To train the mind and body is to find balance

Oda had once again come to the Heavenly Emporium in hopes of training himself to another level once again. The previous time he had come here his students had never shown so he had spent the time sight seeing and meditating. Truth be told it had been peaceful. The view was beautiful and he had trained his stamina even further. Now his chakra levels were on par with virtually anyone. However despite his immortality he found his body lacked the power he saw in others still. He wished to be able to fulfill his duties as a lord of his clan both mentally and physically. A weak leader could be scoffed at but one who was strong....with strength came honor. So he had openly requested a liscence to use the training facilities at the heavenly emporium. Having kept up on all the paperwork for his clan and set them up to move into their new clan compound. They were still harvesting their crops and attempting to make the move. Though some stayed in the valley. Still afraid of a repeat of their blood being used in war. He understood their fear and did not mock them. Though he did resent it.

Oda had spent the night at the rooms provided at the dojo. A training grounds meant for the security forces of the Heavenly Emporium. He had been invited to train with them of course....however he found their training to be rigid and prefered more one on one training. He had assured them his body could withstand their best but they would not chance harming a guest. It was unfortunate but he understood. They did say there were other guests that may be more willing. Ones that wouldn't lose their jobs if he did get a serious injury. However they did warn him that the other must have a pass as he did to train here and it must be consensual. If anyone attacked anyone provoked or not within the borders of the floating island they would be arrested. They had made it clear that no such behavior would be tolerated and he had acknowledged their rules. His sword was allowed to be unsheathed at the dojo but outside of it the weapon would have to be peace tied. Which was a pity since the S rank odachi had been gifted to him by his lord shogun. Provided by a crafter named Kara.

This morning Oda was outside in the garden at the center of the dojo. He was wearing white robes with the Hinode clan leader symbol on the back. Under it was a black uniform clean and pressed. His feet were bare for the time being and his sandals were left outside the door to his room. His wild hair hung about his face. White with red tips matching his pearl white eyes. Thick black eyebrows seemed at peace as he smiled at his task. He had brought out a set up for tending to his weapon. His set of ebony gear was resting on a white cloth already polished. The greaves...bracers and breastplate had been polished and tended to already as the sun rose. His family Odachi was sitting at home however. Set in a place of honor for the time being. His new Odachi... Fumetsu was his current project. Fumetsu was a 36 inch odachi of superior craftsmanship. The metal stamped with the name of the sword inlaid in gold and the emerald green sharkshin tsukaito wraps around an inlaid iron symbol for tthe iron nation. The Tsuba was carved from bone, reinforced by the maker to be neigh indestructible. However the sheath was respectfully set to the side for the moment. The Odachi set across the pedestal in front of him with the blade up. Oda was running an oiled wet stone along the blade to sharpen it though it didn't look like it needed it. Two swipes with the stone, one on either side, before taking a silk cloth along it to clean it and then repeating the process methodically. Tending to his equipment while he waited for anyone to come along.

Chen had originally gone to the Heavenly Emporium to gather information. The neutral hub of the world was a place where all manner of intelligence could be garnered. Masaru had originally entrusted him with the fate of his security corps and the two had ran national security missions together during Iwa's early re-founding. The young man was still learning the ways of spycraft, but in time he'd turn Iwa's ANBU into the envy of its peers. After spending a few days scrounging and dissecting bits of information, he decided now would be a good time to get some training in. There was a private dojo in the Emporium and while Chen had no use for sparring, he intended on making use of its weight room. The goth had spent hours using the state of the art equipment to increase his strength. Even though his muscles weren't anything special, it felt good to work them every now and again. It provided much needed stress relief. When Chen finished working out, he hit the showers and then threw on a pair of judo pants. He slung his towel over his shoulder and walked out onto the garden grounds totally shirtless. He had a water bottle in one hand and he drank deeply from it as he wandered the area.

