to the plate and took it from there. He was in front of Shifu and sparred on him. He flips him around, but Shifu stopped him in the blink of an eye and flips over him, making his belly jiggle. He swipes him, kicks and all of a sudden, Shifu runs to him, but he gets stopped by Po's belly and jumps in through the air and lands on his feet.

Musaki and Zeke were next, showing them everything they know and begin to fight. Musaki brought in his sais and Zeke came with his nunchuks and start kicking, punching, swinging and also some serious backflips. Musaki leaps to the air and lands on the ground, making a sneak move on Zeke, but Zeke grabs his hand and flips him and lands on his back. He gets up and trips his brother's foot, and fell down to the ground. Zeke runs to him, but he uses his anti-gravity lean to miss the landing.

Then, they all did their backflips and got in front of each other and considers the turtles and Splinter schooled. Splinter dropped his jaw in amazement and said, "I have never seen anything like it."

"That is how we do it here. Now, let's combine them all together."

Everyone gathered around and everyone did their mixture of kung-fu and ninja all rolled in together. They did backflips, kicks, punches, swipes, and everything in between. They were all getting pretty good at it and so far, it was an amazing training they're doing together...as one team.

When they stopped, it was like something new has sprung and the new training was completely unstoppable. Shifu and Splinter looked at each other and Splinter said, "Excellent training."

"Yours too."

They all put their hands on their fists and bowed to each other, and it seems as though, they have the respect and admiration they have for each other.

How awesome is that? Kung-fu and ninja come together as one? It can't get anymore cooler than that! Stay tuned for more!