Kejido had been staying at the inn during the private trials. Awaiting the matches that were sure to come. The seclusion of being alone in his room however was daunting. He was a social creature after all. Ryo was less so and as such he had opted not to bother the boy today. Instead he would be heading to the market. As such he was already up and getting ready to leave. He had chosen to wear his specialist uniform. It only had the one white stripe over his left breast but it was enough to indicate his rank. His uniform was pressed firmly with clean creases. Black in color with red shoulder pads and red stripes around his neck and wrists. A row of four copper buttons on each side of his shirt all buttoned up. His slacks were held up by a white belt with a copper seal with his clans symbol on it. Polished black boots and white gloves finished off the look. For some odd reason though he had a kunai in a white sheath on his left hip as if there for decorative purposes. Only the hilt sticking out. Of course he had three senbon up each sleeve but those were hidden. His headband was stitched into his left shoulder carefully marking him as an Iwa nin. In his uniform and with his posture he appeared to be very regal. Straight backed with a solid stride. Normally few would bother to arm themselves with so much security about but he was a soldier at heart. He would be no where without being prepared for a given situation.

Still he would exit the inn and find himself in a market full of exotic goods and people. He had never seen so many people out and about at once and it was all rather exciting, To be fair he knew it was an assortment of people come here for much the same reason as himself but he enjoyed it all the same. There was a sense of peace in the air as laughter echoed and the smell of spring hung about. Flowers and festival decorations were everywhere. He took in a deep breath and let out a contented sigh. It was a wonderful place. Still he would carry himself with dignity instead of rushing around like an eager school boy. Those days were in the past. Now he was expected to control his actions and act as an adult. One representing a clan and country. Still he would nod his head to any who greeted him and smile readily. He purchased an apple from a cart and sat on a roof to eat it with a kunai to avoid the mess of simply biting into it. Keeping his uniform pressed and clean. The apple core discarded on the roof for the birds while his kunai was cleaned with a cloth from his pocket. Even if it was just a slight amount of juices he would never be so odd as to wipe it off on his sleeve,

Still the sounds of a violin being played below held his attention suddenly as he sheathed the only visible kunai on his person. Hopping down into a side street before rounding a corner to see a street entertainer finishing a piece. It was rather energetic with plenty of dancing and swaying. They had made some coin from it and since he had enjoyed it as well, he waited until they finished and there was applause before they bowed and others dropped money in the violin case. He would wait until he was the last dropping in a generous amount. With that the entertainer sat and smiled before Kejido would speak. "My dear sir, since you are on a break would you mind if I tried my hand at it? It has been months since I last played and I do so miss it. You may keep any proceedings of course." The man would eye him before nodding quietly and handing over the violin. Kejido would bow his head before turning and plucking a string here and there. Adjusting the knobs to tune it to the song before Standing straight. Tucking it under his chin and placing the bow string on the violin. As soon as he began the music was enchanting. A beautiful and yet sad sound filled with hope. Almost like one was crying through the violin and yet he smiled as he played. The melody drawing hearts and ears alike in its gentle tune. So unlike the upbeat music from before. His fingers held the bow that caressed the strings like a lovers touch. As if his soul was singing out through the instrument in his hands. He was skilled in enchanting the hearts and minds. Almost lovingly.

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It hadn't been long since he'd joined the village hidden in the clouds, but it seemed like he'd been part of their military strength his entire life. The man stood quietly, standing by as his new partner was addressing a group of fresh tokujo jounin as though they were a military troupe. To be fair, with the new Raikage, they mostly seemed to be. He marched up and down the long line of fifteen or so, addressing each as 'maggot' or 'worm', trying to break them down just to build them back up again. Syekren sighed, watching the man he was partnered with bark at the poor sods. For his time in the village, he had seen fit to join the ranks of those teaching others, and had been paired with the hard ass Kurogane "Kurosu" Miyamoto. He was apparently part of the same clan as the Raikage, but had more of a militaristic air about him. He finished berating and degrading the new tokujo and told them to begin doing push-ups before he turned to the Uchiha who was lazily leaning against a support beam in the Standby Station. When he walked up to Syekren, even leaning one could see the Uchiha was a good half foot taller than the other. Syekren sighed and stood straight, looking down at the angry man.

Uchiha! What are you doing standing about? Don't you have a mission or something to do? Syekren scratched his beard calmly, his hand protruding from his cloak for a few moment before slinking back inside. "No, not really. But if you wanted me to get out of your hair, you only needed to ask. I could go and see what there is to do in the village while the exams are going on. Perhaps beef up security, look for spies, that sort of thing." The blue eyes of the Uchiha met the fiery orange hues of the other man for a while. The smaller, militaristic man seeming as though he wanted to say something or strike Syekren, but he knew better. After a moment, Syekren shrugged and began to walk towards the door, waving to the tokujo jounin who finished their pushups and were watching the altercation with wide eyes. "You take care of those boys now, Kuro. Wouldn't want them to be in too bad of shape to fight for the Raikage and have him coming down on your head. That wouldn't be good now would it?" With a laugh the Uchiha exited the station and looked down to the village below. It would be time to head out and find something to do, otherwise he would simply become bored with his complacency.

With a yawn the Uchiha leapt from the high point of the mountain, twisting his body in the air as he did so. Not far down was a ledge that he landed on, rolling with the landing to keep from damaging his knees before he jumped down to the next one, his cloak flapping behind him in the wind. It would only take him a few moments to reach the midway point, and a few more to reach the bottom, looking around at the crowd of people heading towards the marketplace. With the exams happening in the village, there was no shortage of people to see and things to do. It would work out well for the Uchiha if he decided to go to the marketplace and greet other people. Nodding to himself, the man began to walk towards his destination, noting that it was close to the apartment he was alloted during his tenure in the village. Stopping by on his way, he deposited his cloak on his bed, grabbing his hitai-ate and left. Walking towards the marketplace, the jounin would tie the Kumogakure hitai-ate about his forehead, showing his allegiance somewhat proudly. This hitai-ate was special, in that he'd taken it from another Kumogakure Uchiha. The man walked calmly and proudly through the troves of people, his head sticking up over many of them.

When the crowd dispersed he was in plain view, his short sleeve black tee shirt, if you could call it that, was near pressed to his muscular frame. He had an ANBU tattoo on his right shoulder, with the tattoo of the Uchiha clan symbol on his left. Just under his Uchiha tattoo was an age old scar of the symbol for Sunagakure no Sato. The man stroked his beard silently, his scarred cheek being pulled down with his beard. On the back left of his belt was his tanto, Kagayaki-Ha, and he was wearing black pants and sneakers to complete his look. He stood there quietly stroking his beard, trying to think of what to do, when he heard a melodious sound, as though one was plucking away at the heart strings of an angel in his vicinity. Following the sound, the man found the source of it, a young uniformed lad playing a violin, with a crowd watching. The Uchiha tilted his head and crossed his arms, watching silently. It was when the song was over that he noticed someone familiar: Izumi. She spoke to the young man, in what could only be a.. flirting tone? Syekren rubbed his chin in thought. Since he'd met the young girl he was getting better at discerning flirting and it truly seemed like that was what she was doing. He said nothing, however, and merely watched the two.

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Kejido would finish playing the tune as his silver eyes shifted along the crowd. Just another thing expected in the schooling of a future officer in his clan. Mathematics and writing wasn't nearly enough. Strategy and order along with learning an instrument and slight of hand. It was all just expected of him as his grandfathers son to achieve excellent marks in all of them. For the usual child perhaps this would be considered a bit much and too harsh. However Kejido had always been a talented lad. Ahead of the curve ever since he was tested for his physical priorities. He hadn't seen it as a burden but simply being recognized for what he was capable of. For others to pick up the instrument they had spent countless hours with would be torment. However for him it was just another tool to gain his name in the lights of a new place. That he might be celebrated where ever he may go. So as the crowds gathered around he would smile as he finished the last parts of the beautiful song. Not much use to a shinobi but there all the same. He had achieved having all eyes on him for a distance. Still as he did one young lady would be noted among the crowds. Her red hair clashing against the brunettes and blondes. How exotic. The violin case would begin to fill with donations until finally it was just him, her and the street urchin. She spoke of beauty and a name. Giving her own in turn.

"What is beauty but an illusion to heal the heart?"

It was a simple reply and yet somehow it seemed more meaningful to him than just nonsense. However he returned the violin to the urchin and smiled before refusing any of the donations. A man of character that did not care to take from those with more need than his own. That was who he wanted to be. Within reason of course. He wasn't about to go donating his own trust funds to these activities. His luxury might be threatened if he did that. Still he felt like there were other eyes on him. A glance around was too untrained to tell him from where though. Overlooking Syekeren entirely. The man was impressive but Kejido wasn't at a level where he could identify that just yet. Still he had sensed the mans eyes on him all the same. Still that would only take a moment before his silver eyes returned to the girl who had addressed him. Just long enough to be part of a pause. Maybe one of disappointment for her. After all the game couldn't be made so easily. She needed to question her own level of attraction. Was he not attracted to her? Had she approached him in vain? Would she look like a fool for this? All worries designed to burrow into her mind from being shut down how ever sweetly and all for one purpose. So his reply could banish those worries and provide a sense that he had saved her from them. So he spoke again moving to her eye level from the raised area he had been standing on. Never breaking eye contact as he reached out and took her hand while he spoke. His white gloves soft to the touch.

"However if it is to be an illusion Ms. Izumi I would like to dawdle just a little longer in this one moment with you. Melodies rarely summon angels after all. As for a name. I am known as Specialist Heishi Kejido of Iwa. A pleasure to meet you." With that he would bend down and attempt to do both a bow and brush his lips a mere inch from her hand. Not touching it as it would be considered too forward but teasing her with the warmth of his lips all the same.

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Syekren watched silently, looking on at the two young ninja. The well dressed and dapper gentleman of a guy who had moved to brush Izumi's hand with his lips, or feign to, hadn't exactly noticed his presence all that well. The young girl he'd been mentoring however, had turned to see him growing into a scarlet color he'd seen on her countless times by this point. He raised an eyebrow and watched her as she helplessly sputtered trying to speak to him, regaining her composure only after sufficiently embarrassing herself further.  She asked how he was and mentioned she hadn't seen him standing there, which was understandable. He hadn't exactly made his presence known. He returned her quick hug and listened to her as she spoke about what she'd do after the exams, spending time in Kumogakure no Sato with him so they would have time together to talk about the night Sunagakure burned. There were quite a few questions she still had and he didn't blame her. Now wasn't the time though. "It's no worry, lass. I'm happy you chose to spend some time with me here while you're able. Since you're my student you can stick around for a while and learn a bit more before I actually have to get to work with a new squad."

His azure hues, differently coloured in each socket, turned to the uniformed male known only to him as 'Heishi.' It was likely his surname, and his given name was something that eluded the Uchiha at this point. With a tilt of his head and a hand scratching his beard, the man looked form Izumi to the young man after the former asked the latter a question about the lack of presence for Iwagakure ninja. This baffled the Uchiha slightly, as he remembered the time he'd taken the exams there were a handful of participants that had come from the land of the rock. To hear that none had shown up this time was a bit disheartening. Was their village starting to fall under the waves as well? His mind shot back to the decline of Sunagakure no sato and what lead up to it, a corrupt council and no real leadership. Was such a thing happening to other villages at this very moment? Corrupting their people and their ninja with stagnation and degradation?  The man sighed softly, mostly to himself as he thought of another village going down the path that his home had once gone down. He wanted to learn more for the sake of the kid but didn't think he could at the point he was at, having just joined Kumogakure.

He waved his thoughts away inwardly and went over to the young man, looking him straight in the eye. They were the same height, but Syekren was obviously a bit stockier than he was. His eyes trailed over the uniform, which was crisp and pressed, not a wrinkle to be seen. The accolades and condition of the uniform was impressive. He had a kunai on his hip in a decorative pouch and Syekren wondered exactly how much practice the young man had with such a tool. Still, he seemed capable enough, so the question on the Uchiha's mind was spoken. "It's entirely strange that no Iwagakure ninja are participating. You're a capable fellow if my sight is anything to gauge that. Why aren't your participating in the exams? I'm sure you could do well enough, maybe even win should my student here not take that honor." The man continued to size up 'Heishi', wondering how far his training had gone if he was here alone and not with his sensei or other Iwagakure genin. If he wasn't participating in the exams, it could be due to weakness or lack of training. Either of those could be fixed with a bit of hard work.

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Kejido would be caught slightly off guard as she turned away from him. She was being bashful at first but that was normal in his experience. What caught him off guard was her sudden disregard for him even being there. She seemed to have forgotten him entirely in a split second. That was something he had never experienced before. No one ever simply snapped away from him. His silver eyes followed her gaze as she seemed to become excited about someone else behind her. Taking in a man he hadn't noticed before standing nearby. He wasn't exactly noticeable for some reason unless you were looking for him. A man about his height but with a better build to him. His form seemed to be stacked with muscles and what was more, the man had two very clear tattoos. One for each arm marking him for an Uchiha and an ANBU. Along with the Kumo headband. So he was likely strong and dangerous. No Uchiha in the anbu ranks of any village could be considered weak. Certainly not something for Kejido to challenge at his level. He would need to remain polite in this instance. For his own safety he would assume. His own experience with Uchiha would label them as moody.

Still he would watch them quietly with silver eyes as their relationship unfolded before him. She spoke as if they had relations of a more intimate nature while they hugged and he called her his student. It wasn't uncommon for that kind of thing to become common place. As scandalous as it was the intimacy of teacher and student was one so many fell too. For himself he didn't see the appeal of a relationship. A night at the brothel was all fun and good but actually being attached to someone was just so dull. Still She seemed rather infatuated with the bearded man for whatever history they shared together. Answers asked about a certain night certainly added to the scandal. Still she seemed to be taking part in some training from him before he moved on to his own squad. Still she would inquire of him with a title usually reserved for knights. He assumed that she simply wasn't familiar with military ranking systems and felt the term appropriate. He wouldn't correct her of it though as it just wasn't the right time. Not with others around. If he wanted to keep her attention and interest he couldn't correct her in front of her crush.

Still the man would step up so he was eye to eye with Kejido. It was then that he got a real good look at the man. Stroking his beard as they made eye contact. Odd matched eyes with Kejido's own silver. He knew the danger of staring into an Uchiha's eyes but looking into his own, well that was potentially just as dangerous. Not that the man knew as much which gave Kejido a slight advantage in his mind. Enough to smile as mischief played behind his own gaze. The man suggested he looked capable and inquired the same thing Izumi had inquired only moments before. Why oh why wasn't any Iwa nin participating? It made it appear like Iwa just didn't have the manpower to send. A small misinterpretation. There were a couple of genin from Iwa there besides himself. However they too were not participating. He supposed honesty was the best course of action. So he folded his arms and looked between them before returning their inquiries. A bit of humor in his voice.

"Not too surprising no one from Iwa is participating. Though a few of us are around the area. Now, I can't speak for the others but my reasoning is simple. Let the other villages flaunt their genin and show the world their capabilities. I will be taking notes. As for my capabilities. Well someone would have to pick a fight to learn those. I wouldn't expose them willingly for show. If I did it would hardly be fair for most other genin. Except perhaps for you Ms. Izumi. I am sure you would be a wonderful match up against me. I will be rooting for you my dear."

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Syekren's eyes stayed on the silver hues of the young man before him. A mischievous grin from the latter wasn't missed, but wasn't something to worry about either.  In truth, knowing one had a long way to go was part of the battle, assuming you had control was an easy way to lose your head. Figuratively or literally though it may be. In any case, the Uchiha listened and watched the young man fold his arms, taking in the words spoken. He seemed to think that the villages were flaunting their capabilities, putting on a show of sorts. This couldn't be further from the truth. As Izumi would go on to say, it was an exercise on the cooperation between villages. Still, he did seem to think that Izumi would be a good match up against him, and said that he'd be rooting for her. Syekren turned to look back at the young girl, raising an eyebrow to her reaction. He didn't say anything, but moved away from the young man, walking back towards the Karisuma girl. "And you curtsy now, lass? Well I think I've seen everything. What happened to the blazing spitfire I met in the village of the sand?" He let out a bellowing laugh, softly patting the girl on the shoulder, stopping to look about the village's buildings.

"You know lad, if it was really about showing the capabilities of villages, we wouldn't send genin in. It would be something like Jounin facing off in a to the death fashion. You would see us out here ourselves, vying for the spot of strongest ninja, bar our kage." With that, the Uchiha turned, his body reverberating chakra in ample amounts, causing him to gain a blue aura. The power circulating his form at this point was palpable and even visible despite neither of the two having chakra sensory at the moment. "If we wanted to show capabilities, I'd like be here fighting in the name of Kumogakure, tearing down the lives of visitors, making them wish they hadn't come." Syekren shrugged after speaking, his chakra aura and air of menacing intent completely evaporating as though it hadn't been there seconds ago. He smiled cheerily to the two young shinobi in front of him, as though nothing had happened at all and everything was fine. He looked the young man up and down once more, before he decided to speak again.

"Still, if you'd like to take notes, I'm sure I could show you a few noteworthy things. Mind you, I'm a physical man, but there is nothing better than subtle illusions in some cases. If you trick the mind into thinking it has lost, the battle is over before the first punch is even thrown. Do you know much about illusions, or rather, genjutsu? I've been working on a few myself that I've wanted to pass on to others. Unfortunately, my young student here has no real aptitude for such things. I wonder if Iwagakure teaches their ninja more than the basic Kai technique?" His eyes were alight with curiosity and a fire reserved for testing one's worth. He was certain of himself and his abilities. It all came down to how much this young man knew of genjutsu. It was becoming a bit of a habit for the Uchiha, picking up new students wherever he went so that he could show them the ins and outs of jutsu he knew. Perhaps he was giving himself a handicap so that the future generation would pose some sort of challenge. Or perhaps he really just wanted the new generation of ninja to grow strong enough to right the wrongs of the world. He couldn't be sure which was true in either case.

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Kejido would turn to the man and then the girl with his silver gaze as he smiled. Oh how wonderful it was that they seemed to be sensei and student. Though her affection for him seemed to be much deeper than that. He wondered idly about how scandalous the two really were. Like some perverted erotic novel where the mysterious and powerful man had impressed a young lady and decided to train her. In their time together likely wallowing in their desire for each other until finally giving in one night and taking advantage of their seclusion. Perhaps it had not happened yet but he thought it would soon enough. He would still consider it an amusing thought for the time being. Even if it was only in his own head. Still she suggested it was just cooperation and in a way just all good fun. Or at least that was his take on it. He reiterated with much the same scolding though he suggested that Jounin would be more suited if not for the civilian casualties. They seemed to underestimate how valuable this information was even at their current rank. Not that he would allow it to sway his opinion or attempt to sway their own. The argument would be pointless.

Still the man would continue beyond his own words of bolstering and power to make an interesting preposition. "Still, if you'd like to take notes, I'm sure I could show you a few noteworthy things. Mind you, I'm a physical man, but there is nothing better than subtle illusions in some cases. If you trick the mind into thinking it has lost, the battle is over before the first punch is even thrown. Do you know much about illusions, or rather, genjutsu? I've been working on a few myself that I've wanted to pass on to others. Unfortunately, my young student here has no real aptitude for such things. I wonder if Iwagakure teaches their ninja more than the basic Kai technique?" So if he wished to take notes the man had a few of his own. Normally a more experienced shinobi taking interest in him was a boon he would not ignore. However he was feeling cautious. A random Kumo nin wanted to train him in both his primary abilities? What were the odds of that? It seemed like far too much of a coincidence to him that he would just happen along. A foreign ninja probably being part of the argument in his own head. Had it been an Iwa nin he would have assumed they had just peaked at his file. That ANBU tattoo though drew his gaze slightly as he replied. Cautiously.

"That is very generous of you good sir but for now I am simply on vacation. Not looking for a mentor at the moment. If I were though I am certain you would have a few surprises for me. Perhaps even something my mind has never seen or thought of before. However the hour is late and I do have some shopping to do. It has been a pleasure meeting you both. Please, have a wonderful day."

With that he would cross his left arm over his chest and touch his shoulder. Bowing his head in his families tradition before raising up to his full height and smiling in his own charming way. With that he noted how close they were to each other. He would smile at how perfect it was as the mans suggestion of subtlety was hanging in the air. Was he proficient in genjutsu? Well it would be lovely to give them a taste. Still no harmful intent came off of him as he walked passed them. His pace was casual as he took a breath of air. The edge of the square before the market was less than twenty meters away. Well within his capabilities. Still he would walk to the edge of the market before turning to idly wave good bye. As he did he pointed the toes of his right foot towards them almost entirely naturally and let off a small bump of chakra. A simple meter wide ripple of chakra emerging from his foot but without active chakra sensory it would be difficult to detect. After all it wasn't a hostile jutsu. Not killing intent came from it. Still the ripple moved at a slow fifteen meters per second over the twenty meters. Giving him time to turn back around before the ripple would pass over where ever Izumi was and if the man had remained right next to her it would pass through him too. From Kejido's back as if from no where tree's would burst forth and surround the two. Cutting their line of sight off from perhaps all but each other as it would appear they were both in the middle of a dense forest instead of a city now except for the stone beneath their feet. With that Kejido was gone. Off to go shopping. Likely they would kai out of it but if not it would fade once he made forty meters between himself and them.

Spoiler:

Exit thread
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Speed C-1 to C-3 1495/1495
Reaction time C-1 to C-3 1495/1495
15% wc increase on above normal stat training

48 words left over

Syekren silently watched the younger man speak to him, offering platitudes of denying a chance of a lifetime to learn from someone that came from another village. IT was too bad, really. The uchiha was hoping to learn more about the genin from Iwagakure and form his opinions and judgements of their training based on that. There would be nothing for it, sadly, and the Uchiha would bow to Heishi as a show of respect before watching him saunter away. Syekren turned his head to Izumi, watching her reactions for a moment before his gaze turned back to the retreating form of Heishi, who would turn towards them after walking some distance away, giving a wave of his hand in goodbye to them. Syekren quietly returned the wave and when the man turned his back to them again, was slightly surprised to see tress sprout up all around them, restricting their line of sight to the point that they likely wouldn't be able to see anything around them save for each other. The Uchiha was disturbed at the turn of events and reached back to grab onto his tanto, memories of the woman who used plants in her jutsu flooding back to him, making his left eye socket burn for a few moments.

It wasn't until his mind began to calm that he took a better look around and noticed a few peculiarities. For one, no wind was blowing and the forest didn't seem to actually be breaking through the cobblestone pathways of the village's streets. Syekren released his grip on his weapon and took a deep breath in through his nose, noting that there were no earthy smells, nor anything that would accompany such a sight around him and when he looked closer, he could see there were no shadows upon the ground from the trees. It was as though the sun shone straight through them, or rather, it was as though they were illusions. The Uchiha wasn't sure exactly just yet, but he was sure that the young man had used a genjutsu on the two of them in his departure. It didn't seem malicious in intent, but one could never be certain anymore. Izumi obviously had the same idea after cutting herself off from what was likely a rage induced tirade. After a few moments she used the 'kai' technique and seemed to be free of the illusion. Syekren didn't leave it just yet, studying the intricacies of it and activated his sharingan for a moment to study the chakra signatures. After a few seconds he sighed and Kai'd as well, having very little strain on himself doing so. His eyes wandered over to Izumi, looking her up and down. He merely grunted to what she said, softly grasping her hand in his. "I'd love to get lunch, let's go." With that, the two would be off to sate their appetites, with Syekren's curiosity currently unsated.

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EXIT

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