The Hollow Blade [O]

[Havok]

Life at its core was discouraging, mundane, utterly pointless. However, Akihiro believed that only those who actually took that idea seriously would find themselves in such a state. Perhaps in the past he would have believed such nonsense, yet now he knew much better than that. A careless breeze would roll throw the small training ground, encircled by a plethora of trees. The creeping mist around him never seemed to cease, constantly hanging a sort of dreary cast over the land. To him there were two type of people who live in such a place. Those who dwell within the mist and those who were suffocated by it. So, was the young male a shark, an animal that ruled the seas as a predator? Or a worthless minnow that only serves the purpose of being prey?

Inhale.

A draw of the sword would be made from an upright position, slashing the wooden dummy before him in two. Sheathing his blade once more, he'd exhale quietly. The quicker the draw, the quicker you could execute your enemy. A simple concept he one day wanted to take even further in his attempt to become the greatest.

"I don't want to sink or swim. I'd rather fly." He'd make a jest in response to his own question, a pensive look washing upon his face. If only he had a mission to occupy his time with he wouldn't have to pick at his own mind.

[Pwn]

Nemuru had been trekking silently through his village, Kirigakure no Sato. The thick mist that sheltered his country had left perspiration dripping from his kimono with every step he made. During days like these, where he had been free to do what he wanted, he spent the majority of his time roaming around. His destination today would be the training ground. There were usually people there fighting it out. Being somebody who frequently enjoyed gathering knowledge, he always came here when he had time to.

“Impressive,” he said, speaking only loud enough for the boy in front of him to hear. His hands clasped together as if full of glee, with his eyes closed, and had a smile upon his face. However, even he knew that test practice like this held no merit. If he wanted to become a truly worthy shinobi, he would have to fight those that were at least equal with him in skill. Being that nobody else was around, aside from Nemuru, that fit that description, he was more than welcome to challenge him.

[Havok]

Barely acknowledging the praise from his Kirigakure comrade, the male's crimson orbs would calmly pan upon the man. Not much could be said by looks alone, however the comment seemed borderline condescending, almost as if the praise wasn't genuine. After all, any idiot with a sword could make such a cut. Maybe not as clean or quickly, but nonetheless a simple feat.

"Not at all. My blade isn't nearly sharp enough to become one of them." A humbling thought yet his burning ambitions were obvious. To become one of the greatest swordsmen in history had a certain ring about it, a buzz of superiority which he craved.

"Do you want to see how far I've come?" Standing rigidly straight, his right hand rested on the butt of his katana, vibrant eyes keeping watch of the other male's body language. A challenge of skill in the form of a simple spar, nothing short of a formality in the Mist. Akihiro wasn't the type of individual to refrain from fighting nor the type who wouldn't instigate such behavior. Being a shinobi was simply about being a good weapon and this was how one stayed sharp.

[Pwn]

It had been as if the boy was underestimating his own skill, but Nemuru knew that each of his peers had latent potential, waiting to be exposed. As much as he liked foreign shinobi, those of his own kind were the perfect for testing his own capabilities. Once he formally accepted the challenge, there had not been much to say. He would leap back, disappearing into the mist. Using the trees that surrounded them as cover, with each one he passed, 3 overall, a hand seal^{1A 1B 1C} had been performed.

“Are you sure about this?” he questioned, whispering into the boys ear as he appeared from behind him, seemingly out of nowhere. Surely the sudden disappearance, and emerge would catch him off guard, but that had all been within the plan. If he wanted to be respected amongst those who shared the title of shinobi with, he would have to prove his worth. Nemuru had been known to play with his foes before mentally tearing them apart, piece by piece. He did not like the idea of killing those he could take advantage.

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SPOILER: Click to show

-x0 ???

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1A. ?
1B. ?
1C. ?

[Havok]

Was the man's retreat a defensively driven action or simply a set up for a future attack? A smirk slid upon the male's face, enjoyment arising.

It never seemed as though anyone from this village was ever too busy to fight. He could even go as far to say that those the Mist enjoyed combat or maybe they were simply anomalies in a sea of pacifists. Despite never seeing intense combat himself, he still had an air of maturity about him. No need for flinching or second guessing himself, just let the body do its job. In the end, training was meant for these types of situations.

A whisper would come up from behind the youth, his immediate reaction was to just slam his sheathed blade backward in attempt to throw off his assailant. A rigid defense that held no hesitation in action, that was how he carried his blade. Though, something about his opponent had deeply interested him. Mostly about his abilities and exactly what the man's specialty was. If he was able to discern the nature of his techniques or style, then winning would come more easily.

"I'm from Kiri. That should be answer enough."

SPOILER: Click to show

1. Strike

[Pwn]

“A strike back, huh?” he said, leaping almost as fast as the boy delivered his strike. A meager strike like that with no backing power would not be able to hurt him. Once more, he leaped back, disappeared into the mist. However, this time, from the distance, he could still be seen, instead standing in front of the tree, weaving hand seals^2A in synch with another to perform his next technique. This battle would allow him to determine how keen the thought process of his opponent was. If he could think on his feet, he would not hesitate to call him his ally.

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SPOILER: Click to show

-x0 ???

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2A. ?

[~Kohana <3]

+18 PWN

[Pwn]

/exit