Chapter 21: Haze Dojo Training (1)
[Haze Kenjutsu Dojo]
The Haze Kenjutsu Dojo, also known as the Fog Dojo, had opened its doors once again. Although it was located in the outskirts of the Kirigakure academy ground, it provided a safe haven for its visitors. Mountain ranges surrounded the building, and a peaceful river passed through it, providing clear water filled with minerals.
The gardens were also well taken care of, a work that Elder Otuka took great pride in. As an old man who retired, it had become his hobby, one that allowed him to become one with nature, or so he thought.
In the main building, Takeshi was sitting in front of his new master with a cup of tea.
"Before we go into training, tell me, kid, what is your dream?", Otuka asked with pure curiosity.
At an old age, Otuka no longer something known as a dream. Whatever path Takeshi was going to choose, Otuka would have a role in it, and provide him with the right tools to conquer it. This was the Nindo of the Haze Kenjutsu Dojo. To be free. To do what you wanted. This hunger for freedom fueled the blade of their practicioner. After all, only the strong were truly free.
A good minute of silence passed, but Otuka never expected a quick answer.
Eventually, Takeshi opened his mouth: "I have two dreams"
"How greedy", Otuka chuckled
"I will become Mizukage", Takeshi said in all seriousnes, causing Otuka to frown. Takeshi had said it as if he had seen himself in that position. There was no hesitation, no compromise possible
"And I want to survive", he continued
Otuka titled his head and pondered for a moment. His disciples often shared the same dream. They all wanted to become one of the seven swordsmen of the mist and wanted to learn the kenjutsu art that he had developped over decades of experience.
However, the Haze Kenjutsu Art was not any stronger than the Mist Kenjutsu Art, which was the official swordsmanship developped by the past swordsmen of the mist. Both had their strengths and weaknesses. There was no bad swordsmanship, only bad swordsmen.
"Which one do you think is easier to achieve?", Otuka tested him
"The only reason I want to become Mizukage is to survive", Takeshi answered without hesitation.
"Most of my disciples usually want to become a candidate for one of the seven legendary blades of Kirigakure. They are feared by all shinobi on the continent, and are the symbol of Kirigakure. How unusual", Otuka shared his first impression.
"Even without your teachings, I believe I will eventually become one of them", Takeshi said in all seriousness. His confidence was so high that it had become a certainty in his mind, just like he had envisionned himself in the position of Mizukage. He continued: "Without these status, Kirigakure will never be strong enough to handle the events to come"
But Takeshi stopped here. He knew one outcome of the war, the downfall of the seven swordsmen of the mist, the temporary loss of the three-tailed beast, the overwhelming victory of Konohagakure in the third shinobi war, the scheme of Obito Uchiha to control the fourth Mizukage, the destruction of the Kaguya clan, the disappearance of the Yuki clan and other blood release clans, the failed coup of Zabuza...
At the end of the day, Kirigakure had just been targeted by overly powerful opponents, and fell tremendously after failing to repell them.
Knowing all this, the most efficient way to survive, being a Kirigakure ninja, was simply to become a Mizukage so strong that the hidden village of the mist would not be targeted. A plan had already formed in Takeshi's mind. And becoming a disciple of the Haze Dojo was just the first step.
Seeing the red pupils of his newly acquired disciple twitched in excitement and resolution, the elder Otuka felt shaken.
In all his years, he had only seen this attitude in one person.
His own father, Byakuren, a man whose convictions had led the village to reach its peak. Be it the second or the third Mizukage, they had been resting on the legacy left behind his father. But Takeshi was different. He wanted to change the village. He wanted to protect it. And it was not pure wishful thinking. It was a conviction that was unshakable, one that had allowed him to move in the midst of killing intent back when the third Mizukage had tested him.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone