Tenjin was in his rented room in Kumogakure no sato, it did not feel remotely like home. His home larger and it was located in Iwagakure no sato, but this place was a small, simple apartment building where Iwagakure shinobi stayed for the duration of the Chunin exam. He was sleeping, in the small but cozy bed. The bed was small, built for one, how Tenjin is able to sleep in this uncomfortable bed, even he does not know, however he uses it, no point in not using something that is there. He was snoring, lightly, this often happened when he slept uncomfortably. Most of his family did this, he doesn’t know why, it was just common for them to do so. He was drooling, lightly as well. He dreamt about Nova, it was happy things, a nice dream, rather than the opposed nightmares that shinobi might get due to their post traumatic stress disorder based normally on their past combat experiences. Tenjin wondered if Nova had nightmares, based soulfully on the destruction of Sunagakure no sato. Normally his dreams were more or less light in nature, and most of the times his dreams altered reality, as he controlled it, call it a lucid dream, making Tenjin enjoy his metaphysical dream where he was able to do things like fly, he usually wakes up at those points, and wondered if he could one day create a jutsu where he would be able to fly. These dreams were caused, mainly due to his curiosity for more power, Tenjin assumed.

An alarm went off, Tenjin threw his arm over, his fist slamming on his alarm clock. He woke up with a yawn, then looked, his sleepy eyes glaring over at his now broken alarm clock. He sighed, “Time to get to work.” He would say, using his more outdoor voice rather than a nice, quiet, peaceful indoor voice like most had when waking up. His alarm clock now broken, he would remind himself to wake up in his own sleep from today on until the trek back to Iwagakure. He sighed, standing up on his hardwood floor. His room had rough, wooden flooring. It was cleaned weekly, usually on sundays, however on occasions, when he was bored he would clean the apartment just as a reminder that he also needed discipline on a Saturday or even a Friday. He walked over towards the door, the width in the doorway made it possible to fit three and a half normal doors, however this door wasn’t all the way normal, most had it, though a majority of the population in Iwagakure had used opening and closing doors, at the moment, Kumogakure appears to have doors where he slid the door over to the side, in order to open it, and it would disappear nearly entirely into the wall. The room had been built especially for that, the door being capable of sliding through the wall, the wall being made so that the door could slide. Behind the door lays his clothing, pants, socks, shirts, pretty much any type of clothing Tenjin owned. He didn’t have dressers, that had simple drawers on them. No, inside his closet there were multiple drawers built into the wall. Tenjin smiled upon seeing them, often, saved him the space in his home, mainly in his room, allowed for easier walking since the room had been built so small, why they built it the size they did, was beyond Tenjin’s knowledge. He pulled out a black gi, something he wore often, and had multiple versions of. All of them were in different colors, just slightly different in design sometimes. Some even had the symbol of Diamond Heights University, the exact same on the school grounds, or more commonly known, the university campus. The gi with the university symbol was colored golden yellow, though that wasn’t the one Tenjin was going for, he was aimed directly at wearing the black gi, it was plain with no images on it. He took off what he slept in, and put on the shirt. Next he pulled out his black pants, simple black pants that went with the uniformed gi. They went down to his ankles, and was spacious inside to make him more agile and flexible without the constraint of tight pants. He held them up with a belt, they were slightly loose, he prefered them like that, however the karate belt would hold them up. Holding his pants up wasn’t the only use for the belt, he used his belt to warn combattants of his taijutsu fighting capabilities. Inside of his gi, he had a pouch, that had the ability of holding small projectile weapons, such as Kunai, Senbon, and Shuriken. Often it could hold stuff like paper bombs as well, but Tenjin has never owned such a lethal weapon just yet. He then put on some simple kung fu boots, something most of the shinobi who were skilled in martial arts wore when going out into battle, or training perhaps as well.

He sighed, heading outside of his room, then noticed he had finally messed up his normal, morning routine. He normally goes out of his room, down the hall, into the kitchen and eats breakfast first, then goes back to get dressed. However, now he seemed to be doing something different, just switching the two around really, nothing too large, he could live with it either way, though preferred the way he was used to. He wasn’t used to change, seeing as he’s a very rigorous and strict shinobi. After all, this was the first time he bared witness to different structures of buildings, colors and paints as well for them. Iwagakure seemed to have mountains covering their buildings, for example, and Kumogakure appeared to be a village built in the clouds.

He continued down the hall, just ahead of where he was moving to was the bathroom, to the right, the living room. The living room was attached to the kitchen, there was no walls blocking view, or entry to the kitchen. He walked on the wooden floor, turning towards the living room. There was a small couch, built for three at the most to sit on, it could fit more depending on the size of the people, though it was built for three average sized adults to enjoy. Ahead of it was a coffee table, Tenjin often used it as a footrest though, he made sure not to get it dirty since he didnt know whos apartment this really was when Iwagakure shinobi are not in this district of Kumogakure, and cleaned it up whenever he did. He often sat there when eating, there wasnt a table fit for a dining room in the small apartment, it appears like they cant get one due to the fact that the apartment has no dining room for a table so large. He walked over to the kitchen. Like the bedroom, he was walking on hardwood flooring.

Tenjin stepped forward, entering the borders of his kitchen and stepping out of the borders of his living room. He walked over to the cabinets above the sink, opening the cabinet doors towards him. He saw multiple colored boxes, each containing a different type of ramen soup. He pulled out a yellow box, one of his favorite types of cereal had been stored in this box. He opened it, afterwards finding a small bowl, there was only plastic rather than metal bowls in this makeshift apartment. He filled it up entirely, and then closed the box, placing it back. He went towards his fridge, opening and pulling out a plastic bottle of milk. The bottle was made of plastic, it contained and imprisoned the liquid milk. He opened the bottle, pouring a small bit of the healthy liquid over his cereal, filling the bowl more and more. He placed it back, sealing the milk bottle up once more, leaving the liquid trapped. He smiled, taking his bowl over to his coffee table. He grabbed a spoon on his way. He sat down on his couch, placing the bowl down on the center of the small table. It was colored black, it added the sense of darkness to the brightly colored room. The walls were painted white, the floor was mahogany brown, and the coffee table matched the flooring. The couch and the table were the only things that stuck out in the living room, minus the invisible and intangible wall blocking the kitchen. He put the spoon in the bowl filled with cereal and milk. He began to look up, out of the window. He was staying in the highest floor as his apartment in the building, had a window, directly in front of him, that allowed him to look outside, down upon Kumogakure no sato. He noted the weather before going out. The weather was perfect anyways. It was nice, like usual, there was a lot of clouds everywhere, the blue sky was nearly all but blocked off by the puffy white clouds. The sun was shining brightly, he could tell due to how light it was, even though the sun was behind his apartment building at the moment, or perhaps hovering over the building. It was around nine o'clock, most people are presumably still sleeping in, although dedicated shinobi must have already began their training. He sighed, thinking that others might be training harder than he was, and began to eat his bowl of cereal. The bits of cereal inside were all covered in honey, delicious, in Tenjin’s opinion. He had added extra sugar, simply to wake himself up and prepare for the already planned day of training.


Upon finishing, he would go walk back over to the kitchen, and place the bowl in the sink. He burped slightly, his stomach was satisfied, he was full. He didn’t want to eat anymore, he had no reason to eat any more. He placed the bowl in the sink, he always did this. He would clean it up with any other dishes in the sink, later, after eating his breakfast. He walked, towards the front door which had been located in his living room as well, though most doors were. He sighed, leaving after grabbing his scarf and headband, also known as his Iwagakure no sato forehead protector.


Tenjin dashed across the rooftops of various buildings in Konohagakure, he was simply jogging around, enjoying the nice, pleasant, and peaceful weather. He stopped on a building close to his apartment building. He was near the edge, looking down at the street with a small grin as he watched children play ninja in the streets, they pretended to fight one another, using small sticks as weapons. Tenjin placed his hands in his pockets and watched, noticing one of the lot had a small headband, the genin seemed to be playing with the young shinobi who couldn’t enter the academy or haven’t passed yet. He sighed, feeling a little homesick at this point. He was staring into the blue sky, almost as if he was looking down into a large ocean of water. He was waiting, for an idea. He had planned to train for the ability to use the nature release known as fire release more proficiently, though now that he thought about it, he reconsidered. Earth release may be more useful, as he thought of it. It could be used for more strategical means, for slowing down an opponent, perhaps stopping them dead in their tracks. Fine thoughts after watching children play shinobi in the streets. He looked back down at the smiling faces below, they were all having fun, trading comments, occasionally joking about one or another. He sighed, his grin remained though. The lot had no idea on what it meant to be a true shinobi, or the hardships most of the shinobi kind had to deal with. He laughed a bit, as he watched them play, then jumped over the small gap where the street was located, and onto the next building. He continued forward, walking, considering. What would he do next? Perhaps go training for the nature release of fire, or perhaps simply work on his fire release, and perhaps train to the utmost of his limits, and attempt to go beyond the limitations god has set for him. He sighed, wondering what to do.


Tenjin made it to Kumogakure not too long ago, he wasn’t the same, because it has felt like a month or so worth of training. Tenjin has only been training since the end of the Chunin exams, he was determined that his new found prowess would save him should he ever come into conflict or, combat. He had mastered the elemental nature release of Fire a great deal since arriving into Kumo. Fire release was common among those that wish to master the dust release, and Tenjin had obtained this Nature release as well, to master the particle release. While journeying in Kumogakure no sato, Tenjin discovered that he didn’t care much for the village. He himself has trouble with a chunin in the village and he has heard rumors of an Iwagakure Tsuchikage stand in being threatened in the Kage Summit. Though he was told this, he believed it. He had heard rumors around Kumogakure no sato, about Iwagakure. Though Tenjin had never heard of who had threatened the Tsuchikage stand in, but he assumed it was the Raikage, but that knowledge was for later discoveries.

He was successful in training in Kumogakure, and being a genin, he has no ANBU watching over him to make sure Tenjin doesn’t try anything suspicious. Tenjin had always wondered about the village, and has utilized his time in the village to gain a fortune of intel. It does indeed feel like it has been quite sometime since Tenjin went into the village Hidden in the clouds, this was ampel time to take a tour of the village and meet a number of their shinobi to get a sense of their culture. Tenjin wishes to utilize this knowledge when he becomes ANBU, but this was totally for preparatory reasons, he expected to one day use all of the knowledge gathered, however so far, he has no reason to suspect that he will need it before he becomes ANBU.


He continued to roam the village, heading for the shopping district. He had decided, he was going to train the elemental nature releases. He was going to train, and hopefully master both of them, though he doubted he would do it in one day, earth release and fire release after all were so different from each other. He walked into a shop, it had multiple weapons on the walls and shelves inside. From simple Katana, to different types of swords, capable of doing more damage should a hit land. There were also small projectiles, one multi-pointed one, being the Shuriken, there were a few different types, one being the demon windmill, something Tenjin had always considered buying. They also had Kunai, and the small needles that could be used for surgery perhaps, a senbon. All of these weapons came in handy, though Tenjin wasn’t here for any of them. He looked ahead, chakra paper was the first thing he saw. He grabbed a few pieces, the perfect amount for training with. He left, after thanking the store’s manager. He was heading for the rooftops once more, he used chakra stored in his feet to climb, and scale the walls of buildings to get to them.

He continued jumping across, and climbing more buildings until he had reached the open field of the Kumogakure no sato training ground, where he had decided to train at for his entirety of his stay in the village hidden in the cloud. He took the first of ten small sheets and began to pour his chakra in it, intending to make it show that Tenjin could use the elemental nature release of fire, by turning it to something similar to ash. Though all that happened was a simple burn, he sighed, a sign of uncontrolled Fire release. He attempted to do so again and again, on the seventh try it finally happened. He tested with the last two and was successful, he had trained the nature release of fire by burning the sheets of paper. Tenjin was wondering if anybody would arrive at the training ground, as they could train together. He didnt need to fight or spar with them as they can both basically do their own training routine, but Tenjin surely enjoyed training with other. Regardless, Tenjin continued his solo training until someone arrived, accumulating all of his fire release chakra in order to burn a sheet of paper into ashes. Tenjin was more than happy with the results of his current training, but as mentioned before he needed someone else in order to get the full benefits of this training. Saving twenty sheets of chakra paper for any new comer, Tenjin would place the chakra paper under a large tree that he has found solace meditating under. Tenjin put his water down that he brought everywhere he trained and decided to sit and weight with patience in case of a shinobi arrival. While meditating, Tenjin thought that he had enough of Kumogakure shinobis, and although a shinobi by the name of Raphael has been a great host, he couldn’t help but think that his other interactions, most specifically with one named Roy, was less than a stellar experience. The shinobi even had the nerve of blaming his origins, being not raced in Kumogakure no sato, as if Kumo shinobi were cultured? Tenjin smiled while the thought ran through his head. Tenjin has a bias toward his village, but this was due to his village being the only village with a university for higher education for people that werent shinobi but instead gifted and intelligent citizens. A citizen that Tenjin was one of before he gathered the nerve to enter the Academy and graduate in a year and become a substitute teacher in the next.


TWC: 3,023

Kumogakure had been a crazy busy place lately. The crowd showing up to cheer at the genin participating within the Chuunin Exams had been beyond what Mizuki could have imagined, turning the otherwise rather sombre Village into a real fiesta of cultures. Though the joy brought with it a certain rise in crimes and dangers, the kunoichi had found the place to hold a generally positive vibe all across the days even though she did have to work harder than usual, being obliged to pick up a couple of extra patrol duties and pushing her muscles to the limit. Luckily, she had a day off today and contrary to her usual strolls within the main streets, she wandered off to a quieter place to allow her mind and body to rest.

