[Akatsuki]

[attr="class","trying"]

[attr="class","we1"]

[attr="class","avatar"]

[attr="class","lost1"]please don't go

[attr="class","rise"]

[attr="class","dying1"]

[attr="class","mouths1"]Akatsuki was fond of many things, but winter was not among them. The cold, frost, and snow usually served as nothing more than a burden to her--and especially because she had a particularly strong fear of fire. Even if it were a normal cautiousness it could be dealt with, but when she almost completely froze or shut down in a state of panic when in its presence, it was far more detrimental than good. Dangerous, even.
    Which is why, even now as she'd made camp in the forest, Akatsuki didn't have a fire set up.
    Instead, there was a makeshift resting place--her satchel serving as a pillow, her cloak a blanket, and her winter clothing what kept her warm in the bitter evening air. There hadn't been any snow--thankfully--or else she would have had to keep walking until she'd made it into town. It was still cold--frightfully so--but bearable with the right supplies. And, besides, no matter how long she spent outdoors, the young woman had always found comfort resting among nature.
    It reminded her of her brother.
    It reminded her of her teacher.
    There were many fond memories spent beneath the stars. Many unpleasant ones, too, but outweighed by the good.
    No matter how difficult things got... no matter how dark, or bleak, or abysmal her future seemed to be... she had to cling to those happy memories.
    When all hope was gone, those cherished memories of the distant past were all that she had left. And she would hold tightly to them so long as her mind allowed it.
    Still, as Akatsuki lay in her makeshift camp--her sword propped upright in the ground near her head like a cross at a grave--she felt wide-awake. She'd been travelling for hours through the country of Forest, and it felt good to be in familiar territory once more. She wondered how Jun was doing, or if Reiko would have finished making many trinkets in the time she'd been away. While she usually visited in the summer for the festivals that they threw, there was still much culture to be experienced in the other seasons, too. It was those thoughts that kept her alive. Awake. And wondering.
    Staring up at the sky with her violet eye, Akatsuki whistled herself a lullaby.
    It wasn't that she wasn't tired, even. But there was a stirring in her chest, and a comfort that kept her awake. A second wind, perhaps. But, nonetheless, the restless soul would continue to stare with her attention fixed on the heavens and the silence of the forest, which had grown eerily quiet in the winter months. The only sound to be heard was her own singing, but there was a comfort in solitude, too, she supposed.

Blue Text - Tsuchi Branch Kyōbō Only
Violet Text - Common Language

[attr="class","lying1"]✎ @ulla , notes here don't make them too long

ulla

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[Hatake Toshizō]

"under the stars". "A man who can't uphold his beliefs is pathetic, dead or alive." MAKESHIFT CAMP The cold breeze didn't bother him, as a matter of fact, it was welcomed. The Forest Country was much colder than the Land of Fire, but Toshizou was properly dressed with enough layers to make it alright. He had been in the area for a mission, a hunt, a life to claim, and now that the blood had been spilled, and the head delivered, he had no further business there and had to make his way back home. Still, he did tire himself a bit, the man whose life he had claimed put up more of a fight than he expected him to, but ultimately he was not match for the Demon of the Fleeting Blossoms. His clothing was still tainted with some blood, not his at least, but he didn't care about that at all; during his lifetime, he bathed in blood more times than he could count, to the point that taking a life didn't faze him. If that made him an evil man? Well, he would beg to differ. In his own head, he was merely following his nindo and fulfilling his duty. "Slay Evil Immediately." the words echoed in his head every time he swung his deadly blade. Mercy was a trait of the weak, and he had none. Still, he was not a cruel person. He didn't find any joy in taking a life either, it was just duty, for the greater good. Because of that, he usually ended people swiftly whenever possible. He wanted peace in the end, with the Hidden Leaf standing atop of the world, guiding them towards the right path, as the Gods had intended, but he knew all too well that such a dream would not be realised within his life time. He worked so that the next generation would have an easier, better life. Perhaps for his daughters, more likely to his grandkids, if his line endured. His Mind's Eye was closed, Forest Country was normally peaceful, and even when he was not actively sensing anything, his passive perception was still sharper than most, as he could sense chakra in a four-hundred metres radius, more than enough for someone like him to be able to promptly react. Still, he travelled for a few hours before he felt a chakra signature. "Hm?" curious, he thought. There was normally no shinobi in this land, they had no Hidden Village, so obviously the trace of chakra caught his attention. He stopped atop a tall tree branch, analysing it. "I don't recognise this chakra." he thought, touching his chin with his index and thumb. There was no other option other than assess. He knew about an attack on the Hyuuga heir in this very land, maybe that person lingered here. If so, he could claim her head as well. With three quick hand seals, he sealed away his own presence, making himself essentially invisible even to the most capable of sensors, that was the power of the Kagura Mind's Eye. He quietly approached the presence he felt before, and once he was close enough, his sharp eyes could clearly see a makeshift camp. There was no fire there, so maybe the person inside was hoping to avoid being noticed. "Suspicious." he thought to himself, slowly drawing his katana. His steps were light, making no noise. He could hear a singing, the person was oblivious to his presence. It was a woman, a young woman with pearly white hair, much like himself. It fit the description from the reports, but the sight of her sword made him question if that was indeed the one known as Kunikunosaku. Well, there was but one way to find out. Toshizou walked out of the cover of the forest, making himself visible to the woman, he was close enough, not more than thirty metres. A blade held on his right hand, resting beside his body, and the dried blood in his clothing. He stopped there and looked to the woman, his intimidating vermillion eyes and stern look on his face. "I will ask this only once. What is your name. If you refuse to respond, I will assume you are the person I'm looking for and kill you immediately." his tone was calm, but his presence was threatening. The cold wind blew once again, disheveling his hair, but the focus in his eyes unwavering. "You can train a dog with food. You can buy a person with money. But there isn't a man alive that can put down the Will of Fire. Some things will never change. The Will of Fire will never be extinguished" Forest Country -- [Akatsuki] [718 words]

SPOILER: Click to show

SA used:Kagura Mind's Eye


Born with a natural affinity towards sensing chakra, Toshi trained himself to become a capable sensor ninja. With his training, he managed to unlock his Mind's Eye, and with that, the ability to passively sense chakra signatures in the distance (when using the technique), thus allowing him to not only track, but also memorize a person's chakra signature, even if barely any chakra is being used. Due to his proficiency with this technique, Toshi can passively sense chakra up to 400 metres, but when he focus on opening his Mind's Eye, his sensing capabilities increase to incredible 25 km.

