Plans

Riku woke up a few days after the events of the Sasuke rescue mission in the hospital after the fight as he passed out from chakra overuse. Riku started to have many regrets from that day and so did Naruto. They both knew that they needed to get Sasuke back to the village and see the wrongs in his ways. He needed to get stronger to do that and show Sasuke that he was wrong in leaving the village and striving for revenge.

He got discharged from the hospital and he was looking for Naruto to talk about things. He eventually found out that Naruto was at Ichiraku Ramen and went there to go and talk to him about their plans. He sat down with Naruto who was glad to see him and started to talk.

RIku: What are you going to do from here on?

Naruto: Well we both know that we now want to get Sasuke back in the village and I want to become Hokage. To do that my master suggested that I train for 2 years outside of the village.

Riku; Who is your master you never mentioned him before?

Naruto: He is a pervy sage that is probably why I never mentioned him to you before. But he is Jiraiya of the three Sanin.

Riku: Maybe I should do the same, I think that a change of scenery could help a lot. Get my mind off of some of the current events that have happened recently.

Naruto: I agree with you it will help us to become stronger. I will see you in two years friend.

The two departed from each other and went to prepare for their decisions that they made. Riku started to head towards the area that he knew that he could find Mifune as he would ask Mifune to teach him the way of the sword. He already felt the impact of Mifune's teachings in his techniques that he performed in the Sasuke rescue mission and knew that this would be the right path for him. He could learn many of the sever release and spirit techniques latter as he wanted to perfect his sword techniques as he was at a stand still with them for so long. He had much room to perfect the current sever release and spirit techniques already he didn't need additional help in them. As for his water release needles he could improve them on his own now as his understanding of the water release has improved greatly his ability with it was a different story though. He resolved himself to if possible to trust his father in protecting his mother as he would travel to the Land of Iron with Mifune to fight the master of swords the samurai not shinobi that knew jutsu.

He went to the place that he knew that he could find where Mifune would be. He arrived at a forge that was near the cemetery and hear a lot of banging as he knew that currently Mifune was still reforging the blade and needed absolute concentration so he waited outside of the forge. He was waiting for Mifune to come out as he wanted Ryu's blade to be perfect when done to fully honor his sensei and mentor.

He stood there for three hours as he heard the banging of the forge. The sound came to a stop as the door of the forge opened. MIfune walked out as he saw Riku standing there. Mifune heard of all of the things that happened to Riku in the past few days and when he heard that although he couldn't bring back his friend he wasted all his chakra in the effort to do so showing he really follows his convictions.

Mifune: Young Riku why have you come here?

Riku: I wanted to ask you something Lord Mifune. If it is possible?

Mifune: Go ahead tell me what your request is?

Riku: Please teach me the ways of the sword. My sensei, Ryu, said that you were the only one that he trusted to continue my training. Since you were the only person my teacher recommended I had full faith in that and as I studied the blade in that week we were coming back my swordsmanship has improved a lot.

Mifune: Hmmm. I want to know some things first before I make a decision.

Riku: Ok.

Mifune: If I train you during that period you must remain neutral from all of the nations. All that I ask from this is whenever you receive our training you never accept a mission from the village as we are believers of peace.

Riku: I can understand that.

Mifune: I know that you are a man of your conviction and are sharpening yourself to follow them but as you have seen the harsh realities of the world will you continue this way of life?

Riku; Yes of course I will.

Mifune: Last question are you willing to train with the samurai of the Land of Iron and learn our ways as well?

Riku: Yes I will.

Mifune: Then I will train you. Be ready to depart in a few days. I will continue my comrades wish and turn you into an amazing and disciplined swordsman.