Spark Ignition [Specialty Flashback | Michiko/Sakai]

It took a lot of pull on both nations regarding Kirigakure and Konohagakure just for Inarie to even be accepted in participating missions with Konohagakure shinobi. Let alone being able to train their rising Genin, yet it was all done under the banner of rebuilding their alliance. Truthfully Inarie didn’t think that she’d play such a vital role in the alliance, but her efforts in the skirmishes on mainland hasn’t gone unnoticed. Not to mention that Inarie did fight with the Hokage during one of these missions, and then fought alongside him shortly after that. Amusing of how things seem to work out like that, especially now of all things.

Still, after all that had transpired back at home, Inarie could use a break from the constant threat of the Loyalists. Right now Inarie can be found at the grand Konohagakure training facility. It truly was a work of wonder as it covered just about everything one could hope for. Pools of water, lots of space, rocky terrain, and even stocked racks of various weaponry as well. As her rose pink eyes took in the facility’s surroundings. Inarie couldn’t help but notice the amount of curious eyes were focused on her. Not that is surprising to Inarie, as she is a Kirigakure shinobi that’s in their territory. Inarie isn’t even sure if a Kirigakure shinobi has ever been into this village.

Inarie is garbed in her titanium mail shirt with her flak jacket that holds Kirigakure’s symbol on her back and sleeves. Her platinum hair cascades down along her spine as Inarie wears the forehead protector of titanium which holds the symbol of Kirigakure in place. Donned to her hands is a pair of lightly armored gloves with a pair of lightly armored shoes on her feet. Around her waist is a leather belt which holds her sheathed katana on her left side and a wakizashi on her left flank. On her right side of the belt is a hip pouch which contains her tools.

As agreed, Inarie took upon herself to train any genin of Konohagakure who wouldn’t make up a full team yet and doesn’t have a teacher. Two names came to her, one was Michiko Uchiha, and the second was Sakai Senju. Both hail from respectable and powerful clans. As such, word was sent to them to meet at the Grand Konoha Facility at noon on a day’s notice. While Inarie waited, she pondered on how she would teach them. As this was practically the first time Inarie was assigned to teach anyone anything, and it didn’t help that she spent most of her time as a genin training alone with no sensei.

Michiko made her way to Konoha's Grand Training Facility as she was instructed to in the scroll she held. She had never been here before. It was interesting to say the least. Entering into the large enclosed space, it was like a giant indoor garden with plenty of room for training and various elements to take advantage of. Michiko guessed if you were a user of Doton or Suiton or something like that, you could have a pretty good advantage. Then again, all Michiko needed was the great amount of oxygen available, and flammable resources, which were abundant enough, and even then, she'd make due with what she could.

The young girl stood about five feet tall. She had a slight tan and dark grey eyes that had a little bit of shine to them. Long choppy dark hair rested on her back, some bangs creeping up over her Konoha headband on her forehead and slightly in her face. She wore a white jacket with a mesh undershirt under that. Her Clan's symbol on the upper back of her outer garment. She also wore white shorts and tall black socks and black ninja shoes. She was fully equipped with holsters and a pouch, and carried a large folded shuriken with her, and a straight sword was tucked between her belt and shorts, resting on the left side of her back in it's sheath.

She waited around, wondering what her Sensei would be like. When she saw a strange pale woman with white hair approaching the area she waited, she wondered who this was. She didn't wear a Konoha hitai-ate. The symbol on it was the one she knew from her school textbook to be the one from Mizu no Kuni. Was she lost? Michiko thus, didn't say anything, as she was unsure what was going on.

Sakai walked through the large forest and out, gazing upon the open land and the river. This place looked interesting, he had yet to come out this far as he had no real need or desire too. Because of the rive the trees got plenty of water and care without a Senju to deal with it. He had been told by his sensei to come here and train today with another ninja. Something about learning about the enemy even when they were allies. Sound judgement but he expected that from his Sensei. She was both intelligent and wise. Today, he wore a pair of cotton pants, a under armor shirt, and a lock dark green coat that was closed around his body, going from his neck down to his ankles. A pair of black boots was all that was visible. His head band rested on his forehead signifying him as a Leaf Ninja.

