It's just Big me

Spoiler:

Throughout the day, he struggled with his inner conflict, questioning his ability to stay strong. The weight of taking another person's life was heavy on him, changing his familiar duties into an unsettling experience. Although he knew it was part of being a ninja, he understood the need to come to terms with this tough reality.

As he pondered his struggle, he thought, "It's just part of the ninja life." To clear his mind, he decided to slow down and find peace, or maybe by doing some extra missions. He found himself in the Land of the Waterfall, a peaceful place surrounded by water and islands. Sitting down comfortably, he began to meditate, thinking about past challenges. As he was relaxed, he closed his eyes, reflecting on unfamiliar thoughts and feelings.

---

WC: 129

Yamito, dressed in a black cloak, walked through the silent forest, his movements almost inaudible. He heard the gentle splash of water and headed towards the lake that surrounded the tranquil Land of Waterfalls. As he approached the water, his keen eyes registered a figure sitting on the shore. The person in question was lost in meditation, eyes closed and face calm. Yamito stopped dead in his tracks and watched the meditator intently. His instincts told him that this was a ninja, perhaps a loner of some sort, wandering the world. It was unusual to find someone so calm and unarmed in these parts, and it intrigued him. Without further thought, he decided to approach stealthily. He moved slowly, carefully checking his weight with each step so that not even a leaf rustled under his foot.

When he was close enough to see every detail on the meditating man's face, he stopped within inches of him. If the man still showed no signs of tension or awareness of Yamito, Yamito would lean forward slightly until his face was only inches from the man's. At that moment, he softly uttered, "Who are you?" The reason for this behavior was pragmatic, because there was a chance he could sense the chakra and wouldn't allow me to approach him like that. Even if his sensing abilities weren't that good, he would definitely get scared and every shinobi has a certain pattern of behavior, movement, reflex that they do unconsciously. Even from something like throwing a rock you can tell a pattern of shuriken training, and it's exactly the same with movement and dodging.

WC: 270

Pluto awoke from a strange dream and found himself laying on his back in a field of grass. Dazed and confused, he sat up and held his head. He looked around and everything was pitch black. He let out a sigh of relief. Pluto was abnormally tall for a Callisto. Besides his height, he had strong Callisto features, such as his Callisto cheekbones, Callisto eyes, Callisto hair and even his Callisto voice. As for what these features were, or how tall Callistos usually grew to be, Pluto had not the faintest idea. He had never met a Callisto before, and even if he did, he would not be able to tell. He could only see in his dreams, and he could only hear in his nightmares. His stomach growled.

Although he lacked in some senses, he was proficient in yet others. The skin on his feet had picked up on the damp vibrations of a steady stream. As he walked towards the sensation, his nose picked up on a rich gradient of smells each leading him in a different direction. Especially smelly was the tote bag that he carried with him. It was wet and woven with jute. On his way to the waterfall, he sensed the presence of two individuals in his vicinity. He stopped 20 meters from them and noticed their close proximity to each other. Without saying a word, he stood still in his tracks, waiting to read their intentions before crossing their path or making any interaction.

Meanwhile, he reached into his tote bag and pulled out a peculiar looking nugget. It was a fuzzy, greyish striped nugget with a long and furry tail, wrapped in a string of wire. His jute bag was filled with them. Without paying much thought, he bit into the head of the nugget in question, and with one last high pitched screech, its life was forfeit. From within the tote bag, bloodcurdling screeches continued yet Pluto did not seem to mind. He chewed thoroughly and licked his lips.

---

WC: 337

Adaptive Deprivation

The spot where he sat was astonishing, with waterfalls cascading down from towering cliffs. Kurogane found himself by the water, feeling the refreshing mist on his skin as he meditated and took in the stunning surroundings. Suddenly, a soft, mysterious voice interrupted his tranquil moment. Opening his eyes, he saw a spectral figure dressed in black standing very close to him. The stranger had sharp, guarded eyes, and Kurogane couldn't help but keep a close eye on him at that moment. Shura's sly smirk slowly spread as the stranger asked who he was.

He remained calm and composed as he stood up, keeping a cautious distance from the enigmatic figure before him. Without a hint of alarm or unease, he confidently stated, "I'm Kurogane Shura. Who must you be?" His words conveyed to the stranger that he was not someone to be underestimated. As he spoke with the mysterious stranger, Shura suddenly became keenly aware of his surroundings and sensed the presence of another figure nearby. 

He detected their presence about twenty meters away without even making physical contact. Shura's eyes narrowed slightly as he observed the screeching noises, intrigued by this fellow's unusual actions. Shura quickly turned his gaze towards the distant figure, acknowledging the presence of this uniquely distinctive individual. He realised this was odd behavior, something he couldn't understand.

He raised his voice so the man standing twenty feet away could hear him. "This place is like paradise... where only peace is the way." His words echoed in the tranquil surroundings as he continued. "And if you can't appreciate that, maybe this place isn't for you." After addressing Pluto, he turned his focus back to Yamito. "What brings you wandering into these wonderful parts?" he asked composedly. Then, he glanced once more at the distant figure. "And you.” he said, "Join us if you want to share this beautiful moment.” Shura said, his voice remained calm as he addressed both figures.

---

WC:324

Yamito looked at Kurogane Shuru, whose calm and confidence remained unshaken. He felt a disappointment inside him that he couldn't hide. He had expected his quiet approach and sudden approach to startle the man at the pond, to force him to reveal his true intentions or abilities. Instead, Shura didn't move, his expression remaining as calm as when he was still in meditation. Yamito realized that his attempt at intimidation had completely failed, leaving him feeling frustrated. Yamito examined Shuru carefully, noting his calm but wary stance. When Shura introduced himself as Kurogane Shura and addressed him, Yamito noted the confident tone in his voice. That confident tone in his voice struck him as rather comical, like a Chihuahua trying to intimidate a wolfdog with its bark and attitude. With a slight hint of amusement in his eyes, he said in a low but distinct voice "I am Yamito Iburi."

Yamito noticed Shura's attention snap to attention and his eyes focused on where another human was about twenty meters away from them. When Shura raised his voice to alert the presence of this person, Yamito watched his reaction without immediately tearing his gaze away from Shura himself. It was quite clear that Shura had noticed the third participant in this meeting before he had.  When Kurogane Shura tore his gaze away from Yamito and looked towards the figure in the distance, Yamito couldn't resist following his gaze. He shifted his attention to where Pluto was standing. "There seems to be a surprising amount of people in this place", he thinks in his head. Yamito paused for a moment, thinking of an answer. 

After Kurogane Shura asked his question, his face brightened again with that familiar slight smile. "What brings me to these beautiful parts?" Yamito replied, his voice calm and steady. "Perhaps a desire for peace, perhaps a curiosity about what lies in these remote places." Yamito added with a hint of irony. This place was perfect for criminals, becase villages had no influence in these areas and law enforcement was nil here. Therefore, it was perfect for criminals and was widely known. That's why the idea of anyone coming here to the lion's den to meditate was very suspicious. Yamito smiled slightly, his eyes sparking with curiosity. "So you come here to meditate?" He asked with a slight irony in his voice. His smile was genuine, but the tone of the question suggested that he was genuinely interested in what had brought Shuru to this remote place. His expression mixed curiosity with caution, as if he was trying to understand what this quiet man held.

WC: 436

Pluto stood his ground and detected no significant movement from the two other individuals further ahead. He restlessly tapped his feet, a drop of sweat condensed on his brow. He focused harder and noticed that the three of them were the only humans in a 70 meter radius around him. He cautiously reached into his tote bag and grabbed another screeching squirrel.

He waited patiently to calculate the trajectory before throwing the squirrel at the duo ahead at a speed of 20. The screaming bound rodent would land at their feet and beg for its life.

Using this distraction which doubled as a peace offering, Pluto would put his head down and run to his left, running right into the trunk of a pine tree. 

---

WC: 125

Shura seemed very confident, with sharp eyes that looked both amused and curious. He observed Yamito closely and noticed a subtle change in his behaviour, showing no sign of fear of another ninja. When Yamito's name came up, Shura responded calmly with a nod. “Yamito Iburi.. I suppose even the most insignificant names can have their uses.” Their attention was suddenly interrupted when a distressed squirrel landed at their feet, clearly in distress. At that moment, a mysterious figure named Pluto crashed into a nearby tree, making Shura look curious and amused. “Quite the entrance. Whose man is this?” Shura asked, sounding dry but intrigued. “If he's not with you, Yamito, he certainly one of a kind.” 

One of them seemed foolish while the other seemed respectful.

He thought to himself as he placed his left hand where his katana was carefully tucked away, showing that he was keen on his safety and observant of his surroundings.

As Shura focused on Yamito again, his eyes looked fascinated and curious, listening to what Yamito had said. “This wonderful place, once a village, is now a shadow of its former self.” His voice carried a note of contemplation. “Meditation isn't just about avoiding chaos, it's about facing inner and outer struggles." Shura had recently been in the land of the waterfall, where he had to decide to end another ninja's life. This showed his deep commitment to the ninja code, and he paid his respects. However, a group of ninjas interrupted his solitude, forcing him to accept that he couldn't change the past.

Getting closer to Yamito, Shura's voice became more intimate but intense, showing a sense of secrecy and suspense. “So, Yamito, are you seeking peace or pursuing something more elusive?” His question hung in the air, filled with expectation, as if waiting for Yamito to reveal a deeply hidden truth. As the screeching squirrel continued to suffer, he swiftly drew his katana. Shura stepped forward and mercifully ended the creature's suffering, carefully resting the blade of his katana against the squirrel's head. “A small act of mercy in a world full of pain.” he muttered quietly, his gaze shifting to Yamito and the mystery man Pluto.

---

WC: 367

Yamito tensed when he heard Shura's words. The piercing tone and slight smile on Shura's face clearly indicated that his name held no weight to him, an insignificant item in the long list of names Shura had perhaps ever heard. Yamito struggled to keep his emotions in check, feeling the anger building in his chest, but quickly decided he didn't want to be provoked. Taking a deep breath to regain his composure, he exhaled slowly. His mind focused, his eyes narrowed, and he thought through every word he intended to say.

"It seems names can be misleading," he began calmly, his voice as cold as a winter wind sweeping across an empty landscape. "Sometimes they hide their true meaning, and sometimes they lead us to underestimate those we do not know. We can be mistaken if we judge by a name, for a name alone reveals nothing of a person's essence, their experiences or motives." Yamito mused, his eyes wandering to Shura, searching his face for any clue that would reveal something more about the man.

He glanced briefly at the squirrel that was still shivering on the ground, its small body tortured and exhausted. A shadow of sadness crossed his face, but he quickly pushed it away, knowing that such emotions could be detrimental. "Everyone has their destiny," he said softly, watching as Shura ended her misery without hesitation. "Even in such a world of pain, we can find small acts of mercy. But true mercy often lies in the ability to let others live with their mistakes." His voice was calm, but deep down he could feel suspicion stirring within him.


Yamito noticed the ease and coldness with which Shura had killed the squirrel. It was an act that at first glance might have seemed like an act of mercy, but Yamito saw something darker in it. The way Shura handled the katana, his stance, and the calmness with which he delivered the killing blow suggested that this was not his first encounter with death. How quickly and emotionlessly he ended the life of the small animal reinforced Yamito's belief that Shura was no ordinary man who had come here merely to meditate.

At that moment, something strange happened. The squirrel that had died a moment ago by Shura's sword was unexpectedly thrown away in the direction it originally came from. It was a really skilled kick like that of a professional athlete, which sent the squirrel to the desired height and then it fell to approximately the spot from which it was thrown. With a bit of luck, it crashed into Pluto's head. Yamito immediately turned towards where the third person should have been after this great football kick. Yamito narrowed his eyes and raised his voice, now directed towards the dark forest in front of them, "Whoever you are, come out!" His voice sounded authoritative and allowed no protest. The unseen observer could have become a new player on the scene, and Yamito wanted to know who they were dealing with.

