Chapitre 25: Chapter 25 - New Year, Same Sh- Stuff
"The best way to gauge result is actual combat! So we'll start with spars! Okay first up-"
Mikumo raised her hand.
"Sensei!"
Tooru looked over to see Mikumo gaze at him and then at Asuma. Chuckling at the familiar scene, he nodded.
"First up, Mikumo versus Asuma!"
Mikumo and Asuma made their way to the sparring area while their classmates spread around to watch. Kakashi had a look of interest on his face for the first time since arriving in class.
As Asuma and Mikumo stood apart from each other, they prepared for their match with the seal of confrontation.
"Careful, Mikumo, I've prepared for this match. I even asked the old man to teach me a C-Rank Jutsu just so I could beat you!"
Mikumo chuckled at Asuma's silly enthusiasm.
"Asuma, if you learned a new technique just to beat me, why would you tell me about it? Doesn't that ruin the point of learning a new secret move?"
"Uh..."
Mikumo sighed and shrugged as she placed one hand behind her back.
"Well, I'll give you a hint as well so that it's fair. Watch your back, Asuma."
Asuma nodded and didn't say more, not wanting to accidentally reveal any more information.
Tooru came up to the training ground and raised his hand.
"Remember the rules, no lethal blows, the fight ends when I call it. Ready, begin!"
Immediately after the start of the match, Mikumo took a kunai out of her pouch and held it in her hand. Asuma responded in kind and also reached into his bag to retrieve a kunai.
Mikumo held her kunai with one hand while she kept the other hand behind her still.
Asuma noticed her odd stance but didn't put too much thought into it. Seeing that Mikumo was going to compete with Taijutsu instead of Ninjutsu, Asuma felt confident.
"I'm going to return the favor from last year, Mikumo!"
Asuma threw the kunai right at Mikumo and immediately started weaving hand signs as fast as he could. Seeing Mikumo step out of the way to dodge the kunai, Asuma smiled widely and finished the hand signs in just under two seconds.
"Futon: Daitoppa!" (Wind Style: Great Breakthrough)
Asuma breathed a large windstorm out of his mouth right toward Mikumo. Seeing Mikumo not able to dodge in time, Asuma knew he had won.
However, as soon as the windstorm reached Mikumo, it did nothing but pass right through her.
Asuma's eyes widened and then remembered what Mikumo told him before the match started, but it was too late, as he felt a kunai on his neck from behind.
"I told you Asuma, watch your back."
The Mikumo in front of Asuma faded away, with the real Mikumo standing behind him.
"Winner, Mikumo!"
Tooru raised his hand and declared loudly.
"Woo!!! Mikumo-chan, yeah!"
Shizune shouted from the sidelines. The rest of the class clapped as well, with Kurenai staring right at Mikumo with an amazed and happy expression on her face.
Asuma turned around dejected, as he couldn't believe he lost in the same way again.
"How? I didn't see you use any ninjutsu...what was that? Another genjutsu? When did you cast it?"
Mikumo chuckled and placed her kunai back in her bag.
"One question at a time, Asuma. But to answer your question...let's see, come with me."
Mikumo walked with Asuma over to where Kakashi was standing, next to their deskmates, Kurenai and Shizune.
"Kakashi, did you see what I did?"
Kakashi nodded.
"Though I don't know exactly what jutsu you used, I saw it. From the start of the match, you put one hand behind your back and started weaving one-handed signs from when sensei started the match."
Shizune and Asuma all gasped in surprise, while Kurenai nodded in understanding. Tooru came over and nodded with an excited expression.
"Indeed, great observation, Kakashi-kun! Mikumo-chan, that was quite impressive! There are very few ninjas in the world who can use one-handed signs."
"Hehe, I learned them from Shinku-sensei not too long ago and have been practicing every day in my free time since."
Mikumo said as she winked at Kurenai.
Kurenai slightly blushed as everyone's attention moved to her.
"Yes, I heard that my dad started tutoring you as well. He talks about you all the time. Though I didn't know you learned it to this level already. You really are amazing, Mikumo."
"Hehe, I don't mind tutoring you if you'd like, Kurenai-chan~."
Kurenai thought for a moment and then nodded.
"Sure."
Mikumo was slightly taken aback by Kurenai's quick response. Although it was meant to be a half-hearted tease, Mikumo quickly resolved herself to agree to help Kurenai.
"Well, it was originally your dad's technique after all."
Mikumo then turned to Asuma who still had a befuddled expression.
"Okay Asuma, first, I used a simple Clone Jutsu and overlayed it right on top of myself. I did this while you reached into your bag to grab your kunai. Then I used a special genjutsu I learn from Shinku-sensei."
Mikumo weaved one-handed signs with accuracy and efficiency.
"Shinkiro!" (Mirage)
Asuma watched as Mikumo disappeared from his sight as if she melted away from this world completely, her presence was completely gone. One second later, Mikumo reappeared behind him and tapped him on the back.
"This is an advanced concealment genjutsu that completely hides my presence from those affected by it."
"What? Isn't that way too strong?"
Mikumo chopped Asuma lightly in the head.
"Silly, in principle it's a genjutsu still. You can just dispel it. Well, given if you know you were placed in a genjutsu, that is."
Asuma sighed as he hung his head in defeat.
"It's my complete loss...again."
"Hehe, these lessons will save you one day, little Asuma. Always be cautious when facing an unknown enemy, trust nothing and doubt everything!"
"Yeah, I got it, Mikumo."
"Excuse me?"
"Err, big sis Mikumo."
Mikumo smiled hearing what she wanted.
"That's better."
Tooru then clapped to get everyone's attention.
"Okay, that was very impressive from Mikumo and Asuma both! Each student showed a clear level of improvement from before the break. Now, I hope the rest of you will do the same!"
"Ehh, sensei, you can't put us on the same level as Mikumo and Asuma..."
"Hahaha! Non-sense, you are all my proud students, of course, I expect the best out of all of you! Alright, next up!"
The rest of the matches went by rather uneventfully. Kurenai and Shizune both showed noticeable improvement compared to before.
Currently, Mikumo watched as Obito went up against one of the other boys in class.
'Oh, I guess he wasn't bluffing, he did get a little better. Guess my few tips helped after all.'
The final match of the day was Kakashi versus male student B. There was nothing of note to be said, though Kakashi did earn himself more cheers from the girl squad for his performance.
As Kakashi returned to the sideline next to Mikumo, she clapped happily for him, although she had already expected this outcome.
Tooru nodded happily at the results and started going over tips and critiques with each individual student in the class.
Mikumo stood by with her squad of Kakashi, Kurenai, Shizune, and Asuma. Oh, and Obito and Rin who trailed to the side of them in their own world.
Kakashi was fidgeting next to Mikumo which caught her attention.
"Hm? What's wrong? Need to use the bathroom?"
"No! I was just, ah, I wanted to ask if you could teach me those one-handed signs as well."
Mikumo smiled widely and brightly. To others, it might look like a kind smile, but Kakashi knew better.
"Please don't make me regret this."
"Of course not! Anything for my little brother~. You can join me and Kurenai-chan."
Kakashi nodded and then turned away, not saying anymore. However, he did let slip one word.
"Thanks."
Mikumo chuckled at his tsundere behavior and leaned over to look him in the face.
"You're welcome."
***
Later that night, in two separate offices a report was being read.
-Hokage office
Hiruzen read the report from the first round of spars of the academy new year happily like he was reading his favorite book.
"Good, very good. The young Kakashi is also an extremely promising seedling! Sakumo has done Konoha a great service, hohoh!"
As Hiruzen scanned the rest of the report, he got happier and happier.
"Asuma is starting to mellow out, and Mikumo taught him a very important life lesson as well. Ah, I love this part of my job."
Hiruzen then stood up to look outside his office window.
"Mikumo has been worth keeping an eye on, although things with Tsunade and the Senju clan are dicey right now, there's still hope for the future with these new seedlings. There's been no indication of Mikumo being a secret spy for the Senju, what is Towa planning? First, she took away all of the remaining Senju forces along with Tsunade, and now she gave me her granddaughter? Maybe this is her way of making amends. If she knew about what happened during the second shinobi war, there's no way she would willingly give way her granddaughter like this."
Hiruzen hummed as he pondered the mechanisms behind the mind of the new Senju advisor.
"Well, either way, I've been keeping an eye on them for the past year. It seems they're just focused on preserving the Senju clan."
Hiruzen then turned around and took out a photo from his desk. It was a picture of his old team, along with his teacher, Tobirama.
"Teacher, would you blame me for what happened?"
Hiruzen sighed.
"If this is what's meant to be, then let it be. Towa Senju, I'll concede to you, for now."
Hiruzen took a draw from his pipe and relaxed while staring off into the lively Konoha nightscape.
-Underground, Root Foundation
Danzo read the same report as Hiruzen, copied for him by one of his Anbu.
"Kakashi, he has potential."
As he flipped through the remaining pages, Danzo's gaze focused on one name.
"Mikumo Kashima...that traitorous Towa Senju's blood."
Danzo tapped his cane on the floor loudly.
"Kinoto!"
"Sir."
An Anbu appeared, kneeling respectfully in front of Danzo.
"Has Sakumo already left?"
"Yes, sir. He has departed along with one of ours a few weeks ago. Though, the mission might not be possible, as Sakumo requested additional aid from forces directly under the Hokage's control."
"Hmph, damn Hiruzen, always getting in my way. Never mind Sakumo for now, we'll deal with him later. For now, the Senju clan takes precedence. Kinoto, bring me Hinoe and Hinoto."
"Yes, sir."
As Kinoto left, Danzo stared back at the report with murderous intent as he started writing something down on a note. A few moments later, Kinoto returned with the Anbu codenamed Hinoe and Hinoto.
"Danzo-sama."
Danzo slid the note he had just written on across his desk.
"This is your mission. Do not fail me. Do not get discovered. If you do, you know what to do."
"Yes, Danzo-sama."
Hinoe and Hinoto took the note and then disappeared to prepare for their mission.
Danzo took another look at the report and flashed bloodlust in his eyes.
"Towa Senju...you forced me to do this."
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone