Chapter 4 .1:
…..
The heat in Suna was like a rough blanket that never let go. At this time of year, even the shade felt warm, as if the very air had been slow-cooked.
Five months after his last noteworthy fight at the academy, the atmosphere was no longer the same.
Why? Well… Cosue everyone knew him. The blind kid who fought as if he could see.
Yep. Kiba was no longer a curiosity; he had become a benchmark. Something of a walking little blind myth, though he didn't take it that seriously.
Okay, okay, maybe he did feel a little good to get the recognition, but he would never admit it, after all, he had so far only literally beaten a few kids, which in his own mind was actually quite embarrassing. But then again, who doesn't like compliments?
There was even quite funny to receive the attention of the members of his clan.
About a month ago, it had been the ninth birthday of the clan leader's son... Rasa... and a big ceremony had been held since it was already anticipated that he would graduate early this year, since he was already at a high enough level for it...
And Kiba along with his grandfather had attended this one, even Karura had attended as it seemed several of the more prominent families of the village had been invited... though she was just an extra in her big family but Kiba strongly suspected that Rasa himself had sent her an invitation, leaving that aside, it was during this birthday ceremony that Kiba noticed the most stares and heard many whispers and comments about him... and mostly good ones.
So yes, his plans were on the right track.
Anyway….
Today at the academy was taijutsu training.
The real kind.
There were no year divisions, which wasn't common. Students from first to fifth year could face each other if they wanted. It was chaotic, but interesting. And, for many, an opportunity to prove their progress wasn't just theoretical.
Naturally, those who came either from a clan, a prominent family or had ninja parents had a clear advantage, as they had a greater pool of skills available to demonstrate their full capabilities and potential unlike those who solely relied on what they had been taught at the Suna academy.
Kiba was taken to the training field with the rest of the group. The sand crunched underfoot and the sun hung above like an annoying lamp. The breeze carried fine dust and broken-up conversations. All of that drew a clear, invisible map for Kiba. He could sense how students positioned themselves, who dragged their feet, who moved nervously, who was sweating anxiety.
And there she was.
Karura.
"Free training!" she shouted excitedly, bouncing in place as if the word "combat" gave her some kind of supernatural energy.
Kiba cracked a smile. Karura wasn't the strongest, but with weapons, she was a real pest. Though that constant enthusiasm of hers was suspicious… no one could be that happy about standing under a burning sun with the very real possibility of taking a kick to the face.
A sudden greeting interrupted his thoughts.
"Hi…"
The voice was soft, almost awkward.
Karura turned.
"Huh? Oh… Rasa."
The way she said it was like she'd just remembered he existed. Rasa scratched the back of his neck. It wasn't common to see the son of the Jiki clan leader this out of character.
"Karura, I was wondering… would you like to train with me today?"
Silence.
Almost imperceptible, but there.
"Huh? Really? That'd be awesome!" she replied in her usual style . "But… I already promised Pakura we'd train together. But you can train with Kiba, he hasn't picked anyone yet…"
Kiba felt a part of himself collapse internally.
'Seriously, Karura?' he thought.
She'd thrown him to the wolves with a smile. No warning. Nothing.
Train against Rasa? The prodigy kid, the mini-Kazekage in the making, heir to the leadership of the Jiki clan and kinda master of golden dust?
Oh yeah, fantastic idea. Brilliant.
On the outside, of course, he didn't show it.
Internally, he debated whether to thank her for the opportunity or wish a twisted ankle on her.
"Oh… I see. Well, next time then, will you save me a session?" Rasa said. Then, his attention shifted directly to Kiba.
"Jiki Kiba, right?"
Kiba nodded calmly.
"Correct. Jiki Rasa."
"Just Rasa is fine."
"Then just Kiba works for me too."
"Alright then, Kiba… I've heard you're good at taijutsu. I suppose you could be a decent challenge."
Rasa's tone was… neutral. But there was something behind it. Evaluation. Curiosity. Maybe a touch of pride.
"Then it's settled. Karura suggested it, so I hope you won't refuse," he added. And to Kiba, there was no doubt the boy had some kind of crush on his friend/little sister figure.
Kiba smiled calmly.
Inside, he was calculating.
If he won, he risked angering half… if not more…. of his clan, along with the clan leader himself.
Losing wasn't ideal either… especially because he didn't like losing… yep he hated losing.
Yeah… He could be stubborn like that.
But if Rasa used his Kekkei Genkai, Kiba would have to decide whether to respond seriously or keep up the act of the blind prodigy with no secrets… neither an outstanding enough talent to attract serious consideration..
One thing was clear: there was no way in hell he'd use his magnetic power today. No, he was stubborn, not stupid. Doing so would only put him in danger, so if he won, it would be with everything except his Magnet Release. That's what he had trained so hard for.
Soooo…. Yes, that was his goal today… to beat Rasa's golden dust using everything he had, except magnetism. He wasn't sure he could do it, but it was possible.
"Sure," Kiba finally responded. "I suppose I'm honored to be your training partner today."
Karura, meanwhile, stood there like she'd done nothing strange… anything unusual. Smile intact. Energy intact. As if she hadn't just tossed a match into a room full of gunpowder.
'Yep. I'm more and more certain she did that on purpose,' Kiba thought, wanting to whack the girl.
Focusing on something else or better said refocusing, Kiba evaluated Rasa before the fight.
And being close to Rasa allowed him to notice something very important. His chakra. Dense, controlled… but vast. At least double Kiba's, and that was with Kiba having a natural 20% boost to his chakra capacity thanks to the system, years of training, and solid genetics.
Still… the guy was a beast.
Some people in this world are simply born with way more benefits and advantages.
The son of the Jiki clan leader was one of them…. at just 9 years old, he already had kinda perfect control of golden dust and a chakra pool way above any other kid his age, allowing him to use his Kekkei Genkai freely unless the battle dragged on too long.
Once again, Rasa was just two damn years older than Kiba…(And mentally Kiba was several years older)
Oh and actually it wasn't even two years since he turned 9 years old a month ago and Kiba would be 8 in only 3 months..., Rasa in the 8th month of the year and Kiba in the 12th month as well as Karura.
Sooo, yeah… annoying, no doubt.
Frustrating too, to say the least.
But it was something Kiba had learned to deal and live with.
Even though Kiba had more chakra than most his age and was more skilled overall thanks to his more mature mentality and constant training, it didn't mean that there weren't others who also excelled even above him.
And also, he knew that if he used his full arsenal, he could win. Even against Rasa. But it wasn't worth it. Not yet.
There was a bigger plan.
Stay safe and alive. Gain fame. Be recognized.
And when the time came, show off/reveal a bit of his magnetic ability to mimic Iron Sand control. Only once graduation was near.
If the Third Kazekage saw him manipulating iron like he did, maybe he'd take him as an apprentice….. no, he was sure he would, once Kiba's name was already on everyone's lips. Discovering he had the same Kekkei Genkai would just be the cherry on top, and by then, no one would be able to lay a hand on him so easily…. once the entire village knew him and he'd made a good impression… well, at least not mess with him so easily and not without consequence.
And once he had the Kazekage's backing… well…
That would be more than enough to earn real support. Protection. Power.
And then yes.
He wouldn't have to be so cautious. Wouldn't have to play it safe anymore.
But for now… he would play the game.
Also… on the other hand, Kiba was hardly one to complain about Rasa's advantages, since after all he had the damn system, well, now only a mere fraction of what it once was, but it was still present and provided him with more than one absurdly great advantage.
….