Looking for Potential [Private for Riku but PM if Interested in Joining]

[Raizo]

The last time he was here, within the hallowed halls of the academy, he was donning his ANBU leader mask and was talking to one potential youngster. Kanmuri was a special case, however. He was someone clearly past the academy and yet because of his exam, one almost set up for direct failure, he did not progress as one would have suspected. It wasn't like it was egregious, the boy clearly seemed to need to marinate just a bit more. But that aside, the ability of Kanmuri was clearly well past that of students within these walls.

This is why he found himself back within the halls. Who would be the next to be similar to the Kanmuri's of the village? Would there be another one? Would there be multiple? Would there be none? The looming war, or more accurately the very active current war, meant that the children within these halls could not just naturally mature. Depending on losses with upcoming battles, there might be a need to promote to Genin sooner than normal. He was not here to make that sort of promotion, but here to assess when and if such a strategy would actually bear fruit. So it was time for a little "Test".

Standing at a few inches over six foot, the man would, or at least should, stick out like a sore thumb, yet, his figure would seemingly just manifest within the heart of the school building. He would not have alerted anyone to his presence until he wanted them to know he was there, and he was nearing that time. Some of the students wandering in the halls would finally take notice of him, this tall strange man in a dark cloak. They would either begin to struggle with how to process the situation, either taking on a form of panic or attempting to hastily leave the scene without drawing his attention. His eyes were not scanning around, at least not for these kids.

Within his body, his chakra would begin to mold. This would not necessarily cause any alarm, outside of some of the more attuned with chakra of the bunch. The next step, however, might begin to get some attention, even from the most novice. The molded chakra would begin to rise up as if being expelled from his body. It was like the energy was starting to seep from his pores. The energy, while not visible to the naked eye, would carry with it a feeling. It would travel, radiating from his body, all throughout the school like an intangible, unseen fog.

The feeling once this energy washed over a person, whether they were faculty or students, would be twofold. The first feeling would be that of pressure as if the air was turning humid and tightening up around the body of those it interacted with. This would be the feeling all would experience. The second feeling would be a bit more nuanced. It would be one that many would misread, especially the children, as a feeling of dread. A forboding uncertainty. For those more skilled, or maybe those with a more animalistic nature, they would be more aware of the true nature of this secondary feeling. For them, it would feel like the presence of a predator hunting down its prey. The feeling of an animal higher on the food chain peering down on its next meal. There was a Hunter within this school, now the question is what sort of reaction would it illicit.

He had hopes for what he wanted to see, but there was absolutely no guarantee he would get it. His eyes would finally take notice of his surroundings. He was now actually paying attention, on guard, but would it be for anything?

 

[Kyuuji]

Like most students, Riku had been between classes when it happened. It certainly gave him pause, but not for as long as one might have expected. It was not the first time he had felt threatened by an aura, what with his interaction with that shadow man. It was a good thing he had that experience, or else he might have transformed just as he had then, and that could only go badly at the academy, he was sure. The feral part of him was louder now, but not in a fearful state. The last experience had left it bolder, it seemed. No, instead, the feral part of him was extremely curious. It could tell something that he couldn’t, and it wanted to investigate. And while Riku usually did his best to ignore the impulses of that half of his mind, it wasn’t as if investigating was a bad idea. Last time, the shadow man had turned out okay, despite his aura.

He wasn’t quite in tune enough with his other half to recognize why it was curious, though. He had no idea that his instincts sensed a predator and wanted to meet it. Not only meet it, but prove that he was more than prey. The instinctual part of him was a wolf, and wolves were social creatures. While Riku had Michi, two was not a pack. To meet another predator was an opportunity. It was also important not to forget that the instinctual part of him was a pup, just as Riku was a child, and the pup had indeed grown far bolder after his last experience interacting with a larger predator. A dangerous confidence, perhaps.

While Riku was willing to investigate, he was wary. “‘Samu, wait,” He spoke, voice hushed. The dog obediently stayed back as Riku began to creep around corners, peering at the hallways. It was a few twists and turns before he finally looking around and saw a man, simply standing around. Riku didn’t recognize him, not even a little bit, so he figured he wasn’t a teacher, and therefore was the source of this all. He was a tall man, especially compared to Riku, who was small even for an eight year old, being only 3’8”. He wore a cloak, like Riku did, except his was dark instead of white. A part of him felt hesitant, as he had not expected to get this far, not really, but the intrigue had not faded.

“Y’scared people,” He informed the man quietly, matter-of-factly more than anything else. Riku had noticed the reactions of the other students. His gaze regarded the man intently, but he said nothing further. He maintained a cautious distance between himself and the man. He watched and waited to see what would happen.

 

[Raizo]

It could be felt, faintly, and maybe it was just something within his head and nothing more than just pure coincidence, but he could feel that someone was pushing through his aura. Someone, whether bravery or foolishness, was attempting to reach him. It wasn't a bigger predator, so the sensation he was feeling now wasn't the thrill of battle. Yet, he was still feeling something that would cause a slight smirk to be etched upon his face. He would merely wait.

The boy would come into his field of vision, and the feeling of being looked directly at would cause him to understand that this boy was probably the one he had sensed earlier. The boy would approach but would not get too close, it was a good instinct. He would then proceed to speak, and it was at this time that his head would finally snap in the direction of the boy. His eyes would peer down upon the tiny figure, like a cat standing over a mouse.

"I scared them... that is an appropriate response."

Upon finishing his words he would take a step towards the child. It would just be one step and there would be a pause, his eyes affixed upon the figure of the boy. Much like someone would treat a wild animal that they wanted to approach, he wanted to get closer to the boy but knew that a sudden movement would probably send him into a panic. So instead, he would take one step and let the boy's mind begin to process the situation.

"What about you.... y'scared too?"

He wasn't lying, the appropriate response to the feeling that he was giving off would have been to run, but it wasn't the only acceptable response. So now he was curious as to what the boy would do. Why did the boy come here. He would take another step forward towards the boy and pause, no matter what the child may have done in response to his slow progression forward.

"Nah, you ain't scared. You came here... why did you come here, boy?"

Another step would be taken.

 

[Kyuuji]

As the boy looked at the man, the man looked back. His initial words gave Riku pause, especially when coupled with that step forward. Intentionally or not, those words sounded very close to a threat. After all, if the right reaction was to be afraid, there was a reason behind it. Then he felt kind of stupid for that thought, because of course there was a reason behind it. He had approached the man, knowing fully well that the person that he was seeking out was dangerous. Simply because one had the potential to be dangerous though, did not mean that they would act on it.

So he stayed where he was, his greyish blue gaze never leaving the man. He was very aware that even if he tried to do something, it would come to nothing in the face of this man’s power. If he ran, he would be caught. If he fought, he would be subdued. Standing his ground, proving himself, was the only thing he could do. The man asked if he was scared, and he narrowed his eyes, but said nothing. He didn’t feel scared. Being aware of something did not mean that he was frightened. But he didn’t say that. He didn’t have to. The man came to such a conclusion on his own. He observed keenly as the man took another step.

Finally, the man asked a question. But instead of answering the question, he threw the question right back at the man. “Why’d you?” The fact that he was in the academy, his territory, emboldened him. Even though this man was more powerful, he was the intruder. Riku had as much of a right to question the man as the man did to question him, in his mind. Simple predator logic dictated such, not that Riku was consciously aware of the rules of the game that he was now apart of. But a part of him was, and that was enough.

 

[Raizo]

His left arm would appear from within his cloak, an intricate appendage made of some form of metal and brandished with faint carvings. The metallic hand would open and quickly clench, creating an almost robotic clamping noise. The slight smirk on his face would begin to grow into a much wilder smirk.

"My, my... seems I found another ballsy kid."

The boy was not baring his fangs, but he also wasn't backing down. It would seem that a little more pressure needed to be applied to see where the reaction would ultimately go.

"This is a school, right? Maybe I am here to teach a lesson?"

Sure, he could have been there as a new teacher or maybe just one Rikuto had never seen before, but it did not feel genuine. Besides, his demeanor seemed to be screaming everything but "hey, I'm a teacher".

"Lesson 1: Say you have a scenario in which case you are met with a force, whether you know it clearly or just assume, that is stronger than you. Do you run, do you fight... what do you do?"

He would take another step as his chakra began to seep out of his body once more. This time much quicker than his ominous foreboding aura from earlier. He was no longer trying to lure a target, he was now trying to ensnare it with his presence. Unlike last time, the aura's concentration would merely remain within the current hallway and not extend to the rest of the building.

"Additional data--the location of this encounter is within a high risk location, let's say a school, does that change your approach? Do you still stick with your original gut call..."

He would take another step forward. His cloak would begin to flare upwards as the energy was now pouring out of his body like a raging current. The hallway would begin to rumble as if a tremor was passing through, and pieces of trash and loose items on the ground would begin to shake and rattle until suddenly lifting into the air. The tiles of the floor would crack ever so slightly. The exposed portions of his upper body would give way to what was probably happening with the rest of his body; his muscles would begin to flex and grow more defined and the veins within his body would begin to bulge and expose themselves upon the surface of his skin. His eyes would seem to fade to a white glow, losing sight of his iris and pupil, as they would continue to peer down upon Rikuto.

"What would you do in that situation... boy?"

Another step forward.

 

[Kyuuji]

Curious eyes flickered to the revealed arm form for a moment, and while the boy found the metal arm interesting, it was not the first time he had seen a someone with a metal limb. He had met the Steward, after all, who not only had a metal limb but a mechanical eye as well. So perhaps not as alarming a thing as the man might have expected. Of more interest than that was the wild smirk on the man’s face. From that, he couldn’t help but feel pretty sure that the man had found exactly what he was looking for.

The man suggested that he was here to teach a lesson, since it was a school. It was enough to instill some wariness in the boy. Somehow, he had a feeling that the man’s type of lessons would be less like the academy’s usual sort, and more like the kind of lessons that Michi put him through. Like leaving him trapped in a jutsu until he wriggled his way out despite having no prior experience with anything. Or sudden lessons of morality after being within hearing distance of one person killing another. Those sorts of lessons.

And he was right.

The man listed the obvious options, the stupid options, the ones he had already considered and tossed aside. Fleeing would be useless, as would fighting. He knew for certain that his strength was nothing compared to this man.

Energy poured from the man, some chakra-related skill that Riku had yet to know learn about, he figured. The hallway rumbled ominously, and he heard the tiles crack. The man was practically glowing. Having the full force of that focused upon him was intimidating, more than Riku could possibly describe. It was also thrilling. His heart was pounding in his ears.

The man loomed over him, and it was not weakness to tremble in the face of power. It was what any reasonable person would do. But Riku kept watching the man through it all, even as the world shook around him. “I would… would...” He paused, as if he was considering his answer. It was several moments before he spoke, and it would have made sense to believe he had not thought up something.

That was until he grinned, baring his teeth, particularly his fangs. Fighting or fleeing was the most normal response, but it wasn’t the smartest response. Perhaps if one was already a fair enough distance away, they could flee. But in his position, there was only one thing to do. It was the only real option that someone like him had in such a situation, he knew. “...Distract ‘n stall,” He answered, exhilaration shining through his gaze, the gaze that was still intently focused on the man.

 

[Raizo]

"Oh...?"

It seemed the boy had an idea in mind. There was a chance that it would not be fully fleshed out, he was young and this was a sudden situation, but it would be interesting to see what he had in mind. The energy would continue to pour forth from him but would die down a bit to allow the boy to see his full expression.

"Show me then."

