Uzushiogakure – The Pursuit of Foundation
"Haha, alright!" A triumphant grin stretched across Akashi's face. Over a month of relentless practice, finally yielding tangible results. It had been two weeks since Grandfather Ashina's crucial hint about visualization, and since then, his control had steadily improved. Now, he could maintain an impressive five leaves clinging to his small frame before the delicate balance of chakra began to waver.
I wonder if this is sufficient to attempt tree walking, he mused, his gaze drawn to the sturdy trunks that dotted the training grounds. No point in overthinking it. Let's simply try.
Scanning his surroundings, he selected a broad-trunked tree with a relatively smooth bark surface. "This one looks promising." After a moment of focused observation, he positioned himself before it, his small hands balled into determined fists.
"Okay," he murmured, taking a deep breath. "One foot at a time. No need to rush. I refuse to be outdone by Sakura Haruno of all people." A surge of confident resolve propelled him forward. He lifted one foot, meticulously visualizing a steady stream of chakra flowing from his core, down his leg, and finally solidifying at the sole of his foot, creating an invisible adhesive bond with the tree's surface.
"Looking good so far," he muttered as his foot stuck firmly. "Now for the other." Emboldened by his initial success, he lifted his second foot, attempting the same precise chakra manipulation. The result was an immediate and ignominious failure. His first foot lost its grip, and he tumbled backward, landing unceremoniously in a small cloud of dust.
"Ah! What the hell happened?" he exclaimed, brushing dirt from his clothes.
"Both feet were stuck! What did I do wrong?" He replayed the sensation in his mind. The chakra had adhered… so what was the missing element?
"Haha, Kid, what's this? Lying down covered in dirt? Is that some new Uzumaki ground-crawling technique? Doesn't look particularly effective."
Akashi whirled around, his initial frustration quickly morphing into annoyance. Leaning against a nearby tree, a tall man with striking long red hair and a prominent scar bisecting his left cheek smirked down at him. Tch. How dare this guy laugh at me? Doesn't he know who I am? He caught himself, the entitled arrogance of a "young master" threatening to surface. No. Breathe in, breathe out.
Sensing the boy's agitation, the man pushed himself off the tree, a thoughtful expression replacing his amusement. "Kid, do you know why you fell?"
"No clue," Akashi grumbled, still dusting himself off. "I felt myself stick to the tree, but even while I was stuck, I still fell, old man." He couldn't resist the petty jab, a childish retaliation for being called "kid." The man's eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly. Haha. That's right. Keep calling me kid, even if it is technically accurate.
"That's because you lack the necessary core strength to maintain a horizontal posture against gravity," the man explained patiently.
"Your chakra control was actually quite commendable; you maintained the adhesion the entire time. But your core muscles couldn't stabilize your body. That's likely why Lord Kage hasn't begun your tree walking training in earnest yet. He knew you would need foundational physical conditioning first."
Ah. I get it now. So, despite his surprisingly adept chakra control, his physical body was the limiting factor. He was, in essence, weak. Well, it was certainly high time he rectified that.
"Are there any exercises you know of that I can do without hindering my physical development at this age?" Akashi asked, his initial annoyance replaced by a genuine desire to learn.
The man nodded. "I know a few. You're too young for weight training, but we can certainly begin working on your flexibility and stamina. I recommend you start by running laps around the courtyard. Once you've completed a sufficient number, I'll assess your flexibility."
Running, huh? Akashi couldn't help but sigh internally. Whether it was the tireless Rock Lee or the determined Midoriya Izuku, the path to physical prowess invariably seemed to begin with endless laps.
"By the way," Akashi asked, a flicker of recognition sparking in his mind, "who exactly are you? You look… familiar, yet I can't quite place you."
The man offered a respectful bow. "I am Kuroko Uzumaki. Lord Ashina has assigned me to be your instructor for the foreseeable future."
"Wait… Kuroko?" Akashi's eyes widened. "You said you were sent by Grandfather to retrieve the Chinoike Clan! Does this mean your mission was successful? Did they agree to join us? If so, how many of them came?" He couldn't contain his excitement. The Chinoike's integration was a crucial element of his long-term plans. Their unique abilities would add a much-needed layer of strategic depth to Uzushiogakure's forces.
Kuroko regarded the boy with a thoughtful gaze. "So, the young master is interested in the details of my mission, are you?
Ordinarily, I wouldn't divulge such sensitive information, especially to someone your age. However, seeing as you were the one who… initiated the request, I suppose an exception can be made." He paused for dramatic effect, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Don't leave me in suspense!" Akashi exclaimed, a hint of impatience creeping into his voice. "Come on, finish your sentence!" This guy is going to be insufferable. He's really going to be my teacher?
Kuroko chuckled. "Haha, apologies, young master. Your expression was simply too amusing to resist. Well, to answer your questions: yes, the mission was a success.
The Chinoike have agreed to join Uzushiogakure and, in fact, relocated earlier today. The official announcement to the village will be made tomorrow, allowing them time to settle in and rest. As for their numbers… sadly, they have dwindled to approximately three hundred. However, with time and care, their numbers should recover."
They're already here. A wave of satisfaction washed over Akashi. Good. Hopefully, they will indeed recover and flourish. We need more potential shinobi.
Kuroko's gaze turned inquisitive. "You know, young master, you are quite an anomaly. Most children your age are preoccupied with childish games and proclaiming their future greatness as the world's strongest ninja. Yet, here you are, deeply invested in the well-being of the clan and the village. And now, you're even beginning your training earlier than most. What motivates this… unusual maturity?"
Akashi paused, considering his response carefully. He wanted to convey his ambition without sounding like a petulant child. Finally, he lifted his gaze to meet Kuroko's.
As he did so, Kuroko's eyes widened almost imperceptibly. For a fleeting moment, he swore he saw Akashi's eyes flicker, revealing an unusual heterochromia, a vibrant red ring momentarily encircling his pupils before vanishing as quickly as it had appeared. An involuntary tension gripped Kuroko, his fist clenching almost imperceptibly as he took a subtle step back.
"Victory," Akashi stated, his voice surprisingly firm for his age, "is the ultimate currency in this shinobi world. Victory is lauded, while the vanquished are relegated to the dustbin of history. As the clan heir, I have only one path: to strive for unwavering victory, to ascend to the pinnacle of this world, ensuring that Uzushiogakure will never again be forgotten." As he spoke, he felt a strange resonance within himself, a fleeting warmth in his eyes, but the sensation vanished as quickly as it had come.
Kuroko stared at the boy, momentarily speechless. The intensity in Akashi's gaze, the weight of his words, were unsettlingly profound for a child of three. Then, a chuckle rumbled in his chest, breaking the spell. "So, it seems the young master does indeed harbor the ambition of most children, albeit articulated with… a touch more gravitas. Hahahaha!"
Akashi couldn't help but roll his eyes. Kuroko had effectively deflated the dramatic aura he had been cultivating.
"Well," Kuroko continued, his amusement fading slightly, "while I would typically dismiss such grand pronouncements as childish fantasy… coming from the young master, I find myself… intrigued. How about it, my new student? Would you mind if I accompany you on this… ride to the peak? Consider me your loyal observer, witnessing your ascent."
A small smile touched Akashi's lips. "Of course, you can, Kuroko-sensei. What is the point of striving for such heights if there are no friends to share the journey?"
----------------
End of chapter 11