Hey there everybody, got another chapter here for you all. Not much to say this time, so happy reading. And thanks for the comments, I do so love to read them.
"And that's his progress so far Ms. Egawa." Kiriya said as he sat across from Yuji's mother. The two of them sharing some tea as Kiriya updated on her on Yuji's progress. It had been a full month of training for Yuji and to put it frankly, his progress so far was astounding. He still had a ways to to go, but he'd progressed enough that he no longer struggled against Hibari in any mock battles and in fact, he'd beat her handily. Ikaruga, Katsuragi, and Asuka still gave him a bit of trouble, but with each time they trained together, the gap was closing and the others knew it as well. The only outlier so far had been Yagyu. The prodigy had been a bit...rougher than usual with Yuji, why he wasn't particularly sure, but Yagyu seemed to be fighting against him harder than she would anyone else. Still, it was ultimately working out as Yagyu's actions were pushing Yuji to train even harder. However, he was sure things would come to a head.
"I see...thank you Kiriya-sensei." Minako said taking a sip of her tea "I hope Yuji hasn't been any trouble?"
"Aside from some glances at the girl's bodies, he's been fine otherwise." Kiriya said calmly
"Well, he is at that age...maybe I should have a talk with him?" Minako said with a sigh "Just to keep it from possibly blowing up into something bigger?"
"I don't think that's necessary. True he stares, but he keeps it to just staring and aside from Yagyu keeps a generally good rapport with his fellow students. If anything I'd say you've done a fine job raising the boy."
"O-oh...is that so?" Minako said with a small blush on her face "I...um...thanks. I never really had anyone tell me that before."
"Well it's true, anyway I thank you for your time. I should get going." Kiriya said standing up
"Already? Hang on a moment…" Minako said getting up and heading to the fridge, she pulled out small box which had some sliced sandwiches inside.
"What's this?" Kiriya asked
"Just a small gift. I made these earlier for myself, but I think it's only fair I give them to you, as thanks for keeping me in the loop in regards to my son. And I won't take no for an answer!"
Kiriya was taken aback by her words, but smiled after a moment "Very well, it wouldn't be right if I declined."
Taking the box of sandwiches Kiriya quietly left Minako to think on what she'd been told. The woman was quite happy with what all she'd been made aware of. Her son was becoming a shinobi, nothing bad had happened and he'd been respectful to the females of his group. All was good as she sat on the couch and turned on the tv. She had half-expected some sort of bad influence to take a hold of her son and make him do something wrong, but that was silly on her part, there was no way that'd happen.
-000-
Yuji was busy hanging out in the shopping district that he and his friends would frequent. Normally he'd have gone home after school, but he was frustrated. Yet again he'd sparred against Yagyu and once again the girl had beaten him. He was able to hold his own against her, but Yagyu was able to eventually come out on top and pull a win. He knew it was a spar, but he felt-no he knew that Yagyu wasn't too fond of him for whatever reason and maybe if he beat her it'd get her to lighten up on him at least a bit.
"If only I had some super special move…" Yuji muttered to himself as he walked around the area with no destination, he'd thought about using a shinobi transformation to try and get the edge over on Yagyu, but there were two problems with that idea: The first being that Kiriya-sensei had forbid the use of it during the spars and the second more important reason was that he simply hadn't been able to call it forth yet. Once he was able to make it manifest once, he'd be able to use a scroll to help in the manifesting process, but that was only after he'd done it by himself once to show he had the proper control of his abilities to do such a thing.
"I'm screwed." He said with a sigh
"Something troubling you young man?" Came a voice from behind Yuji, he spun around to see an old man with gray hair wearing a brown outfit with a jovial smile on his face.
"Uh...yeah, I guess you could say that mister. Just uh...some trouble at school." Yuji replied, trying to be as vague as possible "Uh, it's not bullying though! I mean...kinda? I dunno, the person in question isn't a friend, but definitely not an enemy?"
At this the old man let out a loud laugh before leaning in closely "Young man if you want to properly hide shinobi troubles you have to do better than that. That school bit was a decent enough cover until you blew it."
On instinct, Yuji took a few steps back, ready to fight or(more likely) run if he needed to. However, the man merely chuckled again. "Now now, there's no need for that. I'm not your enemy, I'm a friend of Kiriya's and I believe you know my granddaughter as well!"
