Chapter 9: A bit of action
In a training field, three young individuals and an adult faced each other.
"Come on, kids, give it your all," Haruki said while yawning as he spoke.
Kaito and his team prepared for battle, and just as Ryuji and Hikari were thinking of advancing, Kaito called their attention.
"Guys, let's step back for a moment while we think of a strategy for the fight. If we charge in without a plan, we'll end up getting disqualified," Kaito said. After that, Kaito looked at his teammates, who hesitated for a moment but eventually decided to follow his idea.
After all, Kaito was the son of that guy, so he should know what was coming.
All three of them stepped back while Haruki remained in the same spot, unconcerned about following them.
...
The three had already distanced themselves and were now gathered behind a tree.
"Well, here's the deal, guys. We'll have to come up with a strategy to show him our strength," Kaito began to explain to his teammates, who paid close attention to his words.
"He's a kenjutsu user with a wind-style nature. But I doubt we can force him to use his swords, so he'll focus on taijutsu. He might not be as proficient, but he could definitely defeat us with one hand," Kaito said, glancing at them.
"Well, then I guess we'll have to devise a plan based on that. I can use my possession ninjutsu on him for just a second if he's as strong as you say," Hikari said after thinking for a moment.
She looked at Ryuji and Kaito and spoke again.
"Well, I think I have a plan. I'm not sure if it will work, but here's the plan: Ryuji, you'll use taijutsu against him while Kaito attacks from a distance with water ninjutsu. I'll wait for an opening and use my possession ninjutsu. When that happens, you guys have a minute to use your best attacks. What do you think?"
"Alright, it seems feasible. I don't know if it will work," Ryuji, who heard the idea, agreed right away, while Kaito contemplated the plan.
'It's a good plan, considering my father won't be using his full strength.'
"It'll have to work. Let's do this," Kaito turned around and started heading back to where his father was, with Hikari and Ryuji following closely behind.
...
Haruki was already lying on the ground, waiting for the young ones.
'They're taking so long; it's starting to make me sleepy. I hope waiting was worth it.' As he thought about this, Haruki spotted them emerging from the trees.
"Finally, you guys showed up. Are you ready now?" As soon as he finished speaking, he got up and brushed the dust off his clothes.
"We're ready," all three of them replied at once.
As soon as they finished speaking, Ryuji advanced, while Hikari jumped to the left, throwing several shurikens, and Kaito jumped to the other side and also threw his shurikens at Haruki.
Seeing this, Haruki laughed loudly, "Hahaha, that's how I like it. Come on!" After saying that, he took a step to the side, avoiding some of the shurikens Hikari threw at him, and with a leap, he dodged the ones Kaito threw and advanced towards Ryuji.
Facing Haruki head-on, Ryuji started with a kick that was interrupted before he could finish it. Ryuji used the rebound force to deliver another kick to Haruki's face, but Haruki stepped back, and Ryuji's leg passed close to his face.
While dodging Ryuji's attacks, Haruki thought to himself, 'Hmm, the kid is pretty good. Let's see if he can keep up.'
Haruki then threw a quick punch aimed at Ryuji's chin, which Ryuji blocked with his hand, but a strong force made his feet leave the ground. Without waiting for Ryuji to recover, more punches started coming, some were successfully defended, but others slipped past his defense and hit him.
Pushed back and with his guard open, Haruki punched towards Ryuji's now-exposed chin.
Kaito, watching from a distance, saw the whole scene but couldn't react in time. 'Darn it, if that punch lands, Ryuji won't be able to fight for a while.' But now he had the opportunity.
"Suiton: Multiple Water Bullets!" Several high-speed water bullets shot out of Kaito's mouth towards Haruki.
With the short distance and the speed of the water bullets, Haruki couldn't dodge in time.
The bullets then pierced his body. But before he fell, he turned into a log.
And Haruki appeared a few meters away.
Kaito already knew it wouldn't be that easy; his father was very strong. Even without the substitution jutsu, he could have dodged if he wanted to.
But Ryuji and Hikari were surprised that he managed to dodge something that fast.
"You guys are good. Ryuji, your taijutsu is excellent, and Kaito, your water-style ninjutsu has improved a lot. Before, you could only use a single water bullet, but now it was about 15," Haruki said, showing a smile.
"It's the only thing I can use since there's no one to teach me ninjutsu, but now I'm going all out," Ryuji said, preparing to fight again.
"Of course, Dad. I've been training hard. Let's keep going; I really want to see your face when we beat you," Kaito teased his father.
"Good luck," after saying that, Haruki waited for them to advance.
Ryuji didn't charge right away but started concentrating. Then he stopped and thrust his hands into the ground, pulling them out to reveal a layer of earth mixed with rocks.
Kaito was surprised that Ryuji had learned to do that on his own, considering he was a civilian and had no one to teach him.
"Well, well, well. I see you have your tricks. Haha, very good, come, Ryuji," Haruki said, advancing towards him.
When they got close, Haruki punched Ryuji again, who responded with his own fist, now coated in earth. Their fists clashed, making a muffled noise.
The two of them began exchanging blows fiercely. But just as they were in the middle of the exchange, Kaito appeared with his katana behind Haruki.
He swung his blade, and Ryuji attacked from the front. It was impossible to defend against both attacks, but that would be the case if they were facing any other genin or even a chunin.
Haruki, without looking back, grabbed the blade with his bare hands and stopped Ryuji's punch with a frontal kick.
Kaito and Ryuji both made a surprised "O" shape with their mouths. At the very least, Kaito expected him to use the substitution jutsu again, but he stopped their attacks with bare hands. Ryuji was equally surprised.
But just as Haruki was about to
counterattack, a female voice spoke up.
"Now," Hikari yelled as he used his possession jutsu.
Haruki felt something locking his movements for a second.
That was all Ryuji and Kaito needed. Ryuji attacked with his fists, and Kaito used his katana to strike again. Their blows landed on Haruki's body.
This time, it wasn't a substitution jutsu but rather a shadow clone.
Haruki emerged from behind a tree, applauding.
"Congratulations, congratulations. You passed the test. Your teamwork is excellent, and I liked your strategy, using the possession jutsu in the last minute, very good."
The three of them were looking at Haruki, with joy and surprise visible on their faces.
"Now, aside from you, Kaito, who is my son, it's a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Haruki Kazeji, I'm a special jonin, and I've been assigned to be the leader of this genin team. I'll take you on various missions and help strengthen you," Haruki said, concluding the training session for the day.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone