It was pretty early in the morning. The sun was barely even up. But it was better to do the paperwork at this time. It showed dedication and motivation. Two things she would need to keep showing. Even with her current stature and position, Kiyomi was certain that slacking off would give the wrong idea. Besides, if she would be able to finish work before the afternoon, she could have time to do other things. Sighing, she thought already of the several duties. Training her genins, attending to meetings if Hisoka called for her or else continue to keep on increasing her skill and or knowledge. Leaning back in her comfortable chair, she wondered how long it was going to take for Kazuo to fetch the person in the library.
Tatsuya was sitting in his usual spot, his weary eyes scanning the papyrus. His hand loomed over his notes, writing subconsciously from time to time. He had four different books on the desk, two of which were open. The two closed ones had "History of the Leaf" written on them. He sighed once every while, turning the pages of the books. The doors of the library opened as the personal butler of Azumi appeared. The silent man looked around for Tatsuya and once he had found him, the man walked towards the young Hon. Making a small bow, the man gestured Tatsuya to follow him.
Tatsuya quickly shut the books and pushed them aside, opening the other two books. He looked over to the source of the voice and saw that it wasn't Kiyomi. He had a relieved look on his face. The boy got up and took the scrolls he was writing with, putting them in his pouches. He followed the man. It didn´t take long before they were in front of the office. Opening the door, Kazuo would not enter himself. He left the door open so that Tatsuya could enter the room and close the door behind him. Kiyomi was now reading what seemed to be a small book. Next, there was a notebook and a pencil. Probably to note down something, as it was easy to see that she had already written something on the visible page.
Tatsuya walked inside, glancing at Kazuo as he did so. He shut the door after he walked in and turned to Kiyomi. "You called me, Kiyomi-san?" He stood patiently as he waited for an explanation as to why she'd called him during his study hours. He had his hands behind him with his fingers intertwined as he did so. ''Take a set, pup.'' Kiyomi calmly ordered as she kept on reading. Only once Tatsuya would take a seat, she would look up in his direction. ''What have you been studying lately?''
Tatsuya didn't answer for a moment. "Er... I've been studying the History of Leaf like you told me to," he said. "Though I have been spending some extra time at the library during the two days between my designated training time." He knew that she might object to him saying training but there really wasn't a better word for it. Simply nodding, Kiyomi seemed to ponder about something. ''What part of the history have you been studying then?'' Was her next question. She took the pencil and with her other hand, shoved the notebook in front of her.
"Ah... The Great Shinobi War," he answered. "I've been reading about the progression of the war but it's going slowly because I'm using multiple sources." His voice was calm and his posture was composed as he spoke. "Did you want to check up on my progress?" Kiyomi nodded. ''Yes. Why did you chose the Great Shinobi War for example? I want to know what you have read and learned from it. Everything.'' Her tone was somewhat stern and very serious.
Tatsuya stood still. After he thought of what he was going to say, he spoke, "Because it shows how states work during wars. What being a leader means. What it means to lose said leader during the war," he said. "It also shows that being a leader doesn't always mean fighting alongside your men, unlike what most people think." She seemed to listen to the words of Tatsuya. Once he had spoken, she quickly noted something down. Glancing back at Tatsuya, Kiyomi had another question ready to shoot in his direction. This time, her tone seemed to be more serious than stern. ''And that interested you, because?''
"Mostly because of what one could call an 'analogy' of this situation in cultural games like shogi," he said. "Once the king is down, you lose. Researching about the Great Shinobi War is a good way to understand the concept of leadership." Then Kiyomi reacted back. She made a brief gesture in the air with the pencil while responding back to Tatsuya. ''That is a certain good analogy. But what does make it so interesting then for you? The fact when an important person is gone that people give up on his cause or because people have impact on their village?''
"It doesn't have to be one or the other," he answered. "It's because people have impact on the village that the people giving up leads to its undoing, or at least its defeat." His gaze slipped from Kiyomi's face to above her shoulder and over to the windows behind her, glancing outside. Kiyomi noted something quickly again. She however frowned at what she had noted down and seemed to edited it. ''Is that so? Then I have an interesting question for you. Why is it that then that most people think that the life of a leader is more worth than many others?''
"Because the leader is someone who gives people instructions," he said. "Without instructions, people are free to do whatever they want but they don't know what they need to do. It's the concept of not being able to understand that makes them feel despair. Not everyone can think for themselves." He could go on about this for hours but felt that this was enough of an explanation.
''Good.'' Kiyomi made yet another note before she flashed briefly a smile in his direction. ''It is indeed true that many need somebody to guide them or at least show them what seems to be good or bad. Either for themselves or for the state.'' She paused. Placing down the pencil, she folded her hands together and looked a bit more serious again. ''What more have you read, pup?''
"I've read about the subject I've explained from several different sources, some written by people by the Mist Village rather than the Leaf," he said. "But in the end it's just different ways of wording it." The look in his eyes were quite serious as he spoke. While he hadn't done it now, he wasn't just making things up. Slowly a frown was appearing on Kiyomi's face. It looked like she was thinking about what he had told her. ''Why the Mist?'' Kiyomi asked in a curious tone. ''But I have to say that I am glad you look it from different view points. I wish I could get some books from writers of Sunagakure. That would have been fairly interesting.'' Putting the back of the pencil against her nose, she looked away.
"Because the best example to the fallen king is from Kirigakure," he said. "I thought that was a given." He continued staring past her outside. "In the end, it's all about how it's worded. What one could call a victorious conquest, another could call it forced occupation." Looking back, Kiyomi gained a little smile. Tilting her head a little bit to the left, the smile grew larger. Twirling the pencil in her hand, she replied back. ''It is a given indeed. I asked it because I found it a bit interesting. Much like you said, what one calls a victory the other will call it a humilation. I think that it is still dangerous to mention some names in the Mist.'' Kiyomi looked at her notebook, writing something down. ''Where there are victors, there are victims.'' She mumbled, but loud enough that Tatsuya could hear her.
Tatsuya nodded, agreeing with what she said. "Was there anything else you needed from me, Kiyomi-san?" he asked patiently. Though he wanted to get right back to his research, he didn't want to look too eager, since he was supposed to be looking up things on the history of the village, about which he'd already read several books. He understood what that was. There was no point in reading about it all over again in the boy's eyes.
''Yes. As matter of a fact there is another reason why I had let you came here.'' Kiyomi said. ''I wasn't planning on giving a history lesson, but it is good to hear you're studying like I have instructed. My next question is more about how you are doing with your taijutsu practise. Can you inform me about that?'' She asked. Truth be told, she had Kazuo watching over Tatsuya when he had the chance. Not in an obvious way, but if the butler had a chance, he would try to see how the genin was doing from time to time.
"It's going well," he answered. "During the past few days, I've only had the chance to practice alone but I still stay in the dojo practicing the moves I know." This part was completely true. He definitely didn't slack off during that period of time, since he had enough time to do that at home. ''I am glad to hear that. So that means if I test it out, that you are going to surprise me with something?'' Kiyomi asked with a sly smile. It wasn't a fair request. He had already told her that he had the chance to train alone, but nothing about improving his skill. But her question was also asked for a reason. There was something in the corner that made a low growling sound.
"No," he answered plainly. "I can't say that I've improved that much training alone. Without observation, it's hard to improve quickly. However, I do believe that if you tested it out, I would be able to learn more in those few minutes than I have in these previous days in the dojo." Kiyomi nodded as she stood up. ''I figured as much. Then we will go now. Also, Sharky said something interesting.'' Kiyomi told him, on a very friendly tone. Walking around her desk, Kiyomi placed a hand on Tatsuya's shoulder as she leaned with her rear against the desk. ''Have you only read about the history?'' Kiyomi asked, still using the friendly tone. But her bright green eyes were different. Maybe it was that she was closer, but her eyes seemed to be of darker green then before.
"I think I already said that I hadn't," he said with an almost confused visage on his face. "I've been in the library during the two days you had told me I didn't have to and during that time I continued doing my research on Time-Space ninjutsu." A light flicker of lightning appeared in front of Tatsuya's face. Kiyomi leaned a bit closer to the boy's face. ''I hate liars. Keeping something silent when I ask it, is the same as a lie.'' Kiyomi whispered. She squeezed with her hand, but not to the point of hurting Tatsuya. Slowly leaning back, she would release his shoulder. ''If you want to be my pupil, you want me to be fair and direct with you, don't you? It won't do you much good if I would lie, would it? Well?'' Kiyomi asked with a stern voice.
He kept his composition. "I thought I was allowed to do as I wished doing the two days," he said, trying to understand what she was saying. "And I thought my explanation about my research was adequate enough to remove doubt about how I was concentrated on studying on the topic you had given me, Kiyomi-san. I wasn't trying to keep information from you. It was quite irrelevant, wasn't it?"
