Indoctrination

[Ace Trainer]

It had been a few days since Kozan had committed an atrocity in this lab. As he pushed open the door he could still smell the blood in the room, and as the fuuinjutsu that powered the room came to life at his touch he would watch as light slowly filled the room. He'd visited it only once since he killed his master, to undertake a task quite gruesome. In that moment, he had not done much to absorb his surroundings, so this was his first time truly looking at the room. Looking around he would notice the stains of blood still on the floor, some of the splatter on the far wall and the equipment that had been around the pair when Kozan had killed his master off. As Kozan stepped further into the room, the scent of the blood gave way to the scent of the corpse of his master, rotting on the floor where Kozan had left the dismembered pieces of his bodies to waste. He would look down at the pieces unblinking and then reach across the table he was directly next to, charging chakra before tapping a fuuinjutsu. The entire room would glow for a second, and then the pieces of his master he'd left behind would pop and vanish into thin air. Dead or not, Kozan's master had left quite a bit behind for his experiment to take advantage of. Flipping on a switch, air would begin to move through the vents that lined the room, and slowly the scent of the corpse would fade leaving Kozan with nothing but the blood that marked his betrayal.

He had met with Renji a few days earlier when he had elected to recruit the young dagger. While originally he had planned on training Renji directly, the happenings of the following days had pulled Kozan away, and Kozan had instead instructed the dagger to begin the training regiment. Oftentimes when new daggers joined the Seven Swordsmen, they were introduced to each other, given opportunities to socialize and learn about each other and otherwise begin to integrate themselves into the Seven Swordsmen. Kozan did not such thing when he was a dagger and while he didn't forbid Renji from it, he did nothing to inform Renji it was the norm or provide him the opportunity to do. Kozan had made it clear to Renji on the day they met - the daggers were not Renji's competition.

Kozan did not care for people individually or relationships that he'd forged. The decision to kill his master had only further cemented that into his mind - anything to become stronger for his village. Renji was an invaluable asset and tool for this. A key asset to have bound to him with the coming tensions. So, on this morning he'd instructed Renji to come to the lab. He had a sense that Renji understood and embodied the core tenants of the shinobi code, but he wanted an opportunity to ensure this was true. And no better place to do it then the lab that Kozan was born in.

It was approaching noon, so he expected Renji would be there soon. Looking around the room, Kozan wondered if he would be able to fill the shoes of his master. For many others, perhaps this would be considered some form of self-doubt. But Kozan didn't have the capacity for such a feeling so instead the thought was genuine curiosity around it. He'd taken a fair amount of knowledge from his masters brain so he was certain many of the experiments and projects his master was working on Kozan would be able to pick up. The question was just, should he? What would come of it? Was he complete or did he need more for himself? The ideas and options circulating his mind seemed endless. How had his master managed so much knowledge?

[King of Cats]

Since Renji had last seen Kozan he had been hard at work training. Of course, this was no different than the usual daily events for Renji. He went to the Bone Draw Dojo every Saturday morning, Wednesday morning, and Friday night. Notably in the time that he spent away from Kozan, Renji was training harder than usual. The raw, unbridled tenacity that oiled off of Kozan's flesh was something that the chuunin had never expected. The fear Kozan instilled inside of Renji was genuine and it was strong, the memories of his battle pushed Renji along his training. Of course, Kozan had arranged to meet with Renji once again, the teenager didn't know just what to expect from the encounter but he would be certain that he was ready for the next test that Kozan had in store for him

Renji arrived at the laboratory that Kozan had informed him of with his nerves of steel pushed to the edge. He was anticipating Kozan's stark yellow eyes. The haunting fear from before loomed over his shoulder. Renji arrived at the building at exactly 12:07 and he was happy. To be accepted by Kozan gave Renji satisfaction, he felt validated and his resolve hardened to an even greater degree. Renji would do anything for his village and the Seven Swordsman was just the beginning of his long road to glory for Kirigakure.

