Orientation Day

Over at her family estate—which stands somewhere amidst the bourgeoisie conglomerates of the village—from the outside, the house looks impressive. Standing three stories high, it's been rebuilt by the homeowner with the finest stonework and high-quality fabrics with mahogany wooden decorations. Its tall, large windows allow enough light to enter the home and have been added in a fairly symmetrical pattern.

Furthermore, it's equipped with one spacious, modern-styled kitchen and three pristine bedrooms—each with its own luxury bathroom and shower. It also has a large living room, a roomy dining room, a study, and a large storage room. The building itself is fairly rectangular in shape. The home is fully surrounded by an open patio. The second floor is the same size as the first, but part of it hangs over the edge of the floor below, creating an overhang on one side and a balcony on the other. This floor follows the same style as the floor below, too.

The roof is high, triangular, and layered and is covered with charcoal-black ceramic tiles. One large chimney sits at the side of the house. There are no windows on the roof. The house itself is surrounded by a tranquil garden, with various flowers, a long pond including a small waterfall, and various rock formations. However, past the inconspicuous design of the household lies its hidden riches: the interior walls are painted a bright, ivory-white color that matches the variety of fine furniture that adorns the home. In the entrance hallway, the decor is elegant and tasteful. Near the front door is a coat rack, and across from the front door is a pair of double doors that lead into the living room. Down the hall is a stairway that leads up to the next level of the house. The architecture of the Ryoinsatsu family estate is reminiscent of a traditional Japanese home with a touch of foreign, Western-styled decor.

Standing in stark contrast to the languid temperament that compliments the overall nature of the residence, the inside resembles a bustling microcosm of hidden wealth as several butlers and maids strafing and striding through the hallways. As Ryoinsatsu Osamu, the sole proprietor of this fine establishment, tops off his morning preparation, Ryoinsatsu Jurei walks down to the foyer of her home, giddy with a mixture of anxiety and excitement. Now standing in the doorway, Jurei prepares for her first day at the Ninja Academy and displays layers of carefully selected clothes—a burgundy, criss-cross back, corduroy, overall dress with an off-white sweater underneath, a pair of low-heel stiletto booties, a pair of black spats, a silver, cross-shaped necklace that rests on her bosom, and a small, white engraving of her clan symbol displays itself beneath torso of the burgundy overalls.

At the doorway upon her daughter's approach, Chihiro, is adorned in a delicate dress that flows from top to bottom and has a scoop neckline, which wonderfully reveals the elegant dress worn below it. The delectable, corset-like tied fabric of her dress covers her stomach where the continuous flow is broken up by a small cloth band worn fairly low around her waist. Below the cloth band, the dress opens up to the right and reveals the dress below. The front of the top dress is shorter at the front and flows straight down, the back continues to flow a good length behind her and ends in a narrow curve. Her sleeves are longer than her arms and a little wide, their flow is broken up at the elbow where they change color and where they're divided by thin, refined bands—the same fabrics and colors used to outline the neckline of the dress.

She bows deeply and responds in a melodious and jovial tone. "Don't be late. We want you to make a good impression."

"I will mother," Jurei replies, returning the bow with a curtsy. The double doors to the outside world swing open by the two butlers that stand at either side before the young strides past them and into the village life at large. With the sun just barely cresting over the horizon and lighting her path, she greets a handful of her associates and family friends along the way to the Ninja Academy.  As the distance between her and the structure closes, she notices the many children walking and running toward the building, with a few passing glances at her but not long enough to pique any curiosity.

She's supposed to expect someone to give her an orientation of the academy and its functions, including their curriculum, subjects of study, and ninja basics before she attends her first class that starts in an hour's time. When she finally arrives at the front gates, a woman dressed in a short-sleeved baby blue and white kimono approaches her. She introduces herself as Nariko Daishinrin and Jurei returns the courtesy. The tour begins with the immediate exterior, including the layout, courtyard, and facilities.

Inside, she's introduced to some of the currently available faculty members—including the principal and vice-principals—and classroom amenities, followed by a brief overview of the academy's schedule and courses. Nariko finishes the tour by escorting Jurei to her first classroom, A-2, and dismisses her with roughly several minutes left before the first lesson. The classroom is moderately sized and capable of accommodating 30 people comfortably. There are 3 rows of 5 tables that are placed in a semi-circle facing the front of the room and the blackboard. The blackboard is located to the left of the door and is flanked on the right by a window, creating a slight breeze that carries the scent of freshly cut grass. On the opposite side of the room is a teacher's desk and a storage cupboard.

It feels odd for someone Jurei's age to be among, essentially, people who're young enough to be her nieces and nephews by at least a generation. Even more so, they're now technically her peers despite the football-length age gap. Nevertheless, the chairs seem relatively comfortable and Jurei chooses a seat near the middle of the second row. She's soon greeted by a girl named Hantenryoku Hanami, who happens to sit behind her. Soon after, the instructor enters the room and bids the students "good morning" before he calls for them to settle down. After he explains that today will be an introductory session and will consist of a series of ice-breaker activities designed to help the students get to know each other better, he gestures to the young Ryoinsatsu to step forward in front of the blackboard to introduce herself. Her mind repeats the words her mother had told her prior.

Make a good impression.

Maintaining a calm composure—or perhaps subtle bravado—she rises from her seat and strides over in front of the blackboard. For how unlikely the attempt was to not sound overly pompous and posh, given her background, she opts to keep it simple and provide a rich yet modest introduction about herself to bridge a relationship with them. Adopting a demure posture with her legs together, heels touching, and hands overlapping one another in front of her against her dress, she starts.

"Good morning, everyone. My name is Ryoinsatsu Jurei. My family has lived here in Hoshigakure only recently for the past couple of generations and has an extensive involvement in multiple, charitable industries throughout its history. As a child, I've always been fascinated by the life of shinobi. There was something incredibly noble and admirable about their commitment to protecting those who couldn't protect themselves. And while the life of a shinobi can be difficult and dangerous, it's also one of adventure and excitement.

But most importantly, a shinobi serves as a symbol of hope. They remind us that no matter how dark or hopeless a situation may seem, there will always be someone willing to fight for what's right and defend the innocent. Therefore, I am honored to have the opportunity to learn alongside all of you and become part of Hoshigakure's legacy."

She concludes by offering a generous, modest smile and bow before she makes her way back to her seat—and to her baffled but pleased surprise—with a number of her classmates welcoming her. Following her introduction is another student who arrives in the classroom shortly after. It's not a face she recognizes while on tour and, judging by the stunned reactions of her classmates, it's likely they haven't had the opportunity to meet them yet, either. Nonetheless, she remains poised with one leg over the other and attentive to what the new addition to the school system will have to say.


WC: 1,431
TWC: 1,431

As Koda woke up in his private quarters, the sound of childrens and babies crying resonated troughout the clan's estate, preventing the young man to get back to sleep. ''Oh well... The sun is already up anyways. Might as well get up.'' said Kona to himself, yawning and stretching, as he plucked on the bedsheets of his fellow kin to wake them up gently. Getting out of his bed, Koda went into the kitchen, preparing the table and food for his clan. Accompagnied with the elders, Kona faintly smiled trough his morning tiredness, stretching and preparing the traditionnal food of their people at the same time. As they all gathered around the large table and cushion set on the floor, a warm breeze could be felt trough the rook opening, letting a matinal blanket confort the clan's people gathering in the garden at the communal table. As all took place, Koda arrived and served the food, a true icon of family and unity, he could be seen serving everyone before himself, laughing and passing to folks plates, bowls, jugs and happiness too, his positive morning energy and smile contagious troughout the clansman. As the young and calm Omukade finally sat, the last of the 30 people of his clan's estate all gathered to eat together as one big family, he trully felt proud.

For once, his people was at peace, and smiling again, enjoying life and its small details. Koda smiled, and his eyes radiated optimism. As everyone ate with enthusiasm, Koda took it upon himself to deliver a speech, celebrating their full settlement into the village of Hoshigakure. ''It is with great pride, that I celebrate today our final steps in getting sedentary and settled folks, in the kind and warm village of Hoshigakure! Now now, I know some of us will have trouble to settle to the fixed and non-nomadic lifestyle, and the fact we are not in the wild anymore, but I expect great things of you all, and great effort to integrate into the population, participate in their society, and for us to become a clan renowned here for our hard working spirit, and our loyalty to those who helped us in times of need. Today is the day I fulfill my oath to the village for welcoming so kindly of clan here, and giving us the chance to make a living here. I shall become a ninja of the hidden stars, and will bring prosperity to our clan, as well as cement the loyalty to our new lords. Now, eat you rascals, before it get cold! ahahah!'' said in an enthusiast and calm voice, full of hope, leadership and autority. As they ate, Koda smiled and enjoyed, trully in the present, taking in every moment, something he and his clan didnt had the opportunity to do in a long time. As he ate, he tought to himself, that his companion Tso must be getting pretty bored into the villages pens, and that a visit should be soon, or at least the village autorisation to have her roam freely.

After the feast, Koda reminded the others who became ninja too to do their best, wanting to set their clan as example of skilled and talented ninja, mastering innately the art of fuinjutsu and already versed in other arts of the shinobi, and to show to the people that the Omukade were a reputed ninja clan of the old ways, dating back to the Warring States Period, having kept their way of living and traditions of he ninja, hence why they seemed more traditional, even tribal or rustic, to some. Getting ready in his traditionnal loose Kata-hada dark teal kimono adorned with decoratives explosives tags and his usual pants, sandals, bandages and steel bracer, Koda started to walk towards the academy, ready as ever for his first day of school.

As he arrived almost late, being a punctual being never late nor never in advance, Koda was the last to pass the entrance of the classroom tagged as A-2. The place was refreshing, a warm smell of freshly cut grass comming from outside, and the breeze reminding him of the roads he traveled so often. As the students in the class gossiped and looked weirdly at him, he didnt pay attention to those behavior, simply sitting down as if no one was whispering and gossiping, half of them intrigued as to who this young man was, and the other half scared to see all the explosives tags covering him, terrified at the idea of him exploding the whole school away. As the students introduced themselves, Koda took particular attention to everyone of them, wanting to make a good first impression. At first, he noticed that almost all students where younger than him, being usually between 10 to 12 years , him being 14, a bit late by academy and village standards to be a ninja. But the true suprise was the presence of a full blown adult, not in front of the class as a teacher, but in the classroom itself, a fellow student! As she presented herself elegantly, Koda was impressed at her prestance and haut couture, as well as her charisma when speaking about what it represented for her to be a hoshigakure shinobi. As the turns advanced, it was finally time for the Omukade to talk. He advanced himself towards the front of the class, and after doing a respectfull and low bow, he got his head up, and with his deep and bright orange eyes, gazed at the fellow students, presenting himself for this first class of orientation. ''Thanks to you all for giving me this time to speak. I am Koda Omukade, a recent adition to the village. I came here seeking refuge with my clan, and as its leader, it is of my responsibility to keep them safe and thriving, as well as to maintain our culture alive. To me, becoming a shinobi is more than a simple answer to the oath I pledged with the village governement in exchange of my clan's safety. It is a testimony and honor to continue our long tradition of Shinobi, dating back to the Warring States Period, where my ancestors could be counted amongst the first ninjas to fight, and to be pioneers in terms of Fuinjutsu and armaments, having invented the papers seals and other fuinjutsu weapons. I seek to do here the very same, repeating and overcoming history by breaking the records of 'the Art' and setting again the name of Omukade in the minds of folks when they think of renowned ninja clan, bringing honor to all of Hoshigakure as a new proud ninja clan of the hidden stars.'' said Koda with a calm voice, proud and full of optimism, but still in control of his emotions, being first and foremost a calm individual, not too overly expressive.

As the students gawked at the speech he ushered, he calmly sat back down, as if he was only a regular student. For the others, Koda Omukade was a special individual, as no one his age was normaly a clan leader, nor could claim their ancestors had such an important role in history. With a small smile, Koda got back to listening the class, attentive and proud of his presentation.

Jurei would be lying if you asked if she wasn't surprised by the sudden entrance of someone tagged with paper bombs all over their person. Usually, she'd feel inclined to defend the class but her sorrowful repertoire of two self-taught Jutsu wouldn't add much to the fight other than an extra number to the casualty count. But, she quickly dismisses her concerns when she notices how calm and deliberate his movements are, hardly one in a rushed attempt to commit to anything extreme. Breathing a sigh of relief, she eases her nerves as Hantenryoku Hanami steps forward to the front of the class to introduce herself for the next couple of minutes before another student takes her place.

The cycle goes on until the most recent students steps forward and gives a pretty compelling speech. One Jurei hasn't heard before during her time here in Hoshigakure and with rapt attention. Judging from the deliverance of his speech, she can already tell, as uncommon as it is already to share the same classroom with someone whose clan's origin hints toward at least a temporary nomadic lifestyle, but a clan so proficient in Fuuinjutsu whose history stems back to the Warring States Period makes her guess how many other clan names were washed over by other, more prominent, competitors, such as the Uzumaki, Senju, and Uchiha clans.

And to some extent—in one form or another—Jurei empathizes with the proverbial, historical weight that rests on his shoulder. Being a clan leader at his age demands a lot, along with the unspoken responsibilities that come with looking after an entire group who migrated here out of self-preservation in exchange for their fealty to the village. It's similar to her own responsibilities as an heiress to a major consortium.

Ever since childhood, one of the very first things she learned was molding her chakra in order to access the family bank—a "ginko"—within the realm of space-time to assist in her parents' financial ventures. By her coming of age, she started shadowing as an assistant business partner to her father to pass down his knowledge of the business world and develop a persona ideal for conducting such matters without jeopardizing their accrued, generational wealth and overall, good-standing reputation. And that's not to speak of their attempts to find her a suitor in recent years to keep the bloodline alive, but that's a thought she stows away for another time.

After the activity has finished, the instructor proceeds with the intended lessons for the morning: the academy code of ethics and the ninja system. He explains that the mission of the academy is to provide a positive learning environment where students can develop socially, emotionally, and academically and to prepare them for the challenges of adulthood. Students will learn through a variety of instructional methods and are encouraged to participate fully in all aspects of their education. The code of ethics outlines the expectations for behavior while on academy premises and emphasizes respect, responsibility, and safety. The Shinobi system is briefly defined as the basic set of principles and practices that govern the way shinobi conduct themselves and represent their village. It also outlines the different ranks of shinobi and the associated responsibilities and privileges.

Following this, the instructor moves on to the next topic of discussion: the curriculum. He outlines the various subjects that will be covered throughout the year and the expected level of mastery. These include ninjutsu, taijutsu, genjutsu, and strategy. In addition, students will also have the opportunity to learn about the history and traditions of Hoshigakure and other shinobi villages. The instructor concludes by stating that it is the goal of the academy to equip each student with the necessary skills and knowledge to become a successful and contributing member of society.

"And with that, we conclude the overview of what you all will be expected to abide by and accomplish before your Genin Graduation. Are there any questions or things that I need to clarify?" The instructor asks, scanning the classroom with a neutral expression. Jurei raises her hand, to which the instructor acknowledges her.

"What are the ninja ranks and what can be expected of us once we complete our Genin graduation?" Jurei Ryoinsatsu aims the inquiry with a curious tone.

"Good question, Ms. Ryoinsatsu. Shinobi are the primary military force of Hoshigakure no Sation Their duties involve espionage, sabotage, reconnaissance, assassination, and other covert activities. Shinobi are divided into several hierarchical levels based on their skill and experience. Genin is the lowest level of shinobi and is the most recently graduated. Something I hope for you all to achieve.

"Chūnin is the second level of shinobi after Genin and is characterized by greater independence and autonomy. They are typically responsible for leading smaller-scale operations and are often tasked with training and supervising lower-level shinobi. Jōnin is the highest level of shinobi and corresponds with the most skilled and experienced members of the shinobi forces.

"Jōnin typically serve as leaders of large-scale operations and are entrusted with the protection of Hoshigakura no Sato.

"And the highest position of them all belongs to the Kage. They oversee the activities of our village, from sending ninja on missions to making the hard decisions regarding the safety of our people. A village's Kage is generally acknowledged as its most powerful ninja and is renowned as one of the top shinobi of the continent. Our Hogokage is an exemplar of that." The instructor responds, elaborating on the hierarchy and career paths of shinobi. Jurei nods her head and thanks the instructor for the response.

"That reminds me, I think I recall reading once that there are divisions for shinobi gifted with certain knowledge and expertise that earns them a 'specialist' status. Is that something any shinobi or kunoichi can be given or is that dependent on the skill level and experience you mentioned earlier?" She inquires further, her curiosity already piqued by the vast, foreseeable routes an upcoming graduate can strive to accomplish.

"Another good follow-up, Ryoinsatsu-san. Specialist shinobi and kunoichi are those who have demonstrated a particular aptitude or area of expertise. They may be assigned to a specialized unit or task force and are often relied upon for their unique skills and abilities. Some examples of specialist shinobi and kunochi include medical-nin, fūinjutsu users, and sensory-type shinobi.

"Medical-nin are shinobi who specialize in the treatment and healing of injuries and illnesses. They are highly valued for their life-saving skills and are often assigned to the front lines of battle or to protect key assets such as village leaders. Fūinjutsu users are shinobi and kunoichi who have mastered the art of sealing techniques. They are often tasked with protecting valuable information and resources and can create barriers and traps to defend against enemy attacks. Sensory-type shinobi and kunoachi are those who have developed the ability to detect and track the presence of chakra. This can be a vital skill in locating and tracking down enemies or allies and can also help to anticipate and prepare for incoming attacks.

"Of course, these are just a few examples and there are many other specialist shinobi and kunoichi who have distinguished themselves through their unique talents and contributions." The instructor appends, providing Jurei with a more specific example of specialist shinobi and kunoichi. She nods, pleased with the answers given, and resigns to allow other students to ask any further questions. Many of these range from simple inquiries, such as—

"What are the requirements to become a chūnin or jōnin?"

To more complex queries, such as—

"How does one apply to join a shinobi division or task force, and what kind of responsibilities would they be expected to perform?"

Jurei listens attentively, soaking in as much information as she can and mentally jotting down the important details. If no further questions, the instructor concludes with the following monologue, "With that said, class is dismissed. But, before you leave," He grabs a hefty stack of papers hidden behind the podium from where he stands and divides them equally between each row of tables. As Jurei receives her piece, she scans the contents. "Tomorrow, we will be discussing the chakra, its nature, and the elements associated with it. Be sure to read through these notes thoroughly. See you tomorrow." The instructor closes the lecture with a wave of his hand, dismissing the students.

As Jurei gathers her belongings, she folds her packet of notes and stuffs them neatly inside her backpack. Exiting the classroom, she makes her way down the hall and to the main entrance of the Ninja Academy. Before she can reach the exit, she's abruptly stopped by a tap on the shoulder. Turning to face the stranger, she's greeted by a group of fellow classmates, a boy and two girls. "Ryoinsatsu-senpai!" One of the girls, a brunette, speaks. "Hi! We noticed that you were sitting alone in the classroom. Do you have any friends to hang out with, or do you wanna come eat lunch with us? My name's Fumiyo, by the way." Jurei processes the question, pausing briefly to consider her options before answering, "No, I don't have anyone to hang out with. And, yes, I'd be happy to have lunch with you guys. Thank you." She accepts, flashing the trio a smile. "Oh, that reminds me," She taps her chin. "Is it okay if I bring a plus-one with us? I have a feeling he could make for great company."

Fumiyo responds, shrugging her shoulders, "Sure, no problem. The more, the merrier!" Jurei smiles, nodding her head. "Great, let me go fetch him. You can wait for me outside, and I'll meet you there." The brunette flashes her a thumbs up, and the group departs. Jurei backpedals to the classroom in the hopes she'll bump into the Omukade Koda. If does, she offers a friendly wave to him when she closes the distance between them.

"Hey! Sorry if I'm intruding. Omukande-san, right? I'm Ryoinsatsu Jurei." She introduces herself, offering a courteous greeting. "I was wondering if you'd like to join me and a couple of other classmates waiting outside for lunch? Of course, you're not obligated to join, but your presence would be appreciated!"


WC: 1,702
TWC: 3,133

As Koda sat back and listened to the others student presentation, he felt trully proud to be a member of the Omukade clan. The others presentations were also really impressive, and Koda felt great and eager to learn and to get to know all of these wonderfull others ninjas and kunoichi. As the presentation advanced, the teacher got back towards the front of the classroom, and started the class when all the presentation had ended.

A lot of informations was passed, and Koda listened carefully, taking notes and paying a lot of attention. As the questions flew around, the teacher answering them swiftly and with precision, Koda's attention was caught by the presence and existance of specialist groups of shinobi. Wanting himself to be part of this, he raised his hand to signal he wanted too, to ask a question. ''Is there also a demolitionist or explosives specialist squad or corps ? Or do those fall under the Fuinjutsu specialists?'' asked calmly Koda. If the wasnt, he would raise trought the rank and probably propose it to the village leadership, should this be a possibility.

Then the class was dismissed, and Koda calmly took his notebook and school stuff with him,walking around the school to explore and see how well made the infrastructure of the city were made. This was impressive. The whole city was built in a very solid way, a true architectural paradise, and pretty too, ornemented all the way, even in the school. As he was going towards the garden outside to enjoy the sun and eat alone, the older kunoichi from the class arrived and was heading toward him. He tought to himself, that maybe she had forgotten something in the class, or wanted to ask direction to the young clan leader. Well to the suprise of Koda, she wanted to ask him to join them to eat together, and to get to know one another! Koda smiled heartily, touched and gracefull for this nice and welcoming gesture. ''Well hello again Jurei! I remember your name from the presentation. Its Omu-ka-de, ahah, there is no N. Its fine, I know my name isnt common, so dont stress too much about it, I dont take it as an offense! And not dont you worry, you arent intruding at all, I like the toughtfull gesture even. It would be my pleasure to go and join you for lunch.'' said Koda in a joyfull face, eyes squinted from smiling and enthusiast to integrate himself. He was suprised, as he tought people would be scared to see him, a foreign man, and would take their distance. Proving him wrong, he arrived at the table and all students seemed curious and interested in him, a special sight, and wanted to integrate him. The young man immediately felt integrated into the village, welcomed by its people in a natural way, and this was heart warming to him. ''Hey! hello to all of you ahah, thanks to make me feel this welcome into here, it really feel great. I know I must appear quite strange to all of you, so ask away all of yours questions! I'm also eager to get to know you all, so dont hesitate to give me informations too, and dont worry, I too will ask a lot of questions! First of all whats your personnal aspirations ? What kind of ninja do you wanna be? You can all answers turn by turn, I think it will be a great thing to do while we eat! I'll start: Im aspiring to master my fuinjutsu and along with it the art of explosives and explosion as a whole. I want to be a devoted ninja to the village that harbored safely my people, and to be known as a protector of the people but also as the greatest demolitionist ninja that ever was!'' said the Omukade with a smile and with enthusiasm. ''Also, he isnt here, but I have a companion that is normally always with me, and she is called Tso! She is lovely ahah.'' added swiftly Koda, as Tso was a too much important part of his life to not mention her.

Jurei had many embarrassing moments in her life, but none could compare to the embarrassment she felt right now. Her foot had been firmly planted in her mouth, and she was trying to recover her composure after her massive faux pas by fumbling Koda's surname when just moments ago he was introduced. Then again, he did say it wasn't the deliberate fault of her own, and owing to the fact that it's her first encounter with a nomadic clansman, the embarrassment that once sat on her chest like a sleep paralysis demon dissipated rather quickly.

"That's great!" She appends. "Come, I'll show you where the rest of the group are and introduce you to them. I'm sure we'll get along with them just fine."

She guides her new friend to Fumiyo and her group. They introduce themselves, leading Jurei and Koda to the "table" from where they'll commune with each other—at the Academy rooftop, a popular spot for students to relax and socialize during their lunch break. Settling down on the sunbathed, concrete floor, the foursome unpack their lunches and dig in, chatting and getting to know each other. They all listen raptly as Koda gives his own introduction to the group and his aspirations. When he gives the proverbial floor to the rest, Fumiyo looks to Jurei and Jurei looks to Fumiyo, sharing a knowing glance before Jurei gestures for Fumiyo to start first. And she happily obliges with a grin and nods.

"I'm Morimura Fumiyo. Nice to meetcha, Koda-san," she starts. "I aspire to become a Jonin and gain the respect and admiration of everyone in Hoshi. But above all else, I aim to make this village a better place for everybody. No more suffering, no more crime. Just peace and prosperity for all. That's my dream." Fumiyo ends her introduction with a bite of her sandwich and a satisfied hum, chewing and swallowing her food.

"I'm Hayanagawa Kawazaki. Nice to meet ya," Kawazaki begins next. "My ambitions aren't nearly as noble or ambitious as Fumi-chan's, haha. But I'd still like to achieve Jonin rank and travel the world, meeting new people and experiencing the cultures of faraway places. Who knows? Maybe one day I'll settle down and retire in some foreign land. We'll see. For now, though, this is Hoshi, so I'll make the best of it. Oh, and Koda-san, if you have any questions for us, you can ask 'em! We're classmates, after all. So feel free to talk to any of us." Kawazaki finishes her intro and sips her carton of orange juice.

"And I'm Ketsunoki Michiro," Michiro pipes up last. "Nice to meet you, Koda-kun. My ambition is to become a Jonin and continue the Ketsunoki legacy. Though, that's mostly due to familial obligation. But, hey, at least being a Jonin has its perks, right? Traveling the world, gaining the respect and admiration of Hoshi's citizens, et cetera. It's not all bad. Well, that's all from me, I guess. Nice meeting you, Koda-kun." Michiro finishes her introduction and unwraps her bentō box, taking a bite out of her rice ball.

And then there was one. Jurei's turn. She clears her throat, takes a sip of her water bottle, and prepares herself.

"And I'm Ryoinsatsu Jurei," She starts. "Ambitions-wise," She gives the thought pause for a moment before she continues. "I aspire to expand my family's influence and to acquire wealth with the ultimate goal being to transform the family's riches into creating a charitable group or company that gives back to the community. Moreover, I seek to make Hoshi a better place for its residents, especially those who haven't had the opportunity to make a difference in their own lives or the lives of those they care about. I haven't given much as to the how, but I know it's a goal I want to achieve. Hopefully soon, too. Otherwise, I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you and to making memories as we progress in our ninja careers together." Jurei concludes her introduction, satisfied with its contents.

Michiro listens intently as each classmate introduces themselves, her gaze moving between each person as they speak. She eats her rice ball and watches Jurei, awaiting her response.

"Charitable organization?" Fumiyo asks, rhetorically. "What, like a foundation or something? That's a pretty big goal, senpai. Not that it's a bad thing. It's great, actually. If anyone can pull it off, it's probably someone from a wealthy family. Plus, philanthropy is a good look, too. Nobility and all. Either way, I wish you luck in achieving your dreams." Fumiyo pauses to finish the last of her sandwich.

"Yeah," Kawazaki adds. "It's a pretty massive goal, but a worthwhile one, nonetheless. Charity is a great look and a great way to earn the village's trust and respect. I'm sure Hoshi could use more organizations like that. And I think you could pull it off." Kawazaki finishes her encouragement with a sip of orange juice. Jurei feels a sense of accomplishment after Fumiyo and Kawazaki encourage her ambitions. Even if charity wasn't a lucrative venture, she'd still be inclined to go through with the endeavor. Making a difference, she finds, is more important than any profit.

Michiro simply nods, turning his attention toward Koda. "Say, Koda, how come you want to become a demolitionist? What inspired you to pursue this ninja specialty, ya know, with sealing techniques and all that?" Michiro inquires. "Oh, and your companion, too, what species is she? What's she like? Are they like the Inazuka's dogs or the Aburame's bugs?"

"Yeah, I'm kinda curious about that, too," Fumiyo chimes in. "And demolitionists are pretty cool and all, but isn't fūinjutsu typically used for defense or supportive roles? I'm not trying to stereotype or anything. It's just interesting, is all. But, hey, if blowing stuff up is what you're into, then, by all means, knock yourself out." Fumiyo chuckles afterward, amused at her pun. Kawazaki laughs quietly and shakes her head. Jurei can't help but chuckle, finding the pun amusing herself.


WC: 1,010
TWC: 4,143

As Koda sat down with the rest of the group, his legs crossed, he watched and listened with focused eyes, and attentive ears. The kids were really interesting, and cute, most of them being younger than Koda and Jurei. As they tell each and everyone turn by turn, their aspirations and goals, Koda smiled, happy and impressed by the willpower of those young ones, seeing in them the same enthusiasm and naiveness of the Omukade childrens he once had with him in the clan, the very same one that were, for the most part, massacred when the clan was almost whiped out. Now a few kids remained, but mostly too young for the academy yet, and a few Omukade families were trying and looking to regrown the clan, one kid at a time. Getting back to the reality of the kids talking with passion and enthusiasm, Koda got his focus back just in time to hear Jurei talk about herself and her aspirations. Koda was mostly impressed and interested in her before the other kids, being older and clearly more in tune with life and wise than the other kids Koda knew. She stated that her goal was to use the riches of the most wealthy citizens of Hoshi to help the community and those in need. To the Omukade clan leader, this sounded too good to be true. At a moment of need for him and his clan, someone in the village was actually interested in doing exactly what the Omukade clan needed.

 With a lot of interest now, Koda drank away each sentence Jurei would say, intrigued at her goals and personna. ''You talk about helping those in need, and that is a very noble goal. But, have you seen the Omukade clan? I know we recently arrived here, and most people steer clear of us. I wouldnt want to ask for your help, even if my people needs it, but I would like to invite you to our estate, to see how my people are living, and form an opinion by yourself. Would you be interested Jurei?'' said Koda in a diplomatic voice, wanting to extend a formal invitation to the girl, in hopes of getting her to know his culture, but also, to get help for his people, since their goals alligned. As he waited for her answer, the others turned to Koda and asked tons of questions.

But first, as he listened to them, he was also hungry, and opened his bento box. Inside was, for the people of Hoshi, food that would be considered weird. There was a savage rice mixed with green beans, as well as beans that appeared bright yellow. In another compartment of the box, there was rolled meat, spinned in pinwheels and grilled, with a dark red brownish sauce or glaze, that was covered in red dots of powder. Furhermore, there was a little cup filled with bright green sauce like stew, with herbs inside, and seeds of some kind. At last there was also a flat bread, with nuts inside, that seemed very light and airy, and wich Koda dipped in the green sauce. Nothing seemed sweet in his dish, and everything in there attracted the weirded out gaze of the fellow students, who seemed to be either curious of what all of those tasted like, or grunting away at how unnapethizing it looked.

After a juicy bite of everything in his bento, Koda answered the questions of the students with details. ''Ahahah well your goals are very good too! I want to be a demolitionist because its my clan vocation. We are the one who invented papers tags, with the most known being the explosive tag! As such, I want to master the fuinjutsu, the art of my people, to use that ancestral power, and perfect its craft and usages. But to be frank, im also quite interested in explosions and such by themselves, and want to try to inovate the domain too. I think it boils down to my personnality. Explosions are amongst the most destructive things that can happen to something or someone, and the wielding of such power demands self control, as well as wisdom, judgment and calmness. One must be humble and know when to use it to wield one if not the most destructive power. and yeah fuinjutsu isnt only used for blowing stuff, ahaha, I use it for other reasons, don't worry!'' Said the young man with auburn hair.

 The kids seemed interested in his explosion art, but he wasnt one to use it lightly, even if it could be used for artistic purposes, like fireworks.  ''As for my companion, Tso is a giant centipede, the animals my clansman has been using for generation, taming them from the lands we wander, and using them in conjunction with our fuinjutsu, having them drop off explosives tags, and having us activate them. Tso is very cool and pretty funny too, if youre not scared! She likes to eat meats and to move a lot, if you want I can show her to you all if you come by the Hoshi pens, there is a cave with all the Omukade centipedes there! *chuckles*'' added Koda with a smile, his eyes squinted by his happy face. He would hope for the other students to not be affraid of bugs, as Tso could be terrifying form an outsider point of view, espetially if they didnt like bugs. Tso was enormous, slimy and centipedes were known to freak people out, so to see one the size of a horse would be something challenging for most.

When Koda remarks on Jurei's aspirations, she nods knowingly when he proffers to show her around the clan estate. From the way he attributes the clan's current situation, a neuron fires off in her brain and takes it as an opportunity to establish some level of rapport with the village's bourgeoisie. It would certainly make her father quite affable to the idea, but her intentions are more pure than just business. Although she's bereft of the financial means to provide anything worthwhile, she can at least start by getting to know who's who, their traditions and customs, and their mannerisms and vernacular.

"Certainly a noble ambition, and a difficult task, indeed. But, it's almost as though you read my mind because I was just thinking about paying you and your clan a visit since we'll be seeing each other often. At least, I hope we do. Anywho, I would love to take a look around the Omukade Clan's estate and get to know the family and their history. We can arrange a meetup after today whenever it's convenient for you for me to come swing by."

Then came the juicy details regarding Koda's aspirations and a brief history of his clan and his passions. Palming the side of her cheek facing away from Koda and subsequently, her elbow resting on her thigh, she tunes in to the finer details. And here she thought her day couldn't get any more interesting. Hearing about the Omukade's being the primary inventors of the paper tags—though the validity of such a claim warrants a thorough study she will conduct in her spare time—but also tamers of a rather unique species that wouldn't normally come across the minds of the average denizen for what would constitute as a "ninja pet", for a lack of a better term. Nevertheless, she's intrigued.

