Naruto - Azure Awakening

The wooden dummy in front of Kaoru was in bad shape—riddled with holes and cracks, each mark a testament to his relentless training.

Kaoru stood panting, his chest heaving as sweat dripped from his chin, but his eyes gleamed with excitement. At the end of the sixth week since Maki's departure, he had finally managed to master the Water Bullet technique—but with his own twist.

Unlike the standard version, Kaoru's Water Bullet was deadlier and far more efficient.

In the Naruto world, shinobi typically use their chakra to create water from nothing, shaping it into offensive techniques. However, Kaoru's Kekkei Genkai worked differently. He could influence water particles in the air, in plants, or even in his own body, commanding them to move and shape themselves according to his will.

This difference in method made Kaoru's version far more chakra-efficient.

Rather than conjuring water from pure chakra, Kaoru had refined his technique by using his own saliva as a medium. With just a minuscule amount of chakra, he could shape the water in his mouth and then fire it as a deadly projectile.

He took a step back, wiping the sweat from his face, his mind already working on the next step.

"I've got the basics down… now to perfect the shape."

Kaoru aimed to refine the bullet's shape to maximize its penetration power, ensuring it could pierce through armor, wood, and even stone. Once he achieved that, he would move on to increasing the number of bullets he could fire in quick succession.

Kaoru already had complete mastery over his method, so he did not even need hand signs. On top of that, unlike most jutsu, Kaoru's Water Bullet was completely silent and stealthy, making it perfect for surprise attacks. If he could improve its piercing power, the technique could make him a menace on the battlefield—a threat that opponents wouldn't see coming until it was too late.

Kaoru grinned as he examined the damage to the dummy.

"I can't wait to see Maki's face when she sees this," he muttered to himself with a smirk. He glanced at his hands, feeling the flow of his chakra with a satisfied face.

"Even my chakra core has grown," Kaoru analyzed. "Compared to when I first started training, it should be at least triple the size now." He crossed his arms, thinking. "I think I've figured out the speed at which it's growing. If it keeps increasing like this, it should double again in three months."

However, despite his excitement, a small problem lingered in his mind.

"Unfortunately, I don't know how my chakra compares to others. I have no frame of reference." He sighed. "If I had someone to compare with, I'd know if I'm improving fast… or if this is normal."

Kaoru knew why his chakra core was growing—his intense training and exhausting his reserves daily at the cost of immense pain had forced his core to expand. But there was a "downside".

The bigger the core became, the longer it took to refill.

"That's the issue…" he muttered. "My recovery rate hasn't improved at all." He frowned in frustration. No matter how much he trained, his chakra didn't regenerate any faster.

"And I have no idea how to fix that."

Still, Kaoru shook his head, refocusing his thoughts.

"One step at a time," he told himself firmly. "Don't get distracted, Kaoru."

With renewed focus, he shaped another Water Bullet in his mouth. This time, he tried something different—adjusting the flow of the water inside the bullet. Instead of keeping it smooth and static, he made the edges spin backward, like a constantly rotating spiral blade.

If the edges flow backward, it should make the bullet sharper… like a rotating saw. It'll cut through targets much easier, Kaoru reasoned.

He fired the new Water Bullet at the dummy, watching as it sliced more cleanly than before, leaving a deep, precise gouge in the wood.

A satisfied grin spread across Kaoru's face.

"Perfect, let's keep practicing…"

<<<>>>

Maki stood inside the camp, surrounded by a group of children, their small voices filling the air. There were fourteen kids in total, each one already bonded with her.

To them, Maki was a protector and a friend. Despite her strength and skill, she was kind and playful, always making time to spend with them when she wasn't training or out chasing rogue ninjas. She made them feel safe, something they hadn't felt for a long time.

A cute ginger-haired girl with black eyes tugged at Maki's sleeve, her cheeks turning pink as she asked shyly, "Maki, when will we go to your clan? I want to see your brother. Is he really as cute as you say?"

Maki couldn't help but laugh, crouching down to meet the girl's gaze.

"Soon, Paku," she said with a grin. "And yes, he's really cute. You should see the size of his cheeks when he's angry!"

She puffed out her own cheeks as a demonstration, making the kids giggle.

Maki's smile softened as she thought about Kaoru. It had been weeks since she left, and she couldn't wait to see his progress. She could already imagine him grinning proudly, eager to show off what he'd learned.

But before she could tell the kids more funny stories about her little brother, a voice called out from the other side of the camp.

"Maki!"

It was Akura.

Her expression shifted instantly from playful to serious as she stood and made her way toward his tent. The children watched her go, their eyes filled with admiration.

<<<>>>

Inside the tent, Akura stood over a map of the hideout, his expression focused.

"Any news?" Maki asked as soon as she entered.

Akura didn't waste time.

"The scouts have returned. We'll strike tonight." His tone was calm. "They've just started celebrating something, so it's the perfect time to hit."

Maki nodded, her jaw tightening. She'd been waiting for this moment.

For the past few weeks, the Takime scouts had been observing the rogue shinobi hideout, learning their habits, patrol routes, and defensive structures. The wait had been frustrating, but patience was key.

"What's the count?" Maki asked.

Akura's eyes didn't waver from the map as he responded.

"There are three confirmed Jounin, fifteen Chunin, and eight Genin inside the hideout."

Maki's brow furrowed. "The Chunin and Genin won't be a problem."

Akura raised his hand, stopping her.

"That's the surface count."

Maki's eyes narrowed.

"If anyone is deliberately suppressing their chakra, we could be walking into a trap," Akura said. "We have to be prepared for unexpected threats. That's why we've been waiting for the right opportunity."

He gestured toward the map. "And tonight is that opportunity. Their guard will be down. They'll be distracted by the celebration. It's the best chance we'll get."

Maki's fist clenched.

"Finally," she said softly, her eyes burning with resolve.

Akura glanced at her, his expression softening slightly.

"Gather everyone. Get them ready." His voice was steady, a calm authority in every word. "We move tonight."

<<<>>>

The man in black clothes staggered through the dark forest, barely able to maintain his balance. A half-empty bottle swung loosely in his hand as he muttered incoherently to himself. His steps were uneven, the alcohol clearly taking its toll.

Above him, the moon hung high, but its light was muted by thin clouds, casting only faint shadows on the forest floor. The night was dark, but the atmosphere within the hideout remained cheerful. They had just received new provisions, and as usual, the rogue ninjas had blown through a month's worth of alcohol in a single day.

Why wouldn't they be carefree? No one would dare attack them.

There were no strong shinobi groups nearby, and Kirigakure would never send a team to eliminate them as per the deal.

The man took another swig from his bottle, humming a sloppy tune under his breath. He was in good spirits. In fact, he was just about to head back to join his friends when—

His eyes widened in shock.

A cold, sharp blade pressed against his neck. He barely had time to gasp before the steel sliced through, severing his head clean from his body. His head hit the ground with a dull thud, rolling to the side as his body collapsed, lifeless.

Standing over the corpse were four ninjas, Akura lowered his blade, the moonlight glinting off the dark steel. This mission was critical. They had only one chance to succeed.

If the rogue ninjas became aware of their presence too soon, the Takime team would be overwhelmed. Fighting three Jounin and fifteen Chunin head-on was suicide. The Genin posed no threat, and the Chunin could be handled, but the Jounin-level shinobi were the real danger.

Akura knew he and Maki could each take on a Jounin one-on-one, but there wasn't anyone else on their team capable of handling a Jounin alone. They had to whittle down the numbers before making their move.

Akura glanced around, his keen eyes scanning the area for any other guards. Satisfied that they hadn't been detected, he gave a silent hand signal, directing his group to move forward.

Behind him were three Takime shinobi, their movements silent and precise. Three others remained back at the camp, tasked with protecting the children.

On the opposite side of the hideout, Maki and her two companions were making their approach.

The trio moved with practiced stealth, their footsteps muffled by the damp forest floor. Ahead of them, four rogue shinobi passed out by a dying campfire, their bodies slumped in drunken stupor. Empty bottles littered the ground around them.

Maki crouched low, her dark cloak blending seamlessly with the shadows. 

[All drunk and asleep,] she analyzed.

"Gumi, you take the one on the right. Myo, the one on the left." Her voice was barely audible, but both shinobi nodded. "I'll take the two in the middle."

With a flicker of movement, the three Takime shinobi vanished from their spots, appearing next to their targets with deadly precision.

Maki's kunai flashed in the faint firelight as she silenced both targets before they even stirred. Gumi and Myo executed their own targets with equal efficiency.

The four rogue shinobi lay dead, their final drinks unfinished.

Maki straightened, wiping her kunai clean on one of the dead men's clothes. Everything was going smoothly so far. However this was just the beginning, they had taken down two Chunins and several Genins, but the real threats were still alive.

Maki decided to target the Jounin next. She signaled to Gumi and Myo to continue eliminating the remaining Chunins and Genins.

"We'll regroup once I'm done," she whispered. Both ninjas nodded and disappeared into the shadows.

Maki already knew which tent belonged to the Jounin. She had memorized the layout of the camp. The Jounin's tent stood near the center. It made sense—they were the big shots.

She approached slowly, her steps silent on the forest floor. Her senses were sharp, but she didn't dare use chakra detection. At such close range, a Jounin would instantly sense her presence if she tried.

Instead, she relied on her sharp hearing.

The tent was quiet, save for the faint sound of snoring.

[Good. He's alone.]

Maki slipped inside, her kunai at the ready. The air smelled of alcohol, and the Jounin lay sprawled on the bedding, an empty bottle by his side.

Maki marveled at the sight. A Jounin, one of the strongest enemies in the camp, was right in front of her, defenseless and unaware.

Without a second thought, she moved swiftly. Her left hand pressed against his mouth, and her right hand drove the kunai across his throat in one clean slice.

The Jounin's eyes shot open, wide with shock and terror, but no sound escaped. Blood gushed from his neck, spilling onto the bedding as he twitched and gasped.

Within seconds, he was still.

Maki wiped her kunai on the Jounin's cloak, her expression calm and focused.

One down.

But before she could leave the tent, a loud shout pierced the night.

"Intruders!"

Her heart jumped.

They'd been discovered.

Maki burst out of the tent, her heart pounding. The loud shouts echoed through the camp. The rogues had discovered them.

"Damn it!" she hissed, her eyes darting around the chaotic camp.

Her hands clenched around her bloodstained kunai. At least she had already eliminated the Jounin she'd targeted. If he had been alive, things would have spiraled out of control.

But there were still two more Jounin left.

Maki sprinted through the camp, her movements swift and precise. Her instincts screamed that something was wrong—her comrades were in danger.

When she finally found them, her stomach twisted.

Gumi was on the defensive, his body covered in wounds as he barely defended against the vicious attacks of a Jounin-level rogue ninja. His movements were slowing, and his breathing was labored.

Meanwhile, Myo was locked in combat against two Chunins, but it was clear that the rogue ninjas had the upper hand. Myo's blade wavered as she parried a powerful strike, her stance faltering.

Maki didn't hesitate.

With a flicker, she vanished, reappearing behind one of the Chunins attacking Myo.

"Body Flicker." The word barely left his lips as Maki's lightning-infused kunai drove into the Chunin's spine, piercing through his heart before he could even react.

The rogue's body jerked violently, a gurgled scream escaping his lips before he collapsed to the ground.

Myo staggered, panting heavily.

"Maki…!" she gasped, wide-eyed.

She gave Maki a brief nod. "Help Gumi. I've got this other one."

Maki's attention turned to the Jounin, who had paused for a moment to assess her. His eyes narrowed as he took in her calm stance and the lightning sparking from her kunai.

"Another kid?" he sneered. "I'll kill you both."

Maki said nothing. Her eyes remained cold and focused.

The Jounin charged without warning, his blade coming down in a powerful arc aimed to split her skull.

But Maki sidestepped with ease. The ground cracked where his sword struck, sending dirt and debris flying.

Before he could recover, Maki closed the distance, twisting her body as she delivered a vicious kick to his ribs. The impact sent the Jounin stumbling backward, his breath catching.

Maki didn't let up.

She closed the gap again, her lightning-infused kunai slashing toward his neck.

The Jounin blocked at the last second, their blades sparking as they clashed. His face twisted in frustration as he realized how fast she was.

"Lightning style?" he growled, his eyes narrowing. "You think you can beat me with cheap tricks?"

Maki didn't respond. She pivoted, spinning low as her foot swept toward his legs.

The Jounin jumped, avoiding the sweep, but Maki was already mid-air, spinning to deliver a brutal roundhouse kick to his temple.

The force of the blow sent him crashing to the ground, but he rolled to his feet quickly, his expression now serious.

"You're good. I'll give you that."

The Jounin growled, his eyes narrowing as he analyzed the situation.

He knew one thing for certain—he couldn't win in close combat. The girl was too fast, too precise.

If he wanted to win, he needed to maintain distance.

Without wasting a moment, the Jounin's hands flew through a series of hand signs, his voice echoing with confidence.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu"

A big water dragon formed in front of him, rising like a beast, before crashing forward with devastating force, aiming to wipe out everything in its path.

Maki's eyes narrowed as she watched the water approach.

She didn't panic.

Instead, a smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. Her reaction was quick, her movements precise as her hands formed her own set of seals.

"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall Jutsu."

A thick earthen wall erupted from the ground, solid and unyielding, blocking the technique.

The Jounin's smile widened as he watched the water smash into the wall, the collision sending debris flying and shrouding the area in mist and mud.

He grinned, confident.

[She's finished. That wall won't hold.]

But the smile on his face quickly vanished.

Before he could react, Maki appeared behind him, silent as a shadow, her body flickering through the mist with blinding speed.

By the time the Jounin sensed her presence, her hand was already near his neck.

His eyes widened in shock.

"Too slow," Maki whispered, her voice cold and final.

She drove her kunai into his throat, the lightning-enhanced blade piercing through his neck with ease.

The Jounin's eyes widened in shock, his mouth opening to speak, but no sound came out. His body twitched violently before collapsing in a heap, blood pooling beneath him.

Maki stood over the lifeless body, her chest heaving as she tried to steady her breath.

"It's …" She was about to signal her comrades that her opponent was finished, but before the words could leave her mouth—

A sharp pain tore through her arm.

Her eyes widened in shock as she looked down to see her upper arm pieced by a water bullet, blood dripping from the wound.

[I didn't even sense the attack…]

She snapped her gaze toward the source of the attack, her heart pounding.

A man stepped out of the shadows, his expression calm and detached, 

"It appears the Takime Clan's new generation isn't completely useless," the man said, his tone flat and emotionless as he looked at his fellow rogue ninjas' dead body.

Maki's eyes narrowed. She could tell immediately—this man was different from the others. His presence was cold and oppressive.

"Who the hell are you?" Maki hissed, her hand tightening around her kunai, despite the throbbing pain in her arm.

The man tilted his head slightly, as if bored by the question.

"Who I am doesn't matter," he muttered. "Unfortunately, I can't play with you."

Without any further warning, he raised one hand and formed a single hand sign.

Maki's heart skipped a beat.

He was fast—faster than anyone she'd encountered before. She recognized the technique forming in front of her, and her blood ran cold.

"Water Release: Great Waterfall Jutsu."

An A-rank technique.

Maki's mind raced as a towering wave of water was approaching. The sheer size of it was terrifying, and she knew she didn't have the time to counter it.

Her thoughts became a chaotic mess.

[I can't block that… I don't have enough time!]

She gritted her teeth, trying to think of a way out, but her mind drew blanks.

[There's no way… I can't stop it…]

Maki took a step back, her eyes locked on the incoming torrent. Her body tensed, bracing for impact.

[Is this it…?]

As the wave bore down on her, a single thought echoed in her mind.

Kaoru…

**

A/N - I really gave my all to this fight scene lol. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it. 

I know there's always room for improvement, so please let me know in the comments if you have any recommendations or think I should have done something differently. I'm always open to constructive criticism!

The next chapter will show the aftermath of this battle, so stay tuned.

Character Notes:

Maki - Despair - "SHIT, I failed"

Akura - Looking for Jounin - "I need to find that Jounin. Time is running out."

Kaoru - Delighted with his progress - "I did it! I actually created my own technique… well, sort of."

**