He was painfully aware of how weak he was compared to so many shinobi out in the world. The fight alongside Tamwyn in the Meteor Wars, his confrontation with Ashitaka, and even the evacuation mission all led him to the painful conclusion that he was not where he should be in comparison to his foreign peers. He wasn't sure how to get stronger. He didn't have Masaru's guidance which meant he'd need to put together a training regimen all on his own. "Tch" he said to no one in particular. As he walked across the field, he saw someone sharpening their sword with a stone. Chen gave them a blank stare but his expression shifted once he realized that the person's face was familiar. After a few more seconds of analysis, Chen stopped in his tracks.


The Immortal.....

Chen remembered this man well. He had met him during his diplomatic visit to the Land of Iron. Masaru had taken him along so that he could get a first-hand lesson in the practice of state-craft. The experience had been a miserable one even by Chen's standards. The weather was cold, the tea was awful, and their company inferior. Or so he originally thought. He never liked the samurai, he still didn't, but after that encounter he had no choice but to respect them. The warrior that had received them then and who was sitting amongst the grass now, was known as Oda. He had challenged Chen to a fight and the boy had declined not wanting to be forced to reveal his abilities before a stranger whose intentions he could not ascertain. It was a wise choice considering what he had seen later that same day. They were attacked by Mountain-Nin in what was a prelude of the greater conflict to come. The Mountain shinobi had tried to corner them underneath the infamous Samurai Bridge. Chen had aimed to roast them all but the infernal Hinode got in the way.

What he saw next had left a lasting impression on him.

Chen watched the man burn. The skin wiped from his flesh like hot wax, only to be reconstituted as though he were some kind of Bijuu. He was an honest to god immortal. He healed from damage without the use of handsigns or any obvious methods of preparation. He was a samurai so it couldn't just be Ijutsu. Chen wasn't sure what the freak's deal was, but he made it a point to stay clear from him ever since that moment. And now it seemed as though fate had put him in his path once more. Chen's eyes narrowed as he continued staring at Oda from across the garden. He doubted the samurai would recognize him. Their initial encounter had been over two years ago and Chen grown considerably since then. He was taller with a man's build and face. The boyish youth was replaced by a hardened teenager who had been the veteran of several battles. Even his hair was different. It was no longer slicked back like a junior mafioso, it now hung loosely around his shoulders. Chen kept staring until Oda acknowledged his presence. He was standing about 5 meters away from him.

"............."

Oda would continue to work on his blade a moment. Tending to it happily as he contemplated the meaning behind training with the sword. Some did it for money and others did it for pride. He felt his own practice with it was for honor. That and to gain a deeper understanding of his own bodies limitations. The sword was just as tall as him if you included the long handle. He would finish wiping off the oil and set the cloth to his side before picking up what appeared to be a ball of cotton on the end of a small stick. The cotton was powdered so when he tapped it along the blade it left a small residue with each tap. Like sugar falling off of it and leaving a white powder on the black blade. He did this with reverence and patience. Soft as if one might act with an infant. After all this sword was a newborn despite its superior make. He would finish tapping on it before something caught his gaze. His pearl white eyes lifted as he would spot a man staring at him a mere five meters away. Glaring actually if one looked a little closer.

His own eyes would meet the mans gaze a moment. Holding it before something struck him. This one was familiar. The dark hair and pale skin....all black garb....and the scowl that appeared as if he hated everything around him. It had been some time since the incident at the bridge...but it was hard to forget someone who clearly hated you and attempted to burn you alive. He had grown since then more into a warrior but that scowl remained a constant. Ahh yes. The young man who had accompanied Masaru into Iron country and helped 'defend' the bridge. Before the international conflicts began some years ago. It was natural that he would have aged up a little more. Unlike him though Oda did not look like he had aged a day. Quietly He would bow his head towards the young man and acknowledge him. A soft smile meeting his warm eyes before he would continue his work. Fifteen feet wasn't too far away but Oda saw no need to raise his voice in greeting. He would lift a saucer filled with water and angle the long sword next to him. Slowly pouring the water down along the blade to clean it before taking the cloth and drying it. The S rank weapon was the second most superior sword he had ever seen. The first being in the Shoguns possession.

