,,Finally done.,, I exclaimed as I wiped the sweat from my forehead, after a long time of arranging the front and back gardens of my new home. And right on time, I had enough time to take a shower and head to training ground number three, where I should meet my instructors who should help with my chakra. Although when Kotetsu was delivering the message, he said they would also test my other abilities, probably kenjitsu, taijitsu, traps, sneaking, and anything else that could be accomplished without using chakra. Which meant bringing along a first aid kit because I'd probably take a beating if they put me with jonin, also my new training gear.
After a quick shower, I ran to the agreed place on the way, checking that I had brought everything, which, thank God, was the case. I have a very bad habit when I'm in a hurry, I always forget something, and there are no rules for that. One time I was coming home from school all excited because the summer break had started that I forgot my bag in the classroom, so yes, to that extreme, I can be lost. Luckily it seemed that I arrived first at my destination because no one was standing at the memorial stone, which I remember had the names of shinobi killed in action written on it.
The stone was huge, kunai shaped with a bluish glow on its dark gray structure, with a bunch of names written on it. I ran my hand over a couple of them, looking at them with admiration and somehow sadness even if I didn't know them. This was another reminder that this was no longer a fantasy world or just a story, because this was all as real as I was. I put my hands together in front of me to pray for them for a while and to assure them that from now on I will try to protect this village as long as it is my home or I will return to my old, somehow. I wanted to show them respect for what they gave their lives for, especially since my testing will be in front of them, i.e. Fornih's monument. I secretly prayed that everything would go well and that I wouldn't fall down in front of the shinobi I was supposed to meet today.
"I was told to expect a potential shinobi and not a priestess." An unknown voice commented from behind me, surprising since I hadn't noticed or heard anyone come. When I turned around standing in front of me was Genma, the Sandaime's personal bodyguard, also known as to his interest in poisons and his toothpick that he always carries in his mouth which is actually a senbon. He carried with him his two katanas as well as the rest of his ninja equipment as well as an extra band with the Konohagakure sign.,,I was told to expect a shinobi and not a comedian?" Genma scanned me as I approached him with my head held high, full of confidence not wanting to let him think he could joke with me so easily. "You have spirit, I have to admit that. But you're going to need more than that if you're going to be a kunoichi at all." That's where he was right.
I'm going to need more than confidence to handle Genma if he's going to be my kenjitsu opponent, because unlike the Kiri guys, Genma's home ground, and jonin, "I see you've already arrived." I heard a voice that I already knew where it was coming from, but I couldn't believe it. "Hey, Kakashi-san, you're a little late, but nothing out of the ordinary." What's this idiot doing here. Until a week ago, he was beaten almost to death and now even if he's on crutches, now he's standing there in front of us like he's the most normal.
He shouldn't still be alive with his injuries, because I clearly heard from the doctor when we took him to the hospital that he had several broken ribs that I barely managed to immobilize with so many cuts, serious discolouration and most likely a mild fracture on his femur. Kakashi then sat down in front of the memorial stone trying to settle down taking care of his injuries. He somehow seemed bigger in his jonin gear than his ambu and his cold aura as he looked into my eyes. Except maybe when he just nodded to say hi to Genma.
Genma threw his katana in front of me as he took the other out of its sheath and pointed it at me with words. "We're going to test your kenjitsu and taijitsu first, get into your stance." The sergeant told me but I didn't pay attention. I picked up the katana from the ground and made a sound from the sheath and then made a few test swings trying to get used to the feeling. It worked, it is different from the katana I borrowed from Tenzo. Tenzo's katana was lighter and if the feel wasn't deceiving me, this one was somehow more comfortable, and therefore I hoped it would be easier to handle.
I glanced at the Genma put it and tried to analyze it as much as I could. His right leg was pointed forward, while his left arm was bent. be the first attack and I was ready to block. I decided to show him what I was really made of and that training with my grandfather and uncles was not for nothing. The second Kakashi announced the start my katana was between his neck and mine. I used the proximity between us and hit my left leg where his support was and sent him backwards with my free hand, but instead of falling he just did a back flip and I used that to create more distance between us.
, That was too close., I screamed to myself, realizing that the only reason I got away with that trick because he didn't expect me to react so quickly also let his guard down. He quickly went back to the counter attack and I barely managed to block his attacks which were fast and the only reason I managed to last was because my instincts were at their best. I had to turn this somehow to my advantage. Then an idea came to my mind and I immediately hurried towards the wooded part of the field, knowing what to do.
Kakashi watched as Maxi and Genma disappeared at high speed into the forest across from him, still in disbelief that he had agreed to this nonsense. Until a few hours ago, he was standing in front of the graves of his friend and comrade, Rin , and now he was supposed to explain to a teenage girl how to access her chakra and together with Genma observe her fighting style. If the Sandaima hadn't asked him personally and if she hadn't saved his kohai Tenzo and Itachi, he would never have thought of agreeing to all this.
It's not that he wasn't grateful that the girl came to help, but the conditions in which she appeared were suspicious, no matter how much Pakkun convinced him that it was all right and that his nose never lies in such matters. Paranoia was a shinobi's best friend after all, and it wasn't clear to him why, since she was a medic, why wouldn't she just work in a hospital with the other doctors who also didn't have chakra like her, or try a civilian school instead of trying to get into fully qualifies for Ninja Academy.
Kakashi while waiting took out his book that he got from Jirai which was the latest issue of the Icha Icha series. Reading like that for a while I started to worry about Genma that maybe he accidentally killed the girl and is trying to come up with something to cover it up. ,No Genma would never do that, but the time of his absence was worrisome. Kakashi started preparing his crutches to stand up but that's when Genma jumped out of the forest and retreated from Maxi who was attacking him with a stick that was slightly longer than two meters, while he could barely defend himself against her.
Kakashi had never seen someone use a staff to fight a katana, it was simply incomprehensible to a ninja. Genma tried to cut her staff but somehow Maxi positioned it so that every time the blade would slide down the staff and the other end would force Genma to retreat or go on the defensive. From time to time she performed moves like kicking Genma with her legs using the staff as a support knowing that the lower limbs are stronger, or how she used the stick as a shield in certain situations chasing him around in her arms at great speed. This was a dead race, Confused Genma vs. the stick fighting experience girl.
If he hadn't seen this for himself right now and here, he wouldn't have believed anyone telling him. Genma tried to use his speed against her a few times but the girl had equally fast reflexes and would sing to block him. "Enough." Kakashi ordered and they both stopped at the same second and turned to face him, Genma packing his katana and Maxi giving hers back to him which was tied around her waist the whole time.
"What do you think you're doing?" Kakashi asked her irritably, because she didn't need to fuss but take this seriously and just stick to kenjitsu. ,, Oh.. Isn't it obvious. Melee weapon combat, or known as kenjitsu." she replied with a small devious smile on her face, waving her staff around demonstrating a few unusual moves. As sarcastic as she sounded she was right, but the main weapon for kenjitsu was a sword, and she used a damned staff. Genma watched her with great interest and was impressed by her handling of such a simple weapon either way. "That's not a kenjitsu." Kakashi said sternly, releasing his KI, not believing that someone could be so indiscipline and play around while others had work to do. ,, So smartass, where does my fighting style come in." Maxi turned around, as if she didn't feel the KI coming from Kakashi at all, and just watched him with a calm gaze, holding her screw close to her.
Kakashi didn't know exactly how to answer this question because no ninja ever thought of using a staff, a spear maybe, but a staff never, and it cannot be counted in shurikenjitsu or taijitsu., Well played., Kakashi commented to himself, as the girl was still showing some outside the box thinking. He also had to admit her tolerance of not being paralyzed under KI which was enough to give chunins trouble was interesting as well as suspicious.,, How about we switch to taijitsu and put in average kenjitsu as an additional staff skill on top of that." Maxi nodded with a smile as she lowered her staff onto the ground and waited for Genma to take a stance so they could begin further testing.
Kakashi disagreed with that , although the girl had solid skills in Kenjitsu, satisfactory for a chunin rank and if he accepted her unique skill, you could say that she was ranked as a high chunin close to taijitsu it was a different story entirely, as this time Maxi took the initiative to attack first and went at Genma mercilessly.
Most of her punches were much weaker than Genma's, as she used his strength and caressing him using her agility. Also, her style was constantly changing, in a few moments it even resembled some kind of dance, in another it would look like she was imitating the stance of an animal, in the next she would leverage Genma during his attack by hitting specific points that slowed Genma down more and more.
Maxi was not a person to joke with. Each stroke was of precisely measured strength, speed in exactly the desired position as she read Genma like a book. If Genma had been able to use his shurikenjitsu, ninjitsu, and poisons, this would have been a completely different story, though considering Maxi didn't have access to chakra, she had to compensate in other ways, and Kakashi was starting to see that.
Maxi managed to keep up with Genma, exchanging various blows that left neither of them unscathed.,, Enough." almost an hour since the fight started, Maxi didn't give up even though her stamina seemed to be running low for the last few minutes. Taking a few deep controlled breaths Maxi took her bag and started searching for something for a few seconds until she pulled out a glass container with only a yellow tuff on the lid and approached Genma who was sitting next to Kakashi trying to stretch ,, Here, use this for bruises." And then she placed the open package in front of his feet and herself took a small amount of the small of her hand that had prominent bruises and small cuts that were most likely from the sword fight from before, Kakashi thought.
It seemed that the girl had experience with treating ninjas, as one of the rules was to not use or consume anything that hadn't been tested for poison or used by someone before. When he was done using it Maxi packed it away and then took out a small silver needle from the same bag and offered her free hand to Genma, who watched her uneasily and then began to release some KI. Maxi breathed out and shook her head, "Look, the reason you can't move quickly, your arms are stiff and numb because I hit a few pressure points to even our chances." She explained but Genma still didn't believe her so she put her needle back into her purse and then asked, "Okay, let's do it like this, give me two of your senbo and before I use it on you, I'll show you which point I'm aiming for on myself." Genma looked imperceptibly at Kakashi who gave him permission but with caution.
Maxi began to slowly needle one point on her arms and torso and then repeated the same on Genma with the other, while Kakashi watched and memorized the movement, wanting to check later if there was anything similar in their medical archives or if maybe The Hyuga clan is known for this. When she was done Genma stood up and began to stretch as his body popped almost every time releasing the stress built up in his joints and muscles as well as the stiffness. Letting out a sigh of relief and testing the speed of his movements, satisfied that his abilities were back to normal. "Not bad, we just have to test your sneaks and traps and then we can move on to unlocking your chakra." Maxi's face completely lit up with happiness and her eyes twinkled with excitement as she nodded her head.
She looked more like a little kid on her birthday then before few moments when a more serious yet relaxed version of the girl who could knock you out of tune at any moment and drive you into the ground. But Kakashi couldn't complain much about that, Maxi was focused on the task at hand and didn't get angry once like which most would if they were fighting a more experienced and stronger opponent than themselves. She didn't show arrogance except when Genma joked about her in the beginning, nor did she say anything about their occasional KI release, as if she didn't even feel it. Unlike most medic didn't start mother hen Kakashi because of his injuries, nor did she insist that he be on strict bed rest, nor did she try to talk him out of it. The only time he scanned him was when he arrived with a look that literally said, ,what an idiot.,, and that's all there is to it.
Genma gave her a bag with a small amount of trapping equipment, saying that she had a few minutes to get ready before he went to get her and she had to stop him and avoid him for at least half an hour or until he immobilized him. Maxi opened the bag and then looked at the beginning of the forest part and then smiled a huge smile and then ran into the forest as fast as she could. "She is smart, resourceful and so far meets the requirements for the chunin level. If she's even half as good with her chakra she'd make a decent kunoichi." Genma commented as Kakashi buried his nose in his book again, somewhat agreeing with him. "Using a staff instead of a katana isn't exactly what I would call resourceful." Genma let out a humming sound and then turned to Kakashi, continuing his story.
"I'm not talking about the staff but about our fight while we were in the forest. I literally had to fighting both the forest and her at the same time. Several times she tried to bring down whole dry branches on me, she used younger and springy ones as catapults for stones or simply to deliver blows for her. She moved briskly among the denser bushes and branches to slow down my moves while she somehow managed to get through them quickly. And she didn't even have to cancel her attacks after sparring on me. She deserves a chance in my opinion." Now it was clear to Kakashi how she managed to turn things so drastically in her favor. In addition to her unpredictability and unfamiliar styles, the girl knew how to use the field to her advantage, how to weaken a much stronger opponent almost imperceptibly.
,, Genma, don't hold back this time. Let's see how she does when her life is literally in danger." Genma nodded and immediately disappeared from the scene using his ninja speed. To most, it would seem cruel for a jonin anbu to go mercilessly on a still-for-now civilian, but Maxi had to know from the beginning that the path of the shinobi is not easy and there will always be danger and not only a one-time situation that must be survived. It wasn't even ten minutes before the explosions started to fill the forest and every few minutes you could hear the explosion from one end of the forest to the other.
When the time was almost up Maxi ran out of the forest with a dazed Genma on his back who seemed to barely know where he was and where the ground and sky was. He tried to see wha was wrong with Genma when he noticed dilated pupils and smell of opioids on his clothes. When Maxi tried to approach Kakashi he already had a kunai pointed at her releasing a large amount of KI saying "What did you do?" Kakashi was sure Genma hadn't given her any poisons to work with, no poison of any kind.
Maxi didn't dare move suddenly and tried to stay calm despite being in panic mode she didn't want to make the situation worse. "Calm down Kakashi, I'm perfectly fine." With a couple of coughs Ganma sat up rubbing his eyes trying to somehow calm his currently hypersensitive eyes. "But I'd also like to know why you're carrying opium with you." Genma asked her in a tired voice as his body tried to fight off the throbbing headache. "I don't even wear one."
This somehow completely distracted Genmo from all the symptoms, while Kakashi looks at her in almost disbelief and surprise even though her chakra and scent as well as her eyes clearly show that she is telling the truth. She then slips her hand into the pouch on her waist, which the Genma gave her and she took out two plants one with very bright lilac flowers and the other with a yellow flower that oozed yellow juice. Both plants were more or less familiar to Kakashi the first was valerian which was often used for calming and the other was a common weed which was scattered in the forest.
,, Valerian and ruse. I made improvised smoke bombs. Valerian is a sedative and ruse is identical composition like opium. So that every time he would avoid the explosion and inhale a small amount of smoke containing both ingredients and been doing that for at least ten minutes..." Maxi explained with guilt in her voice because she didn't want to aggravate poor Genma to that extent. ,, My system would be enough to stun me for a short period of time so in a real fight they would give you a chance for a killing blow, despite their superiority in ninjitsu and taijitsu, and they would be too stunned for genjitsu." Genma excitedly finished her sentence, not expecting this turn of events.
Genma has a certain passion for poisons so he regularly develops a resistance to them, and since someone new has shown a desire for the same area, the conversation will not end.. ,, I don't think I introduced myself... Genma Shiranui." Genma said raising his hand to which Maxi responded with relief and sparkles in her eyes full of energy. ,, Maxi. Nice to meet you." And she shook hands with Genma who drifted off and tried to walk to see if the poison had completely left his body while Maxi was putting something back in her bag when Kakashi grabbed her arm seeing that held a small injection in her hand and then looked into her eyes for an answer. "It's nalaxone, an anti-opiate." she told him and he let her finish packing her things turning fully to the two shinobi with the words "Did I pass?" with hope in her voice.
"Why do you want to become a shinobi and a sensei?" Kakashi asked her demanding a serious answer from her. Genma looked at Max who was staring at a point thoughtfully thinking how to answer that question.
Maxi then raised her head and walked to the memorial stone with a stony look, placing her hand on the monument and spoke loudly so that almost the entire training ground could hear her. "I want to prevent anyone's name from appearing on this stone. To protect and heal, that's why I fight, why I want to be a shinobi. And why sensei, I want to make sure that every student who graduates from the academy is ready to face anything outside these walls, to survive." Kakashi looked at her with great surprise. And what was even crazier was every word she said was pure truth, but at the same time it was too idealistic and too good to be true..
,, Those are idealistic ideas. That's not how it works." Maxi turned to them again this time with anger and rejection in her eyes. She balled her fists into fists and marched over to them releasing small amounts of KI, which surprised the ob shinobi. She stood right in front of Kakashi with her head up and her arms crossed in front of her and said,, I know I can't save everyone, but that's no reason for not to try to save the others that I can and do what can be done. I'd rather try and fail than not try at all." Genma looked at Kakashi with a smile who just exhaled rubbing his neck in a relaxed voice, "Okay, okay you passed. I'll teach you how to control chakra." Maxi literally started jumping around them like a little kid yelling constantly, while Genma looked at her helplessly and Kakashi muttered, "I'm going to regret this."