ne. DEEP

[osamu]

The wooden houses that Jyp was learning to construct became more and more elaborate with each day they continued their travels. The first day he'd only made a small shack, but now, only five days further into their travels, Osamu had a whole wing of a forest castle to himself. It was in the ancestor's room of his wing that he resided now, seated before an alter with his clan's mon engraved in the wood. At either side of the mon were burning sticks of incense. There were three trays surrounding the ronin, one to each side of him safe his back. Upon the left rested a blank scroll, a paintbrush and ink at it's side. On the right was a teapot and a small cup. But the one of the most importance rested before him. There, seated so delicately and still was his daishō. The two blades were forged on the day of his birth by his father and uncle alongside him under the supervision of the castle blacksmith. His father presented the blades to him when he first was named samurai and since then, they had been at his side in every moment forth. He was careful in how he approached the katana with his hands. He always was. He felt that mishandling this blade would disturb the very fabric that tied the universe together. Feeling its weight in his hand was as if he were becoming whole. His arm was weak without the blade. With it, it was strong; it could cut down the most elaborate castle. Rip the strongest armor asunder. The sword was as much of him as the arm holding it. With it, he could be Kumiko's ultimate weapon. It was in that moment that he felt her pull upon him. He was yet unable to decode the workings of the soul witch's abilities, and they enchanted more with every application. Even now, he could feel her powerful soul beckoning for him to go to her. He was certain the other two would have felt the same. He restored the daishō to his waist with careful haste and proceeded to the central chambers of the wooden castle where they usually met her. Something about this call however... begged for something more. As though this was the call.

[Jyp]

The progress he'd managed to achieve was surprising, even to himself. Jyp had never been particularly effective with using his abilities before. There had never been anybody to teach him how to use Wood Release, so he'd always had to figure it out himself. He'd taught himself how to perform abilities that he was told existed.

But there were no scrolls describing their inner workings. There was no person to guide him. Well, until he'd been direct to Kumiko-sama. She had managed to pull on his potential and guide him through an amazing amount of progress. Kumiko-sama was an amazing person. No wonder Masahige-sama had become the Hokage-- he'd learned under her guidance. Maybe Jyp could become just as great one day, if not better.

While he contemplated his goals for the future, Jyp also felt the beckoning. He understood the importance, and he made his way to Kumiko at his quickest pace.

[Shimura Kumiko]

"Shinpachi has been briefed already. I needed for him to return to the village so that he might address Masahige-kun." she began promptly once Jyp and Osamu made it to the meeting room. She wore a green kimono today, her pack of cigarettes visible in the middle of her obi. Her old skin was complimented with the grave sentiments that lay in the folds of her face. She had nothing to say to this troop before her that would bring them delight. Today brought the first real news of their intentions as Root. Today would start the war. "Recent findings while surveying the Tamers through the body of Yokohama Naka have changed our situation. I fear, the time is drawing that the Tamers will make their next attack. They have an in with Kumogakure and intend to target the jinchūriki of the Nibi, a young boy called Yoippari Nozu." she allowed her words to catch their ears. This meant that the bijūtsukai were no longer waiting for an answer from the villages. Their silences was an answer enough and they would begin to escalate their tactics swiftly. "I am yet unaware of who the contact is, but the best course of action is to follow through on the lead. Hopefully, we can tail their unit into Kaminari no Kuni and aid Kumogakure in deflecting the attack. Shinpachi will bring whatever reinforcements the Hokage sees fit to assign up once he hears of the situation. "Jyp. We have trained extensively in our short time together, but have faith young boy that this task is not too daunting from one of your lineage. What is more is that you are the second natural emergence of Mokuton. You are a mighty oak and you will protect us well." she smiled. The words, she knew, would be necessary to encourage a young boy such as this. Though he had potential--more potential than possibly any other current living shinobi given the depths of Senju Hashirama's power--he was yet a boy. She hoped she could reassure him without flat out manipulating his soul and filling him with her brand of confidence. Her eyes skipped to Osamu. She said no words. These two were two of a sort and didn't need her soul communication nor words to really understand what the other was saying. Osamu would know the meaning of her look. "We leave this place with the first light and head north to the border. Prepare yourselves."