"Oh yeah...prove it!" Yuji said not letting his guard down
"Ho, not taking me at my word, not bad! That's very good instincts to have in our line of work. Now then let me see here...ah yes! I believe you met Asuka after she chased you around at the academy, you tossed her into a trap door and oh...you constantly call her pretty."
At that last one, Yuji let down his guard "Okay you're legit." he said with a sigh
"Haha, failing that, I also know your mother too, the name is Hanzo!"
"Wait how do y-oh...ninja...right. Nice to meet you ...wait, Hanzo as in the name of our school?"
"Indeed that is me, but that isn't important. What is important is seeing a depressed person in need of help. Tell me Yuji-kun, what's the matter?
"Well uh...I'm kinda unable to beat one of the girls in a spar. Well I mean, I haven't really beaten anyone besides Hibari, but Yagyu is especially notable. I think that girl has it out for me."
"I see…" Hanzo said closing his eyes in contemplation before opening them. "Yuji...I think I have a technique that can prove useful to you...if you're willing to learn it."
Learn a technique from Hanzo, who as Yuji had learned from his training so far(Shinobi History was something that was taught too) was a legendary ninja? Yuji made a show of thinking about it for a moment, but really the choice was obvious, if a badass ninja said he'd teach you a technique you didn't say no, you took the offer, besides, how many people could say they learned a technique from the one and only Hanzo?
"Yeah, I'd totally like to learn a technique from you Hanzo-sama!"
"Please, just call me Hanzo, the days of me be referred to in such a manner by children is long past. Now come, I know the perfect place, one where prying eyes won't see."
Yuji followed behind Hanzo, the two of them leaving the shopping district and heading to the residential area of the city, this particular area was west of where he'd lived, so the neighborhood was pretty unknown to him. As such, he stuck close to Hanzo, until they reached an old fashioned looking home. It was pretty big and stepping through the door showed that the place was just as big inside, with a full on garden right outside, along with a small fountain. Hanzo led Yuji outside to the garden, and after doing a quick look around the area, he turned to Yuji.
"Now then, this should be a good spot for teaching you. No place should be safer than my home of course. So, are you ready to begin Yuji-kun?"
"Yeah, I'm ready, what am I going to be learning?" Yuji asked
"A special technique of mine. No one else knows it, since I've made it myself just recently."
Hearing these words, Yuji's eyes lit up almost as if it were Christmas morning and he now clung to every word Hanzo said.
"Seriously? And you're just teaching it to me? I mean, am I really worth it?"
"Haha, my boy, I'm an old man now, if I didn't pass on at least some of my techniques, what sort of ninja would I be? Now enough talk, I will bestow upon you the knowledge to use The Wind Ripper!" Hanzo exclaimed as Yuji let out a fist-pump
"Cool name!" The young man said
"Hoho, thank you, I spent quite a bit of time thinking of it. Now then, allow me to demonstrate the move first."
Walking towards one of the wooden striking dummies that were set up outside, Hanzo stood a few feet away from it before taking a stance. He breathed slowly for a few moments, his breathes coming out in a steady rhythm. As he did so, wind began to envelope his right hand, Hanzo continued this until his right hand was basically a windstorm and in an instant he practically flew towards the striking dummy, faster than Yuji could even perceive before hitting it, a jet of wind blasting through it, ripping it out of the ground and knocking it against the wall.
"Hmmm...seems I overdid it a little." Hanzo said dusting his hand off "Well, that's the general idea Yuji. Ready to try?"
"Am I ready? That was freaking awesome! Hell yeah I'm ready!"
"Good! I like the enthusiasm, now take a stance, feet spread shoulder apart and breathe...feel the very wind itself flow through your body."
Yuji did as told, mimicking Hanzo as best as he could. Breathing slowly and steadily
"Good, keep your breathing regulated and focus. Try to imagine the air forming in your palm." Hanzo said slowly "That's great, now keep it controlled...continue your breathing and think of the air as a natural part of your hands."
Yuji did so, feeling the air slowly form in his right hand. It was a tingly feeling, but even so, he continued to focus. He'd seen all the movies, so he knew how this worked. He had to focus or else he'd end up doing something stupid like blow himself into the air.
