Hyde had woken up in the morning with no clear sense of what to do with his day. His small bed was thin and creaked with every movement but due to his lack of sensation he didn't mind it much. He was sure it was uncomfortable simply by looking at it but it hardly bothered him. Any damage sleeping on it did to his body would repair itself and he couldn't feel anything anyway. The only reason he actually used a bed was because it was considered inappropriate not to. Still the light of day would peak through his cracked window and gradually he would sit up with a yawn. He had no duties to speak of at the clinic for the day so he supposed he would just get an early start on his research. His apartment was far from impressive but it had the bedroom, a kitchen/living area and a bathroom. A small place but at least it was highly affordable with locks. Not to mention he valued his privacy. Quietly he would rise from his bed and make his way into the bathroom. Handling his unsightly business before stepping into the shower. Utilizing a rough bar of lavender scented soap. By the time he was finished he smelled like the flower.

Once he stepped out he took the time to dry off while eating a honey flavored granola bar. Washing it down with a glass of crisp water and finally brushing his teeth. Once his hygiene was handled he moved to his closet. Opening it to reveal a row of shined shoes on the bottom, a shelf of watches and several bags with pressed suits within them. Quietly he would select a suit and set about dressing himself. Making sure the creases on his slacks stood out and his belt was shined. His white shirt was tucked in with the buttons down the center of the belt clip. His tie tight and centered, Black in color with a copper tie pin holding it together. Lastly he would slip his black vest over it and button it up as well. Selecting a black pair of dress shoes over black socks. Finishing with a silver colored watch on his right wrist. Glancing himself over in the tall but cracked mirror he was rather satisfied with his appearance. His style apparently did not reflect his humble living situations. All of that simply to leave the apartment.

Finished with the final touches he would move to the kitchen counter where four things were neatly lined up next to each other. A metal square container with his cigarettes in it, a flick open black lighter with his clan symbol on it, his house keys, and a small square leather pouch with his three shuriken and one kunai in it. He glanced at his coat rack to spot the black suit coat, a grey scarf and a Kumo head band hanging there. Feeling it was warm enough outside and he wasn't on official business he opted to leave the weapons and everything on the coat rack behind. Instead pocketing the lighter in his front right pants pocket and the smokes in his right vest pocket. The house keys he used to lock the door behind him as he departed. Heading down the stairs as he pocketed those into his left pants pocket. It was a short walk for a couple of blocks before he actually reached any kind of shop but there was a fairly accessible library near his home. It was highly neglected by most but he used it frequently enough. One could check books out or purchase things like scrolls or even a book if they wanted to keep it. Donations kept it alive. Still he would step into the musky place through the door with the stained glass window. A bell dinging at his entrance. He would stop just a couple of feet inside the doorway and glance around. It was a two story place with one half moon desk on the bottom floor. Starting at the bottom were basics like ink, scrolls and the like and children's books as well as fiction novels. On the second floor was his goal. He would look up through the empty center to look passed the railing of the second floor at the medical section. He would need to climb stairs but what exactly would he be looking for he wondered?

742

There was work to be done today. Mizuki had to search for a bunch of information on the history of the slums, the current gangs, their relations to each other, their influence... That alone was just in preparation for her own little mission, a matter of being prepared and knowing exactly what she was about to tackle by herself. But aside from that, she also had to bring in a bunch of new scrolls for the Raikage's administrations since she had stated she was going to this dusty library anyway. A favour, so they said. The expectations imposed upon an older student of the Raikage, Mizuki assumed instead. Still, it wasn't that it bothered hear in any way. She was actually happy to know she could do a little something in service of the Village.

Since this wasn't exactly an official mission and more of a 'leisure' day out, Mizuki was wearing nothing special. Her black hair draped over a simple white shirt, its front decorated with a triad of singing birds and a few music notes ranging in colours from blue to green. Under that, she was wearing a simple knee-length skirt of navy blue and a pair of white sneakers. The casual look was strangely disturbed by a black katana resting against her hip, and a Kumogakure forehead protector loosely hanging around her neck - even on a free day, Mizuki just couldn't leave her trusted katana home.

Walking around the shop a little everywhere as she wasn't quite familiar with it, Mizuki walked from casual readings such as fantasy and adventures to the sappy romance department, then further to a small section on various divination techniques and occult mysteries 'discovered'. She wandered by a corner of fairytales and comics and into the shop's area containing culture and travelling guides. Not finding what she needed on the first floor, she tried the second floor where the 'heavier' topics such as medicine, criminology, philosophy and other of such were to be found. Continuing her search there, she eventually found a few books talking about the slums, common crimes and 'gang etiquette', of which of some of them seemed to have quite a layer of dust. Blowing the dust away with narrowed eyes, she took them along and dropped them on the table somewhere on a side she had now quietly claimed as hers. Taking a seat, her search for answers truly began just as another early bird seemed to walk in.

Taking a quick glance downwards, a young guy entered, properly dressed and radiating a certain air of mature confidence that often came with discipline and professionalism. He looked young though, the age of someone graduated from the Academy, but as she couldn't spot a forehead protector she assumed he was just another customer, or library browser, perhaps. As Mizuki flipped through the first few parts of a book on the 'History of Kumogakure's slums', footsteps told her the young man was making his way to the second floor, upon which she threw another quick glance to confirm her assumptions before returning back to scanning the books content.

---

527
Total: 527

Hyde would nod to the keeper of the library as he passed them. Not above being courteous to those who worked in roles of intelligence. He valued those over roles of might or charm. It was true that it had been the work of great minds that began to work of things that could bring about awesome and terrible levels of destruction. However those same minds had hoped for something of better use for them. A world at war had never been their intention. It was emotions like greed and anger born of pride that had taken these creations. Taken them and used them for their own agendas. He did not blame the ones who created these new worlds. He blamed those that burned them. Jutsu was not something that he felt every mind should have access to. Villages burned and people died because of this raw power being used. His role was somewhere in the middle though. He wasn't an impressively intelligent man. Even if he was considerably above average he did not equate himself on those levels. His skills still lacked as well but in time he would prove his services useful to the village. Bad men would die at his hand. For now though it was research that had to be done.

Still his steps would carry him up the stairs towards his destination. He was rather surprised to see someone else already seated at a table. How odd that someone would be out and about before him. His sharp blue eyes would study her without breaking his stride for a moment. Cute at least but likely from her glance she saw what others saw of him. A ten year old sharply dressed young man. He was actually in his teens but his clan made him age slower so he appeared considerably younger. Though in his opinion his mind had developed faster. Still he wasn't ignorant entirely of one other thing about her. Something on her person drew the eye. A dark blade that stood out in a place of knowledge. A shinobi then? Or perhaps a mercenary. No, his eyes shifted from the katana to the symbol around her neck. She was like him. A kumo shinobi. The question was how much more prominent than he was she. Regardless he would nod in passing and check his watch. Satisfied with the time he would move towards the medical section. Searching for a moment via topic in alphabetical until he came across two books on the top shelf. Beyond Brain Injury: Perspectives on Progress, Reflection, Rehabilitation, and Recovery--Volumes 1 & 2. Exactly what he was looking for.

For a moment he was satisfied until he recalled how high up it was. He could jump up and grab at them maybe or ask for an attendant or even ask the girl who seemed perhaps taller than him for assistance. However he could not bring himself to embarrass himself as such. Such issues as simple height restrictions could be ignored with a simple bit of finesse. He would glance to the girl again since he was standing in plain view before looking around a moment. As if he might get in trouble for using jutsu outside of the academy. How obvious it was that he was fresh as a genin. Still he would lift his right hand and slowly two blue strings would emerge from his fingertips. The simplicity of puppet strings suiting him well. Still they would shift like snakes rising up from his hand and snap out to attach to the spines of the two books. Snatching back into his hands in a second before the strings faded. With a smile he would carry the two books back to the tables. Selecting a table a little out of the reach of that katana before picking up volume one and opening it. His blue eyes already scanning the pages.

