Overcoming the Past [Invite]

The noon day blazed over the wooded forest of the Kirigakure training ground, casting dappled light upon the leaf-strewn forest floor. For any civilian, it was a day to stay inside with a cool drink, or perhaps take a nice noonday nap. For Takano Uzumaki however, he did not have the time for such luxuries.

Three shuriken were launched from the shinobi's calloused hands, pinwheeling in the glaring light as they sought for their appointed target. Unfortunately, their caster had been too long out of the ninja game, and the results spoke for themselves. Takano growled as his projectiles struck home, loosely grouped around the outer edges of the target instead of the center where the enemy's vital organs would have been. The Uzumaki's practiced eye could already see the outcome if that was a real target instead of a plank of wood: could see the shuriken barely grazing a charging swordsman's flanks while the man charged in for the kill.....

It was a pathetic showing, not even worth the title of training. Takano had no time to be weak, not any longer.

With a dissatisfied grunt, Takano's right hand flickered into a half tiger seal, his body stiffening as his chakra reserves poured into every muscle and sinew. The Uzumaki was still somewhat of a novice at chakra enhancement, and found the sensation rather odd to say the least. The shinboi cracked his neck to one side, then the other, then took off sprinting towards the target, 30 meters away from where he had been standing. The Body Flicker Technique was an interesting technique alright, even when utilized by someone as physically unimpressive as the Uzumaki. Even a couch potato could near the speed of the finest civilian athlete with but a drop of their chakra reserves, never mind someone who had actually trained and developed their speeds. In the future, perhaps it would allow him to vanish and reappear in a burst of insane speed, but for now Takano was just grateful for the additional cardio.

Takano let go of the technique a handful of paces from the tree, and began neatly plucking out the newly requisitioned shuriken from the target. He was rusty, so very rusty from months of trying to get his family situation sorted out and taking odd jobs to make sure they had enough to eat. But that just meant he had to persevere, no matter how much his imperfections...irked him.

---

Training Body Flicker [100/100]

The hot summer day had most people out enjoying themselves and left a majority of the vast training grounds undisturbed. If anything the nearest people were enjoying a river or a lake hundreds of meters away. Safely away from any dangerous training this far into the woods. Yet the troubled Uzumaki was not alone. Despite the heat of the day in the distance a fog bank could be seen rolling through the woods. Blanketing the floor and cutting off vision from too far. Birds would erupt from the trees in the distance cawing or screeching in panic. A few scattered forest animals would stop grazing as their head perked up. Ears listening before as if in unison they would turn and flee. A mass of forest creatures fleeing from this strange fog that defied the hot day. Slowly it would wash forward like an all consuming wave. Yet from within it a figure in a dark cloak with a hood would emerge. He had on a plain white mask with a spider symbol spread across the face. The mark of the nightmare brigade. The disguised figure would move forward through the trees before stopping nearby Takano. Stopping above him as bells jingled on his belt.

The figure would seem to stare down at Takano a moment before collecting one of the bells. With a popping noise he would crack it before tossing it to the forest floor. A faint blue colored smoke would begin to rise from it with a sweet scent. The man would then call out to Takano. "The Master is coming this way to attempt to practice some powerful jutsu. Either leave at once or do not move from this spot. I have marked your location for him. We are scouring the surrounding area to ensure no one is caught up in the jutsu. I repeat. Either leave the area entirely or do not move." It was a harsh bit of words but a clear warning all the same. The masked man would turn slightly to glance over his shoulder at the approaching fog before he himself would hurriedly move on his way. As if he did not want to stay any longer than he had to and had the duty of clearing out the area. They were being responsible with the lives of others...but their master was about to arrive ad even his servants feared him.

The fog wouldn't be too difficult to see through once it drew closer if Takano remained. The wind would pick up and within that wind there was heat. As if suddenly he was standing next to a bonfire. The heat of the day nothing in comparison to that hot breeze. Slowly a figure would appear about thirty meters away in the fog. The white blanket coating the forest floor as it spread out around the training shinobi. The figure would eventually seem to take form as a thin man in white robes with pale skin. His wild hair stood out though from his clothing and flesh. Blue in color matching his cold gaze. Blue eyes that seemed to glow despite the mist around him. This was Sero Jakuuna. The clan head of both the Hozuki and the Kaguya. The commander of kiris executioner division. He would pause just outside of ten meters. Keeping the other if they had not left just outside of the range of his fear aura. His eyes regarding him quietly. Never blinking with no emotion on his fare features. For a moment the forest was quiet as the blue smoke waned between them to nothing shortly after. Finally Sero would speak.

"Do you wish to stay and bare witness than human?"

After another ten or so minutes of target practice and refinement of his grasp of the Body Flicker, Takano decided it was time to take a break from the more mundane shinobi abilities and instead work on some of their more…mystical abilities. After cleaning up the small clearing, Takano sprinted into the trees, making liberal use of the tree walking technique to sprint through the forest at breakneck speeds. He was moving so quickly in fact that he almost barreled straight into a tree branch that seemed to come out of nowhere, forcing the Uzumaki to pirouette in mid-air to avoid the offending limb. The shinobi landed heavily one knee, sinking several inches into the muck surrounding a pond, and utterly ruining his new pants.

After several minutes of cursing and attempting to clean the mud off him via Suiton justu, Takano was finally ready to work on what he had come here to do. The ninja’s chakra flared to life, suffusing his body as the Genin attempted to focus it into physical form by using the pondwater as a medium, the trademark of the Water Clone Technique. The chakra control necessary to form a complete duplicate of himself via pondwater took several tries to perfect, but eventually Takano was staring at a perfect replica of himself, complete with his outfit and weapons. However, there was no intelligence behind the clone’s eyes, and no stirring of chakra on Takano’s part seemed to be able to change this. The Uzumaki’s eyes narrowed as he analyzed the problem sorting through possible avenues of resolution. He could of course simply ask someone what to do, but that was not really his style.

The Uzumaki’s contemplation of the issue was abruptly ended as he spotted a fog bank roiling through the tightly packed tree line. Such fog not only was impossible in the blazing noonday sun but was also moving far too fast to be of natural origin. Takano’s hands flashed to his waist, retrieving a two kunai and preparing to swiftly retreat.

Before he could however, a masked man popped out of the fog bank, approaching the armed Shinobi with almost no fear of reprisal. Noting the decorate mask, Takano swore under his breath, returning his weapons to their pouches and holding his empty hands in the air to signify that he was not considering an attack. Takano was stronger than many of his age, but an ANBU, regardless of the platoon, was far beyond him. There was no reason to blatantly antagonize them, and Takano was far from being some sort of trigger-happy greenhorn.

The Genin would listen closely to the man’s rasping words, turning them over in his mind like the taste of an unfamiliar food. On the surface, the request was an odd one: why would a weak Genin like him even be given the choice of staying if the ANBU’s master was so powerful? Takano had very clear memories of the more powerful justu unleashed during his time in the First Shinobi World War, and he knew that even the weakest of them could slay him in an instant. And yet, curiosity was one of Takano’s biggest weaknesses, alongside the stubbornness of not wanting to give up a perfectly good training ground. He gave the ANBU a respectful nod and returned to his training.

Weaving through the handseals once more, Takano once again formed the body of the water clone, but this time doubled the infusion, focusing all of the extra chakra into the clone’s brain, using chakra to substitute for neural signals. The clone stood, blinking, then gave its’ originator a thumbs up before returning to the form of scum water. With a sigh of relief, Takano straightened, taking several steps back from the approaching fog bank to greet his guest.

Cold blue eyes, azure hair and a white coat. Takano recognized the legendary Sero Jakuuna at once and gave him a once over with a critical eye. The Shinobi didn’t look like the extremely deadly warrior that had been whispered about during late-night guard shifts on the village walls, but Takano was aware that meant nothing when it came to truly powerful Shinobi. Slowly, Takano wrapped his hand around his closed fist, and bowed to the man. “Good afternoon sir, and yes, yes I do. I feel like observing your techniques might help me advance more quickly in my own training if you will permit it sir.” The words were bold, but so was the genin. Besides, the ANBU wouldn’t have let him stay if he wasn’t allowed to, right?

---

Water Clone Technique [150/150]

Sero would observe the respectful young man a moment. His blue eyes never blinking or wavering. as if he did not need to blink. Of course he did not because his body...well his body was essentially water. The act of blinking was to moisten your eyes and rid them of debris. Sero did not suffer from those issues. He absorbed or dissolved almost anything. Even his feet were bare despite the harsh forest floor because it could not harm him. Still he stood eleven meters away. As if he was purposefully keeping that distance. At least for the moment. He would watch him for a second longer before his attention would shift. In four directions green smoke rose into the air. The rest of the training grounds for several hundred meters were cleared out. This was the only one training in the area before Sero arrived.  His men had made sure of it. Sero was being cautious not to harm others in his training. For now he would start small but he would build up into something that needed that kind of space. At least according to the section of the jutsu libraries in the village. Still he would speak as that cold gaze settled upon the young man. His voice monotone.

"Very well. I am going to approach you now. You will feel a sensation like danger but do not allow your body to react against me. It will want to. However so long as you do not attack me you will be in no danger."

Sero would wait for Takano to acknowledge he could. There was some sort of whisper that ran on the wind as Sero stood there. As if there was laughter in the distance. Faint and directionless. The mist dancing behind Sero as if it loved him. Still Sero would slowly begin to walk forward. As soon as he entered within ten meters his warning would be given a clear purpose. The sensation of being hunted would flood the area around Sero for ten meters constantly. As if there were some famished beast just out of sight somewhere nearby. Like walking through the woods at night and realizing something was stalking you. His fear aura simply could not be turned off. Still Sero would stop five meters away to gauge his reaction before shifting slightly away from him. Eyeing the nearby target. Tilting his head as he did. Before forming a couple of hand seals slowly with only his right hand.

Tiger | Snake | Ox |  were formed before he extended his right hand out palm first. From his palm erupted a long demonic like claw of fuuton chakra. Taking physical appearance before suddenly moving forward at B rank speed. The claw wrapping around a tree and crushing it in its grasp. Toppling the tree to one side. Finished testing out that technique Sero would release it and take a breath. The next one was similar. But did not require hand seals. He would simply form his chakra to connect to the wind around the trees before him. An excellent rapid and stealth attack in his opinion. Still he would focus his chakra into creating vacuums rapidly in the air to a grouping of trees. Sending out a vacuum blade to every other tree in a straight line with impressive accuracy for a hundred and fifty meters without a single seal. Just the expenditure of chakra. Seemingly satisfied with the two A rank techniques Sero would turn his attention back to the young man.

"I would know your name if you would allow it human. As you know mine already."

Two A ranks trained 500/500:

Even as his body remained in a half-bow, Takano’s intelligent amber eyes flitted to the columns of green smoke rising in the distance. Assuming they were created by the same ANBU that had confronted him, that was an awful lot of empty space that had been cleared out for just one man’s training. From his point of view, that either meant Sero was overly cautious or just that powerful, and both of those options intrigued the young Uzumaki even more than he had been previously. Perhaps this was his ticket to understanding how truly powerful justu worked, if he paid close enough attention that is. Takano would straighten from the bow, eyeing Sero with anticipation and rapt attention.

“Understood.” Takano would call out calmly, tensing his body in preparation for whatever test his superior was about to throw his way. Discreetly, the Uzumaki began gathering his chakra as well, preparing for a Body Flicker if it was absolutely necessary. He doubted that such a high-profile shinobi would resort to such cloak-and-dagger methods to slay a slightly above-average genin, but Takano Uzumaki did not live through war relying on maybes. He watched as the man took three slow steps forward, measured and precise as if stepping across some unseen boundary.

And then it struck.

Tainted chakra hit Takano’s system like a physical blow, forcing him to drop to one knee from the suddenness of the assault. Killing intent swirled around Takano in fits and eddies, unnatural fear flooding his system as his flight or fight responses screamed in panic. Takano began to pant heavily, sweat dripping down his brow as flashes of the war he had only so recently escaped flashed before his eyes, and it was all he could do to not rip a kunai from his hip pouch and attempt to bury it in Sero’s neck to try and end the sensation.

However, if there was one thing Takano possessed in spades, it was sheer, mule-headed stubbornness. Gritting his teeth and flaring his chakra flow as high as it would go, Takano slowly pushed himself to his feet, throwing his shoulders back in defiance. “If you don’t mind me asking sir, what the hell was that.” Takano’s voice was noticeably less polite this time around, and it was clear that he wasn’t exactly happy with nearly being forced to take to his heels for doing nothing but training like he was supposed to. Sure, Sero had warned him, but Takano had not expected the sensation to be so…intense.

Takano would watch as the man fired off two high level Fuuton jutsu in rapid succession, noting the sheer speed of his handseals and the raw, ambient chakra swirling around them. He was no sensor, but even an academy student would be able to tell that Sero’s power was no joke. Either of those jutsu would have killed him, instantly and completely, no matter what he did to try and stop them. Such a harsh reminder of his place in the ninja hierarchy did not exactly improve the man’s mood.

Swallowing his annoyance, Takano inclined his head once more. “My name is Takano Uzumaki, born in Uzushiogakure and now a Kirigakure shinobi. I just returned from my tour of the warfront a few months ago, and haven’t trained since, so I’m a little rusty.” The Uzumaki said, still eyeing the utterly demolished tree.

Sero would glance back at the man as he noted his reaction. He was struggling with the aura but Sero couldn't do anything about it. He could sense the fear rising from him like a sweet scent. As if one was walking passed a bakery with a fresh batch out to cool. Fear was an odd thing Sero caused and could sense since he was born. Still he would watch the man calmly for a moment. After all people had a tendency to attack him or prepare to try. It was unfortunate but most did not actually attempt it. Most simply ran away. This one was coherent which meant they held promise. Still Sero would listen to him a moment with little more than a raised eyebrow. The tone was understandable but Sero had begun to understand his station usually demanded respect. Still he would forgive the insolence for now since he was the intruder here. Still the young man would answer his question and explain his own situation. So Sero would return the favor as he turned to face him fully. The sensation likely crawling across the young mans skin as if death was waiting for him within those empty eyes.

"That is something I was born with. It is why I am referred to as an abomination and most including myself do not consider myself human. My mixed blood of Hozuki and Kaguya had an interesting development that causes that sensation. It also allows me to sense fear from those within ten meters of me. It is a part of me that I can not control but live with all the same. I have only recently obtained access to my fuuton abilities and that was merely a practice run. If it is too much for you I can locate another training area before I begin to train the next level of power. I warn you...if you remain the pressure that comes next will be difficult to remain sane near."

Sero would fold his hands before his person as those cold blue eyes would simply watch. A soldier back from tour was more likely to withstand it but Sero was somewhat understanding. He knew his own abilities and knew it was why his father had attempted to murder him. Why he spent his entire life until twenty alone in an abandoned wing of the hospital. Why so few could bare to be within ten meters of him for long or how it changed others around him like Sayuri. He would not think less of this Uzumaki if he did not wish for Sero to remain. If anything he would consider it wisdom. Of course if Takano would accept Sero remaining and continuing his training there would be a frown of doubt before a slow nod. What he was about to do would destroy the surrounding forest entirely and cause anything left alive in front of him to perish. So he would have to turn his back to this man. Which was an issue if he lost it and tried to attack Sero.

Assuming Takano properly prepared himself and accepted Sero continuing to train. He would watch as Sero would close his eyes. Focusing chakra within himself and bringing it forth. The sudden massive increase in chakra would act like pressure building around them. Like a weight was settling in the area and the heat began to pick up. Hot as an arid desert the air itself would feel dry. Sero would open his eyes and the whites had turned black as night with glowing blue irises. He would turn as he used one hand to form a single hand seal. Horse. Once he was done Sero would exhale in front of him as green flames emerged. The reason for his excessive clearing of the forest becoming apparent finally as a two hundred meter wide and fifty meter tall wall of green flame incinerated everything where it emerged. Once moment there was a forest and the next was a towering massive wall of fire that pushed heat off of it that would make even those safely outside of it sweat.

Yet Sero did not seem finished. Instead he would accept the result and let out a sigh as steam began to rise off of him. There was something more coming. Something dangerous as he focused chakra again. Heat rising as the ground beneath his feet would burn. Smoke rising from where he stood as he faced the wall of fire in front of him and intended to cancel it out with another katon technique. The village itself was on standby already to counter the spread of this as he had notified them he would need all available suiton users outside of the designated area to contain it. His hands would blue in movement as he formed more hand seals. Rat → Ox → Dog → Horse → Monkey → Boar → Tiger. With the last one finished Sero would exhale once more but this time a huge torrent of green flames would burst forward for five hundred meters in a straight line at A rank speed. Nothing was left in its path but scorched earth as the entire forest for five hundred meters was utterly incinerated. Green fire burning along the earth itself for five hundred meters as Sero crossed his hands before himself. Seemingly satisfied with the power of his jutsu. Already the teams of suiton users were working together to stop any fire from spreading. Water jutsu visible in the distance by the dozens. As there was nothing left but flat ground between them and the end of the five hundred meters.

Over 600/600 for two library S ranks trained :

Takano’s annoyance calmed a little when Sero explained that the sensation was not something he could exactly help, a revelation which caused a rare flash of embarrassment in the normally stoic Uzumaki. He coughed, “I see, it seems I owe you an apology sir. My only excuse is that I did not expect the sensation to be so…intense.” Takano explained rather lamely, the struggle on his face to fight off the effects of Sero’s aura still present on his face. “Please, continue with your training Commander Sero. I will learn to withstand the pressure.” The Uzumaki finished, his expression hardening with determination as he mustered his chakra reserves to fight off the invasive effects. Gaining the attention of such a highly ranked officer and getting the opportunity to view his techniques was not something Takano Uzumaki would throw away for something as measly as fear. Running was simply something the genin would not allow himself to do, no matter the state of his mind.

It was this iron-clad resolve that was put to the test as Sero marshaled his chakra reserves, nearly crushing the Uzumaki with their sheer intensity and choking corruption. If Sero was watching Takano in that moment, he would notice how his eyes had been reduced to amber slits, his fingernails digging deeply into his left palm as Takano fought the phantoms of his past with everything he had, a faint blue chakra aura coating his body to reduce the effect of the man’s aura. His right hand trembled as it moved towards his belt, to which most of his supplies and hip pouches lay. Takano’s fingers moved deliberately to one pouch, withdrawing a prepared scroll while carefully avoiding the kunai and other sharp objects that lay within, removing and spreading it on the ground. Another set of snatching movements removed the bandolier, and Takano placed it on the scroll before quickly sealing all of his weapons away, tucking the scroll deep within his jacket. Takano would not be attacking a senior officer, not while he still drew breath.

The chakra in the air continued to build, growing to a stifling heat that was beginning to get legitimately dangerous. Biting the inside of his cheek, Takano would flow through hhis own set of hand seals (Rat → Ox → Dog) before clapping his hands together. Whatever moisture in the air that had not been driven away by the heat quickly gathered, forming a layer of water across his body that somewhat mitigated the worst of the ambient heat. Enraptured, Takano would watch as two extremely powerful fire justu laid waste to the surrounding forest, leaving nothing but devastation in their wake. What had once been a thriving nest of nature was now naught but a smoking wasteland, covered by burned wood and charred earth.

Letting go of the water cloak, Takano drew level with the man, shading his eyes as he looked out across the aftermath. “….Impressive.” The Uzumaki breathed, awe temporarily replacing fear as he watched several Suiton users worked together to contain the flames. There was only one question on his mind now,“What did you do to gain this strength sir? You can't be that much older than myself, and the gap is so immense....”

Techniques Trained 250/250:

Sero appeared to be finished with his training for the time being. It was too dangerous to continue with the team of suiton users in the field so he would glance instead to his new training companion. The heat from the two jutsu still hung in the air but the pressure had died down and now it was back to the original sensation. As if being hunted but only casually now. Many struggled to remain near Sero but this one...this one was managing. The layer of water over the man would seem to catch Seros attention for a moment before the man would inquire as to how Sero gained so much power. A cold glance would take him in once more before Sero would look back to the destruction he had caused. The teams having to work diligently to stop the damage he had caused by himself. He supposed he had grown over the last couple of years somewhat. Still he had to think on the question. What had been a turning point for him? When did he start to gain all this power? The memory of the hospital and walking through this forest...weak and thirsty. Unpleasant memories. Still he would reply after a pause.

"At some point I realized I was weak. I had enemies after my life before I was born. Enemies that thought me close enough to dead to no longer be a threat to their ambition and traditions. At birth my mother died and the doctors said I seemed to have absorbed her life...before I could be named my father attempted to take my life as his clan had ordered at the time. The village did not allow this however and in his rage he died. I spent my life alone in that hospital. They called me patient Zero on the paperwork but it had been mistyped. Instead of Zero it was Sero. I was left in a hospital wing abandoned to me because of my aura and barely tended to for twenty years. Left only to my thoughts and books and forgotten by all. I could hear the children who made bets in the halls. How close will you get to the abomination they would jeer to each other. I hated them all so much that one day I left the hospital behind. I forced my legs to carry me through these very woods until I happened upon the first person to ever be kind to me. "

Sero would pause a moment. He was oversharing. An odd trait he had picked up with others talking to him lately. He would take a breath and glance as they finished putting out the last of the fires. Even now he saw it. The way they avoided looking at him. They avoided meeting his gaze and avoided getting anywhere close to him. He held power and influence within the village now but it wasn't enough. It would never be enough for a great many of them. As quickly as they finished they would abandon the area. Leaving Sero with only the one person and the destruction he had wrought. He would take it in a moment before clicking his tongue against his teeth in irritation to them. Let them fear him. It would eventually prevent criminals from coming anywhere near the village. From coming wherever he laid claim. That was his only goal.

"Find someone. Someone who will believe in you even when others doubt you. Fight for that someone and you will become stronger than you ever imagined you could be. The difference between us has nothing to do with age....it is our will."

Takano grew quiet as Sero spoke his story, watching as the teams of fire fighter slowly corralled the blaze, creating firebreaks and allowing the doomed sections to burn themselves to the ground. The older man’s story was not exactly an uncommon one among the Five Great Villages, but that didn’t mean that Takano couldn’t feel some empathy for the man. What would have happened if one of his family had developed strange abilities, and the rest of them had not been alive to help. The image of little seven-year-old Goya crying in a hospital alone, with nobody caring enough to help, or indeed wanting to help at all, was not exactly a pleasant one. One day, when he achieved the strength….

Shaking his head to clear the morose thought, Takano felt the strange fear settle back down from paralyzing to merely terrifying, allowing him slightly greater control over his own actions. With a sigh, Takano let go of the Water Armor, allowing the liquid to fall to the forest floor with a great splash, sinking deeply into the charred earth. The fact of the matter was, that without power, none of his thoughts or actions mattered much of anything. No fundamental change was ever made to the world without force of arms backing it up, no matter what pacifists or politicians lead you to believe. Takano had watched in the trenches of many battlefields as various shinobi had tried to rally others to stop the horrific fighting, only for them to be taken away by the ANBU in order to keep the “peace”. His parents had only shaken their heads in silence, labeling the men as fools to try and go against the Kages so openly, and now Takano thought understood their viewpoint.

“Not to sound pitying, but I wish children did not have to go through such hardships. It seems…unfair that a genetic roll of the dice can make one an outcast for their entire lives. It impacts our military strength as well: fine potential ninja being crushed underfoot simply because they are different.” Takano finally said, thinking back on his childhood as a newly arrived Uzumaki in Kirigakure. The laughter, the jokes the jeers. All because they happened to be born into a powerful clan. “But then again, those of clan blood have greater power, and will always be envied by the lazy and privileged. It is a problem to be solved in a more peaceful time perhaps.” He finished, scratching the back of his head in a habitual tick.

“A matter of will huh.” Takano muttered to himself, thinking about the family he had back home even now. They were all young, bereft of their parents and latching onto him as some sort of role model! They always wished to train with their big brother, but he was always so busy just trying to keep food on the table and rent payments made. He did everything in his power to protect them of course, but was he truly fighting for them? Takano turned it over for a few moments, then put the matter on the metaphorical shelf for the time being. It was a matter to think of later.

Takano turned and bowed to Sero once more. “Thank you for your words of wisdom and the demonstration sir. I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to help one such as me.”

Sero would listen as the fire was finally put out and the teams fell back. Exhausted and covered in soot. finally the ash that had begun to fill the sky would slowly fall. The smell of scorched earth filled his senses and the ash itself looked like snow. He would glance up to it as he remembered the palace on the mountain. How it snowed up there and he could feel it. His connection to the bone golem guarding that palace. Next to the ice golem. Two massive creatures that would deter most dangers. His queen sat there upon that throne of ice. He would serve her still and question her motives not. He saw the madness within her but did not doubt her as his queen. He was her vassal and as such he was expected to have power like this. There was more there too. Power he did not tap into during training. Power forced upon him on the isle of whispers and a distant memory of a sword. A sword he craved still. He could almost feel it as well in the other direction. Calling to him as a lover would. Grasping through the distance for him.

Takano would thank him for his council and his attention would turn to the man. Ash slowly snowing down around them and despite the smell of it gathering as snow would. Matter did not disappear after all. Just changed form based on how it was interacted with. Cause and effect in its prime example for the moment. He noted the water that had fallen off the man and how it soaked into the ground. Quickly absorbed into the ground and ashes piling up around them. It was rare that he found another who was wise and capable. This one had the air of a soldier as many of his men did. Perhaps he would serve well under his queen as well. But there were still questions to be answered. He could sense it hanging about the man. A deep seeded fear that affected him. He had seen it before in survivors after a battle. Men who struggled to find the strength to fight. To continue being warriors after they themselves had come so close to the end. He would consider this a moment before he would fold his hands into his sleeves. The ash falling about him seemed to sink into him and be no more. As if water absorbing it.

"Man is a savage thing. There are so many sins that drive each person. None are without it. My own is wrath. Often others are driven by pride or greed. Gluttony starving the masses and lust collecting the slaves. Envy causing nations to go to war or man to steal from another man. Often our leadership suffers from the sin of the sloth. Weak and lazy in their methods. However with each life comes purpose. Overcoming these sins and utilizing them to fulfill a purpose is our greatest destiny. You know of the nightmare brigade I assume? Soldiers who see the need for the wicked to be punished. Our purpose is to end the scum who the village marks as irredeemable. We are but executioners. Yet our name strikes fear into the wicked and crime rates have dropped as a result. Tell me honestly soldier....as you have lived through war...do we serve a just purpose? Or are we ourselves simply fallen to our sin of wrath? Speak honestly and you will not be punished even if the answer is not one I appreciate. I know my own destiny but I wonder about yours."

Takano listened to Sero as the man spoke with the air of one experienced with the evils of man. So many shinobi he had met since he returned to service seemed to enamored with the adventure of the lifestyle, drunk on their power to break the laws of nature, on the power that the position gave them. Takano knew himself not to be perfect, not by any stretch of the imagination, but such….softness was like an irritation he could not scratch. Despite himself, he could feel the old Takano, the reformer and idealist begin to stir faintly once more in the grave that the war had put it in. His old self had wanted exactly this, to be part of an elite force that would punish the evil and protect the weak, but his current self was just so….tired. The war had stolen more from him than his family, it had taken the piece of him that wished for more and brutally ripped it out of him the moment he had awoken in the medical tent after the battle.

In the swirling ash, Takano would stand quietly, turning the question over in his head. What did he truly, honestly think of such an organization? Slowly, falteringly, words began to fall from normally still lips.

“You speak of sins Commander Sero, and you are correct in that the ones you spoke of. However, the most endemic of sins to our society seems to be that of pride.” Takano began, staring at his palm as beads of water formed around his fingers, “When we possess these overwhelming gifts, the power to end lives and destroy buildings with as much difficulty as breathing, it makes one blind to the struggles of those fighting alongside them, fighting the same battles they used to fight. So many times in the War, I saw men I had fought and bled alongside, men I trusted, simply ignore the consequences of their own power, allowing their chakra to kill as many of their allies as itdid foes.” The Uzumaki’s voice shook then, a rare sign of emotion from the normally stoic shinobi. He swallowed, forcing it down. “They saw the chance to slay a legendary jounin as worth the collateral damage it would wreak, worth the despair and devastation in order for the chance to enhance their own name and etch their legend right next to the story of the Sage of Six Paths.”

Takano turned to face Sero then, setting his shoulders back and lifting his chin high. “So if you ask my true, unfiltered opinion Commander Sero, no, I do not think the Nightmare Brigade as just. I feel as though, regardless of intent, it can so easily slide into people simply using it to gain power and wealth, rather than destroying the village’s enemies. How would any of you ever know if you are just destroying the wicked out of a sense of justice, or simply because there are those unable to slake their thirst for blood.” Takano said bluntly, a slight shake of a hand the only sign of his intense nervousness about confronting Sero like this. “However, none of that makes the Nightmare Brigade any less necessary in these times. Sometimes the world needs wrath, carefully channeled, and controlled, to bring us all back to sanity. Even if events such as I describe I occur, it is a case of ends justifying the means, as letting the shinobi you hunt run unopposed is almost as bad as committing the crime yourself. In my humble opinion. Sir.”

Sero would listen without his expression changing. His cold blue eyes watching the young man. They stood alone now with Seros back to the sheer destruction he had caused. Still he had shown restraint and concern for the safety of others. People called him evil but his queen hated that. He was justice in this nation. A walking executioner. However he did not interrupt or even raise a brow as Takano spoke. Instead he would simply stare unblinking. Takano may even realize the man had not blinked once since their meeting moments ago. Despite the heat and ash falling about them those cold blue orbs never closed. Of course Sero was simply using his Hozuki clan ability to keep his body hydrated including his eyes. Still Takano would finish and for a moment there was silence in the air. No life left near them save for the two of them. The ashes finally settled on the ground like snow and stopped drifting around them. Sero would contemplate those words a moment before he would glance up to the side and clearly process the information. Thinking it through as a quote came to mind. Speaking calmly in a monotone voice.

"Your concern is absolute power corrupts absolutely. That those with power will eventually abuse it. Yet you see the need for it. You of course are free to your opinion and it is not up to me to claim if it is right or wrong. I only concern myself with one purpose. The enforcement of our nations greater laws. Those with a death penalty. I answer to the village leadership and seek nothing in return. My purpose is to slay the unforgivable. I do not take payment because it is simply what I am. I take status if only to increase my ability to serve my purpose. However I am also not blind. If proof is provided that one who commands me has done the unforgivable they too will be turned to ash and dust. I want for nothing besides the strength to serve. I do not seek to conquer or expand the nation's territory. Or to lead it myself. I have accepted that I am but a tool. A tool can be misused but its purpose remains the same. Walk with me soldier and be my guide back to the village. There is more yet to speak of. All in due time."

Sero would turn and begin heading back in the way of the Hozuki clan compound specifically. It was where the nightmare brigade barracks were and as such his home. He did not claim money so he survived off of what was provided for the soldiers and himself. He had no castle or riches. Only the power within him. His eyes would shift if Takano followed him to observe the man. He had a certain flavor to his fear. Deeper and more imbedded than most. Some would put it in a rather simple manner. This man had seen some shit. Still the training grounds wasn't too far away. Sero himself almost seemed to glide along rather than walk. The mist blanketing around them as they moved and the shadows stretching onwards. Dancing as they passed. If Takano noticed Seros own shadow it would be alarmingly odd. As his shadow would show five tails. Still he would speak once more as he returned to staring ahead of them.

"The Nightmare brigade could use someone centered. If you choose the route of the punisher we will have you join our ranks. If not then it will be open to you in the future. However you must overcome the fear holding you back. Find me in two days either early at the docks or at the surrounding islands. There I will be leading a rather difficult and peculiar survival training session. If you do come though Takano...know you risk losing everything. Not just your life....but your mind and soul as well. There will be trials that may change the very essence of who you are."

Takano felt anticipation rising in him as the older Shinobi simply stood there, staring up at the still swirling ash. He did not exactly regret what he had said (Sero had asked him for his honest opinion after all), but the continued silence was making the Uzumaki’s thoughts begin to drift towards escape routes and diversionary tactics instead of philosophical discussion. Mercifully however, Sero finally spoke, speaking of his opinions on the issues Takano had brought up. It was reassuring to hear that Sero had not rejected his claims out of hand, but it did feel as though Sero was brushing off his arguments a little.

“I respect your dedication to the job sir. I guess I can only hope that others in the village with your authority share the same outlook.”

Takano’s talkative phase had ended it seemed, and the Uzumaki would turn to follow his superior as they trudged through the burnt wasteland, slowly making their way back to Kirigakure. The ambient heat from Sero’s fire jutsu began to die down, allowing the usual chill of Hozuki Isle to begin to make its presence known once more. This meeting had left Takano with plenty to think about, from the jutsu he had begun to master to Sero’s intense power, to the exchange in motivations and viewpoint that had forced Takano to confront some interesting ideas. He was in fact so absorbed with his thoughts that it took him an extra second to notice the abnormality of Sero’s shadow, and of its sheer size.

Takano, despite his appearance and level of power, was far from stupid. Could Sero truly be-? He resisted the urge to snap his head around to examine his superior, his mind racing at a breakneck speed. Takano had suddenly a million questions, most of all why Sero had chosen to reveal this to him, a relatively nobody in the scheme of things. To follow up this shocking discovery, Sero offered him a position in the elite Nightmare brigade, even suggesting his attendance in a training session he was holding in the near future. Stunned into silence, Takano struggled to form words.

“My mind, body and soul were at risk since the day I put on the headband sir. War taught me that reality.” Takano said quietly, staring up at the misty skies. “I am appreciative of your offer, truly I am. However….you are right. Not all of me came back from the battlefield sir, I am…unsure if I am ready to be thrust into such a position so soon. If it would be acceptable, I would like to wait until after your exercise to decide. Perhaps then, I will find the clarity I seek.”

Takano finished, glancing at Sero as the pair walked off into the snow, leaving only their footprints behind….

[EXIT]

Sero would nod as the man left. He wanted to see his limits during this test so there would be no argument. Knowing ones limits on a battlefield could keep themselves and others alive. Knowing when to retreat was a valuable skill in a soldier. Still he would wait and reserve judgement until after the test was concluded. For now he simply would return to base and prepare for another day of slaughter for the enemies of this great water nation. The world was a harsh place filled with broken men. Luckily Sero was no more human than the monsters whispered about to children to make them behave.

Exit thread
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