[Kukui Tanku]

Ameyuri was a brutal teacher. A brutal but efficient one. She was only brutal when beating us up though. We knew Zabuza was going to come back with Jinpachi in tow. Next time we were all going to be ready. Ameyuri planned on taking on Zabuza with Urahara and me and Ito could wipe the floor with Jinpachi alone.

But for that to happen we needed to be trained. Ito was already pretty strong but Jinpachi even in his pathetic current state could probably wipe the floor with us two. Although if my Railgun fucked up his hand enough we were relatively safe. Currently Ito was being trained in how to channel her lightning into her bones. I was being trained in the art of using Ninja wire. I already had an idea from how Ito used it but I wasn't anywhere close to a true master of Wire Manipulation.

[Wire Manipulation lvl 5:

Manipulation of Ninja Wire

Increases the control over wires by 25%

Increases the speed at which wires travel by 25%

Cost: 2 chakra points per second]

"Alright brat. Show me the idea you've come up with." Ah yes the fifteen minutes we had for a break was meant to be used to come up with ideas on how we can improve. I had one that would be a huge help. It'd allow me to attack four times at once. I also had another that would let me move a lot faster. It involved applying Lightning chakra to the Shunshin.

I grinned and took control of three wires I had connected to my body. I grabbed my two Taiji blades and the sword I had stolen from Jinpachi, Shibuki with the Ninja wire. "This." The three swords were floating behind me. The three sword style. Now I could have done it the cost effective way but it'd be awkward with Shibuki. If I were to only have one sword in the sky it'd be Shibuki. "I can free my hands for Railgun whenever and I can use Shibuki from afar." Truly innovative. Not to mention I could use chakra flow much easier like this and I could use it with my wires. Also Shibuki didn't work with chakra flow unfortunately... speaking of;

[Shibuki mastery lvl 2:

Increases skill of user when wielding Shibuki according to level

Increases damage done with Shibuki by 10%

Increases accuracy with explosions by 10%]

It was slow but it's boosts would help immensely.

Meanwhile Ameyuri nodded at my idea, "So you can attack with explosions and piercing coins in quick succession or use a jutsu. Smart thinking kid, but we're gonna have you test it in a spar soon just to see if it works. Any other ideas?" I grinned. My other idea was one I had loved since it'd give me a leg up in battle. Heh.

I nodded, "I have another way to use the Shunshin in battle. If I apply lightning chakra to the Shunshin I can move a lot faster than before with it." Running could only do so much. I needed to have another way to increase my speed immensely. "I'm slow as fuck already so I need a way to be fast enough to not have a repeat of what happened with Jinpachi but with Zabuza. I can come back from broken bones and burns but getting cleaved in half is one big fuck no," I also probably couldn't pull the same trick I did before to get his sword away from him.

"Yeah you are slow as fuck. We are still gonna work on your speed but if your idea works we can focus less on that and more on getting the Shunshin ready for combat. Now demonstrate it." I stood up and nodded. I quickly channeled lightning chakra into my legs instead of regular chakra and moved. I then heard a clap of lightning.

I looked back at where I stood half a second ago and saw a blinding flash of light... "Huh that worked." I was surprised... Nothing worked first try for me normally. "Shunshin flash? No that name sucks..."

I felt a smack on my head, "Kid stop trying to name it. That was good and all but that flash isn't gonna work well in battle unless you want to blind people... Actually... that could be good," Ameyuri had seemingly appeared from nowhere.

I nodded... 'Now a name? There was a sound earlier...' I had an idea, "I'll call it Thunderclap and Flash. It'll be great for distractions." Also named after the Thunder Breathing move... Maybe I could create the Godspeed variant of it.

I heard a sigh, "Crappy name." She just didn't know how cool it actually was. Uncultured heathen. Although I suppose it isn't her fault. This world doesn't have Demon Slayer... Unfortunately. Man it'd be nice to see an anime again now that I think about it.

I grinned, "Better than last one though!" It was official.

[New Skill unlocked: Thunderclap and Flash]

Thunderclap and Flash lvl 1:

Variation of the Shunshin that is infused with lightning chakra. Creates a clap and flash when used.

Distance: 10 meters

Cost: 10 chakra points]

Nice... I could use this 16 times. Yeah that wouldn't cut it.

Ameyuri rolled her eyes, "You suck at naming things more than Urahara. And thats saying a lot. Now lets go test out your other idea." Ameyuri's grin contorted into something more sinister, "Whilst Ito's working with Urahara and making sure he's not out getting drunk, I'll be the one to kick your ass until you look like a living bruise."

I gulped. "Can I be given another free hit this time?" In the last spar we had Ameyuri gave me one free hit. It was the only one I got in...

Ameyuri's grin said all I needed to know.

I wasn't gonna get that free hit.

[Ameyuri Ringo]

"So what are you gonna do when we get back to base? If the brat hadn't interveined when he did you would have died... You wouldn't have even been in that scenario a year ago," Urahara took a sip of his sake, "Are you gonna find a student or are we gonna have to find a user post mortem?"

Ameyuri sighed. She didn't like to be reminded of her mortality. She was sick with something. She didn't know what but it was effectively making her weaker. As much as she loathed to admit it, Urahara was right. She would have wiped the fucking floor with Jinpachi's ugly face even last year. "I dunno yet. Every brat just seems so fucking useless," Most of the genin in the Kirigakure rebellion weren't high quality. They were barely even worth calling genin. "Plus most of them don't even have lightning release."

Quite literally only two of the brats she had met so far had lightning release that wasn't Ito. One two years ago and the brat with her, Urahara, and Ito. This latest brat was more competent than the usual brat but still not as good as she'd like for a successor... He had potential though.

Urahara chuckled, "Yeah. Really sucks doesn't it? Most people here don't have fire. So if I wanted to find someone to carry on my crimsion flame I'd need to look far and wide to find someone half competent to teach." Urahara as a teacher was something Ameyuri couldn't see happening. She could see him teaching but not for extended periods of time.

"At least there are more than two people you can pass your legacy on too without having to wish you could clone yourself permanently." Ameyuri took a sip of her sake. She has nothing against the brats, really. But she wished she could find someone who was just a bit better.

The closest she found to what she wanted was a brat who had no qualms against killing but didn't have the bloodlust a swordsman should have. At least he had good control over his lightning release. The other brat could barely use hers and it was just sad. Even when she got so affronted by the display she helped the young girl, the idiot couldn't use lightning release.

Pathetic.

Urahara hummed, "The brat isn't half bad if your thinking about him as a potential successor." Bitch, please... Ameyuri felt like pointing out that her companion's standards were far lower than hers but didn't. "He's done a lot of things that'd make him worthy of the blades at least and he can always be brought up to your standards of skill. The brats drive to improve even makes him keep fighting when he gets beat down."

Ameyuri supposed Urahara had somewhat of a point. Stealing Shibuki and probably crippling Jinpachi was a massive help in that regard. But still. "The brats barely over a year out of the academy... But I guess your right in that he could be improved. The little shit just doesn't want to go down without a fight. I swear he's fueled by spite and spite alone." Ameyuri then downed the rest of her sake, "If I get desperate enough I'll pick him I guess."

Urahara sat there with his jaw dropped, "Did you just agree with me? I thought Yagura giving up the war and publically killing himself would happen first..." He then looked at the bottle of sake the two have bought and downed the rest of it in one go, "Okay if I wasn't drunk before I am now."

Ameyuri dragged a hand across her face, "Yeah we'll just ignore that. Your much nicer to talk too when drunk anyways." Now what else did they need to talk about tonight? Oh yeah, Shibuki. "So who do you think Shibuki's gonna go too?"

The brat definitely wasn't gonna get it. By swordsman code of conduct the person who beat the last user gets to keep it. He technically beat him but with the help of a swordsman. So it didn't count. Now if he helped kill Jinpachi later he'd get it but most likely, Ito would land the killing blow. And since Kushimaru was already training her the sword would just go to whomever was worthy of it.

Urahara shrugged, "Could go to anyone really. There are enough Jonin who could wield it and become strong enough. So whomever gets it, gets it." That was a fair assessment, "Probably Ryuko will get it though. She really loves explosive tags."

Ah yes, Ryuko. The youngest Jonin in the rebellion. One who could use explosive tags like Mangetsu can use all Seven Swords... Yeah she'd get it for sure.

Ameyuri unsealed an emergency bottle of Sake. Since someone so rudely drank the rest of the old bottle, "Well then thats settled. Alright I'm gonna get drunk as well I guess. Zabuza wouldn't attack us even whilst drunk without Jinpachi so we'll be fine since that little bitch is still healing,"

Yes Jinpachi getting outplayed by a genin was still fucking hilarious.

