[center][b][i]A harsh training,
Footwork can make a difference.

Part 2.

A collab between Chromehound and Gerontis

Summary :
Shikaroku's training for the Chuunin Exam, where this training is focusing on trying to improve Shikaroku's taijutsu. But with also a hidden goal in mind.[/center][/b][/i]

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Feeling the strain in his leg as Hiron lifted it higher, Shikaroku was glad for the sudden release when it dropped. Looking down, he nodded slowly. [b]"Sorry Hiron-sensei. I know I still have a lot to learn."[/b] Shikaroku felt like a disappointment... once again he had proven that he was a poor excuse for a shinobi. He just hoped that Hiron wouldn't kick him out of the team for it.

[b]''What is up with that face? I thought you did it pretty well. I held back, but even so. You did it better than I had expected.''[/b] Hiron said, patting the boy's shoulder before he sat down. [b]''You didn't got knocked off the rock after all, did you?''[/b] Hiron asked with a growing smile. Though he knew that he was being maybe too soft or polite, being harsh wouldn't help now. Besides, he was considering another way of training his students.

Thinking for a second, Shikaroku managed to look up and meet Hiron's gaze. [b]"I... I suppose you are right. I just feel like I let down the team sometimes... I am nowhere near as experienced as either of my teammates, nor do I really have any natural skills. I just want to be able to help in some way... To be useful..."[/b] Looking away again, Shikaroku let out a sad sigh. [b]"I am sorry sensei. I do not mean to sound like I am complaining."[/b]

Hiron sighed as he shook his head after hearing the words of his student. He could understand where he was coming from, as Hiron had felt like that in the time he was a member of the Hokage Guard. [b]''It is alright. Just know that experience comes with missions and such. Mia has been in the team since the start of the short war against Sunagakure. Masami has already seen some action while she had been member of Team 6. As a fresh graduated genin, you shouldn't try to consider yourself yet on that level. Be patient.''[/b] Hiron told him.

[b]"How am I supposed to be ready in time for the exams then?"[/b] Shikaroku asked, turning towards Hiron, with a look of defeat already on his face. [b]"I have done some training with Aiko-sama, trying to make my control better. While the results haven't been anything to cheer about, I have seen some improvement, but I don't think that alone will be enough to give me a chance... I just don't want to let you down sensei..."[/b]

[b]''Then don't look like you are.''[/b] Hiron simply replied as he softly bumped Shikaroku's shoulder with a fist. [b]''Being a chuunin isn't just about skill, Shikaroku. The difference between a genin and chuunin isn't for knowing a strong technique. It might help, yes.''[/b] Thinking on how to explain it better, Hiron pointed to himself. [b]''When I was asked what the difference was between a genin and a chuunin, my first reply was for knowing what the duties are of a chuunin. Which is half true. A chuunin should know the true duties of what it means to be a shinobi. Other than that, also to know how to follow and not be a burden.''[/b] Pausing, Hiron smiled. [b]''Which you're not.''[/b]

Thinking for a moment, Shikaroku glanced up at his sensei. The fact that Hiron didn't consider him a burden was relieving, but Shikaroku still doubted himself. [b]"Sorry Hiron-sensei, I guess I didn't think of it like that."[/b] Looking away for a moment, out over the hill, Shikaroku caught sight of the village in the distance. He was going to have some serious thinking to do when he was alone. [b]"I... I haven't had the chance to thank you Hiron. For this opportunity... I may not be ready yet, but I will do my best to act as a proper shinobi should."[/b]

Listening to his student, Hiron also looked at the village in the distance. [b]''You might not be ready, but there is time plenty.''[/b] Pausing to let his word sink in, Hiron cleared his throat. [b]''Of course there are some people who become jounin or such rank at a young age. But there is no shame in being able to become a chuunin at a later age. Sometimes it allows one to gain more experience and value their time as a genin. After all, it is the rank that doesn't push you into some heavy responsibilities.[/b] Another pause fell as Hiron slowly laid on his back. His hands at the back of his head as he closed his eyes. [b]''And lets be honest, I doubt you want to carry responsibilities like taking care of three youngsters while you're young yourself, right?''[/b]

Still standing, Shikaroku clasped his hands behind his back and walked over to the edge of the large boulder. Smiling briefly, he glanced back over his shoulder towards his sensei. [b]"I don't know that I even could."[/b] Letting out a short chuckle, Shikaroku turned back. [b]"How do you do it Hiron-sensei? How do you know what to do with us?"[/b]

The question was one that Hiron thought about. [b]''I simply do my best. Like you, I am more of a real tactical player than somebody who tends to rush in. Of course, my skill and abilities are more accustomed in fighting somebody straight away, but I think that my biggest asset is making strategies.''[/b] Thinking back of what would be a good example, Hiron managed to think of one. [b]''Back during the last conflict against Sunagakure, I was placed in charge of the Third Division. In haste, Konohagakure managed to make three big divisions. Two large ones and one small one. I was only in command of a division that was half the strength of numbers as the other two. Our scouts had reported that Sunagakure had managed to send a surprise and ambush division deep into our ground, wanting to weaken one of the bigger divisions. Then they send us against them.''[/b] Hiron became for a moment silent, thinking back about that time. It wasn't that he was proud of what he had done. But it was what he would do again if he was needed to do so. 

[b]''I think the odds were against us. They outnumbered us two to one. Not the best situation, if you ask me. With the morale not that high, I had to forge a plan in order to use the abilities of my division in order to take down the enemy's. But unlike what many think, in a large battlefield between shinobi, you can't just throw around big techniques. Battles between shinobi armies are fought with man to man. Techniques that require a long streak of handsignals or may wreak heavy damage? That has the risk of damaging the chance of your friends getting a victory over an enemy. Knowing that, we had to lure them out.''[/b] Slowly Hiron opened his eyes as he glanced at the sky. He realized that he was actually talking a lot, but this wasn't something he could just tell within four lines. And maybe Shikaroku had learned about it in the Academy, but Hiron felt the need to say it never the less. [b]''I and a little group were being the bait. Luring the enemy out, we managed to chose the place where we wanted to confront them. I had my shinobi laying in wait to perform a shower of water techniques, making sure that the enemy would be soaked. Then with the use of one of my friends and some others, we used both lightning as ice to sweep their numbers down. Then we simply massacred those who remained able on their feet.''[/b]

Facing his sensei, Shikaroku listened intently. He was completely captivated by the jounin's tale, and found himself visualizing the scenario in his head. He had heard the tales briefly in the academy, but nothing with the same level of detail. [b]"It sounds like you were tasked with an incredibly difficult duty Hiron-sensei."[/b] Shikaroku said, clearly impressed. [b]"May... may I ask you a question though? Would it not have made more sense to have launched a series of guerrilla attacks against the Sunagakure forces in order to whittle them down before the final confrontation?"[/b]

Thinking about it, Hiron let out a chuckle. Not that he found the question of Shikaroku to be dumb. [b]''It is the traditional approach of shinobi to weaken their enemy to then strike them down. However, their forces were on our ground, our land. A war can't be won by staying on the defensive all the time. It leads to that the aggressive attacker may harm the land, which can damage the economy and thus the capability of the defenders. And with being outnumbered, we certainly didn't want them to launch operations and strikes against us, weaken us before striking at us in full strength.''[/b] Hiron answered. If he was honest, he didn't mind to talk about the war and tactics that had been used, but he somehow couldn't help to feel a bit bad. A lot of good people had died after all. [b]''Besides, we were in a haste to make sure that we could prevent the main armies of Sunagakure to march into the River country. Cause if the majority of the battles would be fought out in that country, we would be harmed more than Sunagakure as we had a trade agreement with them. For such reasons, we couldn't take our time as we had barely time to launch guerilla attacks against the Sunagakure forces.''[/b]

Nodding to himself, Shikaroku realized that it made sense. It was hard to judge the actions of the past, especially if one was completely separated from the situation. [b]"That makes sense..."[/b] Trailing off, Shikaroku had something on his mind, but he wasn't sure if he should ask. [b]"Hiron-sensei... do you... do you ever find it difficult to order people into situations that you know may very well lead to their deaths?"[/b]

Hiron looked at the boy from where he laid. Then he sighed out loud as his eyes stared back at the sky. [b]''Yes.''[/b] He answered. The expression on the jounin's face changed to a more grim one. [b]''That is the hard part of being the strategist of a team or any group. If you devise a plan that will fail, it won't likely be just lost with a bruise. No, it can invoke the death of your comrades and eventually even more. Like it isn't enough that some don't understand what it is to lead a group or make such a decision, which cause them to scold you, the regret is the worst thing.''[/b] Hiron became silent for several seconds. [b]''But like in many situations, one person should do it. After all, without people to devise tactics and plans, we would be simply brutes charging at each other. Can't let that happen, can we?''[/b]

[b]"No... No we can't."[/b] Thinking to himself, Shikaroku began pacing. [b]"I guess the only way to minimize that risk is by knowing as much as you possibly can about both your enemy as well as your own team. Then you at least give yourself the best chance at success... Though... we don't always have that luxury. Do you ever doubt your plans, Hiron-sensei?"[/b]

He let out a laugh. [b]''Most of the time. Makes me at times wonder if people either have too much faith in me or maybe not having enough faith in myself.''[/b] Hiron told Shikaroku. [b]''And seems one of us is full of questions today, hmm?''[/b] Hirom softly mumbled, though he wasn't discontent with his student asking so many questions. Wasn't that why he was a student? It would be very awkward if his student would be the one that would answer all of his questions, at that was how Hiron saw it. [b]''But yes, analyzing plays a big role in making a plan. Otherwise you would just be a brute that seems to have a plan.''[/b]

Smiling, Shikaroku was at least relieved that Hiron doubted his own plans from time to time. [b]"Sorry sensei... I do not wish to be bothersome with my questions."[/b] Realizing that Hiron's tone was not one of severity, Shikaroku allowed himself to relax slightly. [b]"Hiron-sensei... there are times when I am working with the team, and... and I can sort of see a better way of accomplishing our task, but... I don't want them to think I am trying to tell them what to do, or think that I know more than them. Both Mia and Masami have far more experience than I do... I just don't know how I can get them to listen, or even if I should... I don't really know how to explain it... Sorry."[/b] Frustrated with himself for not being able to say things properly, Shikaroku felt his head starting to grow a little numb. Trying to calm himself down, he focused on his breathing, and slowly the numbness faded.

Waiting till the boy was done talking, Hiron had closed his eyes again as he then spoke back to his pupil. [b]''You worry too much. They are more experienced in the field than you are, but I have noticed that you've shown that you're more thinking with your brain. Instead of using superior battle skills. Sometimes a situation can be dealt easier if you think about it. That is your strength, Shikaroku.''[/b] Hiron paused, wondering if he was maybe praising his student too much. Yes, he had to confess to himself that Shikaroku wasn't half as bad as he thought of himself. That he actually liked to help the boy with his troubles. 

[b]''I do understand what you mean, but I think you'll be able to figure it out. From what I have seen happen last time, they did listen and I think they will appreciate your plans more than you likely assume.''[/b] Hiron said, opening his left eye as he glanced at Shikaroku. [b]''But for now, take it easy. Worrying yourself too much over such things won't do you or anybody else any good.''[/b]

Nodding, Shikaroku paused for a long moment. Hiron's words were hard to argue with. And, despite the doubts he harboured in his own abilities, Shikaroku knew that he was capable of improving. It was just nice to hear that someone had faith in him. [b]"Th-thank you Hiron-sensei. I will do my best not to get myself worried..."[/b] He thought to himself for a moment, trying to shift the conversation away from the doubts that he harboured. With the exams coming up soon, Shikaroku wanted to be as prepared as he could. [b]"What would you advise me to train the most then Sensei? For the upcoming fight?"[/b]

[b]''You already said you take some chakra control lessons at Aiko? I would suggest to expand your ability in taijutsu and some form of ninjutsu to support your shadow techniques.''[/b] Hiron said, further thinking about it. Shikaroku had a long way to work, but he had the potential to become a good shinobi. It was just the confidence that Hiron saw as the biggest problem. [b]''That and have some patience. You can try to rush experience, but it is better to not try to rush yourself too fast.''[/b]

[b]"Understood."[/b] He said, looking away. [b]"I appreciate you taking the time to train with me Hiron-sensei."[/b] Shikaroku knew what he had to do now. He had a goal, something to accomplish before the exams. He only hoped that he had enough time...

Sitting down on the rock beside Hiron, Shikaroku wrapped his arms around his knees and stared out towards the village. Things were going to change...
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