Chapter 17: Forge of Determination
As Kai walked home, he couldn't shake the feeling that Jiraiya's sudden interest in him was a sign of things to come. Training with one of the Sannin would put him on the radar, even if Jiraiya seemed relaxed about it. Kai could only guess how the future might shift with him in the mix, and he wasn't sure if that was an advantage or a risk.
("Jiraiya is a vital piece in this world. He trained Naruto, the future hero. But if he's investing time in me, that might mean he sees potential that could alter the course of events.")
Kai thought back to his memories of the Naruto storyline. He'd already foreseen the great threats—Madara, Kaguya, and the looming shadow of the Ōtsutsuki clan. They were immensely powerful forces, and in his previous life, Kai knew just how devastating they'd been. Jiraiya's training would accelerate his progress, but it was only one step. He'd need to build his own strength while blending into this world, ensuring he didn't disrupt events in ways that might lead to even darker outcomes.
("I need to grow outside of my Ōtsutsuki powers, mastering abilities that won't immediately draw suspicion. The people around me can't know how much I know, or what I'm capable of.")
Arriving at his apartment, Kai settled in for the night, allowing his mind to rest after another intense day of training. Tomorrow, he'd focus on a fresh set of skills.
---
The following morning, Kai woke before dawn, already eager to push himself. He made his way back to the training ground by the river, feeling the morning mist cool against his skin. As he set up his training, he planned his approach carefully.
("I'll start with my physical conditioning. Once I've exhausted myself, I'll train with clones for technique development.")
Kai began with sprints along the riverbank, his muscles burning as he pushed his limits without using chakra. He moved on to a series of bodyweight exercises, working his endurance and agility. His body was built to endure, even beyond his current abilities, and he could feel himself growing stronger every day. After an hour, he took a breath, assessing the feeling of fatigue spreading through him.
("Good. Physical strength is only part of what I need. Next, the real work begins.")
He formed the necessary seals, summoning 30 shadow clones around him. Each clone understood its role, and as they took position, Kai focused on keeping his chakra flow steady, managing the amount each clone could handle.
Ten clones drew their kunai and began sparring, imitating movements he'd picked up from different sword techniques in his past life. Kai imagined the techniques of master swordsmen from the anime he remembered—each had their own style, and he needed to finish creating his own blend. His clones moved with precision and intensity, combining swift, brutal strikes with graceful, flowing movements.
Another ten clones worked on developing new jutsu. Kai wanted a technique that combined the piercing force of lightning with the destructive, all-consuming power of fire. His mind drifted back to the Amaterasu flames. They were a weapon of legend, black flames that couldn't be extinguished. He envisioned a technique where he could channel those flames through all his strikes, combining them with other elements for devastating impact. These clones would test the idea, experimenting to refine a potential blend.
The last ten clones focused on learning the Rasengan. Though a high-level technique, its power came from its simplicity—a concentrated sphere of chakra that could demolish almost anything it hit. Kai watched his clones attempt it, recalling Jiraiya's brief explanation of its principles while teaching naruto. His clones moved slowly at first, focusing on forming a stable chakra ball in their hands. It was challenging, but with time, he could feel them getting closer.
As the hours passed, Kai's clones worked tirelessly. He observed their progress, noting every success and failure, pushing them to adjust their form, experiment with chakra flow, and blend his techniques together.
The sun climbed high, and Kai finally dispelled his clones, feeling the rush of information and experience hit him all at once. He staggered, catching his breath as his mind processed the cumulative learning from his training.
("This is only the beginning. But even now, I'm stronger than I was yesterday. I'll keep pushing myself, mastering every technique I can, because the threats ahead are bigger than any one power alone.")
His mind drifted to the latent abilities within him. He hadn't tapped into his dojutsu yet, not fully. Even without it, his skills were growing. But he knew that soon, he would need to unlock the power of his first tomoe, to sharpen his perception and enhance his vision. The ability to detect chakra and copy jutsu would give him a distinct edge, but he needed to remain patient, letting it emerge when the time was right.
When he was ready, Kai returned home, feeling the quiet satisfaction of a day well spent. Each day brought him closer to his goal, each training session unlocking potential he hadn't yet tapped into.
---
Back at his apartment, Kai thought of the future once more. His resolve remained unshaken—he would face whatever came, armed with his own strength and the knowledge he brought from his previous life. And soon, the world would see him not as a mystery, but as a force to be reckoned with.
As night fell, he closed his eyes, knowing that tomorrow would bring new challenges, and he was ready to meet them head-on.