Julius had arrived at a slow walk slightly before noon. Perhaps only by about fifteen minutes to the battle of the day. The location was apparently a prime placement for those wishing to train but still demonstrate their skills to others. Here it would be that he did much the same. Perhaps vanity had overtaken him at times and while it was possible he had allowed it to happen again, He did have a job to do within the village. Of course his abounding confidence had made him wish to take on both a chunnin and a genin that day but the chunnin had no interest in a challenge simply for the sake of. Still she would observe which was enough for Julius for the time being. After all she might prove more useful to him than either of them yet realized. Still his form would carry him up the steps as he continued to read a novel. The hound, the warlock and the closet. A dashing read many readers seemed to enjoy immensely. He himself had been so absorbed into it he had hardly looked up if not to avoid people and change direction occasionally the entire way there. Even now progressing up the steps the cold was only just now beginning to bite at his face as he glanced around the nearly frozen stone platform.

He had chosen this location due to it being some distance from the village itself. It was after all designed to keep idle jutsu within and from harming the village and its surroundings at much higher ranks than he was sure he would be witnessing today. Lord knew that if something like that came forth he wouldn't be able to withstand it long. Not that he wouldn't be able to at all. Perhaps the source of his confidence was the ability to block such ranks that the boy coming to face him was not yet even capable of. He had come to learn that most clans were not like his sister and himself. They were not born attuned to an element and able to use it with more ease and far earlier. Still the Stone platform was a perfect square. One of the smaller ones that was twenty meters wide and just as many long. Around it like a ring was raised seats behind stone walls. Wood and stone benches at best. The private area was above them all but locked up. It sure did look warm though.

His blue eyes stopped taking in the scenery as he took his placement on one side of the barrier. Only six meters into the twenty meter space. Idly he would appear to keep reading and yet his attention was on his surroundings. A glance with sharp blue eyes here and there but his ears were listening for the sound of shoes or boots crunching on the frozen land. He himself stood tall and regal in a long white coat with fur on the inside that seemed to spill out around the neck. Underneath he was wearing black slacks over dress shoes. Shined and polished with his clothes pressed. Tucked into those was a grey button up shirt with a thin tie. His hair was the only thing about him even mildly messy and that too seemed almost organized. As if each hair was meant to fall into place around and above that sharp gaze but never in front of. The symbol of a small sword crossed over three arrows on his back prominent over a green shield. A small modification his sister and he had made for themselves. Yet what was odd perhaps was that he stood alone with no weapons to speak of. Just a book that he turned the page on with white gloves.

633

A simple day without much weather to talk about was a good change for Kumogakure, and the ideal time to be out and about. Today was the day two guys were about to oppose each other in a contest of short duration, and she had an appointment with them to spectate. Mizuki couldn't say what it would be about, but she was curious what a coal trader would have to wager with a shinobi. Perhaps a contest of strength? Possible, though she'd sooner have imagined an arm-wrestle in a pub than a wager on the Battle Plateau. It made little sense to her, but if meant connecting with some people and observing the potential or growth of Kumo-nin, then it would be a moment well spent.

She hadn't bothered to wear much Kumo-affiliated wear other than her headband today, which she had bound around her head, but was mostly covered by her loosened black hair. She was further wearing a white shirt with a purple star on it and lengthy black skirt, covering the combination only slightly with a sleeveless hooded grey cotton robe that reached her ankles. More so as a matter to stave of potential chills in the air rather than anything else. Of course, even on a free day such as this, her trusted katana was with her, ever positioned at her hips to be drawn in a moments notice.

Since she had some time to spare before the others were supposed to arrive, she walked at a peaceful pace, seeing the meeting ground get closer slowly with every step until she was at the entrance of the stone arena. Once she had entered the arena, she gazed around at the circle of benches and a lone man seemingly reading a book. From the long white coat, she deducted that it had to be Julius, the salesman who had offered the wager. It seemed she wasn't the only one who was of a habit to appear rather early on an appointment. As she walked closer to formally greet him, she observed the rest of the arena but couldn't find Tomohiro just yet and considered he'd arrive soon enough.

"Good day, Midas-san", she greeted Julius once she was near him, bowing briefly before him. "How are preparations going?"

She hadn't seen much in the sense of preparations, wondering even more now what this wager was about that it required a place such as this. There wasn't much left to guess with, other than the tradesman in front of her actually knowing some combat style or having the means to mold chakra. It was hard to say, since he hadn't shown anything of an affiliation so far other than the symbol on his white coat. A symbol Mizuki hadn't recognised, and therefore she guessed to be a clan or organisation not part of Kumogakure as she was familiar with most, if not all, of Kumogakure's affiliated clan kamon.

---

504

Tomohiro stretched as he woke up from a deep sleep. A yawn emerged from his mouth subtly. The sluggish feeling all over his body almost made him want to turn over. He then remembered that there was somewhere he had to be. The deep slumber had almost made him forget that he had meet Julius for his wager. Tomohiro stroked his face trying to rub out the sleepiness out. He quickly stood up and made his way to the shower. As he prepared himself, he wondered what Julius could possibly have up his sleeve. Though, he figured that he might as well have been at a disadvantage. Dealing with the unexpected was something you had to deal with being a shinobi. The many years he spent training couldn't get him prepared enough to deal with unexpected outcomes. He hated when things didn't seem to go his way. His gear and sword seemed to be check as he exited his apartment. There wasn't much else he could think to bring other than his new sword. The sword was technically pre-owned, but there wasn't much he could do about it. It was all that he could afford. He just tried to make himself believe that the rust on the blade gave it character, but just thinking about it made him slightly depressed.

The feeling of the cool wind cutting through his poncho didn't really bother him much. The weather in Kumo didn't bother him. The Nakir clan had lived here for centuries after all. His thoughts were mostly focused on how to handle this current engagement. A mixture of excitement and nervousness swept over him as he made his way to the Battle Plateau. The large arena was old and quite astounding. He hadn't been here for awhile. Only twice he could remember actually being here. The first time had been on an academy field trip. The second time he had watched two of his younger clansmen “show off” their skills after a post graduation match. Tomohiro entered the arena and glanced around to view the empty seats. Well, he may have taken too long to get there. The young genin hated being late, but there was no point in worrying about it now. He finally arrived.

Tomohiro easily noticed Julius first in his long white trench coat. He really didn't quite understand why anyone would wear such a bright coat. Darker colors were more of his thing. The man was a mercenary and not a shinobi after all. It didn't take a second glance as he noticed Mizuki. The young lady happened to show up after all. He couldn't tell after meeting her if she would even be bother watching. Tomohiro adjusted his straw kasa as he came into vocal range. He would keep his distance not knowing what to expect from Julius. His left hand on the bamboo scabbard felt and his right hand on the hilt. Tomohiro's clan emblem covering

“Julius. Mizuki. Good to see you two. How are we going about this?” Tomohiro greeted quite bluntly.

There wasn't any excitement in his voice. He was quite eager to get started. Two things seemed to bother him though, the first was that his sword wouldn't last. The second was that he would embarrass himself in front of the Mizuki. They had only just met, but he hated the thought of failing with others watching. It could have been worse though. He could have been in front of other clansmen, but at least his closest family were mostly supportive. Tomohiro truly was unsure about he was going to do. There was no need to make a rash decision. He sort of wished that Julius wasn't completely ready.

WC: 630

Julius would idly adjust the wrist cuffs on his long coat before shifting the collar as well. Brushing some snow off the grey fur around his neck idly. If nothing else his appearance was very tidy. However even if he appeared to be mostly just a superficial individual his confidence almost radiated off of him. He was risking his health with this. Injury to a blade like it was but two children playing with sticks. Many would consider him irresponsible for placing himself there purposefully. However this was more than just some game to him. The wager holding more merit than the others yet knew. It was true he was capable of taking C rank missions without these two. He had his sister after all. However the involvement of shinobi from the village itself would hopefully bring high praise to him and his talents. After all he was but a support role. In doing this he was supporting the one person he had been assigned to support his whole life. His mighty sister. Where his palms were soft and his poise was calm, she was a raging fire withe callused hands of endless practice with weapons. The only reason he hadn't invited her along for this endeavor was because he needed this first real encounter to go well. She would likely wish to prove her might by putting them both to their knee's if she could. He found others typically didn't like that approach. Not ones he cared to be bartering with anyway.

Still he was broken from his reverie as he considered his own first words in this strange land. How they had been driven by a lack of proper planning combined with little intelligence on the area. A slight disaster early on that had created an opening for paranoia. Instead he would turn his blue eyes to an approaching figure. A friendly smile playing on his face. It appeared the monitor for this little bout had been the second to arrive. Regretfully before his challenger. Still she would bow her head slightly and speak and in return he would cross his right open hand across his chest and do a more elaborate and flourished bow with his free hand cast out to the side. A showmans bow. For after all that was all today would be. A show. Still in response to her words he would open his own lips to speak as he straightened. Sounding almost distraught.

"A good day to you as well Mizuki-Sama. As for preparations, I am mostly prepared but as for our contender," There would be a pause as he glanced to the side and noted the individual in question arriving on time. The corner of his lips turning ever so slightly at that as he continued. "Well it appears he is right on time." Julius would smile and fold his hands before himself. Crossed in front of his Stomach. He waited until Tomohiro would approach before bowing his head ever so slightly this time. Perhaps he considered the man less in stature than Mizuki. However respect was still spent. Still he would note the boy seemed rather ready to throw his all into this. Already he had gripped the scabbard and the hilt of his sword. Keeping just out of immediate danger by standing further away than Mizuki herself. The poor boy truly didn't understand the nature of the days activity. So Julius would smile and shift his hands to help him demonstrate as he spoke in order to fill in the gaps for Mizuki and the boy. As he rose his right hand to the side it was palm up as if holding something they could not see.

"On one hand, should you win I give you a bounty of three hundred ryo for overcoming my challenge." With that he would hold out his left hand as if holding his hand out for something to Tomohiro as he continued. "On the other hand, should you not manage to meet the conditions of the challenge in the time frame allotted, you will be taking myself on a C rank mission and including my name in your report with a review." With that Julius would smile and lower his hands folding them behind his back as he stepped casually to the side. Walking as he spoke until he was five meters from Tomohiro and the lady Mizuki as well should they allow it. "As for the fore mentioned conditions. This is not a spar, I will not be attacking you in any way. Instead you will be attempting to lay a single attack on my person within one minute. Giving me but ten seconds to prepare. Once I start after the ten seconds," He Would then hold up his right hand to indicate the number three. His pointer finger curled against his thumb with the hand turned so the back was showing. "You will be allowed to use up to three attack techniques of your choosing. Without holding back. Should a minute pass or you have used all three and I have not been damaged it is my win. Should you so much as touch me its yours. Are you prepared for those conditions Tomohiro-san?"

1511

So he was prepared for the challenge ahead. Considering there was little to see, the idea that it involved combat of sorts only became stronger. Curious. As Julius gazed into the distance, Mizuki followed the trail of his gaze and so she too saw Tomohiro approach. Once he was nearby, she bowed towards him in greeting, noticing how brief he was in his formalities. Was he this tense about the unknown wager, or was he simply already focused on the task at hand? It was hard to say at first sight, but the blunt introduction felt like he had simply offed all but one thing. She found it somewhat rude.

Not lingering on the offense, however, she finally got to hear what this wager was about, and what she heard not only confirmed her suspicions but also discomforted her. The way Julius made it sound was much like he wouldn't have minded throwing his life away in the wager, so confident he seemed to be about his defensive abilities it sounded almost absurd. She wanted to say something against it at first, requesting caution at such open bravura, but she second-guessed herself and considered that this wasn't something she had to meddle with. These were guys being guys, testing the limits of their abilities.

Progressing in the conversation, she found the wagers strange. The 300 ryo, the base pay for a C rank mission these days, wasn't bad for a wager, but Julius' own winnings were unexpected. A C rank mission with mention of his name in their report? That was quite the unusual request when he could just walk up to the Administration Office and see if there were any available for him to take part in. Assuming he had his reasons for this request, even if they were as simple as just having a form of winnings, Mizuki wouldn't ask him about it just yet as she didn't want to intrude upon their concentration. Still, the intricacies of this man started to pull her interest enough for her ponder upon the thought if it wouldn't be necessary to keep an eye out on him for a while. Most people didn't play this sort of games with this sort of 'earnings', so there was obviously more about him than he let on.

As Julius took his place, some five meters away from both Tomohiro and herself, he revealed the conditions towards a winning match. One minute, three strikes. As he had mentioned before indeed, it wouldn't take long, and from the looks of it, the short window of time and limited offensive assaults would play more in his favour than in Tomohiro's. This man had no intention to lose, already having planned out most, if not every, way of denying his opponent's chance at victory. It was hardly the sort of competition Mizuki could respect as it left little room for learning and improvement. On the other hand... a shinobi had to learn the limits of his capacities and weigh his chances even before facing an opponent or undertaking a mission, meaning that sometimes it was better to request an ally better fit to deal with the opponent in question, pass on a mission that went above the shinobi's level of skill, or simply forfeit a mission in time to recover quickly for a come-back rather than push on and burn up resources than would have been needed.

Having not moved an inch from her position, Mizuki quietly contemplated the situation, her eyes resting upon Tomohiro as she awaited his answer on Julus' imposed terms. She couldn't say if Tomohiro would be up to the task as she had yet to see him fight, but she did have a hunch that Julius had so much as concluded his victory already by seemingly being allowed every and all conditions in the game. Truthfully though, only Tomohiro would be able to deliver the answers now.

---

668
= 1172

The conditions were simple enough to him. Though, he didn't really care for the idea of dealing with extra paperwork after a mission. Julius was a really prideful which he ought to be. If he had more time than what was given, the odds would have definitely been with him. That's what he thought to himself, at least. Tomohiro thought that going on a C-Rank from the jump would have probably been better off. The young genin was highly interested in the fact that he was ready to go on his first C-Rank mission. He tired of his genin status and needed to gain a higher status in his village. There was a sort of mutual respect for his clan to do better for himself. Becoming a chunin was the next step in him become one of the best swordsman in the region.

Tomohiro nodded his head in agreement and drew his blade. The blade was a bit shabby, but it would just have to do for today. He flourished his blade into an underhand grip and bowed toward the two of them. It just crossed his mind that he rudely approached. His anxiousness started to get the better of him. Tomohiro did believe that the best defense was a better offense, but having a few defensive techniques never hurt. There weren't many techniques that his clan had that were strictly defensive. Though, he hadn't really trained with too many of his clansman outside of his immediate family.

“I'm ready,” he stated as he widened his stance.

The back of his blade ran parallel with his forearm. His palm outstretched in front of him prepared for whatever Julius may have. Tomohiro started to become excited as his blood began to pump. The rush of adrenaline clawed at his throat like an eagle gripping down on it's prey. A gentle smile barely could be seen across his yellowish face. His purple eyes became fierce as mentally focused the chakra within him. He quickly glossed his eyes over the surrounding area. Though his adrenaline was flowing wildly through him, he kept a calm mind. He was ready now than he ever was.

“Make your preparations, Julius. Let's not waste any more time,” he said quietly.

