[Episode Ikki Pt1] Mebu Castle

[ZimTheInvader]

Chowa had been standing with the group happily enjoying listening to the others introduce themselves as he finally had his first proper team and mission since arriving in Naraka. "My name is Chowa Sozo, I'm still new to this whole shinobi thing, but I excel in Iryōjutsu. I also have been training under Takewa sensei in the art of Taijutsu, but I still have a lot to learn. I look forward to growing strong with you guys." The words rolled of his tongue with a calm and polite tone that showed respect and admiration for those around him though he had informed them of his main capabilities he had forgotten to mention his Naibugan which he was still learning to use at this moment.

During the discussions following Chowa let the more seasoned individuals chose where they should go, and it ended up working out perfectly for Chowa as they had chosen to head for the prison where none other than his own beloved sensei Takewa was currently located. "Wait you mean we get to meet up with Takewa sensei? That's awesome, I can finally show him all my progress I've made."

 

[Earljt4]

After Eiji finished explaining himself, he listened to Kiyoshi explaining that they had a bit of time before the messenger arrived and should begin getting a plan together and working on becoming a proper squad. As things stood, they had two issues Eiji could see that he hated because they came about in Konohagakure, and the biggest one was that their tank/frontliner/person who should lead the charge was also the person who should probably be in the backline to keep them alive. The second issue he could see would be himself because, as far as he could tell from their descriptions of themselves, Eiji seemed like the one who would need to make the formations and strategies, and so far he did not think himself that smart a strategist or a good leader.

So after Chowa finished explaining about himself, Eiji looked over at him before speaking, "Chowa-san, question for you. Well, actually, a few... As a fellow leaf shinobi, I know your clan is one of the most powerful in the village, but I do believe your clan has some sort of Kekkei genkai that makes you so powerful? If so, can you explain it a bit, and anything else that might help me plan around your skills? Also, how will you being our frontliner work when you are also our healer?" Eiji asked kindly while formulating what to ask their other teammate about his barrier, seals, and any other skills.

 

[CelestialBlack]

The Wheel Of Fate has turned.

Displacing: One.

The entire time that they stood there Kiyoshi started to feel like something was missing. Looking between the two boys as they spoke he couldnt help but feel like something was off....he'd felt this feeling before, like something was...omitted. Regardless he couldnt help but double take between the two watchinng the difference in dynamic, one being so optimistic, enthusasitic to put what he has learned to the test and plain and simply - be a good student, making his teacher and his clan proud. The other? Looking to do similar to the same. However, he had a looming cloud of doubt and failures to keep his thought process bogged down in the same. Kiyoshi couldnt help but ask himself, what did it look like for him when he went on his first mission. The next mission? The first ever mission to go "perfectly"? And how was it handled beyond and onto higher levels of complexity. Then it occured to him. Eiji wasnt just a kid, but he was a kid that had survived the tragedy of Kugane. Kiyoshi had seem a Consumption Event at least four times now, so it never occured to him that the boy may be dwarfed not only be his own doubts but the doubts he likely placed upon himself after witnessing such a display of power and horror. He chuckled, placing his hand on Eiji's shoulder:

"Look kid. I dont know what they told you in the academy and such. But truth be told a well planned and well formulated team make up never goes like that. Exchange ideas, discuss your tools sure. But the main thing you need to worry about is just watching each others back and making it back home safe. The rest will come natural if you make just that one thing the top priority. Besides, if you go out there talking about 'frontliners' and all that - you will surely die. You arent going to match anyone out here in terms of being a fighter, not yet. Naraka is not a place of Shinobi per se. Its a place for fighters, demons, assassins and crooks. Dont ignore you're biggest and most glaring advantage. And that, is that you have no advantage - and being underestimated is dangerous. You two chop it up, make any last words and issues to whoever you need to speak to here. Maybe they'll have something to help you two. Then see me down at the bridge."

That being said, Kiyoshi gave his shoulder one last pat and started to walk off towards the bridge at the entry opening to the canyon. He couldnt help but think about that very thing that he just told them. When Izanagi first came up in the Uchiha Clan, he wore glasses. Poked many fights and yielded just for the sake of observing a technique to learn and exploit later in a higher stakes situation. Kiyoshi himself feigned a leg injury and made himself look crippled so none would suspect he would be a key player in the foot race in Iwagakure. The two honestly did have a major advantage. But he only hoped that they would and could play it to the highest potential that it had. A two man wasnt the worst, smaller numbers are less conspicuous. But man...what were the odds they had if they got outnumbered?

"Team 3...I may need to go get them..."

He muttered to himself. Perhaps adding Kasami and Ko to the numbers of Chowa and Eiji, would be the best thing for all of their survival. . . He'd ignored the most concerning part of his spies intel given unto him, nibbling at his bottom lip in a kind of pacifyting behavior against his anxiety. . . that man was out there, in Ouka. What a coin toss...​

 

[Earljt4]

Eiji sighed a bit, looking at Chowa for a moment before speaking nervously, "Chowa, do you have anyone you wish to speak to before we have to go, or anything you need to do before we leave?" Eiji said, before looking from Chowa toward the direction he had seen Eien, and continued speaking, "I myself have a few things to wrap up before we head out and need to gather some supplies and provisions, as I want my puppets to be useful along with me." After saying this, Eiji gave a timid nod to Chowa before running off in the direction of Eien.

As Eiji got within range of Eien, he looked down timidly as he pulled on his right index finger. "Um, Mr.Eien, I wanted to once again apologize for our first meeting... I was too hasty in my judgment, and I hope you can forgive me for that. I was also wondering if you could give me some advice, and maybe you know some Uzumaki who would be willing to share fuinjutsu tips and possibly help me understand the chakra chains.", After saying that, Eiji finally looked up at Eien with a nervous and somewhat scared face.

 

[ZimTheInvader]

For someone like Chowa who wasn't originally from Naraka and was basically dumped unceremoniously into a world that could kill him a thousand times over within the blink of an eye he found himself not needing to contemplate the question his friend had asked him. He had nobody here outside of Takewa. While he admired Kiyoshi and Izanagi, they were merely idols he had no real relationship with them. He had never met any family members except for a shadowy figure in a hazy memory that seemed to be a relative of his. His only person he had in this world was his mentor and father figure Takewa but he was gone on a mission.

"No, not really. The only person I'd want to speak with before leaving is Takewa-sensei, but he's already gone. I just have to grab my bag, and I'll be good to go." Chowa paused briefly before adding, "I'll meet you back here once you're done with whatever you need to do."

His voice remained calm and relaxed, his expression betraying none of what he truly felt. Beneath that composed exterior lingered a quiet sadness, an ever-present loneliness that had followed him since arriving in Naraka.

 

[CelestialBlack]

-In his head, Eien had seen the boy looking and already coming his way. Arms folded he remained quiet watching the boy approach him. -

"Look kid. I have no respect for the natural order of things. And the natural order of things is this. You two are in way over your head and without the proper preparation you're nothing but fodder, an experiement, a convinient poke in the darkness to see what pokes back and how hard. But I say thats crap. I say thats bullshit. I say you're going to have an advantage and come out of this alive - The Black Throne be damned. Take this. Its a specialized food pill. Your friend over there, I've seen what Takewa can do. I've seen what that Sozo healing capability and medical prowess can do. But its a wild bull, and he doesnt know how to tame it yet. And whats the Narukagami clan prime rule? When you dont understand ~how~ to do something. Do the utmost to the absolute max. This food pill will overramp any of his physical and chakra based capability till if worse comes to worse? At least his healing ability will be so high that death will be the last name on your long invitation list of fuck. As for you? You need some poison boy. I've seen your angry flailing you call fighting and how you use those puppets. I dont have any - but I can tell you just the guy."

Or at least. Thats what Eien would have said. If he wasnt so short with words and such a reclusive ill-spoke brute. In his mind he had the entire conversation himself and spat every word out just so. But in reality, after Eiji had said all he had to say the only thing he would get back in response would be. "Hm...don't wory about it. Shit happens around here all the time kid. Here. If things get hairy out there, tell your friend to take this. Dont worry about what it does, it'll do what it needs to. But only take it if you have no other options. As for you. When you get to the checkpoint before the Prison, ask for a man by the name: Saika Six Shot. He's got something for you. . . and also. . . are you fucking dumb? The strongest Uzumaki in Naraka just walked away from you." -As he said this he pointed over Eiji's head due to his tall stature and landed the mark dead between Kiyoshi's shoulder blades as he was still walking away (probably slow as you'll ever see him). He then gently grasped the top of the young mans head and with seemingly absolute ease picked him up, turned him to face that direction and planted him back on his feet before giving a deadweight pat on the shoulder: "Dont worry kid. You dont know that doctor. Even his own protege hasnt seen him the way I have. You two will be just fine. Just try to stay on your toes when you guys win. That prize fight is a doozy." -Whatever he meant by that none would know. But his demeanor was calm and he seemed certain and unworried...though Eien was the resident Satsui Monk...the idea of them being brutally and horribly murdered probably wouldnt have made him bat an eye anyway - but, there was something assuring in his voice. He'd fold his arms once more, and watch the back of Eiji's head - not thinking he'd have any further questions but he would be there if he were wrong.​