Just outside of the Togusa Shrine, on a grassy hill. The brown haired young ninja Kaza Togusa was preparing for his finals match against Gaara of the Sand. He had a lot to do and he had been already working really hard for a bit over a week.
As he stood with his sword in hand he swung it forward, cutting through the air quickly before pulling back and going with a straight thrust. His footwork and skills were getting better each and every day. He moved around quickly and in his mind he could see his foe. He swung his sword attack from different angles moving quickly to dodge what he saw as attacks to deflect them. However this was good for a normal foe. He was going against Gaara, whose attacks were not normal. Kaza knew this, but reminded himself that he had to get these basics down to have a prayer of a chance.
Hayate Gekko watched from the steps of the shrine, silently assessing the young ninja. He recognized the raw talent in Kaza but couldn't help but feel a pang of doubt. Gaara was a formidable opponent, more like a monster than a typical ninja, and even Hayate wasn't sure he could stand a chance against him in a fair fight. But seeing Kaza's dedication and hard work inspired Hayate to do all he could to help the boy. Perhaps the legendary flame sword technique could be the key, though it would be risky. The flames could potentially become a double-edged sword in battle.
As Hayate pondered this, he noticed a figure approaching the shrine. The man's presence was commanding, drawing attention with his mere appearance. Hayate had never seen this man before. He would know if he had. For this man was tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed in a meticulously maintained black and gray kimono that spoke of both elegance and strength. His short, wavy brown hair was well-kept, and a neatly trimmed goatee added to his distinguished appearance. Confidence radiated from him, both in his eyes and in his assured step, marking him as someone far from ordinary.
"Good afternoon, my good fellow," the man greeted with a polite bow, his voice smooth and cultured. "I am looking for the beautiful lady of the shrine, Masuki Togusa. It has been some years since I last saw her," he said with a grace that matched his appearance.
"Oh, um, sir, Grandma is out visiting the Daimyo about flowers today," Kaza replied, pausing his training as he turned to face the stranger. He had never seen this man before, but if he knew his grandmother, it must have been years ago, perhaps when Kaza was just a child.
"Little Kaza has grown, I see," the man remarked, his eyes scrutinizing the young ninja. A knowing smile played on his lips, as if he understood something about Kaza that no one else did. "I see it—interesting, no doubt about it," he continued in a polite but enigmatic tone. "You are Sentaku's great-grandson, for sure."
"Yes, I've read many tales about my great-grandfather. He was an amazing ninja, a true legend, and the best my clan has ever produced. Though, I must admit, some of the stories are a bit... wild to believe at face value," Kaza responded, trying to make sense of the man's cryptic words.
"Oh, my boy, they are all true—or at least that's what I believe," the man said firmly. "I am Shinshi Horosha, but you can simply call me Shin," he introduced himself with a bow. "Now, young ninja, may I make an offer?"
"What is it?" Hayate asked, curiosity piqued. The name Shinshi Horosha sounded familiar, but he couldn't place it.
"Well, my good sir, I believe I can help Kaza a great deal right now. I see the potential for greatness in him—a diamond in the rough. Someday, he may even become a ninja worthy of a legendary sparring match. I enjoy a good fight, and I believe that when this diamond fully shines, he could be the most exhilarating opponent I've ever faced," Shin said with a gleam in his eye. "A match perhaps as legendary as one with Sentaku himself. Besides, I owe his family a few favors from the past."
Hayate observed Shinshi carefully, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly as he processed the man's words. The air of confidence and elegance around Shinshi was unmistakable, and Hayate couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to this stranger. However, his focus remained on Kaza's training and what was best for the young ninja.
"I appreciate the offer, Shin," Hayate began, his tone measured. "But Kaza's training is specific to his upcoming match. I'm here to ensure he gets the preparation he needs to stand a chance against Gaara. It's not just about sparring for fun; it's about survival."
He paused, glancing at Kaza, who was listening intently. "If you truly have something to offer that can help him, then we can consider it. But understand, this isn't just about a good fight. Kaza's future as a ninja could be on the line."
Hayate's gaze returned to Shinshi, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "So, what exactly do you have in mind? How do you plan to help Kaza prepare for one of the most dangerous opponents in this tournament?"
"Well of course, if he were to die now, then I would never get the fight I want some years from now," Shin replied with a shrug. He rubbed his chin as he looked at Hayate and then towards Kaza for a moment. "Light release, fire release, lightning release, large scale attacks, quickness, trickery, proper behavior, and lastly that kid needs to put some meat on his bones, he is to small at his current size."
He turned to look at Hayate, "I might not look it but I am rather good at all elements of chakra and the use of them in fighting, and I have a lot of experience against strong foes, ones that make Gaara look like less dangerous," He said directly his tone firm, but still with a underlying politeness to it as well.
"Your knowledge and experience could be valuable, no doubt," Hayate conceded, his tone respectful but still guarded. "But Kaza's training needs to be carefully tailored to his abilities and the specific challenges he'll face against Gaara. It's not just about brute strength or flashy techniques; it's about precision, strategy, and the ability to stay calm under pressure."
He looked over at Kaza, who was listening with wide eyes, clearly eager to learn. Hayate turned back to Shinshi, crossing his arms. "If you truly believe you can help him grow stronger and more capable in a short amount of time, then I'm willing to give it a shot. But know this: if I see anything that could jeopardize his chances or safety, this partnership ends immediately."
Hayate's gaze hardened slightly. "So, Shinshi, if you're serious about helping Kaza, then let's see what you can do. Show us how you plan to turn this diamond in the rough into a warrior worthy of the Togusa name."
"Well my good sir, putting me on the spot, but I guess for the moment that sounds fine," Shin said as he paused, "Kaza, I want you to watch and I want you to try this. You are good with chakra, you have a good bit of it, far more than the normal. But you waste it greatly," Shinshi declared as he looked at him, "How about we master not only chakra control as a general practice, but how and where to use it, from your foes to your fingertips. As his chakra reached his fingertips for Shinshi, a dark black chakra that was unnatural even showed up and was very different from normal chakra. Much like how Kaza's own light release chakra was different. "This is a blessing you have, and you can't quite use this chakra like normal to make the most of it."
Hayate observed the dark black chakra that Shinshi summoned to his fingertips, instantly recognizing that it was unlike anything he'd seen before. The unusual nature of Shinshi's chakra, coupled with his suggestion about mastering chakra control and efficient usage, intrigued Hayate. It was clear that Shinshi's methods were unconventional, but there was wisdom in his words.
Kaza, on the other hand, watched with wide eyes, clearly captivated by the display. His own light release chakra was something he had always struggled to fully harness, and the idea that Shinshi might be able to help him better control and utilize it was exciting.
"Chakra control is crucial, especially when dealing with unique types of chakra like yours," Hayate began, nodding in agreement with Shinshi's point. "The better you can control your chakra, the more efficient you'll be in battle. You won't just be throwing out attacks—each move will be precise, calculated, and impactful."
He turned to Kaza, who was still fixated on the dark chakra at Shinshi's fingertips. "Kaza, pay close attention to what he's saying. Learning how to channel your chakra effectively could be the difference between victory and defeat, especially against someone as formidable as Gaara."
Shinshi's polite yet firm tone added a layer of gravity to the situation, making it clear that this wasn't just a casual lesson. There was something significant about the way he approached chakra control, and Hayate could see that Kaza was already eager to try.
"Show us how it's done, Shinshi," Hayate said, his voice steady. "If you can help Kaza master his chakra in a way that enhances his strengths and mitigates his weaknesses, then we'll see just how far he can go."
Shinshi moved with effortless grace as he demonstrated the technique to Kaza. He positioned the boy in the correct stance and guided him in drawing out the light chakra that resided within him. As Shinshi explained, he detailed how Kaza had previously unleashed it during his solar flare move—a powerful technique that allowed him to burst forward with incredible speed. The key, Shinshi emphasized, was in how the chakra wasn't just expelled from the feet but enveloped the entire body, cutting through drag and other elements to make Kaza nearly one with the light itself.
"It's more of a blessing from some divine being—perhaps a certain Spirit of Light—than a mere source of chakra," Shinshi mused, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips as he looked at Kaza. "Maybe it's designed to mimic chakra in some ways, but who can say? The divine has its own methods, after all."
Kaza listened intently, his concentration evident as he attempted to replicate the technique. Shinshi's tone, polite yet carrying an undercurrent of confidence, conveyed both wisdom and experience.
"You won't master this in three and a half weeks," Shinshi continued, "but we should aim to make you strong enough to stand your ground against that sand demon. Give him a fight he won't see coming, and for you—a fight that will push you toward continued growth."
Watching and listening. He noticed that Shinshi was different. That the elegance in Shinshi's manner was reminiscent of someone who had faced countless battles and come out the other side with a deep understanding of the world. His calm demeanor was soothing, yet his words carried the weight of someone who knew exactly what needed to be done.
Shinshi eagerly anticipated his upcoming meeting with Masuki. It had been over a decade since he last saw the talented botanist, and he looked forward to reconnecting with her. Masuki's expertise and sharp intellect were rare and enjoyable to engage with.
As he observed Kaza, Shinshi noted the stark differences between himself and Sentaku Togusa. Yet, he also recognized certain similarities. Sentaku had been one of the few individuals who had truly given Shinshi a fight worthy of the term. The legendary hero's prowess and even the circumstances of his death had become the stuff of legends. Shinshi's smile betrayed his excitement, though he kept his emotions in check. He saw a divine purpose in this opportunity to guide Kaza, and he felt a deep sense of responsibility to help the young Togusa prepare for his battle against the formidable One-Tailed Jinchuriki. Shinshi was determined to channel his own experiences into ensuring that Kaza would not only rise to the challenge but surpass expectations.