Commission Time (Gyo)

The market seemed busy that morning as Kazuki moved through the streets. The swordsman was searching for someone to make him a sword of his own. Which, he supposed precluded calling himself a ‘swordsman’ honestly. What swordsman didn’t even own a sword? The thought depressed him a bit but thus far he had yet to acquire one of his own. At that moment he was looking through the market district, searching the various forges for someone to make him one. The funny thing was that he had no shortage of options for the task. Hell many seemed eager to get another customer. However for some reason none of the smiths he had seen or perused the work of had caught his eye. He could not explain why but he was ‘satisfied’ enough with their work or general personality. So as the morning wore on he moved on through the market looking for the ‘right’ craftsman for the job he wanted done.

He knew it was silly, he knew it made absolutely no damn sense. However, it still mattered to him. So he would continue to search for the right smith. If he could not find one today, he would leave and come back tomorrow and search other parts of the market for one. He had time, he had patience. Besides he would need to earn the money for the smith in the first place. As he considered that he entered a forge, opening the door and stepping inside. As he did the bell over the door chimed, alerting anyone who listened that someone had entered the store.

1

Was this a market or a circus? Kazuki wasn’t sure but he had a feeling if he asked anyone in management they would probably answer ‘Both’ or simply ‘Yes’ and leave it at that. Still it didn’t really dissuade him from acting in any way. It simply gave him some pause as he took in the bright lights, sounds and other such distractions for a moment. Then he would proceed as before, entering the smaller, more unassuming shop. The bell would chime and he would be addressed. His eyes however would be drawn to the equipment upon the walls. To the point where he accidentally ignored the man’s greeting and question. His dark eyes would be looking at the walls of weapons, other mechanical devices, models, and bottles of liquid. His eyes however were only seeking the weapons.

Kazuki was not some master swordsman with the highly trained eye experience gave one for the quality of weaponry. Nor a craftsman that might have the same eye for quality and detail as the master swordsman. He was a novice with the blade at best. One could give him little more than a sharpened steel bar and he wouldn’t really know how to tell if it was good or not. All that mattered to him was that he could swing it. As well as that when he did, it would cut things. He hoped that would change eventually. However the experience needed would take him time to gain. So for now, his ability to discern incredible mastercrafts of weaponry wrought by great smiths and a weapon banged out by a monkey in the zoo. Was not one might say ‘established’ yet. But what he saw on the walls of that shop sure didn’t seem like it could be paid for with bananas.

It was only after a few moments of introspective thought that he realized he had been greeted and effectively asked ‘What do you want?’. Thought infinitely more politely than that. Blinking his dark eyes for a moment he turned to the gentleman and nodded his head in greeting. “My apologies, I didn’t mean to gawk. My name is Kazuki and I was hoping to commission a sword from someone. I’ve been walking through the market trying to see if any of the craftsmen work really ‘spoke’ to me and have had no luck until I entered here. I’m hoping to get a price quote so that I can begin working to earn the money for a good, solidly made, and reliable longsword.” He said, smiling politely once he was done. “Would that be possible?” He asked, his eyebrows rising in curiosity.

2

The doorman informed him that he was certain Kazuki would find something to want therein and gestured him toward the store. As he did, another man entered the room and the newly minted Genin of Kirigakure turned to look at the individual. He was tall, with an easygoing, almost unconscious grace to him. His blonde hair was untamed but not unclean or uncared for. His form was hidden by a large orange cloak with white trim. It looked almost inflatable to the swordsman and he really did not understand the man’s sense of fashion. However that wasn’t Kazuki’s business. The man approached him and greeted him. He had the air of someone he was important to the establishment. The manager? The owner? Someone important for sure. His eyes gave him a quick once over once he had confirmed he was looking for a sword. Kazuki took in the rest of his appearance.

He seemed flamboyant. Extremely so, from his gold and black tipped talons on his fingers and his rainbow coloured eyes, some kind of Bloodline? The man turned to a display case filled with jade katana and offered him the opportunity to text one of the blades. Kazuki nodded his head in thanks as he spoke. “Thank you for the opportunity.” He would say as he reached for the blue jade katana and hefted it. He stepped back a step or two to make some space and moved through a short and simple kata. It was not anything overly involved. It did not need to be. All the man was trying to do was get a feel for the weapon. It was a finely crafted weapon but, didn’t really feel right. Finishing his test and returned the katana to it’s sheath and returning it to it’s case exactly as it had been before. He shook his head in the negative at the man. “It feel like a fine weapon. Though I admit to being inexperienced, but it doesn’t really feel ‘right’ to me. First, I’d prefer something darker, and longer. Could I perhaps get a price quote for a custom order?” He would ask, his eyebrows rising as he his turned hopeful.

