Forging Whiskers for a Sleeping Dragon [JT, PG-13]

[Arantima Kawada]

[Training For 1600 Ryo. The Rest SP up to 300 if any remain convert to TTP]

Arantima walks towards the Barracks of Squad 11, his mind ablaze with options and questions to ask once he gets there. He had just been here, not too long ago, maybe a week or so when he had that fight with Shokan. He Shuddered as he remembered the pain that had washed over his body as Shokan had approached him while he was on fire, like a walking sun. He Rolled his shoulders and shook himself free of that memory for the moment, he had a more important objective at the moment.

He didn't want to go out into the Rukongai for this issue, as he would either get fleeced or get shoddy craftsmanship. He needed a Way to practice his Sword Style for a prolonged period and is it stood, He could only use his "Dragons Soul" for maybe thirty seconds before he needed to take a nice long rest. He went now to the only place that was focused in the Arts of swordsmanship as a Singular law, Squad 11. Surely Someone that was a member of the Eleventh Squad would know how to forge a Blade, Zanpakuto were as light as the wielder needed them to be and to truly train to get better you needed the weight of a real blade.

He held the Handle of his own Zanpakuto tightly as he would do in thought most often and let a click of his tongue shatter the silence around him. He Then took a deep breathe and entered the Main barracks of the eleventh squad. He  headed straight for the officers barracks to let his presence be known and his reasons for visiting. He Was Directed Towards a younger Shinigami known as Souji Tenryu, apparently a smith of no small skill. Arantima Bowed Deeply and headed off towards the direction he was told to move.

A Thought Entered his head as he walked, I wonder if i might be allowed to assist in the Blades creation. He smiled at the thought of him learning to craft his own blades in the future. As He Walked he Went over the Stances and Forms that came to him in his dreams, a Dual sword style that utilized blades he couldn't even envision himself holding. The Blades were nearly as Tall as he was from end to end and were razor sharp, singing through the air as he lashed out with them in his mind.

He Stopped flat as he ran Smack face first into a wall with a Loud thudding sound as he hit the wall and then the floor on his Arse. "Well Shit...  That hurt.." He said it more than felt any actual pain before rubbing his face and nose, looking around to make sure he hadn't missed a turn or drawn too much attention to himself. He looked up and Saw the Sign that Labeled the entrance to Tenryu Manor, a Large entry way and a grand Arch sprawled up above him as Tima Continued to rub his nose.

Arantima blinked as he looked to his left to see Two guards that are staring at him incredulously. He just smiles and gives them a Gentle bow before Approaching "I Am Arantima Aoire, unseated officer of Squad 10. I am Looking for a Souji Tenryu, I wish to speak to him about Crafting a pair of Blades and perhaps Tutoring me in the art of Sword-Smithing. Would you please send word for me?" He Smiled warmly to all of the guards present before sliding his hands down into his pockets.

Arantima Would Wait for as long as it would take for the guards to either Deliver his message or get the hint that he isn't going to leave until they do so., one way or the other his message will be delivered. He stands off to the side as he waits for the Message to get where it needs to be and a Reply to be received. He pulls a small Guard bottle from his hip and Takes a long drag, a single white streak coming from the corner of his mouth as the Airaig spills a bit. He Wipes his mouth as he holds out the Gourd towards the guards that remain "Care for Some Airaig?"

When the guards look at him confused he chuckles and corks the gourd before hanging it off of his belt again. "Fermented Mare Milk, horse Milk. Not for Everyone by a long shot, its a heady and strong drink." He Shrugs and leans against the wall once again, crossing his arms over his bare chest after pulling His hood down to rest on his shoulders. He Watches the sky as the clouds go along their merry little lazy ways, Guided and moved by the wind without a care as to where they go.

[Souji Tenryu]

((OOC: Training for CTP))

Clink! Clink! Clink!

The sound of metal ringing through the forge was like music as Souji brought the hammer up again, raising it above his head before bringing it back down in a steady rhythm. In one hand, a pair of tongs held a long bar of iron in place, the heated metal glowing a brilliant red-orange atop the anvil, while the other held the heavy hammer, a rounded head slamming into the bar below. The Tenryu heir was dressed in a long, thick smock that covered his front, as well as wearing thick leather gloves that would shelter his hands from any loose sparks that rose up from the impact. His arms, though bared from the elbow up, showed only a few small scars here and there from inexperienced work at the forge back when he had started all those years ago, and emerald-green eyes shone in the light of the forge fire nearby.

The sword being worked on was one that Souji had chosen to craft on a whim, rather than on commission. The Tenryu name was still known only to a handful of individuals, and though the family's work showed the quality of their craft, word had yet to get out to draw in serious customers. But Souji was fine with that, for now; he was still working himself in among the other Shinigami, working to improve his strength and skill to add to his reputation as the head of the Tenryu family. Like his family, he had yet to reach the maturity of his potential, and so every day he strove to take another step forward, to grow stronger, more capable. And as part of that goal, Souji made sure that he worked to improve on his skill as a craftsman, tirelessly training himself in the art of smithing.

A few more blows of the hammer had the weapon flattened down into a shape closer to the sword that Souji envisioned, but something was still off; the bar seemed to be bent at an angle that would be more difficult to correct, likely an overlooked fault that had revealed itself during the initial heating. Frowning, the Tenryu heir set his hammer aside, lifting the bar from the anvil and examining it more thoroughly. It was definitely flawed, the metal twisted slightly at a fault point that would leave it tilted slightly to the side no matter how he tried to correct it. Shaking his head, Souji dipped the heated metal into a pool of icy water nearby to let it cool, an enormous cloud of steam rising up from the impact, and then set it aside in a bin meant for scrap; it would be taken later to be melted down into bars once more later, and hopefully through refining the fault would be removed this time.

Pulling off his work attire and hanging it back on the rack nearby, Souji checked the time, and realized that it was already getting past noon. He had been at the forge for a few hours now, just passing the time as he idly worked to improve his technique, though the progress had been slow. Something felt off about his work, like there was a component missing, but he could not determine what it was. That lack of knowledge frustrated him more than the flaw in that metal bar had; it was as though he was only working with only half of the capability available to him, yet the Tenryu heir could not see why. He had studied smithing techniques in the family library for years back when his father had been alive, had trained under several of the family's top craftsmen, and had often been praised for his work. Yet why did the effort feel so hollow, lately...?

Still musing as he headed out from the forge, Souji started on the path back up towards his manor. As they had no major plot of land for themselves, merely a small area claimed with several small homes that had been built around them, the Tenryu residence had no forges set up closer to the premises. The forges themselves were actually set down the hillside's leeward side so that should a fire break loose, wind wouldn't push it up the hill towards the households above. Thus Souji was climbing a tall set of stone stairs carefully carved into the hillside, lined with simple stone lanterns that were lit at night to provide light to those who worked late, and making his way up the hill towards the manor set at the top.

As he approached, however, Souji paused, noticing a new individual standing before the main gates that led to the manor proper. The two guards had stopped him, as was their job, and were currently keeping an eye on the man. One of them had actually stepped away from the gate briefly, heading down towards the forges, likely to retrieve one of the smiths, or possibly even Souji himself. The Tenryu heir was curious, so as the guard approached, his eyes lighting with recognition at the sight of his young lord, Souji gave the slightest shake of his head, indicating that he did not want his presence given away just yet. The guard nodded lightly and slowed as he approached the stairs, as though he were being cautious about descending, though in truth he was speaking quietly to Souji. “The young man wants to speak with you about forging a pair of swords, as well as possible apprenticeship. We considered turning him away, but the decision is yours, young lord.”

With that, the man was gone, descending down the stairs. Souji smiled inwardly, understanding the situation perfectly. So, someone wanted to commission him? That much was fine and well, though the Tenryu heir was somewhat picky as to who he'd work for. After all, he'd have to live with the actions of the weapon's new wielder, and the last thing he wanted to do was have one of his works causing disruptions and chaos, splashing blood and shame across the Tenryu name. Souji determined that he'd have to interview this young man, getting a better idea of his reason for commissioning the weapons before getting into the work. And that was just the first part of their interaction.

But apprenticeship? Now that was interesting. The Tenryu family did not share their secrets outside of their own blood kin, and Souji had no intention of being the first to break that tradition. That being said, who said he had to teach any of the family secrets? The young heir was seriously considering taking on this young man for at least basic lessons, and maybe in doing so he'd be able to get a lead on what it was that was bothering him in his own work. Of course, that too would come with a screening process; Souji wasn't going to take on anyone lazy or lackluster, and if the supplicant didn't show the proper spirit for the task, then the Tenryu heir would simply turn him away where he stood.

Well, it was time to begin. Souji approached the young man still being watched over, noting the gourd he was drinking from. Was the guy some kind of drunkard? No, he didn't really smell the sharp odor of alcohol. Smiling in a friendly manner, the Tenryu heir greeted his companion as casually as possible, something that few would expect from a noble of even a minor family. “Hello there, stranger. What brings you here to the Tenryu manor? You here to speak with the young lord about something?” Souji wasn't lying, per se, in the manner by which he spoke; though his words could be construed as saying that the 'young lord' was another individual besides himself, he was simply inquiring if that was the reason for the young man's visit.

“Ah, forgive me for being nosy, though. I'm a Shinigami in Squad 11, an unseated officer and not much of anyone just yet.” Without giving his name, Souji offered his left hand to the young man, his other hand resting calmly on the sword hanging at his right side in a position that would be ill-suited for drawing the weapon. The young man would likely notice that Souji's left hand was missing the ring finger, ending in a stub at the base. The wound was old, cleanly healed over and lightly scarred. How he had lost that finger was anyone's guess when it came to knowledge outside the family, but those within the Tenryu knew that it was a tradition for the head to cut off the finger that held one's wedding band, indicating that the head had no ties, even that of marriage, that were more important than the family itself.

As he held out his hand for a handshake, Souji realized something; he recognized this young man from somewhere. But where...? Ah! It took a moment, but after getting a good look at him, the young heir realized that this Shinigami was one that had been fighting with another of the unseated officers from his squad. What was the boy's name? It slipped Souji's mind, but he clearly remembered watching the fight; such a gathering was an ample social activity to get to know his squadmates better and perhaps even garner a few commissions to spread the Tenryu name. He also clearly remembered one other thing, but unfortunately his mouth worked faster than his mind. “Ah, I remember you! You were the one who fought Shōkan not too long ago, right? He handed your rear to you without breaking a sweat, didn't he!”

[Arantima Kawada]

Shōkan.. That name Rang deep in Arantima's mind, evidenced by a flicker in his gaze. He looks down to the hand extended to him with a smile, And instead of grasping his hand as a normal man Might he Takes Souji by the wrist, like A Mongolian would. His Face is Genuine and Pleasant as he grasps Souji.. Rather Weakly for a Shinigami. He Barely Noticed the Other Shinigami's missing finger, his gaze firmly locked onto Souji's face with a smile. He looks around to the  Guards near the door once before returning his gaze and letting go of Shouji finally.

He Listened to the Younger Man speak and Crossed his arms gently before nodding "Yes i did wish to speak with the Lord Souji Tenryu. I Have been told that he is one of the Best Smiths in the Seireitei and I have some Swords that I need made. I Was Also Wondering if He would Show me the basics of making swords. Nothing advanced of course, i have Active Duty to worry about." He Smiles To Souji, not knowing who the man before him is in truth. He Puts his hands in his pockets again before looking down at his feet a moment, shuffling his right sandal a bit before looking back up.

"I Will of course pay for any and all materials and time, But i don't trust Any craftsman outside of the Seireitei for this Commission. the Blades i need made are Five feet, From pommel to Blade Tip. One foot Long Handles and Four foot Long blades. In a Straight Bladed Katana Style with No Tsuba. They are .. Something that I need for my Training." He Looks up To Souji and lets out a gentle breath and smiles warmly To him "I Would understand If Your lord is too busy to take a Commission But I Will return Every week I am able to come and Ask if Need be."

"As For How Shokan Beat me last week, yes he defeated me Quite handily. But that was to be expected from someone As old as he. I May be Several hundred years old myself but I could See the age in him. There likely Is not an unseated officer in the entire seireitei that could fight him on even ground." He Smiles and clicks his tongue once in thought before he  looks up into Souji's eyes with a serious Gaze. "There is Nothing I Won't Do To Earn These Blades Sir." His voice is level and Calm as always but the seriousness of his statement can almost be felt.

[Souji Tenryu]

Souji's mind moved quickly as he took the young man's hand, still trying to remember his name. He could tell many things in the present given his ability to analyze the situation around him, but it didn't do much for his memory, and thus the other Shinigami's name remained elusive. The Tenryu heir did learn a few things about his companion though, namely the lack of physical strength he possessed. The slightest of frowns crossed his face, his lack of talent in acting combined with his spontaneous nature drawing out the expression before he could catch it, but he quickly smoothed out his face and spoke to the young man again, maintaining his guise as an anonymous Shinigami who had happened to see his fight the day before.

“Well, it's nice to hear that the Tenryu name has such a fine reputation already despite being a small family, though I am surprised to hear the name Souji Tenryu as a top smith. It's hard for someone who isn't even half as old as some of the experts to claim such a position, even if their skills are top-notch.” While it was a comment that was somewhat disparaging to himself, Souji was aware that he wasn't the best of the best, not yet. His talent was a work in progress, like one of the unfinished bars fresh from the forge fires; still red-hot and glowing with potential, but not yet shaped into a fine masterpiece. That being said, the potential was there, and one day, Souji was determined to claim the position of top blacksmith in all of Soul Society, if not among all of the worlds.

“That being said, when it comes to some basic smithing, a minor apprenticeship is possible, but it's likely that you will not learn any of the major secrets, as those are jealously guarded by the Tenryu family for their sake alone.” With that, Souji started back towards the forges, gesturing for his companion to follow. “Why don't I take you to the forges? If you're looking for a craftsman, that is always the best place to find one. And the guard did run that way, did he not?” Another casually misleading pair of statements without being bold-faced lies, but Souji was walking a fine line to avoid being too deceptive as well.

The walk down the stairs was easy enough, and as the two of them descended, Souji continued their conversation. “That being said, when it comes to commissioning, I am sure we will be able to handle prices and similar things once the weapons are accepted.” At this point it was very obvious that the man was another of the Tenryu family members, given how knowledgeable of the area he was along with his choice of phrasing by using the word “we.” It still did not state that he was the very person that the other Shinigami was looking for, however. “If you are truly accepted as an apprentice, however, the fee may be waived in exchange for you doing the hard work, as we respect dedication and devotion, as well as determination.”

By then, they had arrived at the forge building that was set into the base of the hill. Already the temperature seemed hotter than usual, but that was no surprise; the heat of the flames was contained in the forge, and though there were vents in the roof and windows to reduce it, the overall intensity could only be curbed, not eliminated. Souji wasn't quite sweating from the initial wave of heat, but it was obvious that he acknowledged just how warm it was as they approached the front door. Before he brought his companion into the building, however, the Tenryu heir paused, blocking the way, and held out his hand.

“One more thing. Before we enter, I must ask you to hand over your sword. I am assuming that it is your Zanpaktou, yes? Don't worry, I will ensure that it is safely returned to you. But as part of protocol, you will need to relinquish it temporarily.” There was no such rule involving the forge, but that wasn't the protocol that Souji was talking about. One of the young heir's quirks was that he always did a detailed examination of a fellow Shinigami's Zanpaktou, should they possess it, so that he could get a better understanding of the person. A Zanpaktou often mirrored the owner's soul in various ways, from its shape and size to the general condition it was in.

Souji's Zanpaktou was an example of such; thinner and lighter than a normal weapon, it was meant for quick thrusts and whip-like slashes. It embodied his quick and impetuous nature, his spontaneity, in a form that allowed for rapid attacks given at a moment's notice. It was also bladed and sharpened on both edges at the far end, much like a western-style sword, but only for a short amount near the far tip. This was meant to mirror Souji's sharp tongue and quick wit, his confidence and his aggression in combat. The double-bladed edge allowed him to deal more damage and inflict greater wounds even on a backwards swing, which would normally only inflict blunt wounds with a standard katana, and directed thrusts were that much more effective.

“Once you've handed over your Zanpaktou, we can head inside, and you can meet Souji Tenryu. What do you say?”

[Arantima Kawada]

Arantima nodded As Souji gestured for them to head down into the forges, His mind awash with all of the possibilities. What kind of man would this Souji Tenryu be, would he be young or old? Arantima's mind buzzed with thoughts and possibilities of what would occur when he finally met the Smith. "In Truth, It was Said that he was the best I could look for within the officer-ship below Vice captaincy. I purposely kept my Ambitions lowered while looking for a Skilled smith, but not someone whose talent would be wasted on the simplicity of my Commission, while at the same time looking for someone with the skill required to do it superbly." He Chuckled Softly and shook his head at himself.

"A Very Contradictory set of Criteria I understand, but still.. Such as they are they were My criteria for the search." He Looks around as they walk before blinking and sighing gently "My Apologies Sir, my Name is Arantima Aoire. Unseated officer of Squad 10, and the Weakest Shinigami in the seireitei." it Seemed an odd way of introducing yourself, calling yourself the weakest anything. Though it seemed that when Arantima said it, he did not say it with any sadness or bitterness in his voice, just as a Matter of fact, as if hew knew it to be the truth.

He Chuckled a bit as he finished and smirked before clicking his tongue once , almost like a Tsk but more rounded out of a sound, maybe like one of those old blow pop commercials? "It may seem strange bit it is a Title i am clinging to, as i beleive im the only one worthy of it.. " He scoffs again and Looks To Souji, a spark of curiosity in his eyes "Do you know why i would use the word worthy like that? It is because the Seireitei.. the Gotei 13 are only as strong as their weakest Member. And I refuse to let anyone Drag down the soul society with complacency in weakness." He Nods once rather decisively before continuing down the path.

It was an odd sort of logic that he used but in the end made sense of course, if even the weakest shinigami would never just give up, how could the Gotei fail, how could anyone else in the Soul society ever just give up in the face of adversity when this man who could barely stand on his own was walking tall? Openly Refusing to be given the easy road and Even Telling a Man like Shokan to give Him his all in a fight. And Even now He was Commissioning blades From the Tenryu Family, for what purpose Souji couldn't be certain just yet.

When they reached the Front of the Door and Arantima felt the heat he took a sip from his Gourd of Airaig once more before hanging it off his belt. When Souji Asked him for his blade however Arantima paused Is This some form of Test? is he trying to see if i will willingly Just give my blade to him.. or is it for some other purpose? Arantima took a deep Breath and drew his sword slowly. As He did so he turned the blade smoothly, holding it out with the flat of the blade at Eye level for Souji to gaze upon.

The Blade is Short, About eighteen inches long but it seems like the blade was at one point meant to be much longer at least by several inches. The Blade is Snapped off, chipped divots and cracks near the flat tip are visible plainly and the blade looks as though it has been engulfed in fire at one point, covered in char marks and black spots that mar the swords surface. But those charred bits are the least of the swords worries, it looks like a blade that has been in thousands of battles. There are scratches and cuts, dents and even pockmarks made from corrosion all up and down the blade.

Then he sees it as Arantima lays the pommel in Souji's hand, the edge on the blade is a deep contrast to the Flat of the blade. The edge has a pristine cutting edge without any deformation or cuts, no ridges and no dull spots where the edge has rolled. "My Blade May not be pretty, But it is mine.. And I have never seen it without the Snapped tip.. It Came to me like that." He Smiles To souji warmly before he lets go of the Handle of his blade, looking Souji in the eye "I Trust that you will keep it safe."

[Souji Tenryu]

Souji was pleased that the man was so willing to hand over his blade; it made his work that much easier. The Tenryu heir was not above “acquiring” another person's Zanpaktou through simple sleight of hand, and he had done so a handful of times. Of course, this tended to lead to unnecessary ire, so Souji preferred to gain voluntary access to another's weapon as opposed to something a bit more unwelcome. Of course, as a blacksmith who understood the value of a weapon beyond its quality, the Tenryu heir showed utmost respect as he took the blade, carrying it carefully in both hands, and holding it up before him as he gave his cursory examination of the weapon to understand the soul that it represented.

Souji's first reaction was to suppress a wince of frustration at the weapon's battered and broken shape. While the shape of a Zanpaktou did not determine its overall usefulness, as most Zanpaktou simply existed in their base form when their true power was not active, seeing what could have been a fine blade so chipped and worn just... hurt. Souji did his best to restrain himself from berating Arantima over the condition of his sword, knowing that it was a reflection of the soul, not the effects of actual wear and tear... usually. The fact that the sword normally looked like this took the edge off of the blacksmith's ire, but it still was enough to make him twitch inwardly.

Still, now that he had it in his hand, the Tenryu heir couldn't help but analyze it, to see what he could understand about his companion. A broken, worn sword often indicated a fragmented, weakened, or damaged soul, and often was visible in those who were mentally or spiritually unstable. So far, Arantima had not seemed to be the former, perhaps a little simplistic and a little too carefree, but not mentally unstable. This did leave his spirit, however, and Souji would not be surprised if the man's true powers were either dormant or, much in the way of someone like Shokan in his own squad, whose Zanpaktou had been burned away by his raw, yet unstable power. Souji thought of Shokan like a forge fire that was out of control, barely contained and too hot to use, melting any metal it was used to temper rather than drawing out its potential. Of course, given that Arantima had his Zanpaktou, unlike Souji's squadmate, they weren't exactly identical, but the theory was there.

The fact that the sword was broken, about a fourth of it or so missing if Souji's estimate was correct, suggested very much a fragmentation of the soul. It was as though the Shinigami was incomplete, lacking wholeness of the spirit. This meant that he could potentially be dangerous, especially if that missing portion of his soul caused any other forms of instability. But judging by what he'd seen from the man, along with Arantima's claim of being the “weakest Shinigami in Soul Society,” Souji guessed that it manifested itself in his companion's general weakness, both physically and spiritually. There was a precedent on this somewhere, in one of his father's old diaries that Souji kept in his room in order to understand others through the nature of their Zanpaktou, but the Tenryu heir decided that he could review that later. For now, he had seen what he was looking for.

Expertly flipping the sword around so that he held it backwards, grip out towards Arantima, Souji gave a polite smile to his companion. “Here you go. I did say I was only keeping it temporarily; I just wanted a chance to look at it. For now, I think that we can teach you some of the basics of smithing, but I will warn you: it's grueling work. You don't look to be the strongest, physically, but I'm pretty average in that regard myself, so if I can do it you certainly can. We'll just take it slow, and see how well you do. Follow me.” Once Arantima claimed his sword again, Souji turned to the forge's door and pushed it open, leading his companion in.

The forge was actually a large building comprised of several stations used for the forging of arms and armor. Two of them stations were already manned by Tenryu blacksmiths who were working hard at various projects, while the other six that were visible were all empty. Each station possessed its own furnace for the heating of metal, along with two sets of tools and protective gear for those working over the fires. Bins for discarded metal were present at each station, and as they watched, a Tenryu servant was currently emptying them carefully, being wary of any hot metal that might still be present, and carrying them towards a central furnace at the back of the building, where excess metal was heated, melted down, and poured into molds to form new bars for use. Another was bringing several bars at a request from one of the two working, likely the base for a project the smith was working on.

Souji guided Arantima back towards one of the stations in the back, his own personal station that was set aside and reserved for the Tenryu heir's personal work. Unlike the other stations, which were mostly bare, Souji kept several of his completed projects hung on the walls to examine them and learn from them, or else to use them as an example of what not to do, a reminder of mistakes made. Most of the weapons that were here looked as though they had been made by a novice, far from the expertise that one would expect from a family of well-trained smiths, but they had all been some of Souji's earliest works, back in the days of his apprenticeship. They were reminders of the past, of another time in the Tenryu heir's past.

Only one sword stood out from the others, a tach still wrapped in its sheath and hung directly above the doorway leading out to the central area of the forge. It was an amazingly well-crafted piece, from the perfectly set hilt and guard to the length and straightness of the blade. But even more so, the sword seemed to have a presence all of its own, like a set of eyes watching them from above. There was nothing about the weapon that seemed to stand out aside from its superior craftsmanship, yet there was something almost... regal about it. Souji paused as he entered the forge, turning towards the entrance and bowing, as though he were paying respect to the magnificent weapon hanging above it.

“This sword was the last legacy passed on by Toshizo Tenryu, the previous head of the Tenryu family. It was created using the ultimate Tenryu technique: soulforging. It was said that soulforged weapons were linked to the wielder's soul, much like a Zanpaktou, and could only be used by the one that it belonged to. In turn, such a weapon would provide ultimate lightness and ease of use, strengthening the user while weakening anyone else who would dare to touch it. This is the legacy of the Tenryu family, and a talent that is meant only for each head of the family.” Souji's tone was almost reverent, as though this sword meant more to him than anything else. And in a way, it did; after all, Toshizo Tenryu was his father. Though the man had passed away some time ago, Souji still hung the weapon above his station in order to honor him and hope that he would watch over his son, guiding him to become ever better.

“And ever since your father passed away, Souji, you've always kept it there, ever within your sight, as a sign of a goal that you would never stop approaching.” The voice came from the back of the station, and both Shinigami would see a tall man rising from a seat, hidden in the shadows cast by the flickering flames. Soft, emerald eyes took in both companions as Saito Tenryu, Souji's personal attendant and bodyguard, made his way over to them. The man was notably taller than both of them, slightly over six feet, and his form was thin and lithe. He carried not one, but two swords at his hip, much in the way of samurai in the World of the Living, a shorter blade and a longer one. Whether or not one was a Zanpaktou could not easily be told, as it was possible this man was not a Shinigami. But with the way he held himself and the confidence he possessed, it was obvious that this man was at very least skilled.

“That's true, Saito. I can't ever look backwards, only forward, and my father's sword is my path forward to becoming truly capable of claiming the leadership of the Tenryu family. Until I learn his art of soulforging, I will never be able to truly feel like the Tenryu head.” Giving a smile to Saito, Souji turned back to Arantima, who was probably realizing just who it was that he was talking to. “Sorry I never gave my name before, but I wanted to get a better feel for you first. I am Souji Tenryu, the twenty-fifth head of the Tenryu family, and the man you've been seeking. So, Arantima, are you ready to learn from yours truly?”

[Arantima Kawada]

Arantima took the sword and rolled the blade over his wrist before slipping it back into its sheathe, which was rather pristine compared to his blade. The Sheath's length was indeed correct for Souji's thoughts about a 1/4 of the blade being lost.  He looks to Souji with a nod as he continues on with young Master smith, looking around the Smithing stations as they walk by them. He Leans a head over to see if he can get a glimpse of the work the two smiths are doing but being unable to get a proper look at the shape of the metal as he follows Souji.

His body is reacting to the heat in an interesting fashion, he doesn't bead sweat like others might but instead permeates a steady film of sweat that coats his whole body evenly, subtly flowing down towards his wrists and waist as he stays inside the heated building for what may only be a short while, but he is already sweating being unused to such heat. He Looks toward Souji with a Questioning gaze as they walk by the Empty Stations, wondering why they are not stopping there to start. His answer is reached before he ever has a chance to ask his question.

They stop before a farther back station, built for private use by someone it seems. He Watches as Souji Looks up to the Most impressive blade he has ever seen. He Knelt Down on one knee after Souji bowed to the Entrance, following up with his own motions, drawing and rolling his zanpakuto around his wrists and hands before lowering his gaze and pointing the tip of his blade towards the one on the wall before sheathing his blade once more, Staying Silent as Souji speaks about the blade. "I and my Zanpakuto Greet This Masterwork with respect.. Does the Blade have a Name sir?"

He Turns towards the voice from the corner as he stands and places his hands in his pockets, tilting his head at the man approaching before turning his gaze towards Souji with a quizzical look. It was true that this man hadn't given him his name yet, Perhaps he was just as cautious as Tima had been once, while Tima was still cautious it wasn't nearly as bad as it once was. He Crosses his arms and looks over Souji once more with a more stern and level gaze than he had given him before before smiling.Hmm, This one is rather smart.. Having me talk to him as if he was just another man before knowing he was the one i wanted to speak to.

He Nods and Reaches out his right hand for a hand shake "Of Course I am Master Souji, or is that Lord?.. I Am Not very good with Titles, my apologies." He Tilts his head slightly before catching himself and clicking his tongue "In Any case, I Am More than Ready to learn what I can While these blades are being made. And Perhaps Someday in the future after you Have mastered your Fathers Technique, You can craft me a Pair of Blades to replace the ones we Make here."

Arantima Removes his robe and Rolls it up after wiping his arms and forehead dry, Placing his Robe somewhere out of the way but nowhere disrespectful to the workplace, taking his belt off and hanging his Zanpakuto with the Robe as well, Returning to Souji and rolling his shoulders to loosen them up. "Where do We start the lesson?" he Smiles and looks around the workstation before looking at the Metals and blades around, not making any assumptions about the most basic part of smithingg but at the same time trying to think about what he is seeing.

[Souji Tenryu]

Arantima's reverence was proper, and Souji said nothing while his companion gave his respects to his father's last work. The young Tenryu heir remembered well the day the sword was forged, as he was present for it; his father had started to teach him a lesson of sorts, one that involved understanding the soul and heart of a weapon. To this day, Souji believed that this lesson had been the basis of teaching him how soulforging worked, but the training had been left incomplete; the next day, when Toshizo was meant to follow up on his initial teachings, the elder Tenryu had fallen ill and taken to his bed, his heart starting to give out. He passed away a few days later, with Souji at his side, giving the title of Tenryu head to his son along with the very sword that hung above the forge station. Souji still remembered the lessons well.

“Close your eyes, Souji. Place your hands on the sword. Feel the pulse of your body, the beating of your heart, and let your thoughts settle. Feel that pulse as it moves through your chest, your arms, your hands, and down into the metal. And feel it reverberate back.” Toshizo's instructions were soft, chanting, almost hypnotic as he began to teach his son the day's lesson, yet despite that, Souji did not feel compelled or pressed; rather, he allowed it, accepted it, and followed his father's teaching even as the man spoke, trying to settle his breathing and slow his heart rate. Yet no matter what he did, his heart always started to race again, an excitement filling him as he realized that he was taking the first steps to learning the true arts of the Tenryu smiths.

“Do you feel that pulse, Souji?” The boy slowed his breathing, trying to get back into the meditative focus that his father taught him. It took a few more minutes, but soon he had his heart rate slowed enough that he could breathe in time with it without feeling as though he were suffocating. And as his father said, he could feel each beat of his heart, feel the pulse from it flow through his body and down into the sword in his hands. And, as it flowed into the sword, there was an answering pulse, an echo that seemed to respond to the feeling of life that moved through Souji's body. Thrilled, the boy opened his eyes, nodding with a smile that was unusual for the shy, quiet child. “I do, Father.”

“This is the soul of the sword that you sense. When you make any weapon or armor, a part of you goes into it. Your sweat, your energy, your determination; these things flow from the smith into their craft, and imbues the finished product with a spirit of its own. It is most apparent now, when you feel that reverberation of life. This is a talent that belongs to the Tenryu family, the ability to feel the life and soul of the objects you create, along with the knowledge and pride that comes with knowing you've created more than a simple tool. Now, close your eyes again, and feel the pulse. I am going to show you how to connect with the sword more intimately.”

“Before we start again, Father, I have a question.” The child's question was surprising, as he rarely took any interest or initiative in anything outside of him, so Toshizo smiled, pleased to answer his son's query. “You have a habit of naming your swords; do you have a name for this one as well?” Toshizo was quiet for a few moments, looking thoughtful, his appearance seeming even more aged than it had of late. The wrinkles of his brow, the tired lines around his eyes; Souji worried for his father, worried that the work he had done lately had tired him out. Yet the older man nodded, and gave his son a reassuring smile as he answer. “It does, my boy. This sword here, it's name is...”

“Its name is Yushi no Nagusame: The Solace of the Sunset. This is truly my father's final work, named as he drew near to the end of his life. Yet as he fell ill, and began to slip away, he felt pride and comfort knowing that he was passing on his legacy to his son, knew that even as his day ended, another would begin as I took on the mantle of the Tenryu head upon his passing. This was included along with my father's last words and testaments, and it is meant to be mine one day, when I am deemed worthy by a criteria known only to my mother. And I swear, one day I will prove myself worthy of this blade, the same day that I prove myself worthy to lead my family to greater glories.”

Souji realized that he'd been talking a lot on some rather heavy matters, and blinked in surprise before grinning apologetically. “Ah, sorry. I suppose I'm starting to babble. Well then, Arantima, why don't I show you the absolute basics of smithing, and we'll get to working on your swords?” With that, the Tenryu heir gestured for his companion to follow him, and started over towards a set of hangers set along the sides of the doorway. Two sets of protective gear, including smocks and gloves, along with goggles for those who wished to be particularly cautious, were hung on the hooks there for anyone to take as long as they were returned. “And please, just call me Souji. 'Master' is only appropriate for one who has learned all aspects of the art to their fullest, and 'Lord' just sounds pretentious in such a casual setting, so why don't we stick to a first-name basis?”

Donning his protective gear and giving Arantima time to do the same, Souji started by explaining the importance of proper safety. He pointed out that the smocks were meant to protect the clothing and torso of the wearer from loose sparks that could fly free when striking hot metal, keeping them from being burned, and that the gloves that extended nearly to the elbow were there for the same purpose, protecting the arm. To demonstrate, Souji removed one of his gloves, showing off the light burn scars along his upper arm, where there was little protection. “You can see that you yourself get tempered in the flames of the forge as much as the metal is. But given that we living beings are slightly less tolerant of heat than metal is, it is probably best we reduce just how much it tempers us.”

Once that was done, Souji moved over to one of the walls near the forge, where various tools were hung. He grabbed a small hammer, a few pounds in weight, hefting it carefully in his hand; it was only modestly heavy, enough so that he could still swing it with some ease, but heavy enough that a swing would bring it down hard on what it struck. Turning it in his hand, the Tenryu heir offered the handle to Arantima, inviting him to hold the tool in his hand and feel the weight. “Hammers like these are meant to shape the hot metal into the form we seek, but only in the hands of a skilled user. Striking blindly or inaccurately could dent or bend the metal you are working with in undesired ways, so you have to strike carefully, and strike true. I want you to take this hammer and strike the anvil a few dozen times, show me your arm strength; after all, for forging a single sword you will be swinging it plenty more, and in this case, you want two!”

As Arantima was handed the hammer, Souji moved to the opposite side of the anvil to watch, waiting to see how well his companion handled the tool. Forging was good training for the arms and torso, Souji had learned quickly; the constant movement of the arm put a lot of work on the shoulders, chest, and arms as they supported the weight of the hammer and guided it in its fall. Even if Souji ended up making the swords himself, just this practice would be much like how swinging a sword trained an individual's arms, getting Arantima into the rhythm and allowing him to work on his arm strength somewhat. In a way, the training was beginning with some good physical exercise.

Once the other Shinigami started to practice, Souji spoke, making small talk and attempting to learn a bit more of his companion's motivations before they got into the actual work. “So, let me ask you: what do you plan on using these swords for? You say training, and I can see to an extent weight training, but not with swords. I feel as though these may be used for something further down the line. So tell me: what are you planning to use such large swords for, once they've fulfilled their initial purpose?”

[Arantima Kawada]

Arantima Takes one of the Thick Blacksmiths smocks and gets it set over his bare torso as best he can, tieing it around his back easily. He Forgoes the goggles, feeling like he doesn't need to worry about his eyes that much at this stage. He Looks at the hammer being offered to him and pikcs it up, hefting it a bit to get a grip and feel for the hammer in his hand, a much different feeling than a sword. He Rolled the Hammer between his fingers clumsily, and chuckles Were this a blade I could probably do that a lot easier.

He Takes a firm grip on the hammer and begins to strike the anvil, letting the weight of the hammer do a lot of the work for him. His arms aren't terribly powerful but they do seem to carry at least a little bit of extra might behind them when he tries. He Grunts a Bit on every Second or third strike as he puts a bit more effort into them, keeping his eyes always on the anvil before himself. The Hammer Doesn't always hit the same spot, but he keeps the area of the strikes relativity close, even so his face contorts into one of a heavy concentration as he tries to keep the area small.

"These Blades are the Dragons Whiskers.. They are Specially purposed for a Style of Swordsmanship that i have been dreaming about for several days now." He Places the hammer down on the anvil softly and places a his right hand out just above the anvil, closing it into a fist and drawing out his left hand, extending his right hand out a bit to make the process faster as he Materializes his Pressurized Gravitation blade. A Spiritually flickering blade made of energy that is a full Five feet in length from tip to tip.

He Shows the Blade to Souji, allowing him to inspect it as closely as he likes. The Blade is the majority of the Construction, Four feet in length and perfectly straight. The edge of this blade is perfectly straight and razor sharp meeting with the Handle without the seperation of a traditional Tsuba. The Handle is One foot long and wrapped like a Traditional Katana would be. "This is my Dragons Soul Blade.. I Can not keep it up for very long without knocking myself conscious, but it is this Blade that inspired the Style, and I need a Way to practice with it. What is even more pressing is that this Style needs two blades of this length, and my Zanpakuto is far too short." He Dismisses his blade before returning to his Anvil strikes.

He Strikes the Anvil a bit harder than he was before, The ringing sounds one might expect from such a meeting of two metals is starting to be more easily heard. "My Zanpakuto is precious to me, and recently I met a man whose blade had shattered.. The pain in his voice as he told me of the experience was evident and made my heart weep. I Require an alternative to my Zanpakuto in the case i meet an opponent that can sunder my soul, my zanpakuto must be kept safe until it is absolutely required." He Nods once as he keeps Smacking the anvil with the hammer until he has to stop, panting heavily. He Has gotten maybe Thirty or Forty strikes in but he now needs a breather as he is panting quite heavily.

He places the hammer down and wipes his brow off of the sweat he had built up and Smiles towards Souji, knowing that he could have done better were he not so weak, but still proud of what he was able to get done there. "i Know.. I tire easily, but there is always room for improvement, especially with me. I just need something to drink and ill be right as rain for the next step." He Nods decisivly as he slips his hands in his pockets a moment before pulling them back out, geting ready for the next bit.

[Souji Tenryu]

Souji watched patiently as Arantima started on his practice, bringing the hammer up in a swing and down onto the anvil. The Tenryu heir's eyes followed his companion's swings, analyzing them calmly and, surprisingly, quietly. Normally Souji had no qualms about speaking his thoughts on any subject, but he did understand the concentration necessary in the practice of smithing. Those who had experience in the art could skillfully work while speaking to another, but generally the average smith stayed quiet during his work, and spoke only during pauses. Souji himself had not attained such a mastery yet, so he could hardly expect a novice to do the same.

One Arantima was done with his work, however, and had placed the hammer down, Souji began speaking in a tone that was somewhat critical, yet still compassionate; though he was criticizing and explaining the flaws on the apprentice's swings, he wasn't callous about it. “You've got the basic idea of it, but swinging a smith's hammer for work is not the same as swinging a sword. You don't need to bring your arm so far back, nor do you need to swing so powerfully. Forging a sword is not a contest to beat down the metal into the right shape, but rather the art of shaping it through careful and guided strikes. You do have to hit the steel hard enough, of course, but when it is heated the metal is more pliable than normal. Here, watch me.”

With that, Souji took up the hammer himself, standing over the forge. “I'm not going to aim for accuracy here, merely show you the swing of the hammer and how you work your arm. This way I can speak while I work, as otherwise it still requires too much concentration to do both. I have not yet made it so automatic as many masters have.” With that, the young man raised the hammer up, but only brought it just above his shoulder, rather than a full swing, and brought it down in a quick blow. He repeated the process a few times, explaining how too much power could dent or bend a blade in a way that could leave faults or simply make it unfit for use. An example was illustrated by a bent sword on the wall, one of Souji's earliest creations; on testing against a wooden training dummy, the blade had revealed a fault a few inches above the base, causing the weakened area to bend on the hit instead of staying sturdy.

Handing the hammer back to Arantima, Souji instructed him to continue practicing, watching the swings and giving small tips here and there to improve the general motion. Once he was content, the Tenryu heir left his companion to continue practicing while he went to grab a few more items, namely a pair of long, wooden boxes and a bag of something that looked almost like a mix of sand and clay. Bringing them over to the forge area, he gave his companion a few more moments to practice before getting his attention, directing it to the materials he had brought over, now placed on a large workbench that was about waist-high for Souji.

“I'm going to be moving a little faster than normal, since I'm sure you don't want to wait for several weeks of training to actually make your weapons. I'll be doing most of the work, but I'll try and have you be involved in it as much as possible during this. Normally you'd be spending most of the day just working on your form instead of actually getting anything done.” Once Arantima came over, Souji explained the next step of the process. It was simple, really; they were making a mold for his sword, using the boxes as a frame—once the ends were broken off, so that they could be brought together for a larger blade—and the clay-like mix to form the actual mold.

Fortunately, Arantima made the next step easier, saving the shaping of the blade by simply creating it with a technique. Souji had to admit that he was surprised, having not known of such a technique; it would be one that would be worth learning at a later point to make crafting weapons much easier. After all, if Souji could create the base forms with a solid type of spiritual energy, it would make molding the shape of weapons that much quicker, allowing for greater output and accuracy to the desired product. But that was something to consider for later; for now, Souji simply poured in the molding material once the boxes were prepared, adding water to mix it into a dense mass, and directed Arantima to embed his conjured weapon into it. Once that was done, he directed the man towards the forge.

“While we wait for the mold to dry and set, which will not take long with our facilities and the mixtures we use, I'm going to get you to stoke up the forge fires and get a little more work on your arm strength. Once the fire's hot enough we'll melt down the metal into a more liquid mold, get it to set and cool, and then start hammering it out into the proper shape. Since we have so much to work with given your ability to form the weapon you wanted, we can have the first done today, and I can get the second shipped to you by tomorrow with no problem.” With that, the Tenryu heir directed Arantima towards the bellows that were near the fire, indicating that he was to pump them and get the fire stoked from the slow, smoldering flame it was now into a roaring blaze. While the apprentice did so, Souji took a seat nearby and spoke to his companion.

“You want these weapons as an alternative to fighting with the very essence of your soul, huh...” Souji's expression was hard to read for a moment, the thoughtful look suggesting that something in that statement had rung with him. “Yet... if you think about it, the only way your soul can truly be sundered and shattered is if it is weak, if you do not have the willpower and determination to keep it strong. Even if a Zanpaktou breaks, it can be reformed as long as your spirit is whole. So... why is it that you fear for your soul's ability to remain intact, Arantima?” With that, Souji sat back, resting his chin on one hand, and waited for his companion to answer. He was interested in knowing more about this man who claimed to be the weakest of Shinigami.

[Arantima Kawada]

Arantima's Gaze Rested on the Bent Sword that Souji had gestured to when he mentioned how a strike could ruin or cause a fault in the metal. He Stared at the blade until the young master handed the hammer back to him. The Words Spoken dawned heavily on him and he let out a soft scoff "I Wonder if this remains True in Shinigami as well.. " he lets the question Dangle a Bit in the air, not speaking on it anymore for the time being.  He Creates the Soul Blade for Souji to make the mold out of and wipes his brow when the mold is pressed.

It Was Clear, perhaps not to Souji but to his guardian at the very least that it was difficult at this stage for him to keep that Blade formed for a prolonged period of time. Yet he continued to move and work with a determination behind his heart, even though his body was slowing, the fatigue of even just this simple work getting to him easily, he was continuing. There was a drive behind him, but also a knowledge of something, every time he slowed or his movements weakened he would take a moment to roll his shoulders, settle himself before continuing with whatever small amount of energy that rest gave him.

The Last Question that soji spoke struck Tima visibly, his shoulders went slack, his face dropped down low before he just chuckled. It was a highly amused sound before he nods and looks up to souji with a smile "It certainly would seem that is what i fear.. The reason behind these blades. But That is not true." He takes a breath and creates the blade once more, drawing out the process so that the "Forging" of the soul energy can be seen in it's entirety by the Smith before himself, so that Souji can see what this blade holds for Tima.

As his left hand draws out the Spiritual and gravitational pressure into the long length of the blade, Souji can see that the amount of raw energy being put into the blade is small, being stretched thin and long to create a blade that is supremely sharp. However, as a Smith who would know his materials he can tell that the energy being used, not the amount is what is taxing Arantima to use this blade, the Blade is stronger than it's wielder to put it plainly. The Raw material of Arantima's Soul is Stronger than his body is capable of withstanding for too long.

"It is not that i am afraid of my Soul Breaking Souji. I am Admitting to myself that i Can not Weild my Soul's own blade properly for long enough to master it. I need a Model, an analog to this blade that will not push my body to its limits while i understand how such an awkward blade is meant to be used. One Does not practise throwing a Bomb with live ammunition afterall." he draws his hand along the flat of the blade again, admiring it even as he begins to shake and wobble with the strain of keeping it formed.

He looks to Souji with a determined gaze and points the Tip of his Dragons Soul blade towards Yushi no Nagusame: The Solace of the Sunset and his head begins to sag from the strain "I feel as if I am a Child who has been allowed to weild a Masterpeice, and the glory of my weapon is tearing my arm apart." The soul forged blade in his hand cracks before falling away in golden sparks that dissipate harmlessly before hitting the ground, and arantima Takes to his knees, breathing heavily. He lets out a few gentle, calming breaths before standing and returning to his work with Souji as best he can.

"My Soul Will not break under any amount of strain, But I know that in order to weild it properly, i must first understand how it's form pairs with my body.. And As you said, if you strike the metal too hard too soon, you can end up with a faulty weapon." He Doesn't look up from the work as he finishes it, but the connotations are there. He knows that there is a time and place to strain yourself, and when you are dealing with your own soul there needs to be restraint in it's mastery. If Arantima is to learn to master his Soul in this manner He needs to first learn how to carry it properly.

[Souji Tenryu]

While Souji could not claim to be the master analyst that others were, he was still above average in his perception. As Arantima worked on the hammer, Souji noticed smaller details, such as the way the man's eyes lingered on the bent sword. His remark after was obviously paired with that gaze, and the Tenryu heir had to wonder what his companion was thinking of. The two of them hardly knew one another, and though Souji could make a few assumptions about his fellow Shinigami from the traits he had shown thus far, he was still in the dark as to the older man's motivations. What was it that Arantima sought so desperately, and what part of a bent and broken sword resonated within his thoughts? Souji wasn't sure if it was wise to pry, but it was not in his nature to back down, either; it would be best to continue forward, but cautiously, and learn more about this man. After all, he wanted to wield a Tenryu blade; Souji would never give one of his works to a man unworthy of it.

Yet Arantima quickly dispelled the question of his own soul's fragility, and explained that it was quite the opposite; rather than his soul being so weak as to risk breaking, it was his body that was to weak for his soul. Whether it was the weapon itself or the actual power that was difficult to wield and required a physical analog to properly learn from, Souji could not say, but this statement said a lot about Arantima. A soul that was too powerful for the body was not an unheard-of occurrence, though it was certainly a rare one, and often caused many troubles for the bearer. Often it lead to power that could not be easily channeled through a body, resulting in but a fraction of the user's true power coming through, and in the end, it tended to have negative physical, spiritual, and mental side-effects as well.

Interestingly, it also explained a bit about the man's sword and its current condition, a fact that Souji decided that it was best to comment on audibly rather than keeping his analysis internal. “You know, earlier, I wanted to borrow your Zanpaktou to examine it, because the Zanpaktou tends to be a mirror of the soul. It reflects the person you are within, your traits and tendencies, your inner essence. When I examined your sword, I got a good snapshot of the person you are, but I think until what you said a few moments ago about your Zanpaktou being too powerful for you to handle, I was under a mistaken impression. When I saw your sword, I believed that your soul had shown itself to be fragile, broken under a previous stress, and I was concerned that you were trying to have these swords crafted to defend an already shattered spirit.”

“But now that I've heard what I have, I think it's quite the opposite. Your sword isn't broken; it's incomplete. It's too powerful, too vast; your power, your soul, cannot be channeled into a simple and physical point in which it can manifest itself in its full and truest form, at least not in its natural state. I imagine using your Released Zanpaktou would reveal its true glory... in fact, I'm almost certain it has, given that you have such a firm image to work with. So, am I right?” With that, Souji knelt down to his companion, who had just fallen to his knees after being unable to bear the weight and strain of his manifested sword. It seemed that even the copy was too much to maintain for long; was it physical weakness, or was there something more to it?

Gently placing a hand on the man's arm, Souji helped him up, and the two of them returned to the forge. At this point, the metal bars were melted down, the constantly-fueled forge heating the ingots enough that they were naught but liquid flowing down a half-circle funnel and into the mold set below. Though Souji had done this many times before, this was as much a form of training for himself as it was for Arantima; each weapon was different, and one of such a size that Arantima was requesting was somewhat more difficult to work with as compared to a standard sword. The length of it alone would require a supporting platform to keep it in place while the metal was shaped under the hammer's blow, due to the weight it would have making it difficult to simply keep held with the tongs in one hand. Souji was used to working with smaller blades and, while this wasn't the first time working on a larger piece, they were infrequent enough that he too was getting a good deal of practice out of it.

“Let me tell you a bit about the Tenryu forging process; not the details, but the beliefs and traditions behind it.” As the metal was slowly and evenly poured into the mold, Souji couldn't help but continue the conversation to break the awkward silence that had followed their last topic. “Smithing, for this family, is a very spiritual experience. We believe that everything we make, every weapon or tool, has a soul of its own. The molten metal is like an untamed, wild spirit that has yet to fit into a framework, like the latent energy we feel in the spiritual worlds that has no purpose, merely existence. We take that soul and give it a shape, a form, and in doing so, we perform a process that we equate to that of giving birth to a new life. Each weapon has its own soul and meaning, each tool has its own purpose and function. Though we shape it, our creations have their own embodiment, their own sense of life to them. And so, we revere every piece we make, from the smallest nail to the greatest sword.”

As the last of the metal flowed into its mold, Souji raised up the funnel again, letting it tilt back so that no more of the molten steel would drip down and risk injuring them or ruining their work. Once it was set in place, the liquid metal shimmering in its mold, the Tenryu heir stepped back from the mold and gave a quick nod over to Saito, who was standing nearby. “Saito, if you could see to it that the metal is taken to the cooling station to harden properly, we'll return shortly to finish shaping it. We've got one more thing to do before that.” With that, Souji grabbed a spear that was leaning against the wall, a simple naginata with a spiritual steel head that was one of his more basic works. The head itself was a little longer than average, exactly two feet in length, with a blade on one side.

Surely, Arantima was confused by the exchange, but Souji just smiled. “Come with me. I want to see one more thing before we temper your first sword. This is something I do with all of my clients, in one way or another.” He would wait until Arantima followed him, and the two Shinigami would head out of the forge and down the hill to an area that was far flatter, an open plain that spread a good distance outwards from the base of the forges. Once they were there, Souji motioned for his companion to stop, moving about twenty feet away and turning to face him, the polearm held with practiced ease in both hands. The spear's head was pointed towards the ground, diagonal across the Tenryu heir's front in a defensive stance, and the young man grinned as he braced himself.

“I'm still a bit green when it comes to fighting, but I believe more than anything else you get the best feel for someone when you're throwing yourself at them head-on. Shall we put that to the test?”

[Arantima Kawada]

Arantima nods and allows himself to just listen to the Young master Smith. He smirks a bit when Souji takes a guess that his Zanpakuto is a similar blade to the one he summons with his dragon soul if my Release Created a blade, I would weep for you all.. he recalled how his first release was so destructive, even to his own home. He looks up to Souji and nods once to him "It is a Blade that is a part of my soul, but it is not my Zanpakuto. My Blade's Release is not a Blade." He smirks and lets a soft scoff out before shaking his head.

He Looks around the Shop a Moment before watching the Molten metal being poured into the mold for his blade and he listedn to Souji once more. Thinking on his words and nodding in agreement with them even if he had no particular comment on them after he had finished speaking. He Agreed completely, when something was made it should be made as if it had it's own soul. Something even as simple as a nail  can have a great purpose in life, and something as destructive as a sword could have a great mark on the world, or a bloody stain.

He looks up at Souji and then over  At Saito when Souji mentions the man, his head tilted curiously. He watched as Souji went to go get a Spear-Sword, not something one sees everyday. Tima Silently Follows Souji out to the clearing and obeys the hand gesture meant to keep him in place when it is given. He Nods and smiles to Souji when he takes his stance and looks over the young blade-smith. He Looks down to his own Zanpakuto and just rests a hand on it "I do know that old Saying well, and it fits. Most people in any case. There are some however, That are Kind and Passive Until they begin to truly Fight. they are both the Gentle Summer cloud that lazes about and provides shade, To turn once they get out to sea and Rage with a wind and torrential rain against the Glassy sea."

He Closes his eyes and turns his head side to side, rolling his shoulders as he does, supressing something or other within himself. Do not release Arantima, no matter how You wish to show yourself. No matter how he presses you, do not destroy this boy. He Takes a Deep breath and widens his stance down while holding his Zanpakuto's hilt backhanded with it still in it's sheathe. "Normally I Allow the first move to be made, or I am too slow to provide the first motions. But if it is alright with you, I will begin." He Doesn't Even Wait for permission after letting that sentence end.

He Darts forward, just barely below Average speed (41) but stops just as he hits the outer edge of where he believes Souji's reach to be. He spins there, turning his back to Souji before bending over backward and thrusting a hand forward to where he had last seen Souji "Sho". He Says it very passively, though the force behind the pressure wave created by someone who had utterly mastered the First Hado was impressive, even if it was relatively weak for its effortless casting.

He Dips all the way back, landing the palm that had released the Hado onto the ground to bring himself into a Roll along the ground To land and spin on his knees, drawing his sword as he does so. The motion creates a 3 foot zone around his Spinning Form that would take out most peoples knees without a proper block or jump. He Comes to a halt and looks to the spot where he Expects Souji To be, Behind him first and then the sides. His sword is sheathed once more with Arantima on his knees, an odd position for a Soul reaper who is fighting to be in.

STATS -

Strength - [175] Points - 43 Sealed - 525 Unsealed
Speed - [125] Points - 41 sealed - 125 Unsealed
Spiritual Pressure - [125] Points - 41 Sealed - 375 Unsealed
Reiatsu Strength - [75] Points - 25 Sealed - 75 Unsealed
Dark Aura - [50] Points
Light Aura - [50] Points
Instinct - [150] Points - 50 Sealed - 150 Unsealed
Senses - [150] Points - 50 Sealed - 150 Unsealed
Energy sensory - [0] Points
Healing Expertise - [0] Points

SKILLS -

[Calm Mind] {1}
[Strength of Will] {2}
[Martial Arts (Hakuda)] {1}
[Pain Tolerance] {2}
[Bleeding Tolerance] {2}
[Anti-Stealth] {1}
[Memory] {1}
[Weapons - Way of the Winding Dragon (Dual Sword Style)] {2}
[Crafting] {2}

[Souji Tenryu]

Arantima was happy to make the first move, stepping forward and... turning away. Souji was surprised by the unorthodox technique, especially as the man bent backwards, thrusting his arm out with no weapon borne. Knowing that this could only be the start of a technique, given the distance between them, the Tenryu heir made his own first move, stepping to the left and out of the direct line of the attack. He only moved slightly, however, letting his left arm relax its grip on the spear, so that it was held vertically and parallel to him. The Sho that emerged hit the spear's head and slammed it backwards, but a skillful twist of Souji's wrist had the weapon spinning about instead of being blown away, using the momentum from the thrust along with his own strength to bring it down in a powerful downwards swing. This would have the effect of interrupting Arantima's following attack, the man's attempt to slide and twist quickly interrupted by a downwards sweep of the naginata that would be enough to sever a limb caught in the way of it, even with average strength.

But in the event that his attack did not interrupt his opponent's attack, Souji had already made a decision to continue with his thrust. When it slammed into the ground, likely forcing Arantima to back away, the Tenryu heir put his weight forward, burying the head slightly in the ground and using the weapon to vault himself up. This way, if the attack did still go through, Souji would be above the sweeping slice of Arantima's blade, and in a moment would be coming down to plant his feet squarely on the man's shoulders in a downwards kick. Souji was not particularly strong physically, but his weight was enough that it was not an inconsiderable blow, given that Arantima was not terribly strong himself.

Upon making his landing, the Tenryu heir would make a roll forward, pulling his naginata from the ground as he did so and softening his landing. He quickly turned, bringing his weapon up before him in a defensive stance, his body turned so that his right shoulder was facing Arantima, his left arm held above his head and holding the butt end of the spear, while his right arm was extended before him and was holding onto the weapon's shaft just slightly below the halfway point. This put the naginata at a downwards angle, the head resting on the ground, but it also left Souji in a position to whip it back upwards, ready to slash at an advancing attack.

Souji smiled inwardly as he prepared himself, though; he was lucky Saito wasn't out here, or he'd be getting an earful for his last move. The older man had been training his ward in combat, and one of the earliest lessons that he had taught was to avoid having your feet leave the ground unless there was no other alternative; after all, once in the air, you were completely committed to whatever action you took. In the World of the Living it was less consequential, with air ground being available to create a landing no matter where one was, but here he could do nothing if his trajectory was predicted and acted against. As Saito had said when Souji had complained back then, “looking cool isn't going to keep your enemy from ripping you apart. Fighting needs to be practical, not flashy.”

Unfortunately, flashy is what I do. Souji smiled to himself as he held his stance, waiting for Arantima to make his next move. And it was true; the Tenryu heir was the type of person to show off and display his talents when it wasn't impractical to do so, often frazzling an opponent's concentration and making it harder for them to react to his actions. This was no exception, as he had a standard to set with Arantima; he wanted to impress his fellow Shinigami, which in turn would raise his personal respect for Souji and hopefully start to spread some of that same inclination to others in his Squad. A reputation began with a single person, after all.

“C'mon, Ara, you gotta do a little better than that! Don't make me regret forging these swords!”

SPOILER: Click to show

{Souji's Stats}Strength – [50] (50) Points

Speed – [50 x 1.5] (75) Points

Spiritual Pressure – [50 x 1.5] (75) Points

Reiatsu Strength – [20 x 0.5] (10) Points

Light Aura - [80] Points

Dark Aura - [20] Points

Instinct – [50] (50) Points

Senses – [80 x 0.5] (40) Points

Energy sensory – [0] (0) Points

Healing Expertise – [0] (0) Points


Total SP: 280 Points

SPOILER: Click to show

{Souji's Skills}

• [Crafting/Forging] 1
• [Battle Analysis] 1
• [Analysis] 1
• [Weapons: Sword] 1
• [Weapons: Polearm] 1
• [Strength of Will] 1
• [Battle Focus] 1
• [Damage Recovery] 1

[Arantima Kawada]

Arantima Grunted as he was forced down into the dirt, face first. It wasn't too rough, but it was still rather embarrassing. He Smirked inwardly however, knowing that this was going to be a fun little bout, they were evenly paired for the most part with Souji being just slightly ahead of himself. Now This was true, but only while he kept his Zanpakuto sealed. He Got up, but onyl holding himself barely above the ground so he could breathe easily as he heard Souji chide him gently. He Smirked and spoke back "Young Master Tenryu, You would fear what I can truly Do.. Take into account I am but a Sliver of my True self without my Shikai."

He mutters softly after that, just audible enough to heard by Souji, and he speaks swiftly, as if he knows this incantation backwards and forwards. "The Crashing Waves of Rage Consume you, the Heart of a Tyrant rages within. The Winds of Vengeance howl in the night! Hado Number 1, Sho!" The blasts emanate out from his Hands blasting him up off of the ground at least Thirty feet into the air before he curls and twists into a spin kicking out into the air as he is pointed directly at Soujji Kicking off the air with his feet "Sho!" Again he casts the Hado, Launching him towards the Tenryu boy like a Spinning Missile.

Arantima Had his Zanpakuto Held Closely towards his body, so that combined with the way he was spinning would create a Semi protective spiral of Sword blade to hopefully deflect any incoming attack, But with the right timing he would catch a blade to the back easily. His Empty hand was the Stranger part, Of this whole Strange style of fighting that Tima has. His Hand was outstretched infront of him as if he had a Blade out, poised to run Souji through and at first.. He didn't. It was moments later about halfway between the travel towards Souji that a Loud sucking sound erupted from around Arantima and a Solid Blade of shimmering Energy Appeared in his hand, the Same Blade that he Modeled the mold off of earlier.

The Twisting Spear-like Attack would end, weather it pierced Souji or not with Arantima using the Handle of his Pressurized gravitation blade as a Momentum absorbent, Spinning down off of it and landing on his feet, Either to Bring a Knee around and impact a Retreating Souji or to stand beside the Knocked down Master Smith. If Souji had Evaded The blow the knee strike would be Aimed for a Mid section strike, Meant To knock the Younger Shinigami off his footing. the Pressurized Gravitation Blade Dissipating Shortly afterwards as it is clear that doing that technique while sealed is difficult for him.

(Forgot to spend 25 Reaitsu from last post so spending it here.)

-75 for three uses of sho ( 2 this post 1 from last)  -200 from pressurized gravitation Class 4

135/410