''That isn't only, pup. I asked what you have been studying lately. The topic of Time-Space ninjutsu is vastly different from history.'' Kiyomi told him. Crossing her arms over her chest, she briefly looked at where the bandaged greatsword was. ''I have probably overreacted, but I want this to be a lesson. If I ask you something, you tell me everything, if the situation is possible. The same shall be returned as that is how a student and a mentor works. If I would maybe learn you a technique, but not tell you a part of it, would that help you?'' Kiyomi asked, but much time to answer wasn't given. ''No. It wouldn't. That and I had my fill of liars and deceivers.'' The last line was told with a softer and more disappointed tone. Not that it had something to do with Tatsuya or that she really called him one. ''Anyways pup, sorry. But I am not going easy on you. Lets just move on and later continue this talk. Agreed?''
A smile inappropriate for the subject of the conversation appeared on Tatsuya's face. Pup sounds like it's short for pupil... "I understand. I'll try to be more careful about the details in future cases," he said. He waited, still facing the windows, for her to tell him to follow her or to leave the room. Heading to the door, Kiyomi reached out for the door handle. Kiyomi wanted to say something, but she decided against it. Opening the door, she would then whistle while leaving the room. Not a few seconds later, Kazuo appeared. He made a bow to both the younger people. Kiyomi smiled in the butler's direction. ''Kazuo, would you be a dear and please go on a shopping spree? I need books. On the subject on Time-space ninjutsu.'' Kiyomi said. The butler made a bow as he then would head away. ''Come, pup.'' Kiyomi said, on a less friendly tone as she would start walking.
Tatsuya followed her out of the room. The smile on his face widened when he heard what she had told her butler. When she spoke again, he could feel that she was trying to equilibrate the kindness with a sterner act. He kept following her closely, making sure to not fall back too much. ''Though it may seem like I am doing this for you, I am expecting something first in exchange. Next time, I expect something in return.'' Kiyomi told him. Her tone was still stern as she kept looking on ahead. Opening the front doors of Azumi, she waited till he was outside before closing them. The dojo was after all next to the head building.
Tatsuya looked at her curiously, wondering what he could possibly have that she didn't. "Yes, Kiyomi-san?" he said, walking through the open door. Now outside, Kiyomi did briefly glanced at the gardens. It looked like it occupied her for a moment. ''You have to think what you will present as offer next time yourself. Just as lesson that knowledge is never free. Even if it seems so.'' Kiyomi told him as she turned around and would walk towards the dojo. It was a very nice day to be outside. There was a very soothing cool breeze, while the warm sun was present in the sky. But Kiyomi still went to the dojo. Opening the door, she saw that there was nobody there. Which was what she had hoped for, ''Show me a stance.'' Kiyomi instructed.
Tatsuya walked in and stood on one side of the dojo. He dragged one foot across the floor behind him, putting one hand under the other, his palms open and facing forward. He glanced at Kiyomi to see what kind of adjustments she would reccomend. Closing the door behind them, Kiyomi waited till he was ready. Placing her hands on her back, Kiyomi slowly walked towards Tatsuya. ''When a shinobi can't use his or her ninjutsu, genjutsu or any type of chakra moulding action, they are left to use taijutsu. It is one of the most basic things a shinobi needs to master.'' Kiyomi passed Tatsuya, lifting her right hand, only her index finger up. ''However, taijutsu is just like ninjutsu. It has a lot of fields and variations.'' Turning around, Kiyomi further eyes his stance. ''If you can't be good at taijutsu, you need to know how to keep your distance. However, that is a tactic many can't keep up. Certainly not when they are facing more than one enemy.'' Then it happened. Faster than Tatsuya likely had expect, Kiyomi's right foot moved between his.Sweeping his left foot away, her hand grabbed him by the shoulder to push him against the ground. He wouldn't hit the ground that hard as she wouldn't allow that.
''But if you are going to use taijutsu, your stance and reflexes need to be good enough to keep you standing.'' Leaning back, she offered hand to help Tatsuya up from the ground.
As Tatsuya colided with the ground, he let out a small grunt. He turned to Kiyomi and saw the hand offered to him. He hesitantly took it, getting up. He nodded at her explanations, showing he understood what she meant. In an instant, Kiyomi twisted his hand as she narrowed her eyes. The moment after, Tatsuya would land on his stomach, while Kiyomi had a knee in his back, still holding his hand. ''Also, never trust an opponent. Everybody has a trick up their sleeve.'' Releasing him, this time she would help him up, without any instant attacks. ''Now, show me a stance again.''
He took a step back, this time his eyes locked on Kiyomi, anticipating an attack to see if he'd react better than before. He was rather annoyed by her last act. His visage was serious and concentrated. His hands were in a position at which he could deflect a first high blow with his reflexes so he prepared himself mentally for another low attack.
Placing her hands on her back, Kiyomi took a step away from the genin. Walking again around him, she started to talk again. ''What more should be known about taijutsu is that it can be used in combination with ninjutsu. This allows a shinobi to get an advantage in close ranged combat.'' Kiyomi said. She now stood at Tatsuya's right side. Raising her right hand, she tapped him on the shoulder. ''A bit lower. Just like this.'' Placing only her right index and middle finger on the wrist of the hand, she would lower the hand a bit. ''Sometimes an opening can cost your life. But you can use that your advantage. Impatient enemies will try to keep pressure on you, wanting to keep you in defense.'' She kept walking, standing now in front of him. ''Hmm, here.'' Again, she placed both her right index and middle finger on him. This time on the top of his head. ''Keep your chin a bit lower. An uppercut can be a very nasty way to get knocked out.'' She told him. Taking a few more steps, she stopped. ''Can you tell me why taijtusu is more important when you can't rely on anything else?''
Tatsuya was cautious at first but when he realized what she was doing, he did as he was told, aided by her slight pushes. "Because Taijutsu doesn't require any tools or time to prepare unlike shurikenjutsu, kenjutsu, genjutsu or ninjutsu," he responded, memorizing the stance he was in. Again she placed her right index and middle finger on top of his head. ''Good answered.'' She told him with a soft friendly voice. Instead of adjusting or telling him what to adjust, he would feel a slight prick. Removing her hand, she placed it on her chain, her index finger patting against it. ''Now, we are going to play a game.'' Kiyomi said, her voice returning to stern. Standing at his back, she placed both hands at her back. ''We will do for now some theory work. I am standing behind you. Lets further assume you have an opponent in front of you. What would that make you do?''
He hesitated for a moment and looked at his stance. "Is he larger and faster than me?" he demanded, gulping. "If he's larger than me, I let him charge at me, sidestep at the last second and trip him, pushing down his back. If he's faster than me, I give a brief opening. Depending on his speed, he tries to take it. I use that to counter before he can strike me. If he's of the same physique as me, I try to attack first with a rising kick. If he dodges, I pressure him. If he blocks, I spin on the foot he catches and attack with the other one. If I'm for some reason unable to attack first, I try to parry each blow I can and dodge the others to get openings."
Listening to his words, Kiyomi started to walk around him again. Her eyes kept examing how he stood. How he breathed and other small details. ''That seems like a good plan. But what if he can read your movement? How would you react to such a foe, that is capable of such a feat?'' Kiyomi asked. She stopped at one point, just at his left side. She tilted her head as she looked at his footwork, but decided to not correct it. It was good as it was now.
Tatsuya's breathing almost stopped for a moment. He thought about what he would do if such a situation arose. "If he can read everything I do, I would retreat. If he can read what it looks like I'm doing, I'd make feints to try and trick him." And again she stood behind him. ''Relax now. That was enough for now.'' Kiyomi said. There was a bit of distance between them and if he would turn around, she would still have a stern expression on her face detailed. ''I need to ask something else now. You said at our first meeting you wish to surpass me. Yet, I see no chance yet that you might become able of doing that.'' She rather boldly claimed. ''You're a clever person, talented, yes. But there are some things you need to learn first. I will consider to appoint training session with other people, who will teach you more in other fields. People that are specialized in them. Cause if you wish to reach your goal, you will need to learn more than just from me.'' Kiyomi said, finally a little smile appearing on her lips.
Tatsuya relaxed his muscles when he heard her and let out a heavy breath. He looked up at her when he heard what she said next. At first, he started thinking about what he could've done wrong, but when he heard what she said next, he remembered hearing those words from her before. He nodded slowly. "I know..." he muttered. ''But time to head to the next step. We are going to train those reflexes first. If you can get caught while I am not even trying, it is clear we will need to work on that. Afterwards, we will see what you're going to train.'' Kiyomi said. Slowly taking a stance, raising her hands and spreading her footwork a bit, Kiyomi nodded. ''I am going to attack and you're needed to evade. Not block, but evade.''
Tatsuya nodded and he reclaimed the stance Kiyomi had corrected, standing just as he'd left it. He gulped as he prepared himself for the incoming blows which he would have to try and dodge. His stance showed that he was ready for the next 'exercise', one could call it. Lowering her stance, Kiyomi frowned. ''Hey pup.'' She then seemed to be confused. ''Are you afraid I am going to hurt you?'' She asked, further lowering her stance.
