Exodus as he is known among his comrades of the hidden mist village waited for the new dawn. The man from the Kaguya clan was an aspiring swordsman of the mist village. He was seeking to cement his name in history, have his name roll of the tongue of others in awe of him. Exodus showed patience and discipline awaiting the ferry to take him to his desired destination. The young man had his eyes closed, listening and feeling out all that was around him. The black mask on his face remained blank for the most part. This came as a sign of Exodus’ stillness and his ability to remain in tune with his surroundings. The mist quickly spread itself along the shorelines, masking the presence of the assassin and would be swordsman. With such stillness, animals gathered and flocked to the one known as Exodus. A pair of birds on each shoulder of the man, a little fox came by every now and then to investigate. Not the one to flinch or show any signs of discomfort that would spook the animals. The little birds were even comfortable enough to want to chirp, and sing as the dawn broke. The blue and white Haori that the Shinobi wore kept him warm among the cold, something that would break weaker men. Just like the desert dwellers of Sunagakure are able to withstand the sun, so too can the hidden mist people withstand the cold. Exodus was right at home sitting where he was. The man was of course vigilant as any Shinobi should always be. The many wars that he had been through thought him a lesson in discipline. Exodus opened his eyes behind his mask to the sound of the boat approaching the shores. The young Kaguya smirked a little and the mask reacted to this. And as a result a smirk appeared on the mask as if it was drawn. The white substance that was used to form these expressions and shows emotions disappeared shortly after. The birds that sat on his shoulders took to the skies before the sun could even rise properly. It was a wonderful sight to behold, a bird climbing the heavens. But for most unlucky creatures in life, tragedy would befall it. This tragedy came in the form of a Hawk plucking one of these birds from the skies. Exodus chuckled slightly in response to this. The man that was sitting down in a lotus position got up from his position and moved towards the boat. A mere fisher man with a straw hat on his head was in charge of this vessel. The man must have ferried many Shinobi before that went in search of a certain island. Exodus paid the man in kind with money, something which made him more than happy to ferry the young man across. “Are you going there to seek your destiny?”. The man asked and Exodus, more reputedly known as Izanagi responding saying. “There is no need for me to seek it. My destiny is already awaiting my arrival”. The fisher man gave a little nod and a chuckle as Exodus hopped onto the boat and sat down.
And so off they went in search of this mysterious place, an island where the remnants of the legendary swordsmen remain. Exodus was looking forward to meeting the person that directed so many on the right path. Exodus however realized, or anticipated that getting what he actually wants won’t be an easy task. The seas were as calm as ever considering it was still in the early hours. The waves hadn’t yet awoken to great Exodus, or maybe they all remain still as a sign of respect? Whatever it was Izanagi was grateful for it, since this made his trip a lot easier and more comfortable for him. The Kaguya observed the ripples in the water as the boat moved along. His hands extended and out the side of the boat, the man dipped his hand into the water. Izanagi retracted his hand and stared at them for a while. The man was unsure of what to make of his current situation. The young man only had one thought in mind, gaining what we desired the most. Exodus was determined to get a blade of his own. The island off the shore of the hidden mist village shorelines were up ahead. This was considered to be a neutral territory, and as a result, the wars of the Ninja world hadn’t spread this far out. Nor did the inhabitants of this place choose to take part in it. Exodus on the other hand was thrown into the lions den at a very young age. Exodus was bread in the art of combat and killing, espionage and other tricks. He was still technically a Genin, but his skills may prove otherwise. Exodus simply couldn’t wait for the world to reach some level of normality once more. The quest was nothing more than a side mission of grave importance to him. Exodus knows that wielding a legendary blade could help in ending the war. The notion behind this thinking was that with special powers imbued in these weapons. It could give them the edge needed to overrun the enemy and claim victory for themselves. The Kaguya had been observing the island as he approached it. The people of the island were already active this early. Trading seems to be a major part of the community. It was more like a small country. Exodus predicted that it will most likely be a close knit community. And the only way he could possibly reach his goal would be to mingle with the people of the island. The boat finally arrived and as soon as Exodus set foot on the shores. The people already made guesses as to why he would even visit such a place. The youngster had his work cut out for him and it appears as if it would be a long day somewhat.
