Oh, another day, another problem. Gaiken woke up early this morning. He always enjoyed waking up early to see the surise. This was his kind of saying "Good Morning". But those were only details that weren't to be discussed right now. The sun was about to rise so Gaiken was to hurry up to his rooftop. He made his bed and then he got to the kitchen. God, the bed was not in the same pozition as he left it last night. Maybe he moved a lot while sleeping, thing that may have caused these things to happen. He had to be careful, the floor wasn't made out of metal so, if he had moved too rushly, the floor could've fallen down. Gaiken was getting to the Kitchen now, knowing that he won't have too much time for eating. Even if he got to the Special Jounin Rank, he couldn't let himself down like this. He had to get any oportunity for training and use it. In fact, he wanted to become a Kage to get himself as up as possible and to be acknowledged by other people.

He ate quickly what he prepared. In fact, he ate very quickly, as he didn't want to lose the sunrise, his favourite part of the day. He liked to eat at the breakfast some cereals and milk. If you would've gave him any other things to eat...no reaction. Or at least that's what he knew about himself. He had strict eating decisions, thing that may have kept him fit and ready for any possible battle. He washed the dishes as his younger brother, Zack Kuraudo, was still sleeping. He was such a slacker, thing that you couldn't see at Gaiken. He dressed himself up, preparing for all the events that were to occur in that day. He was sure that this next day will be the one that will give him the clan's special abilities: the Rittogan. He trained for years, trying to achieve the clan's ultimate Doujutsu but, there was no sight that he was almost there. Anyway, he was fixed on unlimited training until he reaches his desired limits.

He got on the rooftop now, while he started looking at the divine light that was coming right into his sight. This was the perfect moment of the day for Gaiken to refill his powers and to get closer to becoming a good ninja. Well, for now, there was only one chance of becoming the best. First he had to reach the Kage seat, to see that he's the best from his village. Then he'll need to challenge the other village's Kages, to know where does he stand in the world's line of power. The Kage thing was going to be harder to gain. There are a lot of people in the Hidden Sand Village that would like to get their hands on that seat. Now that Gin was nowhere to be seen, every has gone crazy. Hodaka announced that there'll be a new Kage, and that needs to be Gaiken, no matter what the circumstances are.

Now, he was to go to the training field, to be more exact, at the Sand's Domain, the place where he used to train all the time. He got up from the rooftop, to find his way to the future location of his training. The sun started to get in the upper sky, thing that destroyed the perfect and divine light that was gifted to the earth by the sunrise's full powers. The only thing that remained there was the light, without the divinity and the perfection that was within it. The light now had a power to get people's power down below, sometimes maybe even killing them. Gaiken had a method of training and that was to go to the Sand's Domain for one full day and continue training, without any food or water. It was a perfect training method, where the user's strenght and power were both tested, in a combination that destroys the rezistance of the one who tries it. Sometimes, Gaiken was about to die, but there weren't any bigger problems. He was to train like this everyday, until he'll get what he desires. He got there, but there was no sight of anybody there. This was the moment he was to try and test him body to it's limits.

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Now this was fascinating. He had received an order to train of all things. Having been an Anbu all his life he had always been forced to surpass his own limits so he figured he was at the peak of his power. However he understood that the thought process was they needed him to be stronger. With Gin having disappeared in the middle of the night the Kage seat was left empty. It made people feel vulnerable. He himself was unsure where his loyalties should lay. Or if he could show dedication as he was supposed to to whomever the new Kage would be. A simple sigh escapes his lips as his yellow eyes stare at the plain white ceiling. He was laying on top the covers of his bed wearing just a pair of pants. His shirtless form stirring only to bring his right hand up and rub his face in frustration. No real intel had come in about what was going on. It was as if no one really knew and because of that the Anbu did not move. How ineffective they are. His frown deepens on the idea of training to new heights. If some one did attack now it would be the end of them. He could defend a large amount of people but he doubted they would send just one person at him. And with only one puppet at the moment he was hardly effective.

