30TALES OF THE WARRIORS: NABIKI
"Ora, this teleportation stuff sure was alot easier than I thought."
"That's because you are extremely talented at it! Our sensei said that it took the grandmaster a whole year to master it."
"Then that means I must have more talent than even him! I will definitely become one of the best ninjas this clan will ever have!"
Hey now. That's only one technique, and we still have plenty more to go through for the next few years."
Heh alright. I won't get too cocky. But you better make sure I don't surpass you too quick Junichiro-san."
"Heh, don't get cocky, you're still just a kid to me."
Junichiro opened his eyes. He didn't remember dozing off. That memory of the past, he must be getting old. You looked down at the piece of paper he had been doing his caligraphy on, noticing how it was smooth and clear, up until he dozed off leaving a poorly drawn line on the parchment.
The old swan sighed inwardly before putting down the brush that he held in his mouth. Unlike geese, the wings of swans cannot always be used for picking up certain objects, and unlike cranes and storks, his feet is not adapt at grabbing everything. A few things yes, but not good for writing So his kind often use their mouths and necks instead. It was tougher than fighting but they were masters in this method.
Junichiro walked towards the window of the room and looked outside. None of the ninjas were training at this moment. It doesn't take a genius to realize that the Hidden Mountain ninjas were distrustful about the other clans and vice versa. After all, who says no other ninja would steal another's secret techniques for their own? Which is why he took the extra precaution to hide all of the clans secrets in a location only he and the record keepers know about. You can never be too careful in any situation no matter how trivial it would seem to a normal person.
When messengers told the clan leaders that the samurai were planning to meet the shinobi in a neutral area far from any territory, it made the distrust even more apparent. It's one thing being with ninja you've rarely interacted with, but it's another being with those who were mortal enemies.
Junichiro wondered if the other leaders were feeling the same as he was about all this.
He then noticed that young gazelle named Nabiki with her remaining classmates. The girl was in her own right a prodigy, not just because of learning the teleportation technique, but also how she managed to perfom the Kamikaze Fireball skill despite having never been taught it.
He had been quite surprised when he overheard Ishin the macaque telling his friends about it, much to Nabiki's embarrassment. This was later confirmed by her sensei Tenzo.
Her fireball was different then what he read in the scrolls, but the resemblance is still the same. At her age mastering a move that complex without proper training.
Junichiro hadn't seen such a fast level of progress since...
"Junichiro-san, let's try a game of tag."
"Why would I want to do that?"
"To see how far we can go with our teleporting skills. I want to see how many times I can do it without tiring."
"Kid, a technique such as that shouldn't be used for petty games. Hasn't your sensei taught you anything?"
"Yes, he says practice our techniques at any time and in any way."
"I still refuse to do it."
"Oh? You really want me to start calling you by that irritating title you hate so much?"
"You wouldn't..."
"I really would. SENPAI."
"...you have a five second head start."
"How about no SENPAI?"
"Oh you're a dead kid! Come back here!"
The swan flinched before shaking his head. This is starting to get annoying. He had to be stressed from all this war preparation. Either that or he is becoming regretful about the past. So much for putting the past behind them. He once again focuses on the village, noticing just how different it was without the villagers and the wolves that usually added to the hustle and bustle of this mountain. With these other ninjas, it was very quiet minus the few sounds of shuriken and knife tossing. Other than that the clans kept to themselves. After all, who says no other ninja would steal- wait, wasn't he already thinking this earlier? He groaned in annoyance. He needs to get himself together before the other shinobi leaders gather once more for a final meeting. He had to be strong for the Hidden Mountain Clan. He couldn't show any kind of weakness. Maybe he needed to go outside right now. He closes the window before leaving the building. As he walked, many ninjas would bow to him in greeting, the others tried to avoid him in case they might get on his bad side. The grandmaster was nothing like that but it does help that he can get some personal space. He takes a deep breath, unintentionally allowing his mind to wander again...
