Running Fire + Dragon Technique used together = Furnace Fire Technique
“What do you mean there is nothing you can do to help her?” An unusually angry sounding voice calls out. The atmosphere of the room could not be more strained. “I’ve given you half a fortune to fix the problem, and you continue to tell me that no jutsu has been created that could possible fix the problem? None. No possibility of creating one? You insult me. I’ll have your head! I know the Tsuchikage. I’ll make sure you are sent to the fissure!” This was the voice of Hotaru’s father, Watanabe Kohaku, a wealthy land-owner whom was a toukubetsu jounin of Iwagakure, retired. In a room colored in such a way that it would promote calm feelings, Hotaru’s father was enraged. He was a Taijutsu specialist. He could shatter small mountains with his taijutsu if he wished. Yet, here he was, standing in a room with his young daughter, not even six years of age yet he already knows that her life was over. At least, his ability to ensure her a good life as a strong and fit shinobi was over.
A little girl, head blanketed in long azure hair, sit over in the corner, having crawled there using her hands. The expensive looking outfit she wore could not hide what was wrong with her. It was clear. Her leg muscles looked incredibly atrophied. She was crippled. She could not walk. Her legs could move, but only just barely. Hotaru was suffering from a rare disease, so rare and complicated that not even the greatest medical ninja of Iwagakure could help her. A disease that wastes the muscles of the leg. The girl’s golden eyes were wide with fear, pupils thinning from almonds to slits as her father yelled at the medic-nin with fury only a Watanabe could manage. Her career as a Shinobi was effectively ended at birth, thanks to this disease. The medic-nin raised his hands to calm Kohaku down, “Sir, please. She will be able to walk with traini-“ The Medic-nin was grabbed by the collar and lifted by the angry Watanabe father. “YOU FOOL! SHE CANNOT INHERIT MY TAIJUTSU LIKE THIS! SHE IS DONE!” The impressively-strong Watanabe throws the medic-nin against some of the equipment he was using, before he broke down onto his knees. “It doesn’t even bother me, that she cannot learn Taijutsu… No, that’s not it.” The man breaks down, crying. “It’s more than that, you fool. She will be restricted to a life not worthy of our clan. Crippled and doing menial and unfulfilling tasks for her life for what? What kind of life is that?” The father was stricken with grief…
Hotaru spent much of her early life, as far as she can remember, in the safety of a stone-brick manor near the center of Iwagakure. She lived mere miles from the academy proper. Her eyes always stared at the children playing after class with envy, and every time she would fall into a depression. What good was she if she could not run like the other children? She hated reading, and after a while, even playing shogi with her father or the servants of the house-hold was boring. She was having trouble losing, which proves how much time she spent playing. She could only bother herself with her looks for so long before it felt like there was no point in doing so if she could never go outside to show herself off. She so desperately wanted to become a part of the crowd. She was a beautiful girl, with exotic cuteness as she had been told many times before. Yet, what good is a shining jewel of impossible brilliance when it is stowed safely away in the dark?
Hotaru spent many hours since she was the small age of six training her legs to walk. Day in and day out, much to her father’s pride, she would work here muscles as much as she could, to the sheer point of exhaustion. No matter how much she tried, she could never do more than limp across the floor for a few seconds before collapsing. When she turned seven, she was finally able to keep her balance after a year of intense struggle. At this point she knew she was ready. She was going outside to play with children like her for the first time in her life. With a wooden stick, and without her father’s permission, she walked over towards the academy during a recess period with a great smile on her face. Step-by-step she walked with her goal almost in reach. A few kids playing tag would stop, and ask her the question she desired to be asked. “Hey, I’ve never seen you around. Wanna play tag?” The words, when they reached her ears, sounded like wealth that her entire family could not have provided even if they had all the ryo in the world. She smiled, and opened her mouth to speak. “Y-yes! I want to play tag!” The words sounded so awkward to her. What was tag? She didn’t even know… Yet, things turned grim soon enough. “Hey, isn’t that the creepy girl who stares out her window all day? Lame. I don’t really want to play with her anymore.” Soon other kids inclined to side with this one outspoken individual. “Yeah, I don’t really think she’d play tag well. Look at her. She can’t even walk! What’s the matter, too stupid to know how to walk?” It was then that her hopes were crushed. The entire group laughed at her pain, the one thing she worked so hard to accomplish was still out of her reach. Tears welled up in her eyes, as the group of students moved off. She even tried to follow them. Limping towards the group oh so steadily, she wasn’t aware that the stick she was using wasn’t meant to hold her weight. Just before she made it to the little club-house the children were playing tag at, her stick failed her. She fell to the ground in a heap, a crying mess. In the distance she could hear them laughing.
For a moment, she honestly considered resigning herself to her fate as someone to fall into obscurity. Yet, she was a privileged ‘noble’. Her father always told her that aggressiveness is the best way to act in all forms. That if you want something bad enough, you will take it. Her fear of failure turned into hate. Her hate turned into anger. In her mind, she channeled this anger to the very core of her being. Her blood reacted thusly. “If I can’t play tag…” Hotaru yelled, young flames already charring her mouth… “YOU can’t play EITHER!” Without hand-seals or knowledge of ninjutsu at all, a short burst of flame escaped her mouth. The children scattered as their ‘club house’ ignited and burned down… She had performed a basic-level ninjutsu she had never even seen used before, to great effect…
She was retrieved by an academy shinobi, and returned to her manor. Given her age, there was little they could do for open assault against academy students. Yet, her show of mastery made it so that she was labeled as a genius. She was tested by the academy personnel to be shown having almost completely perfect control of the flow of her chakra.
The Gods cursed her with barely being able to walk. She will never truly learn to be fast on her feet, to kick with resolve, or to drop into a stance to fight with all of her strength, and yet while the gods can be cruel and unmerciful, they can also be just. She has the potential to become a ninja in a different sort of way, through intellect and complete chakra control she could grow to be a master of ninjutsu. From the time her mishap at the playground until her initiation at the academy, she has been heavily trained in the limited Ninjutsu her father knows, which she has picked up with relative ease.
Hotaru was born on the summer solstice, the twentieth of June to Watanabe Kohaku and Satzonetsu Miku. She was born with a crippling disease in her legs that destroyed any hope of her carrying on her father’s legacy. She is specifically a member of the Black House of the Watanabe clan, also known as Fukurokuju. She now waits for a chance to see if the academy will accept her, give her a chance to become a ninja and hopefully someday find ‘Nakama’. She wishes real friends to embrace her despite her faults.
Hotaru grew up with little social interaction outside of her house, and had a father whom was passionate and flew into frequent outrages behind closed doors. As a result, she has inherited a temper that comes out if she is pushed too far. Otherwise, she could be seen as any other social noble girl. Quiet and awkward until an issue she is familiar on is presented, in which she will attempt to prove to you that she is an expert on the subject. She tends to treat others as equals, most of the time. She has no favorite foods, as any food that could be acquired in Iwagakure has long since become boring to her. She can play shogi rather well, but tends to gravitate to wanting to do more physical activities despite her withered leg musculature. She has a cane that her father presented to her after she ventured out her first time, forged by the Murasame clan using the most sturdy and light materials possible. It’s nearly indestructible, to keep it from being destroyed.
Hotaru appears to barely stand before you at 4'4", being slightly tall for her age. Nevertheless, it is clear even through the clothing she wears that her muscles clearly haven't caught up with her height. She looks rather lanky, due to this. Nevertheless she has brilliant azure hair, and sharp yellow eyes that are almost golden. Her eyes are slitted like those of the dragon-blooded Watanabe, giving clear direction to her clan heritage. Her hair is very long, and well kept, reaching her ankles. She appears more pale than usual, as if sheltered from the sun often.
Hotaru Is wearing a long-sleeved blue jacket with the Watanabe clan Fukurokuju branch symbol etched into the back of the jacket with a black shirt underneath. The black shirt is tucked into a pair of loose blue Hakama pants, with sandals and tabi upon her feet to finish. She wears a fire-resistant rust-red hooded cloak tied snugly upon her by a cord. She also appears to be leaning her weight upon a dark-red metal cane, etched with the Murasame clan symbol.
The world outside of my window is a scary place. It was when I barely began my first steps into the world that I crossed paths with her. The faces outside of my window fade all the time, but Kaneko's face will live on in my mind and forever in my journal. We will be good friends, forever. For as long as forever is…
Pottery is the soul of the potter. In many texts I've read, they say that people were created by the spirits from clay. Human beings are like clay. If you think about it, when we are young, we are easily molded. As we age, the flames of youth slowly solidify the clay we are made, until we become strong grownups. Someday, we will age and become weak like weathered clay. Everyone shatters someday. I hope I will still know Nendo until the clay that fashioneth him crumbles to dust.
It's time and time again, that there is always that one individual whom walks a fine path between lonesome despair and embracing those around him. Maneshi Shu walks this fine line, with the graceful dexterity of a feline. Alongside his companion, Kimi, he truly embraces the idea of the stray. I will remember his face, in case he strays too far into lonesome despair.
Toujitakumi Juudai
Kage
Soul of the Village
Juudai-sama sure is like a rock, ne? Weathered and scarred over time, a statue still remains graceful and beautiful. It still remains standing tall, inspiring those who look upon it for many generations. Just like a rock, ne?
Name
Relationship
Notes
Kamizuru Rashomon (NPC)
Bully
Kamizuru Rashomon isn't such a bad person when you know what they've been through. No one hurts someone else for no reason. Life isn't great for everyone in Iwagakure, and some people express their terrible lives by becoming controlling, and hateful.
In the final years of my life, I have finally begun to construct the beacon of Iwagakure. The Clock Tower. I am not actually constructing it, however. Though I'm spending nearly all of my fortune upon it. The tower is a beacon of unity of the clans that have used their abilities to create it. The Toujitakumi, tasked with clearing the foundation and decorating the final result. The Murasame, to create the foundation, and the supporting structure with their metal release capabilities. The Sasaki, to create the walls and facades… Yet, there is a secondary reason the tower exists now. It is a beacon of friendship between Kirigakure and Iwagakure. Why? Doihara Ishino waived the sum of money I planned to pay him, and promised to create the clock mechanism for free. Now this tower is a symbol of so much more than I had planned. My mother must be proud from her resting place in heaven.
Dragon's Guard
My evolution, built upon my Watanabe blood, has increased to the point that I can transcend the human experience. All Watanabe strive to reach that pivotal point in which their blood fully expresses itself to that of a dragon. I, too, have found that power. Perhaps it is because I accepted my death. Even though soon I set out to find medicine that could extend my life, or cure me of my disease, I know that I am going to die. Yet, being moody about it only made those around me dislike me. I've accepted the end, and I'm prepared to meet my death when it comes. This resignation was the end of my human experience. Now I have reached the final part of my journey. The only thing left is to acquire my wings.
The Cure? Sunagakure Edition
I have made my way south, though things could have been a little easier for me. As soon as I had crossed the border, I was chased by raiders who knew my name and my father's wealth. I was separated from my escorts, and chased off to a ruin central to the Land of Wind. I tried to resolve things peacefully, but after they drew the first blood I had to act. Fortunately, a Sunagakure patrol was there. They quite possibly saved my life, and I owe them everything. Nevertheless, I lost my precious cane in that skirmish. Now my time will be spent looking for it at pawnshops.
Flametongue
Mold fire chakra into my mouth, and expel it quickly. I could burn the inside of my mouth if I'm not careful. That's the basis of many fire release techniques, except for one. The Flametongue. This is a sword forged in fire, created from fire. Shaping fire chakra into a dense form within my mouth, and using the tenketsu of my mouth to pound it into a solid form. Solid fire, expelled at high velocity. Once out of my mouth, however, the chakra cannot hold itself. It can penetrate barriers easily, but once it has the ultra-condensed chakra cannot contain itself. This results in an explosion of flame of unprecedented power, which scars the earth it strikes. My most powerful technique.
Today I met: Murasame Kaneko, Toujitakumi Nendo
Date: 5/9/13 (IC)
I sat outside the academy, sitting because my legs could hold me no longer. I awoke early, because I wished to spend today to tour the academy that deep down inside I know I'll attend. My enthusiasm uncurbed, unmatched, except perhaps for Kaneko's enthusiasm. We both waited outside of the gates of the Academy. We both prepared to begin our true life. The life of a shinobi. The beginning of a story.