Once that had been finished and the weapon was without a drop left on it Oda would quietly sheath the weapon and set it next to himself. He had finished his task and now his pale gaze lifted to Chen once more before noticing his garb. So he was here training as well. Though Oda would not ask him to spar again. Having tried once already he had decided the young man was not one for such friendly games. Instead He would rest his hands on his knees and sit up straight. From that far away the warmth of Odas aura could be felt. Like a midsummer day under the bright sun. Even with the heat from the morning already peaking it was easy to tell the difference. Cherry blossoms would shed a few petals in a breeze that fell and seemed to silhouette him as he spoke with a warm greeting. Assuming Chen had gotten any closer.

"Chen wasn't it? Forgive me but the years have taken the memory of your family name from me."

When Oda acknowledged his presence and smiled, Chen felt bile rise to his throat. He hated when people smiled at strangers. It was sad and pathetic, like a chimpanzee showing submission to a great ape. He continued to scowl defiantly even though the samurai gave off an aura of warmth. The warrior continued to clean his blade as though nothing was wrong and this also ticked off Chen. He hadn't necessarily been expecting to be recognized, but some part of him had hoped he left as much an impression on the Hinode as the Hinode did him. Chen continued to watch as the blade was finally cleaned and put away. Once that occurred, Chen decided to move closer to his "target." Once he was within five feet of Oda and looking directly at him there'd be no ignoring him or wishing the tension away. Chen's proximity elicited a verbal response which caused the alien to lose his scowl. His expression turned blank as his name was uttered by Oda. So he remembers me.....Good. The Immortal did not remember his last name which was fine. It was more of a pseudonym than a surname at this point. It had little meaning to him and it only served to give him the opportunity to blend in with these otherwise boring beings. Chen did not stop staring down at the samurai but he did finally speak and when he did it was in a cold and monotone voice.

"You shouldn't be alive"

Oda would slip his hands into his sleeves until the sleeves connected and calmly hold them in front of his belly. Watching the young man with pale eyes a moment. That kind and warm smile never fading. Many if not most of the Iron nation hated shinobi. Regardless of who they were or where they were from. Some had proven to be...almost worthy of them but not one ninja held all the Iron nations love. They were Samurai and thus it seemed natural enemies to the the shinobi. It seemed Chen did not mind this association with the others he was lumped with because he was as cold and callous as he had been at the bottom of the mountain path. Chen taking his name and greeting as a invitation to move closer would do so. Stepping within five feet of Oda and staring down at him. Finally he would do something else other than sulk and glare. He would speak. Though it was a cold and empty voice the words were....insightful. Still Oda would nod as if understanding before speaking in return to the statement. His voice was warm and soft a moment as he did. The warmth of his aura inviting but likely aggravating for Chen.

"This could be said of any samurai or shinobi. Those who live by the sword are bound to die by it. Wars waged and loved ones lost. However I am grateful to be here all the same on my journey of self discovery. Please Chen. Sit with me. I hear the tea here is far better than our own. I would like to share a pot of it with you."

And aggravate it did. Oda's ceaseless warmth in the face of blatant hostility was an affront to Chen's way of life. It reminded him of Mitsukira and her unedning desire to befriend anyone she came across. This Samurai had a similar aura and it made him want to spit. The only difference was that Oda was still a man of war. A trait that he didn't share with the Dancing Queen and given a one that had earned him Chen's grudging respect. He could kill, yet would not die. He was a remarkable foe if he had a mind to be and if Chen provoked him, he was certain that's what the man would become. Oda himself had alluded to a darker nature when Chen had last met him. The exact words escaped him, but Chen distinctly recalled him saying that once he entered battle he became more beast than man. Chen wasn't willing to test that theory as doing so might risk exposing some of his own secrets. He later found out that Oda was not bluffing and that if given battle, he'd see it through.

He is like Mitsu....but not like her.....

Oda gave him a vague non-response. To be fair, Chen hadn't exactly asked a question but it should have been obvious what the goth really wanted to talk about. The philosophical meandering coming out of Oda's mouth made Chen roll his eyes although he did snort in amusement when Oda acknowledged the inferiority of his country's tea. The man had a bit of self-awareness at least. Chen's purpose at the Heavenly Emporium was to gather information and he'd be a pretty sorry intelligence operative if he could not bother to at least talk to an immortal. Oda might be hundreds of years old and he might have much to say if Chen cared to listen. The boy grunted and shrugged.

"One cup"

Oda would watch with an amused smile as the young man rolled his eyes and scoffed. It was normal for young people to act like this he supposed. He had his own rebellious period when he was so young. Running from his studies to go an play swords with his siblings. He had spent many nights without dinner for his disobedience but he was fine all the same for it. Discipline and wisdom came hand in hand later on. After years spent trying to become something he wasn't sure he was ever really meant to be. His pearl white eyes would observe the young man as he agreed to one cup of tea and moved forward to join him. Oda would wait until Chen was seated across from him before someone came out with a fresh pot of high end tea and would set the platter on the surface Oda had been using for his sword before. Quietly Oda would nod to them before collecting the hot pot in his hand. Ignoring the sizzling of it burning his skin a little before pouring a cup for Chen first and then himself. Placing the pot down on the tray without so much as a red mark on his hand. Finally speaking as he did.

"I am actually rather glad you appeared here. You see my chakra reserves have become my most prominent feature. I am not sure if you have sensory or not but feel free to gauge it for yourself if you do. That said up until now I have managed to get by with my skills with a sword and my natural ability up until now. I am attempting to learn more I can do with my chakra and broke it down into some breathing forms. However I would value the input of a skilled Shinobi such as yourself."

Oda would raise his own cup of tea to his lips and take a sip before humming his satisfaction at the taste. Warm liquids were the most common liquid in a country covered in snow mostly year round. His own body had never grown cold but he liked it all the same. Still he would lower it as his shoulders visibly relaxed. His eyes returning to Chen with a warm smile. The boy was rude and self centered but Oda had a policy of not making enemies if it wasn't needed. They had their interaction already and Oda was satisfied with that. He didn't appear to be interested in revealing his life story for the most part. Nor would he read the mind of the young man across from him. If Chen had something to say Oda would listen but he wouldn't pry.

Chen reluctantly took a seat opposite from the samurai. He said nothing and stared in silence without blinking as a pot of boiling hot tea was placed in front of them. When Oda grabbed the tea to pour and allowed himself to be burned, Chen grimaced. He didn't care that Oda had just hurt himself in the process, he was more disgusted that the man would flex his mutation even at tea. He wouldn't to tell him off but he decided it was useless. He only sat there and watched. Oda boasted of his chakra sensing skills and when he dared Chen to sense his chakra, the teen took him up on the offer. He activated his chakra sensory and was appalled by the mass of blue energy radiating from the being in front of him. He wasn't one to exaggerate his abilities that was for sure. He wanted Chen's input on utilizing his megaton chakra battery which was interesting because Chen thought that the samurai eschewed ninja forms of magic.

Chen didn't touch his tea for the time being. Instead, he crossed his arms and gave a two word reply:

"Why me?" Surely he must have others shinobi he could reach out to. Or were the samurai so xenophobic that they forbid their own from having extended contact with the ninja world.

Oda would sip at his tea as his pearl whites observed the man before him. Chen was no slouch and when it came to sheer power....well he was in his own right a walking calamity. He was cold and calculated and a man of few words. Perhaps most were turned away by his demeanor but Oda was not. He knew he would be insulted at some point. If not verbally than he would see it in his constant frown and disgust. The man had issues but few were without. Chen simply did not see a point in concealing his own. A question would be posed in two simple words and Oda would raise an eyebrow. The conversation was mostly one sided at this point but Chen was still a part of the conversation. Quietly he would set his own tea back down. A soft smile on his face as he would collect the small metal device to pick up two cubes of sugar before dropping them in his tea. Watching as they broke down in the liquid slowly. Speaking as he watched it with a tone that matched his soft smile. His calm demeanor likely another irritation for Chen.

"Prejudice and fear must not be a mans basis for his choices. If the Samurai only hold within themselves we will eventually be too separated from the world. We must grow while maintaining our values at the same time. Balance in all things. As for why you specifically. Part of it is because you are here now and you are one of the few surviving Shinobi I have met. The other part is because you are a realist. Perhaps most see you as pessimistic but I think you only react to the world as it is now. A realist is more useful to me than someone living on blind optimism."

He wouldn't stop smiling and it was making Chen uneasy. Ordinarily, his first course of actuon would be to slap that disgusting smirk off the immortal's face. Unfortunately, there were two barriers to this action. First was that the individual clearly felt no pain as evidenced by his handling of the hot kettle. Second was that violence was not permitted at the Heavenly Emporium. With these obstacles in mind, Chen just stared bloody murder into the Hinoide's eyes, The tea remained untouched as he listened to Oda's explanation.

Oda appeared to be a rather liberal samurai. He was open to working with shinobi for his own betterment and he chose Chen mainly out of conveinance. The Chuunin was present and he was alive. Chen nodded at the last part. Many a ninja had died during the war and given that Oda didn't know many to begin with, it made sense that he'd ask a favor from one of the few he did know. He had to have known that given the alien's disposition, the answer was more likely than not to be no. Chen opened his mouth to reject Oda when the samurai gave him the closest approixmation to a compliment that he had heard in years. He called Chen a pessimist who saw the world as it truly was and not as he would like it to be.

An accurate assessment....

Chen said nothing after the speech was finished, but he did pick up the tea and sip it. He then tossed the liquid to the side and grunted.

"Mediocre. Just like you." The insult was flung as callously as the tea. "If you want my help, I'm afraid you're going to have to do better than just asking" It was clear that the goth wanted some form of quid pro quo and while he had something in mind, he also wanted to see what Oda was willing to offer him.

Oda would watch the man sip the tea before tossing it to the side. It was some of the worlds best tea and this man would simply toss it out and insult it. Oda would watch the liquid seep into the nearby ground a moment as the man talked. Those pearl white eyes not meeting Chens a moment as an eyebrow raised. Well that was certainly a waste. Still the insult was utterly ignored. If he needed assistance with understanding chakra he truly was mediocre at the moment. After all he was just a man that was very difficult to kill. With some skills with a sword. He would watch the tea stain the ground before his attention would return to Chen. He was an angry man child but there was likely some cause for it. One could never judge another without knowing their story. And Oda knew little about Chen. He knew little about any shinobi outside of the land of Iron. Mostly just those who had visited. He knew Chen had been Masaru's protege but had heard Masaru took ill. He pitied him a little at the thought of a master that he could not longer turn to in his time of need.

Still the mention of having to do better than simply asking made Oda suddenly look far more amused. He let out a soft snort before laughing heartily in response to the suggested quid pro quo. The man wanted something from Oda? It was simply hilarious. He would let it subside into chuckling before he used a handkerchief to wipe at his eyes. Letting his humor subside a moment before taking a deep breath and smiling warmly once more before bowing his his head slightly. Not as one may do to a superior but as one did to an equal. Raising his head once more before speaking in a cheerful tone.

"I am sorry. My laughter got the best of me there. The intention was not to insult you my dear man but those words made me realize how laughable my request really was. I am but a humble and poor samurai. Surely I have nothing of value to a man such as yourself. I understand there would be nothing gained for you to teach me. I was asking for favors when none were owed. It is only natural you would turn me down when you are so consistently Occupied with matters of state."

Chen derived a sick sense of pleasure in watching Oda's façade of friendliness crack. The insult with the tea had struck a nerve. Good. The oh-so-Zen Samurai does have his limits. Oda talked of being a mad man in battle but he carried himself like a pansy outside of oit as far as Chen was concerned. It was amusing watching him look at the liquid stain on the ground. The tea was unimportant to Chen and while it tasted fine (exquisite some might say), the reaction he sought was more important and ultimately, more satisfying.

The smugness was wiped off his face as Oda laughed at his demand for compensation. Chen stared at Oda neutrally as the man got the fit of joy out of his system. He proceeded to explain that he had nothing of value to offer Chen. It was unsurprising really and ordinarily at this juncture, Chen would get up and leave. Not today. He remained right where he was and stared at Oda silently for an uncomfortably long period of time.

"You and your people are rather poor...but you are not without use to me." Chen said. "Why do you think my sensei visited your cold sore of a country?"

Oda would smile a moment longer before Chen would speak once more. However the smile would fade as the heat picked up around them. Almost sweltering in comparison to what it had been before. Chen was looking to get a rise out of Oda and insulting him or his tea had not really worked. However upon calling his home a cold sore Oda would look him in the eye again. Fingers would tighten around his robes as he held back the urge to reach out and slap the man. This was likely a test by the gods for his patience. Kensai or Kiyoko would have already likely have drawn a blade by now but Oda was the more patient of the three. He would take a breath as steam came out of his mouth and force himself to calm down. If he lashed out here the heavenly emporium would not be happy and Kensai was friends with the owner. It would not do him any good to start a fight here even if provoked. Likely that was what Chen wanted anyway for some sick reason or another. He had asked something of someone he should not have expected anything of the sort from.

"I am but a vassal to my lord Shogun. If it is resources you seek I can not promise them. I live to serve not to rule as he does. The Lord Shogun would be who to speak to about trade. As I recall though it wasn't just our resources but our military capabilities your master was interested in. That said...I will not hear more filth about my country from your mouth sir. If you will not aid me I would see you walk away before this escalated. It won't do any of us any good for me to relieve your tongue from your head here."

There it was. The peace of the man before him shattered as those eyes promised danger if the insult to his country or anything else along those lines continued. There was a fire behind those eyes that danced and promised a heated battle should his peoples honor be insulted again. It was like sitting in front of a raging bonfire. Even the tea pot next to them began to lightly whistle from the heat pushing off of Oda now. He was angry but he did not simply lash out. He was at least a little wise too.

Chen smirked as he finally got what he desired from the samurai. It appeared insulting his nation was a red line. Chen was more than happy to cross it when it suited him but now that he knew where it lay, he decided that it was best to leave it be for now. He shook his head in amusement as Oda threatened to perform a glossectomy on Chen. He did not fear this one, although his status as his immortal made him a dangerous opponent. If he lost control of himself as he previously warned then it could bring shame on both of them. The Heavenly Emporium had a strict no violence rule and it would not do well to violate such a policy. The peace of the city was sacred and not even Chen was willing to breach it. The consequences were too severe for it to be seriously considered. Even by him.

"You think I'm afraid of you?" Chen chuckled. A dark sound from a dark boy. "While you nested and kept safe from the war, I was out fighting it. I'm not the same genin you met a few years ago. You will do well to respect me and my village. Don't ever ask my help again unless you're willing to trade something of value for it"

Chen got up from his seat.

"As for Tetsumura, you'll have to forgive my moderated tone. Maybe one day when we are off this floating city....I'll tell you what I really think about that country of yours" Chen then walked off leaving Oda alone to finish his tea.

[Exit]

Oda would feel his eyes turn read as Chen spoke. He wanted to cut the man down. His insolence and mockery were just tools he used the most. The man was infuriating. Still Oda would remain moderately calm despite his red eyes as Chen spoke and spat insults. Feigned or otherwise. He would finally take his leave and Oda would watch in silence. Choosing not to respond to any of it for the time being. If he did this would lead to a fight and he couldn't allow himself as a clan head to be dragged into a situation that would reflect poorly on Tetsumaru. Still he would be certain to make sure Kensai knew of this meeting. As well as Kiyoko. He had hoped for some time that Iron would be a trade port for Iwagakure. However if Chen were running things it would not benefit them to work with such a cruel man. He would put in his recommendation to cut ties with the country. Aside from that if Chen thought the Samurai were sitting on their thumbs and doing nothing but growing soft and weak...he would come for their land in time...Oda was sure of that. Still he would speak to himself once Chen was gone.

"On that day...when you mock my home...that day will mark the end of Chen Kimyōnakama."

Exit thread 8 posts
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