Back to the Grinding Stone

As Nao waited in the spacious training room, the cool, polished wood floors echoed softly under his footsteps as he paced lightly, his black gi rustling faintly with each step. The room itself exuded a sense of purposeful simplicity, adorned only with the essentials that Airi likely felt might be needed for this training session. Shafts of sunlight filtered through high windows, casting long rectangles of golden light that played across the smooth wooden floor, creating a serene yet focused atmosphere. The air carried a faint scent of polished wood and the crispness of early morning, adding to the anticipation that hung in the air like a charged current.

Nao's tanto, securely fastened to his back within its sheath. His mind buzzed with a mix of excitement and determination, replaying the recent events of the Chuunin Exams. Each memory fueled his resolve to make the most of this opportunity to train under Airi, who had already helped guide him with so many techniques from their clan. Taking a moment to stretch, Nao focused on his breathing, steadying himself for what lay ahead. His muscles warmed with each deliberate movement, preparing him for the challenges to come. He adjusted his gi with a calm efficiency, a ritual that grounded him in the present moment.

As the minutes ticked by, Nao's anticipation grew palpable. He wondered what Airi had planned for their training session, would it be intense sparring, refining techniques, or perhaps something entirely unexpected that would push his abilities to new heights? Whatever it was, he was ready to learn, to absorb every lesson with the dedication of a true shinobi eager to grow stronger. In the quiet of the training room, Nao's thoughts settled into a focused clarity. He awaited Airi's arrival with a sense of respect and gratitude, knowing that this session held the potential to shape him further on his path as a shinobi of Konoha.

Nao’s ears caught the sudden, sharp sound of cackling birds, an unmistakable and eerie noise that cut through the serene silence of the training room. His body reacted instinctively, pivoting towards the source of the sound as his Byakugan activating instinctively. The veins around his eyes bulged slightly, granting him a 360-degree field of vision and the ability to see the chakra network within his approaching opponent. He saw Airi rushing towards him, her hand crackling with fierce, concentrated energy. Although he couldn't immediately identify the technique, the intensity and speed of her attack made it clear that this was no simple sparring move. His heart pounded as adrenaline coursed through his veins, a mixture of excitement and urgency fueling his movements.

Nao's training kicked in, his mind racing as he quickly calculated his options. Drawing a deep breath, he knew he had only seconds to react. Trusting his instincts, he decided on a more agile approach. With a burst of movement, Nao dodged to the side, narrowly evading Airi’s electrifying attack. He felt the rush of wind and energy as the Chidori passed mere inches from him, its power evident in the way it crackled and sparked. Rolling to a crouching position, he quickly reassessed the situation. The training room, once serene, now felt charged with tension. The sunlight streaming through the high windows cast long, dramatic shadows across the polished wood floor.

Nao could feel the lingering energy from the Chidori in the air, the sharp scent of ozone mixing with the faint smell of polished wood. His black gi rustled softly as he moved, the fabric cool against his skin, grounding him in the present moment. "Airi-sensei," he called out, his voice steady but slightly concerned. "If this is about my relationship with Hibiki, please let me explain." His words hung in the air, a stark contrast to the intense silence that followed Airi's attack. Nao rose from his crouch, his muscles tensed and ready, his mind focused on what might come next. He adjusted his stance, ready for whatever Airi might throw at him next. The anticipation was palpable, but his resolve to stay composed under pressure was unwavering.

Nao's eyes widened slightly as Airi extinguished the Chidori and approached him. The intensity of her words, the gravity in her tone, and the formidable demonstration of the technique all underscored the seriousness of the situation. His heart still pounded from the near miss, but he forced himself to focus, absorbing every detail of her explanation. "A technique to kill," he echoed softly, nodding in understanding, though questioning why she chose to try to use it on him. His silent question however was answered quickly as Airi continued, her trusting him enough to teach him such a powerful and dangerous jutsu was both an honor and a heavy responsibility.  "I appreciate your confidence in me, Airi-sensei." His voice was calm, though his mind was racing with the implications.

Watching Airi carefully, he memorized the sequence of hand seals: Monkey, Dragon, Rat, Bird, Ox. He repeated them in his mind several times before finally attempting the sequence himself. His movements were deliberate, his focus absolute. As he formed the final seal, he placed his hand on his wrist, just as Airi had shown, and concentrated his chakra. Nao felt the sensation of his chakra channeling through his arm as he directed it with a purpose. He could feel the lightning nature transformation taking hold, the energy crackling and sparking in his hand. The sound of a thousand birds filled the training room, a cacophony that both thrilled and unnerved him.

He could feel the power coursing through him, the raw, untamed energy at his fingertips. It was exhilarating and terrifying all at once. He remembered Airi's warning about tunnel vision and forced himself to stay aware of his surroundings, of course, just standing there he did not notice any difference in his vision, which likely meant she was speaking of when he moved to attack with it. At this time he had no intention of even trying to attack with it, he was just simply getting a feel for the jutsu itself. After a few moments, he released the technique, dispersing the lightning chakra with a controlled swipe of his hand as Airi had done.

The sudden silence that followed was almost as startling as the noise had been. Nao took a deep breath, grounding himself once more. Nao looked up at Airi, his eyes filled with a newfound respect and understanding. "Thank you for trusting me with this technique, Airi-sensei." He paused, considering his next words carefully. "I understand the gravity of this technique, and I promise to use it wisely." The tension in the room had shifted, now charged with the promise of new knowledge and the weight of responsibility. He knew that mastering the Chidori was just the beginning, there were other techniques to learn. The Chuunin Exams were on the horizon, and he was more prepared than ever to prove himself.

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Learning Chidori 250/250