Kumogakure's largest training ground was located right next to the east side of the Raikage Building, surrounded by tall, stern iron walls. The ground was made of dark metal plates that could absorb chakra impacts.
Flags bearing the emblems of the various great clans of the Land of Lightning dotted the perimeter, fluttering in the gentle breeze.
Makoto lay leisurely on a wide leather recliner, squinting as he enjoyed the sunlight.
Samui and Mabui stood attentively on either side of the chair, their slender fingers applying just the right amount of pressure to his shoulders and neck.
"A little lower... yes, yes, right there," Makoto instructed lazily, his voice content. "You can press a bit harder."
On his very first day after being 'invited' to Kumogakure, Makoto was already comfortably enjoying the village's distinctive 'hospitality'.
Samui's cold eyes glanced at him, but she didn't respond verbally. Instead, her hands followed his instruction and increased the pressure.
Her long, powerful, pale fingers pressed precisely on the spots around his shoulder blades, as professionally as if she were from the medical corps.
Having frequented various 'legitimate' massage parlors in his previous life, Makoto was ready to declare her the best at massage. And that was just talking about technique… if they were talking about her other assets, Samui was also the best!
On his other side, Mabui worked on the tension points in his trapezius muscles, her dark skin glowing healthily under the sun.
At the edges of the training ground, small groups of Kumogakure's Shinobi found their eyes irresistibly drawn to this unbelievable scene.
Two of the most renowned Kunoichi of their generation in Kumogakure, famous for both their strength and beauty, were actually serving an unknown half-grown boy in such a manner.
This sight had all the onlookers secretly guessing about the boy's origins.
"Comfortable?" Samui asked coolly, looking at the enjoying Makoto, her tone full of aloofness.
"Not bad," Makoto's lips curled up slightly, deliberately drawing out his words. "It's just that Mabui's technique is a bit better than someone else's..."
Before he could finish, a precise, sharp ache suddenly shot through his shoulder, making him instinctively straighten his back.
The one who had applied the pressure was none other than Samui, yet her face maintained its usual impassive expression.
Mabui couldn't hold back a light laugh, the tips of her dark ears turning slightly red.
Yondaime Raikage and Dodai, who had just arrived at the training ground, saw the intimate scene between Makoto and the two women. They exchanged a look, both smiling.
It was good that he had an interest in women. The difficult ones were those who showed no interest at all.
Raikage's massive frame was draped in his white Raikage Robe, his thick arms crossed over his chest.
He began discussing with Dodai who should be arranged to spar with Makoto, his broad brows furrowing tightly.
"We can't have a full-fledged Shinobi fight him," Dodai's voice was raspy. "If word got out, they'd say Kumogakure bullies children. It would be undignified."
Hearing this, Raikage's voice rumbled like thunder: "Then find someone from the Academy. Pick the best one."
"The current top student at the Academy is that kid, Yotsuki Yuu," Dodai replied.
Yondaime Raikage pondered for a moment. "That kid is indeed a good choice. His sword skills, Taijutsu, Ninjutsu... unmatched among his peers... just a bit too proud."
"Isn't that perfect?" Dodai said succinctly. "It can both temper Uchiha Makoto and also knock some of that pride out of Yotsuki Yuu."
Yondaime Raikage was always quick to make decisions. He sent someone to fetch the kid called Yotsuki Yuu.
A short while later, the Raikage strode to the center of the training ground, Dodai following closely. The crowd of onlookers automatically parted to make way.
"Clear the area!" The Raikage's booming voice echoed across the training ground. "The training ground is temporarily reserved for a spar today!"
The crowd quickly retreated to the edges, leaving a wide circular area in the center.
Only then did Makoto slowly rise to his feet. Samui subconsciously reached out and smoothed the wrinkles on the back of his collar.
This natural, intimate little action was instantly caught by countless eyes, causing a barely perceptible stir among the onlookers.
Samui was famously known as an ice queen in Kumogakure, and she had never acted like this towards any member of the opposite sex before.
Just then, a gaze as sharp as a blade pierced through the air. Makoto, sensing it, turned his head and met a pair of grey-blue eyes.
It was a boy with tea-colored short hair. The two deep tear troughs on his face gave him a perpetually somewhat tragic look.
A standard Kumogakure's ninjato was slung across his back, the wrappings on the hilt slightly worn, evidence of long-term practice.
"?"
At first glance, seeing the deep tear troughs, Makoto almost thought Uchiha Itachi had also come to Kumogakure. But upon closer look, he didn't resemble Itachi, and he seemed quite a bit older than Itachi.
But he felt somewhat familiar. A moment later, he slapped Samui's pale thigh, making her glare at him.
Makoto mused inwardly: 'Oh, I remember now. Isn't this the 'do you want to dance too?' guy from the original work, the one Uchiha Madara choked and asked to entertain him?' (T/N: It's this guy: https://tenor.com/id/view/madara-uchiha-choke-naruto-went-to-dance-gif-11602527.)
'How interesting. Is this asking me to cosplay as Madara?'
Yondaime Raikage's voice interrupted Makoto's thoughts. "Kid, do you want to change to a weaker opponent? Yotsuki Yuu is the top student of this year's Kumogakure Academy. It wouldn't be good if you got hurt."
Typically, the Academy started at age six, with graduation around age twelve. Those who graduated successfully had at least Genin-level strength. Kumogakure didn't have as many prodigies as Konoha, nor was its competition as bloody as Kirigakure's, but the top graduate of each year usually had strength approaching Chunin-level.
Kumogakure had been collecting various data on the Sharingan for years and understood it quite well. Generally, an Uchiha who awakened the two-tomoe Sharingan possessed Chunin-level strength.
But Makoto was so young. In their view, his strength definitely couldn't reach Chunin-level.
Hearing this, the corner of Makoto's mouth subconsciously curled into a slight smile, his gaze still fixed on the tea-haired boy.
"Mere grains of sand, not worth half of me!"
His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly spread across the suddenly quiet training ground.
Yuu's eyes instantly sharpened, his fighting spirit rising tangibly. He walked silently to the center of the field, standing opposite Makoto.
"Yotsuki Yuu!" The boy's voice was cold and hard.
"Uchiha Makoto," Makoto responded.
Seeing the other form the seal of confrontation with his index and middle fingers, Makoto mimicked the gesture.
"Begin!"
Yondaime Raikage's voice exploded like thunder. His announcement marked the official start of the spar. With him present at the sidelines, there was no need to worry about Makoto suffering serious injury.
This was an Uchiha they had gone through great trouble to 'invite', so they definitely had to protect him.
Almost the moment the word fell, Yuu's hands shot into his tool pouch.
Countless kunai, shuriken, and senbon whistled through the air towards non-vital areas of Makoto's body. His movements were fluid, the force and angles of his throws revealing an extremely solid foundation.
Immediately after, his hands flew through a series of hand seals, so fast they almost left afterimages.
"Wind Release: Gale Palm!"
Yuu thrust his palms forward violently. Wind Attribute Chakra erupted instantly, forming a visible, violent air current that caught up to and overtook the metal storm, imparting a secondary acceleration!
The already swift projectiles now turned into almost silvery streams of light, covering all of Makoto's possible escape routes.