Sunshine Applications (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
sunshineapps) wrote2015-04-04 10:00 pm
sunshineapps) wrote2015-04-04 10:00 pm
Entry tags:
Yamaru Arashi / Yamata Kirigi
Name: Yamaru Arashi -> Yamata Kirigi
Canon: Original
Character Journal:heartofthestorm
Gender: Male
Age: 23
Birthday: August 17th
Village Affiliation: Publicly undeclared at this time; Privately Land of Ice, Formerly Land of Iron
Rank: Former samurai's apprentice; rightful heir to the lordship of the Land of Ice
Canon History: N/A
Canon Abilities/Powers: N/A
Appearance: At six feet and the odd inch, Yamaru tends to stand out first and foremost in a crowd because he tends to towers above its average height. An inheritor of aristocrat's blood with fine features and elegance in appearance, his eyes are very light gray that lean and tend to reflect light blue. Unchecked, black hair would fall a little more than halfway down his back, but it is usually drawn into a ponytail starting mid-head that is complicated by uneven bangs that frame his face with the occasional straggler falling front and center. His typical apparel these days usually consists of modest traveler's clothing that is occasionally complemented by a large kasa or jingasa, or conical straw hat. He is never seen without both a wakizashi of Iron make and the katana, Ame no Habakiri, at his side, the sheathe of which is usually disguised or wrapped to forgo the possibility of identification by potential hostiles.
Personality: Yamata, Yamaru -- one could say they are two parts of the same whole, but the fact of the matter is that there is one man who holds these names and it's that man in his entirety that shall be addressed here.
Whatever the name he may be called by, the man is, at first glance, a self-confident, prideful individual. His self-confidence lends itself to outright arrogance, which reflects readily in his speech and bearing. His typically rude and downright arrogant (ore-sama) manner of speech is hardly what one would expect of the member of any royal line touted as divinity, let alone the heir to a lordship; and yet, his nobility is made clear for his attitude and through his posture on some level. His pride in his blood, his family, his ability is displayed in his every word and movement and it lends itself to his taste for attention, a little something that has been significantly tempered by logical thought as to tactical efficiency since his time in Iron, but that was never vanquished completely. Furthermore, he is the sort of prideful person who does not back down from a spar or fight and, in the event he should not come out the victor, does not make a good loser; he doesn't take well to achieving or being put in second place unless the person who surpassed him thoroughly deserved it in his eyes, which is a byproduct of his exacting nature.
Despite his rudeness and a degree of impetuousness that is the result of his pride and confidence in his mind, skill, and ability to adapt and control the situation, he is a charismatic individual and a capable leader ever of the mind to not only appear, but be as level-headed an individual as possible. He relates best to others as a leader and, in circumstances where he must follow, only ever pledges to follow with the intention to surpass and take the reins from his 'master'. He is a man who holds honor and loyalty in high regard, too. In the case of the latter especially, it's a two-way street. He does not pledge unduly, nor does he demand from others what he himself cannot return, which further reflects his personal honor. As such, he is the sort of person who draws people to him easily not simply for his charisma, but his values, his ideals.
It was previously mentioned that the man possesses an exacting nature and this deserves elaboration. He is quite exacting. He isn't the sort to waste his time with people or matters he deems unworthy and, should he deem something such, isn't the sort to break the news gently. In the past, upon coming to such a conclusion, he has turned and walked away despite any protest made with his head held high. He holds others to high standards and himself to higher ones that often might come across as ridiculous to others; he throws himself into whatever task to achieve these. This flows into his self-awareness, which is especially keen regarding actions and their consequences. He's self-aware insofar as them and selfish to a degree in that he's typically completely and utterly unapologetic about them and the upheaval his actions may cause due to the utter strength of his conviction, which isn't all that surprising given that he's a highly driven individual whose conviction must be far from weak to match it.
The unfortunate downside to the immediately aforementioned traits is that he is exceedingly stubborn once he sets his mind to something. He can be made to see reason, but it is often a difficult course that requires strong communication to be successful, if not some measure of action because, again, he relates best to others as a leader. Challenges to his authority are to be dealt with quickly and efficiently. This can make him tricky to handle, especially if one isn't familiar with his way of thinking, which can see him come off as rather offputting to those he's drawn to him if they aren't familiar with his attitude and manner of thinking. He has, for example, a very low tolerance for people who doubt him or his ability. He is also very markedly one of those individuals who, while capable of eloquence with some thought to it, holds to the creed that actions speak louder than words. As a result, he tends to communicate best and most clearly through his actions and may be confused or offended if pressed for words when he has acted clearly and concisely already. That and he doesn't like repeating himself, viewing a request that he do so as an offense alongside the possibility that the person making said request may very well be an idiot.
The man is also vain and, to one paying attention, it'd be a hard trait to miss. His hair is exceptionally well cared for with every hair on his head in place or quickly righted following mussing. He bathes at every available opportunity; his skin is exceptionally well-maintained despite his status as a warrior. His clothes are well-kempt and, should they suffer a wrinkle, righted at the earliest opportunity. For this and his various other traits, he may throw the less attentive when he more readily reveals certain traits such as his keen mind and high intelligence that see him give ample thought to strategy despite the impetuousness that may arise for his self-confidence. That he is a well-educated individual also tends to throw people for his rough speech. Likewise, that he carries a slight note of sadism in addition to his passionate love of the fight and his capacity and frank comfort about being vicious when necessary may be surprising, but all these traits are present and coexist within the quite human individual he is.
Yamaru, Yamata -- whatever name he may bear at any given time -- is, at his core, a good man. He is the sort of person cares deeply, but usually not in any obvious manner. It follows with his being the sort of person fully capable of housing a storm within and actively working to manipulate it with his inner blade whilst appearing calm outwardly. In personal relationships, praise is more likely to be given than affection or, if he is being affectionate, a not so open brand; his receptivity to others' displays are often a decent measure of his care about them, but especially should they compromise his pride in some way. He is a very private man and his gestures are usually given via action rather than being the verbal sort. His relationship with people in general is equally complex, but if anything can be said of that, it is this: this is a man who knows his position and is cognizant of his power to define his responsibilities per divine right. He takes his duty to his family, his country, his people with the utmost seriousness befitting the position he is meant to inherit and will, in any and all situations, act in the manner he believes is in their best interest every time, which may very well hint that both his father and Iron's teachings rubbed off on him a bit more than anyone would initially think.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
+ Kenjutsu. The man is dedicated, passionate practitioner ever seeking to absorb new styles, integrate them, and learn new techniques. He loves it and he's increasingly masterful at what he does. This, plus his use of iaido, sees him as a very, very formidable opponent, especially in the case of shinobi using hand seals, who he is sure to overwhelm with the speed of his execution with iaido where he sees fit to use it.
+ Increasingly strong chakra. As someone who has trained consistently his whole life and been put to the test numerous times throughout, his chakra has consistently gained strength for his experiences.
+ Determined & Driven.
+ Charismatic.
+ Leader.
+ Intelligent, educated, and strategic.
+- "Actions carry greater weight than the spoken word."
+- Conflicting Viewpoints. A royal lauded as divinity who knows well his place only to be trained to be a servant and protector of the people -- this is something he is still working to reconcile in his own mind.
+- Exacting. See the personality section.
- Arrogant.
- Tendency toward impetuousness for overconfidence.
- Rude.
- Vain.
- Stubborn.
- Aggressive.
- Poor loser, generally.
- Unapologetic dick.
- Overprotective of the people and things he cares for, to the point that he can be quite restrictive. This is a byproduct of his nature and the effect the coup had on him.
- His heirlooms, that is the Ame no Habakiri and the Kuzuryu summon, are dicks.
- Without both the key and the contract, the Kuzuryu summon possesses the ability to refuse his orders and, should he require it, absolute control of the beast cannot be achieved.
- His primary fighting styles rely upon him having a blade and, in some cases, a specific one. While not defenseless without one, it would put him at a disadvantage in some ways.
