Naruto SoundITP IC 1: A Melancholy Song of Hope To Come

[igordragonian]

Odayama nod.
"In the end, we ninjas, are tools of violence. We just better at it then others. Schools, ranks, jutsu ranking... those are just tools of comvience. There are very dangerouse people out there, with no offical training. The Villages made acadmies and ranking to mass produce people like us."
He smile a bit somberly. "And I don't worry about your ability to be violence tools... I see my role, mostly in reminding you girls, that you are people. Even young people.'

------

Scratchman doesn't answer right away.
"I am on your vibe, man. But people here... are very angry. Some of them, one step from becoming missing nins. They fought alongside Ameoku. I got to be real, Jirou-boy. Not many shinobis before me, cared like I do, for those who fall behind. The world accepted them, as natural casualty. Y'know? Even blaming them for being weak. I try my best, but maybe in century, there will be better methods. I don't want to lie- they view you as a weak boy. They barely trust Nozojo-kun. He was a little nice dorky boy like you are... but Odokuro has chosen him. Some get the vibes of peace... but some still see their friends ripped to pieces by the Inuzaki's dogs. Ameoku had hunted them back... some still see plain white eyes, red eyes... they share history with Ameoku. Ameoku get them, get their dark side. First thing... you gotta prove you got the jazz. Becoming the clan daddy was a good step, you need to overcome the exprience they share with Ameoku
Maybe show them how you can even improve on Nozojo's vision. I am sure, that with a decade of work they will see your worth."
But Nozojo heavily hinted.. Jirou doesn't has a decade.
-----

'I dont care about Yagura. YOU care." Ameoku say.
"I told you. I am more about.. living in the status of conflict. It's empowering. Pushing us forward. Nozojo done a nice job of giving us a break. But a decade is more then enough. What I offer you is simple- instead of working behind the Village's back, I offer you the village's back. About death.. I dont plan to die old and ugly. I have beautiful and strong daughters, I have my kitties-" she pet Shushurryu under her chin.
"I have the broken veterans to continue my legacy. I want to follow my master's example. I want to let the world hear your sound. That all."
Pause.
"Jirou boy if he somehow manage to get the title... he will try to slow you down. Waste energy on hiding from the rest of the village- but I won't silence your desires. I want to hear your sound."

[Rater202]

"Yes, Usagi-san is most impressive, but..."

"I apologize. I may have misunderstood what we were talking about."

"I am not... Good at this. Much of my childhood was, as you know, alone in the wilderness. Part of me wishes I could go back. Not a cave, but perhaps a shack in the woods? But opportunities for education and research are only available in civilization."

Senko pauses for a moment. "What is it like? To not feel the energy of nature flowing around you, circulating in the air of shifting through the ground? I honestly cannot remember a time when I could not feel such things. For a while I thought it must be lonely, to not feel the very life of the Earth as a constant companion, but most people seem just fine without it."

[Lord Raziere]

Takuma:
He hears her speech and while most of it sounds good, there is one thing that gives him pause: "Living in the status of conflict". That was her words.
"....Ameoku-Taichou. There are many reasons to go to war. Some are considered selfless and good like defending your family friends and homeland, standing against tyranny, going into another nation to help others, fighting for what you believe in. Some are considered more selfish and negative such as revenge, grabbing at power land or wealth, eliminating enemies that threaten you, achieving domination and control. These are all acceptable, as war is a means to an end. A bloody, blunt and monstrous means, but a means nonetheless.

Conflict and warfare as an end unto itself on the other hand? Is not acceptable to us. It is only a pointless waste, of money, time and lives.

We are not saints, nor Ninshuuists. We are shinobi. If ordered to we kill, if need be we'll conquer, or torture or lie, spy, sabotage, whatever is needed of us. I have little doubt that you have a plan that could indeed accomplish our revenge, but what of afterwards? Conflict for the sake of conflict? No. To quote my ancestors: "The bloody summers while exciting and fun, must always end with autumns arrival so that we settle into the peace of winter." Bloodshed must have a point. The fighting when its purpose achieved, must stop. Another bloody summer will come, sooner or later. We need not hasten it.

If you want to fight for the sake of fighting, I suggest that you build an arena, let anyone compete in duels and charge tickets for the show. You'll be making money for the village rather than wasting it. If Genin can make money every six months at the Chuunin Exams like that, I don't see why not someone here on a more consistent basis. We content ourselves with our spars and enemies of the village, personally but everyone has their tastes. We're not judging such passionate fighting spirit, it is just not the same as ours is all.

If we are finished here, I believe I can't accept your offer in light of....differing priorities. We no longer need to trouble you with our concerns Ameoku-taichou. I'm sure your busy with other things and it would be rude for us, a single clan of this village to take up any more of your time up from watching over all of the village to keep it safe. We have to be considerate after all, your time is limited and we've taken up too much of it already. You two please accompany Ameoku-taichou and her companion out to the door, if you would be so kind."
Two Kaguya members stand to politely escort her to the door. This is not euphemistic, they are not forcing her, they are just waiting politely and insisting that she come along with similar polite phrasings.

Jirou:
He considers this.
"Improve on his vision? Hm....He already envisioned a bright future for our entire village. A vision of peace and prosperity. Where could I possibly go from there? I thought that maybe we could form alliances with other minor villages, a defensive bloc of mutual aid and make our voices heard to the major villages. Such an alliance might be able to increase our collective diplomatic weight. Many voices speaking as one cannot be ignored. Uuh......Dude."
he said realizing he lapsed into his natural way of speaking and shifts back.
"Like they got similar gripes like us right man? And like sure, some here, in Sound wanna get their vengeance on. But that means they got pain that can make them not wanna fight if they don't wanna go through that pain again. Do any of them wanna lose their bros again? Their sisters? Anyone they know? cause if they fight, thats who they gonna lose, inevitably. They need to remember the price, y'know? The price no one should have to pay."

Kimiko:
She thinks about this, scratching her head
"Whats it NOT like? Hm.....Well I never experienced what you have, Senko. So I wouldn't be able to compare. The ground is just the ground to me: solid, a massive object to walk upon in the middle of space orbiting a gaseous ball of plasma. The air is just the air, transparent and near unnoticeable, colder when the wind blows. These things are normal, and so not noteworthy, thus I focus on other things, like what others say, what I want, what knowledge I can gain. Things like that. Nature is just the background to the people I interact with: sometimes notable enough to comment on, but not a focus. People are the focus, because they do things. I don't think I can describe it any better than that."

[igordragonian]

Ameoku

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy-NsMdVhok

Shushuryu start to get up, but Ameoku doesn't move.
'What kind of hosts are you? I didn't even get dessert.' she isn't moving.
'Oh, no. YOU might, have finished. But Me(w)? I am just getting started.'
She look expectingly, to actually get a dessert.
'But you are correct. I don't want you to waste my time, with your little scheming and weaseling around. My patience has limits. There are villages who jump the genocide route.. but it's barbaric and wasteful. When a clan has plans of it's own that go against the village, it just mean, he as too much free time. Too much time to be together in the same dwellings. Maybe the village isn't using your skills enough.'
pause.
'People have diffrent motivations. So what? You have to ally with someone diffrent then you. No one can act fully on it's visions. I am willing to balance myself with ideas of others, I am not the arrogant prick I were used to be.
I offer you the village's support and coordination- your problems, are the village's problems. But if not...' her smile dissapear, her mask has no mouth.
'Even if I won't be the Ottokage, I won't allow anyone to rip the village with unathorizaed venedtas. As I said- there are elegnat soluations, to overly active clans, where everyone can feel fulfilled. Even if somehow, you push the kid to take my natural seat, I won't allow anyone to use his naivitiy. Don't mistake my honesty to stupidity, I am not suicidal, if I don't have to be. So..' she get up, when SHE decide to.
'I understand, that you need to time, to discuss it to the death among yourselves, and scheme new shinier schemes, so I'll give you time- because I am so nice. My offer is simple- Make your problems the village's problem, have it's backing of intel, power and research... because on your own you will have very little time to deal with it.'
she get up and smile again.
'It was an entertaining dinner. Thank you.' she give a polite bow.
'Come Shushuryu.'

----------

Scratchman chuckle, as Jirou's slip into his usual speech.
'You don't have to speak like me, if it isn't fun for you. Don't force it bruh.'
he nod.
'You are spitting nothing but facts, bruh. That also what I say, that I hold them at bay. But people aren't rational. They will follow power, in what ever form.. you need some feats, bruh. But maybe you can start by mingling around. They mostly know you as the son of your father. They think of you as a kid, some even have conspiracies, that your ma given up on porpuse... I am not saying what you can't do- just saying, you got quite the obstacle here. Now that I see what Nozojo bro see in you... I will do my part... but we aren't exactly a clan, where they have to obey me. I won't go the wish of their majority, ignroing them- if it mean anything bro, I will talk to them- but you have seen how I work. I don't know if you'l see change by tommorow- but who knows? I feel you can be quite the goat.'

------

Odayama ponder.
'Can you imagine losing one of your senses- like sight? I guess we are invalid compared you. But... I do sense... some of the nature, when I am in my beast form, the only issue is... my mind isn't exactly.. never mind. I am ranting. Sorry girls. Move on'


Usagi stopped to eavdstop from close enough. She sigh. Then she make a decision. unsubtly she jump back to the group.
'H-hey! I want you to teach me geeky bookish stuff!' she yell
Odayama blink. 'W-what?'

'Just because I don't have legs, it doesn't mean I need to be stupid! And I also use jutsus, so might as well, know what the hell am I doing!' she yell it all, because if she won't, she would beg, and blush.

Yuyuyu would probably understand, Usagi feels left out from the theory conversations..

[Rater202]

Senko looks thoughtful at Kimiko's response... Then grins at Usagi's declaration.

It's kind of offputting.

"Okay. I can teach you what I know, Usagi-san but first, have you ever dissected a cadaver? Because if not, we are going to have to get one... Well, technically I have one on me but the cadavers they let me access have either already been taken apart by medic-ninja in training or have had their organs harvested for transplants so you would not learn much from that."

...Senko sounds far too cheerful for this.

"Of course... vivisecting a live subject would be even better, but it is so hard to find volunteers for that..."

[Lord Raziere]

Takuma:
They let her leave. A clan member asks Takuma
"Takuma-sama. What do we do?"
"Let Jirou know that Ameoku suspects us. Let him make the decision of what to say to her. It is only fair."
After all, its not as if the Kaguyas had any right to reveal an Ishikawa Clan secret, and the entire plan hinged on the Ishikawa's use of their Iron Armor Seal to capture a tailed beast. They had their backs when they fought together across the lands for survival running from Kirigakure. That loyalty must be repaid. They will not sell out their allies on this.
"and the reply to Ameoku?"
He looks out the window hands folded behind his back.
"Tell her....that our reply will be Jirou's reply. If she wants the truth, she must ask the one most qualified to tell it."

Mitsuko will of course soon receive a messenger telling her the news in person in vague terms, and she will curse to herself, and prepare to tell Jirou when he comes home.

Jirou:
Meanwhile, Jirou is currently considering his words
"I understand. Thanks for informing me. As for my mother....heh. They don't know her. I assure you, if any of them met her, they would not be saying that. The irony is my mother is probably more similar to Ameoku than different. Honestly I'm torn between dreading the moment they meet again and awaiting it just to see what fireworks fly from them clashing over their shared nature."
"I'm not! Crazy Abusive Sharkmom Versus Crazy Anbu Tigermom! It'll be the match of the century! I can sell tickets and make a killing! Not to mention the betting...." Kikenna says with a grin on her face.
"....Wouldn't that be heavily slanted odds in Ameoku's favor?"
"Yeah. But that means if your mother somehow wins, the payout would be very high."
"....Anyways back to sensible stuff: How do we mingle with them then?"
Kikenna takes him by the arm
"I can help with that. Just follow my lead. Sorry Scratch, gotta get this nerd's social ball rolling or he'll never do it himself."
"Oh...okay. This was nice a talk Scratchmaannn-"
They go out onto the dance floor, walking side by side.
"what are we-"
"Shh." She says putting a finger over his mouth "This is the dance floor. Again, follow my lead. No talk. Just dance."
They will begin dancing. But Jirou with copying her movements, they begin dancing in sync- not holding each other or anything, just dancing in time to the music and to each other. Taijutsu training is useful for many things like that. What dance moves that doing exactly is many and varied, at times cool, elegant or punkish, sometimes ridiculous and funny, other times even girly or cutesy, doing spins here and there, even dancing sensually- because dancing is about many things, but shame is not one of them.

Kimiko:
"Yeah....it is kind of hard to keep up with you two...heheh..." Yuyuyu says nervously.
"But we weren't even talking about chakra theo-....nevermind. Sure. I, Kimiko Ishikawa, the Shining Genius of the Hope Generation, will be glad to enlighten you upon any subject I know! To start: Usagi, what do you know of chakra? I need to know where to start."
She will look at Senko. Medical jutsu has always been a weird mix of emotions for her: on one hand much potential for experimentation, on the other hand cutting people open was a bit similar to killing them, one another hand she learn so much about how the chakra pathways worked....it was complicated.

[Lord Raziere]

Kimiko: Have a Private Conversation
They will take a D-Rank, and once that is done, she will walk with Senko back to her apartment to discuss private matters. Matters of great import, at least to Kimiko. She cannot wait. After all, after so much time living in this village, she will finally have an intelligent conversation with a peer. When they get inside, she will check herself for any bugs that Odayama may have placed on her, remove and destroy them then suggest Senko do the same, check any possible hiding places, scare away any cats, rabbits, snakes other than Menko or other animals that could possibly be intelligent and thus a spy, she wishes she had something to further muffle the sound but she couldn't think of anything without going to unreasonable lengths. So she turned to Senko once all those precautions are done.

And allows her mask to fall. Her expression and way of speaking are....different. All the boasting is gone, and she seems more serious now.
"So. This is your place. Makes sense. Anyways, you want to know my goals, so we can coordinate. Here they are:
1. become immortal
2. learn all jutsu
3. invent and research things related to chakra.

Number 1 is to make sure I can continue doing 2 and 3. I was honest when I said I wanted to learn all jutsu, but I make myself sound more cheerful and passionate yet vague about it so people think its stupid pipedream I have so they are inclined to think I'm one of those dumb heroes who desire to be a master, but have no plan about it. Somehow when someone exclaims things cheerfully and excitedly people think the person is less intelligent but more charming because of it. My mask is not a total lie, but I play it up a bit.

I am fully aware of what learning all jutsu means. Thus I plan to leave this village and become a missing nin at some point when there is nothing more it can teach me. This is because I will need to steal secrets from other villages, and while I do not truly hold any village as particularly valuable by itself nor do I care for the politics of the situation, but this village is one that has my brother and you, Usagi and Yuyuyu in it, and thus it would be best if I do not harm him by associating with the village in my quest past a certain point.

It is also perhaps the real reason I'm not ready to jump into having research funding- it would tie me to the village to much for me to properly take jutsu from elsewhere. I tell you all this because you seem to be a genius like me, similarly frustrated by those simpletons and fools of the world who deny the true potential in front of them. you understand the foolishness of these rules and laws restricting things, the things that could be discovered, the knowledge gained, the inventions created if we just reach out and grasp them. You understand, that we see further than most. You speak of defying these rules openly- quite brazen. But perhaps you simply have different methods.

On bloodlines- I'll leave that up to you as your area of expertise, since I was planning on safer routes to power before going into genetics anyways. Those are my general plans, a lot of this is flexible and open to what I discover and learn. What are yours? We can work out the details of how they can work together once they are both stated clearly."

[Rater202]

"My goals... Honestly, I just want to not have to kill myself in eight years."

The sword that Senko has on her wall might catch Kimiko's attention at this time.

"I want to be free. Free to go out in public without taking a thousand steps to keep myself calm. Free to live without being afraid of wiping out another village."

"And if I can help other people along the way? All the better."

"As for how our goals can work together? Well, most obviously, I think that I have developed a process that would, theoretically, allow a human being to live for several thousand years... Though I'd need to obtain biological samples from a pureblooded Uzumaki clansman before I can test that... Maybe I should volunteer for the chunin exams to see if I can discretely obtain a sample...?"

"Well, I say developed, but it is mostly the same procedure I have been doing in regards to bloodlines. So it is not safe for humans yet."

"Likewise, there are some Jutsu that can only be learned by people with specific bloodlines, and people have different levels of ability to use one of the six transformations than others."

Senko stats using the basic mist generation technique.

"I physically could not do this prior to grafting myself with an elemental bloodline composed of water and earth. Pretty soon I should be able to start learning practical water release techniques. If I could find a way to reliably graft say, scorch, ice, wood, lava, and storm release to an individual I could create a world where everyone can learn almost any elemental ninjutsu with relative ease."

"Which brings me to another point... Is learning all Jutsu truly necessary? Theoretically, Kimiko-san, if you were to completly master Shape Transformation and all six types of Nature transformation, you could just make Chakra do what you want without the need of specific techniques."

[Lord Raziere]

Kimiko:
"Good. Living makes more sense than not. And being able to be in control of yourself is always a desirable trait. Its why I'm not interested in ever drinking sake.

Well...I could do the last thing....it sounds appealing, I won't lie. But! There is the whole living a very long time thing and well....even I achieve that, I'll probably need something make sure I'm not bored? The process of gaining knowledge, of learning is something I value in of itself. The journey matters, because without it, I'll have nothing to do. This destination of just being able to manipulate it however I want, sure, sounds like a good destination, perhaps one to shoot for sooner or later. But regardless of what destinations I get to along the way, its the process thats important. Like, why stop just because I got this "ultimate state"? Why stagnate?

That and I can't do whatever I want if I don't know whats possible, and while I know I'm a brilliant genius surrounded by those who can't understand me, the fact remains that my viewpoint is unfortunately subjective and limited, and thus by statistical inevitability, there will be people who come up with ideas in other environments, culture, situations and so on. As any scientist knows that such factors constantly affects their experiments and thus why we try to make the conditions as controlled as possible, and the world is full of situations with such uncontrolled conditions that its better to find those who have already come up with these ideas before me than to assume I need to come up with them myself. They've already done the work for me and reinventing the wheel is inefficient.

Furthermore Usagi has taught me that even the seemingly foolish can have good ideas, or be formidable. I figure its because some might have less intelligence than I, but they can wield that lesser amount of intelligence like say, someone experienced with wielding a dagger rather than a sword. Sure I have more of a blade, but it might be possible to use the dagger to accomplish things just as well if wielded right.

As for an Uzumaki....well...the Ishikawas do have an ancient tradition that we can invoke concerning them to make sure they meet with us during the Chuunin Exams, but it is kind of.....shall we say, challenging them to a contest of sorts. Once done, it is throwing down the gauntlet and not in the usual way. Worry not when done so lives will not be on the line, only honor and glory. I'm sure you can take advantage of such an opportunity at that point for they will be distracted."
She says thinking upon your words, explaining her view as best she can.

[Rater202]

"Fair enough."

"As for the Uzumaki...Let us not commit to something based on a whim, but it's an option."

"I may have a method of... discreetly collecting genetic samples for research..."

Senko moved over to her desk and rifles through some things.

"It sort of started life as a cheaper alternative for chakra litmus paper..." she explains. "I have been tentatively calling it a genetic tag. You shed a few drops of blood over a storage seal, and written formulas analyze the genetic material and unique signature of the chakra to analyze it's strongest nature affinity and should, in theory, be able to identify if the subject has certain kekkei genkai."

"The tag is in two layers. The top can be removed and given to the donor while the bottom layer, label as "trash" seemingly destroys itself once the top layer is removed but in fact uses a hidden space-time seal to relocate to a predetermined location, say, my laboratory, where it can be used to extract the original blood sample for research purposes... Though, obviously, if this takes off enough to be marketed the teleportation seal would be replaced with an actual self destruct"

"I showed it to the fuinjutsu researchers at the laboratory and they say that it is... Theoretically possible, but would require someone with more skill at these things than I possess to make a prototype. I am mostly limited to the sorts of formulas used in chakra enhanced medical procedures and my ability to make. I was actually wondering if you would look over my notes on it and tell me what you think?"

"I have also got theories regarding the tailed beasts and their chakra but that's a long-term project involving at least one under-the-table deal."

[Lord Raziere]

Kimiko:
Her face acts a little shocked, her eyes widened and her shark teeth showing.
"Space-time ninjutsu, yeah thats.....uh...a bit advanced. I'll spare you the horror stories and just say you were right to not jump into that immediately. Its more complicated than it seems, and is in general a relatively recent and dangerous field for study. Anyone who figures out the full potential of space-time ninjutsu will basically revolutionize warfare and society as we know it."
One of the older members of her clan once told Kimiko of a story the old Kirigakure Ishikawas conducted a short teleportation experiment. The experiment was to simply teleport five feet to the left. The subject did so, and ended up two dozen miles up in the sky not because they miscalculated, but because they didn't account for the earth's rotation and orbit around the sun and thus the earth moved away from the position they were aiming for, and only survived because they had a bird summoning contract to save them. If Senko asks she will tell this story, but otherwise not. She regains her composure.
As for the Uzumakis well....good. the tradition is kind of silly to anyone outside the two clans anyways.

That said your idea is a clever one. Its just that usual mark for a location to teleport to IS genetics. Thats why summoning works: your particular genetic code combined with your unique yin chakra from your mind forms a unique signature that stays moving with earth's rotation and orbit to teleport to, meaning for a static location one has to figure out a way of marking the location without a living being. I could work on it, as I want to get into space-time jutsu, but its often considered forbidden jutsu for a reason.

Me, I just view the tailed beasts as just another part of chakra to study. They're dangerous and powerful so, something for later, but not something I'll go out the way for- its techniques the chakra's structure that are interesting to me, not the raw power. Raw power is just math and proper resources."

[igordragonian]

Ameoku

"Taichu... I don't think it worked that well..." Shushuryu told her in private.
"Pff. Maybe they don't want to be my allies,YET. But they will squirm. I have poked this hornet nest, and we should expect some movements, we will pick out their allies and take over their conspiracy, or CRUSH it.'
A wild maniacal grin appeared on her smile.
"I win either way."

-------


Kimiko look puzzled. 'Dissecting? Well.. dissecting myself.. won't help. Right?"

Odayama isn't sure if he like this direction... but opennes to forbidden expriments is kind of the Village's thing.. and he himself is a "sinner" of that.

[Rater202]

Kimiko:
Her face acts a little shocked, her eyes widened and her shark teeth showing.
"Space-time ninjutsu, yeah thats.....uh...a bit advanced. I'll spare you the horror stories and just say you were right to not jump into that immediately. Its more complicated than it seems, and is in general a relatively recent and dangerous field for study. Anyone who figures out the full potential of space-time ninjutsu will basically revolutionize warfare and society as we know it."
One of the older members of her clan once told Kimiko of a story the old Kirigakure Ishikawas conducted a short teleportation experiment. The experiment was to simply teleport five feet to the left. The subject did so, and ended up two dozen miles up in the sky not because they miscalculated, but because they didn't account for the earth's rotation and orbit around the sun and thus the earth moved away from the position they were aiming for, and only survived because they had a bird summoning contract to save them. If Senko asks she will tell this story, but otherwise not. She regains her composure.
As for the Uzumakis well....good. the tradition is kind of silly to anyone outside the two clans anyways.

That said your idea is a clever one. Its just that usual mark for a location to teleport to IS genetics. Thats why summoning works: your particular genetic code combined with your unique yin chakra from your mind forms a unique signature that stays moving with earth's rotation and orbit to teleport to, meaning for a static location one has to figure out a way of marking the location without a living being. I could work on it, as I want to get into space-time jutsu, but its often considered forbidden jutsu for a reason.

Me, I just view the tailed beasts as just another part of chakra to study. They're dangerous and powerful so, something for later, but not something I'll go out the way for- its techniques the chakra's structure that are interesting to me, not the raw power. Raw power is just math and proper resources."

"My interest in the tailed beasts... ignoring the unique applications of their chakra, their chakra is known to take very well to shape manipulation, which as you know is my biggest weakness, and... Have you heard of the Gold and Silver Brothers of Cloud? Who devoured the flesh of the Nine-Tails and so gained it's power? If I could replicate that..."

"And honestly, I am curious as to what the Tailed Beast's chakra could do when combined with natural energy: Senjetus chakra has an entire new dimension of power and application to normal chakra."

"...And then there's what The White Snake Sage said, comparing my powers to the Ten-Tails and my transformation to that undergone by the Sage of Six Paths upon becoming the Ten-Tail's jinchuriki. Before I had dismissed the old legends as metaphors, allegories, and exaggerations, but if there is a grain of truth to them... My ultimate goal, Kimko-san, is to achieve a perfected form of Sage Mode that will allow me to become One with Nature. What, Kimiko-san, do you think might happen if I combine the chakra of the Nine Tailed BEasts within myself, if there's a grain of truth to the story of the Ten-Tails?"

Senko seems almost manic for a moment, but then calms down.

"Of course, I need more than just the White Snake Sage's word. The relative she mentioned, Daichi... That part is real. If I can find Daichi and he can confirm the story..."

"And if the existence of Daisuke Senju is true, I might be able to extort 'genocide reparations' out of the Senju clan."

[Kimiko look puzzled. 'Dissecting? Well.. dissecting myself.. won't help. Right?"

Odayama isn't sure if he like this direction... but opennes to forbidden expriments is kind of the Village's thing.. and he himself is a "sinner" of that.

"Not yourself, no. I am a biologist, Usagi-san. Anything I could teach you is built on a foundation of biology."

[Lord Raziere]

Jirou:
He will dance and mingle with the others of the club until they convinced to be around, rebuffing any attempts at questioning his politics pointing out this is a dance club and he is here to have fun to show he understands the social situation.

Then when he goes home, he will speak with Mitsuko, who tells him:
"Okay, here is the lowdown: Ameoku suspects something is up. We don't know HOW yet, but she does. This could jeopardize everything we've worked for. So, your the clan leader now, what are you going to do?"
He thinks
".....To be honest I was going to reveal the fact that we have the Iron Armor Seal to her when I became Otokage anyways. All this does is speed up the time table on revealing that to when she inevitably comes to have dinner with us. Of course, I'd still have to talk with her in private and not in front of everyone, its still an S-Class secret, but I see no reason not to reveal it to her if I can secure her cooperation."
"What? you think you can just tell her this and somehow secure her cooperation with you to become Otokage?"
"I'd have to. Even if I do, its not as if I can kill her off or anything. She will still be the Anbu Commander. I'll have to form a cooperative working relationship with her."
"But giving information away to her could be just making yourself vulnerable. Weak. She is the lion of sound. She will pounce on weakness if you let her. That cat already insults me by thinking I'd ever raise you soft enough to be a "momma's boy". As if I'd coddle a child of mine!"
Jirou recalls the number of traumatizing events he experienced because she treated him as a black sheep of the clan.
"....Yup. We can certainly agree that you didn't coddle me. You two think so alike, why did never become allies with her?"
Mitusko crosses her arms
"Tch! I wanted to, but somehow it never happened! I don't know what her problem is with me, we both want a major village to gets whats coming to them, just different targets."
"Hm. Well, I still think the best plan is to share the secret in private and convince her that I'm the right choice. An Otokage needs to be more than just a military leader."
"....But, thats what they are, essentially." Mitsuko says with an eyebrow rasied.
"In theory yes. In practice? They are more. After all....why is it at Kage summits that such treaties are worked out? Why not the Daimyos themselves? Why are they also rulers of their village as well? Why can we recall the name of important kages, but struggle to remember the name of a single daimyo? Kages hold more power, more importance than they seem. They are a leader that must hold themselves to their ideals and lead by example, and it shows."
"Heh, as if it idealistic speeches will sway her. You need to present a strong front to her, convince her that you will not back down and that you are not someone to be messed with! Thats how I kept my had above the water for all this time."
"You never know. Nozojo has dealt with her for years. I might break through to her."
"Sigh.....fine if you insist, clan leader. But I still say its foolish."
Jirou doesn't say anything but hopes his mother is wrong.

Kimiko:
"Yes, but again, my interest is in techniques.

I honestly have no idea what would happen if they were combined. I'm not interested in assuming any particular outcome. My desire is to learn and find out what happens when it does, not assume that a good result will happen just because I want it to. It is only from things proven that I can make anything. Speculation is worthless. All I know is that nature chakra and tailed beast are not the same, which is odd. But again, our own chakra is not the same as nature chakra, which is also odd. You'd think us being life forms who developed and evolved on this planet would all be users of natural chakra, but thats not the case. Does higher thought somehow interfere with nature chakra's function? are Tailed Beasts not nature or human? Hm...."
She thinks about this at the mention of the differing chakras, thinking about it but not sure.

[Rater202]

Senko's Apartment

"Kimiko-san, the first steps of the experimental process are collecting data and forming a hypothesis. You need to make assumptions before you can test those assumptions."

"And... Kimiko-san, 'nature chakra' does not exist, in the strictest sense. Natural energy is more like physical energy and spiritual energy. I... All creatures generate physical and spiritual energy, all creatures have the capacity to mold chakra, natural energy is something... Extra. It is generated by the planet itself, and the things living on it, but it is... different from the energy we use... Honestly, I am not sure I have the words to explain it, this is all reflex and instinct for me. It is in the ground, it is in the air, it..."

"Forgive me, I feel like I am trying to explain what the color is to a blind person."

[Lord Raziere]

Kimiko:
An eyebrow raises as she thinks upon this, putting a hand on her chin.
".....Except....it can empower and change our bodies. Like chakra. and be used to power jutsu through the same hand signs, like chakra. and be put into seals like chakra. And seemingly doesn't really do anything except be harnessed in jutsu, like chakra. and can be seen by some people with a bloodline. like chakra.

Call me crazy but....

I think its chakra Senko."

[Rater202]

"Except it cannot do most of that, Kimiko-san. Conjure fire using only your physical energy. Harden your sword using only your spiritual energy. You cannot. Until they are molded into chakra, they are just... There. Theoretically, they can be tapped as power sources, but they cannot do what chakra does. Even Yin release and Yang release require both, they just draw more on one than the other."

"Natural Energy does nothing, save turn humans into animals and living creatures to stone, until it is drawn into the body and molded with Physical and Spiritual energy to create Senjutsu Chakra."

"Senjutsu Chakra can do all of those things, Kimiko-san, but... The only difference between Senjutsu chakra and ordinary chakra is... It is like the difference between a diorama and a painting. They may well depict the same scene, but the diorama possesses height, width, and depth while the painting has only height and width."

[Lord Raziere]

Kimiko:
She thinks upon this.
"I see. So its just another ingredient to mix in to what chakra is. Got it."
She is silent for a moment, not sure where to go from there.
".......Getting back to the topic we were discussing before this: The tailed beast chakra has been reported to work differently from both normal chakra AND natural energy. So.....whatever it is, it isn't natural energy. or Human which is apparently two different energies from the natural energy of the world.....whatever that is. Not sure why physical energy and natural energy are different. The natural world is physical, and physical world is natural. Yet another strange arbitrary yin-based/spiritual distinction? Like the mudras? Ah! Focus: Tailed Beast chakra. What is it then? Are they beings that evolved to produce different energy like humans and its just mixed differently to produce their chakra, or is there some other reason....?"

[Rater202]

"It can not be simple evolution: Ordinary animals can be trained to produce chakra that is nearly identical to human chakra, and summoned animals likewise use the same chakra as well do. They have to be something other."

"At the same time, however, their chakra behaves similarly to normal chakra, it just takes more easily to certain things and they have access to unique chakra natures. But it is also more potent as well, judging from stories, with the chakra of the Nine-Tails at least being noted to have an ominous presence in the atmosphere based on accounts I have managed to find..."

"...I do not think we can find the answer unless we get access to tailed-beast chakra, which would require either kidnapping a jinchuriki or... It is not like we could get a chakra sensor and go to the site of a jinchuriki incident and try to sense if any of the plants or animals in the area absorbed some of the Tailed-Beasts chakra, can we?"

[Lord Raziere]

Kimiko, Apartment:
She considers this.
"Indeed. Nothing can be concluded from this.

But this is all one issue, to speak another one: you have not commented on me planning to leave the village at some point. You truly do not care? Though considering your goals involve studying tailed beast chakra, it stands to reason why. they are after all, the greatest weapons in all the shinobi nations. I imagine that studying any part of it is considered dangerous due to their sensitive nature.

I agree with making sure you don't die within eight years. If you ever think you need my brilliant help, I will do what I can to solve it using my methods. Perhaps some system to drain you of excess natural energy at a certain rate and store to make natural energy batteries to use in other things, thus keeping you at a certain equilibrium of effectiveness while also putting that excess energy to better use than rages?"

Kimiko, Present:
She tilts her head.
"....Though if your not sure Usagi how much you know about chakra, I can start from the basics and work up from there with all I know until you don't feel like learning anymore. Though I imagine you must have some knowledge if your Genin....right? You didn't seriously graduate genin without knowing how chakra works did you?"
"I mean there are certain legends of self-made underdog shinobi doing just that...."
Kimiko makes an exaggerated "are you kidding me?" at this.

[Rater202]

Apartment

"Would you listen to me if I told you not to leave the village?"

"I feel kind of left out, can we talk about my plans for a second?"

"Menko, your plans are to establish a private resort in the land of beaches and force the Ronin we encountered during the trip to Ryuchi Cave into a life of slavery working as our personal maid. The first is harmless and the second is illegal."

Training Ground

"I mean, conventional wisdom is that a girl with no legs should not be a ninja, and yet here we are. An exception was already made for her, it seems, taking her exceptional talent into account, so the idea that the academic aspects of her ninja education were downplayed in favor of her practical results is not unfounded."

[Lord Raziere]

Kimiko, Apartment:
"Well its like....how do you possibly get the techniques I want without leaving it? Its not a matter of trade or negotiation, clans won't give up the things that make them significant powerful and vital to their nations defense. Shinobis have died over less, like strategic outposts or mines or supply routes. I can't stay in the village and try and take them, that would only endanger the village if they can trace their secret stealing back to this place. It would hurt the village and that would make Anniki sad and angry at me, or worse even kill him. Its best if my ambitions do not impact those I care about, and its not as if I can give up my ambitions. My goal. Why settle for less? Why live a life of mediocrity and humility? It'd be boring. It wouldn't be me. I must reach for greatness- on some level, I desire it, even if its not the greatness others had in mind for me. Where that will take me, I do not know, but I do know it poses a risk to you and others you and I care about and it would be inconsiderate of me to pursue such ambition without making sure you or other valued companions are not hurt by it.

So what do you propose to fulfill it, that won't result in me just bringing harm upon you or others I care about?"

Kimiko, Present:
She considers this and says to Usagi
"Very well, Usagi. Lets start with the basics. Chakra is made of two things:
-Physical energy, made by our body and cultivated by physical training and exercise
-spiritual energy, made by our mind's consciousness and be cultivated through meditation, studying and experience

when put together, they make chakra. The more you practice with a jutsu, the stronger it gets because of this principle, like practicing a muscle, as your using both of these when your doing one. the more endurance and experience your build up with the technique, the better and more your able to perform it, and good training in general can increase your chakra reserves to great heights. However to a certain extent, the maximum amount of chakra you can have is limited by genetics. Some people are just born with larger chakra reserves than others- but this isn't a linear advantage, as people with smaller reserves are often able to control their chakra better and use techniques that larger reserved people find a harder time using.

There is advantages to both, much like how there are different advantages to a dagger and a sword. My chakra reserves for example aren't actually anything special- but my chakra control is pretty much perfect, efficiency makes up the lack of power. Senko here on the other hand is a good example of someone with really large chakra reserves, if a bit distorted by the fact she can only do senjutsu, if she could use normal chakra, there would probably be a bunch of things she could do that I simply couldn't with normal chakra as well.

Furthermore each person's chakra is like a thumbprint: every signature is unique, and while the default color of chakra is a light blue on the visible spectrum, dojutsu users claim that each person's chakra actually has a unique "color" or whatnot. Sensor Ninjas report something similar with how they sense a persons chakra, some peoples chakra feeling dark and cold, others warm, and so on. In some way, chakra is one of the purest expressions of who you are as a person, spiritual and physical. Its why sensor ninja and dojutsu users who can see chakra are highly valued, as while you can use disguise jutsu look like anything, a sensor ninja or dojutsu user can sense how your chakra doesn't match your outward form. If there is a way to fool them, it would be highly valuable and probably require extensive knowledge about the senses they use themselves- in short it would probably take a sensor ninja to fool another sensor ninja.

With me so far, Usagi? I tried to keep it as simple as possible, as this is only covering the bare basics. We haven't even gotten into shape and nature transformations yet."
"...Kimiko that was an entire lecture unto itself. I felt like an academy teacher was speaking again." Yuyuyu deadpans
"Yeah. Simple. The academy lectures were easy to understand!"
"Thats because your the type of person who finds that easy! Usagi isn't! If she were, she wouldn't be the dead last!"
"Oh. huh. Makes sense I guess."

[igordragonian]

Usagi did had hard time to follow it.
Maybe she was naturally, not that bright in therotical understanding, maybe damaged memory can do that-
but as everything she felt were important, she struggled to grasp it.

Usagi blushed as Yuyuyu mentioned she was the last in class.
'It's just because, I didn't CARED! I am a ninja of ACTION!' and then calmed herself down with a breath.
'Now I care! I can do it!' she said with determination.
'Some people have big chakra. Some small chakra. Some control it better, some control it worse.' she try to summarize it.
'It isn't THAT hard.' she say with detetrmined expression.
'Everything, you princess, can do, I can do to- I just need to EARN it.' tease a bit with her rivalry thing.
Odayama just keep awarness of the saroundings, and enjoy his team... bonding.. over... theory.
What bunch of nerdy girls.



------

[Rater202]

Senko's Apartment

"...I meant more 'is there anything I could say that would convince you not to?' I did not want to turn this into a fight."

"But, since you are asking: You intend to live forever. The current system of clans and villages is unsustainable. You may have noticed that just about everyone from a certain clan looks exactly the same? Eventually, all the inbreeding done to keep family secrets in the family and bloodlines strong will cause the clans to develop genetic defects and begin to die out. Either the clans have to adopt new systems, which become standardized due to clan and village politics, that might allow for more access... Or the clans die out and their secrets become public knowledge to their villages. And therefore, easier to steal without getting caught and more likely to proliferate to other villages."

"Furthermore, the constant state of alternate hot and cold war across the continent is itself not sustainable. Either the villages will be wiped out and their resources plundered by the survivors, or we will be forced into more sustainable and fair social and economic deals which would include a more free exchange of information."

"Furthermore... Honestly once the stolen technique is in another village there is not exactly much the other villages can do if they do not wish to wage war on that village's allies. Cloud will not pick on us, even if we stole one of their bloodlines or hidden Jutsu, because we are nominally an ally of the Leaf and they would be obligated to defend us less their other allies grow suspicious of their sincerity. And as thy have an entire clan of Ninjutsu thieves, they could not even say we brought it on ourselves."

"Since you intend to live forever, you can afford to wait for a change in the status quo... Or slowly accumulate personal power and political clout in order to guide or force such changes to your advantage."

"As it is, if the Leaf Village wishes to maintain their tradition of Snake Summoners, they need to either kill me or gain my cooperation, which if I play my cards right could be leveraged for quite a bit. Ninjutsu knowledge, favorable deals for the village... If the sorry of my clan being descended from the sole survivor of a genocide committed by the pre-Hashirama seju clan on members of their own clan, then the argument exists that I am both entitled to the Senju Clan's secrets and am owed reparations by said clan, especially if I could track down some of my relatives and convince them to settle here in Sound and form a proper clan."

"Furthermore, if you went out on your own as a missing ninja... In the cave, you called me selfish for not considering how you and others would feel about my potential death? How is your becoming a missing ninja any different? You would essentially be throwing your life away. For what? My protection? Usagi-san's? Jirou's? How is that any different from my allowing myself to be killed to protect you all from my rampages?"

Earliar.

"To be completely honest, I am honestly baffled by the existence of a term like dead last. Usagi-san would not have graduated if she was not qualified to be a ninja, so her rank in the class is irrelevant. Beyond that, not everyone is equally skilled in terms of academia. I am... terrible at physics. If I had to I could make a kunai land pointy side in, but I could not explain to you the math of trajectories and... Even as is when I am working with chemicals I need to have the formulas written out and double-check them several times, I would probably fail a poisoner's course becuase I cannot derive the exact molarity of toxic alkaloids in a 10% concentration of belladonna extract from memory. Mathematics is not a problem, but the larger and more complex the formula is..."

"Could you repeat that in snake, please? You're giving me a headache."

"Hiss hiss," Senko deadpans.

"...Bitch, you're lucky you're adorafying."

[Lord Raziere]

Kimiko, Present:
"Okay, you got it. Next is the types of chakra transformation:
-shape transformation, which controls the form, movement and potency of one' chakra, this determines how much you can cover with it and its purpose
-nature transformation which is all about changing the TYPE of chakra being used, such as Yin, Yang, Fire, Water, Lightning, Earth or Water- things like that.

to use myself as an example:"
She pulls out her Origami-No-Tsurugi and and extends the blade at a random target on the training grounds.
"This is what my clans call Unsheathing Paper Claw Jutsu, its a basic shape transformation to extend the length of a paper blade."
She then retracts it.
"Technically my entire bloodline of Paper Release is nature transformation that I do naturally or instinctually. But this makes it a poor way to show how its done. Instead lets use the mist-making technique my brother has making Senko practice and I've been copying:"
She opens her palm and a blue glow surrounds it. it has no distinct shape, but kind of rises like a flame.
"What your seeing right now is raw concentrated chakra, without shape or nature. Its basically useless like this unless you want a bad light. Now to alter it into mist using Water transformation:"
She focuses a little and the raw blue chakra turns into grey gaseous mist, flowing out from her hand and falling down a little as it microscopic water droplets in the air.
"I make it look easy, but this is only because my chakra's natural affinity for this element and the extremely basic nature of Mist Palm jutsu. I could probably form it into a mist sword to demonstrate shape and nature at the same time better, but it would be pretty useless as a technique goes. When you learn an element, you should start with the element you have affinity for. It'll be the easiest one for your to learn and thus make use of. otherwise your just trying to swim upstream, you can learn other elements later. Keep in mind we're well into things considered Chuunin level now, as nature transformation usually isn't learned until one is at that rank, and people who learn more than two are incredibly rare, with mastery of all five being near unheard of-if I recall, only the Third Hokage ever achieved something of that caliber."
She stops producing mist.
"One can also alter the spiritual/physical makeup of the chakra to be Yin or Yang chakra. more physical, you get yang chakra, the more spiritual you get Yin. A good example of yin chakra is your genjutsu that you do with the bells, as it concerns with manipulating the mind. A good example of Yang chakra on the other hand is our very own Odayama-taichou with his Sloth Transformation, as yang's life and physicality allows his strength to be enhanced. I would also say the basic transformation technique is probably Yang release, the basic clone technique is probably yin release and the Body Replacement Jutsu is actually a form of Yang release that involves enhancing your speed in response to dangerous life threatening attacks while also temporarily transforming another object into yourself all the while going fast enough to replace yourself with that transformed object. Which of course is actually just a derived jutsu of Body Flicker Jutsu which is just a ninjutsu that makes you move really fast.

From this we can deduce that Yin and Yang releases are likely more basic than the elemental natures, as almost every Genin learns these techniques. Either that or people don't want you blasting fire from your mouth until you at a rank where you won't burn down buildings and they're just equally difficult or something. Could be either.

That is all I'd considered "normal" chakra stuff. There is of course combined Nature transformations like my Paper Release, but these require bloodlines to do. So, I wont to waste your time with detailing something that won't be useful to you Usagi. You should be concerned about such combined nature transformations yes, but your primary concern should be how to counter them. the basic natures have this rock-paper-scissors like system where one beats the other, but as far as I know there is no real equivalent for Combined ones, as I doubt the clans want their weaknesses to be known. Basically: Fire beats Wind beats Lightning beats Earth beats Water beats Fire.

Lastly there is what I call "exotic" chakra: senjutsu chakra which is what Senko uses, you have seen first hand what that does. Finally there is Tailed Beast chakra which....all we know about is that its red for some reason. Its not as if we have any on hand to study. But basically if you see tailed beast chakra being used against you: Run. Jinchuuriki are monsters in combat, so the safest bet is to get away from them until your a shinobi capable of facing something that if properly utilized could kill kages- and if fully unleashed, cause who knows how much destruction?

I think thats all of it. All that I know anyways. The rest is theorizing and speculation."
Yuyuyu says
"Wait where does taijutsu fit into all this?"
"Nowhere. Taijutsu is the optimization of natural human abilities. It accesses your physical and spiritual energies directly, bypassing chakra entirely and relies on your stamina and strength gained through training. It has technically nothing to do with chakra, except as a mode of combat to save on chakra, save time because of how quick and efficient it is- it requires no hand seals or preparation- or those who prefer to rely on physical attributes."
"what about chakra exhaustion?"
"You get tired too much you can't do stuff, or even die. Anyone can piece that together."
"You didn't cover chakra control in depth."
"Well I already know wall-walking and water walking so...."
".....I don't know either of those!"
"Oh right, not a genius like me. Wait, Senko do you how to hand-walk across water and walls? Because those are useful for building chakra control so you can do the elemental jutsu that are cool. As it is, Yuyuyu needs to be taught those. She is a more average example of a genin than me after all."
"Hey! I'm right here."
"I know, thats wasteful. Yuyuyu go find a tree, focus chakra on your feet, not too much not too little so you stick to it as you climb up. You do that, we can work on water walking."
"...Okay."
She says walking to begin the tedious practice.
"And yes, it is a bit illogical to refer to a passing student as "dead last" Senko. Any questions, Usagi?"

Kimiko, Apartment:
She pauses as this is actually pretty logical.
"....Darn it. You made a valid point. I hate that we have that reasoning in common. Fine I'll stay I guess."
She wonders if it was a mistake revealing this to Senko. She still wanted to go around taking jutsu, and she still didn't think it was wise to take them as a legitimate shinobi. Rather than support her plans, she complicated them by potentially giving her reason to derail them entirely by waiting. Waiting was BORING. Greatness was something you seized and actively worked for, not something you just waited for. Nothing great was ever done by sitting around and letting things happen! And she could not abide things being Boring. But why- aaah it clicks. Senko's senju nature, her religious and and natural world leanings. Yes, Kimiko saw now. Senko desired a quiet life. An uneventful life. Kimiko could understand why Senko wanted these things and could understand why that would appeal to her.

She just didn't agree with it. It was a similar desire to her brothers she supposed, to many of those in the village, like Odayama-sensei. They wanted a 'peaceful' life. In other words, a boring one. Kimiko was of a different mindset however: What times were worth living in, other than interesting ones? None. Greatness awaits her....and she figured it was more interesting that she didn't tell Senko any of this, than if she did.
"What else would you like to talk about?"

[igordragonian]

Odayama wave in akward silly daddy manner when he mentioned.
Usagi frown, streching her brain muscles.
"Well. I don't want to come out as bratty but- why does knowing all that matter? It's like... most taijutsu masters and athletes in general don't know the body in theory like medical nins do. Beside sound smart.. can this knowledge help me to become stronger?"

[Rater202]

Apartment.

"...I do not think there's anything left to talk to about in regards to our plans for the future... Unless you want to go get a snowcone? Fuyuki-sans frozen confections are. I have no idea how he manages to make such perfect ice crystals but..."

"Unless you want to talk about ways that we can legally share whatever 'clan secrets' we might have with each other to further our own goals. My understanding is that in order for us to get away with doing that openly and legally we would have to abuse a hell of a lot of legal loopholes."