[Zabuza Momochi]

Zabuza hated the brat that injured Jinpachi. Not for injuring the man. Actually, he was giddy over that. But he couldn't have done it at a worse time. He let Jinpachi have his fun. But he actually got Injured and Shibuki was stolen.

Now Zabuza probably could have taken it back and killed them all. But he didn't like those odds. Ameyuri and the brat who was likely using Shibuki could have worked together to send a massive explosion his way. Like Ameyuri and Jinpachi did that one time... Yeah he wasn't gonna risk that.

Thanks to that and Jinpachi getting his hand nearly obliterated he now had to cause a few distractions so he could make sure the man's sorry ass healed. Yagura would ream the man out once they got back. That an get the best medic he could get so the man's hand would work better. It would never function properly again since it got hit with a very fast ryo coin filled with enough lightning chakra for three Electromagnetic Murders which left an image that made even Zabuza grimace. But it could be better.

Zabuza sighed as he heaved the legendary Kubikiribocho onto his shoulder. He was used to this by now but after nights like this he couldn't help but feel a bit winded. 'Thats 50 supply runners gone in a night. That should create a large enough distraction.'

If he was lucky they'd be spread out to protect whats left. If so he could go after the brat with Shibuki and give it back to Jinpachi. That or let Haku use it. Although that was a bad idea. Jinpachi wouldn't lose it again though. The man was insane but not stupid. He'd know to look out for the attack that put him in his current state.

Speaking of Jinpachi. "How's the hand?" Jinpachi naturally tagged along to make sure his hand still worked okay. From what Zabuza observed the man had three fingers that didn't work including the thumb... Yeah that wasn't pleasant.

Jinpachi growled, "It's Fanfuckingtastic." Yeah right. "Three of my fingers, One of which is my god damn thumb, don't work. I have to manually force my hand to hold the damn Katana with my other hand." Now that was a lot sadder than Zabuza thought would come from the man."When I get my hands on that brat I'm going to cut all his limbs off and rape him before I slit his throat."

Zabuza almost threw a kunai at the man's head. Almost. Zabuza wanted too but he needed him alive. At least until the end of this mission.

He had some morals left. Raping children wasn't something Zabuza stood for. A demon he may be but even demons had standards... Hell he was sure even Yagura would be disgusted. Rape was something that even the man who was committing genocide didn't like. Even if the person was raping those with Kekkei Genkai.

Zabuza sighed and dragged his hand across his face. Keeping his cool was tough but he managed. "Fine. Have your fun with the brat once we're done with him, "Zabuza would be sure to put the brat out of his misery long before Jinpachi would get to him. It was the least he could do.

Jinpachi grinned, "Thanks Momochi. Your a true friend." God Zabuza just wished he could kill him here and now... He wasn't friends with Jinpachi. He hated him more than anything else at the moment. Jinpachi meanwhile looked back at his hand, "At least my hand doesn't feel like its been electruted and blown up anymore."

That was some good news, Zabuza supposed. Now that the man wasn't in constant pain they could do more. But first they needed to let the man recover a bit more and possibly regain more motor function. "Alright. Now we need to go back so you can finish resting up. It wouldn't do to have you not as close to 100% as we can get."

Zabuza had long since accepted that Jinpachi would never be back at 100%. Most jutsu were now off the table for Jinpachi. So Kenjutsu was pretty much his only option.

Jinpachi sighed, "Fine, Momochi. I'm only doing this because I know it'll help." Maybe he should thank that brat with some chocolate? Jinpachi had been oddly docile. Zabuza decided to not complain. It made his life far better.

Zabuza began walking, "Alright then. We don't got all day. Come on lets go get some sleep." That and Zabuza really needed to go make sure Haku wasn't worrying sick over him. He really should have taken him along but Jinpachi would have been too bad of an infleuence.

Jinpachi sighed again, "Okay,"

[Yagura Karatachi]

Yagura honestly wasn't mad at this point. He wasn't surprised either. Of fucking course not only did Utakata and the Rokubi have a very wonderful relationship but the once thought dead Pakura of the Scorch release was with him too. Fantastic.

