Wayward Winds and Sundered Sands

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Land of Moon toward the coastal reaches of its shores...




The azure expanse of the sky stretches overhead, uninterrupted by a single cloud, where nature paints a mesmerizing canvas under the brilliant midday sun, creating a seamless connection between the heavens and the Earth. The rhythmic symphony of the waves, kissed by the gentle zephyrs, fills the air, creating a soothing melody that resonates with the ocean's heartbeat. The golden sun casts its radiant beams upon the coastline, transforming the sandy shores into a glistening carpet. Seabirds glide effortlessly through the sky, their wings catching the sunlight as they traverse the boundless horizon.

Rocky outcrops stand sentinel along the shore, adorned with vibrant seaweed and resilient coastal flora. The crystalline waters of the ocean reflect a myriad of hues, ranging from the deepest blues to the shimmering greens. Occasionally, a playful school of fish breaks the surface, leaving ripples that echo the secrets of the underwater realm. The tranquil scene is shortly sullied by dark, uncoordinated splotches that rise lazily to the ocean's surface some 30 meters from shore. With each passing second, the color of the richest blues is marred by the stretches of crimson plumes, which drift aimlessly with the ebb and flow of the tide. As the unnerving trail edges closer and closer to the shore, the source of this disturbance rises from submergence.

A cracked, yellow, trident-shaped crown emerges followed by a mop of what appears to be hair, black with minor highlights of teal at the ends. The movements are unsteady, almost appearing inert, save for the sobering sways of the sea that nudge it along. The macerated figure struggles to remain on its feet as it stumbles forward haphazardly, leaving a crimson trail in its wake. Their pale body is clad with bite marks scattering their skin like a patchwork quilt. Their clothes resemble an idiosyncratic yet ornately designed short dress with a multicolored, flower-esque collar that hides a small pair of disfigured and lacerated gills at either side of their neck, a shredded short tabard that hangs beneath their bosom, and a scuffed ruffle fastened below their collarbone, all decorated in numerous shades of white, blue, and yellow, ranging from off-white, royal yellow, and turquoise to Astros-navy, gold, and steel blue.

Sliced, hanging sleeves wrap around their biceps down to their elbows in the selfsame, kaleidoscopic color scheme, their forearms covered by tattered, off-white sleeves with college-navy-colored gloves, nail polish, and an asymmetric, unceremoniously sundered pair of legwear that stretches from toe to thigh on their left leg and a single wrapping around their right thigh. The figure stumbles forward, barely able to keep themselves upright as they drag their body through the sand, leaving a trail of blood behind them. With each step, they appear to grow weaker and weaker, the waves' ministrations clutching at their ankles as though to beckon them back into their icy embrace. Their sky-blue orbs are half-lidded as they struggle to stay conscious, fighting against the darkness that threatens to consume them.

They consider giving in to the misery and allowing it to swallow them whole, their head feeling heavier and heavier as each pulse of searing anguish blasts their senses rhythmically. They close their eyes and relax their muscles, only flexing them to move one limb at a time to minimize the agonizing throbs that perforate their nerves. They take one long breath, then another. They squeeze their eyes shut tightly and grimace. Their only alternative is to swallow the agony and try to ignore it as much as possible. However, resolute not to let the discomfort mar their day, they fought on. Perhaps not the finest solution, but they had made their decision.

The waves lap at their ankles again, gently tugging at their legs as if attempting to drag them back into the water. The sand shifts beneath their feet, making each step more difficult than the last. Their vision blurs as they struggle to stay conscious, stumbling forward blindly. They can feel their strength fading as blood continues to pour from their wounds, staining the beige sand crimson. They know they need to keep moving, but they can't seem to find the willpower to do so.

Not anymore.

The strength in their legs—which could no longer stymie the relentless assail of shooting pains—concede to their new conquerors. Their body gives way, collapsing onto the sand with only their arms and hands to properly themselves, yet they, too, threaten cessation. The soft grains of sand provide little comfort for the battered body, but it is a welcome reprieve from the constant agony that had plagued them for so long. Then, the function of their last ligaments concedes as the figure falls against the coarse sand with a soft THUD.

