One-Handed, Handshakes!

"Oi?" The jounin hummed to herself, as she'd be a bit thrown off by the shinobi's call to her attention. She was a sensor shinobi and when they'd stopped to her jutsu and turned to her, she'd a feeling there'd be some form of introduction. Turning to face the approaching kunoichi she'd get a better read of their chakra, but more importantly she'd sat through the fights and recognized the genin. A genin enforcing laws they themselves might of made up, it humored the rock kunoichi, but she'd avoid laughing. Her training channeled the positive energy to her smile and just listened clearly to Kasumi's words.

"Kirigakure doesn't want street performers during the exams? Sad." Her statement didn't show resistance and the word sad came without much expression to it, she'd give her wrist a shake and her hand seal a sort of snap. The two birds dancing overhead would merely flicker out of existence the chakra which kept them alive dispersing with the jutsu. "It certainly looks easier to do than it is, but you're essentially creating a seal half with hand and half with practiced chakra control. A technique of mine required I kept one hand occupied and an old one handed relative of mine had a scroll on half seals." Yoshiko wouldn't patronize the genin with riddles, a sword seemed already at the ready.

Gap of rank or not, it'd be ugly for things to get ugly. She'd like this interaction to go over pleasantly. Gesturing a deep bow of respect to the foreign shinobi in their homeland and not hers. Yoshiko would introduce herself in a soft, but clear tone of voice. "My name is Nohime Yoshiko and I am a jounin from Iwagakure, I brought Himishi Jou to the event." The dust release user would do her best to lead by example, attempting to give a pleasant proper introduction. At the same time she'd seen all the fights and had a feeling she should probably choose her association more safely.

One-Handed, Handshakes!

It wasn't all that long ago Yoshiko participated in her own chuunin exams. Those memories still felt as fresh as yesterday, even if she now had seen so many in between. This whole event was a major milestone in these genin lives, even if they'd fail and especially if they died. There however for those watching and simply visiting or living in the place it was held. A lot of time passed with little to comfortably due, if you went out every shop and dine was packed with more people and noise than was enjoyable.

She wasn't the direct teacher this time of any shinobi either, so she really couldn't do anything backstage. She could however practice her own ninjutsu and look for odd jobs. Due her best to be productive on her visit to this foreign nation. Outside the city holding the exams, Yoshiko would find herself a nice small bridge over a small river. She'd come to this location in her normal attire and small bag of a few apples. They were just incredibly sweet and delicious so she had to buy a few. Taking a look out at the view the Nohime felt a deep sigh of relief, it felt to her like times were truly at their greatest in moments like this.

Retrieving an apple from her bag, she'd place the bag at her feet. A glance down at her reflection she'd remember why she'd come out this way though, to improve herself or at least not let herself deteriorate in skill. Concentrating on the desired task, she'd quickly perform a few hand seals. However she'd do so with one hand, it'd be done with no real regard to who was around her. There were too many shinobi around and this skill wasn't a secret of the village. More so she'd be performing a personal jutsu, so it'd be no real loss if anyone choose to mimic it. Taking the one hand two her lips and creating a half cone, she'd shoot out two birds of fire. Returning that hand to a seal, she'd begin guiding the katon projectiles like birds around her.

Once feeling proper control over her jutsu, she'd raise her other hand to her mouth and take a bite out of her apple. Nodding with content, as she'd attempt to keep the two flaming birds moving in an alluring manner. As though she'd summoned her own private carnival show, witness the acrobatics of these two majestic birds.

A Lesson in Fire

The Nohime was a bit surprised to hear her own name, but perhaps the flow of information truly had been two ways. Or gone full circle. She'd be greeted with quite the bow, to which the brunette had to mirror. A sign of respect and a show of formal decency. Inspiring to see the youth so courteous, a thought which went for both of them truthfully. Her name had already been recited, but soon after Haruka would further embellish the jounin and puff up her internal ego.

