kenjutsu part2

Because he knew that in the future, everything he could learn would be vital, the memory of another world, he recognized that art as a survival resource, but above all, because at that moment, for the first time, Tekka was opening a door.

And Riki was ready to go through it.

Tekka was waiting for him in the center of the stone courtyard, where the underground heat made the air vibrate. Two wooden swords were stuck in the ground, side by side.

In the center of the stone courtyard, the two of them positioned themselves, the fog was beginning to recede, revealing part of the gray sky above the rocks, the heat of the valley made the air vibrate slightly.

Tekka raised the wooden sword with one hand, his feet were firm, his weight well distributed, his posture was refined, frontal, but not aggressive. It was clear that his every movement was shaped by practice.

Riki approached, confused, but curious.

— Is that really necessary? He asked, turning his fist to warm his wrists.

— For an Uchiha, it is not optional. Tekka replied, handing him one of the swords.

— Our style is a legacy, every move I teach today has been refined by generations, since the days when our ancestors used blades instead of chakra. If you want to understand the clan... You will need to understand the sword.

Tekka's voice was not rigid, but rather heavy, an attempt, perhaps the first, to show something that could not be said, only felt.

Riki nodded. His gaze changed.

In the ninja world, power is freedom. And if I showed strength in front of my father, perhaps I would gain more respect.

The fight began slowly, physical tests, footwork, simple combat. Tekka, even without the Sharingan activated, was relentless.

In each duel, his blows came with surgical precision, tight angles and illusory openings, each movement was like a dance of death, beautiful, fluid and undeniably lethal.

— Your style is strange. Tekka commented after the first quick exchange.

— Use circular movements, with continuous flows, this is the Uzumaki method!

Riki didn't answer, he was focused on the fight, he dodged his father's frontal cut by turning his body and charged with an ascending cut, fast and fluid. Which was easily blocked.

With Riki's attack being easily blocked, Tekka charged with a side kick, knowing that he couldn't resist Tekka's strength. Riki decided to retreat.

— And this retreat... It's another Uzumaki movement, too much center control, you're defending yourself too much, the Uchiha attack first and effectively.

Riki could feel something in Tekka, his voice, it wasn't criticism, it was a voice drunk with sadness, and disappointment.

— Is that why we're here? So that you can point out what you consider my defects.

Tekka didn't answer, he just kept attacking, every time he defended himself, he attacked with more violence and strength.

In time, Riki was lying on the floor, drenched in sweat. The one in front of him no longer looked like his kind father. He was like a teacher without affection or compassion.

We will train until I leave. Today we will identify your strengths and weaknesses. In the next few lessons, we will solve them. We have little time, so we will be extremely dedicated in the next lessons.

The silence between them continued without interruption, interrupted only by the sound of Riki's exhausted breathing.

Riki stood up very tiredly. Every little part of his body hurt. No training he had ever done in his life had exhausted him so much. He returned the sword to the stone stand and began to walk away.

Tekka, still looking at the marks on the floor, thought about Danzou and Hayato. He was still young. Everyone in the clan suffered with his loss. The official information was that he had died at the hands of ninjas from the Stone Village, but he knew that it was Danzou. He thought about this as he watched his son walk with a limp, holding one of his arms, such was his exhaustion.