He didn't answer. He didn't want to speak and lose his concentration or ruin his posture by shaking his head. The determined look in his eyes showed that he didn't really care about it. He didn't think she would deal any serious blows but all of his concentration was now on dodging what she would throw his way. Without much of a warning, Kiyomi would raise her right hand, making it look like she was trying to swing it towards Tatsuya's face, only to then lower her hand. Her left foot was then raised, aimed to kick him in the side.
Tatsuya's first act was to skid backwards to avoid any incoming attack, right after he saw the hand move. He thought it would be best to try and observe how she would attack him as long as he could before trying to dodge in close combat. With skidding backwards, he would also be out of her legs reach. At least, that far that she would risk that he could counter it easily. Her leg raised, Kiyomi quickly pushed with her right foot, causing to jump lightly in the air. Turning around, she was trying to a spinning kick to keep up the momentum.
The boy saw her leap up and ducked under the kick which didn't have much maneouvarability in the middle of the air. Even on solid ground, changing an attack's direction would reduce its effect immensely. He took a mental note as he ducked out of the attack's way and leapt forward, close to the ground, rolling and pushing himself up with his arms as he spun, eventually landing on his feet.
Landing on her feet, Kiyomi made a quick roll and turned around as she got up swiftly. Slowly moving towards Tatsuya, she kept changing from stances. First she would raise her right hand, to then lower it as to change her footwork. Only when she was in range again, Kiyomi would raise her right foot in attempt to kick him at his left side.
Tatsuya stuck his elbow out and ducked again, keeping it out ready to push the foot up but he remembered he wasn't allowed to intercept attacks. He also couldn't afford any time mid-air which would render defense untennable. Pulling her leg back, Kiyomi lowered herself, placing both her hands at the ground. With a fast turn of her body, she kept her balance with staying low as she would try to sweep Tatsuya off his feet.
This time, the boy couldn't react. He felt his footwork get ruined and his back hit the ground. He thought she would go after him again in that state so he quickly pushed himself back, rolling once and then pushing himself hard from the ground, flipping in mid air and landing on his feet. She was alraedy standing, but seemed to not be considering to attack again. By the time Tatsuya would stand on his feet, Kiyomi stood in a more relaxed stance. Her left hand on her hip and her other hang at her side. ''Good. Take a moment rest.'' She told him. ''You did it well.''
When he heard the word "rest", Tatsuya fell back, though still sitting up. He heaved a sigh. "Thank you, Kiyomi-san," he muttered, resting himself as she had said. ''Thanking a person for kicking you to the ground? Pup, you're an odd one. That is for sure.'' Kiyomi said, sounding amused as she walked away to a closet that was present in the dojo. Opening the doors of it, she then was starting to look for something.
Tatsuya grinned widely once more at her comment, chuckling lightly. After a moment, he glanced over at Kiyomi, trying to see what she was looking for. Turning around, Kiyomi had a wide smile on her face as she held in both hands a short blade. And by the looks of it, it weren't practice blades either. But made of sharp steel. Walking a bit back, Kiyomi threw up one of the blades in an arc towards Tatsuya. ''Catch. Now, tell me something about kenjutsu.''
Tatsuya snatched the sword out of the air, catching it by the hilt. His eyes were opened wide as he did so. "Er... It's the art of using a sword for combat," he said. "It's like an alternative to taijutsu one uses if they have a sword." Spinning the blade with her fingers around the handle, Kiyomi listened to Tatsuya. Grabbing the handle firmly, she stopped the weapon from spinning. ''That is one way of putting it. But that is all you know about kenjutsu?'' She asked, still staring at the blade she held. It was not as long as a katana she normally used, more or less a ninjato.
He thought for a moment. "Isn't it?" he asked, unable to think of a more extensive explanation for it than the one he gave for taijutsu. "Some people do use it as a primary fighting style but... Only the most skilled ones." Turning her eyes back to Tatsuya, Kiyomi had a surprised look on her face. ''I was kind of hinting that kenjutsu also had different fields. Like kendo, the way to use the sword. Often meant on how to use the basic swordsmanship without the use of chakra, which is the field of kenjutsu. That kenjutsu is often used with techniques to increase the lethality of a sword or it is reach.'' Only after saying that, Kiyomi realized something. Sighing, she placed her left hand against her face. ''Sorry. I sounded like my kenjutsu mentor.''
Tatsuya nodded. "I see..." He looked at the sword. "We're not going to do the dodging exercise with swords, are we?" He really didn't want to get slashed if he couldn't do one part of the exercise correctly. ''No. You're not that far yet. What we are going to do is the basic movements. This is a ninjato. Not as long as katana or most swords.''
