Wood style and Assassination

Akari sighed, "Ryu, you're not even coming to see me. What makes you so diligent about your ambitions and goals?"

Kushina chimed in, "Akari-chan, do you like Ryu?"

Akari blushed and stammered, "N-no, it's not like that."

Kushina thought to herself, "She's so bad at lying for her own good," and couldn't help but giggle.

Akari noticed and asked, "What's so funny, Kushina-onee?"

Kushina replied, "Nothing."

Akari knew that she had been found out.

Kushina continued, "You keep talking about Ryu all the time, how about focusing on your training and making Ryu notice you?"

Akari remembered Ryu's words, "If that's so, I think you might be able to possess the Wood Style Kekkei Genkai."

Curious, Akari asked, "Kushina-onee, what is Wood Style?"

Kushina smiled, "Oh, you're interested in Wood Style? It's a rare Kekkei Genkai of the first Hokage, Hashirama Senju. He was strong enough to capture all the Tailed Beasts in the world."

Akari asked, "What is a tailed beast?"

Kushina thought, "What the hell, is she dumb or acting?"

Kushina replied, "Tailed beasts are creatures made up of tremendous chakra, ranging from one tail to nine tails. They are extremely dangerous, so we shinobi found a way to capture the tailed beasts and seal them inside human bodies to access their chakra."

Akari was in awe.

Kushina thought, "I know that reaction," and continued, "I am the Jinchuriki of the nine tails; the beast is sealed inside me."

Akari understood why Kushina was under constant surveillance by the ANBU.

Akari said, "Okay, Nee-san, I'll go and visit the ninja library."

Akari spent a day searching for information on wood style jutsu and learned that it is created by combining water and earth.

She also received her genin headband earlier, so she enjoyed spending time at home with her parents and her Nee-san, as there was a week's gap before the team selection.

She went to study water-based techniques:

Water Clone Technique

Water Puddle Technique

The Water Clone is useful near water places, and the Water Puddle is best for hiding.

Akari said, "Damn, it's so hard to do it."

Minato decided to take a walk to his home instead of using the Flying Thunder God technique. As the Hokage, he wanted to enjoy the village view. He noticed that Akari seemed determined to achieve something. Knowing she was Kushina's distant cousin sister, he wanted to help her wholeheartedly.

Minato asked, "Hey Akari, what are you doing?"

Akari replied, "Oji-san, I wanted to learn Water Style jutsu."

Minato smiled and said, "That takes me back to my days when I wanted to learn Water Style too. So, which one do you want to master now?"

Akari answered, "The Water Clone Technique."

Minato reassured her, "It's a very simple jutsu; it only requires a tiger hand seal."

Akari responded, "I know, Ojisan, but it's just not working for me."

Minato analyzed the issue she was facing and understood why she wasn't getting a proper clone.

Minato said, "Akari, I think all the clone jutsu are tough for you, aren't they?"

Akari was taken aback and replied, "Well, yeah."

Minato said, "You lack chakra control because you're an Uzumaki. You have a lot of chakra, so it's essential to master chakra control as it plays a vital role in actual battles."

Akari replied, "Oh."

Minato reassured her, "Don't worry, everyone starts with chakra control first, so don't get discouraged, okay?"

Akari nodded, "Right."

Minato suggested, "Let's head home, and I will teach you."

They both went home, where Akari's mom, Uzuki Uzumaki, was teaching Kushina how to cook properly.

Uzuki greeted Akari, "Akari, you're back."

Akari informed her, "Mom, I am going with Ojisan to learn chakra control."

Uzuki praised, "Ha, learning from the Hokage himself, sure, my daughter is lucky."

Kushina asked, "What to do after this, Uzuki?"

Uzuki instructed, "Just add a pinch of salt and stir it well."

Kushina followed the instructions, "Alright."

Meanwhile, Minato continued, "You might have completed the Leaf Sticking Technique in the academy. Now, the next step is tree walking, water walking, and sticking to the wall."

Akari replied, "So, I will do the tree walking technique."

Minato encouraged her, "Good, practice these scrolls well. Also, these are my personalized arsenal of water-style jutsu and chakra control techniques. Take them."

Akari gratefully said, "Thank you, Ojisan."

Minato replied, "No problem."

Akari went home and slept soundly.

Meanwhile, Ryu was on his first assassination mission as an ANBU Black Ops member.

The target was a group of bandits who had been profiting from the long shinobi wars, using the names of other great nations. However, with the recent peace treaty in place, these rogue bandits were attempting to trigger the Fourth Ninja War.