Still he roused himself to head into his shower. Stripping out of his sleeping pants before turning the knob to turn on the shower head. The water was cool in comparison to the air. With Gin gone did that make him the strongest? No that couldn't be right or he would be a Sannin. Not A Jounin. Either way he had room to improve. He needed to design his puppet so he could use more then one. But the Anbu where not willing to fund it unless he did missions for them. However instead of a mission they have him training. The cold water pouring down his body felt accurate to his mood. Still he could only stay hidden in his house for so long. Perhaps he needed a room mate. It was a big house after all. The silence there was all but deafening. Only him and Zero ever went near the place. Perhaps he would make some sort of attempt to change that about himself. Some human interaction instead of just him and his puppet.

He finally turned off the water taking a moment before stepping out of the shower. The air was dry enough that already he felt the water drying off his body. It was a hot one out today so he would bring extra water. No need to harm the body when you can prepare after all. His yellow eyes go to his red coat and a smile touches his lips. The red blur himself. Faster then most. He loved knowing very few other then the uchiha could keep up with him. Still he needed to be faster then that. His frown returns as he moves over and begins slipping on his clothes. Black combat boots and blue pants. A white shirt and then his red coat. His yellow glasses where last. Underneath it all was hidden Anbu armor. He didn't like wearing it in case he was discovered but he preferred life over stupidity. After all if he could stop a Kunai from piercing his kidney then his day might be just a little bit better. Lastly he reached out and hefted Zero , His puppet, over his shoulder. Zero was made out of a light weight material but he had five weapons in total. He would have to remember to get a sealing scroll for the thing later for better portability.

Noboru took his gear and headed downstairs as silent in his meditation as the grave. His own thoughts over powering his attention to detail. Would the next Kage be just as power hungry as any other or would he or she lead Suna into a new age? Only time would really tell. His key was used to lock the door as a passive thought. Anyone that dared break into his place probably wasn't bothered by such trivial things as locks. Still he turned his back on his home and began the long hike to where the supposed designated training place was. The sun seemed to beat down on him as he moved through the shopping district and purchased a few things of water. It was hardly a free commodity here in the desert. Still he had a great deal to do today and the sun was already nearing its peak in the sky. He was running later then he intended. It was time to take a quick detour. To try and get there ever faster.

With a leap his body sailed up through the air. Red coat flapping in the new breeze as he came down onto the village roof tops. At least this way he could avoid bumping into people and knocking them over. That and the pace was easy to set up there. Tightening his pack he launches from his spot moving with a rapid grace across the roof tops as fast as his legs would comfortably allow. He was really bookin it now. He could see the training grounds in the distance and if nothing else it merely encouraged him to push faster. Leaping from the last roof to land on the sandy arena itself. He had made it finally. However it became increasingly apparent to him over the next second that he was not alone. A blonde man with shining eyes stood there. Oh well it was far to late to try and hide his approach. His impatience did have a tendency to land him in a whole world of hurt. Now perhaps today was the day he would meet his maker. Or not. It all depended on the other individual and his intentions.

(puppeteer B to A 1005/3000)

Getting up early had become routine for me.  Another glorious sunny day greeted me as I stepped outside.  I took my morning jog, dressed in my bandeau and combat pants, my clan's cloak flowing behind me as I ran.  The hood bouncing freely behind my shoulders with every movement of my legs as I stretched out, broadening my stride.  The feeling of the wind brushing past my face, playing with my long hair as it curled around with the wind.  My father once told me that our ancestors were in the Suna heat.  As I ran through the village like I do every day, I feel like the fingertips of my ancestors are brushing my face and hair, giving me blessings for my day.

Running through the streets, several shop owners waved and smiled at me.  I smiled back as I ran on by.  It was for these people that I ran.  The people that live their lives in peace.  Every day was a battle that I had to fight to keep their lives peaceful, and every morning I get rejuvenated by their smiles to fight again for them.  They're gratitude for what I and every shinobi of the village extended beyond any understandable boundaries.  I hoped all the ninja of the village understood this.  That the warmth of the Suna sun was the warmth of the village supporting them.

Dousing myself in a stream of water back at my home after I finished my morning run, I quickly made my way to the Sand's Domain.  Now was the time to train.  'You can never train too much' my father would always remind me when I was little.  How true his words were now just as they were back then.  Now being the Shadow of the Sand, I needed to train more than ever.  I was supposed to be the pinnacle of what a shinobi of the Sand could become.  Most days, however, I only felt like the butt of what a Sand shinobi could be.

