Chapter 46 Before The Storm

For the entire month before Kuroma's arrival, Riku and Kristian devoted themselves to intensive training in a hidden clearing of the land of Demons. While both of them often trained alone, their goals often overlapped, making their sessions cross over frequently.

Riku's main concern was Shiro, the magpie that had been injured and seemed to follow him everywhere. While the bird was loyal enough, Riku knew that he could do more for it to help it realize its full potential. Every spare moment, Riku was channeling chakra into Shiro, fine-tuning the bird's stamina, sharpening his chakra pathways. And to his surprise, Shiro responded marvelously to this training, as his movements gradually became quick, accurate, and in tandem with Riku's.

"Alright, Shiro," Riku said one day, squatting in the clearing as the magpie perched on his shoulder. "If you're going to be my partner, you need to learn to do more than just follow me around."

Shiro cocked his head as if he understood, his black eyes fixed on Riku.

Riku pulled out a scroll and laid it on the ground. "We're going to try something big. You're going to learn a Clone Jutsu-but not just any clone jutsu... I want to teach you how to also use my personal Shadow Submersion Technique.

The training was painstaking. First, Riku demonstrated the basics of the Clone Jutsu: with a few effortless hand seals, several versions of himself appeared around him. Then he tried to walk Shiro through the process, placing his hands on the bird and feeding small bursts of chakra into him to mimic his flow. Shiro's first attempts were awkward; the clones barely looked like him, more like distorted shadows of a magpie.

"Not bad for a bird," Riku teased, getting an indignant squawk from Shiro in return.

Days of practice finally paid off. Small flocks of identical magpies began materializing around him. At first, they were unstable, but with Riku's guidance, Shiro managed to control them, even sending the clones to mimic his movements.

"Now for the real challenge," Riku said with a grin. "The Shadow Submersion Technique."

Riku used his own shadow as an example, melting into the ground and popping up behind a nearby tree with ease. Shiro was so eager to prove himself and flapped his wings in excitement, starting to test it out. At first, he only managed to sink partway into the ground, but as the days turned into weeks, Shiro's mastery grew. By the end of the month, the magpie was able to submerge into shadows almost as efficiently as Riku, and his clones could do the same. Shiro's progress wasn't just impressive, it was revolutionary. Riku couldn't help but imagine the tactical advantage of a swarm of magpies disappearing and reappearing in battle from an enemies shadow, completely disorienting them.

Meanwhile, Kristian was busy with his own development, and Riku had just the right allies to help him in this.

One afternoon, Riku called forth Nariko and Yuji, two of the strongest Kumarai, both of whom specialized in lightning techniques.

"This the guy?" Nariko asked skeptically.

Yuji was now a seven-meter-tall Kumarai, tangles of glowing white sparks dancing across his body as he nodded approval. "He seems to have potential. He just needs guidance."

Kristian stepped forward, his axe slung over his shoulder. "I don't need babysitters. Just show me what to do."

Nariko smirked. "Bold, I like that. Let's start with the basics of Lightning Manipulation. Your weapon is decent, but it's useless if you can't properly channel your chakra into it."

The following week saw Nariko and Yuji pushing Kristian relentlessly until he mastered infusing his axe with chakra imbued with the power of lightning. Initially, the energy spattered everywhere, sparkled here and there, or, rather, numbly whipped through Kristian's hands more often than not.

"You're trying to force it," Nariko chided. "Lightning isn't about brute strength—it's about precision. Feel the flow of your chakra, let it build, and then release it in short bursts."

Kristian growled in frustration but took the advice to heart. By the second week, he was able to make a stable current run along the blade of his axe. By the third week, he could extend the lightning outward, creating arcs of electricity that would lash out at targets near it.

Yuji, meanwhile, focused on teaching Kristian how to form various Lightning Jutsu. Though Kristian had never used any jutsu before, Yuji's patient guidance helped him grasp the fundamentals. Together, they worked on techniques like Lightning Spears and Thunderclap Palm. Kristian's progress was slow but steady, and his determination impressed even the stoic Nariko.

