Open One for all...

[Tamashi Seto]

Between getting Kai motivated to venture out this far, and the walk itself, this had taken far more than he had liked, having spent more than two hours, not that he wasn't used to such walks already. Starting from the massive gates of Kumogakure, he had Kei follow him through the outer suburbs of the massive city before eventually meeting the rustic lands of De Cevitate Attonbitus, or as most called it, the low lands. From there, it was mostly following long dirt roads he knew from memory, having traversed to and from the low lands as long as he could remember. In their "journey" to their destination, they followed countless fields of prairies and small pockets of forest sprucing up occasionally. It was a beautiful sight as always, never changing, nor would he want it to, but they were sight seeing, and he to remind Kei that several times. He could only guess he was getting a restless from all this walking. Well, he have to live with it. Walking was part of the job. This was especially the case when the two could see what could only be ancient ruins in the great distance. He had to move fast to prevent Kei from running off for adventure. In the aftermath of his disappointment in wanting to find danger or treasure, or both, they eventually stumble across the deeper parts of the lower lands, and by extension, it's greater forest, lush with tree's and vegetation, positively teaming with life. Down another road, now a finely crafted, well maintained cobblestone road, It was only a matter of time before his eyes began setting upon the massive, dull black roof of a oh so familiar shiro(Japanese castle) he knew. He ignored it however after a few minutes, not really wanting to goto the Hirayamajiro(Japanese fortress) right now. That would honestly just end up in another lecture from a certain long ear fox and a purple hair onna bugeisha once he stepped inside those halls. While a part of him did want to take him to his clan's ancestral keep, he knew full well that Kei was not ready yet to face the biggest challenge he would ever face in his life.....women, and he had even less experience than him. At least he had been blessed with a soul mate, and cursed with a treacherous, little loli, that he swore only existed to torture him. Eventually the roads became busier with villagers carrying goods and pulling small wagons. He made sure to keep Kei close, not for his safety per se, but to ensure he wouldn't get too curious, especially when a column of Ashigaru, donned in black, warring style armor, suddenly appeared patrolling the road. In their passing, they seemed to ignore him and Kei, much to his relief. He didn't particularly enjoy being given special treatment. Due to his own incompetence & failures in the past, he felt he had zero power or responsibility to command those under him like they were pawns.

The journey wasn't over yet, as the cobblestone road began to expand in size and purpose, breaking off into many other paths, leading to numerous different buildings, temples, and even a few shrines. The roads became busier but not overly horrible like in Kumogakure, but as they neared a large village in the distance, the foot traffic's ratio began to change radically, from men to women as they neared his clan's "ninja" village, which in his clan, the women made up the bulk of their Shinobi numbers since men made up the bulk of it's military forces. Looking back momentarily at Kei before looking back towards the road, he hoped Kei wouldn't go crazy or do something stupid, especially not something perverted, not that he thought he was the type. He closed his eyes and sighed at the thought before pushing on. Upon entering the village several minutes later, the both of them were initially met with gazes and worse, than as If something had clicked in their heads, they returned to their daily activities, largely ignoring them. He couldn't exactly fault them for their staring, since men usually kept their distance from Gosha. Really, only him and his father were the exception to the rule, and even him and his father didn't exploit that much, well he did when he was younger, but that was to train with his Kishi. Speaking of which, he really hoped Sunako wasn't around, or else Kei here probably wouldn't last long in his training. Even he wondered how he survived her brutal assaults on him during training. Regardless, after keeping Kei close while they made their way through the village, he eventually gave him some breathing room once they were far enough away, now on a dirt road, which after some walking, began to disappear until It was completely gone, now replaced by a thick forest of tall tree's. Finally, after what felt like a eternity no doubt to him and especially, Kei, they found themselves standing at the base of a training grounds deep in a forest, away from prying eyes. He tilted his head in multiple directions, his eyes scanning the portion of the forest that stood within the sparring pit. Amongst it's many tree's, boulders and numerous shrubs that littered the area, his vision immediately picked up on the numerous craters that was littered throughout the ground, as well as the numerous now imbued into the tree's, and the boulders that had clearly been moved. His eyebrows fell as a a moment of relief escaped him. Again, no one had been here since he had brought Azumai here some time ago. She had certainly done some damage with her over eagerness to train with fire ninjutsu. Crossing his arms, he turned to Kei, who he was sure, was eager to start after he had forced him to walk so much to get here.

Tamashi Seto
"Now tell me Kei, how far along are you with your fundamentals? Can't do much If you lack even the basic's like Chakra Control. To survive the same training I underwent, you need to be quick on your feet."

Upon saying those words, his eyes began scanning the area once more, looking for that stash he had brough prior to bringing Kei here today. It had training weapons like his old Odachi, amongst other things like rations.​

 

[Hayashi Kei]

Kei had thought the walk would never end. At first, he had been completely mesmerized by the sights - watching the sprawling fields, the quiet forests, the winding dirt roads stretching endlessly into the distance. He had never ventured this far out before, and every turn brought something new to gawk at. Every now and then, he had been tempted to run ahead, to explore the lowlands, maybe even dash off toward those ancient ruins in the distance - surely there was treasure, or at least something exciting hidden in there! But every time he so much as twitched in their direction, he was met with a firm reminder: they weren’t sightseeing.

Kei had groaned dramatically at that, dragging his feet just to make a point. But even he had to admit, as much as the walk was long, it was… peaceful. The quiet hum of nature, the gentle rustling of the trees, the distant chatter of villagers - it was all strangely calming in a way he wasn’t used to. Well, at least until they reached the busier parts of the road.

The moment people started appearing in greater numbers, Kei could feel the shift. He wasn’t sure if it was his own imagination or something real, but the glances they received in the village were sharp - curious, wary, assessing. Kei wasn’t used to being stared at like that, and he found himself instinctively sticking close. His usual energetic nature dimmed just a little as he took in the village, where the presence of men dwindled, leaving behind a bustling force of women, most of them shinobi, moving with purpose.

It was different. Very different. And, if he was honest, a little intimidating.

His companion had kept him close, and Kei hadn’t argued - though whether it was for Kei’s sake or just to make sure he didn’t run off and make a scene, he wasn’t sure. Either way, he was grateful when they finally moved past the crowded village and back into the wilderness. The dirt road beneath them eventually faded away, swallowed by the thick forest, and the world became quiet once more.

Then, at last, they arrived.

Kei let out a long, relieved exhale as they stepped into the clearing of the training grounds. His exhaustion melted away the moment he took in the scene before him - the towering trees, the jagged boulders, the scattered craters marking the earth like battle scars. He could feel the history in this place, the echoes of past battles and fierce training sessions lingering in the air. His excitement, buried under the weight of the long journey, came roaring back full force.

His teacher turned to him then, arms crossed, his gaze sharp. Kei hesitated for a brief moment at the question before rubbing the back of his neck, his usual grin faltering slightly. "Uh… well, if we’re talking actual shinobi training, I, uh… don’t have much of that," he admitted with a sheepish chuckle. "Most of what I know comes from working the fields back home, Komi’s stories about legendary warriors, and, well… that fight with the Lycan."

He shifted his weight, glancing at the training ground around them before meeting Seto’s gaze again. "I can move fast when I need to, and I’ve got a good instinct for danger… but stuff like chakra control? Haven’t exactly had a reason to practice it." His fingers curled slightly as he exhaled, a flicker of determination sparking in his eyes. "But that’s why I’m here, right? So whatever you’ve got for me, I’ll give it everything I’ve got!"

Kei Speech
Kei Thoughts

 

[Tamashi Seto]

No actual training of any sort? His eyebrow raised. He hadn't honestly expected that. For someone who was so enthusiastic, he thought he would have at least, trained a little on his own. That was a startling contrast to himself but It wasn't really a fair comparison due to their different positions in life. That did make him question why he was at the academy at the first place before he returned to the matter at hand. It was time for the basic's, not something he think he be teaching so soon.

Tamashi Seto
"That's right. Your hell training begins today, but until you can control your chakra and summon it at will, being nimble on your feet won't be enough to save you on the battlefield, let alone others. That's why today, were beginning with the basics. Since you lack of any sort of training, we'll begin with what the academy uses to teach students, the leaf "concentration" practice, training that involves placing a leaf on your forehead and channeling your chakra into the leaf. In doing so, your chakra is condensed into a single focus point. Once you achieve this, we can move on to more advanced concepts, such as water walking or tree running.....and If I hear any complaining or whining, lets just say that tree behind you is going to be your best friend~"

Ending his brief smirk, his eyes scanned the nearby ground amongst his feet before he found a recently fallen tree leaf in an attempt to make an example. Picking it up with his index & middle fingers, he placed it on his forehead, and within seconds, not only was the leaf engulfed in a faint blue hue, but it soon found itself discharged by a tiny, insignificant, charge of electricity, send it into the air. Caught by a passing breeze, the electrified leaf passed them by before falling into a shrub nearby.

Tamashi Seto
"While it may look simple enough, being able to muster your chakra and "sending" it to a single point, will take some time. Expect this to take upwards of several hours of more. No one becomes a shinobi in a day now, not even prodigies now.."

With that, he crossed his arms again. He knew it wasn't exactly the flashy training any Genin dreams off, but the basic's were important. They may even have to camp out here for a few days until he's has a decent hook into his training. He could just drag him back to the keep when night comes, but he wasn't sure If Kei was ready for what he surely meet in the future...​

 

[Hayashi Kei]

Kei watched his mentor's demonstration with a gaze that sparkled with enthusiasm. He knew he was far behind others his age with his knowledge, but he would not let that keep him from learning any lessons his guide could provide. Channeling chakra... The thought was foreign to Kei. He knew what chakra was, of course, between his father explaining his simple shinobi ancestry - his own father had given up his position within a village to live a life on a farm with his wife and children - and Komi expressing her interest in the different types of chakra energy nature provides specific people in their world. He had yet to harness his own, though.

Kei picked up his own leaf, looking at it up close as his sister had done with him when he was young.

Komi held the leaf up to the sunlight, turning it slowly between her fingers. The golden light filtered through its thin, delicate surface, illuminating the intricate network of veins that spread like tiny rivers across a vast land.

“See this, Kei?” she murmured, her voice soft with wonder. “Every little line, every branching vein… it’s like a map, telling the story of this leaf’s life. These veins carried water and nourishment from the roots, keeping it strong even when the winds tried to tear it away. And look here - ” she traced a faint scar along the edge, where the tissue had crinkled and healed. “Something must have wounded it once, maybe an insect’s bite or a storm’s fury… but it kept growing anyway.”

She turned it again, letting the sunlight glow through its fragile green skin. “And now, it’s here, after all that time, drifting down to rest on the earth. Not because it’s weak, but because its journey in the sky is over. Soon, it will become part of the soil, feeding the roots of the next tree, the next leaf.”

Komi smiled, pressing the leaf into Kei’s palm. “Everything has a story, little brother. Even the smallest leaf is proof that life keeps moving forward.”

Kei smiled at the memory, lifting the leaf to admire it in the sunlight for just a moment before focusing on his task. Kei rested the leaf against his forehead, his fingers pressing into its delicate surface as if sheer willpower could make something happen. His brow furrowed, lips pressing into a thin line. Come on… come on…

He squeezed his eyes shut, reaching deep inside himself, searching for something - anything - that felt like chakra. But there was nothing. No flicker of warmth, no sudden rush of energy. Just… silence.

Seconds dragged on. The wind rustled through the trees. Kei cracked an eye open, hoping, just maybe -

The leaf sat there. Completely still.

His shoulders slumped. “Uhh… Seto-sensei? I don't really know what I'm doing.”

His mentor didn’t respond, didn’t offer any advice. He just stood there, watching. Does he expect me to figure this out on my own?

Kei huffed, puffing his cheeks in frustration. He was used to being guided - Komi’s fairytales had always given him clear paths to follow, and back on the farm, his family had always told him what needed to be done. But now, standing in the clearing with only himself to rely on, there were no instructions. No shortcuts. Just him and the invisible energy locked somewhere inside his body.

His frustration bubbled. He wanted to do this. I have to do this.

Something soft brushed against his cheek. A tiny, glowing form wavered beside him - Kirame, his little companion, whose bioluminescent light pulsed in the air, the flicker akin to a firefly.

Kei blinked.

A firefly.

He let out a slow breath, closing his eyes again. Instead of forcing something to happen, he dreamed. From the steady rhythm in his chest, to the gentle rise and fall of his breathing. He imagined the lights of the fireflies dancing across the farmland at night. The still air of the pitch black nights, the gentle thrum of insects. He looked down in this dream to see a lightning bug settled inside his chest, its light blinking to the rhythm of his heartbeat.

There.

The energy shifted. It crawled up, sluggish at first, then quicker, rushing through him like a river breaking free from ice. A thrill shot up his spine. He clung to it, urging it forward, sending it straight to his forehead.

A wild jolt surged through his body. The leaf didn’t stay in place as it was meant to; it shot off his forehead like an arrow, crackling with a burst of static before smacking into the trunk of a nearby tree. Kirame squeaked in alarm, flashing erratically as he wobbled midair. Kei stumbled back a step, the shock feeling like a bee sting on his forehead. His eye that held a streak of blue thrummed with an energy he felt once before.

Kei blinked. His heart pounded. His skin tingled. He didn't feel as though he succeeded in his attempt, but Kei thought he'd found something. He reached down for another leaf, looking to his mentor before placing the new leaf on his forehead. Focus.

