章節 14: The Heart of Protection
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The next morning...
After finishing breakfast, Itachi set off for the Uchiha Ninja Tool Shop, as he had promised Izumi the previous night.
Crossing the streets of the Uchiha district, Itachi soon arrived at the shop. Standing at the entrance was Izumi, already waiting for him. Dressed in her training clothes, she had tied her long black hair back with a simple red ribbon, giving her a neat and focused appearance.
As Itachi approached, Izumi noticed him and walked over to greet him.
"You're here early," Itachi said with a slight smile. The sun had only just risen, yet it was clear Izumi had been waiting for a while.
"I just got here, too," Izumi replied, falling into step beside him as they entered the shop together.
"Welcome, Master Itachi!" The shop owner, a man in his forties with a round frame, greeted them warmly. He had known Itachi for a year since the young Uchiha frequently visited the store.
"Hello, Uncle," Itachi greeted politely, offering a respectful bow, which Izumi quickly mirrored.
"I've told you before, just call me Itachi," he said softly. Although he was the son of the Uchiha clan leader, he didn't care for the title of 'master,' believing it created unnecessary distance between people.
His father, Fugaku, had taught him from a young age: No matter our skills or status, there should never be class distinctions within the clan.
The shopkeeper chuckled warmly before turning to Izumi. "And Izumi! It's been a while. You and Itachi are classmates at the Academy now, aren't you?"
"Yes, we are," Izumi nodded.
After some brief conversation, Itachi purchased the ninja tools he needed. Then, he and Izumi left the shop together.
"So, what are you planning to practice today?" Itachi asked, placing the tools he'd bought into his bag as they walked.
"Shurikenjutsu," Izumi replied.
Itachi nodded. "Alright, let's head to the training ground."
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At the training ground...
They arrived at a familiar clearing. Traces of Shisui's sword training from the previous night were still visible on the ground.
"Give me a minute. I'll set up the targets," Itachi said, walking over to the trees lining the field and setting up wooden training targets.
Once everything was ready, he returned to Izumi. "Let's begin."
Itachi retrieved a few kunai from his pouch, weighing them briefly in his hands before throwing them with swift precision.
Thud! Thud!
Each kunai hit the bullseye of its target, landing perfectly.
"Your turn," Itachi said, stepping aside to give Izumi the space to throw.
Izumi looked a little nervous as she approached the target line, pulling several kunai from her pouch. Unlike Itachi's kunai, hers had small, decorative pink ribbons tied to the handles.
Taking a deep breath, she glanced at Itachi for reassurance before throwing the kunai.
Clang!
Most of the kunai missed their mark, with only one barely grazing the edge of the target. The others fell to the ground with a soft clatter, far off-course.
Embarrassed, Izumi's cheeks flushed as she quickly retrieved the kunai. "Let me try again. I didn't do well just now," she said, her voice filled with determination.
But just as she was about to throw again, Itachi raised his hand. "Wait."
Izumi stopped, turning to him with a puzzled look. "What's wrong?"
"There's something off with your throwing technique," Itachi said calmly. "If you don't correct it, the result will be the same no matter how many times you try."
Izumi furrowed her brow. "What's wrong with it?"
"First, the ribbons you tied to the kunai are affecting their trajectory," Itachi explained. "The added weight and drag from the ribbons are throwing off the balance. It's not a huge issue for some ninja, but you're still getting used to the technique."
Izumi looked disappointed, glancing at her kunai. "I'll take them off, then."
"Wait," Itachi stopped her again. "That's not the only problem. The biggest issue is how you're using your wrist when you throw. You're putting too much force in the wrong way."
Izumi blinked in surprise. "But my father never mentioned that…"
"That's because this is something most people have to figure out for themselves. It's difficult to teach," Itachi explained with a small smile. "Shurikenjutsu isn't just about hitting the target; it's about control and precision. Every shinobi develops their own way of mastering it, and that's why, even within our clan, skill levels vary."
Izumi nodded, beginning to understand.
"Now," Itachi continued, "I'll teach you a method I've developed to help train your wrist technique. It will take practice, but once you get the feel for it, your throws will become much more accurate."
---
"Itachi's own method?"
Izumi raised an eyebrow, her expression filled with curiosity.
"If you learn this method, it should save you a lot of training time."
Itachi held a kunai in his right hand, his wrist poised for action. By the time he was 13, his shuriken skills had already surpassed those of his father, the clan head. The secret behind this was a training method he'd developed to accelerate his progress.
Every skilled ninja in the world has a unique approach to combat, creating their own techniques to refine their abilities. But Itachi was different. He had an advantage most people didn't—his bloodline.
The Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan.
However, Itachi's strength didn't come solely from the Sharingan. Bloodline abilities are merely tools, like kunai in the hands of a ninja. The true power lies in the user's skill and intelligence.
Though Itachi hadn't developed legendary jutsu like the Fourth Hokage's Flying Thunder God or Kakashi's Chidori, he had crafted his own rigorous training routines. One such method was designed to strengthen wrist control, a key to mastering shurikenjutsu.
"Are you sure it's alright to teach me?" Izumi asked, her eyes lighting up with excitement but tinged with hesitation. She knew how valuable this technique must be to him.
"No problem. Didn't you say we're friends?"
Itachi offered a soft smile, though a fleeting shadow of melancholy passed through his gaze. If things had been different, he might have shared this technique with more of his clan.
"Alright!" Izumi nodded eagerly, a bright smile spreading across her face.
Itachi continued, "This method focuses on improving flexibility and wrist strength. You'll need a few basic tools. I didn't bring everything, but I can show you how to get started."
He rummaged through the bag he had brought and pulled out some everyday items, including a child's skipping rope.
Over the next hour, Itachi patiently explained how each tool could be used to improve precision and strength.
Time flew by quickly as they practiced, and soon it was noon.
"Whoa!"
Izumi exclaimed as she launched several kunai from her hand, each one landing squarely in the target's red center.
"You're getting better," Itachi said with a small chuckle. Though it was just a simple straight-line throw, it was impressive for someone who had only just started learning this method.
Izumi's foundational skills were already strong, and she had a natural talent. But it was Itachi's expert guidance that made all the difference.
As the sun reached its zenith, Itachi glanced upward and then turned to Izumi. "I should head home. My mother and Sasuke are waiting for me."
"Ah," Izumi said, looking at Itachi with her large eyes, a grateful smile on her face. "Thank you so much, Itachi."
Itachi smiled back as they left the training ground together.
---
**At Konoha Hospital**
Tsunade leaned against the corridor wall, arms crossed, speaking to Minato who stood across from her.
"Once this situation is resolved, I want to continue traveling with Shizune. Is that alright?"
"As long as Shizune has no objections," Minato responded.
"Good. I'll check in on Jiraiya in a few days," Tsunade said, her gaze drifting to the ward where Jiraiya lay.
Minato also glanced at the room, his brows furrowing with concern.
Tsunade straightened up, giving a final look at Jiraiya before leaving. Minato sighed softly and entered the ward, closing the door behind him.
"Sensei, how are you feeling?" Minato asked as he approached Jiraiya, whose expression was unusually solemn.
Jiraiya shook his head. "It's my own fault. Even now, I haven't been able to mend the hurt in her heart. Tsunade's grief for the dead hasn't lessened."
"Shizune's learning under her is valuable. She's becoming a great asset to the village," Minato said, understanding that Shizune's training would ultimately benefit Konoha.
Jiraiya offered a small smile. "You're underestimating me, Minato. I'm not worried about that."
"Of course not, Sensei," Minato replied, waving his hand.
Shizune's uncle, Dan Katō, had been a renowned ninja of Konoha and Tsunade's lover. His death during the war had left Tsunade devastated, which Jiraiya understood all too well.
"Tsunade's current state worries me," Jiraiya continued, "If the village is attacked, she won't be in any condition to fight. It could put her in danger."
Tsunade, the most powerful medical ninja in the world, had developed hemophobia—a fear of blood—after Dan's death, which had left her unable to fight effectively in the past.
Minato nodded, fully aware of her condition. "I never intended for Tsunade-sama to be involved in any direct battle. My hope is to resolve this without conflict."
His voice dropped as he clenched his fists. "But if it comes to war, we must be prepared."
Jiraiya, seeing Minato's concern, patted his shoulder and laughed. "Don't worry, Minato. Whether the battle happens or not, I'll stand by you and protect everything. Besides, I named your soon-to-be-born son, didn't I? I'm not letting anyone hurt his mother before he's even born!"
Minato smiled, but Jiraiya's next words struck deep. "As Hokage, Kushina's husband, and Naruto's father, you must stand firm. No matter what comes."
Minato nodded, his resolve hardening. "Yes, Sensei. I understand."
---
**Deep in the Forest of the Land of Fire**
In a hidden cave, a man in a loose black cloak sat upon a stone, his face concealed by a brown mask with a single eyehole.
From the cave wall, a figure wrapped in a large pitcher plant emerged, half its body protruding from the rock.
The man's single red Sharingan glowed under the mask.
"So, Tsunade and Jiraiya have returned to Konoha..."
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