They lay there motionless, unable to move, barely able to breathe. The darkness begins to creep into the edges of their vision once more, threatening to consume them completely. They close their eyes with only the monotonous thumps of life that bound in their ears and the soothing waves that wash over them.

---

WC: 854
TWC: 854

"Truly I say, what is more beautiful than a summer's day?
Far more temperate is she, an inescapable beauty
She haunts my waking hours, she blesses my sweetest of dreams
A heart that truly staggers, for whom can she be prepared?

She walks in beauty, like the night that strikes above
Of cloudless sky and starry night
More splendid than than all of dark and in light
Her hair is stark and her heart is beloved
A contrast with one who cannot compare their own earnestly

An on that cheek, I shall place my lips
A glow that bends the very light that surrounds
An embrace I shall not forget
My love for her shall only compound"

Ren recited his poem a handful of times. It was a poem that had simply *come* to him. He didn't plan for it, he didn't expect it, but it presented itself all the same. He had to take a break from the village and being in an actual "home" for the time being. It was all far too new for him and he needed some time to be back in nature, the very thing that he dedicated himself to residing within. But ever since... her that has changed.

He sat on a rock with a new set of robes, vibrant oranges and blues radiated off of the robes and shined brightly against the temperate sun of the day's sky. But shortly after he had recited his poem for the tenth or eleventh time, he could see something washing ashore. It was... a person! Ren leaped from the rock he was on, left his journal on the ground and rushed as fast as he could to save them.

Step by step, he pushed his body faster and faster, his chestnut hair ripping along with the wind blowing through it. The body began moving, so he knew they were still alive, but he wasn't sure just how alive they were going to be. He activated his chakra and surged it through his hands, activating his mystical palm. He knelt down beside the figure on the sand and placed his hands onto their sternum.

"Oh I do hope you're still alive. Friend, can you hear me!? You're going to be okay, I promise!" He yelled as he continued to treat the poor individual. He noticed the state that her body was in, and he was worried as to just where she had come from, there must be someone worried terribly about their missing friend. He quickly scanned the horizon surrounding them, looking for someone else to join the shoreline to help him carry this poor soul towards the village for further treatment.

WC: 446

Junko had quickly made friends with a handful of the new Shinobi that recently arrived on the island. It seemed that her natural charm and her passionate ambitions were at least interesting enough to catch the attention of the others she now found herself spending most of her time with. The house that was once abandoned, quiet, and in shambles was now full of noise, laughter, music, and the sounds of connections being made. Junko would make it a point to try to get everyone to come together for at least breakfast and dinner, and those who couldn’t make it would have a plate left aside for them “just in case”.

Junko would invite Ren and Yume to meet another vagabond she had worked with previously, vouching for him that he was a trustworthy guy. She then would send Kiko, her “sister” off to deliver a message to Azuki, telling him she made new friends and wanted him to meet them. She wanted to introduce Yume and Ren to Azuki, so she arranged a meet-up between the four of them. They were simply going to all take the day off, and relax on a secluded sunny beach and just get to know each other.

In the morning Junko packed a small basket with a variety of snacks and drinks to eat while they lay in the sun. She also carried a small, black parasol that would help protect her pale skin from the sun, and what seemed to be a beach bag with some towels, sunblock, and other necessary items. Unsure if she was planning on swimming or not, she would wear a plain black two-piece swimming suit. Over the top of her swimsuit was a dark red dress that fit snuggly around her waist, which billowed out slightly at her hips. She wore a pair of simple sandals and removed any jewelry she had previously had on. Before leaving the home she would coat herself in sunblock, joking that she would be a lobster if she didn’t.

