Ashura didn't have a problem with this arrangement as long as it benefited him, and didn't hold him back.
Mentally he was 30 years old. No child would be his opponent. So he didn't want to outright bully the kid, or slow his progress down to spare Kakashi's feelings.
"Okay so today we've decided to access your natural fighting prowess as well as unlock your chakra. Kiyoshi said, while putting his hand on Ashura's shoulder.
"Now I'll let Sakumo explain Chakra to you to begin with. He said, as Sakumo moved forward.
"Alright, Chakra is essential to even the most basic technique; it is the moulding of the physical energy present in every cell of the body and the spiritual energy gained from exercise and experience."Sakumo began.
"Once moulded, it can be channeled through the chakra circulatory system, which is to chakra as the regular circulatory system is to blood, to any of the 361 chakra points (called tenketsu) in the body. Through various methods, the most common of which is hand seals, the chakra can then be manipulated to create an effect that would not be possible otherwise, such as walking on water, exhaling fire or creating illusions.
By moulding different ratios of the two energies, new types of chakra can be formed. Most ninja have a natural affinity to one type of chakra, but they have the capacity to create elemental chakra apart from their own affinity.
"How many affinities are there?" Ashura said, his curiosity getting the best of him.
Sakumo just smiled at the boy's eagerness.
"There are five basic types, each stronger and weaker to another, but their relations, weaknesses, and strengths to each other are all explored. There is also the dealing of Yin and Yang and the balance of mental and physical energies.
In addition to these five elements, certain kekkei genkai (inherent bloodlines) can mix elemental chakra to form new natures, for example it is possible to mix water and wind into ice. While many ninja can use more than one type of chakra, very few are able to use them simultaneously."
Sakumo watched as both his son and Ashura were digesting the information.
Kakashi was the next to speak.
"How do you know which affinities you have? And are some better than others? " Kakashi asked, while giving Ashura a sly side glance.
Ashura would've gotten a little annoyed at this, but he was too surprised that another child seemed to be as mature as he was. The way he spoke made it seem as if he was older than he was. Maybe he wouldn't have to hold back as much after all.
Sakumo looked at Kiyoshi, and Kiyoshi then stepped in and answered the question.
"The way to determine affinities is easy. There is a special tree that is sensitive to chakra, and reacts in very distinct ways when a chakra current is passed through it.
We take these trees and make chakra paper. The paper retains the ability of the tree, and is more convenient to carry around. After you unlock your chakra we plan to test both of you for your affinities." Kiyoshi said, while taking out some of the paper to use as an example.
Sakumo walked forward and took over. "Now I want you both to sit down in a lotus position, and visualize your chakra pathways inside you. Close your eyes and follow my voice.
Ashura sat and did exactly as he said.
"Now imagine your chakra as a ball of energy that resides in your abdomen, right above the naval.
"Kakashi, imagine that the mass of energy is rotating counter-clockwise.
Ashura for you Imagine that it is rotating clockwise."
Ashura was very curious to know how Sakumo knew which direction they both respectively should rotate their chakra. However, he decided not to question it and just did as he asked.
"Feel it rotating slowly. Now, while keeping your respective chakra rotations in mind, I want you to imagine that energy circulating all throughout your body.
From the tips of your fingers and toes, all the way to the top of your head, make sure nothing is left out."
Both Ashura and Kakshi seemed to go into a trance as they visualized their own respective Chakras and began to circulate it.
Ashura felt it fairly quickly. It was the only thing about this body that was different from the one in his last life, so he was able to pinpoint it.
Kakashi took a little while longer to find it, but he wasn't much slower than Ashura had been.
Then Ashura did as Sakumo-Sensei had said and started to imagine his chakra mass distributing itself throughout his body in a clockwise manner.
Usually unlocking your chakra for the first time takes quite some time, so Sakumo and Kiyoshi were getting ready to sit on the stoop to wait.
However, as soon as they turned their back to walk away they both felt one of the boys chakra release. It was Kakashi! He released his chakra first, and it was quite decent for his age, being almost at genin level.
The boy opened his eyes with a smirk and looked at Ashura still circulating his chakra with a focused expression. Kakashi looked over to his father with a triumphant look, while Sakumo gestured to him to look back at Ashura.
As soon as he glanced at his unknowingly self-proclaimed rival, The child had unlocked his chakra as well. Kakashi's expression went from an eye smirk to one of shock, because he didn't expect Ashura to be able to keep up with his progress.
His father had told him that Ashura might be a possible rival for him, but Kakashi had been skeptical at the time.
