[Evaluation] Chowa & Eiji Vs The Jackal

[Earljt4]

Listening to the pair of Sozos Eiji became lost in thoughts once more as he backtracked a bit to something the doctor said about or towards him as he could not tell. Eiji listened closely while wondering what the strange man meant as the Salesman from the Kappa village said something similar to him. What were they talking about? What was wrong with Eiji? Did this have something to do with the Oni? The Salesman? Something the Burning Dawn did to him while he was unconscious? He did not know but something that did come to mind is that it had something to do with Imperious, actually the Salesman heavily implied it.

He heard the man ask Chowa to tell Eiji to drop his cloaking technique as it would not work on him, hearing Chowa's response seemed to make things out as if the battle was over and they were safe from any more battles that may come, "Could you release your technique on my puppet then Sir?" Eiji's voice spoke out from the puppet rather than himself as to not reveal his location from behind Chowa though anyone sensitive to taste and smell would realize where he was due to the heavy smell of fresh air as if it had just rained coming from not far behind Chowa. He continued to speak to the Jade demon who he knew as a doctor to the Mebu castle but could not tell why he outright charged at and attacked them, "May I also ask what you meant by something was wrong with me? Everyone I meet lately keeps saying that but not telling me what they know. I wish to know more about myself and what has happened to me since coming to this place." Eiji finished saying to the Doctor through his puppet before speaking to Chowa, "I see that you trust him but I need assurance or I will continue to defend us as he did attack us on sight and seemed very hostile and still does towards me at least." That was the last thing Eiji would say as he began to think about Imperious and wondering what the Doctor and the Salesman meant when they were talking about him.

 

[CelestialBlack]

The moment came in which Chowa asked the question about his great grand-father and the possibility of his association causing his subsequent abduction into the land of current question. For a moment, but a moment Takewa seemed to ponder the possibility of this; however it seemed to be a fleeting thought at best...the most heartbreaking thing - was that it seemed to be an almost envied thought...as if something like that would certainly make more sense and be less nefarious towards the boy's purpose as a presence in Naraka. Takewa's brow raised - but only to be followed short at hand by an almost fidgety smirk that spread across his face as he found the thought to be trite in itself and its almost immediate expungement as a possibility. A laugh rolled from his chest, not at the idea being ridiculous but more so (and certainly more ominously so) at how much more desirable that junction would be compared to the likely probability. "No, I'm afraid not. As preferred as that would be, it doesn't seem that Shi'Chi Rou had much direct affiliation with this place...possibly didnt know about it at all. I believe that Shi'Chi Rou had already identified that there was something of a demon within the one known as Izanagi - but certainly was not involved or even knew of this place. Unfortunately Chowa...I think that its much more sinister then that. You may have been brought here by a creature, the likes of which you've never seen in the human world - to be food, or worse yet; seasoning to provide flavor to my own suffering. It's...complicated. I may need to have one of the others at the castle explain it better." at that thought a certain feline friend came to mind. He had after all, been one of the only heads at the Castle that Takewa had bothered to converse with and seemed to be of a level of wisdom all his own...for some reason - Takewa trusted him...However, speaking of terms of trust. The boy that had concealed himself took a step towards Takewa's bad side even more so. What he did not realize (like many shinobi before him that patronize the Sozo clan) was that he was dealing with a noble of a clan of high reputation, and unlike some he took that role and stature very seriously. The fact that he was willing to make demands in a position that Takewa could crush him oh so easily did nothing but placate Takewa's disdain for the foolishness of man. True - he like his other Sozo brethren wanted only to help and assist life itself...but Takewa was different and had taken a much different upbringing and in his years of watching not only his fellow kinsmen from the discretion of a Black Market Bunker, he watched the ongoings of man...and saw that their ignorance and arrogance often times then not did them more of a disservice to their quality of life and chances of survivability the not. This demand the child was making was a step in the wrong direction and only further cemented his disdain for that very feature of humanity. In the middle of his sentence - like a rocket his puppet was propelled down with pinpoint accuracy, striking past Chowa and grazing just enough along the left side of the boy to almost hit him but certainly miss. The puppet was cast through the gravity well at a rate that would send him flying at chest fluttering rates landing with a hard impact. Enough to send the message as he spoke: "I can see the irregularities of carbon dioxide leaving during your respiration you fool. If I wanted it, you'd be dead already. This is one of the reasons your team didnt trust you - you make demands where you have no bargain power, and take defenses where there is diplomacy to be made. A true child among shinobi. No wonder that creature infected you with that bite. I bet you'd make a right fine proxy for the abomination with all that negativity you've chocked up." And just like that - the doctor had given the boy his diagnosis in rather unceremonious fashion. Telling the boy exactly what it was that had caused him to be looked at oddly by his peers and those around him. Of course - to be accurate his team had not known of this either but it wasn't hard to get a gut feeling something was off about the boy. He had been acting weird, fluctuating emotional states, acting unnaturally and mentally unbalanced the entire time. Only a self-entitled fool would expect any different engagement then pure distancing from their team at that point...but mayhap he be that very fool. Takewa looked not only at the boy through his little parlor trick, but seemed to look straight through him...as if he wasn't there...as if he wasn't even a human to be considered in the factor. He'd overheard and there after - been included in the talks about the matter with the Masters back at the castle and even though it was not his place...aside from what they had planned for the boy as far as keeping tabs - Takewa was one of the only of two that had suggested a more final solution. Euthanasia. Of course - the route of action had gone otherwise and there are those there that seem to believe that this can not only be a good thing, but that the boy may be central to gaining the upper hand on the creature. Takewa however, believed this was folly and even in this moment considered the lives he may be able to save by simply excising one from the field...amputation essentially is what it had come down to...or rather what he had compared it to. Though as a noble from the Sozo clan - a proud vanguard of his bloodline's legacy he would withhold the honor of a Doctor that had given his word...it would not be the route taken, unless the "patient" in this case requested it. His focus was on Eiji in response to what he had said - but he wondered how this would effect Chowa's (however limited) perception of events being unraveled before him as well as his new found "friend" with him. His abnormally bright Naibugan glancing over at him to see a reaction should it register.​

 

[ZimTheInvader]

Chowa was happy to have his mentor back and to finally figure out even a sliver of why he could have ended up in this strange location. On the other hand, he still didn't like the tension between Takewa and Eiji as he didn't want another conflict to break out like before. Fortunately, it was seeming that while they wouldn't get along they at least wouldn't be fighting, well that was what the boy hoped. As these thoughts moved to abut within his mind he listened to the others as they replied to him and each other which hadn't helped to lower the tension, but at least he was learning more about the place. As Takewa spoke Chowa had expected to learn more about his family only to find that there wasn't much to learn and that his appearance here most likely had little to nothing to do with his family, and probably more to do with some malicious entity that Takewa insisted someone else he could introduce Chowa to would know more.

Following Takewa's explanation Chowa would take a moment to express himself based on the new information that he had been presented. The idea of so demonic entity having some twisted and devious plan for him did nothing to cheer him up and instead made him a little more fearful of this place, fortunately, he had Takewa with him. "Wow, so you're saying that I may have been brought here to be some monster's food or plaything. I hope that's not true I'd rather not be a lunch for some evil monster," said Chowa in a mslightly shaky tone with a slight chuckle as he tried his best to shake off the terror that the idea had begun to fill him with. "If that is why I'm here all it means is I need to get stronger so I can protect myself and others," said Chowa as he continued the try and keep himself calm and show Takewa his drive and desire to improve himself beyond those he idolised.

After his little outburst, Chowa would listen to Eiji as he spoke of this mysterious issue that others had mentioned which Takewa would put more emphasis on as he seemingly explained what seemed to be wrong. As they spoke he would hear mention of a creature's infectious bite, some shots at Eiji's maturity and more specifically irregularities in the boys respiratory system involving the expulsion of carbon dioxide from his body. To the average Sozo, this would be easy to perceive with the Naibugan, but unfortunately for the young Chowa, his skill was still far too low to see through anything except the chakra network, muscular and skeletal systems of the human body. "Don't worry if there is something wrong with you, while right now my sight may not be great enough to perceive it I will help however I can to try and fix it," said Chowa showing that no matter what happened of was wrong with someone his beliefs in the Kyumeken and the philosophy of the Sozo Clan would not be deterred.

 

[CelestialBlack]

There in the moment Takewa could look at Chowa and tell that he did not like the tension between Eiji and himself. But in this moment it was the kind of thing that not only was not as bad as one may think it to be - but would never surface to a level that one may fear it to escalate to; that would require Takewa thinking that not only was Eiji a big enough threat or issue that he would need to see to right now, but also that if the problem reached its peak it would be worthy of just such a note. He did not, in fact - if it was that bad right now then Takewa would erase Eiji from existence quicker then anyone else could have perceived it, and without remorse or regret of another’s reprisal; not even Chowa’s at that. He knew others felt differently about how to save the majority, but Takewa was not among their mindset, nor did he humor hesitation in his philosophy. He was a man of conviction and action and in his mind any form of hesitation from any origin of the point be it emotion, empathy, curiosity or otherwise was a detriment that would get in the way of his goal. Despite the trust that they had put in him - Izanagi, Kiyoshi, even her would do well to understand. Takewa was no friend to them. Right now they had mutual interests and despite Izanagi’s thoughts as to the ability to make a friend out of Takewa…he was firm in thinking of what was important, and now he had a constant reminder of it right in front of him in the form of Chowa’s presence. His student, his family….he would not fail them again. Takewa’s expression was firm and strict as he always was but there was a bit of humor and brightness in the slight chuckle and smile that he cracked when h retorted to Chowa’s repugnance at the idea of becoming some creature’s diner…he shared that repugnance and didnt torture himself with the mental imagery of having to watch it happen.: “Well, the bright side of that notion is that the creature will only feed on the strong, so if he brought you here - then that's certain confirmation that you have what it takes to become strong enough to defend yourself. So let's focus on protecting yourself, before we worry about others.”

That last bit carries a bit of the personal bias that Takewa had held - as well as his resistance to the idea that everyone deserves help at every time that it can be given to them. Even if it was subtle and subconscious, the protest to an idea that he felt got his mentor and parental figure, Heiwa - killed, was still quite evident in the way that he spoke and the emphasis on “oneself” when he said such. His eyes darted over to the boy, he was silent - conversationally unmoving, as he had been in every juncture of his journey through this perilous land with his team. Takewa was not like the others here, he was a man of firm strictness and rampant disgust for humanity. Ever since he had arrived out in the open after leaving the care of the village he observed humans. For a while, all he could do was observe - and all that he saw was a race that had a fetish for sewing their own self-destruction through ravenous self-interest and shamelessly ambitious grandeur. If anything, he felt like humans in themselves had a disease - a defect of sorts where they were the biggest detriment and blight on themselves and their own progress. So to be here, seeing one afflicted with something so heinous, an abomination in his eyes for he did not believe their legends in its simplicity but that there was a medical and scientific explanation for all that was happening; it drove him up a wall. In a scenario where all he had to do was speak, he was still stagnant: “Did you hear me boy!? I said you’re a cocoon. An incubation chamber for some horrible creature to make its next shell. Where does it live? In your skin. When you hop out, the beast hops in. Wakarimasu Ka? (Do you understand?)” The last bit spoken in a tongue that would likely be unfamiliar to the boy, but the way that he set his hands upon his hips and leaned forward with head tilted his body language would plainly dictate that he was asking a question of confirmation following the verbal battering that he was giving him. He scoffed in frustration. They didn't have time to just be out here - for all he knew all of this could have been a clever plan to get them away from the others or the safety of the castle. He snatched his helmet up into both his hands and fixated it upon his head once more, vibrant locks of orange now contained within the jade as he spoke in a voice of reverberation again, this time with a deep breath prior to a much more calm tone as if he was trying to retain his composure and push aside his misplaced disappointment in the Sarutobi boy. He was, after all, not his student - and as such his progress and perception were not his responsibility…he had to tell himself that. He was not his responsibility: “If we’re finished here. Interlock hands - we need to get back to the castle, preferably with as few footprints to trace back between the way. If there are no other questions about the nature of that…infection, we’ll go. I’m not supposed to be telling you anyway so once we’re there you’ll be on your own about that less decided otherwise by your host.”​

 

[ZimTheInvader]

There in the field as the young and inexperienced Chowa stood there conversing with his mentor and Eiji he had only just finished talking about how he needed to grow especially if this entity was gunning for him, most likely intending to use the poor Sozo as a future meal. This was something that worried Chowa, but at the same time, it was also great motivation to grow stronger so to wind up as monster chow. Luckily, the fear that he had was subdued by some choice kind words from Takewa who made it clear that if he was brought to this strange place by this entity then it means that he has the potential to be strong even if at this moment he was comparable to an Academy Student at best.

Thanks to these kind words of encouragement Chowa had finally come to grips with the fact that Takewa had chosen to take him as his protege for a reason, now he was ready to leave with Takewa and properly begin his training, but first, he would listen to Takewa as he spoke of the "Parasite" that was inhabiting the body of Eiji and how it is treating the boy like a cacoon intending to use him as a vessel, but right now the important thing was to get out of this field and to where Takewa's associates were. So as requested by Takewa the hands pf Chowa would reach out and grasp those of both Takewa and Eijio ready to be transported to this new location. "I'm ready sensei. Let's get going."

 

[Earljt4]

This conversation that dropped itself upon Eiji or should he say this berating about himself and the intense lecture behind it gave him a lot to think about, thus making him silent for a moment. Many thoughts were running through his mind, and this conversation explained so many things. No, not just this conversation, this encounter explained so many things to him. The first thing he noted was that Eiji was at least in his mind an outsider who had no right to be here. He saw that everyone who came had some connection to this place before coming or at least that's what he noted with those around him. Chowa was connected to the doctor, Sentou had ties to his mentor, Kasami with Ko who was connected to Izanagi, etc. What connection did Eiji have? Was he really brought he because he had potential or was he just an outlier brought to balance out some game? What sort of strength did this beast see in him if it did?

The second thing is on that very topic, he doesn't know how but he does know that Kasami has powerful dojutsu, wood release, and nara-style techniques. All these things are extremely powerful and have room for great growth with the right user. Sentou is a martial expert and uses the rare scorch release style said to be able to evaporate people inside out. Once more extremely powerful and great potential can be exerted with the right use. Chowa is a Sozo. A clan of shinobi is said to have great healing ability and is known to have a dojutsu that can see through the body's lies. Eiji was confused about what he could do, what he had before he got here, and really what he could do with what he gained here. Even more now knowing that what was given to him by Imperious was actually given by the beast he saw before.

He could feel something strange inside his mind, a new emotion he had not felt before. No, he felt it a long time ago but blocked it out as it caused him severe depression and pain. He felt lonely... Not the loneliness he had been feeling before due to feeling outcasted by the others. He felt loneliness in the form that he had no reason to be here, no way to connect to the people here, and his strength, his skills, and his abilities weren't his own. If this was the case, then what could he do? What would he gain by training? What would he gain or lose going on missions for them? He was so deeply lost in his thoughts about this that upon the Doctor's request for confirmation of understanding he would simply nod his head with glossed over almost dead eyes as his hands would later connect with Chowa and the Doctor's at the Doctor's request. When they arrived Eiji would have to figure out whether he stayed here and did missions, just stayed here and sought help with his "infection", or left Naraka altogether in hopes of being less of danger if he went back home. He was not sure what to do nor whether he was anything useful or worthy of being here and around people with such great abilities and potential.