Kenji had rummaged through the scrolls and books that comprised his bookcases at least three times. He was currently writing adages/proverbs of sorts as he frequently did. For muse, he was going to need to do more than sitting in a chair. The young ninja wanted to go to a place mysterious. A place where unfathomable and supernatural were frequent visitors. As he sat in a chair tapping his writing utensil against the table, the most befitting setting occurred to him. "The Durian Tree of... Demonic Knowledge. Yes!" He quickly grabbed his backpack which he often wore when on non-ninja related business, and carried his sword underneath of course.

It was a still afternoon, it rarely mattered to Kenji what mood nature was in as long as he was in her presence. Kenji wore his usual attire, with his high collar, sleeveless, white shirt. His loose blue pants provided him with the comfort he would need for his trip. By the time he left the Tree with a few of its fruit, he had found the inspiration to write several pages on the interconnection of all life force. As he was about to take a bite of the fruit, out of the corner of his eye he could see a kunai coming at him. The swift ninja snatched his back out of the way of the strike. Then he saw that this impulsive stranger had ruined his fruit that resembled an apple with the texture of an orange. "WHAT DID YOU DO THAT FOR?! I WAS REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO EATING THAT!" Kenji shouted. He then muttered to himself. "I knew I should've packed a lunch."

"You should be thanking me, kid," Bokuden said, twirling a kunai in his hand, One bite of that fruit and you would have been in for an unpleasant day." As Bokuden looked down upon the fruit he pierced with his kunai he quipped, "You really should work on improving your eating habits. Every time I see you, your food always ends up on the floor."

After the sadness of losing the appetizing fruit was gone, Kenji realized who was the culprit. He couldn't believe it, Bokuden. "One bite of that fruit and you would have been in for an unpleasant day." What! Kenji thought. If this guy wasn't eating no one could. It had been almost a month since there clash at sky point, where Kenji was forced to retire due to fatigue. Bokuden fought a good fight, he kept his distance. Kenji had gotten a lot stronger since then, but he wasn't necessarily eager for another sparring session. "You really should work on improving your eating habits. Every time I see you, your food always ends up on the floor." Bokuden commented. This upset Kenji because he really didn't pack a lunch. And there were no spare granola bars on his person. Kenji had a tense look on his face as he tried to remain composed. It's just food Kenji relax, he thought to himself. "So it's you. Bokuden right? You really do lack manners." Kenji said in response. He unsheathed his sword and balanced it on each finger one by one. "If another 'friendly' sparring session is what you want, I suggest you not hold back, for your sake. Or are you here to play village physician." Kenji had a serious look on his face, as the fellow genin had ruined one too many of his prospective snacks.

"Friendly sparring match?" Bokuden sneered, "You misunderstood my intentions. You claimed you were a new shinobi, I was merely gauging your aptitude for this line of work. I got the information I was looking for, I have no reason to "spar" with you now. Sparring implies that both sides are meeting in combat to improve their skills as equals, which we clearly are not. I'm a warrior not a bully, I gain nothing from terrorizing the helpless." Bokuden walked over to the damaged fruit and picked one up. "Your naivety is showing Keiji, to try and eat of the Durian Tree is only something who isn't truly from Kumogakure would do, Bokuden said, "Still, it would be unbecoming of me to leave a child to go hungry." Bokuden reached into his bag and pulled out a bento box and tossed it to Kenji.

(OOC- not finished)

'The helpless', before he said that, everything Bokuden was saying was alright by him. Kenji wanted no more unnecessary problems with this 'warrior', so he let the comment slide. "Your naivety is showing Keiji, to try and eat of the Durian Tree is only something who isn't truly from Kumogakure would do, Bokuden said, "Still, it would be unbecoming of me to leave a child to go hungry." A child, that was the last straw, the food...think about the food Kenji, he thought to himself. He let the other sly comment slide as well as food was the trade off. He caught the bento box with his left hand. He held the container to his chest as he returned his sword to its scabbard. He looked inside the box that contained rice and fish. A huge smile quickly came on Kenji's face and left just as quick, as he didn't want to express his excitement too much. "Well I can not argue with my overall unfamiliarity with the village, as it is true. You say we are not equals... I agree." Kenji put the bento box into his bag, he didn't want the 'warrior' to change his mind. "I mean, you're obviously experienced and I just graduated not too long ago." Kenji considered using his new Jutsu, but it required the weaving of 5 hand seals, and he knew he wouldn't get them off in time. Kenji was no fool, he was confident but he wasn't stupid. Bokuden was a savvy and smart guy. Deception wasn't going to cut it neither was raw speed. "I'll keep your offer, but I do not need charity. It's true we are not equal as I stated earlier when it comes to experience. But experience doesn't always translate into skill." He knew this would fall on deaf ears.

Bokuden let out a sigh as Kenji retorted to his previous statement. He was disappointed clearly Kenji just didn't get it. “The last time we met you felt the need to tell me that you only recently graduated from the academy. Stop using that as an excuse for your own shortcomings. This has nothing to do with skill or experience. In the world of shinobi there are only two possible outcomes, success or failure. Everything in between is just wasted words spoken by those who do not wish to admit to their own inabilities. All great shinobi were once unskilled and inexperienced. What separates the predator from the prey is a mindset. The sooner you stop using your inexperience as a crutch, the greater chance you have to avoid getting eaten.” Bokuden picked the kunai he had thrown earlier up off the ground and continued. "You are plenty "skilled" for someone of your level. Do you really believe that the gap in our power is going to be made up by experience alone? You are confident in your abilities, as am I, but there is a distinct difference between confidence and foolish arrogance."

(ooc~ I edited this a lot, sorry. But it is ready now)

Kenji shook his head, and then looked to the sky, as the genin was trying to lecture him. Kenji was right, he really did take himself for the perceptive type. After Bokuden's lecture on shinobi-hood. Kenji raised a hand and spoke, "What are you even talking about? Are you afraid? I use nothing as a crutch, I mentioned the fact that I recently graduated as a means to explain why you were unfamiliar me." Kenji said calmly with a smile. "Listen Bokuden, I don't know what you think you know, but know this. I have no fear of my life in challenging you, I see this as child's play. I just wanted someone to toy with." Kenji said as he looked away holding his head. "I appreciate your seriousness, but this isn't that serious. We're talking about two genin. We have the same goal. We want to acquire as much strength as possible so we can protect the ones we love, more or less." Kenji had his sword stuck in the ground as he used it as a 'crutch'. "You see this is a crutch. And finally I'm confident. And because of that confidence I won't allow myself to be belittled by someone who hasn't definitely proven themselves stronger. All you did was run when you 'tested my aptitude'. Then you take your condescending tone towards me as if you're so much better. What exactly gives you the right, I personally don't know but I won't stand for it." Kenji truly could not believe the nerve, but he wasn't one to get worked up, he had said his peace.
"How about we start over? Arguing appears to only waste time. I do agree with you to a degree. I just want to test myself. So allow me to express that better. How about we be...partners, and we learn from one another as well as challenge each other to be the strongest shinobi we can be?" Kenji offered a handshake after the debate.

Bokuden slaps Kenji's outstretched hand away from him. "Child's Play? This isn't that serious? Just two genin?" Bokuden replied now clearly enraged, "Do you think this is a game? Don't you dare pretend that you have even the slightest understanding of what my goals are, boy. While you were playing shinobi down on your rice paddies I was already taking lives with my sword. Some farm brat has no business calling himself a shinobi!"

Bokuden slapped his hand away, Kenji did nothing to resist it. Bokuden was irate. He talked about how Kenji knew nothing of his goals and how he has was no stranger to piercing another person's flesh. Kenji had no idea what that was like. He had never been involved in anything more than a skirmish. "Some farm brat has no business calling himself a shinobi!" Those words hit home for Kenji, but it was his fault for trying to understand this teenager even though he had done the same. But, pardon the cliche, two wrongs do not make a right. So Kenji wouldn't justify or even retort with his reasons for being a shinobi. This argument has gone too far already. Both genin were treading in dangerous waters of emotion. Kenji would make sure he stopped while he was positive he still could. After the words sunk in Kenji began to laugh again which he was sure wasn't helping his case. "I'm no stranger to people telling me who I should or shouldn't be, so excuse my laughter. It's just I almost expect people to presume to know everything about me." Kenji looked into the turbulent eyes of Bokuden. "I have a feeling you're not going to take being inferior to a farm brat very well." Kenji said with a sympathetic grin. Kenji took a step back and turned around walking away. With his back facing Bokuden, "Thanks for the fish and rice!" He said with his right hand raised in departure.
This was like a reenactment of the pre-history of his clan. Two differing ideologies unable to coexist. Kenji didn't want this history to repeat. Will Kenji try to change the course of fate? Or will he just accept it?

As Kenji waved in departure, Bokuden's anger only grew more intense. There was no turning back now, his fuse had been lit. Bokuden thre the shuriken he had previously picked up off of the ground and threw it right past Kenji's ear, taking a small sliver of his hair along with it and sticking into a tree a few feet in front of him. ""You said you wanted me to stop running around when we faught, didn't you?" Bokuden said bearing his teeth, "don't act like I didn't try to warn you of the dangers of your own ignorance, kid."

As Kenji walked away a projectile whizzed by his ear taking a piece of his blue hair. Kenji would never admit it but he loved his hair with all his heart, but he kept his cool for now. "You said you wanted me to stop running around when we faught, didn't you?" He heard Bokuden announce, "don't act like I didn't try to warn you of the dangers of your own ignorance, kid." Kenji turned his head slowly with a devilish smirk on his face, "Make my day will you." Kenji said with closed teeth. It was a little creepy. But even more creepy was Bokuden showing his teeth. Two encounters, two arguments, two wasted snacks, and now two 'fights'. The argument was so heated, Kenji was almost positive the battle would be even more intense. Kenji quickly drew his sword and made three vicious and equally swift slashes. He ran his hands through his hair and at almost full speed charged Bokuden in a zig zag pattern. Then at about 10 meters Kenji used the Bunshin no Jutsu. He used the smoke created by the jutsu to mask his weaving of 5 hand seals, then delivered an air thrust that created a gust, he did this within a mattter of seconds while hidden in the smoke. The Bunshin would dissipate after the thrust. He knew his opponent was skilled so if caught in the Genjutsu, he would have to act quickly to capitalize; and Kenji had the speed to do just that.

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

130/150

As Kenji drew his sword in retaliation he performed three quick slashing motions. "Still with the unnecessary dramatics," Bokuden growled. As Kenji charged forward he weaved a sequence of hand seals and activated his Bunshin no jutsu. "Same old tricks," Bokuden thought to himself and activated his Current Perception: Combat Range, "You can't hide from me!" As he prepared for the incoming Kenji Bokuden felt a strong gust blow into him. When the gust passed he felt himself spinning rapidly. He could still sense Kenji's electrical signal and noticed it was still following the same pattern despite him being trapped in this cycle. "He's a genjutsu user?" Bokuden questioned to himself, "So this is what he was hiding the last time we fought. A sensory displacement genjutsu, I guess he realized from out last fight that I had sensory jutsu, but no matter." Bokuden proceeded to weave a set of hand seals and activate his Blind Faith jutsu to blind Kenji.

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

Chakra: 135/150

Yes! Kenji thought, the gust hit him. He could tell Bokuden was affected. Kenji had to act quickly, this was risky. Bokuden wouldn't stay trapped for long. And he knew a projectile would travel faster than he could despite his great speed. The risky part was he had no kunai and no shuriken. The only thing he could launch was his sword, and if he missed he would be without his sword for the rest of the battle most likely. But he had to act quickly, as soon as he threw his sword from about 7 meters out, Bokuden put his hands together and a blinding light was emitted. Kenji had already released his sword but he wouldn't be able to see if it landed it or not. He was confident if Bokuden didn't move during the time he threw the sword and his ninjutsu it would land. Kenji was sure it was heading for Bokuden's belly at the time of the release. Kenji leaped in the air to attempt to escape the light but it didn't work, in mid-air Kenji's vision was still severely impaired. "I can't see anything."

As the effects of the genjutsu quickly wore off, Bokuden was met with Kenji's sword flying towards him. "Shit," Bokuden thought to himself. He knew he had neither time to draw his sword nor prepare an evasive maneuver, so he fell back to plan C. He revealed two kunai which had been hidden in the sleeves of his coat and threw them at the incoming sword. Bokuden knew that they did not have the weight to stop the sword, but he could alter the trajectory by hitting the guard and end of the sword. The kunai altered the incoming blade's course just enough for him to evade it. Knowing that Kenji would still be robbed of his vision after his Blind Faith Jutsu Bokuden drew one more kunai from inside of his coat and threw it at the airborn Kenji knowing he was now without his sword had no footing in the air in which to maneuver out of the way.

Chakra (130/150)

(OOC: I have 6 kunai left on my person after that last thrown one. And the kunai thrown at you is aimed at your chest, so you can react accordingly.)

Kenji was airborne, defenseless, well not completely. He heard a clink. That not a good sign, Kenji thought. Then with his vision still impaired, he felt a kunai, hit him. Then smirked as he vanished in a puff of smoke. When Kenji threw his sword he also used the substitution. This Bokuden had great senses, Kenji thought maybe he had increased hearing and smelling capabilities passed down through his clan. It didn't matter the mechanism at the moment. Only thing that mattered was his position wouldn't be a secret for long. The fact that Bokuden was able to find/hit Kenji so easily through that ninjutsu he used was further proof that he had extraordinary senses. Kenji suddenly appeared behind Bokuden and tried to take advantage as he attempted a quick crouching kick to the back of Bokuden's knee, then out of the crouch, exploded into the air up and over Bokuden traveling about 15 meters away and in front of Bokuden. Kenji collected his sword, he wanted to make a comment but decided not to as he braced himself for whatever Bokuden would throw at him.

Spoiler:

125/150

Bokuden heard a clank as his kunai hit what appeared to be Kenji's sword midair. "A substitution, Bokuden said as he sensed Kenji's electrical signal now closing in from behind, Another diversion, huh? How original." Bokuden flipped out of the way of Kenji's kick and landed by the two kunai he had previously used to redirect Kenji's sword. He picked them up as Kenji retrieved his sword. Bokuden then charged at Kenji and activated his Close Combat Range. He proceeded to throw one of the kunai in his hand from 3m away and drew another one from his coat and prepared to launch a follow up attack.

Spoiler:

Chakra: (125/150)

(Kunai: 7/10 picked two up from the ground and threw one)

After Kenji retrieved his weapon of choice, Bokuden made another comment then charged at him. Kenji could barely believe Bokuden was actually attacking. A kunai was released at close range, Kenji quickly flicked his sword and knocked it out of the way, and in that same motion he initiated his "Declining Twin Slash" maneuver, seeing as Bokuden was coming right at him with decent speed, Kenji's vicious upper-body attack followed by the changing of levels should at the very least slow Bokuden down if not, his legs would probably get sliced up nicely. Bokuden was charging with a kunai, and at this distance he would find defending such a rapid and unorthodox maneuver quite difficult in his current position.

Spoiler:

As Bokuden closed in on Kenji, a kunai in each hand, he sensed Kenji preparing an attack. It was a high horizontal slash which Bokuden crouched out of the way of. Immediately following that however was Kenji's body crouching as well and appearing to be continuing in a 360 degree motion for a follow up attack. While Kenji's back was turned, still in the spinning crouch, Bokuden performed a flip directly over Kenji's body, throwing the two kunai he had in each hand straight down at Kenji's back shoulders while he was still occupied with his spinning crouch.

Chakra: (120/150)

Kunai remaining on person: 5/10

(OOC don't forget to post chakra usage, I think we are supposed to expend chakra for all jutsu, even kenjutsu and taijutsu.)

Kenji's Kenjutsu maneuver missed. Bokuden evaded it skillfully. He was within 3 meters I didn't think he'd have time, Kenji thought to himself. Kenji was well aware of the level of opponent he was going up against at this stage. As soon as Bokuden leaped over him, Kenji stuck his sword in the ground to halt his momentum and then further utilized the sword to quickly spin himself around in the opposite direction facing his opponent. Upon turning around, two kunai were heading straight for him. Kenji squinted as he yanked his sword out of the ground and swiped at the two kunai knocking them away. As soon as Bokuden landed, almost as soon as he feet hit the ground, Kenji was within a meter of him. Well within striking range, Kenji unleashed a blinding combo. It was comprised of a lightning fast slash to the body followed by a fluent upward strike; after the combo he snatched his sword back down in a diagonal position ready to fend off any possible response. Assuming the two cuts didn't leave the unsuspecting genin bleeding all over.

After releasing his kunai, Bokuden noticed Kenji use his sword to alter the direction of his spin and deflect them away. As Bokuden Landed and Kenji regained his footing he lunged at Bokuden, hoping to get two quick strikes in from close range. His attempt was futile. Bokuden would always have the advantage in close range combat due to his ability, but Kenji didn't know that. "He moves well," Bokuden thought to himself as he evaded the two strikes while weaving a sequence of hand signs, "But let's see how he avoids attack that is faster than he is." Bokuden then launched his Lightning Release:Wave of Inspiration from point black range, there was nowhere to run.

Spoiler:

Chakra: 105/150

As Bokuden avoided his attack he weaved a few hand signs. This guy's defense is impecable, Kenji said to himself. He had to quickly regain his composure as Bokuden was initiating some sort of jutsu originating from his hands. He was at point blank range. Kenji without hesitation delivered a monstrous horizontal strike that was aimed to deal 2 inch deep cuts to both of Bokuden's palms. But unfortunately the jutsu was already being released, and before Kenji could do anything else to get out of the way, he was hit. Kenji was knocked back about 5 meters and dropped his sword a few feet from where he landed. Kenji was twitching slightly as the electric current had swept through his body. His entire body was stinging; while on one knee Kenji picked up his sword. Kenji didn't know if his strike had succeeded because as soon as he finished he was hit by the lightning release. The battle was escalating violently, and if it kept going at this pace, someone was going to get fatally wounded, and soon.

Right before the release of Bokuden's Lightning Release" Wave of inspiration, Kenji aimed a slash at Bokuden's hands, hoping to interrupt the jutsu no doubt. Bokuden was surprised that Kenji was able to get off another slash so quickly, but it wouldn't make a difference the jutsu was already fired sending Kenji flying back. Hoping to take advantage of Kenji's vulnerable position after being struck my his lightning jutsu, Bokuden drew a kunai into his right hand, with the blade end protruding away from him, as he charged at Kenji preparing a horizontal slash which would be followed up by an immediate thrust of the kunai. Kenji raised to one knee and retrieved his sword, but Bokuden was already upon him. Bokuden wondered how Kenji would respond to the attack. With no time to mount an offensive of his own would Kenji attempt to block the first slash only for Bokuden to thrust from close range or would he evade and try to use his speed to jump out of the kunai's reach? It made no difference, even if Kenji evaded Bokuden fully intended on chasing him down. It was his turn to go on the attack.

Chakra: (100/150)

(OOC Subtract the chakra from that spiraling slash jutsu in your next post. I know paying chakra for physical attack that doesn't actually require chakra is dumb, but as far as I know we have to. That's why I haven't apped any of the Kumo sword moves yet lol.)

As Kenji picked his sword up while he was on one knee, Bokuden was already flying towards him and arrived quickly. He wasn't necessarily fast, but he wasted no movement which made him just as an efficient mover as Kenji. Bokuden had his katana ready to slash across Kenji's body and a kunai in his right to act as a follow up. Kenji was still feeling the effects of being hit by Bokuden's lightning jutsu, but as he was in fear of his life he blocked out the pain and discomfort. Kenji's left foot was planted on the ground, he used it to explode backwards out of the way of Bokuden's attack. But his opponent was sure to pressure Kenji even further, so after dodging, Kenji would side step and counter with a short and swift swipe at Bokuden's head to preoccupy the offensive genin. Immediately after the counter, Kenji would quickly leave the ground and position himself behind Bokuden in a flash; while in mid-air Kenji attempted a vicious slash to Bokuden's back, that if landed would do significant but nowhere near fatal damage (2 inch deep cut). Kenji was proven right, if he hadn't avoided Bokuden's attack he would've been seriously hurt. This battle was reaching a fervent pace. Kenji was eager to see how the serious genin would respond to his attack.

*ooc~ subtracting -10 chakra for the Kenjutsu

Chakra: [115/150]

(OOC: In your last post you said I was coming at you with my sword, but both attacks were with a kunai.)

Kenji chose to dodge Bokuden's initial slash, but Bokuden was intent on making sure Kenji could never again say that he had not proven himself stronger and pursued. As Bokuden closed in on his target, Kenji side stepped Bokuden and performed a quick swipe with his sword at Bokuden's head. Bokuden quickly lowered himself closer to the ground to avoid the slash, but out of the corner of his eye saw Kenji move behind him. "A feint," Bokuden noted to himself as he plunged his kunai into the ground to stop short and gripped his katana's handle in preparation for an attack from behind. Kenji didn't disappoint and attempted a downward strike from mid air, most likely intending to use gravity to augment the strength of his strike. Bokuden pushed off of the ground in order to perform a 180 degree spin. During the spin Bokuden simultaneously drew his sword and retrieved the kunai he had stabbed into the ground with his left hand which would now be completely out of Kenji's sight. Upon spinning far enough to face Kenji, Bokuden used his partially drawn katana (he would not have enough room in that position to draw the full length of the blade, especially with his other hand occupied with the kunai and unable to assist in the draw)to block Kenji's sword. He would then follow up with a surprise stab with the kunai in his left hand aimed at Kenji's sword arm's shoulder, using the centrifugal force generated by the spin to increase the velocity of his stab. Kenji would not have expected Bokuden to be able to block his strike, let alone counter. That combined with Kenji's position mid-air and incredibly small time frame in which Kenji would see the attack coming made Bokuden sure the hit would connect. "You're not the only one who can use feint attacks, kid," Bokuden thought to himself.

Chakra: 95/150

(ooc~ not being funny, I know the pushing the wrist away part is small and it seems insignificant. But if that's too decisive ill edit. No joke, im unsure of where the line is with the decisive actions and stuff.)

Kenji was in mid air completing his strike as Bokuden quickly spun around and drew his katana halfway to block Kenji's slash. Bokuden had used a feint attack as well. Out of the spin Bokuden bared his kunai in his left hand going for Kenji's right shoulder. "I don't have much time.", Kenji thought to himself. As the kunai got ever so closer, Kenji twisted his torso towards the kunai, at this point the kunai would hit Kenji in his chest. But as he twisted he was also bringing his left arm across to grab hold of Bokuden's wrist before the attack could land. Unfortunately, Kenji couldn't get his left hand to intercept Bokuden's attack in time. The velocity was just to great at this distance. Plus Kenji was known more for his outright speed than he was for his reflexes. However, as soon as the kunai entered Kenji's chest his left hand was able to push Bokuden's wrist away minimizing the damage. The kunai had still entered into his chest about 2 inches before Kenji dislodged it by knocking away Bokuden's wrist. As Kenji's feet touched the ground he clinched his bleeding chest. With a smirk on his face, Kenji tossed his sword into his uninjured side and waited for Bokuden to make his next move as he was sure he was looking to capitalize on drawing blood.