Suzaku reported, "10 shinobi at 3 o'clock and 5 shinobi at 10 o'clock."

Eagle acknowledged, "Yes."

Hound remained silent.

Both Hound and Suzaku activated their Chidori.

Eagle instructed, "I will go with Suzaku at 10 o'clock, the rest of you go with Hound."

Everyone responded, "Hai."

Suzaku asked, "Can you keep up with my speed?"

Eagle replied, "It consumes a lot of chakra."

Suzaku expressed his determination, "I will eliminate them to honor my first mission."

Eagle agreed, "Right."

Ryu activated his Sharingan and Chidori.

Eagle stopped him, "Wait, don't use Chidori. I would like to see your kenjutsu skills."

Ryu explained, "The truth is, I can't use my original kenjutsu right now. If I do, the blade will end up in bad condition."

Eagle was surprised, "Seriously?"

Suzaku assured him, "Once we return, I will show you what happened and what will happen."

Eagle agreed, "OK."

Ryu efficiently took care of all the enemies, turning the battle into a one-sided massacre.

Eagle was astonished by Ryu's exceptional assassination and sensor skills.

Ryu said, "Sengo-san, come to practice field three."

Sengo replied, "Right."

Ryu Uchiha (Code name: Suzaku)

Sengo Katara (Code name: Eagle)

Shin Hyuga (Code name: White)

Taruno (Code name: Boar)

Kakashi Hatake (Code name: comments please)

Ryu said, "This sword is in bad shape, so I will use it."

Sengo replied, "Right."

Ryu activated "Song of War Chapter 6: Eclipse."

The blade was engulfed in blue flames and immediately entered the molten stage.

Sengo said, "I always wanted to ask, why do you get the blue flames?"

Ryu replied, "Oh, my bad, I never explained."

Kakashi joined the conversation and explained, "Ryu has reached the pinnacle of fire style. As a result, his fire style is hotter than others and is azure blue in color."

Sengo added, "Oh, I forgot, you both are teammates."

Kakashi remained cool, wearing his mask and revealing his one-eyed two tomoe Sharingan.

Ryu teased, "Hey Kakashi, did you forget to deactivate your Sharingan?"

Kakashi chuckled, "Oops, I forgot. Bye Ryu."

Kakashi flickered away, heading home.

Sengo remarked, "Wow, he really talks only to you."

Ryu replied, "Ok, Sengo-san, we will meet later."

Sengo replied, "Right."

Ryu returned home, contemplating that his Kenjutsu skills were currently ineffective. He realized it was time for him to learn something new and improve his abilities. His responsibilities had increased, but he hadn't acquired any new jutsu yet.

Feeling a craving for fried rice, Ryu went to the Vegetable shop to buy the necessary items.

Kushina was surprised to see him dressed in Anbu Black Ops attire.

Kushina exclaimed, "Ryu, are you in Anbu now?"

Ryu replied, "Yes, Onee. I didn't get any sleep last night, so I really need some rest."

Kushina thought, "Why are Kakashi and Ryu going to Anbu at such a young age? It's not wise to send an 11-year-old. I'll talk to Minato about this."

Ryu bid farewell, "Nice meeting you, Onee."

Kushina requested, "Wait, Ryu, can we go to the Land of Whirlpools this coming Friday?"

Ryu replied, "I will ask your hubby's permission, Onee."

Kushina assured him, "Okay, I'll make sure he agrees."

Ryu expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Onee."

Later, at the vegetable shop,

Uzuki asked, "Who is it, Kushina?"

Kushina replied, "He's your daughter's crush."

Uzuki was surprised, "What? He's good-looking and well-mannered."

Kushina added, "Not just that, he's the youngest Jonin in all of Konoha and probably the youngest Anbu as well."

Uzuki said, "If she marries him in the future, he'll be the most capable son-in-law. Akari never mentioned anything to me."

Kushina explained, "Well, she's young."

Uzuki agreed, "You're right."

After five hours of deep rest, Ryu went to the Uchiha training field, carrying the Wind Vacuum jutsu scroll given by the Hokage himself.

The Wind Vacuum technique involved creating a vacuum in front of oneself and then shooting it out from the mouth. However, Ryu was unsuccessful in forming the vacuum core in front of him.

He realized that the Wind Vacuum technique was not just about hand signs and molding chakra; it was an A-rank tough jutsu, similar to Rasengan. It required precise wind chakra control.