Training and Sea Travel

Gato was impressed.

Again, this was a sentiment which the man known as the richest in the world rarely ever attained. Once more, he found his expectations being reached and surpassed. Except, this time around, he was genuinely flabbergasted. The shock and disbelief could not be kept away from his coiled mustache, and the brat, looking up at him, spotted a wide grin that clearly showed his satisfaction at accomplishing feats that Gato himself had not expected.

"So, let me get this straight brat –" Gato said, taking in a deep breath "In your little four weeks adventure into the Land of Water – you gained an alliance with the rebel foggers of Kiri, you spread your cult into a full blown religion and somehow got the Daimyo, to approve it as the official religion of Mizu no Kuni, oh, and this is also while getting him to remove support from the Mizukage, while you somehow converted the entirety of the fucking Kaguya Clan, into a bunch of fanatical religious nutjobs."

The boy was smiling now. Smiling in that way that seemed innocent, yet, the underlying smugness might have well been slapped in Gato's face.

He's gotten better at hiding his emotions.

No – not better – he'd gotten nigh-perfect at it. If it weren't for the fact that the boy was his own son, Gato would have no doubt that he would never be able to understand what the boy was thinking.

Does he even know how terrifying that is?

How awe-inspiring?

Pride welled up in him in a manner that it had never before. The sensation overwhelmed him so much that he had no idea when he picked up the boy into his arms and began laughing.

"HAHAHAHA! THAT'S MY BOY!"

"Goddamnit tou-san! Not in front of my followers!"

S = O = G

Congratulations! You have aged up!

You are now five (5) years old!

You have now unlocked new features!

It was the morning of my fifth birthday.

The changes, I noticed almost immediately. My hair had grown a few inches, and so had my height. My face had lost a surprising amount of baby-fat and was now leaner. I looked easily to be eight or nine, rather than five, and I wondered if the sudden height boost was as a result of the extra Charisma which was now bleeding in and affecting my appearance, growth and development. Still, I could not complain at feeling the smooth long hair that reached my neck. Perhaps I'd braid it later on.

Still, I was hesitant to sit up, particularly because it had been such a long time since I slept on an actual bed. My room was exactly as I had left it, exactly as I had remembered it, with nothing seemingly changing about it, yet, I couldn't help but muse at the realization that I was not the same person who had slept on this same bed four weeks ago.

A shame, because I knew that this would be the last time I would be sleeping on this bed for a long while. It would be the last time I would see this room for a long while as well. I climbed out of the bed, stretching extensively, before taking a cursory glance at my wardrobe. Packing was so much easier when you had a personal Inventory to just toss everything inside. I put on a familiar pair of my famous white priest robes, and brought out my curved staff, before taking a deep breath as I walked out the door of the room.

"Shepherd-sama."

The maids, as I had trained them to, immediately stopped and knelt the second they saw me, before lowering their heads even further, their pink-tinted cheeks and shortness of breaths not lost on me in the slightest.

"Sanctifications."

Giving them 'blessings' in the form of rubbing my hands over their hair and applying lower, concentrated doses of Charisma always had the desired effects of entrenching their loyalty. Some would often faint from the mere contact of my hand upon their skin, others would try in vain to hide their obvious sexual arousal that came from being around my Charisma, and the rest would merely 'shudder' for a brief second and gain a 'glazed' look in their eyes.

I ignored their reactions for the most part – as long as their undying faith and loyalty remained, I could care less about whether or not they got off from my touches.

Moving past them, I made my way to the dining quarters, only to frown slightly when I could only find Haku, Kitami, and my latest companion present there. I paused for a second before announcing my presence and instead chose to listen in on the duo.

"This is the home of Shepherd-sama… to have been given such an honor to be within its walls…" the voice said, easily sounding awestruck.

"Shepherd-sama abandoned all this wealth – so he could preach the works of the Divine!"

"I… see." The voice spoke again. "I… still do not understand. Out of my entire clan – I am the one considered least worthy. I am the one with this… demonic power… yet, the Shepherd has chosen me to be one of his direct disciples… he brought me salvation and more… why?"

"The least shall become the most; and the stone rejected by the builder shall become the cornerstone on which the foundation of the building is set. It is written in the Holy Scriptures! The Book of Beneath-Hounds, Chapter 7, Verse 13."

I couldn't help the amusement that washed upon my face, at the knowledge that Haku had suitably memorized my Holy Scriptures to such a degree. Funny how, despite turning to atheism in my previous life, after nearly seventeen years of Christianity – I found myself actually preaching the gospel, although, with myself as a stand in for the Messiah.

"So… there is something… great… that Shepherd-sama sees in me? He believes… I can be someone… important?"

I chose that moment to walk in.

"You are someone important, Kimimaro. You merely have not yet realized it."

There was a brief moment of shock that I could sense from the room, not just from Haku and Kimimaro, but from Kitami as well. Kimimaro was the first to recover, dropping to one knee.

"My – my lord – Shepherd-sama, forgive me – I did not –"

I turned to Haku, who was looking equally dazed. "Shepherd-sama – your appearance – you –"

"I appear as though I have aged by two or three years overnight?"

A slow nod was her response, and I merely laughed.

"Fear not! This – this is the will of the divine! This is him – telling me, preparing me, for the journey and tasks ahead – for the destiny that awaits all of us! This. Is. His. Providence!"

I just loved how I could explain the weird phenomena that happened to me as the work of a supernatural deity, and no one would bat an eye. Had I known this was how much fun it could be playing the religious man, I would have become a pastor in my past life.

Whereas I was easily the same height as Haku beforehand, I was now a full head and shoulders taller than her, and Kimimaro, the latest addition to my "Disciples", was shorter than me by a few inches.

"Now, all of that aside," I said, "Today – we begin on an important journey – a quest which will truly shape the foundations of this world."

I turned to the both of them. "Make your preparations, gather all the items which you feel will be required for a long journey – for we shall be leaving Mizu no Kuni – and we may not be returning for a long, long while."

"Yes, Shepherd-sama!"

"As you command, Shepherd-sama."

With them gone, I could finally sit back and take a deep breath.

"Hey, Kitami."

"Yes, Shepherd-sama?"

I rolled my eyes.

"Cut the Shepherd-sama bull. This is Gat talking, not the Shepherd."

There was a bit of amusement on his lips. "I was unaware that there was a difference, Shepherd-sama."

"You're going to keep calling me that to get on my nerves aren't you?"

"I do not understand what you mean, Shepherd-sama."

I rubbed my nose. "Cheeky old bastard."

A twitch. "I'm not old, I'm decently middle-aged."

"Words only an old guy would utter."

"Perhaps. But at least, there are benefits to being decently middle-aged."

I snorted. "Like?"

"Sex and booze."

"They're overrated."

"Spoken like someone who is too young to get either."

I frowned. "Hey, I can get both if I wanted to."

"Haku doesn't count."

"What? No – ugh – she's four!"

"And you've recently turned five. Isn't that the age when you start experimenting?" amusement was coloring his tone "I can assure you, no one would think worse of you if you put your wee-wee into her. She might even be happy if you did."

I have him a scrunched up look. "You weren't always this sick in the head, were you?"

"I also wasn't always the bodyguard of the most important religious leader in Mizu no Kuni – who has a clan of warriors as his sworn Champions and managed to survive an encounter with Orochimaru of the Sannin by talking to him." He shrugged. "Things change."

I blinked. "That wasn't really an impressive feat –"

"The fact that you don't think much of it only cements it further in my mind Gat-sama."

"Cements what?"

Kitami hummed. "The fact that swearing my life and loyalty to you was indeed, the greatest decision I have ever made." He then shook his head, "You may grab a random woman from the streets, and you may order men to rape and murder her in the vilest ways possible, and my conviction would not be changed. Through thick or thin – till you become a god or the devil himself – I will stand behind you – your sword and your shield – because this is the path that I have chosen."

I was genuinely at a loss for words. Was this the effect of the S-Rank Charisma, or was this something else?

I had always thought of Kitami as my own version of The Hound from Game of Thrones, but, this went above and beyond that. The Hound was essentially just dumb, powerful muscle, who obeyed because he was programmed and conditioned to obey, and had no thoughts or goals or desires of his own. Kitami, on the other hand –

He wasn't a brute sycophant.

Was this a good, or a bad thing?

"Thank you, Kitami."

"There is nothing for which you need to thank me for, Gat-sama. If anything – I am forever in your debt – for you gave my life purpose and meaning once more." The man then reached for an object, bringing it what seemed to be a small box, and handing it to me.

"Something, to perhaps aid you, Gat-sama – little as it may be."

He bowed his head, and walked away, leaving me with the small, ornate brown box with a red tie on it.

"Oh, and Gat-sama –"

He stopped at the door, to smile.

"Happy Birthday."

Son of Gato

It was strange, hearing those words. I honestly could not remember the last time I had heard them, and I slowly realized, that I had not heard them at all in my five years in this world. That was the first time anyone had actually told me that: 'Happy Birthday'.

Considering how I had only gotten into Gato's good graces less than a year ago, it was to be expected, but still, why did it feel so strange to hear those words – to hear someone wishing me a Happy Birthday? It was odd – confusing.

Still, I took my time to carefully open Kitami's gift, untying the red ribbon and opening the box.

Inside, was a pair of fingerless gloves with reflective metal plates at the back, in the same manner that was often worn by shinobi. I frowned. It was a thoughtful gift – but gloves? Fingerless gloves? Weren't those one of those objects high on the 'cool-but-impractical' list?

I decided to give it a cursory glance with Observe to see if it was worth anything.

Mastercraft Item

Gloves of the Devoted

Durability: 1000/1000

Defense: +70

Effects: +65 Agility and +25 Strength

Lasts: 3000 Days

I wheezed.

Jesus-FUCKING-Christ –

I stared at the effects again to make sure that I had not accidentally read it wrong. 65 Agility?

That was a massive boost. That was easily B Rank to B+ Rank – the equivalent of a Special Jonin or a Rookie ANBU – all gotten from putting on a pair of fucking gloves?!

I knew that the Gamer was a bullshit power – but this was ridiculous. I was certain that these gloves wouldn't have the same effect for any other random bloke who put them on. Not that I cared about the sheer unfairness of it all, as I checked up on my status.

Name: Gato Junior

HP: 200/200

CHK: 51/51

Level: 3

Age: 5

Rank: Civilian

Title: Little Cutthroat

EXP: 103/5000

Money: Approx. 55,000,000,000 Ryo

SPECIAL

Strength: 4 [E– Rank]

Perseverance: 25 [D Rank]

Endurance: 37 [C Rank]

Charisma: 101 (+20) [S Rank]

Intelligence: 19 (+20) [C Rank]

Agility: 4 [E– Rank]

Luck: 100 [A Rank]

You have (7) undistributed points

I put six points into Agility to make it a round 10, before allocating the remaining one point into Strength to make it an even 5, and then, I took a deep breath as I put on the gloves.

SPECIAL

Strength: 5 (+25) [C– Rank]

Perseverance: 25 [D Rank]

Endurance: 37 [C Rank]

Charisma: 101 (+20) [S Rank]

Intelligence: 19 (+20) [C Rank]

Agility: 10 (+65) [B+ Rank]

Luck: 100 [A+ Rank]

I almost wanted to laugh, but I felt that laughing would be ill-fitted for the situation. I had the same Agility as ANBU, meaning that I was currently faster and nimbler than someone like Anko, and was almost as fast as someone like Yugao. Strength wise, I had gone from absolutely pitiful strength, to being as strong as an Elite Genin or a Rookie Chunin. All of which, had happened from merely putting on a pair of gloves.

I was aware, of course, that this boost was a temporary one. 3000 days – and then the glove would lose its effects. Still, 3000 days was approximately over eight years – and for the next eight years, I would have ANBU Level speed and dexterity.

My body felt lighter, my fingers felt faster, nimbler, and it was as though I was walking on air. Movement which had felt like a hassle, was now so fluid, that I felt as though I could break into a musical number and start tangoing with all the maids effortlessly.

Ah, all this athletic skill, and the only thing it was used for, was killing and combat. Gods, shinobi could be so stupid at times. Someone ought to introduce breakdancing and ballet to these uncultured swine.

It seemed that someone would have to be me, unfortunately.

It would be amusing teaching them though. That I had to admit.

I shook my head at the stray thought, before once more focusing on the fact that I felt lighter than a feather, and I used the opportunity to do things and maneuvers I'd never have dreamed about in my past life. From doing perfect splits, to one-handed handstands, to bending my body and curving my back all the way to the ground, to just plain backflips, tumbles, and exaggerated martial art movements, I worked up a sweat, and was still grinning like a loon from doing all of it.

Was this how Bruce Lee had felt? Was this how athletes felt on a regular basis? Guess there was something to the whole 'exercise' thing that people kept talking about. Endorphins were exhilarating.

"…What are you doing?"

I froze like a deer in headlights when I heard the voice, and turned to find my father standing at the doorway of my room.

"… Just some… early morning calisthenics."

Charisma Check Failed!

Yeah, he wasn't going to buy that one, even with the S-Rank Charisma.

"Hmm… I'd say you've gotten stranger boy – but considering how you've always been strange in one way or another, I'm not sure how much meaning that word has anymore."

"Thanks…?"

Gato stood and gave me an appraising look, most likely, he was observing the fact that I'd grown far taller than was possible for someone my age in such a short amount of time. He seemed like he was going to comment on it, for a second, and I knew he'd see past any bullshit explanation that I could give.

"Well – what are you waiting for? Your ship has been ready since midnight. Get everything you need, and get going!"

I rolled my eyes at the man. Typical Gato.

Son of Gato

Year Five - Month One, Day One

The S.S. Gatebreaker was Gato's 'gift' to me for my fifth birthday. She was a fine ship, one with enough space that it could have been mistaken for a cruise ship at first glance, but it wasn't necessarily large enough to be one.

It was a technologically advanced vessel, and not one of those things which required a mast and a sail, and as much as I'd like to go into detail into the specifics and aesthetics of the vessel, I had not been taught, nor did I care to learn the terminology. As far as I was concerned, it was a ship, with cabins, rooms, enough space on deck, a kitchen, a bar, a storage unit, and a suitable crew – and that was all I needed to know.

The Crew of course, were expert sailors that I'd handpicked personally from Waterlily Port Town, because it was essential that they were absolutely loyal to me and to me alone. I hadn't picked any and I mean any member of the Kaguya Clan. The only member of the clan that was of any use to me was Kimimaro, and I'd already had him – the rest were insignificant. I'd chosen three or four maids here and there to complete the ship, but essentially, the outline of the vessel comprised of myself, Haku and Kimimaro, Kitami, the Captain, First Mate, Crew, and Four Maids.

That was all I needed.

Vessel Unlocked – S.S. Gatebreaker!

World Map Unlocked!

You can now travel to the vast countries of the elemental nations!

There were many who came to see me off. Mostly because they assumed that I was going on some sort of pilgrimage journey, for which I would be converting the rest of the world to my religion. While it was true, in a sense, and I would be doing that, they were unaware of my actual motives of conquering this world my way. The religious aspect was just one of such ways, and though it seemed to be working so far, I'd take a page out of the Sid Meier's Civilization VI game, and choose not to rely on only one path to victory. Who said I couldn't dominate the entire planet, without ever having to lift a finger in battle?

This was how I found myself, standing at the end of the ship, the sound of crashing waves serving as the crescendo of music in the background, the smell of seawater filling my nostrils as I stared over to the people of Waterlily Port Town, stared over to my father, and I couldn't help the magnificent grin that was filled upon my face at that moment.

"TODAY!"

I roared, allowing my voice to immediately carry over to the masses that had come to see me off. The masses who were either inspired or enthralled by me, the masses who lapped up every word I spoke, the masses who would sooner be willing to kill their own siblings than to go against my words.

"THE SHEPHERD SHALL CROSS THE SEA!" I grinned, and then I pumped my fist into the air. "GAT BEGINS HIS JOURNEY!"

I pointed at them.

"FOR YOU!"

At myself.

"FOR ME!"

At the sky.

"FOR THE DIVINE!"

I stretched my arms open.

"FOR THE WORLD!"

It was uncharacteristic of me, but at this point, the positive energy I was generating was rolling over the populace like a tidal wave.

"GAT-SAMA!

"SHEPHERD-SAMA!"

"GAT-SAMA!"

"GAT-SAMA!"

"GAT-SAMA!"

"GAT-SAMA!"

I watched as they chanted, as the ship's horn blew and began leaving the harbor, as the men, women, children, young, old, disabled, all of them, chanted my name in unision, all of them, watched and stood as the journey began.

And there he was, my father, standing, he epitome of pride, as a large grin overwhelmed his face, and he didn't need to say anything. He knew, and I knew, that I had accomplished something. As the chants began to increase in volume, and as it began to blur, it sounded less and less like my name, and all I could hear were the chants –

"GAT-SAMA!"

"GAT-SAMA!"

"GAT-SAMA!"

"GAT-SAMA!"

My goal to become the God-Emperor of the world was off to a tremendous start.

~~~~~~~~~~~~ Son of Gato ~~~~~~~~

Year Five – Month One, Day Two

The accommodations on the SS Gatebreaker, while not quite up to standard of the one's back at the mansion, was still somewhat acceptable. My room in particular, which I had a feeling was up to Gato's shenanigans, making it easily one of the largest rooms on the entire vessel, with an extra-comfortable looking king-sized bed that had no business being on a vessel of this size. Still, I supposed that I could not complain, particularly due to the fact that the gentle rocking of the boat often tended to give me slight nausea and sea-sickness. I did my best to shove it down though, because I could not afford, under any circumstance to appear weaker than I actually was. At least, for now, whilst I was still exerting significant influence over Haku and Kimimaro. Perhaps in later years, things might change, but for now, I doubted it.

I'd taken the previous day to inform the captain of our course for the first destination, and there had been no skepticism, questions or curious raising of the eyebrows. Just absolute determination and dedication… as well as the realization that it'd take about four to six months to get there.

I could already feel myself missing airplanes and airports.

Four to Six Months at sea just to get to my first destination? That was essentially over half a year. This would not even take into account the time it'd take me to get from that destination to my next one – which would be doubly ridiculous.

While we were suitably, and tremendously well stocked, I had a feeling that we might be making stops every month or so just to stock up on extra necessities in case.

Of course, all this extra time at sea, meant it was more than enough free time to begin training. Thankfully, the deck was large enough, and the type of training I had in mind for my two minions was not of the incredibly destructive variety.

Although, judging by the weird look Kitami was giving me, he seemed to disagree.

"You want me… to train the Kaguya boy, how to fight like a samurai?"

I shook my head. "No, I want you to train Kimimaro how to fight against a samurai."

"I'm not sure I follow."

I sighed. "I want you to beat him to a pulp in training, over and over and over again, until the instinct is fine trained into him to be capable of fighting back, or surviving attacks by either pure instinct or sheer aggravation."

He rose an eyebrow, and I was tempted to just use Charisma to make him do it without arguing, but I thought against it.

"I call it – 'Training by Failure'. Essentially, the best way to become a good Chess – er – Shogi player, is to constantly play against Grand Masters, get thoroughly beaten, then analyze your strategy after defeat to see your mistakes, play again, and then get whooped again, until, eventually, you are capable of at least putting up some challenge by virtue of constantly being defeated and learning your mistakes."

"…Did you think up this method yourself Gat-sama?"

I shrugged. Not really, it was more or less from the years of anime experience, and actual Chess Tournaments I'd played, but he didn't need to know that.

"Don't go easy on him – Kimimaro can heal fast and is far sturdier than normal because of his bloodline."

Kitami nodded.

"Also – if you could train him in some actual swordsmanship skills – that would be great. Might as well teach the guy who can create swords from his body how to use them properly."

"And the girl… Haku?"

A small grin fell upon my lips. "Leave her to me."

Son of Gato

Year Five, Month One, Day 20

It wasn't torture.

Or, more specifically, I didn't intend for it to be torture. The goal wasn't necessarily to break her will and desire to serve me, but rather, to mold her into something capable of serving me with all the magnificent prowess she possessed. Considering that my interference has made it so that she would never meet Zabuza, it also meant, that most of the techniques she would have learned under the Demon of the Mist were now lost. Most of the experience. The fighting instinct. In a way, I had crippled her potential – and the only way to make up for it is to ensure, without a shadow of a doubt, that what I did decide to teach her would make anything she could have learned under Zabuza look absolutely trifling.

We'd started with the basics of chakra – channeling it, using it, molding it, and then I had her work on the basic chakra exercises such as sticking paper to her body, and using leaves from my inventory to work on leaf sticking.

I was an excellent tutor, and her desire to prove herself to me aided in making her grasp concepts faster and faster. Or perhaps she was just some sort of hidden genius, either way, I was pleased with the results.

So, we moved on to 'tree-walking' although, in this case, it was 'surface-walking' due to the fact that we were on a ship, and there were no trees anywhere nearby. I had her climb the mast, to the crow's nest and the very top of the ship using nothing but her feet, and, I made her walk around the ship, by using chakra to cling to the external body, with the full knowledge that failing or losing concentration would immediately equal a trip into the ocean. And of course, I wasn't going to jump in and save her, or order the ship to stop so she could get back on. It was a suitable enough motivation to really get her to grasp the basics of chakra control, ensuring that she could use it suitably.

All of this had been done in about twenty days.

In that time frame, Haku could now suitably use chakra as well as a rookie Konohan Genin, if I was using canon Team 7 as a basis.

So, all that was left, was Water-Walking.

This was where the 'torture' began.

"Equalize the chakra distribution between your feet, enabling it to grasp at the water, and ensuring that you are ready for any rapid changes on the surface. Water isn't like normal material, and is constantly changing, likewise, you must learn to subconsciously alter your chakra to match the changes in the water, and keep yourself on top."

We were inside my private bathroom. The large tub was filled to the brim with steaming hot water, and Haku stood in front of me, in a plain T-Shirt and a pair of boxer shorts, which of course, both happened to be mine.

"The water is hot – immensely so. This means, the sooner you are able to grasp the water-walking, the less likely you'll find yourself submerged in scalding water."

Negative reinforcement always worked.

"Hai – Gat-sama!"

"Allow me to demonstrate."

With flourish and a spin, I leapt on top of the water, thankful for the Perfect Chakra Control that enabled me to grasp the technique near instinctively. It was strange, walking on water. It felt like as though I was standing still on a waterbed more than anything else, and I made a few gentle skips and hops over the scalding surface, before I jumped out of the filled bath tub.

"Now – you try."

As expected, it wasn't long before the sound of splashing water, and childish shrieks filled the b

athroom.

I couldn't help the slight twitch of my lips that came from the sounds.

This was probably going to take a while.

Son of Gato

Year Five, Month Two, Day 4

I sighed as the notification popped up once more.

Mystical Palm Technique has gone up by 3!

Mystical Palm Technique is now at Level 29!

Due to the fact that Kitami literally beat the living daylights out of Kimimaro every single time they sparred, and Haku's scalds had proven to be somewhat detrimental to her ability to learn, I had no choice but to force myself to learn the Mystical Palm Technique, just to be capable of healing their wounds and getting them ready for the training session the next day.

"There – how do you feel now?"

"T-thank you, Gat-sama."

I merely smiled as Haku nodded eagerly, and immediately went straight back to work. Thankfully, she'd gotten a good enough grasp on Water-Walking for now, but she still needed larger chakra reserves, so I was making her sit down and meditate over a bathtub of scorching hot water. Considering the next step in our training was going to be the basics of Elemental Manipulation, she needed as much exposure to heat as possible, with what I had planned in mind.

But goddamn it – sea travel was boring. I could finally understand why cruises usually lasted for such a short period, and I had no idea as to why anyone would deliberately want to travel with this method anymore. A whole month had passed with the only major difference being that we had gone from being in a region with cold water, to a region with slightly warmer water and more temperate atmosphere. Just seawater for as far as the eyes could see.

I supposed this time would also be suitable for me to start training, or at the very least, develop a collection of potentially life-saving jutsu which would aid me in the case of assassination attempts, or in case I ever ran into an S-Rank Shinobi like Orochimaru again.

Although, a lot had changed though, at least, when looking at certain characters in particular. I walked to the large open deck of the ship, an area which had seen more wear than others, and my eyes focused on the two combatants present. One was a samurai, with his swords both wielded, in a calm position with barely a scratch on him, and the other, was a boy my age, with pale white hair, standing on what looked to be his last legs, covered in cuts and bruises, with two, bone white blades in both hands, held in reverse grip, in what looked to be a bastardized version of the Samurai's stance.

A brief glance with Observe told me what I needed.

Name: Kitami Hiro

Title: The Final Gate

Level: 60

Age: 37

Rank: Ronin (A)

Occupation: Gat's Bodyguard

Kitami had gone from being Level 45, when I first met him, and being a B– Ranked Ronin, to Level 60, and being firmly A-Ranked. He was, as of now, the level of an experienced Jonin, and I had no doubt in my mind, that only really strong Jonin, such as Kakashi or Gai, would be capable of giving him trouble. People like Asuma or Kurenai wouldn't be a challenge for him anymore.

This meant… Kitami trained.

Strange as it was, the man most likely spent his hours training and becoming better, even though I'd yet to catch him doing anything of the sort.

I turned my eyes to Kimimaro.

Name: Kimimaro Kaguya

Title: N/A

Level: 23

Age: 5

Rank: Shinobi (C+)

Occupation: N/A

My eyebrow rose slightly at that. Kimimaro was already C+ Ranked? At age five? This meant he was already at the level of an experienced Chunin. I knew that he was strong in Canon, at least, strong enough to have fought off Rock Lee and survived Gaara's sand, but if he was Chunin level at age five, at age seventeen, he should have been at least Kage level.

My nose furrowed. Except, that logic didn't necessarily hold. For instance, Kakashi had been Jonin level at a ridiculously young age, but he stagnated and at age 29, he'd still been nothing more than Jonin level.

Had it been my influence that made Kimimaro this strong this early? I mean, it had only been a month since I ordered Kitami to spar Kimimaro, every single day, three times a day, only stopping to rest, eat and sleep. Did this have such a huge effect on Kimimaro's growth? It was just one month of non-stop combat after all.

Well… except, my memory was good, and I knew, that it had only taken Sasuke, one month, during the Chunin Exams to suddenly become as fast as Rock Lee and be capable of breaking through Gaara's automatic sand defense. I highly doubted that during that training period Kakashi had been pushing Sasuke non-stop to the verge of possible death, and their training had been significantly lax – yet, the results of one month of training had showed.

There were, of course, things that didn't add up. If Kimimaro had this much potential, he should have been Kage-level by the time Canon rolled around, sickness or not. The only explanation as to why he wasn't, was that Orochimaru didn't take the time to properly train his lieutenants and make them achieve their utmost capabilities, or Kimimaro had been nerfed badly by Kishimoto in order to give the good guys a fighting chance.

Considering the fact that both of these were very likely possibilities, I wasn't sure which option I'd go for.

With a start that drew my attention, I was made aware of the fact that the battle had continued. Kimimaro lunged forward, both bone blades in hand, moving at a speed that I could easily track, but was nonetheless impressive for him. Kitami however, was unimpressed, and he merely used a single sword to catch both of the boy's blades. The taller stronger man broke through Kimimaro's defense with ease, his sword coming down for a slash that could, and would have sliced the boy in two. Kimimaro's reflexes were faster however, and he was able to block the attack by extending the bones of his fingers out of his hand, and using them to catch the blade.

Well – he'd never done that in Canon.

The extended bone fingers immediately pointed in Kitami's direction, and, already predicting what was coming, the expert bodyguard leaned backwards to evade the spray of bone bullets that shot out from Kimimaro's hands like a miniature machinegun.

Another thing that he definitely did not know how to do before.

With the speed those things had been flying at, anyone below Chunin Rank would have been dead before they knew what hit them.

Also, I came to the realization that nobody vocalized or called out the name of their attacks in the Naruto world. It was beyond stupid to do so, and it had only ever been done in the anime because it was for the benefit of the people watching to know the names of the moves. It had never been done in the manga. Instead, a subscript had been there providing the name of the jutsu. My Observe instinctively told me the name of the techniques however, which I supposed had its important uses.

Rapid Fire Bone Bullet.

I rose an eyebrow. It was lethal – tremendously so. It also reminded me of a certain lethal bone-like attack, which was supposedly claimed to turn all that it hit into ash. A veritable, one-hit-kill technique. Teaching Kimimaro to use it would have to come soon, that is, of course, assuming that it could be learned and as not a technique exclusive to the rabbit goddess alone.

Still, I felt I was satisfied with Kimimaro's progress so far.

I clapped my hand once, immediately drawing the attention of both combatants to me.

"That's enough for today. I have plans for Kimimaro for now, and I felt it would be best if he still had energy left."

I spun around and waved my hand. "Come now Kimimaro, we have work to be done."

Son of Gato

Year Five, Month Three, Day 23

The days rapidly began to blur into each other. It settled into a pattern, teaching Haku, healing Haku, working with Kimimaro on our secret project, watching his progress in spars with Kitami, rinse and repeat. Seafaring voyages were easily the least favorite part of my life, and I could not wait to get to our destination, and hopefully get what I needed to permanently consider sea travel out of the question.

I did, however, begin working on one thing to ensure my safety since I had been aboard the Gatebreaker. With B+ Rank Agility, it meant that I no longer had the pitiful butterfingers I once possessed. Likewise, this translated to being capable of holding a brush in my hand and not splattering ink all over in a clumsy mess. This, of course, translated to gaining new and improved levels in Calligraphy. It was the only skill in my "ABC's of Successful Businessmen" that had previously possessed an abysmally pathetic level.

Now though?

I stood in front of a large piece of canvas, staring ornately and the exquisitely drawn kanji for my name. The brushes strokes were elegant, with not a single blotch present, not a single wasted movement, not a single intersection or cross-sectioning that would have belayed amateurism. No – it had all been written in one smooth, elegant, professional manner. There was little doubt in my mind that it could be sold for several million.

Calligraphy Lv. 89

Yet, the skill wasn't even maxed out. I snorted. I wondered what it would mean to have a maxed out skill in the art, if I could do this without it. Regardless, fancy writing was only a prologue to attain the most coveted branch of techniques in the world. The essential equivalent of being a Master Enchanter.

Fuinjutsu.

Of course, I wasn't going to be stupid enough to try messing with Fuinjutsu on a ship of all things. No, not even something as seemingly 'minor' as a sealing scroll. The possibility that I would do something immensely dangerous without realizing it was high, hence, I would wait until I was on land before beginning my dabble into the scribbly words of infinite power.

"Gat-sama,"

I turned my attention to the door, finding Kitami standing there.

"The captain says we need to stop to restock on supplies and other necessities."

I rose an eyebrow. "We have restocked the past couple of times without informing me… what changed?"

"It's where we're restocking this time around."

My eyebrow went higher, gesturing him to continue.

"We're in the Land of Fire."

I blinked. Oh.

"Am I right in assuming there is something you wish to do here, Gat-sama?"

Slowly, my lips upturned.

"Why… yes Kitami." I said.

A slow grin fell on my lips. "Yes indeed."