"Careful! Don't lose focus!" Hanzo said
"R-right!" Yuji said, clearing his head of any thoughts, he really did need to focus and not think of anything else. A few minutes passed, with Yuji breathing like before, the air in his right hand getting bigger.
"Perfect...that's good Yuji, now strike! Feel the wind in your palm become a raging force and strike down your enemies!"
Not saying anything, Yuji did as told and ran as fast as he could toward the striking dummy. He was nowhere near as fast as Hanzo was, but in this case it didn't matter, he hit the dummy as hard as he could. Unlike Hanzo, who had sent dummy he hit flying into a wall, Yuji only just barely made it bend before getting tired.
"D-damn…" Yuji panted "I-I'm sorry Hanzo-sama, I'll try it again!"
Hanzo however, merely laughed loudly at Yuji's words, causing the red haired boy to stare in bewilderment.
"Hoho, there's no reason for that Yuji...I'd say you've got the technique down, and only after one try! Then again, the Wind Ripper is a bit more basic when it comes to shinobi techniques. Keep practicing with it as well keep training yourself and it too will get stronger in no time."
"So...I did good?" Yuji asked
"You did splendidly my young friend. You have not mastered it, but it will surely help you win against Yagyu or dare I say...any of your female opponents."
"Really?! Thanks Hanzo-sama, you're the best!"
"Haha, thank you, you should head home now, we wouldn't want your mother to worry now would we?"
"Ah crap you're right!" Yuji said looking at the time on his phone. With everything that happened he didn't realize that it was getting late, the sun was already dipping below the horizon. "I'll...see you around?"
"Indeed you will, take care now Yuji-kun!" Hanzo said as Yuji bolted out of the house and began to make his way home. As he did, Hanzo couldn't help but let out a chuckle, he knew that Yuji would undoubtedly enjoy the results of using the Wind Ripper in battle.
-000-
The next morning came and Yuji was brimming with confidence. He'd had a quick breakfast, wished his mother well at work and made his way to school. He was finally getting used to waking up so early in the morning and his stealth abilities had improved as well. He'd practiced fading into crowds with Hibari, and Ikaruga, the three of them taking turns and trying to pick the other out within a group of people. It was pretty rough at first, but he'd been slowly getting the hang of it, picking up on when someone was trying to hide themselves or relying on his instincts when he felt that something was off. As such, he was able to put into practice and navigate his way to school in such a way that would make sure he wasn't followed, or if he was, the person following in would have to put some work in at least. Such as taking side roads with less people or dipping into crowds of people who had to wake up early to make their way to work. All this while still getting to school on time, which he'd managed to do even without all the extra effort due to waking up early.
Heading into the Advanced Building, Yuji made his way into the meeting area. Usually, he was the first here on account of getting in earlier than every one else, so he'd help himself to a small nap before one of the others showed up and woke him up. About an hour or so later, he felt a light tap on his shoulder.
"Come on Yuji-kun, wake up before Kiriya-sensei catches ya!"
Yuji blearily opened his eyes to the form of Katsuragi greeting him. Looks like she was the second one to show up today.
"Oh, morning Kat." Yuji said with a yawn "You doing good?"
"I'm doin' just fine. Especially now that we're alone!" Kat said as she began to make a grabbing motion with her hands
"K-Kat…five feet!" Yuji said holding his hands out to keep the busty blonde at bay. Over his time training with the girls of Hanzo, Yuji had come to learn of and fear Katsuragi's love for chests. At first, he'd believed himself to be safe from this, because well...he was a guy. He didn't exactly have a lot of bounce in the chest area. However...he was wrong, as it turned out, Kat had just as much of a love for in her words 'A nice chiseled piece of man chest.' The training he'd been undergoing was having just that effect on him. He didn't really have a lot of muscle tone at first, but the month of intensive training had changed that and the results were that he'd gained some abs. At least a little bit anyway, and Katsuragi had been quick to notice and he was now part of her assortment of groping victims.
"Come oooooooooooon, just a quick rub!" Katsuragi said with a devilish grin
"No! No rubbing whatsoever, I will scream!" Yuji replied
"It's just you and me here so go ahead and scream, we both know you can't stop me~!" Kat cooed
The worst part is that it was true. Kat was far more experienced than Yuji. She was set to graduate in the not too distant future, and as such her shinobi skills were far above his.
Katsuragi came closer, Yuji backing up some more until a hand came crashing down onto Katsuragi's head, causing her to drop to the floor in pain.
"Katsuragi, please stop molesting your underclassmen." Ikaruga said in a stoic voice "And good morning to you Yuji."
"G-good morning Ikaruga-senpai." said letting out a breath he'd been holding in "Thanks for the save."
"Think nothing of it, I'm well aware of how little Katsuragi cares for one's personal space."
As if on cue, Katsuragi, hopped from the floor and quickly wrapped her hands around Ikaruga's chest, furiously groping them like a woman possessed.
"Aww yeah, that firmness, the supple feeling of the female's flesh! So beautiful!"
"K-kyaaa! Let go!" Ikaruga said hitting Katsuragi again, causing the blonde to release her "Seriously, stop doing that!"
The three of them continued to talk until Asuka, Hibari, and Yagyu had joined them with Kiriya appearing shortly thereafter, quickly addressing them all.
"Okay, we'll be going through the usual training today, Yuji, we'll be trying again on your shinobi transformation, after that are the usual workouts and some sparring again."
"Yes Sensei!" Everyone said in unison
The day had gone by as usual, there were laps run, weights lifted, Yuji failing his transformation (again) and finally came the sparring portion of the day. Sitting in the gym, Kiriya began to address his students.
"Now then, who would like to start?" Kiriya asked
Feeling confident with the new technique under his belt, Yuji stood up. "I'll go first sensei!"
"Very well, who are you going against? Of course, I can always choose for you."
"I'll take on Yagyu this time." Yuji said resolutely
This caused a raised eyebrow from Kiriya, but he didn't let it linger for too long. "Very well, I assume this is fine with you Yagyu?"
"Yes Sensei."
"Very well, the two of you take your positions!"
Walking towards the center of the gym, Yuji and Yagyu both took ready stances, waiting for Kiriya's mark.
"Now...begin!" Kiriya yelled
The instant his words finished, Yagyu had brandished her umbrella and closed in on Yuji, the boy barely having enough time to take his broadsword out and block her attack. He'd gotten used to this, Yagyu would always open with a quick jab of her umbrella in their sparring matches and Yuji had managed to see it coming this time, even if he barely blocked it still. Not wanting to give him any openings, Yagyu quickly twirled her umbrella around, deciding to bring it towards his side, only for Yuji to block that as well.
Realizing he couldn't stay on the defensive lest he be overpowered, Yuji attempted to bring his sword down on top of Yagyu, only for her to dodge with ease.
"Too slow." She said bluntly before going back on the offensive, attacking Yuji again, he blocked it, but Yagyu, this time opened her umbrella and quickly spinning it and causing Yuji to lose his grip, his sword being tossed away a few feet.
"This is the end." Yagyu said coldly, going for another jab pointed right at Yuji's midsection. However, the boy dived out of the way, Yagyu didn't let up though, going for jabs, strikes, and slaps with her umbrella, driving him further and further away from his sword. Yuji all the while doing his best to dodge and attempting some unarmed strikes against her, but none of his hits landed, as was expected really, he wasn't much of a hand-to-hand fighter, so his moves were easy to read. After the minutes of intense back and forth between the two, Yagyu backed off for a moment to regain her breath.
"You should quit. You know you can't win." Yagyu said in that same almost monotone-like voice "This match ended the second you lost your sword."
It pained him to admit it, but Yagyu wasn't exactly wrong, if this had been yesterday, or any of the days before, she'd be right. He'd have lost, he'd put up a struggle, but he'd still lose. Today however that was going to change. He was going to knock Yagyu down a peg.
Not saying anything, Yuji took the stance that Hanzo had taught him before. He spread his legs shoulder apart and began to breathe deeply.
"What...are you doing…?" Yagyu asked with a raised eyebrow
The others had been watching and they too were now focused on Yuji as he began to breathe rhythmically. His chest slowly rising and lowering as air began to form in his right hand. The other girls were entranced by the display. Kiriya for his part was watching intently, wondering just what the boy was planning to do, and Yagyu herself had taken a defensive stance, unsure of exactly what was about to happen.
Yuji for his part hadn't said anything and continued to breathe like before until the wind in his hand was as big as it could get.
"Now then, get ready!" Yuji howled "Taste the power of the Wind Ripper!"
Putting as much power as he could in his legs, Yuji ran and then leapt towards Yagyu, her eye went wide as she saw him coming towards her, and she quickly jumped back in an attempt to dodge him, but it was just a bit too late, as the ball of wind in Yuji's hand connected with her body. Yagyu closed her eye, fearing the pain...but none ever came. She and Yuji landed on the floor with Yagyu completely confused at what happened...except for the fact that it was really breezy and chilly now. Opening her eye, Yagyu saw Yuji staring at her with his mouth hung open and blushing.
"Y-Yagyu-chan your clothes!" Hibari exclaimed
Her clothes? Looking down at her clothing, Yagyu noticed something about her clothes...or more importantly, her distinct lack of them. Her clothing lay in tatters at her feet, even her bra and panties were destroyed. Realization dawned on her face, as Yagyu felt her body heat up in embarrassment, even worse is that there was a boy her age staring directly at her.
Yagyu let out and extremely high-pitched squeal as she covered her body and hit the floor "W-what was that?! You pervert! Why would you do this to me?!"
"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to! Um…here!" Yuji said taking off his school shirt and quickly draping it over her. "It's not much, but it should work right?"
Yagyu merely scowled at him, too embarrassed to say or do anything else.
"The winner is Yuji!" Kiriya called out "Though unorthodox, it's quite clear that Yagyu isn't fit to fight any longer. Hibari, could you help Yagyu get changed?"
"Yes Sensei!" Hibari replied, hurrying over to Yagyu and helping her out of the gym
"Wait...I won?" Yuji said looking at Kiriya in disbelief
"That you did...though I have to ask...where did you learn a technique like that? It didn't hurt Yagyu at all, but it definitely disabled her."
"I'd like to know that too…" Asuka said, she, Katsuragi, and Ikaruga having come closer to the two men. The girls were all staring daggers at him, almost as if he'd committed a serious crime and they were mere moments away from beating him within an inch of his life.
Yuji could feel the danger in the air, but even so, he spoke up. "Well...I learned it from ." Yuji said rubbing his head "I thought it was just a regular attack, I didn't know it'd destroy her clothes like that!"
"Wait...Hanzo...as in my grandpa?" Asuka said with a raised eyebrow
"Yeah, I ran into him yesterday and he taught me that technique."
The four of them were all silent as Asuka's palm met her face…
"Well...that makes perfect sense." Kiriya said flatly
"I'll be having a talk with grandpa later…" Asuka growled
-000-
It was later on in the day and Hanzo had made his way to a shinobi hospital. These places specialized in taking care of shinobi from their respective factions whenever they suffered really bad injuries. Needless to say that the reason they existed is because using a normal hospital just had too many uncomfortable questions asked and posed too much risk to the shinobi world being exposed. The sun was dipping below the horizon as Hanzo made his way through the halls of the hospital, he was running late, mostly because his granddaughter, Asuka, had decided to tear him a new one for teaching Yuji a new technique. Or rather, a technique that destroyed the clothes of her friend Yagyu. Really, Hanzo wasn't surprised that had happened. He probably should have been just a bit more truthful about that technique as its full name was the 'Wind Clothing Ripper.' The technique also wasn't all that new, in fact, he'd first used it about 60 years ago when he and wife (who was his girlfriend at the time) were training and he'd made it up on the spot to defeat her. The result of which, lead to one of the more...entertaining nights that Hanzo had ever had. Still, in regards to Yuji he decided to play things up a bit as to get the young man on board with learning the technique.
He had high hopes for the boy, he saw a bit of himself in him after all. Particularly the part of him that loves pretty girls. His thoughts were broken when he came to the room he'd been making his way towards. Opening the door he was greeted to the sight of a man laying on a hospital bed, similar in age to his own. He had spiky dark gray hair, and noticeable scar over his right cheek. No doubt his body was littered with even more of them, though his body was obscured by the blanket that covered him. He turned his head to Hanzo and let out a bitter smile.
"Come to see a dying man have you Hanzo?" He said with a loud cough
"If I had my way of things I'd be bringing a friend some flowers and a get well soon card." Hanzo replied with a heavy sigh "So...the results came back?"
"Indeed they did, but we both knew what they were going to be before I even got here. I'm a dead man Hanzo. I just...wish I didn't have to leave the girls behind."
Hanzo let out a sigh. "Right, I'd nearly forgotten you'd taken some girls in Kurokage...are they doing well?"
At this question, Kurokage let out a small smile, a genuine one. It was a smile that showed a person who was happy to talk about their grandchildren.
"They have grown well over the years. They've become strong...however…" Kurokage trailed off, taking a moment to cough. "I fear...they are going down the same path I did...you and I both know what awaits one at the end of that road."
"I see...like you they will walk the road of creating a perfect world, a world void of any evil shinobi?"
"It looks that way...and I doubt I will be able to stop them. I am forced to remain here, relegated to bed rest until I die."
"I see...I'm...I'm really sorry." Hanzo said sadly "I wish there was something I could do to help them."
"There is...one thing you can do." Kurokage said "I know it is selfish of me to ask...but if you could look after them for me? At least for a while. I know they're strong girls, but…"
"I'd be happy too. We're friends after all. Just as I helped get you here, I'd eagerly help them." Hanzo said with a smile
"How can you say that after what I've said...and what I've done."
"You merely did what you thought was right. Of course, I never agreed with you...but for me to invoke any kind of punishment on you would be cruel. Perhaps I am being too much of a sentimental fool...but you've suffered enough Kurokage. How many times did they send ninja after you?"
"Who could keep count?" Kurokage replied
"Exactly. How many times did you find yourself barely scraping by, barely making it out alive and I don't even want to think about what could have been done to your girls."
"The last person who tried to harm them...I can safely say that didn't go well for them." Kurokage said with a pained chuckle.
"I will look after them as if they were my own. And...I'll find a way to teach them to not go down the path of vengeance. I'll teach them as I have...my...granddaughter." Hanzo said slowly as an idea began to form in his head.
"What's gotten into you?" Kurokage asked "You've got that look in your eye when you think up a stupid idea."
"Indeed, I think I may have an idea on how to help your girls...and my 'stupid' ideas tend to work out in the end!"
"I can think of several that didn't." Kurokage scoffed "But tell me, what are you planning?"
"Well my friend, remember that bet we made all those years ago?" Hanzo asked
"The one where I bet you that I could make a world where evil doesn't exist? How could I forget? Are you going to rub it in that such a way of thinking was the foolishness of youth? I won't deny it, I've no pride left to protect." Kurokage sighed
"Well...how about it we put it to the test. You need only hang on a while longer. I think I've found the perfect way to get the ball rolling. After that, it will be in your granddaughter's hands as to what comes of it all."
"Hmmm...I'm listening." Kurokage said
-000-
Later that night, Yuji was in his bed going over the day. After his bout with Yagyu, Kiriya had called training off for the rest of the day. To go along with that, Yagyu was now giving him a wide berth. Not surprising, he'd seen...well all of her. Probably more than any young man should have, but Yuji had decided to chalk that up to some god watching over him and giving him a bone. Of course...his mom had found out. Mostly because Kiriya-sensei had decided to speak with his mother about his progress. While he was still struggling with transformation, his usage of the Wind Ripper had earned him some praise...and then a chewing out as his mom made him promise to not use that technique again unless it were absolutely necessary, which Yuji was more than fine to agree with mostly because he didn't have a choice otherwise. Still overall, Yuji was making steady progress on his way to becoming a ninja. According to Kiriya-sensei, with just a bit more training, he could start being assigned missions. Nothing too crazy, and he'd be with the others more often than not, but the idea of him going out on a real ninja mission had him feeling ecstatic. It was just a shame that Yuji couldn't tell Daisuke or Taro about all this, but it simply came with the job. With all these thoughts and more swirling around his head, Yuji quickly drifted off to sleep.
I actually had a lot of fun with writing Hanzo this chapter. I feel like there's a lot we don't know about him or we don't get to know about him. The same with Kurokage to some degree. And no, I don't count whatever the hell the Shinovi Masters anime tried to do. In fact, lets just pretend that dumpster fire never existed at all. Am I being harsh? Maybe. But, that's a discussion for another day I suppose. Happy reading!