11 Chapter 11:Training Resume!

CHAPTER 11 : Training resumes!

SHINSO KEN

"Mmmmmm…..." Ten-Ten moaned as she took another bite of the Pizza. "This is very good. You could probably sell this and make a shit ton of money," She said.

Five people were sitting around a table in a small apartment. All of them were eating pizza and talking about their day-to-day lives. Lee was also quite enthusiastically eating his slice, tears streaming down his face, "YOSH! I can't let you surpass me with this," he shouted, "I will run five thousand laps after finishing this nutritious food."

Both Shino and Hinata were a little taken aback at his antics. But, I had warned them about it beforehand. I had invited all five of them to this party. Kurenai sensei and Guy sensei were also invited but couldn't accept due to some circumstances.

"I still cannot believe your first outside mission went haywire like that. It must have been so exciting. Ours had been a very boring courier mission." Ten-Ten lamented from the side. Probably for the fourth time. All three of us grimaced at her comment. The mission had been many things but exciting wasn't the best word to describe it. But we all knew she didn't mean to offend so we shrugged it off, again.

Lee spoke from the side, "YES! To face such opponents on your first mission. This is a very bright beginning for your youth." His voice getting muffled by the slice he had stuffed in his mouth.

Two more days and we would be back on the roster. I looked at my teammates, trying to engage them.

"So, how was your holiday Hinata-san and Shino-Kun," I asked.

"It was productive," Shino said in his stony voice

"It was quite good." Hinata also replied in her usual sweet tone.

"Ah. Shit. Look at the time. I have to leave, otherwise, my father's gonna kill me," suddenly Ten-Ten said looking at the clock. She haphazardly got up, Lee following her and getting up as well.

"I thank you for inviting me Shinso. But I must leave as well." I thanked them for accepting the invite and both left the apartment. I got back and now only team eight was left.

"So, these are my two friends from the academy, I talked about. I wanted you all to meet, so we all could hang out if we get the chance. I apologize if it bothered you." I said to them bashfully. I had mentioned them a couple of times during training. I had hoped that all of us could meet and get to know each other.

"Oh. No. No. It was perfectly fine and both of them were quite nice," Hinata said with a smile. "Yes, there is nothing to apologize for," Shino added.

I smiled and sat on my seat once more. After some time I spoke to Hinata once more. "So, did you look into what I mentioned?"

Hinata looked at me and nodded her head. "Yes. And thank you Shinso-Kun"

Good. This was good. With chunin exams coming up all of us had to be prepared. I could not leave things to chance. It was my life and I controlled it not some words on some pages.

"If you don't mind me asking. What are you and Shinso-kun talking about." Shino asked from the side. Both Hinata and me looked at each other before she nodded and I spoke,

"Hinata is from the Hyuga clan and the Hyuga have a specific taijutsu style. While Hinata is quite proficient, the style is ill-suited for her temperament. In our general formation, Hinata and I take the lead with you in the back for mid-range support, right."

Shino nodded at that and I continued.

"This leaves our rear quite weak. So, I brought up something I have thought up, it's still a long shot. But, if it works, it could be something that would give us a lot more options." I finished and Shino nodded his head at that.

All three of us continued with our discussion for some time. Then, Sino and Hinata left leaving me alone at the apartment.

I sat alone thinking about myself and my technique. I looked it over once more over the week and concluded that something was missing. As it was right now, it wouldn't work. Now, there were two possibilities. Once I could scrap it up and begin a new project, there were several theories about several techniques in my mind. Two, I worked on solving the issue externally. Hmm, perhaps sealing could be used.

0000000

KAKASHI HATAKE

Kakashi observed his team and he was both impressed and disappointed. Naruto had transformed into his old boisterous form. He had hoped that the encounter in wave would have made him a bit serious but that had not been the case. Sasuke was still filled with rage and seemed quite an on edge. He is still thinking about the mission, more specifically that Shinso kid.

On the other hand, the person who had changed the most had been the one he had expected the least. Sakura's eyes held a determination and seriousness that he wished to see in the blonde. It seemed that she had cut her hair and seemed eager. She was serious about this as if her life depended on it. It actually does depend on it.

Well, at least two of them are motivated. They will just have to drag their delinquent third.

"Hello, my cute genin. I hope you had a good time during the break." Kakashi spoke, his book still in front of his face.

"Yes, Kakashi sensei. I went to ichiraku's and also got this new kunai set." Naruto continued speaking, "Now, I am all ready to learn some cool ninja moves. So, what are we gonna do?"

Hmmm, well at least that is better than being lazy.

"Today we are going to do something very exciting. We are going to determine your . . . . ."

000000

KURENAI YUHI

"Your chakra affinities." She finished and she saw all three of them nod their head.

"As you were taught in the academy every person has a natural affinity. Though this does not mean that it is the only one they can use. A person can learn and use all five of them. But, they will find it easier to mold chakra for their natural affinity." She finished her lecture.

All three of them sat cross-legged on the ground, relaxed but still focused on her. She took out the chakra paper and passed it to them all,

"Just push a small amount of chakra in it and the paper will react to your affinity." She said and did the same herself. The paper in her hand burned and turned to ash.

"As you can see I have an affinity for fire. But, I have also mastered earth and can use wind as well." Most jounin could use two or three. While not a guideline, a jounin was expected to master two natures at least.

She looked at them all and was happy to see them impressed by her accomplishments. She motioned for them to continue and all of them followed her instructions.

The paper in Shinso's hand wrinkled. Lightning, she thought. Though he probably knew about that already. And according to Kakashi was quite proficient in it as well. Perhaps she should get him started on second nature.

Shino's paper crumpled and that meant Earth. Though, he probably won't focus much on it. Due to the presence of their kikacihu, Aburame's were quite stingy with their chakra. Continuously feeding chakra to their insects did not leave them with a lot of chakra and ninjutsu was chakra intensive. So, they usually did not use it.

Now, Hinata's paper turned crinkled and then burned to ash. Two natural affinities. Now, that was a rarity. But, what a shame. The Hyuga's usually never used elemental ninjutsu, focusing on their clan's techniques, believing them to be superior. Perhaps, she could try and convince Hinata but it was a long shot.

"Now, that we have done that we can discuss where to go farther from here. Generally, I would start teaching you how to master them. But, with Shino and Hinata belonging to clans who have their unique techniques, we can not rush into this." She finished.

"So, Shino . . . .

0000000000

SAKURA HARUNO

"Kakashi sensei, I had a request to make." She said to the silver-haired man, reading an adult novel publically. At, this he lowered the book and spoke, still not looking at her.

"What can I do for you, my pink-haired student?" he replied in a sing-song voice.

She just shook her head at his antics.

"Sensei, I think ninjutsu is too chakra intensive for me." She said hesitatingly, Kakashi sensei just hummed. But, he had now closed his book and was looking straight at her.

"So, I wanted to specialize in something else. I read about advanced genjutsu and wanted to ask you," Kakashi sensei had narrowed his eyes at her. She was feeling his glare but she continued.

"So, can you teach me about that?" she finished her voice wavering yet not getting any less loud.

Kakashi sensei continued to stare at her for some time before he spoke.

"Advanced genjutsu. Hmm, are you sure about it Sakura-chan? Do you know how many Genjutsu masters are in the force at the moment?"

She just shook her head at his question. According to the book, it was quite hard but his next words dumbfounded her.

"Four. There are currently four genjutsu masters in the village and among them, three belong to a clan with a specialized Kekkei Genkai." Four in thousands, she thought.

"There are very few people who focus on genjutsu. This is because in comparison to ninjutsu and taijutsu it is an extremely complex art. If you don't have a Kekkei Genkai, mastering the art requires extreme dedication and hard work. So, are you sure you want to choose this, Sakura-chan?" Kakashi sensei in a very serious tone.

She thought about his words and realized the meaning behind them He was trying to warn her about the difficulty of the path ahead if she choose it. But, over the week she had been riddled by nightmares. Nightmares of it being her body in place of Sasuke, riddled with senbon. Barely alive. She looked up, her gaze focused and her back straight.

"Yes, sensei." She said resolutely. Her voice came out much louder than she had anticipated.

"Ok, we can do that. I can get us started on the basics. But, I still want you to continue with the elemental ninjutsu training." Kakashi sensei said after some time, his voice relaxed as though his face was covered by a mask. She could feel it as if there was a smile on the lips underneath them.

00000000000

HIASHI HYUGA

Hiashi Hyuga was awake late into the night looking at the various reports scattered in his office. There had been some worrying news recently. Both Iwa and Kumo were showing signs of arming up. Various reports mentioned large purchases of weaponry and grain from the market. Their alliance with Suna was also in jeopardy with the Wind daimyo sending missions to Konoha instead of Suna.

He rubbed his eyes and looked out the window. It was quite late. Perhaps he should deal with the rest of them in the morning.

He sniffed out the lamp and got up. He left the office and started walking toward his room. Several members of the side branch were still up and bowed to him as he moved through the settlement. As he was passing through the training grounds he saw flashes of light. They died out but appeared once more after some time. His eyes narrowed at that. What was happening there.

BYAKUGAN. He sent a pulse of chakra to his eyes activating them and looked through the training ground. Someone was training this late into the night. It was probably someone from the side branch. He moved into the forest, to reprimand them. If any of the elders saw this, there would be severe consequences. But what he saw was quite astonishing.

It was his daughter, Hinata sitting on the ground cross-legged with a very familiar metal tube in her hand. From, the sweat and dirt on her clothes she had been here for quite some time. She took the tube between her hands and closed her eyes. After some time, the tube started flickering, her forehead wrinkled as she tried to focus more. And after some flickering, it lit up like a lamp. The light from it brightening up the surrounding.

Lightning nature chakra, he thought. He had seen several shinobi train it this way. Now, that he thought about it he had seen quite a change in her during the regular spars.

She had stopped trying to emulate him, giving up on speed for strength. It was a legitimate tactic. Perhaps, he should invite Kurenai to ask about her progress. It has been some time since she joined her team.

After observing her for some time, he just turned back and started walking toward his room. Not, closing his Byakugan for quite some time as he laid awake in his bed. Not until, the flashes from the training ground vanished and its sole occupant left it to return to their room.

More serious Sakura and less douche Hiashi. But he is still a douche. We are now in the training arc. Canon is more or less dead. There is prep for the chunin arc, but I am gonna build out the other characters.

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