The Curse Of Hatred ~Book 2~

Chapter 22: Toughen Up

Three years later nearing the end of summer on the deserted training ground of Konoha Village it was quiet and peaceful. The birds chirped their tunes and the breeze rustled the leaves. That was until a crimson humanoid figure manifested on the training grounds. The birds fled the trees in a mad frenzy to escape and the winds of the manifesting Susanoo whipped through the trees violently.

Half a body of a Susanoo appeared threw the trees taking on a feminine figure from the waist up. The muscles grew and shaped around the skeleton figure before a set of samurai armour took form in the same way. Growing and forming to take shape. The face took features like an oni mask. Large fangs that protruded from the mouth and angry forehead lines with a snarling nose before a samurai helmet took shape over the head.

A pair of new arms grew from the elbows of the existing arms and in each set of two arms the Susanoo held a susumata weapon. One to protect the front and one to protect the back. An ancient Japanese weapon that resembled a long stick with two forks and spikes to decorate the base of the neck. In half it's form this was indestructible.

As powerful this may seem, it was also painful to produce. Yuzuki's body felt like the insides where on fire, every fibre of her being felt like it was being slow roasted over a fire pit.

"That's new!" Katsuko shouted to Yuzuki who was inside the base of the half Susanoo body she was able to produce. Last week when they did this, there was no extra set of arms or the susumata weapon.

"I wonder if theres a full body!" Yuzuki shouted back to the red headed who was masked outside of the Susanoo. Her voice reached Katsuko like a shaky record player playing threw a pane of glass.

"This is huge already! How big will a full body be?!"

Even if this Susanoo was only half a body it still towered over the Village. Yuzuki was sure the west side of the village could see their shenanigans. Yuzuki shrugged back to the Hibiki, "I don't think the Hokage would appreciate us doing this in the Village!"

"Then let's go outside!"

Kakashi had arrived on the scene seeing a crimson Susanoo suddenly appear in the training grounds on the outskirts of the village. "There's progress." he said looking up at the body casting a shadow over the village.

Unable to maintain it any longer Yuzuki released the Susanoo. The growing effects reversed until it dissipated. Yuzuki hunched over with a large breath that escaped her. She screwed shut her eyes to deactivate the mangekyou sharingan.

Kakashi's hand came to her shoulder concerned. "Are you alright? You didn't maintain it for long."

Yuzuki straighten out taking his hand in hers. "Have I mentioned it's painful to maintain?"

"Yes." his gloved half squeezed hers.

"But when it's off, I feel fine straight away, you know. It's only when it's activated. I'm gonna try for a full body Susanoo next week."

Kakashi hummed in reply. Lately they were off and on. Whether they knew why or what the reason was, who knows? It was just becoming awkward for some reason since they hadn't been seeing each other as often lately. You know, being busy with missions and all and Yuzuki was always training to gain her full potential back.

Katsuko stood in the background with a wide smile on her face and her foot that rubbed circles into the dirt. Behind her Might Guy had suddenly emerged from the foliage and headed straight for Kakashi. "I saw your power Yuzuki-kun and I came straight away. Kakashi, let's duel!" he challenged.

"No."

Guy faltered. Behind him Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma Sarutobi followed behind, both with ominous smiles on their faces. Katsuko and Yuzuki shared the same knowing look. "Hey!" Kurenai greeted happily. "We saw the Susanoo and thought we'd join you. How's it going so far?"