Wearing his usual white tunic and black denim, Renji looked like a modern ninja. His two-toed tabi were notably different from what other ninjas wore but Renji always did have an eye for fashion. The Kaguya silently stepped through the doors of the laboratory. Immediately he was struck with the foul stench of a rotting corpse. Renji wondered more than ever just what exactly Kozan had in store for him, but he didn't let the odor perturb him. Renji pressed on without making a face of disgust, though his stomach was certainly turning.

The further into the building, Renji got the more he realized he had no idea where Kozan would be. Renji channeled chakra into his eyes to extend the scope of the search and eventually, he found Kozan. To no surprise, Renji found that the closer he got to his Sword the greater the smell of decay grew.

The room where Kozan was waiting for Renji was well-lit and Renji deactivated his Chakra Vision when he saw Kozan. To the best of Renji's deciphering ability, the Sword was at ease, though he was ready for that fact to change. Renji didn't call to him out of respect, he waited until he got closer to Kozan and said to him, "I'm glad to have made it." Renji bowed to Kozan, his purple earrishining in the artificial light.

As Renji picked his head up from the bow he looked closely around the room he was standing in. There was blood all over the place and it seemed like there had been some sort of struggle. Renji was particular to notice that the room was very high-tech and operated by way of advanced fuuinjutsu. The Dagger looked around the room with curiosity and then squarely into Kozan's eyes with courage. "I am ready." Renjis's voice filled the room and he remained the lock he had on Koan's frightening yellow eyes. Renji was prepared for anything and he would go to any length to achieve his dreams of leading the Kaguya Clan. Renji believed he could change the lives of ninjas around the world, and proving himself to Kozan was just the beginning. The smell of death flooded his nose as he looked at Kozan, a smell that Renji was familiar with. He breathed it in without remorse, wondering who Kozan had killed.

OOCShow

WordCount: 625
Training: +1 Control

[Ace Trainer]

As Renji came in Kozan would lift his body onto the table he'd just been activating fuuinjutsu on, turning to look at Renji silently. As the fans and vents above them whirred the scent of the rotting flesh Kozan had just zapped away would slowly fade, though it was certainly still strong in the center of the room where the body had spent its time rotting. Renji's insistence on formalities was lost on Kozan as he watched the boy bow. Stuff like this Kozan never understood, it wasn't the type of information that had ever been made important for him. So when Renji did it, Kozan didn't bow back or even acknowledge the bow. Instead he would look around the room for a moment and then nod when Renji said he was ready.

"For what?" Kozan asked. He sounded genuine to an extent, but also almost as if he was challenging Renji due to the somewhat casual nature in which he said that.

Kozan would stare at Renji, locking his yellow eyes on him before letting off a soft sigh "This is the lab my master grew me in." he began to explain. "Here in this tube he shaped my dna and recrafted me to be the perfect shinobi. He downloaded fighting styles and doctrine into my brain. The shinobi code of conduct. Muscle memory. Tactics and disciplines. All to make me as strong as possible.", he pointed towards a tube along the wall behind him. A home he'd been in stasis in for years on end. "He did it to make me as strong as possible. As your Sword, as my dagger, my job is to make you as strong as possible. I told you before, the other daggers are not your prey. They are not worth your time. Only the other swords will shape you to be stronger., quick and too the point. It seemed Kozan too was ready.

"What does it mean for a Kirigakure shinobi to be strong?" the question wasn't rhetorical. He looked at Renji dispassionately, his gaze unwaivering as he waited for an answer. This was Renji's opportunity to show Kozan that he had made the right decision. What would Renji answer? Kozan wondered if the boy would give an answer that he liked, that he understood to be the same as his own. Did Renji understand strength?

[King of Cats]

Standing in the room, Renji suddenly noticed that there was a breeze in the room. He looked around and found vents, that was when he noticed that the smell in the room was quickly fading away. "High tech, indeed." Renji thought to himself and reverted his attention back to Kozan. The man has asked him what he was ready for, and Renji replied flatly. More than I know, I'm sure of that." Renji's piercing red eyes stared into Kozans.

In truth Renji was not a very warm individual. He found the comforts of the human race to be faulty, and in general he did not much believe in sharing platitudes with others. With Kozan, however, Renji felt drawn to him. Perhaps it was the Sword's masterful control of combat, or his fearsome aura of death; whatever it was Renji felt more candid respect for Kozan. He was his Sword and Renji would soon grow to respect Kozan more than anyone he had ever met.

Despite this respect for Kozan, Renji found himself struggling to imagine just what Kozan was informing him if. Renji had no idea Kozan was a test tube baby, and hearing about his struggles was shocking to Renji. The Kaguya began wondering just what kind of ordeal Kozans life has been,as how much the two truly shared in common was a curious insight that Renji's mind momentarily boggled upon. He kept a straight face while listening to Kozan, not wishing to giveaway any of the shock he was feeling. Kozan was certainly a mysterious ninja.

When the Sword reminded the Dagger of what he had told him about the other daggers, Renji nodded affirmatively. He had thought long and hard about what Kozan had said. In his pride Renji wished to slaughter the Daggers in combat and prove he was the best, but Kozan had essentially forbid such premise. Renji was looking at bigger fish to fry, and Renji had been scouting the pond.

Of all the swordsman to go after, Renji would prove hungry enough for the low hanging fruit and target Mondai. Kozan had already defeated him and Renji had gotten a glance at his fighting style. Mondai also seemed to be the weakest sword. Renji had picked his target.

Only time would tell how Renji would triumph over Mondai, as for now he had more trivial matters to attend to.

Standing in front of Kozan, Renji absorbed the weight of his Sword's words.

When Kozan asked him what it meant for a Kirigakure ninja to be strong he immediately thought of the sting ties villagers held to Kirigakure. Renji opened his mouth to speak but quickly closed it and thought harder in what his mentor had asked him. A brief few seconds passed in silence.

"For a ninja of Kirigakure to be strong they must show mighty feats of prowess. They must be unique and intelligent." Renji took a deep breath in and exhaled. "They must also be loyal and show favor to the blood ties that bind them to the village." Renji thought of the farm he owned for the Kawazaiwa family. He spent many days tending to his farm so that he would hold precedence among the common people as a tax payer.

With the thought of his far came the thought of his clan and Renji continued. "One must be loyal to their clan, and seek the best for the people we work for as ninja." Renji drew in another sharp breath. "And finally a strong ninja of Kirigakure must be willing to endure at all costs, and adapt at every turn. That's my ninja way."

Renji had the faintest hint of a prideful smirk ingrained in his cheeks. He wasn't smiling but it appeared like he just was.

OOCShow

Wordcount: 635
Training: +1 Control

[Ace Trainer]

He listened intently, watching Renji as the boy spoke. While they were technically almost the same age with Kozan being only a year older biologically, they had a sort of strange dynamic. In many ways, Renji was 'older' than Kozan, given that Kozan had only been out of statis for 4 years now. But, Kozan had years and years of experience uploaded directly into his brain, not to mention his position and skill in the village put him leaps and bounds ahead of Renji. Over all, it was easy to look down on Renji as 'lesser' even though they were on the same level depending on how you looked at it.

Perhaps this is why Kozan allowed his killer intent to freely emanated through the room, doing nothing to hide from Renji not only his ability, but willingness to kill. Even with the relationship they were forming Renji was not safe. No one was. The corpse that Kozan had cleared from the room moments before Renji's arrival was evidence of that. This was something Kozan was...well not struggling with, he didn't have the emotional depth to struggle with it. But it was something that he was still processing. And Renji's answer unknowingly challenged the own conclusions that Kozan was beginning to draw. In many cases, someone in Kozan's position would have challenged Renji on his assertions, but Kozan didn't have the frame of mind to know to do that, or even think to do it. Instead, he synthesized what Renji was saying with the framework he'd been developing himself.

'Leave No Trace', the words echoed in Kozan's mind from when he'd murdered his master only days prior. The blood on the walls around them evidence that the murder of his master was not what he was referring to, but instead the secrets in the man's brain that he'd picked out once the lifeless corpse had been fully taken apart. Renji's insistence on loyalty to the clan competed with what Kozan had done. It competed with the Naikai in Kozan's body that now no one in Kirigakure was aware of - lest Naohiro have discovered their indiscretion independently. His mind wandered to Naohiro for a moment, the killer intent in the room getting heavier as he thought of the jounin. Was he a threat as well?

His empty gaze remained locked on Renji as he continued to think, silence hanging between them. Then he asked a question not dissimilar from the one his own master had asked him, "How do you know what is best for the people we work for as ninja?", the tone of Kozan's voice had a level of sincerity to it. Almost as if he was hoping Renji would give him an answer because he didn't have it. Renji's answer struck Kozan as contradictory - loyality to the clan (and the implied loyalty to their families) was mutually exclusive with adapting at every turn. Eventually, Kozan felt confident, there would be a time where adaptation would not be approved by the clan, or the family. How could Renji reconcile this?

[King of Cats]

When Kozan asked his question Renji's brow furrowed. He wasn't expecting that sort of response from Kozan. Though it did seem to come from an honest place, and that was what disturbed him most.

In many ways Renji considered Kozan his better. Evidenced by his killer instinct and seemingly trained reflexes, Kozan was a greater ninja than Renji. In many Renji held the respect for Kozan that one typically reserved for a father figure. Renji saw him as a role model, and more than that he valued what Kozan said to him. The inquisition by Kozan almost seemed patronizing to Renji, but he quickly patted at his brow and gathered himself before the Sword.

Before he responded to Kozan, Renji let out a faint shudder. Kozan had once again released his critical, fear inducing aura. It was so familiar to Renji, since their battle, that he couldn't help but take it in slowly as he sweated over the crippling fearhe felt at his chest. It had gone on for too long though, he couldn't shirk off the nauseating effect of Kozan's presence any longer. Renji released himself with a silent shiver before he said anything to his mentor.

Renji spoke with a bit of shakiness in his voice. "By assimilation. You know the people, by becoming a part of the people." Renji cleared his throat, taking the second to properly formulate the words he was about to speak. "The clans desire something for Kiri, and so do the merchants, and other notable folks of course. By knowing myself and working with the people, I can find where I fit in, and with that I know what I can do for Kiri. It's simply a matter of finding ones niche among different groups of people." Renji wondered if he should make a suggestion. The way Kozan had asked inferred to him that Kozan was genuinely asking him something he wondered, and Renji considered entertaining that idea. He didn't know Kozan that well though, and opted against it.

Standing in front of Kozan, Renji was overwhelmed by the first he felt in his heart. He scratched at his neck nervously. Renji looked very uncomfortable.

[Ace Trainer]

Kozan continued to let the killer intent radiate from his body. As he watched Renji his eyes moved from Renji's face to his neck, his carotid artery pumping in his neck as Kozan's predatory senses locked in on. An easy kill. If Kozan so chose, he could ensure Renji had just taken his last breath. Not that he'd do it right now, he had no reason to. Renji was useful, he was similar to Kozan in many ways, and he was resilient. Even as his stood at the face of a predator, he did not shy away and instead held fast against his new mentor's aura of death. Even more, he took the time to think and bring about an answer to Kozan's question that Kozan found rather interesting.

"Assimilation.", he repeated, testing the words for a moment before challenging Renji. "And what if where you fit in requires disloyalty to your clan? To the merchants or nobles? How do you decide what to do?", he paused, Kozan thinking about the decisions he had made himself. After all, Kozan had done one of the most ultimate taboos in Kirigakure in taking the Fushinkou Naikai. If anyone learned of it, it would certainly be cause for controversy and anger. The Fushinkou and Hirohito would surely be in arms about it and expect his head. And yet, Kozan felt no semblance of guilt or dysphoria over it, the decision to take the Naikai had made him stronger for the village. It would be a powerful tool to have, it was what made Kozan an even greater asset to the village. What Renji had said was at odds with itself, loyalty to individuals in the village could not co-exist with loyalty to the village, at least thats what Kozan had realized.

"How will you know what to do.", he reiterated the question, the change in verbiage minute but meaningful. Kozan wanted finality and determination from Renji.

This meeting was about Kozan getting to know Renji and vice-versa, but it was just as much an opportunity for Kozan to test Renji's ideals and understand how much he could trust the chuunin. As Kozan began to cut the few ties he had, identifying reliable assets going forward would be necessary if he was going to remain on the path he'd set himself on. There would be little time for people that were not in alignment with his vision, was Renji?

[King of Cats]

As Renji stood before his mentor his skin crawled. The callous, murdering instinct of Kozan was hard to stomach but Renji pushed on. The chuunin was sweating but he tried it to show discomfort by fidgeting. Instead he just let the sweat pour down his face. In the artificial light the moisture in Renji's skin shine brightly.

Before he answered Kozan, Renji thought about what he was being asked. It seemed that Kozan was pushing Renji to gives ultimatum on where he stood as a ninja. Renji gulped die some anxiety. Hr knew if he answered Kozan wrong his life was forfeit. The Kaguya didn't make a strange move despite this pressure, instead he confidently answered Kozan's question.

Renji spoke with an uncharacteristic shakiness in his voice. Being this close to Kozan was shaking him at the very core. Renji said to his mentor, "If if came down to it and I was required to kill my clan, I would simply be serving my clan as an agent of Kirigakure and I would not consider that betrayal. I would consider it another day of work for the village, and treat it as such." Renji started grinding his teeth for a second, pausing nervously to gather his thoughts. "In times of doubt I find that my instincts lead me towards what I truly desire."

Renji was looking deeply into Kozan's haunting yellow eyes. He wondered just what Kozan had planned for him.

[Ace Trainer]

Kozan nodded, watching Renji stand firm against Kozan’s presence. Despite the visible discomfort and sweat, Renji seemed to be doing his best to hold his composure and not get totally put off by Kozan’s unwillingness to pull back his murderous intent. The sheen on his skin only further drove Kozan’s internal predatory drive. Even beyond the sense of fear he was picking up from the Kaguya, the pheromones he was projecting, the increased heart rate, everything about Renji activated Kozan’s deeper instincts. The ones to kill. It was good he had higher thought to resist the drive, but especially as he was developing in new ways that didn’t seem fully in alignment with the expectations from his master’s notes.

Renji’s answer was equally surprising as it was unsurprising. But it was exactly the answer Kozan would want to hear. To an extent, it was surprising because it was contrary to what many of the people in the village typically expressed. The formatting for the village encouraged selective loyalty, and many people in the village would happily make decisions that would make the village worse for wear if it increased their families status, or even worse their own. The place Renji took the question too was interesting, however. The fact that he asserted a willingness to kill his own clan indicated to Kozan almost an eagerness to do so. Though perhaps that was him reading too far into it.

His instincts. Kozan gave an affirmative nod, ”Good.”, is all he would say. Renji’s philosophy would coincide with Kozan’s own - the village reigned supreme and was all he existed for. It wasn’t a matter of choosing who or what he was more loyal to, there was only the village. The Shiimu Family was simply a pathway to express that loyalty through. But Kozan was well aware his value to the family was contingent on many factors outside of his control - his value to the village was exclusive on one factor he controlled: strength.

”Your instincts come from the village just as mine do. They’re almost certainly what you can use to guide you.”, he paused, looking closely at Renji for a moment before asking an odd question, ”What do you want to know of me?”

[King of Cats]

With Kozan taking the attention away from murder and betrayal, Renji felt a sigh of relief escape his lips. He was still unbelievably uncomfortable from Kozan's absolutely dreadful aura, but at this point he was begining to accept it as a part of Kozan's persona. It seemed that wheever Kozan lurked there would be an ominous feeling of despair growing in the hearts of the innocent. Renji didn't like the feeling, but he respected Kozan's might. When the sword redirected the conversation from Renji and to himself, Renji was more than relieved. He was thankful.

Usually Renji wasn't one to ask questions. He believed that a good ninja had purpose, and to ask questions pulled one away from their duties. To be presented with the opportunity to ask his better a question was curious. Renji wondered if Kozan would lie to him, he wondered what kind of question would force Kozan to lie, if he would even know if Kozan was lying at all. Renji's mind swirled with thoughts and he almost got a sort of sick feeling in his stomach. The chuunin nervously pulled his hair back, still looking at Kozan, and tied it back. The long white hair in his face was getting drenched with sweat and he could barely focus on what he was saying between the uncomfortability of both his hair and Kozan's aura of death. Renji gently cleared his throat, gathering his thoughts as he usually did before he spoke.

"I'm not the questioning type, but in the effort to bind our will together as Dagger and Sword, I would like to ask you two questions. One is a simple question that will tell me about your mindset. The other is a more direct question about your purpose as a Seven Swordsman of the Mist." Renji was still staring Kozan in his bright yellow eyes. Renji's own scarlet iris' seemed to swirl in the artificial lighting. "First I ask you this: What is your deepest wish?" Renji blinked twice, pausing for just a moment, then before Kozan could answer he continued. "Secondly, why do you pursue the life of a Sword?"

[Ace Trainer]

"Hm.", the killer intent radiating from Kozan would fade, the jounin repressing it as Renji's question stirred in his mind and pulled his focus. They were both good questions. Ones that could have very simple or very complex answers. His deepest wish? Well. He had two answers for that, one he could share and one he could not. In the security of his masters lab, now his lab, he wondered if he could offer Renji the truth. Was it secure here? Was it secure with Renji? As his dagger, Renji was expected to do and say anything Kozan demanded of him, a slave with rights in more ways than not. Certainly Shinji had been more the hands-off type, though Kozan wasn't clear on if that was Shinji's normal style or a consequence of Kozan's own allegiances and Shinji's pre-existing responsibilities. Looking at Renji he knew if he was true with Renji, he could resolve the chuunin to hold fast any secrets that Kozan left with him.

But for now, Kozan would keep the secret close to his chest. Of the many bits of information Kozan had absorbed from his mentor's brain, the value of information security was one of them. As things stood, there was no reason to divulge the full truth to Renji. Instead, Kozan offered a half truth, an aspect of what his true greatest wish was. "My deepest wish.", he repeated out loud, "Is to be the strongest weapon possible for Kirigakure.", he paused, seemingly giving Renji an opportunity to digest his answer. "My master created me for, and I have since existed for, that one reason and only that. Everything I do is in pursuit of being the strongest weapon possible for the village. So that the village may wield me to accomplish any task.", Kozan's language was intentional here. It was not for the Mizukage or the council to wield him (though neither had a form at the moment), no. It was simply 'the village', and abstract concept that recognized a day could come where neither the Mizukage nor the council were in alignment with what was best for the village. Subtle, but given what they'd been discussing it would be clear to Renji even then.

"And I become a members of the Seven Swordsmen for that very reason. Joining the Swordsmen, no different from joining the Head Hunter's Division, granted me further access and allows the village to utilize me and my strength in ways it could not otherwise. Missions it wouldn't be appropriate to send me on, or missions I wouldn't otherwise be selected for, all become options. I did not pursue this life, it was selected for me long before I made any decisions.", he explained this simply then looked at Renji discerningly, "I'll ask the same of you, now.", he said somewhat matter-of-factly; Renji's own questions now turned back on him.

[King of Cats]

It seemed that Renji had lined up Kozan's will in a new way, his killer intent fading from the atmosphere suddenly as he spoke to Renji. Renji was surprised by the way Kozan answered his question, with such grace and openness. While Renji was certain that Kozan was keeping something from him, such was the way of ninjas in Kirigakure, he felt relieved to hear what Kozan had to say about his desires being in line with the village. It seemed that Kozan was human after all. Of course the way he spoke of his genesis was quite unnerving to Renji. The Kaguya didn't understand what exactly Kozan meant by the word "created," bu he did understand Kozan's wish for himself as an arm of the village. Renji viewed himself in the same way, a weapon of the village, and his clan. He personally saw himself as an arm of the village, though it would seem to him that his circumstances differed greatly from Kozan's own. Renji nodded as Kozan spoke to him, absorbing each word fully and taking in what the Sword said to him. Renji was a good listener, but when Kozan asked him of his own wishes he was taken back a bit.

It wasn't that Renji thought Kozan didn't care about his character, but it seemed like Kozan had a lot on his mind. This laboratory presented such a preconception, but when Kozan asked Renji his own questions Renji was met with the same friendly welcoming that he had offered Kozan. It was not, of course, all that friendly but to Renji it was a warm gesture. The shinobi didn't consider himself a welcoming man, but to be met with the same energy he presented felt nice. He paused for a moment when Kozan asked, his mind frantically scrambling to come up with an honest and genuine answer for the Sword. Renji's brow scrunched up for a second as his mental gears were cranking. He quickly came up with an answer for Kozan. It was honest, the Dagger not wishing to withhold anything now and pay for it later.

"My deepest, more burning, wish is that I become powerful enough to seize leadership of the Kaguya Clan. I want to change the lives of children born like me." Renji didn't struggle to come up with that answer, but the next one gave him some trouble. Renji didn't want Kozan to think less of him so he tried to word his answer as carefully as possible, hoping he wouldn't frame himself as a novice. "Besides to prove my mettle, I joined the Seven Swordsman of the Mist for much of the same reasons you did. Opportunity. I wish to serve Kirigakure to my best ability, and as a swordsman it is only right that I climb the ranks of the most legendary Swords in the world. I believe I am elite, and I wish to prove that by becoming the ultimate weapon of Kirigakure."

It seemed the two had a lot in common. Renji wondered how much of each other they could see while looking in each others eyes.

[Ace Trainer]

The response Renji gave was to be expected, a good response for a dagger. Even Kozan with his lack of emotional aptitude or people skills could appreciate the irony of Renji's greatest dream. To seize leadership. Interesting that Renji would want to take over the clan, but it made his answer earlier more obvious to Kozan. The notion that Renji may have to betray or kill his own clan didn't make Renji flinch because he was already displeased by his clan; perhaps because of how he was brought up. The sour taste for how children were brought up in the Kaguya clan was an interesting contrast to Kozan's view of his own upbringing. Kozan didn't view his creation with pride, but he didn't view it with disdain either, it just was. Kozan had other priorities though, and Renji's interest in seizing leadership of the clan was not far off from Kozan's own unspoken aspirations.

It seemed the two had a lot in common indeed.

"Rising the ranks will take more than being a dutiful weapon.", Kozan finally said. He extended out a hand, the truthseeker that wrapped his body surging to life and moving down his arm and forming into a long sword in his hand. He would flourish with it then suddenly swing it forward at Renji, the blade stopping just centimeters from Renji's face. "The Seven Swordsmen of the Mist are famous second only to the Swords they wield. The Overseer's Chaos and Agony known by swordsmen throughout the world. Word of the Truthseeker is spreading faster than my own name. You will need a sword, with a name, and with a 'power' worth being named for.", he explained.

"I am adept at enchanting weapons, and there are skills craftsmen throughout Kirigakure. If you can't determine what you want your sword to do, there will certainly be swords out there that you can bring to fame.", the truthseeker would return to its liquid state, retracting from Renji's face and climbing up Kozan's arm as if it was alive. "Take time to think about it. You won't need an answer now. You won't be permitted to challenge a Sword until you have one of your own. There are already too many Swordsmen with nameless swords...", Tsukino, Nishiki, Tsukino, Hitachi, Yugana, Mondai. Disgraces in many ways some of them.

"Tomorrow, you'll receive a missive. We have a mission to go out on.", he said flatly, an unceremonious change of topic. "We'll leave in the afternoon. Be ready.", and that was that.

[King of Cats]

When Kozan flashed his swordsman skills Renji merely stood there. He wasn't the type to be impressed by displays of skill, though Kozan's were undoubtedly top notch. He didn't flinch at all with the Truthseeker in his face. Renji stared at the blade with his scarlet red eyes. It was a fine weapon, one that Renji certainly didn't understand. The damage that it had done to Mondai was certainly amazing, Renji wondered if the blade was actually as well known as Kozan. As a ninja Renji focused on Kozan's talents, merit and feats, but as a swordsman there was no denying that Kozan had impeccable displays of the Truthseeker. Renji's mind began cranking.

The Kaguya wondered what kind of power he could wield that would rival his own ability. Renji's bone swords were laced with deadly Devil's Snare venom, that was quite legendary. It wasn't enough for Renji though, he wanted his sword to share in his face, and for that he needed a sword outside of his bodily talents. He had actually never considered that in life before now. Kozan had certainly proposed an interesting idea to him, and Renji's battle hardened mind was turning with ideas on how to further lengthen the reach of his combat potential. Renji was grinning as he thought about it all, and a second had passed of him thinking before Kozan changed the subject.

When Kozan began speaking again Renji nodded, confirming to his better that Renji was in fact paying attention. In a way the nod was a reminder to himself to pay attention. His mind was scattered to the winds thinking about power, lost in the fantasy of vanquishing the enemy. Perhaps it was the cause of being around Kozan's unscrupulous aura of terror that Renji was so focused on death. It was truly disturbing to have been so close to Kozan for so long, but Renji was quick to adapt and part of that was honing his instincts as a killer.

Kozan spoke of a mission for the next day. Renji broke character and let out a smile. While thinking about might and destruction it was a welcoming change of subject to talk about fighting for kKiri. Renji nodded again and said, "I understand, and I will be ready." He paused for a moment. "As for a sword, I will be sure to inform you when I have thought of a suitable arm for the Seven Swordsman of the Mist." Renji gave Kozan a formal salute, a show of respect for what he had been instructed to do. T

he next day was coming soon, Renji wondered just what Kozan had in mind for him on short notice. That wasn't to say it inconvenienced him, the short preparatory time. Renji was adaptable, he fit the mold for many roles and he had a secret agenda to sieze power of the Kaguya clan. Nothing could stop him. In fac the thought the few hours he had to prepare were more than enough. Renji would certainly be ready.

[Ace Trainer]

The resolve that came from Renji was noticeable. If Kozan had a more developed emotional ability he might even feel some degree of pride in the dagger he now got to call his own. But his ability to not only hold himself against Kozan’s killer instinct, but to use it as a means to motivate himself was definitely a trait Kozan liked. Renji would be a good tool to have, both for Kozan’s own needs and the villages, not that Kozan viewed these things to be very different.

Renji said he would be ready though, and Kozan gave an affirmative nod. ”The weapon will come naturally to you. Eventually. When it does, you will know.” and with that Kozan would turn, his back now to Renji as he walked deeper into the lab. His hands would touch several fuuinjutsu, light radiating from them and new light coming into the lab as shelves shifted around revealing new compartments that Kozan would begin sifting through.

”Go prepare. You’re dismissed. he called out, no much different than how his master used to do to him. How the times had changed.