1395

As the youngster passed and nodded at her, she returned a courteous smile. He looked even younger from up close than she had guessed when he was down stairs. His looks seemed to be in complete contradiction with his behaviour and dress style. It was almost as adorable as it was disturbing her. Lowering her gaze back to the books in an attempt to drop the whole image she just spotted, she couldn't help but hear the shuffling of his feet over the floor as he walked by ... wait, what was a boy his age doing in a section that could prove a challenge even to an adult?

Raising her eyes briefly once more, she saw take out a few books pertaining to the medical section. While she couldn't read what the titles on the books were, she was fairly certain these were the kind of books Lin probably read during her spare time to refresh her mind on whatever medical jutsu techniques and general medicine knowledge she harboured under her kage hat. Lowering her eyes once more in an attempt to focus on her own research, she pushed the questions out of her mind as she cloaked them under a layer of parental requests or so.

But the thought that it was, maybe, a shinobi using a Transformation Jutsu for whatever inexplicable reason crossed her mind and, involuntarily, she looked back up to notice a subtle pair of blue strings forming between his hands and some books that were clearly out of his reach. A shinobi. Since she hadn't spotted his forehead protector, the thought of him using a Transformation technique reared its head again. As she pondered on the options, Mizuki had to deny the thought of a Henge no Jutsu as it would have been a horribly bad one - to appear as a child yet to act like a mature person was one bad disguise, if she ever saw one. This meant, he was either still at the Academy or doing it on purpose.

There was only one way to figure it out.

Quietly taking out a single senbon, she flung it into his direction, not with the intent to hit him but to test him. She had aimed at a spot about a fist away from his chest, but even if it would hit him, the senbon would be mostly harmless aside from an uncomfortable sting. She expected that, if he was a well trained shinobi, he would have heard her movement and be able to properly anticipate the possible 'assault' even if only urged by his advanced training, while a fresh student might actually reveal his inexperience one way or another.

Mizuki would be observing his movement.

---

455
Total: 982

Items:

Honestly Hyde was unsure if he should even bother researching the differences of different wounds. With the right application of medical jutsu any wound would revert back to the ideal state of being. Theoretically even if there was bleeding in the brain it was no different than healing an open cut. However that theory was based without any facts or research. Just basic practice. It was in fact his duty to learn more if he was to be of use to another in a party or at least if he was to tend to his own injuries beyond his clans healing ability he should at least understand what he was doing. Besides injuries that were more difficult to ascertain the nature of were more useful in assassination. Persistence in research and a ready mind were the keys to becoming the best at what he did. That and practice of course. Lots of practice. Not that the clinic lacked in that but the hospital would be far superior as a training ground for more serious injuries. Trial by fire was what he yearned but for now they had him walking on embers. It was more exhausting following the baby steps provided than actually working there.

Still he was hardly paying attention for the moment nor had he expected a ranged attack from the kumo nin here before him. After all the library was a peaceful place. So his gaze was busy studying the two volumes he had in his hands when suddenly he heard something solid like a loud tap or thunk happen directly under them. He would blink a moment before shifting the books to the side into his left hand and raising his eyebrow. There in his gut a mere fist from his chest was a senbon. As if it were a mere nuisance his right hand would reach down to pull it out and examine it. As his eyes shifted passed it to the girl watching him he would narrow his eyes. Before her very eyes she would watch as through the hole in his clothing the stab wound would pull itself back together without any chakra being applied and heal itself until there was just a blood stained hole in his shirt where the senbon had entered. As if highly insulted he would march over to her and slam her senbon into the table next to her glaring at her with blue eyes. Ignoring the katana now as he was clearly in reach.

"My dear woman I shouldn't have to tell you its poor form to attack a fellow paying you no mind. Besides that we are in a place of learning not violence. I've no idea what overcame you but I insist you replace my clothing you damaged! Really the nerve of this."

He huffed and leaned back crossing his arms and holding the two volumes to his chest. He hadn't registered a hint of pain nor worry over injury for a moment but rather was simply offended that the girl would stab him in the library. Of course if she would do it once there was little to stop her from doing so again. Yet he seemed less concerned for her katana and far more concerned for the tiny hole in his vest and shirt. His blue eyes stared at her as if expecting her to realize she was in the wrong. What in the world was a girl doing throwing senbon around a book store anyway? She must certainly be quite insane. Still even if she was older looking than he Hyde was obviously prepared to stand his ground.

2003

The chakra user before here did... nothing. He could just as much have been a simple commoner with the way he was paying attention to his environment. Even when he got hit, rather than to jump to the defence or watch his environment, he just looked dumb-struck at the senbon as if he had never seen one. But his reaction after that was completely unfitting for any shinobi. Or for any normal human.

He plucked the senbon out of his gut without so much as a wince of pain, and as he did so the wound almost immediately closed before her eyes. Not that the senbon had caused a big wound, but even then needle pricks didn't heal exactly this fast - she could tell as she had been in hospital before. Fuming, he then walked up to her and slammed the senbon on the table, starting to scold her? He, a boy seemingly with the looks of a twelve year old or so decided it was his place to scold someone much older than him. Mizuki raised an eyebrow, not only at the child's irrational behaviour but also at the fact he was making quite a fuzz in a 'place of learning' as he stated himself.

Mizuki gave him a pointed stare, stood up in response and rested her hand on her katana, pushing it slightly out of the sheathe with her thumb. It seemed the boy really didn't know how much he was putting himself in danger by using chakra in a place where kumo-nin were observing, not bothering to show any sign of affiliation or making himself known.

"My apologies for ruining your clothes, however, you're better off suffering this than putting yourself much longer in danger as you currently are doing.", Mizuki said calmly, her eyes betraying she was ready to take down the boy in front of her should he prove to be a threat. "You make use of chakra right in front of a kumo-nin without making your affiliation known. I suggest you tell me who you are, as your behaviour clearly indicates you are no civilian, neither does it hint at proper shinobi training."

At best, he was just ignorant of how much he was putting himself and others in danger, but at worst, he was being careless. The boy had shown no sign of paying attention to his environment or his own actions. Had he expected that nothing bad could happen just because there was no war in Kumogakure? Did he think that using chakra out of the blue in front of a shinobi was wise without having any sort of affiliation? She couldn't tell exactly.

---

451
Total 1433

He was angry with this woman that opted to attack him out of the blue. Who in the world just threw sharp things at random people? What if she had miscalculated who her target was and they were seriously hurt and for what? Curiosity? She was insane of that much he was sure. Why in the world was she turning hostile all the sudden? The only thing that had changed in the last few moments. His mind whirling to what had launched her into that thought process even as he stared into her eyes. There was something behind that impatience. A sort of caution and anger towards him. He could see that much plainly. All of the sudden it hit him. She had seen him using the puppet strings to collect the books he couldn't reach. Fear an paranoia from the last invasion driving shinobi to the extreme spectrum of proper reactions. His eyes narrowed even as she rose and shifted her hand to her katana. Partially drawing it in a threatening manner. She intended to cut him down here? Oh he was irritated now. Sure a Katana was a dangerous thing and he was unarmed. He was clearly at a disadvantage with hardly any way to fight back.

As she would speak he would sigh and let his eyes roll back a little as if impatient with all the theatrics. Calmly he would shift the books to the table with a slow and deliberate movement so as not to come across as sudden and threatening. His eyes scanned her and then the books she was reading. Next to him was the senbon in the table but that would do little good against a trained katana user. If he could use it to attack he would have to take significant damage and would only be able to go for the eyes and throat effectively. Seeing as he was not nearly as interested in permanently maiming the girl as getting his suit replaced he would glance at the books she was looking into instead. Information on local gangs by the looks of it. He would frown before looking to her with ocean blue eyes studying her within all their depth. She was an aggressor here and yet she spoke as if he was the one causing the issue. His jutsu had drawn no ones blood nor had it been hostile in any way. When he spoke his voice was calm but it mirrored his frown.

"So due to my use of a non hostile jutsu in front of you an attack was warranted? I somehow doubt that even having just graduated the academy myself. My dear lady I suggest strongly we cease any hint of combat here. In the future demanding answers might come before initiating combat. If we do not monitor our actions are we truly any better than the criminals we hunt."

He would sit back then and wait. If she wanted to draw her weapon he was ready to tip the table and run into the book shelves. Truly he was hoping she wouldn't try it. He wasn't getting out of her range without getting cut he was certain of that. How deep would determine how long he needed to hide. He doubted he could defeat this girl in his current state. He didn't even know any hostile jutsu. If she pressed the matter he would be forced to attempt to hide and attack before hiding again until other more calm authorities came. If more calm authorities came. It was all a gamble he wasn't looking forward to. He even suggested he was a kumo nin. Though since he didn't have his headband he had no way of proving it.

2631

The boy seemed to refrain from losing control despite his anger, placing his books slowly on the table and taking a glance at her books. Not concerned with his interest, her eyes remained focused upon him as she expected an answer. She couldn't lose sight of him since there was a senbon needle within his reach. Not that the weapon would do much damage as it was one of those industrial made senbon, of which there were thirteen in a dozen, but a precise strike with any form of weapon could be deadly still.

However, as he replied, it was clear he still failed to understand the danger he put people in by casually making use of chakra, as a freshly graduated genin no less, while not paying attention to his environment. She wasn't sure if she had to believe his words on the Academy part, but the his fast healing wound still lingered around in her mind... there was a Kumogakure clan known for an ability as this. Was this it, or had he simply used an internal healing jutsu requiring no hand seals? She couldn't say for sure.

"A freshly graduated genin? Of Kumogakure?", she asked, eyebrow raised at his statement as she wasn't too sure she could believe him just yet. "Why are you not wearing your Kumo forehead protector then? Even if this is a leisure day, making use of chakra in the open, even if it isn't an offensive technique, betrays your shinobi training and makes you an easy target for infiltrators."

And that counted double for the fact that he didn't even bother to notice a 'harmless' attack as hers, despite talking about 'monitoring their actions'. If she had been an enemy of the Village, she wouldn't have hesitated in a place like this. No protection, the expectation of peace that easily lulled people into a false sense of security... places as these were the ideal spot to take out a young shinobi as him - the future of Kumogakure - and vanish without a trace. It wasn't a distracted commoner that would have stopped her from seazing the opportunity.

Mizuki shook her head, somewhat in disappointment, "Since you graduated from the Academy, do not think one moment now that there is a single place in the world where you shouldn't be paying attention to your environment or consider yourself safe. It's places as these, seemingly safe of hostilities, where assassinations happen easily."

She allowed her katana to slide back into its sheathe. She had no means to tell if he was lying or being honest about his training, but the speed at which his body was healed in addition to his reply sounded like a plausible combination. If it wasn't the case, she'd still remember his face, and would thus be able to ask the Academy teachers about him as a verification. One could never be prudent enough since the recent war with Kirigakure.

---

501
Total: 1934

Hyde would quietly open his book and peer at the first page. He wasn't unaware of the danger he was in but he wasn't going to waste time cowering over it. If he had a chance to escape he would of taken it but this range and her dominance over the situation suggested he was at a loss for such possibilities. For all he knew she was a violent Jounin bent on teaching a lesson with physical beatings. Though, he didn't feel like that was right either. He wondered if Jounin even kept senbon around. His hand shifted to the hole in his shirt to tug it out and look it over. All he was getting for it being ruined was an apology. Followed by a lecture of how careless he was. Oh if only she truly knew how right she was. His clan was always in danger even from the local shinobi populace of being abducted and used. Their blood making their ability to regenerate transferable. Of course it wasn't a widely known fact anymore but it still meant they were in danger of being kidnapped. His blue eyes shifted to her to respond to her first bit of speech. His frown easily heard in his voice.

"Forgive me miss but I grow a little confused. You claim my use of chakra betrays me as a shinobi and yet, the headband would do just as much wouldn't it? I'm not wearing it because I am in no way on official business. What I do on my down time merely represents me, not the village. Marking myself as a shinobi would suggest otherwise."

He would smile to her at that before slipping to the next page of volume one. Studying it as he ran his finger down the glossary of what the book contained before finding a rather specific page he had been looking for when he first chose the book. There was a great deal to study but this specific page was relevant to his case. He was a med nin after all first and foremost. However even as he flipped page after page attempting to locate the specified page she would continue with her lecture. He would pause as he found the page and peruse over it lightly. Skimming it for anything of interest as she finally let her katana be sheathed fully again. She didn't seem like one for chances so he was relieved that she would select to do so. He would speak again this time without really looking up. His nose nearly buried in his book as he ran his finger along where he read. He was dedicated at least to his work.

"My dear, while keeping an eye out for threats is indeed a noble idea, one must avoid the tendencies of paranoia. Of course we have enemies and of course we should not forget as much. Yet I can't help but wonder if fear will hold us back. We as a people must determine what we are willing to risk in order to gain the power we need. I myself will come here unarmed as often as needed to obtain the knowledge I need to be a better medic and shinobi. Now please, sit. If you introduce yourself I will return the favor." He would glance up from his book to look her in the eye then. He wasn't overcome by fear of her even though he acknowledged he was likely no match. It did him no good to shiver and quake. Instead his gaze would shift pointedly at her vacant chair and then back to her. He was considering the entire interaction thus far to be very rude but was fine with some company.

3262

Mizuki guessed the genin in front of her had a point when it came to her headband betraying her affiliation and putting her equally in danger because of that, but it wasn't quite the same as what she had been talking about? It seemed he felt like the conversation on caution was a matter of debating who was right or wrong rather than feeling the intent of concern. Her words had been a matter of pointing out how careless he had been by not paying attention, but it seemed he was still too young to understand this sort of subtlety or to get a feel of the true intentions of another. Mizuki could hardly blame him for this. Even if his speech and behaviour seemed older than his appearance, he could simply have been copying it from his parents while his mind and insight remained that of a boy of what? Twelve? Thirteen?

As he nonchalantly flipped to the next page during the conversation, Mizuki's eyes dropped to take a glance at the topic he was reading. From the extravagantly complicated sentences, she could only deduct it was medical information of the sort Lin probably read for breakfast, and thus not quite the sort she was familiar with herself. Her knowledge was restricted to various traditional arts, but once more the topic didn't match the boys' appearance, adding another layer of enigma to his being.

"Paranoia? Fear?", she asked curiously. "You consider caution of your surroundings, ready reflexes and the protection of Kumogakure as paranoia and fear?"

Once more, she felt the semblance of intellect and high societal etiquette being shattered by a lack of insight and life experience. It was as if the boy balanced severally between being just a boy of his age and acting conform some unknown expectations his parents might have imposed him. Mizuki shook her head. She wasn't sure if she had to berate him for trying to be more than he was, redirect her disappointment to his parents for putting up too much expectations or feel worried for his seemingly lack of basic knowledge about shinobi duties. Did he really feel that leaving his weapons and headband at home stripped him from any shinobi duties? From his basic training and knowledge? She certainly hoped not.

Feeling this whole conversation would end up in nothing more but unnecessary disappointment and frustration, Mizuki took a slow, deep breath as she decided it would be better to keep her mind clear. She couldn't allow herself to be dragged into the game of a brat that not only had shown little insight despite his intellect, but kept acting careless, and now impolitely nonchalant towards others at that by imposing the condition someone older than him should make her identity known first.

"I'm Raiu Mizuki, chuunin, and student of Raikage Lin-san.", she introduced herself. While she hated to use her rank and position towards Lin as a form of status, she did somewhat hope he'd come to understand how arrogant he had been towards her by attempting to turn the whole conversation in a 'right or wrong' debate instead of trying to learn something of worth from it. She felt as if that hope would remain unanswered as it were.

