#18: Training Begins!

Iroko POV

"Nope!" I objected. "I refuse! I'm marching back to him. If he can teach you this jutsu then he can teach it to me and Yuura as......."

My words trailed off as I saw a certain someone in the crowd of people ahead. Asami and Yuura, who were expecting me to talk, followed my gaze and saw what I saw. He was talking to someone else, a woman, with pink hair and a baby in her arms. The certain someone had slightly long spiky black hair and wore a large dark blue cloak. They also gave off a rather intimidating presence which also led me suspect that it might be...

"Hey, y- you guys," Yuura stuttered. "I-isn't that -- um, up ahead. Isn't that--?"

"I heard that he had returned to the Leaf," Asami stated, "but to see him in person..."

That certain someone that was there in front of me, within my field of vision, was none other than the man who bore the name that I said with elation.

"Sasuke Uchiha!!!"

Upon seeing him an idea came to life in my head and a grin played on my face.

"Come on, you guys," I said, "He seems pretty busy so let's just go."

"Yeah, you're probably right," Yuura agreed.

We left the area and went down a different path. Eventually, we came by Yuura's apartment where he left the two of us. I then accompanied Asami all the way to her house. As she unlocked her door to go in, she turned her head to look at me.

"You're planning something, aren't you?"

I blinked several times. "Huh? Whaddya mean?"

"If you're going after Sasuke Uchiha then you're definitely way over your head."

"Hey, hey, Asami, what are you talking about? I'm going home myself after this, I have no idea what you mean by going after Sasuke, seriously!"

She stared at me intently before taking her leave and going inside.

As soon her door closed shut, my expression changed from an innocent bystander to a schemer of world domination.

"Saigo ni..."

Third-Person POV

"Are you sure you can't come home right away?" Sakura asked Sasuke with pleading green eyes.

The Shadow Hero of the Leaf looked down at her and the baby, cooing in her arms.

"I just need to report to Kakashi. It shouldn't take long," he replied.

Sakura sighed, defeat, then smiled warmly. "Oh, alright. You'd better make sure it doesn't take long. Dinner is at 7, we're having curry tonight."

Sasuke nodded then went on his way.

It had been three years since his last visit to the Leaf, and last time he had returned he had not been given a chance to relax, thanks to Toneri Otsutsuki.

There were many things he was looking forward to doing. Dinner with his family, buying new clothes, sparring with Naruto once more, all of it as soon as he had finished reporting to Kakashi. But as he walked on down the street he wondered if that would be all he had to do.

Iroko POV

I stayed hidden behind the ridge of a building as I tailed Sasuke down a street. So far, it looked like he hadn't noticed me and went on his way. For a moment, I wondered if bothering him was a good idea, but when would I get this opportunity again? The last time I ever saw him was five years ago, right after the Fourth Great Ninja War ended.

Again, that was five years ago.

No, I had decided I was going to get him to train me for the Chunin Exams since Hisao-sensei had decided to play favourites. A chance to learn from the ultimate shadow ninja is something no ninja in their right mind could pass up if they're aiming for the top.

I next saw him head into a narrow alley, which raised question marks for me.

Even though, I can't lose him!

As soon as he disappeared into the alley, I leapt off the building down into the street and followed after him.

But when I walked into the alley I found that it was completely empty.

"Huh? Where did he--"

"Why are you following me?"

I let an inhumane scream like a banshee and spun round to see the dark figure of Sasuke Uchiha. He looked menacing as he stared down at me with a dark eye that knew no depths.

I quickly recomposed myself. "Hi, my name's Iroko, Iroko Nakata and I would like you to train me for the upcoming Chunin Exams."

"No."

I went white as a ghost as he walked past me, unfazed. "If that's all, I'll be on my way," he said.

"Huh? W-wait a second--"

He then disappeared in a haze of smoke. I was left alone in the alleyway.

"Ultimate..." I murmured

After about five more minutes of me being in suspended disbelief, I headed on home.

As I walked into my house, I realized Oneechan wasn't home. I looked around for a note and sure enough, I found one, taped to the fridge. It said:

Hey, gone on a quick mission. Should be back before midnight.

There's some udon in the fridge if you get hungry.

Also, I know you used my savings to pay for a meal at the Edo. We're

gonna have a loooong talk, you and I:)

I sweated in pure terror. "Yeah, definitely screwed up this time."

Later that day, after playing some videogames, I laid on the couch, staring at ceiling, unable to not think about what happened in the alley.

"Hi, my name's Iroko, Iroko Nakata and I would like you to train me for the upcoming Chunin Exams."

"No."

"Hi, my name's Iroko, Iroko Nakata and I would like you to train me for the upcoming Chunin Exams."

"No."

"Hi, my name's Iroko, Iroko Nakata and I would like you to train me for the upcoming Chunin Exams."

"No."

I repeated that scene in my head so much that I became tired of seeing that reality. It wasn't the one I wanted to see and I wouldn't have it. I stood upright, went to the fridge and pulled out the udon.

I gave up on giving up three years ago. No matter what, I thought, slupring the noodle, I will get him to train me!!

Third-Person POV

The day afterwards, Sasuke went on with his normal routine and Iroko continued to tail him, leading to Sasuke discovering him again and telling him off once more. But it did not end there.

The next day, he encountered the blue-streaked boy again at the shops, then on his way into the theatre, then on top of the Hokage Rock. Their conversations went something like this:

"Hey, Sasuke-sensei!"

"You again? The answer's still no."

"Hey, listen--"

"No."

"But--"

"No."

At one point, as Sasuke was crossing over a bridge, Iroko had attempted to ambush him, to which he responded to by using Amenotejikara on him, causing Iroko to fall into the water.

"What a pest," he huffed.

On the third day, Sasuke was sat with the Hero of the Leaf, Naruto, at Ichiraku's Ramen and explained to him what was going on.

"Huh, I see," the knucklehead ninja said when Sasuke finished. "Why not just train 'im then? I know I would!"

"What?" Sasuke questioned.

"Oh, come on! You've been back for three days now without having done anything, thanks to the fact that Kakashi-sensei told ya to take the week off. You must be bored outta your mind, ya know?"

"Even so, it's a waste of my time," Sasuke replied. "I've no interest in him."

"Why not let 'im give you a reason then?" Naruto asked. "Let 'im see if he can prove himself to you! I know you used to bother your dad a lot back in the day to train you and the way you did so was by proving yourself to him, amirite?"

Sasuke looked at him. "How do you know that?"

Naruto chuckled. "Hey, don't worry about that. The point is ya never know what someone's capable of and how much they might surprise you unless ya give 'im a chance, ya know?"

As much as it pained Sasuke, he had to admit the loser had a point. "Never thought I'd see the day where I'd be taking advice from you."

"Yeah same," he replied, "couldn't you have gone to Kakashi-sens-- nevermind..." he stopped partway when he realized he was gone.

"You paying for him, Naruto?" Teuchi asked.

"Just put it on my tab."

The noon sun rose high over Sasuke while he walked down a relatively empty street, save for a few workers, moving furniture.

Only fifteen minutes had passed when something like a blue blur flashed before Sasuke.

"Sasuke-sensei!" Came a familiar voice to the Uchiha. "I don't care how long it takes. I'm prepared to come back a thousand times over and over again until you let me show what I've got!!" He called, pointing at him.

Was that a Lightning-Styled technique? Sasuke wondered.

"So what'll it be this time, sir?" Iroko half-demanded, half-asked.

He acts just like Naruto. "Fine."

Iroko went silent for a moment. "Wait, what?"

"You'll show me what you can do."

The blue-streaked ninja looked around him and then back at Sasuke with confused eyes. "Are you really Sasuke Uchiha? This is a genjutsu, right?"

"Follow me," Sasuke walked on ahead, and Iroko followed after him still confused.

Iroko POV

I stood before Sasuke on a grassy plain field, just outside of Konoha.

"So are you really going to train me now?" I asked excitedly.

"First," he said, picking up a walnut, "you have to show me you're worth training. See this walnut in my hand?"

I nodded.

"You have five minutes to try and take it from me. Use any means necessary. If you fail, then we're done here. Are we clear?"

I channelled Lightning chakra into my feet, getting ready to use my Flash jutsu. "Yes, sir!"

It's just like the Bell Test, I realized, except this time I'm actually alone. But he would've realized that, wouldn't he? Whatever! There's no time to second guess anything! I have to prove myself to him, right here, right now!!

"Then begin."

I was already upon him, stretching out my hand to grab that walnut, but it's like he had seen me coming a mile away and moved outta the way at flash speed. In that one second, I had checked his one open eye to see if he had activated his Sharingan but that wasn't the case, which meant his reflexes were just that superior.

Damn, I had wanted to move in faster than he could react but I guess that won't work. Ah, who am I kidding, this is Sasuke Uchiha for crying out loud! Of course, it wouldn't work!! If I want to stand even the slightest chance against him, I'll have to use everything!!! Everything in my arsenal!!!

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!!"

Twenty clones spawned in the area and rushed at Sasuke, armed with kunai.

"Shadow Clones, huh?" he said. "Interesting." Activating his Sharingan, he proceeded to evade all their attacks and grabs for the walnut.

Looks like he finally had to activate the Sharingan! Which means there's a limit to how fast his average reflexes are, and if I know the Sharingan...

A clone of mine then kicked up major amounts of dust in the air. ...then it can't see through dust like the Byakugan!

At that exact moment, my real self sprung for the walnut once more but this time at even greater speed, causing me to use up more chakra.

But I failed again, as Sasuke used that really weird jutsu on me where I was suddenly behind him and crashing onto the ground.

"You made me use my Rinnegan," he commented. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't the least bit impressed. You have two minutes left."

So neither a surprise attack nor a distraction works on him, and just blindly rushing in doesn't work either. So what do I do?! I haven't got much time left! C'mon, think, Iroko, THINK!!

💡

Ah-ha! I got it!!

I reached into my ninja pouch and threw out a smoke bomb just before me then performed the Shadow Clone seal while Sasuke couldn't see me.

