Kirugetsu sat down with Maruki, currently his star pupil, and waited for his order to arrive. Outside, the Water Clone saw fit to tail Shisen for a time. She had been rather uncooperative lately, and he was determined to see if the girl followed or ignored orders. "Tell me something, Maruki. What do you know of war? I know you're no slouch... but have you ever seen actual combat?" Kirugetsu already knew the answer, but allowed the kid to respond anyways.
Maruki enjoyed the warmth of the restaurant, it made him feel secure and at ease. it would be hard to eat his meals with one hand. but he guessed he'd manage. For a brief moment he thought of Shisen and what she was going to do but he quickly banned her out of his mind. Then Kirugetsu asked him a question "Tell me something, Maruki. What do you know of war? I know you're no slouch... but have you ever seen actual combat?" Maruki had to think about this for a moment. "I never experienced actual war because i grew up in a place quite far away from all that was happening. I know my parents died in the war and it must have been hard to experience it first hand. Combat however, I do know about. I fought many battles in my life even before coming to Konoha, sparring against my father and mother doesn't count of course but there were many ill-willed man I met during their absence." Maruki siad with a sigh.
"I figured as much. I'm not one for reading the files of my students, so I just wanted to confirm it for myself." Kirugetsu thought back to some of the battles he had fought, and one in particular came to mind. "Remember how I said I fought and killed your grandfather? It wasn't as cut-and-dry as that. He's one of the only people other than Sai to actually injure me. And it was because I was an inexperienced and hot-headed little shit." Kirugetsu pulled aside his shirt slightly to show a scar. The scar looked like it had come from a deep stabbing wound.
"He used Gentle Fist, just like you. But he used it with a sword. Never seen that before or since." said the Hozuki as he put his shirt back into place. The drinks soon arrived, and Kirugetsu took a sip. "War isn't just nation on nation. It's a person fighting a person. It's a man without money wanting to buy what he can't afford. It's a woman being upset she didn't get a job that was given to a man instead." another sip of his drink before continuing, and a sigh. "It's not about being the biggest badass, either. War sucks, kid. You weren't around to see the clan massacres. They weren't about being strong... they were about surviving. And most clans weren't near as fortunate as yours."
Maruki listened closely to his Sensei, bringing up his grandfather again. It kind of made him proud as he saw the scar on Kirugetsu's body. But Kirugetsu laying the case by himself being inexperienced rather than by his grandfather being a good fighter stung a little. Maruki took a swig af his drink. he nodded to what Kirugetsu was saying "I figured as much, I'm glad I wasn't there..." and then continuing "I know my clan has suffered an enormous amount of losses and is weakened considerably, but it survived... I dont know what i would have done without them." Maruki took another sip and looked at his sensei. he hoped the man would not pity him or be too harsh on him for showing weakness. He straightened his back to at least look a little tougher.
The kid spoke the truth. Not many could endure knowing their clan was damaged and barely able to recover, yet still willingly go forth with becoming a shinobi rather than stay and help rebuild what was lost. Hell, if Kirugetsu wasn't already a war-hero and nominated by the Hokage to teach a new squad... he'd probably be more focused on rebuilding HIS clan. "You're a good kid, Hyuuga. Wish I could say the same for the girl." Yeah, he was frustrated with Shisen... that went without saying. After all, the girl and her dog had been nothing but hostile and disrespectful most of the day.
The appetizers arrived, but Kirugetsu neglected to even touch them at the moment, instead speaking some more. "So tell me something. If it ever came down to you needing to attack and kill someone you thought you could trust. Could you do it? Say Shisen or Kino betrayed our village and handed intel to another land... or say you were a Jounin like me, and I decided to go off and kill some people. What would you do then, hmm?"
When the Hozuki called him a 'good kid' Maruki was filled with happiness. It was not something his sensei would say easily to anyone and thus not taken lightly. Then he started about Shisen. Maruki decided to speak his mind. "I'm sure she isnt that bad... actually i kind of understand her, I mean, if you swung your blade at me..." Maruki pondered what he was going to say next for a moment "I just think she needs some time" he concluded.
Maruki was the first to take a bite of the newly arrived appetizers. Just then Kirugetsu asked him a difficult question. before the man even finished his sentence Maruki had an aswer reay but waited for Kirugetsu to finish what he wanted to say. "Yes" replied Maruki simpily "I have already killed someone before, it was unnatural and hard, especially the first time. No-one shoud betray anyone or kill anyone willy-nilly. When I am not in direct danger of being killed by Shisen or Kino, following your example, I would first warn them and proceed in an attack the second they would attempt such a stupid act. If I really have to kill them, then so be it. Although I hope that day never comes." Maruki hoped his sensei was satisfied with his answer and took another bite of the takoyaki, deciding to leave it at that.
Well, at least the kid knew that it was a kill or be killed world when it came to shinobi. It was unpleasant, it was unfortunate, and it was unforgiving... but it was the life they had to live. If they didn't defend the people of the land, who would? After what seemed like an eternity, Kirugetsu smiled sincerely for the first time in weeks, and took a bite of his takoyaki. It was spicy, just like the name of the restaurant implied... but tolerable. And it was now, enjoying a meal with a student, that Kirugetsu actually seemed to be enjoying himself... rather than being a grim and frustrated man.
"Yeah, I swung my sword at her. And maybe that was a bit overboard. But put yourself in my shoes. A disrespectful Genin who insults one of the other team members, has a hostile animal with them, and does nothing to control that animal." Surely Maruki could see where the discipline was necessary. "I wasn't going to kill her and you all knew it. Scare tactics, nothing more." Another bite of the snack, a sip of water, and another smile. "If she does as I asked, I might not even have to discipline her anymore. And then she can join us next time."
With his mind off of things such as restoring his clan, his past conflicts, and old war wounds both physical and emotional... Kirugetsu really was just an average guy. It was rare these days to see him behave in such a manner.
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