Chapter 29: Rivalry Rising: Izumi's Guidance
Izumi's Point of View
As I stepped out of the room Kakashi was resting in and made my way outside I found Sakura on the floor with a large bump on her head, while she was glaring at Ayumi who seemed to be holding a scroll. And was explaining Chakra to the others, If I remember the record correctly Ayumi always did come in, second place to Sakura in practical studies. But had always placed First on everything else for the girl's side.
While this was a topic I had trained her under I wasn't going to pay to attain to her explaining it, Instead I made my way towards Sasuke who was towards the back of the group resting his back against a tree. " What happened?"
"Sakura was charged with teaching us something we already knew, While she started off by Insulting Naruto and poking fun at Ayumi always coming in second place at these types of studies. It seemed she didn't like that." He replied with little interest. Before looking up at me, and just like his brother he had the same look in his eye when something was bothering him.
"Hey Ayumi, Why not help the others learn how to tree climb, and remember to add the weights to their body. while throwing stones at them as they climb." I called out as I looked at her, and saw a grin spread on her face. While her eyes looked at Sakura. Poor girl would have it ruff.
Tapping Sasuke on the head and motioning for him to follow. As we made it a good distance away, so as to not be overheard while I could keep an eye on the others," So what's bothering you?"
He returned my question with a confused look. "Look, I know somethings on your mind, and while you might not be aware of it I can still see it. So what's bothering you?" I asked once more.
With a deep sigh. "Why is Ayumi so much stronger than me? Instead of helping me get stronger so I can take our revenge! you have been teaching Someone not of our clan. We should be working together to become strong enough to Kill Itachi." He blurted out, while slightly getting louder towards the end.
Crouching down to be eye level with him, "Oh Sasuke" with a deep sigh, it was probably time to tell him, as everyone would come to know the truth once we got back to the village. "Ayumi is a member of the Uchiha clan, she's, my sister..." Breathing in deep as I could more questions formed in his head. "I understand your pain Sasuke bu"
"NO YOU DONT!" His face filled with anger. " Maybe you would if it was your sister that slaughtered everyone you love bu"
"Sasuke! your not the only one that lost family and friends that day! " I said sternly. Looking him in the eyes before pulling him into a hug. "I know I should have been then, to help you with everything that had happened. All I can offer are excuses for then, But I can try and help you out now. " It was a cheap blow, I know. and while I wouldn't touch on the topic of his wanting to kill his brother, Some part of me wanted to stop him from doing it. I should hate Itachi with every bit of my soul but for some reason, I couldn't.
"So she's a Uchiha.... Then it makes sense why she is so strong..." He mumbled. Was that really all he got from that? And here I was trying to be supportive. Sighing As I got up and motioned him to get to work, Little shit only wanted to focus on getting stronger fine, Ill work him Just as Hard as that little monster of a sister I have.
End Pov
"No using your hands Naruto" I shouted as I threw a stone at his hands while he was trying to climb. while Looking annoyed at Sakura who seemed to get the hang of it faster than I had expected. And as a smug smile was beginning to form on her face I threw a rock the snacked her right next to her head. "Shit I missed"
"What the hell," She shouted at me while raising her face in anger. "Don't forget to mark the tree for as high as you could make it." I yawned Ignoring her as I threw another stone which she blocked with her Kunai, which caused her to fall. "Oh looks like you have to try again miss first place" my voice sounding more annoyed than what I had expected.
Sasuke's figure rushed past me and up the tree, while making his way up a bit I threw a rock at him. His eyes turned towards me with his One tomo Sharingan active and blocked it before slipping off. somehow managing to slash at the tree before coming down.
[A few hours later]
I could see Naruto making his way towards Sakura and whispering something. Well, he wasn't really making progress But then again he had so much more chakra than everyone here. Speaking of which my own Chakra had gotten slightly bigger. I was confident to say It was bigger than Sakura and Sasuke. Though that might not seem like a lot I still didn't have a feel for Kakashi or Izumi's full amount of chakra.
