Chapter 23 – Kensei’s Motives and End of Training.

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Daichi felt the cool water cascading down his body. It helped him relax after the intense sparring session he had with his grandfather. He was looking over and closing the piled up notifications that appeared during and after the fight.

Several skills and stat points have increased due to the intensity and length of the fight. The notification of the quest completion for surviving the spar was also dismissed after being looked over. 

Daichi got out of the shower, put on some new clothes and meditated. He felt the aches and pains throughout his body disappear. His stamina, chakra and health points slowly regenerated. 

When the time came he met his grandfather downstairs and both of them headed out. It was past 6 in the evening. Both of them slowly walked through the village. 

Daichi noted the somber and almost quiet atmosphere when he walked through the village. It took him only a few seconds to realize the truth of the matter. It was October 9th today. Tomorrow was the 5th anniversary of the nine tails attack. 

It didn't take long for Kensei and Daichi to reach the BBQ restaurant. A large restaurant with wide windows and multiple green seated booths. The menu was plastered on the wall. Each table had a charcoal brazier built in the center and was equipped with tongs for cooking. A restaurant with a Gyū-Kaku style form of dining in which the customers cook their own food after ordering it.

Daichi and Kensei found an empty booth in the corner and sat down. They gave their order and waited for the food. 

After a few seconds of silence Kensei spoke. "You've gotten a lot stronger during these last few months. In your current strength I'd say you'll be able to handle a 2nd or 3rd year student of the academy."

Daichi wasn't surprised at the evaluation. He visited the academy a couple of times during the last few months. And he observed any kid he could find. Their levels and stats showed that he was stronger than most of the first, second and some third year students. Daichi simply nodded. 

"I know you're still holding back quite a lot. You didn't use chakra to strengthen your body did you?" Daichi asked. 

Kensei shook his head. "No. If I had used that now, our spar wouldn't mean anything to you since you won't even be able to touch me. Although I'm surprised you knew about such a technique."

"I read about it in the chakra theory book you gave me. It's a skill that can only be learned after someone has had extensive chakra control training. Like mastering the water walking." Daichi replied. 

Kensei nodded. "Yes. That's true. But you're nowhere near ready for that." 

"I know gramps. I'll take it slow. One step at a time." Daichi wanted to completely master the leaf concentration exercise before moving on to the next one. 

"Daichi. I want you to take the next few days off. No training for another three or four days." 

Daichi usually only took a single day to rest in a week. He already planned on taking a rest tomorrow but he didn't understand why the old man extended the recuperating period to more than one day. 

"I was already planning on taking a break tomorrow but why more?"

"All you've been doing is training. Even though you cook and paint sometimes during your break it's still not enough. I know I’ve said this before but now is the time for you to enjoy being a kid. Go out, play, make some friends or simply enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the village. Whatever you wanna do except training. It will do you some good." 

"But I like training." Daichi said in a somewhat whiny tone. 

Hearing the childish whiny tone of his voice brought a smile to Kensei's face. "Now you're acting like a brat your age." 

At that moment their order came. 

Kensei ordered the premium buffet. He knew Daichi had a pretty big appetite. Especially after a fight. He watched the appetizers being placed on the table.

Daichi looked at the various dishes and couldn't help gulp his saliva. He was extremely hungry and the tantalizing smells of the food was only making it more difficult for him to hold back. He used 'observe' as the waiter placed the various dishes on the table. 

[Minced beef Katsu]

A panko coated deep fried ground beef cutlet with layered cheese filling. It is served with tonkatsu sauce, shredded cabbage and a small portion of rice. A delicious dish made by chef Joren.

[Chicken Karaage]

A bite sized chicken thigh coated with flour and a special blend of spices and deep fried in hot oil. When done the chicken is coated in a crispy shell with the tender and juicy meat preserved inside. An exceptionally flavorful, crispy and juicy fried chicken. 4 bite sized pieces served in a decorative bowl.

[Beef Okonomiyaki]

A popular pan fried dish that consists of batter and cabbage. Beef is the main ingredient with several vegetable toppings added. This is a dish that is grilled on an iron griddle and prepared by chef Hanshi.

[Chili Cheese Fries]

These chili and crispy potato fries topped with homemade beef chili and cheese and then baked to perfection. A tasty snack perfect for an appetizer. 

[Wakame Salad]

This simple yet tasty dish is made from an edible seaweed widely used around the world. This dish contains corn, tomato, dried seaweed, sesame seeds and thinly chopped carrots. It's highly nutritious and rich in fiber, calories, calcium and protein. 

Daichi didn't waste anymore time and started eating. Kensei joined and after about a dozen minutes all that was left were empty plates.

"Oh wow. That was delicious." 

"Indeed. This is one of the few places in the village that can match Shi's restaurant taste quality." His grandfather said.

Daichi took a moment and let himself relax. He took a moment and looked at his grandpa. "Hey gramps. Are you thinking about tomorrow?"

Kensei sighed. "Yeah. Tomorrow marks the 5th anniversary of the nine tails attack." He had a somber expression. The images of his son, his daughter in law and his wife came to mind. All of them, taken before their time due to the tragic event. 

Looking at the old man's face Daichi stayed quiet. He didn't have any memories of his parents from this life. He didn't have any particular attachments to anyone aside from his grandfather Kensei, Matron Aiko and Jozu at the orphanage. That too was a small bond courtesy of the respect he felt towards them for taking care of him. 

Right now his mind went towards another orphan. Someone burdened with a heavy duty and shunned for something that wasn't his fault. 

'I wonder how you're doing… Naruto?'

'Should I visit the playground? He would definitely be there… No. He would definitely have guards. It would be suspicious if I went and decided to become friends with him out of nowhere when everyone else stays away. I would get on the radar of all the people I definitely don't want to.'

Daichi sighed. He didn't think about it anymore. 

"We'll go pay the cemetery a visit early in the morning tomorrow. By noon and till evening it will be somewhat crowded." Kensei said to Daichi.

He just nodded and quietly sat. Both of them, thinking about various things. In a short while the main course came and was served. Several plates of various cuts of beef and chicken were placed. Daichi didn't bother with using 'observe' this time and just grilled and enjoyed the food. 

Both of them ate while discussing various topics and left the place after about an hour and went back home.

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It was October 10th early in the morning. Daichi and Kensei were standing in the leaf village cemetery. It was located at the outskirts of the village. The cemetery had a sculpture resembling a fire at the front. It represented the will of fire of the village and had the kanji for Hokage inscribed on its base. 

Both of them were in front of a gravestone. On the stone were the names of Kensei's late family. They were buried together due to Kensei's request. After a few minutes Kensei spoke. He had a slight angry tone in his voice.

"Hotaru was talented. And the village took advantage of that. They brainwashed him with propaganda and ideals of the village so much that he and I became estranged. And his death was what caused my beloved Fumiyo's untimely demise." 

Hearing the old man’s words, curiosity got the best of Daichi and he used 'observe' on the headstone.

[Headstone - Fumiyo Yasaji]

The grave of Fumiyo Aya. The late wife of Kensei Yasaji. She was a chunin when she met Kensei. He saved her during a dangerous mission and they formed a relationship thereafter. She had a son named Hotaru who died during the nine tails attack. The loss of her son affected her mentally and physically. Slowly weakening her heart with each passing day. She died two years ago at the age of 58, in her sleep. 

[Headstone - Hotaru Yasaji]

The grave of Hotaru Yasaji. The late son of Kensei Yasaji and Fumiyo Yasaji. Hotaru was a talented shinobi during his time. He graduated from the academy at the age of 9 and had participated in the 3rd world war. Due to the number of missions he completed and the merits he received during the war, he was quickly promoted to Jonin. Later at the end of the war he married his childhood sweetheart Eriko Hatsmi. During the last few years of his life he had an estranged relationship with his father due to their contrasting philosophies regarding the village. He was 26 when he died in the nine tails attack 5 years ago. 

[Headstone - Eriko Hatsmi]

The grave of Eriko Hatsmi. The late wife of Hotaru Yasaji. She was an average shinobi who worked in the administrative department after becoming a chunin. During the end of the 3rd world war she married her childhood crush Hotaru Yasaji. She was 26 when she died during the nine tails attack 5 years ago. 

Daichi reading the details felt like he had a better understanding of Kensei. 'No wonder the old man doesn't talk about his son all that much. He might probably still be blaming his son for his wife's death. That's a whole can of worms I'm not gonna open any time soon. But still…isn't being angry at a dead man still pointless?'

It was sometime past seven in the morning when they reached the cemetery grounds. They prayed and stayed there for sometime before placing the bouquet of flowers Daichi made from his garden on the stone and left shortly after. They ate some breakfast from Shi Fang's restaurant and went home. 

When they neared their house Daichi asked Kensei what was on his mind. 

"Hey gramps. Are you still angry with your son?"

Kensei was slightly startled by the question but then composed himself and answered.

"After his death all I felt was regret for not communicating with him. But when Fumiyo died I wanted to blame someone. And he became a convenient scapegoat. It was his death that caused her to die after all. But after some time I came to the realization that I was mostly just angry… So to answer your question, No. I'm not angry at my son."

"Then who are you angry at?" Daichi asked this question because he wanted to know if the old man's anger was misplaced onto Naruto like most of the villagers. 

Kensei answered his question with a question of his own.

"Daichi. Do you know why I'm training you like this even though you're only just 5 years old?"

"To get me strong and make sure I'm at the top of my class…?" Daichi replied in a somewhat unsure voice.

"I graduated from the academy just a year after the third graduated. I've participated in three wars. I've traveled all over the world. Met all sorts of people. And I learned one important fact.”

Daichi's eyes slightly narrowed as he listened to Kensei. That's when he heard something that surprised him.

“The leaf village isn't the center of the world.” Kensei said with a strong voice.

“I was like most people at the beginning. I believed in the will of fire and philosophy of unity of the village. But over the years I've seen the dark twisted side of the village.”

“I saw teammates killing teammates to keep the secrets from spreading on the orders of the higher ups. There was even a time when I was attacked by ninjas of this village because I was at the wrong place at the wrong time. You can say that I've opened my eyes to the truth of the world. There is no right or wrong. Only those with strength can make their own path.”  

“My philosophy regarding this place changed. But my son was someone who believed in this place. He would have given his life for this village without hesitation. And that was what created our rift. I wanted him to put his life above all else. Even the village. He disagreed. Our ideals clashed and we drifted apart."

Kensei sighed and looked at Daichi. He continued.

"My father was a traveling merchant. When I was a child it was my dream to travel the world. But fate had other plans. I became a ninja and dedicated the prime of my life to this place.” 

“The reason why I'm training you and pushing you is because you are someone like me. I understood that from the first day we met. You want to become strong so that you can leave this village without fear of death, don't you?”

Daichi was stunned when he was asked the question. For a split second he thought about lying but then decided against it. 

"Yeah. I want to travel the world. But if I leave the village without becoming a ninja I'll probably be killed by someone on my journey because I was too weak to defend myself and if I become a ninja I'll be declared a missing nin the moment I leave and be marked for life. The only way to avoid all that is to become stronger than everyone else."

"Precisely. That's why I'm training you. I want you to have the chance I never had. Daichi. Whatever path you choose… whether it's to stay in the village or leave, I want you to be strong enough so that it's your choice. And to answer your earlier question, no one. I’m angry at no one. Not anymore anyway."

"You know, for a moment I thought you hated the village because of what happened to your family." Daichi said to him.

Kensei had a small sad smile when he heard this. "Hate is a strong word. I do hate some people within the village. I hate some policies put in place but...I don't hate the leaf village itself. Despite everything that's happened this place is still my home. And I would protect it if the need arises."

Daichi nodded when he heard this. After a few seconds of silence Kensei spoke. "Daichi! Promise me something."

"What is it?" 

"I know I told you that you can choose whatever path you want… but… promise me that when the time comes it won't be one that will harm the village." Kensei had the face of another genius in mind as he asked this of Daichi. A powerful ninja he once worked with and now a traitor to the village. 

"I won't do anything to hurt the village or its people. You have my word." Daichi said with as much seriousness as he could. He wanted to make sure Kensei knew he wasn't a threat to this place.

Kensei was carefully looking over the boy's chakra and he was satisfied with the answer. Both of them talked for a while and soon they were nearing their home. 

Daichi felt like he understood Kensei much better now. He simply nodded to his grandfather's words. They soon reached home.

Daichi did as his grandfather told him. He took a few days off from his training to enjoy himself. He created some beautiful artwork and made some dishes to cheer up the somewhat depressed old man.

After a few days of rest and recuperation he resumed his training. The remaining 6 months passed by in a blur. Before long it was the last night of march. Tomorrow he would start the academy.