Training with Shirane: Ice Release

Namaru wakes up the next morning to hear commotion downstairs. He descended the staircase to find that his father is home for a couple weeks, and is deciding to use this time to train Namaru since Inaga is off on missions. Otherwise, he would be training them both. Namaru doesn't waste time accepting, so Shirane nods and states,

"We start immediately. Come with me."

Shirane walks out the door, Namaru close behind. He leads Namaru to the same place Namaru learned the Fire Ball Justu. Shirane turns to Namaru before speaking.

"So, you seem to have the 5 basic Chakra Natures and transformations down, as well as Rasengan and Chidori-"

Namaru interrupts.

"Actually, it's Lightning Blade, now. I went and trained with Kakashi Hatake after he trained Inaga, and he taught me how to perfect the technique. I also picked up on his Purple Lightning without him knowing. Please don't tell Grandpa."

Shirane just chuckles.

"I guess someone's been hard at work. Anyway, as I was saying, you seem to have the 5 basic Chakra Natures and transformations down, as well as Rasengan and Lightning Blade, not to mention I've heard about your prowess with Wood Style. Today and tomorrow, I will be teaching you about something you already know how to do...combining your nature transformations."

Namaru gives Shirane a quizzical look before asking a question.

"What do you mean, Dad?"

Shirane kinda chuckles to himself before he responds.

"I'm talking about your Wood Style. I bet you didn't know that it's a combination of Earth Chakra and Water Chakra."

Namaru's eyes light up, acting like he didn't know what Shirane was talking about, and putting on a pretty good act, might I say. Shirane continues.

"Today, we're combining Water Chakra with Wind Chakra to make Ice Release. It's another Kekkei Genkai I picked up while travelling. Might wanna get your Sharingan ready. I know you can.

Namaru readies his Sharingan as Shirane weaves a few hand seals and casts a jutsu.

"Secret Jutsu: Crystal Ice Mirrors!"

Dozens of Ice mirrors behind appearing around Namaru as Shirane appears in them all before deciding to speak.

"This Jutsu, Namaru, is used to be able to trick your opponent as well as harm them significantly. You can either project yourself through all the mirrors at once, or only one, and pass through the mirrors, including the ones across from you, which allows you to make blinding speed strikes on your opponent, damaging them tremendously. For example purposes, I will decide not to go with the second option, and will only show myself through multiple reflections and multiple different angles. Think your Sharingan got it?"

Namaru nods, and Shirane releases the Jutsu.

"Go ahead and try it for yourself."

Namaru focuses on the hand seals Shirane used replicating them perfectly.

"Secret Jutsu: Crystal Ice Mirrors!"

Shirane quickly substitutes out leaving a Shadow Clone in his place. Namaru catches this this at the last second, so he decided to go all out. The ice mirrors form, and Namaru passes between them effortlessly, over and over, striking the clone at blinding speeds, getting faster and faster. After a few quick moments, Shirane's clone took too much damage, and disappeared, causing Namaru to release the jutsu before complaining.

"Dang. I was just getting started."

Shirane looks confused, but slightly terrified at the same time.

"Namaru. Did you even move?"

Namaru looks at Shirane quizzically.

"Of course I moved. Moved a lot, actually. How else did the clone take damage?"

Now, Shirane looks more scared than confused.

"Namaru. I didn't see you moving. How were you moving so quickly?"

Namaru has a moment of realization.

"Oh. So, since I figured I can channel my chakra to my feet to walk on walls and water as well as leap off of surfaces, I can try to channel my chakra into my legs and feet to enhance my speed while leaping."

Shirane looks dumbfounded.

"Well, I guess it worked, then. I never saw you move. I didn't even see your reflection between the mirrors as you leaped between them."

Suddenly a familiar voice comes from a nearby tree.

"How could you not have seen him? I saw him plain as day."

Namaru and Shirane both start looking around to find the source of the voice. During their search, he shows himself. It's Inaga. Both Namaru and Shirane look confused to see Inaga there.

"I'm just between missions. Was on my way to meet my squad at the mansion. This next mission will be our first from the new Hokage. I just so happened to see you two training in Ice Release, and I couldn't help but stop and memorize the technique, myself."

The rest of Inaga's team walks up, lead by Hōki Taketori (He's not Anbu in this story). Before Hōki can speak, one of Inaga's team mates does.

"We got our mission details without you. We'll inform you on the way. Let's go."

Inaga holds up a finger.

"Hold up. If it's okay with Sensei, I'd like to test my little brother's current abilities. I wish to see how far he's come."

Hōki says nothing, but nods, giving Inaga his approval. Inaga thanks Hōki, and turns around to face Namaru.

"This won't be a sparring match to show off our abilities. I want you to use your newest technique on me, and see how many cuts you can make."

Namaru looks somewhat scared by this.

"I've just learned this skill. What if I end up hurting you or myself?"

Inaga shakes his head.

"You have to remember, I've just learned it, myself. Regardless, from what I just witnessed moments ago, you seem to have a decent handle on it. Now, use it. I want you to try and hurt me. One of my team mates is training in medical ninjutsu, so it won't matter, anyway."

His medical team mate speaks up.

"Just because I'm learning medical ninjutsu, doesn't mean I am going to help you. Actually, it does, but it doesn't mean I have to."

Inaga just grins as he replies.

"But you just said you were going to, anyway. Namaru. Let's begin."

Namaru weaves the same hand seals he did before.

"Secret Jutsu: Crystal Ice Mirrors."

A dome of Ice Mirrors appears around Inaga, surprising Inaga's entire team.

Namaru focuses his chakra into his legs and feet, and begins leaping through the mirrors at blinding speed. Inaga uses his Sharingan, and begins dodging Namaru's movements perfectly. Namaru smirks and creates 2 Shadow Clones, who also start leaping through the mirrors. This makes Inaga's job harder, but he still manages to dodge. Between the onslaught of attacks, he managed to pick out which is the real Namaru, and kicks him, sending him through a mirror, shattering it. Namaru hits the ground, and the mirrors disappear. Namaru begins to get up as Inaga approaches him.

"That was very well executed, Namaru. Those shadow clones really put me in a pinch when combined with your speed. Keep working on that jutsu and perfecting it. You're growing really quickly. I would love to stay and chat, or even have a real sparring match, but we really must be going now."

Inaga turns around to find Hōki and the rest of the squad not budging. Inaga gives them a quizzical look before Hōki, himself, speaks.

"This is a B-Rank mission, but I believe it can wait a few more minutes. Why don't you have your fun. Just remember Namaru is a Genin, while you are a highly skilled Chunin. To be honest, I kind of want to see it, myself, anyway."

Suddenly, Sarada walks into the opening from where she was hiding.

"I kinda want to see, too. Your mission is to sneak into a bandit camp outside the Mist Village disguised and gather intel for a week before reporting back to me. All of you are experienced enough for the task, so I trust you'll get there within a reasonable time. This sparring match shouldn't take too long, anyway."

Both Namaru and Inaga's faces light up as they face each other, activating their Sharingan. They immediately dash at each other at blinding speeds, holding Kunai. They both block and parry each other's movements perfectly. All everyone else, except Sarada and Shirane, can see are blurs and sparks as their kunai clash repeatedly across the training field. They both leap backwards, and dash at each other once again.

Inaga begins weaving hand seals, and casts his jutsu.

"Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!"

Namaru quickly counters, waiting for Inaga to cast his jutsu before casting his own.

"Water Style: Raging Waves!"

Namaru ejects a powerful stream of water out of his mouth. It hits the Fire Ball, extinguishing it instantly, and creating a think cloud of steam. Both Inaga and Namaru take see the fog in font of them as a opportunity, and they each get another jutsu ready. Once the fog is clear enough for them to see each other, they charge. Namaru uses one of his signature techniques, and Inaga uses his. Namaru screams first.

"Rasengan!"

"Lightning Blade!"

Before the two can hit each other with their jutsu, they're both stopped in their tracks by Sasuke. He grabs them both by the wrist and flings them in opposite directions before complaining.

"I'm getting too old for this."

He turns to Sarada before continuing.

"How could you have let thing gotten that out of hand?"

Sarada begins to interject, but Sasuke cuts her off.

"I figured the Hokage would have had the sense to shut things down real quick, but looks like that idea was all speculation. You're lucky I stopped them before those jutsu made contact. Either one of them could have easily wound up dead, especially Namaru. It's, now, been made abundantly clear that Inaga has done some training with Kakashi, and refined his Chidori into a fully developed Lightning Blade. You, of all people, should know that justu targets the opponents heart. It is a technique that instantly kills, and was originally created for assassinations. How could have been so stupid as to allow this foolishness. Not only is Inaga a Chunin and Namaru a Genin, but you're forgetting Inaga is quick to really get involved in his battles, and not hold back. His judgement was clouded during that spar, and he was well prepared to end it as the victor no matter the cost. I think it's about time you took being both a mother and Hokage seriously."

Sasuke disappears before Sarada has a chance to say anything. She just looks around to find Namaru and Inaga. Inaga has his hand stuck in a thick tree, and Namaru has gone through a tree, destroying it in the process with Rasengan. She quickly helps them both up, and heals any wounds Inaga might have. Thanks to Saiken, Namaru healed surprisingly quickly without the need for medical attention. Everyone was confused by the fact that he took almost no damage, and he blames it on his Sharingan and Rasengan, claiming he saw the tree beforehand, and burrowed through it with his jutsu. His family knows the real reason why, but they went along with it to avoid any complications, as regular ninja of the Leaf aren't meant to know Namaru is a Jinchuuriki. Only Anbu and up have this information. Once everything has calmed down, Namaru turned to Inaga.

"Why were you holding back? I thought we agreed on no holds barred."

Inaga chuckles.

"Grandpa's assumption was false. I knew what I was doing, and wasn't going all out since you've only just became a Genin recently. But, I will admit, you are quick. My Lightning Blade would never have touched you. You're quicker than me even while I'm holding it. You, most likely, noticed this, and would have ducked under it, then burrowed your Rasengan into me. I probably should have given it a little more effort, but didn't want to hurt you. Either way, I need to get going. Got a mission to do after all."

He and Namaru hug before he sets off with his squad. Once they get far enough away from the Village, Inaga begins to speak.

"That kid is scary."

The team medic turned to him with a response.

"What do you mean?"

Inaga turns to her, with a smirk.

"I wasn't the only one holding back. Namaru is way stronger than you can begin to realize, he just hasn't realized it, himself, yet. The kid's got an incredible power with that Kirokugan of his. Even with his current power, he was holding back, and was faster than me. I measured the power he was going to use using my Sharingan, and toned down my own power to the same level, yet he stood toe-to-toe with me. There's no doubt in my mind that he can go even faster than what he did."

Hōki interjects, himself.

"Question is how fast, as well as how strong. Using my Kankyōgan, I noticed he focused his chakra into his legs and feet to drastically improve his speed, which is something I've been trying to do for ages, and have only just begun to learn the basics of it, yet he just does it by thinking about it? Your brother is something else, Inaga. Granted, you're still stronger, currently, but how long will it remain that way?"

Back in the Leaf Village, Namaru is getting settled down for bed, and another day of training in Ice Release with Shirane. Namaru wakes up the next morning with Shirane crouched over him, grin plastered on his face.

"Ready for day 2 of Ice Release training?"

Namaru screams, clearly surprised.

"AAAAHHH! How long have you been in here?"

Shirane stands up, still wearing his goofy smile.

"Long enough to see you're a mess, and at your most vulnerable, when you wake up."

Namaru gives Shirane a dumb look.

"That's literally 90% of the world population. No one is alert at all times."

Shirane simply shakes his head.

"It's far less than 90%, Namaru. Many experienced Chunin, as well as Jonin and, especially, the Kage, are able to be alert even while sleeping."

Namaru smirks.

"Heh. Expected of a Kage."

Shirane jumps in.

"Enough chit-chat. We begin immediately. Get ready, and come with me to the lake. Today, we're doing something different."

Namaru gets up out of bed, and puts on his training gear, before following Shirane to the lake...and out onto the water. Shirane turns to Namaru.

"I told you we were doing something different, today. I'm going to show you how to turn Water Style Jutsu into Ice, Starting with my Signature Jutsu."

Shirane begins to weave a series of 44 different hand seals, Namaru activating his Sharingan to learn the technique, almost impulsively.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"

A dragon erupts out of the water, and coils around Shirane, before Shirane begins speaking.

