The pale light of the moon cast an ethereal glow over Konoha, illuminating the streets yet providing little warmth. Tsunade walked aimlessly, memories flooding her mind as she passed familiar scenes. Tears welled up and fell, and before long, she disappeared into the shadows.
…
The next morning, Reiki was out for his usual morning training.
"Brother Reiki, can I join you for morning exercises from now on?" Shizune asked, jogging alongside him with a cheerful smile. "I want to get stronger too!"
"Of course," Reiki smiled back. "Even if your goal is to be a medical ninja, having a strong body is essential."
Although Kato Dan had betrayed them, Shizune was innocent in all this. Reiki had no ill feelings toward her and appreciated her dedication.
"Got it!" Shizune nodded. "Brother Reiki, now that you're a Chunin, will you be working at the hospital?"
With a hint of curiosity, Shizune's question reflected her understanding that Reiki was likely to focus on medical duties rather than combat missions.
"My teacher told me I need to report to the hospital within a week," Reiki explained. "I don't know what my exact role will be yet, but it shouldn't interfere with my training."
As they chatted, more familiar faces joined their morning exercises.
"YOUTH!" Gai shouted. "Today, I'll surpass you, Kakashi!"
"Hmph!" Kakashi retorted, ignoring Gai's challenge as he caught up to Reiki. "Reiki, I brought you breakfast."
"Hey, Reiki," Kakashi asked, looking a bit worried. "Now that you're a Chunin, will you still train with us later?"
Reiki chuckled, noticing the concern in Kakashi's voice. "Of course. Morning exercises finish soon. Let's meet up at the training ground for some sparring."
Then, turning to Gai and Obito, he added, "By the way, have you two managed to master the Clone Technique yet?"
Obito looked away, embarrassed. "Um… I'm still working on it."
"I… still have trouble controlling my chakra," Gai admitted with a sheepish smile. Despite their natural talents, both struggled with this basic technique—a hurdle that seemed to be the true test of genius.
…
The training ground echoed with the sounds of sparring as the friends pushed each other to their limits.
Kakashi, bent over and breathing heavily, glanced at Reiki in front of him. "Still can't beat you," he panted.
Reiki shrugged. "You've all come a long way," he said encouragingly. "But our training methods and goals are different. You each have incredible strengths of your own."
He pointed at Kakashi, saying, "You have a natural gift for swordsmanship and ninjutsu. With time, you'll rise quickly through the ranks."
Then he turned to Gai. "Gai, your choice to focus on taijutsu is spot on. Talk to your dad; I'm sure he can teach you even more advanced techniques."
Finally, he looked at Obito with a grin. "As for you, Obito, you're the one I'm most excited about. Look at Uchiha Shisui—he's even younger than you, yet look at his skill."
Reiki's words lifted everyone's spirits. The friendly competition and encouragement helped lighten the atmosphere.
Reiki then turned to Yuhi Kurenai, who had brought him breakfast. "Thank you for the breakfast, Kurenai," he said, accepting it gratefully. "Don't worry about competing with these guys. Focus on your studies, and you'll make a fantastic ninja someday."
Kurenai blushed, taken aback by Reiki's words. "Is… is he confessing to me?" she thought, her face turning red.
Reiki noticed her reaction, puzzled by her expression. With a quick smile, he then tended to everyone's minor injuries from training.
"Since it's the weekend, I'll go get some things ready," Reiki said, getting up. "Obito, come with me."
As he and Shizune left, Kakashi turned to Gai. "Want to train together? Taijutsu involves swordsmanship too. We could practice with kunai."
"Of course!" Gai replied with enthusiasm, and the two friends headed off together, forging their bond.
This left Kurenai and Rin behind.
"Rin, is something going on between you and Obito?" Kurenai teased, noticing Rin's distracted expression.
"Oh, no… it's just… he seemed a bit different today," Rin admitted, her voice soft. In the past, Obito would rush over to greet her, but today he was more reserved, focused on training. This change had caught her attention.
Kurenai chuckled, "He's working to get stronger so he can protect those he cares about. Isn't that admirable?"
"More attractive?" Rin whispered, lost in thought.
The two girls wandered off together, chatting and enjoying the morning.
…
Soon after, Obito and Reiki arrived at Reiki's house.
"Boss, how did I do today?" Obito asked eagerly as they stepped into the courtyard. He'd resisted the urge to chat with Rin earlier, focusing on his training, and he was eager for Reiki's feedback.
"You did well," Reiki replied, nodding approvingly. "But you're still a bit behind Kakashi and Gai."
He paused, a smile forming. "I'm going to put you through some special training. Want to give it a try?"
Obito's eyes lit up. "Special training? Boss, I'm in! Bring it on! I'm ready—put me through anything!" he said, arms open wide and grinning with excitement.
Reiki laughed, watching Obito's eagerness as he prepared him for a unique training regimen.
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