Chapter 11
Stupid master, couldn't even give a second thought before turning down the offer to provide Yahiko with some of his books. What was the big deal anyway? Even after all this time, Yahiko couldn't let it go.
All Yahiko wanted was some spice in his life. Training all day, every day, wasn't very good for his mind. He thought it would be nice to have something fun to read while resting, occupying his mind with something else than the pain from strained muscles.
While Jiraiya was still with them, Yahiko put all his mind and body into training with him. With a teacher like Jiraiya overseeing them, they quickly learned how to use and control chakra.
"Incredible." It was Nagato who first managed to use his chakra, so Jiraiya wasted no time and tested him to see what nature he had. "All five basic natures."
"What does it mean?" Konan asked.
"It means that he can learn any jutsu he wants without any trouble. Normal people, like me, are only born with one nature and have a harder time learning another nature's jutsu. Only with time and immense training can we learn and use another nature more easily. But with Nagato already having five natures, he can learn anything he wants and choose what path he wants to walk."
"So, basically, he is a genius," Yahiko said, yawning. "How lucky for you, sensei, you get to teach a genius."
Yahiko was completely tired and wanted nothing but to lie down, but he wanted to be here when Nagato got to use his chakra for the first time. Seeing his excited smile, Yahiko felt proud of him.
All this grueling training had finally paid off. Though Nagato was the first, Yahiko knew that Konan was close to unlocking her chakra, too. And he would probably soon follow her. This moment was very important for them, as it was the first result of their effort.
"Alright, let me explain how every chakra nature works now, so listen up, kids."
Yahiko didn't even try to stay awake for Jiraiya's yapping. With all this physical training they were forced into and sparring with Jiraiya, learning basic taijutsu, Yahiko knew they needed to be fed well. So, it fell into his hands to prepare meals for them.
No matter how battered and tired he was, he would still make dinner for all of them, as he was the only one who knew how to cook. He was happy to do so. But sometimes it would take hours to prepare a meal for them, and today was just one of those days; he had put too much energy into it and just couldn't go on.
…
Wind, Water, and Earth. Konan possessed three natures from the start. Not as impressive as Nagato, but still something Jiraiya could hardly believe, as it was very rare. So, when it came to Yahiko's turn, and he had only Lightning as his nature, Jiraiya felt relieved rather than disappointed.
"You do not need to worry about your chakra natures right now. There is still a long way before any of you can learn any jutsu. Now we will only start learning how to control your chakra."
And he ended the lesson about chakra with that. It wasn't like they couldn't just read about it. So, he probably didn't find any reason to say anything more. And he had already explained the basics. The rest could be done by themselves. As he returned to sparring with them and doing physical training.
Yahiko noticed how Jiraiya was in a rush. His time with them was running low. It was already surprising that he had stayed with them for over a month now. And he probably felt that it was just the quiet before the storm.
When he would have to leave this time, it might take far longer to come back than previously. So, he rushed through training, trying to teach them basic self-defense as fast as possible.
Yahiko didn't like it. They were rushing through all of their training, barely even able to rest. And he didn't think Jiraiya knew that he was doing it out of desperation rather than wanting to teach them how to defend themselves.
He was afraid and worried for them. It wasn't like him. And only now did Yahiko realize Jiraiya was new to this. As much as he liked to pretend to know everything, he had no idea what he was doing. He only felt responsible for them and didn't know where he should draw the line.
"Alright, another round."
Yahiko looked at Nagato, who could barely stand, and at Konan, who was trying to get on her feet. Yahiko was in no better condition. He realized he needed to end this. As much as they improved with this excessive training, they were just kids. There was no way they could last any longer like this.
There was only one way to end this. It was to make Jiraiya see that they were capable of taking care of themselves, that he did not need to worry about them. So, Yahiko got up on his feet first, no matter how hard it was for him. He waited for Jiraiya to turn to him before rushing at him.
To even reach Jiraiya, Yahiko had to jump. As he half-spun in the air to generate more force in his kick, Yahiko threw the mud in his hand at Jiraiya's eyes. It was perfect timing, as he had just been blinded when Yahiko's foot connected with him.
Of course, Jiraiya didn't need to see to know how to block Yahiko's foot with his arm. But he couldn't possibly see Nagato coming from behind, kicking the back of Jiraiya's knee to bring him down, so Konan could finish him with her punch.
To a giant man like him, their attacks probably didn't even hurt. But just now, he was brought down by them. And Yahiko hoped that would show him that they were more capable than they looked. That he didn't have to worry about them. That nothing was going to happen to them and there was no reason to be afraid of it.
"We got you, old man," Yahiko cheered as he collapsed to the ground, too tired even to laugh.
"Ha, you sure did, kiddo," Jiraiya wiped his face and looked at them. "You worked hard."
Konan and Nagato were supporting each other, still somehow managing to keep standing. They looked extremely happy at the moment, once again achieving something great after all the training they had endured.
"Are you alright, Yahiko?" Konan was the first to worry as she saw that Yahiko couldn't stand up anymore.
"I think my legs gave out."
"Well, I think we should end for today."
Jiraiya carried Yahiko back home, with Konan and Nagato following soon. After a while, Yahiko found more strength to get up and clean up before sitting down with the rest of them as they snacked on leftovers they had. Nobody asked Yahiko to cook today, as they knew he was too tired.
"Will the war end soon?"
That question caught not only Jiraiya off guard, but Yahiko also looked at Konan, who was staring expectantly at Jiraiya. He knew what kind of answer Konan wanted to hear, but he didn't think Jiraiya would lie to them.
It would be easy to say that the war was coming to an end. It would give some hope to Konan, as she would believe it even while knowing it wasn't true. But Jiraiya knew that lying wasn't the right thing to do for them, so he stayed silent.
"It will." But Yahiko couldn't let Konan be disappointed. "I'm sure next time Sensei comes to see us, it will be with news of the end of the war."
"Go, get some rest, kids."
Neither Konan nor Nagato argued with that, and they quickly left. But Yahiko stayed back, looking apologetic towards Jiraiya. His words were probably too much. And the last thing Yahiko wanted was to put him in this kind of situation.
"Sorry." That was all Yahiko could say.
"No, I am sorry for not being able to say anything," Jiraiya replied. "It shouldn't be your job to answer such questions. Nor should it be your responsibility to give them hope. And it might not be too far from the truth. I am here because there is a ceasefire, and negotiations are underway."
"You don't think the negotiations will go anywhere?" Yahiko could gather as much from Jiraiya's tone.
"It's already been more than a month," Jiraiya replied. "The people in power aren't agreeing on something and are delaying making the final decision. I would have been sent a message to come back if it went well. But because I didn't get any messages, I am inclined to think that all sides of the war are preparing themselves. And once I get a message, it won't be to come home."
"I hate it," Yahiko said. "But I believe that this war will end sooner rather than later."
"This war?"
"It is already the second war, isn't it?" Yahiko asked. "I don't think it will be long before the third one breaks out. Like you said, the cycle of hatred continues. I know that no one will be able to let go of their hatred that easily."
"You should rest too."
Jiraiya didn't want to say what was on his mind. He probably thought he was protecting them by keeping it to himself. But Yahiko knew that even when this war ended, another would soon follow. And the cycle would just continue.
It would barely give time for those kids filled with hatred to grow up and join it, destroying another town and repeating the same thing that happened to them. Unable to let go of their resentment, and not realizing that what they were doing was only continuing the cycle.
"Don't worry." So Yahiko made a decision. "The next war won't reach this place. It won't reach them."
"What are you talking about?" Jiraiya looked intently at Yahiko as he probably saw something in his eyes.
"It is probably too much to say that I can stop the war. That I can find the answer to peace. That anyone can. But this country, I will protect it from that cycle of hate and destruction. I will make sure that this country will be able to break away from it. Somehow, I will make sure that neither Nagato nor Konan has to see any more loss. That they will never enter the cycle of hatred."
He had no idea how he was supposed to do it. But he would have to make it work somehow. He wouldn't let Konan and Nagato fall into this cycle, to be used and then discarded, to feel loss and powerlessness ever again. He would protect them.
And not just them. The town near them was full of orphans, of people without a home and hope. He wouldn't let them join the next war either. He wouldn't let any of them participate in someone else's war.
And he would stop anyone and everyone who wanted to bring war to them. Even if he were alone, he would stand against the rest of them, and he would stop them.
Then he would be able to just enjoy his time with Nagato and Konan. Go fishing with them. Go to the sea and see the snow on top of the biggest mountains. Forgetting about the rest of the world.
That's what they wanted. And that was what he wanted for them. So, right now, right here, he made a vow to himself. He would get stronger, and he would protect them all and stop the war and the hatred from reaching them.
"How can you say such words? And why do I think you know what it means?" Jiraiya seemed shocked, but there was a gleam in his eyes as he tried to find answers within Yahiko's eyes.
"I am your student and someone who has to protect people around me, and that's what I will do. I will not make grand promises like achieving peace in the world. But I will at least try to set the foundations for it. That much I promise you, sensei."
This war-torn country would be the foundation for it. If Yahiko could establish some kind of peace here, maybe, just maybe, he could do it in the other countries too. And if not him, someone else might follow in his footsteps and finish what he started.
"To accomplish something like that, you will need to be strong. Stronger than anyone else."
"I know, and I will be."
There was no hesitation in Yahiko's words. He knew what he was getting at, but he didn't think it was impossible. And it was something he wanted to do. To live free and to live with the people he loved, he would achieve peace in this country.
A.N. As always, thanks for reading and supporting me, so I can continue writing without any concerns, and if you want more, up to 7 more chapters and 28 chapters in total with all my other stories, you can support me on pa treon. com \ ironwolf852.