Hiroshi's POV
I look at the figure of my son fighting Sakumo with moves I don't recognize anywhere in the Elemental Nations. I am honestly surprised by his Krav Maga and Capoeira, or whatever he calls them.
Their styles look like some moves from the Cloud Village but not exactly. I haven't seen enough of their moves in action, so I don't know. Maybe I will ask him about it later.
"I didn't know he was that talented," Ayaka suddenly said, intrigued while still looking at the fight.
"Did you?" I rhetorically respond.
"...," she remains silent.
"We both know damn well that's not true, right?" I pause a moment and continue, "He was stronger, better, and smarter than any kids his age. And as for his talent? Do you even need to question that?" I ask.
"You forgot that he doesn't have chakra, so what's the point of all that you said, Hiroshi?" she asks back and continues, "The most he could achieve in his life is only a peak genin, and that too, I doubt it," she says without much emotion on her face, but I know she's sad.
"True, but I still have faith, Ayaka. I mean, maybe he'll pull something off his ass, you know. Don't you know how stubborn he is when it comes to his martial arts thingy?" I say and look at her.
"Do you really want our son to die that badly?!" she asks with slight anger.
"On the contrary, I just want him to be successful in whatever he wants to do and be there for him, you know."
"I too want that, but don't you know how the world outside these walls works? In a cruel world like that, he will die in an instant. What can he do against a ninja who is hell-bent on killing him, hmm? Tell me!"
"Then you think it's safe inside these walls?!" I ask, locking my eyes with her.
"...," she falls silent.
"He'll need strength in whatever he wants to do!"
"It's impossible," she says.
"I don't care. Even if it's a peak genin or not, he needs it. I am a Jonin with many missions on my hands. If someday I will not be there to protect you two, at least he and you could have enough power at that time to do it yourselves!" I say, looking down at the ground stoically.
"..."
Then I look up to see my son in a new stance I don't recognize as well. To my surprise, he gets faster than before and lands a hit on Sakumo's abdomen. I look at Ayaka to see her reaction, and she has the same bewildered expression as me. I look back at the battle for a while until it reaches a point where they exchange punches and kicks, but weirdly, Garou's taijutsu only uses arms for offense and his whole body for defense.
After some time, Garou gets hit in the cheek, much to my surprise. 'He could dodge, so why did he not ?' I ask myself, confused.
Then, again, much to my surprise, he just welcomes the hits on his body without dodging, as his face and body show signs of damage Ayaka's hand twitches, but I grab it and shake my head, so she won't interfere because this fight will decide his future.
I become concerned when he gets on all fours, his blood and some broken teeth come out of his mouth but quickly suppress my emotions.
"Do something, Hiroshi!!" Ayaka mutters urgently.
"Wait!! I have a feeling something will happen," I reply to ayaka while nodding at Sakumo who was looking at me so to ask if i wanted him to continue .
Then garou stands up and goes back to his stance. everything was normal until he looks up, and I see his expression.
"Hmm?!"
That's when, for the first time in my life, I'm so shocked that words couldn't come out of my mouth!
I watch my son move and hit Sakumo in the stomach with Chunin-level speed, sending him flying meters away and coughing blood.
I look at my son with my eyes popping out, mouth hanging open. 'What the actual fuck?!' I thought, shocked before turning serious, preparing to stop him at any moment because if that expression means anything then i don't think he's human anymore.
I look at Sakumo, who was having difficulty deciding to take this seriously and use chakra or not . He looks at me and gives me a sign to act, and I nod.
Then he renders my son unconscious. But before I approach his prone body, I hear, "Hey, Hiro." I look at Ayaka, and...
"Am I a bad mother?!" she asks, tears trickling down her face as she looks at the ground.
I grit my teeth and approach my monster of a kid. Sakumo is about to open his mouth, but I raise my arm at him, and "Later," I say, and he nods.
"You didn't see anything here, alright? So don't inform anyone, not even the Hokage," I add sternly while looking at his struggling face before he nods, much to my relief. I don't want that monkey and rat to know anything and stick their noses in my family's business.
I pick up my son's body and slowly get inside our house then put him in his bed. After doing so, I come out to look for Ayaka, and I find her in the living room, sitting on the couch, looking at the ceiling with a dazed expression.
'Sighhh, what a drag,' I thought.
I sit beside her, opening my mouth to say something but nothing comes out . I don't know why i am taking this Well, maybe because i have seen much worse in my life or because i know how my son is and have faith that nothing can affect him moving forward.
" can i come inside uncle hiroshi ? " i hear sakumo call outside the room .
" You can sakumo "
* slide *
He opens the door to our living room and comes in then start approaching the couch opposite me and ayaka until he sits on it and look around before his eyes lock onto mine.
He opens his mouth a few times before " is he really a kid ? " ask worriedly .
" You are kidding right ?! " i ask with a deadpan expression .
" ha.ha well, he was scary as hell so i didn't know what to say ! " he awkwardly replied while smiling and scratching his head .
Then he turns serious again " i don't know uncle but i don't think that a kid could have that kind of expression, i have seen that expression on ... "
" on a war ninja who is long dead inside, right ? " i complete what he wanted to say .
" exactly ! "
" i really don't know but... " i look at ayaka and continue " but we don't really need to get that concerned that much. As far as i know my own kid then he is probably fine i guess, maybe he is just acting ? "
Sakumo looks at me unconvinced " uncle, i don't really think something like that can be possible . Only someone who has lost it all can make that face . they are just moving puppets ready to slaughter uncle AND he is only a kid !! "
" I know sakumo but what can we do now ? We first need him to wake up and then check if there's anything wrong with him, so let's just wait until he does and see " i replied tiredly not really wanting to continue .
" then do as you see fit uncle, you are older and more experienced " he said before standing up and ready to leave ." Thank you for your hospitality ayaka-san uncle " he said as he bowed and slowly started to go out .
But before he left my sight " i didn't want to ask you this when you came back but can you tell me, where my brother is ?! "
The End