Rank review and test

Tengoku had arrived an hour before hand at the grand training facility. Heading to the dojo floor quietly with folder in hand and three swords on his belt. Well two Katana and a wakizashi. He was wearing a sleeveless yellow gi with black trim that went down to his knees with black pants underneath. Sandals adorned his feet with a set of gold jewelry with golden feathers on his upper arms as well as his wrists and ankles. A glove with two fingers missing adorned his right hand under the jewelry stretching up to his shoulder. The black leather was fashionable but only on his right arm. It was usually designed for an archer but he rather appreciated the grip it provided on his sword. His white hair hung wildly about his head with his wolf like ears popping out within it. Hanging down to his chest and mid back. It was early morning so it was still cool out and the dojo itself was on the top floor. A spot reinforced for taijutsu, kenjutsu, Bukijutsu and Kyuujutsu practice. All the physical arts in a traditional style wooden floor dojo with paper matts laid down to protect from falls. A comforting place for Tengoku.

He would select one of the Taijutsu dojo on the top floor. Respectfully removing his sandals outside of the building within the training facility before stepping into the polished wood floor. His left hand held a blue folder marked confidential with several pages tucked within. One name on the front of the folder in bold black print. Ari Dokuma. A genin within their ranks who had participated in a couple of battles within the war. Although she had been attacked according to both mission reports she had still managed to survive. Beyond that she had acquired the Byakugan at some point. He had day dreamed of it himself a few times. But did not wish for anyone to lose an eye. Still he was interested in her story and with the war over but another looming...he needed capable people who could take on students. But he could not assign genin to a genin. He needed to evaluate her in order to promote her. There were questions looming in his mind so he would be meeting her here and hopefully testing her skills himself. Word of mouth and written reports were great and all...but he had his own concerns.

A courier had been assigned to go to her home address and collect the woman and guide her to this specific meeting spot before ten A.M. A random request to meet with the new Hokage but an urgent one all the same. They were instructed to not take no for an answer and if she had plans with others to bring them along too. Under no circumstances was the courier to return to this dojo without her. Those had been his instructions and he had repeated them back to Tengoku at Tengokus behest. Still Tengoku would take a seat cross legged within the dojo. Removing his three swords and placing them in a crescent circle around him. The katanas on his left and right and the Wakizashi in front of him. All extremely potent weapons of varying capabilities. Two of them made from midnight ore while the wakizashi had another metal within it as well from a craftswoman in kumo. Designed to return to his hand when summoned. The remaining katana was black and red consisting of Tetsudashi steel with a senju wood hilt. Ashitaka had recrafted that for him and though it was weaker than the other two it held a special place in his heart. He would place his hands on his knees after and close his eyes. Reaching out with his other senses to hear and smell Ari coming. Wondering what her scent would be like. Her folder placed between him and the wakizashi.

It was another day for Ari, and it was a day that she was actually spending some time with her grandfather. The elder man with cocoa skin weathered from the countless years of labor through harsh weather had finished brewing a pot of tea. The steam rose from the opened spout as her grandfather gently lifted the kettle from the stove and he poured the jasmine tea into two clay cups. He sets the kettle down after pouring and after picking up the two cups. Ari was handed her cup of tea as she sat at a dining chair with the hand-crafted table of maple wood.

"Have you ever thought of settling for another profession? You could be anything. Whether it is a doctor, office assistant, or even own your business. Something to get you away from the front lines now that the war is over." Her grandfather held a deep sense of concern as he sat across from her. Ari's eyes remained on the surface of her tea, looking at herself through the calm reflection. Seeing the scars practically etched into her flesh even after her silver hair grew to shoulder length again. Steam rose to caress her face as Ari considered the advice for a moment.

"I have… but I don't think that I'll step down. It'd be one thing if our military force would do just fine without me, but from what I remember we're currently in a bit of a vulnerable state." Ari lifts the cup close to her lips. Feeling the steam pressing on her lips before Ari blew the steam across and then followed with a sip. Her grandfather's expression saddened as he remained still and silent for a moment.

"Yes but… when I saw your body in that hospital, covered in burns and ruptures to the point where I barely recognized you. I honestly feared that… that you wouldn't make it… and that I've lost my only family forever." It was then, as Ari began lowering her cup to the table, that she noticed the thin trickles of tears cascading from the man's eyes. After the raid on the Land of Iron, her grandfather and herself were the only ones of their family that survived. Both had been through a lot in the span of a couple years. Ari's expression softened as she got up from her chair and with a napkin in hand. She began to silently wipe the old man's tears away before Ari gave him a hug.

"I understand Papi, but until we can make this village safe from future assaults I cannot sit by and do nothing. Not when I know what I can do out there." A moment of silence fell between them, only to be disturbed when the sound of knocking could be heard. Out of instinct, or habit really, Ari opened her mind to the sensory awareness to get a feel of who was at their door. Someone with a decent amount of chakra and had an element of fire in them.

Ari stepped away from her grandfather and approached the door. Upon opening it, she wears the trademark small smile of just being polite as Ari greets the newcomer. The most immediate object that caught her attention was the symbol of Konohagakure on the headband around the man’s head. Not to mention the jacket was a give away too, but she was more confused as to why someone in his position would be coming to her door of all people. Surely there were more capable people handling an escort?

”Yes?” The courier stood at attention before he responded.

”Lord Hokage wishes to speak with you at once on the third floor of Grand Konoha Training Grounds.” Now that was another red flag that her smile faded into the expression of confusion.

”And just what does the Hokage want with a Genin?”

”He did not say I’m afraid, and I’m not going to assume his intentions either. I insist that you come with me and meet with Lord Hokage.” Ari looks at the man in silence for a second before she lets out a sigh. She pushes the door open a bit wider as a silent way of saying come in.

”Fine then, wait here or whichever and I’ll be out in a minute.” With that Ari turned to walk deeper into her house with the messenger stepping inside at the door. As Ari walked past the kitchen, she noticed that her grandfather was in the midst of pouring the rest of his hot tea into a to-go cup with a couple of fresh biscuits for Ari to take with her. Ari went to her room where she put on her armor, ninja tools, and fastened her headband around her forehead. As she stepped out of her room, Ari noticed that her grandfather was having some small talk with the guard that fell silent upon sighting her presence.

”I’ll be back soon. Make sure to take your medicine at noon please.” Ari spoke to her grandfather as she knows that he can be forgetful when he’s supposed to be taking his medicine. It’s not a strong prescription, but it helps keep vitamins and iron within his body. Ari remembers a few times that he only bumped his arms and shin on the smooth edges of tables and counters. Yet he’d still bruise like somebody punched him. Her grandfather chuckles as he hands her the cup and two biscuits wrapped with a napkin. Both of which Ari accepts with a sip of her tea. Nursing it to not burn her tongue from the heat.

”Oh I’ll be fine dear. We’ll have some barbeque pork tonight, so try to be home before dark this time.” His words put a genuine smile on her lips before the guard opened the front door again and they started to walk out.

”I will, if nothing else goes on today I’ll come straight home.” And with that Ari left for the training facility.

---

By the time Ari had arrived, she had eaten her biscuits and drank half of her tea that gradually cooled off over time. As she entered the dojo so to speak, her sensory field was getting a lot of pings as she was picking up anyone that was present and not hiding their presence. Her mind filters out the information that she was receiving and focuses her senses on the Hokage. His chakra was greater than her own, or at least has a greater capacity than Ari does. Raiton element, that was the primary cause of concern since Ari’s specialty happens to be a doton which is naturally weak to Raiton chakra.

Ari wears her short sleeved grey shirt with a pair of sandy brown shorts. She also wears a pair of open-toed sandals. Her armor is composed of a mixture of regular steel and leather that offers minimum protection and does not limit her mobility.

Ari approaches the Hokage until she’s within respectable distance. To which she’ll respond in kind by bowing to waist level before sitting in a formal manner as she places her cup of tea to the side. Her eyes focused on the Hokage as her mind kept a radar open for the influctuations. Not that she doubts Tengoku’s integrity nor does she suspect that he intends to harm her. However with the stress each nation has gone through, both civil and against each other. Ari couldn’t be too certain. Granted she thought about using her Byakugan, but use of it was a clear giveaway. At least her sensing abilities are more subtle and difficult to interpret.

”I trust that everything is well, Lord Hokage?”

Sensing -0.5CP

Tengokus ear would twitch as someone approached. His own sensory pinging them and measuring their chakra. She was above average by the feel of it. Still not on par with his own but not far behind either. Of course Tengoku didn't use chakra much in his fighting style but he saw the purpose and potency of it in others. He also saw how it improved his own combat capabilities. Still he would glance up with amber hues and a warm smile as she entered. Fairly casual dress but this was an informal event. Without much time to prepare. He noted the smell of tea and biscuits on her as his wolf like ears twitched at the sound of sandals hitting dojo floor. She would inquire if all was well as he glanced to her feet. He supposed not everyone was familiar with the traditions of a proper dojo. So he would resist the urge to show his frustration and instead would hold up a hand to stop her from coming further within. Speaking calmly to her in return.

"Please, remove your footwear before entering a dojo. It is to show respect to the dojo itself as one would a household. "

It was such a small thing but still he was clearly serious. Tengoku took his taijutsu and kenjutsu studies very seriously. Part of which was learning the traditions behind the styles before truly embracing their forms. To understand why a fighting style was created was to understand the emotions and purpose behind each form. Still if she obeyed and did as she was told he would indicate the spot directly across from him to sit. A smile playing on his face as he waited. Finally if she were to sit in front of him his eyes would glance over those scars. She had been through a great deal in her life already and nearly lost it already in the war. He knew there was another war against even more powerful opponents on the way so it ached in his heart to ask his people to do more. Still he would take a breath before picking up her file and opening it quietly between them. Speaking as he finished going over the first couple of pages quietly. His aura felt warm and inviting even if that raiton element was like a charged battery in his chakra.

"All is fine my friend. This is simply an rank and file private review. We will start with a few questions if you don't mind. I see you were not born in Konoha. You and your grandfather came here after the cruel downfall of your home country. I was recently there myself and I can tell you they have rebuilt and are now more powerful than ever. The Samurai are indeed strong. Yet despite Kirigakure making amends to Tetsumaru by slaying those responsible, I wonder how you feel about Konohas alliance with them? Do you harbor hate still for them as a nation despite those responsible being executed?"

It was a sincere question but one that went for the heartstrings right off the bat. Tengoku was known for being a beacon of justice to the village. Yet he was straightforward. He knew this subject was likely a painful one for the woman before him. Just barely old enough by a year or two to serve under the new age laws for their military. Yet that did make her an adult. However he needed to be cautious for those he promoted. If they sought power for the wrong reasons...he could not give them influence over others. Not at least for their youth to be taught their same prejudices.

A dojo was a place that many martial artists held sacred, even if it wasn’t theirs, people still respected the type of place. Ari was never into that whole thing as she just didn’t grasp the idea of respecting a building. To her, buildings eventually crumble and abandon to allow nature to reclaim it. Just as civilization would rise and eventually fall to nothing. Whether it was by their own sword, venom, or other means.

But Ari proceeds to take off her sandals, revealing her calloused bare feet as she spent years traveling and walking around with no footwear. If anything it saved her the hassle of being lectured for an hour of why respecting a building was so important. Ari noted the blades that were placed in front of Tengoku in a crescent shaped fashion. Each looked like they were one of a kind, and deadly from the looks of it. Each one would probably slice through her like her body was made out of hot butter. Or so Ari imagined at any rate.

Fortunately this was a rank and file interview so to speak. However Tengoku went straight for the heartstrings so to speak and questioned how she felt about Kirigakure and the alliance Konoha has with them despite the amends they’ve strived to make. Frankly it was actually the first time anybody asked how she viewed Kirigakure and the alliance made with them. However a flash of memories of that horrible event went through her mind, and least to say back then her mind was not in a good place. Ari didn’t speak for a moment as her eyes shifted downward towards the floor.

”I’ll be honest with you, I can never forgive them for taking away my family. The very thought of them pisses me off, but I understand that the Hidden Leaf is bigger than what one person thinks or believes. So I haven’t done anything that would antagonize them in any way. Even during the war, I specifically chose missions that would’ve involve me directly with Kirigakure forces to avoid any unnecessary confrontation.”

Tengoku would listen attentively and smile. She hated an allied country but could keep her reservations in check. Even going to greater lengths to ensure that she didn't need to associate with them as much as possible. It was a good practice but unfortunately she didn't care that those who had wronged her had been brought to justice. She blamed a nation as a whole for the actions of a few. A few now dead. He had his doubts about Kiri anyway. Their representative was mad. Not as in an angry woman though that was true. But as in her mind was broken. Madness enveloped her entirely and it spoke measures of the haunting things Kiri would no doubt be at the center of in the future. Their past had been punished but their future was dim at the moment.

Still she was aware of her hate and taking measures for avoidance. Eventually she would need to confront this and overcome it...but it was a lot to ask of someone. He could even accept that he wasn't able to understand her emotions on the subject. Not fully anyway. If he lost his sister would he turn on the whole village? Would he hate those responsible and swear vengeance? Was he just a hypocrite preaching peace when he knew so little of loss? He would nod and move on all the same. His intentions were to evaluate and not debate so he wouldn't do more than note her answer internally. Self awareness had its value. Still he would listen as she mentioned the war. From her file he would pull out two folders and set both of them closed in front of her. Two missions that had proven difficult during war time. Each one she was likely more familiar with intimately than him just reading them could comprehend. He would speak up to her after setting them down.

"I see. Speaking of the war, there were two missions you participated in of note. I have read the reports but in my experience they rarely do it justice. I would like you to go over each of them with me and tell me where you think the mission went wrong. How would you do things differently and would you even consider doing dangerous missions again? I do not seek to push those who do not wish to face danger again. But should you be capable. I won't turn you away from it either if you so choose. I just need to see what insight you gained."

exiting thread due to inactivity
5 posts = 50 exp