Chapter 165: Last training with Guy
Homura stood amidst the training ground, a sheen of sweat glistening on his brow. The air crackled with the remnants of chakra as he took a moment to catch his breath.
The rocky wall, he used the technique was engraved with some type of star-scorched pattern. It was so deeply engraved, that if any normal man were to be in the midst of that attack they would surely die.
A one-kill move.
The best part was that the destruction he caused wasn't really part of his technique but an after-effect of it.
This provided an even greater boost to Homura's ego. Nothing that he had achieved in the past made him feel this way.
For the first time in his life, he felt powerful.
- *huff* To think *huff* Ueno sensei's training would allow me to transform into this...
Homura murmured as he tried to catch his breath from the current state of exhaustion he was under. He had used so much chakra at once that he was dead tired.
His eyes bore a determined glint as he reflected on the mysterious technique he had just unleashed.
"Invincible," he muttered to himself, a whisper of satisfaction lingering in his voice. The technique he had developed through years of relentless training had finally reached a point where Homura felt an unparalleled sense of strength. It was a power that made him confident, almost untouchable.
- But even if I can control my chakra enough to allow me to this...I don't think that it will be enough for me to master the Rasengan safely...it still eludes me,
As he basked momentarily in the afterglow of his success, a hint of frustration crept into his thoughts. The desire to learn the Rasengan, a legendary technique, lingered in the recesses of his mind. Homura couldn't shake the feeling that mastering such a technique would elevate his skills to an even higher level.
- I guess that's enough rest...I should try the rasengatana training before I lose all my chakra.
With a determined resolve, he decided to try his hand at recreating a technique that could be seen as a variation of the Rasengan – a technique he dubbed the Rasengatana.
Though, since it seemingly came prior to the ransengan perhaps it was its original form.
- Alright...let's do this.
Weaving six intricate hand seals, he channeled his chakra into a concentrated sphere, aiming to unleash a devastating force. The wind pressure erupted as he thrust the technique toward a looming rock, but the result fell short of his expectations.
The wind pressure managed to dig a bit further into the rock, but it was far from the destructive force he envisioned.
Disappointment shadowed Homura's expression as he realized that the technique lacked the power to pierce through an opponent or shatter the rock before him.
"Not enough," he murmured, frustration evident in his voice. The limits of his chakra control and reserves became apparent, leaving him with a sense of inadequacy. It felt like an insurmountable obstacle, a barrier preventing him from reaching the heights he aspired to.
After a few more tries.
With a heavy sigh, Homura decided to abandon the training session. The frustration lingered as he made his way back to his hidden bunker, concealed within the confines of a small rock. The path to his secret refuge was known only to him, a testament to his dedication to honing his skills away from prying eyes.
Once inside the dimly lit space, Homura performed a sequence of hand seals. A small tag near an unlit candle ignited. Which causes the candle to light up and casting a warm glow across the room. Homura couldn't help but lament the limitations he faced despite his proficiency in various fields.
- All these years of training in this art and explosive tags for me to light up a candle...I can't be an academy student much longer...
Homura was beyond prepared but he wasn't allowed to graduate early.
But that was a story for another time.
"Genjutsu, taijutsu, ninjutsu, fuinjutsu," he muttered, listing the diverse array of skills he had acquired over the years. Homura was versatile, capable of adapting to various situations, but he couldn't escape the feeling that he lacked a true mastery in any specific discipline. The realization that he wasn't exactly gifted in any specific field was harsh.
For the first time in his life, he felt a wall in front of himself.
Yet, despite his breadth of knowledge, he grappled with the knowledge that all strong shinobi excelled in one thing in particular.
Being more versatile was an advantage such as Kakashi and the second Hokage; Tobirama Senju.
However, none of these men were strong enough for Homura. They were the further thing from the truly strong characters.
Having a large arsenal was great but shinobi that normally excelled in one thing and used it in conjunction with their arsenal were normally much stronger.
Or at least, they had more destructive attacks. With a larger range, Homura wanted to be one of them.
He wasn't satisfied being a seemingly jack of all trades, he wanted to truly be strong so he studied how to increase his power further alongside his kekkei genkai.
And although the technique he created was simple it lacked the he craved.
- Now, I got rid of these.
As Homura entered the final room in his secret hideout, he carried something with him.
In the room adorned with an assortment of tools, scrolls, and artifacts, Homura's eyes fell upon a small chest. Opening it with deliberate care, he left inside it a set of weight seals. These seals, when affixed to his body, served as both a training aid and a reminder of his ongoing journey toward self-improvement.
As he left the weights in place, memories from the past flooded his mind. The faces of mentors and training partners, the countless hours spent perfecting techniques, and the trials that shaped him into the shinobi he had become—all flashed before his eyes.
One memory stood out among the rest. It was a lesson from a wise sensei, a figure who had guided Homura through the early stages of his training. The words echoed in his mind like a distant whisper.
Though that sensei was not as he remembered back then.
-----------
- Several years ago-
-Ha!
Homura, went for a straight hook toward his opponent.
- Hahaha!
The older-looking man, pleased by the speed and sharpness of the attack could not help himself as to not laugh as he dodged the attack with minimal effort.
- Urgh!
Homura's whose attack had been so easily seen through could not help, but feel stressed out by the outcome.
As the older man took a step back, Homura took this opportunity to throw a kick with his right leg but was soon caught!
By his opponent's right hand.
Who held on to it very tightly, making Homura unable to get his leg back.
- kuh!
-*smirk*
Seeing the grin on his opponent's face, Homura twisted his body so as to make himself fall toward the ground.
But as he was about to fall, he used his hands as support, in order to break his fall and used his remaining free leg to aim at the older man's neck.
*pac*
Sadly, it was caught as well!
- It's over Homura-kun!
- No! not yet!
-!?
Homura used the muscles in his arms to hold a tighter grip on the ground he was standing on, and then started to use his newfound support to rotate his body.
-!?
Not expecting such action, and not holding a firmer grip on Homura's legs.
The sudden force put on Homura's legs and body, caused his opponent to lose grip on his legs and let them go!
Or at least, that is what appeared to be happening.
Being freed from his opponent's grasp gave him a boost of confidence.
-Haaaaaaaaaa!
He continued to spin his body faster!
With lightning speed, he swiftly propels his legs, reminiscent of helicopter blades, in perfect synchronization with his entire body. This unique technique not only allows him to attack his opponent but also delivers an intensified assault, leaving no room for defense.
-OH!!!!!
However, being much more experienced and regaining his composure rather quickly, his opponent easily avoided Homura's attack by jumping backward.
-Tch!
Leaving Homura quite frustrated, for failing to land a hit while being so close to his opponent.
- Hahahaha! That's the spirit Homura-kun! Such tenacity and burning passion are needed to surpass your limits!
Homura did not respond instead simply got back up and rushed toward his opponent in order to continue attacking!
-(Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Why can I never land a hit?! No matter what I do...I am always being pushed back!)
A series of attacks were exchanged as the two continued to train, leaving Homura trapped once again as his right hand was soon caught by his opponent's hand.
-...hm...that's enough for today! Good work!!!
Homura's fist was easily released by his opponent, leaving an out-of-breath Homura to fall to the ground.
He was almost completely exhausted.
The fight had been going on for about 20 minutes.
- Ha!...`*Heavy Breathing* *Heavy breathing*... th-thank you for....today...ha! Guy-san!
Obviously, the person that Homura was fighting against, or rather training, was none other, than Might Guy.
- No problem!- said Guy to Homura while flashing his trademark smile and thumbs up.
- It always pleases me to see someone trying their hardest when the
- yes!
- truly, you've made excellent progress in your training. It feels like only yesterday that I met you in the middle of the woods.
- huhhh~~ Thanks!? (I guess that's how we met... but the way he said it, would make anyone think that I am so kind of weirdo or a wild animal that lived there.)
Homura wondered why Guy was suddenly getting more emotional than unusual...it wasn't abnormal for him to reminisce or cry about some nonsense...but to go back that far as to when they first met... something was definitely weird.
-...ok? Anyway Guy-san when are we going to meet again?
-...Homura-kun, I think I have taught you...all I can teach you at the moment.
- Huh?... What!? No, it can't be...!?
Homura was shocked to hear Guy's words...there was a bit of despair that could be felt in his voice.
To him, it almost felt like a betrayal. As if he wasn't good enough or failed to meet Guy's expectations.
Homura had made sure to always do his best, so as to not fail to meet Might Guy's expectations.
He made sure of it, even though it was a pain, but he knew that if he pulled through and managed to learn how to unlock 7 of the 8 gates; then he would almost surely live through anything that may happen in the future.
It was a quick fix that would result in him being able to achieve most of his goals and it was something that anyone, in theory, could do.
It was simply too good of an opportunity to pass over.
- I've heard how well you've been doing at the academy.
- The academy...?
- I believe, you have the talent to pursue many things....If we're to put it into words, Homura-kun... Hmm, I believe that you're a real prodigy! The same kind that Kakashi was when he was younger.
- A prodigy...(No one has ever called me that before... usually, they only refer to my intelligence or whatever...but)
Homura was glad to hear from someone for the first in his entire life that someone called it to his face.
Although Homura always called himself a genius and was among the top rankers at the academy in almost everything, he has never shown everything he could do as to not put too much attention on himself.
Neither were his taijutsu skills praised that much.
Always holding back and never truly showing what he could do.
So although to most, he was very gifted he was never been referred to by that title since most of what he did was always worthy of perfect scores, it was never extraordinary in any other area.
Besides the year he got into the academy, many of the clan heirs who also excelled in many fields also debuted.
Sasuke was a true genius. He excelled at most things, and his fighting technique was among the best of all students.
Sakura rivaled him in academics, that... quite large forehead of hers was not just for show.
That child was smart, incredibly smart! Even Homura who had a two lifetimes worth of academic knowledge had to rely on his ingrained skill to understand some of the questions and tests asked of him at the academy; some of the times.
It was no wonder that she would turn into one of the most formidable medic-nins in the future.
She was just incredibly smart and the manner in which she approached problems was evidently much better than Homura who was rather free-spirited. And absorbed everything told to him like a sponge without really thinking much about the things he was told.
Besides her, the other heirs were also very impressive in diverse fields in diverse fields.
To hear Might Guy tell him that he was somehow worth something...they were not words Homura ever thought he could hear...as if someone was finally acknowledging his efforts.
However, he could not really compare himself to other Uchiha clan prodigies in terms of raw talent.
He had close to decades worth of training thanks to his virtual space, thus, even that praise would soon ring hollow.
However, little did Homura know that the reason no one calls him a genius had not much to do with his overall progress and how fast they were but all to do with his attitude.
- You are able to learn everything I teach at an incredible speed.
- (...yeah, I've been using my supercomputing skill to keep up with Guy-san...It was the only choice I had...To think that using my cheat would one day backfire...is this karma? Because it sure does feel like karma...Urgh.)
-Hm, but I think, that if we go further in the training than we already have, it would limit your other possibilities. No! I am sure of it...
-...
- Someone like Ebisu, or someone more specialized in ninjutsu and genjutsu would be a better fit to train you, right now. I heard that he is a personal teacher now...
- a teacher like Ebisu...?(Eh~~~~! I don't want anyone remotely as bad as him to become my jonin sensei!... NO! I don't want anything close to that level of neglect in my path to becoming a shinobi! Even those 2 randos that are always sitting at the desk near the village's main door are a better choice!... Though I don't think they are jonins. Though Ebisu isn't really one too...)
They weren't, and neither was Ebisu also a jonin; but instead a tokubetsu jonin. A type of jonin that only excelled in one area.
And about, Kotetsu and Izumo...simply put they were not jonins.
They seemed to set in trying to rise up the ranks together but so far... they've had very little success at the jonin exams or in other areas. They were mostly just state workers who sometimes were able to enter the front lines.
- At your current training pace, I am afraid that you might become too reliant on taijutsu. It could cripple your future development as a shinobi. Talent like yours is rare.
-...(I don't buy it. But this is the first time I have seen Guy-san this serious...and making so much sense...it's kind of weird. Why can't he be like this all the time? It surely would make things much easier.)
-I know that you apply yourself to learning taijutsu, with immense dedication, but if things progress the way they have you will undoubtedly you will become too dependent on it. Currently, your way of fighting is too straightforward. You fight as if taijutsu is the only option you can think of when you're in a bind. When I faced you earlier you relied much more upon shurinkenjutsu skills and took a more careful approach.
-B-but you haven't even taught me the Konoha senpu and other techniques (the 8th gates! I really need to know how to unlock them)!
At this point in time Homura knew that learning the 8 gates from Guy would be impossible.
It became clear to Homura that Guy wasn't planning to make himself his student.
After all, they met at random times, and sometimes during their training.
It wasn't hard to meet Might Guy. If one just woke up early and ran around the village they could find him almost at any point in time during day time.
So, when Homura met Might Guy was ultimately when their paths just happened to cross during their individual training sessions. At this point, their sparing sessions were more just a curiosity for Might Guy and not of a desire to make Homura his pupil, though Homura was also not keen on that.
Guy's training regimen was crazy. Only someone equally as crazy or gullible would truly dedicate as much of their time training or going through Guy's training regimen.
- Huh? That? I plan to leave you something that will help you with you're training in the future. If it was someone else I would be worried but with your ability to learn things this fast, I believe that you will have no issues learning on your own.
