"Rules of nature, kid. Like your wolfish friend here."

"Fuck off," Yuki growls back.

"And you are?" You ask. A lit cigarette is held in front of your face with a lazy, calloused hand. An adult, offering you a drag. Clearly he's not the most mature or respected of people. But he get save you.

> Push it away. "Who are you and what do you want?"
>"Smoking kills."
>Take it, why the hell not. He got you out of a tough spot after all.
>Write-in

>>3155447
> Push it away. "Who are you and what do you want?"
Give me back my sword.

>>3155447
>> Push it away. "Who are you and what do you want?"

> Push it away. "Who are you and what do you want?"

>>3155516
>>3155509
>>3155468
>Push it away
Writing.

You move his hand out of your face and sit up. A vagrant, boiling water for some strange concoction of tea and berries. His top knot is oily, his facial hair splotchy, and yukata frayed at the edges. He wore your hat around his neck too. Opposite him sat Shion, resting against a tree with her eyes closed. Your sword is nowhere to be seen. But you do see his, with it's black handle and red sheath.

"One, who are you and what do you want?" You ask.There were no birds chirping, no clouds in the air. Just a quiet and sunny noon. "Two, where is my sword."

"Calm down kid," he answers. His arm disappears behind the tree he leans against, returning a moment later with the relieving sight of your azure katana. It's laminate sheath is dinged and gouged up and down it's length, and the handle is missing it's wrapping. Damage from the missing-nin's chain. "You're pretty bossy, you know?"

"I don't like my things being messed with." Your muscles ache as your reach out and take the sword. Warmth seeps into your bandages as blood clots tear back open. Yuki shifts back with a downcast expression. "Now again, you and your business."

"Just passing through, nothing more. Saw your friend here in a bind. Didn't really need my help though she did invite me along to help."

"Right... and why is a wandering 'swordsman' heading towards the Land of Demons?" You lean against your own tree, every wound now reopened and burning. Yuki sighs and prepares another roll of bandages.

"I'm no swordsman. Roads are dangerous these days, bandits everywhere. You'd be a fool not to carry a weapon." He draws his sword, it's dull blade scratched up and down it's length. It's seen heavy use, with many chips on it's nearly rolled edge. Even the guard looks warn and tinged with rust. It hasn't seen a good oiling or whetstone in a long time.

"Really now? Couldn't tell. Now-"

"Teas ready." He pulls the boiler off the fire and produces two tin cups from within his yukata. The cleaner of the two is handed to you, filled with an off color liquid of scrounged up forest pickings and old tea. "So, a samurai, right? Why're you traveling with a ninja and a priestess?"

"Apprentice. You use that a lot?" You nod at his sword, now impaled in the ground. The way he sits, cross legged and straight back as if ready to meditate. Shoulders pulled back proper and hand readied to pull his sword from the ground. He isn't some wandering vagrant.

"A few times, I suppose." He sighs before flicking the sword. Disrespectful. A katana should be cared for as if your life depended on it. Because it does if you ever plan to use it. "How about you, kill any criminals lately?"

"You're a ronin."

"Suppose I am." He stares deep into his cup, lost in thought.

>Draw your sword, he's a criminal
>Politely finish your tea, you're not here to deliver punishment
>Ask about Hitoshi Satou, who knows how he'll react
>write-in

>>3155644
>Ask about Hitoshi Satou, who knows how he'll react

>>3155644
>Politely finish your tea, you're not here to deliver punishment
Maintain and repair our blade.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>3155749
>>3155689
Alright, tie, rolling for a breaker.

>>3155689
>>3155749
>>3155775
>Finish tea.
Also I like that addition, writing.

You nod and return to your tea. It's not good, pretty awful in fact. You've never been a fan of this stuff but this is hardly palatable. The wear and tear of your sword stirs some unpleasant feelings, forcing you to unsheathe the blade and set to work as Yuki unwraps the now useless bandages from your arms. A scratch goes from tip to guard, stopping just short of the bronze spacer. Glaring and irremovable without some serious buffering. But you oil and polish the weapon best you can, using what little you have left in your gear and just about wearing out the already worn through polishing stirrup.

The ronin sighs, pulling his blade from the ground and flicking it free of any loose dirt before sheathing it. "So," he says. "What's an apprentice doing all the way out here?"

"Looking for a ronin who's had his crimes dismissed by Lord Mifune himself." You take a used bandage and tightly wrap it around the bare leather handle, leaving a white tassel hanging free. The over sized pommel has a deep gouge, exposing part of the tang. Another thing you can't fix.

"That old bastards still in power?"

You wince as Yuki digs a finger into one of the bigger wounds. Warmth spreads out along your arm for a moment before a clot forms and the whole appendage rapidly looses all heat as if dipped in ice. Something happened with her, her silence and slouched look proof enough. "Yeah, Master hasn't been challenged for a few years now."

"Master," he echoes. Then laughs, or so you assume the stifled choking to be. "Now you're pulling my leg. Maybe one of the other elders, sure, but no way he would take on a brat."

"Two, me and another." You hold your sword up to the sun, it's blue glow still dulled despite vigorous cleaning. With a frown, you sheath it and hand back the empty tin cup. "A young girl named Azumi."

"Ah... right, right." He takes a deep drag from his cigarette and looks at you with a serious frown before blowing out a smoke ring. Faint scars are barely visible beneath the grime and dirt, dozens of small nicks. "A useless lump and a little girl, Mifune sure has let himself go."

"Says the criminal scrounging for food and company," Yuki answers. She cinches down the last bandage, forcing one last wince from you. "Rest up and let the wounds close proper."

"You a medical-nin, girly? He'll be fine."

"No. Eliko, I can take Shion to the capitol and be back by nightfall." She gives you a stiff glare. Much too serious for the Yuki you're used to.

"A samurai's word must have little honor nowadays." He grins at you with a cocked eye. A challenge. But damn are you pretty worn out. Several days of constant travel with little to no rest. You haven't even slept after defending the village. Only a criminal would fault you for taking a break after fighting off a small invasion.

>Stay and rest, let Yuki take Shion
>Get up and go, no use in wasting daylight
>Everyone could do with some rest
>Write-in

>>3155905
>Stay and rest, let Yuki take Shion

>>3155905
>Everyone could do with some rest
Too many bandits around to split up.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>3155948
>>3155914
another tie

>>3155914
>>3155948
>>3155986
>stay and wrest
Writing

You nod towards Yuki then rest your head against the tree. You're in no shape to travel, at least for now. Shion puts up a fight as she's lifted onto your companion's back then the both of them disappear into the trees at a speed only ninja could travel. The ronin gives you a small grin but you ignore him. The small fire crackles and pops, it's smoke mixing with the acrid tobacco.

"What's your name?" He asks.

"Eliko," you answer. A small headache shoots through your mind as the campfire smoke turns blue. You blink away the faux vision then close your eyes to meditate, letting your body sit limply.

"They still teach that calm mind bullshit?"

"Yep." The answer was automatic, without thought or consideration. The pain fades, each wound no more than a dull ache. Hot ash burns into your skin but you ignore it. Disconnection from the outer self to achieve internal peace. To achieve a sort of understanding with other's strife and ideas. This is Ninshu. And while you posses no chakra to truly experience the principle behind it, it's teachings still provide grounding for your life. A calm among life's turbulence.

"Somethings coming!"

You grip your sword handle in an instant, only to find the sudden motion toppling something off your head. Cold water douses your yukata and a boiler clangs the ground. The ronin grins like a child next to you, his half burnt cigarette barely held within his mouth. You sigh and return to your position, your focus lost. An afternoon sun washes down with heat while puffy clouds list by. Even the birds have returned.

"Oh come on, kid, don't be like that."

"You're a child."

"And you're sitting there like a lump, not even bothering to think."

"It makes it easier to deal with things, clears my mind." You turn your attention to him. He'd cleaned up a bit, less grimy. And his sword was out, the rust around the guard cleaned off and much of the caked on muck gone. He makes a movement with the weapon, precise and dignified as it flashes through the air.

"And whys that?" He wags the sword's tip at you.

"Removes any distractions-"

"Represses problems for later."

"What's you're problem?"

"Stand." He lifts himself off the ground and moves to one end of the small clearing, sword at a low ready. Jovial glee glints in his eyes as he puffs out another ring of smoke. He wants to spar. "You can't be tired, you've sat there four hours. Show me what you've got."

"I didn't stay to duel."

"Then did you stay to look like a lazy bum?"

"Praying on the wounded, what are you-"

"A ronin." He interrupts with a broad smile. "Remember? Tell you what, you win and I'll face justice in the Land of Iron. If I win... you let me beat that nonsense out of ya."

>Meet his challenge, you can best this unkempt criminal
>No, you're in no condition to fight
>Put it off for later, if he wants a fight he'll have to wait
>write-in

>>3156109
>Meet his challenge, you can best this unkempt criminal

>>3156109
>Put it off for later, if he wants a fight he'll have to wait.

>>3156186
>>3156119
Color me surprised, another tie. Gonna give this one another ten minutes before I roll to break it.

>>3156109
>Put it off for later, if he wants a fight he'll have to wait

>>3156109
>>Put it off for later, if he wants a fight he'll have to wait

I'll take your advice and repress my problems for later. You'll have more fun then.

>>3156219
>>3156217
>>3156186
>>3156119
>Procrastinate
Roll me 1d100, no DC just general wellness.

Rolled 34 (1d100)

>>3156235
Here.

Rolled 53 (1d100)

>>3156235

Rolled 49 (1d100)

>>3156235

I should probably clarify some rules. There is typically a 30 minute vote counter and a preference of a three vote minimum to avoid ties. If a tie persists I will roll to break.
Rolls will be taken from the best of three unless one of the aforementioned three are a 1 which results in a critical failure.

>>3156241
>>3156258
>>3156264
>53
Not bad but not good. Writing.

"No," you answer flatly. You rest your head back against the tree. There would be time later for a duel, now is the time to rest. And with the sun so pleasantly warming your body to uncomfortable levels there is no better option than to sit beneath the shade and wait.

"What?" It wasn't a question so much as exasperated confusion. He stormed back over, sword tip near brushing the ground. "You can't be serious."

"Very, personal health is always something to consider. If I duel you now, I'll lose." You watch him through a cracked eye. But he doesn't take any hostile actions, instead sheathing his sword with a grumble and planting himself firmly back in his original place with a scowl. If this is the way he acts the no wonder he went ronin, probably forced out for being so immature. He couldn't be any younger than thirty? It's no way for an adult to behave. "Later, you can get your hits in when I'm healed up."

"I'll hold you to it." His demeanor cracks for a moment, a genuine smile. You ponder it for a moment, deciding it an anomaly before returning to your meditation. Birds sing along deeper in the forest and the fire was already almost burnt down. The forest canopy rushed and rattled from a one off breeze. The smell was different, not one of pine but something else. Something sweeter.

A land with frozen woods, laden with snow thicker than you've ever seen and as cold as Three Wolves on the worst of winter nights. An ocean broke against distant cliffs and gulls cawed and cried. A ship bell rung, the brass sound hollowed. It sailed into view, big as a city and pitched like a clear night sky. Thousands moved across it's deck, manned it's strange weapons, while inky smoke choked the crisp afternoon air to the point of suffocation. A black ship made from metal and glass.

Again, you fell into the depths, the water filling your lungs with every desperate gasp. Your heart pounded and struggled while every limb grew stiff from the bone piercing cold. You wake with a start, gulping in air and pushing a pallid hand from your nose. Yuki watches you with a mischievous grin, her normalcy back. The ronin was nowhere to be seen.

"What was that for?" You ask. The soreness still hasn't left your muscles, only now they itch something fierce as they heal. The fire had gone out and the moon sits low on the sky, the night just beginning.

"Making sure you're alive. Where'd the bum go?"

"Ronin. Probably to hide in hopes I don't report him." You flex your fingers, the imaginary stiffness had gone the moment you woke. Still, it felt real enough. So real you're sure frostbite could have settled in if given the chance.

"Ah! I've got a lead for your mission! The captain of Shion's guard mentioned a kenjutsu trainer being late, by the name of Satou. Think it could be your guy?" She grins happily, proud of herself. "Also we're welcome to stay in the temple, as a thanks. Wanna go now? I can carry you."

>Options cont

>Let her carry you and get there by midnight
>Walk on your own and arrive in the morning
>Stay and camp for the night to better recover your strength
>Write-in

>>3156431
Stay and camp for the night to better recover your strength.

>>3156431
>Let her carry you and get there by midnight
No real reason to be prideful here

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>3156441
>>3156436
Ties, ties ties.

>>3156436
>>3156441
>>3156586
>Camp
Looks like you guys are getting cozy. Writing.

"If this trainer is late then we're in no hurry." You pull some dry moss from the tree and throw it on the fire, hoping some small ember will revive with the offering. Yuki shakes her head and sets up a kindle stack before pulling out a small fire starter and lighting the bundle up. With the help of the moss, it catches easy enough and a fire is built back up. "You're pretty good at this survival stuff."

"Have to be," Yuki answers proudly. "The Land of Bears is a tough place. Besides normal... training, wilderness survival is also pretty big. We're good at duration missions, some of the A ranks can last months at a time. I met a Jonin who'd been gone for over a decade, observation since the end of the last war."

"That's a long time." You lay down onto the pine needle bed, trying to imagine being away from the Land of Iron for so long. And hard as you tried, it doesn't seem to really bother you. There have been a few samurai who went on journeys their entire lives. Their reasoning was that Three Wolves will always stand, with them there or not. Admirable, you suppose. "Hay, what happened to your headband?"

"Oh, ah, lost it fighting the other missing-nin. Guy had my neck wound up with that chain, almost killed me." She gestures to the faint scars on her neck while taking a seat next to you. "Pulled my head free just in time but lost the protector along the way."

"Why are you following me?" You ask. Here eyes went wide for a moment, as if taken off guard.

"I'm uh... the one who opened the scroll. Poof, a Hidden Leaf Jonin appears and my teams knocked out. I played dead until he left then went to find you. They'll be mad at me if I go home, gotta give 'em time to cool off."

"Right-"

"Thank you," she says, suddenly somber. "It's nice getting to just... do what I want."

"Gotten you in plenty of trouble so far, probably shouldn't be saying thanks. Also, we need to work on that fear of heights."

"Right." Yuki frowns for a moment, briefly, but you noticed it. Then her smile returns. She stares to somewhere far away in the fire, lost in thought, her red eyes lit with the dancing flames. You pay it no mind and roll over, best to get some sleep. Hopefully your wounds will be better off by morning.

>Pause

Alright, that's it for tonight. Hope you're all liking it so far, if not share your grievances and I'll do what I can. I'll start back up noonish tomorrow.

You and Yuki trod quietly along the dirt road. Your wounds fare little better than yesterday and while they've healed to the point of not immediately tearing back open, not much more progress has been been made. It'll be a good week before you're back to 100%. But at least you'll have some neat scars to embellish. Or to play down if you're being honest, can't have everyone thinking a missing-nin almost killed you with something as silly as a bladed chain.

"Have any special moves or anything?" Yuki asks. "Your speedy draw thing is pretty neat,."

"What?" You step over a rut, taking pace back on the opposite shoulder. She does the same as the road starts sloping at a bad angle. You have your sword and know how to use it to a fair degree. What use was learning anything else when you can't even use chakra. "Iaido is just a fairly common style. What do you mean 'special'?"

"Like my peacock method, it's useful if I get in a bind. And you... seem to get in a few of those."

"Twice. Don't get a big head about it."

"How about I teach you some real moves?" She grins, a joke. She knows you can't do anything she can. It also goes against every thing you are as a samurai to learn ninjutsu. "Or... my friend. He's can give you chakra, I think."

"You think?" You ponder it for a moment. A bold claim and impossible task. Master Mifune tried everything under the sun a few up until a few years ago, even hiring a strange big bosomed medical-nin. It all ended the same, utter rejection and some very uncomfortable moments. Enhancement pills, infusions, transfusion, nothing worked.

"Yeah! He's helped me a bunch, I'm sure he can help you. Think about it." She winks then skips on ahead. The fractal marks had long since receded back into that tattoo on her neck. And her strange short change in personality was also reverted. An unseen strength and unnatural aggression, perhaps gifts from her friend.

As you come to the foot of the mountain, you see it. A walled temple nestled under a cliff. A large town around the size of Konoha sits further bellow though it's no hidden village. You've made it to the Land of Demons, the largest and most powerful nation this far west of the big five. Yet it's still fairly undeveloped, nothing more than a fief with a garrison of armed guards. No military force to speak of.

Green vested guards line the temple walls, equipped with yumi bows and sizable quivers. None wear any actual armor and only a quarter possess any field weapons like naginata or yari pole arms, and no great sword of any kind in sight. But at least all the bowmen have sidearms in the form of katana or wakizashi. Not that they know how to use them considering the recent hiring of a trainer. A few broken and scattered arrows, you notice, litter the path or stick in the wall. Telltale signs of a recent battle.

>cont

One rushes out to meet you, a stocky many with a lazy eye. He possesses no weapons but his leather chest piece implies an archer. He raises a hand in greeting which Yuki reciprocates. "Lady Yuki," He he says excitedly. "I'm glad you've returned. And you must be the great samurai Eliko. Do you wish to meet with Lady Shion or do you have other business to attend? I can show you around the town if you wish. Ah apologies, I am Susuki, one of Lady Shion's personal guards."

You cock an eye at your pale companion. She winks again. The special treatment had already gotten to her head before you even made it to town. Hopefully it doesn't inflate her ego any more. You consider your options and supply situation. Yuki could probably use a restock on gear, certainly needing more bandaged after using them all on you. While you need to see if a blacksmith to get your sword fixed up. And any other gear too. But finding the trainer known as Satou is fairly important, you'll always have time later to resupply.

>Have Susuki take you specifically to a gear shop and blacksmith
>Wander the town yourself
>Head into the temple and see Shion
>Have Susuki take you to Satou
>Write-in

>>3158557
>Have Susuki take you to Satou
Business calls

>>3158557
>Have Susuki take you specifically to a gear shop and blacksmith

>>3158708
>>3158691
I'll leave this open a while longer for someone to break the tie.

>>3158708
Supporting.

>>3158819
>>3158708
>>3158691
>Gear and blacksmith

Alright, i'm going to expedite the shop part but is there anything you guys want to include in your kit? Eliko has some basic training with thrown weapons like kunai, shuriken, and senbon. Maybe a different secondary weapon if you so choose, not that you use the wakizashi much.

>>3158853
Can we turn the bear claws into anything?

>>3158887
Sure can, anything in mind? It's all pretty much useless for any sort of immediate effect but you can turn it into jewelry and give it as a gift to improve relations with people. Or wear it yourself, who knows might come in handy as a backup weapon if shit really goes down.

>>3158853

Having the claw and/or teeth converted into a dagger kept in a calf sheath would be pretty baller of considered viable by you.

>>3158937
Of course, the claws are more suited towards jewelry but the teeth fit fairly well in Eliko's hand and could be shaped into a knife. It wouldn't be a regular combat weapon but you could easily shank a dude four or five times.
I can include it when visiting the blacksmith, you won't get it immediately though. If so, one or both? A second might make a good gift depending on who you give it to.

>>3158960
I vote for both then, one for a backup dagger and one for a pretty neato gift.

>>3159066
Sure thing. Writing.

"We need to resupply before anything else," You answer. Who knows what could happen, being left unprepared will only lead to inevitable defeat. And and a damaged weapon will only worsen any possible situation. "And a blacksmith."

"Right this way," Susuki says with a nod. As you walk, one thing becomes immediately apparent, people don't just walk around. Even with the town garrison, near identical to the temple's, a sense of fear pervades. The few people who wander the street are all armed with either a short sword or dagger of some sort, or hurrying along to wherever they're going. No children play, no one really socializes. It's empty and quiet.

Yuki splits off with Susuki to a gear vendor down the road, the former hoping to pick up something 'interesting' along the way. You're left in front of a squat looking shop without a sign or even door, just an open air shed. Inside a furnace roars with life, heating a dozen already made blades to temper. An older man with spindly white hair and leathery skin splotched from years of work finishes up another. The blade is dipped into a nearby oil vessel and left to hang.

"Can I help you kid?" He asks, turning a crazy bug eye your way. The blacksmith, or so Susuki says. You show him your katana, the deep scratch along it's length just as glaring as the sun's reflection.

"A touch up and a new wrapping," you say. "And if you can do something about this scratch?"

He takes the sword and inspects it more thoroughly, testing it's weight and flex. Then lets out a sigh. "Never seen this kind of metal before but sure, I'll do what I can. Shouldn't take long."

"Gaisteel, it's from overseas," you explain. To be truthful, you don't know much about it yourself. It's just what Master Mifune referred it as before waiving off any more questions. "The Lands of War."

"Interesting, that's a pretty long ways away." He runs it through with a whetstone a few times before testing it with the tip of his thumb. Satisfied he pulls the handle, the tsuka, apart and prepares another. It's in worse shape than you thought, wood splintered or crushed in some areas and the protective leather near worn through and separating. Underneath the handle is a strange smith mark chiseled into the tang, lettering in a language neither you or him can read. But it's familiar to you if ever so faintly.

"Geez kid, you did a number on this thing," He says. You don't answer, instead focusing on his craft. "Must be well made to hold up so well."

>cont

While he doesn't have a wide stock of material, the quality seems fine. A new black leather liner is applied to a premade wood handle and epoxied in place then wound tightly with gray fabric to both let the handle set and finish. It's finished with an iron end cap, smaller than the previous pommel but weighs about the same. Functionally, your sword is returned to normal. However, as the smith takes the blade to a polishing wheel your hopes are dashed. None of the blue metal returns to it's true azure glow and the scratch only shines more brightly.

He shakes his head and hands it back. It's balance is shifted up but it's nothing you can't handle. But before you pay and leave, an idea strikes you. You dig out the bear teeth, finding them at the bottom of your mostly empty bag. They fit your hand well, the ends protruding a good two or so inches out. Good backups if the worst were to happen. "Can you make these into knifes?"

"Sure, easy enough. Got a bit to do though, making some new swords for the guards. I'll get it to you by the end of the week." He takes the tooth and you pay for both the commission and repairs, leaving you a bit low on funds. You nod and head out, feeling bit better about your sword but somewhat disappointed too. At least it's handle wont fall off now.

Yuki's white hair stick out like a sore thumb as she peruses a small weapons shop not too far away with Susuki. She handles a strange looking weapon, a hand scythe ending in a long weighted chain. You're not sure of it's effectiveness but hopefully she has an eye for such things. As you watch, something else catches your attention. Arrows embedded in the roofing tiles of many buildings. Seems like it wasn't just a simple skirmish.

>Join up with Yuki and head back to the temple
>Return to the temple alone
>Wander the town
>Investigate the battle
>Write-in

>>3159227
Go to temple alone.

I'll wait for another two votes.

>>3159227
>Return to the temple alone

Alright, leaving this open for tonight and continuing tomorrow morning around 12PM PST. I'll be on and off them but will update when i get the chance.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>3159246
>>3159435
Alright, no one broke the tie. Next update will be out in an a few hours. Also, curious, how many phone posters are here? Getting a few one time IDs.

>>3161563
I am a chronic phone poster and have posted several times in this thread

Alright, just got a chance to write. Next update will be out within the hour unless something comes up.

>>3161593
Well, thanks for sticking with it so far.

>>3161764
I phone post often. Id changes when I turn it off

You take another look at Yuki, deciding it isn't worth it as she meanders to another shop. Susuki already looks to be regretting his offer, shuffling behind her with a deflated look and a heavy looking box. The chained hand scythe hangs from her waste, the name eluding you. Instead of dwelling on it you head back up the incline towards the temple, maybe you'll find this trainer on the way. If not, Shion might make barely passable company.

A foot sticks out of the bushes just off the road, ninja sandals and a slate gray flak jacket. The skin is sickly blue but the head is covered by a full face respirator. No forehead protector to signify affiliation, just a corpse with a broken off arrow sticking out of it's forehead. The weapon's name comes to you, Kusarigama. A farming tool modified for combat, one that can be lethal if utilized correctly. Master Mifune shied away from them for some reason. But why would Yuki wants something like that? Maybe a more permanent offensive tool rather than relying on jutsu.

As you make your way up, a form lazily hangs it's feet from the temple's gate. Wooden sandals, a frayed and grimy yukata. And the tip of a familiar katana sheath. You ignore him and walk through, the damn bum probably just mooching off the temple's generosity. The guards nod your way but don't refuse you. In the courtyard a group of them are silently gathering with nothing but swords. Your stomach drops, he can't be the trainer. Such a lazy and immature individual hardly has a grasp on himself let alone a whole garrison.

Shion watches from the very top of a long set of stone stairs, wide brimmed umbrella held over her head by a stiff looking guard in glasses and a very tall black hat. She waives before pulling out a paper fan, clearly not one for the heat much the same as yourself. On your way into the Land of Demons the climate looked promising but turned out much the same as Konoha. Too hot. But at least the pine smells good.

"Eliko," Shion greets as you approach. A much steeper climb than you anticipated leaves you out of breath, the stairs clearly not built for regular use. She raises an a brow as a warmth spreads across a bandage on your calf. Maybe it wasn't from being too steep.

"Mind if I join you?" You don't wait for an answer but her guard nods approvingly as you do, planting yourself firmly on the top step. Far bellow the vagrant ronin jumps from his perch and marches to the head of the formation, a skip to his step. "Hitoshi Satou."

"You know him?" Shion asks. "He's a recent hire to train the guards."

"Suspected of murdering a woman and two children before fleeing justice. A ronin."

"He lied to us," The big hatted guard says. "I'll-"

"Taruho."

>cont

"Apologies, Samurai." The guard gives a deep bow, somehow holding Shion's umbrella perfectly still in the process. You wave it off and return your attention to the training, curious as to what he'll teach. The result disappoints you, nothing more than a basic Kendo kata. Nothing impressive, just the basics. So basic in fact that many of the guards already know it.

"He's a ronin for sure," You continue. "But I'm not sure it's Hatoshi. He has thirty years experience, the last five of it combat related from the looks of his sword. But I'm not here to kill or capture him, his crimes have been dismissed."

"And if it's not him?" The guard, Taruho, asks. He gives you a very serious look.

"Then I have an obligation to deliver justice." You watch for a while longer, the silence weighing down like a boulder. If he's Hitoshi, will he even return? And if not then you're not sure you can handle him on your own. Perhaps a help could be asked from Shion. What ever the case a seasoned samurai is not someone many could face down even if they are a ronin. The sheer determination to martial prowess one of the reasons the ninja refuse war with the Land of Iron. The last samurai nation, it hasn't lasted this long by chance.

"Well, Eliko, what will you do?" Shion asks with a dismissive glare. "I'm not keen on having a criminal in the compound."

>Ask him for the truth when opportune
>Approach and start the duel you'd accepted
>Wait for Yuki to return to help confront him
>Nothing, your wounds haven't fully healed and he's doing no harm
>Write-in

>>3161926
>Ask him for the truth when opportune

>>3161926
Ask about the truth.

>>3161926
>Ask him for the truth when opportune

>>3161984
>>3161970
>>3161933
>Ask him for the truth when opportune
The direct approach, alright. I'll get out another update sometime in the next few hours.

Getting into a fight and getting your ass kicked would be easy in your current state and leave you a failure. And as well as you know Yuki you don't know if she can do anything but kill people. It's nothing to leave for later, either. There's no need to beat around the bush, you decide, you'll just ask him directly. Not much you can do if he lies, not like you know what the real Hitoshi Satou looks like or has done to prove his story.

Half an hour in and the ronin, presumed Hitoshi, switches to a more advanced kata, still the basics but at least he's getting somewhere. And with it the group seems to be unified in movement. Then you get it, he wasn't teaching them those kata, he's getting them on the same page to find weak spots in individuals rather than a whole. Much more efficient than just telling everyone to do what they can then observing the ensuing chaos.

Past them all at the gate is a familiar head of white hair, and behind her a tired Satou now carrying a few more pounds of purchases. Yuki waves at Hitoshi before beginning the long climb. Her energy is endless it seems as she skips her way up without issue but as she approaches she stops, her smile immediately dropping to a frown. "You're bleeding again," she says.

"Seems so," you answer. She sighs and pulls out a clean roll of bandages, tossing them your way. It's only fair, you're the one who opened the wound back up. As you set to work changing out the now blood soaked calf wrapping Satou stumbles up. With groan he sets down the large accumulation of gear and takes his place next to Shion, opposite Taruho.

Yuki gets to opening and storing her stuff. A large backpack with many pouches and slots, bundles of thrown weapons and a large fuma, the Kusarigama which she stores in a scroll. And a short sword, a thin wakizashi, which she attaches to an unseen point on her right shoulder. It's handle wound with red and sheath laminate black. Strange, she's never shown any interest in swords before. Other than that, it's all just basic survival gear and a few spare changes of clothes.

Metal shatters, drawing your attention back down to the courtyard. Hitoshi stands off against a guard, except the guards sword is scattered around him in jagged fragments. The ronin's sword remains firmly in hand, undamaged. He had performed a sword break, not something a mere criminal would know. In fact it's something many masters try to avoid due to it's difficulty. Even if successful the resulting shower of metal can still kill you or the opponent.

>cont

>cont

Hitoshi dismisses the troop and makes his way up the stairs, two at a time. After a few long moments, he finally arrives, looking very pleased with himself. "Ready for that duel, kid?" He asks.

"Hitoshi Satou," you answer deadpan. His jubilant smile drops to a grimace. "By word of Lord Mifune, you're absolved of any past crimes and wrongdoings. You're to return to the Land of Iron."

"Sorry," he answers, shuffling to the barracks mess hall. "That's not for him to decide."

There's no reason to chase after him, he's not running yet. With a sigh you sit back against the stairs, the first half of your mission over. But the next looms just ahead, actually bringing him back as requested. Yuki shoots you a concerned look, her unsheathed sword in hand. No one would fault you for taking a few days to rest but the ache in your muscles still bears it's teeth. Maybe a good workout is due.

"So, uh... Eliko," Yuki shifts around uncomfortably, deliberating her words. Not once have you seen her bashful. "Can you show me how to use a sword?"

You could do for some training. Maybe in exchange she'll show you some hand signs to look out for or other ninja tricks to better guard against. "Shion, would it be possible-"

"You're not taking him," Shion interrupts "You just said he's not a criminal anymore, that means his obligation to the temple stands. Especially so with the recent influx of bandit raids. He's here until the end of the month or we're satisfied with his performance."

Of course it does. They did pay him after all. But maybe this can work to your advantage. He might be more obligated to return if you help with the training and in turn you get to train. Teaching, being taught, it doesn't matter, only the experience that comes with it. Who knows, maybe you can get some more battle experience too if another raid shows up.

>Focus solely on the guards, reduce the training to a week. (Yuki learns basic Kenjutsu, + to any one stat)
>Split up time between the guards and yourself, reduce the training to two weeks. (Yuki learns intermediate Kenjutsu, + to any two stats)
>Focus solely on yourself, training takes a month (Yuki learns intermediate Kenjutsu and you both function better as a team, + to any three stats)
>Write-in

As Eliko can't use chakra, Ninjutsu and Genjutsu are unable to be learned. You can however learn hand seals from Yuki to have a better understanding of enemy attacks. Either way, include that stats you want with your choice. I won't update for the rest of the night but will watch the thread if any one has any questions. Updates will resume tomorrow 12pm pst at the same rate as today.

>>3162274
>Split up time between the guards and yourself, reduce the training to two weeks.
Lets hope people back home wont be pissed again.

>>3162274
>Focus solely on yourself, training takes a month (Yuki learns intermediate Kenjutsu and you both function better as a team, + to any three stats)

Remember to include the stats you wish to increase in conjuncture with the vote. If you don't know which ones, you can find them on the character sheet https://pastebin.com/pvNr0Er0

>>3162289
It's possible, but remember, you were told to find and retrieve Hitoshi. No time limit was given though being out and about for too long may draw some ire.

>>3162440
lost my trip somehow.

>>3162274
>Split up time between the guards and yourself, reduce the training to two weeks. (Yuki learns intermediate Kenjutsu, + to any two stats)

>>3162739
>>3162325
>>3162289
>Split up the time
Middle ground, good stuff. What two stats do you guys want to increase? Anything with a + will go up by .5.
>Taijutsu 2 (Hand to Hand)
>Bakijutsu 3+ (Sword/Weapons)
>Int 2+
>Str 1.5+
>Spd 2+
>Stm 2
I'll include a + to hand seals for the sake of brevity.

>>3163746
Strength.
Stamina.

>>3163746
>Str
>Spd
We need to at least physically match this bullshit

I'll leave this one open for today, or when I feel like enough people have decided.

>>3163911
Eliko is functionally a normal human at the moment so that could be a good idea. None of that ninja magic BS to put you ahead of the pack.

>>3163746
>Str 1.5+
>Spd 2+

>>3163930
>>3163911
>>3163871
Alright,
>Str
>Spd
Alright, cardio and gainz. I'll add it to the pastebin and have an update out tomorrow afternoon.

I ran out of time to run this week but I'll get a long ass update out when able to. In the meantime, I hope everyone has a good as shit rest of the week.

Two weeks you decide, two weeks was all it will take for you to make Hitoshi to return to the Land of Iron. You'll help train the guards and get the into fighting shape if it's the last thing you do. Because if you fail, it very might well be. But as the first day rolls around Hitoshi is nowhere to be found, at least not in the temple. Instead Yuki finds him in town. Ass hanging out of a bush and drunk enough one might think he has a problem.

"Hitoshi," you say. It's crisp out, fall right around the corner. Winter can't come soon enough. He groans back. But instead of getting up, he only covers his head with a sleeve and goes back to sleep. You shout again, except this time he winces and rolls over. Ignored. He really is a bum, and a drunkard too. "Yuki, gather the guards, I'll start today's training."

"Right!" She scurries off with a bit more excitement than normal. She hasn't touched the hand scythe since she stored it in it's scroll. Maybe a souvenir for someone back home.

As you arrive your hopes of timely and efficient development are dashed. The guards have nothing but the barest grasp on the basics. Even what they can do is exclusively kata, stiff and irrelevant to their duties. Some don't even seem to have a clue on the balance or reach of their swords. Frustration builds within you like a rash, churning your stomach after each failure. Two hours in and you've had enough.

"Partner up!" You bellow, taking Yuki by the shoulder. She was one of a few who have taken to the art of the sword, or at the very least can wield something more than a kunai. Her understanding is lacking but she can defend herself at the very least. As you face off against the pale ninja, you order the attention of every pair. "Sword play is a game of posture! Hide your own, know theirs. Strike me, Yuki."

She does, making the attempt very deliberate and known. An overhead strike, easily deflected and countered. A basic parry that leads into her own. You two exchange the same move, back and forth until you catch her by the hilt and stop the exercise. After a quick explanation the guards begin their own back and forth, protected by their sheaths for a lack of bokken. It goes better than expected. With it they'll develop a feel for their weapons, the reach they provide. Right up until Hitoshi joins in reeking of booze and cigarettes and other unpleasantness.

>cont (1/5)

"You spend the day in a whorehouse?" You ask. He winks and takes a stand next to you, his arms folded. Yuki stands by patiently, or anxiously rather, waiting for you to continue her own training.

"I appreciate the help but I'm still not coming back to the Land of Iron," Hitoshi says. "Besides, did you even show them the basic postures?"

"They're guards, they need to know how to not hit and get hit. Posture and form are irrelevant to them."

"Really now? Mifune teach you that too?" He gives you a smug grin but you just shake your head and grab Yuki by the shoulder, ready to move her to a more open area.

"Have at it Sensei" You pull your companion away and square up. She picks up on the basics easily enough, the stances and what they're for. It's not long until she figures out the utility of her sword, compensating for it's short reach and lite weight. Unfortunately you can't offer much more, the bandages keeping you from bleeding out too tightly bound for proper movement. But a problem for the coming half month. Soon you're in the temple, enjoying the stay in one of it's many spare rooms. As honored guests, of course. Or so Taruho and Susuki claim. However, Shion's abrasive behavior tells you otherwise. She refuses to even allow you to eat inside, claiming your looming death makes her loose her appetite every time you come into view.

Over the week you and Hitoshi split up the guards into three groups, each cycling between their duties, Hitoshi's, and your own training regimen. The bum works them through the forms and postures and many delicate intricacies of swordsmanship while you have them physically train then work on the application of the former's showings. Yuki takes to it like a fish in water, her skill coming out well above the rest. With her you decide to focus on more complex techniques, reading postures, and figuring out the minimal power she needs for each strike to be effective.

Hitoshi spends his nights binging at bars and brothels before returning later in the afternoon. Self destructive behavior but at least he takes personal responsibility, nary a complaint or groan as you retrieve him from a bush or gutter each day after lunch. Shion is much less appreciative of your early to rise and late to bed habits, having decided to describe to you a new death at least once a day. Yuki's progress slows to a crawl as the excitement fades. She wakes when you do, practices when and what you do, exercises like you do, and sleeps like you do. Four hours of rest, twenty hours of work.

>cont (2/5)

You haven't been slacking either, taking each morning with a lap through and then around town before returning and going through some basic workouts. Then you practice some of the more advanced kata, loosing yourself in the discipline until it's time for the guards, and then Yuki's personal training. You can feel yourself getting stronger, faster even. Yuki trains you in her own right, explaining the hand signs and their functions between each sword swing. It's not hard to figure out a counter, just strike before they have a chance to finish. Then you won't have to know what their doing. But as the week drags on she starts loosing you in the complexities of her home's special jutsu, the peacock method. Something about manually articulating chakra or some such. You pay it little mind, instead keeping your nose to the grinding wheel and building up strength.

"Eliko!" She whines, grabbing you by the shoulders. Dark bruises ring her eyes from exhaustion and her hair hasn't seen a comb since you arrived in the temple a week ago. "Can we take a break?!"

"Break?" You ask. Sunday has just rolled around and your body feels great, like a fog had been lifted you didn't even notice before. And the more you do, the better you feel. Why did she want to stop?

"You wake up before Hitoshi even leaves the bar! It's not normal!"

"So sleep more? Get a handle on what you can do and do it no need to push yourself."

"But my sword already has a handle?" One of her eyes is drooping and both are bloodshot. Clearly it's been too much for her to handle. You shake your head at her poor joke and head down to the village, her still on your tail. They should be done, the knives. From the amount you spent they better be good.

And they are. The blacksmith had you in and out as he was busy with a new order of sword. But holding the bone knives in your hand feels right. The spear point blades extend out two and a quarter inches from the leather bound grip. He claimed to have based them on a design he'd seen a long time ago. To you, they just feel right. Yuki watches curiously, peaking at them over your shoulder.

"Two?" She asks. "A gift?"

"Haven't decided yet."

"Oh..." She skips on ahead with a renewed vigor. Something got into her, hopefully it can last another week. And last it did.

>cont (3/5)

The next week rolls through, Yuki as focused, and exhausted, as ever. Her body and mind grew accustomed to running on empty. Her normal energy was wired with a sort of crazed dedication. Even after telling her multiple times to sleep longer or even take a day off she just keeps going, Getting up the moment you do and only closing her eyes the moment her head touches the futon.

Hitoshi doesn't fare much better, his bad habit of drinking until early in the morning and crashing outside finally catching up. One afternoon he coughs something fierce and the next two days were him immobile in a far room in the temple, vomiting into a bucket. Too much time was lost on those days so you kicked the guards's training into overdrive. They begin real sparring, with blunted swords of course. You try and rectify any problems or habits they developed but the sheer number of them is overwhelming. Five hundred in total, broken up into three groups of about the same number. But you do your damnedest and get them in shape.

As Sunday comes about real sparring begins, a sort of final test. Hitoshi takes a seat next to you while wrapped up in a heavy blanket. A cigarette is in his mouth the moment he gets a chance. He was unable to smoke while in the temple, whining about it on a regular basis. "Good job," he says. "In another week or two they might just make it as competent swordsmen.

You answer with an unsatisfied grunt. They're guards, not samurai. Though a few can stand to learn a deeper meaning of the subject due to having talent for it. The rest will be lucky to win against an apprentice swordsman while in a group of ten. Fortunately though, they have numbers. And numbers almost always beat out experience and talent. Almost always. But either way, you're taking Hitoshi back even if you have to drag him kicking and screaming.

"Wheres the girly? Figured she'd be in there with them, waiving her toothpick around like it's cool."

"I didn't wake today," you answer. "She needs a break."

"What about you?" he asks "You've been going at it since Tokai Village."

"I sleep when I'm tired."

"Sleeping isn't a break."

"I think I might know where Susuki keeps the confiscated booze." At the mere mention of alcohol Hitoshi's face goes green and his eyes water. He straightens back up with a sigh, eyes more tired than you thought. Not tired, haggard, like he just wants everything to stop.

"Kid," he says, suddenly very somber. "Do what does it mean to be a samurai to you?"

"I-" A bird eclipses the sun, it's shadow casting the entire courtyard in darkness. A bell rings from up the stairs. Then you smell it, smoke on the horizon. Not a wood fire but the bitter pestilent smoke of burning hair and skin and muscle. The eagle cries and swoops north. Two weeks in the Land of Demons and an army was spotted only a few days out by a pair of hunters. An army flying black banners and red flowers.

>cont (4/5)

Honor, duty, obligation. You are Eliko, samurai from the Land of Iron. Abandonment of those in need is unthinkable to a samurai. Defending Tokai Village was one thing, it's attackers nothing but glorified raiders. But how the hell are you going to handle an honest to goodness siege. With the way Taruho prepares the entire garrison with bows, probably better than him. A full evacuation of the village is called but no one volunteer to keep them safe. Maybe a few can be drafted to help defend either the evacuees or temple.

>Lead and protect the evacuation
Or
>Stay and shore the defenses, leading a quarter of the guards

Sorry for the rushed wall of text, didn't have much time to write it. Leave your votes and that'll be it for this thread. I'll start a new one probably next week on Friday continuing with the popular vote. Please feel free to leave any questions or comments as I'll be on and off.

>>3168710
>Lead and protect the evacuation

>>3168710
>Stay and shore the defenses, leading a quarter of the guards

Yuki can handle the evac. These guys definitely need more people with decent combat experience leading the defense.

>>3168710
>Stay and shore the defenses, leading a quarter of the guards.

>>3168816
You're not wrong. The temple's garrison isn't quite up to par yet and having a skilled commander could very well tip the balance.

Thread archived: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?searchall=Three+Wolves

I'll starting the next thread Monday if I'm not too busy at the normal time of 12pm pst.

Scratch Monday, i'll start Thursday and go through the weekend. Same starting time, though.