-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
A/N: A shorter than usual chapter, hope you guys don't mind.
Also, I got married last month 22nd. I hope everyone of you (who are still single) get as good a wife as mine or a husband that knows how to take care of you.
@#######################@
JOIN OUR D.I.S.C.O.R.D SERVER
I Would love to hear your ideas and put them in the story.
D.I.S.C.O.R.D LINK: https://discord.gg/WBhjzyhuwD
@#######################@
LET THE CHAPTER BEGIN.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"Aki!! Bro-sensei, where are you?" Kaito shouted as his feet touched the ground, while the other two let their eyes dart around and look for any silhouette going crazy with taijutsu or ninjutsu moves.
Aki appeared in front of the three using the Body Flicker technique, his appearance did not make a single ripple in the water below his feet. Practically living on water to train increased his proficiency to such ridiculous levels.
"Hi everyone, I can see you guys are already prepared to roll out." Aki stated with indifference.
"What's up with that reaction" Kaito shouted out, "At least be a little sad, your friends are leaving the village without you."
While Ryuu and Sayuri didn't say it, their eyes reflected the same feelings as Kaito.
Aki smiled at Kaito, the kind of smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Friends? More like troublemakers I somehow got stuck with. Don't get too full of yourselves."
Kaito pouted in exaggerated offense. "Oi, we're the best thing that's ever happened to you! Admit it, Bro-sensei, you're gonna miss us."
"Miss you? I'll finally get some peace and quiet," Aki teased, but his gaze softened ever so slightly as he looked at each of them.
Sayuri stepped forward, her usually reserved demeanor faltered. "Sensei… You'll really stay behind?" Her voice quivered slightly, though she quickly masked it by looking away, pretending to examine the sky.
Aki crossed his arms and tilted his head. "That's how missions work, Sayuri. You three are going to represent Kumogakure, and I'll be here... babysitting the village." He made an exaggerated yawn to lighten the mood.
Ryuu stepped closer. "This doesn't feel right. Are you really about to sit this one out? Something does not feel right."
Aki looked at Ryuu, and letting his hair shadow his expression. "Don't overthink it, Ryuu. Just focus on making me proud out there."
Kaito leaned in, grinning. "Oh, so you do care about us, huh? So much for that cold attitude, uncaring mask is a big softie—"
Before he could finish, Aki flicked him on the forehead with a chakra-infused finger, sending him stumbling back. "Don't push your luck, idiot."
Sayuri couldn't hold back a small laugh at Kaito's expense, though her gaze quickly returned to Aki. "We'll make you proud. But promise us one thing."
Aki raised an eyebrow. "And what's that?"
"Promise you'll be here when we come back. No disappearing on us," Sayuri said with a firm voice, afraid he would disappear a second time.
Aki's smile faded slightly, and then nodded. "Technically, I was kidnapped last time I disappeared, don't worry I don't have a record ditching people left and right."
Kaito grinned, Ryuu gave a small nod, and Sayuri hesitated for a moment before finally turning away. Each student calmly transitioned from walking on water to ascending the mountain using wall walking, then stepped onto the peak with ease.
Sigh,
Aki sighed as he saw their departing back. "Sorry guys, but this time I won't be able to keep those words."
He turned away, the sound of his footsteps muffled by the water as he summoned his clones to perfect his own reaction times once more using Rotation and Wind Release: Homing Blades.
'It's about time I visit Ay' Aki thought to himself, ending his training a few hours earlier.
Aki body flickered all the way to the mountain top and then a couple more to reach the Raikage office.
Ay was working out in the Raikage office, which doubled as both gym and workplace. He did not gain those muscles by simply being the Raikage. He worked hard for them and would keep doing so until and as long as he could.
Ay pulled out 15 weight discs with highest weight which also had sealing techniques applied to add in weight further and adjusted each of them to one side of his rod.
He repeated the process for 2nd side and started squatting hard when he heard the knock at the door. The Anbu appeared near him and waited for him to finish his workout before stating his part.
"Raikage-sama, Aki is here and wishes to meet you,"
"Let him in," Ay simply allowed him.
"Yo!" Aki greeted the Raikage and with a slight pause continued, "Rai-Ka-Gay—sama."
This was how Aki always called Ay whenever using his title, Aki was actually aware of Ay's real name. Raikage never got the joke as Aki was always using Japanese, i.e. the language used in the shinobi world.
"Talk, I've paused my training for you, so spill the beans already" Ay was growing impatient as he watched Aki act in a way that seemed like a ploy to get what he wanted.
This was a little surprise, as Aki had stopped acting childish after the traumatic experience with his first mission. You could say it had completely slipped his mind.
Acting childish had always been an act to fit in as a reincarnated person. He stopped doing so after his first mission first by state of mind during trauma and second forgetting to do so post trauma.
"I wish to leave the village" Aki stated, "Not to go watch the chunin exams but for something else. Actually, I wanna defect for a while."
"Do you see the word 'Fool' written on my face?" Ay questioned angrily, "I just got you back and now you want to defect again?? Not happening."
"You still doubt my ability, right? Others you might have allowed, but you're too protective of family." Aki lamented. "Let me prove it to you, I can take care of myself."
"Oh?" Ay looked at Aki with interest. 'Maybe another childish game', he thought, smirking to himself. "And how do you plan to do that?"
"Let's race," Aki blurted out.
"Hahahahaha" Raikage burst into laughter, child was challenging the fastest ninja alive.
"Continue" Raikage said while barely holding back his laughter.
"If I beat you in a race or even come close to outclassing you while as young as I am, that should prove my ability." Aki's tone turned serious at these words as he continued, "There is something I need to do while being rogue, which cannot be done otherwise."
Ay was still having hard time believing he was being challenged to a speed match by a thirteen-year-old shinobi. But his son should be at least as gutsy as that so he accepted the challenge.
Only time would tell if Ay would regret his decision—or retain his title as the fastest ninja alive.