…

As their training continued, Riku decided it was time to tackle a special project for Kristian. His current axe, though serviceable, was far from ideal for the raw power Kristian wielded. It couldn't keep up with his newfound ability to manipulate lightning chakra, let alone the ferocity of his strength when he opened the Third Gate.

One evening, after a particularly grueling sparring session, Riku approached Kristian, who was sitting on a log with his axe resting beside him.

"Your axe isn't going to cut it," Riku said bluntly, crouching to inspect the weapon.

Kristian frowned. "What's wrong with it? It's gotten me this far."

Riku raised an eyebrow. "Sure, if you're fighting bandits or chopping firewood. But with what's coming? You need something that can keep up with you—something that grows with your power."

Kristian looked at him skeptically. "And you can make something like that?"

Riku grinned. "You're looking at a master blacksmith, my friend."

Before Kristian could reply, Riku reached into his satchel and pulled out two blades—jagged and crackling faintly with dormant energy.

"These are the Kiba Blades," Riku explained, holding them up. "They were one of the legendary swords of the Mist, but they've been useless since their last wielder fell. Their true strength comes from their bond with their user. Without that, they're just raw material. But I can melt them down and reforge them into something better—something yours."

Kristian's eyes widened. "You're going to destroy legendary weapons to make me an axe?"

Riku shrugged. "Weapons aren't special because of their fame. They're special because of what they can do for their wielder. And you need a weapon that's yours. And also I don't use dual weapons, and the sword I've got will suffice."

…

Riku got to work the next day. He cleared a space in the training area, summoning a makeshift forge using an Earth jutsu he stole from a small village to shape a stone furnace and his monoflame to heat it. The Kiba Blades lay in the center of the furnace, glowing as they melted down.

Shiro perched on a nearby rock, watching intently, while Kristian sat cross-legged, observing the process with a mix of curiosity and awe.

"This isn't just about melting metal and sticking it together," Riku explained as he worked. "I'm infusing the axe with lightning chakra as I forge it. That way, it'll conduct your chakra more efficiently—and grow stronger the more you use it."

He summoned Nariko to assist with the process. Nariko's control over lightning was unmatched, and he sent precise bursts of electricity into the molten metal, imbuing it with raw power.

"You better not waste this," Nariko said to Kristian as he channeled lightning into the forge. "This weapon will be one of a kind."

Kristian nodded solemnly. "I won't."

Once the metal had been shaped into the form of an axe head, The handle was forged from a very chakra dense tree he had spotted nearby thanks to his Ryūgan.

…

After three days of non-stop work, the new axe was complete. Riku held it up in the light of the forge, admiring the final product. The axe head gleamed with a faint, crackling energy, its surface engraved with intricate lightning patterns that seemed to shimmer and move. The handle was smooth yet sturdy, wrapped in a grip that absorbed shock.

Riku handed it to Kristian, who took it reverently. The moment he held it, the axe seemed to hum with energy, resonating with his chakra.

"It's… perfect," Kristian said, his voice almost a whisper.

Riku smirked. "Give it a swing."

Kristian stepped into the clearing and hefted the axe, channeling his lightning chakra into it. The weapon responded instantly, arcs of electricity coursing along the blade and extending outward in jagged streaks. Kristian swung it, and the air itself seemed to split as a bolt of lightning shot forth, striking a tree in the distance and reducing it to ash.

Kristian turned to Riku, wide-eyed. "This is incredible."

"It's not just a weapon," Riku said, crossing his arms. "It's a partner. Treat it right, and it'll never let you down."

Kristian nodded, a rare smile breaking across his face. For the first time since his journey began, he felt like he had a real chance to achieve his goals.

Later that evening, Riku watched as Kristian practiced with the axe, the weapon an extension of his movements. Shiro perched on Riku's shoulder, cawing approvingly.

"You did good," Nariko said, appearing beside Riku.

Riku nodded. "He'll need it for what's coming."

Nariko smirked. "And what about you? What are you forging for yourself?"

Riku didn't answer, his gaze fixed on Kristian as the older boy swung the axe with newfound confidence. "My sword is probably the most suitable weapon in this world for me, I won't be needing anything new anytime soon."

