What the Future Holds

Ryu slowly made his way to the village's training facility, adjusting his headband as he walked. He knew it was the symbol of the Hidden Mist Village, but he hated wearing it as he felt like it messed with his hair. The early morning sun struggled to penetrate the thick mist that blanketed the village, casting an eerie glow on the cobblestone streets. The mist, a constant presence in the village, not thick enough to limit visibility but enough to obscured distant buildings in a veil of secrecy. The air was thick with the scent of fish and the nearby ocean, the faint cries of seagulls echoed in the distance, mingling with the rhythmic splash of waves against the rocky shore at the edge of the village.

Ryu exchanged casual nods with the villagers as he passed them, his indifference evident in his nonchalant demeanor. Approaching the training facility, Ryu sighed heavily, more out of habit than annoyance, resigning himself to the inevitable training session that laid ahead. It wasn't everyday he received a summons, and even when he did he would often ignore them, but there was no ignoring this one. Kitsuki Kurahasa, was not someone that you ignored, not if you wanted to continue living that is. She was more than just an important figure within the village, she was a Princess and when she called you answered, simple as that. Even if the princesses no longer ruled the village, they were still revered.

Ryu in particularly missed the days when the princesses ruled, everything ran smoothly and nobody asked him to do anything. Everything changed when the village shifted to the rule of the single Mizukage, in Ryu's opinion it all went to shit when it did. Suddenly he was being tasked with things and expected to do things, then there was the whole ordeal with the village being attacked by the Bijuu. It was all just too much, he longed for the days when he could spend his afternoon sleeping or doing other leisurely activities. Of course, now it seemed as though even one of the princesses wished for him to do more than he had been, which was just a bummer in his opinion.

As he stepped into the training facility, Ryu suddenly wondered if he was going to get reamed for not participating in the Chuunin Exams and representing the village hidden in the mist. In his mind, the Chuunin Exams were nothing more than a pageant show. Designed so that the leaders of the different villages could parade their genin in front of the masses and show off the strength of their younger generation. Things like that just wasn't his scene though, he was too much of a free spirit to be hampered down by labels like genin or chuunin. He was what he was, he preferred to just go with the flow of things. Though now it seemed as though he was stuck in a river that was quickly approaching rapids, and he wondered just what the princess had in store for him.

Two hundred and one.....Two hundred and two....Two hundred and three..... Kitsuki counted silently as she pushed several tons worth of plates into the air before lowering it towards her chest. She repeated the process again, and again and again. Each time maintaining exquisite form and focus. The barbel plates she lifted were as large as a tractor's tires and at the end of each one was a custom made Fuuinjutsu seal. The seal increased the density and weight of her load with each set of ten ensuring that she'd meet the requirements for progressive overload strength training despite her already maxed out power. Even if I can't get stronger...I need to maintain what I have. The Shinobi World Tournament was coming up and she had been unconcious for months. Kit thus decided that it was in her best interest to catch up on training and make up for lost time. Of course, as a leader of the village she would be neglecting her duties if she did not take an active interest in the development of her subordinates. Kitsuki had not trained another genin since Lily and her time with the child was brief. After Lily had fallen to the plague, Kit did not take another crop of students. Partially because the loss of her ward and adoptee had left a bitter taste in her mouth and partially because she was just too busy. But that had to change. The Bijuu attack showed that the village was not nearly as secure as it needed to be and Okane's warning still left her sleepless on many a night. She and Arisu were strong enough to hold the line, but there was no gurantee they'd be around forever. Kit owed it to her homeland to raise up a new generation that was just as strong and so she had selected three genin that she felt would benefit from her tutelage.

When Ryu entered the Kirigakure Grand Training Facility, he'd be greeted by the sight of a mostly empty shinobi gymnasium. The Princess had reserved a good chunk of the day for herself and her squad. There were training dummies, weapons and of course work out equipment. Kit herself was lying down on her back and benchpressing the aformentioned weight. The dark-skinned kunoichi was wearing a black and blue tracksuit with fingerless gloves and a pair of matching sneakers. Ryu would likely see the giant barbell first being moved up and down by a petite figure. A clone of Kit would be standing over her with its hands directly underneath the silver bar that connected the plates. The real Kit was holding it with a tight overhand grip and while she didn't intend on dropping it, she had been weight training long enough to know that safety took precedence over one's ego. The clone whistled to draw the real Kit's attention. It then smiled and waved at Ryu before poofing. With a soft grunt, Kit completed the set and then racked the gargantuan weight on an equally massive bench press stand. The act shook the entire building. Kit took a cold wet towel from an assistant who rushed over. The assistant bowed and then ran off while Kit wiped her brow and turned towards Ryu with a warm smile.

"Good morning Ryu Uzumaki. You're the first to arrive. Do you know why I summoned you here?" Despite her intimidating strength, Kit was a girl of average feminine height and slim figure. She looked upwards at the taller young man. One might say he was more physically imposing than she was even though her political and martial stature for exceeded his own.

As Ryu approached and was greeted by the woman, Mamoru stared down at them from the dark corners of the gymnasium, his eyes still bulging damn near out of their sockets. A loud thud sound echoed through the empty room as Mamoru dropped down, not even trying to be sneaky or quiet. His head darting back and forth, several times, from the massive weights to the woman. He watched her bench those. The. Entire. Time. 
Mamoru walked towards the weights, his head craning over them, then under, then all around, trying to find some evidence or flaw. He didn't even say a single word. The shock struck him that hard. How the hell could she lift THESE? He finally laid his back on the bench, gripped his hands firmly on the silver bars, and PUSHED. His face went immediately red with strain, he bared his teeth, and roared, giving it everything he possibly had and then some. His body was rigid as he strained to try and lift those weights. But they didn't even budge. Not even in the slightest

His body went slack. His arms drooped to the floor, like he completely melted to the bench, and his breathing was heavily labored. Mamoru never seen anyone that strong before. He just needed to prove to himself that it wasn't some sort of show. It seemed like she lifted these with little effort. Like they just weighted fourty pounds. 
Once he finally caught his breath, he rose to his feet, and walked over to Ryu and the woman. No smile. His face completely blank with shock and pure admiration. He dropped to his knees, in front of them, and pressed his forehead to the ground like he was worshiping a god. Mamoru finally stood, his usual smile on his face. "Sorry about that. Kaguya Mamoru. Pleasure to meet you, ma'am." He said towards Kit. "Hey Ryu" He grinned, greeting his friend

Tenshi moved with purpose towards the training area. Though his face would never show it, there was a sense of excitement swelling up inside him Today was the day he took the most important step in beginning his Shinobi career, and his quest to become strong. Strong enough to... Tenshi shook his head as the blurred and jumbled memories of the day he fled Sunagakure tried to breach the surface of his thoughts. Now was not the time to worry about things like that.

Finally making his way to the entry way of the training facility, Tenshi stopped, taking a deep breath and refocusing his mind, before stepping inside. Upon entry, he was met with a strange sight that caused him to cock an eyebrow at the white haired boy before him. For some reason, the boy was trying, and failing, to lift a set of massive weights. Tenshi stood and watched him as his face turned red from the struggle and his body eventually slumped down. "Okay then..." he said, giving his head a small shake of confusion before turning his attention towards the others in the building. Of course, he recognized the one who had called him here immediately.

Before he could approach the other two, the white haired boy had moved towards them, and Tenshi took it upon himself to follow. He heard the boy introduce himself as 'Mamoru Kaguya.' Once Mamoru had spoken, Tenshi stepped forward, clearing his throat as he lowered his head in a bow to Kitsuki. "Tenshi Fujio, reporting for duty!"

Ryu approached the massive barbell being bench-pressed by the petite figure of Kitsuki Kurahasa, a sight that was both impressive and intimidating. He gave a half-hearted wave, noting how effortlessly she handled the gargantuan weights. His mind wandered briefly to his own physical training, or rather lack thereof, wondering if he could ever hope match her strength or even her discipline. Just as he was about to respond to Kitsuki's question of why he was summoned there, Mamoru Kaguya, appeared from the shadows causing his brow to knit. The intensity with which Mamoru scrutinized the weights and his futile attempt to lift them amused Ryu.

Mamoru's eventual prostration before Kitsuki was both amusing and somewhat embarrassing to watch. Ryu shook his head slightly, a smirk playing on his lips. Then came Tenshi Fujio, entering with a more composed demeanor. His formal introduction and clear respect for the situation contrasted starkly with Mamoru's overzealous display. Ryu found himself appreciating Tenshi's approach; it was more in line with his own preference for a low-key attitude. Ryu turned his attention back to Kitsuki. "Good morning, Princess Kurahasa. Originally I assume you summoned me for some kind of punishment or chastising due to my relative lack of involvement in the village." he started, his tone casual yet respectful.

"Though now that I see you have summoned others as well, I can only assume that you plan on some kind of training." Ryu observed the gymnasium, taking in the various training dummies, weapons, and workout equipment. The sheer scale and variety of tools at their disposal suggested a session far more intense than any he had participated in recently. The thought of the impending training made him slightly apprehensive, but he masked it with his usual nonchalant demeanor. "I have to admit, I'm curious to see what exactly you have in store for us today." Ryu stated before turning his attention to the other two that had joined them and acknowledging their presence with a small nod, Mamoru he knew however Tenshi was new to him.

The sight of her lifting such an immense weight was a stark reminder of the gap between them. He couldn't help but wonder how much effort it would take to close that gap, or if it was even possible. The princesses warm smile and approachable demeanor contrasted sharply with her formidable strength and status, as well as a contrast to his original assumption of the woman. It was a curious juxtaposition that made Ryu slightly more at ease, though he remained wary of what she expected from him. He was used to skirting responsibilities and evading the limelight, but something told him that today would be different.

Kitsuki smiled as she saw Mamoru enter the gymnasium. The shock on his face wasn't anything she hadn't seen before. Most shinobi were awestruck when they saw how much she could lift despite her petite size. What she didn't expect though, was for the overeager genin to attempt to lift her afternoon workout. Kit grinned and shook her head. The kid wasn't lacking in spunk or ambition that was for sure. Eventually, he ceased his efforts and fell to the ground in a rather extreme and embarrassing show of supplication. "Hey now! You don't have to do that." Kitsuki's face flushed with embarrassment. She knew that it was a matter of royal courtesy to bow and address a member of the Princess elite with respect. Mamoru, however, was taking it much too far. She would help Mamoru to his feet. As she did, she noted that Mamoru already knew Ryu which was a great start. "Just a simple bow will suffice from now on Mamoru"

The last member to arrive was Tenshi. She had read the young man's file and it had moved her something fierce. He was a refugee from Sunagakure. She could only imagine what he must be feeling. To have to start over in a foreign land due to the actions of a mad man. Part of the reason Kit had selected him for her squad was due to the pang of guilt that she felt as a member of the Blue Empire. Kirigakure had made refugees out of several nations: Iron and Demons immediately came to mind. It didn't help that Sayuri Yuki, a woman whom she had shared power with, was implicated as being Chen's paramour and chief enabler. If she hadn't given Sayuri so much influence then maybe Chen could have been reigned in. Maybe the destruction of Suna would have never come to pass. No. Don't spend time dwelling on would'ves, could'ves, and should'ves...you owe this young man. You have a responsibility to him. Focus on that and not the past.

Kit nodded in acknowledgement of his bow. "Its a pleasure to meet you Tenshi."

She turned to Ryu and answered his question. She would place a hand on his shoulder and give him a reassuring pat.

