The Second Day

The day was just another cloudless day in the Hidden Cloud Village as the sun shined brightly against the high peaks and provided a nice bit of heat on an otherwise chilly day to the village's streets. These same streets were bustling with activity, people going to work or visiting the local shops and cuisine, all as a certain ashen haired man walked along them towards his usual training grounds. He walked at a nice and brisk pace, passing by all the laughing kids and parents, as he could smell the delicious aromas of breakfasts and early lunch orders all throughout the air. He was dressed in his usual training attire which consisted of a pair of black shorts and a T shirt along with his ninja shoes. Alas his walk had to come to an end as he finally managed to reach the training field and walked past the large entryway that lead to the massive circle with the training dummies circling around it. Taking in a breath of fresh mountain air he stretched his limber body out and did a few hops in order to get his legs and arms ready for a workout as he made his way to the center of the arena.

He could hear the birds from above cawing and chirping as they flew past overhead and he looked up to watch them all the while thinking to himself 'So... What would be a good way to start today?' He looked at the dummies but still couldn't think of a way to use them effectively as he continued to stretch his body out before relaxing for the moment to continue to ponder. 'Maybe a bit more chakra training? I don't feel as though I'm quite there yet in that regard.'

WC 298

Shining way above, within the clear, light blue skies, shone the sun in all it's radiant glory. The beams washing over the face of Hiroki Shimada as he was out for little bit of a walk within the bounds of the village. On this day, it had seemed like everyone in Kumogakure was taking advantage of the amazing weather. Things weren't too hot outside,, but it certainly wasn't cold by any means. It was this perfect harmony of the two opposites that merged together to form a blissful day. Even the birds were out and about, joyously singing their songs to one another. A flock of blue jays flew overhead, and one in particular caught his eye. The normally white underbelly of the flying creature was a bit gray, almost as if smeared in ash. This was the most dull and sullen thing to be seen today, which truly spoke about how truly positive it has been up to this point. But alas, it still didn't change the fact that there was nothing really to do. He was in between missions, and he was, surprisingly, getting over the extraneous regime of his solo trainings.

Though this wasn't enough to stop the Kumo shinobi to somehow find some way to enjoy the day. A smile perched high upon his face, resting there passively with a shimmer of mischief. Maybe it was time to pull some pranks or something of the sorts? Or maybe it was time to meet some new people? Whichever way the wind blew, the last remaining Shimadan ninja would try to follow it's breeze. Not literally though, for the zephyrs were actually slightly flowing in the other direction, but nevertheless, there was still much to do as the day was as young as he was. His black and white hair, getting rather a bit too long for his liking faintly waving in the wind, not expecting to do much, Roki was in his casual, daytime fit. Pastel blue sneakers with matching socks currently going up to his ankles, both of which ombred into an orange trim. His shorts and shirt also appeared to be matching set. Both were tye dyed multiple shades of the color of the shoes. There wasn't really a point in hiding today, so he didn't really care about standing out.

Drawing near one of the several training facilities dotting the slopes of the hidden village, the same bird that he had seen earlier, was seen with it's flock flying overtop it. The gate into this training facility was left slightly ajar, so it was almost as if the grey shaded jay had led the genin there for a specific reason. Always letting curiosity kill the cat, he went to investigate just who exactly was inside the area. Upon entering, he saw another ninja standing at the center of this area. They appeared to be an academy student, probably in need of practice. Always one to be willing to help, Hiroki spoke "That dummy won't be your opponent...I, Hiroki Shimada, will be." The tone of his voice was teetering the lines between arrogance, sarcasm, and playfulness. And it was a mix of all three, he wasn't meaning it to be too serious, yet at the same time, he did kind of have a lot of pride within himself. It was a quizzically odd blend, but that was typically a good way to describe the never boring teen.

WC: 571

The wind blew with a bit of power this time, flowing through the hair of the student in training, as he suddenly heard a voice call out from behind him. It was a young voice. A voice of playful arrogance. A voice containing a challenge. The ashen haired trainee turned to look at who had spoken, his eyes betraying his clan name by glowing bright like flames, as he saw the young man whose name was apparently Hiroki Shimada. This young man who seemed to have the same concept of style as he did what with his salt and pepper hair color. Moyasu could see that there was a bit of a height gap between the two of them with him being the taller but it wasn’t as though height mattered when it came to someone’s strength and he could tell this young ninja was toned. More than likely through his own harsh training which, right off the bat, Moyasu could tell made this Hiroki the physically stronger of the two. Plus Moyasu hadn’t met anyone like this boy at the ninja academy which more than likely meant this young man was already a graduate. Yet another tally in the disadvantage column for Moyasu. Was he really ready for this?

After taking a short moment to take in this kid’s challenging first impressions Moyasu turned fully to him, the piercings in his ears twinkling a little to the sun, before speaking in a calm voice. “Pleasure to meet you, Hiroki. My name is Moyasu Nokoribi. Is there any particular reason why you wish to spar with me?” His hands went into his pockets, his exercise clothing wafting gently in the breeze, as he watched the young man to see what he was going to say or potentially do.

WC: 298

With the younger student standing before him now turning around, Roki managed to get a good grip on just who he was. Obviously younger than himself, the earlier suspicions had been confirmed now. This was definitely an academy student. Judging from the glowing eyes, probably the user of some form of dojutsu, but one in which he wasn't familiar with. Or maybe it was some clan's ability, but nonetheless, the effects of it were still shrouded in mystery. The teen couldn't help but wonder in intrigue as to what exactly it was, but he wouldn't just go casually asking about it. Though, a smirk did cross his face. The other one certainly did show some fire within him, which reminded Hiroki a lot like himself back when he was in the academy.

He remembered it quite well, actually. The young Shimadan had entered a few years after the death of his parents. Eager to learn in order to get revenge against the missing ninjas who killed the two of them, he had went to extraneous lengths to become better. Even after the long, and somewhat exhausting school days, he'd just simply go home to do even more work. This determination is what drove him forward, shaping the man that was there now. To this very day, while the shinobi's identities remained unknown as did their whereabouts, the goal to find them and kill them for what they have done was not diminished in the slightest.

But that was something for a different day. Right now his fellow Kumogakuren was introducing himself as Moyasu Nokoribi. The most notable feature about this other ninja, was the grey hair, the same as the tufts of feathers upon that jay from earlier. Certainly this wasn't a mere coincidence. There was indeed a reason he was here. "To help add to the strength of the village, obviously. Do you expect to get stronger by facing a mannequin constantly?" The reasoning behind the somewhat harsh choice of words was to goad the other one into fighting. Maybe this would get things started. But just in case, Hiroki made sure to just simply make the gesture of moving his fingers on his right hand inward a few times, signaling to bring it on.

WC: 374
TWC: 945

This was becoming something of a routine, Moyasu found, running into ninjas that all seemed to have the same principle when it came to success in the village. The ashen haired adult could understand that strength was a necessity when it came to growing as a ninja but was it really something to obsess over as the higher ups would have one believe? The ninja’s obvious taunt notwithstanding Moyasu looked over at the dummy he had been looking at prior before turning back to the challenger in question. ‘What’s this dude’s story?’ he thought to himself. ‘Well I guess this could be taken as a form of training through experience. I have no idea how good I’ll be but…’ He then took his hands out from his pockets and twirled his wrists around to get them loose.

“I suppose you make a fair point, Shirogi. As long as we don’t wind up taking this too seriously I’m fine with improvising.” Upon getting his hands and arms limber he stood there and waited for his opponent to respond. He hadn’t noticed he had said their name wrong. For whatever reason his mind had wandered over Shogi as he was saying the ninja’s name. It just sounded good and natural to Moyasu. All the while he could feel the gentle breeze once more blow over the two ninja on the field as though spurring on what was about to happen. He placed his hands back into his pockets and waited for whatever was about to come his way next.

WC 257

Curiosity seemed to flow within the student named Moyasu just as it did through him; constantly in thought. Hiroki looked on as his new opponent's face seemed to wonder about something. What this was, was completely unknown, but when the wheels of thoughts were turning within someone's brain, there were clear signs. There was a somewhat awkward pause during this time period, as he didn't really have anything else to say and was just waiting for a response. Thankfully, it was broken by...

A mispronounced name...

The look on Roki's face all of a sudden went harsh. He didn't think his name was that hard to pronounce. While this negative feeling towards the ashen haired one was present long enough for him to take notice, it would quickly pass thereafter. "Moyasu, you are given that pass for now." These words being directed as criticism towards the way his name was called. "But, let's see if you can pass the basics." His face lightening up to a sly smirk after this was spoken. Seeing that there was no attack already directed, the genin would get the first move.

Knowing that he had a majority of the advantages as of right now, the first strike would be taken a bit easy. Had the lower ranked shinobi showed that they shined, then he'd put some power behind his attacks. Hiroki was able to easily close the distance in a few seconds. Before getting within 3 meters of Moyasu, the fair skinned rebel would leap into the air, trying to make more height than distance. This was to try and cause his opponents to gaze towards the sun, temporarily blinding them in the moment. Even if their attention hadn't been drawn, he would still land behind them, landing in a position so he was squatting, aiming a kick with his left leg towards his left leg. This wasn't a very forceful kick. If the boy's balance was off center, it could potentially knock him over. But so long as his feet were planted firm within the earth, the most to be worried about was just a slight pain.

WC: 352
TWC: 1,297

As the young ninja in training stood there with hands in his pockets he couldn't help but be confused by this ninja's response. 'I get... a pass? Pass in what?' He thought as he suddenly watched the ninja rush towards him at a speed that was rather similar to his own speed. 'A frontal attack?' He quickly prepared for an impending attack but was tricked as the Genin suddenly hopped up a few meters into the air and he was forced to look up for just a little bit as the sun shined brightly into his eyes. 'Smart.' the ashen haired adult thought. 'Using the sun to try and disorient me. I should've told him about my fire genes before we started. Bright lights don't really affect my eyes.' He thus managed to watch the boy as he seemed to descend down from the sky directly towards him rather than a position behind him as Moyasu decided that this would be risky to try and retaliate physically so he thus quickly dove forward out of the way, his feet propelling him forward a good two meter distance, as he took his hands out of his pockets in order to roll along the ground to his feet as he took a crouched position and wondered what he should do. They were seemingly equal in speed and he could tell the boy was quite strong whereas he was not. It wouldn't serve him well to keep running away thus... 'My turn.'

Moyasu quickly dashed towards the boy, his legs rushing forward as fast as they could manage, as he got within a few feet of Hiroki before tossing out a swift kick with his right leg directed at the boy's abdomen. It wasn't the most stylish or graceful of kicks but Moyasu wasn't used to taijutsu so he had to make do with what he could.

WC 314

What...? This was odd. Hiroki watched as the gaze of his fellow Kumogakuren followed him up into the air, but the sun didn't effect him? Not being a part of the plan, there was a split second where he could only just watch while Moyasu dodged the attack, tumbling away from the kick which had been sprung. After this, his eyes met his opponent's, trying to read what they were about to do. This rendered somewhat useful, as he figured that it would be something simple like a kick or a headbutt judging from his stance, how it would actually be performed was still up in the air. One of the most common quips of wisdom was the best offense is a great defense. It was Hiroki's turn to defend now, but he would also turn it into an attack.

The strategy was relatively simple; a basic counterattack that would require finely tuned reflexes and actually seeing what the enemy was doing in that current moment. Defensively, it was all the same regardless of whether their strike would be a punch or a kick, but offensively it was a different story. If it were a punch thrown, then there would be a jab back in his direction. On the other hand, if this attack were a kick, then he would attempt to throw him backwards after offering a kick back.

All of this thinking was being calculated in mere seconds, as that's all the time he had. Shortly after the eye contact was made, his ashen haired spar partner went for his opener. Placing his hands in front of him, Hiroki readied himself for what was coming. Noticing the right knee of his leg being raised, it was clearly a kick. But to where? He didn't really have time to find out. He just found himself moving, right hand reaching forward to instead block the kick; pushing it to the side in a swift manner. A slight sting formed, a kick to the hand from anyone would cause this. It didn't stop him though from also using this same motion to then snake his arm around that same leg, attempting a grapple it underneath his right armpit. From here, if this would work, Roki would then pull Moyasu forward, left leg now extending to kick again. This kick aiming towards his abdomen as well. This time around, he had also opted to use a bit more power in it. The end goal here was to use the momentum of pulling him forward, then the push him away with the kick, letting go of the grab in the process.

WC: 436
TWC: 1,733