Steel Structures

[Takahashi Aki]

The first homestead had been built. It was the Steward's intentions to aid the most 'at risk' families in his village. Nobles such as Nobu and Kuro would be able to look after themselves. They had the resources to do so, but the poorer villagers didn't. Sousuke considered himself to be of a middling class. There was an irony about this. The greater irony was that Katuso who was the heir to the Sunahoshi dynasty was destitue who lived with him. How the mighty had fallen. How a lack of self greed led to this ... this ... lack of ability for self sustenance. He was the manager and caretaker of the village, he had no time to create personal ventures to further the wealth of his house. The village was his house.

The Steward turned away from his personal observations back to the task set before him. "Remember what you learned in class Riyota? This is sort of like that but on a bigger level. Building and forging are the same thing, granted there is a different level of finesse and scope in this."<i></i> Sousuke explained. He formed hand seals and placed his hands on the ground. The technique he was using was for defensive purposes in a combative nature, but here he was using it again to build. He summoned a wall of stone. He then formed more hand seals and transformed the stone wall to a steel wall. He reached into his backpack and removed an augment for Riyota to use to cut through the steel with his axe. It was the seige augment that he had seen Zashi use in class. "So. Now we just need to cut through this, and then have Ken lift it into position."<i></i> He added. He gestured for Ken, to back away for a moment, they had to make these cuts first before proceeding further. "Ready when you are."<i></i> He spoke to Riyota.

 

[Miroku Riyota]

Riyota nodded along as he listened to his instructions, He understood perfectly This is pretty important then. He thought to himself, gulping slightly. He unsheathed his axe and attached the augment Sousuke had given him. This was an important job, but it certainly wasn't the largest, but Riyota was mostly content with the little bit he had helped out with. He took a breath and readied himself, planting his feet firmly into the ground. With a yell he slashed downwards with his axe and cut the steel wall in half.

Did I do it Sensei? He asked, slowly opening his eyes to reveal the wall cut almost perfectly in half, he breathed a sigh of relief, he'd managed to do this without screwing up. He was glad, now he stood back and allowed Ken to do what he needed to do.

 

[Takahashi Aki]

Surprisingly the Steward got down on the floor and began inspecting the cut. He crawled about inspecting the cut that his student had made. His eyes narrowed as he focused on his inspection. "Hrmmm..."<i></i> He made some non-descript murmurs about the cut. After a minute or two further from inspections he rolled onto his back and then forward onto his knees. "Ah. Yes. Perfect."<i></i> He pushed the plates away now. "Well done."<i></i> He motioned for Ken to pick up the metal slab and then the giant beetle slammed it into the ground. The beetled took the second slab and did the same thing. Sousuke shifted for a moment and then revealed his metallic arm. "Good materials is only so good as the grounding you make for it Riyota. We need to make a foundation like an old tree has roots in the earth. The oldest of trees have the deepest of roots. It lets them survive wind storms and from being torn up from the ground."<i></i> He explained using a foreign simile. He held his hand and emitted a blast of plasma. He melted the metal slightly, so it would weld itself to the ground. "You've seen me fight using shadowy abilities. This is plasma. The combination of fire and lightning to create an element of extreme heat."<i></i> He paused, "An advanced element, and in time you will learn one too."<i></i> He continued to fire a beam at the structures welding them down. Once completed he turned to his student once more.

"As I mentioned earlier, we are building a new realm. We are building a future ... one to which you will look up and see a sky of blue, instead of the darkness of the caverns."<i></i> He began to work up seals to create more metallic plates for his student to cut. "Know what we do here ... some would not do. Some nobles think themselves above this menial task. Know though that your actions here will have benefit generations to come."<i></i>

 

[Miroku Riyota]

Riyota waited with bated breath as the Kazekage examined his cut. He let out a sigh of relief as the compliment reached his ears. He beamed proudly and was glad he was involved in something important for once in his life, the ground shook slightly and he giggled as Ken slammed the slab into the ground. He saw Sousuke begin to use his hand to weld and was deeply captivated by the flying sparks of the plasma. When Sousuke told Riyota he would learn an advanced element one day, Riyota disagreed "I don't think I'll ever manage something like that...I'm just, not good enough." He sighed.

Riyota wasn't sure what life would be like on the surface. He had been up there once before, and truth be told he wasn't a fan. He had gotten quite used to the darkness of the caverns, and wasn't sure if he'd adapt well to the heat or the brightness of the sun.

Pushing these thoughts aside for now, he awaited further instructions from his 'foreman'.