"Oh, alright," he said with relief clear in his voice. "What's the first exercise?" He hoped this would help him fight more efficiently, consideringing how he used his black short sword as a main weapon. ''First take the same stance as before.'' Kiyomi said as she would approach him. Turning the blade around, she would hold it in a reversed grip as her eyes would focus again on how the genin would take stance with the ninjato.
Tatsuya took his stance, this time pointing the sword forward with his left hand wrapped around the bottom of the weapon's hilt and the other right behind its guard. "Like this?" The blade was slightly tilted sideways but it was sticking straight out towards Kiyomi. His feet were just like before. Calmly walking towards him, Kiyomi examined his stance. Using her unarmed hand, she made him change his stance a little bit. Just a bit. But she was content after it. Standing next to him, with some space of course between them, she would take the same stance. Only now holding the blade in the same manner as him. ''I will perform a movement. Slowly. You copy me. Once I am sure you have done them all without much of a flaw, we will continue in a faster pace.'' Kiyomi told him, very slowly moving her arm to perform how a slash could be performed with a quick movement of mere the wrist than the whole arm.
Tatsuya nodded and memorized the stance she had corrected. He observed her next movements attentively. He copied her move, using his wrist to swing the short sword with the same speed as her. He concentrated on his own sword for a moment, tweaking the few errors he'd spotted and corrected them, performing the move once more. Waiting as she had noticed he had seen his own errors, Kiyomi managed to not smile. She had almost said what he had done wrong, but he had noticed it himself. That was good. Now she would do another move, using her arm more as stepping aside. Making it look like she was making the weapon turn with her, while it had actually lashed out. ''Much like taijutsu, movement is everything. Strength is important, but neither of us are people with a big amount of it. Silly as it may sound, but that is why we ''dance''. Being one with your sword, so others can't read it. While you ''dance'' around them, staying out of their reach.''
He turned his gaze to her as he noticed her move once more. He memorized her moves, repeating it in his head several times, keeping his eyes closed for a moment. He repeated it again and again until he opened his eyes, believing himself to be ready to reenact it. He copied it to the best of his ability. "I see." She lowered for a moment her blade. Though she seemed to be focusing on her own movements, this was like dancing for her. It was something that she had learned and practised for quite some time. First she thought she had seen a mistake. But it wasn't. Kiyomi felt a bit dumb, but she realized that they moved just differently. But so far, he was doing a good job. Taking the stance again, she would perform another move, but this time faster. Not that much, but just a bit.
Tatsuya kept repeating what he saw, mimicking her movements as she sped up a bit. The slow start had allowed him to get used to the small acceleration quickly, as it didn't seem like he was making any more errors than earlier. Slowly, but steadily, the speed of the movements were increasing. It didn't really became that fast until she had taught him the basics swings with letting him copying it. but at some point, she would just keep on moving until she noticed what his best speed was. For ten minutes, she kept at it. The last move was a quick sweep with the ninjato towards the right. Holding the weapon still, Kiyomi was unfazed by the ten minutes of wielding the weapon. She had experienced worse, so to say, underneath Kensuke's mentorship.
As they got faster and faster, Tatsuya tried to increase his consistency, though it tired him quite a bit. By the time they were done, he had to hold his breath from time to time in order to keep the weapon still. ''That is enough for now.'' Kiyomi said as she lowered the weapon. Letting the blade rest against her shoulder, she could see that it had wore Tatsuya a bit out. Not surprising, he wasn't that trained as long as she had been. ''You can take a break.'' She told him as she would snap with her fingers of her left hand. Right a second after, Kazuo opened the door and came to take the weapon from Kiyomi before he would walk and stretch out his hand, waiting for Tatsuya to hand over his. Kiyomi was already walking towards the doors of the dojo.
Tatsuya nodded and lowered the weapon as well. He looked at Kazuo for a moment and handed him the weapon. The boy sat down, his legs crossed. He watched Kiyomi as she walked towards the doors. He focused on regulating his breathing in order to quickly continue his training without wasting too much time resting. ''Break is over.'' Kiyomi said as she would just walk through the opening of the door. Outside, she glanced at the gardens before she would walk towards Azumi. There was something on her mind. During training Tatsuya, she was considering something. It was a small thing, but could have some importance.
Tatsuya quickly scurried to his feet and ran after her. Once he'd reached her, he continued walking right behind her. He stepped out of the open door and covered his eyes from the sun's glare. That was a rather short break, he thought to himself, huffing. He looked over at Kiyomi, watching her carefully to see what she would do or say next.