"...Or trying to come up with a cover story for why I have Dead Bone Pulse, Paper Release, and the Fukaimi and Komoro Clan's hearing abilities. I cannot keep that a secret forever, I am planning to reveal it when i have achieved a stable sage mode, but having a cover story to make it seem like something other than 'I am stealing bloodlines' might sell it better."

"Right now, all I can think of is making a vague claim that my research into how my 'kekkei genkai' works in an attempt to understand and master it has resulted into it evolving into a 'kekkei tota' that can imitate other bloodlines but i am honestly not sure if that is believable considering how are those are."

Training Ground

"Think of it this way, Usagi-san: If you know how chakra works, then you know the best way to train in order to get more power and used that power better."

[Lord Raziere]

Kimiko, apartment:
"Technically, I'm too young to be trusted with any important clan secrets. Even brilliance beyond my years doesn't lend me allowance to hear things beyond my rank: I'm a Genin, so any secret I might have could be tortured or brainwashed to reveal out of me by any one sufficiently skilled enough to beat me up and capture me, which is more than more powerful members. Sure this is technically true of everyone but minimizing the number of people who know a secret is the entire point of a secret. If there is secrets we know beyond the ability to properly utilize Paper Release or the invention or rediscovery of various fuinjutsu we've once made, I do not know of them."
Well there is her clans methods of counter-Sharingan tactics, the protocols for what happens when you badmouth ramen within the same city as an Uzumaki, and the Ishikawa Index which contains names and general descriptions of various jutsu they had in their previous library which they are using as a basis to rebuild it from but isn't useful for learning jutsu itself while the other two were specific and not really relevant unless they come up.
"So its like, what do you really think I'm even capable of sharing? and snowcones sound good"

Kimiko, Present:
"Well you bring up Taijutsu masters, and here is the thing about them: they don't technically need as much studying sure. They focus on Taijutsu which is just physical abilities, and there is a certain kind of effectiveness you can achieve with that.

But! Its because really, they only have one thing going for them: Pure Speed.

Like the average taijutsu master, the one that tends to crop up the most as effective is someone who masters silently sneaking around then masters killing people as a fast as possible. They jump out of the shadows, murder as many people as they can before you can react- which can be a lot given the speeds they can achieve- then jump back into the shadows before you can really respond. Its the most basic of hit and run tactics refined to a razors edge. As long as they know how fast their opponent can react and how many people they can kill within a certain amount of time and don't get greedy, they can just wear down a larger force through repeated flashes of mass murder then hiding and slitting the throat of any one who gets close to finding them then moving to another hiding place.

True taijutsu legends of course, have been said to be so fast they are a blur on the battlefield, able to evade the ninja's attacks around them by being so fast they are killing someone else while you respond to their last action, constantly keeping ahead of your own attempts to do anything about them by staying on a seemingly unbreakable offensive that you can't react to.

However, most taijutsu specialists.....don't reach this legendary status. why? well, multiple reasons. Either they meet their match in a lightning release user who instead speeds up their body with lightning while also knowing various other lightning techniques that make them more flexible in their tactics than just running up and stabbing or snapping necks so fast then running away before anyone can do anything about it, and die because the lightning user can counter them enough to be trouble. Fire users have defeated them by simply filling the environment with well, fire that when they run through sets THEM on fire, while Wind users have killed them by setting up cutting wind walls that they don't see in time and get slice to ribbons. Earth Users simply made the earth muddy, the specialist slips and falls and one stab later dead taijutsu specialist, water users do something similar with sticky or slippery water puddles, while genjutsu users have fooled them into attacking illusory crowds of ashigaru then spring and ambush on them, and of course there clone techniques when you kill them instantly explode into some harmful effect that taijutsu users being hand to hand specialists need to be up close to do their techniques. Medical nin are also capable of achieving their speeds with the right medical technique while also providing healing and support to their team mates, so they can respond to save people from the taijutsu specialists attack in time.

its actually pretty high risk to be a taijutsu specialist, as their basic hit and run rush tactic informs a lot of the counter planning that goes into most shinobi techniques, their tactic is easy, widely known and it works, but its because of those things that they are relatively weak. Most taijutsu specialists are seen as reckless shock troopers, the first people sent in to cause damage and often the first to die. the taijutsu legends I can name are only a few on one hand in all the shinobi nations in its entire history not just the modern era, and they became legends because they were able to study these various ways of countering their rush style and succeed despite those being employed. so even these taijutsu legends needed studying and knowledge to be successful, as they needed to know how other peoples jutsu worked to defeat them.

and thing is, all this chakra control stuff is vital to doing any jutsu technique beyond the academy three. you try to do some techniques without knowing how most efficiently spend the energy, your only going to be able to do them once or twice before running out of chakra or even running out of energy to live, almost every shinobi gets trained in elemental techniques if they don't have some overriding specialization thats too important to slack on, and if you don't know all this, try to learn an element you don't have an affinity for and waste all your chakra trying to do one elemental technique you don't know how to do efficiently....that won't end well for you. And even if you do focus on your elemental affinity, do use it efficiently you can still be countered by the element that your weak against if you don't know that.

That and there is a matter of communication: shinobi work in teams. If you don't know the meaning of this or that term and can't communicate what is being done by the enemy in an efficient manner if your say a scout, or a spy, then you can't really work well with the group even if you don't use any of it yourself. you might be spying on a ninja training their shape transformation technique and if you don't know what that term is, how can you tell your superiors what they're doing? how can you tell them they are using yang release if you don't know what this? How can your planners and strategists come up with a plan to counter it, if you yourself can't use what everyone uses to say what it is? These terms don't form because some random scholar or scientist thought they'd be neat to categorize, this knowledge is vital jargon and knowledge to how shinobi operate.

It'd would like being an archer and not knowing how an arrow arcs in midair works or about proper tension and release to fire the arrows in the first place, to use a weapon your familiar with."

[Rater202]

Apartment:

"...I was referring to things you might learn in the future in exchange for things I might learn in the future."

Ishikawa Estate:

Jirou is approached by... Honestly, Jirou should only be vaguely aware of his guy. Maybe a... third cousin? Jirou's definitely seen him around the estate at least. He seems to be... Mildly injured, judging from the fresh bandages.

"Lord Ishik—Jirou-sama" he stutters, clearly not sure how to address the head of the clan. "I have... Important but... Very sensitive news for your eyes. Best discussed in private."

[Lord Raziere]

Apartment:
"Oh. That makes sense."
She will begin going out for snowcones.

Ishikawa Estate:
He exchanges glances with Mitsuko. Their clan was smaller than most due to Third War killing many of them and they didn't exactly recognize him. That meant it was easier to keep track of each one, and he specifically said to be addressed as "Jirou-sama". So they were suspicious of this. But all Jirou did was nod to her in silent communication and say
"Of course."
He will take him to one of the smaller less visited rooms of the house, silently tensed and ready and keeping his eye on the clan member all the while, never showing his back to him.
"You may now speak if it is so sensitive."
He was ready at a moments notice if this turned out to be assassin and had other preparations just in case. It could of course be Shimpi, he was known for being secretive like this but it never hurts to be prepared for every angle.