Naruto: Mind Games Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Training and A Snake's Interest 




"Every living being— whether it is a man or an animal— is able to do things because of the brain. Every movement, every thought, every feeling… is a result of the brain operating to keep us alive. And we Yamanaka have developed a variety of jutsus that lets us control the brain." 



Yuijiro's explanation was very clear to Hikaru. And as someone from the modern world with a degree in biology— Hikaru was well versed in the functioning of the human brain. He had spent months and years studying human physiology.




"So how do we control the brain?" 



Hikaru's question made Yuijiro clap his hand and before Hikaru knew it— he was frozen solid.



"Whaa-" 




He was unable to complete his sentence as his left hand had slapped his cheeks.



"Chakra."



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[[Hikaru Yamanaka]]



What is happening? I would like to know that as well. But from what my father has told me— he took control over my brain. 



While he is unable to pry inside my memories, he can still mess with my motor skills.



"Chakra is something that is present in everybody— but not everyone is able to properly control or 'manifest' it."



I know that chakra is as important as oxygen in this world and everyone possesses them in some amount. The civilians are unable to control it… and that's what separates the shinobis and the civilians. 



'The control over chakra.'



"You have studied the books last night, right."



I nodded as the books that he gave me were about basic biology— pretty extreme for a six year old but surprisingly... most kids in this world have a better comprehensive skill than the kids of my previous world. So it was not that odd in my father's eyes. 



But what he didn't know was that my understanding of the human brain was far above many people.



"I twerked with your chakra to gain control over the cerebrum and the cerebellum."



Cerebrum… The part responsible for most of the thoughts… but most importantly— planned movements.



And cerebellum— which is responsible for balance and fine muscle movements.



Simply put… He took control of the parts that are responsible for voluntary movements. 



"How do I free myself from this?" 



I tried my best to break free from his hold but unfortunately, my body wouldn't listen to me.



"You can't."



His statement came as a shock. 



"At least not unless you are stronger than the caster of the jutsu… or unless you have spirit stronger than the caster." He smiled. "While you have a strong spirit which I have never seen a kid of your age possess— it is still nowhere near enough to break free from me… a Yamanaka jōnin."



He undid the jutsu as he finished his sentence, allowing me to regain control of my body.



It took me a while to regain my composure… and let me tell you this— losing control of your body… is not a fun experience.



"What is spirit?"



I have a rough understanding of the concept… but it is not enough.



Father smiled. "It is a pretty big topic to cover now as you have your first class in two hours. But to put it simply… spirit is a type of energy that is possessed by all living beings but no one is in control of it. Yamanaka is one of the only clans in this world that can dabble into spirit manipulation. And spirit chakra was a result of such dabbling."



"So are they… souls?" 



Soul was a concept that was highly debatable and personally… I don't believe in them. Their existence was debunked ages ago but still, there are things that science have not yet been able to explain. And these phenomenons are thus often linked with Gods… souls among many others.



"Yes, souls… but not exactly what civilians or people with no knowledge about spirit chakra think of them to be."



"So what is it?"



He smiled at my query. 



"I will explain some other time. For now...get ready for the academy." He showed a sad smile. "I know that I should have taught a few more things in the past… I am sorry."



Most children of the major clans and their branches are taught about the shinobi life and chakra at a very young age. Which… I wasn't taught.



"Don't worry father… You have taught me a lot."



Indeed… He might not have started training me from the appropriate age but his method of teaching was very easy to understand… and I am not exactly a six year old kid, so my comprehensive ability is leaps and bounds above my peers.



He smiled. "It is true that your ability to comprehend and learn things is one in a million and I know that you will surpass everyone within a short time." He paused. "But remember my son… Great talent arises great curiosity— and great curiosity arises great troubles."



He ruffled my hair. "Be mindful of your surroundings and do not flaunt your abilities carelessly." His smile turned soft. "If you remember that… you will live a very long life"



Don't worry father. I don't plan to die anytime soon.


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'*Death is inescapable, everyone knows that. It is a part of samsara— a cycle of endless death and rebirth till one escapes and becomes part of the eternal oblivion. In death, nothing matters… absolutely nothing. No religion, no wealth, no love— nothing. But that raises the question… Why do people continue to smile despite knowing that they will one day become a part of that eternal oblivion?*' 



The manoeuvring hands paused as a disgusted look formed on the author's face. 



'*Because they are foolish.*' The clean white pages were filled with dark ink as the man continued writing. '*Knowledge of humans is limited and that makes them assume things that are often false. Death is not inescapable— many creatures are proof of that. Even Lord Second managed to create a jutsu that could challenge the Shinigami and gain control over death.*'



The man paused again as he looked at the flickering candle in front of him. 



'*Body is temporary— but the soul is eternal.*' 



He poured the molten wax over a small lamp and ignited the wick— restarting the fire using the same wax. 



'*And I will become eternal.*' 



With that last sentence, he closed the book and leaned on the chair with a static face.



His long black hair touched the ground as his body rocked on the wooden chair. His ghastly pale skin and slitted gold eyes shone in the poorly lit room as he released a deep sigh.



"What are you doing here, Jiraiya?" 



His question was answered by a deep laughter. 



"And here I thought that I masked my presence completely." A white-haired man appeared as the room was filled with white smoke. It took a few seconds for the smoke to disappear and the white-haired man to appear near the author. "Tsunade would have never been able to detect my presence." 



The man that appeared was Jiraiya— one of the three famous students of the third Hokage and the self-proclaimed team leader. 



"Get to the point, Jiraiya… I am busy." 



Jiraiya rolled his eyes at his teammate's narky look. 



"Sensei wants us to keep an eye on the little tadpoles. There are a few good ones this year… or at least that's what he says." Jiraiya grinned. "If they are good, I just might pick up a team to train." 



"Not interested." 



Jiraiya paused at Orochimaru's rejection. But he somewhat expected it. 



Orochimaru was... not very sociable. It was far more difficult to pique his interest and that was the reason he never agreed to any teaching requests made by Lord Third. 



"This time it's not a request, Orochi." Jiraiya sighed. "Sensei has 'ordered' us three to appraise the kids' abilities." He clicked his tongue. "I was called this morning from an important mission just to keep an eye on them… So, you are not the only one that is annoyed by it." 



Orochimaru hated children. They were noisy, inattentive and rude— three things that he hated put together in a small package. 



But they often made good test subjects… however, they broke just as easily.



Maybe this time he will find someone that won't break so easily? 



"The Uchiha heir is also joining this year— and so is the Hyuuga heir."



Now, this piqued Orochimaru's interest. Hyuuga and Uchiha were two of the strongest clans in all of Konoha with dōjutsus that the entire shinobi world envied. 



'If the heirs are joining the academy this year then… then this might be a little exciting.' Orochimaru concealed his smirk with near perfection but Jiraiya noticed it thanks to his years of spending time with his ghost skinned teammate. 



But despite that, Jiraiya didn't say anything.



"When is the inauguration?" 



"In about an hour." 



Jiraiya answered which made Orochimaru scribble in his notebook. 



"Looks like I will have to postpone some of my experiments." Orochimaru mumbled, causing Jiraiya to grin. 



"So are you going?" Jiraiya asked, already aware of the answer.



Orochimaru looked at Jiraiya and smiled. "Yes, I am." He said but unknown to many— his intentions were far different than the Hokage and Jiraiya. "This just might be interesting." 



'After all… whom to experiment other than those who have barely been born?'