His expression would no longer be a smirk, it would be stoic. He was now prepared for whatever the boy had to show him, and he wanted the boy to know that he was not joking. This was a serious situation. He was dead serious.

"You've exhausted the ability to hold me up with you words... in ten seconds, I am going to disappear from here and appear before the closest child..."

His eyes would scan downward. There was no way for Rikuto to know this was the truth or a bluff, but he was going to make sure to convey it in a way that he would understand. Unable to explain how he would know such thing, he would begin;

"Below us right now are two living creatures. I doubt this school has a high pet population. At the end of my ten seconds, I will be upon those children with my full might. They will be unable to survive."

It wasn't that he necessarily sensed the children per sey, it was more that his other half, the half that was not human, could feel two potential meals below him. He could feel others, but these were the two closest. There needed to be some authenticness to all of this after all. He may not have been a teacher, but he did indeed have a lesson for this child.

"What will you do to keep me from those two lives... you could escape, I mean you don't know those two more than likely. You could go and try and find an instructor, maybe they could make it in time... to clean up."

A small smirk would once more return.

"10... 9..."

There would be no more steps forward. There would now only be a looming countdown.

 

[Kyuuji]

The smirk of the man was gone, and it was enough to make the boy shiver. Before now, Riku had admittedly been enjoying himself. It was exhilarating to have such focus upon him. In all likelihood, it was a bold foolhardiness that had led him this far.

His heart was beating in his ears still, and it was rabbit-fast. The threat was more clear than ever, and his mind was running through options. The more time the man spent talking, the better. He was only half listening, trying to think up a plan first and foremost.

But no matter how hard he thought, nothing came to mind, and the countdown begun. There really was only one option left, even if it would do absolutely nothing. He whistled, a sound hardly audible under all the noise, but he knew Isamu would hear it.

He had to attack. It was not a good option, but it was the only option he had. Within that option, there were further choices. He could attack as is, be swatted away like a fly, and die.

Or he could change, give the man pause perhaps, attack, and then… the same result. But surely someone would respond to the occurrence at the academy at some point. Maybe he could buy some time, save some people.

Really, it was all he could do. And he was certainly distressed enough to manage it. As the countdown hit seven, the boy’s form rippled, becoming that of a dune wolf pup. Though he ran on instincts in this form, his will before he had shifted had left an impression, and the pup knew exactly what he was supposed to do.

He threw himself at the man with his mouth open and sharp little teeth ready to rip and tear. Not too long after him, a fluffy white puppy appeared only to promptly do the same thing.

 

[Raizo]

"8..."

He was curious. Curious about how this boy would react. Curious about how the academy would react after his little stunt. Just in general, do to everything going on in his life, he had just been unnervingly curious lately. Maybe it wasn't just curious, maybe it was uncertain. Maybe he no longer knew the how, why or what of his life. The continuous question of whether his next move was the move of a human or something else. It was taxing. This, however, wasn't taxing. This was fun. Sure, the enjoyment was coming from tormenting a child, but it was more than just that. There was join in this because it provided something he seemed to be drifting further from each year; hope. This child, for example, was just brimming with hope. It was the blessing and curse of being that youthful. The older he would get, the older any of them got, experiences would shape thought. The idea to do this over that would become more defined because you've seen this not work or have seen how effective that was in this moment. Yet, before him was a blank canvas. A young person trying to figure it all out. The shinobi life was a difficult path, which is why he did not feel shame in offering up this difficult moment to the boy.

"7..."

And then, for a change, he would be surprised. The boy would do something he would have never planned for, never would have counted for, and never would have even considered an option. The boy would right then and there, turn into a puppy dog. If this was a serious situation, it would have probably been the death, the one truth death, for himself as his guard was completely shattered as the boy now turned dog would lunge at him.

"Just what in the hell?!"

His metallic left arm would raise up to snatch the little pup. His grasp would be firm but would not be intended to cause pain. His goal in taking hold of the thrashing animal would be to mostly protect himself. It was then that another thing would occur, a second dog would appear and leap towards him.

