The young little blonde boy was looking out over the water, his target was too far away and he could not get caught near the location. As his eyes began to fill with tears a face popped up into his mind. He remembered a weapons master and wondered if this man could help him. He knew not what to ask or how to ask it, but all he knew was that once again he would need the help of that man. The fate of his clan rested on his shoulders and now it seems the fate of his destiny also rested with what would happen here today. He needed to reach his goal and for that he sent a messenger bird to find the man he needed, the man with the spiky hair, the man who did not last long. The one man who could make all his problems disappear, it could only be one. His former sensei who had been defeated by him in training or so he believed. He felt that he had no choice but to ask the man if he could teach him the one thing that eluded him, which was using this stupid weapon called a bow.

What was a bow he thought as he picked up the makeshift bow he got from some cheap merchant. It was basically just a really strong bendy stick that looked like it came straight out the tree since it was still like an actual stick. The string was strong but he had a problem, as he picked up the ten small stick like arrows with a blunt tip. This was a training bow, but without someone to teach him it was worthless to him. He kept holding it different ways raising it over is head and then in front of him to behind him. He just could not understand how to use this weird cowardly weapon. You shot an arrow from a distance which no one would notice and then run away if you miss, it just made him feel a bit sick, until he remembered there was one cool archer long ago in seven bells who said she would come back for him. He knew that she was probably dead, killed along with the rest of Seven Bells Army. Though something told him he had to learn to face his fears and use this weapon. He needed this weapon so he could chased down is enemies and shoot his targets from a distance if they ever chose to run away from him.

He then looked up into the sky as the clouds began passing, his brown loose outfit looking like something huntsman would wear out in the woods. It was not really of any value as it could defend nothing and do nothing but he felt he needed to look the part at least. He then whispered into the wind, "Kenji-sensei"

Words = 485

His duty to act as added security for Takigakure was going well so far. The village was doing a fine job as far as he could see. To his knowledge they appeared to be capable of handling their own affairs. This made it apparent that his assignment had more of a political motive. On the rise was Takigakure, and Kumogakure apparently wanted to give a nice gesture to the up and coming village. For a long time Kumogakure was viewed as the military capital. Their military force was revered by everyone. Lately though, their strength has waned, and it was becoming necessary for the village hidden in the clouds to play a role other than the big bully. This was a good idea to Kenji. Being someone who was cautious of extended or brutal confrontation, this change of pace suited him. 

His shift was over. He was not even a little tired. It was literally a walk in the park. He wouldn't allow his frustration level to rise but so much as he could vividly remember less memorable assignments. Now that he had some time to himself, he began formulating a training exercise for the day. Something unique. Something that would keep his mildly interested. Kenji's senses peaked, alerting him to a stimuli overhead. With a twitch of his arm, his long bow was shuffled from his back into his hand. He watched the bird closely as it swirled above him. Peculiar flight path. He remarked internally, as the bird just flew in circles, about 10 meters above Kenji. Suddenly the bird let out a near deafening squawk. The Sannin stood steadfast. Only narrowing his eyes in response to the audio assault. With attention he looked on. A scroll slowly emerged from the bird's stretched mouth, and finally fell to Kenji's feet. The sound fluttered off and became a weak chirp. 

Kenji used his sword to cut the seal, causing the note to roll open. He immediately took in the words. "I hoped to find you. Once more I require your assistance. Though I defeated you in our last encounter, because of your experience I still value your advice and highly respect you. Your weaponry skills especially, I hold in high regard. I have found myself in need of archery. My clan depends on me. A new threat has arisen and the skill or archery could be the key to my success. I am at Lake Eternia. I'd appreciate it a lot if you came and helped me once more."

Unbelievable. Abso *********lutely unbe---- 
A smile struggled to the surface. He thinks he defeated me. The rest of the letter didn't register until a few minutes later as Kenji continued to stew. "You know what. I've been asking for some fun. I guess I'll give the kid another lesson, and if I know Ren, he'll want another fight. When he is ready to suit up again... we'll see just how strong he is." Kenji respected Ren, he thought he was a promising shinobi with great weapon intuition and charkra prowess. In his last encounter he used suiton remarkably well and was still eager to go on after he suffered a beating. Kenji took it easy on Ren last time and for good reason. But something told Kenji that when they squared off again, for the most part, it would be as equals. Interesting indeed. I guess I'm off to Lake Eternia. 

 
Kenji maneuvered through the uniform canopy. The likeness of color in the shrubbery resulted in many trips through the forested area. He reached the training area that was bounded by the trademark lake. He saw Ren in the distance, apparently lost in a trance. It appeared he had tried his hand at archery alone, and was getting discouraged. I wouldn't even qualify that as a training bow. Kenji joked as he observed the tools Ren was working with. Kenji had picked up a spare long bow on the way over, which he would let Ren practice with. "Ren. It's been too long." Kenji called out. "You only get one freebie. This one is going to cost you." Kenji said in a slightly sinister tone. He was still upset about Ren's presumption of beating him in battle, and that last remark was a foreshadowing of Ren's punishment to come. 



Training: 735

He heard his name as he turned to face the man he had not seen in a long time, he offered the boy a long bow and said it would cost him. They did not even get to speak yet, but he took a deep breathe before releasing everything out at once. "Where have you been? You late and ", he paused for a moment blushing as he looked down as he rubbed his feet together. "Thanks for coming, Kenji-sensei".

He had developed emotions since the last time they met which should be a bit surprising considering how cold he was before. The truth that very few realised was that Yuzu was actual kind at heart, but he was trained to be cold, calculating and deadly. He was in a somewhat boyish admiration and idolizing phase. He needed someone to look up to with Star gone and his stubborn mind not wishing to admit Sano as being capable he waited for Kenji's reply as he held the bow somewhat awkwardly with both hands on the middle of the bow and not sure which hand to use to pull the string.

He then spoke up and said, "How do i use this Kenji-sensei", his stance and form were a mess for the use of a bow and he held the bow all round all together. Would Kenji be helpful like he always is or did he change.

Words = 485 + 238 = 723

As always, Ren was clueless when taking on a new weapon. It was still surprising and impressive at the same time. It spoke volumes to how natural of a weapon user he was. Ren could take a weapon he knew nothing of and get in hours. Kenji would see if his aptitude had waned or not. "Ok, we'll see if you're still as sharp a student as I remember." Kenji walked around Ren, examining his stance, posture, and expression. He made one revolution back in front of Ren. "Let's begin." Kenji stepped aside. "Now, raise the bow. Extend your arm that is holding the bow completely." Kenji demonstrated with his own bow. "You want to fully extend your arm, because, the greater the extension the more distance your arm stretches. The greater the distance your arm stretches the more force you can put into the bow." Kenji pointed to a target off across the lake. "Work on your technique a bit and try to hit it." 

Kenji said he wanted to see if the young little blonde was still as sharp as he was during the time of the Seven Bells War. He walked around the young boy who looked at him and blushed slightly, since the time they had last met he had changed a lot, he was slightly older and more emotional now than he was back then, the after effects seeming to almost be gone. He then stopped after making a revolution and told them they would begin, he was told to raise the bow as he held it with both hands, then he extended his arms holding the bow out as far as he could. He noticed Kenji was holding the bow with one hand then he remembered that as far as he could remember shinobi who used bows always held it with one hand. He let go of the bow with his left hand and only held it with his right hand, his hands were both equally competent but he was choosing to use his right hand to hold the bow.

He heard Kenji mention something about extension and stretching as he pulled on the string of the bow with his left hand and was having trouble getting the arrow to stay there as it fell from his hands repeatedly, he was getting a bit annoyed and embarrassed as he looked to Kenji very carefully and asked, "How do i get the arrow to stay there and pull the string at the same time?"

He had not seen how people hold the bow correctly and merely saw them pull back and shoot. What he had to do to keep the arrow there eluded him as he waited observing Kenji with his big blue eyes.

Words = 723 + 293 = 1016

Ren fumbled the arrow again again. Kenji saw the struggle, and upon Ren requesting Kenji's assistance Kenji showed him how to keep the arrow stable. "On every bow, there is a slit in the center. It is called the arrow rest. That is where you slide the arrow. Also, near the bottom of the arrow is a groove that digs into the string of the bow, this is called a notch. These two features are what provides incredible stability while shooting." Kenji was very interactive, turning the bow and arrow every which away. "Now that you know where the arrow goes, try shooting that tree over there."

He was really annoyed at how bad he was at this, but having been strong for so long he had forgotten what it was like to pick up a new weapon and use it. He then was shown by Kenji the form needed to use a bow, he watched carefully as he was also told where to hold the arrow and the bow. He rested the arrow as he was told and began to pull back as it appeared far better than his previous attempt. He had found the notch as well, and it was so simple he blushed as he looked down and said, "Sorry if i disappointed you, Kenji-sensei". He had a great respect for Kenji as a sensei and watching all the forms and the display as he finally took a deep breath.

He then released the arrow as it flew through the air heading for the target but at the last moment drifted to the side hitting the wrong tree. He had managed to get the range, but he then realized the wind was also affecting the arrow. "I think i got it now, Kenji", he closed his eyes for a moment taking in his surroundings as he visualized his target. He began to feel the wind blowing against him from the side as he estimated how far the tree was, his mind kept trying to figure out where he would have to aim to hit the tree. When he was finally done he took another deep breath as he took a new arrow and prepared it. He then let the arrow fly as it looked like it was going off course when suddenly it curved hitting the tree as he felt happy, blushing as usual with his smile always having a hard time coming out.
"Kenji, i did it!".

He then was over joyed as he raised his bow and aimed a second time, followed by a third time then a forth. Every single arrow was hitting the same spot. It became clear why this child was a prodigy, even with a slow start he still had the ability to get ahead with just a bit of advice. His eyes began to change, his focus was so cold and calculating it would send chills in the spines of normal men. He began to notice something though, if he kept shooting perfectly it still might not hit the target as he looked towards Kenji again. "Can you teach me any bow techniques?"

His tone was somewhat different, but this was the first time he was asking someone to teach him a jutsu and probably would not be the last. He was aiming to rise up the ranks and become a shinobi who no longer had an equal, from his fight in the water dome where he humiliated the powerful Chisaki and the mysterious Lamya. To his lesson in which he beat everything out of Toshiko until he no longer chose to fight anymore. He was not one to let himself slack off for too long, he wanted to rise up as fast as he could and as much as he could.

Words = 1016 + 526 = 1542(1 EP)
Training Sub Spec Kyujutsu = 1500/1500

Exit Thread
To Be Continued...