Sayonara, Wilderness! [Tutor]

[Tatsuo]

The roughness of the cart didn’t help the aching in every bone, muscle, and fiber in Tatsuo’s body but he couldn’t help from being relieved that Kaji, his new merchant allies, and himself were safe. If he died while on this trip, his mother would surely make him pay for it in heaven. He glanced over to Kaji who was being offered a warm glass of green tea by the merchants, the older merchant insisting he took it. “It’ll heal you right up, I promise. I used to do some fighting in my younger days, always drank tea after every fight and that’s why I lived to be.. Uh thirty.” the old man released a toothy smile and a hearty laugh at his own joke like fathers often did. His daughter promptly rolled her eyes. “These men, no heroes, saved our lives and you won’t even tell them you’re age? You’re so rude, papa.” she said poking fun at her aging father. The father then let out a huff, "You're too strict Miyu, this is why you won't ever get a husband! You don't know how to have fun." he said beginning to tear up from laughter. His daughter rolled her eyes once more before saying "Maybe i'll marry him?" she said gesturing over to Kaji. "You always said I could only marry someone who you couldn't clobber." The older man then began to laugh even harder. "Bah if he'd take you off my hands i'd give 'em my whole fortune." The daughter quickly quipped with "What fortune?" which then resulted in the father's inaudible grumbling as he continued to take care of Kaji.

The daughter had just finished cleaning Tatsuo’s face and arms with a warm rag. He had blood, guts, mud and a plethora of other unsightly substances scattered across him but the woman was diligent in cleaning Tatsuo up. Tatsuo grinned, looking over to the old man doing the same to Kaji but he definitely lacked the same gentle touch that his daughter did. It’d seem the old man would be digging into Kaji harder than the spiders had just attempted to do. “Man ya’ got some sore shoulders, don'tcha'.” he said taking his elbow and trying to dig it down into Kaji’s shoulder.

As soon as Tatsuo thought he got the easy way out, the young lady pinched his left cheek. “You’re such a cutie, why are you a ninja? That’s dangerous for a young man like you.” For a non ninja, this girl could pinch, hard. He’s taken punches to the face in which their pain faded faster. He’d be feeling this the most tomorrow. So now, both of his cheeks would hurt. He said as he rubbed his fresh, but clean wound in the middle of his right cheek. The woman then slapped Tatsuo’s hand down. “Don’t touch it! It’ll get infected!” Tatsuo withdrew his hand followed by a quick sneer. “C’mon i’m a ninja, I don’t need to be babied!”

WC: 518
Total WC: 518
Post: 1/5

 

[Okada Kaji]

Sayonara, Wilderness. [Tutor]

And so, the group of companions who narrowly escaped the clutches of an enraged spider horde was now making a steady passage through the Spine of the World. The tireless beasts of burden were pulling the cart along at an even pace, and the sounds of creaking wood and gnashing hooves scored the sounds of their journey. The atmosphere along the basin of the mountain range was peaceful and mild, contrasting the extremes they faced only moments ago.

Once the danger seemed to be over and they traveled a fair distance away to the lowlands, the party pulled over to a patch of forest where the grasp of winter did not seem so firm. The two merchants began a rest break with the two shinobi, helping tend to their wounds, and refresh them with an herbal tea the elder mashed together in a bowl, and brewed with a battery-powered electric plate.

The four companions were jovial and shared humor in the wake of such a harrowing adventure. With the tea in hand, Kaji was making awkward laughter as the father and daughter made humorous exchanges, one of which joking about the potential courtship between Kaji and Miyu, the daughter. The modest hero only listened and grinned bashfully, though his history with the women of the Lightning Country was already made a rather large chapter in the tale of Okada the Hunter, stemming back to his time with the crazed ex, Akuha Sarutodai. It was a chapter of his life he’d rather not revisit.

“They are probably frozen,” Kaji joked in return as the elder mentioned the stiffness in his shoulders. While Kaji didn’t feel like he needed much attention, he did not want to refuse the kindness of their new allies. Rather than refusing, Kaji doubled their efforts by resuming the healing palm technique he resorted to previously during the attack. Now that they were safe, he could perform the jutsu as intended, as it would take him time given his simple education of first aid.

“I really owe you all my life” Kaji admitted suddenly, not wanting to go on without thanking both the student and the merchants for their bravery. “Thank you… if not for your intervention, it was only a matter of time before I would have caved in up there. I have never seen such a force in the wild. Seems like they must have been breeding without any natural predators for some time to be so abundant.” His eyes then swung to point back towards the tall mountain peaks. “Though, without the Banshee to oversee them, I doubt fellow adventurers will have trouble curving back their threat in the future.”

- WC444
- Kaji has entered the thread.​

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[Tatsuo]

Re: Sayonara, Wilderness

"Ya after the beating we gave those spiders, I doubt they'll be causing a problem anytime. Ya' know I gave them that ole' leaf style one two. Should've seen it, Kaji-Sensei could barely keep up with me. Isn't that right?" he said teasing Kaji before rolling his shoulders and kicking his feet back. Miyu squealed, pinching Tatsuo's cheek again. "Oh you're so cute!" Tatsuo flinched once more, this girl really did have an iron grip. After the end of this endeavor he would come out more scarred from her, than the spiders. Finally the elderly man had handed Tatsuo a warm glass of tea, which resulted in Miyu giving Tatsuo some space, sitting up on one of the benches in the cart. Looking between the two ninja, without saying much. It'd seem that everyone was tired from the little adventure they had just gone through. The tea sure was good, Tatsuo thought. Maybe because his throat was drier than the old man's humor, but it felt like nectar going down. Savoring the taste for a moment he lets out a fit of coughing. He still felt uncomfortable, he had never exerted so much chakra in his life. Hopefully he'd never have to, but he doubted it. He had a long ninja career ahead of him, at least hopefully. Taking a final sip of his tea, he looked to Kaji before saying. "So, what was that jutsu you used, the fire one? It was pretty cool." Tatsuo said as he placed the glass down next to his side, rubbing his forehead from the warm water earlier rubbed on his head. Miyu then slapped his head again, "Stop the moisture is good for healing!" Tatsuo sighed but stopped rubbing his head.

WC: 289
Total WC: 807
Post Count: 2/5

 

[Okada Kaji]

Re: Sayonara, Wilderness. [Tutor]

The only way to make the experience more relaxing would have been to add a warm, roaring fire pit to the center of the carriage. “It’s true,” Kaji added with a grin, as Tatsuo was exaggerating his efforts during the encounter, though he did do exceed expectations for the second time that day. While the boy continued their light exchanges, his commentary spurred Kaji into recalling something peculiar that he saw from Tatsuo: what seemed like a rare form of ninjutsu.

Though he considered addressing it at first, Kaji decided to leave the matter be until he was more up for the discussion. Instead, he was enjoying the tea and satisfied with being able to return to Port Cirrus in one piece. He then insisted that he was fine without the comforting massage, and sought to get back on the trail if the two yaks had enough of a break. After all, they would have to move at a decent pace if they hoped to return to the inn before the sunset when the wild would become unbearably cold.

Always curious, Tatsuo asked Kaji about the jutsu he used so critically during their last encounter; a torrent of flames formed into a circle which kept the entire horde of spiders at bay. The element of fire was Kaji’s innate chakra attunement, and though he had learned a multitude of different styles over the years, it was his own will of fire that resided at his core. “That jutsu was called the Ring of Fire,” he explained, “the element of fire is one of my core practices… it was my natural chakra style, and channeling it plays a large part in my swordsmanship with Eelspine.” As he spoke he set the sheathed scimitar over his lap, revealing the enchanted emerald gemstone embedded in its pommel. “I suppose with time you’ll sort out the strength and functions of your innate nature as well… at least I know what you’re capable of now.” He knew the boy would most likely be baffled, and Miyu was listening to him with intrigue as well, though she knew little to nothing about these subjects. “How long have you known about your ability to manifest wood-style chakra, Tatsuo?”

WC371​

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[Tatsuo]

Miyu's father finally gave up on trying to give Kaji a massage. "Well it's not like I can force ya', but ya' gonna regret it in the morning." he said making his way outside of the cart. Presumably to check on the oxen who've been valiantly pulling them all this way. Miyu looked between the two ninja, amazed as they spoke about rings of fire, chakra, wood ninjutsu and the such.

When asked the question, Tatsuo shrugged his shoulders. "What do you mean? I mean I just like did some jutsu. Everyone can do jutsu? Nothing special about it, I mean I am tough and all." he said flexing jokingly before breaking out into a fit of giggling as little kids do. "Ya' know how some people do fire Jutsu? Like you? I just do wood Jutsu, nothing special about it. I've known I could do it for about uhh bout half a year at this point. This is the first time i've ever used it though, I always relied on Taijutsu. Ya know I got a punch that could knock out an ox." he said sticking his tounge out at Miyu, which was met with another painful pinch on his cheek and a followed squeal. Tatsuo mouthed to Kaji 'Help me.' before rubbing his cheek once more. He wondered was wood chakra so strange? Wood was everywhere surely most people could do it.

WC: 234
Total WC: 1041
Post: 3/5

 

[Okada Kaji]

It seemed as if Tatsuo really did need the extra class time Umashi planned for him. Kaji was stroking his chin now, a bit underwhelmed by Tatsuo’s apparently lack of understanding concerning the rarity of his kekkai genkai, which was occasionally manifested in veteran shinobi, but almost never found in a mere student to the game. “Y-you misunderstand,” Kaji would try his best to get through Tatsuo’s thick skull, though this task seemed more difficult with every attempt. The boy was as dense as he was persistent. “I’ll be candid. You barely comprehend ninjutsu, let alone an advanced practice like mixing two elements… No one just does wood style as their innate gift unless they have Kyoubaku genetics.”

Then their homely cabin shook as their steeds were ready for action, and old Ossan commanded the beasts to resume their march back to Port Cirrus. The carriage was quickly back on the trail, and rolling steadily. And as they rolled, Kaji reached out one of the countless trees and snapped a twig off of a passing branch. It appeared as if Kaji had something in mind. “It’s great that you are confident in your taijutsu, but unarmed combat will only get you so far against an advanced opponent.”

Kaji held out the twig, first teasingly, but then insinuated that he wanted Tatsuo to take it. “You have a gift, and nothing short of constant practice is going to turn it into jutsu you can use efficiently in battle.” If Tatsuo hadn’t taken the twig willingly, Kaji tossed it at him them. He clearly wasn’t joking, nor did he seem to care that the boy was exhausted. “I can tell you haven’t been training at all, or else you’d understand just how much you will benefit from recognizing your true potential.” Kaji then held his hands up, in the same fashion that one would hold them while eating corn on the cob. “Hold the twig between your hands and practice channeling your chakra through the twig… And I don’t want to hear any whining.” The sensei was confidently authoritative and sure that the boy could comply with his demands, as he should have been able to do so naturally.

WC367​

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[Tatsuo]

Tatsuo's eyes squinted as he stared at Kaji. "What do you mean I don't comprehend ninjutsu, you just uhh focus it and then like fire away. Don't get why all of you guys think i'm so dumb." he rolls his eyes as he took the branch. When Kaji told him to put his chakra through it, he grabbed it with just one hand, sending his chakra flowing through it[R1]. Within moments the branch grew in both length and leafs sprouted from the short twig, making it seem more like a small branch now. Tatsuo himself didn't realize he could do it, he had never really tried to manipulate wood in the past even though he always felt, well, comfortable around it. However his face would just give off that for a short moment, he honestly wanted to impress Kaji. He didn't want him thinking he was dumb, if he knew what Tatsuo did he wouldn't really be wrong.

After a short pause Tatsuo let out a fake yawn. "C'mon, is that all you wanted me to do? What's that good for." he said tossing the now branch to the side, launching it into a bush which resulted in a flurry of wildlife avoiding the projectile. Tatsuo cringed as he raised his shoulders, hoping he hadn't hit any squirrels. He continued to walk alongside the cart and Kaji, with a conceited smirk on his face. "Don't think i'm so dumb now, do ya?" he said, honestly opening himself up more than he wanted to. Tatsuo didn't really believe himself to be dumb, but his parents, his teachers at the academy and pretty much anyone who had ever graded an assignment he worked on really wondered how a he could be so dumb. But now he was in nature, he was in his element, he wasn't gonna look dumb here.

R1[17/20]

WC: 308
Total WC: 1349
Posts: 4/5

 

[Okada Kaji]

It was a pleasant surprise when Tatsuo turned the frail twig into a robust branch, and Kaji could not help but grin with satisfaction. The boy may have been dense, but what he lacked in understanding, he made up for with natural talent: that much, Kaji would not deny. But Tatsuo’s stubbornness was like a barrier against any elder, whether it was Kaji or the old Hokage himself. Kaji’s moment of pride quickly returned to a scowl at Tatsuo’s last remarks. He really was block-headed when he wanted to be.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you perform a real jutsu all day” Kaji complained and clapped the back of one gloved hand against the palm of his other. “The point of the exercise was for you to practice molding and controlling your chakra… If you understood how to utilize your mokuton, we could have probably escaped that mess back there in half the time.” His energy was becoming more aggressive and inspired Miyu to attempt an intervention by shifting her seating beside Kaji.

The intrigued young woman took an interest in every shiny bobble she could find on the shinobi, casually reaching for Eelspine, which was still in his lap. Without a word, Kaji was subconsciously pushing Miyu’s hands away from his sword and continued glaring at Tatsuo as if to say he was not off the hook yet. “You really will be an idiot if you keep at this obstinate behavior each time someone tries to show you something. Currently, you’re just hard-headed, not a complete moron... but keep it up and I’m sure we’ll get there in due time.”

WC271​

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[Tatsuo]

Tatsuo sighed as Kaji scowled at him, what did he do to deserve hit he had just did the wood chakra thing like he was told. "I don't know why you're so aggressive with me, I decided to come help /you/. I didn't have to ya' know." he said crossing his arms, looking to Miyu who was starting to get uncomfortable with their back and forth. He frowned a bit before shaking his head and looking straight at Kaji. "Don't think you saw me do a jutsu? You were spider bait before I came in and dealt with them. And ya maybe I could've done it in half the time, but had you not gotten in trouble I wouldn't have had to do it in any time! And i'm not hardheaded either! Why would you say i'm hard headed? Just because I don't know everything there is about all those boring jutsu? All I remember was kicking some spider a-- I mean butt!"

WC: 163
Total WC: 1512
Post: 5/5

 

[Okada Kaji]

Following his better judgment, Kaji reclined in his seat and began rethinking his approach with Tatsuo. The boy was new to his more stern side, perhaps taken by surprise by just how demanding Kaji would be as his sensei. Tatsuo hadn’t seen anything yet, but as their tension grew, so did the concern of Miyu and Ojii-san, who was now looking back at the master and apprentice. “Aggressive…” Kaji said with an eerily renewed sense of calm. His mind briefly rewound to the days of his own youth and his meager origin as a shinobi of the Stone. Memories running through the tall trees with his first sensei, Maiku, and his two fellow genin, Vega, and Saburo. It was worth saying that Saburo was a knuckleheaded ninja, and not to be confused with anyone else by that name, but Kaji could not help be see a resemblance between his old friend, and Tatsuo… though Tatsuo was a bit more talented. Having an innate gift like Tatsuo would have helped Saburo; maybe he would have still been alive. And maybe Vega as well, who was so callous towards him. All three; the master and his two friends were long since dead.

The memory tempered Kaji’s anger, and he was reduced to a somber, reflective and deep in thought. “You know what, I am being a bit harsh,” he admitted, gripping his knees as he found the courage to humble himself for a mere boy. There was a saying about sparing the rod and spoiling the child, but Kaji was not his parent, and this was not the same generation he had to survive through as an apprentice. As far as he knew, Tatsuo was incredibly lucky. “You did a fine job today, and I’m grateful you came to assist me.” Kaji even found the will soften his scowl. “When I was a genin, my teammates would have never risked their own safety that way unless there was something for them to gain from it... You’re a good kid, Tatsuo.”

To further break the tension, Miyu was getting goofy, and started trying to hand feed Kaji some slices of summer sausage, like she did with Tatsuo before. However, Kaji insisted on grabbing each little morsel with his own hand first before putting them in his mouth. Miyu was awesome, but a bit quirky for his tastes. Kaji then resumed his conversation with the obstinate boy. “A day will come when the leaf is going to depend on you to protect it, and you never know when that may be. I push you because this life isn’t easy. You are talented- but it’s going to take a lot of hard work if you ever want to be someone the village can depend on. I mean, you don’t have to be a hero Tatsuo… You have two parents that love you, and you could probably be and do anything you set heart towards.”

Kaji then got up from his seat, and leaned over the edge of the carriage, observing his student, and offered an out-stretched hand. “You can do anything, but you chose to be here and now, with me. You chose the shinobi way… And I wouldn’t be a good sensei if I did not push you to become a true shinobi that the Leaf can depend upon.”

WC556
Total WC2009
Tutor Complete
Thread left unless stopped.​

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[Tatsuo]

Tatsuo watched Kaji carefully as he sat back in his chair, he began to worry if he had finally crossed the event horizon, maybe he'd chop him up to pieces and leave him to never be found again, his fear continued to grow as he creepily said "Aggressive.." but was taken off guard when Kaji offered a sincere apology.

Blinking once, he immediately smiled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I mean ya' don't gotta apologize, I was kind've being a turd. I'm sorry." when he thanked him for coming to his aid he shook his head and said. "Well ya' you're my sensei, i'd do it a hundred times over if I had to." he smiled again letting out an innocent laugh as he threw out a few air punches. "And I won't ever let you just take a beating, even if I gotta take a beating too, that's what students are for right? Helping you out when you need it and vice versa." He was then taken off guard by Miyu's attempts to feed Kaji summer saugages, he began to laugh shaking his head as he watched her shamelessly flirt with Kaji.

When Kaji began to explain that Tatsuo was a good kid and he had talent, he blushed, turning as red as a tomato. He wasn't used to getting compliments, especially ones in regard to him having talent, he had spent most of his life being told quite the opposite, but it wasn't the time to bring up such dark memories when things were so bright right now. Tatsuo then adjusted his headband. "Ya' know i'm being taught by a hero so i'll probably become a hero too. And ya, i'll become a great Leaf shinobi, if not one of the best!" Miya quickly hushed him as her elderly father was attempting to get some sleep, Tatsuo nodded looking to Kaji before lowering his voice. "After we all get some rest."

WC: 324
Total WC: 1836
Post: 6/5
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