Chapter 9: The Spark and the Shadow
Akatsurugi couldn't help but marvel at Uchiha Kagami's generosity. These were secret clan techniques, not easily passed down even to full-fledged Uchiha members. He was merely a student, yet Kagami had entrusted him with such powerful ninjutsu.
While classified as B-rank, the true potential of these techniques depended entirely on the user. Their upper limit was incredibly high; they were only labeled B-rank because some ninja were too weak to draw out their full power. Just look at Uchiha Madara's Great Fire Annihilation—it had required a small army of Water Style users to counter. It proved the old adage: there are no bad techniques, only bad ninja.
Clutching the scroll, Akatsurugi returned to Kosuke's home. Kosuke had since been fitted with a prosthetic limb and was taking on D and C-rank missions within the village. Akatsurugi, however, was not yet an official ninja and couldn't accept missions. To become one, he would have to wait for the next Genin exams.
There was another way—a recommendation from an elite Jōnin. Uchiha Kagami was qualified, but he was away on his mission. By the time he returned to recommend him, Akatsurugi figured he might as well take the exam himself.
Finding the house empty, Akatsurugi began practicing his swordsmanship in the yard, focusing on the Crescent Moon Dance and Konoha Ryū. He supplemented these with basic cutting and footwork drills.
Over the past few months, he had repeatedly tried to commune with Ryūjin Jakka, but the sealed sword remained silent and unresponsive. He concluded he was still too weak to sense the will within the oldest Zanpakutō. For now, it was merely a very sharp blade.
As for the Flame-Flame Fruit, Akatsurugi was beyond complaints. He didn't know if it was defective, incompatible with this world, or if he was just developing it wrong. Aside from passively amplifying his Fire Release ninjutsu, it was useless. The elemental intangibility he dreamed of was nowhere to be found. In the One Piece world, users like Ace or Sabo could transform their bodies into flame instantly, fists blazing. His own efforts produced, at best, a flicker barely sufficient to light a cigarette.
Fortunately, the fruit's amplification of his Fire Style was significant, or he would have been truly despondent.
The political situation grew more tense. The Second Hokage finally succumbed to his injuries. The entire village held a grand funeral, and Hiruzen Sarutobi officially donned the Hokage's hat and robe, becoming the Third Hokage.
Fortunately, this Hiruzen was not yet the power-hoarding leader he would later become. Konoha was in a precarious state. Though the First Great Ninja War was technically over, no formal ceasefire existed between the major nations. Had the Second Hokage and the Second Raikage successfully signed their treaty, the conflict might have ended. Their incapacitation by the Gold and Silver Brothers had thrown everything into chaos. While all-out war had ceased, minor skirmishes were constant, any one of which could spark the next great conflict.
Most of Konoha's ninja were deployed on missions, tasks, and border defense. Under these circumstances, the Third Hokage still managed to steer Konoha's development. It had to be said that this version of Hiruzen was both wise and capable. Even the Root organization, founded by Danzō, played a constructive role at this time, though that would change later.
None of this concerned Akatsurugi. He wasn't important enough to be involved.
"Brother Kosuke, I'm heading out to train," Akatsurugi announced upon Kosuke's return.
Kosuke grunted in acknowledgment. Akatsurugi gathered his gear and left, seeking a secluded spot to hone his taijutsu and ninjutsu. He understood clearly: without strength, venturing outside was suicide. He felt no urgent need to become an official ninja; survival was his only curriculum.
In his usual training grove, Akatsurugi created a shadow clone. One clone practiced the Crescent Moon Dance, while the other held a rubber ball, constantly focusing chakra into it.
Yes, Akatsurugi was attempting the Rasengan. He knew the training method for this seal-less technique, as it was the only one explicitly detailed in the original story. It was, unfortunately, brutally difficult. The ball in his hand spun violently but showed no sign of rupturing. He was still far from completing this first stage.
Compared to Naruto, who mastered it in a month, Akatsurugi's progress after a month—still stuck on the third step—highlighted the vast gap between them. It wasn't necessarily a lack of talent, but a fundamental difference in chakra reserves. Naruto had a near-bottomless well of chakra, allowing for non-stop practice. Akatsurugi had to train in short bursts, resting frequently to recover.
And this was the one-handed Rasengan, not the method where a clone helped form it. The difficulty was significantly higher.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Several kunai suddenly shot towards him. Though focused, Akatsurugi wasn't completely oblivious. Hearing the sound of cutting air, he immediately threw himself into a roll, dodging the attack. The kunai thudded into the ground where he had just been standing.
"Who's there?!" Akatsurugi shouted, instantly alert, his gaze snapping towards the direction of the attack. This was Konoha! How could someone attack him here?
Could it be a spy from another village? Was his luck really this bad? The Second Hokage had said he was fortunate.
A ninja slowly stepped out from behind a tree, several shuriken already in hand. Without a word, he hurled them forward.
Seeing the shuriken flying towards him, Akatsurugi dismissed his shadow clone. He drew kunai from his own pouch, deflecting the incoming projectiles with sharp clangs. Simultaneously, his hands flew through a sequence of seals. "Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!" he shouted.
A volley of small fireballs shot from his mouth, streaking towards the mysterious ninja.
The ninja responded instantly, his own hands forming seals. "Water Style: Waterfall Technique!"