4

--Yr 54—12, Jan--

The Taijutsu book was quite intriguing. He tried to interpret what it was saying as accurately as possible. It claimed that training should be done every day of one's life in order to have a much greater impact on one's talents than most people realize. If this training is not thoroughly examined, one might expect their abilities to deteriorate as soon as their youth has passed.

His diet was the most crucial aspect of his preparation. It was indicated in the text that it was something that some people disregarded. 'Anyone who practices discipline can control their weight.'

Once a person has reached a healthy weight, they should continue to eat a diet that provides energy. A person's diet has a direct impact on their energy level, which in turn has an impact on their overall well-being. He remembered how the book frowned on basic conditioning, such as push-ups, sit-ups, and other sorts of basic conditioning, which should be done at home.

Endurance training was the most significant of all the basic conditioning exercises. 'Mental endurance must be developed.' This type of instruction comes in a variety of formats. Countless repetitions of the most fundamental moves are required at the start of training. It was important for form development, but it also teaches patience to the learner on a deeper level.

The goal of beginning with repetitious training is to aid in the development of correct mental conditioning in order to confront the long road of 'Skill.' Without years of dedicated training and study, mastery is impossible to obtain.

It is considerably more vital to be able to train and study day after day, month after month, and year after year than it is to be born with talent or have a great teacher. A 'natural talent' will frequently burn out at a young age. Having a great teacher, on the other side, might lead to a student relying too heavily on their teacher's directives and opinions, slowing the growth of self-confidence and self-reliance.

Physical training should take care of itself if one acquires the patience to keep up with one's own training. However, some ideas for the type of fundamental physical training can be offered.

Stretching is an often-overlooked aspect of physical exercise. Most people do not stretch before training for their own benefit.'

When you simply stretch before you train, you'll lose a lot of the flexibility you've gained.

The book was a great help, with that only being the beginning. He read the whole book, within three days, including the day he had bought the book. There wasn't anything he needed to change in his diet. His diet was already as good as they could get… he was living on a farm, so that helped, with all the fresh products.

Though he didn't want to strain his body, he was in the body of a child. It wouldn't do good to stop his career without even getting to get a taste of it. So, he started doing some walking, every day when he woke up, doing everything needed, such as stretching, whenever he could.

Yes, walking. Not jogging, not running but walking.

While it was true that running gives a higher return in terms of the amount of stress it places on the body it also leads to a much higher chance of injury, and it didn't help that he was in the body he was in.

Generally, these injuries occur in the knees and ankles, and these are the very joints one should keep healthy.

He had read somewhere that running had a side effect of shortening the muscles of the legs… which happens to be the opposite of what Kiyoshi wanted if he wanted to be decent in taijutsu. Though of course, it was possible to injure yourself while walking- but realistically, such accidents were rare.

The walking was relacing, especially with the scenery.

Another thing he had found himself reading, that he took note of was that walking was very similar to the basic footwork used in taijutsu, so when he was out walking, in a real sense he was training his footwork.

He would wake up and stretch. Before his walks, he stretched, after his walks he stretched, if sitting down for too long which wasn't a surprise with how much reading he did, he stretched after reading. Before bed- stretch, a continuous cycle which began after finishing the book. It wasn't only that but meditation too.

It was nearing two weeks and he was seeing a bit of a difference, it was only a small difference, barely noticeable but he knew he could jog for longer. He walked around the farm, which was a wide permitter.

He didn't have an exact number of laps he walked, he only did what he could, making sure not to push his body against its limits. His boy was still developing to have to do that, which could be strenuous to his growth which he didn't want.

With each walk, he would stab a piece of wood, where he stopped, to show the difference after each job he did, each wood stabbed into the dirt, slightly getting further and further from the last one.

He walked every day, in the mornings, after that he helped his dad around the farm and the workers. It was what he did to relax his mind, something to do other than training and reading and practising his fuinjutsu.

It was before dinner he would walk for the second time of the day, coming back exhausted. It was no wonder he was starting to eat more than he usually at.

Kiyoshi was sitting in front of their home, with his legs crossed. Both his hands were on each leg as he took relaxing breaths, in and out, as he felt the world around him, listened to the gentle breeze and the soundful chirps of the birds.

