Chapter 13
Utakata looked at the money he had received for his work in the past four months. Most credit was given for defeating the Cloud Shinobi to the clan members as they ambushed them. It didn't matter that only a third of Utakata's unit survived because they were late or that Utakata and his unit did the most work.
In the end, for all his efforts, Utakata received money and a pat on the shoulder for a job well done. He didn't expect anything more, but it felt like the death of his comrades and killing the innocents was meaningless. But what could he do? Enjoy his vacation for a few days before he was sent to another battlefield?
What was the point of all of this anyway? To cling to a pointless dream of a better life? Utakata had trained himself to the end of breaking. He risked his life many times in the battles, and for what? For life, he should have been provided to begin with. It was unfair, and Utakata knew a long time ago that it was unfair. Yet knowing didn't make it any easier.
"Utakata?"
Utakata looked up to see an old man with long and straight black hair wearing glasses. He had a long mustache split under the nose. He didn't look special, but Utakata could feel strong chakra coming from the man. It wasn't near Yagura's, but it was still powerful enough to make Utakata cautious of the man.
"Yes, sir," Utakata replied and tried to find out what the stranger wanted with him.
"My name is Harusame. I don't have a last name," The stranger introduced himself to me. "But you shall call me master."
"Master?" Utakata asked, confused.
"I heard many things about you," Harusame said. "A kid that could keep up with seasoned shinobi. One of the few survivors of the mission in the Land of the Frost, you recently even participated in a bloody battle near Paradise Isles. I only heard good things about you, young man. Strong, dependable, and loyal."
"I only did my duty as a shinobi of the Mist," Utakata replied, getting nervous as the man spoke.
"And you did it very well," Harusame responded with a disarming smile. "So, I decided to take you under my wing and teach you personally."
"Teach me for what?" Utakata couldn't trust the stranger.
"For upcoming battles," Harusame answered. "Don't worry. The village has recognized your talent and wants to nurture it further. And so, I was chosen to teach you."
If Utakata had a choice, he probably would have refused it. Firstly, he didn't feel like he needed a teacher, and secondly, there was no way Utakata could trust the man. He didn't know what the village and the man wanted from him. Utakata suspected that the man was here to watch over him rather than teach him, but he didn't have a choice.
"I would gladly accept your teachings, master Harusame," Utakata stated. He bowed his head to hide his bearing teeth as he tried to hide his anger for the village.
"Good, I know you live in the inn, so let's go to my house," Harusame said. "You will be staying with me for a while."
Utakata nodded and followed his new master, who came out of nowhere. Utakata could tell that a new chapter of his life was coming. He didn't know what it would bring, but it couldn't be anything worse than he had already experienced. Whatever the village wanted from him, he would provide for them, but he had to start to think for himself, too.
…
Utakata was expecting to be watched by his new master as he trained. Probably to find any secrets he might have. Utakata had none besides his sensing abilities and being reborn into this world. He learned his ninjutsu from the scrolls he bought, and he learned taijutsu in the academy. But it didn't matter as Harusame wasn't here to watch over him. He was here to teach him.
It shocked Utakata that Harusame patiently taught him. Not only taijutsu but everything else, too. Advanced chakra control, new ninjutsu, and even genjutsu. Utakata still didn't trust him as he waited to see the façade break and reveal another instructor who wanted to brainwash him into serving the village to his death.
It never happened. Harusame didn't try to preach about the village like it was the greatest thing in the world. He barely talked about the village and only taught him about its history. He mostly talked about the first and the second Mizukage, but apart from that, he said that Utakata should make his conclusions on the village.
"Your affinity with water jutsu is quite extraordinary, Utakata," Harusame commented on Utakata's use of water jutsu.
"Thank you, master," Utakata replied.
"You know it was not always like this," Harusame said. "After seeing the Leaf and other villages being built, the first Mizukage went through all the clans to convince them to do the same. Not many initially agreed, but with his brilliant mind and extraordinary strength, he convinced most clan leaders to join him in his endeavors."
"It sounds like strength always mattered to the village," Utakata replied.
"Not like this," Harusame responded with a cold tone. "Before the Third Mizukage took control of the village, the strength of the individual was respected, never feared. The Second Mizukage made the village prosper during his rule. New jutsu were created at all times. Even clans and shinobi from outside the village decided to join the village because it had so much promise back then. And the Second Mizukage magnanimously embraced the new members of the village."
"But then he died," Utakata commented.
"Yes, in a meaningless battle with the Stone village," Harusame said. "I still think it was a trap for both the Second Mizukage and the Second Tsuchikage. But it doesn't matter; what I am trying to say is that the village has changed over the years, but it can change again. You don't need to be a weapon for the village, Utakata."
Utakata didn't respond to Harusame and continued with his training. He couldn't understand his master. What did Harusame want from him? Was he testing him? Utakata didn't know, but it disturbed him. Utakata stayed with Harusame only for a few days, so it was hard to see through him. Utakata will have to observe him more to make any conclusion.
