Nakano looked at Shinji with growing confusion which was gradually apparent on her face. "W-what are you talking about?" She slowly inquired, obviously not following his train of thought. However, Tenshi quicklyy stepped in to salvage the situation, taking Shinji's outstretched hand... Kyoko took the note with the directions, which all on it's own seemed like a promising gesture. With that alone Akiyama Tenshi was leagues better than the last one, the way in which he readily offered his help was a gesture not lost on Kyoko and even though she didn't really think she would take on such offers, it spoke volumes about his character or at the very least, how civil he wished to portray himself. "At what time and where are... Are we to meet again?"

Shinji was more confused then anything to have Akiyama take his hand, but nothing stopped the motion from happening. To take up his offer at all like that. Maybe there was something, merciful? Maybe Shinji would just have to presume so for now.

While Kyoko didn't take the hand to make it all better, hopefully she will take the sentiment he meant and Akiyama explained.
"I don't think there is anything else, other than maybe if you know a good quality shop for scrolls and an ink set."
He took the address from Akiyama slowly and after glancing at it put it away.
"Thanks for the address, I guess I'll see you both, um at this address or somewhere else in 3 days time?"

Thinking on equipment, it could be a considerable list from replacements to additions mundane and odd ideas of his. Hopefully he could make some of it work.

Tenshi nods "There is a small shop in the older section of town. I get my supplies from there. " He hands Shinji the address "If you mention me, they might give you a small discount. As I tend to spend a good deal of money there." Tenshi looks at them both with a smile "We'll meet outside of the mission building in three days. From there we'll head to the training ground. Some training will be in the space I created. Since well it can't be damaged yet, and we don't want to destroy the training grounds." He laughs lightly...

"Anyways if either of you need me or have questions between now and when we regroup. You will either find me at my place or a training grounds." With that he stands and pays the bill for the food "I'll leave you my true opinion of both of you. You both have amazing potential to become great ninja, and my goal is to help you achieve that."

"Thanks, well, I better see you both later then." With that he was sure to politely leave, things seemed like they might be good, maybe even good? Only time could tell him that.

When Shinji thinks he is alone enough, he thinks of what he wants to do. He wants to gather supplies for the days of training, not only in tools, but also in food that won't need much tending to for making. He made the seal and the two clones were made.
"You both know what I want, you can find the tools and weapons and scroll stuff -" Shinji pointed to one clone, and then pointed to the other to say to him "- while you can go and get the food. Be sure it won't need a lot of preparations as we don't know how taxing on time or energy the training will be."

"What if we come across someone?" Shinji knew he meant possible friendly people in particular.
"Then just go on and be polite, but don't get too caught in the moment. More time means more likelihood to find something wrong and decide to be offended. Especially higher ups. Otherwise, they might try to exploit you, we don't need a repeat of that."
They slightly lowered their heads in memory of that whole fiasco, though there was no need to think of it now. Moving past that remembering moment and recognizing the advice, the clones went off to do what they were told.

Shinji had some mercy in terms of getting the things he needed, name dropping Akiyama had things go smoothly, including a tip or two on ink and storage and other stuff he had not needed to consider for the technique. On the food end, well getting something that can stew over days might just help with preparations, and then making several bento boxes worth of food was quite simple. When he got back, Shinji had a quiet, if empty-of-people space to go back to, the wall still taking some man power from building projects enough to give Shinji this space.

He just had to take things easy and he could be well and good for future issues, but he kept having the urge to train, he would need to figure out a way to resolve that because he wanted to not be left behind.
He had to make it worth something that he was alive still, was the last thing to occupy him before he felt uneasy sleep claim him.

The three days remained quite busy for Tenshi. He helped at the academy, giving a few classes on fuinjutsu and time space jutsu. His two areas that he specialized in. After two days of that. The third day he began prepping the training ground. He had the areas setup for each day. The first day he wanted to get a sense of who Shinji and Kyoko were. Even though Tenshi had talked with them some. It still didn't give him a good representation of who they were and their goals for the future.

The training grounds he made sure was set aside for three full days. Which he had already been given permission previously by Lord Sasuke. Kyoko's feelings had some weight about the regime. But he knew stirring the pot in this new world of chaos would not be the best idea. So Tenshi would also try to alleviate some of her concerns.

Tenshi was still getting into the role of being a leader. The set up prior to the next day was completed at around ten in the night.

The morning of the fourth day came, and he made his way towards the mission building which is where Tenshi told them to meet. He figured they wouldn't be there as early as he was. So Tenshi sat down and takes out a book and begins to work on a new seal while he waits.

"Will be seeing you in three days then." With a slight bow, Kyoko departed as they all went their own separate ways. It would be the last time she spent in the street and that was heartwarming enough to see her through it without much perceived discomfort. As arbitrary as it was, that three day lull wasn't all that wasteful for her and she guessed the rest, after the stacked previous mission.

The next morning she went to look for housing solutions, sleeping outside had it's charms (far outweighed by its problems) but nothing beat having a roof over your head. Apparently prices had skyrocketed since the place was flooded with refugees from every corner of the known world, just as one would expect, the destitute and the needy simply had no opportunity of procuring themselves anything. Thankfully, she was no longer among the relatively poor, as life threatening as it had been, the paycheck also reflected that and Nakano was able to cope with how outrageously high many seemingly basic things had gotten. Around noon of that day, she found herself a perfect place, tiny, utilitarian, not much to look at but just for that reason, it remained within reasonable price and was good enough for a small gal like her, not that she was about to throw any parties at her new place.

The second day was spent acquiring the type of things that turned four walls and a roof into a livable space. Non stolen food of a wider tastier array, some furniture and utilities. By the end of it, the place still looked somewhat spartan but certainly comfortable, at least for the reduced number of people that were expected to live there. Right before closing hours she saw about replacing her missing or broken gear from last mission, that crazy woman had broken part of it in their last fight and although Kyoko doubted that she would it back for the training, it didn't hurt to be ready. The third day was spent in it's entirety resting and being lazy, A much needed and well deserved reprieve form the previous work on the mission and sorting things out back at Konoha.

By the time she arrived to the meeting place, Nakano was positively happy, a whole day dedicated to rest and having a place of her own (so as long as eh paid rent) sure helped to lift one's spirits. Moreover, this new group she was with wasn't all so bad, Shinji was a bit 'odd' but far from being outlandishly so, his seemingly good nature reminding her of the last group she was assigned with, either she got lucky or there was just some kind of unseen kinship among genin, as they shared a common plight. The squad leader, Tenshi, he was a bit dry and seemingly caught up in regulations but then again maybe once was forced to once you climbed higher in the ranks, still, he was far more reasonable and likeable than the last, which put him leagues ahead. If the tendency was to continue, Kyoko would put her money on not finding them too difficult to hang around as they got to know each other better.

"Hello again, I will be in your charge." Nakano greeted Tenshi with a soft melodious voice, in an overly polite manner as she gave Akiyama a slight bow, all just for the shake of doing it and perhaps reaping some kind of reaction that may even amuse her.

Day 1 - 72 hours left
So, Shinji had 3 days and was somewhat unsure how to spend it more than just recovery. So for the first day, he spent some time to review his equipment and purchases. This involved selecting his repertoire to make it cover more bases, while keeping a normal number of throwing implements. Shinji knew he needed more options then just "damage a person to death", or at least he needed some that could work around genjutsu immunity. Knowing his luck, Shinji just knew a pile of immune people would come out of the woodwork to make his efforts and skills moot. So getting smoke and flashbang in bomb and seal forms were a good start. He considered getting incendiary bombs, but thought better of it for now.

Day 2 - 48 hours left
It was a process of trying to make himself learn a technique but realising that mental fatigue was still an actual thing. Well, he could do with something of a break, so he proceeded to have his clones play group games against each other. Watching when it was a physical game and joining in the prime physical activity was sitting down holding cards or moving pieces.
Shinji knew what he was doing in thinking games, taking apart the others, Shinji committed himself fully, even if it cost him in wit games, Shinji just kept to himself while playing and Shinji just loved the while thing and kept the day together.
Honestly, when the catharsis came to him as the clones dissipated, it was actually a fun day.

Day 3 - 24 hours left
Shinji was sure to have food packed for the act of travelling, as Shinji didn't know the plans that Akiyama had for a fact and so wanted to be prepared. He knew the goings on of the city, could get some of the best market offers. To top this off, he overheard enough from homemakers to know a good way to stretch budgets and have all preprep done.
After his efforts he had bento boxes of items, none or less perishables and stews he could just throw more ingredients into. He saw the chance of being too tired to cook so this is what he had made to be safe.

Times up - 20 seconds late and counting.
As he moved to the meeting place, Shinji ignored the remnants of his injury while pondering on the group, they seemed sociable overall, about as much as any new group had. Nakano seemed very strong in opinion, if keeping to herself, maybe he should learn that lesson. Akiyama, he seemed to be nicer then some, actually consistent to the rules and not just making them a tool to abuse with technicality. But how long before he did the same thing all teachers ever did to him? Maybe he already knew the family of his siblings? No, if he did, Akiyama would either try to force something Shinji didn't have, or hate the burden of such a squandered effort...

He knew the others were there, as a clone playing early bird had seen Akiyama move but released himself before being spotted. Even with this Intel, Shinji found himself to be the last person to get to the scene. Something that shouldn't, but did bother him just a little.
"Hey again. Everyone well? Do we need to go over anything first, Akiyama-sensei?"
He didn't mean to direct the situation, he wasn't the sensei, he just wanted to give everyone a chance to air something they might feel the need to. As well as, you know talk without saying something embarrassing.

Tenshi stands when he sees Kyo "Morning Kyo-chan." It was nice to see the girl smile. Tenshi pats Kyoko on her head "It's good to see you in high spirits, and it looks like you came prepared as I had asked." Not long after he sees Shinji walk up "Good to see you Shinji.You are also prepared as I had asked." He relaxes a little "Sorry about being so stiff, I am not usually like this. Just a lot of pressure to perform well from the higher ups. Also I have to act a little more rigidly with how the current regime is. That aside. I won't be as rigid during our training, as it is as much to make you stronger, as it is to give you confidence in yourselves, and I find that if you aren't yourself in combat you will likely lose."

He starts walking and talking "Each day is going to focus on the three aspects of a ninja. Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, and Genjutsu. Knowing how to counter each of the three will be vital to your survival, as sometimes you may find me fighting the stronger opponent, and that will leave you with their underlings. I need you both to be strong enough to do that, and to trust one another." Tenshi hoped he could instill trust between all three by the end of the training "So today we will be starting with Taijutsu. I already have the training ground set-up for it. So once we reach the training grounds, I will detail the first exercise in detail. Note as so there is no pressure. There will be no grading or reports on how well you did. Unless I am asked for them."

"Also if we are to become a stronger unit.. Each day will also include team attacks, and formations, and how to deal with certain types of attackers." He glances at both of them "Any questions?" Tenshi did feel a little odd talking like a teacher when he was only a year or two older then Kyoko and Shinji.

In a few seconds, Tenshi cleared much of the preconceptions Nakano had of him, not so stiff now... "Yes, of course." Nodding a greeting to Shinji, she tagged along for the walk and eventually inquired. "Taijutsu as in hand to hand? Or with t-these too?" With a motion, Kyoko cleared the sleeves up to her elbows, revealing the blades hidden underneath. "I am fine with either but just so there are no... Misunderstandings."

For what team moves and attacks pertained, she figured there could be some, but given her particular set of abilities, she was more geared for stealth and surprise attacks on unsuspecting foes, not the type of upfront fight that seemed so popular in Konoha (to her experience). Perhaps something along the lines of setting up the stage for others or others doing just that for her, to get the jump on a foe too busy avoiding whatever her peers just did. Then again, she would have to see what they all had in store to even plot any combined moves and that was more on a ninjutsu side of things, there were other ways to combine strengths, like in hand to hand combat.

Shinji would be quite fine with any tool practice, though he could understand the reasoning for the question. More jutsu might be fun he reasoned, but whenever Shinji decides on an idea for a move, he often realises he is using chakra through it, part of the problem he has being needing more chakra-less (or chakra-lesser) options. Maybe this training could help with that? He would need to find out over time.

He waited for Akiyama to answer the question of his fellow genin and the silence after before he added his own. "You say we would be fighting the, um 'underlings'" Shinji said with air quotes "But life and battle are both chaotic, sometimes we might find ourselves the target of the strongest opponent despite you being the stronger candidate. Maybe one of us has the type of skill to resolve a problem or exploit a weakness. We might not be able to tag out thanks to separation... Question is, what's the approach then?"
Saying Sensei to someone not that distantly aged from himself should be awkward, but Shinji had gone through enough people training him that numerous ties the word had to time had been eroded.

Tenshi rounds a corner as they continued talking, not far from the training grounds "You are right, many times other things may slow me down from being able to intercept them. In which case. I have training prepared for that. But that will be the final lesson on day three." He walks into the training yard. There are all sorts of targets, practice dummies, and all sorts of weapons "This day begins with weapon training." He looks at Kyoko "You can use your blades for this." Tenshi looks at Shinji "You can use your choice of weapon, if you don't have a preferred weapon. I can help you find one that suits your combat style. Or you can simply use your hands and feet."

He picks up a pair of lightweight hard leather gauntlets "I will be wearing these to deflect your attacks. Your goal for this first part is to use your style to make it past me and strike that dummy behind me." Tenshi smiles "It isn't as easy as you think. It took my first team three hours to get past our sensei. Being that I am not a jonin yet. It should take you no more than half that."

Tenshi takes a stance "After you have selected your weapon, lets see how capable you are."

On hearing the prospect of their first task, Shinji didn't need telling that something would harder then it sounded, life was always like that, nothing was never both simple and easy.
Assess, then Assert His brother had told him once. Taking that advice to heart, he ran the situation through his head.
First he mentally compared the circumstances between both renditions of the exercise.
On reflection, the main advantage for Shinji and Nakano was the difference in scale of power between chunin and jounin candidates was greater than genin and chunin. Though they had less numbers and less specialisation in Taijutsu between them, an hour and a half should be possible, though a taxing limit.

On thinking about weapons, Shinji realised it best to not try reaching for a new instrument, he had an objective to reach and choosing one weapon would leave him with less versatility. So Shinji decided to addressed his sensei with a question he should have asked along with his answer. "I imagine at most only supplementry non-taijutsu are permitted? But to answer your question sensei, my weapons shall be my body, throwing implements and my clones, if the latter will be permitted..."

While he was asking this, Shinji got out a small hourglass from inside his cloak. Well, it was more accurate to say a 1 to 3 hourglass, controlled by the amount and type of sand used. He took some sand out until its total was 1 and a half hours, holding it near a stump, ready to flip.
"One and a half, this should do when we are ready... Um, want to go over any strategies first, Nakano? Or is that against the spirit of the test, Akiyama?" Shinji turned to both of them, hoping there would be appreciation for an accurate time piece.

"Just hand to hand then, and these..." Nakano deployed the blades. "J-just 'kill' the dummy, right." Realizing that it was training, she thought about not going all in. Yes, one could swing and all, but there if one did things for real, you lunged and attacked to strike past them, the real thing had little regard to their safety. But then again while safety was a potential concern, she figured that if this was to have a point, Kyoko figured that she had to strike like she meant it, or at least to a certain degree. She could always heal any 'accidents' if it came to that, or so Nakano thought.

"It's two on one, can't be that hard, we don't have to beat him." A hand on her hip and another to her chip, Kyoko thought for a moment before answering Shinji's question. "No plans, we improvise, I think... I think planning sounds more like another thing entirely to train. M-maybe we try to get into sync as we go, with luck." After which she got into a fighting stance, or what apparently passed for one for Nakano, which was just standing there, sleeves once more concealing her hands and weapons.

Tenshi smiled "Hand to hand is perfectly fine, as are your blades. This is not as easy as you think it will be. Think of it as I am a bodyguard, protecting my charge. It will take work to get me off my game, and never assume that you have gotten one over on me until you have." He smiled taking out a Kunai "I'll chose this and my fist. I could activate my seal, and make it to where I don't need the weapon to block. But what fun is that right?"

Tenshi swivels his foot "Now it's time to see if you can. This is just the first round. There will be as lot today. So decided how much energy you want to expend. Things only get tougher from here." As he takes his stance. His eyes lock on the two. There is a slight hum in the air. Tenshi looked like he was going to have fun.

"If that is how it is. Fine."

With that, Shinji threw the hourglass into the air, it's contents influencing the spin and causing its arc to be atypical.
Shinji knew how he would start, open up with a bit of shuriken throwing and see a fault in his stance to exploit with another technique.
The hourglass was falling, there wasn't enough time, like in a real battle, he would have to improvise.

Initiative
12:45, Today: Sato Shinji rolled 17 using 1d20 ((17)).

Just move things along; team successful in training.

Rewards will be given soon.

Move this along.

Suspension time almost up.

Tenshi smiles having completed their training days. Even Tenshi had many bruises, and such from it. It was no surprise to him that they made it through training. Now the next question came.. What to do next.

The day after training.."That was rough even for me. So today will be a day of rest. I say a day at a hot spring is in order, then barbeque or something. Since soon we will all likely be sent to assigned to some new position or team. So today might be our last day as a team."

"You're right, it could be our last. So we should make the most of it." Shinji agreed.
"Plus, we did throw pretty much  everything at you. I'd be embarrassed if we didn't get even a scratch on you." Shinji added with a slight chuckle. It helped to ignore the pain in his shoulder, the prize for a Gambit that didn't work too well.
It did tell him something about how he should improve himself in the future.

"Honestly, I have no idea how the springs are like here, or where they are for that matter." Shinji admitted honestly.

Bruised, battered and definitely exhausted, Nakano wasn't particularly enthusiastic about the idea but she didn't have the energy or the character to protest. "I guess Hot Springs sounds as good a way to celebrate before our potential disbandment as any." As reluctant as she was, the idea was likely a sound one to mend their knackered bodies.

Tenshi smiled "Thats only the worst case. I mean we did pretty well as a team. If we are still a team after today. then I think some mental training will be in order.." He looks at shinji "We can't have an outburst like that again, especially in front of Lord Sasuke." That was something that still left Tenshi with several questions. But until he was of a rank, or in a position to ask the questions he had, he would stay quiet about it, and follow orders.

The teen starts walking "So do you want to eat first, or hit the hot springs first?"

Shinji crossed his arms defensively at the put down. But he couldn't help but agree to mental training. It would help to identify how to further protect yourself, knowing who's the weak spot, and who was too sensitive and reactionary for anything more then a stern tone.

Thinking on his decision between the two. "I say the springs, I mean, there is a thing about not eating before swimming, right?" After he said that, Shinji could feel them giving the desert guy looks. "What? It's asking for misfortune. We have enough of that as is."

24 hours have passed, everyone goes home. Post what you have been up to in the last 24 hours.

Every single person has received a letter from a messenger bird and has been instructed to see Lord Sasuke as soon as possible. Your post will also include receiving the letter and heading there.

"Y-You aren't supposed to swim in the hot springs, I think." Both options had something going for them, getting into the springs, coming out all fresh and relaxed just to enjoy some tasty meal sure sounded pleasant. Yet, having some energizing meal, dunking into the hot springs to relax while digesting it, just to come out born anew to go to sleep with that fresh and relaxed sensation seemed like quite the joy in her head. "That said, I really don't know which I prefer more."

Sharing her worries about the current events or not, at the very least Nakano could say that her current team wasn't too hard to hang out with. "You are right, maybe us misfits are to continue together just because we are that. Takes one to work with one, or something..."

---

After the team building with the rest, Nakano went back to her newly acquired home and spent the time resting and taking it easy. After the last mission and the training, she could afford to be well rested for a change.

After spending some pleasant, relaxing time with Nakano and Akiyama, Shinji had spent some time making sure he refurbished his supplies, including getting another pair of collapsing Fūma-shurikens to double as forearm guards, extra smoke bombs, bags of "debris" and custom tipped kunai.

Shinji overlooked the half made building, left incomplete when the new wall for the village took priority. Shinji had loved not having immediate neighbours to consider for the few days he had resided in Konohagkure, it gave him space that he missed.

But he knew that the closed off nature of the place would not last forever, as much as he would love it to be. At some point they would come back to finish the build, and he would be crowded again.
He was contemplating where he would go when that happened, choose an apartment in the village? Or go outside the village safety to live in the wilds for his quiet...?

Shinji was deep in this line of thought when the messenger bird arrived and dropped a letter at his feet.
Shinji opened it up to read the contents, he thumbed through the details. When he was satisfied he had the idea, Shinji burned up the letter.
When he dashed off for the location in the letter, he found his body and mind were focused on getting there, but his heart just wasn't there. This wouldn't be good, with his luck, Shinji knew this was the case.

Tenshi enjoyed the day with his two teammates. it was fun, and actually relaxing. Nothing eventful happened thankfully. Unlike most times something always interrupted them. After the springs and the food. Tenshi waves goodbye to his teammates, well for now they were. He headed back to his apartment and lounged for a while. Then he got bored and did some mild training for a bit. Eventually he fell asleep.

The next morning...


Tenshi was up at dawn like most days, already out on the training fields getting ready for whatever happened to come his way, and oddly enough a messenger bird did. He quickly read the letter. Tenshi had time for a shower and to change into something more presentable. Today was the day of truth. He made his way to the the Lord's building, and walked up checking in at the desk "Tenshi Akiyama here at the request of Lord Sasuke." The woman nodded and pointed to the waiting area. He would sit waiting to see what happens next.