~Getting To Know You~
Name: Toshi Hitsuki
Clan:Hitsuki Gender: Male Sexuality: Bisexual, technically.
Age: 23
Height: 5' 10"
Body Type: Toshi strikes a very slim figure. He's lean, and doesn't really look like the type that lifts weights. He is, however, fairly well toned.
Appearance: Toshi is generally regarded as having an attractive face, though some would argue that he appears to be a bit feminine in his features. His straw-blonde hair is on the longer side, generally kept in a ponytail for the sake of convenience. Gray would be the best way to describe his eye color; a shade of blue so muted that it would take trained eye to find any color there whatsoever. His nose is on the smaller side, framing a thin pair of lips that Toshi tends to bite when in deep thought. Although it typically can't be seen, Toshi has a swirling tattoo in a pattern associated with moth wings that takes up the whole of his back.
In terms of clothing, Toshi shuns the stereotypical billowing robes generally associated with a Kage for a much more refined and elegant look. Instead of an "atrocious white tent", he opts for a much more refined and form fitting purple dress kimono emblazoned with the Hitsuki Clan's symbol. Beneath his kimono, he wears a skin-hugging black shirt and a pair of gray shorts bearing plenty of pockets for tools. For the sake of maximum mobility, he is never seen wearing any type of footwear other than a pair of black Tabi.
There are also several trademark accessories associated with his look. The first is a pair of thin sliver glasses that he seems to be constantly pushing up to his nose with his middle finger. (This is, of course, the source of many jokes among those familiar with his mannerisms. To him it's a subconscious gesture; to others it can be read as something else.) The second is a pair of purple hair sticks that can usually be found crossed in an "X" shape at the thick of his hair in the back of his scalp. (Yes, the kind usually associated with women.) The third, while always changing, is a staple of his look nonetheless. Toshi almost without fail is seen holding some sort of book or binder at all times.
Village: Village Hidden In The Leaves
Rank: Kage (Going for gusto.)
Profession: Currently managing his village and seeing to its protection. When he was still an active part of the Village's main forces, he specialized in spying, code breaking, interrogation, and assassinating high profile targets. He also spent a few years as a Jounin Sensei, raising a single team before his election to office.
Personality: Many have tried to decode exactly what is going on in Toshi's mind and failed. Almost always the picture of perfect calm, he certainly doesn't give a lot about his inner monologue away. No matter what he's feeling on the inside, people that are not intimately familiar with him know of only two expressions that grace his features: One is a lazy smile that barely tugs on the corners of his lips. The other is what is known as his thinking face; completely devoid of any sign of emotion as he bites his lower lip.
As this would lead many to assume, he's a highly calculating individual that is careful about who he talks to and how many of his cards he lays on the table. Even people that he considers to be "close confidants" often times feel as if he keeps them out of the loop on certain issues. This tendency of his doesn't at all stem from a lack of wanting to trust the people around him, but is rather a side effect of being so intimately familiar with the art of deception himself. Because of this Toshi often feels lonely, having intentionally distanced himself from many that would have liked to call him a friend. Most of the time he makes himself feel better by justifying his actions as being for the greater good.
Toshi is not a very spontaneous individual, and can sometimes appear to be indecisive because of this. Rather than trust his instincts and work things out as they go along, he prefers to look at the flow of events from a "higher perspective" and make decisions based on carefully considered logic. On one hand, this attitude is what has made him so effective at maintaining Konohagakure's social and economic standing in the ninja world. On the other hand, his critics are quick to point out that he tends to flounder when a matter requires immediate and decisive action. Whether his stoically logical approach is good or bad is ultimately up to interpretation.
In any case, not a single soul worth his or her salt in the ninja world discounts the power of Toshi's mind when he applies it to something. Without a doubt one of the top minds in all of the Hidden Villages, he is considered something of walking encyclopedia on a broad array of topics. From chemistry to history to Kekkei Genkai, he is always seen with a book or scroll on his person; ever eager to devour more knowledge. A firm believer in information warfare, his motto is "Knowledge is power.". Because of this, he always has his ears open to the latest rumors floating around, no matter how ridiculous they may appear to be on the surface.
When dealing with others, Toshi can appear to be somewhat arrogant or condescending. Sometimes that is absolutely correct: He gets tired of spending his time constantly having to dumb down his thoughts to make sure that others follow him. Other times, however, it is an unintentional reflex. In an attempt to avoid this, he personally sees to it that only the brightest minds in the village are offered positions at the Kage's Tower.
Most of the time, however, Toshi maintains a pleasant rapport with just about everybody he meets. His attitude is generally described as "pleasant" and "likable" by those that meet him. When he wishes to, he can easily transition into "downright charming". His predilection towards manners and his unwavering social graces have put him in marvelous standings with the various political bodies he deals with as part of his duties. Any guest, down to a civilian, that he grants an audience is immediately offered a cup of tea upon entering his office: one that he will personally brew and serve.
He is slow to anger, but once he is pushed past his limit a much darker side reminiscent of his days as an assassin begins to surface. If his tone is noticeably frustrated, then you can be almost totally sure that you're in the clear. It's when he starts to issue threats in a tone more disturbingly pleasant than his usual that you had better seriously consider whether or not you want said threats to come to pass.
Don't let his distant attitude fool you: Toshi is fiercely loyal to Konohagakure and its well being. He takes his position as Kage extremely seriously and is prepared to lay down his life in an instant to defend it. He truly wants each of his ninja to be the absolute best that they can be, and he shares the victories and disappointments of each and every one of them, if only on the inside. His dream is to see a world where Konoha can exist in peace without having to live in constant fear of its political neighbors.
/Now We're Talking\
Fighting Style: Toshi always approaches his conflicts from a logical perspective. He never enters a fight without first having obtained appropriate intel if at all possible. Minimum exposure is the name of his game, playing mind games with his opponent until they give him a decisive opening. His specialty outside of his use of Genjutsu is his legendary speed.
Carried Weapons and Items: Toshi always keeps a supply of poison on hand, hidden away both in his pockets and in in the hair sticks that sit so innocently on his head. He doesn't have a need to carry around large amounts of ninja supplies as a result of a certain clan jutsu. The one thing he does keep on hand are a shit-ton of exploding tags.
Dominant Weapon: Exploding tags. (No, you read that right. Expect to see enough to outfit several Hidden Villages if you fight him.)
Element: As per the Hitsuki Clan's Kekkei Genkai, 'Dreams'.
Shall we discuss your abilities?
Jutsu Type: Genjutsu
Ninjutsu: 1
Jutsu Name: Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Summoning Technique)
Jutsu Description: The user calls upon a pre-made contract to summon a spiritual beast to their side.
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Jutsu Rank: B
2
Jutsu Name: Kuchiyose: Tessen no Tsukuyomi (Summoning: Iron Fan of Tsukuyomi)
Jutsu Description: An ancient technique passed down by the moths to the purest descendants of Tsukuyomi, this summoning technique's contract rests as a tattoo on the user's forehead when not in use. When the summoning is performed, it brings forth an ancient artifact said to have once belonged to
the Moon Goddess herself. Externally, it appears to be a small iron fan with a well-worn, floral patterned silk cover and a tassel. On both sides of the silk cover, a conspicuous full moon is present. Appearances can be deceiving, though, because while it's a useless fan to most, in the hands of someone with a strong manifestation of the Yume no Chakra, it becomes an object of great power.
The bearer of the fan can cast and dispel Genjutsu over large areas with a wave of their hand, removing the need for hand seals entirely and broadening the effective reach of their spiritual power. The fan can also send out crescent shaped blasts of the user's chakra that have tremendous cutting power not unlike that associated with Wind Element chakra.
It also has one last trick up its sleeve: The artifact has the ability to cast a powerful Genjutsu with the ability to reach into the essence of a single Ninjutsu and draw it harmlessly into the realm of illusions. Assuming that Toshi's skill in Genjutsu is at least close to equal with the opponent's skill with Ninjutsu, the target jutsu swirls away as if it were an illusion and vanishes. It takes about one fifth of his chakra to do so, functions on any level of technique, and only works once in any 24 hour period, because after activating this function the fan is spent and vanishes for one day.
Jutsu Rank: A
3
Jutsu Name: Yume Bunshin (Dream Clone)
Jutsu Description: The user forms up to one clone for for each successive ninja rank they possess. (Genin, Chunin, Jounin, Kage) Because the technique is a Ninjutsu using the 'element' of illusions, the result is a hybrid somewhere between the two that needs a certain amount of concentration: hence the limited numbers. The clones appear as their creator except for their color, which is a random and ever changing chaotic splash. The only noise they seem to be capable is a distorted, mocking laugh that seems to be of several different pitches overlaid over one another.
They have two special characteristics: First, they are highly chakra efficient and can be replaced seemingly without end by a competent user. Second, they act as walking 'radar jammers' that frustrate attempts to sense chakra in the immediate fifty feet.
While they are solid enough to inflict physical damage, they are not solid enough to avoid being quite easily dispersed by any half-solid blow. They are capable of using Yumeton: Kikanshi, physical attacks, and ninja tools, but nothing else.
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Jutsu Grade: A
4
Jutsu Name: Yumeton: Kikanshi (Dream Release: Architect)
Jutsu Description: Using their unique elemental chakra, the user forms an item and seemingly creates a very real object from nothing but their dreams. The jutsu cannot form poisons or anything living. What
can be created depends on the skill of the user.
Less skilled users can create mundane things such as kunai, ninja wire, and the like. Users with moderate skill could feasibly create swords, or objects about the size of a dresser, but they still won't have any special properties. The most advanced users of the technique still can't form anything larger, however they are capable of creating objects that require chakra in some capacity such as chakra knives and exploding tags. There is a catch, though: Not only must they expend as much chakra as it would normally take to create the object, but they must also be personally familiar with creating the object themselves.
The objects are always created either on the user's person or directly in front of them. They can not be made out of materials that don't exist or the user has never seen before. The jutsu only creates one kind of distinct object at a time. (Though a skilled user could create multiple copies at once.) A user cannot use this technique to create an object inside of another object. The created objects function as if they were real, but disappear in a Genjutsu-like fashion when dismissed. A general rule of thumb applies too: If you think that people can call shenanigans, then the jutsu probably can't create it.
Jutsu Type: Ninjutsu
Jutsu Grade: B
Taijutsu: Genjutsu: 5
Jutsu Name: Magen: Kyo Tenchi-ten (Demonic Illusion: Mirror Heaven and Earth Change)
Jutsu Description: ((This particular jutsu is not exactly unique to the Hitsuki Clan, but they are some of the rare few capable of using it. I also modified it slightly to make more sense in terms of RPing.)) Using enhanced insight into an opponent's activating Genjtusu, the user overpowers it by quickly casting a superior one of their own and integrating the enemy jutsu within it. This effectively dispels the Genjutsu cast on the user. The end result is the victim being unexpectedly caught in a Genjutsu when it at first appears that their opponent was at their mercy.