Kei Speech
Kei Thoughts

 

[Tamashi Seto]

Remaining stoic as stone, he stood there in silence as Kei began his training, only to stagger almost immediately upon starting, even so far as noting he had no idea what he was doing. Little did he know that everyone started in the same boat. Perhaps he caught on to that, or that he simply pumped himself further. Whatever it was, It worked when one of his eyes picked up on the leaf being discharged from his forehead, and landing into a trunk of a nearby tree. Seto rolled his eyes at the Genin's squeal but chose to ignore for it due to what have just occurred. Luckily for his sanity, Kei returned to his sanity and grabbed another leaf, eager to begin again. He nodded in approval, his arms still crossed.

Tamashi Seto
"Focus Kei. Let any and all distractions leave you, including that pet of yours. You must be able to search deep within yourself and bring it to the surface. It is crucial you learn this so It becomes as easy as breathing."
He than, shut his eyes while remining in the same pose.
"If that wasn't clear enough for you, think of your chakra as blood when your arm or legs fall asleep. What do you do when you want to use said arm or leg?"
It was a simple explanation to be sure, and rather straight to the point, but that was the point? It was probably the lamest of lame man answers he probably could use, given this topic.
There simply wasn't any true way how to teach someone in harnessing chakra. You could either do it, or you couldn't, and thankfully for his sake, Kei could.
"I hope your not bored Kei, because your going to be undertaking this exercise for the rest of the afternoon. This may seem pointless, but It will aid in the development of your abilities. The fundamentals should never be forgotten, for even the fundamentals make up the core abilities of any shinobi. "
His eyes than weavered for a moment, his head shifting up. He looked up, above the tree's, and towards the sun that was high in the air. They had all the time in the world today, and he was going to make sure Kei was going to use it properly. After that? Probably of his fiance's cooking. He didn't have any real interest in making due If he was given the choice. Regardless, his attention returned to Kei.

​

 

[Hayashi Kei]

Kei knew his first few attempts at the exercise wouldn't necessarily be the best, but he was glad it wasn't a complete and total failure either. He might have all the enthusiasm in the world, but that could only carry him so far. His heart raced with each attempt, his excitement and frustration blending into one. He still wore his emotions on his shoulders at such a young age, making every small success feel like a victory and every failure a stinging lesson. Thankfully, with his first attempt being a mild success, he knew he only needed to find control now. That was the next step. He closed his eyes again, listening intently to his mentor’s words of wisdom, letting them sink into his mind like the roots of a tree anchoring him in place.

When my limbs fall asleep… he thought, summoning the strange, tingling sensation to mind. He imagined his arm going numb, that dull heaviness that came before the inevitable pins and needles. His guide mentioned boredom, but Kei shook his head. There wasn't a single ounce of boredom within him when it came to learning a brand new skill. He returned to his imaginings, the tingling of his arm. He instinctively shook out his shoulder a bit, taking a slow, steady breath in and exhaling deeply.

His mind slipped into the same dreamlike state again - the familiar hum of fireflies surrounding him, their faint golden glow filling the space behind his closed lids. Instead of forcing the energy forward in a single burst like before, he allowed it to shift through his body naturally, coursing like the gentle ebb and flow of a tide. Unknown to all, including himself, his eye began to glow faintly, a soft, otherworldly shimmer hidden beneath his securely shut eyelids.

Then, he imagined himself as a single leaf, drifting on the wind, carried by the natural flow of energy rather than forcing it in one direction. He concentrated on dulling down the massive, unrefined surge of chakra within him, attempting to scale it back, to find balance rather than brute force. The first few tries still sent the leaf flying off his head in small, unintended projectiles. However, each time, the discharge became less violent, the reaction more controlled.

By his eighth or ninth attempt, something changed. Perhaps his breath was steadier, or the vision in his mind was clearer than any time before. The leaf hovered, just slightly, above his forehead, its edges glowing faintly with his chakra. Kei’s eyes cracked open, his breath hitching in his throat as he caught sight of it - a brief, shining moment of success.

But the moment his concentration wavered, the leaf flickered and shot off again, fluttering uselessly to the ground.

He groaned, rubbing the back of his head. "So close."

Despite the setback, he grinned, his determination unshaken. He was getting there - bit by bit, step by step. And that was more than enough to keep him going.

Kei Speech
Kei Thoughts

 

[Tamashi Seto]

TIME SKIP
Late Afternoon​

His arms still resting over each other, he continued to watch, his gaze unfaltering. Despite his initial skepticism, Kei was making progress, slowly but surely. Of course, like he had expected, several hours had passed since they had begun. The sun would be setting soon, as indicated by the change in the hue of the sky, which was now a very faint shade of orange or yellow. The wind was picking up, sending debris and leaves in all directions. The temperate had also changed, but only marginally however. Since It was the early portions of summer, it was no sweat of his back. Even If it was winter, he hardly notice. Compared to traveling up a dam mountain, this weather was nothing. Just the thought of a blizzard sent subtle shivers down his spin. Looking back at Kei however, the boy seemed unaffected by the change. So focused he was on his training, he doubted he had even took notice. Still, there was still a few hours left of their training. He wasn't going to stop his training over something as mundane as this. Beyond frustration and perhaps some fatigue, he was sure he was fine. That said, he couldn't wait for a rooast later over a nice fire. That was probably the only thing he took for granted from his position. He wasn't a glutton, but constant training required a hardy meal, especially when going on the offensive.

Speaking of the devil, as soon as his mind stopped thinking of food, his senses jumped into high gear, his eyes surveying the immediate area around them. Something felt off, his sixth sense screaming at him from the inside of a impeding danger. He knew these woods well, having trained here since he could walk. The hell could it be? He frankly had no idea, but he couldn't take any chances, especially with Kei here. Nonetheless, in his inner turmoil, he snapped his attention back Kei, who was still clearly unaware of the danger that lurked just beyond the veil. He yelled at him to get his attention.

Tamashi Seto
"Kei! get behind me...NOW!"

He bit his tongue in his agitation, not exactly caring If he came off as a tad too blunt or aggressive. He didn't have the energy to spare, not while his senses threatened to over take him. The air grew immensely with anticipation, and it only grew further as he stood there waiting for the enviable. Not one for being caught off, his eyes finally snapped open, awakening his Mangekyou Sharingan. Tilting his eyes in all directions, It took only seconds before his head snapped in one direction. "THERE!" Ignoring the internal yelling, his eyes picked on a silhouette heading their way, and a big one at that. With his acute hearing, It was getting louder as It approached. The rustling of the tree's, the shrubs and anything else in the forest, It was moving a incredible fast pace. Although he held no fear in his eyes, he knew in that instance, there would be no way in hell, that they could ever hope to run, which only meant one thing, they have to make their stand and fight. There was another period of great anticipation as it continued to race through the forest unchallenged, it's massive frame breaking countless branches, logs, amongst other things, before it suddenly appeared out of the unknown, leaping onto the spotlight, it's massive body making a loud "thud" upon it's landing. Once It made it's grand entrance, it's orange eyes stared the two momentarily before It let out a defeating roar!



A BOSS APPEARS!

Spoiler

Roen

Spoiler

Status:

• [Eagered]. Warning, the enemy is eagered, wanting to devour you, greater damage incoming now!
  
  • Eagered Attack: The ???? is charging you! Retaliation damage is doubled for this posting cycle If your hit.
  • HP bar for this enemy moves left.
  • Standard custom DM mechanic's apply. Check the Black Library for more information

---

"Impossible....a Roen?...here?....shit....." His eyes widening in horror, his hand instinctively went to his old training Odachi, ready to draw it, until he remembered Kei was here, further complicating the matter. With a internal sigh, while keeping his eyes on the human sized Roen, he slowly drew it from his saya with his right hand, before slowly passing it under his arms, towards Kei, who would need it far more than him, If he wanted to survive this ordeal. "Listen up....were taking this thing down....no matter what....If it attacks the village nearby....there done for....ALL of them...." His ice cold, serious demeanor taking over him, he prepared himself for battle as he returned the stare, glaring down at the massive, human sized Felidae. Towering even over him, with i's vast, muscular limps and sharp fangs & claws, It would make short work of him If he wasn't careful. This was far from a iconic situation, and he wasn't prepared for it, but like hell, he wasn't going to turn down a challenge, especially when the lives of his kins and apprentice rided on this. Once Kei would take the Odachi, his right hand would return to his waist, his palm now sitting on the handle of his Wakizashi. Not the most of appropriate of weapons, but it will have to do. Before battle would be joined, he spoke up once more "Whatever you do, avoid it's tail at all costs...." It wasn't the Roen's weakness, but It held a nasty surprise, which he was sure Kei didn't want to find out.....​

 

[Hayashi Kei]

Kei’s hands wrapped around the Odachi’s hilt, the weight foreign but not enough to shake him. It was nothing like the wooden swords he had swung in playful battles with Komi - those had been light, forgiving, made for laughter rather than survival. This blade felt real, heavy with purpose, a weapon meant to take lives rather than pretend to. He adjusted his grip, trying to account for the imbalance it brought to his movements. His swings wouldn’t be as fast as he was used to, and each strike would demand control lest the weapon pull him off balance.

But he had faced something monstrous before - something just as fierce, if not more. The memory of the Lycan flashed through his mind, the way its snarls had rattled his bones, the way every instinct had screamed at him to run. But he hadn’t. He had stood his ground then, and he would do the same now.

His grip tightened. He didn’t need to be a master swordsman - he just needed to be smart.

As the Roen’s deep growl rumbled through the clearing, Kei instinctively adjusted his stance. He didn’t rush in recklessly. Instead, he kept moving, light on his feet, circling the beast while keeping just out of reach of its claws. He had no illusions - if this turned into a contest of strength, he’d lose instantly.

Kei kicked up a cloud of dust and leaves as he moved, using the underbrush to obscure his movements. The Roen lunged, its massive paws tearing into the ground where he had stood moments before. A sharp sting exploded across his side as a claw nicked him mid-dodge—not a deep wound, but enough to warn him how close he had come to being torn apart. He gritted his teeth, swallowing the sharp inhale of pain. He couldn’t let it slow him down.

He darted away, not daring to linger behind the beast for long. He didn’t know exactly what that tail could do, but if its sheer size was anything to go by, he didn’t want to find out. Despite all the stories Komi had told him, none had prepared him for this.

Instead of trying to counter with raw strength, Kei pivoted sharply and slammed the flat of the Odachi against a thick, half-rotten log nearby. The loud impact echoed through the clearing. The beast’s ears flicked back, its muscles tensing as it processed the sudden noise. Rather than hesitating like Kei had hoped, it turned its attention straight toward him, eyes locking onto his figure through the swirling debris. Kei barely had time to react before the Roen pounced with renewed fervor, crashing toward him like a force of nature.

His body moved before his mind could catch up, instinct overriding hesitation. He bounded backward, rolling out of the beast’s reach just as its claws gouged deep into the earth where he had been standing. He felt the rush of air from the near miss, the sheer power behind the strike enough to send a shiver down his spine.

But Kei didn’t stop moving. He circled again, forcing the Roen to keep turning, shifting, adjusting - trying not to let it settle into a rhythm. His heart pounded, but his mind was clear. He wasn’t the experienced one here, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t learn. This was yet another battle, another test of survival.

Watch, adapt, strike.

Kei adjusted his grip on the Odachi, feeling the weight shift in his hands. He let the momentum of the heavy blade guide his next move. The moment the beast came within range, he swung down with all the strength he could muster. The edge of the blade met the Roen’s flank - but the beast twisted at the last second, turning what could have been a deep gash into nothing more than a shallow cut.

Kei exhaled sharply, muscles tensing. He had landed a hit, but it wasn’t enough.

Not yet.

Kei Speech
Kei Thoughts

 

[Tamashi Seto]

HP: 7,125/8,000
Chakra: 112/160
Stamina: 160/160
Actions Taken
Lightning Beast -> Firestorm -> Chidori-> Susanoo


Before he could strategize, his experience in battling monumental monsters outweighing his urge to begin the fray, his eyes caught Kei already going on the offense, trying to distract the beast before taking a flesh wound. He gritted his teeth at the sight. He knew his apprentice was eager, but he didn't think he do this, not once, but twice. He was caught off guard when he went in for another round after trying to distract it, only to nearly catch himself another flesh wound. At least he landed a glancing hit on the thing, which only seemed to make it more determined to make Kei it's next dinner. Well, he couldn't let that happen. Thinking quick on his feet, he slammed the palms of his hands together, interlocking his fingers together into a snake hand sign. "Kei! Get some distance now!" Unable to pass up the opportunity Infront of him with the...


Roen

Spoiler

Status:

• [Cautious]. Warning, the enemy is Cautious, falling back on the defensive, less damage incoming now!
  
  • Cautious Stance: The Roen is on the defensive!! The Roen's reflexes are greater for this posting cycle If you attack.
  • HP bar for this enemy moves left.
  • The Roen is AFIRED! It will continue to take lingering burn damage for one more turn.
  • The Roen is BURNED! It will continue to take lingering burn damage for up to five turns.
  • Standard custom DM mechanic's apply. Check the Black Library for more information

---

staring down his apprentice, seemingly waiting for it's own opportunity to strike, he gathers his body's chakra and focuses it into his hands. "LIGHTNING STYLE! LIGHTNING BEAST JUTSU!"
In a instant, his hands began engulfed in static electricity before a energized, ethereal beast in the form of a wolf appeared, attached by a cord of lightning thar ran around it's neck. With a flick of his wrist, the lightning beast lunged forward, dashing at unprecedented speeds before launching itself at the surprising Roen, causing SUPER CRITICAL DAMAGE, triggering a monstrous, agonizing roar to escape the massive Roen, shaking it's head in anguish as it's engulfed in an aura of electricity for several seconds. Despite the little victory he brought to himself and Kei, the battle was far from being done. While the beast staggered, clearly taken back by his attack, he joined his hands together, this time forming a tiger hand sign, infusing his chakra and changing into what he needed next, fire. "FIRE STYLE, FIRESTORM JUTSU!" Upon those words leaving his mouth, within moments, their immediate area began to heat up several degree's, causing numerous drops to sweat form on his forehead. What came next, could only be described as a Great Kami's retribution as a shower storm of fireballs rained from the sky, further catching the beast off guard completely, causing CRITICAL DAMAGE, forcing the monstrous feline to make a serious of screeching whimpers as it's massive frame not only became AFIRED, engulfing it's fur on fire, but as it's body took on the brunt of countless small, enflamed boulders, triggering the beast's body to shake and even slam against the ground below it's feet, portions of it's body were BURNED,
showing further wounds that were starting to pile up. Now seeing the beast weaken, and potentially in a spot to be taken out, or at least critically wounded, he decided to go in for a finisher, hoping for a mortal wound. His left hand under the palm of his right, he began gathering and condensing a large amount of chakra into his hand, the nigh hear concentration of chakra turned into electricity, and within seconds, the sound of what sounded like dozens, hundreds of birds chirping could be heard. For a moment, he winced in pain, the electricity beginning to burn his hand. Ignoring the pain, having suffered far worse than this in the past, he locked onto his target, and took off , the electricity amping his speed. Sped up by the side effects of his incoming attack, he dashed forward at blistering speed, a powerful torrent of electricity following behind as the sound of dozens, hundreds of birds chirping continued to go off, following him as he sprinted forward. Within seconds, he found himself right in the face of the Roen, and lunged forward with his Chidori, hoping they connect....and yet...he MISSSED? As the Roen somehow dodged, leaping out of the way at the last second, escaping his tunnel like vision. As a consequence, before he could recover, the Roen went in for a counter attack, lunging forward with it's powerful paws, it's claws digging through his kimono and into his skin, causing SUPER CRITICAL DAMAGE, before falling back to a safe position, the monster glaring the both down as Seto bit his lip, cursing internally as he felt the gashes on his back. "You won't get another like that....." Gritting his teeth, mostly in pain, It only took for a few moments for him to realize he was BLEEDING. He further cursed under his breath as he felt blood running down his exposed back, before refocusing his mind. Deciding not to waste any time, he than decided it was time for the ultimate defense, what he was known for, or at least, a part of it. As If it was a extension of his body, within moments, an ethereal looking ribcage took form, engulfing both him and itself in a faint, golden aura, giving birth to the Susanoo's primitive state. He than scanned the battlefield, looking for Kei. Once his awakened eyes found him, he yelled out to get his attention. "Kei! Regroup! Get over here!" As he waited for Kei to reach him, the Reon further made some distance between itself and them.


Action Summary: Lightning Beast -> Firestorm -> Chidori-> Susanoo ​

 

[Hayashi Kei]

Kei reacted instantly at the sound of his teacher’s command, his instincts kicking in before he could even think. He pivoted sharply on his heel, pushing off the ground with all the speed he could muster, desperate to put as much distance as possible between himself and the monstrous Roen. His breath came quick and shallow as he turned back, his wide eyes locked onto the battlefield.

A flicker of awe stilled him for just a second. Seto moved like a force of nature - his body fluid, his strikes precise, his chakra like a living entity that responded to his every whim. Every motion seemed effortless, as if the energy coursing through him was an extension of his very being. The way his mentor manipulated chakra was mesmerizing.

But the illusion of invincibility shattered in an instant. The Roen struck back with terrifying force, landing a hit that sent Seto skidding backward. Kei’s stomach lurched at the sight, panic creeping up his spine. His teacher wasn't untouchable. Without thinking, Kei bolted forward, reaching Seto just as the man retaliated with an unfamiliar jutsu. The air crackled with power as a radiant barrier of pure energy materialized between them and the beast. Kei didn’t understand how it worked, but it was undeniably powerful, a shimmering wall of protection that momentarily held their enemy at bay.

Kei clenched his fists. He had no healing techniques to offer, no way to ease Seto’s pain or mend his wounds. He couldn’t afford to hesitate. His mind raced through everything he had learned so far, searching for an action that would turn the tide in their favor. Then, his fingers tightened around the hilt of the Odachi he had taken up before. His grip felt awkward - clumsy, even. He knew he was no swordsman, not yet. There was no point in wielding a weapon he couldn’t use properly when his mentor was right there.

"Take this. You’d use it better than me anyway," Kei said firmly, holding the blade out to Seto. His mentor didn’t hesitate to reclaim it, and with that weight lifted from his hands, Kei focused inward.

Closing his eyes, he drew upon what little understanding he had of his chakra. He could feel it humming beneath his skin, coursing like an untapped current. Then, deeper, behind his eye - a subtle thrum of energy, mysterious and unfamiliar. He still didn’t fully comprehend it, but there was no time for hesitation. He let the power flow, reaching toward it, molding it with sheer willpower. He expected to summon his bow and arrow, the same construct of energy he had wielded before. But this time, something shifted.

A warmth spread through his arms, growing hotter, stronger. The sensation was strange - unfamiliar yet natural. Kei's eyes snapped open as he felt something forming along his skin. Glowing chakra pulsed across his forearms, flickering like molten light, and then it solidified - scales.

Spoiler: Arcane Weapon

Deep blue and violet scales gleamed across his arms, running from his elbows down to his fingertips. He flexed his fingers, watching as his nails elongated into razor-sharp claws. They weren’t merely an extension of his fingers; they felt like a part of him, as though his body had always been meant to wield them. He curled his hands into fists, grinning at the newfound sensation.

Claws against claws. This was going to be interesting.

Rolling his shoulders, Kei focused once more. His breath steadied, his heartbeat slowing to a rhythmic pulse. Then, he moved. His feet barely touched the ground as he dashed forward, chakra burning through his veins. He lashed out with his first strike, intending to channel his energy into the attack, but the power didn’t quite respond the way he wanted. Still, the sheer force of his claws tearing through the Roen’s thick hide was enough. The beast roared in pain as deep gashes opened along its side, blood spilling onto the dirt. Kei's eyes widened. He hadn't expected his attack to be so devastating. Maybe he had gotten lucky.

But luck wasn't enough. He had to push forward.

Gritting his teeth, he surged in again, this time throwing everything he had into the strike. His chakra responded, crackling to life. The moment his claws made contact, a deafening clap of thunder rang out. A shockwave erupted, sending Kei stumbling backward. Electricity surged through his arms, stunning him for a moment from the wave of energy that coursed through him. The Roen howled, its massive form twitching as the lightning coursed through its body as well.

Kei landed in a crouch, panting, his gaze fixed on his hand. The flickers of energy danced between his clawed fingertips before dissipating into the air.

That's new.

Order of actions taken:

• Returns borrowed weapon
• Summons Arcane Weapon
• Basic Strike (Crit)
• Thunderfist with Basic Strike (Crit)

Kei Speech
Kei Thoughts

 

[Tamashi Seto]

HP: 7,045/8,000
Chakra: 112/160
Stamina: 130/160
Actions Taken
Susanoo(still in use) -> Steel Weaving -> Executioner -> Focal Blade


He raised a eyebrow upon the offering of his weapon back to his hands by his student, but given the situation the two found themselves in, there was little time for idle chat. Keeping his gaze on the target, he accepted his old weapon, his fingers wrapping around the weathered old handle that could stories, of his greatest victory, and of course, his greatest defeat. The feeling empowered him in ways he couldn't describe. As a warrior, he was only home when he found his weapon his hands, and right now, it was. Calculations began running in his head, his mind thinking of countless methods of attack he should take, than out of the corner of his eye, his student was at it again, this time, now with a monstrous arm at his calling. There was a momentarily pause, as the young Genin charged in, meeting claws with his own. It was a spectacular duel between man and beast, a story as old as time, for It was the dance of death, one he knew all too well. Despite that however, he couldn't let his apprentice kick the bucket, not while he was on his watch. Giving his neck a quick crack to release some faint pain, he pulled off the outer, dark blue garbs of his Kimono and tossed them to the ground and along with his mantle. Shizue would be annoyed later, but he didn't care. In that moment, he engulfed himself fully to the battle, as It was an addiction, ignoring the fact he was still bleeding out. With a sudden grip of his massive long sword, he followed in Kei's footsteps and launched himself forward.....




Roen

Spoiler

Status:

• [Running]. Warning, the enemy is fleeing! It's about to leave the area to recover!
  
  • Fleeing Stance: The Roen is getting the hell of dodge!! The Roen's speed is are greater for this posting cycle If you attack.
  • HP bar for this enemy moves left.
  • The Roen is BURNED! It will continue to take lingering burn damage for up to five turns.
  • Standard custom DM mechanic's apply. Check the Black Library for more information

---

Reaching the beast in mere moments, he launched himself forward in a series of blistering fast strikes, his Odachi moving so fast, only it's faint silhouette could be seen, taking the form of silver "streaks" as he kept up the offensive, causing LOW DAMAGE, enraging the beast. In response, Roen returned the favoring by performing a one eighty before sending it's massive wolf like tail towards him. Able to predict it's move in a instant, instead of falling back like a sane person, he closed the distance, narrowing avoiding it's tail by ducking under as he dashed forward before his hands gripped the hilt of his Odachi and swung upwards towards the joint adjacent to the tail. Caught in it's blind spot, the Roen looked in horror as the blade slew straight through it's joint connecting it's tail to it's body, causing CRITICAL DAMAGE. triggering the monster to go haywire in pain as it's...

fell to the ground beneath it's massive frame before the beast continued to run rampart in pain, slamming into several nearby tree's. While it wallowed in great pain, he harnessed the pain he held for the beast, still feeling the BLEEDINGof his skin, his flesh revealed. In a moment of rage, he swung his blade forward in a monstrous horizontal strike, sending a wave of pure chakra towards the panicking monster, catching it completely by surprise when the wave of energy slammed into it's body like a tidal wave, causing SUPER CRITICAL DAMAGE as It's body was sent back, smashing it's already damaged body against a tree. Panting slightly from moving so quickly, haven't moved like that in quite some time, he was caught off guard when his crimson eyes picked on the Roen turning tail and fleeing! His immediate thought was to give chase so It wouldn't pose a threat to Gosha nearby, but despite misconceptions, he knew Roen were as intelligent as they were strong. If it was smart enough to survive this long, perhaps IT leave the area and not return, after all, it's tail was on the ground. His mind than raced to Kei. He looked over his shoulder until he saw his small frame. "You alright Kei?" He called out as his mind quickly pondering on the decision to pursuit the beast or not. It probably learned it's lesion...right?



Action Summary: Susanoo(still in use) -> Steel Weaving -> Executioner -> Focal Blade ​

 

[Hayashi Kei]

Kei stood with his chest rising and falling heavily, his transformed arm still twitching from the lingering adrenaline. The Roen had fled, but the fight had left its mark. Beneath the cracked scales along his forearm, fresh cuts burned where the beast’s claws had raked across him. His side throbbed, warm and sticky with blood seeping through his torn clothing. The wounds weren’t dangerously deep, but they stung with every breath, a sharp reminder that he wasn’t walking away from this unscathed.

He winced as he flexed his fingers, testing the movement in his arm. The pain was manageable, but the bleeding wasn’t something he could ignore forever. His body ached, exhaustion settling in now that the rush of battle had passed, but he forced himself to stay upright. The scales of his weapon glimmered as they faded away from his skin, shaking his head to try and clear some of the exhaustion.

At the sound of his mentor’s voice, Kei turned, offering a strained grin. “Yeah… I’m alright.” He glanced down at his side and let out a breath through his teeth. “Okay, maybe not completely alright, but I’ll live.” His free hand hovered over the wounds, pressing lightly against the torn fabric before pulling back. “Might need a little patching up, though.” But when he finally looked up at his mentor, his own injuries suddenly didn’t seem as important.

Seto was standing tall, but Kei could see it now - the torn fabric, the deep claw marks running across his back, the blood staining his clothes. His mentor had taken a serious beating. They had taken quick action and worked relatively well as a spontaneous team, but Seto needed medical attention.

“Sensei…” Kei’s voice lost its usual energy, his brows furrowing in concern. “You’re bleeding. A lot.” His gaze swept over the older shinobi, taking in the deep gashes and the blood that dripped sluggishly from them. The fight had been brutal, but Seto had pushed through it like it was nothing. A true warrior.

Kei shifted uncomfortably, resisting the urge to reach out. He felt Seto wasn’t the type to accept help easily, but that didn’t mean Kei was just going to ignore the fact that he was hurt. His own wounds could wait.

“You can’t just brush that off,” Kei said, trying to keep his voice steady. “We need to patch you up before you lose too much blood.” His side still throbbed, and he could feel the warmth of his own bleeding through his clothes, but compared to Seto, his injuries were nothing.

The Roen was gone, at least for now. But Kei couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t over. His attention flickered back to the severed tail, lying motionless on the ground, before settling back on his mentor. “Are we really letting it go?” he asked, voice quieter now. “I mean, after all that… do you think it’ll stay away?”

Despite his words, his gaze kept drifting back to Seto’s wounds. The thrill of battle had faded, and in its place, worry was settling in fast.

Kei Speech
Kei Thoughts

 

[Tamashi Seto]

Still panting, albeit faintly, he watched as the defeated beast began running off as his apprentice ran upto him, putting him at ease when he cited he was alright, at least compared to himself, which he supposed there was truth to it, not that it mattered much. The pain had already, mostly faded away, or maybe his back simply going numb. Whatever the reason, he was well used to this pain. It was nothing. He sighed momentarily.

Tamashi Seto
"It's only a flesh wound....I've dealt with worse, and one day, you will too."
Having said that, he looked back at the outer garb of his kimono, which was now laying on the ground in the dirt. He sighed, his head falling in defeat. So much for for that kimono. He was going to get lecture later for that. Perhaps It was time for him finally don some proper armor like he used to, before the event that changed his life forever. He iniitially ignored Kei's words at getting his wounds patched up, before he asked If they were really letting it go, asking If the area would be safe. It was a question he didn't really have to an answer to still. He was against killing just for the sake of it, and despite the beast being that, a beast, It was a beast worthy of respect, not only for it's strength, but the honor it usually lived by. Still, he didn't know the correct path to take. He needed to return and gather more information, but from what he remembered, Roen didn't usually act like this from the few scrolls he had read as a child. He eventually spoke up after clearing his throat of a cough."Giving chase will be difficult on foot, even for someone like me. That said, Roen aren't mindless creatures. Something must have forced it's hand. Roen don't usually come this close to civilization without good reason." His shoulders shrugged at bit, before he turned to Kei and smiled, even going so far as even petting the top of his head. "You did good Kei. Now it's time for some rest. Come, it's about time I take you to the Tamashi Keep." He than looks back at the beast, or what was left behind, it's massive fur like tail. A faint smirk arose across his face as his right arm swung behind his back, underneath his hakama. He pulled out a small blade, a tanto that sported a light wooden hilt and a much thicker blade than normal, before handing it to Kei."But first, a souvenir, as a testament of our battle. Go carve up what you can. It may not be pleasant, but you can harvest powerful crafting materials from beasts like a Roen. We'll see what we can do once we return to the keep. I'm sure our local smith can do something with whatever you can scrunch up.....and before you start complaining, it's a waste...and a dishonorable thing to do, to waste what life has given you." With that, he returned to momentarily ignoring Kei as he still felt the bleeding of his back, blood now staining the white undergarments of his kimono. He hadn't had much practice in performing medical ninjutsu, but there was no better time than the present, since he had to do it to himself. Closing his eyes, he fell on one knee upon sheathing his bloodied Odachi, placing one hand on his back where the bleeding was most severe, and began focusing his chakra at that exact point, in the hopes of stopping the bleeding. It wouldn't heal the wound, but luckily, It wouldn't grow any worse than that.​

 

[Hayashi Kei]

Kei’s breath was still uneven as he listened, watching his mentor with wide eyes. Relief settled in his chest when he heard Tamashi downplay his injuries, but it didn’t stop the concern knitting his brows together. He wanted to argue - because no, a wound like that wasn’t "just a flesh wound" - but he swallowed the words, trusting his mentor knew what he could handle.

Kei took a moment to process Seto's words. Something forced its hand? That thought made Kei shudder. What would be driving it out of its usual territory?

Kei was pulled from his thoughts when Tamashi’s hand ruffled his hair, the warmth and familiarity of the gesture cutting through the tension. He jolted slightly at the unexpected contact, blinking up at his mentor in surprise. The sudden praise caught him off guard, and for a moment, all his worries melted away. His lips curled into a small, proud smile, feeling a bit lighter - until Tamashi pulled out the tanto.

Kei accepted it carefully, staring at the weapon with awe. The wooden hilt was smooth beneath his fingertips, the blade sharper than anything he had ever handled before. His grip tightened slightly as his gaze drifted toward the fallen tail of the massive beast. The thought of carving up the remains made his stomach twist, but he swallowed his hesitation. Tamashi was right - it would be a waste not to salvage it, and Kei wasn’t about to let that be his first mistake as an apprentice.

"Alright… I’ll do it," he said, voice quieter than usual. He turned to the Roen’s remains, gripping the tanto a little tighter before making his way over. He'd skinned small creatures when aiding his father in hunting and pest control, cooked the meats and whatnot, but Kei had never slain a beast and taken its remains to use for crafting.

Still, even as he worked, he kept glancing back at Tamashi. He saw the way the man fell to one knee, the blood staining his clothes, the way he was clearly struggling despite brushing it off. Kei didn't have much medical knowledge aside from his father occasionally bandaging his blisters from working in the heat, but Kei wanted to learn something.

He needed to.

Because next time, he didn’t want to just stand there while his mentor bled.

WC: 390
MFT
Kei Speech
Kei Thoughts

 

[Tamashi Seto]

Feeling the searing pain in his backside, he winced momentarily, his one eye fluttering close before opening once more. He should have paid attention to Shizue's directives in the past, given her proficiency in medical ninjutsu. Now he was paying the practice. At least, the bleeding was stopping, which would give him enough time for it to be proper bandaged. He rolled his eyes. If he had thought they run into a Roen, he would have brought medical supplies. It wasn't like he would need them for this time in his apprentice's training. After a few minutes of standing still on his one knee, his hand still going at it, his chakra being feed into his cut open back, his attention shifted over to Kei who was at work, albeit reluctantly. Between probably having never carved up anything of this size, and, well, his injury, he could sense he was amiss. Apart of him felt bad for putting him in this spot, but this was something he would have to overcome, even If he didn't like it. From the occasional glancing he would shot his way, It was easy for him to tell the young Genin felt horrible for not being able to do much in the fight, despite having done more than what most Genin would do in his place. Whether from prior experience or foolhardy bravery, he could tell he had the potential to become something great, and It was his job now, to get him on that path, whatever it was.

After a deep exhale of hair, the pain beginning to dissipate from his back, It became evident his skill, or lack of, was enough to stop the bleeding. The pain now, more akin to an annoyance, remained, but was far tolerable than before. He pulled himself up from the ground, pulled the blade of his Odachi out of the ground and sheathed his old blade back in it's saya. With Kei still working, he walked up to pick up the outer garbs of his kimono and his white mantle. His prized possession was fine, If only a tad dirty, being white and all, but his dark blue kimono? That was a different story. He sighed again quietly before picking it up and walking over to Kei, his steps slow but heavy as usual. Standing over his shoulder, he looked down at the younger Gein.

Tamashi Seto
"I know this is hard for you Kei, but this is a staple of life. If you can't stomach blood....or worse, don't expect yourself to be able to save others. I shouldn't have to tell you that medical shinobi sometimes have to perform the most invasive actions to save another."
He than paused for a moment, his hand rubbing his chin for a slight second before continuing, his arm now falling to make a cross with his other arm.
"I know you don't wanna hear it....but don't beat yourself up Kei. I just got a little reckless. It happens to the best of us, even Kages..."
His shoulders slumped down afterwards, his arms falling further until they were they were resting on his hips. A simple smile appeared on his face as he peered over his apprentice, watching him closer, though not in a judging matter as he spoke up again, now in a more relaxed, carefree tone, which even surprised him a bit. "After your done carving up what you can from that tail, make some cuts for us would ya? I'll have Shizue cook it up for us. We'll have a feast to celebrate your victory in not getting mauled like myself~" Seto let out a low chuckle, not really caring If Kei was disgusted by the idea or not. The battle was over, for now at least. Now it was time to return, relax and feast. Tomorrow was another day...​

 

[Hayashi Kei]

Kei’s hands trembled slightly as he worked, his knife cutting through the rough hide with far less precision than he would have liked. The thick, iron-rich scent of blood clung to the air, making his stomach churn, but he forced himself to keep going. He couldn’t shake the feeling of uselessness - the nagging weight in his chest that drove him to want to learn more. Should have been stronger. Faster. Maybe then Seto wouldn’t have been injured. Or at least, he could help aid after a strenuous battle.

His mentor’s heavy steps drew closer, the weight of his presence grounding Kei slightly. He didn’t look up, only listening as Seto spoke. The words should have reassured him, should have made him feel better about his part in the battle, but they only made him swallow harder. He knew Seto was right - if he couldn’t handle this, how could he ever hope to save anyone?

“I know…” Kei mumbled, his voice quieter than usual, lacking its usual lightheartedness. His grip on the blade tightened. “I just - ” He exhaled sharply, shaking his head before forcing a small, tired smile. “I know.”

When Seto mentioned cooking up the tail, Kei finally turned to glance at him, his nose wrinkling slightly. He didn't want to waste it, sure, but he didn't know how it would taste. This was far from the meat he and his father hunted in the past. “You’ve got a...unique sense of celebration.”

Still, despite his complaints, he nodded and continued his work, trying to focus on the task rather than the thoughts swirling in his head. The battle was over. Seto was still standing. That was what mattered. Once he finished carving out a nicely sized pelt and a few hearty meat cuts, Kei looked around for anything else the beast might have left behind from the skirmish. He found a chunk of a claw lying in the ground from one of the pounces the Roen had made. Kei pulled it out, stashing it for a possible weapon later. "Let's get out of here."

Kei Speech
Kei Thoughts

 

[Tamashi Seto]

Seeing his eyes pop up towards, responding in a way he had expected, a smirk formed across his face, his arms still crossed.

Tamashi Seto
"Gotta take what life gives you. Even small moments like this matter. What happens now, will be memories tomorrow~"

He chuckled very briefly before he calmed himself. He returned his gaze upon Kei and his work with his tanto, the blade cutting into flesh & bone with ease. Once the deed was done, be briefly watched Kei rise from his resting spot before returning his attention to the cuts of meat, or more appropriately, the gigantic slabs of meat that laid on what remained of the tail. While Kei walked around, no doubt for more material, he grabbed each piece of meat with pinpoint precision, carefully stacking them on his dark blue haori, which was now fully laid out, before folding the sleeves and what remained of his haori over the meat, and tying it off in a large knot so he could carry it. In his gaze, the pain lingered in his eyes, not of the pain from his unjuries, but from his haori. As Kei would probably describe, It carried great history within itself, and now? It was reduced to little more than spare cloth. He knew he shouldn't linger on it, It was just a piece of clothing after all. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, that part of his life, where he wore that haori, was coming to a end. Soon enough, he would need to pick attire that would better represent him. What that was, he didn't know. Hearing Kei's voice triggered his head to shake violently, albeit in a subtle fashion, returning him to reality. Picking up the meat with one hand, he arose from his knee's and made a momentary pause, to stare up at the sky. The sun still stood high into the sky, still shining brightly, but he knew that wouldn't last long, not after the two had spent nearly the entire day out here. He wreckoned they still had two hours or so before the sun would set. He didn't want to be out here when that occurs, If only for the cold. He turned to Kei as he made himself over to him. "Right, lets return home..." Taking the lead, he scanned the ancient training ground one last time, noting It was in a even worse state than previously, before he began making his way to the faint dirt trail that lingered behind the trick tree line that surrounded the area.


TIME SKIP
Early Evening


Normally the walk back to the more populous portions of his clan's lands would be boring and quiet, but between the battle with the Roen, and his training, It seemed Kei had returned to himself, at compared to earlier. It made the hour long walk far more tolerable than normally, not to mention a nice distraction from this seemingly never ending walking. It was a nice feeling he rarely felt, only feeling something similar when he was with his daughter. Though, because of this, as well as the time of day where the day was coming to a close for the normal, honest folk, the roads were mostly empty, leaving only him and Kei to move forward. As a consequence of this, his mind barely even registered the thought that that they had already went through Gosha village before being back on the road, now of cobblestone. Eventually, as they walked, above the tip of the numerous, monumental sized tree's that plagued the land, his eyes could pickup up the silhouette of a massive, dull colored black roof in the great distance. They were close now. Upon seeing it however, his mind flashed momentarily with memories of his greatest enemy. He closed his eyes and sighed before he looked down at Kei with a smirk. He guessed he had no choice but to ask Kei, as to better prepare him.

Tamashi Seto
"So tell me Kei, what's your experience with women? I hope you got a silver tongue~"

His smirk only became stronger, If only for a few seconds as he stared down Kei with a slight mischievous expression. A few seconds later, and he returned to his normal self, his eyes still fixated on the black roof he could see in the distance. Depending on what "horrors" awaited them when they arrived, he sincerely hoped Kei wasn't completely hopeless when it came towards women. Regardless, this would be a night he wouldn't forget. Hopefully, It wouldn't traumatize him for life either....​

 

[Hayashi Kei]

Kei followed his teacher along, occasionally looking to his wounds and shaking his head. Seto wasn't worried about it, clearly, but that didn't mean Kei wasn't. His mentor spoke after some time, and Kei blinked in confusion, his mind trying to process the comment as he chuckled softly to himself. Silver tongue? Me? He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in thought, genuinely wondering if he did or not. “I dunno about that. I just talk to people like normal - smile, be friendly, and actually listen to what they’re saying. That’s not something special, really.”

He rubbed the back of his head, remembering how people in his village treated him. The aunties in the market always gave him extra snacks whenever he helped carry their baskets, and the elders would pat his head and say he had a ‘way with words.’ Even the grumpiest of merchants would crack a grin at him at some point. A fond smiletugged at his lips as he recalled the village people's warm smiles. Maybe it’s just because I was raised to be polite?

His thoughts drifted to his sister, Komi, and he let out a fond chuckle. “Komi used to say that talking to people is like dancing. You have to know when to step forward and when to step back, when to listen and when to speak. And she made sure I knew the do’s and don’ts when it came to royalty from fairytales.” He straightened up, lowering his voice in an exaggeratedly serious tone. “‘Never turn your back on a royal unless they tell you to. Never point at them. Never, under any circumstance, laugh if they trip.’” He shook his head dramatically. “She drilled those rules into me like they were the most important lessons in the world.”

Kei’s grin returned, eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. "I guess I'd survive an encounter like that, but otherwise, I really haven't had much experience."

[topic left]

Kei Speech
Kei Thoughts