Book One: Dawn of Oomi
Chapter Five: Crushing Mountains

“Do I really have to go?” Oomi whined. “No one would even notice if I wasn’t there.” She continued as she and her father marched toward an old style mansion at the outer edges of Iwagakure’s Living Quarters.  This was land owned by the Saiyama clan. Hundreds of years as Iwa shinobi had earned them the right to make it there own. Normally the head of the clan lived there. Sometime ago, the head of the clan did.

“Yes, and they most certainly will.” Harou answered as he shot a brief glance at his daughter. “You’ll be the Matriach of the Saiyama one day, dear. They will judge who you will be by what you are.” He finished.

“That’s not even fair! I could be completely different tomorrow!” Shouted as she threw her hands into the air. “That’s stupid dad… What does it matter what I am now… by the time I’m head of the clan I’ll be much stronger!” Oomi continued to shout.

“You’re right, but it’s not only about strength, mi-mi.” Harou smiled and rubbed Oomi’s head, messing her tightly drawn back pony tail. “You’ll have to prove that you’re capable of leading a clan, and that takes smarts, patience, and attending events you don’t really want to go to.” He laughed.

When the pair came upon the clans grounds already someone was waiting for them. The short woman bowed in greeting. “Harou-sama, Oomi-chan.” She started. “Most everyone has arrived, we are still awaiting Jinku and his brother, as well as Obi and Bin’s eldest.”

“Hello, Hanada. That’s fine, we can start without them. I doubt Obi’s eldest will come, last I heard his father’s condition was worsening. It’s unfortunate, but his time may have come. It’s probably best that he stay with him.” Harou replied, a certain regality in his tone that had not been present when he spoke to Oomi.

Hanada lead the duo inside where nearly thirty people waited; the heads of respective individual families within the clan, and a few soon eldest born children as well. They all greeted Oomi and Harou in various ways, showing respect to the clans leader and his daughter. The room itself was fairly large, in the center was an equally large round table which took up the majority of the room. Off to either side were doors which lead into hallways and the rest of the mansion where now many Saiyama lived. After Oomi’s mother’s death Harou had moved out of the mansion and given it to the poorer among the clan. A gesture of good will and selfishness all at once. On the walls were pictures of various clan leaders, as well as clan councils throughout the eras. In addition there were various flowers and other plants decorating the room. Oomi and Harou rounded the room on opposite sides and met back at the center of the table opposite the door. Here they took their seats. 

There was a brief moment of silence as tradition dictated in remembrance of the Saiyama of old. Even the paths Oomi and her father had taken around the table was meant to represent to the two houses of the Saiyama, the Subayai and the Tsuyoi. Normally Harou would have done this with his wife; he was of the Tsuyoi blood line and she the Subayai. However, for reasons already stated Oomi took her place as a representation of both blood lines. 

“Good, then I assume we can begin. Those that are not here may not come anyway.” An elderly man spoke out from Harou’s left. He was nearly the oldest living patriarch and most eager to get these tedious meetings over with. Harou nodded with a light smile in response, giving him to go ahead to speak his piece further. However, Old Man Uki had nothing else to say. He was only here because he was expected to be.

Instead from the opposite side of the table, back near the front door a middle aged woman spoke up. “Well, I’d like to be the first to congratulate Oomi. I hear you’ll be leaving for Sunagakure soon on an important mission for the Tsuchikage, himself. I think I speak for all of us when I say that I’m proud of you.” She said with a smile. A few drinks were raised in agreement. Poor Oomi couldn’t help the goofy grin that was slapped across her face.

“Thank youuuuu ~” She chimed.

Outside, Kanada stood guard. She may not have looked it, but she was a skilled warrior. Old Man Uki had hired her sometime ago when he realized that his age was catching up with him. The short woman wasn’t actually a shinobi, however. She’d come from the mountain villages outside of Iwagakure. Still, her skill with taijutsu was well enough to protect the old man. However, because she was not family Uki had ordered that she remain outside.

Jutsu Used:

- A New Challenger Has Entered The Ring -

“Then on to other matters. It’s come to my attention tha-“ Another man sitting around the table had started after Oomi’s thanks for everyone’s congratulations for her recent good fortune. Before he could get to the meat of what he was going to say the doors burst open. Through the threshold came bursting a dark haired boy. The Saiyama around the table, even Old Man Uki, leapt from their seats and took up various fighting stances. The last to rise was Harou, despite Oomi’s being the first to leap from her chair.

“Hn,” He ran slender fingers along his chin. A second later Suutei had created his clones and went on to speak his reason for having arrived. Something that he ended with a challenge to all present. “Hahaha!” Harou laughed. The youngster couldn’t possibly hope to defeat all of them, could he? Old Man Uki shared in the chuckle. “You want to fight the clan head.” Harou repeated as he waved down the rest of the clan. They relaxed, though a few refused to let their guard down so easily.

“You got it.” Oomi chimed from the opposite end of the room before anyone else could speak. A single leap brought her up onto the table. She slowly marched across it toward Suutei a wide grin plastered across her face. “I accept your challenge~!” She mused once she’d reached the end nearest Suutei and his clones. “I’ll take all three of you on by myself.” Her grin had grown even wider.

“Oomi,” Harou started. He wouldn’t get to finish, however. His daughter turned to him and shook a defiant finger in his direction.

“No, I might not be the head today but I will soon. Let this be proof that the clan will be okay in my hands.” She said with a smile that she shared with the rest of the Saiyama in the room before finally turning her gaze back on Suutei. “So, what do you say? Is the heir good enough for you?” She questioned as she stepped down from the table to a position just in front of whichever Suutei was nearest her. Steel blue eyes darted between the three clones. He was young, probably about Oomi’s age. She could already see in his demeanor and swiftness to activate a jutsu that he’d be worth the trouble of fighting. Already she could feel adrenaline beginning to pump through her veins, she was going to love this.

“I warn you though… I happen to be the Taijutsu Princess and student of Sekuro Karumo,” She started as if either of those things would mean anything to Suutei. “This wont be an easy fight for you. I’m going to give it my all.” She titled her head slightly and her already wide smile seemed to only become goofier. She was ready to let lose right here and now, but if the guy agreed to fight her she’d lead him outside into the courtyard. They’d have more space there. Though the idea of naming the table behind her their ring had crossed her mind.

Jutsu Used: