Authors Note on weapons: so googling sword types and names leads me to all sorts of fun information… as I am no expert I've simplified it down to the following. If there's someone who knows more on blades and their actual lengths please do enlighten me!
Tanto: curved single or double edged blade of 15-30 cm
Kodachi: curved single edged blade of 30-60 cm
Chokuo: straight single edged blade of 70-80 cm
Katana: curved single edged blade of 70-80 cm. (I know there's a Taichi that's the same length but worn hanging from a belt while the katana is worn stashed through a belt… I'm just calling blades this length katana)
Odachi: curved single edged blade of 90 cm and worn across the back
Chui: a chinese weapon that's basically a giant metal/stone ball on the end of a long handle. (Ranmao in Kuroshitshuji uses weapons like these)
Jitte: these are what the teenage mutant ninja turtles wield! :D
AN: Sorry this took so long to post. I had stalled after 1k words and just could not write.. .ended up deleting everything and restarting just so I could write it. Tis a "get to know Konila more" chapter. Chapter 5 is planned out and Ch 6 is going to be a mission so things start picking up then!
Italics indicate thoughts or hand sign conversations Cause it just makes it easier to indicate that...
Chapter 3: Kenjutsu class begins
Today was the day she'd been looking forward to especially; Friday and her kenjutsu class! It was the second week of school; Matsura Nara had asked for an extra week of advertising among the genin and chuunins when she'd mentioned she didn't mind teaching older students in addition to the academy kids. In fact he'd made a request for her; show off. Make it fancy, make it interesting, and make it attractive. Since they had a jounin teaching he was bragging about it and had apparently invited some people to watch… All of which made her grin. Finally a chance to show off and maybe get some gears in the stupid council's head churning and increase her chance of being a sensei! And maybe more students interested in kenjutsu…. Weaponry use to be far more popular but these days kids liked flashy jutsus and relied mostly on kunai, shurikens and maybe a tanto. She'd already poked a few of her fellow kenjutsu users about covering for her while she was on missions or even continuing on in her place after she left. Though depending on how this year's trial run went she might just tell Matsura to keep her on as a teacher just for the Friday class.
She'd gotten up early that morning and done some intense sparring with a friend before heading home to clean up and prepare for her 1 pm show and tell session. The sparring had done a good job getting rid of any nerves she had; now she felt settled and ready to roll!
Noon came around and she sauntered in an hour before her class to watch and check out the area reserved for her class. It was a large open field behind the school where they usually held throwing and sparring practice; she took the time to clear it of any large rocks as she watched some people show up. Sadly the one thing she had wanted to do to help show off how awesome kenjutsu was a sparring session between her and friend Maito Gai. Unfortunately he was out on a mission. So instead of having a small spar of her weapons versus his taijutsu she had to settle for showing off some of the more complex movements and maybe mix in some jutsu-weapon combos.
Maybe I'll save the sparring for when he gets back and show off how to counter weapons, she thought as she began her stretches as people began to wander in. Konila smirked when she saw quite a few clan members stalking in to sit off on one side. She could pick out her perspective students easily; they were eyeing her and gossiping and lining up like good little children. She spotted a lot of her current students amid the group gathered. She saw Matsuri lounging on one of the large overhanging branches of a tree that lined this field and nodded at him. He gave an amused wave back and signed at her 'Go wild girl.' The brunette rolled her eyes in amusement as she stood up from her stretches and approached the group.
"For all those here for the Kenjutsu Friday class, I'd like you to sit along this side of the field;" she gestured with her hand. "I am Konila Inola, jounin specializing in kenjutsu, traps, and infiltration. This afternoon class will start at 1 and you can leave at any time. If you come in late to it that's fine; wait off to the side till I approach you. Depending on the skill of the students;" here her eyes wandered over the half of the class that already wore a hait-te, an odd chuunin sticking out among the genins; "I might split you up into groups based on skill. I am also available after class officially ends at 3… if you wish to be taught more in-depth, hang around afterwards." Pacing in front of her audience, the tall shinobi continued "As for what I will be teaching; that can be anything. Today I will be showing you all the various weapons I can teach. At the end I will ask all those present which style or weapon you wish to be taught. I'll start my lessons with the top three favorites. I will spend about two months on one weapon kata before moving to a different one. This class is to let you see how various weapons are used, perhaps find one you wish to learn more in-depth later on, or even start you on a path to mastery if you so wish. This class is not meant to make you more than genin rank in any one weapon. For that you will need to spend more than a single day a week and will need more personal time with a teacher. As for teachers… I am not Konoha's only kenjutsu master- far from it! I plan on calling in some favors and showing off other masters: take that opportunity as a way to get your face and name known to them and see if they wish to take on an apprentice. And yes most of them are looking for an apprentice if they find someone who's suitable."
At that the crowd stirred a bit—apprenticeships were not often offered these days, many jounins are too busy with missions or occupied with a genin team instead. Konila knew however that her fellow kenjutsu- enthusiasts were always willing to teach the next generation...if only the kids would show an interest! Too many prefer fancy jutsus to weapons it seemed.
"As for what weapons I will use—" Konila grinned and pulled out a small scroll from her pouch; with a small application of chakra the scroll suddenly increased in size. Planting the now four foot scroll on the ground she unfurled it and used one hand to flash through some seals as she summoned out the contents. With a soft poof and small wisps of chakra mist, her pride and joy appeared on the ground next to her. Displayed in the shape of a peacock's tail was an armory; polearms, swords, maces, you name it; all the weapons of war gleamed with the promise of death.
"Kenjutsu may mean sword jutsus however it is perhaps better to call me a bukijutsu specialist. I use more than just swords! I usually say kenjutsu though cause people tend to know what that is more often… As such I will be teaching more than just kenjutsu in this class. I am not a master of all of these; that will take many more years…In fact I've only mastered the kodachi and tanto. I am chunin in about half of these, jounin level for the rest."
She lovingly picked up the first of her blades; the smallest of her swords. It was a simple blade; unadorned black handle with a blue grey steel blade; elegant in its simplicity.
"This is the tanto- it is the most common weapon used amongst ninjas and often dual wielded." She took up a stance and began a kata. Her blade sliced quickly as she whirled and lounged. Halfway through she used a half hand seal to summon a second and started another kata to show a dual wielding use. "It is used for close quarters and best at quick sharp slashes."
She ended her kata back where she began the kata; by the armory. Sheathing and replacing them she grabbed the next; kodachi with its blade about twice as long as the tanto.
She slid into a more elegant sweeping kata that had several leaps and rolling stabs within it.
From there she went through the rest of her more common blades, the chokuo, odachito, and katana, to the less well known blades like the butterfly swords, greatsword, jitte, a pair of deer horn knives. After that came the bo staff, naginata, spear, chui, then from there to the more exotic weapons; whips, hand scythes, nunchaku, tetsubo, and an axe. For each she did a single basic kata to start off with before moving to show a more complex style, often throwing in a jutsu combo to demonstrate how you could mix weapons and chakra. All the while she talked on what each weapon was and it's more common use, her breath never faltering nor showing signs of strain.
After her armory had been shown off, she turned and smiled at the group watching. "Does anyone have a weapon they'd like to be shown again before we start voting? That didn't take as long as I thought it would so I can go over a few more again or show off more complex styles…"
She saw Matsura give her a thumbs up before he vanished in a misty smoke as he left. Apparently she'd done well. I take that back I did really well; She thought as she saw the approval and more intrigued looks on the gathered adults watching behind her class. They group had thought they'd see a few sword styles and maybe something new; they hadn't expected the sheer variety of weapons nor the smooth grace which she used them all. 'Had no real skills' indeed! She thought spitefully as she recalled that one council member's comment. Why the council even got a word in who could become a sensei she didn't know… Konila shoved that thought aside and concentrated on her class in front of her as the adult group broke off into groups or left.
"Katana! And.. and like more fire!" She chuckled as Fuji, one of the third years from her class asked excitedly.
A girl with her hair wrapped in two buns and starstruck eyes from another class piped up; "The naginata! Or bo!"
"I'd like to see a more complex tanto… or maybe chokuo." One of the genins asked respectfully.
"I'll do a mix of the last two." She said with a smile. "I tend to dual wield them after all." Holding her long straight bladed chokuo in her right hand in a reverse grip with the tanto held the same in her left. A dash forward, she slid left, blades whirling in a complex dance as they blocked invisible attacks started the style before a roll backwards as the chokuo flipped to a forward grip and she lunged forward again before twirling right, tanto slashing backwards. She swung and slashed her way through, humming softly to herself happily before she leapt backwards, casting a seal-less fire jutsu where her 'opponent' would have been just cause she could… and Fuji had asked for more fire….
"If you do decide to wield a weapon I suggest you learn either one handed seals or go sealess completely." Bowing to the applause of the happy class. "It might take you awhile but if there's no seals there's less warning to give your jutsu away."
"Can you dual wield a tetsubo and sword?" Came a gleeful question from one of the fourth year academy students. Konila laughed and shook her head… but went and grabbed the huge tetsubo war club and a tanto just to show she could.
"It is really foolish and awkward.. but you could…" Lifting it up, she discreetly used chakra to enhance her muscles so she could swing the ridiculously heavy tetsubo one-handed. She did a few attacks before stopping and laughing.
"Oh Kami… that really throws my balance off!" She put it back with a chuckle; it felt like she slightly drunk the way it pulled her around when she did that!
After taking a few more requests she put her weapons away and looked at the sky. "Time to vote! With an hour left I'll basically have enough time to teach you some stretches and exercises you'll need to do to strengthen the muscles so you can actually use the weapons." She snickered at the sounds of grumbling from some of the younger teenagers. "You stretch and do exercises for taijutsu right? Well bukijutsu does the same.. and often you use different weapons than in taijutsu!"
After she collected the votes, she found there was a tie for first place; the tetsubo war club of all things, the bo staff, and the tanto. Katana came in a close second place.
"Well.. I did not expect so many of you to want the large spiky club… so here's what we'll do. I'll split you into three groups. Those wanting to learn the tetsubo gather there, those wanting the bo staff here, and those wanting the tanto there please!" She watched them separate after milling about for a bit trying to pick one. The tanto group ended up with half the class, something she wanted to avoid. "If you want to learn multiple don't worry, you can stay later or I will cycle them back in at a later date. I will probably always have a group doing tanto's simply because they are so versatile and easily obtained." At this the tanto group shrunk a bit more down to even the numbers out.
For the rest of the afternoon she led them through stretches and showed them ways to help build up the muscles needed and how to not overwork them.
"Change up which muscles you work each day. If you don't let your muscles rest they cannot heal and you'll end up hurting yourself. Also take a day off completely every now and then and don't work out at all. Let your body get one good day of rest in before you abuse it again! Class is over officially now-" She was interrupted by one Naruto Uzamaki before she could finish.
"Awww but we haven't been taught the cool stuff yet!"
Konila snickered and shook her head in amusement. "Buuuut- as I was saying, if you wish to stay around for more tips or questions that's fine. I won't officially teach any katas till next week so everyone can be on the same stage to start with." She raised an eyebrow at him and he rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment.
"Eh heh heh. Sorry for interrupting Sensei."
Half the group split, eagerly talking and animatedly waving their hands in the air. Hopefully they all stick with it...or I've at least gotten more interested in weapons! The rest crowded around her, asking questions about what styles, any extra advice, what's going to be taught after the two months…
She answered the questions as fast as they came until only genin and the few chuunin remained… and some of the adults finally approached.
"I'd like to learn more… is it possible to have some extra lessons during the week?" One of the genins asked. She cocked her head at the boy in a silent question. "Chiu Fai. I'm in the genin corps." He said it a bit defensively; most genin corps were there because they failed their jounin sensei's test.
"Hmmm….. Is that a question a few of you have as well?" She asked the rest who nodded. "Well… I don't mind spending a bit more time. I do teach at the academy right now so evenings are best unless you feel up to a 5 am lesson?" She laughed as she saw them shudder.
"How about 6 pm monday and wednesday? We can go for about 2 hours at this training field. It'll be more intense than the Friday lessons since you are all genin or above. We'll start with tantos since those are cheapest and easiest and then move on to the kodachi, then bo then we'll see what the group wants. "
She got a bunch of eager 'hai!'s from them as more peeled off and left her with the chuunin and the few clan adults.
She cocked her head at chuunin; "Nee Kotetsu.. aren't you supposed to be on gate duty right now?"
The smaller man wrinkled his nose at her; "Ehhh I got it filled in since I wanted to see if you'd show off. Good show Koni." He winked as Konila rolled her eyes.
"You know you just have to ask and I'll take time to teach you and Izumo! You've done it often enough in the past, short stuff. You're just ditching aren't you…."
"Who me?" He asked in a hurt tone of voice as his dark eyes laughed at her. "Actually came to invite you out… our gossip sessions have been lean lately and me and Izu get so lonely at the gate…." He sighed mournfully and she chuckled.
"Been busy settling into teaching. I didn't realize how much paperwork being a teacher generates! So much grading to be done and I do mostly hands on lessons! After I finish here we can catch up?" He nodded before leaving to lean on a tree nearby; obviously not going to leave until he had his gossip needs filled. Not that she minded; Konila did love to gossip!
She turned with a smile to the last two; shinobi from the Akimichi clan and the much smaller Fujimoto clan. She had an idea why the Fujimoto might approach; they were known for their whip-specialists and beautiful seduction-specialist kunoichis; perhaps they had an academy student or genin who didn't follow in the clan specialties?
"How can I help you?" She asked politely as she waited for them to decide amongst themselves which got to go first. Clans and their pride…
"Chaunli Akimichi." He introduced himself. Sure enough it was the more well known clan that got the right to speak first. "You showed great variety and knowledge today. We were wondering if you knew some styles that would suit our clan- while we do prefer taijutsu due to our clan techniques a few members have expressed interest in weapons."
"I know of quite a few. If you could find a way to increase your weapon size along with your body;" she knew for a fact they could; their armor increased so why not just use the same crafting technique on a weapon? "Than I can teach them styles a larger opponent can use against a smaller one. Or any style that is earth based could work to be honest… Send any to the evening extra class and I can get them a weapon and style that will suit them." She offered with a smile; she wasn't going to get herself roped into giving one on one lessons just yet; that was reserved for an apprentice or genin team; like many shinobi, she didn't like giving away secrets or techniques she'd gathered or made herself. She was fine with these large classes and teaching the basic styles or katas; those were easily recreated and hardly secret after all! The weapon specialist was willing to teach D and maybe C ranked styles; anything else was hers to hold onto till she'd found someone worthy. Plus if I get affiliated with any one clan others won't come to me for lessons… stupid politics. Konila hid the frown she got when that thought popped up; politics were disgusting.
"We will do thanks for offering this opportunity to konoha's youth." Chaunli gave a brief bow and smile before heading off.
She turned a smile towards the last who gave a similar bow; "We were wondering what type of whip styles you'd learned and if you'd be willing to share." Came the quiet question; like many of his clan he was stunning looking. The Fujimoto took their clan name "Root of the Wisteria" seriously and put great stock in physical beauty at all stages; while the females were more known for seduction, it was the male members that tended to be more skilled at it. Probably cause people expect kunoichi's on seduction missions but overlook the men for some silly reason. Konila smirked; "I might.. Sadly those styles are more advanced and… I am less willing to give them away without something in return. Like weapons or styles." She quickly clarified before something else (fun as it could have been ) was offered. Fujimoto's viewed their bodies as weapons and tools; which she didn't mind but a one night stand for her better styles? That was a terrible trade!
His eyes narrowed in amusement; he knew what her thoughts had been. "Perhaps a trade for some of our more known techniques? Enough have seen them that they aren't as secret anymore."
"Hmm...tempting. We could do a spar; I use only one style and you use only one style and whatever we learn from it is the trade?" She and Gai did this a lot; instead of showing and teaching the style or kata; they fought in it. From there they challenged themselves to recreate the technique and the first to recreate the whole thing correctly won. So far he was up four wins on her.
"I have a feeling you'll come out ahead in it… but that sounds like a far more fair trade- When would you be able to spar?" He smiled slightly and finally gave a bow and introduction. "Taira Fujimoto, special jounin specializing in whip-jutsu and part time med nin, at your service."
"I have nothing planned this weekend- I could show up for saturday's mock mission but it's not required."
"Sunday at our clan dojo at 4?"
"Sounds good." The brunette bowed respectfully to him before he left. Then she grinned; they might be going to use the whole clan to try and learn her style but she had practice doing this! An entire new style was hers to play with soon! One of the clan ones too! Konila hummed happily as she practically skipped over to an amused Kotetsu.
"Flirting with another so soon?" He huffed mockingly. "You're so cruel! I thought we had something!"
"Pfft! We do have something…No one can replace my favorite lil ol' lady gossip session buddy! Besides he's pretty but not my type. I like em a bit more rugged." She patted his spiky hair and made him scowl. "You can have him instead. Aren't I the best wing-girl?"
"Oh please! You're the worse wing-girl! Last time you replaced Izumo as my wing-man I ended up going home alone and sober!"
"Details details…" Konila laughed and waved her hand airily. "So where are we headed? I should probably go put my armory back in its safe spot instead of carrying it around.
"We can hit your place first before picking up Izumo." Kotetsu said. "Genma just got back from a mission yesterday and I thought we'd all go to his and get drunk and gossip like the lil ol' ladies we all are."
Clarification; Genma got back from an anbu assassination mission and needed a drunken night to help him recover from it. Konila nodded understandingly; Kotetsu and Izumo as gate guards or as guards in the hokage tower saw everyone entering and leaving. They knew who'd had a bad mission and would often pass on word to the shinobi's friends to let them know. She, Genma, and the 'terrible two' as they were known had run some escort/infiltration missions together and had gotten along and stayed in touch afterwards. When she had a bad mission -the explosion had taken out a nursery full of kids, screaming burning toddlers- they'd been there to help her out of the drunken pit she'd hid herself in. When Genma had too many anbu missions they'd gotten him to take a break and helped him recover (alcohol, sex, sparring, just being there silently to lend a shoulder). When Kotetsu had come back after being held captive they'd been there to help him recover, help him get back on his feet and regain his smile. When Izumo had that relationship gone sour and abusive they'd been there to give him a place to crash and recover and convince him he wasn't trash.
You helped each other as shinobi; you may not have been on the same genin team, may not have been on the same anbu team, but you found those few special teammates that you'd go to hell and back again for.
AN: a bit more serious of an ending but I like it :3 Any critiques, constructive criticism, or reviews are welcome 3 Hopefully next chapter will be easier to write and faster to post!