2

Kazuki watched as the man moved around the case and closed it once he returned the sword to it. Then he moved to another case/ Kazuki moved with him, wanting to be as respectful as possible when speaking to the man. He was asked his name and what he was really looking for and the neophyte swordsman answered promptly and respectfully. “Kazuki Furukawa, I’m looking for something double edged. Something with some heft to it yes. A greatsword would be about perfect. See, my goal is to one day wield one of the seven. So getting used to wielding weapons of such a size now would certainly stand me in good stead.” He would explain in answer.

He was starting to get a bit excited now. When he had been researching craftsmen within the village he had come across the name ‘Gyokusho’. However he had assumed he would never be able to catch the interest of such an individual. This was one whose clients were the richest in the village. Those who bumped elbows with others in high profile smoke rooms and tea houses. He had figured he would never meet the man and him willing to craft for him. However if what he had researched was correct. The ‘over the top’ manner of him and his style of dress meant it could only be ‘Gyokusho’ himself. That did of course give him pause. How could he afford a weapon crafted by such an artisan? “How much would such a weapon cost me?” He would ask his tone curious though admittedly nervous.

3

The master of the house bowed to him, an exaggerated affair that almost made Kazuki uncomfortable. He was unused to such gestures of respect. Even if it was simply a craftsman's respect to a customer. Still he would muddle his way through his own small bow of respect. He was unpracticed at such motions and did not try to match Gyokusho in depth or extravagance. The simple fact of the matter was that he would probably fall face first onto the floor if he tried to match the man bow for bow. However he did not want to be disrespectful. So he did as well as he could. He would watch the man after, following him, as he moved to a drawer and retrieved some pen and paper.

That drew Kazuki’s notice, if only because most would not use a ‘pen’ to sketch a concept, but a pencil. So that erasure could occur if minor adjustments were necessary. To work the same task with a pen either meant Gyokusho did not care if he went through multiple sheets when mistakes were made. Or that he simply did not make mistakes. But that would be insane wouldn’t it?

No sooner had he thought that last that the man began his movements to draw the sketch within his mind. Kazuki’s mouth fell open in shock at the sight. Or rather the lack thereof. He simply could not see the movements of the man’s hands as they drew the sketch within Gyo’s head. The artwork simply appeared on the paper. Bit by bit until it was complete. Then he asked Kazuki if he meant something like what was on the paper. Kazuki however was still a bit shell shocked at the man’s dextrous hands. Still, after a moment he blinked back into focus and looked at the paper. Then blinked again as he looked at what the man’s mind had come up with. “It looks perfect.” He would say simply, his voice at the volume of hushed awe.

Then of course came the answer to his own question. He listened to the man as he spoke, nodding intently as he listed potential prices. They were..daunting. However the hope that perhaps the village might fund the weapon was interesting and left him quite hopeful. As he considered the man’s words he thought about what he would need the weapon to do. Speed he would gain, pretty quickly actually. The smoother he got with a weapon the faster he would move with it and that was simply a matter of repetition. What he needed in a weapon was power. More physical force to match the speed he would, at some point soon, have at his disposal. “Power, can you increase the striking power?” He would ask as he mind moved onto the next part of the subject. “What kind of things can enchants do?” He would ask curiously, his tone still in hushed awe.

4

Kazuki considered the man’s words carefully, his own feelings getting more and more excited as he considered the possibilities. “Elemental enchantments would require one with the element present correct? I have a..unique element. Though I’d like to keep it secret. Can you design the enchant to be ‘fluid’ until said element is channeled into it and then it take the most natural form from there?” He would ask curiously. He could channel his Dark Release into an enchant. However he did not go ahead spreading those abilities so he would really rather not advertise his capabilities so soon into his career. “Unless you can give me some kind of ‘crafter/client’ privilege?” He would ask, an eyebrow raising in curiosity.

Assuming either of these possibilities were correct Kazuki would get more excited. If Gyo could do the enchant like that Kazuki would nod his head excitedly. If he could not but could agree to keep his personal capabilities secret. Then Kazuki would take the man at his word and tell him. “I have the ability to utilize Dark Release. It can do a few things but one of them includes being able to fire blue flames of great intensity. I do not normally have access to these flames yet. However my hope is for an enchant that would allow the sword to ‘pull’ that capability out of me regardless and coat the weapon in it and allow me to launch it. Is that possible?” He would ask, and if Gyo answered in the affirmative the new shinobi would get even more excited. “Then let me go request the money while you get started and I’ll be back as soon as possible.” He would say before turning and running out of the door.

[Later that evening]

Kazuki returned to the ostentatious space, pulling out a scroll labeled ‘One Million Ryo’ upon it as he entered. Then he would look around and simply peruse the store while he waited for Gyo to either be informed of his presence or simply returned naturally. He did not want to disturb the man while he worked. However one could see a certain impatience, born of excitement of course, in his manner and demeanor. He could not seem to stop smiling and he seemed ecstatic about something. He personally couldn’t believe he had been able to get the loan. He just hoped One Million Ryo was enough for the weapon.

6

Gyo was waiting for him when he arrived and he greeted him professionally and courteously. Kazuki smiled at him as he commented on the timeliness and they bowed in time to one another. It was after that that the craftsman would present him with a beautiful crafted box of black lacquered wood with folding clasps to secure it. Kazuki took the presented case and presented Gyo with the scroll in exchange. “I hope One Million Ryo will be enough for the job good sir?” He would ask, assuming it was he would open the box and marvel at the work of art within.

It was a beautiful weapon, large and wide, and of course heavy. Which was perfect for him. The pommel rose to his chest if the tip was resting on the ground. The crossguard was delicately engraved with a gleaming red gem in the center and the pommel itself was a simple silver ball with similar engravings. The blade itself had etched and whorls worked into it and was formed of some kind of dark material that seemed to almost cast back the light. He gasped slightly as he took in the weapon and spoke in a near breathless whisper. “It’s beautiful..” He would say, before shaking his head suddenly and coming back down to reality.

There was still the matter of the enchant. He listened to Gyokusho as he told him to funnel chakra into the seal formula upon the weapon. Kazuki himself studied the formula not really understanding what he was seeing but trusting the man that had crafted it implicitly. He channeled his dark release chakra into the weapon and the formula seemed to almost greedily devour his energy. As he did he shifted his hold of the weapon to hold it up with one hand. The hilt level with his face as he gazed up at the blade as his dark chakra was devoured.

He waited with bated breath as he watched and suddenly it happened. A blue light was suddenly added to the rest of the forge as the enchant took hold and cast his weapon in blue fire. Covering the blade in it. He felt the heat of it and a wide smile broke across his features as he turned to Gyokusho in excitement. “Perfect, absolutely perfect. Thank you sir.” He would say before ceasing his channeling of chakra and causing the fire to go out. Then he would take the scabbard within the case and sling it over his back and carefully place the sword within it. It was a perfect sit of course and was sized well for him. Grinning widely at him he bowed once more. This time markedly deeper as he spoke. “Thank you very much, and I hope to do business with you again.” He would say before turning and leaving, an excited bounce in his step as he did.

7

[Exit]

-

Paying Gyo One Million Ryo

Enchant Applied is here

'Name: Dread Flame
Rank: S
Price: 500,000
Description: Dread Flame coats Umbra in the same blue fire that Dark Release is able to utilize. Creating an aura of fire around the blade that is S rank in intensity. Causing each strike with the weapon to do both its damage and the fire damage. Each post the user uses the flame causes 1 charge and the user can utilize additional charges to increase the flames intensity. This will cause the fire to extend 1 meter off the tip of the blade for each charge up to a maximum of three meters. Finally the user can expand three charges to launch the fire from the blade during a swing of their weapon. The fire will expand to twenty meters wide and travel for thirty meters maintaining its heat the entire way. The fire extends and travels at S rank speed. Must have a dark release user present to create this enchantment, if the caster does not naturally possess the skill.
Attunement Slot: Not from the enchant
Charges: 40'