"My Water Dragon can be performed with only one hand seal, but I used all 44 for you, that way you can properly learn the technnique. But now, I can turn my Water Dragon into an Ice Dragon using the Dog Hand Seal."

While saying what hand seal he intends on using, Shirane uses the hand seal, and his Water Dragon begins crystallizing into Ice.

"Your turn."

Namaru immediately begins weaving the hand seals, himself, but added the Dog Hand Seal at the end to attempt to create an Ice Dragon without the need of a Water Dragon. He nearly succeeds, but only half of the Dragon crystallizes, causing him to have to use the Hand Seal again to complete the freezing process. Namaru looks up at Shirane awkwardly before Shirane begins commenting on Namaru's technique.

"I see what you tried, there, but you will need a little more practice before you can attempt to create an Ice Dragon out of nothing. Something I have seen Inaga do, is execute his Water Dragon Jutsu, and while it's flying toward the opponent, he freezes it that way it has a bigger impact by the time it reaches the intended target. With your Tailed Beast-"

Namaru cuts him off.

"Saiken."

Shirane looks confused.

"Huh?"

Namaru goes straight-faced and his Ice Dragon disperses.

"His name...is Saiken...and I don't plan on using his power too often. While, yes, my Chakra and his are fused, becoming one Chakra Network, which makes me overly proficient in both Water and Fire Styles, that's all of his power I plan on using. I know what you were going to say, anyway, and I know it's possible. I, actually, could have already done it, but decided against it to avoid using more of Saiken's power than I have to."

Shirane, still wearing a confused look on his face, begins questioning Namaru.

"Why don't you want to use your Tailed Beasts Chakra? You have an amazing power sealed away with you, Namaru. Why not utilize it?"

Namaru begins yelling, now.

"Because it's not my power, Dad! I want to become stronger on my own without the need to use this sealed power!"

Shirane wears a sorrowful expression on his face before speaking.

"I'm sorry, Namaru, but I must know the power this thing possesses."

Shirane launches his Ice Dragon at Namaru, who activates his Sharingan, and counters with the strongest Fire Ball he can muster. The Ice Dragon is unphased as it passes right through the Fire Ball like it was nonexistent. Namaru begins dodging, but his efforts don't last long, as he's hit by the Ice Dragon. The Dragon disperses, just in time for Namaru to see another 3 headed his way. It seems Shirane isn't holding back. Namaru weaves a few hand seals, and 3 wood pillars sprout out from around him, and wrap around the dragons."

"Wood Style: Silent Strangle Jutsu!"

Shirane looks impressed as he disperses his Ice Dragons, and charges Namaru, directly, using Kubikiribōchō. Namaru tries stopping Shirane's charge using everything in his arsenal, but Shirane counters everything perfectly, since he knows every technique Namaru is using...except for two. Seeing he has no other options, Namaru weaves 3 hand seals, focuses his chakra into his legs and feet, and charges Shirane, holding a ball of Lightning Chakra.

"Lightning Blade!"

Shirane tries to block using Kubikiribōchō, but Namaru cuts right through the sword, and nearly hits Shirane with the jutsu, but Shirane quickly flickers backward. Namaru does a mid-air backflip, and lands perfectly on his feet, before charging again.

"Lightning Blade!"

Shirane looks terrified, since Namaru just formed a Lightning Blade with no hand seals at all. Seeing that Kubikiribōchō is broke in half, Shirane counters with a Sand Shield, which nullifies Namaru's Lightning. Just when Shirane thought it was nearly over, another Lightning Blade pierces the Sand Shield and into Shirane's arm. Shirane flickers backward once again, before speaking to himself.

'How many Lightning Blade can this kid use?'

Namaru answers Shirane's personal thought, as if he had heard it.

"My limit used to be 5, but now that I've mastered the technique with help from Kakashi Hatake, it's risen to 8."

Shirane's eyes widen, since, not only, did Namaru, seemingly, hear his thoughts, but also knowing there's no way he can block 5 more of those. Instead, Shirane decides to go on the offensive, again, to try and push Namaru into going on the defensive. Knowing he hasn't taught Namaru Manget Release, yet, Namaru wouldn't have very much of a strong defense, even though he has an impeccable offense. Shirane, takes a deep breath in, and begins emmiting a purple aura...the same Demon Aura Zabuza Momochi used. Shirane points his held half of Kubikiribōchō at Namaru and using the blood of his past enemies, the blade completely reforms itself. Shirane charges Namaru at high speeds, and Namaru charges wth another Lightning Blade, which is exactly what Shirane wanted. At the last second, Shirane jumps upward, flips over Namaru, and creates a deep slash in the child's back. Namaru screams, and passes out from the pain. Suddenly, Namaru is back where he met Saiken.

"I can help you, Namaru. I understand you hate my power, but you'll need it in order to survive."

Namaru shakes his head.

"That's exactly what my dad wants, Saiken. Using your power not only puts myself at risk, but you as well. If I'm hurt using your power, you'll get hurt, too."

Saiken is now the one shaking his head.

"As long as you have my power, neither of us will get hurt. Together, we have incredible healing abilities, able to instantly heal any damage taken. Hokage Naruto had that, as well, when he had Kurama. You can rely on me, Namaru. I promise nothing will happen to you."

Namaru nods, and everything begins to fade. Namaru regains consciousness, and begins emitting a pure white aura, and sprouting 3 tails, half way to a full cloak. Namaru's deep wound immediately heals, and he turns around, and charges Shirane, who is wearing a grin on his face. Shirane holds up Kubikiribōchō in an attempt to block Namaru's incoming onslaught. Namaru swings a punch at Kubikiribōchō, which does little to block the attack, as Shirane is blasted into several trees behind him from a single blinding punch from 3-tailed Namaru. Shirane slowly begins to get up, but Namaru is immediately on top of him punching him, then chasing his flying body, just to hit him again...and again...and again...and again. Namaru, eventually stops after 6 consecutive punches, before standing over an extremely injured Shirane. Namaru disperses Saiken's aura before speaking to Shirane.

"Now, you know why I don't like using Saiken's power? It's not mine, for one, and it's way too destructive. You forced this upon yourself, and now look where you are...hurt because of your own stupidity."

Namaru turns and begins to walk away, but he hears Shirane begins to speak.

"You...mean...you could control yourself...that whole time?"

Namaru looks back at Shirane, before responding.

"Of course. Saiken and I can go up to a 4-Tailed Cloak. I guess you didn't know I meditate every night, for hours on end, with Saiken to deepen our bond, and be able to control his power to a greater extent. Last night was my first night not meditating ever since I started."

Shirane's eyes widen in fear before he passes out. He wakes up a while later in his bed, and Namaru sitting in a nearby chair. Shirane begins speaking.

"Namaru. Why didn't you tell me you could control your Tailed Beast Chakra?"

Namaru stands up, angry.

"SERIOUSLY? THAT'S THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF AS SOON AS YOU WAKE UP FROM INJURIES? YOU DON'T ASK HOW LONG YOU'VE BEEN OUT, OR ANYTHING? YOUR FIRST THOUGHT IS MY STRENGTH? UGH, YOU'RE DUMB! SINCE YOU DIDN'T ASK, AND EVEN THOUGH YOU PROBABLY DON'T CARE, I'M STILL GOING TO TELL YOU THAT YOU WERE OUT FOR 3 DAYS, DAD! I SAT HERE THAT ENTIRE TIME, OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL, WAITING FOR YOU TO WAKE UP, SO I COULD APOLOGIZE, BUT NOW, I DON'T THINK I'M GOING TO! INSTEAD, I'M JUST GOING TO TELL THE MIZUKAGE YOU'RE AWAKE SO YOU CAN BE ASSIGNED ANOTHER MISSION. YOU'RE FULLY HEALED ANYWAY!"

Namaru walks out of the room, and slams the door behind him, ignoring Shirane's calls. Within a few hours, Shirane is setting off on another mission, ending his stay at home early. What he doesn't know, is that Namaru, now, knows how to manipulate Sand, to the same extent as Shirane, because of that fight. Shirane continues his missions for the Mist village, in sorrow, because of his actions toward Namaru. Namaru continues his schooling, as well as meditating with Saiken, and practicing his Magnet Release. This continues for the next year up until the time for the Chunin exams to commence.