"And death?"
"An inevitable process. It's neither good nor bad, just a logical end."
Shikaku nodded, impressed. "And the ninja way?"
"Survival, strategy, and adaptation. Those who cling to emotions often die sooner."
A silence fell as they continued walking.
"You're a pragmatic boy, Shikai. But remember, even in logic, there's room for emotions. Sometimes, they make rational choices."
"I doubt that, uncle. That hypocritical feeling called love is only beneficial to slow us down from our goals."
"Ah, so you think. When you see Izumi, what do you feel?"
'A pair of Sharingan waiting to be harvested.' Shikai thought but did not respond, as if deeply pondering those words.
"At such a young age... I have high expectations, Shikai. We'll see tomorrow if you truly have that potential." He said as his clone disappeared.
Back home, he took a hot bath, letting the steam soothe his tired muscles. Then he collapsed onto his futon, falling into a deep sleep, with plans already forming in his mind.
***
Early in the morning, Shikai sat on the wooden terrace, legs crossed, absentmindedly watching the shadows of the trees dance in the wind. The silence of dawn was broken only by the birdsong and the distant sound of Yoshino preparing breakfast.
Shikaku arrived, relaxed, holding a shogi piece in his hand. He placed it gently on the board.
Shikaku slowly explained the rules to Shikai, who was still a novice.
The game had barely begun when the heir of the Nara clan posed a philosophical question:
"Shikai, who do you think is the king?"
Shikai raised an eyebrow, looking exasperated, before replying with a smirk, "It's your piece that's completely surrounded."
Shikaku furrowed his brows, focusing his attention on the board.
"Huh?"
He intensely studied the pieces.
"But... how?!" he exclaimed, his face showing shock.
Shikai crossed his arms, a smug smile on his lips.
"Now, let's start the training, uncle."
Shikaku, clearly frustrated, sighed deeply. "I wanted to prolong the game, discuss, debate... But you, it seems you'll be an insufferable genius... Well, come on."
...
Shikaku led Shikai to a clearing outside the estate. The sun was rising, illuminating the dew still present on the grass.
"First lesson: chakra basics," announced Shikaku as he sat cross-legged. "Chakra is..."
"A combination of spiritual and physical energy, blah blah blah... I know, I've read about it," Shikai interrupted.
"Alright, then show me if you can use it," Shikaku replied, his tone slightly mocking.
Shikai tried to concentrate his chakra in his hands, but nothing happened. In a fight, he knew how to use it on the spot, but mastery was still beyond him.
Shikaku burst into laughter. "Oh yes, you know everything, huh? Try again."
After several unsuccessful attempts and Shikai's sarcastic comments— "I think my chakra is allergic to your mocking air, uncle"—he finally managed to stabilize a small amount of energy in his palms.
"Not bad for a beginner," Shikaku admitted. Then, he guided Shikai through hours of meditation, teaching him to control his chakra flow.
...
Second day of training
Shikaku led Shikai to a small lake.
"Now, let's see if you can walk on water. It's all about controlling your chakra flow. You already showed good mastery yesterday."
After a quick demonstration, Shikai tried his turn. His first step on the water made him plunge directly, splashing water all around.
"Not bad, Shikai. You look like a fish out of water," Shikaku teased.
Determined, Shikai persisted.
After several attempts—and a lot of water in his lungs—he managed to stand upright on the surface.
"Maybe you're not a lost cause after all," Shikaku said with a smirk.
He knew Shikai's learning speed was frightening, but he maintained a sarcastic approach to prevent him from getting too cocky.
They then moved on to walking vertically up a tree trunk. Here, Shikai showed better mastery, quickly climbing up.
"Not bad, but be careful not to let your guard down," Shikaku warned.
"I got this," Shikai replied nonchalantly.
"That's what they all say before they fall," Shikaku responded.
...
On the third day, Shikaku and Shikai returned to the clearing, the sky slightly veiled by clouds. Shikaku, as relaxed as ever, stretched before positioning himself facing his nephew.
"No chakra, no jutsu," he reminded. "Just your fists, your feet, and your instinct. Show me what you've learned as a self-taught."
Shikai charged with a series of rapid punches, but Shikaku, with his experience and speed, dodged each one. He moved like a shadow, anticipating his opponent's movements with precision.
"You're slow, you die," Shikaku said, gently tapping Shikai's shoulder with his fingertips before pivoting to avoid a left hook.
Irritated, Shikai attempted a circular kick aimed at the head. But Shikaku caught his leg mid-air and, with a swift move, made him stumble backward.
"You're too predictable, you die," Shikaku added, watching Shikai get up and brush the dust off his clothes.
This time, Shikai advanced more cautiously. He feinted with his right fist, followed by a direct hit with his left knee, hoping to surprise Shikaku. But Shikaku pivoted to the side, barely avoiding the attack, and countered with a quick palm strike aimed at Shikai's forehead.
Shikai stumbled back, breathless.
"Timing is crucial, Shikai. You can't just strike like a raging animal, or else you-" Shikaku charged at him.
"Yeah, I got my head chopped off."
He unleashed a series of lightning-fast strikes: a left jab, a quick low kick to unbalance, and a controlled uppercut. Shikai managed to partially block the kick, but the uppercut sent him reeling.
"You're not being too hard on me?"
"No, in a real fight, you'd be dead."