Chapter 6: Lessons in Shadows

Chapter 6: Lessons in Shadows

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Hikaru's body ached as he made his way back to the village. Every muscle screamed in protest, his ribs were bruised, and his chakra reserves were nearly depleted. The spar—or rather, the lesson—with Tsume and Shibi had left him shaken, not just physically, but mentally.

He had survived. He had used Wood Release.

But he had barely scratched the surface of what he could do.

And now, he had something else to worry about—Tsume's warning.

"Be careful who you trust with that bloodline of yours, kid. Not everyone in this village has good intentions."

Hikaru had known this from the beginning. His Wood Release made him valuable. A resource. A tool. And in a village like Konoha, that meant people would take an interest in him—for better or worse.

He needed to get stronger. Fast.

The village streets were still being repaired when he returned. The damage from the Kyūbi's attack was worse in some areas than others—entire districts were still being rebuilt, shinobi and civilians working side by side.

Hikaru walked past a group of Genin assisting in the reconstruction, their sweat-covered faces filled with exhaustion. He recognized a few of them from the Academy's older classes. They were already on active duty, helping Konoha recover.

It wouldn't be long before he was out there, too.

He clenched his fists. He couldn't afford to lag behind.

A new notification flickered in his vision.

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[Quest Unlocked: The Path of a Shinobi]

→ Begin official training before entering the Academy.

→ Find a mentor to guide your growth.

Rewards:

→ +1 to all stats

→ Unlock: Chakra Affinity Test

→ ???

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A mentor.

That was what he needed. Training alone could only take him so far. But who?

The logical choice would be to approach one of the known shinobi clans. The Senju were all but extinct, so his best bet would be the Sarutobi, the Inuzuka, or even someone in the standard shinobi forces.

But Tsume's warning echoed in his mind.

He had to be careful.

That meant no Hokage interference. No revealing his full power.

He needed someone outside the system. Someone who knew how to survive in the shadows.

And there was only one person he could think of.

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Hikaru took a deep breath as he reached a small, secluded house near the outskirts of the village. The house was run-down, half-hidden behind overgrown trees, almost as if it had been abandoned.

But it wasn't.

He knew exactly who lived here.

The door creaked open before he could even knock. A pair of narrow, calculating eyes peered down at him.

A middle-aged man with graying hair, tired but sharp features, and an aura that practically screamed danger.

His name was Maruboshi Kosuke.

An unremarkable name. An unremarkable shinobi.

But Hikaru knew the truth.

Maruboshi Kosuke was a legendary survivor. A man who had been active in the Second Shinobi War, had fought alongside the greatest names in history, and yet had remained an eternal Genin.

Not because he was weak.

Because he chose to be.

"You got guts showing up here, kid," Kosuke muttered, eyeing Hikaru up and down. "What do you want?"

Hikaru hesitated for only a second before responding.

"I need training.**"

Kosuke snorted. "Then go to the Academy. That's what it's there for."

"I need more than what the Academy can offer."

Kosuke narrowed his eyes. "You're a Senju, aren't you?"

Hikaru stiffened.

"You think that makes you special?" Kosuke continued. "Because of your bloodline? Because of whatever potential you think you have?"

Hikaru's jaw tightened. "No."

That seemed to catch the older shinobi off guard.

Kosuke leaned against the doorway, studying him in silence for a long moment.

"Come in," he finally said.

Hikaru followed him inside, his heart pounding.

The house was simple. Bare. Just a few pieces of furniture, some faded scrolls, and an old map of Konoha hanging on the wall. Kosuke moved with the ease of someone who had seen too much, survived too much.

He sat down across from Hikaru, folding his arms.

"You want to learn how to fight?"

Hikaru nodded.

"You want to survive?"

"Yes."

Kosuke exhaled through his nose. "Then I'll ask you again—why?"

Hikaru hesitated. The easy answer was to get stronger, to protect himself, to make sure no one could use him. But something about Kosuke's gaze made him pause.

Why did he want to be strong?

Was it just about survival? Or was it something more?

"...Because I refuse to be weak," Hikaru finally said. "I refuse to be someone else's pawn. If I don't take control of my own path, someone else will."

Kosuke studied him for a long time. Then, unexpectedly, he smiled.

"Good answer."

Hikaru blinked. "So... does that mean you'll train me?"

Kosuke shrugged. "Maybe. Let's see if you're worth my time first."

Before Hikaru could react, Kosuke moved.

One second he was sitting, the next he was right in front of him.

Hikaru barely had time to throw himself backward as a kunai flashed past his cheek.

His heartbeat spiked.

This wasn't a spar. This was a test.

Kosuke came at him again—this time slower, giving Hikaru just enough time to react. His body moved on instinct, dodging low as another kunai strike came for his ribs.

Hikaru threw himself to the side, rolling across the floor and scrambling to his feet.

Kosuke nodded approvingly. "Good instincts. But—"

Before Hikaru could react, Kosuke's foot slammed into his stomach.

Hikaru barely had time to process the impact before he was sent crashing into the wall.

Pain exploded through his back. He coughed, his vision swimming.

Kosuke crouched down, watching him. "You're fast. But you lack discipline. Strength. Experience."

Hikaru forced himself upright, breathing hard. His hands clenched into fists.

Kosuke smirked. "Alright. I'll train you."

Hikaru's breath hitched.

"But I'm not going to teach you how to fight like a Senju." Kosuke's voice was serious now. "I'm going to teach you how to survive. In the real world, bloodline means nothing. Your ability to think, adapt, and outmaneuver your enemy is all that matters."

Hikaru's heartbeat was still pounding, but he nodded.

"Good." Kosuke stood up. "Then let's begin your real training."

Hikaru exhaled.

This was what he needed. Not just power, but skill. Strategy. The ability to fight and survive in a world that would come for him.

Kosuke wasn't going to train him like the Academy would.

He was going to train him like a true shinobi.

And Hikaru was ready.

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To Be Continued…