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<FONTFACE fontface="georgia">How often do we take the years for granted? Shinobi are by definition the warriors of a cause, living and working to serve. They put their lives at risk day in and out, often falling prey to enemies or accidents when the dice fall to poor results. Kaji Okada was marked amongst the fortunate ones who’d live comparatively long lives— he was seeing his forties now and looking well. But the aging Kaji knew the luck he had, as his age was over twice that of the average shinobi who've found an early death in battle.
While the years were kind to Kaji, he knew many peers and protege who did not see today. Sometimes he would venture into the woods of the ancient forest and offer memorials for the fallen from a stone altar, a monument to the Wild Mother. Along with the shedding of memories in a commune with his deity, Kaji would whisper calls for the protection of others who still lived. There was a list of names that rolled from his lips— his daughter and wife were always first, but after them would come the names of the children who he considered his wards. Some shinobi took many apprentices and rotated them the way one might change the tools in their pouch. But for Kaji, each apprentice was like a seed he planted and sought to nurture. There was always a hint of remorse when he whispered their names to the Wild Mother: thoughts that he had never done enough for them. He would never truly be able to protect them or even teach them enough to stave off the eventual demise that comes for us all. There was also guilt; in recent years Kaji had changed his attention to the sole raising of his daughter despite the belief that his apprentices were like his children. He had watched and practically raised Tatsuo, but the same could not be said for the other two, whom he felt he neglected. Sayomi was a gifted girl, Kaji knew; he was sure that with the Lionvolt within her she’d overcome any adversity. And where her own power faulted Sayomi would have the protection of the Santaru family to protect her. However, Kaji was not so sure when it came to Hirateuchi, who reminded him of himself at that age when Kaji took the boy on for training. Hira’s affinity with water nature chakra had incredible potential for an untrained student. Kaji knew the boy would go far, but his lack of confidence could have caused his downfall more than anything. At first, Kaji sought to nurture these gifts in Hirateuchi and oversee his development into a solid shinobi, but the course of life encumbered Kaji with other duties. Ultimately, Kaji recognized his absence as a failure and became content... Until one day where a whisper in the wind told him to reconcile with the old student. Perhaps it was not too late.
A few days prior, Kaji sent a request for Hirateuchi to meet him in the forest at the same spot where they had trained his elemental jutsu prowess all those years ago. It was not a demand, and the note made as much clear, offering the meeting only if Hirateuchi wanted to attend. In truth, Kaji had no idea how the old apprentice would react, perhaps with disdain or even excitement. Prepared for just about anything, Kaji had arrived at the forest thicket dressed in a style that seemed unchanged from the years prior. His attire was almost the same articles: the same espresso aviator’s jacket, weathered yet classy, an egg collared shirt beneath, and midnight blue slacks that met his black riding boots. He had become a bit slimmer than in the past though, seemingly losing some of the muscle from his peak form during the tournament days. His hair was the same flowing obsidian, but had gained streaks of silver as his age began to really show. New markings ran along the outside of those striking emeraldine orbs he had for pupils. While Kaji was unsure just what the reunion had in store, he did not leave the saber eelspine behind. The emerald in its pommeled gleamed, reflecting the sun’s glory beaming through the treeline. Despite the slight changes brought on by father time, everything else went unchanged. The forest remained vivid, verdant, and lush. The wind danced in the trees, creating a symphony of nature in the height of springtime. In a private moment, Kaji paused to envy the seeming immortality of the land which remained unchanged by the years. Full of curiosity, Kaji wondered what the droplet that was young Hirateuchi had become.
- Kaji has entered the thread.
- Requesting Hirateuchi.
- This is a private thread.
While the years were kind to Kaji, he knew many peers and protege who did not see today. Sometimes he would venture into the woods of the ancient forest and offer memorials for the fallen from a stone altar, a monument to the Wild Mother. Along with the shedding of memories in a commune with his deity, Kaji would whisper calls for the protection of others who still lived. There was a list of names that rolled from his lips— his daughter and wife were always first, but after them would come the names of the children who he considered his wards. Some shinobi took many apprentices and rotated them the way one might change the tools in their pouch. But for Kaji, each apprentice was like a seed he planted and sought to nurture. There was always a hint of remorse when he whispered their names to the Wild Mother: thoughts that he had never done enough for them. He would never truly be able to protect them or even teach them enough to stave off the eventual demise that comes for us all. There was also guilt; in recent years Kaji had changed his attention to the sole raising of his daughter despite the belief that his apprentices were like his children. He had watched and practically raised Tatsuo, but the same could not be said for the other two, whom he felt he neglected. Sayomi was a gifted girl, Kaji knew; he was sure that with the Lionvolt within her she’d overcome any adversity. And where her own power faulted Sayomi would have the protection of the Santaru family to protect her. However, Kaji was not so sure when it came to Hirateuchi, who reminded him of himself at that age when Kaji took the boy on for training. Hira’s affinity with water nature chakra had incredible potential for an untrained student. Kaji knew the boy would go far, but his lack of confidence could have caused his downfall more than anything. At first, Kaji sought to nurture these gifts in Hirateuchi and oversee his development into a solid shinobi, but the course of life encumbered Kaji with other duties. Ultimately, Kaji recognized his absence as a failure and became content... Until one day where a whisper in the wind told him to reconcile with the old student. Perhaps it was not too late.
A few days prior, Kaji sent a request for Hirateuchi to meet him in the forest at the same spot where they had trained his elemental jutsu prowess all those years ago. It was not a demand, and the note made as much clear, offering the meeting only if Hirateuchi wanted to attend. In truth, Kaji had no idea how the old apprentice would react, perhaps with disdain or even excitement. Prepared for just about anything, Kaji had arrived at the forest thicket dressed in a style that seemed unchanged from the years prior. His attire was almost the same articles: the same espresso aviator’s jacket, weathered yet classy, an egg collared shirt beneath, and midnight blue slacks that met his black riding boots. He had become a bit slimmer than in the past though, seemingly losing some of the muscle from his peak form during the tournament days. His hair was the same flowing obsidian, but had gained streaks of silver as his age began to really show. New markings ran along the outside of those striking emeraldine orbs he had for pupils. While Kaji was unsure just what the reunion had in store, he did not leave the saber eelspine behind. The emerald in its pommeled gleamed, reflecting the sun’s glory beaming through the treeline. Despite the slight changes brought on by father time, everything else went unchanged. The forest remained vivid, verdant, and lush. The wind danced in the trees, creating a symphony of nature in the height of springtime. In a private moment, Kaji paused to envy the seeming immortality of the land which remained unchanged by the years. Full of curiosity, Kaji wondered what the droplet that was young Hirateuchi had become.
- Kaji has entered the thread.
- Requesting Hirateuchi.
- This is a private thread.