Entering the Sand's Domain, I found the area widely vacant save for one other shinobi.  A man of spiky, blond hair that angled down past his ears to the black collar of his loose clothing.  I walked up behind him and saw that he had only just arrived as well.  It looked like I wouldn't have to train alone this morning.  A smile lit up my face as I spoke up.

"Excuse me," I said, hoping that he wouldn't be a stranger to my idea.  "Mind if I join you?"


Training Raiton A-->S 432/4000

Gaiken was in the middle of a training session. He was going to awaken his Rittogan sooner or later, but he was preferring that this moment would happen sooner. Who wouldn't like this to happen? Well, the Sand was as hot as ever now. It wasn't something you could walk on without some shoes. If this idea would've got in your mind, well better not think about this. The sun was shining all over the mighty sea of sand. He felt like someone was using either Fire Style ninjutsu on him or advanced genjutsu from where you couldn't escape. Well, Gaiken wasn't that good at genjutsu, he never liked it, but who knows, he may even try it one day. He may even master something like that, but this wasn't the place to think about this kind of things. He started walking from here to there on the sand, trying to warm up a bit. This could've prepared him for a future challenge that may appear during his training session.

The Rittogan was a powerful Dojutsu that could only be acquired by the members of the Kuraudo Clan. But as he already knew, this Clan's elders had a secret way of awakening it, a secret test that was given to any Kuraudo, in order to get it. It wasn't something Gaiken could figure out for now. He only had to train a lot until he would've seen a difference between the way he fought before and the way he was going to fight from that moment on. Gaiken put his hand on his sword, as he was going to take it and try to warm up a little with some sword slashes. The grip of the sword was perfect for a quick move. You could be prepared at any time and you could also get your sword "in the work" whenever you wanted to. The sword's name was Kaminari no Ken and it was from his little brother, Zack.

Suddenly, someone started talking to Gaiken: "Excuse me," This was, for sure a girl's voice. And who might her be? Did Gaiken know her? Did she know him? It was about the time Gaiken would turn around and see her. "Mind if I join you?" That's what she said. From the way she was looking at Gaiken, she would've enjoyed to train with him. That long, blonde hair....now he remembered, she was the Kazekage. Gaiken really liked Gin, the old Kazekage that left the village now. She left because of Trilby, as far as he knew....But no more talking, just actions. Gaiken stood right there, facing Suzume and he got his sword out, pointing it as her. "I want to test my skills so I challenge you to a fight, Kazekage!" He didn't care about how bad that would've looked, he only wanted to see if he's strong enough to acquire his Rittogan. Knowing that Suzume was the Kazekage, he wanted to know how close he can get to the power of a Kage.

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As the man turned around to face me, I saw his forehead having a slight sheen from sweat.  So he had been here for a bit already.  He looked at me, his eyes seemed to have gears turning behind them as he came to realize who I was.  After a moment of silence, he spoke, "I want to test my skills so I challenge you to a fight, Kazekage!"  His eyes hardened with focus as he spoke.  I could tell he was adamant about this.

A fight was what the boy wanted and a fight he would get.  He wore the hitai-ate of our village, his sword gleaming in the light as he pointed it at me.  In any other circumstance with a foreign ninja, this could be a sign of war, or treason for one of my own.  Of course I knew what the boy meant, though his choice of environment to fight in wasn't the safest.  Being in the Sand's Domain to train, this boy was quite serious about becoming a strong shinobi.  These parts of the desert outside of the village were treacherous and well-known for being the killer of many that thought they could brave it's dangerous dunes.

The Sand's Domain was just that, a place ruled by the sand.  Sandstorms frequently began in this part of the desert, usually with no warning at all.  Besides sandstorms, the area was a hot spot for sand tornadoes that were sometimes strong enough to launch a person higher than the village's outer walls.  The amount of dead bodies that filled these dunes were beyond countable by men, as this place has been rightly feared for many centuries.  Only those that come out of it alive are said to be among the strongest of the village.  I, myself, was risking my life just being here to train and test myself against this legendary area.  Now there was a younger man before me also testing his limits, yet he wanted more and asked to fight me.

"I accept," I said, raising my hands to take off my hood, then brushing my hands on the handles of my two tonfas.  "Let us dance, dear boy, so that we might come to understand one another."