- Ordinary blades cannot handle his bloodline's chakra for extended periods without breaking for the natural strength of the chakra. Given his chakra has strengthened further? Even short periods can be risky, limiting the weapons he can use to highly durable blades designed to channel chakra.
Sunshine Abilities/Powers:
Weapons. Yamaru is, first and foremost, an increasingly masterful swordsman who has received training in not only in the art of the sword per the Land if Iron curriculum, but with various other weapons including the kusarigama and the tessen. He typically carries both a wakizashi length blade per Iron and the katana, Ame no Habakiri, at his side with a tessen he is wholly capable of utilizing with skill occasionally held in the fold of a pocket.
Ame no Habakiri (天羽々斬). Literally "Snake-Slayer of Takamagahara," this sword is the Key forged and manufactured by an Arashi ancestor of mad megalomaniacal genius make with a bit of god complex thrown in that stands first and foremost as the most prominent imperial regalia of the Land of Ice. It is directly connected to the Arashi royal family, whose 'divinity' and right to rule it symbolizes, and is lauded in historical records as being an "evolving blade," though few today know exactly what that means or entails. The sword is traditionally used to verify that an Arashi possesses the signature bloodline of the clan and is wielded first and foremost by the daimyo, an Arashi; and yet, it possesses much greater functions and abilities than these.
In its dormant state, it appears to be a katana of impressive make, the materials of which are stronger than high grade steel in the case of the blade, indigenous to Ice, and exceptionally rare with all known deposits having been destroyed by the maker; though, one, maybe two known only to the Arashi and Kuzuryu clans do exist, the most prominent of which is located close to the Kuzuryu's den as a fail safe in the unlikely event the blade may need to be repaired or evolve past a point; the blade itself is capable of seeking out the necessary materials. The hilt of the blade is slightly ornate, the design capable of identifying it should the eyes be trained to do so.
With regards to the blade's abilities in its dormant state, it would be best to begin with the sheath of the blade, which is technically an extension of the sword and notable not only for its extreme durability, but its ability to absorb chakra, a little something it constantly treats its wielder to outside battle. As the weapon has evolved since coming into the heir's possession, the sheathe has gained the ability to absorb natural energy for the simple fact that its wielder has been capable enough to progress it to that point; though, he is not wholly aware of this and its effects for a lack of knowledge about natural energy and is more aware of its tendency to constantly absorb chakra from him. As the sheath is capable of absorbing all but ambient chakra, it can essentially be used in like manner of a shield against attacks of that nature if maneuvered properly. The interior of the sheath imparts the energy absorbed to the sheathed blade and sees the blade continue to devour chakra and obtain experience even when sheathed, if not more slowly depending upon the chakra absorption rate of the blade per activity. The sword itself possesses a greater sheen and is sharper, more durable, and a far more efficient conduit for its user's chakra, the signature of which it is in the middle-stages of adopting as its own, which is a prerequisite to the process of Syncing. Ame no Habakiri is exceptionally well suited to seeing chakra channeled through its blade and amplifies the effect of the bloodline limit of the Arashi clan to the degree that it is possible to invoke the bloodline limit so as to summon and manipulate storms at the most basic level at the least and most easily by dispersing chakra into the air. It hints at being sentient through its ability to pulse and effectively communicate with a wielder in tune with it, which brings us to a not so well known point about the sword.
Ame no Habakiri is a sentient sword, its sheath being an extension of itself. It favors the chakra of the Arashi line, making its loyalty to the line guaranteed to that point at the very least and giving it a vested interest in that line's survival. Within the line, however, it may approve or disapprove of wielders, to the point it may very well deny them outright if it finds their blood and bloodline limit too weak, unsatisfactory, and, or poor in taste as was the case with Yamaru's father. If placed in hands it does not wish to be in, it can and will retaliate using the needles in its handle and become increasingly aggressive to the point that the sheath of the blade may see such rapid energy circulation as to make it too hot to touch or seek to completely absorb all of the handler's chakra. Due to its ability to sense and 'taste' chakra, it is capable of functioning as a psuedo-sensor, an ability that can be most useful if its wielder ever Syncs with it; though, a complete and proper Sync requires it to completely assimilate the wielder's chakra signature and wholly accept said wielder as its master, which is a ways off for a number of reasons. Its personality certainly leaves something to be desired with more than hunger dictating it, for that matter. Picky, pompous, and patronizing, if it had a voice, it would be a hard companion to stomach in that it would likely be grating with a lot of 'mouth in the movie theater' syndrome that would see it calling for action or screaming commentary as it watches the world around it. A brat? Quite. To date, Ame no Habakiri and its wielder have not Synced. Although the two are slowly acclimating to one another, Yama has yet to completely win the sword over despite that he is making steadier strides in communicating with the sword and realizing the true degree of its sentience.
To awaken the blade from its dormant state requires the blood of an Arashi who possesses the bloodline limit of the clan. This is usually achieved via a specific application of their bloodline's chakra to the hilt, which activates a built-in mechanism that pricks the hand(s) to draw blood using reusable hypodermic needles. Devouring the blood through the handle and presumably approving of it, the sword 'awakens' to its true form, which is that of a totsuka blade. That is, it transforms into a sword ten hands or forty inches in length compared to the historic and modern katana's twenty-four minimum give or take an inch. The sheathe and its abilities remain the same sans gaining some seals when Ame no Habakiri achieves its awakened state while the sword's grow exponentially and that much more so in the hands of a competent wielder. The sword greatly amplifies the Arashi chakra and all bloodline abilities, enabling an Arashi to effortlessly summon and manipulate the elements of the storm through the sword. (While this is doable with difficulty depending upon one's experience level using other special blades, most normal blades cannot survive the strength of the chakra for any extended period of time and are prone to breaking, which is why Ame no Habakiri had to be made from special materials.) Essentially, the strength of the elements wielded increases drastically alongside their control and that much more so if the user is competent with greater feats achievable as the wielder becomes better versed.
The aforementioned are not the only benefits afforded a wielder of an awakened Ame no Habakiri. The blade is capable of imbuing its wielder with chakra stored in its sheathe, dramatically enhancing their physical performance in terms of strength, speed, and durability. To date, this is what has been managed with the blade and it may very well be capable of granting its user other abilities as it evolves with him. These things aside, the blade also serves as a key to a doomsday machine of some sort that no one living knows how to operate or find at this time. Furthermore, the blade is a known enemy of snakes, often instilling some degree of fear into the creatures for historical connotations, and, unknown to the general populace, is one of the few blades that could effortless cut through the Kuzuryu's thick hide.
It is important to note that whatever the state of the sword, it is capable of transferring chakra to whomsoever it chooses via contact. In the case of its wielder, this allows for spent chakra reserves to be replenished in the blink of an eye and for battles to continue to their conclusion where they might otherwise fall short. If he had an interest in the bijuu? He'd be pretty well qualified to go hunting for this and Ame no Habakiri's chakra absorption abilities. Pity he hasn't yet taken advantage of the fact that he can indeed benefit from absorbing special chakras Ame no Habakiri may hoard, now isn't it? He has at the least noticed an increase in its performance since it began to absorb natural energy. If only it came with a user's manual!
Kenjutsu. Yamaru is nothing if not an increasingly masterful swordsman, having been trained from the age of two in various different forms of the art. He was taught first by his father in Arashi style using a specially designed katana from Iron designed to channel Arashi chakra, which sees the user combine their unique bloodline with swordsmanship to achieve devastating effects. With his father's death, he was left with his memory, what knowledge his mother retained from her observations, and his own determination to press on in Arashi style and he's done very well for himself considering he has had to experiment and teach himself in the absence of persons knowledgeable of his bloodline limit and the Arashi style. (See: Bloodline Limit.)
The man's swordsmanship isn't limited to the Arashi family's personal style, however. Having been trained by the military of the Land of Iron from the ages of five to eighteen, he is skilled in several different styles of kenjutsu practiced there. He favors iaido, which, due to the extreme speed by which the katana is drawn and sheathed, tends to make ninjutsu almost useless against him as the time it takes to make hand seals is grossly outmatched by his speed in execution with his sword. Additionally, he is masterful when it comes to channeling his chakra into his sword to increase the range of his attacks, in the creation of concentrated energy attacks via swing, and also in form manipulation where it concerns his blade, allowing him to achieve a variety of shapes that may alter the shape thrown or allow him to achieve differing effects. He is also good and experienced in channeling his chakra natures through his sword to achieve a variety of effects and in using kenjutsu techniques conceivable via their use.
For his lack of armor, he is less protected than the samurai of Iron, but much, much faster and with a keen eye to take in new techniques and styles witnessed. The art of the sword is the air he breathes and he is an avid practitioner, ever seeking to improve himself and absorb new techniques and styles. His dedication has seen him dubbed prodigal, a supposition that isn't incorrect, but that is supported with a heavy dose of hard work and a tremendous dedication and passion for the art.
Bloodline Limit. The bloodline limit of the Arashi clan was engineered by the same mad ancestor who created the Key and the Kuzuryu. As such, their blood line limit is an artificial machination woven into the blood and genes of the family. It invokes wind, water, and lightning natures at its most basic levels and allows the wielder to generate and manipulate them in a blink without hand seals. Utilizing and controlling them properly, of course, takes as rigorous practice as any any. Through their bloodline, Arashi are also granted the ability to manipulate atmospheric conditions, giving them the ability to bring about clouds, rain, snow, lightning, storms, or even clear conditions with and without dramatic prompting. Thus, they are capable of summoning and controlling the storms they are named for and the elements within them. Despite their lack of need for hand seals, they traditionally apply their bloodline limit to their sword art. In an unkind climate such as that of Ice, this bloodline especially is a weighty one.
From the age of two 'til the coup at four, Yamaru was instructed and drilled in the sword art of his clan and his bloodline to the best of his father and tutors' abilities. Following the coup, he was left to train in his bloodline and sword art on his lonesome with some help from his mother and he threw himself into it, after which he was picked up the Land of Iron's military and trained formally by them. Disguising his bloodline limit to eschew recognition, Yamaru trained and experimented consistently in private until the age of eighteen, allowing him to gain stronger chakra with regards to his bloodline limit and better control bladeless than has been seen in his family line in some generations. Upon taking up Ame no Habakiri constantly upon his departure from Iron, he began to gain more experience and further increase his ability using his bloodline limit.
To date, Yamaru ranks among those of the Arashi line with the greatest raw potential in terms of his bloodline limit. He is capable of invoking and manipulating the elements that compose his bloodline without the use of a blade or conduit to great effect, but prefers to combine them with his kenjutsu. He is fully capable of manipulating atmospheric conditions to the extent described above and is potent and practiced enough to do so without the amplification provided by Ame no Habakiri. While he is well practiced with ample experience, it is important to note, however, that he still has a ways to go and is not quite a master despite his current prowess. A genius perhaps for having to work so much out on his lonesome, but definitely improvable.
Taijutsu. Yamaru possesses decent skill in this area as a martial artist. In hand-to-hand, he's nothing to laugh at and can hold his own, disarm his opponents, and is in possession of an above average stamina due to his consistent training across this years and natural aptitude. Physically, he is faster than he is strong, but his strength follows shortly thereafter, making him formidable and also explaining his early need to learn how to balance his strength. He keeps up in this area, but prefers kenjutsu first and foremost.
Summon. Per the machinations of his ancestor, Yamaru's summoning contract is with the Kuzuryu, an erroneously named reptilian creature (think Asian dragon, Asian snake) patchworked together via mad science that echoes the Key in that it, too, was designed to be an evolving 'weapon,' albeit one that has seen little growth and development for its creator's successors, its spoiling under the dutiful hands of the Kuzuryu retainers, and its hatred for humanity and the line that created and subjugated it. To further complicate matters, all eight heads are sentient individuals with their own varied personalities that do not always get along despite that they are quite capable of communicating in humans' common tongue as well as their own. This isn't helped by the simple fact that the Kuzuryu has suffered nearly twenty years of neglect by the present time with the death of the Kuzuryu clan. Challenge much? You bet.
Standing roughly two to three houses tall in height, the Kuzuryu sports eight heads and a tail, the latter possessing the ability to branch off into eight sections to reach havoc on their lonesome. Its hide is incredibly thick and durable to the point that it is near impossible to pierce with standard blades. Even blades enhanced with wind chakra often suffer resistance if great pressure is not applied. With regards to additional physical attributes, the Kuzuryu can use its body and weight to attack as well as its sharp claws, its fangs, and both its eight-pronged tails and necks long enough to extend, wrap around, constrict, and crush with ridiculous easy, nevermind use as blunt and piercing weapons in the case of the tail(s). If that wasn't bad enough, five of its eight heads possess the five chakra natures, one apiece, with the other three being capable of utilizing combinations. One in particular is given to ice nature whilst the other two are more fluid in their ability to combine elements to achieve effects, their favorite being the sort that conduct or cause explosions and heavy damage immediately. Each head also bears the distinction of being highly venomous and capable of issuing venom individually, making it a deadlier beast.
At the present time, the Kuzuryu could be said to be in its toddler stage insofar as its development as an evolving weapon. Like Ame no Habakiri's sheath, it possesses the ability to absorb chakra, but the ability lies dormant for a lack of exposure and experience to date and must be used actively with intent, a technique that requires the focus of at least three heads working in tandem to achieve. It possesses a greater range of abilities, including the ability to grow in size and mature in ability, but they are unattainable at this time due to its current stage of development and a lack of training.
It is especially important to note that without both the key and the summoning contract, the Kuzuryu possesses the ability to refuse orders given by its contract holder. In fact, both are necessary as they act in tandem to afford the key the ability to enforce the contract and, if necessary, override the creature's will to enforce control. An application of blood to the hilt in tandem with the contract's hidden 'fine print' being activated results in this, which is arguably complicated. For this reason, Yamaru is currently searching for a means to put the contract on his body for ease of access.
Sunshine History: To acquire a complete understanding of Yamaru Arashi and his history, one must look first at the history of the Land of Ice and its lordship, for his is deeply intertwined with these. The Land of Ice traditionally ranks among those lands with brutal winters, chilly springs, short, mild summers, unexpected hot springs that make for a pleasant respite and decent business, and a hardier sort of native population both in the civilian and shinobi realms; though, neither sort are excluded from the bloody history the country holds to. The majority of the shinobi of the Land of Ice have and remain trapped by their own invention in the tenuous warring states period of the historical past, which has seen them shy from the establishment of a central village and interaction with shinobi outside of their borders.
On the other side of the coin, the civilian side of things has seen evil despot after self-sabotaging megalomaniac after mad man with a flare and passion for amoral science occasionally interrupted by the well-intentioned leader with high hopes and a drive to bring in a new age of peace only to be killed and usurped within a decade or so serve as its lordship with its nobility being little better. That lordship has traditionally been held by members of the Arashi clan, who played a central role in the founding and settling of the land and the development of its government to the point that theirs is regarded as the royal line and rarely interrupted for pains taken by the family to keep it. While Ice does possess other noble clans who participated in the founding of the country, history holds them not as divinity, but certainly as blessed families for their part in establishing the governance and their historical roles usually have a touch of myth to them or at least what would sound like it on modern Earth.
The efforts by the Arashi family to hold and keep control of the somewhat disorganized country came to involve the use of forbidden jutsu to establish and embed a bloodline limit in members of the line and the creation of a key that would both allow for the activation of said bloodline limit and, in conjunction with the bloodline limit, stand as a proof of their 'divinity' and right to rule. Roughly seventy years ago, an additional proof was added via dubious methods in the form of the Arashi's control over an eight-headed reptilian summon that came to be erroneously called the Kuzuryu, the ability to control which was linked to the 'key' and bloodline.
Fast forward to roughly two generations prior to the present and the seeds of the coup that would affect Yamaru's early life were planted in one of the Kuzuryu who so faithfully served the Arashi clan. Yamaru's grandfather, a particularly wicked man, achieved succession of Ice's throne through the murder of his brother, causing his brother's Kuzuryu to snap. The fruits of that seed would not be seen for another two generations, the first of which was troubled by a number of factors. Yamaru's father, Ryuunosuke, did not manifest the bloodline limit and could not use the key or control the erroneously named Kuzuryu summon, who was more heavily maintained by the Kuzuryu clan as a result. The defective son was promised to Kaguya, a daughter of Water's nobility who, unbeknownst to everyone, was in actuality the product of an affair between a Water noblewoman and Yuki clansman. The two married young as a result of Kaguya's mother's attempt to conceal her indiscretion and, upon his father's death, Ryuunosuke ascended and became daimyo of the Land of Ice. Due to his lack of proofs, he was received poorly. A better man than his father with a mind for peace despite opposition, he was a powerful swordsman in his own right and exercised a tight control over the same nobles he pandered to to retain his position and control over his country whilst working to fix the problems created by so many generations of the same so that the nation might be great.
Enter Yamaru Arashi, first born son of Ryuunosuke Arashi and heir to the lordship of the Land of Ice. His was a birth that was widely celebrated and celebrated again when, at the age of one and a few months' change, it was verified that he possessed the bloodline limit of the Arashi clan and that he could use the key, affirming his 'divinity' and right as a legitimate heir to the country. His early years were spent in the company of his parents, a host of tutors, some children of the nobility, and also in that of his personal Kuzuryu, Ashiko, who had been born a year after him. The two were nigh inseparable and certainly close in their early years with traded nicknames even and enjoyed a measure of playtime with some other noble children, who they played often enough while the adults discussed politics and policy. Their time together would be cut woefully short, however, for a bloody horizon brought on by the sins of a dead royal.
Yamaru was four when the fruit of his grandfather's transgressions caught up to his family. A coup was staged due to the machinations of his grandfather's brothers Kuzuryu, who had roped some of the nobles into his plans. The royal palace was attacked, the target being the daimyo and any known supporters of his. By day's end, the coup was a success. The Kuzuryu who had initiated it was dead; the royal family was allegedly slain in its entirety and all but two Kuzuryu with them and Ryuuno's head was paraded around the city for all to see. The truth of the 'revolutionaries,' however, was only partial. In the chaos, a pregnant Kaguya spirited Yamaru and the royal key away, the boy witnessing Kuzuryu after Kuzuryu fall defending their masters in the process. With Kaguya's knowledge of the palace's hidden passageways and the help of Louisoix Leveilleur, they escaped the massacre and journeyed to the Land of Iron, after which Louisoix returned to Ice at Kaguya-hime's behest.
Yamata Kirigi, then four, came to reside in a village in the Land of Iron shortly thereafter alongside his mother, Kaguya Kirigi. A boy touched by the bloody events of his immediate past, he made the decision to honor his family and true identity as opposed to turning his back on the past, claim his birthright, retake his country, and return his family to its rightful place as the ruling clan of Ice near immediately, which saw him throw himself that much harder into the training his father had imparted him even as he worked to decipher the abilities of his bloodline limit from memory of scrolls in the palace and legend. He reaffirmed his decision with the birth of his younger sister, Kouran, so named after a flower unique to the Land of Ice per his father's wishes, and it was this steely resolve alongside his prior training and care in disguising his bloodline limit as to eschew recognition that would see him apprenticed to a samurai of Iron at the age of five. Fortune favored him and saw him able to remain close to his family.
The next thirteen years of his life would be spent balancing training and lessons issued by his mother and the military of the Land of Iron and time with the family he cherished. He was, from the start, especially close to Kouran in that way only a big brother can be and protective of her in the same. Kaguya, too, experienced some of the sort as, in the absence of his father, Yamata saw himself as the man of the family and that it was his responsibility to be the proper pillar and provide protection and security. A dutiful student, he learned well what his mother taught him insofar as academia and insisted she teach him everything she could about Ice, the world, politics, and noble matters of etiquette, to name a few. At the same time, he did not shirk his studies and training in the military arts per the teaching of his mother and the samurai he was apprenticed to. Matters of the sword were close to his heart and his swordsmanship was more than a means to an end. It was a love, a passion, a point of pride and it showed in how quickly he progressed.
As Yamata grew, word of a young prodigy would spread through the ranks and see him meet with various important figures of Iron, from whom he acquired further guidance and skill. The most notable of these was the general Mifune when Yamata was still young, who saw in him something dark and cautioned him against it, advising him to remember that it was a samurai's duty to serve the people and not only adhere to the principles of harmony (wa), but embody it. It was those lessons along with these reminders that would see him eventually begin to absorb the heart of those lessons into himself as he considered the history of his family, his country. While not an easy reconciliation, it took root nonetheless and would see him a better man and warrior for it; though, he could not let go of his past, nor his goals and pressed on.
Truly, the only other pause Yamata ever gave was when his sister followed in his footsteps and was apprenticed to a samurai for her own, differing bloodline limit. It was a decision he protested, but ultimately allowed her to do as she would. After all, someone had to remain behind when he left to retake Ice to watch over their mother and who better to do that than Kouran?
At the age of eighteen, with mounting pressure to swear fealty to a lord and officially graduate to the samurai rank, Yamaru took his leave of the Land of Iron, being of the mind to avoid the political complications that would surely arise in lieu of his goals. His sister followed and, upon realizing this, he reluctantly allowed her to do as she would when she refused to turn back. Since that time, the two have traveled from land to land as the Kirigi siblings with several goals. To discern the fate of the Kuzuryu clan and bring any remnants of it to their rightful place at their side, to collect the Kuzuryu summon, to collect and establish a wide information network, observe other governments, and gather allies for the inevitable day when Yamaru would return to Ice to claim his birthright and retake his country from the treasonous snakes who took almost everything from them and made their family suffer -- these are the goals they began with, some of which have seen completion if not some degree of it by the present time.
The Kuzuryu was found via the traditional means by tracking down its den in Ice when Yamaru was nineteen. A fledgling information network was established early and is now far from fledgling, having expanded as they traveled, made contacts, and gathered allies both solid and potential. This same network allowed them an inroad or two into Ice by which they keep tabs on what is happening there. Having come into the knowledge of the fate of the Kuzuryu clan in the first few years of their travels as a result, Yamata pushed the envelope in finding her from the start given that it was his own personal Kuzuryu that had survived; they discovered by accident in February of Year 69 and he is hellbent that she return to his side. Establishing positive relationships with the politicians and people of the various countries was and remains a priority, also, and it has seen the siblings take work and occasionally intervene in hostile situations to the point that 'Yamata Kirigi' and 'Kouran Kirigi' are names that bear positive reflections in several lands and even amongst some shinobi, of whom Yamata remains curious but somewhat distant for the knowledge of Iron's view of what has historically appeared a chaotic element.
With the goal of retaking the country on the twentieth anniversary of the coup, things seem to be going well by Yamata's reckoning for all that lies in his line of sight. His sister walks by his side. The proofs of his divinity are in the palm of his hand; though, the Kuzuryu is admittedly grumpy and will require apt attention to be swayed to join him as an ally as opposed to merely a tool of war. Ashiko, his personal Kuzuryu, has been found and will rejoin him one way or another. Information is at their fingertips and they have allies in their support. There are more to be made, of course, but even their potential number for positive relations is solid.
It's just a matter of time.
Prose sample: Right here!
Missive Sample: Little Flower,
Oi! Pay attention! You know by now the way of things such as this, but that's no reason to slack off. Remember your training, got it?
After you read this missive, burn it and leave the ashes where they won't get caught by the winds. Then, follow the river to the road. Koyo-kun should be coming up on it. Hide in the back of the caravan and see him to the village. His troubles should catch up to you before then. When they do, I will be there and we'll wrap up this mess.
The timing of this mission is critical to our relations with this country. It's important that we see this through as cleanly as possible. I don't expect our opponents to give us much trouble given their reported caliber, but again, remember your training. They may surprise you.
The Grass Cutter
Canon: Original
Character Journal:
heartofthestormGender: Male
Age: 23
Birthday: August 17th
Village Affiliation: Publicly undeclared at this time; Privately Land of Ice, Formerly Land of Iron
Rank: Former samurai's apprentice; rightful heir to the lordship of the Land of Ice
Canon History: N/A
Canon Abilities/Powers: N/A
Appearance: At six feet and the odd inch, Yamaru tends to stand out first and foremost in a crowd because he tends to towers above its average height. An inheritor of aristocrat's blood with fine features and elegance in appearance, his eyes are very light gray that lean and tend to reflect light blue. Unchecked, black hair would fall a little more than halfway down his back, but it is usually drawn into a ponytail starting mid-head that is complicated by uneven bangs that frame his face with the occasional straggler falling front and center. His typical apparel these days usually consists of modest traveler's clothing that is occasionally complemented by a large kasa or jingasa, or conical straw hat. He is never seen without both a wakizashi of Iron make and the katana, Ame no Habakiri, at his side, the sheathe of which is usually disguised or wrapped to forgo the possibility of identification by potential hostiles.
Personality: Yamata, Yamaru -- one could say they are two parts of the same whole, but the fact of the matter is that there is one man who holds these names and it's that man in his entirety that shall be addressed here.
Whatever the name he may be called by, the man is, at first glance, a self-confident, prideful individual. His self-confidence lends itself to outright arrogance, which reflects readily in his speech and bearing. His typically rude and downright arrogant (ore-sama) manner of speech is hardly what one would expect of the member of any royal line touted as divinity, let alone the heir to a lordship; and yet, his nobility is made clear for his attitude and through his posture on some level. His pride in his blood, his family, his ability is displayed in his every word and movement and it lends itself to his taste for attention, a little something that has been significantly tempered by logical thought as to tactical efficiency since his time in Iron, but that was never vanquished completely. Furthermore, he is the sort of prideful person who does not back down from a spar or fight and, in the event he should not come out the victor, does not make a good loser; he doesn't take well to achieving or being put in second place unless the person who surpassed him thoroughly deserved it in his eyes, which is a byproduct of his exacting nature.
Despite his rudeness and a degree of impetuousness that is the result of his pride and confidence in his mind, skill, and ability to adapt and control the situation, he is a charismatic individual and a capable leader ever of the mind to not only appear, but be as level-headed an individual as possible. He relates best to others as a leader and, in circumstances where he must follow, only ever pledges to follow with the intention to surpass and take the reins from his 'master'. He is a man who holds honor and loyalty in high regard, too. In the case of the latter especially, it's a two-way street. He does not pledge unduly, nor does he demand from others what he himself cannot return, which further reflects his personal honor. As such, he is the sort of person who draws people to him easily not simply for his charisma, but his values, his ideals.
It was previously mentioned that the man possesses an exacting nature and this deserves elaboration. He is quite exacting. He isn't the sort to waste his time with people or matters he deems unworthy and, should he deem something such, isn't the sort to break the news gently. In the past, upon coming to such a conclusion, he has turned and walked away despite any protest made with his head held high. He holds others to high standards and himself to higher ones that often might come across as ridiculous to others; he throws himself into whatever task to achieve these. This flows into his self-awareness, which is especially keen regarding actions and their consequences. He's self-aware insofar as them and selfish to a degree in that he's typically completely and utterly unapologetic about them and the upheaval his actions may cause due to the utter strength of his conviction, which isn't all that surprising given that he's a highly driven individual whose conviction must be far from weak to match it.
The unfortunate downside to the immediately aforementioned traits is that he is exceedingly stubborn once he sets his mind to something. He can be made to see reason, but it is often a difficult course that requires strong communication to be successful, if not some measure of action because, again, he relates best to others as a leader. Challenges to his authority are to be dealt with quickly and efficiently. This can make him tricky to handle, especially if one isn't familiar with his way of thinking, which can see him come off as rather offputting to those he's drawn to him if they aren't familiar with his attitude and manner of thinking. He has, for example, a very low tolerance for people who doubt him or his ability. He is also very markedly one of those individuals who, while capable of eloquence with some thought to it, holds to the creed that actions speak louder than words. As a result, he tends to communicate best and most clearly through his actions and may be confused or offended if pressed for words when he has acted clearly and concisely already. That and he doesn't like repeating himself, viewing a request that he do so as an offense alongside the possibility that the person making said request may very well be an idiot.
The man is also vain and, to one paying attention, it'd be a hard trait to miss. His hair is exceptionally well cared for with every hair on his head in place or quickly righted following mussing. He bathes at every available opportunity; his skin is exceptionally well-maintained despite his status as a warrior. His clothes are well-kempt and, should they suffer a wrinkle, righted at the earliest opportunity. For this and his various other traits, he may throw the less attentive when he more readily reveals certain traits such as his keen mind and high intelligence that see him give ample thought to strategy despite the impetuousness that may arise for his self-confidence. That he is a well-educated individual also tends to throw people for his rough speech. Likewise, that he carries a slight note of sadism in addition to his passionate love of the fight and his capacity and frank comfort about being vicious when necessary may be surprising, but all these traits are present and coexist within the quite human individual he is.
Yamaru, Yamata -- whatever name he may bear at any given time -- is, at his core, a good man. He is the sort of person cares deeply, but usually not in any obvious manner. It follows with his being the sort of person fully capable of housing a storm within and actively working to manipulate it with his inner blade whilst appearing calm outwardly. In personal relationships, praise is more likely to be given than affection or, if he is being affectionate, a not so open brand; his receptivity to others' displays are often a decent measure of his care about them, but especially should they compromise his pride in some way. He is a very private man and his gestures are usually given via action rather than being the verbal sort. His relationship with people in general is equally complex, but if anything can be said of that, it is this: this is a man who knows his position and is cognizant of his power to define his responsibilities per divine right. He takes his duty to his family, his country, his people with the utmost seriousness befitting the position he is meant to inherit and will, in any and all situations, act in the manner he believes is in their best interest every time, which may very well hint that both his father and Iron's teachings rubbed off on him a bit more than anyone would initially think.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
+ Kenjutsu. The man is dedicated, passionate practitioner ever seeking to absorb new styles, integrate them, and learn new techniques. He loves it and he's increasingly masterful at what he does. This, plus his use of iaido, sees him as a very, very formidable opponent, especially in the case of shinobi using hand seals, who he is sure to overwhelm with the speed of his execution with iaido where he sees fit to use it.
+ Increasingly strong chakra. As someone who has trained consistently his whole life and been put to the test numerous times throughout, his chakra has consistently gained strength for his experiences.
+ Determined & Driven.
+ Charismatic.
+ Leader.
+ Intelligent, educated, and strategic.
+- "Actions carry greater weight than the spoken word."
+- Conflicting Viewpoints. A royal lauded as divinity who knows well his place only to be trained to be a servant and protector of the people -- this is something he is still working to reconcile in his own mind.
+- Exacting. See the personality section.
- Arrogant.
- Tendency toward impetuousness for overconfidence.
- Rude.
- Vain.
- Stubborn.
- Aggressive.
- Poor loser, generally.
- Unapologetic dick.
- Overprotective of the people and things he cares for, to the point that he can be quite restrictive. This is a byproduct of his nature and the effect the coup had on him.
- His heirlooms, that is the Ame no Habakiri and the Kuzuryu summon, are dicks.
- Without both the key and the contract, the Kuzuryu summon possesses the ability to refuse his orders and, should he require it, absolute control of the beast cannot be achieved.
- His primary fighting styles rely upon him having a blade and, in some cases, a specific one. While not defenseless without one, it would put him at a disadvantage in some ways.
- Ordinary blades cannot handle his bloodline's chakra for extended periods without breaking for the natural strength of the chakra. Given his chakra has strengthened further? Even short periods can be risky, limiting the weapons he can use to highly durable blades designed to channel chakra.
Sunshine Abilities/Powers:
Weapons. Yamaru is, first and foremost, an increasingly masterful swordsman who has received training in not only in the art of the sword per the Land if Iron curriculum, but with various other weapons including the kusarigama and the tessen. He typically carries both a wakizashi length blade per Iron and the katana, Ame no Habakiri, at his side with a tessen he is wholly capable of utilizing with skill occasionally held in the fold of a pocket.
Ame no Habakiri (天羽々斬). Literally "Snake-Slayer of Takamagahara," this sword is the Key forged and manufactured by an Arashi ancestor of mad megalomaniacal genius make with a bit of god complex thrown in that stands first and foremost as the most prominent imperial regalia of the Land of Ice. It is directly connected to the Arashi royal family, whose 'divinity' and right to rule it symbolizes, and is lauded in historical records as being an "evolving blade," though few today know exactly what that means or entails. The sword is traditionally used to verify that an Arashi possesses the signature bloodline of the clan and is wielded first and foremost by the daimyo, an Arashi; and yet, it possesses much greater functions and abilities than these.
In its dormant state, it appears to be a katana of impressive make, the materials of which are stronger than high grade steel in the case of the blade, indigenous to Ice, and exceptionally rare with all known deposits having been destroyed by the maker; though, one, maybe two known only to the Arashi and Kuzuryu clans do exist, the most prominent of which is located close to the Kuzuryu's den as a fail safe in the unlikely event the blade may need to be repaired or evolve past a point; the blade itself is capable of seeking out the necessary materials. The hilt of the blade is slightly ornate, the design capable of identifying it should the eyes be trained to do so.
With regards to the blade's abilities in its dormant state, it would be best to begin with the sheath of the blade, which is technically an extension of the sword and notable not only for its extreme durability, but its ability to absorb chakra, a little something it constantly treats its wielder to outside battle. As the weapon has evolved since coming into the heir's possession, the sheathe has gained the ability to absorb natural energy for the simple fact that its wielder has been capable enough to progress it to that point; though, he is not wholly aware of this and its effects for a lack of knowledge about natural energy and is more aware of its tendency to constantly absorb chakra from him. As the sheath is capable of absorbing all but ambient chakra, it can essentially be used in like manner of a shield against attacks of that nature if maneuvered properly. The interior of the sheath imparts the energy absorbed to the sheathed blade and sees the blade continue to devour chakra and obtain experience even when sheathed, if not more slowly depending upon the chakra absorption rate of the blade per activity. The sword itself possesses a greater sheen and is sharper, more durable, and a far more efficient conduit for its user's chakra, the signature of which it is in the middle-stages of adopting as its own, which is a prerequisite to the process of Syncing. Ame no Habakiri is exceptionally well suited to seeing chakra channeled through its blade and amplifies the effect of the bloodline limit of the Arashi clan to the degree that it is possible to invoke the bloodline limit so as to summon and manipulate storms at the most basic level at the least and most easily by dispersing chakra into the air. It hints at being sentient through its ability to pulse and effectively communicate with a wielder in tune with it, which brings us to a not so well known point about the sword.
Ame no Habakiri is a sentient sword, its sheath being an extension of itself. It favors the chakra of the Arashi line, making its loyalty to the line guaranteed to that point at the very least and giving it a vested interest in that line's survival. Within the line, however, it may approve or disapprove of wielders, to the point it may very well deny them outright if it finds their blood and bloodline limit too weak, unsatisfactory, and, or poor in taste as was the case with Yamaru's father. If placed in hands it does not wish to be in, it can and will retaliate using the needles in its handle and become increasingly aggressive to the point that the sheath of the blade may see such rapid energy circulation as to make it too hot to touch or seek to completely absorb all of the handler's chakra. Due to its ability to sense and 'taste' chakra, it is capable of functioning as a psuedo-sensor, an ability that can be most useful if its wielder ever Syncs with it; though, a complete and proper Sync requires it to completely assimilate the wielder's chakra signature and wholly accept said wielder as its master, which is a ways off for a number of reasons. Its personality certainly leaves something to be desired with more than hunger dictating it, for that matter. Picky, pompous, and patronizing, if it had a voice, it would be a hard companion to stomach in that it would likely be grating with a lot of 'mouth in the movie theater' syndrome that would see it calling for action or screaming commentary as it watches the world around it. A brat? Quite. To date, Ame no Habakiri and its wielder have not Synced. Although the two are slowly acclimating to one another, Yama has yet to completely win the sword over despite that he is making steadier strides in communicating with the sword and realizing the true degree of its sentience.
To awaken the blade from its dormant state requires the blood of an Arashi who possesses the bloodline limit of the clan. This is usually achieved via a specific application of their bloodline's chakra to the hilt, which activates a built-in mechanism that pricks the hand(s) to draw blood using reusable hypodermic needles. Devouring the blood through the handle and presumably approving of it, the sword 'awakens' to its true form, which is that of a totsuka blade. That is, it transforms into a sword ten hands or forty inches in length compared to the historic and modern katana's twenty-four minimum give or take an inch. The sheathe and its abilities remain the same sans gaining some seals when Ame no Habakiri achieves its awakened state while the sword's grow exponentially and that much more so in the hands of a competent wielder. The sword greatly amplifies the Arashi chakra and all bloodline abilities, enabling an Arashi to effortlessly summon and manipulate the elements of the storm through the sword. (While this is doable with difficulty depending upon one's experience level using other special blades, most normal blades cannot survive the strength of the chakra for any extended period of time and are prone to breaking, which is why Ame no Habakiri had to be made from special materials.) Essentially, the strength of the elements wielded increases drastically alongside their control and that much more so if the user is competent with greater feats achievable as the wielder becomes better versed.
The aforementioned are not the only benefits afforded a wielder of an awakened Ame no Habakiri. The blade is capable of imbuing its wielder with chakra stored in its sheathe, dramatically enhancing their physical performance in terms of strength, speed, and durability. To date, this is what has been managed with the blade and it may very well be capable of granting its user other abilities as it evolves with him. These things aside, the blade also serves as a key to a doomsday machine of some sort that no one living knows how to operate or find at this time. Furthermore, the blade is a known enemy of snakes, often instilling some degree of fear into the creatures for historical connotations, and, unknown to the general populace, is one of the few blades that could effortless cut through the Kuzuryu's thick hide.
It is important to note that whatever the state of the sword, it is capable of transferring chakra to whomsoever it chooses via contact. In the case of its wielder, this allows for spent chakra reserves to be replenished in the blink of an eye and for battles to continue to their conclusion where they might otherwise fall short. If he had an interest in the bijuu? He'd be pretty well qualified to go hunting for this and Ame no Habakiri's chakra absorption abilities. Pity he hasn't yet taken advantage of the fact that he can indeed benefit from absorbing special chakras Ame no Habakiri may hoard, now isn't it? He has at the least noticed an increase in its performance since it began to absorb natural energy. If only it came with a user's manual!
Kenjutsu. Yamaru is nothing if not an increasingly masterful swordsman, having been trained from the age of two in various different forms of the art. He was taught first by his father in Arashi style using a specially designed katana from Iron designed to channel Arashi chakra, which sees the user combine their unique bloodline with swordsmanship to achieve devastating effects. With his father's death, he was left with his memory, what knowledge his mother retained from her observations, and his own determination to press on in Arashi style and he's done very well for himself considering he has had to experiment and teach himself in the absence of persons knowledgeable of his bloodline limit and the Arashi style. (See: Bloodline Limit.)
The man's swordsmanship isn't limited to the Arashi family's personal style, however. Having been trained by the military of the Land of Iron from the ages of five to eighteen, he is skilled in several different styles of kenjutsu practiced there. He favors iaido, which, due to the extreme speed by which the katana is drawn and sheathed, tends to make ninjutsu almost useless against him as the time it takes to make hand seals is grossly outmatched by his speed in execution with his sword. Additionally, he is masterful when it comes to channeling his chakra into his sword to increase the range of his attacks, in the creation of concentrated energy attacks via swing, and also in form manipulation where it concerns his blade, allowing him to achieve a variety of shapes that may alter the shape thrown or allow him to achieve differing effects. He is also good and experienced in channeling his chakra natures through his sword to achieve a variety of effects and in using kenjutsu techniques conceivable via their use.