"That's... quite fascinating," She remarks. "A clan that specializes in the creation and use of exploding tags and the domestication of an insect-like species. You'll have to tell me more. Actually, maybe it'd be better if I saw it for myself—if you'll allow me. I wouldn't mind accompanying you to the pens sometime and your pet, Tso, sounds like she's a wonderful little critter." She smiles, half in jest from the oxymoronic usage of the descriptor she uses for the centipede's size. This spurs an inadvertent memory in Jurei's psyche, recalling the time she pestered her parents to purchase a pet as a companion to fill the oftentimes dead silence of the Ryoinsatsu household. Although at the time, she was merely a babe and couldn't have possibly known the difference between a cat and a dog, much less a spider and a snake, she was adamant about owning a pet. Her mother, Chihiro, was a stickler for cleanliness and order and was against the idea of a pet, citing the extra responsibility, and her father, Osamu, was equally reluctant, though his reason was a bit more pragmatic.

Perhaps, now that she's older and has experienced enough of life to hold a grasp of the concept of responsibility, her parents would reconsider the prospect of owning a pet. But, not just any pet. The kind Jurei could bring along with her on missions, capable to some extent or another to aid her in times of need or for her future, unnamed teammates she'll pair up with. The future still holds an archive of secrets she's yet to uncover, but it's thoughts like these that help her to dream, and dreaming is what keeps her motivated. However, the children on the other hand had their own exultant takes on the matter regarding his pen of extraordinary centipedes and his motivations for becoming a demolitionist.

"I wanna see the big bug, Tso!"

"Are they really that big?"

"Can I feed her?!"

"Can you ride them?"

"Do they have wings?"

"Is it a boy or a girl?"

"Are they all the same color or different colors?"

"Will they eat me?"

"Can I try an exploding tag?"

"Hey, hey, one question at a time now," Jurei chortles heartily and flowers and idea. "You know what? Why don't we all schedule a day to pay Koda's clan a visit? It'd be a great opportunity to learn more about the various clans and their unique techniques, wouldn't it?"

The children's expressions light up, and they begin to nod and bob their heads in agreement, a chorus of "yeses" and excited giggles following. It'll certainly make for an interesting excursion, but the more people she can help familiarize and accustom themselves to the newest additions to the village's repertoire, the better. Besides, the Omukade only stands to gain from the experience, and Jurei would hate to see them excluded. After lunch, the group spends the rest of their break enjoying the warm spring weather and basking in the glow of their burgeoning friendship. The conversation later shifts to a variety of other topics, discussing things such as the best kinds of snacks, the types of animals, and their favorite pastimes. Soon, the sun settles at a particular angle such that the faintest glow of the night's sky and moon apprise them of its coming arrival, signaling the end of their session together.

The child trio reluctantly part ways, promising to meet up again tomorrow. Jurei—after cleaning herself up—stands up and waves to Koda.

"Today was a lot of fun, more than I expected from what I would've assumed from a ninja academy. It's so full of life and energy, and the atmosphere is so friendly and welcoming. I'm glad I made the choice to be here." She turns to face Koda and offers her hand, and should he take it, she gives it a firm shake and a cheery smile. "I look forward to seeing you again, Koda. Until tomorrow, yeah?" She soon parts ways with the young soon-to-be demolitionist and returns home. Greeting the gardeners and workers on the front porch of her estate and upon entering, removes her shoes and places them along a rack. Proceeding to the kitchen where, she finds her mother, Chihiro, preparing dinner.

"Welcome home, dear," She greets her with a lilt in her voice. "How was the first day of class?"

"It went well, thank you," Jurei responds. "And yours?"

"Oh, it was fine," She answers, her voice a bit dismissive.

"That's good," Jurei replies and pauses. There's a beat. Then, after a moment's thought, she asks—

"Mother, do you know much about the history of the Omukade Clan?"

Chihiro's hands pause, and she looks up.

"Omukade Clan? Well, I can't say I do. Why do you ask, dear?"

"I met a boy today, a little younger than me, named Koda. He's an Omukade, and his family recently moved to this village and is going to be staying. I thought about paying them a courtesy visit to build a bit of goodwill between us. They're a pretty important clan, aren't they?"

"Hm... Yes, I believe they are. You should have your father help you. He'll know a lot more about them than I will, and he's always looking to expand our influence."

"Sure, I'll talk with him about them," Jurei says.

"Good," Chihiro replies, and the two continue their conversations, the topic eventually shifting to the matter of their next social gathering. Thereafter, Jurei awaits in her room, studying and reviewing tomorrow's material until her father arrives home a couple of hours later. When Jurei finds the time, she approaches him about her plans to 'expand' the family's influence and develop a diplomatic relationship with the Omukades.

"So, you want to go make friends with the Omukades?" Osamu would ask, and Jurei would nod.

"I think it would be a good idea," She comments. "They have a pretty strong background in sealing techniques and insect companions, and I thought we should establish a relationship with them, especially if they're going to be a permanent fixture of this village."

"Hmm, yes, I suppose you're right," Osamu nods approvingly. "We should establish a relationship with them, and you're the best candidate. If anyone can charm the pants off a clan, it's you."

"Thank you, Father," Jurei nods, also. "I'll let you know how it goes."

"Very well, now come. I think it's about time your mother finished cooking dinner. Ah, and do tell me how your first day at the academy went. Don't spare me any details!"

Thus, the two would sit down to have a meal, and Jurei would share her experiences, the three exchanging pleasantries and catching each other up on their respective days. Afterward, Jurei would retire to her room, study and review her materials, and prepare for the next day's classes.

"What a day," Jurei would sigh, and she settles onto her bed, laying her head against the pillow. "I wonder what tomorrow will bring next."


WC: 1,472
TWC: 5,615


[EXIT THREAD]


Requesting approval for the following claims:

Investing 5,615 TWC into the following Skill(s):

► Training Beloved Presence (2,000/2,000) [3,615 TWC Left]
► Training Clan Pureblood (+25 Vigor) (2,000/2,000) [1,615 TWC Left]

Investing the remaining 1,615 TWC into the following Jutsu:

► Training Genjutsu Release + [Handseal Mastery] (500/500) [1,115 TWC Left]
► Training Storage Displacement (500/500) [865 TWC Left]
► Training Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall @ D-Rank (500/500) [365 TWC Left]
► Training Rope Escape (250/250) [115 TWC Left]
► Training Hearthfire (115/250) [0 TWC Left]

Investing the 5,615 TWC into the following Stat Points:

► Training +26 Vigor (-2,600) [3,015TWC Left]
► Training +25 Chakra (-2,500) [515 TWC Left]
► Training +5 Speed (-500) [15 TWC Left]

→ Expunging the remaining 15 TWC Left.

Jurei Ryoinsatsu wrote:
WC: 1,472
TWC: 5,615


[EXIT THREAD]


Requesting approval for the following claims:

Investing 5,615 TWC into the following Skill(s):

► Training Beloved Presence (2,000/2,000) [3,615 TWC Left]
► Training Clan Pureblood (+25 Vigor) (2,000/2,000) [1,615 TWC Left]

Investing the remaining 1,615 TWC into the following Jutsu:

► Training Genjutsu Release + [Handseal Mastery] (500/500) [1,115 TWC Left]
► Training Storage Displacement (500/500) [865 TWC Left]
► Training Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall @ D-Rank (500/500) [365 TWC Left]
► Training Rope Escape (250/250) [115 TWC Left]
► Training Hearthfire (115/250) [0 TWC Left]

Investing the 5,615 TWC into the following Stat Points:

► Training +26 Vigor (-2,600) [3,015TWC Left]
► Training +25 Chakra (-2,500) [515 TWC Left]
► Training +5 Speed (-500) [15 TWC Left]

→ Expunging the remaining 15 TWC Left.

Approved

As Koda answered the questions of both the kid group as well as Jurei's questions too, he felt excited, eager to show the culture of his clan and also happy to be a part of this wonderfully welcoming village. As Jurei noded, agreeing to a meeting, Koda answered calmly. ''You are welcome to visit at anytime. I hope we'll get to see you often too. But I would also like to return the favor too, and meet your parents, and the Ryoinsatsu Clan too!'' Answered Koda, eager to get to know her better. 

As Jurei commented on the brief history and knowledge she got from Koda, she trully seemed intrigued, both to meet the clan and learn their ways of living, like their food, manners, and outfits, but also their relationships with their centipede companions. Tho her comment on the pets being quote ''wonderfull little critter'' couldnt be farther from the truth. These were beasts of war, bred and trained in the art of battle in unison with their fuinjutsu masters, able to dish out dozens of explosives tags upon the field, blowing up anything that stand in the path of their masters. They were also known to be mounts to the Omukade, riding them trough the land to do hit and runs attacks on their enemies. Koda was a peacefull individual, but not by culture, as he came from a people litteraly crafting instruments of war for a living. In fact, he was a warrior also, but a wise one, who tought words and peace was much more required in this world than mere weapons of mass destructions. He was calm only because he needed to, and it made him a great leader, able to maintain at all time a cool head, ahead of his enemies, and most of all, maintaining a sense of survival and preservation for his people. 

As he chuckled at the remark of Tso being adorable and most of all little, Koda immagined the meeting of Jurei and Tso, and smiled, wondering how this would play out. As he chuckled, the other kids all seemed excited to learn about Tso, and swarmed Koda after he had finished his lunch, bombarding him with questions. ''Alright Alright young ones ! Let me answer your questions, ahah! Yes they are quite big! You can feed her but throw the food, dont hand it, or your hand might become the food! Yes i can indeed ride her, and she is a her indeed- they dont have wings no ahah! They can eat you, but i'll ask they not do it this time! ... Now regarding explosive tags, this is not a matter to be played with. Its the sacred and unique art of my people, and its to be treated with respect, okay?'' said Koda with patience to the childrens, happily booping the nose of the last one, mischievous little brat, who wanted to throw and make explode a tag. As much as Koda saw that as curiosity, he also took offense to it, as even kids from the Omukade Clan knew that tags were a tool of death, not a toy to have fun or sparks like a firework was.

As Jurei interupted the swarm of kids around Koda, she proposed they all visit the Omukade estate to learn about their culture. While happy to share their way of living, Koda was worried of a single detail Jurei said: ''learning their unique techniques''. Little did Jurei know, these ancestrals techniques were uniquely known to the Omukade, and as such wer secret, contained in antique scrolls of yore, forbidden to the eyes of non clan members. Immediately, Koda calm and happy face became serious, as if it saw something bad, and his expression became like stone. ''You all can visit any time, but no techniques will be taught.'' said Koda in a now authoritarian voice, serious and stern. As the kids stopped laughing and understood that he was very serious, Koda understood too that the message was well received and clear, and revived his face with his usual joyfull traits. As the bell ringed, every student including the group with Koda and Jurei knew the classes of the second half of the day were about to begin, and they all left the garden to go back to class. After this moment, and a reflexion on how the academy turned out, the day was about to end, and therefore Jurei went back to Koda after the afternoon classes. ''Well it was good to meet you today Jurei, I hope to see you soon. Take care now!'' Said Koda, shaking her hand as she politely offered. 

As she made her way back home, Koda did the same, returning to his family estate, to tell the story of his first day to his clan, and how it went as an academy student.

[EXIT]

TWC 3654

Stats: +36 stats points (new total :91 stats points)

15 points going toward speed (new speed=25), 15 going toward chakra (new chakra=25) and 6 going toward strength (new strength=11)

Jutsu: 500WC going toward learning Clone Technique , and Transformation Technique, 2000WC going toward Chakra Infusion skill, 500WC going toward Sticky paper adhesive technique, and 500WC going toward Storage Displacement

154 wc going to nothin'