He spotted a fellow leaf ninja standing out and a woman approaching him. He smiled and walked across the field towards them, his long dark hair flowing around him from the wind. Finally he recognized the girl, she was the one he fought with the other day. He decided not to bring it up to her as he didn't want hard feelings between them. Finally, he turned his eyes onto the other woman. She wore a lot of armor, possible a close quarter specialist, if he recalled the other girl like to use blades as well. He was not built for that kind of fighting, honestly he hated it. He preferred to use his higher Chakra and his Wood style.

As he stopped in front of the woman he gave a bow, showing respect for the sensei who had come to give them more experience. At least so far everything was going well.

WC 307

It wasn't long before Inarie spotted one of the students that she was supposed to train. A smile spreads on the pale woman's face as she waves Michiko's over. With Sakai following after, Inarie also gestures to him as well. Both are younger than her, but they're still shinobi. Still Inarie will approach the pair before she started to speak.

"Hello there. As I'm sure how confused you two are, I'll be training you two for today. Originally I was supposed to take you two under my wing as your sensei, but it seems that Sakai here already met his sensei. So unless you wish to join Sakai here, I'll be your sensei Michiko." Inarie began to explain as she really didn't have any hard feelings about not training the two of them. If anything this was training on her end as she's never been a sensei before.

"Before we start, my name is Inarie Kaguya, Chunin of Kirigakure. My specialty is combining use of Ninjutsu and Kenjutsu. Both of which I believe you two are familiar with to some extent. As such, I will be your target for this training exercise. Use whatever you have against me for the most I'll do is defend myself. Any questions?" Inarie practically cut straight to the chase, however she neglected to say that they couldn't work together. In fact, Inarie would encourage it except she wants them to learn that tactic on their own.

Arriving at the Grand Konoha Training Facility, Akari made her way up the floors to find a suitable locale for training. With her she carried her usual training bokken, although her personal weapon, Singing Tempest, was in a scroll on her person in case she needed it for some reason. She never left home without it of course. Dressed in her usual attire of a red shirt, black skirt and black thigh high socks, combined with simple, black, reinforced shoes, and finally her black hair ribbons, Akari would be a well recognized sight in the facility. While during her month long coma she had been replaced as Hokage, Akari would honestly feel that it was for the best. The teenager had never wanted the position, she had taken it because no one else had and the village needed someone. With her clansmen, Nyg Uchiha now Hokage and seemingly interested in keeping it, she was quite content to leave well enough alone. Her coma had ended months ago now, and she was still working on rebuilding her connection with the Ice Spirit Shivarra, which was sealed within her.

The proud spirit had been displeased with her prisons inability to handle the disease that had laid her low for a month and she had retracted some of the respect she had held toward Akari due to it. Akari herself was rebuilding that respect bit by bit and while most might think that time spent in quiet meditation in conversation with the spirit would be more beneficial, Akari knew otherwise. Shivarra was a spirit of cold, and logic, Akari could speak to the being for hours and never get anywhere but if she performed with the cold, calculating, logic that made up so much of Shivarra's personality, she would eventually bridge the gap between them. Said logic was telling her that she was not strong enough as she was now and that she needed to progress now that she had free time from her previous Hokage work. That was what Akari had come to the facility to do, however as she moved through the facility she found most areas taken. She received plenty of offers from others to give her their space while they waited for another. Being the previous Hokage, and the one with the reputation for stabilizing the village and bringing it into the modern age, did have it's perks. However she declined politely, not wishing to oust those who wanted to work on their personal strength, or teamwork out of their already claimed positions.