WC: 382
TWC: 1012

Julius would smile a small smile with his head tilt as the pieces seemed to fall as he predicted they would. This young man before him was prepared with all his might and the woman was observant from the side. No doubt deciding the worth of each of them. Though she seemed to be all frowns. Perhaps she had noticed how this was a challenge bent to support him heavily. Less of an even grounds duel and more of a circus entertainment game. Some trick to it that benefited the host more than the player. She wasn't wrong of course. Julius had designed it that way specifically. He wasn't one to risk his health without a plot working. He needed something from this though. He needed his name to be imprinted on these two and to spread out. The world was calling out to him and ready to throw riches and power to his sister and father.  However he wouldn't be known for his wealth. He would be known for his relentless defense and become a legend of the untouched man. The one man in all of Kumo no one could ever land a blow on. They might value the sword but he valued the reputation.

Still Tomohiro would announce for Julius to begin and Julius would let his smile fade as it was time to get serious. His hands would fold behind his back and out of view as he stood tall. He looked as if he was simply standing at attention but instead he was focusing his chakra. His blue eyes took on a cold shift as he took on a plain expression of no nonsense. Behind his back he would form the hand seal of the horse first. Focusing his wind chakra into the seal before a green aura would float out of him before suddenly it would burst forth. A square of green energy growing from him in every direction. Slamming to a stop at three meters with him at the center. Having formed at fifteen meters a second outwards. Landing a blow he saw coming on him was something difficult. Giving him time to prepare was even more so. The barrier itself would dip into the ground and over his head. It suggested that the barrier was a full three hundred and sixty degree defense. However Julius remained poised as he wasn't finished. There was another layer yet to come.

As soon as the gentle breeze barrier was formed he would form a second hand sign behind his back. The hand sign for salmon. With that done he focused his suiton chakra into it. With the green barrier still up blue aura now swirled with the green around him as it burst forth as well. The exact same dimensions and speed but blue in color now. Seeming to form just outside of the green barrier as the primary barrier. He had finished two out of three parts of his ploy. With a breath he would inhale and exhale. It hadn't taken much but to stack two barriers was a little draining. He would relax himself and fold his hands. Having finished with hand signs for the time being. With that Julius stood there as a gust of wind burst forth from him enough to rustle the snow and swirl around them. Julius was far from some common trader. His defensive combination was without a doubt potent. Yet Mizuki might notice something more....he was holding back. Still Julius would nod calmly towards Tomohiro. A frozen depth in his blue eyes now as he spoke. His words calm and cold as well.

"Come than challenger, Show me the worth of your blade."

2132

Chakra 140/170:

Eager and ready, the two guys were focused on each other and the wager to come. Tension rose. Anticipation. Mizuki quietly studied the actions of the two.

On one side, she could see Tomohiro prepare his blade - a shabby, rusted blade a that. If there was one thing that disappointed Mizuki without fail, was seeing a swordsman hold a sub-par blade. To her, even a student was supposed to hold a decent, if basic, sword. She couldn't blame Tomohiro, most likely, as it looked like the blade was just one out of a hundred batch commissioned sort. Was this Kumogakure's quality of supplying its shinobi? She'd almost swear it was, as this was not the first time she had seen genin wield tools barely worth to be mentioned - Kiriya had been wielding a poor quality kunai during his training with her. She had refused to train with sub-par weapons then and there. Though this situation was different since she wasn't the one taking part in this, Mizuki seemingly saw Tomohiro's chances drop even more now, and decided she would have to find a means to improve upon the quality of Kumogakure's standardised weaponry.

On the other side stood the trader, surprisingly making hand seals behind his back. She recognised the horse seal, seeing chakra suddenly form a square around him. A barrier, she deducted from the result, and an obvious choice since he was going fully for the defence. She guessed its power to be at a C rank as the jutsu seemed easy enough in principle, yet more solid than the most basic of jutsu. The second hand seal that was formed wasn't one she was familiar with, meaning that aside from his chakra molding abilities, Julius had his own secret traditions, or hiden. With it, a second barrier formed inside the first one, even looking somewhat like it overlapped. She could immediately tell that it was a suiton technique very similar in principle to the first.

A double layer of defensive techniques - this wage was already over before it began.

If Julius' intend was simply to hole up, there was little point to attack until the jutsu's effects wore off. Unfortunately for Tomohiro, Julius had imposed a time limit. Mizuki assumed that the barrier would hold out long enough, perhaps fail just briefly before that yet still leaving little room for Tomohiro to make use of whatever little window of opportunity that would present itself. As she had guessed, Julius had calculated every potential of loss. In her eyes, this wasn't even a wager worth watching anymore. No risk, no chance - at its best, this was a joke, and at its worst, it was nothing more than the stroking of his own ego.

That said, for a trader, if Mizuki still had to assume Julius was a trader blessed with chakra molding, it was a very efficient means to protect himself and his cargo. In that sort of career, a trader would be all the better for it, having a great advantage over the others that would only be able to rely on an escort for the long road. And, to be fair, the solid looking squared barrier did give her an idea to force her opponent into obliged close quarter fighting.

The question remained. What would be Tomohiro's insight in the situation?

---

567
Total: 1739

Julius's smile made him feel uneasy. This guy truly did have something up his sleeve. Tomohiro started to lower his weapon at the sight of what he was up against. The smile he once had vanished from his now pale face. He wasn't exactly sure to do against Julius optimal defense. There was a feeling of being overwhelmed that spread from the center of his chest. Was there really a way to get around this at his level? He thought not. If only he were allowed more time, he may have been able to get through both barriers or wait until Julius ran out of chakra. Though, the one minute he had wouldn't do him any good. Tomohiro then started to become flustered. His brows furrowed at the sight of what he was up against. There was nothing he could do to pierce through both of them. As far as he knew, there was one barrier keeping him from winning this wager.

If he only knew of both barriers, he would have probably kicked himself in the shins for being weak as he was. Tomohiro's angered surged through him. He couldn't allow himself to give up so easily, but his what were his exact odds of winning. Even if the odds weren't in his favor he would need to press forward. Julius had already started the count down and Tomohiro couldn't think right off on what to do. The young genin wasn't prepared after all. He figured that it would be best to strike the barrier as hard as he could. Tomohiro would need more than his strongest technique that he currently knew to be effective, but that would require more training. Training he didn't have at this exact moment. He had to remind himself that this is what he wanted. There was no backing down from a fight. It was something he wasn't capable of and would probably be his eventual downfall. Plus, he didn't want to disrespect his clan or his opponent by doing nothing.

Tomohiro gritted his teeth and dashed toward his opponent. He started to circle around to the right side of the barrier while forming a half-tiger seal with his left hand. The young shinobi distanced himself three meters from the barrier. He swung his blade in two diagonal slashes in front his body. Tomohiro released chakra through his sword toward the barrier. Tomohiro then stopped in place and sheathed his rusted blade. He spit at the ground in defiance. He was quite angry at himself for not being able to do better. Tomohiro quickly tried to read the situation, but only came up that he had lost. He would have to try his luck with his last two moves.

The young Nakir took a deep breath while filling his mouth and throat with chakra. He released invisible gas that had a very distinct odor. Tomohiro took two jumps backwards distancing himself out about four meters from the barrier. This next move would have to be his last. He hated to lose, but he wouldn't call it quits until he used his last technique. He bit down on his bottom lip drawing a bit of blood. His frustration almost made him punch the barrier. There was no use in doing that. He was no taijutsu specialist. If only he learned a technique to break through an opponent's jutsu, he would have been better off. Tomohiro questioned himself why he even agreed to this. He hated dealing with barriers. Part of the reason he didn't train in creating barriers was because he despised the idea of them. Though, this started to change his look on them. It started to make him think that maybe the greatest defensive wasn't always a high powered offense.

This wager was a learning experience and Tomohiro would take a good deal from it. He figured that it was probably time to learn the Nakir's secret barrier technique. It had been high time he put it off. The fact that he would indeed ask Father to train him started to tick him off more than he already was. His father had a way of doing training that Tomohiro couldn't stand. Unlike his brother, his father liked to get into your head and making you lose concentration. If you lost your concentration, his father would make you start from the basics. This caused Tomohiro to begin biting down on his bottom lip again. He had only known Julius for a few days and it already seemed like he owed him a favored. Tomohiro definitely made a personal note to not take wagers from strangers.

WC: 789
TWC: 1801

125/150:

Julius would watch with a calculated gaze as he kept his hands behind his back. His attention on the man before him. He could feel the sense of battle looming over them. It was dangerous to go all out in a spar usually. Still he was far from worried. It was unfair but he had set it to be so. This wasn't a fair wager. It was an advertisement. His skills against those of someone of equal level. Even as the boy gripped his blade Julius would glance to the woman. Her disapproval plain on her face. So she wasn't impressed with his techniques. That much was disappointing. However he was purely a support role. His job wasn't to go on the offensive. It was to hold the line. He had been raised with little other purpose in life. That line would hold if he could still breath. Still for now he needed to hold it against a boy with his rusted sword. His blue eyes shifted back as the boy was not where he had been. Instead he was suddenly moving to Julius's side. Already he had a half tiger hand seal as he would drop back to three meters and let out a slash of flames. It was well timed with Julius allowing his mind to wander.

The Flame slashed was on Julius in an instant as it clashed with the barriers. Bright flames slamming into his wall as they danced in his eyes. It pressed but then suddenly burst as bits of flames settled to the ground and withered. Against a Suiton Barrier....However Julius did note the beginnings of a crack around the impact site. Even against a suiton technique that katon slash had been potent. Two more of the same and the first of the two barriers would of broken. Katon was a weakness of his clan he had to admit. He couldn't afford not to have suiton techniques against a katon user as his wind techniques would be virtually useless. Of course when teamed with a katon user he could empower them all the further. Still the failure seemed to infuriate his opponent. The young man spitting on the ground before taking in a deep breath and exhaling it over an area between them. It wasn't difficult to guess what that was even without an odor being able to reach him or being able to see it. The boy was a katon user and that was one that almost every katon user knew. Including his sister.

However Julius was watching this nearly come to and end. He would turn and face Tomohiro entirely. His hands sliding into his coat pockets as he stepped forward. Feeling the chakra pull from him some more as the jutsu maintained. However as he moved forward to close the distance between them to three meters something else of interest happened. The barrier moved with him. Parting the terrain in front of him like a great shovel as he walked onwards towards Tomohiro. The invisible gas encompassing the front of the barrier but not making it through. Julius would glance at Tomohiro and then at the front of his barrier before sighing and activating supernatural walking practice subtly. With that his coat would seem to rustle and then his hair as a great wind burst forward. Without any hand signs it would suddenly come out of no where. The wind itself bursting through the gas and dispersing it and straight at Tomohiro. If it caught him within it he would be lifted from the ground and bodily thrown five meters back. Julius certainly gave off the impression of being indomitable. Though sweat was beginning to bead on his forehead from the chakra use. Still he would call out to where ever Tomohiro was.

"We can finish this, you and I with your final technique if you wish, but we both know the end result by now. I offer you the reason of surrender. Think not of your pride here but more of your opportunity. An ally that can shield you in battle, make in invincible to those near our level. Imagine what you could accomplish on missions. Or when you wish to test new techniques and grow, you can do so safely. Accept resignation here and take my hand for a brighter tomorrow."

2861

Chakra 110/170:

It seemed Tomohiro didn't have the insight of understanding what he was facing. Perhaps he was too inexperienced to calculate the notion of power the barriers imposed as C rank jutsu, or perhaps he was just too foolhardy, unable to bow down and assess the situation with a clear head. She sighed softly, but couldn't really blame him. He gave every hint of being a genin rank, and Mizuki knew well enough how easy it was to miscalculate the chances of success. She had been there, and she had ended in hospital because of it.

Mizuki quietly observed the short clash of power, upon which Tomohiro invoked katon jutsu in hopes to get through the two barriers. While fire was powerful against the wind barrier, burning thorugh it in mere moments, it lost its effect against the suiton barrier. That was to be expected, and Mizuki considered it a good strategy for an opening. However, she couldn't quite understand why Tomohiro tried again with another katon technique while he was facing the suiton barrier. Had he not trained any other elements, or even non-elemental jutsu? Or was he simply so caught up in this challenge that he forgot to keep his mind in the game? Mizuki didn't know him enough to tell, but she sure felt like she'd have to ask him about it. As a fellow kenjutsu user, the pressing feeling it was part of her duty to teach him a jutsu or two in hopes to improve his combat prowess rose.

Quietude settled for a moment as the two were at a stand-off, analysing how much further they could and should go. Tomohiro circled the barrier, looking for a means to break the suiton shield, while Julius still hadn't moved an inch, pushing back all assaults so far. He even had to resort to another jutsu to push back the smoke created by Tomohiro. Three jutsu versus Tomohiro's two. She didn't remember having heard a limit on the amount of jutsu use by Julius, meaning he could protect himself as much as he wanted. It only tipped the scales more in his favour, but Mizuki felt no need to lean on the already obvious unfair challenge.

The quietude broke when Julius spoke, offering him the reason of surrender. If it were Mizuki, she would stop then and then, but she wasn't the one to make the decision here. She was merely spectating, observing the power of both players in the game. While she appreciated the offer of having an ally at their side during missions, she found the mentioning of virtual invincibility and safe growth disrespectful towards Kumogakure's shinobi. Who exactly was this man, that he blatantly meddled in the training of Kumo-nin and the delegation of duties to such a degree, that he not only made it sound as if he aimed to pull away Tomohiro from Kumogakure, but also made it sound like this was a privilege for the Village to begin with? She couldn't say, but such rudeness wasn't something she found appropriate for the position this man was in, or believed himself to be in.

However, as it was not exactly life threatening towards Tomohiro, Mizuki would still not interfere in the situation. Instead, she kept her face stoic, finding that her personal conclusions on this event were hardly a reason to meddle in their game. If she already had to do something about this, it would rather occur in the form of writing a report than anything else. After all, even if Julius was clearly no mere civilian, as a visitor, he still fell under the protection of Kumogakure's forces until he actually posed a threat. So far, the man was merely making a bad first impression. She merely wondered... Why was this man making such a detour for something that could be achieved far more simplier? What was he looking for exactly?

---

666
Total: 2405

There was great heartache that came from him. It was the feeling of crushing defeat. Tomohiro had been pushed back about five meters having been lifted into the air and then dropped. He managed to hold on to his blade, but the feeling of getting knocked back was tormenting him. Someone at his skill level wasn't enough to take out his opponent. To surrender was truly the only option. His heart felt like it was clawing it's way out of his chest. Who was Julius to offer conditions of surrender? This wasn't a war. It was only a battle that seemed to lead to nowhere for at least one of them. In a real combat situation, he would rather have fell in battle. Tomohiro's pride had been demolished and he just wanted to kneel in place.

He still had some time left and he would rather have had it run out. Tomohiro stood up slowly. His eyes wandered over to Mizuki and traveled back to Julius. The violet eyes of the young Nakir tried to meet with his aggressor's. He sighed trying to calm himself down. Tomohiro flourished his blade removing the dirt from it. The fact that he took this wager too seriously was his own fault. It was only a friendly bout and nothing that was supposed to be too serious. Tomohiro sheathed his blade and bowed his head. Julius sounded more like a rebel leader than he did a trader. It's not like he was going to abandoned Kumo or anything. Maybe his brighter tomorrow was him getting stronger.