SPOILER: Click to show

Jutsu used:
NAME: Kagura Shingan Naibu Heisa [ Kagura Mind's Eye Inner Closure ]
RANK: A
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: N/A
HANDSEALS: 3
DESCRIPTION:
By focusing his inner mind eye and sensory ability of the Kagura Shingan completely on himself the user can suppress his chakra to extraordinary degree with the help of impeccable chakra control to rein any emissions from escaping the body. While normal sensors may be able to produce a technique to mask themselves as mere civilians, the power of the Kagura Shingan makes them completely undetectable to all sensors. The side effect of and downside to that is that during the use of this jutsu the practitioner is unable to utilize any chakra for jutsu or reinforcement of the body. Only upon deactivation of the jutsu will he regain his ability to utilize chakra normally.

[Akatsuki]

[attr="class","trying"]

[attr="class","we1"]

[attr="class","avatar"]

[attr="class","lost1"]please don't go

[attr="class","rise"]

[attr="class","dying1"]

[attr="class","mouths1"]Akatsuki startled when she heard the voice speak up. She'd not noticed anyone approaching, and while she hadn't been listening acutely for danger--she still thought that there would have been some sign someone had been approaching. Footsteps, a rustling of a branch--anything. But he'd appeared like a shadow, and the young woman shot up in alarm to look at the stranger--the gentle singing immediately coming to a stop.
    Is he here to kill me? The thought had been so familiar it'd become normal, to her. It wasn't that she was found every day she traveled, but they came out of nowhere, and they attacked with little warning. No place was truly safe, and right now she couldn't help but to wonder if he had been sent to kill her and finally found his objective.
    But something wasn't right.
    He didn't wear the typical masks associated with the Kyōbō Hunter Nin, and that was the first clue.
    She didn't know who he was looking for, but if he wasn't Kyōbō--well, she doubted that she was his target. "I am Akatsuki the Bleeding Sun." Her heartbeat raced instinctively at being startled and having her life immediately threatened, but it was the truth. Looking at the man, her gaze narrowed, slightly. In the soft light of the moon, she was barely able to make out the insignia of the Hidden Leaf displayed on his headband--a token many shinobi wore. While she was no enemy of Konoha, she wasn't unfamiliar with the branch of her clan that resided in Hi no Kuni, and she knew of their reputation.
    While they were viewed differently throughout the regions, the Kyōbō branch in Hi no Kuni had a particularly nefarious reputation. Catching one for sport and hunting them when found was a reasonable response when presented with the level of terrorism they liked to instill upon the civilian villages throughout the country. If this man was from Konoha, it was entirely possible that he knew of the Kyōbō, and if he knew of them, there was a good chance he'd still want her dead--even if she hadn't been from that branch of the clan. He'd have no way to know she didn't belong to that particular group, after all.
    Though, they were quite far away from Hi no Kuni.
    Maybe he'd not associate her with the band of criminals that were the Kyōbō of Hi no Kuni.
    "Who are you, shinobi?" the young woman would ask in turn. Her expression wasn't one of aggression, but still, her brow furrowed in concern as she focused on the shinobi standing across from her, trying to rationalize what to do in this situation. Even if she likely wasn't the one he'd been searching for, Akatsuki knew better than anyone how quickly things could turn dangerous for her. It was never truly safe. And right now was no exception. "You're awfully far from home."

Blue Text - Tsuchi Branch Kyōbō Only
Violet Text - Common Language

[attr="class","lying1"]✎ @ulla , notes here don't make them too long

ulla

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[Hatake Toshizō]

"under the stars". "A man who can't uphold his beliefs is pathetic, dead or alive." LOYALTY The woman there didn't notice his approach, and once he made himself known, she jumped up on her feet, startled by the sound of his voice. Despite that, she quickly complied with his request and revealed herself as Akatsuki, the Bleeding Sun. Well, that name meant absolutely nothing to him; the person he was looking for was called something else, and upon a better look at her, he couldn't help but to see the eyepatch covering her left eye, and that didn't match the description he had of Kunikunosaku. It was a misunderstanding, but still, she was a person more than capable of molding chakra, a shinobi for sure, and his Mind's Eye told him that much, which still made her quite suspicious. There wasn't any sign of affiliation to any village, but that alone was not enough to reach any conclusion as to her loyalties, for many people didn't use their forehead protectors, or any sign of their village on them. He didn't move at the revelation of her name, and he kept his blade by his side, not threatening, but at the same time not vulnerable. The woman looked concern, but he could hardly blame her for it, she would be a fool if she was calm in this situation, but at the same time there was no aggression. When she spoke again, she asked who he was, mentioning he was awfully far from home. The man scoffed at that, but he did respond. "I'm a shinobi indeed, and so are you. The only question is, what village do you belong to?" he returned the question and as he said that, he lifted his blade, pointing the tip towards her. They were still far enough apart so that this movement wouldn't be absolutely threatening, but it did show he was still deciding if he was going to fight her or not. "And depending on that answer, I may or may not reveal my name. However, girl... Don't lie to me. This answer will determine if you will live or die. And I'm not one to issue idle threats." he said, not losing the calm tone in his voice, despite the nature of his words. His blade, now that it was more visible, was a masterpiece, and anyone who was well-versed in Bukijutsu could tell as much. If the blade was any testament of skill, it was enough to show he wasn't someone to be taken lightly. "You can train a dog with food. You can buy a person with money. But there isn't a man alive that can put down the Will of Fire. Some things will never change. The Will of Fire will never be extinguished" Forest Country -- [Akatsuki] [410 words]

[Akatsuki]

[attr="class","trying"]

[attr="class","we1"]

[attr="class","avatar"]

[attr="class","lost1"]please don't go

[attr="class","rise"]

[attr="class","dying1"]

[attr="class","mouths1"]Akatsuki listened as the man spoke, his voice as cool as the winter air. Serious as the grave, though not overtly aggressive, the man was still airing a threat to her nonetheless. He declared all that he believed he knew of her, but none of it was based in reality, and that brought upon a whole new issue.
    He wanted to know what village she hailed from, as he believed her to be a shinobi.
    She was unsure what would make him think such a thing--she didn't wear a headband of any kind, and while she had a katana with her, that didn't mean she was a shinobi.
    Yōkai knew she wasn't.
    But this man was still mulling over in his head whether or not he'd kill her. She knew she was strong, but she knew there were people out there who were stronger, and she couldn't help but to wonder if this was it. Would she be able to get out of it this time? Could she once more escape death's cold embrace and defy the fate that others had written for her? If he decided he'd take her life, would she be able to stop him?
    Should she?
    The weapon he possessed was something of an art piece--beautiful and masterfully crafted. Not some common katana that would be wielded by someone who held less passion for the art. She wondered how well her own Nakama would fare against it. It wasn't how she'd wanted things to end. She'd preferred to have passed her sword on, by now. Though, she supposed, if she must die without any choice in how she fell, then fighting to the bitter end was as good a death as she could hope for.
    Taking in a deep breath, the woman steadied her spirit and plucked her katana, which was as dark as the night sky, from the ground. She did not raise it to strike at him, despite how his own blade was pointed toward her, but it was still apparent how she prepared herself that she was readying herself for a fight. If he so decided.
    When you draw your blade, you become the God of mercy and of wrath, and every action holds a consequence. It was what she believed, truly. And even now, her beliefs manifested into fruition.
    "Incorrect," the young woman stated firmly. "I am not shinobi. I am not from any hidden village."
    Well. That wasn't entirely true, she supposed. The Tsuchi Branch of the Kyōbō clan was extremely secretive in their ways, and they had managed to hide the whereabouts of their village from the common eye. It would be nearly impossible for a foreigner to accidentally stumble across it, and that was why they believed her to be such a threat to their safety and security. She knew that village well, and she knew far too much for their comfort. Far too much to be allowed outside, where she could share such secrets with outsiders.
    "I am not from any shinobi village." That was the more accurate truth. A Kyōbō, with radiant violet chakra? Yes. Trained in how to use her spiritual energy to give her the will to fight? Certainly. Blessed with a gift from a benevolent deity? Absolutely. But she was no shinobi. She never had been, and she never would be. "Stay your sword, stranger. I have no quarrel with you."

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Chinkonka no iki | 鎮魂歌の息 [Requiem's Breath]
RANK: D
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low - Very High
CLASSIFICATION: Bukijutsu
ELEMENT: None.
DESCRIPTION:
A special breathing technique that is the foundation of all the moves, if one wishes to go beyond toying with it. By inhaling deeply, the user prepares the muscles for a quick and strong succession of moves, that will double the strength behind each blow.
This technique works for five moves in total, be them combinations of two strikes or single ones. After those strikes, the user needs half a minute (one RP round) before striking again with the help of Requiem's Breath.

Blue Text - Tsuchi Branch Kyōbō Only
Violet Text - Common Language

[attr="class","lying1"]✎ @ulla , notes here don't make them too long

ulla

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[Hatake Toshizō]

"under the stars". "A man who can't uphold his beliefs is pathetic, dead or alive." NOTO Her initial response to his words was to pluck her blade from the ground. His sharp eyes took notice of the weapon, blade black as the night sky, remarkable craftsmanship, it was indeed a work of art, still, it wasn't on the same level as Kanesada. Her posture, the way she wielded the blade showed she was well-trained. And yet, she didn't raise her sword, or take any offensive stance. She was ready to fight, that much was clear, but she didn't want to. After speaking with her actions, she spoke with her mouth, determining he was incorrect in his assumption, which made him arch one of his eyebrows. He knew he wasn't incorrect, she could use chakra, and that much his Mind's Eye had told him, but her claim to not be a shinobi? She didn't look like a samurai, and her blade was that of one, it lacked the distinctive pure chakra channeling properties. She claimed to not be a member of a hidden village, and that statement was also strange, and albeit it did still feel like she was hiding something, that was only natural; they were strangers in a confrontational situation. Still, he didn't think she was lying when she claimed not to be from any shinobi village, and that made him lower his hand and sigh deeply, which he did by the time she told him to stay his sword. Not because she told him to, but because, just like she said after that, he had no reason to fight her. "Very well..." he said, keeping the same tone. Toshizou's left hand would reach for his scabbard, fingers wrapping themselves around the koiguchi (scabbard mouth), and then he flipped his blade, resting the mune on his fingers and performing a tate noto (standing sheathing, with the blade upright), until it was safely back in the scabbard. His right hand slid from the tsuka (hilt) all the way to the kashira (pommel), and was held there, a sign of non-aggression. "I apologise for my assumption, Akatsuki-san. You looked similar to an enemy of my village." and with those words, he bowed to the woman respectfully, in a forty-five degree angle. Following that, he finally his hand go from the kashira and his posture seemed overall more relaxed. He still looked a bit intimidating, especially due to the dry blood he had on his clothing. "My name is Hatake Toshizou, I'm a shinobi from the Hidden Leaf Village. You may not know my name, but people know me as the Demon of the Fleeting Blossoms. Well... Now that I introduced myself, I bid you farewell. I will no longer disturb your peace." his alias was quite famous around the world, he was a known nuke-nin killer, known for lacking any mercy for his foes, and for the swiftness in which he claimed their lives. She would need to be living under a rock not to have heard of him. In any case, if she didn't say anything, he would start moving away from her, not wanting to disturb the woman more than he had already done. "You can train a dog with food. You can buy a person with money. But there isn't a man alive that can put down the Will of Fire. Some things will never change. The Will of Fire will never be extinguished" Forest Country -- [Akatsuki] [520 words]

[Akatsuki]

[attr="class","trying"]

[attr="class","we1"]

[attr="class","avatar"]

[attr="class","lost1"]please don't go

[attr="class","rise"]

[attr="class","dying1"]

[attr="class","mouths1"]A shift. Akatsuki watches as the man gracefully sheathed his blade from view, and she felt the tension wash away from her body. Whatever his previous intentions had been, if they have been of nefarious nature, they'd changed as he grew passive toward her and hostilities ceased. He apologized for the momentary aggression he'd displayed, and better explained his actions.
    There had been an enemy to his village who held a resemblance to her.
    It was understandable. An honest mistake.
    "All is forgiven," she spoke softly, the more serious and authoritative tone fading from her voice. He'd sheathed his weapon, and so she did the same. He was no longer threatening her life, and she felt no more need to try defending it. His aggression had been due to a perceived threat of his own, and it had been a misunderstanding that lead to the momentary tension. But even if his intentions had been grave, he was no longer a threat to her, and he was not going to execute her for a crime she'd not committed. So it was something she could overlook and turn a blind eye toward. It was an entirely forgivable offense, so she held no further bitterness over it.
    He gave a respectful bow and she mirrored the gesture before he offered up more light to his identity.
    Sharing his name--it was not one she'd recognized, but she wasn't hoping to know it. She'd asked because she wished to know his name, she did not care much for the context behind it. She wasn't hoping to trace his name along an already-known title, she merely wished to commit his name to the identity he was presenting to her. Though, he acknowledged that she wouldn't likely recognize him by his name alone--which was true. She didn't. Akatsuki hadn't heard of him before, and even as he stated his more nefarious title, it was one that was lost on her.
    She was not a shinobi, so ranks, titles, and identities shared among the shinobi world were not known to her.
    Still, even though the title itself meant nothing to her, there were elements about it that caught her attention.
    He turned away and announced that he would take his leave and cause her no further disruption, which was appreciated. But, still, what he'd said had caught her curiosity, and she found herself turning slightly to watch him as he started to walk away before inquiring, "Why do they call you 'Demon'? Is it from your eyes, or from your actions?" She knew titles came in varying of ways. Sometimes from endearment, sometimes out of fear. And a word like "demon"--well, it hardly had any positive connotations.
    And as someone who had been called such things through her life, it was a term that stood out to her. Perhaps, more than it would for most.
    An unfortunate thing, in her eye, to be given such a title. Regardless of how he'd achieved it, Akatsuki couldn't think there was a happy story connected to it in any way. Still, she asked.

Blue Text - Tsuchi Branch Kyōbō Only
Violet Text - Common Language

[attr="class","lying1"]✎ @ulla , notes here don't make them too long

ulla

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[Hatake Toshizō]

"under the stars". "A man who can't uphold his beliefs is pathetic, dead or alive." DEMON Her soft words were kind, and she forgave him for the mistake and sheathed her own weapon. The situation was under control now, nobody had to fight, and no more blood had to be spilled on this day, and for that, he was grateful. Again, he had no hesitation to kill people, but it caused him no pleasure; he fought for a world in which people didn't have to kill each other anymore, but his way to get to that ideal was through bloodshed and genocide. Contradictory, some may claim, but it was how he viewed the world and how he acted. With the bow, he was getting ready to leave, but her words made him stop. She wanted to know why they called him a 'Demon', and that was the first time he heard that question in a very long time. Most people knew who he was due to his reputation, for better or for worse, and to hear that question with genuine curiosity was almost refreshing. "Not everyone is tainted by the horrors of the shinobi world." he thought to himself, cracking a somewhat bittersweet smile on his face before turning back to face the woman, finally looking at her as a human being rather than a target. Akatsuki was a beautiful young woman, the violet colour of her eye was quite unique, but so was the colour of his eyes and when she wondered if they played any part in his title, he found it a bit amusing, but that was not the case. "You really want to know? Very well..." he said, taking a few steps towards her and pointing at the makeshift camp she had. "Mind if I sit? The story may be a bit long, depending on how much detail you want." he asked, and since she issued no protest to that, he sit in a rock nearby, folding his arms in front of his chest and taking a deep breathe. "From the time I was thirteen years old, I was recruited by the black ops of my village, and I started killing people. I am pretty good at that, and even back then I was quite capable. I never showed mercy to my enemies, never forgave them. This path led me to become a capable hunter of missing-nins, especially those who defected from my village." he started, gazing up to the skies and to the stars. "Not a pretty life, but an useful one. Someone has to do this, and I don't mind that someone being me. I am quite efficient at that, and I did it swiftly most of the time. Moreover, my style of Kenjutsu is named after flowers, hence why I was eventually called the Demon of the Fleeting Blossoms." he paused, looking back at the woman. "Not a name I would have chosen for myself, but one I wear with pride, for it incites terror in the hearts of my enemies. It serves a purpose. How many people I've killed? I honestly don't know. More than I can count that's for sure... The world is full of evil, and my goal is to slay evil immediately." he added, and his tone finally had a bit more emotion to it, a fiery passion and a sense of duty. "You can train a dog with food. You can buy a person with money. But there isn't a man alive that can put down the Will of Fire. Some things will never change. The Will of Fire will never be extinguished" Forest Country -- [Akatsuki] [549 words]

[Akatsuki]

[attr="class","trying"]

[attr="class","we1"]

[attr="class","avatar"]

