Shira looked into Kai's eyes, which had shed all pretense and were now filled with scrutiny.
The light of the setting sun slanted in, dancing on Kayna's iconic head.
He asked very directly, "You killed the enemy, didn't you?"
There was no surprise, no blame.
It's a confirmation, a confirmation that this first stain of blood occurred within reasonable circumstances.
Shira was silent for a few seconds. Rock Lee and Naruto next to her held their breath, especially Rock Lee, who vaguely understood the meaning of "murder." His face drained of color, and his eyes were filled with shock and an indescribable tremor as he looked at Shira.
Naruto tilted his head, still trying to process the concept of "killing enemies," his blue eyes showing some confusion.
"Of course they were the enemy." Shira spoke, her voice low but clear, echoing across the quiet training ground. "A vicious band of thugs who robbed caravans, murdered and plundered, and were wiped out by our team during a mission."
He paused, his gaze unwavering as he looked directly at Kai, as if stating something to himself.
"I killed him, firstly, to protect something."
His voice was steady, as if stating a simple fact, "I must guard the key passage of the canyon and control the megalithic traps that could crush all my teammates and civilian caravan members."
"If I don't deal with him, my comrades and those unarmed civilians will die. Protecting my comrades and completing the mission is a ninja's duty."
Kai listened quietly, his arms still folded, but his eyes flickered slightly.
"Secondly," Shira continued, her tone carrying a different undertone, as if analyzing something, or perhaps reaffirming a certain conviction.
"It's to truly 'grow' through blood and fire. I know that no matter how much sweat I shed on the training field or how many dangers I simulate, it's not as good as personally experiencing a life-or-death battle. Pain, fear, hesitation, and then making a decision."
"Only by overcoming this obstacle will the body remember the feeling, and the will be tempered to become more resilient. I need this kind of training, especially when I can't use Ninjutsu; Taijutsu is my only reliance. It must be honed in the harshest environments to become reliable enough."
Shira spoke frankly, without any grand pronouncements, but with a resolute air. Rock Lee was stunned. He had never thought about "becoming stronger" from this perspective before; all he wanted to do was train hard, defeat his opponents, and earn recognition.
Shira's words opened another door for him, a door leading to a darker, more realistic ninja world.
The bird-man seemed to understand but not quite, but he took the words "protect his companions" and "become stronger" to heart, and his little hands unconsciously clenched into fists.
Shira took a final breath, her gaze becoming even calmer, yet also carrying an unwavering resolve.
"Thirdly," he said, looking at Kai, enunciating each word clearly, "The path I've chosen is the way of Taijutsu. This path is far more difficult than that of those who can use Ninjutsu."
"There are no shortcuts, no easy ways. Every bit of strength must be earned through sweat, pain, and even blood. Therefore, my will must be stronger than theirs, and my mind must be able to endure more. Mercy towards the enemy on the battlefield may be cruelty towards oneself and one's comrades."
"Having chosen this more difficult path, I must accept everything it brings, including... personally eliminating the enemy to hone this will that cannot afford to fail."
After he finished speaking, a brief silence fell over the training ground. Only the evening breeze rustled through the trees.
Kai, still with his arms crossed, looked at Shira. The solemn expression on his face slowly faded, replaced by a complex expression of emotion and a barely perceptible sigh. He understood.
The choices, resolve, and even the deliberate actions of this young man from Sunagakure reveal the most difficult path to survival and strength that a "bottom-of-the-class" student chose for himself in the cruel world of ninja.
He lowered his arms, put his hands on his hips, and exhaled a long, slow breath.
Then, he raised his hand and, with his rough, calloused, and scarred hands, vigorously rubbed his signature watermelon head, making his hair even more disheveled.
This familiar, somewhat troubled and helpless gesture dissipated much of the imposing seriousness about him.
"To protect your comrades, and to hone your will for the path of Taijutsu?"
Kai repeated Shira's words in a low voice, as if he were chewing on them or confirming them.
He looked at Shira, whose eyes remained calm yet concealed a tense tension, as if he saw Kakashi and Itachi from back then, and even earlier, that boy who had etched "protection" and "becoming stronger" into his very bones through countless sweat and wounds.
"I understand." Kai finally nodded, his voice regaining its usual booming tone, but lacking the deliberate passion and carrying a heavier weight.
"Your reasons are quite valid. The path of the ninja, especially the path of Taijutsu ninja, also makes sense."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Rock Lee, who was still in shock and had a complicated look in his eyes, and Naruto, who looked bewildered but was trying hard to understand, before looking back at Shira.
"But you little rascal," Kai's voice turned serious, "Remember what you said today. 'Protection' is your anchor, 'tempering' is your hammer, but don't let blood and fire harden and freeze your heart as well."
"The ultimate Taijutsu is a burning passion, not cold-blooded slaughter. You have to find that balance yourself, with your youth and sweat."
He pointed to Shira, then to his own heart.
"Keep going with the awareness! But don't go astray! Otherwise..."
He suddenly grinned, revealing a set of gleaming White Fang, and the smile returned to his face, but this time it carried an undeniable power.
"I, the Blue Beast of the Hidden Leaf of Konoha, will not stand idly by! Even if you're just a kid from Sunagakure, I'll use my youthful passion to kick you back on track! That's my special care for hardworking juniors! Haha!"
The return of that familiar, slightly exaggerated tone instantly eased the heavy atmosphere.
But Shira knew that Kai was serious when he said those words.
After all, the opponent was a terrifying character who possessed the ability to kill Six Paths level being with a single kick right from the beginning of the Hokage anime!!
"I will remember that, Senior Kai." Shira nodded solemnly.