Open Vibrant Colors, Loud Noises, Confusion

It had been quite some time since the "Gifted" from a distant land had stumbled upon Konohagakure and was allowed access to the village - a time long enough that her watcher seemingly disappeared from sight and she was allowed to explore and learn without interruptions. Unfortunately, she had not taken much strides in that area as she had been bedridden for most of her stay from some illness that she contracted. Though, she was able to see the seasons change and taken temporary residence near one of the commercial districts to keep her mind distracted as she rested and recovered.

Today was going to be different however. During her recovery, she had heard often as children passed by speaking about an establishment known as an arcade and using sticks, balls and shooting objects with their hands to get "tickets" that they apparently could then redeem for prizes. It all sounded so foreign to her, but it seemed to be an activity that children did regularly and then rushed home for dinner before they were scolded by their parents for being late or spending their allowances. This establishment sounded like something that her home country never had heard of and could potentially be something that they could look into adding.

Or at least, that is what she would have thought if she didn't arrive at the location and stand there dumbfounded. There were many flashing lights and beeping noises along with children, teenagers and even adults occupying the building. A large wall filled with random items on it with a cost below them and most of the people working here seemed to be around the ages of a teenager or young adult. It was a strange thing to see as Tomomi had already gone through the ritual to become a "Gifted" and experienced loss while these people were seemingly playing games and working at this strange place. But, the world was vast and each region likely different than the next so it wasn't out of the realm of possiblity.

Still, she wasn't sure what she was supposed to do. She even said to herself, "I do not know what to do to start", as she stood inside near the entrance and looked around at everything. Hopefully observing others arriving and others doing their activities here would clear up what she was supposed to do. Time would tell.

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OOC:

• I am very rusty as I have not roleplayed since I had to step away from the site years ago. Please be patient with me.
• Appearance: Tomomi is a rather unimpressive 5 feet 8 inches tall when compared to other individuals that share an oni lineage like herself and weights around 110 to 120 lbs. She has red eyes and silver hair that compliments the silver band that she wears on her right ring-finger that was a heirloom from her mother. Typically, her hair will be tied up when out and about doing her normal everyday activities or training, but there had been occasions where she lets it down and it flows in the wind ever so elegantly. The half-breed also has horns that will sprout out of her head when she becomes angry or reverts to using some her "Gifted" powers. As for attire, she typically is wearing some form of armor when engaging in any form of combat and outside of fighting, she usually is wearing a modified gi. However, she also has worn other clothing choices depending on the situation or occasion that she found herself in.
• MFT: 397 Words

He hadn’t planned to stop.

Shun had been walking with no real destination in mind, letting the late afternoon light and the fading buzz of the village guide his pace. Sometimes, after long weeks filled with tasks, orders, and responsibility, he liked to drift - let the rhythm of the village remind him that life still moved in small, quiet ways. Children laughing in the distance, the smell of grilled dango, wind rustling through half-open shop banners. He'd found himself oddly without anything to do that day. He'd wrapped up some things at the Byoin recently after the virus settled, and his bar shift had called in to close for the day because of low business. It was sure to pick back up in the near future, but today, he simply wandered.

That’s when the arcade caught his eye.

He paused outside the entrance, catching the blink of neon and hearing the muffled chaos within. It was a strange contrast to the mellow path he’d been wandering. Even so, he slipped through the doorway. Shun’s eyes scanned past the noise and movement until they caught on something quieter: a dartboard game nestled near the back wall.

It wasn’t flashy. Just an old wooden board with a physical flip score tracker above it and a tray of well-used darts below.

Perfect.

He stepped over, brushing a bit of dust from the edge of the machine. I guess its not that popular with the younger crowd.

He took a dart, tested its weight in his fingers, and drew his arm back.

Throw.

It thunked softly into the board - dead center of the outer ring. Not bad.

He lined up another.

Throw.

This one hit closer, nearly brushing the bullseye. A small smile tugged at the edge of his lips. This was nice. No pressure, no mission, just focus and movement. The kind of thing that let his mind quiet down.

