authors note: ayy back at again with the last second author's note, fairly certain im going to keep the running bit of keeping these low effort going, admittedly this chapter only took as long because ive been particularly inspired/focused on a future chapter
still dont own Naruto sadly, big papi Kishimoto has it on lock
hope you enjoy
Rito pov
The months following my declaration quickly showed me that getting strong would be a slow process. Learning to actively manipulate my chakra field consistency largely of being beaten with a wooden stick whenever I lost focus by Miro. Once my sensing plank indicated that I was close to chakra exhaustion Miro would then shift our focus towards the more academic oftentimes quizzing me while I practiced my hand seals to help with my multitasking capabilities. It helps that with a simple thought I could instantly see what shapes my hands needed to form through my newfound connection to my clan.
To find out that the mask I had worn all those years ago was to make an imprint of my chakra so the elders could have a sealing mask made was shocking. What came as a even greater surprise was the fact that said mask had imprinted a seal upon my forehead that despite being invisible from the human eye very much so existed. To even comment on its practicality would be an understatement, given that the seal has the ability to actively transfer information whether it be a form of shared sight or as simple as saying good morning.
My enthusiasm towards training had grown by a considerable amount after learning this, however my father still held firm in his wishes to continue his project and had setup my training schedule to only take place on weekdays. Which is why I had found myself wandering towards the docks on this particularly hot afternoon, to the point that the humid air made the thought of training in my free time very distasteful.
Thankfully since receiving the seal my parents have allowed me more freedom given that if I accidentally hurt myself or fell in one of the whirlpools I would be only a thought away from the closest shinobi. Not that doing so would be an easy task since the village has chunin stationed along much of the smaller islands that sprinkled the waters surrounding Uzushiogakure.
The habit of circulating chakra to keep up a rudimentary chakra field, with only a range of give or take twenty feet has easily become one of my favorite ways to practice. The focus needed to actively manipulate my chakra field and walk, much less fight still alludes me thankfully just keeping my chakra moving allows for the watered down jutsu to work. A hurdle that my father said is natural, that with time my brain will slowly get better at processing all the new information being presented.
Even now I found myself more than often having to pause my stride when I happen upon a particularly chakra dense seal or some residual chakra in various training grounds that litter the Island. The need to process the information still puts a pause in my step, even more so with chakra I'm unfamiliar with.
Dad still suggested that I keep my Field up as long as possible, as those who awaken their mind's eye in their youth tend to be more powerful, with proper training and more time to train as they, and by extension their chakra, are still developing.
Knowing this did little to comfort the headaches that came with sadly.
Thankfully my dedication to training bared fruit when I felt a sudden burst of chakra heading my direction. I quickly launched myself into the brush that followed the path I was walking. As I was trying to free myself from said vegetation that I started hearing the sound of excessive apologizing from the direction I had felt the justu originate.
Looking back at where I had jumped, the pathway was destroyed by what looked like a large rock having ripped it's way into the ground. Realization of having nearly died had halted my attempts at freeing myself, dying barely four years into this reincarnation would be embarrassing as all hell. I haven't even had the chance to cast a proper jutsu, if one does not count my sensing capabilities.
In my current state I had barely registered being ambushed by multiple frantic Genin, if their chakra capacity's were anything to go off of. At this point my chakra field was only still going due to my panic causing my chakra to spike and stay in motion. The fact that I was currently being kidnapped in what I could only assume is their attempt at avoiding trouble was not helping.
It was only once they had stopped had the largest of this strange trio dropped me like a sack of potatoes that I finally got a good look at my captors. The largest, and probably oldest, Genin was currently tieing me to a tree while the other two, a pair of twins, were arguing over whose fault it was. Honestly whoever taught these guys about the art of kidnapping should be ashamed, the lack of controlling the flow of information and the fact that I could signal for help at a moments notice really not helping their case. The arguing only subsided once the large Genin finished tying me up ending their pointless squabbling with a firm slap to the back of both of their heads and dragging them both by the collar towards myself.
"Apologize, the both of you" the large Genin had barked out while leveling them both with a hard stare. The twins took that as their chance to plead their case with a renewed vigor that was wasted due to them talking over one another. Another fist to the skull was their reward for their pointless squabbling.
"It was Hiro's jutsu that almost hit him so why do I have to apologize" the twin on my right said, having recovered faster than his brother, who was still nursing his head on the ground.
"I don't care if it was Hiro's jutsu Takai, you were the one who deflected it without thinking about where it would land" the large Genin remarked, refuseing to accept his teammates excuse.
"Then why am I in trouble, it's not my fault his dumbass deflected my jutsu" the newly named Hiro said from his position at our feet, still nursing his head and turning to send a hard glare at his brother.
In response the opposite twin returned the glare, to the point that I could quite literally see sparks flying about while the large Genin only looked my way and silently mouthed his apologies my direction.
"... this is just so cliche..." I chuckled, the level of anime shenanigans having boiled over, the fact that I became the new subject of the twins glares did very little to stop my growing laughter. At this point it was only thanks to the rope that I did not drop to the ground as my cackling grew to near madness levels.
It was only once I grew lightheaded that I started to regain any form of composure, though I'll admit that when I saw the three Genin looking at me like I was crazy nearly set me off again.
These last few years has been relatively boring, especially compared to the modern conveniences that I had grown used to in my previous life. The elemental nations level of technology was quite absurd, with places like Yukigakure having working trains and kumo's advancements towards telecommunications.
When I had pestered dad about various details, my own foreknowledge not exactly being the most helpful given the time period, he had explained that due to Kumogakure having the largest population of lightning natured Ninja gave them a significant headstart towards harnessing electricity.
Once the lightning daimyo got his hands on said technology during the period of peace after the first great ninja war he had foolishly invited the other daimyo over in an attempt to flaunt his status. In reality all he had accomplished was essentially handing various trade secrets to the other daimyo and by extension their respective villages, well that and invoking Kumogakure's wrath in the process. He had been killed and replaced shortly after by Kumo in response to his blatant stupidity, although they had paid the price for it during the second great ninja war due to their civilian population rebelling throughout their territories needing to be constantly squashed. This by extension led to a significant lack of resources needed by kumo's army and an even larger disparity in crops given that the land of lightning having very little farmland to begin with.
And now I realize that I had completely forgotten about the Genin stand across from myself, damn Uzumaki fueled ADHD making it impossible focus on anything not related to explosions and/or seals.
Sending a quick message to the nearest chunin outpost would probably be the fastest way to resolve the situation I have found myself in. That was till I felt a large source of chakra masking itself in the trees surrounding the training ground.
"So are you three just so incompetent that you are scared of a child or is tying kids up just some sort of sick inside joke I'm not privy to" I stated whilst I still have their attention, watching the twins scramble over each other to get in my face nearly broke the neutral face I was maintaining in hopes of further agitating them.
I'll admit that the large Genin was actually a bit intimidating as he crossed his arms in response to his fists tightening, even if he chose not to respond.
"Says the snot-nosed brat" "little shit thinks he's tough" admittedly the insults were nothing compared to their hot breath assaulting my nasal cavity.
I was starting to suspect that the large Genin was in on it if his occasional glance towards the treeline was anything to go off. That just means it's time to bring my plan to fruition and hope he doesn't ruin my fun beforehand.
Taking the opportunity to spit in their eyes would teach them a lesson on personal space, especially if my little gamble worked out and now it was just a matter of who broke first.
Takai had started dry heaving while frantically wiping his eyes, Hiro however just chose to power through it with rage alone and immediately shot out a fist in response and for a moment I'll admit that I might have miscalculated as the fist grew closer.
A sharp SMACK quickly echoed throughout the field as I watched Hiro skip across the ground in the opposite direction.
Following the new, very very buff, hand back to its source from just over my right shoulder I was greeted with what I could only describe as a man so buff that he could put the raikage to shame.
"Did you really have to take it so far little one, while I understand that my Genin had it coming you could have at least tried to resolve this peacefully"
"Saw a good opportunity for a prank after I felt you hanging about, in my defense I wasn't expecting them to be so easily messed with" I quickly responded as the jonin untied me with a quick swipe of his hand, even if the fact that his bare hand cut into the wood itself like a hot knife through butter slightly terrified me.
Takai, having finished wiping his eyes, quickly chimed in "ha take that Hiro, you got what you deserved. Ginro-sensei sure taught your ass a lesson."
I barely had enough time to blink before another loud smack echoed as Ginro now stood with where his Genin had once been lying on the ground. Said Genin having been launched at his brother, who had finally managed to stand again before the both of them barrelled into the woods.
"So Takeru-kun wanna explain why I found a random civilian child tied to a post when I stopped by to check on my oh so precious Genin" Ginro stated in a tone so soft it sent chills down my spine, the fact that his hand was still in the air was all but promising a quick response as the large Genin, Takeru, quickly appeared on the ground at his Sensei's feet.
The speed at which he explained the events leading up to the present was honestly admirable. Even more so was the fact that he tanked the smack he received due to enabling his teammates antics, sure he was still on the ground holding his head but compared to the twins at least he wasn't sent flying.
"By the way, aren't you a little young to be sensor" Ginro said as he cut off my attempt at sneaking off by appearing directly in front of me.
"Yes, yes I am"
"Well I must say I really am quite impressed" Ginro responded as he grabbed me by the back of my shirt before placing me on his right shoulder "how bout I treat you to some ramen to repay you for all this nonsense."
"Ay who am I to turn down free food" a smile quickly forming on my face as I turn my head to stick my tongue out at the trio of Genin, the twins slowly limping from the forest just in time to catch sight of my taunt.
Uzukage's office
"How many times do we have to go over this Karina, I understand that you disagree with the elders decision towards your Genin yet, as I've said multiple times, it is out of my hand" Ashina firmly stated, leaving little wiggle room as his patience was starting to run thin.
Karina refusing to give even an inch quickly retaliated "And I have said make them pick again, the only kid they gave me that's even interested in kenjutsu is Nina's kid, even if I don't mind Shiro's brat given the likelihood of taking up medical ninjustu like his dad the last kid I doubt I even need to argue given his status as deadlast unless he somehow does a complete three-sixty by the time the academy finishes."
"The entire point behind giving you Nanahoshi, Shinra and Haruto is to ensure the team as a whole is balance, the elders even listened to lady Mito's suggestion for team building"
"Nanahoshi is top of the class, has a solid kenjutsu foundation whilst not leaning towards any specific style which leaves you with the ability to focus on imparting your kenjutsu skills towards, Shinra is by in large the smartest academy students we've had in years and wont need much direct guidance given his inclination towards medical ninjustu. Haruto might be on the bottom rung as far as academics go, yet he has consistently shown his talents towards various forms of espionage in the form of devastating pranks around the village, given time and motivation im sure he will at least reach chunin, maybe even tokubetsu if he takes his training seriously."
At this point Ashina was tempted to start banging his head on his desk just in hopes that Karina would finally give in, honestly how the woman could fight him on this for nearly an hour at this point alludes himself.
"Look we both know that my sealsword style is far from complete, the time spent teaching these brats is time that could be better spent further developing my own techniques and jutsu" Karina argued
"Karina, I'm growing tired of this pointless squabbling, you know as well as I do that the only reason you haven't received a squad so far is thanks to the fact that the elemental nations are currently in a fragile state of peace. In all honesty war could break out tomorrow and I would not be surprised, so yes you WILL take a Genin squad and you WILL teach them everything you can. Am I making myself clear Jonin?" As Ashina spoke he chose to bring his chakra to surge to the surface, almost begging to be challenged.
"Yes hokage-sama, I will do my best.." Karina whispered like a balloon being deflated, almost taking on the appearance of a kicked puppy "don't gotta be so mean about it..."
"Look just go home Karina, after all from what I've heard you've got your own little prodigy to deal with, hopefully he doesn't bring me as much stress as you do" taking the chance to change the topic towards young Rito, it's not every day that a toddler awakens any of the Uzumaki bloodline.
"Your telling me, honestly sometimes it feels like he already knows half the stuff I teach him, if it wasn't for his struggles with reading and writing I'd have long since thrown him in the academy. The kid could somehow understand chunin level math at barely two years old yet struggles so much with something as intuitive as honorifics and syntaxes"
"Not entirely surprising given the fact that he just pulled a fast one on Team Ginro, I can't wait to read that report given that from what I've sensed already it's bound to be quite humourous. Kid even managed to dodge a stray jutsu, even if he needs to work on his landing" Ashina having long since gotten into the habit of keeping his own chakra field surrounding Uzushiogakure proper, even if it could be a bit draining by end of day, responded.
Plus it made for a decent chakra exercise and it allows for him to more directly understand the day-to-day of the island so win-win, even if the elders advised against it saying that if he was ever needed his chakra would not be at hundred percent.
"Oho please send me a copy of that report" a giggling Karina requested whilst imagining her kid running circles around Ginro's overly confident brats