"No punishment today soldier. If anything, it is you that should chastize me. I've spent too much time running this city and not enough time training its genin. I've been a leader of this village for years and I have yet to train a full squad. Well, that ends today. From now on, you three are part of Team 1.....a squad that will train under my supervision"

Kitsuki turned from Ryu and rapped the heavy weights with her knuckles.

"There was a time when I was just like you nin. Afraid and unsure of my place in the world. I didn't become this strong by my own power. I had lots of help. Lots of help."

ⴷⴰⵎⵏ ⵙⵜⵔⴰⵉⴳⵀⵜ

Zizz lay nestled within the many curls of Kitsuki's afro. She was invisible to the naked eye as her tiny Angelic form had shrunk to the size of a white blood cell but Kit could understand her just fine.

"Its time for me to return the favor. The recent attack by the Two Tails has led me to the realization that I must take an active role in the training and development of the next generation. You may become just as strong as I am or you may have talents of your own that are just as amazing. Only time will tell but I'm certain that together we can make miracles happen. So I'd like to start with getting to know each of you. Start by stating your full name, a little bit about your background, your current specialties and fighting style including elements, combat proficiencies and what you hope to excel in. I'd also like to know your hopes and dreams as a shinobi. Let's start with you Mamoru."

As Mamoru stood alongside Ryu and Tenshi, his mind raced at a million miles an hour, with thought of his future self lifting those same weights. Smashing, not only boulders, but mountains. Lift the sky and hold the world in his hands. His ambitions skyrocketed. He wanted to shoot for the moon and beyond that. Whatever was beyond that large glowing ball in the sky. He didn't want the power to rule. He didn't care about being in charge. He wanted to get stronger to better protect. He shook himself from his thoughts and came back to reality, Kit mentioned them being Team 1. He swelled with Pride. She must have seen something in each of them, for her choose to train them, after years. He definitely didn't want to let her down. Or Tenshi and Ryu. They were all a team now.

Mamoru listened more intently now, silent as she spoke, especially when she mentioned the Two Tails attack. He had heard word of it and always wished he would have been able to see it for himself. There must have been some other powerful shinobi battling alongside her, he imagined. His attention shift to the weights for a moment and he knew his first goal. He wanted to lift them as effortlessly as she had.
No.
He wanted to be able to toss those weights to the next continent!

"Oh uh..." Mamoru said, taken aback as she called on him first. Mentally checking off on the things she was requesting from him "Well, my name is Kaguya Mamoru. My background is..." Mamoru rubbed the back of his head in thought "Complicated. Both of my parents died. My mother shortly after I was born and my father...is it three years now?" He asked more so to himself, trying recall how much time had passed. "I do have an older brother, but he's...not in the village anymore. So I mostly live alone" Mamoru said softly. He wasn't completely mentally prepared to reopen those wounds, but he inhaled a deep breath and then exhaled, before continuing. "I've spent a lot of time training and exercising to make my body strong, to support my unnaturally strong bones. I also don't have an elemental affinity." He shrugged that that last part. It was always a secret insecurity of his that he lacked an elemental affinity. Even if he didn't use Ninjutsu. He always thought having an affinity would be pretty cool. "Let's see. What else? Well, my fighting styles are currently Dance of the Blossom, that I'm still learning from my clan, and the Arhat Fist Style, which I really enjoy. I'm proficient in Taijutsu, some kenjutsu, and very little non-elemental ninjutsu." Mamoru paused for moment. "As for my hopes and dreams. Well, after witnessing a death of someone,  it was always my drive to get stronger, just to protect those that can't protect themselves. I've pushed myself even harder, after hearing about the recent Two-tails attack. And now, seeing how strong you are, I want protect with overwhelming strength. Maybe even join the Seven Swordsman. I think that's it about me." He said, hoping he covered everything about himself. If she could help them all get stronger, then maybe his dreams can come true. Determination and hope erupted through him like a bonfire.

Tenshi lifted himself from his bow as Kitsuki spoke. His eyes shifted between the other two young men before they returned to the elder woman. He listened intently as she spoke. A rousing speech indeed, though the mention of the two tails caused his anxiety to spike, fear and frustration swelling up in him. When the word that the village was under attack from a Tailed Beast had reached him, it had petrified Tenshi. He had spent two days locked in his room, a good portion of it rocking back and forth. He had been uprooted from his home by one beast, and the idea of it happening again had terrified him.

Tenshi's fist clenched as his brain barely registered what Mamoru was saying. At the back of his mind, a darkness began to stir, and distant whispers began to grow louder. Soon, there was a jumbled chorus of voices echoing in his head. His eyes widened, his gaze moving towards the sky overhead. "My name is Tenshi Fujio..." he said, his voice low and trance-like. "And my goal is to return home... and kill those who took it from me..."

Suddenly, one of the voices became louder than the others. "TENSHI!" Just like that, he snapped back to reality, shaking his head. "Whoa, sorry about that," he said, forcing a large smile across his face and scratching the back of his head. "Sometimes I zone out. Now where was I? Oh yeah. I'm Tenshi Fujio, and my family comes from Sunagakure. We came here after the village was attacked by a madman and our home was destroyed. I don't have many any specialties at the moment, but I can use a few fire based ninjutsu. My goal is to become a master swordsman, and maybe one day join the Legendary Seven Swordsmen of the Mist!"

He was masking hard now, putting on a show, like he hadn't just sounded like a psychopath a moment before. But he wasn't lying, mostly. He wasn't exactly good at anything at this time, but he did want to master the sword he carried with him. He had chosen to add in the part about joining the Seven Swordsmen just as a cover, but if his training went right, who knew, maybe one day he would join them. However, that would not take away from his true goals...

Ryu observed Mamoru and Tenshi closely as they spoke, taking mental notes on their strengths, weaknesses, and motivations. Mamoru's enthusiasm was palpable, his drive to protect others inspiring, though Ryu couldn't help but notice the underlying sorrow in his voice. The contrast between Mamoru's cheerful exterior and Ryu's lackadaisical one was stark. It made Ryu ponder the reasons behind his own lack of enthusiasm for training and the responsibilities he often skirted.

