Naruto Another

"Sejin-sama." Minori said with a bow.

"Oto-san," Noboru said bowing as well.

Sejin said nothing. Instead, he turned a page in his book and continued to read. Both Noboru, and Minori were used to this kind of behavior. Often the head of the Kosutta clan would finish whatever he was doing before addressing his underlings. As Sejin read, Noboru wondered whether or not he'd see Chocho again, and he wondered what exactly Mikan was up to. At least five minutes had passed before Sejin closed his book and tucked it under his shoulder.

"Where is Mikan?" His voice was deep, and tinted with malice. It always sounded like that even when Sejin was trying to be kind.

"She said she needed to do something, so she asked me to escort Noboru back here." Minori said.

"Minori," Sejin began, "I suggest you limit the time you spend outside of the territory. Mikan is capable – you are not."

"I understand Sejin-sama. I'll be more careful."

"Caution is not enough I'm afraid. Mikan is cautious, but as powerful as she is, she is still vulnerable. You only need to look upon her frail face to remember that, if it were up to me, she would not be allowed to leave the territory, but I suppose working for the Mizukage has its benefits."

"That's- "Minori's voice escaped him.

"In the future you'll ask me directly if you can leave the territory. You're too valuable to be allowed free reign."

'Him, or his Kiidogan' Noboru thought.

Minori was Mikan's go to for insight regarding Sejin, and other smaller affairs. If he's not allowed to leave the territory that might cause some problems for his older sister, Noboru realized.

"Then you may leave us Minori. Thank you for escorting my son back to me unharmed."

"Of course." He said with a bow. Then he left the room leaving Noboru alone with his father.

"Are you ready for tomorrow?"

'No.' He thought.

"Yes." He said.

"Good. Once you awaken your Kiidogan you'll be allowed entry to the Mock Exams. It's there you'll show the nation what the Kosutta are capable of."

'So that's it... If I don't awaken my doujutsu I won't be able to participate."

A grim smile appeared on Sejin's lips.

"Your air current dance," He said, "Let's see if we can bring it down a sign." He stepped into the rain, but none of it seemed to hit him.

Noboru took a deep breath and followed his father out into the rain. He was tired, and hungry, and this session would likely last several hours.

'Maybe he won't be as tough on me today.' Noboru thought.

Considering tomorrow's events his father would want him in peak condition. If he were injured, then the awakening would have to be postponed and considering the date of the exam that was unlikely. Noboru stepped into the courtyard, the rain soaking him yet again.

His father stood a few feet away from him using wind style ninjutsu to keep himself dry.

"Remember the words." Sejin said. "You only have seven left."

Noboru raised both hands. Although Minaka taught him how to sign with one hand he knew that if he tried using one a jutsu he was yet to master his father would feel slighted. Noboru cleared his head and began.

With the first sign he thought of the most ancient, and most revered Kosutta principles. 'Resolve.' He said making the sign. Then came 'Silence'. Next came 'Intent' then 'Sound' and then 'Illusion.' The last sign Noboru made represented 'Focus.' Noboru felt a brief cold air enshroud his body, but a moment later it was gone.

The 'Air Current Dance' was a hidden jutsu known only to the Kosutta clan. The principles, and signs were drilled into every clan member from birth; even those who weren't shinobi could at least make the proper hand signs, and evoke the words, and principles. There are 20 different words that make up the jutsu, and in order to fully master it a Kosutta shinobi would need to start from 20 and work their way down to one.

Noboru could cast the jutsu in four signs with one hand thanks to Minaka, but since his father took over his training, he hadn't been able to lower that amount. Noboru felt a sharp twisting pain in his back as a rush of wind sliced at his skin. The cut was paper thin, and stretched from his neck down to his waist.

The thinner the cut the worse it felt. No blood could rush to the wound, and dry it so the feeling of musty air, and whatever else would constantly irritate it. It was worse today due to the constant flow of rain.

"Again!" Sejin said.

And again, Noboru said the words, and cast the hand signs, but upon the sixth word, and the sixth sign he was unable to fully cast the jutsu. This time his father used the wind to slice at the nape of his ankles causing him to fall to his knees. Despite the nature of Noboru's punishments, he was the Kosutta heir, and needed to be presentable; that's why Sejin was careful in his abuse.

Noboru never felt a blow to his face or his arms because if others saw them, it could be perceived as weakness; at least that's what Sejin had thought. As the training continued Sejin decided to be more lenient with each failure.

Instead of cuts full of wind he simply used his ninjutsu to send Noboru into the muddy water. When it was finally over Sejin simply walked inside the complex muttering something under his breath while Noboru remained on his knees, and in the rain.

'The Mock Exams.' He thought. 'If I don't do well tomorrow... I'll be stuck here.'