Capítulo 5: Chapter 5: The Storm Approaches
Winter's chill began to fade, giving way to the early signs of spring. The training grounds were still covered in patches of snow, but the air was less biting, and the days grew longer. Asura had continued to train diligently, refining his skills with each passing day. He had carved a niche for himself among the other children, known for his speed and quick thinking. Despite his rapid improvement, there was still a sense of restlessness within him, as if something bigger was looming on the horizon.
One morning, as the sun crept over the horizon, Asura was sparring with another child, his wooden sword clashing against theirs in a rhythm he had come to know well. Just as he managed to slip past his opponent's guard and land a clean strike, a sudden commotion erupted across the training grounds. The sounds of hurried footsteps, shouted commands, and clanging metal echoed in the distance.
Asura paused, lowering his practice sword and glancing around. He saw several Uchiha clan members rushing across the grounds, their faces tense, their movements hurried. They were dressed in armor, their battle cloaks flapping behind them as they ran, swords gleaming at their sides. Some of them shouted to one another, their voices laced with urgency.
"Enemy attack! Prepare for battle!" a voice called out, and Asura's heart skipped a beat. He had heard those words before, but only in stories and whispered conversations. Now, they rang out loud and clear, filling the air with a sense of dread and anticipation.
Without thinking, Asura ran toward a group of clan members, his mind racing. He spotted an older boy, one of the more experienced trainees who often helped with their lessons, and grabbed his arm. "What's happening?" Asura asked, his voice louder than he intended. "Who's attacking?"
The boy, whose face was already set in a grim expression, glanced down at Asura. For a moment, his eyes softened, but only briefly. "We're under attack," he said, his tone clipped. "There's no time to explain. Get to the armory and gear up. Now."
Asura's heart pounded in his chest. This was no drill; this was real. He nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat, and sprinted toward the armory. He had never been in a real battle before. Training was one thing, but this… this was war. Still, he knew he couldn't hesitate. If the clan was under attack, then he had to be ready, no matter how scared he felt.
The armory was a flurry of activity. Clan members dashed in and out, grabbing armor plates, swords, and other gear. The room was loud, filled with the clanking of metal and the murmurs of hushed conversations. Asura slipped inside, his eyes darting around as he took in the sight. Stacks of armor, helmets, and weapons were scattered across the room, hastily organized in piles. Some were polished and well-maintained, while others showed signs of wear from past battles.
Asura felt small amidst the chaos, but he steeled himself, pushing through the crowd until he found a section with gear that looked like it would fit him. He rifled through the stacks, his hands shaking slightly as he picked out a chest plate and a set of arm guards. He had practiced in training armor before, but these were different—heavier, sturdier, meant for actual combat.
He found a dark battle cloak with the Uchiha crest embroidered on the back and threw it over his shoulders, adjusting it so that it wouldn't get in the way. His fingers brushed against the cold metal of a sword hilt, and he hesitated for just a moment before picking it up. The blade was simple, unadorned, but sharp. Asura unsheathed it slightly, the steel glinting in the dim light. It was heavier than his practice sword, but it felt solid, dependable.
He quickly strapped the sword to his side, his hands moving automatically as he secured the rest of his armor. Chest plate, arm guards, shin guards—he tightened the straps, making sure everything was in place. The gear was a little big on him, but it would have to do. There was no time to search for a perfect fit.
As he was finishing up, he caught sight of himself in a polished metal shield leaning against the wall. He almost didn't recognize the boy staring back at him. Dressed in armor, with the Uchiha crest on his cloak and a real sword at his side, he looked older, more serious. The sight made his heart tighten. This wasn't a game; he was preparing for a real battle, and there was no telling what would happen next.
Asura took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. He had trained for this—maybe not for a full-scale battle, but for combat, for defending himself and his clan. He wasn't the strongest, but he was fast, and he knew how to fight. He couldn't afford to be afraid now.
He turned and made his way back through the crowded armory, stepping out into the cool morning air. The training grounds, once filled with the sounds of practice matches, were now alive with the preparations for war. Clan members were gathering, forming ranks, checking their weapons and armor. Some of the older, more experienced warriors stood at the front, their expressions grim, their eyes scanning the horizon as if expecting the enemy to appear at any moment.
Asura looked around, trying to find someone who could give him more information. He spotted the same older boy from earlier, now fully geared up, and hurried over to him. "Where do I go?" Asura asked, his voice steady despite the knot of anxiety in his stomach.
The boy glanced at him, then pointed toward a group of younger fighters who were being assembled near the edge of the grounds. "You're with them," he said. "Stick close, follow orders, and don't do anything reckless. Understand?"
"Got it," Asura replied, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword. He ran over to join the group, slipping into line with the other young Uchiha. Most of them looked as nervous as he felt, their eyes darting around, their movements tense and uncertain. Asura's mind raced, trying to piece together what little information he had. Who was attacking them? Was it another clan? Was this part of the constant skirmishes he had heard about, or was it something worse?
The instructor who had been leading their training sessions stepped forward, his armor gleaming in the morning light. "Listen up!" he called, his voice cutting through the murmur of the crowd. "We're under attack. Reports suggest a raid, but we don't know how many there are yet. This is not a drill, and it is not a game. You've trained for this, so do your duty. Stick with your squad, follow your leader's commands, and stay sharp."
Asura listened, his heart pounding but his mind clearer than it had been a few minutes ago. He had been training for months, learning how to control his chakra, how to move quickly and strike precisely. He knew how to fight, and now he would have to use everything he had learned. There was no room for hesitation.
The instructor's eyes swept over them, pausing for a moment when they landed on Asura. "You're young, but that doesn't mean you can't make a difference," he said, his voice softer now, but no less firm. "Remember what you've learned. Use your speed, stay alert, and above all, survive."
Asura nodded, his grip tightening on his sword. The words felt heavy, but he understood the weight behind them. This was his first real battle, and he didn't know what to expect, but he would do everything he could to protect himself and his clan.
The clan members began to move, forming squads and positioning themselves strategically across the training grounds. The air was thick with anticipation, the tension palpable as they prepared for the inevitable clash. Asura's breath fogged in the cold air, but he felt a strange calm settle over him. He had been training for this moment, and now it was time to prove himself.
The sounds of distant footsteps echoed across the snow-covered grounds, and Asura's heart skipped a beat. He could see figures approaching in the distance, dark silhouettes against the white landscape, moving steadily closer. The enemy was coming, and soon, they would be upon them.
Asura drew his sword, the blade glinting in the early morning light. He felt the weight of it in his hand, solid and reassuring, and took a deep breath, steadying himself. The training he had undergone, the countless hours spent honing his speed and skill, all led to this moment. He wasn't the strongest or the best fighter, but he was ready to fight.
As he stood there, waiting for the enemy to arrive, Asura glanced around at the others, seeing the same mixture of fear and determination in their eyes. They were young, but they were Uchiha, and they would not back down.
Asura squared his shoulders, gripping his sword tightly, and took a step forward. No matter what happened next, he would face it head-on. The battle was coming, and he was ready to meet it.
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder