Another sunny day in Konoha, and thus another day outside for the Senju. Unfortunately for her, there was no running away from the house to gather herbs, observe animals or explore the world. It seems that even now, as a fresh chuunin, Airi was bound to the boredom of doing chores at homes. After having done the dishes, she was now occupied cleaning the windows on the outside and would then have to start tending to the large garden. The grass was in need of mowing as the step stones had become difficult to see, the flowers needed water and the wild growth of some of the plants needed some pruning, there was some debris that had been blown into the garden that was in need of cleaning up... the list went on, as if her parents had left all of this chores just for her on purpose. Airi wasn't sure if she had to be happy or sad with it.

Moving the thick sponge over the windows, her blue and green dress had already been stained by the water and soap used to clean. A thick layer of foam covered the glass there where she had passed before Airi washed it away again, taking the dirt that had once covered the window with it. Once she could see her own face again, unmarred, in the window, she moved on to the next window. This little game of rinse and repeat went on for at least half an hour before she was finally done. All too happy to have finished, she left the bucket of water under the window and ran off to take the lawn mower, thinking to herself that fuuton would have made this so much easier.

Getting the small machine to run, Airi started the cadenced march through the whole garden, walking in straight lines one next to another. A job that would easily take her closer to an hour considering the size of the land, upon which she'd have to gather all of the grass to dump it in the compost bin. Lucky for her that day was still young. As Airi marched on, her mind wandered to her recent promotion as chuunin.

She had found it... odd, to say the least. Odd in that case that she wasn't sure if she truly had merited it. Certainly, she had done plenty for Konoha's civilians, fended off bandits, took down boars and guided back lost families, but... she felt as if it wasn't 'her'. As if being a chuunin made her less Airi, even though the promotion had come due to her talents and active contribution. It was a strange feeling, considering how good she was at slacking around and mostly avoiding any form of hurry.

Her mind wandered over to her lessons as an Academy Student, where they had told her what a chuunin was to do. The ability to captain, to train students. More like an experienced genin, really. But the thing was... as a genin, she had felt much like a student, but as time progressed, she often felt that everything had become a routine. Sure, she was stronger, faster. She had a few new techniques, but that was about it. There had truly been nothing exceptionally special aside from Hanbei's question of what she'd do when she was a goddess, and Daremo's komodo princess - where was he anyway? Weren't they about to travel the world? - but other than that, life was rather filled with the same day to day activities. Just like she was mowing grass now.

---

603

Rippa had been shuffling through a good deal of paperwork through out the week. Each matter seemingly important enough to be added immediately to the current issues. He began to feel as if they had chosen him more for his education and less for his skills as a shinobi. Of course this was all common ground to him. He had taken to reading glasses early on to put less strain on his eyes. Using good lighting and watching his posture. However as the hours dragged on his eyes would grow sore any way. The white pages like flares in his sight. A small migraine forming on his temple as he was finished with concentrating on work for a while. However as he had been so lost in it when he checked the blinds to the outside he was greeting with stunning sunlight. Rippa flinched away from it a moment before rubbing the bridge of his nose. Of course he had worked through the night again. It was already well into the next day. If he had anyone to go home too surely they would be angry with him by now. Still seeing as he had done likely several days worth of work overnight he figured he had time to go for a walk. Get some air before a nap. Maybe in a field somewhere.

A recent promotion had come across his desk the night before. He took a moment to try and recall who it was but he had noted they had met the prereqs if just barely for a rank up. He remembered she was a Senju but beyond that it was a bit of a blank. So much had come and gone since that document. He did recall approving it though. So with a stretch and a crack of his neck he would move to exit his office. Black jeans were given the addition of an ammunition belt with four bolts in it. On each hip he placed a sword. Identical in nature. Two katana with curved hilts and triggers with a couple other loading mechanisms. Adam and Eve by name. For a shirt he had been wearing a black tank top with his silver angel wings necklace hanging from his neck. Without actually putting his arms into the arms of the long red coat Rippa set it over his shoulders like a cloak. A Konoha headband stitched into each shoulder. Lastly he put on his white hat marking him as Hokage.

On his way out of his office he would stop at his secretary. Asking for a list of all the recent rank up approvals. Once he received it his finger moved to the bottom of the page the the date from the night before. Stopping on an Airi Senju. Once he collected the information on her residential address he found it was out of the way enough that he could make a personal appearance without stirring up unwanted attention from the villagers. He was just too tired to play nice and shake hands for the next hour. Instead he would make his way to the roof. A good starting point for his journey. Emerging to the flat surface of the roof top and cold outdoor air. With that done he would look over the address once more before figuring the general direction. His eyes gazing into the distance before he pocketed the paper. For a moment he controlled his breathing before rolling his neck. From his back blood red feathered wings would burst forth. The wings of a great beast. With a couple of shifts the wings lifted him from the roof and off he soared towards the homestead. Moving rapidly and easily there within minutes. A great shadow of a bird soaring overhead before landing on the edge of the property. The great wings stretching out before fading back into his back. Allowing himself a moment to brush himself off from the dirt and debris kicked up at his landing. Looking up with bright blue eyes under the brim of his hat for any sign of people approaching him due to his flashy appearance.

689

Under the rattling of the lawn mower, Airi marched on in perfect cadence. Not looking back one minute, not thinking about the future either. Almost entranced, as she simply waited for the inevitable to happen - one moment or another, the mowing would end and she'd be able to cross off another of her chores. Strange enough, an oddly shaped cloud suddenly covered the entire area, and as it passed, it changed into the form of a bird. A giant bird, in fact, that closed in rapidly. Confused at the presence of a bird of prey this close, and all together hoping to see a fantastic event unfold as predator would swoop down on its poor prey, Airi stopped mowing the grass and looked up in hopes to see where the bird was heading for.

The 'bird' landed on the end of the Senju property, wearing black clothing, a red longcoat and a kage hat.

Airi blinked a few times, not sure if she had actually seen well. The wings the bird bore were gone, leaving behind a man instead. A man she wasn't quite familiar with, but the headband and the hat left no doubt - this was the Hokage. Still holding her lawn mower, Airi remained still as she eyed the man before her, his blue eyes seemingly looking around for a reason or another. She had heard from her parents that the hat had been passed on, but since she was mostly outside in the wilderness and had little ear for politics either way, she hadn't really been paying attention to the conversation. So thus the more was the appearance of the new kage a surprise to her.

"Hi, Hokage.", she greeted, raising her hand to wave at him. "Are you looking for my parents? They're probably inside the house, but I can go get them for you."

Though she wouldn't if he mowed the garden with her, Airi doubted a man of his rank would come here for that. Then again, she wasn't sure exactly why he would show up to meet her parents either. Didn't they usually go to the kage building to discuss things with the Hokage? Or... Had he come for her? She remembered vaguely having written a letter to the kage a while ago, but with the whole hat-passing, she wasn't even sure that letter would ever reach the kage and so she had so much as entirely forgotten about it herself.

---

417
Total: 1020

Rippa would straighten out his coat and his hat as he landed. The wings sinking back into his back. It wasn't his own blood but his body seemed to just absorb the outside source rather than let it spill out over the surrounding nature. A trick he had learned for cleaning up after any of his clan jutsu. It just didn't suit others to see their Hokage covered and dripping blood like some sort of sociopath. Appearances were important after all. Still he would take the hat off for a moment to run his hand through his pristine snow white hair. A significant difference from his white stubble of a beard. Still he would return the hat to his head as he looked around and spotted the girl next to her lawn maintenance tool. Certainly something he found interesting for a Senju girl. The Senju he had known before had more than significant control of any plant life around them. Surely grooming the land could be done with just a small amount of chakra use. Did she perhaps enjoy the manual labor for some reason? He found such activities trivial usually. A tiring aspect of daily life most avoided dealing with.

Still she would call out to him and wave her hand. His own would raise in kind as he began moving towards her. The smell of fresh cut grass filling the air and tickling his senses. Certainly a potent smell. It could easily cover up most other scents. Perhaps he would be lucky and if her sense of smell was top notch like some others he had met she would only smell the grass and not blood on him. Still as he walked she would inquire of if he was there looking for her parents. His hand would fall as he shook his head no before within only a couple of moments he was within talking distance of her. Standing considerably taller than her now that he was this close. His broad shoulders casting a shadow over her but the light met his blue eyes and his smile as he looked passed her to the house and then back to her. Speaking as he did with an amused tone. As if the world was worth chuckling with.

"No no, no need for that. I actually came to see you young lady. Your recent promotion to chunnin caught my attention after all. Congratulations are in order."

He would smile and slightly bow his head to her. Turning afterwards to look over the land around them. It was expansive and impressive to look at. There was a lot there for a little home. A garden, an assortment of tree's with a rather large yard. His own families estate had been large as well but it felt much emptier than the natural state of this one. His hands would fold in front of him as he closed his eyes and breathed in. Memories of his own time spent deep within the woods filling his mind. A rich kid sent out to the cabin in the woods with only medical books and nature to keep him company. Oh he had hated it for the first couple of years. However he had learned to appreciate nature in due time. The second time he had fled to the woods for darker reasons but again it had protected him then too. The ever expansive woods of Konoha keeping him well hidden from the men that had been after an illegal bounty on his head. He would open his eyes and let out a happy sigh before speaking again as he continued to look out over the property.

"Fun fact, did you know the man that taught me the way of the blade was a Senju?"

1321

Airi had to lift her head up a little when the Hokage stood so close, his shadow throwing itself over her. He sure was tall, and smelled funnily at that. It was a sharp scent that protruded the smell of freshly mown grass, but was equally deluded by the grass. She couldn't quite place it despite its familiarity. Leaving the scent for what it was, she was quite surprised to hear that he had come all the way here to congratulate him in person. This didn't happen often, but her cheeks gained a rose hue as she smiled.

"Aww, thanks. That's so sweet of you, coming all this way to congratulate me."

The Hokage bowed his head briefly before taking in the estate of her parents. It was large, thinking about it. And it had a lot of grass to mow down because of it. The few trees, while beautiful to behold, did little in terms of preventing the growth of grass. In fact, every autumn, they added even more work to her list of tending the garden. She didn't mind that. Being with nature was what she preferred most of all.

She smiled at the Hokage's fun fact. She had no clue, of course, of who had ever trained this man, but all together she was not all too surprised to hear one of her own clan had done so. Her clan was well-known for its abilities and as the founding clan of Konohagakure.

"We're pretty cool like that, teaching Hokage's since the dawn of time.", she laughed. "Who taught you?"

The chances she actually knew the Senju in question were slim, but she was curious nonetheless. Perhaps her parents would know about him as they were much older and better known with the higher ranked shinobi of Konoha. She herself was rather used to be self-sufficient and mostly not in the middle of the Village unless to provide herbs and basic healing to the people. Her 'domain' of activity, as it were, had been in the forest itself. And that had only increased after she had met Nanashi and Nayoko. She was working to become the outside influence for Konoha, the ranger in the wilds.

---

376
Total: 1296

Rippa would smile as he breathed in the air and she mentioned how sweet it was of him to come see her personally. He would tilt his face down so the hat hid everything above his smile as if abashed at being thanked. His hand rising up to tug on the front tip nervously. Just a habit but a human one all the same. Many forgot the Hokage was still just as human as anyone else. He had flaws and merits. Yet somehow he didn't radiate power as many expected a kage to do. He was a larger man. Tall with broad shoulders and a thick chest. Still he seemed almost gentle when it came to the nature around him. Still he would raise his head as she spoke again. Proud of her heritage as she should be. Inquiring as to just who it was that had taught him back in the day. It was an interesting question and for a moment he wondered if such a young girl would even remember the man. He was long gone now. Retired to some forgotten land somewhere. Along with his love who went with him. Another Senju. Still he would reply in a calm and warm tone.

"He was Hokage himself at the time. A proud but calm man. Not one to flaunt his power but ultimately he could not remain in that position. Senju Sousetsu was my mentor in a time when I needed it greatly. Without his guidance I may not have survived."

With that said he recalled fighting with wooden swords at the lake side deep within the woods. Hiding from his uncle as he went back and forth pushing his body with all his medical knowledge and more. Pushing through gateway limitation and overcoming his clans fear of their own blood loss. He wondered idly if he had trained so much in close combat just to spite that weakness. His clans loss of control to their own blood. Of course it was highly plausible that he just wasn't really being wise about it. Still he had taken up archery for a reason and was widely considered one of the worlds top snipers now. Within eighty meters he could shoot a flattened coin off of a wooden post without so much as scraping the wood. Or rather that had become his training as of late. Still he would raise his eyes to glance over to her. She seemed like a good person from first impressions. Still it didn't mean she was ready to train students just yet. She was still young at heart and as far as he could tell had hardly known any hardship. She lacked the world experience to know what to look for. Still that would be up to her in the end. Regardless he spoke again. A tone of voice with a question in it.

"I was hoping to get your thoughts on something actually. Just a bit of philosophy. Who do you think will fight harder, the man with nothing to lose or the man with something to protect?"

1839

Airi blinked when she heard that Sousetsu. The Sousetsu had trained him. She had heard about him, though had yet to meet him. In fact, she had actually hoped to find him and learn mokuton techniques from him, but all that seemingly remained were stories and gossips. It felt as if just his name was alone to inspire awe and fear, even if few could truly tell who he was. A living spirit in the forest. Airi couldn't help herself about pouting a little in envy. As a Senju herself, she would have loved carrying forth the legend that he was, if only to further nourish the legacy and pass down the knowledge onto others.

"You're one lucky man. I wished I could have met him and trained under him. I'm sure his mokuton techniques would have been a great treasure to pass on."

Somewhat like the journals of her grandfather, harbouring so much information on herbs and plants, medicinal usage, the crafting of balms, concoctions and oils. The journal held personal recipes for tea, cinnamon cookies and a psychedelic cake of sorts, as well as various applications to poisons. They were treasures in their own, revealing so much of a world that seemed so mundane to many. For a long time, she wished she could travel the world with him, but since his death she had lost almost all hope to do so. Even a genin couldn't simply venture forth. Now, she was no genin anymore, but she still felt... held back by something.

The Hokage then inquired about a philosophy, wondering who would fight harder. The one who had nothing to lose, or the one with something to protect? A difficult question. She was about to say that the one with something to protect would obviously be stronger, as that was how she generally felt about it considering her love for others, but... she couldn't quite deny the power of someone who had nothing to lose. Those people had no limits, no restraint. Something that gave them just as much power as the one fighting to protect. The difference was, such people were usually on their own. No one that would inspire them, no one that would fight to protect them in return.

"Hm... They would match each other closely, but I believe the one fighting to protect to be at a potential advantage. At least he has one or more people that could inspire him to surpass the one who has nothing left to lose. Strong bonds can be powerful sources."

There was this imagery of one twig versus a bundle of twigs too, but Airi wasn't sure if that truly applied to this question even though she was a huge fan of friendship. With the question answered, she grew curious as to why the Hokage would ask her about this. If anything, there seemed to be plenty of others would were certainly smarter than her.

"You're not thinking about losing everything, right?"

---

503
Total: 1799

Rippa would listen as she mentioned he was a lucky man. He would smile and his hands would lift to remove the hat from his head. Letting his shoulder length snow white hair fall loosely around his face as he brushed the hat off and looked at it. He supposed she wasn't wrong. He couldn't have made it as far as he had without the people around him. He may have ended up just like any other soldier with no direct family left. He may have been another man with nothing left to lose. He had been that way when Sousetsu had found him. During his time out of the country when he learned to kill to survive and he had been brutal about it. He had to learn to calm down since then. Sousetsu had taught him how to fight back without letting the rage control him. Showed him he had those around him to look after and put him at the head of the sword priests division. He had been captain and commander and learned to lead because he had to. He learned to be responsible for lives other than his own. Perhaps that had been the plan of the old man all along. Still he would speak reverently in response.

"I suppose I am."

She would reply to his earlier question though. Mentioning how the one with something to protect had others who could help him surpass the challenge of the man with nothing to lose. He would glance down to her and tilt his head considering the answer. It had merit after all. He rather liked the view of good overcoming the darkness of a lonely man. That through unity anything could be overcome. It was a touching idea really. He supposed there was some truth to it as history would show. Good had always overcome evil. It was through the courageous act of hero's though. Individuals that had done more than hoped for someone to save them and stepped up because they refused to lose what was precious to them. Against men with nothing left to lose when the world had bowed they had risen. However there were also heroes risen from having lost everything. They were usually far more ready to make the ultimate sacrifice. Having people to go home to could cause hesitation. He would not turn away the lost and abused. That was his determination. All were welcome if they would just make the effort. Still she would pose another question to him and he would blink. Was he thinking of losing everything? He would chuckle before shaking his head no and replying calmly.

"Not at all. I was there at one point myself I suppose. I found people to get me passed it. And now I have a whole village to protect. I wanted to know where you stood if I am to allow you to take a genin under your wing. You are onto something with the ability to surpass together. I urge you to remember something though. Someone who has nothing to lose can still be saved. Give them something to fight for and they will fight harder than anyone to keep it because they know what its like to have lost everything. Give them your friendship and watch them rise up to any challenge to be at your side."

2403

Airi nodded at the kage's words. Those who had lost could still be saved. Involuntarily, it made her think about Jamie. He had looked sad and lonely, without a place to go to, and was now part of Konoha and part of squad four. She was happy for him. It meant he wasn't alone anymore. A person who had nothing to lose, saved? She liked the thought of that, even if the young kunoichi couldn't say if it had exactly been such a situation.

She wasn't sure what Rippa meant with taking a genin under her wing, however. Did he mean she was to teach him? Wasn't that more a thing for special jounin or squad leaders? Or was it something else still that he was talking about?

"I'll remember that, Hokage. But what do you mean by taking a genin under my wing? Am I not a little too low ranked to train someone else just yet?"


Would she even be a good teacher? After all, she hadn't really been an exemplary student considering all the times she slipped out of class to stroll in the woods. It often felt like she had been a natural in many things, most likely thanks to her Senju heritage, and she had somewhat abused that to care little for school. Granted, she usually didn't get far since the teacher or another shinobi caught eventually caught her, but she had found learning such a drag. Who was she then to have the rights at expecting her 'students' to behave properly?

Well... She guessed if the Hokage decided she'd have to teach someone, then so be it, but what would she end up teaching? She was a budding iryo-nin herself, still meeting and learning plenty from other people like Hanbei and Nanashi, or even her new squad leader Anon and their appointed sensei Mitsuo or the Monkey King. Perhaps she could teach some suiton or doton ninjutsu techniques, but she would hardly be able to do so for iryojutsu. Thinking about it, she already saw her as a horrible teacher.

---

356
Total: 2155

She seemed to have a look of concern about her and he could almost feel her doubt rolling off in waves. The poor girl seemed almost like a bit of an introvert when it came to other people. He knew of the concerns others had shared about her. After all his data on her had been collected prior to her promotion. It held concerns that she was too aloof when it came to her studies. Failing to remain with the group in an interest for wandering about. Following directions was a challenge and interacting with others was not her strong suit. However he had pushed her promotion forward regardless of the doubts of others. It was his decision after all and he was happy to make it. Besides she wasn't being put in charge of a squad or being asked to risk her life just yet. Instead this would be a growing opportunity for her. Still her own voice would join the voice of the others. A growing concern about her rank. If she was capable of taking a student. He was sure the counselors would call him mad for trusting someone like her with another life. Still he was a man with his own mind. So he held up one finger and spoke in return.

"I have considered your rank. As such I only ask that you select one genin. You get to pick them and you report to me. There are multiple ways to approach growth. Some learn in a class room, some from experiencing it in battle and some just have a relentless spirit within them that proves they are meant to be great. That aside this will be a learning experience for both of you. You get to learn what it is to give orders and be responsible for another before it means life and death. To learn how to grow with someone at your side you can learn to trust."

He would smile and lower his finger. His hands returning to his side as he would glance down. Silently kneeling before scooping up a gardener snake that was making its way a little too close to the lawn mower. Likely disturbed by the chores being done around it. He would rise up to his feet and let it slither between his hands until it gave up trying to escape and simply curled around his hand enjoying the warmth. Something about his chakra soothed the wild creature and it tucked its head into itself. Its green color shining like the fresh cut grass. Yet he didn't seem to mind the snake at all. Instead his free hand would idly stroke the outside of it as if his thoughts had drifted to another person. Someone who also hadn't wished to work with others and was a part of his past. Still he would let out a sigh before smiling again. His sky blue eyes turning to the girl next to him. Studying her once more. He was a strange man in his own way. Obviously strong, capable of being dangerous but kind in mind, body and spirit. Beyond that though he had his own wisdom. Some of it perhaps Naive and some of it well founded. He certainly was something of a Kage that benefited the village but he was at the same time a wild card. Still he would speak again. A warm tone matching the smile on his face and in his eyes. His chakra aura was comforting just to stand around. A strange thing for a swordsman.

"So with that in mind, will you be willing to at least try? To see how it goes?"

3017

She thought about the Hokage's answers. Sure, there were many ways of growing. She grew at her own pace, imposed by her own challenges. The forest, though beautiful, was certainly not without dangers and the missions she had picked up had almost always consisted of dealing with the unforgiving nature of wildlife. Even the people she met seemed to hold an ounce of that primal instinct within them - the godhood-dreaming Hanbei, the Komodo-befriended Nanashi and now the snake-caressing Rippa. So when she heared he trusted her with the ability to take a genin under her wing, she guessed there was little need to doubt. After all, if the Hokage wouldn't know, what chances did she stand to know?

"Sure, I can try. Did you have someone in mind?"

Because honestly, she had no clue of who was a genin these days and who wasn't. Even when she was often among people, tending to their garden, bringing in herbal medicine or simply having a chat, the commoners living in Konohagakura generally were not as aware of what rank each shinobi held compared to the Administration, and since she personally was more of a self-sustaining, solo huntress than a shinobi used to work with a team, she didn't really keep track of shinobi progress either. She was a little too busy tending to others for that, if she dared to say so.

---

238
Total: 2393

Rippa would glance to her as she questioned who he had in mind. To be honest he hadn't considered anyone as of yet. He was so absorbed with paperwork that this had been rather impulsive. He didn't have any files on hand of options for her. Still he would smile and his right hand would raise to scratch his chin. He needed a way around revealing how little preparation he had done for this. If she caught on that it was spur of the moment she might lose confidence after all. It was important for her to keep in mind that she had been chosen for this. Not chasing the stars but basking in the sunlight. She was capable of having a brilliant future. So he would clear his throat as he spoke up. His words a little rushed but not terribly. After all another thought had come to mind. She wasn't a genin anymore. She now had more access than she did before and she likely didn't realize it yet. Of course, that meant that he could pawn off that responsibility on her. He couldn't remain any longer though as his ruse would easily be sniffed out if he wasn't careful.

"Oh? Didn't you realize your a chunnin now? You should now have access to genin files in the administration building. Usually its used for selecting others for missions but you, well you could look at recent graduates from the academy and pick your own student. Besides it will feel better if you pick them and I don't. For now thats all the time I have I fear. I must be off now. Do look into it thought."

He would bow his head slightly before smiling. Smooth Rippa smooth. That sounded believable. It was true that she might feel better with the control over her own students like that. However had he actually made any preparations he would of had a list of possibilities already for her. Still he would raise his head as the dead grass would swirl around him a moment before cutting him off from view. They would fall to the ground to reveal he had shunshined out of the area. He was already gone leaving no space for arguments or questions. After all the Hokage was a busy guy right? He had to attend to the villages needs and could hardly spend too much time with one Chunnin. Right?

Exit thread
3429

The Hokage referred to the Administration building and how she now had access to the genin reports. Really? She had access to those? It made her a little curious about the possibilities, but all together it felt like the kage was just trying to make her work and do some boring stuff. The Administration... She already found it tedious to bother with them to undergo a mission, when she could just run off to help out those in need of help, but such were the shinobi regulations. She hadn't made them, and she couldn't break them. If she wanted to know who she'd have to train, she'd have to run through all the recent graduate reports to know.

The ever-busy Hokage had to leave, and as he mentioned that she took a look at the remainder of the garden that had yet to be mown. She was always busy in her own way as well. Nature didn't stop for no one, and as the self-proclaimed ranger of Konohagakure's forests, it was her duty to tend to the safety of people within its domain. A large domain too big for herself, sure, but would it be a right thing to do to take a genin along and train him in her ways? She somewhat doubted that.

"Take care, and thanks for passing by, Hokage.", she said, waving the Hokage goodbye as he took off. As he disappeared from sight, she was left alone with her chores in the garden once more. She had still a ways to go, as her parents had left most of the garden works in her hands. Grass mowing, raking the grass together to put it in the compost bin, pruning the trees and tidying up the hedge... Positioning the lawn mower, she started to push it in front of her again. The grass wouldn't cut itself, after all.

---

[EXIT]

321
Total: 2714

Training: