The Cloud Over The Leaf

2 weeks has passed since training with Shisui and Maka started. I finally got the Shadow Clone Jutsu out of Shisui and found out it's too good to be true.

I can actually remember what my clones experience!

Hehehehehe!!! I'm going to definitely surprise everyone now!

I head to the nearby training ground with so much excitement!

[Well, what are you gonna do now? You gonna use my chakra?]

'Can I?! I want a lot of clones for what I need to do.'

[Sure. Just remember, I automatically absorb more nearby Yang energy if my Yin energy gets too low. The closest source is you, so be careful.]

' I will. Let's get started with a low amount.'

I form the seal and tap slightly into Akumu's chakra.

Shadow Clone Jutsu!

*Poof*

10 clones appear near me, making me really nervous in anticipation.

"Two of you go to the library and read up on Water Style and Medical Ninjutsu available. Two of you will practice Grandpa's sword forms together. One of you will work on the Sealing Jutsu Grandma taught us.The rest of you will work on Water Style jutsu here."

They all nod and go do what I ordered. I'm so excited! If this works, then I'm gonna be able to learn everything I need to learn will be so much easier to get done. 

I haven't even gotten to Grandpa's Lightning Element practice yet either! He does seem pretty busy recently though.

Focus! More training! I should head to Aunt Mikoto's place to see if Shisui or Maka is there. 

I head over to the Uchiha estate and knock on their door. This time, Itachi opens the door?!

I haven't seen him in a while. He's pretty tall now!

"Hi, Itachi Nii-san!"

"You are.... Hii-chan? You've grown."

"Hehehe. We're all growing up. Hey, have you seen Shisui or Maka?"

"Shisui is on a mission and Maka is inside with Sasuke."

"Haaa. Shisui's too fast! I guess I'll spar with..... actually, are you free right now, Itachi?"

" I was going to practice my Shuriken Jutsu, but what did you have in mind?"

"Can you spare with me? I want to get stronger by fighting strong ninjas!"

Itachi thinks about my proposal, and looks inside the house. A grin forms on his face for some reason?

"Sure, but looks like you won't be alone."

I look in the house and see Sasuke and Maka looking this way from around a corner. Damn! My solo training!

"Hii-chan! I'm coming with if you're training!"

"I wanna train with Nii-san too!'

Maka and Sasuke both shoot down my idea for solo training. Haaa. Let's just get training in what I can.

********

We headed to one of the nearby training areas and get ready. I have my practice sword with me for once, so I'll get to experience fighting with it versus someone new.

"How did Shisui set up your training?"

"We had 15 minutes to try to hit him once. He always Shadow clones away partway in the battle though."

Maka grumbles as Itachi nods his head.

"Then my training will be 10 minutes and the same rules. You are allowed to use anything you like."

I'm surprised Itachi would let us use Ninjutsu as well!

"Really?!"

"Yes. Remember, I won't hold back as well. Sasuke?"

"Yes, Nii-san?!"

"How is your Fireball Jutsu?"

Sasuke pouts once he hears his question.

"You will get it eventually. Take your time and practice. I'll help you after we're done."

"Really?!"

Itachi nods and Sasuke looks really excited.

"You promised, Nii-san!"

Sasuke goes to the bridge and starts to practice his Jutsu. 

"Are you ready?"

We both nod.

Itachi brings out his kunai and braces himself.

"Shuuu~"

I breathe in and shoot forward, drawing my blade at the ready. I clash with Itachi a few times with the blade. 

Itachi just shrugs it off!

"Hii!"

I pull back as Maka throws shurikens Itachi's way and also weaves handsigns!

Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!

Small fireballs shoot out from her mouth onto the shurikens!

Itachi weaves familiar handsigns and I get ready to move. 

Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!

Itachi spews out a massive fireball that engulfs the other fireballs. 

I've got him now!

I use my chakra and accelerate quickly over to Itachi and slash down! Itachi doesn't even blink when I, Slice him?!

I went through him?!

[Behind you!]

I quickly jump to the side as I barely avoid a grab from Itachi.

"Good reflexes."

"T-Thanks."

This guy is super scary!

Maka comes over with another jutsu prepared. I prepare mine as well to catch him by surprise.

Fire Style:Fireball Jutsu!

Water Style:Waterball Jutsu!

I stretch my hand towards the lake and the water quickly forms in my hand. Maka's Fireball spews forth, half as big as Itachi's fireball. The forming of the ball at basketball size is good enough as I throw it towards Itachi!

Itachi sidesteps the Waterball and it collides with the Fireball, bringing a vast cover of steam. 

I head straight towards him through the cover and strike again. He reads me this time, grabs my arm, and throws me over to Maka's direction. Maka weaves a handsign and uses her Jutsu.

Shadow Clone Jutsu!

She splits into two clones. One clone that shoots towards Itachi to fight close combat and the other to catch me.

I've gotta assist!

"C'mon! We got only a little time left!"

I get up and decide to use clones as well. 

Shadow Clone Jutsu!

I can only make one more clone, so we go towards Itachi as well. Itachi fends us off almost effortlessly even with our barrage of moves. 

I form another Waterball and chuck it as hard as I can at Itachi. He dodged it without looking?! Gotta make it more silent.

Our time is running out. Maka and I make eye contact as we try to form a plan, but Itachi cuts in. Itachi quickly struck my stomach, making me gasp for air! Oooh, that hurts....

[Ooooh. He got you good!]

I can't answer Akumu as I have trouble staying on my feet. I try to stay standing, but something knocks into me and knocks me onto the floor off. 

"Maka?!"

"M-my bad. I screwed up."

Itachi looms over us with a kunai extended to our necks.

"End of the round 1."

Itachi is no joke! I feel he's more brutal than Shisui, but that's also a good thing. Fighting outside of the village will be messy and unpredictable.

I better get used to this now.

"Come on,Maka. We gotta get ready for the next round."

"Right..."

She hasnt gotten up yet though. Looks like Maka really needs a break. I move from under her and grab my sword.

"Maka might need to rest some more. I'm ready for another round!"

Itachi just nods and we both get into position.

"Nii-san!!"

Sasuke runs over in between us and gets mad. 

Oops? Almost forgot about him. Luckily, I have a solution!

"Sasuke! Help me fight Itachi with your Fireball Jutsu! Maka's too tired!"

Sasuke looks at me, then looks at Itachi who nods his head. Sasuke gets next to me and pulls some shurikens out from a side holster.

"Don't slow me down in front of Nii-san!"

"Hahahahaha!!"

My grip tightens on my sword as my smile widens.

"Don't worry! I wouldn't dream of that."

*******

Round 2 ended just as quickly as round 1, but I think I did better.

I'm laying on the ground, thinking of improvements and countermeasures. 

Why? Because a Sharingan is utter bullshit!

Itachi's eyes changed as soon as I charged him into those red eyes with two dots and suddenly, all my sword moves became see through to Itachi!

Sasuke didn't do too good with though with his Fireball Jutsu. He tried to shoot Itachi with them at Itachi's blind spots and as interruptions for his Jutsu, but they didn't form correctly most of the time. He still got off a Fireball though, and I managed to counter Itachi's fireballs with my waterball. I had one stand off with Itachi and we made eye contact.

That's were it all went bad.

I learned the Sharingan can just use Genjutsu from the eye itself!! That's super cheating! He might've used it in the first round too!

I thought I caught on fire from a fireball I barely dodged earlier! As I pat out the flames, I felt the cold steel of a kunai near my neck. Sasuke had to fight a Shadow clone, but that didn't last long.

'Genjutsus are really crazy. Apparently, Shisui is better at it than Itachi too!'

[It's a Doujutsu. It's a lottery cheat.]

'That makes it even worse! Now I can't help, but think of Maka not being able to have it. It's unfair.'

[Everyone has their own hand of cards to play. You just have to play it how you wish. You have me anyway. Isn't that cheating too?]

'You're right, huh? We just use what we can.'

Maka's not giving up either. I can't get daunted by obstacles. I just have find solutions. 

I look over and see Sasuke breathing heavy and Maka and Itachi still fighting.

I get myself up slowly and grab my sword. 

I still got a round in me.