A Simple Bit of Training [Solo]

Tatsuo looked out at the waves as he stood on the beach. He was a Genin now, a real shinobi of Kirigakure. It still felt like he was living in a dream. With a sigh, he glanced back toward the direction of his house. His parents had been upset with him when he signed himself up for the academy and they had practically disowned him for a time. They had since rescinded that, but the feeling of rejection had cut pretty deep back then. Still, he loved them and knew they loved him too.

His thoughts quickly returned to the reason that he had come out here: training. There were a few very simple techniques that he needed to have a refresher on. He had learned them during his first period of training at the academy, but once Shimagakure had been changed into New Kirigakure, his second period of training had focused much more on combat applications than more support-type justu. One of the most clear cut examples of a jutsu that had been cut from the curriculum was the chakra cleanse technique.

The technique itself was considered mostly useless, but it used to be a staple technique of the academy. It was basic but it allowed for a new shinobi to practice their chakra control. His control was already decent compared to other recent academy grads, but there were a few practical applications to the technique as well. Cleaning yourself using chakra increases stealth capabilities by removing traces of blood, dirt, and sweat without leaving a trail to be followed. The other application, which Tatsuo was arguably more interested in, was simply giving yourself a pristine appearance. A clean shinobi was a shinobi who was well rested, at least that’s how the perception was. That might allow him to dissuade an enemy shinobi from engaging him in combat when he was tired. It would also help him maintain a clean and professional appearance, which he would need if he was going to become an ambassador for the village.

The thought surprised him, as he had never realized he desired to become an ambassador. Still, once the thought had crossed his mind it felt right. His eyes narrowed as he focused his chakra inside himself. He could feel the swirling energy inside of him and he brought his hands into the tiger seal. As he did so, he felt the chakra in his body release through the pores of his skin, clearing off the sand and sweat from his body and causing it disperse into the air without a trace. He grinned slightly as he examined himself. Not a single grain of sand left on him.

He was glad to see that his early days of training were still with him after everything he had been through during the brutal Kirigakure training he had undergone more recently. The desire for peaceful outcomes was still present in him, but there was the seed of a darker mindset that had been planted in him through his training. Many of his fellow students had discovered a perverse love of causing pain or they had been weeded out. He may have graduated near the bottom of his class, but he had still graduated. It would be up to him to be a voice of reason among the other members of his class.

The other techniques he wanted to practice either needed to be done inside where it wasn’t so wet and windy, or with other people. It was a pretty nice day today though and he felt like simply enjoying the beach rather than going back home to practice. He still hadn’t been assigned any missions or anything, but he was sure that would come soon enough. At least Genin were usually stuck with the easy, boring missions at the beginning. That would ensure he would have plenty of time to study and train on his own.

The eb and flow of the waves relaxed him somewhat and he sat down on the sand. Somewhere out there beyond the horizon lay the rest of the world. The Island Country was separated from the mainland by the sea, which was a very powerful natural defense mechanism. On the other hand, it made it difficult to actually interact with the mainland as well. Clearly the Mizukage was still able to project power enough to sack another Hidden Village, but with easier access might there have been another way?

Perhaps the Mizukage simply wanted war for war’s sake, he admitted to himself. Konohagakure had been weaker, so he struck it. He wasn’t entirely sure how he felt about serving under a leader like that, but this was his home and he would always do everything in his power to defend it. In a game of chess, you tried to take enemy pieces before they even had the opportunity to do the same. Life was obviously more complicated than chess, but many of the same principles apply. Perhaps that was the Mizukage’s reasoning.

He still had never met the man who led the village, so he didn’t want to make any hasty judgements. He was, after all, still the son of a poor non-shinobi family. It didn’t do anything but harm to make judgements about people before you meet them. Bad information was nothing but a liability.

After a few more minutes of just staring out at the waves, Tatsuo stood up and formed the Tiger sign again, causing the sand to blow off of him. With a deep breath, he began the trek back to his house, where he would probably have to do some sort of housework for his parents.

[exit]

WC: 944
Claiming:
Chakra Cleanse (500/500)
+4 stats (800/800)

Approved, but if you wish, you can use those 444 WC remaining words for something else.