As the arcade carried on around him with its usual rhythm of tokens, laughter, and chatter, Shun stayed in his little corner - just a man and a board, letting the world slow down for a while.

Shun speech
Shun thought

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As expected, the bustle of this little establishment was distracting people as the majority of people that strolled in ran off to do their own thing. Sometimes though, they'd stop at a machine that was dispensing an item in exchange for their money on hand; it seemed like a currency for the machines that were here; a possible exchange that Tomomi could try in the future. For now, she proceeded to begin an investigation of the inside of the "arcade" as her observations from the front entrance were not providing any information for her and she was curious at least a little bit.

During her stroll, she would see flashing machines that illuminated the general vicinity when someone hit something called "Jackpot" and coins would pour out or an endless trial of paper would slide out. These coins and paper would come out also however without hitting this "Jackpot". However, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and there was laughter, smiles and excitement throughout. Tomomi wasn't sure if this would be something that her home country would be able to utilize or establish, but it was interesting to say the least.

As she continued her investigation, she would notice a male away from most of the commotion throwing projectiles at a board that had a circle on it with various patterns of green, red, black and an off white. A smile even was on his face as she approached as he nearly hit the middle of the board; she assumed that was good, but this game like the rest of this business was foreign to her. Without a remark, she picked up one of these projectiles that he had nearby and threw one at the board - it hit dead center. She would ask him a simple question: "I assume that is what you are aiming to do? Correct?"

It was time to see what she could gather from this man.

---

OOC:

• I am very rusty as I have not roleplayed since I had to step away from the site years ago. Please be patient with me.
• Appearance: Tomomi is a rather unimpressive 5 feet 8 inches tall when compared to other individuals that share an oni lineage like herself and weights around 110 to 120 lbs. She has red eyes and silver hair that compliments the silver band that she wears on her right ring-finger that was a heirloom from her mother. Typically, her hair will be tied up when out and about doing her normal everyday activities or training, but there had been occasions where she lets it down and it flows in the wind ever so elegantly. The half-breed also has horns that will sprout out of her head when she becomes angry or reverts to using some her "Gifted" powers. As for attire, she typically is wearing some form of armor when engaging in any form of combat and outside of fighting, she usually is wearing a modified gi. However, she also has worn other clothing choices depending on the situation or occasion that she found herself in.
• MFT: 321 Words

Shun blinked in surprise as the dart struck dead center with effortless precision. The small thunk it made echoed cleanly over the buzzing background noise of the arcade. His own shot, still quivering just shy of the bullseye, suddenly felt clumsy by comparison. He knew he needed to refine his aim - projectiles had never been his specialty. Most of his training had been focused around close-quarters work, his longsword an extension of his hand. Darts, kunai, senbon - he’d dabbled, sure, but they never felt quite as natural.

He turned to the girl who had approached so quietly, watching her now with a flicker of curiosity that stirred behind his otherwise calm and open expression. She had picked up the dart like it was second nature, held it with purpose, and released it without a hint of hesitation. There had been no calculation visible on her face, no visible effort. Just... instinct.

“That was… impressive,” he said, his smile soft but genuine. “And yeah, that’s exactly the goal. Took me weeks to get even close to consistent, but you - ” He glanced toward the dartboard again, where her shot still sat squarely in the center. “ - you nailed it on your first try.”

He stepped to the side slightly, making room as he gestured toward the small pile of darts beside him. “You’ve got a good eye.”

On the surface, his tone was casual and friendly, just another teen striking up conversation in the middle of a loud, colorful arcade. But inwardly, his thoughts were sharp and observant. That kind of aim doesn’t come from watching others at play. It wasn’t luck. Her form had been too clean, her posture relaxed in a way that only came from repetition. The follow-through of her throw reminded him of training grounds, not games. There was discipline in her movements - muscle memory built over time.

Combat experience. Possibly shinobi.

He didn’t recognize her, and she didn’t wear a headband. Not uncommon in civilian areas - after all, his own had been stored in his bag temporarily to not disturb the peace of the civilians in his village - but still something to note. If she was one of theirs, perhaps she was relaxing in the area just as he was. But if she wasn’t…

His thoughts briefly flashed to recent tensions - a city nearby still recovering from chaos. The uncertainty that still hung in the air.

He offered her a mild, curious look, still wearing his usual gentle smile. “I’m Shun. You here to play, or just seeing the sights?”

It wasn’t an interrogation, just a quiet invitation. A way to learn more without pressing too hard. Friendly, but alert. Because as much as he enjoyed the hum of joy and laughter around them, he couldn’t ignore the quiet warning in his gut. He hoped he was wrong.

But if he wasn’t, he wanted to be ready.

Shun speech
Shun thought

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Without any knowledge of the game that this boy had been playing, she had managed to do what the objective was in her first try. It likely caught him off guard since she had managed to walk up without making much noise and her throw had hit dead center - not that it was unexpected from her as she had been trained since a young age in the art of combat including the elements to physical confrontations to deception. If it was a part of the world of combat in some form, she likely had expertise in it for better or worse. When it comes to recreational activities like this game, it likely would not make it fun for others since the margin of error that they had against her was slim to none.

She heard his words as he moved slightly to the side to give her more room, but she didn't say anything initially as she picked up more of these projectiles in her hand and threw them - each one of them hitting in the center again. She even closed her eyes on the last one and threw it resulting in it rubbing steel on steel with another before hitting the center marking. Every single projectile in the center with no true effort put into it - simple muscle memory and years of experience through training and utilizing in real-life situations.

Turning to head to the side to look at the male, she spoke: "Tomomi from Tomoe Country, Shun. Visiting on what people call a 'vacation'. Anything I can learn while I'm here, I plan to take back to my home to help. Pleasure to meet you." She would take a few more of the projectiles after speaking, turning her back to the board and throwing them one after enough without looking - she could hear the ones being thrown clanking against the others already on the board. Not a single one outside of the center - impressive to a normal person, but unimpressive to Tomomi.

"You may want to take some of them off the board as it will get harder to hit the middle otherwise," a little smile on her face forming as she made her remark before moving to the side herself to allow the boy a chance to clean the board up. As she stood there, she would listen to the sounds around her and take a moment to let it all in before throwing a question at the boy: "Shun, this game. What do you call it and why are there different numbers and colors on the board if the goal is to hit the center?" A simple question for the boy, but something to learn for herself.

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OOC:

• WC: 456

Shun stood just off to the side, eyes tracking each throw with the calm focus of someone used to reading movement. The way she moved - he was sure of it. Whether shinobi or not, she had the experience of someone who had thrown to survive. Each strike into the center only confirmed what he already suspected - Tomomi wasn’t just visiting. She may have been here on vacation, but her presence carried weight. She didn’t move like a tourist. She moved like someone who never stopped being on mission, even when they said they were off-duty.

He kept his posture relaxed, moving to remove a few of the lodged projectiles as she stepped aside. “You weren’t kidding about learning from everything,” he said lightly, voice even. “If this is your first time seeing one of these, then… well, I think the game might have more to learn from you.”

Standing, he turned one of the projectiles in his hand thoughtfully before setting it back down. “Darts is the name of the game. There are a few ways to play the game, but the base is 501, and the goal is to be the first to reduce your score to exactly zero. The colored rings can double and triple the corresponding numbers on the outside of the ring. To finish the game, you get a double or a bullseye, the two centermost rings." He shrugged his shoulders. "Most people just aim for the middle, though. That’s the instinct.”

He gave her a small smile, but his eyes were sharp with interest. “You've got good control. Not just aim - but restraint. That’s harder to come by.”

There was a pause before he added, more carefully, “You don’t seem like the kind of person who comes here just for fun. So… what’s Tomoe like? And what kind of help are you hoping to bring back with you?” His voice was open, curious, but beneath the question was the quiet hope of insight - not into her technique, but into her intent. Perhaps he could even offer a helping hand to her country.

She’s trained, experienced, and precise. The real question now... is what she chooses to use that skill for.

Shun speech
Shun thought

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As they stood there, the younger individual would begin to remove the projectiles from the board - "darts" is what she would call them since he mentioned the game was called darts and logically that would make sense. Smaller than senbon or kunai that she was accustomed to, but similar in design. Though, a dart could be a useful alternative depending on the situation at hand when one surfaced. She would have to remember this as she grabbed one sitting on a nearby table and tucked it into her clothing for later review and analysis. At a minimum, she knew she could handle using one if necessary.

The black-haired shinobi from this village would continue speaking, praising her about her control and likely would have questions about her training since the look he gave was one of interest and curiousity - not a bad thing for someone young and in a peaceful environment like this. This village was entirely different from her own back home and it was well-established, thriving and overall seemed safer and peaceful. Yes, there were some buildings that were seemingly left go and there didn't seem to be as many people around in the streets as there was when she first came her, but that was life in a sense: always moving, always changing, never constant. She would hear him ask about her home country and what she was hoping to get help with which were both valid questions since she was a foreigner, but also a tough topic to discuss given her upbringing.

She would speak calmly and direct to the boy: "I do not know much about my country aside from my own village within it and some neighboring villages that we traded with or were at war with. I know we have a place called the 'Capital' which creates the laws and regulations that we need to follow in our village to an extent, but we also were doing what was necessary to survive. My village has a policing force which I was a part of and also a medical facility ran by humans and onis - full humans or onis, not half-breeds. Our village is very different to your village. A lot more simpler and traditional I would say." She was choosing her words carefully as she spoke as the building that they were in was not ideal for descriptive details that she could provide like the torturous techniques that she endured, the procedure that she did that allowed her to have multiple hearts within her chest, and murdering her own father as revenge for abusing her for years. No, those details would need to wait until later when she was comfortable with the boy and he could be trusted - he was merely a stranger right now.

After a brief pause, she would resume: "I want to learn as much as I can from your village and country that I can bring home to my own. Food, entertainment, combat strategies, medicine, and schooling are all things that I have considered while being here, but there is no limitations as I want to keep my mind open as I can not consider every single aspect. You can understand that, I believe? Your country is not the only one that I am going to visit in the same way. I heard there was a village among the clouds and one in the desert as I passed by on the streets previously. I also heard of another country where they held a combat tournament with multiple villages that seemingly provided that country with a profitable outcome." She would then turn away momentarily to look around them and gather her thoughts for a moment before looking back at the young male in front of her roughly her own height: "I guess you could say that I do not have a real plan and I am sightseeing in a way. But, I want to see my village flourishing and see some changes from what has been the normal for so long."

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OOC:

• WC: 675 Words

Shun offered a small nod as she spoke, listening with the kind of focus that made it clear her words mattered. His arms stayed loosely folded as he leaned back against the wall near the dartboard, posture relaxed but not disengaged. His expression remained soft, attentive, but behind those calm grey eyes, his thoughts were busy. It was all quite different from the way his own village worked.

He didn’t rush to speak when she paused. Instead, he allowed the moment to breathe, sensing that some of what she wasn’t saying spoke just as loudly as what she had shared. And when she went on, explaining her hopes - not just for herself, but for the people back home - it reached somewhere deep within him. That drive to bring change, even without a roadmap, was something he intimately understood.

Shun’s posture shifted then, subtle but meaningful. His arms dropped to his sides, no longer folded in front of him like a barrier. He stepped forward, just slightly, a small exhale leaving his lips as if something unseen had eased in his chest.

“…That makes a lot of sense,” he said at last, his voice quieter than before, laced with something warmer - something more personal. “You want to change things for the better. Not for glory, or recognition, but just… because you’ve seen what’s wrong. And you don’t want to let it stay that way.”

He smiled, a genuine one now, not the kind meant to ease tension, but the kind that comes from understanding. “Even without a perfect plan, that kind of heart already puts you ahead of most.”

His gaze wandered briefly, sweeping across the arcade’s chaotic energy - the blaring game sounds, the squeals of victory from kids, the scent of fried snacks lingering in the air. “This place might feel loud and silly compared to everything you’ve dealt with,” he said with a chuckle, “but places like this matter too. They show what peace can look like. Laughter, safety, community… Even for a short time, that kind of joy helps people heal.”

When his gaze returned to her, it was softer. More open. “If you’re serious about wanting to learn, I’d be honored to show you more. Not just the games - but our schools, the training fields, and especially the Byoin, though we can't wander as much there. That’s where I spend most of my time these days, but only because I'm training in the field.”

His hand lifted, thumb rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly as he added, “I can’t reveal all the medical shinobi techniques - we’ve got to keep some secrets, y’know - but herbology is something I’ve studied since I was a child. I can walk you through the plants we use, how we mix them, what they’re best for. Maybe even prepare a small pouch of useful herbs for you to take back home from my home garden. If they grow well in your soil, they might become something valuable for your medics too.”

Then his smile tilted into something a little more self-conscious, a little more hopeful. “And… if you’re open to it, I’d love to hear about your medical facility as well. Oni or not. I think there’s always something to learn from how others heal. Especially from someone who’s seen both pain and survival so closely.”

His voice grew quieter near the end, but his gaze didn’t waver. For the first time since they started talking, Shun wasn't just trying to welcome a foreigner or represent his village - he was just being himself, offering knowledge, curiosity, and a small step toward friendship.

Shun speech
Shun thought

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As she had opened up a part of herself to him, he replied in kind to her comments. He may have been privileged to live in a place that was safer and more securer than hers, but he was empathetic and reasonable with what he was saying. Though, he was likely younger than her and inexperienced in many things in life, he was curious and seemed to have a hint of ambition in his body. So long as he knew how to keep it in line, he would be able to live his life fully without concern for his or his home's well-being which was unlike Tomomi who had to grow up quickly and become a machine for her home essentially with no real time to be a kid. Different upbringings, but neither were right or wrong - just different.

"Your village is definitely different than my home in many ways. Both have their traditions, customs and way of lives. Yours would have been far easier for the children than ours was..." she would trail off as she turned her head momentarily taking in the scene around her and to gather herself. A few moments later, she would continue: "Death and torture - a common occurrence back home daily. I have seen many people die at a young age by their elders, their peers, and their own hands. You get numb from it after awhile, but seeing it continuing to happen is....unfortunate. I would like to change that, Shun. One day." It was likely that the younger companion would be looking for a hint of something in her body, face, or eyes but she was neutral to it all. She didn't get to this age for being emotional and not thinking strategically. A fortune, or unfortunate, advantage to where she was born and raised.

She would continue: "If you are willing to show me around your village and your study in herbology, I would appreciate that. I might be able to show you some things as well from my upbringing, Shun. Though for someone outside of there, you will need to have a strong stomach as it is not peaceful and a calm place like your village."

The ball was in Shun's court. What would he do?

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OOC:

• WC: 377 Words

Shun listened carefully, giving Tomomi his full attention. His soft grey eyes never wavered from her face, even as her words painted a picture so different from the life he had known. Each word etched itself into his heart - the casual way she spoke of death and torture was enough to make his chest tighten, but there was no fear in her voice, only a deep, quiet resolve. He didn’t interrupt, letting her take her time. A part of him ached for the childhood she hadn’t been allowed to have. Another part admired her strength, the calm steel she carried so naturally.

She’s lived through things I can barely imagine, Shun thought, fingers curling slightly against his side. And she still wants to change it. She still hopes for something better.

When she finished, Shun felt the weight of the conversation shifting to him - not as a burden, but as a trust being offered. He straightened a little, his smile small but genuine.

"I think... you're incredibly strong, Tomomi," he said softly, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside him. "Stronger than I could ever hope to be. And you’re already changing things - just by wanting something better. I really believe that."

He hesitated a moment, thoughtful, then added more carefully, "And even if it takes years... even if it feels impossible sometimes... someone like you could make a real difference. You're not numb, not really. You still care enough to want to stop it."

Shun shifted his gaze briefly, glancing around at the colorful arcade lights flashing and buzzing in the distance. The contrast was almost surreal - laughter, joy, safety - things that he had taken for granted most of his life. Things that had been denied to her. He turned back to her with new resolve shining in his eyes.

"I’d be honored to show you around my village and the gardens," he said, a little more firmly this time. "If you’re willing to share some of your knowledge with me too... I’d be grateful. I want to understand - not just the good things, but everything. Even the parts that are hard to see."

He paused for a beat, then smiled more warmly and offered a small, respectful bow, one hand resting over his heart.

"I promise I’ll be strong enough, Tomomi. You won’t have to walk that path alone."

MFT
WC: 399

Shun speech
Shun thought

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A respectful bow, sincerity in his eyes and words that a normal person would have been affected by instantly. He had a heart and empathy for others easy, but words only carried so much weight while the actions after showed the true colors of an individual. A trust was forming between the two of them, but Tomomi still had a hesitation about the male as he was friendly and upbeat - two traits that she herself did not experience often in her upbringing and thus far in life. But, this was also another part of the world and she was fully aware that the world did not exist on one plane - people were different and not everyone was evil; looking to continue the cycle of pain and torture that she experienced in her life. Though, Shun would need to prove that his words had merit and he would be able to do what he was saying.

She would begin to respond to the boy: "Strength is something that we all needed to have from when we were old enough to walk back home. I hope one day the children of my home can be children like I have seen while traveling and allowed to become who they want to be. But, I will need to bare the burden of my actions when I go back and try to make the change, Shun." Looking around at the arcade illuminating and the laughter, she thought how grand it would be if the youth back home could experience this instead of the bloodshed that they spilled and the violation of their minds and bodies from the elders who trained them. How nice it would be.

A moment to gather her thoughts and to refocus, she would continue: "I will share my knowledge with you and also test the strength behind your words, Shun. Show me around your village and one day, let's test your skills as a shinobi on the battlefield through a spar. I have heard many people speak in my years, but their actions are what matter to me in the end. It also will allow me to see if you can walk this path with me that you are hinting at or if it would be better for you to say out of it. I do not want to be responsible for someone's life that could be utilized better for their home."

She would step closer to the boy at this point, putting her hands on his shoulders and looking deep into his soul through her eyes. Emotionlessly, she would say: "Death is permanent for most, Shun. It is not for us in my home."

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OOC:

• WC: 446 Words

Shun didn’t move as she stepped closer. Her hands came to rest on his shoulders - gentle, but firm enough to ground him in the moment. Her eyes searched his face, steady and unblinking, like she was looking for something buried deep within him - something he wasn’t even sure he knew how to give. He didn’t flinch. If anything, he leaned into the weight of her gaze, letting it press against him like a test he silently agreed to take.

There was a quiet moment before he spoke again, voice softer now, edged with something more personal. “You carry your past like armor,” he said. “It suits you… but I hope someday you get to set it down, even if just for a while.”

He blinked, surprised by what had just left his mouth - half-intention, half-instinct. The words had come before he could shape them properly, and now they hung in the air between them. A soft warmth crept up his neck, blooming faintly in his cheeks. It suits you? What was that even supposed to mean?

He coughed lightly, scratching the back of his neck with an awkward grin. “Sorry. Sometimes my mouth speaks before my brain can keep up,” he said, offering a small, self-deprecating chuckle.

Shifting his weight, Shun took a step back, easing the pressure of their closeness. He glanced sideways toward the arcade, the sounds of surrounding chaos having droned into a quiet hum in the background of their conversation once his attention had been placed.. “I look forward to our spar,” he added, his tone lightening, though something resolute remained underneath. A spark flickered behind his smile as he reached for a nearby dart, rolling it between his fingers like a familiar talisman. “I won’t hold back, and every moment between now and then is just more time for me to grow stronger.”

