Pokénin 018 (Pokemon/Naruto)

Seated at a grand table, Tekai and the rest of Team Cynthia were happily munching on their food.  

Eating some miltank steak, Tekai felt as if he were in heaven. As someone who lived in the servant area of the castle for most of his life, he almost exclusively ate fish and rice.

Steak in a land of rice fields and lakes was a huge luxury. It seemed even Clair and Zinnia were enjoying the meal, showcasing how rare beef was in these parts. 

Speaking of luxury, Cynthia really had a nice home. Ancient paintings, manuscripts, pottery, and other artifacts lined the walls of her abode. 

Tekai knew from the games that Cynthia was an avid archeologist, and historian, but her home really spoke to her passions as a collector. 

He didn't have a price tag on any of these items, but he imagined that if it was all sold to a museum on Earth, it would go for millions. 

Taking his last bite of steak, Tekai patted his belly, and sighed in satisfaction. 

“Thank you, Cynthia sensei, that was a really good meal, I haven't had one in years and am really grateful. My compliments to the chef.” Tekai inclined his head in thanks. 

“Mmm, I'm glad you liked my cooking.” Cynthia said between bites, most of her attention was placed on a book, but she briefly looked up to flash a small smile. 

Her words and look figuratively pierced Tekai's heart. 

A woman who cooked, was hella strong, enjoyed reading, and history? All those things attracted Tekai like a moth to flame. 

Blinking his eyes, Tekai found himself staring at the beautiful blonde, and glanced down. 

Surprisingly, he noticed his plate had been swapped out with a piece of paper. 

When did she? 

“As you three can see, I have written a summary of your attributes, and where we need to improve. This, however, is a preliminary report. In a few minutes, we'll go back outside, and I'll test you on a few more things. Until then, go over your sheets, and feel free to ask me any questions.” Cynthia eyed everyone present, letting them know she was taking them seriously, then went back to her book. 

Taking note of her words, Tekai looked down to inspect the document. 

[Tekai Tatsushiro Attributes: 

Attack: C+ (B- to B under Dragon Dance) 

Special Attack: C

Chakra Capacity: C+

Speed: C+ (B- under Dragon Dance, B+ in water) 

Defense: C+

Special Defense:

Jutsu (by rank): 

A: Dragon Rage 

B: 

C: Dragon Dance 

D: Chakra Palm 

Weapons: Bo Staff 

Martial Arts: Dragons Ascent] 

Raising an eyebrow, Tekai was surprised Cynthia could gather all this data over just a few hours of work. Based upon this survey, she rated his skills to be around that of an experienced Genin. 

Of course, she didn't know that he had initialized Shadow Clone, or Mystic Palm, but that wasn't all too surprising. 

Once he was done going over his sheet of paper, Zinnia and Clair seemed to be finished as well. 

“Have you examined your attributes? Very good. Next, I'll have you three spar, go over your jutsu, weapons practice, and then I'll provide pointers on where you three can improve. Any questions?” Cynthia lazily stirred some sugar into a cup of tea, and asked them. 

“Who won the salon ticket?” Zinnia asked. 

Clair placed down her cup of tea, wearing a disinterested expression on her face, yet Tekai saw her eyes remained unblinking. 

“Tekai, congrats, this is yours.” Cynthia took out a slip of paper, and blew it across the table. 

Tumbling directly into his hands, Tekai arched an eyebrow, wondering what he would do with such an item. 

“Ahhh, I'll win next time!” Zinnia clanked her fork on her plate, and looked down in disappointment. 

“Tch.” Clair upturned her nose and turned away. 

“My, my, you three sure are something. Come along my adorable little students, let's digest this food with a spar.” Cynthia said, putting a hand in front of her mouth to hide her smile. 

“Alright, let's go!” Zinnia looked up, and had finished her moping as if a switch had been flipped from sad to happy. 

Gripping both Tekai and Clair by the arms, Zinnia ran out of the manor back to the beach. 

Caught up in her excitement, Tekai laughed at Zinnia’s good natured disposition. 

“Unhand me!” Clair scowled, and pulled away. 

“So enthusiastic. Tekai, Zinnia, how about you start things off? Taijutsu only please. I want you to stop when one of you admits defeat, or is convincingly defeated.” Cynthia said, and rested her voluptuous figure on a beach chair. 

“We got it, sensei. Just give the word!” 

Parasol in hand, Cynthia chopped her other hand down, and the match had begun! 

Tekai narrowed his eyes, and took a defensive stance. 

Whilst he didn't have any sparring partners growing up, he had had his ass beaten enough times by Uncle Borah that he knew how to throw a punch, or use some kicks. 

Seeing that Zinnia had matched his pose, and was waiting for him to make the first move, Tekai decided to go on the offensive. 

Unconsciously activating the Dragon Dance along with his movement technique, the Dragons Ascent, Tekai advanced swiftly.

The pattern that he moved in greatly resembled that of a serpent. He zig-zagged, and slinked forward, yet was not slow by any means. 

Before he knew it, Tekai had reached Zinnia, and pushed forward with a straight right hook at her temple. At the same time, he looked down and to the left, feigning movement with his left hand, as if he might pull back, and transition into a knee or kick. 

The air whooshed around him, and a small shockwave ensued as Zinnia used both arms to redirect his fist-clearly she hadn't fallen for his attempted misdirection-she then pulled it tight for a hold. 

Using her amazing chakra enhanced strength/flexibility, Zinnia then jumped up, and flipped behind him, slamming Tekai down onto his back. 

And unlike a cartoon villain, she didn't pick him up to throw him down again. No, she pounced on his chest, then began to ground and pound. 

Tekai bobbed his head back and forth several times, but two fists connected with his face, and he was seeing stars. 

Growling to himself, Tekai barely withheld the Dragon Rage from coating his body. If he could use that chakra cloak, he would force her off of him. Yet this was a duel strictly limited to taijutsu! 

Taking another hit to the head, Tekai eventually chose to take a risk, and at that moment, had the mentality of ‘fuck it.’ 

Purposefully tanking a hit with his forehead, Tekai almost passed out, yet he rammed through the pain, and slammed his forehead onto Zinnia's forehead. 

Seeing stars, Tekai blindly punched forward with a combination of fists until he felt a pair of arms pulling him backward. 

A soft sensation was pressing against his back, and he halted all motion as he realized the fight was over. 

“You lost yourself to your rage, this is something that can affect all members of our clan. It may bring great power, but also leave one vulnerable. We'll have to work on that, as well as your sloppy form. However, you have good instincts. I think you have a good base, Tekai.” Cynthia said, appraising his skills whilst she stood behind him. 

Blinking his eyes and clearing his confusion, Tekai felt the sting of blood dripping down his forehead, and saw that Zinnia was in a somewhat battered state. 

“Ah, sorry about tha-” 

“That. Was. AWESOME! I can't wait to spar again! None of the other kids punch as hard as you! They’re all too afraid of Grandma too, bunch of candy asses!” Zinnia bounced up to her feet, and gave Tekai a big thumbs up. 

“Right, I look forward to it.” Tekai sheepishly smiled back.

Still kind of woozy from the hits he took to the head, and seeing a bloody and bruised Zinnia so full of smiles gave him a weird feeling, as if this girl really was not normal. 

Whilst Tekai and Zinnia were speaking with one another, Cynthia had made a clone, and had it battle with Clair. 

After they had their fight, Cynthia once again clapped her hands. 

“Now that I have seen your taijutsu, I want to know if any of you are skilled in weapons.” 

“I fight with my legs and fists!” Zinnia was the first to volunteer. 

Clair meanwhile, pulled out her whip, and expertly twirled it around herself. She then glanced at Tekai with a smug, superior look. 

“...I got this staff today, but I don't know how to fight with it.” Tekai explained. 

“Hmmm. I see. Well then. I suppose I'll start providing my guidance then, let's start with you, Zinnia.” Cynthia tapped her fingernail on her chin in thought as she spoke, then pointed at Zinnia once she had gathered her thoughts. 

“I'm all ears, sensei! Tell me where I can improve!” Zinnia exclaimed. 

“Your speed, attack, and endurance are your strongest suits. Particularly, you have a keen battle sense, your taijutsu form is tight, and you possess a strong determination to keep going when the odds are stacked against you. Furthermore, your instincts as a trainer are commendable, as you have already begun teaching Bagon. 

Your three glaring weaknesses are a lack of ranged options, limited comprehension, and over aggressiveness.” Cynthia said, holding up two fingers. 

“Thanks for the compliments big sis Cynthia, but how do I improve those things?” Zinnia scratched the back of her head perplexed. 

“For now, we'll focus on developing your strengths first. I have a few exercises in mind that will enhance speed, strength, and endurance. Garchomp here will also act as your sparring partner should you wish to go all out and test your taijutsu. 

As for your weaknesses, I have a few suggestions. To remedy your lack of ranged options, Zinnia, you can use mid ranged weapons such as a kunai/shuriken/kusarigama, or leverage your incredible strength to wield a sling, javelins, or bow.” 

“I don't know about weapons…they’re for cowards, right?” Zinnia said with a conflicted look on her face. 

“Go with the bow, sling, or javelins, imagine how cool you would look flying on salamance's back, and picking off your foes one by one.” Tekai cupped his hands, raising them to his lips to raise his voice, and spoke up from the side. 

“Hrmmm.” Zinnia hummed in thought. 

“There is no need to choose now, as I said, we shall focus on your strengths for now. As for your aggressive nature, fighting with Garchomp and your peers will naturally teach you the ins and outs of combat. Lastly, when it comes to comprehension, I'll set aside an hour every day for you, and we can study together 1 on 1.” Cynthia said with a cool smile. 

“Awesome big sis, thanks!” Zinnia said, and glomped into the older blonde girl's side with a tight hug. 

“But of course, as your sensei, I'll do everything in my power to see you three succeed. Now then, let's move onto you, Clair.” 

“Thank you for your consideration, sensei.” Clair lightly bowed. 

“First, let's start with your strengths. The potency of your jutsu is commendable, as is your capacity. The speed with which you learnt jutsu was also impressive. Lastly, your skill with the whip was also of a high potency. 

Unfortunately, that's where the praise ends. In terms of weaknesses, your strength, taijutsu skills and endurance are severely lacking. Your speed is not bad, average I'd say, but your unwillingness to work together, and strong pride may lead to an early grave.” Cynthia said.

Each word of hers seemingly dealt critical damage to Clair, if the blue haired girl's repeated flinches, and scarlet face were anything to go by. 

“Please advise.” Clair hung her head in shame, and spoke quietly. 

“Do not be so crestfallen, Clair. A girl with your talents is envied by most. The ability to cast jutsu frequently is highly coveted. Taijutsu isn't as important since you compensate for it with a weapon. 

I have a few exercises in mind to improve the potency of your jutsu, but for now, you can keep doing what your grandfather has taught you. 

What I would like you to focus on is Pokémon training, improving your endurance, and integrating your jutsu into combat. As for your issue with pride, it is one many in our clan suffer from. Know that I am not attacking you personally, Clair. It is just that I witnessed 80% of my graduating class dying due to overconfidence, and the pride that came with the Ryu name.” Cynthia patiently explained. 

“I'll take your teachings to heart. Thank you, sensei.” Clair bowed once more, and looked much better than before, since Cynthia was so kind during her analysis. 

“Last, it's your turn Tekai, are you ready?” 

“Please, Cynthia Sensei.” Tekai inclined his head, and mentally prepared himself to see where he had F'd up, and where he could improve.