Post by Masami Saito on Jun 20, 2010 20:41:19 GMT -5
Name: Masami Saito
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Village: Hidden Sand Village
Rank: Jounin
Nature Manipulation: Water (Wind)
Appearance:
While Masami’s mind may be a raging torrent of thought after thought, and regret after regret; his appearance stays absolutely consistent without radical change a majority of the time. After enduring so much heartbreak and living through his guilt, Masami has found it easy to deal with any situation by merely realizing that, compared with his past sins, the magnitude of any situation is hardly worth noting. Therefore, he often seems rather stoic and uncaring, shrugging off the cares of others and allowing them to deal with such problems on their own, and dealing with problems that some might find dangerous and distressing with little more than a smug expression on his face. His jet black hair is cut short, and those who have known him for a long time will tell you that this hairstyle is relatively knew for the Jounin, as his hair was long and flowing before the unfortunate fate of his last Genin team. His eyes shine with a deep hazel color, and seem to be rather empty, as though what one sees on the surface is all that lies within the soul of the Jounin.
While on duty and in the service of the Hidden Sand Village, Masami sticks to the typical Sand Jounin dress rather strictly. Merely wearing the common flak jacket of a Jounin, along with dark pants that allow him to move freely, with all the dexterity he finds necessary, nothing about Saito’s outfit seems rather extraordinary. From his torso to his footwear, Masami’s dress mirror the conventional dress one might expect of a Jounin, with virtual no modifications being made. His Shinobi headband is worn on his neck, with the emblem of the Hidden Sand Village facing behind him, so that only those viewing his back may see the emblem denoting his loyalty to the Hidden Sand.
Outside of occasions which require him to dress in the garb of a Sand Jounin, Masami’s casual attire differs greatly from his uniform. Wearing a long trench coat of sorts in a tan to beige color over a shirt of a dark, deep Byzantium with pants to match, his casual wear still manages to catch all of the attention that his flak jacket might have, and perhaps more because of its unique style. No matter what he is wearing, however, he always keeps a single shuriken dangling from a chain underneath his shirt. This appears to be something of a sentimental item for the man, and although it is dull from what is probably years of neglect, its brushing against his chest still serves as a reminder to Masami of certain events of his past, occasionally breaking the skin slightly to draw blood.
Masami is very rarely found unarmed. Whilst in his Jounin uniform, both kunai and shuriken line his pocket, and he keeps a couple scrolls housing further ranged weaponry with him, as well. This applies even more to his trench coat, as its length allows him to conceal not only more ranged weaponry sealed into said scrolls, but also a short wakizashi and a small hunting knife. No matter what his attire, however, Masami is never seen without his two sheaths, both housing a kodachi which he may use either in conjunction with the other, or on its own.
Personality:
Currently, Masami is incredibly introverted, keeping to himself almost all of the time, and not allowing anyone to get close to him. The fact of the matter is, after all of the heartbreak and sorrow he has overcome throughout his life, Masami no longer finds any joy in the world around him. He sees all bad things that happen to him as punishment for his past sins, and shoulders heavy burdens without complaint simply because he does not believe he deserves any good luck after what he’s done. Anyone who could understand his past and feel what he feels each and every day could not fault him for the way he acts, yet he is often misunderstood by those around the village. Yet still, he is well known for his talent and willingness to aid the Hidden Sand Village, and therefore, none speak up against his constant attitude.
In Masami’s heart there does lie a small glimmer of hope, however. He cares for all those around him, and wants to protect the Hidden Sand Village with everything he has in him. Any man who has completely given up would simply do nothing with their time, yet Saito works for the betterment of the village and the education of youth. Even after the previous tragedy with his first team of Genin, he is now taking on another team, explaining it by saying he is repenting for both his sinful actions and his inability to protect his last team. He wants to better the world with his actions, and in the end, perhaps this desire can lead him to true contentment, when he forgives himself for his actions.
Masami, while introverted and quiet a majority of the time, is also rather blunt and unfeeling when speaking to others. To those under him he gives orders that he expects to be followed, and he does not tolerate ignorance from anyone, whether they are below or above him in rank. He will speak out if he is well aware that an injustice is being committed, but otherwise he would rather sit back and observe a majority of conversations rather than participating. He has a rather soft, yet commanding tone to his voice, allowing those who would listen to him to listen, and letting those ignorant enough to ignore him to do so. Very rarely does he raise his voice, and when he does, the situation is very serious.
Abilities:
Bunshin no Jutsu (Clone Technique)
Henge no Jutsu (Transformation Technique)
Kawarimi no Jutsu (Body Replacement Technique)
Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique)
Fuuton: Kazekiri (Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique)
Fuuton: Daitoppa (Wind Release: Great Breakthrough)
Fūton: Reppuusho (Wind Release: Violent Wind Palm)
Suiton: Suigadan (Water Release: Water Fang Bullet)
Suiro no Jutsu (Water Prison Technique)
Suiton: Suijinheki (Water Release: Water Encampment Wall)
Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu (Water Clone Technique)
Magen: Kokoni Arazu no Jutsu (Demonic Illusion: False Surroundings Technique)
Magen: Narakumi no Jutsu (Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique)
Magen: Jubaku Satsu (Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death)
Nehan Shōja no Jutsu (Temple of Nirvana Technique)
Utakata (Ephemeral)
Mind Siphon Technique
Magen: Jigoku Kōka no Jutsu (Demonic Illusion: Descending Hell Technique)
__________________________
History:
Masami Saito was born into the Hidden Sand Village with a rather strong pedigree. His father was a well respected Jounin who accomplished missions with loyalty and talent, whereas his mother was a Chuunin who, while not having yet been appointed to Jounin status, had skill of her own and held the respect of many of the Shinobi for her insight and intuition.
However, soon after giving birth to Masami, his mother was killed on a mission after recovering from childbirth and volunteering for one. While this was a tragedy that struck his father greatly, and the entire village mourned her loss, Masami never truly grew up with any sadness at being a motherless child. In fact, it seemed to spur him on more, as he idolized his Jounin father and used the memory of his honorable mother to help him decide what the right thing to do is. He was enrolled in the Shinobi academy at a young age, and quickly took to the arts he was taught, quickly becoming one of the hardest working students, and also showcasing that natural talent one might expect with such blood running through his veins.
Something of a popular and outgoing student in the academy, Masami had no problems helping those around him with whatever the class was working on at that moment. He showed proficiency with all forms of Shinobi combat, though his Taijutsu seemed to outshine his Ninjutsu by far. However, once Genjutsu was introduced to the class, he took to it immediately, and he was completely outmatched by any he knew when it came to this facet of combat. He graduated without any problems, and was immediately sorted into a team, becoming a Genin without any problems. He was put into his year’s Team 1, and thus his career as a Shinobi truly began.
Masami adapted well to the life of a Genin, and was most certainly a valuable asset to his comrades. Team 1 was known as a force to be reckoned with, with his two teammates providing cover for Masami, as he conjured up powerful Genjutsu to stall or defeat the enemy immediately. It was the perfect combination, as his teammates were his shield, and he provided them with a lethal strike each time he was called upon. It seemed as if nothing could stop the team of three, as inexperienced as they were, and they truly felt invincible.
Though Team 1 only saw combat a few times as Genin, Masami never minded performing mediocre and boring missions as much as most his age. The elders of the village commended him on his maturity, but Masami saw it as merely performing where he was asked to, and leaving the larger missions to whomever they were assigned to. His level head was what kept the team together, as Katsu was something of a hotheaded hand to hand fighter, and Akihiro was prone to wishing for grandeur beyond his reaches, though he was somewhat skilled with his knowledge of Ninjutsu. The two would be at each other’s throats if it weren’t for Masami, especially considering Katsu seemed to be relatively unstable when angry, and his mood changed like the shifting winds, from calm to angry and back again. These fits of rage were common, and never ruined the team dynamic, so there were no problems in regards to that.
His sensei provided a second role model to Masami after his father. Saito had hoped that his father would end up as his sensei secretly, so he could learn even more from the man he so admired, but Team 1 was under the direction of another Jounin, known for his proficiency with all forms of jutsu. His sensei was, however, not the best tutor when it came to Genjutsu, so Masami was forced to train to improve his skill on his own in some cases, as his Genjutsu’s strength was growing exponentially, and his Taijutsu and Ninjutsu remained neglected. Masami ignored this, however. So long as the team’s dynamic was intact, he was not worried about any other facet of combat.
Soon enough, the Chuunin exams came around, and Team 1’s sensei decided that the three of them were ready to give ascension in rank a try by participating in this exam. Masami and his team made it through the first couple of trials without a hitch, using the teamwork that they had thus far been known for. However, in the third trial, Masami was placed in a one on one battle with another Genin, named Hikari. Though he attempted to use his Genjutsu on her, it was of no use, as she continually forced him to cancel his incantations to protect his well being, and kept on the offensive. The Taijutsu and Ninjutsu skills that he had neglected for so long were not sufficient in the end, and the girl defeated him. He couldn’t believe it…he had never been defeated while sparring in the past. However, as he watched the girl, the young Masami soon became fascinated by her and her outlook on life, and couldn’t help but become infatuated immediately.
He stayed to watch the end of the exams, where Hikari came just short of advancing to the rank of Chuunin. He supposed this was a good thing…he didn’t feel ashamed to speak with her anymore, and directly after her final battle, he approached her and the two began talking of their experiences, and individual styles. Masami found this girl approachable…likable, most definitely. She didn’t rub his defeat in his face, but merely looked toward the future, hoping to improve for the next exam. Masami agreed that they both would train as hard as possible, and when the time came around once more, they would be ready to display what they’d learned. Laughing, Hikari asked Masami whether he expected a rematch, to which Masami responded that he most certainly hoped so. And so, after a few days time with her, Masami and Team 1 were ready to head back to the Hidden Sand. He said his goodbyes to her, and the two parted ways for the first time. Although she was always on his mind, he attempted to push her to the back of it in favor of the here and now, and began thinking of how he could improve his style so that when they did meet once more, he would be ready for whatever she had to throw at him.
And so, heading out with his team, Masami began to demand that they change their chemistry around. He would no longer solely provide Genjutsu, as helpful as that may be in their battles. He needed to improve Ninjutsu and Taijutsu for himself, and he couldn’t afford to think of only his teammates in a situation such as this. This spread some discord among the team, as Katsu considered him a traitor, and Akihiro believed they could not advance without his Genjutsu. Still, he remained firm and steadfast, and eventually his sensei agreed that they would attempt to change the team dynamic.
Things were rather shaky at first for Team 1 after this. They had gotten so used to the dynamic in which Masami took over the battlefield with his illusions, that things started getting much harder when he refused to use them. Tensions swelled among the teammates, and it seemed as though things were at an all time low, with their sensei struggling to keep them from going at one another’s throats. Masami’s level head had always provided the base upon which they built things, yet he was now using his blunt, matter-of-fact tone in an almost provocative manner, often getting a rise out of Katsu, who would need to be calmed by Akihiro. One day, things simply got out of control.
It appeared to be any other argument. They were out on a mission in unfamiliar territory, and their sensei hadn’t been able to come with them. As somewhat experienced Genin, they were allowed to complete this mission, which was relatively simple, themselves before coming back to the village. It was going to be a great thing, their first mission on their own, when something suddenly happened. Masami and Katsu were exchanging words, while the negotiative Akihiro tried to keep them in line. Masami struck a particularly glancing blow at Katsu, suggesting that perhaps his lack of skill was the reason he could not rely on the new strategy. Momentarily losing his head, Katsu rushed forward and lunged at Masami, only to have Akihiro step in front of his assault. It seemed as though, in his fury, the boy had drawn a knife, and had been attacking Masami with it. Had the attack connected, it would probably have only been a flesh wound, but Katsu had not expected the intervention, and struck Akihiro through the chest, nicking his heart and opening a wound that began to gush blood. As the young man fell, bleeding profusely, Katsu knelt low, pleading with the young man and apologizing constantly, telling him he would be alright. Masami simply stood there in shock. He had never expected to be attacked, and he hadn’t expected to be protected either. In a short amount of time, the boy stopped breathing, and his heartbeat stopped. The two remaining members of Team 1 faced one another, Katsu’s face full of remorse, while Masami’s face held nothing but accusations and anger. Unsheathing his two kodachi, Masami ran at the boy and pierced both of his lungs. “An eye for an eye, my friend.” He whispered into the boy’s ear, as the young man fell in a way similar to the boy he himself had killed. Returning home from the mission with news of Katsu’s supposed betrayal, Masami was quickly assigned another team with less experienced Genin, while his sensei went into exile, ashamed of what the boys he had trained had done to one another.
After that incident, it seemed as though Masami were a completely changed person. He was cold hearted, absolutely uncaring for those around him, and willing to complete the mission at any cost, including the lives of those around him. While this may technically be a good thing, as some believe the mission should take precedence over all else, Masami took it to another level. He began seeing those around him merely as instruments that would help him to increase his power for ascension. Slowly but surely, Masami sacrificed what he had in his soul for a killer’s instinct and great power, killing any who stood in his way on missions, never caring to think to take prisoners. He shrugged off the objections of his teammates, who feared him slightly, considering the way his last team ended up. By the time the next Chuunin exam was scheduled, Masami was nothing like the boy he had previously been. He did, however, remember one thing.
That girl, Hikari, whom he had been defeated by exactly one exam prior. The one who had tempted him, stolen his resolve to work as a team with others, and taken from him all positive prestige he had in light of what he was now, a cruel murderer. She would be the one to pay for what she made him do. He was positive it was exactly what she’s anticipated, as well, and he would not allow her to get away with it. Masami carried his team of Genin through the first couple of trials laid out for them with relative ease, and found himself pitched in one on one combat in a bracket-like structure. Defeating all enemies that were thrown his way, Masami eventually found himself in the last round of battles, squaring off against none other than the girl who had ruined his life and taken from him what was once dear to him. He said nothing as she wished him the best of luck, professing her happiness that they were once more together in this situation, and merely waited for the signal that would begin the battle.
From the moment that battle began, Masami was the only one holding any momentum. He had improved drastically since they’d last fought; discarding everything for the power he needed for victory. He dominated her completely and utterly, in both contests of strength and speed. Finally, as the battle drew to a close, he caught her in something of a trance, horrifying her with visions supplied by Genjutsu. The instructor called the battle in favor of the young man, but Hikari responded that she wasn’t finished with this battle yet. Turning to Masami, she told him that she would give it her all to defeat him, even if it meant getting hurt further. She obviously hadn’t anticipated how Saito had changed since the last exam, and the fact that she’d taunt him like that enraged him. Realizing of course that any lethal action that was overt would be stopped by the Jounin present, he made a decision that would come to haunt him for the rest of his life. Rushing forward and clashing blades with her as she retrieved a dagger, he purposefully let her block his attack and allowed this clash to happen. Then, with a quick burst of the strength he had hidden for this very purpose, he threw her guard out of the way, retrieved his second kodachi, and stabbed forward, skewering her. As she shuddered from the pain of the injury, and fell forward into him, her blood flowing openly, the reality of the situation seemed to sink in. Masami’s expression changed from one of anger to one of horror, as he watched the color fade from her face, and did his very best to save her at the last minute. Unable to speak, unable to move, Hikari’s last moments were filled only with the furious and sorrowful shouts of her Sensei, who seemed to be crying openly, and the sound of the Medical Shinobi’s attempts to save her life. Masami could do nothing but stare at the ground, where the dark red of her blood had stained what was previously a pure white floor.
Not only did he knowingly perform an act of premeditated murder, but what happened next would drive his guilt to lengths unimaginable by many. He was granted the rank of Chuunin for his performance in the exam, and honored for his achievements. He accepted the promotion graciously, as he had come too far to simply throw it away, but he often questioned whether or not Hikari might have earned this promotion had he not killed her. Seemingly shocked back into his old mindset, Masami vowed to repent for her killing every day for the rest of his life, and to never forget what he’d done. From that point on, Masami was something of an introvert, never allowing anyone to get too close to him, yet aiding those around him as best as he could, in stark contrast to the uncaring monster he had been previously.
Not only this, but those who were present at the Chuunin Exam from the Hidden Sand village began calling him by something of a new nickname. Because of the way he used Genjutsu to dominate his opponents, and torture them on the battlefield, many began calling him the Mirage of the Sand. He couldn’t say he was fond of this nickname, and they were praising him for his murderous ways, but he let it pass without complaint. They could say what they wanted…he had lost his right to object to anything done to him by being what he was.
Over the next few years, Masami did all he could to help the village of the Hidden Sand. Volunteering for the most dangerous missions, and cooperating with those around him, he was one of the greatest assets to the village throughout his career. Now that the great war was over, the missions he received were markedly less dangerous than they had been. However, he still occasionally found battle, and when he did he disposed of enemies without mercy, and through use of his incredible talent with Genjutsu. The visions Masami caused enemies to view and the ways in which he tortured his opponents expertly through his skill earned him a praise among those who knew him in the village. They called him a hero, and though Masami hated being recognized for something as barbaric as the murders he committed every mission, he knew that this would be his cross to bear. It was because of his sinful nature that such things would happen, and he would accept them without complaint.
Soon enough, based on his excellent performance and stellar ability with all three forms of Shinobi combat, Masami was appointed to the rank of Jounin of the Hidden Sand Village. It did not come as much of a surprise to the young man, considering he knew his own skill and knew that he had served his village well, however, he hadn’t thought about promotion in quite a long time. His ascension to Jounin did not change much when it came to his duty, however. He did what he was told, killed whomever got in his way, and completed missions. Only after a few more years did things seem to change completely.
A major duty of many Jounin throughout the five great villages is the education of a team of Genin to be the future of the village itself. While Masami had never even considered connecting with or teaching children, he was approached by a more experienced Jounin who told him that he should share the gifts he had been granted, and that it would serve the village all the more if Masami the Mirage spread his knowledge to a group of Genin. Thinking on this, he realized that this would simply be one more way to repent for his sins, and offered his services in the education of young Genin.
Therefore, the first Team Masami was born, and his students seemed rather eager to learn from the man after he demonstrated his skills to them, and what he would be teaching them. He thought back to his original mentors, his father and his Sensei, for inspiration, and dealt with the children as best as he could. He found himself growing attached to them, and for once in his life since that incident, Masami could feel a bit of warmth in his heart whenever he spoke of them. There was Kei, a young man with talent far beyond what Masami had expected. He excelled in Ninjutsu and Taijutsu, and was trying his best to train Genjutsu to be well-rounded. He had a tendency to be a bit stuck up at times, but he still had a heart, and got along with the other two. Next there was Ryota, who didn’t really have the talent Kei had. He got through everything with brute force, and he had the most strength and stamina of the entire team. Masami was proud to say that the boy was his whenever he helped others with his strength, whether it was helping the elderly with certain tasks, or coming to the aid of fellow Shinobi. Finally, there was Emiko, who was the kindest girl you’d ever be likely to meet. Though she had very little physical strength, and had a tendency to lose focus, she served as the group’s heart, keeping them all together and truly turning them into a family. Masami would do anything for them, and in turn, they knew that as long as their Sensei was around, they would be safe under his direction.
Imagine their surprise, then, when Masami could not protect them on their very first C-rank mission. The three of them felt as though their skills were improving faster than they’d ever dreamed. They pleaded with him to allow them to try a more difficult mission under his direction, and when Emiko came to him and asked him directly, with the most innocent intentions, Masami simply couldn’t say no to them. They were tasked with escorting a man of renown to the Hidden Cloud Village, and were told that they may be those out there looking to collect a bounty on the man’s head. Masami told them to stay close to him, and if they happened to get into battle, they must each cover one another’s back. Kei would watch out for Emiko, who would take care of Ryota, who would circle back to Kei, while Masami did his best to look out for the man they were escorting. They did run into heavy resistance, and eventually the tide of battle split them up. Masami was confident that the three of them had been taught well, and would be perfectly fine, trying his hardest to put worry out of his mind as he killed assassin after assassin who came after the man. Finally, when things grew quiet, Masami emerged with the man, and began calling for his team.
After five minutes of beckoning to them, nothing stirred on the battlefield. He decided that perhaps they had wandered off into a nearby wood, and was determined to go and find them, making sure they were ok. The man protested, telling Masami that he needed to be in the Hidden Cloud Village as soon as possible. In the midst of their argument, a small voice rang out from among the tattered and bloody corpses.
“Sensei” it called, quiet at first, yet progressively louder until finally it began to fade once more. Obviously a girl’s voice, Masami hurriedly attempted to find the source of the call, turning over corpse after corpse, until finally he found Emiko, buried under two men that had met their end recently. She had been wounded in the side, a deep stab, and the lack of oxygen she received from being muffled by the dead did nothing to aid her plight. She was white, pale as death, and Masami’s face soon followed suit. He asked her quickly about Kei and Ryota after carrying her to a clearing and attempting to heal her as best as she could, and all the small girl did was cry, forcing the story through her quivering lips. She told him that Kei was the first to fall, trying to protect them all from an attack, and quickly being outnumbered and beheaded on the spot. With him gone, and their team dynamic thrown off, Ryota had told her to run off as quick as she could as he tried to keep them busy, which didn’t last very long. They caught up with her, and harmed her this much, before Masami unknowingly threw several kunai at the men, saving her life for a time, yet causing them to crush her under their weight.
As her story closed, Masami couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. It had been years since he last cried, and he wanted to be strong for her, but he simply couldn’t. He wasn’t strong enough to protect them, he wasn’t strong enough to teach them well, and he wasn’t strong enough to make her think she might make it in her final hours. Reaching her hand up in an attempt to comfort her teacher, Emiko simply couldn’t find the strength in her to touch his face with her hand, and it fell limp before she made it halfway, the life fading from her eyes as her Sensei mourned her and the others with every emotion that had ever passed through his mind.
After that, Masami seemed to simply stop caring about his own well-being. He took on the most dangerous missions possible, alone, most likely hoping to find an end to the torment called life in a way that wasn’t completely cowardly. He cut his hair short, obviously hoping that perhaps a change in appearance would spell a change in the luck he’d had…though in his heart, he knew it wasn’t luck that had caused all of this. He was being punished for all he’d done, and this punishment would continue until he finally died. Perhaps then he would have sweet salvation from the tyranny of life. After several more years, Masami finds himself in a state of constant numbness; unable to let himself feel for fear of losing all he has once more. An introvert and with hardly any hope for the future left, the Mirage of the Sand seems to now wish that was all he was. A passing mirage, unable to feel, and unable to hurt.
RP Sample:
Down once more into the labyrinth of his mind. Within it, he saw terrifying visions seemingly designed to dissuade him from carrying out this course of action. Visions of blood, of fire, of violence. Walking to a nearby, calm pool of water, Masami stared at his own face reflected in the pool of water that served as a foil to his own desperation and madness. And upon the reflection that these waves provided, Masami saw reflected in his own face the features of all those he had harmed…of all those he had killed in the past. Hundreds…perhaps thousands of men and women alike lie dormant within his expression, all accusing him of the ultimate sin, as he turned from the pool and sat once more nearby, merely waiting. While all of this raged within that sharp, poised mind of his, his countenance remained completely dull and flat, as though he were bored or, perhaps more accurately, as though he were dead.
Smirking at these thoughts ever so slightly, he had to credit himself with this idea. After all, in a way, Masami did consider himself dead. He died each and every time he took a life, although at the time he did not realize it. Whether the victim were a rival shinobi, a comrade who had gone too far, or the closest person to his own heart, Masami carried the weight of their corpse upon his shoulders. It humbled the man, and perhaps accounted for the slight hunch that forced his once strong and broad shoulders into submission, as his body seemed to keep to itself much like he himself preferred a life of solitude and reflection. He sighed, once more looking to the door through which the future of this village would come. While some may consider the title of Jounin, and of sensei, to be an honor, Masami simply did not see it this way. He forced himself to teach, and forced himself to serve, in the memory of those long passed. Perhaps in this way he could atone for all of those sins…all of those people…though he doubted it.
After all, he had proven to be as much of a failure in regards to being a teacher as he was in regards to being a person. His last group of Genin had met a fate similar to those who currently haunted Masami. Their souls rested within his own spirit, making him restless, while he bore the weight of their death, hopefully one day carrying them into the afterlife. That is, if there even was such a thing as an afterlife. If once looked at all the evidence, it appeared that this may be all there is to any life. Perhaps all men and women simply burn out, and their remains rot long after their memory perishes. Were that the case, Masami had not ushered all of those people to the salvation of the next world, but instead robbed them of what life they had left. Merely pondering the idea sent a shiver down the man’s spine, and he could hardly contain his worry as he clasped his hands together in an attempt to shield them from the cold reality of what his life had been to this point.
The fact of the matter was, if there was an afterlife, Masami himself would be destined to go to hell, or whatever other punishment awaited the sinners of this plateau of existence. He didn’t really mind this fact, however. After all, if one were to look at the situation objectively, they would see that Masami deserved such a fate for all that he’d done. He was not a good man…nor was he a role model for other shinobi. In truth, he should have been barred from teaching young Genin long ago, but the Kazekage seemed to favor him for his skill and the prestige he possessed. All of this honor was won in the name of serving the Hidden Sand Village, and repenting for his own sins. However, those around the village forced upon him some sort of faulty heroism, and painted a valiant picture of his deeds, when he was the furthest thing from a hero, let alone a decent man. Those Genin who came into this expecting to be taught by the incredible “Mirage of the Sand” were going to be sorely disappointed, for he had nothing to show them but the most base survival skills, and the way a shinobi should operate in accordance to standard procedure. He would not allow himself to get close to another group of these children…he had learned all too well from the last experience that this only led him further into the chasm of self-loathing.
So as he sat, awaiting the three that he had been assigned, he looked over their profiles from their time at the academy. Two of them were strong Ninjutsu and Taijutsu users, while the third displayed seemingly equal expertise in all three areas of shinobi combat. This was a rather balanced team, and one that he could teach without any problems. Masami most certainly hoped that the three of them would be open to learning and mastering that which he taught them, for he was not going to slow the progress of all for the sake of one. That was not how Masami operated, and that is why he was known to be the most demanding Jounin master by any who looked at the newly initiated Genin. Still, they could not argue with the results, as Masami’s students were often prime examples of what a shinobi should strive to be, even if they maintained a few of their own faults along the way. Yet Masami still claimed that he had not yet found a group that pleased him enough to recommend for ascension to Chuunin, and thus he had yet to participate in the exams himself. While he held his students to a high standard, he would not show them any mercy, or allow any of them to slip through the cracks. He had been hurt too much by the mistakes of his students in the past, and he would not allow that to happen again.
Turning his body once more to the door, Masami sighed heavily, and allowed his expression to return once more to its neutral state. He would start things off strong here…and he hoped these children were ready for it. For he was going to use all of his sorrow, and all of his guilt to drive himself to teach these children all he knew. And if they failed, they would merely be crushed under the weight of his demands…
Notes:
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Village: Hidden Sand Village
Rank: Jounin
Nature Manipulation: Water (Wind)
Appearance:
While Masami’s mind may be a raging torrent of thought after thought, and regret after regret; his appearance stays absolutely consistent without radical change a majority of the time. After enduring so much heartbreak and living through his guilt, Masami has found it easy to deal with any situation by merely realizing that, compared with his past sins, the magnitude of any situation is hardly worth noting. Therefore, he often seems rather stoic and uncaring, shrugging off the cares of others and allowing them to deal with such problems on their own, and dealing with problems that some might find dangerous and distressing with little more than a smug expression on his face. His jet black hair is cut short, and those who have known him for a long time will tell you that this hairstyle is relatively knew for the Jounin, as his hair was long and flowing before the unfortunate fate of his last Genin team. His eyes shine with a deep hazel color, and seem to be rather empty, as though what one sees on the surface is all that lies within the soul of the Jounin.
While on duty and in the service of the Hidden Sand Village, Masami sticks to the typical Sand Jounin dress rather strictly. Merely wearing the common flak jacket of a Jounin, along with dark pants that allow him to move freely, with all the dexterity he finds necessary, nothing about Saito’s outfit seems rather extraordinary. From his torso to his footwear, Masami’s dress mirror the conventional dress one might expect of a Jounin, with virtual no modifications being made. His Shinobi headband is worn on his neck, with the emblem of the Hidden Sand Village facing behind him, so that only those viewing his back may see the emblem denoting his loyalty to the Hidden Sand.
Outside of occasions which require him to dress in the garb of a Sand Jounin, Masami’s casual attire differs greatly from his uniform. Wearing a long trench coat of sorts in a tan to beige color over a shirt of a dark, deep Byzantium with pants to match, his casual wear still manages to catch all of the attention that his flak jacket might have, and perhaps more because of its unique style. No matter what he is wearing, however, he always keeps a single shuriken dangling from a chain underneath his shirt. This appears to be something of a sentimental item for the man, and although it is dull from what is probably years of neglect, its brushing against his chest still serves as a reminder to Masami of certain events of his past, occasionally breaking the skin slightly to draw blood.
Masami is very rarely found unarmed. Whilst in his Jounin uniform, both kunai and shuriken line his pocket, and he keeps a couple scrolls housing further ranged weaponry with him, as well. This applies even more to his trench coat, as its length allows him to conceal not only more ranged weaponry sealed into said scrolls, but also a short wakizashi and a small hunting knife. No matter what his attire, however, Masami is never seen without his two sheaths, both housing a kodachi which he may use either in conjunction with the other, or on its own.
Personality:
Currently, Masami is incredibly introverted, keeping to himself almost all of the time, and not allowing anyone to get close to him. The fact of the matter is, after all of the heartbreak and sorrow he has overcome throughout his life, Masami no longer finds any joy in the world around him. He sees all bad things that happen to him as punishment for his past sins, and shoulders heavy burdens without complaint simply because he does not believe he deserves any good luck after what he’s done. Anyone who could understand his past and feel what he feels each and every day could not fault him for the way he acts, yet he is often misunderstood by those around the village. Yet still, he is well known for his talent and willingness to aid the Hidden Sand Village, and therefore, none speak up against his constant attitude.
In Masami’s heart there does lie a small glimmer of hope, however. He cares for all those around him, and wants to protect the Hidden Sand Village with everything he has in him. Any man who has completely given up would simply do nothing with their time, yet Saito works for the betterment of the village and the education of youth. Even after the previous tragedy with his first team of Genin, he is now taking on another team, explaining it by saying he is repenting for both his sinful actions and his inability to protect his last team. He wants to better the world with his actions, and in the end, perhaps this desire can lead him to true contentment, when he forgives himself for his actions.
Masami, while introverted and quiet a majority of the time, is also rather blunt and unfeeling when speaking to others. To those under him he gives orders that he expects to be followed, and he does not tolerate ignorance from anyone, whether they are below or above him in rank. He will speak out if he is well aware that an injustice is being committed, but otherwise he would rather sit back and observe a majority of conversations rather than participating. He has a rather soft, yet commanding tone to his voice, allowing those who would listen to him to listen, and letting those ignorant enough to ignore him to do so. Very rarely does he raise his voice, and when he does, the situation is very serious.
Abilities:
Bunshin no Jutsu (Clone Technique)
Henge no Jutsu (Transformation Technique)
Kawarimi no Jutsu (Body Replacement Technique)
Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique)
Fuuton: Kazekiri (Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique)
Fuuton: Daitoppa (Wind Release: Great Breakthrough)
Fūton: Reppuusho (Wind Release: Violent Wind Palm)
Suiton: Suigadan (Water Release: Water Fang Bullet)
Suiro no Jutsu (Water Prison Technique)
Suiton: Suijinheki (Water Release: Water Encampment Wall)
Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu (Water Clone Technique)
Magen: Kokoni Arazu no Jutsu (Demonic Illusion: False Surroundings Technique)
Magen: Narakumi no Jutsu (Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique)
Magen: Jubaku Satsu (Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death)
Nehan Shōja no Jutsu (Temple of Nirvana Technique)
Utakata (Ephemeral)
Mind Siphon Technique
Magen: Jigoku Kōka no Jutsu (Demonic Illusion: Descending Hell Technique)
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History:
Masami Saito was born into the Hidden Sand Village with a rather strong pedigree. His father was a well respected Jounin who accomplished missions with loyalty and talent, whereas his mother was a Chuunin who, while not having yet been appointed to Jounin status, had skill of her own and held the respect of many of the Shinobi for her insight and intuition.
However, soon after giving birth to Masami, his mother was killed on a mission after recovering from childbirth and volunteering for one. While this was a tragedy that struck his father greatly, and the entire village mourned her loss, Masami never truly grew up with any sadness at being a motherless child. In fact, it seemed to spur him on more, as he idolized his Jounin father and used the memory of his honorable mother to help him decide what the right thing to do is. He was enrolled in the Shinobi academy at a young age, and quickly took to the arts he was taught, quickly becoming one of the hardest working students, and also showcasing that natural talent one might expect with such blood running through his veins.
Something of a popular and outgoing student in the academy, Masami had no problems helping those around him with whatever the class was working on at that moment. He showed proficiency with all forms of Shinobi combat, though his Taijutsu seemed to outshine his Ninjutsu by far. However, once Genjutsu was introduced to the class, he took to it immediately, and he was completely outmatched by any he knew when it came to this facet of combat. He graduated without any problems, and was immediately sorted into a team, becoming a Genin without any problems. He was put into his year’s Team 1, and thus his career as a Shinobi truly began.
Masami adapted well to the life of a Genin, and was most certainly a valuable asset to his comrades. Team 1 was known as a force to be reckoned with, with his two teammates providing cover for Masami, as he conjured up powerful Genjutsu to stall or defeat the enemy immediately. It was the perfect combination, as his teammates were his shield, and he provided them with a lethal strike each time he was called upon. It seemed as if nothing could stop the team of three, as inexperienced as they were, and they truly felt invincible.
Though Team 1 only saw combat a few times as Genin, Masami never minded performing mediocre and boring missions as much as most his age. The elders of the village commended him on his maturity, but Masami saw it as merely performing where he was asked to, and leaving the larger missions to whomever they were assigned to. His level head was what kept the team together, as Katsu was something of a hotheaded hand to hand fighter, and Akihiro was prone to wishing for grandeur beyond his reaches, though he was somewhat skilled with his knowledge of Ninjutsu. The two would be at each other’s throats if it weren’t for Masami, especially considering Katsu seemed to be relatively unstable when angry, and his mood changed like the shifting winds, from calm to angry and back again. These fits of rage were common, and never ruined the team dynamic, so there were no problems in regards to that.
His sensei provided a second role model to Masami after his father. Saito had hoped that his father would end up as his sensei secretly, so he could learn even more from the man he so admired, but Team 1 was under the direction of another Jounin, known for his proficiency with all forms of jutsu. His sensei was, however, not the best tutor when it came to Genjutsu, so Masami was forced to train to improve his skill on his own in some cases, as his Genjutsu’s strength was growing exponentially, and his Taijutsu and Ninjutsu remained neglected. Masami ignored this, however. So long as the team’s dynamic was intact, he was not worried about any other facet of combat.
Soon enough, the Chuunin exams came around, and Team 1’s sensei decided that the three of them were ready to give ascension in rank a try by participating in this exam. Masami and his team made it through the first couple of trials without a hitch, using the teamwork that they had thus far been known for. However, in the third trial, Masami was placed in a one on one battle with another Genin, named Hikari. Though he attempted to use his Genjutsu on her, it was of no use, as she continually forced him to cancel his incantations to protect his well being, and kept on the offensive. The Taijutsu and Ninjutsu skills that he had neglected for so long were not sufficient in the end, and the girl defeated him. He couldn’t believe it…he had never been defeated while sparring in the past. However, as he watched the girl, the young Masami soon became fascinated by her and her outlook on life, and couldn’t help but become infatuated immediately.
He stayed to watch the end of the exams, where Hikari came just short of advancing to the rank of Chuunin. He supposed this was a good thing…he didn’t feel ashamed to speak with her anymore, and directly after her final battle, he approached her and the two began talking of their experiences, and individual styles. Masami found this girl approachable…likable, most definitely. She didn’t rub his defeat in his face, but merely looked toward the future, hoping to improve for the next exam. Masami agreed that they both would train as hard as possible, and when the time came around once more, they would be ready to display what they’d learned. Laughing, Hikari asked Masami whether he expected a rematch, to which Masami responded that he most certainly hoped so. And so, after a few days time with her, Masami and Team 1 were ready to head back to the Hidden Sand. He said his goodbyes to her, and the two parted ways for the first time. Although she was always on his mind, he attempted to push her to the back of it in favor of the here and now, and began thinking of how he could improve his style so that when they did meet once more, he would be ready for whatever she had to throw at him.
And so, heading out with his team, Masami began to demand that they change their chemistry around. He would no longer solely provide Genjutsu, as helpful as that may be in their battles. He needed to improve Ninjutsu and Taijutsu for himself, and he couldn’t afford to think of only his teammates in a situation such as this. This spread some discord among the team, as Katsu considered him a traitor, and Akihiro believed they could not advance without his Genjutsu. Still, he remained firm and steadfast, and eventually his sensei agreed that they would attempt to change the team dynamic.
Things were rather shaky at first for Team 1 after this. They had gotten so used to the dynamic in which Masami took over the battlefield with his illusions, that things started getting much harder when he refused to use them. Tensions swelled among the teammates, and it seemed as though things were at an all time low, with their sensei struggling to keep them from going at one another’s throats. Masami’s level head had always provided the base upon which they built things, yet he was now using his blunt, matter-of-fact tone in an almost provocative manner, often getting a rise out of Katsu, who would need to be calmed by Akihiro. One day, things simply got out of control.
It appeared to be any other argument. They were out on a mission in unfamiliar territory, and their sensei hadn’t been able to come with them. As somewhat experienced Genin, they were allowed to complete this mission, which was relatively simple, themselves before coming back to the village. It was going to be a great thing, their first mission on their own, when something suddenly happened. Masami and Katsu were exchanging words, while the negotiative Akihiro tried to keep them in line. Masami struck a particularly glancing blow at Katsu, suggesting that perhaps his lack of skill was the reason he could not rely on the new strategy. Momentarily losing his head, Katsu rushed forward and lunged at Masami, only to have Akihiro step in front of his assault. It seemed as though, in his fury, the boy had drawn a knife, and had been attacking Masami with it. Had the attack connected, it would probably have only been a flesh wound, but Katsu had not expected the intervention, and struck Akihiro through the chest, nicking his heart and opening a wound that began to gush blood. As the young man fell, bleeding profusely, Katsu knelt low, pleading with the young man and apologizing constantly, telling him he would be alright. Masami simply stood there in shock. He had never expected to be attacked, and he hadn’t expected to be protected either. In a short amount of time, the boy stopped breathing, and his heartbeat stopped. The two remaining members of Team 1 faced one another, Katsu’s face full of remorse, while Masami’s face held nothing but accusations and anger. Unsheathing his two kodachi, Masami ran at the boy and pierced both of his lungs. “An eye for an eye, my friend.” He whispered into the boy’s ear, as the young man fell in a way similar to the boy he himself had killed. Returning home from the mission with news of Katsu’s supposed betrayal, Masami was quickly assigned another team with less experienced Genin, while his sensei went into exile, ashamed of what the boys he had trained had done to one another.
After that incident, it seemed as though Masami were a completely changed person. He was cold hearted, absolutely uncaring for those around him, and willing to complete the mission at any cost, including the lives of those around him. While this may technically be a good thing, as some believe the mission should take precedence over all else, Masami took it to another level. He began seeing those around him merely as instruments that would help him to increase his power for ascension. Slowly but surely, Masami sacrificed what he had in his soul for a killer’s instinct and great power, killing any who stood in his way on missions, never caring to think to take prisoners. He shrugged off the objections of his teammates, who feared him slightly, considering the way his last team ended up. By the time the next Chuunin exam was scheduled, Masami was nothing like the boy he had previously been. He did, however, remember one thing.
That girl, Hikari, whom he had been defeated by exactly one exam prior. The one who had tempted him, stolen his resolve to work as a team with others, and taken from him all positive prestige he had in light of what he was now, a cruel murderer. She would be the one to pay for what she made him do. He was positive it was exactly what she’s anticipated, as well, and he would not allow her to get away with it. Masami carried his team of Genin through the first couple of trials laid out for them with relative ease, and found himself pitched in one on one combat in a bracket-like structure. Defeating all enemies that were thrown his way, Masami eventually found himself in the last round of battles, squaring off against none other than the girl who had ruined his life and taken from him what was once dear to him. He said nothing as she wished him the best of luck, professing her happiness that they were once more together in this situation, and merely waited for the signal that would begin the battle.
From the moment that battle began, Masami was the only one holding any momentum. He had improved drastically since they’d last fought; discarding everything for the power he needed for victory. He dominated her completely and utterly, in both contests of strength and speed. Finally, as the battle drew to a close, he caught her in something of a trance, horrifying her with visions supplied by Genjutsu. The instructor called the battle in favor of the young man, but Hikari responded that she wasn’t finished with this battle yet. Turning to Masami, she told him that she would give it her all to defeat him, even if it meant getting hurt further. She obviously hadn’t anticipated how Saito had changed since the last exam, and the fact that she’d taunt him like that enraged him. Realizing of course that any lethal action that was overt would be stopped by the Jounin present, he made a decision that would come to haunt him for the rest of his life. Rushing forward and clashing blades with her as she retrieved a dagger, he purposefully let her block his attack and allowed this clash to happen. Then, with a quick burst of the strength he had hidden for this very purpose, he threw her guard out of the way, retrieved his second kodachi, and stabbed forward, skewering her. As she shuddered from the pain of the injury, and fell forward into him, her blood flowing openly, the reality of the situation seemed to sink in. Masami’s expression changed from one of anger to one of horror, as he watched the color fade from her face, and did his very best to save her at the last minute. Unable to speak, unable to move, Hikari’s last moments were filled only with the furious and sorrowful shouts of her Sensei, who seemed to be crying openly, and the sound of the Medical Shinobi’s attempts to save her life. Masami could do nothing but stare at the ground, where the dark red of her blood had stained what was previously a pure white floor.
Not only did he knowingly perform an act of premeditated murder, but what happened next would drive his guilt to lengths unimaginable by many. He was granted the rank of Chuunin for his performance in the exam, and honored for his achievements. He accepted the promotion graciously, as he had come too far to simply throw it away, but he often questioned whether or not Hikari might have earned this promotion had he not killed her. Seemingly shocked back into his old mindset, Masami vowed to repent for her killing every day for the rest of his life, and to never forget what he’d done. From that point on, Masami was something of an introvert, never allowing anyone to get too close to him, yet aiding those around him as best as he could, in stark contrast to the uncaring monster he had been previously.
Not only this, but those who were present at the Chuunin Exam from the Hidden Sand village began calling him by something of a new nickname. Because of the way he used Genjutsu to dominate his opponents, and torture them on the battlefield, many began calling him the Mirage of the Sand. He couldn’t say he was fond of this nickname, and they were praising him for his murderous ways, but he let it pass without complaint. They could say what they wanted…he had lost his right to object to anything done to him by being what he was.
Over the next few years, Masami did all he could to help the village of the Hidden Sand. Volunteering for the most dangerous missions, and cooperating with those around him, he was one of the greatest assets to the village throughout his career. Now that the great war was over, the missions he received were markedly less dangerous than they had been. However, he still occasionally found battle, and when he did he disposed of enemies without mercy, and through use of his incredible talent with Genjutsu. The visions Masami caused enemies to view and the ways in which he tortured his opponents expertly through his skill earned him a praise among those who knew him in the village. They called him a hero, and though Masami hated being recognized for something as barbaric as the murders he committed every mission, he knew that this would be his cross to bear. It was because of his sinful nature that such things would happen, and he would accept them without complaint.
Soon enough, based on his excellent performance and stellar ability with all three forms of Shinobi combat, Masami was appointed to the rank of Jounin of the Hidden Sand Village. It did not come as much of a surprise to the young man, considering he knew his own skill and knew that he had served his village well, however, he hadn’t thought about promotion in quite a long time. His ascension to Jounin did not change much when it came to his duty, however. He did what he was told, killed whomever got in his way, and completed missions. Only after a few more years did things seem to change completely.
A major duty of many Jounin throughout the five great villages is the education of a team of Genin to be the future of the village itself. While Masami had never even considered connecting with or teaching children, he was approached by a more experienced Jounin who told him that he should share the gifts he had been granted, and that it would serve the village all the more if Masami the Mirage spread his knowledge to a group of Genin. Thinking on this, he realized that this would simply be one more way to repent for his sins, and offered his services in the education of young Genin.
Therefore, the first Team Masami was born, and his students seemed rather eager to learn from the man after he demonstrated his skills to them, and what he would be teaching them. He thought back to his original mentors, his father and his Sensei, for inspiration, and dealt with the children as best as he could. He found himself growing attached to them, and for once in his life since that incident, Masami could feel a bit of warmth in his heart whenever he spoke of them. There was Kei, a young man with talent far beyond what Masami had expected. He excelled in Ninjutsu and Taijutsu, and was trying his best to train Genjutsu to be well-rounded. He had a tendency to be a bit stuck up at times, but he still had a heart, and got along with the other two. Next there was Ryota, who didn’t really have the talent Kei had. He got through everything with brute force, and he had the most strength and stamina of the entire team. Masami was proud to say that the boy was his whenever he helped others with his strength, whether it was helping the elderly with certain tasks, or coming to the aid of fellow Shinobi. Finally, there was Emiko, who was the kindest girl you’d ever be likely to meet. Though she had very little physical strength, and had a tendency to lose focus, she served as the group’s heart, keeping them all together and truly turning them into a family. Masami would do anything for them, and in turn, they knew that as long as their Sensei was around, they would be safe under his direction.
Imagine their surprise, then, when Masami could not protect them on their very first C-rank mission. The three of them felt as though their skills were improving faster than they’d ever dreamed. They pleaded with him to allow them to try a more difficult mission under his direction, and when Emiko came to him and asked him directly, with the most innocent intentions, Masami simply couldn’t say no to them. They were tasked with escorting a man of renown to the Hidden Cloud Village, and were told that they may be those out there looking to collect a bounty on the man’s head. Masami told them to stay close to him, and if they happened to get into battle, they must each cover one another’s back. Kei would watch out for Emiko, who would take care of Ryota, who would circle back to Kei, while Masami did his best to look out for the man they were escorting. They did run into heavy resistance, and eventually the tide of battle split them up. Masami was confident that the three of them had been taught well, and would be perfectly fine, trying his hardest to put worry out of his mind as he killed assassin after assassin who came after the man. Finally, when things grew quiet, Masami emerged with the man, and began calling for his team.
After five minutes of beckoning to them, nothing stirred on the battlefield. He decided that perhaps they had wandered off into a nearby wood, and was determined to go and find them, making sure they were ok. The man protested, telling Masami that he needed to be in the Hidden Cloud Village as soon as possible. In the midst of their argument, a small voice rang out from among the tattered and bloody corpses.
“Sensei” it called, quiet at first, yet progressively louder until finally it began to fade once more. Obviously a girl’s voice, Masami hurriedly attempted to find the source of the call, turning over corpse after corpse, until finally he found Emiko, buried under two men that had met their end recently. She had been wounded in the side, a deep stab, and the lack of oxygen she received from being muffled by the dead did nothing to aid her plight. She was white, pale as death, and Masami’s face soon followed suit. He asked her quickly about Kei and Ryota after carrying her to a clearing and attempting to heal her as best as she could, and all the small girl did was cry, forcing the story through her quivering lips. She told him that Kei was the first to fall, trying to protect them all from an attack, and quickly being outnumbered and beheaded on the spot. With him gone, and their team dynamic thrown off, Ryota had told her to run off as quick as she could as he tried to keep them busy, which didn’t last very long. They caught up with her, and harmed her this much, before Masami unknowingly threw several kunai at the men, saving her life for a time, yet causing them to crush her under their weight.
As her story closed, Masami couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. It had been years since he last cried, and he wanted to be strong for her, but he simply couldn’t. He wasn’t strong enough to protect them, he wasn’t strong enough to teach them well, and he wasn’t strong enough to make her think she might make it in her final hours. Reaching her hand up in an attempt to comfort her teacher, Emiko simply couldn’t find the strength in her to touch his face with her hand, and it fell limp before she made it halfway, the life fading from her eyes as her Sensei mourned her and the others with every emotion that had ever passed through his mind.
After that, Masami seemed to simply stop caring about his own well-being. He took on the most dangerous missions possible, alone, most likely hoping to find an end to the torment called life in a way that wasn’t completely cowardly. He cut his hair short, obviously hoping that perhaps a change in appearance would spell a change in the luck he’d had…though in his heart, he knew it wasn’t luck that had caused all of this. He was being punished for all he’d done, and this punishment would continue until he finally died. Perhaps then he would have sweet salvation from the tyranny of life. After several more years, Masami finds himself in a state of constant numbness; unable to let himself feel for fear of losing all he has once more. An introvert and with hardly any hope for the future left, the Mirage of the Sand seems to now wish that was all he was. A passing mirage, unable to feel, and unable to hurt.
RP Sample:
Down once more into the labyrinth of his mind. Within it, he saw terrifying visions seemingly designed to dissuade him from carrying out this course of action. Visions of blood, of fire, of violence. Walking to a nearby, calm pool of water, Masami stared at his own face reflected in the pool of water that served as a foil to his own desperation and madness. And upon the reflection that these waves provided, Masami saw reflected in his own face the features of all those he had harmed…of all those he had killed in the past. Hundreds…perhaps thousands of men and women alike lie dormant within his expression, all accusing him of the ultimate sin, as he turned from the pool and sat once more nearby, merely waiting. While all of this raged within that sharp, poised mind of his, his countenance remained completely dull and flat, as though he were bored or, perhaps more accurately, as though he were dead.
Smirking at these thoughts ever so slightly, he had to credit himself with this idea. After all, in a way, Masami did consider himself dead. He died each and every time he took a life, although at the time he did not realize it. Whether the victim were a rival shinobi, a comrade who had gone too far, or the closest person to his own heart, Masami carried the weight of their corpse upon his shoulders. It humbled the man, and perhaps accounted for the slight hunch that forced his once strong and broad shoulders into submission, as his body seemed to keep to itself much like he himself preferred a life of solitude and reflection. He sighed, once more looking to the door through which the future of this village would come. While some may consider the title of Jounin, and of sensei, to be an honor, Masami simply did not see it this way. He forced himself to teach, and forced himself to serve, in the memory of those long passed. Perhaps in this way he could atone for all of those sins…all of those people…though he doubted it.
After all, he had proven to be as much of a failure in regards to being a teacher as he was in regards to being a person. His last group of Genin had met a fate similar to those who currently haunted Masami. Their souls rested within his own spirit, making him restless, while he bore the weight of their death, hopefully one day carrying them into the afterlife. That is, if there even was such a thing as an afterlife. If once looked at all the evidence, it appeared that this may be all there is to any life. Perhaps all men and women simply burn out, and their remains rot long after their memory perishes. Were that the case, Masami had not ushered all of those people to the salvation of the next world, but instead robbed them of what life they had left. Merely pondering the idea sent a shiver down the man’s spine, and he could hardly contain his worry as he clasped his hands together in an attempt to shield them from the cold reality of what his life had been to this point.
The fact of the matter was, if there was an afterlife, Masami himself would be destined to go to hell, or whatever other punishment awaited the sinners of this plateau of existence. He didn’t really mind this fact, however. After all, if one were to look at the situation objectively, they would see that Masami deserved such a fate for all that he’d done. He was not a good man…nor was he a role model for other shinobi. In truth, he should have been barred from teaching young Genin long ago, but the Kazekage seemed to favor him for his skill and the prestige he possessed. All of this honor was won in the name of serving the Hidden Sand Village, and repenting for his own sins. However, those around the village forced upon him some sort of faulty heroism, and painted a valiant picture of his deeds, when he was the furthest thing from a hero, let alone a decent man. Those Genin who came into this expecting to be taught by the incredible “Mirage of the Sand” were going to be sorely disappointed, for he had nothing to show them but the most base survival skills, and the way a shinobi should operate in accordance to standard procedure. He would not allow himself to get close to another group of these children…he had learned all too well from the last experience that this only led him further into the chasm of self-loathing.
So as he sat, awaiting the three that he had been assigned, he looked over their profiles from their time at the academy. Two of them were strong Ninjutsu and Taijutsu users, while the third displayed seemingly equal expertise in all three areas of shinobi combat. This was a rather balanced team, and one that he could teach without any problems. Masami most certainly hoped that the three of them would be open to learning and mastering that which he taught them, for he was not going to slow the progress of all for the sake of one. That was not how Masami operated, and that is why he was known to be the most demanding Jounin master by any who looked at the newly initiated Genin. Still, they could not argue with the results, as Masami’s students were often prime examples of what a shinobi should strive to be, even if they maintained a few of their own faults along the way. Yet Masami still claimed that he had not yet found a group that pleased him enough to recommend for ascension to Chuunin, and thus he had yet to participate in the exams himself. While he held his students to a high standard, he would not show them any mercy, or allow any of them to slip through the cracks. He had been hurt too much by the mistakes of his students in the past, and he would not allow that to happen again.
Turning his body once more to the door, Masami sighed heavily, and allowed his expression to return once more to its neutral state. He would start things off strong here…and he hoped these children were ready for it. For he was going to use all of his sorrow, and all of his guilt to drive himself to teach these children all he knew. And if they failed, they would merely be crushed under the weight of his demands…
Notes:
Ninjutsu 3.5 | Taijutsu 4 | Genjutsu 5 | Intellect 4 | Strength 3 | Speed 4 | Stamina 3.5 | Hand seals 4.5 | Total 31.5 |