Setting my feet ready, I kept shifting my balance from the balls of my feet to my toes in anticipation of his next move.  My fingers danced along the tonfa hilts, prepared to unleash them in a flurry.  My eyes flicking back and forth to the boy and the area around me.  In this place, it would be the one who best used the environment to their advantage to win this fight.  While I surveyed the boy, I searched my brain for his face.  I had looked over every shinobi's dossier for my village, I just needed to remember his and I would soon have an advantage in the fight.


Training Raiton A-->S 923/4000

Gaiken was surprised that she accepted so easy this offer that he made. "I accept, let us dance, dear boy, so that we might come to understand one another." They were about to dance indeed. They were about to have a dance that no one had ever seen. Gaiken was about to start fighting. He had his hand located right on his sword. This sword wasn't a legendary one, nor did it had any special powers, but it was from his younger brother, so it meant something for him. Gaiken quickly made some hand seals and he shouted "Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!" This was one of the first jutsus he had ever learned. His a deep breath, he launched the fire ball towards the Kazekage. The ball was as big and as powerful as an Uchiha's ninjutsu. The fire ball was quickly getting closer and closer to Suzume, it may have been her end of the line. Gaiken was carefully watching everything that was happening there. His eyes was all tired, maybe it was a sign, maybe he was about to awaken his kekkei genkai. 

Gaiken was prepared for a second attack, in case she would block that first one. If anything would've happened to his attack while on the road, or if she would dodge the attack, Gaiken would run straight towards her, trying to attack with his blade that he had just gotten out of its sheath. The blade, as he already mentioned, wasn't too hard nor too sharp, but it was something that meant very much for him. He didn't see his brother for a lot of time, since they were at a total different level, Zack being only a genin and Gaiken being a Special Jounin, that was on his road to Jounin. He almost forgot about the fight that he was in. The attack he firstly launched didn't land nor was stopped for now. What was she going to do, sit there and watch how a Katon attack would destroy everything in her path? That was unfortunate, for sure. The clouds were showing Gaiken that he stood too long here, training. He had to go home soon, to take some rest.

The temperature here was too damn high. It was almost melting him away, giving his the sensation that a big hot tub, full of water was being poured on him. The sun was shining over his head. His hair was, as it seemed, hot enough to cook something on it. It was indeed very hot outside and Gaiken was refusing to back down now, after all the work he had done. He was quietly waiting to see what could the Kazekage do. Her powers were indeed legendary, or so he heard. Was it true? Was it fake? This was the moment he was about to confirm what he heard of to see with his eyes that she isn't that much of a challenge.

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235/250:

The blond haired boy made the hand seals of the Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu as well as shouting the name before billowing out the fireball from his mouth.  The great orange fire ball rushed forward, I made a quick jump to the side, my legs pressing together and then releasing the stored kinetic energy of the tense muscles, shooting me to the right of the oncoming fire ball.  I pulled out my tongas as I came to a sliding landing, my feet making tracks in the desert sand.  As soon as I had landed, the boy was there to meet me with his blade in hand.

A simple charge with his sword was quickly avoided with a side stepping twirl in the sand around the boy's left side so that in the end my back was facing his left shoulder.  I reached behind me with my right tonfa as I finished the twirl, slipping it between the boy's sword and his chest.  I would then drive it into his chest.  My feet then continued the twirl until I was facing his back, which would most likely be heading towards me from the strike with my right tonfa.  The left tonga was there, ready to wrap around his throat while my left knee bent up perpendicular to my hips, jutting out in front of me to catch the boy in the small of his back.  My right tonga would then press against his back as I charged both my tonfas with Katon chakra, using one of my weapon-enhancing jutsu to leave a small mark on his throat and back as a little souvenir.

Once this was done, I would release my throat hold on the boy and push him off me with my left knee and right tonfa.  Then I would tuck my tonfas under my forearms and set my right foot back in a ready stance.  Much joy was filling myself as the battle began.

I had planned for inconveniences that may occur to my twirling grapple of the blondie.  If my first tonfa's attack was blocked, some how, I would continue with the twirling motion.  If the left tonga failed in wrapping around his neck, I would simply rush the push off to separate the boy and I once more and regain composure for his and my next move.

"What is your name?"  My mind had yet to recall his dossier from the many files and reports that had been filed day in and day out during my time stuffed into that dusty, old administration building.  "You have good speed and skill.  Please, give me the honor of knowing the name of the brave shinobi wishing to train in the Sand's Domain."

Chakra:

Training Raiton A-->S 1382/4000