Here There Be Monsters (Sero)

Sero would see the success of his technique. He had been little to no match in close quarters. As the wave ended the training yard was full of people who either rushed out of the way in time or were coughing and sputtering out water. Still the water would spread out and while the training grounds was soaked for the time being Sero only let his eyes follow Valen. The young man would have been washed away as well though his strength had been evident. Had he known about the Hozuki abilities he would have likely attacked differently. Still Sero would remain quiet to see how Valen took to the obvious use of a power outside of close quarters combat. However Valen did not seem to care. If anything he dumped water out of his boots and was prepared to move onto what was next. A young man eager to improve himself and not deterred by lesser results than he had hoped for. Still the other men had begun to whisper. Speaking under their breath about how Valen was a strong swordsman...about how Sero was weaker than they had believed. That a mere kid was too much for him in close combat.

Still the whispers were shushed by those who knew Sero could hear them. Yet those cold blue eyes never wavered from Valen. He did not care what the other soldiers thought. The others served their roles and were compensated for it. They followed orders and that was all Sero required of them. Still Sero would walk through the water settled in puddles in the training ground to stand before Valen. Offering him a pale hand to help him to his feet. That sickening feeling like touching oil would be felt if Valen took his hand. The dark chakra within Sero feeling tainted in comparison to the usually pure chakra in others. Still Sero would speak in return to his question.

"You will take the rest of the day and train with the men here as they will be better suited for training with the sword. Do not maim or kill. It will also behoove you not to use your katon chakra for now. Tomorrow you will go to the market and be fitted for your uniform. You are not required to wear it but out in the field it is advised. Find yourself a sword over the next three days. After which you are to report to me for your first mission. Gear up, train your swordsmanship and report back in three days. Beyond that you are dismissed."

He wasn't being rude. Just straightforward and to the point. Sero would watch and wait for any more questions or doubts. Ignoring the men losing faith in his previously thought invincible power. If Valen did not have more questions Sero would turn and return to his office. He had work of his own to prepare for. A mission to prep and scout. Which meant assigning some other soldiers. Sero himself was always prepared for a fight. Though the Five tails within him stirred. It was becoming more rebellious lately. He would need to find a way to control it soon. Though its interest in the young Valen was something to study.

attempted exit
13 posts = 130 exp

Sero would move over, amongst whispers that seemed to indicate the man had not been as strong as people had originally thought and Valen would tilt his head in confusion. Had they expected him to be perfect in every form of combat? Every had a weakness didn't they? Sero's was simply that he was not particularly talented at close quarters combat. There was nothing wrong with that. Especially since apparently the man could simply turn himself into water. That tended to make any physical weapon about as useful as a broken oar. When the taller man arrived he would reach a hand down to help Valen up and the shorter of the two would accept it. The man's skin felt slick feeling of oil on water would greet his touch and a nauseating sensation would come over him. Although he would just swallow it down. Things were meant to be endured right? Now standing, Sero would answer his question of what was next. Valen himself would train with the other men for the rest of the day. The next day he would go to market and get fitted for his uniform. Then he was to obtain a sword and after all was said and done he was meant to return to Sero in three days to be sent on his first mission.

Nodding his head in acknowledgement, Valen would turn toward the men as Sero went into the office and Valen would move back into the ring. Puddles of water still saturated the area and likely would for a while until a bright day could make it go away. When he returned to the ring he would take his stance within it, sword ready before calling out. "Volunteers?" He would ask, getting a few grins in return before someone came into the other side of the ring. They would prepare they own weapon and at a silent signal the two of them would move to meet each other. The rest of the day went by as a blur for the young man as he worked himself hard to progress with those he was now aligned with.

[14]

Exit.