The sun's rays scorched the earth below as it's heat was visible. A man and his new ninken companion, Shiroimono, walked across the barren lands as they headed towards a very familiar place. The last two meetings that Satoshi had with Kazu happened there, and so this meeting with another Kanetsu would as well. It only felt right, almost as if it was ceremonial to meet there. Shiro would look up at her new ninja with a look that Sato understood. He probably smelt of grief, as this place always made him think of the mentor he lost in Kazu. If only he could find him....maybe one day. Today however, he had a different goal. He was officially going to move to Konoha and become a close friend and diplomat to the Hokage, Kenta Inuzuka. He was a man that Satoshi understood and respected, much like Kazu in those earlier days. With that in mind, he needed to let someone know that it was their time to take up the mantle as head of the Kanetsu clan. Raishi was the obvious choice, and so he had sent a letter for them to meet there. "It's okay Shiro, just remembering the old days." He said with a sigh as he moved closer to his destination.

Before he knew it, the volcano came into sight. it's molten rock glimmered in the sun light as the heat radiated from it like a star. Taking a breathe in, Satoshi enjoyed every second of the feeling. Heat was wonderful, and he would be sure to enjoy his time here. The tunnel to the center was ahead, and so he turned to Shiro. "I don't want you around the lava and heat ahead. Stand guard for me here and howl if you see intruders that is not the man I described earlier. Thanks Shiro." With a low growling response, he knew Shiroimono didn't like being bossed around. Regardless, the dog obeyed because of the dangers that could lie ahead for someone who was not used to the path. He left his companion and moved forward, heading for the entrance. The mouth of the cave was wide and it was well lit from the light on either side. Satoshi continued, relishing the heat absorbing into his skin with every step. His fire red hair moved ever so slightly with every step. After a few minutes, he was in the heart of the volcano and was in one of the few places that he felt like was a home in Iwagakure. The place where he felt made the most sense.

At this point it was just a waiting game. He looked around for Raishi, but did not see him. He decided to relax for a bit until he arrived, as there was no need to be formal with his cousin and fellow shinobi. There would be enough of that in Raishi's life soon enough.

Word Count: 494
Continuing Taijutsu B->A training from this thread: 1894/3000

A smile flashed across Satoshi's face as he heard his companion howl in the distance. It was time and Raishi had arrived. He would turn in his direction and wait, excited to see someone that understood his clan and what they desired. A few moments later, Raishi was in sight and speaking to him. He looked taller and older, which was to be expected. He couldn't help but smile brighter before respond. "So true. How have you been?" He would ask as he walked up and patted him on the shoulder in a friendly matter. Wow, his time in Konoha had changed him in some ways. He was definitely a bit nicer. Regardless, he had business to attend to. "The ninken at the entrance is of the Inuzuka canine line. That's actually a pretty good transition into what I brought you here to talk about." He would speak normally, not showing the slight sadness he felt as he spoke. "It has been decided that I will be a diplomat in Konoha and eventually become a Sannin of their village. I am close friends with Kenta Inuzuka, the Hokage, and he is showing me the ways and jutsu of his clan. He also gave me Shiroimono, who is awesome." He felt he should make that point. She really was a beautiful creature.

He would let that sink in before continuing with what he was saying. "With all that being said, I will not be here to be the active head of the Kanetsu clan. I would like you to take that position in my stead, as I trust you will do a wonderful job. Make the Kanetsu greater than I ever could." He would finish with a nod of support before waiting for a respone. The jounin was probably not expecting this, but Satoshi was glad of that. It would allow him to see a true response from his cousin. "I know it's a big bomb of responsibility to drop on someone, but I only trust you with the well being of our clan's future. You know if you ever have questions or need advice, I am just a messenger bird away." His eyes examined the man's face now that he would stay silent. This could go one of two ways. Either he would accept with joy, or he would reject it out of humility. Satoshi could only hope that it was the former of the two.

Word Count: 412
Thread Word Count: 906
Continuing Taijutsu B->A training from this thread: 2306/3000

"I've been okay really, considering the life we must live..."

A soft sigh released from his mouth at the sound of this. It was not that he disagreed, in fact he agreed completely. The life of a shinobi was complicated and dangerous on a good day, so he certainly understood where his cousin was coming from. As two Jounin, they had both seen quite a bit in their time as shinobi, so he understood exactly what the man mean. He would nod, hoping to let the subject die as they moved on to brighter topics. As for making him the head of the clan, the man seemed stunned. It had Satoshi almost chuckling. His humility had always been a breathe of fresh air, as Satoshi lacked it if he was honest. Raishi was ready, this much Satoshi knew. It was time for younger, fresher perspectives in the village. That started with Karumo and continued with Raishi. After looking around, Raishi's eyes met Satoshi's with a fire of passion and conviction. A look he knew very well.

"It will be an honour to serve as the head of the clan. I swear this to you, a great future for the Kanetsu clan is assured. I wish you luck in your new journey ahead cousin."

"Thank you, Raishi. It means a lot. I plan to keep in touch, so you do the same. Anything, and I mean anything, happens here, message me. I'll be here. I convinced Kenta and Karumo to meet about becoming allies and it went surprisingly better than I hoped. So we can help forge this bond even further by helping each other. Plus, when we both feel we are ready, I'd like to train with you again. However, I need to work on my Seijutsu before that can happen. " He chuckled as he finished, noticing his own changes since becoming friends with Kenta. This was really doing wonders for him. He exchanged his own look of pride for his cousin's new position and excitement for the future of both nations. He was making a difference, and that was what mattered to him.

Wordcount: 360
Thread Wordcount: 1266
Continuing Taijutsu B->A training: 2666/3000

"Of course I will. You would only be just a messenger bird away after all. Besides, I could even come visit some time, assuming I wouldn't have that much going on."

With that out of the way, Satoshi would nod in hopes that his cousin would not forget his words. His loyalty to iwagakure was something that Satoshi took very seriously and he did not like the idea of it being attacked and him not even being aware. He would push the thought from his head as Raishi began to speak again. The smile on his face seemed to indicate the man was just as excited about the future as Satoshi was. Perhaps in the future, they would work together to do much greater things for their nation than even these.

"Yes, I am really looking forward to that time cousin. I too am planning on mastering some new school of techniques. I won't tell you which just yet, so you're surprised when the time comes."

A wise move indeed, as Satoshi's new form of combat had already been revealed upon his arrival. He could think of quite a few forms of combat that would make the man in front of him more effective, but he would keep the advice to himself. Raishi had to find his own way, as Satoshi had done. It was then that the smile that seemed to radiate from the man began to fade. His demeanor changed slightly as the thoughts raced through his head. It seemed that he was worried about something, and Satoshi would soon find out that he was correct.

"I've heard rumours. Nothing founded, mostly speculation and conspiracy theories about the nature of Karumo's ascent to being the Tsuchikage. And there's mention of some unexplained conflict between Kirigakure and Kumogakure. Do you know anything of this?"

Satoshi's eyes surveyed the man as he spoke, showing no signs of surprise. Satoshi had known about the conflict as soon as it reached the ears of the Hokage. However, there was no need to worry a man that was not already deeply involved in such a dangerous clash of nations. The bit about Karumo's rise to Tsuchikage caught Satoshi's attention, but he pushed it out of his mind. He did not know much about the man, though he knew that Akira hand picked him. If Akira saw fit for the man to lead after doing so much for their village, he trusted the man just as Akira did. "I do not know much of Karumo or why he was picked. I just know Akira had much faith in him, and thus I do. As for the conflict between Kumogakure and Kirigakure, I know that this is fact. However, it is not something that should worry you. That conflict will never reach our borders. Konohagakure is an ally of Kirigakure's and I will contact you if it ever comes to our home front. For now, rest well knowing we do not have the Mizukage and her swordsmen knocking down our doorstep."

He had only heard rumors of the ninja of the mist. Solstice, the Mizukage, was a strong warrior of legend, and her swordsmen and Sannin were of equal legendary strength. He hoped they stayed on good terms with Iwagakure, as war seemed to be a terrible idea for all parties involved. With the questions answered and his purposed served, Satoshi then looked around the place one last time before speaking. "Unfortunately, It's time for me to return to the Hokage's side as a guard. Remember all I said and hopefully we will meet again soon!" He would nod and wait for any parting words. Once that was done, he patted the man on the shoulder before taking off and returning to his companion, Shiroimono. "Let's get back to Kenta." was all he said before the two took off back towards the village.

[Exit Thread]

Word Count: 662
Thread Word Count: 1928
Continuing Taijutsu B->A training: 3000/3000
Perception E-2 -> E-3: 225/225
103 word left