[tokonatsu yukari]

DON'T THINK ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES

As the season changed to autumn, Bonchi no Kuni was beautiful in the way of all dangerous things: devastating and precious directly in proportion to how liable it was to kill you. Touwa was a hair’s breadth away from making a full, complete connection with his Life Blade—from being able to use it to its full potential. Kyuusai was an oddity for Yukari in that she had never needed to learn a particular style of bukijutsu to effectively utilize him, pacifistic as he was, but learning how to do so regardless had been critical in the development of their understanding of each other. The personality that Ruiteki would eventually present was still a mystery, but Yukari only hoped that it was not as much of a bleeding heart as her own Blade. Kindness is not weakness, Kyuusai reminded her, as he so often did. There is no shame in mercy, and your son will do well to learn that. There is shame in mercy when mercy is what gets you killed, Yukari replied sharply, and Kyuusai fell silent. Once again Yukari arrived to pick Touwa up from school, though she had given him advance notice this time of her intent: they were going to learn how to effectively wield his Blade in a combat scenario. The unique presentation of his Blade would undoubtedly make this challenging, but Touwa was a bright boy. "Tell me what ideas you’ve had for utilizing your Blade,” Yukari said, as she escorted her son to the academy training grounds. "Has your connection given you any insight?”

Tokonatsu Touwa -- 261

LAIKA OF THQ

[Tokonatsu Touwa]

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Touwa walked alongside his mother, the unchanging colors of the autumn leaves forming a picturesque backdrop to their conversation, the autumn breeze ruffling his hair as they made their way to the academy training grounds. He had spent countless hours pondering the nature of Ruiteki, and the potential ways to wield it effectively in combat. The challenge was to find a balance between its distinct form and its own fighting style.
[break][break]
"I've been thinking about the sound aspect of Ruiteki," Touwa began, his gaze focused on the tranquil landscape, still not quite ready to look at his mother. "The way it resonates, it's like an echo, a vibration. I thought I could use it to warn allies, disorient opponents, create illusions with sound, or even affect their balance by manipulating the vibrations. It's unorthodox, but I believe it could give me an advantage in combat."
[break][break]
Touwa paused for a moment. "I've been practicing with chakra control to see if I can manipulate the sound Ruiteki produces. It's been a bit challenging, but I think it's possible." He untied Ruiteki from the tassel that it was always tied to and Ruiteki as if understanding that changed its form from the dormant to his proper shape. It seemed that Touwa and Ruiteki had reached some level of understanding as lately, Ruiteki would take action even before Touwa had given the command.
[break][break]

SPOILER: Click to show

斬術 | Zanjutsu [lit. Cutting Technique]
[break][break]
The Araikettei clan's KKG allows the user to obtain and wield the Life Blade - Ruiteki. The blade has its own consciousness and is capable of acting on its own. Regardless, Touwa and his Life Blade are inextricably linked to life and death. When one dies, the other dies, and thus anyone who is not Touwa is unable to wield the weapon.

[attr="class","ooc-area"]WORD: 229
[break]
tokonatsu yukari

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[tokonatsu yukari]

DON'T THINK ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES

Yukari came to a stop as they reached their destination. A chilly breeze fluttered the hem of her lab coat, her fine, straight hair blowing briefly past her face and settling against her shoulder. It was colder than she’d expected, but she refrained from drawing the coat tighter around her shoulders, enduring the chill without acknowledging it. She nodded, considering his train of thought, though she didn’t comment on it: she was afraid, inasmuch as she was ever afraid of anything, of saying the wrong thing. She knew that she was harsh, unpleasant, that her words came out stricter or more critical than she necessarily intended them, and she would have to be foolish or blind to not recognize that Touwa took her words more harshly than most. He wouldn’t even look at her; this was a chore for him, something to endure for his own greater good. Yukari was a tool to be used for his growth. When Touwa pulled the bell from his belt it expanded in size, and Yukari lifted her eyebrows in faint surprise. "Good,” she said. "Your bond is strengthening.” It was unclear to her whether Ruiteki was responding to Touwa's command or anticipating his needs, but either was a promising sign."Demonstrate what you’ve practiced so far.” Sound was good for genjutsu, ninjutsu—there was a field of ninjutsu study which manipulated soundwaves, though she wasn’t personally versed in it. She made a mental note to look into it further. Kyuusai was sulking, sullenly washing his face with small gray paws, and made no comment; though she could feel the rat reach out curiously, sniffing at the wakening presence of a Life Blade so intimately connected to himself.

Tokonatsu Touwa -- 282

LAIKA OF THQ

[Tokonatsu Touwa]

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Touwa felt a mix of nervousness and still, the awkwardness that was between them as he readied himself to showcase his progress with Ruiteki. He was familiar with his mother’s rigid demeanor, her words often sharper than intended, but this time he also perceived a hint of an underlying care and guidance she offered. To him, she was a very challenging mentor, but he couldn't deny that she had the strength and knowledge that he did not.
[break][break]
"I'll start with the warning signal," Touwa said, focusing his chakra into Ruiteki. Holding the handle of the bell, he stretched his hand out a bit, letting the clapper hit against the inner walls of the bell. As it did, a melodic hum emanated from the blade, a sound that seemed to vibrate through the air. It was a distinctive tone, something that would catch the attention of allies without being easily dismissed. Yet, the chime's faintness and unique frequency made it incredibly hard to distinguish from ambient sounds, ensuring it wouldn't alarm enemies if there were any.
[break][break]
"Though," he paused for a moment, a furrow appearing on his forehead. "I'm not entirely sure how far this sound could be heard." He looked at Yukari with an unsure look in his eyes, questioning whether the jutsu had the intended effect. Did she hear the sound, or did it slip through the auditory landscape unnoticed? The uncertainty lingered, while he waited for her answer.
[break][break]

SPOILER: Click to show

斬術 | Zanjutsu [lit. Cutting Technique]
[break][break]
The Araikettei clan's KKG allows the user to obtain and wield the Life Blade - Ruiteki. The blade has its own consciousness and is capable of acting on its own. Regardless, Touwa and his Life Blade are inextricably linked to life and death. When one dies, the other dies, and thus anyone who is not Touwa is unable to wield the weapon.

[attr="class","ooc-area"]WORD: 240
[break]
tokonatsu yukari

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[tokonatsu yukari]

DON'T THINK ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES

Yukari had to listen carefully, the forewarning that a signal would be ringing out the only reason why she was able to identify it in the first place. It was incredibly subtle, easy to dismiss as the whistle of crisp autumn wind or some other ambient sound of nature… though that subtlety could also be its fatal flaw. "If it is not distinct enough for an ally to notice it without forewarning then it is failing to achieve its goal,” Yukari said. Too harsh, Kyuusai murmured. Whiskers twitching, he sniffed, slinking towards the forefront of Yukari’s mind as if to reach out. They were not sensor-nin, could not detect chakra in that tradition, and yet the connection was undeniable—like recognizing like, blood recognizing blood. Yukari wondered what the relation was: Kyuusai was half of her soul, and Ruiteki was half of Touwa’s. Did Kyuusai feel paternal towards the other Life Blade? Would their relationship differ from their wielders’? "Try again.” Yukari took a step back, then another, until she was a good five meters away from Touwa. She closed her eyes so that she could not see the bell in Touwa’s hand, would not know the moment in which he rang it. "Test its range and notability. Feed a thinner layer of chakra into the technique and see how that impacts the effect.”

Tokonatsu Touwa -- 227

LAIKA OF THQ

[Tokonatsu Touwa]

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Touwa absorbed his mother's critique, feeling a twinge of disappointment at the realization that the warning signal might not be as effective as he initially thought. Her words, though harsh, carried a truth he couldn't ignore. As Yukari stepped back and closed her eyes, he took a moment to refocus, determined to make the necessary adjustments.
[break][break]
He glanced down at Ruiteki, running his fingers along its polished surface, and then took a deep breath. The subtle layer of disappointment lingered, but he channeled that into his chakra control. The next attempt needed to find that delicate balance between notability and concealment.
[break][break]
"I understand," Touwa responded, a quiet determination in his voice. He waited for a while, allowing the disappointment to fade into determination, before attempting the jutsu once again.
[break][break]
Adjusting his grip on Ruiteki, Touwa moved with deliberate precision. He took a calming breath and began channeling chakra once more, this time with a more delicate touch. As he rang the bell once more, he intentionally softened the chakra flowing into Ruiteki. The bell resonated, and the melodic hum that followed carried a thinner layer of chakra—a more elusive and subtle resonance that blended seamlessly with the ambient sounds of the autumn landscape. The resulting hum was like a fleeting whisper in the wind. It was there, yet short-lived.
[break][break]
But the main question was: did it reach Yukari, and could she differentiate it from the other sounds?
[break][break]

SPOILER: Click to show

斬術 | Zanjutsu [lit. Cutting Technique]
[break][break]
The Araikettei clan's KKG allows the user to obtain and wield the Life Blade - Ruiteki. The blade has its own consciousness and is capable of acting on its own. Regardless, Touwa and his Life Blade are inextricably linked to life and death. When one dies, the other dies, and thus anyone who is not Touwa is unable to wield the weapon.

[attr="class","ooc-area"]WORD: 238
[break]
tokonatsu yukari

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[tokonatsu yukari]

There was an odd vulnerability that Yukari felt, standing there with her eyes closed. Her hands slipped into the pockets of her lab coat and Kyuusai fell from her sleeve into her hand, where her thumb ran over the sharp edge of the scalpel again and again. No slice was made; no blood was drawn. Kyuusai would not hurt her. She felt, briefly, the urge to draw her normal scalpel from its place and press her skin against the blade until she bled—as if this would somehow nullify her vulnerability, give her some measure of control.

Instead she breathed deep, and she listened.

She heard the sound, however briefly, and nodded—though her mouth was as flat and stern as ever. Her eyes opened, and she took another few steps away.

"Again," she said. "Imagine a use case—you and I are tracking a target through a deserted street and you need to draw my attention without giving away our position. I am facing away from you, on the other side of the street, and I know you might signal at any time but I have no forewarning. I am focused on the target and may not be specifically listening for your sound."

Yukari glanced around, then jumped up into the boughs of a nearby tree, her pale hair and white coat cloaked by leaves of crimson and orange. She was roughly ten meters away from Touwa, if she had to guess, and did not have a good visual on him, which meant that he likely also did not have a good visual on her, and she felt a touch less vulnerable.

"Take your time," she said. "Focus. You are not just feeding chakra to Ruiteki—Ruiteki is drawing on yours as well. You are one and the same, and should conduct yourselves as such."

[Tokonatsu Touwa]

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Touwa observed his mother's vulnerability, an aspect he rarely saw. It struck him as a reminder that even someone as formidable as Yukari had moments of fragility. As Yukari jumped into the tree, Touwa took in her words, considering the hypothetical scenario she presented. He focused on the distant target, imagining the tension of the situation and the need for a subtle yet attention-catching signal. The connection with Ruiteki felt palpable, the Life Blade responding to the subtle nuances of his intentions. "Let's focus on delivering the sound further," was a mental note Touwa made with his inner voice that could only be heard by Ruiteki.
[break][break]
"Yes, Mother," taking a moment to center himself, Touwa adjusted his stance and, with a renewed focus, channeled his chakra into Ruiteki once more. Once again, Touwa did not give any clear signal of when he performed the Jutsu, nor when it ended. As in an actual real-life situation, it will be crucial to be as quiet as possible. The bell rang out, the melodic hum carrying a delicate resonance that danced through the air. He aimed to strike a balance between notability and concealment, aware that in a real-world scenario, every detail could be crucial.
[break][break]
Touwa maintained his concentration, attuned to the connection with Ruiteki. The sound echoed, hopefully reaching out to where Yukari stood in the tree. He awaited her assessment, mindful of the problems involved in coordinating with a Life Blade that shared not just its form but also its essence with him.
[break][break]
But the main question was: did it reach Yukari, and could she differentiate it from the other sounds?
[break][break]

SPOILER: Click to show

斬術 | Zanjutsu [lit. Cutting Technique]
[break][break]
The Araikettei clan's KKG allows the user to obtain and wield the Life Blade - Ruiteki. The blade has its own consciousness and is capable of acting on its own. Regardless, Touwa and his Life Blade are inextricably linked to life and death. When one dies, the other dies, and thus anyone who is not Touwa is unable to wield the weapon.

[attr="class","ooc-area"]WORD: 252
[break]
tokonatsu yukari

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[tokonatsu yukari]

DON'T THINK ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES

Safely obscured behind autumnal foliage, Yukari took solace in her brief moment of refuge. It was impossible for her to not divine meaning from even the slightest shifts in Touwa’s facial expressions, every adjustment of his limbs and every quirk of his brow another piece of evidence towards his hatred of her, neatly cataloged and filed away. Distance was necessary, critical. Shrouded as she was, she could take a moment to compartmentalize her thoughts, shelve her roiling anxiety in favor of focusing on the task at hand. The exercise was, almost entirely by accident, useful in that it served to distract her from listening for Ruiteki’s delicate chime. Enmeshed in her thoughts, her attention was too split to focus in on what she was hearing, and as a result the resonance came and went without grabbing her attention. Belatedly she thought she did actually hear it, but failed to separate it from the ambient noises that surrounded them… though she was unsure if that meant the technique had failed, or if she had simply not been paying close enough attention. "Again,” she called. Her voice was not raised, but her tone carried sharp and clear across the ten-meter distance. "The distance was sufficient but the distinction needs work. Allow Ruiteki to carry the load of the technique’s cost—your performance and your stamina will benefit for it. Focus on shaping the technique, and Ruiteki will empower it.”

