Chapter 18: The Mist and the Blade
Uchiha Kagami continued his explanation. "Since your Fire Release is so potent, it's likely tied to your unique physique. Therefore, you must develop your body accordingly. It's similar to how we Uchiha develop our Sharingan. When we awaken and train our eyes, we also..."
As Uchiha Kagami elaborated, Akatsurugi began to form a clearer idea of how a Kekkei Genkai might be nurtured.
"So, given your profound affinity for fire, you should seek to become one with the flame. Immerse yourself in it, experience it. The development of any bloodline limit is perilous. You must be mentally prepared for that," Uchiha Kagami concluded earnestly.
Akatsurugi nodded, a new sense of direction solidifying within him. His teacher's words provided a framework he'd been lacking. Before, developing the Flame-Flame Fruit felt like grasping at smoke. In the One Piece world, users just ate the fruit and their basic abilities manifested naturally, with advanced forms coming later through self-discovery. For him, it had been like a frustrating blockage. Such a powerful Devil Fruit, and he'd been using it as a mere power bank, slightly boosting his ninjutsu. It was frankly embarrassing.
As they patrolled, Akatsurugi followed his teacher, his mind divided between vigilance and introspection. He focused on comprehending the nature of his fire-attributed chakra and the unique characteristics of his own body.
Time accelerated on the border. Skirmishes grew more frequent and intense. Over two years, Akatsurugi progressed to leading his own patrols of Konoha Chunin. He wasn't a grizzled veteran, but he was no longer a novice.
During those two years, his daily routine consisted of chakra refinement and dedicated training of the Flame-Flame Fruit. With a targeted approach and a better understanding of its special properties, he finally began to unlock its power.
He had come to a realization: perhaps due to the different fundamental rules of this world, the development of the Flame-Flame Fruit's abilities was intrinsically linked to his chakra. Now, he could achieve partial elementalization of his body. The Fire Release techniques he employed were infused with the fruit's essence, making them vastly more powerful. Even without mastering chakra nature transformation, the sheer force of his Fire Style rivaled techniques that had.
Finally, Akatsurugi thought, after all this time, I have some real means to protect myself. At the very least, his partially elemental form granted him immunity to many conventional attacks.
As for Ryūjin Jakka, it remained silent and inert. Perhaps he hadn't taken enough lives. Despite two years on the border, full-scale battles were rare. Most encounters involved exchanges of shuriken before both sides disengaged. It was only recently that tensions had truly escalated.
"Akatsurugi, with me. We have a new mission." Uchiha Kagami appeared before him, his tone leaving no room for discussion.
Akatsurugi fell in step without a word.
As they ran, Akatsurugi ventured a question. "Sensei, are we heading for the border of the Land of Rain?"
Uchiha Kagami nodded. "Shinobi from Kirigakure have repeatedly crossed the border there, ambushing our village's ninja. Among them are members of Kirigakure's infamous Ninja Swordsmen. They strike without warning. The Third Hokage has ordered me to eliminate them."
Akatsurugi understood. The Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. At this point in time, they weren't yet formally known as the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, but they were undoubtedly Kirigakure's elite strike force.
The fact that Konoha was dispatching Uchiha Kagami, a pinnacle-level shinobi, for this sniper mission spoke volumes about the threat they posed.
"Akatsurugi, the Swordsmen are all elite Jōnin, and their blades are exceptionally powerful. If you encounter one head-on, remember to retreat. Understood?" Uchiha Kagami instructed.
After all, Akatsurugi was nominally still a Chunin, though his actual combat prowess placed him at the level of a Special Jōnin. He only lacked mastery of chakra nature transformation to be considered a full Jōnin. Official promotion, however, required a formal assessment and recommendations from two existing Jōnin—a tedious process.
"Understood," Akatsurugi replied.
Uchiha Kagami had brought him along anticipating encounters with Kirigakure shinobi, if not the Swordsmen themselves. It was a chance for Akatsurugi to gain crucial experience.
However, the Land of Rain's environment naturally suppressed Fire Style users like Akatsurugi, while giving Water Style users from Kiri an advantage. The constant rainfall was a persistent hindrance.
But that was the life of a shinobi. The battlefield rarely offered ideal conditions. Overcoming such disadvantages was part of becoming strong.
Akatsurugi wasn't overly concerned. Ordinary rain couldn't extinguish the flames born from his fruit.
They reached the border of the Land of Rain and crossed into its territory without hesitation. In wars between great nations, smaller countries like this one were powerless, their lands becoming the stage for conflict.
They hadn't traveled far when a thick, white fog began to roll in, rapidly enveloping the area.
"Be careful!" Uchiha Kagami warned instantly.
Akatsurugi nodded, gripping Ryūjin Jakka. He recognized this signature technique—the Hidden Mist Jutsu.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
The sound of kunai cutting through the air. Akatsurugi leaped upward, his blade becoming a whirlwind that deflected the incoming projectiles. Uchiha Kagami remained still, observing Akatsurugi's response.
Akatsurugi knew no Wind Release to disperse the mist. While a powerful Fire Release technique could potentially evaporate it, the chakra cost would be prohibitive. It was better to conserve his energy.
The hidden Kiri shinobi would undoubtedly attack again. He just needed to wait for them to reveal themselves.
Swish! Swish! SWISH!
Another volley. Akatsurugi swung Ryūjin Jakka, but this time he saw explosive tags trailing behind the kunai. Cursing inwardly, he propelled himself backward with a burst of speed.
A faint scuffling sound reached his ears—the shifting of a foot on wet ground. Akatsurugi's hand flashed, hurling two shuriken toward the noise. He heard a sharp intake of breath and the rustle of someone dodging.
There!
His hands flew through seals. "Fire Style: Great Fire Dragon Technique!" A massive dragon's head composed of roaring flame erupted from his mouth, tearing a temporary corridor through the mist.
The Kiri shinobi reacted swiftly. Two walls of water rose to meet the fiery assault. The collision of elements produced a violent hiss and a fresh, dense cloud of steam.
This new fog, however, wasn't part of the original jutsu. It robbed both Akatsurugi and the hidden Kiri shinobi of their sight. Both sides now knew the other's approximate location, but the advantage of the Hidden Mist was momentarily neutralized. The next move was anyone's guess.