The New Guard

The young Shinkou was calm in his sleep, but there was sinister call that was echoing through the subconscious that he just couldn't shake off. The mark that was placed on the side of his neck, just where the neck meets the shoulder, was radiating a buzzing sensation. It didn't hurt, as he had spent many hours praying and meditating about the mark. He had to get through so much pain to finally bring it to this point, but now that it wasn't painful, he had unlocked something far more powerful than he could have ever imagined.

The dream in which he had killed Tsuna was still fresh in his mind as he tried to understand just what the dream was supposed to mean. Was he going to have to kill Tsuna so he could finally reach his true potential? He couldn't bring himself to feel that that was the truth, as he was in fact a teammate of his. But that calling continued to pull at his heart, and his anger began to course through his veins once more with just the mere thought of Tsuna being better then he was. He didn't hate Tsuna, it was quite the opposite, he respected him and wanted to become his equal. But the feeling of inadequacy was one that was not easily quenched and it was a feeling that he could not escape from.

He had gotten to the point where his curse mark had done exactly what he had been told they would do. His speed and his vigor had both been greatly enhanced when the mark was activated, but the biggest change of them all, were the wings that grew from his back. He had been granted the gift of flight with the seal that he had been given, and he was sure that he had to have closed the gap  between him and Tsuna, or at least that is what he had hoped. His friend and rival had brought him to the point where he felt the need to put his body through hell just so he could catch up, now he just hoped that he had succeeded.

He began to stir within his bed, his eyes slowly opened as he looked at the ceiling now being filled with the light from the outside world. He sat up in his bed and he looked out the window that stood beside his bed. He saw that the sun was already over the horizon, meaning his day was getting to a late start, but that was something he was ultimately okay with. His body was tired, and his mind was even more tired. While the physical pain that the curse mark was putting him through was mostly at an end, there was still a mental drain that came with the immense training that it required.

He stood up from his bed and he began his morning routine. He was going to rush through it slightly so he could get himself enough to time in the training grounds to continue the training of controlling his curse mark, and even control the ability to fly that his wings had granted him. But he was going to make sure that the training grounds were fairly closed before he began that form of training because this was a power that he didn't want to be common knowledge, at least not yet. He wanted to do his best to hide this power source from most in the village, but most of all, he wanted to keep it from Tsuna.

When he finished his morning routine, he walked over to his front door and equipped all of his armor and weaponry and walked out the front door. He walked through the village with an uncertainty to his step, he wasn't sure if he had made the right choice in receiving the seal from that Nova corps member in the city square. He knew that it granted him quite the boost in power, but he still wasn't sure if he had made the right choice as it seemed slightly like a shortcut to gaining true power. This was why he wanted to keep it a secret from Tsuna, he didn't want to look like even more of a failure in his eyes.

He reached the training grounds, and to his surprise, he saw a very familiar form in the training grounds already. It was Tsuna, and by the looks of it, he was speaking to a small bird carrying a scroll on its back. With a slight panic developing he walked up to Tsuna, as he was sure that he wouldn't be able to get by him without Tsuna noticing him as he passed by. When he was within talking distance he would greet his rival. "Hey Tsunayoshi. What a pleasure to see you in our training grounds." He then looked over to the small bird and nodded his head in it's direction. He wasn't sure whose summon this was, but it was looking to be obvious that it was one of Tsuna's. He hadn't found himself a race of summons that he could use himself, but he was going to be focusing on that in the near future.

He would stand there with his black dragon armor on, and his refined katana on his hip and his quiver on the opposite side of his hip. He would kneel down to the bird, and he would offer his hand as a gesture in good faith to the small animal. He would then look over to Tsuna once more, "Tell me, what is it you are planning on training out here today? I would like to join you if it is of no inconvenience." A small thought brewed up in his mind, the same thought that he had once before, about the dream where he had killed Tsuna. He shook his head slightly and rubbed his eyes, as if he was trying to rid himself of the thought entirely, but it seemed to persist.

WC: 1006

Kobi was passing by when he saw the two from the hunter mission he did with them. The Purple short haired male would walk up to the pair of them, "Hey guys what are you two doing here?" The white armor shone in the sunshine, the sword on his hip as he tilted his head slightly at the pair of them. He was curious, He still had yet to start his training in the art of the shinobi. so his path was not yet shown to him. He did not know what he could or could not do. He stood there waiting to hear from the pair of them. The Red haired Archer and the blonde leader.