I haven't used that jutsu since Ryuun and it honestly was a split-second idea, but I know I can use it again for this idea that I'm making up as I go along!!

I burst out of the smoke and ran straight at Sasuke, throwing a flurry of punches and kicks in his face. In the midst of it, I used his parrying arm as leverage to leap into the air. Once airborne, I formed a Shadow Clone and it then charged chakra into a fisted hand.

Alright, here goes nothing!!

With all my strength, I hurled the clone at Sasuke. It reeled back the chakra fisted and swung with great force, but Sasuke countered it...

...by using his previously sheathed sword as a means to block the energy and slice my clone out of existence.

But that was okay, as step two of my make-it-up-along-the-way plan commenced. A second clone I had previously formed then erupted from underground right beneath Sasuke. I almost saw a look of surprise on his face as he darted back from the clone rushing towards him.

Instead of this clone trying to attack him or make a grab for the walnut, it head-first ran into him, almost trying to tackle him. Sasuke, almost losing his footing, with one swift kick, sent it flying, but as that happened, the third and last clone I had formed was about to strike from the back with alarming speed thanks to the Flash jutsu.

Sasuke would've dealt it a painful blow had he not noticed the third step to my make-it-up-along-the-way-and-have-now-finished-planning plan, which involved the real me, lunging at him from the front, the exact same moment my clone from the back was striking.

He turned his attention towards the real me, however, I flung a chakra-filled kunai at his face, forcing him to pay attention to deflecting that rather than attacking me.

It was all down to that split-second. My clone would attack his blind spot, preventing him from using that Switcheroo jutsu against it and I was moving in for the walnut at neck-breaking speed, not giving him enough time to think about using it on me and taking advantage of the fact that he only has one arm. This was a full proof plan that I made up on the spot. It was bound to grant me the opportunity to at least touch the walnut, right?

Right?

Nope, unfortunately for stupid me, I forgot his Rinnegan had other properties.

"Shinra Tensei!"

The whole area around Sasuke exploded in some form of pressure so strong it pulled and pitched me across the field, dropping me like a crashing boulder.

I slowly picked myself up from the ground, my clothes dirted and face bruised. Looking up with blurred vision, I saw that Sasuke was standing, untouched and still holding the walnut with his one hand.

No, not yet, I can still...

I tried to move forward but nearly collapsed, and it occurred to me that I had used up almost all my chakra.

Dammit! Get up, keep moving, it's not over yet! You can still--

"Time's up."

My head shot up at his words, shocked. "Huh?!"

"That's it, you're out of time," he reiterated, "and the walnut is still in my hand, so you failed..."

I bowed my head, misery taking over.

"...at taking it, at least."

My head shot up at what he said the second time. "Huh?"

"Granted, not only did you force me to use two Rinnegan techniques but you also made me draw out my sword and you seemed to have something of a strategy thought out, not to mention you have rather interesting jutsu and proficient use of the Shadow Clone Jutsu."

He heaved a sigh. "Therefore, you pass at the minimum level of my standards."

Despite what he said, something still bugged me. "But wasn't the objective to take the walnut?"

He tossed the walnut away. "I said to try and take it from me. I knew full well you wouldn't pass under those conditions alone. The overarching objective I mentioned from the start was to see if you were worthy to train, remember? Lucky for you, you've surpassed my expectations."

I raised my head up to the sky, feeling even dumber. This was definitely just like the Bell Test.

"Just answer one question: What's your reason for becoming a Ninja?"

I looked at him and fragmented pieces of memories from yesterday all the way to when I was 6 played in my mind.

"Growing up, I've always been bullied for not having what it took to be a ninja. And so it made me want to prove them all wrong, it made me want to be stronger. And every time I saw my parents in action or Naruto-sensei or Oneesan or any other ninja out there, it made me ask myself: 'If they could do it, why can't I?'

"But then at one point, I gave up. I couldn't see myself being the ninja I wanted so desperately to be, the one that could protect and save everyone, including himself. I... I doubted... the strength of those that believed in me... and stopped believing in myself. So when I looked back, I would notice that I was alone.

"It was like that for a while, until someone told me that the dream I wanted to see become a reality was only ever sought after because nothing held me back from believing in myself. It was a reality that I pursued with all my heart because I believed I, too, had what it took to make it happen!

"So, what's my reason for becoming a ninja? It's because I believe I can! And I believe I can surpass you, Naruto-sensei and the Hokage!! And, because of the bonds I have now that have all built on me today,..."

I stuck my thumb to my chest. "I choose to believe I can become the ultimate ninja!!!"

"I see," said Sasuke.

He walked towards me at a slow pace and stopped when he stood towering above me.

"Fine. I'll take you on as a temporary student, and train you not just in preparation for the Chunin Exams but in becoming a full-fledged ninja. But let me get one thing straight: they'll be no slacking of any sort, whatsoever. If you can't take my regiment, then you can forget about becoming the ultimate ninja. Am I understood?"

I gleamed with elation and performed a hearty salute. "YESSIR!!!"

"Then from tomorrow until the day of the Chunin Exams, we meet here at 6 in the morning every day."

"Hol' up-"