"Hai, Hida-sama," Fuji says, and makes ready to follow the Crab.


Fuji

"Hai," replied Saotome in a low voice, his stance subtle altering, from relaxed to a casual watchfulness. He falls into the opposite side from Fuji, his eyes hooded but alert.

Seemingly refreshed by his early morning preparations, the old Tsuruchi Archer moves stridently into the parade ground, a tetsubo slung over one shoulder, along with the ever-present longbow and quiver of arrows. For a man of his apparent age, he still moves with a fairly strident step, still shouldering the burden of a suit of heavy, battle-worn armor.

His good eye darts from participant to participant, his scarred lips twisting up into a slight grin. "Good morning, Hida-sama," he says, offering a bow to the Hida. Noting the slightly unwell figure of Saru, his grin grows a mite more amused, as he continues his advance towards the parade ground.

Kikakus eye begins to shine as Yagimaki finishes saying Kikaku would make a good "training partner"

"i shall try to be more than a practice dummy sensei-sama"

Tsuruchi-san, welcome! I am positive Kikaku-san, there is no dummy in your hakama. While most of you brave bushi are training, I and the scouts are going to do a walk about of the village. Hochkie-san, concentration on combat versus oni. Yagimaki turns and walks towards the village with a look of determination.

exit/stage right

"let us begin." Grabbing a small tetsubo he tosses it to Kikaku as though it were a twig. "attack me Kikaku-san."

Kikaku almost drops the tetsubo as it is lofted his way, but some how he keeps it in his hand.
"i suppose i have to use the stick eh?" Kikaku says with a quick laugh.

Before anybody can respond Kikaku quickly shufflesteps forward and jabs with the heavy weapon. he attemps to quickly whip around the weapon for an over head strike, but it is heavier that he had though. and the move was slow and clumsy........

The short Matsu brought her own tetsubo with her to the camp. The wrappings of the handle were sweat-stained and the wood of the studded end was blotched with darker spots.

She was late. Oh well. It's not like the knowledge would fall out of the Yasuki's head in the minutes between when she should have arrived, and when she did.

(OCC) sorry busy week

Yasuki Hochkie didnt try to dodge the blow, rather he moved into it. Taking the tetsubo high on his armour covered shoulder he steps closer to Kikaku fiercely punching his opponent in the gut.

"Let me explain something, and I do not mean this as a mockery to Kikaku-san. Training to the Crab is as real as battle, you will be hurt, you will hurt others. To do less cheapens the experience of the training, an oni will not hold back. If your swing is not strong enough to hurt or to stun the beast you are dead. Everyone grab a tetsubo and follow me it is time for a morning run. On the wall they trained us to do this to loosen up your mucles and to build stamina and strength, those of you in armour keep it on, those of you without will bring weights in the future."

Standing off to the side of the training ground, Karasu watched impassively as he leaned on his mai chong, his mempo hiding perhaps something of a smile.

Kikaku says threw clinched teeth. "Hai Sensei-sama"

The punch obviously hurt the smaller man, but he would not allow it to break him. Kikaku quickly follows the Yasuki.

So she probably had heard properly... ah well. She wouldn't make any friends maiming people because they didn't move fast enough. Then again, there were some obviously talented ones present. With luck, she wouldn't need to drag a shugenja around.

The Matsu shouldered her tetsubo for the leisurely jog.

Karasu bowed politely as the Matsu approached, at least as best he could while still leaning on his mai chong.

The jog was a slow but steady pace, meant simply to warm up the mucles. As they ran Hochkie spoke of the dangers of the shadowlands.

"Many have said that the tetsubo is a clumsy unsamurai like weapon. This can be considered true but there is a reason that it is the weapon of my clan. The tetsubo is the most effective melee weapon we have against onis, this is mainly due to the majority of oninsu having thick tough hides that are hard to penetrate with blades. With a katana the strike must be perfect to kill an oni there is no room for failure and no second chances if the blade does not fell an oni. Even if the oni is killed by the strike you risk the blade becoming stuck in there bodies. I have seen many samurai killed in my day because they could not dislodge their katana from an oni before their skull was smashed. The tetsubo is not a defensive weapon. It is meant to attack to force the enemy to the defensive. This is for two reasons first of all if an oni is attacking it is unlikely that you will be able to block the attack regardless of your weapon. they are much stronger than mortals and should be treated with respect, dodge the hits or be prepared to take them to block will likely get you disarmed. The second reason is similar and that is that an oni trying to defend itself from your attacks will likely be unable to attack you. I do not have the time or resources to teach of all the different types of oni so I will say this. The larger in general are more problematic, kill them fast. As with a human opponent they ahve troubles defending while surrounded Hit hard do not hold back. If you are injured dont stop to think about the injury fight through the pain or you will die. Also the first rule of fighting an oni is dont ask what it is ask how to kill it."

(OOC: Also been having a busy week, work has been...unkind.)

At the back of the pack, a few feet from the next-to-the-last person, is Manabu. Though each step was agonizing, the crippled Kuni pushed himself to continue the jog. One had to fight through their weakness here, and try to compensate. Though this wasn't the Wall, the enemy has not changed, only the terrain. he will be ready, and as fit as he can be. He heard only portions of Hochkie's speech, having heard it's like for many years. He instead focused on the jog, and keeping his face stoic.