---

OOC: Apologies for the delayed reply :(

549
Total: 2483

Hyde would scan the page he was looking at. Memorizing what he could of relevance but ignoring the majority of flavor text and pictures. His eyes raced across the page as if he were possessed with a need to gain more knowledge. As he stared at the book to anyone who could read a person it was obvious he wasn't simply lost by what he saw there. The advanced medical text book was exactly what he was looking for and he hadn't come unprepared to read it and understand it. As a med nin he always needed to learn more and often combine that knowledge to assist him. Even if for now he was placing the equivalent of a band aid on the lesser cases eventually he would do enough hours to work in the main hospital. Eventually his skills would be saving lives. When the real challenge came he needed to be ready. He had promised himself he would be and there was no going back on that oath. He would surpass the majority of med nin in the village and when he did his other chosen profession would be all the more proficient for it. A hit man for the village was only as good as his ability to take down his target and get out again. Medical knowledge would help with that.

Still she would speak again only now without a weapon it was more of an interesting topic than a sit down or die situation. It wasn't as if she were unable to be just as effective as she were but without it partially drawn it didn't hold the same intimidation. A sheathed blade held no danger while a drawn one however partially could be lethal. He supposed he was satisfied that the air had grown less tense even if she was just as irritated with him as before. Still her question brought something to his attention. While he was book smart and capable of learning a great deal. As well as addressing every situation with intelligence removed from emotion, She was street smart. Far more capable of a practical approach and view of things. Perhaps she viewed the world through the eyes of experience. Though that experience was influenced by her own history. Truth be told there were extremes to either side. One could easily manage to slip into a sense of ease and laze about or one could be driven mad as he considered even the common merchant a spy or assassin. He wondered if he were a little to close to the sense of ease or on the other hand if she were too close to being driven mad by suspicion.

He had just turned the page and returned to scanning it as well when he heard her take a breath. That was a good sign. She had approached this with a fairly aggressive nature. Typically Those who could allow their tempers to flare used breathing exercises as a way to monitor and control their moods. He had suggested it himself to a couple of patients. He had basically figured the debate finished when she spoke again. His mind dismissing it almost on the brink of spite but suddenly his attention snapped to when she mentioned her mentor. His eyes snapping to make eye contact with her as he made no effort to hide his sudden interest. He could of course always request a meeting with the Raikage but he had a goal for her to show interest in him. To see value in him eventually. After all his missions if to be kept legal would likely come from her office. She needed to know what tools she had available. So Hyde would clear his throat a moment before bowing his head slightly. Suddenly showing a level of polite manners he hadn't before. Certainly a change now that she had some use to him for the immediate time being.

"I am Doctor Hinode Hyde. At your service. Genin of the village."

3935

Her question on fear and paranoia remained unanswered as the boy seemed preoccupied with his thoughts and book. Maybe he was mulling it over, maybe he didn't care, she couldn't say for sure. Then again, his answer mattered little as his previous actions and demeanour had already replied for the biggest part. He might be able to use chakra at an E rank level, devouring the content of sophisticated books with his eyes, it was clear to her that was where it stopped. He was most likely smarter than her on an intellectual base, but he'd equally be the first one in need of protection in a hazardous situation while his mind churned on the mountain of knowledge in search for a debatable good solution.

It was at times as these Mizuki could loathe her own clan's reputation and her family's traditions. The Raiu had always been the front-line warriors and guardians of Kumogakure since two of the founding families of the Village had merged together, and it would probably remain as such for an eternity to come still. It were people like this boy, that seemed so careless, so absorbed by the maelstrom in their own mind, that obliged the Raiu to remain and step in - and once more it wouldn't be any different as he presented himself as being a doctor, and a genin. A young boy with a mind for healing, and a freshly graduated shinobi without a care for his own awareness. At least she could commend him on being altruistic enough to think about the wounded of Kumogakure, right?

"Are you aiming to work at the hospital in the future?"

Medical ninja seemed to favour that spot to such a degree Mizuki wondered if there weren't any other spots for Iryo-nin to make their place. Not that she was against the noble art of aiding people, but it often felt... too predictable, and perhaps a bit too easy a choice as well.

That said, considering that there was little point to scold a kid that wasn't hers, nor a genin that wasn't part of her team, and he had shown little interest in learning, Mizuki decided sitting down and focusing on the task to come would be the better choice. She had already gone through books as these before she went into the slums, but after being roughened up and ending at the hospital - much to Lin's displeasure - she wanted to be sure she hadn't missed something. She had, after all, found little to work with that could stop the slumbering blood feud that slowly returned to the surface of the slums.

Flipping page after familiar page as her mind generally remembered the information she had picked up before, her eyes scanned for possible bits of information that could reveal her the pieces of the puzzle she was missing.

---

487
= 2970

His eyes would study her now with considerable more interest. He seemed to be taking in every little detail now. Where he had no interest in remaining vigilant in his observations before now he almost seemed to be seeing into her soul. Those blue eyes no longer blinking or glancing at his book for a moment. Something about him seemed to have changed after she introduced herself. He was calm but now he was calculating far more. The fingers on his right hand twitched as now he wished he had his own weapon. This girl was his own rank and already she was in league with the Kage. He had an urge now to duel her. To take her on in combat and prove himself. Logically he knew he wasn't ready yet but he didn't mind. He should avoid that interaction entirely but he could feel the adrenaline within himself. Would he be a worthy opponent? could he even manage to damage her? He was a fresh graduate with no actual combat experience. His eyes narrowed slightly even as she sat herself down. He wouldn't fight her right then. Eventually maybe. Now he had someone within his reach to overcome. A reason to train harder than he had been. Still she posed an interesting question to him. One he would consider to be a common idea. Med nin excelled professionally in the hospital. It only made sense for him to want to go in that direction. Still he spoke with some hesitation.

"That is where I intend to start. However it is only to gain medical experience to assist me in my more, chosen profession."

He would glance down at his books as he contemplated leaving it at that. Letting his books slide closed as he would consider his options. He could keep it to himself. Really his goal, his dream would sound foolish coming from a kid looking like him. Perhaps even considered a joke. He hated people laughing at his dreams. Still he would take a breath and look back to her. Studying her expression and letting the tension build a little. Perhaps even fishing for her to inquire as to that profession. Wanting someone to show interest before he revealed the shocking truth. He was talented when it came to dramatics at least if not anything else in her eyes.  Still if he revealed it now he might just be laughed at and the Raikage herself would excuse him as a joke before ever having met him. He was destined to be a dog of war and if he was cut off from the lead source of power on the village so much like himself this early, that dog might starve. It was a gamble in his mind but this woman seemed serious to him. A warrior that might understand where he was coming from. So with a sigh he would continue his speech.

"Our village has come across as timid to the world. Separating ourselves for so long. Criminals have moved in for what they consider easy money. My chosen profession, will be the one that keeps the grave digger in business. I will take down any criminal the honorable Raikage puts in front of me. I will be her personal hitman."

4484
Exit thread
Strength E ~> E-1, 75 words
E-1 ~> E-2, 150 words
E-2 ~> E-3, 225 words
E-3 ~> D, 300 words

D ~> D-1, 325 words and 25 Ryo.
D-1 ~> D-2, 400 words and 50 Ryo.
D-2 ~> D-3, 450 words and 75 Ryo.

2694
Speed
E ~> E-1, 75 words and 0 Ryo.
E-1 ~> E-2, 150 words and 0 Ryo
E-2 ~> E-3, 225 words and 0 Ryo.
E-3 ~> D, 300 words and 0 Ryo.

D ~> D-1, 325 words and 25 Ryo.
D-1 ~> D-2, 400 words and 50 Ryo.
D-2 ~> D-3, 450 words and 75 Ryo.

769
Reaction time
E ~> E-1, 75 words and 0 Ryo.
E-1 ~> E-2, 150 words and 0 Ryo
E-2 ~> E-3, 225 words and 0 Ryo.
E-3 ~> D, 300 words and 0 Ryo.

19 words remaining

[EXIT]

---

Closing thread due to inactivity.
My bad on this one, so sincerest apologies to you, Dr. Hyde.

WC: 2970

Training:

Extra Training: