It had only been a couple of hours before the Council had managed to gather and hear Ishiaki and Tsuginohi's plan for the two squads. They approved and set to work on the battlefield. The Council dispatched the two teachers to assemble their squads at The INC Battle Arena
Kami jogged down the alley behind Oita's house and looked both directions once reaching the street. She turned left and continued at this speed, giving pedestrians and rickshaws the right of way. She was on her way to the greenhouse but since the squad wasn't leaving till tomorrow afternoon she wasn't in too much of a hurry.
Ishiaki suddenly jumped down in front of Kami as she strolled her way through the village. "Shouldn't you be moving a little faster? We've got a deadline Kami, remember?" He smiled playfully, "I'm on my way to pack my own supplies, you're off to...the greenhouse? To ready some medical supplies, I'd wager?"
Kami slid to a halt, her bare feet bringing up little tufts of dust before her. She had just enough time to stop before plowing head first into Ishiaki Sensei. "Yes Sensei..." She waited a second to catch the tail end of her breath. "I hope they have the herbs I need. I was hoping to make some pellets too."
"I believe you will find them very well stocked. It seems this island was chosen quite wisely to house the ninja academy. For the area around where this village sits is quite ripe with all sorts of herbs and medicinal plants. As well as numerous other supplies that would benefit our missions."
Ishiaki explained with a smile. "Is there anything I could help you with, by the way? I know I've been rather busy lately and not exactly capable of being a very hands-on teacher."
"Well..."
Kami began. "May we walk and speak Sensei?" She stepped to the side of him and continued in the direction of the greenhouse. "I believe my lightning style could use some work... there where no lightning ninja in my village. I received the gift from an ancestor and there was no one to teach me to use it properly."
"Of course."
Ishiaki told her as they began to walk to the greenhouse. "So you're wondering if I'll teach you a few things?" He thought for a while as they walked, "Tell me, Kami, what is it that you
do know about lightning chakra?"
"When I gather it it feels like it's running threw my body, sort of starting at my stomach and moving outward."
Kami watched her feet as she walked, since he had no eyes to look into any way. "But I feel as if there should be more. The storm comes and I think it uses up the chakra I should be focusing into my lightning... and I do not how to fix it."
"Perhaps you are focusing too much on the look of the jutsu? I must say when those buffalo came storming in, everyone's attention was on them."
Ishiaki told her from observation. He stopped and held up his scabbard for her to see. He bit his thumb and then pressed it to the symbol for lightning. "The thing to remember about lightning chakra is simple." He said as he pulled the sword from the sheath. With a crack of thunder, the blade became visible, looking as though a bolt of lightning simply shot from the hilt of the sword and came to a stop roughly 3 feet from there. "Focus. Lightning constantly wants to travel from where it is, to another place. One must maintain focus in order to wield it."
"I use the image of the buffalo to visualize my chakra flow..."
Kami explain "But it is hard to focus when so much is happening. The Buffalo stampede brings many bolts of lightening. I wish to cut like a knife, not smash like a hammer." The Stampede had been useful to her in the past and her single bolts where weak while the storm rolled.
"I think I get what you're trying to say."
Ishiaki said, sheathing the sword. "Tell you what, when we get back from this mission, I'll show you a couple of things on it. Sound good?"
That news lit
Kami up like one of the fancy lights they used to light the street at night. "Oh Ishiaki Sensei do you promise? I will work very hard on the mission, my word on it. I wish to become a splendid ninja."
"Indeed. As long as the Shimagunikage doesn't have any dire missions for me when we return that is."
Ishiaki promised her with a smile.
"I understand Sensei."
Kami said brightly, there was an extra bounce in her step. Today she felt as if not even Akane could bring down her good spirits.
"Is there anything else, Kami?"
Ishiaki asked as they neared the greenhouse. "I've gotta go pack my own supplies. Unless you need something more?"
"Oh no Sensei."
Kami said brightly "I would not want to keep you. Thank you again." She bowed deeply and popped back up with a smile. She pivoted on her heels and hurried into the greenhouse, determined to get her herbs quickly and dash back home to prepare.
"Very well."
Ishiaki said as she entered the greenhouse. With a POOF! he vanished from the walkway, heading off to pack his own supplies.
"Ah. Hello." Came a response when Kami entered the greenhouse. "Is there something I can help you with? My name's Gurīn Samu."
"Oh, hello."
Kami said with a short bow "I was hoping to find some herbs. Tanpaku-shitsu
, Yasai, and Enerugī. I was looking around the forest this morning and I couldn't seem to find any."
"Ah, that would be because they don't grow naturally on this island." Gurīn replied, moving out from behind the counter. "We've managed however to harvest them, as well as many other herbs and plants, from neighboring islands and grow them here in the greenhouse. I must say this is by far the most efficient greenhouse in all the islands, for that fact alone." She smiled confidently, perfectly happy with herself, for it was her pet project of sorts.
"Wonderful," Kami said happily "I'm making some pellets for an upcoming mission. I must get to work quickly or I will not be ready in time."
"Aren't we all?" She replied with a cheerful tone. She gestured with her hand to a couple of the rows. "Right this way. But please, try not to use all of the herbs. They take some time to grow."
"I understand." But Kami knew she wanted to harvest at least one root system for each of the herbs she needed. With enough time and care she could have Oita's window boxes gleaming with fresh herbs and she would not have to frequent the greenhouse and use up their supply for all the other ninjas.
"I think we may have a couple of them that we could spare, if you intend to grow your own." Gurin explained with a gentle smile.
"Oh yes!" Kami said happily. "You took the words from my mouth."
"I get that alot." Gurin replied with a chuckle
Kami smiled bright enough to grow flowers in the dark. "So where should I look? I do not wish to take the new growth."
"Not to worry about that. Those that are available are out here, the new growth I prefer to keep in the back." Gurin explained cheerfully
"I am new to the idea of currency." Kami confessed. "What will I owe you?"
"You're from that Smoke Village, yes?" Gurin asked, noticing seemingly for the first time, the symbol upon Kami's forehead protector. "I heard that you didn't use currency, but I never actually believed it." She smiled cheerfully, "Tell you what, if you want to come by and assist me in between missions, we can call it even. You'll get whatever herbs and plants you'd need, and I'd get an assistant. Of course, the more rarer ones you'd have to pay for."
Kami's entire world lit up and she could barely contain yourself. "Oh Gurin-chan, this is such a wonderful opportunity! I can learn so much about... about... well everything!" She took the herbalist's hand and held it in front of her forehead as she bowed. "I will be the best assistant this green house has ever had!"
Gurin's smile beamed across her face. "Very glad to hear it. When you get back from your newest mission, I'll give you a tour of your duties, alright?"
"Alright." Kami said happily. "I must hurry, my preparations take time and there is not much left to use."
"Then be off with you." Gurin told her, hustling her towards the door
"Thank you so much Gurin-Chan." Kami told her again bowing. "I cannot wat until we woprk together." She gave the herboligist one last bow before sprinting threw the door and out into the street. Pausing only once to wave back before dashing off again
Stumble!