Chapter 11: Shadow and Flame

The academy buzzed with energy as the sun rose over the Hidden Leaf Village, illuminating the training grounds where young shinobi were honing their skills. Laughter mingled with the sounds of shouts and the clatter of training weapons, creating an atmosphere of youthful enthusiasm. Among the throng of students, Hikaru Nara stood out, not just for his blind eyes but for his knack for mischief.

Today's lesson focused on fundamental techniques that every shinobi should master. As the instructor droned on about the importance of teamwork and sacrifice, Hikaru couldn't help but stifle a grin. He glanced at Chōza Akimichi, who was diligently taking notes, and an idea sparked in his mind. With a swift motion, he slipped a rubber kunai into Chōza's pouch, careful not to draw attention.

As the lesson concluded, the students lined up for their duels. One by one, they faced off, demonstrating their skills against each other. Hikaru's first opponent was Sora Aburame, who relied on quick footwork and evasive maneuvers. Sora darted around him, attempting to land a hit. "Are you trying to dance or fight?" Hikaru joked, dodging gracefully and watching his opponent closely.

Despite the playful banter, Hikaru was focused. Each duel presented a learning opportunity, and he quickly adapted to each opponent's style. He faced Emiko Hyuga next, whose Byakugan granted her exceptional insight into his movements. Though she had the advantage, Hikaru relied on his shadow senses to anticipate her strikes. With a well-timed sidestep, he countered her attack, earning a round of applause from their classmates.

Throughout the day, Hikaru continued to win his matches, earning whispers of "genius" among his peers. But beneath the accolades, he remained acutely aware of his advantages. Taijutsu was his forte, and while he was currently excelling, he knew that soon enough, his classmates would incorporate ninjutsu into their fighting styles, leveling the playing field.

"Don't let it get to your head, Nara," Shikaku teased, grinning as he observed Hikaru's latest victory. "You may be winning now, but we all know you can't dance around like this forever."

"True," Hikaru replied, smirking. "But it sure is fun watching you all try!" He felt a mixture of pride and pressure from the title of genius. Instead of letting it weigh him down, he decided to keep the atmosphere light. "Just wait until I add shadow clones to my routine; I'll be unstoppable!"

As the day progressed, more duels unfolded. In a heated match against Kenta Akimichi, Hikaru found himself pushed to his limits. Kenta's strength was formidable, and as the fight went on, Hikaru couldn't help but admire his tenacity. "Not bad for a guy who eats too many dumplings!" he quipped, evading a powerful strike.

Kenta laughed, throwing a feigned punch. "Just wait until I actually land a hit, Nara!"

After the matches concluded, the students gathered in a circle to discuss their performances. In the middle of their conversation, Hikaru couldn't resist the urge to play a prank on the unsuspecting Chōza. He flicked the rubber kunai into the air, catching it deftly. "Hey, Chōza, I think your kunai's got a bit of a bounce to it!"

Laughter erupted around them as Chōza inspected the rubber replica, eyes widening in realization. "Hikaru! You little sneak!" he exclaimed, mock chasing him around the training grounds, their friends joining in the playful chaos.

As the sun began to set, Hikaru sat on the edge of the training ground, watching his friends as they sparred. He was grateful for their camaraderie but knew he would need to adapt quickly once ninjutsu became a central part of their training. He turned to Shikaku, who sat beside him. "I'm going to need to step it up soon. They'll catch up before we know it."

Shikaku nodded, serious for a moment. "You're right. We all have to keep improving, but you're doing great so far. Just remember, it's not all about winning. We're here to learn."

"Yeah," Hikaru agreed, a determined smile spreading across his face. "And I'm going to make sure my learning is as entertaining as possible!"

With that promise, Hikaru stood, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, knowing that with friends by his side, the journey would always be filled with laughter and growth.

Days later, Hikaru felt a surge of excitement ripple through the Nara clan as news spread about Kaito Nara's return home from his latest mission. Memories flooded back to him—training sessions where Kaito had pushed him to hone his skills after his father was deployed to war. Kaito was not just a family member; he was a mentor and an inspiration.

