Name: Soldiers Endurance
Rank: E-S
Type: Taijutsu
Element: None
Description: Pushing on in spite of all odds is what makes the Ashigaru the true blooded warriors they are. Hours upon hours of battling in formation, and charging enemies lines, has ingrained in them a die hard attitude and endurance far beyond normal capabilities. While this ability does not allow them to heal actual damage, the use of this ability still gives them the energy to fight on when other soldiers would have grown far to tired to even lift their blade in defense. Depending on how much chakra is spent, the effects are varied.
D rank chakra: Restores all lost energy due to fatigue or exhaustion. This allows them to march all day, and still be fresh and ready for immediate battle. This same amount of chakra can simulate a full night of sleep; however the effect will only last for a few hours. Using it again can allow for this clan to march their army for days straight without resting.
C rank chakra: By releasing more chakra the Ashigaru is able to numb the pain coming from wounds received in battle. While it will not truly heal, it will allow th Ashigaru to fight on, in spite of the pain.
B rank chakra: By releasing more chakra still, the Ashigaru further tends to their wounds. Bleeding will stop, as well as the pain the soldier is feeling. They will be able to fight on no matter how badly they are injured.

Name: Swift Spear
Rank: E-S
Type: Weaponry
Element: None
Description: This jutsu makes the Ashigaru faster when using their weaponry. By expending an amount of chakra, the shinobi is pushes it out into their muscles and joints to make them more flexible and faster. A shinobi will find themselves 5% faster per rank of chakra expended. This increase lasts for two posts before it fades, with no lasting side effects. (E-5%, D-10%, C-15%, B-20%, A-25%, S-30%)

Name: Warriors Strength
Rank: E-S
Type: Weaponry
Element: None
Description: This jutsu makes the warrior stronger, allowing them to power through tough enemies or armor. By powering chakra into their muscles and making them work harder, the shinobi is able to increase their strength to surprising heights. Like the swift spear, this technique is used with any weapon. It gives a 5% increase to the shinobi's strength on the same scale of chakra used. This technique also lasts for two posts before fading, leaving no ill effects. This jutsu may not be used at the same time as the swift spear jutsu, and vice versa. (E-5%, D-10%, C-15%, B-20%, A-25%, S-30%)

Name: Soldiers Endurance
Rank: E-S
Type: Taijutsu
Element: None
Description: Pushing on in spite of all odds is what makes the Ashigaru the true blooded warriors they are. Hours upon hours of battling in formation, and charging enemies lines, has ingrained in them a die hard attitude and endurance far beyond normal capabilities. While this ability does not allow them to heal actual damage, the use of this ability still gives them the energy to fight on when other soldiers would have grown far to tired to even lift their blade in defense. Depending on how much chakra is spent, the effects are varried.
D rank chakra: Restores all lost energy due to fatigue or exhastion. This allows them to march all day, and still be fresh and ready for immediate battle. This same amount of chakra can simulate a full night of sleep, however the effect will only last for a few hours. Using it again can allow for this clan to march their army for days straight without resting.
C rank chakra: By releasing more chakra the Ashigaru is able to numb the pain coming from wounds recieved in battle. While it will not truly heal, it will allow th ashigaru to fight on, inspite of the pain.
B rank chakra: By releasing more chakra still, the ashigaru further tends to their wounds. Bleeding will stop, as well as the pain the soldier is feeling. They will be able to fight on no matter how baddly they are injured.
A rank Chakra: By releasing yet more chakra than before, the Ashigaru is able to physical heal small wound. Contusion and abrasions that can not be concidered deep wounds will fade conciderably. Bleeding will cease and all the pain from battle will vanish. This allows the leaders, lieutenants, and battalion captains to lead their troops no matter how damaged they have become. This is how heros are made, and where the tales of their dead warriors come from.
S rank Chakra: Like A rank, this will mend minor wounds and bruises, however this will also cause a small portion of wounds to truly be healed. All the effects felt by the previous use of this still take effect, however the Ashigaru will also be able to heal up to a C ranked injury.
Use of this ability is somewhat dangeorus as it can lead to excessive injury once the battle is over. Immediate medical attention is sugested as ignoring your wounds can lead to death, or extreme injury.

Name: Swift Spear
Rank: E-S
Type: Weaponry
Element: None
Description: This jutsu makes the Ashigaru faster when using their weaponry. By expending an amount of chakra, the shinobi is pushes it out into their muscles and joints to make them more flexible and faster. A shinobi will find themselves 5% faster per rank of chakra expended. This increase lasts for two posts before it fades, with no lasting side effects. (E-5%, D-10%, C-15%, B-20%, A-25%, S-30%)

Name: Warriors Strength
Rank: E-S
Type: Weaponry
Element: None
Description: This jutsu makes the warrior stronger, allowing them to power through tough enemies or armor. By powering chakra into their muscles and making them work harder, the shinobi is able to increase their strength to surprising heights. Like the swift spear, this technique is used with any weapon. It gives a 5% increase to the shinobi's strength on the same scale of chakra used. This technique also lasts for two posts before fading, leaving no ill effects. This jutsu may not be used at the same time as the swift spear jutsu, and vice versa. (E-5%, D-10%, C-15%, B-20%, A-25%, S-30%)

Name: Storage Scroll Release
Rank: D
Type: Ninjutsu
Description: This basic jutsu requires a scroll with items sealed into it. The user determines the way chakra is used to open the seal, which functions as a personal lock of sorts. An E rank amount of chakra is required to unlock the seal and summon the item. Likewise, an E rank amount of chakra is required banish the item back into the scroll when it’d done being used.

Name: Shunshin no Jutsu
Rank: D-S
Type: Ninjutsu
Element: N/A
Description: This jutsu is a high-speed movement technique, allowing a ninja to move short to long distances at an almost untraceable speed. To an observer, it appears as if the user has teleported. A puff of smoke is occasionally used to disguise the user's movements. It is accomplished by using chakra to temporarily boost the user's reflexes. The amount of chakra required depends on the overall distance between the user and their intended destination.

Name: Nawanuke no Jutsu
Rank: E
Type: Ninjutsu
Element: N/A
Description: A basic jutsu taught at the Konoha Ninja Academy, this jutsu allows a ninja to free themselves if they have been tied up.

Name: Symbiotic Healing
Rank: -
Type: Ninjutsu (Medical)
Element: None
Description: Due to Kakuhan's symbiotic plant, he is able to heal minor wounds relatively easily by the vines knitting closed the wounds, and even heavier wounds can be healed by the plants interference. Lost body parts are healed through the plant replacing them with vine-created counterparts, though it cannot replace internal organs or the head. While healing, however, the body's chakra is devoted solely to the plant, regardless of Kakuhan's will in the matter and this breaks puppetry strings currently active or active jutsu until the plant is finished healing, which rarely takes longer than a post unless limb loss is involved, then it takes three posts to complete. This jutsu is a lingering effect from Kakuhan's experimentation on Saya.

Name: Vine Body Purge
Rank: -
Type: Ninjutsu (Medical)
Element: None
Description: Kakuhan's symbiotic plant, when exposed to poisons or foreign substances, even those designed to aid Kakuhan, reacts violently and forces the body to take the appropriate response. If the substance effects the stomach or digestive system, it forces vomiting. If it affects the blood stream, a vine emerges, without the nerve numbing that Kaku usually causes, and immediately tears open the vein so that the bad blood can drip out. If it affects the chakra system the vine will shut down the chakra system in order to slow the expansion of the substance, which is usually counter-productive and greatly agitates Kakuhan who is left in combat without access to his own chakra. This jutsu is a lingering effect from Kakuhan's experimentation on Saya.

Name: Kuchiyose no Jutsu - Summoning Technique
Rank: C
Type: Ninjutsu
Description: A powerful jutsu, Ninpo Kuchiyose allows a ninja to summon animals, objects and the dead to fight on their behalf. The ninja normally signs a blood contract with the animal species, which allows him to summon different size and skill levels of creature. By offering a small sacrifice of blood and forming a couple simple hand seals, Saya is able to call upon the Dinosaurs from the Shikage tribe to assist her when needed.

Name: Sweeping Slash
Type: Weaponry[Shojutsu]
Rank: D-A
Element: None
Description: With a spear, the attacker twists their body in a single circle, sweeping her long spear in a wide circle. This attack is a little slow, but attacks in a full circle, striking everyone within range of the attacker. This spear technique has a conciderable reach and strikes with power if it hits, however it is slow enough to be dodged by almost any talented combatant. The higher rank the attack, the more power is put into the attack. While it remains easy to dodge at higher level, those who do get struck by will find themselves against crushing momentum and force. Even blocking this attack can push an enemy back several feet. This technique requires about half the chakra of a normal jutsu of it's rank to put power into the attack.

Name: Triple Thrust
Type: Weaponry[Shojutsu]
Rank: C-A
Element: None
Description: This technique requires a small amount of chakra to power the thrusts. After assuming an offensive stance, a spear holder can attack with two very rapid thrusts. The attacks are difficult to dodge, however they are weaker than a single attack would have been, and a little easier to block. Using this attack at higher ranks provide another attack to this techique, allowing it 3, 4, or 5 attacks. This consumes about half the chakra needed for a jutsu of the rank it's used at.


Name: Cyclone Wall
Type: Weaponry[Shojutsu]
Rank: C-A
Element: None
Description: By twirling their spear rapidly infront of them, the defender is able to create a wall with their weapon and block a large number of incoming projectiles. This technique can block small projectiles that weight less than one pound, such as kunai and shuriken, at rank C. At rank B it can block thrown knives and small swords, or other projectiles weighing less than five pounds. At rank A this can block projectiles weighing upwards of ten pounds, such as javalins, and larger thrown swords. This defense only applies to one direction at a time, but can be used in two directions. The wall can either defend your front, or above you. No amount of skill will let this technique block more than in just the one direction.

Name: Strike Without a Thought
Type: Weaponry{Kenjutsu]
Rank: C-A
Element: None
Description: Those trained in the use of a sword know it is an extension of their own bodies. This technique involves quickly drawing the sword from it's scabbard and slashing the enemy in one fluid motion. It is very fast, taking about half the time it would take an untrained ninja to draw a sword from it's sheath. By trusting in her training and soldier instincts, Saya is able to assault the enemy effectivly by relying on muscle memory, and experience. At B rank this technique draws the blade in 1/4th the time it usualy takes to draw a blade. At A rank it draws the blade at 1/4 the time requires typicaly, -and- can resheath the weapon after the first slash is completed.

Name: Object Assault
Type: Weaponry[Shojutsu or Kenjutsu]
Rank: D-S
Element: None
Description: This technique involves assaulting the item being carried in your opponent's hands, instead of their body. By using powerful attacks and focusing on a single section of the opponents weapon, the impact can cause an opponents weapon to break. The effects of each strike is cumulative with recurring strikes, as rarely is a weapon so shoddily constructed that it will break in one blow. Damage dealt to the weapon is based off the relative ranks of the weapons involved in the strike. If a weapon is of equal rank to Saya's, it will receive a small chip, and be concidered 1 rank lower for further uses of this attack. Weapons 1 rank lower are effected in the same way. They wil receieve a small chip, and be concidered 1 rank lower for further use of this technique. A weapon that is 2 ranks lower will crack when hit by this technique, and be concidered 1 rank lower for further uses of this attack. Weapons 3 ranks lower will be fractured, but not break. They will be rendered weakened, and very close to breaking. Continued use of the weapon might break it even if it is not struck by this attack again. Weapon's 4 ranks beneath the weapon used for this attack will break and be unusable until they are repaired. This attack requires no chakra, however it requires that saya has an increase to her strength for each hit. This attack has no effect on items held together by chakra, unless the blade is also infused with chakra. Likewise, this attack does not affect weapons of higher rank than the weapon used for this attack.
Link:

Name: Lasso
Type: Weaponry[Kogetsu-Shoge]
Rank: C
Element: None
Description: This is a weapon technique used to disable an enemy. By pulling the chain through the weighted steel ring attached to the end of it, the weapon can be formed into a slipknot much like a dog's choke collar. This loop can be thrown around a person and pulled tight to wrap around their body. Removing the chain is difficult once it's been wrapped around someone and is all but impossible is Saya if still pulling the chain tight. If Saya is stronger than her opponent, she can drag the person along willing or not with the chain.
Link:

Name: Snare Weapon/Disarm
Rank: C/B
Type: Weaponry[Koketsu-Shoge]
Element:None
Description: By wrapping the chain around a weapon, the person holding using a Kyoketsu-shoge is able to render the weapon unusable. With sufficent skill the user of this technique can even disarm an opponent by pulling the weapon out of their hands. This technique requires no chakra, and is just one of the many uses of the Koketsu-Shoge. By means of this technique the soldier uses the chain as a whip, and entangle anything of suitable size and shape. Shuriken and the like would be difficult to grab, though axes and clubs and swords and almost all other manner of melee weapon that isn't very small is up for grabs, so to speak. The more complicated and jagged the weapon, the more vulnerable it is to this technique because it gives even more area for the chain to grip and catch on. Like a lasso, if you stop pulling on the chain, the loop will go slack.

Name: Void-Vortex Sword Style
Emphasis: Kenjutsu: This is a sword specific weapon style. It favors a cautious defense, paired with devastating single strikes. It is said to be one of the fastest sword styles, and relies on enhanced reflexes and speed to achieve its highest levels of mastery. Masters of this style are able to swing their swords so fast they can create a vacuum behind their blade. Because this style is so hard to defend against, it is famous for its effectiveness is duels.
Requirements: Those who have any hope of learning the Void Style must have some sort of bonus, of at least 20%, to their speed and strength to be able to learn even the lowest levels of this sword style. A special sword is needed to help most students learn the basics of the style. Saya’s Hurricane Sword has special abilities that help her learn and master this style.
Description: This sword style relies on being both very fast and very strong. It takes time and practice to master the techniques of this weapon style, but it has great benefits. It has a very flexible, mobile, and reliable defense that relies on parrying and blocking, as much as tumbling to escape combat. Those who are able to master the more advanced techniques are able to swing their swords so fast they can create cavitations in the air behind their sword. These small shockwaves can be used in various ways to damage an enemy. Oddly enough, though most practitioners of this style are wind users, the technique relies on removing wind more than creating it. Because this style lacks any element in its effect, it has been dubbed the Void style, and it is not weak against any element. Most of the damage this sword style deals is just Physical damage.

The Void Bubble: The void is created by moving air away from an area faster than the air is able to replace itself. With all the air removed from an area, a vacuum is created, and thus, a Void. These bubbles are typically arch shaped following the path of the sword used to form them. Cavitations are dangerous and damaging, but the arched design of the bubble allows them to be better shaped when they collapse. The smaller ends tend to collapse first and implode inwards, creating what most could consider a small explosion. As the air rushes back, the Bubble collapses with a loud bang, and a forceful shockwave.

The bubble’s implosion typically causes a blast area of about 5 feet extending outwards from the where the void collapses. The shape of the bubble helps the master of this style better control where the force will be delivered. The arch shape causes a directional explosion, where the force of the bubble is delivered out in the front 180 degrees. This keeps the user of this technique safe from harm.


Natural Jutsu:
Name: Smite Flames
Rank: C
Type: Kenjutsu
Element: Wind
Description: With a single swing of their blade, this simple technique can extinguish minor flames. All candles, torches, lanterns, or other flames smaller than 1 meter across can be instantly, and silently, extinguished. This attack has short range, barely extending a foot beyond the blade.

Name: Void Vortex
Rank: B/S
Type: Kenjutsu
Element: Wind
Description: This technique is difficult, and requires the user swing their blade very quickly through the air. By causing large cavitations behind their blade, the ensuing vacuum and shockwave created by its collapse is enough to knock an opponent momentarily off balance. Anyone standing within ten feet of the vortex will be sucked inexorably towards it, and will be knocked of balance for a moment. Because the shock wave is centered outwards from the person swinging the blade, the user of thi technique is immune to their own void style.

Name: Void Wall – Break Elements
Rank: B/S
Type: Kenjutsu
Element: None
Description: By swinging their blade in a quick swing straight upwards, this technique shapes and better controls the large vacuum bubble created by splitting the air in front of the user. When the void bubble collapses, the resulting shockwave creates a wall of force that prevents the oncoming jutsu from being able to cover Saya. The over all effect of this technique is to split an elemental jutsu that relies on a wave, a jet, a cone, or something similar, and creating a safe pocket around the user of this technique. The protection created by this technique only lasts for one post, and anything sustained beyond that will easily overcome this defense.

Name: Void Parry Shadow Cut
Rank: B/S
Type: Kenjutsu
Element: Wind
Description: The technique is used to block over hand attacks coming down from above the opponent. By combining their own speed with the momentum of their attacking opponent, this technique deflects a blade to the side, while also causing a vacuum bubble. The initial parry does no damage to the opponent, however the secondary effect of the vacuum bubble collapse causes a shockwave that deals considerable damage. The shockwave erupts outwards from the blade’s path, and covers an area of a cone that is 15 feet long, and cuts with the force of the user’s normal attack.

Specialty Jutsu: [A list of jutsu that require some amount of chakra to use.]
Name: Void Channel
Rank: B/S
Type: Weaponry[Kenjutsu]
Element: Wind
Description: The technique for opening the void is almost impossible, even if the student of vortex possess the wind element. This technique is similar to other wind based chakra enhancements, but does not increase the effective length of the blade due to chakra. Instead it uses the wind chakra channeled into a blade to make the blade wider, and to create areas of turbulence when the blade is swung. This creates an effect much like an oar for a boat. This extra disturbance in the air effectively slows down the speed required in a sword stroke to open a vacuum behind the blade. It takes a C rank of chakra to focus a sword like this, and the focus is used up when used to open a vacuum bubble. At S rank a master of this style is able to channel the void at will, with no cost to chakra.

Name: Ghost Mirror Backstab
Rank: B
Type: Weaponry[Kenjutsu]
Element: Wind
Description: This is a high speed movement technique similar to shunshin, however allows for speed in more than just the legs. This combines the rapid speed of movment with two sword attacks, both landing at almost the same time. This gives the image for a split second that there are two copies of the user of this jutsu, and two cuts, one on each side of the opponent. Due to the speed of this attack, only those who have greatly enhanced speed will be able to defend against both of the attacks. The chakra required for this attack is equal to that of a C ranked jutsu.

Name: Void Wave
Rank: B/S
Type: Kenjutsu
Element: None
Description: This technique requires a full C rank of chakra be infused into the blade, and that the weapon be swung hard enough to open a void bubble. The additional chakra is released into the vacuum caused by the attack, and when the void bubble collapses it will form the additional chakra into a blade shaped shockwave. With practice the blade can be aimed, but flies in a very fast, straight line. The shockwave does as much damage as the weapon that created it, however it only has a range of about 10 meters.

Name: Three Ghost Slash
Rank: B
Type: Weaponry[Kenjutsu]
Element: None
Description: This is a high speed movement technique that is very short range, typically 5-10 feet. In spite of the short distance, this technique allows for four rapid jumps, back and forth around the same small area. By doing this the user can attack from any side they chose, and strike at their opponents weakest spot. The mind blurring speed at which the jutsu moves makes it impossible for the attack to aim at specific body parts, but it also extremely hard to dodge or block. The movements are so fast the user will sometimes appear to be striking from two or three positions at once. Regardless of appearances, this attack only deals damage once. This technique consumes chakra equal to a B ranked jutsu and will catch all except those with much better than average speed and reflexes off guard.

Name: Steel Defense Style
Emphasis: This is a mostly defensive style that is taught in the Ashigaru Officers Corp. Masters of this style are able to defend themselves from multiple opponents with great efficiency. This is a duel wielding style where the sword is held in the primary hand, and the scabbard is held in the off hand. A special scabbard is required so that it is better able to stand up to the punishment of being used in combat.
Requirements: One must be practiced in the skill of wielding two weapons to use this style. It is also only taught by high ranking members of the Ashigaru clan. A user must also purchase a special scabbard for their sword which is constructed from hand forged, hardened steel.
Description: This style makes use of the sword’s scabbard in the off hand for defense and offence. Through this style the Scabbard becomes an Exotic Weapon.
Natural Jutsu:

Name: Scabbard Defense
Rank: B
Type: Weaponry[Exotic]
Element: None
Description: This involves wielding the scabbard as though it were a weapon. It can be used in all ways to block, parry, or deflect just as though it were a solid steel sword. The heavy steel scabbard required for this style is able to defend from all manner of weapons, because it is made from forged piece of hardened steel.

Name: Scabbard Offense
Rank: B
Type: Weaponry[Exotic]
Element: None
Description: This technique involves any sort of attacks made with the scabbard. Because of the hardened steel construction of the scabbard, it deals huge amounts of bashing damage. Strikes from the scabbard are able to crush flesh, break bones, and smash through rocks, depending on the physical strength of the wielder.

Name: Enhanced Draw
Rank: B
Type: Weaponry[Exotic]
Element: None
Description: Because the sword is held in a dynamic and always moving position, drawing it is actually much easier. Because one hand can pull on the sword and one hand can pull on the scabbard, drawing the sword can be done in almost an instant. This doubles the speed of any other quick draw technique, and also allows for a quick draw technique to be used from an odd angle, or in a confined space. One can even quick draw their blade from an angle such as over their head, or behind their backs. This is only possible if the sword is being held in hand, and not tucked into the belt, or over the shoulder, etc.

Specialty Jutsu: [A list of jutsu that require some amount of chakra to use.]

NONE

History: This defensive style was mastered by a bright sergeant in the Ashigaru army decades ago. Its popularity has risen with the great success of the applying the simple techniques taught by this style. With its rise in popularity it began to be practiced more and more often, until it became part of the basic curriculum for the officer training school of the Ashigaru Clan. Among that clan this style is fairly common, though it is not often taught to outsiders.

Name: Ashigaru Honor Blade
Quantity: 1
Location: worn in Steel Scabbard Left Hip alongside the Hurricane Blade
Rank: A
Appearance: This is a masterwork of blade-craft and one of the finest swords in the land. This is a longsword with a single edged blade and a long graceful curve to it. It is forged of the highest quality steel, and great detail was taken in decorating this blade. It bears the Ashigaru crest for a cross-guard, and sits in a black wooden scabbard. It has sparse and simple decoration, but is unmistakably a finely crafted and beautiful sword.
Special Abilities: While it does not possess any supernatural powers, the steel has been hand forged with extreme care. So fine is the quality of this blade that it can slice through flesh and bone as easily as it slices through wood and iron. This is one of the finest examples of Katana in all the lands, and has been in the Ashigaru clan for centuries.
Origin: This blade is as old as the Ashigaru clan, and dates back to the final civial war between the families. It was said to be lead by one of the aspiring captains of the Saru forces, and slaughtered many foes in it's years. This sword was issued to Saya when she achieved the Rank of Chuunin, and marks the final promotion among her clan. This will be the blade she has for the rest of her Ashigaru career.

Name: Hurricane Blade
Quantity: 1
Location: Scabbard on left hip.
Rank: B
Appearance: The Hurricane Blade is an ancient weapon that has been handed down through the Ashigaru clan for countless centuries. It is a perfectly crafted weapon in every way possible, and has not a single flaw. The blade has a graceful curve, and is razor sharp. The whole thing is made from hardened steel and is very very durable. The blade can be trod upon by elephants and bent in a press and still retain it’s proper shape and deadly edge. Though the blade seems a little plain and un-ornate, its functionality far exceeds the normalcy of it’s physical appearance.
Special Abilities/Characteristics: This weapon is ancient and unique. Though others exist that have similar abilities, it is still a relatively unknown manifestation of chakra influence over a sword. While most who would focus their chakra into a blade to make the blade longer and sharper, this sword’s effect is somewhat opposite. Instead of channeling chakra through the blade in a long linear fashion, this blade instead focuses the chakra out through the broad sides of the blade. The profile of the chakra enhanced sword looks something like a wide oar, but that’s only visible to those who can see chakra.

The effects of this actually slow the blade down some, but swinging the blade causes more air to move than would normally be affected by a thin, sharp blade. This sword is ideal for beginners who are learning certain wind based techniques, and sword styles. Other than its ability to focus chakra, it has no other effects of its own.
Origin: This blade is said to be ageless, its true creation lost to time. One of the founders of the Saru family stole this sword from a fallen foe long before the creation of the Ashigaru clan. Since that time it has been held only by a few gifted shinobi, and at all other times was stored in the families secret weapon vaults. The blade’s effect took time to master, but during the first great shinobi war an extremely gifted user of the void style appeared on the battlefield of a large war. Similar accounts tell of very gifted users of this sword showing up in fortified fortresses alone, or facing down tens of enemies in battle at once. While the validity of the story is highly questionable, each one speaks of legendary battles, with great outcomes for the wielder of this blade. This blade was a gift to Saya for advancing in rank as a shinobi. The same time she received this blade she also handed in her previous B ranked katana.

Name: Short Sword
Quantity: 2
Location: Parallel across the small of her back, just above her ninja pouch. One can be drawn from each side.
Rank: C
Appearance: This is a short weapon made for quick stabbing attacks. The blade is only about 18 inches long, but the hook shaped cross guard make the weapon ideal for capturing another larger weapon. Though the weapon has a double edged blade, the heat treated and hardened steel tip is much better for stabbing deep into someone.
Special Abilities/Characteristics: This weapon was hand forged and folded over and over in its making. The steel was further hardened with treatments of great heat to make the blade good and tough.
Origin: This is a rather simple weapon that saya has purchased two of, with money she made on her missions. The common short sword is most likely the most commonly used blade, and no warrior goes into battle without one for back up. Being the ever prepared warrior, Saya carries 2.

Name: Formation Yari
Quantity: 1
Location: Storage Scroll
Rank: C
Appearance: The formation Yari for the Ashigaru clan consists of a 17 foot long pole of lacquered and leather bound bamboo. It is strong, ridged, and topped with a foot long metal spike. The spike is a three sided metal blade, whose point is razor sharp and constructed to punch holes through armor and horses alike.
Special Abilities/Characteristics: The reach of this weapon makes it ideal for dealing with mounted troops. The bamboo the poles are cut into strips, assembled in a tight pole, and bound with long strips of leather. After being carefully lacquered the weapon is rendered almost unbreakable.
Origin: The Ashigaru clan has a large collection of talented metal workers. Through out the years they have established a massive armory of ancestral weaponry. These weapons are guarded well, cared for, and repaired free of charge to any Ashigaru clan member that is still in good standing with their family. Showing cowardice, or losing a weapon, is sure to get you out of their good graces. Every Ashigaru is issued ONE long Yari. If this weapon is lost, you better find it.

Name: Footman's Yari
Quantity: 1
Location: Storage Scroll
Rank: C
Appearance: The Footman's Yari consists of a six foot long staff. The staff is constructed of strips of bamboo formed into a tight shaft, and wrapped with long leather strips. It is then lacquered, which renders the weapon almost unbreakable. A long blade is affixed to the end of the staff that can vary from between 1 to 2 feet long. The footman's yari does not have a single thrusting tip. Instead it is topped with a strong double edged blade that can be used for slashing as well as it can be used for piercing armor. The blade has a considerable tang on the end, which when inserted into the shaft makes it very hard to snap the blade off.
Special Abilities/Characteristics: This weapon has impressive reach, but is still light, strong, and perfectly balanced. It is the hallmark of the Ashigaru clan and a very deadly tool in their hands. It has no special properties, however all Yari from this clan are made with perfecting expectations. Any weapon with even a minor flaw at creation will be scrapped and it's blade recycled again. This weapon is a fine example of its kind, and is razor sharp and much harder to break than a regular one.
Origin: The Ashigaru clan has a large collection of talented metal workers. Through out the years they have established a massive armory of ancestral weaponry. These weapons are guarded well, cared for, and repaired for free to any Ashigaru in good standing. The Footman's Yari is the only weapon that is constantly being made new in the clan, as more and more often these spears do not return. When an honorable and heroic Ashigaru dies, this is the only weapon they will be buried with, which draws them out of circulation more than the swords or axes. This spear is he Ashigaru life, and losing it is the largest disgrace an Ashigaru can face. Better to be seen a coward, then to lose your spear. An Ashigaru is issued ONE Footman's Yari when they become a soldier.

Name: Fine Throwing Axe
Quantity: 4
Location: Right hip, towards back
Rank: D
Appearance: This weapon is forged in whole from a single piece of steel. It is well balanced, a little heavy, and has a razor sharp cutting edge. It can be used as a melee weapon in a pinch, but is made to be throw with speed and precision. This is a heavier and more damaging form of a typical ninja's Kunai, and can be treated just as such
Special Abilities/Characteristics: This is just a throwing weapon. It's heavier weight does make it harder to deflect with another smaller thrown weapon, but it is still just a throwing axe. If it hits you in the face, you will likely have a bad day.
Origin: The Ashigaru clan has a large collection of talented metal workers. Through out the years they have established a massive armory of ancestral weaponry. These weapons are guarded well, cared for, and repaired free of charge to any Ashigaru clan member that is still in good standing with their family. Showing cowardice, or losing a weapon, is sure to get you out of their good graces. An Ashigaru is issued 4 throwing axes when they are assigned to a company. These may be replaced, but their size makes them relatively easy to collect after a battle has ended. Extra and replacement axes are sold for the value of their metal to Ashigaru soldiers.

Name: Spike Shooter
Quantity: 1
Location: Left Bracer
Rank: D
Description: This weapon is little more than a solid metal cylinder that has been loaded with a spring and locking mechanism. The strong spring takes considerable force to lock into place, but translates into greater speed and force for the projectile. The spike it shoots is much like a thick senbon, though each one has a short length of ribbon streaming from the back for stability. This weapon attached to the bracer covering Saya's left wrist. The compression tube that houses the spring is about 8 inches long, while the spike it shoots is about 5 inches long, and very sharp.
Special Abilities/Characteristics: This is a spring loaded crossbow, and can pretty much be treated just like one. Due to accuracy issues, using this weapon beyond a range of 50 feet is pretty pointless. The heavy spring must be reset after each shot, and a new spike must be loaded into it. The spike has good punching power, but short range.
Origin: This is a simple ranged weapon that Saya picked up with money from missions. She had it fused to her metal bracer for ease of transport.

Name: Spike Cannon
Quantity: 1
Location: Inside of Saya’s cloak, hanging from a short chain.
Rank: C
Description: This contraption is basically five of Saya’s spring-loaded spike shooters that have been fused together and combined into one weapon. The five different spike shooters can be fired in rapid succession, or all at once, firing the same spike projectiles as Saya’s single Spike Shooter. Reloading this weapon takes 1 full post after all the spikes have been fired, as well as a tremendous amount of strength to reset all the springs at once. The five spring-loaded cylinders have been gathered up in circule bundle, and all were mounted on a plank of carved wood. There’s a trigger that will fire the tubes one at a time when pulled, or if pulled hard enough, fire all five spikes at once.
Special Abilities/Characteristics: This is essentially a gathering of five spring-loaded crossbows. The weapon has an effective range of about 50 feet due to accuracy issues, but fires straight, true, and deadly fast up to that short range.

Name: Steel Scabbard of Defense
Location: Tucked away in belt at left hip, sometimes held in left hand.
Rank: B
Type: Defensive Weapon
Natural Abilities: This is a thick and heavy piece of hand forged steel. It is solid and durable, and capable of being wielded as a weapon. This scabbard can withstand huge amounts of force smashing into it and receive only minor scratches. It also strikes with the power of a solid mace, and can crush bones and rock alike.

Name: Kyoketsu Shoge
Quantity: 1
Location: Coiled up on right hip, towards the front.
Rank: D
Appearance: The Kyoketsu Shoge is a versatile weapon derived from the Kusari-gama. It is essentialy a heavy dagger with a sharp hooked blade replacing the cross guard. The knife is attached to a 15 foot long chain, at the end of which is a weighted steel ring.
Special Abilities/Characteristics: The Kyoketsu Shoge is an endlessly useful weapon. The lengthy chain and weight can be used to tangle up other weapons, or disarm them completely. The chain is also useful for wrapping around peoples limbs, be they hands or feets or necks. The sharp kama at the end is a single edged sickle blade, that can cut quite easily through flesh.
Origin: The Ashigaru clan has a large collection of talented metal workers. Through out the years they have established a massive armory of ancestral weaponry. These weapons are guarded well, cared for, and repaired free of charge to any Ashigaru clan member that is still in good standing with their family. Showing cowardice, or losing a weapon, is sure to get you out of their good graces. While Saya was visiting her home, she spent much of her saved money from her first lower rank missions. With that money, this is one of the basic weapons she equipped herself with.

Name: Splinter Bomb
Quantity: 2
Location: In a pocket sewn into the inside of her plated cloak. Each has its own pocket.
Rank: C
Appearance: This weapon takes the form of a large pear shaped piece of wood, which has been cut into countless sections. The wood has been cut through many times, but it held together by a very thin wrapping of paper. The bomb is about 5 inches high by 4 inches wide at its bottom half, and where there should be a stem there's a metal ring. The entire thing has been painted black, and resembles a pear only in its general shape. Looking at this weapon, it clearly is a bomb. This is made further evident, if the ring on top is instead a hole spouting sparks and smoke.
Special Abilities/Characteristics: Inside of this bomb is an alchemical substance very similar to the powder smoke bombs are made from. The pressure of being trapped in the wood enhances the force of this explosion, splintering the wooden shell around the explosive. To use one pulls the pin out of the top of the bomb, 1 second later the bomb will explode. The force is minimal; however the effect of the bomb is to send a shower of small wooden splinters in every direction. The splinters fly out only about 20 feet before they become ineffective. These inflict moderate surface damage, but have very little capability in penetrating armor. Light cloth will reduce the effect by half, and anything beyond that minimizes it to unnoticeable levels. Exposed skin will be sprayed with countless small slivers of wood and likely receive numerous splinters. Reinforced cloth, leather, and anything more protective, will be completely unaffected by this weapon, even at close range.
Origin: This was a device Saya thought up and commissioned on some of her off time with her family. Though she already has ways to deal with multiple fighters around her, this little device helps her get rid of lightly armored and fast moving targets. The design was mostly her own, though she brought the idea and worked it over with a craftsman in town. Together they designed and crafted a splinter bomb for Saya to use. She purchased two of them, as wood and smoke bombs are an inexpensive medium to work in.

Name: Throwing Snare
Quantity: 1
Location: Coiled up tightly and hanging from the center of her short swords, at the small of her back. Wound up this would just look like a very short length of rope, or perhaps a stylized knot piece.
Rank: D
Appearance: This is a length of strong cord about 7 feet long. It has weights tied to it at various points giving it some weight for ease of throwing. The cord is braided rope that is tough, but can be cut through like normal rope. The weights are just balls of brass.
Special Abilities/Characteristics: This is just made to tangle up the feet of a quick moving enemy. It's much like a bola in that it can be used to trip and briefly disable an opponent. The tough rope is very hard to rip or break out of, however it is easy to cut with a sharp blade.
Origin: This is a common and simple weapon that Saya picked up in the market place for a few coins. Just another useful weapon to add to her growing collection of weapons.

Name: Hardened Spike
Quantity: 10
Location: Belt pouch in back.
Rank: E
Appearance: These spikes are little more than stylized crossbow bolts. They are 5 inches long inch and about a half inch in diameter. One end tapers into a very sharp point, while the opposing end has about five inches of light ribbon bound around it that trails behind in flight to offer a bit of stability.
Special Abilities/Characteristics: [/b] This is just a sharp spike with no special powers. It has a range of 50 feet due to accuracy issues beyond that, but flies straight and true for those 50 feet. The 10 spikes are kept in a ninja's pouch until they are needed.

Name: Ashigaru Chain Tunic
Rank: B
Type: Armor
Natural Abilities: This suit is made from tiny steel links that have been woven together. Each suit is tailored to the wearer and provides a great amount of protection. While the links can be weak on their own, they are light enough to be worn beneath more traditional leather types of armor. It helps greatly in reducing the damage done by slashing and piercing weapons.

Name: Ashigaru War Armor
Rank: C
Type: Armor
Natural Abilities: Ashigaru armor is light, and it protects the vitals from serious injury, while allowing free mobility of arms and legs. Armor from the Ashigaru family has seen countless repairs, however still maintains its masterful quality. The clan usually designs its armor to take the appearance of an oni or an ogre to help instill fear in their enemies. Most soldiers wear a traditional helmet with metal face plate resembling such a beast as well.

Name: Saya's Heavy Armor Cloak
Rank: C
Type: Armor
Description: This is a sturdy leather cloak that Saya thought up, and had her clan's metal workers fashion for her. It consists of a sturdy cloak made of soft, supple leather. The leather has been dyed black and is studded with hundred shaped steel plates. The plates are riveted to the leather with a scale like design which leaves little room for a blade to get through it. The cloak is able to cover her whole body, and its one piece construction leaves few weak spots. While it does provide a great amount of protection to all sides, it is also quite heavy. The amount of metal used to cover the cloak makes it weight about 60 pounds in total. Distributed evenly, it still slows her down some. Each of the individual plates of steel has been lacquered black.
Natural Abilities: This cloak grants a huge amount of protection, for the price of a little mobility. This cloak is highly resistant to most slashing and piercing attacks, as well as most forms of bashing damage. While it acts as a covering of plate mail, the full body nature of the covering allows it to absorb other forms of jutsu as well. If the cloak is closed and covering the body, it reduces the damage dealt from a fire jutsu by half. This defense also extends to any jutsu that deals damage based on explosions, such as air, or earth. The weight of this cloak makes it a little bit of a hazard in the water. While wearing this cloak, Saya is 10% slower than she would be without it.

Name: Storage Scroll
Quantity: 1
Location: Saya keeps her scroll wrapped around her left arm. Being a small scroll it only takes up the space between her elbow and her wrist, and allows her to access her stored items with more ease than if the scroll was kept in a bag.
Appearance: This is a small scroll used to store large and heavy items, to make transporting them much easier. It is written on special silk that is both flexible and tough. The fabric is a deep purple, while the item seals show up on it in black. The scroll is wrapped around Saya's left forearm in a stylish manner, and it matches well with her purple robes.
Special Abilities/Characteristics: This scroll is small and has only enough room for five seals. Thus, only five items may be stored inside of it. Items stored inside of it have no weight, but must be no more than 10 feet on any side.

Name: Saya’s War Mask
Location Face
Rank: C
Type: Armor
Natural Abilities: Though seeming like little more than a protective covering for Saya’s pretty face, this mask contains more than just armored protection. The mask fits close and covers her face with an air tight seal, and is held in place with a pair of strong elastic straps that go around the back of her head. The integrated air filter keeps dust, gasses, and other fine particulate from being inhaled, and also from getting into her eyes. The mask also has a built in range finder that is accurate up to a range of 10 miles. The range finder does not enhance vision at all in any way. Only the distance to objects visible to the naked eye can be measured, and typically works best by choosing a section of ground to measure the distance too. This does not allow for seeing hidden objects, or invisible objects on it's own, and is only for measuring distance.

Because the mask is airtight and filters the external air, Saya went through the needed steps to install an internal air supply. The mask uses reusable canisters of compressed air, and each small cartridge stores enough air for about five good breaths. If needed this is enough for about five posts of self sustained breathing, or about five minutes. To active the the air supply the wearer just needs to flip a simple switch. The canister will pressurize the mask for the five posts and provide air. This only functions in water up to 10 meters deep.

Name: Thick Steel Plate
Location Storage Scroll
Rank: B
Type: Object
Description: This is a single solid piece of steel. It is seven feet high by four feet wide by four inches thick at its center. It is a small wall of steel and can stop almost any attacks. This piece of steel weighs in at 2000 lbs and is very hard to move around. It has a curved and angled design built in so that the wall can support its self and stand upright. Thick as it is, even C ranked Lightning jutsu can penetrate the metallic defense.

Name: Training Weights
Location Storage Scroll. Though these items are bound into the storage scroll, Saya rarely ever releases the summoning and sends them back into the scroll. When Saya wishes she need only cast the jutsu to banish the weights back into the scroll. These weights are worn on her wrists and shins.
Rank: C
Type: Equipment
Natural Abilities: These training weights cause every moment to take a huge amount of effort. Wearing them causes nearly constant exhaustion. After wearing them for so long, Saya has acclimated to their weight and can move as quickly as a nomal Chuunin while wearing them. When she removes them she receives a huge boost to her speed for a short while. For 2 posts after removing her weights Saya receives a 75% bonus to her speed. The bonus fades to 50% for 3 posts after that, and then fades away completely. While she is wearing her weights Saya is also very difficult to lift, carry, or push. They also make swimming much more difficult. These weights cause exhaustion, but Saya is able to overcome that thanks to her clan's abilities. The strain on her chakra supply causes her to have 1 less B rank in chakra reserves than a typical Chuunin.

Saru Saya was born into a clan of warriors, and that simple fact set her life down a predestined path. There's only one life known by those in her clan, and that life is war. She was set on a shrine to battle at birth, and war has shaped her life since. Her early years were somewhat typical of most children. She learned her numbes and letters, played with her friends, and watched her older family members practice the art of battle. She always admired the way their armor looked, and the graceful perfection her family used when fighting. When she was finally allowed the oppertunity to fight the other children of her family, she was over joyed. She was not alone, though. Most of the other five year olds had been looking forward to that day for months.

Saya was a gifted fighter, and won the first tournement she was in. The children were all untrained, experienced only in what they had already seen. They were each given staves that were three feet long, and padded on their ends. The children paired off one at a time, the loser of each fight being pulled aside and removed from the fighting. Saya showed great skill with the staff, and won her first tournament. Victory ensures only one thing in the eyes of her family, and loss is no disgrace. To participate at all is a great honor, but to win marks the first qualification of being sent to a shinobi nation. Saya was overjoyed with her first victory, and her spirits havn't dropped since. She grew quickly in the ranks of he family's ordered system and shone as a brilliant warrior. She was a leader amongst those in her grade, and excelled in her physical training.

Early in the morning, every morning, she would wake. The sun would still be sleeping when she got up from the crate she slept on, a full quarter of her class sharing the same dormitory as her. Memories of her parents were something of her past. Though she saw her birth parents daily, she only loved them as she loved her other family members. The brothers and sisters and cousins around here were all tightly knit, as such is the way amongst her clan. Four women and two men tended to the needs of all of the clan's children, and they instilled in her the same lessons all Ashigaru children were taught. By living along side her family she learned well how to depend on others around you, and how to be dependable for them. Suffering the same trials together, each generation is sure to cling to each other to push through the challenges their life presents.

At age five the students are allowed to fight the first time, but it's a full year before they battle again. The first year of Ashigaru School is filled with discipline, and marching. Saya fell into step the first day, arriving at school with great excitement. She took a seat in the front and guarded it as her's her entire way through school. She hung on her teachers every word, and was something of a teacher's pet. With packs weighing in at 25 pounds the children began their daily marches. Little mercy is shown for the children, and the first four mile walk is always remembered as hell. The next day it is repeated, and no Ashigaru is permitted to linger behind. The drive to win, and need to remain with their classmates ensure the children maintain the slow pace set out by the older instructors. This dreary walking did little to damper the spirits of the children. To many Ashigaru take to this naturally, not just Saya. Saya is not even an exception amongst her family, though her notable drive is admired everywhere else.

When children began to despair at the growing length of the walk, the students with the edge supported their classmates. There were no rules involved, and shouldering another student’s pack is not forbidden. Offering water, encouragement, even carrying other students is common, because this task simply must be done. Most find that nothing drives this family apart, and that was the case in Saya's class. For an entire year the children were force marched around the vast territory surrounding their clan's stronghold. Over the course of the first year the weight they carried was steadily increased. By the end of the first month, Saya was walking with 35 pounds on her back. Each increase forced more and more out of the more talented students. By the end of the third month they carried 40, and near the end of the tenth month the weight was increased to 60 pounds. Their four mile walks never seemed to end. The distance they traveled only changed once. Six months into the first year the distance was decreased to 3, however the students were not informed. The students never broke under the treatment, and the team work that was needed always found a way to manage. There is not a single student amongst Saya's class, not even herself, who can claim to have never had to give her pack to someone else. Some days even the strongest children were forced to drop their pack and drag it behind them. Some dragged two, while others rested. Saya sugested the shift system, offering to carry for a distance while someone else rested. The renewed student could take her pack, and drag it for a while there after.

By the age of six, Saya had already been crafted into a powerful human. She could lift more than some adults, outside of her family, but was still limited by her size. The year of marching helped fortify her body, and she grew up well from there. Age seven marks most Ashigaru as a soldier. It may seem young to most outsiders, and most outsiders wouldn't expect children to be trained with weapons, however at six years of age their training begins. Weight is removed from the students, which is always seen as a great relief. Their marches are simple affairs from then on, a five mile jog through the woods. Afterwards they train in the use of a certain weapon. Each week the older instructors of the family rotate to a new weapon and practice its uses. The Ashigaru train first and foremost in the spear, it being the first and the last weapon they practice, and Saya absolutely lived for those moments. She picked up on the spear quickly, then the sword. Her use of throwing weapons soon followed, and as was expected she took naturally to each one. She was a pride to the Saru name in her early years, and at age seven she was allowed to fight again.

Her second tournament went perfectly, and once again she reached the top of the list. She won, but not by the same margin as before. Her first round she was pitted against the next most skilled student. Their first fight was like the final match of her previous tournament and her cousin's skill took her completely by surprise. She had begun with a rather arrogant offence, and a seven year old boy quickly corrected her. He almost broke her nose with the first shot, and sent her reeling and seeing stars. She had barely managed to fend off his second swing, and quickly backed away. She fought on with a bloodied nose, and barely managed to secure a win herself. The rest of the tournament was miserable, her nose bringing constant and aching pain. She was amazed at her own classmate’s abilities, as the competition brought out the soldier in each of them. While some were easy, her second tournament earned her a hard won, and much loved gold ribbon for victory. It also ensured that she would be sold to which ever nation needed her.

The next two years of growth saw her win and lose many, many, many fights. With each loss, or each victory, Saya loved more and more her warrior trade. Of course, she never really got to put it to any use. It's not as though people just charge up to her city's gates anymore, and start hurling big rocks at them. No, tragically Saya was born into the accursed 'civilized' times. Being sold wasn't something she sees as bad, or disgraceful. No, she was simply commissioned, and reassigned. The wise officials in Kirigakure heard of her talents, and for a considerable sum purchased Saya. Her contract enlists her as a loyal soldier to the cause of Kiri, and she'll die before letting that down.

She was nine when she was released from her home's strong hold and sent off to Kiri. The world was new, but it did not get her spirits down. She was given an apartment to live in while she attended the academy. She was shocked when she first settled in, the small studio apartment far to big for her. The previous nine years of her life, she'd almost never been out of arms reach of someone. In the empty apartment she felt homesick, so she spent little time in her home. Instead she wandered town. Untill the academy began, she just explored her surroundings. She made no friends, not also no enemies. She just got to know her new home. When her classes began at the academy again, she found herself in a great change. At the academy, she went from the top of her class, to languishing at the bottom. She was simply abysmal, and did her best to seek out help from her classmates. She watched those who were much better at the jutsu training, but still could never pick it up. By the end of her first year at the academy Saya had learned only one jutsu, and she hadn't even mastered it. She was not a laughing stock, but only because she knew how to fight. A few times other students had snickered at her lack of ninjutsu ability; however she promptly kicked their asses with a stick. That shut em up real well!

During time between semesters, she continued to practice, focusing on the Chakra thing untill she could better feel it. The first jutsu she mastered was the Nawanuke no Jutsu. It is considered a minor jutsu, and perhaps the easiest jutsu to learn. With her hands tied she practiced forcing her chakra to repel the ropes binding her, until she created enough slack to wiggle her hands out. Over and over she tried and tried, and almost always failed. Of course, few could mock her lack of ninjutsu, when they finally got to see her fight. Her second year through the academy she graduated, and did so with gusto! She finally got to fight! Those two long years had been nothing but jutsu and lecture. She longed for physical exertion and wanted to march fourty miles. She wanted to feel her spear in her hand, and armor covering her skin. When she finaly got to fight, she shocked her classmates and teachers alike.

Permitted weapons, Saya fought with her sharp training yari. It was slightler taller than she was, and she used it with expert effect. The first three rounds of their fighting went by, and Saya didn't get a touched. The other students had picked up their techniques well, and gave her a run for her money, but the few jutsu they new had still not made them all ninjas. She was faster and stronger than anyone else in attendance, but she still lost. Unsurprisingly she didn't win, as she was horrible with Jutsu. She had barely learned to use even one, let alone defend against them. In her fourth match, the semi finals, a gifted ninja stood before her for only a moment. After meeting his gaze she was going to charge, but found she could not. Genjutsu held her in place, and the round was called on account of paralsis. He could have killed her, had he chosen. After rendering her helpless, Saya met a rather anti-climactic ending to her winning streak.

The loss didn't get her spirits down, and after showing mastery of just the one Jutsu, she was graduated and received her headband. She was assinged to squad 8 when she was nine years old, and began to work. As any young ninja would, she complained tirelessly to her instructor of the ease of her missions. As a fresh genin she was given typical unimportant missions. Her great fortitude made her an excellent messenger, and more than once she was dispatched with packages or messages. Her team was dispatched on search and recover missions to find herbs, animals, or whichever else odd noun those paying her bills cared to send them on. She longed for more. She longed to be a part of this ninja war she had heard about, and wanted to fight enemies. She got her first chance surprisingly, while on a delivery mission.

It was her 11th mission as a Kiri genin, and she was on a normal delivery mission. For the first time her mission hinted of danger and among her team she was not the only one eager for the action. Her team had an experienced chuunin leading it, and thank goodness for that. The team was sent to protect a small shrine from attack, though what arrived to greet them was far from what was expected. A pair of missing ninja had said to have been looming in the area, searching for something. While the shire was not their main goal, it's saftey was still jeopardized so her team was sent to keep it safe. The swamp lands around it became her enemies, as the pair of missing ninja that had invaded managed to wrangle control of the beasts themselves. All manner of snake and alligators crept from the water. The animals hungered for blood, and for an entire bloody knight the four ninja fended off the animals. The teams medical ninja was the first to fall, bitten by a snake and poisoned. She tended to her wounds while Saya and two others fought.

Their chuunin leader worked great jutsu of earth and water, and managed to protect them for some time. Walls and floods and waves and earthquakes shook the area they battled in, but it took the two ninja themselves attacking to really put things on edge. When they first appeared, Saya was thrust into battle. Spear in hand she defended herself, while her two able allies assaulted the remaining one. While Saya did not deliver the first death blow herself, the twin swords of her opponent barely managed to scratch her. Behind her armor, and quick defenses, Saya was able to keep the killer at bey, and delivered the second death blow herself. With no hesitation she drove her spear through a chink in the ninja's defenses. She speared him well from behind when he grew distracted by that talented Chuunin.

After her first kill, Saya was blissfully over joyed. She wasn't a murderer, she was a warrior! Her first kill say great need for victory, and a small change in her life style. It's something of a tradition for her family, and one permitted by her contract. After the mission was over, and she was debreifed by her leaders, she was sent to her villages home land. The voyage took her about six months in total, and while she was gone, she was reassigned. She was released from her unit so she could recieve all the typical coming of age benefits of her family. Amidst fainfair and celebration, those of the year who had seen their first battle were celebrated as adults and true soldiers.

Once she returned home she was given her rightful heirlooms. Ancestral weaponry hand crafted by long dead Ashigaru filled the armory, and she was assigned her equipment. The training Yari she'd been given was taken back, as well as her short sword, and training robes. She was gifted with the armor, spear, and weaponry befitting her clan. The spear she was given became her life and her most cherrished possession. It's shaft was black bamboo, the wood left exposed and without grip. The grain was dark, stained and well laquored, while the blade at it's end was impressive. The blade of the Ashigaru yari is crafted with the time and care that goes into the blade of any samuri. The same techniques are used, the metal endlessly folded and hammered, untill a perfect blade is rendered. The blade at the end of Saya's yari was two feet of double edged steel. The blade was a brilliant polished silver color, and the razor edge of it sent chills down her spine. The first moment she picked it up, she knew she'd found her calling.

She remained with her previous family for 6 months, though it seemed like an amazingly short time. She was daily fitted and measured as her armor was assmbled for her. When she finally left she was a soldier through and through, and would only return to her home on buisness. Her new family was Kiri. Of course.. she was okay with that! She has just now arrived back at her new home, Kirigakure, and still waits to be assigned to a team. She's got several successful missions under her belt, and even a kill. Saya clings to her new possessions with raputred joy at the thought of using them in combat once more.

When she returned to Kiri she set about her training once more. She was reassigned to a new squad with a new leader. Before she had joined with the squad she had met up with a local Jounin in the village. Kakuhan had fought her once, and beaten her easily enough. Saya was impressed by the show of ease with which the puppet user defeated her, but when the fight was over the Jounin did not stop with simple victory. The strange clan the man came from were apparent masters of plant life, and he was something of an experimenter. Seeing the potential for survival, and the durability of her body, he cut her open. He made a clean cut across her chest and exposed her heart. He implanted a seed inside of her, a seed from one of the vines that grew out of his body, and he encouraged it to grow.

At the Kiri Hospital Saya was quick to recover. Her natural stamina and the attentions of medics helped her get back on her feet in record time, and she immediately resumed her training. It was shortly afterwards that she was assigned to a new squad, with Kakuhan as its leader. The first meeting of the group was something of a tragedy. Kakuhan, the Terror, took it upon himself to destroy the weakest member of the group, and inquire about a replacement.

The act didn’t horrify Saya, but what does? She took it with a grain of salt, and kept her mouth closed. At this time she was still just a genin, and had little place in questioning her superiors. She accomplished several missions, though most of them on her own. Just after the team was formed, it seemed, it was doomed to fail. With one member dead, the leader vanished, and apparently fled the village.

Left without a jounin to issue her orders, Saya simply set to improving her skills. She took some time off from missions and got back to her roots as a soldier. She took a voyage to her homeland for resupply, and got some good practice while she did. The journey was a simple one, and gained her several new weapons. She loaded herself up with all manner of offensive and defensive tool, as well as something that would become one of her favorite training tools.

The training weights she bought took her training to amazing new levels. Over the course of five months she progressed from a powerful warrior, to a soldier without peer. Others tried to imitate her use of the constant and tremendous load, but only those who had her unending stamina would have been able to keep up. Though others received some benefit, Saya began to live with her weights on. She gained power and strength, and soon even chuunin began to wonder if they’d be able to match her speed.

Durring her time as a genin, Saya showed a great interest for ships and maritime travel. She was always watching how the various vessels she traveled on worked, and in time decided to learn for herself. She saved up money from the missions she was completing, and hired a tutor to teach her the art of sailing. She excelled at the art, picking up on the methodology with ease and naturally understanding the way the wind moved the ship. She spent more time learning how to navigate the open ocean, but in time learned that.

While she was a genin, Saya gained an impressive list of admirable talents. She could fight with fury an skill. She could lead offenses, and plan defenses, and was always more than willing to put herself in the heat of the danger. She proved that she worked well under even extreme pressure, and to be deadly with her weapons. She could navigate the seas surrounding Kiri, and even purchased a ship of her own.

It wasn’t long before the Kiri officials recognized her potential, and began to assign her more difficult and challenging missions. With the increase in missions came the quick increase in rank, and once more Saya went home to her people. As with each time she gained a new rank, she was entitled to new equipment. She turned in her old and cherished blade, and was gifted with a new sword more befitting her power.

While she was visiting her clan's Keep once more, she remained long enough to get some good practice in. Over the course of two months Saya practiced with the new blade she had purchased, and honed her skills in one of her families secret sword styles. The void style was an ideal one for someone like Saya because it required a huge amount of agility and speed to function. In two months she picked up the basic understanding of the sword style, and set out to practice from there.

Saya sits quietly, concentrating in her seat. Her feet press against the ridged metal slab of the leg press machine, ready to resist her legs next work out. Her hands rest white knuckled around the grips near her seat, squeezing tightly as she begins to push. The muscles in her thighs and calves contract hard, squeezing as she pushes her legs higher. Each inch is slow as the wheels on the platform crawl upwards, dragging with it a thick metal wire. Four hundred pounds lift with each inch she pushes the metal slide, each pound of it pulling back down against her. Her legs shake visibly as the her legs finally straighten. "Fifty." She says with a gasp, breathlessly holding the weight in place for just a moment. Lowering the weight was no easy chore, her muscles easing the slide back down into place carefuly. When it finally comes to rest the steel plates make little sound, and she's done.

She pants for air softly as she forces herself up onto wobbly legs, steadying herself by holding onto the machine she'd just been using. She grins with amusment as even supporting her 125 lbs becomes something of a challange. She'd pushed her legs fifty times, and that was the third time today. She was done with lower body now, for sure. She siezes the towel she had brought with her, and quickly wipes the sweat off of her face, while finally starting away from the machine. She staggers just slightly as she paces her way towards the showers, needing next to get clean. Her legs were hurt, her back was sore, and she was starving, so it was by her count a very successful work out. The burn in her legs meant she was only getting stronger, and with each passing day it would only add up. This is what always drove her back here.

Back at home she never had such equipment. She'd carried great weights for long distances to train and strengthen the muscles in her legs, but this technique was so much easier. Had she a machine like this, she could never leave her home. The day long marches in the woods would not be needed. The constant climbing of steep hills, mountains, and ledges could be passed on, and comfortable seat could be taken. She could just push the weight up, over and over, and recieve the same benefits of her endless marches! How this technology had ever been lost to her family was unknown, but as Saya stepped under the hot water of her shower, she made up a new mission. She'd bring this technology to her people, and be forever honored for it!