Naruto: Road to Death

Chapter 7: Training

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The village of Kirigakure remained shrouded in its perpetual mist, giving it a mysterious and cold atmosphere. The young ninja, Yuta, made his way towards the Mizukage's building, where mission reports were handed in. Although the Mizukage was rarely seen in person, his second in command was always present to receive the ninja's reports. For Yuta, however, the hardest part was hiding the fact that he had decided to keep the high-level scroll, the Kugutsu no Tachi, that he had managed to open.

His report was delivered quickly, and questions about the looted scrolls did not come, easing the tension in his chest a little. The higher-ups seemed more concerned with sending elite teams to hunt down the deserting clan that had looted the village when Yuta arrived. He was sent to wait outside the office, and after a while, tiredness overcame him. He fell asleep on the armchair in the building.

After an hour, Yuta slowly opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was the face of a piercing-eyed kunoichi, wearing a bandana that indicated her rank: jonin. She was a slender, jet-black-haired woman, who looked at him with some impatience, but also with a hint of curiosity.

"You're finally awake, boy," she said in a firm but calm voice. "It's time for us to introduce ourselves. I'm your jonin-sensei, Mikoto."

Yuta, still dazed from sleep, quickly got up from the armchair and stood in front of her, trying to hide his surprise.

"I... am Yuta," he replied with a small bow. "It's an honor, sensei."

Mikoto nodded with a slight smile, but there was something in her gaze that made it clear that she would not tolerate mistakes.

"I have read your report." It seems you've faced some tough times for a newly graduated ninja," Mikoto said, crossing her arms as she examined him from top to bottom. "But I've been assigned to guide and train you. Kirigakure needs strong ninjas, and I'll teach you to be one of them."

The young ninja nodded, his mind still revolving around what he had recently experienced and the secret of the scroll he jealously guarded. He knew that with Mikoto as his teacher, the road would be difficult, but he also saw in her an opportunity to grow stronger and live up to the technique he had discovered.

"With that look, you look more like a dead person than alive. You should go to the village hospital and come back in a few hours to training camp 5. I'll wait for you there, kid.

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Yuta felt a mix of relief and tension upon hearing the words of his new sensei, Mikoto. He knew she wouldn't be an easy teacher, but at the same time, that meant he had a real chance to become stronger. Even with the fatigue and injuries that plagued him, he couldn't stop thinking about the scroll he had kept secret.

The technique it contained, Kugutsu no Tachi, could be the key to his future, but it also represented an enormous risk if someone discovered he had it. With Mikoto's recommendation echoing in his mind, Yuta gave a small bow before leaving the Mizukage building and heading to the village hospital.

The road was shrouded in the thick fog characteristic of Kirigakure, and the humid air helped clear his mind a little. As he walked forward, he couldn't help but think about the woman who had called him "child."

Despite her stern tone, there was something in her gaze that gave him a sense of confidence. He knew she was going to push him to the limit, and that motivated him. Upon arriving at the hospital, the doctors quickly attended to him, checking his wounds and bruises. Although the damage was not serious, the constant fighting and intensive use of chakra had left him exhausted.

While the doctors worked, Yuta took the opportunity to mentally review what he knew about Kugutsu no Tachi. The technique was incredibly powerful, but mastering it required chakra control and skill that he did not yet possess. It would be a long process, and he needed to learn to manage the balance between his own jutsus and the ability to copy techniques.

After a few hours of rest and healing, the doctors discharged him, suggesting he get more rest, but Yuta had no time to waste. Mikoto was waiting for him at Training Ground 5, and he knew that any delay would not be well received. He hurried to the place, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. The leaves of the trees swayed in the damp breeze when he arrived at the training ground.

Mikoto was there, waiting patiently, arms crossed and an inscrutable expression. Her figure stood out in the fog, almost like an imposing shadow.

"Well, you're here on time," she said in a firm voice, not showing whether she was satisfied or not. "We're not going to waste time today. I want to see what you're made of."

Without giving him time to respond, Mikoto threw a kunai straight at him. Yuta barely had time to react, dodging the attack by a hair's breadth. His eyes widened in surprise as he saw that this wasn't theoretical training. This was a real test.

"You must always be ready for the unexpected, Yuta," Mikoto said as she suddenly appeared behind him.

"In this world, one distraction can cost you your life."

Before Yuta could turn around, he felt the pressure of Mikoto's kunai on his throat. It was a quick, calculated movement, a clear demonstration of the difference in power between the two.

"First lesson: never trust the enemy to give you time to prepare," Mikoto continued, letting go and taking a few steps back. "I want you to attack me with everything you have."

Yuta took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for what was coming. He knew he couldn't match Mikoto's skill, but he couldn't give up either. This would be the first step towards his true training as a ninja.

He activated his chakra and took a combat stance, feeling the weight of responsibility and the desire to prove his worth.

With a battle cry, he charged at Mikoto, knowing that the training he was about to receive would not only test his physical strength, but also his determination and will to become someone worthy of mastering the secret technique he carried with him.

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