Open A New Dawn Yet More of the Same

[Tamashi Seto]

With the afternoon breeze flowing through his long bangs, he found himself panting after a long training session. It seemed he had reached his limit after wielding his Odachi for what seemed like hours. Despite his hands trembling and his body screaming at him to give up, he would have none of that. Besides, what would his older sister think If she caught him goofing off? That she was disappointed in him? That he was a worthless member of the clan? He didn't know, and frankly, he didn't want to, especially due to the fact he had been chosen over her despite the gap in their ages. If anyone was worthy to be the heir of the clan, It was her, not him, but father's decision was final. He had no choice but to live upto their expectations, no matter what It took. If that was going to be the case, he was going to have to focus and work through the pain that coursing throughout his body. With his target dead ahead of him, a dummy encased in thick metal armor, there was no way he was going to cut through it and take down his target. In this situation, he had no choice but send his reserves of chakra into his odachi's blade. It was the only way he get through those thick plates. Realizing the difficulty of the technique he was about to attempt, he bit his tongue. This was going to be a challenge for sure but there was no point in complaining. He just have push through and keep trying. Once he was ready, he cleared his mind of any distractions and closed his eyes as to better focus. Remembering what he learned at the academy as well from his eldest sister, he began channeling his chakra that sat littered throughout his body and attempted to send it towards his blade through his hands. As the seconds turns to minutes however, It soon became apparent that despite his best effort, he was getting no where beyond being able to get his blade to glow for a mere second or two. As If things couldn't get any worse, It was only than did he realize he had reached his limit. With his hands trembling even more so than they had just a few minutes prior, his eyes widen as the handle of his blade suddenly slipped out of his hands, causing a loud "clang" like noise to erupt when his blade finally landed on the ground. Soon after, a groaned escaped him before he sighed.
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"Tsck! This can't be my limit!.......This is such a pain. There has to be a trick to this. I've been doing this for hours after all."

After he finished rolling his eyes in disappointment, he ended up turning his head in the direction of the dojo's exit. Apart of him wanted to Shizu to pop up. Since she had better chakra control than him, maybe she could help him out....or maybe she just drag him away from here....NO! He told himself. He couldn't slack off but he would be lying If he said his body didn't needed a break. Well he had been at the clan's dojo for several hours now. Maybe a small break would be ok. Maybe he even get lucky and run into someone who could give him a tip. After all, there had to be an easy way to get this right!

Training Progress

 

[Tamashi Seto]

Having came to a conclusion that he needed a break, he reluctantly pulled himself away from the center of the dojo's sparring area before picking up his odachi off the ground. Removing his saya from his back, he sheathed his Odachi in it's resting place. Even though It was only a training weapon, at least by members of his own clan, he couldn't very well let it get damaged. Besides the obvious, that being he get a ear full from his father, there was little doubt in his mind that this blade would save his life in the future, so he had to protect It was much as It would protect him. After all, a swordsmen was only good as his sword. He had to prove he had the potential, not only to his family and to himself but to Shizu's parents as well. While they would never leave each other's hearts, her parents had the ability to end their arrangement at any time. Like hell he was going to let happen, especially If it meant another man would get her. That only meant he have to keep training without fail...but not right this second. His mind might have been eagered but his body was not. He was still in need of that break after all, no matter how much he hated that fact. It was something he was just going to have to deal with. Admitting defeat, he sighed as he carried his Odachi at his side before making his way over towards one of the walls of the dojo. Taking a seat up against the wall, his eyes beamed up at the ceiling with a laser like focus of all things. He sighed again as he thought to himself outload.
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"This would probably go alot faster If Lady Raikage just assigned me to a mentor already....one that could actually teach me, unlike those at the academy....yet for some reason, I haven't.......What's even up about that anyway? It's beyond unusual for a Genin to not be assigned to a Genin team after graduation.. I wonder If it's got something to do with father.......but why? I know our clan isn't originally from here but still. We proven ourselves loyal to the village so why? Surely It can't be me.......right? I mean.....I may carry the Uchiha blood within me but my sister carries the same blood and she's already a Jonin.......Ugh, this is so lame...." ​