"Bloody hell!!?!?"

His left hand would release the first dog, the boy turned animal, as he would find himself leaping back from the two animals, gaining some distance. It would be in this moment that the chakra would stop pouring from his body as his head would lower down. There was a chance the dogs would continue their attack, to which he would raise his metallic arm once more. Within a snap instant, an orb comprised of chakra would appear around him, bubbling him up. This would be the use of a rather unremarkable skill, yet effective, called Barrier. The animals could lash about at the bubble but it would withstand a good deal of their damage before bursting. It would give him a chance to do what he needed to do. His head would raise up. And a loud thundering of a full-hearted laugh would begin to burst forth from his figure.

"Oh wow, kid. I ne-hahah-never, ever would have thought you would have turned into a damned dog... that is great... ok, ok, you win, you win... turn back and simmer down your friend, wait-shit... is that another kid too? Is that like your brother or something!?"

The academy sure had turned into a weird place since his time there. His right hand would reach into his pocket and produce an item that would hopefully help calm down the doggy duo a bit quicker. He would hold it outwards, displaying the symbol of Sunagakure no Sato, a Sand Village Headband that all shinobi received from graduating the Academy.

"I am Roku, one of the leaders of this village... and just who in the hell are you, kid?"



WC - 647

 

[Kyuuji]

The pup struggled fiercely in the larger predator’s grasp, not keen to give up without a fight. Luckily, it didn’t have to wait too long, as the being released him. Immediately, the little wolf knew why. Pack had arrived. His was a small pack, but they still had the numbers against this predator, not to mention the element of surprise. The predator turned prey leaped back, and the two canines followed, only to bump into an orb surrounding the human. The two pups circled the bubble, searching for weaknesses, when soundly a loud sound startled them both.

A distant part of Riku’s brain recognized it as laughter. While the feral half of him processed that as simply ‘not threat’, the human half was quite curious at this new development. His ears perked up, and he did his best to not only listen, but to understand. It was far more difficult in this form, but with each time he transformed, his skill at processing information around him increased.

So the boy turned pup listened intently to the words spoken. At the concession of victory, something that the pup’s brain could comprehend well enough, the wolf relaxed. The dog, taking its cues from wild canine, did so as well. At the request to turn back, his ears twitched, and he glanced at the ground. He was reluctant at first, not so quick to dismiss the potential threat, but at the display of the symbol of the village, he gave it consideration.

Last time he hadn’t managed to turn back until the shadow man had made him do so. He had figured it was related to fact that just as a significant amount of pressure had to be applied to transform, a similarly significant release of pressure was required to change back. He certainly felt more at ease now that the feel of danger had dissipated from the air.

So maybe if he just thought about it…

It took a moment, but once more Riku’s form rippled, and then there was now a boy where the wolf had stood. He was a bit unsteady on his legs for a moment, disoriented by the lack of four paws, but he regained his equilibrium quickly enough, considering.

Then he registered the rest of the man’s words, and he couldn’t help the little giggle that escaped him, followed by another. He shook his head as he shook in laughter. “‘Samu’s a dog,” He informed the man in between his laughter. He was unable to help the wide smile that spread across his lips. He had never had someone ask that before, for sure.

While before the man had seemed dangerous, now he registered as rather safe, enough that he felt that he could let his guard down. He recognized in the back of his head that it likely took a lot of skill on the part of the man to be able give off two very different impressions within seconds of each other.

The man introduced himself as one of the leaders of the village, leaving the boy wide-eyed. He found himself speechless for a long moment. He had just attacked one of the leaders of Suna. Oh, oh, wow. He straightened up, trying to seem more respectable and less a giggly child. “‘m Riku,” He introduced himself. He glanced towards the dog. “n he’s Isamu,” He gave the canine’s introduction as seriously as he had his own.

Suddenly trepidation crept in, and he began to shift uncertainly. He had attacked a leader of the village. That was kind of bad… wasn’t it? The man had pretty much been asking for it, though. What had he expected to happen, doing something like that?

He glanced around at the hallway with the broken tiles and hallways littered with formerly floating junk. “Y’made a mess,” He observed matter-of-factly.

 

[Raizo]

It seemed the boy was rather quick on the uptake. It didn't realize surprise him. Based on the interaction thus far, he had assumed this would more than likely be the outcome once the barrier went up. The boy rushed to the scene, rushed to action, and rushed to a resolution. While he would normally expect this to be a bit more due to child-like naivety, instead it felt like it was more due to his primal instincts. This child was different, that much was certain.

His barrier would drop and his posture would enter a more relaxed stance.

"Riku..."

He would give the boy a brief wave and smile as he would then turn his attention to the dog.

"Isamu..."

The dog would receive the same wave and smile that his owner had received. There was a potential that the dog might have been another human appearing as a dog, but it would seem that it was simply a dog. While he would never admit it, there was a small portion of him disappointed by this.

"So Riku... what sort of shinobi are you wanting to become? Tell me a little bit more about yourself?"

The boy would also mention that he had made a mess. He would chuckle a little bit, give a shrug, and the place his finger up to his headset located in his ear.

"This is Sennin Roku, I would like to request 'Usagi' on the scene for clean up. Academy."

He would laugh a little bit more to himself because he would be the only one that would get the joke in the fact he had called for an ANBU to come to do a cleanup job and it would end up being a legitimately clean up job... and not a "clean up" job. Usagi would probably complain later but that only made it all the more humorous to himself as it would be one of the rare occasions that she would actually use several words instead of her typical short responses.

"So yea... dreams, aspirations, career goals... what ya got kid, give me the story of Riku and Isamu!"

 

[Kyuuji]

It was really nice the way that Roku was willing to give equal acknowledgement to him and Isamu both. Riku cheerfully waved back while Isamu gave a little yip of his own in response, wagging his tail. If Riku hadn’t already made the decision that he liked the man, this probably would have decided it for him. Most people didn’t really pay attention to Isamu as much, but the two of them were equals in their partnership.

At the question, he got thoughtful. He had been asked this question before, by two genin, and at the time he hadn’t known the answer. Since then, he hadn’t thought on it further. He had figured that he had plenty of time to decide. But here was Roku, asking the same question. That suggested that it was something that he could

Like Roku expected, Riku didn’t get the joke, but he didn’t mind the laughing. So long as Roku was laughing, everything was still okay. It was when Roku decided to act serious that he had to worry, he learned. Laughing was good.

Then the man asked for their whole story, and Riku barely knew how to start or what to say. Somehow he didn’t think it was a good idea to bring up the fact that he was becoming somewhat certain that his dad had purposefully left him alone with barely the means to get by in Suna after enrolling him in the academy.

At the mention of goals and aspirations, Riku brightened up. “I’m Michi’s apprentice!” For the first time, he didn’t stumble over the longer word. He’d been saying that one a lot, lately. “Imma be the best Oracle!” He announced proudly.

 

[Raizo]

For a split second, just a singular moment that could have been easily missed, his happy expression would almost cut completely cold. His eyes would be etched with a blank emotionlessness, yet there would be a hint of sullen darkness. His teeth would grit as his body would tense. The aura around him would briefly react, a beaming rage that would emit a sudden flash of a warm sensation within the hallway. He was not of the Deep Court, he did not run cold. All of this, again, would happen in a single solitary second. It would come and go with the blink of an eye, but since the boy was not necessarily relying on shinobi senses, maybe the animal instincts would have picked up on the slight instantaneous change? The thought would not cross his mind, not much else would cross in mind within that split second and the few moments after the fact. The only thing that would be in his mind would be a singular word. A word that caused his emotions to swell and swirl at a maddening pace. Feelings would emerge only to be suffocated and drowned out by other feelings elicited. A storm was raging, one that cycled from feelings of joy, solace, rage, hope, fear, regret and pain. There was no defined feeling, no ultimate one emotion he could pull from this turmoil, and all of this was brought on by one word, one name...

"Michi..."

The sudden burst of angst would no longer be there, instead would be a large smile with closed eyes.

"An Oracle huh? Well, I hope that you make the most of your dream, Rikuto."

He would pause for a moment, sti,ll wearing his smile.

"Oh, and of course you too, Isamu."

With that his smile would drop as he would hold out his right fist towards the boy. The fist was like a hammer, which if it was known that he was a Journeyman would have made even more sense. The clenched hand told a story without any words. The weathered skin, the cracks, the scars, and discolorations, the volume of muscle created from clenching the hand, and the protruding veins that adorned it. It was a fist that had not only seen much and hit much in this world but one that was carefully crafted. It was an illustration of strength, of pain, of power, of sacrifice, and of conviction. Maybe, or maybe that was only how he saw it, this romanticized notion of what all he was doing and what all he had been doing. From a young man, much like Riku, that had spent the entirety of his adolescent's training and building his body, to his young adult life fighting and carrying out his duty, to now nearing the outset of his humanly prime. Was it time for the end of his story? Was it merely the time of a new chapter? He wasn't certain, but it did feel like, at this moment with a new aspiring young shinobi before him, that it was time to resolve some parts of his story. There was cancer that continued to fester within this village, within this country. His inaction had allowed it to get to this point. He wasn't a hero, he was complicit. So it was time to continue to no longer be the hero, and if, that meant doing something he could not come back from... then he would. But that wasn't the story for now, that was the reason for extending his fist.

"Rikuto, in this journey before you, you will have countless opportunities to do anything you want. Before you will be paths of light and of darkness, and at times it is going to be best for you to balance the paths you walk through. Do not ever fall too much into the dark, do not completely devote yourself to the light. This world, the world of shinobi, is a peralous one... but not because you are trained to fight, not because you will fight, but because you are going to be in a constant state of struggle within yourself. Did I do the right thing? Do I do the wrong thing? Am I good? Am I evil? You will find yourself consumed at different stages... I don't know you, I don't know the ultimate path you will end up upon, all I ask is that you end up on the path that you choose."

He would then shake his fist and cast a glance down at the hands of Riku. He would then nudge his head backwards as if beckoning the boy to 'come on'. Maybe he wanted an extended fist from the boy as well.

"Do not allow others to dictate who you are at your core. Do not lose who you are... because this world is full of those wishing to make use of you. Whether it is within this village, whether it is those who oppose this village... be wary and trust in yourself, trust in Isamu. You have good instincts, but humanity is trickery than that of a dog or wolf... Forge your own path ahead with your own strength. Be the best you that you can become... for this village, for those you wish to protect but ultimately for yourself."

If by this time Riku had extended his own fist, he would bump his knuckles into the boys and once more smile. The smile would be short lived as he would immediately turn around at his full speed and appear several feet down the hallway, backed turned to the boy. Since the boy was still inexperienced and their powerlevels were at such a drastic difference, there was a chance this quick movement would have looked like a blur. He would get better, he would get stronger, and some day Riku would easily be able to keep up.

"I am Sennin Roku, Rikuto. If you ever need me, do not hesitate to find me. If you are under Michi's apprenticeship for being an Oracle, than allow me to offer my services to you for being a shinobi. If you'd ever like to take up that offer, just seek me out. Call that the first 'test' of mine."

He would chuckle a bit as he would raise up his hand and give a wave to the boy.

Michi...

And with that, he would be gone from the academy.

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WC - 1,072
OOC: Sorry about the delay. Had my child born a couple of days earlier than I was expecting so, I figured it would be best to cut this thread now as to not hold you up any longer. If you'd like to rp in the future after I get my life settled down, just hit me up!