Three weeks had passed quickly. Construction of the new hot springs, a project of great significance to the Hidden Hot Springs Village and its inhabitants, was nearly complete. However, for a certain someone, this situation was intolerable.
Not far from the Hidden Hot Springs Village, Riku Nakamura sat at a table behind a stark white manor, his black kimono—with a white dragon expertly crafted across its back—standing out against the pale wood. He sipped tea, his legs crossed with an air of absolute authority. Multiple jewelled rings glittered on the fingers of the hand that elegantly held his porcelain cup. His black hair was pulled back into a high, severe ponytail, skewered with a decorative rod. Black spectacles rested perfectly on the bridge of his nose.
Two motionless guards flanked him, silent and watchful.
A man in a plain, pitch-black suit approached and bowed low. "Sir Nakamura, your guests have arrived."
Nakamura flicked a single finger, and the flanking guards moved to allow the guests passage.
Tsubasa and Akane walked toward their employer.
"What is that atrocious scent I've caught?" Nakamura asked with a flicker of disgust. He waved his hand toward the garden. "Never mind," he added, cutting off Tsubasa before he could speak.
Nakamura set his cup down with a sharp, impatient click. "You are taking too long, Tsubasa!"
Tsubasa smirked slightly. "We ran into some... complications while trying to kill your old mentor."
"Hmph. Whatever this 'complication' is, I paid you far too much for this delay. Don't forget, you mangy mutts are mine. My tools to use. And when tools lose efficiency, they lose value. That is the way of my shinobi." His words were delivered in a slimy, hoarse drawl—the voice of a man defined by his self-regard.
Akane's clenched fist and the tension in her jaw were palpable, a clear sign of the unease in the room. "We aren't 'yours'," she muttered, her voice a low but unmistakable challenge.
Though her voice was low, it was not low enough. Nakamura turned and pushed his spectacles down slightly. "What was that, little girl?"
"I said—"
"Akane!" Tsubasa stopped her with a terse command.
Nakamura smirked. "That's what I thought." The air was thick with tension; Tsubasa, who preferred Kaito's controlled psychopathic efficiency, rarely brought Akane to such volatile dealings. Nakamura then addressed Tsubasa, taking his time to consider. "I grant you one more day. You had better move quickly if you still want the money. The old man plans to reopen within the next three days; You cannot let that happen. If you fail me, I have other methods within my reach."
Nakamura rose, a fluid, graceful motion, took his umbrella, and walked ahead, his bodyguards moving with him in lockstep.
"Oh, and Tsubasa..." He turned back, his gaze cold.
"Remember two things. Get a tighter leash on your dogs." He gestured toward Akane in open disgust.
Then he glared. "And second, you should never refer to that old, crippled, fragile man as my 'Mentor'. I simply exploited his vast resources and reach to get what I wanted. He could burn to ash with this pathetic village for all I care. I will rebuild Yugakure into the fortress it's meant to be!" His words dripped with disdain, a clear reflection of his intense ambition and ruthlessness.
With that declaration, Riku Nakamura vanished in a flash.
"Tch! He irritates me," Akane gritted out, her anger barely contained.
"Never forget, he pays me. And in turn, he pays all of you. You mustn't let your feelings get in the way again, Akane-kun. Feelings make you weak. Being a shinobi is not a job for the weak."
Sensing she had offended him, Akane explained, stubbornly and angrily: "He acts like we belong to him. Like we're his possession."
"Technically, we are," he responded, his tone flat.
"Well, I'm not. I only belong to you, Tsubasa-sama." Akane's words were an explicit, defiant declaration of loyalty. Tsubasa, who showed little sentiment in return, merely glanced at her coldly, his response a stark contrast to Akane's declaration.
"We killed the old man today. Those Konoha shinobi will just have to die alongside him and this village," Tsubasa commanded. He made a hand seal and vanished.
"Of course." Akane made a hand seal and followed him.
----------------------------------------
Meanwhile, back in the village…
Kinoshita had run out of resources and was escorted by Arashi and Kazuya while Itachi stayed behind to train Miyu and Shiromaru.
They were not far from Kinoshita's house. There was a forest not far behind his house.
Itachi stood at the centre of the forest, his Sharingan eyes focused on Shiromaru and Miyu, ready to guide them in their training.
The air was filled with anticipation as the two were huddled together, eager to improve their skills under Itachi's guidance. Miyu, as gleeful as always, and her hound, Shiromaru, just as happy as her owner.
Itachi turned his attention to Shiromaru, observing the loyal ninja hound with a keen eye.
"Shiromaru, we will focus on enhancing your individual capabilities today. I want you to tap into your potential and harness your hidden jutsu."
Shiromaru's tail wagged excitedly, sensing the challenge that lay ahead. "Woof! Woof!" He barked, eager to prove himself.
He turned his gaze to Miyu, who observed the training. "Miyu, your unique water style technique is a rare and powerful one. I'd like to help you harness it to your full potential."
He turned his gaze to Miyu, who observed the training.
"But first, Miyu, as a water style user, you possess great potential. I will help you develop a long-range jutsu that complements your abilities."
"I'm ready when you are, Itachi sensei!" She exclaimed with a smile.
"By now, you should've almost mastered nature transformations, considering your talents.
The Starch Syrup Jutsu. It allows you to control and manipulate a viscous substance similar to thick syrup. Use it to bind and immobilise your opponents, restricting their movements and creating openings for your attacks."
Itachi demonstrated a few hand seals to showcase the basic technique. Miyu followed suit, mimicking his movements, and gradually, droplets of thick, sticky starch syrup began to form in front of her.
"Focus your chakra into the water vapour around you," Itachi advised. "Transform it into a starch syrup and shape it as you desire. Remember, precision and control are key."
Miyu concentrated, channelling her chakra into the surrounding moisture. With practised finesse, she shaped the starch syrup into tendrils that snaked through the air. She could feel the power at her fingertips, ready to ensnare her enemies.
Itachi observed their progress, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.
"Well done, both of you. These techniques will augment your skills and give you an edge in battle. Train diligently, master your individual strengths, and remember to support one another as a team."
The training session had pushed them further, awakening new possibilities within their abilities.
Meanwhile, Arashi and Kazuya pulled a cart filled with resources as they walked back. And on top of that, Kinoshita sat inside this cart giving orders. They were sweating from the workload, but they pushed through and motivated themselves, claiming it's all training.
Meanwhile, Arashi and Kazuya pulled a heavily loaded cart filled with resources as they walked back. Perched atop the load, Kinoshita sat giving orders. Both boys were sweating from the workload, but they pushed through, motivating themselves by claiming it was all training.
"Tell me… what's the difference between the Chidori and the Lightning Blade?" Kazuya asked, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.
"I know they seem similar, but they really aren't," Arashi replied, also focusing ahead. "Not only does the Lightning Blade use fewer hand seals, but it's also sharper," Arashi said, glancing at Kazuya.
"The name 'Raikiri' comes from a time Kakashi cut a bolt of lightning on a mission."
Kazuya's eyes widened. "It's really that potent?" He asked in amazement.
"I know it sounds unbelievable, but it's true," Arashi responded. "At least... that's what I heard from one of his friends called Guy."
"Hey! Who told you to slow down?!" Kinoshita yelled from above. "You have a job to do, so do it!" He shook his head. "These kids are incompetent…" he muttered.
Arashi and Kazuya, exhausted from the day's toil, had to deliver the last heavily loaded cart. The last thing either wanted was to listen to Kinoshita try to drive them crazy. "Grumpy old man!" they spat out in perfect synchrony. Noticing their shared disdain for the task, Arashi had a bright idea that would secretly please Kinoshita, too.
"Hey, Kazuya," he called, nudging his elbow.
"What?" Kazuya responded, already irritated by their passenger.
"How fast do you think we can get to the site with this load?"
"What?" Kazuya sensed the mischievous glint in Arashi's eyes. "Now?" he echoed.
"Well, we might finally agree on something, and it'll help our client here," Arashi said, a smirk forming on the corners of his mouth.
"What the hell are you two talking abo—"
Kinoshita's voice suddenly went mute before he could mouth a word. He went tumbling into the cart as it was yanked into motion.
The cart shot forward abruptly, leaving a massive cloud of dust in its wake. Kinoshita held on for his life as they hurtled across the road.
Arashi slowed slightly to maintain the same speed as Kazuya, though he saw Kazuya pull ahead for a brief, competitive moment.
They both ran incredibly fast, as if bolts of lightning streaked across the landscape.
Seeing the construction site ahead, the two boys began slowing down. They infused their feet with chakra and quickly stomped on the ground, creating a few sharp cracks in the road as the cart jolted to a stop.
Unfortunately, the cloud of dust they created quickly washed over them.
"Cough! Cough!" They all coughed and sputtered as it passed.
"I'm never taking you two to get my resources ever again!" Kinoshita yelled, spitting out dust.
Arashi and Kazuya looked at each other, grinning widely. "Hahaha!" They both laughed and let go of the cart.
Itachi watched from inside the house, 'It seems this mission was for the best. No one would've thought they'd get used to each other this quick.' He thought,
"Come on, let's help Mr Kinoshita carry his stuff."
Kazuya nodded,
"Yeah."
Saying that, they both helped offload while Kinoshita walked ahead towards the new hot springs. It was perched up above the hill behind his home.