Ashura opened his eyes and looked at Kakashi giving him a smirk of his own. Kakashi just returned his smirk with a huff and stood up.
'What kid? You can dish but can't take it.' He thought to himself.
Ashura stood up as well and with expectation in his eyes he walked towards his two Sensei.
"So do we get check affinities now?" Kakashi spoke in a bored tone. However you could see the excitement dancing in his eyes.
Kiyoshi looked to Sakumo with a knowing smile.
"Not quite yet I'm afraid." Sakumo pulled out his white chakra saber with a practiced motion that sent a chill down Ashura's spine.
He then walked out 10 feet into roughly the middle of the courtyard and stuck the tip of his blade into the earth, and drew a perfect circle about 4 meters across.
"We first want to assess your natural skill in taijutsu.
Sheathing his Chakra Blade in a swift motion he continued.
After you spar, we will show you Shurikenjustu and how to properly throw kunai. When you show a solid understanding in the basics, only then will we test your affinities.
Both Kakashi and Ashura deflated a little upon hearing that.
However, remembering all the skills they would be learning their attitudes did a quick 180.
"Now remember while this is just a friendly spar don't be afraid to try your best. We will be here to interfere if anything goes too far." Kiyoshi said in a serious tone.
You always want to try your best when attacking, even in a spar. Although, your intention should never be to cripple or fatally injure a comrade." Sakumo added in an equally serious tone.
"Now enter the training circle and we will show you how to do the seal of confrontation and the seal of reconciliation.
Once they learned it, Sakumo moved to the side of the ring to act as the ref.
Kakashi settled into a natural fighting stance that evenly balanced his weight, while Ashura decided to take it easy on the kid so he mirrored his style. He just got a little lower.
Raising his hand and making sure that both children were ready. Sakumo lowered his hand and quickly jumped outside of the circle.
The two studied each other for a few moments, however it was Kakashi that moved first.
He quickly dashed at Ashura to enter his guard, and then threw a few jabs and a spinning back kick to test out his opponent. Ashura responded by dodging each and every strike at the last moment using the fighting experience from his last life.
Even without his spider powers he still had more combat experience than this kid even though strength and speed wise they were evenly matched.
Deciding that Kakashi barrage had gone on long enough Ashura feinted with a roundhouse kick that Kakashi tried to block, however at the last moment Peter used the momentum to drop down and deliver a sweep kick that Kakashi wasn't prepared for.
It landed successfully and knocked Kakashi off of his feet, but much to Ashura's surprise he embraced the momentum and used it to sideways somersault and land on his feet, although a bit off balance.
Ashura was surprised while Kakashi did a mocking eye smile as if to say "That's all you got?"
Ashura smiled and decided to stop holding back so much.
I'm gonna show him why I was called the human spider….I mean well you know what I mean.
Ashura locked eyes with Kakashi and got low to the ground and took his trademark fighting stance.
Legs spread wide in a low side lunge with his arms spread for balance.
Kiyoshi's eyes narrowed as he watched his son. He had never seen a stance like that before, and better yet it didn't look suited for combat. Too much strain on the legs and you need ridiculous flexibility to comfortably maintain it.
Sakumo didn't look surprised, only Intrigued..
'What does blondie have up his sleeve?' He thought, as he watched the fight.
Kakashi didn't know what to make of Ashura new stance, but besides it looking ridiculous it didn't really come off as threatening so he decided to keep pushing the pace and attack.
He dashed at Ashura with even greater speed than before and immediately went for a flying kick aimed at Ashura torso.
'Oooh bad move Kakashi.' Sakumo thought. Even though it may look ridiculous, his stance makes sure his center of gravity is as low as humanly possible, and although he's a bit shaky he looks comfortable enough in that stance to have decent enough flexibility to react.
Ashura saw Akashi go for the flying kick and smirked.
He rolled under the kick, and while Kakashi was still in the air he grabbed the back of Kakashi's collar to further destabilize him.
'At worst he will land on his back and have the air knocked out of him, ending with my win. However, he's just a kid, no need to really hurt him.
Ashura, certain of his victory, was already prepared to help stop Kakashi's momentum and help him land safely.
Kakashi was taken by surprise by Ashura's maneuver and when he felt himself being pulled backward knew the fight was over.
But he didn't want to lose! Not in front of his father.
So he tried to use the momentum once again to flip to his feet. Although, He soon discovered that he couldn't, and his little adjustment in the air had rotated him head down, he could tell Ashura was trying to help him land safely but wasn't quite strong enough.
At this rate he would land headfirst!
Chapter 6: Can't fight the feeling.