For his lack of armor, he is less protected than the samurai of Iron, but much, much faster and with a keen eye to take in new techniques and styles witnessed. The art of the sword is the air he breathes and he is an avid practitioner, ever seeking to improve himself and absorb new techniques and styles. His dedication has seen him dubbed prodigal, a supposition that isn't incorrect, but that is supported with a heavy dose of hard work and a tremendous dedication and passion for the art.
Bloodline Limit. The bloodline limit of the Arashi clan was engineered by the same mad ancestor who created the Key and the Kuzuryu. As such, their blood line limit is an artificial machination woven into the blood and genes of the family. It invokes wind, water, and lightning natures at its most basic levels and allows the wielder to generate and manipulate them in a blink without hand seals. Utilizing and controlling them properly, of course, takes as rigorous practice as any any. Through their bloodline, Arashi are also granted the ability to manipulate atmospheric conditions, giving them the ability to bring about clouds, rain, snow, lightning, storms, or even clear conditions with and without dramatic prompting. Thus, they are capable of summoning and controlling the storms they are named for and the elements within them. Despite their lack of need for hand seals, they traditionally apply their bloodline limit to their sword art. In an unkind climate such as that of Ice, this bloodline especially is a weighty one.
From the age of two 'til the coup at four, Yamaru was instructed and drilled in the sword art of his clan and his bloodline to the best of his father and tutors' abilities. Following the coup, he was left to train in his bloodline and sword art on his lonesome with some help from his mother and he threw himself into it, after which he was picked up the Land of Iron's military and trained formally by them. Disguising his bloodline limit to eschew recognition, Yamaru trained and experimented consistently in private until the age of eighteen, allowing him to gain stronger chakra with regards to his bloodline limit and better control bladeless than has been seen in his family line in some generations. Upon taking up Ame no Habakiri constantly upon his departure from Iron, he began to gain more experience and further increase his ability using his bloodline limit.
To date, Yamaru ranks among those of the Arashi line with the greatest raw potential in terms of his bloodline limit. He is capable of invoking and manipulating the elements that compose his bloodline without the use of a blade or conduit to great effect, but prefers to combine them with his kenjutsu. He is fully capable of manipulating atmospheric conditions to the extent described above and is potent and practiced enough to do so without the amplification provided by Ame no Habakiri. While he is well practiced with ample experience, it is important to note, however, that he still has a ways to go and is not quite a master despite his current prowess. A genius perhaps for having to work so much out on his lonesome, but definitely improvable.
Taijutsu. Yamaru possesses decent skill in this area as a martial artist. In hand-to-hand, he's nothing to laugh at and can hold his own, disarm his opponents, and is in possession of an above average stamina due to his consistent training across this years and natural aptitude. Physically, he is faster than he is strong, but his strength follows shortly thereafter, making him formidable and also explaining his early need to learn how to balance his strength. He keeps up in this area, but prefers kenjutsu first and foremost.
Summon. Per the machinations of his ancestor, Yamaru's summoning contract is with the Kuzuryu, an erroneously named reptilian creature (think Asian dragon, Asian snake) patchworked together via mad science that echoes the Key in that it, too, was designed to be an evolving 'weapon,' albeit one that has seen little growth and development for its creator's successors, its spoiling under the dutiful hands of the Kuzuryu retainers, and its hatred for humanity and the line that created and subjugated it. To further complicate matters, all eight heads are sentient individuals with their own varied personalities that do not always get along despite that they are quite capable of communicating in humans' common tongue as well as their own. This isn't helped by the simple fact that the Kuzuryu has suffered nearly twenty years of neglect by the present time with the death of the Kuzuryu clan. Challenge much? You bet.
Standing roughly two to three houses tall in height, the Kuzuryu sports eight heads and a tail, the latter possessing the ability to branch off into eight sections to reach havoc on their lonesome. Its hide is incredibly thick and durable to the point that it is near impossible to pierce with standard blades. Even blades enhanced with wind chakra often suffer resistance if great pressure is not applied. With regards to additional physical attributes, the Kuzuryu can use its body and weight to attack as well as its sharp claws, its fangs, and both its eight-pronged tails and necks long enough to extend, wrap around, constrict, and crush with ridiculous easy, nevermind use as blunt and piercing weapons in the case of the tail(s). If that wasn't bad enough, five of its eight heads possess the five chakra natures, one apiece, with the other three being capable of utilizing combinations. One in particular is given to ice nature whilst the other two are more fluid in their ability to combine elements to achieve effects, their favorite being the sort that conduct or cause explosions and heavy damage immediately. Each head also bears the distinction of being highly venomous and capable of issuing venom individually, making it a deadlier beast.
At the present time, the Kuzuryu could be said to be in its toddler stage insofar as its development as an evolving weapon. Like Ame no Habakiri's sheath, it possesses the ability to absorb chakra, but the ability lies dormant for a lack of exposure and experience to date and must be used actively with intent, a technique that requires the focus of at least three heads working in tandem to achieve. It possesses a greater range of abilities, including the ability to grow in size and mature in ability, but they are unattainable at this time due to its current stage of development and a lack of training.
It is especially important to note that without both the key and the summoning contract, the Kuzuryu possesses the ability to refuse orders given by its contract holder. In fact, both are necessary as they act in tandem to afford the key the ability to enforce the contract and, if necessary, override the creature's will to enforce control. An application of blood to the hilt in tandem with the contract's hidden 'fine print' being activated results in this, which is arguably complicated. For this reason, Yamaru is currently searching for a means to put the contract on his body for ease of access.
Sunshine History: To acquire a complete understanding of Yamaru Arashi and his history, one must look first at the history of the Land of Ice and its lordship, for his is deeply intertwined with these. The Land of Ice traditionally ranks among those lands with brutal winters, chilly springs, short, mild summers, unexpected hot springs that make for a pleasant respite and decent business, and a hardier sort of native population both in the civilian and shinobi realms; though, neither sort are excluded from the bloody history the country holds to. The majority of the shinobi of the Land of Ice have and remain trapped by their own invention in the tenuous warring states period of the historical past, which has seen them shy from the establishment of a central village and interaction with shinobi outside of their borders.
On the other side of the coin, the civilian side of things has seen evil despot after self-sabotaging megalomaniac after mad man with a flare and passion for amoral science occasionally interrupted by the well-intentioned leader with high hopes and a drive to bring in a new age of peace only to be killed and usurped within a decade or so serve as its lordship with its nobility being little better. That lordship has traditionally been held by members of the Arashi clan, who played a central role in the founding and settling of the land and the development of its government to the point that theirs is regarded as the royal line and rarely interrupted for pains taken by the family to keep it. While Ice does possess other noble clans who participated in the founding of the country, history holds them not as divinity, but certainly as blessed families for their part in establishing the governance and their historical roles usually have a touch of myth to them or at least what would sound like it on modern Earth.
The efforts by the Arashi family to hold and keep control of the somewhat disorganized country came to involve the use of forbidden jutsu to establish and embed a bloodline limit in members of the line and the creation of a key that would both allow for the activation of said bloodline limit and, in conjunction with the bloodline limit, stand as a proof of their 'divinity' and right to rule. Roughly seventy years ago, an additional proof was added via dubious methods in the form of the Arashi's control over an eight-headed reptilian summon that came to be erroneously called the Kuzuryu, the ability to control which was linked to the 'key' and bloodline.