Squirrel kick:

505
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505+436+270

Pluto awoke from a strange dream and found himself laying on his back in a field of grass. Dazed and confused, he sat up and held his head. He looked around and everything was pitch black. He let out a sigh of relief. Pluto was abnormally pale for a Callisto. Besides his complexion, he had strong Callisto features, such as his Callisto nose, Callisto hands, Callisto shoulders and even his Callisto feet. As for what these features were, or how fair or dark Callistos usually turned out to be, Pluto had not the faintest idea. He had never met a Callisto before, and even if he did, he would not be able to identify them. He could only hear in his dreams, and he could only see in his nightmares. His stomach growled.

Although he lacked in some senses, he was skilled in yet others. The skin on his feet had picked up on the damp vibrations of a steady stream. As his nose twitched towards the sensation, he picked up on a rich gradient of smells each leading him in a different direction. Especially smelly was the tote bag that he carried with him. It was red, wet, and woven with jute. Between him and the waterfall, he sensed the presence of two individuals in his vicinity. He took two strides and stopped 20 meters from them and noticed their close proximity to each other. Without saying a word, he stood still in his tracks, waiting to read their intentions before crossing their path or making any interaction.

It was then when he sensed the furry projectile headed for his head. The fuzzy smell was unmistakeable. His eyes, although they could not tell dark from light, dilated with excitement. His jaws caught the rodent with his teeth, and he bit down to gobble up his snack. Such generous folk, he thought, though he thought in emotions and colors rather than words or feelings. He knew not how to smile, but he intended to show his gratitude. Without skipping a beat, he cautiously reached into his tote bag and pulled out a familiar looking nugget. It was a fuzzy, greyish striped nugget with a long and furry tail, wrapped in a string of wire. His jute bag was filled with them. He waited patiently to calculate the necessary trajectory before throwing the squirrel at the two shinobi ahead at a speed of 20. The screaming, wrapped rodent would land at their feet and beg for its life.

He waited on his toes to see if his peace offering would be received warmly, ready to run for the trees at the first hint of danger. Meanwhile he chewed his meal thoroughly and licked his bloody lips.

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Adaptive Deprivation

WC: 455

Shura's striking silver gaze was fixed on his new partner, Yamito, as he carefully observed Yamito's composed reaction. "Yamito, you've made a keen observation. But one's true nature is revealed through actions, not titles." Shura respectfully remarked, sporting a faint but confident grin. His eyes widened joyfully as he noticed Yamito struggling to contain his emotions. "Maintaining emotional composure, especially in tough situations, requires strength."

The tranquil scene was suddenly interrupted by the unexpected arrival of a squirrel, which darted back towards Pluto with surprising accuracy, catching Shura's immediate attention. His curiosity was piqued as he observed Pluto's response to this unusual introduction. "This new arrival is quite a puzzle. Offering a deceased squirrel as a peace gesture is certainly out of the ordinary.” he remarked, his voice tinged with amusement. Assessing Pluto's cautious demeanour, Shura picked up on the subtle nuances of his approach. "He's being careful without showing hostility. An intriguing way to start an initial encounter.” Shura mused, his left hand casually resting on the hilt of his katana, poised but non-threatening. "In this territory, it's always important to be cautious."

Shifting his attention back to Yamito, Shura adopted a contemplative air. "Regarding your question, Yamito, achieving peace is challenging for individuals like us. It's possible that we're not seeking peace but rather understanding.” he reflected, his voice carrying a reflective tone. Directly addressing Pluto, Shura acknowledged the enigmatic figure's presence. "Stranger, we've noticed you. We mean no harm as long as you show the same respect." Keeping his gaze sharp, watching for any signs of deceit or hidden motives. Shura continued, alternating his gaze between Yamito. “ An alliance could benefit all of us.”

Shura stayed prepared, ready to gauge their responses and determine the next steps, remaining perpetually watchful in the face of uncertainty.

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WC:299