14. Promises and Secret
Sakumo then look on Hoseki.
"Hoseki, I have to say, you have great improvement compare to last month. Did you also create that move?"
"Yes uncle. I got idea from a dream I had." Hoseki smile silly.
"Dream? What king of dream?"
"Dream of powerful pump made by a monkey"
Sakumo frown upon the answer. "what a weird dream you have. Anyways your taijutsu improve a lot, I guess having training partner really a good thing. Your ninjutsu also have some improvement but need more polish on your chakra control. As for your kenjutsu, I really wonder why did you insist to use that bamboo stick instead of blade. I can say you have immense talent on your kenjutsu, even Kakashi is behind you if we compare the talent.
The he look towards Hoseki in disappointment "but you insist on the bamboo stick which lack ruthlessness that need for kenjutsu."
From the day Hoseki trains kenjutsu, Sakumo have no doubt that he would be a master in future. Then the problem comes as Hoseki adamant on not using any sword or blade instead bring a black bamboo to the training.
Sakumo try to preach on Hoseki about the bamboo but the words all go to deaf ears. Instead of keep preaching Sakumo try to break up the bamboo. To his surprise the bamboo is hard as steel. No matter how much he attacked, not a single scratch left in the bamboo.
Hoseki look to the ground hearing another preach from his uncle. As he trains and learn a lot from his uncle, he has a promise that he vowed the moment he pick up the bamboo sword.
On the same time, looking at Sakumo who gives his all on teach and tutoring him, feels quite disappointed on his behavior really bug him.
He takes a deep breath and say, "Uncle, when you start teaching me, I learn that the kenjutsu has two side which have different functions. The sharp edge is use to kill and hurt people while the dull side is use as protection to one self and behind him."
"As I look to sharp edge, I remember how my parents die as they have no lack of sharp wounds on their body and the deep scarred to their heart which taking their life." Hoseki start talking and raise his bambo while holding at its handle.
The with "click" sound he unsheathe his bamboo blade and say, "The moment I pick up the sword, I made a vow that when I unsheathe the blade, I shall trade it with a life."
As he talking Hoseki move and swing his sword to a tree. The chakra from his hand move to the sword and fly away killing a bird resting on the tree.
Hoseki then resheathe his blade and continues "I will use my unsheathed blade as a mean to protect my self and others. This is a secret. And I really hope it will stay secret before I really have capability to control and use it without harming my belove one. This is the vow I promised my self and I won't go against it."
Sakumo looks at his nephew and realized once again how much the death of his parents influence his life. The boy unwilling to sheath his sword as he doesn't want to hurt his friends. Then, sudden thought comes and he ask "But you don't any problems with kunai and shuriken?"
"No. Not at all. I'm fine with kunai and shuriken. First they have no scabbard at all. Second, I hardly be a ninja as it will hinder me to enter and graduated from academy without it. Third, a ninja is shame without them as I can't replace them with another small bamboo stick right? Last one is the most important, kunai and shuriken are not as lethal sword in fight. As I can hurt people with shuriken and kunai, the used of sword can cut off their body part away." Hoseki explain reasons to Sakumo
"Uncle, I promise you I will slay the enemies to our village with my blade, but before the moment comes, I really hope that no one except four of us know about my blade. Give me your promise uncle."
"Not even Hokage?" Sakumo ask
"No. Not even hokage." Hoseki answer
"Tell me why." Sakumo ask again
"I have no problem towards Hokage sama, but his 'shadow' really bug me a lot. And mother told me that, the third hokage believe to much in that comrade of him. So I need you to promise this secret."
Sakumo blown away by Hoseki answer as he already know that Hoseki learn about 'Roots' and it is normal for people who knows about them to try not to get involved and anything to do with them. But to evade them as much as this is quite extreme. Furthermore they only do their jobs for village, in his opinion. Why this boy is so resistance toward the Roots as far as to hide as much as he can from them.
"sigh, ok I promise you. It just a sword after all. To think you hide your sword as far as I don't realized it must means something more to you. I won't care more on you secret. It's good to know you don't abandon your lethal side of the sword."
"Both of you too." Hoseki turn to Guy and Kakashi.
**
"Overall you have really improve a lot as you have no problem to graduate early from your academy."
"I got a week holiday from last mission, so from today onwards, come here everyday to train. I will send a letter to academy and hokage office about it. For now all three of you shall fight as the winner shall be rewarded. Don't worry loser will also have heavy 'reward'." Sakumo decide on new fight to start training them.
"Dont worry my ass. All those time. I face all the heavy 'reward' as that Kakashi having a good time." Hoseki scream in his thoughts and immediately goes into fighting mode.
"Yoshh. The spring has come. Even it should not be my time yet to fight Kakashi, this chance shall not waste. Youuuuuthh!!! " Guy have no care about the rewards as he really excited to fight.
Suddenly two punch come both of his side after finishing his 'speech'.
"POWMM" Hoseki and Kakashi fists collide on the spot Guy stood as Guy use second gear to escape.
"Oi oi, attack me while I'm not ready is unfair" Guy shout while taking his stance to fight
Sakumo looks at 3 boy in front of him suddenly ask guy. "Say Guy, did your father teach any other technique except training your body?"
"Dad?" Guy surprise on Sakumo questions as he doesn't think his father are in Sakumo's radar.
"Shit" as he talk to Sakumo two punch come connect to his body and he was send flying.