"You ever wonder if your master is being too protective of you?"
"When I was your age I sure did."
"You're only two years older than me. Geez you're starting to sound like an old man."
"Watch it kid."
"Ok gramps."
"Ugh, sometimes I wonder if you'll ever stop trying to hang out with me."
"You don't like having me around?"
"Actually I wouldn't imagine you not hanging around."
"You didn't answer my question. Do you ever wonder-"
"Yes yes I know. Like I said I used to think so, but I understood it was because she just didn't want me to get too break my body just to get stronger."
"I guess that makes sense. I just want to be able to do more Junichiro-san. I want to at least be able to handle myself in a real life or death situation."
"I understand, but it is also safer to work as a team. That's why you can't do solo missions."
Did he just bump into someone? Was that why he found himself on the ground?
"Junichiro-sama! I didn't see you! Gomenosai! I should have watched where I was going! Please forgive me!"
The swan was snapped out of his thoughts once more. He didn't realize that he had almost crashed right into none other than Nabiki Takeda, who was now bowing and apologizing profusely. How ironic that he was just watching her and her classmates from his home.
"It is all right my child, you did no harm to me whatsoever." He said reassuringly.
Nabiki kept her head bowed. "Arigato Junichiro-sama. I will be more careful in the future." She turned to leave.
"You know I've been informed of your impressive progress with teleporting and that Kamikaze Fireball technique."
The gazelle stopped, turning quickly with her head bowed. "Yes. I have been taught well."
"Yes you have been taught well about teleportation, but it's also impressive how you can perform the fireball in your own way. I noticed that your utilization of these skills are actually different."
He continued as she looked down at him in confusion. "The teleportation technique drains the stamina and energy of it's user, and depending how powerful the ninja is, they can only do it a few times and only at crucial moments. But you, yours is different. You don't experience fatigue or loss of energy, and it appears you can do it whenever you wish, and the number of times you do it seem limitless. And that fireball of yours, I do not know how you discovered it without learning, but you've managed to create a version of it. The Kamikaze fireball is usually just a regular fireball with heat that can burn. Yours however, looks more like a ball of orange light, and the effects of it can cause explosions."
Nabiki stayed quiet, slowly processing this information. He continued. "I'm not sure why your abilities are similar yet so different, but you are clearly a prodigy with your own style."
Again she doesn't say anything. That was to be expected. It's clearly a mystery for her as it was for him and the other ninjas. Her sensei Tenzo was extremely pleased no matter what. He called her one of the best students in terms of progress, though her combat skills were still less than Ka Suo and the others. Junichiro was proud of them all, he would have to talk to the rest of the young shinobi after his meeting.
"Have you ever thought of possibly being a sensei?" He asked.
She looks at him again before saying quietly. "Grandmaster, forgive me but I do not see myself as becoming a sensei. I don't believe I will ever be ready."
"What about being a Grandmaster?"
The look of shock on her face was proof of what he assumed. "My lord! I would never-!"
"Calm down my child, I was just joking. I'm still not ready to retire while I have the energy to protect our people. Once I do, or if I'm killed, then a new grandmaster will be chosen among all of you. It mostly depends on the individuals heart and commitment. I can tell you do not consider yourself worthy, and that humility is a very good characteristic."
This is perhaps the most Nabiki had ever spoken to Junichiro-sama. She had never expected him to even speak with her. The gazelle was honored yet also wondering why he was even suggesting these things to her. Then again perhaps he does this with all of the shinobi, yet she never heard from Ka Suo or Bao. Now she was feeling uncomfortable about being asked to be a sensei or grandmaster, even though the latter was just a joke.
"My lord, I understand. But even if the option of grandmaster would be given to me, I don't think I will accept it. It's just not me."
"It's just not for me."
"But the grandmaster is choosing candidates for the title of elite guards, and I decided you should be recommended!"