Jutsu Type: Genjutsu
Jutsu Grade: B
6
Jutsu Name: Hitsuki Hiden Yumeton: Boke (Hitsuki Secret Dream Release: The Fool)
Jutsu Description: This fire-and-forget Genjutsu is a large drain on chakra, but difficult to counter. Upon use, the user undergoes a dramatic shift into a dreamlike appearance unique to them and radiates a subtle chromatic aura. Anybody that so much as looks at them while it is active will fall under its spell.
Upon looking at the user, everything except them (and any of their techniques) will become blurry as if they are looking through a lens that is out of focus. As time goes on, the surroundings will gradually come back into focus, distorted. Objects may be different colors, or bigger or smaller than usual. The victim may see eyes staring at them from the sky, or headless rabbits walking on their hands. The best way to describe the eventual shift is that it is comparable to being on a hallucinogenic drug.
The Genjutsu works gradually to induce a sort of hypnotic state where the victim feels sluggish or sleepy and their their reaction time slows. The longer they let themselves remain under the Genjutsu, the worse the effects get.
The Genjutsu can be dispelled just like any other, but the tricky part is this: Looking at the user again will just land you in the Genjutsu once more, and more or less where you left off to boot.
Combatting it is certainly tricky, but not impossible. One solution is to simply close one's eyes. Other tricks include using reflective surfaces, or using a "lure and trap" method of combat. Because of the chakra drain, finding a way to wait it out is another option. In order to be affected, a victim must be within 450 feet of the user.
Jutsu Type: Genjutsu
Jutsu Grade: A
7
Jutsu Name: Yumeton: Kawarimi
Jutsu Description: Using their unique chakra to blur an illusion into a semblance of reality, this hybrid technique is used much like a normal Kawarimi to escape attack. Upon using this technique, the user forms what can only be described as a 'doll' of themselves from their chakra. As it is created, an illusion is formed over it to make it lifelike. At the same time, a momentary illusion is formed around the user, hiding the exact moment they used the technique and giving them just enough time to vacate the area. When it is is struck, the illusion on the doll falls, revealing simplified or downright disturbing features.
The differences from a normal Kawarimi are this: First of all, the user doesn't have to have a specific object to switch with; they just create it. It can be used almost instantaneously, negating the need for set-up time on the jutsu and allows them to simply focus on anticipating and avoiding attacks. Second of all, the 'doll' deflates slowly like a balloon when struck, giving a disturbing laugh much like a Yume Bunshin. Bottom line? It's incredibly distracting. After its use has expired, it simply swirls away like a Genjutsu.
Jutsu Type: Genjutsu
Jutsu Grade: B
8
Jutsu Name: Yumeton Magen: Ga Shinka (Dream Release Demonic Illusion: Moth Evolution)
Jutsu Description: A highly creative technique created by Toshi to make use of his prodigious talent with the Yumeton. Upon use, a cloud of chromatically glowing moths forms in the area. At the same moment, a mass of black, shadowlike energy shoots forward along the ground towards the victim with incredible speed. When it inevitably reaches their position, it seizes them (stretching into the air if it has to) and binds them as the moths converge on their location. At that point, the 'moths' swirl away to reveal that they are actually exploding tags created by Toshi's Yume no Chakra in a manner similar to (but obviously superior to) Yumeton: Kikanshi. At that moment, they promptly detonate.
Toshi can, of course, attempt to use one part of the jutsu without the other if he wishes.
Jutsu Type: Genjutsu
Jutsu Grade: B
9
Jutsu Name: Yumeton Shuukyoku no Tengen: Fukyuu no Edennosono (Dream Release Ultimate Heavenly Illusion: Eternal Garden of Eden)
Jutsu Description: An indescribably powerful and exceedingly devastating technique dreamt up by Toshi after his experience with the Tessen no Tsukuyomi, it truly takes the Yumeton's element of Dreams to its limit and requires a level of skill like his to pull off. Like most Yumeton techniques, it's difficult to classify because of its existence in the gray area between Ninjutsu and Genjutsu.
Every S rank ninja needs something that they can call their ultimate technique, right? Well, for Toshi, this is it. With the exploding notes of Yumeton no Magen: Ga Shinka, he demonstrates the ability to move illusion into reality. But why would he have to stop there? With his unparalleled grasp of Yumeton techniques (due to him inheriting the purest form of the Yume no Chakra: the one that allowed Hanako Hitsuki to see past the coil of "reality"), he managed to create an unheard of Genjutsu that does just the opposite.
The technique can be fed different amounts of chakra to achieve different levels of effect, but it always starts with a flurry of seals followed by Toshi throwing his hands forward and forming a triangular shape with the crooks of his thumbs and index fingers. What can only be described as a circular seal array forms out of his chakra as he begins to feed power into it. When it is 'charged' to his liking, he forms a single hand seal to send the Genjutsu forth. When it does so, it travels forth from the center of the array in a thin beam no larger than his thumb. Yes, the Genjutsu is so powerful that it actually has some physical presence, and you can see the condensed chakra in motion.
When the beam makes contact with his intended target, his chromatic chakra spreads outward quite like an explosion. This can range from anything to a small blast to the genocide of a Hidden Village. The shape of the "explosion" is determined by Toshi and can be a standard dome or a more directionally focused cone. Everything within the light falls under the influence of this almost blasphemous Genjutsu, which reverses the typical effect of Dream elemental chakra and causes whatever is caught within it to permanently cross the void, backwards, from reality into illusion... vanishing, never to be seen again. Visually, whatever is caught in the explosion shreds like paper and swirls away.
Because of the nature of the jutsu, it can be blocked exactly like a real explosion by a competent ninja: Put up a barrier or send an offensive technique of your own to meet it, and the chakra fueling the Genjutsu will clash with the technique, expending itself to "eat" the opposing technique instead. Unfortunately, also like a real explosion, underestimating the awesome power of the jutsu when appropriately 'charged' will see it push straight past your defense and wreck havok.
This kind of ludicrous jutsu quite obviously comes with serious drawbacks if used near the peak of its power. Going all out with this technique will not only use up the better part of his chakra, but will also leave his arms with severe chakra burns from the concentrated flow. To heal such a wound would take at least a week of medical attention, and until then the effectiveness of any of his jutsu that require hand seals would be noticeably reduced. Whether or not he goes nuclear with the technique, it has a noticeable window of set-up before firing.
Jutsu Type: Genjutsu
Jutsu Grade: S
10
Jutsu Name: Yumeton Genjutsu no Fuuin: Souan no Mugen Shifuku (Dream Release Sealing Genjutsu: Hermitage of Infinite Bliss)
Jutsu Description: Considered the "Ultimate Hitsuki Technique". It's the highest ranked jutsu among all of the Yumeton. It's highly-regarded nature comes from a very special ability it possesses. This Genjutsu can be used on humans for a similar effect, but its true power is revealed when it is used against a tailed beast. Using the divine nature of their chakra passed down from Tsukuyomi, those that possess the Yume no Chakra can use this jutsu to subjugate the tailed beasts and render them inert for a short while. If the tailed beast in question is roaming free, the user just directs it at them as normal. If the tailed beast is sealed within a human, time stops in the normal world as the user enters the mindscape of the Jinchūriki and seals the beast there.
Visually, four shining orbs of chakra come into being around the target and quickly connect themselves to form a transparent pyramid. The pyramid quickly shrinks down to the size of a basketball, taking the one inside with it. Chains covered in sealing tags then appear and wrap around the pyramid and the jutsu is complete. If the tailed beast is within a Jinchūriki, they can no longer communicate with the beast or call on its chakra. Any remaining chakra they had borrowed from the beast also quickly dissipates. Depending on the skill of the user, the jutsu usually lasts for a few hours before the beast can break free.
If the technique is used on a human and they fail to free themselves, their consciousness is also sealed into an inert state, and they simply collapse.
Jutsu Type: Genjutsu
Jutsu Rank: S
Life can be cold without partners...
Summon Name: Gagami
Summon Type: Moths
Description: Summons moths equally skilled in Ninjutsu and Genjutsu. An ancient and powerful clan of spiritual beasts.
Summon Link ...Let's Take it Down a Notch...
Relations: Parents: Jumon Hitsuki (53, Ex-Anbu, Clan Head, Father)
Kaou Hitsuki (51, Jounin, Mother)
Siblings: Ume Hitsuki (18 at time of death, deceased, Anbu, Elder Sister)
Koga Hitsuki (16, Chunin, Younger Brother)
Comrades: (To be determined through RP)
Enemies: Supporters of the previous Hokage
Those who threaten Konoha
History: Toshi Hitsuki was born on a nippy autumn day some twenty three years ago. The proud parents were Kaou and Jumon Histuki, and the birth was celebrated in a relatively peaceful time of the Hitsuki Clan’s history. His big sister Ume couldn’t have been prouder, and she didn’t miss a chance to show off her new little brother anywhere the family went. From birth, the boy showed an easy-going, pleasant personality and rarely gave his parents trouble unless he was hungry or needed a diaper change. When he was four years old, he was taken to the Shrine of the Moth Clan for the first time to start learning the tasks that all Hitsuki were required to share. Something about the atmosphere fascinated the boy, and the time spent in the ancient structure seemed to while away quickly even if he was only emptying trays of spent incense. Every time that he was there, he heard voices whispering at the back of his mind but they didn’t strike him as scary. Rather, they were always pleasant and reassuring, and even though he couldn’t really understand what they were saying he could tell that they belonged to nice people. When he told his parents about the voices he heard, at first they were quite worried; After all, what would your first thought be if your son told you that they heard people that weren’t there? After they came to find out that he only heard the whispers when he was in the shrine, however, the entire clan began to watch him for signs that he might have developed the full extent of the Yume no Chakra bloodline.
It was a bit after his seventh birthday and the birth of his little brother that he was first given the honor of holding a prayer in the Moth Shrine. With all the innocence of a young child, he implored the spirits to “watch over his mommy and daddy and keep them safe from bad people”. It was then he got the shock of his life when a regal female voice quite clearly answered that the Moth Clan would do just that. Looking around for the person that had interrupted his supposedly private session, he came to realize that he was still well and truly alone within the stone walls of the shrine. Thinking that someone was playing a trick on him, he demanded that they show themselves, his quivering voice giving away the fear he was now old enough to rationalize. No sooner had his shout ceased to echo in his surroundings the voice came again, stern. “Show proper respect when talking to your appointed guardian, Child of Tsukuyomi.” The question that came next from Toshi’s lips was only natural: “Are you… a spirit?” The voice was not just any spirit, as it turned out, but the head of the Gagami, Shiran-muchi. She had been drawn to the spiritual power emanating from the boy, and had spoken to him to see if her hopes about him held true. Sure enough the boy had answered and in doing so proved that he had inherited the purest form of the Yume no Chakra.
The news spread like wildfire both in the clan and in the village; the Hitsuki Clan had seen another inheritor of the Yume no Chakra's purest form born for the first time since the founding of the clan. Toshi had the potential to be a very powerful ninja, and would surely come to inherit leadership of the clan if he wanted it. Not wanting to instill arrogance in him from a young age, but at the same time not wanting his talents to go to waste, his parents had some difficult times ahead of them.
And so, Toshi's early years were spent learning the story of the Hitsuki Clan and proper manners for dealing with the spirits of the Moth Clan. While the days of needing an intermediary to speak with them were over due to the creation of the summoning contract, there was still a certain formality expected from Shiran now that she knew of Toshi's existence. In his free time, he spent his time either satisfying his insatiable curiosity and thirst for knowledge, or shadowing the older sister he idolized. It was, in fact, due to his sister that he resolved in his heart to be a ninja; He wanted to be just like her and help protect the village.
Entering the academy three years later, he attacked his ninja education with gusto. His natural brightness saw to it that he had very few issues digesting the information handed down in the classroom, while the whole of the Hitsuki clan helped him train in the use of his Kekkei Genkai. He was the best and brightest hope of the clan, after all. Probably moreso than any other clan in Konoha, the Hitsuki were determined to repay their debt of gratitude for sheltering their ancestors, and so they were eager to do anything to raise the standings of the already noble clan in the eyes of the village. Toshi presented them with just that chance.
It was two years later that unusual circumstances began to brew around the boy. When Toshi had reached the age of twelve, his inborn power had began to become apparent to those around him. While not particularly skilled at Taijutsu, his Genjutsu was already becoming something to be feared. While it was not uncommon for the Hitsuki to be capable of casting Genjutsu at his age, his teachers reported the realism he was able to achieve was frightening. All the while, he never ceased to be enamored with the sister who always made time for him.
It was during an annual festival celebrating Konoha's history that everything started to go downhill. It started off as a typical spring day filled with laughter and merriment; crowds having gathered in front of the Kage's Tower in anticipation of the speech that would kick off the event. As the head of a clan and his family, Toshi's family was standing at the front of the crowd in a place of honor along with the other major clan heads. The only one absent was his little brother Koga, who had the flu and was being babysat by a relative. Amid clapping and cheering, the charismatic Hokage of the day appeared on the balcony and began to speak, but no sooner had his initial greeting left his lips than an ominous, booming voice interrupted him.
"You were warned, Hokage."With no further warning, scores of copies of a black-hooded ninja had appeared amongst the crowd and began to cut them down without mercy. Konoha's forces immediately launched a counterattack, and Toshi's parents left him in Ume's care as they joined the fray. Whisking the boy away to a location away from the attack and concealing him with a Genjutsu, Ume commanded him to stay in hiding and left to begin a deadlocked battle against several clones. Minutes passed with him frozen in fear, feeling progressively more helpless as he thought of the family that was out protecting the village from harm. Wrestling with his conscience, he soon became determined to perform an act that would haunt him for the rest of his life. With a final resolution, he left his hiding spot and made his way back to the scene of the attack.
When he got there, he was immediately overwhelmed by the blood. Rivers of red, the sickening stench; the carnage assaulted his every sense. Instead of heroically joining the fight as he had planned he did the only thing that his body would let him at the moment: throw up. Wiping the bile from his lips, he looked up to meet the sight of a sword raised high in the air by a black-hooded shinobi. Gagging on the remnants of his reaction, he had no time to react as it sailed toward him. An instant later he recoiled from a blow and there was a sickening sound of rent flesh and dripping blood.
Opening his eyes despite not remembering shutting them, he wished that he hadn't. Impaled before him was Ume, and she was looking at him with a weak smile, a kunai of her own imbedded in the neck of his attacker. The clone disappearing in a puff of smoke, he watched his sister fall to the ground unceremoniously as he pieced together what had happened. Crawling over to her unmoving form, he saw her face forever frozen in time; The unbridled love there explaining everything. He had killed her. He'd ignored her order and blindly rushed into a battle he knew nothing about. When he'd been attacked his sister had happened to witness it, and doing the only thing she could to make it in time to save him she'd physically interjected herself into the way of the blow. She'd done it and managed to smile before she died, the knowledge that he was safe giving her all the comfort she needed to accept death.
Luckily for Toshi, that clone had been one of the last and the rest were quickly mopped up. Not that he would have noticed even if he was completely surrounded, because after giving a primal scream the boy broke down into gut wrenching sobs that did not end when a pair of strong arms tore him from the body and spirited him away. They did not end when he found himself in a hospital full of wounded civilians and ninja alike. And they certainly did not end when he finally found himself back at his house. It was only when exhaustion claimed him late in the night that the sound of his anguish ended, and after that, silence. Not a sound was heard from the boy for a very long while. A couple of weeks later, he spoke for the first time when confronted by his friends from the academy. “I killed her. I killed my sister and now she's never coming back.” It was something, at least, and while the previously pleasant boy was now muted and distant, he was at least back to speaking when it was necessary.
Life went on for all involved, and while the grief never totally left him, Toshi was eventually able to return to 'normal' after a year's time. It was about then that students began to graduate from the academy and meet their Jounin Senseis. Toshi was placed onto a well rounded team with a Taijutsu specialist named Akita Owari and a Katon user named Tsai Kaniwara. His Sensei was a fairly young Jounin named Hikari Mosukaiba, an ex-ANBU member that had left the special forces to have a hand in training the next generation of Konoha Shinobi. Together, they formed a very promising team that was expected to make waves on the coming years. Their initial training went smoothly, and soon they had a track record of C Rank missions that spoke volumes for their ability. Their individual skills were certainly impressive, but it was ultimately their teamwork that made them such a machine to be feared. The three had already been part of an extended group of friends back in the academy, so they got along quite well other than the occasional squabble over an errant jutsu during training. Their dynamic was so wonderful, in fact, that they were offered the chance to prove themselves in the Chunin exams during their very first year as a Genin team.
Excited over the prospect, and wanting to become a great ninja in memory of his sister, Toshi immediately agreed to enter the exams amid cheers from Akita and Tsai. They trained themselves with dedication in anticipation of the event, and when the time finally came they were all feeling pretty good about it. As tradition dictated their first test was one of the mind, and with Toshi's leadership they passed it easily. It was not until Toshi stood before the gates of the Forest of Death that he began to have second thoughts. Not only did the next phase of the exam seemed to be proctored by the most mentally unstable shinobi that Konoha was able to pull out of their hat, but one look around told him that the other combatants meant business. Konoha had been gaining a lot of standing in the ninja world; enough to warrant them proctoring the Chunin Exams. The other villages weren't about to just sit around without making a display of power themselves, after all.
The next task seemed simple enough, though: gather an 'Earth' scroll to match their 'Heaven' scroll and make their way to the tower at the center of the forest. How difficult could that possibly be? Well, to an intelligent boy like Toshi, it seemed that it could quite possibly be the hardest part of the entire exam. In the next rounds, they would be fighting one on one in a monitored arena. But here...? No holds were barred. Every snapping twig could be the herald of a shinobi's last breath; there was nothing in place to stop the ninja from just killing each other off if they wanted to. Survival of the fittest indeed, but Toshi couldn't wrap his mind around the fact that Konoha would allow such a thing.
Ominously, the gates slowly swung open and the various teams made a mad dash to position themselves however they felt was advantageous. Toshi's squad decided that the best course of action would be to camp near the tower and ambush somebody passing through. Everybody had to pass that way eventually, and it eliminated the danger of wandering into traps while following another Genin squad around. They had finally managed to find a spot that was defendable and good for setting traps when a trio of Mist Genin appeared from behind. Apparently they had followed their mad dash straight from the beginning, intent on engaging the Konoha-nin. As his team moved to defend itself, Toshi immediately noticed that something was wrong. The three that had pursued them actually took the time to taunt them before their leader extended a finger towards Toshi. "That's the pretty-boy Yumeton user the boss wants dead. Just kill them all to stop them from talking."
Suddenly the Mist-nins' secret was crystal clear. The way they moved, the killer intent that radiated off of them... they weren't Genin at all. The leader caught Toshi's look and gave one comment of confirmation before his team pounced: "If you're thinkin' that we aren't like you, you're right. We're not Genin, and we'll be gone long before anybody finds your body." They certainly were not, and soon Toshi's squad was locked into a frantic battle for their lives.
Their opponents, most likely Chunin themselves, were proving to be more than a match for the trio, and before they knew it their formation had been split. Divided from his teammates, he could only pray for their safety as he focused on the opponent in front of him. Fortunately, while his opponent had come quite prepared to fight a Genjutsu user, he'd still severely underestimated the power of the Yume no Chakra. With his aggressor safely bound in an illusion, he moved to regroup with his squad mates only to find an unpleasant surprise.
While Akita had managed to knock her opponent out cold, Tsai had gotten stuck fighting the leader of their attackers. At some point, the Katon user had found himself grappled from behind by his opponent and found himself rather helpless as a kunai was held to his throat. Both Toshi and Akita found themselves motionless, not daring against the man who held their teammate's life in his hand. Motioning towards Toshi once again, the Mist-nin issued an ultimatum. "You guys really are the real deal, but this is over. You're the one I want, so just give yourself up and your little friend here can walk free. Don't even think for a second about pulling one of your little tricks. If I even think for a second that you're trying to use a Genjutsu, I'll kill him. Got it?"
"Don't listen to him, Toshi! Get out of here!" With his defiant cry, Tsai grabbed a kunai of his own from his pouch and jerked it towards the man behind him. Acting on instinct, the older shinobi drew his own kunai across the boy's throat to silence the assault, and with a spray of all too familiar red, Tsai fell to the ground gurgling. It only took a few seconds for the life to leave his eyes, and as all three onlookers sat momentarily stunned, Tsai stilled forever.
"Damn it you little shit! Couldn't you wait to die until I had the Hitsuki!?" The Mist-nin said, giving the corpse a kick for good measure.
It was all too familiar. Too fresh. Too personal. Another person dear to him had just sacrificed themselves for him, and the mysterious shinobi had insulted Tsai's final sacrifice. It was too much for him to handle. His mind was still not healed from the loss of his sister, and he had bent all he could... so he broke. Before he had been devastated into the point of uselessness. Now, the red of Tsai's blood seemed to seep into everything he saw, staining everything a deep crimson. Killer intent radiating from every pore, Toshi turned an icy gaze half hidden behind sweat-matted hair to Tsai's murderer. When he spoke, his tone carried a maliciousness that had never before been seen in the usually kind boy.
"I don't care any more. I'll gladly stoop to your level, and do you know what that means? I'm going to kill you. Slowly. And when you finally beg for the sweet mercy of death, you'll know what suffering is. That's a promise.""You flatter yourself, boy. I'm out of your league. I don't care if you have a Kekkei Genkai; your tricks aren't going to help you."
If the Mist-nin had been smarter, he would have taken the mirthless, spine chilling laugh that issued forth from Toshi as a sign to run the hell away.
"...Oh...? Hitsuki Hiden Yumeton: ...Boke." In the end, the Mist-nin found himself strung from a tree by ninja wire, slowly dying from a combination of blood to the head, strangulation, and the loving ministrations of a broken Genin that wanted to see how much pain the older male could handle. Toshi's prediction spot on, his victim begged for death. And he gave it to him. By leisurely constricting the wire that held the man until it broke the skin, and ever so slowly crushed him as it simultaneously cut him to ribbons. Looking on numbly at the situation, Akita could only follow as an expressionless Toshi found the scroll they were looking for, scooped up Tsai's body, and began a trudging march for the tower. The matches to come had no power to stop Toshi now that his once deep sense of compassion had been shattered.
Achieving the rank of Chunin at the age of 14, he drifted away from his teammate and Sensei and threw himself headlong into training. He'd made up his mind: He would never let himself feel that pain again.
He would be the one to make people suffer, and
he would decide who lived and who died. Besides, it was only fitting in his mind that trash like himself that killed the ones they cared about should take on the dirtiest jobs. What was one more stain on a soul like his, anyway?
Already spying and helping to perform interrogations, it was when he earned the title of Jounin at the age of 16 that he began to perform high ranking black-hand jobs such as major assassinations. All the while, he tried to put a band-aid over his shattered psyche by drinking his sorrows away and having casual, meaningless sex with anybody he could get into bed with him. He even went as far as to give his body to men twice his age: anything to make him forget, if only for an hour. A shadow of his former self, by the time he was admitted to ANBU at 17, he more closely resembled a machine than a human. Sure, all of that oozing charm he used to get close to assassination targets was there, but beyond all that there was very little human being underneath.
It was when he was 18 that circumstances began to shift around him once again. On the anniversary of his sister's death, Konoha was gearing up for the annual festival once more. Though it had been postponed for several years after the tragedy, everything eventually returned to the status quo. As usual, the Hokage appeared to make his remarks. This time however, before the clapping had even ceased a familiar, ominous voice made itself known.
"Apparently your memory is short Hokage. Last time was a warning, but still you have made the mistake of ignoring us. Come down and fight me. I have no interest in pawns today. Though if you do not I will be forced to exact a blood price from your previous Konoha."Sweat dripping from his brow, the current Hokage did the last thing that anybody expected. With his tail between his legs, he ran and was never seen again. With a low, rumbling chuckle, the same hooded ninja from 6 years prior readied his sword in the midst of the crowd.
"Sorry folks, looks like your rat bastard leader left you in the cold."It only took a fraction of a second for Toshi to appear before the man.
"You. This stops here. You'll die by my hand." Long story short, Toshi played a huge role in dispatching the man. For his heroism he was awarded a medal of honor, and he became something of a household name among the village. Toshi Hitsuki: The man who prevented a repeat of the great massacre of 6 years prior. A formal investigation was made into the matter of the cause of the attacks and the flight of the Hokage, and the results that had been found shook Konoha to its core. Apparently the Hokage had been involved with a shady organization that he'd paid to ensure his election to office. Required to pay hush money, the extortion eventually reached such a point that he'd refused to pay; the cause of the massacre of six years prior. Swept under the rug, the whole thing came full circle and once again a S-Ranked missing-nin had been dispatched to 'convince' the man to pay up.
Surrounded by smiling faces and comments of gratitude, it all became too much for him. Why couldn't they understand that he wasn't worth the dirt that he walked on? Somebody like him didn't deserve their thanks. Shame burning deep in his heart, he went home that night with one goal in mind. Conjuring a rope and pinning it to the ceiling with a kunai, he tied a noose and paused before pulling up a chair. Stepping onto it, and beginning to slip the noose around his neck, a creak interrupted him as the door to his room slid open. The sound of a voice already carrying clearly before the door was already open, he already knew who it was.
"Hey, I'm sorry for barging in, but you seemed-OH KAMI!"Shame even deeper than what he'd felt before flooded him as he stared eye to eye with his little brother Koga, who was near graduation as a Genin himself. It seemed that the escape of death would elude him. That night, he totally broke down as he talked with Koga about what he'd witnessed. Everything from the guilt of Ume's death to the shame of freely handing out his body came pouring out, and for the first time in five years, he cried.
As it turned out, being caught attempting suicide was one of the best things that ever happened to him. That moment had broken down all the barriers he'd built up and forced him to
feel again. Stepping back and reevaluating his life, he dropped out of ANBU and devoted his talents to the codebreaking division for several months while he decided on his next course of action. Eventually, he came to the resolution that he wanted to rededicate himself to service to the village as a Jounin Sensei; He'd face his fears and protect the lives of fledgling ninja.
He did so, and quite successfully raised a single team from Genin to Chunin without any tragedies. Now 21, he was proving to be one of the most powerful ninja in Konoha. All of his years of ruthless training had really paid off, and through the fruits of his effort his power only continued to grow. Around that time, the Gagami had presented him with an ancient treasure that had once been bequeathed to his ancestor Hanako Hitsuki during the wars of her time. Apparently no one since her had been able to use it because their manifestation of the Yume no Chakra wasn't pure enough. Thus the Tessen no Tsukuyomi was sealed within his forehead, mingling its powers with his own and raising his strength even further.
It was at the time that Toshi was looking into taking on a fresh team of Genin that he was approached by a much grander request. The interim Hokage that had been appointed while another candidate was selected was done waiting: He was an old man and wanted nothing more than to live out the rest of his life in peace. Called to a top secret meeting of the council, they revealed that they'd had their eyes on him since he had helped to drive away the missing-nin two years ago. Between his constant growth, his powerful bloodline, and the ancient artifact that was now a part of him, they were proud to announce that he was more than likely the most powerful ninja in the village. It was there that they offered him the position of Kage, and although he initially refused they worked on him until he gave up. Nearing the age of 22, Toshi Hitsuki was sworn in as the youngest Kage in the history of the village.
Over the year that he had been in charge, he has made education a top priority. Overseeing a practical overhaul of the subject matter taught in both ninja and civilian schools, he also saw to the creation of the ninja world's first great library. Other steps he has taken have included establishing vast spy networks, expertly playing the political game to earn Konoha favor, and putting his smarts to work by wisely investing Konoha's money. Because of his savvy business and investing skills, Konoha is currently the most wealthy of the great nations. Rumor has it that he's taken on a young disciple recently.
Other Information: Sorry if his history seems like it peters out or it's melodramatic. I had a lot to say but I got burnt out. ^_^;;
RP Sample: Toshi sighed and blew an errant strand of his straw-blonde locks out of his face. Another sunny day in the Kage's tower; at least as sunny as it could be with a mountain of paperwork casting an ominous shadow across his desk.
'There goes my chance at getting a tan.' He mused, chuckling at the thought of his own joke.
Whatever had possessed him to take this job again? With another chuckle, he grabbed a paper-clipped stack of documents from the pile and began to read.
'Ah, what a coincidence.' He thought, the irony of what he was looking at bringing him another bout of mirth.
The council; the publicly elected board split between shinobi and civilians. The same ones responsible for the document on his desk were also responsible for his current term in public office. When they'd first offered him the position, he was sure that there had been some kind of mistake. He'd politely declined the position, of course, but it had appeared that they'd anticipated that. He'd thought that he was done with the whole matter, but the council had other ideas entirely.
First came the wheedling. "Won't you reconsider?”, “Promise to think it over some more, okay?”. Next came the guilt trips. “Aren't you honored to be offered the position? It's your duty as a ninja of Konoha to serve you village in whatever capacity it needs.”, “Where is your sense of pride in your Village? Are you ashamed to represent us after the scandal?”. Finally came the low-blows. “Think of the children!” He'd tried to turn them down, but apparently they weren't taking “no” for an answer. In the end, they'd worn him down, and here he was. The problem was while they were so busy talking about the glamor and honor of serving the village as Hokage, they'd conveniently forgotten to mention that it came with a minor stipulation... Paperwork. Lots of it. Now, Toshi wasn't the type to be intimidated by reading, but any sane human being would be intimidated by stacks tall enough to injure you if they were to fall over.
Flipping through the document, he scanned the relevant bits. Proposition for new ninja tools for the academy... training materials dated... tools becoming worn...new training dummys needed... Seemed like a winner to him. Moving the document to a tray on his desk labeled “Review”, he picked up the next in the stack. This was the most important part of dealing with the daily influx. Everything that passed by his desk made its way into one of four trays: “Review”, “Later”, “Priority”, or “Meeting.”. If it was a waste of his time or something far off in the future, it would make its way into the “Later” bin to be read when he had more time. Priority was self explanatory, and the “Meeting” bin was reserved for those documents that required talking with those involved before making a final decision. All-in-all, it served to serve its purpose well, breaking up the monstrous stacks of work into smaller piles that could be handled in an orderly fashion. In fact, he was something of a celebrity among the Kage for his organization; It was unusual to see a Kage's desk not covered in random smatterings of paper.
While griping internally about the work load was an entertaining way to pass the time, it wasn't as if the rank of Kage wasn't a dream come true for him. There were no words to describe the honor and pleasure he got out of being able to shape Konoha's future. It certainly came with a lot of stress, though: If he'd thought being a Jounin Sensei was worrysome, he'd yet to be personally responsible for every last person in Konoha. The pressure was immense, but so was the reward. The indescribable experience of having the eyes of children look towards you in reverence was an experience that you couldn't explain until it happened to you. Just thinking about it made his heart swell with a warm sensation: love. He loved his village and he would do everything within his power to make it the best it could be.
Looking down at the paper in front of him, he gave a snort. Even if that meant braving paper cuts and red-faced merchants.
Wed Oct 19, 2011 7:58 pm
