Welcome to Gaia! ::

[align=right][size=14][color=firebrick][i]❝Persevere. No matter what comes your way, you have to overcome it.❞[/i][/color][/size][/align]
[url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?t=25368123][imgleft]https://i.imgur.com/oPAn3fk.png?1[/imgleft][img]https://i.imgur.com/vsxxE1q.png?2[/img][/url]



[align=right][size=18][b][color=firebrick]❖ ▬▬ ❖ ▬▬ ⌈[/color][/b][/size][size=10][b][i][color=firebrick]Arashigakure Chunin[/color][/i][/b][/size][size=18][b][color=firebrick]⌉ ▬▬ ❖ ▬▬ ❖[/color][/b][/size]

[size=10]Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. In sed vehicula lectus, vitae ultrices ex. Aliquam gravida metus ut posuere tincidunt. Sed at sem mollis, pellentesque lectus at, laoreet purus. Donec et ante pretium odio posuere lobortis in id ex. Maecenas imperdiet ligula sed risus mattis feugiat. Curabitur cursus vitae tellus sed pulvinar. Praesent euismod enim nulla, et maximus neque vulputate non. Quisque vulputate scelerisque lacus ac pretium. Quisque nisi erat, porttitor ut cursus vel, iaculis sed orci. Morbi aliquam tempus velit et aliquet. Duis at mollis nulla. Curabitur sem mi, consectetur sed sodales id, pellentesque ac ligula. Vivamus leo risus, malesuada a elit et, pulvinar fermentum orci.

[color=crimson][b]"Nunc felis nulla, faucibus at arcu eu, aliquet fringilla quam. Mauris quis magna malesuada, rhoncus nunc eget, pretium est. Nunc sed ex vitae enim finibus sagittis. Aliquam auctor lacus id risus lobortis, at semper massa rhoncus. In accumsan lacus quis arcu euismod convallis. Donec vitae enim quis magna accumsan fermentum. Donec sagittis feugiat lobortis. Quisque eu facilisis libero. Donec congue nulla quis erat feugiat, ac pellentesque tellus venenatis. Aliquam ut mattis libero, eget pulvinar tortor. Nulla in ornare metus. Phasellus libero magna, efficitur ac risus placerat, bibendum consectetur lorem. Suspendisse potenti. Vestibulum a pretium nisl. Pellentesque ullamcorper nec felis nec suscipit."[/b][/color]

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Donec ut libero ultrices, sodales orci vitae, consectetur ipsum. Donec condimentum, sem quis auctor rhoncus, ex ante elementum est, eu tincidunt ante lectus eget est. Aenean vel nulla eros. Integer gravida leo vitae quam consectetur, eget blandit quam gravida. Vivamus aliquet a nisl et ultricies. Donec a dui lorem. Nullam finibus nunc at tempus pharetra. Pellentesque dictum congue metus at euismod. Curabitur efficitur, dolor cursus faucibus bibendum, erat turpis mollis elit, sit amet dapibus quam orci aliquam nunc. Suspendisse congue maximus leo, sit amet fermentum ipsum sodales eget.[/size]

[size=18][b][color=firebrick]❖ ▬▬ ❖ ▬▬ ⌊[/color][/b][/size][size=10][b][color=firebrick]810/810 :: Chakra |[/color][color=white]x[/color][color=firebrick][size=14][b]✿[/b][/size][/color][color=white]x[/color][color=firebrick]| Stamina :: 820/820[/color][/b][/size][size=18][b][color=firebrick]⌋ ▬▬ ❖ ▬▬ ❖[/color][/b][/size][/align]

[align=left][size=14][color=firebrick][i]❝That's the only way to protect those you want to protect.❞[/i][/color][/size][/align][/align]
[spoiler]DR ::
[list][list][list]• Strength ► 9
[color=white]→[/color]→ [+2] Stage 5 Soul Slayer Art, [+2] Stage 5 Vital Piercing Art, [+5] Stage 5 Sobagai Deba Sentou
• Speed ► 11
[color=white]→[/color]→ [+3] Expert, [+3] Stage 5 Soul Slayer Art, [+5] Stage 5 Kazekiri
• Reflex ► 11
[color=white]→[/color]→ [+3] Expert, [+3] Stage 5 Vital Piercing Art, [+5] Stage 5 Kyotoryuu
• Fortitude ► 10
[color=white]→[/color]→ [+5] Stage 5 Infinite Sword Style, [+5] Stage 5 Shigure Souen[/list][/list][/list]

Techniques :: [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=1&t=25368123#385542198][X][/url]

Activations ::
[list][list][list][*] Null
[*] Null
[*] Null
[/list][/list][/list][/spoiler]

[quote][size=10][url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=1&t=25368123#385542144]Shinji's Profile[/url]

Spending 5k AC for respec [27000 -> 22000]

Bloodline Class -> Worker Class
- Discipline changed accordingly.
- Free weapon from Cross Class; using my previous [+1] custom weapon PA, replacing said PA with new.
- Slots updated accordingly [Chakra and Stamina totals remain the same after checking calculations].[/size][/quote]

[align=center][url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=1&t=25368123#385541166][img]https://i.imgur.com/yRkVyqp.png[/img][/url][/align]

[align=left][align=right][align=justify][size=12]▰[color=darkred]▰[/color]▰ PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS[/size]


[size=10][b]Full Name:[/b] Shinji Gyukimaru Ketsueki
[b]Nickname:[/b]
[b]Age:[/b] 14
[b]Birthdate:[/b] 11/30
[b]Gender:[/b] Male[/size]

[size=10][b]Body Rank:[/b] B

[b]Hair Color:[/b] White
[b]Eye Color:[/b] Red
[b]Height:[/b] 5'11
[b]Weight:[/b] 125 lbs

[b]Bloodline:[/b] Saiketsu

[b]Combat Outfit:[/b] His combat outfit doesn't differ from his normal attire. He wears a black coat with short sleeves and a fur-lined hood, with a plain white sleeveless-shirt underneath. His pants are held up by a pair of belts, with one being left out of half of the belt-loops in order to let it fall slightly to his side. The pants the belts are keeping up are black in color and are made of a material that allows them conform to the users legs without hindering mobility. His headband is worn around his left arm, outside of his jacket.

[b]Perpetual Theme:[/b] [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMo9vNVkPOs]Wavin' Flag - K'naan[/url]
[b]Theme:[/b] [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibWdgkv1LSA]Mansion - NF[/url][/size]

[size=12]▰[color=darkred]▰[/color]▰ SOCIAL AND PERSONALITY[/size]

[size=10][b]Village:[/b] Arashigakure
[b]Title: [/b] Genin

[b]Nindo:[/b] "Persevere. No matter what comes your way, you have to overcome it. That's the only way to protect those you want to protect."
[b]Personality:[/b] Like most Ketsueki kids, Shinji is quiet and withdrawn from his peers. He doesn't often socialize, and the most contact he has with others is small talk whenever he is walking around the village. He spends most of his free time reading or training, occasionally taking time to help out in parts of the village that are in the process re-building or doing other work, or using his basic medical knowledge to help out around the hospital. He has mastered the art of hiding his true emotion around younger kids in order to keep them busy while their parents are busy, assuming that they need someone to watch after the youngsters. He uses this same practice whenever he is in the presence of his peers, giving off an indifferent, yet gloomy appearance.

This isn't entirely the fault of his clan's belief system. After the war, Shinji has lived in a permanent state of fear that caused him to develop deep-rooted trust issues and slight paranoia. This constant sensation also produced a complicated self-esteem problem where he feels as if he is too weak compared to other genin in the village. Shinji curses this part of himself, which only increased his innate desire to become stronger. Previously, he rejected his clans system of solitude, but because of how strong he has seen them become, he dove head first into their instructions, fueled by his own drive for power.

Despite all of this, Shinji hates the issues he has developed over the last few years. He wishes that hadn't been so susceptible to trauma. Whenever he is alone, his mind is constantly running through all of his mental distress problems, reminding him of his weakness. It has made him angry, and all of this anger gets stored up inside of him. The only outlet he has is during training, but it isn't enough. There is still a deep ocean of rage bottled up under his apathetic visage most people see.

[b]History:[/b]
A few decades ago, after some infighting and disagreement within the Ketsueki clan, a small group of the clan's members split off from the main settlement and moved to Arashigakure, swearing allegiance to the village. After some time, the suspicions involving their ties to their previous home were dismissed when the rest of the Ketsueki clan attempted an assault on Arashigakure in order to dismantle the outliers. The assault was handled by several members of the Arashigakure forces, but the resident members of the clan helped out as well, quelling the attack before they could do any serious damage. The Ketsueki settlers developed their own set of elders and a council over time in order to preserve the Bloodline of their clan. This branch of the Ketsueki is where Shinji, and his parents before him, were born.

Growing up, the young Shinji was boisterous and craved adventure. His outgoing nature was, at first, nurtured by his parents. However, after he grew old enough to begin playing with others in the village, they began to stifle his energetic personality and keep him from going out. See, even if the Ketsueki in Arashigakure had left due to infighting, they didn't change their beliefs. Shinji was kept away from other kids and was instead pushed to train and study in order to gain a better control over his chakra. The other kids in the village saw Shinji occasionally when he stepped outside to practice, but his parents made sure to keep their son away from the other villagers to keep Shinji pure.

Once he was old enough to join the academy, the elders of the Ketsueki clan approached the boy and gave him a speech about keeping to himself. They told him that if he ever wanted to be a powerful shinobi from the Ketsueki clan, he had to stay vigilant in his training and avoid the distractions that would come from other students. In order to further encourage this behavior from the boy, a few of the clans senior members, including his mother, set out to gather materials to craft the boy a weapon. Something unique that only he would be able to master. This process took several weeks, during which time they kept it a secret from Shinji and his father. See, his father wasn’t as keen on the idea of arming such a young boy as his mother was.

His father didn’t believe in fighting unless it was absolutely necessary. He worked in the village as a carpenter. He would rather his son follow in his footsteps than become a ninja. His mother, on the other hand, fully supported Shinji’s desire to become a shinobi. She had a deep respect for the militant forces of Arashigakure and often wondered if she should have pursued becoming a ninja herself. She had spent many years in her younger age learning the clans Saiketsu techniques, but she felt that she was too frail to enroll in the academy. The two often argued over the path Shinji chose to take, but only because they had differing views on the matter. They loved each other very much, and at the end of the day, they both decided that it was his choice, whether his father liked it or not.

After the weapon was created, the clan elders once again approached Shinji, a few weeks before he was due to start classes at the academy. His mother sent his father out to gather groceries so that he couldn’t protest in front of the heads of their clan. They brought forth a scythe, setting it on the ground before him carefully along with a scroll. Shinji looked at the weapon with a bit of caution at first. He wasn’t sure what was going on, but as he looked the weapon over he felt a deep sense of admiration for the craftsmanship and the unique design that it had. His mother made sure that it was designed to fit his more gothic appreciation of things. As such, the schematics they used to create the weapon mirrored skeletal structures and had a very grim appearance.

They clarified that the use of the scroll was to complete the forging process. He was instructed to open the scroll and give the weapon a name, writing it on the blank pages within. Shinji thought about it for a moment. He decided on the name Yuugure. Translated into english, the word Yuugure meant dusk, which is why he felt it was such a fitting name; it furthered the horrific and grisly architecture they had put into the scythe. The elders nodded in approval, to which they then said for him to p***k his finger and wipe his blood along the scroll. He was skeptical. If all he had to do was pick a name, why was it necessary to have him use blood? Shinji didn’t think too long on this and obeyed. His mother rolled up the scroll and bound it in a red thread before handing it to the head of the elders. A man who looked older than dirt. The wrinkles on his face made it often hard to read his expression, a trait that Shinji didn’t particularly enjoy, as it made it incredibly difficult to understand what the geezer was feeling.

That aside, he was well respected among the clan and was the most adept among them when It came to performing sealing techniques. He took the scroll and placed it above the blade of the weapon. After a series of one handed seals, the scroll erupted in fire. It burned from both ends and met in the middle, turning it completely to ash. The fire didn’t seem to bother the elder; not even leaving so much as a slight burn on his hand. The ash leftover began to shift around before taking to the air and encircling the snaithe of the scythe. Beneath the pile of ashes, a sealing insignia could be seen, with markings stretching around the blade at first, but it followed the ashes path along the snaith until there were lines running along its entirety. They didn’t last, though. When the elder released the last seal he had performed with his hand, the marks melted into the weapon, leaving no trace of them behind.

The rest of the elders moved forward, all of them at once attempting to heft the blade into the air. To Shinji’s surprise, they couldn’t seem to lift it from the ground. It didn’t even budge. Irritation flooded his body. What good was a weapon if he couldn’t even pick it up?! His mother noticed his frustration, but calmly told him to give it a try. The elders backed away to give him room. Shinji rolled his eyes, but reached out with a hand to shove the weapon. His eyes went wide when it skidded along the floor. Shinji leaped to his feet and grabbed hold of the snaith, picking it up. It felt lighter than air!

His mother explained that the seal performed has linked Yuugure directly to Shinji, meaning that others couldn’t pick it up unless he handed the scythe directly to them. To further prove this, she held her hand out and asked Shinji to hand it to her. When it was placed in her hand, she showed no signs of struggling with the weight, but he could tell that it wasn’t as light as it was for Shinji. Immediately he ran outside to test the weapon out for himself. He found that the seal also prevented him from being cut by the blade, almost like his skin was like iron to the weapon. It interested him deeply. This would surely set him apart from the other academy students. He went to sleep that night with an irremovable smile.

[b]The Academy[/b]

In the weeks following his pact with Yuugure, Shinji started attending the ninja academy. He wasn’t the only one there with a weapon of their own, which did make him feel a bit less special, but he noticed that none of them were particularly flashy like his was. His disappointment was easily offset by this. Taking note, specifically of Shinji, of the amount of weapons that the students had, the instructor immediately made a decree to the class that the use of weapons in the classroom was a rule for them to follow, and any use of weapons outside of the classroom had to be overseen by the instructor. Anyone who broke that rule was to be immediately expelled. Shinji grimaced at this. He wanted to show off what Yuugure was capable of, having spent the last couple of weeks training and learning his weapon in depth.

They dove straight into book work. They covered the history of Arashigakure, then the history of the shinobi world as a whole. A few of the things they had learned during the history lessons sent chills down his spine. War, disaster, and demons that had the potential to wipe out entire countries on their own. There seemed to be a heavy amount of chaos in the shinobi life. This didn’t shake Shinji’s determination. Instead of turning away, he looked straight forward. The stories of the powerful ninja who had overcome these events made him want to get even stronger than normal shinobi. He wanted to be revered as a hero like the legends from these stories. The first of the Ketsueki to gain that title.

He didn't show any outstanding potential when it came to the academics. His grades when it came to the paper assignments were nothing to take home. A modest C or a B at best. However, Shinji showed great potential when it came to the physical exams. He was able to spar with the rest of the class and remain unbeaten in the hand-to-hand classes, save for the student who was at the head of the class; a prodigy who was a few notches above the rest, but Shinji did give him a run for his money. What gave Shinji a big head was the weapon practice sessions. Regardless of whether he was given a kunai blade, shuriken, or the green light to use Yuugure; Shinji was regarded as the classes top weapon specialist. Even the one he lost to in hand-to-hand seemed completely out of his element when compared to Shinji.

It was because of this proficiency with weapons that, come graduation, when they were picking the top students to receive accolades for their performance over the time spent at the academy, that Shinji was one of the frontrunners chosen to be given special mention. Among them was also the resident prodigy of the class for his hand-to-hand showings, the smartest student in the class who was doubly noted for their overall testing grades and their showings when it came to the basic techniques they had been taught, and the class president. These students were the first to be given their headbands and the title of Genin. Through all of this, he didn’t bother making friends. Many of the students asked for Shinji to teach them how to use weapons, but he refused. He had a duty to uphold when it came to his clan.

The elders congratulated him on his promotion and promised that, when he was older, they would teach him the clan secrets. Shinji argued that he had already shown he was more than capable of learning it, but they calmed him and told him that he still had room to grow before he learned it. They explained that the requirements for learning the technique required him to be of a certain age because the complexity of the techniques meant that he needed to learn to control his chakra nature. It wasn’t something that they taught at the academy, and it would take him a fair deal of time before he had the level of proficiency he would need. Shinji still wasn’t satisfied with this, but he decided that they knew more about the secret than anyone.

[b][i]Catastrophe Rising[/i][/b]

When the sirens signalling the attack on the village began, Shinji was in the middle of training. It was the moment he was preparing for, the chance to be of greater use to the village than some lowly genin who wasn't worth their salt. However, the time he had spent casting various techniques in rapid succession had left him too low on his already minute chakra pool to be of any real help. At most he could have been a body shield for someone better, but then he'd still probably end up being in the way. In a world where was was constantly looming on the horizon, the worst thing one could do was impede the progress of a soldier's advancement.

In his hesitation, the only thought that broke through his mind was the Kage. The head of the village. He would be a prime target for the enemy's forces, but it looked like everyone was rushing away. That gave him a bit of clarity on where he needed to go. Once he had rushed to Toso's office, Kagami and her officers had shown up. One an Uchiha by the name of Naoki, the other a much larger woman who appeared to be some kind of... demon? The events in the office didn't seem to amount to much violence. A small altercation between Naoki and one of the other Arashi shinobi who had shown up, a bit of irritation from the larger woman, but in essence it was more of a conversation between Kagami and Toso regarding the future of the shinobi world and the course of action that should be taken.

At the climax of the debate, Kagami had fooled them all. She revealed that she was pregnant, and used this revelation to play the heartstrings of all in attendance like a well-tuned violin. She was a master manipulator. Once she had been given the authority to use the PA system in Toso's office, she showed her true colors. A woman of complete, chaotic evil who's idealistic worldview was corrupt in execution. She attempted to cast a village-wide genjutsu in order to strip Arashigakure of its citizens, claiming that it was a prison and they were forced into their continued loyalty to their home. As would be expected of the head of the village, Toso had a contingency plan set in motion for just an occasion. A small device hidden away sent out a wave of energy that broke the genjutsu before it had done any permanent damage.

And that was all Shinji could process before the blue haired woman before him was ripped into pieces. At first, he was shocked. After all, a death before your very eyes was a good way to cause lasting mental damage. And not just a murder, a complete and utter massacre. Toso gave an order to be left alone, and Shinji obliged in the fuzzy state of shock he had been forced into. Once outside, he rested on the floor and tried to gather himself as the shock wore off. From the window, he could see the Sanbi for a brief moment, further proving that the woman who had staged an invasion of the village because of mistreatment brought about by the UHV system, had passed on.

[b][i]The Years Following the War[/i][/b]

After the attack on Arashigakure was dealt with, Shinji made his way through the village, taking in the damage and compartmentalizing a list of things that he could help with during the reconstruction. Construction was something he knew fairly well, since his father was a carpenter. He could hold a small day care service to keep the younger kids busy while their parents were working. He could run around and gather needed supplies for others. He stopped making this list when he noticed the amount of wounded that were being tended to. Shinji dropped everything and rushed to help out. He didn’t have any skill in Eiseijutsu, but he had enough basic medical knowledge thanks to his clan that he could treat some of the wounds to help keep them alive long enough for the medics to get to them. Despite his willingness to help, the sight horrified him. Shinji was running on pure adrenaline. If it wasn’t for that, he would have been frozen in place.

There were severed limbs and pools of blood randomly scattered from the severity of the battle. Some of the wounded they brought in had already passed from their injuries. One of the shinobi Shinji took to treating was horribly hurt. There was a hole blasted straight through his abdomen, and several deep lacerations lining his body. He treated lacerations first, seeing that whatever had burst through his stomach had also cauterized the injury. Most likely a completely overpowering Katon technique, but it could have been anything for as far as he knew. As he was stitching up as much of the cuts as he could, the soldier stopped him with a hand on the wrist. His eyes were lifeless,r and his voice was hoarse.

[b]”Thanks kid, but it’s no use, I’m dying. Don’t protest it, just let me go. But do me a favor. My sword... Take it. I got it from my father, him from his father. I don’t have a son to give it to, but you seem like a good boy. Its name is..”[/b] He trailed off into a coughing fit. Once he stopped, he gasped for breath for a moment before continuing. [b]”Arashi no Chiheisen. It’s a good sword, I promise. Don’t let her appearance confuse that. She’s too young to be put out of commission yet. She’s yours now. You said your names Shinji? I hope you put her to good use.”[/b] With that he passed away. At first, Shinji was shocked. A few tears fell down his cheek, but he quickly wiped them away. Now wasn’t the time for tears. There was work to do. He grabbed the sword that he had inherited tentatively and continued rushing around the wounded, enlightening the nurses of the mans death. He never even got his name...

Once the initial cleanup of the war was over, the village wasn’t the same for Shinji. Rather, he couldn’t look at it the same. He was still loyal to his home, but the sight of the ruin caused him grief every time he saw them. He became an oddity. His withdrawn nature that the other genin had noted from him was put aside as he set to work helping with various tasks. He assisted in several reconstruction jobs, using the Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu technique to be in two places at once to speed up the process. At first his clone wasn’t able to sustain being out for so long, due to his inexperience, but he quickly mastered the technique from how often he used it, and his clones were able to stay out from the time he summoned them to the time he went home that night. He gathered resources when the sun went down before he went to bed, in order to do more work the next day.

During the weekends, rather than go and help build, he went to the hospital and worked around there, doing checkups on patients and working in the emergency wing dealing with the more minor cases. After his shift at the hospital was over, Shinji would go out and gather the younger kids and play with them to give their parents space to work, going as far as providing their supper for them and even tucking them into bed at night individually. He repeated this cycle for some time, yet no one noticed the changes in Shinji’s personality. See, he had learned to hide what he was really feeling. He attributed this to the way he was able to read people so easily, referring to it as a reverse-engineering of that same process. None of them even noticed he wasn’t carrying either of his weapons.

After seeing the casualties of the war, and the death of the person who had bequeathed Arashi no Chiheisen onto him, Shinji had been having chronic nightmares. They woke him up often enough during the night that it was almost like he wasn’t sleeping at all. It began to instill a fear in him unlike anything he had experienced before, quickly devolving into paranoia. He stopped carrying Yuugure with him, and left the sword he was given hidden away in his closet, behind his clothes. He shut everyone out, even keeping his parents at arm's length. They often wondered what was going on with him, but his response was always a curt ‘I’m fine.’ His mother eventually went to the Arashikage and asked him to have some of the village Jonin check on him periodically in order to make sure that he wasn’t going to do anything reckless. She never got a definitive answer but was sent home anyway.

Over time, Shinji’s paranoia had taken a series of nasty effects on him. His refusal to let anyone get close to him caused him to feel a terrible loneliness, which eventually manifested in full blown depression and a deep self-esteem problem. He felt he was too weak to be called a shinobi, and his drive to get stronger conflicted with this, causing him to often go out when he couldn’t sleep and train until he could barely move from exhaustion. He showed little progress in his eyes, not seeing that his use of the Suiton techniques he had learned was leagues above where they were when he started training them, frustrating him to no end. Over the course of this cycle, he started to feel angry. Not the kind of anger that someone gets a flash of momentarily, or the kind that goes away over time. This was the kind of anger that festered, boiling inside with no outlet, eating away at their temper and messing with their mind.

Shinji’s late-night training sessions became a daytime ritual as well. He started sneaking off whenever his work was done for the day and rush out to the woods on the edge of the village where he wouldn’t be seen, then push himself even more. He often got so frustrated during these sessions that he would lash out with everything he had, tearing at trees and earth alike. There were several spots in the forest where a clearing was made from trees being knocked down, and hundreds of trees have deep scars in the wood from his outbursts. Little did he know that there were times when he was followed by a Jonin, sent by the Arashikage to check on him per his mother’s request.[/size]

[size=12]▰[color=darkred]▰[/color]▰ CLASSES AND STATS[/size]

[size=10][b]First Class:[/b] Worker
[color=white]▱▰▱ [/color][u]Legendary Worker[/u] → [i]The user is able to create one additional legendary item of any profession for themselves as well as one additional weapon for their village or their rogue group that the character is a member of. In addition, the user is able to add [1] additional element, [2] additional DR, and [1] additional custom ability to each of their custom weapon and armor creations made through crafting. Finally, weapons and armors crafted by the user consume half the inventory slots and are crafted at two ranks higher in durability.[/i]
[b]Second Class:[/b] Bukijutsu
[color=white]▱▰▱ [/color][u]Expert[/u] → [i]The user has achieved a sense of mastery and focus unlike others and are known as an Expert, a dedicated focus over a weapon they use to near perfection. The shinobi can pick a single weapon, or two if dual wielding, to apply this focus toward with examples such as Katana, Spear, Bows or even Dual Daggers. They acquire a Keystone technique that is unique to them with an additional 2 Custom Techniques derived of this special ability. Also, the selected weapon of the user's choice gains two ranks in durability during combat and they gain an additional free weapon of specialized tier at A Rank. They gain a moderate [+3] boost to both speed and reflex & Techniques cost [5] less Chakra and/or Stamina per rank of the technique when wielding attacks with their specialized weapon in attack or defense.[/i]
[color=white]▱▰▱ [/color][u]Cross Class or Specialization:[/u] → [i]Worker – Bukijutsu: Allows the user an additional custom weapon for no custom points. The user begins as apprentice Weapon Smith ( Profession ). This profession does not apply to the user's total crafting branches. Missions done for Weapon Smithing Branch yield 50% more AC and Ryo.[/i]

[b]Chakra Pool:[/b] 810
[b]Stamina Pool: [/b] 820
[b]Chakra Element:[/b] Suiton, Fuuton
[b]Chakra Color:[/b] Black
[b]Chakra Materialization:[/b] A shadowy figure standing just behind Shinji, looking over his shoulder. The face on the figure is two white dots and a white line forming a smile. As Shinji get's stronger, this figure's shape changes. At his strongest, this figure will resemble the Grim Reaper himself.

[b]Passive Stats Increases:[/b]
• Strength ► 9
[color=white]→[/color]→ [+2] Stage 5 Soul Slayer Art, [+2] Stage 5 Vital Piercing Art, [+5] Stage 5 Sobagai Deba Sentou
• Speed ► 11
[color=white]→[/color]→ [+3] Expert, [+3] Stage 5 Soul Slayer Art, [+5] Stage 5 Kazekiri
• Reflex ► 11
[color=white]→[/color]→ [+3] Expert, [+3] Stage 5 Vital Piercing Art, [+5] Stage 5 Kyotoryuu
• Fortitude ► 10
[color=white]→[/color]→ [+5] Stage 5 Infinite Sword Style, [+5] Stage 5 Shigure Souen

[b]Modifiers:[/b]
• Learn 3 extra Bukijutsu techniques per post
• Learn 3 extra of any technique type of your choice per post
• Learn 3 extra Suiton technique(s) per post
• +2 Crafting Profession Title
• +1 Crafting Profession PA

[b]Personal Attributes:[/b]
• [b]Bloody Augmentation:[/b] For every body rank, starting at D, the user may choose three [3] suiton jutsu. These jutsu may be added to the bloodline list and no longer consume slots. Their effects are identical to their normal counterparts and are performed with blood instead of water. They are also treated as if they are bloodline jutsu for the purposes of determining cost and relative strength.
• [b]Power of Blood:[/b] Saiketsu users can perform Suiton [ Water ] and Saiketsu jutsu without the need for handsigns. Instead these are replaced with either verbal commands or somatic gestures. Furthermore users start with an additional 100 chakra.
• [b]The Source of All Life:[/b] After developing a deeper understanding of Suiton and it's properties, Shinji is able to 'collapse' one technique (of Suiton or Saiketsu origins) into another, using the first as the resource catalyst to produce the second.
• [b]Crime and Punishment:[/b] Exchange [10] Can exchange Genjutsu slots for [1] Taijutsu style slot at a 10:1 ratio.
• [b]Botany Title PA, Green Thumb:[/b] Gain Double the number of basic kits from gathering missions. Basic kits can be sold for their full value for Ryo.
• [b]Worker Class PA, Enchantment Crafting:[/b] [+1] Enchantment Starting Title [+Apprentice][/size]

[size=12]▰[color=darkred]▰[/color]▰ PROFESSIONS AND MISSIONS[/size]

[size=10][b]Ryo:[/b] 両400
[b]AC:[/b] 22,000

[b]Profession Titles[/b]
• Special Ops || → None
• Botany || → Apprentice [-1 Post to E-Rank and B-Rank Botany missions]

[b]Crafting Trees[/b]
• Enchantment || → Veteran [Crafting PA + Worker Modifier]
• Weapon Smith || → Veteran [Cross Class+Worker Modifier]
• Scroll Crafting || → None
• Armor Crafting || → None

[b]Profession Missions Complete:[/b]
D Rank :: 10
C Rank :: 0
B Rank :: 0
A Rank :: 0
S Rank :: 0

[b]Crafting Profession Missions Complete:[/b]
D Rank :: 0
C Rank :: 0
B Rank :: 0
A Rank :: 0
S Rank :: 0

[b]Missions Complete:[/b]
D Rank :: 0
C Rank :: 0
B Rank :: 0
A Rank :: 0
S Rank :: 0

[i]Mission, Training, and Profession Claims[/i]
[spoiler][b]Botany[/b]
• Basic Botany Kits [+7]
• [2000 AC]
• Title: Apprentice [-1 Post for E-Rank and B-Rank missions]
• Botany PA [Green Thumb :: Gain Double the number of basic kits from gathering missions. Basic kits can be sold for their full value for Ryo.]

[b]Narrative[/b]
• [7000 AC]

[b]Training[/b]
[url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url] [/spoiler][/size]

[size=12]▰[color=darkred]▰[/color]▰ INVENTORY[/size]



[size=12]▰[color=darkred]▰[/color]▰ TECHNIQUES[/size]

[size=10][b]Limitations:[/b]
• Ninjutsu : : 28 / 40
• Genjutsu : : 02 / 19
• Eiseijutsu : : 00 / 00
• Taijutsu Styles: : 02 / 03
• Bukijutsu Styles: : 05 / 06

[b]Maruton:[/b]
• Kai | Rank X | Default
• Henge no Jutsu | Rank E | Default
• Bunshin no Jutsu | Rank E | Default
• Substitution Technique | Rank E | Default
• Art of Walking on Water | D Rank | Default
• Art of Walking on Walls | D Rank | Default
• Korabo | E Rank | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Youji | X Rank | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Kawara Shuriken | X Rank | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Ayatsuito no Jutsu | X Rank | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]

[b]Fuuin[/b]
• Kaifuu no Jutsu | Rank X | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Fuunyuu no Jutsu | Rank X | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]

[b]Suiton[/b]
[b]Rank E[/b][list][list][list]
• Mizu Soujuu | Rank E | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=19&t=25245919#385549896][x][/url]
• Mizu Kagemi no Jutsu | Rank E | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=19&t=25245919#385549896][x][/url]
• Mizu no Yaiba | Rank E - D | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=19&t=25245919#385553547][x][/url]
• Mizu no Waruasobi | Rank E | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Uo Tsuba | Rank E | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
[/list][/list][/list]
[b]Rank D[/b][list][list][list]
• Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu | Rank D | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=19&t=25245919#385553547][x][/url]
• Fuuma Mizu Shuriken | Rank C [i]Augment[/i] | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=19&t=25245919#385557381][x][/url][url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.phppage=19&t=25245919#385567788][x][/url]
• Suimenka no Kisoku | Rank D [I]Passive[/i] | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Kiri Shikaku no Jutsu | Rank D [I]Passive[/i] | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Mizutamari Yusuo no Jutsu | Rank C [I]Augment[/i] | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Shokusho Rendan Kyouran | Rank C [I]Augment[/i] | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Kirigakure no Jutsu | Rank D | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Mizu Peretto | Rank D [I]Augment[/i] | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url][/list][/list][/list]

[b]Rank C[/b][list][list][list]
• Suikusari no Jutsu | Rank C | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=19&t=25245919#385567788][x][/url]
• Mizu Kamikiri | Rank C | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Suiun Suishi no Jutsu | Rank C | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Daibakufu no Jutsu | Rank A [I]Augment[/i] | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Mizuame Nabara | Rank C | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Suirou no Jutsu | Rank C | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Mizuhada Bunshin no Jutsu | Rank A [I]Augment[/i] | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Mizu Oni Kuike | Rank C | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
[/list][/list][/list]
[b]Rank B[/b]
[list][list]• Gufuu Suika no Jutsu | Rank B | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Baku Suishouha | Rank B | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Senjikizame | Rank B | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Suiryuudan no Jutsu | Rank B | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Mizu Shinmon no Jutsu | Rank B | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Mizu Furiko no Jutsu | Rank B | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Mizu Funkei | Rank B | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Karada no Kanzen Shoushitsu | Rank B | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Ijin Rouiki Mizu Goumon | Rank B | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
[/list][/list]
[b]Rank A[/b]
[list][list]• Hahonryuu | Rank A | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Suitenhoufutsu | Rank A | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
[/list][/list]

[b]Bloodline[/b]
• Chi Soujuu | Rank X | TC
• Akaishi | Rank X | TC
• Chigiri Bunshin | Rank E/C :: Custom | TC
• Blood Wall | Rank X :: Spiritual | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Sasu no Hari | Rank E | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Ken no Rubi | Rank E-A :: Spiritual | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Arei no Hari | Rank D | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Shinku Wa | Rank D/B | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Ikatsue Tsume | Rank C | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Blood Wave | Rank C :: Complex | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Chi Pa-Ji | Rank B | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Aka Kouseki Keppei | Rank B | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Chi Yuketsu | Rank B | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Aka Harinezumi no Sujou | Rank B :: Spiritual | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Sabi Kougake | Rank A :: Spiritual | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Akahagane | Rank A [i]Augmentation[/i] | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Akai Seiun | Rank X [E-B] | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Shinku no Hasu | Rank B | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Chigiri Houkai | Rank D | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]

[b]Genjutsu[/b]

[i]Illusory[/i]
• {Remove if none}

[i]Enchantment[/i]
• Fuyasu | A Rank | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]

[i]Instance[/i]
• {Remove if none}

[i]Chain[/i]
• Hanabira ga Tokemasu | A Rank | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]

[b]Taijutsu[/b]
[i]Kyotoryuu[/i]
• Stage 1 | Mastered
• Stage 2 | Mastered
• Stage 3 | Mastered
• Stage 4 | Mastered
• Stage 5 | Mastered

[i]Vital Piercing Art[/i]
• Stage 1 | Mastered
• Stage 2 | Mastered
• Stage 3 | Mastered
• Stage 4 | Mastered
• Stage 5 | Mastered

[b]Bukijutsu[/b]

[i]Keystone[/i]
• Nichibotsu-ji no Hebi | Rank X :: Spiritual | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Bochi no Fukugō En | Rank C :: Spiritual | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Kutsurogu | Rank D :: Complex [i]Passive[/i] | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]

[i]Soul Slayer Art[/i]
• Stage 1 | Mastered
• Stage 2 | Mastered
• Stage 3 | Mastered
• Stage 4 | Mastered
• Stage 5 | Mastered

[i]Shigure Soen[/i]
• Stage 1 | Mastered
• Stage 2 | Mastered
• Stage 3 | Mastered
• Stage 4 | Mastered
• Stage 5 | Mastered

[i]Infinite Sword Style[/i]
• Stage 1 | Mastered
• Stage 2 | Mastered
• Stage 3 | Mastered
• Stage 4 | Mastered
• Stage 5 | Mastered

[i]Sobagai Deba Sentou[/i]
• Stage 1 | Mastered
• Stage 2 | Mastered
• Stage 3 | Mastered
• Stage 4 | Mastered
• Stage 5 | Mastered

[i]Kazekiri[/i]
• Stage 1 | Mastered
• Stage 2 | Mastered
• Stage 3 | Mastered
• Stage 4 | Mastered
• Stage 5 | Mastered[/size]

[size=18]▰[color=darkred]▰[/color]▰ FORMLESS STYLES[/size][b] → 07 / 07[/b] {REMOVE. Current formless slots.}
[size=10] {Find in Formless Style and Class information}

[i]Formless Styles[/i]
• Hard Physical | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Soft Mental | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Projectile Weapon - Shuriken | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Projectile Weapon - Kunai | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Medium Weapons - Katana | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Medium Weapons - Dual Katana | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]
• Large Weapons - Scythe | [url=https://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=20&t=25245919#385781007][x][/url]

[i]Formless Techniques[/i]
• {Formless technique name}[/size]

[spoiler][size=18]▰[color=darkred]▰[/color]▰ ACADEMY STUDENT[/size]
[size=10]
[b]Learned E Rank Formless[/b]
• {Formless type learning}
[/size]
[/spoiler]

[size=10][i]As dawn began to break in the Land of Floods, and sunlight peered its amber mane over the horizon, a quiet gust blew a flock of leaves around Shinji’s feet. Clad in nothing more than a pair of shorts, he stood near the edge of Heiwa Yamaharu. No shirt on his back, no shoes on his feet, and no items to accompany him. Looking at him, as an outsider, one would think he was preparing for a dip into the water. From the perspective of someone who knew the boy, they would make out a certain flair in his crimson eyes that said otherwise. Today wasn’t a day that this chunin was going to be spending by lounging around and having fun. Today was the day he would overcome the mental blockades that he had been hurdling over on repeat these last five years.

After Kagami, the blue haired enchantress and host of the sanbi, had invaded Arashigakure during the Kogarashi war, Shinji had been on high alert. It was exhausting. A constant state of hidden panic filled his bones and kept him up at night. Slowly he had been able to fight back the distress it was plaguing him with, but it was ultimately a losing battle. When he closed his eyes and began to drift into the realm of sheep and dreams, memories flooded his head and snapped him back to consciousness. Images of Kagami being torn to pieces by his Kage, made worse by her revelation that she was with child. Those followed closely by the sights he saw while tending to the wounded in the aftermath of Kogarashi’s onslaught. The death of a shinobi who he had later found out was named Nikkou, who had left an heirloom to his would-be savior. That would be enough to wake the poor shinobi from even the deepest of sleep.

Shinji was not used to seeing death firsthand. In fact, Nikkou was the only person who he had personally witnessed pass on. Shinji had spoken with a woman named Kagerou shortly after, who had given him some advice on how to cope with the constant state of war and despair that veiled over their world. She had told him that it was better to focus on the individuals caught in the war than the war itself. Sound advice; however, she couldn’t have predicted the extent of the fall that was soon to happen to Shinji over the course of these past five years. Over time, the anger he had built up inside began to fester, eventually tearing at his sanity and making way for even deeper issues to take root. This wasn’t anger towards Kogarashi or Kagami’s entourage. No, this anger was directed at himself.

Shinji wholeheartedly believed that if he had been stronger, he could have prevented the blue haired woman’s death, as well as have been able to stop the war before any casualties had befallen either side. The anger at his own inadequacy devolved quickly over time. His mental anguish these past few years turned to self-doubt, then further eroded into a deeper lack of confidence in his abilities. The only grace that came from it was his drive to become stronger to combat his weakness. He had honed his skills in the dark of the night when he couldn’t sleep. Every morning he would return home exhausted and threatening to faint. He would spend a few minutes regaining his strength then set out to assist in various affairs around the village or head out on a mission. This cycle repeated daily until he was unable to stand, and forced himself to rest just to pick back up wherever he left off.

The only break he had in this cycle was during a journey he had taken a few months after the war. Shinji had received permission to pursue a place known as Ryuchi Cave, home to the matron of snakes, Ginda. It was a cavern that was known to be sacred. One of the fabled sage lands that sparsely dotted the world they knew. While within the dark and musty caves, Shinji had encountered a man who had, possibly unknowingly, mentioned a phrase of wisdom that had become Shinji’s driving force over the remainder of this era of peace. That single phrase was what brought the white haired boy to these springs today.

Heiwa Yamaharu, a peaceful mountain spring that was renowned for its healing properties. The rumors were that there was a spirit residing in the nearby sakura tree that was responsible for the clear and pure waters that filled this pool, and further took it upon itself to punish those who would see harm done in its presence. Luckily, Shinji was here for peaceful reasons. As a precaution, he smiled warmly towards the tree, in case there was indeed a spirit inhabitant within its form, and stepped out into the water. He gathered chakra into the bottom of his feet in order to walk along the surface. Another step, and a third after. He repeated this process until he was directly in the center of the pool, then sat atop its clear surface. His movements tracked by a series of ripples. The waves along the surface calmed themselves until the springs were still once more. With legs crossed and hands set in his lap, Shinji’s eyes fluttered shut as he began to meditate. Only one thought crossed his mind during this process. “Life is motion.”

A few moments passed with his vision obscured by complete darkness, focusing on the feeling of air filling his lungs. He was aware of every minute vibration of the wind as it brushed his skin. Once he was sure he had achieved perfect stillness, his mental focus shifted until it was trained between his eyes, but slightly higher. The spot that someone who had reached enlightenment would tell you was the home of the Third eye. A point dedicated to awareness and perception. When someone is walked through the steps of their first meditation, the instructor often tells you to envision a small fire igniting on this point. From there they tell you to allow your imagination to take over, and let this fire evolve into whatever form it wishes to take. It is supposed to signify your own will, your essence. They don’t tell you what it should look like, as the exact form it takes is only important to your individuality.

Shinji’s fire began in a blue color, before slowly shifting to a bright shade of red, then further lightening to a pinker color. Golden metallic arms sprouted from behind it and connected to form what would be recognizable as a Celtic knot, before an eye opened behind the fire, with the pupil merging with the flame. After a few moments, Shinji would feel as if his chakra was being pushed out of his body, suspending it in the air around him. Outwardly, this wasn’t a reality. If someone happened to be watching on the banks of the spring, they would see no chakra apparitions. However, they would notice a constant series of ripples that spread out from under Shinji’s sitting form across the surface of the water, intersecting and forming an intricate floral pattern. Inwardly, a drowsiness washed over Shinji and the mental illusion of his flame-shaped will evaporated. [/i][/size]

[size=10][i]Shinji opened his eyes as he felt his body sink slightly into the water. At first, he attributed it to a lack of focus on his chakra control, but then he remembered what was going on. He had triggered a genjutsu that only affected himself. This was nothing more than a trance. His eyes drooped slightly, from an alert and slightly panicked state to that of a tired and sad gaze. His body sank deeper and deeper into the water. Much deeper than the pool would be, further reminding him of the trance he was in. Once the light penetrating the surface was far out of reach, Shinji closed his eyes. A soft lullaby sang in his ears. He recognized the tune. It was a song his mother used to sing to him when he was but a babe. It had been so long since he had heard the sweet, singsong voice. His mother no longer sang to him. She felt he was too old for lullabies. The sound of the melody brought a soft smile to his lips; Shinji had nearly forgotten his younger days. His eyes closed as he sank deeper and deeper into the water, breathing easy despite being completely submerged in an ocean of illusory water.

He allowed the song to bring forth forgotten aspects of his memories. Images of him dancing with his mother in the kitchen, his father sitting idly by laughing at the two having their fun. Those memories turned to vapor and swirled around his mind before reforming into more innocent pictures from his youth. Days where he would play out in the yard. His family had a cat that served as his only companion for many years. They would often be seen outside running around and playing with each other much like the other village children. To the Ketsueki clan, this was a commonplace occurrence, but to outsiders it might have brought a tinge of sadness knowing that the only friend for the young boy was little more than a pet. The end of this vision was his father calling him into the house for dinner. Instead of vapor, this image was overcome with black currents, dragging with them a slight skip into the future of that same memory, pausing as the family was sat around the table for their meal.

Shinji’s brow furrowed as a layer of static veiled over the memory, tearing away at the vision and showing him a barren landscape with scattered blades. The static faded and returned momentarily to the happy days he was reliving. More static showcased a shaded figure on the horizon, walking towards him. This process repeated, with each overlay having the figure getting closer and closer. Eventually some of the features of the mystery person could be seen. Clad in all black, a mask in the shape of a rabbit covering its face. A tattered scarf wrapped around its neck, and traditional Japanese garbs covered its body. The figure had black hair, but there was something familiar about them. A nagging personal connection that Shinji couldn’t quite place. There was a longer delay of static this time, as the figure continued to step closer, this time plucking one of the blades from the ground and brandishing it, before the static faded into Shinji’s days at the academy, specifically graduation day. When he was given an honorary title as the classes foremost armed fighter.

All at once, the vision disappeared. No more static this time. He could see the full picture as the stranger rushed towards him, ready to swing his blade and cleave through Shinji entirely. Instinct took over the boy. He flipped backwards to dodge the bladed swing, the water allowing for easy, but slightly sluggish movements. As he came back to a vertical position, he fell from the water and landed on the ground. The same barren wasteland that had been interrupting his memories. The figure paused momentarily as it processed that its attack was dodged. It straightened its body and sheathed the blade into an empty scabbard strapped onto its side. The figures foot shifted forward. As it did so, the bloody image of Kagami’s dismemberment forced its way into Shinji’s vision. The prominent illusion was so sudden and so powerful that he closed his eyes and shook his head to clear it. As he reopened his crimson pools, the figure was already upon him, drawing the blade with a swift motion, aiming to take off Shinji’s head.

In order to block the attack, Shinji glanced to the side and picked up one of the scattered weapons, swinging his arm as fast as he could in order to place the blade in the way of the figures strike. The resulting clash shattered the silence with a loud metallic ring. Although the attack had been blocked, the force of the clash sent Shinji backwards a considerable distance. He skittered across the ground, losing grip on the blade and coming to a halt several meters away. This time, the figure didn’t advance. Instead, it spoke. The voice coming from behind the mask was equally as familiar as its presence, but it was slightly warped and pulsating with an unrecognizable noise. [b]”Shitsui,”[/b] the figure’s singular word made Shinji c**k his head. He began to connect the dots as he worked to stand up. If this was all happening deep within Shinji’s unconscious mind, then perhaps the figure was operating similarly to Shinji’s philosophy. If that was the case, then it was introducing itself. After all, giving your name to your opponent was a sign of respect.

[color=crimson][b]”Shitsui. That’s your name?”[/b][/crimson] Shinji asked, brushing dust from his body. Strangely, he found that somewhere between falling through the water and this moment, clothing had surrounded his body. Garbs of the same style as this figure’s, but opposite in color, as well as an empty scabbard strapped to his side. The figure, Shitsui, nodded its head solemnly, but behind the mask was a slightly sinister smile. [color=crimson][b]”Okay then. Shinji.”[/b][/color] As he gave his own name, the white haired lad found the nearest sword and placed the tip into the scabbard on his side, sliding it through until it rested comfortably at his side. These warriors exchanged no more words. They simply locked eyes and waited, observing their opponent as a gust of wind blew up some dust between them. The air was tense. The scene was similar to a duel between two cowboys in old western films, waiting for the clock to strike high noon before either drew their gun. As the cloud of dust passed out of their way, it seemed that served as the signal these two needed to begin their clash.

Their bodies blurred momentarily as they rushed forward, meeting in the middle with a drawing of their blades. Sparks flew as the blades made contact. At face value, the two were even. However, it would soon become apparent that Shinji was outmatched by Shitsui. The singular clash created a gust of wind around the pair that kicked up more dust, clouding the pair and obscuring Shinji’s vision. Shitsui didn’t seem hindered by this, as he used it as cover in order to release his sword and rush around, picking up a second blade cleaving through the dust from behind Shinji. The slash connected with the boy’s shoulder but went no deeper than a few centimeters seeing as Shitsui had already released the sword and vanished again. The dust made perfect cover as a third, fourth, and fifth blade sunk slightly into Shinji’s flesh from varying angles. The sixth came and slashed into his abdomen. After the barrage had seemingly ended, the dust blew away and revealed Shitsui standing several meters away.

[b]”Focus.”[/b] The voice spoke, slightly clearer now, but Shinji still couldn’t place how he knew it. His eyes widened as he realized there were more strikes coming. Sequentially, an additional six blades impaled his flesh at various angles. He knew the technique that had been used. It was known as Addition, but it seemed that Shitsui had no intention of following up with the Multiplication technique. Shinji huffed a sigh of slight relief, then winced in pain as the blades fell off onto the ground. To his surprise, upon further inspection, there were no physical wounds left behind. Not even a rip in his clothing. It made sense. This was a battle taking place in his mind, after all. This wasn’t a battle to the death; it was a war of attrition. The winner was the one who would force surrender from the other. Any damage that was dealt was merely superficial and served no greater purpose than to prove superiority. This did raise a question. Why was there a battle in the first place? Shinji narrowed his eyes at Shitsui and decided he wanted to understand exactly what the purpose of this fight was.

[color=crimson][b]”What is this?”[/b][/color] [b]”This is your wish being realized.”[/b] A short, and cryptic response. Was he referring to Shinji’s desire to overcome the mental distress he had been encumbered by? [color=crimson][b]”I don’t understand,”[/b][/color] he muttered, which resulted in a change in stance from Shitsui. The black-clad figure picked another blade from the ground as it readied another strike. [b]”Then allow me to explain.”[/b] Instead of continuing the response, Shitsui rushed forward before blurring out of sight. A stinging sensation erupted in Shinji’s stomach as he watched a fuzzy-looking blade slash straight through him. Then, everything went black.[/i][/size]

[size=10][i]As color returned to his vision, the landscape began to change. Walls began to build themselves up from the ground, forming a box around him and a ceiling overhead. A thin veil of smoke crept in from the corners of the walls and collected in various positions, swirling around before they collected into the form of objects to line the walls and dot the floor. The smoke evaporated and left the room furnished. He recognized this room. It was Toso’s office. Shitsui walked around from behind Shinji. [b]”This was where everything began, correct? The introduction to your turmoil.”[/b] His body began to fade, his voice becoming a nearly incoherent whisper. [I]’Now remember.’[/i] Phantoms filled the room, taking their positions around him in familiar poses. A pool of black spread along the floor, sprouting tendrils that stretched forth and attached themselves to pieces of memory. As the vision solidified, a perfect replica was formed of the Arashikage’s office just after he had ripped apart the blue haired villain. Despair filled Shinji’s eyes as he was once again face to face with the needless carnage. The familiar stench of copper filled his nose, and a wet feeling dripped onto his cheek. The moment was frozen in time for a few seconds before everything began to happen in reverse. Kagami was pieced back together, the tentacles retreated into the pool of ink, and the scene paused once Shinji was seated next to Toso, just before Kagami and her entourage burst into the room.

Shinji tried to close his eyes, but found he was unable. He tried to plead for the image to stop, but his voice was mute. In perfect order, he watched the scene play out, then as soon as Kagami’s body was dismembered, the scene froze. Shitsui stepped out from behind the large oni woman. [b]”This scene. What was significant about it? Why did it cause you such grief?”[/b] As he finished his question, he vanished again, causing the scene to rewind once more. [color=crimson][b]”Stop!”[/b][/color] Shinji’s plea was met with silence, but the scene continued to reset. As the events played out once more, Shitsui’s voice repeated his question. [b]”Why did it cause you such grief?”[/b] This time, Kagami’s dismembered head picked up speaking, peering into Shinji’s desperately hopeless eyes, adding even deeper levels of horror to the scene. [color=cyan][b]”I wished to destroy your entire way of life. Why did my death impact you in such a negative way?”[/b][/color] Shinji dropped to his knees, clutching his head. He screamed in agony as things began to rewind a third time. This process continued for what felt like hours.

Each time left Shinji more scarred than the last, until he was left in a perpetual state of numb. His eyes felt as if they had sunken in. The figures faded away and left only Shinji in the room. The door opened and Shitsui stepped throught the threshold. [b]”Have you found an answer yet?”[/b] His question came with a short chuckle. Obviously, this figure had a strange enjoyment at the despair it was inflicting. Shinji lifted his head to glare at Shitsui. [color=crimson][b]”What? Are you trying to tell me that death is meaningless? That I shouldn’t let this get to me because it was deserved?”[/b][/color] Shitsui shook his head. [b]”Clearly you have learned nothing.”[/b] A wave of the hand brought back the scene, allowing it to play through again. Overtop the noises of the event, Shitsui’s voice interjected into Shinji’s thoughts. [I][b]’This death is not meaningless. Focus. Why did this death have an impact on you? What about this instant tore you apart? Until you can answer that, you will remain stuck here.’[/b][/i] Several more hours passed with this scene replaying on a loop. Eventually, Shinji called out to Shitsui. He was ready to give an answer.

[color=crimson][b]”Shitsui, come out. I’ve got an answer now,”[/b][/color] he said angrily. The scene paused, right as Toso’s tentacles were piercing into Kagami. As Shitsui appeared, fading into existence, Shinji waved his hand. Being deep within the subconscious, the scene reacted to his movement and resumed playing in slow motion. Shinji watched with eyes full of sadness as she was torn apart. [color=crimson][b]”This death wasn’t necessary, but it was unavoidable. The events that lead up to this moment can’t be changed. We pleaded for her to change her mind, but she didn’t budge. In the end, she played us all for fools and nearly succeeded in her plan,”[/b][/color] another wave of the hand and the phantoms in the room dispersed, leaving only Shinji and Shitsui. [color=crimson][b]”Death is common for shinobi, but it shouldn’t be. If we lived in a better world, then differences could be solved without resorting to needless violence.”[/b][/color] [b]”A sound answer. But, what do you plan to do about it?”[/b] Shinji thought for a while and sat on the ground. [b][color=crimson]”The only thing I can do is to try and resolve things without confrontation, but that won’t be enough. I just have to accept that you can’t prevent death, right?”[/color][/b] Shitsui clapped his hands as the vision faded. [/i][/size]

[size=10][i]As the vision of Lord Arashikage’s office disappeared, Shinji found that nothing had changed. They returned to the barren landscape, just as he was being cut down by Shitsui’s attack. To his relief, returning to this moment had a converse effect than what would be suspected. Rather than feeling pain from the attack, Shinji felt as if a weight was being lifted from his shoulders. Shitsui straightened up and sheathed his blade as Shinji turned to face him. A curious expression spread across the white-haired boys face. [color=crimson][b]”What was that?”[/b][/color] He asked his question, but the only reply he got was Shitsui placing a finger to his mask, signaling for quiet. [b]”You will understand in due time. Ready your blade,”[/b] Shinji used a body flicker technique to move away from Shitsui and reappeared in an area densely packed with blades.

Instead of picking one up, he gestured for Shitsui to advance. The masked man smiled and rushed forward. He picked a second blade from the ground as he did so, and blurred from sight momentarily. Shinji wasted no time. Using the ball of his heel as a pivot, he spun around, plucking a sword from its resting place, charging it with his chakra. He used that sword to tap others during his rotation, causing them to spring up and rotate with him, floating in the air around him. The closer Shitsui got, he began to realize that the figure had no intentions of stopping. Instead, he was heading straight down the middle, aiming to strike a blow on Shinji. Shinji stopped his rotation, grabbing a second sword from the air as the rest continued to swirl around him. Once Shitsui was close, the masked figure swung both of his swords up in an ‘X’ shape, while Shinji parried both strikes. The next exchange went entirely in Shinji’s favor. He thrust one sword forward, while the other was held behind him. Shitsui leaned back slightly and used his own blade to push the strike to the side. Shinji used the motion to his advantage, twirling right along with it and bring the second blade around, slicing through Shitsui’s chest. The figure laughed and faded from existence, leaving Shinji alone. However, the voice was still present.

[b]”Very good. It seems that you have improved slightly. Let’s see if you can improve even further,”[/b] the ominous statement sent a shiver down Shinji’s spine. The world around him shifted, the ground falling away beneath him and sending him tumbling into a crater with seemingly no end. He already knew what was coming. Another vision, which would force him to find an answer, then return to the previous exchange. The only question was, what was this going to be. If he had already accepted death, then what would be the next course of action to take? Shinji closed his eyes and breathed in, opening them to reveal this illusion. A clearing, surrounded by a forest with no signs of other life. Shitsui was already present, standing directly in the center. He smiled warmly and spread his hands. [b]”Welcome. Do you remember this place?”[/b] Shinji groaned. Of course he remembered. This was his preferred spot for when he would sneak out at night and train.

He nodded his head and took a few steps towards Shitsui. The figure kept his hands spread out, but a phantom blade materialized in one of them. Shinji’s eyes widened. He had never seen a weapon like that before. It wasn’t chakra, but it wasn’t a physical weapon either. A completely astral form stemming from some unknown technique. [b]”This place signifies something. Can you tell what that is?”[/b] Shinji already knew the answer. How could he not? This place was synonymous with Shinji’s weakness as a shinobi. The pinnacle of his feelings of inadequacy. The world beyond the trees in this trance was darker than night. Nothing lay beyond them. There was no escaping here. He had to solve this puzzle, and defeat this entity. [b]”If you can’t absolve yourself, then you will never be able to leave here. Now come.”[/b] [color=crimson][b]”But I don’t have a weapon. Isn’t this an unfair fight?”[/b][/color] Shitsui shook his head and rushed forward.

The only thing Shinji could think to do for defense was to delve into the Kyotoryuu style’s techniques. After all, training in that style of taijutsu had effectively made the edges of his hands as deadly as a knife. He rushed towards his opponent and delivered a palm strike to the flat of the astral sword. To his surprise, it felt solid, and sent vibrations throughout Shitsui’s arms. As his opponent released the blade, Shinji made a grab for it. The blade, in response, evaporated into thin air. The shock gave an opening for Shitsui to drive his knee up into Shinji’s stomach, then knock him back with a palm strike to the chest. His white hair fluttered around him as he rolled along the ground. When he regained focus and stood, Shitsui had another astral sword in hand, shaking his head. This exchange continued, with Shitsui having a clear edge, but not necessarily from being the one armed. Instead, it felt to Shinji as if his body was being held down by something. Once again, Shitsui asked his question. [b]”What does this place signify?”[/b] Shinji shook his head, refusing to answer. [b]”If you don’t wish to answer, then remain here for eternity.”[/b] Shitsui vanished, leaving Shinji the sole inhabitant of the clearing. [/i][/size]

[size=10][i]Shinji sat down in the clearing, pulling his knees to his chest and fuming from being left alone. How dare that masked b*****d. Whatever psychological warfare he was employing, he definitely knew where to aim his points. He began muttering out loud, at first it was just curses towards Shitsui, but over time his one-sided conversation began to turn towards the question he was given.

[color=crimson][b]”Oh course I know what this place signifies. This is all in my own mind, right? How would I not know. This is a place of weakness. I didn’t feel like I deserved to stand among my peers, that I was too weak to call myself a shinobi.”[/b][/color] Shitsui stepped into the clearing from the darkness. [b]”And why was that?”[/b] [color=crimson][b]”Because I wasn’t able to stop that woman, I couldn’t change her mind, and as a result there were so many casualties, so many people were hurt.”[/b][/color] Shitsui crouched down in front of Shinji. [b]”Yet you went out and trained endlessly. Don’t you think you’re strong enough now?”[/b] Shinji shook his head. [color=crimson][b]”Maybe I’m not as weak as I thought I was, but I’m still not strong enough. So long as there are people I can’t stop, I will never be strong enough.”[/b][/color] To this end, Shitsui reached out a hand, offering it to Shinji, helping him to his feet.

As their hands parted, a strange red aura surrounded Shinji’s palm. [b]”Then perhaps the issue isn’t weakness. Perhaps the issue is simply a lack of strength. That, you can strive for -”[/b] [color=crimson][b]”-but true weakness cannot be overcome.”[/b][/color] As the white haired lad finished the darker-haired figures sentence, a smirk spread behind the mask. Shitsui held his hand out and revealed a similarly colored aura that had been placed upon Shinji’s hand, which then materialized into another astral katana. Shinji’s brow furrowed as he watched, but then turned his focus to his own hand. He closed his fingers around the aura as if he were holding the hilt of a sword. The crimson colored aura unfolded into an astral weapon of his own, but the excitement was short lived. Shitsui walked towards Shinji and slashed through his body. Again, there was no pain from this strike. Instead, another weight lifted from his shoulders.

[b]”Look.”[/b] An order with a point of the finger drew Shinji’s gaze to his body. He watched as a series of astral chains fell away from him, disappearing into particles of light. [color=crimson][b]”What is that?[/b][/color] [b]”That, friend, was the shadows in your mind weighing you down. No longer chained around you, freeing you from their clutches.”[/b]

The forest melted away. The ground stretched out until they were standing again atop the barren wasteland. Shitsui nodded in approval to Shinji, and reached up to take hold of his mask. [b]”This has been productive, but it is about time for you to go back, don’t you think?”[/b] Shinji bowed his head as a sign of respect. When he had fallen into this place, he wasn’t sure what was going on. All he had known was that there was an attack aimed at him from a mysterious masked figure, and everything since had been a roller coaster of emotions. [color=crimson][b]”Thank you.”[/b][/color] Shitsui shook his head, slowly removing the mask as he did so.

[b]”No need to thank me. I am just doing what needed to be done,”[/b] during his reply, the color of his dark hair faded to a bright shade of snow. The mask, being fully removed, had been hiding something that Shinji should have seen coming. He was standing directly across a mirror reflection of himself. Shitsui, who Shinji realized was a manifestation of his subconscious mind, readied his astral blade in a Kendo stance. [b]”Now, let’s finish this.”[/b] Shinji readied his blade similarly, and the two moved swiftly towards the other. The astral blades clashed, and folded together to form a wave of the crimson colored energy. [/i][/size]