Expecting no real fight, the young woman had decided on a simple white hanfu with a soft pink flower pattern, looking much like she had wrapped a simple gi vest with exaggeratedly long sleeves on top of an elegant long dress covering the whole bottom, with only her middle being wrapped in yet another band of textile. Having left her weapons and armour at home, an unusual change into the young woman's usual habit which had taken place after her diplomatic mission, she would have hardly be noticed as a kunoichi were it not for the regular pace with which she tended to a young grey hawk flying on and off. There was a certain rhythm in the bird's actions until she had spotted a lone boy in Kumogakure's training ground. Releasing a piercing cry for attention, Mizuki gazed up to see the bird make small circles in the air as if to say it had found something unusual. Whistling sharply in reply, the grey hawk calmed down and took a high position as it waited for Mizuki and watched Tenjin.

Walking through the relative small entrance of the colossal theatrum without any hurry, the young woman laid eyes upon a young shinobi trying to what seemed like burning papers with the power of his mind. Not wishing to intrude just yet, she walked in a half circle quite a distance away from Tenjin, observing his actions until she eventually understood he was training his Fire Release with the help of an old shinobi trick. Begging the question if the boy was an academy student that he had to resort to such impractical training method, Mizuki couldn't help but indulge her curiosity and walked over to Tenjin, bowing slightly when she reached him.

"Good morning. Are you alright? You seem strangely fixated on those papers...", she asked him with a hint of played concern at the what could be perceived as 'odd behaviour' in civilian eyes. An opening move only a woman would probably able to pull off, using a hint of natural empathy to lure the unsuspecting victim into opening up and starting a conversation with her, eventually allowing her to answer the unasked question. She already knew he was a shinobi, of course, but that didn't stop her from acting coy about that knowledge.

---

522

Zhinu, the Grey Hawk:

Tenjins meditation was quiet tranquil, and in his deep meditative state he was trying to further master his internal chakra network to master absolute chakra control. As a Sencho, it is ideal for the students of the particle release arts to become masters of their chakra network, and to be able to even perform hand signs with one hand. Tenjin had been resting under a tree, meditating even. Lost in his thought, and thinking about how to further his studies in ninjutsu, so it was only natural he wasn’t prepared for what was about to happen. He heard a hawks cry and no viewing this as suspicious, he continued his meditation before hearing, “Good morning. Are you alright? You seem strangely fixated on those papers” A friendly voice exclaimed, Tenjin was shocked and caught off guard not thinking anybody had been around. Curious as to who the voice was Tenjin got to his feet and turned around ready to engage in discussion, in case he discovered the voice to be from an interesting individual. Mid turn his eyes locked with the eyes of another person. She did not appear to be a kunoichi, the young woman was sporting a simple white hanfu with a soft pink flower pattern, looking much like she had wrapped a simple gi vest with exaggeratedly long sleeves on top of an elegant long dress covering the whole bottom, with only her middle being wrapped in a band of textile.

Tenjin then proceeded to answer the women's inquiry, “Yes, it is a good morning. I am indeed alright, and I am not fixated on these sheets of paper, but rather utilizing them to train.” Tenjin pulled out a packet of these papers and decided to let this women know more about them since she didn’t appear to have any knowledge of them at all. “Chakra papers are a water-proof, and especially chakra receptive paper created from the unique flora indigenous to only some forests. It can be used to determine nature type, but is mainly used to train as well. The backs of these can be adhesive or non-adhesive in order to allow them to stick to surfaces, or to create double-sided inscriptions respectively. The use of this paper in conjunction with a certain ink boosts the effectiveness of the user's techniques due to its resonant properties. This type of paper is commonly used in the manufacture of scrolls of both the small and large variety. The scrolls can be blank, or entirely black in color. If blank, the pigment must be used to inscribe the symbols by hand. If black, they have been specially made with the organic chakra receptive pigment the ink is made from already imbued within the scroll. Upon concentration, all of the pigment will move to form inscriptions along the scroll, and thus change from pure black and un-inscribed to the appearance of a more mundane sealing scroll. Inscribing symbols with chakra takes chakra from the user depending on the number of seals intended to be created. Using this item, shinobi who specialize in fuinjutsu are able to create sealing scrolls to fit the situation, rather than having to physically write upon them.”

Tenjin then plucked one of the papers out of the pack that he had and said, “Since these are chakra receptive papers, and one is able to utilize them to determine nature type, would you like to try one in case you have a hidden elemental nature you’re not aware of possessing?” Passing the chakra paper to this women he just met, he would further continue his conversation. “What is your name anyways?” and whether this women decided to answer or not, Tenjin would reply after saying. “My name is Tenjin, I am an Iwagakure shinobi.” Tenjin being the suspicious type, did not necessarily trust a random women walking in a ninja training ground. This is surely an unsafe location for a normal civilian, but if Tenjins suspicions are correct, this women is either a covert kunoichi, probably even an unmasked ANBU, or for the very least a civilian with enough power and influence to feel safe in unsafe locations in Kumogakure. A council member, or a civilian in the Kages administration. If the women grabbed the sheet of chakra paper, the paper would react easily to the element or elements that she may have a natural affinity toward. When utilized, Tenjin can easily verify this person's natural chakra affinity. Nevertheless, the thought of this women just being a daring civilian walking into a shinobi training ground was still a very possible scenario that Tenjin was ready to believe. It was at this time though that Tenjin truthfully pondered the possibility of gaining some type of sensory technique to be able to determine whether someone has an abnormal surplus of chakra within their chakra system to assure him that they were a ninja.

Tenjin then thought that he should show the shinobi how exactly to utilize the sheet of paper. With a new sense of determination Tenjin raised the paper up into the air and began to gather his chakra into his hand, with determination and confidence he felt himself get stronger, and pushed the chakra up through his arm up to his palm and into the paper in his hand. He watched in enjoyment as the slim piece of paper began to turn brown and shift into dirt and begin to crumble away and drift off into the air. His eyes lit up, as he said, “You see, these are papers that react to chakra. They are made from a unique species of trees that absorb and grows using chakra as energy rather than sunlight. You can find your true elemental nature affinity by simply running your chakra through the slip.” Once he was done, he gleefully said, “Try it, I promise you won’t get hurt. It is actually quite simple, as you dont need to invoke elemental chakra as the paper would simply absorb it out of you once it feels your chakra to begin with.”

WC 1,010
TWC 4,033

The young man stated he used the papers as a means of training. It did not dawned yet to Mizuki why he would use paper for training until he suddenly gave an elaborate explanation of what the papers he was using exactly were. Chakra Induction Paper. She remembered these all too well even though it had been years since she had laid eyes upon them. Her ranton nature had become all too apparent as the bright flash that was typical to the Storm Release techniques had been spotted even by the most dreamy of her peers. That day had made her father and her proud, to know she had inherited the clan's affinity for their KKG.

"You're smart, Tenjin-san. You could easily pass for a teacher with that head of yours.", she said after she had heard his full explanation, accepting one of the papers with certain casualty. "My name is Raiu Mizuki, from Kumogakure."

Unlike what was expected, the paper didn't reveal anything at all, as Mizuki's chakra control was far better than the average shinobi, perhaps even surpassing that of a trained iryo-nin of her own rank. To exert such control was mandatory when dealing with Storm Release as the advanced element was well-known in Kumogakure for its pin-point precision even at greater speeds, its signature jutsu equally notoriously known to have the ability to strike those holding a hostage without fail. And that signature jutsu was only a B rank, so there was no saying what an A or S rank ranton jutsu could do with the sort of chakra control ranton users had. Her chakra control had improved even more since she had been trained by the former raikage, an Iryo-nin of greater skill than herself still, possibly making Mizuki a kunoichi with chakra control beyond the imaginable despite her rank.

Tenjin then showed her how it was done, turning the paper brown as dirt with a modicum of effort before it crumbled. Doton and katon, as it were. When he urged her to try it out, she decided she'd humour him by indulging his request. Letting go of the unfaltering self-control she exerted on her chakra, the paper turned wet before it wrinkled and burst into a brief flash of light, leaving nothing behind of the paper as it completely burned up by the ranton's naturally excessive heat.

"What elemental natures would you deduct from this curious experiment?", she asked him with genuine curiosity to test out his knowledge of chakra natures not native to Iwagakure. While she assumed he would easily be able to read the suiton and raiton nature from the way the paper got soaked and wrinkled, it was mostly his ability to perceive and recognise her ranton nature that she wanted to know as even in Kumogakure there were still plenty unfamiliar with the Raiu's advanced release.

---

489
Total: 1011

Tenjin made a face to show his acknowledgement of her comment in regards to Tenjin being able to become a teacher based on his explanatory capabilities. This is true after all, as Tenjin, before becoming a shinobi was working hard to become a professor at the Diamond Heights University. Hearing her name, he didn't find any familiarity in it, so Tenjin wasn't able to deduce what clan she hailed from, if any. But as Tenjin expected, this women was indeed a Kumogakure citizen being able to walk in the training grounds without fear like that. But Tenjin still needed to find out whether she had influence as a civilian or is a shinobi, which caused her to not fear being able to enter the ninja training grounds. After taking the sheet of paper, it did not appear as it suddenly revealed her elemental chakra affinity. Which is understandable considering that she probably didnt flow her chakra through the sheet just yet. This made Tenjin remotely suspicious of her civilian status, as she could most definitely be able to control her chakra without fault. Nevertheless, she could still be a civilian considering that they are not known for having an affinity towards elemental natures.

After Tenjin requested that she try to utilize the chakra paper using the method that he did, he was utterly flabbergasted by the the events that transpired next. Tenjin witnessed what appeared to be a combined nature transformation, maybe even a kekkei genkai, of some kind made up of a technique that mixes lightning and water-based chakra to create an energy beam that was guided toward the chakra paper. It appeared like Raiu manipulated a bright beam of electricity which first flowed like water. Tenjin, being a scholar, just recently studied up in nature releases in order to teach a kunoichi by the name of Lais a series of chakra natures even advanced natures that have been around since the great ninja wars. Remembering what he taught Lais, he began reflecting on this anomaly in order to get a better sense of what is going on. This took but a sec, as Tenjins thought process traverses his mind at a speed that might categorize him as a savant. Tenjin proceeded to deduce what he just saw,

First with the dampening of the chakra paper, it must have been water. The Water Release or Water Style, is an area of elemental Nature Transformation whos techniques allow the user to create their own water, by turning their chakra into water. Though it takes a lot more ability to create the water, possibly the most versatile of the five basic chakra natures, the affinity for Water Release is uncommon to shinobi of Kumogakure, so this was odd that she displayed such calm and efficient flow. Also Water Release is efficient in combination with Lightning Release, increasing the flow of electricity into the target, as witnessed by the chakra papers moisture being used against it, because of the increased conductivity which causes more damage at a faster rate, which Tenjin suspected produced the flash that made the paper disappear in an instant. Water-natured chakra is thus probably also a component to her kekkei genkai. Now the flash could easily be categorized as lightning, as not many elemental natures produce such an effect. The lightning release or Lightning Style, is an area of elemental nature transformation whos techniques allow the user to generate lightning by increasing the high frequency vibrations of their chakra. Common to the ninjas of this here Kumogakure, may provide some type of evidence that this was indeed, lightning, as it also has a unique relation with water since it will conduct it. This means that it can be used to increase the damage of a water release or equally water can increase a lightning release technique. In conclusion, possibly along with water, lightning is presumably one of the components for the storm release nature. Nevertheless, Tenjin has never seen this ‘storm release’ in real life, just studied on the subject. With that said, considering that she utilize multiple elemental natures for this event, Tenjin new that it must have been a kekkei genkai, he just didnt want to assume.

Once Raiu asked Tenjin what elemental ‘natures’ he has deducted, he realized that he wasnt wrong in that it was a kekkei genkai and multiple affinities were certainly in play. Tenjin then decided to speak on the matter, answering her question, “I know that you have a kekkei genkai, and the method in which you easily laid waste to the chakra paper makes me suspect that you’re a high ranking shinobi. Considering that the paper first became moist, and then got enveloped by a flash, I must suspect that you hail from a clan proficient in what I have studied to be the storm release. Am I right?” Tenjin with the utmost curiosity wanted to know if he was correct with his deduction, as this would have certainly not been common knowledge to him if not for the crash course that he himself needed to study up on in order to teach a friend of his a thing or two about elemental natures. Tenjin has never met anybody with such a release, knowing though that Kumogakure has had a passed Raikage with the kekkai genkai, the legendary Raikage during the peace times that took down the infamous Gold and Silver Brothers, Darui. With that said, other than what he studied up on is the library before the crash course, and the history books on the times during the legendary Naruto Uzumaki, absolutely nothing is known about this kekkei genkai, and it would be an interesting experience to say the least to meet someone capable of utilizing this jutsu. If this was so, and Raiu was indeed harbored such a technique, then Tenjin would request if she would show him the technique in action by saying, "Would it be too much trouble to show me what you're capable of?" If not, and she says that it is not her kekkai genkai, he has no reason to suspect that she is lying and he would inquire what exactly he witnessed after all.

WC 1,031
TWC 5,064

OOC:

The young shinobi was not only good at teaching, he was also aware of existence of Storm Release, even being able to make a correct guess at the elements she had a natural affinity with. Even though his deductions were right, he seemed to doubt himself to some extend, asking her if he was correct and even requesting to be shown a little of her abilities. Mizuki took a moment to think about his request, as she had not really intended to be a 'shinobi' today but had rather wished to leisurely walk around the streets. However, him being an Iwagakure shinobi and her having quite good memories of the Village despite her brief visit, she decided it wouldn't hurt to indulge him.

"You are correct. The bright light is a typical sign of one's affinity for Storm Release, which is our clan's KKG."

The question remained as to how she would show him what ranton was capable off. She could create her ranton weapons or perhaps go for her protective jutsu, which were two safe options no matter the rank of the Iwa-nin before her. Of course, Laser Circus would be a more interesting jutsu to show but its power could prove too much to handle for the youngster. Eventually deciding on the safe route, she formed the Dragon, Dog and Snake seal, clapped her hands together and pulled them back as bright light appeared between them and was stretched into the shape of a katana. Chilling fog seemed to swirl away from the katana, a paradox to the scorching heat contained within its shape.

"This is an old jutsu I made years ago. I rarely needed it, but it does make a fine example of Storm Release's nature."

She held the white blade horizontally in front of her, allowing Tenjin the time to take a good sight of her creation before she would let the blade flicker away, not longer sustaining its hunger for a chakra flow. The technique itself was simple enough to be reproduced by any other element, as she had been shown by an old friend of hers who actually taught her the technique with a suiton version to begin with, and had been a great exercise for her to achieve the control over her chakra she had today.

"Are you trying to train your elemental affinities with these papers?", she asked, nudging at the stack of Chakra Induction Papers. She hoped he would say no, as using a bunch of papers was hardly the way her father had taught her how to train her elements. He had always taught her to make use of a vision, and a dummy. Envisioning how the chakra nature would have to express itself, and a dummy to try out the potential and mastery of that elemental vision. With those two keys towards success, she had spend many hours training her own elements.

---

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225/240:

Tenjin was ecstatic to be able to witness the legendary storm release of Kumogakure. As Tenjin slightly expected, this woman isn't an ordinary civilian. Now Tenjin was wondering whether this shinobi was ANBU or what rank exactly. Considering that she is older, he pegged her for being more than a chunin plus, but this was of course a stereotype considering that Iwagakure has some young genin, but older genin do exist, because they are not ranked by generation. Tenjins glee was multiplied tenfold when he witnessed the ninja create the dragon, dog and snake hand seal and following those seals with a clap of her hands together and as she pulled them back and away, a bright light appeared between them and was stretched out into an elongated form which appeared very much like the shape of a katana of 70 cm in length, from tip to tsuba, and a 20 cm hilt. A smoky fog seemed to swirl away and around the katana. The technique was nothing less than impressive, as being from the Sencho, Tenjin has always admired great chakra control. To morph a jutsu into a blade, the concentration and chakra control needed for such a technique is incredible.

It didn’t take long for Tenjin to have heard the kunoichi discuss showing him a technique that was created years ago after pointing the blade horizontally. If the women was well aware, she would notice Tenjins face as he was starstruck by the technique. It was difficult to hold back his emotion to witnessing this marvellous technique first hand. Before he knew it, Tenjin saw the blade as is flickered away. Vanishing into nothingness, Tenjin thought about his arsenal of jutsu and realized that he doesn’t necessarily have much, especially any that would impress anybody, nevertheless be extraordinarily useful of an attack in combat in the same way that a chakra blade. Raiu then asked Tenjin a question that Tenjin was compelled to answer due to her being able to showcase her kekkei genkai. The inquiry was in regards to the chakra induction paper and his training on his elemental affinity. Tenjin quickly answered, “Yes. I am using these to train.” Tenjin slowly began to organize the pack in order to put them away, while thinking about why he utilizes these chakra conducting papers, ‘It was because of the particle release. Dust release, being a combination of Wind, Fire, and Earth Releases, is a balanced type of Elemental Nature. Wind's weakness to Fire is controlled and thus negated by this Release's own use of Fire, Fire's weakness to Water is countered by Earth, and Earth's weakness to Lightning is countered by Wind. Thus, Dust Release has no weakness, speaking only of the five base elements. Those training under the Senchō learn chakra control even before they start their studies in Dust Release. Leaving them with the capability of being able to use one-handed seals to perform jutsu.’ It takes a lot of training in regards to chakra control and knowledge in order to try to perform these jinton techniques. Compared to other shinobi, Tenjins elemental capabilities is probably better, but relative to the study of the particle release, Tenjin is nothing more than a novice.

“How about you?” Tenjin asked. “You are clearly a shinobi, uet you’re dressed as a civilian.” In a joking manner Tenjin continues, “Are you ANBU in a [TOP SECRET] mission or something?” Tenjin was obviously joking knowing that a true ANBU in a mission wouldn’t expose themselves with such ease. Nevertheless, Tenjin wanted more information on this mystery kunoichi. There must be a reason that she is not enveloped in ninja attire, so maybe she has even retired. But being so young, and without any missing limbs, Tenjin highly doubted that speculation.Gathering himself up Tenjin began to drink some water from his water bottle. After Tenjin would hear her answer as to whether she is ANBU or not, he would place his bottle down and further inquire on her life as a shinobi. “Why would you want to be a civilian? It appears to me in my short life lived that there is much more reward in becoming a ninja. It is my understanding that the higher you are ranked, the more ninja experience you would attain. So why be a civilian?” Tenjin expected to hear some marvellous long story of her past career as a shinobi, so he decided to sit down on a nearby table.

While walking to the table, Tenjin then wondered what time it was considering that there was an exhibition of the ages happening between a mystery shinobi versus a seven ninja swordsmen member. The young shinobi certainly didnt want to miss that fight as he was sure to experience a battle of a lifetime. Not many shinobi reach the ranks that is to par with the seven ninja swordsmen of the mist, and Tenjin himself has never seen a battle of such potential magnitude.Tenjin not only wanted to see the spectacle, but he wanted to learn and prepare for a future that he believes is certainly probable. A future in which he will become ANBU and might have to combat a shinobi of such prowess. In Iwagakure, not many of our powerful shinobi our present due to events that have transpired some time ago, but all this has done is put pressure on the genin, which are the future of Iwagakure no sato, to become more powerful and take up the mantle as the protectors of the Land of Stone. All of these thoughts lasted nothing more than a sec and Tenjin made it to the table and sat down prepared to listen to what this shinobi had to say.

WC 955
TWC 6,019

Tenjin looked at her technique much like a boy would look at a girl when completely smitten. The twinkle of amazement in his eyes, that mesmerised look... Mizuki could almost hear the cogwheels in his brain grind on what little information on Storm Release he just came to observe, only to weight it against all the things he knew about the Raiu's KKG. Naturally not able to read his mind, the kunoichi could only wonder what he was thinking, but seeing him this amazement, she couldn't help but chuckle slightly in amusement. Never before had she met anyone this amazed about such a simple technique, or mind-blown about her KKG. It was an endearing sight for sure.

He then inquired about her own rank, even joking with the idea she was an ANBU of the Village. It told her he was well aware of the ANBU's secrecy, but the joke was amusing nonetheless. Mizuki shook her head in denial at that idea and understood that his question had come from the fact that she was wearing nothing in particular that would reveal her as being a Kumogakure shinobi, which was exactly the very intent she had been holding by dressing as a civilian. Of course, young and proud as Tenjin seemed to be, he did not quite understand why she was hiding her shinobi nature exactly.

"There is certainly merit in pridefully bearing the insignia of one's Village, Tenjin-san. During my years as genin and chuunin, that is exactly what I did as well. But now I have come to a point in life where I can wear the pride for my Village in my heart, rather than feeling the need to show it off to all who wish to take note of it.", she watched Tenjin take place at a nearby table, as if expecting her to chat the day away with her answer. "No, I appreciate the few moments where I can be nothing more than a young woman enjoying a day in leisure rather than be the special jounin in service to her Village. A day where I can take the time to brush my hair and soak in the hotsprings without a worry, meet up with friends for a drink or diner or, much like today, spend my time with Zhīnū, my grey hawk."

Whistling sharply, Mizuki called upon the grey hawk that had been sitting on the top of the arena, watching the two from a distance. When the grey hawk heard the whistle, it replied with a cry, took to the air, then took a deep dive as if about to grab a mouse between its sharp claws. Instead, the hawk slowed down drastically to land on the back of a free chair. With a smile, Mizuki rubbed the hawk's head as it eyed Tenjin with cautious eyes.

"This is Zhīnū, my trained bird of prey. She has somewhat of a temper so please do not try to pet her as I worry she would attempt to bite your finger off if you do. She is still young, but we became fast friends despite our differences."

As she gave her grey hawk some attention, a moment of silence passed by while the kunoichi thought about recent events. Her duties as a kunoichi, the enforced traditions as an executioner and sensei of the dojo, her long travels during her diplomatic missoin and the war in Sunagakure she had seen. All this time Mizuki had been so occupied fulfilling her duties as a shinobi that she had failed, and regretted, to take the time to enjoy her life and fulfil her own desires.

"Life is fleeting, Tenjin-san. When all we do is commit to our duties in favour of others, what then remains of our time in life to favour ourselves? And if all we meet is the face of death, when then shall we cherish the mundane among the living?"

After having asked these rhetoric questions in hope Tenjin would think about them and evaluate the hidden wisdom that they treasured, she would shift her gaze back to the Iwa-nin on the other end of the table.

---

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Tota: 2203

Tenjin was surprised to meet a shinobi with such an awkward worldview. Shinobi are supposed to be soldiers for their lands, Raiu almost sounds like she doesn’t want to defend her village. After discussing her previous genin and chunin rank, Tenjin deduced that this shinobi was a special jounin. Tenjin also has the pride of his village in his heart, but he also wears it on his sleeve as well. Tenjin then heard the rest of her comments, impressed even to see her pet hawk. Tenjin listened to the kunoichi and refrained from petting the animal. This was followed up by Mizuki discussing the fleeting nature of life. Tenjin then felt like defending the shinobi way that he follows. Tenjin then said, “I am a genin, as you may already know. I am hardly a trained shinobi, and definitely have seen less than you of this cruel world as you can also tell by my age and rank. But being a ninja to me is the idea that the worth of a shinobi or kunoichi is solely determined by his or her contribution to the village over all. Maximizing happiness or pleasure as summed among all people within the village by any and all means, should be their goal. Be it protecting the village as Kage or ANBU, or teaching it as an Academy Teacher, or Sensai. It is, then, the total utility of an individual shinobi or kunoichi which is important. To benefit the village is the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. That is my favor to myself Mizuki. Utility, after which the doctrine is named, is a measure of the relative satisfaction given to the village by the shinobi, or desirability of the village, to keep the shinobi in operation. To be a shinobi, is to give the children of the village a future, and I enjoy the idea that I am contributing to a greater good.” Tenjin then looked at the hawk when he said, “So you see, I cherish being a shinobi, if I wasn’t, I would have never met you or this hawk of yours.”

Tenjin then regained his thought process and inquired further on why she follows her path in the way that she does, “What made you think in that way? Forgive me for imposing and feel free to omit information, but It almost sounds like you’ve seen some tragedy in your life.” Tenjin knew that he was asking for a lot, and chances were, that she may not want to speak about such tragedy if it did truthfully occur. But it doesnt hurt Tenjin to ask and find out more about this mysterious kunoichi. Thinking back, Tenjin has met some interesting figures with interesting philosophies in these Chunin exams. Like ‘Kaya, the Preaching Non-shinobi.’ But at least he admits that he doesnt want to be a shinobi. Mizuki in the other hand, doesnt want to let go of this title so she has compromised with her philosophy. Tenjin wondered.

WC 500
TWC 6,519

Tenjin felt the need to reply to her rhetorical questions and did so. His point of view was the general point of view that most shinobi shared in life. In a way, it was not that different from hers as she could agree with the idea that the worth of a shinobi was determined by their contribution to the Village, which eventually granted them a higher rank in life. However, Tenjin was young both in age and in rank, whereas Mizuki had travelled the world to become the kunoichi of today. Where he aimed to become a good teacher, driven by his own dreams, Mizuki had not been able to choose her own future like this, driven by tradition and a stern father.

"Your point in life is not wrong, Tenjin-san. There are many like you who believe the worth of a shinobi is measured by his contribution. Even I believe this is so, or I would not have become a special jounin.", unlike her sister who had left the Village to make her own name and fame in the world, Mizuki had remained loyal all this time. "But there is commitment for the greater good, and there is commitment for the greater good where you'll end up losing your own identity and question the very beliefs you hold so dear to heart.

Naturally, Tenjin could not see where Mizuki's words stemmed from. Even if he were older, it would not necessarily mean he knew what she was talking about, and as such his honest request for clarity came not as a surprise.

"As a genin, you are sheltered from most of the world's sorrows. You grow up in the relative safety of the Village, dealing with troubles that should not be putting you in life threatening danger. As a chuunin, mostly under guidance, you start to get the first tastes of dangers that could cost you your life."

She paused, thinking back at her genin life. She had been on a B rank mission as a genin, watched over by her mentor Lin and her white panther Gora. She had dealt with a situation that could have costed the life of the merchant and that of herself. While it was debatable she was in any real danger considering the Raikage had her back, the thrill and adrenaline had been real nonetheless and her katana had ended a life for the first time. Then, as a chuunin, she had done the same thing again at an even greater risk. Dreams of reconciling with distant Villages had driven her forward, but nothing could have prepared her for the devastation of Sunagakure.

"I was sent on a diplomatic mission as a chuunin to visit every hidden village and bring the word of the new Raikage who succeeds Lin today as our leader. Serving as a messenger only, such a mission, though long, should not pose the greatest of risks even when travelling alone. Most of my travels were done under the idea I was just a wanderer, much like I now appear before you as a civilian, allowing me to weasel out of most situations with a bit of diplomacy and kindness. Those who resorted to physical violence ended up meeting my katana, but with the exception of the bandit gang in Iwagakure, they were not exactly the greatest threat to face even for a chuunin."

Petting her grey hawk, Mizuki's eyes shifted towards the horizon in the general direction where Sunagakure had once stood proud. The winds there had always been their allies, sheltering them from most harm. Until that dark hour where the winds had blown away all cries for help and drove those in panic into an eternal maze of blinding sand storms.

"Do you know what it feels like to walk into an ongoing war, Tenjin-san? When you see civilians escape their trusted homestead in search for safety, only to see them lose their ways in the deserts of the Land of Winds? No matter the shinobi's rank, one with heart can only try to save them. When you walk through the streets of a proud nation, only to meet ruins and debris, you find that same pride shattered and broken on the floor. People are running in fear, shinobi desert to live another day. The collateral damage crippled and killed the people who once used those roofs and walls as the extend of their own haven, and some had to be put out of their misery for no iryonin would be able to save them. When the yakuza, otherwise organised, run rampant with false beliefs that they will survive the onslaught and rule a village once in the hands of shinobi, you know hope has fled the area. Those shinobi, Tenjin-san, were dying at the hands of a handful invaders, defending a Village which no longer exists. Sunagakure has been completely destroyed by powers you hold in high esteem. Shinobi who failed to understand the responsibility such great power brings, who turned their back to the people that allowed them to become these powerful beings in the first place, and imposed their own visions upon that of others as they discarded the greater good for their own selfishness."

Mizuki took a moment of silence, as if to honour the countless dead whom had tried to keep a village so vast alive. The shinobi who died in defence of their country, the civilians who had helped build it up and paid those same shinobi to undertake the missions that would allow them to grow stronger.

"Knowing this, Tenjin-san, do you still feel the same pride for the shinobi world? To walk around as a civilian, is to walk as those we must protect every day and grow to understand the frailty of the lives who are paying for our missions and opportunities of growth. Life is frail and fleeting, but therein lies its beauty. That beauty is what I seek to cherish."

---

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Tenjin listened carefully to what Raiu had to say. Tenjin was confused as to what Mizuki meant in regards to losing one’s identity in pursuit of the greater good. The more he accomplishes and the more strength he gains to be able to accomplish this task, the closer he would feel to his true identity. It is true what she was saying, as a genin, Tenjin has been sheltered from most of the world's sorrows. Tenjin has only been a genin for a short period, but already feels like he is being raised in relative safety by the Village. Tenjin has yet to deal with troubles capable of putting his life in danger, nevertheless, he feels like he is capable of giving his life for his village. Tenjin then realized that Raiu was contemplating deeply, giving her speech a brief pause before continuing. Tenjin was then oddly interested in what Mizuki was saying next. This diplomatic mission seems to have been quite intriguing to say the least. Tenjin has wondered for some time now who this new Raikage was, and what of his attitude since he has been regarded via rumors as being quite eccentric. Tenjin then contemplated the discrepancy in the mission, if it was truthfully a diplomatic mission, why would Mizuki have travelled as a wanderer and not simply a representative of Kumogakure no sato? Tenjin knew that there was more to this story, but maybe this wasn’t the time or place to find out what pieces were missing. Then Raiu implied killing, for the sake of her diplomatic mission. ‘Didn’t seem so peaceful of a diplomatic mission after all.’ Tenjin thought. This was followed up my Mizuki slightly insulting ‘bandits’ in Iwagakure, not being a threat to even a ‘chunin.’ Tenjin doesnt care much for criminals in Iwagakure, but nevertheless, his national socialist sentiment took some offense to her words, yet his calm and cool demeanor would never have showed this.

The conversation then took a dark turn as Mizuki began petting her pet and gazing out toward the horizon. Tenjin then began to listen and hear a number of rhetorical questions as Raiu has a pretty good idea as to whether Tenjin has ever walked into an ongoing war, or have seen civilians escape their trusted homestead in search for safety, only to see them lose their ways in the deserts of the Land of Winds. Tenjin has heard of the destruction, but it has not been more or less clarified by Mizuki. Tenjin was wondering who these ‘handful of invaders’ were, but he doubted that Raiu knew who these shinobi were. Unlike Mizuki, he didnt view those that sacrificed their life attempting to defend their village as ‘defending a village which no longer exists.’ Tenjin was then able to take offense to another statement made, ‘Sunagakure has been completely destroyed by powers you hold in high esteem.’ There is no way in the world that Tenjin holds the powers that took that village down in high esteem, and if Mizuki believed that, then she truthfully doesnt know Tenjin. There was one aspect of what Mizuki was saying that Tenjin agreed with, and it is true that shinobi who failed to understand the responsibility that such great power brings, who turn their back on the people that gave them the opportunity to become these powerful beings in the first place, sometime have discarded the greater good mentality for their own selfishness. BUt that is not true for all shinobi, as even the shinobi Tenjin has met have not been totally embarked in the trials and tribulations of their villages but instead embark on a path to power for themselves.

When Mizuki asked her question on the pride of the shinobi world, Tenjin smiled. Tenjin then answered her question. "I have no pride for the shinobi world. I have pride for my village and the people in it. If every individual thought as I, then they would keep their own circle safe and leave the others alone. If everyone thought as I, then Sunagakure would have never been destroyed by these ‘invaders.’ But because people do not think as I do, shinobi must exist in Iwagakure to keep our village safe from such invaders like the ones that destroyed Sunagakure.” Tenjin then waited a little before asking, “Do you know who destroyed this village? And what of this diplomatic mission? Did your Raikage do anything to attempt to stop these invaders?” Tenjin knew that he might not receive the answers he wanted, but he was hoping to get Raiu thinking to say the least.

WC 767
TWC 7,286

Tenjin remained mostly quiet during her story, expressing just a couple of emotions as he heard her words. Upon her last few questions, he decided to answer in truth about his pride and how the world would be different if everyone thought like him, when all everyone did was care for their own. But was it not exactly that reasoning that caused strife to begin with? Did the 'honest thief', unable to find a job and angry at society for it, not commit crimes just so he could feed his kids? Did certain legendary Konoha-nin in a far past not assault their own Village believing that they were doing it for their good? Was it not exactly that self-orientation and lack of reaching out towards others that caused such tunnel vision to begin with? A philosophical debate better left for another day, Mizuki decided to reply to Tenjin's last question instead.

"I was too far to see who it was, but from deserting Suna-nin I picked up three names. Orochi Risu, Mitsuo and Syekren. The first is a widely feared S rank missing-nin, the second one is a Sword Saint of Konoha and the third one is a former Suna-nin said to have turned his back to his Village for reasons unknown. As to why they have decided to band together and lay waste to Sunagakure, one can only guess."

And as to why two of these three people had currently pledged loyalty to Kumogakure, was even harder to understand. The idea of having a Sword Saint of Konoha stay in Kumogakure didn't make sense. Was this punishment? Why Kumogakure, and how would the man make amends for his deeds this way? Even if the man was not here to suffer the consequences of his actions, then why did the Raikage allow him to bear Kumogakure's insignia? The very same questions rose for Syekren's who had been called a traitor to his own nation. Mizuki guessed it would all boil down to certain political games being played between 'the hats' that ruled each Village, and as such her understanding on the moves would remain clouded forever considering she held no position within that delicate game of intrigue.

"The Raikage was unaware of the events that transpired in Sunagakure. It was all brought to light during my diplomatic mission, upon which I attempted to gather as many people and send to Kumogakure for shelter. You may meet a large amount of refugees currently being helped out here, though I'm fairly certain the civilians of Sunagakure will have scattered to  every direction of the four winds just as much."

Was this all that they could have done, however? The more Mizuki thought about it, the less it made sense. The more it seemed there was a plot being unfolded somewhere in the shadows. Who orchestrated it and why? Was really no one aware of it, or was intelligence obfuscated for a reason? The whole ordeal only gave the kunoichi a headache and a discomforting feeling that being a kage was much like any other sort of politics - tainted with corruption and lust for power.

"One can only wonder what transpires at such a moment, and how vastly exactly it impacts the whole world as we know it."

---

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Tenjin was again all ears listening to Mizuki, and hearing the names of those that committed the tragedy, Tenjin repeated them in his head. ‘Orochi Risu, Mitsuo and Syekren’ Their identity, although a mystery to Tenjin, was not a surprise for him to hear that they are high ranking shinobi. One being an infamous S-ranked shinobi, the second, a Sword Saint of Konohagakure no sato, and the third, which was the most shameful, is Syekren, a Sunagakure no sato shinobi who not only turned his back on his village, but also annihilated his village with utter destruction to their system and its people. Tenjin also wondered why they have banned together to lay waste to the village of the Land of Wind. Tenjin further wondered where these shinobi must have gone after such atrocities. Tenjin clenched his fist just thinking about the people that were killed due to their invasion, but he suddenly released it knowing that they were not Iwagakure shinobi or civilians, even though Tenjin, being a worrisome shinobi, suspected them to be coming to his village sooner or later. ‘They must be stopped.’ Tenjin quickly thought.

Tenjin was then informed of the Raikages lack of information in regards to the attack against Sunagakure no sato. Which is certainly believable, so nothing more can be said of it if the attack wasn’t premeditated and probably even an impulsive war. It is true that there are many shinobi that are Sunagakure refugee, meeting Sabaku Kongo, now in Iwagakure and Izumi Karisuma as well as the beautiful Nova Makato of the sand who are not inhabitants of Kirigakure no sato. These are just the few shinobi, but many more are present and not surprisingly, are all genin. Tenjin suspected that this must have meant that the Land of Wind high ranking shinobi are more or less, killed during the invasion.

After hearing Mizuki’s last statement, Tenjin would repeat her first phrase saying, “One can only wonder.” Tenjin, with a contemplating look to him, was actually pondering the ramification of what he has just heard. The impact was surely catastrophic, and these shinobi must surely have been written into every nations Bingo Book due to their actions. But further wondering wasn’t going to make anything happen, so Tenjin decided to ask one more question before they more or less end this conversation. “What has been made of those criminal shinobi now?” Tenjin was definitely asking a question in which he definitely wanted an answer. But this question may surely be too much for anybody to handle as Tenjin suspected that these criminals went off the grid after their criminal action. But this is exactly why Tenjin wanted to become ANBU. To protect his village with the best of them especially against criminal shinobi who take it upon themselves to take justice in their own hands. Tenjin found a new sentimentality for the shinobi refugees, never really hearing the true story, but now listening to it straight from a witnesses mouth, was an awakening experience. Tenjin was grateful for the information received to say the least, and did not wonder more as to why Mizuki lived in such an unorthodox way.

WC 529
TWC 7,815

Tenjin's last question was an investigative one, forcing Mizuki to think her answer through. It was no secret that Lamya was in Kumogakure since her rampage with the Yamato-no-Orochi was seen by anyone. The beast was not exactly small, the terror hard to hide and the power of the Snake Sage certainly no joke. There was no way she could have remained unnoticed, certainly after most of the Suna refugees had ran in panic and dragged most of the other visitors with them like they were sheep. The human's empathic nature could just as much be a curse, at times. The only question for Mizuki to ask there was, 'why did the Raikage allow this S rank missing-nin to run rampage in his Village without repercussion'. In the back of her mind she heard her inner voice venomously whisper it was because Kumogakure did not have the power to stop her, but after having seen the Spear of the Raikage thrash the mountains direction Iwagakure, that was obviously not quite the case. No, there had to be other reasons. Reasons, once again, that were beyond Mizuki's comprehension.

As for Mitsuo... she didn't really know. There had been rumours he was brought into the Kage Summit to have his fate determined by the hats, but little aside from the flagrant display of the Raikage's power had left the walls of that secret meeting. All she knew for certain was that the Mizukage was there as she, her entourage and Mizuki had travelled together towards Kumogakure. A visit for the Mizukage, the returning home for Mizuki. Of course, taking a shinobi like Mitsuo into the fold of the Village's forces could not remain unnoticed to those of certain rank. A special jounin like her was quickly brought to the awareness of the recent addition to the forces, answering the gest of what had transpired at the Kage Summit.

That left Syekren... The only one of the three that had not gathered any massive attention like Lamya and Mitsuo had done. No frills or bells, no attention, no reputation but that from the Suna refugees sheltered across the world. He could have gone under, in hiding, disappear from the world and none would have been the wiser for it... but instead his name had surfaced as another addition to the forces of Kumogakure, much to Mizuki's confusion. Why would the Raikage harbour powers that had just come to destroy an entire Village? Why embrace a man was reputed to have turned his back to his own Village? Nothing made sense to her in this whole situation, and only one man would be able to take away that confusion. One man that had already proven himself to get highly annoyed when being questioned - the Raikage.

But despite knowing all this information, Mizuki could not simply reveal this to a shinobi of another Village. Internal affairs such as these could prove too valuable in the hands of other shinobi, even if Tenjin seemed like a nice guy.

"I'm fairly certain they will resurface soon again. People with such a reputation do not remain hidden for long, either driven by their ego to seek recognition for their strength, or openly humbling themselves as they look for redemption in the eyes of those they have wronged. Citizen may not hold the strength of a shinobi, but their eyes and ears are many. A lot of people with power tend to underestimate the potential of civilians."

With that said, Mizuki took a moment to let the words seep into Tenjin's mind. To be with civilians, forming connections and making use of the rumour mill was just another means for a shinobi to gather information. In Mizuki's eyes, it was not just individual skill that was of importance to a shinobi. It was also knowing how to use the Heavens, the environment and the people that inhabited it that could make or break a shinobi's growth.

"I should continue my walk. It was a pleasure to meet you, Tenjin-san. Don't let my words get to you, though.", she said eventually, wishing to make an end to this loaded conversation. As such, she bowed briefly towards him, commanded the grey hawk to fly out again and would walk away after Tenjin had his chance to return the goodbye.

---

[EXIT]

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