Agitated by his own thoughts, he could do nothing but sigh again in defeat. Things were really hopeless weren't they? At least for him. At this rate, he would never get anywhere If no one was willing to instruct him. He guess he had no choice but to suck it up and do what he could. Once he came to this point, and found a tiny bit of motivation along the way, he immediately crossed his legs, and by mustering what little strength remained in his arms, he brought his hands together, forming them into a tora hand seal. If he couldn't physically train, he may as well train that of his mind instead. As he did before, he began channeling his chakra throughout his body and sent it to his hands. Within seconds, he could suddenly feel his hand engulfed in the blue energy that was his chakra. Without wasting his strength to wield his four foot long Odachi, channeling his chakra began alot easier. Perhaps he ought to continue this? To meditate like the Shinto Priestesses of his clan? Hmm, maybe he ought to train under them, specifically Tomoko? What was the worse that could happen?


Training Progress

 

[Tamashi Seto]

After resting for several minutes, he flashed his eyes open, revealing aqua blue sky overneath and a few servants in the distance, no doubt warriors wishing to train. That was his que to leave, at least for the time being. Being the heir of the clan, he could always pull rank but he wasn't like that. While he was better off than most, he wasn't some entitled brat nor did he wanted to be labeled as such. With a groan, his aching body reluctantly pulled itself up off from the ground. He grabbed his odachi was that laying against the wall and shifted It to his back via some straps to hold it's saya in place. Now ready for his departure, he quickly made his way towards the exit, but not before his two kinsmen took notice of him. As he neared the exit, they immediately stopped what they were doing, turned in his direction and bowed.

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"You honor us with your presence Lord Seto."

He raised a eyebrow, wanting to speak, but before he had the opportunity to do so, the second man decided to speak up, seemingly eager to confirm what had already been stated.

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"Yes my lord, It is our kinsmen says."

Continuing his thought process from just a few seconds ago, he initially wanted to speak but It upon realizing they were only showing their respect, as expected of his kinsmen, he decided to bite his tongue for the time being. By the time he was under the torii gate that stood just outside one of his clan's many dojo's, he found himself slightly depressed. He was the son and heir of the Clan Daimyo, which it on it's self demanded not only respect but recognition as well.....but he was nothing but a mere Genin, and one that seemingly abandoned by the Village at that. It mattered not how much progress he made, he held no right to their praise, no matter how much a small portion of himself wanted it. With the exception of Shizu, the only thing mattered was that he grow stronger so he could better protect his clan and village. That was what he kept telling himself that is. As he made his way through his clan's own village, he wound find himself bombarded by more of the same, much to his disdain. That would range from the wandering wife partaking in her duties to one of the warriors of the clan, no doubt adhering to their responsibilities. No doubt their social rank however, all would bow their head and declare their eagerness to be in his presence. It continued to bother him but there was nothing for him to do but acknowledge their words with a nod. Once he reached the edge of the village some thirty minutes later, he could see some questionable men in the distance. His first instinct was to question them but then he remembered his pitiful strength, or rather lack of. Even with the activation of his Sharingan, he wasn't sure he able to take them down, If their weapons and armor were any indicator of their strength. Of course, this wouldn't have been a issue had he just listened to his parents and take a Kishi under his service but like Shizu, he was quite stubborn when he wanted to. In the end, he ended up acting like spoiled brat and rejecting all the Kishi that were proposed to him. Being the Daimyo's son, he knew it was a foolhardy decision, considering all the enemies his father had, but in his mind, If he couldn't even protect himself, he had no right to be the future leader of the clan. That didn't stop from him being surprised of course when his father finally gave in to respect his decision. His mother on the other hand, as expect of any mother that wanted to protect their child, was horrid at his decision but she too eventually learned to accept it, If only due to her place. He swore she forgot just how fragile her position was as the Daimyo's head wife, and how easily she could be replaced If she fell out of his father's favor. Luckily for the three of them, his father seemingly loved his mother as much as he loved his Shizu, though he sorta wished his mother would take a more passive stance, If only for their sake. He didn't really want his mother removed and replaced by one of the "others" that were his step mothers, but he didn't want to think about that for now.

Once the Ronin looking men dispersed, he made sure the coast was clear from his hiding spot before deciding to head down one of the path's leading out of the village. After a further few minutes however of traversing down the dirt trail that cut through the nearby forest, he was starting to fall out of breath. He had forgotten how far the main shrine was from the keep. That didn't stop him however from groaning like a child.
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"Dammit Tomoko....Why couldn't you just be a Shrine Priestess at the keep?" ​

He yelled at himself, expecting some sort of response but instead, all he was met with was the chirping of the nearby birds the numerous branches of the nearby tree's flowing throughout the wind. He sighed in defeat a moment later. Perhaps he just needed another break after walking for so long. It certainly didn't help wither he had been training for several hours. He shrugged his shoulders. He guessed another short break wouldn't hurt, especially If It allowed him to train a bit in the process. He made up his mind in that instance. Taking a break and getting a little training in was the plan! Once he found a suitable rock to sit on, he again crossed his legs and closed his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he again brought his hands together into another torra hand seal and began channeling his chakra into his hands. With his fatigue even higher than before however, It took a full minute before he could feel his chakra erupt around his joined together hands. Now he just had to keep at it for as long as possible without losing control. Much easier said than done but he certainly wasn't going to give up without trying or else he never forgive himself.


Training Progress

 

[Tamashi Seto]

Despite his initial luck, It took almost no time at all before he found himself on his knee's panting. It seemed he had pushed himself far beyond his limits and It was now beginning to show. Beyond just barely being able to breath, he was starting to feel nothing in all his limbs. Was this really his limit? Could he really do more than this? He didn't know but It frustrated him. As a consequence, he couldn't stop himself from biting down on his tongue as he stared down towards the rock. As per usual, he groaned for a few moments before yelling out, showing his clear dissatisfaction with himself.
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"DAMMIT!.....Is this all I can do?...Tsck!......Maybe I'm just not cut out to be a shinobi If I can't even do this much.....I mean....what Shinobi can't even channel their chakra and keep it? This is just ridiculous....."​

He wanted to give up in that moment and could anyone blame him? Though deep down, he knew most probably struggled like him. In spite of that however, through his pouting and panting, It took but a minute before he remembered what his purpose was, that being the clan's future, the man that would lead them into the future. If he gave up now, there was no doubt in his mind that his clan and kinsmen would suffer. He couldn't allow that. He had to get stronger, not just for his own sake but for theirs as well. This in return caused him to push himself up back into position, and with new vigor he thought he didn't have, slammed his hands together before forming another tiger hand seal. Despite the numbness he could feel throughout his body, he pushed himself past it as he began brute forcing his chakra to the surface and commanding It to his hands. Within seconds, his hands were once again erupted in a thick, blue aura. Now concentrating with everything he had left to give, he kept himself in control for as long he positively could. No matter how much pain he felt, or rather lack of, due to the numbness that ran through his body, he wouldn't budge, even If It became detriment to his health. As a result, after several minutes of keeping his chakra in check, a cheerful expression over took him as he realized his accomplishment, but to his shock, this would be short lived. It would take but a few moments later that he would not only lose control of his chakra but his entire body, causing the young Genin to collapse on the rock. Seconds later, as his eyes bore witness to the aqua blue sky above, and his long bangs falling victim to the springe breeze, he found his body completely unresponsive as his eyes began to forcibly close. It seemed a nap was in order...


Training Progress

 

[Tamashi Seto]

When his eyes flashed open, he found himself staring up at a wooden ceiling, much to his surprise. Not knowing of his surroundings, he immediately tried to pull himself up but as he did so, he felt immense aching all throughout his body, causing the young Genin to reluctantly fall back on his back. Groaning at his own incompetence, he could do nothing but allow his mind to run adrift. As the crackling off wood went off in the distance, no doubt from a nearby fireplace, all he could think about was his current situation. Had he been captured? But by who? And for what purpose? Could It haven been those Ronin he had seen earlier? And were they going to ransom him off? And would It be to his father? Or one of his enemies? Many things ran through his mind as he attempted to find an answer. In the end however, he didn't know and that alone was enough to anger him. It was a difficult pill to swallow that he allowed himself to be captured so easily. In hindsight, he supposed he should have remained in the dojo in case a situation like this had occurred. If he managed to get out of this mess, there was no doubt in his mind that his parents would stick him with a Kishi to oversee his training and general wellbeing. Despite his precarious position, that didn't stop him from sighing in annoyance, knowing they would most likely get in his way. Well regardless, he could at least agree with himself that they would be mountains more useful than the teachers he had to deal with at the academy. Like the last time, he was hopeful he would at least be able to pick the Kishi he wanted, though he he have to live with any choice If he was denied that choice, much to his disdain. As he kept his eyes on the flames that otherwise, illuminated much of the room, he found himself shifting his body in it's directions, even as he found himself caught in his own thoughts. As he laid there, his mind wanted to run wild some more but yet, despite his wishes, as he tried, his ears picked up on the noise of a sliding door being open. With his sixth sense going off, his eyes immediately rushed in every direction for a weapon he could use against his assailant but much to his horror, there was nothing within arm's reach, and his odachi, which he prized for it's killing power, was laying against the wall in the opposite direction. Again, he tried to pull him himself up, and through the use of all his willpower, he tempted to pull himself out of the bed. He refused himself to be an easy target for his enemies. That aspiration however quickly came to a end however when he suddenly heard a familiar voice, one of a woman he knew all too well.
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"HEY! Just what are you doing? Lay back on your back you idiot! Or do you want to stay like that longer than you have to? You want me to tell father how much of a idiot you were today? No? Than lay back already! Sheesh......You know......You can be such a handful sometimes little brother."​

Groaning in defeat, he reluctantly did as the voice told him, triggering him to fall back once again on his back, revealing a young woman around his height in a Shrine Prietess outfit, a kimono divided by a red hakama, a white kosode and white ribbons, once his crimson eyes settled on her rather, angry expression. There was no doubt in his mind It was none other than Tomoko herself, his older sister. Of course, despite the trouble he now found himself, that would stop himself from arguing with her, something he come later to regret. With puffed cheeks, he adverted her gaze by shifting his body in the opposite direction.
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"Yeah, Yeah I know.....You don't have to be so angry though, like Father is usually...." ​

As If he had said the magic words, as Tomoko heard what he said, her cheeks immediately puffed up and she pointed her right index finger at at the back of his head.
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"Are you KIDDING ME? And you think I'M yelling at you? Just wait until Shizu finds out. NOTHING will compare to what that girl will do to you once she finds out what happened to you."​

The moment she said that, his face went purple and imaginary sweat began running down his body. She was right.... It didn't what anybody said. Nothing would compare to the hell storm that would be unleashed once Shizu found out. Even If he tried to run like a idiot, she would track him down and she WOULD find him one way or another, and give him a piece of her mind. A deadly combination indeed. With that horror now firmly in his mind, he couldn't stop himself from shifting his body in his elder sister's direction. With his eyes wide open, he pouted in her direction, as If to gain her sympathy.
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"Than what am I gonna do? C'mon sis! You gotta help me out here! Please! I'll do anything! Just don't tell Shizu what happened! I'm begging you!"​

At his desperate plea, Tomoko shifted her head over her shoulder in his direction and crossed her arms. She stared him down with a expression that combined both disappointment and angery.
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"Than you better get your act together little brother. I'm not the one you have to worry about, even our parents. Shizu is the woman your going to marry one day is she not? If you can't figure out now what to do with her over protective nature, your going to be a lost cause when your older!"​

Hearing her words, he pouted again. No matter how much he wanted her to be wrong, he knew she was right, but what could he do? It wasn't as If he could raise his voice against the woman he loved, let alone raise his hand against her. Turning his head towards the wooden floors, he sighed. Why did women have to be so complicated sometimes with their feelings?.....


Training Progress