She would begin to lead them to the beach once Ren and Yume were prepared to leave the house. While traveling Junko would attempt to travel at a leisurely pace and would point things of interest out to her new companions. The sun would too soon become nearly unbearable, so she would pop open her parasol and cover her in a bit of shade. Junko kept up a pleasant conversation as they arrived at the meet-up location. If Azuki decided to show up she’d give him a quick hug if he allowed, then she would help make introductions making sure to maintain a cheery demeanor.

After introductions had been made Junko would pull a handful of towels out for everyone, and would set one up for herself. Seeing Ren begin to walk over to some rocks, Junko would look to Yumi and Azuki, and ask if they’d like to look for some shells with her. Regardless if they joined her or not, Junko would make her way to the shore, only entering about knee length for the time being. The water was cold against her skin but provided relief from the boiling sun pounding down on them.

Soon she noticed Ren bolt off farther down the beach, unsure of what was happening she jumped into action and pursued him. Soon she’d find him knelt beside the body of an unconscious woman and kneel near him, and place the person's head in her lap to prop them up slightly. She would perform the bird, boar, dog, dragon, and hare hand seals, then Junko's hands would begin to glow a light blue color. She would then place her hands on either side of the person's shoulders and use her healing hands techniques to attempt to assist. Junko looked panicked as she watched for any more signs of life, hoping that what Ren and she had done would be able to at least bring them back up to their feet.

WC:672

[Enter]


Azuki carried his spear on his back as always. The blade adorned with a black cloth to protect it from the elements. He was sent for apparently by his new ally's sister. She had never mentioned her before so it was quite strange to him. None the less he had another Sister now and the thought warmed his soul that his family was growing in number. The curse fading and this new alliance is all the start of something new he thought to himself. He sprinted through the air his speed was unmatched to most. Just as he was trained racing through the plains. Although the meeting point was bare?

With a double take he saw from the hill was running on what seemed to be Junko and others? It was hard to tell from a distance but none the less he ran towards the beach. When close enough he dashed and jumped silently tearing through the air. He wasn't trying to be particularly stealthy besides his encroaching shadow covering them would also give away his arrival. With a soft tap he made base with the ground beneath him. He was dawned in his usual black and red attire as he glanced over the new faces. He kept his distance but somehow ended up closer to Junko anyway. Despite the new changes of his personality and freeing of the curse old habits just simply never died.

He looked at the person on the ground who she was attempting to heal. "Junko." He would say softly bit his eyes shot up to scan the others. Despite him being on edge his concern made him loosen up. If only but a little bit more.  He knelt beside her a subconscious barrier since she was exposed healing the woman on the ground. Albeit her kind aura made even cold bastards like him less as his newly proclaimed sister he couldn't help but be defensive. Not until these new folks became trust worthy. A slight annoyed furl showed on his face for a second.

These emotions were new they were always there but not suppressed. That wasn't the proper term. More so overshadowed by the Curse of Jashin but with that gone he had no reason to be such a hard ass. Although seeing this woman splayed out on the ground reminded him of a song he heard as a kid.

WC: 477

As usual in this lovely paradisiac island, the climate was sunny and bright, with the warm winds of the south, charged with floral aromas, and saline vibes of the far and wide Great Sea caressing the light and soft skin of the face of the purple haired woman, who in this beguining of the day, found herself in the large flower field bording the house that Junko had so kindly offered for her to cohabit inside. Yume always felt the need to travel, to find who she was, but this place drawn her to something else, to a greater purpose. The vegetation here, bustling with life in the humid forests and jungles, tamming with wildlife too, an artistic expression of the true magnificience of nature. She had started to paint a few landscapes of the place, and also to write poems in large ink Kanji on the scroll she caried. She had begun to work on a large representation on the beaches on the inner bay of the moon, where one could see the pale white and hot sands beaches, with the crystaline turquoise water and waves crash into the sand. The palm trees and vegetation completed the landscape, along the edge of the rest of the island where one could see the mountains range and the forrest of humid jungles and dense tree lines on the far distant horizon. Today was not different in this regard, as Yume would go to continue her painting, but this time, Junko and Ren would acompagny her, as Junko wanted to make her meet another of the island resident. 

As junko prepared a basket of provisions for the small day trip to the other side of the island to meet the new friend Yume didnt had the chance to yet talk to, the ambiance of the house was lovely, alive and full of interactions, with laughters and enjoyment lighting up the face of Yume herself, harboring a large smile, her face happy and content. With her usual outfit of a large and loose grey kimono robes, and style of bandages convering most of her body including her right eye, Yume approached slowly and carefully Junko, posing her hand on the shoulder of the black haired woman, gently and full of care. 

''Junko? Sorry to disturb you, but would you mind if while we go and meet the new person you want us to meet that I paint too? I started a portrait of our beloved island!'' said Yume, her eye glimmering with good intentions.

As she waited for an answer and followed, soon the group left the house ruins that served as their base of opperation as well as place of living for now, and set foot towards the beach, crossing the vast plains of flowers and the thick and dense vegetation of the humid jungles. Junko walked casually, and Ren too, but Yume, truthfull to herself, unfurled her large paper scroll once again, and weaved handsigns rapidly, creating a large structure made out of paper. The paper unfurled magically as if it was prehensive and sentient, folding itself in the air and forming a construct mixed between a couch, a small canoe, a carriage and a flying carpet, levitating over the ground, with Yume sitting on top of it, advancing at a pace regular to the others, with the side of the construct fluttering in the wind with little sheets of paper sticking out of it, ready to shape themselves into more appendages to either protect or attack should the need arise. Her creativity was beyond measures with her paper structure, and to protects the others, Yume also created small shields and structures in sheet-like form, carefully folded underneath her floating structure, one for each of them, should they get attacked. In this eventuality, Yume would send them flying over her friends, protecting them with her very own mastery of paper ninjutsu.

After a long walk and conversations all along the walk, they finally arrived at the beach, where Ren recited poems, junko basked into the sun, and Yume unfurled her scroll to put back the paper inside of it, and to extand it enough to see the start of her drawing, representing the landscape and view they were seeing. As everyone did a bit of their own thing waiting for the other one to arrive and meet Yume, the purple haired woman got out her brushes and inks, and started to work on her large landscape, her brush dancing on the paper with inks of black for now, colors only being the final stage. As the lines and traits appeared slowly but surely, the landscape was more and more recognizable, drawn in the basics lines and shades, but enough advanced to be able to discern what it was. 

At first, only the weak rhythmic thumps in her chest fill her senses, the thin slips of sea breeze languidly inflating her weakened lungs along the encroaching, chilling warmth of seawater that heaves and hos across her form are her only companions as the air around her seemingly becomes still. The dim light of the sun's rays filters through her shadowed lenses. Her body feels like lead, heavy and unwilling to move as the sand beneath her form slowly dry-cooks her skin. She feels her consciousness slipping away from her as a burning sensation fills her lungs, causing a pained expression to cross over her countenance before she finally succumbs to the darkness that threatens to consume her.

Or so she thinks. The next thing she knows, there's a faint sound of voices in the distance. They're muffled by the shuffles of the sea and the shifts of the sand beneath whatever approaches her, but she can hear them nonetheless. She can't tell what they're saying though, but it sounds like they're getting closer. Suddenly there's a sharp pain in her sternum, causing the woman's body to reflexively jerk away with a raspy gasp of breath as if she had just been drowning. She then feels her head rise and rest upon something akin to a cushion, although the subtle, silken firmity and cool heat emanating from whatever object her head now rests upon suggests the presence of another person's body. What part, however, she doesn't know and there isn't enough time to discern when she feels what she can immediately tell are a pair of hands from the way the digits curl and flex along the curvature of her facial structure.

Simultaneously, she feels a familiar sensation wash over her similar to the former as the barely conscious woman violently coughs up an opaque mixture of blood and seawater, her sliced gills flex, strain, and then relax, while out-of-sync with her breathing—which was once shallow—as she labors to retrieve air into her lungs while trying to figure out what is going on through the sensory overload. Shortly thereafter, the sand that seeks to cook her flesh is divided by the gentle force of another unknown yet tangible, almost paper-like item as her wounds quickly start to stitch themselves together like a severed tapestry being woven back together by invisible hands. Every and all gnarly gnashes, lacerations, scratches, bite marks, cuts, bruises, and lack thereof swiftly disappear as if they were never there to begin with. Her skin returns to its natural color as well as any other external abnormalities that may have occurred during the prior incursion. The only evidence left behind of the incident is the shredded remains of her attire and the bloodstains that litter the sand around her.

However, in the absence of any conventional or natural anesthesia, the woman also experiences the entire process of her body rapidly regenerating.

All of it.

She feels every single cell in her body being created, replaced, and then destroyed, all of which then go through their own cycle of life until their eventual demise. It's a painful process for anyone to go through—especially when you're conscious enough to feel it—but it's even more so when you're able to feel each and every individual cell die and be replaced by another one. It's like being stabbed over and over again with thousands of tiny needles all at once. The pain is excruciating and she can only communicate these indescribable sensations through a series of labored strained grunts, groans, and moans while intermittently shuddering sporadically in response.

After what feels like an eternity but only a few minutes, the woman finally manages to regain control of herself. She slowly opens her eyes—revealing a pair of sky-blue irises with white pupils eyes, both surrounded by charcoal-black scleras—as they adjust to the bright light around her before focusing on the people standing above her. Her gaze flickers between the strange man kneeling beside her and two, over-arching cliff faces that casts a shadow over her countenance. The woman's eyes slowly squint between the two figures before she can ascertain from the placement of their steady and gentle hands across her body that the two mounds that hover above her are... they must belong to a female. At least, a feminine figure.

Initially, she murmurs something in a strange tongue and repeats what sounds like a phrase, or perhaps a word, a few times over as though recalling a faint memory short of her proverbial grasp. Her voice is soft and raspy from having been underwater for who knows how long and still adjusting to her rejuvenated state of being. It's also slightly accented with a hint of something akin to a foreign language but certainly not a common dialect found in these regions of the world. "Water... Wrestle... Shark..." Then suddenly, her eyes flare open and propels herself to sit upright. "Shoot!" She exclaims, immediately hopping up to her feet before performing a quick series of calisthenics to test the rigidity of her renewed self. Afterward, she immediately runs off toward the same ocean that, not too long ago, desired to swallow her whole, at half her Speed. She then swivels her head to turn toward the two—four? Persons? Whenever did they arrive? Nevertheless, she waves at and yells at them in an exotic voice. "I will return in a moment, Sea Sisters and Blood Brothers! I fetch a good tiding, first!"

As she approaches the distance of a single meter between herself and the shoreline, she picks up the pace toward her full Speed before bounding 10 meters into the air, poising herself with her arms outstretched, her hands over one another, and her legs crossed over in a similar fashion like a professional diver before plummeting into the water below. The splash is so large that it sends a wave of water crashing against the shoreline behind her. The woman then swims beneath the surface of the ocean at a speed comparable to that of a dolphin with the gracefulness of a mermaid. It's as though she were born in the water itself. She effortlessly glides through its depths with ease as though she were weightless. Her movements are swift yet fluid. She moves with purpose and determination. Despite only being on land from a short time ago, she seems perfectly fine now.

By the time she reaches the seabed, she finds her quarry: the bruised and beaten body of a Great White Shark that she killed during the prior scuffle. It lays motionless on the ocean floor with its mouth open wide enough for her to fit inside. Its eyes are glassy and lifeless. Blood pools around it from multiple wounds along its side and belly, and rises just shy to the surface before dispersing. Thankfully, no unwanted visitors arrived to snag her trophy away from her, so the woman swims closer to the shark's corpse and begins to drag it back toward the shore by its dorsal fins using both hands. The process takes several minutes due to the weight of the creature but Kiran manages it nonetheless without any difficulty whatsoever.




When she finally returns to where she had left the quartet behind, she quickly shifts beneath the shark's form to hold it up above herself by its pectoral fins and pulls herself out of the water and onto dry land with ease, hoisting the shark's body up with both arms above her head as though she'd caught her fattest game before she, herself, subsequently emerges.

"I have brought good tidings to you, Sea Sisters and Blood Brothers!" She bellows with a jubilant lilt, hastily approaching them with her prize in tow with micro-movements to correct her posture when the Great White shifts this way and that. Her expression is one of pride and accomplishment. "I bring forth a mighty beast from the depths of the sea for you all to feast upon!" The woman then carefully drops the carcass onto the paper-like stretcher that once cradled her moments ago before taking a step back to admire her catch. Her eyes sparkle brightly at the sight of it. Her lips curve into a satisfied smile as she gazes at the dead animal before turning toward them once more, her arms akimbo. "I hope that this will suffice as payment for your kindness. I wrestled with this beast for many hours while spearfishing to pass time. I owe you a life debt for your troubles... Ah, Overdwellers, too? What good fortune! I have met many when I was stranded here many weeks ago. Some kind, others not, but you," she gestures with both open palms toward the brunette male and ravenette female that restored her to good health. "Have performed a worthy service. I am Hoshigaki Kiran, first daughter of Hoshigaki Yuhi of the Trident Tribe and the famed 'Child of the Storm' among my people."

She bends forward in a gesture similar to a formal bow, although she keeps her face facing upward toward them enough to show off her cracked, golden crown that conspicuously glints from the sun's glare. She maintains this position for several moments of silence before she rises again, her smile unwavering. "Once more, I am in your indebtedness, and may the Sea Mother's thousand blessings be upon you. Please, what names do the Surfacefolk here call you? I must know!"

---

WC: 1,575
TWC: 2,429

The woman that he had seen wash up on the shore seemed to be feeling the effects of the healing techniques that he and Junko had performed on her. A wave of relief washed over him as he saw the woman's eyes open with more confidence and lucidity. But then his body jerked backward when the woman exclaimed and leaped to her feet. She would rush back into the ocean and she was gone from view for a while.

He would look around, concerned for the woman's well being as she was rushing so soon after being healed. But shortly afterwards she would come out of the water with a large great white shark in her arms, hoisted above her body for a moment before she threw the shark onto the floor that she was originally lying upon. She called it good tidings, and instantly Ren was confused as to what customs that this person had. But bringing a great white shark wouldn't be a bad thing to him, quite the opposite, they probably taste amazing.

Ren would bow to the woman and he would introduce himself when he was asked his name. "Hello there! My name is Ren Kurosawa. I must say it is a marvel to meet you. But as overjoyed that I am that you were able to be revived. I regrettably inform you that I must be leaving. I'm so happy you are feeling better though! If you bring the shark into the village, I shall absolutely help break it down and cook it!" He would rush off, as if something was calling to him to leave.

WC: 271
TWC: 717
EXIT

Claims:
+4 Vigor for Sakoshi (bringing it to 150)
+3 chakra for Sakoshi (bringing it to 23)

+717 towards Seal of Absorption (2256/2750)

Azuki Shinoda, amidst the unfolding scene of gratitude and grand gestures, remained silent, his focus undivided as he took in the sight of Hoshigaki Kiran and her dramatic presentation of the shark. The spectacle before him, although impressive, elicited a mix of confusion and intrigue from the seasoned warrior. Kiran’s vibrant display, her sudden recovery, and her subsequent dive to retrieve the slain beast from the ocean's depths had unfolded like a scene from the myths and legends recounted by his master.

As Kiran introduced herself with a flourish and recounted her lineage and titles, Azuki's initial bewilderment slowly gave way to a guarded respect. Her physical prowess and her connection to the sea, evident in her effortless taming of the great white shark, spoke of a warrior spirit not unlike his own. Yet, the cultural divide between them, bridged by her acknowledgment of their aid and her proclamation of a life debt, presented a complexity Azuki was unaccustomed to navigating.

The mention of the "Overdwellers" and her assumption that Azuki and Junko were akin to the other surface folk she had encountered piqued his curiosity further. It was clear that Kiran hailed from a world vastly different from his own, her references to her people and the Sea Mother hinting at a rich tapestry of traditions and beliefs that Azuki had only ever encountered in tales.

As Kiran awaited their names, Azuki exchanged a glance with Junko, his expression a silent question that mirrored his internal what the fuck is going on here? The complexity of the situation, compounded by the sudden responsibility of a life debt from someone as formidable and enigmatic as Kiran, was a weight he hadn't anticipated when he set out that day.

Choosing to navigate the situation with the pragmatism that had always guided him, Azuki stepped forward. His gaze, previously narrowed in confusion and skepticism, softened slightly, acknowledging the sincerity behind Kiran's gesture. "Azuki Shinoda," he introduced himself, his voice carrying a calm authority. The formality of his own introduction was simpler, devoid of titles or lineage, yet it carried the weight of his experiences and the battles he had faced.

He then nodded toward Junko, allowing her to introduce herself, before addressing Kiran directly, "Your gift and your story are… remarkable. But there's no debt between us. The sea tests us all, and today it was your challenge to overcome." His words were chosen with care, aiming to bridge the gap between their worlds with respect and understanding.

Turning to look at the shark once more, then back to the vast ocean from whence Kiran had emerged, Azuki added, "We all have our battles, Kiran of the Trident Tribe. Today, yours was with the sea and its beasts. Ours are different, but no less challenging." His gaze then returned to Kiran, acknowledging her strength and resilience.

Finally, with a slight inclination of his head in respect, Azuki made his intentions clear. "We should honor the sea's bounty and your victory. But later, as planned, we'll meet." His tone suggested a finality, an acceptance of the day's events as another chapter in his journey, albeit an unexpected one.

Without waiting for a prolonged response, Azuki turned, his departure from the scene as measured and steady as his arrival. As he walked away, the warrior couldn't help but reflect on the unexpected encounters that life seemed to throw in his path, each one a test of his strength, character, and understanding of the world beyond his own.

Amid the extraordinary revelation and the bizarre turn of events that unfolded before him, Azuki Shinoda found himself grappling with the reality of the situation. The presence of a "fish girl," who introduced herself as Hoshigaki Kiran, first daughter of Hoshigaki Yuhi of the Trident Tribe, was something beyond the ordinary—even in his world, where the extraordinary was often the norm. Her emergence from the sea, bearing a defeated Great White Shark as a token of gratitude, was a sight that few could claim to have witnessed.

The introductions and the display of gratitude from Kiran, coupled with her exotic appearance and the incredible story she wove, left Azuki in a state of contemplation. Her abilities, notably different from any jutsu he was familiar with, hinted at depths of power and mystery he had yet to explore. The concept of a Trident Tribe, unknown to many on the surface, and Kiran's own title as the 'Child of the Storm,' piqued his interest in the unknown cultures and powers that thrived beyond the common knowledge of his world.

However, the pressing reality of his own journey and the challenges that lay ahead weighed heavily on his mind. The encounter, while fascinating, was a reminder of the vastness of the world and the myriad paths that individuals walked. Azuki's path, marked by the pursuit of mastery over his own abilities and the endless quest for strength, required focus and dedication.

With a heavy sigh, a mixture of wonder and the weight of responsibility, Azuki made a decision. Acknowledging Kiran's story and the brief interlude their paths had shared, he chose to withdraw from the scene, his mind already turning over the implications of what he had learned. The jutsu displayed, the unusual encounter, and the reminder of the world's vast mysteries fueled his resolve to train harder, to delve deeper into the secrets of his own power.

Without further ado, Azuki utilized his exceptional speed, a hallmark of his training and abilities, to disappear from view, leaving behind the tableau on the beach. His departure was as swift as it was silent, a testament to his skill and the seriousness with which he approached his path as a warrior.

As he moved away, the sounds of the ocean and the whispers of the wind faded into the background, replaced by the singular focus on his training. The encounter with Kiran and the brief glimpse into her world served as a reminder of the incredible diversity of life and power that existed in his own. With a renewed sense of purpose, Azuki headed off to train, each step taking him towards journey.

WC:1,023 TWC:1500 [Exit]

Blacksmith WC: 1500

She remained kneeling with her face a bit shocked as the woman sprang up, quickly assessed her physical capabilities, and then launched herself into the ocean. Junko’s body would react before her brain would as she attempted to follow the woman, though she would stop as the water touched the bottom of her dress. The woman then would call out to the group of them, telling them that she would soon return. A confused expression would cross her face as the woman seemingly disappeared into the water, causing a rather large splash that would send a wave in her direction. Junko would allow it to hit her, she was becoming quite hot so the cool water felt amazing against her nearly burning skin.

As the woman disappeared Junko would make her way back to the shore and just shrug at the two men in front of her. They waited in anticipation for the woman to return, but soon they saw a rather large shark emerge from the water. However, carrying the large shark was the woman from before. Junko was stunned to see that she was able to carry that thing, she knew that she would never be able to pull off something like that herself.

The woman would then call out to them as she approached the sandy beach once more, expressing that she had brought good tidings. Junko would close the distance between her and the woman once the shark was placed on the paper stretcher and would give a bow to her as she began to introduce herself. After sharing a confused glance with Azuki as she regaled them with her tale, Junko would introduce herself first. There was a bit of an aura around her that swelled with confidence and charm as she spoke in an inviting tone.


”It’s lovely to meet you, my name is Junko! You’re rather impressive if I do say so myself, I don’t think I could accomplish such a feat myself. I’m sure this thing gave one hell of a fight, but I’m glad to see you standing before us. How are you feeling, if you need any more healing I can provide it to you easily! As for owing us a life debt, please don’t worry about it the shark you provided was more than enough to satisfy me. However, if you insist, then your company is more than welcome! Would you be alright with me just calling you Kiran by the way?”

She’d lean forward slightly and offer Kiran a sweet and genuine smile. Junko was unsure of what to make of the woman, though she seemed like good company. ”Maybe it wouldn’t be too bad of a thing to owe their life to me, could be useful in the coming months” she’d think to herself as the others introduced themselves. After Ren and Azuki decided to depart, Junko would look back to Kiran and shrug slightly before saying

”I guess it’s up to us to get the shark back home for dinner then, I can’t to wait to try out some new dishes! Please you must tell me all about yourself as I show you where I live. I’m unsure of what your sleeping arrangements are like, but if you need somewhere to stay, my home is open to you!”

Junko would give the woman time to respond as she pondered for a moment whether she needed to sleep in the sea or not. She was truly fascinated by Kiran as she had never seen anyone that even resembled her. Regardless if the woman decided to stay with her or not, Junko would request that she assist her in moving the shark back to her home as she had no way of moving it on her own.

If she agreed Junko would then motion for her to follow her back to the house. Along the way Junko would hold a pleasant conversation with Kiran, asking various questions about her home and what it was like to be so connected with the ocean. Junko would reveal that she had a bit of an affinity for water, but nothing quite like Kiran had. As they walked she would point out different landmarks and important geographical locations, hoping that if Kiran ever found herself lost on the island she could potentially make it to Junko’s.

If Kiran inquired about her, Junko would inform her that she was in the beginning stages of creating a village. She would speak about how she wanted to create a home where nature and humanity lived in a state of harmony. Junko could potentially be seen as over-ambitious, but to onlookers, she was seemingly very driven to achieve her goals. She would also inform Kiran of the diverse cultures that inhabited the island hoping to invoke a sense of adventure and discovery in the woman.

(EXIT)

WC: 817
Total WC:1489

WC Claims: (25% reduction from max stats)
375/375 Bodily Restoration D Rank
1114/1125 Poison Mist B Rank

Azuki Shinoda wrote:

WC:1,023 TWC:1500  [Exit]

Blacksmith WC: 1500

Approved