Tokonatsu Touwa -- 236

LAIKA OF THQ

[Tokonatsu Touwa]

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Touwa took in his mother's words, noting the constructive critique in her tone. The distance had been sufficient, but the subtlety of the warning signal needed improvement. Yukari's guidance emphasized the importance of letting Ruiteki carry more of the technique's cost, allowing him to focus on shaping and refining it.
[break][break]
Nodding in acknowledgment, Touwa took a moment to center himself. He understood the need to let Ruiteki take a more active role in the execution of the technique. With a renewed focus, he ran his fingers along the polished surface of Ruiteki, feeling the subtle energy that connected them. This time, he allowed a greater flow of chakra from Ruiteki itself, trusting the Life Blade to enhance the resonance.
[break][break]

[break]
As he rang the bell once more, Touwa concentrated on shaping the technique while relinquishing some control to Ruiteki. The melodic hum that followed carried a distinct but more empowered resonance. It echoed through the imagined deserted street, a sound that cut through the ambient noise with greater clarity.
[break][break]
The sound resonated through the autumn air, and Touwa awaited Yukari's evaluation. The distance was there, and now it was a matter of achieving the necessary distinction and notability, with Ruiteki serving as both a conduit and an amplifier of his intentions.
[break][break]
But the main question was: did it reach Yukari, and could she differentiate it from the other sounds?
[break][break]

SPOILER: Click to show

斬術 | Zanjutsu [lit. Cutting Technique]
[break][break]
The Araikettei clan's KKG allows the user to obtain and wield the Life Blade - Ruiteki. The blade has its own consciousness and is capable of acting on its own. Regardless, Touwa and his Life Blade are inextricably linked to life and death. When one dies, the other dies, and thus anyone who is not Touwa is unable to wield the weapon.

[attr="class","ooc-area"]WORD: 210
[break]
tokonatsu yukari

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[tokonatsu yukari]

DON'T THINK ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES

It was in the moment between Touwa’s crafting of the technique and its delivery to Yukari that she realized, many years late, that while she and Kyuusai’s bond was solidified enough that she could use him without thought, there was not a single jutsu in her arsenal that she learned specifically with Kyuusai in mind. His pacifism, her father’s abject disappointment—she’d learned to use a scalpel offensively, yes, but that was more of convenience than design. Kyuusai would never consent to harm, and so she had not thought of it for a moment longer. The resonant sound filtered through the sound of wind and leaves and distant conversation, reaching Yukari’s ears with a subtle, pleasant chime, and she wondered why she had never thought to try to develop non-offensive techniques with Kyuusai. The rat said nothing, cleaning his whiskers with a distinct expression of it’s about time. Quietly stunned by the sudden revelation, Yukari delicately hopped down from her perch, her expression as sternly neutral as ever as she rejoined her son. "Good,” she said. Her fingers traced the gleaming metal of her Life Blade inside her sleeve, pensive. "Effectively executed. What are your next steps? Further manipulation of sound through ninjutsu, or have you considered pursuing a study of genjutsu with auditory triggers?”

Tokonatsu Touwa -- 216

LAIKA OF THQ

[Tokonatsu Touwa]

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Touwa observed his mother's reaction with a discerning eye, noting the subtle shift in her demeanor. There was a momentary revelation in her expression, a realization that seemed to pass through her thoughts. It intrigued him, the idea that even someone as knowledgeable and composed as Yukari could discover new perspectives.
[break][break]
As she hopped down from her perch, her stern neutrality returned, and Touwa took a moment to appreciate the success of his refined technique. Her acknowledgment held weight, and he felt a surge of accomplishment.
[break][break]
"Thank you," Touwa replied, a hint of pride in his voice. He considered her question, the possibilities branching out before him. "I've been contemplating both," Touwa admitted, his gaze shifting to Ruiteki. "Manipulating sound through ninjutsu seems like a logical progression, especially with the unique properties of Ruiteki. But genjutsu with auditory triggers... has potential too. It could serve as a versatile tool for both offense and defense, disrupting an opponent's perception without causing physical harm."
[break][break]
Touwa considered the avenues of study before him, weighing the potential of both sound ninjutsu and genjutsu with auditory triggers. His eyes remained fixed on Ruiteki.
[break][break]
"While genjutsu is intriguing, I think I might lean more towards sound ninjutsu," Touwa admitted thoughtfully. "The versatility it offers in manipulating the battlefield and affecting the senses aligns well with the unique properties of Ruiteki. It could provide a strategic advantage in various situations."
[break][break]
He glanced at his mother, seeking her thoughts on the matter. "Of course, I'm not entirely sure just yet. I'll explore both paths to some extent and see which resonates with me more." Touwa's expression held a mixture of determination and curiosity.
[break][break]

SPOILER: Click to show

斬術 | Zanjutsu [lit. Cutting Technique]
[break][break]
The Araikettei clan's KKG allows the user to obtain and wield the Life Blade - Ruiteki. The blade has its own consciousness and is capable of acting on its own. Regardless, Touwa and his Life Blade are inextricably linked to life and death. When one dies, the other dies, and thus anyone who is not Touwa is unable to wield the weapon.

[attr="class","ooc-area"]WORD: 275
[break]
tokonatsu yukari

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[tokonatsu yukari]

DON'T THINK ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES

Touwa held clear pride in his accomplishment, the refinement of a carefully-practiced technique: developed on his own, no less, as an academy student with only a rudimentary grasp of ninjutsu. Though she was hesitant to heap praise upon the boy for fear of being overbearing or coming off as false or judgemental, Yukari was quietly impressed by his display of skill. A warm, rare feeling of genuine pride untainted by fear or anxiety suffused through her, and for an uncommonly pleasant moment Yukari felt remarkably content. "There is a point in every shinobi’s career in which you have to decide between honing your talents or shoring up your weaknesses,” Yukari said. "This time before you formally join Takigakure’s ranks is critical to cementing your fundamentals and identifying your core strengths. Master the basics and lean into your skillset—there are only so many hours in a day to train, and it will be easier to step outside of your comfort zone when you have teammates who compliment your strengths and weaknesses.” As Tadashi had been to her, so many years ago. He was the reason why she preferred shadow clones, why her elemental affinity was as competent as it was. For all their troubles now, they’d worked together flawlessly, and that brief, golden moment of her career had been the most fulfilling by far. "Keep your mind open to other possibilities, but if ninjutsu is compelling to you, then allow yourself to focus on it,” she said. Without realizing it, her expression fell, a dark shadow laying a grim overcast. "Your father will be a better instructor than I, in that regard. What small skill I have with ninjutsu, I learned from him.” A brief pause, and then quickly: "It’s getting late. The Asagao will be expecting you for dinner.” A clear dismissal curtly delivered: the conversation was over, and it was time for Touwa to go home.

Tokonatsu Touwa -- 317

LAIKA OF THQ

[Tokonatsu Touwa]

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Touwa absorbed his mother's words, the weight of her pride not lost on him. He recognized the rarity of such moments and treasured the genuine warmth that accompanied them. Her guidance was a beacon in the sometimes murky path of his ninja training, even if sometimes he didn't want to fully acknowledge that but he appreciated the insights she shared, and he understood the significance of this critical period before formally joining Takigakure's ranks.
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"Thank you for your advice, Mother," Touwa responded respectfully. "I'll keep that in mind as I continue my training." He considered her advice carefully, understanding the importance of mastering the basics and embracing his strengths.
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As Yukari mentioned Tadashi, Touwa felt a pang of curiosity and a tinge of sadness. "I see, you learned it from Father," Touwa muttered to himself quietly. "I'll keep that in mind, Mother," Touwa said, his gaze briefly distant as he thought about the lessons he could receive from his father. The shadow that fell over Yukari's expression didn't go unnoticed, but he refrained from probing further.
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As she mentioned the approaching evening and the expectation of dinner, Touwa nodded in acknowledgment, recognizing the subtle cues of a conversation coming to an end. With a respectful bow, "I'll head home then. Thank you for the training session, Mother."
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As he made his way home, the crisp autumn air seemed to carry a new sense of purpose.
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- E N D -
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SPOILER: Click to show

斬術 | Zanjutsu [lit. Cutting Technique]
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The Araikettei clan's KKG allows the user to obtain and wield the Life Blade - Ruiteki. The blade has its own consciousness and is capable of acting on its own. Regardless, Touwa and his Life Blade are inextricably linked to life and death. When one dies, the other dies, and thus anyone who is not Touwa is unable to wield the weapon.

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tokonatsu yukari

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