A genuine grin of excitement showing on Yoshiko's face, it was an honor to be addressed so kindly. Perhaps more typical of someone from a clan, but still always a pleasure to know people thought of her before her father. "Nothing is crazy hard if you put your heart into it! Yes, I am Yoshiko and Rentaro had sent me for escorting Jou. So it's a spar you're looking for?" There'd been a lot stated without much room for interjection, so hopefully her reply got everything covered and made sense in her order delivered. A fight with a Himishi chuunin? Yoshiko wasn't sure if she should hold back or more so how much to hold back. Obviously lethality was out the window.

A part of the jounin's mind lingered on the 'why', but this girl was family to Jou. Perhaps this was some type of test or maybe Jou had said something ahead of time about his guardian to the exam. Too many simple and valid answers for the dust release user to feel justified not prying for information. She'd certainly learn the truth through combat or perhaps from village gossip. She had a good ear to the whispers of her village, but then again she also knew how clans liked to hide things. This was a juicy moment filled with possibility, but for now only could be comprehended as this kind chuunin's interest to better themselves. An interest Yoshiko happily would offer her aid.

Bearer of Badnews

The Nohime had a general idea of what was going on, she actually didn't know about Konsho's involvement. However Midori probably hadn't mentioned it to her in passing simply due to the loose connections. She'd only trained that boy a couple times and seen him only a few more times. Typically around Midori in which her greeting and conversation went to the sage. The brunette however didn't know the 'plan' or village serious side details of this news delivery. She hadn't a clue the exact wording of the letter, so she had assumed it'd have the answers Taki needed.

Instead the questions the girl likely was asking herself was now pointed at her. Barer of bad news and really a rough relation if the Nohime really thought about it. This moment was incredibly awkward on the jounin and her eyes seemed to show a look of almost surprise. She'd however nervously smile and force an answer out. "Okada Taki, Sage of Iwagakure and soon be chuunin! S-Surely, she wouldn't leave, if she didn't think you weren't ready." The back of her mind was kind of on fire, as she was trying to rationalize why Midori wouldn't of left a 'guide' for Taki. It wasn't her place to question a sages teaching practices though, they're abilities were spoken of as though out of this world. Her pride let her trust in the scenario.

Perhaps hyping and assuring the genin wasn't the right path, she might of needed to be more sensitive, but she was also talking to the villages new sage. So respect too? Though Taki had admitted not knowing things, to still feeling a need for information. "As I stated I can help you in anyway you need, I offer you the Nohime's jutsu archive to your assistance. Though I believe from stories my father told me, you sage folk learned all your stuff originally from the gorillas. Surely they can advise and teach you something too right?" Admittedly the Nohime was guessing and hopefully Taki understood it.

A Lesson in Fire

"Never miss an opportunity to learn. I wouldn't be surprised if half the jutsu out there weren't the result of people screwing up the other half and enjoying the outcome regardless." There was really only so many hand seals, as well as so many that could be performed in chain. Everything else was variation on the chakra amounts and how one focused and channeled that chakra. Understanding it perfectly would require more knowledge and experience than anyone could muster. So everyone had to feel out jutsu for themselves, heck there were more non-shinobi than shinobi. To even perform a jutsu was an amazing feat.

Yoshiko would revel too long in such thoughts or expand upon it too much, a genin wasn't the sort to be setting off in making jutsu. They had a goal before them to master this one jutsu, it was her job as a sensei to focus in and solidify this lesson. All the more reason for them to perform the jutsu in tangent, it'd to her excitement go flawlessly for the both of them. Two dummies wood in composure would be sundered to ash by the might of their ninjutsu, it was to many a glorious sight. However the jounin still couldn't help looking at it with a bit of a sweat. At this point other genin would be quite late and she'd really have only so much time to dedicate to it.

That in mind the clan leader would know what she should do next, "Very impressive Jou! Seems we've mastered this technique, but it doesn't seem anyone else wanted to take advantage of this opportunity. So if you don't mind, think we can try burning down the rest of these dummies I set up? No reason to let them go to waste right?" Repetition was after all the key to remembering, he'd likely be exhausted by the end of it. However the two of them surely could burn down the remaining targets in relatively short time. If it was too much she'd be more than able to help Jou home. If Jou agreed, then she'd join him roughly at pace firing off this fire jutsu. If he seemed to be tiring she'd quicken her side of things, to not purposely exhaust him.

Into the Darkness

Yoshiko continued to be impressed and delighted by the commitment of her team. Suikazura suggesting a logical equipment addition to the missions specifics, as Akari informed them light or not her sensory could help them. "I'm a sensor too, so perhaps we can split up into teams. Suikazura and myself, then the Aihara duo with our assistant." The girl considered the potential strategy with such glee and almost a sentiment of amusement. This whole ordeal reminded her of the missions she did with Akira as genin, they'd killed those boar in that cave. It however wasn't a B-rank missions, which didn't seem to now add up to the jounin.

"I honestly don't know if I believe the details of this mission, I'm worried we might just be harvesting bacon for more team building." Even if she was wrong, her jinton techniques all had a very 'bright' aspect to them. Certainly that'd be the light to triumph in these battles, but she'd already seen these followers of light imbue items with it. She knew there was more to this religious junk than faith and lore, but she couldn't help feeling their was simply a different chakra involved. It all sounded like over glorified kid stories to her. They also didn't know how much time they'd have to get supplies, so she didn't wanna send Suikazura out to get torches. They could make them along the way maybe?

Unlike the jounin team leader, the final arrival of their assistant, would not be excited or gleeful. Instead the individual was a man with a relatively bland appearance, nothing physically about him stood out at a glance. His facial expression though was that of a person who'd seen a ghost, a panicked and yet focused stare into oblivion. As though hell itself had more than once randomly wandered over to ruin this mans life. Despite his grim expression, he wore rather regal white robes and carried a large notebook with a feather sticking out and a vial of likely ink strapped to a belt around his waste. He had a sword at his hip and a shield strapped to his wrist. He'd arrive on horseback reliant on it to likely keep pace with these shinobi.

"Are you the lot?" He'd ask despite being late, he seemed to care little about formality. In truth he was worried about the task at hand, it needed to be dealt with and quickly. He needed to see it through, but he was scared and scarred from a past which pushed him into the faith. These shinobi so reliant on chakra and their 'own' power. Who're they to be trusted? Especially to care about the lives of others, as well as to handle the unfathomable horrors of what he knew they were after. The lot of 'girls' were all young by his first glance. What kind of trick would it be to send him with these 'school girls'?

Yoshiko would pop-up chipperly at the question of whether or not they were the 'lot'. "You're the uh-the Preacher? Preacher Dosu, right?! If so then yup! We're the 'lot!' I'm Nohime Yoshiko, leader of team seven." Yoshiko would explain, as she'd gest to her team to, so they could introduce themselves to this so kind gentlemen. He'd however make an almost annoyed grumble, before tugging at the reigns of his horse. The dust release user moving up to the man's side, as to help guide the horse and lead her team on. She mentally expected her team to introduce themselves regardless of the man's disposition, but she'd understand if his rudeness caused them to keep quiet.

"It's this way..." He'd state likely being his last words spoken before they made the cave.

Today we're making history;

"Oh, if you think so, then we definitely have to test that theory out. If you've surpassed my speeds, then I'll have to start learning new jutsu too!" Any question could be answered through ninjutsu, it was a built-in belief for the jounin. She like much of the village wasn't religious, but what she could have faith in was skill and those willing to share it among their lot. To her the village was the most important spread of her 'inclusive' family. She was proud of the Nohime specifically, but she was nationalist engrained in the military. This team of hers almost accentuated that fact too. Two Aihara? A Nohime with the weighted rock package and then Suikazura with her splitting technique.

The jounin couldn't be more proud as the room 'filled' with her team, she'd feel a mostly positive vibe emanate from her team. This was the best, but the team would start to gather a collective confusion. "Uh-unless you mean smashing out ideas, then sadly this meeting isn't really about either. It's actually more in line with how you've gotten here." Yoshiko would explain feeling a sort of side conversation drawn between her and Ryoko, as Akari started to acclimate themselves with Suikazura's regular antics.

The team needed to have a focus and common goal though, so clearing her throat Yoshiko would raise a hand and sort of wave in everyone's attention. "Everyone if you can please do settle in, it's time the team gets to business. As you know me and Ryoko possess the ability to impart weightlessness onto each other and objects, we've used a boat once and I definitely didn't crash it in that violent storm last week. B-But it got me thinking, a boat wasn't built for the air, so maybe if we put our heads together we can come up with something that is!" The jounin would explain excitedly.

A Lesson in Fire

"Not bad at all!" Yoshiko would as always praise the successes of her students. This was absolutely a situation where Jou had proven himself capable, he'd put a bit too much chakra into it and let the fire ball loose a little too slowly. So when it released the force came a bit too early, it was a simple mistake a very easy thing to correct. More importantly though it was a mistake that could be recovered from immediately. Extending her hand to the genin, she'd help him up and quickly dust himself off too.

"A little less chakra and try to let loose the fireball a moment sooner, but otherwise that was just about spot on! Heck if anything you can remember doing this might send you a step back and help you dodge something." The jounin would go above and beyond just critiquing, as she'd try to even give an example of how this mistake could of been helpful. After being so close, she was confident that in his next try he'd have the jutsu down. Granted performing something once was just the foundation towards truly perfecting it and the only way to make perfection is through practice.

"Alright, let's try that again okay?" She'd state before waiting for him to be ready. Once he was ready she'd do her best to perform the technique at the same time as the genin and allow them both to fire off the jutsu at different dummies. Allowing him to see the comparison of the jutsu, as to either make further adjustments or to see he'd truly mastered the technique. As he'd hopefully be seeing that their two jutsu mirrored each other.

A Lesson in Fire

Yoshiko certainly was a proud teacher and felt herself to be quite capable. However Jou really wasn't her student, she was no longer raising the genin and now was her own operations team leader. Well she was a team leader, clan leader and gang leader really. A mixture of responsibilities which only improved the girls self confidence. Granted the jounin's confidence was really never an issue, Jou might of needed a bit more, but hopefully her relentless optimism and faith had worked to improve his. If it hadn't she couldn't hold it too strongly against herself, she was only really a teacher to him in passing.

Even then though, she did still agree to escort the boy to the chuunin exams. She hadn't really thought about if she'd be the best to do so. That stated there was weirdly no surprise when she was challenged for doing so. Perhaps her actions had caused drama she couldn't foresee, it'd be fine though they were both Iwagakure shinobi. She was confident they'd be able to talk this out, but weirdly the kunoichi was equally interested to see this challenger. Rentaro had passed on the necessary information; name, appearance and rank. A genin? It was always nice to see her fellow shinobi so brave.

Dressed in her standard battle affair, she'd arrive outside the genin quarters basically right on time. She didn't know their surroundings well, so it'd been hard to guarantee anything early. She'd note the person who best fit the description and she'd wave a hand to the younger kunoichi. "Hai-yo~! You must be Himishi Haruka right?" Yoshiko spoke in a chipper tone and lacked any imposing features, she was a soft and bubbly person. Her outfit battle ready was still made of finer fabrics and embroidered with her clan's insignia and village.

A Lesson in Fire

"Of course!" She'd instantly retort not giving a moments hesitation, as she'd understand the power of confidence. The ability to drive yourself to anything if you put forth the effort. Especially if you're willing to put in your all plus and risk that bit of danger. "No problem, Jou! It's just a pleasure to work with such a good student." Perhaps she sugar coated it a little too much, but she still felt a bit extra bubbly from the expert compliment to her muffins. It was always the little things you put effort into that feel the most rewarding when acknowledged. Simplifies it all in a sense.

It was time they moved onto the actual 'fun' part of the practice. The more dangerous side and it was honestly more unnerving for her than most training. One of her biggest losses was to flames, but she made a friend from that experience. The things she lost though. He was buried, but would never truly leave her head. Though she wasn't one to linger on things negatively. She'd use her failures as lessons and motivations to better herself, to better others and to be the best for Iwagakure and Tsuchi no Kuni.

Moving over to the wooden dummies, Yoshiko would crack her knuckles with a grin. Opposite side of Jou on Yoshiko's forehead a bead of sweat would drop. It wasn't a jutsu she knew, it was just something she'd been thinking over and practicing the hand seals. If she didn't deliver a proper fire ball, then he'd have a terrible first example to base off. Oh no. "Alright, I'll give you an example and you try after!" Yoshiko assured somewhat to herself, as she'd hastily in a somewhat panic perform the handseals.

Charging up the oil in her gullet before igniting and unloading it in a large burning orb of fire. It's path clear to the wooden dummy, which wouldn't have the ability to move and be devoured quickly in the flame. She did it! Turning to the boy she'd give a thumbs up to him with a smile. "See that's-" She'd pause herself noticing the sleeve of her Gi was on fire. Her arm blurring as she'd quickly brush the flame off her and break into a slight laugh. "Haha! Alright so that's kind of how you do it, but uh, purse your lips a bit more than I did and attempt to exhale with more force." Maybe he could learn from her failures too.

Despite her mistake, she'd continue to smile and laugh it off. Her face though was obviously a bright red with embarrassment.

Bearer of Badnews

"Alright that sounds good to me." Yoshiko could sense the unease of the other Okada, to which she'd get a better understanding of Taki's harbored feelings. Quickly applying her light weight state to Taki and herself, she'd then use wind jutsu to gust them away to the hotel. Yoshiko certainly didn't want to be forcing too much built tension onto the Okada. This was something given to her, a task given and one she relatively knew could be taken two ways. Uncertain more so now than at first which would be the genin's response.

"It's sensitive information, she needed someone she trusted to deliver it. I can tell I'm not the face you wanted to see, but I believe in you Taki and will be here for you. Whatever that needs to mean." Yoshiko would attempt to better ground herself as someone to confine with and answer the question asked in the process. In the same moment the jounin would stiffen her arms to her sides. Her palms turned away from the genin, as to make it clear the letter wouldn't be 'returned'.

If Taki continued to hesitate, then the jounin would bring her hands together in front of her. Her gaze shifting to the ground, as to not seem prying. However she'd not quite take the genin out of sight and she'd remained faced towards her. She was just attempting to make it clear hard or easy, it'd need to be opened and read. Aloud, to oneself or skimmed before questioning.

Princess Yoshiko

"There's always a spot for you next to me~<3" Yoshiko would reply to the Ame Lord's request for a spot, she'd shift over for him to settle in then lean against his side when he sat down. "Heh, wasn't that long ago, we were the participants." Yoshiko would remark aloud thinking about the group of them, at least it was quite true for her, Sanosuke and Suikazura. A statement which would lead to her next, "It seems great shinobi keep getting younger." The kunoichi remarked feeling rather confident in the early part of this match for the villages representative.

Yoshiko would note Kai's appearance and he'd soon notice hers. A polite nod was given and she'd return it with her typical sparkling smile, she was happy to see the turn out of stone shinobi. It'd seemed Taki had garnered a lot of good attention. The fight would be largely blurred, but with her chakra sensory she was able to watch the whole thing unfold. It'd be a battle of chakra really, but it'd seem Taki was using something other than chakra. At least other than any chakra the jounin could see through her sensory.

Princess Yoshiko

Yoshiko would be watching the fight keenly, she'd know the burden on this young gorilla's back. Her eyes focused on the combat unfolding, her body ready to react if things went haywire. In the jounin's eyes there was nothing to scoff about from Taki's arsenal, she'd certainly have a weird way to go about fighting. It'd however make it all the harder to know it's counter, to be ready for what the genin upheld in skill. Then again she had a pretty good idea about the weapon this Shigure was using against her. It's capabilities especially when honed from a natural born Hyuuga, it wasn't to be underestimated. So she'd have to keep her sensory raised, her attention focused, but this was still a bout of genin and she'd over hear her student and cousin.

"It's called the Byakugan, it's capable of seeing chakra and allowing the user to manipulate their own and their opponents chakra." A slight grin appearing on Yoshiko's face, as she'd add on cheekily. "Their sensory is genetic, so it's not giveaway of skill. We'll have to see if this young man is capable of using it, because if he's not Taki's Midori's student. There's no way she'll lose to this Konoha shinobi." The Nohime had nothing but faith in her villages shinobi, she was a proud nationalist and would cheer on the genin in her first round of this exam. It was already quite the spectacle in her opinion. It was amusing to see something other than the typical swords and kunai in action. Combat was multifaceted and brilliantly absurd at times.