-Eh!? Guh! (What!? I've only been able so well to this point due to having a live example right in front of me!... Karma is truly a b*tch!)
- I also found someone that I think will allow you to grow for the better! Though now it's probably too early to have you 2 meet.
- Grow for the better?
- exactly!- Said Guy while giving Homura a thumbs up and striking a strange pose that made him look uncool in the eyes of Homura.
-(Oh, no... He is turning back into the normal Guy-san...I already miss the serious Guy-san...)
- Well, it may be hard to understand. But I've only pushed myself to the limits when I found someone I could exchange blows of friendship against someone equally as strong! In other words a rival! Hahahahaha!
- Blows of... friendship?! Hmm...(I know more or less Guy san's story pretty well but...wasn't he always a training maniac?)
- Of course! Having a friendly and fiery rivalry is needed to push someone past their limits! My rival and longtime training partner, Kakashi, and I have been pushed to our limits due to facing each other so many times!
-...o-ok! (Kakashi...it always goes back to Kakashi at the end, with him, somehow. *sigh*...Wait!? Training partner? I did not know that... Kakashi graduated around 5 or 6 and...The anime was very clear that Kakashi was suffering from depression for a long time and going on missions with team Minato because of the war... but maybe that is all in Guy-san's head...I wouldn't put it past him. He probably went to bother Kakashi whenever Kakashi had some free time.)
- Anyway...Hmm... currently, the person I am referring to, is not there yet.
-...is that so?
Homura asked, while slightly confused by Guy's words. Training to become a powerful ninja took a long time. Even being able to exhibit the most basic of abilities can take a long time.
After all, most academy students as soon as they enter the academy are no different from normal children. Thus, it is rare for anyone going to the academy to be able to exhibit high levels of strength or other physical abilities.
- But I do believe that is another different type of genius. One that can be polished into something great one day.
-... (The first time I was called a genius in my whole life, and I already have to share the title with someone else?!... Wait a sec!? He is leaving me to go train another genius or something?... Now, I truly feel that I was stabbed in the back...what a waste of time. but what does that mean,) Another type of genius?!
- Exactly! If you are a natural-born genius, gifted with talent from birth. He, on the other hand, is a hard-working genius! With the fiery determination to never give up and persevere despite the odds!
- Eh~~~! Sounds like a great guy. (I think in trying to impress Guy-san by cheating I stabbed myself in the back, but I try-!!! Is he?... Is he talking about Rock Lee? But...But I thought he didn't know Rock Lee at this point in time(?) and was only aware of him prior to graduating from the academy...is this due to my interference?)
Though this wasn't the first time something strange occurred from Homura meddling with the story, this was the first time that it seemed to have trickled down without Homura having a direct interference.
- I know! It gets my heart pumping just thinking that you 2 will one day be able to challenge each other in the future.
- Huh.. sure. (I don't get any of that but it shouldn't matter too much. Guy san can't really do anything to change events while Lee is at the academy. But...I could turn this into an advantage...plus he said that he is going to give me something to help me train anyway in the future... maybe, I can manage something from that... everything with Guy-san's help at the moment was in normal mode, but now without Guy-san as a reference point, it is going to hard mode! It's still better than what most people get, but I will be damned if don't get anything out of it! At this point I will accept anything!)
- I knew you'd get it, Homura-kun! I am counting on you to be his best rival in the future so that you can challenge each other and grow even stronger from each clash!
- No problem! I feel my blood burning too! If he is as strong as Guy-san says, then I am sure that he will one day be a worthy rival! (If we're really talking about Rock Lee, as a sparring partner and as a tool to steal some taijutsu moves from...He is the perfect person for the job! Yeah, that's not a totally bad idea.)
- That's the spirit! How about today we run over the entire village 10 times to celebrate!
- Eh? (Is he talking about the center of the village only...or are the outskirts as included as well? Because there is a big difference!!! Plus in this outfit...)
Homura was wearing Might Guy's trademark green tights.
He was already way past the stage to be bothered by it. But deep down, within his own heart.
He wished that no one would see him wearing such a getup, especially now that he was at the academy.
However, unlike before nobody had ever heard of him, plus his signature monochrome hair stood out.
Not because he was the only person with this kind of hair, but it was indeed rarer than most.
His saving grace was that he had a hairstyle that was longer than most boys, but not even that would be enough to save him from being recognized by his classmates; just because he was wearing something totally different than his usual attire.
