The Novice Gauntlet ( Nexus Stats X 7 ) Plus reward

The air was quiet and calm for the moment as the forest near the Jiin estate remained as such. However, the fast movements of a ninja left a buzz in the air. A streak of red moved throughout the trees at a blur of speed. Hopping from branch to branch was none other than Asura. The fiery headed youth continued to work on his speed and agility while moving through both the natural and constructed obstacle course.

Asura was hopping from tree branch to tree branch with his short katana in hand, all the while aware of his surroundings and actions. As he moved, he could hear the sounds of other fast motions-- coming right at him! He bared his sword against the incoming targets, discovering them to be kunai! With the swift moves of his blade, he parried the strikes, and caused them to clatter to the forest floor below.

Master Roku was skilled in setting up the course. It was meant for Asura to put his physical skills and wits to the test. While he still had a ways to go to master jutsu and chakra, it started with the basics. Physical hard work. One thing Asura was proud at no doubt, was his speed. He was fast on his own and took pride in it.

As he ran, more obstacles began to show up! Targets with bulls eyes on them to target and hit. Using his kunai, Asura threw them and hit the targets. Not right in the center but close regardless while keeping on the move, and hit each target well. ONe he struck with his sword as he passed it, slicing the dummy in half.

ANother challenge came after he passed a certain point, and a pendulum trap with a tree log came flying out of the cover of the branches and leaves. Seeing it, Asura quickly ducked out of the path of it and moved away, allowing the tree to log to hit another tree and smashed into it.

Elsewhere, outside of the course, a man also prepared and inhaled. Forming some hand signs he acted and took initiative to attack Asura. "Katon! FIreball Jutsu!!" he said and soon exhaled. A massive ball of fire went into the woods.

From where Asura was, he saw the glow of fire as a fireball came flying in his direction. Realizing the blast was incoming, he quickly dropped off the tree limb towards the ground. The fireball struck the nearby tree, and quickly caught fire, the explosion taking out most of the branches and leaves.

Still moving, Asura ventured towards the end of the course. Running through both bushes and tree limbs, he soon reached his mark! He emerged from the small forest and found Master Roku-- the man who threw the fireball by the way. Between them was a gate marked by two upturned logs and Asura moved right for it!

Right before he could pass, the man Roku from his robe shot forth a series of shuriken right at Asura. However, like before, he bared his sword before him and knocked the projectiles away, and dashed for the ending!

He passed the marker and ended with a skid across the dusty ground. His sandals kicked up dust as he drew to a stop, his breath harsh but steady as he regained his composure. As he had stopped and crossed the finishing line, he turned to his master and still had his sword up. He awaited his words.

After having thrown his shuriken, Master Roku rose up and smiled. "Nicely done, Asura. You are getting better,' he commended with a smile.

"Thank you, Master Roku," Asura said as he let out a breath and sheathed his sword behind him easily. "That was a bit more challenging than I thought".

At that moment, Roku extended a hand to shake Asura's hand. As he was about to take it-- ROku struck and threw Asura! The man pulled Asura up and slammed him to the ground. Asura was down before he knew it and ended up looking at the man smirking as if it was a big joke. "A ninja must always be on his guard, my boy. "

Asura looked up from the ground, a grumpy look on his face. "Very funny, Master Roku," he grumbled and soon was helped up by the man.

Finally with the test now OVER... Asura sat down on one of the benches and took a drink of water from a bottle he had nearby. "YOu have improved, Asura... you shouldn't keep pushing yourself whenever you fail at something." Roku told his student.

"Then what was the point throwing me down to the ground like that?" Asura said, still a bit sore in his pride for being duped like that. "I swear you have a sadistic sense of humor, master."

Roku chuckled a bit at the sadistic comment. "Only to teach you a lesson. Victory is important, but you never learn anything if you don't lose now and again, am I right?"

Asura still grumbled, realizing his master was right on that point... as usual.

"Anyway that is enough training for today, besides," he said as he reached the side of his seat. He took out a box with engravings on it. It was a ninja chest. "I got you some things to help you on your training. I think it is time that you had them. "

Renewed with his interest and forgetting about how Roku threw him down after the training had ended, he looked to the box. Roku sat it in his lap as Asura looked it over. There was a clear seal on the box lid-- indicating a ninja had it shut with a seal to prevent people from opening it. Or worse... blowing up or poisoning you if you opened it wrong. However, Master Roku raised two of his fingers into a hand sign, and gave a quick snap of them before the box. "Release!"

The box released a poof of smoke and the symbol on the box was gone. Whatever jutsu was on it had vanished with the releasing of the chakra. "Inside this box contains scrolls that you can use to learn new jutsu. Skills you will need if you intend to pass the academy exam. " he said as he handed the box over to Asura.

Asura took the box but was still cautious with it as he held it. "For me?" Asura asked, a bit perplexed by the present from his master.

"Yes," he replied. "You earned it after all your progress, and with it, you should be able to learn more powerful jutsu. Still, you will have to study them regardless. "

He looked into the box and thumbed at the contents inside. A few scrolls were inside, and there was no doubt that they would be of great use. Closing the box, he turned to his master and bowed his head. "Thank you, Master. " he replied with a grateful tone.

ROku smiled as he patted Asura on the shoulder. "Don't worry, we have plenty of time to develop your skills. You are eager but don't forget all things come at their own time. " He explained, knowing how eager Asura wanted to use more complicated techniques. "As far as the exams go, they will only test your basics. You won't need much to pass them. "

Asura still had a resolute look on his face. "Even so master, I don't wanna just pass. I want to beat it. I'll be a ninja no sweat!" he said.

(1,265 words)

First rolls are for Stats: 1 category: Strength X2, 2 category: Stamina X1 . 3 category: Dex X 2. Category 4. Int X 2.



Reward Dice Roll: 2 (word count is 1250 minimum. Qualified for 2 rolls)

The member 'Enjin' has done the following action : Dice

#1 'Training Dice' : 10, 2

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#2 'Training Dice' : 2

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#3 'Training Dice' : 2, 4

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#4 'Training Dice' : 6, 5

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#5 'Reward Dice' : 3, 50