Silver Lining [Training] [Private]

Standing on the sidelines of the training ground at Shinoda Springs, Azuki watches intently as a group of shinobi practice their attack forms. Dressed in loose black hakama, bandages wrapped around his waist and chest marking recent battle scars, he offers a silent testament to the rigors of combat. The umbrella shading his face and the black eye patch covering his left eye add to his formidable presence, each a subtle nod to the trials he has endured.

His observation is precise, his advice sparing yet impactful. He speaks in a measured tone, his words carrying the weight of experience and authority:

"Adjust to your weapon's pace. Polearms, swords, daggers—each has a rhythm. Sync with like weapons. Focus on timing. Maintain rhythm."

Each sentence is concise, designed to resonate with the shinobi in training. Azuki's advice isn't just about technique; it's about understanding the deeper principles that govern combat. His guidance encourages the newer members to not only master their individual skills but to also develop an awareness of their surroundings and the dynamics of their fellow fighters.

This approach reflects Azuki's philosophy of training—efficiency and wisdom over verbosity. His ability to convey complex strategies in a few, carefully chosen words marks him as a leader who not only knows the art of war but also understands the power of communication in shaping effective warriors.

Azuki strides confidently among his soldiers, calling out the cadence with a firm, commanding voice, "1-2-3-4." His all-black haori flutters slightly in the gentle breeze, draping around his shoulders, leaving his chest and arms exposed to the cool air. The weather hints at rain, but the cloud cover and the refreshing breeze serve only to ease the discomfort of his recent wounds.

"Halt! Weapons down," he commands, his voice cutting through the air. The soldiers respond in unison, their movements sharp and disciplined. "Half right face, front leaning rest position, move!" His directive is precise, and the troops quickly drop into push-up positions, ready for the next exercise.

"Exercise, 1-2-3," Azuki begins, setting the rhythm for the push-ups. The troops respond, their voices echoing the count of each repetition, "1-2-3, 1-2-3." This back-and-forth continues, a display of synchronization and teamwork that reflects the rigorous training Azuki has instilled.

Azuki's commitment to his role as General is evident in every command, every exercise he leads. His presence not only enforces discipline but also inspires confidence and resilience among the troops. With each command, he is not just training their bodies but also reinforcing their spirit and dedication to the village.

As he observes the soldiers, a momentary gleam of light reflects in his eyes, sparked by thoughts of the village and its safety—a responsibility he carries deeply. His commitment to keeping the village strong is unwavering, driven by a profound dedication to protect and a silent promise to someone very special to him. This personal motivation underlies his stern demeanor, adding a layer of depth to his actions, a reminder that his hard exterior guards a deeply caring core.

As Azuki watches his troops respond with precision to his commands, a quiet reflection stirs within him. Despite the authority he wields and the respect he commands, there is a relentless drive that propels him forward, an internal acknowledgment of his own capabilities and the vast potential yet untapped. "I am still far too weak. I have not reached anywhere near the heights of my potential," he muses silently, his gaze fixed on the disciplined rows of soldiers before him.

This thought is not born of self-doubt but from an unyielding ambition to surpass even his own expectations. It's a personal challenge he sets for himself, a constant push against the boundaries of his abilities. Azuki's journey is not just about maintaining order or instilling discipline; it's about personal evolution, the ceaseless pursuit of becoming stronger, not just for his own sake, but for the safety and prosperity of everyone who relies on him.

This relentless drive to improve, to reach heights yet unknown, defines Azuki's path as a leader and a warrior. Each training session he leads, every command he gives, is not only a testament to his current strength but also a step towards the greater power he seeks to achieve. His quiet contemplation of his own perceived weaknesses fuels his determination to forge ahead, to become the formidable force he aspires to be.

WC:732

Recently Kiko had been working hard to become a more prominent person within the village. She felt as if she began making waves, Junko would have to recognize her effort which was all she had desired. After all, she owed her life to her creator so she vowed to grow stronger in order to help Junko reach her goals. Though she wished for nothing more than her creator's approval, she found the weight of the stress almost crippling. When she wasn’t spending her time with her darling Ren, she was running errands and doing jobs for Junko.

