[Over at the training ground]
Kenshin channeled wind chakra into the blade, slashing onto a large boulder in front of him. Although his movements weren't very precise, the sheer force and cutting power of a wind chakra infused katana sliced through the boulder like a hot knife through butter.
"Damn! I don't think I'll have any problem with power. Then I'll practice without infusing chakra. That way I can work on my sword skills."
For the next hour, Kenshin practiced his sword swings until he could hit the same exact spot ten times in a row.
Suddenly, he felt something coming at him. He instinctively blocked it with the katana and then realized it was a kunai.
He heard a clapping sound from behind a tree and saw Maki come out from behind it.
"That was pretty good. You have pretty good reflexes." Maki said, smiling softly.
"This is my training ground. I use it, alongside your sister. And when I saw it all messed up after returning I was curious as to who cut down so many trees and stuff.
So I waited until you came. And when I saw you infusing chakra into that sword, I felt like watching you train. So what's up?"
"Nothing really." Kenshin shrugged.
"By the way, I've been curious. Why are you so chill around me? I'm a shinobi from another village, and it's the hidden rain of all villages. And you didn't seem too concerned about nee-san's relationship with me."
"That's because, I know about your past life. I've known Akane since we were five. I know everything about her. Including her past life. So the night I met you, she told me that she was in love with you.
And while we were on mission these past couple of days, she told me the whole story. How you realized that she was the reincarnated Mary after reading her diary and how you told her the truth about yourself.
And as much as I feel disturbed at the prospect of siblings having an incestuous relationship, I understand that it's better for you two to be in a relationship like that because it'll be hard for you to stay away from each other because of your past life's memory.
And besides, Akane is like a sister to me too. And it's my job to support her. I trust her judgement. Because she isn't the type to just fall in love with anyone." Maki explained, her expression calm but clearly uneasy.
Suddenly, her expression turned cold. "But remember, if you hurt her, I'll make sure you regret it. I feel nothing towards you, not yet. So I will not hesitate to kill you if I have to. For the leaf, and for Akane."
The tension hung heavy in the air but suddenly her expression changed again. "So as long as you don't do that, we'll get along just fine. Okay?" Maki reached her hand out, and Kenshin shook it firmly.
'It seems I need to earn their trust with my actions.' Kenshin thought, a few beads of cold sweat forming in his forehead.
"You were training right? How about I help you out? I'm pretty good at taijutsu." Maki suggested.
"I don't think it's a bad idea. But are you sure?" Kenshin asked, trying to act normal.
"Look kid, if you can land a single good hit on me then I'll treat you to something good. I've just gotten back from a C-rank mission so I've got plenty of money. Come on, show me what you've got." Maki jumped back a few steps and took a fighting stance.
"I'll be sure to leave you broke." Kenshin smirked, cracking his knuckles.
He lunged forward, aiming a fast punch at her face. But Maki effortlessly sidestepped it, before kicking him in the guts, sending him flying several metres away.
"Gugh—" Kenshin momentarily gasped for air as he struggled to get up. 'Fuck!! She's really strong! I need to be more careful.'
He got back up and took a deep breath to calm himself. He lunged forward again but this time instead of a direct approach, he attacked her with a series of fast feint punches followed by a sudden kick.
But Maki effortlessly grabbed his foot, her grip so tight that Kenshin struggled to free it. Maki smirked dismissively and released his foot. And just as he regained his footing, she punched him in the face, sending him flying once more.
"Can I say something?" Maki asked as Kenshin got back up. "You can't even get close to me like this. In case you forgot, I've been training with your sister for nearly a decade now.
Non sharingan users can't beat me in taijutsu. And I can go toe to toe with Akane who is much much more skilled than you are. So if you want to beat me, use your sharingan. Mangekyo isn't allowed though."
"You asked for it." Kenshin activated his sharingan, and prepared for another attack. He lunged forward again, but this time, he was able to see Maki's most minute movements, including how she followed him with her eyes.
But even with his sharingan, Kenshin couldn't land a good punch on her. They fought like this for nearly two hours and until sunset. But finally, Kenshin was able to distract Maki enough with his feints to be able to punch her in the abdomen, knocking her back.
But it still wasn't enough to knock her off her feet. "You're seriously strong, Maki-san. I was confident in my skills but you've shown me how weak I am. I admit defeat." Kenshin said, sitting down on the ground, panting heavily.
"You were the first one to actually land one on me after just two hours of fighting. So I'll acknowledge your strength. Come on, I'll treat you to barbecue." Maki ruffled his hair before fixing her hairband. "Come on before I change my mind." Maki reached her hand out to help him up.
"Since you're insisting, I'll come with you." Kenshin took her hand and got up. Together, they went to the barbecue restaurant.
"By the way, how did you and nee-san meet? I want to know more about her past." Kenshin asked as they waited for their food.
"It's a long story. We first met when we were five years old. Your father was about to leave the village for a few weeks so he left Akane at the orphanage. Since there were lots of kids her age I guess he thought it'd be better for Akane to be there.
That's where I first met Akane. She was a lively kid, and she made friends with us immediately. But I kinda didn't like her. It wasn't her fault now that I think about it.
I just resented her because she had a loving father and was loved by everyone while I was left to die by my parents alongside my baby brother. I didn't have a surname, nor did I know anything worthwhile about my parents. I had nothing, except for my infant brother.
So I sort of resented her. Two years later, I enrolled in the academy, the same year as Akane."
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Everyone, thanks for your support with the previous chapter. As always, please give me your power stones if you want to support me and let me know if you have any helpful suggestions/criticisms.