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by True_Grave on Mon Jun 24, 2013 8:47 pm
Kisame and Chiharu were inside the cave eating some food.
"So, how was your first Akatsuki training session?"
"It was awesome! I got tested in ways I never even thought possible. I got my butt kicked this time, but I'll remember what they said and do better next time."
"Then you'll get stronger in no time."
Kisame put his food down for a minute.
"When your whole being is focused on one thing, there's no way you'll fail."
"Thank you, Master."
Kisame reached out and flicked his nose.
"Ow! What was that for?"
"You're still being too serious. I'm gonna flick your nose when you do that from now on."
"Oh, like hell!"
Kisame continued to poke at him, and Chiharu dodged it. He didn't realize it, but Kisame was actually training him. This whole thing was meant to test his reflexes in a way that was not serious. Chiharu did not realize that he was training, so he was learning and improving without realizing it. Kisame finally stopped and went back to his food.
"You have fun?"
Chiharu nodded with a broad grin.
"Yeah, that was fun. My Taijutsu reflexes really came in handy there."
Kisame smiled knowingly and Chiharu saw it.
"Oh, I get it. You were testing me."
"Yep, and you passed. Good job."
"Thank you."
The two ate in silence and then left the table.
"This is going to be even rougher, Chiharu. Itachi is fighting this time."
Chiharu looked at him and smiled.
"I think he has the best intentions in mind for me."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Itachi is your partner, right? That kind of make him my uncle. I think he's just doing what he thinks is right to make me strong his way, in my mind."
Kisame was very impressed with Chiharu's perceptiveness. By saying nothing, Kisame was letting Chiharu do his own thinking and letting him come to his own conclusions. This was very good. No matter how hurt Chiharu got, this was going to be a productive day. The wounds were being left on the body, not the mind and spirit. Kisame's plan was working perfectly, but he knew it wouldn't always be this easy.
Chiharu took his place, and the first to pop up was Zetsu.
"Hiya, kid."
Vines entangled him and he felt his body being restricted.
"Not the best position, is it?"
Chiharu said nothing, but pulled his kunai.
"Here I come!"
Zetsu was going to punch him, but Chiharu had all ready sliced through the vines with his sharp knife. As he came in, Chiharu did a back flip and kicked Zetsu into the air. The other Akatsuki members were staring intently. The kid was learning from what they had said. Chiharu wasted no second jumping into the air, ready to use his Taijutsu to score a finishing blow on Zetsu. However, his plant-like foe had also kept his head and adapted to the situation.
"My lesson, Chiharu, is to expect the unexpected."
Flower-like extensions opened on his body, and pollen sprayed into Chiharu's eyes.
"Ah!"
A vine uppercutted Chiharu and then wrapped around his leg before slamming him into the ground.
Chiharu stood up and dusted himself off.
"Man, I was so close that time."
Tobi raced out onto the field.
"It's my turn! I'm really going to put on a show!"
Chiharu eased into a fighting stance.
Remember that ninja like to use tricks. He may act like a goofball, but he wouldn't be in the Akatsuki if he didn't know what he was doing.
"Minefield Jutsu!"
He began racing forward, and Chiharu flew through the air to land a superman punch right on his mask, which caused him to drop to the ground unconscious while the mines exploded harmlessly. The other Akatsuki members looked on in exasperation.
Maybe I gave him too much credit.
Zetsu came forward and chuckled as he dragged his partner off of the field. Itachi stepped forward, and Chiharu smiled.
Now I can get serious. It's time to show this guy just how much I've improved just today.
Chiharu did not take a stance, knowing that the attack would probably not be physical.
He wants my mind to be strong. I think I understand what you want.
Itachi brought his hand up, then activated his Mangekyo Sharingan. Chiharu stared right into it, letting it go into his mind.
In his mind's eye, he could see Itachi again. He was coming fast, so Chiharu stanced up in his mind.
From here on out, it's a physical fight. This is where I have to fight him mentally as fiercely as I would fight him in body. I can't let Itachi down!
Chiharu rushed at him back, his eyes fierce with determination and kunai blades in his hands, meeting Itachi in the middle with a weapons clash.
Itachi just stared at him with placid eyes, holding the shunt. He then pushed Chiharu back and sheathed the sword.
"That's all I wanted."
The Genjutsu was over and Chiharu felt light-headed but good. Itachi had walked away without saying anything, but Chiharu knew that the Sharingan user was impressed with him. Kisame stepped forward, having saved the best, and hardest, for last.
"Well, Chiharu, it's my turn. Be ready."
Chiharu got down into a stance.
"I won't take it personally if you hurt me. I know it's for my own good."
Kisame smiled and dashed forward. He swung Shark Skin, which Chiharu dodged. This was definitely a new situation for the young ninja.
He had dodged many swords in his six years of hard training, but never one this big. The weight made it slower, but also made it more intimidating. Thankfully, his Master wasn't out to kill him. With Kisame's skill and that sword, he knew he would have to be careful. As Kisame swung the sword, Chiharu jumped and balanced himself on the blunt end of the sword.
"Sorry about this, Master."
He slammed his elbow against Kisame's face, then gave him a good kick to the side. Kisame reached out and grabbed him, but Chiharu rolled his body so that Kisame was off balance. He grabbed the wrist and the elbow and slammed the arm to the ground.
"Got you pinned."
"Do you?"
He used a substitution jutsu and came down with the blunt end of the sword.
Chiharu side rolled out of the way and closed his eyes to avoid getting dust in them when the massive sword landed. Chiharu kicked him in the face, sending him rolling away. Chiharu drew his kunai and approached Kisame. The warrior turned the sharp end of the sword and swung it vertically at him. Without batting an eye, Chiharu raised his kunai and blocked it before kicking his hand to make him let go of the sword. He mounted Kisame and held the weapon at his throat.
"I disarmed you, Master."
"You did. But you forgot about my jutsu."
Chiharu looked down and saw the hand pressed against his chest. Before he could jump back, he was enveloped in a Water Prison.
Chiharu sighed.
"You got me, Master. I still need to work on Ninjutsu."
"You need to work on all of it, but Ninjutsu seems to be a slight weakness, still."
He let him out of the bubble and put his arm around him.
"The boy did well?"
"You trained him well, Kisame," Itachi said.
"No, he trained himself with my words in mind. That was all him right there."
Chiharu glowed in the praise, then remembered Kisame's words from earlier.
"Let's go celebrate. Find some strong ninja and kick their butts."
They all chuckled and headed off.
"Hey, where you guys going?"
"They've got duties to take care of. There's no time for them to celebrate."
He hugged Chiharu close.
"But if you still want to beat on some strong ninja, I know just the place."
"Let's do it."
Kisame took his arm from around him and began walking with him side-by-side. They had bonded on a whole new level today, and he felt kind of bad testing him now. But he had to know how he was in real combat, not just sparring.
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