[Next day]
"Alright, It's time for us to head to the bridge site." The rough voice of Tazuna spoke. While Izumi was standing next to him. "Sakura, Ayumi you both will be on protection duty today. So make sure nothing happens to him got it."
"Wait I get me but why Sakura?" my thumb pointed at her while I looked at Izumi.
"Oh, what's that supposed to mean?" She asked her face close to mine while she looked pissed.
"It means your weak!" In the heat of the moment, I found myself shouting at her face with anger and frustration. However, my outburst was suddenly interrupted by a sharp pain that shot through the top of my head. I instinctively crouched down, covering my head as I tried to make sense of what had just happened. It was then that I realized that Izumi had struck us both on the head, in an attempt to assert her authority over the situation. She looked at us sternly, her voice cold and commanding as she spoke, "Don't question me and do as you are told." The room fell silent as we all stood there, processing what had just happened and what it meant for the task at hand.
[Later that day]
"Yawn" came the sound from Sakura while I was on a beam keeping a lookout. As Tazuna was working, there seemed to be a lot fewer workers than I had expected.
"You seem bored, why not talk to the pale one?" I looked down to see Tazuna talking to Sakura. "Well since I'm the superior one she is on lookout duty," She said smugly which caused my face to stiffen. Izumi had put her in charge for some stupid reason.
Moving further away so I didn't have to hear her speak, I could see many of the remaining workers moving toward Tazuna, many of them seeming scared. It seemed work would be over for the day, And as I jumped down, I used my chakra to protect my legs as I landed. "Well let's head to the village and buy some food." He offered while both me and Sakura nodded as we followed him.
The sun was high in the sky as we made our way into the village. Passing many bone-thin starving people. I didn't know where to look, it was never easy to see someone starving but to see so many people like that bothered me. Many held signs that read. Will work any job for food, while others were forced to become thieves.
I couldn't help but turn my face to Sakura who also had a face of disbelief. As we neared a store, many children were waiting outside, while sitting on the ground.
"Kyaaa" Turning quickly I witnessed Sakura Kicking the shit out of an old man. "Pervert!!!" She shouted as the old man's body did a 1-80 and landed on the ground. her form needs work, but it was a good kick. It had taken Tazuna a bit to buy what little they had to offer before we made our way home. While Sakura was busy giving out candy to a child. " Why hasn't anyone done anything?" I asked.
"What can starved people do against a man that has Ninja and Hired blades on his side? Most are too scared to while others don't want to put their children in danger." He answered as we walked.
"Is that why you are building the bridge," Sakura chipped in.
He nodded. " A symbol of Courage... so the people lose their fear and regain their desire to stand up for themselves."
" So, you hope that everything will return to normal after the bridge is built," I stated and he nodded, while that was a hopeful dream unless Gatou was killed things would remain the same.
Izumi point of view
"Clack, clack, clack"
"Ouch"
The sound of stones bouncing off of stones sounded as Naruto was hit in the back and fell to the ground. Lifting my arm, I threw another rock that Sasuke dodged while running up the tree. It collided with another rock in the air before heading back towards him again forcing him to jump off the tree. Causing my next throw to hit him in the ass.
These two had carved up the tree with their slashes, they were making progress. Naruto had stood back up and I couldn't help but smile, he really was just like that little monster of a sister I had. He seemed to be trying to focus.
"Hey Naruto" Sasuke shouted which caused the boy to trip and fall face first.
"What the hell is your problem!! can't you see I'm trying to focus here!" Naruto shouted back annoyed.
"Wha.." A blush was evident on Sasuke's face as he seemed to be struggling to speak. "What did Sakura tell you?"
This caused me to laugh so hard that I ended up grabbing both of their attains. Wiping away a tear that formed in the corner of my eye from laughing so much I looked at them both. "Alright, how about I give you both some pointers." I could see their rivalry growing.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone