Naruto 29

Scathach's Castle

Naruko finally entered Dun Scaith's courtyard to find Scathach waiting for her once again with a smile on her face and both spears in her hand.

"Show me your back." The ageless warrior ordered, surprising Naruko as she expected an immediate test but ultimately complied. Tossing the ruined rags leaving her in a sports bra, she exposed her back as Scathach examined the runes and seals she carved into her flesh.

"You needed to lose your attitude of rushing in blindly and relying on having a massive power gap between your opponent and yourself. Luckily you succeeded in doing that. So I'm returning you to your proper strength and will leave you like that provided you prove your ability." As the final rune faded away.

Naruko immediately flexed her muscles feeling way more powerful and lighter as she easily saw an attack coming and dodged it without looking,

"Hmm, your reflex have indeed increased well done. Your sisters would be proud of your progress. Now we begin the actual training, In short, I will beat you up to an inch of your life repeatedly till you improve and adapt. Go take a rest we have almost three years to ourselves to bring you up to a respectable level.

Complying her master's request, Naruko walked away and noticed Alucard and the rest drinking some Ale at a table. She walked over to them and greeted them.

"Hey, hope you are well." came the voice of Kaede as she came over to hug her. Naruko immediately sank into the hug and soon fell asleep. She really needed some rest.

"She has grown stronger hasn't she." Shinobu spoke up next as Kaede carefully handed Naruko over to her as she rested her little sister on her lap as she slept peacefully while manifesting a wet towel and placing it on her head.

"Mhm." Alucard hummed in as she went over to prepare a small feast for Naruko before she woke up.

-Timeskip-

*CLANG* *WHACK*

As Naruko continued to dodge and parry her teacher's attacks with her manifested spear and feats of great speed and reflexes with some athleticism. Scathach on the other hand was thinking about how would Naruko react when she got her own Gae Bolg.

Tomorrow would mark Naruko's second year anniversary in the Land of Shadows under the tutelage of Scathach. Due to the concept of time being warped which Scathach explained earlier during Naruko's tutelage she had matured and aged well. Her body became more developed and taller reaching a height of 6ft with a cup size of DD. Her hair had grown longer and is now tied into a ponytail with a black ribbon. She still had her trademark whiskers which were almost faded and barely noticeable.

Scathach had her subjects craft a suit of armor, lightweight and flexible, but still able to protect her body and they had runes engraved on it for protection from curses and magical abilities.

After another set of parrying each other's attacks, Scathach managed to overpower and out-skill Naruko, sending her to the floor and the tip edge of Gae Bolg pressed upon her neck. "We should take a break, you've greatly improved in our spars. You are now able to face off against me for 5 hours." Naruko lay on the ground as she got up with a groan. "N-no I can still fight?" Scathach knew pride and stubbornness. She knew it well. She learned both from her pupil's mistakes when they came to it.

"Keep an eye on that pride of yours, my student. It will only make you lose more fights in the future." Scathach said before kneeing Naruko in the stomach with enough force to send the girl's eyes to roll to the back of her head knocking her unconscious. "And also now when to quit and count your losses."

Naruko's last thoughts before falling into a deep sleep were her teacher having over 2 millennia's worth of experience, she's seen great warriors fall due to them not controlling their pride and egos. Scathach definitely knew what she was talking about.

"I am sure your sisters are proud of your progress." Scathach said with a smile as Naruko fell into her arms after being knocked unconscious. She then hoisted the girl onto her shoulder and carried her to her siblings like every other spar when she is knocked out.

-One-year timeskip-

Naruko knew how important today was, the second last day she would spend with her shishou in the Land of Shadows. Naruko's training was done. Scathach had also taught her runecraft based on the beginner knowledge Naruko had gotten from earlier training and worked her way up.

Now Naruko was about to begin her final test. Naruko walked into an empty field. Scathach was already there waiting for her in her purple bodysuit. Set up was a table with a tea kettle, two cups, and their training weapons.

"Sit down, my student." She spoke with a calm tone. Naruko walked towards her and took a sit as they drank the tea.

"You're ready for your last test." Scathach asked as Naruko nodded in response.

She paused, took a sip from her tea, and took a deep breath. "Your goal is to survive and still be on your feet for a whole hour against me. This time I shall not be holding back. I expect you to do the same."

-Timeskip-

Naruko had just finished her test. Her clothes had been shredded completely after the one-hour slaughter session. Leaving her in her underwear and her hair messy and unkempt. She immediately fell to a knee while using her spear as leverage to lean upon.

"I'm impressed." Scathach said with pride. "You've successfully survived a full hour with me not holding back and you are still on your feet. Go get cleaned up, I'll get your gifts ready for you." She said this with a small smile on her lips. Scathach knew she was ready as she had massively improved her skills as a spearman and in unarmed combat.

Naruko did as she said, she needed it anyway. Her body was immensely sore with all the attacks she had to parry, redirect and counterattack. She swiftly got into the bath and cleaned up.

After Naruko was done getting cleaned up and changed into a pair of clean clothes. She walked back to the field which to find Scathach standing beside a large chest.

"What's that Shishou?" Naruko asked intrigued by the large chest lying on the floor.

"Open it, see for yourself," Scathach said as Naruko walked up to it and opened it up. Looking inside she saw a suit of armor.

"Try it on," Scathach said as Naruko changed out of her clothes and into the armor.

She did try it on, and it fit perfectly. She had on a full red bodysuit, etched with golden lines and chains. Just above her breasts was a medallion connected with the suit. She had a long red collared cape connected to the medallion.

"I had them custom-made for you," Scathach said to Naruko with a smile, she had some wraiths of blacksmiths make this armor. She then materialized two-long weapon cases and passed them to Naruko. "Open it, you've earned it."

When she did, what she saw brought a smile to her face and a few tears.

Two beautiful crimson spears. They gave off an aura that spoke of bloodshed and death. She knew what this was, Gae-Bolg alternative, her very own Gae-Bolg alternative.

"Be careful with that my student." She said with a small.

Naruko swiftly added the twin spears of death to her hammerspace and pulled Scathach into a hug to which she returned. After a few seconds, they broke apart from the hug.

"Thank you Shishou for everything." Naruko said with a smile.

"It is not a problem, a friend of Shinobu is a friend of mine, and training you was a fun experience." Scathach said.

-Timeskip-

Naruko who was now dressed in a red kimono with flower motifs and her hair tied up into a neat bun stood beside Shinobu, Alucard, Kaede, and Scathach.

"Thanks Scathach, for helping our little Naruko. If you ever feel bored here you can always come to visit once in a while. I'll keep a war around to keep the dead in the Land at Shadows at bay till you return." Shinobu said with a smile as she kissed Scathach on the lips to which she returned.

"Maybe, I'll take you up on your offer someday. I would be awaiting your next visit ladies. Do have a safe trip back. Farewell." Scathach finally said as she opened the gate of Skye and allowed the ladies to walk out of the Land of Shadows as they all waved each other goodbye.

"I'm going to miss their company, at least Shinobu and Kaede visit regularly when they are free," Scathach said as she walked back to her castle and resumed her duty as the gatekeeper and Queen of the Land of Shadows.