Samurai Showdown With Kakashi

When I was 17, I left the Samurai school as an absolute loser, but I didn't let it get to me. The road to success only becomes clear after overcoming struggles. And even then, becoming a samurai wasn't the only way to overcome a ninja, right? Right?

- Oh god!

That was when I realized. In this world, if you were a fighter you would either become a samurai in the Land of Iron, or a ninja anywhere else in the world.

- Is there really no other path? Am I really hopeless?

No, of course not. Just because I couldn't control my chakra doesn't mean I'm weak, it just means I'm strong in ways unpredictable to others, even myself. I should focus on those strenghts.

- Tomorrow morning I'm going to do a race, and improve on my own speed! - I gleefully spoke in the middle of the streets. A lot of pity looks were directed towards me. I probably shouldn't say these things out loud.

So I went home and sat down with my blade. I started sharpenning it in case a possible opponent appeared during my run. I also picked my emergency blade, in case the other one broke. That wasn't as rare of an occurrence as I hoped. Since I wasn't capable of concentrating my chakra on my blade to stregthen it, whenever I faced against a samurai classmate, my blade would break. The continuous expenses on extra blades for me as well as the lack of my development were most certainly the reason behind being expelled from the school, but no matter how much I tried they just seemed unnavoidable.

- There's got to be a better way to learn to control chakra. - I said while sharpenning both blades. I looked upwards to my bedside table, observing the picture of me and my parents. - I will find it for you. I will avenge your death.

After I finished the blade sharpenning, I approached my samurai armor. It had several metal layers and black cloth underneath, weighing around 50 kilos. I wanted to wear it on my race tomorrow, to add a bit of a challenge, as well as protect me. It would take multiple ninja attacks to pierce such a powerful armor, or at least I hoped. Again, never fought a ninja. But there was no need to worry yet. That's when I realized:

- I'm late for my job.

Eventually the next day arrived. It was the usual snowy weather around the Land. Once you get used to it, it isn't too bad, but I heard it was way better in other regions. Which got me wondering:

- How far will I run?

Probably as much as I can if I'm honest. I'm trying to test my limits after all, so I'll run as far and as fast as I'm capable of and then come back. I was already at the exit of the village, and could already see the path ahead.

- All right, I'm ready.

- Then just go already! - Said one of the gate guards. - I'm tired of hearing you talk to yourself.

As I awkwardilly appologized, I started to run. I saw how his face went from annoyance to wonder, while observing me, as if he was watching something unbelievable. I didn't quite understand why, I was only running at about half speed.

Something I realized while training was that running on snow with heavy armor was a lot of fun. The ground was fluffy, so you had to take your foot away from the ground before it sank, but even with the armor, it wasn't too hard, after all, I was already capable of running on water with three times the weight. What intrigued me was the beautiful frozen lake nearby. With crystal like frozen trees on one side, and a black mountain on the other, it was truly a sight to behold.

I raced across the lake, with enough skill not to break the ice. After about four l.a.p.s across it, a white bear appeared from within the frozen trees. I was on one side of the lake, with my back on the mountain, while he looked at me menacingly from the other side. It was the perfect spot to test my laidõ.

Laidõ is the art of unsheating a sword faster with a small boost of chakra. You essentially ignite your chakra inside the scabbard and propel the sword along with yourself in the direction of the opponent. Even though I wasn't capable of concentrating my chakra on a single spot like my sword, I was still able to use laidõ. Because, you see, my problem wasn't the lack of chakra, but the lack of control over with. So to me, exploding in a show of speed was simple. With a 30 meter distance between me and the bear, I ignited the chakra inside the scabbard and proppelled the sword forward. I took my feet off the ground, and aimed accordingly. The explosion was enough to get me to the other side of the lake and slightly scratch the tip of the bear's nose, who ran away irritated.

- Damn it. I was supposed to be able to cut through him.

I left the lake and continued running. It didn't take long for the snow to stop being an hindrance and for actual ground to appear in front of me. Now I could finally show my true speed as I went across the arid landscapes. It was a beautiful view, one that I wasn't too used to, with sun shining on me and a l.u.s.trous forest approaching.

I got myself surrounded by trees and with my arms stretched behind me, started jumping on the branches. I jumped as high as I could, and saw the green world around me. The Land of Iron seemed to be long gone and I got worried that I might not know the way back.

I decided to stop and figure out where I was. I had been trying to run in a straight line, so I wouldn't get lost... wait.

- Where did I come from exactly? Damn it! If I hadn't stopped, I would know where to go!

I sat down and calmed down. A sturdy tree, perfect to do some slashes, was in front of me.

- Train some slashes and relax. Someone should pass by to help with directions. Right?

However in the middle of the forest I had to admit one thing. I wasn't going to find anyone nice.