Naruto - Azure Awakening

When Kaoru woke up, the sun was already up. Last night's training had left him so drained that he'd overslept slightly. Kaoru climbed out of bed, freshened up, and prepared for his morning exercise. He'd promised himself that today would be fully dedicated to studying the old scroll.

Kaoru's physical training routine had grown easier over time. He was now up to 300 squats, 300 pushups, and a solid hour of running each morning. While it didn't feel like it was yielding as many results as before, he still valued the routine.

[It clears my mind,] he thought as he stepped outside. [And I'll regret it if I stop.]

By the time he returned, his head felt clearer. He emptied the leaves from his pockets onto the floor, gulped down a large cup of water, and quickly ate last night's leftovers.

Kaoru sat cross-legged on the floor, ready to begin his wind release training.

Three hours later, his persistence finally paid off. For the first time, he managed to cut a leaf halfway through.

[Finally, some progress!] he thought, a wide grin spreading across his face.

Encouraged, Kaoru kept practicing for another hour until he'd worked through every last leaf in his pile. His confidence was growing, but his excitement for what came next was impossible to contain.

"Time to study the scroll," Kaoru muttered, practically drooling. He'd developed a genuine obsession with scrolls, and this one had captivated him entirely.

Sitting down with the Shifting Flow Sword Style, Kaoru decided to skip the philosophical section for now. "I'll come back to this later," he muttered, almost feeling guilty, as though the author might scold him. His focus today was on the body exercises described in the scroll.

Unlike last time, Kaoru didn't skim. He read carefully, absorbing every word, and soon realized this wasn't a simple physical workout. The exercises incorporated chakra flow in a way he hadn't anticipated.

The scroll explained that the true purpose of the exercises wasn't just to build physical strength. It was to condition the body to instinctively rotate chakra through every fiber, even without conscious effort. This wasn't an ordinary technique; it was a foundational training method that could transform a shinobi's combat potential.

By maintaining a constant flow of chakra through the muscles, tendons, and even the nervous system, the body could achieve:

* The body would respond faster to threats by maintaining a baseline state of heightened chakra sensitivity.

* Chakra-infused movements would be faster and stronger than regular techniques, with less strain on the body.

* With proper rotation, the exercises aimed to distribute energy evenly, improving stamina.

* The body's natural recovery process could be accelerated by the constant flow of chakra, repairing minor injuries before they became debilitating.

The scroll described how the exercises worked in tandem with weapon techniques. The idea was to mold the body into a vessel of efficiency—one that could adapt to any combat situation seamlessly.

Kaoru's jaw dropped several times as he studied the diagrams and instructions.

[This isn't just a workout. This is a complete overhaul of how the body works. In a way this is like a Senjutsu.]

Excitement coursed through him as he read on. The exercises were complex, requiring precise chakra control and focus to execute properly. It was clear that mastering them would take time, but Kaoru was determined to integrate them into his morning routine.

[Forget squats and pushups. If I can make this work, it'll take me to a whole new level.]

The scroll also stressed patience and consistency, warning against rushing the process. Overloading the body too quickly could lead to chakra instability or even injury.

Kaoru closed the scroll, his fingers brushing over its worn edges with reverence.

"I'll start with the basics," he muttered to himself, already forming a plan to replace his old training routine with this new and promising method.

The first exercise described in the scroll emphasized starting small. The instructions were clear: focus chakra into a single hand and rotate it, but in a way that minimized expenditure until the rotation eventually wasted no chakra at all. The key was for the rotating chakra to augment the cells it passed through, strengthening them and increasing their efficiency.

In theory, it sounded straightforward. If mastered, Kaoru's hand would gain incredible benefits — improved reaction time, greater durability, and even the ability to recover from minor injuries more quickly.

But Kaoru quickly realized that translating theory into practice was a completely different challenge.

Sitting cross-legged, Kaoru held out his hand, palm facing upward. He focused, channeling chakra into his hand. The familiar warmth spread across his palm, and he tried to follow the scroll's instructions, visualizing the rotation.

But instead of rotating, the chakra rushed out of his hand in a burst, dissipating into the air like steam escaping from a kettle.

Kaoru blinked at his hand, momentarily stunned. Then, with a wry smile, he chuckled softly.

"It seems I'm not as talented as I thought," he muttered, shaking his head.

Still, his embarrassment didn't discourage him. If anything, it pushed him to try again.

He returned his gaze to his hand, narrowing his focus. The scroll had mentioned something about controlling the flow, almost like a spinning wheel. Kaoru realized he was likely releasing too much chakra too quickly.

[Maybe the problem is how I'm channeling it. If I pour too much chakra in at once, there's nothing left to contain the rotation.]

He tried again, this time visualizing a small, steady stream of chakra. He pictured it spiraling within his hand, forming a loop.

But as soon as he applied the concept, the chakra surged forward again, escaping just like before.

Kaoru sighed, scratching the back of his head in frustration. "Damn it. What am I missing?"

He leaned back slightly, staring at the ceiling as he replayed his attempts in his mind.

[What am I doing wrong?]

The key, he realized, wasn't just about controlling the amount of chakra. It was also about the structure. The rotation needed to be contained, but it also had to move freely — like a spinning top that never lost balance.

Kaoru frowned, raising his hand again.

[Maybe I'm thinking about this too much like ninjutsu. Chakra isn't meant to stay locked in place; it's supposed to flow. I need to guide it without forcing it.]

With that realization, he visualized the chakra as a gentle stream rather than a rigid shape. He focused on keeping it light, letting it flow naturally within the palm of his hand.

For a moment, he thought he might be onto something.

But as the chakra began to build, it sputtered and broke apart, scattering into nothingness.

Kaoru groaned, lowering his hand in defeat. "This is harder than I thought."

Despite his frustration, he couldn't ignore the small insights he'd gained. Each failed attempt was a piece of the puzzle, and slowly but surely, the picture was beginning to form.

[So it's not about forcing the rotation,] he thought. [It's about creating a flow — steady, controlled, and contained. If I can figure out how to balance those elements, it might actually work.]

Kaoru rubbed his temples, exhaustion creeping in. He wasn't going to succeed today, and he knew it. But giving up wasn't an option.

"This is going to take time," he muttered, standing up and stretching his sore muscles.

As he glanced down at his hand, ready to start another attempt, a knock at the door interrupted him.

"It's open! Come in," Kaoru called out, turning his gaze toward the door. He wasn't expecting anyone — no one but Mei even knew he was staying here.

The door creaked open, and Akane stepped in with a bright smile.

"Hi, Ru! Wanna go sightseeing?" she asked cheerfully.

Kaoru blinked, stunned for a moment. His brain struggled to process what was happening.

[Ru? Sightseeing? Since when is she friendly?]

He hadn't fully recovered from the chaos of their last interaction. Dinner with Akane had been the most stressful hour and a half of his life.

But despite his initial shock, Kaoru found himself smiling back.

"Sure, I'd love to," he replied, surprising even himself.

[It won't hurt to relax and take my mind off training. A fresh perspective might even help,] he thought.

"Let me freshen up and get dressed into something more presentable," Kaoru added quickly, realizing he was still in his training clothes, drenched in sweat.

"Don't take too long!" Akane chirped, her bright grin unwavering as she waited near the door.

Kaoru hurried toward the small wash area, a faint smile lingering on his face. Maybe this unexpected detour was exactly what he needed.

<<<>>>

"I honestly didn't expect your visit," Kaoru said as they stepped out of the house. He glanced at Akane and added with a small smile, "Not that I'm displeased you came, but I got the impression you don't like me."

Akane raised an eyebrow, a sly smile tugging at her lips. "Mei told me it's the host's responsibility to entertain their guests. Since she's busy, here I am."

Kaoru chuckled, but the subtle disappointment on his face didn't escape Akane's notice. She hesitated, then decided to elaborate.

"I don't dislike you," she said, her tone softening. "It's just… I usually don't get along with people." Her smile turned a little awkward, as if the admission embarrassed her.

The tension made Kaoru uncomfortable so he decided to lighten the mood. "My sister always tells me my only friends are my scrolls," he joked. "I've spent so much time training over the past year, I've barely hung out with kids."

Akane snorted. "You are a kid, Ru."

Kaoru scoffed, crossing his arms. "So are you. And why are you calling me 'Ru'?" He shot her a glare, but then realized he'd just proved her point. He rubbed the back of his head and smiled awkwardly. "It's just that only my sister called me 'Ru,' and then Mei started teasing me with it… and now you."

This time, his smile was genuine.

"I'll stop if you want me to," Akane said as they rounded a corner.

Kaoru hesitated for a moment, his ears burning for reasons he didn't fully understand. "If you prefer 'Ru,' then I don't mind," he said with a shrug. "Besides, Mei—"

"Yes, I like 'Ru' better," Akane interrupted, turning to face him with a grin.

Before Kaoru could respond, she stopped in front of a large, intricately carved stone building. Vines draped the sides, and the air grew cooler as they approached.

"This is our clan's Memory Hall," Akane said, her voice quieter now. "Every great Terumi shinobi is buried here, and their stories are written on their gravestones."

Her smile faded as her gaze grew distant. "I like this place the most. It's where I feel closest to my parents."

She opened the heavy wooden door, the hinges creaking as it swung inward. The faint scent of damp earth and aged stone greeted them as they stepped inside.

"My parents died when I was four," Akane continued, her voice trembling slightly. "I can't even remember their faces. Just blurry silhouettes and… one picnic we had together." She paused, her fingers lightly brushing one of the stone markers as they walked. "We can't move these graves, so when the clan relocates, we're planning to collapse the cave and seal the entrance."

Kaoru felt sympathy as he watched her. "I'm sorry, Akane. That must feel terrible." He hesitated before adding, "I never knew my parents either. I don't have any memories of them at all."

They stopped in front of two graves, the names etched in the stone faded but still legible. Akane knelt briefly, placing her hand on one of the markers as if silently greeting her parents. Kaoru stood beside her, offering quiet support.

After paying their respects, they visited several more graves, each one accompanied by a brief story from Akane about the shinobi buried there. Her voice grew lighter as she recounted tales of bravery, sacrifice, and the occasional mischief, bringing the past to life with her words.

When they finally exited the hall, Akane stretched her arms toward the sky, her mood suddenly shifting.

"Now," she said with a bright grin, "let's go eat some sushi! I know the place where the best sushi in the world is made."

Her excitement was infectious as she practically skipped ahead, her earlier sadness completely gone. Kaoru blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the sudden change in atmosphere. Then, with a small laugh, he jogged after her.

[She's kind of weird,] he thought, smiling to himself. [But… maybe I needed this.]

**

A/N - 

If you are enjoying the novel please give it a review, it will help me a lot.

Well, I've got nothing to add this time xD.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Character Notes:

Kaoru – Scroll-Loving Workaholic - "My sister says my only friends are scrolls. She's wrong—I have training dummies too."

Akane – Friendly, But Only on Her Terms -"I don't dislike people. I just… don't like being around them. Except when I'm bored."

**