Nariko gave him a knowing look before vanishing in a crackle of lightning.

"We should return after a few days of rest." Riku yawned as Kristian placed his new axe on his back and walked back towards Riku.

"Alright."

…

…

After a while, Riku and Kristian found themselves sitting by the fire under the night sky. The stars above glimmered like scattered shards of glass, and the crackling flames painted flickering shadows across the clearing. Shiro perched on Riku's shoulder, cleaning his feathers, while Gristle, now an imposing six-meter behemoth, sprawled out nearby, gnawing on a large tree branch.

"You've got a monster of a companion there," Riku said, gesturing toward Gristle with a smirk. "I mean, look at him. He could probably take on a whole army by himself."

Kristian glanced at Gristle, the massive boar letting out a satisfied grunt as he crushed the branch in his jaws. "He's a good boy," Kristian said, his voice soft. "I don't know what I'd do without him."

Riku grinned. "I get that. Shiro's kind of the same for me. He just showed up one day, and now I can't imagine going anywhere without him." He reached up to scratch the magpie under his beak, earning an affectionate caw.

Kristian studied the bird for a moment before shaking his head. "Still can't believe you managed to teach a bird how to use jutsu."

"Hey," Riku said defensively, "Shiro's a genius. Aren't you, buddy?"

Shiro puffed out his chest proudly, cawing in agreement.

Gristle, seemingly intrigued by Shiro's antics, lumbered closer and sniffed at the magpie. Shiro, always confident, hopped down from Riku's shoulder and fluttered onto Gristle's broad snout, pecking lightly at his tusk as if inspecting him. Gristle froze, then let out a low grunt, his ears twitching.

Riku and Kristian both tensed, unsure of how the enormous boar would react, but then Gristle let out a deep rumble that sounded suspiciously like a laugh. Shiro cawed back, hopping onto Gristle's head and flapping his wings.

"Looks like they're hitting it off," Kristian said, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Yeah," Riku replied, chuckling. "I think Shiro just made a new best friend."

The magpie and boar continued their playful interaction, Gristle swaying his head gently while Shiro hopped and fluttered around him.

"So," Riku said after a moment, turning his attention back to Kristian. "You've been quiet today. What's on your mind?"

Kristian stared into the fire, his hands resting on his knees. "Just… thinking about what comes next," he admitted.

"Yeah, me too," Riku said, leaning back on his hands. "But you know, it's not all bad. We're making progress, getting stronger." He gave Kristian a pointed look. "I mean, you're swinging that axe around like it's a toothpick now."

Kristian snorted, but there was a hint of a smile. "Guess I owe you for that."

"Nah," Riku said, waving a hand. "You're the one putting in the work. I just gave you the tool."

For a moment, they sat in companionable silence, the only sounds the crackling fire and the distant calls of the night.

"You know," Kristian said suddenly, "I've always been on my own. Even with Gristle, it was just us against the world. But… this, training with you, working toward something bigger—it feels different."

Riku looked at him, his expression softening. "You're not alone anymore, Kristian. We've got your back. All of us."

Kristian nodded slowly. "Thanks, Riku. I… I don't say it much, but it means a lot."

Riku grinned. "Hey, don't get all sentimental on me now. You'll ruin my cool reputation."

Kristian laughed—a rare sound, but a genuine one. "Right. Can't have that."

As the fire burned lower, Riku and Kristian watched as Shiro and Gristle continued their unlikely bonding. Shiro now perched on Gristle's tusk, preening his feathers, while the boar lay contentedly on his side.

"Didn't see that coming," Kristian said, gesturing toward the duo.

"Yeah," Riku replied, shaking his head. "Who'd have thought a battle boar and a magpie would become best friends?"

Kristian glanced at Riku. "Kind of like us, don't you think?"

Riku raised an eyebrow. "You're saying I'm a magpie?"

Kristian smirked. "I was thinking more like a stick against my axe."

Riku laughed. "Oh, is that how it is? Careful, or I'll prove that stick can still knock you out."

"Anytime, magpie," Kristian shot back, his smirk widening.