A story that was shaped like clay. Nendo was there to shape us this day. Shape us like he was shaped when he was in the academy.
Today I met: Kamizuru Rashomon (NPC)
Date: 5/12/13 (IC)
The village isn't just like a rock. It's Dynamic. Missions go on outside, but comflict happens inside the village too. It can affect everyone. Anyone… Kamizuru Rashomon was a gennin just like Nendo, but he chose to use his skills to oppress other than guide. He used it to make others do things for him. This time, he used it on us.
I walked all the way to Toujitakumi Nendo's house, so that we could train my legs in hopes we might help them work better. Kaneko came too, and we were all going to train together. Yet that was all interrupted with Rashomon and his gang wished harm upon us. In the end, we barely managed to beat them. Everyone was hurt a little. Why must Iwa fight itself?
The turmoil that had plagued Iwagakure for so long had finally ended, and in it's wake, very few skilled shinobi were left. I remember watching from my window as people walked by whom would never return to the village. Kaneko and I are the next generation of shinobi in Iwa, that's what Nendo says. Yet, there are those who survived the turmoil. Those who would teach us so that we may inherit the Heart of the Stone.
While Shu's methods were a little impractical (He tried to make me dodge a boulder, and I couldn't…) he at least had heart. Enough to throw himself in front of me when he saw that I couldn't do it, but was too afraid to fail. I proved to him, maybe a little by accident, that I had the courage to become an ninja of Iwagakure.
Today I met: Tajitakumi Juudai, Kamizuru Cherii
Date: 5/21/13 (IC)
Today we got to see the Tsuchikage fight. Juudai-sama was following a caravan to find ninja who were attacking merchants. I sort of ruined it. How was I supposed to know? The rocks looked fine to me. I even picked up a pebble to look at it. Yet, because I picked that pebble up…
Everyone could have died…
Because of me…
I never knew what it felt like to have an arrow stab me in the foot, but if it wasn't for Cherii-san, It might have been more than just my foot. Tsuchikage-sama believes in having Iwa-nin experience the shinobi world first hand. Was it to discourage me? My dreams won't be shattered so easily.
Today I met: Kamizuru Satsuo (NPC)
Date: 5/26/13~ (IC)
I don't get the chance to leave the city often, but when I do I make the most of it. The reason wasn't because I decided to take a random walk outside. Actually, it was because I set a part of the forest on fire that nearly reached the city. I said I was a gifted student, not a good one… Juudai's response to that was almost kicking me out of the academy, but Shu-sensei was nearby to stop her!
So instead, we were marched out to a farm outside of the city to help cultivate it. I think of it as volunteer work, instead of paying for damages to the city. In the middle of our work, we met with an old enemy. Kamizuru Rashomon. He wasn't alone. He brought his older brother, Kamizuru Satsuo. He trapped us in a honeycomb labyrinth, and forced us to fight his little brother all over again. Of course we beat him. It was no contest between Me, Kaneko, Mitsue, and Nendo!
Shu had it a lot worse. The brother was super strong, and almost hurt us all. He raised a boulder bigger than three houses over his head and tried to throw it at us after we beat his little brother! Shu-sensei got him though. Except… In his attempt to save us from being crushed, the boulder dropped on him instead…
It started as just a visit to the Ramen shop with Kaneko. She said that this Ramen was the tastiest in the city, but someone was already there to contest that. He was big, and didn't wear a shirt! Yami Yama, or as I know call him, Ramen-Jiji, nearly beat the crap out of the Ramen vendor we were going to try, but Kaneko was there just in time to disagree with Ramen-Jiji that the Ramen vendor's food wasn't that bad… (It kind of was. Super flavorless…)
Later that week, he came in to teach us about what a wanderer was. He has been all over the five great nations, and came from the Land of Udon. With a track record like that, you can be sure that he must be pretty skilled at noodle-making.
(His Ramen wasn't that good either… Maybe I don't actually like Ramen.)
Why is it that no one ever comes to me with their problems? It seemed like since the battle we had at the hideout of the stone blades, everyone's lives have turned for the worst. Kaneko had gone to the hospital several times in a few weeks. I first blamed Nendo. That was the obvious choice. Ever since we had all graduated, we all grew apart. Nendo and Mitsue went off and did their own thing. Kaneko and I stuck together like glue. I guess… In the end, other than the academy, we really had nothing to tie us together. So, now it was just me and Kaneko.
Now what? what was there left? We had already become genin. That was my goal from the start. I feel as if I've made a horrible mistake by graduating early. It felt like there was nothing left. I don't feel like I was ready to leave behind the happy times. This is a new beginning. When I felt that beginning, that feeling of uncertainty, I awoke. Father said I had finally acheived my Kekkei Genkai. The first step towards enlightenment. He said that was the easiest part, and that the next step forward was to find a purpose.
The first line is the Line of Beginning. It is when a Watanabe has found that there is more to life than can be ascertained by a single goal. A line of scales forms from the eyes, and travels down one's back. I do not know much about the Black House of the Watanabe clan. I only know that this is only the beginning, and I do not know where I will go from here.
About the only real fun thing about genin is that my father actually listens to me a little more. That in itself is rather fun. I go through life day by day hoping that all this extra responsibility doesn't crush me underfoot. Speaking of feet, a woman from a foreign land came and used her ninjutsu to fix my legs! I was so glad they were fixed. This is the first time I've ever been able to run side-by-side with Kaneko. Yet, that didn't change the fact that I was going to…
No… That's not important. I have to think about life right now. I don't need to be depressed about that stuff. I have a good life, and good friends I can enjoy being around… Even if they are distant these days.
I got in a fight with Nendo again. The last time I had nearly died was when I had fought him the first time to prove I was genin material. I ended up being put into the hospital for weeks. I guess that is why I didn't write much in my diary for the last month. Well, anyways. I was able to finally piece together a real purpose. I remembered how I watched as Kaneko was hurt by Nendo once I was taken down. I'm… So weak, but Kaneko has certainly become stronger. There is only one thing left for me to do from here on. To try and keep up with her.
This awakened the second line of my Kekkei Genkai. The Line of Purpose. Papa told me that my mother awakened this line when she met him. The Line of Purpose is when one finds a goal that the dedicate themselves to for the rest of their life. I know my life is short, for the doctors say my condition is in it's advanced stages. They say I only have four years to live. I will use these four years to grow stronger, and to be a good friend to Kaneko. Four years she will have my protection. When those years cease, only then will I finally be freed of that purpose. I only wonder what is next for me after I die.
Kaneko and I were assigned to a simple border detail. We were required to only take note of the travelers going to and fro. It was incredibly boring work so I thought I'd spice it up. I was going to be the mean border patrol, and kaneko was going to be the nice one. Together, we'd prank carriages that made their way into Iwagakure! Unfortunately, one of the carriages was full of illegal things, and the occupants were rather not up for letting us look inside.
So they attacked and tried to kill us. No big deal. Happens all the time on these missions we've received lately. Iwagakure just won't stop becoming chaotic. I can only guess that it is about to get worse for the Land of Earth…
I'm ecstatic that Shu-sensei is our team-captain! I'm happy that Kaneko came to be by my side in that team. What I am not glad about is that Mitsue is on a different team. We were supposed to graduate and fight together! My dreams are falling apart around me. Instead, Murasame Akio has become a part of the team. Murasame Akio is Kaneko's cousin. A Murasame just like she. Is it strange that I don't like him at all? I feel as if he has things that he is hiding. Things that will put us in danger. Something about a rogue part of his clan, or something? I don't know. All that I know is that I'm not going to let Kaneko out of my sight until I know for sure that he is on our side. He doesn't seem like a bad kid. He's… A little blunt. He also is -living with Kaneko-. I want to do that! Stupid Akio. c.c
They took her. They took Kaneko. I -KNEW- Akio had something to do with this! I had an inner feeling that Akio was a part of this. He involved Kaneko. How could I forgive him? … I'm writing this in the hospital bed. I saw it in front of my eyes. They struck her on the back of her head and knocked the life out of her. She looked dead. It awakened my blood a little further, but it was not enough. I killed one, but it just wasn't enough. I almost died too.
So what is next? I don't quite know. I'm not ready to give up, but… She seemed dead. Maybe, though, I will find a lead that will show me the truth. I will find her body and lay it to rest if she really is dead. If she isn't, I'll save her… One thing is for certain. Whomever hurt her will die. They will all die.
Fuuma alley is one place where I've been tipped off in my search for Kaneko. I can't believe this place would be where she would be. Dirty, and full of scum. There isn't a more wretched hive of scum and villany in all of the world. Just when I got so close to finding her, when I finally found what appeared to be the description of a Murasame… IT WAS ZORA… Zora, traitorous wretch! I will punish him until I know where Kaneko is. I hate him, just like I hate those whom are hurting Kaneko now. Yes, She is alive. He made it seem so. Is it a lie to save himself? If I find her corpse, he will wish it wasn't. The Deep Mines my father owns is where the worst criminals of Iwagakure go. So will he.
Pomuzeru was just another liar. Even more than Zora. On a mission to find their hideout, the hideout of those who hurt Kaneko, Zora killed Pomuzeru before we could fish any information out of him. Damn it! I…. I was so close. I could feel people, for just a brief second before I lost it. My sensory abilities are just not enough… What else am I supposed to do now? I want to kill them all so badly. I'll spend every last piece of gold I own to do so. that's how important she is to me. She is the last piece of my dreams and hopes that hasn't run amok. If she leaves, there will really be nothing left.
In a most brilliant stroke of luck, and the help of Murasame Zora in locating their base, Kaneko was finally found. The Murasame were far more fragmented than I thought. Many live outside of the village, even acting against the village. It has allowed the clan to rebel against Iwagakure. Today, we crush that rebellion and retrieve what they have stolen from me.
Kaneko was saved in the end, but there was something terrible that had happened. They had destroyed her mind, so that she didn't even remember me. Will I be able to save her? I do not know. I just know that the road to recovery will not be short.
Kaneko's memory is terrible. She doesn't remember anyone and anything. I know Akio has desperately tried to help her, but I feel like time is always the best cure. Time heals many wounds. What I do know is that I won't let Kaneko out of my sight. Seeing her taken had awakened a power in me, and now I will use that power to make sure that my team-mates are never taken away again. They are -my- team-mates. No one elses.
After weeks of helping Kaneko through this period. After weeks of her without any regard for me in her eyes. Weeks of her calling us the enemy, I have finally broken to tears.
Our time trying to help Kaneko might have come to an end. She finally remembered Akio, but just barely. Memories of home are starting to return. Perhaps soon she will remember me. In the mean time our team has been called to go to Tea, for Juudai has set a strange meeting up with the Daimyo. For what reasons, she did not tell us. This is a relatively difficult period of time for us. We are to leave for Tea soon. There, we will remain on standby.
Tea is an interesting place. Clean. The houses not made of stone. I don't like it. The Daimyo is pleasant, but the splendor of tea makes me embarassed that the stone is so poor.
I learned today was valentine's day was. A day for love. A day for exchanging gifts to those whom you love. I gave something to Kaneko, and Kaneko gave something to me. She is the one who introduced me to Valentines day. I would be fine with it, truly! The problem is…
… Today is also the day my mother died. She died of the same disease that I had. A disease that attacks the nerves of the legs. She died of it when she was twenty years old. I will die of it when I am fourteen. So say the doctors. Four more years of visiting my mother's grave before I am buried right beside her. I never knew a day of so much love, was actually a day of so much personal sadness.
Down south in Sunagakure, my father is travelling to go to help with the relief effort. Watanabe Itami is my aunt, and so my father is putting clan first. Then, we'll go to Takigakure. The Shinobi Village my mother was from, and where she died…
I don't like Akio. Akio doesn't like me. We're on the same team, but time after time he gets in the way of the only real team member I have. Kaneko, obviously. Still, the little brat is always with her. Always shopping with her, always eating with her, and he even lives in the same house as her! He isn't related to her other than being a distant Murasame relative. What's more is that he is openly indifferent, almost hostile to me. I asked my father about how to handle these situations, and his advice was to make a 'compromise'. I just need to find out a way to put him in his place. Which is, to say, below me! I am a proud member of the Fukurokuju. I am not going to let Akio ruin my friendship any longer!
It was him who caused the rogue Murasame to capture Kaneko. I doubt he even did anything to keep her right, and I certainly will never forgive him for not keeping her safe.
I asked my father about how to handle Akio, and his advice was to make a compromise. I have collected my earnings from business and shinobi work alike, and have prepared the largest bag of Ryo I can muster. He will receive it, and he will take it and leave me and Kaneko to enjoy my last years alive in peace. No more fighting, no more of his aggressive behavior, and definitely no more being so close to the only one who I consider a friend.
Addended: He… rejected the money. Not only that, but Kaneko was there watching. She is disappointed in me. Why? I don't understand. Father said if I made a compromise, I could resolve the conflict. It's not working… What do I do? I don't think Kaneko likes me anymore. Can I really continue being a shinobi when the only reason I am one anymore is for someone who doesn't like me?
I met with the head medic today. This year marks the last two years that I am predicted to remain alive thanks to my condition that has left me so crippled. This was a recessive Watanabe disease found only in the Fukurokuju. We paid a huge price to have black scales, and superior ability to our brethren in the Brown and Orange houses. My mother was a victim of this disease. It claimed her days after I was born. It will claim me too. At least I will never have to know the pain of leaving my own child without a mother…
I told Kaneko about my disease. I kept it a secret to her for two years. Now she knows that it really doesn't matter. I don't have time to work for forgiveness.
Even though my disease eats away at my body day by day, Kaneko still seems to have hope. There are no Medic-nin in Iwagakure that can help me, so I have to find some other unexplored option. I have retired as a shinobi, and will be taking frequent trips away from home to find possible cures to my disease… I will also learn the art of being a medic myself, because they say the gods help those who help themselves. I need to seek advice and training from medical ninja of other places, because the art of the medic is not the the same in every location. Perhaps somewhere out there is a special tool that could be used to at least extend my life a little longer…
The Seijin Ten'nen Mizu was a woman that, near the beginning of the foundation of the villages, ended a drought in the Land of Waterfalls by creating a river by tapping into the power of a deep underground aquifer using her genius in water release ninjutsu. This woman was Watanabe Hotaru's deceased mother, Watanabe Akiko. She died at the age of 18 from a disease that will claim Hotaru's life at the age of 13. Before she died, she left two things into the uncaring world. Two legacies to a dying bloodline. One was the river, named after her. The second was Hotaru…
"Twenty Two months left, and I need to make my mark upon the world. Just as my mother did. There is a grave in Waterfall Country that bares my mother's name. Perhaps that is what I need to do. Things seem hopeless. Time is ticking, and It is evermore precious than it was…"
I received disturbing news in the mail today, baring the new Tsuchikage's seal. It seems leaving the village was a distant dream of hope. I have given up, and I will now spend my time leaving my legacy. I had actually received support from all of my peers to journey to other villages to search for a cure, but a Sasaki Tsuchikage whose clan's presence has only been of Iwagakure for a short time, has disturbed my search for a cure. With the Storm Brigade activity peaking, perhaps I understand her logic. Yet, I am no longer a member of Iwagakure. I am even slightly disillusioned by the village methods, too. I would not be a target.
Doihara Ishino has been sent a missive with my seal, asking for his presence in Iwagakure. I sent a ronin that I trusted implicitely to deliver the news. This news is quite literally a plea for help. I've done research into the mechanics behind clock, and clockwork but to scale a small model to the size I need it to will require a true master of clockwork. That master is Doihara Ishino.
I require a master of clockwork for the erection of Iwagakure's clocktower. A monument that will bring great prestige to my country, and will provide a 'Standardization of time' that will improve administrative capacity. I assume it will. That claim in itself was just adding honey to the cracker. My real goal is to leave an impact on Iwagakure that will last for centuries. I might die, but like my mother I will leave a legacy.
Earlier today marked the moment that I broke the ground on a plot of land in Yotuna square. With the Tsuchikage's permission, a permission she had at least given me for something, I used my father's contacts to start the first step of progress. To prepare the land for the foundation. I have split the village's industrious effort into three different clans. The Toujitakumi are the first of the three. Their artistic fascination and explosive capacity give them the ability to destroy and level, while also create the art upon the facade of Iwagakure's building. Iwagakure should subsidize that creativity and explosive force into both a measure of creation and destruction.
It also appears that this 'Yoshi' individual has ties to Sunagakure. Kazekage Itami attended the explosion demonstration, my attempt to prove the power of Iwagakure to other nations. While she was there, Yoshi-san and Itami-sama appeared to… Be at each other's throats…
Hotaru was cursed to have legs that would forever hinder her, no matter how much work was put into it. Yet, she was lucky in that she was given a uniquely efficient chakra network. The Gods are cruel, yet they can be merciful
Lines of Beginning
Life is like a Journey, and no journey starts without a beginning. The transformations of the Black House Watanabe are modeled after smaller lizards than the brown house counterpart. Smaller, yet bright and brilliant lizards. Hotaru's seems to reflect that of the Five-Lined Skink. Bright lines of scales that turn colors based on the focused element.
Lines of Purpose
A journey needs a purpose, and this transformation reflects the purpose that Hotaru has derived by embracing her hopes and dreams.
Lines of Conflict
When those dreams are threatened, only then will a Watanabe of the Black House resort to raw conflict and violence. Those at this stage will have already suffered enough loss to cause hate. Hate drives many bloodlines to awaken, but hate is not what allows for the transcendence of the Watanabe to a 'dragon'. Overcoming hate is the next step.
Clone-Technique
Defensive
Hotaru has in incredible aptitude for Ninjutsu, and she soaked the basics up like a sponge. The Clone-Technique was the first technique her father taught her simply as an experiment to see if she actually could use Ninjutsu as the test had said she could, and she learned the technique without very much effort at all.
Replacement-Technique
Defensive
Hotaru has in incredible aptitude for Ninjutsu, and she soaked the basics up like a sponge. This ability was the second technique taught by her father, when she tested high for chakra efficiency. This ability was slightly more difficult to learn, and her training with it lasted for a week's time.
Stealth
Defensive
Stealth! But she is terrible at it.
Escape
Defensive
Escape! Cause it was required.
Name
Type
Info
Fire Replacement
Defensive
An ability that Hotaru learned from her father which allows her to replace herself with a nearby source of fire, no matter how small. It doesn't work without fire, however.
Fire Bullet Barrage
Offensive
An ability taught by Nendo through a scroll, chosen by him because her first offensive technique, Dragon Fire Technique, was very chakra consuming. This ability allows Hotaru to fire a flurry of condensed flames along large spread, which makes this technique very difficult to dodge.
Chakra Sensitivity
Perception
An innate gift passed down from my mother. Being so closely aligned to ninjutsu has given the Black House good sensory abilities.
Hidden Mist Technique
Stealth
This was my answer against Nendo. I tried to learn so many ways to try to combine water and fire that I ended up giving up, and just trying something different with just my water affinity. This is the result. A nifty water-screen!
Water Ribbons
Defense
It's water to block stuff with. My main defense! Note to self: Does not work on Nendo. Send help. Otherwise, a really good technique that makes sense. Apparently, other people use a similar technique called 'Water Ribbons'. I call this technique Water Redirection
Chakra Pinch
Defense
Not much to say. It's like forcing yourself to get a really bad migraine. Somehow, genjutsu and migraines do not work well together.
Name
Type
Info
Dragon Fire Technique
Offensive
Her father's highest technique, given that he is a Taijutsu specialist. Hotaru learned this move after a full year of practicing, and it was the first to help build her chakra reserves, due to it's drain upon her
Running Fire
Offensive
Fire that moves to your will, twisting and winding around a foe. It's my favorite move out of all of them, and it was the final piece to thee Dragon Fire Technique puzzle.
Water Chains
Offensive
My most versatile technique, like squid tentacles that come out of the ground and wrap up someone. It's always guaranteed to hit! Makes me good at capturing people too. I love it!
Water Clone
Defensive
Me, but made of water. Enough said.
Chakra Sensing Technique
Perception
I developed this technique to find Kaneko, whom was stolen by Murasame.
Fire Dragon Flame Bullet
Offense
My trump card. Like a real dragon, this is my clan's bread and butter technique. You breath out fire. Hot fire. Fire that kills. I developed this technique to kill those who took Kaneko and my friends. It still isn't enough to make them suffer.
.png)
