An open book. His Uncle immediately saw that Kojirou didn’t exactly feel the most confident about his performance at the previous Chūnin Exams, but Uncle quickly reminded Kojirou that one’s first-time achievements at an exam that wild wasn’t exactly the end-all-be-all of his career, talent, and future. It wasn’t the end of the world, and Kojirou felt reassured just with a hand on his shoulder. He didn’t mean to worry Uncle, but at the same time, Kojirou’s terrible at keeping personal things secret.
He… faintly remembered. He thought he had the Fire Release nature back at the Academy, but when globs of clearly thicker substances melted the grass below him, the elders were all joyous to see that another Honō clan member had awakened Lava Release. Even today, out of everyone in the clan – from the active shinobi to the homestead supporters, the smiths and merchants and everyone in between – he, Uncle, Chisai-neechan and Mako-nii were the only ones currently confirmed to possess Lava Release – 4 out of the entire clan, and that was considered a high amount.
"N-No, no, Dad hasn’t said anything bad!” Kojirou laughed at Uncle’s sudden promises to lowkey big brother Tenrō, despite being his dad’s younger brother – some would think that the slimmer guy was younger, but Kojirou would say that Uncle was stronger too. Don’t tell Dad. "Hahaha! Mum didn’t feel pity, c’mooooooon! That's ruuuuuuude!” Kojirou’s spirits were raised by the comedy brought by his Uncle, feeling much more at ease now that things were back to normal. He just wanted to make his clan proud, but he was naïve – the clan was already proud of him. And he’d overlooked that.
"Not many things I know that can deal with lava…” he inquired, cupping his chin as he thought back to the other Genin that were participating. He’d fought Goro in Round 2, and Goro was vastly physically superior to him – he blitzed him, outpaced him, and overpowered him. To kick Kojirou so many meters up in the air like he was a football was no joke, and he did so before Kojirou could weave a single handseal. Goro outmaneuvered Lava Release by simply not letting it be employed, and that was a smart move from him.
Come to think of it… the only other Genin at the time who moved at a similar speed to Goro – from what Kojirou could remember – was the redhead friend of Azarea, Miroru. She used Lightning Release, too, so there was something there as well – she could probably blitz him as well. Okay, sure, Kojirou wasn’t the fastest guy around, but if he was slower than his opponent… then he’d have to bet on durability instead. And he wasn’t durable, not the way he was now.
But his Uncle was durable. His armor said enough, but there was inspiration to draw.
"… I-I made new friends there!” he decided to reveal to his precious Uncle, fist clenched excitingly and raised up in the air to announce his achievements, "There were so many cool Genin from Konoha and Kumo, like Azarea, Katsuo, Miroru, Itsuki, Tokaku, and Goro too – he’s the one I fought in Round 2… he was too fast for me to track. But maybe I can fight him again, someday!”
In a way, Kojirou had gotten a sort of rival.
"But… hmmmmmmmh… I felt like I missed something defensive. Something to tank hits, should I get bested in speed… like some sort of Lava Armor…”
Since it was an S-Rank technique, Kojirou didn’t yet catch up on the teachings of Lava Release Armor. He still had one of the scrolls that the elders used to document Lava Release techniques, should he ever feel inspired to train and master some new Jutsu, but the one he was thinking about was one of the clan’s crown jewels. The very zenith of lava manipulation.
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