His gaze drifted back to her for a brief moment, thoughtful. You’ve walked through fire and survived. You’ve seen death and didn’t turn away. He, too, had faced death - not as a distant threat, but as something he’d delivered with trembling hands. The weight of it was still fresh.

He turned the dart in his hand, watching how the light caught its tip. “I hope you're prepared,” he said, the grin widening just enough to hide the flicker of nerves beneath. This wasn’t just about training. This was a quiet vow to himself, a step forward from the shadows of guilt and fear.

If you can come this far, then I can too.

MFT
WC: 426

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Shun thought

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Shun was certainly an interesting individual in the eyes of Tomomi as he was young but seemed to have a good head on his shoulders, likely in part due to not seeing the true horrors of the world outside of his village's gates. A reality that someone unaccustomed to it would have a hard time seeing in real-time including torture, mutilation, and abuse of the mind, body, and soul. On the one hand, she appreciated the ambition to want to help to make a positive change in the world. But, she also was a realist and could see this young shinobi being scarred for his lifetime after seeing her home; barbaric monsters was a term that one could describe for her home's residents. However, time would tell if Shun would be truly ready for this or if his heart spoke more than his actions - a heart that could be utilized in other ways if needed.

His first response, a comment on comparing her to armor was an interesting choice of words, but an understandable one. She could have laughed at his phrasing, but she nodded at him as he would go on to apologize to her for wording. He would then continue to comment on sparring her and getting stronger before then, finishing with a grin as he hoped she was prepared. It was admirable to hear him show some confidence in his words, but he would need to give her the same when they clashed blades, knives, jutsu, or however he fought. Tomomi's battle style was not one particular focus - a jack of all trades in a sense aside from a focus on using weapons over anything else. It was what she grew up doing the most until she was old enough to pick up more things.

She would speak, a calm demeanor in her voice in response: "Confidence is a good trait to have, Shun. But, do not get overconfident as mistakes happen when one thinks the outcome is decided. As we stand here, I know that you need time to get stronger before it would be an even playing field in a spar. Yet, I know you could surprise me if I slipped up once or twice even at the difference in strength currently. This advice is not only useful in combat, but in life in general."

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OOC:

• MFT: 392 Words

Shun gave a quiet laugh, a hand coming up to rub the back of his neck as he nodded thoughtfully at Tomomi’s words. “You’re right,” he said, his voice warm but measured. “Confidence can’t be blind, or it becomes arrogance. That’s when people get careless - and in our world, a careless moment can cost a life. I’ve seen that... even if only just recently.”

His gaze drifted for a moment, not unfocused, but reflective - like his mind had briefly returned to a battlefield he wasn’t ready to speak about yet. “I used to think that if I trained hard enough and smiled through everything, I could protect the people I care about from all the bad out there. But I’m starting to realize… sometimes, you can do everything right and still come up short. That’s a lesson that doesn’t come easy.”

Shun looked back at her, a faint, almost bittersweet smile forming on his lips. “Still, I won’t let that stop me. I don’t want to be someone who gives up when the world gets ugly. I want to understand it - the pain, the fear, even the cruelty. If I can carry a piece of that weight for someone else, even for a moment, then maybe that’s where my strength will matter most.”

He straightened a little, determination sharpening the softness in his tone. “I’ll take your advice seriously. I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but I do want to grow. Not just to spar with you one day - though I’m definitely looking forward to that - but so I can face things honestly, with open eyes and a ready heart.”

Then, after a beat, his expression brightened with a more genuine smile. “When that day comes, when we finally cross blades or clash jutsu, I promise I won’t hold back. Not out of pride, but out of respect - because I know I’ll be standing across from someone I can learn a lot from.”

MFT
WC: 331

Shun speech
Shun thought

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