When the comforts of civilization begin to dull our senses, we must never forget that in the beginning, there was war. And war. And more war. Long before there were empires, there were humans consumed with greed and the hunger for power. Resources, territories, information—these were the forms of sustenance upon which we preyed. Today, we call such habits vices. Oh, how arrogant we have become! Are we not still impelled by those primordial emotions? Is the advent of war so far-fetched? But alas, for you to truly understand, we must dive deeper into this land’s half-forgotten past.
There was a time when might was the only law that humankind knew. Fearsome clans roamed throughout the land, seeking amenable grounds within which they could take root and opposing forces against whom they could test their mettle. Given the irregularity of nature’s bounty, certain regions appealed more than others, and dominion over such coveted territories became the spark that ignited the earliest inter-clan wars. These fierce, internecine affairs tended to conclude only when one side had decimated their competition into oblivion, and many clans of story were rendered extinct during this period.
The victors of war, having claimed their territories, often made truces with surrounding locals, offering protection in exchange for access to the yields of agriculture. Over time, certain communities emerged as more dominant than others, either due to numbers or sheer talent, and their rapid expansion would force smaller, neighboring communities to either collapse into their fold or be devastated. When the dust settled, humankind found itself divided into the five major territories that we are familiar with today. And was the bloodshed over? With our lands obtained and our bellies filled, were we finally content?
06/01/2023 June is for Juggin
We made it y’all, another month of OTA, and fresh off the press we have another promotion ready. Leaving behind the opening bonus sadly, we welcome the jugggggg! June is for juggin AKA working hard, so we are making it a double rewards month for every mission completed! Yes we said it's double rewards, now you all can really get into the thick of those builds if you work hard enough. And who knows what you might uncover in the process. AND all jobs are free to enroll no quest EXCEPT ANBU(Black Ops) roles.
"To whom it may concern: It has come to my attention that there are numerous whispers around Konoha that have named you as one of the strongest Shinobi that we have to offer. With that in mind, I respectfully challenge you to show the disparity in our skills and to show that I deserve a promotion. In other words, I'm challenging you to be my stepping stone, sorry! Much love, Honoka Minamino!"
And so, with little other than ascending the ladder of shinobi on her mind, she had left the letter of challenge along with the location in the mailbox of one of the few in their village that had become Jonin. The title and rank were everything, but she needed more results and needed them now. She had to make her parents proud, she had to continue to improve and then showcase her talents so that everyone would lavishly praise her, therefore praising her parents. Everything that she did was in service of that goal and dream, and she would do nearly anything within honor bounds to achieve her dream. There was no dishonor in taking someone else's rank by proving that you were more capable of it, after all.
Sitting atop the limb of a tree, she stretched her legs out as her skirt rustled against the hard bark. She was patiently waiting, checking to make sure that she had everything she needed before she moved forward. She had a scroll filled to the brim with ninja tools and weapons on the left leg, an extra puppet in a scroll on her right leg, while her main puppet was tied up on her back and being carried around by the woman. Making sure her hat was snug upon her head, loathe to have it fall and let out her hair during combat, she didn't for a moment think that she would lose.
It would be her downfall, but it wouldn't be the only reason behind it.
Post by Kiyomi Tenma on Jun 1, 2023 12:09:39 GMT -6
A golden branch with jaded leaves.
Kiyomi didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the audacity of the letter she'd received in the mail, from none other than a Konoha genin who may have gotten a bit ahead of themselves. The letter, written by one Honoka Minamino, was both praising her skill and strength yet insulting her by claiming that she would be used as a stepping stone for the young kunoichi. As if the older woman would simply allow herself to be trumped by a far less experienced youth... but little did Honoka know that she'd now made herself stand out.
How often was it that a genin was challenging her as a means to prove they are deserving of promotion? It was very haphazard, yes, but it was also commendable and showed that the young woman had the jinchuriki's strong will and determination to say the least... it was nice to see the will of fire burning so bright in the next generation. She also knew that if she didn't accept this challenge and word got around she would be deemed a coward, which she didn't care about, but it also would mean that Honoka won... and it had been a long time since Kiyomi had lost...
It didn't take long for Kiyomi to make her way to the training field, her khopesh strapped to her left hip, her tool pouch on her lower back and her body covered in a a black kimono; symbolic of the death that was about to occur. Not a literal death, no, the death of any idea Honoka had regarding defeating the jounin in combat, her hair down and without any sort of style. Hazel blue eyes peering up to the sitting girl in the trees, her hand falling to her hip as she shifted her body weight to that same side, observing the girl who she was sure had seen her coming. Hopefully she was ready to get this over it.
"Seeing as how we're the only two people here, you must be the one looking for me. Minamino, Honoka I presume?"
Far before she could actually make out the details, she saw the lone shinobi like a dot slowly come into her focus until she could clearly make out the details of the woman beneath her. How fitting. She wore black, also fitting, and the first notable thing that she could make out was the sharp sickle secured to her left hip. She hadn't encountered many people that were skilled in handling weapons, so she wondered how capable the woman was. Her long black hair, almost like a curtain, was left fully down which immediately made Honoka think she wasn't taking her seriously. Hair down and a kimono on, as if she was some lightweight?!
Lifting herself up and falling from the tree, she landed with a hard thud though somewhat graceful in execution, she was now standing only a few meters in front of the woman. Cracking her fingers expectantly, she stretched before she finally addressed the woman.
"That's correct, Miss Stepp- er I mean, Miss Tenma," As brazen as she was, she certainly hadn't meant to open up so disrespectfully. Her earlier frustration at not being taken seriously had bubbled up and spilled over before she could mean to, though her face was sweet and cheery the entire time.
Releasing the puppet from its restraints on her back, she lightly placed it in front of her. Honor dictated everything from this point forward, and she inhaled deeply to dispel all of her innate playful nature. This was something serious, and it certainly wasn't a joke nor a prank. This would advance her place within the ranks of the Konoha shinobi, and doing so would vastly raise awareness and assistance in raising the state of her kin. She needed to become strong and successful for them, and anything less was just unsatisfactory. Compared to the weight of her family, facing one Jonin was something that she could handle. Or so she believed.
"Miss Tenma, you've read the letter. I, Honoka Minamino, descendant of the great Minamino Puppet Masters, challenge you to a fair and honorable duel, with your rank at stake!"
Serious Honoka was in play, all hints of smiles and jokes were gone and she earnestly requested the chance to fight with a superior. She truly believes that she has the power, the technique, and the experience to take down the foe before her and advance no matter how grueling it may be. Her path has always been laid with caltrops, so a few more here and there wouldn't truly make much of a difference.
Post by Kiyomi Tenma on Jun 7, 2023 0:11:54 GMT -6
A golden branch with jaded leaves.
The older woman refrained from scoffing at the 'mistake' of calling her Miss Stepping Stone, though the girls words were far from infuriating. It was more so humorous at how unabashed young Honoka was, daring to even attempt to rouse her anger beyond annoyance was something very brave. At least she could see how confident she was in her abilities, but now was the time to see what she could do and just how much of that mouth she could back up. To challenge Kiyomi for her rank was out of the question, but the young woman before didn't know that exactly.
Besides, a challenge usually required some type of counter offer in the event of a loss. Surely she didn't believe that losing her jounin rank was equivalent to the young woman losing her position as a genin? Oh that was very humorous of her indeed, even with her belief in everyone being equals this was just beyond her philosophies. Blue eyes simply staring at the young woman who'd descended before her and begun cracking her knuckles in preparation, all the while Kiyomi was unmoving. Save for a small shift in her facial expression to show a raised brow of curiosity.
Sure the girls speech was passionate, and gave a bit of a glimpse at what she was fighting for, but the Minamino girl was still missing the bigger picture. "You seem to be under the impression that I would offer up my esteemed position in the leaf for nothing in return for when- sorry, if you lose?" A sly smirk joining the raised brow on her face before looking the genin up and down in observation, assessing just what she might be capable of with these puppets of hers. Relaxing her visage while maintaining her humored tone, carrying through her voice.
"How about this. . . If I do manage to beat you, you have to join my new team and let me assist you in honing your skills to honor your families name by becoming one of the most powerful kunoichi in the leaf. If you win, i'll surrender my rank and promote you to jounin immediately. Sound fair?"
A very big play by the woman indeed, who was standing now to adjust her posture and face Honoka in a deadlock gaze of seriousness. Under Kiyomi's guiding hand the next generation of the leaf would be ready for anything that dared to rear its ugly head, perfectly prepared for the road ahead.
Post by Honoka Minamino on Jun 7, 2023 14:19:32 GMT -6
[attr="class","ig"]
[attr="class","ninety"]
[attr="class","joker"]
[attr="class","game"]
for Kiyomi Tenma she said listen bitch you're about to lose so join me
[attr="class","kikan"]
“
"You seem to be under the impression that I would offer up my esteemed position in the leaf for nothing in return for when- sorry, if you lose?"
"You're honor bound, you have no choice but to accept the challenge. And regardless if you want to, I doubt anyone would let you keep your rank after you've lost to me. I don't believe I'm under any impression, these are just facts, Madam," she spoke in a cool tone, serious as a whip she meant every word that had left her lips. In her mind, that was just the truth of the situation and that was that. If someone of her rank was to lose to someone of Honoka's then the higher ups within Konoha would surely engage in a demotion and promotion, respectfully.
The woman, Konoha's Jade Dragoness as she was known, smirked at her after letting her know about her 'wrong impression' before it seemed like she began sizing her up, or at the very least she was gazing rather intently at her. She did respect, rather immensely, that both times she spoke she corrected herself and left the option of Honoka winning in the air. Though the way she spoke showed that she found the situation funny, she also offered Honoka another path. The words of the woman left her momentarily stunned, surprised that after everything this woman had deemed her worthy of training and promised to help her family. Staring back at the woman silently, she dropped to a knee and lowered her head before her.
"I deeply apologize for the disrespect I have shown you until this moment," she began, immediately regretting her actions until now. Though everything she did was for her family, and she'd never regret that, the fact that this woman was so easily ready to aid her in her cause struck a chord within her. She wasn't innately rude, she just hadn't cared about the thoughts and feelings about the other woman until she had extended her hand figuratively. It changed her view of the situation immensely, and at this point there was only one more thing left to do.
"I would very much like the opportunity you presented as an alternative but, and forgive this last burning ember of impudence, I have to see the differences in our skills first. If you are that much better than I am, then I'll gladly serve you in your squad." she said, much more mindful of how she spoke now almost as if a switch had been flipped. Everything was for her family, humbling herself was nothing toward that. Adapting a battle stance, she connected the strings to her puppets but waited for the woman to ready herself before any real combat began. She wanted this to be as fair and proper as possible so that she could get a good grasp at the chasm the Jonin subtly hinted at with her tone.
Post by Kiyomi Tenma on Jun 19, 2023 10:24:08 GMT -6
A golden branch with jaded leaves.
"Honor bound? Again, you seem to be mistaken . . ." Kiyomi quickly replied before laughing a bit at the girl, not to be malicious but because she seemed to believe that the older shinobi had to automatically oblige to her scrimmage. If that were the case, jounin would be at it all day with naive youth who were determined to take the easy way in proving their worth. So after that small moment of laughter she would recompose herself when Honoka apologized about her disrespect so far. Even dropping to a knee to show how sincere she was, all after the mention of helping her family... or maybe it was for offering her tutelage?
She would make sure to inquire later.
Her behavior did however cause the jounin to stand firmly now, adjusting her balance and staring directly into the eyes of the young woman before her. So adamant on proving her worth to her family and village and so adamant and standing her ground against her superior, it was all so very touching if not foolish. Still, Kiyomi could commend and respect her efforts and would make sure not to hold back on her too much. If it was a display skill she wanted, it was a display of skill she would get.
"By all means. . ." The dragoness responded to the younger woman, moving her hand as if to offer her a gift but more so directing her to begin the challenge now. Her focus on the puppet that was summoned and floating before her, a small head tilt as she pondered how to go about fighting the puppet trainee. There were many ways she'd dispatched of them before, but now came the challenge of non lethal force.
Post by Honoka Minamino on Jun 30, 2023 11:55:13 GMT -6
[attr="class","ig"]
[attr="class","ninety"]
[attr="class","joker"]
[attr="class","game"]
for Kiyomi Tenma she said listen bitch you're about to lose so join me
[attr="class","kikan"]
“
There was no more time for the pleasantries portion of the event and, though she derided her thinking once more, Honoka was way too focused to pay any attention to it. She had bared her heart and soul and everything was on the line. Either way she would win but having her pride shattered in front of her was also the furthest from what she would consider ideal. The genin would approach this spar with all the seriousness of a life & death battle, and hopefully she would end up with a higher rank.
Her puppet was already released and attached to the strings that would allow her to manipulate it, but, Honoka had allowed Kiyomi the first move. For whatever reason, the Jounin passed along the invitation to start back to the younger woman.
If she wanted to see what Honoka was capable of then she was about to find out. With a couple of flexes of her fingers, the Miko unit began to click and clack, as if the wood that she was made out of was smashing against one another. The creaks of the puppet were something lovely to the puppetmaster, it had been quite a while since she had listened to it. The first thing that Honoka wanted to do was to test her reflexes.
A few more movements of her index and middle fingers opened up the mouth of the puppet, who now had a surprised look upon her face. She had an unreal amount of weapons stashed within in order to surprise her opponennts, but today she wanted to begin with a subtle note. Ten small, thin needles would find themselves being launched from the puppets mouth and would seek to embed themselves within her elder.
She started simple, but while the senbon was firing she had been moving her fingers around and preparing her puppet to act once more, in a much different fashion.
