32 Absence of Squalls

Thump

'Taking a punch to the ankle really hurt. I didn't even think about punching the ankle of a leg kick heading my way, to redirect it, until Shin just did it to me right now. It felt almost like taking a razor scooter to the ankle in my past life.' I thought as I grimaced for a second and shook it off immediately.

"You've gotten significantly stronger since the start of the academy, 8 months ago, Shin. Your training must be super intense for you to grow at such a rate," the curiosity clearly heard in my voice as I moved towards him at a faster pace than usual, dodging the barrage of heavy punches Shin was throwing my way.

"Yeah, my training has been significantly bumped up in all aspects. They're really pushing me since they have seen my talent. The elders, in particular, have taken a great interest in me," Shin said the last part with a pinched face.

I threw a low sweep Shin's way to get him on his back foot, which is exactly what happened. I followed it up with a whirlwind of punches to various parts of his body, leaving Shin in a stunned state with how fast it happened, leaving him open for a final kick to his gut, making Shin submit and concede the fight.

I helped Shin back to his feet and asked about the wording of his sentence.

"What do you mean by 'all aspects'?"

"Well, one morning I woke up and went out to our backyard to train for a couple of hours before going to the academy. But when I got out there, I immediately felt weird. Almost like I was more at home in the yard, which I thought was interesting but nothing too out of the ordinary. I trained for the full two and a half hours, and when I went to walk back inside, I saw that the flowers were turned towards me."

I nodded along with his explanation and kept listening.

"Well, the thing was it wasn't just the flowers; pretty much every plant in our yard was facing me. That wasn't even the weirdest part. That is reserved for when I started moving around, and the plants kept turning towards me and following me. Naturally, I called my parents out, and when they witnessed what was happening, they both came over with huge smiles on their faces and explained that I awakened our clan's kekkei genkai."

I smiled as well. This is a momentous thing, especially considering that only a small portion of the Mori clansmen awaken their kekkei genkai.

"After that, they took me to see the clan elders, and there they started setting up a whole training plan going all the way from our clan's taijutsu style, the Verdant Fist, to nature transformation training and the beginnings of learning the plant release."

That last part caught my attention. He was starting to learn the plant release of his clan? I wonder why my Mom hasn't started me on learning the storm release of her clan? I frowned just the smallest bit, feeling a little cheated out of improving myself.

"That's also when the clan elders started taking an interest in me, so it was a chaotic day overall."

A Mori clansman flickered before us and spoke in a direct tone, telling Shin that his dad was calling for him.

Shin nodded his head and looked back at me with an apologetic expression. "That's new as well. They want to make sure I am well guarded at all times, so they gave me a clan bodyguard to watch over me."

"Haha, welcome to the club, pal. I've had one with me, I think, since I was born. You'll get used to it in no time, and you'll probably forget that they're there most of the time unless they present themselves in front of you."

Shin nodded. "I gotta get going, Shiran. Let's spar together again sometime soon, okay?"

I grinned while expressing my agreement. "I'd never miss a chance to win a friendly spar."

Shin rolled his eyes and waved his hand towards me. "I'll see you around, Shi."

I walked back towards my house, deep in thought. 'Why hasn't mom let me start practicing storm release? Could she not want me to do it, maybe she doesn't want to have anything to do with her clan? I'll just have to ask her when I get home.'

As I returned home and found my mom, I questioned her about it with some dissatisfaction in my voice.

"Mom, why haven't you taught me how to use storm release or at least start training it yet? Shin just unlocked his the other day, yet he's already getting guidance in how to use his bloodline."

"Well, the main reason I haven't started teaching you about your bloodline yet is because of how dangerous it is. What storm release is, essentially, is liquid lightning. In that state, it is incredibly dangerous and can easily take your life if you don't have enough control over the water and lightning element. Me and your dad are letting you build a solid foundation before we let you even think of touching storm release."

I nodded my head at the explanation. "So the reason is because it's too dangerous. I guess that makes sense; plant release is only water and earth, so there isn't a huge risk in learning it young. Ok, so when can I start learning it?"

"When you have enough mastery over lightning. To help you get to that point, I want you to master four lightning jutsus. Let me go grab them really quickly."

I nodded, and she went upstairs and grabbed a scroll and came down to give it to me.

I unfurled the scroll and looked at the contents she wanted me to master in order to let me start the process of learning storm release.

- Lightning Release: Spark Stream

Rank: D

Application: Offensive

Description: The user releases a continuous, thin stream of electricity from their fingertips, capable of causing mild shocks and distracting opponents.

- Lightning Release: Twinkle Toes

Rank: D

Application: Augmentation

Description: Slightly increases the speed of the user by coating the user's feet in lightning chakra. Leaves behind residual sparkles where the user traveled from.

- Lightning Release: Thunder Fiend

Rank: C

Application: Offensive

Description: The user condenses lightning chakra in the palms of their hands which are then launched and converge onto the target.

- Lightning Release: Signal Flare

Rank: C

Application: Support

Description: The user shoots a ball of bright lightning into the sky, creating a signal that can be seen by allies from a distance to communicate positions or warnings.

'These are some more interesting jutsus. One to help in case I need to call for backup, a jutsu to help increase speed, and a couple of offensive jutsus. My parents really know how to make a well-rounded skill set, especially with the jutsus they have given me to start out with.'

"Learn and master these; as soon as you do, I'll think about getting you started on using storm release. To give you somewhat of a goal, I want you to be as proficient in your lightning control as you are in your control of water."

I looked at my mom while nodding resolutely. "I'll do it, mom."

(A/N: Do you guys mind me skipping out on the training chapters of the lower ranked jutsus (D and C) or would you like to see the process of Shiran learning and training them?)