[Graded][Plotboard] Standing Before Giants

[Kao]

There wasn't a cloud in the sky above Iwagakure, and the afternoon sun beamed down in full force to melt the snow that blanketed the village. The markets were buzzing as merchants and customers bartered amongst themselves, and children darted about and threw snowballs at one another. It was a typical day in the Village Hidden in the Stones for its residents, and all seemed well as they went about their day to day lives.

They didn't know the danger that that was waiting to be unleashed.

After months of searching, they had finally found a suitable candidate. Someone who could possible become a host to the Ukiyogenma had unexpectedly come to the attention of the upper echelon, and they intended to make use of her. It had been years since they had a successful jinchuuriki for the beast. Many had tried to become a host, but nearly all had died during the sealing. Perhaps this girl would be different, and they would finally obtain a new weapon of destruction to add to the village's arsenal, one that was worth the time and investment and would use the genma to its full potential.

Two men made their way to her known residence. One was tall and thin with dark pink hair, his expression locked into a severe frown that only deepened his frown lines. The other, a much younger boy who seemed to be approaching his twenties, had a much more pleasant countenance. The pair knocked on the door to Kenitsuna Kiyoshi's residence, awaiting to meet the girl they hoped would become the next jinchuuriki of Iwagakure.

[Valkier]

Eyes closed and breathing slowly, Kiyoshi sought peace. It was hard to find here, amid the bustle of a city as great as Iwagakure; she'd managed it only once since her arrival, and only for a fleeting moment, accidentally, while dozing. The faint hubbub of village life seemed at once loud and all around her, and she frowned as she clung desperately to her meditation even as it began to crumble around her. Had the village always been so noisy? But she couldn't close the windows. The crisp breeze and fresh air was all that kept her from losing her mind. As it was, she'd already stacked all the luxuries of her room - quilts, sheets, spare clothes, a rug - into a neat pile in the corner as soon as she'd moved in, leaving the small square area bare and simple. Even with the windows open wide it was still no substitute for the mountains, and the quiet solace of the temple. But it would have to do.

Calm yourself, she chided herself mentally, breathe. Focus. Remember Sousa's teaching. Her eyebrow twitched. Was that a knock? Who would be knocking? Keiji, the owner of the house and her current guardian, was away on assignment and wouldn't be back for a few days still. She sighed, and decided that yes, it had been a knock, and that she would have to answer it. She may be a guest in Keiji's home - temporarily, hopefully - but it wouldn't do to keep his acquaintances waiting and wondering. Her face fell into a scowl as she opened her eyes and rose from her cross-legged position in the middle of the room, legs aching from the hours of stillness, and walked downstairs to the front door.

With her fingers resting on the door handle, she took a moment to school her face back to calmness. It wasn't their fault she couldn't focus. Not specifically, anyway. As soon as she was satisfied that she wouldn't look annoyed, she opened the door and bowed politely to whoever stood beyond.

"I am sorry," she said simply as she rose back up, "Master Keiji is not home. I don't expect him back for some time. May I help you?"
With that, she stood in the doorway and waited.

[Kao]

Kenitsuna Kiyoshi was instantly recognizable. From her distinctive appearance to her simple robed garments, there was no doubt that this was the young woman the men were looking for. The older man stepped forward and gave her a stern glare. "We're not here for Keiji," he said with a hoarse and brusque bark. "I don't usually play the role of messenger," he said, pausing and treating the last word like a curse, "but I am Hazuki Shuran. Usually I'm more of a wrangler of all sorts of things that people wouldn't even dream of in their worst nightmares. But instead I'm being forced to collect a little girl."

Behind him, the younger man gave a small sigh through his nose. It was just like him to take his frustrations out on someone else. He was a man who usually left a strong and negative first impression. The younger shinobi stepped forward quickly and gave the girl a polite nod and tried to redirect the conversation. "What he means is, we're here for you, Kiyoshi-san. My name's Komiya Shizuo, and we're both here because the village council sent us to retrieve you. I suppose you can say it's rather urgent."

In that moment Shizuo understood why he had been sent there with Shuran. Shuran was a difficult man to get along with, but his presence would be necessary throughout the entire ordeal that was to come. The man had insisted that he be among the first to meet the new candidate, but he clearly hadn't expected to do something as "lowly" as retrieve her and take her to the council. Shizuo was there to assist with the retrieval, and hopefully make her more comfortable with coming willingly. Hopefully the girl wasn't too offended by the duo's sudden appearance, and Shuran's attitude hadn't cause her to immediately distrust them.

"If you would come with us to meet the village council, I would greatly appreciate it."

[Valkier]

Kiyoshi's attempts at hiding her shock were poor indeed as the taller of the two men began barking at her. Eyes wide and leaning back from the two "visitors", she stared blankly for a moment, stunned. In one sentence, the brusque man had painted himself as an arrogant, rude, and condescending braggart. Hardly a glowing first impression, whatever his actual importance. Her surprise turned into a confused frown before she managed to regain control of her face, at the same time that the second man took over the introduction.

"I... I see," she stammered, glancing between the two men. Komiya, at least, seemed like a more rational person. Gathering herself, she attempted a smile for him - Hazuki could manage without - though it probably appeared forced. It'd have to do.

"Then I will come." She stated simply, and stepped forward out of the doorway before turning to lock the door. Though she was dressed plainly in her coarse robe, there wasn't anything inside the house that she thought she'd need; best to keep things straightforward. "Shall we?"

Though she knew the route, she allowed the two men to lead her away. She walked in silence for a short while, content that all her questions would be answered in due course, but eventually hurried forward a step and began to walk alongside Komiya. Far be it for her to question the council, but arriving a little more prepared couldn't hurt.
"Do you know what this is about?" She ventured, speaking softly in an attempt to avoid Hazuki's ire. She didn't fancy asking him much at all. "Just, I'm usually only summoned with a note or, at best, a Genin runner. This is... different." Two high-ranking shinobi sent directly with urgent summons was hardly a run-of-the-mill event, after all. "Has something happened? Why me?"

[Kao]

He smiled when she agreed to come without any resistance, and as she locked up he gave a brief sigh of relief. The men had been instructed to make sure she complied by any means necessary if she wasn't entirely willing. Shuran had been keen to the idea of using force if he had to, having agreed to that part perhaps too enthusiastically - but Shizuo had wanted things to go more smoothly. The next few days would be tumultuous for the girl, and he wanted to ease her into the changes that the village had planned for her. When she asked if he knew what was going on, he tried to keep his expression neutral. He wasn't entirely successful; his lips turned into a slight frown and he glanced sideways at her.

"Yes," he answered a bit hesitantly, "I know what's going on. But it's not my place to tell you the details at this point in time. I have to leave that up to the council." Her last question was thought provoking, but unfortunately he didn't have all the answers. Shizuo only knew slightly more than she did. How or why the council decided Kiyoshi was the candidate they needed was beyond his knowledge or understanding. "I wouldn't say anything has happened. At least, not yet anyway."

The trio walked for several minutes, mostly in silence. Shuran was several paces ahead of them, walking with an overinflated air of authority that he had yet to earn. Shizuo frowned at the back of the man's head but otherwise tried not to acknowledge him. His focus needed to be on Kiyoshi, not on his temporary partner's bitter attitude. As they neared their destination, he turned to the girl and said, "Try not to overthink things, and don't be nervous. Just be yourself." He wasn't sure how much his words helped, if at all, but he hoped that she could at least not be on edge.

The council had several meeting places throughout the village, but that day they were on their way to the most well known location. Near the center of the village, the building that contained the council's meeting hall looked very much like all the others that surrounded it. Tall with a dark blue, tiered roof, it was one of the most recognizable buildings in the village. The group entered without being stopped, and inside any guards they came across didn't move to question or search them. Their arrival was expected, and when they finally reached the grand double doors, Shuran and Shizuo turned to face her.

The older man looked as if he wanted to speak, but Shizuo stepped in front of him to stand between him and Kiyoshi. It was clear the pink haired jounin didn't appreciate the snub, but if Shizuo could feel the daggers he glared into his back he didn't make it obvious. "Before you meet the council, is there anything else you want to know?"

[Valkier]

'Not yet anyway.' Kiyoshi swallowed and looked away from the young man, feeling a twinge of concern weaving its way through her earlier curiosity. As they walked, it slowly began to dawn on her that these two senior shinobi may not simply be "messengers", despite the pink-haired man's disdainful outburst. They would be better qualified as guards. That, of course, implied that they - or the council, more importantly - didn't entirely trust her to answer their summons. And that her prompt attendance was too important to leave to any doubt.

Then Komiya tried to offer some reassurance, and she felt the bottom drop out from her stomach. Anxiety began to well up in her, filling her with cold and clammy apprehension. "Just... Be myself.." she muttered to herself, frowning down at her feet. Be herself for what? Hazuki Shuran strode confidently ahead of them - probably clearing a path through the streets with his glare alone - but Komiya seemed to be matching his pace to hers. Watching her. Was that sympathy on his face? Pity?

She swallowed again, and shook her head slowly to clear her thoughts. Whatever lay ahead, it was her job to face it - and it was better to do so standing tall. She fixed her gaze on Shuran's back and tried to imitate his prideful gait, to absorb some of his powerful bearing. She ran a hand across her smooth scalp and took a deep breath. Gone was the girl who ran. Gone was the waif who hid in fear, and she would not return now. Kiyoshi increased her pace, so that she was walking directly between the two men. If they were to be guards, she may as well look like someone deserving of the escort.

As they entered the council's primary meeting hall, Kiyoshi kept her head high and her eyes forward, noting but ignoring the way that their little procession was not impeded in the least. All too soon they arrived at the double doors to the chosen meeting chamber. Her heart began beating harder as she stared at the heavy doors until Komiya took her attention with a question. She looked at him, outwardly trying to appear calm, but inside a mess of emotions vying for control. Nervousness. Resolution. Curiosity. Doubt. Her green eyes fixed onto his and she opened her mouth, but a hundred questions died before she could ask a one. What was there to say? He'd already told her that it wasn't his place to tell her what the day was about. She closed her mouth and shook her head, then silently turned to face the doors.

One deep breath, and she pushed one of the doors open and slipped inside. She was not the girl who ran, come whatever may.

[Kao]

The room beyond the double doors was enormous. Large enough to hold nearly a hundred people, the council hall was a marvel of design. The walls were made of polished stone not unlike marble, encrusted with flecks of bronze and golden semi-precious stones. Hand carved pillars lined the walls, each one decorated with large embedded stones and minerals that jutted out from the rock. Above them was a high ceiling, the center of which was a dome made of shards of stained glass; the yellow, orange, and brown glass panels filtered the sunlight shining from above, making the hall shine with a soft golden light.

Despite the room's size it was quite empty. A lone chair sat in the middle of the room, clearly meant for Kiyoshi, and there were a few near the door. Shuran and Shizuo took up their spots in one of these chairs in the back, leaving Kiyoshi to take her place in the center of the room.

Nearly ten meters above the floor was a raised platform with a long, curved mahogany desk. Behind the desk sat the ten figures of the Council of Iwagkure no Sato. The center figure was one that was likely familiar to the young chuunin. Chuutetsu, Ishidai, the nineteenth Tsuchikage, watched silently as Kiyoshi entered the room with her two escorts. Even seated, it was clear that the village leader was very tall, and beneath his official white robes was a man seemingly made of pure muscle. On either side of the man were the other members of the council, each of them also sporting their official robes of various colors of their personal choice.

At the Tsuchikage's right hand sat man with an equally imposing countenance. His robes were a dark red, and over them he wore a bright yellow sash that clearly displayed the symbol of the Enkouten clan. "About time," he grumbled, and although he barely opened his mouth his words would be as clear to Kiyoshi as they would be if he had been standing right next to her. At the grumbling man's right was a woman who wore robes dipped in purple, and the jewels that adorned her neck and fingers beautifully - if not somewhat ostentatiously - sparkled in as they caught the light. "Ah, yes," she began as the doors closed behind the newcomers with a resounding slam, "you must be young Kenitsuna Kiyoshi. Come in, come in, we've been expecting you. Have a seat there."

Twelve pairs of eyes watched her every move. It must have been intimidating to stand before the council, ten strangers who oversaw every aspect of village life and often with an iron fist. Not only that but neither Shuran nor Shizuo had taken their leave, suggesting that whatever matter had led the council to summon her involved the two of them as well.

The air in the room was stifling. Only the woman who had addressed her seemed to be relaxed, if only slightly. Two seats away the Tsuchikage cleared his throat and steepled his fingers in front of his face. He looked almost grim, though the expression was typical of the man at almost any given moment. Ishidai gave a small sigh and looked down at her, unblinking. "I suppose we should get started, Kenitsuna Kiyoshi" he stated simply. "You caught our attention the moment you stepped into the village. Or returned the village, I should say. In any case, tell us about yourself. Specifically about your experience as a shinobi so far. About your plans to increase your strength and, in turn, contribute to the overall the strength of the village. "

[Valkier]

Kiyoshi's foot hesitated for just a moment as she stepped through the door and into the grand room beyond. A tiny fracture in the mask of confidence, but one that she quickly recovered from as she continued walking. She'd grown accustomed to living simply throughout her life - she had no need for finery and needless decoration - and on any other day the council hall would have stunned her with its endless extravagance, so foreign now to her mind. But today, her concern over the sudden meeting and her not-quite-stifled anxiety swept such thoughts away. She had to focus, and never mind how beautiful the light was as it streamed down from the stained class ceiling and illuminated exquisite pillars and stonework. She could gawp another time.

She didn't turn to see her earlier escorts enter the room behind her, instead fixing her gaze on the vast dais looming ahead. Tall enough that most houses would be dwarfed beside it, its only purpose seemed to make whoever stood infront of it feel as small and powerless as possible before the ten figures seated above. A little excessive, perhaps, but definitely effective. Of the ten people, the only one she immediately recognised was the Tsuchikage himself, Chuutetsu. The Armour of the Hidden Rock. The other nine were familiar only through their robes of office, though she could more or less guess who came from the major ninja clans of the village. Today, she stood before giants.

"I am," she acknowledged simply, "Reporting as summoned."

Kiyoshi bowed to the collective council members before following the instruction to sit. For a moment she considered sitting on the floor instead, as would be her usual preference... but no, today was a day she should behave as expected, and do what she was told. She perched uncomfortably on the chair instead, and returned her gaze to the figures far above, fighting to remain in control of her emotions. Every pair of eyes seemed to be boring into her. The most powerful and influential members of the entire village, watching and weighing her every action. She swallowed and forced herself to meet their looks, feeling increasingly self-conscious as Ishidai began his questions.

She thought for a moment about where to begin, since the question was - quite intentionally, probably - fairly vague, but eventually she took a deep breath and opened her mouth.
"In terms of experience," she began slowly, glancing between the council members, "I still have much to learn. I have earned the rank of Chuunin, and I'm capable, but I'm not fooling myself either; I've barely scraped the surface of what I want to become. My missions and training so far have been more preparation than trial." By now her voice was growing more confident as she found some rhythm. "Since I was a child, I've had.. a strong interest in spirits. My ambition as a shinobi is to become a powerful Tenkujutsu user, as well as a strong shinobi in general, to better protect my country and my village from those who mean it harm, whichever realm they come from. I want to become capable enough to support Iwagakure no matter what might threaten it." She paused then, a little surprised to have said so much. To her own ears, the words sounded a little dramatic - but it was what she was asked, and so be it.

[Kao]

The entire council listened intently as the young chuunin described herself, and when she mentioned her interest in spirits many of the council members perked up. There were several shared glances, a few slight smiles, and one woman in particular looked as though she was so excited that she was near bursting. Two seats to the Tsuchikage's left sat a woman in her fifties, her age only betrayed by the few wrinkles that spread from the corners of her eyes. Her long hair, still jet black despite her age, was pulled back in a elaborate, flattened chignon. She held a pink and purple silk fan, as the more Kiyoshi spoke the more fervently the woman fanned herself. When the young girl finally stopped talking, a high and childlike giggle reverberated throughout the hall.

"Such a good answer, as expected," the woman smiled, bouncing excitedly in her seat as she looked at the council members on either side of her. "I told you, she is perfect. Don't ever doubt me when it comes to these matters." She leaned forward as if trying to get a better look at the chuunin that sat before them, looking her up and down as she gazed thoughtfully. Out of all of the council members, she had studied Kiyoshi's files the longest, had perused through them the most.

"Let's cut to the chase, shall we? My name Sakata, Kanna. I am the one who...well, I am largely responsible for your summoning here today. I sent Shunran and young Shizuo to fetch you. I suppose you want to know why you are here. No sense in dragging it out by asking any more questions that we already know the answer to." She paused to fan herself, and in that brief moment the atmosphere shifted. They knew what was coming, where the conversation was going, and although there were a few that wanted to stop the woman from diving right into the topic, no one made a move to do so. Instaed, the Tsuchikage noticeably tensed, and several other council members either shifted in their chairs or clenched their jaws. Kanna didn't let on that she noticed; her focus was entirely on Kiyoshi.

"I'm not sure how much you know about the topic, but there are beings called genma. They are very old, very powerful spirits that can be used as powerful weapons. Iwagakure happens to be in possession of two of these genma. " She continued to fan herself, and her once chipper tone had become more grim. "However, the genma are notoriously difficult to control, and it's almost impossible to do so due to their unique...traits and personalities. The surest way to control these beasts is by sealing them within a person, preferably someone young and moldable who can learn to harness such enormous power." She snapped her fan shut and pointed it toward Kiyoshi as a slight smile seeped into her features.

"That's where you come in, dear. You have been chosen to be the village's new jinchuuriki."

[Valkier]

Even from so far below the congregation, Kiyoshi could easily see the ripple of sudden interest that passed through those seated upon the high plinth. Something about spirits, and her, had caught the attention of many. She was just starting to wonder whether that was a very good or a very bad thing when one of the female councillors began talking. Kiyoshi dipped her head respectfully and listened, clinging to every word in an attempt to understand the whole situation around her.

Genma. Kiyoshi glanced along the line of councillors, curiosity welling up until she was just as interested as the figures above had been - though they now seemed to look more tense than anything else. Cautious, even. Iwagakure... possesses them? A mixture of shock and confusion crossed her face as she began to understand: She’d heard stories, old tales told by the monks of the Tsuin Sangaku, about the Genma. She had always taken them as myths, fables about ancient, primordial spirits wielding vast and unknowable powers. But here sat no less than the full council of Iwagakure, telling her - her! - not only that the Genma were real, but that the village possessed two of them?

She realised her jaw had dropped and quickly shook herself, frowning, and watched the assembly above. They seemed deathly serious. Her expression grew hesitant, and she almost interrupted as Kanna continued; perhaps she hadn't been clear enough that she was only a beginner when it came to Tenkujutsu and spirits, and that she was hardly capable enough help to control them. She might be able to restrain a very weak spirit, but to dominate the mythical Genma? Kanna's fan snapped her back to focus and Kiyoshi realised it was pointed directly down at her. She locked eyes with the councillor.

Genma. Weapons. Control. Young and moldable. Jinchuuriki. The words hammered home one by one, stunning the girl who suddenly felt very young and very out of her depth. She sat silently for a long time, absorbing the information. Eventually she looked back to Kanna and, rising, took a few steps closer to the council. The least she could do was face this on her feet, for all that she needed to crane her neck more to see meet their eyes.

”…I have heard of the Genma, though only in stories. What… How does this work? What does it mean to be Jinchuuriki?” She ventured, voice faltering part way through, implying that she saw more significance to the title than simply being a vessel to control a great spirit. She had a feeling that she already knew the answer. She swallowed, and looked down the line of councillors again. ”And, forgive me, why me?” A hundred other questions followed in her mind, but for now she bit them back. One step at a time.

[Kao]

"You have questions. Good. I'd be concerned if you didn't." The woman tapped her fingers against the desk and looked to either side of her. Kanna could tell that the rest of the council was holding back. The genma was a sensitive topic, and the village had seen failure time and time again when it came to creating and maintaining jinchuuriki. Even their current jinchuuriki wasn't turning out as planned, so it was even more essential that the council find a new candidate that had a greater chance of success. With a flourish the woman opened her silk fan once more and moved it slowly in front of her face. The girl had asked the right questions, and it was important that she explained as much as she could without frightening her.

"It is an intricate sealing process, one that requires multiple shinobi of high caliber to even have a fraction of a chance at success. Unfortunately I can't reveal much of the details of the process, my dear. It's something you will have to experience on your own." Her next question was more difficult to answer. There were levels to that question and its answer, each one deeper than the last, and as a mere councilwoman who would participate in the sealing Kanna couldn't fully explain what it meant to be a jinchuuriki. The experience was different for each host, and each host she had encountered had all had different reactions and understandings when it came to housing the genma. It fascinated the woman, and she wondered what personal answer Kiyori would come up with. But for now, she'd offer up the generic interpretation.

"What it means to be jinchuuriki, hm?" the woman echoed, not taking her eyes off the potential new host. "The short answer is this: it means you will be a weapon for the village, someone bound to serve and protect its citizens and its walls above all else. It means that more than any other shinobi, your purpose will be to serve and obey. It means your life and your body will no longer be completely your own." Kanna watched the girl closely, noting how her once confident visage seemed to falter.

"Don't fret, Kiyoshi-chan. As for as why you were chosen. Well, we've heard of your rather...unique connection with spirits. The information is vague at best, but it was enough to pique our interest and decide that you are the best candidate out of the dozen or so potential candidates we reviewed." Her fanning slowed to a stop, and her sharp gaze turned to the men and women around her. It was almost as if she expected someone to add onto her words, provide further insight. But no one else moved a muscle and Kanna let out a small sigh. She was considered the expert regarding these matters. The mastermind. She still had the floor and no one needed to - or cared to - take it away from her.

"Any other questions, my dear?"

[Valkier]

Kiyoshi clung to every word that Kanna gave her, quickly becoming aware of the meeting's significance. The councillors' reactions to her own answers earlier made a little more sense, now; that she had such an interest in spirits, and aspired to be a Tenkujutsu user, would obviously stir the pot given the topic at hand. She nodded slowly as Kanna finished, brow already furrowing as she considered what she was learning. Evidently her first assumption was far from correct. She wouldn't be controlling the spirit with her limited ability in Tenkujutsu, but rather with... her body. Possibly her mind.

"My life and body will no longer be completely my own..." she repeated, turning the phrase over and allowing it to sink in. "My life in service to Iwagakure is not a new concept. It has never been truly my life in the first place, so on that point I know I can deliver." But her body? She looked down at her hands and flexed them slowly. How would it feel to not be fully in control of her physical self? Would she become a marionette, pulled one way by Iwagakure and another by the fell influence of this great spirit, confined inside her as her puppetmaster? That... That did not sound promising. She took a deep breath and looked back up at Kanna. So far the rest of the council had remained silent, and so she focused on the woman who was evidently leading the whole affair.

"...I understand. I know that I have a... connection to spirits, as you say, though I am still learning about what exactly that means or what it will bring. But I can see how that makes me stand out as a candidate." She paused, choosing her words carefully, then nodded again. "As far as I know, I am the only one with such a connection. That means I may well be the only one who can bear this burden - or the one with the best ability to do so. Then it is my duty to accept."

And so the die is cast.

"But I have questions still. You mentioned that the best way to control a Genma is to seal it inside a person - inside me - and also that my body will no longer be fully my own. Will it - the Genma - be able to control me? Will I be controlling it?" She hesitated for a moment, then continued. "Am I correct in assuming that the sealing process severely restricts the Genma's power, then?" It must be, else how would I stand a chance? And yet, even so it must remain strong enough to be so potent a weapon that it's worth this risk to control in the first place... That concept both excited and terrified her.

"...And what happens if I fail?"

[Kao]

When Kiyoshi accepted her fate to become the next host of the genma, Kanna couldn't help but smile. In fact, the woman grinned and giggled with glee. The meeting with young Kiyoshi was going smoothly and the councilwoman was rather pleased that they didn't have to use force to get the chuunin to comply. But the girl continued on, so Kanna continued to provide what she hoped were satisfactory answers. The next volley of questions were perhaps the most important, and as she thought about how to respond Kanna stood to her feet.

"Once the genma is sealed within you," she began, the grim expression returning to her face, "what happens afterward will be entirely up to you and the beast. Will you maintain control? Or will you lose yourself? If you are weak willed, if you allow the genma to influence you too much, it will be the beast who is in control. That is the question that cannot be answered until after the sealing is complete. Assuming the sealing is successful, of course."

The woman paused at her own words and barely managed to hold back a sigh. Though they had what she thought was the perfect candidate, there was always the chance that something could go wrong and the sealing would fail. In Iwagakure's history there had been a few instances when the sealing failed completely. Kanna would do everything she could to prevent that from happening, but there was still the possibility that the girl that stood before this council wouldn't make it out of the sealing hall alive.

She continued, "As for the seal, it's not completely correct to say that it 'severely restricts' the genma's power. It merely holds it in one place. Its raw power is always ready to be unleashed in full force. Think of yourself as a container, the seal is the lid holding it tightly shut. As you learn to use the genma's strength, you will be essentially lifting that lid one bit at a time, allowing the beast's power to spill forth bit by bit. Ideally, the seal will aid you in controlling how much of the genma's chakra and influence escapes. You will have to train your mind and body to be able to control what the seal allows out."

Kanna lifted tucked her fan into her long sleeve. Then, after lifting the bottom of her robes, she stood atop the council table. None of the other council members seemed surprised at this. The meeting was nearly over and the council members knew that she was about to drive her point home.

"But understand this, Kenitsuna Kiyoshi. Once you begin to train this new power, you will be trust into a constant battle to maintain dominance. The genma, while inside Kiyoshi the Container, will always attempt to burst out. If you lose control, if you open yourself to its power too much before you are ready, that lid will burst open, the seal will break, and the genma will run rampant." In a sudden and swift movement she leaped down from the council table and fell several dozen feet towards Kiyoshi below. She landed almost completely silently, and when she stood to her full height she leveled an almost cruel glare at the girl.

"And if that happens - if you fail - we will put you down."

[Valkier]

Everything around Kiyoshi faded to irrelevance as she listened to Kanna’s responses. She no longer spared a thought to the beauty of the hall and the luster of the decorations around her, and even the rest of the council was forgotten beside the weight of the conversation at hand. So far the discussion had been mostly back-and-forth, but after Kanna jumped down and gave her final ultimatum, Kiyoshi fell silent. She remained that way for a long minute or two, rolling the information around in her head. She’d always been a decisive and willful person, but now, of all times, she had to consider carefully…
Only, she realised, her mind was already made up. The decision had been made already, and she was only delaying now by seeking further self-confirmation.

”If it comes to a test of wills, that I can conquer. My life so far has honed me to that particular challenge.” She looked Kanna dead in the eyes as the woman stood towering in front of her. Meeting that gaze, Kiyoshi quelled the innumerable small doubts still lingering in the back of her mind, sealing them away in the same manner, she imagined, as the Genma itself soon would be. She’d already given her assent, and there was no backing out now. This was her burden, her task.

”I will not fail.
”Kiyoshi, the Container, is ready. When do we begin?” Her voice carried across the hall, confident and decisive. It belied none of the closed-off, skin-crawling concerns that soon - very soon, she presumed - a foreign being of immeasurable power would be nesting within her body. What was one more name, to the girl who had many? Shukushu no Kiyoshi. Kiyoshi the Container.