The morning sun faintly reflected off the mist enveloping the eastern training ground, a place suspended between the silence of nature and the intensity of challenges. Ren stood at the center, his heart beating in time with his anticipation. Facing him was Ganryu-sama, a feared and respected master, scrutinizing him with impenetrable eyes.
"On guard," Ganryu said abruptly, launching his attack. The sword gleamed in the air, aimed at Ren with lightning precision.
Ren, now accustomed to the unpredictability of such encounters, swiftly raised his tanto to block the strike. The clash of steel echoed through the valley, marking the start of a duel that would soon become a fierce dance.
The duel intensified, the two opponents studying each other and landing strikes with an almost perfect rhythm. Their blades collided relentlessly, like the drums of an epic battle. Ren felt chakra coursing through him, every fiber of his body taut with effort. Waves rippled across the lake with each step, bearing witness to their relentless clash.
Minutes that felt like hours passed as the battle moved from the ground to the nearby lake, their steps breaking the water's surface. At the lake's center, a deafening silence surrounded them, broken only by the sound of waves created by their movements. Ren felt his chakra slipping away, every block bringing him closer to his limit. When his last reserves drained, his body gave out, and he plunged into the icy water.
Ganryu stood firm on the surface, watching intently. He did not move to save him, not immediately. He must learn to endure, he thought. The battlefield does not forgive.
Ren fought against panic, his hands desperately clawing to resurface. Time seemed to stretch, every second testing his willpower. Finally, when the master deemed he had proven enough, he dived in and pulled Ren to shore.
Panting, Ren sat trembling, his soaked clothes clinging to his skin. Ganryu watched him for a moment before speaking, his voice calm like the surface of a still lake.
"Learning to handle any situation is crucial," he began. "Once, during a mission, I found myself trapped behind enemy lines with no support. It was my adaptability that saved me. You must do the same. Battles will never be fair, Ren. You will always need to find a way."
The words cut into Ren's mind like a sharp blade. This ninja isn't just strong, he thought. He has a depth I never imagined. What he says makes sense.
After a moment of silence, Ren gathered his courage. "Ganryu-sama, may I ask you something?"
The master nodded.
"I want to learn the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu."
Ganryu raised an eyebrow, curious. "Why would you want to learn that? You already know the Mizu Bunshin, more than sufficient for a ninja of Kirigakure."
Ren hesitated, searching for a plausible justification. "If I ever need to infiltrate in the future," he explained, "using the Mizu Bunshin might reveal my affiliation. Having an alternative technique would increase my chances of success."
Ganryu smiled, a smile that didn't reach his lips but glinted in his eyes. This boy continues to surprise me, he thought. "We'll see," he said aloud. "When you manage to land a blow on me, I'll teach you the Kage Bunshin."
Ren's face lit up, his enthusiasm barely contained. "Of course, Ganryu-sama! Thank you!"
As he dried off, Ren reflected on the challenge ahead. Does it always have to be this hard? he wondered. Then he shook his head. No, I can't think that way. I must be grateful. He's trying to make me stronger.
The master walked away, leaving him to contemplate his words and the promise he had made.
Later, at Yuki's shop, the clinking of weapons mingled with the soft hum of daily activity. Kurara, with precise movements, was arranging the newly delivered items. Light filtered through the windows, casting irregular shadows across the floor, but the atmosphere remained serene, almost familial.
Yuki watched Kurara with a faint smile. "Kurara," she said, breaking the silence naturally, "you're really good at this. You remind me of someone who always knew how to put everything in order. It's good to have you here."
Kurara continued working, carefully placing a set of kunai in its proper place. "I… I'm just doing my duty," she murmured, avoiding eye contact.
"It's not always about duty," Yuki replied firmly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You're part of this family. Even if you don't ask for it, you're not alone."
Before Kurara could respond, the shop's bell chimed, announcing the arrival of Ao, his stride purposeful and his face inscrutable. Beside him walked a red-haired girl, her expression vaguely bored but alert.
"Ao-san," Yuki greeted him with a smile. "What brings you here? And who's this lovely young lady?"
"This is Mei Terumi," Ao replied, gesturing toward the girl without any emphasis. "My apprentice."
"I'm not his apprentice," Mei interjected curtly, crossing her arms. "I'm here to learn, that's all."
Ao rolled his eyes, ignoring her retort. "As you can see, she has a mind of her own."
Noticing Kurara, Ao shifted the topic. "Wait a moment. You look familiar. What's your name?"
"Kurara," Yuki interjected, noting the slight tension in the girl. "She's Takeshi's granddaughter."
"Takeshi?" Ao paused, furrowing his brow, then nodded. "Ah, of course. How's that old wolf doing?"
"Well, thank you," Kurara replied in a measured tone, though a faint glimmer in her eyes betrayed a touch of emotion.
Ao didn't press further and moved to the counter, leaving Mei to explore. After purchasing a few scrolls, he turned back to Yuki. "And Ren? Still buried in his training, I presume."
Yuki shook her head slightly, smiling. "He never takes a break. He always says he wants to be ready for anything."
Ao chuckled, a hint of irony in his voice. "Determination is a double-edged sword. But it's something you can't teach. Keep an eye on him, Yuki. He might become someone important, or lose his way."
With a nod of farewell, Ao and Mei left the shop, disappearing into the mist that enveloped the village.
Yuki watched Kurara, who had resumed her work, her movements less mechanical now. "Sometimes I think life gives us certain trials to remind us we're still alive," Yuki murmured.
Kurara didn't respond, but her gaze lifted for a moment, as if searching for something in the woman's words. Then she returned to organizing the counter, her hands moving with steadier confidence.
Meanwhile, not far from the village, a burst of chakra shattered the air, violent and sudden, like a scream of raw energy. The ground trembled, and Ren was hurled with uncontrollable force, slamming violently into a tree. His breath caught, pain spreading through his body like a wave.
The air was suffocating, the mist engulfing everything in oppressive silence. Ren lay on the ground, his face streaked with blood. He tried to move, but his body refused.
A looming shadow twisted within the mist, its shape unclear, shifting like smoke. The detonation's echo throbbed in Ren's ears, a relentless reminder of his helplessness. His bloodied fingers clawed weakly at the ground, his vision darkening. "Am I fading?"
[ Hi there! Ito-kun here ^.^ we hit the 400k visualization!!! Thanks everyone specially Jayroy_63, Daoistninewinds, Malar, AKIB19 and Miguel_024!
I wish to everyone a very good new year in advance, let me know what do you think in the comment and remember about the Power Stones, these are the motivation for my work :)]