280- Promised Spar
He and Kushina had been working tirelessly for nearly two days, putting theory into practice, refining and recalibrating, each modification aimed at enhancing the function of the Rashomon gates.
The training grounds Kushina had chosen were expansive and secluded, an ideal spot for complex jutsu experimentation by the closely guarded Jinchuriki.
"Alright," Renjiro muttered, steeling himself. He squared his stance, fingers poised and ready to perform the hand signs. "Here goes nothing."
One by one, he formed the new sequence of hand seals: Tiger, Snake, Horse, Rat, Ox, Dragon, Bird, Rat again, Dragon once more, and finally, Tiger.
Each sign flowed seamlessly into the next, yet Renjiro could feel the weight of the complex series. This wasn't a standard sequence, and it required immense focus to summon the gates in their modified form. The process was precise; every symbol, every gesture, was a key to summoning the intricate gates they wanted.
A rush of chakra surged from his core, spreading out like a wave that echoed with power as it interacted with the air around him. In an instant, the ground rumbled beneath him as seven colossal gates materialized before him.
The Rashomon gates were stunning. More robust than before, they appeared rooted to the earth as though they had been summoned from the very bedrock.
Each gate now bore a more imposing figure, carved intricately into the metal, with eyes that seemed to come alive, glowing faintly with an azure sheen. The metallic surface of the gates caught the sunlight, shimmering with a cool, blue radiance that seemed almost otherworldly.
This was a far cry from the basic form of the Rashomon gates Renjiro had mastered before. The sheer magnitude of their power was palpable, even without the Sharingan to tell him how the energy flowed through them.
Kushina's eyes sparkled with satisfaction as she approached. "They look different, don't they?" she asked, a hint of pride in her tone.
Renjiro nodded, studying the gates intently. "They're… sturdier. More imposing." He glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. "The changes you suggested made a difference."
Kushina chuckled. "We simplified the equation. Translating the hand seals into their fūinjutsu variants allowed us to fit the chakra drain jutsu-shiki seamlessly into the new jutsu matrix."
Their process over the last day and a half had been meticulous. They had started by deconstructing the standard sequence of hand signs used to summon the Rashomon gates, translating each one into its corresponding fūinjutsu symbol. Despite the increase of marginal error during the translation.
By doing this, they could make adjustments directly to the formula, rather than the hand seals themselves. They inserted the chakra drain matrix into the existing structure, allowing the gates to passively absorb and utilize the chakra of any incoming attack.
Then, they translated the modified formula back into hand signs, resulting in a more extensive, complex sequence. Yet both of them had deemed the trade-off worth it, even if it demanded faster execution from Renjiro.
Renjiro gazed at the towering gates. "It seems like the chakra drain is passive," he remarked, his Sharingan spinning as he analyzed the interaction between the gates and the environment.
Chakra threads flowed into the gates, weaving into the structure and reinforcing it, feeding off the ambient energy and forming a near-perfect defensive barrier.
"Good. It would've been a hassle if I had to keep adjusting it manually."
Kushina crossed her arms, her expression one of pure satisfaction. "And? How does it feel?"
Renjiro smiled, his gaze still fixed on the gates. "It's solid. Stronger than I expected, especially for a first try."
"Good," she replied. "Now, let's see how much they can take."
For the next hour, Renjiro and Kushina tested the gates' durability, assaulting them with every technique in their arsenal. They took turns summoning the gates, watching each time as they sprang up with that same unwavering power.
Kushina summoned her Adamantine Chains, lashing them against the gates with devastating force, the chains crashing against the blue-tinged metal with a resounding clang. Sparks flew, illuminating the clearing, but the gates held firm, absorbing each blow with an almost serene acceptance.
"Not bad," Kushina admitted, retracting her chains after another round of attacks. She observed the gates with an appraising look, taking in the faint energy radiating from their glowing eyes.
"This is strong."
Renjiro nodded in agreement. 'It could always be better,' he thought to himself, eyeing the gates critically, but for now, they had done well. The upgrades had proven successful beyond their initial expectations.
