Second Volume: Disaster & Aftermath
Standing on the large stone in the middle of the training spot, Shin observed the intense spar between Hiro and Akiko below. They exchanged rapid punches and kicks, their speed increasing with each move.
"They're getting faster and faster," Shin noticed.
"Alright, break!" Shin called out.
Exhausted, Akiko and Hiro backed away and plopped down on their bottoms. Their training had been rigorous since the previous month, gradually increasing in intensity, ending in evening sparring sessions. Akiko had even faced off against Shin a few times but had been defeated every single time.
As Akiko watched the boy younger than himself, he looked at Shin, 'His muscles seem bigger. He has been training this whole time. Was he holding back when he fought me?'
Shin jumped down from the rock and landed in front of him, increasing Akiko's frustration. He asked, "Shin! Are you holding back when you fight with me?"
Surprised by the question, Shin replied, "No, Aki, why would you think that?"
"Yeah, right," Akiko snorted in disbelief.
"Calm down, Big bro, you gotta beat me first before you challenge Shin again. We always have a tie", Hiro interjected, offering a smile to ease the tension.
"Yeah... I guess," Akiko muttered.
"Hmm... it's about time. You two go back, I'll join you soon in the evening," Shin said.
"I'm not done," Akiko declared defiantly.
"Yeah, you are. It won't help anyone if you push your body to the point of pain from extra exercise," Shin replied, narrowing his eyes.
"No, I can do more training today. Hiro, let's go for another run. This time, I'll beat you."
"Yeah, let's go, big brother," Hiro agreed enthusiastically.
Both looked expectantly at Shin, who sighed and then relented.
"Alright, just one run. Be back in twenty minutes, and then head home. I'm leaving now."
With that, Shin left, leaving the two boys to continue on their own.
"Big brother, have you noticed that Shin has been growing more serious every day?" Hiro asked.
"Yeah," Akiko replied, clearly downcast, and turned his attention away.
The two boys started running. Hiro attempted to speak again while running, but he realized his brother was not paying attention.
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Arriving at a location filled with interconnected, towering trees, Shin practiced the art of tree climbing, pushing himself to go faster and faster. With each leap, he adjusted the chakra in his legs, ensuring a seamless transition from one tree to another. He dedicated twenty minutes to this exercise before halting near a small pond. The recent rainfall had transformed a large crater, likely caused by a powerful jutsu, into a serene water-filled basin.
Deciding to practice his water walking skills, Shin focused his attention on the pond. For the next forty minutes, he honed his ability to adjust his chakra and effortlessly walked atop the water's surface.
"Okay now, lets try leaf concentration while on water", Shin decided.
He sat on the water. While moving to sit in the correct posture for the exercise i.e. Sitting with both legs off to the right and the left side of the hips on the floor. He tried to concentrate. But just as he started, Shin lost the control of chakra in the legs and drowned. Swimming to the bank, He contemplated and removed his clothes and tried again, many times. finally succeeding to enter the meditation posture but only for five minutes.
Following that, he took a rubber ball from his backpack and tried the next phase of the Rasengan training.
"The ball`s thickness is greater than the balloon. It`s very hard to put my chakra inside. to say nothing about rotating it then", Realizing the difficulty, Shin ended the training after twenty minutes. The remaining hour was filled with Wind nature training. Satisfied with his progress in Nature training, He mumbled, "I should be able to immediately learn elemental jutsus almost right away, once I join the ninja academy."
Ending the exercise on a positive note, Shin made his way back to the orphanage.
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Hokage Mansion,
Biwako and Hiruzen were currently sitting across from Minato and Kushina. The previous Hokage wore a weary expression.
"Kushina, There is something important that i must explain to use about giving birth, as a Jinchuriki".
Both Minato and Kushina looked to the Third in a serious manner.
With a grim voice, the Third continued, "It was the same way with Lady Mito... when she gave birth, the Nine-Tails seal almost came completely undone... I apologize, but considering the severity of the scenario, we have decided to have you give birth inside a barrier seal away from the village".
Kushina eyes became despondent until Minato took her hand and reassured with a smile," Dont worry, I'll be there too". He faced Hiruzen and said,"I do have to monitor the seal anyway"
"Minato and Taji of the Anbu will be there with you along with my wife Biwako...This must be done in absolute secrecy". Hiruzen stopped and then continued,"There will also be Anbu Black Ops deployed there included ones from my guard unit"
Minato placed his hand over Kushina,"I`ll go set up every thing immediately"
Kushina nodded lovingly.
As Minato left the room, Biwako addressed Kushina,"I`ll guide you there in the evening. get ready"
Noticing the lack of response, Biwako said harshly,"Kushina!"
"Yes , Lady Biwako"
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In the evening, Mikoto was returning from the market with a baby in her arms when suddenly she saw an old friend.
Kushina walked slowly due to the pregnancy with Biwako in the lead. Mikoto bowed a little greeting Lady Biwako and turned to Kushina.
"Wow...you had a girl" Kushina asked with a happy face.
"No, its a boy", Mikoto replied happily.
Kushina made a baby face at the little one,"Ooh, what your name handsome?"
"His name is Sasuke Uchiha", replied Mikoto while carresing the baby`s face.
"Was he named after my husband' father?",
"Yes lady Biwako. It is after Lord Third`s father so that he will grow to become a powerful shinobi just like him", Mikoto replied respectfully then turned to Kushina,"You`re due soon too, right?.
"You ought to start thinking about baby names as well. "
Kushina said while ruffling the baby`s hair, "Well, we have already decided, we are going to call him Naruto. He will be classmate with little Sasuke here... I hope you to get along"
She then made a horrified face and asked Mikoto as if whispering, "By the way, does it really hurt like they say?"
Mikoto beamed with eyes closed, "Wow, so there is actually something that scares you...Shocking..."
Biwako pulled Kushina`s hands before she could answer, "Come Kushina"
After going a few distance away,"The details of your birth are supposed to be kept a secret, remember. Until we get to the location, You must avoid all contact with anyone from outside."
Laughing nervously, Kushina nodded.
"Also, since this is suppose to be highly covert, try to not cry out during your labour"
"Oh, yes Ma'am. I understand",Kushina assured to the older woman who still looked skeptical.
The two woman continued on the journey. A pair of malevolent eyes observed the scene from a narrow alley.
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Elsewhere in the Leaf, a man in the mask came out of the Uchiha clan compounds and start moving away from the village. During the course of the previous six months, he had kept a thourough eye on the movements of the current Jinchuriki of the Nine Tails and the Anbu, while avoiding the Fourth Hokage. He had gone in and out of the Uchiha clan to look at the Stone tablet in the Nakano Shrine a few times as well confirming what he learned from the elder.
With a single swift teleportation, he departed the confines of the Leaf village, materializing near to the secret location. From a vantage point high above, he fixated his eerie, red eye on a small opening carved into the mountain just beyond the village's borders. The eye gleamed in the dark as if signifying his identity. He checked the seals he had prepared before and confirmed all was in order.
Suddenly he heard a loud noise echoing across the entire forest," AaaaaAAAhh, It hurts, you know".
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Author Note:
Hello guys, Sorry for this very long Hiatus. It just couldn`t be helped due to many unforeseen circumstances. Thankyou for your patience. For now I cannot promise a steady update, Howeve i`ll try to write as much as I can during my free time.
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