Chapter 5

Chakra was an odd thing, even after years of using it, it still felt foreign to him. Located within his body, it was and at the same time wasn't sharing the same space with his stomach. 

Shizukana sat crossed leg on his room's floor focusing on his surroundings. He had woken up hours before everyone else, his restless mind unable to find peace even in his sleep.

Surrounding nature energy circled around him, flowing into his own body's chakra. Beads of sweat formed on his brow, as he tried to balance the two opposing energies. Suddenly the natural energy rushed in like a tidal wave, snapping him out of his serenity, quickly he shut himself from the outside influence, but it was already to late.

He looked down to see the lower half of his legs turned to stone, a numb electric feeling danced on the sole of his feet, like one would feel after sitting on the toilet for too long. 

Quickly he calmed himself down, and began to focus of the frozen parts. At his command the natural energy began to flow out of his Tenketsu and back into the surroundings. It took a while, but eventually his legs returned back to its normal paper white complexion.

Standing up, he gently tested his legs trying to see if any of the natural energies where left.

"Truly mastery over nature is a difficult thing, even Jiraiya, a legendary sannin, could not master it even till his death." He sighed 

For the past half-century, Shizukana has worked to figure out senjutsu. It would be his secret trump card, this way of building power would be entirely foreign to the Ōtsutsuki. Ōtsutsuki as rule tend to focus entirely on the abilities their lineage provides, after all they were descendants of the god Shibai, and as such the same divine blood that flowed through him flows in them as well.

But the problem with this as he came to realize, was the massive amount of chakra needed to bring even part of this legendary power to light. For more advanced and powerful clans, this was no serious problems, with thousands of worlds within their clutches, there would be more than enough chakra to pass around, but the Akai Tategami was a new clan, barely passed the thousand year mark and as such there was limited amount of resource to go around, only on the most talented could such precious resource be planted.

This was the way of the world, when people get together, they can only divide themselves according to their talents and dedication to their organization, rains of wealth would be showered on the best, all their hardwork and loyalty rewarded in front of everyone, and those who fall short of this would only be motivated even harder to give their lives for the organization.

It was a constant cycle of sacrifice, the individual for the whole, the singular for the many. Such was the way of the clans.

And so to break this cycle's hold over him, he had begun to develop this method, but without a teacher who could guide him, he had been forced to rely on the fail and try again method.

The sun rose outside his room, its rays a brilliant yellow managed to pierce the curtains of his room. Outside Shizukana could hear the movements of the numerous servants going about their day. Without hesitating he got ready and left the room behind. Going up to the main house, he was directed upstairs to Lord Osaki's office.

"My lord." Shizukana bowed low. "You called."

"Hmm." Osaki hummed, "I brought you here so you may learn of your station."

"I've seen firsthand your display, I think you have quite the talent."

"Thank you, Lord Osaki." Shizukana bowed again.

"Your station," Lord Osaki began, his voice carrying the weight of authority, "is crucial, Shizukana. As an Ōtsutsuki and a member of the Akai Tategami clan, you bear not only the responsibility of upholding our traditions but also the duty to strengthen our position among the other clans."

Shizukana nodded, "I am prepared to serve, my lord."

Lord Osaki studied him for a moment before continuing, "After much deliberation I have decided you are to serve as a personal guard and teacher to my grandson, you will follow him wherever he goes and keep him safe from all harm even with your own life if need be."

Dammit.

Shizukana knelt suddenly, "My lord, I am not worthy of such an honored position."

He knew better than to protest openly against his lord's decision. Instead, he focused on maintaining his composure and showing his respect.

Lord Osaki regarded Shizukana with a stern gaze before speaking, "Your humility is noted, but it is not for you to decide your worthiness. I have seen your potential, and I believe you are more than capable of fulfilling this role."

There wasn't a choice, he would either do as commanded or get in serious trouble. Perhaps it won't be that bad, maybe he could find a way to turn this around.

Shizukana bowed his head deeply, "I will do my utmost to serve faithfully, my lord."

"See that you do," Lord Osaki replied, his tone firm. "The safety of my grandson is of utmost importance. You will begin your duties immediately."