Another day had dawned and like so many that had preceded it recently, Otokawa Shinji found himself stretching out his muscles in preparation for more training. Despite the fact he had just graduated from the Shinobi Academy he really didn’t feel much like a Genin yet. He did not have a team since his last one, his ability to perform jutsu was still quite basic and while he could throw a punch and take one, calling what he did “Taijutsu” was an insult to the art. His father had been drilling him nearly every morning and even at night, only giving Shinji time to rest and grab something to eat. A break here or there could be found, where his father pushed him to study or recuperate, but Shinji found himself spending those days worrying.
While the sun had only come up a few short hours ago, it was still bearing down enough to form a few small drops of sweat on Shinji’s face. Wearing a short, form fitting black shirt and a pair of loose but not quite baggy pants, his forehead protector was firmly secured where it was intended to be. His blonde hair stuck out at random spots, giving off the correct appearance that he had crawled out of bed and rushed to the training grounds in a massive hurry.
As he tried to take a few moments to close his eyes and prepare himself mentally, his father’s voice cut through the air, startling him slightly. Once the two had exchanged a quick greeting, Takehiko set up a small dummy nearby, a familiar sight to Shinji who would sometimes feel a sense of sadness for this poor object that was constantly subjected to torment. Taking a seat on a nearby rock and making sure he was comfortable enough, Takehiko watched his son closely as he gave instruction and advice.
For weeks now the duo had been working on a particular jutsu, a staple for Shinobis who used Katon techniques. It was known as “Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique”, but to Shinji it seemed more like “Never going to happen technique.” Even now, Takehiko explained in detail how to mold the chakra in the stomach and expel it properly, all Shinji could do was blow out hot air. He did not wish to give up, but the constant failure was starting to take its toll on the young man.
Feeling his body growing tired like usual, Shinji dropped down to one knee, breathing heavily. Sweat rolled down his face and kept his hair damp where it met his skin, his eyes were focused on the target but despite his best intentions, nothing was happening. A light breeze blew, shaking the nearby trees slightly and causing the grass in the area to sway back and forth. Grimacing at his own shortcomings, Shinji wondered just how he was ever going to grow if he couldn’t learn this one jutsu.
His thoughts wandered to the allies he knew before, those younger than him who were not going to ever get the chance to attempt to learn another jutsu. He thought of all those who had died, all those who had been so much stronger than himself and still fell. He had hit the point where he would usually stop and rest, but something inside of him screamed to keep going despite the pain. Rising from his knee, Shinji remembered how his father and teachers taught him to breathe.
Before him stood an enemy of Konoha, someone who threatened his life and sought to harm his friends instead of a simple dummy. Telling himself it was now or never, Shinji forced himself to draw in a large breath, his tired and aching hands forming the familiar seals that he had drilled into his mind. As he finished, something clicked and he felt a feeling that was brand new. His eyes were wide open, and he had never been more focused on something. Leaning back slightly before thrusting his head forward, Shinji knew he had done it.
A sphere of flame flew from his opened mouth, hurling towards the target with deadly intent. He watched as it crashed into the dummy, causing the flames to wash over the dummy in a small explosion. Ignoring the discomfort that was so prevalent in his body, Shinji threw a fist into the air and leapt off the ground, bellowing out a cheer of victory.
“I did it! I really did it! Did you see that dad?!”
Whipping his head around, Shinji saw his father’s grand smile and knew he had done well. Beaming from ear to ear himself, the youth gave a heavy, content sigh and plopped down onto the ground beneath him, eager for some type of rest. Moving over to his son, Takehiko gave him a pat on the shoulder and nodded in approval.
“You absolutely did it. Your hard work has paid off! It hurts Shinji, but you must keep moving forward. We can only move forward, and I know you have it in you to be great.”
Shinji smiled at his father, his heart full of pride. It was a small triumph, yet it was a triumph still. He told himself that the only way to go from here was higher and higher, and he could not stop for anything.
While the sun had only come up a few short hours ago, it was still bearing down enough to form a few small drops of sweat on Shinji’s face. Wearing a short, form fitting black shirt and a pair of loose but not quite baggy pants, his forehead protector was firmly secured where it was intended to be. His blonde hair stuck out at random spots, giving off the correct appearance that he had crawled out of bed and rushed to the training grounds in a massive hurry.
As he tried to take a few moments to close his eyes and prepare himself mentally, his father’s voice cut through the air, startling him slightly. Once the two had exchanged a quick greeting, Takehiko set up a small dummy nearby, a familiar sight to Shinji who would sometimes feel a sense of sadness for this poor object that was constantly subjected to torment. Taking a seat on a nearby rock and making sure he was comfortable enough, Takehiko watched his son closely as he gave instruction and advice.
For weeks now the duo had been working on a particular jutsu, a staple for Shinobis who used Katon techniques. It was known as “Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique”, but to Shinji it seemed more like “Never going to happen technique.” Even now, Takehiko explained in detail how to mold the chakra in the stomach and expel it properly, all Shinji could do was blow out hot air. He did not wish to give up, but the constant failure was starting to take its toll on the young man.
Feeling his body growing tired like usual, Shinji dropped down to one knee, breathing heavily. Sweat rolled down his face and kept his hair damp where it met his skin, his eyes were focused on the target but despite his best intentions, nothing was happening. A light breeze blew, shaking the nearby trees slightly and causing the grass in the area to sway back and forth. Grimacing at his own shortcomings, Shinji wondered just how he was ever going to grow if he couldn’t learn this one jutsu.
His thoughts wandered to the allies he knew before, those younger than him who were not going to ever get the chance to attempt to learn another jutsu. He thought of all those who had died, all those who had been so much stronger than himself and still fell. He had hit the point where he would usually stop and rest, but something inside of him screamed to keep going despite the pain. Rising from his knee, Shinji remembered how his father and teachers taught him to breathe.
Before him stood an enemy of Konoha, someone who threatened his life and sought to harm his friends instead of a simple dummy. Telling himself it was now or never, Shinji forced himself to draw in a large breath, his tired and aching hands forming the familiar seals that he had drilled into his mind. As he finished, something clicked and he felt a feeling that was brand new. His eyes were wide open, and he had never been more focused on something. Leaning back slightly before thrusting his head forward, Shinji knew he had done it.
A sphere of flame flew from his opened mouth, hurling towards the target with deadly intent. He watched as it crashed into the dummy, causing the flames to wash over the dummy in a small explosion. Ignoring the discomfort that was so prevalent in his body, Shinji threw a fist into the air and leapt off the ground, bellowing out a cheer of victory.
“I did it! I really did it! Did you see that dad?!”
Whipping his head around, Shinji saw his father’s grand smile and knew he had done well. Beaming from ear to ear himself, the youth gave a heavy, content sigh and plopped down onto the ground beneath him, eager for some type of rest. Moving over to his son, Takehiko gave him a pat on the shoulder and nodded in approval.
“You absolutely did it. Your hard work has paid off! It hurts Shinji, but you must keep moving forward. We can only move forward, and I know you have it in you to be great.”
Shinji smiled at his father, his heart full of pride. It was a small triumph, yet it was a triumph still. He told himself that the only way to go from here was higher and higher, and he could not stop for anything.
