Chapter Six: Might

Kakashi trained harder ever since they ran into The Eternal Genin and his son. Perhaps it was more appropriate to say that he trained harder since Sakumo claimed the kid would catch up and surpass Kakashi if he slouched on his own training.

Kakashi had been harsh against the kid and Yuina had been too surprised by his words to say anything at the time. Though, in hindsight she still didn't know what she would say. She may go along with the whole ninja thing but that didn't mean she went around encouraging people to become one. Something hard when common children's games were ninja related. It was probably in the kid's best interest to not become one.

The Eternal Genin, Dai, was someone she only heard about through gossip until that day. They mocked him, but honestly it didn't sound all that bad. That is being a low enough rank to only be delegated mundane tasks. Dai seemed to take it all in stride too. Having the mentality of no job being too menial to do was a good characteristic.

Much better then those fawning over how many people someone was capable of killing.

Could they not see the irony of fearing others easily capable of mass murder while praising the people on 'their side' of the same acts.

Though that may have been the reason Konoha came to be at all. Focus their attention elsewhere to build unity within.

Trust is harder built with yesterday's enemies.

"Tou-chan." She wrapped her arms around his legs. A hug to help stabilize her.

"Yes, Yuina."

She hugged tighter and rubbed her face into him. This world was real. She could feel.

Yuina released him. She had come to him for another reason. "I was reading a book about Konoha's early years and it mentioned the First Hokage captured several of the Tailed Beasts." Some claimed that it was supposed to stabilize relations with other nations but that didn't stop two great wars from breaking out. Since they were sold, it was more likely to fund the creation and development of Konoha.

"With his Wood Release they say," said Sakumo drawing upon what he had learnt of that period.

"Yeah, but what are the Tailed Beasts?" Sakumo raised an eyebrow not expecting the question. "Some sources claim them as Chakra Monsters, but I'm confused. Are they a type of chakra manifestation or are they creatures with large amounts of chakra." She had been told everything possessed chakra so it confused her whether chakra could clump itself together to create some kind of physical form. The term 'monster' however inferred that there was something disastrous about them. Unless it was some kind of phrasing implying the amount of chakra they possessed was dauntingly large.

"I've thankfully never had to fight one, but they say the Tailed Beasts are pure chakra. Unlike us who have chakra systems alongside organs, they only have chakra. As such they cannot die. That also means they are incapable of intelligence."

"Is that why people sealed them? For control?" For power? Chakra was a limited resource so she could understand why someone may want an additional source to draw on even if sealing made little sense to her. If what Sakumo was saying was true then she wondered how and why chakra could form in such ways. It wasn't like she could talk to one, and if they were sealed she doubted she could even observe one.

She couldn't research what she couldn't observe so her more intricate questions would probably never be answered.

"They're tools now." The Tailed Beasts or the people they were sealed in? Yuina didn't have the heart to ask. Her main questions had already been answered anyway.

"I'm going to return the book to the library."

"Want me to come with you?"

Yuina shook her head. "It's okay. You should stay. Kashi-chan is pushing himself training right now. He's more likely to need you than me." Spending one-on-one time could be nice, but she didn't want to come home to Kakashi needing some kind of medical attention with no one to help him.

She grabbed the book and left the house.

It was a peaceful trip on the way and she was now returning home with a new book.

Isn't that…?

Yuina watched the familiar boy in green faceplant into the ground. As she approached she could hear his loud panting. He likely fell from exhaustion.

"Need help up? The bench is probably better than the middle of the street." Yuina had her hand extended down towards him.

"Urg. Since I didn't reach my goal, I shall start again from zero. Yosh!" The boy jumped up on his feet on his own so Yuina brought her hand back to her side. She could see his body waver and wondered how long before he eventually passes out. "It's you! You're Kakashi's sister, right?"

Sakumo had introduced them but it seemed the boy only remembered Kakashi's name. Rivalry? Well, Kakashi had spoken poorly about him to him so a bit of pushback was probably normal.

"My name is Hatake Yuina and yes Kakashi is my brother. Your name? I only know your dad's."

The boy raised his fists as if ready to fight. She didn't know if it was because she was Kakashi's sister or if it was because she brought up his dad.

"What about my dad?!"

"I only meant that I know your dad's name is Dai, and don't know yours."

It was rare for Gai to hear someone speak his father's name without pitying or mocking tones – if they say it at all. His nickname was infamous after all. "I'm Maito Gai so you better remember it!"

Dai and Gai. Once again this town sized village was proving their oh so creative naming capabilities. '

Yuina nodded. "I'm sorry about Kakashi." She couldn't really apologize on his behalf but maybe she could smooth things over. Even if they couldn't be friends she didn't want him to make enemies. "He's not very good at talking to others. That can sometimes make him sound condescending or mean, but he doesn't mean it as a personal attack." At least she didn't think he did. Kakashi was to the point and stated things as he saw things. He didn't seem to understand the nuance of language yet or how others might interpret his words.

"One day I'll show Kakashi just how strong I can be!"

Gai might be as single mindedly dense as Kakashi.

She didn't think much before but maybe Sakumo had been right that the two might get along.

"Good luck on that endeavor." Wait, no! Wishing him luck meant wishing he'd be a ninja. That wasn't what she meant. Urg. How is one supposed to be supportive of goals in this world when so many wanted to be child soldiers?

She was just going to go home before she says anything else that will send her into an existential crisis.