Determined to add some humor to the day, Hikaru devised an elaborate prank. He meticulously set up several rubber kunai, each attached to a thin wire that would spring the projectiles upon activation. The kunai were positioned at different angles, aimed to catch Kaito off guard as he entered the clan compound. With the trap set, Hikaru hid nearby, gripping his wooden sword tightly, anticipation thrumming through him.

Peering through the shadows, Hikaru utilized his shadow sense to keep track of the entrance, waiting for the telltale signs of Kaito's approach. Every heartbeat felt amplified in his ears as he listened intently. He knew Kaito would be back soon; the moment was finally at hand.

As Kaito entered the compound, Hikaru's heart raced. He watched as Kaito stepped into the trap's path, and just as he had predicted, the wire snapped. The rubber kunai sprang forth in a flurry, zipping through the air. Kaito, however, was quick on his feet, dodging and deflecting the projectiles with impressive agility.

Seizing the moment when Kaito was focused on the kunai, Hikaru launched his surprise attack, aiming to strike from Kaito's blind spot with his wooden katana. The moment felt perfect, and he was certain he would succeed. But Kaito, trained and experienced, was more than ready. In a fluid motion, he parried Hikaru's strike with a swift block, showcasing his skill and reflexes.

Hikaru barely had time to process what had just happened when Kaito smirked, genuine amusement dancing in his eyes. "Not bad, Hikaru. You've got some clever ideas," he said, his tone playful but with an undercurrent of respect.

Though he hadn't succeeded in his ambush, Hikaru felt a mix of pride and embarrassment. Kaito's reaction lit a spark of joy within him, igniting his competitive spirit. He chuckled, brushing off the failure. "Next time, I'll get you for sure!" he declared, the playful banter between them echoing the bond they shared.

Kaito chuckled back, a smile on his face, impressed not only by Hikaru's creativity but also by his determination. He would always be there to challenge Hikaru, and that thought only fueled his desire to keep improving.

Hikaru's playful ambush on Kaito had ended in a flurry of laughter and respect, but beneath the humor lay a growing concern. As the two caught their breath, Hikaru couldn't shake the worry gnawing at him—what would happen when his peers began to utilize ninjutsu? His skills in taijutsu and shadow manipulation felt impressive now, but he knew that the moment his classmates started casting jutsu, his advantages would dwindle.

"Kaito," he began, glancing at his older mentor with a serious expression, "I've been thinking… What if they start using ninjutsu? I won't be able to keep up."

Kaito nodded, his demeanor shifting to one of understanding. "You're right to be concerned. Learning ninjutsu is crucial. It can give you an edge in battle. But don't worry; I can help you with that."

Hikaru's eyes brightened with hope. "Can we practice together? I want to see how different techniques work in a real fight."

"Absolutely," Kaito replied, a hint of enthusiasm in his voice. "It's all about timing and strategy. Let's find an open area where we can train without any distractions."

The two moved to a spacious training ground, devoid of obstacles, allowing for unhindered practice.

"Alright, let's start simple," Kaito said, focusing his chakra. "I'll use a fireball jutsu, but I'll minimize the chakra so it won't be too powerful. Are you ready?"

Hikaru nodded, positioning himself to react to whatever Kaito unleashed. He was confident in his shadow senses, feeling prepared for the oncoming attack.

Kaito formed the necessary hand seals, and with a flick of his wrist, a small fireball shot toward Hikaru. "Here it comes!"

However, as the fireball raced toward him, Hikaru's anticipation turned to shock. His shadow sense, usually a reliable guide, distorted in a way he had never experienced before. The world around him felt as if it were flipping upside down, disorienting him and causing him to freeze in place.

Kaito, noticing the change in Hikaru's expression, realized something was wrong. "Hikaru, move!" he shouted, but it was too late. The fireball struck him directly.

Although Kaito had controlled the jutsu to ensure minimal chakra was used—resulting in almost no heat—the impact of the expulsion knocked Hikaru back several meters. He landed hard on the ground, unconscious from the sudden blow.

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I swear I will make him strong later don't give up :)