Fast forward to roughly two generations prior to the present and the seeds of the coup that would affect Yamaru's early life were planted in one of the Kuzuryu who so faithfully served the Arashi clan. Yamaru's grandfather, a particularly wicked man, achieved succession of Ice's throne through the murder of his brother, causing his brother's Kuzuryu to snap. The fruits of that seed would not be seen for another two generations, the first of which was troubled by a number of factors. Yamaru's father, Ryuunosuke, did not manifest the bloodline limit and could not use the key or control the erroneously named Kuzuryu summon, who was more heavily maintained by the Kuzuryu clan as a result. The defective son was promised to Kaguya, a daughter of Water's nobility who, unbeknownst to everyone, was in actuality the product of an affair between a Water noblewoman and Yuki clansman. The two married young as a result of Kaguya's mother's attempt to conceal her indiscretion and, upon his father's death, Ryuunosuke ascended and became daimyo of the Land of Ice. Due to his lack of proofs, he was received poorly. A better man than his father with a mind for peace despite opposition, he was a powerful swordsman in his own right and exercised a tight control over the same nobles he pandered to to retain his position and control over his country whilst working to fix the problems created by so many generations of the same so that the nation might be great.
Enter Yamaru Arashi, first born son of Ryuunosuke Arashi and heir to the lordship of the Land of Ice. His was a birth that was widely celebrated and celebrated again when, at the age of one and a few months' change, it was verified that he possessed the bloodline limit of the Arashi clan and that he could use the key, affirming his 'divinity' and right as a legitimate heir to the country. His early years were spent in the company of his parents, a host of tutors, some children of the nobility, and also in that of his personal Kuzuryu, Ashiko, who had been born a year after him. The two were nigh inseparable and certainly close in their early years with traded nicknames even and enjoyed a measure of playtime with some other noble children, who they played often enough while the adults discussed politics and policy. Their time together would be cut woefully short, however, for a bloody horizon brought on by the sins of a dead royal.
Yamaru was four when the fruit of his grandfather's transgressions caught up to his family. A coup was staged due to the machinations of his grandfather's brothers Kuzuryu, who had roped some of the nobles into his plans. The royal palace was attacked, the target being the daimyo and any known supporters of his. By day's end, the coup was a success. The Kuzuryu who had initiated it was dead; the royal family was allegedly slain in its entirety and all but two Kuzuryu with them and Ryuuno's head was paraded around the city for all to see. The truth of the 'revolutionaries,' however, was only partial. In the chaos, a pregnant Kaguya spirited Yamaru and the royal key away, the boy witnessing Kuzuryu after Kuzuryu fall defending their masters in the process. With Kaguya's knowledge of the palace's hidden passageways and the help of Louisoix Leveilleur, they escaped the massacre and journeyed to the Land of Iron, after which Louisoix returned to Ice at Kaguya-hime's behest.
Yamata Kirigi, then four, came to reside in a village in the Land of Iron shortly thereafter alongside his mother, Kaguya Kirigi. A boy touched by the bloody events of his immediate past, he made the decision to honor his family and true identity as opposed to turning his back on the past, claim his birthright, retake his country, and return his family to its rightful place as the ruling clan of Ice near immediately, which saw him throw himself that much harder into the training his father had imparted him even as he worked to decipher the abilities of his bloodline limit from memory of scrolls in the palace and legend. He reaffirmed his decision with the birth of his younger sister, Kouran, so named after a flower unique to the Land of Ice per his father's wishes, and it was this steely resolve alongside his prior training and care in disguising his bloodline limit as to eschew recognition that would see him apprenticed to a samurai of Iron at the age of five. Fortune favored him and saw him able to remain close to his family.
The next thirteen years of his life would be spent balancing training and lessons issued by his mother and the military of the Land of Iron and time with the family he cherished. He was, from the start, especially close to Kouran in that way only a big brother can be and protective of her in the same. Kaguya, too, experienced some of the sort as, in the absence of his father, Yamata saw himself as the man of the family and that it was his responsibility to be the proper pillar and provide protection and security. A dutiful student, he learned well what his mother taught him insofar as academia and insisted she teach him everything she could about Ice, the world, politics, and noble matters of etiquette, to name a few. At the same time, he did not shirk his studies and training in the military arts per the teaching of his mother and the samurai he was apprenticed to. Matters of the sword were close to his heart and his swordsmanship was more than a means to an end. It was a love, a passion, a point of pride and it showed in how quickly he progressed.
As Yamata grew, word of a young prodigy would spread through the ranks and see him meet with various important figures of Iron, from whom he acquired further guidance and skill. The most notable of these was the general Mifune when Yamata was still young, who saw in him something dark and cautioned him against it, advising him to remember that it was a samurai's duty to serve the people and not only adhere to the principles of harmony (wa), but embody it. It was those lessons along with these reminders that would see him eventually begin to absorb the heart of those lessons into himself as he considered the history of his family, his country. While not an easy reconciliation, it took root nonetheless and would see him a better man and warrior for it; though, he could not let go of his past, nor his goals and pressed on.
Truly, the only other pause Yamata ever gave was when his sister followed in his footsteps and was apprenticed to a samurai for her own, differing bloodline limit. It was a decision he protested, but ultimately allowed her to do as she would. After all, someone had to remain behind when he left to retake Ice to watch over their mother and who better to do that than Kouran?
At the age of eighteen, with mounting pressure to swear fealty to a lord and officially graduate to the samurai rank, Yamaru took his leave of the Land of Iron, being of the mind to avoid the political complications that would surely arise in lieu of his goals. His sister followed and, upon realizing this, he reluctantly allowed her to do as she would when she refused to turn back. Since that time, the two have traveled from land to land as the Kirigi siblings with several goals. To discern the fate of the Kuzuryu clan and bring any remnants of it to their rightful place at their side, to collect the Kuzuryu summon, to collect and establish a wide information network, observe other governments, and gather allies for the inevitable day when Yamaru would return to Ice to claim his birthright and retake his country from the treasonous snakes who took almost everything from them and made their family suffer -- these are the goals they began with, some of which have seen completion if not some degree of it by the present time.
The Kuzuryu was found via the traditional means by tracking down its den in Ice when Yamaru was nineteen. A fledgling information network was established early and is now far from fledgling, having expanded as they traveled, made contacts, and gathered allies both solid and potential. This same network allowed them an inroad or two into Ice by which they keep tabs on what is happening there. Having come into the knowledge of the fate of the Kuzuryu clan in the first few years of their travels as a result, Yamata pushed the envelope in finding her from the start given that it was his own personal Kuzuryu that had survived; they discovered by accident in February of Year 69 and he is hellbent that she return to his side. Establishing positive relationships with the politicians and people of the various countries was and remains a priority, also, and it has seen the siblings take work and occasionally intervene in hostile situations to the point that 'Yamata Kirigi' and 'Kouran Kirigi' are names that bear positive reflections in several lands and even amongst some shinobi, of whom Yamata remains curious but somewhat distant for the knowledge of Iron's view of what has historically appeared a chaotic element.
With the goal of retaking the country on the twentieth anniversary of the coup, things seem to be going well by Yamata's reckoning for all that lies in his line of sight. His sister walks by his side. The proofs of his divinity are in the palm of his hand; though, the Kuzuryu is admittedly grumpy and will require apt attention to be swayed to join him as an ally as opposed to merely a tool of war. Ashiko, his personal Kuzuryu, has been found and will rejoin him one way or another. Information is at their fingertips and they have allies in their support. There are more to be made, of course, but even their potential number for positive relations is solid.
It's just a matter of time.
Prose sample: Right here!
Missive Sample: Little Flower,
Oi! Pay attention! You know by now the way of things such as this, but that's no reason to slack off. Remember your training, got it?
After you read this missive, burn it and leave the ashes where they won't get caught by the winds. Then, follow the river to the road. Koyo-kun should be coming up on it. Hide in the back of the caravan and see him to the village. His troubles should catch up to you before then. When they do, I will be there and we'll wrap up this mess.
The timing of this mission is critical to our relations with this country. It's important that we see this through as cleanly as possible. I don't expect our opponents to give us much trouble given their reported caliber, but again, remember your training. They may surprise you.
The Grass Cutter