"Do you think I care? I'm not the least bit interested."
"Well would you have been interested if he was choosing candidates for Grandmaster?"
"I still would say no. It's not worth doing paperwork for nothing Junichiro-san, not worth my life. Besides, you know he and I don't get along at all."
"I'm your friend, you know you can tell me anything, like what exactly is going on between you and grandmaster."
"It's personal Junichiro-san. Just know that even if the option of grandmaster would be given to me, I don't think I will accept it. It's just not me."
Nabiki took his silence as him being disappointed so she kept her head bowed in forgiveness. Junichiro almost didn't notice. He was temporarily lost in thought again. Another memory, and this time he didn't try to force it away. While they have both refused in the same way, there was such a huge difference between her and his lost old friend. He shook his head and then addressed the gazelle.
"Don't worry Takeda, I was just wanting to understand your feelings, as well as letting you know how unique you are. I often try this with all my other fellow ninjas. Well, it's been nice talking you Takeda, I must be going along."
She bows again before leaving. He watched her leave before going the rest of the way to the designated meeting house. It was time to make the final preparations before he speaks to his shinobi, before the meeting with the samurai, before the fight against the Black Demon Clan, the Lin Quay, and Zolton…
"Why can't you just leave me alone?"
"Because I'm worried about you. You've been so angry lately, and I heard her openly insulting the grandmaster."
"It's none of your business, I told you that."
"Kid-"
"Don't call me kid! I'm not a kid anymore! I am a full fledged ninja and I refuse to be treated like a child!"
"I'm sorry, I just don't like seeing you act like this. Just tell me what's wrong?"
"Can't you tell? The grandmaster hates me! He never misses a chance to humiliate me in front of people! And all because I failed to protect his wife during that storm! I couldn't do it! She was swept away before I could do anything! It wasn't my fault!"
"I...I didn't know that he's been doing this to you. I will speak to him and maybe-"
"Don't. It'll just make things worse for me. He's always hated my kind. Whenever you're here from your long assignments, you've seen how he treats us. He barely acknowledges us, he treats us like dirt. If only you had seen how he insulted my species, how he insults me. He's unstable Junichiro-san, he's gone crazy, he's blaming us for everything."
"My friend, none of the stuff he says are true. We all know that."
"Then you should also know that I do not wish to remain here any longer."
"Y-you plan to leave!?"
"Yes. But unfortunately I can't leave my family here. My parents are old and weak. They need me more than ever."
A month later...
"You killed the grandmaster! Don't you understand the consequences!?"
"Yes I killed him! He deserved it! He was the one who caused this to happen!"
"We don't have proof that he-"
"I KNOW HE MURDERED MY FAMILY! HE'S HATED ME SINCE HIS WIFE DIED! HE BLAMED ME OVER AND OVER AGAIN! AND NOW HE DECIDED TO TAKE HIS REVENGE ON ME! WELL GUESS WHAT!? I TOOK MINE ON HIM!"
"I am deeply sorry, but killing him doesn't make things-"
"YOU SEE!? That right there is why I despise you Junichiro!"
"Wh-what?"
"You claim to be my friend yet you've done nothing to help me!"
"I tried to talk to-"
"Talking wasn't going to stop him from his constant emotional torture on me! All of you saw how insane he was becoming yet you did nothing to stop him! Shinobi look out for each other you say, well guess what? NONE OF YOU LOOKED OUT FOR ME!"
"Th-that's not- I-I'm sorry-"
"It's too late for that Junichiro. I already this planned out the moment he threatened my family. I am not staying in this accursed village anymore. I'm leaving for good, and you can't stop me."
"I know. I won't even try to stop you. I failed you as your friend. I don't deserve to stop you from making your own choices. I just hope you will be safe."
"Whatever. If we ever meet again, know that I will be an enemy to you and this clan. To any ninja, samurai, or anyone else. Farewell Junichiro."
"Farewell... Zolton-kun."