Izanagi immediately moved away from the boat, with all eyes on him. There was a shack with the sweet aroma of food and beverage coming from it. Exodus soon deduced that this place was some kind of restaurant. And truth be told he was extremely hungry from a lack of dinner. The legs of the man took him inside the shack where he sat down by a table and placed his order. In this shack, a lovely young lady sat with an old man. The woman caught Izanagi’s attention with such good looks; she wasn’t perfect, but rather intriguing. To the left of the youngster sat two other men chatting away and eating. This kind of scene came as a natural thing to Exodus. It was just like home although a little different. Directly in front of him about fifteen paces away, sat another gentle man that was by himself. This person had been watching Izanagi from the moment he came onto the island. He even followed the Kaguya to the inn and placed an order too. A waitress came over and greeted the young man. And Exodus could tell that she was fascinated by the mask that he wore. This fascination was made apparent when a toddler found his way beside Exodus. And immediately the hands of the toddler reached for the mask on his face. The mask in question formed a question sign, one painted out of confusion. A little giggle escaped the toddler as the man painted a smile and changed once more to a look of confusion. “I think he likes that mask that you’re wearing”.
The waitress stated as Izanagi raised his left hand and moved the mask slight to the right. The man showed a portion of his face, his left eye and portion of his lips. There were no marks on his skin, and his handsome face must have surprised the woman. She stuttered a little in the Shinobi’s presence and a little laugh was spared in response to this. “I too like this mask of mine. I believe it gives me a lot of character. In any case I am rather keen on getting something to eat. I am starving and would like to place my order now”. The female answered nervously while blushing with a yes coming from her. The toddler was soon claimed by what Izanagi could only assume to be the toddler’s mother. From this keen observation, Exodus assumed that this establishment must be a family owned business. “May I please have some ramen and a little bit of sake to go along with that?”. Exodus as if not knowing that the answer would be yes. Fish was also on the menu and that too was ordered as the man relaxed and awaited his meal to arrive. The man that was sat directly fifteen paces in front of him also indulged himself in a meal. Izanagi left the mask in the same position from the time he moved it slightly to the right side of his face. He was carefully observing the people around him. His observation wasn’t carried out in a fashion as to spoke those around him. He appeared to be most relaxed and quite frankly enjoying himself as the meal arrived. He was left to enjoy his meal and that’s what Izanagi chose to do. He paid good money for it, and my, oh, my, was it tasty. A sip of the sake here and there to help him wash down his meal with great satisfaction pleased the man. It wasn’t long before Exodus finished his meal and even tipped the waitress, a person he might visit later on. This will depend entirely on how long he stays on this island. The island was getting busier and busier as the sun rose higher and higher. Exodus had left the inn with the mask once again in tact. This meant it fully covered his handsome face and so the young man was off in search of the old master. As Exodus walked throughout the area, asking many questions that might lead him to his destination. The Kaguya clansman found himself travelling among a rocky path. And on this rocky path he saw the man from the restaurant that was obviously following him. A grin appeared on the mask, painted in response to Exodus’ feelings towards the situation. The man came to a stop and so did the stranger a mere fifteen paces from him. Was this a mere coincidence? Exodus wondered about it as he turned and faced this person.
“Does my presence here bother or intrigued that much? You’ve been keeping an eye on me since I got here. Now what could you possibly want with me, Mr. Fifteen paces?”. Exodus was using a nonchalant voice, one that was almost void of emotion. This could be interpreted as a sign of just how dangerous the man could be. The man that was now standing before him laughed a little. And in response to this Izanagi cocked his head to the right and looked at the stranger. Did this man find the Kaguya clansman to be funny? That couldn’t possibly be the case, right? “You’re asking the wrong questions here. It’s not what I want with you; it’s what you want with me. I can tell that you came here seeking knowledge. This couple with the fact that you’re a Shinobi of the hidden mist tells me one thing. You came here seeking to learn the ways of what it means to be a swordsman, right?”
“Dear me, am I that transparent? How unpleasant you are. I take it you’re the man they call Moshato?”. The stranger stepped forward a little, closing the gap between them by another five paces. Izanagi of course took note of this, and was more than ready to defend himself just in case. Not much could be done about someone who would dare to attack him. The answer would be a simple one, death for the likes of such people. “That tongue of yours and your mannerisms upon till now. They’re like the words of a snake and the cunning of a Jackal. A combination any sane person would be wary of”. The stranger paused and stared at Izanagi for a few more moments. Exodus in the mean time was checking for any disturbances in the area. “Is that one of your hobbies, being able to read the hearts of others upon a mere greeting?”. The stranger still hadn’t answered Izanagi’s question about his identity. At least not yet, but this mishap will soon be rectified. “I am indeed Moshato. And aren’t you the observant one. You were able to read me like a book, just like I did you just now. I will make a guess and say you came here seeking knowledge. You wish to learn the ways of the sword, right? Interesting, you don’t seem to have a blade at this point in time. So just what kind of swordsman are you?”. All of these questions forced a chuckle from Exodus this Moshato person was spot on at every turn it seems. He must have met many Shinobi and aspiring swordsmen during his life time. Izanagi however decided that he wouldn’t be one of the regular ones at all. There was a lot more he could offer and he was destined for great things regardless. “I have wielded many swords, but none of them were even worthy of being my partner. Scratch that. None of those blades actually suit my style at all. The swordsmen of long past all had swords that were unique to them for a reason. Those blades understood them and so did they understand the blades themselves. I am not here seeking a mere tool. I am here in search of nothing but my destiny. And I believe you hold the key to the door in which I need to go through. Now will you show me the way?”.
Moshato applauded the words of the Kaguya clansman and sighed a little. The mask on Izanagi’s face painted an expression with a raised right eyebrow. Was this person trying to belittle him? Exodus remained as calm as ever, much like a viper waiting to strike out at its prey. “Well done. You’ve past the test that so many always fail. Of the many Shinobi that visit this place, only a handful ever learns the way of the one. Fortunately for you, you’re one of the lucky ones. Follow me, the true master whom is known as the one awaits me”. Without a moment’s noticed both men took of as if they understood each other. Exodus could tell that Moshato was also a skilled person, based on his movements alone. Exodus finally arrived at the place that he needed to be, the man reached a plateau atop of the mountains. This is where he met the man that could possibly help him. And upon first impression, Izanagi impressed the man, and he was also equally impressed. This man “The One” oozed with nothing but skill, confidence, knowledge, and experience and yet so humble all at once. “Moshato, it seems you brought me the one I foresaw visiting this place. There is no reason for us to pretend not to know why you’re here. I have foreseen this, I have dreamed it. And here you stand before me. Now what is your name? That seems to be the only thing that eludes me right now”. The mask on Izanagi’s face blinked twice at least that was the painting on it. Exodus was surprised by the things being told to him. This man means to say he had chosen Izanagi long before Izanagi even set foot on the island? Exodus felt things were a little bit too surreal at the moment and so the man simply responded with a nod. “Scary you’re scary. To think you were capable of such things. Alas I am here now and I think I finally understand how those you teach are chosen. Now where do were start off with this thing?”. The grand master could tell that Izanagi was quite ready to move on. But there was much to be done before he could even receive a blade of his own. The master swordsman instructed Moshato to work with Izanagi. This included training as the grand master forged a blade to Izanagi’s liking. The man known as “The One” also thought Izanagi his ways as the days and months went by. Izanagi thought the process would be a quick one, but the young man who arrived at age sixteen was now leaving at age eighteen. A full two years spent learning as much as possible. The night’s ruling light once again set itself over the island and Exodus could sense that his time had drawn near. The sun raised the following more and Izanagi could be seen sitting atop of a large boulder. The grandmaster sitting across from him on a boulder of his own with the blade that Izanagi would inherit in his hands. “I remember when you first came here, a mere boy wishing to learn the ways of the sword. During that time I have thought you just about everything I know. You now have the opportunity to surpass me and take it another step further. The future generation will always be stronger than the past one. We Shinobi know that well better than anyone else. Now then enough of my ranting, since its time you’re awarded that which belongs to you”. While the grandmaster was talking, the tattoo, the mark of the swordsmen was now finished being tattooed onto Izanagi’s body. The ceremony was almost completed with only one thing remaining to do. “It took quite a while for me to get where I am now. But with your teachings, I shall leave a man and not a mere boy any more. I promise to make you proud, and in years to come, the name of my blade will be on the lips of many”. The sword was given to Izanagi and the young man accepted. He didn’t waste anytime leaving the island behind to set out on a new adventure. During his little two years absence, he learned how to wield the blade that he now carries. This blade will be known as “Shinja-ken” which translates to the sacred snake blade.
Sat Jul 23, 2011 1:51 pm by 
