An orange hued sky would expand across the horizon as the fiery star amongst the clouds would gently touch the horizon as it was close to it's descent for the darkness to consume. The village hidden in the stone was truly one of the most remarkable cities across the world. The vibrant Iwagakure architecture allowed culture and tradition to remain within it's walls since the birth of the village itself.

Long bridges from mountains cliffs to towers would shape through the village, as even villas would sit atop mountain tops as secret bungalow's and traditional dojo's. Water would spread from the heavens and crash down into large pools of water which would grant the village a sweet serenity throughout different sections.

As clouds stayed idle throughout the now changing coloured sky, a golden array would present itself from the sun. It was a unique light that only the stone nation could see thanks to it's overwhelming heat. A single man would sit amongst a temple near the peak of a sightseeing cliff. Goblets of wine would be sunk down in mere moments, whilst his crimson gaze would watch in awe as this may have been the last time he would see the golden skies of Iwagakure again. His golden hair would shine radiantly with the suns glare, as he remained calm as he was in a state of peace. It was truly the Ex-Tsuchikage's favourite peak, one in which he felt he could control the world, with only one small push, he could turn the world into his favour.

A chuckle would follow from Kazu's mouth as he thought of his time spent as a shinobi of Iwagakure. He was only 25 and he had retired after achieving the greatest honour Iwagakure had to offer. However, Kazu had greater hopes for his future. He had no intention or amusement from his beloved village. The world was constantly changing, and hanging on to tradition and customs it would seem his life would never pass ordinary. Gazing upon the sky Kazu couldn't help but feel lonely. It was times like these he missed his beloved Rue. However there was no way to bring back the dead. Clouds, just like Rue, were his gentle reminder that life wasn't so much about war, that love could prosper in a world full of hate. But that was long gone now.

The world had flipped affront his very own eyes, her life being lost was no others fault but his own, and the mental pain was one which stabbed through his soul, inhabiting within his mind and spreading like a curse. Kazu was truly one to carry this burden till his death bed, and her dying memory wouldn't be lost anytime soon. Looking over the glorious stone village, he couldn't help but reminisce over his entire shinobi career…

~~~~~



The ten year old genin would glare at another as crimson hued lenses would fixate on the other gentleman. The boy had just reached the age milestone of 10 years, and he would want to celebrate in combat, it just seemed that living with beasts his entire life, he had no respect for others so it was clearly evident he didn't have the slightest care for the genin before him.

"Oh Kazu, as cocky as ever. How about we settle this now then huh?"

And as the last word left the boys lips, he would sprint forward toward Kazu whilst unleashing four kunai all aimed toward Kazu's mid section. But the golden haired Kanetsu would laugh as he sprinted forward revealing a kunai of his own clenched firmly within his right hand deflecting his opponents moving ninja tools. And with a swift leap the fight was done. Looking down upon the boy he had just bullied and now had beaten with an embarrassingly swift strike, Kazu couldn't help but feel a new emotion. What was this feeling? Kazu truly felt like the bad guy, the villain, in this situation. An idle tear would slide down his cheek as he never felt this raw emotion before, as his humanity never truly showed. Crouching before the man, Kazu couldn't help but feel pity and now a lack of respect the boy affront him had for Kazu.

"I…I…I'm sorry."

A soft whisper which he muttered, he had completely embarrassed the boy affront others and Kazu couldn't turn back the past. However the boy would stand up and dust himself off before smiling at Kazu.

"That was really mean, however it's fine. Apology accepted."

~~~~~

As the sun continued it's descent across the village, Kazu would gather his thoughts on his very first conflict. He truly believed this was a turning point to his emotions in gaining strength, for if he was to gain emotions here, he would have never gained the power to get stronger, for emotions were the true catalyst to power.

---

Wordcount: 845

Perception Training:
D~D1: 325/325
D1~D2: 400/400
D2~D3: 120/450

Glaring upon the surrounding skies, Kazu would continue to be lost in thought. Crimson hued lenses would continue to pan across the horizon, as the sun would finish it's descent allowing a thick darkness to consume the land. Torches across the village would light up allowing an array of light to glow from each alleyway. Looking down on each civilian within the village, the golden haired Kanetsu would feel a deep pressure to slowly collapse as he didn't have any responsibility in ensuring the village's safety. Kazu was truly fit to lead, but his emotions which made him so strong would result in him over thinking in his way of life. The world was too big to simply stay cramped in defence, it was finally time to explore the lands, and he would hope he would do enough traveling for himself and Rue's spirit which he had hope latched on to the pendant wrapped around his neck.

His perception on the world had truly changed since his time as the Tsuchikage, in two short months his views on the village had truly changed as well. It was finally time to leave his home, which would leave the defence of the village and all it's goals and traditions out of his hands, and the included the protection of his beloved cat family, the Pride of Uchimagi which inhabited through the Uchimagi plains surrounding Xiuhcoatl's Maw. But before he would leave the village, Kazu was to look upon a certain portion of the Earth Country, which was in fact where Kazu was found whilst still an infant. Gurai, the head of the Pride of Uchimagi that had brought up Kazu as his own, told Kazu of his birthright being the leader of the north, but also being named after the first ever Tsuchikage, Tohzu Kanetsu. Kazu was named to destroy the current rule over the world and replace with his own, however Kazu had no intention of doing such.

Sure the world was cruel with the death of his wife, but Kazu couldn't help but feel sorrow instead of anger, and wanted to rebuild the world in his own way without force. You could say he had grown wise as he didn't become the monster he wanted to be, because he wouldn't be the person Rue wanted him to be. He was to be an individual with enough power and love to join all nations, an individual who would thirst for knowledge, an individual who would shape this world into one that Rue would have deserved.

~~~~~


"My beloved angel, my divine beauty and model of perfection. I will protect you with my dying breath, and I will see to it that once the crime in Iwagakure is non existent, I shall renounce my claim on the Tsuchikage throne and we will go live out in the Konoha forests and travel the world. You are my life, my love, my everything, and I will see to it that this dream comes true."

~~~~~

A second tear would slide down his cheek as his crimson hued lenses gazed upon the night sky as a white moon would reveal itself. Kazu truly could not turn back the hands of time, nor could he find peace with what had happened to his wife. He would carry on their dream as if she had never left, and he would live happily ever after, so he would hope. Memories would swiftly phase through his mind as he pondered upon each moment he shared with his beloved. Feeding on the hope and joy throughout the whole time he spent with his one and only.

"Rue, my love."

Kazu would look upon the moon as he spoke in hope of her spirit finding peace. It was his way of connecting with his past away soul mate. Or so he would hope as it was said the moon joined the earth to the spiritual realm. It was an ancient tale, however it was one Kazu truly believed in, he had to believe in something, he had to believe there was more to life after death. For she had the power to utilise the clouds and force destruction upon the skies. And Kazu was her exact opposite, one who could tear the earth according to his will and shape the world to the way he see fit. His ying to her yang, two halves now left half empty. Their was an unfillable void left within the threshold, a thirst that could never be quenched.

"Our lives begin today, i shall do all we wanted, so keep my seat warm up their for me for a little while longer? I shall be providing you entertainment in just a few moments."

It was finally time to close his time spent in Iwagakure. It was finally time to bid farewell.

Stepping up from his seated position, regaining his posture allowing his body to stand idly straight whilst keeping a crimson gaze fixated upon the bottom of the cliffe. Looking back upon the village, Kazu would look atop the city for the last time before descending downward.

---

Wordcount: 862

Perception Training:
D2~D3: 330(120)/450
D3~C: 541/525