“You've won. I surrender. I agreed to the terms of your wager and I will follow them through. Whenever you plan to go on your mission, let me know. I'll be sure to be your sword,” he responded wholeheartedly.

He truly meant what he said. Tomohiro wasn't the one to go back on his words. The wager made him wonder what Julius's true purpose was. Tomohiro definitely knew that he would need to watch his back. He didn't truly trust him, but maybe...just maybe something good would happen. After he surrendered, it made him think a bit differently. It wasn't just the fact that he needed more training. The fact that he was overzealous when it came to combat was new revelation to him. The realization was something his brother was trying to convey to him all along. He realized that he would need to concentrate more on the whole situation than just focus on what was in front of him. For that, he was grateful. He would hopefully away with not only an ally, but something more about himself as well. This wager wasn't a total waste and he knew it from the beginning. Win or lose, their wasn't much he needed to concern himself with for the time being.

WC: 488
TWC: 2289

Julius would wait and watch with bated breath. If the boy let his pride overtake his reason Julius was not equipped to deal with a continued onslaught. While he was able to hold it off for some time he had no offensive means to deal damage in return. Should Tomohiro consider the wager forfeit he wouldn't be able to hold him back long. His blue eyes would shift over to the woman. She hadn't moved as of yet or spoken up. If anything her silence left him with as much doubt as her frown. If he attacked Julius without end would she step in and if so; would it be to his rescue? From what little he had gathered they seemed to follow the teachings of their own sword schools. Most of which held honor in high esteem. He could play to that for his own safety for a time but in limited spurts. Warriors were not fools if they lived long. One had a tendency to know when they were being played. He would need to be careful to honor their traditions for the future. However the immediate time frame was of more concern to him. As was the armed man before him. He could almost feel the rusted blade cutting into him already.

Still the young man would seem to take a breath and sheath his weapon. That was certainly a relief. Julius could feel a pressure release from his chest as he exhaled. A gamble as it had been it paid off. His health was no longer in any danger and the tension in the arena had decreased. He would take a breath and straighten himself out as his barriers would crack before crumbling into hundreds of pieces that broke apart. Shining pieces like glass shattering against the ground into nothing. Not even powder remained. His supernatural walking practice ended and with that all his jutsu were finished. He would take a breath as the air seemed cooler all the sudden. As if he had suddenly stepped outside back into the open. He would listen as Tomohiro spoke before walking forward and placing a hand on his shoulder. Smiling with a smile that didn't meet his eyes but appeared friendly. Still he would speak in return. His hand soft on the others shoulder. Almost as if it was designed to reassure him. After all Julius knew defeat was never easy.

"Well I am certainly glad to hear it. I look forward to working with you. The power you demonstrated with the katon element was certainly no joke."

With that he lowered his hand and turned. His attention on the woman who had observed them. Naturally she wasn't impressed by the encounter. She likely felt both of them were off in some way. Hadn't she announced herself as chunnin? If so she probably had more combat experience than the two of them. He would bow his head in her direction before walking forward regardless of if Tomohiro joined him. Though he did hope the young man would. He was obviously comfortable turning his back towards someone that in a way he had just manipulated poorly and openly. Julius certainly was depending on their sense of honor not to attack an unarmed man from behind. Though while Tomohiro might not notice Mizuki certainly would. Julius had turned and was walking in such a way that his eyes would glance down towards Tomohiro's shadow. Watching it. It wasn't until he was in comfortable talking distance that his eyes and attention would shift fully to her. He would bow his head respectfully once more before speaking again.

"I would value your assessment m'lady. We improve more when our faults are recognized. I of course don't speak for Master Tomohiro but I for one am curious of your thoughts."

3507

So Tomohiro had forfeited rather than to blindly go on. She considered it a wise choice and couldn't exactly fault the genin for trying. It was easy to say that he needed to see what she saw far more quickly by now, but she remembered the day where she too had thought to be able to take on the world. It had almost costed her life. And perhaps that memory was exactly why she ended up so annoyed at the thought of new shinobi just rushing in to try out their skills. Well, at least he wasn't in a life-threatening situation.

With the battle done, Tomohiro briefly glanced in her direction then towards Julius. They approved of each other's capacities, Tomohiro by stating he would see his promise through as the one being defeated, and Julius complimenting his katon techniques. His words rang true, the katon techniques were beautiful, even insidious to some degree, but insufficient as it were. It had seemed that Tomohiro had little other options than katon jutsu, which was a curious thing considering the flexibility of most shinobi.

She noticed Julius getting closer, his eyes not really looking at her, but rather in such a way his field of sight allowed him a mote of perception on the area behind him. It seemed that, despite turning his back towards his adversary, he didn't quite trust Tomohiro enough to blindly leave his back uncovered. It was only when he neared her that he shifted his gaze and requested her opinion on the matter.

Taking a few seconds to reply, Mizuki thought about how to formulate the words as such that they would not so much include her personal thoughts into it, yet express the necessary hints at its lacking side. The last thing she wanted is to berate or break down someone, but all together she had a hard time to simply dismiss it with an easy approval.

"I do believe the wager didn't do any of you two credit in showing your real potential. Tomohiro was from the beginning at a great disadvantage both in the imposed terms of challenge and elements, while you were king of the hill in an unmoving battle.", she stated. "While the choice to go through with the reward of a C rank mission is ultimately in both of your hands, I would like to offer you a true test of both your capabilities. I believe that joining me in a B rank mission will require the best of you both, unbridled by any other limits but your own mind and body."

She paused a moment, allowing her words to sink in. A B rank mission could be dangerous if tackled unprepared or untrained, but ultimately it would also offer a rich experience in terms of growth. While the chances to get through it unscathed were almost nil, Mizuki believed that the combination of Julius' barriers, along with Tomohiro's desire to prove himself could ultimately bring interesting options when combined to deal with one single goal. Much like her mentor, Lin, she believed missions were far more lucrative than simply facing off against each other.

"There is no need to decide right away as I would hate for you to be pressured or think lightly of a B rank mission. My offer will stand until the end of this week for the both of you.", finishing her words, she bowed towards the two young men in turn. "Unfortunately, as duty calls me elsewhere now, I'll have to leave both of you, but thank you for having me."

And with those words, she vanished with a flicker.

---

[EXIT]

613
Total: 3018


OOC: If any of you wish to learn Body Flicker Technique free of ryo cost... now's the moment.

Chakra 180/190:

TRAINING:

Tomohiro rubbed his temples as he tried to figure out what he could have done better. His frustration kept him from thinking clearing. He wiped away the blood from his lip. Julius placed a hand on his shoulder. Tomohiro continued to watch him with piercing eyes, but Julius's eyes never met his. The smile of his opponent didn't put him at ease. Julius had praised him his katon element, which made Tomohiro ease up a little bit. Praise wasn't something he was used to. The most he received from his family was “do better next time.” Not that there would be a next time. Julius was at least respectable enough to show some regard for his future ally. The compliment itself felt foreign and strange.

“Your barrier's aren't anything to joke about either,” he replied as he looked down to the side.

As Julius had turned his back on him, Tomohiro crossed his arms. He watched Julius's actions carefully.  The young genin didn't notice the actions taken by his new comrade. His mind was elsewhere. The thought of defeat still weighed heavy on his conscious. Tomohiro did find interest in Julius's next words. He was unsure of what Mizuki's thoughts were. She looked to like she wasn't appeased by the wager. The chuunin seemed to be calm and collective.

Mizuki's words hit home with him. She was undeniably right. This wager didn't show the true potential of either of them. It was definitely a fact that Tomohiro was disadvanted from the beginning. At first, it didn't matter to him what advantages he had. He felt like nothing would have been able to stop him. This caused him to greatly underestimate his opponent's abilities even when he knew nothing of them. Tomohiro would have probably reconsidered if he was aware of his opponent's potent ability to form such barriers. Having someone with great defensive prowess would make a good ally. Tomohiro had currently based most of his techniques on offensive. The two of them together could possibly make a decent team against each other.

The invite to a B-rank mission kind of made Tomohiro shiver on the inside. That was a bit much for him to handle at the moment or so he thought. No one would expect for a genin to go out on a mission of that caliber alone. He figured that Mizuki must have seen some kind of interest the little bit of skills that they showed off to even suggest an offer like that. Tomohiro would need to let his mind clear before he could give a solid yes or no. That was one thing he knew for certain even with a crowded mind. He would at least have until the end of the week to give his answer. Between then and now he would need to do some serious training and learn some new techniques.

As she bowed, Tomohiro returned a bow of his own. Then she vanished without a trace. Tomohiro watched the technique carefully, trying to see how the technique worked. He speak and allowed silence to give his response to her. His eyes left the spot Mizuki once stood and he set back on Julius. He waited a slight moment before speaking

“Sir Julius, I will still entertain your offer of a C-rank mission. I may take the mission offered by Mizuki, but I'll make a final decision later. We could probably be of good use to each other. One day, I'll be able to get through your barrier in under a minute,” he said after a sigh.

His face now showed no emotions as his eyes went from cold to ease. Tomohiro wiped the blood that continued to gather on his lip. He was uncertain of how Julius would respond. The young Nakir was still interested in having a possible two man C-rank mission with Julius. After his head cooled, he probably would try and learn more about barriers from Julius. The idea of creating his own barrier technique intrigued him more. His clan's own barrier technique would take some time to learn. Too much time that he didn't want to spend learning at the moment. He decided it was probably best to leave. He tried to imitate Mizuki, but without much luck. The young genin sighed as he began walking out of the arena.

[EXIT THREAD]
WC: 745
TWC: 3034

Stat Training

Strength:
450/450 [D-2 -> D-3]

Speed:
450/450 [D-2 -> D-3]

Endurance:
1175/1175 [D-0 ->D-3]

Perception:
450/450 [D-2 -> D-3]

509 Words Remaining

Sorry for the delay on this but exit thread