Chương 24: Chapter 24: Progress and Discovery
Two months had passed, marked by an increasingly intense routine. Ren had developed the habit of keeping his chakra perception constantly active, a skill born of necessity after repeated "surprises" from his friends during training. His range of perception had gradually extended to seven meters-not much by the standards of an experienced ninja, but remarkable for a child of his age.
His body was responding well to the increase in training weight, now at twelve kilograms. The changes were subtle but noticeable: the "baby fat" was gradually giving way to more defined musculature, though still appropriate for a child his age.
"The role of the medical ninja," Fujimoto-sensei's voice filled the courtroom, "has revolutionized the way we conduct operations. Survival statistics have increased significantly since we started including at least one medic per team."
As he watched a practical demonstration of basic medical technique, Ren felt a familiar sense of déjà vu. Notions of anatomy from his previous life as a medical student began to resurface, mingling with new knowledge about chakra.
'That would be another useful skill to develop,' he reflected. 'If only I had Kage Bunshin no Jutsu, I could devote more time to everything... nevermind, it seems i'll not get it shortly...'
His thoughts were interrupted by an unexpected movement. Aoi had stepped forward, his hands already glowing a pale green chakra as he replicated the technique demonstrated by Fujimoto.
"Show yourself," Jun'ko poked him with a grin. "Just because you've studied every medical book in existence..."
But there was admiration in his tone, and even Shinji seemed impressed. Ren watched with renewed interest-perhaps his shy classmate had more potential than he imagined.
"Could you teach me?" asked Ren after class, surprising Aoi with his direct request.
"It's not simple," replied Aoi, adjusting his glasses nervously. "It requires extremely precise chakra control and a thorough knowledge of anatomy. It took me months just to..."
He paused when he saw Ren's hands begin to glow with a faint green glow. The healing chakra flickered for a moment before fading, but it was undeniably present.
"Impossible," Aoi whispered, his eyes wide. "It took me three months just to produce the first spark.... you might have a natural talent for it."
In the afternoon, Ren found his father waiting for him in the training yard. After an intense taijutsu session, Toshiro pulled out a bokken.
"I think it's time to start with real sword training," he said with a smile.
The hours passed quickly between basic stances and elementary katas. As the sun began to set, father and son found themselves sitting on the riverbank, sharing a peaceful moment.
"You know," Toshiro began as he threw a rock into the water, "my first mission as a chunin was a complete disaster." He laughed at the memory. "We were supposed to escort a merchant, it seemed simple. But we weren't told that his cargo was cages full of ninja cats..."
Ren listened rapt as his father shared stories of his missions. Taking advantage of a pause in the story, he decided to ask the question that had been buzzing in his mind for some time.
"Tou-san," he began cautiously, "are you familiar with Kage Bunshin no Jutsu?"
Toshiro looked at him surprised. "Where did you hear about that technique?"
"In class," Ren answered quickly, "during a lecture on cloning techniques."
"Ah," Toshiro smiled. "No, that is not a technique properly from our village. But we in Kirigakure have the Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu-the Water Clone Technique. It is especially useful for reconnaissance and stealth operations.""But water clones cannot perform jutsu independently, can they?" asked Ren, trying to mask his real interest.
"You are well informed," nodded Toshiro, studying his son with curiosity.
"No, in fact that is the limitation of the Mizu Bunshin."
He threw another stone into the water, observing the circles spreading across the surface. "You know, in all these years of missions, I've learned that a ninja's true strength lies not in the techniques he knows, but in the wisdom of knowing when and how to use them."
Before returning home, he pulled out a time-worn scroll, the edges slightly frayed from constant use. His hands caressed it almost reverently before handing it to Ren.
"The basics of Kirigakure Kenjutsu," he explained, his tone unusually serious. "This scroll has been passed down in our family for three generations. Each Mizutani has added their own notes to it, their own discoveries. Now it is yours."
He paused, his eyes lost in memories. "But remember: a sword is only as strong as the heart of the wielder. It is not the weapon that makes the warrior, but the soul that drives it."
That night, as the moon reflected off the calm waters of the river, Ren repeated the kata he had learned during the day. His movements were fluid, precise, each stance flowing naturally into the next like the water flowing beside him.
'Medical ninjutsu, chakra strands, the way of the sword,' he reflected as he completed yet another sequence. 'My style is taking shape, each piece fitting with the others like an elaborate puzzle.'
But as he performed the last kata, an unsettling feeling crept into his mind. 'Something is eluding me,' he thought, stopping mid-movement. 'Like a shadow in the fog, something important that I can't grasp...'
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ItoKun
ItoKun Thanks Everyone! I'm glad of all your support, comment the chapter if you don't understand something or if you think something is wrong (like the hairs of Utakata for example :) )
Specially thanks to sebatianinsig, yaroshmaxcm and Arhantthetitan, reza_Asgari and Jayroy_63!
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