Then there was Tenshi. The momentary shift in his demeanor when he mentioned returning home and seeking revenge was chilling. It hinted at a darkness within him, a trauma. Yet, Tenshi's immediate recovery and the forced smile that followed made Ryu respect the boy's resilience. It was clear that both Mamoru and Tenshi carried heavy burdens, yet they faced them head-on with a determination that Ryu found both admirable and daunting. Realizing it was his turn, Ryu took a deep breath.

He had never been one for long-winded speeches, preferring actions over words, but he understood the importance of this moment. Clearing his throat, he began. "I'm Ryu Uzumaki. My background isn't to complicated. I graduated the academy five years ago, though my participation in the village has been... sporadic at best. I've often found myself drifting, avoiding responsibilities, and seeking the path of least resistance." He paused, glancing at Kitsuki. "That's probably why I've never been part of a formal squad until now."

He shifted his stance, feeling the weight of his own words. "It wasn't until recently that I found a reason to do much else other than lounge around and enjoy the pleasures of beautiful women in my company." Ryu paused, remembering the man that had threatened his clan members. "I was named leader of the Uzumaki Clan after I stood in defense of the clan against a man that burst into our district demanding to be named leader and threatening to harvest our organs. In truth, me being here is either luck or a fluke, as the man succumbed to an illness shortly after his proclamation. If we had actually fought, I don't know if I could have properly defended my clan as I had hoped to." Ryu stated, admitting his own flaws and lack of belief in his current abilities.

"I'm proficient in ninjutsu, particularly with water-based techniques, though I wouldn't say I specialize in it. My combat style is more about adaptation and using the environment to my advantage rather than brute strength or direct confrontation." Ryu looked down for a moment, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "As for my hopes and dreams... I suppose I've always been afraid to voice them, thinking they were out of reach. But I've come to realize that maybe it's time to take a more active role in my own life and in the protection of my clan as well as this village. I know how to wield a sword, but I never put enough practice into it though I hope to one day become a legendary swordsman like others from the Mist."

He met Kitsuki's gaze, his tone growing more determined. "I want to become a shinobi worthy of standing in the defense of the village, to protect those who cannot protect themselves, and to find my own path and purpose. I know it won't be easy, and I have a lot to learn, I mean a lot, but I'm ready to commit to this journey." Ryu finished with a respectful bow, his nonchalant demeanor giving way to a newfound resolve. He felt a mixture of apprehension and excitement about the intense training that lay ahead, but for the first time in a long while, he was ready to face it head-on.

Kit sensed that Mamoru was carrying some past burdens as well. Tenshi wasn't the only one who with a tragic history and part of Kit was already beginning to regret asking for their background. The last thing she wanted to do was reopen old wounds. It's fine...they need to be able to open up to each other. If we are going to be a squad then its important we know where each member is coming from and why they are fighting the good fight. Kitsuki couldn't help but smile when he complimented her strength. It was obvious given his demonstration that he wanted to be just as powerful as she was. In truth, her strength was both a product of hard work, revolutionary training and a bit of extra help from an otherworldly source. Kitsuki wasn't sure if Mamoru would be able to replicate her strength. Thus far, she had never met another shinobi that could out-lift or out-strike her. Nevertheless, she'd do everything in her power to raise Mamoru up as high as she could. As a Kaguya, he did have genetics working in his favor so it was just a matter of honing that natural talent.

"I'm sorry to hear about your parents Mamoru, but I can tell already that you are honoring their memory. Getting stronger to protect those who cannot protect themselves is the highest calling we as shinobi can aspire to."

Tenshi likewise had endured harsh tragedy. His story she was quite familiar with but what she did not realize was the extent to which he carried the PTSD. She could see the vacancy in his eyes and when he apologized for zoning out. She shook her heads and quickly excused her. "Please don't apologize." It was only when he finished, that she actually stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Chen will be brought to justice. I swear by the guardian Angel that guides me. Your family will be avenged." It was a fairly dramatic thing to say at a light-hearted introduction but she could not allow one of her students to feel that he was in this fight alone. She smiled when he re-iterated his dream to be a member of the Seven Swordsman of the Mist. I have my work cut out for me....Several aspiring Kenjutsu shinobi but I don't know a thing about Kenjutsu.

Kitsuki then walked back from Tenshi and focused her attention on the self-admitted slacker. She tried not to visibly cringe when he mentioned enjoying the pleasures of beautiful women. She failed. Fortunately, what he said next recovered her estimation of him. She had heard about the Kentwo Incident. Some mentally ill shinobi had decided to challenge the Uzumaki Clan but she did not know that it had ended with Ryu stepping up for the clan. Given his admittedly weak stature, he might have perished if the plague-struck Jounin had been able to go the distance. Kitsuki nodded when he met her eyes and declared that his days of idleness was over. He was willing to put in the work and as far as she was concerned, that was all that mattered. She would train him but she could not push someone who did not want to be pushed. Metaphorically speaking of course.

"I'm glad to hear that you are committed to breaking your bad habits. You may not be well-skilled but you stood up to a more experienced shinobi to defend your clan's honor and that takes courage. That's a fine starting point as any."

She then looked at the trio as a group. She realized it would be rude to not answer the very question she had posed to them. They deserved to know who was going to train them.

"Since I'll be your sensei its only fair that you know a little bit about me. My name is Kitsuki Kurahasa. I come from a wealthy clan of merchants and I attended a private boarding school for kunoichi instead of the Academy. After I graduated, I joined Kiri's military and worked my way up the ranks. I've fought in countless battles, several wars and one regretful revolution. I specialize in close quarters combat utilizing Ninjutsu, Taijutsu and Bukijutsu. I'm also an excellent archer with an affinity for Wind Release."

Kitsuki did not go into her skill with Time Release or her the abilities related to her Angel Zizz. The trio would have probably heard some vague rumor or perhaps a detailed account of the Princess's power but she did not want to overwhelm them on the first day. They seemed intimidated enough by her raw strength.

"As far my hopes and dreams....well I hope to do for the world what I've done for Kiri. Keep it safe from the wicked evildoers and make it a clean, healthy and prosperous place to live. All of Earth's inhabitants deserve peace and I will not stop bettering myself until that day is achieved."

"It looks like I'm training the next generation of the Swordsman of the Mist! While I'm not skilled in Kenjutsu, my Bukijutsu weapon of choice is somewhat similar to a sword so I should be able to bring you all to intermediate skill level. But by that time, you will have developed your own styles and training regimens." Kitsuki made a handsign and three clones poofed into existence. "Now that we've gotten acquainted, let the training begin. I will work with each of you one-on-one with your rudimentary skills based on what you've told me. Once I've got you all warmed up, we'll do some more intensive training." Kit Clone 1 would walk to Ryu and lead him to the far corner of the Training Facility. Kit Clone 2 would take Mamoru to the opposite corner. The real Kit, walked to a rack, snagged a training sword and handed it to Tenshi. He would have the honor of training with the real McCoy today. Kit grabbed a stave which was close enough to her own cane.  

"Okay show me your basic form Tenshi" she'd watch as he settled into whatever base fighting style he possessed. From there, she'd fix his positioning, grip and other small points. Once she was satisfied, Kitsuki would hold up her stave and speak to him. "Alright come at me with all you've got." these sequence of events would be repeated for Ryu and Mamoru. This was just a teaser of things to come. As they progressed, Kit would begin to provide feedback with greater specificity.[/b]

"I'm sorry to hear about your parents Mamoru, but I can tell already that you are honoring their memory. Getting stronger to protect those who cannot protect themselves is the highest calling we as shinobi can aspire to."

Mamoru had no problem opening up to three of them. If it was someone potentially close to him, he'd want to know their past. Not only because you can always learn more about a person from what they've been through in the past, but also, something from their past could rear its ugly head and he would prefer to be prepared for that moment. Kit's kind words was a sucker punch. Of course he wasn't an open book and publish his past for the world to see, but he never heard the sympathy that he was hearing in this moment. He was just glad he was standing behind Ryu and Tenshi, so they didn't see, against his strength to hold them back, the tears fill his eyes, making them glisten. He was sure she seen, but he still inclined his body in a shallow bow, taking the moment to regain himself. Showing her appreciation for her sympathy. Once he rose, she had already moved onto Tenshi, which gave him the opportunity to quickly swipe his sleeve across his eyes

From what he heard, had it way worse than Mamoru did. Being a refugee from a different village was difficult enough. But his home was destroyed. He had to start a new. Tenshi never mentioned the fate of his family, though. So, the moment Mamoru listened to him, he just hoped that he at least still had them. Until Kit stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder, mentioning that his family would be avenged, he now knew. She was clearly more versed at reading between the lines than he was. Chen Mamoru never heard that name before, but he committed it to memory. There was clearly more evil in the world than he knew about, which strengthened his resolve to protect everyone.

When it came to Ryu, although Mamoru knew him, he still listened, learning at much deeper level than he did before. He always did call himself a slacker, but the few times they worked together, Ryu showed determination and hard work, but now he was realizing that it was just him feeding that part of Ryu. He just needed to be pushed. But he also showed a level of brilliance that Mamoru envied, which again, he realized that Ryu pushed him to think differently. To be more creative. They pushed each other and the realization made Mamoru brighten, especially when Ryu mentioned that he wanted to also be a Seven Swordsman. Not only him, but also Tenshi. The three of them were different, but had so much in common.

Once Kit started speaking to the three of them, Mamoru cleared his thoughts and listened intently. He was eager to learn as much about her, as he did about Tenshi and Ryu. Hell, even himself. She had so much experience under her belt. 'Several WARS?! Mamoru screamed in his head. He could feel the involuntary look of shock on his face. Despite her wealthy background, she was a tough survivor. That was apparent. Sure she didn't have the skills of Kenjutsu, but he was confident that she would still be able to hone their skills and guide them toward their goals.

Once Kit created the three clones, Mamoru knew it was time to get to work. He grinned, determination once again blazing from from him like a bonfire. It occurred to him, in that moment. His role on the team. When he said he wanted to protect with overwhelming strength, he was only speaking of physical strength. But he didn't just have physical strength. He had resolve, discipline, and way more determination than he ought to have. With Kit's guidance, the three of them were going to be strong, and it was Mamoru's role to push them forward. Like he had to do to himself for so many years. He placed rough hands on Ryu and Tenshi's shoulders, and focused on passing his own strength to the other two like he was filling them each with the same fire that blazed in him. If it didn't work right now, it would work in time, he just needed to figure out how to help push them.

"Let's give her three hundred percent and then some!" Mamoru exclaimed, stepping forward with Tenshi and Ryu, to meet the clone he was informed to fight. Once he reached the designated area, Mamoru began to stretch his whole body. Like the many hours he had done before, Mamoru's body mechanically shifted to the Arhat Fist Style. He was confident that he had the form of the style down perfect, until the clone stepped forward, walked around him. Examining his posture and position of each limb, correcting his mistakes. When she moved back to her position across from him, Mamoru stood there for a moment, examining his own body. Feeling the differences just the minuscule corrections provided. When he struck forward with a Shattering Palm towards the clone, he felt way more power than he ever felt before. He astonished even himself. But, at the same time, he still felt the strain of overexerting his body with too much strength, which caused him to wince a bit  
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CP: 46/50
Arhat Fist Style -1CP (Taijutsu Skill Rank Cost Reduction)
Shattering Palm -3CP (Taijutsu Skill Rank Cost Reduction)

Stats

• Strength: C -> A
  
• Constitution: C -> C++ (Shikotsumyaku/Physical Attacks)
  
• Stamina: D
  
• Speed: C
  
• Coordination: C
  
• Intelligence: D
  
• Perception: D
  

Techniques Used:

Tenshi continued to wear his mask of emotions as Kit moved towards him, placing her hand on his shoulder. It wasn't until she spoke the name of the madman responsible for the death of his father and siblings. "Chen..." he thought. "Chen,"[ The voice in his head echoed. He clenched his fist, and let his smile be replaced with a slight frown. This was the first time he'd heard the name spoken. His mother had always claimed that the attacker was unknown. And now it seemed that not only was he known, even here in the hidden Mist, but he had yet to be brought to justice.

Tenshi could feel the rage boiling up inside him as the name was repeated in his head, over and over. "Dammit..." he said softly as Kit was addressing Ryu, hoping she wouldn't hear him and become concerned. Tenshi shook his head again, refocusing his attention on Kit just as she turned to address them all again. There was no point in getting angry and losing his cool now. These people were not the ones who had destroyed his home. No, these people we his allies, and they would help him get stronger. Strong enough to seek the bastard out himself.

This thought brought a genuine smile to Tenshi's face now, though a bit of deviousness could be seen in his eyes. He listened as Kitsuki gave them the instructions, nodding slightly to Mamoru as he gave his shout of motivation. He then watched as Kit retrieved a training sword for him. Lifting it a few times in his hand to test the weight, Tenshi stared at the blade. Truthfully, he'd already aquired a weapon, but he'd left it at home because he hadn't learned to use it yet. "Oh well,"he thought. "No better time to test it out than with your sensei that could crush you with their pinky."

Tenshi nodded as he fell into the only stance he'd really learned, moving his left leg about shoulder length in front of his right, leaning forward with both hands on the hilt. He continued to nod to Kitsuki as she adjusted his stance and explained how to stand. Then, when she told him to come at her, he shot forward, his eyes focused on her form as he pulled the blade back slightly before striking out at Kit with a wide, powerful, swing. He was not going to hold back here, as he knew that Kit would be able to block or dodge with ease.

Ryu watched as Kitsuki addressed each of them with her characteristic grace and determination. Her words to Mamoru and Tenshi were compassionate, yet filled with the resolve of a seasoned shinobi. Ryu had never seen her fight, but her reputation as a formidable warrior preceded her. He couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and intimidation. Yet, something about her demeanor made him want to prove himself worthy of her training. When Kitsuki turned to him, Ryu braced himself. Her initial reaction to his comment about beautiful women had made him realize he needed to be more serious. As she commended his bravery during the Kentwo Incident, a wave of relief washed over him. He wasn't sure if he truly deserved the praise, but it fueled his determination to break free from his past habits.

Listening to Kitsuki’s introduction, Ryu was struck by the sheer breadth of her experience. Her commitment to peace and justice resonated deeply with him, and he couldn't help but feel inspired. When her clone approached him, he followed it to the far corner of the training facility. Ryu watched closely as Kitsuki worked with Tenshi and Mamoru. Their determination was clear, and despite the rough edges, they showed promise. Ryu felt a pang of guilt at his own shortcomings but steeled himself. Today marked a new beginning for him as well. "Let's get started," he said, more to himself than to the clone. His nonchalant demeanor had always been a defense mechanism, a way to mask his insecurities and lack of direction. But now, standing before someone as skilled as Kitsuki, he realized that it was time to shed that facade.

Taking a deep breath, Ryu began to weave hand seals with practiced precision. The nearby pond water responded eagerly to his chakra, swirling and rising in a torrent before taking the shape of a majestic dragon. Its sinuous form shimmered with liquid grace, catching the sunlight in a dazzling display as he executed the Water Dragon Jutsu. The dragon of water roared to life, its movements fluid and powerful, aimed directly at the clone standing before him. The dragon wasn't particularly fast, but that wasn't necessary needed for this portion of training. Even if he could cause it to move faster, he knew that he didn't stand a chance against someone of Kitsuki's level.

---

Techinque:

The Kitsuki clone noted that Mamoru had already obtained some proficiency with the Arhat Fist which was good. She'd need to instruct him in some other Taijutsu styles as well but for now it was important that she strengthen his rudiments. He fired off an impressively powerful Shattering Palm. The Kit clone deflected it with her hand. She used her superior strength to push the blow out of the way just in time. The weighty contact between the two would create an audible sound that could be heard throughout the training compound. He's quite strong! To be expected from a member of the Kaguya Clan.. Kitsuki saw him wince and tapped his elbow and forearm lightly.

"That was good! Lots of power behind it but you need to exercise greater control on your extension or you will sprain your arm when striking like that. Watch me."

The clone took a minute to stand right next to Mamoru. She settled into the Arhat Fist herself and executed the same attack but she did it in slow motion so he could get the form just right. It was all about controlling the force rather than just expelling it out from one's palm. She'd instruct him to make that motion and make a few adjustments as he did. She'd then stand in front of him. "Let's go again, try to use the full power behind the Arhat Fist but don't sprain yourself. Remember Mamoru its all about control." Kitsuki would then commence the sparring. She'd allow him to come at her as he saw fit, only moving to dodge a blow or deflect it with her hand. If he did not make proper use of her lesson in controlling his strikes, she'd rap him with a sharp blow to the offending limb. It wasn't enough to do any real damage but just enough to let him know that in a real fight, he could be seriously injured. If Mamoru would begin to slow down, Kit would encourage him verbally. "Come on, keep going! You're getting it Mamoru!" she'd say as the two squared off in the training facility.

Meanwhile, the real Kitsuki would see the arc swing coming from a mile away. Tenshi was a true beginner in every sense of the word. She blocked the sword strike with her stave and quickly close the gap. She swung her own stave, aiming for his neck but without any real force behind it. Given her experience and better form, she'd make light contact with her target. She lowered the weapon and pointed to his feet. "Three things you need to keep in mind. Whether it be a sword or stave, I've found there are three rules to fighting with any long weapon. The first is form and footwork. We will work on that some but don't forget that your ability to move your feet quickly and re-position will make the difference between life and death. The second is your grip. You want to hold your sword as tightly but with a tad bit of flexibility so that your force isn't used against you. Third, is your eyes. You want to keep your eyes on your opponent but you want to be careful about how you do so. I can see your attack coming from a mile away depending on you telegraph with your eyes. We will work on each of these today. Kitsuki would then return to her starting position and motion for him to come at her again. As the two danced, Kit would continue giving advice on how to improve in each of the three areas that she had mentioned.

The second Kit clone meanwhile would watch as Ryu created a large dragon out of water. She was expecting him to utilize Tajiutsu or Kenjutsu like the others so she was intrigued by his decision to utilize Ninjutsu. It said a lot about the young man that his first choice was Ninjutsu and it would give her a good chance to see how proficient he was with his element of choice. Kirigakure was renown for its still in Water Release and held a good bit of exclusive knowledge on the subject. Should he prove himself worthy, Kitsuki might be inclined to teach him some of those techniques.  

The clone examined the dragon closely along with the process of creation. Ryu's handseal speed was lacking but that could be improved upon. The features of the dragon were solid though. As the creature rushed towards her, she raised a hand and simply swatted it aside with her unbelievable strength. The kinetic force was dispersed and a torrent of water was smashed into the wall with enough force to give the building a light shudder. Kitsuki nodded as she drew a few conclusions about Ryu.

"Not bad but we need to work on your handseal speed. Leading off with Ninjutsu is a great strategy but if you aren't fast enough to get your handseals off in time, you'll find that your opponent will close the distance faster than you can blink. We need to get you to the point that most shinobi will perceive your handseal speed as a blur. I have a few ideas but for now let's continue. Don't hold back now, give me everything you've got."

The clone settle into a fighting stance and raise her hands before curling it towards Ryu.

When their hands clashed, Mamoru felt her power. He knew she wouldn't use her full strength against him, but his heart hammered like a drum just thinking about it. He definitely wanted to be THAT strong. Just the sound of her deflecting his, what he believed to be, full powered Shattering Palm, made his eyes widen and a chill run up his spine.

She stood next to him, Mamoru stopped everything completely, even breathing. Just intently watching, studying, every bit if her posture. Of course she was breath takingly beautiful, but when he looked her body up and down, it was more so intent improve. He mimicked her movements and noted the adjustments she made to his form.

After a lot of half attempts, moving almost at half speed and half power, to get the feel of Kit's adjustments she provided him, Mamoru heard her cry of motivation and he felt confidence now. With explosive movement, he shot towards Kit, his stance low, wide, and his arms were much closer to his core. He felt more power surge through his body than before. When he got close, his feet square and planted firm, he anticipated her to deflect his palm again. This time he wanted to hit her full on. With his body angled to deliver powerful palm strike, wanting to to put his full body into the hit

He knew he couldn't match strength with her, but he would attempt to just put his other hand in the way of whichever hand she would use to swat at his Palm Strike. Just slow it down a bit. Mamoru roared putting every ounce of his being as he thrust his palm forward, getting ready to raise his other hand, at any sign that she was about to react. Whether she was able to hit palm away or he hit her in the chest, the sound of the impact would be a thunderclap, echoing throughout the gymnasium. He didn't overextend his arm this time. His arm felt perfectly fine. Like he could attack with that same technique over and over. Which is what he did. After a brief pause of astonishment, Mamoru reeled both arms back, cycling between the two, thrusting each palm strike forward at full force, trying to control his breathing, but he was starting to get winded. Once he stopped, his breathing was heavy and sweat beaded down his body

[4]

Tenshi's eyes widened slightly as his sword strike was met with a seemingly effortless block. He wathced the stave shift, unable to move fast enough to dodge it. His head jerked to the side in a flinch as the stave tapped his neck. For a moment, he stood frozen, his eyes shifting to the weapon at his neck. As Kitsuki moved the weapon away from him, he released a breath he hadn't even realized he was holding.

He listened to his sensei speak as she laid out pointers for him, nodding as she did, hoping that he truly understood what she was saying as much as he thought he did. When she finished, he returned to his position, standing the way she had shown him before. Taking a deep breath, Tenshi focused his eyes towards Kit again, not taking them off her. When she said go, he dashed forward, launching another wide slash towards her, though this time not as much. This time, however, there was a new determination in him.

If Kit moved to block the attack again, Tenshi would spin on the heel of his back fought, changing his trajectory and attempting to strike from the the other direction. If she dodged, he'd push himself forward, shifting his stance to bring the sword down on her head. He had no illusion that he'd ever land a blow, and that was not his inention, clearly. But he wanted to show her that he could learn, adapt, and be great, especially with her guidance.

Mamoru was taking her lessons to heart. That was good. It meant that the young man was coachable which was probably the most important trait a student could have. When he went in for his blow, she moved to block it but she noted that he raised his other hand to interfere with her defense. Smart! Kitsuki could have easily knocked it aside but she wanted to teach him another lessons. She allowed him to counter to her block thereby giving him a dead center shot at her body. The strike was powerful and she could feel the energy he was putting in behind the Palm. When Mamoru made contact with her chest, he'd feel as though he were hitting a rigid and unmovable wall. If he had followed her instructions, his arm would be fine but what may surprise him was how the strike had little effect on Kitsuki. The Princess's constitution was the stuff of legends. She had never met or fought a shinobi that was as hardy as she was. During the First World War she had survived bombings, stabbings, poison gas, being stepped on by a giant summon, attempting drownings, arsons and falling off mountains. The unkillable kunoichi had been the bane of Kumo's frontlines as no matter what you threw at her, she'd just keep coming. The only thing that kept Kitsuki from marching on Kumogakure herself was the pity she felt for the men standing in her way and the likes of Ryuko, Shimiko, Seigi and Tamwyn.

"Excellent work!" the Kit clone said. She could see he was getting tired so she'd let him rest for a bit. The clone walked forwards and pointed to the center of her chest. "One more lesson. Sometimes despite your best efforts, you will need to take a hit as a close quarters fighter. Whether to get good positioning or simply because your opponent is faster and more skilled. That means you'll need to be tough enough to tank it and keep fighting. You can naturally increase your own durability as a shinobi through relentlessly training....alternatively you can utilize techniques or armour. However you choose is up to you but don't rely on your speed and acrobatic ability to merely avoid hits. Take a quick rest and let's continue"

The clone would let Mamoru catch his breath for a bit before re-engaging in combat. It would continue to give him pointers and words of encouragement as they continued training.

Meanwhile, the real Kitsuki continued sparring with Tenshi who at this point was proving to be a quick study. The young man pivoted on his feet attacking in an unorthodox fashion. Kit raised the stave and artfully blocked his attacks. He still had a long way to go but she did notice that he was far better than before. Kitsuki continued to dodge and parry his blows, noting his form and occasionally calling out a mistake when she saw one. If he was slow to correct then she'd give him another rap. After a few more rounds, Kitsuki would stop and rest the stave on your shoulder. They had been going for a decent pace and she was sure he needed a quick break.

"Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Keep it controlled and make it a habit. Proper breathing is a solid 10% of close quarters combat. Tell me Tenshi, how good is your Fire Ninjutsu? What sort of techniques do you know?" Kit did not possess the fire element but she was curious as to how good Tenshi was with it. He could use it as a compliment to his swordplay if he practiced doing so early on in his career.

Mamoru swelled with pride as he was able to knock knock as her hand, as he intended, but when his palm connected and he felt like he hit stone, his hopes collapsed faster than a ton of bricks falling from the tallest tower. His eyes widened with amazement, when he finished his flurry of bows. His arm remained outstretched, the palm still against her abdomen. What was he thinking? Of course he couldn't match to her abilities just yet.
He fell back on his ass, his arms resting on his bent knees as he tried to catch his breath, as he listened intently to Kit's words.

Once his breathing slowed to a normal pace, Mamoru rose to his feet. "I think if I continue to train my bones and body, plus with your guidence, you may have some competition." Mamoru said with wide grin as he slammed his fist against his chest, gesturing that he didn't want to rely on speed and acrobatics. Sure they would be useful, but he wanted to be able to take a hit and dish it out ten fold. Just like Kit. It was definitely fate that he had her as a teacher.
As she instructed, Mamoru sat back down, drank some water, and watched the training with Tenshi and the real Kit with their traditions

Tenshi continued to dance with Kit, each strike a miniscule improvement from the last. Every correction she made to his stance or form was saved mentally, and utilized in his next attack. Though he never landed a blow, by the time this spar was done, he could notice a slight growth within himself. His arm had gotten used to the weight of the blade, and his body was quickly learning to move with it.

When Kit moved to stop, moving her stave to her shoulder, Tenshi did the same, breathing heavily. He smiled widely at his sensei as she spoke, giving him a few more pointers before continuing, which he also quickly made a mental note of. When she asked about his fire abilities, he nodded, going over his rather short list of skills in his mind.

"Um, I can do this," he said, lifting his left hand in front of him and forming a few short seals, the sword still gripped in his right. When the seals were complete, he quickly turned his palm upward, a small fireball appearing in his hand. He held the flame up for Kit to see, before looking around and thrusting his hand out towards a stone wall, causing the fireball to shoot off towards it. He assumed the fire wouldn't cause much damage to the structure, which was proven mostly true as it exploded on impact, creating a small wave of fire over the wall, chipping it slightly and leaving a black mark where it faded.

"Oops... He said, turning back to Kit, a second fireball still burning in his hand. His eyes shifted slightly as he hoped he wouldn't be scolded for burning the wall. "Oh!" He exclaimed. "I've never done this with a real sword before, but...'' He lifted the sword in front of him now, the blade outstretched in front of him. Moving his left hand towards it, he ran the flame over the blade while channeling chakra into it as he did. With that motion, the blade ignited, flames licking across the metal. Closing his hand around the fireball now, he extinguished it before holding the sword out towards Kit, marveling at it's burning beauty, the flames causing shadows to jump as it danced over the sword. "I guess I can also do that!"
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CP 42/50

Techniques Used:

Sitting there, his breathing steady, since by now he would have recovered from his portion with Kit, Mamoru watched in amazement as Tenshi launched a small ball of fire, which exploded into a burst of wisps and then set his sword ablaze with wild fire, the flames dancing off the blade like they wanted to leap off and spread to cause more destruction. He so wished he could do that, but he was actually perfectly content with the skillset he had now. Especially after witnessing Lady Kit.
Mamoru's shifted to the windows nearby. Seeing the dim amber glow of the setting sun, despite all the fun they were having, he figured it was time to head out. It sounded they like had a long road ahead of them, so he needed all the rest he could get right now "Hey, Lady Kit. I think Tenshi and I should head out, if that's okay. It's getting pretty late. " Mamoru said as you rose to his feet. Once they received permission from Lady Kit, he waved to her, as he waited for Tenshi near by so they could leave
-----------------------------------
Attempting Exit

Tenshi was pulled away from his fascination with his own technique by the sound of Mamoru's voice. Turning to his team mate, he listened what was said, only then turning his attention to the windows and realizing how late it had gotten. Stopping the flow of chakra to his sword and closing his fist around the fireball in his hand, Tenshi extinguished the flames. He bowed to Kit before running over to the weapon rack where she had rectreived his sword ealier. "See you later, Kit-sensei!" he called out with a final wave before following Mamoru out the door.

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Attempting Exit.