[attr="class","lost1"]please don't go

[attr="class","rise"]

[attr="class","dying1"]

[attr="class","mouths1"]He smiled--only slightly--at her question. It didn't seem to be a topic of joy, but at the very least some kind of fondness seemed attached to it. Or, perhaps, it was a wry grin--smiling through despite a painful topic. She wasn't certain, and wouldn't know until he relayed his tale to her. Akatsuki nodded silently when he asked if he could join her at her makeshift camp, and when he took a seat on a sturdy rock he began to speak.
    The young woman leaned against a tree which stood erect opposite from his own placement, and she crossed her arms--comfortably--as she listened.
    He'd had quite the story to tell, too, it seemed.
    Only at thirteen, he'd been placed in such a division and asked to do such drastic and dire things. The young woman tilted her head slightly to the side as she recollected her own memories in association to the ones he'd been sharing.
    It was funny, in a way.
    When he'd been thirteen he had become a specialist in killing.
    When she was thirteen, she had become a beacon of hope.
    It was a terribly young age for so much responsibility to be rested upon their shoulders--either of them. But it seemed that they'd both embraced the fates presented to them. He had become an excellent hunter and collector of souls, and it was in his efficiency that he'd earned his name. A title whispered in fear and awe at his bloody achievements. Something that he took pride in, even if it wasn't something he'd chosen for himself. Akatsuki wondered what he would have hoped for, if given the freedom to decide.
    "How do you dictate what is evil?" she wondered quietly, her expression looking at the man softly despite the history he relayed to her. "How do you decide who must die, and who is worthy of living?"
    She knew it couldn't be avoided, and so there was no judgement to her voice.
    In this world it was either kill or be killed.
    And she'd taken many lives, herself. She was not free of blame, and would not repent for the crimes she'd committed. But it had never been an easy choice. It was something she'd wrestled with greatly, and a grave matter that she took with the utmost seriousness. Even the people who she hated the most--they were friends, family, and beloved by someone else. To spare her feelings meant to devastate another's. To extend her life sometimes meant ending another. But she'd done it out of survival, and while it was true that she believed there to be much evil in the world, and while it was true that there were some who she didn't believe deserved to keep living...
    She knew many who would say the same of her.
    Say the same of those she loved.
    Evil. Cursed. Monsters. Dangerous threats who needed to be eliminated--and were executed when too many lines had been crossed.
    It didn't matter that those people were kind. That they were brave. That their hearts were constructed or gold or that they were selfless and protected the weak.
    If they were a monster--they needed to be slain.
    Akatsuki was not human in the eyes of many, and there had been moments where she was treated as such. She had seen it for those she loved, too, and it made her blood boil.
    They were not simple matters. But there were many who believed them to be. For those individuals, the world was painted in ash and snow. There was no middle-ground, only good and evil. Only those who deserved to live, and those who did not. And for someone who had such a grand list and history of achievements--killing those who had left their village, Akatsuki couldn't help but to wonder what his parameters were.
    Rather, she believed she knew what they were.
    But she was curious to test them. Push the boundaries. See if she could break that mold of his, just as hers had been shattered all those years ago.

Blue Text - Tsuchi Branch Kyōbō Only
Violet Text - Common Language

[attr="class","lying1"]✎ @ulla , notes here don't make them too long

ulla

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[Hatake Toshizō]

"under the stars". "A man who can't uphold his beliefs is pathetic, dead or alive." GOOD AND EVIL Once he finished his short tale, the woman asked him how did he dictate what was evil, and how did he decide on who had the right to live, and who deserved to die. The man looked at her with a fiery conviction in his vermillion eyes. "That's very simple. If you are an enemy to the Hidden Leaf you are evil, and must be eliminated. Anyone who poses a threat to our nation and village do not deserve to live, and I will gladly take their lives. To stand against the Will of Fire is the utmost crime one can commit, and people like that have no right to breathe." his views were that of an extremist, a fascist even, but it was crystal clear he believed every single word he said with all his heart and soul. There was hints of emotion in his voice, pride, determination, unfaltering drive. This man had dedicated his entire life to his village, to his duty as a shinobi, even if that meant that he wouldn't be there to see his daughters coming into this world and growing up, even if it meant he wouldn't be there when his father passed away. Things like that were important to people, to some the most important thing, but for Toshizou, they were secondary, for his duty came first, and would always come first. It was true, however, that recently he was dedicating some of his time to bond with his daughters, and to grow closer with his remaining kin, but regardless, if he had to choose again in the future, he would not weaver; the Hidden Leaf came first. Still, he wanted to make himself clear. "Again, I take no pleasure in killing, don't get me wrong. If only people would accept the Will of Fire, things would be much easier. We would have no need for war or destruction. But the world is not willing to follow the righteous path and hence, their suffering is well-deserved." he added. Maybe this was the reason why he was not chosen as Hokage; not for the lack of faith in his country and home village, but perhaps for the excess of it? He was a known extremist, who never considered an opinion that went against such a core belief he held in his heart. He was born to be a shinobi, and he knew that for as long as he had self-consciousness and awareness, and he rejoiced at that. Even if that meant that his heart was a forest of corpses with rivers of blood. "You can train a dog with food. You can buy a person with money. But there isn't a man alive that can put down the Will of Fire. Some things will never change. The Will of Fire will never be extinguished" Forest Country -- [Akatsuki] [432 words]

[Akatsuki]

[attr="class","trying"]

[attr="class","we1"]

[attr="class","avatar"]

[attr="class","lost1"]please don't go

[attr="class","rise"]

[attr="class","dying1"]