Sadly for him, Might Guy training was worth the embarrassment...being such a calculating individual has sometimes its own set of faults, one of those having almost no pride and allowing himself to do things that clashed with his wannabe cool persona.
- No more time to lose!
- Already?!
- Of course! You know what they say! The best way to start the day is to spice your life, and the best spice to start the day with; it's YOUTH!!!!!
- Huh...(No. No, I have utterly no idea what you're talking about...I'm not going to miss this weirdness.)
- Alright; Let's go Homura-kun!
- Wait Guy-san!
As Guy was ready to go on what he considered to be a light jog, he was nonetheless stopped by Homura.
- Guy-san, you said that I should study more ninjutsu in the future.
- Eh? Did I say...!! *Cough* No! It does sound like something I did.
Guy was a person who lived in the moment and never really sweated the small stuff, especially when he had something in his mind. Leaving him to be quite forgetful at the times.
This was something that Homura was all too painfully aware.
-.....Yes...You said I should probably study ninjutsu. And there is one that I have heard about once and seemed pretty impressive, and I think you should know about it very well.
- Ninjutsu? Me?
Although Guy was surprised by Homura's words, the next few words would jolt Guy's core as he would never have expected someone to ask him what the boy next to him would say next.
- Not yours but Kakashi-san's...Chidori!
- The Chidori, huh? I have no idea.
- really?
- But I can tell you what I know about it.
- Is that true Guy-san?
- Sure! I'd be none too happy to do it for a hard-working lad like you! I am sure you will surprise all of us one day.
- Yeah! I will! Thx guy-san! (Hearing a tip from Guy-san I am bound to learn something good)
- Oh, yeah.
- Huh?
- I have a better idea. Since you're up so early and don't have to go to the academy anyway...
-?
- what do you say you join me for an early morning marathon around the village?
- T-the whole village!? Right now? (after all that exercising?)
- Of course! Early marathons are great! All that healthy marathon sweat, purges all impurities that might build up over your body after a night of sleep.
-Huh.
- Of course. Knowing you I know this is nothing, we could even go twice, no, maybe even 3 times before lunchtime.
Guy stated with a serious face. As if he had realized something important.
- hehehe...( Was this man a cult leader in his previous life, why does he keep making weird assumptions about me? Yeah... I'm not gonna miss this.)*sigh*
--------------------------
Homura finished remembering the events of that day, later he received several training method from Might Guy and old equipment. Especially the weights he wanted to wear though it didn't seem that any of them were as heavy as the one Rock Lee seemed to wear in Homura's memory.
-...At the end of the day I learned nothing from that time...but I can't say I regretted.
Homura said as he closed the door to the chest with the many training devices and other stuff he received from Might Guy throughout the years.
- But I am certainly faster...but if I am too fast for a genin, that might cause me some issues. Especially if I use that speed in conjunction to my new technique.
Homura thought that his new technique to be almost unbeatable, it took a lot of practice but he did ultimately manage to arrive at something that could allow him to face a chunin and give trouble to even a jonin, but it couldn't be abused.
- Having a kekkei genkai is truly advantageous but it also narrows down the people if they notice something odd, that would give me away immediately...
Homura remembered all the people with Kekkei genkai as he said those words out lo, such as Kimimaru bone release kekkei genkai; or Haku, the boy able to control his ice release.
Realistically the two boys were weaker than most jonins, even saying that they were strong enough to face most chunins would be hard to say.
How do you kill someone who can defend against most attacks by creating bones and making them as hard as steel?
How can you kill someone who can make ice crystals that don't melt and allows its user to move in an instant from mirror to mirror?
Most shinobi can't even use many nature style techniques or are severely limited, thus facing people with powers beyond the norm make them almost untouchable.
Thus, even powerful shinobi would be unable to defeat people that circumvent normal expectative.
With the jutsu Homura perfected, over the course of the last year; he has joined those people said to be geniuses. Though he could not use it, due to severe chakra control costs and overall fatigue the jutsu demanded from him.
Everything about using swift release was costly but this one jutsu in particular, was especially costly.
- well there's still a bit of time left to try to think of something.
Homura decided to delve into the scrolls and books scattered across the room, seeking inspiration and knowledge. His eyes scanned the texts, absorbing the wisdom of those who came before him. Each page turned was a step forward, an acknowledgment that his journey was an ongoing process.
As he immersed himself in the wealth of information before him, Homura's determination burned brighter. The frustrations of the training ground were left behind, replaced by a renewed sense of purpose. The small room became a haven for self-discovery, and within its confines, Homura continued to forge the path that would lead him to greater heights as a shinobi.
Chapter end