Several weeks had passed since Hiro began his rigorous physical training under Kaya’s guidance. His body had grown accustomed to the demanding exercises she had assigned him. Running and push-ups were no longer the only staples of his routine—he now incorporated bodyweight squats, sit-ups, stretching drills for flexibility, and controlled breathing techniques to improve stamina. His endurance had improved considerably, though he was still far from reaching the level required of an academy student.

  Kaya no longer oversaw his daily exercises as closely as before, trusting him to push himself. Hiro found that while he still trained hard, there were moments of monotony that made him crave a new challenge. That was how he and Chūta’s game began.

  It started as a way to pass the time but quickly became a regur part of his training. Hiro tied a small piece of wood to the end of a thin string attached to a sturdy branch. He would swing the makeshift lure around himself while Chūta, using his wind chakra for bursts of speed, darted from tree to tree in an attempt to snatch it. If Chūta succeeded, Hiro rewarded him with sunflower seeds.

  The game tested Hiro’s reaction speed and coordination while also improving Chūta’s agility and wind manipution. Over time, Hiro found himself getting better at anticipating Chūta’s movements, making his swings more deceptive and challenging. Chūta, in turn, became faster, using small controlled gusts of wind to adjust his trajectory mid-glide.

  One afternoon, Kaya observed them from a distance, her arms crossed as a contemptive expression formed on her face. The way Hiro swung the lure, the way he adapted his movements to Chūta’s unpredictable speed—an idea began to take shape in her mind.

  A few days ter, Kaya arrived at Hiro’s training spot carrying a rolled-up burp bundle. Without a word, she unrolled it across the ground, revealing an assortment of child-sized weapons neatly arranged inside.

  Hiro’s eyes widened as he took in the sight. Small swords, daggers, spears, and even a few blunt weapons y before him, their polished surfaces gleaming in the midday sun.

  Kaya knelt beside the bundle. “Your physical development is coming along well, but based on the limited sparring we’ve done, I can already tell that you’re not naturally gifted in taijutsu.”

  Hiro frowned slightly but nodded. He had suspected as much. While he had good reflexes and was developing strength, he cked the explosive power and natural fluidity that strong taijutsu users possessed.

  “That’s why I want to see how you do with weapons,” Kaya continued. “Some people aren’t meant to rely on hand-to-hand combat alone. A weapon can extend your reach, make up for physical shortcomings, and give you an edge in battle. It’s time we figure out what suits you best.”

  Hiro stepped forward, gncing down at the weapons before looking back at Kaya. “Where do we start?”

  Kaya smiled. “Pick one.”

  One by one, Kaya handed Hiro different weapons and walked him through basic stances and swings. He tested small swords first, finding them manageable but unremarkable. Daggers were quick and versatile, but something about them felt cking in his hands. Spears provided reach but felt awkward for him to maneuver. Maces packed power but required more brute strength than he had.

  Kaya spent extra time guiding him through sword movements since it was her own preferred weapon. Hiro worked through the drills with dedication, but despite the effort, he didn’t feel a strong connection to any of the weapons he tested.

  After a while, Kaya had him take a break and sat down next to him. “Finding the right weapon is important,” she said. “Some people click with their weapon immediately. Others take years to master theirs. But when you find the right one, it feels like an extension of yourself.”

  Hiro mulled over her words, his mind repying each of the weapons he had tried. Nothing had stood out as something he could see himself wielding for life.

  Kaya smirked and reached for the st section of the burp roll. “There are still a few more left.”

  The final three weapons were unconventional. The first was a pair of nunchaku. Hiro could barely manage a few swings before smacking himself in the arm, much to Kaya’s amusement. The second was a pair of bded gauntlets, which intrigued him, but their weight and limited reach felt restrictive.

  Then came the st reveal—several leather whips of varying thickness and lengths. Hiro blinked at them. “Are these really weapons?”

  Kaya chuckled. “Oh, definitely.” She picked up a short, thick whip and strode over to a tree. With a fluid motion, she swung her arm, and the whip cracked against the bark with a sharp snap. A chunk of wood splintered away from the tree trunk, leaving Hiro staring in awe.

  “Whips aren’t common in shinobi combat, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t effective,” Kaya expined. “They require precision and practice, but in the right hands, they can be lethal.”

  Hiro’s mind drifted back to his training game with Chūta. The way he had been swinging the lure, controlling the motion and timing the snaps—it was oddly simir.

  Kaya noticed his thoughtful expression and nodded toward the weapons. “Try one.”

  Hiro picked up a medium-sized whip, letting it unravel in his hands. He gave it a few tentative swings, feeling the weight of it. Kaya stepped in to guide him, showing him the proper way to generate momentum and how to snap the end with a sharp flick of the wrist.

  His first attempts were clumsy, the whip barely making a sound. But after a few adjustments and corrections from Kaya, something clicked. He adjusted his grip, rotated his wrist, and—snap!

  A loud, crisp pop echoed through the clearing. Hiro’s eyes widened slightly. That had felt right.

  A soft ding resonated in his mind, and a translucent notification appeared in front of him:

  "WEAPON PROFICIENCY UNLOCKED - BATTLE WHIP"

  Hiro blinked at the text, then at the whip in his hands. A slow smile formed on his lips. He cracked the whip again, and the system did not object.

  Kaya chuckled. “Looks like we have a winner.”

  For the rest of the session, Hiro continued practicing with his new weapon, each strike feeling more natural than the st. Kaya watched with satisfaction, seeing how easily he was adapting. They had found his combat path.

  As the sun began to set, Hiro wiped sweat from his forehead and let out a breath. He wasn’t sure why, but for the first time, he felt like he had taken a real step forward toward his future as a shinobi.