Something was different about Harusame. Utakata could feel he was powerful, but he didn't give off a feeling of a murderer like Yagura or Zabuza. The old man was always calm and looked like nothing could disturb him. Utakata hasn't seen such a man in the village yet. So, the question was, why did the old man take Utakata under his wing? What was the village planning with him?
…
Utakata was very suspicious now. After a week of being trained by Harusame, he waited for someone to come and call him back to the battlefield, but no one came. The longest he got to rest was three days after deployment. A week was too long of a vacation. Was something coming up, a battle that Utakata would be needed? But that made no sense. At best, he was average in strength in the village.
Still, he couldn't complain. Harusame has trained him well. He has trained Utakata in techniques such as silent movement, camouflage, and hiding in various environments. These skills would allow Utakata to move undetected, gather information, or execute surprise attacks. If that were the end of the training, Utakata would believe that the village wanted him to become an assassin and be sent to dangerous places to kill essential people.
It wasn't the end of the training. It was only the beginning. Once Utakata mastered the basics, he was introduced to tactical thinking. Harusame taught Utakata about analyzing opponents, identifying their weaknesses, and developing strategies to exploit them. Utakata learned to assess situations and make informed choices during battles or missions.
At this point, Utakata was creeped out. Why would someone like him need to learn something like this? It was way more advanced than what he was taught in the academy. Did the village want him to take leadership of a unit someday? But he was still too young and inexperienced for a team to follow him. And most importantly, he didn't belong to any clan. Utakata didn't like how much Harusame cared for him.
It would be easier for Utakata to handle it if Harusame was like every other instructor and yelled at him for failing to meet expectations. But Harusame was always patient, helping Utakata when he couldn't understand or do something. It was an unfamiliar feeling, and it only made Utakata more suspicious of the true reason why Harusame took him as his student.
"You are progressing faster than I expected," Harusame said. "But I think you are pushing yourself too much. Take tomorrow off and rest."
"I am fine, master," Utakata replied.
"Resting is part of the training," Harusame responded with a firm tone. "You won't get weaker if you rest for one day. Sleep longer, walk around the village or something. Your body and mind will thank it later."
Utakata didn't have a choice but to agree. He still had money he hadn't spent from the previous mission. He also wanted to try out that expensive sushi restaurant for the longest time. And he started to outgrow his clothes. It was time to buy a change. Yet Utakata didn't think that he could relax too much.
Doing as his master had asked, Utakata went to sleep early and woke the next day late into the morning. It was a long time since he had time to laze around. He still remembered living in an orphanage and liking to sleep to preserve his strength. But ever since the academy, he had no leisure to do so. It felt good to sleep without worry. Utakata didn't need to think about how to cram as much training as possible in one day before he was deployed to the battlefield.
Today, he didn't need to think of anything. Maybe his life was starting to change for the better, finally. Utakata didn't even think of training today and just walked around the village. He went to buy some new clothes and tools before visiting some shops. Finally, he went to that sushi place. It was good, but not worth the extra money.
He did everything he wanted, and not even half of the day had passed. Sitting on a bench in a remote place with not many people around, Utakata started to think about what he was doing with his life. Is this the better life he wanted all this time? It was nice, but what was beyond it? Is this the reason why he killed innocent and defenseless people? The reason he had to suffer so much?
It felt empty. Was his life always so empty? Utakata didn't know anymore. All he knew was how to kill and survive. But even so, Utakata knew he couldn't stop now. He needed to go forward, even if he started to doubt himself. Whatever Harusame wanted to do with Utakata, he didn't care. As long as it makes him stronger, it doesn't matter what happened to him.
He was a shinobi and a weapon for the village to do as they wished. Utakata only now realized it. There was no meaning to his life apart from this. He will have to cut enemies of the village and be satisfied with it. Otherwise, there would be no meaning to his existence. Utakata was fully aware that the village wanted this from him. But what other choice did Utakata have but to accept it?
Wasn't it easier to accept his destiny and go with the flow? There was no reason for Utakata to push himself anymore. He only needed to survive and kill. There was no point in thinking anything further than that. With these thoughts in his mind, Utakata returned to Harusame's place. His master was surprised to see Utakata return so soon. Utakata could tell that Harusame was somehow disappointed in him.
"It is still early. Are you sure you don't want to spend more time resting?" Harusame asked.
"I see no need for that," Utakata replied.
"Very well," Harusame responded with a sigh. "I wished for you to change, but it seems you are unwilling."
"It seems you are misunderstanding something, master," Utakata replied. "I am what the village wants me to be."
"A mindless weapon?" Harusame asked.
"That is the only way for people like me."
"If that is so, I can't stop them anymore," Harusame replied, and Utakata tried to understand what Harusame meant by it. "Tell me, Utakata, do you know what a tailed beast is?"
A.N. With this chapter, I finished reuploading the fanfic from FF.net. Now, I will be updating this story once a week. If you want up to seven chapters, check my Patreon at patreon.com/Ironwolf852.