Naruto: Why a Illusion ninja in Sunagakure?

Chapter 3 - Illusion Ninja learning Kunai?

The next morning, Shin woke up bursting with enthusiasm. He was excited about teaching Ayumu shurikenjutsu and couldn't wait to start their training. His eagerness surprised everyone in the family. After a quick breakfast, the two brothers set out for the training grounds, looking for a secluded spot to practice in peace.

They found a quiet area away from the main training fields, surrounded by large boulders. The place was so desolate that taking the wrong path could lead to falling into quicksand, something Hajime had taught Shin to avoid. It was the perfect place to focus without distractions. Shin set up a target board like the one used in competitions and handed Ayumu a set of kunai.

"Alright, Ayumu, let's start with the basics. Watch me carefully," Shin instructed, demonstrating the proper stance and throwing technique. Ayumu tried to mimic his brother's form, but his throws were inconsistent, and the kunai often missed the target or fell out of his hand before he could throw it.

Ayumu's frustration grew with each failed attempt. "I can't get it right, Shin. It's harder than it looks," he admitted, his voice tinged with frustration.

Shin placed a reassuring hand on Ayumu's shoulder. "Don't worry, little brother. It takes time and practice. You'll get the hang of it," he encouraged. "Just think and make changes as you go."

Despite his initial struggles, Ayumu took a deep breath and focused on the target. He raised his hand and threw a shuriken, managing to hit the outer ring out of pure luck before the shuriken fell to the ground. It wasn't perfect, but it was a step in the right direction.

Shin smiled proudly. "See? You're getting better already. Keep practicing, and soon you'll be a shuriken rookie."

Shin then started his own practice, holding multiple kunai at once to improve his skill. Ayumu occasionally glanced over, observing his progress.

As morning turned into afternoon, the brothers continued their practice. Each throw brought Ayumu closer to getting some to land and stick. With Shin's guidance and encouragement, Ayumu felt he was slightly improving.

As the afternoon wore on, the brothers were deeply engrossed in their practice. Suddenly, Ayumu's stomach let out a loud grumble, breaking their concentration.

Shin chuckled, "Sounds like someone's hungry."

Ayumu, rubbing his stomach and with arms tired from throwing shuriken all morning, responded, "Yeah, I guess it's time to head home and eat."

With a nod, Shin gathered their training gear. "Let's go then. We can continue practicing tomorrow morning."

They packed up their things and began the walk home, chatting about their progress and future practice plans.

As they walked, Ayumu reflected on the day's training. The experience was entirely new to him. He had seen Shin practice countless times, but actually holding the kunai and shuriken himself was different. The weight of the metal and the strain in his arms from repeated throws were more exhausting than he had imagined.

Despite the frustration and many missed targets, Ayumu found something satisfying about it. He was surprised he made it through the entire session without giving up. There were moments when he wanted to quit, especially when his throws didn't go as planned. But having his brother as a comrade in arms helped him stay committed. He wasn't the muscle-bound type in his past life, so the whole situation was unexpected. Given the lack of other major entertainment, this might not be surprising. Speaking of that, maybe he should find time to check out some books or even locate a library.

Shin's encouragement was a big help, and although it might sound cheesy coming from someone who's an adult in a child's body, Ayumu didn't want to let him down. By the end of their practice, Ayumu felt a sense of progress. He knew he had a long way to go, but for the first time, he felt like he could actually become proficient with shurikenjutsu.