Chapter 66: A Noble Student
Akatsurugi looked at the Third Hokage with curiosity. He was being asked to take on a student? Who would be significant enough to warrant his personal tutelage? He was now a recognized pillar of Konoha, a commander of three ANBU battalions. He rarely even attended the strategic meetings anymore, as the real decisions were always made by Konoha's core council—the so-called "F4." The meetings were often just a formality.
"It's like this," Hiruzen began, exhaling a plume of smoke. "There is a Kato family in the Daimyo's capital. You're aware of them. I believe that Kato Ei you brought back is from a branch family."
Akatsurugi nodded, a thought already forming in his mind. Could it be that boy? Kato Dan?
As expected, Sarutobi Hiruzen continued, "The Kato family is now an established noble house in the Land of Fire, with close ties to the Daimyo. For Konoha to secure development funds from the capital, we cannot afford to offend these nobles. They have sent a child, roughly the same age as Orochimaru and the others. I've considered it, and you are the only one in Konoha suitable to teach him. I'm entrusting him to you."
Akatsurugi nodded again. "I understand."
The Hokage's meaning was clear. This person was connected to their funding, and it was also a test from the nobility—to see how Konoha would treat Kato Dan, which would determine their future stance and support. This was precisely why Hiruzen was pushing the boy onto him. Akatsurugi's status and power were undeniable. Having him teach Kato Dan was Konoha's way of showing the highest possible regard.
"In that case, I'll have the boy report to you. I'll leave it in your hands," Sarutobi Hiruzen said finally.
Akatsurugi smiled, assured him it was no trouble, and took his leave.
To be honest, even if the Hokage hadn't brought it up, Akatsurugi would have found a way to make contact with the Kato family. He was intensely curious about their secret technique: the Mind Body Switch Technique.
He had his reasons. He now possessed a Zanpakutō, but he couldn't project his spirit to the extent the technique allowed. If he mastered it, he could fully separate his soul from his body, potentially even wielding Ryūjin Jakka in spirit form. The assassination potential was staggering. Who could stop a ghost wielding a sword that turns all to ash?
It seemed that just as he was feeling stuck, someone had delivered a pillow.
Soon, there was a knock at his door. With a slight extension of his perception, he saw a young man with long blue hair standing there, nervously waiting.
Akatsurugi opened the door and looked at the boy with a faint smile. "Kato Dan, I presume? Come in."
"Y-yes, Lord Akatsurugi!" Dan stammered, his nervousness palpable.
He never imagined that Konoha would assign the legendary Blaze God himself to be his instructor. It was both terrifying and an immense honor.
Once they were seated in the living room, Akatsurugi smiled reassuringly. "Relax. I've actually taken in a child from a branch of your family. His name is Kato Ei. Have you heard of him?"
Kato Dan nodded quickly. He'd heard all about it since arriving in Konoha. He'd even met Kato Ei. However, he found Ei to be... eccentric, almost neurotic. The boy spent every day following a Genin around, obsessively training his taijutsu. Dan found it impossible to hold a normal conversation with him.
Seeing Dan's expression, Akatsurugi chuckled. "He's a little single-minded due to his past. But as long as he's in Konoha, he's free to pursue his own path."
Kato Dan nodded, having no objection to Akatsurugi's laissez-faire approach.
"You came to Konoha because you want to become a shinobi?" Akatsurugi asked.
Dan immediately straightened up, his expression firm. "Yes, Lord Akatsurugi! I want to become a great shinobi, just like you!"
Akatsurugi gestured for him to calm down. "Then, do you know the shinobi basics? The Academy Three Jutsu, for instance?"
Kato Dan nodded; he had already learned those from his family tutors.
"Good. What direction do you want to take? Taijutsu? Genjutsu? Ninjutsu? Or do you aim to be an all-rounder?"
Dan had clearly prepared for this question. "Lord Akatsurugi, I want to be a shinobi who can do everything!"
Akatsurugi wasn't surprised. It would be strange for a young noble not to aim for that. "Have you had your chakra nature tested?"
Kato Dan nodded eagerly. "Yes, Lord Akatsurugi! The test showed I have an affinity for Fire, Wind, and Earth Release."
Akatsurugi nodded, secretly amused. Another one with a mixed spiritual root system. Hah, why do I feel a little envious of their versatility?
"Alright," Akatsurugi said. "Tomorrow morning, at Training Ground Nine. I'll be there to assess your current abilities."
Kato Dan stood and bowed, saying his goodbyes. He needed to rest and prepare, to be at his best for the evaluation. He knew his performance would directly influence how Lord Akatsurugi would train him.
The next morning, Akatsurugi arrived early at Training Ground Nine to find Kato Dan already waiting.
"Don't hold back," Akatsurugi instructed. "Use everything at your disposal and try to hit me."
Kato Dan nodded, knowing full well he stood no chance of actually touching the famed Blaze God.
As Dan launched a series of attacks with kunai, shuriken, and basic ninjutsu, Akatsurugi deflected or dodged them using only minimal taijutsu movements. Not a single attack came close to touching the hem of his clothes. Dan grew increasingly frustrated; he hadn't thought his skills were this lacking.
Finally, the determined young noble resorted to his family's secret technique: the Mind Body Switch.
Though he wasn't fully proficient, he could still use it for harassment. What he didn't know was that Akatsurugi could see his spiritual form clearly. It was simple, really. As a Zanpakutō wielder whose own soul and spiritual pressure had been vastly strengthened, perceiving another soul was as easy as breathing.
Watching the faint spiritual outline of Kato Dan rush toward him, Akatsurugi simply raised a hand and released a pulse of his own immense spiritual energy. The wave of force instantly repelled Dan's spirit, sending it reeling backward.
Kato Dan was utterly shocked. His family's proudest secret technique, one that was supposed to be undetectable, had not only been seen but effortlessly rebuffed. Is this... the true power of Konoha's Blaze God?
"Why aren't you returning to your body?" Akatsurugi chided lightly.
Snapping back to reality, Dan's spirit quickly fled back into his physical form, his face a mask of horror and awe.
Seeing the boy's stunned expression, Akatsurugi smiled inwardly. Good. Be shocked. If you weren't, how else would I convince you to share the intricacies of your family's secret technique? All he needed now was the final key piece of knowledge, and this student had just delivered himself to the door.