Ayato did not think hard over what he wanted to wear. As Kage only needed to ask himself two questions. Was he going to the beach? Was he eating spaghetti? If the answer were no to both, Ayato would wear the Kage surcoat over his shoulders and his black linen tunic.

The Kage's trusted companions, Jak of the Dosser Tribe and Dusk Tachibana, fell beside him as he rode through the yard on his favorite mare. Passing beneath the gate of the Unseen University and into the noise of the city, Ayato’s cloak streaming in the wind from his shoulders, he witnessed eyes everywhere. He picked up the pace towards his desired destination.

The sun this morning became more prominent as they went, to the point that he could feel the rays of the flaming ball at the back of his neck. This heat, under normal circumstances, would have made the Hyuuga Clan Lord fret; however, today, there was a coolness in the early morning air. The long cobbled streets of Hoshi had formed countless poodles; the rain had fallen like sheets the night before, with lightning and thunder raging on the night sky.

The Water district started after the city square, and in the wall’s shadow, farmers stood beside their wagons, bellowing out "Fish, fresh fish from the north sea" and "Melons sweet as honey, blood melons here you go here." Two ragged boys no older than ten were dueling with sticks to the loud encouragement of some and the loud curses of others. An older woman ended the Melee by leaning out of her aperture and dropping a bucket of cold water at the combatants' heads.

Ayato took a turn on the square and followed its narrow path, and before long, he was at his destination. Pale pink marble paved the gardens and courtyard. The sun’s reflection was on the pools and fountains of the Water Gardens of Haven, shaded by blood orange trees. Even though it served as the village's training facility, the place had a pleasant draw: warm days, cold nights, the salt breeze blowing in from the northern coast, and fountains and pools to admire, and even an area for kids to play in during the day.

The kid he would be here today was no ordinary kid, however. The service and unquestionable loyalty to the village made Tsunayoshi Hatake the type of shinobi that met Ayato’s vision for the Nova corps. An elite unit composed entirely of Hoshi’s finest.

"Kage in the training grounds!" Someone yelled, and Ayato acknowledged everyone present with a nod. Ayato left his horse and passed by Chuunin brutal as iron, arrogant Jonin, bold young Genin, and even grizzled sellswords.

And despite the crowd, he did not need the Byakugan to spot Tsunayoshi. However, as was usually the case with charismatic people, Tsuna was rarely alone, and besides his regular Genin team, other start-up shinobi had flocked to him.

“Good morning, gentlemen. There is no inconvenience nor surprise." Ayato said in response to Kurayami's question. "Shina knows what you ate for breakfast three days ago. And her reports led me to understand that my disciple Tsunayoshi is more often seen with your presence.”

WC: 512

Tsunayoshi stood at the training grounds center, Mamoru perched on his left shoulder. The passive awareness of Tsuna noticed not one, but three new presences. His ocean blue eyes would shift from left, right and abaft of him. Mamoru would pick up on Tsuna’s sudden alertness, he would caw softly as she made sure to look in the directions opposite of Tsuna’s focus. “Kurayami, and Kobi too? What a pleasure to see you two out so early. To wha-” His words were cut off by the voice of another addressing the presence of the Hogokage. Just as his eyes locked on to the third signature of chakra. The four were approached by their lord, Ayato Hyuuga and two others. Mamoru left Tsuna’s shoulder to fly over and perch himself onto the shoulder of the Kage. “I did as you asked, Master Ayato.” he said with a stretching of his wings. 

Tsuna, washed with a wave of nerves and honor, removed his Just Maid from his back, scabbard and all. He bent his left knee as he lowered his head entirely as he placed his weapon before him and Ayato. His palms facing up and away from the weapon as he bent his other knee to relay he is giving his master his full respect and vulnerability. Eyes closed as he held his tongue, until his master was done speaking. “Lord Seventh, thank you for gracing us with your presence. I’ve came as soon as I learned of your summons.” The Hatake would hope that his peers would follow in line in his example of showing respect, even if not in the extremes that he was taking. Respect should be shown to their Kage regardless. No weapon of great danger should be held so casually before him without his permission. No head should be raised, making eye contact without his permission. No tongue should be flapped in his direction without his permission.  This was how Tsuna would and forced arrests Ayato as long as he is the leader of Hoshi. 

Assuming that he was given permission to rise, Tsuna would return to his feet, his weapon in hand and placed back to his back. The Hatake would the give a smile to his peers. “Try not to take it personal, or as an invasion of your privacy. Lady Shina is an enigma to us all. Her knowledge and wisdom is beyond that of the oldest of text within this village. I dare say she’s more intelligent than I am, and that’s saying something. Hahah. Shes also rather elusive. Always several steps ahead... think of her as a living Genjutsu, one that cannot be expelled.” He mentioned this because this was how he saw her. She was truly in a class of her own. He would be remised if he did not admit to himself that he wanted to be something similar to that. To know of what is occurring as it is and what has already passed. For the most part, Tsuna developed himself to a degree where he cannot be lied to, no matter how hard someone tried to, it was impossible. He even can conceal himself to a degree that he would be like a phantom amongst the unknowing to gather information. There have been some studies that he took place in to help him even read the minds of individuals should he wished, but Tsuna is on the fence about such a technique. 

He could see the uses of it being beneficial, but also the temptations that came with it. Surely it would be enough to put him on par with Lady Shina’s vast awareness, but by how much, really? She tends to go about things rather casually, this leads him to believe she’s a master at what she does with no room for error. Where as he is just a beginner, reaching for the moon’s reflection in a pond. 

His eyes returned to his master as he smiled. “Lord Seventh, may I ask, what is the reasoning for your summons. Judging from what you mentioned, Lady Shina already knew that Kurayami and Kobi would end up her around the same time as myself.” Lady Shina was such a gifted tactician to deduce the whereabouts of the other two linking at this moment. 

[WC: 715]
[Total WC: 1,299]

As the young Shinkou watched his friend and rival Tsuna rise to his feet to greet both he and the newcomer Kobi, they all heard someone in the near distance call out the presence of their very own kage, Ayato Hyuuga. He was accompanied by two other individuals, which for some reason Kurayami was not too familiar with them. He then watched Tsuna unsheathe his sword and lay it down before him as a show of respect for the kage. While the young Shinkou had great respect for the kage and his posistion, he had his own way of showing respect. 

He pulled out his sword and he thrusted it into the ground to his side and he knelt down to the ground before him with his face pointed towards the ground. "I am pleased to see you Lord Seventh, I hope that I can be of service to you, or die in my best efforts." Ayato would speak, greeting the three Genin that were now standing before him. He spoke on the lady Shina that was accompanying him and how invasive her reports were on all of his subjects. Kurayami wasn't sure how he felt about the knowledge that he received, but he knew that it wasn't really something that he could control, so he figured that at least the kage would always be knowledgeable on his subjects, and that was a good thing.

Kurayami would rise to his feet at the same time as Tsuna, following his lead to a degree, and he would sheathe  his sword as to not seem as if he was challenging the kage. Tsuna spoke on not taking the reports as an invasion on one's privacy, which seemed kind of difficult to do, but he shrugged it off mentally and didn't let it bother him any longer. He spoke more on the woman's knowledge and wisdom, giving her quite the helping of compliments, so Kurayami would note this as this individual being quite the person to know. "Well it is also a pleasure to meet you, lady Shina. I am glad to have someone so wise in the inner circles of our leader and kage." Kurayami would bow in the lady's direction, to show her her own respect aside from the kage. 

Tsuna would then ask Ayato the reasoning for the summons that he had received. This made Kurayami think once more on the accuracy of the reports that lady Shina had as they had led Ayato to believe that he was going to be in the same place as Tsuna at the same time, and to his interest, they were right. When Tsuna was finished speaking, Kurayami didn't have anything to add as he had the same question in mind. He didn't even receive a summons, he just so happened to be in the right place at the right time, and he had no real idea as to what it was that the leader of the village would want from three of his genin.

WC: 503

Not knowing how to act Kobiyashi would just Bow like a dumbass and the look of sheer panic on his face as he knew not what to do at the moment, he would dart around with his eyes, acting super nervous and just stayed quite beyond a soft "G...Greetings Lord"

The bastard of Hoshimura, ever passionate about ceremonies, was the first who took a knee and put a sword in Ayato’s feet. Kurayami followed, and then Kobayashi Maru River, Kesseki's son.

“You may rise,” Mamoru flapped his wings, the blackbird landing on Ayato’s thin shoulders. The Kage gently patted its small head with his hand. “Serve or die trying.” These Shinkou had it in their blood to be dramatic. Ayato enjoyed that mentality. They had this ceremony three hundred meters away from thousands of Grimma savages outside these walls that wanted to eat them alive. Ayato had lost comrades to them, even kin. Takeshi Hyuuga, a death that Ayato would soon avenge. 

“You’re all here to witness the promotion of your friend Tsunayoshi here to Chuunin, and all three of you will be assigned on his team." It was then that Kurayami greeted someone else. Shina did not make a sound as she moved. “Nice to meet you too, kid.” The brunette wore a Jounin flak jacket over her long white shirt, with the Uzumaki crest on the back. She wore black trousers and sandals. The said sandals were nearly as well polished as her nails.
 
"Don't be at ease yet. There is more."

A few feet away, two armored shinobi were fighting with blunted practice swords. Their blades crashed together twice, then slipped past each other only to be blocked by upraised shields, but the bigger man gave ground at the impact. Ayato could not see the front of his guard from where he stood, but his attacker bore a golden dragon on a field of black.

The Kage knew right then how the fight would end.

A few moments later and the big man sprawled dazed in the dust with his helm askew. When his Genin undid the fastenings to bear his head, there was blood trickling down his scalp. If the swords were real steel, there would be brains as well. That last head blow had been so hard Ayato had winced in sympathy when it landed. Shina contemplated the victor. “Do you think if I asked nicely, Vaenar would kill Florent for us?”

“He might, for another pardon.” Vaenar was forever desperately short of the favor; all the of Hoshi knew that ever since his brother’s rebellion ended in blood and glory.

Shina’s giggle drew Vaenar’s attention. He handed his helm to his loutish Genin that acted as his square. “Lord Hogokage, lady Shina.” His long silver hair was plastered to his brow by sweat.

“Well struck, Lord Vaenar,” Ayato called out. “Though I fear you’ve knocked poor Seijuro senseless.”

Hoshimura glanced back to where his foe was being helped from the yard by his Genin. “He had no sense to start with, or he should not have tried me.” A gauntlet hand pushed pack the loose bangs across his brow. The rays of the sun highlighting the battle scars across the right side of his face, where a blue sapphire eye shined with malice.

“It occurred to me that I am to dub someone.” Vaenar had been briefed on the situation days before; he knew what to do. The only term to only to their request was to take a look at the Hoshimura bastard himself. The alleged son of Elia the Defiant and a Hatake of the leaf. 

“Well met, kinsman.” Vaenar studied the shape of Tsuna’s jaw, the hair-like beaten gold, the icy blue. “Yes, I see it. The family traits are watered down on him, a rare incident but not unheard of, for those carrying the blood of the greatest warrior that ever lived, Alexandros Hoshimura.”

“Come forth, Caladbolg,” The Hoshimura let out as if he was calling his horse. Instead, at the speed of 65, a mass of chakra appeared to take shape in his hand. It took the form of a weapon. “This is the ugliest sword I’ve seen in my life.” the Kage thought to himself. No steel had been used to craft this barrel. But a material that was pale as milk-glass, similar to human bone. 

"You'll have to kneel for this." Once he did, Vaenar would touch Tsuna on the right shoulder with his sword, and while placing the blade on the other shoulder, he would say, "In the name of the Alexandros, I charge you to be brave. In the name of the Father, I trust you to be fair. In the name of the Mother, I authorize you to defend the young and innocent. In the name of the Maid, I charge you to protect all women and children. You knelt as a boy and now rise, Tsunayoshi  as a man of the Hoshimura Clan.”

The whole crowd cheered. Chuunin was as tough as iron, arrogant Jonin, and bold young Genin, even grizzled sellswords. But the civilians, common everymen, and women cheered the loudest. Tsuna was one of their own, after all, one of the people.

Ayato's grey-white eyes met his newly promoted Chuunin. “The fact that you’ve had such inner courage, strength, and resolve despite being born without a bloodline made you strong. Your heroic ideals have gotten you so far. But you are at your limit. You need to accept that it’s now time to trust your friends.” 

Ayato said with a warm smile before he turned to face the crowd. “Two more Chuunin promotions are to come!”  The Kage added ice to his voice so it would carry across the water gardens. His father had trained him in the art of booming orders from far away so that others would hear him no matter the situation. Valid on the battlefield and in ceremonies. 

“Enishi Kurosawa and Zeo Kamigawa, come forth.”

WC: 944

(Exit, was PM ignored and Useless in this topic anyways.)

Upon the granted permission to rise, Tsunayoshi did as such. Taking his Just Maid into his clutches as he placed her on his back, rightfully so. He would find pleasure in the respect given to his Lord and company by those around him, Kurayami and Kobiyashi. He stood at attention, not wanting to allow his posture to be taken as disrespect. The feeling in the pit of his stomach was somewhat churning as his anticipation gradually changed into anxiety. 

It was until the Hogokage spoke of their purpose for being there. A promotion? The eyes of the boy widen slightly from the surprise, but that was not all. Kurayami and Kobiyashi were both assigned to his team, thus making Tsunayoshi their...Sensei. A great pleasure, one that could not go with a bow of gratitude. He did as such. “Thank you so much, my Lord!” He expressed. Rising to an upright position the boy would smile as he glanced over to his peers, no, his students. He couldn’t have asked for better ones. 

When he thought all was said and done, he was told by Shina that it was not yet over. Such words caused paused from him. What could she mean, he would wonder??? Noticing that there attentions shifted over to the armored shinobi sparing. He too noticed the same thing that they all did. Someone was pretty good at using a blade and if it was a real one, just as deadly...  the man approached them, Tsuna couldn’t help but to find an odd similarity to this man, he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. But before that, Tsuna couldn’t help but to overhear the soft exchange of words between Shina and Ayato. This tugged at his curiosity. 

The man exchanged words with the two. Tsuna stood silent as he listened, observed. The man mad mention of dubbing someone. Tsuna looked to Ayato, wondering what he meant by that comment. But there was apparently no need as the man was looking directly at Tsuna. The Hatake would raise a brow. Kinsmen? He would think to himself. What did he mean by that? He didn’t recall him being a member of the Hatake... it wasn’t until he made mention of another name “Alexandros Hoshimura” ...Hoshimura, that was the former surname of his mother Elia. It began to make sense to him. This man was a member of his mother’s clan. 

The man would then call out to a name. Tsuna could sense a great force coming from him seemingly out of nowhere. It’s pure state left the him in awe. To him, that was such a beautiful weapon. It resonated with him on a deeper level that even he was unaware of. Once he was told to kneel he would look to those around him for reassurance before doing so. He took a knee, closed his eyes. The man placed the weapon of heavy chakra to his shoulders, one after the other. Words spoken, and oath, a promise as he did. Tsuna could feel something within him stirring as he did so. 

Upon hearing his name, Tsunayoshi Hoshimura, the very air around him was veiled in a dense chakra of space-time that formed a perfect sphere around the boy, extending to a meter around him. He could feel himself going through a change. His very eyes were burning with a sensation that was unfamiliar to him. He could feel a power flowing through him that was once not there. He could hear the voices of many echo out to him. Speaking to him, calling to him. He could feel his being adapting to whatever just took place to him. His body growing stronger, more durable. His mind growing more wiser. The sphere of black and purple chakra would then shatter as if glass from a orb. Tsuna’s appearance was not what it was before. He looked to be 1-2 years older than he was just moments ago. His hair grew to a new length, stopping above his shoulders. As his eyes opened as he stood. Those around him did not see the ocean blue eyes they came to know. They would see something else. Something more prominent. Pastel red irises with amber pupils and a black outer ring. Soft white lines that connects to the pattern that resembles the petals of a blooming flower. 

His body took to his dormant power like that of an old friend. He could see them, their chakra as he looked about to them. He could see the colors around each of them that made up their element. This was new to him, but his mind processed it as if he knew of this all along. Though he could sense that his range in sensory was no longer beyond his him, but now just as far as he could see. He closed his eyes and the blue returned with an yellow static outer ring giving his eyes a mesmerizing allure. He looked at his hands. “I see now-” He shocked himself. His voice was slightly deeper. As if it held some ice. Something to get adjusted to. To gain something, I had to lose something also.” He would look to his Kinsmen and smile softly. Maturity sitting on his face. Turning his attention to Ayato who spoke words of wisdom to him. Hearing the cheers of the people made his heart smile. He was...happy. Truly happy. He was recognized and accepted for his efforts. Now there was more to do. As he stepped back upon hearing the names of the next two that were to be promoted. He knew them, both well enough to remember their names and faces to match. 

[WC: 947]
[Total WC: 2,246]

Mid thread claims. 
Becoming Hoshimura
Obtaining Re-quip (+25 Speed)
Awakened Kenseigan - 2000 WC 

Remaining WC for thread is 246