Takeshi hits the gardens

Takeshi didn’t really have plans for the day, he was going to go to the Hogokage’s estate and see what kind of missions that were available, Takeshi had been taking a liking to fill his days with as many missions as he could possibly go on. It was actually very therapeutic for him, it got him out of the house and being on a mission with something to do, was actually able to keep his mind off of his past and kept his mind from wandering. Takeshi had been noticing that Ryuu had been much quieter lately. Takeshi was not entirely sure why or where he had been. Ever since his conversation with Ayato. He noticed Ryuu showing up less and less. Was this because his grieving process was beginning to go to the next step and I didn’t need him anymore? Is it this curse mark that Ayato had placed on him? Takeshi had plenty more questions than he did have answers.

Takeshi’s life had been taking a whole new turn into an entirely new area, he was sleeping through the night, his night terrors had subsided for the most part. The nightmares of his mother that he was having on a nightly basis were beginning to turn into dreamless nights with occasional nightmare, which Takeshi took that as a giant step forward. Takeshi began to stir in his bed, the sun was coming into his room at the perfect angle that filled his entire room with the golden light coming from the sunrise on the horizon. The sunrise used to remind Takeshi that he was alive, and it would make him depressed. It would remind him that he had to get out of bed, and deal with his mother again. But now, while he still needed to deal with his memories, he knew that he was finally safe. Something he had never been before that night with his mother.


Takeshi started to open his eyes, the sun beaming directly into his face he held his hands up to his face until his eyes could finally see straight. Takeshi rolled out to the side of the bed, placed his feet onto the wood floors that covered the majority of the house. It felt cool against his already cold feet. Takeshi pulled his feet back into bed and threw his covers over him. “Come on, man. Gotta get up and do something with your day.” Takeshi told himself. Takeshi threw his blankets all the way off the bed, to discourage him from picking them up again. Takeshi grunted and groaned and slowly lifted his body out of his bed.Takeshi threw his blankets all the way off the bed, to discourage him from picking them up again. Takeshi grunted and groaned and slowly lifted his body out of his bed. He set his feet on the wooden floor one more time, let his body acclimate to the coolness of the floor of the room, and the room itself. Takeshi stood up, stretched his entire body, and headed over to his dresser.

Takeshi looked into his dresser and he was proud at the difference in what he saw inside his dresser, what used to be filled with junk clothes, all torn and tattered. Most were falling to pieces and covered with holes. Now Takeshi saw brand new clothes, reinforced combat gear, and even a few outfits that Takeshi would wear when he needed to “dress up”. Takeshi was happy that he had met his new friends, Kuniko helped him with his ability to speak with others, while Sakuragi helped him move on from his sulking state and begin moving forward on his fighting for his ninja way and what Takeshi believed was his destiny, to become the protector of the village!

Takeshi left his room and headed into the kitchen. He opened the fridge, and thanks to the mission that he took on for the royals and rescuing them from the bandits and returning their carts to them. Takeshi finally had food in the house for the first time in a while. Takeshi grabbed some eggs, sesame seed seasoning oil, and oyster flavored sauce. Takeshi grabbed a frying pan from the hanging pan rack that hung above the island in his kitchen. He placed the pan on the stove, turned the heat on, and let the pan preheat. He poured some sesame seed oil onto the pan and waited until he smelled the aroma of the oil fill the house. He poured the beaten eggs into the hot oil, and he stirred the eggs around until they formed small curds. Just before the eggs had set, he poured in the oyster sauce, stirred the eggs so the beautiful umami flavored sauce would cover the entirety of the eggs. When the sauced eggs had set completely, Takeshi plated the eggs, and topped them with freshly chopped chives that he had purchased at the market. The smell of the eggs were intoxicating to say the least, the salty yet umami flavors coexisted with such harmony, Takeshi could hardly believe it was so simple to make. Takeshi then continued to eat his breakfast, and readied himself mentally for his day in the field.

When Takeshi finished his breakfast, he went back into his bedroom and grabbed his weapon pouches. As was his usual routine, he grabbed each and every blade that was inside the pouch, inspected them, and sharpened or cleaned them, whichever was necessary. After Takeshi looked through all of his weapons, and was happy with how each of his blades looked and with how sharp each piece was. Takeshi filled his weapons pouch with the blades, strapped the pouch onto his left leg, mid-thigh, and headed toward his front door. Takeshi had his lunch already in his backpack ready to go, so he grabbed his bag and opened his front door. Takeshi reminded himself that he was going to prove his mother wrong and become something of worth. He then gripped his straps on his bag, and walked out the front door.

Takeshi took only a few steps out of his front door and he couldn’t believe how many beautiful days that they had in a row. Takeshi never really noticed the small things. Takeshi was always used to burying himself in his depression and focusing on all of the negative aspects of his life. But as Takeshi began to grow stronger and grow bonds with other people and even form a team with two of the ninjas, the same two that had saved Takeshi from the Abyss. Takeshi now was much better at looking at the brighter side and dealing with problems as they arose.

Takeshi decided that he was going to go to the training grounds and practice a new technique, the only issue that Takeshi was having was he had no idea what technique he was going to learn. Taijutsu was his specialty so he was sure he was going to just continue with that trend of working, towards more and more taijutsu technique in the Gentle Fist style due to his being Hyuga. Ever since the training with the Byakugan with Sakuragi, Takeshi had been practicing activating and deactivating, even if he was not in battle or on mission. He was just practicing using it for whatever he wanted to use it for. Takeshi had been practicing the magnification of his Byakguan. To be able to focus a farther distance away. Takeshi had been able to extend the view of his Byakguan all the way out to a mile! The only drawback to this is the inability to have his three hundred and sixty degree field of vision when you magnify the vision that far. But as long as it was used tactically, the Byakugan is an extremely useful tool for any battle.

Takeshi was walking by the spot where he could see the palace in the background. Takeshi will always have a fond memory of the Palace, even when he looked as though he was homeless. Takeshi was still allowed into the palace and was able to enjoy the scenery not only on the outside of the palace, or the walk toward the palace, but Takeshi was able to walk inside the palace and view the giant ceilings, the gorgeous kitchen that Takeshi would dream about almost every night since the day he was able to go there for the mission where he gathered and delivered all of the ingredients. Takeshi would imagine using the expensive and beautiful spices that would cover the spice racks all over the kitchen. Kneading bread on the bread counter toward the far right corner of the kitchen. Takeshi could smell the bread as it baked in a kitchen that he had never been able to cook in. Takeshi loved to cook, cooking made Takeshi feel that no matter what ingredients you have, if you have the know how, you can turn anything into a masterpiece with enough determination and care towards what it is that you are making.

Takeshi, of course, drew a similarity between cooking, to his own life. Takeshi was the raw ingredients, he was nothing more than raw potential with absolutely no idea on how to change his own self to become the masterpiece. It wasn’t until Ayato, Kuniko, and Sakuragi were the ones that took the raw ingredients that was Takeshi and turned it into an acutal shinobi with the drive to show all of them that their decision to speak to Takeshi and pull him out of his own abyss, was not in vain and was not a mistake. Takeshi was the raw ingredients, he was nothing more than raw potential with absolutely no idea on how to change his own self to become the masterpiece. It wasn’t until Ayato, Kuniko, and Sakuragi were the ones that took the raw ingredients that was Takeshi and turned it into an acutal shinobi with the drive to show all of them that their decision to speak to Takeshi and pull him out of his own abyss, was not in vain and was not a mistake. Takeshi saw these people as his family, not only because they were members of the same clan. But because they were the ones that saved Takeshi and reignited the flame that Takeshi knew that he had inside himself all along, he just didn’t have the courage to spark that fire.

Takeshi walked by the clothing store, the store that Takeshi had finally bought his first brand new set of combat clothes. Something that Takeshi was not sure if he was ever going to have, but fortunately Takeshi had took on the mission of saving the royals from the bandits and leading them back into the village so they would be safe. Takeshi was paid well that day, and Takeshi was more than grateful that this village had so many missions that Takeshi could perform out so Takeshi could actually replace the income that his mother originally brought in. Takeshi was now able to produce for himself and didn’t have to worry about anyone taking care of him. Takeshi was working hard, but he was enjoying what he was doing. He was pushing himself harder and harder, trying to become the ninja that he wanted to be.Takeshi was now able to produce for himself and didn’t have to worry about anyone taking care of him. Takeshi was working hard, but he was enjoying what he was doing. He was pushing himself harder and harder, trying to become the ninja that he wanted to be. He also, was readying himself to become a Chuunin in the exams. Takeshi knew that the other Genin, such as Sakuragi, was going to be someone of interest when the exams began. Takeshi had offered to spar with Sakuragi. But Sakuragi felt that he was too strong to spar with Takeshi, even telling Takeshi that he needed to get stronger before sparring with Sakuragi. Sakuragi may be his teammate, but in Takeshi’s eyes. He is also someone that he wanted to fight.

Mid Thread Claims:
Word Count: 2013


Claiming 10 stats
Adding 552 to Lion’s Frenzy (Learned)
Previous Progress: http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t42311-takeshi-takes-to-the-water-gardens#336111
Adding 1000 to Earth Release: Rock Pillar Spears (Learned)
http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t23975-earth-release-rock-pillar-spears?highlight=earth
Adding 461 to Hiding like a mole (461/1000)
http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t23016-v6-hiding-like-a-mole-technique?highlight=hiding+like+a+mole

Takeshi, of course, drew a similarity between cooking, to his own life. Takeshi was the raw ingredients, he was nothing more than raw potential with absolutely no idea on how to change his own self to become the masterpiece. It wasn’t until Ayato, Kuniko, and Sakuragi were the ones that took the raw ingredients that was Takeshi and turned it into an acutal shinobi with the drive to show all of them that their decision to speak to Takeshi and pull him out of his own abyss, was not in vain and was not a mistake. Takeshi was the raw ingredients, he was nothing more than raw potential with absolutely no idea on how to change his own self to become the masterpiece. It wasn’t until Ayato, Kuniko, and Sakuragi were the ones that took the raw ingredients that was Takeshi and turned it into an acutal shinobi with the drive to show all of them that their decision to speak to Takeshi and pull him out of his own abyss, was not in vain and was not a mistake. Takeshi saw these people as his family, not only because they were members of the same clan. But because they were the ones that saved Takeshi and reignited the flame that Takeshi knew that he had inside himself all along, he just didn’t have the courage to spark that fire.


Takeshi walked by the clothing store, the store that Takeshi had finally bought his first brand new set of combat clothes. Something that Takeshi was not sure if he was ever going to have, but fortunately Takeshi had took on the mission of saving the royals from the bandits and leading them back into the village so they would be safe. Takeshi was paid well that day, and Takeshi was more than grateful that this village had so many missions that Takeshi could perform out so Takeshi could actually replace the income that his mother originally brought in. Takeshi was now able to produce for himself and didn’t have to worry about anyone taking care of him. Takeshi was working hard, but he was enjoying what he was doing. He was pushing himself harder and harder, trying to become the ninja that he wanted to be.Takeshi was now able to produce for himself and didn’t have to worry about anyone taking care of him. Takeshi was working hard, but he was enjoying what he was doing. He was pushing himself harder and harder, trying to become the ninja that he wanted to be. He also, was readying himself to become a Chuunin in the exams. Takeshi knew that the other Genin, such as Sakuragi, was going to be someone of interest when the exams began. Takeshi had offered to spar with Sakuragi. But Sakuragi felt that he was too strong to spar with Takeshi, even telling Takeshi that he needed to get stronger before sparring with Sakuragi. Sakuragi may be his teammate, but in Takeshi’s eyes. He is also someone that he wanted to fight.

Takeshi was in the same team as Sakuragi, but that was going to be, in Takeshi’s mind, his number one rival. Takeshi spent hours training, even in the morning before training, his first thought was how badly he wanted to prove himself to not only Sakuragi that he was in fact strong enough to beat him, but to himself that he could actually hold his own and win in a fight. Takeshi still hadn’t sparred with anyone yet, but with all of the techniques that he had been practicing and with all of the training that he had been putting his body through. He was sure that he could have a fighting chance with anyone in rank. But this did not make Takeshi feel at all complacent, Takeshi wanted to continue to push forward and break every limit that Takeshi himself thought that he had. He also wanted to push through the limits that others had put onto him. Takeshi was willing and ready to train with anyone and everyone, he wanted nothing more than to learn, learn and learn.

Takeshi continued his journey to the Training grounds, “Today is going to be the day that I learn another new technique.” Takeshi had been padding his arsenal for weeks, so the amount of techniques that Takeshi was able to perform was, in Takeshi’s opinion, quite impressive for how young of a ninja he was. Of course Takeshi was talking about his actual age, due to his mother not allowing him to join the ninja academy until years after he was eligible to join he was actually older than most of the ninjas that shared the same rank as himself. But he was talking about since he had actually graduated and began his career as a ninja. Takeshi felt that he could hold his own in any fight, but he also feels as though he had worked hard enough to feel proud of himself for gaining such progress. But there was one thing that was bothering Takeshi.

Takeshi hadn’t been in a spar, this did make Takeshi worry about his ability to use his arsenal and put all of his techniques together to make an actual fighting strategy. He would be able to huck all of these grand techniques towards his opponent. But when it came to actually being able to string attacks together to form an actual inescapable strategy, Takeshi was quite worried that he would run out of chakra or stamina toward the midway point of the battle. This worry was quite prominent in Takeshi’s mind, but for now, Takeshi was going to continue to train his absolute hardest and hope that one day soon, he will be able to spar with someone to test his own strength and meddle in a battle.

Takeshi continued his trek toward the training grounds, he was only about 50 meters away until he realized that he had not actually chosen what technique he was going to even attempt to learn that day in training.But he was talking about since he had actually graduated and began his career as a ninja. Takeshi felt that he could hold his own in any fight, but he also feels as though he had worked hard enough to feel proud of himself for gaining such progress. But there was one thing that was bothering Takeshi. Takeshi could either choose an actual technique that he wanted to learn specifically, or he could instead choose to just go to the training grounds and work on his fitness. Takeshi had been doing a lot of training with new techniques, but he hadn’t been able to do a lot of training on just his fitness. Takeshi was not entirely sure which decision he was going to choose. Takeshi walked over to the library, where he was going to look through the encyclopedia of jutsu and decide which technique he was going to learn that day. Takeshi stared at the door to the library for a few minutes, trying to decide whether or not he was going to learn a new technique, or just work on his fitness. Takeshi thought longer and harder, until finally he decided to choose both.

Takeshi gripped onto his backpack straps and he walked over to the training grounds and he was getting himself ready for a a couple hours of physical training and meditation so he could put his focus on the ability to concentrate his chakra in the different ways he needed to to perform the many different techniques that he had learned in the last few weeks. Takeshi found a nice opening toward the back of the training grounds, and set down his back pack. Takeshi then sat down on the floor, folded his legs and began to meditate. Takeshi closed his eyes and he visualized his chakra, he saw his chakra with a blue aura surrounding filling his entire body. Takeshi could feel his chakra covering his entire body, he could feel it pulsing, just as his own heart does. He felt his own chakra as one would his own arm, feeling that he had complete control of it. While Takeshi knew that he didn’t have a lot of history with his chakra and actually controlling. He felt that he was coming into his own when it came to the ways of the shinobi.

Takeshi continued to meditate and he could feel the cool wind blow against his face, Takeshi loved the cool breeze, he loved everything about the cool weather. He loved the breeze, he loved the option to put on new clothes, but not having to. Rather than in the heat, you can only take off so many articles of clothing before you become inappropriate. Takeshi hated the heat, but he hated the humidity much more. Heat is something that tolerable to Takeshi, but humidity, no matter what you do, you’re going to be covered in sweat. Takeshi continued to focus on his chakra, activating and deactivating his Byakugan at will. Activating and deactivating his eyes did take some getting used to, but after a few days of doing it constantly after that night with Sakuragi when he helped him realize how to perform the technique. Takeshi was beginning to get used to his eyes. But there was still much to do when it came to using his eyes during battle. All he needed was someone to spar with and that would really give Takeshi a huge boost in confidence in his actual skill in battle, not just in training. Takeshi had only one slight encounter with someone else’s technique, but that was with Ayato and his Genjutsu. This was only instructive and had absolutely no intent to harm in that one.

But even with that known, Takeshi was proud of how he handled that sitation with Ayato’s genjutsu. Takeshi was able to understand the fact that he was in a genjutsu, and he was able to stay calm, cool, and collected enough to be able to remember what exactly it was that he needed to do to pull himself back out of the genjutsu. Takeshi remembered how the undead type copies of Ayato that had surrounded him when Ayato had called them. Their lifeless eyes, and undead type movements. They came out of everywhere, the trees, the ground, and slowly walked toward Takeshi. Takeshi was able to dodge the attacks that were given by the copies. He was able to land a lot of attacks on the copies. Takeshi was shocked at the sudden appearance of multiple copies of Ayato. Takeshi heard Ayato to try and hit them. Takeshi grabbed two knives from his pouch and got into a fighting stance. Takeshi took a look at the eyes of one of the copies, he noticed the lifeless eyes and the odd movements of the copies. Didn't know why such a powerful ninja would produce such sad copies of himself. Before Takeshi was able to put the pieces together, two more copies had come from behind him. Takeshi ducked under the grasps and tried to thrust his knife into the back of both copies. Takeshi's knife hit their mark. But nothing had happened, the knives just stuck into their back with no blood, no real reaction at all. Takeshi jumped backwards, flipping back and landing on his feet. Takeshi was about 3 meters from the copies. Takeshi analyzed these copies. "I struck two of them perfectly. Even if they were copies they would have disappeared. Unless, these copies are just illusions. That would explain why they seem so pathetic for someone like Ayato to have summoned them." Ayato had just talked about illusions. "Wait! Does that mean these are-" Takeshi was cut off by another attacking copy.

Takeshi kept dodging the copies attacks, noticing that his attacks seemed to continue to phase through the copies and never really hit anything. Takeshi was certain these were illusions. No doubt about it. Takeshi had realized that these were not real and it was a bunch of illusions. But the still left the problem of what to do about it. Takeshi tried to remember what Ayato had said. “Say, we are sticking to the basics. Next in line is Genjutsu Kai or Release. By using this technique, the user is able to escape Genjutsu they are placed under. Executing the tiger seal will make chakra flow rapidly through your body thus breaking the opponent's hold over your chakra flow, which is how the art of illusion works." That was it! Takeshi stopped his dodging. Stood still and executed the tiger seal. He felt his chakra flow rapidly through his body and the copies had gone away. Takeshi remembered that day fondly, Takeshi fought hard that day, and he learned so much from Ayato. Takeshi had never had the actual real deal of genjutsu to be put upon him. Takeshi didn’t know what to expect when Ayato and Takeshi began speaking on Genjutsu. When Ayato had it begin, Takeshi was equal parts nervous and excited. But at the end of the session, Takeshi was most certainly enlightened.

Takeshi finally opened his eyes. Takeshi felt refreshed after meditating for so long. Takeshi stood back up and he stretched his entire body. Takeshi grabbed his backpack, grabbed his lunch out of the bag, sat down on the ground and leaned against a tall pine tree and looked up into the sky. “What a great day.” Takeshi looked into the sky and watched as the clouds drifted by. Takeshi wondered what it would be like to just float along like clouds do on a daily basis. Obviously they aren’t sentient, but it would be wonderful to just float about and not have anything to worry about. Takeshi ate his lunch very slowly, he wanted to enjoy the day today. The weather in and of itself was reason enough to just sit back and relax and enjoy yourself out in the great outdoors.

Takeshi remembered again his impromptu training session with Ayato Hyuga. Takeshi respected Ayato, but he did despise the lack of confidence that he had in Takeshi’s ability. ““So you want to be the strongest Hyuuga that ever walked on earth…” Ayato said in a tone that suggested mild amusement in response to the kid’s bold statement. “Good luck with that. I want to live at a castle in the sky and get paid in candy, for all the good it does me.” Takeshi could not forget those words from Ayato. Takeshi smiled and thought to himself, “He is going to be another person that I will have to prove wrong. Takeshi had no problem with people having low expectations for him. Or for completely doubting the potential of Takeshi. He had no quarrel with it because he knew that he was going to be proving them all one day.

Takeshi then remembered Sakuragi. The brown skinned Hyuga with a very harsh tone and brutally honest vocabulary. While Takeshi respected him as an ally and as a teammate. Takeshi wanted nothing more than to spar with him, Takeshi wanted to know whether or not he was strong enough to challenge Sakuragi. For Sakuragi, when proposed with a spar by Takeshi, told Takeshi to get stronger first, and then challenge him. Takeshi still couldn’t understand why it was that Sakuragi felt that he was so much stronger than Takeshi that he would react with such arrogance. It infuriated him to a point that it drove Takeshi to the training grounds every single day. No matter what, Takeshi had continued to make himself stronger and stronger. Takeshi recalled Sakuragi on that night. “You are of course free to go if you would like Sakuragi. But there is one thing I was wondering if you would be up for. We still have a little bit of time before it’s dark. What do you say you and I have a spar here on this field? We will most certainly no try and kill each other, but we will see how we fare against each other. This way, we can have a good idea how to fight when it comes to fighting other people, either on a mission or in the Chuunin exam and even after that. I have not been in a spar yet, so this would be extremely good for me.” Takeshi remembered asking him that question. Takeshi felt as though that was a pretty fair offer. Takeshi thought that at that time, they were probably pretty close to the same strength. But then the way that Sakuragi responded drove him nuts to that very moment. “ You just learnt the byakugan which is the basis of every hyuuga clan jutsu. I might get hurt if I spar with you. So get stronger and challenge me later” Takeshi still trying to understand what he was saying. “I might get hurt if I spar with you.” “Was he saying that I was stronger? Was he saying that I didn’t have enough control of myself and I would most likely go to far and hurt him? Did he miss speak?” Takeshi had no clue. There was no real explanation as to why he would say those words.

Takeshi then remembered how he responded to his rejection of Takeshi’s sparring proposal. “Oh don’t worry. We’re much closer than you think.” Takeshi was in all honesty, slightly pissed and salty at the fact that Sakuragi would imply that he was not worthy of a sparring match with Sakuragi. Takeshi angridly ate more of his food. Slamming whole bites of rice with a slight scowl on his face. Takeshi then slowed down and chuckled for a minute. Takeshi remembered what he had just said about Ayato, “One day, hopefully really soon. I will prove Sakuragi and Ayato wrong.” Takeshi continued to eat his food at a leisurely pace. Takeshi remembered another thing about that day with Ayato. Takeshi rubbed his forehead where the curse mark resided. Takeshi thought again about his conversation with Kuniko at the gates of the village. "That is the Hyuuga Curse Mark. It has a long history in our clan. They were once used as a method of control, but that time has long since past. Now they are first and foremost a sign of a Hyuuga cadet branch member. It is our duty to protect the main branch family members at all costs, such as Master Ayato himself. But they also serve a second purpose. The curse mark will ensure that our enemies cannot steal our clan secrets if we are killed in battle. Upon our death, the seal will destroy our eyes so no ninja may steal them. There are some monsters out there that would pay a bag of sapphires for a Byakugan after all." Takeshi thought about the last sentence that Kuniko had said. “A bag of sapphires for these eyes.” Takeshi thought to himself. Takeshi tried to think as to why Ayato would have given him that curse mark. “Was it that he cared about me? Or just my eyes?” Takeshi thought to himself.

Takeshi didn’t know what the answer to that question was, but no matter what the answer was. Takeshi was still appreciative. That Ayato would actually give a gift like this to someone as lowly as Takeshi was, especially at that time. Takeshi couldn’t help himself but to remember another thing that Kuniko had said at the gate. “Also, if Ayato himself placed that curse mark upon your head, it means that he cares a great deal about you. These marks protect us more than you can imagine. Any Hyuuga without them would be mercilessly hunted down by organ thieves. But as long as you have that over your brow, they won't come after you." Takeshi thought real hard about the first sentence, “If Ayato placed this curse mark on my head, than according to Kuniko, he actually cares a great deal about me.” Takeshi couldn’t think as to why he would. Maybe he did actually believe in Takeshi. Or again, did he just care about the secrets of our clan? Takeshi often thought about the eyes that had been bestowed unto him at birth. The eyes that are such blessings, and yet for some such curses. Organ hunters, what a world to live in where people actually need to worry about people killing them, just to harvest their eyes. Takeshi felt sorry for those who had to worry about that. Than he was thankful to Ayato for giving Takeshi something that would make his life a little easier and not have to worry about that.

Takeshi finished his lunch, and he felt like he had spent enough time killing it. So Takeshi then packed up his things and began headed over to the library to take a look to see which technique he was going to try and learn today. Takeshi finished packing up his lunch and headed over. Takeshi walked into the library and walked over to the Encyclopedia of Jutsu. Takeshi flipped through the pages and looked through all of the different techniques that filled the pages in this giant book. Takeshi, sticking with his specialty of Taijutsu, went to that part of the Encyclopedia and began skimming through all of the entries in this part of the book finally came across three entries that linked together to one large combo move. The moves actually came from another village in the land of Fire. The largest village in the whole Land of Fire, called Konohagakure. Takeshi read through the passages and he realized that these were the techniques that he was going to practice that day.

Mid-thread claims:

TWC: 3612
Adding 18 stats
Adding 35 words to Leaf Rising Wind (Learned)
Previous progress: http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t42315p10-byakugan-training


Adding 1000 words to Dancing Leaf Shadow (Learned)
http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t30853-lion-s-frenzy

Adding 448 to Lion’s Frenzy (Learned)

Previous Progress:http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t42311-takeshi-takes-to-the-water-gardens


Adding 51 Hiding Like a Mole (Learned)

Previous Progress:http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t42358-takeshi-hits-the-gardens


Adding 1750 to Eight Trigrams: Vacuum Burst (Learned)
http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t39088-eight-trigrams-vacuum-burst?highlight=Vacuum+Burst

Adding 328 to Hyuuga Valor (328/2500)
http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t41484-hyuuga-s-valor?highlight=valor

Approved

Takeshi didn’t know what the answer to that question was, but no matter what the answer was. Takeshi was still appreciative. That Ayato would actually give a gift like this to someone as lowly as Takeshi was, especially at that time. Takeshi couldn’t help himself but to remember another thing that Kuniko had said at the gate. “Also, if Ayato himself placed that curse mark upon your head, it means that he cares a great deal about you. These marks protect us more than you can imagine. Any Hyuuga without them would be mercilessly hunted down by organ thieves. But as long as you have that over your brow, they won't come after you." Takeshi thought real hard about the first sentence, “If Ayato placed this curse mark on my head, than according to Kuniko, he actually cares a great deal about me.” Takeshi couldn’t think as to why he would. Maybe he did actually believe in Takeshi. Or again, did he just care about the secrets of our clan? Takeshi often thought about the eyes that had been bestowed unto him at birth. The eyes that are such blessings, and yet for some such curses. Organ hunters, what a world to live in where people actually need to worry about people killing them, just to harvest their eyes. Takeshi felt sorry for those who had to worry about that. Than he was thankful to Ayato for giving Takeshi something that would make his life a little easier and not have to worry about that.

Takeshi finished his lunch, and he felt like he had spent enough time killing it. So Takeshi then packed up his things and began headed over to the library to take a look to see which technique he was going to try and learn today. Takeshi finished packing up his lunch and headed over. Takeshi walked into the library and walked over to the Encyclopedia of Jutsu. Takeshi flipped through the pages and looked through all of the different techniques that filled the pages in this giant book. Takeshi, sticking with his specialty of Taijutsu, went to that part of the Encyclopedia and began skimming through all of the entries in this part of the book finally came across three entries that linked together to one large combo move. The moves actually came from another village in the land of Fire. The largest village in the whole Land of Fire, called Konohagakure. Takeshi read through the passages and he realized that these were the techniques that he was going to practice that day.

Takeshi was looking through passages on the taijutsu techniques, but then he realized that these techniques were a little too basic for him. Takehsi was looking for a little more complex and higher rank. So Takeshi continued to take a look and tried to see what he could find in that hefty book sitting in the library. “Should I go with a low rank ninjutsu? Or a higher ranking Taijutsu. I could go with some genjutsu too. Medical might be a good choice. There’s too many choices!!!” Takeshi continued to read and he just couldn’t figure out what it was exactly that he wanted to do today. Takeshi continue to read and read, he read until he noticed the lights in the library came on.

Takeshi then remembered how he responded to his rejection of Takeshi’s sparring proposal. “Oh don’t worry. We’re much closer than you think.” Takeshi was in all honesty, slightly pissed and salty at the fact that Sakuragi would imply that he was not worthy of a sparring match with Sakuragi. Takeshi angridly ate more of his food. Slamming whole bites of rice with a slight scowl on his face. Takeshi then slowed down and chuckled for a minute. Takeshi remembered what he had just said about Ayato, “One day, hopefully really soon. I will prove Sakuragi and Ayato wrong.” Takeshi continued to eat his food at a leisurely pace. Takeshi remembered another thing about that day with Ayato. Takeshi rubbed his forehead where the curse mark resided. Takeshi thought again about his conversation with Kuniko at the gates of the village. "That is the Hyuuga Curse Mark. It has a long history in our clan. They were once used as a method of control, but that time has long since past. Now they are first and foremost a sign of a Hyuuga cadet branch member. It is our duty to protect the main branch family members at all costs, such as Master Ayato himself. But they also serve a second purpose.

Takeshi read through the book some more and he realized that the lights had come on in the library, “Oh crap!” Takeshi yelled quietly. Takeshi had spent the whole day meditating and reading, he didn’t actually get any physical training in today. Takeshi realized this and was bummed, but he did in fact do a lot of training with his chakra, so the day was not a total loss. Takeshi shut the giant book of jutsu and techniques, and walked away from the pedestal. Takeshi past by the woman behind the counter, he bid her a good day, she did the same to him. Takeshi then left the library and began walking down the street, watching as the street lights throughout the town began to come on a couple streets at a time. Takeshi walked saw shops start to turn on their interior shop lights. Takeshi walked by a bakery, a shop that he realized that he had never been in. Takeshi really did love to cook, that he just realized that he needed to go into that shop.

When Takeshi walked into the bakery, the very first thing that he had noticed was the smell. The smell that had graced the entire area with its marvelous presence. Takeshi knew that was the smell of fresh bread, made exactly for families just getting off of work and heading home and needing an extra something to go with their dinner for the night. Takeshi walked over to the fresh bread and put out a huge whiff. Takeshi loved the smell of fresh bread, it was something he had yet to do himself just yet. Takeshi grabbed one of the loaves and tucked it under his arm, that would make just the perfect addition to his dinner, a dinner that he had no idea what he was going to have just yet. Takeshi than noticed the shopkeep watching him, so Takeshi figured it was time to spark up a conversation.

Takeshi walked over and greeted the baker, she greeted him and they began to chat. “Good evening, ma’am. How are you this evening?” Takeshi asked with a smile. “Very fine, sir. How about yourself?” The baker responded. Takeshi smiled again, looking at some of the baked goods that sat in the counter. “I am doing just fine, even better now that I am looking at a case full of these wonderful baked goods. I do have a question for you.” Takeshi looked to the shopkeep. “Of course. What do you want answered?” The baker responded with focused eyes, slightly hunched forward with both of her hands set on the wooden countertop.

Takeshi looked at the shopkeep and asked, “Do you suppose I could come in one morning when you get here and help you make your baked goods? I will be here early and work for free if you would just teach me how to bake?” Takeshi continued to look at the shopkeep directly in the eye. The shopkeeper chuckled and asked through the laughs, “You know how early I get here boy?” The shopkeeper asked in jest. “I get here at 3:30 in the morning without fail so I can get this placed stocked and looking pretty before opening.” The shopkeeper had expected that to be something to make Takeshi tuck his tail between his legs and run. But this couldn’t have deterred Takeshi any less. Takeshi smiled and asked, “Every day of the week.” The shopkeep thinking she had seen Takeshi pull out at the notion. She said “Mmhmm. Every single one of them.” Takeshi smiled and said, “Than I’ll see you in the morning.” Takeshi said as he placed the money on the counter for the bread and began to walk out the door. The shopkeep seemed to be impressed with boy’s tenacity. Takeshi walked out the door, and continued to walk down the road. Takeshi broke off a piece of bread, and began to chew on it. But Takeshi was not just eating the bread, he was analyzing the bread, feeling how the bread felt in his mouth, how it melted. The taste of the bread, he could taste the yeast inside the bread that had been cooked off. Felt the elasticity of the bread, how the gluten made the bread so chewy and delicious all at the same time. Takeshi walked down the road until he came across another shop off the main street that he hadn’t been into before. The butcher’s shop.

The butcher’s shop was quite different than that of the bakery, when you walk in, you don’t get that beautiful sweet and yeasty smell. You get the smell of blood and meat. Which to some may be a turn off, but for Takeshi, he loved all food. The ones that smelled sweet, and the ones that smelled savory. Takeshi walked into the butcher’s shop and did the same as he did in the bakery. He greeted the butcher and asked him how he was doing. “Good evening sir.” Takeshi said to the butcher. “Good evening.” The shop keep had responded with a response to the baker before. He greeted Takeshi with a half smile and asked him if there was anything that he could do to help Takeshi find what he was looking for. Takeshi smiled and shook his head, “Just looking right now.” The shopkeep nodded his head and began to wipe down the counter top.


Takeshi then remembered how he responded to his rejection of Takeshi’s sparring proposal. “Oh don’t worry. We’re much closer than you think.” Takeshi was in all honesty, slightly pissed and salty at the fact that Sakuragi would imply that he was not worthy of a sparring match with Sakuragi. Takeshi angridly ate more of his food. Slamming whole bites of rice with a slight scowl on his face. Takeshi then slowed down and chuckled for a minute. Takeshi remembered what he had just said about Ayato, “One day, hopefully really soon. I will prove Sakuragi and Ayato wrong.” Takeshi continued to eat his food at a leisurely pace. Takeshi remembered another thing about that day with Ayato. Takeshi rubbed his forehead where the curse mark resided. Takeshi thought again about his conversation with Kuniko at the gates of the village. "That is the Hyuuga Curse Mark. It has a long history in our clan. They were once used as a method of control, but that time has long since past. Now they are first and foremost a sign of a Hyuuga cadet branch member. It is our duty to protect the main branch family members at all costs, such as Master Ayato himself. But they also serve a second purpose.

Takeshi looked through the shelves that were in the butcher shop, and he looked through the case to see if he found anything in there that he could have for dinner that night. Takeshi found a few pounds of skirt steak, and Takeshi figured he would just make some ramen at the house tonight. Takeshi grabbed the skirt steak and paid for it. Takeshi thanked the butcher for his time and for the meat, he then began to walk out the door. Takeshi saw something right next to the door that caught his eye. It was a picture of a few Hyuga men. Takeshi thought nothing of it, this village had a lot of Hyuuga in the village, these three men were probably just one of them. But there was something about one of the men in the picture that didn’t sit right with him. Almost like he knew exactly who it was, but at the same time had no idea. Takeshi slowly shrugged his shoulders and walked out of the butcher’s shop. Takeshi gripped onto his backpack, that picture burned into his mind. Takeshi tried his best not to let it bother him as he continued down the street.

As Takeshi got closer to the end of the main street, which then broke off into the residential district of the village, he continued to remember that picture on the Butcher shop’s wall. “Why is this picture so ingrained into my mind right now? I feel as though something about that picture just shot off something in my head.” Takeshi couldn’t shake the feeling. Takeshi then started debating on whether or not he should go back to the shop and ask the butcher about the men in the picture. Or if he should just go home. Takeshi walked back and forth again and again until finally he made the decision to go back and talk to the shopkeeper about that picture. Takeshi began walking back to the butcher shop when he had some sort of vision, his mind went blurry but he could see a face that looked similar to the picture in the shop. Takeshi got closer to the shop, at this point his head began to ache. Takeshi got to the door and he saw the shopkeeper inside, still cleaning off the countertop. Takeshi walked in and asked the shopkeeper about the picture. “Excuse me, sir. Who are the men in this picture. Especially these Hyuugas here.” Takeshi said as he pointed at two of the three men in the picture. The shopkeeper looked at the picture and smiled, with a small tear in his eye. “Well the one in the middle there is me. The other Hyuuga is a man named Ryuu Hyuuga.” Takeshi immediately ceased all movements. “Ryuu?” Takeshi thought to himself. “I wonder if that had anything to do with the voice that lived in his head for all that time had anything to do with this man in the picture, could this man be-” Takeshi stopped himself before jumping to far into conclusions. Takeshi thanked the man and asked him his name. The butcher looked away from the picture and back at Takeshi and said, “My name is Otosan Hyuuga.” Takeshi smiled and shook the shopkeepers hand. Thanked him for his time and for the information. Then Takeshi walked out the front door, with his mind going a mile a minute as to what he had just found. He had just found some information as to who his father may have been. “Ryuu Hyuuga, how interesting.” Takeshi thought to himself as he walked back down the main road toward the residential area. Takeshi was so excited to even have a possible lead as to who his father and looked like. Many people told Takeshi how great his father was, but never who he actually was. So this was a very important development in Takeshi’s life.

Takeshi was just about to get into the residential district when he noticed the sun was pretty much gone and the only light he had left was the street lights that were now all on along the streets. Takeshi took a quick look at the sky and took a big and deep breath of all the cold air he could get a hold of. Released the breath and continued his way home.

Mid-Thread Claims:

TWC: 2600

+13 stats
+2172 to Hyuuga’s Valor (Learned)
Hyuuga's Valor
Previous Progress is above

+428 to Clan Pureblood (428/2000)
http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t41059-genetic-progenitor-clan-pureblood?highlight=pureblood

Approved

Takeshi walked into the kitchen, set down the bread and meat, and he walked into his pantry and began looking through the pantry and tried to figure out what exactly he was going to make with the ingredients that he had on hand. Takeshi looked through his ingredients and he decided that he was going to keep with his original idea, some ramen. Takeshi grabbed his butter from the fridge, his vegetable oil from on top of his fridge. He grabbed his ginger and garlic from the bottom drawer of his fridge. Grabbed the soy sauce and mirin from the cabinet. Takeshi then grabbed his homemade chicken stock from the fridge, he had been cooking the stock overnight the night before. Takeshi grabbed his dried mushrooms and eggs. He grabbed his salt and scallions. Then finally he grabbed some jalapenos and of course, ramen noodles.

As Takeshi got closer to the end of the main street, which then broke off into the residential district of the village, he continued to remember that picture on the Butcher shop’s wall. “Why is this picture so ingrained into my mind right now? I feel as though something about that picture just shot off something in my head.” Takeshi couldn’t shake the feeling. Takeshi then started debating on whether or not he should go back to the shop and ask the butcher about the men in the picture. Or if he should just go home. Takeshi walked back and forth again and again until finally he made the decision to go back and talk to the shopkeeper about that picture. Takeshi began walking back to the butcher shop when he had some sort of vision, his mind went blurry but he could see a face that looked similar to the picture in the shop. Takeshi got closer to the shop, at this point his head began to ache. Takeshi got to the door and he saw the shopkeeper inside, still cleaning off the countertop. Takeshi walked in and asked the shopkeeper about the picture. “Excuse me, sir. Who are the men in this picture. Especially these Hyuugas here.” Takeshi said as he pointed at two of the three men in the picture. The shopkeeper looked at the picture and smiled, with a small tear in his eye. “Well the one in the middle there is me. The other Hyuuga is a man named Ryuu Hyuuga.” Takeshi immediately ceased all movements. “Ryuu?” Takeshi thought to himself. “I wonder if that had anything to do with the voice that lived in his head for all that time had anything to do with this man in the picture, could this man be-” Takeshi stopped himself before jumping to far into conclusions. Takeshi thanked the man and asked him his name. The butcher looked away from the picture and back at Takeshi and said, “My name is Otosan Hyuuga.” Takeshi smiled and shook the shopkeepers hand. Thanked him for his time and for the information. Then Takeshi walked out the front door, with his mind going a mile a minute as to what he had just found. He had just found some information as to who his father may have been. “Ryuu Hyuuga, how interesting.” Takeshi thought to himself as he walked back down the main road toward the residential area. Takeshi was so excited to even have a possible lead as to who his father and looked like. Many people told Takeshi how great his father was, but never who he actually was. So this was a very important development in Takeshi’s life.

Takeshi began the cooking of his proteins first. After preheating his oven, Takeshi unwrapped the skirt steak and laid it out on his cutting board. Takeshi marveled at the beef for just a few seconds, looking at the beautiful and even marbling within the meat. Takeshi grabbed his salt and his pepper, open the lids on their containers, and began to season the meat. Takeshi started with the salt, got a three finger pinch and generously seasoned the meat with salt. Takeshi then massaged the salt into the meat, making sure that the salt coated the beef evenly. Once he had finished with the salt, he set the container containing the salt aside, and he moved over to the other seasoning for the meat, the pepper. Takeshi grabbed the container holding pepper, and just like with the salt, he got a three finger pinch of pepper a few times and generously seasoned the steak with the pepper. Takeshi massaged the meat again, ensuring that the pepper was evenly covering the steak. After this point, Takeshi flipped the steak over and he repeated the process. Takeshi grabbed his salt and his pepper, open the lids on their containers, and began to season the meat. Takeshi started with the salt, got a three finger pinch and generously seasoned the meat with salt. Takeshi then massaged the salt into the meat, making sure that the salt coated the beef evenly. Once he had finished with the salt, he set the container containing the salt aside, and he moved over to the other seasoning for the meat, the pepper. Takeshi grabbed the container holding pepper, and just like with the salt, he got a three finger pinch of pepper a few times and generously seasoned the steak with the pepper. Just then, Takeshi remembered that he had forgot a very important ingredient, Takeshi had almost forgotten the garlic powder. Takeshi searched through his cabinets and tried finding that all important seasoning. But he couldn’t find it, “There’s no way I have run out.” Takeshi said to himself as he kept looking. Takeshi looked through his cabinet and he had finally found it behind a bunch of other spices. Takeshi had forgotten that he had cleaned out his spice cabinet the other day and didn’t have time to organize his spices as he set them back into the spice cabinet. Takeshi then left his steak on the counter to rest while the butter cooked in his cast iron pan. Takeshi grabbed his cast iron skillet, and set 15 grams of his unsalted butter in the skillet. Takeshi then set the skillet into the pre heated oven, and he waited for the butter to melt. After a few minutes, the butter was melted. Takeshi set the steak into the skillet, but just before he set the steak and skillet into the oven, he listened to steak sizzle and smelled the butter as it cooked the steak. Takeshi grinned and felt so good about what he had just experienced, so he then set the steak containing skillet into the oven.

As the protein was cooking in the oven, Takeshi knew that it was time to make his ramen broth. The ramen broth is most certainly the most important part of the ramen, if you don’t have a good broth, then you don’t have a good bowl of ramen. Takeshi knew this to be true after years of trial and error and eating ramen for so much of his life. Takeshi was able to eat ramen for so much of his life because Ramen is a dish that is very common in the poorer communities due to its reliance on stock, which is mostly just water with leftover chicken carcasses. Takeshi had put a lot of time and effort in his research into the perfect broth so he could create the most wonderful bowl of ramen. Takeshi got a stock pot and put it onto his stove, he crouched down to look at the dials on the stove and turned the heat up to a medium-high heat. Takeshi grabbed his oil and he poured it into the bottom of the pot and allowed the oil to heat up to the point that it freely moved about the bottom of the pan. While the oil is heating up, Takeshi grabbed his garlic and his ginger and minced them both together. Takeshi took a second to smell the wondrous smells that were coming from the cutting board. Takeshi noticed the oil was sufficiently pre-heated and he swirled the pot around just a little bit so the oil would evenly coat the bottom of the pot. Takeshi grabbed his cutting board and his knife. This knife he had was a folded steel chef’s knife, this was something that was given to him out of pity from a chef in one of the restaurants in town. Takeshi had nothing in his kitchen because his mother was a terrible cook, so when his mother was gone, Takeshi needed some utensils. One of the chef’s had seen Takeshi as he was looking through the restaurant’s trash looking for food. The chef gave Takeshi a box. That box contained an entire knife set, and ingredients that he needed to make ramen. Takeshi was extremely grateful to that man for helping him when he desperately needed it. Takeshi used the knife to push the garlic and ginger minced mixture into the pot. Then came Takeshi’s favorite part of preparation, the smells. The smell from the protein in the oven, and the vegetables in the pot, were intoxicating. The entire house began to smell like what Takeshi would only imagine what Heaven would smell like. Takeshi allowed the mix to cook for a few minutes in the bottom of the pot, until they softened. Once this had happened, Takeshi then grabbed his soy sauce and his Mirin, and added them both. He stirred it all together to mix and coat the ginger and garlic with the soy sauce and mirin. He cooked for one more minute, then he moved on to the homemade chicken stock. Takeshi grabbed the homemade chicken stock and poured it into the stock pot that had the mirin, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. The steam rolled up the sides of the pot and Takeshi caught the steam in the pot by putting the lid of the pot onto the pot. “Don’t want to lose any flavor or moisture” Takeshi reminded himself. Once the broth began to boil, Takeshi grabbed the lid and removed it and he let the stock simmer for five minutes. He then added his dried mushrooms and let it simmer for another ten to eleven minutes. Takeshi then tasted the broth to make sure the taste was right, if not then Takeshi would adjust the flavor with salt and pepper, depending on what it needed. Once the flavor is perfect, he would move the pot’s heat to low-medium so it can continue to meld together and improve as it slowly simmers.

Takeshi loved ramen so much, more than he could ever explain. There were so many reasons as to why he loved it, but one in particular that he couldn’t explain why he loved so much, was the soft boiled eggs. Takeshi felt that this small ingredient added so much to ramen, when cooked correctly, the yolk will actually give the ramen a much needed boost in texture. The yolk can give the broth a silky type feel when eating and heated properly. It also gave the ramen an added umami flavor, especially when cooking with proteins that were lacking in the umami flavors in and of itself, like a shrimp, or many types of seafood, or if not using a protein at all. If one was a vegetarian, than the egg would at least give a decent alternative to the meat that is traditionally used in this dish. Takeshi grabbed a large bowl and filled the bowl halfway to two thirds of the way full with water. Takeshi then grabbed some ice from the freezer and he threw in some of the ice from the freezer into the bowl. This was going to be for the ice bath that the soft boiled eggs were going to need so the eggs would stop cooking the moment you take it out of the pot and set it into the ice bath. This not only helped you stop the eggs from over cooking. It also allowed the whites inside of the egg to contract, pulling away from the shell, making the egg much easier to peel and preventing as much shredding of the egg white, not only making it to where you get to eat more of the egg. But you also get to preserve the look of the egg as it sits in the broth when the final product of the ramen is created and assembled. Takeshi grabbed another pot, smaller than the one that he had his broth simmering and melding in. Takeshi set the smaller pot next to the stock pot, filled the pot with room temperature water, and turned the heat on high after setting the pot on the stove. Once the water began to boil. Takeshi set 4 eggs into the water. Takeshi wanted to make sure he was ready to remove the eggs, for a soft boiled egg does not take very long to cook. This was the point in the cooking process that Takeshi took to check the protein and to flip it, the only time he would do this in the entire cooking process. Takeshi checked the protein and noticed the wonderful color that was being produced, as well as the aromas that filled the air the moment that he had opened the oven door. Takeshi flipped the protein over and quickly closed the oven door. Takeshi didn’t want too much of the heat to escape the oven. Takeshi then grabbed his eggs from the boiling water, after only a few minutes, and set them in the ice bath to cool until he was ready to add them to the ramen. Takeshi set the bowl full of ice water and eggs aside on the side of the counter, so it would not get in the way of the rest of the cooking process.

Finally Takeshi checked the protein one last time to see how it was cooking in the oven. Takeshi was pleased to see that it had cooked to absolute perfection. It wasn’t burned, it was perfectly cooked and smelled absolutely amazing. Takeshi grabbed the protein out of the oven and set the baking dish onto the stove and he pulled the protein off of the baking dish, he wanted to make sure that it was cooked through, and he also wanted to cut the meat very thin, this way the meat would take in the flavor of the broth much easier and the tenderness of the meat would shine brightest when shaved, this way the meat will be more likely to melt in your mouth and taste fantastic. Takeshi cut only half the steak very thin, Takeshi didn’t want to cut the rest of the meat until he was ready to eat it, this would retain more of the juice that was inside the meat. This way, the juice of the meat would stay in the ramen when you place the meat inside. Making the ramen that much better. While letting the meat rest before cutting, he checked the stock to ensure the taste was still perfect. Takeshi grabbed his tasting spoon that he had grabbed out of the silverware drawer, and dipped the spoon into the broth, stirred it ever so slightly and took out a spoonful of the broth. Takeshi brough the spoonful of broth closer to his face and took a large inhale, analyzing the smell and enjoying the aroma that the broth produced. Takeshie smiled at the experience of the broth in the spoon and tasted it. Takeshi swooned at just how wonderful the flavor was. When the broth is allowed to stew longer, the taste continues to compound into itself. Making the taste better the longer it is allowed to simmer. Takeshi set the tasting spoon back into the drawer, and he was just about to begin his assembling process. Before Takeshi could assemble his ramen bowls, he needed to cut his scallion jalapenos and his soft boiled eggs to prepare them all for ramen bowl assembly. Takeshi grabbed the jalapenos first, Takeshi grabbed his chef’s knife and chopped off the stem of the jalapeno first. Takeshi slid the stem of the jalapenos to the side of the cutting board, and he continued to slice the jalapeno into rounds, this way the integrity of the jalapeno would keep intact when placed into the hot broth of the ramen. Takeshi cut all of the jalapenos this way, and when he was finished, he set all of the jalapeno rounds into their own bowl, so they would be easily reached when assembly began. Takeshi then moved onto the scallions. Scallion were one of Takeshi’s favorite vegetables, they were always so full of flavor and added a freshness to anything anyone cooks. Takeshi grabbed the scallions and chopped off the end from both sides of the scallions tip and base. Then he continued to chop these in a similar fashion to that of the jalapenos. He cut the scallions into perfect rounds, and when he was finished, just like with the jalapenos. He grabbed a bowl to set the scallions in and set them in the bowl. The very last thing was going to be the soft boiled eggs, the eggs were going to be cut inside the ramen. So he peeled all of the eggs and had them in a place that was easily accessible when the ramen was ready for the eggs. Once Takeshi was ready to go, he grabbed a large bowl from the cabinet, he set the bowl down onto the counter, grabbed a ladle and poured the broth into the bowl until the bowl was two third of the way full, set in the ramen noodles, the meat, the scallions, the jalapenos, then finally the egg. Takeshi put the bowls together and finally cut the egg in half. Takeshi watched in awe, as he always did, as the yolk began to seep into the ramen. Takeshi let the ramen noodles cook for just a few minutes. Then the moment of truth finally came. Takeshi grabbed some chopsticks from the drawer and he began to chow down.

Takeshi leaned back in his chair as he ate the ramen, impressed at how amazing this simple bowl of soup could taste. Takeshi had made this almost every day, but the sheer amount of flavor that resided within this porcelain container was just astounding. Takeshi loved this dish because you don’t need to have the meat in the dish, which is what makes it expensive. You can always just add a few more eggs to the ramen, and you will get most of the protein that you would miss from the actual meat. Not to mention the eggs do give the ramen a wonderful taste and texture. The color of the dish was something to behold. Takeshi looked into the bowl and he remembered all the times he had eaten this same dish. Being that it was almost every day, Takeshi always noticed that this dish was always great. It was something in Takeshi’s life that would stay constant in a positive manner. Takeshi leaned on the ramen as a crutch through his hard life with his mother. Takeshi thought about his mother often, even if she was gone. The house felt like she had never left. Takeshi looked at the spot in the living room where he had taken her life, and he softly wept at the memory. But as he was weeping, he took another bite of his ramen. Feeling the noodles being cooked perfectly in the broth, mixing so well with the eggs and meat. He stopped weeping and remembered that while hard times had definitely come over him, he still was strong enough to push through all of it, and make something beautiful out of it all, like a bowl of ramen. Takeshi finished his bowl of ramen, and it was now time for Takeshi’s least favorite part of cooking, the cleaning part. Takeshi put his leftover broth in a large container, by itself and set it in the fridge. Takeshi never like to mix the leftover ingredients of the ramen, because he liked how it all tastes when it first comes together, not when it sits together for a while. Takeshi then grabbed his leftover meat that was not cut, he wrapped in grease paper and set that in the fridge. Then he grabbed the scallions and jalapenos and put those in a container for each and set them in the fridge. Finally the eggs. Takeshi knew that these didn’t reheat very well. So he just ate them! Takeshi loved soft boiled eggs more than anything. Takeshi then grabbed all of the dishes that he used to eat dinner and all the pots that he used to make dinner, set them in his sink, and he began cleaning all of the dishes. Takeshi had learned long ago that if you don’t let the dishes stack up on you than they are much easier to clean. The only problem with that is when you really don’t want to clean them, you have a tendency to not wanting to clean them right away, so Takeshi would often find himself leaving the pots on the stove or in the sink. When he was finally done with cleaning the whole kitchen after dinner, he shut off the lights and began heading into his room to get ready for bed.

Takeshi walked into his bedroom, and he began his nightly routine after his nightly dinner. Takeshi took off his combat clothes and he put them in their designated spots for when they are dirty. Takeshi then grabbed his weapon pouch off his left thigh and set it on the top of the dresser. He began pulling all of the tools from the pouch and set them nicely on top of the dresser. This allowed Takeshi to look at every single piece of his loadout to see any damage or wear that he could notice and fix or replace. Takeshi found this very important to do every night. Takeshi had hoped that if he took that much extensive care of his equipment, when it came time to be in actual battle, his weapons would hold up and help him carry through any conflict. This is something that he was sure that respectable ninja would do with his own equipment. Takeshi felt good with how great all of his weaponry looked and felt. Takeshi checked his entire arsenal for sharpness and for strength. If Takeshi ever found a blade that was blunt or broken, Takeshi would always make sure to fix the problem and have them fixed or replaced immediately. Takeshi finished checking through his arsenal, saw that his equipment was in good repair and he continued to his next phase of his bedtime routine. Takeshi grabbed his combat vest and hung it back up in the closet. Takeshi inspected his combat to see if there were any flaws in the vest, just like with his blades, if he ever saw a weakness in his clothes, he now tried to sew them up immediately. He noticed that this increased the life of the clothing, not to mention the functionality. Takeshi finally finished putting all of his clothes away and inspecting them all. Takeshi went into his bathroom and hopped into the shower. Takeshi waited for the water to heat up and steam. Takeshi much preferred hot showers, it helped him with his sore body after a long and hard day of training. Takeshi got into the shower, and he felt the hot water sting his skin and after a few minutes, he could feel his muscles finally relax. Takeshi always had the same routine when he washed his body. He felt that when you have a routine in the shower, your total amount of time in the shower will ultimately decrease and you will be more efficient and don’t waste as much water. Takeshi finished up in the shower, he grabbed his towel and began drying off. Takeshi finished drying off his body and he got on his pajamas. Takeshi wore boxer-briefs and that was it when it was time for him to go to bed. Takeshi then brushed his teeth, he made sure to brush his teeth because he felt that tooth pain was the worst kind of pain. Takeshi finally finished his bedtime routine, Takeshi then crawled into his bed, pulled his covers over his body and curled himself up to generate body heat a little faster. Takeshi’s vision began to blur and he fell asleep.

Takeshi didn’t really have plans for the day, he was going to go to the Hogokage’s estate and see what kind of missions that were available, Takeshi had been taking a liking to fill his days with as many missions as he could possibly go on. It was actually very therapeutic for him, it got him out of the house and being on a mission with something to do, was actually able to keep his mind off of his past and kept his mind from wandering. Takeshi had been noticing that Ryuu had been much quieter lately. Takeshi was not entirely sure why or where he had been. Ever since his conversation with Ayato. He noticed Ryuu showing up less and less. Was this because his grieving process was beginning to go to the next step and I didn’t need him anymore? Is it this curse mark that Ayato had placed on him? Takeshi had plenty more questions than he did have answers.

Takeshi’s life had been taking a whole new turn into an entirely new area, he was sleeping through the night, his night terrors had subsided for the most part. The nightmares of his mother that he was having on a nightly basis were beginning to turn into dreamless nights with occasional nightmare, which Takeshi took that as a giant step forward. Takeshi began to stir in his bed, the sun was coming into his room at the perfect angle that filled his entire room with the golden light coming from the sunrise on the horizon. The sunrise used to remind Takeshi that he was alive, and it would make him depressed. It would remind him that he had to get out of bed, and deal with his mother again. But now, while he still needed to deal with his memories, he knew that he was finally safe. Something he had never been before that night with his mother.


Takeshi started to open his eyes, the sun beaming directly into his face he held his hands up to his face until his eyes could finally see straight. Takeshi rolled out to the side of the bed, placed his feet onto the wood floors that covered the majority of the house. It felt cool against his already cold feet. Takeshi pulled his feet back into bed and threw his covers over him. “Come on, man. Gotta get up and do something with your day.” Takeshi told himself. Takeshi threw his blankets all the way off the bed, to discourage him from picking them up again. Takeshi grunted and groaned and slowly lifted his body out of his bed.Takeshi threw his blankets all the way off the bed, to discourage him from picking them up again. Takeshi grunted and groaned and slowly lifted his body out of his bed. He set his feet on the wooden floor one more time, let his body acclimate to the coolness of the floor of the room, and the room itself. Takeshi stood up, stretched his entire body, and headed over to his dresser.

Mid Thread Claims:
Total Word Count: 4614

+23 stats

Adding 1572 to Pureblood skill (Fully Aquired)
Previous Progress is above

Adding 500 to Moving Earth Core (Learned)
http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t22432-moving-earth-core

Adding 500 to Shadow Shuriken (Learned)
http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t31577-shadow-shuriken-technique?highlight=Shadow+Shuriken

Adding 500 to Temporary Paralysis Technique (Learned)
http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t31830-temporary-paralysis-technique?highlight=paralysis

Adding 1000 to Summoning Technique (Learned)
http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t31845-v6-summoning-technique

Adding 500 to Body Flicker Technique (Learned)
http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t22305-body-flicker

Adding 42 to Genjutsu Release (42/250)
http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t22313-genjutsu-release

Takeshi didn’t really have plans for the day, he was going to go to the Hogokage’s estate and see what kind of missions that were available, Takeshi had been taking a liking to fill his days with as many missions as he could possibly go on. It was actually very therapeutic for him, it got him out of the house and being on a mission with something to do, was actually able to keep his mind off of his past and kept his mind from wandering. Takeshi had been noticing that Ryuu had been much quieter lately. Takeshi was not entirely sure why or where he had been. Ever since his conversation with Ayato. He noticed Ryuu showing up less and less. Was this because his grieving process was beginning to go to the next step and I didn’t need him anymore? Is it this curse mark that Ayato had placed  on him? Takeshi had plenty more questions than he did have answers.

Takeshi’s life had been taking a whole new turn into an entirely new area, he was sleeping through the night, his night terrors had subsided for the most part. The nightmares of his mother that he was having on a nightly basis were beginning to turn into dreamless nights with occasional nightmare, which Takeshi took that as a giant step forward. Takeshi began to stir in his bed, the sun was coming into his room at the perfect angle that filled his entire room with the golden light coming from the sunrise on the horizon. The sunrise used to remind Takeshi that he was alive, and it would make him depressed. It would remind him that he had to get out of bed, and deal with his mother again. But now, while he still needed to deal with his memories, he knew that he was finally safe. Something he had never been before that night with his mother.


Takeshi started to open his eyes, the sun beaming directly into his face he held his hands up to his face until his eyes could finally see straight. Takeshi rolled out to the side of the bed, placed his feet onto the wood floors that covered the majority of the house. It felt cool against his already cold feet. Takeshi pulled his feet back into bed and threw his covers over him. “Come on, man. Gotta get up and do something with your day.” Takeshi told himself. Takeshi threw his blankets all the way off the bed, to discourage him from picking them up again. Takeshi grunted and groaned and slowly lifted his body out of his bed.Takeshi threw his blankets all the way off the bed, to discourage him from picking them up again. Takeshi grunted and groaned and slowly lifted his body out of his bed. He set his feet on the wooden floor one more time, let his body acclimate to the coolness of the floor of the room, and the room itself. Takeshi stood up, stretched his entire body, and headed over to his dresser.

Takeshi looked into his dresser and found the clothes that was going to wear for that day. Takeshi took his clothes out of the dresser and laid them all out onto his bed. Takeshi inspected his clothing, ensuring that there were no holes, flaws, or weak spots. Once he was finished ensuring of this, Takeshi ironed all of his clothing and made sure each corner was square, and everything was tidy. Once he finished with his clothing, Takeshi moved on to his weaponry. While Takeshi had in fact overlooked his weaponry every single night, Takeshi strongly believed that you could never look at your weapons enough, you can only look at them just enough or not enough. Takeshi also loved the feeling of the weapons in his hands, he always felt so comfortable with them. Takeshi continued to sharpen them until they were at an absolute razor’s edge. Takeshi grabbed all of his weaponry off of the top of the dresser and began to place them in their rightful spots in his weapon’s pouch. Takeshi ensured they were all secure in the pouch, and began to put his combat gear on. Takeshi started with combat shorts. These shorts are black shorts with plenty of pockets. Takeshi put these shorts on, then he would continue with his weapon’s pouch. Takeshi wold wrap his left leg with a black and gray wrap, so to prevent the rubbing of the pouch against his thigh. Once Takeshi had his weapons pouch secured and ready for battle. Takeshi moved on to his shirt and combat vest. The shirt that he chose was a dark gray colored shirt that had no insignia on it. Takeshi put on his all black combat vest and made sure everything was on tight and functional. Takeshi grabbed his backpack and looked at himself in the mirror. But just before he headed out of his bedroom, he grabbed his one last thing. He grabbed his headband protector and tied it tight against his forehead. Now he was ready to get going for the day.

Takeshi walked into the living room and over to his front door. Takeshi took his backpack off and hung it on the hook directly next to the front door. Before Takeshi was able to leave his house, he needed to eat breakfast. Takeshi walked over to his kitchen and he began to think about what he was going to have for breakfast that day. Takeshi looked through his cabinets, then he looked through his refrigerator, Takeshi thought for a while on what he was going to eat that morning. Takeshi thought very hard until he finally decided to just eat what he had every morning. He was going to have Tamago Kake Gohan. This dish was a wonderful and traditional japanese breakfast dish that included rice, eggs, mirin, and soy sauce. Then you can top this breakfast dish with pretty much whatever you want. Many people would put sushi grade salmon to top this recipe, others just put vegetables, but most put sliced scallions, and furikake. Furikake was a rice seasoning that is mostly comprised of toasted sesame seeds that are mixed with salt, bonito flakes, nori, and a little bit of sugar.  This was Takeshi’s recipe for breakfast, so he had it every morning. Takeshi would first, of course, cook the rice.

When Takeshi cooked rice, he always used the cheapest rice, because that’s what he could afford. But by the time the dish is done, the flavor is so outrageously amazing, you can’t really tell. Takeshi grabs the rice and measures it out to have the correct amount of rice. He pours the rice into a sieve. Which he uses to rinse the rice until the water that runs through the heap of rice comes out clear after going through the rice. Once the rice is washed, Takeshi pours the rice from the sieve into a bowl and sets it aside. Once the rice is washed and set aside, he then grabs a pot to make the rice in. Takeshi measures out the correct amount of water for the amount of rice that is intended to be cooked. Takeshi puts the water in the pot and sets the pot on the stove and turns the stove onto a high heat. Takeshi sprinkles a small amount of salt into the water that he plans on throwing the rice into to cook. This helps the water come up to a boil a little faster, and flavors the rice ever so slightly to help with the overall taste of the rice. Takeshi waits for this water in the pot for the rice to begin to boil. Once the water begins to boil he pours the rice into the boiling water and allows it to cook for only a few minutes on a medium to high heat. Then Takeshi covers the pot with the lid and turns the heat down to low heat and allows it to cook for around twenty minutes. While this is happening, Takeshi uses the time to meditate and to think about his training and see what areas he still needed work in and needed to figure out what exactly he was going to do to become a much better ninja than his peers, and really how to become the best ninja that he could be. When the rice finishes cooking, Takeshi goes to the stove and he inspects the rice through the glass on the lid for the pot. Takeshi, removes the lid and he takes a small amount of the rice, ensuring that it is cooked to perfection, once it is deemed done, Takeshi sprinkles a small amount of salt and pepper on top of the rice, stirs it in and fluffs the rice at the same time, then it is ready to serve. Now with the rice done, Takeshi can begin making his Tamago Kake Gohan. Takeshi grabs an egg from his basket that hangs next to the stove, eggs are a pretty common food eaten in Takeshi’s household. Takeshi makes a well inside the mound of rice that he has set in the bowl, cracks the egg directly into a bowl and mixes in the mirin and shoyu (also known as soy sauce). Takeshi mixes all of that together and, when it is all whipped together, he pours the mixture into the well that he had made in the rice earlier. After poured in, Takeshi mixes it all together and allows to sit for five to ten minutes. This allows the mixture to thicken and create what is known as Tomago Kake Gohan. After this point, Takeshi will often top the Tomago Kake Gohan with fish or Furikake or something of the sort and chow down. On days that it is especially cold in the village, Takeshi will also make a nice and hot batch of Miso soup to go with his Tomago Kake Gohan. Once finished with the cooking and eating his breakfast, Takeshi takes his dishes over to the sink and begins to clean the kitchen after cooking the dish. Luckily, this dish really only uses a few utensils and cooking pieces, so the cleaning the dishes process really doesn’t take very long.

Takeshi was now finished with his daily morning routine and it was time for him to hit the training grounds for some actual training. Takeshi grabbed his backpack, went through everything one last time to make sure he wasn’t forgetting anything. Just before he walked out the door, he stopped by the sign that hung next to the front door. After staring at it for a few seconds, he read it out loud, “Prove her wrong.” Takeshi always reminded himself that no matter what his mother may have done to him, she was just another one of those people that Takeshi was going to prove wrong before too long. Takeshi was already stronger than he was, he was already stronger than some of the ninjas that he knew. Now he just needed to prove it to everyone that he was something of worth, he was a respectable ninja, just like they were. Takeshi gripped onto his backpack straps and headed out the door and into the village.

Takeshi was walking through the residential district, looking to see what would see on the way to the training grounds. Takeshi past by the same butcher shop, the same bakery, the same library. But something felt different about that day. Takeshi felt different about how this day was going to go. Takeshi was certain that he was going to learn something new. He was going to learn a new technique that was going to benefit him greatly. Takeshi had been training for weeks in greuling amounts of time. Working on his techniques on all hours, training until his head went numb. Working his body to his limits and doing whatever he could to push past those limits. Takeshi did still feel terribly worried that he was not where he needed to be because he had still not been in a sparring match with anyone yet. Even though Takeshi had known this, he pushed on. No matter what, spar or no spar, he was going to keep pushing through to get his body to the exact point that he needed it to be. He was going to have to keep going and not keep worrying about everything. If he finally got that sparring match prior to the Chuunin exam, that would be ideal. But if not, then he was going to have to learn as he went. With how quickly Takeshi had been learning everything to that point in his shinobi journey. He was sure he would at least have a fighting chance against whoever was put in front of him.

Takeshi continued to get closer to the training grounds and he started thinking about what he was going to learn that day. Takeshi thought about all of the training sessions that he had up until that point, he did notice that most of the training sessions were mostly just talking, especially with the session with Sakuragi. Of course that was when Takeshi had mastered his Byakguan and got to see it perform for the first time, so it was certainly not a waste of time, but he just hadn’t been learning any techniques from other people. Most of what he had been learning was on his own and through his own study and research, and not to mention tons and tons of practice and repitition. Takeshi had known everything from E rank techniques, all the way to A rank techniques. Takeshi had become insanely fast, especially if he was to use the Body Flicker technique. Even if the Body Flicker technique was a lower ranked technique, it’s use in battle, at least in Takeshi’s mind, would be extremely invaluable. Being able to connect your physical body to your own chakra to increase your speed so much. Takeshi could barely believe how power the technique was and was so glad to have it in his own arsenal. Takeshi decided that today he was going to begin practicing connecting the techniques that he already knew into combos. The ideas of combos began to flow through his mind.

Takeshi got into the training grounds and he went to the same pine tree he had went to the day before. Takeshi hung his backpack up on a low branch and began to stretch his body. Takeshi leaned against the tree to stretch his legs and his hamstrings. Takeshi stretched every muscle from his head to his toes and after that, he was ready to go. “Okay. So combos, what can we do?” Takeshi had an idea, Takeshi got into a fighting stance and he performed the “Hiding like a mole” technique. Takeshi burrowed into the ground and he felt himself being pushed by the ground surrounding him. He felt the control of his chakra, allowing for his free movement underneath the ground. Takeshi was able to feel the presence of a dummy that was set up in the middle of the field. Takeshi sprung up from under the ground and performed the Leaf Rising Wind. Takeshi sprung out of the ground, kicked the dummy high into the air. This led Takeshi to the next phase in the combo. Takeshi leaped into the air to perform the Dancing Leaf Shadow. Takeshi was directly underneath the dummy at this point, feeling his body floating underneath him. He never knew or even dreamed that he could move as fast as he was moving. Takeshi was in the perfect position for the next step in his combo. “Lion’s Frenzy!!!” Takeshi yelled as he swung around the dummy in the middle of the air and began the Lion’s Frenzy combo. At the end of the combo, the dummy was on the ground and there a large indentation in the floor where Takeshi had slammed the dummy into the ground. Takeshi felt relieved that he had just performed an actual combo, a combo that he actually felt would work pretty well against someone in combat. Provided he was able to perform every piece of the combo without the other person moving. Takeshi didn’t care, he was still so excited that he had come up with an idea that might work.

Takeshi continued to think about what else he could do that would combine his techniques together. Takeshi continued to think, the same technique that continued to come to mind was his body flicker. Takeshi got into another fighting position and he focused on the position that he wanted to get into. Takeshi used the Body Flicker technique, and he couldn’t believe how quickly he moved. Before even Takeshi knew it. He was directly behind the dummy, preparing for his next technique. “Eight Trigrams: Shattering Thrust!” Takeshi yelled as he thrusted his hands forward. Sending a massive percussive force through the dummy and outward a little farther. The dummy fell apart and littered the ground with the grass that was inside. Takeshi was so proud of himself. Takeshi was getting stronger and he felt it, he could feel it in every bit of his being, he felt his body becoming stronger, faster, he felt his chakra becoming more and more potent, and the power of the clan flowing through his body. Takeshi didn’t know how to work against a living opponent, but he most certainly knew how to tear apart a dummy with no problem. Takeshi smiled at his progress, he felt the immense speed that he had going into that technique. Takeshi was so excited to finally be able to use these techniques in battle. As soon as he could find someone to spar with. Takeshi was certain that he would at least do well. He wasn’t entirely sure if it would be a blowout win, but he certainly knew that he would do a somewhat decent job in fighting his butt off regardless of the outcome. Takeshi continued to train for hours to come, feeling as though the body flicker technique was going to be something he’d use quite often. Not only because it was such a rush to use, going that fast was quite exhilarating, but due to the fact that he was able to create so many opening and not to mention the possibilities that it gave Takeshi to be able to dodge enemy attacks all the while opening up counterattacks. Takeshi had a good idea of what he had in his tool belt, now the only thing that was left for Takeshi to do, was to perform these in battle and get used to stringing them into combos and counterattacks.

Takeshi noticed the sun was beginning to go down, and the light in the training grounds was beginning to die out. Takeshi still needed to go home and have his nightly routine. So Takeshi sighed, part from exhaustion the other from disappointment. Takeshi wished he could train for hours more, to continue to get stronger with all of his techniques. But it was time for him to bed home. Takeshi grabbed his things and he commenced with the packing of everything and getting ready to go back home. Takeshi grabbed his backpack and ensured he hadn’t forgotten anything. Takeshi threw his backpack on his back and he began heading home. Takeshi past by the Bakery and just as he was about the go into the shop, he remembered that he already had bread at home. Takeshi also past the Butcher, and was just about to walk through the door until he remembered that he still had skirt steak leftover from the night before. Takeshi smiled and was more than excited about his nightly meal routine when he got home.

Takeshi walked into the door of his home, he was weak from working so much in the training grounds, but he smiled when he looked in his home. Being happy as to where his life was at that point. Takeshi set his backpack down and he got ready for his nightly meal routine.

Takeshi walked into the kitchen, set out the bread and meat, and he walked into his pantry and began looking through the pantry and tried to figure out what exactly he was going to make with the ingredients that he had on hand. Takeshi looked through his ingredients and he decided that he was going to keep with his original idea, some ramen. Takeshi grabbed his butter from the fridge, his vegetable oil from on top of his fridge. He grabbed his ginger and garlic from the bottom drawer of his fridge. Grabbed the soy sauce and mirin from the cabinet. Takeshi then grabbed his homemade chicken stock from the fridge, he had been cooking the stock overnight the night before. Takeshi grabbed his fresh mushrooms and eggs. He grabbed his salt and scallions. Then finally he grabbed some jalapenos and of course, ramen noodles.

Takeshi began the cooking of his proteins first. After preheating his oven, Takeshi unwrapped the skirt steak and laid it out on his cutting board. Takeshi marveled at the beef for just a few seconds, looking at the beautiful and even marbling within the meat. Takeshi grabbed his salt and his pepper, open the lids on their containers, and began to season the meat. Takeshi started with the salt, got a three finger pinch and generously seasoned the meat with salt. Takeshi then massaged the salt into the meat, making sure that the salt coated the beef evenly. Once he had finished with the salt, he set the container containing the salt aside, and he moved over to the other seasoning for the meat, the pepper. Takeshi grabbed the container holding pepper, and just like with the salt, he got a three finger pinch of pepper a few times and generously seasoned the steak with the pepper. Takeshi massaged the meat again, ensuring that the pepper was evenly covering the steak. After this point, Takeshi flipped the steak over and he repeated the process.  Takeshi grabbed his salt and his pepper, open the lids on their containers, and began to season the meat. Takeshi started with the salt, got a three finger pinch and generously seasoned the meat with salt. Takeshi then massaged the salt into the meat, making sure that the salt coated the beef evenly. Once he had finished with the salt, he set the container containing the salt aside, and he moved over to the other seasoning for the meat, the pepper. Takeshi grabbed the container holding pepper, and just like with the salt, he got a three finger pinch of pepper a few times and generously seasoned the steak with the pepper. Just then, Takeshi remembered that he had forgot a very important ingredient, Takeshi had almost forgotten the garlic powder. Takeshi searched through his cabinets and tried finding that all important seasoning. But he couldn’t find it, “There’s no way I have run out.” Takeshi said to himself as he kept looking. Takeshi looked through his cabinet and he had finally found it behind a bunch of other spices. Takeshi had forgotten that he had cleaned out his spice cabinet the other day and didn’t have time to organize his spices as he set them back into the spice cabinet. Takeshi then left his steak on the counter to rest while the butter cooked in his cast iron pan. Takeshi grabbed his cast iron skillet, and set 15 grams of his unsalted butter in the skillet. Takeshi then set the skillet into the pre heated oven, and he waited for the butter to melt. After a few minutes, the butter was melted. Takeshi set the steak into the skillet, but just before he set the steak and skillet into the oven, he listened to steak sizzle and smelled the butter as it cooked the steak. Takeshi grinned and felt so good about what he had just experienced, so he then set the steak containing skillet into the oven.

As the protein was cooking in the oven, Takeshi knew that it was time to make his ramen broth. The ramen broth is most certainly the most important part of the ramen, if you don’t have a good broth, then you don’t have a good bowl of ramen. Takeshi knew this to be true after years of trial and error and eating ramen for so much of his life. Takeshi was able to eat ramen for so much of his life because Ramen is a dish that is very common in the poorer communities due to its reliance on stock, which is mostly just water with leftover chicken carcasses. Takeshi had put a lot of time and effort in his research into the perfect broth so he could create the most wonderful bowl of ramen. Takeshi got a stock pot and put it onto his stove, he crouched down to look at the dials on the stove and turned the heat up to a medium-high heat. Takeshi grabbed his oil and he poured it into the bottom of the pot and allowed the oil to heat up to the point that it freely moved about the bottom of the pan. While the oil is heating up, Takeshi grabbed his garlic and his ginger and minced them both together. Takeshi took a second to smell the wondrous smells that were coming from the cutting board. Takeshi noticed the oil was sufficiently pre-heated and he swirled the pot around just a little bit so the oil would evenly coat the bottom of the pot. Takeshi grabbed his cutting board and his knife. This knife he had was a folded steel chef’s knife, this was something that was given to him out of pity from a chef in one of the restaurants in town. Takeshi had nothing in his kitchen because his mother was a terrible cook, so when his mother was gone, Takeshi needed some utensils. One of the chef’s had seen Takeshi as he was looking through the restaurant’s trash looking for food. The chef gave Takeshi a box. That box contained an entire knife set, and ingredients that he needed to make ramen. Takeshi was extremely grateful to that man for helping him when he desperately needed it. Takeshi used the knife to push the garlic and ginger minced mixture into the pot. Then came Takeshi’s favorite part of preparation, the smells. The smell from the protein in the oven, and the vegetables in the pot, were intoxicating. The entire house began to smell like what Takeshi would only imagine what Heaven would smell like. Takeshi allowed the mix to cook for a few minutes in the bottom of the pot, until they softened. Once this had happened, Takeshi then grabbed his soy sauce and his Mirin, and added them both. He stirred it all together to mix and coat the ginger and garlic with the soy sauce and mirin. He cooked for one more minute, then he moved on to the homemade chicken stock. Takeshi grabbed the homemade chicken stock and poured it into the stock pot that had the mirin, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. The steam rolled up the sides of the pot and Takeshi caught the steam in the pot  by putting the lid of the pot onto the pot. “Don’t want to lose any flavor or moisture” Takeshi reminded himself. Once the broth began to boil, Takeshi grabbed the lid and removed it and he let the stock simmer for five minutes. He then added his dried mushrooms and let it simmer for another ten to eleven minutes. Takeshi then tasted the broth to make sure the taste was right, if not then Takeshi would adjust the flavor with salt and pepper, depending on what it needed. Once the flavor is perfect, he would move the pot’s heat to low-medium so it can continue to meld together and improve as it slowly simmers.

Takeshi loved ramen so much, more than he could ever explain. There were so many reasons as to why he loved it, but one in particular that he couldn’t explain why he loved so much, was the soft boiled eggs. Takeshi felt that this small ingredient added so much to ramen, when cooked correctly, the yolk will actually give the ramen a much needed boost in texture. The yolk can give the broth a silky type feel when eating and heated properly. It also gave the ramen an added umami flavor, especially when cooking with proteins that were lacking in the umami flavors in and of itself, like a shrimp, or many types of seafood, or if not using a protein at all. If one was a vegetarian, than the egg would at least give a decent alternative to the meat that is traditionally used in this dish. Takeshi grabbed a large bowl and filled the bowl halfway to two thirds of the way full with water. Takeshi then grabbed some ice from the freezer and he threw in some of the ice from the freezer into the bowl. This was going to be for the ice bath that the soft boiled eggs were going to need so the eggs would stop cooking the moment you take it out of the pot and set it into the ice bath. This not only helped you stop the eggs from over cooking. It also allowed the whites inside of the egg to contract, pulling away from the shell, making the egg much easier to peel and preventing as much shredding of the egg white, not only making it to where you get to eat more of the egg. But you also get to preserve the look of the egg as it sits in the broth when the final product of the ramen is created and assembled. Takeshi grabbed another pot, smaller than the one that he had his broth simmering  and melding in. Takeshi set the smaller pot next to the stock pot, filled the pot with room temperature water, and turned the heat on high after setting the pot on the stove. Once the water began to boil. Takeshi set 4 eggs into the water. Takeshi wanted to make sure he was ready to remove the eggs, for a soft boiled egg does not take very long to cook. This was the point in the cooking process that Takeshi took to check the protein and to flip it, the only time he would do this in the entire cooking process. Takeshi checked the protein and noticed the wonderful color that was being produced, as well as the aromas that filled the air the moment that he had opened the oven door. Takeshi flipped the protein over and quickly closed the oven door. Takeshi didn’t want too much of the heat to escape the oven. Takeshi then grabbed his eggs from the boiling water, after only a few minutes, and set them in the ice bath to cool until he was ready to add them to the ramen. Takeshi set the bowl full of ice water and eggs aside on the side of the counter, so it would not get in the way of the rest of the cooking process.

Finally Takeshi checked the protein one last time to see how it was cooking in the oven. Takeshi was pleased to see that it had cooked to absolute perfection. It wasn’t burned, it was perfectly cooked and smelled absolutely amazing. Takeshi grabbed the protein out of the oven and set the baking dish onto the stove and he pulled the protein off of the baking dish, he wanted to make sure that it was cooked through, and he also wanted to cut the meat very thin, this way the meat would take in the flavor of the broth much easier and the tenderness of the meat would shine brightest when shaved, this way the meat will be more likely to melt in your mouth and taste fantastic. Takeshi cut only half the steak very thin, Takeshi didn’t want to cut the rest of the meat until he was ready to eat it, this would retain more of the juice that was inside the meat. This way, the juice of the meat would stay in the ramen when you place the meat inside. Making the ramen that much better. While letting the meat rest before cutting, he checked the stock to ensure the taste was still perfect. Takeshi grabbed his tasting spoon that he had grabbed out of the silverware drawer, and dipped the spoon into the broth, stirred it ever so slightly and took out a spoonful of the broth. Takeshi brough the spoonful of broth closer to his face and took a large inhale, analyzing the smell and enjoying the aroma that the broth produced. Takeshie smiled at the experience of the broth in the spoon and tasted it. Takeshi swooned at just how wonderful the flavor was. When the broth is allowed to stew longer, the taste continues to compound into itself. Making the taste better the longer it is allowed to simmer. Takeshi set the tasting spoon back into the drawer, and he was just about to begin his assembling process. Before Takeshi could assemble his ramen bowls, he needed to cut his scallion jalapenos and his soft boiled eggs to prepare them all for ramen bowl assembly. Takeshi grabbed the jalapenos first, Takeshi grabbed his chef’s knife and chopped off the stem of the jalapeno first. Takeshi slid the stem of the jalapenos to the side of the cutting board, and he continued to slice the jalapeno into rounds, this way the integrity of the jalapeno would keep intact when placed into the hot broth of the ramen. Takeshi cut all of the jalapenos this way, and when he was finished, he set all of the jalapeno rounds into their own bowl, so they would be easily reached when assembly began. Takeshi then moved onto the scallions. Scallion were one of Takeshi’s favorite vegetables, they were always so full of flavor and added a freshness to anything anyone cooks. Takeshi grabbed the scallions and chopped off the end from both sides of the scallions tip and base. Then he continued to chop these in a similar fashion to that of the jalapenos. He cut the scallions into perfect rounds, and when he was finished, just like with the jalapenos. He grabbed a bowl to set the scallions in and set them in the bowl. The very last thing was going to be the soft boiled eggs, the eggs were going to be cut inside the ramen. So he peeled all of the eggs and had them in a place that was easily accessible when the ramen was ready for the eggs. Once Takeshi was ready to go, he grabbed a large bowl from the cabinet, he set the bowl down onto the counter, grabbed a ladle and poured the broth into the bowl until the bowl was two third of the way full, set in the ramen noodles, the meat, the scallions, jalapenos, then finally the egg. Takeshi put the bowls together and finally cut the egg in half. Takeshi watched in awe, as he always did, as the yolk began to seep into the ramen. Takeshi let the ramen noodles cook for just a few minutes. Then the moment of truth finally came. Takeshi grabbed some chopsticks from the drawer and he began to chow down.

Takeshi leaned back in his chair as he ate the ramen, impressed at how amazing this simple bowl of soup could taste. Takeshi had made this almost every day, but the sheer amount of flavor that resided within this porcelain container was just astounding. Takeshi loved this dish because you don’t need to have the meat in the dish, which is what makes it expensive. You can always just add a few more eggs to the ramen, and you will get most of the protein that you would miss from the actual meat. Not to mention the eggs do give the ramen a wonderful taste and texture. The color of the dish was something to behold. Takeshi looked into the bowl and he remembered all the times he had eaten this same dish. Being that it was almost every day, Takeshi always noticed that this dish was always great. It was something in Takeshi’s life that would stay constant in a positive manner. Takeshi leaned on the ramen as a crutch through his hard life with his mother. Takeshi  thought about his mother often, even if she was gone. The house felt like she had never left. Takeshi looked at the spot in the living room where he had taken her life, and he softly wept at the memory. But as he was weeping, he took another bite of his ramen. Feeling the noodles being cooked perfectly in the broth, mixing so well with the eggs and meat. He stopped weeping and remembered that while hard times had definitely come over him, he still was strong enough to push through all of it, and make something beautiful out of it all, like a bowl of ramen. Takeshi finished his bowl of ramen, and it was now time for Takeshi’s least favorite part of cooking, the cleaning part. Takeshi put his leftover broth in a large container, by itself and set it in the fridge. Takeshi never like to mix the leftover ingredients of the ramen, because he liked how it all tastes when it first comes together, not when it sits together for a while. Takeshi then grabbed his leftover meat that was not cut, he wrapped in grease paper and set that in the fridge. Then he grabbed the scallions and jalapenos and put those in a container for each and set them in the fridge. Finally the eggs. Takeshi knew that these didn’t reheat very well. So he just ate them! Takeshi loved soft boiled eggs more than anything.  Takeshi then grabbed all of the dishes that he used to eat dinner and all the pots that he used to make dinner, set them in his sink, and he began cleaning all of the dishes. Takeshi had learned long ago that if you don’t let the dishes stack up on you than they are much easier to clean. The only problem with that is when you really don’t want to clean them, you have a tendency to not wanting to clean them right away, so Takeshi would often find himself leaving the pots on the stove or in the sink. When he was finally done with cleaning the whole kitchen after dinner, he shut off the lights and began heading into his room to get ready for bed.

Takeshi walked into his bedroom, and he began his nightly routine after his nightly dinner. Takeshi took off his combat clothes and he put them in their designated spots for when they are dirty. Takeshi then grabbed his weapon pouch off his left thigh and set it on the top of the dresser. He began pulling all of the tools from the pouch and set them nicely on top of the dresser. This allowed Takeshi to look at every single piece of his loadout to see any damage or wear that he could notice and fix or replace. Takeshi found this very important to do every night. Takeshi had hoped that if he took that much extensive care of his equipment, when it came time to be in actual battle, his weapons would hold up and help him carry through any conflict. This is something that he was sure that respectable ninja would do with his own equipment. Takeshi felt good with how great all of his weaponry looked and felt. Takeshi checked his entire arsenal for sharpness and for strength. If Takeshi ever found a blade that was blunt or broken, Takeshi would always make sure to fix the problem and have them fixed or replaced immediately.  Takeshi finished checking through his arsenal, saw that his equipment was in good repair and he continued to his next phase of his bedtime routine. Takeshi grabbed his combat vest and hung it back up in the closet. Takeshi inspected his combat gear to see if there were any flaws in the vest, just like with his blades, if he ever saw a weakness in his clothes, he now tried to sew them up immediately. He noticed that this increased the life of the clothing, not to mention the functionality. Takeshi finally finished putting all of his clothes away and inspecting them all. Takeshi went into his bathroom and hopped into the shower. Takeshi waited for the water to heat up and steam. Takeshi much preferred hot showers, it helped him with his sore body after a long and hard day of training. Takeshi got into the shower, and he felt the hot water sting his skin and after a few minutes, he could feel his muscles finally relax. Takeshi always had the same routine when he washed his body. He felt that when you have a routine in the shower, your total amount of time in the shower will ultimately decrease and you will be more efficient and don’t waste as much water. Takeshi finished up in the shower, he grabbed his towel and began drying off. Takeshi finished drying off his body and he got on his pajamas. Takeshi wore boxer-briefs and that was it when it was time for him to go to bed. Takeshi then brushed his teeth, he made sure to brush his teeth because he felt that tooth pain was the worst kind of pain. Takeshi finally finished his bedtime routine, Takeshi then crawled into his bed, pulled his covers over his body and curled himself up to generate body heat a little faster. Takeshi’s vision began to blur and he fell asleep.


Mid thread claims:

TWC: 7010

+35 stats

+ 208 to Genjutsu release (learned)
Previous progress is above
Genjutsu Release

+2500 to Gentle Fist: Tenketsu Needle [D through A-Rank] (Learned)
http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t30421-tenketsu-needle?highlight=tenketsu+needle

+1000 to C rank Chakra Shroud (learned)
http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t41042-chakra-shroud?highlight=chakra+cloak

+2000to Chakra Sensory (learned)
http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t37764-chakra-sensory?highlight=chakra+sensory

+1302 to Chakra Suppression (1302/2000)
http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t22718-chakra-suppression?highlight=chakra+suppresion

Approved

Takeshi didn’t really have plans for the day, he was going to go to the Hogokage’s estate and see what kind of missions that were available, Takeshi had been taking a liking to fill his days with as many missions as he could possibly go on. Takeshi decided that planning his days was no longer an option, his life as a shinobi could change entirely in one small second. Takeshi knew this and didn’t like it, but he respected that that was how his life was and he was used to it by now. The missions part of Takeshi’s life, that was a part of life that he actually very much enjoyed, and was beginning to enjoy it more and more as he began completing the higher rank missions. It was also very therapeutic for him, it got him out of the house and being on a mission with something to do, was actually able to keep his mind off of his past and kept his mind from wandering. 




Takeshi’s life had been taking a whole new turn into an entirely new area, he was sleeping through the night, his night terrors had subsided for the most part. The nightmares of his mother that he was having on a nightly basis were beginning to turn into dreamless nights with occasional nightmare, which Takeshi took that as a giant step forward. Takeshi began to stir in his bed, the sun was coming into his room at the perfect angle that filled his entire room with the golden light coming from the sunrise on the horizon. The sunrise used to remind Takeshi that he was alive, and it would make him depressed. It would remind him that he had to get out of bed, and deal with his mother again. But now, while he still needed to deal with his memories, he knew that he was finally safe. Something he had never been before that night with his mother.






Takeshi started to open his eyes, the sun beaming directly into his face he held his hands up to his face until his eyes could finally see straight. Takeshi rolled out to the side of the bed, placed his feet onto the wood floors that covered the majority of the house. It felt cool against his already cold feet. Takeshi pulled his feet back into bed and threw his covers over him. “Come on, man. Gotta get up and do something with your day.” Takeshi told himself. Takeshi threw his blankets all the way off the bed, to discourage him from picking them up again. Takeshi grunted and groaned and slowly lifted his body out of his bed.Takeshi threw his blankets all the way off the bed, to discourage him from picking them up again. Takeshi grunted and groaned and slowly lifted his body out of his bed. He set his feet on the wooden floor one more time, let his body acclimate to the coolness of the floor of the room, and the room itself. Takeshi stood up, stretched his entire body, and headed over to his dresser. 




Takeshi looked into his dresser and found the clothes that was going to wear for that day. Takeshi took his clothes out of the dresser and laid them all out onto his bed. Takeshi inspected his clothing, ensuring that there were no holes, flaws, or weak spots. Once he was finished ensuring of this, Takeshi ironed all of his clothing and made sure each corner was square, and everything was tidy. Once he finished with his clothing, Takeshi moved on to his weaponry. While Takeshi had in fact overlooked his weaponry every single night, Takeshi strongly believed that you could never look at your weapons enough, you can only look at them just enough or not enough. Takeshi also loved the feeling of the weapons in his hands, he always felt so comfortable with them. Takeshi continued to sharpen them until they were at an absolute razor’s edge. Takeshi grabbed all of his weaponry off of the top of the dresser and began to place them in their rightful spots in his weapon’s pouch. Takeshi ensured they were all secure in the pouch, and began to put his combat gear on. Takeshi started with combat shorts. These shorts are black shorts with plenty of pockets. Takeshi put these shorts on, then he would continue with his weapon’s pouch. Takeshi wold wrap his left leg with a black and gray wrap, so to prevent the rubbing of the pouch against his thigh. Once Takeshi had his weapons pouch secured and ready for battle. Takeshi moved on to his shirt and combat vest. The shirt that he chose was a dark gray colored shirt that had no insignia on it. Takeshi put on his all black combat vest and made sure everything was on tight and functional. Takeshi grabbed his backpack and looked at himself in the mirror. But just before he headed out of his bedroom, he grabbed his one last thing. He grabbed his headband protector and tied it tight against his forehead. Now he was ready to get going for the day.




When Takeshi cooked rice, he always used the cheapest rice, because that’s what he could afford. But by the time the dish is done, the flavor is so outrageously amazing, you can’t really tell. Takeshi grabs the rice and measures it out to have the correct amount of rice. He pours the rice into a sieve. Which he uses to rinse the rice until the water that runs through the heap of rice comes out clear after going through the rice. Once the rice is washed, Takeshi pours the rice from the sieve into a bowl and sets it aside. Once the rice is washed and set aside, he then grabs a pot to make the rice in. Takeshi measures out the correct amount of water for the amount of rice that is intended to be cooked. Takeshi puts the water in the pot and sets the pot on the stove and turns the stove onto a high heat. Takeshi sprinkles a small amount of salt into the water that he plans on throwing the rice into to cook. Takeshi waits for this water in the pot for the rice to begin to boil. Once the water begins to boil he pours the rice into the boiling water and allows it to cook for only a few minutes on a medium to high heat. Then Takeshi covers the pot with the lid and turns the heat down to low heat and allows it to cook for around twenty minutes. While this is happening, Takeshi uses the time to meditate and to think about his training and see what areas he still needed work in and needed to figure out what exactly he was going to do to become a much better ninja than his peers, and really how to become the best ninja that he could be. When the rice finishes cooking, Takeshi goes to the stove and he inspects the rice through the glass on the lid for the pot. Takeshi, removes the lid and he takes a small amount of the rice, ensuring that it is cooked to perfection, once it is deemed done, Takeshi sprinkles a small amount of salt and pepper on top of the rice, stirs it in and fluffs the rice at the same time, then it is ready to serve. Now with the rice done, Takeshi can begin making his Tamago Kake Gohan. Takeshi grabs an egg from his basket that hangs next to the stove, eggs are a pretty common food eaten in Takeshi’s household. Takeshi makes a well inside the mound of rice that he has set in the bowl, cracks the egg directly into a bowl and mixes in the mirin and shoyu (also known as soy sauce). Takeshi mixes all of that together and, when it is all whipped together, he pours the mixture into the well that he had made in the rice earlier. After poured in, Takeshi mixes it all together and allows to sit for five to ten minutes. This allows the mixture to thicken and create what is known as Tomago Kake Gohan. After this point, Takeshi will often top the Tomago Kake Gohan with fish or Furikake or something of the sort and chow down. On days that it is especially cold in the village, Takeshi will also make a nice and hot batch of Miso soup to go with his Tomago Kake Gohan. Once finished with the cooking and eating his breakfast, Takeshi takes his dishes over to the sink and begins to clean the kitchen after cooking the dish. Luckily, this dish really only uses a few utensils and cooking pieces, so the cleaning the dishes process really doesn’t take very long.




Takeshi was now finished with his daily morning routine and it was time for him to hit the training grounds for some actual training. Takeshi grabbed his backpack, went through everything one last time to make sure he wasn’t forgetting anything. Just before he walked out the door, he stopped by the sign that hung next to the front door. After staring at it for a few seconds, he read it out loud, “Prove her wrong.” Takeshi always reminded himself that no matter what his mother may have done to him, she was just another one of those people that Takeshi was going to prove wrong before too long. Takeshi was already stronger than he was, he was already stronger than some of the ninjas that he knew. Now he just needed to prove it to everyone that he was something of worth, he was a respectable ninja, just like they were. 




Takeshi spent plenty of time going after mission after mission, and finally Takeshi decided that it was time to start training once again. Takeshi had all of things and he wanted nothing more to finally get his rank of Chuunin, he was going to need to be another Chuunin. They were most likely going to know technique, and they most certainly will have more experience under their belt. So Takeshi was readying himself, mentally. He had been to many other training grounds many times. Takeshi set down his backpack and tightened the strap on his weapon’s pouch, because Takeshi was readying himself for a  hard day of training. Takeshi sat on the floor, and he pondered as to what he was going to train. Takeshi had been thinking about all of the training that he had been doing for the last few weeks. Takeshi had been breaking his back trying to learn all that he could and growing his strength to levels he never thought someone like him could ever reach. 




Takeshi continued to sit and decided to meditate. Takeshi chose to meditate before every training session because he felt that during his meditation, he could become one with his chakra, he could feel his chakra move within his body. He could feel his ability to control his chakra become more and more consistent. His strength was at levels he believed to be unprecedented before. Takeshi had turned his body into a much different version of himself. Takeshi couldn’t believe that only a few months ago, he was still being beaten nearly to death by his mother. Now he was becoming a strong ninja. Takeshi felt his chakra flow elegantly, he felt his chakra feel calm and collected. 




Then, Takeshi began thinking about the mission with Kuniko and Sakuragi. Takeshi remembered how he brought up a plan to take down the thief and how they both rejected it. How they both told Takeshi was too weak, that he couldn't do it. How Sakuragi treated Takeshi as if he was being overconfident. Takeshi had been training to become a very strong ninja and he was acting "overconfident". Takeshi felt his chakra start to swell and he felt the elegance go away, Takeshi was angry that his own teammates thought he wasn't strong enough. Takeshi could hardly control his anger, he hadn't felt that way since before the night with mother. Takeshi could hardly control his anger, he felt so slighted by his teammates.




Takeshi kept running through what Kuniko jad said to him, "Takeshi, that is an excellent idea for us to suppress our chakra to avoid detection from the thief. I suggest both of you do that now. Forgive me, however, that I must protest your main course of action. While I want to ensure the safety of the shrine, my first priority will be to the safety of my fellow shinobi. It is too great a risk for you to hide yourself away from us. Besides, the flow of the shrine is stone, and the only dirt paths are far from the donation box. It’s a dangerous bet to think the thief will pass perfectly over your location, and equally dangerous to assume he or she could be so easily captured before we rushed to your side.” Takeshi heard every word like a scratch at the foundation of his sanity. Takeshi thought and thought and he began to hear Kunikos voice say the same thing again. "Takeshi, that is an excellent idea for us to suppress our chakra to avoid detection from the thief. I suggest both of you do that now. Forgive me, however, that I must protest your main course of action. While I want to ensure the safety of the shrine, my first priority will be to the safety of my fellow shinobi. It is too great a risk for you to hide yourself away from us. Besides, the flow of the shrine is stone, and the only dirt paths are far from the donation box. It’s a dangerous bet to think the thief will pass perfectly over your location, and equally dangerous to assume he or she could be so easily captured before we rushed to your side.” Takeshi felt his face become flush and red with anger. "How could Kuniko and Sakuragi both think that I am too weak to handle a simple thief? After all the training I've been through. After all the missions that I had completed, some of them were against other ninja that were the same rank or higher than our own." 




Takeshi felt his sanity begin to slip as he rocked back and forth on the ground. He could feel his chakra begin to pulsates and to rush around his body as his anger began to swell. Takeshi hadn't felt like this in a long time. Takeshi finally ripped his eyes open to look at the clouds. Takeshi thought about the clouds, he stared at them and he thought about how it would be to be a cloud. To just hang there with no worry or responsibility. This was something he 9ften did when he felt his sanity slip, when he felt the ground beneath him to begin to quiver and shake. He knew what that meant. Takeshi continued to look at the clouds until he finally could feel his chakra begin to calm and settle. He felt it settle back into its elegant demeanor. Takeshi continued to breath and think of how his teammates were just looking out for them. 




Takeshi hoped that this was the reason, if it wasn't than Takeshi wouldn't have known what to do with himself if his own team thought I was too weak. Takeshi had been training so hard lately, he wouldn't have been able to believe it if his own team thought less of him. Takeshi finally calmed down enough to move, but he had been worn out by the anxiety attack that had just transpired, so he decided to go home and rest his body and mind. 




As he was walking toward his home he realized that it was much darker than it usually was during his travels home, Takeshi realized that his anxiety attack must have lasted much longer than he had thought. Takeshi sighed at the thought of a wasted day for training. But takeshi continued on and he went into his home to carry out his nightly routine.




Takeshi walked into the kitchen, set down the bread and meat, and he walked into his pantry and began looking through the pantry and tried to figure out what exactly he was going to make with the ingredients that he had on hand. Takeshi looked through his ingredients and he decided that he was going to keep with his original idea, some ramen. 




Takeshi loved ramen, it was so easy to make and it could be decently healthy if you made it from scratch, with Takeshi always put in his, it was always packed with protein. Takeshi loved the soft boiled eggs and steak when they began to meld together in the dark brown ramen broth that he would make from scratch every time. Takeshi didn’t know what life was like for those who could eat whatever they wanted, for Takeshi was always poor. Takeshi didn’t mind being poor, it was just a fact of life. While Takeshi would enjoy the ability to have the money to eat whatever he wanted whenever he wanted. But Takeshi was working himself now and he was being able to actually provide for himself and could keep his house and his bills completely paid. So Takeshi was happy knowing that he was becoming his own man, even out of the darkest of origins, Takeshi was proving that you can still be good.  




Takeshi focused on his cabinets and he began thinking about what he was going to be grabbing for his Ramen, he tried remembering his recipe. Once Takeshi had found the recipe in his mind, he began grabbing ingredients out of the pantry and spice cabinets. Takeshi grabbed his butter from the fridge, his vegetable oil from on top of his fridge. He grabbed his ginger and garlic from the bottom drawer of his fridge. Grabbed the soy sauce and mirin from the cabinet. Takeshi then grabbed his homemade chicken stock from the fridge, he had been cooking the stock overnight the night before. Takeshi grabbed his fresh mushrooms and eggs. He grabbed his salt and scallions. Then finally he grabbed some jalapenos and of course, ramen noodles. 




Takeshi began the cooking of his proteins first. After preheating his oven, Takeshi unwrapped the skirt steak and laid it out on his cutting board. Takeshi marveled at the beef for just a few seconds, looking at the beautiful and even marbling within the meat. Takeshi grabbed his salt and his pepper, open the lids on their containers, and began to season the meat. Takeshi started with the salt, got a three finger pinch and generously seasoned the meat with salt. Takeshi then massaged the salt into the meat, making sure that the salt coated the beef evenly. Once he had finished with the salt, he set the container containing the salt aside, and he moved over to the other seasoning for the meat, the pepper. Takeshi grabbed the container holding pepper, and just like with the salt, he got a three finger pinch of pepper a few times and generously seasoned the steak with the pepper. Takeshi massaged the meat again, ensuring that the pepper was evenly covering the steak. After this point, Takeshi flipped the steak over and he repeated the process.  Takeshi grabbed his salt and his pepper, open the lids on their containers, and began to season the meat. Takeshi started with the salt, got a three finger pinch and generously seasoned the meat with salt. Takeshi then massaged the salt into the meat, making sure that the salt coated the beef evenly. Once he had finished with the salt, he set the container containing the salt aside, and he moved over to the other seasoning for the meat, the pepper. Takeshi grabbed the container holding pepper, and just like with the salt, he got a three finger pinch of pepper a few times and generously seasoned the steak with the pepper. Just then, Takeshi remembered that he had forgot a very important ingredient, Takeshi had almost forgotten the garlic powder. Takeshi searched through his cabinets and tried finding that all important seasoning. But he couldn’t find it, “There’s no way I have run out.” Takeshi said to himself as he kept looking. Takeshi looked through his cabinet and he had finally found it behind a bunch of other spices. Takeshi had forgotten that he had cleaned out his spice cabinet the other day and didn’t have time to organize his spices as he set them back into the spice cabinet. Takeshi then left his steak on the counter to rest while the butter cooked in his cast iron pan. Takeshi grabbed his cast iron skillet, and set 15 grams of his unsalted butter in the skillet. Takeshi then set the skillet into the pre heated oven, and he waited for the butter to melt. After a few minutes, the butter was melted. Takeshi set the steak into the skillet, but just before he set the steak and skillet into the oven, he listened to steak sizzle and smelled the butter as it cooked the steak. Takeshi grinned and felt so good about what he had just experienced, so he then set the steak containing skillet into the oven. 






As the protein was cooking in the oven, Takeshi knew that it was time to make his ramen broth. The ramen broth is most certainly the most important part of the ramen, if you don’t have a good broth, then you don’t have a good bowl of ramen. Takeshi knew this to be true after years of trial and error and eating ramen for so much of his life. Takeshi was able to eat ramen for so much of his life because Ramen is a dish that is very common in the poorer communities due to its reliance on stock, which is mostly just water with leftover chicken carcasses. Takeshi had put a lot of time and effort in his research into the perfect broth so he could create the most wonderful bowl of ramen. Takeshi got a stock pot and put it onto his stove, he crouched down to look at the dials on the stove and turned the heat up to a medium-high heat. Takeshi grabbed his oil and he poured it into the bottom of the pot and allowed the oil to heat up to the point that it freely moved about the bottom of the pan. While the oil is heating up, Takeshi grabbed his garlic and his ginger and minced them both together. Takeshi took a second to smell the wondrous smells that were coming from the cutting board. Takeshi noticed the oil was sufficiently pre-heated and he swirled the pot around just a little bit so the oil would evenly coat the bottom of the pot. Takeshi grabbed his cutting board and his knife. This knife he had was a folded steel chef’s knife, this was something that was given to him out of pity from a chef in one of the restaurants in town. Takeshi had nothing in his kitchen because his mother was a terrible cook, so when his mother was gone, Takeshi needed some utensils. One of the chef’s had seen Takeshi as he was looking through the restaurant’s trash looking for food. The chef gave Takeshi a box. That box contained an entire knife set, and ingredients that he needed to make ramen. Takeshi was extremely grateful to that man for helping him when he desperately needed it. Takeshi used the knife to push the garlic and ginger minced mixture into the pot. Then came Takeshi’s favorite part of preparation, the smells. The smell from the protein in the oven, and the vegetables in the pot, were intoxicating. The entire house began to smell like what Takeshi would only imagine what Heaven would smell like. Takeshi allowed the mix to cook for a few minutes in the bottom of the pot, until they softened. Once this had happened, Takeshi then grabbed his soy sauce and his Mirin, and added them both. He stirred it all together to mix and coat the ginger and garlic with the soy sauce and mirin. He cooked for one more minute, then he moved on to the homemade chicken stock. Takeshi grabbed the homemade chicken stock and poured it into the stock pot that had the mirin, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. The steam rolled up the sides of the pot and Takeshi caught the steam in the pot  by putting the lid of the pot onto the pot. “Don’t want to lose any flavor or moisture” Takeshi reminded himself. Once the broth began to boil, Takeshi grabbed the lid and removed it and he let the stock simmer for five minutes. He then added his dried mushrooms and let it simmer for another ten to eleven minutes. Takeshi then tasted the broth to make sure the taste was right, if not then Takeshi would adjust the flavor with salt and pepper, depending on what it needed. Once the flavor is perfect, he would move the pot’s heat to low-medium so it can continue to meld together and improve as it slowly simmers.




Takeshi loved ramen so much, more than he could ever explain. There were so many reasons as to why he loved it, but one in particular that he couldn’t explain why he loved so much, was the soft boiled eggs. Takeshi felt that this small ingredient added so much to ramen, when cooked correctly, the yolk will actually give the ramen a much needed boost in texture. The yolk can give the broth a silky type feel when eating and heated properly. It also gave the ramen an added umami flavor, especially when cooking with proteins that were lacking in the umami flavors in and of itself, like a shrimp, or many types of seafood, or if not using a protein at all. If one was a vegetarian, than the egg would at least give a decent alternative to the meat that is traditionally used in this dish. Takeshi grabbed a large bowl and filled the bowl halfway to two thirds of the way full with water. Takeshi then grabbed some ice from the freezer and he threw in some of the ice from the freezer into the bowl. This was going to be for the ice bath that the soft boiled eggs were going to need so the eggs would stop cooking the moment you take it out of the pot and set it into the ice bath. This not only helped you stop the eggs from over cooking. It also allowed the whites inside of the egg to contract, pulling away from the shell, making the egg much easier to peel and preventing as much shredding of the egg white, not only making it to where you get to eat more of the egg. But you also get to preserve the look of the egg as it sits in the broth when the final product of the ramen is created and assembled. Takeshi grabbed another pot, smaller than the one that he had his broth simmering  and melding in. Takeshi set the smaller pot next to the stock pot, filled the pot with room temperature water, and turned the heat on high after setting the pot on the stove. Once the water began to boil. Takeshi set 4 eggs into the water. Takeshi wanted to make sure he was ready to remove the eggs, for a soft boiled egg does not take very long to cook. This was the point in the cooking process that Takeshi took to check the protein and to flip it, the only time he would do this in the entire cooking process. Takeshi checked the protein and noticed the wonderful color that was being produced, as well as the aromas that filled the air the moment that he had opened the oven door. Takeshi flipped the protein over and quickly closed the oven door. Takeshi didn’t want too much of the heat to escape the oven. Takeshi then grabbed his eggs from the boiling water, after only a few minutes, and set them in the ice bath to cool until he was ready to add them to the ramen. Takeshi set the bowl full of ice water and eggs aside on the side of the counter, so it would not get in the way of the rest of the cooking process.

(Continued on the next page/next post)