"But," Renjiro said suddenly, deactivating his Adamantine Chains as he glanced at Kushina with a glint of mischief in his eyes, "there's one more test we haven't done."
Kushina raised an eyebrow, her brows furrowing in suspicion. "What test?"
Renjiro took a deep breath, as if weighing his words carefully, and then said,
"Let's see if they can withstand a Tailed Beast Bomb."
There was a pause, followed by a deadpan expression on Kushina's face as she stared at him in disbelief. And then, suddenly, she broke into laughter—a rich, hearty laugh that echoed through the training grounds, startling a few birds into flight from the nearby trees.
"You can't be serious!" she managed between laughs. But as she caught sight of Renjiro's unchanging expression, her laughter slowly faded, and her smile wavered.
"Oh… you were serious."
Renjiro tilted his head, the ghost of a smile playing at his lips. "So, is that a no?"
Kushina gave him a look of exasperation, sighing as she shook her head. "Why on earth would you think that using a Tailed Beast Bomb here in the village is a good idea?" She folded her arms, leaning forward slightly. "And just how do you even know that Jinchuriki can do that?"
Realizing his mistake of slipping up, Renjiro's smile faltered briefly, but he quickly masked it, shrugging nonchalantly. "Just curious, I guess. So… is that a no?"
Kushina smirked, placing her hands on her hips. "First, become Hokage, and then maybe I'll consider it."
Renjiro's face lit up, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "So, the issue is the Hokage?" he countered playfully.
"What if someone close to you becomes Hokage? Will you agree to test it then?" He paused, meeting her gaze with a spark of challenge.
"Or better yet, will we have a spar where you won't hold back?"
Kushina blinked, taken aback by his audacity, before giving him a long, appraising look.
"You're… strange," she finally said, shaking her head with a chuckle. "Fine. I suppose if you—or anyone close to me—ever become Hokage, then maybe we can have a spar," she added, shooting him a warning look.
Renjiro only grinned wider, her words spurring him on. He could already picture it—a true match with Kushina Uzumaki, with neither of them holding back. The very thought was enough to fuel his determination even further.
Kushina watched him carefully, the smile on her face softening. She knew that Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, was well into his golden years. Yet, despite his age, he remained vigorous and steadfast, leading the village with unwavering strength and wisdom.
She didn't foresee him stepping down anytime soon, and for a moment, the idea of Renjiro aiming for the role seemed like nothing more than youthful ambition.
But seeing his joy at her agreement, a subtle unease prickled in her chest. She had the nagging feeling she might have just made a promise that would come back to haunt her.
Renjiro turned back to her, his eyes gleaming with unrestrained excitement. "Thanks, Kushina," he said, giving her a genuine smile. "For everything."
With a quick nod, Renjiro raised his fingers in a half-seal, and with a soft poof, he vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving the training grounds as silent as they had been before.
---
Back in the floating islands, Renjiro sat cross-legged, his eyes closed, his mind focused.
He took a deep breath, and as he did, a sudden influx of memories flooded his mind—the recollections from his shadow clone at the training grounds, the sights, sounds, and feelings as vivid as if he were still there. Renjiro's eyes opened slowly, his gaze steady as he absorbed all he had gained from the session.
"It seems the first round of modifications went well," he murmured to himself, his tone low but pleased. And then, a small smirk tugged at his lips.
"And I also got a promised spar with Kushina?"
He chuckled softly, the mere thought of it fueling his resolve. If he could attain Kage-level strength before or during the next war, that spar could become a reality.
Yet, he knew the challenge ahead of him was monumental. He had the Sharingan, but going up against a Jinchuriki, especially one with the formidable Kurama within, would be another matter entirely.
The last encounter with the Nine-Tails had left him wary; he was certain Kushina would have more than a few tricks up her sleeve.
But even with the odds against him, he couldn't help but feel an exhilarating thrill. This was the kind of ambition that kept him moving forward, the kind that lit a fire in his heart and made every struggle worth it.
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