Walking towards the door of Azumi, Kiyomi opened it and would let it be open so that Tatsuya would be able to walk after her and close it. ''You told me that you want to surpass me, but I want to ask.'' Kiyomi kept on walking. ''How are you planning to do so? Not considering our differences, but you're not dumb. So what is your plan?'' Kiyomi calmly asked, still walking towards where she wanted to go.
He thought on the question for a moment. He'd never considered what one could call a plan. "You said you had a mentor to whom you claimed you'd surpass him, Kiyomi-san," he said. "Did you have a plan when you said that?" He smiled faintly as he spoke, hoping that she wouldn't see this as a snide remark or a retort.
''I most certainly had. I decided to walk a different path than he did. Those who have some courage don't walk the way that has been made by others.'' Kiyomi told Tatsuya as she would cast a glance sideways. Turning her head to look ahead, she continued. ''Those who have some courage and want to achieve something, make their own path. That was somewhat my plan.'' Kiyomi said. It briefly brought some memories up. Not all were good, but she wouldn't start to drown herself into the past. Coming near the library, she said something else. ''And it kind of depends on which mentor I actually surpassed. I believe that I have yet some who I not have surpassed.''
Tatsuya squinted his eyes. "I don't understand what you mean by path," he said. "It sounds more like a plan for what you want to do in life rather than a plan to surpass someone." He looked towards the building they'd neared in which he had been studying all morning. The boy imagined what she could have in mind if she was leading him there. Maybe she would watch him so he wouldn't study anything but Leaf history. He shuddered at the thought but quickly snapped back to reality, turning back to Kiyomi.
''Does it? It is a goal I had and yet, I haven't achieved it yet, have I now?'' Kiyomi asked back. They would turn around to walk into the library. Nobody was present. Not much to Kiyomi's surprise. Most were likely with their teams or doing their duties. ''You could say that it is maybe something I want to do in my life. Cause to be honest, I see little chance of surpassing those who I have yet to surpass. If I would just make it a goal and be content with that, then I wouldn't have likely the motivation or something like that, which I have now.'' Kiyomi explained. There was one thing she didn't say however. Though she wouldn't mind to help Tatsuya train or talking about surpassing, there was one little detail that almost everybody forgot when they said they wanted to surpass somebody. But maybe he would learn it like her in time. ''Now, I think I have talked enough about it as it seems you still need to think on how to surpass me. But first things first!'' She pointed to a direction of the library. ''I want you to pick up some scrolls or books that are about summoning techniques.''
A wide smile appeared on his face as it would on a child who was given the chance to choose any toy he wanted from the store. Tatsuya nodded and darted off into the building. He already knew where all of them were, having checked them out before. He picked some scrolls he wasn't familiar with and a book he knew to be helpful. After having signed the book on his name so that he would be able to take it with him, he ran out of the library.
Heading back to her office, Kiyomi was thinking about something. She heard something and noticed Tatsuya running out of the library. ''Over here pup. Come.'' Beckoning him to follow her to her office, Kiyomi started to explain already the next part. ''You mentioned several times about Space Time ninjutsu. Even studied it already, but are you already capable of a ninjutsu that is related to that field of ninjutsu?'' Kiyomi asked.
Tatsuya shook his head. ''The technique I showed off earlier isn't what it seems, really. I don't split my body into different pieces but rather use the crows as a storage to move. While that's a really unimpressive and weak technique, it can be considered as a Space Time technique," he said rather proudly.
''Oh? Then you could consider any hidden movement as Space Time Ninjutsu. If you would use the crows as a storage to move around, it would be more a way to try to hide yourself from the opponent. Though I lack the abilities of eyes like that of the Sharingan, I doubt that it would hide yourself from such dojutsu. Space Time ninjutsu is more instant. It is like that you're on spot A, but later without moving like walking or through a technique, on spot B. That is why you should learn about the Summoning technique. That is a technique that is in the field of Space Time ninjutsu.'' Kiyomi explained. ''Cause instead of moving, I use chakra and a bit of blood to summon one of my summonings to me. This means they don't have to move in any kind of way, but yet will appear when I summon them. That is the difference, though I think that there might be an even more complex story behind it all.'' Kiyomi giggled briefly as she would walk into her office. The bandaged blade made a brief deep sound. Scoffing, Kiyomi continued to her desk as she would take place behind it. ''Though, you don't need a summoning contract to study it. But if I have to make a suggestion, then I would advise to study how the summoning technique work before moving to something more complex.''
He scratched his head for a moment to find a better way to explain it. "Well... It's like ripping apart a summoning scroll and then putting the pieces back together in a separate--" he stopped himself and sighed. He looked back up to her and nodded. "Where should I put the books and scrolls, Kiyomi-san?"
''On the desk is alright.'' She said with a little smile. Kiyomi had heard what he had said before and that made her think. She did based it on what knowledge he had told her before. ''If it is about seperating yourself in pieces and putting them together, I still wouldn't call it like that. It is like, wait..'' She seemed to search for something. Muttering something, she managed to find a pencil and some paper. ''Here.'' Leaning forward, she would quickly draw two circles. In the left one, she would put a few signs towards the other circle. ''This represent movement. From you, this cirkle, to the new one. Your new location.'' She explained. Pointing at the few signs, she looked at Tatsuya, wanting to be sure he was paying attention. ''Every sign of movement can be however traced. By smell, eyes, hearing, sensing or any form that could make it possible to trace. You explained your technique splits you up and reform you. This means that your chakra is likely being moulded and formed into these crows, what can mean it is for those who can see or sense it, that it can be traced over the movement.'' Pausing to let the words sink in, Kiyomi would make two new circles as she would give them the same meaning.
Tatsuya quickly interrupted. "I understand the concept," he said. "I disappear when the crows, the pieces of the summoning scroll, appear. When they come together once more, they complete the summoning formula. That's why if you shoot down one of the crows, I won't reappear with one less limb. The crows will meet in the place closest to each other in order to complete the seal. Without all of the required pieces, it will create its own to finish it but it will be imperfect and I'll simply appear in the centre of where they all are. That's why I don't fly them too far from one another. It hurts when the formula isn't properly made and I fall..."
She listened to him and at the end looked back at the paper. Then she placed the end of the pencil on the signs she had made before. ''So you divide yourself among crows, made by a technique that uses chakra. Then form back into yourself at another place. Didn't I explain that was a hidden movement before?'' Kiyomi looked back at Tatsuya. ''In order to use the technique, you divide yourself, as pieces of a puzzle, into crows. They will have likely the same chakra signature as you, as they are formed by the technique or carry your chakra. Every animal seems to have a chakra signature. If that is true, it can be traced.'' Kiyomi explained. Pointing at her new two circles she continued. ''Space and Time create a tunnel, that makes you ''jump'' towards the new location. In many cases it can only be sensed after the jump. That is why I, mind you, call your technique not the same. Maybe it is, but in my opinion and knowledge, I think as long as it can be tracked over the jump, it isn't the same.'' Putting the pencil down, she thought about how she could further explain it and how it had to do with the summoning technique. It had been two years since she had tried to put herself to learn something as complex as this.
"That's not..." He waved the thought away and sighed. "Think of three points. A is where I initially am. B is an irrelevant place and C is the destination. To travel from A to C, there needs to be a scroll or a summoning formula to bring me there. The formula is the scattering crows. When the crows scatter, I'm summoned to B and when they gather once more at C and complete the summoning formula, just like I've been summoned there, I arrive at the destination C."
Scratching the side of her head, Kiyomi thought about his words. ''That sounds like a jump, but it isn't quite like it. It does sound like how the basic of summoning works, but it still something different than a jump through space and time. That is why I can't call it a space time ninjutsu. But, then again, I am more of a ninjutsu expert. I have given up on the space time ninjutsu for quite some time now. Only variant I use is the summoning technique.'' Kiyomi explained. She pointed to the books and scrolls. ''And that is where your first will be. If you want to learn more, you need to know about the basic forms. It is a field of ninjutsu that isn't known that well and I doubt if Kazuo can bring any books with any worth about it. Most are likely in the possession of the Hokage, if there are any already.'' That was an interesting thought. She could try to reach it with her rank and status as Hokage Apprentice. But it would be risky and unneeded, she wasn't after a space time ninjutsu.
He nodded and set the books and scrolls down on the desk. He looked at the books and then back at her. "So, should I...?" He held his hand out towards the books but didn't take any, continuing to stare at Kiyomi as if questioning her. He wondered why she had brought him into her own office to do the studying. ''You wanted to study under as a pupil of mine. That means I need to see if you will be one that won't tick me off or bother me. For now, you can sit on that side and use the desk. I need to... plan something.'' Kiyomi explained as she turned on her chair to glance sideways out of the window.
Tatsuya thought for a moment, then smiled. I can do that, he thought to himself as he grabbed one of the books and pulled out a small scroll and a pen. Running his finger through the pages, he found the chapter he needed and started reading, taking notes in the scroll once every while. Never lifting his head, he simply looked from the book to the scroll and from the scroll to the book as he wrote and read.