Blood waters (Chapter 5)

Chapter 5

To be something

It took a year to realize why he and his classmates were so pressured. As the third academic year started, Utakata concluded that the instructors used psychological warfare on them. It was simple, the common use of verbal abuse degrading their living standards and using other things to rile them up. He should have realized it sooner.

It was hard to tell if it had any results, but Utakata could tell that most of his classmates seemed to handle pressure better than ever. They looked more mature and calmer, but it could be a façade or defensive mechanism. For now, it was impossible to say if it would help or hinder them in the future. Either way, it was another way to brainwash them to follow orders.

There was no questioning that they listened to their instructors more and moved according to their wishes. Even Utakata found it was better to avoid talking back. Listening to the orders mindlessly would save him more hassle in the future. Still, it didn’t mean that he liked it very much. He started to detest Mist’s shinobi system. And there were only a few things that kept Utakata moving, food, training, and a soft bed.

All his gripes on the system soon disappeared as the instructors started to teach them ninjutsu at the start of the year. What can he say? It was very simple to please Utakata. He and his classmates were introduced to three jutsu they would learn this year. They weren’t as simple as he thought but could be deadly if used correctly.

The first jutsu the instructor showed them was Carp Rapid-Fire. Water release jutsu like the other two. A simple jutsu that causes a person to gradually produce water in their mouth that can spit out at an opponent. From the demonstration, Utakata could tell that it can hit with enough force to stun your opponent if done correctly.

The second jutsu was Mist Blade. Using this technique, the user can create an extended sharpened edge made of mist from their hands or an existing weapon. It was a cool jutsu that worked best for close-quarters combat. The instructor’s explanation wasn’t very detailed, but it wasn’t hard to see how and when the jutsu should be used.

The last jutsu was familiar with what he knew of Leaf illusionary clone jutsu. It was Mist Clone. The jutsu would let one create a clone of themselves made of mist. The instructor explained that the clones are used as a diversion while the user attacks. The clones cannot attack, but any attacks made on them pass right through.

Even though these jutsu were simple, it was clear what they would be used for. They were perfect for them and probably all they would learn before they were sent to the war. Utakata hoped that if he survived long enough, he might be able to learn more jutsu. He could already tell that the three jutsu he was taught weren’t enough for him.

…

It so happens that Utakata was quite proficient in water release manipulation. While it took most of the students, even children from the renowned clans, months to learn the jutsu they were taught, it only took weeks for Utakata. To him, it came naturally. Maybe it was because he could feel how chakra was used by the instructors creating the jutsu that made him learn it so quickly. Or he was pretty talented with water manipulation.

Either way, the instructors were happy that Utakata could progress quickly but refused to teach him more jutsu. A thought popped into his mind at their refusal to teach him more. Utakata thought that the instructors might fear his talent. It might be farfetched. But Utakata wasn’t from any clan and had no name to himself, so if someone like him became too strong too fast, it would be hard to control.

Even though strength was essential to the village, obedience was more important. It made sense, as the village wanted to keep a power dynamic that benefited the clans more than others. It wouldn’t be in their best interest if the system were challenged. It irked Utakata that the village held him down, but he could do nothing but accept it.

Of course, some clearly showed dissatisfaction with Utakata learning faster than them. It was humiliating to the children from clans that a no-name kid like Utakata could do better than them. Some only cursed, but few tried to put him in his place. Of course, now that Utakata had a weapon in the form of his ninjutsu, he had all the confidence to defend himself.

“I am not a kid you used to know, Kazaki,” Utakata said as he buried his feet into his stomach. “I let you beat me down, as I felt sorry for taking your eye, but even I have limits to my patience. You are nothing to me, just another member of the Hosuki clan, and there are plenty of you, aren’t there? So, do you think they will care for someone as talentless as you if you disappear one day? Think about it, would you?”

Of course, Utakata would be in big trouble if he crossed the line, but with a little beating, nobody would notice or care about it. It was only a child’s spat at the end of the day. The competition was expected in the academy. So, Utakata only have beaten Kazaki and his lackeys when they started to cause trouble for him and doesn’t even break anything in them aside from pride.

…

Utakata was seven years old, and his life started to turn for the better. He had no bullies to worry about, his training went swimmingly, and even though the academy food could taste better, it was still fulfilling. What more could he ask for? This year of the academy was a turning point for Utakata. And he could feel that his goal was within his reach.

