The amusement from my encounter with Jiraiya was short-lived. As the laughter faded, my thoughts quickly returned to the Chūnin Preliminary matches. I had more than one reason to want to watch those matches. It wasn't just about cheering on Naruto and the others. I wanted to gauge my own strength against the other genin. How else would I know if my training was paying off?
Sure, missing the matches was disappointing, but that's part of being a ninja. You've got to roll with the punches and keep moving forward.
Struggling with the letdown, I found myself perched atop the Hokage stone heads, surveying the peaceful village below. It was just another normal day. But I knew this tranquility wouldn't last. In a month, the Sand and Sound were going to invade. It was an eerie feeling, knowing that all this calm was just the calm before the storm. But that's life in the ninja world.
All I could do was prepare and hope for the best. This was my home now, and I wasn't about to let it be destroyed without a fight.
While I was lost in these thoughts, my mind drifted to Orochimaru and Kabuto. I remembered that around this time, Kabuto had targeted Sasuke with the intention of killing him. But Kakashi was there just in time to stop him. Despite this, Kabuto still managed to slip away.
With that thought, I focused on sensing Sasuke's chakra. It was different now, tainted. The once vibrant and fiery chakra that was so uniquely Sasuke's had a dark undertone to it, a chilling echo that sent shivers down my spine. It was as if a shadow had been cast, turning his bright energy into something more sinister.
I could feel two other distinct chakras near him. The first one was Kabuto's. His chakra was like a cold, slithering snake. It was deceptive and elusive, much like the man himself. It had a certain clinical precision to it, a reflection of his medical expertise and his calculating mind.
The other chakra was Kakashi's. In contrast to Kabuto's, Kakashi's chakra was steady and strong, like a calm river with a powerful undercurrent. It had a sense of reliability and experience, a testament to his years as a shinobi. There was a hint of electricity to it, a nod to his signature lightning-based jutsus.
Feeling their chakras, I knew I had to act fast. Kakashi and Kabuto were fighting. I moved swiftly, my body a blur as I navigated the rooftops of Konoha. My heart pounded in my chest, not with fear, but with determination. I could feel the familiar thrum of Kabuto's chakra in the distance, a beacon that guided me through the maze of buildings.
As I neared the location, I saw a figure falling from a window - Kabuto, trying to make a quick escape. But I was ready.
With a swift motion, I unleashed my Adamantine chains, the glowing links shooting out towards him. The chains wrapped around him mid-air, halting his escape and pulling him back towards me.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. "That was close," I muttered.
With Kabuto secured, I turned my attention to the window he had just jumped from. There, leaning casually against the frame, was Kakashi. He looked surprised but also amused. I couldn't help but grin at his reaction. Raising my hand, I gave him a playful wave. "Got him, Dad!" I called out, my voice echoing in the quiet night.
Kakashi just shook his head, his visible eye crinkling in a way that suggested he was smiling beneath his mask. "You're improving, Ariel," he said, his voice calm and steady, a stark contrast to the excitement of the situation. "Well done."
I couldn't help but grin at his words. "Thanks, dad," I replied, my heart swelling with pride.
As I stood there, Kabuto struggling against my chains, his chakra seething with anger and defeat, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.
But there was no time to bask in the moment. We had a traitor to deal with.
Kakashi pushed off the window frame, landing lightly next to me. He glanced at Kabuto, his eye narrowing slightly. With a swift motion, he extended his hand and formed a series of hand signs. His fingers glowed with the green light of a medical jutsu. "Let's make sure he stays unconscious," he said, placing his hand on Kabuto.
Almost instantly, Kabuto's struggling ceased. His body went limp as the jutsu took effect. Feeling the change, I released my Adamantine chains.
With Kabuto out cold and secured, Kakashi didn't waste any time. He hoisted him up, and with a swift hand sign, he used the shunshin no jutsu. In a blur, he disappeared from the rooftop, leaving me behind.
"Hey!" I called out, but he was already gone, leaving me alone on the rooftop under the bright afternoon sky. A sigh escaped my lips. I should have known he'd pull a fast one like that.
Just as I was about to step off the rooftop, a piece of paper fluttered down from the sky. It landed gently in my outstretched hand. I unfolded it, and my eyes widened in surprise. It was an application for the ninja academy, already filled out.
For a moment, I forgot that Kakashi had just left me behind. A grin spread across my face. "He's enrolling me in the academy!" I exclaimed, my voice echoing in the silence.
The disappointment of being left behind was quickly replaced by a surge of excitement. This was a new beginning, a step towards my dream of becoming a ninja.
With a shake of my head, I turned my attention to the training grounds. My heart pounded with anticipation. I could use the time to train and improve my skills.
Stepping onto the training grounds, I could feel the energy of the place seeping into me. The ground, worn from countless spars, and the air, still holding onto the echoes of past jutsus, felt alive. Finding my balance, I began my training.
I began with a series of stretches, warming up my muscles for the intense workout ahead. I moved fluidly, each stretch targeting a specific muscle group. My body felt limber and ready.
Next, I moved on to basic Taijutsu stances. The first was the front stance, a fundamental position that provided stability and balance. I planted my feet firmly on the ground, one foot in front of the other, my weight evenly distributed between them. My front knee was bent, aligning with my front foot, while my back leg was straight. My hands were up, ready to block or strike.
After holding the front stance for a few minutes, I transitioned to the back stance. This stance was more defensive, allowing for quick retreats or counterattacks. My weight was on my back foot, my front foot pointed forward, and my hands were up in a defensive position.
Once I was comfortable with the stances, I started practicing punches and kicks. I focused on the execution of each technique, making sure my form was correct. Each punch was straight and powerful, my fist rotating at the last moment to add extra force. Each kick was swift and precise, my foot snapping back as soon as it hit the imaginary target.
I then combined the punches and kicks, creating a series of attack sequences. I moved from one technique to the next, my body flowing smoothly. I could feel the power behind each strike, the energy coursing through my body.
After hours of training, I was drenched in sweat, my muscles screaming in protest. But I didn't stop. I pushed through the pain, knowing it was a part of the process. With each punch, each kick, I was getting stronger.
Finally, as the sun began to set, I ended my training with a cool-down session. I did a series of stretches, easing the tension in my muscles. Despite the exhaustion, I felt a sense of accomplishment. I had pushed past my limits, and I was one step closer to being ready for whatever the future would hold.
As I sat there under the twilight sky, catching my breath, a smile naturally formed on my face. With the stars beginning to twinkle above, I was filled with an unwavering certainty - my training was far from over.