He was trying to concentrate on his chakra, trying to see the extent of how far he was able to sense his surrounding area. Before he started to practise this exercise of his he wasn't able to sense as much around him, he had come to a realisation that he was only able to sense those around him because he was unknowingly using his chakra, which he assumed was normal.

He started playing around with his sensory abilities, which has helped him easily increase his proximity. As he continued to steadily control his chakra the easier, he found it to widen his proximity, he knew he had a long way to go, seeing as he has yet to attempt the tree walking technique.

He knew he had a long way to go, he for certain he wanted to be a ninja, there was no way he wouldn't after being given this new life, one in an anime- but to him, it's real-life now, not just an anime.

It was calming, the nice breeze, along with a nice ray of sunshine that kept him warm, the fresh new scents.

He liked where their house was situated, they didn't live in the village, more so on the outskirts of the village, closer to the woods, which were still in the village.

He sighed, opening his eyes once again. He stood and of course stretched, rolling his shoulders back and forth, loosening his muscles and headed straight to the house. He could already smell the food as he walked in.

"What are we eating?" he simply asked as he walked into the kitchen, seeing his mother standing at the stove.

"You can go get your tou-san, then you can find out." Was the response he got, he rolled his eyes, "Where is he?" Kiyoshi questioned, "He should be in the nearing woods, I'm sure you know now." she replied, which was true, if he was in the woods, he would be in that particular area, that was near a river, it was where he chopped wood.

It was some sort of hobby of his. He ran towards the woods, waving and smiling as he passed the workers who greeted him cheerfully. It wasn't too far from the farm, but in some ways, it was, if he had to estimate how long it would take to get there by walking he would say 15 minutes, while with running, perhaps 10 minutes, possibly less.

He ran, he didn't feel tired at all, after reaching his destination. He saw the river, and knew he was where he should be, "Tou-chan!" he called out to his father figure, waiting for a response he got none.

He kicked a stone at the tip of his feet. He watched the rock fly into the air before promptly landing in the stream of water, causing a small splash. He sighed and looked around as he stepped closer to the river, leaning over to stare at his reflection.

Looking away, he turned around again. His eyes scanning the area, he could see the axe his father usually used, the chopped wood and one that had yet to be chopped, and was obviously next.

He frowned slightly, at the fact his father was nowhere to be seen. Had he gone for a walk, letting a groan pass his lips he fell back flat on his back deciding to take a small rest from the running.

He was laid, still and peacefully on the warm uneven ground covered in patches of grass, as the sun in the sky was still blazing across his surroundings, beside the river.

It was so peaceful and quiet there. He let himself close his eyes, letting himself listen to nature which surrounded him.

He could hear the stream of the river calmy flowing, the birds chirping, while the leaves that were attached to the trees rustled with the wind. Finally opening his eyes, just to look up towards the bright blue sky once again, he stood up again on his feet, having rested enough.

He tried using his chakra, to feel his surroundings, looking for his father's signature. He could feel it not too far, perhaps another five-minute walk from where he was currently stood, so he began his journey.

The chakra signature was the only one he felt… it felt slightly faint, only getting fainter, how far away was his father going? It was obvious he was moving, faster than Kiyoshi was moving.

He picked his pace, turning his fast walking into a slight jog, into a run.

He found himself getting closer to the edge of the other side of the forest which had a view of the village.

Jumping over the log tree roots, dodging the low branches and the bushes- he stopped. It was so sudden that he found himself tumbling back, his heart sank.

His heart raced. His mind trying to comprehend what he was smelling- what he was seeing. It was red, as red as his hair.

He stared at the trail of blood, his brows furrowing. Was his father hunting?

The trail of blood was hidden as it passed a bush, which covered what the animal could be. He stood up, dusting his bottoms, moving towards the trail, curious about what was being hunted.

His slow steps getting closer and closer until they stopped. His heart began to race, confusion fogging his mind. That was Daisuke, the man who was a father to him.

All this time he thought his father was just getting further and further away from him… it was that. It was the fact that his father was dying, that was why his chakra was getting fainter and fainter, and there was- a fool thinking his father was running ahead, so he ran after him.

"Tou-san?" he whispered. He stood there frozen, as he felt that slight bit of his chakra diminishing. He fell to his knees, staring wide-eyed at the still body. A kunai stuck in his throat, the man's eyes opened… the eye that used to be filled with life, was no more.

His life drained.

His shaky hands, moved towards the eyes, closing them.

How long had he been like this?

He didn't know what he was feeling, but it was like he was having trouble breathing. He stood, quickly looking away, wiping the blood that seemed to get on his hands on the side of his shorts.

He took deep breaths calming himself down. Who had done this? His hands trembled into a tight fist, he walked, and walked, further away, not wanting to be near the dead corpse anymore—he need a bit more time to process it.

There was no one else around. He found himself pushing a branch out his way as he stood out into a clear plane of grass- his breathing hitched as he saw what he saw.

It was the village.

He moved back, before turning and outright sprinting back home- an attack?

He saw the smoke, the fire-

He didn't look back, he couldn't he kept moving. His feet taking him as far as he could get, he kept pushing himself harder and harder, trying so hard to get bac in time. Would the farm be attacked too? Was that what happened to his father?

Had he seen what had happened to the village?

His breathing was irregular. He stood still breathing in deeply trying to catch his breath, he fell to his knees. He could feel his lack of breath throughout his body, the feeling of tiredness and lethargy took over as he stared in the direction he had run from, trying to gather his thoughts.

Using his chakra, he tried to sense his surrounding area, but he couldn't sense any other chakra signature other than his mother's…

Was he missing something?

He stopped moving.

It was too late, he knew it. Her charka… it was just as his father's, faint. It felt the same as his when- he was dead, and now his mother…

He squeezed his eyes shut taking deep breaths, calming himself as he did before, not letting his body override his emotions. NO wonder children had a hard time controlling their emotions, he felt his going all over the place- his body trying to force him to cry but he didn't want to.

He saw the dead bodies scattered around. All those smiles and laughs were no longer to be heard.

He stood slow steps forward, his eyes focus ahead, on the house. He didn't dare let his eyes wander. H really didn't care what would happen next. Whoever did this… Kiyoshi wasn't skilled enough to sense their chakra.

Perhaps there was a specific way to conceal one's self from a sensor.

He was new to this all, with no proper knowledge and experience. Maybe it was due to his age, his body still needed time to develop, meaning to do his chakra- everything.

Before he knew it, he was running straight back towards the house, nothing in his mind other than running faster.

All that was going through his head was the word 'No', over and over again, he knew there was nothing he could do, nothing at all.

Just as he reached the door to the house, his mouth was wide open forcing him to take deep breaths, he needed oxygen. He stared at the wide-opened door, he was slightly confused and scared, he didn't want to be scared but he was, and he couldn't help it.

With his shaking legs, he took hesitant steps into the house, he hadn't realised he had stopped breathing once he saw the trail of blood, but he didn't stop walking, he forced his body forward through the house until he was stood right in front of her body.

He was frozen on spot, shaking.

"Kaa-chan?" he whispered out to her, staring at her bloodied body.

"Kiyoshi" she whispered back with a small smile on her pale face, while he had a look of horror on his.

He fell to his knees beside her, she brought her hand slowly towards his face, moving a piece of hair from his face.

"Don't cry"

"I'm not crying" he mumbled back knowing full well that he could feel the trails of his tears flooding out of his eyes. How could she be smiling at a time like this?

While she was dying, she was smiling, yet he was the emotional one, he felt bad, maybe guilty it was annoying.

She was dead.

His body shook in silent rage.

"You missed one" he heard a sadistic voice say from within the house.

"Kill him and get it over and done with."

He didn't realise how his chakra seeped out of him where he was stood.

"What's happening, Toru-senpai?!"

The house shook, he couldn't keep his anger in anymore, nothing around him mattered anymore, he didn't care for what was happening around him.

The floors broke apart as his chakra erupted from him uncontrollably, causing something to happen, something his mother knew would happen at some point- she wanted to protect him, even if it meant her death to do so.

Suddenly he felt a sharp pain in his abdomen- it hurt.

His scream was primal, it had a raw intensity to it that told of urgency, of desperate need.

He found himself growing more and more tired as his chakra was drained.

Kiyoshi's heartbeat increased tremendously, he didn't know what to do, and he didn't understand why he felt so tired. Neither did he see the surprise and astonished looks the ninjas were giving each other before a smile replaced them.

His body fell limp to the ground as the world around him as he knew it turned into darkness.

"I will have to have my summon tell Rakage-sama, of this discovery."

--Yr 54—20, Jan--Han'ei no Mura--

Two ninjas of the leaf stood alert in front of the very village they had not expected to see like this. "Relax, Tsunade," one of the ninjas said to the other.

He had a striking appearance and had characteristics similar to that of a snake. His skin was very pale, with golden eyes, that had slitted pupils. He had purple markings around his eyes and fang-like teeth. He had pronounced cheekbones and straight waist-length black hair with some locks covering and framing his face.

The woman, at his side, Tsunade, simply ignored him. Her mind was not in one place at the moment. She had fair skin, her eyes were brown. She had straight blonde hair that parted above her forehead. Her hair had shoulder-length bangs that framed her face as the rest reached her lower back.

Her heart was racing seeing the destroyed village. The village had suffered a war they had no part in. Their sensei had told them both of the Senju he believed could possibly be her cousin's son.

She kept calm not thinking the worst. Their plan was to question the locals- she thought it would be a quick trip, one ending with happiness, getting to meet her cousin. She felt hope after the hope she had was gone.

Her lover was dead.

Her brother was dead.

Her grandmother was dead.

So with… this newfound cousin, another descendant of her grandfather- she was hopeful… but the question was, had his life been taken away too soon?

--Yr 54—22, Jan--Kumogakure--

Deep within the thick clouds hid a large village, one surrounded by mountains. It was one of the five Shinobi Villages. The one in the Land of Lightning.

As the sun rose higher into the sky, shining its bright, warm rays across the village, the day's activity began to progress, while the plants and trees started to feast on the beams of the light that covered them.

In the village, the crowd seemed to have a life of its own, with vibrant clothes clashing against each other, as the sun shined bright that morning.

The crowd moved like fascinating shoals of fish congregated in one spot. As shinobi's bounced from one roof to another, there was quiet talk between sellers and purchasers, old acquaintances catching up, and new friends being made. It was bustling, to be sure, but the hustle and bustle helped to breathe life into this Cloud Village.

In the tallest tower in the village, was the kanji symbol for "lightning" on the front of the building. Within that tower was the Raikage's Office, Where The third Raikage could be seen having a serious discussion with his two advisers and the council, about a certain person who was still unconscious in the hospital from Chakra exhaustion, 'the unknown Senju' they would often call him, as his name was still unknown to them.

"We can't let Konoha have him!" Yelled one of the members of the honourable council, that helped govern the village, a clan head.

The clan head sat on the right side of the large square table where everyone sat in their designated seats.

"We don't need to give him to Konoha, they most definitely don't know he even exists. Arisu-san said that it was likely that it was his mother he was living with. One he identified as an Uzumaki. A child of Senju and Uzumaki blood. he has too great of potential to give to Konoha. It is obvious he was not born in the land of Fire, therefore they should have no right to him," concluded another clan head that sat on the opposite side of the table, as The Raikage listened intensively, to their opinions.

"He's nothing but a child, barely even a child! The doctor had said he should be between the age of two and three. We can manipulate him, allow him to attend the academy and become a Kumo nin, Konoha won't be able to make a claim on him without a fight!" bellowed one of the very few female clan heads.

"No! we can't do any of that, think with your heads! we don't even know if Konoha knows about the boy, for all we know they could be out there right at this moment looking for him! " shouted another member of the council.

"Nonsense! Senju Tsunade is the only living Senju, that is of direct blood of Senju Hashirama! so they most likely don't realise that there is another, I say we keep him secretly without the other villages knowing" another said.

"Enough! We can't keep him, it's too much of a risk! if any other village found out we had a Mokuton user it could cause another outbreak, we are already suffering from this war! I think we should present him to Konoha as a negotiation, it's the reasonable thing to do!" concluded one of the elderly advisers.

"Give him to Konoha? have you gone senile in your old age Shaku-san? why would we want to give more power to them? when they already have enough of that, this is our chance to rise in the ranks! I say let him stay here, once he's older he can recreate the Senju clan here" stated the other adviser.

The office continued to fill with back-and-forth questions, objections and statements as the day advanced onwards.