So, of course, everything had to come to a crash as Mist officially joined the Third Great Shinobi War. Utakata had heard that Mist had been plundering lands near Leaf and Cloud villages as they had been fighting, but now it seemed they had gotten enough of the Mist’s actions and declared war on Mist. So, the Mist retaliated the way they knew best by throwing the lowest caste shinobi to their death, hoping to achieve something.

It did achieve something. The Mist has defended their borders with suicidal tactics long enough for Leaf to back off and focus on their war with the Stone Village. Too bad that Mist has lost too many shinobi and now desperately needs more to fight against Cloud. And so, the leaders of the Mist decided to force the promising students of the academy to graduate ahead of time.

Too bad for Utakata, as he was considered exceptionally talented. Even if his taijutsu still has much room for improvement, he has demonstrated maturity above his age, and his water release manipulation was very impressive. And so, there he was, with dozens of children from various age groups, standing before an old man.

Utakata could tell with one glance that about a third of the students were chosen to graduate earlier than they should have. What he didn’t see was the third Mizukage. He had never seen him nor heard anyone talking about him. At this point, he was too afraid to ask what was his name. It was like he didn’t even exist, but Utakata had to guess that the Third Mizukage was a busy man who didn’t have time to look at some brats that would die soon anyway.

“It is fine,” Utakata said to himself.

Everything will be fine. He had been preparing for this. He would be fine if it were sooner than he expected or wanted. The first few battles will be the worst. He only needed to survive before he could get strong. No matter where he will be thrown at, he will use everything he has learned and survive.

“Don’t think I have forgotten about you, lowlife,” Kazaki might not have forgotten him, but Utakata certainly didn’t think of him much right now. “Even if you don’t die at the frontlines, I promise I will pay back for what you did to me. And no one will protect you.”

“It isn’t I who need protection,” Utakata replied before returning to the instructor that addressed them.

It was a short and pointless speech. Afterward, they were given their headband and allowed to choose their weapons. Utakata took two tanto knifes along with shuriken and kunai. There was no celebration for them. They were told to report to their superiors tomorrow and left to do as they wished. At least they were given a bit of money to settle in. How thoughtful of them.

Using his senses to locate Kazaki, Utakata went in a different direction. The first thing he did after leaving the academy was to find an inn he could stay at. Afterward, he decided to spend his money on new boots and clothes. The ones that the academy provided over the years weren’t very high quality.

“Utakata?” A kid his age greeted him as he entered a shoe shop.

“Jin?” Utakata asked as he could barely recognize his old classmate. “What are you doing here?”

“Working,” Jin replied.

“I see, so you are fine even if you left the academy?” Utakata asked.

“I am surviving,” Jin replied. “I see that you have already graduated. It has been a long time since we last met.”

“I am sorry for not being able to help you then,” Utakata said.

“Don’t be. With the war raging, I and many who have left the academy have been given a second chance,” Jin replied. “We will be trained and then put on reserve.”

“Jin, you going to die if you become a shinobi,” Utakata told him.

“I know, Utakata,” Jin replied. “But what other life can I have? I barely earn food. If the orphanage hadn’t taken me back, I would have died on the streets. This is the only chance I have. Just like you, I have nothing and am nothing. At least I can die as a shinobi.”

Utakata could say nothing to that. They were nothing, but Utakata refused to die. He had a long life ahead of himself and wanted Jin to realize that too. So, Utakata made a one-sided promise to help Jin if he had an opportunity to do so. But for now, he had to prepare for upcoming battles, for he would live long enough to become something.

…

Utakata has spent all his money to prepare for today.  He got a few rations of food, but chainmail and a leather jacket to protect him from wind and rain cost him most of his money. He had to compromise on boots, but he bought spare socks. Wet socks were the worst thing in the world. Utakata could endure almost anything, but he refused to wear wet socks.

The summons was delivered to Utakata and other new genin. Putting on his clothes, he sheathed his two tanto knives to the sides of his stomach for easy access and some protection. He fastened two bags unto his belt, one holding shuriken and another kunai. Utakata took a deep breath and put all his anxiety and worry deep inside him. It was time to become something in this miserable life.