Chương 24: Secrets of the moon
The sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm orange glow over the Hidden Leaf Village as I returned home. My sandals made soft crunching noises against the gravel pathway, leading me to the traditional yet elegant house that had been in my family for generations. The compound was surrounded by lush gardens, their vibrant colors and fragrances soothing my weary spirit. I could see the silhouettes of our two loyal servants tending to the plants, their hands moving with practiced precision.
"Welcome home, Lady Ayumi," one of the servants greeted me with a respectful bow as I approached the entrance. I nodded in acknowledgment. "Thank you," I replied softly, stepping inside the familiar threshold.
"Ah, Ayumi, you're back!" The warm voice of my grandfather, Hayai Kure, resonated through the hallway.
He emerged from the living area, his welcoming smile reaching his wise, wrinkled eyes. It was odd seeing someone I had come to love become old.
"Grandfather," I greeted him, embracing him tightly. His strong arms wrapped around me, providing a sense of safety and comfort that only family could give.
He pulled away slightly, studying my face with concern. "You look tired. Has your training been exhausting?"
"More than usual," I admitted, letting out a deep sigh. I honestly just felt stuck in place, like I wasn't making any progress.
"Come," Grandfather said, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Let's sit down and talk about it."
We settled onto the cushions in the living area, the flickering light from the lanterns casting shadows on the walls around us. As we sipped the he had made, I shared my concerns with him. The difficulties I felt as I felt like I was stuck in mud and couldn't move forward and the dreams that sometimes haunted my sleep.
"You feel as if you haven't moved or progressed at all," he acknowledged softly, his eyes filled with empathy. "But you have, you are too focused on seeing changes that you don't notice them."
His words resonated within me, maybe he was right. When one does something to change they would never notice, it is always, others that notice.
"Thank you, Grandfather," I whispered, pricking up my cup and sipping the tea from it. "This tastes good."
He smiled, embracing me once more. "Your late grandmother had always enjoyed making tea, This is what I do to remember her. And honor her."
I couldn't think of anything to say as we sat there silently. As we sat there for a while before getting up and heading to the back of the house. As we moved together and got closer to the pond.
Turning my gaze into the tranquil koi pond, my reflection rippled with each passing fish. Maybe I could ask my grandfather for help to change the topic.
"Grandfather," I began. "I've been struggling with my chakra reserves lately. I need to find a way to increase them so I can perform more jutsu."
Hayai Kure studied me intently, his eyes as sharp as a hawk's. He had always been an insightful man at least from what I've seen, able to perceive the slightest changes in those around him.
"Very well," he replied after a moment's consideration. "Let me assess your current chakra levels, Ayumi."
I nodded, taking deep breaths to steady myself as Grandfather placed his hands on my shoulders. Closing my eyes, I felt the familiar warmth of his touch as he began to channel his own chakra, delicately probing the depths of mine. My heartbeat quickened, nerves thrumming beneath my skin as I waited for his assessment.
"Your chakra reserves are indeed remarkable for someone your age," Hayai said, slowly releasing his grip. "However, there's something unusual about them. There is another"
And as he felt something aggressive push him out his hand was forced off of me. We stood staring at each other, his look of confusion while I looked away a bit ashamed. "Come with me" Was the last thing he said before making his way back into the house as I followed him. Would he be upset?
The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow across the Kure estate. Grandfather and I stood in the dojo, our reflections flickering on the polished wooden floor beneath our feet. His keen gaze bore into me as if he could see beyond my physical form and directly into my chakra.
"Come closer, Ayumi," he instructed, his voice firm yet gentle. Obediently, I stepped forward, the sound of my footsteps echoing through the empty room.
"Open your mouth and show me your fangs."
I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what he hoped to discover. But trusting in his wisdom, I parted my lips and allowed him to examine the sharp, elongated canines.
"Ah," he murmured, nodding his head in understanding. "you really are just like your grandmother."
"Like my Grandmother?" I questioned, my voice laden with curiosity. It was difficult to keep my impatience at bay, but I knew better than to interrupt Grandfather when he was deep in thought.
"Indeed," he confirmed, meeting my gaze with a determined glint in his eye. "Your Grandmother was the one that created this technique, with it the body would be forced to develop those Fangs. Would I be correct in believing you know what they do?"
I nodded as he continued. " Your grandmother when we first had become a couple had shared with me, that she was taught this by a pale being with strange eyes, they had saved her when she was mortally injured. After that day a mark had appeared on her stomach, the same one you were born with."
He seemed to be remembering something before he continued. " Her uncle Lord first had investigated her body and had come across an Egg in her soul. While all the egg did was take a tiny amount of chakra, He had offered to remove it from her body but she had refused. While the only change in her body was that her skin had turned paler. Thankfully there was no danger to her body."
So my grandmother had a MoonHydra placed inside as an egg. That's not what I expected to learn today. But it is good to learn my appearance was changed by the moonhydra from what I had originally seen.
"Your late grandmother told me that technique was created for when the egg would hach to help it grow." His red Eyes locked on mine.
As his expression softened. "You must learn to balance the hunger with the wisdom to use it responsibly. It will not be an easy path, but I have faith in you."
The weight of his words settled heavily upon my shoulders, but within them, I found a renewed sense of purpose. In a way, my grandmother, mother, and I were connected by moonhydra.
A cool breeze blew through the open windows of the dojo, rustling the leaves of a nearby cherry blossom tree and casting dappled sunlight across the polished hardwood floor. I stood before my grandfather.
"Grandfather," I began, my voice steady and resolute. "I am grateful for our family's unique chakra absorption technique, but I want to find another method that can double my chakra gains. If I'm to become the strongest shinobi I can be, I need to push myself even further."
Hayai regarded me thoughtfully, his gaze sharp yet patient. He stroked his white beard, contemplating my request. The room was silent save for the faint rustle of leaves outside and the distant call of a hawk soaring above the village.
"Very well," he finally said, his tone measured. "However, the path you seek is not without its risks. Instead of focusing on doubling your chakra gains, I propose a different approach one that will test your discipline and dedication."
Intrigued, I raised an eyebrow, urging him to continue.
"Regularly empty your chakra reserves every day," Hayai suggested. "This constant depletion will force your body to adapt by gradually increasing its overall chakra capacity."
"Grandfather, what if I push too far?" I asked, my voice wavering slightly. "couldn't I die?"
"Remember, Ayumi," he replied, his eyes locked onto mine, unwavering in their conviction.
"I will be with you so have some faith, and if not in me then in the creature. The creature within you will make sure you do not die, for it does not want to die as well. It will allow some of its own chakra into you."
As I absorbed his words, a spark of determination ignited within me. The path ahead was fraught with challenges, but if I could maintain my focus and discipline, I would emerge stronger than ever before. With a nod of gratitude to my grandfather, I vowed to dedicate myself to this new training regimen.
"Thank you, Grandfather," I said, my voice firm with resolve. "I will follow your guidance and strive to become the shinobi our family can be proud of."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the Kure family estate's lush gardens. Grandfather Hayai led me to a secluded training ground, his steps measured and unhurried. The scent of cherry blossoms filled the air, their petals drifting lazily on the gentle breeze.
"Listen carefully, Ayumi," he began, his eyes narrowing with seriousness. "The method I propose will force your body to adapt by intentionally depleting your chakra reserves each day. Think of it as an exercise for your chakra system."
He paused, allowing me to absorb the information. My heart raced with anticipation, but also with a hint of unease. Could such an unconventional approach truly be effective?
"By pushing your limits in a controlled manner," Grandfather continued, "your body will be forced to respond and grow stronger over time, increasing your overall chakra capacity." His voice was steady and confident, betraying no doubt about the efficacy of his plan.
"Grandfather," I said "is this the way you had helped Izumi with her chakra problem in the past"
His gaze softened, acknowledging the validity of my question. "Indeed it is, Her eyes had been draining her chakra so much given how little she had that she had come close to death, so i had taughter her the same way i am going to teach you."
I swallowed hard, staring at the ground as I weighed my options. I would trust my grandfather, he had protected me all my life. even helped Izumi become stronger why wouldn't I trust him?
"Alright," I shouted. "I'm willing to try, Grandfather."
"Good," he replied, a hint of pride in his eyes. "Let us begin."
"Remember, Ayumi," my grandfather said, his voice steady and reassuring, "the key is to maintain control. Push yourself, but listen to your body. It will tell you when it's time to stop."
I nodded, taking in his words of wisdom as sweat dripped from all over my body. The moon shone brightly overhead, casting eerie shadows across our family's garden a seemingly tranquil setting for such a surprisingly brutal training regimen.
"Again," he instructed, and I closed my eyes, focusing my chakra inward. This process was familiar, but the goal had shifted instead of trying to conserve my energy, I would now push it to its limits, draining myself almost entirely each night.
As the days turned into weeks, I adhered to this grueling schedule – waking at dawn to complete E-rank missions with my Izumi, then returning home to spend my evenings exhausting every last ounce of chakra under my grandfather's watchful eye.
At first, it was agonizing; my body trembled with exhaustion, and I frequently collapsed onto the cool grass, gasping for air. But slowly, gradually, I began to feel a difference.
My reserves seemed to grow bigger, filling slightly faster and lasting a bit longer. My jutsu became more precise, their power increasing.
"Excellent, Ayumi," Hayai praised one evening as I completed another round of depletion. Sweat poured down my face, and I swayed on my feet, nearly delirious with fatigue.
"Grandfather," I whispered, my voice hoarse from exertion, "thank you. For believing in me and helping me become a better shinobi."
"Your determination is what brought you this far, Ayumi," he replied, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "I am merely here to guide you.' As He offered me a cup of tea.
{ Tell me what you thought of my idea, How could I have made it better? And thank you for reading this far <3}
Tình trạng nguồn điện hàng tuần
-- Xếp hạng
Quyền lực 
-- Đá
Quyền lực