Thankfully she had Ren, though she was unsure of being with him when Junko had first initiated her plan, she found herself growing quite fond of him. Her hours away from him were dreadful, and her time with him euphoric. Truly nothing else mattered to her more than Junko’s approval of her, but Ren was a close second. It saddened her a bit to think of her “sister” Jun, seeing as they had grown distant since the village had been created. Though they were never on the best of terms, admittedly Kiko felt guilty for how she had treated Jun when they had first been created.

The first few months had been pretty difficult for Kiko, and the path in front of her was proving to be equally as challenging. She continued to struggle with separating her identity for her creators, and wondered if Jun felt the same. Though she adored Junko, she wanted to be her own person and to make a name for herself. For the time being though she was resigned to her fate of just being known as her creator's “sister.” With this in mind, she was eager to truly live up to the rank Junko had bestowed upon her and began formulating a plan to sculpt her own identity.

Knowing it would be wise to familiarize herself with the higher ups in the village, she decided to seek out Azuki Shinoda. She knew very little about the man, though apparently he had grown quite familiar with Junko. Kiko never really inquired about him, or really anything to her creator so she was sure there was much to their relationship that she didn’t know. Junko often referred to him as her “brother” so Kiko knew he was at least trustworthy. He had been given the title “General” though to her, he didn’t deserve such a rank. She had never seen anything that he had done, so evidently he hadn’t done anything of importance. Though this assumption was completely false, she couldn’t bring herself to admit she was jealous of the amount of attention he received from Junko.

After finding out where he would be training some of the village shinobi, Kiko would dress in the kisatsutai uniform that her creator had gifted her upon her creation. Though she didn’t intend to fight, she figured she should be appropriately dressed when presenting herself to the general. After equipping her katana and tanto she would head out to Shinoda Springs. She’d walk with her head held high, as she traversed the streets of Tsukigakure. Unlike Junko, she wore a stoic expression and held a somewhat imposing aura that followed her.


She could hear the sounds of shinobi running drills as she approached the training grounds, and would follow it to find Azuki leading the group. Kiko would wait patiently for them to take a break in the routine, but once she saw an opening she’d approach him. As she walked closer to him, she’d clear her throat, alerting him to her presence. Once his attention was on her, she’d offer him a polite bow but ensured to maintain eye contact with him. Maintaining her stoic expression, she’d speak up. Though the sound of her voice was similar to Junko’s, Kiko lacked the cadence her creator had and admittedly sounded a bit flat.

”Good morning General Shinoda. I was hoping I’d be able to speak with you if you have a moment to spare. I assure you I won’t take up too much of your time if I’m interrupting something important.”

Her eyes remained locked on him as she patiently waited for his response. Admittedly she wanted to someday surpass the man standing in front of her, though she knew it would take her some time to accomplish such a feat.

WC: 740

When Azuki stomped his foot, everyone stopped and quickly scattered. He turned to face the woman in front of him and felt a sharp pain shoot through his chest. He returned her bow with a warmer look than usual, even though his eye patch couldn't hide it all. "We don't need all that formality, it's just us. I really can't stand it," he said, his voice deep and a bit tired.

"You're Junko's other sister, aren't you?" He tried to soften his usually stoic face to look more approachable. "Junko mentioned you'd be learning about weaponry from me at some point."

As he reached out his hand, a quick wince crossed his face from his recent wounds. He quickly hid it with a small, tough smile, pushing through the pain with the resilience he was known for.

Azuki felt a bit worried about how she might react. He knew Junko and Jun well enough—each brought their own kind of chaos. Junko was more controlled; Jun was wild and unpredictable. But this sister seemed calmer, more reserved, which made him curious. He wondered if they would get along, if her reserved nature would mesh with his own or create a distance. The uncertainty stayed with him as he waited for her response, hoping for a new ally in the complex dynamics of their shared connections.

If she accepted his handshake, Azuki quickly broke away, grabbed his umbrella, and flipped it open to shade himself once more. He glanced at her katana and tanto, already thinking about how he could best help her train.

"Whatever you feel more proficient in, based on your two weapons, we can start working on that," he suggested, his tone practical and inviting. He was ready, waiting for her to choose what to focus on in their session, prepared to tailor his guidance to her strengths and preferences.

WC: 312 TWC:1,044