-The following events occurred roughly 1 years before 02/18/14 A.F.-
I woke up from my trying time in the cave in what seemed to be my bed…though it couldn't have been. I was positive I died and gone on to heaven. But the approach of Kagetaka proved me wrong as surely I had been banished to hell for the misdeeds of my life. Kagetaka's unneeded whack on the head told me that I was still very much alive, though entirely unable to move. Kagetaka sat next to the bed and simply cackled.
"Glad you didn't die. Would've been really awkward."
"Oh yeah sure. How ever could you live down me dying."
"Hmm.. I'd probably have to get at least a little buzzed on some strong spirits before dumping you a few miles off coast."
"Oh yeah..that's nice that you'd do that for your deceased long lost nephew."
"Who's to say I still won't do it."
Kagetaka went on to explain exactly what occured. The power she gave me was a massive amount of her chakra refined over the course of my stay. Essentially the goal was to similar to how competitive eaters expand their stomachs. Forcing enough chakra through the chakra system giving the body only two choices, adapt or die. She assured me it was successful and that my inability to move was to be expected, like eating too much food, the body needed time to digest. The other side effect the chakra stored in my tattoos over the years had all been drained in the process.
-Hizumu Reza
-The following events occurred roughly 1 years before 02/18/14 A.F.-
Kagetaka would spend the next few days of my recovery period ensuring I understood the gravitas of what had occurred. With power comes rank, ironically enough the power would take even more time to cultivate given how far behind the curve I was towards receiving it. As previously stated the Thundergod form is more than a power up but also a rank of great importance. Being the first Thundergod of a new generation meant a certain responsibility was expected of me. I was to be the one to oversee a new age. It would be my responsibility to find the new winds of change. As Northern Thunder God it would be my responsibility to continue the tradition and lift others to similar positions as well ensure the betterment of the Hizumu people as a whole. The Hizumu clan's structure was simple. Live life the way you wanted but final authority rested in the council and the council head and the hand of that council was the Thundergods.
-Hizumu Reza
-The following events occurred roughly 1 years before 02/18/14 A.F.-
Kagetaka has taken time to help me close gaps in my style. Her years of experience has been of great help. In short her teachings were simple, my chakra reserves and efficiency with chakra actually allowed me to be far more wasteful with it than I had been previously. In truth I could stand to be more frivolous in my ninjutsu concepts in order to boost their effectiveness. An idea she gave me was the biggest inspiration, utilize constructs to give my techniques purpose and precision. I've taken this idea to heart but implementation will take time. Taking time to talk, I believe Kagetaka with the burden properly transferred became much more motherly almost.
"So. Reza. You're getting up there in years….where's my Grand Nieces and Nephews?"
"I umm…wait what? Guess I just haven't given much thought to settling down. I kinda have a dangerous lifestyle ya know. It's just easier to keep my relationships with women sweet and to the point. Speaking of which where's your family?"
"Hah! You still haven't figured out just how much alike we are? How'd you put it…It's easier to keep my relationships with women sweet and to the point."
-Hizumu Reza
-The following events occurred roughly 1 years before 02/18/14 A.F.-
The council reinforced what was expected of me as Kagetaka-oba had previously explained. Along with their approval of my new position within the clan it seemed Kagetaka-oba had a new future as well as she became the newest member of the council. Her first orders were something we had already discussed. It was time I returned to duty as a shinobi of the Cloud Village. I would be needed there as one of the longest serving Jounin of the village but I would not be returning empty handed. In my time with the clan the Hizumu council had opened their clan to Kumogakure allowing the children of the village to be inducted into the Village's academy as with all new relationships it would be a slow joining, and my place in all this was to act as both a liaison and as an example to both sides. The will of the council, the future of the clan, and the actions of a Thundergod.
-The following events occurred roughly 3 years before 02/18/14 A.F.-
The scheduled meeting with the Hizumu Elders was drawing near, Kagetaka-oba sensed my general restlessness towards the whole thing. She suggested a spar, she wanted to know my power for herself and felt I could learn a bit from her. Long story short she won, but she did seem generally impressed with my skills. She told me that my chakra control and raw power gave me a certain edge with using certain clan techniques. She informed me that there's a variety of different ways to harness the Storm Release technique. She felt my abilities and natural leanings would serve me better were I to focus on power over complexity. The storm release offered a certain amount of complexity by it's very nature, but power was where my talent was as it's strongest. In that way she said I was almost the opposite of my father, who preferred fast but complex techniques. I didn't take that news as well as she had hoped, all time I wanted to keep my father's legacy alive only to find it would best serve me to take a new road. Kagetaka-oba quickly put this doubt to rest. She informed me of a middle ground that she could show me.
- Hizumu Reza
-The following events occurred roughly 3 years before 02/18/14 A.F.-
The Hizumu clan, a clan of traders, seafarers, and shinobi. Over the course of several weeks I had learned a great deal about my clan. They taught me their history, their way of life. In exchange I taught them what I had learned in my time serving Kumogakure. The Hizumu clan as a whole had their doubts about joining a conglomerate of shinobi clans. Even with the obvious benefit of working together for greater reward and power, the hardened seafarers were always wary of leadership that didn't pass their own personal tests. They had many questions on my day to day life, on the power of the other clans. I told them what I was allowed of each clan, holding on to my sworn secrecy about anything I wasn't permitted to release. I might be a wandering shinobi, but one who breaks the oaths of their homeland is a fool.
-The following events occurred roughly 3 years before 02/18/14 A.F.-
The day of the meeting finally came. In the dark of the morning, before sunset, Kagetaka-oba and I ventured into a dimly lit cave. In this cave was a hidden building. The elders gathered in a meeting hall sitting on pillows on pedestals positioned in a half circle around the center of the room. Their shapes and sizes varied greatly but one thing was consistent. Their glare, they had all heard of me by this point. They knew more about my father than I ever did. But I was still a stranger in their lands. Atleast, I thought this was where their lack of affection stemmed from. Kagetaka told me to keep quiet until addressed and to let her do all the talking.
"Kagetaka-sama. You truly believe this outsider worthy of your title?"
"I do."
"The council trusts your judgement but this case is strange. He barely knows what the title means, what it entails and yet you sound confident in his ability to accept both the burden and the responsibility. Why?"
"You know well he is the son of Hizumu Kotarou. You know that Kotarou-sama accepted the title himself after giving up his life as one of the greatest scourges of the sea. He changed his name and left shortly there after to find atonement for the crimes he committed. Hizumu Reza is the continuation of Kotarou's legacy. Reza-san has been personally trained by Kotarou-sama. He has been preparing his entire life for this very moment without realizing. Kotarou-sama gave his life during the wars that preceded the establishing of Kumogakure, but even still he felt his atonement was incomplete. Kotarou-sama believed Kumogakure an idea fit for our clan and defended this idea with his very life. Now his son appears before us to show us his father's legacy, without trying he's already shown us the path that we must walk. The future of the Hizumu clan exists by allying ourselves with Kumogakure, it is there that we will gain the resources and means to grow in power and better accomplish our goals. Reza is a prime candidate to show us what Kumogakure has to offer while simultaneous demonstrating the might and wisdom of the Hizumu clan. By heredity and by selection, Reza is worthy of becoming the next Thundergod two times over."
"Wait what?!" "Shh. What did I say Reza."
The council was silent for a moment, not even speaking amongst themselves before their decision was reached.
"We accept your reasoning. We accept your cause. Should Reza's training with you succeed we will watch him closely. As of today Reza is allowed to learn the secrets of the Thundergods."
Kagetaka bowed. "Thank you."
The council continued. "The matter of the Hizumu allying themselves with Kumogakure will be a matter discussed at length sometime in the future. But know, we will be watching you."
-Hizumu Reza
-The following events occurred roughly 1 years before 02/18/14 A.F.-
What occurred next what the most arduous training I had ever endured. Kagetaka was a strict teacher. Each day was training in both the mind, body, and spirit. Every day I felt as if my chakra reserves would give and I would die only to be brought back from the brink to experience her brand of hell. The idea was simple. A thundergod was a being who's power was meant to surpass a mortal man. The mentality that it required was that a great man must die a 100 times over before they could become a god. She informed me that there were multiple ways for the title of Thundergod to be bestowed, but this was a special case. Most Hizumu children are prepared despite so very few of them even having the hope of being a candidate, it was something built into their training and way of life. I on the other hand. The lost child was devoid of this, a man trained under a different clan, who's techniques were merely poor imitations of the true power of the Hizumu. After grueling hard for what seemed like an eternity Kagetaka brought me to a cave deep in the wilderness of the islands.
"This Reza will be your final test. If you succeed then you will become the next Thundergod."
"Okay. I'm ready. What is it?"
"Your final test…is to kill me."
"I'm not killing you." -.-
"Good. You passed that test. I can't in good conscious give a psychopath that would kill his own beloved aunt my power. That'd be insane."
"After what you've put me through and that sentence alone might make me reconsider you crazy lady."
"Good you're smiling. Remember that feeling. The joys of life. Those are what will get you through the true test."
"So. What is it?"
"You'll have to take my power. All of it. Your tattoos, your body is prepared to accept inordinate amounts of chakra. That's what my brother trained you for. I am going to give you the entirety of my power, this is the truest method of succeeding the Thundergod title. You will be accepting all of my years of experience, turmoil, heartache, pain, and suffering. This could kill you, and before doing that cause you to wish you would die faster. But should you survive..should you manage to absorb all of it. You will become the Hizumu clan's first new Thundergod in over 2 decades. Do you accept this burden, even at the risk of your own life?"
"Well when you put it like that…….how could I say no."
Kagetaka smiled. "You have your father's ego….it pisses me off…"
Kagetaka held her hands out and formed several seals before clasping her hands together. "You will writhe in pain, you never have known, and never will know suffering greater than this. But with this I give you my soul. I will make you a god….so don't f**k this up."
Breathing heavily I prepared my body for what hell was about to come. Her hands spread as a giant orb of pure light and electricity illuminated the small cave. She walked towards me before thrusting both hands and implanting the orb into my core.
"Was that it? I don't feel a thing."
Kagetaka began walking away. "Like I said. Don't f**k this up." As she exited the cave she began pushing a massive boulder to block the entrance.
"You're all I've got left Reza."
As the light turned to darkness inside the cave I felt it. As if all of pain of the world had come upon me all at once. I cried out for help but words would not form. There I laid, with only darkness and torment to comfort me.
-Hizumu Reza
-The following events occurred roughly 4 years before 02/18/14 A.F.-
Thundergod? Kagetaka explained that the title of Thundergod wasn't something that was bestowed lightly, but it also wasn't something that was held by a single person at a time. Normally. In times of war, turmoil, or just plain unrest, the elders of the Hizumu clan selected 4 of their strongest shinobi to inherit the mantle of Thundergod. With that title came the responsibility of guarding the Hizumu clan and it's secrets with their life. When I asked for further elaboration she simply waved my questions aside. It was then that I caught on to the other portion of her statement. Honestly up until now I barely thought on whether my father had parents let alone any siblings. He never spoke much about his own family. Kagetaka frown towards this revelation. She hinted towards some past rift within the family, possibly also hinting towards her claim as a 'Former' God of Thunder, But she again simply waved off any inquisitions into the matter. She invited me to become a hand on her ship. Only if I proved myself useful to her for a time did she promise to explain more to me. As it seems, my hands are tied.
- Hizumu Reza
-The following events occurred roughly 3 years before 02/18/14 A.F.-
The Hizumu clan, a clan of traders, seafarers, and shinobi. Over the course of 6 months Kagetaka explained bits and pieces of our clan, largely scattered around a series of island chains. The clan has a policy to avoid conflict where they can, but should conflict find them their average fisherman is more than capable of taking down a pirate. When asked about why the Hizumu clan holds tight to it's secrecy rather than joining Kumogakure she gave me the usual waving off. I suppose I can't complain. Hearing her stories of her and my father growing up have been rather hilarious. Apparently Pops was a talented trouble maker and her being the older sibling she despised him for quite sometime because she would often get blamed for his misdeeds. While it might be a bit late, Kagetaka also resumed my training in the family techniques. Apparently I went in a completely different direction, where as I focused on the sheer destructive power of the Storm element, traditional techniques focused more on the flexibility of controlling lightning as easily as water. That aside, the crew of Kagetaka's ship were surprisingly only around 1/3rd Hizumu clan. As it was explained to me, her goal was to clear the water near the Hizumu islands of the less than savory types and map the various uninhabited islands….and look for treasure. The clan elders of the Hizumu never officially gave their support of her mission but given her clout they accepted it and allowed her a few of their best sailors and shinobi.
-The following events occurred roughly 3 years before 02/18/14 A.F.-
The ship was attacked during the night. Apparently Kagataka's actions and assaults on pirates finally brought about retribution from a small alliance of low level pirate captains. 4 ships pelting the ship with bows set ablaze. The ship quickly burst with life as the crewmen set to work exterminating fires as quickly as they started, many of the crew being water element users. The arrows stopped for a brief moment before the pirates all light their arrows at once planning to overwhelm us. It was then that Kagetaka smiled the largest I'd seen since the day I joined her crew. "Stand down men, I'll handle this." With no hesitation the men held full confidence for what she was about to do. Kagetaka's hair began to stand on end as lightning sparked and danced around her form. "Witness Reza, the power of the Hizumu clan's best." With a set of handseals firing off, the pirates would launch their arrows, setting the sky bright with flame. It was then that they all met with a wall of light. The energy of the wall eradicated the arrows on contact as a giant dome of light protected the ship from any further damage. With another set of seals, the shield would disperse before Kagetaka would begin another set of seals. A large beam of light would rise from Kagetaka's body before splitting off into a massive number of beams before flying straight towards each of the ships. The pirate ships would be set with explosions and fires before the light shower finally stopped. The lightning would finish crackling around her body before her hair calmly dropped back down. Kagetaka would simply turn and nod.
-Hizumu Reza
-The following events occurred roughly 3 years before 02/18/14 A.F.-
After her display Kagetaka promised to take me to the Hizumu Isles. I was eager to finally see the land she told me so much about, but more eager was I to finally learn more about the hierarchy of the clan. At the top was the clan head, the Dai-Kaigun or Grand Admiral. The Dai-Kaigun would oversee the day to day movements of the clan. Usually chosen as being both a proven excellent ship commander as well as shinobi by a council of clan elders. The Dai-Kaigun would be in charge of addressing concerns presented to them by the council who would then allocate their resources towards the the goals and plans of the Dai-Kaigun. Each clan elder governed their own set of islands and areas of sea. I had a rough understanding of things when we finally arrived. Kagetaka had sent word of her impending arrival days ahead by way of a messenger hawk, thus the docks were prepared to receive us. She dismissed the crew allowing them to return to their homes informing them that this break in action would be a month long affair. She showed me her humble abode, a medium-sized ocean view manor. She started with the whole it's not much spiel but the trophies from treasure hunts, battles, and missions told me she placed a great deal of pride in a place she didn't get to see all to often. She hadn't told the general populace about who I was just yet and their lack of inquiry hinted towards Kagetaka's nature with men, but I chose not to even begin to question the topic. For now I was at the home of a family I never knew existed. And The next month I intended to learn what I've been missing.
-Hizumu Reza
-The following events occurred roughly 6 years before 02/18/14 A.F.-
The days are starting to blend together. When I took this job I had hoped for a bit more action, suppose that's just me feeling homesick..or seasick at this point, starting to miss the hustle of shinobi life. I've given thought to returning but I can don't feel like I've found what I was supposed to be out here looking for. When I set off on this journey I guess I had hoped for some sort of catharsis, a grant epiphany that would put my life into perspective, right now all i've found is boredom. I've been informed however that that could change in the next few days. Our shipment is taking us through some murky waters. An area ruled by the Pirate Queen Kagetaka, they say so long as you pay your respects to her she'll allow you to pass, but lately there's been word of a conflict between opposing pirate factions. Won't lie, this news has me both worried and excited. All of my hopes for peace as a shinobi…who'd have thought I was a bit of a warhawk.
- Hizumu Reza
-The following events occurred roughly 6 years before 02/18/14 A.F.-
Well, as I had suspected(hoped), we saw a little bit of action. Pirates made an attempt on our vessel. The attack was the standard affair, canonfire but not too much, and attempts at boarding the ship. Of course boats aren't made to resist taking direct fire from laser beams. But as it seems, I'm not as naturally adept at this line of work as I had hoped. After routing several pirate ships from our tail, I felt the cold steel of a blade at my throat. The blade belonged to Kagetaka..a pirate snuck up on a ninja…a fact that I'd like to disavow all knowledge of ever occurring. In the commotion she had left her ship (one which wasn't attacking) and boarded our boat. As pirates expectedly do, she demanded payment, unexpectedly she only demanded what was owed for passing through her waters, protection money as it were. The ship which attacked us wasn't of her fleet's but rather an opposing faction. As this older woman held her blade to my throat making her demand she took the time to pinch my cheeks (on my face). "Don't feel bad, Cid couldn't keep up with me either". As she awaited her payment, the other pirates had long taken off, it would seem her fleet had routed any reinforcements. A ship would come to pick her up once her demands were met. A grin strewn across her lips. "Baby Reza, a sharp one you are but you could be soooooo much sharper." Her cackle haunts me to this very minute. Who was that woman, how does she know my father…and more over what exactly does she know about me?
-The following events occurred roughly 5 years before 02/18/14 A.F.-
As of today I've quit my position as a ship guard. The money I've earned from working is more than enough to finance my newest venture. I've been searching for a means to find and contact Kagetaka. It's clear what she knows about me is more than just a passing knowledge. Something I really dislike in life is when someone knows me better than I know them. As a shinobi I actually take great offense to such an idea. The contacts I've made have lead me to a specific bar. It's rumored that the bartender there collects payments and offerings for Kagetaka under the guise of some rarely spoken of charity. I've donated some money along with my name, as it goes, I'm to be present at this bar at a certain time 3 days in the week. Today's the third day and still nothings happened. Though I suppose it's not all without suspicion, as I write a man has been trying to sneak glances towards me. At first I assumed it was someone hoping for my attention for 'other' purposes thus I've ignored him…but maybe that's the contact I'm looking for…
-Hizumu Reza
-The following events occurred roughly 5 years before 02/18/14 A.F.-
That was not my contact, not my contact at all. As I suspected a man who wanted to do *ahem* things. Different boats for different folks, I declined the offer and on my way out I was standing in front of Kagetaka waiting for me. I wasn't sure how to approach her, she was someone of obvious skill…it wasn't fear I was feeling. Face to face, I was sure I could fight here. But what I needed was voluntary information and the truth. Both of these things I wasn't sure how to get out of someone who identified as the Queen of Pirates. She spoke first. "Your father was a good man, we mourned the day we heard he passed. I'm sure you've heard of me Kagetaka, Pirate Queen. One of my many well earned titles. The Light of Remorse, The Wind of Madness, but one I think my resonate with you a bit more……. Thunder God of the West…ahem…Former Thunder God of the West. Hizumu Kagetaka..nice to finally meet my nephew."..
-Hizumu Reza
-The following events occurred roughly 6-7 years before 02/18/14 A.F.-
As it seems I've lost my drive to keep up with this shinobi lifestyle. I've spoken with a few of the Yotsuki elders and they seem to be in agreement. A shinobi who's lost sight of his path is only a danger to himself. They've suggested I see the world as my father did. They describe him just as I remember him, a man who's seen enough of the world to know where home was, I only hope they're right. My adopted family is the only one I have, leaving won't be easy but come tomorrow morning I'll be setting sails with a trading company. In exchange for my services as a bodyguard they've promised to show me around the world that plus a pretty decent paycheck sealed the deal. As of today I've officially suspended my duties as a Jounin of Kumogakure in order to find my own way in life.
-Hizumu Reza
-The following events occurred roughly 6-7 years before 02/18/14 A.F.-
It's been roughly 2 weeks out at sea. I think I've finally gotten a hold of what the seasoned sailors are calling sea legs. Initially the constant rocking of the wave made me sick to my stomach but over time I've grown accustomed. Well, almost, So long as noone is eating anything that's particularly …shall we say…Fragrant, I'm able to keep my meals down. Doing all this sailing reminds me of my childhood. I don't remember much before trekking halfway across the continent with my father, but I do remember spending my earlier memories listening to seagulls. Side note. Just remembered I hate seagulls. Can't believe all this time I've somehow mentally blocked it out only to just now recall it and now I can't stop hearing em. The oceans not so bad after a while. I've begun learning various jobs to do when I'm not viciously murdering attacks(haven't done any of that yet.) As of now I know about 58 different knots and I'm currently working on navigation.
P.S. What's the deal with sea vessel food anyway?
-Hizumu Reza
-The following events occurred roughly 6-7 years before 02/18/14 A.F.-
Well sometime during supper the other night(guess what it was…you're right! Fish and Bread!…-.-), a newer guy was going on about how he saw the most beautiful creature he's ever seen as we passed a deserted isle. The older guys all told their tales of these beautiful women who lured men at sea from their ships and drowned them using their song and seduction. Being the bodyguard that I am I hopped back into my shinobi investigative mode as we heard a sailor speaking about one of those girls on the island as we neared it. From a distance these women seemed like large grey blobs…through a telescope it was clear that this was clearly a sea creature, I recall reading about them in books when I was younger, a manatee I believe. Regardless…seduction is probably the last word I'd use to describe these creatures. Another older sailor pulled me to the side and explained things rather bluntly. Men get desperate after such a long stint without prolonged female contact and truthfully…he's seen men go confront these "sirens" and come back happy. He told me not to worry…I don't think it's worry that's turning my stomach right now. Guess it has been about 5 months now…
-Hizumu Reza
-The following events occurred roughly 6 years before 02/18/14 A.F.-
It's been around what…I'd say 7 months at sea. We've of course stopped at various harbors loading-unloading cargo, rarely do we stay long. But when we do the guys tend to have a hop in their step. Today we've docked at a relatively busy port. The sort that's carries a relatively dank aroma but the folks seem well enough. The guys insist that this particular port has the best bar in the area. The strongest alcohol and the best looking women. I'm a trained shinobi, a proud trained shinobi, but a man can only last so long on a board with nothing but other men. While we drank ourselves silly I happened to lock eyes with an older woman, not one of the waitresses, a sea-farer herself-a seasoned one. She carried herself in a demeanor that demanded respect and admiration. Short black hair, ebony skin, bright amber eyes, a large wide-brimmed hat with several feathers sticking adorning, and a long black coat flowing open exposing a middriff revealing top which in turn revealed a scar across her stomach. Her stare on me was something that dived into my very soul and left me motionless, right before breaking eye contact she gave me a smile..an eerie smile. As she left I kept looking in that direction until one of the guys shook me back to reality. He told me her name was Kagetaka, and someone NOT to be trifled with. As he said, she's the reason this port is so successful, this bay belonged to her and no one dared to challenge her. The locals called her the Pirate Queen Kagetaka, kind to those who earned her respect, and merciless to those who earned her ire. Beyond her distinct appearance…her coat..where have I seen that symbol from…
-Hizumu Reza
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Kumogakure
Lightning Manipulation
Water Manipulation