She was heading to another space, when she came across a curious sight. Two Konoha genin, one of which was one of her own clansmen, and..a Kirigakure Shinobi? Akari wasn't stupid enough to think the genin were in any real danger. If that Kirigakure shinobi meant harm she would have been dealt with by now, violently. However that didn't make the sight any less odd. It only took a moment longer for Akari to recognize the Kirigakure woman. Inarie Kaguya, she had been in the Chuunin Exams that had concluded not long before the war broke out. She hadn't won, but she already hadn't done badly and if she had been promoted either from those exams or since then she had obviously made a name for herself. Akari considered what might be happening before realizing that she was training those two genin. Had relations with the Mist taken an uptick then? That would certainly be good news. Curiously, Akari moved toward the trio, intending to see about joining them and potentially helping to mold two more genin. Even she had to admit that Kagura had turned out outstanding, and she wasn't just saying that because they were deliriously happy together. The woman had exceeded Akari's wildest expectations, and if she could train one student to such heights, why not another? Besides, any foreign shinobi, friend or foe, should be watched carefully and Akari didn't note any watchers nearby. So the dark haired, blue eyed young woman would take the job herself.

As previously stated, one genin was one of her own clansmen, Michiko, and Akari hadn't spoken to her before this. Still Uchiha tended to have talents in similar fields and she could probably provide assistance in regards to the girls development. The other young man wasn't one she had met but she had heard of him from Kagura. The two talked often after all, and the thought of her love brought a small smile to Akari's features as she came within speaking distance of the group. "Good morning, I hope I'm not intruding, but I couldn't help but stop to say hello to our visitor from Kirigakure, Inarie isn't it? I heard about your efforts in the exams prior to the war. Reports say you did well, congratulations on your promotion." She would say, her smile amicable "Would I be imposing if I asked if I might join you? I'm having trouble finding an empty spot. I'll return the favour by helping you in your task of training young Michiko and Sakai here, if that would be acceptable?" She asked, a curious eyebrow raised. Her saying no would be technically possible but not expected. Anyone the rank of Chuunin would know how the game was played. She was still a foreign shinobi and trust was all well and good. However prudence always dictated a watcher. The only difference being in how polite about it said watcher would be. Besides, Akari really did want to help train Michiko and Sakai, and she really did need a place she could train.

Inarie would admit that her own presence might be confusing to the other people, especially their genin. In fact, Inarie can’t even recall the last time anyone trained students that were enlisted in other nations. The Kaguya is certain there have been others before her, but none are recent history as far as she knows. Perhaps she just wasn’t getting through to these genin? They were awfully quiet, and it made Inarie think they’re too nervous to speak.

”I’ll take that as a no then, but don’t worry. I don’t bite, I can promise that at least.” There was a bit of sarcasm in the last sentence as Inarie tries humor to break the ice so to speak. That was sort of cut short when Inarie’s eyes caught the sight of a presence approaching them. A ping of paranoia from the multiple assassination attempts on Inarie’s life momentarily made her think this was presence was a threat. As her eyes narrowed and shifted to focus on the newcomer. Inarie’s eyes scanned for any sign of scales or weapons brandishing in hand or even weaving handseals together. Of course to some it was only a glance, but to the experienced it was clear that Inarie was assessing if the person was friend or foe. Fortunately Akari did none of these things, and seeing the Uchiha smile caused the Kaguya hybrid to smile as well.

”You are correct, miss. I merely gave it my all, but thank you nonetheless.” There was something familiar about Akari that the Primal just couldn’t wrap her finger around. Was it the hair? The eyes? Akari’s demeanor spoke of her experience, so she certainly was of a different cloth. Given that Akari spoke of reports suggested that this newcomer was at least a high ranking officer in some way. At least Jounin level, or maybe Special Jounin? Even so the Uchiha inquired about joining their space for training in exchange for aiding the training session. Inarie’s eyes shifted over to the duo genin for a moment before returning her attention to Akari.

”I don’t mind if you do join. May I acquire the name of our assistant?” That was an old habit of speech on Inarie’s part as the years in learning how to speak flowery ways to achieve steady conversation. It was also how Inarie could acquire the respect of others relatively quickly. Truthfully the Azure Lotus didn’t see any problem with accepting a fellow Konohagakure shinobi for training. It might allow the genin to be at ease around Inarie, but really she’s not that bad was she?

The first thing Michiko noticed about the boy approaching her and the tall pale woman was that he was particularly girly. In fact, he was so girly, his long hair flowed in the wind, softer and smoother than her hair could ever be (hers was like a hedgehog's hair compared to his. What was he, a super model?), and his clothes even looked like a dress. Still, Michiko did recognize him. A few years back during her time in the Academy, she'd met this person in the woods and fought him. He might be girly, but he was super skilled, and his techniques were very unique, to the point of being famous in Hi no Kuni, the Senju Clan.

"Arigato....Senju-Kun.", Michiko spoke towards her friend, keeping back her intense desire to laugh at his clothing. She was dressed so boyish compared to him, it was like they had swapped closets...but then again, that was just the stereotype. No way in Hell would Michiko wear a dress. Nuh-uh! Shorts were where it was at (they're comfy and easy to wear). She added, "It's been awhile. You've grown....", she giggled. Her cheeks were turning red. He looked so funny!

Then, the tall pale woman spoke to them. Her voice was really nice. Her blue eyes complimented her speech, as well as her white hair. How amazing was that? Anyway Michiko listened, and she was intrigued by this foreigner, Inarie of the Kaguya. Apparently she was sent on a diplomatic mission to ensure good relations between Konoha and Kiri, and she was to take on Genin from Konoha to be her students. However, Sakai already had a Sensei? Michiko frowned at Sakai, looking at him with a questioning gaze. She wondered why he'd been selected by someone and she hadn't. Then again, what did it matter? She guessed she could just be happy that she wasn't being chained up at home in some way (not literally, but it kind of felt that way a lot). If this lady was here to teach her, Michiko would gladly welcome her as her Sensei, at least for today.

Inarie went on to state her specialties were in Ninjutsu and Kenjutsu. That excited Michiko. She enjoyed both arts and was a natural at learning such techniques, as it was the same two styles her Father had been adept in. With that knowledge, and with the task given, Michiko smiled, and responded to the woman,

"No questions, Sensei.", her choice in words telling the Kaguya she'd accept her as her teacher.

Michiko took a readied stance, one indicating her strongpoint in speed, and she was ready to attack, when she noticed out of the corner of her right eye, another woman approaching. This one was also taller than her. She had long brown hair, blue eyes, pale skin, and wore an outfit like a schoolgirl (not very Shinobi-like in the traditional sense, but whatever. Michiko guessed that was just her thing). When she spoke, Michiko remembered her voice from the Uchiha Clan Meeting, and she relaxed her stance for a second, bowing to the woman in respect. She recognized her as the former Hokage and one of her Clansmen, Uchiha Akari. This was even more exciting! To train with a foreigner and a former Hokage? Reality-check. 'Michiko are you alive?' Michiko took two fingers and pinched her skin. She felt it. 'Yup. It's real.'

Then, Inarie spoke again, talking to the former Hokage, and also making a joke at her and Sakai that she didn't bite. Michiko huffed at this. She wasn't scared of her. She wasn't really scared of anything (or at least that's how she acted most of the time). Michiko then decided to go ahead and speak on Akari's behalf in a proud if not childish way, stating, "It's Akari-Dono. She's the previous Hokage!", and with that, Michiko decided if she wanted to really prove her abilities to them, she'd better show them what she was made of, and she said, "Come on, don't be shy Tree Boy. They want to train us!", and Michiko closed her eyes for a few seconds, chakra rushing through them. She re-opened her eyes and her dark dormant ones were replaced with the blood red seals of the Sharingan. Michiko's idea? Wait to see if the Senju would use his Ninjutsu, and then perform one of her own in conjunction. If he didn't? Well, she could always bust a move.

[2]

Sakai gazed around at the two people already there. One he knew already as the hyperactive and overcompetitive Uchiha, he had met her in a forest and been coerced into a spar with her. She was skilled but he had learned quite a few new tricks to slow down that speed she loved so much. He wondered if that flicker step was still her favorite jutsu? It didn't matter. His new jutsu would remove all forms of speed. Next was the woman, his eyes roamed over her, taking in every detail from the way she stood, her breaths per second, the angle of her fingers, and the movement of her eyes. She was a interesting specimen.

"Good day, Uchiha Michiko, it is a pleasure to see you once more. I do hope this meeting doesn't involve you tackling me to the ground again. Though I must say, I didn't not enjoy it." He smiled teasingly at her before he turned his gaze back onto the visitor. "My name is Sakai Senju of the Senju clan. I am happy to learn from you today. My specialty is Ninjutsu and using my families Kekkai Genkai style. I am also fluent in the elements of Earth and Water style. I have mastered several jutsu, much more than most of my fellow Genin. I look forward to seeing what you can teach." He bowed at the waist, showing his respect.

It seemed however they were to be the center of activity today as none other than the former Hokage herself appeared. Sakai himself never cared for that job, he had no desire to run the village. In fact his plans were to one day join the Anbu black op's and maybe, possibly, lead the entire group as Chief. He had yet to disclose this dream to anyone else, not even his sensei. It was something he desired. For now however it seemed he was to be tested yet again. The woman approaching was graceful, beautiful in her own way, but there was a air of danger to her. One did not just become Hokage, she was most likely a capable warrior.

And as usual a certain over eager ninja had already busted out her moves, Sharingan flashing in full view. Sakai remembered that eye well, he had been the one she had been facing when it unlocked. Forcing him to resort to other tactical measures to win. The perception was annoying but it was just that, it allowed her to see better. Useless if you couldn't get near your enemy. "Lady Akari, it is a pleasure to have you among us. We thank you for such honor." He bowed at the waist, lower than he had the other two. He could show what he was made of but showing off wasn't his style. The Senju were calm and patient, like a great oak! He slid his hands into his sleeves and stood monk like, waiting for what was to come.

Inarie's return smile showed Akari that the woman was at ease with her presence and her confirmation of her identity would cause the Rokudaime to nod. Of course she'd been correct, that was the way things always seemed to work. As it was the young woman knew more or less the capabilities of the woman. At least what she had displayed during the exams anyway, and that let Akari flow down the usual paths of planning and contingency planning for multiple conceivable problems. The sharp mind of the woman allowing her to do such things without any real effort. Still, it was more or less unnecessary. Inarie was a diplomat for Kirigakure, an allied nation. That meant that none of those plans and contingency plans would be necessary. Of course, one never truly knew, now did they?

Inarie's ready agreement to Akari joining them sparked a friendly smile from the blue eyed woman and when the blonde asked her name she would open her mouth to answer. Of course, Michiko decided to take the need for an introduction away from her, to Akari's annoyance. Akari would nod toward the younger girl her annoyance at her hidden with the trained instinctive capability of a diplomat. She was perfectly capable of speaking for herself. Although when the girl pinched herself Akari would let it go. She didn't see any reason why someone, anyone, should be starstruck at training with her. She had only become the Hokage because the village needed it. That was all, she wasn't really all that impressive, unless your name was Kagura. She seemed to think Akari could walk on water without chakra if she wanted. That however was beside the point. Sakai too was laying on the formality with 'Lady' Akari and telling her what an honor this was. To this Akari would literally wave a hand as if to brush aside the comment. "Please, no formalities. I didn't really do all that much during my reign. Besides I'm not Hokage anymore." She said simply, wanting to simplify conversation between everyone. Things would become more than a little grating if everyone insisted on calling her 'Lady' and 'sama' and such.

Michiko would then decide to kick the training session off with a loud statement toward Sakai and wanting to train, closing her eyes and activating her sharingan. Akari looked carefully, one Tomoe in each eye. A beginning level Sharingan then. She wondered what Sakai would do in response and the dark haired, blue eyed woman would form a single seal and cause a shadow clone with a moderate level of chakra to appear in a plume of smoke. "Go to the other side of this clearing and practice, ensure no one is harmed. Stick to the fire jutsu, we'll practice our secret techniques later." She said, giving instructions to the clone who nodded and walked off a few hundred yards to do just that. Akari felt nothing about stating that she would train her secret techniques later. A pettier individual might feel slighted by that statement as it implied that the speaker didn't trust them to know of their secret techniques. A real shinobi knew that keeping parts of your arsenal a secret was simply a part of the business. She doubted she would have any trouble with any of these three with the statement and if any did say something it would immediately tell Akari what to work on with the kids and give her insight into their visitor from Kirigakure.

Turning to said visitor Akari would raise an eyebrow. "I suppose they've decided to kick things off. Did you have anything in mind?" She would ask, an eyebrow raised in curiosity at Inarie. They could spar in pairs but it seemed silly to just have the students spar while the teachers did too. At that point they might as well search for another space to train despite Akari's earlier statement that she couldn't find any at that moment. Still, a spar would get the blood pumping and it wouldn't be a horrible way to get the ball rolling. She wondered if the woman knew of the Sharingan's capabilities to copy techniques if they were used and considered telling her that Akari wouldn't do such a thing as stealing an ally's jutsu. However unnecessarily bringing it up might give Inarie information that she didn't need to have. With that in mind, Akari would decide not to bring it up and simply do her the silent courtesy of not stealing techniques. Reading and countering them like an open book of course, was not out of the question.

The formality the two Genin addressed to Akari confirmed Inarie's theory. Granted Inarie isn't the most intelligent person in the world, but she still had the correct idea about the newcomer. Truthfully this was the first time Inarie has met Akari personally. Still once the Azure Lily learned that Akari was a former Kage, it made more sense as to why the two younger shinobi were starstruck towards the newcomer. Even so Akari dissuaded the notion of formalities. Either way the platinum haired visitor nods her head in acknowledgement.

Sakai not only introduced himself, but included his expertise in Ninjutsu and the elements of earth, water, and his kekkei genkai. Truthfully Inarie has never encountered a Senju in combat before, but she has heard that Senju excelled when it came to Ninjutsu. That alone was going to make this training exercise a bit more interesting, and the fact that these two already knew each other also puts them two steps ahead of what Inarie planned. Michiko, eager as ever it seems, activated the Sharingan. There was power behind those eyes, but Inarie gets the sense that it's only being developed. Sort of like learning how to crawl first before they can walk.

Inarie smiled once more after Akari inquired on what they were doing. Her rose pink eyes shifted over to the pair of Genin before Inarie spoke.

"Well originally I was going to have them spar each other to become familiar with how they fight, and perhaps they can even learn from each other. However, it seems like they're already acquainted at the very least, so this puts them over to the second stage of what I had in mind." Inarie explained before her right hand reaches into her hip pouch to retrieve a single bell. It makes a light chime as the ball inside the Bell rolled around. It had a red ribbon attached to it as well, and Inarie raised it up in front of her. What Akari could already know is that this was a bell test that'll put their teamwork skills to the test.

"All you two, or three would have to do is to take this bell from me. Akari can lead you two if she desires so. For she will give you two orders to follow, and honestly it should be a simple task. However you do it is up to your creativity." Then Inarie turned her gaze to Akari, albeit her eyes seemed to be piercing through a veil, there was warmth behind them.

"Is that alright with you Akari?" There was multiple things being added to the board, but the main thing Inarie wishes to test was the Genin's discipline in obeying orders. As trivial that might be, it was necessary with this upcoming generation. Of course this was a test, so there's nothing at stake here other than pride.