[attr="class","mouths1"]He's a simple man, Akatsuki thought to herself. One who has probably spent more time in his life fighting than thinking. His viewpoint was extremist--there was no reason behind his beliefs. They were the best because they were, and anything that was different--anything that was an outsider was wrong. There was only one correct way, in his eyes.
    But oh, what a foolish way to live.
    "What is better: a carnation, or a rose? Which is the 'superior' flower? Is there a correct way for a flower to exist? How so? Says who? Why?" the woman cocked her head to one side. His ideology was one she understood, though. The kind of black-and-white thinking behind those crimson eyes was not something she was unacquainted with. She, too, had viewed the world in such simple ways. There was her and her brother--and nothing else. Nothing more. Nobody mattered except for them, and nothing else mattered, either. She'd not cared for her village, or her people--everything would be sacrificed if it was for her twin's sake, because he was all she'd cared for.
    This man had a sense of duty to his village which lead to his violent outlook, but she wasn't even sure if it had been born out of love. He did not speak about his village with compassion in his voice. There was emotion there, surely, but it was not tenderness.
    "What makes the Will of Fire superior? Because it is your own? Would not the Will of Stone and Iron and Rain outlast your flames? Are they all not just as deadly, even though they are different? You say that it would be easier if people would accept the Will of Fire--but what if they are made of wood or paper and would burn? How do you know that what is best for you is best for everyone? Does such a thing even exist?"
    She didn't believe so.
    Even among the Kyōbō, there was discordance and mayhem. They were all the same, they all bore the same curse--so naturally, it would make sense that they would all come to the same conclusions? All come to the same answers? All want the same goals?
    But they didn't.
    Where some Kyōbō craved violence and triumph above all else, some craved solitude. Where some thrived on their own, others found their souls tied to strangers--a bond that couldn't be broken.
    What benefitted one destroyed another.
    This man was no different. It was foolish to think that his village was the best, simply because it was his own. Every village was incredible in its own way--and it was for those unique differences that Akatsuki loved them so dearly. The world would be an awfully boring place if everyone were the same.
    "And if you say that they should burn if they cannot survive the heat--where do your flames stop? When all of the outside world is destroyed, and only your village remains, then where will you be?" She looked at him seriously. "Every student that brings up a new idea, or takes a different route--would you slay them, too? Even though they are your kin? If every difference is snuffed out, because those differences are a threat to your way of life--you will kill them all? Your neighbor? Your leader? Will you stop only when you are the only person left standing amidst the bloodbath, soaking in the crimson bled from every heart that beat to a different drum?" It was nonsense.
    Pushing off from the tree, the young woman slowly approached the white-haired man. Her violet eye was transfixed on him, and she spoke with care despite the seriousness of the topic. She'd offer out a hand, gesturing lightly to his katana. "May I see it for a moment? There is something I'd like to show you."

Blue Text - Tsuchi Branch Kyōbō Only
Violet Text - Common Language

[attr="class","lying1"]✎ @ulla , notes here don't make them too long

ulla

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[Hatake Toshizō]

"under the stars". "A man who can't uphold his beliefs is pathetic, dead or alive." CONFLICT OF IDEALS Akatsuki's first response was to ask him which flower was better between a carnation and a rose, which prompted him to arch one of his brows. Listening to what she still had to say on the matter, he quickly realised what she was implying and that made him scoff, folding his arms in front of his chest. Still, he remained silent, for he had a feeling she still had a lot to say to him, and indeed she had. The white-haired woman questioned what made the Will of Fire superior, and went on to make reference to other inferior villages, like the Rock and Rain, and how they could potentially outlast the flames, in a metaphor for the elements they represented. Toshizou kept on looking into her eyes the whole time, his face keeping the calm, maybe mildly annoyed expression, but not once did he interrupt her. When she finally seemed to finish her long lecture about different perspectives and moderation, he shook his head, and with the same calm tone from before, he started. "As a non-shinobi, I understand you being oblivious to our world, and that's fine. The Hidden Leaf is the original village, the one created to stop the flames of a period of endless war and mayhem, the beacon of hope for this rotten world. And just like that, the other nations followed suit, a mere cheap copy of what we achieved. And even when that happened, my ancestor offered them a hand, asking for a summit. And yet, all those other villages accomplish was to reignite the flames of war. So yes, we are the righteous while the others who decide to stand against us, and the incomparable Will of Fire are evil, and as such, must be eliminated." he stated, pausing for a moment. "And for those standing in our way, nothing but the flames of hell awaits, and they won't stop until all of those who defy us are turn to cinder, like they should be. If only the Leaf remains, that's good, we will have peace, for all evil will be eradicated from this world. It is that simple. And regarding what you said, the seeds of betrayal cannot be allowed to grow, so yes, if I feel a student, a kinsman, a neighbour, or even our leader are against the Will of Fire, I would burn them myself. Even if it was my own mother or daughter, it matters not." his tone was calm, but full of conviction, there was not a shred of doubt in his tone. After their exchange of words, the girl asked if she could see his sword. It was a bit suspicious, yes, and he was a bit hesitanto to do that, but after pondering for a few seconds, he exhale sharply. "Fine." he added, getting up from the rock and drawing the blade, handing it over to the woman. "You can train a dog with food. You can buy a person with money. But there isn't a man alive that can put down the Will of Fire. Some things will never change. The Will of Fire will never be extinguished" Forest Country Handing Kanesada to Akatsuki [Akatsuki] [491 words]

[Akatsuki]

[attr="class","trying"]

[attr="class","we1"]

[attr="class","avatar"]

[attr="class","lost1"]please don't go

[attr="class","rise"]

[attr="class","dying1"]

[attr="class","mouths1"]It was true that Akatsuki wasn't a shinobi, and there was much to the shinobi world that she didn't understand--whether for a lack of exposure or due to moral conflicts where she couldn't empathize--but neither did that mean she was entirely oblivious. He couldn't have known, of course. She was a stranger to him, so there was little reason for him to be aware of her exposure to the shinobi world. If she had been a typical wanderer, perhaps his statement would have held more water. But she'd not take offense to it, and wouldn't try to correct him, either. It was probably for the best that he assumed innocence from her.
    And it was true, the man spoke of things she hadn't known. She'd been unaware that Konoha had been the first of the Hidden Villages, and as a military base--had been created with the purpose of supplying aid and assisting in ending a lifetime of war and violence.
    But just because others followed in their footsteps didn't make them inferior. It didn't make them evil. And it didn't warrant their deaths.
    She couldn't blame this man for wanting to slay those who would rise up against his people and try to do his village harm. But she wouldn't blame the other villages for doing the same.
    Toshizou acknowledged the truth, though, that if he followed his path he would destroy everyone around him. Perhaps it hadn't fully registered to him what she'd meant, but perhaps she could still try to make him understand. If he slew every living soul around him who disagreed with his beliefs and sense of justice--there would be nobody standing left. He would be all alone in this world, and it was no way to live. Not truly.
    "I don't believe that people should be punished for crimes they didn't commit," she spoke softly. "If your ancestors offered a hand, and a different lineage rejected it--that was in the past. It only affects the present so long as people continue to cling to things that didn't affect them. If someone tries to do you harm--yes. Eliminate that threat. Protect yourself and those that you love, I do not disagree. But another force of nature existing is not an inherent threat to your way of life. A country who sees the greatness of your village, and rises in your footsteps to do the same is not a cheap imitation. It is a sign of admiration and if they, too, succeed in protecting their own--it is only further testament of how effective your ways were. If they copied you, it should be an honor that they succeed, too. The Will of Fire is different from the Will of Stone, but that does not make it worse. It is as I said, before--what works for your village may not work for other people. Differences among people, communities, and countries is expected and should be celebrated--different roles, views, and cultures are necessary for the world to thrive in the vivid color that it does. Now..."
    Begrudgingly, the man stood to his feet and offered his blade to the woman to take. Not some small feat, she was sure.
    As a swordswoman, she understood the weight of what she was asking.
    A sword was much more than a mere tool to be used in battle. It was a companion. Something that stayed by your side through your rise and fall, through the good and the bad. It protected you, and kept you safe, and many believed the katana to possess the very soul of its owner. Katana were, often, sacred to their wielder.
    But she was grateful that he was willing to oblige her request.
    "For example, your katana." She held the blade in her hands delicately as she looked over the weapon and studied its beautiful craftsmanship.
    It felt wrong in her hands.
    Foul. Wicked. To even hold another weapon, to her, felt like a betrayal. She would not use it in battle, she would not fight with a blade that was not her own, and even though she committed no sin, while she carried his katana in her palms it felt impure nonetheless.
    "Your blade is beautiful. It is incredibly sharp, and I can tell from the signatures left in the steel that it is very strong. As a powerful shinobi, it would be expected to carry a weapon of the highest caliber. Your weapon should compliment you in all that you are--mind, body, and soul. Your nature is reflected in its craftsmanship, and it reflects your prowess." It was a good blade. She knew that.
    "But I wouldn't want it. If you offered it to me as a gift, I would refuse it."
    She glanced up from the blade, her lilac eye tracing his features as she continued speaking.
    "I do not want it because even if it is a 'superior' blade, it is yours. It does not belong to me, and no matter how well-crafted it is, and how strong and powerful it may be, it does not suit me." She shifted the blade to carry it in one hand, then drew her own katana and offered it for him to take.
    Should he oblige her non-verbal request, Toshizou would take note how incredibly heavy her blade was.
    It was over ten times the weight of any regular katana. Ridiculous. Impractical. A weight like that was not needed for a blade, and especially not one that needed to be carried and wielded around with ease. It was far more efficient to have a katana crafted of regular steel, where it would be lighter and easier to fight with. And if Toshizou took her katana in his hands, he would notice the blade warp.
    The metal would twist and bend, writhing in his grasp like a child throwing a tantrum. What had been a balanced and sturdy weapon had turned into something entirely unusable. Difficult to wield, difficult to carry, difficult to balance and strike with accuracy--and with the blade shifting and warping as it did, it would do little more damage than a kitchen knife.
    "Your katana can be held by enemy hands and be used against you, but mine would not betray me. And for that, I dedicate my life to it. Even if he is inferior, even if he is not the strongest in the world or crafted from Ranmataru steel, I love him more than any other sword in the world and you could never convince me to use any other weapon. He can only be wielded properly by me, and it is only together that we thrive in this world." She'd return Toshizou's blade to him, and retrieve her own katana should he allow. With Nakama in her possession once more, she'd sheathe the katana again. "Does he make me evil? Because my way of life, because how I choose to fight and protect myself is different than you--does that make me wicked? Do I deserve to die, and suffer, and perish?"
    Some would argue, yes.
    She had once found herself at the mercy of a man who walked a different faith from her. His god was superior, his god was better--and for that she was wretched sinner who needed to die. He tortured her as he carried out an excruciating and lengthy execution. And for his beliefs he'd felt justified in what he'd done. She had not raised a weapon to harm him, but her mere existence was seen as a threat and a sin.
    For Akatsuki, Toshizou was no different than that Jashinist had been. Their views were the same.
    "If a village admired your strength and shaped themselves in your image, but made alterations to suit their own needs, I do not believe that makes them wicked. If they do not accept your gift, simply because it would not benefit them even though you think it would--I do not believe it is your choice to make. And I do not believe them to be sinful for walking a different path. If they should raise their blades against you--yes. Fight with all the spirit you have to defend your land, your beliefs, and those that you love. But if they do not strike first, if they, too, are merely defending what they love--they are no more a monster than you are. But in truth you are both people. People who misunderstand, who try to control and impede, who fight. I don't believe it needs to be this way. I don't believe in striking with no reason. And I do not believe the blood of innocent people needs to be spilled for the gain of others. But I do not believe, either, that slaying every person who walks a different path is a justified response if they were not initially trying to do you harm. Can you understand?"

Blue Text - Tsuchi Branch Kyōbō Only
Violet Text - Common Language

[attr="class","lying1"]✎ @ulla , notes here don't make them too long

ulla

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[Hatake Toshizō]

"under the stars". "A man who can't uphold his beliefs is pathetic, dead or alive." SIDELINES At least the woman wasn't a soft-hearted idealist; she could at least understand the concept of eliminating those who actively try to cause you harm, but that in itself wasn't enough to bring peace to this world. Not at the eyes of Toshizou. Anyone who could also potentially be a threat needed to be eliminated just the same. Half-hearted solutions wouldn't do this world any good, and would just make them weaker due to a false sense of security brought by such course of action. She seemed to want to see different people and different ideologies by giving them the same weight, and that was precisely where their ideals diverged the most: for the Hatake, those outside of the Leaf, outside of the Land of Fire, were worth less by default. If their wills clashed because of their own nature, they needed to yield towards the Will of Fire, and that was how he saw it, an extremist by nature, a tyrant even, despite believing he was doing it for the greater good. Akatsuki tried to further illustrate her point by using his sword - Kanesada - as an example. She recognized its beauty and its masterful craftsmanship, but still, she wouldn't take the sword for herself. Not because she thought her blade was superior. No, as a matter of fact she recognized it was not. But because it didn't 'fit' her properly. She offered the man her own blade and he took it, wielding it close to himself so he could further inspect it. It was heavier than it looked, and it didn't seem all that good to use in combat, at least nor for someone like him. That was not, however, the most unusual thing about it. The metal on the blade twisted and bent, almost as if it was protesting against being held by the man. He narrowed his eyes upon noticing that. "I assume this blade is reactive to your chakra? Can't be wielded by people without your signature." he said, wondering if he got it right. And indeed she confirmed it, and explained that the loyalty of the blade was the reason why she would always favour it instead of others. He nodded to that, giving her back her sword and grabbing Kanesada back from the woman and promptly putting it back in the scabbard. Once the exchange was done, she asked him if her way of living made her evil. The man looked deep inside her eyes before responding. "Your way of living doesn't seem to interfere with my country and my village, hence you are not evil to my eyes. Difference is not in itself a reason for erasure, it's where you stand. With us is advised, on the sidelines is respected, against us, that is what means death." he explained, keeping the calm and collected tone, as if he was merely stating a fact. A sigh escaped him as she finished her long speech, her intentions and heart were full of good intentions, he could see that, but the way they viewed the world was so fundamentally different, it felt like they were standing on opposite sides of a cliff. "Any risk to our way of life, our stability and prosperity is something I ought to eliminate. Existing in itself is not a sin, but when that existence threatens to become an obstacle, I would rather strike first, hard and without any mercy. Eliminating threats is the only way to ensure we shall endure. No matter the cost, no matter how much blood will taint this land. Like I said, the limits of my tolerance are the sidelines." he explained, shaking his head. "You can train a dog with food. You can buy a person with money. But there isn't a man alive that can put down the Will of Fire. Some things will never change. The Will of Fire will never be extinguished" Forest Country -- [Akatsuki] [616 words]

[Akatsuki]

[attr="class","trying"]

[attr="class","we1"]

[attr="class","avatar"]

[attr="class","lost1"]please don't go

[attr="class","rise"]

[attr="class","dying1"]

[attr="class","mouths1"]Akatsuki smiled slightly, nearing closer to him. She spoke softly, her violet eye not straying from his gaze as he seemed to seep into her soul--but she didn't fear him, despite the intimacy of being looked at so seriously. "This is what I'm talking about: you're wrong." He was so, so wrong. Naïve, almost. His viewpoints were black and white--far too simple for the world and all of its complexities. And it seemed, to her, that he lacked any real understanding of people. Of humanity.
    She understood why it was this way, of course.
    He had spent most of his life killing people.
    She had spent most of her life learning from them. They walked two very different paths, but if their roads had intertwined, she could perhaps shed this light onto him. Perhaps she could help him reflect, and perhaps see a more complex aspect of the concept he was preaching. 
    "Monsters are not born. They are made by their circumstances. Any person could turn on you at any moment--inside your village, and outside it. Allies could stab you in the back and declare war. Enemies might mend bridges and become your most powerful friends after effort to heal old wounds. What you consider 'evil'--those who you deem as threats, it isn't set in stone. Loyalty can be as constant as a river, but as fluid as one, too. If you kill evil, but 'evil' is expanded not only to those who raise their swords against you but also the potential of those who might do so in the future, then you will burn down the entire world until only you stand left."
    Because under the right circumstances, anyone could change.
    It may not even be guaranteed that they changed--but sometimes peoples' hands were tied. Sometimes, they were forced to betray themselves due to drastic and dire circumstances where they might otherwise have never dreamed of committing such atrocities. Such kindnesses. There were times when people strayed from their usual character--and it was expected. People adapted. They changed. They grew. Humans were not meant to stay idle forever. And it was only the course of fate that they were swept upon that would determine how they would be shaped. Would the water erode their rocky surface, would they rust like metal, would they melt? How would they respond to their ever-changing circumstances, and how might they not have changed if not exposed to the new elements?
    Nothing was guaranteed.
    "I may not interfere with you and your people--and I may even one day raise my sword to protect your land and the citizens of this country. But should you threaten the safety of the ones I loved, I would stand against you to fight. And if that were to happen--I would be your enemy. And you would not be wrong to slay me, but would I be evil? Or would I merely be human? Someone who was possessed not by vile wickedness--but a love so pure I would lay down my life to protect it? And if you would kill me, not because of my actions of standing against you, but because of the potential that I might one day do so--why not strike me down, now? Is it a gamble you would make, to strike down a possible ally because there might be a reality where I was your enemy, even if nothing has been confirmed? You speak of peace, but when you make the first strike out of fear and paranoia--you are only breeding violence."

Blue Text - Tsuchi Branch Kyōbō Only
Violet Text - Common Language

[attr="class","lying1"]✎ @ulla , notes here don't make them too long

ulla

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