Yagura and his strongest Anbu fought with vigor but even the Sanbi's power couldn't stack up to the Rokubi's. Which was being enhanced by scorch release. Fucking hell. Yagura was just happy to have all of his men come out alive. Utakata and Pakura were fucking brutal. If he didn't have his Coral armor on he would have died to the sheer amount of Scorch release bubbles. As it turns out the two were really good at combining Jutsu.

Sighing, the short man sat down on his chair. He had gotten the worst of the damage. He wasn't prepared this time... He also was a bit out of practice. 'I suppose there is a reason why the rebel scum are starting to get victories... At least Jinpachi and Zabuza will cripple them.' Unless they sent Mangetsu fucking Hozuki to stop them then he was sure everyone else was probably screwed... Except Maybe Kushimaru.

'Perhaps I need to train some?' When was the last time he had trained? Three years ago? Four? And when the fuck had he even been in a real battle last? The fact Yagura couldn't remember was something that worried him.

"Note to self; Train again and then spar with Anbu." Yeah that seemed like a solid plan. Now though he had more important matters to attend too. Besides he was not exactly in the condition to train. 'God bless the Sanbi's healing.' Yagura grabbed some papers and sighed. Utakata and Pakura left the land of fire. Great. Oh well this gave him time to prepare. He was a kage. One that should be more powerful than every other kage. He wouldn't lose next time.

Perhaps he should also enlist more help? He could always bring his army with him next time... No that would be seen as an act of war to whatever nation Utakata decided to enter. And Yagura didn't want to find out if he could afford a war with even a minor village at the moment.

There had been rumors of a group going around... Akatsuki. They offered cheap services and were composed entirely of S-rank Ninja. Kisame likely joined them... Honestly his hired help as much as Yagura hated it, would be huge. Samehada's chakra stealing ability alone was game changing. That wasn't even mentioning Kisame's skill alone.

But then again Kisame also probably wasn't with them. He was never the type to join others willingly. He took missions and did them incredibly well but he was never the social type.

Still. As much as he'd loath to do so, Yagura probably would have to hire Akatsuki to help him take down Utakata and Pakura. Two S-ranks of high caliber. Even among S-ranks. Especially Utakata who is now known as a perfect Jinchurriki.

'Its decided...' He wasn't in the shape to go train now. And even if he was he likely wouldn't be anywhere near good enough to take on the two S-ranks for a long time since he was so rusty. And Team Aki was still out of commission. So he'd need help. "Lumiere," Yagura called for his most trusted Anbu besides Rei. Lumiere was the man who did the most dirty jobs for him. "Find anything you can on the Akatsuki. I want to contact them."

Lumiere nodded, "Right away Yagura-sama." The man shunshined away.

Yagura then leaned back in his chair, "I suppose I should use this time to recover." He had done the next few weeks of paperwork before he left to try and kill Utakata. So he was free for now. He could always gather his closest confidants to try and plan their next move. It had been a bit since he talked with his advisors.

But Yagura felt they couldn't be trusted right now. He trusted his Anbu explicitly. Unfortunately most weren't well versed in what he wanted to talk about with them. He could always go to Orochimaru but he wasn't that desperate.

Yagura then had a wonderful idea. Grimacing he sat up before putting on a smile, "Oh Rei, would you be a dear and come talk with your old man a bit?"

[Chapter end]

Honestly this chapter came to me easier than last one. I dunno if its just because I enjoy writing Zabuza and Yagura PoV's or not. Speaking of; Yagura's probably my favorite character to write in this fic tbh. The version of Yagura thats in this fic is such a complex character, even outside of Obitos sharingan genjutsu. He's a human being with actual flaws. Mainly his hypocrisy. But I just love writing him. I also enjoy writing Zabuza and Jinpachi. I haven't really focused much on Haku but I'm fine with that. I really love Zabuza and Jinpachi's interactions.

Anyways Kukui has come up with two more techniques. The wire blade style as I'm calling it for now and Thunderclap and Flash. Which is basically just the Shunshin with Lightning chakra. So not an "Original" Jutsu. And Ameyuri is thinking of Taking Kukui on as a student. Will she? I don't know. My muse hasn't really decided. It just left the path open.

Also we're almost at the end of the arc. How do you feel about that? I'm honestly a bit excited. This arc's end is quite action packed and I'm ecited to write the fights. My original plans were interupted by Kukui taking Shibuki but I can work with what I have.

Hopefully you enjoyed the chapter!

- Tobi