17. Shadows of the Future

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Kira walked through the winding streets of Konoha, his mind a whirl of thoughts as he made his way back to the Kozuki compound. The village was quiet in the early morning hours, with only the occasional shinobi patrolling the streets or a vendor setting up their stall. The mission he and his team had recently completed lingered in his mind, but more pressing matters occupied his thoughts now—matters of the future.

The System that had been bestowed upon him was a blessing beyond measure. It provided him with powerful items, knowledge, and techniques that could elevate not just himself, but his entire clan. Yet, Kira couldn't ignore the implications of such power. Would the village allow the Kozuki clan to rise to prominence? Would Danzo and the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, stand by and watch as his clan grew stronger?

He knew the answer. Danzo, with his relentless pursuit of control and power, would never tolerate a potential threat. Hiruzen, though more tempered, would still prioritize the stability of Konoha above all else. Kira had seen how the village treated those who were seen as too powerful or uncontrollable. The Uchiha clan's fate was a reminder of that.

He turned a corner and passed through the gates of the Kozuki compound, the familiar sight of his family's ancestral home bringing him a measure of comfort. The Kozuki clan had long been known for their mastery of swordsmanship and the Water Breathing techniques. But in a world where power dictated survival, Kira knew they would need more than just traditional skills to secure their future.

Kira made his way to the main house, the scent of fresh pine and incense filling the air as he stepped inside. His grandfather, Kozuki Hiroshi, was seated in the central hall, his eyes closed in meditation. Despite his age, Hiroshi exuded a calm strength, his presence commanding respect from all who met him.

"Grandfather," Kira greeted, bowing respectfully.

Hiroshi opened his eyes, a small smile gracing his lips as he looked at his grandson. "Kira, it's good to see you. How was the mission?"

"It went well," Kira replied, though his tone was distracted. He hesitated for a moment, then continued, "There's something I need to discuss with you."

Hiroshi's expression grew serious as he motioned for Kira to sit beside him. "What troubles you, my boy?"

Kira took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "As you know, I've been practicinga new technique I've created, just like the Water Breathing Technique. If we use these wisely, we could elevate the Kozuki clan to a position of power and prosperity like never before."

Hiroshi nodded slowly, his eyes searching Kira's face. "But you're worried about how the village will react."

"Yes," Kira admitted. "We could potentially find ourselves allienated like the Uchiha Clan, although we are not bad tempered like them. There's no guarantee that the village will stand by watching a small clan like ours progressing"

Hiroshi leaned back, his gaze thoughtful. "What do you propose?"

"I want to train a select group of Kozuki clansmen into Elite Jounin," Kira said, his voice steady. "They will be our first line of defense, capable of protecting the clan from any threat. I will teach them the Rokushiki—Six Techniques—that I've developed, alongside our Water Breathing techniques."

Hiroshi raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "The Rokushiki?"

Kira nodded. "Yes. They are advanced combat techniques that I've refined using the System's knowledge. They can be classified as S-rank skills, and they will make our clan unparalleled in combat."

Hiroshi considered this for a moment, then gave a slow nod. "Very well. I will gather a group of fifteen Genin who show promise in swordsmanship and have the stamina and strength required for such rigorous training. Sword talent runs in our blood, but producing Jounin-level shinobi is not guaranteed. If you can ensure this…"

"I will," Kira said, his eyes determined. "These Genin will become the Shadow Guardians—Kagegari—dedicated to protecting the Kozuki clan."

Hiroshi smiled, a hint of pride in his eyes. "I'll have them sent to you by tomorrow. Train them well, Kira."

---

The next morning, Kira stood in the training courtyard, the cool morning air filled with anticipation. Fifteen young Genin stood before him, their expressions a mix of curiosity and skepticism. They were all from the Kozuki clan, each one bearing the distinctive features of their lineage—sharp eyes, lithe builds, and an innate affinity for the sword.

Kira looked them over, noting their various heights and builds, the way they held themselves, and the fire in their eyes. These would be the future protectors of the Kozuki clan, and it was his responsibility to mold them into something greater.

One of the Genin, a tall boy with a confident smirk, stepped forward. "So, you're the one who's going to train us? I've heard stories about you, Kira. The one who graduated early and created the S-rank Water Breathing technique. But what makes you think you can lead us?"

Kira met the boy's gaze evenly. "I'm not just going to lead you. I'm going to make you stronger than you've ever imagined. But first, you need to understand the gravity of what we're about to undertake."

He paused, letting his words sink in. "You're all here because you've shown promise with the sword, and you have the strength and stamina needed for this training. But becoming an Elite Jounin, one of the Shadow Guardians, requires more than just talent. It requires discipline, dedication, and the willingness to push beyond your limits."

The Genin exchanged glances, their skepticism evident. They were young, eager, and full of pride in their abilities. The idea of someone their age telling them they had limits was clearly not sitting well.

Kira could see it in their faces—they needed to be convinced. He needed to show them what was possible.

Without another word, Kira took a deep breath and focused his chakra. He bent his knees slightly, then suddenly leaped into the air, higher than any normal jump should have taken him. But instead of falling back down, Kira stayed in the air, seemingly standing on an invisible platform.

The Genin gasped in shock, their eyes wide with disbelief as they watched Kira stand in the air, as if gravity had lost its hold on him.

"This is Geppo," Kira explained calmly, his voice carrying over the courtyard. "One of the Rokushiki—Six Techniques—that I've developed. With this, you can move freely in the air as if jumping on solid ground. It's classified as an S-rank technique, and it's just the beginning of what I'm going to teach you."

He performed a series of mid-air maneuvers, effortlessly shifting his position as he leaped from one invisible point to another, defying the laws of physics with each movement. The Genin below watched in awe, their skepticism quickly turning to admiration.

When Kira finally landed back on the ground, the courtyard was silent, the Genin still processing what they had just witnessed.

"These techniques are unlike anything you've seen before," Kira continued, his tone firm. "They will push your bodies and minds to their limits. But if you can master them, you will become the strongest shinobi in the Kozuki clan—elite warriors capable of protecting our family from any threat."

The Genin were now fully attentive, their eyes shining with a newfound respect and determination. Kira had their attention, and more importantly, their belief.

"The first technique we'll begin with is called Soru," Kira announced, stepping forward to demonstrate. "It allows you to move at extreme speed, so fast that it seems like you're teleporting short distances. It's the foundation of the Rokushiki, and mastering it will be essential to your training."

Kira took a deep breath, then suddenly vanished from sight, reappearing a split second later on the other side of the courtyard. The Genin barely had time to register his movement, their eyes struggling to keep up with his speed.

"This is the speed you'll be training to achieve," Kira said, his voice carrying over to them as he returned to his original position. "It won't be easy, and it will take time. But once you master Soru, you'll have taken your first step toward becoming a true Shadow Guardian."

The Genin were buzzing with excitement now, their initial doubts swept away by the display of power and skill they had just witnessed. They could see the potential in Kira's training, and they were eager to begin.

One of the Genin, a girl with short, dark hair and a determined expression, stepped forward. "What's the next step after mastering Soru?"

Kira smiled, pleased with their enthusiasm. "Once you've mastered Soru, we'll move on to the other Rokushiki techniques—Geppo, Rankyaku, Shigan, Tekkai, and Kami-e. Each one is designed to enhance your combat abilities and make you more versatile in battle."

He could see the fire in their eyes, the hunger for power and knowledge that drove them. These were the qualities that would make them formidable warriors, capable of defending the Kozuki clan against any threat.

"But remember," Kira added, his tone serious, "this training isn't just about learning new techniques. It's about becoming a cohesive unit, dedicated to protecting our clan. You'll be training together, fighting together, and supporting each other through the challenges ahead. The bond you forge as Shadow Guardians will be as important as the strength you gain."

The Genin nodded, their earlier skepticism replaced by a sense of purpose. They were beginning to understand the gravity of what Kira was asking of them.

"Your training will be intense and relentless," Kira continued. "There will be days when you want to quit, when your bodies and minds are pushed to the breaking point. But that's when you'll have to dig deep and remember why you're doing this. You're training to become the shield of the Kozuki clan, the ones who will stand against any threat, no matter how powerful."

Kira could see the determination in their eyes, the resolve to rise to the challenge. He had them now—truly had them—and it filled him with a sense of satisfaction. They might have started as skeptical youths, but they were quickly becoming something more.

"Now, let's begin with the basics of Soru," Kira instructed, stepping forward. "To execute Soru, you need to channel chakra into your legs and then release it explosively, propelling yourself forward with incredible speed. It's like the Body Flicker technique, but faster and more controlled. You'll need to practice until you can execute it without thinking, until it becomes second nature."

He demonstrated the technique again, moving so quickly that he seemed to blur, before reappearing behind the group. The Genin turned, wide-eyed, trying to grasp the mechanics of what they had just witnessed.

"The key is control," Kira explained. "It's not just about speed, but about being able to stop and change direction instantly. This technique is about precision and timing as much as it is about raw speed."

The Genin lined up, eager to try the technique themselves. Kira watched them closely as they began their attempts, offering guidance and corrections where needed. Some managed to grasp the basics quickly, while others struggled, their chakra control not yet refined enough to handle the sudden bursts required for Soru.

As the morning wore on, the courtyard was filled with the sounds of footsteps, grunts of effort, and the occasional thud of a Genin hitting the ground after a misstep. Kira moved among them, encouraging them to keep trying, to push themselves beyond what they thought they were capable of.

Despite the challenges, the Genin showed remarkable determination. Each time they stumbled, they got back up and tried again, their faces set with resolve. Kira could see the potential in each of them, the raw talent that, with time and training, could be honed into something formidable.