Private The Eternal Dance of Guidance and Growth

It was finally time to bring out my old friend to taste the flesh, blood and possibly steel of another weapon in combat. The last time that we had fought another was when we won the World Martial Arts Tournament in Tea Country for our village against the Cloud Medical Sennin Tsuyoshi Junko - a long time ago for both of us and my body was itching for combat. It was mentioned by me during the Council of Clans that I was looking to get back into battle sooner than later - it seemed that day would come sooner than I expected. Yesterday, I had met the newest bright-eyed Genin that were going to be under my watchful eye and hopefully would be guided by me to become great shinobi. One of them had been mentioned by the Academy about being promoted soon after graduation to Chunnin and I was going to be one of her obstacles along the way before she got there. Yes, I was technically not requested nor asked for permission to meet with her today but if people were thinking of promoting her so quickly after graduating from the Academy, I wanted to see if their thoughts were truly accurate or if they were making a grave mistake sending her to an early grave.

Her invitation to the Byakko Clan's arena was a simple one as she was provided clear, straightforward directions to get to the area and instructed to come here ready for a spar against me. She likely would appreciate this letter more than the other as it was no 'Where's Kyuji' and a simple 'You are summoned for a spar - come here.' Yet, if I was in her position being summoned by someone known within the village well, would I make that appearance or be nervous about what would happen to me? Yes, I was always open to testing anyone in the village in combat and I did enjoy a good old throwdown as some would call it, but I also was a member of the Toraono and Byakko Clan - we were the protectors of the village and always ready for a fight. Hopefully, she would not get cold feet and come soon.

If she did, she would see me leaning against one of the pristine, white walls of the arena with my sword in hand ready for combat. I would be wearing my typical Byakko Clan armor that others in the village apparently started to use during and after the Tea Tournament if you can use Chikamatsu Kohana and Shin as examples. She would notice that my eyes were closed as I was emptying my mind while I waited to prepare myself mentally for what was going to happen next. However if she appeared, I would open my eyes which would have a slight glow to them and simply ask: "Sabaku Rika, you know why you are summoned here. Are you ready to begin the exercise?"

It was early morning when Rika received the letter. She didn't expect it. It was straightforward this time, unlike the letter from the other day. Summoned for a spar against Kyuji. Rika was excited. A normal kid - or genin in her place might be nervous, or even scared, but Rika wasn't normal. She did have a little doubt in the back of her mind, 'What if I disappoint Lady Kyuji?', but Rika brushed that thought to the side. 'Finally, a challenge, not a snot nose thats going to cry,' Rika thought. Before she left her tiny apartment, Rika made sure her gear was in order.

Her black har tied upin a high ponytail, and her black cowl was in place on her shoulders. Rika checked her pouch and adjusted the padding under her tunic. While most would not want to be hit, she knew there was a high probability of getting hit. In the academy, when she faced other kids in spars, they rarely landed a hit. If she didn't expect it, like a surprise, then they'd land a hit. However, Rika expected Kyuji to be far beyond the skill level of a kid in the academy.

Rika arrived at the Toraono Dojo, and she spotted Kyuji immediately. The armor made her easy to tell apart, though the Dojo was empty, no one else except Rika and Kyuji, for now. Rika stopped about a meter away from Kyuji and smiled. She crossed her arms as Kyuji greeted her. "Lady Kyuji. Thanks for the invite. Straight to the point. I'm ready whenever you are," Rika replied, as she shifted her weight. Her chakra flared, which would be faintly visible. It was almost like a distortion that rippled around her. Rika was ready for a fight that she hoped would push her past her limits. The air thickened with battle spirit.


"Don't hold back just because I'm a kid, I'm better than all the other kids," Rika stated as if it were a fact, confident, maybe borderline arrogant in her tone.



[Topic entered]

A smile would surface on my face as I heard her response to my question. She was ready to lock up with her sensei and show everything that she could without holding her punches unlike when was in the Academy according to reports that I read when I first summoned her the other day. She seemed from the initial meeting to be the strongest and maturest of the three that were seated in front of me and indulging in my treats to them as I was learning about them slowly that day. It was time to test her in combat and see if everything I read and heard about her was true and she was ready for what the village would throw at her.

Standing at my spot, I would roll my neck emitting some cracks and simply say: "I do not hold back against anyone and you are not an exception. Let's begin!" The time was now to see if I still was able to hold this blade in my hand and use it as effectively as I did back in Tea Country eons ago or fighting Barynx with other shinobi of our village. Yes, I should have asked this from someone of a higher ranking than a Genin. But, if this squad was going to work with me, then I needed to ensure that they were ready for what would be thrown at them with the Baron Twins on the horizon and all the other unknown variables that we were not even aware of yet. There was also the scum of the Red Light District that could be cleaned up if we had the opportunity. Many things they would encounter and experience so quickly in life - Rika was the first to be tested and then I would see about getting Fire & Ice together to dance with me in combat to see if they were also ready.

I did wonder if Rika would be the only guest aside from members of my family or the extended of the Toraono Clan that would make an appearance. It did not matter either way as long as nobody got involved in my dance with Rika. I wanted a duet only and Rika was my partner this time.

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OOC:

• Calling B-Mod.
• Spectators Are Allowed.